MMA action hot and heavy at Sandpoint Standoff

SANDPOINT — Punches, kicks, holds and legal elbows that led to some blood all let Saturday night’s Sandpoint Standoff live up to the Livin’ Guilty 9 name — after a plethora of guilty pleasures and great mixed martial arts action was presented to a near packed house at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

A host of local fighters entered the cage as well as two potential UFC fighters from Washington, who brought the crowd to a frenzy in the final match of the night.

Okanogan fighter Lee “The American Bulldog” Morrison (7-2) faced off with Newport’s Daniel “Agent Orange” Swain (6-2) for a shot at the United Combat League’s 145 pound title, and an outside chance of reaching the sport’s most elite level — a bid into the UFC.

Although Swain would all but guarantee a victory, Morrison would have his hand raised by way of a 30-27 unanimous decision after a dominant fight.

Morrison made good on two big slams and a throw in the first round before taking the top mount and reigning down shots that eventually opened up a cut on Swain in the win.

“I don’t feel like he (Morrison) got the best Daniel Swain, and that I was unable to execute my game plan. I’m sure we’ll see each other in the cage again,” Swain said.

The co-main event featured former Sandpoint wrestler Lukas “The Sandman” Carson (4-3), who started the fight with flurries of head and body punches before Colville’s Cody Roy (5-2) came away with the 145 belt after a brutal straight arm bar and tap out in the first round.

Carson suffered an apparent elbow injury but stated, “arm will be healed up and I’ll be back soon” after the fight.

Labeled as a 155 pound fighter with heavyweight power, Sandpoint’s John “The Hurricane” Hale walked away from his MMA debut with a win by rear naked choke in the opening round over Nathan Blanchard (2-4).

“I had a feeling if the fight went to the ground it would end quickly,” Hale said. “I am extremely proud to have made my debut in Sandpoint and would like to thank my family and friends for their support.”

The exciting fights were broken up by an entertaining grappling exhibition by Kamiah’s Alfred McClure and Newport’s Jake Lindell, who was left without a match at 155 pounds and picked up the exhibition win.

Lindell’s grappling game was solid, but it was McClure who stole the show, acting as one of ‘The Three Stooges,’ pandering to the audience and continually pestering his opponent in a very comedic way.

Also hailing from Sandpoint, Ethan “The Assassin” Hazan (2-0) earned a TKO on strikes in the second round at 155 pounds and Austin Burgess (3-2) picked up a win by way of a rear naked choke in the first round.

Skylar Tucker (2-2) took a TKO win in the third round over Kody Smith (0-1) in an all Sandpoint battle.

Weston Ruland defeated Sandpoint’s Caleb Fleck and Spokane fighter Harold Willie won a unanimous decision over Jake Cooper.

Livin’ Guilty 9 was the second mixed martial arts event to hit the Sandpoint area and the fights were broadcast to more than 50,000 people worldwide.