BOSS FIGHT XLI: PARSONS vs BOMBELLES
ROUND ONE: Right from the start, Mike Hunt takes the offensive, attempting to cut off Miklos with punches. But Miklos has some quick footwork that helps him avoid getting cornered. Hunt throws a hook that lands on Miklos, causing his right cheek to swell up. But Miklos doesn’t back down and launches some tentative punches, answering Hunt’s jabs with a solid cross. Both fighters circle around the center of the cage, sizing each other up. Then, in a bone-shattering move, Hunt lands a straight left hand on Miklos, leaving him with a small cut on his right cheek. But Miklos shows some fancy footwork, faking a punch and moving aside. The fighters engage in a wild exchange of punches, with both of them missing terribly. Miklos attempts to cut off Hunt with punches, but Hunt manages to avoid getting cornered. However, Miklos sees an opportunity and lands a pulverizing punch on Hunt’s head. Hunt takes a few seconds to recover his breath before launching a brilliant combination, which Miklos avoids with some impressive dodging skills. As the round comes to an end, both fighters are showing each other a ton of respect. Miklos steps backwards, seeming to cool down the fight a bit. The buzzer sounds, marking the end of the round, and both fighters head to their corner to prepare for the next round.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Hunt
ROUND TWO: The second round began with Hunt throwing a looping right hand, but Miklos managed to avoid it and countered with some punches of his own. However, Hunt quickly turned things around with some tremendous strikes that left Miklos with a bruised cheek. The two fighters engaged in a wild exchange of punches, with Miklos getting the upper hand and landing some great blows. But Hunt was not to be outdone, swinging for the fences and almost breaking Miklos’s jaw with a powerful hit. Despite some cuts and bruises, Miklos managed to stay in the fight and even landed a nice uppercut on Hunt’s chin. Things got a bit messy when Hunt accidentally poked Miklos in the eye with a jab, causing a brief pause in the action. But the fighters quickly resumed the exchange, with Hunt landing some solid jabs and punishing Miklos’s ribs with some hard hooks. By the end of the round, both fighters were looking worse for wear, with Miklos holding his side and his ribs visibly battered. It also looked like Hunter got away with two more eye pokes, as the referee didn’t get a clear look at it, and despite Miklos protesting it, the action resumed. The two fighters remained locked in an intense battle, with neither willing to back down until the horn signaled the end of the round.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Hunt (20-18 Hunt)
ROUND THREE: The crowd is on their feet as we head into the third round of this MMA bout. Hunt comes out strong with a kick, but Miklos quickly checks it and maintains his distance. The fighters take their time sizing each other up in the center of the cage, exchanging some wild strikes without causing much damage. But then, Hunt lands a solid combination that connects with Miklos’s face, while getting away with ANOTHER eye poke! From there, the fight picks up in intensity as Hunt relentlessly pursues Miklos, throwing punches that connect with his opponent’s face and causing a small laceration on his forehead. Despite his bloody face and potential vision problems, Miklos fights back with a hard cross that lands on Hunt’s left eye, causing it to swell. But Hunt keeps coming forward, attacking Miklos’s body with some punishing hooks. As the fight goes to the ground, Hunt takes control in full mount and keeps working to get the rear mount with his hooks in. With blood all over the mat and Miklos in a bad position, Hunt looks for a way to finish his opponent with a rear naked choke. But just as he’s about to lock it in, the horn sounds, and the referee separates the fighters.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Hunt (30-27)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
Cezar Miklos 9 9 9: 27
Mike Hunt 10 10 10: 30
Cezar Miklos 9 9 9: 27
Mike Hunt 10 10 10: 30
Cezar Miklos 9 9 9: 27
Mike Hunt 10 10 10: 30
Winner: Mike Hunt by Unanimous Decision
Statistics: Cezar Miklos
Punches 20/45 (44%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 67 s
Statistics: Mike Hunt
Punches 72/105 (69%)
Kicks 0/2 (0%)
Clinch strikes 4/5 (80%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 67 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: Mike Hunt put on an impressive display of striking, clinching, and wrestling in his latest fight, but unfortunately, the bout was marred by several suspicious eye pokes that went unnoticed by the referee. While one accidental poke can happen in the heat of the moment, four instances raise eyebrows and could tarnish Hunt’s reputation. However, despite this controversy, Hunt is showing himself to be an exciting fighter in his second stint in the octagon, and is proving that he has the skills to make a name for himself in the competitive world of combat sports. That being said, Hunt’s age and experience level may limit his future success, but he has certainly made a statement with his recent performance.
