Story and video by Fightjunky and TammyTV

Elite Cage Fighting headed south to Bloomington on Saturday night for ECF 27 and a fight card featuring 21 fights, including the headline bout for the ECF heavyweight title. Attendance was strong despite the impending holiday vacation and competition from at least four other MMA events in Indiana on the same night.

Fighter records are listed, in most instances, as they were indicated on the fight card. Video links are provided for the fights below the summaries.

Fight 1 - Spencer Johnson (6-2) vs. Lester Wright (3-0)

The opening fight of the night saw Urban Warriors fighter Spencer Johnson get dismantled quickly by undefeated DFS fighter Lester Wright. After the fight went to the ground with Johnson in Wright's guard, Wright was able to set up a triangle choke, which he locked on and put Johnson to sleep. Johnson, obviously disoriented, tried to tackle the ref when he woke up. Lester Wright wins by submission (triangle choke) 1:07 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 2 - Jon Bomgardner (0-0) vs. Harlan Daniel (0-0)

In one of the very few fights of the night featuring inexperienced fighters, Bomgardner got the better of an opening standup exchange, and began working for a choke from north-south position. Daniel was unable to fend off the submission and succumbed to an anaconda choke. Jon Bomgardner wins by submission (anaconda choke) 0:53 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 3 - James Shaw (0-0) vs. Mike Clark (0-0)

Shaw gained back control early in the fight, but Clark was able to reverse back into standup. After the action slowed a bit, Clark landed an uppercut and some knees that seemed to have an effect on Shaw. From there Clark pounced and finished the fight with strikes. Mike Clark wins by TKO 2:35 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 4 - Elias Donker (3-1) vs. Matt Hamm (2-1)

This fight was a rematch that was set up after Hamm could not make a catch weight to fight his originally scheduled opponent. Donker overpowered, out-struck, and controlled most of the fight against Hamm, who nevertheless deserves props on his excellent ground game. Hamm looked tough, patient, and landed a strong reverse elbow but in the end, could not out-fight Donker. After the final bell, both guys showed respect and appreciation for being able to put up a great fight. Hamm exited the cage with a final statement, "Who wants to fight a fat kid now?" Elias Donker wins by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

[Round 3](

Fight 5 - Jeremiah Johnson (0-0) vs. Rod Jones (0-0)

The first portion of the fight was spent in a stalemated position on the ground, with neither fighter able to advance his position. When the fighters eventually got back on their feet, Johnson started to gain control. Johnson unloaded with several combinations and some good jabs. Jones finally hit the ground, and Johnson rushed in to finish him off. Jeremiah Johnson wins by TKO 2:35 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 6 - David Bomgardner (0-1) vs. Ronez McGrady (1-1)

Romez McGrady and David Bomgardner came out, touched gloves, and McGrady unleashed his abusive stand-up game. McGrady delivered two knock down punches but Bomgardner got back up both times. McGrady delivered more punishment, and Bomgardner shot in for a takedown that McGrady stuffed easily. Seconds later and back on their feet, McGrady delivered even more destroying punches which Bomgardner could not endure. Bomgardner's knees hit the mat, his body collapsed, and it was over in decisive fashion. Ronez McGrady wins by TKO 0:33 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 7 - Drake Hoover (2-1) vs. Matt "The Captain" Morgan (3-0) (for the IUPAD lightweight state pankration title)

Undefeated Team Atchison fighter Matt "the Captain" Morgan showed no mercy in this quick and decisive fight. After missing his first couple of kicks, Morgan landed a kick followed by a punch, then wrapped Hoover up in a guillotine. Morgan rolled him over and may have choked Hoover unconscious. A split second after Hoover was released from the choke, Morgan landed devastating strikes for good measure before the ref intervened. Whether due to the choke or the strikes, Hoover was out cold. Matt Morgan wins by KO 0:37 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 8 - Byron Sutton (8-1) vs. Greg Hamilton (1-0)

Fighting just 24 hours earlier at Horseshoe Casino, and suffering his first loss, didn't stop Byron Sutton from jumping in the cage with Greg Hamilton. Hamilton took down Sutton, mounted him, and unleashed some punishment before Sutton was able to work out. Hamilton then worked for an armbar from rubber guard, but Sutton powered out, and the two battled to the end of the round. In the second, Hamilton landed a good kick and strikes, and Sutton gave up his back: Hamilton was able to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Greg Hamilton wins by submission (RNC) 0:43 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 9 - Darriel Kelly (1-1) vs. James Manion (1-0)

Darriel Kelly scored the first takedown but James Manion immediately took back control, got his hooks in, and showed amazing ground skill. After dominating with his jujitsu, Manion softened up Kelly and ended the fight with a rear naked choke. James Manion wins by submission (RNC) 1:25 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 10 - Jeremy Silcox (1-0) vs. David Fishel (1-1)

