CFFC 150 results: Busurman Zhumagul, Will Starks and Arias Matsuda claim vacant titles
Three new champions crowned at Friday's event, which streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Philadelphia's 2300 Arena
PHILADELPHIA – Busurman Zhumagul, Will Starks and Arias Matsuda each picked up the biggest wins of their budding careers, walking away with gold in the featured matchups of Friday's CFFC 150 event.
Three vacant belts were on the line in the final three bouts of the card, which streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS from 2300 Arena, and each of the winners turned in spectacular performances en route to claiming the belts.
In the night's headliner, it was Zhumagul (5-0 MMA, 5-0 CFFC) who kept his record perfect in scoring the welterweight crown. The Marquez MMA fighter faced a game Daniel Morrison (7-3 MMA, 2-1 CFFC), who became the first man to last a full round with Zhumagul. However the 21-year-old Kyrgyzstan native, who now lives and trains in Philadelphia, opened the second frame in incredible fashion, landing a spinning back elbow and following his downed opponent to the canvas, where he was able to lock up an anaconda choke for the submission win just 42 seconds into the round.
Following the victory, Zhumagul made it clear his goal is the UFC, and he's willing to walk any path it takes to get there.
"I'm calling my shot," Zhumagul said. "UFC, let's go. Dana White's Contender Series or short notice, 170 or 185, I'm ready. I'm here. I'm in America. Let's go."
In the night's co-main event, Starks (12-3 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) was a considerable underdog against the heavy-handed Nikita Leshukov (8-1 MMA, 1-1 CFFC) but was able to prove himself a worthy competitor through the opening two rounds before taking complete control in the third.
With Leshukov clearly wilting, Starks continued to pour on the pressure, taking the action to the floor and pounding away with shots from top position. Leshukov tried to stay in the fight by turning and moving at every referee instruction, but eventually the barrage forced a stoppage at the 4:51 mark of the third round.
Starks, who was also 15-1 as an amateur and twice claimed IMMAF world titles in that run, now owns a five-fight win streak and is 8-1 in his past nine total appearances. After the win, he took his time on the mic to respectfully call for his opportunity at the next level, as well.
"At the pinnacle of my career, with longevity and infinite potential on the horizon, I am ready to test my skills against the best in the world," Starks said. "Please, give me the opportunity to prove my worth, to establish a legacy in the best mixed martial arts promotion in the history of the sport. I am ready. I am worthy. I am here."
In the night's final title bout, Japan's Matsuda (8-0 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) looked absolutely dominant in taking out Kazakhstan's Ayan Tursyn (8-2 MMA, 0-1 CFFC).
Matsuda wasted little time at the start of the fight taking the action to the floor and establishing a dominant position, leaving Tursyn trapped on her back. Striking when openings presented themselves, Matsuda eventually rolled for the arm, turning belly down to get the first-round finish.
Speaking in her second language, Matsuda kept it simple and made her intentions clear following the win.
"I want to fight in UFC," Matsuda said.
Complete CFFC 150 results include:
MAIN CARD (UFC FIGHT PASS)
Busurman Zhumagul def. Daniel Morrison via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 0:42 – to claim vacant welterweight title
Will Starks def. Nikita Leshukov via TKO (punches, elbows) – Round 3, 4:51 – to claim vacant lightweight title
Arisa Matsuda def. Ayan Tursyn via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:59 – to claim vacant strawweight title
Damien Anderson def. Alejandro Gutierrez via submission (kneebar) – Round 1, 1:52
Ben Coyle def. Trevor Wells via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jeremiah Delgado def. Derrick Patterson via submission (D'Arce choke) – Round 1, 2:34
PRELIMINARY CARD
Jake Valdes def. CJ LaFragola via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:48
Tyler Berger def. Abraham Charles via TKO (punches, elbows) – Round 2, 1:11
NextGen: Kayana La Torre def. Taylor Drees via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:28 – to claim inaugural NextGen women's bantamweight title
NextGen: Dalton Pedrick def. Aself Carr via submission (scarf-hold armlock) – Round 2, 0:37