Force of One MMA: Fighting Championship #7 recap, results and photographs

Force of One MMA: Fighting Championship #7 took place on Saturday, September 28 at the Curry County Event Center in Clovis, NM.

Below you can find the complete play by play, official results and photographs. FightBook MMA’s correspondent Christian Martin, David Rodriguez and our photogropher Javier Rivera were in attendance.

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Fight 1 – 150 lb Amateur Bout

Donovan Riojas (Amateur Debut) Brownfield, Texas vs Jesus Alaniz (Amateur Debut) El Paso, Texas

Round 1

Alaniz comes out leading with strikes, 1-2 combos mixed in with some leg kicks. Riojas returns a couple punches to slow down the Alaniz attack.  Both fighters are standing in center of cage exchanging strikes until the fight moves toward the cage.  They exchange hard hooks while clinched and the fight moves toward the cage center. Riojas becomes the aggressor striking from a distance. Alaniz attempts a kick but it’s caught by Riojas who uses it for a takedown.  Riojas lands in side control and is controlling from the top. Alaniz is able to gain half guard and control posture for the remainder of the round, until Riojas lands a few heavy punches from top to end round.

Round 2

The fighters meet in the middle and are trading punches while keeping distance. Alaniz shoots for takedown and ends up in front headlock for approx.. 1 minute.  Riojas releases and lands a big uppercut on the break.  Donovan looks the fresher fighter as the round enters the final 30 seconds. Riojas and Alaniz trade blows in the center and exchange through the bell, with Donovan winning the exchange by landing a solid overhand right and a couple more punches.

Doctor checks Alaniz between rounds and declares him unable to continue.

Donovan Riojas – Wins amateur debut by Doctor Stoppage after Round 2

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Fight 2 – 140 lb Amateur Bout 

Juan Luna (1-0) Hereford, Texas vs Benjamin Sivadon (Amateur Debut) Clovis, New Mexico

Round 1

Sivadon starts by charging with punches and Luna picks him up and drops him with a big double leg takedown.  Luna holds guillotine for a bit until Sivodan rolls him over to top position of guard and stands from the position.  They clinch and Sivadon secures takedown into closed guard.  Luna is working the guard and nearly tightens a triangle choke but Sivadon escapes to standup.  A heated standup exchange of punches ends the high energy first round.

Round 2

Sivadon attempts a spinning back kick to start the second round.  Luna charges with an overhand right and clinches Sivadon.  Luna snaps Sivadon down to ground and spins to back control and drops heavy lefts & rights for 10 seconds until the ref steps in.

Juan Luna – Winner by TKO at 1:10 of Round 2

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Fight 3 – 170 lb Amateur Bout

Arron Leonard (1-2) Abilene, Texas vs Gabriel Maldonado (0-1) Clovis, New Mexico

Round 1

Maldonado answers the bell and rushes across the cage to land the first strikes.  Leonard returns a hook and they both exchange quick flurries in the center for around 30 seconds.  The striking battle ends with a clinch against the cage as both rest while fighting for underhooks.  A clean break returns both fighters to the center of the cage where they exchange several punches  with Maldonado slipping in some low kicks.  Maldonado closes the distance and clinches with an underhook to later release and land an uppercut.  Leonard is using jab to control distance.  Maldonado approaches with a front kick and lands a diverse mix of punches from shorter distance and continues with body shots until the bell rings.

Round 2

Both fighters are measuring each other out and Leonard land a lunging right hand which is followed up with a flurry.  Maldonado is showing some good defense but a few punches are getting through.   Gabriel lands a big uppercut followed by a 3 piece punch combo, and Leonard retreats while landing a few leg kicks.  Maldonado works Leonard against the cage but Leonard reverses the position.  Gabriel catches a Leonard kick but can’t capitalize.  End of round.

Round 3

Leonard shoots to start the round and Maldonado makes him eat 3-4 punches for his efforts.  Leonard separates from the cageside clinch and lands a heavy hook.  Maldonado is doing well slipping Leonard’s punches but an uppercut lands.  Leonard follows up with a straight right to a takedown which ends in full guard.  Maldonado attempts to lock in Kimura but both fighters are slippery and then transitions to an armbar.  Leonard slides his arm out and dives for guillotine which he holds until the round ends.

Arron Leonard – Winner by Majority Decision

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Fight 4 – 190 lb Amateur Bout

Cody Helphinstine (Amateur Debut) Abilene, Texas vs Jacob Cocain (Amateur Debut) Clovis, New Mexico

Round 1

Helpinstine leads off with a few low kicks and Cocain catches the third and sweep the leg.  Cocain secures the takedown but Helpinstine eventually regains guard but Cocain passes to half guard.  Cocain takes advantage of the position by dropping non-stop punches.  Cocain attempts to use a knee shield to defend but Helphinstine slides past the knee and solidifies side control.  Punches continue from the top position don’t slow down until the referee steps in and stops the fight.

