Epic Preventing returned to San Diego on Friday, February 20, 2026, and the fighters on the Epic 64 card left completely nothing to likelihood. Held on the 4 Factors by Sheraton San Diego (8110 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123), the 10-bout newbie MMA occasion delivered a staggering seven finishes — together with knockouts, submissions, and some of the vicious physique pictures you may see at any degree of competitors.
4 newbie title fights anchored the cardboard, and each single championship bout delivered memorable moments. From first-round stoppages to hard-fought choices that went the gap, Epic 64 gave the San Diego MMA group precisely what it got here for: uncooked, relentless competitors from fighters hungry to show themselves.
This is a full breakdown of each struggle on the cardboard.
Bout 10 – Newbie Title | Featherweight (145 lbs)
Daniel Renteria def. Logan Ramirez TKO by way of liver shot – Spherical 1, 2:13
The evening ended with an exclamation level. Daniel Renteria (@dmoneyjj) closed out Epic 64 with a highlight-reel title struggle end, dropping Logan Ramirez with a superbly positioned liver shot at 2:13 of the primary spherical. Physique work is an underappreciated artwork in MMA, and Renteria executed it with precision. When a liver shot lands clear, there is no getting up — and Ramirez discovered that out the exhausting approach. A press release-making end to say championship {hardware} and cap off the cardboard.
Bout 9 – Newbie | Heavyweight (200 lbs)
Nate Ray def. Jonah Hendrickson Submission by way of rear bare choke – Spherical 1, 1:02
Nate Ray (@snakethenatemma) wasted zero time. Simply 62 seconds into the opening spherical, Ray locked up a rear bare choke on Jonah Hendrickson (@jonahlikes2fight) and compelled the faucet. At 200 lbs, that sort of pace and submission effectivity is spectacular. Ray got here in with a plan and executed it earlier than most followers had settled into their seats.
Bout 8 – Newbie Title | Light-weight (155 lbs)
Kellvon Clayton def. Mustafa Bell KO – Spherical 1, 1:36
One punch. Lights out. Title struggle over. Kellvon Clayton (@kellvonclaytonmma) scored probably the most emphatic end of the night, placing Mustafa Bell (@stafmma) away with a clear knockout simply 96 seconds into the primary spherical of their championship bout. When the referee waves it off that shortly in a title struggle, there’s nothing left to debate. Clayton’s energy at 155 lbs is critical, and strolling away with a belt after a efficiency like that can have folks paying shut consideration to his identify going ahead.
Bout 7 – Newbie Title | Mild Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Khallil Stokes def. Khajuan Mattocks TKO by way of strikes – Spherical 2, 2:00
Khallil Stokes (@luckylefty__13) confirmed persistence and poise on this title struggle in opposition to Khajuan Mattocks (@themultiversalwarrior), weathering the primary spherical earlier than turning up the strain within the second. Stokes overwhelmed Mattocks with strikes on the 2:00 mark of spherical two, incomes the TKO stoppage and the championship. It was a calculated efficiency — survive, assess, then assault — and it paid off in an enormous approach at 205 lbs.
Bout 6 – Newbie Title | Bantamweight (135 lbs)
Antonio Hayes def. Nathan Hawthorne Break up Determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
The closest title struggle of the evening got here at bantamweight. Antonio Hayes (@igs.tone) edged out Nathan Hawthorne throughout three aggressive championship rounds, taking the break up resolution on all three scorecards with an identical 29-28 scores. Each fighters left all the pieces within the cage for the total quarter-hour, and Hawthorne has nothing to hold his head about. This one may have gone both approach, however Hayes did simply sufficient to earn the nod from the judges and take dwelling the title.
Bout 5 – Newbie | Light-weight (155 lbs)
Omar Ojeda def. Isaac Verdugo Submission by way of armbar – Spherical 1, 2:59
Omar Ojeda (@prodbyyomar) added to the first-round end rely with a slick armbar on Isaac Verdugo (@isaac.v.) at 2:59 of the opening body. Ojeda’s grappling was sharp all evening, and as soon as he remoted the arm, the end was inevitable. One other light-weight exhibiting that the 155-lb division at Epic Preventing is deep and harmful.
Bout 4 – Newbie | Light-weight (155 lbs)
Jiovanny Melendez def. Juan Lopez Unanimous Determination (29-28, 29-28, 30-26)
Jiovanny Melendez (@jiovannymelendez) and Juan Lopez (@juanlopez.mma) went to warfare for 3 rounds at 155 lbs. Melendez managed the motion all through, incomes the unanimous resolution with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and a wider 30-26 from one decide. Lopez fought exhausting and made it aggressive, however Melendez’s consistency throughout all three rounds was the distinction. A gutsy efficiency from each fighters.
Bout 3 – Newbie | Light-weight (155 lbs)
Elijah Tagalog def. Todd Schultz TKO by way of strikes – Spherical 3, 0:54
After two rounds of battling forwards and backwards, Elijah Tagalog (@lapu_lapu_bjj) got here out within the third spherical with unhealthy intentions. Simply 54 seconds into the ultimate body, Tagalog swarmed Todd Schultz (@tschultz607) with strikes and earned the TKO stoppage. There’s one thing particular a few fighter who can dig deep and discover a end within the last spherical. Tagalog did precisely that.
Bout 2 – Newbie | Mild Heavyweight (205 lbs)
Petar Bojicic def. Gabriel Vivan Submission by way of rear bare choke – Spherical 1, 1:03
One other first-round submission, one other rear bare choke. Petar Bojicic (@petar.bojicic) made fast work of Gabriel Vivan (@gabrielvivan12), securing the fight-ending choke at simply 1:03 of spherical one. Bojicic’s grappling was suffocating from the opening bell, giving Vivan no time to ascertain any offense. Environment friendly and dominant.
Bout 1 – Newbie | Bantamweight (135 lbs)
Gio Mendez def. Jose Martinez Unanimous Determination (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The night’s opening bout set the tone for all the pieces that adopted. Gio Mendez (@mmagiom) placed on a technical clinic in opposition to Jose Martinez (@josecovarrubias_mtz), successful by unanimous resolution with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28. Mendez managed the tempo and vary for 3 rounds, exhibiting composure and talent that saved Martinez guessing all evening. An entire efficiency to open the present.
The Takeaway
Epic 64 showcased the depth and pleasure of the Southern California newbie MMA scene. Seven finishes in 10 fights — together with three knockouts or TKOs and three submissions — meant the gang at 4 Factors by Sheraton San Diego was on its ft all evening. The 4 title fights every advised a unique story, from Renteria’s vicious liver shot to Clayton’s first-round knockout to Stokes’ second-round surge to Hayes’ razor-thin break up resolution. Each champion earned it.
For extra info on Epic Preventing and upcoming occasions, go to EpicFighting.com.
Do not Miss a Factor
Extra pictures and video highlights from Epic 64 are coming quickly — keep tuned. Full picture galleries shall be dropping shortly.
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