CF/SBG Idaho’s Monty Klistoff, fought through a last minute opponent change, fatigue, and several dangerous moments to come through with the Fusion Fight League middleweight crown. Originally scheduled to face Jose Mendoza, Klistoff (5-3) learned the day of weigh-ins he would now be facing Mendoza’s Tri-Cities’s teammate, Jeff Harmon (3-4).
Clinch work and ground and pound were the primary weapons for Monty throughout the 5 round affair. Rounds one and two saw Klistoff secure early takedowns and go to work with ground and pound. Though Harmon stayed busy from his back, threatening with numerous triangles and armlocks, several of which had Monty in mild danger. Round 3 saw the momentum of the fight take a serious shift, however as a grounded Harmon swept Klistoff directly into mount and then back control, where he spend the remaining two minutes of the round threatening with ground strikes and choke attempts. Fighting through visible fatigue, Monty went back to work in the fourth round, bloodying Harmon’s nose with short punches in the clinch before securing a takedown and finishing with ground and pound and improved positional control. An early takedown and ground strikes again by Klistoff in round five, was countered by a deep triangle choke attempt by Harmon, where Monty stayed trapped until the final bell.
It was a very competitive bout between two evenly matched athletes, but in the end Klistoff came away with the split decision victory! Great work Monty, we’re extremely proud of you!!!
