After an impressive run on the amateur circuit, Joseph Luciano has continued to find success as a pro, coming into tonight with a 10-3 record. Eight of his victories have come via a finish, including seven by submission. The former regional MMA champion received a major opportunity in April, replacing Magomed Umalatov on just one day’s notice to take on Logan Storley – though falling short.

 

Luciano’s originally scheduled opponent that evening was Sarek Shields. A striking specialist, Shields has won gold on both the amateur and professional regional circuits. He’s won four of his last five and most recently fought in July, submitting Fay Bursell.

 

These two are now ready to finally face off tonight. Who is ready to come out on top?

 

 

Round 1

 

Shields immediately goes for a takedown, pressing Luciano against the fence. A trip, and Luciano ends up on top. Luciano with some tight upper body control in the top position. Shields scrambles to get back to his feet. Shields has an arm around and might be looking for a standing guillotine. Luciano drives his hips in to prevent it. Not a lot of action here. Luciano ducks under and gets his head out – only for Shields to stop Luciano’s attempts to get the action back to the ground.

 

Shields tries to keep a hold of him and lands some shots before pressing a kneeling Luciano against the fence. Shields with a couple of knees to the leg. Luciano looks for wrist control, but Shields muscles him, lifting him before another takedown. Shields gets right to the back and is hunting for the choke. Shields locks it in with just over 30 seconds to go. Luciano fights the hands and avoids the choke. Shields lays in some shots to the head. Shields with a couple of left hands.

 

 

Round 2

 

Shields immediately with a low kick and pressing Luciano down to the mat. Shields LIFTS Luciano up and runs him across the SmartCage for another takedown. Shields continues to trouble Luciano, pressing even when Luciano gets back to his feet. Shields trips Luciano, but Luciano gets back to his feet. Shields has Luciano against the SmartCage barrier. Shields lifts Luciano up and slams him again. Shields getting to the back from a backpack position and looking for the choke again.

 

 

Luciano walks around with Shields still on his back. Elbow to the head by Luciano. Shields plants his feet back on the ground. Shields looks for another lift. Shields continues to work Luciano over with grappling pressure against the fence. Shields with a knee to the leg, taking Luciano’s balance out, as Shields looks for the back again. Shields goes for another lift. Luciano rolls through to end the round on top.

 

 

Round 3

 

Shields with a couple of kicks before charging in and ragdolling Luciano to the mat again. Shields gets back to the back, getting the hooks in and looking to attack the neck. Shields has the body triangle on Luciano while in the backpack position. Shields with a couple of right hands. Shields with the trip – his eighth takedown of the fight.

 

Luciano with a lift to score his own takedown, but Shields squeezes on the neck. A fight for wrist control as Luciano gets out of that. Luciano looks to do damage, but Shields goes out the back door and looks for the back again. Now Luciano is out the back door. Shields pressing Luciano against the fence on the ground. Shields goes for the back one more time. Shields appears to get under the neck, but Luciano hand fights to get out of it. One more takedown by Shields, one more neck squeeze from Luciano, and that’s it.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Sarek Shields def. Joseph Luciano via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)