On Friday, March 6, Resurrection Fighting Alliance returned to the land of 10,000 lakes as the promotion visited the Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel in Prior Lake, Minn., for its 24th event. The night’s main card aired live on AXS TV.
In the night’s main event, the promotion crowned a new welterweight champion after its last attempt at RFA 22 in January left the title vacant. That night, UFC veteran Gilbert “Jamal” Smith squared off with striking stalwart Chidi Njokuani, with Njokuani claiming the decision win. However, because he missed weight for the bout, the title remained vacant.
As a result, Minnesota’s Benjamin Smith looked to capture gold as he took on promotional newcomer Tat Romero. Smith entered the contest having won five straight, including a decision win over Josh Cavan at RFA 20 in November. Romero, meanwhile, stepped into the RFA cage riding a three-year, six-fight winning streak of his own.
The co-main event of the evening featured a bantamweight bout between UFC veteran and former RFA title challenger Jeff Curran against another Minnesota product, Melvin Blumer. The 37-year-old Curran had been out of action since 2013, when he dropped a split decision to Pedro Munhoz at RFA 9.
Also on the card, Blumer’s brother, Marvin, met Darrick Minner.
Melvin Blumer def. Jeff Curran by knockout (backfist). Round 1, 4:58
Darrick Minner def. Marvin Blumer by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Bobby Moffett def. Dan Moret by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Matt Brown def. Andre Tieva by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 1:28
Bojan Velickovic def. Chris Hugh by TKO (punches). Round 1, 4:40
Ricky Steele def. Jay Pressley by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Kali Robbins def. Corrie Ward by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 3:24
Ben Neumann def. Isaiah Pitts by submission (strikes). Round 1, 2:12
Dana Gostomczik def. CT Bailey by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) (a)
Charles Anozie def. Jahan Galehdari by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) (a)
(a) – denotes amateur contest