ROUND ONE: The bout kicks off with a fiery start as the referee Darrell Stevens signals the start of the match. Cox and MANDEM waste no time, engaging in a series of tentative punches to feel each other out. MANDEM proves to be the more aggressive fighter, landing some powerful blows that rock Cox. MANDEM takes control of the fight, throwing a flurry of punches, including a stiff jab that Cox manages to duck. Cox senses an opportunity and launches a counterattack, but his right-hand misses its target. MANDEM shows off his footwork, dodging and weaving Cox’s punches with ease. As the fight progresses, both fighters circle the cage, looking for openings in each other’s defenses. Cox lands a solid punch to MANDEM’s right cheek, and MANDEM retaliates with a vicious uppercut to Cox’s chin. The two fighters exchange blows in a heated exchange, with MANDEM showing off some impressive blocks to Cox’s punches. Cox lands some punishing hooks to MANDEM’s ribs, causing him to step back and cool down the fight. MANDEM comes back with a vengeance, launching a solid combination that mostly hits air. As the round comes to an end, both fighters continue to circle the cage, looking for an opportunity to strike. Cox lands a right-hand punch that forces MANDEM to step back, but MANDEM quickly recovers and throws a powerful punch of his own before the horn.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 MANDEM
ROUND TWO: The second round begins with both fighters sizing each other up in the center of the cage. Cox takes the initiative and launches a furious low kick, which MANDEM checks. MANDEM then follows up with a bone-shattering straight left hand that lands flush on Cox’s face, causing him to stumble backwards. Cox recovers quickly and tries to close the distance, but MANDEM lands an uppercut that snaps Cox’s head back. Cox retaliates with a bone-shattering straight right hand, but MANDEM ducks under it and counters with a jab. Cox misses with a looping right hand, and the following exchange between the two fighters is uneventful. MANDEM and Cox then engage in a wild exchange of punches, with both fighters missing terribly. MANDEM lands another bone-shattering straight right hand that rocks Cox, but Cox remains on his feet. Cox tries to counter with a punch, but it gets deflected, and MANDEM looks to counter with a hook to the body, which Cox blocks with his ribs. Cox fakes a punch and shows some footwork, trying to find a way to penetrate MANDEM’s defense. Both fighters then exchange a few tentative punches, but MANDEM takes the best of the brief exchange. MANDEM then decides to launch a few tentative punches of his own, but nothing lands. MANDEM then pushes Cox away and takes a deep breath, seemingly trying to recover from the intense pace of the fight. Tremendous strikes from MANDEM follow, but Cox blocks them with confidence. Cox then swings with a punch, but it misses. MANDEM attempts a takedown, but stops short of running into Cox’s kick. As the horn sounds, the referee separates the fighters, signaling the end of the second round.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 MANDEM (20-18 MANDEM)
ROUND THREE: The two fighters came out with a vengeance, each trying to gain the upper hand here in the final round. Cox started off strong, launching a series of tentative punches that MANDEM expertly dodged. However, Cox didn’t give up, continuing to circle around his opponent and showing some impressive footwork. He landed a solid front kick that sent MANDEM stumbling backwards. MANDEM tried to counter with a body kick, but Cox blocked it and started measuring his opponent with some well-placed jabs. He then landed a bone-shattering low kick that echoed throughout the arena, making the crowd wince in sympathy. The two fighters engaged in a wild exchange of punches, with Cox getting the better of the exchange. However, MANDEM didn’t give up and landed a solid straight right hand that made Cox duck under. MANDEM tried to take advantage of the situation, but Cox launched a low kick that almost took out his opponent’s knee. As the round continued, both fighters started to show signs of fatigue. MANDEM even had to take out his mouthpiece to breathe. Despite this, they kept going, with Cox landing a looping left hand that stopped MANDEM in his tracks. MANDEM wasn’t down for long, though, and launched a body shot that Cox expertly dodged before catching him with a hard cross. The referee then separated the fighters as the horn sounded, signaling the end of the fight.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Cox (29-28 MANDEM)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
MANDEM 10 10 8: 28
Alex Cox 9 9 10: 28
MANDEM 10 10 9: 29
Alex Cox 9 9 10: 28
MANDEM 10 10 9: 29
Alex Cox 9 9 10: 28
Winner: MANDEM by Majority Decision
Statistics: MANDEM
Punches 22/44 (50%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/1 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Statistics: Alex Cox
Punches 24/60 (40%)
Kicks 5/12 (42%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: The notorious UK rapper turned MMA fighter squeaks out a narrow victory in his Union debut. Don’t let the record fool you because Alex Cox is a very formidable opponent, especially to these young up and coming fighters. There’s plenty to work on and improve, particularly the gas tank after seeing him nearly lose the fight in the third round, but MANDEM showed that he can compete in the big leagues.
