2012-07-25
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VERSUS VENDETTA VIII Preview

Event Preview: VERSUS VENDETTA 8
VERSUS (GEG)
2012-07-21, London, The H2O Arena
Author:Drake Bradstone

Versus Vendetta VIII – 21st July (H2O Arena – London)

Brought to you by VERSUS in association with Gti 1337 "Win with Style"


Fight One – Novak Milankovic (8-5) v Stephen Neal (3-3) – 185lb

 

Two fighters who are yet to get their careers going but both have the chance to make an impression on the opening fight of a fantastic card. The olympian Stephen Neal has been extremely impressive when he has managed to get his fights to the ground. But it's not such a success story for Neal when he has attempted to trade upstanding, in fact in his last two fights Neal has been stopped by head kcik and a flying knee. His opponent Novak Milankovic does posses lethal head kicks and flying knees so Neal better have learnt from his losses if he doesn't want to be knocked out again. The former RSM champion has been very quiet since he lost his belt, in fact his fighter bios hasn't been updated since. A loss is tough Milankovic, but don't pine over what has come and gone, get back in the game, you have an olympic class wrestler coming at you who wants to ground and pound a hole in your face!

 

Fight Two - Paulo Tocha (3-1) v Lee Jun Fan (6-4) - 265+lb

 

Super heavyweights that can bang! This aint no Homer Simpson v Peter Griffin style Super heavyweight fight that you used to get in the days of first Versus events because these two fighters have skills. Lee Juan Fan has been knocking fighters out for fun in the MKFC and his "stand and bang" attitude will make him friends with the crowd but will it bring him success here at Versus? Paulo Tocha has been more selective in his opponents, however he was impressive in his last outing where he got a split decision victory over the veteran Laht Nepphur. The South African enjoys beating down his opponents in that spiders web of a clinch, just when you think you can shake him off he's in your hair and your squeeling like a little girl. A win for either men is huge with the Super heavyweight divison being wide open since the departure of the former champion KAJ.

 

Fight Three - Franz Beckenbauer (16-13) v Huey Freeman (11-11) - 205lb

 

Veterans of the game but strangers to Versus. Beckenbauer and Freeman have over 50 fights between them but strangley there paths have never crossed. Both have worked their way through London taking on all comers and this fight should be a cup final. Now I 'm not one for cliches but "Striker v Grappler" does spring to mind for this one. You have the Boa Constrictor like chokes of Beckenbauer against the one punch KO ability of Freeman. For two talented veterans to be this low down the card only makes me smile as Versus grows and grows! One for the purists here, so enjoy.

 

Fight Four - Anton Alexandrov (11-12) v Eskil Lemmelin (8-6) - 265lb

 

Triple A, that's "Action" Anton Alexandrov, fights out of the Curt Steinlager camp, a camp which is no stranger to the top level competition in London. Triple A is one of Steinlager's most dangerous trojans with 11 wins via submission of which 4 of those coming against upper echelon opponents right here at Versus. You would think that if the heavier fighter has the black belt then it should no problem for that fighter to assert himself easier on the floor but Eskil Lemmelin will probably try to prove that myth wrong. The Swedish invader loves a strong, controlled top game to rain down his axe likes elbows and the occassionally sneaky headbutt to offset any submission attempts.

 

Fight Five - Baldomir Zsofka (13-6) v Nikolai Demikovic (16-15) - 265lb

 

What can I say? doesn't look like Baldomir got to the airport on time and this fight will probably be a NC unless a private jet saves the day... very dissapointing for the fans and for Demikovic... I'm sure the Versus officials will step in here and look to impose sanctions against Baldomir.

 

Fight Six - Georgios Geremek (6-1) v Craig Broph (24-12) - 185lb

 

Controversally Craig Broph will be walking to the cage sporting the ORG middleweight championship around his waist but hey he might aswell be wearing a roll of electricial tape because that belt don't mean sh£t here. Geremek was the golden boy of the UFC middleweight division with highlight reel knockouts a plenty. Is he ready for this step up against a well rounded, tough mudda f@cker in Craig Broph? Well with Dale Cooper in his corner he has every chance.

