Sensei FC 2 Preview
Welcome back Sensei FC fans! We’re back once again for the promotions second live event in Tokyo! Tonight we have some great match ups which we will get into in just a moment. First though I think it’s important to thank everyone for their support. I'm sure Roman Benson himself would be the first to say there are some great, young fighters in the organisation and some great managers guiding their careers. I look forward to seeing these fighters grow in the future!
Sensei FC 2 is brought to you by Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Let’s get into the card!
Main Event
Heavyweight: Alistair Read (1-0-0) v Veli Kemppainen (0-0-0)
In the main event of tomorrows show we will see Alistair Read in his second fight after winning his debut in the QFC against the established 25 year old, Rio Fighter. From that first fight we learnt something important about the 25 year old Englishman Read, he can go the distance. He was well rounded enough to keep up with his opponent for 15 minutes. This is important as he steps into the cage against an untested opponent for 25 minutes.
His opponent, Veli Kemppainen is Finnish, training out of Helsinki at the renown IMMA Gym of Elite ASS, home of some of the best fighters Helsinki has to offer. Much like his upcoming opponent, Veli is 25 and has chosen a well rounded style of fighting. His main discipline being Muay Thai but he always has Wrestling as a fall back should things not go his way. An excellent contest between two up and coming heavyweights in the Asian scene.
Co-Main
Super Heavyweight: Yuki Takahashi (0-0-0) v
David "Young King Dave" Nixon (0-0-0)
In the co-main we get a clash between two young titans, the super heavyweights! Young King Dave as he calls himself comes from New Jersey, a yank using the term ‘King’? Seems a little suss. Regardless, Young King Dave has been tested already in the QFC. It seemed to be a real test from the young American as he took a L in his first fight as the Muay Thai specialist took a KO loss, but we shouldn’t hold this against the young fighter as his opponent was a 25 year old who was much more developed. Dave Nixon truly showed the heart of a king as he was going up against a massive test.
Yuki Takahashi on the other hand has not been tested yet. I’ve spoke with his trainer and got some insight that he hasn’t developed as much as he would have liked. Takahashi is a boxer by trade with wonderful ability. He comes from Sendai and trains out of the Advanced Fitness Inc. gym in Tokyo. This is going to be one of those classic sober knocker fights. Two strikers with something to prove to the world. An interesting match up between two young titans.
Undercard
Lightweight: Fung "Homicide" Hao Ming (0-0-0) v Christopher Boyd (0-0-0)
Another two debuts in this lightweight clash. Hao Ming comes from Singapore and trains out of Tokyo, his career is actually being managed by the promoter of this event, Roman Benson, so I’m sure we can expect big things in this young mans career. Primarily a Muay Thai specialist, but a fighter working on all aspects of his game. Something that is vital in the modern age of MMA. As far as his training goes, I’m sure he will grow as he is currently training out of Roman Bensons very own gym, Gold Samurai’s Gym. A fantastic gym with plenty of coaches to go around.
Let’s talk about his opponent. Christopher Boyd is a boxer, but he is looking at improving his MMA game in general. As mentioned before this is vital for the modern age of MMA and I’m sure in the future we will see this youngster become someone special. Although Boyd is an American, he does train in London, one of the rising scenes in MMA. I look forward to seeing this young man progress in the future, however he is part of a somewhat mediocre gym, the Cozad MMA gym based in London. This on will be interesting. Two strikers, however I believe Boyd is much more well rounded, but being more developed in all aspects doesn’t protect you from KO power.
Welterweight: Lee "Rainmaker" Sung (0-0-0) v Roy Sands (0-0-0)
Lee Sung, or the Rainmaker is a Korean training out of Tokyo. I happen to know this young fighter quite well. He claims the name Rainmaker as he aims to wrestle his opponents to the ground and make it rain pain and suffering upon them. A scary situation for any fighter to be caught in. As mentioned before he is a wrestler primarily, a specialist in the ground and pound style. Although he is looking to improve all aspects of his game, he believes that his amateur wrestling background and natural ability and KO power will get him the win in this bout.
His opponent is Roy Sands, another American on the card but this one is fighting out of Las Vegas, some might say that Vegas is the Mecca of fighting. A claim that certainly rings true today but Roman Benson is looking to change that view with the birth of this promotion. That’s neither here or there, lets talk about Sands. Sands ability lies primarily in his Muay Thai. It seems that kickboxing was this youngsters gateway to MMA, but since training professionally he has been working on his boxing and wrestling, making him a very well rounded competitor. I believe that this is a clash of styles though, one fighter looking to take the action to the ground, the other looking to stay on his feet. A classic clash that reminds me of the early days of MMA.
