Who’s Fighting at RUF 63? Final Matchups Inside

Miguel Tovar dominating in the late rounds

MMA Stalker's First New Mexico Coverage Delivers Thrilling Night of Finishes Las Cruces, NM - June 21, 2025 Empire Championship Series delivered an unforgettable evening of mixed martial arts this past Saturday at the Pan American Center, marking MMA Stalker's successful expansion into New Mexico's thriving regional scene. The "Rise of the Champions" event lived up to its billing with three new amateur champions crowned and eight of ten bouts ending in decisive fashion.

Three New Champions Emerge

Amateur Lightweight Championship: Devon Pepin's Third-Round TriumphDevon Pepin (@d_slang) captured the amateur lightweight title with a third-round TKO victory over Mike Mikesell, showcasing championship heart and technical striking. Pepin weathered early pressure before finding his rhythm and delivering the decisive finish that earned him gold. Amateur Heavyweight Championship: Yandell's Lightning StrikeBrandon Yandell (@thesamurai.mma) provided the night's most shocking moment, needing just 18 seconds to stop Dylan Matthews via TKO and claim the heavyweight title. The explosive finish demonstrated the unpredictable nature of heavyweight competition and Yandell's devastating finishing ability. Amateur Flyweight Championship: Tavares' Technical MasteryChris Tavares (@chriiss.10) showcased elite grappling skills, submitting Samuel Ortiz via armbar in the first round to capture the flyweight crown. The technical finish highlighted the precision and skill level present in the lighter weight divisions.

Professional Showcase Delivers Explosive Action

Ricky Maynez with impressive win in Round 2

The three professional bouts provided a glimpse into the next level of regional competition, with each fight ending in spectacular fashion. Hondo Gutierrez (@miklo__505) announced his professional arrival with authority, stopping Luis Chavez via TKO at just 26 seconds of the first round. The lightning-fast finish demonstrated Gutierrez's readiness for professional competition and explosive finishing ability. Ricky Maynez (@savagediamond89) continued his professional ascent with a second-round TKO victory over Juan Sergio Monsivais Rodriguez, showcasing improved patience and ring generalship while maintaining his devastating finishing power. In the main event, Miguel Tovar proved his championship mettle by earning a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over Orlando Sanders (29-28 across all scorecards). The closely contested battle showcased the highest level of professional competition on the card, with Tovar's superior conditioning and consistent pressure proving decisive.

Amateur Division Showcases Future Stars

The amateur portion delivered compelling action that highlighted the depth of New Mexico's developing talent. Devon Arzate edged Dytwan King in a closely contested lightweight battle, earning a majority decision victory (28-29, 30-27, 28-29). The competitive nature of the bout reflected the high level of amateur competition, with both fighters having their moments throughout three rounds. Brendan Willard (@brendan_w19) provided technical excellence, submitting Rudy Soto via rear naked choke in the second round. The submission showcased Willard's grappling prowess and ability to capitalize on positional advantages. Gabriel Peinado (@gabriel.peinado.125) earned a clean sweep on the scorecards, defeating Armando Valdez via unanimous decision (29-28 across all judges). The victory demonstrated Peinado's well-rounded skill set and ability to control fights over three rounds. Manny Morales delivered one of the evening's most explosive moments, stopping Mario Garcia Marquez via first-round TKO. The finish announced Morales as a serious contender in the amateur lightweight division with devastating knockout power.

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Complete Fight Results

Amateur Bouts:•Devon Arzate defeats Dytwan King via Split Decision (28-29, 30-27, 28-29) - 155 lbs •Brendan Willard (@brendan_w19) defeats Rudy Soto via Submission (RNC, R2) - 125 lbs •Gabriel Peinado (@gabriel.peinado.125) defeats Armando Valdez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) - 135 lbs •Manny Morales defeats Mario Garcia Marquez via TKO (Strikes, R1) - 155 lbs Amateur Title Fights:•Devon Pepin (@d_slang) defeats Mike Mikesell via TKO (Strikes, R3) - Lightweight Championship •Brandon Yandell (@thesamurai.mma) defeats Dylan Matthews via TKO (Strikes, 0:18 R1) - Heavyweight Championship •Chris Tavares (@chriiss.10) defeats Samuel Ortiz via Submission (Armbar, R1) - Flyweight Championship Professional Bouts:•Hondo Gutierrez (@miklo__505) defeats Luis Chavez via TKO (Strikes, 0:26 R1) - 135 lbs •Ricky Maynez (@savagediamond89) defeats Juan Sergio Monsivais Rodriguez via TKO (Strikes, R2) - 155 lbs •Miguel Tovar defeats Orlando Sanders via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) - 175 lbs

The Future is Bright

Empire Championship Series: Rise of the Champions provided everything we hoped for in our first New Mexico coverage. From explosive finishes to technical masterpieces, the event showcased the depth and quality that makes regional MMA essential to the sport's ecosystem. As we continue expanding throughout the Southwest, events like Saturday's remind us why we're passionate about regional mixed martial arts. These fighters represent the heart and soul of the sport, competing for the love of competition and championship dreams.We'll be stalking again soon, and we can't wait to continue documenting New Mexico's finest mixed martial artists. The future of MMA Stalker's New Mexico coverage has never looked brighter. Stay tuned for additional photo galleries and exclusive content from Empire Championship Series. Follow MMA Stalker for comprehensive Southwest regional MMA coverage. See Full Fight Results in App