Dominate FC II

After fight week in Chicago leading up to Glory 58 last Friday, I had just enough time to head straight back to work for Dominate FC II at the Tacoma Dome. Literally worked all night Friday till the shuttle took me to the airport at 5am. I had just enough time to make it all work out. Like I had about a 3 hour nap on the flight and I was still wearing the same cloths from the night before cause there wasn’t enough time to make it home before I need to show up to the venue. Hahah. I was originally planning on going to be back in Europe, but due to a few “technical” difficulties, I came home instead. Thankfully so, because DFC II was epic! I had an Allstar team made up of Abbie Parr, David Craig, Heidi Marshall, Doug Hills and Hannah Mootz on task to hold down the fort for me. Everyone of them absolutely crushed it. Proud of how these 5 strangers (at the time) that I threw into the mix for the first time came together and ran things like the professionals they are!!

Only 2 shows in and Dominate FC is already the premier show in the south end. Showcasing only the best of the best amateurs, and incredibly talented up and coming professionals alongside WSOF and UFC veterans. Here’s a few of my selects from the night of action.

Glory 58 Chicago

It’s been a wild week with the crew at Glory Kickboxing. Starting fight week off in Germany, I made my way out to the Windy City to get in some more work with my mentor and Glory’s Chief Photographer, James Law. Along the way, I was informed that I wouldn’t be allowed back in to the EU for 3 months, so had to call a few audibles on the fly and head home to Seattle after the show. Oh, and I forgot my computer on the plane, and it’s still MIA. So that sucks. But all in all, It was all worth it in the end. Onto fight week, It’s always a fantastic time working with such a good human being in James Law who pushes me to do some new and wild things behind the camera. Not to mention the rest of the ops staff that’s welcomed me into the fold. Grateful for the people who have entrusted me with getting the shots.

Here’s a few of my selects from my time in Chicago.

Seattle Majestics

This last Saturday I was able to join up with the Seattle Majestics for their 2017 season home opener at French Field in Kent, WA.  I knew this was going to be a blast simply cause it's Football, but I had no idea how wrapped up I would become in the energy and pure emotion coming off the sideline.  These ladies are in a class of their own.  The dedication they have to their teammates and passion for the game is what makes for some of the epic sports stories of we see in Hollywood today.  And that's not to mention the incredible hits, and big plays that one comes to expect from the gridiron.

This was the first time I shot football in a little over a year, so this game was more about shaking off that rust and getting back into the rhythm of things.  I can't wait to get back out there next week to see these athletes back in action!!!

Here's a few highlights from Seattle's, 24-21 win over a game Portland Fighting Shockwave on April 8th, 2017.

WSOFNYC, New Year's in the Big Apple

Here's the highlights from my trip weekend to NYC to shoot World Series of Fighting with Ryan Loco (www.ryanloco.com) at the famed Madison Square Garden on New year's Eve.  I'm in your debt for all the support my friend!  It was a great time exploring and mostly getting lost in the Subway with my homie David Craig who worked as Ryan's Digital Tech.  I may have possibly fallen in love with the big apple!  

WSOF 33!!!

This latest adventure took me on the road to meet up with the man himself, Ryan Loco in Kansas City, MO for a stellar lineup of fights at the beautiful Municipal Auditorium for World Series of Fighting 33.  On a side note, that venue is a piece of history and anyone who has the opportunity visit the Auditorium, should do so. Below are a few of my favorite shots from the studio session, behind the scenes an a few highlights from cageside.   

I really can't thank enough for the constant support you've shown me, Ryan!

Much love Homie!!  

Seattle Sounders at Portland Timbers

What a great day for some MLS soccer in the PNW!  This was my first time out shooting soccer of any sort and I gotta say, I'm hooked!  Now talk about a rivalry every bit as intense as you can imagine from the Northwest powerhouses. From the rather small section the Sounders Supporters had, they sure didn't hold back and made their voices heard throughout the stadium.  In the end, the Sounders had a rough day of it. By the end of the first half they found them selves being shut down four to nada.  Though Seattle made a valiant effort with two scores in the second half, Portland held their lead to take this battle in the war that is, Seattle vs. Portland.

WSOF 32!!!

This last weekend I was invited by WSOF photographer Ryan Loco to come out and get weird at World of Series of Fighting 32!  Who could say no to that...  It was a great night filled with outstanding fights.   I gotta say though, on a personal note, getting to shoot with someone who's work has been an inspiration to me ever since I started on this journey, was a pretty surreal experience. Here's my favorite shots from World Series of Fighting 32!

Catchin some shots of "Mean" Hakeem Dawodu while he's in Studio with Ryan Loco.

Lance Palmer throwing knees for Ryan Loco during the Studio Day for WSOF32

Words were said, pushing happened and WSOF President Ray Sefo had to step in between brothers Caros and Ben Fordor before things calmed down at the weigh ins.

Hakeem Dawodu back stage warming up

Andrews Nakahara streatching out prior to his dominate performance. 

The stage is set for WSOF 32 at the Xfinity.

Andrews Nakahara throwing big shots to stop the fight in the first round 

All eyes on Rex Harris as he makes his way to the cage

Emily Miller pumpin up the crowed with WSOF swag

Louis Taylor landing a wicked jab

Phil Hawes moments after falling to a guillotine in the second round

El Guapo...  Nuff Said.

