The Total Fight Challenge will return to the Hammond Civic Center Saturday September 15 in what promises to be one of the biggest shows in the history of the event. The Main Event matches two of the top heavyweights in the Midwest as Vaughn “Fighter for Life” Palelei squares off against undefeated Carlson Gracie Black Belt Jeff Neal.
Visit out Total Fight Challenge gallery for photos from this event.
Vaughn Pelelei vs. Jeff Neal (Heavyweight Feature)
Vaughn hits like a truck and can take a beating as well. In his last fight since his comeback he had his nose broken during the initial exchange and still managed to TKO his opponent in the 1st round. Jeff Neal has an amazing ground game for such a large fighter and should dominate this fight on the mat. I expect Palelei to come out swinging for the fences to try and get an early stoppage. If Neal can get through that initial onslaught and either take Palelei down or pull guard the fight will definitely turn in his favor. Most of the time when a heavyweight wants the fight to go to the ground, he can get it there one way or another. I see Jeff Neal pulling guard and then sweeping to mount where he will finish the fight with strikes as Vaughn gets tired.
Jeff Neal via TKO (strikes from mount) – Round 1
Kyle Watson vs Kevin English (155 lb Title Fight)
In a highly anticipated match-up Kyle “Casanova” Watson will face-off with Kevin “Bad Boy” English for the 155 lb TFC Title. These two should be fairly even on the ground with Watson having excellent BJJ skills and English having the advantage in the wrestling department. For this reason I think both fighters will attempt to impose their will on the feet and control the fight with dominate striking. Watson has been in the ring with some of the best strikers in the world including Bart Palaszewski and Spencer Fisher, losing to both early in his career by early round
KOs. He has undoubtedly worked on his striking since then and his long reach could pose an issue for English as Watson is very tall for a 155lb fighter. English on the other hand has won 9 of his 10 victories via submission (mostly chokes) and has fought some of the best submission guys around including Joe Pearson and Jeff Curran. This fight will really come down to who can control the stand-up and force the other to make a mistake. I see a very back and forth fight that could easily go either way. This one is too close to call and the one who ends up the winner will certainly have earned his Championship belt.
Kyle Watson via Split Decision – R3
Joe Pearson vs Charles Wilson (145 lb Title Fight)
Joe Pearson makes his long awaited return to face the dangerous Charles Wilson for the 145 lb title. Charles “Man of War”
Wilson showed a ton of heart and submission defense in his 3-round war with TFC legend Miguel Torres. Pearson has no doubt learned from that fight that standing with Wilson is a bad idea as
Wilson’s unorthodox fighting style is hard to prepare for. Pearson is a wizard on the ground though and although it may take 2 or 3 tries, I think it will only be a matter of time before he catches
Wilson in a triangle choke that he won’t be able to escape from.
Joe Pearson via Submission (Triangle Choke) – Round 2
Jeremy Morrison vs. Rick Kraus
This fight has stand-up war written all over it. Morrison is known throughout the Midwest as a very dangerous kick boxer and is known for brutal knockouts, but he will have his hands full when he steps in the cage with boxer Rick Kraus, who posses knockout power in either hand. Don’t be fooled, as both men are skilled on the ground, Morrison with a judo and jiu-jitsu background and Kraus with a wrestling background. Both guys will have a punchers chance on the feet, but Morrison should effectively use his leg kicks to take away Rick’s mobility, which will eventually set up a nice combination that will quickly end Kraus’ night.
Jeremy Morrsion via KO - Round 2
Jake Ambrose vs. Brandon Munson
Up and coming light-heavyweight fighter Brandon Munson makes his return to the cage after an impressive submission victory in April. Munson trains with Dino Castillas, which means his submission game is top notch. He also has an impressive stand-up game to add to his arsenal. Stepping in against Munson is Jake “The Dragon Slayer” Ambrose. Ambrose has not fought in some time due to injuries, and will probably look to stand and trade rather then go to the ground with a bigger Munson. Ambrose has fought some very tough opponets such as Chris Lytle, so look for him to use his experience to his advantage. There could be some fireworks during the initial exchange, but look for the bigger Munson to prevail over a game Ambrose late in the first round.
Munson via TKO (Strikes) – Round 1
Josh Shockley vs. Eric Rasmussen
This should be a very entertaining fight as “The Young Assassin” Josh Shockley takes on muay-thai fighter Eric Rasmussen. This promises to be a very fast paced fight with both fighters looking to mix it up on the feet. Rasmussen should have the edge in the stand-up as he is coming off an amazing knockout victory in the February Total Fight Challenge via a knee to the head. Shockley has also shown he can throw some serious leather as well in past bouts, but recently his conditioning has been a question mark. On the ground I have to give a slight edge to Shockley as he has finished fights there before, but Rasmussen has show a strong enough ground defense to eventually get his fights back on the feet where he has a serious advantage over his opponents.
Rasmussen via KO - Round 2
Complete Total Fight Challenge 10 Card
Vaughn Pelelei vs. Jeff Neal (Heavyweight Feature)
Kyle Watson vs Kevin English (155 lb Title Fight)
Joe Pearson vs Charles Wilson (145 lb Title Fight)
Bill Hill vs Jim Martins (195 lb Title Fight)
Main Card (fights not in order)Jeremy Morrison vs Rick KrausRoberto Ramirez vs Matt KristufekJake Ambrose vs Brandon MunsonEric Rasmussen vs Josh ShocklySteve Schaffer vs Chris JamesJared McMahan vs Kevin HartmannMatt O’Donnell vs Barry CoeckerNate Aye vs David DerigotisKeith Smetana vs Leo PerezJoe O’Brian vs Anthony EspinosaJosh Turner vs Allen WoodcockWesley English vs Miguel Luis*card subject to change
Possible Fights of the Night:
Jeremy Morrison/Rick Kraus
Eric Rasmussen/ Josh Shockley
Jake Ambrose/Brandon Munson
Jeff Neal/Vaughn Pelelei
Other Fighters to keep an eye on:
Jared McMahan
Bryan Fielder
Keith Smetana |