ROUND ONE: Alex Hughes and Tilly Jean Wade stepped into the center of the octagon ready to battle it out in the first round. While Wade displayed some impressive footwork and landed a few punishing hooks to Hughes’ ribs, Hughes stood her ground and responded with a few solid punches of her own. Despite the back and forth, Hughes managed to launch a beautiful combo that sent Wade staggering backward. Hughes capitalized on this opportunity, unleashing a flurry of punches and looking to end the fight early. However, Wade fought back and landed some significant jabs, but Hughes remained unfazed and answered with a powerful cross. Wade demonstrated her grappling skills with a double leg takedown, but Hughes managed to resist the submission attempts and free herself from the holds. In the end, Wade remained in control, blocking any punches that Hughes tried to land. However, Hughes came out strong in the closing moments of the round, landing some tremendous strikes. Wade eventually regained control, ultimately taking the fight to the ground with a single leg takedown and finishing the round with a barrage of punches from half guard. As the round ended, it was unclear who won this round, but both fighters were ready to keep this tremendous pace up.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Hughes
ROUND TWO: Round two was a thrilling showcase of Tilly Jean Wade’s ground game as she expertly executed several takedowns on her opponent. After landing several body shots, Hughes attempted to maintain distance with a low kick, but Wade quickly closed the gap and the two exchanged blows with little effect. However, Wade’s patience paid off as she waited for an opening in Hughes’ defense and landed a stunning right hook, sending Hughes tumbling to the ground. While Hughes tried to strike back with a poorly executed upkick, Wade countered with a cartwheel, landing in side mount over her opponent. Wade then attempted to mount Hughes, but Hughes was able to trap her in full guard. Wade was relentless, attempting to posture up and open Hughes’ guard, but Hughes kept her ankles locked. Wade then tried to pass Hughes’ guard, managing to get her leg free and moving into half guard. With a well-placed push, Wade then moved to full mount and attempted an armbar, but Hughes was able to break free and take control in closed guard. As the round neared its end, Jack Gibbs stood the fighters up due to inactivity on the ground. The two circled around the center of the cage, but with little action before the horn signaled the end of the round.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Wade (19-19 Push)
ROUND THREE: Hughes came out strong with a low kick, then took the fight to the ground, but Wade quickly turned the tables and got Hughes in a punishing Guillotine hold. The pain was clearly visible on Hughes’ face, but she managed to push Wade back to the ground. The fighters were back in open guard, and Wade launched a few weak punches that hit Hughes’ ribs. Hughes tried to strike back with an elbow, but Wade blocked it, and Hughes was forced to look for another option. Hughes managed to launch a couple of elbows against Wade’s ribs, Wade took the shots before rolling for a kneebar, but Hughes blocked the attempt and seized half guard. Wade tried to move to full guard, and she succeeded. Hughes tried to pass Wade’s guard, but she regained full guard. Hughes sat on her knees and tried to break the closed guard, but Wade leaned and got Hughes’ arms, bringing her to the ground again. Wade managed to roll on the ground and is now in full mount. Hughes didn’t want to continue the fight in this position and escaped to her feet, and Wade followed her up. Wade faked a move and launched a nice uppercut that landed on Hughes’ chin. Hughes threw an uppercut back, but Wade slipped it. Hughes tried a solid kick to the leg, but Wade checked it and quickly countered with a hook that hit its mark, leaving Hughes with a small cut on her left cheek. Both fighters circled around the center of the cage, and Wade took a few seconds to recover her breath. Hughes tried to punch Wade, but she managed to dodge it, and the round ended with Jack Gibbs separating the fighters. The fighters shook hands as they headed back to their corners, and the fans were left wondering who would come out on top in this tightly contested bout.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Wade (29-28 Wade)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
Alex Hughes 10 9 9: 28
Tilly Jean Wade 9 10 10: 29
Alex Hughes 10 10 9: 29
Tilly Jean Wade 9 9 10: 28
Alex Hughes 10 10 9: 29
Tilly Jean Wade 9 9 10: 28
Winner: Alex Hughes by Split Decision
Statistics: Alex Hughes
Punches 24/34 (71%)
Kicks 4/7 (57%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/1 (100%)
GnP strikes 11/27 (41%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 473 s
Statistics: Tilly Jean Wade
Punches 25/33 (76%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 8/16 (50%)
Submissions 7/7 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 462 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: Alex Hughes, the SZN 3 Everest MMA Flyweight runner-up, pulled off a nail-biting split decision dub in her debut at Union GP, by the slimmest of margins. With her striking prowess being her forte, Alex appeared to be outmatched on several occasions in the grappling and wrestling department, and the second round proved to be a particularly grueling challenge. While I’m not accusing the judges of foul play, I didn’t see enough evidence in the second round to grant her the win, let alone the overall fight. It’s crucial for Alex to take this experience back to her training camp and work on improving her skills, so she can return to the ring with greater conviction and assertiveness in her upcoming bouts.
