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 KOTB 19 would end up being host to two rematches, as well as the first Anaconda Choke in KOTB history on Saturday night. One of the promotion’s highest rated events in history lived up to all the pre-event hype that preceded it and pushes KOTB into a busy and exciting month of December.
Opening the main card would be the first of two rematches that sandwiched the card, as Heliade Radulescu took on Mike Loner in a light heavyweight affair. Radulescu follows a surprisingly deep line of Romanian fighters who’ve had success at KOTB, including a man who would headline this same card. The man known as "Zburatorul" would follow the same strategy as he did in his decision victory at Challenger Series 3 by battering his Canadian opponent in the clinch. Loner once again showed a lot of heart, but just couldn’t land his big combinations and succumbed to a pair of brutal knees early in the third.
Heliade "Zburatorul" Radulescu (3-1, 2-1) defeats Mike “The Werewolf” Loner (2-6, 1-5) via TKO (Strikes) R3 - 00:47
We’d move to middleweight for KOTB veteran Jacare Romero’s swan song against Canadian striker Mike Saban. The Cuban grappler, who competed in KOTB’s inaugural event, announced that this would be his retirement fight at the weigh-ins and looked about as loose as we’ve ever seen him. Saban would make the first move and try to clinch up, but Romero smoothly moved into a very early takedown and quickly jumped on a tight kneebar. Saban wisely escaped and scattered up the cage to get back to his feet. The exact series events would replicate, as Saban once again moved for the clinch only to see Romero counter with a beautiful double leg takedown. The Canadian muay thai specialist made another strong move from the bottom and swept his opponent, but Romero would transition into a deep triangle choke that had Saban asleep in seconds. Some fans are calling this one the people’s ‘fight of the night’.
Jacare "Soldier Of Jah" Romero (4-4, 3-3) defeats Mike “Swampthing” Saban (0-4, 0-4) via Submission (Triangle) R1 - 01:56
We’d stay at middleweight as German muay thai specialist Toni Kroos took on Miami’s Billy Styles in what promised to be a slugfest. Kroos came out the aggressor and landed a nice leg kick while trying to instigate a clinch. Styles, however, came prepared and countered with some slick right hands. Kroos kept coming forward but would walk into a thunderous right hand from Styles, who jumped on top and finished his opponent in just 44 seconds of the opening round. With an impressive first victory under his new management team, Styles now looks forward to the second stage of his young career.
Billy Styles (3-2, 3-2) defeats Toni Kroos (0-3, 0-3) via KO (Punches) R1 - 00:44
The highly entertaining undercard would continue as we moved back to the light heavyweight division for yet another entertaining bout. Our first Brazilian competitor on the night, Bruno Santoyo, looked to halt a two-fight losing streak against former title challenger Edward Smith. The two engaged in a frantic 4 minutes and 59 seconds of action that saw both fighters exchange on the feet, in the clinch and on the mat. The British striker had a clear advantage on the feet but couldn’t hold back his opponent who dove in for takedowns and strikes at range, while repeatedly breaking up the clinch attempts before any damage could be done. The damage on the feet appeared to wear on Santoyo into the last minute of the round and a big combination had him on his backside. The Brazilian would get to his feet, but Smith would switch to a muay thai attack and a series of kicks ended with an incredible last second head kick finish.
Edward Smith (5-2, 2-2) defeats Bruno "Pitão" Santoyo (3-5, 1-3) via TKO (Head Kick) R1 - 04:59
We’d close out the undercard with another compelling light heavyweight contest, as American Julius Bennett looked to stay undefeated against Bulgarian journeyman Papas Kanamun. Bennett appeared to be feeling out his opponent in the opening minute, as Kanamun caught him off guard with a pair of stinging hooks between grappling attempts. Bennett, though, would get his rhythm going after a couple minutes and began unloading with heavy, accurate punches. Kanamun would jump back to his feet after getting dropped a pair of times, but the referee would jump in on the third knockdown, much to the dismay of the Bulgarian. The stoppage was just, however, and Bennett is suddenly moving up the light heavyweight rankings at a rapid pace.
Julius “Steel” Bennett (3-0, 2-0) defeats Papas “Mucata” Kanamun (2-6, 2-4) via KO (Punch) R1 - 03:17
5’2’’ Alejandro Sepulveda continued his perpetual role as David versus a division of Goliaths, as he took on 7’2’’ Bruce Zimbardo in another “freak show” fight at super heavyweight. The pride of Chile promised his fans that he’d stand in the pocket with the much larger striker to make for an exciting fight, and he did just that in what would end up being out ‘fight of the night’. The first round was close with Zimbardo keeping good range with slapping kicks, but Sepulveda took the nod with a heavy uppercut that drew blood, as well as a nice combination that drew ‘oohs’ from the crowd. The lanky Caribbean kept up his pace in the second round and avoided any big shots to split the opening two rounds, which set up for a dramatic and deciding third round. The crowd hung on every moment as a visibly tired Zimbardo continued to score with his range striking against a bruised but determined opponent who continued to stalk his opponent, leaping up for big combinations in a flurry of sweat and cheers. The two combatants put in all on the line until the final bell and embraced before the judges made the decision. Zimbardo appeared to have been the more accurate fighter, but the crowd and the judges both sided with Sepulveda who controlled the pace and did the most damage. The Chilean has appeared to revive his career by choosing to fight for glory and for his people, while Zimbardo is now in a must-win situation.
