Unified MMA 46 presented the most compelling Canadian MMA lineup in years, and the Edmonton, Alta. audience got its money's worth Friday night as fighters delivered memorable moments across the card.
The main event featured Jamelle Jones (now 13-8) capturing the regional heavyweight championship from local favourite Christian Larsen (now 7-3). Jones deployed a relentless wrestling assault, eventually took Larsen's back and secured a rear-naked choke for the victory.
After the bout, Jones told MMA Empire the strategy played out precisely as he'd envisioned — if he could drag Larsen to the mat, the fight would be his.
"The game plan… he's big, he's strong, take him down and choke him out," Jones explained during a post-fight interview with MMA Empire.
"I've wrestled a school out here called Simon Fraser in British Columbia and they have the best wrestling. I was superior to those guys, so I knew he couldn't take mine. Also, Larsen doesn't go on his back a lot, so I knew if I put him in that vulnerable position he would be vulnerable to my submissions."
Jones has spent the past two campaigns competing in PFL's heavyweight division.
He noted he's actively negotiating a return to PFL for the 2023 season, though no deal has been finalized yet. Should PFL not work out, Jones plans to make his first defence of the Unified MMA heavyweight title he just captured.
"If I'm on a the regional level, I'll be at Unified. But I'm looking for the bigger stages," said Jones.
Returning from his UFC exit, Brandon Jenkins (now 16-9) sent a clear message, flooring Neal Anderson (now 11-6) with a devastating knee strike to the chin in the opening round.
While Jenkins boasts a career filled with spectacular finishes, this one stood out even for him given a sluggish start and a grueling weight cut.
"The whole first round I just felt really off and I started really slow," said Jenkins in an interview with MMA Empire.
"I was able to deke him with the right hand, and I have a really good finishing ability. That was my eleventh knockout and usually when I smell blood in the water I go for it."
With the victory now in the win column, Jenkins indicated new opportunities are emerging.
"My manager has been talking to ONE Championship and also with Bellator, so hopefully I can get one of those," said Jenkins.
"Those guys don't sign you off of losses, so I got this W and hopefully it opens up some more doors for me."
Stepping into the cage for the first time since May 2018, Stephen Beaumont (now 10-3) showed no ring rust, dismantling Michael Hill (now 11-7-1) with a furious punch combination in round one.
Despite the satisfying finish, Beaumont admitted the outcome wasn't what he'd anticipated.
"It didn't go the way I thought it would," said Beaumont in an interview with MMA Empire.
"I thought me and Michael Hill, with him being the long, rangier fighter, that we were going to really hunker down and give 'er and give the fans three rounds. But I got a lot of power in my hands and I'm pretty tricky with my striking and I got the best coaches in the world and we're basically ready for anybody."
Beaumont isn't waiting around, however — he's already calling out his next opponent.
"Kyle Prepolec, you and me buddy. Five rounds, 170, 165. I can't go any lower than that, but let me heal up my hand here and we'll give 'er buddy," said Beaumont.
The co-main event pairing KB Bhullar against Curtis Millender ended prematurely when Millender couldn't continue after suffering an accidental eye poke from Bhullar.
Meanwhile, in a highly anticipated matchup between undefeated prospects, Alex O'Neil (now 5-0) dealt Jett Grande (now 4-1-1) his first professional defeat.
Other victors on the card included Sean Michael, Usman Khattak, AJ Markett, Jake Craig and Gabriel Brown.
