Sucker Punch Pro Series: Evolution! (Re)Opens in Sydney

[Curix]

8 minutes ago, The1rstSaint said:

       Bastien Harris

"I am not very happy with my performance in my debut fight here at Sucker Punch Evolution. My opponent's record does not reflect on the abilities he has as a fighter. Never being Knocked Out before is one thing, and though I would have loved to be the first I just don't think it was the way to go. Of course, the route I went nearly cost me a braincell or twenty-two but we got the win(all be it controversial). KO Jacckson has fully earned my respect. 

Roman Benson

Really good fight fella. Congrats.

[HareRumpler]

33 minutes ago, The1rstSaint said:

       Bastien Harris

"I am not very happy with my performance in my debut fight here at Sucker Punch Evolution. My opponent's record does not reflect on the abilities he has as a fighter. Never being Knocked Out before is one thing, and though I would have loved to be the first I just don't think it was the way to go. Of course, the route I went nearly cost me a braincell or twenty-two but we got the win(all be it controversial). KO Jacckson has fully earned my respect. 

KO Jacckson

Mr. Harris, our fight was definitely a war...I think an epic one and a great way to show what SPPS is all about in only the second event back!  That said, clearly I was going for the kill and it almost paid off.  But almost doesn't count.  I've heard people whispering since that with two brutal knockdowns, I just "don't have the killer instinct to finish it".  That's a bunch of bullshit though, my resume so far proves I have every bit of that killer mentality...I just have to give credit where credit is due and you, Mr. Harris, have some kinda heart.  I thought for sure I had that fight twice...and you got back up.  Not many do.  

This here though, with only 15 seconds left in the fight...was a bit rude!  My future children do not approve!  I have a big right hook with your name on it that's awaiting a future delivery as a return "thank you" for that.

"Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Harris lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Jacckson has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Jacckson and we're back underway with a touch of gloves."

But hey, it's Sucker Punch right?  I should have been watching out for it, but you snuck it in at the end when we were both exhausted and I had let my guard down. That won't happen again...just like sneaking off with the 'W' won't either.  I eagerly await our rematch whenever that day comes!

[Skuzbukit]

Those poor dingle dangles! Brought a tear to me eye!

[HareRumpler]

18 minutes ago, Skuzbukit said:

Those poor dingle dangles! Brought a tear to me eye!

If it brought a tear to your eye, imagine how Jacckson felt! LOL!!!  🤣

[Bebbuccio]

Useless to say that Smashotti doesn't care about odd, is the ring that matter really and he prove it!

[kfuhrer]

Ladies and gentlemen this message comes to you live and in colour from a true legend of SPPF!

Here's a pickle-licious fact for you: In some parts of Mississippi, there are kool-aid pickles!



There's a town in Michigan that holds an annual pickle parade, led by the "Grand Dillmeister." That's just dill-ightful!



Anyways enough about Pickles here the call out... 

Israel "BoneCracker" Carlson (383319) your a bread and butter pickle and no one likes that sh*t..... no one can dill wiff dat!

I think SPPF"E" and DMMA do something worth talking about and that's having

 VS 
"Mr. Pickle" Edward Mills       Israel "BoneCracker" Carlson

That or lest me crush KO Jackoffson 😘

@HareRumpler @Daudy

[HareRumpler]

14 hours ago, kfuhrer said:

Ladies and gentlemen this message comes to you live and in colour from a true legend of SPPF!

Here's a pickle-licious fact for you: In some parts of Mississippi, there are kool-aid pickles!



There's a town in Michigan that holds an annual pickle parade, led by the "Grand Dillmeister." That's just dill-ightful!



Anyways enough about Pickles here the call out... 

Israel "BoneCracker" Carlson (383319) your a bread and butter pickle and no one likes that sh*t..... no one can dill wiff dat!

I think SPPF"E" and DMMA do something worth talking about and that's having

 VS 
"Mr. Pickle" Edward Mills       Israel "BoneCracker" Carlson

That or lest me crush KO Jackoffson 😘

@HareRumpler @Daudy

Unfortunatley the Pickle man is well outside our ID range at this point.  But we look forward to Pickle Jr coming along at some point!!!!

[kfuhrer]

1 hour ago, HareRumpler said:

Unfortunatley the Pickle man is well outside our ID range at this point.  But we look forward to Pickle Jr coming along at some point!!!!

You know Mr. Pickle cant help himself haha I put out a 1 Million dollar ask for a Mr. Pickle Jr Avatar but the last one got rejected

[HareRumpler]

Sucker Punch Pro Series

December 8th - Sydney, Australia

Here we go again you cheap shot loving fanatics!!  Here at Sucker Punch Pro Series we’re getting all prepared to welcome everybody to SPPS Evo 5 tonight at the Hard Knocks venue in Sydney!  The action tonight will be action packed and intense as we creep closer and closer to offering some of the top fighters in their weight classes a title shot.  Some of these fights tonight will absolutely impact that scene and may even earn one or two guys that dream shot they’ve been waiting for.  There’s a little something for everybody tonight as the kids heading into the cage represent every division from Lightweight on up to Heavyweight this evening.  And with 3,000 fans at the Hard Knocks venue versus the 2,000 at Hayashi’s last week, it’ll be even louder and wilder than ever!

So let’s settle in and get ready for a wild and crazy ride as we get set for the upcoming action at…

Evolution 5: Falandas vs. Strauss

Brought to you in part by Furnace Performance nutrition!  When you need supplements to take your game to the next level and get the absolutely most out of your training, you need to light that fire…from the Furnace!!!  Stop over to the stands at our event tonight and find out what you’ve been missing folks!

