Snow Wins by 17 SECOND KO!!!!!!

Atlanta - Shawn Snow (see third from left) may have set a record in Georgia for Professional MMA.  This may not be from his 17 second KO of Dustin “The Villian” Chovanic, but for how it came about last night.

Brett Chism (left) drove over from Athens and helped Kamrin Naville and Joel Weldon (right) work Snow’s corner.

Indeed, Andy Foster, Director of the Georgia Athletic Commission, called this match the “weirdest fight ever.” Foster was sitting ringside serving as Chief of Officials and observed the action at Wild Bill’s in Duluth.  Foster would know as he’s a retired highly ranked professional fighter with international experience and a MMA referee of over 500 bouts.

As best as can be determined, this is how the bout unfolded:

As the bout was ready to begin, the referee called Chovanic and Snow to the center of the ring.  When the referee finished instructions, he asked the fighters if they wanted to touch gloves (this is customary so that fighters aren’t surprised and perhaps receive a “cheap shot” when they try to touch gloves as a show of sportsmanship).  While Snow was ready to agree, Chovanic refused vigorously.  Having done his homework on Chovanic – a decorated professional kickboxer with exceptional skills in electic striking – he quickly concluded the obvious as he returned to his corner, that Chovanic was eager to keep his distance and strike from the outside.

So, the referee signals the fight to begin and Chovanic’s plan is confirmed.  Snow quickly takes the center of the ring.  He would attempt to move in and engage and Chovanic would move away and evade, seeking to keep his distance. Chovanic was using a Machida-type stance that favored his kickboxing style.

After several attempts to engage, Snow finally closed the gap.  As he did, Chovanic again faded away but had a right cross cocked and loaded.  As Chovanic launched his right hand, Snow unleashed a left hook.  Both weapons found their intended targets – the head of the opponent.  Both opponents collapsed, Snow only momentarily.  On the canvas, Chovanic was in Snow’s lap.  Quickly after they went down, Snow began grounding and pounding Chovanic.  The referee stopped the bout and awarded the win to Snow.

The win was determined to be by KO.  Chovanic has never before been outstruck in a professional MMA match; i.e., he has never lost a MMA match due to strikes.  Also, Chovanic has earned 6 of his 7 professional MMA wins by KO.

Congratulations to Shawn Snow!  He was thinking on his feet, worked excellent striking, and most of all, showed a great desire to win.