THE LEAD-UP: The opening fight this evening features a Cruiserweight bout between Yusnuel Gamboa and Suhaim Chraibi. The 225 pound division has been featured heavily as of late, but these two haven’t played much of a role in the rejuvenation. Wandering in the basement of the division, both of these fighters need a statement win tonight to put themselves on the Cruiserweight map.
ROUND ONE: The crowd is excited for this night of fights to begin and the enthusiasm shows as Gamboa and Chraibi touch gloves to get this one started. Chraibi is light on his feet, bouncing back and forth, while Gamboa is a bit more stoic as he shifts from side to side. A feint from Gamboa freezes Chraibi long enough for him to shoot in for a takedown, but it looks like Chraibi was ready for some wrestling as he sprawls back and stuffs the takedown. Gamboa gets back to his feet but before he can circle out of range, Chraibi launches a head kick. Gamboa covered up his sides thinking a middle kick was incoming, leaving his head wide open and nearly got his head knocked off his shoulders. Before Gamboa can even react, Chraibi rushes in with a flurry of punches. Gamboa gets touched up pretty good and has no choice but to shoot another takedown. This time he hits it and brings the fight to the mat. The two scramble for control, and Gamboa ends up pushing Chraibi up against the fence to improve his position. Chraibi surprises Gamboa with an armbar attempt from the bottom, and he nearly sinks it in until Gamboa slips out and gets to his feet. Chraibi follows him up and goes back to inching his way into striking range. Chraibi finds his rhythm and methodically picks Gamboa apart with his striking and keeps him far enough away to disarm the takedown threat all the way up to the buzzer. Suhaim Chraibi easily takes the first round with his stand up, and surprised many, Gamboa included, with the technical armbar attempt from the bottom.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Chraibi
ROUND TWO: After a bit of a feeling out process in the first round, the second round begins with both fighters engaging in a wild exchange. Both are missing more shots than they are landing which causes Chraibi to circle out and reset himself. Gamboa inches his way closer by working behind the jab, but the strikes that land doesn’t seem to faze Chraibi all too much. Gamboa feints a move and goes in for another takedown, but Chraibi stuffs it once again. Chraibi then turns the heat up on Gamboa, mixing in an assortment of striking, targeting the head, body, and legs. Chraibi connects about as many as he misses, but it’s enough for Gamboa to try and force another takedown which gets stuffed easily. Gamboa seems to get frustrated and the two trade hands back and forth which allows Gamboa to set up the takedown properly and finally bring the fight back to the mat. Gamboa positions himself for some ground and pound, but Chraibi covers up well to defend it. The two scramble and Chraibi switches to high guard and goes for a triangle attempt from the bottom. Gamboa nearly gets caught, but somehow manages to slip free and get to his feet. The referee halts the action for a second to allow Chraibi to stand back up and the fight resumes on the feet. Gamboa tries to go on the offensive, but his combos mostly hit air. It’s enough, however, to get Chraibi off balance and allow Gamboa to hit a picture perfect sweep single to bring the fight back down. Not much action from either fighter from here as they scramble for control until the buzzer. This round was a lot more competitive, and I have to lean toward giving this round to Yusnuel Gamboa. On my cards, it’s all tied up, leaving the final five minutes to decide the victor.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Gamboa (19-19 Push)
ROUND THREE: Final round and as both fighters step out from their corners, you can see the fatigue is setting in, but the will is all there. The two touch gloves once again and circle around as they look for openings and also possibly catch their breath. Chraibi sees an opening first and strikes with punches in bunches. Gamboa gets tagged with some big shots and circles out of striking range to regroup. Chraibi tries to cut him off, but Gamboa continues to keep plenty of distance. Chraibi tries to play some mind games and bait Gamboa in by taunting him, but it only gets a reaction from the crowd. Gamboa gets a verbal warning from the referee for his timidity and only then closes in with Chraibi. The Morrocan native outboxes the Cuban with a series of lightning fast one-two combinations that causes Gamboa’s face to swell up. Chraibi switches things up and launches a liver kick that nearly toppled Gambo to the mat, but be backpedals and tries to recover. With the added distance, Chraibi rushes in, jumps up and goes for a flying armbar! Everyone in the building gasped in shock and awe as Chraibi clenched on and nearly had it secured, but Gamboa was able to slip his arm out and jump on top to half guard on the ground. Chraibi was moving non stop from the bottom, and nearly hooked in a kneebar, but Gamboa turned and kicked out and escaped to his feet. Chraibi got back up and the two decided to just run the rest of the clock out. No question Chraibi won this round with his aggressiveness in both striking and submissions. I got this 2-1 in favor of Suhaim Chraibi, but let’s see how the judges saw it.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-9 Chraibi (29-28 Chraibi)
JUDGES’ SCORECARDS
Yusnuel Gamboa 9 10 9: 28
Suhaim Chraibi 10 9 10: 29
Yusnuel Gamboa 9 9 9: 27
Suhaim Chraibi 10 10 10: 30