ROUND ONE: Benji Meyers and Caleb O’Shea touch gloves in the center. O’Shea comes out with some impressive movement, bobbing and weaving to avoid Meyers’ initial attacks, but Meyers is swinging for the fences with every punch he throws. In a split second, Meyers lands a devastating blow that almost breaks O’Shea’s jaw! Meyers sees that O’Shea is hurt and goes in for the kill. O’Shea is stumbling backwards, clearly in trouble, and Meyers takes full advantage of the situation. He goes in with a looping right hand, but O’Shea manages to jump back and jab, hoping to avoid Meyers’ wrath. However, it’s too late for O’Shea, and Meyers lands a series of jabs and crosses, leaving O’Shea in a daze. The referee, Colin Davenport, has seen enough and stops the fight.
Winner: Benji Meyers by TKO (Punches) at 0:58 Round 1
Statistics: Benji Meyers
Punches 5/8 (62%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Statistics: Caleb O’Shea
Punches 0/3 (0%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: Benji Meyers was an absolute powerhouse tonight, bulldozing his way to a triumphant first-round finish. “Bony Stark” may be relatively green in the game, but he has certainly showcased moments of pure brilliance in his last couple of fights. He still shows signs of a “project fighter”, but with blazing performances like this, his phone is guaranteed to be buzzing with numerous fight offers. Watch out for this young fighter, as he has all the makings of a future star.
ROUND ONE: As soon as the bell rang to make it official, Marshall took control, quickly taking Saetang down with a great double leg takedown. She manages to get into a good position, but Saetang holds her arms and counters her punches with some slick defensive moves. Marshall then breaks free and moves into a side mount position, where she relentlessly attacks Saetang with some brutal ground-and-pound strikes. But Saetang shows her resilience, rolling and reversing the position. Just when you think the fight is turning in Saetang’s favor, Marshall gets back on top, mounting Saetang with great technique and control. She unleashes a flurry of punches, forcing the referee to consider stopping the fight. Saetang manages to hold on for a little while longer, trying to escape Marshall’s grasp, but the more technical Marshall sees her chance and lands a devastating elbow to Saetang’s forehead, leaving a sizable cut. Saetang tries to keep the fight going, but Marshall is in complete control and delivers another brutal elbow strike that rocks Saetang’s head against the mat. The referee has seen enough, and pulls Marshall off to end the fight just before the horn signals the end of the round.
Winner: Victoria Marshall by TKO (GnP) at 4:54 Round 1
Statistics: Victoria Marshall
Punches 1/1 (100%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 22/29 (76%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 247 s
Statistics: Syn Saetang
Punches 0/1 (0%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 1/1 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 269 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: With an electrifying buzzer-beater finish inside the first round, the Cinderella Story of Victoria Marshall continues with a resounding victory in her Union GP debut. Witnessing her evolution from an afterthought to an undeniable champion in Everest MMA, Marshall now emerges as a thrilling contender in Union GP. Although her ultimate potential remains uncertain, one thing is definite – watching Marshall’s journey has been a captivating roller coaster ride.
