Resurrection Fighting Alliance returned with RFA 12 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, and in what was an absolutely fantastic main event, Brian Ortega became the first RFA featherweight champion by beating Keoni Koch with a split decision as the judges scored the fight 49-46, 46-49, and 49-46.
The fight opened with a back-and-forth round that played out all over the place. Koch and Ortega each had their spots, both on the feet, and on the ground as Ortega threatened with his triangle choke attempts and Koch connected with ground and pound.
The second round was fairly similar, but Koch ended it emphatically with a barrage of elbows from the top position. Ortega took the third round quite clearly as he started off the frame with a takedown and the majority of it working for a rear-naked choke and attacking from the back of Koch.
Drama took place in the first half of the fourth round. After being taken down by Koch to start the period, Ortega locked on a tight triangle choke and spent a couple of minutes working for it from positioning standpoint and with elbows, but Koch was somehow able to endure and escape it. Late in the round, Ortega used another triangle choke attempt to get on top and end the round with a guillotine choke try.
Finally, the final round played out just like the first two frames. Each fighter traded submission attempt after submission attempt and positional advantage after positional advantage. It was a fun, final round that acted as a perfect concluding point to a thrilling fight.
Ortega’s (8-0) record remains unblemished, and for the second time in his career, he was won a decision in a five round fight. Unfortunately for Koch (5-1), he suffered the first loss in his career. Nevertheless, I would be stunned if we don’t see both men fighting in the UFC in the future.
Munhoz impresses with effortless title defense
Calling Pedro Munhoz a prospect doesn’t do the Brazilian bantamweight any justice. The 27 year-old has become one of the best bantamweights not under a UFC contract, and he showed why with his a quick submission win against Billy Daniels.
Munhoz started off the bantamweight championship fight by hurting Daniels with a kick to the body, defending a takedown attempt, and locked on a guillotine to end the fight in under a minute.
After the fight, the soft spoken Munhoz (10-0) asked Joe Silva and Sean Shelby for a chance to fight in the UFC. The loss to Munhoz is the first blemish on the record of Daniels (7-1).
Casey makes short work of Mendez
Middleweight Kevin Casey scored with elbow after elbow, until Eddie Mendez verbally submitted.
When a body clinch was initiated in the opening moments of the round, Casey flexed his strength and promptly put Mendez on his back. From there, Casey showcased his jiu-jitsu and transitioned from position to position, and then ended the fight with ground and pound from full mount.
Casey (7-3) has now won four of his last five, with the lone loss coming against Josh Samman at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. Fresh off being released by the UFC, Mendez (7-3-1, 1 NC) has now lost two straight.
Kish gets past scare, wins decision
Justine Kish escaped a close call late in the third round against Randa Markos, but she was able to survive and win a unanimous decision.
Kish put on a striking clinic and defended the wrestling of Markos exceptionally in the first two rounds of the fight. Inside the clinch, Kish was able to cut open Markos with elbows, and outside of it, she would land vicious leg kicks.
Markos nearly pulled off what would have been an unbelievable come from behind victory in the third frame as she scored a takedown and locked on arm-bar attempt. Likely thanks to the blood and sweat shared between both fighters, Kish was able to escape and get back up to the feet.
The victory of Markos could be the Kish’s (4-0) ticket to competing on the women’s strawweight season of The Ultimate Fighter. Markos (3-1) showed grit and exactly why she is considered the top female strawweight in Canada.
Moontasri spoils Reger’s RFA debut
A clean right uppercut that landed on the chin of Rick Reger led to James Moontasri getting the back of Reger and locking up a fight-ending rear-naked choke in the second round
Moontasri’s striking and takedown defense frustrated Reger who just couldn’t get much going on with his wrestling. Every time Reger would shoot in or disengage, Moontasri would make him pay with a well-placed knee or uppercut.
Moontasri’s (6-1) victory against fellow lightweight Reger (6-1) was the sixth submission win of his career.
Salmon kicks career off with a TKO victory
The professional debut of Boston Salmon could not have gone any better. The Hawaiian featherweight hurt Perceu Friza with a kick to the solar plexus and followed up with a barrage of hooks to score a TKO win in the first round.
Fighting out of the southpaw stance, Salmon’s striking look impressive against an opponent in Friza who trains at Machida karate. The only non-striking portion of the fight took place within a clinch that Friza initiated, but Salmon was able to overpower his opponent and put him against the cage.
Following an impressive 3-0 run in 2013 as an amateur fighter, Salmon (1-0) opened his career as a professional with a victory. On the other side of the spectrum, Friza (2-1) has suffered the first loss in his career.
The complete RFA 12 Results are below.
Main Card: (AXS TV)
Brian Ortega def. Keoni Koch via unanimous decision (49-46, 46-49, 49-46)
Pedro Munhoz def. Billy Daniels via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, :41
Kevin Casey def. Eddie Mendez via verbal submission (strikes) – Round 1, 3:38
Justine Kish def. Randa Markos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
James Moontasri def. Rick Reger via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, :28
Boston Salmon def. Perceu Friza via TKO – Round 1, 3:13
Preliminary Card: (Unaired)
Terrion Ware def. Zac Chavez via technical submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 3:58
Dmitry Gerasimov def. Jordan Isorida via submission (guillotine choke)- Round 1, 4:04
John Hackleman Jr. def. Howard LaCroix via KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:11
Cameron Diffley def. Jeff Roman via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 2, 3:13