2021-04-09
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Highland 17 Review - By Tycoon Hec

Event Review: Highland 17
Highland
2021-04-04, The Island, The Underground - The Island
Attendance:953, Event Rating:79
Author:Callum McGregor

 HIGHLAND 17

A Review by Tycoon Hec

Highland 17 was such a massive success for fight fans who tuned in to watch! With several fights not going the distance, five of which were first round knockouts and two submission victories that definitely had the crowd roaring. Over nine hundred and fifty people attended Highland 17 and the event was nearly rated at 80. The fighters came to perform and perform they did. Noel Diaz took home both the Fight of the Night and Submission of the Night awards while a debut from the light heavyweight phenom, Franko Getaldic took the knockout of the night award with a stunning first round knockout. Any other light heavyweights out there, this guy is a problem. I do not normally provide reviews for promotions but this card was just so amazing. So, If you're interested in getting a quick summary of the fights that took place this Easter evening, take a look below! 


Jobber Joe vs Noel Diaz
For the Bantamweight Championship 

These two undefeated warriors went at it for the Bantamweight Championship. This fight took home the Fight of the Night award and Diaz took home the submission of the night award. Well deserved for sure. Diaz attempted over seventeen clinches really trying to get the fight to the ground as Jobber Joe desperately worked to keep the fight standing. Jobber Joe threw over what seemed to be countless punches yet only seeming to land around 30 of them. One thing we can say about the striking defense of Diaz is that this guy can take a punch. Joe who put away his last three opponents via knockout but just could not pull off the knockout finish tonight against Diaz. The entire game plan for Diaz revolved around getting Jobber to the ground and he did that at the very late stage of the first round. We did not get to see any real work on the ground at that point. The second round began, Diaz clinched up and pulled guard masterfully. Once he pulled Joe in he cinched up his neck and provided the fans with a beautifully demonstrated guillotine. Joe had no choice but to tap to such a ruthless guillotine. Diaz was crowned Highlands first ever Bantamweight Champion and bragged himself up a bit. 

Highland 17 Takeaways: Jobber Joe can not get too hard on himself. There are a few key areas he needs to focus on, His striking accuracy. his submission defense, and his takedown defense. I imagine within two fights we will see Joe back in the cage challenging Diaz for the title. Another Major takeaway is Diaz is an absolute menace on the ground. Do not, I repeat, do not allow your fighter on the floor with that guy. Diaz is not left without his own imperfections, his lack of striking defense could eventually see him going to the ground alone. Diaz had publicly called out Harry Henderson prior to him winning the title. Henderson, who recently won his fight at Highland 12 was submitted by Millard Masters who did win his fight this evening. 

 

Island Guy vs Kristoffer Wexell

There really is not a ton to say about this fight except that this was the only fight I wrongly predicted. Kristoffer Wexell went in with a game plan that looked to bring his opponent to the mat. Shortly after one takedown attempt, Island Guy split open Wexells eye with a clean jab. The takedown was Wexells only offensive move in the fight but it wasn't even a real attempt as much as he was trying to get Guy to drop his guard, and eventually knocked out but the Islands very own, Island Guy. The North Koreans last outing was against the now Middleweight champion Mckay and is looking to get back to business after getting in the W column.

Highland 17 Takeaways: Wexell needs to work his striking defense, period. He needs to take a little time away from the sport and work that defense. This is his second knockout loss in a row and unless he changes something soon, we can see this guy enter retirement before he hits 26. Island Guy who had no words for the fans after the knockout went straight back to the locker room. We are expecting Island Guy will want to match up soon as he wasn't even touched in this fight. We are told a fight is already under offer and can assume it is with Dalton Dekker, a fearsome knockout artist in his own right. Only time will tell and this middleweight division is heating up!

 

Ron Johnson vs Sahara Sam

With a 72% fight rating Sahara Sam and Ron Johnson took to finishing the other with aggression. Sam mainly focused on throwing punches in bunches which were largely telegraphed by Johnson. Johnsons elusiveness saw him avoid a majority of Sams striking while landing a majority of his own, especially in the clinch. Johnson, who had no real reason to fear the striking power of Sam, chose to engage in the clinch game landing a 100 strikes. These clinch strikes consisted of punches and elbows. When the fight was not in the clinch, Johnson landed roughly half of his strikes proving that he was a very good striker. Ron Johnson ran away with this fight leaving Sahara Sam struggling way more than expected. 

