5 ROUNDS: UGP 24 EDITION

RUSSIA — Union Grand Prix will be ringing in the New Year in Moscow for UGP 24 on January 17th. With a Heavyweight Championship bout headlining the card and two Openweight Grand Prix bouts scheduled, there is a lot at stake, as per usual on these super cards. So let’s break down the main card of UGP 24 for the latest edition of Five Rounds.

ROUND ONE: THE BLACK KNIGHT RETURNS

In the opening bout, we have a Lightweight contest scheduled between the wily veteran Xabier Belazco and a potential rising star in Erick Costa. “The Black Knight” has been the measuring stick for the 155 pound division for some time now. Always on the brink of being a championship contender, anyone who has been able to get one over on Belazco has gone on to do some incredible things, like win championships and become a main event regular.

Belazco hasn’t fought since the July UGP 21 card, where he lost to Yasmine Vermeulen in a second round TKO. That kind of absence can make the fan base, and more specifically the rankings contributors, forget just how dangerous one could be inside the octagon. A win here for Belazco could propel him back in title contention.

However, Erick Costa has faced the seasoned, and many may even say iconic, competition before. Costa suffered his first and only loss to Byron McCall back at Boss Fight XIX, but has since rebounded with a gritty unanimous decision victory over Osvaldo Ledesma. If Costa wants to be in consideration of being a top five lightweight, he needs that signature win on his resume, and thus this fight against Belazco is just what he needs.

ROUND TWO: THICC BOYS THROW DOWN

Next on the docket, we’re gonna slap a hundred pounds and add a foot to each fighter and ignite what is surely going to be an explosive engagement between two of the biggest fighters in Union GP. The 6’4”, 265 pound Heavyweight Title Challenger Joseph Byrne takes on the 6’8”, 265 pound Owen Byrne. This is a fight you most certainly won’t want to miss, and be sure to be prepared early because I have my reservations against this one going the full three rounds

Owen Barnes went 1-1 during his brief stint in the Minneapolis regional circuit, but it wasn’t his pro debut victory that convinced Twin Cities MMA Head Coach Colby Anderson he was ready for the big stage, but it was how he handled himself after quickly tasting his first defeat. The Viper showed great composure and maturity and took this as a lesson to learn and get better. And since then, he’s continued to improve himself with each fight. Barnes has gone 3-0 in Union GP, and is coming off an incredible first round knockout win over the highly touted prospect L.A. Brooks at Boss Fight XXI, which gave him a Performance of the Night bonus. Now, Barnes faces a former title challenger with Joseph Byrne, and will strive to continue the winning ways and further push himself as a legitimate title contender.

Joseph Byrne is the resident Heavyweight for ScrapYard MMA, and is looking to rebound from his loss to undefeated Heavyweight Champion Kennard Rozier. “One Punch” had lived up to his moniker up until that point, stringing four consecutive wins in less than five minutes, combined! Byne’s incredible power combined with his high cardio sets a punishing pace that very few fighters can be comparable to. If Byrne can get past the hot ticket Barnes in this colossal clash, it’d be comfortable to say that he’s right back into title contention.

ROUND THREE: WELCOME BACK, CAL.

In our first of two back-to-back Openweight Grand Prix bouts scheduled, we have arguably one of the greatest MMA fighters and also Robert Guilliman. Jokes aside, this fight between Guilliman and the returning Cal McCluskey could be deceiving and have a little more layers than you might think. Yes, nearly everyone who steps up to Guilliman suffers greatly from those devastating head kicks, but Cal is without question the biggest opponent, in terms of size, Guilliman has faced. Without the requirement of weight limits, McCluskey may come into this fight hovering around the 240 pound mark. The added size will help in part absorb those blows, so don’t count the Michigan native out so quickly.

That being said, it’s hard to imagine any other outcome that doesn’t involve Guilliman getting his hand raised in the end. However, this one could be a major test for the two-time Middleweight Champion and one the MMA fans will be excited to watch—if for nothing else than it potentially turning into an absolute circus.

McCluskey’s biggest key to pulling off the upset of the century is to survive the initial blitz. All of The Primarch’s victories are secured within two rounds. The two fights that have gone past that, he’s lost. If Cal can stay conscious for 10+ minutes, it’ll be very interesting to see how the fight progresses thereafter.

ROUND FOUR: FISK FINALLY GETS A TEST

One of the biggest headlines created within this Openweight Grand Prix has been the vocal displeasure of Daniel Fisk concerning his opening round opponent. His wish for better competition has been answered here in the semifinals.

The two-time Cruiserweight Champion will square up against the former Triumph FC Champion, Eamon Wojcik. Although this will officially be an Openweight contest, these two are certain behemoths that hover around the 250 pound mark. Expect fireworks to go off in this one, and don’t expect this one to go the distance. Both of these guys pack a powerful punch that is sure to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Whoever walks out of this fight will advance to the finals and become one step closer to championship glory. Will it be Fisk who continues the journey to become a four-time MMA Champion, or will Wojcik inch closer to securing a second Championship? Those questions will be answered this weekend in Moscow, so don’t be that guy and make sure you set your schedule to witness a sure fire instant classic.

ROUND FIVE: DO WHAT NO MAN HAS DONE BEFORE

The Moscow masses will be gifted a main event for the ages. Their hometown hero, Viktor Volkov, will challenge the unbeaten Kennard Rozier for the Union GP Heavyweight Championship. Volkov made his return to Union a memorable one as he made his heavyweight debut and put away former Heavyweight Champion Donnie Calabrese in stunning fashion. That victory secured his spot in the land of the behemoths and convinced President Dante Reed to give him a shot at the strap.

Volkov seems to have found his home in the heavyweight division, showcasing his boxing prowess and power behind his punches. But the one thing that separates Volkov from most other opponents Rozier has faced is his speed. Volkov will come into this fight the bigger man, but has the edge in his timing and agility. That right there may be the key factor in Big Vik doing what no man has done before, toppling Pluggz The Great.

However, you don’t just get a nickname like that for marketing purposes. Kennard Rozier has been absolutely dominating in eight straight contests, in which he successfully defended his 265 crown in the last three. It seems like Rozier, at least publicly, hasn’t been too concerned about Volkov leading up to this fight, and instead has been circling a future date for an absolute Super Fight with Cruiserweight Champion Roscoe Robinson. Is this enough crack in the armor needed for Volkov?

Rozier continues to rewrite the history books with every fight since UGP 15, but the question remains—will he add another chapter in his storied reign or will Volkov make this the final page of his undefeated streak?

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