With the upcoming King of Kombat: Mass Destruction card set for April 9th, that has been evident due to all the reasons mentioned above.
Some fighters got hurt, other fighters could not fight for one reason or another, and according to my sources, Diego “Ceara” Brandao, a fighter we recently interviewed regarding his matchup on this KOK card, has sprouted wings and is vying for a shot at the big leagues with the UFC’s “Ultimate Fighter” series!
This April 9th card notwithstanding, that is very exciting news as “Ceara” Brandao now joins Kamal Shalorus, Edwin “El Feroz” Figueroa, and Ryan Larson as KOK veteran fighters who have fought for the UFC and Strikeforce!
With that being said, its time for other fighters to get their opportunity at the big stage beginning with April 9th in Austin!
Despite of the inevitable changes to KOK: Mass Destruction, it is pleasing to see that the latest fight card sent to us for April 9th (close to the final product) features some very exciting fights that should Austin area fans when it becomes time to shut that cage door on fight night!
Let’s examine these fights in a little more detail…
Ali “Iraqi Samurai” Ileiwi (2-2) versus Warren Stewart (7-16)
Fight Preview
A veteran of the Texas fight scene, the “Iraqi Samurai” Ali Ileiwi has been testing his mettle since 2003. Known primarily as a submission-based fighter, Ali has fought all over Texas in 10 combined amateur/pro fights, amassing a 7-3 overall record along the way. His opponent
Warren Stewart is no stranger to the confines of the MMA cage himself. In fact, his 7-16 record belies his actual skills as he’s put up some amazing fights against tough competition like Gilbert Jimenez, Duece King, Steve Garcia, Vince Libardi, and many others as a pro.
Fight Prediction
I see Stewart as a very tough fighter to finish, evident by his record. If he can stay away from dangerous leg locks in this fight, he just may be able to pull off his next victory.
Derek O’Neil (0-2) Versus TBD (51-3)
Fight Preview
Tough fight to call. TBD is like 100-0 when it comes to taking his opponents out of fights with his dominating array of excuses and disappearing acts. If he, or somebody else, makes it to this one, they’ll be taking on Derek O’Neil, a 31-year-old fighter I unfortunately have seen very little off at press time. Assuming from what I’ve seen online, he’s had a stellar amateur career but is still seeking his first pro win. We’ll go back to this one when his opponent is announced.
Joshua Scales (2-2) versus Claudio “The Rock” Rocha (3-1)
Fight Preview
Coming off two losses to start his professional career, Josh Scales has rebounded to win two in a row heading into this bout with Brasilia native Claudio Rocha. Representing Gold Team Texas in this fight, Rocha is a dangerous fighter both on his feet and on the ground, finishing every win on his record before the final bell.
Fight Prediction
Finally…. “The Rock”…. has come back… to AUSTIN, TEXAS. I can’t really bet against that. The Brasilia native trains with some highly-regarded folks over at Gold Team and also in his native Brazil with Chute Combat so I believe he will bring violence in this fight with an array of Muay Thai based strikes. If it hits the floor, Rocha should have the definitive advantage.
Jonathan “Phoenix” Camacho (0-3) versus TBD (51-3)
Fight Preview
As I’ve said previously, that TBD is a $%@&#$. He beats all his opponents relentlessly. The debuting Camacho, with an 0-3 amateur record coming into this fight, definitely has an uphill battle in front of him.
James “Duece” King (14-10) versus Marcus Lanier (8-3)
Fight Preview
From this fight onward is where this KOK card gets very interesting. Doubling as marketer extraordinaire heading in this fight, the 14-10 Duece King is an active fighter who likes to strike but also has a penchant for finishing his fights on the ground with submissions. He has stayed busy through the years, winning some and losing some, but never in a boring fight.
