Duffee vs Monson to Headline Super Fight League 4

Duffee vs Monson to Headline Super Fight League 4

Published on July 5, 2012 by The Sandman in NEWS, Super Fight League

Superfight League Announce; Duffee Vs Monson at SFL 4

Jeff Monson will take on Todd Duffee at SFL 4 on 8 Sept in Bengaluru, India, CEO Ken Pavia announced on MMAJunkie.com Radio.

Pavia also announced that SFL 5, which will take place in Chennai on 6 Oct, will be headlined by Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Trevor Prangley. Satoshi Ishii will also make his debut against Jimmy Ambriz.

Heavyweight Monson (46-13-1) has had a busy 2012 since his decision loss to Fedor Emelianenko late last year. He beat Alexey Oleinik (M-1 Challenge 31) in March before fighting in 3 bouts in the space of just over a month. First, a draw against Chaban Ka on May 11 (100% Fight 11) and then a mere week later beating Jim Yorke by unanimous decision at Cage Fighting Championship (CFC) 21.

His most recent fight was a quick submission victory over Denis Komkin at M-1 Global – Fedor vs. Rizzo on June 21. As mentioned by The Sandman on the MMANewsAsia podcast, SFL’s cards are pretty easy to predict and making Monson fight Duffee (7-2) was obvious and makes perfect sense stylistically.

Rameau Sokoudjou (12-10) was a rising star in PRIDE, with two first round knockouts of Ricardo Arona and “Little Nog“. When UFC bought PRIDE, Sokoudjou found himself unable to compete with the top UFC talent. He left UFC with a 1-2 record including a loss to future UFC Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

Since then, Sokoudjou has found form hard to come by. He’s performed well at smaller promotions but has been unable to perform on the big stage, losing fights at Affliction and Strikeforce. Sokoudjou lost his last two fights and will see SFL as a chance for a fresh start. Fighting Strikeforce veteran Prangley (25-9-1) was predictable, but again, made sense considering the lack of depth in the SFL’s Light Heavyweight division.

Ishii (4-2-1) is an up-and-coming Japanese fighter who got thrown into the lion’s den at DREAM’s New Year’s Eve 2011 event on Dec 31 where he got destroyed by Fedor Emilianenko. This choice of opponent does surprise though. Jimmy Ambriz (16-18-1) is a huge Super Heavyweight with a lot of power and very little gas. I expected Ambriz to fight James Thompson who is equally as big but with a much better gas. I expect Ishii to do a lot of running in this fight.

As reported by The Sandman a couple of weeks ago, Monson and co have signed 4-fight contracts. The fight announcements certainly aren’t over though as Bobby Lashley, James Thompson and The Black Mamba Kultar Singh Gill have yet to receive fights.

For thoughts and discussions on MMA, follow The Sandman at @MsianGooner on twitter. The Editor @joebahru and The Coffee Boy @seth_borges

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

Super Fight League – Thankfully Its More Than Bob “Tap” Sapp

Super Fight League – Thankfully Its More Than Bob “Tap” Sapp

Published on March 1, 2012 by The Editor in Opinion, Super Fight League

With The Super Fight Leagues First Event Getting Closer I Ask The Question, Whats It All About?

With the news that SFL has signed Todd Duffee, Trevor Prangley, Paul Kelly, Xavier Foupa-Pokamand Joey Guel for future events one has to wonder what the plan is for SFL?

Todd Duffee (6-2-0) had two fights for the UFC (finishing 1-1) and last fought in Dec 2010 at a K1event losing in just 19 seconds to Alistar Overeem. One has to wonder what has suddenly motivated him to get back in the cage and why he has chosen India to do it in. Surely, Bellator, Pro-Elite or ONE FCwould have been bigger stages, or does he know something?

Trevor Prangley (23-9-1) is 39 and his last appearance in UFC  was all the way back in 2006, his record since then is reasonable. He has fought at Strikeforce, Dream and Bellator in his last three fights, however these were all loses.

Paul Kelly (12-4-0), is a true UFC veteren as his last nine fights were in the Octagon and his UFC record is a solid (5-4). His last fight a loss to Donald Cerrone just over a year ago is nothing to be ashamed of.

Xavier Foupa-Pokam (21-17-0) who has just one win in his last nine fights and has been matched up with Joey Guel (14-7-0) who has not had a fight for four years and has not had a win in five!

