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 The World Combat Championships is taking things to a whole new level on Saturday, May 9th down at the Liberty Dome in New York City, its WC 22: Champions!
An astonishing THREE title fights grace the evening's stacked card including bouts for the WC Bantamweight, Light Heavyweight and Middleweight titles.
And amazingly, that’s not all! The entire card is filled with great fighters including two former WC champs being featured on the undercard because the main card is too stacked!
I'm Shtaaf Reimish, and enough of my blabbering about how astonishing this card is, let's get the previews rolling!
#7 Rickety Cricket (4-0) vs #12 Beast "The Monster" Masterson (0-0) Superheavyweight
The opening fight of WC 22 comes to us via the superheavyweight division as Rickety Cricket gets set to face Beast "The Monster" Masterson!
Cricket comes to WC super-confident as he recently fought his way to four-straight QFC victories all via the TKO. He may be only 17, but the wrestler from San Francisco has proven he can duel it out with guys a lot older than him, but the skill level goes up now that he's in WC. I really do think he could be a WC star of the future!
Masterson makes his pro debut here at WC 22, and there may be no better opportunity to show oneself off than a card like this! The Bahamian has been working hard at his Muay Thai skill set, and combined with decent wrestling attack, should be able to hang in there with Cricket. br>
Prediction: Cricket via TKO
Kale Strong (1-0) vs #14 "Iron Lungs" Smokey Simpson (3-2) Heavyweight
Next up we feature the first of three bouts from WC's heavyweight division as Kale Strong makes his sophomore trip into the octagon against "Iron Lungs" Smokey Simpson! Strong made his triumphant pro debut at 'April Fools' where he won in dramatic fashion with a superman punch that left Arn Anderson motionless midway through round one.
The 17-year-old Canadian is managed by one of the all-time greats, Bowser Big Dog, and with that coaching, and his terrific striking skills, should be in good shape to continue his ascent up the WC heavyweight rankings.
Simpson comes to WC after losing his WHCF debut via third round TKO to Jesse Thunder over in Hilo. The move to the bright lights of New York City will most likely be a good one for the California native, but will need to bring this fight to the canvas, which may be tough considering Strong's takedown defense, and utilize his brown BJJ belt if he has any sniff at defeating the teenager.
Prediction: Strong via KO
#10 "Ravishing" Rick Rude (4-1) vs #7 San Terra (13-8) Heavyweight
The first of 10 current or former title holders makes his trip into the WC 22 octagon as San Terra looks to begin a resurgence as he takes on "Ravishing" Rick Rude! Rude makes his WC debut here at WC 22 after fighting quite well in the Combat Purist organization, working his way up to a title fight but lost to now fellow WC fighter Drew Carvalho.
The boxer from Germany last fought on April 11th where he TKO'd Christopher Vanhoijdonk early in the first round. Look for more stand-up from the German.
Terra is a name very familiar to WC fans, however this is the WC undercard debut for the former WC superheavyweight champion. Winning the belt at the inaugural WC 1, Terra successfully defended it once before losing it to MPP in the next go-around.
Things haven't gone well since then for the Polish striker, losing his last four-straight bouts all to the big names of the WC heavyweight division. He'll really need to dig in here if he has any chance at resurrecting his formerly successful career.
Prediction: Terra via TKO
#4 Angel "The Real Deal" Face (5-0) vs #6 Arthur "King" Carvalho (9-7) Middleweight
A couple of top 6 contenders in WC's middleweight division take center stage in the next bout as Angel "The Real Deal" Face takes on Arthur "King" Carvalho! Face comes to WC as the only middleweight champion the Vegas-based Tradition FC has ever had.
he had to leave his belt behind, however, as he embarks on a new challenge here at WC, and boy are the stakes going up for the Vegas native.
The 26-year-old has natural knockout power that has led him to five (T)KO wins in each of his professional fights, but this may be his best ground-attack opponent to date, so we'll see if he can defend the takedown once again.
