RISE

RISE 22 Preview

By: Bigby Wolf

MAIN CARD

Main Event

Carlos “Ruthless” Lawler (7-3) Vs. Deniis “The Golden God” Reynolds (3-0)

Our main event features two fighters who’ve been on a roll these last few months. In one corner we’ll find Carlos Lawler. The 26 year old from Kosovo had a rocky period at the start of his career but won 5 of his last 6 bouts. His colossal punch has knocked out 3 of his opponents, but he’s proven that he has the stamina and technique to go the distance or to make his opponent tap out as well. He’ll be facing the self-proclaimed “Golden God” of MMA, Deniis Reynolds. Reynolds is rumoured to be a strong wrestler and submission expert, but so far hasn’t even gotten the chance to display this range of skills. He won all 3 of his fights by KO in the first round. If Reynolds can keep his undefeated streak going, he’s almost certain to get a shot at the title, but he’s facing the number 1 contender and number 1 ranked in the league in Lawler, who’s had his eyes on the prize for months.

Co-Main Event

Cornelius “There Will Be Blood” Barnaby (4-1) Vs. Ricky “Anaconda” Gracie (4-0)

That prize is on the line in our Co-Main Event. Cornelius Barnaby has been a devastating lights-out machine, spilling his opponents’ blood on the RISE-canvas in these past 4 months. His only loss so far came when he fought out of his weight class against Fiaschi, but other than that, 4 straight KO-victories. He’ll be facing the Australian “Anaconda”, Ricky Gracie. The man from Darwin has been an uncontrollable force since he started his MMA career. Currently on a 4 game undefeated streak he deserves his title shot and he looks more than ready to claim the number 1 spot. We’re certain to see two fighters battling to make the fight go their way. If Cornelius can shed blood early on, he’s destined to retain by KO. On the other hand, if the Anaconda can take Barnaby down and starts smothering him, we might see the title change hands.

Fight 8

Jhin “The Sniper” Markell (5-1) vs Meatball Destroyer (4-1)

This fight might be a good indicator of what the future of the RISE Welterweight will look like. Markell started out as a middleweight in Rise and went 2-1, before deciding to move down a weight class. His first outing as a Welterweight saw him win with a Kimura against Wade Rogers in what was the fight of the night and probably one of the greatest fights RISE had the pleasure of putting on. With his confidence growing we expect a lot from the Japanese submission expert. He’ll be up against the man everyone assumed was the future of the division. Meatball won 3 in a row, claiming the belt with a split decision against Anderson. That split decision was maybe a foreshadowing that “The Destroyer” was not (yet) ready to be the top dog and on his first defense he got clobbered by Cornelius Barnaby. At 26 there is still more than enough time for him to reclaim his title, but he will need to go through Markell if he wants to earn himself another shot at the title in the near future.

Fight 7

Nuno Pontes (2-0) vs Devon “Oak” Miller (1-0)

Don’t go too far away from the action when this fight starts, because this fight will end with a quick KO, I guarantee it. Nuno Pontes has just signed for RISE coming off of 2 TKO victories. The Portuguese is an outstanding boxer with a nearly unrivalled ferocity. He had a 30 second KO-victory in his debut and an amazing ground and pound TKO in his second and barely broke a sweat. His opponent, Devon Miller, was possibly even more impressive in his MMA debut: 2 punches. That was all it took for him to take out Nathaniel Henry. The sheer power “Oak” displayed was stunning to say the least and if he can harness this power with the proper technique, this man may well be a future title holder. Either way both of these men will be on top of their game as they fight to make their way up the welterweight ladder.

