Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator may dominate the mixed martial arts (MMA) headlines, but they aren’t the only promotions with MMA action this weekend.
Our friends at GoFightLive.tv are set to stream five live MMA events from the regional scene all across the U.S. and Canada over the next two days, and some of the best prospects in the sport are set to throw down. As a gift to MMAmania readers, GFL is offering 25% off any event, using the exclusive coupon code “ManiaFans.”
This week’s selections provides a handful of title fights, a UFC veteran looking to get back in the fray, and a ton of top-notch action. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the top five fights to watch on GFL.
5. Jared Scoggins vs Graeme Prue – USFFC 26
We kick off this list with a name you may recognize, as UFC Flyweight contender Justin Scoggins’ younger brother Jared is set for his third professional MMA bout at USFFC 26 tomorrow night.
Like his older brother, Scoggins is masterful on the feet, featuring a wide array of strikes utilizing all eight of his weapons at his disposal.
“Psycho” Scoggins in undefeated at 2-0, finishing both opponents via knockout in devastating fashion. Prior to his professional career, Scoggins racked up an impressive 5-1 amateur record.
The younger Scoggins will have a very favorable match-up against Graeme Prue, who comes in at 1-3 in his professional career.
While this likely won’t be the fight that earns Scoggins a UFC contract, you can expect a sensational performance from the ultra-talented prospect, and potentially a highlight-reel knockout as the cherry on top.
4. Nathan Kenna vs. Adrian Molenda – Battle Arena 37
With Ireland’s Conor McGregor dominating headlines across the MMA landscape, we just had to feature his fellow countryman, Nathan Kenna.
Still an amateur, Kenna boasts an undefeated 3-0 record, finishing each opponent in increasingly impressive fashion.
Fighting at both Bantamweight and Flyweight, the young Irishman will fight for his first title against the undefeated Pole Adrian Molenda.
Considering how green both these fighters still are, it will be interesting to see what they bring to the table this early on in their career.
3. Tim Hague vs Tanner Boser – Unified MMA 26
A UFC veteran will battle a major prospect for the second time this weekend at Unified MMA 26.
Back in 2015, it didn’t take long for Tim Hague to derail the Heavyweight hype train of Tanner Boser.
In fact, the UFC veteran finished the Unified MMA Heavyweight kingpin in merely six seconds via knockout.
A year later, the duo will step into the cage once again, as Boser looks to prove his flash knockout loss to Hague was merely a fluke, and that he belongs in the big leagues.
Since defeating Boser, Hague has been finished twice via knockout. On the contrary, Boser has since won two fights via knockout.
Expect another quick and violent war, and if Boser comes out the victor, you may very well see him fighting inside the Octagon next.
2. Brian Kelleher vs. Julio Arce – Ring of Combat 54
Ring of Combat has featured some of the best MMA prospects over the last decade, including future UFC Champion Chris Weidman, Uriah Hall, Costa Phillipou, and more recently Oluwale Bamgbose, Randy Brown, and Justine Kish.
This weekend, ROC will once again feature major talent, as Julio Arce looks to recapture Bantamweight gold against the very man who took the title in Brian Kelleher.
Prior to losing a very close majority decision to Kelleher at ROC 52, Arce had defended his title three times, and seemed destined to fight inside the Octagon.
Kelleher had a much more rocky road en route to capturing ROC gold, as “Boom” competed in Bellator and some of the best regional promotions in the country en route to a 15-7 record.
Both men feature a very exciting style that pushes a high pace, and while both are worthy of fighting inside the Octagon, likely only one man can earn that opportunity with a victory at ROC 54.
1. Gregor Gillespie vs. Jose Mariscal – Ring of Combat 54
The best fight of the weekend on GFL goes to Ring of Combat, as Lightweight prospects battle for gold in the main event of ROC 54.
The current champ Gregor Gillespie earned the belt by submitting George Sheppard in their battle for the vacant title back at ROC 51, and the undefeated 5-0 prospect from New York hopes to defend his crown this weekend.
It won’t be an easy task as Gillespie battles a fellow undefeated prospect in Jose Mariscal.
At 3-0, the Chicago native has proven to be a special talent inside the cage, with a penchant of finishing his fights in brutal fashion.
In his amateur career, Mariscal accrued an additional six victories, all via stoppage in the first round.
In a combined 14 fights, these men have fought to the judges merely twice, so it is hard to believe the judges will be needed this weekend.
Regardless of who wins at ROC 54, you can expect both men to be making their impact in MMA over the next several years.
That’s a wrap fight fans!