Now, without further delay, let’s get into it!

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

Undercard Bout #1: Lightweights

Zeke Hester (4-2-0) v Stanley Yelnats (0-1-0)

We get things going with two young Lightweights in Yelnats and Hester tonight.  I’d love to tell you that we also get things going with two guys loaded for bear, ready to get in there and get at it, but that’s only true for Yelnats.  Hester is off on his morale a bit, close to half, and you have to wonder if he’s still hung up on that loss he took from Mae Joon in his SPPS debut last month? If that’s the case, he better shake it off fast because he’s about to stand face to face with a hungry Stanley Yelnats who lost his first professional MMA fight last month to Anders Pettersson and clearly has come prepared to try to get that first dub this evening!

Yelnats will have the ground advantage with both his wrestling and Jiu Jitsu skills and given his history in TWGC competition that’s an area he’ll clearly be comfortable working in.  I’d be shocked if he doesn’t make a move to the ground fairly quickly in this one in an attempt to replicate those two submissions victories he scored back in September over Kyle Schneider and Gabriel Torres.  Will Hester be the next victim to tap out or go to sleep?

Hester’s primary advantage heading into the cage this evening is his Muay Thai.  He’s sensational in that area but that means he’s going to have to risk getting up close and personal and a potential takedown if he wants to leverage that advantage.  That’s a definitive risk considering Yelnats is a submission specialist and Hester’s loss to Joon was via a submission.  He’ll likely want to turn the page back to his last QFC fight where he managed to TKO his opponent in just under two minutes.  Which, btw, happened from the clinch with a bit of the dirty stuff thrown in there.  Yelnats better give an appropriate amount of respect to those nasty, sharp elbows!

Alright, get ready for it, Donkey…over to you bud…

Donkey’s Pick: Yelnats via Submission (Armbar)

Well, you shouldn’t really need to ask.  I always go with the better prepared fighter with very few exceptions.  Now, while I say that, I’ll tip my hat to my critics who rightly pointed out that my track record over our first two previews has not been very solid with picking the winners!  But I am still going to go with Yelnats here via submission tonight.    

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

Undercard Bout #2: Light Heavyweights

Blade Blake (6-7-0) v Danny Chase (0-2-0)

Alright!!!  Now we’re talking!  Two Light Heavyweights all set and ready to get at it!  Let’s see these two lock horns with full energy and morale set on “kill mode”!  Love it!

We have an interesting set of skill matchups in this one here folks.  Chase is the better boxer and wrestler, but Blake will have both the Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu advantages.  I’ll be honest, I’m not sure what approach I’d take if I were these two! 

What I do know is that Chase is likely the hungrier of the two coming into the cage tonight.  He’s 0-2 in his pro career with the most recent loss being a decision against Billy Kidman in their SPPS debut.  A decision he’s probably still a little salty about as it was a close 28-29 loss and, arguably, he had the better overall fight landing more shots than Kidman did.  To say it was a little bit of a contested result would be an understatement and my staff got to here plenty about the “incompetent judges”!  *sigh* 

Blake has lost four in a row now but likely hopes that his SPPS debut tonight will bring an about face on those fortunes.  Under his prior manager he had a pretty decent history of pulling off submissions, so you have to wonder if current management will return to the fundamentals that saw him winning. 

Now, over to you Donkey!

Donkey’s Pick: Chase via TKO (Cuts)

Here’s what I know Hare.  Whatever Blake has been doing of late isn’t working, so he better change it up.  And, that goes for watching out for cuts most of all!  This man has taken three losses in his last five fights from cuts and doctor stoppages.  He may have a granite chin, but clearly that doesn’t speak anything about his tissue paper skin!  Chase is the better boxer, and that doesn’t bode well for Blake tonight unless he gets it to the ground…and fast!

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

Undercard Bout #3: Lightweights

Ty Little (7-9-1) v Lee Huang (6-6-0)

Midway through the Undercard here and we’ve got another two who are both very, very well prepared to get in there and give the fans something to cheer for!  I love and appreciate that from our fighters!

Huang is on the challenger side here for one reason only…and that’s that he made the callout on this one, specifically asking for Little.  Now, he definitely pushed the boundaries on the requirements for a callout given the ID gap and such, but it was legit with an appropriate gap and age range and P4P ranking.  But everybody can see the obvious here…after his loss in his SPPS debut, Huang is desperate for what he sees as an easy win to prey upon and pad that ranking…and he clearly sees Little as somebody he can take advantage of. 

Huang does hold the advantage in all primaries, so the pressure certainly falls on Little’s shoulders tonight.  That said, it’ll be really interesting to see how Little responds.  He was a tad slow in accepting the fight, but like any good man with a solid pair of cajones, he stepped up and said, “Bring it!”  Now, does getting called out, and the subtle insult that comes with that…the ‘I think you’re overrated and primed for a whooping’…put a little extra bit of a chip on his shoulder, or does he come to the cage already intimidated and disadvantaged mentally as well?  From the look of his morale, which couldn’t be much higher, I’d like to think that this man is heading to the cage tonight to prove something!

Donkey, what do you think?

Donkey’s Pick: Little via Split Decision

Here’s the thing, Huang has the better skills, but he’s also lost several in a row all via TKO.  Little isn’t really a big TKO artist, but he does know how to work a decision.  And it won’t be easy tonight, but I’m liking his chances to really stuff this one down Huang’s throat for calling him out.  I love an underdog story, and this is definitely one!  Let’s get it on, this one should be good!

