Crystal Starkey Defends Her 125 Blackout Championship Belt

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Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Crystal Starkey Goes 5-0

SVSU Hosts SOLD OUT Blackout Cage Fighting Promotions Halloween Beatdown

November 6, 2011       Leave a Comment
By: Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor

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(Follow up coverage on Previous article feature on Crystal Starkey)

Crystal Starkey was 4-0 as she entered the cage with her opponent Shandra Engel of Grand Rapids with a record of 8-4. Starkey defended her title belt against Engel on Friday, October 28, 2011 at SVSU. In the second round, Starkey ended the match with a choke hold.

Charlie Cosens, said of Crystals fight, "I felt the fight went as planned. First round, she was able to defend the take-down for most of the first round. She listened well to instructions between rounds and was able to keep her back off the fence for the second round."

Charlie continued, "I felt like that was the turning point of the fight. If Shandra couldn't control her I knew it wouldn't last long. All in all, a good fight for Crystal." This brings Starkey's record to 5-0. Starkey will continue with her training and defending her belt. Starkey said, "I am passionate about the sport but am saddened by the barbaric reputation it has unfortunately earned."

This was the first time Blackout Cage Fighting Promotions held their event at SVSU's Cardinal Gym in Saginaw. Blackout Fight Promoter, Chris Cosens, said, "We maxed out at about 800 tickets with over 250 students."

Chris continued, "The night was a huge success. It was a huge step forward getting mixed martial arts onto a college campus. The sportsmanship and respect of the fighters from Friday night was absolutely astounding." "We would definitely be interested in coming back again. I thought the Cardinal Gym was a perfect venue. The only downfall was that we had to turn away around 100 people due to reaching fire code capacity."

There were twenty-seven bouts on the fight card. Ring Announcer Quinn Bartlett said, "This is a great family production that I have been a part of for 2 years." Bartlett continued, "Cosens put on a complete show, it is a positive MMA experience for everyone!"

According to SVSU spokesperson, "A lot of the MMA fighters attend the University, that is how the idea of having it here came up. I think it was a wonderful turnout with many of the students showing interest in the event.


(Above) Halloween Beatdown II (Blackout Promotions) was held at the Cardinal Gym at SVSU. According to Blackout Fight Promoter, Chris Cosens, 800 attended with over 250 students.


(Above) Starkey's Trainer Charlie Cosens prepares Starkey for fights.


(Above) Chandra Engel - All business as she heads into the cage.


(Above) Starkey makes her way through crowd to the cage. Starkey said, "It's gonna be a war."


(Above) Engel, Starkey, Round 1


(Above) Engel, Starkey Round 2 (Referee, Chris Gonzales)


(Above) Blackout Promoters, Mark and Chris Cosens, (Blackout Cage Fighting Promotions.)


(Above) Saginaw Valley Board Members


(Above) The SVSU Hip Hop Dance Group performed at intermission


(Above) Cosens Apparel display

To Fight or Sponsor Call 989-415-8564

Halloween Beatdown 2 Results

1 - Isaac Babinski (3-2) Cosens MMA VS Delmar Harrison (1-1) Indie
170 Isaac Babinski via submission due to strikes in round 1.

2 - Jeff Kozak (1-0) Cosens MMA VS James Stoor (5-3) Vance
205 Jeff Kozak via unanimous decision.

3 - Tim Esctruth (3-4) Project Truth VS Hector Varges (2-0) Grand Rapids
135 Tim Esctruth via rear naked choke in third round.

4 - Jesse Bashor (1-2) Cosens MMA VS Justin Helton (0-0) E43 Combat Club
185 Jesse Bachor via TKO in round 1.

5 - Austin Kimmel (0-0) Project Truth VS Ernan Paredes (0-0) Grand Rapids
145 Austin Kimmel via rear naked choke in round 2.

6 - Nathan Awad (4-1) Cosens MMA VS Nick Thirlby Indie
155 Nathan Awad via TKO to due to strikes in round 1.

7 - Ryan Lamme (0-0) Project Truth VS Larry Beek (1-2) Cosens MMA
HVY Larry Beek TKO due to strikes in round 2.

8 - David Brigham (3-3) Indie VS Dan Athey (2-4) Spyder/Elite
135 David Brigham via rear naked choke in round 1.

9 - Jack Harp (0-0) Cosens MMA VS RJ Heinlein (0-0) Muscle Factory
185 RJ Heinlein via rear naked choke in round 1.

10 - Boone Revette (0-0) Cosens MMA VS Ramone Dalton (2-0) Vance
185 Ramone Dalton via triangle choke in round 1.

11 - Torvell Hillman (0-0) Cosens MMA VS Josh Clark (2-0) Project Truth
155 Josh Clark via rear naked choke in round 1.

12 - James Allen (0-1) Cosens MMA VS Timmy Long (2-3) E43 Combat Club
170 James Allen via unanimous decision.

13 - Crystal Starkey (4-0) Cosens MMA VS Chandra Engel A. Muscle
125 Crystal Starkey via rear naked choke in round 2.

14 - Jake Bialobrzeski (0-0) Cosens MMA VS Mike Thigpen (0-1) W. Elephant
135 Jake Bialobrzeski via TKO due to strikes in round 1.

15 - Shane Dunning (0-0) Cosens MMA VS Christopher Rice (0-0) Indie
185 Shane Dunning via TKO due to strikes in round 2.

16 - Kyle Alexander (1-0) Spyder VS Mike Charo (1-1) W. Elephant
135 Kyle Alexaner via submission by rear naked choke in round 1.

17 - James Bashor (4-1) Cosens MMA VS Keyton Turmull (3-2) W. Elephant
155 James Bashor via TKO due to strikes in round 1.

18 - Nicholas Harajli (0-0) Project Truth VS Brandon Woodcock (1-0) Spyder/Elite
185 Brandon Woodcock via TKO due to strikes at 0:10 of round 1.

19 - Ben Bryant (2-0) Cosens MMA VS James Wheaton Indie
185 Ben Bryant via submission due to strikes in round 1.

20 - EJ Bashor (0-0) Cosens MMA VS Michael Adame (0-0) Indie
170 EJ Bashor via TKO due to stirkes in round 1.

21 - Taylor Kimmel (0-0) Project Truth VS Nano Smith (1-0) W. Elephant
135 Draw after a 3 round WAR.

22 - Mike Martinez (6-4) Cosens MMA VS Colten Bowen (4-1) Vance
155 Mike Martinez via rear naked choke in round 1.

23 - Wes Dinan (6-3) Cosens MMA VS Giani Squires (4-5) Indie
HvY Wes Dinan via TKO due to strikes (knees) in round 1.

24 - Ed Kirby (4-0) Cosens MMA VS Jasper Joyner (0-1) W. Elephant
HVY Jasper Joyner via TKO due to strikes in round 3.

25 - Deland Davis (11-7) White Elephant VS Steve Walters (4-3) Spyder
205 Steve Walters via Triangle Choke in round 3.

26 - Devin Garrett (14-13) SWAT VS Mike Cruz (13-3) Spyder

135 Mike Cruz via Traingle Choke in round 1.

27 - Anderw Biskup White Elephant VS Richard Marcotte Indie

145 Richard Marcotte via rear naked choke in round 1.

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Julie McCallum, Entertainment Editor
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