The Cellar Fight Team was back in action Saturday night at Extreme Striking Promotions IX in Wyoming, MN. It was a busy night for the team with 6 talented fighters on the card including Nate Richardson defending his lightweight title in the main event.

Xin Zheng defeats Chase Rueger by unanimous decision.
The night started off with a battle of 140 pounders and Xin Zheng made his amateur debut against 1-1 opponent Chase Rueger. The fight was very close and back-n-forth, but Xin walked away with the judges decision and improves to 1-0.

Di Lin falls short to Chase Chamberlin in overtime 4th round.
Di looked relaxed and on point as he battled the hometown favorite, Chase Chamberlin. He looked in total control of the fight, scoring leg kicks and avoiding Chase’s attacks. Late in the first round he was caught with a right hand while throwing a kick that sent him to the canvas. Although he wasn’t hurt, he was issued an 8-count and lost the first round 10-8. Di battled back however. He looked like a skilled veteran during rounds 2 and 3 avoiding damage and landing a few beautiful head kicks. At the end of regulation, the judges had it scored even and forced an overtime round. As both fighters looked fatigued the 4th round didn’t contain nearly the amount of action as the first 3, but Di looked to have landed the more significant strikes. Maybe the hometown crowd played a factor, but the judges decision ended up going the other way. We didn’t agree with the scoring, but maybe this will force a rematch and give Di a chance to have a proper training camp; he took this bout on only a weeks notice.

Chris Keller defeats Mel Ott by 1st round TKO.
Coming back to the ring after a couple year layoff, Chris Keller was looking to impress. He worked hard in camp and looked sharp in the ring. Both fighters started off throwing wild shots, but Chris started to tighten up his boxing and landed a pinpoint right hand that sent Mel to the ground. After the 8-count Chris quickly got back to work and dropped Mel again to get the first round TKO win.

Ryan Sternberg defeats B.J. Haugdahl by unanimous decision.
In a battle of 155 pounders, this match went back-and-forth with exciting action. Ryan was the more technical fighter, but B.J.’s powerful hands were able to back Ryan up and score in impressive fashion. About halfway through the first round something clicked with Ryan and he landed a beautiful push kick to the face followed by a great boxing combination. The action continued to go back and forth, but Ryan’s leg kicks began to pay dividends in the final round; dropping B.J. twice to the canvas. The judges scored the bout unanimously for Ryan.

James Dipietro defeats Denis Baribeault by judges decision.
Looking to pick up his first win just days after his 40th birthday James Dipietro was on a mission against a tough Canadian. It was another back-n-forth match with both fighters exchanging powerful shots, but James’ leg kicks looked to play the difference and picked up the judges decision. Congratulations James!

Nate Richardson defends his lightweight title defeated Ash Majek by TKO in round 4.
Nate “The Natural” Richardson put his belt on the line for his first title defense against the tough and game Ash Majek. Nate went to work in the first round landing some hard chopping low kicks that made Ash fold in half, but began to focus on his boxing in round 2 and 3. Nate started landing vicious body punches and landed a scary left hand to the liver right at the bell to end round 4. He came out on a mission in the 5th round landing a head kick against the taller fighter followed by his hands that sent Ash to the canvas. After the 8-count Nate went back to work quickly and dropped Ash a second time due to body punches. Ash was unable to beat the count and Nate defends his belt by 5th round TKO.

Thank You
The Cellar Gym had 100+ screaming fans in attendance and we really appreciate the support! We would also like to thank Heath and Janell Fonnest for another fantastic Extreme Striking Promotions event and including us on the show. Lastly we need to thank Antonio Dvorak for warming up all the fighters back stage, Jen Cichon for getting all the fighters ready, and coaches Justin Whiley and Chris Cichon for working the corner. The Cellar Fight Team is getting stronger and stronger and it’s going to be a busy and exciting 2015. Thank you everyone for your support!