SFF 21 Preview

Light heavyweight title fight – Main event: "The Artist" Ash Berry (5-0, 3-0 SFF) vs. Uri "Bloody Nine" Boyka (4-0, 2-0 SFF)

It’s though being in the SFF 205 division, because no matter how many skulls you crack to move up the ladder, there is always Ash Berry at the top waiting to stomp you to the curb. The BJJ black belt is always improving his MMA skills, and has stated he would not mind finally ending a fight using his drastically improved striking abilities. But for now, all his five wins have come by first round submission, this excellent fighter has so far been dominant in the SFF cage, can he keep his position as a top dog when facing Uri Boyka? The short answer is most likely, even if Boyka has developed into a decent fighter, he simply is not on Berry’s level, it seems the decision grinder is in over his head in this fight. Predicted’s prediction: Berry by submission, nuff said.

Reynolds analysis – Co main event: Reigning light heayvweight champion Ash Berry is in action once again as he takes on Uri Boyka. Boyka isn't that much of a skilled fighter and has won by outstriking his opponents. I see Ash Berry taking this one to the ground about 1 minute in to the first round and submitting him in no more than 3 minutes.

Middleweight: "Mr SummerSlam" Denis Chornya (3-0-1, SFF debut) vs. Katten Jansson (2-0, 1-0 SFF)

Coming into the SFF after earning an undefeated record in the regional circuit, and his debut will not be an easy one as he faces off against the high level wrestler Katten Jansson. Now Chornya isn’t lost on the ground, and has two submission victories to his name, but when facing against the specialized ground fighter Jasson, who showed his ability to dominate, both on his feet and on the ground in his last fight, and when facing off against Chornya he will probably avoid a standup, and go to his bread and butter, which is staying on top and raining shots down to his opponents face. Predicted’s prediction: The wrestling specialist Jansson comes in the favorite, but Chornya definitely has a chance, but Jansson could win by TKO or submission.

Reynolds analysis: For the co main event, I also see this being one sided with Katten winning. Dennis can submit people and has also shown signs of knockout power. However, he needs to round out his skills more to avoid the takedowns of Katten. I see Katten taking this via unanimous decision.

Superheavyweight: Zane "Zebra" Zidane (2-2, 1-2 SFF) vs. Wilhelm Stongarm (7-5, SFF debut)

A veteran of the Helsinki MMA scene, Wilhelm Stongarm has had varying success in his career, now the well rounded fighter is set to face off against submission fighter Zane Zidane. Stongharm clearly has more options as he is both a decent striker and ground fighter, with two knockouts and two submissions to his credit, he has shown he is able to win the fight in more than one way, Zidane however is currently purely a submission fighter, with both of his wins coming by submission he has few options aside from grappling, this wills urely play into Stongarm’s hands as this fight is up for the taking if he stays on his feet. Predicted’s prediction: Stongarm has such a wrestling advantage he will not be troubled in this fight as he should comfortably win by KO.

Middleweight: Toni "The Reaper" Ricester (3-3, 2-3 SFF) vs. Jerry Fitzgerald (1-0, 1-0 SFF)

Time has taken its toll on the first SFF middleweight champion, Toni Ricester, as he turned his winning and undefeated ways into a three fight losing streak, and when facing off against ground fighter Jerry Fitzgerald, Ricester has a good chance at turning his career around. Since they’re both submission fighters, the more experienced, and arguably skilled Ricester is at a clear advantage in all areas, and should be able to take Fitzgerald down at will, and once on the ground he is still the superior and should have no problems earning a much needed victory in this fight. Predicted’s prediction: Ricester by submission.

Heavyweight: Noah Gregory (12-6-1, SFF debut) vs. "Terminator" Slade Wilson (6-4, SFF debut)

These two veterans are quite similar, as they are both primarily grapplers with thirteen submission victories between them and both being brown belts in BJJ, their ground skills could well cancel neutralize each other, earning the guy with better standup the victory in this fight, and even if their record seems dissimilar, Wilson has fought some of the top competition in Montreal and is no joke neither on the feet nor on the ground. Gregory has close to no striking ability, and relies on his wrestling and Jiu Jitsu to win his fights for him, but against a better wrestler and striker he can come in short if he cannot get a takedown when he needs it. Predicted’s prediction: Slade Wilson will use his striking to either set up a takedown and stay on top, or to keep the fight out of Gregory’s element, either way I foresee him winning by a decision.