Bam Rodriguez Scored a Sixth Round TKO of Antonio Vargas to Win the Bantamweight Title
In the main event, Rodriguez improved to 24-0 (17 KOs) with a sixth-round stoppage of Vargas, who fell to 19-2-1 (11 KOs). Rodriguez earned the victory at 1:15 of the sixth round of their scheduled 12-round bout.
Vargas had the edge in the opening round, knocking out Rodriguez. Rodriguez responded well in the second round, using the move effectively before Vargas closed out the frame with a late takedown. Vargas continued to enjoy success in the third and fourth rounds, often beating Rodriguez.
The fight took a dramatic turn in the fifth round when Rodriguez landed an overhand left that dropped Vargas early in the round. Referee Chris Flores controlled the count when Vargas got up to continue.
In the sixth round, Rodriguez closed the show. A sharp three-punch combination sent Vargas to the canvas again, and Flores counted Vargas, giving Rodriguez another world title to add to his growing resume.
In the main event, Arturo Cardenas improved to 18-0-2 (9 KOs) by defeating Jordan Martinez, who dropped to 16-1-1 (15 KOs), over 10 rounds.
The opening two rounds were competitive, with Cardenas pressing the action and holding a slight advantage. Martinez found success in the third and fourth rounds by countering his moves, rocking Cardenas with a left hand late in the fourth.
Cardenas responded in the fifth round, landing a right hand that got Martinez’s attention in another close round. From the sixth to the ninth round, the action remained competitive, although Cardenas seemed to gain the edge with his body attacks. In the 10th and final round, Cardenas appeared to outmaneuver Martinez enough to secure the decision.
The judges scored it 100-90, 98-92, and 97-93. Raul Caiz Jr. worked as a referee.
In the lightweight match, Elias Terraza remained undefeated, improving to 14-0 (9 KOs), and in the second round Adrian Rodriguez, who lost 10-1 (6 KOs).
Terraza used his height advantage effectively in the opening round, landing his jab and landing a right hand to Rodriguez’s temple in the closing minute. Early in the second round, Terraza dropped Rodriguez with a right. After Rodriguez hit the count, Terraza attacked him further, forcing referee Chris Flores to stop the bout at 2:30.
IBF lightweight champion Elif Nur Turhan retained her title with a unanimous decision over Gabriela “Sosa” Tellez.
Turhan improved to 14-0 (8 KOs), while Tellez dropped to 7-1 (3 KOs). Despite the official decision, the bout was competitive throughout.
Turhan punched effectively in the early rounds, while Tellez had success landing right hands, especially late in the opening frame. Turhan appeared to cruise through the middle rounds before Tellez took over in the fifth.
Turhan landed a hard right hand in the closing seconds of the sixth round that briefly rocked Tellez. In the seventh, Tellez responded with a left hook that drew blood from Turhan’s mouth before the champion finished the round strong.
The ninth round was hotly contested, with Turhan seemingly getting the better of Tellez. In the final round, referee Richard Hoyle warned Turhan twice for pushing Tellez to the canvas. Turhan pressed hard for a stoppage in the closing stages, landing a powerful right hand as the fight wound down.
All three judges scored the contest 96-94 in favor of Turhan.
