RUF Nation brought the heat to Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix this past Saturday night with RUF 66, delivering a stacked card of 12 fights that showcased Arizona’s best amateur and professional MMA talent. From lightning-fast knockouts to slick submissions, the evening was packed with action that kept fans on their feet.
Professional Division Delivers Explosive Finishes
The professional ranks set the tone early with a series of devastating stoppages that had the Phoenix crowd roaring.
Perhaps the most shocking moment of the night came at 125 lbs when Oscar Garcia delivered a thunderous slam knockout over Jhimuel Natividad at just 0:29 of round one. The finish sent shockwaves through Celebrity Theatre and will undoubtedly be replayed across highlight reels for weeks to come.
Marcus Nash (@daamnkobe) made equally quick work of his 185 lb bout, landing a devastating knockout punch that ended Duane Johnson’s night at just 1:19 of the opening round. When Nash connects, fights don’t go long.
In the grappling department, Zane Darlington (@zane_d35) showcased his submission skills with a head and arm triangle finish over Luis Jonathan Cruz de la Rosa at 1:35 of the first round in the 175 lb division, while Alex Preissing (@alexpreissingmma) secured a rear naked choke over Alexander Carrillo at 2:41 of round one at 130 lbs.
Zane Darlington | Alex Preissing
The women’s divisions brought technical excellence to the cage. Nadia Chmil (@nadiachmil) put on a masterclass in the 135 lb division, earning a unanimous decision victory over Julia Frankman with scorecards reading 30-27, 29-27, and 30-27. Chmil controlled the pace across all three rounds, showcasing the skills that continue to elevate women’s MMA in the Southwest.
Ashley Deen (@ashley.n.deen) secured a hard-fought unanimous decision over Jenna Williams at 125 lbs, with all three judges scoring it 29-28 in her favor.
Amateur Title Fight Crowns New Champion
The amateur ranks took center stage when Dominic Rivera (@dominicfighterallday) captured amateur gold in the 125 lb title fight, earning a unanimous decision victory over Chasen Stephen. All three judges scored the competitive bout 29-28, recognizing Rivera’s consistent pressure and technical execution across three hard-fought rounds. The newly crowned champion proved he belongs at the top of Arizona’s amateur division.
Amateur Division Showcases Future Stars
RUF Nation’s amateur card proved once again why this promotion is a proving ground for Arizona’s next generation of fighters.
Isaac Zatarain (@zatarain.00) made a statement at 145 lbs, locking in a rear naked choke that forced Antron Petty to tap at 2:55 of round one. The submission came after Zatarain showcased superior grappling transitions and back control.
In what may have been the most grueling finish of the night, Marcos Encinas (@marcosencinasmma) secured a TKO victory over Paul Alvarado at 125 lbs due to a medical stoppage caused by a broken jaw at the end of round two. The injury highlighted the brutal reality of combat sports and Encinas’ powerful striking.
Mitchell Wheeler (@mitchell._wheeler) earned a well-deserved unanimous decision at 165 lbs over Seth Stucker, with judges scoring the bout 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.
The fastest amateur finish belonged to Nam Le, who landed a picture-perfect knockout over Zach Carter at 1:54 of round one in the 125 lb division. Meanwhile, Denis Pino closed his 145 lb bout with a third-round TKO via strikes over Luis Munoz at just 0:21 into the final frame.
View the Full Photo Gallery
We were cage side capturing every moment of RUF 66, from walkouts to victory celebrations. Check out our free photo gallery featuring exclusive shots from throughout the night.
Stay tuned — we’ll be dropping more photos and video highlights throughout the week as we continue our coverage of this incredible event.
RUF 66 proved once again why Phoenix remains one of the hottest MMA markets in the country. With a perfect blend of amateur prospects and seasoned professionals, RUF Nation continues to deliver must-see fight cards that showcase the depth of talent in the Southwest.
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