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Troid 96: The Reaper Awakens PPV preview


Wolf

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T96: The Reaper Awakens


London, H20 Arena (20,000)
25th July

It’s finally here. Troid has been on the up and up for well over a year and a half now, now is the time that they make the push to PPV. To kick off the Troid PPV era, they are showcasing their best talent available. A title fight in the heavyweight division as well as the light heavyweight title being on the line make this an event not worth missing. Not only that, some of Troid’s most popular fighters are gracing the card with their presence in what should be a historic moment in Troid’s history. Let’s get to it then!

"Cocky" Rocky McColgan vs. Lexington "Lex" Snape – 265lbs TITLE FIGHT

Rocky makes his return to Troid to defend the belt he has successfully defended 4 times already. He faces the clinching speciality of Snape who has been a Troid favourite since T7 and is currently 14-5 in the org, almost reaching most fights ever in the org.

As previously stated Rocky is making his return to Troid after an unsuccessful foray into top org EVO. However the two fights he participated in were against truly top tier fighters in #1p4p Leo Ferreira and Brick Tires. Neither fight did he embarrass himself as he battled on and on until he could take no more damage and truly showed that his time is coming soon. But alas, the deal he made with EVO was that he could return to fight at Troid at a time a suitable challenger has been found, that challenger has been found and Rocky is looking to break his 2 fight losing streak in dominant fashion. As a fighter he is almost unmatched in the amount of violence he can bring to a fight, he pushes forward and lands with brutal punches and kicks. His boxing technique is probably his strongest aspect but make no mistake, he can do everything an elite mixed martial artist should be able to do, even notching a submission win early in his career showing that anywhere the fight goes he is dangerous. Whilst his opponent may enjoy a 40lbs weight advantage, Rocky employs some of the heaviest hands at heavyweight, with only 1 fight in his long title fight history going the distance all others he has finished early.

Facing him is Troid veteran and former HW champ, Lex Snape. Riding a two fight win streak over highly touted fighters and only losing 5 times in his Troid career, it’s no wonder that the Troid faithful have made him one of their favourites. Possessing possibly the best knees within MMA today, with many of his (T)KO’s caused by his knee strikes. His thrives in the clinch where he uses a vast array of strikes, but his Muay Thai skills are beyond doubting, with gnarly elbows and jaw shattering knees. What is most underappreciated about him is his ability to control the action in the clinch also, with top level fighters unable to avoid being controlled by the hulking Australian. Rarely in todays MMA do we find heavyweights that cut weight to make 265lbs successful against game opponents but Snape’s fighting style suits his size perfectly. Since losing his belt to the man McColgan took it off, Seamus Farrelly, Snape has been on a mission to do anything in his path to regain the belt. After beating 2 very tough and very game fighters who were high in up the HW ladder he finds himself against possibly his toughest fight to date.

On paper this may look a mismatch, with the KO machine that is Rocky McColgan against a veteran that is highly popular yet doesn’t possess the finest of records. But when you look at it, Snape has a fighting chance, I’d wager there aren’t too many people with his level of skills in the clinch nor his ability to find gaps to land his knees and elbows. Many of McColgan’s own victories have come from his dirty boxing. When all is said and done, I still expect McColgan to have his hand raised in the end. He has proven that he can take a good punch in the past whilst not many can say they stood up to the power he brought to the table and Snape has been finished in 7 of his 9 losses.

Prediction: McColgan via TKO

Flagon Sackett vs. Remi "The Exiled" Highjack – 205lbs TITLE FIGHT

The Co-main event pitches new champion Flagon Sackett against the youngster Remi Highjack. Sackett will be looking to defend his newly earned belt but he will be needing to bring his A game against the highly touted prospect.

Sackett’s Troid debut was for the title and he whether Mustacho’s feared striking attack and put him to sleep in the 3rd round. But now as King of The Hill, Sackett brings his own brand of striking to the table with his extremely powerful striking but it is his ability to mix it up with punches and kicks that allows him to sneak in a punch or kick that the opponent cannot see coming that makes his KO rate at 80%. From the far famed Sackett fighting family, it’s no surprise that Flagon is as successful as he is, under great tutelage and with great training partners he is a force to be reckoned with, as they say ‘steel sharpens steel’. But now with the Troid PPV imminent which will undoubtedly cause more elite level fighters to the organisation, Sackett will have to be as sharp as ever to remain unscathed. With 3 of his losses via TKO, one must wonder if he is able to take a punch from an extremely hard hitter like Highjack, but looking closer 2 of those are from doctor stoppage due to cuts. He will have to be very defensively sound to avoid his face opening cuts up.

On a 9 fight winning streak, with 8 of them being (T)KO’s, Highjack finds himself as one of the premier fighters of Troid. It was only in his last fight that he was unable to score a knockout on his opponent, but then again that was against Barry Allen who is known for his unflappable ability to take a punch who he still managed to severely hurt in the 3rd round. Highjack, like his opponent Sackett, is a striker. He thrives when he is on the attack landing punches and kicks, but due to his level headed approach to fighting he likes to bait his opponent into attacking before unleashing devastating counter strikes that leaves his opponent wincing. He has also shown a very powerful clinching game, with great Muay Thai skills he utilises powerful knees to the body and head.

A hard fight to predict, but I believe if a finish were to happen Highjack will be the one scoring it. Not only is his power great but his chin is able to withstand serious firepower. However, when looking at the level of opponents fought Sackett has the edge in experience and also there is the fact he has beaten most of these other high level fighters. I see Sackett and Highjack engaging for 5 rounds of back and forth action but with Sackett evading the killer punches of Highjack and when the announcer reads the scorecards Sackett will still have his title. A few more years and Highjack will be right back up there with the best of them though.