 

Fight Seven - Ramon Hernandez (9-2) v Marcel Cerdan (14-4) - 145lb

 

This is where the action steps up and more importantly we get to here La Marseillaise! Rock On! The former featherweight champion has had a mixture of results since losing the title and can't seem to connect back to back wins in order to run again at the belt. Hernandez on the other hand is surging through the ranks and no one can say that he doesn't deserve this chance to break into the short list of title contenders. Stylistically this could be a nightmare for Ramon who really hasn't been tested in a gruelling clinch battle which Cerdan is a master of. Hernandez may need to abandon any plans that he has to knock out the Frenchman and concentrate on a controlled/mature clean stand up exchange. If he can frustrate Cerdan by using his speed to avoid the clinch and let his hands flow then we could see a shock decision win for Ramon.

 

"Veux-tu baiser avec moi"!

 

Fight Eight - Up Loaded (20-7) v Pawel Tokarczuk (13-6) - 170lb

 

Hall of Famer, Up Loaded is back in action and he is up against a plucky young fighter in Pawel Tokarczuk. Now I spoke to both these fighters on my show earlier "Before the Bell" and to hear what both fighters had to say about the fight go to the forum link at the end of this preview. If your not a forum junkie then I can confirm that both fighters were respectful of each other and Pawel was playing down his chances. Should he be? I mean yes he is up against a genuine talent in Up Loaded but the blue print has been set to beat this guy and if Up Loaded hasn't figured that out yet or that the Gti boys don't communicate with each other then he could face another upset. Would it be an upset? Pawel is almost there and I for one is extremely interested in whether or not Up Loaded is really back, lets face it we would all like to see Up Loaded back in the title picture.

 

Co Main Event - Ivan Milat (12-3) v Sparring Partnerbjjj (11-6) - 170lb Title

 

The gold is up for grabs and Ivan Milat is extremely confident about keeping the title for a long time. However, if history tells us anything it is that when a fighter wins a fight that is considered an upset that they can become complacent in their next fight. Milat would be a fool to disregard SPbjjj's chance to take the title away, I mean 5 wins in the last 5 fights? here in Versus? that's massive. One mistake by Milat could mean he is on his back with a superior grappler and that shiney championship belt will look further and further away. With that said if this fight is contested at range Milat should have a field day, dip your bread Milat, dip your bread!

 

Main Event - Mr Azure (16-3) v Keast Kann (16-9) - 145lb

 

Title shot implications for Mr Azure here, if he does what he has already done twice before (that's tko Kann's ass) then a title shot could be next for Bluey. Keast was absent from my show this week, which I believe was because he was putting in an extra session in the gym (Fightclub UK), so he is taking this fight extremely seriously. Could this be a Rocky 3 moment for Azure? Well Hulk Hogan aka Thunderlips will be there in the H20 Arena so who knows? The bookies think this one should be a formality for Bluey but reports from Bet Bradstone are that they have seen a bit of money for Keast... interesting.

 

Well that's it for the preview folks, be sure to tune in to VERSUS VENDETTA 8 at 6pm GMT this Saturday live from the H2O arena in London. Versus will be number one in London very soon so make sure you jump on the bandwagon today. For last nights Versus Before the Bell show go to http://www.mmatycoon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31136 where you can see comments from 4 of the fighters competing at VERSUS VENDETTA 8. To support Versus and/or if you have a gambling problem which you wish to feed then vist BET BRADSTONE of London and bet your ass off!!!

If anyone would like to get involved in next weeks Before the Bell show please PM me and I will get in touch.

About VERSUS

VERSUS really is the home of fair fights and is London's fastest growing fight organisation. Since our first show on October 15th 2011 we have grown dramatically in both size and popularity and are now firmly established in London's top 10.

Matchmaking at VERSUS is not just about looking at hype ratings, I really try to make fights that are competitive and winnable for both fighters so that fighter records are earned in VERSUS and not built on a diet of tin cans.

With GTI 1337 as a merchandising partner, every VERSUS fighter who has a slot available will be offered a meaningful sponsorship deal. GTI 1337 have designed several great sets of VERSUS fightwear to add to their already impressive product range, so go check out their fantastic designs in the GTI 1337 store in London

 

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