Staff Standings:
Ben Kohn: 75-32 .701
TC Engel: 69-35 .663
Josh Hall: 33-18 .647
Earl Montclair: 51-31 .622
Luke Irwin: 124-76 .620
Lucas Bourdon: 3-2 .600
Nolan Howell: 71-60 .542
Dan Galvan: 5-6 .455
Last Event Winner: Luke Irwin (7-4)
Glory Heavyweight Championship: Rico Verhoeven (c) (43-7-1) vs. Daniel Ghita (50-10)
Luke Irwin: Their first fight was a classic and I see no reason why this shouldn’t be another. The most impressive thing about Rico’s run is that he’s beating people at their own games. The Aerts fight was a poor showing, but that could be a natural letdown from battling Ghita and Saki. I think Verhoeven keeps improving and beating Ghita to the punch. Verhoeven via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: Rico Verhoeven will take on Daniel Ghita in a rematch of their tournament final last year. The rematch brings a lot of questions as the first fight was a closely contested bout with Ghita clearly winning the first round, Verhoeven edging a close second round and Ghita rallying well in the first half of the third round before fading in the second half, leading to a Verhoeven win by decision. Unlike the first fight, this is a 5 round fight which has to be considered an advantage for a cardio machine like Verhoeven. Ghita’s cardio is not a weak point but it’s unlikely that he can match Rico’s gas tank at the pace these two will likely be fighting at. While the cardio advantage resides with Verhoeven, there’s no doubt that Ghita holds the power advantage. While I expect Rico’s high volume style to keep him around the top of the division, his inability to put opponents could get him caught and knocked out a couple of times in his career in a division like heavyweight. If that were to happen, Daniel Ghita is the most likely candidate to do it. Ultimately though, I think Rico Verhoeven gets through a close first couple of rounds and to take over late in the fight and win a clear decision.
Earl Montclair: Ghita getting the win here would be the best thing in the world because it’s Ghita….but in reality, its really about Verhoeven here. I’m just hoping for excitement which I am sure will be delivered. Rico Verhoeven, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Verhoeven via UD.
Glory Welterweight Championship: Marc de Bonte (c) (83-9-1) vs. Joseph Valtellini (11-2)
Luke Irwin: Really, both guys are just keeping the belt warm for when Nieky comes back. de Bonte via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the co-main event, newly crowned welterweight champion Marc De Bonte will defend his title against the breakthrough fighter of 2013, Joseph Valtellini. The champion edged out Karapet Karapetyan in a close methodical split decision while Valtellini is coming off of a valiant effort in a defeat against the #1 in the division, Nieky Holzken that most considered the fight of 2013. This should be fought at a higher pace than De Bonte vs Karapetyan and I expect that to favor Bazooka Joe and lead to a third round KO stoppage win to take the title, setting up a rematch with Nieky Holzken.
Earl Montclair: de Bonte got this for sure….and comfortably. Marc de Bonte, Unanimous Decision
TC Engel: Valtellini KO1.
Glory Middleweight Championship Winner:
Luke Irwin: Artem Levin
Earl Montclair: Filip Verlinden
Lucas Bourdon: Artem Levin
TC Engel: Artem Levin
Glory Middleweight Championship Quarterfinal: Alex Pereira (30-4) vs. Artem Levin (81-6-1)
Luke Irwin: Barrett and Schilling are getting all the hype lately, but lost in the shuffle is the man who was the top middleweight kickboxer in the world for years. People are sleeping on Levin, and that’s good news for him. Levin via R2 TKO.
Lucas Bourdon: While the two title fights are fantastic in their own right, the main selling point of the Pay Per View is the stacked Last Man Standing middleweight tournament. In the first quarter final, #1 ranked Artem Levin faces Glory 14 MW tournament winner Alex Pereira. In his tournament win, Pereira has shown tremendous improvement from his days on the Brazilian scene, however Artem Levin is in my opinion the most talented fighter in the division. He’s got fantastic hands and is an absolute threat to watch he’s at his best and will want to make a statement after his controversial loss to Joe Schilling in last year’s final. Artem Levin by second round KO.
Earl Montclair: I disagree with Luke on this one. I think Pereira is going to curbstomp Levin. Brutality here. Alex Pereira, Massive TKO, Round 2.
TC Engel: Artem Levin KO 2.
Glory Middleweight Championship Quarterfinal: Joe Schilling (15-6) vs. Simon Marcus (39-0-1)
Luke Irwin: This will be their third meeting of a formerly red-hot rivalry. Both men are muay thai fighters by trade, but Schilling has had more time to adapt to Glory’s ruleset, whereas Marcus loves the clinch and loves to ugly up a fight. Schilling via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the grudge match of the night, last year’s tournament winner Joe Schilling takes on the undefeated Simon Marcus for the third time. Their first meeting in Muay Thai rules ended with Marcus knocking out Schilling after stunning him with a brutal throw. In the rematch, Marcus survived an early knockdown and took a majority decision. Outside of the knockdown in the second fight Marcus was in control for most of their two meetings and while he won’t be able to rely as much on his very good clinch game in kickboxing rules, I expect him to beat Schilling once again in another exciting fight.
Earl Montclair: I’m going with Simon Marcus here purely on a hunch. Simon Marcus, CLOSE Split Decision.
TC Engel: Marcus UD.
