Their first time in the cage proved to be little problem for a pair of up and coming mixed martial arts fighters from the Coast, as Jordan Manning and Rick Peers each won their first pro fights at the Battle Field Fight League last month at the River Rock Casino in Richmond.
Manning was the first fight of the night and his nerves were running high for days before the fight, according to coach and trainer Dustin Dickeson.
"Jordan was the first one in the cage to start the event. His opponent Morgan Little Chilled, who already had three fights in the cage, appeared to be pretty chilled out as he entered the cage," said Dickeson. "He has trained with the Top Team in Canada and had much more experience than Jordan, but that didn't seem to faze Jordan much."
Manning came out and worked his stand-up landing punched. Little Chilled tried to take Manning to the mat, but Manning defended very well bouncing back to his feet and went for several submissions.
Early in the second round, Manning kept up the attack and landed more than 10 unanswered hammer fist strikes to Little Chilled's head, which forced the referee to stop the fight giving Manning his first win by TKO.
Manning celebrated with a back flip in the centre of the ring.
Peers fought in the fourth fight of the night.
Dickeson said the crowd was pumped up all night including more than 40 people from the Sunshine Coast who came out to cheer Peers and Manning.
Peers came into the cage really aggressive and both fighters exchanged big punches in the heavyweight contest.
Peers managed to get his opponent to the mat and started throwing punches in bunches, but his opponent managed to scramble back to his feet.
With both fighters in the stand-up position, Peers picked up his opponent and slammed him to the mat. Some solid ground and pound from Peers forced the ref to stop the contest 40 seconds into the first round for the second TKO victory of the night for Team Phoenix Rising from the Coast.
"Both guys trained really hard for their fights and all the hard work paid off," said Dickeson. "Jordan showed great MMA skills and had very good form no matter were the fight went. Rick got to showcase a really aggressive and fast-paced action. Both fights brought the loudest cheers from the crowd of the night.
"Jordan got MVP of the show and is now a contender for the featherweight title."
Following the fights, Manning and Dickeson did an interview with B.C. MMA. The Fight Network will be airing the River Rock fight card soon.
Manning is already preparing for his next fight slated for Nov. 27 in Vancouver.
Dickeson said he will be fighting a tough opponent and Manning is considered an underdog going into the fight.
"If Jordan wins he will move up to the top of the division and that will put him closer to a title fight," said Dickeson. "He had the choice of taking on a less-experienced fighter, but he wanted the bigger challenge and took the harder fight. If he wins, it will be a huge step for him."
Dickeson said they are also in the process of possibly signing Peers for his next fight on Jan. 15. Peers would be also taking on a top opponent in the heavyweight class and if he wins that fight, will also be in line for a championship contest.
Dickeson added that is all goes well Brit Sluis, Manning and himself will be fighting in Fort McMurray, Alta. on Dec. 5.
