CFFC 61 Results: Zu Anyanwu vs. Joe Pinto
CFFC 61 Results: Zu Anyanwu vs. Joe Pinto
CFFC 61 returns to the Borgata in Atlantic City for a night of high caliber fights featuring the heavy weight title fight between champion Zu Anyanwu (11-4) and challenger undefeated Joe Pinto (2-0).
This is the first time Cage Fury will be under the new Alliance MMA banner. Zu captured the title for the third time in his last fight against Palinio Cruz and is looking to solidify himself as one of the areas top prospects.
Pinto vs. Zu was a war. Very close first round then Zu seemed to find his range dropping Pinto in the 2nd. Joe came back and showed some he had a huge heart while taking some big shots in the 3rd round from Anyanwu. Zu came through in the 4th like many of his previous fights getting the finish midway through the round. Zu was happy with his result after the fight. “I want to go to the show” stated Anyanwu knowing he is on the cusp of the UFC.
In a bantamweight showdown in the co-main event Nick Catone MMA standout Ricky Bendejas (7-1) is looking for his 3rd strait win after dropping a CFFC title shot to UFC vet Nick Pace. He had his hands full in a tough Miguel Restrepo (4-1). In a very close fight Bendejas really looked to keep distance and landed more accurate strikes. He also got a few well timed takedowns to take the unanimous decision with all 3 judges scoring the fight 30 – 27. Ricky is looking to get another shot at that CFFC title.
What a fight between 2 undefeated competitors destined for the UFC in Bassil Hafez (2-0) and DJ Jackson (2-0). Jackson is one of the top BJJ practitioners to enter MMA winning several world championships under the great Lloyd Irvin and Hafez is an extremely well rounded fighter out of Balance Studios who many feel is the next big thing in MMA. The first 2 rounds went to DJ with some takedowns, but Bassil showed he was right at DJ’s level on the ground escaping any submission attempts from the world champ getting back to his feet. In the 3rd, Bassil had DJ rocked and in trouble but Jackson held strong to finish the fight and get the unanimous decision with all three judges scoring the fights 29-28.
In a heavyweight bout with 2 undefeated big men Jon Romero (2-0) took on Shawn Teed (2-0). Teed showed impressive jiu jitsu from the bottom with Romero defending several submission attempts until Teed locked in an Americana from bottom to finish the fight at 3:07 in the first round. His second finish in a row with that submission Shawn labeled the move after the fight “The Teed lock”. In his post fight interview Teed called out the winner of tonight’s main event saying “I want the title, I want that shot”. This could be an interesting match up presenting some interesting challenges for the CFFC heavyweight champ.
The main card started off live on CBS sports with Chris “The Rocket” Rawlins vs. newcomer Joe Solecki. Solecki proved he was as advertised on the ground getting the submission in his pro debut at 2:48 seconds of his first round. Solecki who trains in Myrtle Beach but is from New Jersey asked for a quick turnaround to be on the CFFC December card in Philly. “This is home, bring me home in December” a fired up young fighter said in his post fight interview.
In the early fights of the evening, Veterans Claudio Ledesma (11-7) and Thau Pham (6-6) entered he cage in a flyweight showdown. The first round and a half was controlled solely by Ledesma with crisp striking, following up with takedowns and submission attempts. Pham hit a rear naked choke out of nowhere in the 3 minute mark of rd 2 to almost finish the fight. Pham came back to have an extremely close 3rd round but it was not enough as Cladio took home the split decision win.
Atlantic City’s own Cesar Balmaceda (1-0) took on Corey Menafra (1-1) in the lightweight division. Cesar looked sharp from start to finish over a very tough fighter from Nick Catone MMA. He finished the fight at the 1:44 in Rd 2. “I want to be great, I want to make it to the UFC” said the young prospect after the fight as he moved to 2-0.
Undefeated lightweight Hopeton Stewart (1-0) took on Hekruz Mirkojaev (2-0). After an extremely close first round, Stewart seemed to have much more in the gas tank to dominate the 2nd round and get the TKO victory at the 4:45 mark of Round 2.
Full CFFC 61 Results below:
MAIN EVENT | HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE
Zu Anyanwu (C) vs Joe Pinto: Winner Anyanwu 4th round TKO
Ricky Bandejas vs Miguel Restrepo: Winner Bendejas unan. dec (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bassil Hafez vs DJ Jackson: Winner Jackson unan. dec. (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Shawn Teed vs Jon Romero: Winner Teed submission 3:07 Rd 1 via americana from guard
Joe Selecki vs. Chris Rollins: Winner Selecki by submission 2:00 Rd 1 via rear naked choke
UNDERCARD
Claudio Ledesma vs Tuan Pham: Winner Ledesma via split decision
Corey Menafra vs Cesar Balmaceda: Winner Balmaceda TKO 1:44 Rd 2
Hopeton Stewart vs Nekruz Mirkhojaev: Winner Stewart TKO 4:45 of Rd 2
*FIGHT CARD LIVE & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
