While a trio of fighters from Milton’s Brazilian jiu jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts group, Team Remedy came away with only one win from Friday’s Caged Combat 6, it went to newcomer to the MMA ring, Shawn Swafford. Known as “Just Chill” in the gym, the 5’11”, 170lb fighter was anything but against a 6’, 170lb Isaac Stackhouse, out of Auburn.
Round 1, Swafford swung for the bleachers immediately putting Stackhosue on defense. With two minutes left, Swafford had Stackhouse stumbling back against the cage. Stackhouse held his own and the two went to the ground with 50 seconds left. Swafford made it on top to “make it rain” as his MMA trainer, Jerod Salter, told him. The first round ended as Stackhouse just started getting a grip on Swafford.
Round 2, Stackhouse came out swinging and the two traded blows until they ended up against the cage again. Stackhouse had Swafford’s head under his arm until Swafford picked up his leg and had Stackhouse on his back pummeling him. The referee pulled Swafford off and the two went back to throwing blows, this time with Stackhouse ending up on top of the Milton newbie. Still, Swafford turned his way out and Stackhouse found himself on his back once more, protecting his body to the end of the round.
Round 3, Swafford did not let up on the punches. Stackhouse fended him off as best he could and found the upper hand on the ground. By 1:15, Stackhouse had him thoroughly locked. Eventually, Swafford broke free and laid into Stackhouse from above attacking his side as Stackhouse had his legs locked. The ref broke them up and with 12 seconds left, Stackhouse came at Swafford jabbing and striking. It wasn’t enough. The judges declared Swafford winner by unanimous decision.
Note, James Allen’s loss was to Navarre’s Clay Witt, featured in the Press Gazette’s coverage of Caged Combat 5. Witt’s win in February against Terryn Williams and Allen Friday makes his MMA record a clean 4 and 0.
Tra Alidor, Team Remedy head coach, didn’t know who exactly would return for Caged Combat 7 scheduled for October 9, but looked for two or three to be there. After the fight, he said, “All their opponents where tough fighters and the event was very professionally done. Paul Domenech and Keith Wood (Caged Combat managers) did a great job with the event.”
See all the fights from Caged Combat 6 at http://www.ecitv.com. Emerald Coast TV hosts the fights pay-per-view at $2 for a day pass and $5 for 30 days.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton fighter wins first MMA match