TUCSON, Ariz.– Rise of the Prospects Cage Series was back for  its 11th installment at the Rialto Theatre, headlined by two title bouts and two professional bouts. 

The first title fight of the card was for the Rise of the Prospects Bantamweight Championship between Alec Schlink and Austin Wheeler. 

The two exchanged heavy strikes and kicks back and forth for the entire first round. Wheeler showcased great striking and followed up with body shots. Schlink responded with great striking of his own. With the two unable to find a finish, the fight would enter the second round. 

However, Wheeler decided to end the fight early as 21 seconds into the second round, a right hook dropped Schlink. With some added ground-and-pound, the fight was stopped. An excited Wheeler immediately ran to his coaches, as a new Bantamweight Champion was crowned. Adding to the gold, Wheeler also earned a performance of the night accolade. 

The second title bout of the night included Dominic Rivera and Gabriel Enriquez for the Rise of the Prospects Flyweight Championship.

Enriquez put on the pressure early, securing a quick takedown. From there, Rivera faced heavy shots on bottom mount. 

As the pressure continued, Enriquez took Rivera’s back and secured the win via rear-naked choke in the first round, ending Rivera’s undefeated streak and giving Enriquez his second win in two weeks. 

Heading into their pro debuts, Miguel Tamayo and Julius Vega showed off impressive skill that went the distance. Tamayo showed off great grappling leading into elbows and knees. Vega replied with multiple takedowns in three rounds. 

However, Tamayo fought through those takedowns and continued to display great striking, securing the unanimous decision victory. 

The main event of the evening was Sebastian Mordecai versus Jhay Boyd in a catchweight bout (175 pounds). 

In the first 30 seconds of the fight, Mordecai was getting into the flow, showing off his jabs and leg kicks before shooting a takedown. Once Boyd hit the floor from an inside leg trip, he was hit with ground and pound shots before getting put in a rear naked choke. Boyd managed to escape the chokehold but was still controlled by Mordecai as he continued throwing big shots and securing a technical knockout victory. 

Mordecai was thrilled to secure his first main event victory since becoming a professional, previously winning 3 amateur fights at Cage Series. Those being a Kneebar versus Jared Whittler and 2 unanimous decision wins versus Travis Arrellano and Andrew Mikkelsen. 

“First main event here as a pro so this is a little different,” Mordecai said. “Coming in here with the five minute rounds dropping the elbows. I feel good and confident, working hard with my team. They push me everyday.” 

Mordecai also stated the people who have pushed him into the spot he is in today. 

“You know there is so many people that come to mind because my support system is so amazing,” Mordecai said. “My family, my friends my team, I could just go on and on. I know they believe in me.”