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Desert Brawl XXI Preview Press Release from Desert Brawl Well Christmas is over but your about to get a Christmas present in January as Desertbrawl heads back to Bend Oregon and the Midtown Rink, Rock, and Roll for Desertbrawl XXI. In 2006 the most anticipated fight was when John "Guns" Gunderson came back to Redmond Oregon to take on Mike "Jackhammer" Joy; well get ready for another doozy from matchmaker JT Taylor to reign in the New Year. The Superfight is set with two hometown heroes ready to go to war and prove who reigns supreme in the welterweight division in Central Oregon. Current DB welterweight champ, and Bend Oregon native, Damien "Batten Down The" Hatch (3-4, Team REACT) will be putting his belt on the line for the first time against Desert Dog fighter Nick "The Pimp" Gilardi (0-5). I spoke to Hatch about fighting a friend and he said "I hope Gilardi's buying the beers afterwards." This is what the sport is about-competition and respect. These guys have trained together and drank together, yet when the cage shuts so do the feelings; it's time to go to work. Gilardi is returning to MMA after a break from the sport, and when I spoke with Gilardi about his return he said "I'm just happy to be back and competing, this is what I love to do." Gilardi also lives and trains in Bend and both have quite a following so get ready for some mixed emotions and screaming fans, because this could just be the most anticipated fight of the year for 2007.
Hatch is known for his stand up skills and Gilardi is infamous for his abilities on the ground, yet don't think either of them are weak in the others area of expertise, because Hatch has pulled off some beautiful submissions in the cage; Plus, Gilardi has some stand up skills of his own that have left people sleeping a few times. Look for Hatch to come out swinging and try to KO Gilardi and end the fight standing, while Gilardi might come out and feel out Hatch's stand up and see where he wants to take this fight. Gilardi has a definite advantage on the ground being the top notch wrestler he is and the black belt Jiu-jitsu instruction he has received from the man himself JT Taylor. I will have to give the stand up to Hatch simply because his has been more effective in the cage and has more knockouts, but this fight is a hard one to call. I would leave your money in your pocket and find another fight to bet on because this fight is very close. It is hard to determine what effect the time off will have on Gilardi and what type of cage rust he might have if any, but sticking to his style Gilardi wanted the best once he returned and he's getting it. Hatch just won the belt in astonishing fashion by crushing the midsection of striker Paul Purcell in one blow so this will be a test for Gilardi's stand abilities. Gilardi has always fought the best even when he was warned not too, he was 19 years of age and fighting world class fighters every time like UFC veteran Tiki Ghosen, UFC Fighter Jason Von Flue, and UFC veteran Aaron Riley to name a few so don't let his record fool you this kid can bang with the best of them. This fight will be fast paced and will showcase some of the best MMA Oregon has to offer definitely another great main event from Desertbrawl.
In other action a re-match of huge proportions is set and when I say huge I mean huge; about 500lbs huge when these men step into the cage and go at it again, Trent "The Sandman" Standing (3-2) will face Roland "Bonecrusher" Grahm (debuting pro fight) for the second time to hopefully avenge a loss. They met in 2005 and Grahm TKO'd Standing, but Standing said he took him lightly and wasn't in shape, and this time Standing says things will be different; however Grahm disagrees. Standing started a new fight team recently called Team SAGA and trains out of Portland, Oregon he's had a lot of amateur fights and has the heart of a lion. He likes to feel out his fights and wait for the opportune moment to finish the fight; which he does very well. His opponent Roland Grahm trains everywhere and has finished a fight or two as well, yet with a little more authority. Grahm is known for his left hand and devastating knockouts. Look for Standing to take this one to the ground once he gets a chance, this is where he can implement his ground and pound. Standing finishes a lot of people once the fight hits the ground because it isn't as easy to reverse a big guy. Grahm on the other hand is going to go for the knockout every time, and stay away from the ground as much as possible. He is a very good boxer with KO power and will be a sure test for Standing. This is a Professional Title fight, so watch out as DesertBrawl crowns a new Champ on January 27.
Making his professional debut, Desert Dog fighter Talon Hoffman will be putting his four fight win streak on the line against Team OJJ fighter "Brutal" Brad Horner (0-1) from Tigard Oregon. Horner lost his debut on January 6 in Portland and is looking to improve his pro record and make a name for himself in his debut in the Desertbrawl cage. Hoffman isn't a stranger to the DB cage and has proven that in his last four fights finishing all of them in the first round and going 2-2 (2-TKO & 2-Submissions) in the year of 2006. Horner who retired the Lightweight title in the FCFF to turn pro has fought 3 times in 06 and won all by TKO or knockout in the first round as well. This will be a great fight and very fast paced. Both fighters have what it takes to finish this fight quick so stay in your seats.
Last but not least a grudge match is set between Desert Dog fighter Tomi "Last Minute" Massey (5-2) and Jeremy Free (1-0) an independent fighter. Free is another fighter who hasn't seen the cage in awhile, but after seeing Massey compete he decided to come back and challenge Massey in the cage. To this Massey said "I'm going to knock your ass out in the first round!" Massey trains with the Desert Dogs and has been training secretly with some wrestlers just for this fight. Free is a wrestler who has a lot of durability and toughness, but he is going to need all of it that night because Massey has been competing a lot lately and against some very tough competition. This will be a test for Free and I will have to give the advantage to Massey just because he has been more active in the fight game in the last year or two and he is getting better with each fight. Massey will try to keep this fight standing as he loves to bang it out almost like a kid on the playground this guy smiles the whole time he's fighting. Free on the other hand will try to take this one to the ground and stay away from Massey's submission skills so he can wear him out and pound him out. Both of these guys are tough, but we will see who is tougher once the cage door shuts.
There are tons of great fighters on this card and will showcase some of Oregon's best MMA talent; it will be one of the best DesertBrawls of the year, so get your tickets now before they sell out. |
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