Prediction: Sackett via UD

"The Thunderbolt" Pika Chu vs. Silent Bob – 185lbs

We move onto a very intriguing matchup in the 185lbs division where Pika Chu makes his Troid return on short notice against the well rounded Silent Bob.

As one of the most popular fighters to step into the Troid ring, Troid fans were saddened that he had decided to leave for sunny Los Angeles at Insanity. After going 2-2 in Insanity he finds himself back in Troid to help launch off their PPV debut. His popularity is a result of his fighting style, as cliché as it might sound for him it’s literally kill or be killed. He fights with a sense of aggression unmatched by most and as a result all of his wins were before round 3 could be reached, as a matter of fact none of his losses either. His boxing and power are his primary weapons with all of his wins via (T)KO, even when taking a battering he if he is able to land 1 strike it could spell disaster for his opponent.

Silent Bob takes this fight 1 week after his Troid debut in which he impressively flattened Kurki with 1 solid punch. He has a very well rounded game as he likes to mix things up with a variety of punches and kicks with his grappling, showing to have good takedowns and top control. It’s only recently he has shown his submission prowess with a slick armbar, before he used ground and pound as opposed to submissions. A training partner of Saades, who recently beat Pika Chu with a highlight reel head-kick KO, Bob would be wise to employ a similar strategy to Saades and expose Chu’s weakness in defending kicks.

As long as Chu is standing he poses a threat with his power, but I see Bob mixing it up with his kicks and grappling which will lead him to a convincing judges decision. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Bob pulls off a submission victory.

Prediction: Bob via submission

Grey "Thunder" Wolf vs. "Reverend" JR Adams – 185lbs

Two solid veterans face each other in a contest to see who can still be relevant within Troid’s fast expanding MW division.

Wolf has seemingly found a breath of fresh air in his career after moving to Troid. He was on a 3 fight losing streak when he signed but since he has posted two straight KO wins that has his title prospects very close at hand. Although a very one dimensional fighter, Wolf possesses great power in his hands and excellent boxing ability but other than that his skills are very limited.

Adams is 3 years younger than Wolf at 30 and his time to make a considerable impact in the sport is running out. Losing his last two fights and his only 2 in Troid, it’s now or never for him. Being a well rounded wrestle/boxer he often uses his strikes to set up his takedowns which allows him to use his great grappling game. As well as being a BJJ black belt, Adams uses his elite wrestling skills to control and ground and pound his opponents which has led to numerous stoppage wins for him.

Wolf has a chance with his power, but honestly I fell he is overmatched by Adams’ wrestling and ground game. Expect Adams to score his first win inside Troid.

Prediction: Adams via submission

Nari "Hell Hound " Vari vs. "The Emperor's Assassin" Niten Dōraku – 185lbs

Former champion Vari faces rising contender Doraku in a fight that will have the MW fighters of Troid watching very closely.

Vari is coming off of a disappointing loss where he lost his title to Mazzuca, but now is his chance to earn redemption and a way back to the title shot. A highly exciting striker who excels when his opponent is on the back foot and Vari chases them down with his punches. He is very much a jack-of-all-trades, master of none type fighter. However, his power is very often the difference in his fights as you can never count him or his fighting spirit out of a fight as many who were beating him on points can attest to.

Since moving under his new manager, Doraku is 3-1 and since moving down to MW under new management he is 2-0. All of his wins under new manager Aleksei Nikulin have been via (T)KO even scoring a rare slam KO. His ground game as ever is his strongest suit and now being the bigger fighter at 185 he is able to out muscle many of his opponents. His ability to take punishment is as impressive as ever but it is his improvement in his striking which many say is allowing him to secure takedowns at a higher rate.

This is very much the typical striker vs. grappler match-up, but the question is can the striker grapple? And can the grappler strike? I believe the winner will be Doraku whose chin should hold up against Vari and he will secure a takedown and work on his ground and pound to secure a victory.

Prediction: Doraku via TKO

UNDERCARD

Shinyo "Gekido" Jintao vs. Julius "Smooth Cat" Henderson – 170lbs

Both fighters are primarily strikers with good KO rates, with Henderson preferring to work from the clinch and Jintao the superior kickboxer. I believe that Jintao will come in with the superior game plan and score the UD over Henderson.

Prediction: Jintao via UD

Antonio Jose De Sucre vs. William "Caper" King – ITFL 265lbs

Both are good boxers with KO power, King may have the advantage if it goes to the ground but I expect the lighter De Sucre to edge out King.

For a more in depth write up on this card by Grant Brophy click here

Prediction: De Sucre via UD

Roger Baumgartner vs. Howard "The King Of All Media" Stern – 185lbs

Both are BJJ black belts but the difference here lies in who has the better wrestling and who has the superior striking. In both cases Baumgartner has both and I expect him to pick up a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Baumgartner via UD

Alvin "The Phenom" Aguilar vs. Sergio Aguilar – 185lbs

The battle of the Aguilar’s here, the similarity doesn’t end with their names as both’s speciality is the grappling with excellent wrestling and BJJ. Sergio has the better striking and submission prowess whilst Alvin likes to work his ground and pound, I believe Sergio will out work Alvin.

Prediction: Sergio Aguilar via UD

Tino "Grindstone" Kallio vs. Marvin Andrews – 170lbs

Kallio is very well rounded and is able to finish a fight anywhere whilst Andrews is more one dimensional in his submission based attack. Kallio has never been finished and Andrews has a tendency to fall to KO power, Kallio should be able to overwhelm him.

Prediction: Kallio via TKO

That wraps up the card folks. A historic moment for Troid as it has its debut on PPV topped with some of the most exciting fighters in the sport! Make sure you don’t miss it this Saturday, 25th July.

That’s all from me,

Michael “Wolf” Brakeley

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