PICKS AND HITS - UGP #9
- Toussaint Harper
- Mar 15, 2019
- 10 min read
Vegas baby! When we do it big we do it big!! It's a big man's time with the Main Event but as always T-Harp here with the Picks and Hits before the gladiators go to battle. No need to waste more time so let's get to it!!
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Why? To be honest, after Ford caught the Zeus thunderbolt in his Lightweight debut I’m not sure he’s shook something like that off. Talon Clem is to one of the next up in the Middleweight division next to Aries Reed. I know Ford will fight but it will be Talon running over him.
Unfortunately, I was unable to reach either fighter for comment.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
Why? Donnie is my guy! Everyone knows I love him. Love his heart and his willingness to come back for more. He’s the one fighter in all of Union never seen him so much as think of giving up once. For that, I will always respect him. I tend to pick his opponent because of the juju of when I pick him it doesn’t go his way. This time though I’m actually taking Fabio with the concept of the ground game. Donnie can take advantage of course if he gets the ground and pound advantage in top position but I’m seeing a workout for Pacitti where he might pull guard out of nowhere and show how his particular skill set is so dangerous in the heavyweight division.
That said, I did ask Donnie Calabrese about Fabio’s particular different ability in his fighting style when it comes to the Heavyweight Division. I asked how does he plan on attacking those differences in the cage. Here’s what DogFace had to say.
“Sheit, T-boy. That’s just the thing though ain’t is? He ain’t a stand up guy, he one of them get on the ground and try n dry hump you until you tap out. He don’t stand and bang, cause he can’t take the fuckin’ punches. But I ain’t never been tapped out in my life. He gonna’ be first? Fuck out here with that. Nawh, not what i’m tryin’ to do out there!” - Donnie Calabrese
Unable to reach Fabio Pacitti for comment.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? The woman is on a warpath and although I do think Moore has the advantage when it comes to ground I don’t think DeMeans will allow it to go there. She’s been lights out and is showing why people are calling her one of the best strikers in Union GP. Moore is still getting settled overall with battling very high skilled strikers she showed improvement but I do not think it will be enough for the amount DeMeans will bring.
I was able to get in touch with DeMeans during the press week. Kept it simple in this one as it should be. I commented on her undefeated streak being dominant and making a statement, how does she see that streak continuing against Lauren Moore? Her response was quick.
“I have knocked out far superior strikers and more durable fighters then Lauren and I know they have told her how hard I hit. The odds of her surviving one round is unlikely, three impossible cause every round starts standing in my cage.” - Misty DeMeans
Moore doesn’t mix words and keeps it straight to the point as well. I asked her how she would stop the streak of DeMeans.
“In simple terms? Take her down.
I think she talks about being such a great striker to cover up. Take her down, and I've taken her weapon away from her.” - Lauren Moore
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Byron McCall (0-0) VS #7 Adegoke Muller (0-3)
Why? Unlike many cases within Union GP Byron McCall isn’t a new face. This is a seasoned vet with champion pedigree. On the other side of it, all is Adegoke Muller where although he’s shown a better fight in each appearance it’s basically a winless man looking to continue winless ways. I don’t believe Byron McCall has come to Union GP to just sit and watch he will be here to make a statement and if you think he doesn’t have it in him to do it anymore I’ll advise you to watch.
McCall didn’t falter at all in getting back to me for a quote. Always the professional and the people are excited to see his debut. I asked him what are getting with this new stint of Byron McCall?
“I was battling a lot of injuries last year, I had a lot of tough fights in 2018. I wanted to make sure that when I stepped back into the cage I was one hundred percent healthy.
UGP is getting a fresh, relaxed Byron. I plan on doing what I've always done, and that's dominate.” - Byron McCall
Was unable to reach Adegoke Muller for comment. This I honestly expected.
*Casper gif*
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
Why? This might surprise many people but Delaney Donovan has shown in his undefeated streak the ability to grind on the ground. JPK movement and quickness could be stuffed if Donovan wants to take it there. That’s no taking away from JPK, he’s the former champion for a reason. On the feet, Donovan has shown a good amount of control with wins coming by the hands. I give him the advantage on the feet and it’s not so much an overall advantage on the ground for Donovan, I just believe he can handle what’s given by JPK to the point to where he can get back to his field on the feet and handle the fight from there.
