After scoring a win in his April 2022 professional MMA debut, James Opio didn’t fight for 23 months. He then scored a win over Bello Abdulbasit but enters his PFL debut tonight off a loss to Cornel Thompson in August.
This will be Isaac Omeda’s first taste of professional MMA competition since 2022. Omeda scored two victories that year, defeating Darius Okello and Justine Okot.
Who will be victorious in this Featherweight Showcase Bout?
Round 1
The two move to the center. A brief exchange. Opio with a low kick, and Omeda with a combination. Opio grabs a leg and quickly scores a takedown. Omeda gets right back to his feet, but Opio slams him back down. Opio with a right hand, and now he’s pursuing the rear-naked choke. It might be in. It looks tight. Not anymore; now it looks like a crank. Omeda is fighting the hands, but it’s under the chin. Opio continues to crank and stays on the back. Omeda attacks the controlling arm. He gets out of it!
Omeda has Opio in the guillotine position, and Omeda is landing. Omeda is firing off with his fists on Opio, who may have spent some energy on the attempt. Opio with another single-leg takedown, but Omeda is back up right away. Omeda pressures again with his striking. Opio with another takedown. Opio goes right back to the rear-naked attack, but Omeda gets back to his feet. Omeda is shooting, but Opio defends it. The two trade punches next to the fence. A clinch control battle as the round enters its last minute. Omeda with the attack on the break. He lands to the ribs. Opio with another takedown, and he gets into side control. Omeda reverses and gets near to the back. He lands a pair of knees against the fence before the horn.
Round 2
Low round kick from Opio. Omeda with a check hook. Another hook lands for Omeda. Big right hand from Opio. Left hand from Opio, but Omeda defends his attempts to get inside. Low kick by Opio. Low round kick from Opio and a straight from Omeda. Opio with a takedown. Omeda has an arm around the head, but Opio works into the top game. Opio slips off, however, and we’re back to the feet. Left hand by Opio. Opio misses a right hand. Combination by Omedia. Stong jab by Opio. Omeda is pressuring, however. The two trade near the fence.
Both fire a right, and Omeda adds a left. Omeda continues to come forward. Omeda goes for a takedown. He slams Opio! Omeda lands some ground-and-pound, as Opio works his way back to his feet. Omeda continues to press him into the fence. Omeda turns to throw Opio, but Opio reverses it and gets Omeda down! He’s back to the rear-naked choke attempt! Omeda survives and we’re back to the feet with 70 seconds left in the round. Low kick from Omeda and an overhand by Opio. Opio with another takedown. Omeda gets back to his feet, and he lands a couple of combinations on Opio before the bell.
Round 3
Omeda with a right hand. Low kick by Opio, who is still on the back foot. Right hand and a one-two from Omeda. Left hand from Omeda. Opio pressing Omeda into the fence now. Opio tries to turn Omeda, looking to bring him back to the mat. Opio is back to pressing Omeda. Left hand by Opio. Omeda and Opio grappling for position. Opio with a left elbow. Left hand by Opio. The referee calls for more action. He ends up separating the two and bringing them to the center.
A right hand from Omeda, and Opio responds in kind as they swing. Omeda goes for a takedown, but Opio defends it. Both men land inside. Omeda lands a couple of strong right hands. Right hand by Omeda and a low kick from Opio. Right hand by Opio. Omeda stuffs a takedown attempt and body locks Opio, bringing him to the fence once again. Opio reverses the position rather quickly. The referee warns the two for grabbing the fence. Omeda grabs it again, and he’s going to get a point deducted. Front kick low by Opio. Right hand by Omeda. Side kick by Opio. Right hand by Omeda. Low kick by Omeda. Right hands from both men. Opio with another takedown attempt. Another jockey for position in the clinch. Right hand by Omeda. Opio misses a big head kick and spinning backfist. A right hand by Omeda. Low kick by Opio.
OFFICIAL RESULT
Isaac Omeda def. James Opio via unanimous decision via totality (fight initially scored a 28-28 unanimous draw) in a Featherweight Showcase Bout.
