by Scott DCamp
Reporter
Reese Hernandez, Thief River Falls, survived a 13-minute war with Ronnie Britt, Waukee, Iowa, to claim victory in front of a sold out Seven Clans Casino crowd Saturday, July 26.
The nine-fight card, which concluded with Hernandez vs. Britt, marked the return of mixed martial arts to Seven Clans Casino after an eight-year absence.
Hernandez vs. Britt was the night’s main event and the fight lived up to its billing. Britt came close to choking out Hernandez in the second of three scheduled five-minute rounds, while Hernandez was in control for the final minute of each of the first two periods.
Hernandez took control of the fight for good in the third period and won by technical knockout. The back and fourth fight drew a standing ovation for both fighters and it earned fight of the night honors.
“It went about how I thought,” Hernandez said. “He put me in bad situations and landed some good punches. He was tough and smart.
“In the ring, he is legit. He was game, as am I, for the fight. Been training and fighting for a very long time and has seen it all.
“Outside the ring, the guy is great. I would say the fact he's almost 50 years old and driving eight hours north and putting on fight of the night says a lot about his true character.”
Also competing with ties to northwest Minnesota were Anthony Caputo of Crookston and Johns Loeken of Bemidji.
Caputo, who trains in Fargo, N.D., and attends North Dakota State University, used his wrestling background to take control of his fight against Raul Rodriguez. Caputo was victorious by TKO in round two to improve to 4-0 in his career.
Loeken, who trains with the Thief River Falls-based Stomp Factory, won by split decision over Adrian Harris. Loeken improved to 2-1 in his career with the victory.
The knockout of the night came in the Driller Promotions light heavyweight title match, with Ben Strandlien improving to 8-0 with a first round KO over Ben Anderson.
Other winners were Carl Deaton over Adam Schumacher in the co-main event; John Castaneda over Ruddy Gray; Richard Rodriguez over Michael Jokondo in a battle of unbeatens; Jesse Rogge over Ash Majek; and Dustin Murphy over Collin Connery.
Seven Clans MMA Results
140 pounds – Dustin Murphy (6-2) def. Collin Connery (1-2) by rear naked choke round 1; 145: Jesse Rogge (5-7) def. Ash Majek (6-4) by triangle choke round 1; 170: Anthony Caputo (4-0) def. Raul Rodriguez (1-5) by TKO round 2; 130: Richard Rodriguez (7-0) def. Michael Jokondo (2-1) rear naked choke round 3; 265: John Loeken (2-1) def. Adrian Harris (2-3) split decision; Light Heavyweight Championship – 205 pounds: Ben Strandlien (8-0) def. Ben Anderson (5-2) KO round 1; 140: John Castaneda (5-1) def. Ruddy Gray (5-4) KO round 2; 145: Carl Deaton III (8-1) def. Adam Schumacher (7-6) KO round 1; 185: Reese Hernandez (15-3) def. Ronnie Ronnie Britt (24-7) TKO round 3.