2015-06-15
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UNFC63 Preview: Camacho Vs Mitchell

UNFC Tokyo [ID 229K+], Fight Organization, Tokyo
Company profile by Adam Leigh

UNFC63: Camacho Vs Mitchell takes place this Saturday June 13 @ Shinjuku Indoor Arena in accordance with Sun-Tzu where a dual champion will defend one of his belts, the #1 featherweight contender spot will be fought over and 4 more featherweight matchup’s hit the UNFC cage to really shake up the division.

 

It follows Friday’s massive double title event, yet this one shouldn’t be overlooked. It’ll be one hell of a weekend for Tokyo fight fans, and Saturday night will be a nice finisher.

 

Let’s break down the fights and see what’s what.

 

 

[Main Event] (170 lbs) [c] Camacho v #1 Mitchell – Welterweight Title Fight

 

Hector Camacho (17-2) has never been beaten in Tokyo and will be looking for his 12th UNFC win to keep that streak alive. If his 4th 170 lbs title defence is successful, the duel belt holder will equal Frank Nicolosi on the ‘Most wins in org’ list.

 

“Macho” is currently atop the ‘Most decision wins in org’ list with 6, yet his 2 ‘KO of the night’ awards, 5 KO (2x punch, 2x head kick, strikes) and 3 TKO (3x strikes) wins proves his ability to finish a fight shouldn’t be slept on.

 

Before settling down in Japan, Camacho spent his beginnings racking up a record of 6-1 with New York’s Notorious Fights NY, Amsterdam’s Evil Empire: Amsterdam and St Petersburg’s Evil Empire.

 

After signing the dotted line with UNFC, the Puerto Rican immediately tasted gold by grabbing the lightweight title in a dominant win over Delphino Atlantis that ended with a head kick that set the internet’s highlight reel ablaze.

 

Since the start of 2014 Camacho has been the archetype of a champion, running up a 13 fight win streak and nabbing himself the welterweight title just 2 months after getting his first taste of gold. He’s defended his 2 titles a combined 7 times and his only loss during this epic streak came against former world #2 bantamweight and 2x HOF fighter, Lil Wayne.

 

Camacho is at the forefront of the Lord of War alliance, who will no doubt be cage side come Saturday. He trains with Team Alpha Male and when it comes to his skillset, there’s really nothing lacking. Camacho has good wrestling but it’s his world class boxing that stands out.

 

The American mixes his sensational boxing with excellent Muay Thai, kicking a big part of his game and if in the mood has been known to take the fight to the ground and pound away. With such a diverse area of expertise, it’s no wonder he’s been such a dominant force in the UNFC.

 

Malcolm Mitchell (15-6) is aiming for his 4th straight win and 8th since fighting with UNFC when he challenges for the 170 lbs title. Even though Mitchell isn’t new to the main event, this is the #1 welterweight contender’s first opportunity to walk away a champion.

 

“the Modernday Messiah” is 7-4 with Japan’s favourite fighting organization after an 8-2 start to his pro MMA career, which included a semi-final’s birth on The Island Season 2. Like Camacho, Mitchell is familiar with fights going the distance (8) and is just as comfortable ending things early, with 5 TKO’s (strikes) and 2 KO’s (punch) against his name.

 

The small Montreal based LoHoo Crew backs the Canadian and 5 Star Spar Bazaar is where he chooses to chisel his technique. With 5 first round finishes behind his striking including his last appearance in the UNFC cage, it’s clear Mitchell can get things done and isn’t adverse to looking for the finish.

 

Mitchell, 24, doesn’t mind standing and trading yet likes to get things done in the clinch, and let’s not forget his earlier fights where he liked to ground and pound, 4 straight ending in the same manner (TKO strikes).

 

Both welterweights have their Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belts yet prefer to use their hands when doing damage and looking for the finish. Both have a solid grasp of the grappling game, and the champ would be considered more dangerous with his striking.

 

Camacho would be a favourite given he’s just a slight level above the challenger, yet as we know anything can happen and Mitchell is the #1 contender for a reason. He’s a dangerous striker in his own right and if he can over-work in the clinch, or take things south, we may just see an upset.

 

 

[Co-Main Event] (145 lbs) #1 Coker v #2 Tyson

 

Akeen Coker (10-1) sits at #6 on the UNFC P4P list and will be looking to extend his current win streak to 10 when he battles to retain his rank as the #1 featherweight contender.

 

Coker hasn’t lost a single bout since his solitary pro MMA debut loss, including his UNFC debut last time out against Julio Cesar Chavez, which he took with a unanimous judge’s score. The former La Grande Promotions featherweight champion remains undefeated with all organizations he’s fought for (Hostility, NY Fight Nights, La Grande Promotions and UNFC).

