Attending an amateur MMA event is like night and day compared to a high end professional card.

The venue is a packed local bar called Screamin Willie's. Most of the crowd knows a fighter and cheers wildly when their friend enters the cage. Audience members are usually able to pick winners just by a fighter's appearance and most of the fights end in the first round. The after party is hosted by two rival strip clubs and you can even catch a defeated fighter on the patio smoking a cigarette in disgust.

As I said the difference is night and day.

Last night the International Cage Fighting Alliance put on twelve amateur fights for their second annual Shamrock Showdown. The event featured two title fights and a first for the ICFA.

Middleweight champion Zach Woltz squared off against Jim Miller for the main event of the evening. Jim Miller started by taking the center of the cage and threw several leg kicks to set up a shoot, however Woltz was easily able to stuff the takedown attempt. The champion then reversed the shot into his own takedown. From there Woltz took his opponents back and secured the rear-naked choke. Somehow Miller managed to pull Woltz's arm from his neck and the crowd erupted in approval. But Woltz would not be denied, as he tried again, this time securing the submission and winning the fight.

In the other title fight of the evening, Michael Krick faced off against Josh Leist for the vacant lightweight belt. Leist towered over Krick and with his shaved Mohawk looked like the younger brother of Tim Sylvia. The two fighters started tentative with occasional flashes of kicks and punches, but neither fighter gained an advantage or landed significant damage. Leist then pushed the pace leading with his left jab to utilize his superior reach. As Krick continued to back up he suddenly threw a left jab straight right combo with the second punch landing flush. Leist went down and Krick followed with strikes to secure the victory.

The ICFA also held their first ever women's fight. Sarah Watts was making her amateur debut and had a strong contingent of fans, but that wasn't enough as Marcia May was able to use her more refined striking to win the fight.

The two fighters who had the most followers at the venue were light heavyweights Kevin Hicks and Roy Price. Both fighters were eager to put on a show and the fans were more than pleased to watch the action. The fight instantly began with looping punches and Price proceeded to shoot on Hicks and take him down. While Hicks managed to get to his feet he was notably the more tired fighter and the round was just half over. Price again shot and secured a takedown. With ten seconds left in the round Price was able to transition to full mount and pound out a victory with just three seconds left.

Derek O'Neil defeated Mike Arnold and then proceeded to challenge the ICFA featherweight champion Justin Steave. Steave is fighting in three weeks at ICFA's Rage in the Cage. O'Neil's one loss is to Steave. 

Two notable standouts in the under card were bantamweight Dennis Brown and featherweight Tony Metsch. Brown put on the most dominating performance of the evening; demonstrating quality striking, superb ground and pound and a forceful slam that caused many raised eyebrows and voices. This was also Brown's amateur debut, and fans should have more to look forward too. Tony Metsch was not quite as dominating but his height and reach for a featherweight could make him an interesting prospect to watch in the future.

Hod Lundell won his first fight with the evening's only knockout. His power right hand sent the crowd into a frenzy and his opponent, Roy Price, to the mat.

Official Results

• ICFA middleweight champion Zach Woltz def. Josh Miller via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:52.
  
• Michael Krick def. Josh Leist via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:04 for the vacant ICFA lightweight title.
  
• Marcia May def. Sarah Watts via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, in the first female fight for the ICFA.
  
• Roy Price def. Kevin Hicks via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:57.
  
• Hod Lundell def. Kevin Meyer via Knockout - Round 1 (official time was inaudible).
  
• Derek O'Neil def. Mike Arnold via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:41.
  
• Dennis Brown def. Kevin Fout via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 1:44.
  
• Nelson Best def. Nick Leist via submission (verbal) - Round 2, 0:53
  
• Rodger Moran def. Andrew Morrow via submission (triangle choke) - Round 1, 2:10.
  
• Tony Metsch def. Julio Rodriguez via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1 (official time inaudible).
  
• Casey Buttler def. Josh Hacket via submission (verbal) - Round 1, 0:50.
  
• Justin Paul def. Jeff Robinson via submission (triangle choke) - Round 1, 2:37.