(Photo via Joshua Stebbings – Photographer)
Corey Nelson will meet Jake Mathews in the AFC welterweight title tournament final at AFC 7.
Corey Nelson vs Walber De Barros
The multi-Australian champion dominated Brazilian Walber De Barros before the event doctor called a stop to the one sided encounter late in the second round, with the BJJ black belt badly cut.
Round 1:
The fighters touch gloves to open the bout. De Barros engages with a head kick that Nelson blocks before snapping off and landing a side kick. De Barros drives Nelson into the ropes as both men land short knees. After the referee intervenes, Nelson fires off a pair of side kicks followed by one to the leg of De Barros, who tries for, but fails at a takedown as Nelson does well to sprawl. Nelson comes forward with a flurry, hurting De Barros, and winding up in the Brazilian’s guard. The Aussie chooses to stand soon after however. Nelson goes on the offensive again and lands an uppercut, before rag dolling De Barros as they clinch. De Barros returns fire with a takedown and lands in Nelson’s guard, however the Aussie is soon standing once more. As they reengage, Nelson lands a low blow that puts a stop to the action temporally. On the restart, Nelson catches a kick from De Barros and tosses him to the canvas. De Barros is back up as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Nelson.
Round 2:
A touch of gloves begins the second. Nelson fires off a double jab before driving De Barros back and landing short elbows that opens a nasty looking gash on De Barros. De Barros opts to pull guard as the Aussie lands more short elbows. De Barros goes straight to work from bottom position and grabs Nelsons leg and searches for a knee bar. Nelson rolls and De Barros capitalises on the situation and gains full mount. The referee resets the fight center ring with 2:44 left on clock. Nelson scrambles and easily regains feet as the fight restarts. A solid body shot then a flurry of punches form the Aussie drops De Barros, who tries desperately for an ankle, but Nelson scrambles well and winds up in half guard. Nelson continues forward on his bloodied up opponent and the referee calls a halt to the bout to check De Barros’s cut. The event doctor puts a stop to the clash at 4:20 into the round.
Result: Corey Nelson def Walber De Barros via Doctors Stoppage (Cut), Rd 2, 4:20
Jake Matthews vs Dean Purdon
Like Nelson, Mathews also looked impressive in his welterweight tournament semi-final clash, against Dean Purdon. Purdon was no match for the submission specialist on the ground, and was eventually forced to tap to a rear-naked choke in the second.
Round 1:
After the two men touch gloves, Mathews opens up with a 1-2 combination before driving Purdon back into the ropes. The fighters soon break as Jake lands a couple of shots before Purdon scores a takedown. Mathews goes to work on the ground and locks up an omoplata. Purdon is forced to roll and Mathews winds up in mount before tagging Purdon with short shots. Mathews then impressively transitions to a triangle choke from top position. Purdon rolls, but Mathews holds on to the choke from the bottom. Purdon eventually escapes the choke and the round comes to a close with Purdon on top. 10-9 Mathews.
Round 2:
Mathews comes forward throwing punches to begin the second round before driving Purdon back. Purdon drops down and grabs a leg, but Mathews scrambles and locks up a Kamura from top position. Purdon does well to hold on but soon after Mathews transitions into a rear-naked choke and forces the tap.
Result: Jake Matthews def Dean Purdon via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:42
Daniel Kelly vs Bor Bratovz
Daniel Kelly survived an early onslaught to beat Slovenian striker Bor Bratovz at his own game, and book a spot in the middleweight title tournament final at AFC 7 against Steve Kennedy. The Olympic Judoka, who can add iron chin to his resume, knocked Bratovz out cold in the second round. Kennedy progresses to the final without fighting tonight, after his slated opponent, Vik Grujic, was forced from the card with illness.
Round 1:
A respectful touch of gloves starts proceedings before the two fighters clinch. Kelly drives Bratovz back into the ropes and lands a knee to his leg. As they break, Bratovz lands a short right hand. Kelly clinches once more and forces Bratovz to back peddle again. Bratovz does well to stay standing. Kelly tries for a takedown however Bratovz winds up on top, but the local fighter quickly returns to his feet, before clinching again and driving Bratovz back. With two minutes left in the round the fighters break. Bratovz spots an opportunity and unleashes, landing several hard punches. Kelly looks to be in trouble but reverts back to his Judo, and flips Bratovz impressively to the canvas. Bratovz regains his feet however, before Kelly drives him backward once more. The fighters break and Bratovz lands a solid right hand before they again clinch. The round comes to an end with both men breathing heavily. 10-9 Bratovz.
Round 2:
Kelly drives in and clinches to open the second round. As they separate, Kelly lands a left before again clinching. A big flurry from both men sees Kelly come out on top with a left hand that drops Bratovz out cold. Fight over.
Result: Daniel Kelly def Bor Bratovz via KO (Punch), Rd 2, 1:42
Full event results:
- Daniel Hooker (C) def Nick Patterson via TKO (Punches), Rd 3, 0:34
- Robert Lisita def Rodolfo Marques via KO (Punch), Rd 2, 0:51
Middleweight Tournament:
- Daniel Kelly def Bor Bratovz via KO (Punch), Rd 2, 1:42
Welterweight Tournament:
- Corey Nelson def Walber De Barros via Doctors Stoppage (Cut), Rd 2, 4:20
- Jake Matthews def Dean Purdon via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:42
Undercard:
- Peter Davenport def Shaun Wilcock via KO (Punch), Rd 1, 0:21
- Craig Martin def Mikey Vaotuua via Decision (Unanimous), 30-26, 30-27, 30-27
- Joel Fisher def Zac Hook via Decision (Unanimous)
