https://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid4621179066001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAABvaL8JE~,ufBHq_I6FnxR-PQW_F3sm5QdUbP7D6E9&bctid=3833769885001
Rodney Collier had to work out of some early trouble, but it paid off with a new belt around his waist.
Collier landed a big strike that led to a first-round submission win over Gabriel Checco as he handed the Brazilian his first career loss to claim the middleweight title at RFA 19 on Friday night.
“Jake” Collier took the vacant belt in the main event of RFA 19, which took place at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minn., and aired on AXS TV.
In the co-main event, Abel Cullum (20-6) continued his successful return from a three-year layoff, earning his second straight submission win by tapping out Carl Deaton in the second round.
Also on the card, Marvin Blumer (11-4) surprised Junior Maranhao (9-4) with a submission 43 seconds into the third round, and Dan Moret (7-1) tapped out Jordan Griffin (8-4) in the first.
Check out the video highlights of those fights above.
Official RFA 19 results included:
- Rodney Collier def. Gabriel Checco via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:27 to claim vacant middleweight title
- Abel Cullum def. Carl Deaton via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:43
- Marvin Blumer def. Junior Maranhao via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 3, 0:43
- Dan Moret def. Jordan Griffin via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:09
- Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger def. Rebecca Gullet via split decision (29-29, 29-28, 30-27)
- Matt “Not The Immortal” Brown def. John Castaneda via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
For more coverage of RFA 19, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
