Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) has travelled in various markets over the years. Aside from the regular visits to 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, they’ll also periodically go to Tampa Bay for a fight night.
Most recently, Tampa served as the host city for the July 20 CFFC 122 on UFC Fight Pass. After this week’s show, the promotion is set for a return visit to the area in mid-October and CFFC 126, originating from the Florida State Fairgrounds. More on that show when the time comes.
This Friday, the Atlantic City-based MMA promotion chills out, quite literally, when it makes its first-ever trip to New Town, North Dakota. 4 Bears Casino and Lodge serves as the setting for CFFC 125.
Ya don't have to wait until UFC Noche to see some top-tier MMA!#CFFC125 comes your way THIS FRIDAY!! pic.twitter.com/dwHWNyTbFY
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 11, 2023
Catchweight Doubleheader Begins with CFFC 125 Co-Main Event
Live coverage begins at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT on the CFFC OnlyFans feed with the undercard. Main card action follows at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT on Fight Pass.
Barring any postponements between now and Friday, the final version of CFFC 125 features nine fights. Although no championships will be at stake in any of them, the promotion has still trotted out a decent itinerary, capped off by two contracted catchweights at the top of the slate.
It kicks off with a 175-lb. catchweight in the CFFC 125 co-main event of the evening. Undefeated Nick Meck (6-0 MMA, CFFC promotional debut) tries for his 14th straight win across all competitions when he meets LFA veteran JP Saint Louis (9-5 MMA, CFFC promotional debut.)
Being a nontitle affair, this CFFC 125 co-main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round.
CFFC 125 Co-Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the CFFC 125 co-main event on Friday night, both of these men stand level at 5-foot-10. JP Saint Louis owns a 72 1/2-inch reach, with no such information available for Nick Meck.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the oddsmakers had yet to release money lines for CFFC 125. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening over the weekend, please wager responsibly.
Nick Meck Still Unbeaten Ahead of CFFC 125 Co-Main Event
FAC veteran Nick Meck enters the CFFC 125 co-main event having gone undefeated thus far in his professional MMA career. Counting his amateur fights, he’s unbeaten over the last 13 contests.
Most recently, he scored a first-round submission (kimura) of Marcus Andrusia (9-23 MMA) in Crash Combat Championship 1 on May 27. It was the latter’s eighth consecutive defeat in his 31st professional appearance.
Recently, Meck talked to the MMAFutures YouTube channel, where he mentioned how his wrestling background is a great tool in chanelling negative energy out of his system.
“I think it helped me out a lot because it’s made me learn how to control my anger and be very disciplined in life,” Meck began. “Wrestling’s a good life, too because it makes you handle adversity. It’s like my coach, Chad Park, says, ‘If wrestling were easier, everybody could do it.'”
The transition from wrestling to MMA has served Meck quite well. This is a man who set nine wins as a target number for a potential UFC contract a couple of years ago, and an impressive win here would only bolster his already strong case.
JP Saint Louis Looking to Start the Birthday Party Early
In the other corner, JP Saint Louis comes into the co-headliner having posted a record of 3-2 in his last five contests. At the present time, he’s on a two-fight winning streak.
Last time out, he scored a second-round TKO (retirement) of Tyson Jefferies (14-12 MMA) back in February during Combat Night Pro Tallahassee. The CFFC 125 co-main event isn’t the only important event in St. Louis’ life happening this week.
On Monday, he’ll celebrate his 31st birthday. While making a wish and blowing out some candles is a great way to celebrate another trip around the sun, a victory inside the cage is even better.
If he’s able to celebrate his birthday with a win in the CFFC 125 co-main event and get on Dana White’s radar after a successful debut under the CFFC banner, that’s a great early birthday present. Only time will tell if the party gets started early.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
Stylistically, the CFFC 125 co-main event looks to be another one of those toss-ups. Both of these men have been known to grapple their way to a victory.
Nick Meck Brutal With Kimura Chokes
Given that Meck is a wrestler by trade, it makes sense that he can get the finish on the ground in devastating fashion. One need look no further than his FAC fight against Brexton Everett last October.
Although the fight was scheduled to be a three-round affair, Meck only needed less than two minutes to write a satisfactory ending to the tale. Right from the command to fight, Meck took control, feinting a takedown before securing two takedowns.
From there, Meck was in his comfort zone. He applied the torque to lock up a kimura choke in just 88 seconds.
If Meck is able to take JP Saint Louis down just once, that might be everything he needs to score the victory in the CFFC 125 co-main event.
JP Saint Louis is Also Vicious on the Ground
In the other corner, JP Saint Louis is channeling the immortal words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.” He’s also a pretty good grappler, something that his LFA 19 fight against Tyler Ray illustrates.
During the first round of a scheduled three, the two men stalked each other, waiting to make the first big move. Ray eventually put Saint Louis in a clinch, dumping him, but the momentum would soon shift to the other side of the ledger.
Saint Louis quickly went to work on a guillotine choke and Ray abruptly tapped out. Don’t discount JP Saint Louis’ ground game in the CFFC 125 co-main event.
Final Thoughts
Not much more needs to be said about the CFFC 125 co-main event except this: Friday’s contest is predicated on which of the two fighters scores the first takedown. Whoever takes his opponent down to the mat first will seize the momentum in this fight.
Prediction: Nick Meck by Unanimous Decision
