Guns 'N Hoses 2013 - Event Recap

What could be better then watching police officers and firefighters squaring off in a boxing ring raising money for The BackStoppers? The BackStoppers, is a non profit organization that assist families of police officers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Without question St Louis has one of the most exciting traditions in the country starting on Thanksgiving eve. The 27th Annual Budweiser Gun ‘N Hoses event supporting The BackStoppers proved once again to be one of the top sporting events of the year in St Louis with 17,000+ in attendance at the Scott Trade Center.

A number of St Louis sports celebrities were in the house including former St Louis Blues Tony Twist, St Louis Cardinal Baseball player Jim Edmonds and long time supporter of Gun ‘N Hoses former St Louis Cardinals football player Dan Dierdorf. Music was supplied by the Bob Kuban Band.

This year a little twist was added with the addition of Mixed Martial Arts for the first time in the history of the event. With the support of Jesse Finney and Rob Donaker from Shamrock Promotions the debut of MMA at the 2013 Guns ‘N Hoses was a smashing hit. Finney and Donaker are both Budweiser Guns ‘N Hoses Board Members and played an active role in the addition of MMA to this prestigious event.

After much hype and anticipation the debut MMA contest featured Paul Birchfield representing the St Louis Fire Department against Overland Policemen Joe Stevens.

Birchfield a tall standup striker and Stevens showed excellent wrestling and grappling skills. Birchfield was aggressive striking in round one flashing and landing a variety of combinations. Stevens executed a perfect double leg takedown to control the latter part of round one from the ground. Rounded two began with Birchfield finding good range landing solid punches. Stevens takedown attempt in round two was defended by the St Louis City Firemen Birchfield. Who then assumed top mount position and finished by TKO in the second round due to strikes in the debut match of MMA at Guns ‘N Hoses.

The second scheduled MMA match saw St Louis City Firemen Chad Vancil win in a walkover when opponent John Krause St Francois County Sheriffs Department was a no show. The ninth match of the evening featured Chris Granda from the Rock Community Fire Department and Michael Larkin of the St Louis County Police Department. The first round was spent on the ground after a strong takedown from Larkin. The second round had a fast pace early. Larkin takedown attempt was reversed by Granda who gained side control and ended the fight with a series of vicious strikes.

The firemen swept the MMA portion of Gun ‘N Hoses. Although only two matches took place it was crystal clear that MMA was a huge hit with the fans who attended the 27th Annual Gun ‘N Hoses event. Special thanks to Jesse Finney and rob Donaker for getting Knuckle Junkies involved with Gun ’N Hoses