|
 Welcome to the Hard Knocks Arena, New York, for a 10 fight MMA card featuring the headline bout between No. 1 Bantamweight contender Lolo Delaroca and Rauno Repomies, with your co-main event matching up No. 1 Super Heavyweight contender and three time title challenger Po Panda against former champion Teppo Tulppu.
Main Event: Bantamweight
Lolo Delaroca 22-7-1 (6-1-1 SPNY) vs Rauno Repomies 21-12 (6-6 SPNY)
Delaroca comes into this fight feeling aggrieved not to be the Bantamweight champion after judge Jorge Garcia scored him ahead during his majority draw against Buzz Cloltran. Shaking off the disappointment he now has the chance to confirm his position as the No. 1 contender by beating Repomies tonight. Delaroca is one of the best grapplers across all divisions of SPNY, turning to MMA after representing France at the Olympics in wrestling and also holding a black belt in BJJ; once he gains the mount position his ground and pound attacks are almost unstoppable. The only weakness in Delaroca’s fighting style in the past has been his vulnerability to quality kick boxing and Muay Thai clinches.
Repomies is a world class Muay Thai fighter who has struggled for consistency throughout his professional career, those of you who have followed MMA for long enough may remember his unsuccessful title challenge back at SPNY 38. Despite his obvious talent and credible record, Repomies has never become a fan favourite with his fight style considered boring by many as he is generally happy to outscore an opponent rather than go for the finish, and a predictable 12-15 leg kicks per round not seen as exciting by many fans.
Despite a 4 inch reach advantage I would suggest Repomies would be better suited to fighting this in the clinch rather than at range as Delaroca has in the past had trouble initiating takedowns in the clinch. If Repomies keeps this at range he does not have the power to stop Delaroca early, and Delaroca will eventually take him down and dominate from the top position. All in all though, I see Delaroca getting a KO finish in the 2nd round and retaining his No. 1 contender status.
Co-Main Event: Super Heavyweight
Po Panda 19-6 (6-4 SPNY) vs Teppo Tulppu 14-10 (8-5 SPNY)
In a rematch of a fight from SPNY 85 which saw Panda dominate for the opening two rounds before securing a finish early in the 3rd, these two warriors battle it out. Throughout his career Po Panda has been regularly criticised for being one dimensional and/or predictable; even so, very few opponents have found an answer to him. Strong takedowns, heavy ground and pound looking for a finish rather than worrying outscoring an opponent are all he does. His main weakness is that he can struggle if an opponent is good enough to put him on his back, and he has a tendency to cut. Eager to keep his No. 1 contender ranking and hope that it is 4th time lucky in title fights.
Tulppu had a 3 fight reign as SPNY Super Heavyweight champion in the early days of the org and whilst he hasn’t had the form to demand another shot at the title he has remained relevant in the rankings. Essentially a sprawl and brawl fighter he even avoids fighting in the clinch. He has never looked to outscore his opponents always looking for a knockout, and occasionally leaving himself open to be knocked out because of his aggression. Tonight he will look to use his 17 inch reach advantage to keep this on at a distance, but this may count against him as he will find it hard to prevent the takedown from the much smaller and more solidly built Panda.
One dimensional, predictable, effective. Panda will get the takedown, and he will use his ground and pound to get the knockout.
3: Lightweight
Yuki Nakai 27-14 (SPNY Debut) vs Teddy Westside 6-4 (3-3 SPNY)
It is a testament to the quality of fighter that Nakai is that he arrives at SPNY on the worst losing streak of his career, but is still being talked about as a possible Lightweight Title contender. A jujitsu submission specialist Nakai was a hall of fame member of the now defunct Valhalla Fight Club in Tokyo where he was a 7 time submission of the night winner. Look for him to take Westside down, control him, and then try for the sub.
Westside will look to use his 5 inch reach advantage to keep Nakai away from him and secure the knockout. While we have never seen Westside use clinch fighting as an offensive weapon he may well attempt that tonight as it is seen as a major weakness of Nakai. Westside will know that he stands next to no chance if this hits the ground.
Westside may be able to do some damage while Nakai looks for the takedown, but once it hits the ground this will be one way traffic. Nakai by submission.
