Garcia Promotions had a full fight card this past Friday night at the Humble Civic Center. Cage Combat 23 saw three new champions crowned, and the next challenger for the lightweight title. The event itself was full of action, with only three decision. but was marred by some questionable score on the scorecards.
All three title fights ended via submission. In the main event, Ryan Connelly submitted Mikey Patterson via armbar in the first round to capture the welterweight title. There were good exchanges on the feet from both fighters, but Connelly pulled guard and locked in the submission.
Alonso Sanchez and Christian Lira both won their titles by submitting their opponents with rear-naked chokes. Sanchez wasted little time looking to get the fight to the ground. After a brief scramble, Sanchez took the back of Gustavo Gomez and was able to finish the fight, and also winning the featherweight title. Christian Lira and Tony Nguyen went in the 4th round of a fun scrap. But it was Lira who was able to out work Nguyen and wear him down with his constant pressure from grappling.
In the fight in which I thought earned Fight of the Night, Joh Altum and Kyle Villarreal began their verbal sparring at weigh-ins. The two were mouthing off to one another, coming face to face, and having to be separated. The animosity between the two carried over into the cage, and it led to an exciting fight. Altum and Villarreal both looked great on the feet, but it was Altum’s grappling that was the difference maker. Altum was able to transition from the back to the armbar in the third round to get the win.
Sebastian Storm and Logan Eckert resembled the fight between Kimbo Slice and Dada 5000, except, no one died and had to be resuscitated after. Storm started off strong, landing some hard strikes, but Eckert was able to weather the storm. After the first round, both fighters were noticeably exhausted, this is where the resemblance between Kimbo and Dada come in. Even though both fighters were riding on fumes, they both looked to finish the fight. Storm was able to score more points by securing multiple takedowns. When the ref would stand them up for inactivity, Storm would get another takedown. At one point in the fight when the ref threatened to stand them up, Storm pleaded that he didn’t. Eckert attempted to finish the fight in the third round, but didn’t have enough power in his strikes. Storm would earn the decision win.
Below are the results for the entire card, as well as a link to the photo gallery.
Complete Results:
Ryan Connelly def. Mikey Patterson via Submission (Armbar) – Rd. 1. New 170 Champion
Alonso Sanchez def. Gustavo Gomez via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Rd. 1. NEW 145 Champion
Christian Lira def. Tony Nguyen via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Rd. 4. NEW 125 Champion
Melvin Giron def. Dayron Vasquez via TKO – Rd. 1. Giron earns 155 title shot
Josh Altum def. Kyle Villarreal via Submission (Armbar) – Rd. 3 – FOTN
Sebastian Storm def. Logan Eckert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Karla Hernandez def. Itzel Esquivel via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Amber Schoech def. Whitney Rice via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Rd. 2 SOTN
Derrick Ageday def. Christopher Haire via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Anthony Cruz def. Jared Clark via TKO (Knee to body, strikes) – Rd. 2 KOTN
Chantz Gibson def. Christopher Miller via Submission (Armbar) – Rd. 1
Mark Meyer def. Mason Wunderlich via TKO – Rd. 1
Nino Villarreal def. Michael Rodriguez via TKO – Rd. 2
Tim Cormier def. Marcellus Brown via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Rd. 2
Carlos Melara def. Ben Hericheta via Submission (Armbar) – Rd. 1
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