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 If you haven’t already purchased your tickets to this month’s last SPFT in Hilo, you should probably visit your local scalper right now, as this event, in addition to being packed to the brim with people, will be action packed. We have a Middleweight title fight, and the return of Elroy Kleinschmidt to action. Expect Hula’s to be packed to the brim with excited fight fans watching the best action your money can buy.
In the first fight of the night, newcomer Fancy Mcghee makes his premiere appearance fighting for SPFT. Mcghee started his career with some troubles, but recently has been a solid fighter learning from his early issues and has blossomed into a solid fighter. Time will still be needed to see if he is capable of competing with the top contenders, however, his opponent Arvo Pentti will be an excellent first test. Pentti had an impressive first showing back at SPFT 90, but has since slumped and is suffering from a two fight losing streak. Nevertheless Pentti is an incredibly dangerous competitor with noted striking power.
The second fight will be a fight of redemption for our two fighters, Nathan Corbett and Kenshiro Kasumi, suffering from four and three fight losing streaks, respectively. Corbett, the 27 year old Australian was thought to be a potential shooting star when he joined SPFT in February with an impressive 13-4-1 record, but has disappointed thus far losing both fights he has fought for SPFT. Members of Corbett’s camp seem to believe one good win could turn his confidence around and return him to his dominant ways, and feel Kasumi may be the perfect candidate for them. I would not be so sure, as while the 33 year old Japanese fighter has recently slumped, it should be noted his losses have been against those at the very top of the Light Heavyweight division. With SPFT knockouts to his name, Kasumi could surprise Corbett’s camp with an upset.
Kelsey Curtis has not won a professional fight since September of last year. Additionally, he has not even fought at all since November, due in large part to a strange string of no-shows. Our sources say that Curtis does in fact have a flight to Hilo, and should appear to fight. It should be interesting to see Curtis in person, as he is a noted elite grappler, with seven submission victories in his career, albeit a bit of a one-trick pony, no one is better than him once he gets his opponents on the ground. His opponent, Tim Ernst, incidentally, has not lost a fight since November of last year. The 29 year old American, as opposed to Curtis, seems to be on the upswing of his career, and plans to join SPFT in his prime. Ernst, who is a far superior striker to Curtis would be wise to stay on his feet, as he has shown in the past a propensity for being caught in submissions. In short, look for a classical striker versus grappler matchup.
Jafar Agrahbah was, at one point in his career, considered the undisputed best fighter in the world. The 37 year old, who has 37 career victories over some of the best fighters in the world, has put forward some of the most legendary fights in the history of our sport. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and the 37 year old, undoubtedly on the downswing of his illustrious career, is suffering from a four fight losing streak. In his next fight, he will fight the up-and-coming young fighter, Cale Carter. Carter, a young 26 year old with lots of noted skill is looking to make his mark on the Lightweight division. A win over a declining, yet still dangerous Agrahbah would likely shoot Carter up the ladder of contention, and be very important for the young fighter’s career.
All of Francois Duvalier’s eleven victories have come via knockout; an impressive streak. However, it should be noted that he has also been knocked out five times, and submitted twice. Amazingly, Duvalier, in his entire 18 fight professional career has never made it to a judge’s score card, in either a victory or a loss. This provides for a tantalizing prospect, as no fan ever likes to see a fight be decided by the judges. Interestingly, Duvalier’s opponent, Rico Willis, also has noted knockout power, with more than half of his career 11 wins coming by way of knockout. Unlike Duvalier though, Willis has only been knocked out once in a 16 fight professional career. This does not bode well for Duvalier’s chances, as historically he has not done well against fighters he cannot knock out. We shall see if Duvalier is capable of adjusting his game plan to fight smarter knowing this information about his opponent, or if he will continue his typically aggressive ways.
John Malham has had an interesting career with SPFT thus far. The 30 year old Englishman just two months ago defeated current number one Middleweight contender, Dj Crabby Jef, who will be fighting for the title later in the night, via submission at SPFT 94. Since then he has dropped two close decision losses to Raul Portugis, who incidentally was the last man to fight for the Middleweight title, and Hall of Famer Cajun Xander. Despite these two losses, one has to assume Malham, who is still incredibly dangerous is considered in the conversations of who the great Middleweights within SPFT are. His opponent, making his SPFT debut, Showboat Fisher, is a noted great striker. With few weaknesses in his striking game, Fisher has made a name for himself which his record simply does not represent very well. He did not draw an easy first fight within SPFT, but many expect him to do very well.
Sergei Bautin, with 11 fights in SPFT already, is a well known, well respected, and impressive fighter. While many do not believe he quite has the skills to be a champion at this level, he definitely has the skills to present everyone with exciting fights, which he has done thus far in his SPFT career. Piru Parka, on the other hand, is a bit of a wild card. Having never fought in SPFT, many do not know quite how skilled this man is, yet there already rumblings that he could be very dangerous. With this in mind, this fight has some exciting potential to showcase two fighters looking to break through to the next level.
One time Light Heavyweight champion, Frank Martin, has recently been on a two fight winning streak, and is seeking to earn another shot at what once was his title. The 32 year old, who suffered from a three fight losing streak immediately after losing his title had been written off by many. However he has turned things around and looks as if on a mission which no one will be able to stop him on. Peter Parts, his opponent, has never actually earned the SPFT title. He has fought twice for the belt, but has suffered losses both times, most recently to former champion Leonard Washington. Therefore, the hunger to at least once be a champion in his sport still drives him. Philosophers can argue who is hungrier, the man who once had a taste of greatness, or one who has not, but this fight will likely be a good presentation of the argument in action.
With a victory over SPFT legend Cajun Xander, Dj Crabby Jef earned himself a shot at the Middleweight championship in the Co-Main Event, an opportunity he would do well not to squander. Jef actually presents an interesting challenge to the champion, Nero Aurelius’ typical style, considering he holds a black belt in BJJ, and has earned the majority of his professional victories via submission. One has to wonder if Aurelius, who known for his steamroller-like style, where he takes fighters to the ground then grinds them to a pulp, may change up his style a bit to avoid the potential freak submission from the immensely talented Jef. Considering Aurelius harbors some of the most impressive striking skills on the planet, he would be wise to adjust his normal game plan in this way and take advantage of his superiority in this area. We shall see how this interesting matchup plays out.
The Main Event is highlighted by the return of crowd favorite, and former two division champion, Elroy Kleinschmidt. After suffering a disappointing knockout loss to Matt Lisser, Kleinschmidt still stands in pretty position to return to a fight for the SPFT championship. A man big enough (in every sense of the word) to have headlined the 100th SPFT event unquestionably still retains the ability to turn right around and challenge for his title again, ironically it would currently be against the man he first won his title from, Gor Keyman. First, he has to prove his number one contender status, and to do so he must defeat SPFT newcomer Brian King. King, a veteran of 41 professional MMA fights, and owner of 30 career victories, has the skills that have many of the Super Heavyweight fighters shaking in their boots. Expect an awesome fight in this matchup, and expect whoever wins to be the next man to challenge for the SPFT Super Heavyweight title.
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