Fighters of the Week

  1. Roman Kryklia: Won K-1’s 95kg Grand Prix, taking all three bouts by KO in a fantastic performance.
  2. Joao Gabriel Rocha: Rocha and James Puopolo are two top-level BJJ players, and it was Rocha getting the better of Puopolo in the main event of Fight To Win Pro 17.
  3. Raoni Barcelos: I said in my Ecstasy of Gold preview that this would be a cat-and-mouse game between the striker and the grappler, and the striker got the best of it, KOing Dan Moret in the second round to retain his RFA Featherweight title.
  4. Gerald Meerschaert: It was a hotshot upstart vs. crusty veteran matchup for the RFA Middleweight title, and it was the vet who got the best of the kid, putting off an arm-triangle in the first round and may have punched his card to the big leagues for the first time in his long career.
  5. Cedric Manhoef: Brother of Melvin, Cedric defeated Chinese star Wu Xuesong in the main event of Kunlun Fight 54 to advance in Kunlun Fight’s MASSIVE 70kg tournament.

 
6. Fernando Augusto: In the main event of an absolutely loaded Polaris Pro 4 card, it was Augusto coming out on top in the main event over a legend in Vitor Ribeiro. Beating Shaolin is always a feather in your cap.
7. Juan Manuel Lopez: JuanMa had himself quite the weekend, first knocking out Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. in his first fight out of retirement, then boxing up Vazquez’s corner afterwards.
8. Saenchai PKSaenchaimuaythaigym: In the main event of Yokkao’s taping weekend, Saenchai was brought in as the superstar headliner at the second taping and beat Ognjen Topic at Yokkao 22.
9. Juliana Werner/Anissa Haddaoui/Wang Kehan/Melinda Madjene: Advanced in Kunlun Fight’s women’s 61.5 kg tournament with wins at Kunlun Fight 54.
10. Garry Tonon: The Year of Tonon continues, this time a big win over a major BJJ star in Gilbert Burns at Polaris Pro.
11. Dillon Danis: Submitting a grappling legend like Jackson Sousa is a hell of a feather to have in your cap.
12. Cristian Mijares: The highest level of boxing title on the line this week was a WBC Silver strap that was won by journeyman former world champ Mijares.
13. Joe Riggs: In the main event of a loaded Z Promotions: Fight Night Medicine Hat 2 card, it was Diesel who disposed of human muppet Cody McKenzie on the quick.
14. Artem Levin: Although I’ve never heard of Friendship Cup or that they have had eleven events, apparently, it’s good to see Levin in action and looking good.
15. Idris Elba: Sure, he can grab a spot here. Though footage and reports are hard to come by, by most accounts, he made a successful kickboxing debut, so anything that gets more eyes on the sport is good, and good for Elba for pursuing a dream.