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

Undercard Bout #4: Welterweights

Angus Scott (11-8-1) v Tomura Shigaraki (3-2-1)

Oh boy, we’ve finally got some Welterweights here, but they aren’t going to make Donkey happy…not at all!  Both are fairly unprepared…Shigaraki’s morale is at just over the midway point and Scott has almost no morale at all.  Clearly not really in the mindset to want to step into a cage and mix it up.  So…that means this is going to be quick and dirty, as I don’t have much to say about guys who aren’t prepared to bring it for our fans!

Shigaraki is the better on the ground with superior skills both wresting and with a purple belt over Scott’s blue.  Scott has the better Muay Thai, but both are about equal boxing, perhaps a slight edge to Scott.  Shigaraki at least has a winning record so far in his pro MMA career while Scott also brings a positive record with considerable experience.  This will be Scott’s second fight under the SPPS banner after a decision loss to Phoenix Peterson last month while Shigaraki makes his SPPS debut while also under a new management team. 

Donkey, give us a pick…without whining about this one too much, please?

Donkey’s Pick: Shigaraki via TKO (Strikes)

I don’t want to, but if I have to I’ll go with the guy who at least has some morale.  Shigaraki for the uninspired win.  Despite the fact that his manager has been MIA for about 10 days now and clearly has sent him to the cage tonight with nobody in his corner.  That’ll either lead to a complete failure in my prediction, or have him so pissed off he takes it out on Scott and proves me right.  We’ll find out tonight!

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

Undercard Bout #5: Light Heavyweights

Arman Brown (7-6-0) v Billy Kidman (1-1-0)

The final fight of the Undercard brings us yet another Robert Smith Management team member just like our last fight.  And just like Shigaraki in the last fight, Brown’s morale is down and that’s likely because his manager is AWOL and has left him to fend for himself.  Not good, especially coming off a majority decision loss in his SPPS debut last month.

Kidman is geared up and ready to get at it tonight.  Nice going my man!  He’s coming off a decision victory over Danny Chase last month and is looking to make it 2-0 here at SPPS.  Kidman was pretty focused on getting that last fight to the ground throughout the three rounds but wasn’t able to get much momentum going once down there.  The fans let him know about it from what I recall!  Does that mean he comes in with another game plan tonight?  Hard to say, I mean, a win is a win, so if it works…stick to it?  But it was a tight decision at 29-28, so there’s room for improvement as well if you don’t want to risk it being so close.  We’ll find out if he tries to take advantage of Brown’s lack of morale this evening by punishing the body a bit and scampering away to frustrate Brown. 

Over to you Donkster!

Donkey’s Pick: Cartwright via KO (Punch)

I could definitely envision Kidman coming in with a slight move up in the damage factor to make those shots he dishes out suck the will from Brown a little quicker tonight.  If that happens, this one should end up a finish and I give it to Kidman.  Brown, as you may have all noticed, didn’t get much attention from Hare and I tonight, and that’s for a good reason.  Don’t come prepared, don’t expect much attention!

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

Alright folks!!!  We’re taking a bit of a break here and then we’ll be back with the Main Card later today.  Stay tuned!!

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

Main Card Bout #1: Welterweights

Phoenix Peterson (7-2-0) v Kurou Nishiyama (6-4-0)

We open the Main Card with what may very well be the most closely matched contest of the evening!  This time our Welterweights are more or less prepared to get in there, unlike the last pair of welters.   And with only a small advantage for Peterson in wrestling separating them, this one is going to be a heck of a ride to get the top of the card going!

Nishiyama made good on his opportunity for a fresh start here at SPPS with a decision victory over Magomed Omarov last month.  He’ll try to stack a couple dubs up here tonight and create a bit more separation between the ‘W’ and ‘L’ columns of his career record.  Historically he wins or loses via KO or TKO, but that was mostly in a Strikers vs. Grapplers org.  Here, it’s fair game with anything goes…and given we’re named Sucker Punch Pro Series, I do mean anything! 

Peterson comes in with a string of wins over his last three including a decision victory over Angus Scott last month to open up his run here at SPPS.  Much like Nishiyama, he’s a hit or miss, literally, kinda guy but with a few decisions sprinkled in for good measure.  I’m expecting a bit of a standup war this evening between these two and I really don’t see much on paper that sets up an easy pick for Donkey!

So with that, Donkey, your turn bud!

Donkey’s Pick: Nishiyama via Unanimous Decision

Oh gee, thanks bunny-boy.  Not an easy one to pick by any stretch, given even with age these two are close.  The wrestling advantage probably won’t come into play much here tonight for Peterson unless he decides the clinch is the way to go, but I’m not sure we’ll see that either.  I think these two basically go toe to toe, mano a mano, to see who is the better striker!  I’m feeling the upset, as my picks weren’t so hot last week, so I’ll go with Nishiyama in a close, but unanimous, decision!

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

Main Card Bout #2: Heavyweights

Kristoph Kringle (7-2-1) v Mabuz Bacia (5-2-0)

Ok everybody, let me make this very clear now…from this point forward in the preview, I take no responsibility for any misspellings, typos, insults, misrepresentations, etc!  I’ve been out at a putting league for disc golf tonight and frankly, I can barely see straight right now! LOL!!!

