Photo Credit: Darren Arthur Photography
Amman, Jordan – Desert Force 22 was staged at the King Hussein Gardens this past Monday, April 18, 2016, in what will be remembered as a wild night of action and shock. In the event headliner, Jarrah Al Selawi squared off against Artem Reznikov, while Desert Force veteran and former middleweight champion Ibrahim El Sawi battled American Daniel Cooper in the co-mainer. Also on the main card that aired live on MBC Action, Islam Tolba faced Brazilian Hugo Pereira, and Nawras Abzakh faced Ahmed Makki.
Al Selawi def. Reznikov by unanimous decision (29-28 29-28 30-27)
In this battle between a wrestler and a striker, the contest was hardly close at any time. Jarrah in particular seemed deeply disappointing and not very effective, while Reznikov was able to take him down in every round controlling the pace of the fight. Al Selawi’s best offense though came in the third round when he seriously hurt Reznikov with a knee to the body and unleashed a series of punches, almost ending the fight. The crowd was pleased with the decision of the fight, but it’s hard not to disagree with them. Al Selawi needed the win to boost his hopes for a welterweight title shot, while Reznikov leaves Amman with a shock that marked his second consecutive loss.
Daniel Cooper def. Ibrahim Elsawi via Submission (punches) at 2:29 of round 2
In a fight that was looked at as a mismatch, Daniel “Cooper” (1-1) made his Desert Force debut against a much more experienced Ibrahim Elsawi and came away with the victory. Despite Sawi’s close to dominant performance in the first round, Copper had different plans. As round 2 started, Cooper landed a straight right that rocked Elsawi forcing him to shoot for a bad timed takedown. Midway through the round, Elsawi who was mounted escaped the bad spot, only to find himself on his knees with Cooper mountng his back. The American mercilessly wailed away forcing Elsawi to tap due to strikes. Cooper is now 1-1 as a professional, while Ibrahim Elsawi has lost his second straight after a run of 3-0.
In the third fight on the live card, Warlions fighter Islam Tolba made his promotional debut earning a decision victory against Hugo Pereira. And in the opening bout of the live card, Nawras Abzakh defeated Ahmed Makki also via unanimous decision marking his 4th professional win. He now rides a 3 win streak under the Desert Force banner.
The 7 undercard fights of Desert Force 22 were even more exciting with 4 of them ending via submission finishes, and 3 via clean first round KO’s!
The fastest knockout that night was delivered by Alaa Mansour who ended the bout in just 14 seconds against Abdulrahman Dridi. Yes you heard that right, just 14 seconds to earn the Desert Force Al Academiya 84Kg shield in the Al Academiya Season 3 finale, the bout which finally materialized after it was re-scheduled two times.
Full Fight Card Results:
- Jarrah Al Selawe Vs. Artem Reznikov, Jarrah Al Selawe via Unanimous Decision
- Ibrahim Elsawi Vs Daniel Cooper, Daniel Cooper via Submission (punches), Round 2, 2:05
- Islam Tolba Vs Hugo Pereira, Islam Tolba via Unanimous Decision
- Nawras Abzakh Vs. Ahmad Makki, Nawras Abzakh via Unanimous Decision
- Alessandro Pirev Vs. Ali Qaisi, Ali Qaisi via KO, Round 1, 1:48
- Alaaeddine Ben Halima Vs. Musa Jaikat, Mousa Jaikat via KO, Round 1 0:24
- Mohammad Al Fares Vs. Cleiton Nascimento, Cleiton Nascimento via via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 3:15
- Abdulrahman Dridi Vs. Ala’a Mansour, Ala’a Mansour via KO, Round 1, 0:14
- Ali Al Naeimi Vs. Talal Al Daaja, Ali Al Naeimi via Submission (Armbar), Round 1, 2:17
- Sino Safarov Vs. Hussam Qashou, Sino Safarov via Submission (RNC), Round 2
- Paulo Enrique Vs. Hussein Fakher, Paolo Enrique via Submission, Round 2, 1:45
Relive the action from the live-card fights here:
