In his first outing since his UFC release, Australia’s Damien Brown scored a big victory over Daron Cruickshank at the Rizin FF 14 card in Japan tonight.
Brown, 34, looked in trouble early as Cruickshank’s explosive striking was on show early with the American also successfully defending a takedown attempt from Brown in the first 30-seconds. Brown remained on the front foot as he looked to take the fight to his opponent but was sent backwards into the corner by a solid spinning backfist. Cruiskshank came forward as the two threw heavy punches before separating and exchanging sweeping leg kicks. With a minute remaining in the round, Cruickshank went for a takedown attempt and it played right into Brown’s hands as he immediately locked up the guillotine. Wasn’t long before Cruickshank was forced to tap.
Damien Brown def. Daron Cruickshank via Sub (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1#RIZIN14 pic.twitter.com/YSqNp7K7d6
— Fight News Australia (@fightnewsaus) December 31, 2018
The ending coming with just under a minute left in the first round. Brown halts a three fight losing skid and improves his record to 18-12 (1-0 Rizin FF). Cruickshank who is also a former UFC fighter, drops to 16-11 (6-3 Rizin FF).
The win throws Brown’s hat into the mix for the reported lightweight Grand Prix the promotion is looking at doing in 2019. The Brisbane based fighter used his post-fight speech to call for a shot on this as well as calling out a former legend of the sport.
“I know there is the potential lightweight Grand Prix coming up in 2019. Let’s do it. I want the first seat.”
“If there is a show before then – Takanori Gomi. Let’s dance. I love it,” he added.
