Travis Lizotte "Full Contact Writer"
Philadelphia, PA, Cage Fury Fighting Championships kicks off the first of back-to-back nights of stacked fight cards this Thursday night from the 2300 Arena in South East Philly, as CFFC 94 comes to you live on UFC Fight Pass. As CFFC continues to be the only active regional promotion in the Northeast, it has become more and more consistent to see names recognizable to New England MMA fans popping up on Cage Fury fight cards. Most recently "New England Cartel" protege Tom "The Phenom" Pagliarulo (1-0) notched a dominant third round Corner Stoppage of Shawn Stefanelli (0-1) in his professional debut at CFFC 92. This April Fool's Day CFFC 94 will feature two exciting Welterweights with ties to New England MMA.
First, New England's newly adopted son; Jonathan "War Hawk" Piersma (1-0) who is represented by our very own Full Contact Management, resides in Western New York, and has become one of the Northeast Regions most promising Welterweight Prospects. At just 25 years old and relatively new to the sport, Piersma compiled an impressive 6-1-1 Amateur record winning multiple Amateur titles before making his professional debut last December at CFFC 91 against a tough customer in former 6-0 Amateur; Tyler Bunting (0-1). As their records indicate; Piersma dominated the formally unbeaten Bunting, finishing the Virginian with a Mounted Guillotine at 1:36 of the very first round. It doesn't get any easier this time out for Rochester's Piersma has he looks to put an end to Tommy Majeski's (2-0) five fight winning streak.
Tommy "Hot Sauce" Majeski's five fight win streak includes a CFFC promotional four fight winning streak dating back to the New Jersey native's Amateur career. All five of Tommy's career wins have come by first round finish. Majeski hangs his hat on his striking, which may come as a surprise given his 4 career submission finishes, Majeski's strikes typically put his opponents into grappling mode where "Hot Sauce" proves to be equally as dangerous with an extensive arsenal of submissions. Although Majeski's record is impressive, he has never been locked inside the cage with anyone at the level of Jon Piersma.
Piersma is a natural athlete with a calm demeanor and killer instinct, I look for him to take this fight to the ground early, as Majeski has a history of suspect takedown defense. In the clinch and on the ground Piersma should have a huge strength advantage which he must utilize to push through the guard of Majeski and drag him into deep water. Trouble closing the distance could lead to some issues for Piersma but as I mentioned I've seen Majeski taken down by much less talented grapplers than Jon Piersma. Piersma vs. Majeski is currently scheduled to kick off the UFC Fight Pass Main card Thursday night which goes off at 7pm Eastern time.
Three fights later Thursday evening (card subject to change) features a name synonymous with New England MMA in Team Link Hooksett product Nick "JC" Alley (7-3). Alley notched the biggest win of his 10 year MMA career last time out by upsetting Super-Prospect John Gotti III at CES 61 by dominant Decision. After a three fight losing streak threatened to tarnish the high hopes for the New England fan favorite Alley, the 30 year old New Hampshire native answered the bell by reeling off a current four fight winning streak, including three first round finishes. The upset of Gotti has been just what the doctor ordered for the rejuvenation of Alley's career as he looks to derail yet another surging Welterweight prospect in 24 year old Clevelander; Solomon "The Black Dragon" Renfro (6-1).
Tiger Schullman Martial Arts' Renfro (6-1) suffered his first taste of defeat last time out against Mike Malott (6-1-1) by first round Rear Naked Choke Submission at the aforementioned CFFC 91 last December. Renfro was thought to be on the fringe of a big time call up before stumbling at CFFC 91, a strong showing over the New England MMA veteran Alley Thursday night could very well put "The Black Dragon" back in the national spotlight. But at this juncture in his career, nothing is going to come easy against the always game "JC" Alley, with finishing ability in both hands, to combine with a crafty submission game, Alley will look to once again steal the spotlight for himself.
Cage Fury Fighting Championships 94 culminates with a Welterweight title Main Event as current CFFC Welterweight Champion; Bassil Hafez (6-2-1) defends his CFFC strap for the first time against Challenger Evan "The Butcher" Cutts (11-4). New England MMA fans be sure to tune to UFC Fight Pass at 7 pm this Thursday night as the CFFC 94 card will be highlighted by our own Jonathan "War Hawk" Piersma and Nick "JC" Alley as part of this ten fight lineup:
Main Event: CFFC Welterweight Championship:
(C)Bassil Hafez (6-2-1) vs. Evan Cutts (11-4)
170 lbs.
Devin Goodale (3-0) vs. Khetag Pliev (5-1)
Catchweight (180 lbs.)
Solomon Renfro (6-1) vs. Nick Alley (7-3)
Welterweight
Earl Small (3-0) vs. Adam Wamsley (2-0)
Middleweight
Frank Wells (1-0) vs. Timothy Cuamba (1-0)
Featherweight
Tommy Majeski (2-0) vs. Jonathan Piersma (1-0)
Welterweight
Undercard:
James Lyons (Debut) vs. Cody Zappone (0-1)
Featherweight
Joey Tizzano (2-1) vs. Malek Mahmoud (1-1)
Featherweight
Johnny Santos (5-0) vs. Manny Morales (4-3)
Amateur Catchweight (190 lbs.)
Mariah Castro (3-1) vs. Natalie Schlesinger (4-3)
Women's Amateur Catchweight (110 lbs.)
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