UNDERCARD

Fight 6

Alistar Ngannou (3-3) vs Franco Dilveux (4-1)

It’s very hard to tell what the future will hold for Alistar Ngannou. On the one hand he burst into the scene with 3 impressive submission victories in first 4 fights, on the other hand he got knocked out in half of his fights so far. When he gets going and gets his hands on his opponents he’s phenomenal, but if he can’t… He ends up staring at the ceiling. He’ll be facing off against what’s probably the toughest opponent he’s had so far: Franco Dilveux, France’s hope of a new top fighter. Franco had a very promising start to his career, being victorious at QFC tournament 827, but disappointed in his first RISE-fight, getting knocked out by now retired Tommy Tank. Dilveux certainly has the skills to win fights, but does he have the heart to make it in a league as tough as RISE?

Fight 5

Mike “Swick” Quick (2-2) vs Herbal “The Green” Leaf (3-0)

Mike Quick is an absolute joy to watch in the ring when he starts going. With his barrages of kicks and punches he’s become immensely popular in the US, and he can certainly bring it when he needs to, winning him 2 explosive KO-victories in 5 and 15 seconds. The only problem he has is: he has no ground game. None. If Swick accidentally stumbles and falls it’s game over for him and that might be his biggest problem in this fight. Mike Quick needs a quick win, because if Herbal Leaf will get his hand on him and takes him down, it’ll be all she wrote for “Swick”. Leaf is not the best fighter standing up, be he did manage to win all his fights so far. 1 KO, 1 decision, 1 submission. You can’t demonstrate any better than that, how well-rounded you are as a fighter.

Fight 4

Ricardo “Run It Up” Ricket (2-0) vs Jackson Villa (1-0)

Both these guys have been very respectful to one another in the build-up to this match. Ricardo is a classic all-rounder, just as great on his feet as on the ground and making quite an impression in his first two fights. With two straight KO’s this young man will certainly get far. His opponent has been very humble coming off of his win in his MMA-debut and spoke very highly of Ricket at the press conference. Villa also said he’s working very hard every day to one day become the ultimate RISE choke out artist. He’s definitely on the right track as he won his first bout with a rear naked choke.

Fight 3

Keith “The Mauler” Chegwin (1-1) Vs. Torcadall “The Wall” Sailcirc (2-0)

Keith Chegwin has had a hesitant start to his career. He lost in the first round of QFC tournament 799 and then worked his way to a mediocre decision victory. RISE, however, gave him a contract, and “The Mauler” will have to prove himself from the get-go with a strong showing in his RISE-debut. His opponent is more than up for the challenge, as Croatian former lumberjack, Sailcirc, has won his first two MMA fights impressively. Coming from a (self-proclaimed) 45-0-1 career in amateur wrestling, “The Wall” has put his money where his mouth is, making all of his opponents so far tap out in the first round.

PRELIMS

Fight 2

Nick Morris (2-1) Vs. Pedro Changggg (1-1)

Nick Morris seems well on his way to become a great addition to the RISE-federation. After losing in his MMA-debut, he fired his manager and sought refuge under the guidance of Jorma Oltsu. Oltsa changed his training regimen around and quickly created an absolute monster. Going 2-0 under the new management, with two quick and decisive KO-victories, the man from Saginaw seems to be a newly unleashed force to be reckoned with. His opponent, Pedro Changggg, has made less of an impression here at RISE and is probably fighting to keep his contract. With a win in an absolute snoozer in his debut match and a disappointing loss in his second fight, Pedro will have to prove that he can perform in a way fitting to this league.

Fight 1

Facundo Galley (2-2) Vs. Nathan Shield (2-3)

Facundo Galley should be able to get somewhat of a streak going if he can start doing what he does best: knocking people out. With his powerful kicks and devastating hook he could do wonders in the ring, but right now all he has to show for it is 2 wins and 2 losses. Galley needs to find a way to keep himself upright because once the fight goes to the ground it’s game over for him. His opponent Nathan Shield has some difficulties of his own to work through. Shield is mediocre in every sense of the word. He’s a mediocre boxer and kickboxer, a decent wrestler and has solid submission skills but he lacks the expertise in any one discipline that can truly make the difference. After a promising start and 2 victories, Shields career took a turn for the worst with 3 straight losses. If he wants to make any kind of impact he’ll need to do it now.