Texas Rage in the Cage hosted Cage Rage 8 in front of a rowdy crowd July 17 at Ford Arena. There were 11 matches at the amateur Mixed Martial Arts event, which also saw three new champions crowned.
In the main event, Rakim Cleveland (Iron Dragon) of Dayton became the new Texas Rage in the Cage heavyweight champion when he defeated Jeremiah Gunter (Texas Punishment Crew) of Orange via TKO when the referee stopped the bout in the first round.
Watch Cleveland defeat Gunter below:
Cody Williams, who trains in Beaumont with Texas Top Team, lost to Josh Montalvo in the 155-pound title match. In what was easily the fight of the night, the referee stopped the fight in the fifth and final round, which disappointed the crowd so much, some threw full beers into the cage. Montalvo, from Las Vegas, trains under UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva. Williams currently holds the 145-pound title and was stepping up in weight class. According to The Examiner scorecard, the fight was tied two rounds each heading into the final round.
170-title: Santos Rosales (Full Contact) def. Josh Quayhagen (Daleys Warrior), TKO ref stoppage (4th).
185 lbs: Jake Loiacano (Gracie Barra) def. Zachary Self (United Combat), rear naked choke (2nd).
206 lbs: Rogelio Narvaez (Full Contact) def. Chad Morrison (Houston), kimora ankle lock (1st).
145 lbs: Joey Montiel (Progressive Scientific Fighting) def. Marshall Mooney (Texas Punishment Crew), 30-27 unanimous decision.
170 lbs: Steve Woods (Full Contact) def. Kevin Johnson (Texas Punishment Crew), rear naked choke (3rd).
165 lbs: Mark Garcia (Iron Dragon) def. James Thomas (United Combat), TKO unable to answer bell (1st).
175 lbs: Ryan Spann (Texas Top Team) def. Bryan Head (Collins MMA), triangle choke (1st).
175 lbs: Thomas Forsmo (Gladiator Pit) def. Ryan Rivera (United Combat), 30-27 unanimous decision.
155 lbs: Francis May (Collins MMA) def. Quinton Strauss (Family Connection), rear naked choke (1st).
The crowd was also treated by a special guest appearance by former UFC welterweight champion, Matt "The Terror" Serra.