Super-lightweight becomes all-the-more sweet via ‘Sugar’ Cain Sandoval (14-0), who made himself a serious contender this Saturday with a searing knockout of the durable fringe contender Romero Duno (26-5). The bout was the main event of a 360 Promotions event held in Santa Ynez, California and broadcast on UFC Fight Pass.

Sandoval was scheduled to share ten rounds with the ‘Ruthless’ Filipino, who can count numerous accolades to his name. Instead, Sandoval used discipline to slowly grind the fight out of the 28-year-old veteran, wearing the fight out of him.

Although, this is not to say that Duno did not fight; it was a power-punching affair from both men. Sandoval’s work paid off in the sixth, when a rapturous body shot sent Duno down for good. It was similar to the shot that Diego Pacheco (22-0) would use to dispatch of Maciej Sulecki (32-3), also in California on Saturday.

With the performance, Sandoval is certainly approaching top contendership in the division.

In the co-main event, the ‘Soldier of Q’ Sadriddin Akhmedov (14-0) also improved to 14-0 with a blistering first round knockout of Georgia’s Antonio Todd (17-10). The Kazakh aggressor swarmed Todd from the opening bell, refusing to give an inch as he stopped the experienced journeyman early.

It is clear that Akhmedov is at a high level and, under the 360 Promotions banner, might be afforded the opportunity to test his skill against high-level opposition.

The heavy-hitting light-heavyweight Umar Dzambekov (9-0) also increased his winning streak with a fourth round stoppage of Edward Jeramie Ortiz (13-2-1) of Texas. Dzambekov’s pedigree was displayed from the opening bell, as he dealt with the wily Ortiz in a smart and disciplined manner, loading up on shots in a methodical way.

Ortiz felt the texture of the canvas twice before the stoppage came halfway through their scheduled eight rounder. It is clear that Dzambekov, a decorated amateur in Austria, is ready for ten rounders.

Also on the card, 19-year-old ‘Apocalipto’ Angel Carrillo (3-0-1) got back on track after a draw last time out. Here, Carrillo dealt with the unorthodox Filipino Josaphat Navarro (1-2-1) in a pressuring manner, well beyond his years.

Daniel Robles (9-3-1) also unleashed ‘The Dawg’ against Jonathan Almacen (7-12-3) by unanimous decision at featherweight.

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