Battlefield Fight League’s main card lasted just 29 seconds, but it was a solid debut, according to its promoter.
Jay Golshani was pleased with BFL’s first venture into Penticton at the Trade and Convention Centre Saturday.
Golshani heard nothing but positive feedback about his event that attracted a sold-out crowd of 814. Golshani said the fights were good. The main event featured Matt Dwyer and Levi Alford, who was knocked out in the first round.
The evening started with a middleweight bout between Morgan Littlechild of Prince George and Vincente Pulido of Penticton. Littlechild won the preliminary bout 54 seconds into the first round using an armbar. Golshani said Pulido performed well but needs to get more fights to gain experience and improve.
“He was more of a striker, he needs to work on his ground game,” said Golshani. “It was kind of a striker versus grappler matchup. (Pulido’s) opponent was able to implement his game.”
Another Penticton fighter taking to the cage was Mark Dobie, who faced Yannick Pare. It was Dobie’s sixth bout as a pro and he won his fight 52 seconds into the second round by TKO.
“I wanted to stand up with him,” said Dobie, now 3-3 as a pro. “I almost had him choked out. Wanted to stand and finish him. The last two fights he TKO’d his opponents. I wanted to beat him at his own game.”
Golshani described Dobie as a great fighter.
“It went back and forth in the first round,” said Golshani. “Dobie had better cardio than Yannick Pare. In the second round, Mark was able to use his experience and finish the fight when he had him.”
Golshani said that Pulido’s cousin, Marlan Hall of Oliver lost to Joe Pirotta at 1:02 of the first round from a rear naked choke. The majority of the fighters competing were from Kelowna and one from Kamloops, which was represented by Matt Baker. Baker defeated Brandon MacCarthur at 2:05 of the second round.
“There is a lot of talent in the Interior. We just haven’t had a chance to do enough shows,” said Golshani, who plans to return BFL to Penticton in early October once everything is finalized.
Dobie is impressed with BFL and said they are the best in B.C. Dobie was impressed with the atmosphere in the convention centre, which was better than the event in the South Okanagan Event Centre held a couple years ago because of the smaller space. Those interested in staying updated with BFL’s schedule can do so by visiting the website at www.battlefieldfl.com. BFL is also on twitter, @battlefieldfl.