Joseph Luciano is the new Eternal welterweight champion after his submission victory over former champion Kaleb Rideout at Eternal 74 last Saturday.
The two met in the main event of Eternal 74 on the Gold Coast, with Luciano locking in a rear naked choke in the third round to earn the victory and the title.
Luciano utilised his grappling and wrestling skills throughout the entire fight, constantly pressuring Rideout, pushing him against the cage and landing multiple takedown slams, as well as attempting submissions, including a rear naked choke attempt in the closing seconds of the second round. Within the first two minutes of the third round Luciano was able to push Rideout against the fence, where he transitioned to Rideout’s back before locking in a rear naked choke and earning a submission victory, capturing the Eternal welterweight championship.
In the cage after the bout, Luciano gave respect to his opponent, saying ‘I knew Kaleb was going to be one of the most dangerous opponents I’ve had so we put in a great prep…I came into this with the upmost respect for my opponent.’
With the title around his waist, Luciano said, ‘There’s nothing as rewarding as this.’
When asked what key piece of advice he would give young, up and coming fighters, Luciano said, ‘Don’t be a dumb c**t.’
This victory extends Luciano’s professional record to 8-1, with a 7-fight win streak.
In the cage after his loss, Rideout congratulated his opponent, as well as revealed an ankle injury he suffered during the bout,
‘Massive congrats to Joey…One of his slams rolled my ankle the wrong way and I couldn’t stand on it…I’m coming back, if you don’t make the UFC, I’m coming back.’
The co-main event of Eternal 74 also saw a title change hands as Blake Donnelly defeated David Martinez via TKO to win the Eternal lightweight championship, after Martinez failed to come out of his corner to start round four.
Martinez was able to control the first two rounds with effective grappling, keeping Donnelly against the cage, however Donnelly was able to break away from the grappling multiple times, where he would put his striking to good use. In the third round, Donnelly was able to keep his range and avoid Martinez’s takedown attempts, landing heavy strikes on the champion throughout the round.
The bout was stopped between the third and fourth round as Martinez was unable to leave his corner.
Results (Pro):
Joseph Luciano def. Kaleb Rideout via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Rd 3, 1:39 – Eternal Welterweight Championship
Blake Donnelly def. David Martinez via TKO (Retirement), Rd 3 – Eternal Lightweight Championship
Tom Nolan def. Aidan Aguilera via TKO (Strikes), Rd 1, 2:22
Tasar Malone def. Tom Pratt via Decision (Unanimous) 30-27 x2, 29-28
Andrew Khare def. Hoani Selwyn visa decision (Unanimous) 30-26 x2, 30-27
Kris Ustijanovski def. James Sargison Via TKO (Strikes) via Rd 2, 4:51
Results (Amatuer):
Alex Poniris def. Dazz Kolovos via TKO (Strikes), Rd 2, 2:56
Ashton Johnston def. Jesse Murry via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Rd 1, 1:43
Ash Pendergast def. Cole Smith via Decision (Unanimous), 29-26 x3
Jon Aiello def. Nikita Laptsevich via Decision (Unanimous), 29-28 x3
Matt Kindness def. Jed Fogg via Submission (Standing Guillotine), Rd 1, 0:45
Ellis Brown def. Jimi Edwards via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Rd 2, 1:11
