“Wilton to host outdoor event”
Article in the Quad City Times: Saturday September 5th 2009
Blueblood Mixed Martial Arts promoter Chris Maltsburger brings the sport to Wilton, IA as Trials of a Gladiator II gets under way at the Iton Wheel Pub tonight, with the fights starting at 6p.m. His last two shows held at The River Center in Davenport were big successes as both events brought in more than 1,000 fans, and he expects no less for this show.
"With everything going on during the summer, I think the turnout was great, and the fans were happy," Maltsburger said.Aside from being an outdoor show, which sets the show apart from other MMA events, Maltsburger is excited for the lineup. Local favorite Eric "Big Country" Poling makes his 205-pound debut against Andy Stock as the co-main event of the night will feature Team Evolution's Bob Williams. For the main event Jr. "Hot Handed" Hernandez will defend his professional featherweight belt against Chris Tickle.
By Nicholas Cunningham | Sports@qctimes.com
“Hernandez wins MMA title with leg lock at 145”
Article in the Muscatine Journal: Wednesday, July 1st 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Mixed Martial Arts fighter Ramiro Junior Hernandez won a title match with a leg lock during a featherweight fight Saturday night at The RiverCenter in Davenport.
“I started letting my strikes go, he took me down and I swept him. He went for my leg and I ended up countering with my own leg lock,” said Hernandez, 22, of Muscatine, about the 1 minute and 33 second fight. Hernandez competed against Taurean Bogguess during the Trials of a Gladiator match promoted by Blue Blood MMA and Extreme Challenge, which recently teamed up for the event. They competed for the featherweight title in the 145-pound class, which was not held by another fighter, because the title was just created upon the merger of the promoters.
Hernandez said the fight was not as difficult as he originally thought it would be. He is a fighter who enjoys putting on a show for the audience, but when he got the opportunity for the submission he had to take it.
“It was an important fight for me. I always go in confident and believe in myself and my skills,” said Hernandez, who has been training for three years and has a professional record of 4-1. “Even though I would have liked to win it differently, I couldn’t pass up the submission because if he would have beaten me I would have looked back and regretted it.” Hernandez will defend the belt during any match he participates in for those promoters but will also fight for other promoters.
By Melissa Regennitter | www.muscatinejournal.com
“River Center to host MMA event Trials of a Gladiator”
Article in Hola America: Wednesday, May 20th 2009
On Saturday, June 27th the River Center in Davenport, IA will once again host a night of mixed martial arts. Blueblood MMA will present "Trials of a Gladiator" showcasing some of the Quad Cities up and coming MMA fighters. The last MMA event held at the River Center was Gorilla Warfare and promoter Chris Maltsburger had a hand in that also but going is solo this time around. Some of the local favorites on the card are Junior Hernandez, Eric "Big Country" Poling, Joe Pearson, Chris Tickle as well as professional boxer Gilbert Venegas will be making his MMA debut. Check back with Hola America for updates and news about this show.
By Nicholas Cunningham | Sports@qctimes.com