I’ve been impressed with Delaney Donovan honestly. The quiet storm he’s brought to Union GP has been a highlight so far. In my short time, I asked him about having the former Union GP Lightweight Champion in his sights. If he sees a title shot in his future with a win and his thoughts on Jordan Parker-Kane.
“I appreciate the kind words. I'll be going into this fight like I have every fight up to this point. The underdog. A lot of people like to talk and be in the media but I prefer to let my fights speak for themselves. Personally, I believe I deserve a shot at the reigning lightweight champion now. Others don't see it the same way but when, not if, I beat JPK I don't think anyone will be able to deny I'm deserving of it at that point. And that's not to take anything away from Jordan. He's a great fighter and he carries himself the right way from what I've seen. He's tough, he's got the endurance to go the distance, and he's shifty as shite. That could be said about all of my opponents, though, and at the end of the day he's just an obstacle in way of where I want to go. So I've got no choice but to go through him. And I will.” - Delaney Donovan
I was unable to reach JPK for comment.
CO-MAIN EVENT
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
Why? Toughest one for me. I have more confidence in all the other picks than this one. The thing for me here is Bonanno is a lot more war tested. He’s lost a war in being war tested. Aries has mowed his competition and to me, most of them were subpar in overall ability that this division holds. Not saying it’s an easy path but I believe this is the first fight where when Aries gets hit he will actually be HIT. Also, there’s something about a man that loses his perch or loses that grand moment. He either become very wild and unfocused or the keys in and turns into something else entirely. I believe Bonanno will show you that he is the latter BUT like I said this was the toughest one to pick. Reed will show you why I still flip a coin on this.
Aries Reed had nothing but confidence in his voice when I spoke to him about this upcoming bout. I had to let him know that he’s definitely one of the rising stars in Union GP and deservedly so. I asked does he remain undefeated in Union GP after UGP 9? If so...how does it go down? Took it a step further and asked him to claim the round and how he processes it. The Silver Tongue held nothing back.
“Big Harp! I appreciate the love my dude, it means alot.
With all due respect to Cristian there is a reason why that guy the number 1 ranked middle weight in UGP. But if we are being honest, you goddamn right I walk out undefeated. I'm the hottest thing in the UGP regardless of weight class and I'm only getting better.
alert...Second round...ref stoppage.
Hes going to want to step up and trade with me because my grappling is top notch. Hes going to want to shut me up, says I talk too much but the reason I talk so much because there hasn't been a soul to shut me since.” - Aries Reed
I was unable to reach Cristian Bonanno for comment.
CO-MAIN EVENT
CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT
Why? I think Fisk is becoming complacent. I said before with Bonanno that when a man loses that position he can become one or the other. Fisk will be an example of the other. Not so much as wild but more toward unfocused. A fall from grace unlike any other. I’m here for it personally because a lot of guys stay in the business too long. It’s not because he isn’t a great fighter, he is. I like Robinson more as a Champion personally due to his character and take all comers attitude. Fisk is just not in the key he once was in and no matter who you are that catches up to you. Lucas has been increasing where Fisk has been decreasing. See the Seth Daniels fight if you think I’m wrong. When you start seeing more mistakes made that’s lacking focus. Lucas is a man looking for redemption and I see him getting it here, easily.
I reached out to Nathan Lucas before he headed off to another media session. I brought up very quickly about this being the part two of their saga and asked who he planned to make the statement needed to battle Roscoe Robinson for the Crusierweight Championship?
