Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) is locked in for its final event of the calendar year at CFFC 116.
The show will emanate from the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and feature some of the tri-state area’s top up-and-coming MMA talent. A lightweight bout between Eddy Torres and Tyler Mathison is scheduled for top-billing on a six-fight main card that will be preceded by five preliminary bouts.
Fights fans can stream CFFC 116: Torres vs. Mathison on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Main Event – Torres vs. Mathison
South Jersey’s own, “The Taino Warrior,” has given a great account of himself thus far in his 4-0 pro career. However, at 36, time could be as much of an enemy for Torres as his opponents in the cage. Friday will also mark the Collingswood native’s first MMA fight in more than a year. Since taking a unanimous decision victory over Yuhe Rojas, Torres has gone 1-1 in Fury Pro Grappling matches with UFC feather Alex Caceres and Mike Medrano. Torres has shown a propensity for finding armbars, but if he can find an arm on Friday, it will mark the first stoppage loss in the young career of his opponent from Minnesota.
Mathison, meanwhile, will present a different level of challenge for Torres. The former St. Cloud State University wrestler went 5-1 as an amateur but has alternated wins and losses en route to a 3-2 pro record. He has finished two of his three wins on the ground, but opponents he has not been able to hold down have managed to outstrike him in closely-contested decisions. Mathison is also scheduled to make a quick turnaround after scoring a victory two months ago at Cage Fighting Xtreme in his home state of Minnesota. Additionally, Friday will mark Mathison’s first fight at 155 pounds since 2019. He has fought at 145, 155, and 170 in his young career, but a win on Friday could paint a better picture of where Mathison’s future in the sport lies.
Oddsmakers currently see Torres as a -300 favorite, while Mathison can be had in the betting market at a +220 price tag.
Co-Main Event – Wells vs. Vasil
In the co-main event, Frank Wells is ticketed for featherweight action against Chris Vasil. Both fighters have had to overcome adversity at different stages in their career and are, in fact, both coming off losses in the CFFC cage. Vasil’s defeat came by way of split decision to Vilson Ndregjoni at CFFC 109, while Wells, who challenged for the promotion’s featherweight crown back in August, fell to Jose Perez in the third round by way of rear naked choke. The defeat marked the first time in Perez’ career he has been stopped. Vasil, 28, is yet to incur a submission victory in his career, so Friday could serve as a get-right fight for the former title challenger.
Rest of the Card
Friday’s card will feature 11 fights in all, including five preliminary fights. 25-year-old former Monmouth University wrestler Eric Nolan (2-1) is seeking a return to the win column against Texas’ Derrick Ageday (7-8). Ageday opened his career 3-8, but has since righted the ship with four-straight victories in the last 13 months. Also on the main card, Ian Allston (2-0) is scheduled to take on Billy Ray Valdez in the heavyweight division. Valdez will be making his pro debut. Zhelal Lleshi is also scheduled to take on Bilal Hasan in a battle of flyweight set to make their pro debut. A bantamweight fight between Greg Fischer and Ricardo Fuentes will open the main card in a fight that will be sure to bring the fans in Atlantic City to their feet.
CFFC 116 Results
Main Card
Tyler Mathison def. Eddy Torres via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Greg Fischer def. Ricardo Fuentes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Chris Vasil def. Frank Wells via Knockout (Knee) at :34 of Round 3
Eric Nolan def. Derrick Ageday via Knockout (Punch) at 4:54 of Round 1
Billy Ray Valdez def. Ian Allston via Knockout (Punch) at 2:45 of Round 1
Bilal Hasan def. Zhelal Lleshi via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Preliminary Card
Vilson Ndregjoni def. John Douma via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Damion Nelson def. Thomas Picciano via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Hector Iglesias def. Bill Markle via TKO (strikes) at 2:37 of Round 1
Mat Caracappa def. Kyle Kahler via TKO (punches) at 1:53 of Round 1
Mark Grey def. Keith Speed via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