ROUND ONE: The fighters showed each other respect, sizing each other up in the center of the cage in the opening round. Williams took Ledesma off his feet with a double leg takedown, but Ledesma pulled her into his guard. Ledesma then managed to reverse the position and secured full mount over Williams. Williams tried to escape, but Ledesma had excellent control on the ground. A stalemate ensued and referee Archie Driscoll stood the fighters up due to lack of activity, and they continued the fight standing. Williams engaged in a wild exchange of punches with Ledesma, but Ledesma landed more blows. Williams later tried to take Ledesma down and succeeded, moving to side mount. In a dramatic moment, Williams unintentionally headbutted Ledesma, but the referee didn’t see it. Williams then attempted an arm triangle, but Ledesma slipped out. Ledesma then tried to lock Williams in a kimura, but Williams passed her guard. In the later part of the round, Williams managed to escape Ledesma’s guard, and with her skill, she jumped out and quickly moved to full mount. The round ended with Williams in control.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Ledesma
ROUND TWO: Williams came out strong, attempting to bring the fight to the ground, but Ledesma was quick to counter and closed his guard. Williams showed some great wrestling skills and was able to escape from Ledesma’s closed guard. However, Ledesma was able to isolate an arm and attempt a kimura hold, but Williams quickly blocked the hold and passed Ledesma’s guard. Despite their efforts, the fighters remained deadlocked, prompting referee Archie Driscoll to stand them up due to a lack of activity. The fighters continued the round on their feet, with Williams attempting multiple takedowns and Ledesma showing great balance and defense. Williams landed some tremendous strikes, but Ledesma was able to block them with confidence. Williams faked a punch and surprised Ledesma with a takedown, finally putting him on the ground. Despite Williams being in a dominant position on the ground, Ledesma was able to fight back and escape from a leg lock attempt. The round ended with both fighters back on their feet, leaving the outcome of the fight still uncertain.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Williams (19-19 Push)
ROUND THREE: The two fighters start off strong in the final round, circling around each other before Williams takes Ledesma down to the ground. Williams dominates in the open guard position, but Ledesma fights back with a few kicks and manages to escape. However, Ledesma soon finds himself in trouble as Williams measures him with a jab before taking him down again. Williams tries to open Ledesma up with some strikes, but Ledesma blocks them, forcing Williams to look for another option. Williams moves on the ground, but Ledesma counters and closes his guard. The fighters struggle for position, with Williams using her skills to escape from the closed guard. Ledesma manages to switch to a full guard and attempts a triangle, but Williams cuts to the side and passes to side mount. Williams tries to move to full mount, but Ledesma won’t allow her to take the position easily. As the fight progresses, both fighters find themselves on the ground again and again. Williams tries for a single leg takedown, but Ledesma jumps backwards and frees his leg. Williams tries to pull guard, but Ledesma won’t budge, forcing Williams to take him down again. The fight is full of thrilling moments as the fighters struggle to gain the upper hand. Williams shows off her BJJ skills as she tries to close an armbar, but Ledesma manages to break the lock and stands up quickly. The fight continues as Williams tries to take Ledesma down again and again, but Ledesma shows great balance and stays on his feet. Williams launches a couple of elbows against Ledesma’s ribs, but Ledesma blocks them and tries to reverse the situation. The fighters continue to grapple on the ground, with Williams attempting an armbar and Ledesma countering with a roll. Finally, in the last few seconds of the fight, Williams gets an arm and tries to re-apply an armbar. The fight ends with both fighters exhausted, leaving the judges with a tough decision to make.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Williams (29-28 Williams)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
Sadie Williams 10 10 10: 30
Osvaldo Ledesma 9 9 9: 27
Sadie Williams 10 10 10: 30
Osvaldo Ledesma 9 9 9: 27
Sadie Williams 10 10 10: 30
Osvaldo Ledesma 9 9 9: 27
Winner: Sadie Williams by Unanimous Decision
Statistics: Sadie Williams
Punches 2/13 (15%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 1/3 (33%)
Takedowns 9/17 (53%)
GnP strikes 0/6 (0%)
Submissions 8/8 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 490 s
Statistics: Osvaldo Ledesma
Punches 7/8 (88%)
Kicks 1/1 (100%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/1 (0%)
Submissions 5/5 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 478 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: It wasn’t pretty or particularly exciting, but the Everest MMA SZN 3 Featherweight Champion Sadie Williams secured the win in her Union GP debut. Employing her signature grappling and wrestling techniques, Williams proved unstoppable, stifling Ledesma’s every offensive attempt with her suffocating grappling. Although Williams won all three rounds, Ledesma didn’t go down without a fight, showcasing some impressive groundwork against the problematic grappler. As a renowned striker, Ledesma struggled to find his rhythm, but his unexpected display of grappling prowess proved he was no pushover and will have something to build on during his next training camp.
