Integrated MMA youngster Issac Hardman kept his unblemished record intact with a third round stoppage over New Zealand fighter Pumau Campbell.
The bout headlined XFC 29 which took place on Saturday night at the Logan Metro Centre in Queensland, Australia.
It was a technical stand-up battle with Hardman taking the centre of the cage early where he utilised his reach advantage with straight punches while Campbell looked to counter, looking for the knock-out shot as they disengaged.
Hardman pressed the action in the third round where he punished Campbell with pin-point accurate striking. Sensing he had Campbell hurt, Hardman immediately increased his tempo landing heavy shots against the cage which forced the referee to halt the contest, 3:37 into the bout.
With the win, Hardman moves to 6-0 as a professional as he takes a step closer to a potential title fight.
In the co-main event, Bevan O’Malley stayed calm and composed in his victory, stopping Taneira Terry with leg kicks to move to 4-0.
Both fighters picked their shots early with O’Malley getting the better of the exchanges as the fight went on. The former kickboxer mixed it up well which kept his opponent guessing. Early in the third round, O’Malley threw heavy punishing leg kicks which forced Terry to drop to the canvas, giving O’Malley the win.
Former amateur champion Eben Cox picked up a win in the pro ranks, submitting Shem Murdoch in a lightweight clash.
Cox took the fight to the ground early where he took the back of his opponent. He immediately went to work looking to lock up a rear-naked choke however Murdoch stayed calm and was able to defend multiple attempts. It was much the same in the second round as Cox again got the fight to the ground where he took the back. This time he locked up the body-lock triangle and was able to secure his arm under the neck, forcing Murdoch to tap.
The win came 2:22 into the second round as the former amateur champion picks up a win in the pro ranks.
Tim Moore put on an impressive performance against Paul Loga, dropping his opponent early before securing a beautiful toe-hold submission in the third round. The win was Moore’s first since losing an international outing in July last year.
Joel Kendrick and Glen Pettigrew put on the fight of the night in a welterweight clash with both fighters leaving it all in the cage. In the end, Combat Lab’s Glen Pettigrew took home the unanimous decision.
Earlier on the card, Craig Callaghan overcame a tough start to submit Joel Fahey in the third round while Michael McDaniel rebounded to submit Hiki West.
At the beginning of the event a memorial was held for amateur fighter Travis Wharton who passed away in a traffic accident days away from the event in which he was scheduled to participate in.
Results (Pro):
- Issac Hardman def. Pumau Campbell via TKO (Punches), Rd 3, 3:37
- Bevan O’Malley def Taneira Terry via Verbal Submission (Kicks), Rd 3, 1:02
- Eben Cox def. Shem Murdoch via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 2:22
- Tim Moore def. Paul Loga via Submission (Toe-Hold), Rd 3
- Glen Pettigrew def. Joel Kendrick via Decision (Unanimous)
- Craig Callaghan def. Joel Fahey via Submission (Kimura), Rd 2, 4:23
- Michael McDaniel def. Hiki West via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 1:01
Results (Amateur):
- John Martin Fraser def. Matthew Moore via KO (Head Kick & Punches), Rd 1, 0:51 – XFC amateur light-heavyweight title
- Mitch Morrison def. Jamie Sporne via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 0:34
- Mike Fourie def. Jay Odell via TKO (Punches), Rd 2, 2:59
- Latham Stevens def. Darren Habben via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1, 1:09
- Alex Hong def. Sam Lawson via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 1:44
- David Russell def. Talor Wetere via Decision (Unanimous)
- Aaron Tau def. Taz Fewquandie via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 2
- John Armstrong def. Rob Ohlander via Decision (Unanimous)
Matt Vaile off XFC 29; Issac Hardman vs Pumau Campbell to headline
