Jump to content

The Island Tournament Round 1 Preview


Recommended Posts

EVERY Highland Games Lightweight Champion in history has been eliminated from the competition.

 

Better Dead is one of the most devastating strikers, coming out of NOWHERE. That's his THIRD 5 second KO. How did my guy Petkrovic beat him in QFC?

 

Moving on to WW and above. Already had the damn guys above spoil the results lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

http://i67.fastpic.ru/big/2014/1217/47/2798efb50ff83e0ad257843592f6fe47.png

http://www.mmatycoon.com/images/belt/20140926172750titlebelt.png

LHW's to do list:

Chocolate Mousse

Hulk Hogan

Kimo Kamino

 

It's too bad he couldn't possibly meet Ekkehard until the finals. SEE YOU THERE. (Hopefully)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.mmatycoon.com/gallery/1/1b7.jpg



Mitchel Thompson



Hopefully I won't lose before the final, as I'm looking to face Gumble in it.


I'm like a trojan horse, once I'm in, it's not that easy to get me out.


THe only fight that I can meet him in is the final, so good matchmaking! :)


I'm more scared to lose a fight before the final, than to get into a cage with Gumble. He knows that I'm not scared of him.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

ANOTHER CHAMPION DOWN! Aleksandar Mihaylov upset the odds by breaking the 8 fight win streak of Grant Morrison.

 

Skunk Asap, natural LHW, just won the SHW title!

 

Now we have the long awaited rematch between Serge Ibaka and Darth Vader. If Gumble stumbles, Serge could well be crowned the greatest.

Jonlong and Arnold wanting that spot in the final to attempt to upset Ibaka/Vader.

 

Calvin Brooks looking to eliminate the last man standing waving the flag for WC at LW, Papa Shango.

Eniar Enkeltmann being a big underdog against Zoran Jolevi.

 

Alexksandar Mihaylov carrying some serious momentum into tournament favourite Massa Hurmaaja.

Jack Sock somehow still hanging on, but has to face Arnavut who's had a habit of upsetting the odds.

 

LightHeavy Weight is expected to easily beat Mcginty once again.

Michael Coleman and Jake Theodorou in a dream clash.

Saintly Fish keeping his momentum rocking against Rice Aroni, who desperately needed this run.

Ludko Struja is also back at the top, taking on insane underdog Matt Couture.

 

Barney Gumble Vs Mase Force 2, after their epic first fight.

Jimmie Craig, with WC on his shoulders, faces KO specialist Fuji.

Magnus Cross and Thor Heyerdahl with an insane striking contest ahead.

Pedro Lazaro Vs Mib Louie 2, a rematch of a Highland Games 2 clash that's been LONG awaited.

 

 

 

I LOVE this tournament haha.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

http://www.mmatycoon.com/gallery/29/29w1.jpg\


DARTH VADER


13-3




I just tied a great mentor of mines Island record, Bruce Lee was 13-3 when he won the Island tournament at 155lbs last season. I hope I made him proud by making it this far. We are now down to the absolute best of the best at 135lbs with only 4 men left standing. I took great pleasure in closing out my rivalry with Neil Drake with a win, and am looking forward to facing the #1 fighter at 135lbs, Serge Ibaka in the semi finals. Gotta say I'll be rooting for BJ Arnold in his fight since me and him go way back and both got our start in Ultimate XC


  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

http://www.mmatycoon.com/gallery/29/29w1.jpg\

DARTH VADER

13-3

I just tied a great mentor of mines Island record, Bruce Lee was 13-3 when he won the Island tournament at 155lbs last season. I hope I made him proud by making it this far. We are now down to the absolute best of the best at 135lbs with only 4 men left standing. I took great pleasure in closing out my rivalry with Neil Drake with a win, and am looking forward to facing the #1 fighter at 135lbs, Serge Ibaka in the semi finals. Gotta say I'll be rooting for BJ Arnold in his fight since me and him go way back and both got our start in Ultimate XC

 

 

^Posts like this are exactly why I'm doing all of this. The history between fighters and orgs is awesome.

