As always we will feature my 120% accurate predictions plus our god and savoir Marcus Reynold's excellent analysis of the main and co main events.
Welterweight title fight – Main event: Captain Evil (6-2, 4-1 SFF) vs. Tony Grey (5-0, 1-0 SFF)
As the returning champion, SFF’s very own super villain just reclaimed his title and avenged his loss to George St Pierre. The well rounded fighter has developing standup skills as he showed in his last fight, where he dominated in the clinch, but he is primarily a grappler, and it is on the ground that Evil has the edge when he squares off against the incredible striker Tony Grey. Grey is an excellent clinch fighter, and if he gets you tied up his elbows are second to none, he also has one of the best high kicks in the division which can end the fight at any point. If Evil tries to bang with Grey, who has finished all his opponents in the first round, this fight will not end well for him. But if he gets a takedown and is able to use his ground and pound and maybe go for a submission, he can still win. Predicted’s prediction: Grey is as dangerous as any on his feet, and is a good enough wrestler to sprawl and brawl his way through Captain Evil. Grey by first round knockout.
Reynolds analysis: After that minor setback against George (sic) St. Pierre, Captain Evil regained his title in a rematch by effectively controlling St. Pierre in the clinch, landing ALL of his 400 something strikes in the clinch. It is something that shocked most fans since Evil was pretty much said to be a ground and pound type of fighter. Tony Grey on the other hand, is a devastating striker. He has finished all his fights in the first round via TKO or KO. Evil may look to take the fight to the ground where he may have the advantage. I see Grey finally fulfilling his destiny and taking the belt in round 2 via stoppage due to strikes.
Lightweight – Co main event: John Kicker (6-4, 3-1 SFF) vs. Sulevi Sammalharju (3-1, 1-0 SFF)
Sulevi Sammalharju is one of the most well rounded fighters in the SFF lightweight division, and combined with brutal knockout power any opponent who enters the cage with this man will learn to respect, and fear his right hand. Kicker on the other hand relies on his Muay Thai kicks to end his fights for him, and since he is blessed with a decent chin, the striker can absorb punishment while going for the knockout. The two has seven knockouts between them, Sammalharju has ended all his victories in the first round, while Kicker has two decisions to his name as well. Predicted’s prediction: It is obvious that if the fight goes to the ground, Sammalharju would kick Kicker’s ass, but I have a feeling that neither fighter wants to fight on the mat, and would rather go for the KO, which I think Sulevi Sammalharju will get at some point in the fight.
John Kicker vs. Sulevi Sammalharju
Reynolds anaylsis: This will definitely be in the running for fight of the night honors as it will prove to be a striking affair between two lightweight contenders. Kicker obviously is more kick-oriented while Sulevi has shown an inclination to punches despite his more than average muay thai. I say Sulevi knocks out Kicker in the first round and puts his stamp on the 155 lbs. division.
Light heavyweight: Lentti "Yrmeä" Pindegren (3-1, 1-0 SFF) vs. Tenho "Mud Mountain" Hagert (6-6, SFF debut)
Hagert is indeed a finisher, as he has ended all his six fights via first round knockouts, but now however the mixed career of this CEC veteran is coming to an end, as he announced earlier this month that he would retire after his fight against Pndegren. Pindegren is a ground fighter with a background from wrestling, he delved into submission wrestling as his specialty when he started competing in MMA, as evident by his two finishes by submission, he also has decent striking, but it is most likely only a tool to set up a takedown. Predicted’s prediction: Hagert’s last fight doesn’t look to be a happy one for the Finnish boxer as he will surely lose by submission.
Heavyweight: Gary "The Motor" Indiana (1-1, SFF debut) vs. Marko "Crusher" Virtanen (1-2, 0-2 SFF)
Being on a two fight losing streak, the journeyman Marko Virtanen is looking to turn his career around with a victory over Gary Indiana in Indiana’s SFF debut, Virtanen is an all round decent fighter, who doesn’t excel at anything, his game plan is to take his opponents out of their strong sides and grind out a decision. But against Indiana finding a weakness to exploit is going to be hard, he is a great boxer, with some training in wrestling and BJJ to help him on the way, he has a good chin and accurate striking, and is coming into this fight the favorite. Predicted’s prediction: I’m willing to bet a lot of money on Indiana winning this one by KO or TKO.
