|
 Highland Challengers is only going from strength to strength by once again setting a new personal attendance record, this time in Wild Bob's Bar. Things are always looking up for Challengers but with some stiff Island competition, there is always another organisation or two ready to claim your spot if you aren't firing on all cylinders. Highland Challengers 4 saw a lot of faces we've seen before, but also introduced us to some new ones. A lot of undefeated records were squashed while others go on to bigger and better things, desperate to chase down one of those early title opportunities.
Light Heavyweight
Genn Soto (0-0) def. Hayir Karaman (0-1) by TKO (Strikes) at 3:19 of Round 1
Karaman was looking good early but as soon as Golo took the fight into the clinch, he began landing a lot of hugely damaging shots in close. Just past the third minute, Hayir Karaman couldn’t take anymore and crumbled to the floor. The post fight interview with the victory was far from humble.
Heavyweight
Jo Smo (0-0) def. Crazy Legs (1-1) by TKO (Punches) at 0:19 of Round 1
Not much to say about this one. Crazy Legs was coming off of a stoppage win upon entering this fight, but walks out after being rendered unconscious in just 19 seconds. A massive statement made by Jo Smo who undoubtedly has the knockout power to strike fear in potential opponents.
Lightweight
Jack Nussi (0-0) def. Steve Yzerman (1-0) by TKO (Punches) at 1:09 of Round 1
Steve Yzerman was a fan favourite upon entering the cage for this contest after scoring a comeback KO in the final round of his professional debut at Highland Challengers 2. Unfortunately, he was unable to capitalize on his momentum. It was an even striking affair early, but just past the first minute a shot to the temple from Nussi sealed this fight’s fate.
Lightweight
Juan Jimenez (0-1) def. David Bell (0-1) by Unanimous Decision
Determined not to allow his opponent the same opportunity as he had with Yzerman, Juan Jimenez was absolutely relentless with his knees to the head and body. It’s surprising that this fight went the distance, and David Bell is a tough dude, but it was utter domination from Juan who gets his first win on the record books.
Featherweight
Nucky McPharson (1-0) def. Juan Gomez (1-0) by KO (Strikes) at 3:44 of Round 2
Man, talk about a blunder. Coming into this fight, both had won fights by ground and pound. In the first round, Nucky seemed confused about what his strategy should be. He was clinching, breaking, shooting for takedowns, really trying a bit of everything. Gomez seemed to be the slicker boxer and was able to dominate from the top position coming up to the end of the round. In the second however, for some reason Juan Gomez pulled guard. In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, BIG MISTAKE. Nucky took full advantage, raining down shots from the guard. Juan instantly new he had made a fatal error, but it was too late. Nucky kept going until he got the stoppage, extending his record to 2-0.
Light Heavyweight
Ham Bone (1-0) def. Declan Franks (1-0) by Unanimous Decision
If you’re a fan of strikers, then this fight would have had you going nuts. Declan Franks, who scored a rapid knockout at HC 1, was swinging for the fences with big shots, but Ham Bone was ultimately a much superior competitor, dominating in the clinch. One thing I think is very interesting is that Ham Bone was able to land with his own shots on the feet, distracting Franks to set up the grappling exchanges. There’s a very bright future ahead of the winner here with a diverse performance like that.
Middleweight
Chong Li (1-0) def. Conny Larsson (1-0) by Submission (Armbar) at 1:51 of Round 1
Chong Li is looking like a really hot ticket after a second first round submission win here. What’s most impressive is his ability to control the action on the feet. He seems to be a very capable striker and if he can back up his slick jiu jitsu with some strikes, it will be all the better. Larsson will be really disappointed that he couldn’t show more of his technique here but if he’s back again, he’ll get another opportunity to do so.
Welterweight
Oliver Dickens (1-0) def. Nicklas Lidstrom (1-0) by TKO (Cut) at 4:56 of Round 1
We saw Nicklas Lidstrom come out ultra aggressive, and it almost paid off for him. Dickens had his back against the cage instantly and seemed to be in trouble. Luckily for Oliver, he covered up and remained composed, using the opportunity to land some huge takedowns. After securing the full mount quite early into the fight, the fight was all but over. Before we knew it, it actually was, and Oliver Dickens went to 2-0 while Nicklas falls back down the ladder after his Highland Games 2 main event victory.
Heavyweight
Woody Forrest (1-1) def. Phil Hallmuth Jr (1-0) by Submission (Armbar) at 2:49 of Round 1
This one was heavily anticipated after their debuts. Woody Forrest showed both striking and submissions in his debut, while it was no surprise that the Ivan Drago managed fighter would want the clinch instantly. The fight played out as many expected to begin with. Hellmuth Jr got the clinch, landed some elbows and cut Woody opened instantly. What we didn’t expect however is that Forrest was well aware of everything his opponent intended to do, and had devised a gameplan to drag the fight to the floor straight away by pulling guard. On the mat, Phil really just wanted to keep his cool, not risk anything by trying to stand up and either wait out the round or a referee stand up. Forrest had different plans. He attacked relentlessly with submissions off of his back until he finally slapped on an armbar which Hellmuth Jr was no longer able to defend against. Woody Forrest is now 2-0 in Highland Challengers with some big wins, and it’s a very tough loss for Phil to live down.
Heavyweight
Sampo Metso (2-0) def. Hank Holmes (2-0) by KO (Elbow) at 1:52 of Round 2
Two clinch opponents for JJ Media fighters in a row as Hank Holmes was taking on Sampo Metso. This was a very interesting approach by Holmes. A BJJ white belt, Holmes was interested in taking the fight to the floor and searching for a submission. In most of the judge’s eyes, this strategy won him the opener. Perhaps he thought his striking would fall short of Sampo’s clinch game, so instead he wanted to steal the rounds with a ground battle. None the less, it was intriguing to see a man deliberately fight out of his element, but this time Media’s fighter could not avoid the elbows. 23 elbows thrown, 23 elbows landed, and it was only the opening round when Hank had taken too much damage to continue with the fight. Being 3-0, the heavyweight Metso is in a really good position within the division now, especially with this win being in a main event. The Spider was sent packing, left to think about what sort of mistakes he made in this fight and how he can improve on them next time.
KNOCKOUT OF THE NIGHT
Jo Smo
SUBMISSION OF THE NIGHT
Woody Forrest
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT
Nucky McPharson Vs Juan Gomez
So after a fantastic night of action, we come to an end. I think the biggest shock of the night is Phil Hellmuth Jr's defeat. It was unexpected that he would fail this early on in his career, but he still has a lot of talent regardless. Nucky McPharson is quickly becoming one of the must-see competitors in Highland Challengers for his reckless abandon and unpredictable, and sometimes non nonsensical style. Join us again in one week for Highland Challengers 5 where we will see the first champion crowed.
Will it be Mel Gordon, relative of current Highland Games 205 number one contender? Or will it be Charles Crawley, a boxer who will look for the knockout for every second of the 25 minute fight? Only one way to find out...
Article views:
219
» Donate to this author |
