Andrew Sanchez (Phil Lambert/Combat Press)

RFA 28 Results: Sanchez Stops Poppie in Bloody War, Claims Middleweight Crown

On Friday, Aug. 7, Resurrection Fighting Alliance hosted its 28th event from the Chase Park Plaza in St. Louis. The night’s main card aired live on AXS TV at 10 p.m. ET.

In the night’s main event, the promotion crowned a new middleweight champion as Andrew Sanchez locked horns with John Poppie. The 27-year-old Sanchez returned from a year-long layoff in June to earn his third win under the RFA banner. All six of his career wins had come before the final bell, including four by knockout. Similarly, Wisconsin’s Poppie had stopped five of his six wins before the scorecards and entered his promotional debut riding a four-fight winning streak.

The co-main event featured former RFA flyweight titleholder Matt Manzanares, who returned to the promotion after a two-fight absence, to take on newcomer Ken Porter. Manzanares had fallen on tough times since capturing gold at RFA 14 last April, dropping three straight. Porter, meanwhile, made his RFA debut having won four straight fights.


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FULL RESULTS
Andrew Sanchez def. John Poppie by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 1:53  – for middleweight title
Ken Porter def. Matt Manzanares by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Thiago Moisés def. Javon Wright by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 2:10
Jake Roberts def. Chuka Willis by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Osmoe def. Jimmy Donahue by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 3:27
Travis Draper def. Joey Valadez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Tyler Flores def. Colby Tierney by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Dakota Bush def. Derek Clardy by knockout (strikes). Round 2, 1:40 (a)
Andrew Wiltse def. Ross Campbell by knockout (punches). Round 3, 2:05 (a)

(a) – denotes amateur contest


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