Joel Roberts celebrates after his win at Cage Fight 12 Saturday in Dickson City, PA.
CAGE FIGHT 12: Roberts wins featherweight title
by Herb Smith (staff writer), The Times-Tribune
DICKSON CITY – For one fighter, there is joy and a look toward the future. For his opponent, it is back to the drawing board.
Joel Roberts of Lehighton continued his march through the professional ranks with his fifth straight win, defeating James Cianci of Clarks Summit by rear naked choke at 4:00 of Round 1 to win the Cage Fight Featherweight Championship in front of 1,260 in the main event of Cage Fight 12 at Genetti Manor.
It was also Roberts’ fifth straight win by submission.
“I train for three rounds but I fight to get a finish,” Roberts said. “I don’t want a boring fight.”
In the co-feature bout, Mike Bannon of Milford submitted Jay Haas with a knee bar at 1:47 of Round 1 in a lightweight professional fight.
Jeremiah Wells also earned a title as he defeated Dennis Maldonado by TKO to win the Cage Fight Middleweight Amateur Championship.
In the main event, Cianci looked to have the early edge as he pressed Roberts against the cage. He attempted to take him down but Roberts countered.
“I’m very comfortable against the cage,” Roberts said. “I train against the cage and I just tried to keep against it.”
It was then Roberts who got Cianci down and he began to lay the groundwork toward getting a stoppage.
“You don’t try to kill it,” Roberts said. “As he gives you a little, you take a little. It’s like a snake. I thought he was tiring and hunching over and I came over his head.”
For Cianci it was an opportunity lost.
“I felt good but I made some mistakes,” he said. “I shouldn’t have gotten in that position. I’m disappointed. I wish I went farther to test my metal against him. I tried to take him down but he’s a strong guy. You win some, you lose some. Next time I have to get the win.”
Roberts hopes that his latest victory will finally earn him a shot at Ultimate Fighting Championship and his supporters chanted “U.F.C.” after the fight.
“This is a step in the right direction,” he said. “The ultimate goal is the UFC. I hope to get an opportunity. I don’t know what else I could do. They’ve said all the guys I’ve beaten were all close to getting to the UFC. My application is the work I do in the cage.”
AMATEURS
Maiguel Machado def. Vinnie Donvito, split decision, Featherweights
Adam Atiyeh def. Luis Payano, unanimous decision, Middleweights
Michael Zola def. Billy Magliane, majority decision, Bantamweights
Keman Jackson def. Derek Smith, unanimous decision, Middleweights
Tyler Marinucci def. Elias Rojas, unanimous decision, Lightweights
Bradley Turi def. John Ortiz, unanimous decision, Lightweights
Sean Olivieri def. Ian Brofsky, submission by triangle choke, 1:39 of Round 2, Welterweights
Kristopher Gratalo def. Paul McDonough, unanimous decision, Middleweights
Jeremiah Wells def. Dennis Maldonado, TKO end of Round 1, Cage Fight Middleweight Championship
PROFESSIONALS
Mike Bannon def. Jay Haas, submission by knee bar, 1:47 of Round 1, Lightweights
Joel Roberts def. James Cianci, submission by rear naked choke, 4:00 of Round 1, Cage Fight Featherweight Championship
