Coming into the fight on back-to-back losses, lightweight Brentin Mumford needed a victory last night in the main event and did it with ease, stopping 12-year veteran Rob Hill in the main event of Eternal 39.
The event took place at the Southport Sharks Club on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
After missing weight by two kilograms, Mumford was not impressed that Hill avoided cutting any further weight and made it clear as he didn’t touch gloves with his opponent prior to the fight beginning.
The first notable exchange ended with a front kick from Mumford clipping Hill in the groin which left him wincing in pain. This forced an extensive pause in the fight to allow Hill to recover. On the restart a high kick from Mumford was returned with a body kick from Hill. A flying knee from Mumford allowed Hill to secure a takedown however Mumford immediately looked for the switch, stayed active and escaped back to his feet. Mumford staggered his opponent with a knee, step-in elbow combination as he rained down punches from the top for the remainder of the round; stopping only to go for a guillotine choke in the final seconds.
Mumford dominated the striking exchange in the second, connecting with a strong right as he looked comfortable standing in front of his opponent. Hill gave up a position with a failed takedown. This allowed Mumford to rain down strikes from top and with Hill not improving position, the referee halted the contest.
Hill drops to 14-11-1 with Mumford taking his record to 10-6 but he wasn’t happy.
“I’m a bit disappointed to be honest,” Mumford told the crowd in his post-fight speech.
“He didn’t even try to make weight which as you can see, making 70 kg for me isn’t easy and I get there.
“He didn’t want to be here anyways and you could see it in the fight. I didn’t really do much and I’m disappointed it took that long.”
It was yet again another submission for Michael Tobin who secured another first round submission victory.
The 26-year-old wasted little time in getting the fight into his domain as Hibberd came out aggressive, landing an overhand right before wrestling Tobin against the cage. This proved to be an error in judgement against Tobin, a Judo Black Belt, who tripped Hibberd to the canvas. Tobin went to work inside side-control. Hibberd tried to find the space to escape as Tobin saw an opportunity to transition to the back. The Southside/PUMMA trained fighter lost the position and Hibberd say inside Tobin’s open guard. Tobin linked a triangle choke and survived a series of slams from Hibberd before earning the tap.
Tobin moves his pro record to 16-2 and remains undefeated on Australian shores. The submission, the 15th in Tobin’s career, moves him past MMA pioneer Chris Haseman as the most submission wins by an Australian.
“Sam is a very very tough guy. His last few fights have been long wars so it’s good to get the quick win over him,” Tobin commented in his post-fight speech.
“I always get the same advice from my corner. That’s hands up, chin down and look for the submission. That’s the game-plan. That’s always the game-plan and I keep winning,” Tobin added.
In his last professional fight, 8-year veteran Greg Atzori signed off with a loss as TUF Smashes competitor and former UFC fighter Ben Wall stopped “The Tarantula” with a rear-naked choke inside the first round. Wall shot in for a deep takedown and slammed his opponent to the canvas. He immediately looked to secure the head-arm choke before taking the back, where he tried to sneak the arm around the neck. Atzori defended well but with each re-position, the choke seem to get tighter and ultimately Atzori had to tap.
“Greg is a champion. it’s a shame it’s his last fight. He’s been around for a long time so nothing but respect for Greg,” Wall commented after the bout.
Wall moves to 9-7-1 in what was an important win. Asked what’s next, Wall had a simple response.
“Just keep taking and winning fights, proving that I am one of the best lightweights in the world. Definitely the best lightweight in Australia. I’ll fight any lightweight in the world.”
In his career swansong, Atzori got time behind the microphone and wanted to send a message to the next generation off fighters coming through the ranks.
“It’s been coming for a while. I want to concentrate on other things, family, being around for my kids longer and things like that. Obviously reaching the UFC is everyone’s dream but I feel like I’ve done everything I wanted to do in Australian MMA.
“I kept my dignity, didn’t get angry or upset on any calls. I came out here to fight, no matter who was in front of me. I had respect, no matter what my opponent did and I just hope the generations coming up do the same. I don’t like this trash talking and all this rubbish.
“Just (show) respect and need to go back to it,” he added
In the other pro fight on the card, Dan Hill secured a first-round submission over Joel Downey-Cave.
Results (Pro):
- Brentin Mumford def. Rob Hill via TKO (Strikes), Rd 2, 1:32
- Michael Tobin def. Sam Hibberd via Submission (Triangle Choke), Rd 1, 2:14
- Ben Wall def. Greg Atzori via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 3:16
- Dan Hill def. Joel Downey-Cave via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 4:35
Results (Amateur):
- Cody Watego def. Chris Thorne via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 3, 2:58
- Jayden Binnie def. Tyrell Woolcott via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 3, 2:08
- Ben Higgins def. Rafael Vilches via Decision (Split)
- Mack Gorrie def. Ryan Bishop via TKO (Strikes), Rd 3, 2:13
- Jack Williams def. Luke Davies via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1,
- Adi Canimovic def. Christian Lapham via TKO (Strikes), Rd 1, 0:28
- Blake Wilson def. Levon McGrath via TKO (Strikes), Rd 2, 2:36
- William Rosen def. Zack Kelly Brundson via Decision (Unanimous)
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