Full Fight Recap from Empire Championship Series in Las Cruces

MMA Stalker was on site at the Pan American Center at New Mexico State University on Saturday, March 14, 2026, as Empire Championship Series returned for ECS 4 with a card packed with pro bouts, amateur title fights, quick finishes, gritty decisions, and a few moments that shifted the energy in the building.

For fighters, fans, and followers of the Southwest regional MMA scene, ECS 4 brought the kind of action that keeps people talking after the final bout. From rear naked chokes and guillotines to sharp striking and close scorecards, the event showcased a wide range of talent across both the pro and amateur sides of the card.

This recap is based on the official fight results from ECS 4, along with MMA Stalker’s firsthand coverage from inside the venue.

ECS 4 main event results

In the main event, Peter Caballero picked up a submission win over Alejandro Quero Lopez, securing a rear naked choke at 2:50 of round three in their pro featherweight matchup at 145 pounds. It was a strong statement win in a fight that went deep before Caballero found the finish.

In the co-main pro flyweight bout, Eddie Ortiz earned a split decision win over Dominic Salcedo. The scorecards came in 27-30, 29-28, and 28-29, showing just how competitive the matchup was from start to finish.

Another pro 125-pound contest saw Javier Duchene score a submission victory over Donovan Garcia with a rear naked choke at 4:59 of round three. A finish that late in the round always says something about composure, pressure, and persistence, and Duchene closed his night with almost no time left on the clock.

Amateur title fights steal attention at ECS 4

The amateur title fights gave the card extra energy, and several champions made sure their performances were remembered.

At 145 pounds, Angel Gallegos captured the amateur title with a TKO win over Alex Ortiz at 0:56 of round three. After carrying the fight into the final frame, Gallegos turned momentum into a finish in under a minute.

At 135 pounds, Gabriel Peinada stopped Santiago Gonzales by knockout at 0:49 of round one in one of the fastest finishes of the night. It was a dramatic and tense moment inside the venue, with medical staff entering the cage immediately after the stoppage as Gonzales remained down for a period of time. Thankfully, he was able to leave under his own power, but it was still one of the more sobering moments of the event.

At 115 pounds, Brendan Willard locked up a D’arce choke and submitted Jorge Garcia at 1:10 of round one to claim the amateur title. Quick submissions in championship settings say a lot about preparation, timing, and confidence.

These title fights helped define the rhythm of the event. When belts are on the line, every exchange feels heavier, and at ECS 4, that urgency showed up early and often.

Standout finishes and fast results across the undercard

Beyond the headliners and title fights, the ECS 4 undercard brought a steady mix of finishes and gritty performances.

Isaiah Delgado earned a split decision win over Christopher Deer in an amateur 145-pound matchup, with scorecards reading 30-27, 28-29, and 29-28. It was another razor-close contest on a card that featured several tightly scored battles.

Armando Gutierrez submitted Jordan Torres via rear naked choke at 2:59 of round one in their amateur featherweight fight.

In the amateur heavyweight division, Niko Kittrell earned a unanimous decision over Randy Gonzales by scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.

Juan Camarillo stopped Max Fuentes by TKO due to strikes at 2:46 of round one in another 145-pound amateur contest.

Kaleb Aguilar secured a guillotine choke submission over Angel Briseno at 1:28 of round one in their amateur flyweight bout.

Jude Smith finished Humberto Hidalgo by TKO via strikes at 2:41 of round two in the amateur bantamweight division.

Alex Cortez was awarded the win over Dylan Matthews after Matthews was unable to walk out due to a medical issue.

Lexi Hills picked up a first-round rear naked choke submission over Yazeneth Madero at 2:04 in their amateur 105-pound matchup.

Manny Morales finished Leo Bitsui with a rear naked choke at 1:24 of round two in the amateur 155-pound division.

Logan Kovall stopped Fernando Ortega by TKO at 2:59 of round one in their amateur middleweight matchup.

Rover Cardiel earned a unanimous decision over Richard Garcia with all three judges scoring it 30-27 in their amateur lightweight bout.

Kicking off the night, Richard Galvan submitted David Gutierrez with a rear naked choke at 2:59 of round one in the amateur 125-pound opener.

What stood out from Empire Championship Series ECS 4

One of the clearest themes from ECS 4 was how often fighters found the finish. Rear naked chokes showed up repeatedly across the card, while knockouts and TKOs made sure the striking side of mixed martial arts had its moment too. That balance is part of what makes regional MMA compelling: every style has a chance to take over the night.

Another takeaway was the importance of the amateur title fights. These were not just extra attractions on the card. They were some of the most meaningful results of the evening, and they may shape who fans keep an eye on moving forward in the local and regional scene.

For Empire Championship Series, cards like ECS 4 help continue building event identity in New Mexico. The promotion’s public event listings described the show as Reign of Champions, and the mix of pro matchups, amateur gold, and strong local interest made that feel like an appropriate label.

Full ECS 4 results

Pro bouts

Peter Caballero def. Alejandro Quero Lopez via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:50 of round 3Eddie Ortiz def. Dominic Salcedo via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 28-29)Javier Duchene def. Donovan Garcia via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:59 of round 3

Amateur title bouts

Angel Gallegos def. Alex Ortiz via TKO at 0:56 of round 3 — Amateur Title 145 lbsGabriel Peinada def. Santiago Gonzales via KO at 0:49 of round 1 — Amateur Title 135 lbsBrendan Willard def. Jorge Garcia via submission (D’arce choke) at 1:10 of round 1 — Amateur Title 115 lbs

Amateur bouts

Isaiah Delgado def. Christopher Deer via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)Armando Gutierrez def. Jordan Torres via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:59 of round 1Niko Kittrell def. Randy Gonzales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)Juan Camarillo def. Max Fuentes via TKO (strikes) at 2:46 of round 1Kaleb Aguilar def. Angel Briseno via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:28 of round 1Jude Smith def. Humberto Hidalgo via TKO (strikes) at 2:41 of round 2Alex Cortez def. Dylan Matthews due to Matthews unable to walk out because of a medical issueLexi Hills def. Yazeneth Madero via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of round 1Manny Morales def. Leo Bitsui via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:24 of round 2Logan Kovall def. Fernando Ortega via TKO at 2:59 of round 1Rover Cardiel def. Richard Garcia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)Richard Galvan def. David Gutierrez via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:59 of round 1

Follow MMA Stalker for ECS 4 photos, video highlights, and more coverage

MMA Stalker was on the ground for fight night coverage, and this is only the beginning. We’ll be dropping more event coverage, photos, and video highlights on MMAStalker.com, so make sure you stay locked in.

You can also follow Empire Promotions on Instagram for promotion updates: @empirepromotions915.

Our official ECS 4 gallery will be live soon, so stay tuned for the full photo gallery featuring highlights from the bouts.

Gallery link: [Insert ECS 4 full photo gallery link here]

More photos and video highlights to come, stay tuned.Follow fight coverage, photos, and video highlights on MMAStalker.com.

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