FIGHT NEWS: MN FIGHT NEWS WEEKEND RECAP

It was a very busy weekend for Minnesota combat sports. In MMA action, former Minnesotan’s Tony Martin and Nik Lentz picked up big wins at UFC 229 on Saturday night. Amateur champion Charles Anozie added another belt to his resume in South Dakota.
There were two Minnesota boxers competing over the weekend. Duluth’s Al Sands traveled to Poland and had a nice opening round before being halted in round two by Krzysztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk. Iowa’s Cruse Stewart, now fighting out of Minneapolis, picked up his second win as a pro.
In Muay Thai news, Derek Varin won in 3soteric’s main event in Medina, MN.

MMA: TONY MARTIN, NIK LENTZ WIN AT UFC 229
Former Minnesota based mixed martial artists Tony Martin (14-4) and Nik “The Carny” Lentz (29-9-2) earned big wins on Saturday night at UFC 229. Both fighters TKO’d their opponents in highlight reel fashion with head kicks.
Martin, formerly of Saint Cloud, Minnesota battered Ryan LaFlare and dropped him multiple times in the opening bout. A right kick to the head finished LaFlare dramatically at 1:00 of round three. WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT HERE.
Later in the prelims, Nik Lentz (residing in Florida) destroyed former UFC lightweight contender Gray Maynard. Lentz plastered Maynard in round one before putting him away with a head kick and punches at 1:19 of round two. WATCH THE VIDEO HIGHLIGHT HERE.

Tony Martin lands a fight-ending head kick on Saturday night.

Nik Lentz takes out Maynard at UFC 229.

MMA: CHARLES ANOZIE VICTORIOUS AT SCL
Driller Promotions amateur featherweight champion Charles Anozie (10-4) defeated Daniel Campagna (6-2) on Friday night in Rapid City, South Dakota. Anozie added the Sparta Combat League 155 pound amateur title to his collection with the win.

The fight began with Anozie landing a front kick to the face as Campagna threw a jab. From there, Anozie says it was a giant grappling scramble.

“At one point, I started to go for a toe hold and had to turn and ask the ref if it was okay to which he replied, no it’s not! I think I got swept after that but I didn’t take any damage and landed some ground and pound. He charged me again in round two but this time, with my arm fully under his neck, I walk forward and lift him off the ground. He tapped shortly after.”

Anozie says that the video should be available in two weeks.

Charles Anozie with the SCL amateur 155 lbs. title belt.

BOXING: AL SANDS STOPPED IN POLAND
Duluth’s Al Sands traveled to Poland to battle former two-time world champion Krzysztof “Diablo” Wlodarczyk. Sands had a good opening round using movement and out-landing Wlodarczyk. The Polish champion opened up in round two however and landed a hard body shot followed by a straight jab that dropped Sands, bloodying his nose and keeping him down for the count. TO WATCH THE FULL STORY CLICK HERE

Al Sands lands a jab in the first round of his fight in Poland.

BOXING: CRUSE STEWART IMPROVES TO 2-0
Super welterweight Cruse Stewart of Iowa improved to (2-0, 2 KO’s) as a pro after defeating Missouri’s Thomas Allen (4-21-1) at the Rhythm City Casino in Davenport, Iowa. Stewart stopped Allen by knockout in the first round. Boxing trainer Ray Nelson told Minnesota Fight News that Stewart is now training out of Minnesota at the Uppercut Boxing Gym.

MUAY THAI: 3SOTERIC RESULTS FROM MEDINA, MN
Derek Varin made quick work of Jay Jackson in the main event of 3soteric Promotions Muay Thai event in Medina last Friday night. Varin first dropped Jackson with a left hook, left cross combination. Another left hook moments later put the Detroit fighter down for good in the opening round. The TKO win raises Varin’s pro Muay Thai record to 2-0
In the co-main event, Danyelle Williams won a three round split decision over Will Thorn in a back and forth, bloody slugfest.
“Stitched up face in a couple different places” said Williams afterwards. “Very likely a broken foot and ribs, yours truly limps away with that Victory!”

FULL RESULTS
Derek Varin defeats Jay Jackson by first-round TKO in a super middleweight bout.
Danyelle Williams defeats Will Thorn by 3 round split decision in a heavyweight bout
AMATEUR BOUTS
Javier Moreno defeated Corey Friedrich by round 2 TKO.
Chand Tubio defeats Joe Wawrzynieki by three round unanimous decision.
Nathaniel Kosberg defeats Chase Chamberlin by round 2 TKO.
Dylan Smerillo defeats Kevin Scott by 3 round unanimous decision
Marty Voves defeats Tavion Askew by round 2 TKO.
Joey Rodriguez defeats Michael Selle by 3 round unanimous decision
Nate Kline defeats Andrew Vey by 3 round unanimous decision
Kyle Hedemark defeats Lynnell Johnson by 3 round unanimous decision.

Derek Varin with his hand raised following another KO win.