Montreal Fight League (MFL) handed out two championship belts on Saturday evening.
MFL 19 delivered an impressive card of 32 bouts, highlighted by two title fights to cap off the night in Montreal, Que.
Headlining the card, Charles Azoulay (now 3-1) edged past a seasoned challenger in Ramil Kamilov (now 6-4) via unanimous decision to capture the MFL amateur lightweight title.
Azoulay successfully thwarted much of Kamilov's grappling attacks—a challenge he'd anticipated but still found himself reacting to mid-fight.
"He kind of surprised me in the first by jumping on my leg 10 seconds in, but that's what I worked with my coach. I trust my wrestling, so it was just staying focused and composed. The main thing I worked with my coach was creating damage, so every time I had a position I tried to hit him just to make him hesitate," said Azoulay in an interview with MMA Empire.
"The guy is tough. I can't say anything about that, the guy is great, he's a real warrior. He's freaking tough, but tonight was my night and I'm really happy about it."
Before this victory, Azoulay struggled to book matches on the amateur circuit because of two previous fights in France that had been classified as professional contests. However, since MMA hadn't been legalized in France during those bouts, he was permitted to begin anew as an amateur fighter in Canada.
Azoulay outlined two objectives he wanted to accomplish before reaching age 25, which arrived on July 22, and he now finds himself in position to check both off.
"I have to go pro now, it was the deal. When I was 23, I told myself when I turn 25 I will win a belt in amateur or sign a pro contract," said Azoulay.
"I just turned 25 three days ago, I have the belt, and now I can go sign a pro contract. It's freaking perfect everything worked out this way. I work hard for this and have a lot of sacrifices."
On the co-main card, Olivier Poisson (now 6-0) kept his undefeated record intact with a razor-thin split decision over Alex Gluzman (now 2-1) to take home the vacant MFL amateur featherweight championship.
Poisson couldn't secure a finish despite landing one in four of his previous outings, yet he felt confident he'd earned the nod when the judges' scorecards came in.
"It was a very tight fight, it was close. I didn't really show my skills. For me, it was not a smart fight, but I got the win," said Poisson in an interview with MMA Empire.
"I was confident (in the decision), but if the decision was going his way, I would understand and it would be okay."
With six amateur fights under his belt, a flawless record, and the MFL amateur featherweight title around his waist, Poisson has several paths forward.
He indicated he needs to consult with his coaching staff, though he suggested the most probable move is stepping up to the professional level.
"I have to talk with my coaches, but I would like to sign the pro contract soon. I would maybe defend my belt once, I don't know, but my goal is to turn pro soon."
