By Pramit Mohapatra

Fight Ticker is live at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City for the ROC XVIII live-blog. This is the first Fight Ticker live-blog, so enjoy!

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Pre-fight

What I enjoy about coming to some of these smaller shows is that you really get to see some unique arrangements. For example, this event is being held in the Tropicana Showroom, which is pretty much like your typical high school auditorium with a stage in front of seats. So, what the organizers of this event have done is put the ring partially on the stage and partially off it in the gap between the stage and the seats. In addition, the organizers have added a bleacher section on the stage. The folks sitting in the bleacher section are truly on top of the action.

The media is to the left of the ring if you're facing the stage -- we are very, very close to the action as well.

If you're interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a MMA writer, here it is. I left Baltimore around 3 PM and reached my hotel around 6:30 PM. Traffic was slow and it's been pouring up and down the East Coast today. I drove from my hotel to the Tropicana and got here around 7:30. I was hungry and with an hour to go before the event I decided to get some grub. It turns out a press pass can pretty much get you access everywhere at any event. In this case, I was able to use the Casino employees' cafeteria and dine for free. Pretty cool. And, there's a media room with some drinks set up behind the stage. Not a bad set up.

Well, I hope you enjoy the fight commentary. This isn't a major event but it caught HDNet's eye and I'm here especially because Baltimore's Binky Jones is fighting tonight. He won the ROC lightweight tournament title in 2007.

Prelim bout

160 lb: Anthony Montanaro (Pitt's Penn) vs. Nabih (Serra Longo) - 2 rds x 4 minutes

1st round: Nabih has a lot of support in the crowd. He starts out aggressive, lands some punches and some leg kicks and a kneed to Montanaro's head. He then trips Montanaro and goes to work from full guard in top position. Montanaro is bleeding midway through the first round. On their feet, Montanaro slips going for a head kick and Nabih goes back to work from guard in top position.

2nd round: Nabih goes for a takedown but Montanaro gets his back on the ground. Nabih is able to reverse and gain top position. He goes to work in Montanaro's guard. Nabih is controlling the action in this fight. Montanaro lands some fists on their feet. Back on the ground, Nabih continues to work this time from half-guard.

Great start to the night. Great card. Great atmosphere for fights. I've never seen people able to walk up to the ring and take pictures before. Nabih should get this decision though he got hit a bit too.

Winner: Nabih by Majority Decision(19-19, 20-18, 20-18)

Main Card

Impressive crowd. I think the Showroom is pretty packed for this event. Good job by the organizers of finding the right-sized venue for this event.

Light heavyweight: Randy Durant (Team Fury) vs. Ricardo Romero (Advanced Martial Arts)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

1st round: This one ends quickly. The two stand and trade strikes for a little while before Romero knocks Durant down, gains side control and goes to town with hammer fists to Durant's head. Miragliotta stops the bout.

Winner: Durant by TKO (strikes) at 1:13 of round 1

When I say we are on top of the action, that's no exaggeration.

Welterweight: Mike Medrano (Rhino Fight Team) vs. Rich Ashkar (Team Oliveria)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

Medrano is built very solid similar to Matt Serra. Ashkar appears to be the crowd favorite.

1sr round: Much like what Serra did to GSP, however, Medrano absolutely rocks Ashkar with a flurry of punches early in the first round. Ashkar's face is the first thing to hit the ground and Miragliotta stops the fight. Another quick one.

Winner: Medrano by KO at 0:17 of round 1

Lightweight: Al Buck (Evolution Fight Team) vs. Binky Jones (Ground Control)

Kevin Mulhall is the referee.

Jones is on a four fight win streak in Atlantic City. Can he make it five in a row in AC? Buck has more fans.

1st round: Both fighters look intense. The fight goes to the ground with Jones on the bottom. He has Buck in full guard. He slides over to his right and starts going for the kimura. At this point, Jones is schooling Buck in bottom position jiu-jitsu. He finally locks in the kimura and Buck taps. Yet another quick fight. Jones' fifth straight victory in AC.

