Inside Epic 55: The Fights That Ended the Year with a Bang

Epic Fighting’s Epic 55 event closed out the year with a cascade of intense matchups and skilled amateur fighters stepping into the cage to showcase their abilities. The night was packed with split decisions, submissions, and TKOs that had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

 

The headliner of the night was the title fight in the Amateur 135 lbs division. Nathan Hawthorne (@nathanhawthorne) put on a clinic against Josh Cervantes, securing a unanimous decision victory. Hawthorne’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, with judges scoring the bout in his favor, highlighting his dominance throughout the fight.

 

Significant moments of the night included a lightning-quick submission victory by Erick Aceves (@el_rickk), who finished Tanner Jones with a rear naked choke just 41 seconds into the second round, demonstrating his grappling prowess. Similarly, Chris Doering (@thereal_chrisdodo) secured an impressive win via armbar against Dyllan Ellis, showcasing his technical submission skills.

 

In the striking department, Shaun Puglielli (@seriouslyshaun) delivered a thunderous TKO in the third round, while Marquis Black (@therealblack_) stopped his opponent in the first round via tap out. 

 

The event also saw its share of heartbreak, with Mustafa Bell winning by submission due to a knee injury sustained by Christopher Jorden, a stark reminder of the harsh realities of combat sports.

 

On the women’s side, Ruby Daniels (@danielsrubyy13) earned a unanimous decision over Nayeli Morales, showcasing her comprehensive skill set and fight IQ.

 

Unfortunately, two bouts were canceled, leaving fans anticipating the matchups between Natalie Davis vs. Edith Gutierrez and Jorge Ortega vs. Henry Esquivies. 

 

In the lighter weight classes, victories by Joshua Treasure and Carlos Bernal (@carlosb3220) by split decision demonstrated the competitive nature of the sport, with each fight being closely contested.

 

MMA’s Epic 55 showcased the growing talent pool in amateur MMA, with each fighter proving their worth and ambition. Epic Fighting has cemented its reputation for delivering explosive and memorable fight nights in San Diego as the year draws to a close. The fans are already looking forward to what’s next in the cage as these warriors continue to evolve and ascend.