Goodridge’s KO Knocks Out Two Main Events
Posted by Chad Edward on April 2nd, 2008Steve Rusich, “Big Daddy” Gary Goodridge’s (23-16-1) manager, has confirmed that the veteran won’t be permitted by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board to fight “Butterbean” Eric Esch (10-5-1) at 11 April’s YAMMA Pit Fighting debut event in Atlantic City.
“Bob Meyrowitz [YAMMA Pit Fighting CEO] is just pissed off right now,” Rusich said about the situation.
Goodridge was knocked out in the second round last Sunday by Mu Bae Choi (7-2) in KHAN, a South Korean MMA promotion.
NJSACB told Five Ounces of Pain it intends to protect Goodridge’s health and safety after the KO.
“Gary is embarrassed about [the KO],” Rusich related. “Apparently he beat the guy up pretty good in the first round and the guy just wouldn’t go away.”
Goodridge is also scheduled to headline a 19 April King of the Cage card in Los Angeles versus Team Oyama’s Tony Lopez (5-2).
Rusich stated, “He’s probably not going to be allowed to fight then either.”
No one at the California State Athletic Commission was available this afternoon to comment on Goodridge’s eligibility.
The NJSACB also told Five Ounces of Pain that the announced main event between “The Russian Bear” Oleg Taktarov (15-5-2) versus “The Titan” Mark Kerr (15-6) has not yet been sanctioned either.
The fighter under review, Kerr, comes off a 29 March keylock submission victory over Chuck Huus (0-1) in Caged Combat Championship Fights.
Monday YPF announced that “Suave” Ricco Rodriguez (27-8) would join the eight-man heavyweight tournament.
Rodriguez returns from a 16 February split decision loss to “Junior” Antonio Silva (10-1) in EliteXC.
The promotion also revealed details of “The YAMMA”, a sloped fighting surface that Meyrowitz hopes will “keep the fighting more explosive and continuous.”
