Sucker Punch Pro Series (Unrestrained) Opens in Sydney

[JOHN S]

I told you

[HareRumpler]

1 hour ago, JOHN S said:

Watch Bjorn kill this  dude unprepared or prepared result stays the same.

Now that's the attitude we love!!! 

[HareRumpler]

5 hours ago, JOHN S said:

I told you

That you did sir, that you did!  Donkey and I stand with our mouths shut...for a little while! LOL!!!!

[HareRumpler]

Moved into the current thread for the preview.

[kfuhrer]

3 days notice for a fight for Mr. Pickle. I'll take 1 days notice Hare! Show me tha money! Any weight division any ID any skill set. I dont care about win loss records the Pickle is just here to fight.

[HareRumpler]

SUCKER PUNCH PREVIEW

Sucker Punch Pro Series 112

Welcome back to all our Sucker Punch fans and family out there as we get ready for SPPS 112 tonight!  We’re back on the west coast of the US this evening and if you like your action to stick to mostly the middle weight classes and up then this is the card for you folks!  Nothing lower than Welterweight and only two of those on the card. 

We also have two Middleweight contests, including our Main Event for the Middlweight title on the line between challenger Kiryu Kazuma and reigning, defending champ Wanderson Machado!  This is the third time these two have met and with one a piece we’re looking at a rubber match of epic proportions here folks!

We’ll also have dual triplet sets of matches for the Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights on tonight’s card, with the Co-Main Event being the final of the three Light Heavyweight bouts.  That fight will be a HUGE showdown between former champ John Fury and up and coming sensation Igor Warlovski!  One of these two will walk away with a title shot against new Light Heavyweight champion Dempsey ONeill in February!

We’re also very likely to have some odds put out on the card tonight, although those won’t be put in place until after Donkey gives his picks so there’s a chance there won’t be a ton of time to get bets in if you choose to!  So you’ll have to act fast once the odds are disclosed!  Either way, it help elevate the card and bring attention to it and with a card that is absolutely packed with hype and talent you can be sure we’re looking at one of our two or three highest rated events tonight I think!

Oooh, and how much do we love seeing this boys (and gals)?!?  Let's git some!  We’ll stop here, get a word from our merchandise and sponsor, and then really take a close look at each of these fights tonight!

When you think about training your fighters, one of the biggest concerns is keeping them in the gym and actively training, am I right? And you can’t do that if they have to be stopping to recover and rest for sessions here and sessions there! That is why you need to visit our sponsor, Shadow Warrior Nutrition, and specifically grab some of their Shadow Warrior Tea 160Q. It is literally the best energy loss reduction supplement money can buy and will keep your fighter in the gym training rather than sitting days out resting! Stop on over there today, you will NOT be disappointed!

We’re going to take a quick break here as Donkey and I gather our thoughts about each of the fights, and we’ll be back with you folks in just an hour or two after we’ve had a chance to force Donkey to make some picks for the Undercard!  Hang tight and come on back shortly folks!

 

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And….we’re back!

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Undercard Bout #1: Welterweights

Steel li vs. Mandinos II

Alex Steel Ii (9-10-0) v Kahdi Mandinos (9-13-0)

Typically the opening fight of the evening doesn’t have a ton on the line other than desperately trying to start moving up the ladder a bit on the part of both combatants.  But both of these kids have been struggling along for some time now and there’s a lot more on the line here this evening than normal.  Let’s be honest here, the fighter who doesn’t manage to snag a win here tonight is probably on very thin ice in terms of continuing on their MMA career path! 

Mandinos has had one solitary win over his last ten fights.  That’s a disappointing run of epic proportions and if I’m being perfectly honest, we probably would have dropped him long ago if it weren’t for the fact that he’s got an active, easy-going manager who has supported us since the very beginning.  And yes, that does make a difference when you know the manager is at least active and trying! 

Steel’s run hasn’t been quite as bad but of late he’s definitely struggling.  He comes in with three losses in a row and you have to go back four fights to find his last win which, coincidentally, came against Mandinos  here!  So this is a rematch that both fighters NEED to win.  But only one can.  Unless it’s a draw, and then nobody does.  Ok, thanks captain obvious.  And great, now I’m talking to myself!  See what these guys do to me?!?

The last time these two met they took it all the way to the judges in a 29-28 affair that honestly didn’t feature a ton of action.  Steel won by virtue of simply being a little bit more aggressive but given the numbers over three rounds even that’s being generous using the word “aggressive”.  Mandinos got his best work in on the ground but was unable to capitalize on any of his submission attempts although a few of his ground and pound strikes did land.  Really it was Steel’s head shots and kicks that got things done for him when standing.  You have to expect that at least one of these two is going to dial up the aggression a bit more tonight knowing that the fight could be won or lost just based upon how many times you slap the other guy!

Donkey’s Pick: Mandinos via Split Decision

Mandinos must come with a different approach this time around and I think he will. But Kyle F will likely have Steel li prepared to switch things up as well so honestly this fight looks to be anybody’s for the taking.  It’s tough call, much more than it should be this early in the card!

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Undercard Bout #2: Heavyweights

Mills vs. Teixeira II

Edward Mills (8-11-0) v Jairzinho Teixeira (11-10-0)

This Heavyweight bout comes to you with about three days’ notice after Nolan went MIA on us and left Teixeira without a dance partner for tonight’s event!  That said, Mills, ever a fan of getting into the cage and trying to pickle punch somebody unexpectedly (as if they shouldn’t expect it by now!), was more than willing to jump in on short notice.  And to his credit, Teixeira was up for the grab as well despite losing the last time these two fought in September!  Which also happens to be the last time Mills was able to secure a win.

We had it on pretty good word that Teixeira was pretty close to the end of his run and that the one fight remaining on his contract (which would have been this one) would be his last.  But then, his management team signed a reno anyways!  OK!  Well, that’s probably because they know that we never hold anybody hard and fast to a contract here at SPPS and if things go sideways he can walk at any time. And that could be the case even after this first right on the five fight extension…as he comes into this fight tonight with four losses in a row, the first of which was to Mills. He needs this win. If he can’t secure it, I can understand deciding that his days in the middle of the cage are done and he’d rather coach from outside the cage where he’s not getting KO’d and TKO’d, as has happened over the last four fights!

Mills will be more than happy to stand toe to toe with Teixeira once again tonight just as they did last time!  He supposedly trains with sabre tooth tigers, as we’ve all famously heard, and perhaps someday will also acquire their cunning.  Or…maybe not.  Slow but lovable is what we call Mills…and after this short notice fight acceptance, I guess you could add ballsy and reliable!  If he can secure a win here it should restore some confidence and momentum as we do have another two fights lined up for him!

What do you think we’ll see here Donkey?

Donkey’s Pick: Teixeira via TKO (Strikes)

I think we’ll see two fighters who like to punch others in the friggin’ head is what we’ll see Hare!  And what a way to get the night going with these first two fights.  Neither may be highly rated, but I have no doubt they’ll make the crowd happy! Who wins here?  I think Mills, but he’s hit or miss, literally, and I’m going the other way in this rematch just for the entertainment factor!

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Undercard Bout #3: Light Heavyweights

Lorenzo Bianchi (8-4-0) v Mike Bard (10-8-1)

We’re at the middle of the Undercard here and this next fight brings us Mike Bard, 32 year old Light Heavyweight, against the younger 25 year old Bianchi.  But that’s about where the advantage for Bard ends, as Bianchi will hold the advantage tonight in both areas of standup and Jiu Jitsu.  And record, by a small bit.  Both warriors are pumped up and ready to get into the cage, fully prepared, so this is bound to turn into a solid contribution as we move things forward early on the card tonight folks!

