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05/03/2016
Wild Bob's Bar
London
Ladies and gentlemen, another StrikeForce Union Champion will be revealed in the cage this evening. Who is worthy of the crown? Who is willing to sacrifice it all for the title? This event is brought to you by Machine Fight Gear. Once again, here is Dave Ashbourne with your event preview:
Orjan Ank (MMA 4-4-0 , SFU 2-0-0) vs Rico Cole (MMA 0-1-1 , SFU 0-1-1)
StrikeForce Union #4 kicks off with a rematch. The last time these two fighters met, Rico Cole tapped out from a kimura. Orjan Ank has won his last three fights with the very same submission move - the kimura - and all within the first round.
But just because you can predict it, doesn't mean you can prevent it. In the first fight, Ank attempted six takedowns in a span of two minutes and eventually got his opponent onto the floor and tapping out.
He is improving every single day at the London MMA Club and is undefeated in SFU competition with two wins in as many fights. What makes Ank's performances even more impressive up to this point, is that he hasn't even called upon his natural KO power - something he was lauded for back in his days as an amateur fighter.
Yes none of his wins have come via KO but the threat of knocking out his opponents is always there. On the other hand we have Rico Cole who is down but not out at 0-1-1. He can definitely win this rematch and is determined to do just that. His wonderful muay thai skills were on full display at SFU #2 as he took home the Fight of the Night award in the majority draw versus Nathan Griffin. Cole will feel slightly aggrieved by that judging decision because many in the crowd that night thought he had done enough for the win. Fast forward to this fight and we have one of the closest and toughest fights to call. A win for either fighter will have huge repercussions for the division and both fighters are at an early crossroads in their career. Orjan Ank. Rico Cole. Both fighters can really push forward with a win here. Otherwise, it's a step back down the weight class rankings.
Dave's Prediction: Rico Cole via Unanimous Decision
Otavio Madruga (MMA 1-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0) vs John Winkle (MMA 2-1-0 , SFU 2-1-0)
John Winkle went into his last fight 2-0-0 only to get destroyed in what has to be one of the fastest knockouts of all time - 5 seconds. Immediately people started questioning his ability and Winkle knows he has to get right back into the cage and prove that he is not just a one hit wonder. But if he was looking for an easy win, he's not going to get it here.
Otavio Madruga has no weaknesses. A wonderful muay thai artist. A solid chin. And the ability to win this fight in devastating fashion, just like he did in his debut. The 170 lbs division is still looking for its champion. Madruga knows he can put himself right into the title conversation with an impressive win here. Both men are fighting towards something. Madruga the contender. Winkle the avenger. Who will prevail in this key Welterweight match-up?
Dave's Prediction: Otavio Madruga via KO
Crusher Breaker (MMA 7-13-0 , SFU 1-1-0) vs Spike Reaper (MMA 6-17-0 , SFU 0-1-0)
If they are not the best fighters on the roster, they certainly have the best names. Two MMA veterans lock horns in this match-up with the the focus likely to be on the ground game. Both fighters have won most of their fights via submission and in Breaker's case, all of his wins came via submission. He has the superior BJJ game with a purple belt to Reaper's blue belt. Breaker managed to beat Vincenzo Crescenzo in SFU #1 something that Reaper was unable to do in SFU #2.
These fighters have the same manager - Edy Sok. These fighters train at the same gym - The Fortress. Both fighters are low on morale at the moment and in desperate need of a win. So as we can see, there are plenty of similarities between these two fighters. One of them is going to have to go the extra mile in order to separates themselves and win this fight. At the end of the day, it may come down to whichever fighter wants it more.
Dave's Prediction: Crusher "Destroyer" Breaker via Submission
Darren Crowley (MMA 0-2-0 , SFU 0-1-0) vs Reginald Kray (MMA 6-5-0 , SFU 1-0-0)
Crowley gets clipped by a big right hand and goes down spinning to the canvas! Kray gets the back mount and begins to drop bombs on his rocked foe! This was the scene at SFU #2 as Reginald Kray ran through Darren Crowley in the first minute of the first round. Because of such a decisive victory last time round, many feel that there should not be an immediate rematch.
One man that disagrees with that notion is Darren Crowley. He has been training hard at Highland Brawl Academy in an attempt to redeem himself. He knows he has to get his opponent to the ground. He also knows his career hangs in the balance with a loss here. Reginald "Reggie" Kray is an enigma. He won his first five fights. Then when his manager disappeared from the fight scene, he lost his next five fights under new management until beating Crowley in his last fight. Which Kray will turn up at SFU #4? The Kray that knocked out his opponent in 25 seconds? Or the Kray that got knocked out in 23 seconds?
Dave's Prediction: Reginald "Reggie" Kray via KO
Ling Manchu (MMA 9-21-0 , SFU 1-0-0) vs Kenneth Ank (MMA 2-7-0 , SFU 0-1-0)
The dragon is a legendary creature, heavily featured in the myths of many cultures. There is the European dragon. There is the Chinese dragon. The dragon from Game of Thrones. And then there is Ling "The Dragon" Manchu. Ling is a sleeping giant that has been awakened by StrikeForce Union. In his debut at SFU #1 he destroyed his opponent via TKO, showcasing just how good he can be. His wrestling allows him to get into positions where he can do some serious damage.
Kenneth Ank's SFU debut ended in a 41 second knockout loss. In fact, he has been knocked out in the first round of his last three fights. These two fighters know each other quite well having both been training at The Fortress gym. Ank can use his good kicks to keep a distance and work his way towards a unanimous decision. This could be the moment he turns his career around.
