(All photos by Jesse Kelley from minnesotaboxing.com)

ST. PAUL — Mike "The Marine" Richman (8-0) remained unbeaten Saturday night at the St. Paul Armory  as he stopped Lake City's Ryan Stock (10-8) midway through the opening round.

Both fighters started fast as they took turns exchanging kicks and head punches. Richman weathered a few solid combinations from Stock before storming after the Team Crazy-trained fighter against the cage. A straight left to the body-right knee to the head combination sent Stock to the canvas moments later.

Richman rained punches down on his fallen opponent until the fight was stopped.

New Richmond, Wis., native Brandon Merkt (7-0) was victorious in a highly anticipated bout over Billy Jochum (8-3). It looked like Jochum might be too much for Merkt through one round as the former Tuffman turned MMA fighter controlled Merkt on the ground, landing strikes from on top.

Round Two was a mirror image of the first round except it was Merkt who was now in control and landing the better shots on the ground.
The third and final round featured some of the best action of the night. Merkt looked to have more in the tank though as he continued to get the better of things in a competitive round.

All three Judges saw it unanimously for Merkt, 29-28.

Former 'The Ultimate Fighter' participant Zak Jensen (12-3) sunk in a guillotine choke just 16 seconds into the opening round as he

defeated Iowa's Preston Shane (6-4).

Jensen stated afterward that the win was a step in the right direction and thanked his fans for their support.

Garrett "The Boss" Olson (4-1) stopped Colby Vogt (3-5) at 2:28 of the third round by way of strikes in an exciting bout. The end came as Olson dropped punches from on top as Vogt lay on his stomach covering up.

"Sugar" Shane DeZee choked out Chris Clark at 1:14 of the first round in a heavyweight bout. DeZee dominated Clark for about a minute, then took his back and locked in an arm-triangle choke. After the fight, DeZee encouraged fans to "come watch him kick some ass" when he returns to action next at King of the Cage in Mahnomen, Minn., this coming weekend at Shooting Star Casino.

Zach Juusola had a successful professional debut as he knocked out Dan Kiser (0-2) at 1:49 of the first round. Juusola scored two huge slams that left Kiser motionless on the canvas. The bout was stopped shortly after.

Zach Schumack (7-3-1) stopped Randy Ronchi (0-13) early in the first round. After taking a hard leg kick, Ronchi attempted to take Schumack down but was caught in a guillotine.

The fighters ended up on the canvas where Shumack landed lefts and rights to the head until the ref stopped the action.

In an amateur bout, Bobby Ferrier scored and explosive first-round stoppage over Brandon Amick.

(Jesse Kelley is the owner and founder of minnesotaboxing.com.)