CORNERMAN ILLEGALLY GREASES FIGHTER AT CAXFC1

Many people have asked about an incident involving an MMA fighter being greased up at the April 30th Combat Athletix Combat Championship an amateur MMA event. Yes, it’s true. Here’s what happen. And as the saying goes "I don’t make the news, I just report it"

It was to be the second to last fight of the night, Bobby Thompson a BJJ practitioner vs Zach Elkins a striker. Thompson was just finishing having his hands wrapped when it came to my attention that Elkins was being fully greased up with petroleum jelly by his cornerman, Shawn Doyle. Not only was Elkins heavily greased but its effectiveness was being tested with Elkin’s arm being grabbed and held, then being instructed to pull his arm out to see how slippery it was. Knowing they were going up against a BJJ practitioner with no striking experience it is obvious their intentions. The Florida Boxing Commissioner, Ron Lloyd was immediately notified and went to the back rooms where the fighters were.

Lloyd instructed them to wipe the grease off of Elkins. Lloyed then went to inform the two referees and then to find the promoter James Smiley to inform him of the situation. Doyle then walked over to where Lloyd and Smiley were. Lloyd then motioned for me to join their conversation as I was in Thompson’s corner. Lloyd was explaining to Shawn that he about got Elkins disqualified. Explaining that wiping of the grease with a towel does nothing, as it is now in Elkins’s pores and will come out when he begins to sweat  making Elkins slippery once again.

Doyle stated that he did know any better. Mind you Doyle has been in martial arts for 25+ years at many levels, as a student, fighter, school owner, instructor, fan, coach and cornerman. Even the most basic of MMA fans that watch the UFC are aware that the fighters only get greased on their faces and that is done just before entering the cage. For someone of Doyles’s experience to claim he did know better seems preposterous.

Doyle, previously the owner of the now out of business 5 Star Martial Arts is presently a martial arts instructor at Chameleon MMA, where Elkins trains and is a member of their fight team. Once Angelica Brotherton and Ciavatta of Chameleon heard of what happen it was apparent they were beyond upset with Doyles behavior. Brotherton and Ciavatta had no part in the greasing of Elkins. It was a disgusting show of non-sportsmanship perpetrated by Doyle himself and is not representative of Chameleon’s practices. After an impromptu meeting with Lloyd, Brotherton, Ciavatta, myself and input from Smiley, Doyle was excused as Elkins cornerman. Smiley has since stated that Doyle is no longer welcome and will not be permitted to corner any fighters at any future CAXFC promotions.

The high caliber of Thompson character shined through as he decided to continue on with the fight. A decision that would later hurt him dearly. Early on in the 3rd round Thompson on his back, Elkin in his guard, Thompson repeatedly sunk in two arm triangles that that the lubricated Elkins easily pulled his arm out of without using any defensive technique.
 
On their feet, Elkins landing kicks and punches was superior to Thompson’s lack of striking experience. Thompson attempted to exchange shots with Elkins, throwing punches and front kicks then coming in for the take down. Elkins wanted no part of the ground, only working to get back on his feet or to hang on and stall. Elkins was visibly in better shape with his stamina and cardio as Thompson tired quickly. After Elkins easily glided out of the two arm triangles, he backed out of Thompson’s guard and was back on his feet. An exhausted Thompson took too long to rise from the ‘canvas’ and the fight was called; winner Elkins.

It  was clear that Elkins was landing shots to Thompson’s head, however if Thompson was wearing a full-face motorcycle helmet Elkin’s punches would have been as ineffective as Thompson’s arm triangles. I have to wonder if Doyle would think the latter was fair; let’s grease Elkins to nullify Thompson’s grip and let’s have Thompson wear a helmet to nullify Elkins’s punches.

Thompson at the age of 38 with no MMA or stand up training or experience, who stepped into the cage for the first time was truly tested. He lost but was not defeated.  Elkins a fighter, trained hard and was well prepared. But one must ask; can a fighter truly be tested when their pores are bleeding jelly. Would a bout with an ungreased Elkins have a different outcome?  Elkins won but did Doyle’s abhorrent conduct rob him of true victory?

-Keni Kenni

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