CFFC 135 results: Joey Ruquet scores stunning upset of Khusein Shaikhaev to claim bantamweight title
Wild fight week ends with a little extra chaos, but "El Cazador" secures gold in Tampa.
TAMPA, Florida – Joey Ruquet scored the biggest win of his career in incredibly dramatic fashion, shocking the massively favored and previously undefeated Khusein Shaikhaev to claim vacant bantamweight gold in the main event of CFFC 135.
The stunning upset came via majority decision after four hotly contested rounds in the headlining bout of Saturday's event, which took place at the Florida State Fairgrounds and streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
The contest proved a clash of styles from the start, with underdog Ruquet slicker on the feet and Shaikhaev the more dominant grappler. However, Ruquet clearly prepared for the challenge, flashing lighting-quick sprawls on multiple occasions and scrambling back to his feet quickly on the few times he did hit the floor. Then, when able to work his standup game, Ruquet racked up points with slick boxing, as well as a steady diet of calf kicks that visibly reddened Shaikhaev's lead leg.
As the rounds wore on, conventional wisdom assumed Shaikhaev would likely slow his output, given he missed weight at Friday's official weigh-ins following what seemed to be a difficult cut, registering 138 pounds and leaving him ineligible to claim the belt. To his credit, though, that was not the case, with Shaikhaev earning his most dominant grappling exchanges in the fourth and final round, nearly hitting a sneaky Suloev stretch along the way.
However, Ruquet refused to relent, and it turned out his early work was enough to claim the title without the need for a tie-breaking fifth round, taking home the win by majority decision with scores of 39-37, 38-38 and 39-37.
Shaikhaev and his team – who had arrived to the venue several hours after their scheduled report time but were still cleared to compete by Florida Athletic Commission officials – were incensed at the decision and briefly created a melee both in and out of the cage, verbally and physically attacking both law enforcement and commission officials, but order was quickly restored, and Ruquet was able to enjoy a special moment with his wife, son, and team.
"This is our moment – this isn't mine," Ruquet said as he brought his family into the cage and draped the belt over his son's shoulder before addressing his wife. "I wouldn't be the man and the fighter I am today without this woman by my side."
Ruquet (10-4) – who closed as a stunning +700 underdog, giving Shaikhaev an implied win probability of nearly 88 percent – now boasts a three-fight win streak and hopes that the dramatic victory is enough to earn him a call to the sport's biggest stage, issuing a message to UFC boss Dana White.
"I was hoping to spill a little bit more blood so I can write UFC on the white (canvas), but let me give you a shout out Dana," Ruquet said. "I'm ready. I've got nothing else to prove. I'm here. Give me a call.
"UFC, I'm ready!"
Meanwhile, Shaikhaev (12-1) loses for the first time as a professional in his U.S. debut.
Complete CFFC 135 results include:
Complete CFFC 135 results include:
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS)
Joey Ruquet def. Khusein Shaikhaev via majority decision (39-37, 38-38, 39-37) – to claim vacant bantamweight title
Perry Stargel def. Hugh Pulley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Blake Smith def. Donald Bush via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28
Kendly St. Louis def. Collin Lubberts via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Mihai Culai def. C.J. Brant via TKO (punch) – Round 2, 4:36
Daniel Matos def. Brandon Gaitor via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:39
PRELIMINARY CARD (ONLYFANS)
Matt Hammerstone def. Rueben Beard via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:30
NextGen: Blake Torchon def. Phoenix Ibe via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:47 – to claim vacant featherweight title
NextGen: James Gavra def. Drew Onega via unanimous decision (30-27,30-27, 29-28)
NextGen: Aldo Dominguez def. JoJo Alford via unanimous decision (30-27,30-27, 29-28)