Jeff Lentz Defends his Title at CFFC 55 Against Bill Algeo!
On January 9, 2016, current Cage Fury Fighting Championship’s (CFFC) featherweight champion, Jeff Lentz will defend his title against submission expert Bill “Mr. Perfect” Algeo at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Arguably the toughest division in CFFC, the featherweight division has no easy fights and a win here for either fighter could put them where the last champion went; the UFC. "Lentz and Algeo are both well-rounded fighters,” stated CFFC CEO Robert Haydak, Jr. “On paper, this is about as even a match-up you'll find. If both fighters bring their A-game, then this will be fight of the night."
A veteran of Bellator, Jeff Lentz has composed a 10-5-1 record and has faced the toughest competition in the region along with a stint in the Ultimate Fighter. However, he knows that holding the CFFC featherweight crown could be his toughest challenge. “Cage Fury has a very deep talent pool,” remarked the champion. “Defending my title allows me to fight the higher level opponents that are necessary to get to the next level. At the same time I get to cement my championship status by beating a talented fighter like Bill Algeo.”
Lentz is all about challenges and has ventured off into a successful boxing career. No matter what, Lentz just likes to compete and fighting is his niche. “I take pride in the fact that fighting is what I do,” stated Lentz. “The bigger the challenge, the more pride I take in that achievement. The depth of the CFFC 145-pound division better motivate anyone that thinks they are championship material. If not you are going to get snuck. If you're not in this to be the best, you’re just stealing oxygen from the fighters that are.”
Although he’s not looking past Algeo, Lentz would like to follow the footsteps of the previous champion, Levan Makashvilli who after winning the CFFC title in 2014, went on to compete in the UFC where is he is fighting later on this month. “A win hopefully puts me in the UFC,” exclaimed Lentz. “I beat a hell of a fighter in Jared Gordon to win this title. Most think he is UFC caliber and many thought he was on his way. Hopefully I can get the same kind of recognition when I beat Bill. A few tweets to Dana would be nice. It is a win-win for me to make the jump from a great regional promotion to the UFC. I see this fight being a war, but I'm going to win by finish. Let Bill's camp game plan all they want. I'm too tough, too talented, and too well coached.”
Considered one of the top prospects in the CFFC featherweight division, Bill Algeo (7-2) is looking to make name for himself this Saturday night against Lentz. “Fighting for the CFFC title has been a goal of mine since I started with the organization three years ago,’ stated Algeo. “A victory over Jeff would just be more validation that I'm doing the right things and that I'm closer to being in the UFC.”
Algeo has proved that he can compete with the other elite in the Division and has already faced other featherweight stand outs in Shane Burgos and Anthony Terrell Smith. While winning six out his last seven contests, Algeo is looking forward to his newest test in a veteran like Lentz. “I feel like my opponent has been around forever and was surprised to see that he's the same age as me,” stated Algeo. “Jeff has experience boxing, kickboxing and competing in BJJ. He is the champ for a reason. I've seen who he's beat and I was at his last fight. I know Jeff is dangerous and aggressive that's why I like this fight. I need someone in there to challenge me so I can showcase all my skills. My prediction is of course getting that “W”. I have a lot of ways to win and will make the adjustments I need during the fight to get that finish. It's a five-round fight so I will drag him into deep waters in the later rounds and then begin to dismantle him. I hope Jeff gave up cigarettes for "Lentz" because he's going to need all the cardio he can find.”
“Sometimes matchmaking is easy,” stated CFFC matchmaker Arias Garcia Jr. “We have a champion (Lentz) that will truly fight anyone and a challenger (Algeo) that’s eager to take the title. They are two of the top prospects in the world at featherweight and I’m just excited that they are fighting for us. This fight will be an instant classic.”