Art of War Cage Fighting – AOW 33 Results
Art of War Cage Fighting promoter Mike Bickings will hold his final fight card of 2023 with AOW 33 on Friday night.
The December 15 event will be held at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and will stream live on the Starfund App.
Headlining the card is one of Philadelphia’s fan favorites, John Garbarino as he meets the visiting Shawn Brooks at a catchweight of 175-pounds.
In the night’s co-main event slot, Art of War featherweight champion Ryan Kim Cafaro will defend his title against the challenger, Cristian Lopez.
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AOW 33 results below:
John Garbarino defeated Shawn Brooks via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Cristian Lopez defeated Ryan Cafaro via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) – For AOW Featherweight Title
Josiah Swarr defeated Alex Komatick via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) – For Advanced Amateur Featherweight Title
Joey Milano defeated Cade Berardelli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kalle Blindenbacher defeated Braeton Lawton via TKO – Round 2, 0:12
Liam O’Toole defeated Francis Trivelli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Nikoloz Kikvidze defeated Antonio Aquaro via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:12
Razohnn Gross Jr. defeated Orlando Aponte via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ethen Mercado defeated Andrew Serpente via TKO – Round 1, 0:24
Cameron Bruffy defeated Besfort Fazliu via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bruffy the Beast
Opening up the card were a pair of amateur competitors each looking for their first win. Cameron Bruffy of Carnicella MMA met Besfort Fazliu of MPR Endurance to get the action started at Valley Forge. Referee ‘Big’ Dan Miragliotta will oversee all action tonight in King of Prussia. Fazliu found himself in a world of trouble early on in the contest and the situation never improved. Throughout three full rounds Bruffy was able to do any and all that he wanted to do to his opponent. From takedowns to submission attempts, and placing Fazliu on his back, Bruffy had an easy day at the office. The future is bright for this young prospect.
Mercado the Mauler
Andrew Serpente received quite the pop from the crowd as he made his amateur debut. His opponent Ethan Mercado apparently too is a fan favorite. Just seconds into the action both fighters were throwing heat, but it was Mercado who connected multiple times to drop Serpente and force ‘Big’ Dan to jump in and call a halt to the action. Very impressive win for Mercado.
GROSSly Talented
The heavyweights made their way to the Art of War cage next as Orlando Aponte took on Razohnn Gross Jr. The opening round was extremely fast paced for the heavies which is a rarity. These guys are moving like flyweights, and Gross is unloading an arsenal of punches both on the ground and on the feet. With a very slick takedown, Gross easily has a 10-9, maybe even a 10-8 round. The action starts back up in round two and Gross is warned early on for continuous fence grabbing. Once the contest resumes, Aponte is put back on his back once again. Gross is talented but physically he is not very large for the heavyweight division. A move down to light heavyweight, and maybe even middleweight would be ideal. The third round was more of the same, Gross dictating where the fight goes. All three judges score this contest in favor of Gross who picks up his first win. Carnicella MMA is up 2-0.
KWIK Kikvideze
Nikoloz Kikvidze was quickly attacked by Antonio Aquaro in their 160-pound catchweight contest. Aquaro, who is built like a pitbull, rushed in for a takedown but unfortunately was never able to complete the task. Kikvidze kept his composure and attempted a standing guillotine. When the first one failed, Aquaro never abandoned the takedown attempt. Kikvidze locked up the choke once again and forced the take just 72-seconds into the fight.
O’Toole Has All The Tools
Liam O’Toole, representing Semper Fi MMA in nearby Philadelphia and Francis Trivelli, also of the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ collided in a featherweight contest. A quick takedown from O’Toole forced Trivelli to fight off his back early on. Trivelli looking to sink in a kneebar is not able to get the tap as O’Toole smartly sits down on his opponent and unloads a barrage of heavy-handed shots to the body. O’Toole connects with a handful of punches before forcing a takedown early in the second frame. From there it was a pretty dominant round for O’Toole who should likely be up on the scorecards. O’Toole gets a big pop from the crowd as he completes a takedown to start the third and final round. After delivering a pounding to his opponent’s body on the ground, the final buzzer sounds, and O’Toole gets to his feet and signals two and one with his fingers as he handed Trivelli his first loss.
