155 lbs.: Anton Kuivanen vs. Justin Salas

Round one: Salas lands a good right jab right away. Salas goes for the takedown but thinks better of it. Back to center. Another good jab by Salas. Front kick by Kuivanen. Good body kick by Kuivanen. Salas rushes in throwing punches and is countered with a right hand to the head. Salas ducks under a punch and throws a big overhand left that only partially lands. Good looping right hook by Salas. Outside leg kick by Salas who then comes forward and lands a jab. Salas shoots and gets a great double leg takedown. Two minutes left. Salas looks to stack him and land some punches from the top. Kuivanen using upkicks to keep him at bay, and he’s back up. Salas comes forward with a jab followed by an inside leg kick. Front kick by Salas, countered by a straight hand from Kuivanen that lands on the chin. Salas with the inside leg kick again. Kuivanen throws a head kick that gets blocked. Kuivanen stalking near the end of the round. Salas scores a powerful double leg takedown again, right as the horn sounds. 10-9 Salas.

Round two: Fighters meet in the middle and look again to find the distance. Salas comes forward, pawing a bit, possibly looking for another takedown. Salas with the flying knee that misses, and he clinches up against the fence right after. He backs away and throws a big left hand that doesn’t connect. Kuivanen lands a hard right hand to the head as Salas shoots but doesn’t commit to it. Three minutes left. Superman punch by Kuivanen, partially connects. Big left hand by Salas to the head. Salas’ corner imploring him to be more aggressive and keep the pressure on. Salas grabs a hold of a leg but can’t get the takedown. They’r clinched against the fence, but Kuivanen gets loose and lands a big body kick on exit. Salas with the left hand, transitions to the inside leg kick. One minute to go. Good left body kick by Kuivanen that scores to the ribs. Salas comes forward and lands several good quick punches. Good body kick by Salas. Salas tries to get a takedown as the round approaches its end. He’s grabbing a hold of the single leg but can’t quite get it. 10-9 Salas.

Round three: Good body kick by Kuivanen. Salas very voraciously trying for the takedown and he gets it. He’s on top now, trying to push past Kuivanen’s legs. Kuivanen very active from the bottom. He’s going for the heel hook, momentarily, but Salas defends and works free of trouble. Salas lands a good punch from the top. Now another. Salas trying to toss Kuivanen’s legs away so he can land some shots but he’s having trouble. Not that time. Big left hand to the jaw by Salas. Three minutes left. Kuivanen is able to get back to his feet. Good right hand by Kuivanen but answered by a front kick to the body by Salas. Salas tries for another double leg takedown but Kuivanen defends well this time. Salas pushes him up against the cage and lands a couple good dirty boxing strikes. Back to center. Salas with a jump front kick that barely misses. Kuivanen with a big left hook to the head, but right after he lands, he’s put right back on his butt by Salas who lands a power double leg takedown. Kuivanen able to get back up but eats a knee in the process. 10-9 Salas.

Final result: Justin Salas via unanimous decision

Denver, Colorado – February 8, 2012 - Fight to Win MMA will be presenting an explosive main event on Friday, February 24 when Grudge Training Center fighter Justin ‘J-Ho’ Houghton (4-0) takes on UFC veteran Cameron Dollar (10-4). Houghton, a Michigan transplant brings an impressive undefeated amateur and professional record, support of a strong fan base, and the weight of an entire state on his shoulders.

“I put the whole of Michigan on my back. People don’t truly understand what it is like back there. There is no going back home because there are no factory jobs, and if you want a gas station job there are probably ten people more qualified than you,” Houghton said before clarifying that his history has made him strong, “It won’t beat Michigan though, and it won’t beat me. I carry that into any fight. If this fight comes down to a heart match, that will go to me because no one has more heart than I do.”

Houghton sports an 11-0 amateur record, held five titles in three different weight classes and is currently 4-0 as a professional, but he admits that his biggest test yet is coming on February 24.

“Cam is one of the best guys in the world and I want to test myself against that caliber of fighter. I feel good. I feel strong. I feel like I’m training with a group of killers right now out here at the Grudge Training Center. There isn’t a lot I haven’t seen in fighting. He’s dangerous in all aspects, but I feel like I train with guys that are dangerous in all aspects. I feel like we’re both different fighters coming into this. I won’t say we’re as good as our last fights because he is coming off a loss and I am sure he has grown since then. I’m not the same fighter I was in my last fight, which was a win. I think you’ll see something new from both fighters on the twenty fourth,” Houghton said.

The last time Dollar fought for Fight to Win, he defeated Houghton’s teammate Alvin Robinson. While Houghton loves and supports his teammate, he insists there is no grudge carrying over to his match.

“There is no extra motivation needed for this fight. I’m not fighting him because he fought in the UFC or because he beat a teammate. I’m fighting him for me, for my career. Before this fight was set, a lot of people probably didn’t even know who I was out here. I need to take advantage of the attention that comes along with this fight. I know I’m very fortunate and humbled to be fighting someone like Cam, but no, I don’t need a reason to fight him other than what it can do for my career because in the end, it is just business,” Houghton said.

Houghton does feel that the Colorado MMA community has been sleeping on his career, a mistake he believes will be righted at Mardi Gras Brawl.

“I felt somewhat disrespected by the Colorado MMA awards, having gone 4-0 and not even being on the ballot. I’m confident you are going to have to take me seriously. I’m dangerous in all aspects and people are going to have to start paying attention and respecting what I bring to the table,” he said.

Houghton is a household name in his native Michigan and much of that fan support has followed him to Colorado.

“I have a lot of pressure from family and friends and my team and a ton of hometown proud. I’m expecting between fifteen to twenty people to fly in from Michigan to see this fight. My upbringing in Michigan shapes who I am out here and everything I do. When I first got into this, or was talking about fighting, my dad was like, do you think you have the skills? Then do it. Don’t talk about it. If you think you can do it, I’ve got your back,” Houghton said.

When asked why he thinks he got the main event slot on such a big card, Houghton doesn’t hesitate, “Truthfully it is all because of my fans. I owe this fight to my fan support because even though I’m 4-0, lots of people had never heard of me until this fight. But because I have such strong fan support, I am being given this opportunity. I thank my fans from the bottom of my heart,” Houghton said.

As for why new fans should be excited to see this relative Colorado newcomer, Houghton cites his entertainment value and his higher aspirations, “I’m an explosive fighter. One of my wins comes from a spinning back fist knockout. If I win this fight I’m going to move to 16-0, and there may not be a whole lot more chances to see me fight locally. I might be getting some big calls if this fight goes my way.”

Justin ‘J-Ho’ Houghton wanted to thank; Ink’d Out Apparel, Titled Kilt (sight of his after party), Grudge Training Center, LA Boxing, Go Fast Energy, Futo-Kan MMA, Rock Hard Nutrition, Fresh Fit Meals, Phantom 8 Tattoos, RevGear and Kwon.Net.

Will Justin ‘J-Ho’ Houghton shine in his biggest fight to date or will Cameron Dollar show why he is still the man in Colorado? Find out live on February 24, 2012 at the National Western Complex when Fight to Win MMA presents Mardi Gras Brawl.

Courtesy of Luke Henderson/FightToWin

Fight Fotos by Joe Cordova/Brawlin.com

As of today Saturday Feb 4th the gym will be closed, Wheatridge received 19″.

THE PRO TEAM TRAINING WILL GO ON AS NORMAL..

Have a great weekend and if you are out on the roads be careful..

GTC will be closed today cause of the blizzard in effect..