Absolute Fighting Championships 16: Event Report

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Absolute Fighting Championships 16: Event Report

Event Title: Absolute Fighting Championships 16
Event Date: 22 April 2006
Event Venue: Florida Atlantic University
Event Location: Boca Raton

Date submitted: 18 April 2007

Submitted by: www.afcmma.com

Boca Raton, FL- Hermes Franca and Shikou Yamashita emerged with the AFC Lightweight and Shooto World Light Heavyweight belts respectively at AFC 16. The Yamashita/Denes fight was the only fight on this card to have Shooto sanctioning, a strategy Shooto’s Rich Santoro stated was due to Denes not only being from hometown American Top Team but also being the #1 contender who patiently waited for his rematch and belt fight against Yamashita. Although Denes had a relentless pursuit of a submission in round 1 he was knocked down in round 2 while Yamashita had the striking edge in the much closer round 3, giving Yamashita the unanimous decision win.

Franca was supposed to face defending champion Nick Agallar until Agallar was injured in training and vacated the belt. Franca instead faced Ryan Schultz, a Team Quest standout fighter in North America whose only previous AFC appearance was actually a loss to Rich Clementi. Most of this fight, unlike Franca’s WEC belt fight earlier this year, was close with Ryan landing the better punches while Hermes had the kicks and ground advantage. At 3:39 of the first round with Ryan coming off a flying knee Hermes caught Ryan with a right cross that knocked out Ryan and won him the belt.

The AFC Heavyweight belt was also scheduled to be on the line between Kerry "Meat Truck" Schall and Mario Rinaldi, however that fight was ruled a "no decision" after Schall was pushed through the ropes and was unable to continue. Other highlights on the card Crafton Wallace scored the quickest win of the night while Edson Berto and "Matt" Sung Lee put on a war that was ruled a draw.