Bianchi made his Sucker Punch debut last month under new management, his second management team, but failed to come away with the win against now Top Contender Devin Ecker.  That little tryout for Team Harrington came to a fast end after the loss and since then Bianchi has caught on with Cause McDubree and his squad.  They’ll make their debut together this evening as they attempt to right the ship and grab their first Sucker Punch win together.

Bard has been back and forth, back and forth over his entire career but over the past three fights seemed to find “something”. He won the first and last of those via solid TKO’s and the middle fight in November was a decision loss to Kuznetsov who appeared to be headed towards Top Contender at the time.  That fight earned a ‘Fight of the Night’ award and Bard was never really out of it, which is a solid showing.   A win tonight could make it 3-1 over the last four and really give Bard and his team something to get excited about!

Donkey’s Pick: Bard via Unanimous Decision

We know Bard has the ability to go to the ground despite using his boxing more predominantly over the last few fights.  He’ll need that tonight as Bianchi is a ground specialist who loves to work for a submission.  His last four wins, albeit under his management team two removed, were all via submission.  He could easily snag one here tonight, but I’m going to go with Bard’s ability to fend it off and win via points here tonight!

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Undercard Bout #4: Welterweights

Sanchez vs. Lee II

Samuel Sanchez (11-7-0) v Mister Lee (7-7-0)

We’re getting deep into the Undercard here and we have our third fight of the night that’s a rematch!  Lee and Sanchez will get in there to represent the Welterweights after having met for the first time almost a year ago in February 2021!  That fight turned into a Unanimous Decision for Lee in a tussle that earned both of them ‘Fight of the Night’ honors!

The last time these two met Sanchez was the aggressor in trying to get the fight to the ground so he could work some nasty ground and pound.  However, he quickly found that Lee was an opportunist who was looking for a cheap and easy submission if Sanchez would allow it…which he didn’t.  But that certainly had to play into just how aggressive Sanchez was able to be down there.  On the feet, Lee proved to be just a bit more aggressive and while his overall striking success rate wasn’t off the charts it helped him score a few more points than Sanchez was able to secure with the judges.  The fight, although it was labeled unanimous, was all over the place in scoring by the judges and clearly left a lot on the table to debate.  Which is why it should make for a great rematch here a year later after they’ve both had a chance to evolve as martial artists!

Lee appears to still work for the submissions in the ground game without much striking involved when on the floor.  But standing it’s become clear that he splits his time equally between head shots, body shots and leg kicks.  The numbers between those three have been VERY consistent over the last few fights.  Sanchez’s move still appears to be to get to the ground in any way possible so he can work the ground and pound.  Seems familiar.  He doesn’t care whether the move to the mat comes in the clinch or out, just so long as it gets there.  He’ll throw a submission attempt here or there, but it seems to be more a distraction move than anything else.

Donkey’s Pick: Sanchez via Unanimous Decision

So, to summarize Hare, it seems not really a lot has changed over the past year for these two.  Sanchez wants to ground and pound.  Lee wants to try for submissions.  Got it.  Expect more of the same tonight.  But…in the past year…have those skills improved and become more refined?  Can Lee pull off the submission this time around?  Or will Sanchez prevent and then take it by default with points?  Being not much else has changed, I’m going to tip my hat in the direction of the status quo!

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Undercard Bout #5: Heavyweights

ZaDarius Haden (13-5-0) v Banana Republic (9-8-0)

We finish up the Undercard here and Haden’s camp is probably appalled that they’re finding themselves outside the Main Card this evening!  But, that speaks to the quality of the fights at the top tonight and that’s an awesome thing!  And big things are on the line here for these two Heavyweights as the winner will likely find themselves in a Top Contender battle next month with a title shot on the line!  Right now, Beardsley and Magomedov are a step closer and will be fighting for the title shot opportunity in their fight on the 30^th, so these two will have to hold off for a month with the winner continuing to prove they’re next in line!

Normally one might say, “Well, Haden has had a lot of opportunities at the belt, is he really deserving of another in the near future?”  My answer to that is…he’s only lost to the very best!  Five losses on his career.  Three of those to The Beast, Chontamenti, who clearly has his number.  One random loss to Syd Rummel a year ago.  Things happen.  The other loss?  The most recent title shot against Shima.  Ok, yeah…and he’s beaten Shima TWICE before that!  Others have tried to down him…Shima in the past, Krol a couple times, Cooper a couple times, Balkan, Miettinen.  Most couldn’t.  So yes, if he can win his way back, even soon, he’s deserving!  But know this…the next fight to get there will be a new face (I hope) and will test his skills!

Republic was struggling, struggling, struggling.  Six losses over seven fights.  Ouch.  Then, he got on a roll.  Wins over Bjoergen, Conchobhar and Meshkov.  Granted, not the top tier fighters in the division.  But solid strikers and guys who have proven they can end somebody’s night fast. And he went the distance with them all to win with the judges.  So, obvious question, “Is he ready for the next step? And is he more than we’ve seen?”  We’ll certainly find out tonight folks as Haden will be by far the toughest test of his career!  But if he wins?  Oh the glory! And oh, the ability to claim he has ARRIVED!

Donkey’s Pick: Haden via TKO (Strikes)

Expect a showdown between technical striking both in and out of the clinch by Republic against Haden’s raw power! I think the favorite pick here has to be Haden given quality of competition in the past.  But this, as Hare said, is Republic’s chance to shock the world!  He could show up like never before and that would make the end of the Undercard the ultimate highlight heading into the Main Card this evening!

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Donkey and I are going to take a break here for lunch and we’ll be back at you with the Main Card in about an hour, maybe an hour and a half folks!  Stay tuned!

 

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Main Card Bout #1: Heavyweights

Thoth Chontamenti (13-4-0) v Bobo Brazil (11-5-0)

Shocking to see Sucker Punch Pro Series two-time champion, seven-time successful defender of the belt, The Beast, Thoth Chontamenti, in the opening fight of the Main Card? Yes.  Exciting to see as well?  Absolutely, because you know the rest of this card has to be the shit!  Both Brazil and Chontamenti come into this fight with gas tanks on full and eyes clearly focused on the prize!  What might that prize be?  Well, it’s not a title shot again yet for Chontamenti or a first go at it for Brazil as they’re both just coming off a loss.  But certainly a win for either here would go a long way to putting them squarely in the picture!  And that’s a lot!

For Brazil, this fight has a lot of the same sort of feel and opportunities that the fight just before this has for Republic.  He’d been on a tear against the mid to lower end of the division and after the loss to now potential Top Contender Magomedov, who fights for a title shot opportunity soon, this is a chance to rebound in a huge way against a huge name in opponent.  A win in this one could propel him into the top of the division and that’s an opportunity that you don’t get every day!  Time to step up and make the magic happen!

For Chontamenti it’s an opportunity to see variety in opponents and also add yet another victim to his long list in the Heavyweight division as he works back towards the belt.  A belt that for the longest time seemed to have his name imprinted on it permanently!  But Shima has proven to be the thorn in his side with a trifecta of losses to him over two managers.  So Chontamenti gets caught in a bind.  It will be very difficult for us to justify giving him yet a fourth fight against Shima so long as Shima holds the title.  But at the same time, it almost begs that if Chontamenti is ever going to earn the belt back, it should almost have to be against Shima!  LOL!  How’s that for a conundrum?!?  The showdown is probably inevitable.  But The Beast is going to have to work to prove that there is no other option that deserves it more than he does before the fourth opportunity materializes!

Donkey’s Pick: Chontamenti via Submission (Armbar)

Chontamenti is well skilled across the board and that’s going to make this a tough night for Brazil.  Brazil typically works to win via his striking and Chontamenti is fantastic on defense but it should be noted that Shima was able to exploit him in that way twice.  Perhaps Brazil watches, learns and finds a way?!?