4: Middleweight
Bon Joy 19-7 (SPNY Debut) vs Kenny Monday 23-13-1 (11-4 SPNY)
SPNY debutant Joy comes up against 2 time SPNY Middleweight champion Monday in this fight. Joy comes to us as a Muay Thai specialist with a 4 inch reach advantage keen to press his potential into a win. Monday is an elite grappler who has twice been crowned Middleweight champion in SPNY and is eager to reclaim his crown. Whilst I expect Joy to outwork Monday, I don’t see him as capable of claiming a finish which will count against him.
Monday to win by submission.
5: Middleweight
David Ludher 12-13 (1-1 SPNY) vs Nick Folignus 10-8 (1-1 SPNY)
Ludher is a solid grappler who has been found out by good stand up fighters in the past. Tonight he meets jujitsu specialist Folingus who struggles against traditional wrestlers who gain the top position. Tonight’s fight will happen on the ground, the question is who will take the top and hence dominant position. Personally I feel Ludher is better equipped to gain the takedown and top position, and I feel his ability to work the ground and pound will win him this fight.
Ludher by KO.
6: Middleweight
Rasheed Willis 12-8-1 (8-6-1 SPNY) vs Evangelista Nunes 13-11-1 (6-8-1 SPNY)
I feel the need to describe this as the rematch you have all been waiting for, but understand that most of you aren’t old enough to appreciate the significance of Nunes’ TKO over Willis at SPNY 1. Since that night Nunes has struggled; in his last 7 fights he is 1-6. Willis recovered for an unsuccessful attempt at the Middleweight title at SPNY 9 but hasn’t been considered a challenger since. Nunes knows he will win with his kick boxing skills if it stays standing, Willis knows his jujitsu will win if it goes to ground.
This could go either way, but I fancy Nunes to win by KO.
7: Middleweight
Jonathon Moxon 19-17-2 (1-0-1 SPNY) vs Drago Kozlov 29-9 (0-1 SPNY)
Grappling specialist Moxon goes up against veteran striker Kozlov in this fight. Whilst considered past his best now, we must remember that Kozlov was once one of the most feared fighters in the world as he went on a 19 fight winning streak. Moxon may have had the better recent form, but I doubt his ability to take Kozlov down which will leave him well out of his depth.
Kozlov by decision tonight.
8: Featherweight
Mingo Deems 1-1 (1-1 SPNY) vs Daithi MacThomais 1-1 (SPNY Debut)
I will be the first to admit I was very critical of Deems before his debut fights, and he has outperformed my expectations. Tonight he meets Irish wrestler MacThomais who perhaps doesn’t have the strength of training camp he enjoys and will look to push home that advantage. I expect Deems to outwork MacThomais, but should MacThomais land the takedown he should dominate without question.
MacThomais to win by KO in the 2nd.
9: Featherweight
Malakai Semerkhet 1-1 (1-1 SPNY) vs Dean Hall 2-2 (1-1 SPNY)
Kickboxer Semerkhet meets wrestler Hall in this match up and I don’t think Hall has the takedown he needs to dominate this fight. While this remains at a distance Semerkhet has a huge advantage, and to date Hall has looked to dominate fights in the clinch, which may be a very poor decision against Muay Thai specialist Semerkhet. Where this fight takes place will determine the winner, and I suspect Semerkhet is the more versatile.
Semerkhet should be able to keep this at range, and because of that will win by KO.
10: Featherweight
William Sosipater 0-1 (0-1 SPNY) vs Joaquim Antunes 1-0 (1-0 SPNY)
Boxer Sosipater confronts wrestler Antunes in the opening fight tonight. In his pro debut Sosipater was outworked on his feet, brutalised in the clinch, and struggled for a takedown (on his 25th attempt he finally took his opponent down). Antunes managed roughly 3 takedowns per round, but had no ability to finish from the ground working towards his decision win. Tonight that suggests that Sosipater should outscore Antunes while the fight is standing, and anything could happen on the ground.
Antunes will land takedowns even if he looks lost once the fight is on the ground, if nothing else this should sway the scorecards in his favour. Antunes by decision.
Article views:
298
» Donate to this author |
