SP-ICON: Hoo vs Adams Preview and Predictions

Editorial by Sliced Bread

Prelims:

Danny Mangold vs Kevin Raybould

Prediction: Mangold via Submission (Round 1)

Darwin Strapp vs Lionel Santos

Prediction: Santos via Unanimous Decision

Arvo Laar vs Don T. Bill

Prediction: Bill via Submission (Round 2)

Ruslan Mstislav Volkov vs Wedge Xiii

Prediction: Volkov via Unanimous Decision

Wooden Pencil vs Hank Armtrong

Prediction: Pencil via KO (Round 1)

Main Card:

The Steel Penn vs Mr Ward

Analysis:

Two ground guys who both have the same manager.  Steel Penn has the better stand up, but it’d be a shame if this fight didn’t end up on this ground.  Steel Penn is more experienced and has been fighting in SP – ICON for longer, however; Mr Ward is an exciting prospect with unbelievably good ground skills.  This one depends almost completely on Steel Penn’s strategy.  There isn’t a whole load of divisional relevance but it will sure as hell be fun!

Prediction:

Steel Penn has much better standup and may choose this avenue for victory; however the tendency of both of these guys will lead to a war of jiu jitsu on the ground.  As a rare red belt at only 25 years of age; you simply have to give Mr Ward the advantage in those circumstances.  After a war of attrition on the ground, he hands Steel Penn a first career loss by submission.

Mr Ward via Submission (Round 2)

Keni Susi vs Sutter Cane

Analysis:

The old guard vs the new blood; Sutter Cane; although 28 years of age, should still be regarded as a prospect because of how few fights he has actually had in MMA.  He is an excellent anti-wrestler, extremely hard to take down, he is extremely well conditioned and he can punch very hard for a featherweight too.  Susi on the other hand; is a veteran of MMA at 45 years of age, this will be his 80th professional MMA fight.  He will be hoping to put the upstart Cane in his place; after Cane exploded onto the SP ICON scene with a KO of Wedge Xiii.  In order to do so, he has to find a way to put Cane on his back and work his favoured jiu jitsu game against his less experienced opponent.  Cane must look to avoid the ground game completely if he wants to keep his impressive undefeated record intact.

Prediction:

Susi is still a tough out for a lot of fighters and this fight will be all him if it gets to the ground; but I don’t think it will.  I think the young gun Cane plays it safe, stays away from the grappling and gets the better of the striking pretty easily, en-route to a comfortable decision win which once again shows Susi’s limitations in the modern MMA world, and puts Cane one more step up the divisional ladder.

Cane via Unanimous Decision

Pikku Nilkki vs Danny White

Analysis:

This is a pretty difficult fight to call as both guys are in a pretty good spot in the division.  White has just bounced back convincingly from a two fight losing streak and Nilkki is on a nifty little 4 fight winning streak.  Stylistically this is a prototypical “Striker vs Grappler” matchup.  Nilkki wins most fights by knockout whereas White is a more grappling orientated fighter; although he has improved his striking quite a lot over the years.  White is a fair bit more experienced; despite having a worse record than Nilkki so it will be interesting to see how their tactical approaches work against each other. Expect a cat and mouse chess match here.

Prediction:

I predict a slow tentative first round with each guy trying to figure out what the other one will try to do.  Nilkki may be able to frustrate White with his striking early on but I have to go with White here.  He has wins over far better competition; including Finn Balor, who is now likely no.1 contender to the belt in a stacked 145lb division.  After a close first round; White takes the fight into his abode, gets the tap as he is so accustomed to doing and gives us another hilariously entertaining post fight interview.

White via Submission (Round 2)

Kyle Collins vs Jimmy James

Analysis:

A rematch that nobody really understands between Kyle Collins; who is in his prime, and Jimmy James, who is not.  Both of their last fights were against each other so we can’t expect that too much has changed in between the time they last fought and now.  James is riding a four fight losing streak; and at 39 years old there can’t be a lot left for him in the world of MMA.  On the other hand; Collins is on a good run and another win over James should give him a fight of a bit more divisional relevance.

Prediction:

I don’t see enough major differences from last time to predict a different outcome.  The end will happen quicker this time; because Collins will have more of a stand up game plan than last time.  Look for Collins to impose his will early and put the old man out without much of an issue.

Collins via KO (Round 1)

Kimroy Hoo vs JR Adams

Analysis:

In the 185lb division; we have a potential title contender fight in the main event; between JR Adams; who just fought for the belt and Kimroy Hoo, who is on a two fight win streak and has a penchant for knocking guys out.  Adams is more of a ground fighter, a submission artist who is also strong, fast and athletic.  Wrestling and anti-wrestling will be key to the outcome of this matchup.  JR Adams could put himself right back in the mix with a win; while Hoo will be thinking that if he can win convincingly over the guy who last fought for the belt, that he will get the next crack at Jangles. 

Prediction:

Now most will be thinking that this will either end by knockout or submission, but these are two durable well rounded guys with very good conditioning.  Both of them are also competent in the other one’s strongest suit.  Adams has pretty decent striking whilst Hoo is a brown belt on the ground who has never been submitted; this is a close fight.  I believe it goes the distance.  I think they will both take a couple of rounds each with Hoo doing just enough and landing some big shots at the end to score a razor thin decision victory which may be debated for some time.

Hoo via Split Decision

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