 

Coker, 23, represents the well-known Hitokiri-13 alliance and Masaru Fighting Systems II. He has good wrestling, lethal high kicks and has never been knocked out, his only loss going the way of his opponent via a judge’s decision.

 

Wherever the fight goes, the Trinidad & Tobago native has shown his skill extends to each facet of MMA. A heavy amount of kicking and ground strikes are what stand out, but he also has the ability in close with his grappling and clinch work.

 

Shogun Iron Tyson (11-5) is also coming off a UNFC win and will be seeking his 3rd straight. Originally named Tom Quin, Tyson legally changed his name in honour of his two favourite fighters. His first appearance with UNFC was at UNFC57 when he beat Dave Johnson in a really entertaining 3 round bout.

 

“The Ferocious Fighter" spent time fighting for Bodies Engaged In Extreme Fighting in Montreal under Alika Webb and racked up a healthy 8-3 record before changing his management and signing on with Bradley Burns and Elite Punishment Inc.

 

Tyson hails from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada but was born in in the Netherlands. His training camp consists of members of Canadian Elite Bruins Gym and if there’s one thing any opponent should be careful of, it’s Tyson’s excellent boxing.

 

10 TKO’s out of 11 wins are attributed to the hands of the Canadian which include 2 wins where his striking was just too much for his opponents that they tapped wilfully to avoid further punishment. Exceptional wrestling, a BJJ brown belt and a superb grasp on Muay Thai make this tattooed striker a hard task to master.

 

This fight pits a massive win streak against a fighter trying to re-establish himself after some life changes. It’s a battle for the #1 featherweight contender slot and a chance to meet Alvarez for a shot at the gold.

 

Both 145 lbs contenders have everything to lose here and much more to gain. It’ll be a very exciting fight to precede the main event, and very important to win for both fighters. Who will walk away the #1 contender?

 

 

(170 lbs) #6 Perälä v #9 Morozov

 

Taisto Perälä (6-2) will be trying to grip onto a win streak here since signing with UNFC. His last time out, Tokyo’s fan base witnessed Perälä drop #15 Eduardo Silva with a straight punch for a KO hand raise. He’ll be looking for much of the same to further pad his 2-1 UNFC record.

 

Like many fighters in this business, the Finn has swapped his management group and under the guidance and tutelage of Jorma Oltsu he began fighting for Japan’s premier fighting promotion. Prior to the change, Perälä spent time with Evil Empire: Amsterdam and Honour Fighting Championship, a respectable 4-1 record to show for it.

 

Finland’s most recognized alliance, FinnFighters, show their backing to their fellow countryman and Rough House gym is where you can find the well skilled 22 year old in training. Lethal high kicks are what await anyone who steps into the cage against Perälä, yet he’s highly skilled in all areas and has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 

Fedor Morozov (10-3) is looking for his first UNFC win after a loss to #5 welterweight Frank Nada UNFC57 that snapped his 7 fight win streak. He’s just inside the welterweight division’s top 10 and a win here could put him firmly back on track.

 

“Young Thug” is at his 7th MMA organization since throwing his hat into the cage. Stints with Hypnotic FC, Insanity, World Combat Fighting Championship, Pomplinestine Fighting Championship, War Pride and most recently Amsterdam Martial Arts Association have been his journey before arriving on the Tokyo scene.

 

Morozov has an impressive 7 first round finishes to find confidence in and a good mix of ways to end the fight early; 4 TKO’s (strikes) and 4 submissions (2x armbar, kimura, triangle choke) out of 10 victories.

 

The Jamaican lives and trains in Las Vegas with Ultimate MMA Training Center. He’s a good grappler and has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, yet it’s his world class boxing that fans have come to remember him by.

 

This fight is one of those that really kick starts someone’s title run. Both fighters are in a position that with a win it could inject much needed confidence and a solid ranking as a welterweight contender.

 

The Finn has a little more in the way of Muay Thai and BJJ, and the Jamaican has a bigger frame to potentially dominate the grappling and take the fight where he wants it. Perälä may just be considered the favourite here, but he’ll need to get those kicks working to slow down Morozov’s hands.

 

After a quick knockout last time out, Morozov really needs to have a better showing here. Will it be the hands of Morozov, or the legs of Perälä?

 

 

(265 lbs) #6 Giantsbane v #11 Beloff

 

Tormund Giantsbane (5-1) is making his first appearance for Tokyo’s premier fighting organization after a solid start to his MMA career.

 

The self-titled ‘King o’ My Hairy Butt Crack’ hails from Scotland and has spent time abroad starting with a run in St Petersburg with Psycho Kids Fight Club where he went undefeated with 4 wins. A move to REZDOG produces his first loss before a single showing, and a win, with Montreal Fight Nights in Canada.

