Jonathan Francios (Left) giving post-fight remarks following TKO victory over Jesus Diaz.

NFC (National Fighting Championship) Fight Night #129 delivered 16 action-packed fights, stunning knockouts, close judges decisions and an exciting night of entertainment.

32 amateur, advanced amateur and professional MMA and muay thai fighters put their skills on display in front of hundreds of fans Saturday night at District Night Club in Atlanta, Georgia.

I interviewed the winner of each bout following announcer Jose Santiago’s official decision inside the cage (Full post-fight interviews coming soon).

Every fighter gave their perspective of the fight and were able to enjoy their winning moment in front of the hundreds in attendance.

Win or loss, each fighter should be commended for their courage in entering the cage to compete.

NFC FIGHT NIGHT #129 PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

Fight of the Night: Gavino Cano vs. Louis Brewington

Louis Brewington and Gavino Cano were chirping at each other during the introductions this 180lb contest and that animosity immediately bled into the fight. Both fighters traded punches early, but Brewington was able to establish his power left leg kicks to the body in the first round. The success to the body led to Brewington landing a leg kick to the head midway through the second round, dropping Cano and causing referee George Allen to take a close look at stopping the fight. But Cano survived the onslaught and made it to round 3. The two fighters dug deep in the third, with Brewington ultimately getting the best of Cano — but Cano showed tremendous toughness and never quit earning him a standing ovation from the crowd for his ability to finish the fight. Brewington won via Unanimous Decision, but gave Cano his respect for being a tough Mexican fighter during his post fight interview.

Performance of the Night: Jonathan Francois

Jonathan Francois earned his third consecutive KO in the NFC cage, after landing a barrage of hard punches on Jesus Diaz early in the first round. He continues to dominate his opponents with his aggressive striking. This proud member of “Savage Squad” promptly called for a shot at the NFC Lightweight Title, which was being contested later on in the evening between Dominic Colangelo vs. Mike Bardsley. After 3 straight KO’s, I don’t know if there’s any denying him a chance at the belt.

KO of the Night: Doug Usher

After a two year layoff, Doug Usher returned to the cage and made quick work of his opponent Zach Edington, in a 17 second TKO performance. Usher landed multiple left hands to the top of Edingtons head before referee Nate Mann called a stop to the fight. Usher looked so calm and composed during his walkout and maintained that same demeanor after the fight during our interview. He explained how the last two years had been challenging following the death of his late grandfather, whom he dedicated the victory to.

Submission of the Night: Mike Bardsley

Mike Bardsley earned the submission of the night after he defeated Dominic Colangelo via Rear Naked Choke in the 2nd round of their NFC Lightweight Title fight. After being dropped in the first round by Colangelo, Bardsley made the adjustment of going to his wrestling in the second round, landing hard ground and pound shots before taking the back of his opponent and subsequently choking him out. It was a tough, gut-it-out performance by the new NFC lightweight champion, who received a great applause from the crowd during his post fight interview.

Fighters to look out for moving forward:

Cleveland McLean — I loved his performance against Jacob Hebeisen in their 127lb bout. He did well chaining together his wrestling with his striking, while also entertaining the crowd by jawing with his opponent during the fight. After his unanimous decision victory, McLean called out current NFC Flyweight (125lb) champion CJ Hamilton — who was in attendance — for a shot at the belt. Hamilton agreed so that’s a fight i’m looking forward to.
Bimysola Attobra — The 22-year-old looked great during his first victory inside the NFC cage as an Amateur. Despite getting a point deducted in the first round (punching grounded opponent in the head), Attobra landed a few big right hands and secured an aggressive takedown in the first. The Nigerian fighter’s takedown defense and dominate wrestling really showed as he controlled his opponent, leading him to a unanimous decision victory. I’m interested to see him climb the NFC ranks.
Louis Brewington — Brewington presents a tough challenge to NFC middleweights because of his height, range control and his southpaw stance. He’s an aggressive fighter too, engaging in intense staredowns with his opponent after the bell before going back to his corner. Brewington almost finished the fight — landing lots of leg kicks and left hands en route to an unanimous decision over Gavino Cano. He has the raw tools in order to succeed.
Mike Bardsley — This is my second time watching Bardsley battle adversity in the first round and pull out a submission in the second round over tough-rugged opponents. The dude is a warrior and now NFC’s Lightweight champion. I’m interested to see how many more battles he can withstand. The belt was vacated by former champion Jabril Malik — could we see him come back to fight Bardsley? Either way, Bardsley always puts on an exciting fight.

Here’s a recap of each fight from NFC Fight Night #129:

Fight 1: Amateur MMA: 155+2

Reese Wilson vs. Nima Changizi

Nima Changizi def Reese Wilson via 2nd round Arm Triangle.

Fight 2: Amateur MMA: 135+2

Bimysola Attobra vs. Khali Sims

Bimysola Attobra def Khalil Sims via Unanimous Decision

Fight 3: Amateur Muay Thai: 125+2

Adam Silcio vs. Devonte Davis

Adam Silcio def Devonte Davis via Split Decision

Fight 4: Amateur MMA: 135+2

Flamur Rexhepi vs Tikeem Scott

Tikeem Scott def Flamur Rexhepi via Unanimous Decision

Fight 5: Amateur Muay Thai: 125+2

Dana Holmes vs. Cortez Williams

Cortez Williams def Dana Holmes via Unanimous Decision

Fight 6: Amateur MMA: 145+2

T’Angelo Roberts vs. Trace Harper

T'Angelo Roberts def Trace Harper via TKO by doctor stoppage

Fight 7: Advanced Amateur MMA: 180+2

Gavino Cano vs. Louis Brewington

Louis Brewington def Gavino Cano via Unanimous Decision

Fight 8: Advanced Amateur MMA: 155+2

Jonathan Francois vs. Jesus Diaz

Jonathan Francois def Jesus Diaz via 1st round TKO

Fight 9: Advanced Amateur MMA: 145+2

Connor Breese vs. Josh Koser

Josh Koser def Connor Breese via Unanimous Decision

Fight 10: Advanced Amateur MMA: 145+2

Anthony Smith vs. Koyya Russell (NFC Georgia Featherweight Championship)

Koyya Russell def Anthony Smith via Unanimous Decision

Fight 11: Advanced Amateur MMA: 185+2

Willy Goggins vs. Colin Conway (NFC Georgia Middleweight Championship)

Willy Goggins def Colin Conway via Unanimous Decision

Fight 12: Advanced Amateur MMA: 155+2

Dominic Colangelo vs. Mike Bardsley (NFC Georgia Lightweight Championship)

Mike Bardsley def Dominic Colangelo via 2nd round rear naked choke

Fight 13: Pro MMA: 127+2

Cleveland McLean vs Jacob Hebeisen

Cleveland Mclean def Jacob Hebeisen via Unanimous Decision

Fight 14: Pro Muay Thai: 110+2

Angela Bahr vs. Andy Nguyen

Angela Bahr def Andy Nguyen via Unanimous Decision

Fight 15: Pro MMA: 185+2

Zach Edington vs. Doug Usher

Doug Usher def Zach Edington via 17 second TKO

Fight 16: Pro MMA: 145+2

Brandon Webb vs. Corey Jackson

Corey Jackson def Brandon Webb via Unanimous Decision

Select postfight interviews coming soon. If you’re interested in previous fighter interviews, watch now on YouTube

UPCOMING EVENTS:

NFC Fight Night #130 is on Saturday, March 20th District Atlanta — you can purchase tickets here.

AFTER THE FIGHT: NFC FIGHT NIGHT #129 RECAP