Total-MMA contributor Alan Conceicao’s B Show Assault blog of reviews of random independent MMA shows from his collection has been a fun read for me lately. It takes me back to a time when the MMA fan wasn’t so much a consumer as a scavenger — back when UFC was off cable, Battlecade was long gone, and basically nothing was being televised, so you scoured wherever you could to get your MMA “fix.”

These were the days of the MMA tape geek. The 4th or so generation VHS tape was still the most common way to enjoy MMA, and Mike Naimark’s hilarious reviews and VHS compilations were an important way to get to know the sport. Here and there, you could find a gem of a show at your local retailer, but mostly we were underground, browsing Japanese video shops, trading tapes of Brazilian TV, and sending word whenever a show rose ahead of the pack.

I rediscovered one such show during my recent move. So here’s to you, Alan:

WARRIORS QUEST 2: BATTLE OF THE CHAMPIONS

Taped August 2, 2001 from the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, HI. No commentary, so we catch quite a bit of coaching from the corners, which is pretty cool. My (original) tape’s audio and video are a little shaky, but nothing too distracting.

MATCH ONE: Jay R. Palmer vs. Cisco Bringas: Palmer used to bounce around the ring like a bat out of hell, throwing wild kicks and punches en route to early soccer-kicking success at shows like Superbrawl. He won his first 12 bouts by stoppage, then saw his career go into a freefall as opponents learned to avoid his charges and apply a little skill. Cisco Bringas has Falaniko Vitale in his corner. So imagine my surprise as Palmer, always billed as a tae kwon do fighter, cooly reverses and initates takedowns, and then employs a measured ground attack, to take the first round. Bringas is out of gas by the start of the second (or perhaps in shock?) and Palmer mostly coasts to the win in a unique viewing experience, somewhat akin to watching Rottweilers in a dog show.

MATCH TWO: Eddie Yagin vs Russell Medeiros: The 5′5″, 140 lb fireplug Yagin puts on a grappling clinic with a quick takedown, a nice ground-and-pound, and a sharp armbar attempt. Medeiros has a huge reach advantage but Yagin takes over round two standing, outmanouvering the Jesus Is Lord rep and hitting more leg kicks than I think I’ve ever seen in an MMA bout. Man, Medeiros’ lead leg looks like hamburger but the guy keeps coming… slowly… and eventually makes the final bell.

MATCH THREE: Bob Ostovich vs. Jason Von Flue: Wow, I totally forgot TUF2’s Von Flue was on this show… looking really young, and with Chuck Liddell in his corner. His failed takedown leads to that old battle of the leglocks we used to always see in MMA, with both guys rolling about for a moment, then sitting up looking at each other’s failed ankle locks. I can’t explain why, but this is awesome. Ostovich, another product of the Jesus Is Lord gym, pops out to snare a heel hook and the quick win and the crowd goes nuts for the local.

INTERMISSION: Tito Ortiz is introduced to the crowd, who tells everyone to watch him kick Vitor’s a– next month as UFC is finally going to be back on cable. A UFC champ appears in a totally unrelated indy to hype a PPV and serve as a special attraction… my how times have changed.

MATCH FOUR: Dennis Asche vs Jason Dacquel: Asche, listed as fighting out of Marcelo Alonso BJJ on the on-screen graphic but a Machado product according to the announcer, stormed out the gate in ‘01 with five straight pro MMA wins in IFC and the like, but it didn’t pan out for him somehow. He dominates Dacquel here en route to a mata leão win early in the second round.

MATCH FIVE: Stephen Palling vs Antonio Banuelos: … and here’s a little more star power. Palling was ranked among the best in the world at the time, a Shooto contender; and Bunuelos is known for appearances on TapOut and in Chuck Liddell’s autobiography. Chuck’s tough night continues as he watches his charge end up in a triangle following a big takedown and forced to tap at 0:38 of round one. Slick move from Palling, who was always more known for his boxing.

MATCH SIX: Ronald “Machine Gun” Jhun vs. Pete “Secret Weapon” Spratt (Warrior’s Quest Light Heavyweight Title): Jhun’s been everywhere and fought everyone, and Spratt was a big deal in the UFC for a short time.

Great stuff from both guys to start — Spratt shows surprising acumen from the guard here, hitting a sweep and defending well. At one point he rises out of Jhun’s side control and catches a fireman’s carry. No joke. Standup exchanges are equally wild, as both guys hit the deck in the first minute or so. Spratt lands throughout, increasing worry of a cut stoppage, but can’t stop Jhun’s takedowns either.

Late in round two, Ortiz springs out of his seat to assist Chuck in Spratt’s corner, and this is starting to feel like an IFL show with Team Punishment banding together in hostile territory.

Spratt explodes for a nasty combination in round three, only to have Jhun answer and put him down for good with a knee to the chin. As wild a crowd reaction as I’ve seen follows. This is not the tightest technical fight you’ll see, but it’s not bad either and it’s about as emotional as you’ll find.

MATCH SEVEN: Ray Cooper vs Jeremy Williams : Chris Brennan’s protege Williams hit a few good submissions in his nine fight MMA career, including a stay in the IFL. Cooper was a scary level of g’n'p/brawler when he was on. He’s on here, getting a quick takedown and pounding Williams out in 3:16. Great posture and control carries the day for the guy from, you guessed it, Jesus Is Lord Gym.

Williams’ untimely death would come in 2007 and add a layer of sadness to this otherwise upper of a show. It had just about everything you’d look for from an indy: a passionate crowd, a touch of star power, a great back-and-forth bout, and some tight wins by submission and knockout. An unusual emphasis on the lighter weight classes probably helped here. Some of these guys went on to bigger & better things, but I think they look at their best here. In ‘01, domestically, I think this was about as good as we got.