Cage Fury Fighting Championships returned December 10 to Atlantic City, New Jersey as it presented CFFC 12 – Pollard vs Soto at the Resorts Hotel and Casino. The exciting card was loaded with the top fighters on the East Coast and was headlined by a fight for the CFFC Welterweight title.
Greg Soto submitted Cage Fury Fighting Championships Welterweight champion-Chip Moraza-Pollard making his first defense of his title at 4:06 of the second round by triangle choke. Pollard won the title last July in an upset against former champ Joey Rivera by TKO due to cuts but it wasn’t smooth sailing in his first defense as Soto had the superior ground game and grinded out victory.
In the opening round Soto jumped in for 2 early takedowns which were defended by Pollard before the champ was taken down 90 seconds into the round with the challenger-Soto getting full mount, then throwing elbows going for the head triangle. Chip knowing his belt was in danger managed to get to half guard and Soto ended the round which elbows to the head of Pollard.
Soto was again first with the takedown in round 2 moving to side control throwing heavy knees to the midsection of Chip before getting to full mount. Soto went for the arm triangle with a minute left in the second round and after throwing some more elbows and tightening his grip the challenger got the submission by triangle choke 4:06.
After the fight the new CFFC 12 Welterweight champion-Greg Soto said, “It feels really good, I have the hardware.” When asked about fighting George Sullivan who took down Mike Winters in the co-main event Soto said, “If George (Sullivan) wants to fight me I’m up for it.”
Sullivan Takes Down Winters In Co-Main Event
In the co-main event, George Sullivan was too strong for Mike Winters as he took down his opponent and dominated from the top position to claim an unanimous decision win 30-27 on all 3 scorecards.
In the opening round Sullivan had Winters in a clinch against the cage for much of the round but his early takedown attempts were unsuccessful with Winters able to get back to his feet. With 2 minutes remaining Sullivan had Winters on the canvas controlling from the top position. The latter stages were again fought in a clinch against the cage. 10-9 Sullivan.
Winters shot in early in round 2 but it was Sullivan with the first takedown which Winters reversed. Sullivan was impressive with his takedown attempts. In the closing stages Winters was looking gassed and finished on half guard but didn’t do enough to take the round. 10-9 Sullivan.
Sullivan controlled the final round from the top position taking Winters down whenever he had the opportunity. Sullivan landed a front kick followed by a left hook to end the fight and take the unanimous decision.
After the fight Sullivan said, “I felt good and look forward to a title shot coming up very soon.”
Undercard
Chris Liguori Decisions Carlo-Clauss In Fight Of The Night
In the ‘fight of the night’ at catchweight it was the wrestling of Don Carlo-Clauss vs the Jiu Jitsu of Chris Liguori. In an extremely close contest Liguori edged it in a split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29). Both fighters had fought at 170 lb their entire careers, and cut down to just over 160lbs for the fight.
In round 1 The wrestling of Don Carlo-Clauss gave him the top position for much of the opening round but Liguori with UFC Lightweight champion-Frankie Edgar in his corner was happy to fight on his back looking for the submission. 10-9 Carlo-Clauss.
In an entertaining second round that was fought on the feet. Carlo-Clauss took Liguori down early but hesistated allowing his opponent back to his feet. Liguori was outpunching Carlo-Clauss in round 2 who was showing a good chin. 10-9 Liguori.
It was an exciting finish to the bout with the round in the balance late, Carlo-Clauss got the takedown of Liguori but was unable to do anything with it. After the fight Carlo-Clauss was visibly upset with the result but as Liguori said after the fight, “takedowns mean nothing if you can’t do anything with them.”
Debutant, Holmes Submits Syndor In Round Two
Making his pro debut Danny Holmes submitted Chris Syndor by a guillotine choke in the opening seconds of round 2 after an action packed opening round.
In round 1-Chris Syndor went for the takedown but Holmes reversed it to take control and slammed his opponent to the ground before landing heavy shots. Holmes went for the arm bat but Syndor broke away taking top guard before Holmes swept back to take the top position.
Holmes was beginning to look gassed midway through round one and Syndor was able to land some heavy shots against Holmes who was trying to throw knees. Danny landed heavy shots from half guard to end the round.
Syndor shot in for the take down in the opening seconds of round 2 but Holmes in his pro debut locked in the guillotine choke and submitted Syndor who quickly tapped.
Perez Defeats Cion With Take Down Skills
In the battle of the undefeated 145 pounders Steve Perez now 3-0 was too strong with his takedowns to claim a 3 round unanimous decision 30-27 over Dan Cion. Perez had won both of his CFFC fights earlier in the year by submission but with the clash of styles in this fight he was unable to stop his opponent.
