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 LONDON, ENGLAND - Not one, not two, but three title fights in what goes down as one of the biggest events of the year. Combate 207 goes down in the history books.
The first title fight saw the Bantamweight title change hands from the long-time champion and hometown hero Eduardo Corassa (40-16-2) and to the new hotness, Johnny Albatross (23-5-0). Johnny dominated start to finish, as the younger fight was just too fast for his veteran counterpart. In the 2nd round he finished the former champ off with a flurry of punches and that was all she wrote, we have a new Bantamweight champion, Johnny Albatross! Johnny is currently slotted to defend his bantamweight strap against Lyndsay Apollo (25-9-0).
The co-main event featured a Light Heavyweight championship match between the face of Combate and first ballot hall of famer, "The Pitbull" Mohammed Kahn (37-10-1) and Roberto Fabinho (20-8-1).
Roberto looked like he was on cruise control for nearly 4 rounds, taking Kahn to the ground and controlling the action. Kahn looked lethargic all night and it wasn't until the 4th round that Kahn appeared to show some urgency, using a kimura to reverse the position and take top control, where he worked to Roberto's back and synched in a rear naked choke with only seconds left in the round.
The fans in attendance went nuts and many expected Kahn to hang up the gloves following such an epic comeback finish, but Kahn just thanked his fans and ensured them that he'd be back - which resulted in a standing ovation from the 93,000 fans in attendance. Who his next opponent would be? That would TBD... but not for long...
The main event was featured the 4th showdown between Middleweight rivals Barack Obaminator (29-14-0) and the reigning champion and grappling sensation Shinnosuke Nakagawa (22-8-0).
Their last fight ended in controversy, a razor closed contest that resulted in a majority decision in favor of the champ, and it appeared that another close fight was underway through the midway point after the fighters split a round a piece.
Nakagawa dictated where the fight was going to take place, but Obaminator seemed more than willing to oblige a grappling match, with both fighters going for submissions. The jiujitsu on display would give BJJ instructors all over the glove chubbies, as they were rolling around all over the canvas.
In the 3rd round Obaminator would find himself with his back on the canvas, with a smothering Japanese wizard working his way to his back, and as if not to be outdone by Kahn in the co-main event, Nakagawa locked in a rear naked choke tapping Obaminator out with seconds left in the 3rd round.
That victory earned Nakagawa another submission of the night and boosted his status as the most dangerous middleweight grappler in the world. What's next for Nakagawa? He has his ambitious sights set on double champ status, moving up to LHW to take on the current champion Mohammed Kahn, perhaps trying to avenge his teammate.
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