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 Crucible Fights: London 8: We Approve Violence Preview
At Hayashi’s Lounge in London on July 13th
On Saturday night Crucible Fights returns to London with a stacked package of mixed martial arts action, with an extra kick o’ violence - we approve it! Three titles are up for grabs (did I say stacked already?) and some of the most promising up and comers look to ply their trade inside the Crucible cage.
The predictions are nothing but opinions of the writer and do not reflect the views of the company in any way, and are not meant to offend anyone involved.
Main card:
Featherweight Championship bout:
(c) ”The Slender Man” James Dean Rockefeller (4-0) vs. ”The Little Girl Murderer” Tsutomu Miyazaki (5-0-2)
The main event fighters may be small, but the main event fight is big, and perhaps one of the most exciting match ups in Crucible Fights this year, as champion JD Rockefeller puts his title on the line against twisted Japanese challenger Tsutomu Miyazaki.
Miyazaki is a real underdog in this fight - although he has shown great wrestling and groundwork, the champion seems to be a more talented fighter, and physically larger, as well. Though we haven’t seen much of it, Rockefeller is reportedly a strong striker with powerful kicks, which is perhaps something that we will see in this fight, as Miyazaki is a rather novice striker. The challenger has shown an iron jaw and dogged determination in pursuing his takedowns, but Rockefeller is a four-time All-American at Oklahoma State and should have the edge in wrestling as well.
Prediction: Rockefeller by (T)KO. With an advantage virtually everywhere, this is the champ’s fight to lose. Miyazaki is a worthy challenger with excellent grappling skills, but will likely prove too one-dimensional for the champion.
Heavyweight Championship bout:
Aster "Doomday" Roid (5-0) vs Adam Stanislav (5-1)
Everyone’s favorite heavyweight knock out artist Aster Roid returns in the co-main event to defend his crown against versatile young challenger Adam Stanislav.
Aster Roid’s forte is no secret to Crucible Fights fans - he likes to stand and bang, usually knocking his opponents out in brutal fashion. The champion is no slouch on the mat, but will likely be looking to keep this particular fight on the feet and impose his striking on Stanislav.
Stanislav is a versatile competitor who has finished an equal amount of fights by knock out and submission. He likes to mix takedowns into his potent kickboxing attacks, keeping his opponents guessing. He is known for his granite chin, which is something he will need if he hopes to survive Roid’s striking onslaught. Though Stanislav has shown a more multifaceted attack, his lack of specialty might prove to be a problem for him.
Prediction: Roid by (T)KO. Roid has been taken down only a handful of times, and I feel like he will be able to keep the fight in his comfort zone and land bombs.
Middleweight Championship bout:
”Metal Fang” Nikolai Dzhumagaliev (4-0) vs. Taylor ”The Madman” Tomkins (2-1)
The third title fight of the evening pits Kazakhstani knock out artist Nikolai Dzhumagaliev against aggressive Englishman, Taylor Tomkins to determine the first ever CF:L middleweight champion. Both fighters are known for their striking skills, which promises an entertaining start to the night’s championship festivities.
Though both competitors share a knack for quick knock out finishes, their methods of achieving them are fairly different: Tomkins lands more kicks than he does punches, wearing his opponents down with punishing leg and body attacks before going upstairs, while Dzhumagaliev is known for his unorthodox, brutal finishes with his hands. Tomkins is the taller fighter, and using his range and kicks would tip the fight in his favor, whereas a boxing range would benefit Dzhumagaliev.
Prediction: Dzhumagaliev by (T)KO. The Kazakhstani is a ruthless power puncher, and I like him to be able to close the distance and land the finisher at some point inside the distance.
Featherweight bout:
Nils ”Peukaloinen” Holgersson (5-1) vs. Stephen ”Brass Knuckle” Burke (2-0)
In the main card opener two hard-hitting featherweights face off in an attempt to establish themselves at the top of their weight class as Nils Holgersson battles Stephen Burke.
Both fighters are mainly known for their hands, but the contrast in styles is fascinating: Holgersson is a power puncher who finishes his fights more often than not, while Burke is a solid, technically sound boxer who prefers to outbox his opponents and look for openings in a more patient fashion. Though Burke has only had two professional fights, his punch accuracy has been stunning: he lands 99% of his single head punches!