 

Man I cannot believe that Renato Laranja (brown belt) took down Sergio Ibaka (white belt) after a little more than a minute and was not able to finish... I thought I had it :wheelchair:

 

Ibaka has been on his back, I think someone has even had his back, and he still managed to avoid being subbed. Might have even been Laranja who did it. He's so beatable, his opponents have been able to implement their gameplans, but the result always ends the same way.

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

BANTAMWEIGHT

Serge Ibaka (17-0) Vs Darth Vader (13-3)
This fight has been in the making for a very long time. Way back in November 2014, these competitors clashed for the Attack Fight League Bantamweight Championship. Darth Vader was the newly crowned champion at 5-0, a record he shared with the challenger. The fight entered the clinch instantly, and although Vader was highly active, he was unable to land anything impactful and Ibaka was clinical with his attacks. Nearer the end of the second round, an uppercut dropped Vader and Serge Ibaka continued with strikes until the official was forced to call an end to the contest.
Vader would recapture the title, and although he hit a snag with two more defeats, in this tournament he’s come out the strongest in a trilogy with Neil Drake and stopped his other two opponents. Serge, although not looking unbeatable, has none the less stopped every opponent bar one with strikes, defending the AFL title once and then the Highland Games title 6 times.
It should be an amazing fight, but you really have to predict that Serge Ibaka will continue his streak since his only problems thus far have come from wrestlers.
Serge Ibaka by KO/TKO

Jomlong Kiapoity (11-2) Vs BJ Arnold (12-1)
Previous to this season, it was appearing as though Jomlong would be challenging for the HG Bantamweight title, had the season not come to an end. Two submission losses, both to guys who have failed in the tournament already, mark his only professional losses, while wins to impressive fighters in Kip Ruell and Bobby Bob Bob back to back have him on the best streak of his career, carrying a tonne of momentum was he comes into this fight.
BJ Arnold will be begging for Darth Vader to win against Ibaka, giving him the opportunity to avenge his only pro loss. The former Executioner Champion and reigning World Combat Champion went the distance in his first two tournament fights, which was highly unexpected, but a huge first round KO win against Dan Sten brings him into this fight.
If Jomlong can bring it to the floor, he’ll likely win the fight, but I fancy Arnold to take this over the distance.
BJ Arnold by Decision


FEATHERWEIGHT
Mamad Mouba (11-2) Vs Ali Roumani (10-2)
Although he doesn’t appear to have faced the stiffest competition in the tournament thus far, it’s been another day at the office for Mamad Mouba as he’s dominated his Island fights thus far. Although he doesn’t appear to be a natural finisher, Mouba certainly has the tools in his arsenal, and the World Combat Featherweight Champion is looking ahead to becoming the tournament champion.
It’s surprising that Al Roumani has never got a title shot in his career considering that he has some outstanding submission skills which he has utilized to win half of his professional fights. He is also coming off the first TKO of his career, which was inadvertently over a very impressive former WC title challenger Ryan Beltshazar.
I think this fight will go the distance, and Mamad Mouba will heavily utilize his clinch game to see it out.
Mamad Mouba by Decision



LIGHTWEIGHT
Calvin Brooks (12-5) Vs Papa Shango (12-4)
After falling on some fairly hard times, it’s great to see Calvin Brooks back at this position. So far, an easy win over Lord Seraphim led to a rematch against Mustafa Shabazz. Shango scored his second win over Mustafa by guillotine, then repeated the submission against an extremely tough fighter in Jack Stick. Brooks is a great submission guy, but as is all other competitors in this tournament.
Papa Shango is a bit of a heel character for me as he submitted Better Dead in just 2 and a half minutes. None the less, Shango has 10 of his 12 victories all by way of armlocks. Opponents must keep their top half limbs tight to their bodies when rolling with this guy, because if you give him the opportunity you can be positive that he’s trying to rip your arm out it’s socket.
Papa Shango by Submission