Now, all that said, this fight includes one of my own kids, Mabuz Bacia, a Heavyweight who hopes not to get his ass kicked by Kringle this evening.  OMFG, it took me 5 minutes to just type that out with correcting typos and all! I thought typing was one of those “riding a bike” type things?!? Apparently not, either that, or the bike is very, very wobgbly!  Anyways, this fight is very, very evenly matched with no discernible (do you like that I can still use a wor d like discernible at this point?!?  YHou should…difference in skills for the two.   Both are well prepared, so um, yeah, whatever. 

Bacia comes off a KO win over Bilesdon in his first SPPS fight.  Early second round KO, good for him.  His last three wins have been via KO or TKO, so I suppose we should expect him to stand and throw.  Yep, that’s my in depth analysis!  God, I’m so insightful!    He does seem to be susceptible to submissions though.  Does Kringle have those?  Not sure, maybe we should look, eh?

Nope, Kringle is a striker with no submissions in his past.  That doesn’t mean he can’t. Maybe he should!  Unlikely though, given he has won via Decision, TKO and KO (ooh, nice spinning backfist thingy there!).  And a bit more with a manger…manger?  That’s what Christ was born in right? Let’s go with manager!  Yeah, a manager before that. But more of the same, lots of TKO’s and KO’s…expect a standup war tonight! 

Screw this, Donkey, give us a winner?

Donkey’s Pick: Kringle via TKO (Strikes)

Wow, what an informed…and intelligent preview there Hare!  Not!!! Anyways, Kringle has the better boxing skill in this contest, by a smidge, and given this will likely stay on the feet, I give him the advantage due to that.  So, yeah, it’s Kringle for me.  But this is a very closely matched contest, it definitely could go either way.

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

Main Card Bout #3: Middleweights

Krister Soderberg (1-0-0) v Kajulik Van Dorner (7-9-0)

Our last fight before our two Main Events and honestly at this point in the card I’m a little disappointed that one of our fighters is coming to the cage unprepared.  Van Dorner has just over half morale, and that’s potentially a difference maker. 

Van Dorner is by far the more experienced fighter with 16 total pro MMA fights heading into this one versus Soderberg’s one.  He’ll also have the advantage in standup with better boxing and Muay Thai, but gives it up on the ground. He comes off a win over Leonardo Santos in his SPPS debut via TKO, with a highlight reel Kick and Punches finish in the third round.  However, he still has his tighty whities on which means his manager isn’t changing clothes and taking care of the fundamentals for morale, so that is bound to catch up with him at some point. He’s fallen to more than one submission loss, so there’s the weak spot.

Soderberg is the better ground specialist and won his SPPS debut via armbar submission.  He’d lost an astounding NINE fights before that but you know they say you’re only as good as your last fight!  And with that, he’s a winner.  And given Van Dorner’s morale, I expect this one to get to the ground quickly and end up Soderberg’s advantage.

Alright Donkey, give us a final take on this one?

Donkey’s Pick: Soderberg via Submission (Armbar)

Not so fast, Bunny-Boy!  Yeah, Soderberg may have won his last fight via submission, but he also lost five of his nine losses prior to that via the same!  He’s no ground guru, so throwing that out there is a bit premature.  That said, he is the better prepared, so I’ll run with it, but this one is a toss-up!

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

Co-Main Event:

Featured Lightweight Bout

Mae Joon (8-4-0) v Anders Pettersson (2-1-0)

Donkey, we’re almost there and this is our Co-Main Event of the evening!  I’m happy to report that we have two kids totally ready to rock it here tonight!  Yep, I said rock it, I’m buzzed off my ass and that’s what you get damnit!!!! 

Joon has a significant Jiu Jitsu advantage with his black belt over Pettersson’s blue but outside that he gives up everything else including most of the standup skill. Expect Pettersson to try to keep this standing at all costs!  Given his one loss came via submission early in his career in a QFC battle, I would think that he’ll want to win this one with his striking…preferably sooner than later.  So while his last fight, his debut in SPPS, was won via decision, you’d think he’d want to end this one sooner without a chance of it going to the ground.

Joon is exactly what we suspected.  A submission specialist…hey, one trick pony if you will…who has won his last five via submissions.  Heck, all seven of his wins under current management have been via submission.  His losses have come via KO mostly though, so Pettersson knows where the opening is.  Can he take advantage?  Joon says, “NO!”

Donkey, give us a pick ya big eared fiend!

Donkey’s Pick: Joon via Submission (RNC)

Big eared?!?  You need to get on some sort of step program and drink less, fuzzy butt! Anyways, this one is tight.  Both are prepared, so no easy out for me on the picks!  I do like Joon’s ability on the ground, and if Pettersson doesn’t end this quickly, I think I know where this one goes.

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

Main Event:

Featured Welterweight Bout

Mertis Falandas (11-7-1) v Nicholaus Strauss (6-2-0)

Here we go, the fight that put the faces on the poster my peeps!!! These two are both fully amped up and ready to rock, giving the fans what they paid for. Solid.  Rock solid!!!

And man, what an evenly matched contest! Undoubtedly one of these two, if not both, are destined to be contenders or more within this division!  Strauss has, if you can call it that, a small, and I do mean SMALL, advantage in several areas or primaries. But man, it’s SOOOOO small!  You may as well call this one even!  He’s the heavier of the two by a wide margin, which means he’s going to have to cut some weight heading into this fight.  That could factor in?  Maybe?  I dunno to be honest.  Both stand nose to nose, forehead to forehead, top of the hair to…well, Strauss has some frizzy ass hair, so he gets the advantage in height…lol!

