Those looking for a Friday night MMA fix can get more than enough to kick off their weekend, as both RFA and Titan FC have events going tonight. We previewed Titan FC 41 here (prior to some last minute changes to the card unfortunately), and now it’s time to look at RFA 43. The event will be held at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado, a venue the promotion has now visited three times. The main event of the evening will see the vacant RFA Welterweight Title contested, as Brian Camozzi (brother of UFC fighter Chris) takes on FightMaster veteran Nick Barnes. Camozzi has picked up four straight wins after starting his MMA career just 2-2, scoring a pair of stoppages in his first two appearances in RFA. The factoryX product has finished all of his wins, and never been finished himself. As a 6’2″ welterweight with a 76.5″ reach, his best asset is his striking, although he has used his length to secure an equal number of submission wins to TKOs. Barnes has six submissions to his credit in his 11-1 MMA record, and will likely be looking to grapple against the taller, rangier fighter. His only loss in his career came to Jesse Taylor last year by submission, so it won’t be a smooth ride for him even if he can get this fight to the ground. The other notable fights at RFA 43 are a middleweight clash between two-time RFA title contender Gabriel Checco and Camozzi’s factoryX teammate Adam Stroup, as well as 135lb prospect Boston Salmon looking to move to 6-0 against Zac Riley. Riley will be best remembered for locking up a win as one of the most lopsided underdogs in MMA history, upsetting UFC vet Hugo Viana back in January. MMA oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting odds for the top three fights at RFA 43 today at Several Bookmakers. Take a look: ——————– RFA 43: Camozzi vs. Barnes 1STBank Center Broomfield, Colorado, United States 09-09-2016 RFA Welterweight Championship | 170 lbs Nick Barnes -115 Brian Camozzi -125 Middleweight | 185 lbs Adam Stroup -110 Gabriel Checco -130 Bantamweight | 135 lbs Zac Riley +220 Boston Salmon -300 ——————– Brad’s Analysis: If I remember correctly, Nick Barnes had an interesting backstory on FightMaster. That’s great for him, but it’s not going to help him if he can’t get Brian Camozzi to the ground. Luckily for Barnes, it seems like bad takedown defense is somewhat genetic when it comes to the Camozzis, but even top position won’t put Barnes completely out of the woods. Camozzi’s length has been known to cause some problems on the mat, and if he can work back to his feet after being taken down he’ll have a decent advantage. I think over the course of five rounds, altitude could play a factor. With Camozzi living and training in Colorado, I think that will be the extra boost he needs to capture the title and potentially join his brother in the UFC. Adam Stroup showed against John Poppie that he’s not going to go away in any fight, and that attribute alone gives him a shot against Gabriel Checco, who seems to fade heavily into the second and third rounds of his fights, something that will only be exacerbated by the altitude. On top of that, Stroup fits the mold of a the tall, rangy factoryX striker, and he can also translate that length into the submission game a bit. Checco has a big right hand, and is good at putting guys away when they’re hurt. I don’t think he ever hurts Stroup here, and I think another hometown guy scores a late finish in this one. Aside from a 15-minute battle with Mainus (had to), Boston Salmon has been quite impressive in his young career. His other four wins are all by TKO, which is to be expected of a once promising amateur boxer who made the switch to MMA. Hand injuries have kept him sidelined a couple of times already, so that’s something to be wary of, especially when Salmon is facing an opponent in Zac Riley who displayed some serious toughness in his signature win. Riley will also test Salmon’s takedown defense, but I think it’s a test the prospect can pass and continue to move towards the UFC.
