Just under two weeks out from Explosive Fight Promotions’ return to the Tadmor Shrine in Akron, Ohio, the card for Caged Madness 38 appears to be finalized with 16 total bouts, including three in the professional ranks.
In the main event, Bellator veteran Dustin Kempf (6-8) will look to snap a four-fight losing streak when he takes on Michael Shields (2-6) in a featherweight bout. Other pro bouts will feature debuting lightweights Josh Rohler (0-0, 5-1 am) vs. Marc McDonald (0-0, 10-3 am), and lightweights Devonte Smith (0-0, 7-2-1 am) vs. John Mosley (1-1).
A one-time Bellator veteran, Kempf has been submitted in four straight outings and hasn’t earned a victory since he submitted Mike Nesto in the first round in 2010. All six of his victories have come in the first round, however, and he’s never made it to the judges’ scorecards as a pro. In fact, he has only been out of the first round twice in 14 pro bouts.
After starting off his career 0-4, Shields is 2-2 in his lat four including victories over Jeremiah Davenport and Christopher Tanner. Much like Kempf, he has never made it to the scorecards and has only been out of the first round one time in his pro career.
After a six-fight amateur career where he earned four of his five victories via first round stoppage, Rohler makes the jump to the pro ranks. He competed as an amateur for less than a year, as all six of his bouts came during the 2014 calendar year.
McDonald, meanwhile, has more than twice as much experience despite being five years younger than Rohler. Having competed mostly in Kentucky, he earned titles under the Bluegrass Brawl, Hardrock MMA, and Turf Wars banners. Four of his wins came via submission, and two came via knockout.
Also known as “Johnny Kage,” Smith closed out his amateur career unbeaten in his last six bouts. Most recently, he earned a second round TKO over Jeremiah Leviege at Caged Madness 36 in May before announcing his intentions to turn pro.
Mosley will make his way from Maryland as he competes in Ohio for the first time. After a 13-fight amateur career, he has split his first two pro bouts after making the jump to the pro ranks just this summer. He started off with a second round submission over Bubba Williams before dropping a bout to Troy Lamson in August.
Caged Madness 38 also features a 13-bout amateur card, including a super heavyweight rematch pitting Eddy Faison (5-5) and Nick Brashear (4-0), undefeated flyweight Nikolai Gionti (3-0), the second fight for AJ Wilkins (1-0), and more.
Stay tuned to BluegrassMMA.com for more information on Caged Madness 38.
Caged Madness 38 card
Pro Bouts:
Dustin Kempf vs Michael Shields
Josh Rohler vs Marc McDonald
Devonte Smith vs John Mosley
Amateur Bouts:
Eddy Faison vs Nick Brashear
Nikolai Gionti vs Dante Pennachio
Austin Meese vs Darell Alford
Logan Urban vs Robert Johnston
Ahmad Douglas vs Cody Hier
Kayla Potts vs Leigh-Ann Baskey
Jeffrey Offak vs AJ Wilkins
Dustin Bates vs J’Mar Moore
Dornes Butler vs Joshua Barbee
Hersley Robinson vs Chris Roe
Joe Wheeler vs Tim Hayes
Josh Faison vs Daniel Kimble
James Neff vs Chris Harvey