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* Featherweight Title fight: Zulu vs O'Neil.
Coming off a three fight win streak, recently crowned 145lbs king.
"Zuluboy" Zulu Zulu 4-2-0 will have his toughest test to date in one of the most feared strikers to set foot on the MMA Gladiator's canvas.
Aidan "Steel Knuckle" O'Neil.
The Match up:
Zulu recently joined MMA Gladiator's. His debut, trail by fire when he faced current 145lbs champ and submission expert. Meguru Takayanagi. Zulu showed a well rounded and dominant performance, gaining the TKO early in the third round with a wide range of techniques from the outside and in the clinch. The former 155lbs fighter will be looking to make a statement in the first tittle defence, coming in the bigger man he will surely be looking to use that size to his advantage.
With that in mind, O'Neil is a natural featherweight with real KO power, this is his second shot at MMA Gladiator's gold. His amazing ten fight win streak made him an instant fan favourite with finish after finish coming by way of strikes. That all ended when he met Meguru Takayanagi back in December 2016, submitting O'Neil via Triangle late in the first round. O'Neil was quick to get back to form earning another shot at gold, this time against the man that did what he could not, dethrone Takayanagi.
The Pick:
Both fighters are natural strikers that like to keep the fight standing. Zulu will not be afraid to stand with O'Neil, even clinch, but I do see Zulu attempting to get the fight to the ground and once there his blue belt might prove too much for his opponent. "Steel Knuckle" O'Neil has very solid wrestling and he knows how to slow his opponent's down with well placed strike's which lead to a knockout, more often than not.
I see an exciting but cautious stand up fight with a well placed takedown by Zulu
"Zuluboy" wins via submission late in the first round.
* Light heavyweight title fight: Pounder vs Gardner.
One of the best at submitting his opponents early. Gerry "Get Some" Pounder. 7-1-0 will be looking to do the same when he attempts to defend his 205lbs title against striking technician specialist Ralph "Rage" Gardner. 5-1-1.
The match up:
If there is one thing we know about the current 205lbs champion Gerry Pounder it is not to go to the ground with him. With five of his seven wins coming by way of submission, he convincingly took the title off Mike Belfort via triangle in just 49 seconds after Belfort scored a big takedown into Pounders guard, a mistake Gardner is surely not to make.
Ralph Gardner has remarkable wrestling with explosive transitions that along with a pinpoint jab and incredible footwork which he uses to keep the fight standing, skills he showed in his first two fight's under the MMA Gladiator's banner, earning this title shot after a TKO finish at two minutes 52 seconds of the very first round.
My pick:
Gerry Pounder likes to throw wild, forcing his opponents onto the back foot while surprising them with an unexpected takedown. Once there it is extremely hard to get up. Ralph Gardner has fantastic boxing to go along with some of the cleanest footwork around.
I see Gardner utilizing his superior footwork to open up pounder for some serious counters, his wrestling and lateral movement will prove too much for Pounder to handle.
Gardner wins via 1st round KO.
* Super heavyweight title fight: Aki Hiko vs Aidan foster.
Giants collide as undefeated super heavyweight Champion. Aki Hiko locks horns with bjj purple belt. Aidan Foster.
The match up:
With a classic wrestler vs BJJ match up this could be anyone's fight. Aidan Foster steps in with experience on his side with all five of his wins coming by way of submission. Foster looks to get the fight to the ground early anyway he can, he sure isn't afraid to pull guard and is very comfortable on his back, submitting his last opponent via triangle in just 43 seconds.
On the other hand. Aki Hiko has an incredible shot with fast transitions, brutal ground and pound and a high output of strikes. Hiko destroyed Fredrick Darcy in his last appearance to claim the super heavyweight title early this year with three minutes and 55 second of total domination.
My pick:
I see Aki Hiko dictating where this fight takes place and tho Foster has more proven BJJ Hiko can hold his own if he can secure the top position. Hiko can keep this fight standing if he chooses and pick Foster apart from the outside, don't be surprised if he gets the takedown late in the round to work that signature ground and pound.
Aki Hiko wins via first round TKO.
Writer: Danielle Bee (MissBeeBuu)
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