CFFC Match Day results: Shorthanded Missouri opens strong behind OW winner Kade Moore, hangs on to beat Arizona State
Tigers missing four starters on night but still take home victory to kick off Match Week on UFC FIGHT PASS.
COLUMBIA, Missouri – The University of Missouri faced injuries to several key athletes heading into Wednesday's Big 12 dual with new conference rivals Arizona State University, but the No. 23-ranked Tigers rallied around a youthful lineup to take home a 21-15 victory at Hearnes Center in a dual that streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS.
The action unfolded to kick off CFFC Match Day's special Match Week series, with three duals airing in a five-day span on the UFC's digital streaming service.
The night started at 125 pounds, where Arizona State drew first blood, but perhaps with not as severe of a wound as might have been expected, with reigning national champion Richard Figueroa taking home a tight 5-4 decision over freshman Gage Walker.
It was the only point of the night that the Sun Devils would enjoy a lead.
At 133 pounds, unranked redshirt sophomore Kade Moore turned in a sparkling 13-3 major decision result over No. 23 Julian Chlebove, giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead after two matches, an advantage that they would never relinquish.
A Josh Edmond major decision at 141 pounds and a dominant Cam Steed injury default at 165 gave the team additional bonus points, followed by a big Joel Mylin major decision at 174 that gave the Tigers a 21-6 advantage, and while Arizona State closed the evening with three straight victories, it was too little, too late in terms of the dual result.
After the match, Moore's tone-setting performance earned him the night's Outstanding Wrestler award and the special CFFC Match Day championship belt that accompanies the honor. He took the moment to praise his teammates for stepping up alongside him and said he believes his own personal momentum is now pointing in the right direction.
"A lot of these guys are super excited to come and get this opportunity," Moore said. "We've got young guys in the lineup, and they're just grateful to be here. They'll take that opportunity when they get it
"It's been a rough year for me, but I feel it coming. I feel like good things are coming.”
CFFC Match Day's special Match Week series continues on Friday, when the No. 17 University of Arkansas at Little Rock takes on Oregon State University. Then the organization returns to Columbia on Sunday, when the Tigers play host to No. 20 West Virginia University.
COMPLETE MISSOURI VS. ARIZONA STATE RESULTS INCLUDE:
125: Richard Figueroa (ASU) def. Gage Walker (MIZZ) via decision (5-4)
133: Kade Moore (MIZZ) def. Julian Clebove (ASU) via major decision (13-3)
141: Josh Edmond (MIZZ) def. Daniel Miranda (ASU) via major decision (17-8)
149: Jesse Vasquez (ASU) def. Zeke Seltzer (MIZZ) via decision (2-0)
157: James Conway (MIZZ) def. Michael Kilic (ASU) via decision (5-1)
165: Cam Steed (MIZZ) def. Nicco Ruiz (ASU) via injury default (0:53)
174: Joel Mylin (MIZZ) def. Javani Majoor (ASU) via major decision (11-1)
184: Cael Valencia (ASU) def. Logan Cole (MIZZ) via decision (12-8)
197: Max Acciardi (ASU) def. Jesse Cassatt (MIZZ) via decision (7-3)
285: Cohlton Schultz (ASU) def. Seth Nitzel (MIZZ) via decision (3-1)
