The Fighting Irish showed out in style over the weekend, picking up major wins across some of the world's top combat sports promotions. Tom Keogh scored a highlight-reel knockout over Michael Baranov at ONE Friday Fights, while Niall McGreevy became the first Irish fighter to win a Thai stadium title, knocking out Tapaokaew to capture the Rajadamnern Stadium Welterweight Championship.
Joshua Akingbade was the third Irishman to clean house, stunning the field in the SENSHI Middleweight Grand Prix by dominating all three of his opponents. The Muay Thai crossover only made the switch to kickboxing earlier this year, when he defeated Sergej Braun and Brice Kombou in another one-night tournament.
In the quarterfinals, Akingbade took care of Ali Yuzeir, showcasing his superior technique throughout. From sharp kicks and flying knees to perfectly timed pull counters, Akingbade controlled the action on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
His semifinal opponent, Ulric Bokeme, had even less success. Akingbade came out blazing, catching Bokeme with an uppercut followed by a chopping right hand. Bokeme was unable to beat the count, giving Akingbade a quick stoppage win and an unscathed path to the tournament final.
There, he met fellow tournament favorite Fabian Lorito. In arguably his best performance of the night, Akingbade walked down the Italian fighter and showcased the full breadth of his arsenal. He piled up points while taking the opening round with ease.
The second round followed a similar pattern until Akingbade landed a stabbing rear front kick that folded Lorito and secured the stoppage, crowning him the SENSHI Middleweight Grand Prix champion.
SENSHI 32 RESULTS
Joshua Akingbade def. Ali Yuzeir via UD - Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Fabian Lorito def. David Szabo-Toth via UD - Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Ulric Bokeme def. Juri de Sousa via UD - Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Oliver Langlois-Ross def. Miles Simson via UD - Grand Prix Quarterfinal
Angelo Mirno def. Ricardo Luckei via UD - Grand Prix Reserve Fight
Sharif Ben Mabrouk def. Ramy Deghir via UD - Grand Prix Reserve Fight
Nathan Cook def. Francesko Xhaja via KO in R1 - Superfight, 95+ kg
Zhulien Rikov def. Daniele Valente via TKO in R2 - Superfight, -75 kg
Joshua Akingbade def. Ulric Bokeme via KO in R1 - Grand Prix Semifinal
Fabian Lorito def. Oliver Langlois-Ross via UD - Grand Prix Semifinal
Joshua Akingbade def. Fabian Lorito via KO in R2 - Grand Prix Final
