THE FIGHT: Gary Mangat vs. Josh Gow

RESULT: Josh Gow defeats Gary Mangat at 4:30 of Round 3 by ref stoppage due to strikes

BACKGROUND: Lots of anticipation for the main event. Mangat comes in undefeated and is one of BFL’s most popular fighters. Gow, who fights out of Sickjitsu in Washington state, has shown knockout power and dangerous offense off his back in recent fights. But he doesn’t have the speed and quickness of Mangat.

ANALYSIS: Round 1 was mainly Mangat, who controlled the fight with effective takedowns, top control, and counterstriking. Round 2 began with more of the same, but just as it appeared Mangat was assuming control of the fight, the tide turned. Gow got his own takedown, and briefly took Mangat’s back as Mangat worked to get back to his feet. Then as the fighters separated, Gow landed several hard punches. Round 3 featured Mangat’s best and worst moments in that order. When Gow attempted a hard flying knee, Mangat caught Gow in midair and slammed him to the ground. But just as it looked that Mangat would regain control of the fight, Gow unleashed a hard knee that caught Mangat flush on the nose as Mangat was moving in for a takedown attempt. Mangat looked hurt, and with Mangat’s back against the cage Gow started teeing off. Suddenly the ref stepped in and stopped the fight.

COMMENTARY: It was a hell of a fight. Mangat looked like the quicker, smoother, more technical fighter, but Gow hits hard and would not let up. The stoppage appeared to be early, as Mangat was still standing and defending himself. That said, Mangat looked to be on his way to losing the round and the fight, and after the stoppage he sported a massive hematoma on his forehead and a bright red gash on his nose. Early stoppage or not, it was a well-earned win by Gow. What’s next for Mangat after his first loss? Probably a showdown with fellow elite BFL veteran Jeremy Kennedy.

THE FIGHT: “Mighty” Micah Brakefield vs. Jake Asher

THE RESULT: Micah Brakefield defeats Jake Asher by triangle choke at 2:51 of Round 1

BACKGROUND: Micah Brakefield is coming off a loss to BFL superstar Leo Xavier. In pre-fight interviews both Brakefield and Asher claim to have the better wrestling. Asher likes to use his wrestling to gain top control and ground’n pound, which is interesting because Brakefield is quite comfortable fighting off his back and has a great triangle.

ANALYSIS: Brakefield was never in trouble in this fight. Asher briefly attempted a standing guillotine to begin Round 1, but Micah countered with a beautiful trip to take Asher down. From that point on it was all dominant positions for Brakefield: he landed elbows from top position, nearly took Asher’s back, secured a tight armbar, and when Asher somehow managed to roll out of the armbar, Brakefield smoothly transitioned to his signature triangle choke. Asher kept his poise and looked to work his way out, but to no avail, and he was forced to tap.

COMMENTARY: Very nice win by Brakefield, who was looking to bounce back from his loss to Xavier. It’s not clear who Brakefield should fight next on the local circuit, but it might not matter since Brakefield announced his intention to try out for The Ultimate Fighter Canada.

 
THE FIGHT: Mark Dobie vs. Jonathan Dubois

THE RESULT: Mark Dobie defeats Jonathan Dubois at 2:18 of Round 1 by TKO

BACKGROUND: Dubois is a veteran but most often finds himself on the losing end of his fights. Dobie had been on an impressive 4-fight winning streak until losing to one of BFL’s best, Stuart Deleurme. The punchline: Dobie looks to get back in the win column against an opponent who hasn’t spent much time there.

ANALYSIS: He may have been the underdog, but Dubois came to fight. He opened the fight striking aggressively (although ineffectively), and followed up with a strong takedown. Dobie, perhaps initially stunned by Dubois’ aggression, regained his composure and got back to his feet. After an accidental eye-poke by Dobie paused the action, both fighters came out striking. Neither Dobie nor Dubois looked particularly technical, but Dobie landed more often and with more authority. Dubois dropped to a knee during a particularly hard flurry by Dobie, stopped defending himself, and the ref stepped in.