Holgersson is the more well-rounded and experienced competitor, but while that has been true for some of his other fights, he has mostly fallen back on his bread and butter: a good ability to take a punch, and a better ability to give one. Holgersson is a truly powerful puncher for his weight class, and has the ability to stop virtually any man who weighs 145 pounds or less.
Prediction: Burke by decision. Though Burke is a risky pick and deserves to be the underdog in this fight, he could be the perfect match for Holgersson’s style. A technical, measured striker with an iron jaw - a combination that may be the key to the Holgersson puzzle.
Preliminary card:
Light heavyweight bout:
Johnny Wilson (5-0) vs. Rocky ”Skinhead” Chilemba (7-2)
Two of the busiest youngsters in CF:L’s light heavyweight division, Johnny Wilson and Rocky Chilemba, look to prove their worth in a clash of rising prospects. Wilson is an all-rounder who has proven he can finish fights in a variety of ways, including a slam knock out and two submissions. Chilemba is a brown belt level student of jiu-jitsu, and has finished all of his seven victories by way of tap out.
Prediction: Chilemba by submission. Though Wilson has an edge standing, I don’t think it will be enough to stop Chilemba from taking Wilson down and finishing him.
Heavyweight bout:
Masamichi Yamaji (2-0) vs. Eryk Kafok (3-5)
In a fight that will probably not steal much of the fans’ time, world-class striker Masamichi Yamaji looks to continue his winning ways against balls-to-the-walls power puncher Eryk Kafok. Yamaji is an excellent kick boxer who lands with the type of speed and accuracy that comes from a lifetime of striking, and has a significant technical advantage when compared to Kafok, who strikes hard and often.
Prediction: Yamaji by (T)KO. All of Kafok’s eight professional fights have ended with either him knocking his opponent out or getting knocked out - I think the latter will happen against Yamaji.
Featherweight bout:
Ash Lizard (1-1) vs. Nathan Donald Diaz (2-0)
In a featherweight showdown Nathan Diaz puts his wrestling up against Ash Lizard’s submission grappling. Lizard is looking to rebound from a knock out loss, while Diaz is looking for his third straight victory. Lizard is better on the ground, and Diaz might have the tools to keep the fight standing and outwork him on the feet, but I have a feeling the fight might end up in a grappling situation at some point, and that’s where Lizard is quick to snatch a victory.
Prediction: Lizard by submission.
Welterweight bout:
Leo Bambaleo Jr. (2-0) vs. Marcus DeChamp (1-0-1)
In the welterweight division two promising up and comers meet to decide who moves up as Leo Bambaleo Jr. looks to follow a tooth rattling knock out last month with another against Marcus DeChamp, who was last seen submitting Ricardell Moore on the 28th of June at the Underground. DeChamp is a solid young all-rounder who showed a pretty armbar in his last fight, while Bambaleo is a fan favorite rookie with two great knock outs to his name.
Prediction: Bambaleo Jr. by (T)KO. DeChamp is decent in all areas, but probably not good enough in anything specific to give himself a comfortable edge.
Featherweight bout:
Mario ”Jagatic” Maci (2-5) vs. Fred ”Nightmare” Mason (1-2)
In a clash of two men looking to get on track with their careers, Mario Maci puts his striking skills against Fred Mason’s all-round abilities. Both men have suffered back-to-back losses and will look to put everything they have into this next fight to turn their careers around.
Prediction: Mason by decision. Mason’s grappling edge might just be enough to eke out a victory against the more experienced Maci.
Welterweight bout:
Ricardell ”The Threat” Moore (0-4) vs. Ian ”The Hitman” McDunn (0-2)
Neither Ricardell Moore’s or Ian McDunn’s mixed martial arts career started according to plan. In an effort to capture their first professional victory, ”The Hitman” will look to use his boxing skills to neutralize ”The Threat’s” all-around attacks.
Prediction: McDunn by (T)KO. I feel like McDunn has had a rough start to his career, but still he has shown some areas where he could have significant weapons to build on for the future, namely his boxing and Gaelic wrestling skills. Here’s to hoping McDunn can get on track and turn his career into something.
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