The FCFF and Chinook Winds Casino Resort: Caged on the Coast 1 & 2

This weekend's second installment of Caged on the Coast signifies FCFF's establishment of an exciting new association for its family of fighters, fans, and crew. Owners Kevin Keeney and Chael Sonnen welcomed the shared vision and interests of management and administration at Chinook Winds Casino and arranged a second meshing of these two great organizations, Chinook Winds Casino Resort and The Full Contact Fighting Federation. So as Caged on the Coast 2 approaches, on June 26^th, here is a run down of what you might have missed last time, and a reason to buy your tickets and get a room at Chinook Winds- because the event was well worth the trip to the coast!

The first bouts fairly blew through the cage, with Ray Gonzalez's win by KO in the 3^rd round after a fast and determined resistance from Jesten Arnold. Hard on the heels of a great opener, was Justin Mark, who never fails to put on a great fight. This bout challenged Mark's usual, furious pace, with Joe Helfey testing Justin's mettle a few times, with Helfey refusing to be run over. Mark kept a cool head, however, while under a surprisingly steady attack, and he kept his eye on the scorecard, too. But the scoring was not necessary, as Mark finished the fight in the 3^rd round, with a TKO delivered to Helfey. Tillamook talents Neva and Barichio nearly went the distance, proving there's plenty of talent on the beach, with Neva winning via TKO. Jesse Peacock tapped out a skilled and impressive looking Lincoln City local, Chuck Cooper, and Sean Santana showed everyone the value of high school and state wrestling credits, using his positioning skills to deliver a classic rear naked choke, forcing Nathan Gunderson to tap out.

These first five bouts set the pace to FCFF's introduction of its top quality fight federation athletes to the Chinook Winds experience. Likewise, the Casino's entertainment division produced a seamless and well crafted show, where their savvy and professional PR staff blended perfectly with FCFF's PR staff, technical crews meshed without a wrinkle, and arena security executed flawless precision; fight tunnel escorts sprang instantaneously into position- cued with smoke and strobes- then melted back into the crowd as the athletes were relayed to the cage. Entertainment Coordinator Kendal Logan seemed pleased that everything was well in hand; even the concessions wait was enhanced by a giant simulcast right in your line of sight.

The evening had started on a stirringly festive note with a Tribal drums crescendo that grabbed the crowd while Chinook winds elders and singers bent their craft to a ritualized opening. A solemn procession marched to the chanting and drums, and telegraphed an organization that had, at its roots, a community which is committed and unified. For the FCFF family of fighters, Dojos and gyms that train for caged combat, the opening music was like a calling up of warriors, and it felt, somehow, right. The American Anthem was sung, the procession filed out, and the drumming came to a halt just as Kevin's voice rang out with his traditional 'Are you Ready!" The FCFF was off to a rousing start, adding a new chapter to it's the fight federation history.

So after the first fights passed like lightening, you could finally take time to catch what was going on in the crowd; a stop for a chat in the refreshment line with Blane Nuttall's entourage, a glimpse of Glena Avila working the crowd with her microphone for the Cable Show. I leaned to Kendall Logan and shared that, aside from being a talented commentator, Glena was also one of FCFF's top female strikers; he agreed that it was hard to imagine. That is, until you find her on a freeze frame in the FCFF gallery, mid punch, teeth clenched, with ferocious intensity in her eyes. It was agreed that Glena would be a terrific draw for the coast crowd. Kevin Keeney had seen that coming, and Caged on the Coast 2 will see Glena defending her title as Women's Lightweight Champion.

The last half of the evening's featured bouts began with Jason Pittman's rear naked choke that tapped out Sheldon Tupua- right at the bell in round 2. Justin Walls and Josh Busby flew all over the cage with the kind of long/fast minute you only see in MMA- flips, guillotines and seamless exchanges of position scrambling- ending with Walls defeating Busby in a tap out due to choke at 1 minute, 9 seconds. Also, Hitsman fell to Zeliff, and Leisman defeated Calabrese- all experienced and seasoned fighters putting on a 'barely amateur' show. The featured Championship gave us the only Alden on the card (John's brother Jeff was side-lined with an injury), but matchmaker Kevin Keeney knows how to lay out his fight card, because John Alden delivered a rousing finale to another great FCFF night, tapping out Blane Nuttall one minute into the first round.

The evening was still young, however, and it was great to not hurry off to a local nightspot for your after fight party. Family, fans and friends flowed right out of the arena onto the Casino floor and into the snack bar, while filling the upstairs club to overflowing. Everyone was busting off good-natured steam with dancing and fun; Portland and the FCFF was 'in the house'! Everywhere!

Many fighters, crew and fans over nighted at the casino's hotel and could be seen the next morning filing out of the restaurant after breakfast, meeting up at the check-out counter, and packing trunks in the parking lot. The whole experience was festive and filled with camaraderie, and delivered to Chinook Winds a sell-out crowd with lots of business on their floor and in the hotel. Word came that Chael and the Casino were planning the second event before the first event had run its course. It was a fantastic time for everyone with high recommendations to experience the friendly accommodations and welcoming atmosphere.

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Caged on the Coast 3
McLeod vs. Whitmire