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Main Card Bout #2: Light Heavyweights

Aboubacar Mandiang (11-4-0) v Sora Izanagi (10-3-0)

We move right along here with only four fights remaining on a night of what should be pretty intense action!  And once again, we have to guys ready to get into that cage who are fully prepped, as we’ve had for every matchup so far!  I’m loving that, so is Donkey I’m sure, and so will our Sucker Punch fans worldwide! 

And these two kids couldn’t be more evenly matched as neither really holds much of an advantage in any primary area. Sure, Izanagi might have just one point in standup, both boxing and Muay Thai, but this one’s going to come down to tactics, strategy and good old fashioned heart folks!

Mandiang is only a step or so away from Top Contender status.  Depending upon who loses or wins above him, this fight could do it for him if he can find a way to come away with the ‘W’.  Otherwise, at most, he’d be one step away.  For Izanagi, he’s looking to rebound from a loss to now champion Dempsey ONeill last month.  Given ONeill went on to win the belt, the loss suddenly becomes much less concerning for Izanagi as his team can clearly justify that it wasn’t against some scrub!  A win here will certainly help erase any doubts as to his ability and potential and potentially position him within striking distance of Top Contender also given his overall record and history.

Donkey’s Pick: Mandiang via Unanimous Decision

This will be an absolutely vicious fight that could swing either way!  Two completely different styles entering the cage here tonight but both with the same intent…to dish out pain and punishment!  Izanagi is all about the clinch, the dirty stuff…and ohhhh, those knees!  Mandiang can work in the clinch as well, but much prefers to keep it separated.  He’ll box if it’s working or mix in the kickboxing as needed, but you can be sure it’ll be heavy doses of it no matter which way he goes!  True to Action Jackson camp style, he loves to throw the heavy stuff at just the right times!  These two come with almost identical records, so making a pick between them is awfully tough!

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Main Card Bout #3:  Middleweights

Joseph DeAngelo (14-5-0) v Craig Watkins (7-3-1)

Our lead-in to the Main Events should also be a great fight that frankly has been preceded up to this point by a string of what look to be great fights all evening!  This one will continue that trend no doubt!

Watkins comes in as a well-qualified potential future Top Contender and needs this win to solidify that status going forward and put him a step away from a battle for a title shot!  DeAngelo is the former WPFA champ and came into SPPS on a roll, churning out three wins in a row before hitting speed bump against both Zhao and Kuiva.  Four wins in a row following that earned him his first title shot here at SPPS but he fell short in his bid to grab the Middleweight belt.  All because Machado wasn’t willing to share!  Haha!  A fight against quality competition like Watkins could seriously help his trek back to another opportunity!

Watkins has the advantage in boxing and wrestling tonight.  DeAngelo will be the better Jiu Jitsu artist.  Not that he’s known for using that other than defensively.  Watkins prefers to get into the clinch and work it hard. DeAngelo is all about some seriously nasty boxing.  He who can dictate where the fight takes place tonight likely wins this one!

Donkey’s Pick: DeAngelo via KO (Punch)

This fight reminds me an awful lot of the prior fight between Izanagi and Mandiang! Again, a battle between clinch and Muay Thai specialist versus boxer.  Only this time, the boxer is more purely just that, as opposed to Mandiang who will kickbox as well. Tough choice again, but I’m going with DeAngelo as he’s been around and proven himself a bit and we need to see Watkins a bit more here at SPPS!

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Co-Main Event:

Featured Light Heavyweight Bout

John Fury (12-3-0) v Igor Warlovski (10-3-0)

Make no mistake about it folks, the Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event tonight is a battle with a title shot on the line as Dempsey ONeill will be sitting by and watching this fight VERY closely as he waits to see who comes at him for his first title defense!  And both of these fighters are top-tier, top of the line, primo combatants who bring great records and hype to the cage and to a potential title shot!

Warlovski changed management teams after a KO loss to David King over at BBFC.  With the move to Pablo Spezziale’s squad he also made the move to us here at Sucker Punch in November and has run off two quality wins since then!  His win over Akerfeldt proved that he could defend against an elite ground specialist (as well as knock him the hell out!) and then the win over Radu Dracul showed what he can do against a fellow striker!  Now he attempts to take out an even more prolific striker…oh, and you know, just a former champ also...to earn his way into ONeill’s cage!

Fury won the Sucker Punch Pro Series Light Heavyweight title back in September by defeating Eemeli Lampi…then defended successfully twice against some great competition in Parker and Tribute…before losing the belt to the same man he originally took it from!  Since then, Eemeli has been unseated earlier this week by newcomer Dempsey ONeill who now sits waiting.  Fury’s mission is clear and that mission is to dispatch a serious contender like Warlovski, prove he deserves to have another look at the belt…and get moving on the ultimate goal…to get it back!  Which, of course, creates a ton of drama…that I love…because you know Lampi will have something to say about that given Lampi has beaten Fury two out of three times!

Donkey’s Pick: Warlovski via KO (Punches)

These two have very similar styles and it’s going to be an all-out war in there this evening I think!  I’m loving that, and I’m sure Hare is also, because it should make for a Co-Main Event with a great rating!  The pick is really tough to make as I think this is going to come down to the right punch or shot landing at just the right time.  I don’t think this goes the distance as both fighters have a tendency to finish!  I want to give the nod to our former champion.  But, I also feel perhaps an upset?  I’m going to go out on a limb here with this pick and you should keep that in mind when betting…if you decide to gamble tonight!

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Main Event:

Middleweight Championship Bout

Wanderson Machado (17-3-0) v Kiryu Kazuma (12-6-0)

Our Main Event will have the Sucker Punch Pro Series Middleweight Championship on the line and surprisingly here, Machado comes in a bit unprepared.  Actually more than a bit!  Bwang Jong Sr. has been away from the game off and on quite a bit of late and this time he seems to have forgotten to ensure the training staff keep Machado’s energy up heading into this title defense!  He’s down about 35% and given this is not only for the title, but also a rubber match between these two fierce competitors it could turn out to be a HUGE factor tonight! 

Kiryu won the belt from Machado to become champion originally in July last year.  Then, he lost the belt…to Machado…two fights later in October.  You can damn well put your money down that Kazuma is laser focused on the mission to flip that script one more time and win the belt back from the same man who took it away!  These two don’t play nice or share well, that’s for sure, and there is little doubt in my mind that Donkey won’t factor in Machado’s energy situation along with Kazuma’s drive and determination tonight!

The first time these two fought, Kazuma brought power striking to the cage and boxed his way to a knockout in under a minute and a half!  The second time they met Machado turned it around, came with potent strike defense and elite striking that combined accuracy and power to score the TKO! Again, a first round finish.  History says this one doesn’t make it into the championship rounds folks!

Donkey’s Pick:  Kazuma via TKO (Strikes

Unless Machado lands a great shot early and ends this before it gets going I think the advantage lies with Kazuma due to the energy situation with Machado.  This thing even goes to the end of the first round…with the types of shots these two warriors will be throwing…and Machado is likely to gas setting up the TKO by Kazuma!

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So there we have it Sucker Punch fans!

And there we have it!  The fights there above speak for themselves folks!  We’re about to have an absolute blast out in Cali tonight and hopefully you’ll be there!  If not, catch the amazing three hour LIVE PPV folks, c’mon, push that button and order it now!  Donkey and I are all ready to head over to the arena as we’ve heard that the Coliseum parking lot is already jumping with tailgaters!  Can’t wait for a night of fun!

