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 Diamond Andy (3-1) Vs Chikere Morce (2-0) – Heavyweight
Diamond Andy started his MMA career highly impressively. Three great knockout victories secured him a spot in the Highland Games 1 main event, where he was taking on Barney Gumble. Unfortunately, that’s where his impressive start ended. Andy was quickly clinched and took blow after blow until the referee was force to stop the fight due to the damage Andy had sustained.
This is redemption for Diamond Andy. We all know how good his team is, but simply being a part of something great doesn’t make you yourself great. Andy needs to get back on winning wants, make an impact in the division and earn his rematch with Barney, which may or may not be a title fight depending on the winner of Gumble Vs Long.
Chikere Morce might just be the most boring fighter on the roster, but damn is he effective. Morce plays his gameplan to perfection and the more the crowd boos, the more successful he is. Like Andy’s previous opponent, Morce will want to get the clinch early. He controlled every second of his fight against Trunk Slamchest and will want much the same this time out. From the clinch, Morce uses small shots to rack up points on the scorecards, but really he isn’t looking to cause much damage. Even so, with Andy’s cut still being relatively fresh, you have to think that it’s a major concern for him coming into a fight with Morce.
Jose Juarez (4-1) Vs Mark Nelson (2-1) – Heavyweight
It’s not often that you can pick up a free agent with a record like Juarez’ on The Island, but when you can you are always going to be excited about their debut. I think there’s one thing we have to talk about. Jose Juarez is one of The Island’s few fighters to have won a fight by Triple Decker Pecker Wrecker. Had that fight taken place just 20 days later, Juarez would be able to claim 1 million dollars from Lockdown in the forums.
Since that incredible victory in his debut, Juarez has managed to submit the majority of his opponents. One thing to note however is that Juarez has actually only defeated two people, both of which have retired with an overall record of 0-4. In his only fight against a top contender, he was defeated in the first round. Now it will be interesting to see where Juarez’ skillset actually lies.
Mark Nelson is a fighter who can do it all. His bread and butter is his kickboxing, where he will look to keep the fight standing to be able to land his impressive kicks. If the fight does happen to spill to the ground however, Nelson has no reservations about looking for a submission. As a BJJ Purple Belt, Nelson has managed to submit both opponents he defeated, before he himself being submitted in his last outing.
In his professional debut, Nelson was cut and dropped very quickly. Despite being hurt, he managed to pull off a triangle instantly. This kind of victory just shows the perseverance and heart Nelson has, and the slight experience disadvantage will do nothing to hurt his confidence.
Arnaldo Guiosa (2-1) Vs Jaymz Hetfield (2-1) – Light Heavyweight
Arnaldo has an impressive debut at Highland Games 2 where he defeated Rico Suave with a very quick Rear Naked Choke. Guiosa’s main skill set lies in his ability to take opponents down. He is very skilled at countering strikes to bring the fight to the mat, and opponents will have to watch out with every strike to make sure they don’t over commit to anything.
In his professional debut, Guiosa submitted fellow Highland Games fighter Ludko Struja. Now ranked in the top 10, a victory over Jaymz Hetfield will be a big step towards the top of the division.
Hetfield entered Highland Games 1 as an undefeated 2-0 fighter. We were expecting big things from him, but unfortunately he clashed with Jake Theorodou and was defeated by TKO. I found his strategy to be bizarre in the fight. Jake excels on the ground, while Hetfield is usually a boxer. The strange thing was that Jaymz pulled guard. He managed to get the top position through a submission attempt, but was swept and defeated before the first 5 minutes were up.
In this fight, Jaymz will be looking to prove that his loss to Jake was just a fluke, and that he is actually one of the best fighters in the entire company when he’s on his game.
Matt Downes (2-0) Vs Thor Heyerdahl (2-0) – Heavyweight
This is a fight between the #8 and #10 fighters in the division.
Downes made his Highland Games debut with a kimura victory over Samuel Jackson. Jackson pulled guard and the BJJ Brown Belt Downes made short work of him. Also interesting is that Downes and Eddie Kilpatrick fought before they signed to Highland Games, with Kilpatrick losing by Triangle Choke. With Kilpatrick managing to main event Highland Games 3, it could be interesting to throw these guys in with each other at some stage. Downes has a very hard task standing in front of him beforehand though.
Thor Heyerdahl is probably the best kickboxer Highland Games has to offer. His work rate is incredible and he can land unexpected head kicks after convincing his opponent’s that he’s content to work on the legs.
In his last fight, at Highland Games 2, Heyerdahl beat Rape Alarm by Unanimous Decision. Because of his performance, Heyerdahl manages to earn both fighters a 1000 dollar bonus as they picked up Fight of the Night.
Heyedahl wants this fight to stay standing and if he can avoid being taken down, it’s easy to see him walk away from this one with his hand raised.
Unit Seven (1-0) Vs Jason Newstead (1-2) – Heavyweight
Seven debuted for Highland Games with a second minute submission over journeyman fighter Robert Cierzniak. Seven immediately scored the takedown and searched endlessly for submissions before finally managing to lock on a Triangle Choke from the bottom position. The victory was effortless, so we’re not really sure what the full brunt of Seven’s skills will actually look like.
Jason Newstead is a boxer who’s only losses in his professional career have come by way of cuts. When he took on Eddie Kilpatrick, Newstead only got off a handful of light jabs before being taken down and cut badly.
This is the fight for us to really witness what Newstead can do. Unit Seven isn’t really a ground and pound guy. He more so savours the sound of an arm snapping over the sight of a crimson mask. Newstead has the opportunity to get out there and get some time under his belt without having too much of a risk at being opened up once again.
Viktor Flik (1-0) Vs Marius Wieneke (0-0) – Heavyweight
After earning Submission of the Night as a BJJ white belt, Flik, the number #4 in the division is unpredictable. Wieneke seems like an all rounder, so we have no idea what he’ll bring to the table.
Bison Bowden (1-0) Vs Nuno Alvarez Pereira (1-0) – Light Heavyweight
Bowden is great on the ground, but Pereira is a BJJ Purple Belt. A victory here for Bowden will come with extreme vigilance on the mat.
Dick Prick (0-0) Vs Ulrich Scherer (0-1) – Light Heavyweight
This should be a stand up war that is just destined for a post fight bonus. No clue who takes it though.
Saintly Fish (0-1) Vs Nicollas Zatzmann (0-1) – Light Heavyweight
My predict is that Fish will get the takedown and easily submit Zatzmann.
Bernd Muller (0-1) Vs Jakk Baueri (0-1) – Heavyweight
It would be smart for Muller to try and clinch in this fight as Jakk is heavily susceptible to cuts.
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