2013-01-25
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Steel Penn's FT - Challengers 1

Event Preview: SPFT Challengers 1
Steel Penn Icon - LA
2013-01-20, Hilo, The Underground - Hilo
Author:Cian Coggins

SP's FT - Challengers 1 Preview:


Hello fight aficionados the world over and welcome to Steel Penn's Fighting Temple. Sunday night, here in Hilo, the inaugural Challengers 1 event will take place.


I'm Clint Cartwright, and I'll be your host as we preview the upcoming fights.Tickets to the night's stellar match ups are already sold out, so you better call your scalper now.


Let's get started with the Preliminary Card:


Fight #1;


155lbs Sys Rq (1-3) vs Tim Riggins (3-4)


"The Genius" Sys Rq is an extremely well-rounded fighter coming in off of three very difficult decision losses. His last being a controversial split decision in his first fight up from 145. His opponent, Tim "The Drinker" Riggins, comes in with a few more fights under his belt, but three years the junior to Rq. Riggins has also suffered defeat by decision in his last two contests. Each fighters' future could depend on the outcome of this match. I expect fireworks after all those decisions. Rq comes in at the favorite at -235, while Riggins is game underdog at +160.


Fight #2;


145lbs Matthew Apacz (3-2) vs Greg Dellaria (2-6)


Matthew "Dino" Apacz is on a two fight winning streak with an impressive win over Silent Boxer in his last outing. "Dino" is a solid all around mma artist who seems to be always working for the submission. Looking to end "Dino's" winning ways is Greg Dellaria. A veteran Kick-boxer and Striker, he is in the midst of a three fight losing streak, twice being submitted. This will be a classic striker-grappler confrontation. Can Dellaria prevent the fight going to the ground, and utilize his superior striking game? Vegas thinks so. Dellaria is a slight favorite at -110, while Apacz comes in at -50.


Fight #3;


265lbs Bubba Allister (11-12) vs Bobby Light (13-10)


Bubba "Polonium" Allister is a heavyweight that everyone thought was destined for super stardom early in his career. Now, however, after going 1-6 in last 7 fights, he's fighting to have a career. A solid fighter capable of winning by knockout or submission, he is also able to lose by either as well. He will surely be tested by his opponent that night, Bobby Light. Also once thought of as the future of the division at 11-2, he has lost 8 of his last 10 fights. Those who know him attribute this to the premature birth of his twin daughters in September of 2011. The word is that they are both healthy and leading an extraordinary life at this time. Bobby comes in a slight favorite at -100 to 0 for "Polonium."


 


Fight #4;


185lbs Stelios Raptis (4-1) vs El Luan (4-5)


Headlining the Preliminary Card, rising star Stelios "Cerberus" Raptis brings his ridiculously good ground game up against the clinch striking of the "Gangster." El Luan has 4 more fights even though he is Raptis's junior by 4 years. Both fighters ended their winning streaks with a TKO loss in their last fight, for Stelios it was the first loss of his career. This is a big fight for both fighters and I am sure it will be a fight-of-the-night contender. "Cereberus" comes in as your favorite at -210, while the "Gangster" posts +200.


 


I really like the look of that Preliminary Card. After years in the business, I think it might just fill this very-intimate arena all by itself. But, not Sunday night! Clint Cartwright here, and now it is time to bring you all the exciting match ups on the Main Card. There's no chance anyone's getting any tickets to this event now.


 


Main Card:


Fight #5;


170lbs Rauno Viittala (22-18-1) vs Oliver Schwalle (3-2)


The veteran "Reno" Rauno Viittala is riding a 2 fight winning streak after coming off of a nightmare 8 fight losing streak. Looking to return to the success he experienced for most of his career, he's trying to make a leap back into the spotlight by taking on rising star Oliver Schwalle. Schwalle is a grappling specialist with world class boxing skills, and at only 24, he is looking to take the mma world by storm. The odds makers have Viittala as the favorite at -150, with Schwalle at 0.


Fight #6;


265lbs Pillu Haukka (8-9) vs Will Bailey (7-3)


"Pooongtang" Pillu Haukka is a veteran boxer with a developing ground game, looking to make a statement at this point in his career. Coming off of a 1st round KO in his last fight, he's looking to use his improved takedown defense to frustrate the superb wrestling of Bailey. Stopping the takedowns of Bailey won't be the end of his troubles though, as Bailey is an exceptional Muay Thai practitioner and will probably be looking to clinch. Bailey comes in as a 2 to 1 favorite at -200, while Haukka is +200.


Fight #7;


155lbs Michael Gordon (6-3) vs Jan Olov Hermansson (4-2)


Still a rising prospect, Michael Gordon's career has hit a snag in the very recent past. Going 1-3 after a 5-0 start, he is desperate to get back to his winning ways. His opponent, "Big Nose" Jan Olov Hermansson is coming off a split decision win in his last fight and is 2-2 in his last 4. Both fighters need something big and I expect them to throw caution to the wind. Both young fighters are remarkably well-rounded and the bookies think it is too close to call. Both fighters are -100.


 


Co-Main Event;


265lbs Michael Banks (7-4) vs Bam Boon 2 (10-5-1)


"The ChamberMaid" Michael Banks is coming in off a RNC stoppage in his last fight, ending a 2 fight losing streak. Once a rising star, he is possibly just one win away from attaining that status again. Standing in his way, Bam Boon 2, a wonderful boxer with exceptional ground skills looks to end his own 2 fight losing streak. This will be a remarkable display of the entire mma game. Vegas likes Bam Boon slightly at -125 to Banks at -50.


Main Event;


265lbs Lola DaCola (10-5) vs Trevor Price (14-5)


Lola DaCola is a one time title contender coming off of 2 tough, knockout losses. His trainers tell me he is in the best shape of his life, and the fatigue that led to his losses won't be a factor. Price won his last fight by unanimous decision, ending a 4 fight losing streak. I am told he has re-dedicated himself and is ready to make a title run. The winner of this fight is probably only one more win away from a title shot, so I expect carnage. The odds makers have DaCola a slight favorite in this one at -100 to 0 for Price.


Well I hope you enjoyed this preview, and I look forward to seeing those of you lucky enough to get tickets to this event. Until then this is Clint Cartwright for Steel Penn's Fighting Temple saying, "Find Peace and Enjoy the Journey."

 

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