The co-main event features Sitik Muduev facing off against Frank Buenafuente in a featherweight bout. Lastly, welterweights will command the audience with the headlining spot, as Christien Savoie faces Basil Hafez — with the vacant 170lb title on the line.

CFFC 89 Main Card

Jerome Macalino vs. Thomas Majeski

With both men having recorded one professional fight, this pair are relatively new. However they each have a deep resume in the amateur circuit. Since Macalino has a little more experience, Majeski will need to play to his strengths. For instance, Majeski has had success with submissions, so closing the distance is a viable path to victory for the American.

Tyler Bunting vs. Jonathan Piersma

Making his pro debut, Bunting has acquired a perfect 6-0 amateur record. In addition, Piersma is also making his professional debut. Since Piersma has four submission wins of the six on his record, it stands to reason he will try to get this fight to the ground. Conversely, Bunting is no slouch on the ground with a few submission wins as well. All in all, these two athletes have a lot in common. But Piersma’s finishing ability might afford him the edge in this fight.

Mike Gonzalez vs. Vilson Ndregjoni

Lightweight Albanian prospect Ndregjoni has emerged as a submission threat on the European circuit. Unlike the Albanian, Gonzalez’s array of finishes range from submissions to strikes. Also, the fact that Gonzalez has never been submitted before illustrates his aptitude on the mats. Both athletes will put it on the line at CFFC 89 in an effort to further their careers and fanbases.

Jeffrey Glossner vs. C. Grigoriou

Bantamweight young guns Glossner and Grigoriou are powerful finishers. Despite not having a plethora of pro fights, Glossner shocked everyone when he destroyed Justin Tipaldos via strikes, in a mere ten seconds. Conversely, Grigoriou is coming off a nice two fight win streak. If history is an indicator future behavior, one thing is for sure, this fight will start fast.

Sitik Muduev vs. Frank Buenafuente

One of the most exciting fights on the card features power puncher Sitik Muduev. Illustrated by his first and second round stoppages, the Russian has relentless pressure. Incredibly, when given the opportunity Muduev is quite active. In fact, he fought five times in 2018. Additionally, Muduev has also never been stopped. At the same time, Buenafuente has a lot of cage experience. Hence it will be vital he uses the cage to the fullest extent. For example, keeping grappling exchanges in the middle of the mat, instead of by the fence to avoid limbs getting trapped. Despite a couple of rear-naked choke losses, Buenafuente will need to keep the fight away from danger zones that could result in those positions.

CFFC 89 Main Event – Christien Savoie vs. Basil Hafez

The Canadian “Tiger” Savoie is one of Canada’s hottest prospects. With five of his last eight performances ending by stoppage, it’s safe to assume he’s a dangerous force in the welterweight division. Not to mention, Savoie is also unbeaten. In contrast, Hafez has struggled in most of the promotions he’s fought in. While he’s alternated wins and losses a lot, the American has finished fights both by submission and knockout. Considering Savoie and Hafez are the main event, pressure is boiling over for a emphatic performance. After all, leagues like CFCC are watched closely by scouting agents from larger promotions.

The post CFFC 89 Main Card Preview appeared first on Cageside Press.

CFFC 88 | Wednesday | US

Strawweight, Criszaida Adames (2-0)

Going 4-0 as an amateur, Adames is only 2-0 as a pro but has looked good. Adames is a spitfire blitzing in and out with offense. She could be more technical but is active enough to create issues. Adames has taken down opponents as well as being able to mix it up on the feet. Her best aspects are her striking coming forward and her work rate. She’s still raw but has potential. She fights Claudia Baril (1-0).

Brave CF 45 | Thursday | Bahrain

Lightweight, Akhmed Magomedov (6-0)

Magomedov has a background in freestyle wrestling and was the Russian National Jiu-Jitsu champion in 2017. The Russian only has six fights, but three finishes, getting it done on the mat with submissions and ground and pound. He’s a smart fighter and could be someone to watch for in the future. He fights Abdul Azim Badakhshi (10-2).

