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 Lion ‘Heart’ Rezende vs Raymond ‘The Protector of People’ King
On one side of the Octagon, we will have the young boxing heavy Rezende! Coming in with a record of 1 win and 2 losses, Rezende has been on an unfortunate skid in his last two fights with the most recent being a submission loss to the very talented grappler Woodie Maykit, no shame in that one! Lion has lived up to his nickname with his incredible display of resolve and toughness during the Hoisson fight. The only thing that may harm Rezende’s mentality going into the fight is the fact his last loss was on the undercard of a Kane Thoupos fight, will history repeat itself?
On the other side of the Octagon, we have the prolific Muay Thai fighter Raymond King. Don’t let his 0 and 2 record fool you, King ain’t no stiff. With a versatile kicking game as well as knowing how to utilise his boxing when needed, King can cause problems for anyone and is as hungry as they come. In his last outing he took on William Bonney, who at the time was 2-0 with all knockouts. At the time of the fight, King had outlasted any of Bonney’s former opponents whilst also putting in the work himself!
Prediction: Raymond King with a TKO/KO in the 2nd ROUND!
I feel King's Muay Thai will be too much for the physically bigger Rezende. I don’t see much of a grappling threat from Rezende that can bring this to the mat to neutralise the massive difference in striking ability.
Tyson ‘The Gypsy King’ Fury vs Tanjiro Izuku
Who is ready for the return of Fury? Anyone who is a fan of the MMA world knows that Fury has shown success in Money Promotions before moving on to Outlaw. Boasting a 2-2 record, Tyson is a talented striker with some real power (as is to be expected at Heavyweight). He has to cut to make Heavyweight guys... he’s a big bad dude and like hell would I want to get in the cage with him. The two losses on his resume are misleading, this guy has only lost to straight killers!
Now, making his debut we have the very talented boxer Tanjiro Izuku. It’s very hard to talk about this man’s career as he is yet to make an appearance in the professional world of mixed martial arts. Despite that, I’ve been reassured by my contacts in the WABA that Izuku has some serious accolades in the boxing scene.
Prediction: Tyson Fury with a TKO/KO in the 1st ROUND!
I feel that this is a really big ask for Izuku’s pro debut as Fury has some serious experience with some killers and he can bang with the best of them. It’ll be interesting to see if Izuku can weather the early storm from Fury!
‘The Outlaw’ Colton Wilder vs Muto Ryuuji
Say hello to The Outlaw! Yet to make his professional debut, Colton is an incredibly talented grappler. Word on the street has it that he was a nationally ranked Division 1 Wrestler, and my sources are pretty credible if I do say so myself... they’re also imaginary. Wilder may not have any experience in the Octagon but, one thing is for sure and that is if this fight hits the mat, it’ll be a very long night for Ryuuji.
Now, give a big warm welcome to Muto Ryuuji! Muto Ryuuji is currently 1-0 as a mixed martial artist but, we know he’s been around a lot longer than that in the Muay Thai world and that makes him as dangerous as they come. He may not have the grappling pedigree of Wilder but, does that really matter when you can kick like Edson Barboza? Don’t let his Muay Thai accolades fool you, Muto is no slouch on the mat and has a strong wrestling base as well as inside sources from his gym telling me he’s on his way to his blue belt in BJJ.
Prediction: Muto Ryuuji on points UNANIMOUSLY!
Again, this is a hard fight for someone’s debut and Colton seems to have never trained within any standup art. The mismatch on the feet is greater than the one on the ground, so I believe Ryuuji will edge it on points. This should be a war regardless.
Kiro Breika vs Trey Gillingham
Kiro Breika, man... what an amazing grappler! A purple belt in BJJ with accolades in wrestling? This guy is terrifying if he gets you to the ground, that’s the whole thing though... IF he can get you to the ground. Their amazing grappling skills come at the expense of their striking. Having little to nothing to offer in terms of striking is the only real downfall to Breika. The crazy thing is that Kiro’s debut was against Lars White who was 1-0 at the time and since then has racked up 3 wins, all by TKO, Breika made that win look easy! I can only see him getting better now he’s fighting at Outlaw.
