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 Hello everyone I’m “Sunshine” Weston Markson once again from the Heroic studio to do a preview show for Heroic 115. Im joined by my partner Rudy “The Box” Knife, and once again special guest Heroic Hall of Famer John Saunders joins us.
Rudy: Heroic 115 is big real big this thing is going to be from the Knights Court in London England where we expect nearly 18,000 Fans to attend and hundreds of thousands more live on PPV.
John: Guys your right this is a big event everyone of these fights except the opening fight of the night has at least one if not two ranked fighters, these fighters are going to come out and try to make a statement that they should be considered for a title shot…So get ready!
MAIN EVENT
#5 "All Heart, No Skill" Freeman Blackford (15-4-1) v #6 Gun Slinga (17-8)
Weston: The main event of Heroic 115 is a heavyweight clash between 5th ranked Freeman Blackford, and 6th ranked Gun Slinga. This is a huge fight for both fighters as they look to make a push towards a title shot, that they could be just a couple of wins away from. For Blackford it could be a second opportunity to take what narrowly escaped his grasp last time he had his chance, for Slinga the opportunity his has for so long coveted, but lets not get to far ahead of ourselves they still have to win this fight and maybe a couple more if they are really impressive this might be all it takes though you never know. This will be a great fight I cant wait!
John: Yes it is a great fight indeed, I wanted to touch on something you said Weston this could potentially be a winner gets a title shot fight, or it could turn out to be another stage in the title eliminator depending on how impressive the winner is. I think realistically the winner is one more win away from a title shot but you never know. With that being said Blackford has been here before he has even fought for the title in Heroic which he just barely came up short from taking. Getting back there and completing the mission is his highest priority I have to think, for Slinga this guy has come so close to getting a title opportunity a few times winning this fight itself and getting one step closer to a title shot could feel like mission accomplished! I think eventually this guy will win a contender fight and get that title shot a good start is right here!
Rudy: Oh yeah! What an amazing fight Blackford is one of those guys who needs to get punched in the face a few times to really get going, his heart is legendary when this guy gets rocked he turns up the heat and unleashes hell. Both of these guys are primarily strikers and they both have KO power, Slinga has won nearly 90% of his fights by (T)KO, and Blackford nearly 75%. Slinga is a little more accurate he lands on average about 10% more strikes thrown then Blackford does. Slinga however does not have an offensive ground game from what we can tell so far, where Blackford does a little more. Blackford attempts 1 takedown per fight so If he isn’t getting the better of the standup game he will change his game plan and get the fight to the ground. One thing hard to overlook is Blackford’s heart its legen…….dary I don’t normally bring up a gift like this but in a close fight that turns the tide in his favor more often then not. I think this will be a close fight either could win.
Prediction: I have a KO in this one…for which fighter hard to say im leaning towards Slinga.
CO-MAIN EVENT
#2 Fedor "Sambist" Alexandrov (21-7) v #5 Mike Hunt (18-13)
Weston: The CO-MAIN Event is a light-heavyweight fight between two fighters ranked in the top 5 of the division, 5th ranked Mike Hunt, and 2nd ranked Fedor Alexandrov. As we all know by now Alexandrov was recently inducted into Heroic’s Hall of Fame, he is a former Heroic Light-heavyweight champion, and is 7-2 in the division, and his last two fights might be proof that he is not done yet, after Fedor first dropped his title he took on the current champion and lost this was the first time in his career he suffered back to back losses since then he has one two straight and could be positioning himself for a second opportunity at PU but this time for the title. Mike Hunt has become the ultimate underdog a lot of people didn’t think he would be one of the top fighters in the division when he came to Heroic but 7 fights later he sits at 5-2 with the losses coming at the hands of the current champion, and the former champion. This surprise in Hunt has been great for the division if he gets a win he could get a second opportunity himself at the champion PU. I am excited to see how this fight plays out.
