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Welcome to AXF 2, the second event of the new, fast rising Organization Australian Xtreme Fighting. The event will take place in Hyashis Lounge in beautiful Sydney, which offers up to 2000 seats for the local MMA fans. This event is brought to you by Australian Xtreme Elite Supplements. Now lets get to the nights fights.
Main Event - 205 lbs Matthews vs. White
Clay "The Bear Hunter" Matthews" comes into this fight after a 26 second finish of his last opponent. The towering California native has won 9 of his 10 victories due to KO or TKO, with one "Fight of the Year" and "Knockout of the Year" under his belt. He has shown educated, heavy hands but also that his kicking reportoire is varied and lethal. "Chief" Walter White boasts a nearly similar record, having finished 9 of 12 opponents and even sporting a 25 second knockout in his last fight. He relies primarily on his powerful punches. Both fighters are prone to cuts as one can tell of their fight history. Neither fighter will look for the takedown and I guess this will be an all out fight and one fighter will go down here.
Co-Main Event - 205 lbs Opdauhl vs. Sheck
In the Co-Main Event we have a rematch between Gary Opdauhl and Roger Sheck. In their first fight, Opdauhl dominated and battered Sheck in all rounds, except for the last part of the second where Sheck got the takedown and worked his aggressive ground game. It was the third that saw Opdauhl first punishing, then dropping and finally finishing the overwhelmed grappler. Dont expect this fight to go differently. Opdauhl comes in this fight with one win, after having received his first loss. Sheck was knocked out in his last fight, not unsimiliar to his fight with Opdauhl, as he seems to have problems with Muay Thai fighters that utilize the clinch effectively. His only chance is an improved ability to get his opponent down, or a submission, either from underneath or on top of his opponent. Gary Opdauhl just has to recreate his clinch heavy gameplan of their last fight to win this.
155 lbs Abi Tural vs. Tobias Wall
This fight sees a Muay Thai fighter vs. a Wrestler who also has the ability to make the fight difficult standing. Tural has an unblemished record, looking to enhance it with a win over the more seasoned Wall. The Azerbaijan native has knocked out almost all of his opponents, always by bullying them in the clinch delivering elbows, knees and punches. He has also shown to be a good counter fighter with dangerous punches, initiating his last win with a left hook. Wall also is a heavy puncher. But more than that, he overwhelms his opponents with his strong wrestling and also threatening them with his powerful, albeit unrefined punches. Each fighter will try to play to his strengths, by either gaining the upper hand in the clinch or by forcing a ground fight.
265+ lbs Dufinbeger vs. Dustup
In our next match, two giants will clash in a battle that will be guaranteed to not last the whole length. Both fighters have an "either finish or be finished" attitude. It is also an rematch which saw Dufinberger nearly finished by Dustup, being dropped twice but he was able to regain his composture and finish with a nice armbar. Dustup clearly looks for revenge in their rematch having nearly tasted victory. Both fighters have suffered knockouts and have dished out quite many themselves, so this will battle see them battle it out again. Neither fighter sports a solid chin or defense. Dufinberger seems to be the better ground fighter, with Dustup being the more proficient wrestler.
265+ lbs Robertson vs. Ara Givi
Next up is another Superheavyweight match, with two equally big men. Robert Robertson lost his last match against Damo Dustup in only 5 seconds. The Nashville native is a true MMA fighter with an active ground game, were he looks to either get a submission or pummel his opponent with ground and pound, and also decent kickboxing skills, utilizing both feet and hands to land counters with. Ara Givi on the contrary is a submission specialist. Every fight he won was finished by him due to cranking his opponents limbs or choking them. He may be a bit limited standing, but once on the ground he will work actively to subdue his enemy either from top or from the bottom. Actually both men fought each other already 2 times, so this is a rubber match, though the fights so far have been dominated by Robertson. Givi has to bring the fight to the ground, or he will be lost and likely beaten again.
185 lbs Gravas vs. Sullivan IV
In our next fight we see the return of a lost son in John L Sullivan IV, who was with AXF way back in 2010. He will come up against another veteran of the sport in Latka Gravas. A kickboxer by trade, he will try to utilize his hefty punches and kicks to counter and eventually floor Sullivan IV. Having shown great conditioning in all his fights he will most likely go with any pace that Sullivan IV will set. "Boston Strong Boy" is a former, multiple division champion and hall of famer of the original AXF. A heavy handed fighter that will most likely pressure his opponent early on. Neither fighter will back down and we will have an all out fight on our hands, with two powerful warriors who will leave it all in the cage. Neither fighter is young anymore and if they have any aspirations on a title they will have to get a string of victories quickly, or the time may run out on them.
155 lbs Maven vs Vega
Another set of veterans will square off in this match. Marcus Maven transformed from solely relying on his boxing in his early years to
develop into a more seasoned kickboxer, mixing punches with kicks but not forgetting his roots. Not the biggest puncher, he has conditioning for days and will most likely set a high pace in this fight. His opponent Steve Vega is a grappler, one that will take every opportunity to submit his foe. He also has improved his standup, relying on his kickboxing and he may be even the more powerful of the two. Both fighters can fight in most positions, be it the clinch, the ground or standing. Vega looks to snap a four fight losing streak here.
145 lbs Holmes vs. Vercini
Next is a typical "grappler vs. striker" match. Mike Holmes is an aggressive boxer who pursues the knockout in his fights. The Canadian has shown a sturdy chin so far and good power to go with it. Problems will arise if his opponent Frankie Vercini, with the suitable nickname "The Bull", gets the fight on the ground. The strong grappler easily controls his opponents on the ground and one opening is enough for him to get the submission. This will be very much decided by whom gets the fight in his comfort zone.
170 lbs Haverford vs Murphy
The next fight is a match between veteran Tom Haverford, a seasoned grappler who also possesses standup skills and rookie Brendan Murphy who will look to get his first win under his belt. Murphy looks promising, boasting strong ground skills which are also complemented by his sturdy knowledge of Muay Thai and Boxing. The aging Murphy looks to snap a 5 fight losing streak. He has to prove that he is more than a stepping stone at this point.
265 lbs Rox vs. Basil
Kicking off the nights card will be two local matadores in Benny Rox and Leroy Basil. Rox has yet to win a fight in his young career, unable to use his boxing roots so far. Though he lost his last fight due to TKO, he has a iron chin. His opponent Basil sports an even record, losing his last fight by KO. The BJJ player Basil will no doubt try to bring this fight to the ground as soon as possible, where he can work his submissions. If the fight stays standing, I see a good chance for Rox to get his first win.
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