Main Event Bout: Nathan Corbett (58-3) vs. Tyrone Spong (72-6-1)
Luke Irwin: I don’t care how many times Bourdon tells me about how magnificent Corbett is, I don’t see it. Yes, Corbett took out Spong, and you’ll hear all about it, but four years was a long time ago. I think Spong is overrated, actually, and that fight against Ilunga was bullshit, even if he was on his way to a win, but Corbett’s strength-of-schedule is lulz and embarrassing. Don’t see it. Spong via decision.
Lucas Bourdon: The first fight ended in the third round after Spong, who had knocked down Corbett in the previous round, got knocked down by a right hook. Spong managed to get back to his feet on the count of 9 but was clearly still out of it and the referee waved off the fight. However Corbett thought the fight had been restarted and jumped on Spong leading the fight to be declared a No Contest. Both fighters consider the fight a win for Corbett and are eager to settle the score. Stylewise, Spong is one of the best technicians in the heavier weight classes and is in his absolute prime, on the other hand, Corbett’s nickname is fitting as he’s one of the most entertainingly violent fighters in the game and although Glory’s ruleset deprives him of his best weapons (his devastating elbows) he should provide Spong with the stiffest possible challenge in this weight class. This should be a great fight but I’m picking the King of the Ring to get his revenge over the Australian bruiser. My pick: Tyrone Spong by decision.
Co-Main Event Bout: Joseph Valtellini (9-1) vs. Karim Ghajji (85-8-1)
Luke Irwin: LITTLE BIT OF AN EXPERIENCE GAP THEY HAVE HERE, JOE. I’m guessing that this is for a spot with Nieky Holzken at Glory 12 in New York, where Ghajji put up a hell of a fight and lost due to a cut. Valetillini may be inexperienced by conventional kickboxing standards, but he did cobble together a pretty impressive amateur career, so he wasn’t exactly plucked from a sidewalk. Plus, with two Glory victories already under his belt, he won’t be intimidated by the bright lights. It’s a stretch, but I’m taking my fellow Sicilian to keep his train a’rolling. Valtellini via decision.
Lucas Bourdon: Valtellini had two great performances in Glory finishing both Murat Direkci and François Ambang in no small part due to his vicious low kicks while Ghajji gave #1 ranked Nieky Holzken all he could handle before fading late in the fight and getting stopped on cuts, he rebounded outside of the organization with a win over Yuri Bessmertny in June. While Valtellini has looked very impressive so far, Direkci’s best days are clearly behind him and I don’t think too much of Ambang’s skills, while Valtellini undoubtebly has a bright future ahead of him, Ghajji’s experience makes me lean towards him in this match up. My pick: Ghajji by decision.
Glory Heavyweight Championship Semifinal: Gokhan Saki (79-16) vs. Rico Verhoeven (40-7-1)
Luke Irwin: Rico’s going to use his kick to keep distance and that Gokhan will be at a significant height and reach disadvantage, but Saki is always at a height and reach disadvantage to the monsters of the heavyweight division, and he still manages to throw bombs. He’ll find a way to get inside and throw, because he always does. Saki via R2 KO.
Lucas Bourdon: As I’ve said previously about Verhoeven, he is a skilled young heavyweight that is unlikely to ever become truly elite due to his lack of power. He has the tools to beat a lot of fighters but since Semmy Schilt’s retirement and his destruction of Daniel Ghita in Istanbul, Saki is the best heavyweight of the planet and I expect him to show the world why on saturday. My pick: Saki by KO.
Glory Heavyweight Championship Semifinal: Braddock Silva (36-9-1) vs. Daniel Ghita (48-9)
Luke Irwin: In 46 fights, Braddock has only lost one fight by KO, and that was against Saki. He’s faced some serious hitters. during that time On the flip side, 11 out of Ghita’s 12 last wins have been by T/KO. Will Braddock be able to witstand Ghita? I say no. Ghita via R1 TKO.
Lucas Bourdon: Like Saki vs Verhoeven, this is a clash between a proven elite fighter and a good young fighter. Silva looked very good in New York at Glory 9, easily defeating Daniel Sam while Ghita rebounded from two staright KO losses to Semmy Schilt and Gokhan Saki by destroying Brice Guidon in under a minute on the same card. Again like in Saki vs Verhoeven, I’m picking the favorite to do what he’s expected to do and knock out his opponent to set a third fight between him and Saki (a fight that I’m picking Saki to win again for the record, although a Ghita win would probably be more interesting for the division). My pick: Ghita by KO.
Glory Heavyweight Championship Reserve Bout: Errol Zimmerman (76-18-1) vs. Hesdy Gerges (42-12-1)
Luke Irwin: Errol’s only 27, but has some serious, serious miles on him, and has lost his last three. I don’t think he’s shot, because before that streak, he had defeated both Le Banner and Verhoeven in the first round. I just think he’s had a rough stretch. Hesdy is just what he is, a solid second-tier fighter. He’d be Intercontinental Champ for a long time. I think Zimmerman gets by just on skill. Zimmerman via decision.
Superfight: Daniel Sam (23-7) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (3-3)
Luke Irwin: Every time Sam has faced a fighter of note, he’s lost, and Kharitonov has a very strange resume for someone with only six fights due to his stardom from MMA. I cannot get a bead on this fight whatsoever. Kharitonov via SD.
Superfight: Danyo Ilunga (46-5) vs. Michael Duut (38-4)
Luke Irwin: Ilunga was my darkhorse to take the Light Heavyweight Tournament, and I want to see how that fight with Spong would have gone without the bullshit stoppage, but I think he regroups and gets the job done to get another shot at Spong. Ilunga via decision.
Superfight: Brian Foster (0-0) vs. Raymond Daniels (2-0)
Luke Irwin: Why, yes! That same Brian Foster from the UFC! The same man who suffered a brain hemorrhage, then was treated, then ruptured a testicle in training. The man doesn’t have the best luck, is what I’m saying. He’s making his kickboxing debut against Raymond Daniels, who only has two fights, but a big, big amateur background with wins over Chidi Njokuani, Andreas Spang, and a win via injury to KARATE PHENOM AND GOD Stephen Thompson in Chuck Norris’s World Combat League that got overturned, unfortunately. So while I’m excited about the prospect of more MMA fighters turning to kickboxing, it’s not in the cards for Foster. Daniels via R3 TKO.
Superfight: Filip Verlinden (41-10-1) vs. Saulo Cavalari (26-2)
Luke Irwin: Verlinden is fighting at Light Heavyweight, which is scary, since he’s fought some of the best at heavyweight. Like him a lot better here. Verlinden via Decision.
Superfight: Reece McAllister (36-4-1) vs. Steve Moxon (34-6-1)
Luke Irwin: Two guys that are very, very evenly matched. Toughest fight to pick. Going to wuss out here. Draw.
Superfight: Gabriel Varga (7-2) vs. Jose Palacios (44-12)
Luke Irwin: Total toss-up here. Varga via SD.
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