Team Consuul fighter Brett Chism loses close decision in New Hampshire

After emerging victorious from a heated match-up with Johnny Buck two weeks earlier, Team Consuul fighter Brett “Bedtime” Chism stepped into the octagon and went the distance against Dan “The Ghost” Keefe on Nov. 20 in Salem, N. H. The co-main event at Combat Zone 30 began tentatively, with both fighters feeling each other out with searching jabs and leg kicks. Midway through the first round, Keefe caught Chism with a hard overhand right, but Chism answered with an equally devastating left uppercut. Though Keefe kept throwing quick strikes and moving for most of the round, Chism made a late push, and both fighters exchanged fierce blows before the bell.

The fight’s pace picked up in Round 2, with Chism continuing to push forward early and landing a big right after absorbing several kicks from Keefe. After resisting several of Keefe’s attempts to shoot his legs and bring the fight to the mat, Chism drew blood from Keefe’s mouth and nose when he caught him across the face with a sweeping left hand, and then he landed a solid kick to Keefe’s head. He tried to follow this blow with more punching combinations, but Keefe pressed Chism back toward the fence and took him down to the mat. For about 45 seconds, Keefe hit Chism with a flurry of punches and elbows, but Chism maintained enough leverage from his back to avoid any knockout blows.

With the fight undecided, both fighters pressed hard at the outset of Round 3. They peppered each other with jabs, looking for an opening, and Keefe tried twice to bring the fight back to the floor. Chism resisted and landed several huge swings before Keefe’s third attempt found success, and he regained his position on top of Chism. Again, Chism avoided any serious damage despite a long series of punches to his face and ribs, and Keefe was unable to gain enough leverage for a fight-ending blow. In the closing seconds, both fighters pounded each other savagely, but the bell sent the fight to a decision. Though Keefe walked away victorious with a unanimous decision, his swollen left eye and bloodied mouth and nose bore witness to the fact that Chism fought him hard to the end.

In an interview a week after the match, Chism credited Dan Keefe for being tough and said both the fighters and the promoters were pleased with the performance they put on, although Chism still feels he should have walked away as the winner. Chism said his strategy of staying upright and striking was working well and frustrating Keefe until Round 2, when Chism’s booming kick to Keefe’s head actually dislocated his knee. “I don’t want to take anything away from him as a fighter, but his whole momentum changed after that injury slowed me down, and his confidence shot through the roof,” Chism said. “It popped back in at some point when we were on the ground, but I was a lot slower after.”

Still, Chism acknowledged Keefe as a top fighter from the North, and said he was looking forward to taking some down time in December after four tough fights in the last four months. “I’m gonna act my age a little bit, have some fun,” he said. Though Chism doesn’t have his next opponent scheduled yet, he said he will definitely fight again at Winter Heat on Jan. 30 in Valdosta, Ga. Everyone at Consuul would like to congratulate Brett “Bedtime” Chism for another excellent fight and wish him luck in Valdosta.

To see a video of Chism’s most recent bout, check out Combat Zone (http://www.czmma.com/media1.asp?cznum=30).