|
After just a three day hiatus, the Warrior Fight League returns to the Underground in Helsinki, Finland with a loaded card headlined by an exciting lightweight title fight between the perennial underdog Risto Haeyhae and #1 contender Roufus Kaine. Let's get into it:
Prelim bout #1- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
livari Uhri (2-1) {2-1} versus Travis Milnes (1-2) {0-2}
A pair of young lightweights battle it out here in our first fight of the evening. Uhri has been one of the more impressive fighters in the 155 lb division thus far, and he will look to continue that here. He is coming off of a stunning superman punch KO of veteran Cesys Kazlauskas at WFL 26. Milnes has struggled to gain traction so far in his WFL career, but he enters a very evenly matched bout here against Uhri. These guys are pretty even wherever the fight goes, but I think Uhri uses the momentum he has coming in to knock off Milnes by decision.
Prelim bout #2- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
Ric Borden (2-1) {1-0} versus Joakim Akterhall (2-2) {2-1}
In my humble opinion, this is the most intriguing and exciting fight on the card tonight. Former title challenger and one of the best strikers in the division in Joakim Akterhall takes on the Muay Thai machine known as Ric Borden. Both of these men are true prospects at 155 lbs, boasting a combined age of just 40 years. There is no doubt this one will stay on the feet. Akterhall is the more well rounded of the two. Borden will need to use his kicks and knees to win this one. I think Akterhall has the better chin, and I think he takes home a third round TKO.
Prelim bout #3- Light Heavyweight bout (205 lbs)
Oruku Saki (1-0) {0-0} versus Heikki Hirvonen (5-8) {1-5}
Oruku Saki will look to make a splash here in his sophomore effort here in the WFL when he takes on well rounded Heikki Hirvonen. Saki is a rapidly improving striker with a decent ground game to go with it. I think Hirvonen should look to go to the ground to win this one. However, Saki has great defensive wrestling, which is why I think Saki picks up a first round KO win.
Main Card bout #1- Light Heavyweight fight (205 lbs)
#3 (MW) Ali Babanov (4-0) {3-0} versus Mahmud Magomedov (5-4) {0-0}
[-173] [+129]
Ali Babanov will make his much anticipate 205 lb debut here against the well round Magomedov. Magomedov is making his debut in the WFL here, and he would certainly make a splash if he took out the undefeated Babanov. For Babanov to stay undefeated, he will have to use his blistering top game to wear down the superior striker in Magomedov. If Magomedov can keep it standing for long enough, he can possibly get a KO. I will take Babanov by decision in a back and forth affair.
Main Card bout #2- Light Heavyweight fight (205 lbs)
#2 Bob Probert (5-1) {4-1} versus Kevin Stevens (5-4-1) {4-4-1}
[-387] [+263]
Bob Probert will look to position himself for another title shot here as he battles another wrestler in Kevin Stevens. Stevens is coming off of a brutal KO loss to Ricardo Santana, while Probert is coming off of a nice KO over Tony Rollins. Probert is arguably the best boxer in the WFL, and he has an ever improving ground game to go with it. Stevens will look to take Probert down and pound him out, but I see Probert getting a quick first round KO.
Main Card bout #3- Featherweight Fight (145 lbs)
Andrzej Rostowski (15-18) {4-4) versus Octavio Ramos (10-6) {2-2}
[-143] [+108]
A pair of WFL vets look to throw themselves back into the title mix with a win here. Ramos is coming off of a tough decision loss to Tommy Ward, while Rostowski was beaten at his own game by grappler Reinaldo Aruba in his last appearance. Rostowski's edge in this one, as usual, will be his grappling, while Ramos will look to use his great boxing to KO his opponent. I see Ramos starting strong, but Rostowski controlling the final two rounds to win a decision.
Co Main Event- Heavyweight fight (265 lbs)
#5 Kamala Naamahaara (14-7) {5-2} versus Ghiorghos Papadopoulos (15-19) {0-1}
[-185] [+138]
Boy do I feel bad for whoever has to announce these two guys' names in this one. All jokes aside, this is an intriguing battle between two titans at heavyweight. The former champ Naamahaara finally bounced back with a nice KO win over Bubba James. He will look to inch closer to getting his title back here against his opponent. "Zeus" has the wrestling advantage and will look to utilize that, but he has no chin so I see Naamahaara getting a first round KO.
Main Event- Lightweight Title Fight (155 lbs)
Champion Risto Haeyhae (6-1) {5-1} versus #1 Roufus Kaine (7-1) {4-0}
[-102] [-129]
All I have ever done is doubt Risto Haeyhae, and boy, has he proved me wrong. The 155 lb champ has now defended his title twice already, which is tied for the most title defenses in WFL history. He will be taking on quite a challenge here in Roufus Kaine. "Ruthless" is a great striker with a nice ground game as well. Haeyhae should look to take his to the canvas and use his unparalleled top control if he wants to win this one. I think Kaine starts strong, but I think Haeyhae squeaks out a close decision win to retain his title.
Article views:
133
» Donate to this author |