COMMENTARY: Hard to know where Dobie goes from here. Dobie has had success against average fighters but isn’t ready to join the ranks of Stu Deleurme or the other top BFL fighters. Unless Dobie improves, he may alternate between beating up on lesser fighters and serving as a stepping stone for young talent.

 
THE FIGHT: Joe Pirrotta vs. Radley Da Silva

THE RESULT: Radley Da Silva defeats Joe Pirrotta by unanimous decision

BACKGROUND: Both Pirrotta and Da Silva (ages 18 and 17, respectively) are up-and-coming fighters who have already displayed impressive technique and ability in their young MMA careers.

ANALYSIS: This fight was a pleasure to watch. It was chock-full of incredible takedowns, scrambles, and transitions. Round 1 was back and forth and very evenly fought. The tide started to turn in Round 2 as Da Silva seemed one step ahead in the ground game. Da Silva displayed slick transitions on the ground, and ended the round with a barrage of elbows, knees, and punches. As Round 3 begun, Da Silva’s confidence was apparent. He showed off dynamic stand-up including body kicks, knees, punches, and a spinning heel kick, and then ended the round controlling Pirrotta in the clinch and grappling game on his way to a decision victory.

COMMENTARY: Da Silva is for real. His technique, athleticism, poise, comfort, and well-roundedness were all impressive. There are big things to come for this 17-year-old.

 
THE FIGHT: Oren Hanscomb vs. Andre Da Silva (for the vacant amateur Featherweight title)

THE RESULT: Andre Da Silva defeats Oren Hanscomb by unanimous decision

BACKGROUND: Andre Da Silva is always entertaining to watch. He’s powerful and explosive, and he throws punches and kicks with bad intentions. But Silva does show a tendency to fatigue. Meanwhile, Hanscomb is coming off an impressive win against previously undefeated Oliver Vajda, and is known as an aggressive fighter with KO power. Two aggressive, powerful fighters makes for a good match-up.

ANALYSIS: This fight was competitive and extremely entertaining. Hanscomb probably eeked out Round 1 on the strength of a couple takedowns and clinch control. Rounds 2, 3, and 4 went to Da Silva, but they were anything but boring. Both fighters took the other down, both gained mount position, and these rounds included some hard strikes and crazy scrambles. Hanscomb had a big mouse under his right eye for the start of Round 4. Round 5 was less dynamic and more even, as both fighters showed signs of fatigue; this round could arguably have gone to Hanscomb, but even so it was too little too late.

COMMENTARY: The grappling was fast and furious and relatively even with lots of reversals, but it was Da Silva who did more damage on the feet and was rightly awarded the decision victory. Da Silva is once again the BFL featherweight champion.

 
THE FIGHT: Jer Kornelsen vs. Kiarash Moghaddam

THE RESULT: Jer Kornelsen defeats Kiarash Moghaddam at 2:50 of Round 1 by TKO

BACKGROUND: Kornelsen is a BFL veteran who has had many fights (both wins and losses) against top-level competition and who boasts tremendous strength and power. However, in his three most recent fights Kornelsen has been out-techniqued. Moghaddam is a championship kickboxer who recently moved his training to Universal MMA.

ANALYSIS: This fight seemed to end just when you felt it was about to get going. Early in the round Kornelsen pressed forward and attempted to control Moghaddam in the clinch and on the ground. Moghaddam easily got back to his feet after an initial takedown, and one had the feelings that he was simply waiting for his moment to exhibit his high-level striking. However, Moghaddam was taken down a second time, and he wouldn’t get back up. Kornelsen landed on top of Moghaddam in side control or quarter guard (it was difficult to see from my angle and there was no instant replay). Moghaddam did not appear to be in immediate trouble, but he stayed passive. Being the veteran that he is, Kornelsen noticed this, escalated his ground’n pound, and suddenly Moghaddam was covering up, eating punches, and not fighting back. The ref had no choice but to step in.