“Honestly, I’m not going into this fight looking to make a statement to anyone, per se. I’m looking to stay focused in the cage and not let myself get taken out as quickly as I did last time I fought Fisk. He’s good, he hits hard, and he’s not afraid of anyone. I have to be first on a lot of the exchanges, and put him on the ground. Bring him into the clinch. Put a choke on him and make him work his way out. The key this time is going to be making him uncomfortable, putting him where he doesn’t want to be and make him transition. If we stand and trade shots again, I won’t have anyone to blame but myself if it goes poorly.” - Nathan Lucas
On the other end, I was able to also get a hold of Fisk. The former Union GP Cruiserweight Champion didn’t really want time with me. I’m not too fond of him either so I kept it short. I asked how does he come back from being unable to defend the title to beating a game opponent in Nathan Lucas and make history repeat itself? His thoughts.
“You play to win the game. You fight to win the fight. People seem to forget really quick just who the fuck I am off of my first and only KO loss. Dumb as fuck to me but go hard bitch. How do I come back? The same way I got there. No mercy. No time. Just work. Live every inch of this life. Lucas will have a better strategy but the thing is I was caught. Clean yes, but caught in my loss. I will never act like that can't happen but after a near 15 plus fight career for that to be the first time lets just say it's hard to do. I will make it harder for anyone to do again. I make history repeat by giving him every shot possible. Reload. Repeat. Reload. Repeat. Reload. Repeat. If he can withstand that, we might have ourselves a fight.” - Daniel Fisk
MAIN EVENT
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© Derrick La'Bell (5-1) VS #1 Brock Quarry (3-1)
Why? One thing I believe La’Bell has had over every opponent since becoming champion, ground movement. When La’Bell gets you down he does everything in his power to kill you and you can’t take away his standup because there once again, every ability to kill you. Here comes a Rock that for the first time may be on par with or at the very least has shown that even getting him down doesn’t put him away. The hellbows will have to be at the highest level here for La’Bell to pull through. That said I do believe Quarry matches up well in this aspect and might be quicker. Which might be another place La’Bell isn’t as comfortable in. One thing I will say...I know it won’t last too long. 2nd Round at the limit.
Both the Main Eventers came through for the Harp man! First the challenger Brock Quarry. I asked him about this moment of course pressure not being anymore higher. I asked if he is the man to dethrone Derrick La'Bell and what is he bringing to the cage that no one has since Ferdinand Diao?
“Thanks, Harp. I don’t want to sound too cocky, but ask Derrick what I bring to the table. Of course I believe I’m the man to take that strap off of him, because if you look at the sort of things he’s saying on social media or at personal appearances he sounds like he’s already doing damage control. He’s already telling people a loss to me is good for the division, and good for the sport. La’Bell is a monster, but don’t get me wrong... he’s fought a handful of old dudes with one dimensional skill sets. I’m the most versatile of all the young bucks. I can hurt him in the clinch, on the feet, and if I protect myself from those elbows and don’t land on the bottom in any scrambles... I can hurt him on the ground too. My confidence in this fight isn’t because I think he’s a poor champion or I want to be disrespectful, I just think I can be better…” - Brock Quarry
In return we have our longest reigning Union GP Champion in Derrick La’Bell. Have to give all props before asking questions. I wanted to know if he was worried with Brock? He’s been able to show ability to throw hands and has rised up against the pressure. Is the Champ ready to give another hellbow ending?
“Yo know, theres always a little pressure when defending, but I see it like this.... If I lose, it's because I wasnt the best, ya know? I got a specific style, it seems to work most the time, but theres gotta be a day where I lose this title, and if Brock is the better fighter than he deserves it more than I do.
That being said, I ain't looking to lose this title any time soon. Brock is absolutely terrified of what I might do if I get him on the mat, and even though I try to stay as humble as I can, I'm not called "The Beast" for my bedroom eyes. He's gonna try to stay standing, but just like everyone that has stepped in that cage with me, he's gonna succumb to The Beast!” - Derrick La’Bell
Ides of March. There will be deaths. No stabbing in the back but face to face. Caesars Palace gets a treat. Be ready because Warhead and I will be calling every single moment. I’ll end with a new piece, guessing the fight of the night as well as performance bonuses.
FIGHT OF THE NIGHT: Bonanno vs Reed
PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHT: Byron McCall or Talon Clem
The know and learn article will definitely be interesting. Not as much as the fights of course. I'm prepared for battle! Fight game or die.
- @HarperTUGP
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