WFC 19 Delivers Dose Of MMA March Madness From Golden Gate Casino In Vegas

Fotos Herbert Diaz

An enthusiastic Sin City crowd settled into the open air arena with the backdrop of downtown Las Vegas for live mixed martial arts combat on both the amateur and professional level this past Sunday for World Fighting Championships 19.

Nestled within the Vegas skyline was the WFC cage graciously accommodated by live pyrotechnics and a DJ set showcasing the fight festivities just off of Fremont Street. Onlookers could be seen catching the action from suites in neighboring buildings or camped out on adjacent roof tops. The bouts aligned with a brisk March breeze took fans back to the golden age of hand to hand combat in Vegas that saw many   shows contested just the same way in the past paying tribute to a timeless tradition. Playing host to tonight’s event was the Golden Gate Hotel & Casino who had turned their main entrance area into an MMA hot spot for casual and devoted fans alike.

Here is a recap of the night’s highlights which featured plenty of action all wrapped up within a delightful dosage of mixed martial arts march madness loaded with finish after finish for almost every fight on the card.

Anthony Browder vs. Justin Driggers – Welterweight Bout

For the main event of the evening a brutal war broke out quickly between these two talented 170-pound fighters in Browder and Driggers. Neither man wanted to budge thus a solid stand-up fight ensued with both men looking to land big and land early using leg kicks or punch combinations.  Browder eventually lost his rhythm when Driggers was able to tie him up using a Muay Thai plum. From there, he did his best work ripping to his foe’s body using some thunderous body shots and knees. The action spilled over into the second round where again Driggers implemented the same approach and mounted a great offense on Browder whose tremendous heart and will allowed him to absorb some serious punishment before the referee had no choice but to step in to stop the match once Driggers created space and landed a high kick then follow up punches.

Result: The winner by 2^nd round TKO, Justin Driggers.

Zulu Bumaye vs. Rob Jimenez – Welterweight Bout

The co-main event featured a heated contest at 170 lbs between Browder and Driggers that had absolutely no feeling out process as both men opted to trade bombs from the opening bell.  The action sizzled in the middle of the WFC cage with both warriors keeping the battle upright trading over hand punches, right crosses and dangerous left hooks. Jimenez found his range and leveled Bumaye with a powerful shot that sent him crashing face first to the canvas. As Bumaye was gathering his thoughts and attempted to lift himself from the mat, he did so with both hands placed on the mat exposing him to a follow up shot from Jimenez. It came in the form of a modified uppercut and as soon as it cracked Bumaye’s chin it was lights out prompting the referee to step in.

Result: The winner by 1^st round KO, Rob Jimenez.

Vic Mabin vs. Adrian Flores – Bantamweight Bout

Result: The winner by unanimous decision Adrian Flores.

Katlyn Jowers vs. Kari Lichtenwainer – Flyweight Bout

For this 125-pound tilt pitting the only two women on the entire card, Lichtenwainer managed to impose her will unto Jowers as soon as she found her range, closed the distance and drove her to the ground. Jowers spent too much time on her back defending some vicious ground and pound from Lichtenwainer who looked for the finish but couldn’t find it even as she got full mount on her opponent. To Jowers’ credit, she wouldn’t go quietly making it to the second round as she survived the assault, throwing punches from below. However, as soon as Lichtenwainer got the fight to the mat in the second stanza with an easy takedown off of a body lock, her relentless ground and pound assault paid off prompting referee to step in calling a halt to the match.

Result: The winner by 2^nd round TKO, Kari Lichtenwainer

Richard Camargo vs. Shane Richter – Featherweight Bout

Result: The winner by 1^st round submission, Richard Camargo

Johnny Alvarado vs. Yordany Gonzalez – Lightweight Bout

Result: The winner by 2^nd round submission, Johnny Alvarado

Christian Molina vs. Jason Pacheco – Flyweight Bout

Result: The winner by 1^st round submission (triangle choke), Jason Pacheco

De’Andre Marshall vs. Mason Fowler – Welterweight Bout

Result: The winner by 1^st round KO, Mason Fowler

Cody Monsalve vs. Jun Napalan – 160-pound Bout

Result: The winner by 1^st round KO, Cody Monsalve

Orlando Angulo vs. John Buttner – Featherweight Bout

Result: The winner by 2^nd round submission, John Buttner

Erik Perez vs. Richard Palacios – Lightweight Bout

Result: The winner by 2^nd round TKO, Erik Perez

Sergio Martinez vs. Raji Swidan – Middleweight Bout

Result: The winner by unanimous decision Raji Swidan

Vladimir Martinez vs. Andy Johnson – Featherweight Bout

Result: The winner by 3^rd round submission, Andy Johnson