Cody “Sunshine” Helphinstine – Winner by TKO at 1:09 of Round 1

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Fight 5 – 140 lb Amateur Bout

Daniel Arriaga (1-2) Dimmitt, Texas vs Camerin Suan (Amateur Debut) Clovis, New Mexico

Round 1

Fighters meet in the middle of the cage and Suan fires a low kick followed by a front kick to Arriaga’s chin.  Arriaga ducks hard head kick and picks Suan up high and dumps him.  Suan bounces back to standing using front guillotine and holds for 30 seconds.  Arriago escapes the hold and returns to center cage and then rushes in with several punches.  Suan retreats and lands a clean counter right, but Arriaga changes levels looking for another takedown.  Suan looks for guillotine again and it’s a little deeper this time.  He uses this hold to put Daniel against the cage and land a clean knee to the body which temporarily folds Arriaga.  Suan lands a few punches over the downed opponent but Arriaga fights back to standings.  Arriaga finishes a takedown at the bell.

Round 2

A punching exchange starts the second round with Suan edging ahead in strikes land.  Arriaga slips a punch to secure a deep clinch and force Suan to the mat.  Suan is looking for guillotine and ends up on bottom.  Suan attempts omoplata but Arriaga uses that opportunity to pass guard to mount.  Arriaga dropping heavy hands rom the top force Suan to turn over and expose his back.  Daniel is in control and looking for rear naked choke.  Saved by the bell.

Round 3

Fighters clinch and Suan lands a knee to the body.  Suan gets a front head lock and uses it to get a takedown.  Suan is in mount but Arriaga reverses.  Arriaga passes guard to more dominant position and rains down hard punches from mount.  Suan turns to side but absorbs unrelenting blows until the ref steps in.  

Daniel Arriaga – Winner by TKO at 1:29 of Round 3

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Fight 6 – 145 lb Amateur Bout

Javier Rodriguez (2-2) El Paso, Texas vs Julian Chavez (1-3) Clovis, New Mexico

Round 1

Rodriguez speeds across with a couple left-right combos followed by a low right kick.  Chavez pulls guard after securing head control and holds full guard.  Rodriguez stands to open Chavez’s guard and stands firing punches.  Rodriguez stands over his opponent with nonstop head punches until the referee declares the fight over.

Javier Rodriguez – Winner by TKO at 1:48 of Round 1

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Fight 7 – 130 lb Amateur Bout (Females)

Tonantzin Lozano (Amateur Debut) vs Laura John (0-1) Seminal, Texas

Round 1

Both fighters immediately met in the middle to trade blows with Lozano landing a crisp overhand right.  John backs her up with a flurry of of long punches.  Lozano attempts a few kicks but is met with another barrage of lefts and rights.  Lozano is attempting to close the distance but John is landing a counter right.  John is controlling the cage and working in some snapping punches to Lozano’s face.  Lozano tries several times to setup different angles to close the distance but is met with fists.  Her face is showing signs of wear and her nose is bleeding.  End of round 1.  The referee analyzes Lozano’s nose and stops the fight between rounds.

Laura “The Gypsy” John – Winner by Referee Stoppage at 5:00 of Round 1

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Fight 8 – 135 lb Amateur Bantamweight Title Fight

Gabriel Casias (4-1) Odessa, Texas vs Aric Montoya (5-3) Carlsbad, New Mexico

Round 1

Fighters touch gloves and circle the center feeling each other out with jabs.  Casias throws a straight right and attempts to shoot by Montoya side steps to evade.  Punches are trading and both fighters showing good defense.  Casias reaches for Montoya’s lead leg and comes upstairs with a nice uppercut.  The action resumes in the middle and Montoya lands a couple leg kicks followed by a straight right.  Montoya secures a takedown which turns to a scramble to feet.  Montoya slides to back bear hug and the bell rings before another takedown is finished.

Round 2

Both fighters are respecting their opponent’s striking game.  Casias attempts a couple punch combos but misses.  Montoya pumps hard jabs that are partially blocked.  Casias closes distance to clinch Montoya against the cage, but Montoya reverses to be in control.  Montoya lands a takedown which lands him in top half guard where he maintains control and lands a few punches.  Casias fights to full guard and utilizes the position to stand up.  Montoya clinches Casias against the cage and slams a takedown just as the bell rings.

Round 3

Round starts with similar pace with long range exchanges, but Montoya starts landing several straight jabs.  Casias secures a leg and gets a takedown that quickly transitions to back mount.  Montaya bucks him off and takes Casias’ back.  Another scramble ensues and Montoya ends up in top half guard.  Casias is working hard to create space to stand but Montoya is negating while landing a few punches from top.  Round three of this title fight ends with Montoya controlling from top position.

Aric Montaya – Winner by Unanimous Decision and new Force of One Bantamweight Champion

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Fight 9 – Nicholas Webb (0-1) Abilene, Texas vs Nikko Nathan (0-2) Clovis, New Mexico               

Round 1

Fight starts with both fighters touching gloves and Nathan landing a quick leg kick.  Nathan follows up with another leg kick that lands hard.  Nathan throws an overhand right that lands and drops Webb.  Nikko stands over the dropped opponent and rains a barrage of lefts and rights until the ref stops the fight.

Nikko Nathan – Winner by TKO at :27 of Round 1