WCFL43 Fight Event: Blood, Walk-Off KO, 3 Submissions in a Row

Blood!

Bruno Ingals

Last second walk-off KO!

Christropher Donnelly vs Rikardo Robledo

Three submission wins in a row!

Nicole Tort vs Mattie Habibian

WCFL43 proved again that it is one of the best local amateur events to fight for.

But first, let's drive to the weigh-ins and face-offs the day before.

Riveters in Tampa Weigh-Ins and Face-Offs

Over the iconic Skyway Bridge, passing St. Pete downtown skyline and over the Old Tampa Bay waters through Howard Franklin Bridge.

I'm on driving north to Tampa for WCFL43 ceremonial weigh-ins and face-offs with I-275 offering way more enjoyable driving experience than taking I-75.

Skyway Bridge

I arrive at Riveters in Tampa, a WW2 themed sports bar and restaurant inspired by iconic Rosie the Riveter.

Riveters in Tampa

There are 3 new shiny belts lying on the table that will be up for grabs tomorrow night.

The belts are surprisingly heavy when you pick them up, as all quality belts are.

WCFL43 belts

I've only been here few minutes but Riveters is already getting busier by the minute.

All the fighters who arrive have to fill out the paper work, make weight and get cleared by the doctor before they can fight tomorrow.

Rafael Garcia, owner and promoter of WCFL tells everyone who has checked in already, they must wait for the ceremonial face-offs. This is where you finally come face to face with another trained killer who you will fight in the cage the next day.

I am walking back and forth through the restaurant and documenting WCFL43 weigh-ins. Snapping candids and group shots.

After everyone has checked in, the face-offs begin.

Main event fight first then going down the line to the first fight last.

Chandra Bowles vs Amber DeVigil

"Face each other."

Guillermo Bazan vs Jeremiah Mchayle

"Now face front."

Bruno Ingals vs Gunner Wilson

As I drive back home to edit to post the weigh-ins and face-offs, I can only think about one thing.

Fight day tomorrow!

One more sleep.

Fight Day

I'm heading back over the Skyway Bridge for the third time in 24 hours. This time driving north on I-275 to Cuban Civic Club.

This is a small venue in a residential Tampa neighborhood that consists of a tall ceilings room, narrow slit windows that let natural light slip in, large chandelier hanging in the center and a stage at the far end. It looks like it was once used for local theater performances. But tonight it will be used for fight theater.

Right now the room is completely empty, quiet but getting charged with anticipation. In just a few hours it will be over filled with audience screaming to see blood.

Cage setup for WCFL43 inside Cuban Civic Club

The doors open at 5pm but there is mandatory rules meeting an hour before. All fighters must attend.

Mandatory rules meeting

The referee and Rafael Garcia are going over the rules for boxing, kickboxing, and MMA fights. What is allowed and what is illegal.

Rafael Garcia leads the mandatory rules meeting

The clock hits 5pm and the doors open. People begin to pour in and the seats begin to fill up.

I shoot few important group shots of the team behind the scenes.

Some of the WCFL43 team before the fights

Blake "Bulletproof" Troop and Rob Kahn

Blake "Bulletproof" Troop and Rob Kahn

Ann P performs the National Anthem to perfection as she has done for the last two WCFL fight events I've documented.

Ann P performs the National Anthem

The first fight starts right on time at 6pm and WCFL43 fight event is on.

Tonight's fights include boxing, kickboxing and my favorite - MMA.

Deric gets a knockdown against Clemente just in first 10 seconds of a fight.

Deric Coley vs Clemente Bautista

Only for Clemente to survive and pull off the decision win.

Deric Coley vs Clemente Bautista

Christopher Donnelly gets the big KO win just few seconds before the fight is over.

Christropher Donnelly vs Rikardo Robledo

Christropher Donnelly vs Rikardo Robledo

Christropher Donnelly vs Rikardo Robledo

Bruno uses his wrestling and aggression to dominate Gunnar in an exciting decision win.

Gunner Wilson vs Bruno Ingals

But not before suffering a deep cut above his left eye minutes prior the final bell.

Bruno Ingals

Then in co-main, Nicole Tort out of Gracie Pack secures a triangle choke in the first round to get the belt.

Nicole Tort vs Mattie Habibian

Nicole Tort

Then in main event, Chandra wins a decision in a hard fought back and forth war.

Amber DeVigil vs Chandra Bowles

Chandra Bowles

End of Fight Night

WCFL 43 is now my third WCFL fight event in the same year.

WCFL41 on January 17th and WCFL42 on March 28th. With all three WCFL events under my belt, I've gotten some of my best fight shots captured so far.

As the cage clears, lights get dimmed and chairs get stacked, I leave the Cuban Civic Club to drive back home. Already excited and awaiting to document the next fight event.

DPS are photos that are in partnership with Diamond Point Sports Network.