Jeremy Silcox and David Fishel battled in an all out war in the first round. While on the ground, both guys showed impressive ground work, with Fishel getting the best of it. The second round did not last very long, as a heavy knee early on in the round caused Fishel to hit the mat and Silcox to walk away the winner with the knockout. Jeremy Silcox wins by KO 0:27 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 11 - Foster Gomez (2-0) vs. Brad Balmer (0-1)

Balmer came out strong and quick, mounted Gomez, and took control right away. After a little bit of punishment, Gomez gave up his back. Balmer took advantage, softened Gomez up, and eventually finished with a rear naked choke in the second round. Balmer for the most part owned the entire fight but Gomez showed amazing sportsmanship, even raising Balmer's hand for the crowd. Brad Balmer wins by submission (RNC) 1:29 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 12 - Chester York (3-4) vs. Brad Smith (2-1)

There were a few good exchanges in the opening of the fight, but Smith got a takedown and showed a dominant ground game, quickly ending the fight with a guillotine. Brad Smith wins by submission (guillotine choke) 0:47 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 13 - Kenny Day (0-1) vs. Brady Gillihan (2-2)

Brady Gillihan came out a winner by way of rear naked choke in the second round against Kenny Day. Both were good opponents and showed a lot of heart in a fight that didn't have a whole lot of flow to it. Brady Gillihan wins by submission (RNC) 2:33 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 14 - Caleb Parrish (3-1) vs. Jeb Pencil (3-0)

Jeb "Hot Lead" Pencil brought a crowd with him to watch him win. Pencil came out strong and got the first takedown. From there Pencil mounted, then dominated Parrish. Pencil's fan club cheered vocally as he finished by way of guillotine. Jeb Pencil wins by submission (guillotine choke) 2:44 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 15 - Jesse Turner (1-2) vs. Josh Kinser (2-1)

This was a hard-fought battle that wasn't decided until the third round. Kinser controlled the opening frame but could not finish the fight. Kinser again controlled ground position in the second. In the third, Kinser gained full mount soon after a failed kimura attempt, and was able to force a ref stoppage. Josh Kinser wins by TKO 2:20 into the 3rd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

[Round 3](

Fight 16 - Bryce Keeney (0-1) vs. A.J. Dodson (0-0)

After an opening clinch and exchange of strikes, Keeney gained a takedown and was able to take full mount. From there he was able to lock in an armbar and force his opponent to submit. Bryce Keeney wins by submission (armbar) 1:15 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 17 - James Capps (0-0) vs. Ryan Puckett (1-1)

The first round saw a lot of back and forth action that ended with Puckett in back control and Capps hanging on to survive to the end of the round. After a standup exchange to open the second round, both fighters looked to be knocked stupid at various points. Capps, who seemed more gassed, was taken down and gave up back mount, and the ref ended it soon thereafter. One of the more entertaining fights of the night. Ryan Puckett wins by TKO 1:53 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 18 - Dirceu Coroa (2-1) vs. David Powers (2-1)

After a somewhat slow first round ended with a good exchange, Powers got the better of the opening exchange in the second round. Powers eventually landed a big knee that dropped Coroa, and pounced on his fallen opponent to finish the fight. David Powers wins by TKO 2:53 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Round 1](

[Round 2](

Fight 19 - Erik Wilburn (0-0) vs. Mike Dunfee (0-0)

Wilburn got dropped almost immediately after the opening bell, and Dunfee landed several more shots on his unconscious opponent for good measure. Mike Dunfee wins by KO 0:15 into the 1st round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 20 - Jacob Wooten (0-1) vs. Matt Dudevoir (0-0)

The first round did not see a whole lot of action. In the second, Wooten ignored the opening glove tap and shot for a takedown. Dudevoir was able to secure a guillotine and force a submission. Matt Dudevior wins by submission (guillotine choke) 1:28 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Entire fight](

Fight 21 - Jeff Robinson (3-0) vs. Steve Yavo (4-0) (for the ECF heavyweight title)

Undefeated Illinois fighter Jeff Robinson was brought in to take on the defending ECF heavyweight champion Steve Yavo. Yavo controlled the fight from start to finish, gaining full mount early in the first round. Yavo landed several strikes and seemed in position to finish at will, but instead patiently maintained a confident mount and taunted his helpless opponent in between strikes. The ref eventually restarted the fighters to standup, and Yavo landed a beautiful leg sweep before retaking full mount. Robinson held on through the first round but was visibly hurt and tired during the break. In the second, Yavo unleashed a spinning back fist and spinning back kick before taking full mount again and locking in an americana that left Robinson rolling on the mat in pain afterwards. Steve Yavo wins by submission (americana) 0:44 into the 2nd round.

Video: [Entire fight](