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 Welcome to the Liberty Done in New York for midweek fights with SPNY 123 headlined by Tomi Atomi’s Welterweight title defence against Also Zarathustra. Of the nine other fights the one to watch is the Welterweight match up between former champion John Kyle Romo and Ronaldo Silva. Other fights include a 3rd meeting between org veterans Mac Hansen and Christian Jacobs, and an interesting Bantamweight clash between Raimo Pukki and Angus Troyer.
Main Event: Welterweight Title
Tomi Atomi (c) 21-5-1 (6-0-1 SPNY) vs Also Zarathustra 21-13 (2-0 SPNY)
Still undefeated in his SPNY career, Atomi’s current 6 fight winning streak has moved him into worldwide recognition as not only one of the best Welterweights, but also one of the best in pound for pound rankings. While still primarily a grappler Atomi has improved his striking throughout his career to the point where he keeps most fights even on the feet and then initiates the takedown to turn the fight in his favour. On the ground his BJJ ability makes him a threat of earning a submission from top or bottom, which compared with Zarathustra’s preference for ground and pound from the top position once the fight goes to ground will possibly give him the versatility edge in this fight.
Zarathustra has made a perfect start with SPNY, and in the title eliminator against Romo needed just two jabs and a right cross to earn his title shot in only 13 seconds. Whilst a BJJ black belt and very good wrestler, Zarathustra prefers to stand and box; however, he has shown a weakness against quality kick boxers in the past. If Zarathustra can keep the fight standing he has the heavier hands than Atomi and the better chance of finishing the fight. On the ground he will probably have a hard time, but has in the past pulled off submissions and can’t be ruled out.
I think this is going to be a contender for fight of the year, on the feet Zarathustra’s extra power will cause Atomi to be careful and risk falling behind on the scorecards, but in the clinch or on the ground Atomi has by far the more versatile skill set. This is a tough fight to call, but I can’t look past Atomi’s recent form; Atomi by decision in a fight of the night performance.
2: Welterweight
John Kyle Romo 24-10 (6-3 SPNY) vs Ronaldo Silva 22-10 (1-1 SPNY)
Former Welterweight champion Romo has now lost 3 of his last 4 fights, something that has only happened once before in his career. How badly this affects his confidence for tonight’s fight may well be the difference between him winning or losing. Romo is a very strong kick boxer with solid defensive grappling, and tonight he will be desperate to keep the fight standing against the veteran submission specialist Silva.
After losing a decision in his first SPNY fight Silva thrilled the crowd by locking in a rear naked choke with a second remaining in the fight against Wadenah in his last appearance. Silva’s boxing is good enough that he had a few professional fights before turning to MMA, however, his kick boxing has been described as inept by some commentators suggesting he could be in serious trouble if this fight stays standing.
While I recognise that Romo is a big chance of an early knockout if he can land one of his dangerous head kicks I see Silva getting this to ground and dominating. Silva to finish Romo by submission.
3: Super Heavyweight
Abdoul Murquite 13-5 (10-4 SPNY) vs Joe Leduc 6-2 (1-0 SPNY)
To say that SPNY’s hairiest man, Abdoul Murquite, prefers to grapple than strike would be quite the understatement. I don’t remember ever seeing Murquite throw a punch or kick in a fight. Having said that, once he gets to ground his strikes and submissions are very difficult to resist. That makes tonight’s fight intriguing given that Leduc is a difficult fighter to take down, and has probably the best takedowns in SPNY himself. Should Leduc get the top position early as I’d expect, his powerful ground and pound could have Murquite in trouble unless he can lock in a choke from the bottom.
Leduc to win the top position and look to finish the fight quickly, Murquite to look for the submission from the bottom. I think Leduc TKO is the likely finish.
4: Light Heavyweight
Zachery Rey 25-14-1 (4-4 SPNY) vs Dominic Rude 15-3 (1-0 SPNY)
With two very good stand up fighters clashing in the Light Heavyweight battle don’t expect either to take it to the ground. While both these fighters are very good at striking from range and earning knockouts, Rey is a dominant clinch fighter which will give him a massive advantage over Rude who avoids clinches wherever he can. Rude will attempt to negate that advantage by using his 2 extra inches reach to keep the fight at range. I expect Rude to be slightly more aggressive and throw more strikes which I think may be the determining factor in this fight.
Rude to win by KO in the 3rd.