Strauss comes in on a two fight winning streak where he’s finished his opponents via KO and TKO.  The prior fight two back was a three rounder, while the most recent was finished midway through the first. So you never know what  you’re going to get!  He’s susceptible to submissions, as his two fights prior were losses in that manner, so perhaps something to watch?  Let’s look at his opponent and see!

And…yes!  Falandas won two of his last three fights via submission!  Ruh-rowwww! That’s not good for Strauss, so he better work on making this quick and nasty! Most of Falandas’ wins are submission victories…and most of  the losses TKO or decision…so I think we know what we’ve got here…a striker versus ground specialist showdown!!!! Let’s get it on!

Donkey, give it to us baby!  Let’s close this thing out!

Donkey’s Pick: Falandas via Submission (Triangle)

I don’t get paid enough for this crap!!!!  This one is uber difficult to judge, so let’s flip a coin!!!  And the coin says…Falandas!  I guess we’re going with a submission here!  If he wins it, it’s likely “Sub of the Night” territory…if not, well, good luck with those smelling salts my dear man! 

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

So we’re all set folks!  Are you excited?  Because we are!!!  Prepare to watch grown ass men try to protect their dingle-dangles all while trying to dish out a cheap shot of their own!  The action happens Down Undah, just the way it should be!  All the action is at the Hard Knocks venue in Sydney tonight, a great, small (albeit not as small as Hayashi’s), intimate venue to watch the best MMA fighters abuse each other…lovingly of course!

Till then, have fun and don’t forget…

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

[Gator001]

"Huang is on the challenger side here for one reason only…and that’s that he made the callout on this one, specifically asking for Little.  Now, he definitely pushed the boundaries on the requirements for a callout given the ID gap and such, but it was legit with an appropriate gap and age range and P4P ranking.  But everybody can see the obvious here…after his loss in his SPPS debut, Huang is desperate for what he sees as an easy win to prey upon and pad that ranking…and he clearly sees Little as somebody he can take advantage of. "

 

lol bit harsh, was just following the instructions you gave. 

will be the last call out I do

[HareRumpler]

1 hour ago, Gator001 said:

"Huang is on the challenger side here for one reason only…and that’s that he made the callout on this one, specifically asking for Little.  Now, he definitely pushed the boundaries on the requirements for a callout given the ID gap and such, but it was legit with an appropriate gap and age range and P4P ranking.  But everybody can see the obvious here…after his loss in his SPPS debut, Huang is desperate for what he sees as an easy win to prey upon and pad that ranking…and he clearly sees Little as somebody he can take advantage of. "

 

lol bit harsh, was just following the instructions you gave. 

will be the last call out I do

LOL!!!!  Don't take it personal my friend, just having some fun adding some flavor and intrigue to the scheduled fights! Adding some "drama" to the mix, you as well as anybody knows that Hare and Donkey like to stir the pot! LOL!!!!  

[Gator001]

1 hour ago, HareRumpler said:

LOL!!!!  Don't take it personal my friend, just having some fun adding some flavor and intrigue to the scheduled fights! Adding some "drama" to the mix, you as well as anybody knows that Hare and Donkey like to stir the pot! LOL!!!!  

all good bro👍

[HareRumpler]

Sucker Punch Pro Series

December 15th - Sydney, Australia

Welcome back Sucker Punch faithful!!  It’s your boy, Hare, here alongside my partner and part-time nemesis, Donkey, as we prepare to bring you some great action here as we head into the midway point of December.  For a large portion of the world, and certainly those in the States and Europe, it’s cold…damned cold in some cases.  But down undah in Aussie-ville, it’s warm as hell and it’s about to get hotter when we turn up the heat tonight at SPPS Evo 6!!!

With three top contender battles with direct title shot implications on the line, it doesn’t get much spicier than this folks!  It’s all coming at you live from the Hard Knocks venue and you can bet that the 3,000 lucky fans who got a ticket will be amped up and ready to rock the Knocks off the place!  No PPV tonight, so if you don’t have a ticket…well, you’ll just have to read up about it, hear about it from your friends, do whatever, but you’ll be the one wishing you’d gotten over there!

If you’re a fan of the big boys in the cage, well, tonight is pretty close to exactly what you’d want to see.  Of the eight non-sparring bouts we have on tap, FOUR of those are Light Heavyweight battles accompanied by one Heavyweight battle between Tommy Gun and Pepe Diallo.  Donkey just loves those names, and so do I!  Our big contest of the evening though will be a title shot showdown between Lightweights Miles O Brien and Jacob Handler in the Main Event…ya know, the guys who get their mugs on the poster! 

Alright and with that, let’s move on to all the detailed action for…

Evolution 6: O Brien vs. Handler

Brought to you in part by Furnace Performance nutrition!  When you need supplements to take your game to the next level and get the absolutely most out of your training, you need to light that fire…from the Furnace!!!  Stop over to the stands at our event tonight and find out what you’ve been missing folks!

Now, without further delay, let’s get into it!

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

Undercard Bout #3: Middleweights

Leonardo Santos (5-4-0) v Miguel Garces (6-10-0)

We’re going to jump straight to the third Undercard bout this evening because our first two fights are little ticky-tacky, single round, three minute sparring bouts between a few kids who are trying to impress their managers and make the stables. Not a lot to see there really, the managers are just looking for some good hidden attributes that only come out in the cage and to see how they look morale wise if they take a loss.  Ya know, that ability to bounce back, keep the morale up, all that!  So…on to Santos and Garces who give us our real action on the evening after you guys and gals have had a chance to grab some snacks, some drinks, maybe check out our merch partner for their supplements and get to the seats!

