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Jerry Goon - 135 Bantamweight (5-1,4-1 Bellicose)
After losing the Featherweight title, Jerry Goon shocked the Bellicose world by forfeiting any chance at a rematch, and dropping 10 pounds to fight at Bantamweight. Though he had never fought at 135 before, a rapid knockout of 2-0 Armani Jones in a 145 lb bout earned him a shot at champion Sean Dash, and just 42 seconds into the 1st round, he recovered from a massive one-two from the Memphis native to put his lights out with a flurry of lethal blows. Time will tell if the brutal weight cuts will take their toll, or if the boxing Brit will continue to make his right hand the most feared in the division. Next up, he faces submission machine and K Britt team member Artemis Bray (4-0, 4-0 Bellicose) in an intriguing clash of styles on November 27, at Bellicose: Priest vs Saturn 2.
Mateo Daverio - 145 Featherweight (5-0, 5-0 Bellicose)
The uninitiated among you may wonder why I name dropped K Britt. The notorious manager is a bit of a Bellicose legend, for better or worse. His Legion of Doom runs roughshod over the org, holding 3 out of 8 titles and has challengers set for 2 more. Mateo Daverio not someone you want within 2 feet of you, winning 4 of his 5 matchups by TKO. Landing an unbelievable 31 elbow strikes per fight, any contender better keep their guard up at all times, lest they get completely overwhelmed. He won the title by doing just that to former champion “Psycho” Patrick Bateman, the grappling sensation. At Bellicose: Daverio vs Girith on December 3rd, he’ll have to step up his game again as he faces off with Garyn Girith(5-1, 2-0 Bellicose), the purple belt and former BMF fighter. Girith has 3 first-round submissions under his belt, so Daverio better keep this one on his feet.
Datte Bayo - 155 (Lightweight (4-0, 4-0 Bellicose)
Bayo is the current holder of the most well-travelled belt in Bellicose. The “cursed” belt has only been defended once since its inception, but since then, has had a new champion every time it was fought for. “Believe It” Bayo certainly looks the part to break the curse though, since not a single one of his 4 opponents has lasted 3 minutes against the barrage of punches that the 26 year old can throw. The Lightweight champ certainly benefits from the tactical acumen of manager Scott Bandz, but there’s only so far that tactics can get you. Bayo more than bridges the gap between good and pure superstar, so if he gets you on the ground, you better start praying. Bayo looks to keep the Legion of Doom under K Britt from claiming yet another piece of gold when he squares up against Harrison Cutler (4-1, 1-0 Bellicose). Cutler has claimed every victory behind an arsenal of punches and strikes, so expect the hands to fly hot and heavy at Bellicose - Bayo vs Cutler on November 28th!
Samuel Draven - 170 Welterweight (5-0, 4-0 Bellicose)
If one was to write a how-to guide on sprawl and brawl, they ought to look no further than Ohio-born knockout artist Samuel Draven. Picked up by Bellicose after a 71-second knockout in a regional promotion, he rewarded their faith by claiming the Welterweight title in just his second match with the org. It’s remained there ever since. Some would argue that he hasn’t faced the kind of high-quality opposition that Bellicose usually provides, and a September beatdown of a clearly outmatched Matt Smith lends credence to their point. But if Draven comes out of Bellicose: Ike vs Kai on November 6th with the gold remaining where it’s been since late July, there will be no argument. There, the proficient puncher will square off in the “people’s main event” against the versatile 20-year old Kanud Odimabesser (4-0, 3-0 Bellicose). Odimabesser has ended fights with strikes, submissions, and decision, and has absolutely torn his way through the Welterweight Division. This fight won’t go the distance, but it won’t be soon forgotten either.