Fight Prediction
Hard to say what to expect in this fight, as both fighters are seemingly well-round and evenly-matched matched fighters based on past performance. I have a feeling the outcome of this one will depend on what type of ring rust Lanier is going to have to dust off, along with what improvements he has made in his MMA absence. “Duece” has been the busier fighter as of late but if Lanier stays true to his old form, he will certainly be a load to handle.
Jon Kirk (16-9) versus Vagner Curio (5-5)
Fight Preview
It’s good to see “El Jaguar” Jon Kirk bouncing back so quickly after his last loss to blue-chip prospect Andrew Craig this past January at Houston’s IXFA. Prior to that loss, Kirk had been resurgent winning two in a row, including a TKO win against Shane Faulker at Bellator. A legend in the Texas fight scene, Kirk will be looking to rebound in this one against tough Brazilian opponent.
Fight Prediction
This bout has the making of a war as we pit the Texas veteran against his counterpart from Brazil. Both guys are scrappers that always bring it. This one may have fight of the night potential. As far as who takes it, I see Kirk as the likely underdog in this fight but he may just pull it off in his home state!
Johnny Bedford (16-9-1) versus Pedro Munhoz (7-0)
Fight Preview
Speaking of fight of the night potential, this one may have it if these guys live up to their advanced billing.
His opponent, Pedro Munhoz, is something more of a wildcard. With an undefeated record full of finishes, there is no saying exactly how Munhoz will do against his well-seasoned opponent but everything I’ve heard through the grapevine says Munhoz is a stud in the making.
Fight Prediction
Munhoz is said to be an up-and-coming young fighter and I believe it. However, Johnny Bedford is a proven commodity that is very hard to pick against.
Nick “The Ghost” Gonzalez (16-10) versus Marlon Matias (5-5)
Fight Preview
Rebounding off a loss to a much larger David “Tarzan” Douglas at Strikeforce Challengers, “The Ghost” is now lookinf to rebound and has been on a resurgence as of late, not counting that last hiccup. Getting back to his Austin roots, Nick has been putting in work with long-time coach Rudy Vasquez along with the Alliance team in San Diego, where he often trains with UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.
As recently confirmed by Gold Team Houston, Nick’s KOK opponent will be Brazilian Marlon Matias. Said to be very proficient with “Chute Boxe style” Muay Thai, Matias has been fighting in his native Brazil since 2003. He has also fought for the now-defunct EliteXC since then and has faced some tough fighters in his career. The winner of his first five fights, Marlon has since lost his next five in a row since taking a step up in competition and has not won in MMA since 2005.
Fight Prediction
They say styles make fights and this one should definitely be a fan-friendly striking battle. With that being said, Matias has been on the downside of his career for some time while Gonzalez is working his way back after some tough losses. I look for “The Ghost” to get the win in his ATX hometown in this one.
Cleburn Walker (9-5) versus Jorge “Macaco” Patino (18-13-1)
Fight Preview
The main event of the evening, this bout again features two of the best Texas has to offer in USMC veteran Cleburn Walker and Jorge “Macaco” Patino, leader of Gold Team and longtime Chute Boxe member.
When we previously interviewed him, Cleburn Walker was set to take on Alex Cisne at Houston’s Legacy event, also on April 9th. An injury to Cisne courtesy of Eric “Big Head” Davila at Shark Fights put a halt to that bout so the former Ultimate Fighter cast member decided to step up and take an even bigger fight in Austin against the notorious Macaco.
Fight Prediction
One would have to say Cleburn Walker will be walking into this bout as the prohibitive underdog in all facets of the game. Walker’s MMA claim to fame thus far would have to be being able to submit every single opponent he has beat with nine victories all coming by way of submission. He’ll have a very hard time catching Macaco in this bout and Patino also holds the definitive advantage in the striking game with his much-ballyhooed Chute Boxe background. Look for Macaco to finish this bout sometime in the middle rounds as the likely outcome.
What do you guys think about this card? Who do YOU think will win come fight night?
Texas MMA fans, chime in with your thoughts in the newly-revamped comments section below!