Former UFC vet John Dodson picked up a win on Saturday night, battling for three close rounds against Francisco Rivera to earn a unanimous decision outcome.
Dodson’s win headlined an XMMA card from The Fillmore in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA this weekend.
Dodson started strong against Rivera, connecting with quick combinations of punches in the opening round. These shots continued into the second round, but the output slowed as the fight progressed. Rivera had started to take control of the matchup near the end, but by then it was too late for him to mount a comeback on scorecards for the win.
The fight on Saturday marked Dodson’s first win since departing the UFC roster in 2020. His previous fight was on an October 2021 XMMA card, where he lost a decision to Cody Gibson.
Rivera was coming off an active 2021 that saw him attain three wins and one loss.
Gooden Finishes Millender With Leg Kick
Former UFC fighter Jared Gooden picked up his second consecutive win in Saturday’s co-main event, stopping veteran Curtis Millender early in the second round with strikes.
Gooden dropped Millender early in the second round with a hard leg kick. Ground and pound shots shortly after caused the fight to end. Gooden had Millender in trouble earlier in the fight, dropping him in the opening round as a shot seemingly hit him in the eye.
Gooden has now scored two wins since departing the UFC roster last year.
Millender was appearing after competing in the 2021 PFL Regular Season.
Bochniak Earns Split Decision Over Minus
Kyle Bochniak prevailed in a back-and-forth striking battle against Carlton Minus, earning a split decision victory after three rounds. The fight between the bantamweights kept a fast pace through all three rounds.
Bochniak is on a roll in XMMA, having now won three consecutive fights for the promotion since early 2021.
Minus, a former UFC fighter, was riding the momentum of a win he recently earned on the regional scene in Alaska.
Loosa Defeats Vet Howard
Ange Loosa beat veteran John Howard on Saturday night, defeating him via unanimous decision after three rounds.
Loosa was able to control Howard throughout the fight, scoring takedowns to get him to the canvas and keeping him there for numerous minutes at a time. He also had the better striking, often out-landing Howard during exchanges on the feet.
Loosa’s previous appearance was on the UFC TV show “Dana White’s Contender Series.” On that show, he lost to Jack Della Maddallena.
Howard is now on a three-fight losing streak, including a previous appearance in XMMA and Eagle FC.
Stewart Gets Nod Over Ottow Due To Striking
Striking from Kyle Stewart earned him a unanimous decision win against Zak Ottow on Saturday night.
Stewart had the sharper striking in the fight, earning him most wins on scorecards. He most notably nearly finished the fight in the second round, scoring three knockdowns including a clean head kick.
Stewart was returning after a busy 2021 on the regional scene, attaining one win and two losses. He had a fired-up promo after the fight, talking about how the “last chapter” of his career is beginning.
Ottow entered the weekend with three consecutive wins on the regional circuit. This includes a win he scored just three months ago against Derek Smith.
The Rest of the Card
John Sweeney had a tough battle against former UFC fighter Cole Smith, prevailing in the end with a split decision outcome.
Sasha Palatnikov earned his first win since departing the UFC roster, stopping PFL alum Kyron Bowen in the first round with strikes.
Weston Wilson kept his streak of quick wins alive on Saturday night, putting Tyrek Malveaux to sleep with a guillotine choke in the second minute.
Louie Sanoudakis snapped a three-fight losing streak, working toward a unanimous decision win over Tateki Matsuda.
Adli Edwards moved his winning streak to an impressive seven consecutive wins, submitting Josh Harvey late in the first round with an arm triangle choke.
Andrew Garrette had a quick win in the opening fight, landing brutal ground and pound to stop Justin Mead in the first round.
Quick Results
Main Card
Bout 11: John Dodson def. Francisco Rivera via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 10: Jared Gooden def. Curtis Millender via TKO, Strikes (RD 2, 0:16)
Bout 9: Kyle Bochniak def. Carlton Minus via Decision, Split
Bout 8: Ange Loosa def. John Howard via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 7: Kyle Stewart def. Zak Ottow via Decision, Unanimous
Preliminary Card
Bout 6: John Sweeney def. Cole Smith via Decision, Split
Bout 5: Sasha Palatnikov def. Kyron Bowen via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 4:03)
Bout 4: Weston Wilson def. Tyrek Malveaux via Submission, Side Choke (RD 1, 1:59)
Bout 3: Louie Sanoudakis def. Tateki Matsuda via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 2: Adli Edwards def. Josh Harvey via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke (RD 1, 4:45)
Bout 1: Andrew Garrette def. Justin Mead via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 1:36)
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