CFFC 137 results: Undefeated Anthony Dilemme claims featherweight title with spectacular first-round TKO
Serra-Longo Fight Team prospect calls for UFC 309 debut at Madison Square Garden following impressive win
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania – Anthony Dilemme is the newest Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder, but if he has way, he won't keep the belt for long.
The undefeated Dilemme scored an impressive first-round TKO win over Beau Samaniego to claim a vacant featherweight title in the main event of Friday's CFFC 137 event, and the New York native immediately laid out his dream scenario for his next appearance: November's UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.
"Dana White, I want my shot," Dilemme said after the win. "Four weeks, my backyard, New York City – 170, 155, 145 – give me my shot. Just give me the call. I'll be ready.
"My backyard. I want that. I want that shot. MSG."
Dilemme and Samaniego wasted little time engaging from the start of the headliner, though the Serra-Longo Fight Team product's power was immediately evident. Still, Samaniego was more than willing to engage, walking forward and looking for striking opportunities of his own. After catching an early Dilemme high kick, the Gilbert Grappling standout was able to shift the action to the canvas, working first to the back and then to mount. However he was unable to maintain control, which proved costly.
A crafty Dilemme planted his feet on the cage for leverage and used a slick roll to create a scramble, moving quickly to the feet, where he immediately continued the striking assault. Shortly after, a second Samaniego takedown was stuffed, and a big Dilemme right hand sent him crashing to the canvas. From there, Dilemme pounced with big lefts on the floor, and the fight was waved off at the 3:28 mark of the opening frame.
With the win, new champ Dilemme (7-0 MMA, 6-0 CFFC) remains undefeated and claims CFFC gold with his sixth straight win under the CFFC banner. Meanwhile, Samaniego (6-2 MMA, 3-2 CFFC) sees a five-fight win streak snapped with the loss.
Complete CFFC 137 results include:
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS)
Anthony Dilemme def. Beau Samaniego via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:28 – to claima vacant CFFC featherweight championship
Robert Varrichio def. Alex Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kaushik Saikumar def. Adamu Abubakar via TKO (knee, punches) – Round 3, 2:02
Christian McAuley def. Tial Tang via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 3:04
Armando Gjetja def. Collin Anglin via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:55
Eric Nolan def. Aireon Tavarres via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:06
PRELIMINARY CARD (ONLYFANS)
Darwin Pena def. Jake Cena via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:23
Tom Hinz def. Christian Porter via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jose Rodriguez def. Xavier Martin via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 4:22
NextGen: Chris Hayes def. David Harrison via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – to claim vacant middleweight title
NextGen: Jeremy Garcia def. Justin Cariss via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 0:54