Mixed martial arts has long been a stable of the Arnold Sports Festival weekend, and this year was no different, as Absolute Cage Fighting 2 went down at the LC Pavilion on Friday night featuring eight bouts as part of a pro/am lineup.
In the main event, UFC and “The Ultimate Fighter 19” veteran Dan Spohn (10-4) moved his record to 2-0 since his time on the reality show, as he finished Cincinnati native Marcus Finch (8-9) with a TKO via elbows in the third round. It was the first time Finch was finished since his third professional bout in 2010, but it was his third loss in his last four outings. Spohn is now 4-1 in his last five fights, with his only loss coming inside the UFC to Patrick Walsh.
In the co-main event, Ronin Training Center and Roufusport product Corey Meeks (2-0) kept his unbeaten record intact, as he earned a split decision over Indiana fighter Chris Johnson (1-2) in the night’s only other pro bout. The two young bantamweights traded big shots and takedowns throughout the 15-minute fight, but Meeks was able to do just enough damage to take home the win.
Full results from Absolute Cage Fighting 2:
Fight 1 – Zach Severance (0-0) vs. Darnell Alwine (0-0) – Amateur Welterweights
Result: Darnell Alwine (1-0) def. Zach Severance (0-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Fight 2 – Junior Meza (0-1) vs. Matt Thomas (0-4) – Amateur Welterweights
Result: Junior Meza (1-1) def. Matt Thomas (0-5) via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:54
Fight 3 – Jairo Perez (1-0) vs. DaVaughn Ellis (1-1) – Amateur Bantamweights
Result: DaVaughn Ellis (2-1) def. Jairo Perez (1-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Fight 4 – R.J. Hickey (1-0) vs. Tommy Metzger (1-0) – Amateur Middleweights
Result: Tommy Metzger (2-0) def. R.J. Hickey (1-1) via verbal submission (cut) – Round 2, 0:48
Fight 5 – Karic Cecuti (1-1) vs. Tommy Kirkland (2-6) – Amateur Bantamweights
Result: Karic Cecuti (2-1) def. Tommy Kirkland (2-7) via submission (guillotine) – Round 1, 1:06
Fight 6 – Lisa Skidmore (2-0) vs. Crystal Ceasar (1-0) – Amateur Female Flyweights
Result: Lisa Skidmore (3-0) def. Crystal Ceasar (1-1) via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Fight 7 – Corey Meeks (1-0) vs. Chris Johnson (1-2) – Pro Bantamweights
Result: Corey Meeks (2-0) def. Chris Johnson (1-3) via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Fight 8 – Dan Spohn (9-4) vs. Marcus Finch (8-8) – Pro Light Heavyweights
Result: Dan Spohn (10-4) def. Marcus Finch (8-9) via TKO (elbows) – Round 3, 3:12