CFFC 121 Main Event Breakdown

Over the next two weeks, the promotion will bring its brand of competitive violence to fans in the southern half of the country. It starts this Friday.

While ONE Championship holds ONE on Prime Video 12 in Bangkok, Tunica, MS" Horseshoe Hotel and Casino will be the setting for the first CFFC show of the month, CFFC 121 and the CFFC 121 main event. Live coverage of the show begins at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT with the undercard on OnlyFans.

Main card action follows at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT on the UFC"s subscription-based streaming platform, UFC Fight Pass. All told, barring any postponed fights between now and then, CFFC 121 features 12 fights.

Featherweight Supremacy At Stake Friday in CFFC 121 Main Event

Highlighting the night"s itinerary is the battle for the CFFC Featherweight Championship in the CFFC 121 main event. Current titleholder Jose Perez (7-1 MMA, 6-1 CFFC) defends his strap for the first time since being elevated from interim champion against challenger Chris Vasil (6-3 MMA, 3-2 CFFC).

As with all CFFC championship fights, the CFFC 121 main event will be an advertised maximum of four rounds at five minutes per round to close the show. Should the scorecards produce a draw after 20 minutes of action, the fight proceeds to a fifth round as a tiebreaker.

#CFFC121 is set for July 14th at the Horseshoe Tunica Hotel & Casino in Tunica, Mississippi.

Main Event (FW 🏆)
– Jose Perez (C) vs. Chris Vasil. pic.twitter.com/RVZU8KhLzd

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 9, 2023

CFFC 121 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds

Heading into the CFFC 121 main event on Friday night, Jose Perez stands as the taller man at 5-foot-10, compared to the 5-foot-7 frame of Chris Vasil. Ordinarily, at this point in the breakdown, we"d mention who has the reach advantage. No such information was accessible at press time.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the oddsmakers have Jose Perez installed as a -350 favorite on the money line, with Chris Vasil countering as a +275 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend, please wager responsibly.

Jose Perez Out to Prove Himself as Champ

Jose Perez comes into this title fight having gone 4-1 in his last five bouts. Currently, he"s on a three-fight winning streak.

Most recently, he scored a third-round submission (rear-naked choke) of Frank Wells (3-3- MMA, 3-3 CFFC) on Aug. 26, 2022 in CFFC 112. At the time, Perez had won the CFFC Interim Featherweight Championship, but the promotion elevated him to the permanent title five days later after then-current champion Blake Bilder secured a UFC contract.

Recently, Perez was interviewed by the promotion. He mentioned that he wants to put on a show befitting the champion.

“I"d rather try to fight someone that is expected to beat me, and I feel like this one, you know, I"m odds-on for it, so I guess the only thing I can really try to do is try to challenge myself further," Perez stated. They know I"m better. I just want to show them that I"m significantly better."

These are certainly confident words by the champion, but he hasn"t fought in close to a full year. What kind of ring rust is there for Jose Perez? We"ll know soon enough.

Could Vasil Earn UFC Deal with Win in CFFC 121 Main Event?

In the other corner, Chris Vasil has gone 3-2 in his last five contests. Right before Christmas, he knocked out the very same Frank Wells with a knee strike in the third round of their fight in CFFC 116.

There"s no denying that turning in a highlight-reel performance gets a guy like Vasil noticed by Dana White. If he plays his cards right, he could be one win away from joining the big leagues.

Although USA Today"s MMA Junkie"s Nolan King didn"t mention Vasil outright in his list of fighters closing in on a UFC deal with wins in their next fight, one would have to believe that he"s right in the crosshairs of White and the promotion. Having already gone viral, if he puts on an impressive performance again this week, he"ll be shortlisted quickly.

The knee lands and he's OUT 🥶

[ #CFFC116 | LIVE NOW | on #UFCFIGHTPASS ] pic.twitter.com/LmiuhfyQDb

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 17, 2022

Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction

Stylistically, the CFFC 121 main event on Friday night looks to favor Jose Perez, a jiu-jitsu fighter, compared to Chris Vasil"s background as a striker and wrestler. Expect a ground war here.

Watch Perez" Ground Game

Jose Perez has recorded four of his seven wins by submission. His last fight against Wells was a textbook example of how dominant he is on the mat.

During the third round of the contest, Perez started to piece Wells up with a variety of strikes and tried to land a takedown, but Wells wasn"t having any of it. Midway through the round, Perez took advantage of a Wells miscue and finally dumped him.

Even though Frank Wells tried to get back to his feet, Jose Perez forced the issue, eventually taking his back. The latter appeared to have a rear-naked choke all wrapped up, but the former managed to defend it.

These efforts were short-lived, however, as Perez immediately reassumed the chokehold to apply the torque underneath his neck. Wells had no choice but to go to sleep.

If Jose Perez lands just one takedown, it could give him the momentum he needs to win. Chris Vasil has other ideas, however.

Chris Vasil Has Devastating Knees

In the other corner, Chris Vasil could end the CFFC 121 main event in a hurry if his performance is anything like the one he had in December. At the start of the third round, Vasil chopped Wells with a couple of leg kicks.

Upon having his high kicks stuffed by Vasil, Wells attempted to land a takedown, but the former landed a knee to the face in the middle of the exchange to knock him out on contact. Jose Perez would be best served to protect his knees.

If as little as one knee strike lands cleanly, Chris Vasil will be the new champion walking out of Tunica on Friday night.

Final Thoughts

The CFFC 121 main event is another one of those fights where you"re advised to not look away from the screen. With both of these fighters known for their ability to finish, make sure that sandwich is made before the fight starts.

Prediction: Chris Vasil by Unanimous Decision.