Einar Enkeltmann (7-1) Vs Zoran Jolevi (13-1)
It was unexpected hat Einar was going to get through Jason Smith, but here he is. With a lone loss to HG Champion George Moshington, every victory has come by submission, with all recent ones coming in the very first round. Enkeltmann might be a slight underdog to take this tournament, but that’s just because we haven’t seen everything he has. I think this fight will tell us exactly what we need to know.
Zoran warned me never to predict against him again, and it was smart advice. He’s submitted Ali Roumani, JJ Lycka, Papa Shango, Ryan Beltshazar, Bhola Djin Djin and Hideki Higkiko in his career, and now that some other fighters have fallen I think we can safely say that he’s the best fighter not holding championship gold. With the ability to mix both ground and pound and submissions together, he comes into this as the more multi-dimensional fighter.
Zoran Jolevi by KO/TKO



WELTERWEIGHT
Tony Bullard (15-1) Vs Ska Asap (14-4-1)
It’s such a shame that Bullard lost his debut because without it, he’d likely have been considered the third best fighter in this season of the Island, if not higher. Now it’s likely that he sits at 4th, behing Gumble, Ibaka and LightHeavyWeight. Tony has only ever actually made it out the first round twice in his career which just shows how outstanding his striking ability is.
Ska Asap is a huge underdog here, taking two first round stoppage losses to Bullard already. The gameplan will be simple for the two time former AFL Welterweight Champion; take this fight to the ground as soon as possible. In his tournament thus far, Ska has only stopped Darius Miller, whom he was easily expected to squash. Decision wins since then won’t give him the confidence he needs going into the biggest fight of his career, and I think Bullard wins as a result.
Tony Bullard by KO/TKO

Arnolf Karstark (13-8) Vs Mario Barontini (4-0)
Closing out his trilogy as the winner against Lou Hole will be a great motivation for Arnolf coming into this contest. His career has seen it’s far share of ups and downs. He competed for the UXC Lightweight Title, won and lost the World Combat Welterweight Title, and now he’s in the semi-final of the Island tournament. It’s safe to say that this is a career high for Arnolf, but it’s not over yet.
To think, Mario Barontini had just one professional fight coming into this contest, and now he’s 4-0 in the semi final. It’s truly incredible, but Arnolf Karstark is going to be his toughest test to date. Mario is going to have to utilize his fantastic boxing skills to hurt Arnolf and hurt him quickly. If he can do that, and only if, he’ll see himself in the spotlight in the tournament finale.
It’s not expected that either of these men will take home the tournament, but they can’t afford to look ahead to that just yet.
Arnolf Karstark by KO/TKO



MIDDLEWEIGHT
Aleksandar Mihaylov (9-3) Vs Massa Hurmaaja (14-3)
All I can say is WOW. Aleksandar Mihayov just knocked off the reigning Highland Games Middleweight Champion in a fight he was clearly being dominated in. What an amazing turn around, and knocking off the champion is possibly the biggest motivation a fighter can possibly have in proceeding to the next round. This man’s heart and determination is unrivalled, and he can knock any opponent out at any time. A fairly decent career led up to this moment, but I feel we might have just witnesses a turning point in his career trajectory.
I’m sure Massa is devastated that he didn’t get a 4th fight against Grant Morrison after being knocked out by a spinning backfist in their last fight. None the less, Massa is an absolutely outstanding fighter who has only lost to the absolute best in his career. Two victories over Massimo Benvenuti tell the story, but Massa’s inability to touch HG gold for a long period of time has held him back. He’s the favourite to win the tournament now, and he vows to do just that.
Massa Hurmaaja by Submission

