By Bonface Odhiambo, Pascal Muthomi, Joram Oruko.
LFNE 6 at Kenyatta University’s Amphitheatre was an intense action-packed affair that featured MMA
fighters from different regions of the country and across the border in 10 caged bouts. Eric Omondi’s
comic relief in an exhibition match against Eric Mugambi, a MMA trainer and founder of Muthara School
of Mixed Martial Arts and Self Defence was a highlight reel that had the crowd in attendance smiling.
The night kicked off with a controversial men featherweight bout and ended with another controversial
women featherweight title bout. In the opening men’s featherweight bout, Jackson Kiriki emerged
victorious against Alvin Mahindi through a judges’ decision after contesting an initial decision labeling
the match a draw.
The other Men featherweight bout on the card ended with debutant Chris Nzomo winning without
breaking a sweat after his challenger Moses Githinji withdrew due to an injury received during a practice
session the day before fight night. Githinji said he was heartbroken and asked LFNE’s management to
consider postponing the match to LFNE 7. Chris Nzomo backed by a throng of fans expressed his
readiness after being declared the winner saying, “Akitaka 6(AM) ihappen itahappen.”
Another debutant James Kioko fighting against Amos Eboso in the Men’s Welterweight category was
unlucky on his first night with Eboso’s fists of fury in the first round of the match leaving Kioko in a
despondent kneeling stance on the canvas despite a fiery effort in the opening moments of the fight.
Hector Molias walked into the cage expressing ill-motive in his demeanor but Javan Buyu alias JahVinchi
diagnosed Hector’s relentless offense in the first round and nursed him into a submission in the second
round of the match. Buyu’s rear naked choke submission guaranteed his victory while Hector was left on
the floor gasping for a breath in the Flyweight bout.
In the Bantamweight category, George Itumo lost to Brian Serete via submission. In the men’s
lightweight bout, Stephen Wechuli emerged victorious over Kennedy Atilla through a judges’ decision
after engaging in a bloody rematch.
It was an epic night for Ugandan fighters Angalla Paul, Lumunya Josiah and Amongi Israel Rebecca who
won in their respective matches. Angalla Paul defeated Zuheir Abubakar from Kenya in the men’s
bantamweight category via a knockout in the first round. In another Bantamweight fight, Josiah
Lumunya’s left elbow followed by a knee on Kenya’s Chomba Isaac knocked out the fighting chances off
his opponent and guaranteed a first round TKO victory for the Ugandan.
Titles fights for the nights pitted Bernard Achoki in a losing bid against Dennis Ooko in the Men’s
Welterweight category. Achoki stepped in after Julius Wafula, the defending champion failed to show
up.
The Women’ Featherweight title fight witnessed a change of hands on the belt with the defending
champion Felista Mugo from Kenya losing her title to Uganda’s Rebecca Amongi in a controversial final
fight of the night. Peter Kariuki, the fight referee ended the fight in the second round after the bell
rescued Felista who was on survival mode in the dying minutes of the round. However, the match was
restarted after a break for a third round that lasted for a few seconds before the match was called off
and the referee’s decision to stop the match in the second round upheld.
Despite the contentious results of the first and last fights of the evening, LFNE 6 was a magnificent event
for the spectators and competitors. Before the sweat dries on LFNE’s 6 canvas and dust starts settling in,
eyes are cast on the future with Lumunya’s warning of taking the entire cake in his next endeavour and
Githinji’s request for a rematch against Nzomo. LFNE 7 is a future so close.
By : Bonface Odhiambo, Pascal Muthomi, Joram Oruko.