Till then, have fun and don’t forget…

Keep it cheap and dirty…Sucker Punch Pro Series style!

[HareRumpler]

The full preview is now  up for tonight's event at SPPS 112 folks...and the odds have been set based upon Donkey's picks!

BETTING IS OPEN!  Last time we had the event covered at Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow, you folks failed to clean me out!  Heck, if I'm not mistaken, the bookmaker made about 24k!  Are you guys going to let that happen? Are you guys going to seriously say that my matchmaking makes it THAT difficult to pick a winner?  Pfffft!  Guess you folks just don't have it...huh?  

https://mmatycoon.com/bookmakerpublic.php?bid=8544

C'mon over and show us your skills tonight with SPPS 112 fully covered and odds up now!

[kfuhrer]

Great stuff Hare

[Oldbones]

Kazuma Kiryu:

Life is like a trampoline, the lower you fall, the higher you go. I'm back tonight to take what's rightfully mine Machado, two will enter that cage, but only I will leave it.

 

MR. TAKAHASHI:

Kazuma is on fire! Tonight without a doubt my champion will again become a middle-weight champion, with two victories over Machado that'd make him a Champ-Champ right? That's how it's done? Hare should get on that, it's prime marketing material. But as I was saying, we've been in the gym and if you all thought Kazuma was a one shot clock stopper he still is but ever since he started taking those supplements from Paddy's I just hear him all night punching the walls, kicking the walls, I went to get milk and came back, he had finished building a deck on a building we didn't even own that's just how committed he is to making himself the unstoppable Golden Dragon of Suckerpunch, I don't think I've seen anything this exciting since Kaoru won the 10-9 SP Interim Invitational belt

[kfuhrer]

WOW! I did bad at SP112 haha Mr. Pickle is a terrible counter fighter. Oh well needed to try something else.

[bjornmma1]

Magnificent Chulalongkorn

1/ Brady Jean Baptiste dominated me the first time we met, for the full five rounds.
2/ BJB has never been (t)KO'd.

=> Hmm, I think that this is the perfect time to try something new.

 

[Oldbones]

 

Mr: Takahashi: 

What'd I say, Kazuma is a real dark horse and seizing back what was rightfully his from the start! But there must be something in those supplements considering for how exhausted Wanderson was, this was still the longest of the three fights between Kiryu and Wanderson before he had his face murdered by a whole 36 seconds, which is significant, if I could last 36 seconds longer I'd probably still be married. 

[bjornmma1]

On 1/24/2022 at 10:25 PM, bjornmma1 said:

Magnificent Chulalongkorn

1/ Brady Jean Baptiste dominated me the first time we met, for the full five rounds.
2/ BJB has never been (t)KO'd.

=> Hmm, I think that this is the perfect time to try something new.

 

Jean Baptiste misses with a hook to the body
and Chulalongkorn counters with a left and a right... And another left! Jean Baptiste is down! He's done! The ref dives in to save him and that's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Magnificent Chulalongkorn!
Magnificent Chulalongkorn really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.

That being said, BJB is an absolute stud. I often hit people with very little effort and they go down hard. BJB on the other hand took insane shot and kept moving. The guy is a beast! 

[bjornmma1]

Magnificent Chulalongkorn
15-6-0
147 p4p
100% wins by stoppage!

I laugh at those who say that only heavyweights pack a punch. 
Should I ever win a fight by decision, it will be the first time that I leave the octagon crying.

PS: I'll be cageside this weekend for Sitsongrit vs Drake. 
Eager to see who will get the W and will be forced to fight me. 
Good luck guys, fireworks please, no snoozefest!

[HareRumpler]

SUCKER PUNCH PREVIEW

Sucker Punch Pro Series 114

Alright folks, running low on time here as we get closer and closer to SPPS 114 out in Los Angeles, California at the LA Memorial Coliseum!  Just about two or so hours to go likely by the time I finish this and I’ll admit that I’ve been procrastinating this weekend…watching my kids swim on live-streams, binging a bit of TV for a change and generally just chilling!  Which is why Donkey and I haven’t done the review of SPPS 113 yet either, which we still intend to do but we unsuccessfully tried to hand it off to Risa Roo and she flat out refused!  The nerve.  Something about college homework to do and stuff like that.  Bah, priorities kid!

Anyways, so let’s get this show on the road here…as always, I’m Hare Rumpler and we’ll have Donkey “Dan” along for the ride so he can pull a few predictions out of his hat and cover anything I don’t!  Tonight is a big, big night in MMAT land as there are a TON of big events going off by a number of promotions this evening!  That is never more obvious than on a night when I think we’ve got one of our top four events on hand here and yet ranking wise, we’re barely up there in the Top 10 of events for the day!  Wow!  Well, more fun for all the fans out there, Sucker Punch and otherwise!

Unlike our last event with featured the middle weight classes and up, SPPS 114 is more focused on the Featherweights through the Welterweights with just two fights in the Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight classes on top.  One each.  This one will be VERY heavy on Lightweight action as we open the night with three bouts in a row and then roll back to them yet again just before the Main Events.  The night will be topped off by what I expect to be a crazy competitive, drawn out affair for the Featherweight Championship in the Main Event between reigning, defending champion Petsuwan Sitsongrit and two-time Top Contender and perennial member among the elite in the Featherweight Division, Jake Drake!

I could go on and on and keep name dropping, but we’ll save that!  Instead, let’s get a word from our merchandise and sponsor, and then really take a close look at each of the fights tonight in more detail!

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Undercard Bout #1: Lightweights

Bradley Brunswick Jr (6-3-0) v Michael Collins (3-2-0)

We open the card up with the return of Bradley Brunswick Jr to the Sucker Punch fold after a seven month hiatus!  After his prior manager, Robert Smith, disappeared he was picked up by Tricky Smith’s entourage and four months later started feeling his way back onto the MMA scene.  A quick night of fun in the cage with CMMA saw him get a bit KO win via head kick over Jack Dawson in October but then he went back into hiding for six weeks before emerging again with ENIGMA where he unfortunately feel to Odin Markkanen in the first round.  None of this is a surprise at all as Brunswick has always lived and died with striking.

Collins apparently has decided that the way to contribute to the card this evening is by helping Brunswick along with a successful return to Sucker Punch!  Aleksander Pawik has his pupil completely and totally unprepared to fight this evening with less than 50% energy and almost NO morale to speak of.  Given that we’re already looking to trim some of the fat from the largest divisions here at Sucker Punch, namely Lightweight through Middleweight, Collins is helping to make that decision making process just a tad easier.  This is his third fight on a four fight contract and with what will likely be a loss this evening it’s very doubtful he’ll ever see that fourth fight.

Donkey’s Pick: Brunswick via TKO (Strikes)

Unless Collins gets extremely lucky and scores a takedown early with a submission following not far behind this fight will be out of reach for him by the time the second minute of action is over.  If it gets that far.  With zero morale, I’d think he’s not going to have the drive and focus he needs to score the takedown.  And once Brunswick starts landing shots that energy, what little he has, won’t last long.  Hell, with Collins’ lack of morale going in, it’ll be a wonder if he doesn’t just fall down after Brunswick’s strike attempt, hit or miss!

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Undercard Bout #2: Lightweights

Montesh Dominguez (7-10-0) v Adrian Atkins (2-1-0)

Moving along to our second bout of the evening gives us Atkins heading into the cage against Montesh Dominguez!  Atkins just joined us back in November and has had mixed results during that time with a win and loss chalked up.  Dominguez comes into the cage tonight with considerably more history being there and, frankly, a bit of a real, tangible need to win one this evening! 

