Jake “Dirty Bird” Brown vs. TJ “The Spider” O’Brien

Jake Brown

Strengths:  Knock out power in both hands, good wrestler, endurance
Keys to Victory:  Jake Brown will have to close the distance to land big punches on his feet.  If he takes the fight to the ground, he will need to immediately move to half guard or side control to deliver any damage.  It will be imperative that if he stays in the guard of O’Brien that he stays postured up and remains aware of O’Brien’s legs.

TJ O’Brien

Strengths:  MMA record holder for most wins via triangle choke, reach advantage, experience
Keys to Victory:  O’Brien should avoid getting into a slugging match with Brown.  Using his reach, he can effectively pick Brown apart with punches and kicks to try and force him to shoot for a takedown.  On the ground, O’Brien should avoid letting Brown get the distance needed in order to land big shots.  O’Brien will need to remain patient while he searches to lock up his patented triangle choke.

Since this bout is scheduled for five rounds, the advantage is with TJ O’Brien who will be searching for a submission as soon as the fight hits the mat.  O’Brien is very good at avoiding damage due to his lanky frame.  Using his long legs, he’s able to keep his opponent not only wrapped up, but he also has the ability to extend and keep them away.  Jake Brown will need to pick his shots wisely, but if he finds an opening he needs to take full advantage of it.  Brown is known for his heavy hands, and for good reason.  If he can remain in half guard or side control, he will be able to land the shots he needs to either out point O’Brien or win with strikes.

Styles make fights, and this one has the potential to be one of the most exciting bouts of the year.

Co-Main Event

Alonzo “Zo Diddy” Martinez vs. Paul “The Gingabread Man” Bird

Alonzo Martinez

Strengths:  Experience on big shows, aggressive, dangerous on the feet and ground
Keys to Victory:  Martinez will look to rely on his experiences in high profile fights.  He has a brutal ground and pound game and a big right hand.  He will, however, want to avoid getting into an exchange with Bird as this is where Bird is incredibly experienced.

Paul Bird

Strengths:  Lightning fast punches and kicks, good takedown and submission defense, performs well under pressure
Keys to Victory:  Bird will want to keep the fight standing where he is the strongest.  Although he has good submission defense, there is no need to spend anytime on his back taking shots from Martinez.  In the clinch, Bird will want to remain active and not let Martinez settle into his rhythm.

This is another high profile fight, and in my opinion, the winner could likely get thier shot in WEC or UFC.  Although this could put pressure on both fighters, Martinez has been in several of these bouts.  He has wins over three UFC vets and a five round draw with another.  Bird is extremely hungry, and he also has a recent first round stoppage over WEC and Pride veteran, Joe “The Triangular Strangular” Pearson.  He has flirted with the UFC already as a prelinary cast member of The Ulimate Fighter, so he will use this opportunity to try and catapault him back into their good graces and show the superbowl of mixed martial arts that he is deserving of a spot on their roster.  With both fighters possessing the ability to end the fight at any moment, I do not see this bout going the distance, but I do see this it as a highlight reel in the making.

Jason “Type One” Louck vs. Andy “Danger Zone” Branson

Jason Louck

Strengths: Former MCC Champion, experience with tough opponents, KO power in both hands Keys to Victory: When Louck has proven to be the strongest is right off the bat. I look for him to come out of his corner and go right after Branson. Louck has devastating punches and can end the fight with any one of them he lands.

Andy Branson

Strengths: Polished muay Thai skills, good submissions, relentless attacks Keys to Victory: Branson will want to avoid getting into a striking exchange with Louck as Louck has lighting fast, powerful punches. Branson would be better served using his punches to set up kicks and vice versa. Branson is a patient fighter who will look to land the right shot. If the fight goes to the ground, Branson has shown that he can submit his opponents from the top or the bottom, but I see him being strongest on his feet.

This fight will crown the number one contender to the MCC Welterweight title. Louck has tested the waters at 170 pounds before, and this is Branson’s first fight as a welterweight mixed martial artist. The fans at MCC 24 will get a show with this bout for sure. I would like to see this fight stay on the feet, but often times, when you have two good strikers, game plans change and take downs, dominant positions and submissions come into play when putting together the ultimate game plan.

Katy Klinefelter vs. Cassie Roddish

Katy Klinefelter

Strengths: Nationally ranked boxer, experience
Keys to Victory:  Katy will need to rely on her boxing experience to keep her relaxed and one move ahead of her opponent as Roddish will look to put pressure on her from the opening bell.  Klinefelter is well versed in the submission game as well, so she does not have to rely on her hands to get the job done.  Klinefelter will want to watch out for kicks and unorthodox strikes that Roddish will surely fire off when given the chance.

Cassie Roddish

Strengths:  Heart, durable, never gives up
Keys to Victory:  What Roddish lacks in experience she makes up for with heart and drive.  She needs to apply pressure early and work her clinch game with knees and elbows.  Klinefelter will, most likely, look to pick her apart from the outside range, so Roddish will need to keep her hands up, chin down, and be relentless with her attacks.  Although Roddish has not finished any fights by submission, she has another female in her camp that is a purple belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, so she is sure to be well versed in submission defense.

This could be a great fight as I do not look for either of them to shoot for a takedown.  We may see the classically trained boxer versus the muay Thai technician.  Although either could end the fight with a punch or a kick, I see both of them having the heart to tough it out for all three rounds.  I think at the end of the fight when the dust settles, these two may gain thousands of fans, a standing ovation, and possibly fight of the night honors.

Des Moines, IA- December 15, 2008- Fast on the heels of their previous event, and perhaps the best MMA event in Iowa during 2008, Midwest Cage Championship (MCC) returns to the historic Val Air Ballroom on Friday, January 16 with MCC 18: O’ Brien vs. Mickle. Quickly becoming known as an unstoppable submission wizard, MCC Champion TJ O’Brien is matched against Iowa icon Chris Mickle during the nights main event and title fight.

Mickle is not only a veteran of the Iraq war, he has also logged multiple fights against UFC “Knockout of the Night” main man Jeremy Stephens, even taking home one victory. This time, with two tours of duty, Army combative experience, and a recent 25 second arm bar victory to his credit, Mickle is purely focused on adding the MCC title belt to the awards he’s earned as a member of the U.S. Army. TJ O’ Brien has proved one of the most versatile fighters in the Midwest, competing at both 145 and 155 pound weight classes. This time, Mickle makes the moves down a weight class to compete at 145 for the Featherweight title. Predictions of the outcome run wildly in a fight one expert termed “the old guard meets the new guard”.

Another greatly anticipated match-up pits Omaha’s Matt Delanoit with Team Hard Drive 9 wins, 1 loss gunner Steve Carl. This match, Carl’s first for MCC, will determine who goes on to face Bobby Voelker for the MCC Welterweight title belt. Delanoit is coming off a victory against Carl’s Team Hard Drive mate Tom Grubb, and Carl took this fight with much of the purpose to avenge his opponents win over his friend and teammate. Delanoit is well known and respected with MCC and in th Midwest. Carl has just signed a major management contract with a national company and has competed around the country.

Another one of the nights favorites among the ten total bouts comes via the rematch of Mike “Mini Van” Van Meer and Jason Louck. Many established fight fans will recall Van Meer taking the MCC belt from Louck. in 2006, and new fans will witness a throw down between two fighters with the some of the most heart in the fight game.

Tickets for MCC 18: O’Brien vs. Mickle will go on sale later this week. Tickets can be purchased at the Val Air Box Office, by phone at (515) 223-6152, and on-line at http://www.midwestcagechampionship.com