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 Welcome to the Credit Card Center in New York for SPNY 114, a 10 fight MMA card with two titles on the line. The main event for this evening is the Bantamweight Title defence of Buzz Cloltran against Angus Troyer, and earlier in the evening the inaugural Featherweight Title bout will be contested by Cesar James The Reaper and Thelonious Skunk.
Main Event: Bantamweight Title
Buzz Cloltran (c) 22-3-2 (6-0-1 SPNY) vs Angus Troyer 17-8-1 (2-0 SPNY)
While many observers of Cloltran’s recent draw with Delaroca expected a rematch, this match up for me is the more exciting choice. Both Cloltran and Troyer have at some point in their career been regarded as the No.1 Bantamweight in the world, and pitting them against each other will not only likely be a contender for fight of the night, but also for fight of the year.
Amazingly for a fighter of Cloltran’s record he hasn’t won any of his last 3 fights (0-2-1), but will look to use his 4 inch reach advantage over Troyer on the fight, and his almost perfect wrestling technique on the ground. Despite his recent disappointing results, I expect that the quality of opponent involved will keep him from suffering from any confidence issues.
Troyer comes into this fight starting to regain the form that once made him the world’s most respected Bantamweight. An unsuccessful move to Featherweight, a change of manager, and a run of bad results left him looking a shade of his former self; but now he is beginning to look the goods once again. Watch for Troyer to do most of his damage in the clinch, his reach disadvantage probably rules out the chance of dominating through striking, and it would be very difficult to out grapple Cloltran so the clinch will be the place for Troyer to assert himself.
Neither of these fighters has ever been finished and I expect it to remain that way after this fight. Even though I am very confident that Cloltran will remain champion, I don’t see him opening up and finishing Troyer tonight. I expect 5 rounds of fairly evenly matched, high quality fighting, with Cloltran taking a clear decision.
2: Light Heavyweight
Richie McCaw 13-10 (2-0 SPNY) vs Jarred Rose 14-5 (2-0 SPNY)
Rose comes into this fight a genuine contender in SPNY’s very strong Light Heavyweight division, and is looking to use his dominant grappling record to extend his unbeaten run in SPNY against McCaw who is in career best form. McCaw will be taken well out of his comfort zone in this one, predominantly a grappler I don’t remember seeing him matched against someone quite as strong on the ground as Rose before, and I’m not sure where he will best find an opening. Rose has traditionally struggled against good Muay Thai fighters, but McCaw doesn’t possess the skill set that should trouble him.
If McCaw can get into the top position he has the ability to do some damage, but tonight everything points to this being Rose’s fight. I don’t think he will be able to sub McCaw, but I expect him to take the judges scorecards at the very least.
3: Heavyweight
Rafal Kozak 14-5-1 (0-0-1 SPNY) vs Czesio Niemen 19-16 (1-1 SPNY)
Two relative newcomers to SPNY’s Heavyweight division clash in this fight, with Niemen especially looking to claw his way up the rankings. Niemen has always been a stand and bang type fighter and will try to use his 3 ½ inch reach advantage to stop Kozak in his tracks. Don’t forget that Niemen has recorded knockout wins in 18 of his 19 career wins and he will be looking for another tonight. Kozak will have to fight smart if he wants to win tonight, he has the grappling ability to keep Niemen out of his comfort zone, so look for Kozak to clinch up or shoot in for the takedown to put pressure on Niemen.
Kozak will fight hard, but I see Niemen getting his KO to put his name out their for a possible title shot.
4: Light Heavyweight
Belin Billet 29-21-2 (1-1 SPNY) vs Nate MacRally 20-20-1 (4-2-1 SPNY)
MacRally has been in career best form since joining SPNY as a journeyman type fighter, and tonight has the chance to confirm himself as a serious fighter if he can beat one of the all time veterans in Billet. Billet was one of the better grapplers going around in his prime, but 52 hard fights have left him well past his best. That is no guarantee of a win for MacRally though, as MacRally relies heavily on his grappling skills to win fights while Billet looks a lot more vulnerable on his feet.
Billet is a legend of this sport in his own right, but the time has perhaps come for him to move on. I expect MacRally to take Billet down hard early, and for mine it is only a matter of time before he inflicts enough damage to get a KO from the top position.
