Stephen Cummins vs Vincent McGuinnes - Shin Do Kumate XVI

In this great Friday evening, various dreams and goals will clash in battle at Shin Do Kumate XVI Return of Ancient Ones. You could feel the passion, drive, and dreams of all the fighters and strikers present at the Bradenton Convention Center. All fighters had a great story, one of which that made a strong impression was Skyler Hastings. He was fighting for more than himself. He was fighting for his family, and future child. Skylar’s girlfriend was giving birth to their first child the very night Skylar made his Pro debut. Any other fighter would have canceled the fight, but Skyler did the opposite. He showed his professionalism as a fighter and attended the fight using his family as motivation to give all he had. His match was full of passion and heart.

He wasn’t the only fighter that had great respect. All the fighters this evening had an aura of respect and professionalism. It was great to see martial arts used as a way to become a stronger individual. Here is a recap of the bouts.

Before any bout took place, we were gifted to listen to a great artist (Elena) sing the American Anthem.

Jimmy Alexander vs Mitchel Chamale - Shin Do Kumate XVI

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 1 – Jimmy Alexander vs Mitchell Chamale

This was the fastest bout of the night. The bout clock in at 58 seconds. This bout started with Mitchell energized introduction. You could see the energy and passion that this man had for this fight. In the other spectrum his rival Jimmy had a more passive approach.

The fighters both train in various Martial Arts techniques. Mitchell is a professional MMA Fighter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner who trains out of Tough as Nails in Oviedo, FL and Jimmy is a professional striker.

The fight started with Mitchell approaching Jimmy and using various low kick attacks; however, Jimmy’s strategy was relying on zoning Mitchell with strong strikes to the body and face. Jimmy mis-calculated Mitchell’s approach causing him not to block the first combination by Mitchell. At the 45 second mark.

In round 1, he attacked Jimmy with a high kick to the face. The kick connected and damaged Jimmy’s eye causing him to temporarily lose his concentration, balance, and vision.

The fight was stopped and Mitchell was declared the winner by TKO.

Amos vs Johncy Lindor - Shin Do Kumate XVI
Amos Vs Lindor - Shin Do Kumate XVI

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 2 – Amos Merriweather vs Johncy Lindor

This fight started with Amos showing a lot of vitality and energy. Johncy’s entrance portrayed a high amount of confidence and strength. Amos tried in the first round using his unique fighting style to overwhelm Johncy, but he didn’t let it phase him and he took a defensive stance in order to wall Amos and tire him out. Amos realizing that the opponent was a threat, decided to taunt Johncy and bring him out of his focus; however, the taunting didn’t work and he stayed with his game-plan. Amos was able to land more blows and a surprise jump roundhouse kick on Johncy. The crowd went wild when the kick landed and shook Johncy strategy for a time.

Johncy decided to stay with the plan and kept the same pace at the end of the round Amos went for another jump kick, but this time he got countered throwing him off causing damage to his stamina & mobility.  Round two started with both fighters meeting each other with jump kicks and trading hits. Amos took the most damage from the trade and started to tire out.

Johncy took advantage and landed multiple hits and knees to the body. Round 3 started with Amos rushing Johncy and showing that he still had energy to out maneuver him. The adrenaline rush didn’t last enough and Johncy wins the match with a 3rd knockdown caused by a haymaker giving him a TKO.

Jason Valles vs Michael Strippling
Jason Valles vs Michael Strippling - Shin Do Kumate XVI

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 3 – Jason Valles vs Michale Strippling

Both fighters had respect for each other’s traditional introduction and showed great sportsmanship. This is the first fight of the night to go all the way through three rounds. Round one is all about learning each other’s weaknesses and strength. By the end of the round Michael realized that his reach gives him a big advantage over Jason. He shifts his strategy into grabs and strong knee strikes to the body. Round two Michael utilizes his strategy and takes full advantage landing damaging blows to Jason.

By round three Jason realizes Michael’s game-plan, and decide to start moving more and counter attacking Michael’s grab attempts. He is able to thwart few attempts, but his exhaustion gets the best of him and Michael lands more knee strikes. The match ends with Michael Strippling winning by Unanimous decision.

Skyler Hastings vs Joey Mullin
Skyler Hastings vs Joey Mullin - Shin Do Kumate XVI

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 4 – Skyler Hastings vs Joey Mullin

This fight brought to the ring a crowd favorite, Skylar Hastings. He walked out into the arena surrounded by family and friends waiting to cheer him on. Skyler was fighting an Ace Combatant from Georgia, Joey “The Prodigy” Mullin. Round one starts with both fighters testing each other habits. Which turns into Joey grabbing Hastings into a clinch but, kept getting separated by the referee since he wasn’t kneeing the opponent.

He seems to be unfamiliar with the striking ideology in Shin Do Kumate. But he keeps up his aggressive maneuvers which kept Skylar from utilizing his technique. Round two starts and Skylar goes for more kicks in order to gain distance and damage Joey. Every attack by Skyler was countered by Joey’s tenacious and smart strategy.