Now, on to Trey Gillingham. A more well-rounded fighter with some seriously underrated boxing skills, alongside a strong base in wrestling and BJJ. Losing a very close decision in his pro debut against Koen Bijker who conveniently retired after the win... not saying it was a daylight robbery but, the evidence speaks for itself! Trey Gillingham may have less experience than Kiro Breika but, he has a much more varied fighting style.
Prediction: Trey Gillingham with a TKO/KO in the 2nd Round!
Trey Gillingham completely outmatches Kiro Breika on the feet whilst only being outmatched on the ground by a much smaller margin, if he keeps it standing for the first round then I believe he’ll get a handy knockout in the second after wearing Kiro down.
Richard ‘The Lionheart’ Sitanggang vs Garth ‘Cowboy’ Brooks
Two guys making their debut? Oh, we are in for a fight! Especially considering both of these fighters can mix it up no matter where the fight goes. Firstly, let’s talk about Sitanggang. As well rounded as they come, he’s got some impressive boxing mixed with a great top game! Watching sparring footage of this young lad, it’s been very fun, he’s a huge 275 pound guy that moves like he’s 155 and he has a reach advantage on mostly everyone in the division except for The Gypsy King but damn, it’s a close one! Something tells me Richard will be aiming to utilise their size advantage and wrestling in order to take down Cowboy at will and hold him down, but, that reach could definitely make use of his boxing skills!
On the other side of this, Cowboy has some damn amazing boxing with a nice blue belt in BJJ to top it off. His wrestling may not be on the same level of Richard but, this guy can throw up a submission from some pretty odd angles and that will definitely be in the back of Richard’s mind during any take down attempt. Cowboy may be one of the smaller heavyweight’s we’ve seen in recent years but, that just contributes to his boxing. The guy can move in and out of range and land when he wants to and from the looks of his sparring footage, there’s not a damn thing you can do about it!
Garth Brooks had this to say in light of his upcoming opponent in an interview with Leeroy Borwn: “Well I think my path is to stun him with a few jabs, and while he is stunned take him down and submit him given he is a white belt.” Will that play out the way he hopes, we’ll have to see!
Prediction: Garth Brooks with a submission in the 3rd Round!
I think the plan Garth Brooks detailed to Leeroy Brown is definitely the way forward and I can see him pulling it off beautifully come fight night. In my opinion Sitanggang tires by the 2nd and is caught slacking in the 3rd!
Will Smif vs Henry ‘Casper Catcher’ Dustfinger
Now, on to a big Heavyweight match up between Smif and Dustfinger! On one side we have Will Smif, a prolific striker with some great boxing alongside his sensational Muay Thai skills. Coming in with a 0-1 record, Smif lost by points in his debut against Hans Muller who was riding a 3-fight losing streak at the time and retired after dominating Smif on the ground. Despite this, Smif has been training hard for three months and no doubt we’ll see a change to his ground game come fight night!
His opponent across from him is Henry Dustfinger! A competent Muay Thai fighter with a high level of grappling experience, the Casper Catcher comes into this bout with an impressive 3-0 record, two of these wins coming by finish. This guy is a damn big heavyweight as well, not quite as big as Fury but close enough! Henry last fought in January against Remco Evenpoel at Outlaw 8; both were 2-0 coming into the bout with Henry coming out the victor with a very lopsided points win (30-26!).
Prediction: Henry Dustfinger by TKO in 2nd Round!
Dustfinger is the physically bigger guy with more experience against the better competition. Henry has big power and a much more refined ground game; I feel he’ll look to take Smif down early and deal some damage on the ground before finishing it with GnP!
Nedjeljko Markovic vs Jovan Dickons
Nedjeljko Markovic, what can I say about this kid? Powerful striker with a double leg always up their sleeve. This guy has only had one fight but damn am I excited to see what he brings to the Light Heavyweight division of Outlaw! I truly believe that Markovic has a bright future ahead of him! The kid is only 19 but damn, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on. His debut was over within 35 seconds and he didn’t even absorb a single strike, Khamzat Chamaev eat your heart out!
His opponent waiting for him in the Octagon will be Jovan Dickons, a very well rounded mixed martial artist with a purple belt in BJJ and some serious wrestling credentials. This guy may only just be making his pro debut but, he’s excelled within the amateur scene of several disciplines and has shown a lot of potential in the lead up to this bout. I’m very excited to see what he can bring to Outlaw.
