Boxing takes spotlight with UFC at STRIPES Published Sept. 18, 2007 By Margie Arnold 21st Services Squadron PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- The Ultimate Fighting Championship, one of the most anticipated sporting events, will be televised live at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 at STRIPES Pub; doors open at 5 p.m. and admission is free. The UFC uses interdisciplinary forms of fighting including jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, boxing, kickboxing and wrestling in a supervised match. The fight includes a light heavyweight bout with the returning Iceman, Chuck Liddell, fighting it out with the Dean of Mean, Keith Jardine; a light heavyweight bout between Shogun, Mauricio Rua, and Forrest Griffin; and a lightweight bout between Thiago Tavares and Tyson Griffin. Some of the anticipated spectators include the Peterson boxing team. While their fight style differs wildly from the UFC, the team has posted its share of success. Master Sgt. Manny Perez, one of the coaches of the team since its creation in March 2007, reports that six of its boxers competed at FE Warren AFB on Aug. 24. There were nine matches total and included two exhibition bouts of youth boxers ages 10 to 16. In the first match, Staff Sgt. Laquion Rodriguez of the 302nd Civil Engineer Squadron scored a second round technical knockout over Jeff Elliot, 30th AS, after the FE Warren coach threw in the towel. The second match saw Airman Tony Jimenez, 21st Services Squadron, score a unanimous decision with scores of 92-22, 95-21 and 90-22 over Senior Airman Kevin Johnson of the 90th MSFS. In the third match, Airman 1st Class Matt Smith of 50th CES fought a tough three rounds even after suffering a dislocated nose in the first round to majority draw with 2nd Lt. Derrick Burks, 90th MSFS. The fourth match saw Staff Sgt. Travis Hoff, 21st CES, score a unanimous decision over Patrick Luma, 319th MS. In the only loss of the night for Team Pete, Airman 1st Class Adam Stewart, 90th MDOS, took a split decision win over Airman 1st Class Jason Gillis, 21st SVS. The main event of the night started out fast as both fighters, Staff Sgt. Mark Rodriguez, 21st AMDS and Capt. Dave Suszko, 319th MS, took to the ring. After two minutes, Sergeant Rodriguez clearly had control and continued to dominate in the final two rounds to win and help Team Pete score a 4-1-1 advantage for the night. Perez said an enthusiastic crowd of loud, cheering fans attending the event. "The 90th Services Squadron put together a class act show from the Honor Guard posting the colors to providing refreshments for fans, as well as presenting both competitors with awards for a hard fought battle." For information about the Peterson Boxing Team, call Sergeant Perez at 556-6295.