Jack Sock (9-4) Vs Arnavut Sevket (11-2)
Two ultimate underdogs here on a fantastic run.
Jack Sock isn’t even being managed right now, but it hasn’t stopped him from defeated a former 205 champion in Highland Games, Rodrigo Rojas, and submitting a former AFL Welterweight Champ and current World Combat Middleweight Champ, Billy Tinkl, in back to back fights. Jack was never really viewed as a contender and was always hailed more of a gatekeeper in Highland Games, but if he is picked up by new management and decides to continue in the organisation, I have a feeling that it’s all about to change.
Arnavut Sevket’s huge win over Massimo Benvenuti brought him to this stage, giving him the momentum and tools to continue moving forward. So far he’s defeated some rather solid competitors, and he’s considered the heavy favourite coming into this as Sevket holds a dominant decision victory over Jack Sock from way back in his Highland Games debut. If he wins, he’ll be the underdog, but that’s something I’ve used to describe Arnavut Sevket so many times now and I think it suits him perfectly.
Arnavut Sevket by KO/TKO



LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
LightHeavy Weight (16-1) Vs Scott Mcginty (10-3)
I actually feel that this fight is a slight let down to be honest. The last fight for the HG 205 title was LHW Vs Scott Mcginty, and the fight only lasted 59 seconds before the champ retained.
None the less, Mcginty is the best fighter LHW has had to fight thus far, with his victories coming over some good fighters without massive win streaks behind them. Mcginty is tried and tested, and certainly has knockout power. It’s a shame that Dieter Von Sprockets couldn’t get the job done against Scott because DVS is one of the only men who have been able to drop LHW in his entire career.
LightHeavy Weight by KO/TKO

Michael Coleman (13-3) Vs Jake Theodorou (12-2)
It’s good to see Coleman back, at the top of his game, and on a four fight cut streak, he’s really chasing down LightHeavy Weight by replicating his game. Coleman at one point seemed to be the joint best LHW fighter in the world, but an upset loss to Rodrigo Gracie set him back. A win over Skunk Asap, who just won the Super Heavyweight title, looks better win time, but I think a win over Jake Theodorou will be the biggest of his career.
Jake’s only two losses were dominant ones to the champ. It would appear that he isn’t able to get the job done, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Wins over Joel Nicola, Rodrigo Gracie, Skunk Asap, James Helm and Louis Gordon are just a few of the stoppage victories he holds throughout his career. Jake’s ground and pound game is unrivalled, and if he can take down Coleman, that will be the perfect replication of how his fight with LHW could go.
It’s really hard to split, but since he seemed weak to LHW’s elbows, I think he might be in this fight too, so I vote against Jake.
Michael Coleman by KO/TKO

Saintly Fish (8-5) Vs Rice Aroni (8-4)
It’s been a crazy tournament for Saintly Fish who’s been able to submit all 3 of his opponents by Americana in the first round. He was the underdog against Eirikur Adalsteinn and perhaps against Ben Pulse too, but he pulled the wins out and everyone is happy to see him having this much success. Getting to the final would be a dream come true for Saintly, but he has a very hard ask here.
Really, Rice Aroni would have been cut from Highland Games had the tournament not started. After an incredible 5 fight run to hold the HG title, he dropped 4, losing to some guys no one thought he should have lost to. He entered this tournament with no morale, and essentially no hope. Boom, three fights, three first round KOs, and the most recent coming by way of a spectacular head kick. Rice Aroni is absolutely BACK! He needs to keep this one on the feet, but I think he can do it.
Rice Aroni by KO/TKO

