Results
A busy weekend of mixed martial arts kicked off on Friday night with Iron Tiger Fight Series 83 in Columbus, Ohio.
In the main event of the night, Mike Mason took center stage in front of his home crowd and looked for his fifth consecutive first-round finish against Aaron Highbaugh, who is also on a winning streak of his own, finishing three straight.
Watch the IT Fight Series 83 full event replay here
Both men came to put on a show.
Mason and Highbaugh came out immediately looking to push the pace, with Mason changing levels and securing an early takedown. From there, he worked from top position, but Highbaugh defended with an armbar from his guard.
Mason fought off the submission attempt and returned to a dominant position, where he rained down some ground-and-pound. He then took Highbaugh’s back, but Highbaugh was able to escape before responding with a flying knee when the fight returned to its feet.
Mason landed a huge takedown as the round was winding down and found himself with back-mount. Highbaugh escaped as the bell rang, but it ultimately mattered little.
Early in Round 2, Mason once again found himself in top position and was heavy on top of Highbaugh. Once on top, Mason continued to dominate the fight with relentless ground-and-pound until the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight.
Full IT Fight Series 83 Results:
Mike Mason def. Aaron Highbaugh via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 2:00
Jake Miller def. James Sanchez via KO (strikes) - Round 1, 2:11
Travis Hussey def. Warren Roberds via unanimous decision (29-28x3)
Ryan Santana def. Nick Foxhuber via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28x2) - for IT Fight Series Lightweight Championship
Donnie Scott def. Terry Demore via TKO (strikes) - Round 3, 0:45
Jayden Taulker vs. Cameron Pool - Pool suffered ankle injury during warmups
Michael Arrieta def. James Baldridge via submission (triangle choke) - Round 3, 1:25
Sam Kern def.Tyler Felts via TKO (strikes) - Round 2
Roy Nichols def. Joseph Neill via submission (verbal tap due to strikes) Round 2, 2:15
Nick Schmidt def. Brendan Smitke via KO (strikes) - Round 1, 0:10
Austin Bullion def. Deshawn Morton via unanimous decision (30-27x3)
Blake Treen def. Collin Poling via submission (guillotine) - Round 3, 0:31