2016-03-14
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ISLAND FIGHTS: Jung vs. Maksim Preview

Event Preview: ISLAND FIGHTS
ISLAND FC
2016-03-14, The Island, Hard Knocks - The Island
Author:Alexander Melchiott

~ Hopefully I didn't mess this up when pasting it... again.  We could really use a preview button XD ~

Island FC Preview



ISLAND FIGHTS - 14/3/2016 @ Hard Knocks - The Island  

Hard Knocks, Hard Fights. Welcome to ISLAND FIGHTS, brought to you by Island FC! Well, actually, this is just the preview. Don't worry, the real event will be here soon, so get your tickets before they're sold out! (Too late).    

#1 (145 lbs) - Akbar (289624) (0-0-0) vs. McConor (289415) (0-0-0)

Two fighters prepare to make their MMA debut inside the Island FC cage! Both fighters are trained in Boxing, but McConor has some BJJ skill that his younger opponent lacks. McConor is 7 years older than his opponent and that will be an important factor in this fight.  

Prediction: McConor by 1st round (T)KO. I have minimal information to work with in this one. Akbar's manager is new and Akbar is young, so I have to side with McConor on this one. I think Akbar will make an early mistake that McConor will take advantage of.  

  #2 (205 lbs) - Masterson (288608) (1-1-0) vs. Warchester (289350) (0-1-0)

Warchester comes into this one with a large Muay Thai advantage, but will find himself being outboxed and outwrestled in this match-up. Expect Warchester to look for the clinch, but controlling it won't be easy. Warchester will also have to be wary of takedowns.

  Prediction: Masterson by stoppage. This is a long-shot, but I think this one has a serious possibility of being stopped. Warchester's affinity for being cut will likely lead to his downfall.  

  #3 (170 lbs) - Bisping (288048) (0-1-0) vs. Diaz (286394) (1-0-0)

I don't actually want to spend much time on this one. Diaz is the superior striker and is 7 years Bisping's senior. Bisping will likely try the clinch, but it won't matter. Bisping's only hope is on the ground.

  Prediction: Diaz by 1st round (T)KO. Diaz will outstrike Bisping and likely knock him out early, unfortunately. Hopefully Bisping will prove me wrong and make this an exciting exchange.  

  #4 (170 lbs) - Ferreira (286914) (3-2-0) vs. Doe (289444) (2-0-0)

John Doe comes into this one with a perfect record while Ferreira comes in with the momentum from his recent submission victory. Ferreira has never made it out of the first round, either tapping out his opponent or being caught by a stiff shot. Ferreira's chin is suspect, so John Doe will have to try and make his shots count. Ferreira will be looking for the early takedown to set up the submission.

  Prediction: Ferreira by 1st round submission. So long as Ferreira keeps his cool and avoids the striking game, he should be able to take Doe down and get the early submission victory.  

  #5 (170 lbs) - Foo (286075) (2-1-0) vs. Gracie (287638) (2-1-0)

An interesting bout here. Gracie is a strong grappler, but it is critical for him to get to the ground where he can use his superior submission skills to secure the match. Foo's gameplan is centered on remaining standing, and his takedown defense is on point. Foo should be able to control the tempo as long as he remains focused and avoids the takedown.

    Prediction: Gracie by 1st round submission. Gracie tapped out Jesse Enkamp who was a similiar fighter to Foo, so Gracie has already shown his ability to take out this kind of fighter.

    #6 (170 lbs) - Enkamp (286328) (3-1-0) vs. Prompethius (286561) (4-1-0)

With such a competitive division, these two men have suffered quite the setback recently when they suffered their respective losses. Both have shown resilience and have bounced back to enter this fight on a one-win streak. With the road to the title match in sight, which man will be able to continue their journey? Prompethius is walking into this one with a slight weight and height advantage. Prompethius favors the clinch where he can batter his opponent, but as a Muay Thai specialist, Enkamp should be able to hold his own. Enkamp, however, seems to favor remaining on the outside, as shown in his bout with Count Foo. Enkamp was able to avoid the majority of Foo's attack while lighting Foo up with vicious kicks.  

