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What a landmark event we had this weekend, folks, as KOTB 20 would go on to set records in ticket revenue, rating and fighter pay. Hayashi’s Lounge would pay host to two title fights on Saturday – one of which would see a victorious challenger. Let’s get into it:
Opening the undercard was a clash at light heavyweight, as undefeated Brit, Norbert Fortenberry took on Sao Paulo’s Zico Ali. The Brazilian looked loose in the opening moments and landed a nice body punch before moving the fight into the clinch. Fortenberry would counter by jumping guard and immediately moved his legs in position for a triangle. Ali recognized it and slammed his way into side control, but the British purple belt would stay calm and recover guard before moving in on another triangle choke. The seemingly loose triangle quickly tightened and Ali was forced to tap soon after. Ali is now in a must-win situation, while Fortenberry will bring his unblemished record to his home country at KOTB Dinamite on New Year’s Eve.
Norbert Fortenberry (6-0, 2-0) defeats Zico “The Kick” Ali (3-5, 0-3) via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 - 01:36
It was a battle of Europe at heavyweight next, as Croatia’s Mirko Vukovic took on Sweden’s Magnus Karlsson. Vukovic has yet to be out of the first round in his young career, and that trend would continue in his record-tying seventh fight for the promotion. Vukovic would open with a jab and followed it up with a brutal headkick that dropped and bloodied his suddenly stunned opponent. Karlssson showed heart and avoided a few shots from his back, but a sickening hammer fist would put the big man out for good. Win or lose, both of these young heavyweights always put on a show.
Mirko “The Shadow” Vukovic (4-3, 4-3) defeats Magnus Karlsson (5-2, 2-2) via KO (Strikes) R1 - 00:25
We’d move back to light heavyweight when former heavyweight challenger Ezekiel Puchowski made his debut in the weight class against Casey Frost. Puchowski has always been a smaller heavyweight, so there were some questions in how he’d handle the weight cut and the speed of the division, but it looks like he passed his first test with flying colors. The fan favorite used his weight advantage to wear out his opponent in the clinch, landing potshots as he moved in and out with ease. Frost had his moments - especially at the end of the first round - as he managed to get the fight to the floor and go for a series of submissions. For the most part, however, the stockier Polish boxer controlled the pace of the entire fight. The end came at just over a minute in the final round, as Puchowski rocked his opponent, moved into the clinch and finished the job with a nice uppercut. Frost is now 0-3 for the promotion and will need a good victory to get back on his feet, while Puchowski looks forward to returning to Europe on New Year’s Eve for Dinamite.
Ezekiel “Power Trip” Puchowski (7-2, 4-2) defeats Casey Frost (2-3, 0-3) via TKO (Strikes) R3 - 01:41
We’d bounce back to heavyweight to watch a pair of fighters each make their fifth appearance for the promotion, as Gustavo Gouveia took on Mick McManus in a fight that was destined to end early. Despite a huge jiu-jitsu advantage, Gouveia came out throwing heat, but after connecting on a few good punches that surprised his opponent, McManus would counter with heavy leather. A big one-two would drop Gouveia early and changed the course of the fight. From there, McManus easily everything Gouveia threw out at him, as the lumbering Brazilian came forward with sloppy punches and takedowns – most notably a result of the early damage. The Scottish striker would seal the deal with four big right hands that put the lights out of Gouveia’s night and possibly career, as his new management dropped him after just one fight. McManus is suddenly a real contender and could see a title shot after another victory.
“Merciless” Mick McManus (4-1, 4-1) defeats Gustavo "Montanha" Gouveia (4-3, 2-3) via KO (Strikes) R1 - 02:32
Our featured prelim would be a ‘fight of the night’ candidate, as Marty McFly and Messi Suarez engaged in a heated back-and-forth scrap at light heavyweight. The two fighters have iron chins and proved it on Saturday night. The first round was the closest; as Suarez used the clinch to set up his punches and moved forward throughout. McFly, however, did manage to break the clinch numerous times and got stronger as each round went on. Despite both fighters standing in the pocket for 15 minutes, neither got knocked down, rocked or even cut. In the end, all three judges would side with the American who now looks forward to the title shot he’s been wanting since his arrival.
Marty Mcfly (6-1, 2-1) defeats Messi “Neymar” Suarez (5-3, 0-1) via Decision (Unanimous)
We’d open the main card in the featherweight division and see a flawless performance from a new contender. Las Vegas born and raised Nameless Fighter made his second fight for the promotion against Romanian newcomer Vasile Carlova in a fight that had title implications. Both fighters showed top-shelf striking defense to start, as neither fighter could get into range to land. Fighter would eventually find a clinch, however, and immediately showed his dominance there. Carlova, despite an excellent muay thai background, seemed overwhelmed by Fighter’s dirty boxing in the clinch and succumbed to a flurry of punches against the cage in the final minute of the first round. Fighter is now the clear #1 contender and will wait for a title shot early in the New Year.
