Ryan Sanders Takes Victory in Strange Ending at NEF 26
Ryan Sanders Takes Victory in Strange Ending at NEF 26
Ryan Sanders defeated Jon Lemke in the main event at NEF 26 Saturday night.
Ryan Sanders and Jon Lemkie showed up to fight at NEF 26 Saturday night in Lewiston, Maine.
The rangy lightweight stepped in against a game brawler in a main event tilt that carried higher stakes than simply victory or defeat. The two competitors represented rival gyms with Sanders leading the charge for Young's MMA and Lemke carrying the flag for Team Irish MMA, in a matchup which served to showcase two of the most well-known collectives in Maine mixed martial arts.
Both Sanders and Lemke have reputations for bringing the scrap, and it didn't take long for the two strikers to get down to business. Sanders worked an effective game at range while Lemke did his best to close the distance with counter shots. Sander's long distance game took the lead early and it was ground his opponent simply could not cover.
It was an entertaining bout heading into the third and final round, but the action stopped abruptly midway through the frame when Sanders took Lemke's back and forced a takedown. The two fighters hit the mat and Sanders instantly jumped up and signaled the official. The referee called time out and waived in the cageside doctor to take a look on the cut that opened on Lemke's head.
Upon further examination the doctor deemed the cut too deep for Lemke to continue and the decision went to the judges' scorecards where Sanders took the unanimous decision.
The rangy lightweight stepped in against a game brawler in a main event tilt that carried higher stakes than simply victory or defeat. The two competitors represented rival gyms with Sanders leading the charge for Young's MMA and Lemke carrying the flag for Team Irish MMA, in a matchup which served to showcase two of the most well-known collectives in Maine mixed martial arts.
Both Sanders and Lemke have reputations for bringing the scrap, and it didn't take long for the two strikers to get down to business. Sanders worked an effective game at range while Lemke did his best to close the distance with counter shots. Sander's long distance game took the lead early and it was ground his opponent simply could not cover.
It was an entertaining bout heading into the third and final round, but the action stopped abruptly midway through the frame when Sanders took Lemke's back and forced a takedown. The two fighters hit the mat and Sanders instantly jumped up and signaled the official. The referee called time out and waived in the cageside doctor to take a look on the cut that opened on Lemke's head.
Upon further examination the doctor deemed the cut too deep for Lemke to continue and the decision went to the judges' scorecards where Sanders took the unanimous decision.