Unfortunately, Donkey won’t be thrilled with the way this first fight is starting to look.  Both men are down on morale some, and that’s never great.  Both are down relatively even, with perhaps Garces being in slightly better headspace but not by a lot.  That said, it won’t have a huge impact upon them, but it’ll have some and while we may not see it in the fight results we know the truth.  And…that’s the reason you got my little intro about the two sparring bouts, because as you all know by now, I won’t spend a lot of time/detail on guys who don’t come ready to rock!

Garces has the advantage in several areas tonight…all but Jiu Jitsu where Santos is the more skilled fighter due to his brown belt over Garces purple. Santos carries a winning record, by one fight, into the cage tonight for this contest while Garces needs a few wins to even up the mark there. 

Donkey, what do you think?

Donkey’s Pick: Garces via Unanimous Decision

Both of these fighters have taken the wins they’ve managed to snag via submissions in recent fights, so it’ll be interesting to see if Garces goes with that, knowing Santos is stronger in Jiu Jitsu but thinking his wrestling advantage wins out, or if he decides to lean on his standup advantage in this one.  Overall, I’d think this one is actually Garces’ to lose, given his skill advantages, so I’m going to lean that way.

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Undercard Bout #4: Heavyweights

Tommy Gun (1-6-0) v Pepe Diallo (0-6-0)

Ok, our first peek at some bulk heading into the cage tonight and these two definitely bring it at 230 pounds each!  No need to cut weight for these two gentlemen, they’re already under the 265 pound limit for Heavyweight by quite a bit, but make no mistake, they’re still some BIG boys!  Diallo has the height advantage by 5 cm’s this evening.  But he won’t have the advantage with that morale being off a bit and that’s sure to influence Donkey’s pick for winner!

Both of these men are evenly matched in skills.  Gun may be slightly better with his boxing, but not enough to be significant.  That said, he’s the only one of the two with a win in their short careers so far, as both have six losses.  Will that experience give him the edge he needs over an unprepared opponent?  Quite possibly! 

Diallo showed some heavy hands early in his career but hasn’t been able to capitalize.  With five of his six losses coming via KO, one has to seriously start to wonder about that chin I’d think?  The thing that makes this fight interesting is that Gun showed the same early on.  And four of his six losses all came via TKO or KO as well, so his chin is definitely suspect also.  He did manage to utilize that KO power in his SPPS debut over Rodion Brown last month though with a nice TKO win just past the minute mark of the contest.   

Donkey, give us a pick…perhaps without complaining about the morale which I already did for you?

Donkey’s Pick: Gun via TKO (Strikes)

Clearly I need to give them a break since they’ve had to listen to your furry butt complaining already there, Hare!  Anyways, yes, simple pick for me, Diallo is low on morale so my pick immediately goes to Gun in this one.  Not only does he have the experiencing in getting a win, but he should be more motivated to get in there and get at it! 

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Undercard Bout #5: Lightweights

Jaxon Williams (7-5-0) v Cole Lake (7-6-0)

The final fight of the Undercard brings us yet another pairing where at least one fighter is just not ready to get in there.  Sorry Donkey, it looks like no relief is coming on the Undercard tonight for you!  This time Cole Lake has his morale completely in the dumps while his opponent, Williams, is at about 60%.  Never thought I’d see it where 60% morale seems almost like he’s fired up and ready to get in there relative to the other guy! 

Williams has most of the edges in primaries here.  Both have almost identical records TBH with Williams having one less loss at 7-5.  Both appear to mostly prefer standup, winning and sometimes losing via TKO or decision, but usually if a submission is involved they lose.  That is unlikely to factor in here tonight.  And, as I’ve said before, that’ll make this intro short and sweet since I don’t spend much time on unprepared matchups or fighters.  Heck, Cole Lake’s manager, of the same name, hasn’t even been around to see his fighter prepared to enter the cage over the past four days.    

Over to you Donkster!

Donkey’s Pick: Williams via KO (Punch)

Obviously taking Williams in this one despite the fact that he could stand to be a bit more prepared as well.  Change those clothes!!!  But, relatively speaking he’s a mile ahead in this one with prep and at least his manager is around…we have to question if Cole Lake has even been given appropriate or modified instructions for this fight.

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Main Card Bout #1: Light Heavyweights

DeShaun Dupree Holton (7-2-0) v Taistelu Jaska (6-7-0)

The very first fight of the Main Card brings us the first of four, yes, you read that right, FOUR, Light Heavyweight battles in a row.  And I’m thrilled to tell you fine folks that these two, for the most part barring a small amount of morale for Jaska, are ready to get in there and get at it!  Nice.  I’m always slightly annoyed when fighters aren’t prepared…but very much so if it’s on the Main Card!

Jaska will have the advantage in Muay Thai tonight so we have to wonder if he’ll try to drive this fight into the clinch and work the head and body from there.  Does he like the nasty stuff?  Not based upon his SPPS debut against Shart, where he instead focused on trying to take Shart’s head off with high kicks…followed up by a few combos!  It worked for him and he got the dub, so hey, maybe he goes with it again?  I know I’d probably adjust, but that doesn’t mean he needs or wants to!

Dupree Holton, who seems to really prefer going by two last names, won both of his last two fights, his SPPS debut included, via decision.  The fight against Arman Brown last month was a closely fought one that he nabbed the ‘W’ in via a majority decision.  It was a hugely contested decision though and we’re still getting grievances filed to the commissioner’s office about it from Brown’s team…and the fans…as Holton managed to control most of the fight and worked for three good takedowns…but failed to land even a SINGLE strike the entire contest.  While Brown got 9 good shots to the head in, a few leg kicks and such.  How Dupree Holton managed to get all three refs to hand him the final two rounds is anybody’s guess…but several folks have suggested that a monetary exchange may have been in play!

