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We Welcome you to next VFN Preview show – this time, for VFN 17: Larkin Vs Capoeira. As title of this event shows – it will be headlined by Lightweight title fight, but its not only 5 round fight that we have for you that night.
But first, we will start with other Lightweight bout, where former title contender Anzor Azhiev will fight against one of the newest acquisitions of VF 155 Division – Jay “The Stray” Warner. 4-7 Azhiev was on a roll, with three straight victories he earned himself a shot at the title, but he wasn’t able to win it – as he tapped in fourth round. Now, on his way back to the top stands other submission specialist with a Brown belt in BJJ. We may finally have a chance to see Aznor’s stand up skills, because it may very well be his only chance to win this bout.
If you thought we will end with 155ers – think again. Jayden Harrison and Jens Johanson are set to do battle too, and this fight it’s really important for both of them. Skilled boxer from Union Town, New Jersey, Jayden Harrison showed a lot of heart in his bout against Rafinha Capoeira. Jens, on the other hand is coming of a Submission victory. Now, these two guys will have to determine which one of them may be one step closer to a title shot. Jens is much more accomplished wrestler, but he will have Striking disadvantage for sure, so it will be really cool to see what they decide to do.
Now we will go 50lbs higher, to see how Frankie Riiser and Jaakko Klipinen will react in must-win situation. Both are coming of a losses, and in order to get back on track they have to score stoppage victory. Frankie is talented grappler with a Brown Belt in BJJ, but his striking game…let’s just say that he isn’t K-1 Championship material right now. But Jaakko isn’t ADCC champion material as well, so it may be interesting to see how they will try to execute their strategies coming to that fight. Loser may not be back in the cage soon, so they just have to win.
When Jakob Kellerman heard that VF needs a replacement for Semifinal bout in Featherweight GP he didn’t think long – he just said yes. Jackson Curtis agreed for it as well, and now they will determine first finalist of this tournament. 5-1 former Lightweight title contender will shows up at 145 for the second time, after amazing victory in St. Petersburg. Jackson Curtis seems to be going through guys like a train, and he won’t stop for Jakob for sure. With a opportunity of a life time for both of them, it’s gonna be nasty fight with undisputed winner.
Shirtless Rob was finger tip away from fighting for the title. But Fred Nyholm derailed him. Now, with another victory on his account he is coming to fight Jeor Mormont, who lost to the same man lately. Both guys wants to get back to the top, to have title in reach of their hands. And who knows? Maybe victory in that fight will do just that? Rob proved how heavy his hands are, and if you still don’t know – ask Agapit Blondi, he will tell you. Jeor is strong and powerful wrestler, and it will be extremely hard to put him away – but Rob still thinks he may do that.
185lbs division is stacked. One victory may launch you to title contentions and one loss may drop you all the way down. Scott Taylot Williams and John Kruger know that for sure, and they will do everything that is in their power to end it ASAP. Once again it will be fight of opposite styles, but it obvious that styles make fights, and that’s why this one will be exciting for sure. With heavy and quick hands, cardio on the top level and mentality of a champions – they will do battle, that may go down as one of the greatest Middleweights fights in VF.
Hiro Matsuka lost his title fight, but he isn’t out of his game. He will welcome Grigoriev Maxim to VF’s 155 division, and shows him how great he is. Hiro was on a 4-fights winning streak, until Steven Larking tapped him with a Triangle Choke. After that Hiro tapped Jay Warner with the same move, sending clear message that he isn’t on his way out. Grigoriev showed his power, with 3 straight TKO victories. Hiro never fought anyone like that, and it will nice to see how he will deal with that kind of power. Maxim is great wrestler, and in his mind he sees Matsuka down and out, thanks to Russian’s Ground And Pound. What about Matsuka? Well, he is looking for a place in his house for another Submission Of The Night award.
Second semifinalist in 145lbs Grand Prix will be determine in next fight – John Barris Vs Dingo Penn. 11-5 Dingo Penn moved up to 145lbs after being unsuccessful with his 2 chances at 135 belts. With much more power and better cardio, he is scary now. But John Barris just don’t care. He is here to win, and he will look to take home victory…and Dingo’s arm with it. Armlock specialist will looks for a chance to lock in Armbar or Kimura, to force Dingo to tap. But Dingo is outstanding wrestler, and he knows how to avoid that. If he defends against submissions as well as he takes guys down, it will be long and painful night for Barris.
It’s time to go 5 rounds – first with 170lbs title holder Johan Fredrikson and his new contender – Mohammed Sissoko. Johan showed that as a champion, he knows what he is doing. 5 fights, 5 wins and 5 wins by stoppage. He can knock you out or submit you, nothing difficult for him. But Mohammed is a vicious wrestler, and besides of his huge power in his hands, he loves to punish his opponents. And that what he will try to do, take Johan down, control him and beat him up until ref jump in and stop the fight. And if he will be able to avoid submission attempts from current champ, at the end of the night we may see new Welterweight champion.
After that fight, it will be one of the most exciting fights at 155lbs. Undefeated champion and submission specialist – Steven Larkin will defend his belt against explosive and powerful Rafinha Capoeira. Larkin went through toughest guys he could, tapping them one by one. Rafinha did same thing, but instead of tapping them out, he tried to knock them out. And maybe he has one KO on his record, but there is not a lot of people that can stand with him. This is really exciting bout, and everything can happen – and it can happen in blink of an eye, so watch it close – because you may miss stoppage of the year!
After preview show, Chris Garcia sat down with media, to answer few questions.
Reporter: Jayden Harrison and Jens Johanson weren’t scheduled to fight on that card, what happened?
Garcia: Well, we had problems with few guys, and Jayden and Jens agreed to fight on 4 days notice, so they landed on that card.
Reporter: We heard that you have problems with resigning Steven Larkin, what’s going on?
Garcia: It was tough, but we solved this one. Steven wants shot at Johan Fredrikson so bad, I called him and say “Hey, can we meet? We have to talk about new contract”, he came, I’ve put a contract on desk, he looked at it, and said “I won’t sign it”. He said he wants to stay with us, but at 170. We talked a lot…and finally came to an agreement. No matter what happen in his next fight, after it he will go to 170 and fight as a Welterweight. So one way or another, we will have new champion at 155 soon.
Reporter: So he will have to vacant his title?
Garcia: Yup. Either you are 155er or 170er, he decided to be 170 so he will have to leave title as well.
Reporter: Any plans about it? What if he beats Rafinha? Any plans who will fight for title?
Garcia: Matsuka Vs Maxim seems to be title eliminator, so one of them for sure. Who will fight winner of that? I don’t know yet, we will see what happen.
Reporter: Any other title eliminators on that card?
Garcia: Williams Vs Kruger looks solid. So Forolov will have to watch that fight closely, because one of them may be his next opponent. It depends on how winner will win it, and how badly he will be beat up.
Reporter: Any predictions for 145 GP?
Garcia: I don’t like to predict VF fights…but if you want to know, I think it may be Curtis Vs Penn for title. Kellerman isn’t weak, but I think Curtis is much, much more better wrestler and he will use that. Same thing with Penn, even if he is only purple belt and he is fighting brown belt…I don’t think Barris will have a chance to submit him. I don’t want to underrate anybody, but that’s what I think about it…it was last one? Ok, so see you guys after VFN at post fight presser. Good night.
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