HOUSTON, TX, February 29, 2012 – Garcia Promotions returns to the Humble Civic center this Friday night for Cage Combat 8. Taking a look at the card, one can see a solid mixture of amateurs who already have some solid experience along with newer and debuting fighters who may be green but are no less intriguing as far as people wanting to see how they do. All in all, it should be another good one for the loyal crowd in attendance in North Houston with 14 fights set to take place at last count.
Newer fighters aside, the main event should definitely be one to keep a look out for as two of the area’s more pro-ready prospects are set to duke it out in the main event of the evening with Garcia Promotions’ 170 champ Guilherme Moreira (Team Tooke) coming in for what is presumed to be his last amateur fight against a very worthy challenger in Geoffrey Neal (Twin Wolves).
Defending champion Guilherme Moreira has been a revelation ever since he began competing in MMA. Since his debut in 2010, the 20 year old rung off six wins in a row while winning welterweight titles in both Cage Combat and the Legacy Amateur Series. Aside from being undefeated, it’s clear that he’s improved with experience as well – becoming much more of a finisher as he’s gained time in the cage. After gaining 3 wins by decision in his first year as an amateur, G posted 3 straight wins by KO/TKO in 2011 while displaying some crisp boxing – a skill he displayed while winning boxing tournaments in both Kansas City (Ringside) along with Houston’s own Golden Gloves. With last year now behind him, he’ll look to do even more in 2012, and he hopes Neal with be only the first of many hurdles he’s looking to leap.
A former linebacker and defensive end for famed Texas high school football powerhouse Copperas Grove, 21 year old Geoffrey Neal is a physical specimen who also transition into MMA in 2010 after trying his hand at college football. Like his opponent, Geoff also won his first six amateur bouts in a row while fighting in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. The only blemish on his record comes by way of split decision to Moreira’s teammate and another up-and-coming 170lbs. amateur in Levi West. He’s since rebounded with 2 first round finishes and will be looking for his third straight win along with his first amateur title at Cage Combat 8.
Looking at this matchup, what it ultimately boils down to is one thing – an exceptional tough test for both of these young men. Both of them are respected as tough amateur fighters that could be ready for bigger things at the professional level. Now they get to test that assumption in this, as much of a “pro-style” fight as they each could get on the amateur level. Local fans will get to see how G’s polished striking while fare against an explosive challenger while Neal can see whether he can stand up to adversity and come out on top this time around against an experienced adversary. Certainly a fitting main event and one we’re eager to see as both guys are seemingly making their final preparations before hitting the pro level.
Here’s the entire card as it stands two days before event time. Chime in and let us know what you think of these matchups after giving them a look.
Cage Combat 8 – Updated Fight Card for March 2nd
Edgar Juarez (Paradigm) VS. Keith Parsons (River City MMA) – 150
Jason Friedman (Paradigm) VS. Jeremy Hunter (4oz) – 155
Eric Thompson (Silverback) VS. Joel Rivera – 185
Leroy Shafer (Silverback) VS. Carlos Jimenez (4oz) – 135
Carver Bennett (BVMMA) VS. Jose Llanas (Team Tooke) – 170
Kody Williams (GB Woodlands) VS. Brian Murphy (Kingwood MMA) – 145
Gary Bolton (Team Unleashed) VS. AJ Hoffman (Gold Team) – 185
Matt Thompson (BVMMA) VS. Ryan Hollis (Hard Head Hitters) – 125
Tony Biernesser (Team Unleashed) VS. Nico Echeverry (ACS) – 155
Cesar Del Angel (K.O. Club) VS. James Deherrera (Windy) – 135
Kolton Englund (Silverback) VS. Lucas Orozco (BVMMA) – 155
Frank Salinas (SBA) VS. Mike Jackson (4oz) – 155
Jeremy Lieder (Ground Dwellers) VS. Levi West (Team Tooke) – 180
Geoffrey Neal (Twin Wolves) VS. G. Moreira (Team Tooke) – 170 TITLE
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