Middleweight: Hideo "HS" Sho (0-0-0) v Nikolai Kaspersky (0-1-0)
Next up we get the middleweights! A fight that really stands out to me, especially with the origins of both fighters. Hideo Sho is Japanese fighting out of Tokyo, his opponent is a Russian. This is a rivalry that runs deep in history with these two former empires waging war against each other, a backdrop in this fight as these two warriors walk into the cage for the pride of their respective country. Sho trains in Tokyo as mentioned, he's a Muay Thai fighter not adding much more to his game as he looks to keep the fight standing at all times, looking for a KO win.
This seems to be not just a clash of nations but a clash of styles as Nikolai Kaspersky is a wrestler, again not adding much more to his game. Crazy how we have two opposite fighters in all aspects. He’s from Dagestan and we all know there’s something special in the water in Dagestan as it seems all great Russian wrestlers call it home. Unlike Sho, Kaspersky wants the fight to go to the ground, either winning by TKO or decision. Of course his only professional fight did result in a KO loss to a Muay Thai specialist. I don’t want to call this a foreshadowing, however, it is important to keep this fact in mind.
Bantamweight: Max "Midget Man" Denbow (0-1-0) v
Henson "Warrior" Jinonaqua (0-0-0)
Max Denbow comes into this fight coming off a loss in the QFC to fellow Sensei FC Bantamweight and submission specialist, Viatus Enormous. As for Henson Jinoaqua, he is untested in the sport with a record of 0-0-0. This will be an interesting bout, both fighters have a blue belt in BJJ. Although Jinoaqua primary focus is in his Muay Thai, whereas Denbow comes from a wrestling background. Even if this fight goes to the ground, there is every chance either of these fighters pull off a submission win as they both share a blue belt in BJJ. With Jinoaqua’s speciality being in Muay Thai, a standup style, Max Denbow will surely want this fight to go to the ground.
Rico Verthonghen (1-0-0) v Liam Studd (0-0-0) (265)
Next up we have Rico Verthonghen against Liam Studd. Liam Studd is another untested competitor with a background in Muay Thaibut has also put considerable work into his wrestling ability. Studd is a New York native but made the move to Amsterdam and considering his progress, it seems to have really paid off. Rico Verthonghen for me is an interesting one. He is coming off a TKO win against Jack Hammer in the QFC. Not only did Verthonghen win his debut bout, he retired The Pride of London. Verthonghen’s focus comes from his Muay Thai background but this is the sport of MMA and like Liam Studd he knew he had to focus on Wrestling to keep himself on his feet and finish wrestlers and submission specialists where he feels most comfortable.
Super Heavyweight: Lazor Kwiatkowski (0-0-0) v "Grundy" Cyrus Gold (0-0-0)
Now we get to the really big guys. Both competitors are making their debuts in this bout. Lazor has a strong wrestling background, but also has trained had on his boxing. Lazor is a double threat for the best of opponents, having a strong ground game but also very respectable standup abilities. Lazor Kwiatkowski, the polish man should not be taken lightly by any opponent with this unique arsenal for such a young fighter. Cyrus Gold has not taken the same approach to his fight game as his opponent. Gold’s focus remains with his wrestling background and don’t get me wrong he’s a great wrestler, but I wonder if the Hawaiians’ primary focus on his ground game will be his kryptonite in this bout with such little put into his standup abilities.
Welterweight: Patrick Hall (0-0-0) v Jaden Tufalo (0-0-0)
Now we get to the Welterweights and I find this bout very interesting. Both fighters are making their professional debuts. Patrick Hall, a Finnish fighter residing and training in Helsinki has very respectable boxing abilities, but also holds a brown belt in BJJ. It takes a long time to get to a brown belt in any martial art, showing the vikings determination and drive. Jaden Tufalo on the other hand has a very different skillset. He is a Muay Thai specialist with remarkable abilities, giving him confidence in his standup. However, he also has a strong ground game, not in BJJ but has been training hard to work on his wrestling ability. If styles make fights, this fight will be very interesting. Patrick Hall with his focus on boxing and BJJ versus Jaden Tufalo with his Muay Thai and wrestling. You don’t get two more different yet alike fighters than this!
Lightweight: Colby Hughes (0-0-0) v Charlie "C Devil" Crucifer (0-0-0)
Now we get to the first Lightweight fight of the night. Colby Hughes comes from Finland and trains in the capital of Helsinki. Hughes has a solid ground game, with his main focus being his incredible wrestling ability. However, on the ground Hughes is a double threat with a blue belt in BJJ. Not only will he ground and pound you, he can break your arm as well. Although Charlie Crucifer’s wrestling ability may not be as good, it’s very respectable. These two fighters are complete opposites on the ground, Hughes has more of a focus on wrestling but Crucifer has a purple belt in BJJ. Although Hughes blue belt is impression, it doesn’t match the dedication Charlie Crucifer has put into his BJJ studies. Either fighter could take this fight, with both wanting to go to the ground, but looking for different positions to get the victory.
Well, there you have it fans, a preview, albeit rushed by myself this evening due to a scheduling mess up. I hope you are all as excited as I am to see this event unravel!
