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The evening will kick off with light heavyweight action as Jason Blackford (0-0-0) will take of Jeremy Boczulak (0-1-0). Jason Blackford has spent a considerable amount of time on the amateur circuit, but he is making his professional MMA debut in this fight. Jeremy Boczulak made his professional MMA debut in late 2010, suffering a defeat to Rhadi Ferguson at Genesis Fighting Championships 8. There is no true experience edge for either fighter in this one, so I’m going with Jason Blackford to get a win in his debut.
Middleweight action will occur next as Charles McTorry (1-0-0) will being going to battle with Krishaun Gilmore (1-0-0). Charles McTorry only made his professional MMA debut two months ago, defeating Chris Fernette at a Gameness Fighting Championships event. Krishaun Gilmore is also an undefeated fighter, as he defeated Jeff Andrews by TKO after his opponent was to hurt to answer the bell for round two. Charles McTorry has a superior ground game when compared to his opponent, which is why I’m picking him to win the fight.
The bantamweights will be doing battle next as Josh Jarvis (0-1-0) will take on the debuting Luke Sanders (0-0-0). Josh Jarvis may not have plenty of MMA experience under his belt, but he has competed in the excellently named Moon Management Ubersmash promotion. Strikeforce obviously see’s something in the debuting Luke Sanders to debut him on their card, so I’m going with him for the victory.
There is more middleweight action up next as Chris Barnhizer (0-0-0) will debut against Karl Willis (0-2-0). Chris Barnhizer may be making his professional MMA debut in this fight, but he had competed in nearly ten amateur MMA fights. Karl Willis has yet to achieve a victory in his MMA career, going winless at the age of forty two years old. Age will definitely play a factor against Karl Willis in this fight as Chris Barnhizer makes a successful pro MMA debut.
The first featherweight battle of the evening will occur when Thomas Campbell (0-1-0) competes against Jeremy Wallace (1-2-0). Thomas Campbell does have experience competing in Strikeforce, suffering a defeat to Cody Floyd at Strikeforce: Nashville. Jeremy Wallace won his professional MMA debut in 2009, but has lost two straight fights after that victory. The previous Strikeforce experience will help Thomas Campbell on route to earning his first MMA win.
The first lightweight encounter of the evening is next as Chris Coggins (0-1-0) does battle with Chris Wright (0-0-0). Although Chris Coggins does have a small experience edge over his opponent, it has been well over a year since he competed in an MMA fight. Chris Wright does have plenty of recent amateur MMA experience, which is why he will defeat his opponent on Friday Night.
The first welterweight duel is up next as Stoney “The Skuller†Hale (3-2-0) takes on veteran Gerric Hayes (3-4-0). Stoney Hale has both a “Flintstone-like†name and has big time MMA experience as he has competed in the Bellator Fighting Championships. Gerric Hayes has fought more MMA fights than Stoney Hale, but his lack of big fight experience will cost him the fight.
Another welterweight fight is on tap as Daniel Schmitt (1-1-0) will go to war with veteran Dustin West (3-2-0). Daniel Schmitt has only competed once in the past three years, which was a victory over Daniel Stone in January 2010. Dustin West already has experience competing in Strikeforce, losing to Andy Uhrich at Strikeforce: Nashville. The lack of activity for Daniel Schmitt is what will cost him an important victory, giving Dustin West the win.
More featherweight action is upcoming as Matt “Horndog†Horning (20-23-0) will do battle with Dustin Ortiz (6-0-0). Despite the enormous amount of MMA experience Matt Horning enters the cage with, he will be entering the fight riding a seven fight losing streak. Dustin Ortiz is an undefeated fighter who has fought the majority of his fights in the Gameness Fighting Championships promotion. Dustin Ortiz should nab a victory here on route to competing on televised Strikeforce Challengers events.
Headlining the preliminary card will be middleweight action as Casey “Hellbent†Huffman (2-0-0) fights John Salter (5-2-0). Casey Huffman made his professional MMA debut in 2010, earning victories over both Kevin McIntosh and Jason Wilson. John Salter does have experience competing in the UFC, defeating Jason MacDonald, while suffering defeats to Gerald Harris and Dan Miller. John Salter’s fight experience in the UFC will give him the edge to defeats his less experienced opponent.
In amateur MMA action, Steven Durr faces Dave Hurst…Josh Phelps faces Randy Shores…Dusty Gibbs faces Cory Robinson.
You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