Dominguez has lost three of his last four and he needs to show…soon…that the promise he had been displaying at the mid-point of 2021 wasn’t just a mirage.  Another loss or two would definitely have him sitting in a boat alongside the likes of Hazuki, Kongsangchai and Paetmar who are all on their last legs…and opportunities…to start winning.  He needs to either get back to the tricks in his combined boxing and clinch approach that had him winning decisions over his foes or…if that isn’t possible with both his and his opponent’s development since…figure out the change that is necessary to achieve victory!

Atkins appears to love the clinch and that should be something to concern Dominguez this evening.  He’s had success when he can stay standing but clearly, as we saw last fight against Hazuki, a trip to the ground is not a good thing for Atkins!  That probably won’t be an issue tonight unless Dominguez has changed things up to focus on the ground.  That’s unlikely given the way Dominguez’ training partners and camp typically train to combine kickboxing with clinchwork. 

Donkey’s Pick: Atkins via TKO (Strikes)

Dominguez seems have to have lost the magic in his touch and as Hare hinted, it may be due to the more well-rounded nature of his opponents combined with finally seeing their strategic skills fully mature.  If he can draw this out and win tonight I’ll be impressed with his ability to start a turnaround.  Potentially.  But with a standing battle most likely on tap and Atkins having a solid record in those types of fights…well…

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Undercard Bout #3: Lightweights

Repus Revorg (6-6-0) v Zeus McZeuserson (6-6-0)

Well Donkey…I was very excited about this upcoming fight given my own boy Revorg is in it.  But now, not so much and that’s a shame.  See, when given a few different options for their next fight, Izzy Fisher’s team discussed with McZeuserson (a name I love btw, as Mrs. Rumpler will tell you that I love to add “Mc’erson” onto just about everything!) and chose my own kid Repus Revorg.  I began preparations for a really focused camp with Revorg thinking this would be an absolute bear of a fight to win…and I still think that…but the absence of Izzy Fisher over the past couple weeks certainly means this may be slightly easier now.

McZeuserson comes into the cage tonight with at least two big disadvantages.  First, his manger Izzy, as I mentioned, has been MIA for the past two weeks or more.  That means he’s likely not fully focused and they may not have even discussed strategy and it shows with his morale being off about a third.  Along with that, apparently Zeus’s trainers are too stupid to know to stop working him up to the last minute without Izzy telling them to stop…so he comes in with his energy slightly down.  It’s damned good that this is a Sunday event, because he’d likely have been down even more without the enforced Sunday rest!

Donkey’s Pick: Revorg via TKO (Strikes)

This would have been a battle between Zeus’ clinch game and Revorg’s kickboxing plus submission game if the fight went to the ground.  However, the clinch could prove dangerous for Zeus as Revorg’s favorite way to get the fight into submission territory is to drag it to the ground from the clinch! Add to that Zeus’ morale being off and Revorg is likely to either end this early via TKO or put it on the ground at will.

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Undercard Bout #4: Light Heavyweights

Radu Dracul (5-3-0) v Bruce Sidebar (8-9-0)

We’re getting deep into the Undercard here and time is running out folks!  I gotta pick up the pace and stop getting distracted by the Rumpler family here! 

Sidebar is new to the Light Heavyweight division here at Sucker Punch as he just jumped to us after a QFC fight that followed the majority of his career spent at EFC.  Based upon what I can see, it seems that Sidebar is more than capable on the feet but is very, very…VERY…susceptible against Jiu Jitsu artists.  He has a granite chin but there may be some question about his heart as he’s suffered his fair share of KO and TKO losses over his career.  Interestingly, he won via submission in his last fight, but we’ll have to see if that had more to do with it being QFC or real, useful skills in that area!

Dracul is going to test the hell out of Sidebar’s ground game from the “other” angle if this fight makes it to the ground tonight.  Dracul loves to beat the living hell out of his opponents but the majority of the time the abuse is dealt from above in the ground game.  Sure, he’ll strike as needed on the feet but usually just till the move can be made to the mat.  Sidebar didn’t fare so well against submissions, we’re about to find out if that had more to do with his lack of ability to escape or defend against the subs…or if his defensive grappling is also an issue?

 

Donkey’s Pick: Dracul via TKO (Strikes)

Sidebar has the striking to end this before it ever gets to the ground.  But you know me and I typically believe that if a decent wrestler is involved the fight is going to the ground more times than not!  If that happens my guess is that Dracul may be able to capitalize!

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Undercard Bout #5: Welterweights

Baldomir Barbosa (12-8-0) v Young Prodigy (6-5-0)

We finish the Undercard off with a very, very evenly matched Welterweight contest!  Barbosa has the edge in Muay Thai and wrestling…by a small, small amount, while Prodigy has the boxing advantage by just as small a margin!

Prodigy keeps trying to work his way up into the Top Contender position but each time he takes a couple steps forward a roadblock happens and he has to go back a bit!  Twice in recent memory it’s been Sanchez who was that roadblock.  However, just last month Ronnie Bass proved to have the staying power to not only go the distance with Prodigy, but win it with the judges.  That’s not usually a Bass move…it’s Prodigy’s move as a technical striker…so talk about unexpected!

Barbosa has been around the block a few times and to say that he not only knows what Prodigy’s been through by being “close” would be an understatement.  Barbosa has been just about as close as you can be without making it to the title fight.  With losses to Lee and Matsuzaka over his last three fights he’s in need of a big win to help continue being considered in the top class at Welterweight.  Normally a heavy hitter, Barbosa actually managed to outlast Bass in November to get the decision.  Yes, the same Bass who just beat Prodigy by Decision.  Hmmm…

Donkey’s Pick: Barbosa via TKO (Strikes)

So obviously Hare was trying to allude to this potentially going to the judges tonight and Barbosa having what it takes to win over Prodigy there.  I agree on the pick, just not the method.  I believe with these two strikers it doesn’t make it to the scorecards!

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Donkey and I are really struggling to get this preview completed as the kids are talking, the wife is rambling and the gummy…well, that’s not helping!  Less than two hours till the event, I’m hoping to finish up the Main Card within the next hour folks!  Sorry! 

 

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Main Card Bout #1: Heavyweights

Peter Beardsley (11-3-0) v Maksud Magomedov (11-6-0)

Another great, even fight set to go here as we finish up the Undercard!  Magomedov will give up the advantage on the feet but has the edge in wrestling tonight as he and Beardsley go to war to find out who gets the next Title Shot in the Heavyweight division after Wrecks/Shima!

Magomedov has won both fights since arriving at SPPS, besting both Bjoergenand Brazil to get to this point.  He’s a TKO specialist who wears his opponents down on the feet, both in and out of the clinch, as well as on the ground if he can gain the dominant position to work his GnP!  Could we see a bit of that clinch action and ground work tonight given his wrestling advantage?

Beardsley was on a hell of a run with eight in a row going back to Pride when he ran into Sam Cooper back in October.  That fight didn’t work out for him but many fans were calling it a potential fluke.  Beardsley has done his best to put that fight behind him now with wins over Hill and my own Manivong in his past two fights.  Tonight, he takes the ultimate step forward and gets a shot at the title if he can find a way to win one more!  Typically a KO or TKO artist from the feet, he has learned to take the fight deep with technical striking as he’s shown against Hill and Kekkonnen previously. 

Donkey’s Pick: Beardsley via Unanimous Decision

Beardsley stumbled against Hill but his long record of wins discounting that loss is much too impressive to disregard here.  No offense to Magomedov, but I have to go with Beardsley for now as I’ve seen him a lot more!