Carvalho has made quite a name for himself in WC with back-to-back wins after faltering in the later stages of the Island season. With his 'Sub of the Night' performance at WC 17 over Buba Harmon and his TKO victory over Saladin Hussain at WC 19, the Brazilian has proven he is here to compete at WC.
Prediction: Carvalho via submission
#2 Billy Tinkl (13-6) vs #8 Saladin "Quick Sand" Hussain (10-6) Middleweight
Its really hard to believe that with all these great fighters that we're still on the undercard, but that's just the case as long time champion and top contender Billy Tinkl gets set for a tangle with Saladin "Quick Sand" Hussain!
Tinkl needs no further background to WC fans, as the former WC middleweight champion is coming off back-to-back title fight losses to Ska Asap.
Their last battle lasted the full five rounds, with either fighter able to fully take command of the fight in what ended up being a bit of a snooze-fest of a grappling match.
In the end, though, Asap won via decision, and now the #2 ranked Tinkl is force to fight his way back up to top contender status. It will not be a cakewalk for the native of Congo, however, as Hussain matches up quite nicely with him.
Speaking of Hussain, the Afghan made his WC debut at WC 19 where he lost via second round TKO to Arthur Carvalho. Before that the 27-year-old fought well while with Highland Games before switching management to WC owner JJ Tycooner. This should be an interesting grappling battle that will surely be decided on the canvas.
Prediction: Hussain via submission
Bantamweight Championship Title Fight
[C] Thaddeus "Junior" Fitzgerald (9-5) vs #1 "Silverback" Devin Jaqquard (8-2)
It's our first fight of the WC 22 main card, and it's also our first title fight of the evening!
The WC Bantamweight belt is on the line as current title holder Thaddeus "Junior" Fitzgerald is ready to defend his belt for the first time against the #1 ranked contender "Silverback" Devin Jaqquard!
Fitzgerald has done just about everything right since his WC debut loss to Tom Franks at WC 10, winning three straight decision fights en route to the WC bantamweight title.
The New York native was able to keep that title fight against Bob out of the clinch enough to seal the victory utilizing his carefully placed head punches.
At 9-5. There is still lots to prove for the 26-year-old, but winning the title is the start, defending it is a whole other animal.
Jaqquard has made a quick ascent up the WC bantamweight rankings since emerging in the organization at 'April Fools,' winning two straight bouts against Ahokas and Jon to set up this huge fight.
The Canadian is not afraid of taking the fight wherever he needs to as his win record clearly shows. With 4(T)KO, 2 submissions and 2 decision wins, he's proven he can win anywhere.
This has all the makings of a title fight that could go down in memory lane forever!
Prediction:Jaqquard via submission
#1 Matt "Fondelier" Porcelain Punisher (16-2) vs #2 Mib "Home Run" Louie (13-6) Superheavyweight
It’s a superheavyweight top-contender battle to see who gets the next crack at current WC superheavyweight champ Skunk Asap between #1 Matt "Fondelier" Porcelain Punisher and #2 Mib "Home Run" Louie!
After blazing his way to 14-straight ciavtories to open his career, MPP hit his first setback at 'The Big Bang' losing his previously untouchable title to Skunk Asap.
The LA native responded nicely with a spinning backfist KO of Vincent Obi at 'April Fools' to set up this fight-in bout with Louie.
His knuckles have helped him to 14 of his 16 victories, so expect ore of the same from the former champ.
Louie makes his debut as a superheavyweight after fighting his entire career until this point as a heavyweight, but after three-straight losses, decided a change was needed.
The switch presents a potential gift to the Canadian, as a win here all but guarantees a title shot, something he was trending downwards of attaining as a heavyweight.
He'll be giving up nearly 50 pounds to MPP, but hopefully that provides a quickness advantage he can utilize to its full potential.
