WHAT WE KNOW/WHAT WE LEARNED - UGP #8
- Toussaint Harper
- Mar 14, 2019
- 4 min read
Harpy is back ladies and gentlemen with another edition of What We Know/What We Learned. This time I’m covering UGP #8 and I’m just going to say it. I have never made easier money than that in my life. A night of all 1st round finishes truly a once in a lifetime phenomenon. An action-packed night and although some of the fans did have their opinions about the quick finishes I highly doubt anyone can complain about how these bouts ended. Awesome night in Boston.
CRUISERWEIGHT BOUT
“DAMNE IRVINE”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 63% for Irvine to win.
- KVD comes in winless in his Union GP Career.
- Alexander Irvine comes in winning his Union GP debut against Cal McCluskey.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Elbows are death, avoid them at all costs.
- KVD is still the Cruiserweight division punching bag. Strong chin for what it’s worth.
- Alexander is showing to be for real. He’s an elder but a skilled one.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
“CRANK DAT SOULJ---NO”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 84% for Harris to win.
- Interesting Throne MMA vs Throne MMA fight.
- Saffron Harris has met both sides of the column at this point in her Union GP Career. Her last fight a loss to Kelsi Morrow by Submission.
- Ellis Belrose still searching for her first Union GP win losing her debut to Hanako Takeuchi.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Saffron Harris’ ground game is more expanded. We’ve seen bits and pieces before but that was a quick clinic. Couldn’t get the arm under the neck so improvised. Beautiful neck crank finish.
- Belrose has a long way to go but I do believe she’s shown the means to compete.
- Matchmakers will have an easy time with the Lightweight division. The numbers will make quality match-ups.
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
“BAM BAM BROCK”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 60% for Koa to win.
- Shotgun Koa comes with a 3 fight losing streak.
- Brock Quarry comes in with his last fight being a split decision win over Fabio Pacitti.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Brock seems to take the rock part of his name seriously. The man took some PUNCHES!!
- Koa still has the fight in him. Question is age starting to catch him?
- This heavyweight division is starting to get plenty interesting.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
#1 Hanako Takeuchi (3-1) VS Jeremiah Ford (3-4)
“IN REMEMBRANCE OF”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 93% for Takeuchi to win.
- Hanako Takeuchi is looking for a title fight. Has been on a tear ever since losing to JPK.
- This is Jeremiah's first appearance as a Lightweight in Union GP.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- We already knew this but you don't want to be hit by Hanako in any fashion.
- Jeremiah Ford caught a hell of a welcoming present.
- A title fight is incoming for sure.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
“DIRTY DOUBLE D”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 63% for Belazco to win.
- Delaney Donovan comes into this fight undefeated.
- Xabier Belazco comes with a 2 fight win streak.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Delaney Donovan can work the clinch at lot better than I thought.
- The lightweight division is very promising with fights like these.
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
“A DEVILISH DEED”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 77% for Reed to win.
- Aries Reed comes in with an undefeated streak.
- Navorro comes in with a split decision win over Jeremiah Ford.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Those wrestlers can make it in this business. Previous examples have shown this. Although I never held the mindset myself that wrestlers cannot be successful. Like anyone other disciplines the most that are we rounded tend to rise. Example being the current Lightweight champion who has shown the ability to work all assets.
- Aries is a definite contender in the middleweight division.
MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
© Cristian Bonanno (6-0) VS #1 Robert Guilliman (3-1)
“THE REIGN ENDS”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 54% for Bonanno to win.
- Cristian Bonanno a dominant undefeated at 6-0 in his Union GP career.
- Robert Guilliman earned his way as challenger avenging his only loss against Edan McLeod.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- Every reign falls eventually.
- Robert Guilliman has truly become a whole different fighter.
- Weathering Bonanno's storm is something not many can do. The kicks of Guilliman proved to be kryptonite for Bonanno in this fight. Question is does that become a blueprint or simply the one shock moment?
CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP © Roscoe Robinson (4-1) VS #1 Viktor Volkov (4-1) “THE DEADLIEST GUN”
My pick result: N/A
WHAT WE KNOW
- Fan poll voted 52% for Volkov to win.
- Viktor Volkov has earned his way thrashing his way back up after his first loss in the Cruiserweight tournament.
- Roscoe Robinson comes in for his first title defense.
WHAT WE LEARNED
- When the Shooter shoots, get out.
- Intelligent defending was a deep meaning of the night.
- Volkov can somewhat work in the clinch but Roscoe came in early knowing to keep it close. Signs that growth comes with time.
This was a record-breaking night with the fights going so quickly. Fighters I thank you and so does my voice as well as my bank account.
Coming up is Boss Fight VII and with it my late new year's resolution to try and keep track of my pick em record. Brazil here we come. Congrats to all the winners and as always until the next lesson. Fight game or die.
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