Flyweight Josh Rave and featherweight prospect Rich Taylor score impressive wins at Downtown Showdown 8

July 18, 2012

Two rising Midwest prospects picked up keys wins on the main card of Downtown Showdown 8 in Minnesota. In the main event flyweight stalwart Josh Rave (22-10) bounced back nicely from back to back defeats with a second round win over Tony Belvedere (14-6).

The 29 year old Rave dominated the second frame versus Belvedere. Rave, a Nebraska fighter, dropped Belvedere with a left hand and smothered him on the floor for most of the round. After pounding him with a few strikes Rave mounted Belvedere and moments later wrapped up a tight arm triangle choke.

The official time of Rave's submission win came at the 4:43 mark of round two. A flyweight fighter since late 2009 the gritty Rave has lost to some of the best 135 and 125 fighters on the Midwest scene. With over 20 career wins Rave is the type of fighter who could provide depth as well as action to the UFC's developing flyweight roster.

The top prospect on the card was Minnesota's own Rich Taylor (12-2). A member of The Academy in Minneapolis, Taylor scored a three round decision win over North Dakota's Ryan Burwick (6-3). Over the course of three rounds Taylor's combination of improving hands and solid takedowns was mountain Burwick could never truly overcome.

Taylor was quicker with his hands and got the better of punching exchanges. The 28 year old Taylor was also not afraid to put Burwick on his back when he needed to. All three judges scored the fight 30-27 in favor of Taylor. After a brief absence from the sport Taylor has racked up three wins over the last 12 months.

A 12-2 record in the 145 pound division will get Taylor long looks from the UFC and you could hear his named called up for one of the promotion's Fall Midwest cards. Taylor, a four star prospect, is the number 17 ranked 145 pounder in the latest ULTMMA.com top 20 ranking.

Downtown Showdown 8 results
Minneapolis, MN

*Josh Rave def. *Tony Belvedere by Submission Arm Triangle Choke 4:43 R2
*Rich Taylor def. Ryan Burwick by Unanimous Decision
B.J. Lacy def. Isaiah Larson by Split Decision
*Cully Butterfield def. Matthew Pazanin by Unanimous Decision
Zach Wolff def. Erik Vo by Submission Triangle Choke 2:30 R1
Jesse Midas def. Derek Smith by KO (Punch) 0:11 R1
Chase Waldon def. Nate Hoffman by Submission Armbar 2:48 R2
Patrick Delgado def. Roland Larson by Submission Elbows 1:38 R1
Nick Ammerman def. Jesse Coca by Unanimous Decision

*Prospect to watch