Renegade is the follow up to the biggest event in FFG history. I hope this show opens a few eyes to the type of quality shows that can be presented on a regular basis here at FFG. No titles on the line again, but what this event lacks in title fights it makes up in Star Power. A main event featuring unbeaten Welterweight Champion Darren Frost and Former Lightweight Champion Fa Sho will definitely go down in the record books as a historic super-fight.
Undercard Bouts to Watch:
Dom Holch (5-1)
Strengths: High Takedown Success Ratio, Underrated BJJ, Never Been Stopped
Last Fight: @ SFL vs. Viktor Krueger; W (30-27 UD)
Vs.
Pikku Hiawatha(3-2)
Strengths: Good All-Around Grappler, Finished Last 2 opponents
Last Fight: @FFG 27 vs. Veijo Vinssi; W (1st rd. TKO)
Outlook: This is an interesting fight because both fighters have the same strength. However, there are clear differences. Their overall grappling backgrounds & focuses are different. While Hiawatha is a good wrestler, his BJJ is clearly the strong part of his game. On the other hand, Holch is the stronger wrestler, but the less progressed BJJ practioner. Who do you give the edge to in that battle? Primaries don’t tell the story here and both fighters are too new to the FFG cage to tell which fighter will take this. ‘
Lightweight
Ichi Blunts (4-4)
Strengths: Aggressive Grappler, Good Submissions
Last Fight: @FFG 27 vs. Marcelo Dourado; L (UD)
Vs.
Raymond Hood (4-2)
Strengths: Strong in Clinch, Well-Versed Striker
Last Fight: @SFL vs. BJ Penn; L (UD 30-27)
Outlook: Since starting his FFG career 3-0, Former Lightweight Title Contender, Ichi Blunts has been on a slight losing streak. Four fights is not so slight though, making this a must win for Ichi Blunts as he welcomes SFL Veteran Raymond Hood to FFG. There’s not much to say as far as predictions go. Blunts is the better grappler, Hood is the better striker. At the risk of sounding Cliché, I’m going to have to say whoever goes in there and executes their game plan the best will take this fight.
Co-Main event
Middleweight #1 Contenders Fight
Jyn Karinzo (7-3)
Strengths: Battle Tested, Dominant Ground Fighter
Last Fight: @FFG 27 vs. Erik Skarsgard; W (3rd Rd. Submission)
Vs.
Ludwig Manres (6-1)
Strengths: Aggressive with Submissions, Never Been Stopped
Last Fight: @FFG 24 vs. Bruno Kuchinta; W (1st rd. submission)
Outlook: The road to the top couldn’t be any different for these two men...
Jyn Karinzo came into the FFG a highly touted 4-1 prospect who had some success in the Organization Crashforce. However, being introduced to FFG competition was not kind to Karinzo as he first ran into the buzz saw that is current Middleweight Champion, Caribbean Knight and then into Former Middleweight Title Contender Stringer Bell. After two devastating knockouts, it looked as if the sun was about to set on Karinzo’s FFG career. Everyone must have thought that but Jyn himself. Eager to prove his worth, Karinzo re-signed with FFG and has carved out a completely unexpected three fight win streak, which culminated with in a thrilling 3rd round submission over former UVT Middleweight Grand Prix competitor, Erik “The Viking” Skarsgard.
Ludwig Manres’ path to contender ship has been quite different. Manres who has been fighting with FFG for about 8 months was a member of the inaugural FFG Show, “Road to Glory.” Since that time, Manres has gone 6-1, only losing a close decision in a #1 contender match vs. Alex Antonsen. After that fateful fight in July, Manres stopped his next three opponents all by submission, solidifying his second claim to a #1 contender’s match.
This is a fight that really has me excited. I’ve seen both of these guys fight for a long, long time. While it looks like an even match in the primaries, it’s not really that even in terms of experience. Karinzo has been in the cage with some of the toughest FFG has to offer. He’s significantly battle tested. I’ve yet to see Manres in enough tough fights to see how he will respond to this situation. But this is a great chance for him to PROVE to everyone what a great fighter he actually is, and earn the title shot which has eluded him for so long.
Main event
Lightweight Super-Fight
Darren Frost (8-0)
Strengths: Undefeated, Deadly Accurate Kicks, Very Elusive
Last Fight: @FFG 30 vs. John Jane; W (UD)
Vs.
Fa Sho (7-2)
Strengths: Knockout Power, Experienced, Deceptively Good Takedown Defense
Last Fight: @FFG 28 vs. Will Kennedy; W (UD)
Outlook: its super-fight time here at FFG. In this installment, current FFG Welterweight Champion, Darren “Jack” Frost will be taking on Former Lightweight Champion Fa Sho.
Words almost can’t describe Frost’s run in FFG. A natural 155 pounder when he made his debut, no one gave Darren much of a chance in the FFG Welterweight Division. Since then, he’s made every single opponent he’s come across look like they belong directing traffic instead of a fighter. It was that bad, Darren is truly a dominant champion.
Although Fa Sho has not been as dominant of a fighter as Darren has. It could be argued that Fa Sho has had a much tougher road. The former FFG Lightweight Champion has had to deal with a whole plethora of different competitors, while the fighters Darren faced were almost identical. This is the chance Fa Sho will have to settle that dispute, and prove that he is the best fighter under 170 pounds in FFG.
This is a solid main event that FFG fans, including myself, have been waiting for. It’s a fight that is likely going to come down to Fa Sho’s punches vs. Darren’s kick & clinch. That’s the matchup Darren has been so good at taking advantage of throughout his career. Based on that, I have to give Darren the edge going into this bout. Fa Sho probably won’t like to hear that, but that’s good. Hopefully he will come looking for blood.
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