SFF 18: Relentless preview.

SFF 18: Relentless (direct link)

Written by: Jack Walian (Predicted)
Additional analysis by: Marcus Reynolds

MW – Main event: Instant Fighter (3-0, SFF debut) vs. "Master" Reggie Franklin (9-6-1, 4-1-1 SFF)

In his last professional MMA fight, the veteran Reggie Franklin is taking on up and comer Instant Fighter as he makes his SFF debut. Being a jack of all trades, but not an expert in any, Franklin possesses the tools to beat Fighter as he can both fight on the ground and on his feet, but being a world class boxer with good KO power, Franklin should not want to stay anywhere near Fighter’s hands. Predicted’s prediction: Simply put, if Fighter gets room to unload and connect with his punches Franklin is in a world of hurt, if Franklin is able to get past the sprawl of fighter he might grind out a decision, but being the good boxer that he is Fighter will most likely get time to land his money shot adding another knockout to his growing list of victims.

Reynolds Analysis: I am leaning towards Instant Fighter in his Swing debut. He has amazing striking skills and he matches up well against Franklin who is not particularly excellent at any category. Franklin will also retire after this fight, he is a fighter who has served this org well and will be missed. As for Instant Fighter, with a win, he establishes himself in the very loaded middleweight division. Instant Fighter via 1st round TKO.

WW – Co main event:”Steve's" boo moo (7-3, SFF debut) vs. Ara "Hannu" Virta (4-1, SFF debut)

In the co main event two feared strikers with knockout power and an extremely high finishing rate, battles to get to the top of the SFF welterweight division. Having never been stopped it could appear Virta has a stronger chin, but having never fought anyone with the knockout power of moo, nothing is certain. Boo Moo is a veteran of the two, and the experience might be what gets him the nod in this fight. Predicted’s prediction: The two fighters are nearly identical, they both have great boxing combined with incredible knockout power and it seems that the fighter with the bet game plan will win this fight.

Reynolds Analysis: Very close fight right here. I always consider stand up wars (especially fighters with almost the same builds) as fights that could really go either way. There is surely no way you can say that one guy has a big advantage over the other. However, I am going to say that boo moo has the slight advantage and may pull out a first round KO although I wouldn't be surprised if their roles were reversed and Ara will be the victor at the end of the fight.

BW: Sly "The One" Randolph (3-0, SFF debut) vs. “Sadistic Threat" Mike Allen (3-2, 1-0 SFF)

Mike Allen can be described as a freak of nature, as he is nearly two meters in height and walks around at around 140 lbs, he enjoys a reach advantage over everybody he squares off against in the cage. Randolph needs to be careful not to be overwhelmed by Allen’s incredible height, as he probably wants to use his standup and avoid a ground fight against the BJJ purple belt Allen who has two submissions on his record. Predicted’s prediction: They are both evenly matched on the ground, so it looks like it will be Randolp’s striking advantage and KO power that will tip the fight in his favor.

WW: Maximus Scott (2-1, SFF debut) vs. Shawn "Finnish Drunk" Tryant (1-0, SFF debut)

In the prefight promo Tryant was very candid about how he wanted to distort Scott’s ligaments, and even if he seems outgunned, Scott has close to no experience being on the ground, so if he gets taken down a submission is within reach. Instead Scott employs sprawl and brawl as his offensive style he is able to punch you in the face from the outside, and hit you with lethal knees in the clinch. Predicted’s prediction: Tryant’s only hope is that he scores a takedown, but with such a difference in wrestling pedigrees it looks like Scott will have time to work his striking and score a knockout wherever he decides to bring the fight.

FW: Tomi Isokoski (Professional debut) vs. Tyron "Fallen" Valencia (Professional debut)

It is unknown which game Valencia wants to play in his professional debut, a he is both a journeyman in boxing and wrestling he could try to take the fight down, or stand and bang. Isokoski on the other hand is a clear cut one dimensional fighter, being a purple belt in BJJ and not much else his only hope is to get a takedown and end the fight by submission. Predicted’s prediction: Isokoski should be able to get the fight down sooner or later to score a submission.

LHW: Jake "Jake, Handsome" Thumbson (1-1, 1-1 SFF) vs. Jake "The Snake" Valhala (1-0, 1-0 SFF)

Jake Valhala should not hesitate to take Jake Thumbson down, as Thumbson can deal out some wicked punishment from the clinch, something Valhala should look to avoid, but Thumbson is a one trick pony, and if taken down he is like a fish on a bicycle and will be at the mercy of his opponent. Predicted’s prediction: If Valhala allows Thumbson to clinch up he could easily get KO’d before he escapes, but his wrestling should be good enough for him to get the fight down and pound out a TKO victory.

LW: Lee Holt (5-3, 4-2 SFF) vs. Sulevi Sammalharju (2-1, SFF debut)

After breaking his losing streak in his last fight, Lee Holt is taking a huge step up in competition as he takes on the top level boxer Sulevi Sammalharju. Sammalharju seems to have the edge in… pretty much everything, but if Holt could force his opponent into the clinch he does have a chance to win. Predicted’s prediction: Sammalharju should be able to win this one by knockout with his world class striking and improving Muay Thai.

BW: Olav Klint (Professional debut) vs. Lautaro Mapuche (0-1, 0-1 SFF debut)

Coming of his last fight being a loss, Mapuche seems to have had enough of the fighting game as he announced he would retire after his next fight, he is fighting the untested Olav Klint where it seems he is again at a disadvantage. Klint seems to have the better boxing and wrestling of the two, this should nullify the BJJ advantage of Mapuche leaving him with the shortest end of the stick. Predicted’s prediction: Klint will win by decision due to his superior striking and wrestling allowing him to keep the fight where he wants it, and theoretically land more strikes.

WW: Reizander "Razor" Cervantes (Professional debut) vs. "The Baby Face Killer" Gabriel Key (Professional debut)

This seems to be a tough matchup for both fighters, as the Muay Thai fighter Reizander Cervantes fights the well rounded striker Gabriel Key. Key is a journeyman in both boxing and Muay Thai, and how he combines this will be his key to victory or defeat. Cervantes being a Muay Thai striker has two options, clinch or strike, while clinching might be a better route, we don’t know where Cervantes’ strengths are as neither fighter is really tested in battle. Predicted’s prediction: I think that the game plan of Gabriel Key will be… key, and will most likely score him a decision victory in this fight.

FW: Nick "Toy" Story (1-0, 1-0 SFF) vs. Slim "Cutter" Calhoun (3-2, 2-2 SFF)

It is no secret what Nick Story’s game plan is against Slim Calhoun, take him down and pound him out, and with a much better wrestling base it seems he will be able to take the fight down at will, the question is if Calhoun will be able to use his boxing to his advantage and score a knockout, something that seems unlikely against the granite chin of Story. Predicted’s prediction: Story’s wrestling should be enough to overwhelm Calhoun and hit some ground and pound and most likely get a TKO victory.