Weigh-in drama forced the cancellation of the title bout between Marcus Galloway and Fau Vake as Fau’s brother James Vake captured the belt against Julius Poananga.
Galloway failed to make weight and the bout was set to proceed with Galloway unable to win the title should he win, before ultimately being cancelled altogether hours before the event.
Poananga was looking at remaining undefeated as he pressured James Vake in the first round with both fighters landing significant strikes, especially within the clinch. Vake secured a double-leg takedown late in the round but Poananga was able to escape to his feet before the rounds end, where he again went on the initiative.
James Vake changed levels early in the second round, securing an early takedown where he immediately went to work in half-guard before taking the back and securing the hooks. Vake landed big punches and elbows which opened up the neck for the rear-naked choke submission win.
The win came 2:04 into the second round with Poananga wrapping the middleweight belt around an emotional James Vake’s waist.
James Vake did not hold back in his post-fight speech, advising that this is just the start and he welcomed facing Marcus Galloway while calling him out on cancelling the main event.
Julius Poananga placing the belt around James Vake’s waist at Aftershock last night #ozmma pic.twitter.com/h7HS3ZrVOJ
— Fight News Australia (@fightnewsaus) March 18, 2017
Fight Card (Pro – A Class):
- James Vake def. Julius Poananga via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:04
Fight Card (Amateur – B Class):
- Corbin Robertson def. Matt Tana via TKO (Punches), Rd 3
- Joe Cloake def Rehia Parangi via Decision (Unanimous)
- Justin Tafa def. Joe Harley via KO (Uppercut), Rd 1
Fight Card (Amateur – C Class):
- Callan Krause def. Chris Rada via Decision (Unanimous)
- Brody Maguire def. Mikhail Laptev via Decision (Split)
- Clay Pemberton def. Mark Tauo via Decision (Unanimous)
- Danny Atom def. Liam Giezekamp via TKO (Strikes), Rd 1, 0:36
Aftershock 26: Trent Girdham defeats Kairin Moses in five-round title fight
