CURTIS MILLENDER WINS UNF MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE WITH 2nd ROUND TKO OVER SALAIMAN AHMADYAR.
ACTOR DANNY TREJO MEETS FANS AND JOINS FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES FROM BAD MEDS.
In just 8 short months, Up Next Fighting has taken the MMA fight scene by storm with 5 fan-friendly MMA shows providing action and entertainment both inside and outside the cage.
Last weekend was no different as a record setting crowd at Commerce Casino saw UFC and Bellator Veteran “Courteous” Curtis Millender (19-8) become the UNF Middleweight Champion with a 2nd round TKO victory over Northern California prospect, Salaiman “The Cutthroat Assassin” Ahmadyar (8-4).
Award-winning actor and L.A. culture legend, Danny Trejo personally appeared to help raise awareness of the BAD MEDS campaign to help save the lives of millions of people taking counterfeit drugs. Joined by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and families who have lost loved ones to fake meds, Trejo and the special guests witnessed a total of 14 bouts on an epic night of MMA action.
Here are the results:
In the main event of the evening Cutis Millender (18-8) was able to withstand the wrestling heavy attack of Salaman Ahmadyar (8-3) long enough to score a highlight reel head kick that dropped Ahmadyar. Milender attempted to walk off but the referee needed some convincing. After a quick follow up barrage, Milender earned himself the inaugural Up Next Fighting Middleweight title.
Official Decision: Millender by TKO at 4:55 of Round 2.
In the Co-main event of the evening, Serob “Gulo” Minasyan (13-11) survived an early knockdown against David Douglas (9-11) only to score one of his own just moments later. After Gulo was dropped by Douglas with a huge right, Minasyan immediately took Douglas down. Douglas was able to get back to his feet only to be rewarded by heavy punches from Minasyan. In the end, it was a huge left hand from Minasyan that floored Douglas prompting the referee to stop the fight in what turned out to be a furious first round. Minasyan wins his 6th bout in a row!
Official Decision: Minasyan by KO at 3:27 of Round 1.
Chris “Taco” Padilla (9-6) came out very measured, but he did not waste any time in his fight against LJ Portee (3-4). Padilla attacked landed him in top position of Portee and a barrage of vicious elbows left Portee battered and bloodied. The referee stepped in to prevent Portee from further punishment and to give Padilla the first round TkO. Padilla improves his professional record to 10-6.
Official Decision: Padilla by TKO at 2:07 of Round 1.
Taylor Alfaro (5-5) came into his fight with Jesse Strader (4-3) with an aggressive attack, but it was Strader who did most of the damage. Late in the second round, Strader rocked Alfaro and dropped him to mat. Some follow up ground and pound from Strader was all the referee needed to see giving Strader the KO victory and improve his professional record to 5-3.
Official Decision: Jesse Strader by KO at 2:35 of the 2nd round.
Francisco Dimartino (5-5) did his best to control Keenan Lewis (4-5) on the ground in the first round. Butt as Dimartino begad to tire, Lewis took control and began to create space enough to land some vicious shoulder strikes from top position. Dimartino was unable to answer the bell in the third round as the doctor came in and stopped the fight. Lewis evened his record to 5-5 with the win.
Official Decision: Keenan Lewis by TKO at 5:00 of the 2nd round.
Brandon Spencer (0-0) had to wait over two months after his prior match with Marcelino Silva (0-3) was scratched when Silva suffered a shoulder injury just moments before the bout in the locker room. It was worth the wait for Spencer as he made his highly anticipated professional debut and put away Silva with some nasty strikes from top position.
Official Decision: Brandon Spencer by TKO at 1:16 of the 1st round.
In an exit bout, Ethyn Ewing (0-2) got off the shnide in tremendous fashion, needing only 15 seconds to put away James Acosta (2-6) to earn his first professional win. Ewing unleashed a nasty combination early that dropped Acosta head first. The referee quickly stepped in and stopped the fight giving Ewing the walk-off KO victory.
Official Decision: Ethyn Ewing by KO at :15 of the 1st round.
Rising Stars Results:
Emon Baker (6-2) captured the Rising Stars 155 strap with a unanimous decision over Christian Reaves (1-1).
Late sub Elwig Wassmer (3-0) remained undefeated and earned the Rising Stars 135 belt with a close split decision victory of Lance Martinez (5-6).
Raeshawn Roland (1-1) earned his first win with a unanimous decision over Luis Torres (0-1).
Max Tucker climbed to an unblemished record of 2-0 with a unanimous decision over Bryce Olivas (0-2).
In a battle of debuting fighters, Armen Mnatsakanyan came out victorious over Noah Davis by Unanimous Decision.
Hamlet Grigoryan (1-3) earned his first win with a split decision over Sammy Caceras (2-3).
In a battle of undefeated fighters, Desmond Alvarado (3-0) kept his record clean with a unanimous decision victory over Ken Fajardo (3-1).