Lauren Braccia (right) - Photo by William McKee
Lauren Braccia picks up first pro win, bloodied in Maverick 28 headliner
Maverick MMA officials held Maverick 28 on Saturday night from the Wind Creek Event Center at the Wind Creek Casino and Resort in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The combat sports event, which consisted of both amateur and professional mixed martial arts competitions, streamed live on SpectationSports.com and was headlined by a women’s 120-pound catchweight bout between hometown favorite Marissa Heckman and Law MMA’s Lauren Braccia.
The last time “Poison Ivy” Heckman fought in the cage was nearly one year to the day, when she suffered her first pro defeat by way of choke from Shannon Goughary. Since then, Heckman’s toughest battle has been fought outside the cage as her son has battled a series of complicated health scares. Fortunately, the 33-year-old mother informed us that recent tests show a positive bill of health, and things are looking up.
Braccia aimed to pick up her first pro win with a victory over Heckman, but the task would not be easy. Heckman looked a like a completely new fighter, throwing head kicks, timely combinations, and a strong wrestling base. Braccia was bloodied, dripping heavily from the nose. It could be argued that each fighter won one round a piece before Braccia stole the fight in the third with an aggressive style that kept Heckman pinned against the cage. The judges in Bethlehem awarded Braccia a unanimous decision victory, giving Heckman her second loss in just as many fights.
In the co-main event slot, Oscar Garcia used a massive elbow to change the pace of his bantamweight bought against Austin Coleman. Garcia followed up with a series of punches before the referee called off the fight.
Four title fights led to the night’s main card including George Travinsky taking home the middleweight title with a decision win over Ardis Smith, and Gavin McQuade defeating Billy Van Dyke for the lightweight strap.
Brandon Bernard defeated Mike McCaffery for the promotion’s inaugural ‘BMF’ title with a narrow split decision.
Noone on the card looked more impressive than Leilani Hodgens who submission Paige Wilcox in the first round to earn the strawweight title for a second time.
Complete Maverick 28 results below:
Lauren Braccia defeated Marissa Heckman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Oscar Garcia defeated Austin Coleman via TKO – Round 1, 3:50
George Travisky defeated Ardis Smith via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – for the vacant Maverick MMA advanced rules middleweight championship
Gavin McQuade defeated Billy Van Dyke via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – for the Maverick MMA advanced rules lightweight championship
Brandon Bernard defeated Mike McCaffery via split decision (39-2, 28-28, 29-28) – for inaugural Maverick MMA ‘BMF’ title
Leilani Hodgens defeated Paige Wilcox for submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:19 – for the vacant Maverick MMA advanced rules strawweight championship
James Lldo defeated Alex LaGrippo via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 0:55
Zack Fogelman defeated Devante Crawford via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Isaiah Serrano defeated Salem Means via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Justin Cariss defeated Malcolm Shuyler via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Willow Morton defeated Rachel Greenwood via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joe Teguia defeated Bradley Eisenhauer via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:24