Kalle Kicks
Kalle Blindenbacher appeared to be much larger than his opponent Braeton Lawton in their heavyweight bout in fight number six on the card. Lawton did not like the thunderous legs kicks that Blindenbacher was throwing, but he also didn’t appreciate the big right hand either. With every strike Blindenbacher launches, either up top or to the thigh, Lawton has a look of hesitation plastered all over his face. Blindenbacher throws one big kick to the leg to open the second round and referee ‘Big’ Dan Miragliotta jumps in and stops the fight as Lawton hobbles around the cage.
Milano Moves to 2-0
Following a brief intermission, Joey Milano and Cade Berardelli made their way to the cage for a middleweight rising stars challenge. Milano is relentless as he lands four slam takedowns early on. After taking Berardelli’s back and working for a choke time expires. They move to the second round. Milano drops Berardelli with a big straight right, but the action continues. After another brief exchange the fight moves to the canvas where Milano looks to work in a rear-naked choke. Berardelli is going to need to come to life here in the third and final round if he wants to see his hand raised. Milano continues to work the takedowns and slams, smothering his opponent en route to a decision win.
Swarr Swarms
In the first of two title fights on the night, Alex Komatick and Josiah Swarr met for the advanced amateur featherweight championship. The two men decide to stand and trade and see who can put who on their back. Komatick is trickling blood from the bridge of the nose but drives a beautifully powerful knee up the middle to connect with Swarr’s chest. Swarr drives one back. The combatants continue to punish one another on the feet until the sound of the bell. The action between Komatick and Swarr resumes in round two. After catching each other’s kicks, Komatick works a takedown. Swarr gets to his feet and the tussle for control. We head to third and final round. Back and forth the two men continue to crack each other with punches, knees, and kicks without ever taking a break. This one will go to the scorecards but neither man should be ashamed with their performance tonight. Incredible fight but it is Swarm who takes home the hardware and claims the vacant title.
And New
Ryan Kim Cafaro, the defending featherweight champion made his way to the cage to defend his title against Cristian Lopez in the night’s co-main event. Cafaro stuns Lopez early with a left and follows up with a thunderous kick. Up against the cage, Lopez drives a knee. Cafaro forces a reversal, shoots i, and catches himself in a guillotine choke. “Korean Thunder” works himself out of the submission and the fight drives on. After forcing a trip, Cafaro himself works to lock up a guillotine. That attempt fails and they move to the center of the cage to exchange. Both men continue to push the pace and work for points on the judges’ scorecards. Very tough round to score. Cafaro gets a takedown in round two and Lopez pushes his mouthpiece towards the front of his mouth which usually signifies that cardio is becoming an issue. It doesn’t seem to be the case for Lopez in this fast-paced contest as he is relentlessly pushing forward. Lopez lands a big kick, but Cafaro pushes forward and continues his own assault. Lopez lands a knee, but Cafaro’s chin holds up. Cafaro swings and misses to open the final round and he is caught be a counter by Lopez. Cafaro catches Lopez with a left, and Lopez produces a flying knee. How these two men are not knocking one another down time after time is a mystery. The fight moves to the ground and Cafaro applies a guillotine choke. Lopez pops out and the ground fighting continues. This is a wildly exciting contest to pushes both men to use everything in their arsenal. We go to the scorecards for a decision and two judges’ rule in favor of the challenger. Cristian Lopez is your new AOW featherweight champion.
Johnny Garbarino Ends 2023 With A Banger
AOW fan favorite John Garbarino makes his way to the cage for the AOW 33 main event as Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” plays over the house speakers. Garbarino and Shawn Brooks are scheduled to meet for three, five-minute rounds of action. Both men are using a mix of hands and knees, but it seems that Brooks may be having issues with cardio early on. Garb is pressing his opponent against the cage and working the body. Round one should be scored in favor of Garb. In the second round, Garb is confident and strong early on. After both fighter each score a takedown, Garb gets Brooks’ back and looks for a choke. Brooks shake him off, gets Garbarino up against the cage and lands a few knees to close out the round. Accidental groin shot temporarily halts the action in the opening seconds of round three. Garbarino will have up to five minutes to recover. The action resumes and Garbarino gets a takedown. They stand and now Brooks his Garb locked up. Brooks connects with a knee, but it doesn’t seem to bother Garb in the least. Garbarino delivers a beautiful throw, right out of a textbook to put Brooks flat on his back. Brooks looking to lock up an arm, but Garb escapes and lands a striking combo to finish the round. Great fight. This one also goes to the scorecards, and it is Garbarino who gets the nod.
