CFFC Match Day results: Kade Moore claims historic second OW belt, as Missouri survives late West Virginia charge
Moore becomes first two-belt winner as Tigers go 2-0 in "Match Week" series on UFC FIGHT PASS.
COLUMBIA, Missouri – The University of Missouri's Kade Moore etched his name into the CFFC Match Day history books as the first ever two-time winner of the Outstanding Wrestler award, and stunningly, he accomplished the feat in just a five-day span.
Moore delivered the only pin of Sunday's UFC FIGHT PASS-streamed dual with West Virginia University, fueling a run of four straight wins for the Tigers, before the team watched the Mountaineers come rallying back with four consecutive wins of their own. Ultimately, an injury default at heavyweight handed the result of the thrilling dual to the Tigers.
The back-and-forth battle, which played out at Mizzou Arena, capped off a fantastic three-event "Match Week" series for CFFC Match Day.
The matinee presentation started off at 125-pounds, with West Virginia's Jett Strickenberger scoring a hard-fought decision win over Missouri freshman Gage Walker, who was competitive once again despite coming up short for the second time in five days. Then it was Moore's turn, following up his thrilling major decision win over Arizona State on Wednesday with an incredible pin just 22 seconds into the second period, escaping from an attempted mat return an immediately locking up a cradle to stick his opponent's shoulders to the floor.
It was a rallying effort that saw the Tigers then claim three more wins – including Josh Edmond and Logan Gioffre decisions, as well as a 14-4 major decision by James Conway – to take a commanding lead into the midpoint break. Adding in a controversial point deduction levied to West Virginia's Jordan Titus for an overhand toss of his headgear to the center of the mat following his loss to Edmond, and the score stood at 16-2 after five matches.
As action resumed, undefeated Peyton Hall started the West Virginia comeback with a come-from-behind decision win over Cam Steed in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the day. The Mountaineers would continue to rally in the higher weight classes, where Missouri has been ravaged by injuries, taking home three additional wins – including two major decisions – to tie things up at 16-16.
With the result of the dual hanging in the balance at heavyweight, West Virginia's Michael Wolfgram looked to repeat his effort from last year's "Battle on the Boardwalk," where he claimed an Outstanding Wrestler title of his own with a technical fall that scored the Mountaineers a victory over Columbia.
However as he was leading 6-5 with just over a minute remaining in the match, Wolfgram dropped levels and shot forward for a takedown before immediately clutching his right knee. After an official timeout in which Wolfgram was clearly in agony, he attempted to finish out the match but immediately collapsed to the mat, and the contest was called off with just 71 seconds remaining, awarding an injury default to Missouri's Jarrett Stoner and handing the Tigers a 22-16 victory in the dual.
Afterward, Moore – a national qualifier from a year ago who has struggled at times at the start of this season – said he expects to continue the momentum he built during "Match Week" and was awfully comfortable with a CFFC Match Day Outstanding Wrestler belt draped over each shoulder.
"I'm pumped, man," Moore said. "It's not even close to being over. Not even close. I like the way these feel on me."
COMPLETE MISSOURI VS. WEST VIRGINIA RESULTS INCLUDE:
125: Jett Strickenberger (WVU) def. Gage Walker (MIZZ) via decision (7-6)
133: Kade Moore (MIZZ) def. Tommy Maddox (WVU) via fall (3:21)
141: Josh Edmond (MIZZ) def. Jordan Titus (WVU) via decision (5-2)
149: Logan Gioffre (MIZZ) def. Sam Hillegas (WVU) via decision (9-8)
157: James Conway (MIZZ) def. Sasha Gavronsky (WVU) via major decision (14-4)
165: Peyton Hall (WVU) def. Cam Steed (MIZZ) via decision (10-8)
174: Brody Conley (WVU) def. Joel Mylin (MIZZ) via major decision (12-2)
184: Dennis Robin (WVU) def. Jeremy Jakowitsch (MIZZ) via major decision (11-2)
197: Ian Bush (WVU) def. Jesse Cassatt (MIZZ) via decision (8-3)
285: Jarrett Stoner (MIZZ) def. Michael Wolfgram (WVU) via injury default (5:49)
