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 Welcome to the Hard Kocks arena here in downtown New York for SPNY 107, we have a 10 fight card coming your way with the main event being a 3 round contest in which former Welterweight champion John Kyle Romo will attempt to prove he deserves to be the No. 1 contender to win back his belt by beating tonights opponent Jamison Burkina.
Main Event – Welterweight
Jamison Burkina 12-9 (1-1 SPNY) vs John Kyle Romo 23-8 (5-1 SPNY)
Hilo based Jamison Burkina is yet to show his true potential in SPNY, but the former Israeli Olympic wrestler will be looking to make a name for himself by knocking over former SPNY champion John Kyle Romo. Whilst his record to this point doesn’t really reflect it, Burkina is a very well rounded fighter, and should have the ability to out grapple Kyle Romo, suggesting this could be one of the first times I’ve ever seen Kyle Romo outscored on the ground.
John Kyle Romo comes into this fight after losing his Welterweight title in an upset loss to Toni Atomi in his last start. Kyle Romo showed his toughness that fight, after barely escaping the 1st round he went on to go into the 5th level on points only to finally succumb to a late TKO. Prior to that he had won 5 straight, and will be looking to confirm his position as No. 1 contender for his old belt with a win tonight.
Despite Kyle Romo having a huge fan base here at SPNY and a stronger record, Burkina for me has the ability to snatch this one. I don’t expect it to be easy but Burkina has a good stand up game, and the edge on the ground, and I expect him to outscore Kyle Romo and take this one on the scorecards.
2: Middleweight
ZaZa Mutombo 5-1 (4-1 SPNY) vs Vic Thory 11-3 (9-3 SPNY)
Mutombo is one of SPNY’s rising stars. He has no true weak point in his technique, and has already been awarded knockout of the knight bonuses in 2 of his 5 fights with SPNY. His opponent tonight is former SPNY middleweight title challenger Vic Thory. Despite being only 22, a year younger than Mutombo, he has a distinct experience advantage over his opponent, and has used his long career with SPNY to amass a huge following with the fans.
All of Thory’s wins have come by KO, but it is hard to see him repeating that tonight. Given what I’ve seen of Mutombo so far, I’d anticipate him having an edge on the feet, and being far stronger on the ground. I predict Mutombo to get the knockout in the second round.
3: Heavyweight
Hoy Nelson 24-17 (0-2 SPNY) vs Czesio Niemen 18-16 (0-1 SPNY)
Two veteran heavyweights who were hall of fame members of now defunct orgs meet tonight looking to prove they aren’t finished yet. 31 year old Hoy Nelson dominated the MMM heavyweight division in its early days, and while starting his career as a one dimensional kick boxer has developed into a well rounded and dangerous prospect on his feet or on the ground. Someone once said “Never leave it in the hands of the judges” and that is the mantra Niemen lived by whilst a member of PCL in St Petersburg. His career to date has seen just 4 scorecards from 34 fights, in fact he has only seen the second round on 7 occasions, a reason why he is considered one of the most entertaining fighters to watch.
I expect Nelson to win this one, but Niemen’s disregard for his own safety as he looks for an early knockout should make this one exciting to watch.
4: Heavyweight
Rafal Kozak 14-5 (SPNY Debut) vs Billy Pilgrim 13-10 (2-1 SPNY)
This one promises to be one of the more evenly matched fights of tonight’s card, with neither fighter having a clear advantage in any facet of their skills. SPNY newcomer Kozak perhaps is the more versatile fighter, with 5 submission wins alongside 7 KOs, but Pligrim has true knockout potential, with all but one of his wins coming that way. This all comes down to who is prepared better for the fight, so for mine that says Pilgrim will come out on top.
5: Bantamweight
Shane Doby 16-13 (2-2 SPNY) vs Chris Mayo 25-21 (1-1 SPNY)
Two journeymen meet in this bantamweight clash with Shane Doby looking to assert himself as a title challenger. Doby is a well rounded fighter known mainly for his boxing and wrestling but with no real weaknesses. Mayo is known mainly for his kick boxing skills, but again, has few weaknesses. To me this one should be a no brainer, Mayo prefers to fight on his feet, but Doby has an edge in stand up. If it goes to ground Doby will be more comfortable than Mayo, so I see Doby getting a finish here tonight.
6: Lightweight
Tarquin Fortune 3-2 (0-1 SPNY) vs Christian Jacobs 15-12 (7-7 SPNY)
On experience alone this one screams mismatch. Fortune comes into his 6th pro fight against SPNY veteran and former lightweight title holder Christian Jacobs. Those of you who are old enough may remember Jacobs losing a 5 round decision in the very first SPNY card semi main event. Fortune will attempt to box his way too an opening, but Jacobs should have the ability to counter with his better Muay Thai and ground game to get an easy win here tonight.
7: Lightweight
Inigo Guerra 5-4-1 (1-3 SPNY) vs Doctor Rockzo 17-14 (7-5 SPNY)
After a promising start to his MMA career Inigo Guerra has lost 3 of his first 4 fights in SPNY. Tonight he meets SPNY old boy, and crowd favourite, Doctor Rockzo. The even nature of the lightweight division at the moment means that a 3 fight winning streak may be enough to secure a title shot, and Rockzo currently has 2 of those 3 wins. Guerra should be able to win this one if he can keep it standing, but Rockzo has a powerful counter takedown arsenal and will look to dominate from the top to grind out a win. If Guerra can use his strength advantage, according to reports he is one of the strongest lightweights going around at the moment, he can record an early KO, but Rockzo will look to take it to the ground and either force a tap out or take the decision.
8: Welterweight
Vladmir Ivanov 10-6 (0-1 SPNY) vs Kim Smith 4-9 (SPNY Debut)
Vladmir Ivanov comes into this one a short priced favourite and will be looking for a convincing finish to work his way up the SPNY rankings. While still fighting in his native Russia, despite a respectable 10-5 record he was only able to finish 2 fights, and this was seen as a weakness by many observers. Smith can hold onto the hope that he is the better stand up fighter of these two, but must be aware that should the fight go to the ground he will be almost helpless against Ivanovic. Ivanovic to take this one down and record an early TKO victory.
9: Featherweight
Silent Manner 0-1 (SPNY Debut) vs Rasquel De Angelo 0-1 (0-1 SPNY)
Two featherweights yet to record a win. Manner is a boxing convert yet to really master the other aspect of MMA, De Angelo was a moderately successful kick boxer with rudimentary grappling. Manner was shown up as useless on the ground in his pro debut, and should De Angelo manage a takedown will be tapped out early. De Angelo showed himself too eager to get to ground on his debut, gassed himself, and failed to keep his striking defence sufficient to avoid being knocked out. That means that either fighter can take their maiden win tonight, it all depends who can dictate where the fight takes place.
10: Featherweight
Jason Aldean 2-0 (1-0 SPNY) vs Vlad Kulakov 1-0 (SPNY Debut)
These two undefeated youngsters will be looking to keep their records intact. Aldean has decent stand up and has gone into the 3rd round in both his first fights showing no signs of fading out. Kulakov is a sprawl and brawl style fighter who will be hoping to use his ground advantage to good effect. There isn’t much to separate them, but I will back Kulakov to win this.
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