MCC 32: “Bad Blood” Main Card Fight Breakdown

This Saturday night, MCC returns to Hy Vee Hall as Nutrishop presents, MCC 32: “Bad Blood”. The night features a rematch with two of the Midwest’s top featherweight prospects; former champ, Josh “Bam Bam” Henry and current title holder, Rick “The Gladiator” Glenn as well as a four-man flyweight tournament to crown the divisions first ever MCC champion. Also on the card, former welterweight champion, Victor “Superman” Moreno returns to action as does top light heavyweight contender, Josh “Bull” Christensen.

We will break down the fights and the fighters as we get set for another exciting night of mixed martial arts action.

Josh Henry vs Rick Glenn

5 x 5 minute rounds title bout

Josh Henry Strengths: Strong wrestling base, durability, can hold a fast pace

Keys to Victory: Henry will need to maintain superior position and do not let Glenn control the pace. Henry does a great job of putting pressure on fighters once he gets them back pedaling. He cannot let Glenn get into his rhythm and set the tone.

Rick Glenn Strengths: Well rounded, good striker, confidence

Keys to Victory: Like their last meeting, Glenn will need to watch for an opening that Henry may leave during a transition. With a longer reach, Glenn may find that he could have luck if he chooses to keep the fight standing. He will need to work his angles and anticipate the shot from Henry.

Jason Sink vs. Victor Moreno

3 x 5 minute rounds non-title bout

Jason Sink Strengths: Big show experience, likes to strike

Keys to Victory: Sink cannot allow himself to get bullied by Moreno. He will need to establish dominance early in the fight while avoiding the unorthodox striking that Moreno is sure to bring to the cage.

Victor Moreno Strengths: Experience, creative with strikes and submission set ups, motivated

Keys to Victory: Moreno has faced some of the toughest competition in the world. He is an exciting fighter that has excellent strikes and a good ground game. Moreno’s greatest chance for success will be to make his opponent stand and trade punches and kicks in the middle of the cage. Moreno is motivated to put on a show for his hometown fans and a confident Moreno is the best Moreno.

Blake Breitsprecher vs. Josh Christensen

3 x 5 minute rounds non-title bout

Blake Breitsprecher Strengths: Reach, excellent ground game, hungry for a victory

Keys to Victory: Breitsprecher has great ground control and submissions so there is no need to get into an exchange on the feet with a powerful Christensen. His best bet is to look for the shot, get his opponent to the ground and work his submissions from there. If Breitspecher gets his opponents back, as we’ve seen in the past, it’s hard to shake him off, and Christensen has fallen victim to chokes in the past.

Josh Christensen Strengths: Hard nosed fighter, willing to take punishment, physically strong

Keys to Victory: Simple! Sprawl and brawl. Christensen has knock out power in both hands, and if he can keep the fight standing he has the ability to end the bout with one punch. If the fight does go to the ground, Christensen will need to use his strength to advance himself into a dominant position that will allow him to punch.

Allen Shepherd vs. Jake Brown

3 x 5 minute rounds non-title bout

Allen Shepherd Strengths: Product of an excellent camp, superior cardio, likes to slug

Keys to Victory: Shepherd is facing a fighter who has experience a long layoff, therefore he should come out fast and hard, putting pressure on Brown from the time the referee says go. Shepherd has great endurance which will help him should the fight go later into the second and third rounds. He does, however, want to be careful if he chooses to stand in the center of the cage and bang with Brown as his opponent is known for have some serious power in his hands.

Jake Brown Strengths: Good submissions, hard puncher, injury free

Keys to Victory: Brown will need to stay alert and not allow himself to be pressed up against the fence and taken down. He has the ability to inflict damage whether he is standing or on the ground with his hands. If looking for a submission he will need to soften his opponent up with punches and knees as Shepherd somes from an experienced gym where he is able to train with some of the top fighters in the area.

Luis Saldana vs. Daraugh Canada

3 x 5 minute rounds non-title bout

Luis Saldana Strengths: Quick, excellent strikes and submissions, undefeated in MCC

Keys to Victory: Saldana is facing an outstanding wrestler in Canada, so he will need to prepare to sprawl and circle away from Canada’s powerful right hand. If put on his back, Saldana has an excellent guard where he can transition from arm bar to triangle chokes. Saldana is a better striker then Canada and that is, most likely, where he will find the most success. Also, Saldana is able to go the entire time, if need be, while maintaining a fast pace.

Daraughn Canada Strengths: Good wrestler, unorthodox, like to mix it up in the cage

Keys to Victory: Canada will need to be patient in choosing his shots. Saldana will anticipate the shot from the moment the bout starts, so he will need to use punches in bunches and good head movement to close the distance and attempt to put Saldana on his back. Canada also has great submission defense and is very crafty when put into less than desirable positions. If Canada gets the fight to the ground he will need to stay busy as he peppers Saldana with strikes in an effort to expose a submission attempt.

Four Man Flyweight Tournament

3 x 5 minute rounds (semi-final bouts)

5 x 5 minute rounds (championship bout)

Nate Williams vs. Jovon Myles (Semi-Final)

Johnny Coleman vs. Tony Crowder (Semi-Final)

TBA vs. TBA (Championship Bout)

With two wrestlers, Williams and Coleman, facing two strikers, Coleman and Myles, you will be watching two classics grappler versus striker match ups. If styles make fights it could be interesting either way you look at it. If Willams and Coleman both win, it’s wrestler versus wrestler. Should Myles and Crowder come out victorious, you will see two micro-mixed martial artists standing in the center of the cage letting the fists fly.