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Main Card Bout #2: Welterweights

Ronnie Bass (13-6-0) v Manco Capac (12-9-0)

A former two-time Welterweight champion, Bass has found it difficult to get his name called at the conclusion of fights lately.  He’s coming off a win over Young Prodigy but dropped four leading up to that fight.  If I had to guess, his management is probably watching this fight extremely close tonight.  A win, and Bass’ career may be saved and looking up big time.  A loss…and I suspect it may be a very uncomfortable flight home between him and his team.

Bass is the better striker, especially with his Muay Thai, but Capac comes into his second fight here at SPPS with the ground advantage, specifically in Jiu Jitsu.  Capac’s black belt will be a tough challenge for Bass but as we know it only takes one of Bass’ monster shots to turn out the lights!  Capac brings a big challenge to the table and does have a submission or two in his past, but that isn’t typically his go to move.  Will it be tonight against Bass or will he continue to use a varied approach of boxing, clinchwork and ground game?

Donkey’s Pick: Bass via KO (Punch)

I’m just making this pick for the excitement factor honestly!  Capac could very handily manage to take control of this fight and win it either via finish of his own…likely submission…or take it all the way to the scorecards.  But…that one-punch power and history of Bass’?  And he is a former two-time champ!

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Main Card Bout #3:  Lightweights

Jyrki Sukulaku (14-6-0) v Red Crow (12-5-1)

As we get to the middle of the Main Card and finish up all but the two Main Events we have a fight here that should have everybody back in their seats so they don’t miss a second!  The future of the Lightweight Title picture is here in this fight…it’s just a matter of which of these two we’ll see go on to fight for the belt after this contest!

Yip Man lii was a heavy favorite to get another shot at the title.  Then…Red Crow stepped down to 155 from Welterweight and put a huge roadblock in Man lii’s way!  That win via TKO over Man lii immediately propelled Crow ahead on the ladder and into position to try to make a run straight up to the title!  He’d like to do that via strikes…on or off the ground…

…but will the fact that Sukulaku has the better overall ground game, especially in Jiu Jitsu, create havoc and chaos for Crow this evening?  Possibly!  Suku came in with a bang last month in his SPPS debut as he took out Ziggy Ozbourne via TKO!  He has a nasty, power striking game on the feet but you also have to fear his black belt and submission skills on the ground.  If he wins here, he’s taken out two of the best in the division and will have earned a shot at the gold!

Donkey’s Pick: Crow via TKO (Strikes)

Crow looks to be slightly outgunned here but…he finds a way.  That’s one thing I’ve seen over and over and with Stef Power behind the evil planning crew I have to think we may get surprised this evening!  Could this be an “upset”?

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We're trying, we're trying!  Two more to go, the Main Events!  Hang in there, we'll get them...hopefully!!!!

 

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Co-Main Event:

Featured Welterweight Bout

Keisuke Matsuzaka (16-6-1) v Darry Curtis (12-5-0)

Our Co-Main Event brings you yet ANOTHER Top Contender battle with a title fight opportunity on the line!  This is the third of these types of fights tonight and tells you why I think this is one of our best cards yet folks! 

Darry Curtis is just one fight removed here from losing his belt to the returning Konrad Wagner…the evil dentist!  Wagner was unable to retain, so if Curtis wants a chance back at his belt it’ll be against somebody else…but he needs to focus on this potential win first!

Matsuzaka is no stranger to chasing the gold!  He had title shots at BFC twice against Lord Vehk but came out on the wrong end the second time after forcing a draw in their first meeting. Later, once he joined us here at SPPS, he garnered four wins over five fights out of the gate to earn a championship fight against The Beast, Thoth Chontamenti.  He came up short but took that fight to a decision, not something many have done against Thoth!  Since then he’s won three of his last four and looks at this final hurdle against the former champ as the win that gets him to the big lights! 

Donkey’s Pick: Curtis via Split Decision

Matsuzaka and Curtis have the most closely matched set of skills you’ll see this entire evening.  If anything, Curtis may have the smallest sliver of an edge in boxing and Muay Thai.  Both like to strike and both have been known to be able to go the distance.  Curtis has shown a few more flashes of power now and then.  Expect this to be an absolute war!  A fight I wouldn’t be surprised to see be ‘Fight of the Night’ when it’s all said and done!

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Main Event:

Featherweight Championship Bout

Petsuwan Sitsongrit (11-1-0) v Jake Drake (14-3-1)

Here we go, the Main Event of the evening and it features a battle for the Featherweight Championship here at Sucker Punch!  Sitsongrit, the elite, technical fighter that he is, will have the advantage in both areas of standup as well as a small edge in wrestling. Drake will by far have the Jiu Jitsu advantage and likely be looking to utilize every bit of it!

It’s no secret that the Outlaw camp typically doesn’t care for decision style fighters who use a technical striking approach.  My guess is that they detest Floyd Mayweather!  So it will be a lot of fun this evening to see this all-out battle between technical striking and the desire to stay on the feet against Drake’s likely desire to put this thing on the ground and make Sitsongrit tap!

Sitsongrit is on an absolute monster tear as he lost an early test fight when starting his career but took time to step away and train before coming back and putting up a ten fight winning streak from that time forward to current day!  And yes, aside from his first two early wins, EVERY SINGLE FIGHT has been won via decision since!  This is a man who knows what he’s good at, knows how to implement and run his game plan and probably won’t veer from that tonight…unless the road is veered for him!

Donkey’s Pick:  Drake via Submission (Armbar)

Drake is likely to be one of the toughest challenges for Sitsongrit yet.  He brings a polar opposite style against the champ.  But the champ has managed to face and succeed against submission specialists before.  Just go back and look at the Chulalongkorn fight for instance.  Can Drake do what Chula couldn’t?  I think I’m putting my chips in the “upset” corner this evening folks!

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So there we have it Sucker Punch fans!

And there we have it!  The fights there above speak for themselves folks!  We’re about to have an absolute blast out in Cali tonight and hopefully you’ll be there!  If not, catch the amazing three hour LIVE PPV folks, c’mon, push that button and order it now!  Donkey and I are all ready to head over to the arena as we’ve heard that the Coliseum parking lot is already jumping with tailgaters!  Can’t wait for a night of fun!

Till then, have fun and don’t forget…

Keep it cheap and dirty…Sucker Punch Pro Series style!

[HareRumpler]

SUCKER PUNCH PREVIEW

Sucker Punch Pro Series 115

Are all you Sucker Punch fans ready for Logan/Duvernay as Logan returns to the Lightweight division for SPPS 115 in his first title defense since October?  The Featherweight division was not kind to him on his little walkabout...no doubt he'll be looking to make a statement about his status tomorrow as Duvernay challenges for the belt!

The King of Lightweights brings his entourage with him with SIX insane Lightweight contests on the card along with other incredible SPPS action from the Welterweight, Middleweight and Heavyweight divisions!

Donkey and I will be with you every step of the way between now and fight time as we await SPPS 115!  We’ll leave the details about the Undercard to the specific fight previews down below, but know that the Lightweight and Welterweight crew will be making sure that all of our Sucker Punch fans are amped up and ready for the action by the time the Main Card hits!

The Main Card itself is just a head-spinning mix of amazing fights set to go in London folks!  First, you’ll get big boy action as Conchobhar and Meshkov tangle in the cage!  These two have thirteen stoppages via (T)KO between them with only a single decision having played into the mix when it comes to wins.  You know you can expect some hard-hitting action from the biggest beasts you’ll see get in that cage for SPPS 115!

Then the “unrestricted, unrestrained” action really lights up with Papi Tantor and Krsto Vujić highlighting next step evolution of the Middleweight division for us!  This is a fight that I’m extremely excited about as Tantor steps in to moonlight with Sucker Punch in a fight that brings the full power of elite Middleweight MMA skills to our fans!

