Roberto Hernandez green-lit the Cage Warriors bantamweight division in San Diego on Friday night, with a career-best victory over seasoned veteran Trevin Jones.
Hernandez looked to briefly rock the UFC veteran in the first with a solid right hand, and was slightly cleaner with his shots than the very game ‘5-Star’ for the remainder of the round.
The Guam-based fighter rallied in the second, almost latching on to a pair of guillotines, and controlling the pace of the frame with his grappling.
The third belonged to ‘Green Light’, who once again proved to be the ever so slightly more effective of the pair over five minutes of high-stakes physical chess, closing out the round with a solid rear-naked choke attempt.
Ultimately all three judges handed in cards for the California man, with scores of…29-28, 29-28 and a somewhat controversial 30-27.
“I feel great…” said Hernandez immediately after the fight. “I just beat a guy who’s a UFC vet. It was controversial in his eyes, but I felt like I got (rounds) one and three”.
“He was better than I thought, but I’m just glad I got the nod. Thank you for the experience ‘5 Star’!”
The win marks Hernandez’ ninth consecutive victory, and his first at a new weight of 135lbs.
In the evening’s co-main event, Ahmad Hassanzada played the role of spoiler, silencing the San Diego crowd with a first round submission over Chasen Blair.
Both men landed some solid strikes early, but it was a grappling exchange late in the first that saw the Afghan fighter lock up an excruciating knee bar.
Submission specialist Bobby Winther took less than 90 seconds to elicit the tap from Anthony Zaragosa, despite eating some heavy fire in the opening exchanges.
In a battle of prospects noted for their grappling, it was Anthony Orozco’s striking that would prove the difference maker against namesake Benny.
The MMA Fight Academy project used a series of clubbing right hands to hurt, and ultimately force the referee to save his teak-tough opponent.
In the opening bout of the main card, Ronal Siahaan survived a nasty armbar attempt at the end of the first round to outpoint previously undefeated Andrew Cabrera.
The full results from CW 165 are as follows…
Roberto Hernandez def Trevin Jones via Unanimous Decision
Ahmad Hassanzada def Chasen Blair via Submission (kneebar) – Rnd1
Bobby Winther def Anthony Zaragosa via Submission (armbar) – Rnd 1
Anthony Orozco def Benny Orozco via TKO (strikes) – Rnd 3
Ronal Siahaan def Andrew Cabrera via Unanimous Decision
Corvan Allen def Brandon Carrillo via TKO (elbows) – Rnd 2
Manuel Medina def Enrique Montalvo via Technical Submission (RNC) – Rnd 1
Xavier Vines def Miguel Peimbert via Unanimous Decision
James Settle def Johnny Gill Jr via TKO (strikes) – Rnd 1
Eperaim Ginting def Shawn Johnson via TKO (strikes) Rnd 1
Cage Warriors returns to the Sycuan Casino Resort on Friday, February 23rd for CW 166. Tickets are available now via CageWarriors.com!