2012-03-10
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Ascension 365 One Year in the Life Preview

Event Preview: 365: One Year in the Life
Ascension
2012-03-10, Los Angeles, LA Memorial Colossuseum
Author:Speedy Gonzaitev

We are in downtown New York in a partially run down red brick building with a darkened stage headlining the back of the large room with a small group of people gathering for the first ever Inside Ascension televised event with Skinny's official Fluffler Alexi Zaitev. The Host rambling Red Stevenson has everyone take their seats in the folding chairs as the show begins.

Red: So Alexi, some rumors are floating around about some possible shady dealings, any comments on this?

Alexi: Yes, I made a mistake as I misremembered a conversation I had with another organization owner about coming on board to be his writer. To be frank, I screwed up and I want to apologize to him publicly as well as to say that I did not intentionally do this to him. I made a mistake and I apologize for it.

Red: Well, its good to hear that you did not go out of you way to screw over an organization owner. Anyway, lets get to your take of arguably the biggest event in Tycoon history with Ascension 365 One Year in the life. The opening card fight is Demidov vs Sokoudjou, what are your thoughts on this fight?

Alexi: Both these fighters primarily use boxing as their weapon of choice on the feet but Sokoujdou's best weapon is his high level brown belt in BJJ. He has 11 submission wins to his credit but Demidov has never been submitted but both fighters have been finished by strikes twice before. Of the two, Demidov has far more power with his 7 T(KO) victories compared to Sokoujdou's 1. Demidov has the wrestling advantage but as with any fight, it only takes one take down, one punch, one kick one submission to finish a fight. My gut tells me Demidov will KTFO of Sokoujdou.

Red: Interesting take. What about the Rection Dinkin fight?

Alexi: This fight seems to be tailor made for Dinkin on paper. With major advantages all over the place, I honestly don't know how Rection can win this fight. No offense to Rection but the only edge he has is a tiny one in MT. His (being Rection) only chance is to get the fight to the ground somehow. Once there he may be able to get the submission but I don't know how he will get the fight there. Personally I see a KO win for Dinkin but anything can happen in a fight.

Red: Interesting take once again, you seem to be favoring the clear cut favorite a lot, any reason?

Alexi: They pay me to write and talk about the fights, not be an idiot Red, that's your job.

Red: Easy now Alexi, relax many, we are cool and you know that.

Alexi: Its cool man.

Red: Anyway back to the fights, next up is Allan vs Leningarda, who ya got?

Alexi: Allan comes in with sensational boxing, elite muay thai, sensational wrestling and a defensive brown belt. Leningarda has sensational boxing as well to go with exceptional muay thai and wrestling with a defensive brown belt to go with it. Leningrada is far more experienced with 35 fights under his well worn belt. Allan has statistical advantages on the feet and on the mat as well as a better chin. Leningrada has more power than Allan with his 12 TKO wins while Allan only has 5. Both fighters are well used to going the distance in a fight and that's where I think this one is headed. Allan by decision.

Red: Going against the old timer eh?

Alexi: Yeah I did, what of it?

Red: What about the Watson vs Young?

Alexi: Watson vs Young is another veteran vs a young buck matchup. Watson has only had 7 fights in his career but has 6 wins all by T(KO). Young has been in 31 fights in his career and has won 21 of them. One could almost say its rare for a Young fight to end inside the distance as out of his 31 fights, 18 have gone the distance. To change gears, Watson enters the cage with exceptional boxing, elite muay thai, wonderful wrestling and a defensive purple belt. Young has sensational boxing and muay thai and identical ground skills as his opponent with wonderful wrestling and a purple belt. Young has shown power in the past with 9 wins by T(KO) but the power and chin edge go to Watson. With that, Watson by TKO.

Red: Do you have something against older fighters?

Alexi: I never said that, I just think the younger fighters will win man, quit trying to make me look like a bad guy.

Red: Easy ow Alexi, relax man.

Alexi: Uhuh sure your the one trying to incite a reaction outta me.

Red: Anyway, lets go to the Offenhard Sanosuke fight, what are you thoughts?

Alexi: Well, this is the second fight of Offenhard's that I have previewed for and i correctly predicted him winning by TKO in his last fight. Anyway, to the current fight. Offenhard certainly has the power advantage with his 12 TKO wins to Sanosuke's 5. Both fighters are equally experienced with what it takes to win a 15 or 25 minute war with both fighters having over 10 decision wins. Offenhard enters with sensational boxing, sensational muay thai, exceptional wrestling and a defensive brown belt. Sanosuke comes in with wonderful boxing, exceptional muay thai, wonderful wrestling and a defensive purple belt. Offenhard has won his last 5 fights and Sanosuke is 4-1 in his last five. Both fighters are riding a lot of momentum and looking to to get ever closer to shot at the belt that currently belongs to Taj al Din. My gut and brain are in agreement on this fight, Offenhard by TKO or decision.

