Apple Takes Sixth Win
June 12, 2005
Soboba
Casino
San
Jacinto, California
Laguna Niguel, CA - This past
Sunday June 12th, action sports TV personality Erik Apple entered
the ring
for his sixth professional
Mixed Martial Arts match. Apple (5-0) was taking his undefeated record and
putting
it on the line in King of the
Cage at the Soboba Casino against Paragon Jiu Jitsu's own Mark
Kempthorne
(4-1).
For the first time in his
career , Apple would be competing as a Welterweight (170 pounds and under)
and
this proved to be a class he
is going to make his mark in. As a Ruas Vale Tudo student fighting
directly
under the tutelage of the
famed Marco Ruas, Apple used his well rounded skills to dominate
Kempthorne
from the beginning of the
match to the end.
In the first round, Apple
controlled the pace with an early takedown. He then immediately brought
Kempthorne who was on his
back, into his corner, where he could follow the direction of his
cornerman,
Justin Levens and
Mike Guymon. Apple defended many submission attempts on the way to
landing
multiple thunderous punches
and skin splitting elbow strikes. Twice he gained mount position and
finished
the round on top.
The second round was opened
with an exchange of punches and a strong thai kick to the thigh of
Kempthorne who visibly groaned
in pain. Shortly there afterward, Apple once again got the takedown, and
passed to mount position. At
that point, Apple fired strong lefts and rights to the head of his
opponent until
Kempthorne's corner threw in
the towel asking for the punishment to be stopped at 1:57 into the second
round.
Look for Apple to continue
competing in King of the Cage later in the year, after a short break from
training
and fighting. "This was my
fourth fight in eight months, and I need a little time to rest and
recharge. I can't
wait to get back in the cage
later this year and get another chance to represent my team like this."
said
Apple.
Of his opponent, Apple said ,
" Mark had very good jiu jitsu and was extremely active on the bottom no
matter how hard or often I hit
him. I consider him a tough fighter who possesses a lot skill and the
nerve to
put me to the test. I know he
was taken to the hospital after the fight with a severe concussion and a
badly
broken nose, and I certainly
hope he will make a full recovery."
Thanks to Erik Apple's
sponsors, Hitman fight gear, Metal Mulisha, Bite Me mouthguards, Etnies,
KMC
Wheels, and OCMuayThai.com.
- From OCBA, including
pictures, with a little editing from us
(color, highlights, etc...)
(6/18/05)
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