2021-04-09
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Highland 17 Preview - By Tycoon Hec

Event Preview: Highland 17
Highland
2021-04-04, The Island, The Underground - The Island
Author:Callum McGregor

 HIGHLAND 17

A Preview by Tycoon Hec

Gentleman, HIGHLAND 17 is finally here! The Bantamweight title is on the line. A lot of up and coming prospects will be showing their talent and multiple teammates will be going head to head on one of the best cards Highland is providing. With over 200 fighters on the roster, Callum Mcgregor looks to bring the very best fights to the fans of the Island regularly. With no shortage of fight cards lined up you can expect this promotion to be one of the very best promotions in the near future. My name is Tycoon Hec and you can expect Previews and Interviews from me going forward. I look forward to adding a little spice to your life with the words we use.  Starting in Descending Order is the Main event, followed by the Co-main all the way to the first fight on the main card. If you enjoy this preview please reach out to Callum Mcgregor. Good luck to all the fighters on this excellent fight card! Now let's get into the fight card Highland 17.


Jobber Joe vs Noel Diaz
For the Bantamweight Championship 

The Bantamweight Title is on the Line between two training partners as Jobber Joe takes on  Noel Diaz! These two undefeated fighters have a combined win streak of 5 wins and neither fighter knows what it is like to ask the judges for a decision. Needless to say, this fight is going to bring the fans the aggressive pace mma is widely celebrated for. Jobber Joe (3-0), a remarkable boxer and talented wrestler training out of Tez’s Stand and Bang has finished all three of his opponents by knockout. Whether it is by a single overhand or uppercut or it is by a thunderous combination, Jobber is known for inflicting pain upon his opponents with his fists. Jobbers last opponent was seemingly doing well until the third round when Joe landed some hellacious strikes forcing the referee to stop the fight. The French boxer has had an extensive boxing record so the standup exchanges are usually what he will prefer in a fight. His opponent and gym partner, Noel Diaz is not particularly known for his striking, in fact, he has only thrown one punch his entire mma career and it missed by a wide margin. What Diaz does bring to the table is a web of submissions and transitions that create anxiety in any fighter and a good amount of trash talk. Recently Diaz had went in Highlands smack talk thread on March 25th to say, “Jobber Joe is a pussy. Harry Henderson you are a f*****g pussy too! I'll slap both of you in the face when I see you.” Diaz (2-0), easily submitted both of his opponents proving to be a force to be reckoned with should the fight go to the ground. Critics of Noel Diaz have stated that he has not earned this title shot and has not proven himself at Highland. Diaz supporters scoff at this remark pointing to the supreme difference in their BJJ caliber insinuating that Jobber Joe will eventually tap. We had a chance to catch up with Jobber Joe and asked him a few questions:

Is there any animosity going against your gym mate at Tezs Stand and Bang, Noel Diaz for the title?

 I generally keep to myself at the gym, but no there is no animosity. It's just another fight for me. Although I definitely want that title belt for sure!

 His submissions are absolutely ferocious, how do you plan to keep this fight on the ground?

 Diaz is dangerous. I'm comfortable going to the ground. If it goes there, I will defend and get back up to bang it out. 

 What should we expect of this fight come Easter Sunday?

Expect two of Fight Island's top bantamweights to deliver an exciting fight! Watch out for his slick submissions and my crafty boxing!

Reality is, this fight only goes one of two ways a knockout or a tapout. We know once Joe connects, it basically becomes lights out for anyone but we have never seen Diaz take a punch. We also know that when Diaz gets someone to the ground they are not escaping unless the bell saves them. With Jobbers proficient wrestling it is difficult for me to see how Diaz gets the fight to the ground, that shared Diaz is also known for having equal if not better wrestling.

Prediction: The Bantamweight Champion will be Noel Diaz via 2nd Round Submission.


