Alaska News

Fights at Chilkoot's end AFC season

Nine fights broke out Saturday night in the parking lot of Chilkoot Charlie's.

Alcohol was not a factor.

The Alaska Fighting Championships held its first outdoor event -- dubbed the Land of the Midnight Sun 1 -- with the octagon under a tent at Koots instead of its usual indoor venue at Sullivan Arena.

Fans, split between a wet and dry side, sat on fold-out chairs that surrounded the entire octagon. Food trucks provided dinner.

Prior to the main event, children played in the parking lot, people enjoyed ice cream and both humans and canines sold 50/50 tickets for Midnight Sun Service Dogs while the Smashing Pumpkins' "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" played in the background.

"It's amazing. The atmosphere is great," said Lowen Chatman, one of the fighters on the undercard.

Fight promoter and AFC owner Sarah Lorimer said she wanted to try something new to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her business.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lorimer had another treat for fans and fighters alike -- they got to meet former UFC champion Randy Couture, who signed autographs and posed for pictures for two hours prior to the first fight.

Unfortunately for Chris Johnson, Couture's signature didn't aid him in the main event. Johnson, who had Couture sign his shorts, lasted 2 minutes, 7 seconds before Joe Fonoti won by technical knockout. After exchanging blows, Fonoti landed a head shot and then pounced on a defenseless Johnson, prompting the referee to stop the light-heavyweight bout.

"It was quick," Fonoti said. "I already set my mind, 'I'm gonna kill him in the first round.' "

The co-main event didn't last much longer.

Anchorage's Johnny Tauton showcased his boxing talent -- he's had nearly 200 fights -- when he knocked out Soldotna's Victor Rodrigez in 2:28 with a punishing right hand to Rodrigez's head.

"He walked right into it," Tauton said.

After a three-year hiatus from fighting, Tauton said he was nervous entering his fifth mixed martial arts fight. Afterward, he didn't even take the time to put on shoes as he jogged to a group of supporters dishing out high-fives and hugs.

"So many emotions right now," he said.

Chatman, of Eagle River, delivered the other knockout of the night, ending his fight with Kenai's Kraig Logston in 1:25. Oddly, it was a heavy hit from Logston that dropped Chatman to his knees that sparked Chatman's win.

"The biggest mistake that guy made was hitting me that hard," Chatman said. "That put me back to where I needed to be."

Fighters used a variety of techniques from freestyle to boxing to wrestling. Their entrance music was just as varied.

Everything from Drowning Pool's "Let the Bodies Hit the Floor" to Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" played as fighters entered the cage.

Chatman, a former Marine, appropriately chose "God Bless the USA."

Fonoti went with a less conventional song for a man of his stature.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder may have entered the cage to ABBA's "Dancing Queen," but he left as king of the octagon.

Reach Mike Nesper at mnesper@adn.com or 257-4335.

Alaska Fighting Championships

ADVERTISEMENT

Land of the Midnight Sun 1

Saturday

Chilkoot Charlie's

Vinnie Fricilone def. Bryan Rutherford, second round ref stops strikes. Cody McElwain def. Devin Batiste, third-round TKO. Cody Williams def. Kyle George, third-round verbal submission. Jeremy Sliger def. Hipa Fouvale, first round ref stops strikes. Lowen Chatman def. Kraig Logston, first-round KO. Matt Robards def. Mike Forselles, third-round tap out. Jacob Vierra def. Thomas Hodge, second round ref stops strikes.

Co-main event -- Johnny Tauton def. Victor Rodrigez, first-round KO. Main event -- Joe Fonoti def. Chris Johnson, first-round TKO.

By MIKE NESPER

mnesper@adn.com

ADVERTISEMENT