Super Welters Draw 

Super Welters Slug to a Draw at Commerce

By Lauren Rodriguez

Tom Loeffler’s Hollywood Fight Nights took over Commerce Casino with an Easter weekend fight card. The main card was broadcast on UFC Fight Pass and entailed seven bouts. 

The main event between Sadriddin Akhmedov (15-0-1, 13 Kos) and Elias Espadas (23-6-1, 16 Kos) kept fans on their feet for 10 rounds in an even fight. The two super welterweights were relentless from start to finish as they went pound for pound, round after round. It was a brawl between Mexico and Kazakhstan as the two fought off the strength of their home countries. 

Yucatan native, Elias Espadas shocked fans with his ability to take Sadriddin Akhmedov’s heavy hitters without slowing. The two fighters slammed their fists into one another, waiting for the other to tire or fall. 

Espadas threw a combination that shoved Akhmedovs head back. 

Akhmedov continued to move forward as Espadas continued throwing jabs at his face. 

Akhmedov threw an uppercut at his body before the two exchanged combinations

By the fifth round, Ahkmedov began throwing heavy hitters that could be heard across the venue. Espadas threw right hands as Akhmedov continued to move forward. Espadas’ jabs kept Akhmedov at a distance but the 27-year-old snuck uppercuts to the body.

In the 6th round, Espadas threw a left hook and used his left jab to keep Akhemedov at distance. Akhmedov snuck in an uppercut but Espadas didn't seem to be affected and followed with a left hook. Akhmedov threw a right overhand that echoed across the venue.

Akhmedov dug into the 34-year-olds right rib with a left hand and the two exchanged punches before the bell rang. Espadas continued to pick up the momentum in the 7th round, getting his jabs in while Akhmedov saved his energy for heavy hitters. 

Espadas' combinations picked up going over and under before Akhmedov threw a heavy-handed combination that included an uppercut. 

The two began exchanging combinations as Akhmedov picked up speed and power.

By the 9th round, Espadas appeared to be tiring, allowing Akhmedov to make heavy-hitting contact without much rebuttal but picked back up in the last 30 seconds. 

The close fight came down to a score of, 95-95, 96-94,95-95, a majority draw.

“Sorry for my country, this is just boxing and we will do it again,” said Akhmedov.

“First and foremost thank you to everyone and 360. What can I say, the best judges are the fans. I sincerely think I won the fight. The fans are the best judges and you can see the one who won the fight today,” said Espadas.

Other bouts

The co-main event of the night was a light heavyweight match between Austrian fighter Umar Dzambekov (11-0, 7 ko’s) and Inglewood native Sonny McEven (11-2, 7 ko’s).

It was a left hook to the jaw followed by a straight jab that knocked down McEven. Mcewen rose but Dzambekov continued to pound punches into his opponent, forcing him into the corner helplessly before the referee brought the fight to a halt.  The knockout came at 2:17 of the first round. 

“I feel great. Everything that I worked on in the past couple of weeks worked out and I'm happy about it. I go there with the intention if necessary to go all rounds. I thank 360. I got a great team behind me, whatever's next whatever they put in front of me,” said Dzambekov.

In the featherweight division, Iyanna/ Roxy “Right Hook” Verduzco (3-0, 1 ko) went 6-rounds against Jessica Radtke Maltez (1-2-1). LA native, Verduzco entered the ring in a sparkly bunny outfit- mask included. 

Maltez’s lanky arms made it easy for her to make contact with the 23-year-old. Verduzco continued to hop around the ring, using heavy-hitting left hooks to stun her opponent. By the 5th round, Roxy became more patient with her punches waiting for the right moment to strike as she waited for jabs from Radtke to counter with a hook to the face.  Radtke used her left long hand to jab but Roxy's left hand slammed into Radtke's face.  The bout was scored 60-54, a unanimous decision in favor of Verduzco.

“I know I could have done better but not everyone has a great fight,” said Verduzco.

In the super bantamweight division, Adan Palma (12-0, 7 ko’s) faced off against Alfredo Castro Villafuerte(10-1, 7 ko’s). The bout was over as quickly as it started with Villafuerte falling twice in the 3rd round. The bout ended at 33 seconds of the 3rd round. Palma remains undefeated at 12-0, 7 KO's.

Jaybrio Pe Benito (5-0, 4 ko’s) versus Sebastian Gutierrez (6-2-1, 4 ko’s).

The two were quick, Gutierrez throwing right and left hooks while Benito went under countering each other. Benito continued to move his hands up and down Gutierrez’s body, making more contact. The bout was scored 59-55, 60-54, and 59-54 a unanimous decision in favor of Benito. Benito remains undefeated at 5-0.

Undercard

Diego Aviles (3-0, 3 ko’s) earned his 3rd knockout victory against Robert Ledesma (3-14-1).

Aviles knocked down Ledesma two times in the first round before the bout was stopped at 1:28 seconds of round one.

Jason “Dynamite” Robledo made his super featherweight debut against Nesly Trezile (1-3). The match was scored 40-36; 40-36, 39-37, a unanimous decision in favor of Robledo. 

 (Photo by 360 Promotions)