Can anyone stop Achilles Estremadura?
The young Estremadura (now 4-0) successfully defended his lightweight title after knocking out Lee Gaudet (now 5-7) in classic Estremadura fashion Saturday night at BFL 60 in Coquitlam B.C.
Estremadura's run through BFL's lightweight division has been the promotion's fastest-moving storyline — unbeaten, finishing everyone, and already calling for bigger stages at 4-0, he's the kind of prospect regional belts are supposed to produce.
This marked Estremadura’s third knockout in his professional career in just four fights, and he wasn’t shy about saying what he wants next.
Three knockouts in four pro fights is the finishing rate that turns a regional champion into a name — the UFC pipeline from BFL has been well-worn over the years, and prospects who finish at that rate rarely stay regional for long.
“Hopefully we’re looking at the next big thing, the UFC. Me and my boy Cole Smith, we’re undefeated here and we’re the next big thing,” said Estremadura in his post-fight interview.
“UFC, give us a call. We’re waiting.”
Hall Ready For The Jump
Marlan Hall (now 10-3) successfully defended his amateur featherweight title with a quick submission victory over Casey O’Leary (now 4-4) in the first round.
Hall's amateur title defense was the night's other headliner — a fifth straight win inside the BFL cage that closed out one of the more decorated amateur runs on the local scene.
It was a convincing victory for the 23-year-old and marked his fifth straight win inside the BFL cage.
Amateur careers that stretch past ten fights with a title attached are how western Canadian fighters used to build to the pros — the experience gap between a 13-fight amateur and a debut pro is smaller than the records suggest.
“I felt strong in there and felt pretty fast. I feel my grappling really upped a level,” said Hall.
“I feel stronger than I ever have.”
With this bout being amateur fight number 13 for Hall, many fans have been wondering when he plans on making the jump to professional.
At 23 with a belt and five straight wins, the question wasn't whether Hall was ready — it was whether staying amateur any longer was doing anything for him.
Hall said he now feels more than ready to turn professional and plans on doing so in his next fight.
“I’m taking that step up to the professionals. After that performance, definitely,” said Hall.
“I’m at that pro level. I feel like after that Gwyn Berry fight I was ready, but this one just really solidified it.”
Big Night for Machado
In the co-main event, Caio Machado (now 2-1-1) spoiled the professional debut of Dalton Duperreault (now 0-1) in impressive fashion, stopping him via TKO in the first round.
The loss doesn't end Duperreault's story — debut losses to veterans are practically a rite of passage on this circuit — but it reset the timeline the crowd expected.
Machado's co-main win was a statement of the other kind — the veteran who spoiled a hyped debut, which is the role seasoned regional fighters end up playing over and over for the younger names coming through.
Machado endured some nasty shots from Duperreault early in the first round, leaving him with a bloody nose, but was able to weather the storm and execute his game-plan.
“Dalton came in the way I was expecting; strong, heavy hands and trying to get the knockout as soon as he could,” said Machado.
“But I knew my striking and I’m very confident with my game.”
The victory, however, wasn’t Machado’s happiest moment of the night. During his post-fight interview, he brought his girlfriend into the cage and proposed to her. She said yes, of course.
The proposal turned the co-main into the night's most memorable moment — win your fight, then win your life, on the same microphone.
Machado said he was more nervous while he was asking her to marry him than he was in the cage before the fight.
“I kept thinking should I do it? Should I not do it? Is it the right timing?”
“I just got caught in the moment and thought now I’m here, so I’m going to do it.”