Following all that, we finish off the night with three Lightweight battles in a row!  You already know plenty about the clash coming between Logan and Duvernay.  But leading up to that you’ll have Pablo Itza…uh…papalo…er, shit, it’s PABLO going in there to do battle with top tier Ziggy Ozbourne!  This is likely to be the biggest test of Pablo’s career and a defining moment for him and his team as a win would all but guarantee he’ll be getting a Top Contender battle next! 

The Co-Main Event brings you Yip Man lii as he gets back into the cage to take on fast rising Damian Tonon!  Both of these kids are one step away from making the push to Top Contender themselves so a win is absolutely important for both.  But only one can walk away with it!

That’s enough babbling from me here in the intro…let’s get a word from our merchandise and sponsor, and then really take a close look at each of the fights tonight in more detail!

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Donkey and I are taking a quick break here as we prep dinner for the Rumpler clan, but hang in there, we’ll be back with Undercard action before you know it!

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Undercard Bout #1: Lightweights

Venali Paetmar (7-10-1) v Ryo Hazuki (3-7-0)

We start the fun out with the first of many Lightweight battles here as, frankly, Paetmar and Hazuki fight for their SPPS…and quite possibly MMA…careers!  We’ve been talking in recent months about the need to start trimming down the roster in key divisions to cut loose some of the weaker links and keep the roster closer to 160 total, which allows us to not have to run more than eight events per month.  This is one of those divisions that requires some trimming and both Hazuki and Paetmar need to earn their place going forward at this point.  That begins right here, as the loser undoubtedly will be looking at the free agent market.

Both are extremely well matched with only Hazuki holding a slight edge in Muay Thai.  He also comes into this fight with a win under his belt as he pulled off an Americana to finish things with Adrian Atkins last month on Christmas Eve. That’s not enough to get him off thin ice though as he’d lost four fights leading up to that win.  Pairing that win with another could do wonders when it comes to reigniting the flame and building some confidence…both for him and us!  Two of the three wins he’s snagged in his career have been submissions so it’s safe to think he’ll likely work that angle again.

Paetmar carries a three fight losing streak into this contest and one of those losses was to Adrian Atkins who Hazuki defeated.  That doesn’t bode well for him given the circumstances here.  Going back a ways, his four prior wins were all via decision.  He may utilize the same approach he did against Barnes in September which would include a heavy dose of kickboxing while avoiding the clinch.  Given he definitely wants to keep this fight off the mat that’s probably not a bad approach.  If he wants to take this fight the distance, it’s going to be critical for him to avoid spending much time on the ground!

Donkey’s Pick: Hazuki via Submission (Armbar)

If Paetmar had a history of finishing in standup I’d probably swing my pick the other way. But spending three rounds avoiding the ground while trying to pick and choose your shots and points to get it on the scorecards can be a tough ask.  He could win this if Hazuki can’t get it done on the ground though as it’s likely Paetmar would score the points needed.

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Undercard Bout #2: Lightweights

Moe Lester (12-2-0) v Roman Boesku (12-8-0)

This next matchup gives us some great unrestricted action early in the evening with two very good records going head to head!  Lester will be the much more accomplished striker in this fight while Boesku will be the Jiu Jitsu expert between the two!  Classic striker versus ground specialist baby!

Boesku carries about the best set of ground skills you can achieve into this fight with elite wrestling and an awesome red belt in Jiu Jitsu!  This is his second time travelling into the cage with Sucker Punch as well as with current management under Roman Benson.  The last time out in early January he came up just short as Mateus Gracie was able to get the call from the judges.  Nobody will be surprised to learn that when Boesku does win it is almost ALWAYS via submission.  The last one two fights ago going all the way back to July when he pulled off a guillotine on his then victim, Tusing Pocc over at North Star Combat.  Can Benson and crew lead him to victory with another superb tap out or will Boesku try to put his opponent to sleep?  We’ll see!

Lester makes his debut with Sucker Punch at SPPS 115 and has been on a heck of a run…not only lately, but over his entire career.  He’s bounced around a bit lately with fights at Underground, SFL and most recently, EFC.  He’s won five of his last six contests with TKO’s to finish three of those off!  He’s a pure boxer who mixes it up between aggressive, technical striking and power punching depending upon the situation.  But one thing is consistent, he loves to focus those shot’s on his opponent’s melon!

Donkey’s Pick: Boesku via Submission (Triangle)

Boesku is going to have his work cut out to avoid the superior striking that Lester brings to the fight.  That said, Boesku has extremely dangerous tools on the ground and if he can get it there I think we might see the very first submission ever put on Lester in his career!  Maybe.  We’ll see!

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Undercard Bout #3: Welterweights

Hadr Bari (12-4-1) v John Fuller (11-9-0)

We move away from the Lightweights for a moment here and instead get set for a Welterweight matchup in the middle of the Undercard before going back to Lightweights and then more Welterweight action to follow that.  This combination may bring the shortest overall length of names I’ve seen Donkey!  Both have good, solid positive records and both would like to see those records improved…well, their own at least…when this is all said and done!

For Fuller, winning is more critical as he’s struggled a bit of late and the Welterweight division is one of those that we’re looking at very closely to cut some of the slack.  He could find himself on a short list if he doesn’t find a way to start winning more consistently.  Holding a brown belt over Bari’s blue in Jiu Jitsu, Fuller will have the advantage on the ground when these two meet and he’d be well served to utilize it if the offensive skills are there!  The last time he pulled off a submission was over a year ago in late January of 2021 though, a rear naked over Mason Jones.  But that’s not for lack of trying…against Dunham last month he worked a heavy ground and pound but also mixed it up with fifteen submission attempts over three rounds in a battle that ended up in a decision.  He didn’t finish, but the approach was there and we’ll see if he can make use of those skills again against Bari!

Bari is a highlight reel maker’s dream on the feet!  He’s finished fights twice in his career with gasp inducing KO’s via head kick and stopped more than a few others with his powerful striking!  He was on a roll that every fighter dreams of at Gamma Contenders for a bit, extending a run from WPFA to six wins over seven fights. Since joining Sucker Punch he can’t seem to get off the yo-yo coaster though with a loss preceding each win, resulting in a 2-2 record so far with SPPS.  His last fight was a win, one of those two head kicks, and he’d like nothing more than to break the trend and walk away with the ‘W’ after this one!

Donkey’s Pick: Bari via KO (Strikes)

Fuller can strike as well but my guess is he won’t want to tangle with Bari on the feet for long.  That said, he’s really going to have his work cut out for him if he wants a submission as Bari has never been finished by tap out or being put to sleep (on the ground). Bari has, however, been given the business a bit on the ground in the past as happened in the title fight he had against Marco Paris at GC.  That fight is probably a template that the Fuller camp should be looking to.  But I’m not sure it’s going to work out that way for Fuller and his camp. He does have a solid chin, but Bari has the power to get to it and I think maybe that may be what happens.

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Undercard Bout #4: Lightweights

Thomas Maeda (28-19-0) v Mateus Gracie (14-9-0)

More unrestricted, unrestrained action for you folks here with this next Lighweight matchup folks!  Both with very solid, positive records but unfortunately, probably not the level of preparation that’ll make a pick by Donkey tough!  At least on one side.  Gracie comes into this thing with his Energy almost on nil and that just about certainly spells disaster for him in a fight where the skills for both fighters were very, very evenly matched!

I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with the Sock team here as Milky brings his boy Gracie to the cage for this one with energy dangerously low to even start things off.  I mean, even a good night’s sleep tonight is NOT going to help fix the situation!  Which is disappointing as he had a very good showing against Boesku in his SPPS debut last month, going three full rounds and winning via decision.  Please don’t tell me that this kid hasn’t rested since then?  Wow…that’s almost inhumane!  Anyways, doesn’t matter whether he tries to use the Black belt on the ground or his elite boxing, unless he gets EXTREMELY lucky with a finish in the first minute or two this thing will not go his way.

