PICKS AND HITS - BOSS FIGHT VIII
- Toussaint Harper
- Mar 30, 2019
- 4 min read
Love Japan. My home away from home. A lot of history and fights I had from the basement rooms to the arenas. It’s great to come back and be able to watch some of Union GP’s talent go to work. Between this and the newly released UGP 10 card, it’s going to be a buzz here for a good month plus. Now before we get ahead let's get to Boss Fight VIII. Night of debuts. Night of surprises. I’m here for it and I’m sure you are too. Another picks and hits with the man Harpy. After my knockout night in predictions from UGP #9 hopefully, I can continue the magic. Hopefully, I still think I suck at calling these in comparison to UGP events. This edition of Picks and Hits will not have quotes from the fighters. Time wasn’t on my side unfortunately but with my upcoming new piece ‘Linked’ and another ‘The Grand’ piece coming up I’m working around the clock for the best in MMA.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Warren Leibowitz (0-0) VS Rob Jones (0-0)
Why? I spoke to Rob Jones for my first session of ‘Linked’ and with all the mouth he runs there’s a part of me that feels he’ll be able to back it up inside of the cage. Info isn’t strong on either fighter and that’s what debuts are for. We will learn them in 15 minutes or less.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? I pretty much place Rao in the same place as Muller. Winless and it’s either going to make or break them. Tran also coming in at 0-2...something has to give. I’ll take Tran but not doing it with the fullest confidence.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? The technical skill of Grey is something I will continue to appreciate. That said this pick is being done strictly because I feel though Momo’a has a strong defense system Grey has been pulling rabbits out of hats in the ground game unlike anyone else in the Lightweight division. I think that also an experience lesson could be at play here but if this fight stays on the feet, well I’ll just have to eat this pick.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? Both of these two women have surprised me with their performances and shocked me with their ability. Lord this one will be hard to pick. I’m going with JoJo and here’s why. I’ve seen the overall killer instinct in her to finish the opponent. I’m not saying that Zoe Sinani doesn’t have it. Believe me, I take into well account of what she did to Julia Tran. I just do believe where time comes to if hesitation could come into play in either fighter or an overall mistake it would be more than likely on the side of Sinani than Holder. That’s it really. I will not displace either because as I said before they have both shown good skill in that cage.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Reno Nevada (0-0) VS Travis Decker (0-0)
Why? A debut of two fighters with a lot of eyes on them. One is even-keeled the other is already seeming to be off-kilter to keep it politically correct. To this point, I’ll give the coin flip to Reno Nevada I’ve seen and heard of him before so it’s more familiarity than anything. That said if Decker kicks head off...not surprised either. I will admit this is a familiar vs unfamiliar pick choice.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
#6 Simon Bishop (2-3-1) VS Luca Brasi (0-0)
Why? A new contract for Bishop lets you know he’s here to earn the keep. He’s introducing Luca Brasi to the UGP. Luca Brasi is a fighter I know well about and Simon Bishop tends to have two gears to me. When he’s on that top level he’s a complete problem on the ground. When he’s in there uninspired it seems to show as well, unfortunately. After a loss to Aries Reed, he tends to come back from losses with that aggression that once made him a touted top contender. I’ll give it to Bishop although I know Brasi has the full-blooded fighter in him and will make it extremely tough for him.
CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT
Why? Daniels has become a shell of himself it seems. Some people may not see it but I do. I just write what I see. Wirman is a man possessed after losing to Volkov and therefore losing his shot to the Cruiserweight title at that particular time. Daniels had some fire in him when it came to his loss against Daniel Fisk. Just, I’m feeling we haven’t seen the last of Wirman when it comes down to it in the title scene and this fight will cement that fact.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? Zari is our UGP humanitarian of the year easy. There’s no one that does more for the community in my personal opinion on the roster. She’s a joy. She’s a gift. Add on that fact she’s fighting one of the kindest souls on the roster in Saffron I hate every part of this pick. Both of them are top notch fighters but more than that they are both top notch people. That said the reason I give this fight to Saffron is I think Zari is still trying to fully figure out the ground. The standing game they both do well. The ground I believe Saffron has an advantage. Zari has the wrestling background I know do not get me wrong but full-time BJJ is always a problem. Always. Will be a fantastic main event.
NEXT, awards of the night.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: I’ll go Reno Nevada vs Travis Decker. If not them then definitely Saffron vs Zari.
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT: Wirman I think. I expect all the other fights to be a bit of a battle at least.
After this, the Know/Learn follows and with the release of the next card UGP #10 it will be high times in Japan. I might just sit and stay awhile. After probably drowning my sorrows in another 5-3 picks or lower.
- @HarperTUGP
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#ooc Once again OOC apologies for not having the time to run quotes on everyone on this card. 59 hour work week. A bitch will send you my time card if you think I'm bullshittin. I'm too old for this shit LOL.
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