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 Vale Tudo Fight Club Preview (Card Subject to Change)
VTFC: Proving Grounds 1 - 03/4/2016 @ Micro Arena - Montreal
Vale Tudo's Proving Grounds presents a unique opportunity for young fighters to get their starts in MMA and in Vale Tudo. Here, the untested can prove themselves to the fans through glorious battle! This is the platform for the young to prove themselves as the next big thing in the industry... well, kind of. Really they are just given the opportunity to show that they belong in the competitive, crazy world of Mixed Martial Arts.
#1 (155 lbs) - Zack Bennett (289612) (0-1-0) vs. Fair (289352) (1-1-0)
This is actually a rematch requested by Bennett. In the first encounter between these two, Fair managed to get the KO with a head kick in the first round. Bennett is a great striker, but Fair has impressive kicks, (as shown in their previous fight). Fair also likes to use the clinch to mix up his offense. Bennett will have to keep Fair at distance in this one, watch the kicks, and counter-strike his way to victory.
Prediction: Fair by 1st round (T)KO. I'm not going to say that I'm biased in this one because I'm Fair's manager... but I'm totally biased in this one. Fair should be able to repeat his performance by exploiting the clinch. (Is it ethical for me to offer predictions on my own fights? I hope I lose. It would actually be kind of humerous in this situation. In fact, it will be funny if I lose anytime I offer a prediction on my own fight and select my fighter to win).
#2 (145 lbs) - Barros (289859) (0-0-0) vs. Briggs (285576) (2-2-0)
Brazil takes on Canada as Barros steps into the cage with Briggs. Briggs is very good in the clinch and has proven himself to be difficult to take down. Barros is a ground and pounder, so this will be a difficult test for him. Briggs will be looking to snatch Barros into the clinch, which Barros should really try and avoid; Briggs has the clinch control to prevent takedowns, so this scenario would be extremely unfavorable to Barros. Barros should attempt to force Briggs to expose himself and catch him with a takedown either when Briggs throws a heavy punch or when he moves in for a clinch.
Prediction: Barros by decision. Barros should be able to secure the takedown and neutralize Briggs' clinch game by keeping this one grounded. Lay and Pray would seemingly work wonders here due to Barros's superior wrestling skills; there is no need to potentially expose himself by committing to ground and pound. The experience of Briggs will prove to be the "X" factor here as Briggs may be able to detect and snuff the takedown attempts of his less experienced opponent.
#3 (265 lbs) - John Bennett (289609) (0-1-0) vs. Hovac (289346) (0-0-0)
A boxer takes on a wrestler here. Hovac seems to have some dangerous hands, and assuming he doesn't clinch, could make this a very difficult fight for Bennett. Bennett's superior wrestling skills pretty much guarantee that if the fight goes to the mat, it will result in Bennett's victory. This one's result will depend on how aggressive Hovac is and how strong his takedown defense is.
Prediction: Hovac by 1st round (T)KO. Normally I vote in favor of the wrestler in this sort of match-up, but if Hovac can remain standing long enough to hit some heavy blows on Bennett, (who looks to have poor striking defense), then this will be over quickly.
#4 (265 lbs) - Ken (289728) (0-0-0) vs. Rines (289853) (0-0-0)
Rines has unfortunately let himself get quite tired during training, and if he doesn't take some days off, he'll be in no condition to fight Ken. Rines is also at a weight and height disadvantage. Rines is a better wrestler and practicioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, so he should be able to secure a takedown and get a submission. Ken is a strong striker and will look to fend off takedowns while he secures the victory via hard punches. If Ken clinches with the tired Rines, he should be able to bully his exhausted opponent.
Prediction: Ken by 1st round (T)KO. I don't think Rines will be able to recover enough to fight at his best. Ken should be able to take advantage of this.
#5 (170 lbs) - Bear (288760) (0-0-0) vs. Mitchell (289673) (1-0-0)
I really don't know how to call this one; these two are both very well-rounded and are so close to being identical that it's scary.
Prediction: Bear by decision. This one is pretty much a mirror match. I have no idea which one of these two will come out on top.
#6 (170 lbs) - Verra (289349) (2-0-0) vs. Tom Bennett (289611) (0-1-0)
A very tired Tom Bennett prepares to battle Verra in this next fight. Interesting fact, I've heard that Verra is pretty moody, so who knows if he'll be motivated for this fight. Verra is a pretty strong striker while Bennett is all about the submissions. If this one goes to the ground, Verra will be tapped out.
Prediction: Verra by 1st round T(KO). Verra doesn't need to be motivated for this fight if Bennett doesn't do some serious resting. Bennett is going to be coming into this fight tired regardless, so don't expect him to be able to pull off the takedown.
#7 (155 lbs) - Barros (289860) (0-0-0) vs. Cross (288759) (0-0-0)
Another well-rounded fighter prepares to take on a very talented Jiu-Jitsu specialist. Barros has the better wrestling skills and should easily win this one on the ground. Cross will need to watch for the takedowns and keep Barros at bay with punches.
Prediction: Barros by 1st round (T)KO. Barros should be able to pull off the takedown and quickly snatch up a limb to force the submission.
#8 (145 lbs) - Abent (290086) (0-0-0) vs. Huff (289916) (0-0-0)
Abent vs. Huff should be interesting. Both of these men are talented on the mat, but one specialized in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while the other is a straight up wrestler. This one could go either way on paper, with Abent managing to submit Huff or Huff controling the fight while landing some vicious ground and pound. Tough one to call.
Prediction: Huff by 1st round (T)KO. If Huff can control Abent, he should be able to win with strikes. Since Huff is the better wrestler, as long as he is in top control he should be able to maintain the advantage and avoid being submitted.
CO-MAIN EVENT (265+ lbs) - Nills (289918) (0-0-0) vs. Chavez (290080) (0-0-0)
In our co-main event we have two big boys preparing to duke it out. Both men are strikers who can handle themselves in the clinch. Nills specializes in boxing while Chavez specializes in Muay Thai. Chavez has a tiny height advantage. Nills needs to avoid the clinch in this one as Chavez's Muay Thai will make that a dangerous place for him. If Nills keeps this out of the clinch, he should have the advantage and be able to secure the victory.
Prediction: Nills by decision. This should be a striking war, which will be entertaining to watch. I give Nills the advantage here due to his better boxing. Assuming he can stay out of the clinch or break it when necessary, he should be able to come out of this with the win.
MAIN EVENT (170 lbs) - Francis Barros (289861) (0-0-0) vs. Xavier (84696) (40-43-0)
We have a rookie taking on a veteran in our main event. Xavier has had 83 fights in his career and has quite the pool of experience to draw from. While I commend Barros for taking this fight, (he actually asked for this fight... maniac), I don't think this was a smart decision. Well, if he wins, he'll certainly put himself on the map. Barros has the boxing advantage but that is it; the veteran has him out-classed in every other field. Xavier has some huge morale problems, but I don't think that that'll make a difference here. Barros has a small height advantage.
Prediction: Xavier by 2nd round submission. Xavier should have little issue in preventing Barros from getting any momentum in this fight. After wearing Barros down with the clinch, expect Xavier to take him down and tap him out. If Barros pulls off the upset here, I will certainly be impressed, (it would actually be pretty awesome if Barros won).
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