THE CLINCH REPORT

By Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Photos By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com

On March 4th, Lights Out Promotions, in association with Bash Boxing, will present a reincarnation of sorts. California Xtreme Fighting has dusted off their banner of war, and once again it will be flying over the warriors inside of a cage. We are proud to present CXF: The Return, which will be held March 4th at The Sportsmen’s Lodge in Studio City.

Many of Southern California’s top fighters have cut their teeth under the CXF Banner including: Joe Schilling, Jared Hamman, Tony Ferguson, Joe Condon, Jared Papazian, Francisco Rivera, Aaron Miller and many others. Since CXF’s last event many have tried to fill the void, but none have been able.

“The Return” of CXF has one purpose. The combat gods have short memories, so we will jog their recollection by putting together one of the best fight cards of the year. CXF:”The Return” will feature some of southern California’s top mixed martial arts talent, all of them looking to move one step closer to the promise land. The main card will feature a mix of seasoned professionals, and talented young ‘up and comers’ that will end up being future champions in this sport. This is an event that cannot be missed, so get your tickets early. This event is certain to sell out.
Go To: www.valleyfightnight.com  to purchase tickets.

The Main Event:
Pablo Sabori (6-2 MMA) vs Karen Darabedyan: (10-5 MMA) 155 lbs
Both fighters have well decorated pedigrees, and they both come from outstanding teams. Sabori a native Brazilian will be bringing his well rounded striking game into the cage, looking to turn lights out early. Darabedyan a grappler by trade, is also not one to shy away from a fire fight. He too has explosive hands with excellent footwork, so a toe-to-toe war is a possibility. However, he has been inactive in MMA for a little over a year. Will the ring rust be an issue? Sabori is currently riding a 4 fight win streak, and a hot horse is always tough to bet against. This fight could go either way, making all who witness the only sure fire guaranteed winners! Both of these guys are highly skilled, so this fight may produce any one, or maybe all of the performance bonuses! Buckle your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

The Main Card:
Shohei Yamamoto (2-0 MMA) vs Erick Gonzalez (4-1 MMA) 155 lbs
This is a very intriguing fight. Both of these fighters had absolutely stellar amateur careers, which resulted in success early on as professionals. Erick ‘The Ghost Pepper’ Gonzalez a spicy striker with power in both hands, has deadly Muay Thai strikes. He is extremely precise with his striking, and on the mat he has some explosive jiujitsu. Shohei Yamamoto is a well rounded fighter with knockout power in both hands. He also maintains a CSW pedigree which could make him a nightmare if he secures top position. Both of these guys are on the rise, what a treat to see them compete this early in there careers. Experts always claim styles make fights, and this one is not different. This fight may end up being the Fight of The Night.

Mosses Murrieta (1-0 MMA) vs John Gendron (1-0 MMA) 185 lbs
What a matchup! Both of these guys seem to enjoy throwing their hands, and when they do, they tend to make a mess. Murrieta destroyed his last opponent via KO early in the first round, while Gendron recently slugged out a decision in his pro debut. Both of these guys can end the fight with one punch. Very often when you have that kind of power facing off, you end up getting a back and forth war. This fight could produce either Knockout of The Night, or Fight of The Night, or dare we dream both?

Matthew Spencer (3-1 MMA) vs Idris Wasi (1-3 MMA) 185 lbs
Both of these fighters are hungry. Losses can be motivating that way, they are tough to stomach. Idris Wasi is cardio machine, who went the distance in his last fight, his debut under the Bellator banner. However he ended up on the wrong side of a judges decision. Now looking to punch his ticket back to the big leagues, Wasi must first ply his craft at CXF: The Return. His opponent Matthew Spencer is also coming off a disappointing loss, and is flat out chomping at the bit to get back in the cage. In Wasi, Spencer sees dinner, one he must first hunt himself. Spencer a jiujitsu purple belt with heavy hands has fought here before, and is banking on the hometown support. Both fighters are excellent athletes so this one might end up a going the distance in a back and forth war.

Bobby Sanchez (8-27 MMA) vs Derrion ‘DC’ Chapman (1-4-1 MMA) 145 lbs
Sanchez comes in off a win, and brings over 10 years experience as a professional fighter. In his career he has fought UFC veteran Cody McKenzie, Bellator MMA and WEC vet Chad George, Bellator MMA veteran Mark Vorgeas, and WEC legend Manny Tapia. He will need to rely on that experience as he is set to take on the always entertaining Derrion Chapman. Chapman returns to our cage for the 4th time and is looking to put an end to a 2 fight skid. Both of these guys are pretty quick, so don’t blink.

Taylor Alfaro (0-0 MMA) vs Kyler Phillips (0-0 MMA) 145 lbs
Both of these fellas are making their professional debuts after stellar records as amateurs. Neither has tasted defeat before, going a combined 10-0 as amateurs. With 8 of those fights ending decisively, by either submission or knockout this is a fight you will not want to miss. Two young guns looking to make a name at the others expense. This fight could go either way, and may end up producing a future champion.

Chase Gibson (MMA) vs A.J. Bryant (MMA) 145 lbs
Chase Gibson burst on to the professional scene as an undefeated amateur with a whole bunch of eyes on him. Three fights into his career he finds himself in the midst of his first losing streak. Losing 2 of his first 3 bouts via decision, Gibson is certainly looking to getting back to his forte, which is knocking people out. In his way talented youngster A.J. Bryant who is making his professional debut. Bryant, a heavy handed scrapper, is eager to start his pro career the way his amateur one ended with a victory.

Brad Robinson (1-1 MMA) vs Andryii Vasylenko (3-0 MMA) 220lbs
Training out of Hayastan MMA, Andryii Vasylenko enters the professional ranks with one hell of a pedigree behind him. The concrete fisted grappler can end any fight in an instant, either with his vicious hands, or on the mat with his stifling grappling. At 6’5 Bradley Robinson will be the first opponent Vasylenko won’t be able to dominant with sheer size. If Robinson can utilize his reach he should be able to keep the fight at a range where only he can score. This fight is going to end being a battle of will, look for both fighters to assert themselves early in this battle.

Keith Cutrone (0-0 MMA) vs Edgar Khachatryan (0-0 MMA) 170 lbs
Both of these fighters are making their professional debuts. Cutrone, a submission expert has won all three of his amateur bouts via the tap, is looking to parlay that success into a debut win as a professional. His opponent Edgar Khachatryan also making his debut fights out of the famed Hayastan Academy, where he trains under grappling gods Gokor Chivichyan and Gene Lebell. With those guys leading your camp, you can expect a well prepared fighter ready to go to war. Keep in mind these guys are middleweights, so pay attention. Both of these guys throw bricks!

Tigran Grigoryan (0-0 MMA) vs Joshua Jones (0-1 MMA) 170 lbs
Both Grigoryan and Jones had extensive amateur careers. Jones is getting back into the cage for the first time since 2014 and is looking to bounce back from a loss in his pro debut. Grigoryan 4-1 as an amateur, is entering the pro ranks riding a 4 fight win streak, with 2 of those wins coming via submission. Grigoryan may maintain a slight edge on the mat, however Jones has much more time in the cage, and that experience could prove to be the difference maker. Also, both of these guys have the gas to go the distance, so keep a score card on this one, it could end up being that close.

In an Amateur Showcase, Jonathan Quiroz from CMMA will be taking on Leon Shahbazian from Glendale Fighting Club at 170 lbs. In case you missed any of our events check out the image gallery below.