 

"Horn Blower", as he’s more known, is the former heavyweight champion of PKFC. He smashed his way through the company with 4 first round finishers, ending his run undefeated and the defending 265 lbs champion.

 

Giantsbane keeps close to home, living and fighting out of London. He’ll make his way before the UNFC faithful with Vendetta in his corner and coaches from Wolf Training Lair. With all but 1 of his 5 wins being finished by a variety of TKO’s (cut, punch, head kick, punches), his world class striking coupled with natural KO power make for an exciting mix.

 

VG Beloff (6-5) is heading into his 11th bout with UNFC and will be aiming to put the brakes on a 2 fight losing streak.

 

"Valyok" has faced some tough competition of late, which has him sitting just outside the top 10 contenders list of the heavyweight division. 2 first round defeats against the likes of [c] Frank Nicolosi and #3 Paul OConnell isn’t too bad, but the Russian still needs to bounce back strongly.

 

Out of the 6 wins Beloff has recorded all have been strong finishes. His last a KO punch that rocked then dropped Cornelius Jackson in the first round, 1 of 5 first round stoppages due to his excellent boxing.

 

Beloff has spent time training with Body Pain in Tokyo heading into this fight. He’s no stranger to grappling and if things go to the canvas, his purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu should be enough against Tormund Thunderfist.

 

This fight has a first round finish written all over it. Both Europeans are highly skilled strikers that like to push the action and prefer to bypass the judges and the earlier the better. Neither care for ground and pound, nor submissions, so consider this a good old fashioned fisticuff.

 

Beloff has faced some of the organizations best, including the current champ twice, and he needs to really cement a win here to avoid becoming redundant in the division. Giantsbane will be unhappy he wasn’t able to finish Gabryel Catchmaer in the second round of his debut, even though he won.

 

Look for a finish whichever way it goes. Will it be the UNFC vet, or the newcomer?

 

 

(145 lbs) #15 Datsik v #12 Tsoi

 

Daniel Datsik (4-1) finds himself at #15 in the featherweight division eyeing his 5th in a row and 3rd since joining UNFC.

 

The German knocked up 2 wins with Hostility before making the switch, and has since record wins over Fransino Tirta and Short Low, the last a unanimous decision nod in the top undercard slot at UNFC54.

 

Fighting out of Los Angeles and Datsik's Dojo, the Dirty Old Cocksmen representative boasts a pretty thorough MMA skillset spearheaded by his world class Muay Thai, good wrestling and a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 

Viktor Tsoi (9-5) is on the verge of a 3 fight win streak, his 5th with UNFC and first time he’s tied 3 together since the start of his pro MMA career.

 

Tsoi is a Russian rock pioneer turned fighter, firstly signing and showcasing his skills with Powers Fighting Championship where he secured himself the 135 lbs title and a 5-3 record. He was immediately propelled into a shot at the UNFC 145 lbs title in his debut match, yet fell short in round 1 against #6 Ferdinand Cortes at UNFC 28.

 

The Russian’s latest wins have been against Chuck Nogueira and John Floyd which have allowed him to break into the top 15 of the featherweight division. A Beast Cartel gym member and Axis of Evil fighter, Tsoi has been on top of his submission game recently, his BJJ black belt in full effect. With world class boxing and Muay Thai, he’s a good chance to push even further up the 145 lbs ladder.

 

A fight where one will get to add another win to their current streak and possibly break into the top 10. Both are really evenly matched on paper, the only thing that gives one a slight advantage is Tsoi’s black belt.

 

If Tsoi has enough skill once pulling guard to stick a submission, it’s done and dusted. If Datsik can keep things at length, it’s game on and an even playing field. But, can he stop the clinch takedowns?

 

 

Undercard fights:

 

(145 lbs) #13 McGuire v Mifune  

(145 lbs) Bronson v Nogueira

(145 lbs) Daft v Machado

(155 lbs) Gold v Winner

(155 lbs) Hanak v Kingsley 

 

 

Notable undercard mentions:

 

- #13 featherweight Boyd McGuire takes on Mifune

- Bill Bronson eyeing 3 fight win streak

- Daft Young looking for 3 fight win streak in rematch against Nogueira

- Kevin Kingsley debuts with UNFC against Hanak

 

 

UNFC63: Camacho Vs Mitchell is brought to you by:

 

Sun-Tzu. Fight gear spawned from the greatest battles on earth, the cotton for generations punched to perfection by shaolin monks to outlast mankind.

 

 

Coming Up:

 

UNFC64 @ Shinjuku Indoor Arena on June 20

 

 

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