Shogun Fights 16 Results: Isata Retains; New Champions Crowned
There were already enough activities taking place in Baltimore on Saturday, April 8, between a Baltimore Orioles home game and a tattoo convention, among other events. But Maryland’s own Shogun Fights still managed to draw a raucous and enthusiastic crowd to Royal Farms Arena. Fans witnessed four title fights, three of which resulted in new champions being crowned.
The first title fight at Shogun Fights 16 was a rematch for the featherweight title, between champion Francisco Isata and Binky Jones. Isata first won the belt after defeating Jones at Shogun Fights 13 in 2015 in a hard-fought battle, and the rematch was no different. The first round saw Isata take Jones to the mat and keep him there, controlling Jones from the top position and effectively smothering “Father Time” to begin the bout.
Maryland’s own Shogun Fights held its 18th event from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore on Saturday, April 14, with a card that featured 10 bouts and three title fights.
In the main event, Tucker Lutz became the undisputed Shogun Fights featherweight champion after defeating Francisco Isata in a bout that featured a little bit of everything – including multiple eyepokes, a groin shot and hard-hitting strikes from both competitors. However, Lutz also mixed in some takedowns with his arsenal to become champion. In the co-main event, flyweight champion Greg Fischer successfully defended his belt against Blaine Shutt by exercising his ground game and locking in a rear-naked choke and putting Shutt to sleep.