Real life super hero Phoenix Jones all pumped making his way to the cage

Phoenix jones lands a clean spinning back fist/elbow that cut Caros pretty deep

Lance Palmer landing a solid right to former champ, Alexandre Almeida

Big left hand from Palmer lands right on the chin of Almeida

So much class from both of these warriors!  I really hope I'll get to see a rubber match from these two. 

Marlon Moraes landing a clean head kick to contender Josh Hill in their main event show down

Moraes and Hill about to exchange right right hands

The good night kick that ended Josh Hill's hopes of walking out of the cage with the gold around his waist.

Selects from Super Fight League 50

This last saturday night I found myself at the Fight Capital of the Northwest, The Emerald Queen Casino with Michale Renouard of www.nwfightscent.com to cover Super Fight League 50, America Team Challenge: Seattle vs. LA. Tasked with taking photo of the action, Mike did his thing bring the PNW the in-depth coverage of of the fights that he's known for.  Here's my favorite shots from another awesome night of action packed fights, and one former NFL Star and UW Husky Legend, Tony Parrish!!!

 Here's to another outstanding night of high quality MMA promoted by Brian Halquist Productions!  I already can't wait til the next Super Fight League card is announced for October!!

Tony Parrish

Tony Parrish receiving a very warm welcome from the crowd at the EQC

The Monster

Sarah D'Aleio in the zone after the face off with her opponant, Jenny Liou.

THE WARMASTER

Head coach of Team LA, Josh Barnett 

Austin Anderson

Losing his mouth piece in the clinch with Ryan Schecterson

Jeremie Montgomery

countering a shot with a vicious head kick

Motgomery

landing a clean overhand right on Nathan Stolen

Brandon Frunk

looking to end things quickly with hard shots

Frunk

Landing a nice kick to Anthony Zender

Armando Best

Looks to defend against an aggressive A.J. Bryant 

Anthony Zender

Delivering a nasty jab to Frunk

D'Alelio

on point with her standup

Jenny Liou

Threatened D'Alelio many times with some deep armbar attempts, this time D'Alelio slams herself to freedom

Liou

Landed her fair share of exchanges on the feet

Sarah D'Alelio

coming in with some serious power

Moments After

the final bell rang, D'Alelio making her way back to her corner.

The Winner is

CSA's very own Monster!!

United Training Center's

Bobby McIntyre delivering some solid elbows to Shohei Yammamoto

Yamamoto

Bring some heat to the stand up game to end the fight in the second round 

Dylan Potter

For the first time in his career was taken into some deep waters. Though he came up short, He'll be back better then ever.

Thomas Hoeper

Working a solid top game the end Potter's unblemshed record.

Team LA's

Adam DeHart delivering a huge left straight to Knopp

Not to be outdone

AMC's own Brent Knopp delivers one of many big strikes

From the overhand

strikes to the takedown's, Knopp looked all but invincable 

Brent Knopp

sending a mean right shovel punch to the face of DeHart

Knopp

Defending the takedown attempt with a big left hook right behind the ear.  I don't know anything else that will mess with a persons equilerbrum quite like taking a hard shot right behind the ear.

My Selects from the Adult brackets at the Revolution XXXI

What a great installment of the largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tourniment in the Pacific Northwest. These are my favorite photos from the adult bracket of The Revolution XXXI!

The BJJ community wouldn't be the same without Jeff and Gina Bourgeois', Liberty Events and Promotions!  Learn more about the amazing things their doing for BJJ in the PNW at www.leapllc.com

Picks from Reign FC

Saturday night I spent the night at Reign FC on behalf of www.NWFightScene.com.  And what a great night of fights it was!  Promoted by StrikeForce and UFC vet, Bristol Marunde, the match making was on point.  Top notch action from the first fight of the night from Amateur Tim Hatten with a 38 second KO, to the 3, 5min round battle that got the crowd on their feet, for both the antics and the skill on display between United Training Center's Rico Rough and Jake Blaski out of Cageworx MMA.  I'm already looking forward to the their next show at the Clearwater Casino on September 3rd.  

The Wallstreet Journal!!

Every journey starts with a single step.

Having only picked up my first camera (second hand Canon Rebel XSi) a little over a year ago, I was humbled by one of my portraits being featured in a secondary online piece The Wall Street Journal ran on the rise in popularity of the geeks hitting the gym. Its been a lot of fun and a true honor being involved with my local "Geek and Gamer Fitness" crew. I get to take all kinds of photos (Which I love to do!) to help promote there gym, and for a healthy lifestyle to a group of people that could have otherwise had some insecurities about stepping into foreign territory. There has long been a history of "jocks" vs. "geeks/nerds" for well before I came into this world.  It's a true pleasure to see those boundaries crumbling everywhere we look in the fitness community. 

 

Having been a lifelong geek that has also been into athletics and around the local gym scene my early teens, there is nothing that amazes me more then seeing the transformation of not only the body, but of the personality that is brought forth through the confidence gained through working out. There are more then a few of the local Geeks and Gamers that have shed in excess of 100+ pounds. And I couldn't be happier or more proud to welcome them into their new selves.  Now we have people living a healthy life style and still being able enjoy the things that make us all the Geeks that we are!  My hat is off to every single one that has braved a whole new world and has gone where they have never gone before.

-Matt

P.S.  Star Wars, Star Wars, Star Wars!!!!!