Uppercut Magazine.com - West and Knight Draw

By Wendy Rodriguez

PICO RIVERA-In the main event Kaliesha West (13-1-3 4 KO’s) retained the WBO bantamweight title after scoring a draw against Ava Knight (6-1-3 3 KO’s) on Saturday at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena.

West and Knight had fought before back in November of 2008 with Knight coming out on top.  West came to avenge her only loss and Knight came to prove that she is the best in the bantamweight division.

The first bell rang and both fighters felt each other out and tested each others speed. West was catching Knight with powerful left hooks that seem to stumble knight.

Knight began to use good head movement after West continued to counter with left hooks followed by straight punch combinations. Knight slipped and landed a quick left uppercut. West was getting the better shots and was winning the early rounds.

Once the sixth round came, Knight began to come forward and attack the body with powerful shots. She was more aggressive and began to land good combinations.

In the seventh round, West landed a hard right that seem to stun Knight, but she continued to attack the body and wear down West. West started to slow down and Knight began to get the best of West. The judges scored the fight 96-94 West, 96-94 Knight,  and 95-95 a draw. The crowd cheered for both fighters as they fought their hearts out, and fans will be looking for a rubber match.

In the pro 1 Muy Thai, Ben Jones (6-3) defeated Miguel Cosio (1-1 1KO). Cosio began throwing straight combination followed by elbows. Jones was throwing wild punches and was looking for a power punch and a knockout. Jones landed powerful overhand rights and stunned Cosio. Cosio threw a knee and caught Jones in the face, but it did not seem to affect him.  Jones continued to throw wild punches. He then landed a knee to the body and Cosio went down. The referee counted and Cosio did not get up. The referee called the fight off at 2:00 of the 2^nd round.

In the professional MMA super fight, Hans Marrero (12-7) stopped Sam Liera (4-3 2 KO’s) at 1:19 of the second round. Marrero attempted a suplex but pulled Liera wrong and ended up in Liera’s mount. Liera began to pound and elbow Marrero. Marrero escaped the mount and went for an arm bar, but Liera slipped to side control and pounded. In the second round Marrero threw a left hook and dropped Liera. Marrero ran to finish him and pounded on his head. Liera’s head bounced off the canvas a few times before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.  

Niko Ruiz of Saekson Muay Thai defeated Eduardo Alvarado with a majority decision. Judges scored it 29-28, 29-28, 28-28.

Cody Clark of Sit Rana Soon defeated Johnny Jackson of Muay Thai Academy with TKO victory.

Jonathan Chester of Rykkus MMA defeated Christopher Pena of Gazze Academy with a split decision. Judges scored 29-28, 29-28 Chester 29-28 Pena

Daniel Valdez of Wolverine MMA defeated Sinahy Luna of Sityodtong Muay Thai with a split decision. The judges scored the fight 29-28 29-28 Valdez 29-28 Luna.

Kevin Bee defeated Brian Roberts of Independent Boxing with a TKO.

Jules Wallace of Sityodtong Muay Thai defeated Mooney May of  Long Beach Kickboxing with a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring 29-28.

Jason Park of Boxing Works defeated Robert Farabaugh with a unanimous decision 30-27 30-27 and 29-27.

George Garcia of 10^th Planet defeated Abe Rafael of All In MMA by submission via Guillotine choke.

Jaime Rojas of Independent MMA defeated Brian Cantos of Wolverine MMA by TKO.

In Muay Thai, Charles Bisset of Team Florez defeated Jason Rzepka of Rzepka Gym with a unanimous decision with all three judges scoring 29-27.

In Muay Thai Adan Gonzalez of Saekson Muay Thay  defeated Brian Bruns with a unanimous decision 30-27 29-28 and 29-28.

In the first MMA amateur fight Christian Aguilera of Total MMA defeated Jason Hansford of CMA by submission via arm bar.