Nameless “G O A T” Fighter (9-0, 2-0) defeats Vasile “Ruina” Carlova (3-3, 0-1) via TKO (Strikes) R1 - 04:10
Next up, former KT champion Giblert Melendez and former KOTB champion Eric Ashton would engage in a ‘fight of the night’ performance at middleweight. The consensus between KOTB fans and critics alike was that Ashton would cruise to a victory if he could get this one to the ground, but the former Mexican KT champion had other things in mind. Melendez would open the fight by getting the better of a few exchanges before getting taken down early by his British opponent. Ashton swung for an armbar, but Melendez would use the momentum and reverse the position on his opponent. The two would engage in a frantic fight for position for the rest of the round that saw a number of sweeps the crowd’s delight. Ashton would take the second round on the strength of his top control and submission attack, but Melendez’s defensive grappling would help him survive the round. Melendez would then dig deep in the third round and came out guns blazing. Ashton would find a late takedown, but the early round work would ultimately give the former kickboxer a unanimous 29-28 decision across the judge’s scorecards. Ashton may be a bit worn down after a very active lifestyle and fighting career at such a young age, so the fighter has decided to focus on training before making his much anticipated return. Melendez, on the other hand, has made an amazing transition to MMA and looks forward to a title shot on New Year’s Eve.
Giblert Melendez (5-0, 2-0) defeats Eric Ashton (7-3, 2-2) via Decision (Unanimous)
Our final non-title fight on the evening saw former light heavyweight champion Third Round Romero take on the dangerous Diederik Boschman. We knew this one would be over early, as neither fighter has ever seen the second round, but we didn’t think it would be this one sided. Boschman knew he’d have to get things into the clinch, but as he tried to push himself in and throw elbows, Romero countered with devastating punches. At just 28 seconds, a straight right hand from Romero would put Boschman out on the feet. The former Olympian then fell face first onto the mat in a brutal display for the fans. Romero seems to have gained his championship confidence and will look to get back to the title after another win or two. Boschman, on the other hand, needs to go back to the drawing board after losing two of his last three.
Third Round “YOLO” Romero (8-1, 3-1) defeats Diederik “The Hidden Blade” Boschman (4-2, 4-2) via KO (Punch) R1 - 00:28
Our co-main event was about as a heated of a fight as we’ve ever had down here in Rio. A lot of people questioned the signing of Ganbaatar Khan, as he had a string of disqualifications in his kickboxing career, as well as a storied history of violent and dishonest behavior. At the end of the day, however, the 21-fight veteran puts butts in the seats and is willing to fight anyone without notice. The champion, Nathan Fisher, is a stark contrast in character, so we knew sparks would fly in this title fight. Khan was jawing at his opponent from the touch of the gloves and landed a nice leg kick before the champ got the fight to the ground – right where he wanted it. From here, it was academic, as the Canadian softened up his opponent with solid ground and pound before finishing the fight with a slick armbar finish. Khan wasn’t done, however, as he took to the mic and belittled the champion before spitting blood in his face. The two had to be separated and Khan was kicked out of the arena. We’re not sure what the consequences will be, but the fans have been all over social media since.
Nathan “The Constrictor” Fisher (5-1, 2-0) defeats “The Steel Hero” Ganbaatar Khan (10-12, 0-1) via Submission (Armbar) R1 - 03:59
The KOTB light heavyweight belt had seen three difference champions in its short tenure before our main event, with none who were able to defend it. That trend would continue on Saturday night, as Canadian newcomer Devon Bailey shocked fans in a relatively one-sided fight against the now former champion Yuri Boyka. The Russian fighter looked good in the opening moments, as he hit Bailey with a nice hook and a thudding body kick, but it would be all Bailey from there on out. The Canadian did most of his work in the clinch to open the fight, but a series of punches in the opening moments of the second stanza would spell the end of Boyka’s reign as champion. A picture perfect uppercut and follow-up punches would force the referee to intervene and suddenly we have two Canadian champions down in Rio. Bailey will now look to be the first KOTB LHW champion to successfully defend his belt, as he takes on a surging Marty Mcfly on our aforementioned New Year’s event.
Devon “Bam Bam” Bailey (6-0, 1-0) defeats Yuri “Hands of Stone” Boyka (5-2, 2-1) via TKO (Strikes) R2 - 00:29
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