Jorge Masvidal’s iKON FC made its return to the Hostess City on Friday with an action-packed seven-fight card for iKON FC 5 at the Savannah Convention Center with some of the best up-and-coming MMA prospects on display. Here’s a look at what went down in the ring.
Main Event: Solomon Renfro def. Michael Irizarry (TKO, 1:34 R1)
Sparks flew at weigh-ins, as Renfro and Irizarry had to be separated by iKON FC officials. Renfro was looking to make a statement in this one, as he was unpleased that Irizarry weighed in four pounds overweight. Renfro made it clear he was looking for an early finish, which he solidified in the first round by scoring a TKO by way of punches. The Black Dragon improves his record to 9-3.
Co-Main Event: Abdul Kamara def. Jose Torres (UD)
Abdul Kamara came into Friday nights main event having taken the fight on short notice, after his team mate Marcus McGee pulled out from the fight. Kamara utilized a mixture of punching and knee strikes along with takedowns to help secure a unanimous victory.
Malcolm Wellmaker def. Christopher Wingate (Sub, 4:18 R1)
Hands were flying from the get-go in this one. Wingate did his best to take the fight to the mat, but Wellmaker was efficient with his takedown defense. The key for Wellmaker coming in was being patient and waiting for the right moment to deliver the finishing blow. The moment occurred with less than 1 minute remaining in the first around after The Machine caught Wingate with a headkick. Wellmaker would hit the mat and eventually finish the fight off with a rear-naked choke with 42 seconds remaining in the very first round, protecting his undefeated record.
Mike Bardsley def. Brandon Altomare (UD)
This one could be classified as a true dog fight, as both combatants exchanged jabs and drew blood. However, the takedowns gave the edge to Bardsley in this one, as the Lawrenceville, Ga., native recorded four takedowns, and nearly locked in a rear-naked choke on multiple occasions. The fight went to the scorecards, but the excellent ground work and toughness of Bardsley improves his record to 2-0.
Michelle Montague def. Danielle Wynn (Sub, 2:50 R3)
The folks in Savannah witnessed the Michelle Montague show Friday night. The Wild One was dominant from the bell ring, as she was able to rattle Wynn with a headkick before taking her down to the mat. Montague would go on to dominate the rest of the fight and remain undefeated at 2-0.
Bekhzod Usmonov def. Sal Guerriero (UD)
This was one for the fans. Guerriero came into the contest with taking the fight to the ground on his mind, as he recorded three takedowns in the first round. The second round belonged to Usmonov as he was able to find his striking and secured the round with his hands. The fight was up in the air going into the third, but Usmonov connected with an upper cut that dropped Guerriero on the mat. Ultimately the fight went to decision, where the judges ruled 29-28 in favor of Usmonov, improving The Lion’s record to 9-4.
Torrez Finney def. Ivan Batinich (TKO, 4:09 R3)
Finney came into this contest looking to remain undefeated. The Punisher made the most out of his takedown attempts, bringing Batnich down to the mat within the first minute of all three rounds. Finney took advantage of his takedowns in the third round by scoring a ground and pound TKO finish with less than a minute remaining in the final round.
