WEST HAVEN -- For the first time in his pro career, Ogden mixed martial arts heavyweight Craig Mock saw the second round, but the KO artist remained undefeated.
Saturday night, before a packed crowd at The Gym in West Haven, Mock improved to 8-0 when previously undefeated Jared Carson (2-1), of St. George, was forced to tap out in the second round.
Carson put up a game effort against Mock, who is considered a top prospect in MMA, but Mock -- who was in better physical condition -- took control of the fight late in the first round and hammered Carson in round 2.
Mock is managed by Monte Cox, who has guided the careers of several Ultimate Fighting Championship MMA champs. UFC is considered the top level of MMA competition.
In a short but wild semi-main event, Top of Utah fighter Patrick Reeves -- who entered the cage to much fanfare, survived an initial charge from Drayton Woods, only to catch his opponent in a choke hold that left Woods unconscious and Reeves the winner in round 1.
Two other Ogden fighters scored impressive wins. Jon Neal forced Wade Martinson to tap out in the first round and Justin Roberts used a rear naked choke hold to defeat Bron Lindquist in round 1.
In a competitive match between two Utah fighters, a better conditioned Sooksan Simpleman fell behind in the first round and a half against Josh Buck. However, as Buck faded in the second round, Simpleman battered him so badly in the last minute of the round that Buck was unable to answer the bell for round three.
In other bouts, Tim Lund stopped Ogden's Jason Jones soon after the opening bell, and in an exhibition fight between two amateur kickboxers, Jennifer Raff won a decision over Aubree Thompson.
The West Haven card was promoted by TotalMayhem, which plans another local card in late June. The large card was entertained by MMA superstar Kevin "The Monster" Randleman. Also in attendance was Ogden heavyweight boxer, Billy Zumbrun, who besides fighting some of the best boxers in the world the past decade, has been sparring with Mock at Foley's Gym in Ogden.
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