Winner: Jones by tapout due to kimura at 1:59 of round 1.

Welterweight: Tom Gallicchio (Rhino Fight Team) vs. Igor Gracie (Team Renzo Gracie)

Kevin Mulhall is the referee.

Of course, the Gracie gets the louder applause. Renzo Gracie is in Igor's corner.

1st round: No surprise, here. Gracie goes for the takedown and is in Gallicchio's half-guard. Now in his full-guard, Gracie works some nice ground-and-pound. Gracie then locks in a guillotine but Gallicchio gets out of it. Gracie is back on top working from half-guard. Now, Gracie has side control. He's going for a kimura but can't get it. Now, Gallicchio is in Gracie's half-guard and positions are switched as the round ends.

2nd round: Gallicchio wants to keep this fight standing and sprawls as Gracie goes for a takedown. On the ground, Gallicchio has top position in Gracie's full guard and works some GnP. Now, Gallicchio is in Gracie's half-guard and continues to pound away. Gallicchio works Gracie's body on the ground. The crowd chants "Igor" but Gallicchio is relentless from the top. The entire round is spent in the same position. I have it 1-1 right now.

3rd round: Gracie looks gassed to start the third round and the fight goes to the ground. Gallicchio is controlling the pace and is again in Gracie's half-guard. Gallicchio delivers body shots and elbows to the head. The third round is a carbon copy of the second round. But, the ref stands the two up. The exchange on their feet before ending up back on the ground. The round ends. I'd say 29-28 Gallicchio.

This was Igor Gracie's MMA debut. It'll be a loss but a good learning experience, no doubt.

Winner: Gallichio by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-26,29-27

Middleweight: Mike Guerin (Bombsquad) vs. Dan Miller (AMA Fight Club)

1st round: These two look like they want to stand and bang. An accidental head butt by Guerin stops the fight momentarily. Actually, no, it's over. No contest. Word is Miller's nose was broken and he can't continue.

Winner: No contest due to accidental head butt at 0:34 of round 1.

Welterweight: Jose Rodriguez (Rhino Fight Team) vs. John Howard (Wai Kru)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

Howard has an interesting headdress and pays his respects at each ring post. Rodriguez is the big crowd favorite.

1sr round: Not much action of consequence early. Howard finally scores a takedown and is in Rodriguez's full guard. Howard advances to side control. He now has Rodriguez's back but Rodriguez reverses and ends up in Howard's full guard. Back standing, Howard unleashes an absolute flurry of combinations, finally knocking out Rodriguez. It was a vicious knockout and the crowd is still buzzing about and reacting to the replays moments afterwards. Wow! It was a right hook that finally floored Rodriguez.

The medics are called in. It's a bit tense right now but Rodriguez is seen moving his extremities and talking. He's taken out on a stretcher in a neck brace as a precaution.

Winner: Howard by KO at 4:07 of round 1.

Middleweight: Alexis Aquino (Rhino Fight Team) vs. Lyman Good (TSMMA)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

1st round: Good comes out strong with a left head kick. He lands a couple of knees in the clinch and some punches from distance. But, Aquino locks in a quillotine that Good escapes. On the ground momentarily. But, they're back up. Good chases Aquino across the ring with a few punches. By the way, Good is in tremendous shape. Six pack and all. Back to the action, Good continues to attack with brief flurries. The two fighters go through the ropes and the ref sends them to neutral corners before re-starting. Aquino likes to try spinning back kicks -- to no real effect though. I give this round to Good.

2nd round: Aquino has a cut around his left eye but he is more aggressive to start this round. After standing for the first half of the round, Aquino scores a takedown and works from Good’s full guard. Back standing, the two exchange punches. Good was much less active this round. I give the round to Aquino, so it’s 1-1.

3rd round: The two start the round by connecting with their fists and the sweat is flying near us. Good lands a nice series of combinations. Aquino goes for a takedown against the ropes but Aquino is smart in using the ropes to force a separation and re-start. The two clinch in the corner after another exchange. Good lands a couple of rights and Aquino tries that back kick again. Another series of combinations by Good before Aquino loses his mouthpiece. Good should take the fight based on his last flurry of activity. It was fairly even before that though.

