MMA in FL: The First Licensed Event
Submitted by: Joseph Cunliffe
Posted On 08/04/2002

The Florida State Boxing Commission licensed its first professional Mixed Martial Arts event on Saturday, July 20, 2002. The first World Shin Do Kumaté Bouts were held at the Pinellas Expo Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Shin Do Kumaté Bouts were created by Master Mehrdad Khan Moayedi, the founder, creator, & owner of the World Shin Do Kumaté Association. Also based out of St. Petersburg, this exclusive Martial Arts Dojang was established in 1993.

Originally from Persia, Moayedi is the President of Kong Shin Bup Hapkido and a Disciple of Tae Keuk Do Grand Master Inn Shuk Pak as a 6th Dan Black Belt. Moayedi is also a 4th generation of Persian Kushti Kaj (self-defense and grappling art) from Iran.

Moayedi has devoted 30 years of study and active participation in these traditional martial art systems. In addition, Moavedi is an active fighter in full contact fights. Moavedi has been selected three times for the K-1 competition.

The night started with an amateur fight between Amanda Calderon from Miami, FL and Dawn Montague from Bradenton, FL. Calderon, just 14-years-old, has 10 years experience in American Kenpo & Goju Ryu as a junior Black Belt. She has been a student of Master Mehrdad's for just under 1 year and specializes in Shaolin Kung Fu. She fought at 5'2', 128lbs. Her record includes 1996, 1997, and 1998 FBBA State Champion for her fighting division. Montague, who comes to the ring from Hollobaugh Karate in Bradenton, FL is 25-years-old, 5'3, 122lbs and has been training in Kickboxing for approximately 7 months with an amateur record of 1-0-1. She is a mother of one.

The first two rounds of this fight were dominated by Calderon who knocked Montague down 3 times with straight kicks to the chest. Montague however came on strong in the third round with several quick combinations which brought the final score to a draw.

The second bout of the evening was between Larry Jarrett and Travis Crawford. Jarrett is 30-years-old and came to the Kumaté from the Mike Hollobaugh Thai Boxing School in Bradenton, FL. He weighed in at 160lbs, stands 5'10, and sports 39-9 record. Crawford came to the Kumaté from Bob Robare's Diamond Dutchman Muay Thai gym in Orlando, FL. He fought at 6', 163lbs, and is 28-years-old.

This was a fast moving bout with both fighters landing many kicks and punches. Jarrett however was the more aggressive fighter and demonstrated excellent blocking techniques. These skills were what resulted in Jarrett's the win by decision.

The third bout featured James Routson and Michael Shoffener. Rouston, also from Bob Robare's Diamond Dutchman Muay Thai gym in Orlando, FL fought at 173lbs. His record is 2-1, with both wins from KO's. Shoeffener, who drove to Florida from his home in Mexico for the fight, weighed in at 180lbs. His record is 2-1 and he has fought in Tiger's World of Martial Arts under Amateur Muay Thai rules. He specializes in Thai Boxing/Shoot Fighting.

Shoffener came out aggressively and was working Rouston over well, although Rouston blocked most of the incoming blows and kicks. When Shoffener started to get slightly winded, Routson took advantage and delivered 6 devastating knees to Softener's head, the first one opening a 3-inch gash on his forehead that ultimately ended the fight with a technical knockout in the first round.

The fourth bout was between Joel Collins and Eric 'The Hurricane' Marshall. Collins is from Las Vegas, NE and is 145lbs and 19-years-old. He holds a Blue Sash in Shaolin Kung Fu from the World Shin Do Kumaté' Association under Master Moayedi, and has fought in Tiger's World of Martial Arts under Amateur Muay Thai rules. Marshall came to the fight from Bradenton, FL, where he trains under Master Mike Hollobaugh's school.

Both fighters were very aggressive in the first round of this fight, with Collins delivering the more powerful and effective hits. Two minutes into the round however, Marshall delivered a strong left hook which rocked Collins back, causing him to twist his foot - breaking it and damaging one of his tendons to give Marshall the win by TKO.

The fifth and most exciting bout of the evening was between Kedric Umaa and Dekin 'The Dragon'. Umaa fights out of Miami, FL where he trains at the Unified Martial Arts Academy under Dwight Woods, specializing in Thai Kickboxing. In his 3 years of experience he has amassed a record of 4-1-0. He weighed in at 170lbs. Dekin holds a green belt in Hapkido from Master Mehrdad's Shin Do Kumaté Association in St. Petersburg, FL. He fought 175lbs and is 28-years-old.

Although this was Dekin's first professional fight, he was by far the most challenging opponent of the evening. His natural abilities showed against Umaa's much more experienced style. While Umaa was able to land several knees to Dekin's face, Dekin countered several of Umaa's kicks with takedowns. Umaa showed visible frustration with Dekin's abilities and resorted to verbal taunts for which the judge warned him to stop. This bout went the full 4 rounds, with the close decision going to Umaa.

The sixth and final bout was between Stefan ButinBik and Kirk Bovell. ButinBik is from Holland and fought at 135lbs and is 32-years-old. His record was 2-1 with his last fight being an under card match at Dan Severn's 'Caged Combat.' He trained at Maeng Ho gym in Breda Holland in Maui Thai. His amateur record was an impressive 61-7. Bovell came from Barbados to fight at 138lbs and is 24-years-old. His extensive training experience includes 7 years in Muay Thai and 3 years in Jun Fan Gung Fu Fighting, with an amateur record 6-2-1 with 2 TKO's and a professional record of 2-0-0 with both wins by TKO.

This fight was very evenly matched with both fighters landing many kicks and blows. ButinBik landed a pounding spinning back kick to Bovell's midsection in the first round to set the pace for the remainder of the fight. Bovell returned the favor with several hard roundhouse punches landing to ButinBik head. Although Bovell won the fight by a decision after four rounds, ButinBik was able to raise a massive welt on Bovell's left thigh that would have taken a lesser man out of the ring.

The next Shin Do Kumaté Bouts is scheduled for October 26, 2002 at the Pinellas Expo Center in St. Petersburg Florida, in which Master Mehrdad plans to fight the Heavyweight Main Event title bout to promote his style.

The World Shin Do Kumaté Association is located at 3028-A 9th Street, North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. The telephone number is: 727-823-8914. More information can be found at MasterMehrdad.com

Joseph Cunliffe with Bill Clement