Super Fight League – Part Deux – SFL 2 Chandigarh

Super Fight League – Part Deux – SFL 2 Chandigarh

Published on March 28, 2012 by The Editor in Super Fight League

SFL 2 The Super Fight Leagues Second Event Is Almost Here

It’s funny with Legend 8 and even more so ONE FC 3 (War of the Lions) due to have their shows this weekend very little has been heard from the people behind the Super Fight league, who has SFL 2 next weekend. So, we better start the buzz.

Now what ever you felt about the first event nobody can deny that the SFL is an interesting idea playing to a potentially massive audience if only they can turn them on to it. The world view was mixed personally I think Bob ‘Tap’ Sapp aside it was alright. I like the fact they want to promote local fighters, after all isn’t that the idea of a regional MMA organisation. It will take a while to create their own big names and stars. It doesn’t matter what American MMA fans think – India is a much bigger market and if SFL can own that well, watch out!

Let’s look at the card for SFL 2 – April 7th Chandigrah @ T-Box Mobile Arena

Neil Grove (11-5-1) Vs Todd Duffee (6-2-0) 

Grove is a significantly older Brit who has appeared in both the UFC and more recently Bellator so he is a used to high level fights – It could be argued that in their second event SFL are putting on a bigger fight than ONE FC – Two ex UFC fighters is quite a coup. Grove is on a two fight losing streak

Duffee the big American is an ex UFC fighter and although he is also on a two fight losing streak, although losing to Mike Russow and Alistair Overeem is nothing to be ashamed of. Although that Overeem fight was a 19 second knock out and he has not fought since that day back in Dec 2010 – So, is his heart still in it, I guess we will find out, If it is, he should prove tp be the stronger man.

Paul Kelly (12-4-0)  Vs Ryan Healy (19-10-1) 

Kelly is another Brit ex UFC fighter and as his last fight for them was only a year ago when he was defeated by Donald Cerrone he must be hoping to get another chance, after all his record at UFC is a winning one 5-4.

Healy from America came close but never featured in a UFC event but did fight at both WEC and Strikeforce. While nobody should doubt his quality you have to see Kelly as the likely winner in what should be a good fight.

Chaitanya Gavali (1-0-0) Vs Ishan Abeyrathna (no record)

Gavali (India) was a winner at SFL 1 and he is rewarded with another fight against a Sri Lankan (The Sri Lankans seem to be in the role of lambs to slaughter to keep the home crowd happy).

Bharay Kandare  (India) (no record) Vs Soro Ismael (Ivory Coast) (no record) 

Alexander Shlemenko (Russia) (44-7) Vs Ikuisa Minowa (Japan) (53-33-8)

That Shlemenko has 51 professional fights at the age of just 27 is amazing and that record is exceptional. He is coming into the event on a seven fight winning streak and he has had a lot of success at Bellator Fighting Championship.

Minowa also has an amazing number of pro fights but not such a good win to fight ratio. But he is well-known and well liked in Asia and his recent record is solid with just one loss in the last seven.

This promises to be a great fight and the people at ONE FC must be wondering how come they didn’t get these guys.

Anup Kumar (no record) Vs Asiri Pathirana (no record)

Ricky “Ranjit” Singh (no record) (India) Vs Salika Senanyake (no record) (Sri-Lanka) 

Bethany Marshall (4-0) (USA) Vs Sanja Sucevic (3-1-0) (Serbia) 

Sanja Sucevic was in SFL 1 and came home a winner, that ladies fight also was probably the best fight of the night and I am sure people were surprised by their technique. So seeing Sucevic take on Marshall promises more great exposure for women’s MMA in Asia and again a great fight is promised.

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So, there you have it a mixture of local fighters who you never heard of and some names that I am sure ONE FC would be happy to have on their card.

So, the quality on the night might sway from one level to the next but come on some of these fights are going to be top quality entertainment and as a bonus there is no Bob ‘Tap’ Sapp.

There were a lot of comments both positive and negative after the first event, but people this event is available for free on YouTube and it features some fighters who would not be out-of-place on any card in Asia and some that could possibly demand headline status.

Oh and there’s also a great pre-fight show of well-known local music acts.

As they say on their website – Get ready for Sportatainment