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SPNY 145: Billet vs Krutcher Preview
Welcome back fight fans for SPNY 145 from here at the Liberty Dome in New York City, tonight’s card will feature 10 MMA rules fights with the main event being the heavily anticipated battle for the vacant Light Heavyweight title between the in-form veteran Belin Billet and knockout specialist Jason Krutcher. Other fights on tonight’s card that should interest you are the return to SPNY of Surangel Oiterong against SPNY debutant Nickolay Katorjnov, some of you may remember that when he left SPNY Oiterong was regarded as a Welterweight contender, however, since leaving SPNY he has gone 1-3 so whether he can bounce back from this slump should be worth watching. The Featherweight title eliminator between Will Beacon, who is on a 5 fight winning streak, and the unbeaten Jack Walian should also be well worth watching. Steel Penn NY Bookmakers have odds on all 10 fights tonight so if you fancy a bet head on over and check them out.
Main Event: Vacant Light Heavyweight Title
Belin Billet 34-22-2 (6-2 SPNY) vs Jason Krutcher 31-15 (5-3 SPNY)
Belin Billet was one of the first martial artists to turn to MMA in the early days of crossover fights. Back then he was one of the very successful jujitsu fighters whose ability to perform submission holds saw them become almost unstoppable during those early years. Many years later the now 38 year old is not only one of the most well rounded fighters in SPNY, but he has now reached career best form and is a threat of not just submitting an opponent but knocking one out as well. Coming into this title fight he has won 4 in a row claiming 3 “Of The Night” awards, and while we more often see him fight standing up these days I expect him to go to ground to beat Krutcher who is a very good striker.
After a 1-3 start at SPNY Krutcher has worked his way up to a title shot with a run of 4 wins including 3 knockouts. His 22 second demolition of Oscar Salcedo at SPNY 139 was enough to see him booked in as the opponent for Billet in tonight’s title showdown and will be looking to become one of a very small number of fighters who have managed to knock Billet out over his 58 fight career. Tonight the accuracy of Krutcher’s striking could well be the determining factor in this fight with Krutchers low kicks to both the legs and body of his opponents landing with disconcerting regularity throughout his career. The only criticism of Krutcher that springs to mind is that he has a habit of telegraphing flashy head kicks which could leave him off balance and open to counter takedowns against a better grappler.
The bookies have Krutcher at very long odds for this one which I think could be a value bet; I can’t see Billet taking Krutcher down easily and I believe Krutcher will have the edge while the fight is standing. I don’t see either fighter coming away with a finish in this one and Krutcher has a much better record than Billet in fights that have gone the distance; Krutcher by decision.
2: Middleweight
Bon Joy 21-8-1 (2-1-1 SPNY) vs Chris Vaughn 8-0 (1-0 SPNY)
Joy has one of the better approaches to fighting in SPNY, as a Muay Thai boxer his standard fight plan of course is mainly kicks and clinch fighting but when taken down rather than flailing around helplessly he is able to land sweeps and work ground strikes into his fights. This has seen him become one of the more dangerous fighters to face because he is a threat no matter where the fight is taking place.
The undefeated Vaughn comes up against one of his biggest challenges to date; Vaughn is a world class wrestler but prefers to damage his opponents in the clinch before taking them down. To take down a Muay Thai specialist like Joy in the clinch will be a big challenge and may prevent Vaughn from claiming the knockout win he is looking for. Giving up 5 inches in reach Vaughn can’t afford to be left striking at range and will need to control the action in this fight if he is to win.
Vaughn is the red hot favourite to win this one and while I agree I don’t think he will find it as easy as the odds suggest; Vaughn to win by TKO but expect him to take a beating to get there.
3: Welterweight
Nikolay Katorjnov 27-19 (SPNY Debut) vs Surangel Oiterong 11-5 (10-2 SPNY)
Veteran Katorjnov was fighting professionally before Oiterong started pre-school, and with a record that shows he was once a world class fighter there are questions over the 40 year olds motivation and fitness coming into this fight. On his day he remains a vicious knockout specialist but in a clash between two boxers like this giving up almost 6 inches in reach is surely going to be a factor. Oiterong left SPNY in search of bigger challenges but found that he could not match it with the competition once he moved. Tonight will be a sign if he has come back here to work his way back to the top or if this is a retreat with his tail between his legs. Oiterong will know the he has a power disadvantage in this fight so it will be interesting to see how he uses his reach advantage to keep this at range and avoid the big shots from Katorjnov.
Despite his huge knockout power, I can’t recommend you throw your money on Katorjnov in this one, 6 inches reach and 17 years youth should be enough to see Oiterong through. I see Oiterong grinding out a 3rd round KO.
4: Middleweight
Dack Fayden 6-3 (1-2 SPNY) vs Rasheed Willis 13-10-1 (9-7-1 SPNY)
When two submission fighters go head to head like this it can yield two things; either an enthralling ground fight or the chance for one of the two fighters to show they are more versatile and completely negate the others strengths. I expect this one to be fought entirely on the ground. Fayden has had a much disrupted build up to this fight which has seen him falling out with his management and kicked from his training camp. Willis is coming into this one focussed, and whilst he is only a brown belt compared to Fayden’s black belt, Willis’ ability to control the fight and hold the top position should give him enough to win this fight at least but maybe not to finish it.
