2015-04-17
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WC 19: Top of the World preview

Event Preview: WC:19 Top of the world
Executioner FC
2015-04-18, New York, Liberty Dome
Author:Shtaaf Reimish

MMA fans from right here in New York City to around the world, the World Combat Championships is pleased to present another evening of jammed packed action from the Liberty Dome this Saturday, April 18th, its WC 19: Top of the World! Two huge title fights headline the evening's card as Ska Asap gets set to defend his recently claimed middleweight title against Billy Tinkl in a rematch from two weeks ago and in the main event, Barney Gumble makes his return to WC to defend his heavyweight crown against current WC superheavyweight champion Skunk Asap! Shtaaf Reimish here as always to break down all of Saturday's action for your viewing and betting pleasure, so lets get 'er going!

Ted "Million Dollar Man" Dibiase (0-1) vs Hovon "Shark Bite" Shovon (0-0) Heavyweight

WC 19 kicks off with a heavyweight tilt between two young fighters looking to establish themselves as professionals, its Ted "Million Dollar Man" Dibiase vs Hovon "Shark Bite" Shovon! Dibiase made his pro debut at WC's first New York City event, WC 16, where he fell via a late first round TKO at the fists of Gene Oakerland. The fight stayed standing in its entirety, which is preferable for the California native, but he does have some solid wrestling abilities as well if he so chooses to go there. Shovon will be making his pro debut here at WC 19, making the trip across the pond from his base in Amsterdam. The Austrian teenager also has a wrestling background with a secondary boxing skill set, which should make for an even matchup. We'll see who's manager develop the best game plan! I've got Shovon winning his debut via KO.

#14 Nicolas "Nico" Gracie (0-0) vs #12 Niklas Kronwall (0-0) Light Heavyweight

Next up on Saturday's card, WC presents a light heavyweight bout between two Nicks making their professional debuts here at WC 19, its Nicolas "Nico" Gracie taking on Niklas Kronwall! Gracie has been training hard here in New York in preparation for his pro debut, working extensively on his round game strength. The Poland native has next to no chance if this fights remains standing, but have superb prowess if he can take down his opponent Saturday. Kronwall presents a more well-rounded attack, which could prove useful against Gracie's ground-only mentality. The Stockholm, Sweden native has decent boxing and Muay Thai abilities, which, combined with again a decent takedown defense, give him a significant edge if this fight remains standing. Two rookies going at it, expect the pressure to get to them and have it go the distance. I've got Kronwall via decision.

Charlie "Straight Edge" Simpson (1-0) vs #6 Dhal Sim (5-2) Light Heavyweight

The third fight of the evening features a young rising star taking on a converted kickboxer in the light heavyweight division, its Charlie "Straight Edge" Simpson vs Dhal Sim! Simpson comes to WC after a one-fight stint in Soul Supremacy where he submitted Josh White in the second round. The teenager from San Francisco is as well-rounded an 18-year-old as I've ever seen, and should be in good form to win his second fight if he can get this one to the canvas. Sim comes to WC after a successful Island kickboxing career that sees him on a current five-fight win streak. In his only MMA fight to date, the Bahamian TKO'd in the first round of a QFC bout by current WC superheavyweight champ Skunk Asap. The 27-year-old has a definite striking advantage that, combined with the 9-year experience advantage, should have him in good shape, if he can keep this fight standing that is. We'll have to wait and see if Simpson can score the takedown before getting knocked out. My guess: he will, and win via submission.

#3 Michael "Pitbull" Langhi (6-2) vs #7 Kay Pro (2-0) Superheavyweight

WC 19 then heads to the big boys of the superheavyweight division for the first of seven top-10 showdowns on the card, its Michael "Pitbull" Langhi taking on Kay Pro! This is the second stint for Langhi in WC, making his first while still on the Island. He began his career with four straight victories, including a win over Thibault Michel at WC's SPS 1, before falling to Kevin Klobbering Time at SPS 2. The Armenian then chose to participate in the kickboxing Island tournament, where he made the second round with a win over Demetrious Calaway before falling to Roger Pott. He's as pure a boxer as they get, and we'll see if he can score the elusive KO to get his arm raised. Pro is also a boxer by strength, and will look to combat knuckles with knuckles. The LA has two pro fights under his belt, a pair of first round TKOs over Miko Blancia in the QFC. The stakes are sure raised in this one, and we'll see who's boxing abilities are supreme, or if there's any surprises under anyone's sleeve. I'll take Langhi via TKO.

