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RIO RANCHO, N.M. -- After 112 Rage in the Cage events in Arizona, the promotion finally ventured out of the desert Saturday to New Mexico, where a combined 22 amateur and professional bouts were held at the Santa Ana Star Casino.
In front of 2,300 fans, native Alberto Crane (Pictures) looked impressive defeating Adrian Valdez with a first-round submission at 1:35.
Crane jumped at his opponent immediately with a takedown, then transitioned from an armbar attempt to the guillotine choke, which prompted Valdez to tap out.
“It was great to get back in the win column,” said Crane. “I wanted to throw more punches and that was the plan, but when he was in position for the guillotine, I went for it and stuck it to him.”
In the co-main event, Richard Villa upset Drew Fickett (Pictures) with a second-round TKO. Villa followed a game plan that started earlier that day at the weigh-ins.
Fickett came in over weight and had to run off two pounds, which may have taken its toll on him. Villa and his camp figured they would take full advantage of that by letting Fickett come out strong and then tire.
It was all Fickett in round one as he was able to land two good right kicks to Villa’s head followed by a takedown. Fickett hunted for the submission, but to Villa’s credit he held on to finish the round.
Round two saw Villa attack and drop Fickett to his back with a hard right, where Villa continued his onslaught with rights and left hands until he coaxed out the referee stoppage and the biggest victory of his career.
”I knew he was drained from running this morning,” said Villa. “We planned on letting him come out strong and then I’d kick it into another gear in the second. People didn’t know who I was before this fight, maybe now they’ll take notice.”
Crane Rebounds, Villa Stuns Fickett at RITC
Drew Fickett and Alberto Crane @ RITC last night
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