2014-03-15
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Countdown to Destiny 39

Event Preview: Destiny 39: Yamamoto vs. Preez
Destiny FC
2014-03-07, Tokyo, Hayashi's Lounge - Tokyo
Author:Wessel Error

Bantamweight Championship


(Champ) Kenshin Yamamoto vs.  (5.) Fourie Du Preez


BW champion "Kid" Yamamoto has been dominating the DFC's bantamweight division for a long time already, with his 8-1 DFC record. Yamamoto is coming from impressive 1st round win over Piotr Bukowski (the only guy that has ever beat him), that was the third time they faced and Yamamoto won the last 2. Yamamoto will defend his belt for the 6th time, but this will be 4th consecutive defence. We had chance to talk with the champion in pre-fight media day, here is what "Kid" had to say about the fight:



(Through Translator) "This is a very tough fight for me, on paper, he is a very similar fighter. I think the difference in this fight is that I have the will of a tiger and the heart of a champion, and my opponent is untested. He has not fought the caliber of fighters I have beaten and he has never been hit. I will hit him, and I will take his will and I will break his spirit."

Kenshin Yamamoto: (In broken English) "Also, thank you to my family, my friends, my coaches, my team, and most of all, to my fans who support me and keep me motivated to fight for you and stay champion!"


Fourie Du Preez is young 20-old undefeated wrestler from South Africa. He is 3-0 in DFC and he has finished all of his opponents so far. Preez has also won 2 "of the Night" awards in his 3 DFC bouts, 1 FOTN and 1 KOTN so u can expect fireworks when this kid enters the cage. Both Preez and Yamamoto are expectional wrestlers, but the champ probably has better BJJ skillset so I wouldn't be suprised if Preez decided to keep this one on feet. Preez doesnt offer much on feet, but I think Yamamoto has even less weapons in stand up so that might be weapon of choice for the challenger. Preez didn't attend the media day, but we had chance to talk to his manager about the fight:



Interviewer: "How does Fourie feel about the match? Anything special we should know about his preparation?"

Manager: "Nothing to much. He's excited to get a title shot so early in his career. He realizes he may not be deserving nor ready for it, but he will lay it all out for the fans. He knows his future his bright where as Yamamoto is fading."


 


Featherweight


(5.) Francesco Torzoni vs. (2.) Frank Benoit


DFC newcomer "Lord" Francesco Torzoni will begin his DFC run versus no one less than former champ Frank Benoit. Torzoni is entering the org with a lot of hype, atleast among the hardcore fans. Right after Torzoni was signed many fans already pictured him as a future champion. Torzoni is very well-rounded 21 year old italian, who was (3-0) in Hopkins Athletics Fight Club prior joining Destiny FC. Torzoni has good ground game, but just to be save I think he wants to hit Benoit's weak spot what is definately his stand-up. 


After 2 dissapointing losses the former champ Frank "The Tank" Benoit got back on win column in his last fight when he finished Josihiro Akiyama in first round. Akiyama wasnt at the level of Torzoni, so this will be real test for Benoit to see where he is at in the division. Benoit is underdog in this bout and that should tell what caliber of fighter he is facing. Benoit is still ranked 2nd in the division so he still has great reputation in MMA community and still dangerous.


 


Featherweight


(7.) David Perez vs. (3.) Mauricio Jet


Another interesting FW fight will happen between David Perez and another interesting FW prospect Mauricio Jet. The BJJ brown belt David "The Answer" Perez is 2-1 in DFC and he is coming from his career 2nd armbar submission win,  versus Iko Hitagi. A win over Jet would boost him big time in the rankings, but Perez is underdog in this fight and the match up is difficult to him because his strenght has been his BJJ, but this time he is facing BJJ black belt.


Mauricio "Gaijin" Jet is also new hyped addition to DFC FW division. Jet is 20-year old BJJ black belt from Brazil. Prior his signing he was fighting for Shogun MMA organization with impressive (5-1) record. So he is more experienced than Perez, even tho its his debut in DFC. It's no suprise this elite BJJ fighter has 4 of his 5 victories coming by submission, but he is also strong wrestler and respectable boxer so he isnt one trick pony after all.


 


Rest of the card:


Light Heavyweight: (7.) Ragnar SvenSoleson vs. (6.) Akira Zaitsu

Middleweight: (7.) Max Casacci vs. (10.) Ikuo Hitigaki

Middleweight: (6.) Sand Pettersn vs. (12.) Michael Robinson

Welterweight: (10.) Julian Eduardo Demaestri vs. (6.) Lerry Sancio

Light Heavyweight: (9.) Heliote Bera vs. (10.) Musial Stanson

Lightweight: (9.) Kenji Woko vs. (13.) Phil Chip

Bantamweight: (14.) Erik Erikkson vs. (12.) Park Hae Hae 

 

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