CFFC 135 preview: Scrappy Joey Ruquet, undefeated Khusein Shaikhaev collide with vacant bantamweight title on line
Highly respected promotional newcomers headline Saturday's event at Tampa's Florida State Fairgrounds.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Cage Fury Fighting Championships returns to Florida for the third and final time of 2024 this Saturday to kick off a stretch of two events in just seven days, beginning with "CFFC 135: Ruquet vs. Shaikhaev."
In the night's main event, the vacant CFFC bantamweight title will be on the line, as durable combat sports veteran Joey Ruquet faces undefeated Chechen Khusein Shaikhaev. The two newcomers top an 11-bout lineup that featured an intriguing mix of both promotional veterans and debuting athletes.
Limited tickets remain at CFFC.tv.
The CFFC 135 main card streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS, while prelims stream on OnlyFans. Longtime MMA broadcaster and journalist John Morgan will call the action alongside veteran sports commentator Geena Lucille, who debuted for the promotion earlier this year.
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS, 8 p.m. ET)
Joey Ruquet vs. Khusein Shaikhaev – for vacant bantamweight title
Hugh Pulley vs. Perry Stargel
Cameron Kinzig vs. Vitor Resende
Donald Bush vs. Blake Smith
Collin Lubberts vs. Kendly St. Louis
C.J. Brant vs. Mihai Culai
PRELIMINARY CARD (ONLYFANS, 6 p.m. ET)
Brandon Gaitor vs. Daniel Matos
Rueben Beard vs. Matt Hammerstone
NextGen: Phoenix Ibe vs. Blake Torchon – for vacant featherweight title
NextGen: James Gavra vs. Drew Onega
NextGen: JoJo Alford vs. Aldo Dominguez
MAIN EVENT: JOEY RUQUET VS. KHUSEIN SHAIKHAEV
While they are both newcomers to the CFFC cage, Joey "El Cazador" Ruquet (9-4) and Khusein "Shy" Shaikhaev (12-0) bring a wealth of experience with them into the CFFC 135 headliner.
Ruquet is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt but also boasts extensive experience in boxing, kickboxing, judo, sambo, catch wrestling and more. The 32-year-old Silverback Fight Team athlete made eight appearances under the Combate Global banner and most recently competed for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA, showing his versatility. Now, as he returns to action after a year away, he plans on making a statement in addition to taking the CFFC title left vacant when former champ Vilson Ndregjoni lost the belt on the scale at CFFC 120.
Meanwhile, Shaikhaev comes to the promotion following a 12-fight stint under the Absolute Championship Akhmat banner and the promotion's predecessor, Absolute Championship Berkut. The 27-year-old prospect has since relocated to Florida, where he trains at the famed Kill Cliff FC alongside his twin brother, Khaseyn Shaikhaev.
Ruquet believes it's his time to finally receive the recognition he deserves for the work he's put in behind the scenes, while Shaikhaev is hoping to make an immediate impact in the United States and emerge as an immediate big-show target. Only one man can step forward in this headlining opportunity, the biggest of their respective careers thus far.
CO-MAIN EVENT: HUGH PULLEY VS. PERRY STARGEL
The night's co-main event features a pair of welterweight veterans, as former CFFC title challenger Hugh "The Preacher" Pulley (10-7 MMA, 2-4 CFFC) takes on promotional newcomer Perry Stargel (9-6 MMA, 0-0 CFFC).
An 11-year pro, Pulley debuted for the promotion in 2018 against former CFFC welterweight champion Jonavin Webb, coming up short via decision. A Florida resident, Pulley returned to the organization in 2022, again suffering a decision loss in a failed bid for a vacant welterweight belt at CFFC 106. Pulley has added four additional CFFC appearances since, including wins over Collin Luberts and Bryan McDowell and looks to move to 3-1 in his past four outings with a win at CFFC 135.
Meanwhile, Ohio's Stargel is looking to right the ship after a pair of recent setbacks ended an impressive run of three-straight first-round finishes. While he's hoping for a rebound, Stargel has shown himself to be a dangerous opponent, with 78 percent of his career wins coming by way of finish, while simultaneously proving a tough out, being stopped just once in his professional run.
CAMERON KINZIG VS. VITOR RESENDE
A featured heavyweight bout between Cameron Kinzig (4-0) and Vitor "Vitão" Resende (4-1) should be thrilling for as long as it lasts, which admittedly might not be beyond the opening round.
Ohio's Kinzig, a 6-foot-6 pupil of UFC legend Matt "The Immortal" Brown, has ended all four of his career bouts to date in the opening five minutes. Meanwhile, Brazil's Resende has scored three of his four wins in the first frame, with two of those earned in 35 seconds or less. The 6-foot-9 Resende's lone loss to date came in a PFL Challenger Series event in 2023, and he now looks to rebound from that setback.
