2004 Olympic silver medalist Stephen Abas moves to 3-0 with win at Rebel Fighter event

In the heart of Northern California wine country mixed martial arts promotion Rebel Fighter returned to the Amador County Fairgrounds for their second event of 2011. In the main event veteran of the west coast scene Jaime Jara (32-9) downed Josh Thornburg (7-4) with a display of brutal of ground n' pound.

In prospect action bantamweight Stephen Abas (3-0) returned to the cage for the first time in 13 months. Abas was matched-up with Clint Gerona (0-1), a 31 year Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who was making his pro debut. The first ten minutes of the scheduled 25 minute bout resembled a grappling match more than MMA fight.

Repeated takedowns from Abas racked up points and wore down Gerona in the first two rounds. In the third round Abas continued to assault Gerona with takedowns mixed with punches when in the top position. Gerona mounted a brief rally with a armbar attempt from the bottom but was unsuccessful in closing out Abas.

In between rounds three and four Gerona was unable to come off his stool. Abas was awarded the TKO win; the first stoppage of his pro MMA career.

Abas, a 2004 Olympic freestyle wrestler, began his pro MMA career in the summer of 2010 with decisions wins in May and July under the Tachi Palace Fights banner. As far as wrestling credentials few prospects or even world ranked fighters can come close to what Abas has done on the mat. While wrestling at Fresno State University Abas was a three time NCAA champion at 125 pounds and earned All American honors all four years he was on campus.

At the 2004 Olympic games in Greece Abas won the silver medal at 55 kgs and was one of six American wrestlers to medal during the games.

If Abas decides to commit full time to MMA his run up the prospect ladder into deal with a major promotion could be swift. At 33 years of age Abas is a four star prospect at 135 pounds and would also earn an equal grade if a weight cut back to 125 pounds was in his future.

Due to lack of cage time Abas is the number 16 ranked bantamweight prospect in MMA according to ULTMMA.com.

Rebel Fighter Annihilation results
Plymouth, CA

Eloy Garza def. Steve Gruber by Submission Armbar 1:34 R1
JR Villanueva def. Christian Rios by Submission Rear Naked Choke 1:27 R1
Mike Persons def. Micah Herbert by TKO 2:58 R2
Randy Tambare def. Dan Reyes by Unanimous Decision
CJ Leveque def. Eric Flood by TKO 2:22 R2
Tony Boyles def. Phil Baldacci by Unanimous Decision
Ramoni Kuete def. Mike Saurez by TKO 0:58 R1
Javier Vargas def. Anthony Perales by Submission Armbar 0:45 R1
Martin Sandoval def. Randy Rodoni by Submission Rear Naked Choke 2:22 R1
Stephen Abas def. Clint Gerona by TKO 5:00 R3
Derrick Burnsed def. John Corstorphine by Submission Armbar 3:46 R3
Jaime Jara def. Josh Thornburg by KO 4:45 R1

Jaime Jara vs. Josh Thornburg