COMMENTARY: This was a big win for Kornelsen who badly needed to get back in the win column. It was a tough fight for Moghaddam, who has the striking and long-term potential to make some noise in the middleweight division, but clearly has to become more comfortable on the ground.

 
THE FIGHT: Curtis Harriot vs. Wan Allard

THE RESULT: Curtis Harriot defeats Wan Allard at 45 seconds of Round 1 by TKO

BACKGROUND: Both Harriot and Allard are veterans with several fights under their belts. But the similarities end there. Harriot is a submission specialist who looks like a contender and comes in riding an impressive winning streak. In contrast, Allard is a journeyman who, frankly, specializes in losing to better fighters. I’d bet the house on Harriot.

ANALYSIS: The fight didn’t last long. Allard threw some half-hearted strikes to begin the fight, and the fighters quickly clinched. From the clinch Harriot landed a hard knee to the stomach, and moments later a hard knee to the head. Allard dropped like a sack of potatoes, and the fight is over.

COMMENTARY: Harriot needs better opponents to do justice to his talent and ability.

 
THE FIGHT: David Moon vs. Christian Allart

THE RESULT: David Moon defeats Christian Allart by triangle choke at 1:16 of Round 2

BACKGROUND: Christian Allart is a capable veteran who has several wins under his belt. But neither his striking nor submission games appear particularly threatening, and he has not displayed an ability to finish opponents. Meanwhile, Moon comes into this fight with a perfect 3-0 record.

ANALYSIS: Round 1 was relatively even. Allart made heavy use of the jab, whereas Moon preferred haymakers. Both fighters landed a couple punches, but only Moon threw with power. Allart ended the round on top after a Moon takedown attempt didn’t go as planned, which was perhaps enough to give Allart the round. Moon opened Round 2 with a couple hard leg kicks, and a high kick that just missed. Perhaps feeling the pressure of Moon’s strikes, Allart went for a takedown but ended up falling into a triangle choke. The choke was initially secure but not tight. Moon pulled down hard on Allart’s head, tightened the choke, and got the tap.

COMMENTARY: Allart and Moon may have landed a similar number of strikes, but the power differential was huge and favored Moon. Still, Moon will have to tighten up his technique if he wants to climb up the BFL ranks.

 
THE FIGHT: Bradley Nicholson vs. Kevin Kellerman

THE RESULT: Bradley Nicholson defeats Kevin Kellerman by unanimous decision

BACKGROUND: Nicholson is an interesting fighter. He strikes from an awkward stance and has questionable takedown defense. Yet, his hands are faster and more accurate than appearances might suggest, he remains tough and active late in the fight when his opponents start to fatigue, and he’s a veteran of tough fights against tough opponents like Universal’s Mike De Chavez and Oliver Evansher. In contrast, Kellerman is a very young fighter out of Kelowna’s Toshido MMA who won his first and only fight by triangle choke in the 2nd round.

ANALYSIS: Nicholson walked out to Mortal Kombat, an entertaining prelude to an entertaining fight. Round 1 began, and Nicholson and Kellerman traded hard strikes. Nicholson got the better of Kellerman landing hard to the head and then following up with a kick to the head that appeared to rock Kellerman. Nicholson moved in hard to take advantage but ended up landing on the bottom after a failed takedown attempt. This gave Kellerman time to recover, and the rest of the Round ticked away with little action. Round 2 also went to Nicholson, who almost finished the fight with a triangle choke. Kellerman may have squeaked out Round 3 on the strength of a takedown and time spent in top position. But the fight clearly belonged to Nicholson.

COMMENTARY: Nicholson came close to finishing the fight with strikes in Round 1 and with a triangle choke in Round 2. This was a well-earned victory for Nicholson, and a good fight to kick off an exciting night.

By: David Klonsky