ROUND ONE: The fight between Kian De Beer and Lito Belucci was an intense battle right from the start. De Beer tried a spinning back kick, but Belucci was quick to block it. The two exchanged some blows, with Belucci connecting with a few punches while De Beer fired off a solid low kick. The two continued to exchange wildly, with De Beer landing a solid combination that seemed to rattle Belucci. But Belucci was not one to give up easily, launching a barrage of punches that left De Beer reeling back. Belucci tried to capitalize on his advantage, launching a vicious high kick, but De Beer managed to avoid it and land a stinging counter hook. As the round continued, De Beer’s punishment on Belucci began to show. Belucci’s chin was bruised, and he had a small cut on his cheek. De Beer continued to rain punches on his opponent, who seemed to be in trouble. De Beer even managed to almost wrench Belucci’s knee with a low kick, leaving him hobbling. Despite Belucci’s best efforts, De Beer was too strong, and the round ended with De Beer dominating. The referee signaled the end of the round, and the fighters went to their corners, ready to reset and reassess before facing each other again.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 De Beer
ROUND TWO: The second round was a wild and bloody affair that had the crowd on the edge of their seats! The two fighters circled around the center of the cage, looking for openings in each other’s defenses. Belucci seemed to have the upper hand at the start, landing some jabs and a nice uppercut. But De Beer quickly regained his footing and started to throw some massive shots that left Belucci’s face covered in blood. Despite the blood and bruises, Belucci kept coming forward, throwing some big looping punches that landed but didn’t seem to affect De Beer much. The two fighters engaged in a wild exchange of blows, with De Beer getting the best of it and landing some punishing shots to Belucci’s midsection. But it was a huge uppercut from De Beer that sealed the deal, wobbling Belucci and causing the referee to pause the fight and call in the doctors. Unfortunately for Belucci, the damage was too much to continue, and the referee waved off the fight.
Winner: Kian De Beer by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 1:57 Round 2
Statistics: Kian De Beer
Punches 44/70 (63%)
Kicks 4/6 (67%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Statistics: Lito Belucci
Punches 21/36 (58%)
Kicks 1/2 (50%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: The Union GP debut of Kian De Beer proved to be his most grueling yet, but the sensational striker once again displayed his impressive skill set with a masterful showing. Despite his previous dominance in the octagon, De Beer was finally put to the test in this bout, proving that he can absorb punishment and remain in control. Throughout the roughly seven-minute fight, De Beer expertly sliced and diced his opponent with precision, leaving no doubt as to his impressive abilities as a fighter.
ROUND ONE: Viktor Volkov and Omar Makonza looked primed and ready to go. As soon as the fight started, Volkov wasted no time and launched a few tentative punches, quickly taking the best of a brief punching exchange. Makonza tried looking for angles as he threw some jabs, but were countered by Volkov’s expert punches. Makonza wasn’t deterred as he tested Volkov’s chin with an uppercut that left him reeling. Despite this, Volkov landed some great crosses that left Makonza’s chin bruised and battered. As the fight continued, both fighters tried to outmaneuver each other, with Volkov faking a punch and showing some impressive footwork moving around. Makonza attempted to throw a low kick, but Volkov was quick to check it and countered with a stinging one-two combo that sent Makonza stumbling back on his heels. Volkov continued to show off his boxing prowess with another one-two combo, and those punches landed right on Makonza’s face, causing his mouth to start swelling. A ferocious right hand by Volkov rocked Makonza, leaving him staggered and his corner screaming to create some space. Volkov wasted no time and threw another violent punch that put Makonza to sleep. The knockout was seen throughout the arena, leaving Makonza battered, swollen and in a pool of his own blood.
Winner: Viktor Volkov by KO (Punch) at 1:27 Round 1
Statistics: Viktor Volkov
Punches 11/13 (85%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Statistics: Omar Makonza
Punches 1/2 (50%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: “Big Vik” Volkov delivered an awe-inspiring performance that left the crowd in Paris on their feet. Following a disappointing outcome in the Interim Heavyweight Championship Grand Prix finals, this win was exactly what he needed to keep his standing among the top contenders in the rankings. With this impressive victory, Big Vik has solidified his place in the upper echelon of the sport and is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the conversations surrounding future title challenges.