Prediction: Punisher via TKO
Light Heavyweight Championship Title Fight
[C] "The Monkey Man" Dieter Von Sprockets (10-3) vs #1 Skunk Asap (14-4)
The third-to-last fight on the stacked WC 22's card features the second of three World Combat title fights, this one for the light heavyweight belt in a rematch between newly crowned light heavyweight champion "The Monkey Man" Dieter Von Sprockets and the former light heavyweight champ and current superheavyweight title holder Skunk Asap!
Von Sprockets made short of Asap in their last encounter at 'Beat Down' in early April, scoring the takedown seconds into the fight and eventually getting Asap to tap on his third submission attempt, an arm triangle.
While only holding a blue BJJ belt, the German has proven he can tangle with the best on the canvas, scoring seven wins via submission in his pro career.
This is Asap's fifth straight title fight with WC, including his superheavyweight win over MPP, a light heavyweight win over Jimmie Craig, before losing his LHW belt to Von Sprockets and a heavyweight tangle with Barney Gumble in his last fight at WC 19.
He's got Muay Thai skills to burn, but if he can't defend the takedown, this may be another short night for the both of them.
Prediction: Von Sprockets via submission
#2 Clinton "Baked Fish" Offley (13-3) vs #3 Dick Wad (11-3) Heavyweight
The WC heavyweight division has never been so stacked full of talent, and WC 22's co-main event features two of its premier names in a battle for the potential chance to square off against the Gumble/Lazaro winner, its Clinton "Baked Fish" Offley vs Dick Wad!
After a 9-1 start to his career, Offley was rewarded with his first title shot while with HG, losing to longtime HG heavyweight king and current WC champ Barney Gumble at HG 49.
The Bahamian made the switch to WC eager to prove he can win a title fight, and it seems like only Wad is now standing in his way of that opportunity after defeating San Terra in his WC debut.
Offley has always had amazing ground skills, but his stand-up game has improved immensely throughout his pro career.
Wad was the unbeatable WC heavyweight king on the Island, before Gumble came along and dethroned him shortly before the Island season ended.
After five title fight wins, the hard-striking Canadian fell via TKO and then furthered his misery by losing to Maki Pulu in his next bout.
Wad seems to have recovered nicely here in New York, however, as he's reeled off back-to-back TKO wins over Ali Mouba and Mib Louie setting up this massive fight versus Offley.
Prediction: Offley via submission
Middleweight Championship Title Fight
[C] Ska Asap (18-5-1) vs #1 Arnavut "The Bird Man" Sevket (14-2)
And now, for the main event of the evening!
The World Combat Championships together with Big Bear Nutrition presents five rounds for the undisputed WC middleweight champion of the world,
it’s the champion, Ska Asap, taking on the #1 ranked WC contender and current HG middleweight champ, Arnavut "The Bird Man" Sevket!
Asap is currently undefeated as a middleweight, winning back-to-back title fights over longtime middleweight champ Billy Tinkl here in New York.
After spending most of his career as a welterweight, the Djibouti native is ready for the next challenge in his career, and boy do the stakes get raised!
Asap will need to get the takedown early if he has any chance in this one, but judging by his recent success, it seems quite doable.
Sevket has reeled off eight straight victories, including his run through the Middleweight Island tournament in which he exacted revenge on Massa Hurmaaja in the championship bout.
His most recent fight saw him take the HG middleweight belt from former HG champ Grant Morrison via an awesome 5-round decision fight.
It's his WC debut for the Turkish fighter, but he's primed and ready to become the second fighter to hold the WC and HG crowns after Gumble did it back on the Island. The unification is on!
Prediction: Sevket via TKO
The fireworks are primed and ready in what will surely go down as one of the greatest evenings of fighting in New York MMA history!
With three title fights, and ten champions (either current or former) making their way into the octagon,
WC 22:Champions will be a can't miss event for anyone who calls themselves anMMA fan!
I simply cannot wait to take my seat (although I don't think I'll need it) down at the Liberty Dome this weekend!
See you Saturday! Written by Shtaaf Reimish
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