New Zealand fighter Keiran “The Stonecutter” Joblin defended his Carnage in the Cage (CITC) lightweight title for the third time on Saturday night, defeating Brentin Mumford via decision in the main event of CITC 7. In the semi-main event, former TUF Smashes and UFC fighter Ben Alloway rebounded from a recent overseas loss to capture the welterweight belt.
The event took place at the Mackay Entertainment Centre in Queensland’s north.
Strikeforce Auckland trained Kieran Joblin was made to work for it early, after securing the trip takedown he found himself on his back as Mumford secured a nice reversal and looked to find openings by throwing punches and short elbows inside guard. Joblin was pushed up against the cage and Mumford unloaded rights that gave Joblin the room to kick-away and get back to his feet. Mumford successfully sprawled a double-leg attempt before ending the round on top from a failed trip from Joblin.
A spinning wheel kick from Mumford clipped Joblin as the two clinched against the cage, with Joblin in particular landing short knees. Mumford again successfully sprawled a takedown attempt however a failed spinning back elbow would prove costly as Joblin secured a body-lock trip. Joblin stayed active from top and it wasn’t until 30-seconds left in the round that Mumford was finally able to escape back to his feet. Mumford switched a takedown and finished the round on top but it was Joblin’s round and arguably a round each leading to the third.
Joblin straight away pressed for the takedown to begin the third, switching levels and attacking the legs, which put Mumford on his back. As Joblin looked to ground-and-pound, Mumford was able to create some space to escape back to his feet. There, both fighters battled for position with Mumford getting a takedown but unable to do anything significant with it. Late in the fight, Mumford attempted to drag his opponent down the the ground however 28-year-old Joblin turned in to get the top position. He finished the round strong, landing elbows and punches from inside half-guard. All three judges awarded the fight 29-28 to Joblin.
“It was all in that last round,” Joblin commented in post-fight speech.
“Brentin definitely picked me in the first round. I got some sub attempts but he was too good. Second round I manage to hold him down and get back-control and in the third it was just back-and-forth. He is a big boy for a lightweight so I knew my cardio would catch up to his strength.
“The last 30-seconds I sort of felt a bit of an opening and that allowed me to steal the fight.”
Joblin has only lost twice in sixteen fights and will return to Australian in November to take on Brisbane based Korean fighter Sung Hwa Han, with the winner getting the opportunity to fight in Pancrase.
In the welterweight title bout, Matt “The Viper” Vaile was hoping to upset former UFC veteran Ben Alloway and put on an encouraging display before losing via unanimous decision. Alloway looked calm and composed in the first round as he pressed the action for the most part. Vaile landed kicks from the outside, including a head kick that found it’s mark. The Kiwi did on occasion get Alloway on his back in a competitive first round.
Alloway took his opponent’s back in the second round and looked to secure the choke but was forced to abort after sliding off the side. Alloway raised the tempo late in the round, landing some strikes and he put on an exclamation point with a takedown.
Now training out of his own gym, BBA mixed martial arts facility, Alloway controlled the last round, using his strikes to set up first a single-leg and then a double-leg takedown. Alloway went to work with a kimura attempt standing over his opponent, as Vaile regained half-guard and freed his arm. Alloway stayed active from top and rolled to secure a heel-hook before the buzzer went.
All judges scored the bout 30-27 to Alloway who walks away with the Carnage in the Cage welterweight strap and takes his record to 18-7.
“I take a round to get going. That can be dangerous with someone like Matt’s (Vaile) caliber. His only young in the sport but his a good tough, explosive guy. Always dangerous. He caught me with a head-kick. It was something I didn’t want to take again so I tried to stay away.”
Alloway dedicated the fight to his brother’s wife who passed away recently after a battle with cancer.
Also on the card, Western Australian based Welsh fighter David Jenkins secured a decision win over Taela Kelly while Nick Lequiller secured an impressive arm-triangle submission to defeat Kimo Smith. It was a better night for Kim’s brother, Keohu Smith as he scored a first-round TKO over Joel McFarlane.
Fight Card (Pro):
- Kieran Joblin (c) def. Brentin Mumford via Decision (Unanimous) – CITC lightweight title
- Ben Alloway def. Matt Vaile via Decision (Unanimous) – CITC welterweight title
- David Jenkins def. Taela Kelly via Decision (Unanimous)
- Nick Lesquiller def. Kimo Smith via Submission (Arm Triangle), Rd, 1, 1:15
- Keohu Smith def. Joel McFarlane via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 3:35
Fight Card (Amateur):
- Hayden Hotz def. Justin Van Heerden via Submission (Americana), Rd 3, 2:31
- Darren Habben def. Ben Edmonstone via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jesse Armstrong def. Joel Danger via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jack Macklin def. Jye Wyllie via Submission (Triangle Choke), Rd 1, 1:36
- Luke Lynch def. Corbin Robertson via Decision (Split)
- Peter Templer def. Steve Finn via Submission (Americana), Rd 1, 1:17
- Aaron Alexiou def Justin McLeod via Decision (Unanimous)
- Quinn Kelly def. James Reynolds via TKO, Rd 2, 2:37
Kieran Joblin submits Jai Bradney to retain CITC title; Anthony Johns tops Chris Indich
Brentin Mumford stops Sam Kitchener in the 1st round at Carnage in the Cage 5
