MARCUS EDWARDS AND GILBERT SMITH VICTORIOUS AT MFC 39

Clinch Gear athletes Marcus “Bad Intentions” Edwards (@BadIntentions91) and Gilbert Smith (@JamalSmithMMA) were victorious last weekend at MFC 39 in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. Both athletes made their MFC debut on AXS TV and did not disappoint. Edwards took his fight against submission stylist Sean Powers on just three days notice and therefore the bout was contested at a catch weight of 165lbs. Powers entered this match on a two fight win streak with a professional record of 8-3 with seven of those wins by submission. Edwards immediately took the center of the ring, throwing heavy punches and after a brief clinch landed a takedown. From there Edwards landed vicious ground and pound punches and controlled the top position for most of the round. Powers having taken significant damage tried to scramble and with only 10 seconds left Edwards sunk in a fight ending rear naked choke causing Powers to tap out due to submission.

In the next fight Army veteran and former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter season 17, Gilbert Smith, faced off against welterweight prospect Jason South who entered the fight with a stellar professional record of 10-1. Smith, having won his last 2 fights, was looking to make an impression by taking out a top welterweight prospect and extending his winning streak. The fight started out with a bit of a feeling out process until Smith landed a single leg takedown. Smith controlled the top position while landing some ground and pound punches and elbows. Near the midway point of the round South was able to scramble up to his feet which allowed Smith to take his back and nearly end the fight with a standing rear naked choke. South was able to survive but was taken down again where Smith was able to control the fight until the end of the round.

Round 2 was very much the same as round 1 with Smith taking South down quickly, however this round was more closely contested with both fighters exchanging submission attempts. Smith controlled most of the round from the top position while landing punches from the top. At the end of the round it looks like Smith is up 2 rounds to none.

Round 3 started with Smith landing a huge overhand left which dropped South to the mat. Smith once again controlled the top position, but South was able to mount some offense particularly with elbows at the halfway point of the round. Smith, clearly tiring in the final round, survived a very close front choke only to fall into an inverted triangle choke in the final 15 seconds of the round. Smith was able to survive and won the fight by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) proving victorious in his welterweight and MFC debut. Congratulations to both fighters!