RFA 14 took place on Friday night in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and in the night’s main event, Matt Manzanares became the new RFA flyweight champion by winning a split decision over Junior Maranhao.
Manzares looked good in the first three rounds of the bout, scoring with combinations inside the pocket, landing powerful rights that dropped Maranhao, and scoring takedowns.
Maranhao was able to land a few takedowns of his own in the fourth, but he ended the period by battling off a triangle choke from Manzares.
After the frame, Maranhao collapsed while on his stool, but he quickly gained his wits about him. For some reason, Maranhao continued the fight and fought a close fifth frame that played out on the feet.
After losing his last fight to Zach Makovsky, Matt Manzares (7-2) got back on the winning track. Junior Maranhao (9-3) had his six fight win streak snapped.
Dickman earns shot at featherweight championship
In a number one contenders fight for the RFA featherweight title, Mark Dickman forced previously unbeaten Raoni Barcelos to tap out in the second round with a rear-naked choke.
Dickman had a bit of trouble working his wrestling game in the first frame as Barcelos displayed stout takedown defense and an effective boxing game, but the tide turned in the second period with Dickman immediately bringing Barcelos to the ground, securing the back, and locking on the fight-ending choke.
Although it was win number nine for Mark Dickman (9-1), this was just the second time that he won a fight by submission. The loss was the first blemish on Raoni Barcelos’ (7-1) record.
The complete RFA 14 results are below.
RFA 14 (AXS TV)
Matt Manzanares def. Junior Maranhao via split decision
Mark Dickman def. Raoni Barcelos via submisson (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:06
Tyler Voth def. Jeimeson Saudino via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Alan Jouban def. Armando Montaya Jr. via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:33
Daniel Aguilar def. Tyler Tones via submission (heel hook) – Round 1, 0:29
Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger def. Rosa Acevedo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)