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 Preview Prepared by Cheorge Guvalo (133318)
Organization: Island Xtreme Fighting
Date: 13 Mar 2021
City: The Island (17:00 GMT)
Arena: Paddy O'Malleys Bar - The Island (700)
Big Steven Petitpas back with another Island Xtreme Fighting preview. We can’t talk about IXF II without first commenting on the colossal success that was IXF I. Have you ever, in your unfortunate lives, seen such a positive response to an opening event than what we saw last week at IXF I? No losers to fine anywhere … except the Powaaah family. A horrible setback to their collective Island careers after going 0-an-4 to start things off. Clubber Winger could not be angrier at the way things shook down for his team. But, like the Powaaah family, we’re here to look forward and not dwell on the pass, so let’s get down to business.
IXF II
Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - Marcus Behnder / Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - New Car
185 lbs Marcus Behnder (4-0) v New Car (3-0)
The top two pound-for-pound fighters on the Island square off in this incredible Main Event. Behnder fought just seven days ago at IXFI, earning a surprisingly easy first round submission win over Greek Powaaah while also grabbing submission of the night along the way. To his immense relief, he also survived without getting cut, giving his fragile skin extra time to heal. What’s behind door #1? A New Car! Manager Lucky Lefty may get sick of that lame joke, but this pundit won’t. Car enters IXF after a three-fight QFC warm-up that saw him punch his way to three knockout wins. It could have been worse had he not learned from his first-fight near gaff; 7 head punches connected out of 79 thrown in the clinch, an abysmal and unsustainable ratio. Who will prevail in this battle of the titans? Behnder’s ground game or Car’s standup prowess?
Prediction: I’ve loved Behnder since his first fight, but I’m a huge fan of the Price is Right. A New Car wins by TKO as a result of Behnder blood-loss.
Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - Draven Maxwell / Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - Takeshi Yuudai
135 lbs Draven Maxwell (1-0) v Takeshi Yuudai (3-0)
135 pounders are hard to find these days, but IXF is lucky enough to have two of the best. Draven Maxwell enters IXF after one QFC warm-up, a late second round knockout after unsigned and unwanted Alexander Wilson. It was a good test though as Maxwell quickly found out what worked (clinchwork) and what didn’t (everything else). 8 successful clinches and a perfect 100% strike rate will make any opponent wary. Takeshi "Turbo" Yuudai is a perfect 3-and-0 after three quick submission wins in a week during his QFC tour. The takedown rate has been far from what Yuudai wants, but he’s been aggressive and quick enough to take advantage when he gets there. This will be another contrast in styles. Will the much taller Maxwell be able to keep Yuudai at arms length, or will the 5 footer get in close and take it to the ground?
Prediction: If Draven is able to use his reach and keep Turbo away, I think he has a chance to pull of a decision. But I don’t think he can. Yuudai is comically short and Maxwell may have a hard time zeroing in.
Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - Helio Nogueira / Mixed Martial Arts Fighter - George Russell
155 lbs Helio Nogueira (0-0) v George Russell (1-0)
This will be Helio "The Anaconda" Nogueira’s first fight on the Island and IXF is happy to have him onboard. After running through two months of tests with previous fighters, manager Chuck W94 believes he’s found the right recipe with Nogueira, a BJJ artist with some grappling skills. His opponent, George Russell (not the Williams driver), has a nearly exact build with a slightly more proficient wrestling background. Russell is 1-0 after escaping Highland for greener pastures. He won his only fight, a close three round decision that saw him work inefficiently, but hard enough to impress the judges. This could win snore of the night, but a ticket to the top of the division awaits the winner.
Prediction: Unless Nogueria makes Russell pay early for a mistake, I can guarantee fans will ask for their money back after this one. But I don’t see it going that way. Russell will overextend, Nogueria will punish.
155 lbs Ricky Luciano (1-0) v Necmettin Hoca (0-0)
Ricky Luciano pounded the jesus out of Ginger Johnson in his QFC warm-up, cutting him in the early seconds of the fight and knocking him out cold before Johnson had the chance to take his robe off. Luciano’s defense was also working, avoiding the only two strikes thrown his way. Necmettin Hoca is likely to test Luciano’s big heart a little more, but he comes in as an unknown. His manager is one of the more successful in the business and we don’t expect Hoca to roll over easily. Island creations are an ornery bitch at times and it remains to be seen if Hoca’s wrestling skills are legit.
Prediction: Luciano swings and misses and gets cut on the button. Staggered, but still standing, Luciano pulls off a 2nd round knockout
185 lbs Ache Guarani (0-0) v Wanderlei Nogueira (0-0)
I don’t think there’s much doubt that Republica Guarani is the best looking fighter out there. Probably also the strongest, quickest, most well conditioned fighter in the game. He’s also undefeated. Rumors are that his manager has very little idea what he’s doing. This will be the 25 year-old Wanderlei Nogueira’s first bout. The stand-up specialist will look to bang away at Guarani, hoping to find a weakness and avoiding takedown attempts.
Prediction: Wanderlei Nogueira makes this one look easy, getting an early first round knockout.
185 lbs Steele Campbell (0-1) v War Path (0-0)
Steele Campbell did a one-and-done at Highland and joins IXF after losing his only fight. It was a mixed bag for Campbell; his defense was pretty good, despite being knocked out, and he showed some good footwork staying out of early danger. His offense was sub-par and requires some work if he wants to earn his first win. War Path is an unknown fighter, but rumors at Big Fitness indicate that he’s been working hard on his Muay Thai so we expect a decent stand-up brawl in this one.
Prediction: Campbell falls to 0-2 after a nasty knockout
205 lbs Louciano Chaderito (0-0) v Abdul Kadir (0-0)
Two new fighters with nearly identical builds will look for their first win in this 205 pound matchup. Both prefer a grappling game and it may come down to strength and desire. Whoever is able to control the ground game should come out on top in this one.
Prediction: Kadir adds another win to G Wad's total via 1st round submission.
205 lbs Cannon Fodder (0-0) v King Redbeard (0-0)
Two new IXF fighters open up the 205 pound division. Cannon Fodder’s bio reads “very very expendable”, a huge sign of confidence from his team. He could very well be fodder, but we have a little more faith than Billy Arseworth does. King Captain Redbeard hopes to follow in his bearded teammates footsteps (see IXFI) and make manager Chris Karter happy. Similar styles, exact physical builds, we’ll see how this one shapes up.
Prediction: Redbeard via decision
265 lbs DeeJay Dawkins (0-0) v Andrey Karaev (0-0)
DeeJay "The Decepticon" Dawkins is being billed as a former college star turned cagefighter. The pride of Flint, Michigan has good wrestling skills combined with solid boxing skills. His opponent, the possibly radioactive Andrey Karaev, will see Dawkins’ boxing skills and raise a BJJ skill. We expect the wrestler to prevail, but we’re wrong more times than not.
Prediction: Dawkins via decision
170 lbs Durans Helmsfrid (1-0) v Haole Boy (0-0)
Two youngsters in the 170 pound division start the show. Durans Helmsfrid won his QFC warm-up with a fairly dominant unanimous decision. The crowd absolutely hated the fight (24% rating). But Helmsfrid doesn’t care about the polls. Haole Boy looks like Bob Marley, but we swear he isn’t. He has slight advantages in boxing and wrestling, but is outclassed if it goes to the mat.
Prediction: Haole Boy evens Helmsfrid's record.
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