Yusnuel Gamboa 9 9 9: 27
Suhaim Chraibi 10 10 10: 30
Winner: Suhaim Chraibi by Unanimous Decision
Statistics: Yusnuel Gamboa
Punches 0/16 (0%)
Kicks 0/0 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 3/6 (50%)
GnP strikes 0/5 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 218 s
Statistics: Suhaim Chraibi
Punches 23/32 (72%)
Kicks 5/5 (100%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 0/0 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 5/5 (100%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 225 s
THE LEAD-UP: Next up on the docket we head into the Land of the Giants as two Heavyweights are ready to clash. Billy Tweeds has shown some upside in his five pro fights, but has stumbled against the elite competition. A win for him here will help regain some confidence and make another run at targeting a top tier opponent. Harmon Janssen on the other hand has been on a slippery slope, losing five of his last six, which includes his last three fights. If there ever was a fighter that needed a win to justify his payroll, Harmon is that fighter here tonight.
ROUND ONE: Billy Tweeds and Harmon Janssen touch gloves to get this one started. Both fighters are cautious with their approach initially, as they circle around looking for any openings. Janssen targets the body with a couple of hooks, but Tweeds is able to elude them. Janssen tries to keep the pressure on and continues to throw hands, but Tweeds stays on his bicycle and dodges the shots. While Tweeds is backpedaling, he finds an opening and connects with a brutal uppercut. Janssen staggers on his feet, but shows his awareness by circling away to recover from eating such a big shot. Billy Tweeds mirrors Janssen’s movements and cuts him off with a big hook to the ribcage. Janssen lowers his arms to wince in pain, leaving himself wide open for Tweeds to land a crushing hook right on the cheek. Janssen circles away once again, but he’s clearly in some trouble as his eye is noticeably swelling already. Tweeds’ body language shows he can sense his opponent is hurt, and methodically circles in range. As Janssen stumbles on his feet, Tweeds throws a quick one-two combo and that second shot cuts the circuit board off Harmon Janssen. Billy Tweeds walks off, knowing his job is done as Janssen crumbles to the mat and the referee waves it off. A flawless fight for the Red Rock prospect, who puts himself back in the win column.
Winner: Billy Tweeds by KO (Punch) at 2:12 Round 1
Statistics: Billy Tweeds
Punches 5/5 (100%)
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: Harmon Janssen
Punches 0/4 (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 0/1 (0%)
Time on the ground 0 s
THE LEAD-UP: In the final contest on the undercard, we have a Middleweight bout scheduled between Aries Reed and Ricardo Sandoval, two fighters who have been on a slump as of late. Both fighters are on a three fight losing skid, both losing their last fight at Boss Fight XXIV, and both need to stop the leak of a sinking ship. A win tonight may not jump the victor up the rankings, but at the very least plug the hole and help them return back to their once winning ways.
ROUND ONE: The crowd is amped up when the bell sounds to make this official. Both fighters touch gloves and with no time to waste, Aries Reed works the body with a couple stout hooks. Sandoval circles out, but Reed works behind the jab to get back into a comfortable striking range. Sandoval fires back with a couple jabs while Reed leans back and connects with a cross. Sandoval stumbles on his heels and Reed rushes in to pin him against the fence in a plum clinch. The two pummel for position but neither gain any significant control, so Reed decides to slip out and back off. Off the break, Reed and Sandoval get in a bit of a back and forth exchange, and Sandoval is getting the upper hand. He tries throwing a front kick to catch Reed off guard, but he misses his target and the two go back to trading hands. Reed now starts to find his rhythm as he turns the tide in his favor. Sandoval tries to grapple to slow things down, but Reed ducks under. As Reed turns back to face his opponent, Sandoval changes levels and brings the fight to the mat with a well-timed double leg takedown. On the ground, Sandoval is able to land a few elbows to the body while in open guard. He sees a tight window and lands a big elbow that bounces Reed’s head off the mat and gives the referee some cause to be concerned. Sandoval tries to improve his position, but Reed blocks him off, so he instead postures up and starts dropping bombs from up top. Reed eats a few big shots before he covers up, but this now allows Sandoval to move to half guard. The two jockey back and forth for position for a while before Sandoval tries dropping some more elbows at the body to open his opponent up. Reed, however, uses his forearms to pad his ribs and block the shots. The slight change in leverage causes a rabid scramble, and somehow Aries Reed manages to escape to his feet. Sandoval is close behind on his way up, and tries to catch Reed off guard with a bodylock takedown, but Reed kicks his hips out and sprawls back to stay upright. On the break, Reed catches Sandoval with a frenzied combination that puts him on skates. Out of nowhere, Sandoval is in serious trouble and the crowd is getting more animated with each punch landing. The storm from Reed continues to pour over Sandoval as he looks like he’s cracking eggs with a sledgehammer. One last straight right from Aries Reed separates Sandoval from his sense and this one ends in stunning fashion inside the first frame.