Dean Howard - 185 Middleweight (6-0, 6-0 Bellicose)
Dean Howard may as well get the Middleweight belt tattooed on. Since he claimed the initial title at NYCL 17: Hittah vs Wellstone, he hasn’t let anyone come close to taking it away. The K Britt fighter won his debut fight with an emphatic slam at the very first Bellicose show, and hasn’t lost since. Training with his team of elite fighters clearly pays off, as the Vermont native has shown to be able to find a way to end fights even when he can’t lock in one of his trademark arm locks to force a tap. Dean is tied with LHW Champion and Legion of Doom teammate Ike Wellstone for most wins in Bellicose history. The brown belt is well rounded, and anyone who intends on etching their name beside his in the annals of Middleweight history faces a steep task. Jake Paul (4-0, 4-0 Bellicose) is the next to make their attempt. Though many claim the 20 year old Ohioan is all flash and no substance, 4 knocked out opponents may beg to differ. Though he shocked the world with a 36 second KO of former BMF champion John Brown, not many give Paul a fighting chance against the limb-twisting talents of Howard. He gets his chance at Bellicose: Howard vs Paul on November 20th.
Ike Wellstone - 205 (Light Heavyweight (6-0, 6-0 Bellicose)
What is there to say about “Iron” Ike Wellstone that hasn’t already been beaten into the face of anyone who’s brazenly challenged him? After a pair of TKO wins over former champ Big Hittah, one to win the title and one to notch a defense, Ike faced off with Doug Funny, a fighter who had (at the time) an undefeated record, but the fight was controversial. Not because of the method of knockout, but because the punch-loving Funny had only won amateur bouts before, and there may have been better contenders. K Britt denied any matchmaking wrongdoing, but the outcry intensified when the New Orleans native was announced to face Kai Tokugawa(6-1, 0-0 Bellicose) at Bellicose - Ike vs Kai on November 6th. Nobody denies that “The Dragon” is a talented fighter (the striker is on a 6-fight win streak), but the Kyoto-born fighter has never completed in Bellicose before. Notably, Bill Smif and the undefeated Cyborg Reyes both argued they were far more deserving, and that Tokugawa had mostly completed in regional promotions. If Ike wins as expected, expect one of those two to try and back up their words with action and end the reign of the Legion of Doom manager. “Tomato cans no longer” is the rallying cry of the internet.
Prokop Pustik - 265 Heavyweight (4-0, 4-0 Bellicose)
Ever been run over by a bus? Then perhaps you have some idea how the opponents of Prokop Pustik feel. The 19-year old changes the atmosphere when he walks in a room, like suddenly we’re all reduced to prey hoping a predator doesn’t notice us. The quiet Czech flips a switch at the referee’s command, and turns into a monster. Though some thought it bold to give a title shot to someone in their 3rd professional fight, Prokop took just 2 minutes to turn Nathaniel Jones’ face into mincemeat, and claim one of the titles left behind when double champ Lars Bishop was sentenced to 15 years for felony tax evasion. Prokop has taken less than 8 combined minutes to put the lights out of 4 men, and the Heavyweight belt looks pretty secure. That said, Vedran "The Missile" Mihaljevic (5-0, 3-0 Bellicose) looks to be a big test, having punched the lights out of all 5 men he’s met in the cage. The Croatian colossus won 2 amateur fights before being picked up by the pervasive Legion of Doom. Both men will remember this one, both in their bodies and in their minds. They each put their undefeated records on the line at Bellicose - Prokop vs Vedran. Hot money is on this one going less than a round. The two powerhouses each are looking for a knockout, and I expect it to come with “of the night” right behind. This one is going to be good.
Jaco The Rastafarian Priest - 265+ Titanweight (6-1, 1-0 Bellicose)
Hailing from Kingston, Jamaica, Jaco is almost as much experience as he is a man. Having defeated Hiroshima Nagasaki for the belt after the arrest of Lars Bishop, he has an extensive record of beating the piss out of anyone in his way. The lone L on his record comes from a surprise head kick from potential future contender Jacob Blake. Other than that, the Rasta practitioner hasn’t had much of a challenge. At Bellicose - Priest vs Saturn, that changes. The November 27th event brings forth his first contender, Bobby Saturn (3-0, 3-0 Bellicose). The massive Saturn must have some kind of debt, cause he collects “Knockout of the Night” bonuses like there’s no tomorrow. But it will take more than a good punch to knock out the champion. It can be done, but the 20-year old priest isn’t going down easy. The colossal collision is selling tickets like there is no tomorrow, and Bellicose confirmed the ring is being reinforced. Our prediction: Jaco mows down the contender en route to a Blake rematch.
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