Ludko Struja (10-4) Vs Matt Couture (7-1-1)
Whenever I mention Aroni, Ludko Struja is never far behind. These guys had near mirror careers of each other, and this resulted in an epic clash where Struja was victorious, earning KOTN. An up and down run since then brought him to the tournament where Struja has three finishes thus far. He hasn’t faced the best of the best yet though, so we will have to wait and see if the Ludko Struja who challenged for the Highland Games title is truly back.
Matt Couture, where the hell did he come from? Wins over some okay ranked guys in Hulk Hogan an Patrick Dean, a loss to Talon Axel and then a draw and win over Timothy Segura, all in Highland Games, showed that he was a good fighter but not really at the top. When he landed a spinning back fist on Sergey Vasilyev in the tournament’s second round, we knew he was the real deal, but still doubting he could beat a fighter like Rodrigo Gracie. Not only did he do it, but he did it in almost a minute.
Another really down the wire fight. Just based on recent wins, I’m going to go with Couture, but I think it’s the biggest longshot I’ve picked so far.
Matt Couture by KO/TKO


HEAVYWEIGHT
Barney Gumble (18-0) Vs Mase Force (12-3)
I’m so happy we’re getting to see this fight once again.
When these guys fought in the main event of the last Highland Games card on The Island, Mase Force came out of nowhere to put up an amazing fight, taking it 5 rounds and looking really dangerous throughout. Gumble scored the stoppage in the last round, but it was by far the hardest he’s ever had to fight.
Gumble HATES me telling this story, because he won 3 of the rounds and got the stoppage in the last one. He feels that even though the fight lasted long, that he was still as dominant as ever. He’s The Island’s greatest ever fighter, and a story about him being tested certainly doesn’t sit well with him. He’s going to be more focused than we’ve ever seen him be to date, and Barney Gumble is going to be baying for blood.
Mase Force has now established himself as the second best Island heavyweight fighter. He defeated some very talented guys to earn his title shot, and his recent win over Maki Pulu was huge for him. Mase Force has been in there with Gumble. He felt his power and was still able to counter it and land plenty of his own shots. I know he thinks he can win this fight, and if he can, he likely knocks Gumble off the perch as the greatest fighter which will be the just deserts Force wants to avenge his title match loss.

Jimmie Craig (12-3) Vs Chiyono Fuii (9-2)
Jimmy was at one stage a highly competitive PRIDE KT kickboxer. When he switched to MMA, he shocked the world by stopping Michael Coleman. He would then win the 205 World Combat title, and defend it against middleweight moving up Razor MuayThai. He signed a 265 contract to take on Mib Louie, but was unable to compete and was stopped in the very first round. In this tournament, he was a weight above his natural and we didn’t see him really being able to win. He proved us wrong in his last fight when he went the distance with a top level fighter in Dick Wad.
Chiyono Fuji is actually on a 6 fight winning streak, I really didn’t see this happening again. Fuji has always had scary knockout power, but in two of his fights he was stopped on cuts and it seemed like it would be a longtime problem. In his last fight, the third round of the tournament, he entered as an underdog against amazing submission specialist Keijo Virtanen, and late in the second it was Fuji who left with his hand raised. With the only two men to stop him, Louie and Force, still in this tournament, it could be the perfect story if he can get through this fight.

Magnus Cross (11-7) Vs Thor Heyerdahl (11-2)
A strikers dream match here.
Magnus Cross has always been a decent fighter, but was never a top contender. Infact, he lost 3 fights coming into this tournament and really, he was expected to go out early. He shocked us all by KOing Clinton Offley in just 42 seconds, proving everyone wrong about what was going to happen. He followed up by stopping a very tough veteran striker in Mitchel Thompson in his next fight, and now if he can get through this impossible challenge, he will have surpassed everyone’s predictions by even more.
By Highland Games 39, we had really decided that Thor was a decision fighter. He had went the distance in in 4 of his 7 fights, winning two by stoppage against some low ranked fighters. No one expected him to bounce back by stopping fighters like Richard Riddick and Alexey Juralev. What he’s used to set up all of this is his incredible kickboxing skills. He likes to wear opponents down with low kicks, before switching to the head. This should be Thor’s fight to lose, and he could go through into a long awaited rematch with Pedro Lazaro, whom he went to a majority decision with, or earn a dream match-up with Mib Louie.