Winner: Aries Reed by KO (Punches) at 3:51 Round 1
Statistics: Aries Reed
Punches 15/20 (75%)
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 87 s
Statistics: Ricardo Sandoval
Punches 9/13 (69%)
Kicks 0/1 (0%)
Clinch strikes 0/0 (0%)
Takedowns 1/2 (50%)
GnP strikes 5/12 (42%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 87 s
THE LEAD-UP: Leading into the Co-Main Event, we have a Cruiserweight battle between Lovelie Saint-Cyr and Wenzel Kautz. The German native Kautz has been in a rut as of late, losing his last two fights against Jose Meléndez and Michael Santos. He’s in need of a big splash victory, and has the opportunity to do so here tonight. LSC turned some heads when he decided to make his Union debut at 225, but he has since silenced the doubters after putting on an aggressive effort in the Triple C Grand Prix. Although he came up short against the eventual winner Gauge Lattimore, he’s the only fighter to make him go the distance. However, there are no moral victories in MMA, and Saint-Cyr is looking to solidify himself as a top contender in the division.
ROUND ONE: The fight opens up with Lovelie Saint-Cyr not waiting around and launches a big head kick that rocks Wenzel Kautz early. LSC sees him wobbling and rushes in to capitalize, but Kautz manages to cover himself up and block the strikes to recover. As the two circle around and settle back down, Saint-Cyr lands some perfect punches that backs up Kautz. Saint-Cyr is finding his rhythm early as she shows off some solid footwork dodging any offense thrown his way. Saint-Cyr blocks two uppercuts that weren’t setup properly from Kautz, and misses with a counter straight left hand. Kautz bobs and weaves to try and keep LSC guessing, but ends up eating a big left hand. LSC storms in with some combos, but Kautz manages to protect himself. Kautz throws a leg kick but LSC checks it and counters with a big uppercut that nearly lifts him off the ground. Saint-Cyr starts to find his rhythm as he begins to tee off on Wenzel Kautz. He lands a stiff jab that splits Kautz’s lip, a middle kick right to the sternum, and two uppercuts that cuts him up badly. Kautz’s vision seems to be affected as he’s constantly wiping the blood out from his eyes. LSC lands a big hook to the body that folds over Kautz and a leg kick that wrecks his knee. Kautz is in serious trouble as LSC swings for the fences and continues the onslaught. LSC checks another kick and counters with an uppercut. Kautz circles away but LSC keeps close, forcing him to throw another desperate leg kick that gets checked once again and countered by a big left hook from LSC. Right at the buzzer, Saint-Cyr lands an uppercut that drops Kautz, but Wenzel manages to get up and barely continues to see another round. This was a complete one sided round, and could be argued that at some points could have been stopped. Nevertheless, Wenzel Kautz will be able to get worked on and get a quick breather in hopes of producing a better performance in the next round.
