Reality Fighting show is set to kick off what should be a very exciting year of mma in New England. As always, Reality Fighting is the first show to start the year and once again it will be taking place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville CT. Reality Fighting has put together a 14 fight card with 5 pro fights. Two of them will be professional title fights which are always a pleasure to watch. I would like to give a shout out to all the fighters and to Reality Fighting for working through the holidays and to the fighters for watching their weight throughout the holidays. As we all know that is not an easy feat and I commend you! The doors will be opening at 6pm and the first fight is set to start at 7pm.Let me break down the fight card for you all and I believe this will be the exact fight order this coming Saturday.
145 AM Chris Robinson (Renzo CT 0-0 ) vs. Sam Ayers (FAA 0-0)
First fight is an amateur fight at 145 lbs against Chris Robinson and Sam Ayers. Robinson trains with Renzo CT and comes and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Sam Ayers from Fighting Arts Academy and he will also be making his amateur debut. Two new fighters looking to make a name for themselves in front of the casino crowd!
155 AM Kenneth Rayside (Next Level MMA 0-7) vs. Austin Schalla (Dexter 1-6)
The second fight of the night is between Kenneth Rayside and Austin Schalla at 155 lbs. Rayside trains with Next Level MMA. He comes into this fight with an 0-7 record with 3 losses by ko/tko, 3 by sub and 1 by decision. He is still hungry for his first victory in the cage. His opponent is Austin Schalla who trains with Dexter MMA. He comes into this fight with a 1-6 record 1 win by submission. For his losses, he lost 5 by decision and 1 by DQ. In this fight both fighters don't have the best of record but as you can see they are pretty even on the score cards which should be a solid fight.
200 AM Zach Watson (Watson 0-2) vs. Holland Ahern (Strikezone MMA 0-1)
Next up is Zach Watson taking on Holland Ahern at a catch weight of 200 lbs. Zach trains with Watson MMA and comes into this fight with an 0-2 record. For his losses, he lost one by ko/tko and one by submission. He is still looking for his first victory. His opponent is Holland Ahern and he trains with Strikezone MMA. He comes into this fight with an 0-1 record with 1 loss by ko/tko. Both fighters have losses to Morgan Dean and are both looking for their first W. You know they are gonna bring it!
170 AM Raheem Stevens (UNA BJJ 1-0 ) vs. Angelo Richardson (Golden Falcon 2-1)
At 170 lbs Raheem Stevens will square off against Angelo Richardson. Stevens trains with UNA BJJ and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record. He has his sole win by way of submission at a previous Aggressive Combat show. His opponent is Angelo Richardson and he trains with Golden Falcon. He comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 2 wins by way of submission. His only loss came by a split decision to Bobby Gasdia at a previous Cage Titans show. Another close battle which will make for a good fight!
145 AM Chris Disonell (Renzo Gracie Latham 4-2 ) vs. McLynn Cadiente (CT Fit 3-2)
Chris Disonell will face off against McLynn Cadiente at 145 lbs. Disonell trains with Renzo Gracie Latham and comes into this fight with a 4-2 record. In the win column, he has all 4 wins by way of fist. For his losses, he lost both by way of submission. His opponent is McLynn Cadiente and he trains with CT Fit. He comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 1 win by ko/tko, 1 by sub and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost both by way of decision. I see this one being a back and forth fight slug fest.
170 PRO Nick Alley (Team Link 1-0 ) vs. Billy Leischner (Dexter 0-0)
For the first pro fight of the night Nick Alley steps into the cage against Billy Leischner at 170 lbs. Alley trains with Team Link and comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with 1 win by submission. Nick is a well rounded fighter and an up and comer. He is ready to show off how hard he has been working. His opponent is Billy Leishner and he trains with Dexter MMA. He will be making his pro debut and as an amateur was 4-3 with 1 ko/tko, 2 sub and 1 by decision. If the records I am reading are correct Billy hasn't fought in 3 years so he is ready to show off how hard he has been training. I see this one being a ground battle.
205 AM Luis Razuri (Next Level MMA 3-2 ) vs. William Knight (Thornton MMA and Fitness 2-1)
At 205 lbs Luis Razuri takes on William Knight in the big boy showdown. Razuri trains with Next Level MMA and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record with 2 wins by submission and 1 by decision. In the loss column, he lost 1 by sub and 1 by decision. His opponent is William Knight and he trains with Thornton's MMA and Fitness. Knight comes into this fight with a 2-1 record with 1 by ko/tko and 1 by sub. His only loss came by a decision to Jose Campos. I have not seen Luis fight but I have seen Knight fight many of times and he brings intensity and an action packed fight every time. You don't want to miss this fight!
