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Welcome to my preview and Predictions for Cage Rage 23 ‘Unbelievable’. The British promotion has compiled an interesting card, that’s for sure. I’ve naturally got my 1979 U.S. quarter for one last round of battle. You’ve served me well and been a worthy challenge my metallic challenger and maybe you’re next assignment will be in a vending machine.
Welterweight Bout:
Jason Barrett: 167, 3-4-0
Vs.
Lee Doski: 169, 12-10-0
Pretty much a kick boxing match inside the confines of a cage. Doski’s record is superior but sometimes that can be misleading and I think this is one of those times. Barrett’s last loss was to Nigel Whitear back in March when he submitted to an armbar and walked away with a broken arm. Can you say Motivation? Barrett is more complete and will win this by second round KO. I’ve also heard but not seen that Barrett is a good interview and I love those guys, so time will tell.
Winner: Jason Barrett
Coin Picks: Lee Doski
Welterweight Bout:
Ross “The Boss” Mason: 170, 9-7-0
Vs.
Che Mills: 170, 4-1-0
One interesting thing about this fight is that these men have a common opponent with different outcomes. Mason and Mills have both fought Marius Zaromskis. Mason was knocked out in the third round via flying knee at Cage Rage 22 in July. Mills was more successful as at Cage Rage contenders 2 back in August of 2006 he defeated Zaromskis by first round KO.
Mason has fought in Cage Rage 6 times with a 2-4 record. However, in fairness to him, his losses are to Zaromskis, Paul Daley, Chris Lytle and Jess Liaudin and the latter 2 men have both competed and been victorious in the UFC.
Mills has fought primarily on the Cage Rage Contenders show which is a vehicle for guys to get on to the main shows. His most noteable opponent has been UFC veteran Paul Taylor with whom he went to a no contest on Cage Rage Contenders 3.
If Mason, who was an injury replacement for Paul Kelly, wants to continue fighting on the main Cage Rage shows he’ll need a win in this one. Mason is the better of the 2 on the feet but his ground game is a bit on the lacking side which is good news for Mills. If Mills can avoid the big hits he should take Mason down and submit him maybe as soon as the first.
Winner: Che Mills
Coin Picks: Ross Mason
Light Heavyweight Bout:
Roman Webber: 205, 2-3-0
Vs.
Ed Smith: 205, 2-1-0
Pretty simple here. These guys both like to bang and they both need a win if they wish to continue on the main shows as both have suffered losses in their last Cage Rage bouts. Smith lost to Tom Watson at Cage Rage 22 in July while Mark Epstein defeated Webber at Cage Rage 21 in April.
It’s a real coin flip in this one but I don’t see it going the distance. I’ll take Smith by first round KO.
Winner: Ed Smith
Coin Picks: Roman Webber
Heavyweight Bout: Domonic Ostich: 0-0-0 Vs.
Neil Grove: 2-0-0
Neil Grove is super-sub. He was a late injury substitute at Cage Rage 22 back in July and flattened Pride veteran James Thompson in 10 seconds. On the list of ways to make a name for yourself on the UK fight scene that one ranks pretty close to the top.
Ostich has a K-1 background so he’s got the kick boxing background. I’m going to predict though that Neil Grove proves to the world that he’s no fluke by registering another KO and another in Round 1.
Winner: Neil Grove
Coin Picks: Domonic Ostich
Middleweight Championship Bout:
Alex “Reidernater” Reid: 183, 8-7-1
Vs.
Matt “The Hardest” Ewin: 185, 16-9-1
I told Euan that when I saw that Matt Ewin would be in this fight and his nickname was “The Hardest” that Euan would probably somehow be made fun of during someone’s preview. It won’t be mine however, because I’m all about serious analysis when I preview MMA and have never ever made any jokes in a preview.
Anyway, this is a rematch 5 years in the making. Reid defeated Ewin in 2002 and since then has been begging for a rematch. Ewin claimed that Reid Greased himself up before the first fight thus making it hard for him to take Reid down.
Ewin is very good at taking people down and Reid is not so good at defending those takedown attempts. If Reid can avoid being taken down though he should be able to strike his way to a win. We’ll find out early if Reid can defend against the takedowns. I’m going to predict he can’t and loses by decision.
Winner: Matt Ewin
Coin Picks: Alex Reid
Middleweight Bout:
Xavier “Professor X” Foupa-Pokam: 25, 6’1, 180, 12-7-0
Vs.
Pierre Guillet: 34, 6’3, 205, 10-5-0
Xavier Foupa-Pokam is a French Muay Thai boxer who has a 4 fight winning streak with 3 of those victories coming in Cage Rage. In fact, Foupa-pokam has ties to fighters all over this show. He has defeated alex Reid by decision, he split 2 fights with Matt Ewin and his Cage Rage debut way back at Cage Rage 7 was a loss to Paul Daley. He also has a loss on his record to UFC Middleweight hopeful Martin Kampmann.
