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 EMMA 14 – 4 Man 170lbs Tournament – Preview
Sonny Boom, one of EMMA’s more dominant champions, is looking for a new challenger as he continues to defend his belt. This tourney format is EMMA’s way of ensuring guys earn their shot and we are all excited about the potential challenger this tournament will bring.
Velmir Stojkovic vs. Nicanor Reyes
In the second tourney fight of the evening two welterweight prospects will duke it out for a spot in the finale of this tournament. Stojkovic (3-0) is a very well rounded fighter, especially considering how early into his career he is. He brings wonderful boxing and remarkable wrestling into to the cage which allows him to keep the fight standing and, generally, knock people out. On top of his boxer/wrestler skills Velmir also has a purple belt in BJJ and is very capable of submitting his opponents and is very hard to submit himself. Velmir is coming of a 44 second brutal KO of Paul Hewson who was not only undefeated but also a touted entrance into the EMMA ranks. His opponent, Nicanor Reyes (4-3) is a dangerous striker in his own rights coming off of a dominant UD win. Reyes is also a solid boxer and will bring superior BJJ in the cage with his brown belt. Although Reyes has the better BJJ, I suspect he will have a hard time take Velmir down and we will likely see most of this fight taking place on the feet. Both guys have what it takes to knock the other out, but Velmir is the slightly better boxer and much better Muay Thai fighter. Velmir will most likely keep it standing and mix it up while Reyes should counter and look for potential takedowns.
Pick: Velmir Stojkovic via KO
Mos Def vs. Stock Pile
In the first tourney fight of the evening two more welterweights step into the EMMA cage, hoping to get that second finale spot. Mos Def (9-3) is one of EMMA’s more experience welterweights and comes into the cage with a very well rounded game and a BJJ brown belt. The shot against Boom might have come a bit too fast for Def as he lost the fight via head kick KO but this tourney format is the ideal way for him to garner momentum and earn his rematch. With 7 career submissions Mos Def is a tricky match up for anyone and will look to take this fight to the ground. Mos Def is also remarkable in the clinch and likes to look for takedowns from there, which is where he has the advantage. Stock Pile (7-4) is known for his exciting wars that usually end in someone getting KOed but has fallen on some hard times and is on a two fight losing skid, he too could benefit from the momentum this tourney offers him. Pile comes into this fight with proficient boxing, the wrestling chops required to keep a fight standing and a purple belt in BJJ in the event he does end up on the ground. Pile likes to brawl and go to war so it will be interesting to see of Def stays focused and takes this fight to the ground, or stay cool on his feet and land a head kick of his own.
Pick: Mos Def via Submission
Aaron Archer vs. Eli Crowe
After the tourney we get to see the EMMA light heavyweight champion in action as he takes on a talented import. Crowe (7-1) is enjoying a 7 fight win streak, picking up the belt at EMMA 3. Crowe brings some wonderful muay thai into the cage as well as superb wrestling which he generally uses in reverse. His clinchwork is lethal and he usually finishes his opponents in the first round and has not gone to a decision once in his 8 pro fights. Archer (9-5) is a UFF veteran who holds a win over Donnie alto, the last person to challenge Crowe for the belt. Archer is also pretty well rounded and will make his EMMA debut with some solid and varied striking. He is 4-4 in his last 8 fights so not carrying a lot of momentum but is technically better than Crowe in most facets of the game and will make for a great fight. Crowe is the better muay thai fighter and will probably look to mix it up and instigate the clinch while Archer will most likely look to score points and go for takedowns to employ his better BJJ.
Pick: Crowe via TKO
The other fights on the card are:
185 lbs 3 Gareth McCall v Bang Mamat
185 lbs 3 Mark Munoz v Jason Miller
265 lbs 3 James Hardy v Ryan Sosha
205 lbs 3 Marcell Washington v Don Cramer
205 lbs 3 Dee Nyde v Oscar Payne
185 lbs 3 Don Wosnack v Method Man
185 lbs 3 Demian Maia v Randolph Swartz
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