So with that, Donkey, your turn bud!

Donkey’s Pick: Dupress Holton via Submission (Armbar)

This should be an interesting one.  Dupree Holton would be well advised to at least mix in a few strikes here and there tonight if not to focus on them entirely given he has the advantage boxing.  That alone could give him a legitimate decision if this goes the distance.  But if he doesn’t, I still think his brown belt outclasses Jaska’s blue on the ground.  That said, Jaska has won more than one fight via submission, so despite the blue belt, he clearly knows what he’s doing down there.  Don’t be surprised if he turns this one around and snaps the sub on for the win!  I’ll take DH in this one…but with reservations…

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Main Card Bout #2: Light Heavyweights

Darius Thibodeaux (10-7-0) v Ameen Robertson (9-9-0)

Ok everybody, two deep into the Main Card now and I am NOT disappointed with what we’re getting here from the Light Heavyweights tonight!  Another pair that are ready to rock, minus the smallest of  morale shortages for Robertson!  And this is a very well balanced fight as well, with Thibodeaux having a small edge in Muay Thai while Robertson claims small edges in boxing and wrestling as well as having a brown belt over Thibodeaux’s purple. 

At 9-9 and coming into their SPPS debut here with a trio of losses in hand, you know that Davey Mack and his boy Robertson would really, REALLY love to get things going with a win at this new promotion.  The man is heavy handed and knows how to make em hurt when they land…that’s evident by the fact that all nine wins have come via TKO or KO…but there’s some question about whether a decent chin comes along as part of the package.  Seven of his nine losses have been the result of dying by the same sword he wields. 

What I’m about to write here for Thibodeaux could almost be a copy/paste from Robertson.  Thib has won all ten fights via KO or TKO.  But his two most recent losses at RISE, prior to the three QFC wins he grabbed before arriving at SPPS, were both KO losses in the second round.  He’s also lost earlier in his career to submissions and decisions, but it’s those KO’s that are worrisome.  When I say worrisome, I mean mostly for his management team.  The reason?  He’s supposed to have a granite chin.  Obviously, he has some power as well or he wouldn’t be knocking guys’ blocks off.  But a granite chin…with two KO’s back to back?  Two things of concern there…does he have the heart to go along with that chin?  And, just as important, did those KO’s potentially damage the chin?  Only time will tell, but a win over an opponent with KO power tonight without having the smelling salts offered to him by his training staff would be a great way to build some confidence for his team! 

This should be a good one Donkey, give us a winner?

Donkey’s Pick: Robertson via TKO (Strikes)

Finally!  One that’s really tough for me to give a prediction on!  And that is NOT a bad thing at all for the fans!  But this one isn’t going to go the way you may think.  Thibodeaux does leave a question about that chin despite it being a granite.  Robertson has some KO power.  Clearly Thibodeaux does as well, but I think we get a shock from the other side tonight so I’m going with my gut on this one and nodding to Robertson.

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Main Card Bout #3: Light Heavyweights

Miet Cleever (12-3-0) v Miguel Torres (5-2-0)

Our last fight before our two Main Events and this one features one of my own kids, Miet Cleever, as he prepares to defend his record…and P4P ranking…against a significantly lower ranked, but much more highly skilled, Miguel Torres!  Both fighters are fully prepped and ready to get in there but despite being on the left in the red corner and having a significant amount of experience, Cleever will have all he can handle, and then some most likely, against a very, very talented Torres.

Torres is under new management with Team Stoner and that adds even more questions into the mix as you never know what you’ll get when a change of management occurs.  That said, Stoner is a very experienced manager with a solid track record despite being on a little bit of a losing streak with his team of late.  It’s impossible to really know what Torres may be hiding under the hood as he showed a great amount of cardio early on, something that always hides the other goodies.  We do know he’s comfortable on the ground as he’s had significant experience grappling and his MMA results have been solid as well with wins all the way up till his final two fights where he lost via submission and TKO. 

I won’t be giving up any secrets in saying that Cleever likes the dirty stuff and loves to inflict pain and damage!  He’s only lost three fights on his career, two via decision and one via a TKO with kicks and punches, a nice highlight reel for his opponent in that title fight.  He did come back after that to win titles at LHW in two promotions, so he’s been around and knows how to win.  He’d love to show that he’s more than just his primary skills and a win here tonight could solidify his standing and show that he’s deserving of the rank he holds…for now. 

Alright Donkey, give us a final take on this one that has some big title shot implications?

Donkey’s Pick: Torres via Submission (Armbar)

All but one of Cleever’s wins have come via TKO or KO.  Usually in the first round although he has managed to get it done in later rounds a few times as well.  I don’t know if that is going to be enough to overcome the challenge in front of him tonight though.  But steel sharpens steel as they say, right?  Tonight, we’ll find out if Torres’ skills and record stand up or if he’s missing a key intangible or two.  It’s his fight to lose in my eyes and despite Cleever’s history, I can’t side with the bunny’s kid on this one.  And that is a big miss for Cleever if it happens, as I’ve been told the winner here tonight is going to get the first title shot for the division against the winner of the fight right after this one!