5: Lightweight
Mac Hansen 25-17-1 (11-7 SPNY) vs Christian Jacobs 16-13 (8-8 SPNY)
It’s hard to believe that these two were two of the original SPNY fighters with Jacobs fighting at SPNY 1 and Hansen at SPNY 2. Despite Hansen’s better record, he has lost the two previous fights between these two, and has never secured the Lightweight title held by Jacobs for 3 fights. Hansen’s current 4 fight winning streak has propelled him up the Lightweight rankings to the point he may well be considered the No. 1 contender, this fight is an opportunity for him to put the ghosts of his past behind him. Jacobs is desperate to win tonight to give him his first back to back wins in almost 4 years.
While Hansen is in much better form, I sense an upset with Jacobs winning by decision.
6: Bantamweight
Raimo Pukki 35-16 (6-3 SPNY) vs Angus Troyer 17-9-1 (2-1 SPNY)
Veteran Pukki did not have the SPNY return he was looking for losing by first round knockout and now faces the challenge to string together some wins to be considered a true contender for the Bantamweight title. Once considered pound for pound one of the top 5 fighters in the world, Troyer hasn’t been the same fighter since his ill fated move to Featherweight. Back at Bantamweight he looks a better fighter, but lacks the edge he once had.
I rate Pukki to win this; the challenge is if he can be the first fighter to stop Troyer. As long as Pukki can stay out of the clinch and stuff the takedowns his 8 inch reach advantage should have him all over Troyer. Pukki by decision.
7: Welterweight
Jamison Burkina 12-11 (1-3 SPNY) vs Dick Solomon 17-9 (SPNY Debut)
Early in his career Burkina was described as raw talent that needed to be moulded into an MMA style; frustratingly he still has so much raw talent that hasn’t evolved into MMA success. Despite his very good boxing he won’t want to stay on his feet against the stand up and clinch work of Solomon. Solomon arrives at SPNY with a solid reputation but having won only 2 of his last 7 fights needs to prove himself. A solid stand up fighter, expect him to employ mainly a boxing style both at range and in the clinch.
I like Solomon on his feet, but Burkina on the ground could be a difficult prospect for him. Solomon should be able to deal out a bit of punishment if Burkina is too eager for the takedown, and that makes me think Solomon by KO is the result.
8: Middleweight
Trey Anastasio 12-6 (SPNY Debut) vs Duke Ellington 12-7 (0-1 SPNY)
This one is a classic grappler vs boxer match up, with SPNY debutant Anastasio regarded as a submission expert with basic grappling against former professional boxer Ellington who is uncomfortable on the ground. If Anastasio gets a takedown here, this fight is as good as over as I expect his submission skills to completely overwhelm Ellington on the ground. Ellington on the other hand is entirely reliant on knockout punches while standing for a win, so if he can land a few early he should be set to go on to win.
Anastasio by submission in the 1st.
9: Super Heavyweight
Vydan Freuster 11-3 (3-1 SPNY) vs Matthew Janice 12-7 (SPNY Debut)
Rising star Freuster comes into this on a 3 fight winning streak, so far his sprawl and brawl style has served him well, but he is as yet to develop his kick boxing skills which could be an issue against the world class Muay Thai Janice will bring. Janice possesses an extremely good Muay Thai clinch attack, and has easily knocked out opponents in most of his wins, the weakness to his fighting is that he seems to lack the solid chin needed to compete at the top level.
If Janice can tie this up in a clinch early he will be a real chance of a KO win, but the heavy hands and 16 inch reach advantage of Freuster should make short work of Janice. Freuster by KO in the first.
10: Featherweight
Jason Paw 2-4 (0-3 SPNY) vs David O’Conner 0-1 (SPNY Debut)
Primarily a boxer, both of Paw’s wins have come by submission when he managed to surprise an opponent from the bottom after being taken down. His inability to adequately defend takedowns has stopped us from seeing his boxing is actually good enough to compete professionally in MMA. O’Conner’s debut didn’t last long enough for me to get a true impression of him, but he was taken down easily and didn’t seem to have much defence. O’Conner is another fighter who doesn’t have a true grounding in martial arts before turning to MMA, and whilst Paw doesn’t represent a huge opponent he may struggle to continue to compete if he starts to get tougher opponents.
Paw has the skills to win this, but after his low confidence performances lately I don’t know if he has the heart. O’Conner to win by decision.
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