Add these signings to Bob Sapp (11-10-0) a man who cannot tap quick enough nowadays and is a pathetic 1-7 going into this event – He has not made it out of the first round win or lose for 10 years and he never looks very fit. His recent loses are pretty much to people you have never heard of and never will. The most shocking thing of all is he is the main event at SFL 1. Yes, the main event at the first show of a big new fighting organisation is a fighter I would not even waste time walking across the road to watch.

Really think about it, if he is the main event what does that say for the undercard fighters?

Sharing the limelight with him on that fight is the Brit James Thompson (16-14-and 1 n/c)  his recent record is 4-10-1 n/c

So what is the plan with SFL? Is it a home for the washed up, the has beens and the never will be’s? Is it a launching pad back into the big show. I mean surely Paul Kelly still has a high level MMA career left in him.

Looking at the fight card it would appear that the fights are a mish mash, but let’s delve deeper

Let’s check it out:

We have already discussed Xavier “Professor X” Foupa-Pokam (21-17-0) vs Joey “Coyote” Guel (14-7-0)

Satish “Crazy Indian” Jha (0-0-0) Vs Jimmy “The Titan” Ambriz (15-18-1)

Sadly, I know little about Jha, He is an Indian, so that’s a good start because for the sport to grow in India, the locals need somebody to cheer. His amateur record is 3-0 and apparently he is a European Shooto Champion. Ambriz on the other hand is an American who I presume has been brought in to provide a test but not too much of one to allow a local winner.

Lakhwinder “Lightning”  Sekhon (2-0-0) Vs Madura Rathnayake (3-0-0)

Sekhon is a British Indian who has two wins to his name in the UK under the Fusion Fighting Championship flag and Rathnayake has three wins at Sri Lanka’s Colombo Fight Nights. I guess it’s a question of who has been fighting in the tougher organisation. I think you should put your money onSekhon, he very smartly has seen a chance to get himself a really big following by returning to his Indian roots and his last win was a storming 25 second TKO due to punches, an Indian star will be born.

Mohammed “The Hawk” Shahid (0-0-0) Vs Mayura Dissanayake (2-0-0)

I am afraid I know nothing about Shahid. Dissanayake has two wins both at Colombo Fight Night events in Sri Langka.

The good news is it looks like we will get to see some ladies MMA as they have also signed: Lena “Hunter” Ovchynnikova (8-0-0) and she will be facing Sanja Sucevic (2-1-0). However, Ovchynnikova is such an exceptional fighter that I really cannot see Sucefvic living with her, look out for an arm bar victory by the Hunter.

Hardeep “Hardcore” Singh (9-2-0) Vs Jeff Bailey (6-5-0)  Singh is a Canadian Indian who I am sure has also been tempted back to his roots with the chance to tap into the massive potential of Indian fight fans. And he is no mug, he has been fighting in an established MMA nation and therefore has got a solid winning record against quality opposition. Bailey is an American who I am sure will be trying to keepSingh away from victory in front of the Indian fans. It should be an exciting fight but I ultimately thinkSingh will win and another  ”Indian” star will be born.

Chaitanya “Dangerous” Gavali (0-0-0) Vs Tiran Thakshala (2-0-0) – Indian, Gavali has an amateur record of 4-1-0, but his debut against another fighter from the Colombo Fight Night series will be no walk in the park, both Thakshala’s previous fights were won by Rear Naked Choke.

Neil “Real” Natasadu (0-0-0) Vs Travis Bell (0-0-0) Natasadu is an accomplished Kick Boxer and it will be interesting to see how he manages in MMA. I am afraid I know nothing of Bells previous work.

So, the Super Fight League is it to be a home for fighters who are no longer good enough for the big show or for fighters who make bad decisions or for fighters looking for a good pay day?

Or………

Is the Super Fight League a new organisation attempting to gain some favorable press by giving the fans a great opportunity to see some fun fights, to introduce them to some Indian fighters who are already established overseas in the process creating some immediate fans favorites and a chance for some local fighters to get some real experience?

I actually think it’s a bit of both and I think we need to give them time to get settled before we judge them. After all they are not going around like ONE FC claiming to be the biggest, greatest, most prestigious and I don’t recall Raj Kundra claiming to be India’s answer to Dana White.

What they are going to do is bring us in their own word ‘Sportainment’ and good luck to them.

Just please no more Bob Sapp!