In 2010, Toby “2 Quick” Misech fought and lost to Max Holloway in Just Scrap in a 145-pound featherweight bout when both were blossoming mixed martial arts amateurs.
Four years later, Misech has five pro bouts left on his Pacific Xtreme Combat contract while Holloway is in the UFC, the major leagues of the MMA universe.
In August 2011, the UFC signed a seven-year deal worth a reported $700 million with Fox to televise events.
That mega-windfall doesn’t really compare to Major League Baseball, which has a $12.4 billion, eight-year contract with ESPN, Fox and TBS, signed in October 2012.
Still, like MLB’s farm system, there are various levels for MMA pros to land and make a decent wage.
Triple-A level Bellator is the promotion that has the biggest name after the UFC. Bellator events are televised on Spike and has a roster with a few big names, such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz.
At the Double-A stage, there’s the World Series of Fighting, which has a TV deal with NBC Sports. WSOF has expanded operations in Nicaragua, Canada and Japan.
There are many Single-A promotions around the world, such as PXC, which is based in Guam, and has sent several champions to the UFC, and Maximum Fighting Championship, based in Canada.
Holloway went straight from the local promotions to the big leagues as a replacement fighter in UFC 143 in February 2012. He lost that bout by submission to Dustin Poirier, but impressed enough to land a UFC contract. He’s 7-3 in the UFC.
On Friday at the latest Just Scrap, among the 19 bouts, Misech had the most dominant three-round performance. He didn’t knock out or submit Team Alaska’s Josey Wells, but “2 Quick” dismantled him for all 15 minutes for a majority decision.
Misech (5-4) isn’t a full-time fighter and works for Pepsi. But he’s patient and waiting for a phone call from the UFC.
“I’m going to keep swinging and rack up more wins,” Misech said. “When that call comes, I’ll be ready.”
Despite BJ Penn’s career and connections in the UFC, his promotion BJPenn.com Just Scrap hasn’t been able to send anyone to the major leagues. However, there are several promising Boss MMA club members, from the Penn gym, who have impressive amateur resumes with unbeaten records.
Levi Agcalan (8-0), Boss MMA, defeated Petey Vital, Vital MMA (Pahoa), for the Just Scrap 145-pound featherweight title with a second-round rear-naked choke, with 39 seconds left in the three-minute round.
Adam Collarile (7-0), Boss MMA, beat Gary Simkins, Vital MMA, for the Just Scrap 155-pound lightweight title with a decision in the three-minute, three-round bout.
Russell Mizuguchi (8-0), Boss MMA, toppled Justin Yamauchi, Killabeez MMA (Hilo), with a rear-naked choke, just 1:12 into the first round. It wasn’t a title fight for Mizuguchi’s Just Scrap 125-pound flyweight belt, but it was another spectacular win.
Here’s a look at each of the undefeated Boss MMA fighters:
Agcalan: He should take up the nickname Cool Cucumber. Of all the Just Scrap 38 competitors, he has the most unflappable demeanor.
In the first round, Vital pinned Agcalan against the fence and got a takedown. But the Cucumber didn’t panic and eventually escaped, showing excellent technical ground defense.
In the second round, Agcalan got a takedown, but was in an awkward position. He had Vital’s back, but Agcalan was also on his back. Still, with his unique poise, the Cucumber was patient, eventually got Vital to his side and sunk in a rear-naked choke.
Agcalan’s only roadblock is Misech, who’s also a 145-pound featherweight.
Collarile: He doesn’t hold his weight and muscle as well as Agcalan. Still, Collarile’s wrestling skills stamp him as a dangerous threat because of his takedown and defensive skills.
In the first round, Simkins swung and missed. Collarile snaked around, grabbed Simkins’ back and got a takedown. Simkins kept his neck close to his chest, preventing Collarile from getting a rear-naked choke.
Collarile judo-tripped Simkins to the floor to start the second round, but the Vital MMA fighter got a reversal and was going for a rear-naked choke. Collarile squirted out and swarmed on Simkins, but was unable to land any big blows from on top.
In the third round, Collarile’s head was stuck in a guillotine, but he escaped and worked his way to Simkins’ back again. Despite not getting a submission, Collarile piled up enough points with his takedowns and escapes.
Mizuguchi: If there was an award for fight of the night, “Da Muscle” would have won it. He’s 5 feet 4, but he’s incredibly strong for that size. In almost every fight, Mizuguchi shows a combination of strength, speed and technical jiu-jitsu skill.
Yamauchi, who was several inches taller, was the latest victim.
Mizuguchi dodged a strike, picked up Yamauchi and slammed him. Mizuguchi was a blur in wrapping up his foe and sinking in a rear-naked choke.
Mizuguchi recently joined the National Guard, but getting to the UFC is his dream. Da Muscle knows he needs to keep building his resume.
“I have to keep getting wins,” he said.