Showdown Fights is the top event for MMA action in Utah, with PPV-worthy bouts, and with fighters trying to take the next step to the big time. Don’t be surprised if more than one participant next pops up in the UFC. They take place at the UCCU Center at UVU in Orem, and the next event will be May 10.

Hans Olsen of ESPN700 is the emcee, and local radio personalities Sean O’Connell and Jan Jorgensen often participate. Janimal was in attendence but did not fight. OC recently got a job at a radio station in California, but both men will be on the May 10 card.

UFC’s Herb Deen was the night’s official. Also of note: UFC’s Demarques Johnson was scheduled to fight but had to back out.

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT (170 lbs)
Kani Correa vs. Joe Lakhani
Results: Correa by TKO at 1:20 in 2nd Round

Correa managed to survive a lengthy guillotine attemp by Lakhani in the first round, and it was his effective left hooks that led to his TKO.

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT (185 lbs)
William Nau vs. Clinton Williams
Results: Nau by unanimous decision

Williams was scrappy but Nau dominated in all three rounds and was on top for every takedown.

FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT (145 lbs)
Lance Gorman vs. Mike Gahan
Results: Gahan by TKO at 2:20 in 2nd round

Gorman had a wild, undisciplined attack style that Gahan was able to exploit repeatedly. Gorman relied on high kicks and spin kicks, and Gahan was able to figure it out quickly and knock him down several times. Gahan had some good punches and elbows on Gorman, who bled profusely before Gahan knocked him down and pounded him for the TKO. Definitely an entertaining fight.

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT (160 lbs)
Alexander Brown vs. Adam Nijem
Results: Nijem by submission at 2:26 in 1st round

The girls liked Nijem. He’s an Orem boy making his MMA debut and is the younger brother of UFC’s Ramsey Nijem. You could tell Adam was well-prepared for this match and got the rear nake choke on Brown, who will surely work more on his defense before his next fight.

FLYWEIGHT BOUT (125 lbs) – Women’s
Julianna Pena vs. DeAnna Bennett
Results: Bennett by unanimous decision

Pena hails from Venezuela, while Bennett’s the local girl in only her second match. Bennett was able to counter Pena’s experience with a good ground game. And just in case anyone’s wondering, the women’s fights are just as technical and entertaining as the men’s.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT (205 lbs)
Colton Vaughn vs. Jake Heun
Results: Heun by TKO at 2:04 in 1st round

With Heun’s first punch it was pretty clear he was going to get the victory.

MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT (185 lbs)
Josh VanderVeur vs. Jarome Hatch
Results: Hatch by TKO at 3:48 in 1st round

Before this fight, they showed a video package of the two, where they clearly dislike each other. VanderVeur wanted to be the heel here, saying he planned on hosptializing Hatch and that he’d continue to hurt him after he tapped out. He had the most boos of the night when he emerged. VanderVeur said Hatch would want to end the fight quickly since his cardio wasn’t up to par. Well, Hatch had the more powerful punches and was able to bloody up VanderVeur right away. The crowd went nuts once Deen called the fight.

WELTERWEIGHT BOUT (170 lbs)
Kito Andrews vs. Jake Paul
Results: Andrews by unanimous decision

Jake “The Snake” Paul had been away filming reality shows and was making his return. Kito Andrews is a former Ultimate Fighter contestant and looking to climb his way back up the ladder. It was a very good back-and-forth match for a while, but Kito was effective in the ground game and had Paul fighting from behind for most of the second and third.

At this point on the card, Olsen brought former Ute and current Super Bowl champion Paul Kruger to the ring for a brief interview.

CATCHWEIGHT BOUT (180 lbs)
Kyacey Uscola vs. Jason South
Results: South by submission at 2:02 in 2nd round

Uscola was a bruiser and led for most of the first round. South was able to adjust in the second round, and after escaping an armbar, was able to get the tapout.

LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Jordan Clements vs. Clay Collard
Results: Collard by TKO in the 2nd round

Something must have happened at Showdown Fights IX, which I missed, when Collard beat fan-favorite Steven Sharp, because the crowd erupted with boos when Collard appeared. Collard was unphased and had a high-energy attack on underdog Clements. He got Clements to bleed early, and the crowd had mostly forgiven him by the thrilling end.

The entire card will soon be available to download for $14.99 at http://www.showdownfights.com