Glory Middleweight Championship Quarterfinal: Bogdan Stoica (38-5) vs. Wayne Barrett (4-0)
Luke Irwin: Stoica is very, very kick-heavy, and that can fluster Barrett, who’s long and gangly. My prediction is Stoica keeps Barrett at bay with kicks and squeaks out a decision. Stoica via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the final quarter final match up, rising American star Wayne Barrett takes on Bogdan Stoica. Stoica is a talented fighter that did well in Superkombat, however he is coming off two losses in which he turned in absolutely terrible performances. Barrett has been very impressive in only 4 pro fights, defeating Joe Schilling in his last outing. Not unlike top lightweight Andy Ristie, he thrives in chaos, coming of unexpected angles in exchanges, often leading to knockdowns. If Stoica shows up at his best it could be interesting but I expect Barrett to impress and earn a stoppage victory.
Earl Montclair: The “Bad News” was already used on the Supercast so HT to whoever dropped that one out there. I gotta go with experience here. Stoica, Unanimous Decision
TC Engel: Stoica UD.
Glory Middleweight Championship Quarterfinal: Filip Verlinden (42-11-1) vs. Melvin Manhoef (37-11)
Luke Irwin: Verlinden is going to be a monster at middleweight, size-wise. Unlike most middleweights, he’s EXCELLENT at using his size and reach, and he’s going to have it in spades over Manhoef. Manhoef always has a killshot loaded, but I don’t think Verlinden lets him get close enough to unleash it. Verlinden via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: Were this 5 yars ago, I’d have Melvin Manhoef as one of the favorites in this tournament. At 38 the fan favorite is clearly on the downslide and he’s drawn a tough first opponent in Filip Verlinden. The former heavyweight competitor is huge at this weight class and extremely durable. Manhoef is still one the most devastating punchers in history and a highlight reel knockout is never out of question with him, I expect Verlinden to outlast him to a decision and make it to the semi finals.
Earl Montclair: I lub Manhoef like everyone on Earth should but Verlinden should be able to sneak by him at range. Filip Verlinden, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Verlinden KO 1.
Heavyweight Bout: Jarrell Miller (21-1) vs. Mirko Cro Cop (22-8)
Luke Irwin: Cro Cop…2014…no. Miller lost the first fight by the skin of his teeth, but it won’t be this time. Miller via UD.
Lucas Bourdon: Mirko Cro Cop, after being on the wrong end of a controversial decision against old rival Rémy Bonjasky at Glory 14, returns to Glory with a rematch of another controversial fight, although he was on the right end of the decision that time. In the quarter finals of the 2012 K-1 Grand Prix (which took place in early 2013, due to K-1’s inconsistent to say the least schedule as of late), in his hometown of Zagreb, Mirko Cro Cop won a controversial decision over Jarell Miller before going on to beat Pavel Zhravlev and Ismael Londt to take the title. While Cro Cop’s comeback to kickboxing has been more successful than observers expected, he’s obviously nowhere near the explosive destroying machine he was in his prime, instead relying on using clinches to limit exchanges and grind out decisions. That kind of strategy is very tough for him to implement on a relatively skilled big man like Jarrell Miller and I expect “Big Baby” to punish Cro Cop for his clinches attempts with knees and to take the decision this time.
Earl Montclair: This would make me sad but honestly, I got over being sad about Cro Cop fighting and getting the shit beat out of him a long time ago. It’s now just another thing in life. Jarrell Miller, KO, Round 2.
TC Engel: Miller UD.
Lightweight Bout: Andy Ristie (44-4-1) vs. Ky Hollenbeck (17-2-1)
Luke Irwin: Fight of the night here, this is going to be an absolutely outstanding technical battle. Ristie via Decision.
Lucas Bourdon: In the co-main event, Andy Ristie will try to rebound from his defeat at the hands of Davit Kiria in March with a win over his original opponent for that night, Muay Thai stylist Ky Hollenbeck. Hollenbeck is coming into the fight on a two fight win streak including one over the fading Albert Kraus, whom he dominated in the clinch. While Hollenbeck is a serviceable fighter, he’s a class below the offensive genius of Andy Ristie who I expect to make a statement with a big KO win.
Earl Montclair: Really nothing to add beyond what Luke said already. This is just going to be phenomenal. Andy Ristie, Unanimous Decision.
TC Engel: Ristie UD.
Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Winner:
Luke Irwin: Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai
Earl Montclair: Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai
TC Engel: Shane Oblonsky
Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Quarterfinal: Gabriel Vega (8-2) vs. Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai (83-21-1)
Luke Irwin: Sitmonchai is only 20 and look at that record AND 50 knockouts, so the kid comes to fight. I’m really excited to see him. Sitmonchai via R2 TKO.
Earl Montclair: That many fights, that many wins, that many KOs……Shhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttttttttttttttt. Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai, Death, Round 1.
TC Engel: Sitmonchai UD
Glory Featherweight Contender Tournament Quarterfinal: Marcus Vinicius (7-2) vs. Shane Oblonsky (8-2)
Luke Irwin: Nothing to write about here, but I like Oblonsky a little better here. Oblonsky via R2 KO.
Earl Montclair: Oblonsky sure does have a weird last name, right fellas? Shane Oblonsky, KO, 1.
TC Engel: Oblonsky UD.
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