Le'ville Simpson Head Kick Wins Fury Lightweight Title at Fury FC 45

In an exchange of dueling head kicks, Nico Echeverry landed first, but Le'ville Simpson landed the one that counted, setting up a stunning second-round finish and winning Simpson the Fury Fighting Championship lightweight title.

Fury FC 45, which took place on April 18 at the Bayou Events Center in Houston, Texas, was the second show on Fury's new broadcast agreement with UFC Fight Pass. The main event featured Echeverry in his first defense of the belt, against Simpson, in his second attempt at winning it. The first round was conducted entirely on the feet, characterized by tense striking exchanges as Echeverry switched stances and worked to navigate the taller challenger’s reach. Simpson, perhaps expecting a takedown attempt, used lateral movement, push kicks and his long left jab to maintain distance.

Both men appeared more aggressive to begin the second frame, and 15 seconds into the round the champ threw a hard left high kick that Simpson took on the arm. Simpson responded with a right kick that cleared Echeverry’s guard to land squarely on the jaw. Echeverry went down and Simpson pounced, throwing a flurry of hammerfists and punches as referee J.J. Ferraro looked on closely. A few moments later Ferraro waved the fight off, a TKO win for “Cadillac” at 30 seconds of Round 2.

With the win, Elevation Fight Team representative Simpson rises to 10-5 and takes the Fury lightweight belt back to his native Colorado; Echeverry falls to 9-4 in defeat.

Glenn Strangles Morris

Kenneth Glenn answered when opportunity knocked, stepping up on a week’s notice and choking out Fury lightweight standout Will Morris in the co-main event. Morris put his hand speed and huge advantages in height and reach to good use in the first round, keeping Glenn on the end of his quick jab and landing several step-in knees. Morris stung Glenn several times in the first round, likely winning the frame despite giving up a takedown in the final seconds. That takedown, however, pointed the way towards what was to come. In Round 2, Glenn secured a takedown despite a couple of fence grabs, and after Morris escaped, quickly scored another. This time, Glenn quickly took Morris’ back, locked up a rear-naked choke and got the tap within seconds. With the submission at 3:35 of Round 2, Glenn is now 9-5, while Morris is 5-2.

Altum Lands Sensational Flying Triangle

Josh Altum put on an absolute jiu-jitsu clinic at the expense of Frank Meno, capped off with a slick flying triangle submission. It took barely 100 seconds for the W4R Training Center featherweight to hand Meno his first career loss. Altum took the fight to the ground quickly using a hip throw, passing almost immediately to mount. After absorbing a few ground strikes, Meno turned his back, scrambled out and used an overhook to try and stand. Instead, Altum rolled under him, locking up a triangle choke as he did so. Meno struggled as Altum switched to an armbar, then back to the triangle, forcing the tap at 1:42 of the first round. With the electrifying finish, the 24-year-old Altum goes to 4-1 as a professional; Meno falls to 3-1.

Oriahi Flying Knee Levels Ageday

Morgan Oriahi claimed to take exception to Derrick Ageday missing weight, and took it out on him once the cage door shut, crushing him with a flying knee and diving follow-up punch in their 175-pound catchweight fight. The first round saw Ageday find some success wrestling, as he scooped the taller man up for several forceful takedowns. However, Ageday had his hands full coping with Oriahi’s aggressive guard and was unable to keep him down for long, or inflict any damage while on top. Early in the second round, Oriahi launched a beautiful flying knee that struck Ageday full in the face. Ageday staggered back and fell at the base of the cage, where Oriahi went airborne and landed a final huge right hand to spur referee Ferraro into action. The TKO came officially at 40 seconds of Round 2, bringing Oriahi’s professional record to 2-1 and marking a successful return after a four-year absence from competition. With the loss, Ageday falls to 3-8.

Smotherman Boxes Perez Up, Stays Perfect as a Pro

In a classic striker vs. grappler matchup, the striker prevailed, as Cameron Smotherman (2-0) took a one-sided unanimous decision over Stephen Perez (5-5). Perez committed to the takedown from the opening bell, and after considerable work, succeeded in bringing Smotherman to the canvas. Smotherman managed to escape without damage, however, and once they were back on their feet, his advantage in speed and technique was obvious. For the remaining two and a half rounds, the story of the fight was Smotherman’s jab and right cross, which left Perez’s face bloodied and bruised, and vicious low kicks. Perez was game throughout, even when he was reduced to pulling guard, and he briefly threatened with a heel hook in the second round, but Smotherman freed himself easily. A knockdown in the final seconds of the fight sealed the deal for the 23-year-old Metro Fight Club prospect, who collected 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 scorecards.

Herrera Mauls Garza

In the lightweight main card opener, the power and wrestling of John Herrera were simply too much for Paul Garza. Herrera struck for takedowns early and often, taking dominant positions and applying ground-and-pound. Garza had moments of success, especially in the first round when he landed some stinging punch combinations and knees, but the clear power advantage on the feet belonged to Herrera, who dropped Garza with punches in the first round and appeared to be close to finishing the fight. Garza survived to see the second round, but Herrera picked up right where he left off, rocking Garza with a left hook and a standing knee, tossing him into the fence and finishing him there with punches. Referee Ferraro moved in for the stoppage at 2:30 of Round 2. With the dominant performance, the 27-year-old Herrera moves to 2-0-1 as a pro; Garza falls to 2-2.

Postlims: Hickman Makes Successful Debut

Taylor Hickman made his professional debut after an extensive amateur run and got things off on the right foot, tapping out Christopher McElroy with a mounted guillotine choke in the second round of the evening’s final bout. The protégé of UFC welterweight Alex Morono goes to 1-0 and becomes an immediate person of interest in the fast-growing Fury lightweight division. In the first postlim, flyweight Francisco Obando snared Chase Eastham with a second-round armbar to move to 2-1 as a pro.