Pedro Lazaro (13-3) Vs Mib Louie (13-3)
What an incredible fight to happen in the tournament.
Lazaro’s first loss, at Highland Games 3, came at the hands of Mib Louie. After dominating the first round, it was a head kick which stopped him in his tracks. Lazaro bounced back, like Heyerdahl, seeming like a decision fighter. He adapted and has been knocking out guys like Richard Riddick, Jason Barrett and San Terra, proving his striking ability. He is desperate to defeat Louie, avenging an early loss which he feels he should not have taken.
Since switching management, Louie is a perfect 5-0. In his career, he has 4 head kick knockouts, and two by flying knee, which just goes to show how dangerous he is when it comes to striking. Louie has been fighting at the highest level since his second fight and knows what the spotlight feels like. Getting to the final of the tournament, he’d be hoping to earn the opportunity to face Barney Gumble, whom have him his first loss back in November.
An amazing fight which is so hard to call. I’ll go with what I feel is the underdog in this fight, and root for Lazaro.
Pedro Lazaro by Decision

  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

At 20 yrs of age Magnus Cross has been hammered numerous times always fighting men 7 yrs his senior, True he is lucky to have notched up 11 unexpected wins. This experience is showing through come tournament time. Anyone taking bets?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

At 20 yrs of age Magnus Cross has been hammered numerous times always fighting men 7 yrs his senior, True he is lucky to have notched up 11 unexpected wins. This experience is showing through come tournament time. Anyone taking bets?

Who are you betting on?
Link to comment
Share on other sites

great stuff Callum McGregor real good you picked Mib Louie to lose but still great stuff! lol Mib Louie will make it a fight ! lou will knock this man out or he will get knock out trying ! he may go down but he will go down swing Batter -up!

That's bad news for me though because he always(I really mean always) picks the losers to win. In almost all the reviews my guys came as underdogs and found themselves being winners so now he's picking my guy over Louie? Damn, this means the island season ends today for me :P

  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's bad news for me though because he always(I really mean always) picks the losers to win. In almost all the reviews my guys came as underdogs and found themselves being winners so now he's picking my guy over Louie? Damn, this means the island season ends today for me

well that might have been true but you see i have my on way of knowing when i will lose Louie has won 5 in a row for me

but here is the bad news for lou when ever i have a fighter win 5 in a row they lose the next fight for me 99.9% only once has that not happen and that was with shoddy body he made it to 7 before he lost !lol hey good luck man

Link to comment
Share on other sites

well that might have been true but you see i have my on way of knowing when i will lose Louie has won 5 in a row for me

but here is the bad news for lou when ever i have a fighter win 5 in a row they lose the next fight for me 99.9% only once has that not happen and that was with shoddy body he made it to 7 before he lost !lol hey good luck man

maybe it's a draw and we'll ruin the tournament for everybody(including mike)

good luck to you too.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Michael Coleman (13-3) Vs Jake Theodorou (12-2)

It’s good to see Coleman back, at the top of his game, and on a four fight cut streak, he’s really chasing down LightHeavy Weight by replicating his game. Coleman at one point seemed to be the joint best LHW fighter in the world, but an upset loss to Rodrigo Gracie set him back. A win over Skunk Asap, who just won the Super Heavyweight title, looks better win time, but I think a win over Jake Theodorou will be the biggest of his career.

Jake’s only two losses were dominant ones to the champ. It would appear that he isn’t able to get the job done, but that couldn’t be more wrong. Wins over Joel Nicola, Rodrigo Gracie, Skunk Asap, James Helm and Louis Gordon are just a few of the stoppage victories he holds throughout his career. Jake’s ground and pound game is unrivalled, and if he can take down Coleman, that will be the perfect replication of how his fight with LHW could go.

It’s really hard to split, but since he seemed weak to LHW’s elbows, I think he might be in this fight too, so I vote against Jake.

Michael Coleman by KO/TKO

 

I'd put my money on Jake here, LHWs takedown defense and elbows are simply better than Coleman's (no disrespect here, just the facts)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...