ROUND ONE: The crowd is on their feet as Isabel Azevedo and Ciaran Callahan touch gloves in the center of the cage to get this Co-Main Event bout underway. The first round starts with Azevedo measuring Callahan with her jab, but Callahan doesn’t seem fazed. Azevedo goes for a single leg takedown, and Callahan loses balance and hits the mat. Azevedo takes advantage of the situation and moves into side mount over Callahan, but Callahan isn’t giving up that easily. He creates space and scrambles back to his feet. Both fighters are now standing and continue to exchange blows. Callahan fakes a move and launches a nice uppercut that lands on Azevedo’s chin. Azevedo tries to bring the fight to the ground, but Callahan is able to defend himself and stays on his feet. As the round progresses, both fighters are wildly hitting the air with their punches. Azevedo attempts to sweep Callahan, catching his far ankle, and trips him to the mat. Azevedo struggles to free her leg and jumps to half guard, but Callahan sees an opening and traps her in full guard. Azevedo still tries to free her leg, but Callahan rolls on the ground and moves to side mount. Azevedo attempts to trap Callahan in her guard, but Callahan uses his strength to keep her at a disadvantage. Ron Anderson steps in to stand the fighters up due to a lack of activity, and both fighters continue the fight standing. Callahan launches a hook to the body that nearly folds Azevedo over, but Azevedo shakes it off. Callahan doesn’t let off and continues to rain punches until the horn.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Callahan
ROUND TWO: The second round started with both fighters circling around the center of the cage, trying to find an opening to strike. Callahan, who seemed fresh, landed a punch that grazed Azevedo’s left cheek, causing a small cut. Both fighters then exchanged wild punches, with Azevedo connecting with a few. Azevedo tried to take the fight to the ground with a single leg takedown, successfully bringing Callahan to the ground. Azevedo got in a closed guard position over Callahan, but Callahan was able to reverse the position and found himself in full mount over Azevedo. Callahan tried to keep his position while Azevedo made several attempts to escape from the full mount, but Callahan managed to maintain control. Azevedo tried to escape again, and after a brief struggle, Callahan caught Azevedo’s arm and tried an armbar. Azevedo was able to break the lock and roll over, ending up in side mount over Callahan. Callahan attempted to apply an armbar again but quickly switched to a triangle choke when Azevedo spun out. Azevedo slips free and gets back to her feet and the fight was briefly halted to stand Callahan up, and the fight resumed with both fighters standing. Callahan landed a solid straight punch, avoiding Azevedo’s dangerous strikes. Azevedo attempted to keep Callahan at a distance, but Callahan caught her right leg and took her down. Callahan found himself in side mount over Azevedo, and after Azevedo tried to turn and scramble out, Callahan locked up a guillotine. Azevedo was able to slip her head out and gain top control in open guard over Callahan. Callahan attempted to close his guard around Azevedo but was unsuccessful. He landed some weak punches on Azevedo’s ribs before finally succeeding in closing his guard. Azevedo attempted to strike with her right elbow, but Callahan blocked them. Callahan then reversed the position again, finding himself in full mount over Azevedo. Azevedo tried to roll to her side and trap Callahan in her guard, but Callahan took her back in a rear mount position. Callahan tried to end the fight with a Rear Naked Choke, but Azevedo managed to roll on the ground and break the lock, ending the round in half guard over Callahan.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Callahan (20-18 Callahan)
ROUND THREE: In the third and final round of this bout, Isabel Azevedo and Ciaran Callahan are ready and willing to leave it all out there in the cage. Azevedo takes the early advantage with a slick takedown, putting Callahan on his back. She lands in open guard and tries to finish the fight with a devastating leg lock, but Callahan refuses to give in, breaking the hold and trying to stand up. Azevedo quickly moves into full mount, but Callahan manages to get back to his feet. The fighters circle each other for a moment before Callahan unleashes a barrage of strikes. Azevedo shows off her defensive skills, blocking each punch with confidence. As Callahan retreats, Azevedo taunts him, asking if he came to fight or run away. She baits him in and shoots for a double leg takedown, but Callahan sprawls and stays on his feet. Azevedo takes a few moments to catch her breath before trying another takedown. This time, she catches Callahan off guard and takes him down to the ground again. Callahan immediately switches to high guard, trying to sink in a triangle choke. Azevedo struggles, her face turning red from the pressure, but she manages to slip her head out of the hold. Both fighters continue to battle on the ground, with Azevedo trying to pass to half guard and Callahan using his guard to keep her at bay. Ron Anderson grows impatient with the lack of action and stands the fighters up. As the round comes to a close, both fighters exchange wild punches while standing. It’s an intense and exciting end, showcasing the skill and tenacity of these two talented fighters.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Azevedo (29-28 Callahan)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
Isabel Azevedo 10 9 10: 29
Ciaran Callahan 9 10 9: 28
Isabel Azevedo 10 9 9: 28
Ciaran Callahan 9 10 10: 29
Isabel Azevedo 10 9 10: 29
Ciaran Callahan 9 10 9: 28
Winner: Isabel Azevedo by Split Decision
Statistics: Isabel Azevedo
Punches 3/11 (27%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 6/7 (86%)
GnP strikes 0/4 (0%)
Submissions 4/4 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 460 s
Statistics: Ciaran Callahan
Punches 14/24 (58%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 2/2 (100%)
GnP strikes 3/5 (60%)
Submissions 6/6 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 460 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: The Co-Main Event chess match was deadlocked for a full fifteen minutes, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats. While it could have gone either way, Azevedo emerged victorious with a razor thin split decision, securing a spot in the semifinals of the Bantamweight Championship Grand Prix. Despite his defeat, Ciaran Callahan displayed remarkable potential in only his sixth professional fight. Had he let his hands go a little more like he did in his Union debut against Tim Vu, the outcome of this bout would have very likely been flipped in his favor. Without a doubt, Callahan’s future looks bright and he is a fighter to watch in the coming years.