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Co-Main Event:

Featured Light Heavyweight Bout

Suutari Nuorempi (13-6-0) v Jari Lehtola (8-4-0)

Our Co-Main Event of the evening and the last of our four Light Heavyweight battles before we get to Lightweight Main Event!  I’m happy to report that we have two kids totally ready to get in there and give the fans everything they can handle tonight!  And this is a really, really well matched pairing as Lehtola has a slight boxing edge while Nuorempi has the small edge in both Muay Thai and wrestling.  They stand even in Jiu Jitsu as both hold brown belts.  Morale on high.  Check!  Energy topped off.  Check!  Let’s gooooo!  And a big one here, because as I hinted at and Donkey confirmed in the last fight, the winner here tonight is going to get a title shot against the winner of the fight right before this one!  It’s time to get the Light Heavyweight situation rolling championship wise!

Lehtola earned an early third round TKO over Arthur Foreman in November to secure a dub in his SPPS debut.  That made it two in a row for him and you know he and his team would love to complete the trifecta tonight!  I honestly don’t expect a lot to change from his approach in that fight with Foreman.  Despite giving up a mild edge in Muay Thai and wrestling, he’s very proficient at it and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him test himself with it tonight.  But, if I’m being fair, he may back off on it some and lean more into the boxing than he did in the last fight.  I don’t expect him to take it to the ground.

Here’s the thing though.  Even if Lehtola doesn’t purposely take it into the clinch…there’s a good chance it gets there anyway as Nuorempi loves the clinch and has used it extensively in most of his recent fights.  And, given he does have the slight edge there tonight, there’s no reason to expect his approach to change.  He pulled a decision from the judges in his last fight but lost the belt he’d earned in the Bounty tournament at Heartless the fight before when Paul Hunter KO’d him.  He’d also won the belt previously at Heartless with his ground and submission skills, but that was over a year ago.  Are those skills still up to date?  Could he take it to the ground from the clinch?  Mix and match a bit?

Donkey, give us a pick ya big butted, big eared goof!

Donkey’s Pick: Nuorempi via TKO (Cuts)

Big eared?!?  You know what they say right, flops-a-lot, about throwing stones eh?  Anyway, I think you need to go back and read everything you wrote bunny-boy…you should rethink your comments and suggestions for Lehtola!  Given Nuorempi’s skills and history in the clinch, perhaps Lehtola purposely stays out of the clinch and makes Nuorempi work for it energy wise instead?  Ya think maybe? I would.  There’s a lot of variables in play here for Nuorempi to come away with this one…and really only one or two angles I see for Lehtola.  For that reason, I’m throwing my pick to Nuorempi tonight.

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Main Event:

Featured Lightweight Bout

Miles O Brien (11-3-0) v Jacob Handler (12-7-0)

Alright folks, the big one!!!  Although, given the title fight implications, the prior two fights were pretty darn big as well!  This event and card is just stacked with huge fights tonight!  But, let’s deal with the here and now, and for these two young Lightweights, a win isn’t just a win here tonight.  It’s also a title shot on the line! Now, we already have the first title fight for the Lightweight division lined up…and that comes a week from now when Hendrix and Pandeya go all-in for the belt.  But, the winner of this fight will get a shot at the strap in the championships first title defense!  That worth playing for?  I thought so!  And as you’d expect, both of these kids are fully prepped and ready to go after it tonight!  Boooyahhhh!

Handler will have the advantage boxing as well as on the ground with slightly better wrestling and a brown belt over O Brien’s purple in Jiu Jitsu.  He doesn’t tend to finish with submissions often, although he did at least once when he took down Diego Armando at HFC 83 back in May.  Since then, he’s mostly focused on decisions but the last fight before his SPPS debut tonight was a late third round TKO over Pollos Hermanos, where thing broke badly for his opponent!  (See what I did there?  No?  Well, I guess iykyk!)  He is a former champion at Big Wave from WAYYYYY back, so there’s some experience there, but that was early in a career and you learn a lot from that time forward. 

O Brien is coming in for his SPPS debut tonight as well on a big, giant four fight winning streak including that he walked away as the last ever Lightweight champ at SM Fight Liga.  He both won that belt, and defended it, before they closed doors.  He’s also a prior champ from Iron Fist Championship, so give this guy the nod for having the experience advantage in big fights with the belt on the line! He can win via decision, but a large portion of his dubs have come from finishes on the feet.  Make no mistake, this man wants to turn your lights out! 

Donkey, give it to us baby!  Let’s close this thing out!

Donkey’s Pick: O Brien via Unanimous Decision

Tough one to choose and I love that!  That’s great for the fans, for us at the promotion, everybody wins!  But, a pick has to be made, and with what we have to run with and both of these kids making their SPPS debut…and a title shot on the line…I’m going to go with the experience factor here and toss my hat towards O Brien tonight.

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So we’re all set folks!  We’ve got a ton of great action and excitement on tap tonight and I expect the chatter about this one to go on for quite a while, and maybe even be something that people look back on later as the “I remember when that guy…” early in their SPPS career!  The action happens at the Hard Knocks venue tonight, and I think there will be quite a few of those hard knock lessons learned!  So if you’re over that way, hop in, grab a ticket, a bite, a beer and enjoy a great night of MMA action folks!

Till then, have fun and don’t forget…

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

[AlVandal]

Another great preview, let's get ready to rumble!

[McFister]

awesome fights!!

[Stinkfist48]

[Dillooo]

Jaxon wants to apologize for disappointing Donkey and not giving him a KO lmfao

[HareRumpler]

Unfortunately stuck at work late today and tonight folks...I'm not going to be able to get a preview done...but hopefully get some time this weekend to do a review.  Have some great fights tonight all!!!!