We initially discussed the card a few weeks ago but I wanted to give the ticket-buying fans another opportunity to preview the card in the form of the top five stories to watch out for come fight night.
There will be lots to look forward to within this event as it features a triple-main-event of sorts as three Legacy Amateur Titles will be on the line. Also of note is another bout between two of the area’s fastest-rising fighters in the form of two fearsome females. If you’re never seen women fight in the cage before, I can tell you one thing… This won’t be a hair-pulling, slap-boxing affair. These women will go tooth-and-nail and everything in between to get the win. All this is just a part of a fight card including over ten fights so expect a lot of action come Friday night.
Top Five Stories for this Friday’s Legacy Amateur Series
Who Exits the Cage as the City’s Top Amateur Prospect at 185: Corey Allmand or Evert Gutierrez?
“Although he has won all his bouts by submission I foresee a stand up exchange, but whether it stays on the feet or goes to the ground I will be ready to put on an exciting display of martial arts for the crowd.” – Evert Gutierrez on his upcoming bout with Corey Allmand
Highlighted by his 18-second armbar submission last February over Brandon Farris, Team Hoger’s Corey Allmand has been anointed by many as the next-big-thing in Houston MMA. Less in known in fight circles about Evert Gutierrez but my sources tell me he is equally dangerous on his feet as he is on the mats where he has been competing at the advanced level.
Can the paramedic from Paradigm gain position with a win over the “Kountry Kid” Corey Allmand? We’ll see come Friday but one thing is certain, the winner of this bout will leave the cage as the city’s top middleweight amateur prospect.
Will We See the Continued Evolution of Joe Trevino or Will Jacob Silva Spoil the Party?
The flyweight class needs more stars at all levels with Humberto De Leon an Jimmy Flick being the only two in the state showing nationwide promise thus far.
With that being said, I’ve heard many times over how impressive 4 Oz. Fight Club’s Joe Trevino has been. The 30 year-old Trevino is coming off a decision loss in his last bout to 5-0 Louisianan Matthew Schnell. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing if he takes the loss and learns from it. After all, everyone goes back to zero in the pros anyway. We’ll see how much Trevino has improved in this coming bout with the debuting Jacob Silva, who Silverback MMA calls one of its own rising stars.
“Joe is a good fighter, allot of heart from what i can tell from his fights, but my heart is just as big if not bigger.” says Silva.
Which Woman Comes Out as the Breakout Star of Female MMA in Early 2011: Jordan Gaza or Kristy Kester?
If you guys have done your homework and read both their interviews in Legacy Megazine, you’d know both these women have the necessary skill (and good looks) to be highly-marketable stars in the world of Female MMA.
Jordan Gaza aka “The Cheerleader” has actually been proving her mettle on the mats at grappling tournaments for some time now. And a move to a new city and team down in Corpus Christie has further rejuvenated her.
Meanwhile, Kristy Kester, aka “The Race Car Driver” has been honing her skills splitting time between Windy in BCS and 4 Oz Fight Club, where’s she been training with the likes of another “Superstar” in Jennifer Scott. Word on the street is that Kester has been able to hold her own and more and we hear her performance at the last 4 Oz. Family Fun Day more than proved that.
This will definitely be an exciting fight between two rising stars in the better half of the MMA world.
What Will Happen in the Grudge Match between Cody Phillips and Austin Franks?
By all accounts, there is a consensus that these two don’t like each other very much going into the bout. Cody Phillips has taken offense to some things he’s been hearing from others regarding what Franks’ pre-fight comments.
For his part, Austin Franks doesn’t like what he’s heard in terms of the names he’s been called, whether coming directly from Cody or not.
All in all, the lightweight title bout has all the ingredients in the recipe for a knock-down drag-out brawl, including several doses of Muay-Thai from Cody Phillips and more than a sprinkle of boxing from Austin Franks. Which component will serve the stronger taste in this main event, I wonder. Guess we’ll see come fight night.
Who Else Will Come Out of this Event as a Future MMA Star?
Video produced by Justin Trapp of Justin Trapp Studios for Legacy Amateur Series.
Legacy Amateur Combat Series
Date: February 18, 2011
Location: House of Blues in Downtown Houston
(card subject to change without warning)170 Title- Corey Allmand (Hoger MMA) versus Evert Gutierrez (Paradigm)
125 Title- Joe Trevino (4 Oz.) versus Jacob Silva (Silverback MMA)
155 Title – Cody Philips (Bam Bam) versus Austin Franks (Gracie Barra)
120 – Kristy Kester (Windy MMA) versus Jordan Gaza (American Revolution)
135 – David Armas (Silverback MMA) versus Casey Johns (Iron Dragon)
135 – Ramiro Cortina (RSKA) versus Vince Serrano ((Elite MMA Baytown)
155 – Eric Garcia (Team Tooke) versus Kaleish Esrada Iron Dragon)
185 – Christopher Raven (GB Champions Forest) versus Angelus McFarlane (Bam Bam)
155 – Ryan Durand (4 Oz) v . Chris Rucker (Paradigm)
135 – Tony Orozco Jr. (Silverback MMA) versus Mike Dunn (4 Oz)
185 – Mike Alvarez (Silverback MMA) versus Trent Draper (Elite MMA Baytown)
145 – Brandon Boyd (Gracie Barra) versus Luis Ibarra (Paradigm)
155 – Drew Elder (Kingwood MMA) versus John Weaver (Submission Boxing)
155 – Kamel Saleh (In2war) versus Kolton Karl Englund (RSKA)
170 – Brenner Jones (Submission Boxing) versus Ruben Martinez (Gold Team)
170 – Charles Lloyd (Gracie Barra Woodlands) versus Steele West (Iron Dragon)