John: Yea this should be a good fight a good ground battle most likely between two ground specialists. I know what its like to want a second chance to beat someone I went 15-0, 12 of those in Heroic when I finally lost I wanted so bad a second chance to beat that guy we all know the story though I went away for a while and came back and that fella was scared ran away from me. Yep Yep hey I don’t think we have to worry about that here though one of these two fighters with a win here positions themselves well and could earn a shot at the champ who beat them both.
Rudy: You ok today John? You are right about the ground battle thing. I think Hunt uses his standup a little more then Fedor averaging about 7 more strikes per fight…..but that still brings his total to around 15 strikes per fight! So yeah this will be a ground fight most likely. Unless neither can get the other to the ground but the way these two get fights to the ground don’t expect that. Fedor attempts 6.5 takedowns per fight landing 2.5 of those for 38%, Hunt however lands a much higher percentage he lands almost 60% he attempts 3 per fight and is finishing 1.8 of those takedown attempts. Once on the ground both of these guys are monsters when they are on top Hunt will continue to throw strikes from any position until his opponent is unconscious or the ref says stop! Fedor much of the same expect he is a black belt and does have 5 submission wins Fedor looks for the kill no matter what he has finished all but 1 win. That is two things that may give him the edge over Hunt. Guess we will see fight time though!
Prediction: Very close fight I think it goes the distance with whoever spent more time on top winning…leaning towards Hunt for an upset.
MAIN CARD
Kung Lao (15-7) v #7 Wilfredo "May May" Cacho (11-4)
Weston: The last fight on the main card is another light-heavyweight fight between the debuting Wilfredo Cacho and Kung Lao. Lao just made his return to Heroic about 3 weeks ago after taking a while off to clear his mind. His return was a loss to Mike Hunt one that surprised a few people and had many wondering if Lao still has what it takes mentally to be a contender in the division we all know the skills are there as he was once the most promising up and comer in Heroic’s stacked LHW division. Wilfredo Cacho comes into Heroic with a lot of hype and expectations he is immediately ranked 7th something rare, but could this rare talent be deserving of the rank? We will find out when he takes on Kung Lao and gets the chance to run his win streak to 4 straight, and start one in Heroic.
Rudy: I think this is my early pick for FOTN these two fighters will most likely take the center of the cage and hit each other in the face until one falls I expect a amazing striking war between two of the divisions most regarded strikers. Cacho has never won a fight that didn’t end with him knocking out his opponent, Lao is also a (T)KO artist having won almost 67% of his fights by (T)KO. Staistically speaking the better puncher is Cacho landing 60% of strikes with his fist with Lao being not far behind, the opposite can be said in with legs though as Lao is the more accurate kicker he lands 53% of his kicks.
John: I think something you are overlooking is that Lao although he doesn’t use it much does have a ground game he is a black belt which is a big advantage over the purple belt Cacho. Lao also has two submission wins so if this fight ends up on the ground Lao could have a big advantage.
Prediction: Fellas I think the winner here will be Cacho by decision.
#3 Begbie Franco (18-8) v #4 Mr "The Gay"Gray (24-13-2)
Weston: The next fight is a middleweight showdown between 3rd ranked Begbie Franco and 4th ranked Mr. Gray. Both Franco and Gray have fought JPB for the title Gray actually winning once in their epic trilogy, and both want another opportunity. Franco and Gray have also met once before much like now when they were ranked high and looking to earn a title shot. Gray came out the victor then, I know Franco wants desperately to beat Gray for a little revenge, Franco comes into this fight with a 4 fight win streak his last loss actually coming at the hands of Mr Gray. Gray comes into this fight having won his last fight after two straight losses to the champion JPB. A win for either of these men could put them right back in the mix for a title shot.
John: I like and respect both of these fighters, but I believe I should get be higher in line for a title shot then them, I never lost that title it was taken from me and I want It back. If you ask me who I think had the edge here I think Gray has more skill but Begbie the momentum and desire.