Red: Here's to hoping your prediction is not a kiss of death. Anyway time for the main card, the cool customer of the almost legendary stable of Richard Davenport Mont Alvernne taking of Lopez. What is your take on the first main card fight of the night?

Alexi: Mont Alvernne is very calm when compared to his stable mate and current p4p king Jeremy Tonal. When asked about his fight Alvernne just said that he was taking it one fight at a time and is looking forward to fighting on the biggest card of the year. Lopez i tried to get a comment from him but my high school level Spanish wasn't enough to make heads or tails of anything he said.

Red: Did both fighters appear to be ready for what could be the biggest fight of their careers to date?

Alexi: Both fighters appeared to be eager to get it on the cage with no lingering inhibitions or injuries that could hamper their performance this Saturday night.

Red: I see, how do you see this fight going down?

Alexi: I have not mentioned it yet but this fight is for the Ascension 155 strap to think a title fight is the opener of a card just tells you how stacked this card is. Mont Alvernne is making his first title defense after coming off a non title fight win against Curtis Lind, Lopez is looking to take the strap back to Sydney. Mon Alvernne enters the cage with exceptional boxing, sensational muay thai and wrestling and a BJJ black belt. Only one submission win for Alvernne though so its not as deadly as it seems but if I were Lopez I would want to keep it standing. Lopez has elite boxing, exceptional muay thai, sensational wrestling and a defensive brown belt. Both fighters have displayed signs of power in their past but a majority of their wins are by decision. Neither fighter is used to losing as combined these fighters have a record of 28-3. Both fighters are extremely aggressive throwing a wide variety of punches and kicks at their opponent. Both fighters have good clinch game but Mont Alvernne has used his far more than Lopez. Alvernne also has a more complete ground game as he is very good at punishing his opponents with heavy ground strikes and supreme top control. This fight will come down to how good Alvernne's boxing defense is. That's Lopez's primary weapon he uses in all his fights. I think Alvernne is a more complete fighter and will keep Lopez guessing in route to retaining his title by a unanimous decision.

Red: Up next on the card is the Haitian sensation that is Humberto Cruz taking on the perennial underdog Colin Hendry. What are your thoughts on this fight?

Alexi: Cruz has been running roughshod through the 155 division leaving very few men left standing or walking out in one piece as out of his 13 wins 12 have been by finish and of those 12, 10 have been by way of T(KO). With his sensational boxing, wonderful muay thai, remarkable wrestling and a bjj black belt. Cruz is no slouch on the ground as he has 2 submission wins to his name. With only hearing the judges card's 3 times in his young career you get the sense that this kid is going to be a fan favorite some day. Entering the cage opposite him is Colin Hendry. Colin Hendry is probably the least intimidating 16-2 fighter that you will see. With exceptional boxing, proficient muay thai, superb wrestling and a blue belt Hendry isn't much to be afraid of on paper. However Hendry has that almost automatic equalizer that is KO power. With 12 T(KO) wins to his credit for a 155er is crazy. When Hendry hits you, you definitely feel it. Hendry is riding a 2 fight winning streak after dropping a fight to Bubba KillsInWater. When you look at least fight, you wonder how Hendry will survive. Power wise this fight is probably even Cruz has had his chin cracked before while Hendry has only been finished by submission. Cruz can easily take one of Hendry's arms home with him which is what I think will happen after Cruz turned it into a technical striking battle rather than a slugfest that would play right into Hendry's hands.

Red: So its safe to say that the Hendry Cruz fight may be the most entertaining fight on the card aside from the main event?

Alexi: For sure, its a very intriguing fight that could end at anytime.

Red: Now its time for the featured main card fight of the evening with the uncrowned heavyweight champion some would say in Evander Holyshit taking on one of your alliance mate's fighter in Eddie "The Killer" Miller fresh off his come from behind TKO win over Son Goku. What are you thoughts on this fight.

Alexi: Yes Eddie Miller belongs to my good friend David Goliath who just won the ONI heavyweight title in his last fight over the former #1 heavyweight in Tokyo Son Goku. Evander Holyshit has been waiting for a title shot forever but the champion has been MIA for a long, long time so some have taken to calling Holyshit the uncrowned king of the Ascension heavyweights. Both fighters come out swinging for the fences until they or the opponent is on the ground unconscious. Miller has 15 TKO wins and 5 TKO losses while Holyshit has 12 TKO wins and 3 TKO losses. Holyshit is coming off a loss while Miller has won his last 5 fights. Miller enters the cage with exceptional boxing, remarkable muay thai, exceptional wrestling and a defensive purple belt. Opposing his is Holyshit with sensational boxing, wonderful muay thai, wonderful wrestling and a defensive brown belt. I don't see this fight taking place anywhere but the feet so it will come down to who can touch the others chin first. Miller primarily relies on his dirty boxing to wear his opponents down before finishing them. His striking from range is not something you want to ignore. Holyshit primarily uses his punches from range rather than in close to wear his opponents down with highly accurate head punches. Neither fighter can take a punch that well but of the two, I give the edge to Holyshit, but Miller has been making his living by proving people wrong so why stop now?

