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The WFL returns for the first time in a week for a stacked card. Live from Hayashi's Lounge in Helsinki, Finland, it's WFL 25- Haeyhae vs Backstrom. Along with that exhilarating Lightweight title fight, we also have a pair of title eliminator bouts, including a much anticipated rematch. Let's get into it:
Preliminary bout #1- Light Heavyweight fight (205 lbs)
Fernando Martinez (5-5) {1-3} versus Michal Nogueria (5-10) {1-1}
Both of these fighters are looking to rebound from tough losses and gain some traction in this loaded 205 lb division. Nogueria is a striker by trade, winning four of his five by way of KO. Martinez on the other hand is a tough grappler, but he has had trouble having success on the ground so far in the WFL. In this one, however, Martinez shouldn't have trouble winning the ground battle, and I think he takes home a second round submission.
Preliminary bout #2- Middleweight fight (185 lbs)
Very Magnum (6-9) {0-3} versus Adam Slate (3-2) {2-1}
A rematch of two guys looking to get back on their feet in the 185 lb division takes place here. In their first bout Slate surprised me and was able to control the BJJ Brown Belt and win a decision. In this one, Magnum will need to attempt more subs when this one goes to the ground, which it undoubtedly will against the tough wrestler in Slate. Slate is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Ali Babanov, and I think he does by way of submission.
Preliminary bout #3- Welterweight fight (170 lbs)
#5 Bryan Poison (3-1) {1-1} versus Claus Tanka (1-1) {0-0}
Claus Tanka makes his WFL debut here as he takes on the ranked Bryan Poison. Poison is looking to bounce back from a tough KO loss to Shinya Stanley. Poison is very well rounded, versed in both striking and grappling. In this one, I think his advantage may be in his wrestling and mixing it up with his striking against the boxer Tanka. Tanka hasn't shown overwhelming KO power in his career, so I think Poison takes a decision here.
Preliminary bout #4- Lightweight fight (155 lbs)
Tom Hathaway (2-0) {0-0} versus Anzhor Azhiev (9-30) {1-3}
An interesting matchup here between two guys looking to make a title charge in the 155 lb division. This is the debut of Tom Hathaway, and I must say I am pretty excited. Hathaway is one of the most well rounded fighters in the division, and at just 21 years of age, a true future star in the 155 lb division. Hathaway will want to use his great striking in this one opposite the BJJ purple belt Azhiev. Azhiev has shown a shaky chin in the past, and I think Hathaway wears him down and gets a third round TKO victory.
Preliminary bout #5- Middleweight fight (185 lbs)
Ramazan Astakhov (5-2) {0-0} versus Uzmanov Kiri (1-1) {0-1}
A pair of tough grappler battle here as Ramazan Astakhov makes his much anticipated debut opposite Uzmanov Kiri. These fighters are ridiculously similar, as they both utilize strong wrestling with good BJJ. Astakhov, however, has shown to be quite the finisher in his career, holding 2 KO wins and 3 submission wins in his career. I think that is just what gets Astakhov the victory, as I think he wins by 2nd round submission.
Main Card bout #1- Featherweight fight (145 lbs)
Benny Hill (17-18) {2-4} versus Suliman Kane (6-9) {1-3}
[-149] [+112]
Suliman Kane has always been one of the more talented fighters in the WFL featherweight division, with strong striking and a BJJ Brown Belt, Kane seems like a tough puzzle to solve. However, the one roadblock in Kane's path to greatness has been his chin. In this one, Kane will likely look to strike here, however it may be difficult against great wrestler Hill. Hill will look to take down Kane and work his ground and pound, but that may be difficult against a BJJ brown belt. I think Hil starts strong, but Kane wins by submission in round 2.
Main Card bout #2- Lightweight Title Eliminator fight (155 lbs)
#2 Roufus Kaine (6-1) {3-0} versus Yodthanong Photirat (8-17) {3-3}
[-387] [+263]
Our first of two title eliminators takes place here as Photirat battles Kaine. Both of these men are ruthless strikers, with 11 KOs between them. Kaine is much more well rounded than Photirat, but as long as it stays on the feet this one is a toss up. I think there is a chance Kaine will look to take this one to the ground and use his BJJ purple belt, but there is no doubt he can hold his own on the feet. The difference in this one may be the chin of Photirat, which has shown to be inconsistent in the past, and I think Kaine gets a third round KO and a shot at the title.
Main Card bout #3- Light Heavyweight fight (205 lbs)
#2 Bob Probert (4-1) {3-1} versus Tony Rollins (2-1) {1-1}
[-325] [+227]
One of the most talented strikers in the WFL returns in this one, as Bob Probert takes on Tony Rollins. Probert is a beast of a striker, and this fight would be an absolute blowout if it wasn't for one variable, the dominant wrestling of Tony Rollins. Rollins not only has great wrestling, but ruthless ground and pound as well. However, in this one, I don't think it will matter, and I have Probert sending a message with a first round TKO win.
Co Main Event- Welterweight Title Eliminator fight (170 lbs)
#2 Shinya Stanley (6-3) {4-2} versus #1 Miguel Augusto (9-5) {4-2}
[+132] [-177]
A huge rematch takes place here with a shot at the welterweight title on the line. In their first fight, Stanley started strong, landing good punches, but one Augusto got it to the ground and it was elementary from there, with Augusto taking home an armbar submission. There is no doubt Stanley will look to keep in standing in this one with his strong boxing and good Muay Thai. Augusto has a brown belt in BJJ, and will look to use that again in the rematch. However, I think this time Stanley defends the takedown and KOs Augusto in round 2.
Main Event- Lightweight Title Fight (155 lbs)
Champion Risto Haeyhae (5-1) {4-1} versus #1 Niklas Backstrom (13-3) {1-0}
[-129] [-102]
Here is our main event, and intriguing fight between the champ Risto Haeyhae and challenger Niklas Backstrom. Backstrom is arguably the best grappler in the 155 lb division, but champion Haeyhae will definitely put the to the test. This fight will definitely take place on the ground, and when you look at it on paper, it looks like Backstrom will pull it out easy, but the thing that makes this interesting for me is that Haeyhae went three rounds with Ronaldo Hispanyola, another BJJ brown belt, and won a decision. However, this fight is five rounds instead of three. I think Haeyhae starts strong, but Backstrom pulls off a submission in round four.
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