MMA Institute pro fighters go 5-1 at CFFC's Virginia debut

CFFC’s Virginia debut last weekend turned out to be a windfall for MMA Institute.  The Richmond-based fight team went 5-1 on the professional portion of the show with Mike Wade defeating Kris McCray in the main event capping the night.  CFFC 18 took place October 27th at the Richmond International Raceway in Richmond, VA and was taped for free webcast through GoFightLive.

Mike WadeMike Wade is no stranger to CFFC with now three of his four wins (plus one loss) coming in that organization, the problem is up until now he hasn’t faced a fighter that gets national attention.  McCray went 0-3 in the UFC but otherwise was undefeated coming into this fight including a split decision win in Bellator 65.  Wade to nobody’s surprise started out early trying to take McCray down while McCray defended the takedown well, even trying to get a kimura takedown himself.  McCray won round 2 with his striking, punishing Wade for shooting in by throwing elbows to his side and punches to the head from basically a sprawl position.  Most of the scoring in round 3 was Wade as he took the back of McCray where he threatened with a rear-naked choke attempt as well as strikes.  The decision was a split one but Wade walked away the winner in a close fight but one that wouldn’t have been surprising if it had been a unanimous decision.

Mark StricklandFor the most part MMA Institute used superior wrestling to win the rest of the fights with Mark Strickland, Donny Ooton, Terell Hobbs, and Bryan Lashomb picking up wins and Keith Bell suffering the team’s only pro loss this night.  Donny OotonBell, a heavyweight, seemed to be just overwhelmed by the strength of Shelton GravesShelton Graves as Graves out-struck Bell until a knockdown half way through the first round set up the TKO win.  Strickland and Ooton were more predictable ground-and-pound aw they worked through unanimous decisions, Bryan LashombBryan Lashomb used his wrestling to keep the fight standing for much of the fight until he finished with strikes on the ground.  Terell HobbsTerell Hobbs was the most exciting as he mixed it up, mostly using his wrestling but also going for submissions as opposed to straight up ground-and-pound.

Johnny CurtisTwo other fighters found victory on the main card.  42 year old Johnny Curtis out-scored if not out-conditioned Randy Smith to win a unanimous decision while Jeremy Carper came back from taking some early damage to defeat Aaron Carter by rear-naked choke.

Jeremy CarperThis show is not to be confused with CFFC 19 which takes place this weekend.  More on that show will appear in the days to come.

Pro fights:

Mark Strickland def. Joe Slaughter by unanimous decision
Donny Ooton def Sam Eure by unanimous decision
Shelton Graves def. Keith Bell 2:56 R1 by TKO
Terell Hobbs def. Mike Phillips 1:58 R3 by TKO
Bryan Lashomb def. Richard Ostrum 2:31 R2 by TKO
Jeremy Carper def. Aaron Carter 4:37 R1 by technical submission (rear-naked choke)
Johnny Curtis def. Randy Smith b y unanimous decision
Mike Wade def. Kris McCray by split decision