Heavyweight: Joe "Lighting" Quick (9-8, SFF debut) vs. "Beautiful" Bo Lynn (1-1, 0-1 SFF)
Joe Quick has had a difficult career, the twenty-seven year old veteran has been knocked out five times, his chin seems to be suspect when pressured, in this fight however it doesn’t seem like he will experience much pressure at all, Quick has always had a great Muay Thai base, and a majority of his victories has come from his strikes, either in the clinch or standing toe to toe. Bo Lynn is still only starting out his MMA career, and the 18 year old seems to be in trouble as the eighteen year old faces the biggest test of his career. Outmatched on his, Lynn’s only hope is to get the fight down to the ground, but Quick is a great wrestler which will make him difficult to take down for anyone, let alone a rookie like Lynn. Predicted’s prediction: Quick is so good on his feet that he has to win by KO.
Super heavyweight: Michael Watson (2-0, 1-0 SFF) vs. Gustav "Bubi" Scholz (2-1, 1-1 SFF)
In his last fight, Scholz lost a close decision to Robert Green, now the vicious Muay Thai striker is looking to return to the winning ways against world class boxer, Michael Watson. Watson doesn’t have the most dangerous KO power, but he is a great striker who with his size, strength and technical ability can surely set his mark on the 265+ division. Look for Scholz to try to initiate a battle in the clinch, while Watsen would most likely want to strike from a distance. Predicted’s prediction: A though fight to call, but I think that Scholz will take this one via decision.
Welterweight: Niko "Nakuttaja" Nakkeli (2-3, 1-1 SFF) vs. Timo "Die Kugel" Soini (5-0, 1-0 SFF)
Having a horrible chin and no KO power is most likely a bad idea if you’re going to be a striker, Nakkeli however has made it his career to hit his sniping strikes and score points on the judges’ scorecards, he has had limited success though, and tonight he looks to revive his career with a win over undefeated Muay Thai striker, Timo Soini. Soini came into the SFF with four decisions to his name, but crushed Tauno Puukko in the clinch landing devastating knees to the face, Nakkeli doesn’t appear to be storng in the clinch either, and this will surely be Soini’s gameplan coming into this fight. Predicted’s prediction: They are both decision grinders, but I have a feeling that the well roundedness of Soini is going to earn him the victory.
Welterweight: Tauno "Bambi" Puukko (3-5, 0-2 SFF) Tonto "T-Mac" MacTavish (2-0, 1-0 SFF)
Probably the best boxer in SFF, the twenty-one year old MacTavish has a wealth of experience from his boxing background, and having worked hard on the other skills required to become successful in MMA, the sky is the limit for this younger. Puukko has become sort of the first gatekeeper for the welterweight division, he has lost two in a row now and needs a win badly, so a fight against one of the most dangerous boxers on the planet might not be the most clever idea he has ever had, but it shows that he has stones and doesn’t afraid of anyone, but it will most likely be bad for his career. Predicted’s prediction: MacTavish is a future title contender, and Puukkio is standing in his way, expect this fight to end violently, MacTavish will win via KO.
Welterweight: "Steve's" boo moo (8-3, 1-0 SFF) vs. "Kylän Kyrpä" Urho Mulkku (2-0, 1-0 SFF)
If Mulkku is able to take Moo down, he is able to grind anyone to a pulp with his hard hitting ground and pound, Moo’s job is to not get taken down and to work his strong suit, the striking. Having ended all, but one of his victories with a knockout or TKO, Moo proved he is a legitimate contender when he fought in Japan, and he showed us once again why he is fighting for the SFF after he knocked out Ara Virta in only one minute. Predicted’s prediction: The classic striker vs. grappler scenario, while Moo might have a stronger BJJ base, I think that Mulkku makes up for it with his background in wrestling, and if the fight hits the ground I favor Mulkku to win, but with KO power and the ability to take a beating, Moo is still my favorite to win, and win violently.
PS: Steve is incredibly handsome.
Welterweight: "SawZall" Tim Chesser (0-2, 0-1 SFF) vs. "The Baby Face Killer" Gabriel Key (0-1, 0-1 SFF)
Here we will see the first win of somebody’s career, as both fighters has yet to taste the sweet taste of victory. They are similar fighters, they are both decent strikers, but Chesser favors boxing, while Key is a clinch fighter who likes to use dirty boxing. Predicted’s prediction: I think that Gabriel Key will take the win by decision in this fight.
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