#7 "The Crown Prince" Arthas Menethil (4-1) vs #10 CJ "Mile" Stone (8-2) Bantamweight

The last fight of the prelims features two bantamweights looking to take that elusive step up the division rankings ladder, its "The Crown Prince" Arthas Menethil vs CJ "Mile" Stone! Menethil enters this fight coming off his WC debut decision win over Jet hemi at WC 17. Before that bout, the American ground specialist spent time in both the Darkness FC and NACF going 4-1 before turning his attention to WC. Menethil's endurance is a proven fact, as four of his five bouts have gone to the third and final round, winning three of the four. He knows how to effectively wear his opponent down before putting them to sleep via submission. Stone enters this bout on a seven-fight winning streak, six of those coming in the QFC. The only non-QFC win of his career came in the NAFC, a submission victory over Michael Kato in an event headlined by Menethil. The Liverpool native owns a purple belt in BJJ that complements his decent wrestling abilities quite well. Expect this fight to head to the canvas sooner rather than later, with someone getting put to sleep before their bedtime. I'll take Menethil via submission, due to quality opponent experience.

#3 Arthur "King" Carvalho (8-7) vs #2 Saladin "Quick Sand" Hussain (10-5) Middleweight

The main card kicks on in grand fashion as two of the top three middleweight contenders get set to do battle in what could be a fight-in bout for the chance to face the Asap/Tinkl winner form later Saturday, its #3 Arthur "King" Carvalho battling #2 Saladin "Quick Sand" Hussain! Carvalho makes his return to WC's octagon after winning his WC debut over Buba Harmon at WC 17 via second round Americana submission. The 24-year-old saw his career go up and down during his time on the Island. Fighting in both the AFL and HG, the Brazilian amasses a 7-7 record with six of his wins coming via submission. The switch to WC provides the BJJ brown belt with the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate an inconsistent career and make a run for the title. Hussain is making his first trip into the octagon on the mainland after a decent Island season saw him go 10-5. The Afghani fighter went 5-0 in the QFC to begin his career, before struggling to two straight defeats in the UXC. He then signed with HG where he regained some confidence going 4-2 but surprisingly bowed out of the Island tournament in only the second round with a decision loss to Aleksander Mihaylov. Both these guys are just a fight or two from their first title shots, so it will be interesting to see who rises above to take that next step. I've got Hussain via submission.

#1 Jimmie Craig (12-5) vs #8 Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi (3-2) Light Heavyweight

The #1 ranked light heavyweight takes a stroll up the steps into WC's octagon in the next fight on tap as Jimmie Craig gets set to take on #8 Gegard "The Dreamcatcher" Mousasi! Craig is making his fist trip into the octagon after losing his WC light heavyweight crown to Skunk Asap at WC 16 via a mid-third round TKO. The Canadian first won the belt back at SPS 2 in February from Ben Pulse, and then successfully defended it over Razor MuayThai at WAW 4. The 27-year-old then made the jump up to heavyweight where he lost to Mib Louie before making an impressive run to the fourth round of the Island tournament which included a decision win over former WC heavyweight champ Dick Wad. Craig is primed and ready to return to a title fight, but he can't look past this one. Look for him to keep it standing and look for the KO punch. Mousasi hasn't fought professionally since early October on the Island. He fought five times there, going 3-2, before taking time away from competition to enhance and round-out his game. The Dutch fighter is one of the more well-rounded fighter in WC, and can attack a number of different ways, so it's hard to call where he takes this one, but I'd guess he'll be looking for the takedown. I can't see it happening, however, as I've got Craig winning via TKO and setting up another title shot opportunity.