ROUND ONE: The atmosphere in the arena is electric as the fighters make their way to the center of the cage. The referee, Lars Levy, looks ready to call the bout as the fighters touch gloves and make it official. Right out of the gate, Parsons launches a devastating middle kick that sends Bombelles reeling. Parsons follows up with some vicious rib shots that have Bombelles wincing in pain. Both fighters circle around each other, looking for an opening to strike. The two exchange blows, but nothing seems to have much effect until Bombelles unleashes a furious oblique kick that hyperextends Parsons’ left leg. Parsons hesitates for a moment, but is able to recover. Parsons moves in for the clinch, and it’s clear that she’s the more powerful fighter in close range. She pummels Bombelles with a series of brutal uppercuts that backs her up on the fence. Bombelles tries to circle free, but Parsons keeps her locked in with the clinch and continues to rain down blows on her ribs. Parsons launches a devastating knee that lands squarely in Bombelles’ abdomen, leaving her gasping for air. Bombelles is clearly hurt, and Parsons takes advantage by delivering a flurry of bone-breaking punches that have Bombelles on the verge of collapse. As the fight wears on, Parsons continues to punish Bombelles with lightning-fast kicks and punches. Bombelles tries to mount a comeback, but Parsons is simply too powerful and too skilled. In the end, it’s Parsons who lands the final blow with a devastating head kick that leaves Bombelles confused and dazed. The referee steps in and the bout is over, with Parsons emerging victorious.
Winner: Rachel Parsons by TKO (High Kick) at 2:53 Round 1
Statistics: Rachel Parsons
Punches 12/15 (80%)
Kicks 7/7 (100%)
Clinch strikes 7/7 (100%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 1/1 (100%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Statistics: Eugenie Bombelles
Punches 6/6 (100%)
Kicks 1/2 (50%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
Isaac Cohen’s Opinion: In a stunning turn of events, the formidable “Razor” Rachel Parsons secured a shocking victory in the first round amidst a hostile environment. With this remarkable triumph, Parsons has rightfully earned her place in the highly-anticipated Bantamweight Championship Grand Prix semifinals where she will clash with Isabel Azevedo. Notably, Parsons’ recent display of remarkable fight IQ is a testament to her growth, having previously delivered lackluster performances in her first two Union fights. Despite facing an unfortunate setback, the immensely talented Eugenie Bombelles remains a formidable contender in this division, poised to make a thunderous comeback and continue to pose a significant threat for many years to come.
Venue: Accor Arena
Location: Paris, France
Attendance: 19,755
Date: March 12, 2023
Fighter Payouts: $3,715,000
Gate: $3,951,000
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Kian De Beer vs Lito Belucci
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT
Mike Hunt, Victoria Marshall, Viktor Volkov, Rachel Parsons
DISCLOSED EARNINGS
Viktor Volkov ($670,000)
Rachel Parsons ($400,000)
Kian De Beer ($320,000)
Victoria Marshall ($320,000)
Eugenie Bombelles ($300,000)
Isabel Azevedo ($300,000)
Sadie Williams ($270,000)
Cezar Miklos ($135,000)
Alex Hughes ($120,000)
Mike Hunt ($120,000)
Lito Belucci ($110,000)
Ciaran Callahan ($100,000)
Benji Meyers ($95,000)
Syn Saetang ($85,000)
MANDEM ($70,000)
Omar Makonza ($60,000)
Osvaldo Ledesma ($60,000)
Caleb O’Shea ($60,000)
Tilly Jean Wade ($60,000)
Alex Cox ($60,000)
QUICK RECAP
Mike Hunt def. Cezar Miklos by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
MANDEM def. Alex Cox by Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Alex Hughes def. Tilly Jean Wade by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 29-28)
Benji Meyers def. Caleb O’Shea by TKO (Punches) at 0:58 Round 1
Victoria Marshall def. Syn Saetang by TKO (GnP) at 4:54 Round 1
Sadie Williams def. Osvaldo Ledesma by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Kian De Beer def. Lito Belucci by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 1:57 Round 2
Viktor Volkov def. Omar Makonza by KO (Punch) at 1:27 Round 1
Isabel Azevedo def. Ciaran Callahan by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 29-28)
Rachel Parsons def. Eugenie Bombelles by TKO (High Kick) at 2:53 Round 1