Dave's Prediction: Kenneth Ank via Unanimous Decision
Jackson Teller (MMA 5-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0) vs Paul Starker (MMA 0-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0)
Jackson Teller has one of the biggest right hands in the business. A recent change in management has not slowed him down. There was also the decision to move down to the heavyweight weight class. Before that, he was knocking out super heavyweights in super fashion. Now with StrikeForce Union, he will be making his much anticipated debut against another SFU debutant - Paul Starker. We don't know much about Starker. But all that could be about to change if he pulls off the upset here at SFU #4. There comes a time in everyone's life where they have to make the best out of their opportunities. For Starker, that moment is at Wild Bob's Bar on the 5th March 2016. He is clearly the underdog but that does not phase him. In fact, he revels in his underdog status. As the old adage goes, you have to beat the best to be the best. Teller may want to stick around for the main event tonight - the heavyweight championship match. The prospect of a fight between Jackson Teller and Jimmy Riddle has SFU fans drooling but the former can't afford to get complacent here. It would be a mistake to completely write off Starker. Look past Starker and you may not see the knockout punch coming.
Dave's Prediction: Jackson Teller via KO
Hale Storm (MMA 0-1-0 , SFU 0-0-0) vs Lareneg Asap (MMA 1-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0)
Here we have the youngest fighter at StrikeForce Union. At just seventeen years old - I repeat, seventeen years old - Lareneg Asap is the wonderkid. The kid that everybody wants to be at school. The kid that is about to step into a cage with a man that wants to kill him. What were we doing when we were seventeen years old? In his short career thus far, Asap has already faced adversity. This is no pretty boy. His debut fight was as challenging as it gets. Asap was cut immediately.
One minute later he was rocked by a straight left hand down the middle. Yet he still managed to walk away with a win that was fully deserved. Such is his determination. Both Asap and Storm excel in muay thai. Even though Storm lost his debut fight he was very much in with a chance of winning on the judges cards and will be looking to bounce back here. All of the focus is on Asap which may play into Storm's hands.
Dave's Prediction: Lareneg Asap via Unanimous Decision
Peter Larsson (MMA 2-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0) vs Harvey Pennyworth (MMA 5-2-0 , SFU 0-0-0)
We can tell you one thing with certainty about this fight, it will not go the distance. Nine fights. Nine finishes. This is sure to be an explosive fight and is a potential Fight of the Night candidate. Pennyworth is the hometown hero and he's going to need all the help he can get from the crowd because Peter Larsson is the latest hot prospect of the Light Heavyweight division. Larsson the boxer.
Pennyworth the muay thai artist. Experts tend to side with the muay thai fighter in these match-ups but Larsson is no ordinary boxer. He has steamrolled past his first two opponents knocking both out in the first round. This is sure to be a great fight. Don't blink. Don't go to the toilet. Otherwise you may miss the fireworks.
Dave's Prediction: Peter Larsson via KO
Elwin Allen (MMA 1-2-0 , SFU 0-2-0) vs Sergey Sklemin (MMA 2-0-0 , SFU 0-0-0)
Sergey Sklemin is undoubtedly the best boxer in the organisation, he is exceptional. That is not an exaggeration, this kid is the real deal folks. He became a champion at his previous organisation at just nineteen years old. He took on an undefeated fighter for the title and knocked him out within the first minute. And if that isn't enough hype, he is ranked higher than recent SFU champion Botond Robert. Did I mention that this kid is the real deal? Elwin Allen did go three rounds with Botond Robert but left the cage defeated. In fact, this will be the third undefeated fighter that Allen will face in SFU. Three SFU fights against three undefeated SFU fighters.
He certainly does not back away from a challenge. Many fans believe Sklemin could trouble Harry Winston in a championship match but he would need to beat Allen here first. Finishing Allen would go a long way in helping Sklemin gain more recognition. But there is one area that Allen can dominate Sklemin with the right gameplan. The American has wonderful wrestling skills and should concentrate on utilizing them down the stretch in order to have any chance of winning this one. If Allen loses again here, he is in danger of being a good fighter that always falls short of being great. A Michael Bisping. Did I mention that Sergey Sklemin is the real deal?
Dave's Prediction: Sergey Sklemin via KO
Jimmy Riddle (MMA 5-0-0 , SFU 2-0-0) vs Grizzly Adams Jr (MMA 3-3-0 , SFU 0-0-0)
Muhammad Ali. Mike Tyson. Randy Couture. Fedor. All former champions of the heavyweight division. All more special than the average fighter. Jimmy Riddle and Grizzly Adams Jr want to add their names to that list but they have to win this fight here tonight. One of those legends has something in common with Riddle who has won all five of his fights so far via knockouts in the first round. If Mike Tyson is the baddest man on the planet, Jimmy Riddle is second in line and ready to take over. He burst onto the scene with a devastating knockout of Kenneth Ank in SFU #1.
This is the #1 ranked heavyweight vs. the #3 heavyweight and it is sure to be a highlight reel of a fight. This may very well be the first time Riddle is taken outside the first round because like his father before him, Grizzly Adams Jr comes to fight. He is strong in both boxing and wrestling, two areas of weakness for Riddle. This is a fighter that is always improving. At CEFC Fight Night 54 he lost via submission to Butch Larson. When everybody else went home that night, Adams watched the tape and hit the Montreal Fighter's Gym. One month later he got his rematch and knocked out his nemesis in the first round. That's the kind of person Adams Jr is. That's the kind of person he needs to be to become a champion.
Dave's Prediction: Jimmy Riddle via KO
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