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 SPNY 105: Panda vs Sudo Preview
Welcome to SPNY 105 from the Credit Card Center, New York, where you will see Po Panda and Judo Sudo contest the vacant Super Heavyweight Title. Nine fights grace the undercard, and the one that excites me most is a highly rated Light Heavyweight bout between Haloti Gnata and Johnny Thunders.
1: Main Event – Super Heavyweight Title
Po Panda 18-5 (5-3 SPNY) vs Jumo Sudo 19-10 (1-0 SPNY)
SPNY crowd favourite Po Panda will be hoping to make it 3rd time lucky as he attempts to shrug off two unsuccessful attempts at the SPNY Super Heavyweight Title. Almost unstoppable once he takes a fight to the ground, he has the imposing record of 17 KO’s amongst his 18 wins.
Sudo will feel he has the edge in this fight if it stays on its feet with a 21 inch height advantage; Sudo is a black belt in BJJ. However, Sudo was knocked out in 5 of his 7 fights immediately prior to signing with SPNY, and that sort of punishment will take its toll eventually.
Expect a finish here, between cumulative 37 wins these two fighters have racked up only two have gone to the judges. Sudo’s amazing reach advantage and stand up skills could have Panda in trouble early, but if the fight hits the ground I favour Panda to do a lot of damage. I also see the 30 year old Panda having the stronger legs to go deeper into the fight over the 32 year old Sudo. Panda to win by KO in the 3rd.
2: Heavyweight
Oscar Salcedo 23-15 (5-3 SPNY) vs Sasa Sladkov 23-8 (3-0 SPNY)
Former SPNY Heavyweight title challenger Oscar Salcedo will be looking for a win to propel him back into title contention. Sladkov a former professional boxer who came to MMA late in his career is coming off an impressive 4 fight winning streak. This shapes for a great match up, with both fighters evenly matched on their feet. Salcedo is better on the ground but would be fighting out of his comfort zone to press home that advantage.
Sladkov may come into this fight with a higher ranking based on his recent form, but I still feel that Salcedo has the edge skills wise, I see Salcedo coming away with a 2nd round KO.
3: Light Heavyweight
Tomasz Adamek 18-21 (4-6 SPNY) vs BJ Andrews 11-9 (1-2 SPNY)
Two BJJ black belts who rely heavily on their ability to submit an opponent to win find themselves together in the cage. Almost exactly even in height, weight, and age, with almost identical skill sets it may be the experience advantage of Adamek that is key in this match up. Adamek is also well regarded for his toughness to still be fighting after being knocked out on 17 different occasions. Whilst Adamek comes into the fight the favourite, I’m tipping an upset with Andrews to win by decision.
4: Light Heavyweight
Yorgrim Karth 4-4 (2-2 SPNY) vs Jonny Bones 13-7-3 (4-4-2 SPNY)
Two black belts: one a top level boxer, one a top level kickboxer. Whether this fight stays on its feet or goes to ground, both fighters will feel they have the skills to get the win, which should make for an intriguing contest. Bones has an experience advantage but comes into this fight only having won 2 of his last 6. Karth will be hoping that the recent form slump Bones has been in will sap his confidence to gain an advantage. Bones will be hoping to have the crowd on his side to rally him home. I’m tipping Karth to get a decision here, but Bones only needs one good head kick to finish this early.
5: Welterweight
Phan Tran Le 12-4 (2-0 SPNY) vs Bradley Boston 13-8-2 (1-0 SPNY)
This Welterweight match up pits together two relative newcomers to SPNY. Le has won 6 of his last 7 and his recent form will have him on a confidence high, he does, however, rely heavily on his kickboxing background and solid wrestling to get him through fights, and Boston has the ability to nullify both these strengths. Recent form aside, Boston should have an edge in the skills in this one, and I expect him to grind out a solid win here.
6: Light Heavyweight
Haloti Gnata 13-5 (10-5 SPNY) vs Johnny Thunders 17-6 (10-4 SPNY)
Two of the original SPNY fighters who met way back in SPNY 15 resulting in a fight of the night 3 round decision to Thunders. Whilst Thunders has never looked like the most skilful fighter technically, he has managed 4 KO of the night awards and 2 fight of the night appearances since joining SPNY and must be respected. Gnata is technically the more skilled fighter in almost all aspects of his game and must not be underestimated, but something about Thunders has me excited that he may be adding to his current 4 fight streak. I’d recommend getting to the Credit Card Center early to see this one go the distance with a close decision going Thunders way.
7: Middleweight
Boris Ivanovic 24-9-1 (0-2 SPNY) vs Will West 12-11 (SPNY Debut)
Despite an intimidating career record Ivanovic comes into this fight coming off 3 straight losses and yet to land a win since signing with SPNY. An inside source claims that his sparring partners while training for this fight have said he is low on confidence. That should be music to the ears of SPNY debutant Will West who is looking to make a big impression. Ivanovic has the reach advantage on what otherwise should be an even fight. If the rumours of Ivanovic’s low confidence turn out to be true, West should have the chance to claim a 6th career KO and finish this quickly.
8: Lightweight
Reza Katebi 6-5 (4-4 SPNY) vs Shamus McFey 10-7 (1-0 SPNY)
I’m a big fan of McFey, who comes into this fight with 4 wins from his last 5 starts, but I worry that his reliance of getting a submission to win might see him come up short against black belt Katebi. If McFey can keep the fight standing for an extended time he will probably have the ability of to grind out a decision, but I anticipate 3 rounds being fought on the ground with Katebi taking the decision home.
9: Heavyweight
James Augello 27-14 (1-2 SPNY) vs Frenchy Fuqua 24-22 (SPNY Debut)
Simply put this should seem like a dream match up for knockout specialist James Augello, 20 career KO wins against an SPNY debutant with the unlikely distinction as probably the only SPNY fighter to have been knocked out more times than Tomasz Adamek. But the fight game is never simple and two things make me think that even though he has acquired the unfortunate nickname “Glass Jaw”, Fuqua is my pick for this one. Firstly, Fuqua has a great ground game and has a real chance to be the first one to force Augello to tap out. Secondly, Augello has made the unusual decision to prepare for this fight by not training. Augello may have made a revolutionary advancement to fight prep, but most likely he will be subbed early in the second round.
10: Featherweight
Mingo Deems (Professional Debut) vs Luka Jelavic 1-0 (SPNY Debut)
Jelavic comes into this fight with a win over a very experienced opponent in his professional debut, coming from a strong wrestling base; the 18 year old has a lot to learn about rounding out his technique before becoming a true threat. Deems on the other hand is a 20 year old set to make his professional debut with no strong background in martial arts; inside information suggests he is a fight enthusiast who may be well out of his depth against Jelavic. Jelavic has enough holes in his overall technique to suggest Deems may find an opening, but I’d put my money firmly on Jelavic to take Deems down early and record a fast TKO.
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