Isaac Cohen’s Scorecard (Unofficial): 10-8 Saint-Cyr
ROUND TWO: Despite the valiant work from the cutman, Wenzel Kautz steps out of his corner still leaky. The second round started off much the same as the first, as Saint-Cyr continues to assert his dominance over Kautz. LSC checks a kick and counters with a right hook and blood splatters across the mat. Kautz gets wild as he throws an uppercut that LSC easily dodges and counters with an uppercut of his own. LSC follows it up with a middle kick that knocks the wind out of Kautz, who shuffles away to try and regroup. By now Wenzel Kautz is stalling, as he continues to circle away and not engage and the crowd is starting to notice and rain down boos on the German native. Saint-Cyr stays patient and cautiously continues to keep the pressure on Kautz. LSC manages to box him in a corner and launches a head kick that absolutely rocks Wenzel Kautz. The crowd roars in anticipation, but again Kautz almost runs away to avoid any further damage. Despite the timidity, Saint-Cyr continues to work off the counter game and outbox Kautz when the timing is right. The time is ticking and as we reach the end of the round, Saint-Cyr grows frustrated as Kautz continues to avoid any action. Saint-Cyr cuts him off and starts lighting his legs up with vicious kicks one after another. Kautz cannot see from the blood dripping down his face and cannot move fast enough with each kick chopping away. Kautz eventually topples over like a redwood and with just seconds remaining in the fight, the referee steps in to wave this one off. Great call from the referee, as Kautz had no right continuing on for another possible five minutes with the Hit Squad prospect. A near flawless victory for LSC and another deserving reason why he sits atop the Cruiserweight contender rankings.
Winner: Lovelie Saint-Cyr by TKO (Low Kicks) at 4:56 Round 2
Statistics: Lovelie Saint-Cyr
Punches 32/47 (68%)
Kicks 11/11 (100%)
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: Wenzel Kautz
Punches 0/19 (0%)
Kicks 0/2 (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
THE LEAD-UP: Finally we head into the Main Event for the evening, which features two top contenders in the Heavyweight Division as Viktor Volkov takes on Joseph Byrne. Both of these guys have challenged for the title and come up short and look to make a return sooner rather than later. Both come into this fight off a win and look to make it two in a row. There is a bit of a traffic jam at the top of the Heavyweight Division, so one spectacular performance could be enough to punch their ticket back into title contention once again.
ROUND ONE: The bell sounds, marking the beginning of this fight and both men touch gloves to get this one started. The two circle around for just a brief moment before Joseph Byrne connects with a big uppercut that snaps Viktor Volkov’s head back and gets a rowdy reaction from the crowd. Byrne follows up with a fast one-two combo that keeps Volkov guessing. Big Vik manages to circle away, but Byrne works behind the jab to keep his range. Volkov sees an opening from his opponent and rushes in with a furious flurry that puts Byrne in a world of hurt. Byrne gets back up into the fence, but circles out and the two engage in a heated exchange. Both fighters are landing big shots and everyone is on the edge of their seats, believing this one would end at any moment. Volkov finishes the back and forth with a brutal haymaker that puts Byrne on skates. However, Byrne shakes off the cobwebs and works his way back in, feints a right hand and connects with a big left hook. Both of these fighters’ faces are swelling quickly from the dynamite hands thrown at one another. Byrne tries backpedaling to reset his footing, but Volkov tries walking him down. This proves to be costly for Big Vik as Byrne baits him in and connects with another devastating left hook that gives Volkov Bambi legs. Byrne rushes in to try and finish it off, but Volkov isn’t going down that east. The two exchange punches back and forth, taking heavy damage in the process. Byrne starts dodging and countering the attacks, putting Volkov in serious trouble. The referee warns Volkov to defend himself, but he continues to eat a vast cluster of uncontested shots. Byrne connects with an unsuspecting right hook, and follows up with a left uppercut and the referee has seen enough. He steps in to wave off the fight, and despite the outrage from a groggy Volkov, this fight goes to Joey Byrne.
Winner: Joseph Byrne by TKO (Uppercut) at 2:10 Round 1
Statistics: Viktor Volkov
Punches 13/20 (65%)
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: Joseph Byrne
Punches 21/23 (91%)
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
Venue: AccorHotels Arena
Location: Paris, France
Attendance: 20,300
Date: August 29, 2021
Fighter Payouts: $2,240,000
Gate: $1,725,500
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
N/A
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT
Suhaim Chraibi, Billy Tweeds, Lovelie Saint-Cyr, Joseph Byrne
TOP EARNERS
Aries Reed ($820,000)
Joseph Byrne ($400,000)
Lovelie Saint-Cyr ($350,000)
Viktor Volkov ($300,000)
Harmon Janssen ($110,000)
RECAP
Suhaim Chraibi def. Yusnuel Gamboa by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)
Billy Tweeds def. Harmon Janssen by KO (Punch) at 2:12 Round 1
Aries Reed def. Ricardo Sandoval by KO (Punches) at 3:51 Round 1
Lovelie Saint-Cyr def. Wenzel Kautz by TKO (Low Kicks) at 4:56 Round 2
Joseph Byrne def. Viktor Volkov by TKO (Uppercut) at 2:10 Round 1
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