Aussie welterweight Matthew Frincu is 2-0 in the World Series of Fighting promotion after edging out the vastly more experienced Xtreme Couture gym trained Danny Davis Jr. at WSOF 23 on Friday night (Saturday morning in AU).
The split decision win follows Frincu’s promotional debut back in March where he knocked out Eric Regan with a highlight-reel head-kick.
Formerly from the Gold Coast and now residing in Arizona, Frincu (7-1) is now riding a five-fight win streak and has tasted defeat just once in his MMA career, that being to Tyler Manawaroa way back in early 2012.
World Series of Fighting 23 took place at the Comerica Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona and featured a lightweight title fight rematch between defending champion Justin Gaethje and Luis Palomino in the main event. Gaethje kept hold of his title with a second round knockout.
Sherdog has play-by-play of Frincu vs Davis.
Round 1: Davis presses Frincu with his hands quickly, but Frincu lands a quick head kick, left cross and backs him off. Davis returns a moment later flashing more hands, only to walk into another left cross that stumbles him up, prompting a takedown attempt. Frincu stuffs it, then separates. They come together in another clinch, where Frincu backs Davis up to the cage, lands a chopping left elbow, then separates. Each time Davis approaches Frincu, he’s in the crosshairs of the Arizonan-based Australian’s left. Frincu now coming forward more comfortably, though he doesn’t seem to realize how effective his left hand has been. Frincu throws a left body kick and Davis knocks him on his seat with a counter, but no real damage is done. Frincu gets back up and puts a knee in Davis’ gut, then a kick to the body at the bell.
Round 2: The second round starts awkwardly, as Frincu tries to wipe moisture off of his feet on the canvas and tries to call time to referee Al Guinee, but Davis rushes him. Guinee incomprehensibly intervenes, then lets the action continue, where “The Thunder from Down Under” goes back to flexing his southpaw lefts on Davis. Frincu feints, lands a hard left kick to the body, but Davis catches his leg and puts him on the mat. “Dee1” lands a few punches, however, he does nothing to keep Frincu on the mat, so the Aussie casually retakes his feet and resumes stalking Davis. Hard right hook lands for Frincu and Davis circles out. Davis scores with a right body kick, but Frincu rings him up with a one-two that knocks his foe back into the fence. Frincu keeps sliding forward with forward pressure, landing a left hook, then a left kick square on the gut. Frincu rips out a spinning wheel kick that goes wide with just over a minute to go. They trade low kicks, with Frincu’s latter kick stumbling Davis up. Davis kicks to the body, but Frincu easily catches it and lands a right hook counter. Davis catches a Frincu kick and tags him, but there’s not much force behind it. Another left cross for Frincu lands, then he hits an outside trip, stands and soccer kicks Davis in the ribs at the round’s end.
Round 3: Davis lands a one-two, but Frincu responds with a left body kick, then a left inside low kick. Frincu is cut at the outside of his left eye, but it’s not particularly bothering him. Davis throws an ugly hook, letting Frincu clinch. Frincu pushes away, clocks him with a head kick that Davis impressively absorbs, then goes back to the clinch momentarily. “Dee1” gets free, but Frincu is coolly stalking forward with left crosses and kicks at his own discretion now. Davis swims to a clinch, then eats a hard knee. Davis pulls away, doubled over so Frincu tries to pursue, but it looks like Davis is playing possum, as he unloads the minute Frincu comes into his area code, just missing. Two minutes left in the fight. Lukewarm, reaching jab-cross lands for Davis, more a product of Frincu’s fatigue at this point. Davis jumps into a Frincu right hook, then blocks a head kick. We’re under 60 seconds now in the contest and it’s Frincu still stalking Davis, who assuredly knows he’s behind. Another left body kick from Frincu crashes into Davis’ arms. Davis grabs a clinch, but it’s another Frincu knee-head kick attempt. Davis slugs Frincu with a Superman punch and a right, but it’s too little too late.
Results:
- Justin Gaethje def Luis Palomino via TKO, Rd 2, 4:30 – LW Title Fight
- David Branch def Teddy Holder via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 2:21 – LHW Title Fight
- Timur Valiev def Tito Jones via Decision (Unanimous)
- Phoenix Jones def Roberto Yong via Submission (Scissor Choke), Rd 1, 3:09
- Brian Foster def LaRue Burley via KO, Rd 1, 0:32
- Vagab Vagabov def Brian Grinnell via TKO (Strikes), Rd 2, 2:29
- Clifford Starks def Krasimir Mladenov via Decision (Unanimous)
- Matthew Frincu def Danny Davis Jr. via Decision (Split)
- David Nuzzo def Andres Ponce via Decision (Unanimous)
- Joey Miolla def Randy Steinke via KO (Knee), Rd 2, 3:55
- Benny Madrid def Jeff Fletcher via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 1:26