Maeda will be accompanied to the cage by one of my favorite nicknamed managers in all of MMAT as W J, “The Rooster”, Rivers will be in the red corner for him at SPPS 115! Maeda makes his SPPS debut with  us at this event and while he would like a good, solid honest win he’ll likely take one that’s cheapened even slightly by an unprepared opponent given he’s lost three leading up to this thing!  Maeda has been a bit of a journeyman over his career, fighting for JAG, SMASH, ALPHA and SYN most recently with a few more before that.  The one thing that’s been a constant though is the presence of Rivers as his manager.  With a history of wins via decision and submission it will be interesting to see if he bothers with the ground game. He might, given his wrestling may offset the Jiu Jitsu of Gracie.

Donkey’s Pick: Maeda via TKO (Strikes)

Maeda has never, ever won with striking before.  So there’s really no good reason for me to make this pick other than the fun of having a “first” go down and with Gracie’s energy being so long it’s very possible this call could pan out!

***********************

Undercard Bout #5: Welterweights

Mason Jones (9-3-0) v Vladimir Rurikovich (7-5-0)

We’ll finish up the Undercard here with this Welterweight matchup between Rurikovich and Jones before Donkey and I take a break so we can run the Rumpler kiddos around town. We’ll return tomorrow morning to run through the Main Card action though, so don’t worry, we’ll be on it!  Btw, I have to say, I’m not usually a fan of the mass-produced animated avatars like Mason’s, but they caught him with some flashy moves here and this is by far my favorite among the ones I’ve seen so far!

Rurikovich may be in the blue corner but he’s got the advantage in two areas heading into this fight…Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu.  Brocc Ogan has Rurikovich performing at a high level lately with three wins over his last four fights!  Nice. The last two in a row have come since he joined Sucker Punch and were typical Ruri results, TKO!  The only issue is, he’s susceptible to the TKO just as much as he’s likely to dish one out.  Is it a chin thing? A heart thing?  Just a strategy thing of taking his shot and taking chances?  We don’t know, he was a very strong student when he first started learning MMA so it’s impossible for us to say what’s hiding under the covers.  What we do know is that so far he’s been slicing and dicing through our guys at SPPS so far and if Jones isn’t careful he could be the next victim to Rurikovich’s nasty assault in the clinch!

Jones was with us previously here at SPPS under the management of Robert Smith.  When he departed, Jones was picked up by the esteemed Bradley Burns and took stroll over to CMMA for a bit.  He did extremely well there, going 4-0 out of the gate before losing one to Walad Anubis in November.  Jones has spent the better portion of his career letting his striking do the talking.  He prefers to work his boxing with the occasional kick thrown in for good measure but isn’t afraid to mix it up in the clinch if need be either.    My guess…he’ll want to avoid the clinch with Rurikovich tonight though.  The first decisions of his career have come recently as well with the judges looking his way in both August and September while at CMMA, so his game has matured and he doesn’t have to rely upon the finish to get the job done. 

Donkey’s Pick: Jones via TKO (Strikes)

Jones doesn’t usually give it up to another striker and when he does it’s usually not via finish.  Although it’s important to note that that is exactly what happened in his very last fight, so everything I’m saying here could backfire if that repeats. That all said, Rurikovich doesn’t usually take things to the judges and I think with the history of taking a TKO as well as giving it this one may fall into Jones’ hands.

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It's time for me to run Nati Batti around for the evening folks, so Donkey and I will need to take a break here but never fear, we'll be back with you first thing in the morning to look closely at the Main Card action!  Enjoy the evening and the Undercard up to this point Sucker Punch faithful!

[andy808]

The LW division wont be kind to him either tonight. Maybe the 'king' will drop down to 135 after this after failing 145

[bjornmma1]

6 hours ago, andy808 said:

The LW division wont be kind to him either tonight. Maybe the 'king' will drop down to 135 after this after failing 145

Magnificent Chulalongkorn
15-6-0
147 p4p
100% wins by stoppage! 

Despite Duvernay clearly being a great talent, I have seen more entertaining dead mice on the carpet of Andy's living room. Duvernay is a lifeless sack of patatoes. 155lbs fighter who doesn't even pack a decent punch, bzzzz. 

Maybe when the stars align and Duvernay learns how to post, we can have a lovely date at 145lbs...

But my focus is on Sitsongrit obviously next. He has some shiny hardware that I want. 

[andy808]

try to accomplish one thing at a time before taking a big boy step up. you had a chance at duvernay before but bjorn'd out of it. lets see how you do against thekshit first

[bjornmma1]

6 minutes ago, andy808 said:

try to accomplish one thing at a time before taking a big boy step up. you had a chance at duvernay before but bjorn'd out of it. lets see how you do against thekshit first

Magnificent Chulalongkorn
15-6-0
147 p4p
100% wins by stoppage! 

Wait what, I was offered the Duvernay fight? When was that? Never seen that in my mailbox, not even in Spam folder with the other messages of fake promises and big accomplishments. 

PS: Is Duvernay still not old enough to do his own talking, or have neither off you figured out yet how to plaster his ugly tatted image on the web yet? 

[andy808]

youre gonna have to excuse me from engaging in cringe LARPing. something your potato skull cant comprehend, im sure

[bjornmma1]

2 minutes ago, andy808 said:

youre gonna have to excuse me from engaging in cringe LARPing. something your potato skull cant comprehend, im sure

Magnificent Chulalongkorn
15-6-0
147 p4p
100% wins by stoppage! 

I respect your decision to keep your fighters shackled and gagged in your cute little dungeon, or as your mom calls it, the pantry. 

PS: Dressing them up fancy suits you well, but letting them speak up in public is too much asked? Communist! 

[Gator001]

We dinna give a fook

 

[HareRumpler]

23 hours ago, andy808 said:

The LW division wont be kind to him either tonight. Maybe the 'king' will drop down to 135 after this after failing 145

 

17 hours ago, bjornmma1 said:

Magnificent Chulalongkorn
15-6-0
147 p4p
100% wins by stoppage! 

Despite Duvernay clearly being a great talent, I have seen more entertaining dead mice on the carpet of Andy's living room. Duvernay is a lifeless sack of patatoes. 155lbs fighter who doesn't even pack a decent punch, bzzzz. 

Maybe when the stars align and Duvernay learns how to post, we can have a lovely date at 145lbs...

But my focus is on Sitsongrit obviously next. He has some shiny hardware that I want. 

 

17 hours ago, andy808 said:

try to accomplish one thing at a time before taking a big boy step up. you had a chance at duvernay before but bjorn'd out of it. lets see how you do against thekshit first

 

20 minutes ago, Gator001 said:

We dinna give a fook

 

You know, a friend of mine at work has a line he likes to use when shit's getting crazy and it's really out of his hands or he doesn't have any responsibility for it..."Not my circus, not my monkeys!"  I'm sitting here laughing and told Mrs. Rumpler about the shots fired and collateral damage flying left and right and she goes, "This is your circus, and those are your monkeys!"  Hahahahahha!  😅🤣

[Oldbones]

Akara "King Kong" Kongsangchai (357613)

THE REAL GOAT (4-14-0)

4 wins in 18 months and the wheels are finally turning, defense is impenetrable, speed is in comprehensible, my offense will be like a rabid wolverine at a popeyes chicken when the dark meat comes fresh out of the fryer, the most technically skilled and highest iq'd fighter on Team Lundgren to date, Son Goku aint ready for this war of supremacy!