As Skylar starts to tire out Joey takes that advantage to gain control of the second round. In round three Skyler starts with tremendous amount of energy trying to win the last and final round. With his fans cheering him on, he pushes himself to end the fight on a strong note. While Skylar put on an amazing show it was not enough to win the judges and Joey Mullin was the winner by unanimous decision.

Tony Leone Vs John MoreHouse - Tony Leone Vs John MoreHouse - Shin Do Kumate XVI
Tony Leone vs John Morehouse

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 5 – Tony Leone vs John Morehouse

This was one of the most exciting and full of action fight of the evening. The fight was between John Morehouse a Tae Kwon Do practitioner and Tony Leone a Muay Thai practitioner. Both of the fighters start with defensive approaches, every time Tony strikes John will be out of the way not letting Tony come close to him. Tony took an aggressive and assertive approach; however, this approach caused Tony to have a two point deduction by accidentally kneeing John Morehouse’s face as his knee hits the canvas, which is not allowed in Shin Do Kumate rules. Tony takes back the fight by landing a jab knee combo by the end of the round, but this combo wasn’t enough for him to win this round. Round two starts with both fighters trying to get in and be first. Halfway through the round John starts picking his spot and counter attacking Tony strikes. He starts landing more blows as Tony stamina starts decreasing; however, Tony was able to land a strong clean hit on John

Due to Tony winning that round John decide to strength his defense and land more counter attacks for round 3. Half way through round three Tony lands a strong overhead blow on John. This causes a retreat action and John decides to take a step back and take a breather by running into the other corner. Tony follows John and keeps controlling the pace of the match. Last 10 seconds of the fight, the first scramble ensues and the winner of the fight by unanimous decision is Tony. It was an even fight with two point difference.

Kendrick Miree vs Bogdan Moroz - Shin Do Kumate XVI

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 6 – Kendrick Miree vs Bogdan Moroz

This was the second shortest fight of the night and the first fight with blood. The match starts with full force aggressive approach by both fighters. They trade with knees, strikes, and elbows. In one of the trades Miree was able to corner Bogdan and connect multiple elbow strikes. This causes Bogdan to lose concentration and loss to much blood. The winner of the fight was Kendrick Miree by TKO. The fight lasted 1 minute and 27 seconds.

Lloy Walton Vs Warren Thompson - Shin Do Kumate XVI
Lloyd Walton vs Warren Thompson

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 7 – Co-main Event – Lloyd Walton vs Warren Thompson

Both fighters were respectable and had their rituals at introduction. Both of the fighters welcome each other and salute their coach.

Lloyd kept his distance by using his jabs and low inside leg kicks. This technique was keep Warren far enough away from him so Warren could not land any heavy hits and stun him early in round one. The first fight was a slow one letting each fighter get use to each other fighting style.

Round two starts with a corner trap by Warren, this gives him the lead at the beginning of the round. Lloyd trying to get the round back, goes for a kick, but now he is the one that gets blocked and hit with Warren’s counter attack. Warren is blocking every attempt that Lloyd takes. At the end of the round Warren goes for a strong double kick, but gets blocked as the bell rings. Round three begins with Warren taking the aggressive approach instead, he starts mixing up his kicks and jabs.

Lloyd goes for a high kick, and he misses. Thompson takes the chance and lands a strong mid kick to Lloyd’s body. They both go for a grapple and Lloyd gets the first hold, but they clash with knees. The match ends pretty even and full of suspense.

The winner is Warren Thompson.

Stephen Cummins vs. Vincent McGuinnes - Shin Do Kumate XVI
Stephen Cummins vs Vincent McGuinnes

Shin Do Kumate XVI Bout 8 – Main Event – Stephen Cummings vs Vincent McGuinnes

Before the Main Event Master Mehrdad took the opportunity to give a speech about the sport of striking, how every fighter is a star, and thanking everyone for their support of the show. He goes on to say that he believes Shin Do Kumate is destined for wonderful things. As Master Mehrdad steps out of the ring, the ring announcer calls out the Main Event fighters of the night.

Both fighters are excited and are in top shape. This is a fight between New York and Florida. The crowd is behind the Florida fighter fighting out of Tampa and cheer him on through the fight.

Right from the start Vincent has the range advantage over Stephen. If Stephen wants to overcome his range he will have to rely on heavy footwork and strategy. Stephen realize that Vincent weak-point was his legs, and he decides to land multiple blows to his legs. Vincent adapts quickly and starts protecting his legs and starts using his reach more to keep Stephen away. In one of the confrontation Stephen gets in but gets accidentally head-butt by Vincent.

The crowd start calling fault, but it was accidental and the match continues.  Round two starts with a scramble due to Stephen trying to get in range. Vincent corners Stephen; however, Stephen takes advantage and lands multiple hits on Vincent and he retreats back to the center of the ring. In the retreat Stephen commits to his approach and Vincent lands hits that lead to a devastating strike knee combo.  Winner is Vincent.