RFA 18 Delivers Finish After Finish

The RFA held their first event in New Mexico Friday, and it was quite possibly the most entertaining card of the year. Right away RFA 18 delivered 3 first round finishes! Justin Linn won in the first fight of the night after Abel Cruz broke his leg throwing a kick. Mehdi Baghdad and Brenda Gonzales both followed up with their own first round stoppages. In the Feature Bout, Chidi Njokuani put on a 3-Round striking clinic against Steve Hanna, picking him apart with jabs and leg kicks. The Co-Main Event saw the return of DREAM vet Abel Cullum, who fought and won in his first fight in almost 3 years. In the Main Event, the Flyweight Title and a possible UFC call was on the line. Defending champ Matt Manzanares was impressive in the first round, even landing a nasty uppercut. The tables were turned in Round 2 though, as Brazilian Alexandre Pantoja was able to slap on a Rear Naked Choke and take the RFA Flyweight Title.

Here are the highlights:

Full Results:

• Alexandre Pantoja def. Matt Manzanares via Submission (RNC) 2:38 Rnd 2
• Abel Cullum def. Ulysses Gomez via Submission (Guillotine Choke) 1:29 Rnd 1
• Chidi Njokuani def. Steve Hanna via Decision (Unanimous)
• Brenda Gonzales def. Heather Bassett via Submission (Armbar) 2:48 Rnd 1
• Mehdi Baghdad def. Evan Delong via KO 1:55 Rnd 1
• Justin Linn def. Adrian Cruz via TKO 0:22 Rnd 1

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Tags: AXS TV Fights, fights, Highlights, Michael Schiavello, Pat Miletich, RFA Fighting, sports