5: Heavyweight
Hiruku Matah 10-3 (8-1 SPNY) vs Scott Thorpe 14-12 (0-2 SPNY)
Matah is an amazing fighter in the fact that each on of his 13 fights to date has ended in a submission; in fact, in all the times I’ve watched Matah fight I don’t think I’ve ever seen him throw a punch while on his feet. This may be Matah’s biggest test to date however, as Thorpe is quite a decent wrestler and Matah has looked vulnerable in the past when on his back. I expect Matah to shoot for a takedown early, and with his skills probably land one, if Thorpe can manage to sweep and get the top position watch for him to unleash some heavy ground and pound and dominate Matah.
This could go either way, but I like Thorpe’s chances if he can get in the top position. Thorpe to win by KO and end Matah’s submission only record.
6: Middleweight
Duke Ellington 12-6 (SPNY Debut) vs Vic Thory 11-4 (9-4 SPNY)
Former professional boxer Ellington makes his SPNY debut against org veteran and sprawl and brawl specialist Thory. This one shapes to be interesting; I don’t think that Thory has the offensive grappling abilities to fight this on the ground, even though it would be his greatest chance to take Ellington out. If Thory attempts to box his way to victory as per his usual game plan Ellington will no doubt be the better boxer and win. Also worth noting is that every win these fighters have accumulated has come by KO, so expect fireworks.
Ellington is probably the more skilful fighter, but his record is maybe padded by too many exhibition fights against lesser ranked opponents. Thory will have the crowd on his side, and I expect that to lift him to win this.
7: Lightweight
Shamus McFey 11-7 (2-0 SPNY) vs Tarquin Fortune 4-2 (1-1 SPNY)
McFey is looking to secure a shot at the Lightweight Title and Fortune is the fighter in his way. If the rumours are correct, Fortune has not been training fulltime leading into this fight, which at this early stage of his career cannot be a good omen. McFey on the other hand has reportedly had personal problems affecting his confidence in training, so this could go either way. If McFey lands the takedown his grappling should be enough to finish Fortune either by KO or submission, but Fortune will be better suited if he can keep the fight standing.
McFey is in great form and is a contender in this division, but right now I fancy Fortune to knock him out in the upset of the night.
8: Light Heavyweight
Tomasz Adamek 18-22 (4-7 SPNY) vs Austin Anderson 7-4 (1-1 SPNY)
Jujitsu vs Wrestling is the story in this one, with Adamek’s black belt up against dominant wrestler Anderson. Expect this one to stay on the ground for the duration, Anderson on top will be confident he can be the 19th fighter to knock Adamek out, but Adamek has good enough BJJ to record his 16th submission from the bottom. Confidence and execution of their game plans will decide this one.
Anderson may be the less experienced fighter, but I expect him to win this one by KO.
9: Featherweight Title
Cesar James The Reaper 4-0 (2-0 SPNY) vs Thelonious Skunk 2-0 (2-0 SPNY)
The inaugural SPNY Featherweight Title will be decided over 4 rounds between the unbeaten and impressive KO specialist The Reaper and the 20 year old kick boxer and wrestler Skunk. The Reaper has to date used his boxing skills to KO all four of his opponents, and he will be looking to test out the striking defence of Skunk here. Skunk has shown good kickboxing and solid takedowns in his two fights to date, but The Reaper has yet to be taken down and that could stymie Skunk’s plans. While The Reaper has impressed with his heavy hands, Skunk has been impressive with his activity during the fight; whether he has the killer instinct to finish an opponent has yet to be seen.
The Reaper may be the more crowd friendly fighter, but I expect the work rate of Skunk to bring him undone. 4 rounds will be fought with Skunk claiming the scorecards.
10: Featherweight
Vlad Kulakov 2-0 (1-0 SPNY) vs Luka Jelavic 2-0 (1-0 SPNY)
Two undefeated Featherweights open the card tonight, with sprawl and brawl fighter Kulakov up against wrestler Jelavic. If this stays standing Kulakov wins easily, but his previous fights suggest he would prefer to be on the ground. If it goes to ground Jelavic should have the edge, but Kulakov has shown he can do a lot of damage from the top position should he get it.
I expect Jelavic to get the TKO.
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