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 HIGHLAND ISLAND 13 PREVIEW
By Callum McGregor
Polite Efficient (4-0) Vs Skip Gordon (3-0) – Light Heavyweight Championship
In the first defence of his 205 belt, Skip Gordon faces challenger Polite Efficient in what essentially is a clinch battle to the death, okay that was a little bit dramatic. Skip Gordon is a member of The Island’s legendary Gordon clan, following in the footsteps of tournament winner Darby, tournament finalist Mel and former Highland Games title challenger Louis.
Polite Efficient is managed by Ivan Drago, who is expected to be still reeling, along with the rest of us, from the shocking loss that LightHeavy Weight encountered in Highland Games. With the camp being perhaps at an all time low after such a stunning loss, this might be Gordon’s time to establish some early dominance within the division, knocking off his biggest threat to date.
Ken Roussow (2-0) Vs CeeTee Fletcher (1-0) – Lightweight
The managers of these two men are actually in conjunction with Highland Island; Ken with manager Michael Russell at the helm and Fletcher with Highland CT and Spar head John Bravo in his corner. Roussow is a wrestler with some capable jiu jitsu skills who’s working on improving his boxing, while Fletcher likes to work the clinch. We haven’t seen too much of either man inside the cage as of yet so it’s hard to get a clear winner, but if Fletcher’s takedown defence isn’t absolutely stellar, I wouldn’t suggest engaging in a grapple with Ken Roussow.
Dion Lovejoy (2-0) Vs Ilmari Rannikko (2-1) – Light Heavyweight
It’s always a big moment being in a particular weight class and fighting on the same event as the belt in that group is being defended. A real contender can come out of this fight if the winner can play his cards right.
Undefeated Dion Lovejoy likes to keep it standing and throw punches, but is happy to let the fight spill to the mat where he can look for a submission, something he has secured in both of his professional wins. Finland’s Rannikko prefers to fight in the clinch, landing punches to the head and body to work down an opponent. Although Rannikko does have a submission loss on his record, I’d say Dion will struggle to get this one to the floor. With no muay thai or wrestling background to speak of, a win here will be a big ask for Dion Lovejoy.
Joe Yabuki (1-0) Vs Satoshi Masahira (1-1) – Bantamweight
The smallest men on the card tonight, both “Ashita No Joe” and “Monkeyboy” are making their Highland Island debut. Both have competed on the independent circuit and Japan’s Masahira also has a victory in the short lived BAMF Island. Yabuki is an all rounder who is looking to keep his opponent guessing, while Satoshi is a striker and submission fighter who will be happy wherever it goes. This is really a big question mark fight, but I would say that Masahira’s more specialized techniques will be the difference maker this evening.
Uiva Nakki (1-0) Vs Tangaroa Ngata (2-0) – Middleweight
Nakki will be looking for a quick clinch and when he faced Joseph Venables at HI 9, he was able to secure it. We saw him end up on the ground in that fight but he made the correct adjustments and was able to score a late stoppage victory. Both of New Zealand native Tangaroa Ngata’s wins have come inside Highland Island, and he’s shown the ability to look for a stoppage and also take the fight to a decision. With a strong background in Muay Thai, Ngata will be happy to let Nakki try his luck inside the distance.
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Also on the card
Noah Gundersen (2-0) Vs Akim Aleesio (1-0) – Lightweight
Big Pimpin (1-0) Vs Abdul Khaliq Khalid (2-1) – Light Heavyweight
Joseph Venables (0-1) Vs Isailo Ljotic (2-2) – Middleweight
Taco MacArthur (1-2) Vs Javier Reynaldo Alcaraz (1-2) – Welterweight
Christian Reyes (0-1) Vs Tusing Pocc (1-0) – Featherweight
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