Guillet is no stranger to tough competition himself however. He has faced both Trevor Prangley and Renato “Babalu” Sobral. Sure, he’s lost to them both but that’s been the knock on him that he folds when the pressure’s on. His loss to Sobral is part of his 1-2 record in Cage Rage. Foupa-Pokam is good from the clinch and should end up there with Guillet and should turn his 4 match winning streak in to 5.
Winner: Xavier Foupa-Pokam
Coin Picks: Xavier Foupa-Pokam
British Heavyweight Championship Bout:
Mustapha Al Turk: 245, 4-2-0
Vs.
Tengiz Tedoradze: 242, 21-7-1
This is a fight that is interesting on so many levels. Tedoradze is a strong wrestler but does have a boxing game, though a tendancy to leave his chin open could spell trouble. Alturk on the other hand has also improved his standing game of late but is still primarily a submission fighter. So we could see this standing for awhile and if one gets a clear advantage the other will look to take it to the mat to reverse his fortune. If neither has an overwhelming edge standing than both may be content to keep it going and slug their way to a victory. I’m going to predict that Tedoradze takes this fight by second round stoppage due to ground and pound.
Winner: Tengiz Tedoradze
Coin Picks: Mustapha Alturk
Lightweight Bout:
Jean “White Bear” Silva: 145, 14-7-3
Vs.
Chris “The Westside Strangler” Brennan: 35, 5’8, 155, 19-11-1
Brennan takes this fight on short notice as a late replacement for Masakazu Iminari. Both Brennan and Silva are accomplished in Jiu-jitsu so if this does hit the ground it could be quite the exhibition of mat work. Silva, the shootbox member, is the better of the 2 on the feet and so if the ground game stalls out as it very well could, look for it to be settled standing and look for Silva to win by KO in the second.
Winner: Jean Silva
Coin Picks: Chris Brennan
Welterweight Championship Bout:
Mark “The Wizzard” Weir: 40, 6’2, 170, 18-13-0
Vs.
Paul “Semtex” Daley: 5’9, 170, 15-6-2
Weir will have a clear weight and reach advantage in this fight since Weir usually fights at Middleweight. In Daley’s last fight, he managed to out strike one of the better one’s in the game in Duane “Bang” Ludwig. Daley is giving up a lot in height, weight and reach but he is 10 years younger and will have speed on his side. Weir will look to use his reach to keep Daley outside and unable to close the distance. However, I see Daley moving in and out and using his quickness to successfully move inside. I’m going to take Daley by decision in a nice stand-up fight.
Winner: Paul Daley
Coin Picks: Paul Daley
Light Heavyweight Championship Bout:
Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort: 30, 6’0, 205, 15-8-0
Vs.
James “The Messenger” Zikic: 6’2, 205, 15-4-2
Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort has had an up and down career to say the least. He appeared to have things on the right track in his last Cage Rage bout defeating Ivan Serati back in April in less than 4 minutes.
Zikic’s spot in this bout is reward for withstanding dozens of leg kicks from Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos back in April to not only survive that but win a decision.
Zikic has a lot of heart, his last bout was proof of that and it could carry him to a win. However, Belfort has a new team, and if he is motivated which is always a question for him, then he’s on an entirely different level. Zikic will make a game of it but in the end I expect that the Phenom will return.
Winner: Vitor Belfort
Coin Picks: James Zikic
Heavyweight Bout:
Julius Francis: 42, 6’2, 0-0-0
Vs.
Gary Turner: 225, 3-0-0
Julius Francis is one of England’s more well-known boxers and he even once had a fight with some guy named “Iron” Mike Tyson. Francis’ appearance in Cage Rage is part of the promotions efforts to reach out to the British boxing community with the hopes that some of them will embrace the sport. Francis’ last 14 bouts in boxing were all losses though so you’ve got to wonder how much is left in the tank.
Boxing is a completely different game though and so while Francis has the better hands, you don’t know how he’ll react to being taken down or attacked with kicks to the body or legs. Turner is an experienced fighter with a judo background and no lack of standup skills.
The longer this fight goes without Francis landing a big bomb with his fist the better of Turner will be. I say Gary avoids the big fist and hits leg kicks and eventually gets Francis down and overwhelms him with ground and pound to win in the late first.
Winner: Gary Turner
Coin Picks: Coin Picks: Julius Francis
Euan will have a Cage Rage 23 report up shortly after the conclusion of the event. If you want to see the rest of the staff’s picks: click here
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