#4 Magnus "Bear" Cross (13-8) vs #10 Ali Mouba (7-6) Heavyweight

In what is set to be a greatly significant fight for two heavyweights looking to stabilize their pro MMA careers, #4 Magnus "Bear" Cross and #10 Ali Mouba are ready to do war inside the octagon! Cross is such a veteran of 21 pro fights, despite his age of merely 20-years old. The sky is the limit for the young Aussie after finally defeating San Terra on his third try which earned him KO of the Night for his late first round KO at WC 16. This is Cross' third organization, and he has yet to earn himself a title shot, but stringing a couple win together against top-notch opponents should finally prove rewarding for the Island tournament semi-finalist. Mouba has proven to be quite the streaky fighter over his thirteen-fight career. He opened with four wins, then sank to four losses. Next came three straight wins, followed most recently by two straight losses. The Senegal native will look to turn things around Saturday after hanging around for just over one round against former WC heavyweight champ Dick Wad in his most recent tilt, but I simply can't see him defeating Cross, unless he can clinch him up and catch a lucky break. I'll take Cross winning this one via KO.

Middleweight Championship Title Fight (C) Ska Asap (17-5-1) vs #1 Billy Tinkl (13-5) Middleweight

And now, for the co-main event of the evening, the World Combat Championships pits together two fighters vying for the middleweight championship crown facing each other for the fourth time of their pro careers, it’s the champ, Ska Asap taking on the challenger, Billy Tinkl! After back-to-back losses to Tony Bullard in welterweight title fights, Asap decided to move up a weight class and give Tinkl a run for his belt, and it couldn't have ended any more perfect. The Island tournament champion scored a takedown early in round one and probably took the round on the cards after the two of them exchanged submission attempt after submission attempt. Tinkl got the takedown to open up round two, but couldn't fully take advantage as the two again exchanged submission attempts before Asap finally got a Kimura to stick 4:18 into round two. The Djibouti native is poised to repeat and reclaim the middleweight crown after never winning the elusive welterweight belt. This will be Tinkl's thrid fight here in New York after originally defending his belt against Shoddy Body at WC 16. The loss to Asap last time out marked only his second WC loss after his org debut TKO at the hands of Lou Hole. The Congo native has only revenge on his mind, and will have to be focused from the opening bell on as things will be action packed throughout. I wouldn't be surprised if this fight went the distance, but we'll have to wait and see! In what should be a rematch for the ages, I've got Asap defending the belt via decision.

Heavyweight Championship Title Fight (C) Barney Gumble (18-2) vs #1 Skunk Asap (14-3) Heavyweight

And now, for the main event of the evening! The World Combat Championships along with Big Bear Nutrition presents a fight for the WC Heavyweight Championship Title between the current heavyweight champion, Barney Gumble, and the current WC superheavyweight and former WC light heavyweight champion, Skunk Asap! Gumble makes his much anticipated return to WC after originally securing the title on the Island at Wad vs Gumble on February 18th with a TKO of Dick Wad. After rolling out 18 straight victories to begin his career including 11 title fights, the Springfield native has lost back-to-back fights against Mase Force due to cuts in the Island tournament quarter finals and at HG 64 which cost him his formerly elusive HG heavyweight belt. He makes his return to WC to defend the belt he still owns, but this fight should be another stiff test for the champ. Asap is the former WC light heavyweight champ and still the WC superheavyweight champ, a title he has held since 'The Big Bang' on February 27th. He was on a nine-fight winning streak before falling to Dieter Von Sprockets in his first title defense of his light heavyweight crown at 'Beat Down' earlier this month. The Djibouti native will look to use his amazing striking abilities to counter the previously unattainable striking prowess that was Gumble, and become the first ever 3-division champion of World Combat. This should be a magnificent bout! I've got Gumble picking himself off the mat and ending the losing streak with a TKO of Asap.

Well, there you have it folks! Ten huge WC fights that are sure to keep any true MMA fan (and maybe even some others) out of their seats for the duration of the evening, WC 19: Top of the World is sure to entertain from start to finish. From career debut fights to title clinching brawls, the Liberty Dome is the place you will want to be this weekend! See you Saturday!

Written by Shtaaf Reimish

 

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