Willis by decision.
5: Super Heavyweight
Vydan Freuster 12-5 (4-3 SPNY) vs Joe Leduc 7-4 (2-2 SPNY)
With the Super Heavyweight division at SPNY being wound up this is a good chance to see some of the big boys in action before they are gone. Freuster’s all out offensive assault with his boxing always promises fireworks and usually results in a 1st round knockout for or against. Amazingly at one stage in his career he was 3-0 with only 32 seconds spent in the cage total. The big gold beard of Leduc is another sight I will miss once he moves on with his ground & pound equal to any other fighter in SPNY. As with Freuster knockout is the only thing on his mind when he enters the cage, and tonight he is looking to get Freuster on his back early to avenge the 1st round knockout he suffered to him at SPNY 132.
An 8 inch reach advantage and solid takedown defence tell me Freuster by KO just like their first meeting.
6: Middleweight
Kenny Monday 24-15-2 (12-6-1 SPNY) vs Kos Pellegrino 19-4 (SPNY Debut)
Former SPNY Middleweight champion Monday has been in career worst form with a recent record of just 1-4-1 seeing him a long way from being able to mount a challenge to return to the top. Competent on his feet, he is truly a danger once he gets a fighter onto their back with deadly ground & pound matched by solid submission skills. The most disappointing thing about his recent poor form is that such a good grappler was submitted twice. Pellegrino has a substantial record with a reputation for being deadly in the Thai clinch, however he has lacked the ability to consistently finish opponents and to date has been fighting in low level orgs against mediocre opposition. How well he can translate that success against a fighter with the talents of Monday should be interesting to see.
Monday by KO looks likely to me.
7: Welterweight
Alysian Karalis 18-19-1 (2-4-1 SPNY) vs Dick Solomon 18-11 (1-2 SPNY)
The positive for Karalis coming into this fight is that he has nothing to lose having always been a mid level fighter there is no expectation on him. Solomon on the other hand was once a world renowned Middleweight, he now finds himself regarded as a mediocre Welterweight with a weak chin and is desperate to prove he can still be the best. Karalis will have to be wary that his usual fight plan of striking from range will be almost useless, giving up a foot in reach to Solomon, but I have doubts whether or not he has the ability to take this fight down and win on the ground. Solomon may be a little predictable with his fights usually being pure boxing matches with the occasional clinch, but with a reach advantage like his I can’t see it being a bad plan tonight.
Solomon’s 12 inch reach advantage will be too much for Karalis; Solomon by KO.
8: Featherweight
Will Beacon 6-1 (2-0 SPNY) vs Jack Walian 4-0 (2-0 SPNY)
This fight is officially the Featherweight title eliminator with two submission grapplers going head to head for the chance to challenge Joaquim Antunes. Beacon is undefeated at SPNY and will be looking to keep his record with the org intact with a win tonight. Given that his only other career loss was to a fellow submission grappler Beacon will have to be very cautious in his approach to this one.
Walian to mine is the clear favourite in this fight; undefeated throughout his career he also had some success at the TWGC 1 qualifiers while still an amateur fighter. I feel that Walian is more versatile on his feet and a much better chance of controlling the action and advancing to a dominant position on the ground. To complicate the politics of this fight, Walian will become the mandatory challenger for Antunes should he win tonight, however, Waling is off contract and stalling negotiations. Rumour has it he is trying to keep his options open so he is able to leave if he loses tonight but will resign if he is given the title shot. One very interested spectator I expect to see in the stands tonight is Dean Hall who will become the No. 1 contender should Walian win and still choose to leave.
Walian by submission is my clear pick tonight.
9: Middleweight
King Ahkenaton 10-15 (0-1 SPNY) vs Dan Stann 19-20-3 (1-3-1 SPNY)
Ahkenaton’s powerful ground & pound has seen him record 8 career knockout wins, however, his poor takedown technique and lack of submission defence has seen him lose more fights than he has won. Stann is a courageous veteran who has lacked the power to finish opponents throughout his career and because of that has never risen to the top. Stann has the takedown defence that will enable him to control the zones in this fight and that should be enough to see off Ahkenaton.
Stann by decision.
10: Welterweight
Sonny Boom 8-7 (0-2 SPNY) vs Cray Williams 22-9 (0-1 SPNY)
Boom had huge things said about him early in his career but 5 straight losses leading into this fight have raised questions over his ability to achieve any of the heights once predicted for him. Perhaps the best way to describe Boom is hard to hit but with no chin if you do connect. Expect all offence from Boom tonight to come in the clinch. Williams has a solid career record, but appeared to be very flat and lacking confidence in his SPNY debut. Solid takedowns have given him control of the fight in many of his previous encounters, but he appears to lack the confidence or ability to finish most fights once he gets there.
Boom by knockout in a return to form.
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