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Live from Hayashi’s Lounge in Helsinki Finland, the WFL presents their 21st major event, an event headed by a fantastic trio of welterweight battles, the third of which being a great matchup for the WFL Welterweight Title! So let’s get into it:
Preliminary Bout #1- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
Iivari Uhri (0-0) {0-0} versus Rafael Inclan (7-22) {0-1}
Iivari Uhri makes his MMA and WFL debut in this bout has he faces MMA vet Rafael Inclan. Inclan’s advantage in this fight is pretty clear, and that is in his Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. Uhri has the advantage pretty much everywhere else. Uhri is well rounded, but his gameplan should be to keep it standing and try to pick apart Inclan, and that is what I think will happen as I have Uhri by Unanimous Decision.
Preliminary Bout #2- Featherweight Fight (145 lbs)
Krejzi Kure (1-1) {0-1} versus Iain James (2-2) {1-1}
Iain “Boomtime” James makes his much anticipated return to the cage as he takes on Krejzi Kure. Kure had a tough draw in his WFL debut against veteran Benny Hill, but will look to get his first WFL victory tonight. However, I think he has a very tough matchup against Iain James. James is a fantastic Muay Thai striker, and on top of that a fantastic BJJ practitioner. Kure’s gameplan is to take James down and work his ground and pound. However, I think James snatches up one of those limbs and wins by submission in the 2nd.
Preliminary Bout #3- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
Wan Bemming (2-3) {1-3} versus #4 Bokser Turniejowy (5-4) {1-2}
A pair of WFL vets and strikers meet here to decide who takes a step up in the 155 pound division. Turniejowy is a tough boxer with a strong wrestling base. However, despite 5 victories, he has just 1 KO, which perhaps shows a lack of power. Bemming has strong Muay Thai skills with a good wrestling and BJJ backround. I think this fight comes down to who has the better chin and KO power. I think Bemming may have the advantage in KO power, but he has shown a shaky chin in the past, so I will take Turniejowy by third round TKO.
Preliminary Bout #4- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
#5 Yodthanong Photirat (7-17) {2-3} versus Anzhor Azhiev (9-29) {1-1}
Yod Photirat has hit quite a rough patch since his title shot against champ Risto Haeyhae, as he has now lost two in a row in the first round. He will look to bounce back here against tough grappler Azhiev. Azhiev excels in the BJJ department, which happens to be Photirat’s weakness, as displayed in past bouts. However, Azhiev has a weak chin, and I think Photirat lands a few hard shots early and ends this one in the first by KO.
Main Card Bout #1- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
Niklas Backstrom (12-3) {0-0} versus Ronaldo Hispanyola (8-5) {3-3}
A pair of fantastic grapplers battle here, as 2 time champion Niklas Backstrom makes his much anticipated WFL debut against veteran Ronaldo Hispanyola. This one is a real toss up, as both fighters are absolute juggernauts in BJJ. I think Backstrom may have the edge in the wrestling though, and I think that’s the difference, as he gets on top on controls Hispanyola en route to a UD victory.
Main Card Bout #2- Lightweight Fight (155 lbs)
#2 Roufus Kaine (5-1) {2-0} versus Jay Bryson (0-0) {0-0}
Kaine is a clear frontrunner to receive the next shot at the 155 lb title, and he will look to prove that against dangerous boxer Jay Bryson. Bryson has incredible boxing skills, and will look to use them against fellow striker Kaine. Kaine is undoubtedly more well rounded, but there is no doubt this one will stay standing. The key for Kaine will be to keep Bryson at range with his kicks, and I think he will do that, as he take home a second round TKO against a game Bryson.
Main Card Bout #3- Welterweight Fight (170 lbs)
#3 Shinya Stanley (5-3) {3-2} versus Bryan Poison (3-0) {1-0}
The talented former judoka turned KO artist Shinya Stanley will look to make a prominent return to the 170 lb title picture as he battles well rounded, undefeated Bryan Poison. The well rounded Poison likes to mix it up in his fights between he decent striking and strong grappling, but he may have a problem doing that in this battle against Stanley. Stanley is an absolute beast of a boxer, equipped with some of the fastest hands in the division. I think Stanley stuffs a few of Poison’s takedowns, and then lets loose with his hands en route to a first round KO win.
Co Main Event- Welterweight Fight (170 lbs)
#1 Miguel Augusto (9-4) {4-1} versus Lance Waters (6-2) {0-0}
Talented striker Lance Waters makes his WFL debut tonight opposite of former champ Miguel Augusto. Augusto is arguably the best grappler the WFL has to offer, and looks to complete his run back to the title against Waters. Waters on the other hand is a best of a striker, utilizing both boxing and Muay Thai to create a truly terrifying striking arsenal. August will undoubtedly have to mind his P’s and Q’s on the feet, but I think he is able to get by Waters by way of second round submission.
Main Event- Welterweight Title Fight (170 lbs)
Champion Walter Bishop (12-2) {3-0} versus #2 Rafael Gomez (4-0) {3-0}
Here is the main event, one of the most talented and dominant fighters in the WFL Walter “Psycho” Bishop takes on Muay Thai prodigy Rafael Gomez. Both of these fighters have torn through the 170 lb division, both with three first round finishes in three fights. Bishop will undoubtedly look to take this one to the canvas, where he will look to work his brutal ground and pound. Meanwhile, Gomez will try to utilize his beastly striking and look to KO Bishop. This is an incredibly tough fight to pick, but I am gonna go with the upset and pick Gomez by 2nd round TKO.
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