Main Event

The main event of the evening was a spirited middleweight fight between local Brazilian Top Team Canada member Stephan Potvin and UFC veteran and American Top Team member Luigi Fioravanti. Fioravanti made the trek north from Florida on short notice after Team Quest member Matt Horwich was unable to get into Canada for a second time, and for the second time in a row, Potvin was forced to deal with an opponent who he had not been training for.

Fioravanti came out at the opening bell looking to trade, and although he looked to be carrying more weight than in his previous fights, Fioravanti was the one controlling the pace of the bout. Potvin tried to keep his distance from the American slugger, and used a series of kicks to the legs, head and body. Unfazed, Fioravanti continued to pressure Potvin with his crisp boxing combinations. Potvin attempted a spinning back kick, but it was telegraphed and Fioravanti was able to avoid the attack and subsequently take Potvin's back, slamming him to the mat. Potvin tried to roll to a knee bar, but Fioravanti defended, moving to Potvin’s guard. After landing some vicious punches, Fioravanti made his way back to his feet, and the round came to a close with both fighters throwing strikes.

In round two Potvin looked visibly tired and shot in immediately to try to take the fight to the ground. Fioravanti stuffed the takedown and the two fighters clinched against the ropes, exchanging knees. When they broke apart, Potvin landed a hard kick to Fioravanti’s mid-section, but it was shaken off and Fioravanti closed the distance to clinch. They exchanged more knees and fought for under hooks, but the real battle occurred when they separated, as Fioravanti’s punches began to find their mark with more frequency.

Potvin looked weary as the third round began but he showed plenty of heart as he struggled to breathe through his bloodied and possibly broken nose. Although he took a significant amount of punishment from his American opponent, Potvin at one point had Fioravanti staggering from a heavy right hand. It would not be enough to counteract the accumulated damage that Fioravanti’s boxing skill had amassed in the eyes of the judges, as they scored the fight 30-27,29-28, 29-28 for the American, who proceeded to flip-off a group of ringside hecklers after the decision.

Fabiano takes out Quach in dramatic finish

The co-main event of the evening was a super lightweight match between No Limits member and MMA journeyman Bao Quach, and Nova Uniao grappling master Wagnney Fabiano. Fabiano sported an undefeated record of 3-0 going into the fight, and his stock was on the rise, but Quach would be his toughest test to date by far, and with Colin Oyama in his corner he was sure to come prepared.

As the first round began Fabiano did what many expected he would. He closed the distance and clinched with Quach and using a slick trip takedown to take the fight to the mat. Quach attempted to lock up one of Fabiano’s arms but to no avail, and the fighters managed to get back up to their feet. Again Fabiano took the fight to the ground as he tied up Quach’s head and used another single leg trip to put him on his back. Quach scrambled to his feet again and began to strike with punches. Fabiano responded with punches of his own, but the experience of Quach paid off as he was able to land with more frequency, opening up a slight cut over Fabiano’s left eye. With only ten seconds left in the round and with Quach on the offensive, Fabiano launched a well-timed and well-placed kick to the side of the Californian’s head, causing him to slump, face first into the canvas. The referee had to pull Fabiano away as he moved in to finish the already unconscious Quach at 4:50 of the first round.

Round Up

Nabil “The Thrill” Khatib and Ryan “Gattling Gun” Gabourie met in a battle of 185-pounders. The fight began with Gabourie charging in on BTT Canada representative and Team Bushido member Khatib, throwing a barrage of straight punches. Several of them met their mark, and Khatib reeled back on his heels. Just when it seemed as though he would succumb to the onslaught, Khatib changed levels and took Gabourie to the mat with a desperate double leg. Gabourie suddenly found himself in half guard taking several punishing bodyshots. He attempted a kimura but was unable to finish the submission. He did manage to sweep Khatib and was able to launch a little ground and pound of his own. He seemed to be landing effective shots until Khatib tied up one of his arms and secured an arm bar, to which Gabourie verbally submitted to at 2:33 of the first round.

This clash between 155lbs fighters was the fastest of the night as Mahlow of Jacksonville, Florida attempted a high kick in the first exchange of the fight. Tyler Jackson caught the kick and slammed Mahlow to the canvas, only to be trapped in a very tight arm bar. He rolled in a desperate attempt to escape but was unsuccessful. The referee pulled the two apart at 0:28 into the contest but received a verbal lashing at the hands of Jackson and his cornerman, UFC veteran Bill Mahood, who claimed that Jackson was not tapping. In a show of class Mahlow agreed to a rematch on the spot to remove any doubts.