Title bouts between Pope-Lowry, Berzin-Jones added to CFFC 65

Joe Lowry lands ground and pound on Bradley Desir at CFFC 59 on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Photo Credit: CFFC MMA/ MDphotoandink.

Cage Fury Fighting Championships added two title bouts to CFFC 65, scheduled to be held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania May 20, 2017.

Current CFFC Lightweight Champion Mike Pope (7-2 MMA, 2-1 CFFC) will look to defend his belt for the first time after defeating Michael Wilkins via first-round guillotine choke at CFFC 62 Dec. 17, 2016. The 30-year-old title holder will face Joe Lowry (5-0 MMA, 5-0 CFFC).

Fighting all five of his bouts under the CFFC banner, Lowry will fight for a chance at his first title at the professional level.

At light-heavyweight, Anton Berzin (4-1 MMA, 2-0 CFFC) will compete against Jamelle Jones (7-3 MMA, 3-1 CFFC) for the inaugural CFFC 205 lbs. strap.

Pope is riding a two-fight win streak with his submission against Wilkins and a first-round arm-triangle choke submission against Richie Gates at PA Cage Fight 26 Oct. 15, 2016.

Fighting out of Manasas, Virginia, Pope’s only other CFFC victory is a unanimous decision against Thad Frick Aug. 16, 2014.

In his last outing at CFFC 63, Lowry finished Daisuke Yamaji by TKO in the first round Feb. 18, 2017. It marked Yamaji’s first defeat of his career.

Previous to his February bout, Lowry competed at CFFC 59 July 9, 2016, earning a unanimous decision against current Ring of Combat Lightweight Champion Bradley Desir. In the victory, the CFFC nominated Lowry for the CFFC performance of the year.

The win is one of his five straight victories.

The 27-year-old defeated Andrew Chirico by second-round rear-naked choke at CFFC 49 June 9, 2016. The Philadelphia resident defeated Allen Otto at CFFC 46 by unanimous decision Feb. 28, 2015.

In his professional debut at CFFC 33, he beat Billy Dee Williams inside the CFFC Cage by first-round TKO Feb. 22, 2014.

One half of the light-heavyweight title bout, Berzin made his promotion debut at CFFC 15, defeating Danny Holmes via first-round arm-bar June 30, 2012. In his next bout, he returned to the CFFC cage, submitting Walter Howard with a rear-naked choke in the opening round at CFFC 17 Oct. 31, 2012.

After four years outside of regional MMA while competing on TUF 19, Berzin returned April 1, 2016. Berzin finished Matt Thompson with a first-round rear-naked choke at Classic Entertainment and Sports 34.

Berzin recently cornered Tim Williams at CFFC 63. A fellow participant on TUF 19, Williams defeated Jay Silva by unanimous decision at the Borgota in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

While competing on the show in 2014, Berzin defeated Cody Mumma by arm-bar in the first round to secure a spot in the tournament. B.J. Penn selected Berzin as his first light-heavyweight pick.

On the seventh episode, Berzin’s TUF journey came to a close when he lost to Patrick Walsh by unanimous decision.

Jones won five of his last six bouts. Jones lost a split decision to Mike Hayes at King of the Cage: Battle Zone May 19, 2016.

The 29-year-old re-entered the win column in his last outing at KOTC: Fall Out, knocking out Matt Howell Nov. 17, 2016. The last time Jones stepped inside the CFFC cage came Feb. 7, 2015.

Jones beat Donet Wade via second-round TKO at CFFC 45.

CFFC 65 featured three title bouts, the vent being headlined by Sean “Brick House” Brady (5-0 MMA, 5-0 CFFC) and Tanner “The Hammer” Saraceno (4-1 MMA, 1-0 CFFC) as the fight for the vacant CFFC welterweight title.

Writing for NJ MMA New since 2011, Connor is passionate about covering local mixed martial arts. He graduated from Temple University’s School of Media and Communications with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. His love for MMA stems from his past as a high school wrestler and jiu-jitsu blue belt. Former UFC fighter Kurt Pellegrino coached Connor in his senior year of high school. He worked as a Rally Sports Desk report for The Philadelphia Inquirer and interned as a sports reporter for the Philadelphia Daily News.