A Squamish MMA fighter took the win in the first Battlefield Fight League event where women headlined the fight.
Local athlete Jamey-Lyn Horth defeated her opponent Christina Ricker in the second round via a technical knockout at BFL 57. Both were fighting in the 125-pound flyweight female division.
For Horth, the event was a big step toward advancing female athletes in mixed martial arts, a sport that has traditionally been dominated by males.
“I think personally I think it just opens more windows and doors for it to be more socially accepted in such a male-dominated sport,” said Horth. “It’s just nice to see that women are starting to become higher up on the main card.”
With respect to the outcome, Horth described her victory as “surreal,” and said tha hundreds from Squamish were there to cheer for her and other local fighters at the event.
Recalling the fight was a little bit of a challenge for the 28-year-old — she says that it flew by in a blur.
“For me, I almost forget — your adrenaline is so high and you’re so amped up in that moment,” she said.
“It’s so much energy you put into it.”
The first round, Horth managed to attack with a flurry of hits, bringing Ricker, who is the same age, to the ground.
Horth tried to finish with a chokehold, but ran out of time before she could finish off her opponent.
While she couldn’t end the fight, Horth realized at this point that she had an edge in terms of strength and decided she would use this to her advantage.
In the second round, Horth cornered Ricker up against the cage and finished her off with strikes until her opponent was in the turtle position.
At that point, officials declared Horth the winner.
She added that she was grateful for the large amount of support she’s received from locals and sponsors.
But this victory may not be the only break for Horth.
Horth said that representatives from talentbid.com are considering referring her and fellow teammate at The Sound gym, Cole Smith, to Sean Shelby, a matchmaker at the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Horth wasn’t the only one from Squamish who took a win.
Local fighter Taran Bir also wins at event
Taran Bir, a 25-year-old local, defeated Jakob George via a technical knockout for the amateur 135-pound kickboxing title.
“The plan for this fight was to show off everything we had been working on for the past year,” said Bir, noting that he had taken a year off serious competition in order to train.
Bir said that he’s been honing his footwork and counter-hits.
Apparently, it paid off.
Bir won the fight by cutting off his opponent’s angles, forcing his adversary into a corner.
He also used combinations and faked out his opponent.
“Kind of telegraphing my kicks with punches,” he said, describing his approach to throw off George.
Bir also kept up with a barrage of leg kicks. After hitting his opponent in the same spot repeatedly, he had effectively immobilized George.
“His movements just went down the drain, so he couldn’t move,” said Bir.
“After that, I could really let my hands go once I had him up against the cage. And then, eventually, [his corner] just threw in the towel — they couldn’t see him get beat up anymore.”
Bir said that he’s still got his eye on making the switch to MMA, but he added that he wants to defend his title.
The third Squamish fighter at the event, Gwyn Berry, lost in a battle for the amateur featherweight MMA title.
Marlan Hall defeated Berry via a guillotine choke in the fifth round.
