THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON — Ryan Jimmo retained his light-heavyweight title by unanimous decision in a five-round fight with (The African Assassin) Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou in the main event of MFC 31 on Friday.
The two fighters were very tentative throughout the title bout in a slow-paced matchup. Jimmo prevailed despite being cut open by a knee to the forehead in the second round.
The contest was scored using the half-point system that was in use for the first time in Canada. The final scores were 49-48.5, 49-48.5, 49-48 for a unanimous decision victory.
"My mental strength and endurance just pulled me through the fight," said Jimmo, who earned his 16th straight win. "I still have a lot of work to do. I was so cautious (in the fight)."
In the semi-main event, Vancouver’s (Ragin’) Kajan Johnson won his seventh fight out of his last eight in dominant fashion. Johnson overwhelmed Richie Whitson, who was coming into the bout on a five-fight win streak, and finished him with a rear naked choke in the first round.
"People discount me as a striker. People discount me on the ground, but I can go everywhere," Johnson said.
California’s Adam Lynn needed only one minute 38 seconds to defeat his lightweight opponent, Curtis Demarce of Brandon, Man. Lynn scored the knockout of the night with a vicious standing elbow.
In the fight of the night, Mukai Maromo and Sabah Fadai fought for three rounds. Maromo utilized strong muay thai skills including precision leg kicks to neutralize Fadai.
Former UFC fighter Terry Martin won the 22nd fight of his career. He took Allan Hope down immediately and rained down strikes on his grounded opponent until the referee stopped the fight.
In the opening bout of the main card, Ryan Chiappe failed to submit Cody Krahn when he had his back early in Round 1. It would be Chiappe’s undoing as Krahn was able to turn the tables on Chiappe later in the round and submit him with a guillotine choke.
On the undercard:
— The fight between Dajan Kajic and Mike Froese ended in a no contest when Froese was accidentally poked in the eye.
— James Hadded submitted Garett Nybakken by guillotine in the first round.
— Dan Ring outclassed Neal Anderson to win a three-round decision.