Prediction: Jovan Dickons via submission in the 3rd Round!
Jovan has the slight advantage in terms of height and reach but, alongside near enough matching the striking skills of Markovic Dickons has an amazingly credible grappling game. Despite believing Dickons will land the win over Markovic, I can see this fight being an absolute highlight reel from start to finish.
Woodie Maykit vs Devin ‘Las Vegas Phenom’ Flee
This fight is the epitome of a great striker fighting a great grappler, Woodie Maykit man... this guy can throw up a submission from anywhere as shown in his last two outings against Kritoff Ajer and Lion Rezende, respectively. Despite being four fights into his pro career, Woodie Maykit is yet to see a second round being a finisher in their purest form. He may have lost his first two bouts but since then, Woodie Maykit has come on tenfold and shown he is definitely the caliber of fighter that belongs in Outlaw!
Devin Flee, a rangey and talented boxer with a 1-1 record. When I tell you that Devin is tall, I mean stupidly tall! Standing at 205 cm at 207 lbs, I may be going out on a limb when I say this but he may be the tallest Light Heavyweight we’ve ever seen! He utilises his boxing very well but, he does have a significant weakness when it comes to the ground. Devin will be fighting the good fight for all the strikers out there come fight night!
Prediction: Woody Maykit via submission in the 1st Round!
Despite the physical advantages of Devin Flee, I have to favour the grappler in this match up. It’s only a matter of time before Woody drags Devin down to the mat and sinks the choke in.
Fookin Bum vs Victoras Papapetrou
This fight is our Co-Main Event of the evening! On one side of the Octagon we have Fookin Bum, a fantastic Muay Thai technician with some pretty strong wrestling that goes along with it. Fookin Bum is 5-3 in professional MMA. He’s a pure finisher, with five TKOs in his five wins. Starting his career with a four-fight win streak, Fookin Bum had the MMA world at his feet. Unfortunately, he went on a two-fight losing streak before going 1-1 in his last two bouts. This guy is a pretty big middleweight and he’s been around the scene for a decent while now, I’ll never count Fookin Bum out.
Victoras Papapetrou will be the man to challenge Fookin Bum on the night of the fights. Papapetrou has recently become a free agent and no matter the result of this fight I can see him being released from the promotion unless he can find new management soon. Papapetrou is a pure striker and will no doubt aim to engage Fookin Bum in a pure stand-up war. Sitting at 1-1, Papapetrou won his last bout via a first round TKO showing his striking prowess, this will be a fun fight.
Prediction: Victoras Papapetrou via TKO/KO in the 1st Round!
Despite the even match up on the feet, I’ve heard from Fookin Bum’s team mates that his morale is at an all-time low and he’s really not got his head in the game. Unless he can have a spark of inspiration over night, I feel he’ll crumble at the occasion.
Kane ‘The Boss’ Thoupos vs Apollinaire ‘Money’ Aury
Our main event of the evening! The Light Heavyweight title is up for contention as The Boss takes on Money! Now, let’s talk about Kane Thoupos. This guy is as hard as nails and if he hits you then you’re sure as hell not getting up. Being the current champion at 205, Thoupos gained that title after stopping Santino Cabal back in late February. He may have lost his debut but, his current 3-fight winning streak has more than made up for that fact especially when you take into account the fact that he’s finished every single one of his opponents in dominant fashion!
Now, Apollinaire Aury, the challenger for the title! This guy is also 3-1 with nothing but violence on his resume. Finishing all 3 of those wins in dominant fashion, this guy may be the biggest challenge Kane Thoupos has faced in his career! Being a very well-rounded fighter, this guy can knock you out on the feet just as much as he can drag you down and wrap you up in a submission. Aury is one scary dude! The only person to have defeated Apollinaire Aury as of yet is Jose "El Sagador" Castellanos, an absolute savage in his own right and will likely be looking to face the winner of this bout for the title.
Prediction: Apollinaire Aury via Unanimous Decision!!
Both fighters have the tools to beat one another and I can only predict a knockdown a piece on either side and a very back and forth fight. I’d give the durability edge to The Boss but the grappling advantage will go to Aury, if he can mix his wrestling with his striking then I can see him taking this one on points!
This has been your preview leading up to the fights, I hope you’ve enjoyed and I can’t wait to see you all fight night!
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