173 AM Chiziterem Uwaga (Team Plus One 0-0) vs. Steve Morell (FAA CT 0-0)
Then they have Chiziterem Uwaga against Steve Morell at a catch weight of 173 lbs. Uwaga trains with Team Plus One and will be making his amateur debut. His opponent is Steve Morell and he trains with FAA CT. He will also be making his amateur debut. Two solid schools which should result in a good match up.
170 PRO Tyler Rose (Calandrelli MMA 2-2) vs. Kemran Lachinov (Link 2-2)
In another pro fight Tyler Rose will take on Kemran Lachinov at 170 lbs. Rose trains out of Calandrelli MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with both wins by way of submission. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko to injury and 1 by decision. His opponent is Kemran Lachinov and he trains with Team Link. He comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 1 by submission. For his losses, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. On paper, the record are exactly the same and both have similar styles. I see this one being an awesome back and forth ground battle.
155 AM Ron Arana (Next Level MMA 2-2 ) vs. Jesse Kosakowski (PSDTC Warriors 1-0)
At 155 lbs Ron Arana faces off against Jesse Kosakowski. Arana trains with Next Level MMA and comes into this fight with a 2-2 record with 1 win by sub and 1 win by decision. In the loss column, he lost 1 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. His opponent is Jesse Kosakowski and he trains with PSDTC Warriors. Jesse comes into this fight with a 1-0 record with his 1 win by submission over Davon Zimmerman at the last PFC. Arana has the fight experience in this one and Jesse is a young up and comer looking to keep his record unblemished.
HVY AM Jeff Soivilien (SSSF 3-2 ) vs. Jose Campos (BMT MMA 2-0)
In a heavyweight showdown Jeff Soivilien takes on Jose Campos. Jeff trains out of SSSF and comes into this fight with a 3-2 record. In the win column, he has 2 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. For his losses, he lost 1 by submission and 1 by decision. His opponent is Jose Campos and he trains with BMT MMA. He comes into this fight with a perfect 2-0 record with 1 ko and 1 decision. Campos has quickly been making name for himself in the amateur heavyweight division and he is looking to take another head. Jeff is a veteran in the amateur division and is looking to humble Jose. Don't blink in this fight as I see it being a stand up war.
145 PRO Tim Dooling (Dante Rivera BJJ 4-2 ) vs. Dan Dubuque (The Cage 4-1)
Next up is a pro fight between Tim Dooling and Dan Dubuque at 145 lbs. Dooling trains with Dante Rivera BJJ and comes into this fight with a 4-2 record. He has 3 wins by ko/tko and 1 by submission. In the loss column, he has both losses by decision. His opponent is Dan Dubuque he trains with The Cage. He comes into this fight with a 4-1 record with all 4 wins coming by way of decision. His one loss was by decision to Manny Bermudez. One thing to note is Dan has never been finished in any of his fights during his ammy or pro career. With that said, I see this one going the distance to a decision.
135 PRO TITLE Calie Cutler (Michigan Top Team 5-3) vs. Jessy Miele (Underdog BJJ 5-3)
In a 135 pro women's title fight Calie Cutler is coming from Michigan to take on Jessy Miele. Calie trains with Michigan Top Team and comes into this fight with a 5-3 record with 2 wins by ko/tko, 2 sub and 1 by decision. In the loss column, she lost 2 by ko/tko and 1 by decision. Her opponent is Jessy Miele and she trains with Underdog BJJ. She also comes into this record with a 5-3 record with 1 win by ko/tko, 3 by submission and 1 by decision. In the loss column, she lost 1 by submission and 2 by decision. Man, this fight is worth the price of admission. Both fighters are well rounded and have the exact same record. I see this one being a back and forth battle. Very solid fight for Reality Fighting and worthy of a title fight.
125 PRO TITLE Matt Almy (Bombsquad 3-1) vs. Johnny Lopez (Underdog BJJ 7-3)
In the main event Matt Almy takes on Johnny Lopez for the 125 lb pro title. Almy trains out of New York with Bombsquad and comes into this fight with a 3-1 record with 1 win by ko/tko and 2 by submission. His only loss came by a split decision to Joe Madrid at a previous WFF event. His opponent is crowd favorite Johnny Lopez. He trains with Underdog BJJ and comes into this fight with a 7-3 record. In the win column, he has 5 wins by submission and 2 by decision. For his losses, he lost 2 by ko/tko and 1 by submission very early in his career. He is riding high with a 6 fight win streak that he would love to continue that streak this Saturday! This is sure to be a war for takedowns and showing off who has the better ground game. This is worthy of a title fight and will definitely have the crowd on their feet.
There you have our first preview of 2017. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did writing it. As you can see Reality Fighting did a fantastic job on matching it which is sure make for an epic night of fights. I want to give a shout out to Joe Cuff for returning my emails very quickly and keeping us all up to date of the latest happenings. Let's kick off the new year right with a great night of fights and enjoying the casino!