 

Island Guy Kristoffer Wexell 
Middleweight Match

The Co-Main event offers Highland a fight that truly will begin to launch one of these fighters careers in the right direction. Island Guy who holds some wonderful Muay Thai pedigree hopes to provide a third knockout finish in his career against the wrestling phenom in Kristoffer Wexell. Wexell, who last fought two weeks ago, finished in the second round against Montoya. Island Guy lost a tough decision to the now Middleweight Champion in McKay. Island Guy is exceptionally dangerous on the feet and his striking proves to be no joke for anyone he matches up against. His striking tends to put his opponents to sleep and knowing Kristoffer has already experienced that he will probably be banking on just that. I think it is fair to assume Island Guy is going to be a little more aggressive against Wexell in this matchup in hopes to put him away early and put his name in contention for the title shot. Reports from Wexell’s gym mates have shared that his Morale is high despite being Tko’d in his last mma outing. His teammates regularly spar with him on Monday evenings have claimed he is a different fighter and if Island Guy slips up, it will be Wexell with his hand raised. 

Prediction: Wexell will stun the audience with a surprise knockout in the first round.

 

Ron Johnson vs Sahara Sam
Featherweight Match

In a featherweight matchup of striking excellence we see two 25 year old's from opposite ends of the planet go at it. The 25 year old Canadian, Ron Johnson is making his return to the Highland cage after a two week break period taking on the Egyptian warrior, Sahara Sam 1-1, an aggressive kickboxer who strikes with quickness. Sahara is known for entertaining the fans with his wild hooks and lightning fast head kick attempts. Johnson, who is also known for his kickboxing, has a unique ability to regularly land thunderous leg kicks into his opponent. On visiting Ron Johnson at his gym, we quickly realized he actively trains with the Lightweight and Middleweight Champions of Highland. McKay vocalized how even though Ron is just starting out in MMA the sky's the limit for this guy. Coaches for Ron have shared they hope Sahara Sam engages in a standup fight with Ron as they know their featherweight fighter will run circles around him. Regardless of who wins you can expect a ton of exchanges on the standup. I would be surprised if we see one takedown attempt from either of these martial artists. 

Prediction: Ron Johnson walks away with the split decision victory.

 

Millard Masters vs Apollo Turner
Bantamweight Match

When the Monken takes on the Rampage fight fans should expect nothing but non-stop action. The second fight on the main card proves to be one that will have you on the edge of your seat. Apollo Rampage Turner is looking to even out his record with another first round knockout against his opponent. To do that, he may be hoping to keep the same game plan and be a bit aggressive on the stand-up. His opponent is also known for being aggressive just with a different style. Millard Masters has taken down both of his opponents and relentlessly looked for the submission to put them away. In Masters last outing, he told his opponent he was going to break his leg just before the tap. Masters, a crowd pleaser in his last fight, is anticipating not only coming away with the win but the submission of the night as well and if he performs that what a fight it will be to see him as the next potential challenger for the bantamweight title.

Prediction: Millard Masters submits Apollo Turner in the first round.

 

Jorge Assvidal vs Bryan De Paula
Lightweight Match

Despite only being 18 against his 25 year old opponent, Bryan De Paula has a bit more experience in the world of Mixed Martial Arts than that of Jorge Assvidal. What a beautiful name. The two training partners at SMASH training have vocalized a supreme respect for one another in and out of the gym. Jorge is quite aware that the ground game is not where he wants to end up against Bryan but Bryan is understanding that Jorge will most likely get the finish if the fight stays on the feet. After his first mma fight, Bryan De Paulas coaches informed him that he had to be more aggressive in finding the submissions otherwise he would continue to get knocked out. During his second pro mma fight Bryan went for four submission attempts before finally securing one against a dangerous grappler. Assvidal, who has been working his takedown defense in training has been seen working longer hours as he knows this will be the toughest match-up he may face for a while and may set a precedent going forward. The coaches of the two men have informed me that it really is a toss up on this one and they could see it going either way. This will be the perfect fight to being the Main Card for Highland 17 as it surely will not go the distance.

Prediction: Assvidal counters the takedown and knocks out Bryan in the first round.

 

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