Top 100 weekend preview
Top 100 fighters scheduled for action between July 19-July 25 are listed below:
LW
Efrain Escudero(LW #50) vs. Mike Rio
This is a dangerous fight for former TUF winner Escudero. Then again, Escudero has to take some risks now that he lost to Fabricio Camoes in his last fight. Mike Rio is an up and coming striker. His takedown defense better be competent because Escudero hopefully learned that his wrestling is his ticket to winning, so he will likely look for the takedown early and often.
Chris Horodecki(LW #70) vs. Chris Saunders
Horodecki’s exciting kickboxing style will be on display against 9-1, Chris Saunders. Horodecki needs to stay on his feet and use his experience.
Sherron Leggett(LW #85) vs. Jonatas Novaes
Leggett is not well known, but he is 7-1 in the last 3 years, his only loss being to Anthony Pettis. Leggett deserves a shot in Strikeforce with a win here.
Carlo Prater(LW #100) vs. Cameron Dollar
Carlo Prater is on the comeback trail, winning his last two fights against good competition. If Prater is dedicated he is talented to get a look by ZUFFA or Bellator. Dollar, known for his stint on TUF, was released by the UFC following his loss to Jason Dent. Dollar has bounced back though with 5-straight wins, including victories over former UFC vets Alvin Robinson and Kit Cope. This fight may be a little more than Dollar can handle though, as Prater is a battle-tested veteran. Dollar would be wise to make the cut to 145, unless he’s filled out since the last time we saw him in the UFC.
WW
Brock Larson(WW #45) vs. Eric Davila
Larson will look to rebound from his loss to Tarec Saffiedine, as he faces fellow veteran Eric Davila. Larson’s wrestling should make this his fight to take.
Paul Bradley(WW #63) vs. Eddie Larrea
Bradley’s opponent is still a mystery as a Robbie Gatreu has also been rumored. Nonetheless, Bradley finally gets back into action after a planned Shark Fights bout against Karo Parisyan was scrapped.
Yuya Shirai(WW #71) vs. Delson Heleno(LW #90)
A last minute shuffle led to this bout being formed. By all accounts the fight was very close, but the judges had Heleno winning by split decision in his native Brazil. This fight was fought at a catchweight of 178 pounds, which was a huge leap for Heleno, who was set to fight Luis Dutra at 155 before the change.
Bobby Voelker(WW #74) vs. Roger Bowling(WW #75)
The trilogy is set to be completed this weekend, as both fighters look to take the next step in their respective careers. Ultimately this is not a wise career decision for Bowling to be fighting Voelker again. He was a young prospect, who should be fighting competition that helps develop his overall skills, rather than book him against someone he already showed that he had difficulty with. Bowling has the skills to be a beast, but his management has held him and training mate Victor O’Donnell back thus far, continually mis-booking their talents.
Ronys Torres(LW #83) vs. Eduardo Pachu
Torres looked truly impressive against Eduardo Pachu. Torres used his grappling to take down the talented striker Pachu. Torres should be close to a call from the UFC now.
WW Tournament: Daniel Acacio(WW #90), Edilberto De Oliveira, Hernani Perpetuo, Viscarde Andrade
Daniel Acacio was supposed to be the favorite coming into this fight, but Hernani Perpetuo defied the odds defeating Acacio via decision. Perpetuo, fighting with deep cuts on his scalp, entered the finals against Edilberto “Crocota” De Oliveira, and took home a split decision win. Perpetuo went from developing talent to a full-fledged prospect following the gutty effort.
MW
None
LHW
Ovince St.Preux(LHW #28) vs. Joe Cason
A curious case of booking by Strikeforce, as “OSP” had just knocked off 3 solid names and was rumored to be fighting Rafael Cavalcante. Instead, St.Preux will face unknown prospect Joe Cason. Coming out of Dick Roufus’ camp means he will have solid striking, but St.Preux has faced strikers before and succeeded.
HW
Devin Cole(HW #56) vs. Shawn Jordan(HW #100)
Lavar Johnson was the main attraction in this bout, but he bowed out last minute, forcing Shawn Jordan to accept the bout on a week’s notice. This fight will not win any style points. Cole has the ground game advantage, but Jordan is a rising talent, who will have athleticism on his side.
Neil Grove(HW #49) vs. Zak Jensen
Grove has been on the shelf for quite awhile following his tournament final loss to Cole Konrad. Grove looked impressive in his Bellator run. As long as Grove is the aggressor he should be fine against former TUF 10 journeyman Zak Jensen.
Marcio Cruz(HW #65) vs. Glover Teixeira(LHW #27)
A great matchup on the Brazilian fight scene went down before this weekend preview came out. Glover Teixeira continued his romp through any fighter put in front of him. This fight was more noted for Marcio Cruz being completely out of shape. Cruz was coming off an injury, but all hopes of him returning to the UFC one day look unlikely at this point. As for Teixeira, hopefully his visa is approved opening the doors for him to fight in the USA. Until then, he has fights scheduled with Marvin Eastman and Antonio Mendes.
Sean McCorkle(HW #79) vs. Cameron Befort
McCorkle was set to face Mike Hayes in his first bout since being released by the UFC. Bellator stepped in last minute though and denied Hayes’ appeal to fight outside the company. In steps Cameron Befort, who is a virtual unknown outside of his local fight scene. The bout weight limit was also changed to appease McCorkle.
