Staff Standings:
Ben Kohn: 33-13 .717
TC Engel: 40-19 .678
Josh Hall: 15-8 .652
Luke Irwin: 53-33 .616
Nolan Howell: 21-15 .583
Earl Montclair: 32-27 .542
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455
Lightweight Bout: Marat Grigorian (35-4-1) vs. Robin van Roosmalen (42-14-3)
Luke Irwin: I’m trying not to let RVR’s knockout at the hands of Andy Ristie cloud my judgement because Ristie was in another galaxy that night. If I put that to the side, the facts are that RVR has beaten a who’s who in the division. Kyshenko, Ngimbi, Kiria, Beqiri, Groenhart. Grigorian is a good prospect, but it’s too much too soon. van Roosmalen via UD.
Nolan Howell: Though he ran into the wonderous run of Andy Ristie in the lightweight tournament, Robin van Roosmalen still should be able to take this. Robin van Roosmalen by unanimous decision.
TC Engel: van Roosmalen by UD.
Josh Hall: Grigorian is a solid up and coming fighter, but the difference in level of competition could be huge here. This is a massive step up for Grigorian, and I think it might be a little too soon for him here. Van Roosmalen via unanimous decision.
Light Heavyweight Tournament Bout: Andrei Stoica (32-5) vs. Danyo Ilunga (47-5)
Luke Irwin: I like Ilunga a lot and thought the Glory 9 Light Heavyweight tournament did a lot of good for his confidence, and I’d really, really like to see a rematch with Spong after that bullshit finish. His KO of a vet like Michael Duut was great to see and I think Ilunga is headed for big things, probably against the tourney winner. Ilunga via UD.
Nolan Howell: Danyo Ilunga just seems to be more tested after his previous light heavyweight tournament run. Danyo Illunga by second-round TKO.
TC Engel: I don’t know who Danyo Ilunga is. Danyo Ilunga by UD.
Josh Hall: It could be a very bad night for Mr. Stoica here. Ilunga via 1st round KO.
Light Heavyweight Tournament Bout: Saulo Cavalari (11-2) vs. Tyrone Spong (73-6-1)
Luke Irwin: This….this should probably not be happening. Spong via R1 KO.
Nolan Howell: The young Brazilian kickboxers Glory is cultivating are impressive, but this is too much too soon. Tyrone Spong by first-round TKO.
TC Engel: Warren Spahn by TKO.
Josh Hall: Speaking of bad nights… Spong via 1st round destruction.
Light Heavyweight Tournament Bout: Gokhan Saki (79-16) vs. Nathan Corbett (59-4)
Luke Irwin: Muay Thai Corbett >> Kickboxing Corbett. Corbett was able to stay out of the spotlight and away from dangerous fighters for years, but he got fed by Spong in his last outing, and a dropped-down Gokhan Saki isn’t going to go any better for him. Saki via R2 TKO.
Nolan Howell: From a casual perspective, Nathan Corbett seems to accel more under pure Thai rules and benefits from homeland bouts in Australia. Gokhan Saki will simply be too much. Gokhan Saki by second-round KO.
TC Engel: Corbett by UD.
Josh Hall: I wouldn’t consider picking anyone over Saki except Rico Verhoeven at this point. Saki via 2nd round KO.
Glory Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner:
Luke Irwin: While Spong doesn’t have the length of a Rico Verhoeven, he does have enough to where he can keep the compact, bullheaded Saki at bay. Saki can bumrush just about everyone he’s put in front of him, but I think Spong moves too well and can keep Saki from charging in. Spong via SD.
Nolan Howell: Gokhan Saki has shown that he can be frustrated and Tyrone Spong can do that with a good gameplan here. Tyrone Spong by unanimous decision.
TC Engel: Nathan Corbett.
Josh Hall: Saki via unanimous decision over Spong.
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