The week leading up to the Almighty Fighting Championships 4 at the O2 Academy in Leeds was a promotor’s worst nightmare – cancellations were rife, the growing problem of issues surrounding weight cutting was rearing its ugly head and late replacements had to be made in order to plug the holes in what appeared to be a rapidly sinking ship.
Remarkably, eighteen of the original twenty-two fights on the card went ahead and Christ did they deliver. Ten fights ended in first round finishes, and only two fights on the main card had to be decided by the judges. In a ridiculous turn of events the co-main fight on the card ended with Ricardo Franco’s second consecutive victory via twister. Another notable victory was a particularly sickening head-kick knockout by Richard Mearns, which won him the AFC Featherweight Tournament and Championship. Reassuringly, his opponent was swiftly aided by the ringside physician and paramedics and walked himself backstage with a round of applause from everyone in attendance.
Another turn of bad luck came in the form of a near-brawl in the arena, chairs and drinks were thrown – as well as more than a few punches. Fortunately, the security staff quickly removed the culprits and the show went ahead as normal with no more than a five minute delay. If anything, spirits were raised in the O2 Academy with a rousing statement by the quick thinking MC: “Let’s not let the actions of a few knob-heads ruin our evening!” – Words which were met by massive applause from the vast majority of the paying customers who were keen to keep the fighting inside the cage.
In the end, a night that had every right to end in disaster turned out to be absolutely brilliant. AFC 4 was dragged through a mile-long sewer and came out smelling like Paco Rabanne, thanks to the effort and professionalism of everyone involved – fighters and organisers alike. Full results from last night’s event are listed below.
Almighty Fighting Championship 4 – Official Results
Pro Card
Jack Grant def. Jordan Miller via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1 (0:17)
Ricardo Franco def. Marcus Balme Hammond via Submission (Twister) – Round 1 (1:40)
Amateur Card
Jonny Brocklesby def. Ashley Gibson via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) – Round 1 (1:59)
Callum Macdonald def. Josh Turner via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1 (2:31) – Becomes AFC Bantamweight Champion
Michael Parkin def. Scott Jenkinson via TKO (Punches) – Round 1 (0:36) – Becomes AFC Heavyweight Champion
Richard Mearns def. Adam Butterworth via KO (Head Kick) – Round 2 (0:44) – Wins Featherweight Tournament and becomes AFC Featherweight Champion
Justin Burlinson def. Matthew Hodgson via TKO (Punches) – Round 1 (0:15) – Wins Middleweight Tournament and becomes AFC Middleweight Champion
Kieran Lister def. Steven Hooper via Unanimous Decision – Advances to Lightweight Tournament Final vs. Nicolae Pirogan
Nicolae Pirogan def. Danny Williams via Unanimous Decision – Advances to Lightweight Tournament Final vs. Kieran Lister
Jack Liam Temple def. Abdul Jabbar Choudhury via Submission (Standing Guillotine Choke) – Round 1 (0:36)
Myles Richards def. Jack Dean Culshaw via Split Decision
Tyler Wilson def. Adam Cowling via Unanimous Decision
Adil Rajal Hussain def. Harrison Hillier via Unanimous Decision
Dom Stringer def. Oscar Ownsworth via Unanimous Decision
Liam Cann def. Przemysław Borowiec via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1 (1:46)
Chris Hill def. Danny Angus via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1 (0:53)
Momchil Kolev def. Brad Raiden via TKO (Head Kick and Punches) – Round 1 (1:56)
Mikel Janik def. Olly Rix via Unanimous Decision
