Mo Miller on top at Cage Thunder 25 - Photo by Andy Zacharyj for Caged Thunder
Mo Miller gets back on track with dominant win at Caged Thunder 25
Caged Thunder 25 was the biggest event in the promotion’s history, as “Hall of Fame Fights” went down at the Canton Civic Center in Downtown Canton.
The 15-fight card featured some memorable moments, but it was Mo Miller who took home a victory in the night’s main event. He had been just 1-3 since a Contenders Series win in 2021, but the Strong Style Fight Team product appeared to be back in top form, as he put on a dominant performance against Michigan’s Usama Rahman.
Miller was aggressive from the opening bell, landing a big slam early in the fight. He worked in some vicious ground and pound from the top, before a rear naked choke attempt. Rahman survived, but Miller switched back to ground and pound and eventually earned the TKO stoppage with just seconds left in the first round.
In the co-main event, South Carolina’s Jeremiah Scott survived two grueling rounds against the heavy top pressure and wrestling game of James Pfeiffer, eventually locking in a rear naked choke for the come-from-behind win in the third round.
Tyler Collins earned his second win a less than a month, as he used his wrestling to stymie the offense of Lucas Mast to move even his pro record at 3-3.
Former Kent State and NFL defensive lineman Jon Cunningham showcased some scary power, as he turned out the lights on Jayden Taulker with a nasty knockout 2:40 in the first round. He also took home a $1,000 knockout bonus in addition to improving his record as a pro to 2-1.
Hunter Watt picked up where he left off as an amateur in his pro debut, showcasing a well-rounded game in his bout against Logan Thompson. After a dominant first round, Thompson was unable to make it up from his stool, and Watt took home the victory.
Chris Porter moved to 2-0 with a split decision victory over Brandon Doyle that seemed closer to the judges than it actually may have been. Porter controlled throughout, using his striking and timely takedowns to keep Doyle at bay.
And Charles Payne kicked the night off with a victory in the fight of the night over Nate Davies. The two veteran amateurs spent almost the entire 15 minutes on their feet, with Payne busting open Davies with his striking.
The amateur portion of the card featured four title bouts, with four new champions being crowned.
At lightweight, Kanyon Tackett capped a banner year by submitting champion Devon Watkins with a rear naked choke in the first round. It’s the third title victory for Tackett in three bouts this year, and he moves his overall record to 6-1.
Simeon Teague submitted champion Luke McMurtry with a rear naked choke in the second round in a battle of the No. 1 ranked amateurs in Indiana and Ohio. Teague is now 7-1 overall with six consecutive wins.
Chase Archangelo put on a dominant performance to claim the vacant welterweight title over Garrett Hershberger in battle of unbeaten fighters. Archangelo showed off his wrestling before eventually earning a TKO victory with punches from back mount in the first round.
And David Music landed a pinpoint perfect punch to turn the lights out on Brandon Billiter to claim the vacant bantamweight title. Music moves to 5-1 overall with his second straight win.
Caged Thunder 25 results:
Pro Bouts:
Bantamweight: Mo Miller (8-3) def. Usama Rahman (6-11) via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:52
Jeremiah Scott (10-7) def. James Pfeiffer (5-3) via Submission (rear naked choke) – Round 3, 1:51
Tyler Collins (3-3) def. Lucas Mast (2-3) via Unanimous Decision
Jon Cunningham (2-1) def. Jayden Taulker (3-4) via KO (punch) – Round 1, 2:40
Hunter Watt (1-0) def. Logan Thompson (0-1) via TKO (didn’t answer bell) – Round 1, 5:00
Chris Porter (2-0) def. Brandon Doyle (1-1) via Split Decision
Charles Payne (1-0) def. Nate Davies (0-1) via Split Decision
Amateur Bouts:
Lightweight Title: Kanyon Tackett (6-1) def. Devon Watkins (5-3) via Submission (rear naked choke) – Round 1, 1:25
Featherweight Title: Simeon Teague (7-1) def. Luke McMurtry (5-1) via Submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 1:57
Welterweight Title: Chase Archangelo (5-0) def. Garrett Hershberger (4-1) via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:32
Bantamweight Title: David Music (5-1) def. Brandon Billiter (5-3) via KO (punch) – Round 1, 1:20
Middleweight: Cameron Carver (2-0) def. Dean Glover (1-1) via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 0:21
Lightweight – Mark Antonelli (7-2) def. Jermaine Anthony (6-8) via Submission (standing guillotine) – Round 1, 1:39
Bantamweight – Angel Salinas (1-0) def. Jonathan Hartshorn (1-3) via Submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 1:40
Middleweight – Jacob Toth (2-0) def. Mike Smith (0-1) via Submission (arm bar) – Round 1, 2:33
