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Prelims:
Vincent Cluster vs Alen Zalac
Preview:
Vincent Cluster is the better fighter here; he is the more well-rounded fighter and on paper wins the fight comfortably by leg kicking and clinching his way to a decision. Zalac has an excellent chin and a puncher’s chance. Cluster will not be finishing him. I’m gonna be bold and say Zalac cashes in on that puncher’s chance and scores a knockout victory here.
Alen Zalac via TKO (Round 2)
Steve Mayweather vs Oscar Gutierrez
Preview:
Both guys have had one fight and lost it. Mayweather was knocked cold in less than 30 seconds; whereas Gutierrez was subbed just inside the first frame. Judging that we have seen a bit Gutierrez’s game, he seems to be a half decent boxer and made his opponent bleed in the short time they were standing. Mayweather seems to have a weak chin judging on the fight we saw, so a coming out party and first round stoppage is on the way for Gutierrez.
Oscar Gutierrez via TKO (Round 1)
Ricky Anderson vs Billy Hope Jr
Preview:
A heavyweight fight between two boxers, so I think we can line up the third stoppage in a row on the card. Billy Hope Jr has more power and a better chin, so in a battle where they both come out swinging, Ricky Anderson’s chin is likely to give out first here.
Billy Hope Jr via KO (Round 1)
Titus Caecilius Rufus vs Archibald Knox
Preview:
An interesting one here, as submission specialist in Rufus goes up against vicious clinch wrestler Archibald Knox. Archibald Knox’s natural strategy seems to be to take guys to the ground and land strikes. We saw this in his first fight, but he changed this when he saw his opponent was throwing up submissions, and managed to beat him to a pulp inside the clinch. Going to the ground will not be smart here, as Caecilius is a high level brown belt and is excellent at throwing his hips up for submissions. You would think Knox’s manager Peel Steel will know this and try to avoid the ground game at all costs, this puts the emphasis on Rufus to try and force things to the ground, and we don’t know how good he is at doing that. Still I’m gonna go with the upset here, Knox beats the holy hell out of Rufus in the first round via his clinch game. Then in the second round he finds himself wrapped up in a submission on the ground.
Titus Caecilius Rufus via Submission (Round 2)
Main Card:
Hugh Janus Jr vs Antoine Griezmann
Preview:
A fight between two guys making their SP ICON debuts here. Antoine Griezmann has one professional MMA fight, he lost via submission. Hugh Janus Jr has also had one fight, he won via submissions. When you look at the discrepancy between their abilities on the ground, you have to think Hugh Janus Jr has a big advantage. History repeats itself here.
Hugh Janus Jr via Submission (Round 1)
Lightweight Championship - Grogory Damkratov vs Mr Noodle
Preview:
An excellent fight for the vacant Lightweight Championship between two of the better fighters since the reset of SP ICON. Grogory Damkratov is an excellent striker who has finished both his opponents in shockingly quick fashion. Noodle is a wrestler with terrific GNP and heart, who has beaten Marcelo Garcia, a brown belt in jiu jitsu in what was mostly a ground fight. This speaks volumes about how good Noodle’s top game is. Damkratov will not want to be on the bottom here. This is how I see it playing out. Damkratov rocks Noodle early, as he has done with his other opponents, only Noodle will survive the flurry, weather the storm and get the takedown to maintain top control for the remainder of the round. In round two, Noodle will get the takedown almost straight away, and Damkratov will feel the GNP that has been talked about in Noodle’s camp. Noodle eventually ends the fight with a flurry of GNP in that same round. It will be a shame for Damkratov but he will almost certainly be included in The Rumble on The Rocks Tournament, of which the winner will be granted a title shot.
Mr Noodle via TKO (Round 2)
Heavyweight Championship:
Alton Maxin © vs Brutus Leagatius
Preview:
A bout for the Heavyweight Championship between Alton Maxin and Brutus Leagatius. This is an unfortunate mismatch for the champ. His only chance is the takedown; Leagatius will not be taken down or held down easily. Maxin may survive the initial flurry, but Leagatius is a dangerous man, I think Maxin is going to sleep here.
Brutus Leagatius via KO (Round 1)
Joey Karate vs Evan Zoplias
Preview:
This Light Heavyweight battle somewhat resembles a battle of flashiness vs efficiency. Joey Karate has amassed quite a fan following in his first three fights, although we have not seen much of him, he has more fights than minutes inside the cage. He has shown lethal head kicks, no doubt a large part of his popularity. Win or lose here; his willingness to step up at short notice should see him get a place at the Rumble on The Rocks Tournament, whereas his opponent may need a win in order to participate. Don’t sleep on Zoplias here though, he is the first strong wrestler Karate has faced since he was mauled by Jonas Lofmark. Zoplias has a very capable clinch game, and he is a grinder with a good chin. He may be capable of digging an underhook; putting Karate’s back against the fence, and striking from close in. The criticism from his first fight was that he didn’t land anything meaningful from the clinch. I believe Karate will be able to land big strikes; Zoplias’ chin will hold up and he will be able to establish the clinch at times. Both men will have their moments, but Karate’s more significant shots will earn him the edge in a close encounter.
Joey Karate via Split Decision
Light Heavyweight Championship – Jonas Lofmark vs I am Terrible ©
Preview:
An anticipated Light Heavyweight matchup between the inaugural Light Heavyweight Champion, I am Terrible, and dominant wrestler Jonas Lofmark. I am Terrible has looked good so far with his imposing clinch game and devastating elbows; Lofmark will have to be careful getting on the inside, as those elbows are damaging. Jonas Lofmark is imposing himself though, and his domination of Anthony Johnson was a great showcase of his skills. He dominated a BJJ Brown Belt on the ground for the entire contest, even trying to submit Johnson at times. His top game is downright scary. On top of this, his hands are improving, he showed serious power when he knocked the granite chinned Johnson down in the first round of their fight. It will take a special mixed martial artist to stop the run Lofmark is on, and I do not think Terrible is that guy. Lofmark will use his unpredictability to freeze Terrible, he will then proceed to take him down, and give him a serious GNP beating, on the way to becoming the new Light Heavyweight Champion.
Jonas Lofmark via TKO (Round 1)
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