Two giants who know how to end fights quickly have something to prove on Saturday. Don't blink.
DONALD BUSH VS. BLAKE SMITH
Florida bragging rights are on the line in a lightweight scrap, as Okeechobee's Donald "Dirt Red" Bush (9-4 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) faces Tampa's own Blake Smith (8-4 MMA, 3-1 CFFC).
Bush steps into the CFFC cage for the first time looking to build on the strength of a submission win in a headlining bout on the Nebraska regional scene just six weeks ago. The 34-year-old is a proven grappling threat, with 89 percent of his career wins coming by tapout.
Meanwhile, Smith is a former CFFC lightweight champ who left the organization for an opportunity with Bellator MMA but recently returned to the CFFC cage with a decision win over Keith Speed in July. Now, Smith returns just two months later, looking for a second consecutive win and to catch the eyes of UFC matchmakers.
COLLIN LUBBERTS VS. KENDLY ST. LOUIS
Another pair of Floridians clash in a key welterweight matchup, as Collin Lubberts (6-3 MMA, 0-2 CFFC) takes on the red-hot Kendly "The Highlander" St. Louis (9-4 MMA, 3-0 CFFC).
Lubberts enters the CFFC cage for the third time still seeking his first win for the promotion, but those two previous losses were hardly indicative of his skills, with both coming via split decision, including an incredible five-round battle in 2022 for a vacant belt against former champ Raheam Forest. After those incredibly narrow losses, Lubberts is intent on getting back into the win column.
Meanwhile, St. Louis had a rough start to his career, going 3-4 to start his professional run. However, he has since rallied to an impressive six straight wins, including a perfect 3-0 mark in CFFC and a pair of victories under the PFL Challenger Series banner.
With a statement win, either man could take a massive step toward a future CFFC welterweight title shot.
C.J. BRANT VS. MIHAI CULAI
The night's main card kicks off with a pair of lightweight newcomers looking to keep win streaks alive, as C.J. Brant (3-1) faces Mihai Culai (1-0).
Georgia's Brant dropped his professional debut via submission in January 2023 but has since battled back for three consecutive wins. Meanwhile, Florida's Culai was victorious in his first pro fight and now looks to stay perfect in his sophomore outing.
BRANDON GAITOR VS. DANIEL MATOS
The night's featured preliminary bout sees a pair of lightweights return to the organization seeking their first win in the CFFC cage, as Brandon "The Gladiator" Gaitor (5-5 MMA, 0-1 CFFC) takes on Daniel "The Android" Matos (5-4 MMA, 0-1 CFFC)
Gator made his CFFC debut in 2022, suffering a submission loss to future CFFC featherweight champ and PFL signee Jose Perez. Meanwhile, Costa Rica-born Matos, who now calls Tampa home, made his CFFC debut in 2022 and suffered a knockout loss to Kendly St. Louis. Both now step into the CFFC cage for a second time with redemption on their mind.
RUEBEN BEARD VS. MATT HAMMERSTONE
The first professional contest of the evening takes place at bantamweight, as Florida's Rueben "GameSeven" Beard (Pro debut) takes on Pennsylvania's Matt "The Hammer" Hammerstone (0-1 MMA, 0-1 CFFC).
Beard makes his professional debut after closing out an amateur run with a 5-3 mark that included four submission victories. Meanwhile, Hammerstone was a perfect 6-0 as an amateur but came up short on the cards in his pro debut in April against highly touted prospect Riley Palmer. Both men now seek their first professional wins.
NEXTGEN: PHOENIX IBE VS. BLAKE TORCHON
The night's final amateur bout of the evening will see the vacant CFFC NextGen title on the line, as Phoenix Ibe (3-1) faces Blake "Cheesecake" Torchon (6-3), who each make their promotional debuts.
Ibe has shown versatility early in his career, already earning wins by knockout and submission, and also boasts some amateur kickboxing experience, as well. Meanwhile, Torchon has scored finishes in five of his six amateur wins thus far and also has competed in submission grappling, kickboxing and muay Thai.
JAMES GAVRA VS. DREW ONEGA
A pair of NextGen lightweights who opened their careers perfectly but now look to rebound from setbacks collide next, as James Gavra (3-1) meets Drew Onega (3-2).
Gavra was victorious in his first three career outings but in April tasted defeat for the first time, suffering a decision loss on the Florida regional scene. Meanwhile, Onega also started his amateur run at 3-0 but has since endured a pair of setbacks. The two each look to get back into the win column as they make their CFFC debuts.
JOJO ALFORD VS. ALDO DOMINGUEZ
The night kicks off in the NextGen lightweight division with a pair of Floridians, as Fort Pierce's JoJo Alford (2-1) takes on North Fort Myers' Aldo Dominguez (Debut). Both step into the CFFC cage for the first time.