One thing is for certain, with the exception of Jovon Myles, who was a late replacement for Seth Craig, the other three have has some choice words for one another, and each of them are completely cool with facing the other for a variety of reasons. Hopefully the punches will save themselves for the cage and officials will need to be on their toes as these guys weigh in and face off because you never know what can happen.

Since adding the popular new weight division to MCC, there has been an overabundance of interest throughout the Midwest, so whoever wins this tournament will need to keep their game sharp because they will be right back in the cage, sooner rather than later, to face another tough opponent in an upcoming event.

Nutrishop presents, MCC 32: “Bad Blood”, Saturday, March 5 at Hy Vee Hall, downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Tickets are available on-line at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone at 515-564-8300 or at all Dahl’s Food Store ticket outlets. For more information on this and upcoming events, including fighter interviews, video’s and blogs, check out the web site.

Fighter Focus: Luis Saldana Goes Pro

The co-winner of the MCC 2010 Fighter of the Year Award, Luis Saldana says goodbye to his impressive amateur mixed martial arts career. When he steps back into the cage at MCC 32: “Bad Blood” he will be doing so as a professional fighter. Set to take on Daraughn “Day Day” Canada, Saldana takes time away from training camp to discuss the upcoming bout and how he thinks he will match up against the always exciting, Canada.

MCC: Luis, welcome back to MCC. You had an exciting year in 2010, going undefeated and co-winning the Fighter of the Year award. Tell us how you feel about your performance last year and who you attribute your success to.

LS: Thanks! I felt good last year going into every fight and gaining that experience needed to step up in competition. If it wasn’t for the guys in the gym pushing me and helping out with technique every day I don’t think I would be in this spot right now, so thanks to all the guys at New Beginnings.

MCC: Looking forward to MCC 32: “Bad Blood” in less than a month, you are making your professional debut against Daraugh “Day Day” Canada. Give us your thoughts on him as an opponent and how you see your fight playing out.

LS: I think Daraugh’s a tough fighter, and he will bring some heat. I know he’s a wrestler but I’ve been training really hard and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be prepared for whatever he brings to the cage. I can see this fight going anywhere so whereever that may be I’ll be ready.

MCC: Both you and Daraughn have gained a lot of experience of the past few years getting your start at MCC’s former sister promotion, DMX. Obviously now, the level of competition if much harder and the stage is much bigger. Does that put any additional pressure on you as a fighter?

LS: Not at all. I never really get nervous before a fight. I stay calm and focused and there’s never any doubts what so ever. To me, it’s just another fight and that’s what I like to do is “fight”. I know I’m going to get hit and tossed around, and it doesn’t matter who I’m fighting, when I step into the cage I’ll be ready, and I’m going to do what I can to win.

MCC: You prefer to keep the fight standing, if possible, while Canada will surely look to put you on your back and inflict some ground and pound. Assuming that is how the fight will go, how have you prepared yourself to counter this?

LS: As I said earlier I’ve been training really hard for this fight. My teammates at New Beginnings have really been pushing us that have fights coming up. I know Daraugh’s going to be looking for that shot, so I’ve just been getting stronger, working a lot on take down defense, and getting back to my feet in case I do get taken down. I’ve also been working hard on my jiu jitsu and feel confident in maybe coming out with a submission win, but let’s just see how it goes.

MCC: Suppose you get by Canada. What’s next? What are you looking to do this year? How far do you want to take your career?

LS: Well no matter what, it’s back to the gym. There’s so much more I need to learn as a fighter, and I’m on my way to gaining those skills. So I plan on training for a couple months before fighting again hopefully this Summer. I made a commitment to train all year long and try to evolve myself into a better fighter, maybe start training at other gyms around town to help reach that goal.

MCC: With the recent merger between the UFC and WEC, adding the featherweight division into the mix of par per view television, does that motivate you as a fighter to continue to get better and better and take your career to the next level?

LS: Yeah it’s definitely a cool thought, but I’m in no rush right now. I’m just going to continue what I’ve been doing and hopefully one day all my hard work pays off and I make it up there.

MCC: Very nice! Who would you like to thank or give a shout out to?

LS: I want to thank all the guys at New Beginnings and my sponsors: Gomez Tire, Jolex Entertainment, Go Hard Brand, Allplay Des Moines, Broken Arrow Wear, Via Dreams and One Warrior Management

MCC: Thank you for your time. We look forward to watching you compete again. Do you have any words for your opponent?
LS: Well Daraugh, I hope you bring it come fight night. I’m trying to put on a good show, so let’s do this…

Saturday, March 5 at Hy Vee Hall, downtown Des Moines, Iowa, Nutrishop presents MCC 32: “Bad Blood”. Tickets are available on-line at www.MidwestCageChampionship.com, by phone at 515-564-8300 and at all Dahl’s Food ticket outlets. For more information including fighters blogs, videos and interviews, check out the web site.

MCC was determined to provide Daraughn Canada with a quality opponent, and as soon as the word was out, Nick “The Wolverine” Walker jumped at the opportunity.  With a big win over Paul Bird and a good battle with UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens under his belt, the soft spoken mixed martial artist will bring a wealth of experience into the cage as he faces a younger, determined, Canada.