Alejandro “Osito” Sepulveda (8-4, 2-1) defeats Bruce “The Great” Zimbardo (5-4, 3-4) via Decision (Unanimous)
We’d have our first fight below middleweight on the entire card, as we moved to featherweight for an all-Brazilian showcase. Thiago Machado made his first appearance since his failed bid for the title, as he took on a hometown fighter making his professional debut in Vitor Nogueira. Perhaps it was pride, but Nogueira opened the fight with a surprising takedown despite holding an apparent advantage on the feet. Machado would immediately put on a clinic to the delight of the jiu-jitsu fans in attendance, as he recovered guard, swept his opponent, passed guard, mounted his opponent and then latched on to a fight ending Anaconda Choke all within the opening minute of the fight. Machado respectfully cradled his unconscious opponent until the doctors arrived and makes a strong first impression under his new management.
Thiago “The Axe” Machado (4-1, 4-1) defeats Vitor Nogueira (0-1, 0-1) via Submission (Anaconda Choke) R1 - 00:46
A pair of powerful men were up next, as former title contender Harry Milne took on the dangerous Tito Griffin in a highly anticipated showdown in the super heavyweight division. The two competitors were well aware of each others power and spent the first minute feeling each other out by moving in and out with shots with not much landing. Canada’s Griffin then landed a few heavy shots to the body, which seemed to hurt his British opponent. Perhaps protecting an injured rib, Milne blocked low but got caught with a devastating overhand right, which sent him to the mat. Griffin immediately followed and started unleashing a steady stream of heavy ground strikes. Milne appeared to be ok, but the toll appeared to be wearing him. Griffin would then throw the hammer fist of doom from his opponent’s guard and knocked his opponent clean out. Griffin jumped up and celebrated his victory with his corner. The Canadian is clearly someone of note in the division and will be in the title discussion soon.
Tito “The Warrior” Griffin (4-3, 3-1) defeats “The Bulldog” Harry Milne (5-2, 3-2) via KO (Strikes) R1 - 02:52
We’d move to welterweight for our co-main event when KOTB’s first-ever welterweight champion Parker Allen took on a surging Brazilian in Jefferson Murillo. Murillo looked incredible in the opening moments, landing a number of clean punches and really pushing the pace. Both men looked really sharp, as they countered each other and showcased some really technical movements and striking. Allen’s leg kicks appeared to slow his opponent down, as the American appeared to be gaining momentum. With about two minutes left in an exciting opening round, Allen scored with a shot that appeared to hurt Murillo and then followed it up with a nasty uppercut that had the crowd on their feet. Some follow-up punches would seal the victory, as well as another title shot. Allen will now take some time off and wait for his well-earned shot at recapturing his title.
Parker "The Terrorizer"Allen (4-1, 3-1) defeats Jefferson "Grisahlo" Murillo (3-2, 2-1) via TKO (Strikes) R1 - 03:16
And finally, the most anticipated fight in KOTB history, as Guy Mourtneant looked to defend his KOTB title for a promotional record third time against the man he originally beat for it, Sandu Lungu. An entirely standing crowd hung on some tense opening moments, as both men found some success with kicks and punches at range. Mourtneant would slip a punch from the Romanian and got his clinch at the one-minute mark, but Lungu quickly pushed his way out of it – something he was unable to do in their first meeting. Both men would find more success at range with heavy shots, before a crisp jab opened up a small cut on Mourtneant. The Frenchman went back to the well immediately and countered a missed kick with another clinch attempt. Then, out of nowhere, Lungu rocked his opponent with a shot in the clinch – the same place he lost their opening fight. Lungu smelled blood and attacked with a vicious uppercut that had Mourtneant on his knees. A flurry of punches forced the referee to intervene and we suddenly had a new champion on our hands. Its been a hard fought journey for the Romanian who now looks forward to a hungry challenger in Conrad Mcgregor. It’s not clear where Mourtneant gets a rebound fight, or another immediate shot at his title, but the decision will be his.
Sandu “Big Bear” Lungu (7-1, 5-1) defeats Guy “4” Mourtneant (7-2, 3-1) via TKO (Strikes) R1 - 02:57
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