from Sherdog.com:
ENOCH, Alberta — Emanuel Newton may not have won over the fans, but he did win what he came for. Newton took the Maximum Fighting Championship light heavyweight title from Roger Hollett on Friday via a unanimous decision inside the sold out River Cree Resort and Casino.
Newton, 24, managed to keep Hollett at bay with punches and body kicks throughout the fight as the champion stalked the challenger around the ring. However, it was Newton who landed on the charging Hollett and managed to score a few takedowns en route to being declared the victor via scores of 50-45 (twice) and 49-46.
The initial two rounds were a feeling-out process, with both competitors showing a clear respect for the strengths of the other. The third round saw Hollett pursue Newton more aggressively, but any momentum the Canadian gained was taken away by Newton in the fourth round. The Anotnio KcKee pupil landed a couple of takedowns and exerted solid ground control for the clear-cut victory.
“I came out and did what I wanted to do which was circle,” said Newton, who stretched his win streak to nine. “I wish I could have landed some more punches but he was a strong guy. I didn’t think his cardio was going to be there. I usually fight guys who are more technical and Roger would just come in swinging. I just tried to stay out of the way of his punches.”
The crowd was restless throughout the fight, booing the fighters at the completion of each round. Hollett came forward as per usual for him, but seemed hesitant to throw combos when he got close. Newton was only able to land one or two punches at a time while trying to avoid Hollett’s advances – a style of fight that did not adhere to the majority of those in attendance.
“In some ways the crowd reaction affects you,” said Hollett. “I wanted to finish it for them, but in the end I wanted the money and the championship first and foremost.”
In the main attraction for most, Paul Daley made a spectacular MFC debut over veteran fighter John Alessio, finishing him with a trio of punches midway through the second round.
Rob King/Sherdog.com
Ryan Machan chokes
Mike Sorenson.From the opening bell, the British welterweight used a wide array of leg kicks to wear down Alessio in the standup exchanges. Alessio managed to get the fight to the ground, but could not take advantage from there.
In the second set, Alessio failed with an ankle pick, which left him wide open for Daley to connect with three huge left hands that crumpled Alessio on the ropes. Referee Jon Braak called a halt to the action 2:18 into the second round.
“I saw from his fight with Thiago Alves that leg kicks could work on him so I went with them right from the start — mostly low but I threw a few high ones as well,” said the 25-year-old Daley. “I knew he was going to strike for a bit to set up the takedown so I used that to my advantage.”
Daley, who missed weight by four pounds the day before and had to forfeit 25 percent of his purse, said his next bout will be in January — either for Sengoku or Affliction.
While Daley said he would like to return to the MFC someday, he conceded that “20 hours on a plane is brutal. I hate these long flights to North America.”
