NEW YORK - Curaçaoan MMA fighter Keanu Irausquin maintained his undefeated record in 2024 on Friday, September 13, by capturing the Bantamweight title at Cage Wars MMA #67. In a sold-out venue and under the watchful eye of boxing legend Mike Tyson, Irausquin defeated local favorite Chris Hidley.
The 26-year-old Irausquin, who trains at IMMARTIAL – Athlete Centre in Curaçao, entered the fight well-prepared. After successfully making the target weight of 135 pounds, he stepped into the cage with confidence. His coach, Gideon Jonker, emphasized that making weight was an important first victory for Irausquin: “He hadn’t fought at this weight before, so that was his first battle.”
Thrilling Fight
The fight began on an intense note. Hidley applied pressure on Irausquin with his unorthodox style, but Irausquin remained calm and landed a crucial takedown in the first round. In the second round, Irausquin demonstrated his superiority by taking Hidley to the ground and forcing him into a triangle choke, which eventually led to Hidley’s submission. "He tapped once, but the referee let the fight continue. Shortly after, he went unconscious, and the referee stopped the fight," said the new champion.
Irausquin was visibly thrilled after his victory. “What an incredible feeling, especially with Iron Mike Tyson watching. The support from my family, friends, and the gym in Curaçao really helped me,” he said afterward.
Coaches David Hawker and Gideon Jonker were pleased with the execution of their game plan, though they acknowledged that Hidley put up more resistance than anticipated. “These are valuable learning moments for the future,” Jonker said.
Looking ahead, Irausquin’s next challenge is on November 2 at the HONOR Fight League in Curaçao. He also hopes to compete in the World Championship Amateur Mixed Martial Arts in Jakarta in December. To achieve this, the team is seeking sponsors. Irausquin hopes this victory will open new opportunities: “Hopefully, this result will lead to more chances to compete internationally, including the World Championships in Jakarta.”