In round 1 Perez got the first takedown after an ankle kick before Cion was able to reverse it and went for a takedown of his own but Perez ended up being in the top position and let his shots go and used his All American Wrestling skills to control the majority of the round to take it 10-9.
Round 2 started with Perez bringing the fight back to the ground and used his wrestling skills to keep the fight off the feet. Perez was landing raining shots but Cion was able to bring to fight back up for the final 40 seconds of the round but neither fighter were able to land anything of note.
In the final round Perez took an early takedown once again but Cion was able to get up and land a few good shots on Perez who went for a spinning back kick. Perez was shooting in whenever possible for a takedown and Cion wasn’t able to evade them forever. Perez landed 2 good shots late after taking a knee from Cion but Perez’s superior ground skills saw him end the fight in the top position and moves one step closer to a fight for the CFFC Featherweight title.
Rofi Pulls Off Late First Round Armbar
Artur Rofi pulled off a late first round arm bar in his Featherweight bout with Brian Kelleher. The submission happened with just 3 seconds remaining after Kelleher was dominated the closing stages.
Kelliver went straight on the attack but Rofi was able to get his opponent against the cage. Rofi had the guillotine but Kelliver worked out of it and took him down where he locked in a guillotine choke off his own which Rofi did well to get out of. Brian had the top position late in the round but in a massive choke Rofi locked in an arm bar with just 3 seconds remaining in the opening round to steal victory at 4:57.
Debutant, Michael Wilcox Dominated Walo On The Ground
Michael ‘The Cowboy’ Wilcox making his pro debut won a dominant 3 round unanimous decision against Emmanuel Walo over 3×3 minute rounds. All three judges scored the bout 39-27.
Michael Wilcox went straight for the early takedown which he got with ease as Walo offered no resistance before going to ground and pound moving to side control. Late in the round Wilcox moved to mount landing some heavy shots on Walo before going for the arm bar but Emmanuel was saved by the bell to end round 1 with Wilcox taking it 10-9.
Wilcox went for another early takedown in round 3 which he got throwing some short shots. It was back and forth through the middle stages with Wilcox getting the takedown but Walo able to bring it back to the feet. 10-9 Wilcox.
Walo came out fresh in round 3 knowing he needed a knockout for any chance of victory. Wilcox threw Walo down in the opening minute before it was brought back to the feet by Walo against the cage but Wilcox was able to take it back to the ground where he finished at full mount.
It was a great debut by Wilcox who needs to work on his conditioning for future fights.
Dugulubgov Chokes Out Martinez Out In Opening Round
In the first main card fight-Ozzy Dugulubgov submitted Mario Martinez by a rear naked choke at 2:32 of the opening round.
Ozzy came out early meaning business landing an early head kick before getting Martinez against the cage and got the takedown before switching it to side control.
Martinez brought the fight back to the feet but Ozzy got the previously undefeated Martinez in a choke against the cage and referee Donny Caroline came in to stop the fight.
After the fight Ozzy said his plan is to train hard and improve his record in his next fight.
Chmieleski Decisions Julio Rosario In Exciting Fight
In the final preliminary bout Evan Chmieleski won a 3 round unanimous decision over Julio Rosario with the judges scoring it (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Round 1 was fought on the feet with Chmieleski landing the better and cleaner shots. Rosario was happy to let Evan take the centre cage position and circled around his opponent. 10-9 Chmieleski.
The action heated up in round 2 with both fighters throwing wild hooks and jabs as well as leg kicks. The best punch of the round went to Rosario in the final seconds with a rocking shot hurting Chmieleski to win the round 10-9.
Both fighters left everything in the cage in the final round. Rosario was looking for an opportunity to throw his knee early on but Chmieleski got the first take down midway through the round with side control. Rosario was able to bring it back to the feet but was hurt. The rest of the bout was fought on the feet with Rosario looking gassed and was unable to land anything significant.
After the fight Chmieleski said the game plan was not to make it into a grappling match as he knew Rosario was the superior grappler.
Felder Knocks Out Mtume With 2 Jumping Knees
Paul Felder of Pennsylvania made a fantastic debut stopping Mtume Goodrum at 2:31 of round 2 after 2 jumping knees knocked Mtume out cold.
In the opening round Goodrum with the better ground game took Felder down early in the fight throwing short shots which caused a cut over Felder’s lefy eye. The round was dominated by Mtume on the canvas to take the round 10-9.
In round 2 Felder came out fast with Goodrum looking fatigued. He went for the triangle choke but Mtume was able to shake it off and retake the top position. Midway through the round the referee brought both fighters back to their feet which is when Felder landed his 2 knees which dropped Goodrum with the referee coming straight in to wave off the fight.
Ariel Sepulveda Submits Rex Harris For Victory
In the opening fight-Ariel Supulveda defeated Rex Harris by submission in round 2.