Prediction: Enkamp by decision. Enkamp is too accurate with his kicks. He should be able to keep Prompethius at distance and wear him down. Prompethius has struggled in the clinch against his last opponent, failing to land many significant shots. Enkamp should be able to control this one.  

  #7 (185 lbs) - Newton (287338) (4-0-0) vs. Radovan (286336) (3-1-0)

The undefeated Carlos Newton prepares to square off against Hammer Radovan. Radovan seems to favor the clinch, but has shown a willingness to go to the ground. Radovan will need to abandon any thought of being on the mat, as that will only open up for the submission specialist Newton. Expect Newton to look for the early submission to avoid giving Radovan too many opportunities to test his chin.

  Prediction: Newton by 2nd round submission. Newton should be able to get this one to the ground and capitalize on his submission skills to force the tap out. Radovan's should be to focus on the clinch and force Newton against the cage to minimalize the risk of the takedown.

    #8 (265 lbs) - Tso (286156) (3-1-0) vs. Smyth (286264) (2-0-0)

Tso is a heavy-handed striker who loves the clinch. Smyth likes to remain on the outside and has shown some good KO power in his last fight, (a 0:09 KO). Smyth, however, has shown a desire to take the fight to the ground. While Smyth has good grappling skills, this will not be advantageous for him as Tso has the better skillset here. Smyth will have to avoid the clinch and avoid going to the ground if he wants to win this fight.  

Prediction: Tso by 1st round (T)KO. Smyth is outclassed in both the clinch and on the ground. It is quite the task to keep an opponent like Tso at distance, so I favor Tso to win this one.  

 

CO-MAIN EVENT

(265 lbs) - Santos (286638) (4-0-1) vs. Herring (286121) (3-1-0)

The undefeated Horacio Santos takes on the impressive Heath Herring. Santos has brutalized every opponent he has faced to date using the clinch, and he's hoping that tonight will be no different, (the only opponent to survive Santos to date was quickly dispatched in a rematch). Herring has excellent wrestling skills and has pounded opponents into oblivion time and time again. Herring's only loss to date came from a round one freak KO. Santos will enjoy a slight weight advantage in this bout while Herring will enjoy a height advantage.  

Prediction: Santos by 1st round (T)KO. Santos' weight and height will make him difficult to bring down. Herring's chin has let him down before, and it'll let him down again if Santos gets into the clinch and throws the violence party for Herring. However, if Herring can get Santos to the ground, then Herring should be able to slip into position and lock in the submission.  

  MAIN EVENT

(145 lbs) - Jung (287199) *Champion* (7-0-0) vs. Maksim (287580) (5-1-0)

In the Main Event, we have a rematch between the undefeated champion Hop Sing "Hyun Ae" Jung, (Isn't his nickname an Analogue reference?), and the challenger Ivan "The Eastern Assassin" Maksim! Maksim's undefeated streak came to an end at Skull ISLAND when he was defeated by Champion Jung in their first title encounter.

Not satisfied with losing via decision, Maksim has demanded, and been granted, a rematch. Maksim may have been a bit overzealous, as he now faces arguably the best pound for pound fighter on the Island today! Jung is consiterably shorter than his opponent, which will help Jung take Maksim down and potentially lock a submission in on one of those long limbs.

Maksim has some great submissiom skills, but Jung is the better wrestler. The last time these two locked horns, Jung scored all 11 of his attempted takedowns to win over the judges. Jung made the mistake of trying only to go for submissions and potentially lost out on the opportunity to finish Maksim. Maksim will need to address how easily he was controlled by Jung last fight. If Maksim wants to win, he'll have to be more aggressive in his pursuit for the submission finish.

  Prediction: Jung by decision.

I don't trust Jung to take the risk of working in the aggressive strikes on the ground. Jung will likely control Maksim again and grind out the victory once again while going for the occasional submission. Considering how easily Jung kept control in their last fight, I don't see Maksim managing to win this one.

 

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