Cage Warriors 72 Preliminary Card Preview and Predictions
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts |
| Photo: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors |
We preview the preliminary ahead of Saturday nights show. Read our Main Card preview HERE
Mario Saeed (5-2) vs Azi Thomas (2-0)
Original scheduled for different opponents - Saeed was set to face Leon Del Guadio, and Thomas was to face Ollie Jones, the two now comes together just 48hrs before the fight in what represents a huge step up in class for Azi Thomas. SBG Mainline's Azi Thomas fights for the 3rd time in his young career, having picked up submission victories in his 2 previous fights - Mitchell Heed at FCC 8, and Ellis Hampson at Cage Warriors 68. He is a solid fighter but I fear Tojan Free member Mario Saeed might be too much for him. Saeed is a solid fighter, and widely consider one of the best young prospects in this country. With both men possessing a great submission game, expect this one to play out like a chess match.
Prediction: Mario Saeed
Nick Nembhard (2-3) vs Simas Norkus (3-2)
Nembhard vs Norkus should be a good old fashion throwdown between to guys with a penchant for knocking people out. This fight is a coin toss, with both men having what could be the x-factor. Nembhard has fought better fights in his career - Linton Vassell, and Matt Hallam, but then Norkus has the crowd on his side. I'm leaning toward Nembhard purely on experience and the fact he comes from a better gym in Trojan Free but it won't surprise me if the crowd lead Norkus home to victory.
Prediction: Nick Nembhard
Jordan Desborough (7-4) vs Kris Edwards (8-7)
Currently riding a 4 fight losing streak, one has to questions if this fight wasn't in Wales, would Edwards even get this fight? That said Tillery Combat's Edwards is still a great fighter and has only really lost to some of the best guys a round such as James Pennington and Shaj Hague. SBG Mainline's Jordan Desborough on the other hand is returning to action after being knocked out by Martin Sheridan in one of 2013's knock out of the year nominations. Edwards is a great fight, one only needs to look at the guys he has beat to see that and Desborough will no doubt be facing demons after such a brutal knockout, but I feel he can bounce back and beat Edwards, who is on a terrible run of form and will most-likely be hurting for confidence at this point.
Prediction: Jordan Desborough
Paulina Bonkowska (3-2) vs Kate Jackson (4-2)
One of two women's MMA bouts on the card sees Polands Paulina Bonkowska take on England's Kate Jackson. Admittedly I haven't seen much of Bonkowska with all over her fights taking place in her native Poland, from what I have seen though, Bonkowska looks like she knows a thing or two on the ground, and is she can get through the clean, crisp striking of Jackson she should take this one.
Prediction: Paulina Bonkowska
LJ Adams (1-2) vs Amanda Kelly (1-2)
An interesting match up between 2 ladies in need of a win. Kelly is by far the better striker here, but to my frustration we have yet to really see how good of a striker she is in the cage as I feel she hold back her kicking game in fear of the takedown. If she can keep this fight standing then she should win. If Adamas does get the fight to the ground though, she does has some descent ground and pound and reasonable ground game and should be able to take it.
Predictions: Amanda Kelly
Phil Raeburn (5-4) vs Damien Weeden (4-3)
One of several Phoenix MMA products to fight on this card, David Weeden comes in with a slightly better that .500 record. He takes on Chris Rees Academy fighter Phil Raeburn, who fights for the second time under the Cage Warriors banner have yet to taste success. While Phil Raeburn share a similar record as Weeden, I give him the advantage purely down to home town support, but with both guys coming in with such mixed records this fight could easily go either way.
Predictions: Phil Raeburn
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