Bellator 253 | Thursday | US

Featherweight, AJ McKee (16-0)

McKee has very good wrestling and is able to land many takedowns in a fight. McKee’s athleticism means he can get the easy double leg or just suplex his opponent to the mat. On top, McKee moves well but his control and top position are what stand out. He is strong in the clinch and likes to use knees, and from range he’s started to use more of his kickboxing skills. McKee is also getting better at keeping his opponent at his preferred range. Even with his ever-improving striking, the mat is where he really shows his high skill level. He fights former Bellator champ Darrion Caldwell (14-3).

Welterweight, Jason Jackson (12-4)

Jackson is a good striker who is technical with an excellent jab and a crushing right hand. This product out of the former Blackzilians gym is a very good wrestler as well as being very well-rounded. He’s super athletic and seems to get better every time he fights. He fights well-known former UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson (28-9).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIalMiFWxqY&ab_channel=AXSTVFights

Welterweight, Joey Davis (7-0)

Davis is an unbeaten D2 wrestler at 133-0. Davis has looked pretty stellar for the most part in his MMA career. He’s used his excellent wrestling and ferocious ground and pound, the latter probably being his best aspect by far. The wrestler though is very athletic and explosive. Davis has finished the fight with both his hands and his kicks. He really looks to be a big deal at only 26-years old. He fights Bobby Lee (12-4) who is his toughest test to date.

Bantamweight, Keith Lee (7-3)

Don’t be deceived by Lee’s record with three losses. His losses are all to very good fighters. Keith is the younger brother of UFC star and top contender Kevin Lee. Keith is very exciting and is extremely well-rounded with excellent cardio. On the feet, Lee has a nice jab and throws a lot of kicks. He’s an even better wrestler who actually out-wrestled an excellent wrestler in Shawn Bunch. He fights Raufeon Stots (14-1).

Bantamweight, Raufeon Stots (14-1)

Raufeon Stots is a former NCAA Division II national champion in wrestling at the University of Nebraska-Kearney. The only loss on his MMA record came to current UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili. Stots is a fantastic wrestler but his stand-up has come along nicely with some good Muay Thai and a developing jab. Still, the Roufusport product is primarily a wrestler. His timing on his shots is excellent and the execution is perfect. It’s going to take a good fighter to beat Stots and to neutralize his wrestling. He fights Keith Lee (7-3).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6VZNGnoxi0&t=1s&ab_channel=AXSTVFights

Welterweight, Jaleel Willis (13-2)

Jaleel Willis is quite athletic and a top-notch wrestler. On top, he has the control, the transitions, and the ground-and-pound to excel. Willis is everything you want in a fighter, especially in terms of wrestling. On the feet, he does hold a lot of power in his hands. Willis still has some things to learn but is a bright prospect. He fights Mark Lemminger (11-2) who is a good prospect as well.

Featherweight, Jay Jay Wilson (6-0)

Wilson has only been a pro for a little over two years and has looked good. The Kiwi has displayed beautiful jiu-jitsu and showed once he gets the back he has a fantastic rear-naked choke. Still, there is a lot he needs to show but Wilson is someone to watch out for. His striking looked good in his last fight and many thought he shoul of lost that fight. He fights Sergio DeBari (5-1).

CFFC 89 | Thurday | US

Welterweight, Christien Savoie (8-0)

Savoie has competed at both middleweight and welterweight. He’s won titles in both weight classes inside Canadian promotion Elite 1 MMA. Savoie is mainly a grinder who will push the pace in close quarters. He wants to take the fight to the mat where his ground and pound is excellent landing at a solid rate with good shots from a short amount of distance. The undefeated record says it all. He fights Bassil Hafez (5-2-1) for the title.

One Championship | Friday | Singapore

Lightweight, Chang Min Yoon (4-0)

Yoon trains out of Team Stun Gun under the main man himself, former UFC fighter Dong Hyun Kim. Yoon doesn’t throw with a lot of output but throws a good jab, a one-two, and hits hard. On the feet, his best weapon is his heavy leg kicks. Yoon is a much better fighter once he gets the fight on the mat. He possesses some tactical grappling, transitioning effortlessly. Yoon is a submission threat as well with three submissions in his pro career. He fights Ryogo Takahashi (13-4).

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