Fight Night Reflections – Wins, Lessons, and the Power of the NICC Grind
By Coach Tom, Owner of Northern IL Combat Club
Last weekend reminded me why I do this. From the adrenaline backstage to the roar of the crowd when the hand gets raised, fight nights like this one showcase what NICC is all about.
We kicked things off with Julianna, who wasted no time setting the tone. She stormed into the cage and delivered a vicious TKO victory, showing just how deadly her striking is. As the head of our Women’s Kickboxing program, she leads by example, sharp, focused, and all heart. Her performance wasn’t just a win, it was a message.
Up next was Rez Willingham, who brought the same intensity. With another dominant TKO win, he made it clear that he's leveling up with every fight. Rez is dangerous, disciplined, and represents everything we preach in the gym: aggression with control, power with purpose.
Then it was Brandon McGee’s turn. I had the privilege of warming him up and being in his corner, and let me tell you—this man put on a clinic. He earned a clear unanimous decision, staying composed under pressure and executing our game plan to perfection. That kind of poise doesn’t happen overnight—it’s built through grind sessions at NICC.
Conner Harrell stepped into the spotlight next in a five-round war for the title. While the decision didn’t go our way, Conner showed incredible heart and high-level technique. He fought his heart out the entire time. These are the moments that test you and shape you. And knowing Conner, he’ll be back even more dangerous.
When the Professional card began, first up for us was Gus Rodriguez, a longtime staple of NICC and our most experienced Muay Thai coach. In his final fight, Gus dug deep and walked away with a hard-earned win, capping off his fight career with the victory he deserved. After the fight, he officially announced his retirement from competition. It was emotional. He’s done so much for this gym and will continue to shape the future as a coach and mentor. He went out exactly how he should: victorious and respected.
Finally, Seth stepped into the cage and showed once again why he’s a dominant, undefeated force. Precision, power, pressure—he controlled every moment and walked away with yet another win. Watching him work is something special. He’s building a legacy with each fight. From start to finish, it was an unforgettable night. I was in the trenches all night—warming up fighters, cornering, yelling myself hoarse. Coach Gus and Coach Seth were right there with me, along with our other dedicated coaches, cornering others in between their own fights. That’s the NICC way—we’re all-in for each other, always.
And I’ll be honest—being that close to the action sparked something in me. It’s been a minute since I’ve competed, but I’m starting to feel that itch again. I’m not saying anything official… but I can’t lie, it’s on my mind. After being in the corner last night—watching win after win, seeing my team rise to the occasion. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel that old fire again. There’s something about watching your people dominate that makes you want to jump back in there and scrap right alongside them. I’ve got that motivation… and who knows, maybe it’s time for Coach Tom to lace them back up and go to war with the crew.
Nothing’s official yet—but don’t be surprised if you see my name on a card sometime in the future...
Big thank you to Stateline Rumble for putting on a great show and giving our athletes the platform to showcase all the work they've put in. Well-run events like this make all the difference, and we’re proud to be a part of it.
– Coach Tom
Owner & Programming Director
Northern IL Combat Club
#TeamNICC #FightNightRecap #WinningCulture #CoachTom #FightFamily #BuiltDifferent #Undefeated #WomensKickboxing #MuayThaiLegacy #MMAJourney #BackInTheCage?