Great fight. Two fighters who never quit fighting.

Winner: Good by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

We find out that the USKBA Middleweight championship bout will not take place because Nick Catone tore an ankle ligament and did not pass his physical.

Welterweight: Doug Gordon (Team Rush) vs. Gregor Gracie (Team Renzo Gracie)

Kevin Mulhall is the referee.

Another Gracie on the card and of course, he gets the louder ovation and he has Renzo Gracie in his corner as well.

1st round: Gracie scores a quick takedown and he's in Gordon's half-guard. Gracie advances to full mount. Now he has side control. Gordon is able to get the fight back standing but Gracie scores another takedown. Back in Gordon's full guard. Gracie has side control again. Now, he has Gordon's back. Gracie has a rear naked choke but can't finish the fight as the round comes to an end. Gracie won that round easily.

2nd round: Gordon sprawls to start the round. He appears to know his only chance is standing up but Gracie gets him to the ground and in his half-guard near the corner. Now, Gracie has side control but Gordon gets the fight standing. Another Gracie takedown. He's working from Gordon's full guard again, trying to GnP. He goes side to full mount fairly easily. Back standing, however. Gordon lands a flurry of punches and Gracie goes for a takedown but the round ends. Despite Gordon's last flurry I would have to give this round to Gracie again. 2-0 Gracie.

3rd round: Gordon devastates Gracie with a right head kick to start the round. Gracie goes down immediately and Gordon finishes him with a couple of punches on the ground. Another Wow! shot. What a turn of events for "Flash." The Gracies go 0-2 for the night. Gregor is up and standing for the final verdict.

Winner: Gordon by KO at 0:12 of round 3.

Light heavyweight: Krysztof Soszynki (Team Quest) vs. Alex Andrade (Lion's Den)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

Dan Henderson and Mayhem Miller are in Soszynki's corner.

1st round: Soszynki starts with a right hand and leg kicks. He's more aggressive early. Andrade catches Soszynki with a low knee. After the restart, the two are back in the clinch. Soszynki seems to working the knees in the clinch while Andrade works the body punches. The ref separates the two. A left head kick by Soszynki followed by a flurry of punches by Andrade and their back in the clinch. And another low knee by Andrade. The referee deducts a point from Andrade. This time Soszynki is doubled over on the ground in pain. Twice after the restart Soszynki acts as if he's been hit by low blows and the ref has none of it. The two are back in the good old clinch as the round ends.

2nd round: The start this round back in the clinch. Soszynki continues to use his knees. The two separate. Then Andrade catches Soszynki again with a kick that hits too low. This time Soszynki is in real pain on the ground. Soszynki is back up though. That's why he's a fighter. The two strike at a distance a bit before ending up in, guess what, the clinch. The ref separates the two. They charge at each other and Soszynki falls through the ropes. Soszynki lands a number of punches and this time Andrade falls through the ropes. Andrade lands yet another low blow knee and he is disqualified by the ref.

Winner: Soszynki by DQ (illegal blows) at 4:46 of round 2.

ROC lightweight championship: Chris Liguori (Rhino Fight Team) vs. Jim Miller (AMA Fight Club)

Dan Miragliotta is the referee.

1st round: Ligouri is more active on their feet but Miller scores a takedown in the corner. The two are back up. An occasional exchange but not much on their feet. Miller goes for a takedown but is foiled by Liguori's sprawl. Liguori temporarily has top control. Back up, Miller scores a takedown. He passes to half-guard. I'd give the round to Miller for his takedowns and activity on the ground.

2nd round: Not much on their feet to start the round. Miller goes for a takedown but Liguori sprawls. Back on their feet, Miller lands a couple of punches that appear to hurt Liguori. Miller then locks in a guillotine choke and Liguori taps.

Winner: Miller by tapout due to guillotine choke at 2:26 of round 2. Miller is the ROC lightweight champ for 2008.

Well, folks. It's been a good night of fights. I hope you've enjoyed!