UGP #2 PREVIEW

HOUSTON — There’s that famous saying that goes “Everything is bigger in Texas”. That is exactly the hype that UGP #2 is getting in Space City. The second UGP event is being held at the NRG Arena in Houston, Texas, and it is chock full of enticing matchups from start to finish. From the Olympic sized main event to the redemption filled opener, this night is primed for another set of exciting and unpredictable outcomes.

The show airs live only on the Battleground Network at 10:00 PM EST on Saturday September 29.

AERON ROBERTS (0-1) vs JEREMIAH FORD (0-0)

The opener features a Light Heavyweight Round Robin bout that can go either way. We saw a glimpse of Roberts at UGP #1 where she lost to Cristian Bonanno. We don’t really know what Jeremiah Ford is capable of, so it’s anyone’s guess. Roberts is a suffocating fighter who will look to take the fight to the ground where she can work in her submissions. Jeremiah on the other hand is a much better striker and it will work in his favor to keep the fight standing.

SHOTGUN KOA (1-0) vs FERDINAND DIAO (0-1)

Both of these guys were in first round KOs at UGP #1, however each were on different ends of the result. Shotgun Koa won in the main event against Donnie Calabrese while Ferdinand Diao lost to Derrick La’Bell. Both of these fighters are heavy handed, and it’s looking like another brawl is in order. Koa will be looking to continue winning while Diao searches for hisnfirst victory. Diao is much younger, but Koa showed that age is just a number against Calabrese. Can Diao even his record up or will Koa stand unbeaten once again?

CRISTIAN BONANNO (1-0) vs KIRA IZUMI (0-1)

Our first fight in the 185 pound, Light Heavyweight Division another two guys in opposite ends. Cristian Bonanno had an impressive first round KO against Aeron Roberts, while Izumi lost by submission to Simon Bishop. The big question is whether Bonanno will be able to keep the fight standing, or if Izumi will be able to take the fight to the ground and improve on his submission execution.

KENZI GREY (1-0) vs ANNIE ZELLOR (0-0)

Another matchup featuring two professional wrestlers making the plunge into the cage. There were skeptics about whether the likes of Kenzi Grey, Kaelan Laughlin, Annie Zellor, and Seth Daniels could perform at a high level in the mixed martial arts world, but Kenzi Grey and Kaelan Laughlin’s Fight of the Night proved they can hang. This go round, Kenzi has a notch on her belt whilenher opponent Annie Zellor is set to make her debut. It’s twofold, Kenzi has some experience but at the same time she has some film that Zellor and her camp can study, while Annie herself remains an unknown.

DERRICK LA’BELL (1-0) vs DONNIE CALABRESE (0-1)

Once again, these two were in KO performances at UGP #1, but on opposite ends. Derrick La’Bell took it to Ferdinand Diao while Donnie Calabrese was upset in his hometown Chicago in the main event. Both of these guys have been the most vocal of the Heavyweights which makes this fight one of the most compelling bouts of the night.

DANIEL FISK (0-0) vs MAD MAXINE (0-0)

The first of two Junior Heavyweight fights for the night pits Real Killas MMA Owner Daniel Fisk against Mad Maxine. Fisk is an icon in the business, and it’ll be hard to bet against him. However, Maxine is a physical phenomenon who has been known to sacrifice her own well-being for the sake of victory. This one might seem obvious, but when you dig deep into the breakdowns, it could be a lot closer than you’d think.

JORDAN PARKER-KANE (0-0) vs LAUREN MOORE (0-0)

The headliner of the night for the second shownin a row is a Cruiserweight Division Tournament bout between Houston homeboy Jordan Parker-Kane against Lauren Moore. JPK is a great counter fighter who uses his opponent’s momentum against them. Moore has an incredible takedown and GnP game. The Cruiserweight Division has become one of, if not, the most talked about fights in UGP’s early stage. Look for this one to be another potential Fight of the Night.

VIKTOR VOLKOV (0-0) vs NATHAN LUCAS (0-0)

Our main event of night features an Olympic Boxer against an Olympic Wrestler. It’s not too often you get to see two athletes, in different contact sports who made it to pinnacle heights, square up against one another. These two match up perfectly; both have knockout power and a great ground game. We’d like to call this “The Battle on Mount Olympus” which could only fit in the Lone Star State. As they say, “Everything is bigger in Texas”.