Rudy: Woah tell us how you really feel Mr Saunders! I think this will be a really good fight, Gray is one of those few fighters who is an elite striker and has elite ground skills. Begbie on the other hand is very skilled all-around but not quite at the level as Gray just a shade under him. I think one thing Franco does have however is a better chin and considerably more accurate striking. Gray lands a small percentage because he wings his punches for power, while Franco is more in the middle throwing both accurate and damaging strikes landing around 60% of strikes in most categories. This and his better chin give me the reason to believe Franco has the advantage standing and Gray on the ground.
Prediction: I think if it stays standing Franco wins if it hits the ground Gray wins.
"The Purple Stripe" Pierre Trudeau (19-7-1) v #6 "The White Wolf" Geralt Of Ravia (18-7)
Weston: Just a short three weeks ago Pierre Trudeau made his return to Heroic after a little over 3 month absence. Now Geralt of Ravia’s turn. Its been around 6 months since Heroic fans have last seen Geralt of Ravia. Ravia in the prime of his Heroic career had earned a title shot only to make a shocking announcement….he would be going away for a while to enter a tournament held by the ITFL guys. Ravia did well in the tourney but now his time there is over and he returns to Heroic as the 6th ranked Light-heavyweight mostly because of his past contenders status. Both Trudeau and Ravia have had success in the past and these two now back to Heroic look to start over with the same if not more success they once had. Either could be contenders or even a champion it will be interesting to see who takes that step closer Saturday.
John: Welcome home to both of these guys I know what its like to go away for a while then return home. I know both of these fighters want to make a statement, Trudeau ‘s last fight 3 weeks ago when he returned was a big win that showed he still has it, now Ravia gets the opportunity to prove he is still relevant in Heroic as well. P.S. Two great nicknames for these guys!
Rudy: Well folks I do believe we are going to be in for a standup battle I don’t imagine either fighter takes this one to the ground unless they are in trouble. I do believe this fight will be decided in the clinch. Trudeau uses his dirty boxing in the clinch throwing 18 head punches and 13 body punches per fight. His head punches are very successful landing 62% of the time. Trudeau uses the clinch to wear his opponents down so he can get a (T)KO which he has done in 15 of his 19 wins. Ravia also good and active in the clinch is more of a Muy Thai clinch user. Ravia throws Punches, knees, and elbows to mix it up in the clinch and keep others guessing as to whats coming next which has helped him earn 12 (T)KO wins.
Prediction: Ravia by decision.
#4 Masaru "Faceless" Hideki (30-12-2) v # 10 "Irish" Joseph Donelly (18-9)
Weston: The first fight on the main card is a welterweight battle between 10th ranked Joseph Donelly and 4th ranked and former champion Masaru Hideki. This is Donelly’s debut in Heroic he comes in ranked 10th with some expectations and hype surrounding his debut it will be interesting to see if he knocks off the 4th ranked Masaru Hideki and becomes an instant contender. Hideki comes into this fight having lost his last two fights the first to the current champion when he lost his title and the second to the current #1 contender. For these reasons he maintains a spot in the top 5 despite two straight losses. A loss here could send him spiraling down the ranks and possibly out of contender status for the time being.
John: I have said it before and ill say it again Hideki is tough! He handed me my second loss after in my first fight back after an extended layoff. Donelly has been around for a while and is pretty damn good so I expect a good fight Don’t sleep on Donelly though he has what it takes to get the job done.
Rudy: Your right John Donelly does have what it takes to get the job done, in this case KO power. 14 of his 18 wins have been by (T)KO, that’s around 78%. Hideki although he has power ends much less fights then Donelly. Hideki has ended 56% between KO’s and Subs. These two fighters are very similar both throw a lot of head punches around 25 per fight, and both are landing near 55%, both throw around 10 leg kicks and land near 60%. If the fight stays standing I think either men could win, however if Hideki decides to mix it up and take the fight to the ground he holds a descent advantage there.
Prediction: hideki by decision.
PRELIMS
#10 Nate Barnes (28-16) v #8 Zoran Miloshevich (22-12)
#9 Gabe Faber (22-10) v John Conteh(13-5)
#7Jose Rozemblit (17-6) v #8 Anthony Abaddon (28-18)
Mikal Helio (24-8) v Mr Translucent (18-11)
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