Outside The Valley Spotlight: A1 Combat 9 Long Beach Results

Payton Talbott, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

Long Beach, Ca - Urijah Faber's A1 Combat took over Infinite Reality Studios in Long Beach March 18th, 2023 with A1 Combat 9. Southern California fans enjoyed a night of MMA action that included 9 MMA bouts. The night was topped off with a battle for the promotions bantamweight title.

The unique venue had a green screen which A1 Combat took advantage of using it as a virtual background that could be seen on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast. A1 Combat continues to grow at fast pace with great production and high level fights, and proved again that wherever they go you better "act like you know!"

The A1 Combat Bantamweight Championship was on the line in the main event. Reno's (4-0) Payton Talbott looked to defend his title versus Ecuador's (8-1-1) Cristhian Rivas. Round one saw Rivas take the fight to the ground where he took Talbott's back and looked to set up a rear naked choke. Talbott made his way back to his feet, and landed a few punches, but Rivas took the fight to the ground again before the end of the round. Rivas looked to keep up with the same game plan in round two taking the fight to the ground. Talbott surprised Rivas with a armbar while working from his back that looked deep. Rivas escaped, but  Talbott followed up with some nice punches that hurt Rivas sending him to the canvas as round two came to a end. Talbott began to land at will in round three, hurting Rivas with nice combos along the cage. Talbott continued to land with no answer from Rivas forcing the referee to stop the fight at 1:35 in round 3. Peyton Talbott retains his A1 Combat Bantamweight title by submission.

Eimar Hernandez, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

In the co main event Covina, Ca's undefeated (4-0) Gilbert Nakatani took on Wisconsin's (4-0) Eimar Hernandez. Hernandez would use his speed to score landing kicks and jabs throughout the fight. Nakatani looked to get the fight to the ground, but Eimar would pop right back up after the attempts. Nakatani did find the back of Hernandez and looked to secure the rear naked choke, but Hernandez shrugged it off. Hernandez continued to score and keep his range as the fight went the distance. After three rounds of action, judges scored the fight (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) a unanimous decision for Team Alpha Male's Eimar Hernandez.

Billy Brand, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

(2-1) Billy Brand puts on a striking clinic versus (1-0) Eddie Bernal in their bantamweight match up. Brand mixed it up with elbows, kicks and punches that had Bernal hurt multiple times. Brand, who kept walking away after hurting Bernal the first few times, thinking the fight was over. Finally connected with a left uppercut that he could walk away from for good as the ref stepped in and stopped the fight at in round 1.

Teruto Ishihara, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

Japan's (12-10-3) Teruto Ishihara  stops (12-11) Willie Gates by submission in the first round. Ishihara took the fight to the ground where he began hunting for a rear naked choke. Gates fought if it off a few times, but Ishihara eventually locked in the rear naked choke that forced the tap at 3:12 in round 1.

Eugene Correa, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

(4-2) Eugene Correa defeats (2-0) Owen Craugh by submission. Craugh used his wrestling to control the fight early, but Correa found a guillotine that forced the tap at 2:33 in round 3 moving Correa's record to 5-2.

Kody Vogels, A1 Combat 9 - Cali Fights Magazine

In the opening bout of the main card "Classic" Kody Vogels moved to 4-0, stopping  (3-3) Chris Pena by tko. Vogel landed a hard right hand that stunned Pena. A follow up left drops Pena again and Vogel lands a few more shots that ended the fight at just :47 seconds into round 1.

Patrick Becker defeats Saad Ul-Husan by tko at 2:24 in round 2.

(1-0-1) Christopher Cruz defeats Carlos Elizarraraz by unanimous decision.

(1-1) Steve Mora defeats (2-2) Nick Patea by submission with a guillotine at 3:06 in round 1.

A1 Combat returns April 28th, 2023 with A1 Combat 10 at the Tachi Palace Casino & Resort in Lemoore, Ca. Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.com/e/urijah-fabers-a1-combat-10-tachi-palace-sanchez-vs-sanchez-tickets-557129598627?aff=erelexpmlt

Check out A1 Combat at www.a1combat.com on Facebook@ www.facebook.com/CaliMMApromoter on IG@ www.instagram.com/a1_combat

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By: Daniel "Trip" Quintana www.noweakshitever.com