Red: Going against your alliance mate eh?

Alexi: Sadly yes, I try to avoid picking in favor of myself or my alliance mates just to give them more motivation.

Red: So a bit of reverse psychology?

Alexi: Just a bit.

Alexi chuckles a bit as he says that and takes a long drink of water to soothe his parched throat.

Red: Well we are in the home stretch now on to the co main event of the evening with a visitor from Blitzkreig Rio, their middleweight champion Tota Liddell. Opposing him is Ascension's middleweight champion Sunny Disposition. How do you see this one going down?

Alexi: Well this fight is really close between two of the very best the middleweight division as a whole can offer. Both fighters pack a lot of power and both are very tough to finish with only 2 losses by finish between the two, both belong to Disposition however. with a combined 30 TKO wins between the two both guys throw heavy, heavy leather. Disposition enters the cage with elite boxing, elite muay thai, sensational wrestling, and a defensive brown belt. Liddell has elite boxing, sensational muay thai, exceptional wrestling and a defensive brown belt. Both fighters come out swinging with heavy shots trying to put their opponents away early. On paper, Disposition has the better clinch game while the actual striking skill from range appears to be pretty much a toss up. Liddell is the more aggressive of the two that could be a factor going up against the power of Disposition. I don't doubt that this fight can end at anytime with the power these guys possess. Neither fighter is a stranger to the judge's score cards as well as Disposition has heard the judges cards 15 times with 9 victories while Liddell has heard them 16 times with 10 victories. This fight is as close as can be and I can't honestly pick a winner the fight is that close. But if I have to....I will pick......starts thinking really hard and some smokes comes out of his ears Disposition edging out a decision. But both fighters can easily win this fight.

Red: Your job isn't getting easier huh?

Alexi: For sure and we still haven't talked about the main event yet.

Red: Speaking of which, we have the p4p king and genuine bad ass Jeremy Tonal taking on the #3 p4p in the world and arguably the top heavyweight in game (as far as fighters who fight consistently at heavyweight. Who ya got for the biggest of main events?

Alexi: When I spoke with Tonal it was through his manager Richard Davenport who said that Tonal has been eating a steady diet of nails, raw eggs and a few unmentionables to prepare for Mjolnir. Tonal has been especially focused on training for the toughest fight of his career after avenging his only loss since 2010 to the man, the myth, the legend Jigoro Kane. Tonal is arguably the most well rounded and dominant fighter in Tycoon history. His chin, KO power, heart, and confidence seem to be unshakable as he mows through his opponents one after another. His GnP is vicious and his stand up is no slouch but he has been using his GnP more and more of late to great effect. That however does not mean he ignores his stand up as he does work his opponents over with punches and kicks but his GnP is his most violent and devastating weapon. Opposing him is arguably the greatest heavyweight clinch fighter in Tycoon today in Merrimac Mjolnir. Mjolnir has never shot for a take down and primarily uses leg kicks from distance to help him get the fight to the clinch. Once there, he uses the art of eight limbs to great effect as he batters his opponents with punches, knees and elbows from every conceivable angle to try and finish his opponent. With 25 wins by some form of T(KO) hard to find a fighter more adept at finishing his opponents than Mjolnir. Now to the skills, tonal has sensational boxing, muay thai, wrestling and a high level brown belt. Mjolnir has elite boxing, sensational muay thai, exceptional wrestling and a defensive brown belt. the biggest flaw with Mjolnir is the fact that he has thin skin which Tonal would gladly take advantage of. This fight will come down to whoever can get the fight into their world first. Tonal is far less experience in the clinch game than Mjolnir is so the edge definitely goes to him there. Striking from range I would say is even. The ground department is definitely in Tonal's favor. The quicker the fight gets to the mat for Tonal the better. This fight is extremely intriguing from a stylistic perspective as both fighters have very talented all around skills but definitely have their specialty areas with Mjolnir's being the clinch and Tonal's being the ground. My gut tells me that Tonal will pull it off, but my head thinks Mjolnir. Both managers are extremely talented at coming up with game plans for their fighters so I can't go that way to try and pick a winner. I am going to go with my gut and go with Tonal by TKO.

Red: So we have the p4p king retaining his title as the p4p king, Disposition holding up the honor of the Ascension middleweights and the Haitian sensation putting an end to the perennial underdog Colin Hendry's quest to continue his winning streak. That's all the time we have for Inside Ascension this week I'd like to thank Alex-hey where did he go?

Alexi has already left the stage with a large throng of crazy Ascension fans chasing after him seeking inside information on how to get tickets but Alexi just ignores them and walks off after putting on his bearskin cap and sliding into his darkened limo provided to him by Skinny Vince as we see the visible light of a lit cigar from inside the limo as it drives away amidst a growing snowstorm.

 

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