Highland 17 Takeaways: Sahara Sam needs to make a clear focus on his striking defense and choosing to be less intent on counter strikes. His agility training will certainly go along way in that and if he continues to train at Cozad we can see he will not gain a ton of new skills and traits for his arsenal. Ron Johnson should feel as though he is on top of the world right now giving his fans a wonderful dominant performance. Ron too has a fight under offer and he can be sure that his opponent will have seen how good his Clinchwork game is but noticed how he did not exactly land all of his strikes from distance. The more Johnson develops his striking game the more we can expect this young star to rise to the top. 

 

Millard Masters vs Apollo Turner

The pure grappler Millard Masters secured his third victory in a row when he submitted Apollo Tuner in the first round via kimura. Thankfully he did not actually break the arm but it certainly looked like it was going that way. Once the Kimura was locked in we could hear Tuners corner screaming from the distance to tap. Apollo who was coming off a wonderful knockout victory thought he would be able to finish his opponent in Masters who is really not that known for his striking but definitely looks awkward when he throws any sort of strike. Masters who received a few punches from Turner did not seem to phased by them but obviously did not want to continue receiving them. Masters pulled that kimura out on his third attempt and is already being offered a new fight. Hopefully it is with the newly crowned Noel Diaz.

Highland 17 Takeaways: Masters has an incredible ground game, one that will surely freak any fighter out. His ability to get the fight to the ground is next to none. The biggest thing Masters will worry about is facing one of those guys who can sprawl and brawl. Hopefully he is dedicating serious time on working his striking defense for the future, I do have my doubts as he is still training at Cozad. Apollo has not really had the greatest of luck in his last few fights. The young gun is talented and there is no denying it. Rampage looks to try to be good in so many areas that he fails to be excellent in one area. Especially early on in the fighting career fighters should focus on their strengths not their averages. I would love to see Apollo tune up his weakness in the gym but really hammer in on those strengths he knows he has when fight time comes. 

 

Jorge Assvidal vs Bryan de Paula

One of the most exciting finishes of the night came when Jorge Assvidal landed some of the most hellacious shots on his opponent Bryan de Paula. Bryan who was hoping to gain a submission victory over his opponent failed pretty quickly when Jorge pummeled him with strikes. Here is a crazy stat for everyone, Assvidal landed every single strike he threw against Bryan de Paula...Every. Single. Strike. If you do not know who Jorge is yet you will eventually. Ibrahim Camara, arguably the best manager in the game was seen completely unsurprised after Assvidal pulled off the deadly victory. Bryan De Paulas manager and him parted ways shortly after the fight. 

Highland 17 Takeaways: Jorge is a threat. A dominant fearsome monster that should not be taken lightly. No fight is currently being offered to the lightweight contender but my guess is this guy will be training tomorrow morning with his gym mates at Smash. Whatever this guy is doing is working and honestly I really can not wait to see this guy in the cage again! 

 

FIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Franko Getaldic (1-0)

Franko stunned the audience with his knockout victory over his opponent Buddy Barnett. The twenty five year old light heavyweight fighter from Croatia who trains out of The Island Gym fought his teammate who is also a fearsome striker in his own right but put him to sleep quickly. Potential match-ups look a bit bleak for Franko right now so I imagine this guy is going to get back to the gym and continue to focus on whatever he has been doing there. Definitely looking forward to seeing this guy in action again!

 

FIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Dalton Dekker (2-1)

Dalton Dekker returned to the win column after a dominant victory tonight. He returned to top form stopping his opponent in the very first round. Dalton is climbing the ladder again and looking to get back in the limelight. With his ferocious power this guy could be a problem for anyone who wants to step in the cage with this dangerous middleweight. 

FIGHT SPOTLIGHT: Maro Pjetlic (1-0)

Tonight Highland fans witnessed the debut of a heavyweight destroyer in Maro Pjetlic. The six foot four wrecking ball utilized the clinch game to his benefit landing all fifty strikes he threw against his opponent and eventually knocking him out. Rumors are that Rashid Elkhan has been offered to be Maros next opponent and that would be an absolute thriller of a match up as both guys are great strikers.

 

Thank you Highland 17 Fighters and Managers for some serious entertainment on this beautiful Easter Sunday. Thankyou Callum Mcgregor for putting on such a good show. Hope to see you guys at the next one!

 

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