|
Kelly "Southie" Richardson (1-0) vs "The Swiss Superman" Claudio Castagnoli(0-3)
This fight went as expected minus one major detail, Richardson winning. Castagoli came out guns blazing looking to finish this with his superior power but Richardson was able to avoid his power shots and counter with a takedown. Once on the ground Richardson used his high level BJJ to end this contest in round one.
Prediction: Castognoli via (T)KO Round 1 Result: Richardson via Sub Round 1
Dario "All-in" Sakara (4-2) vs Han Solo (0-2)
I projected this as a decision win for Sakara based strictly upon the fact that I did not believe he could finish Solo with his ground grappling ability. I predicted this to ne a match in which Sakara controlled Solo on the ground and scored points. Instead he was able to bring his opponent down and use his superior experience to end this one early.
Prediction: Sakara via UD Result Sakara via Sub Round 1
Derec "The Dirty" Waller (5-1) vs "Rosebud" Adam Rose (1-3)
As I mentioned in the pre-fight prediction this fight was going to come down to whoever was going to be able to take the fight into their comfort zone. Unfortunately for Rose, Waller was able to keep this fight standing as he came out swinging for the fences early and ended it via strikes with a nasty straight right just nineteen seconds into the fight.
Prediction: Waller via (T)KO Round 1 Result: Waller via KO round 1
Darc "The Wild One" Von Hayek (4-2) vs Nobuhiko "CIMA" Oshima (2-4)
Oshima came into this one with a chance to get to .500 and all the ability to do so. He could have won this one on the ground with his superior grappling. Unfortunately for him his one failed takedown attempt resulted in a fantastic counter strike by Von Hayek that ended the fight in just thirty two seconds.
Prediction: Oshima via Sub Round 2 Result: Von Hayek via KO round 1
Hilio "Hagman" Gracie (15-8) vs "Gung Ho" Vladimir Van Kirkland (19-12)
Another fight here where I gave the edge to the grappler, this one was always evenly matched but I counted on the grappling ability of Gracie to be enough for him to control the fight. Instead of feeling out his opponent he made a mistake that many great grapplers do against strikers, he rushed in early and often as he attempted five takedown attempts in the first round alone. Van Kirkland was able to capitalize on his opponents aggression with high level TDD and counter striking to end this fight with strikes. In fact all thirteen of Van Kirkland's strikes landed within just 1:33 of the first round to finish off this fight in impressive fashion.
Prediction: Gracie via Sub Round 2 Result: Van Kirkland via TKO Round 1
Khru "Big Buddah" Maokhamphiou (8-5-1) vs Mica "Zli Covek" Gavric (6-4)
As stated in the pre-fight analysis this was a huge rematch for both fighters, in fight one Gavric pulled of a slick submission to end the fight early in round one. This time around Khru used his world class power to end it by countering the takedown and using a well placed uppercut to finish Gavric in round one to return the favor. Hopefully this isn't the last time these two meet, both fights have been barn burners and nine out of ten times the third fight in a trilogy is always the best.
Prediction: Khru via (T)KO Round 1 Result: Khru via TKO Round 1
Akira Toriyama (22-8-1) vs "THE KING" Oliver Queen (22-15)
This one was always a toss up, I gave a slight nod to Toriyama due to his championship experience. However the ridiculous finishing ability of Oliver Queen has yet again proved to be fatal for his opponent. After the fight his sister Thea actually mentioned to me that she couldn't believe I would bet against Oliver after everything he has been through. Well she was correct as the Queen spirit proved to be too much for his opponent yet again. Toriyima was able to dominate round one but was unable to convert superior position into anything substantial. Queen came out and had similar success early on in the second; he proved to be less wasteful as he used a high work rate on the ground to finish this one with his ground and pound.
Prediction: Toriyama via UD Result: Queen via TKO Round 2
Dack Fayden (14-5) vs "Veliki" Ljuti Hrcak (16-4)
This fight projected to be an intense battle between the former champ and a man who is well on his way to the top of the division. I really thought that Hrcak's championship experience would help keep him in this fight despite his technical weaknesses. Instead this one ended very quickly with Fayden finally putting his striking on display. Hrcak rushed in for a couple of takedown attempts early and paid dearly for his eagerness as Fayden landed four clean shots to finish his opponent in just eighteen seconds.
Prediction: Fayden via Sub Round 3 Result: Fayden via TKO Round 1
This card marks yet another occasion in which HONOR FC and its amazing fighters have put on an amazing night of fights. Hats off to anyone who fought tonight; winners and losers; as each man came out looking to fight hard and finish. All eight fights held at The Palmtree in Vegas were finished, this aggression and importance given to entertainment has led to yet another sell out giving huge popularity boost to the Org and to the fighters in it. So keep up the good work everyone and we will all be on top of the tycoon world in no time!
Article views:
111
» Donate to this author |
