Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) may get the most attention in the mixed martial arts (MMA) space, but there are several regional promotions putting on exciting events this weekend that are worth watching.
Our friends at GoFightLive.tv are set to stream several combat sports events over the next two days, featuring a handful of boxing events, a professional wrestling show, and five live MMA events.
As a gift to MMAmania readers, GFL is once again offering 25% off any event, using the exclusive coupon code “ManiaGFL.” Below, we run down the top five fights to watch on GFL this weekend.
5. Dustin Brooks vs. Carlton Williamson – GPG 23 Appetite for Destruction
The Light Heavyweight division across all of MMA is incredibly thin, so nearly any 205-pound prospect deserves recognition.
Among the very best Amateur prospects at 205-pounds is Dustin Brooks.
The New York native is currently 7-2 as an amateur, losing his last fight via injury last September.
While Brooks is still very green, he has shown a lot of promise in his 9 career bouts. It is still too early to say whether or not Brooks will ever make it to the big show, but if he plans on fighting full time, he needs to win at Global Proving Ground 23.
Taking on Carlton Williamson — who has lost both of his amateur bouts — Brooks will need to stay composed, and get the job done in a fight he should win.
4. Four Man Heavyweight Grand Prix – Driller Fights: A-Town Throwdown VIII
Technically this isn’t a single fight, but the allure of Driller Fights: A-Town Throwdown VIII is undoubtedly the four man Heavyweight Grand Prix.
The one-night, four-man Grand Prix will crown a new Heavyweight champ by night’s end. Three of the four fighters involved are ranked in Minnesota, and the fourth is a former wrestling standout from Wisconsin.
In the opening round, John Loeken faces Aaron Williams and Joe Carreon meets Calyn Hull.
Three of the four fighters boast winning records, with Hull making his MMA debut on Saturday night.
Considering how wild and fun one-night tournaments usually are, this Heavyweight Grand Prix can’t be missed.
3. Eric Prindle vs Maurice Jackson – Midwest Championship Fighting 11
If you love Heavyweight battles, Midwest Championship Fighting 11 is the event for you!
You may remember Eric Prindle from his days in Bellator, and while the “American Soldier” is not exactly a prolific winner, he always puts on a show.
Prindle’s last five fights have all ended via finish, with him on the winning side in his last two bouts.
This weekend, Prindle will battle the heavy-handed Maurice Jackson, a fellow Bellator veteran who boasts a 3-1 professional record.
Neither of these guys will ever break the top 10 in the Heavyweight division, but with their penchant for finishing fights, you simply can’t miss out on what should be a highly entertaining affair.
2. Joey Holt vs Justin Edwards – Gladiators of the Cage XX
In the main event of Gladiators of the Cage XX, a UFC veteran battles a Bellator veteran for Lightweight gold.
Justin Edwards was cut from UFC’s roster last June after his third straight loss inside the Octagon. Saturday will be “Fast Eddie’s” first fight outside of the UFC since 2010.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) veteran will battle Joey Holt, who is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, including three savage finishes.
In only his second professional bout, “The Hitman” earned a vicious knockout victory over Clint Musser at Bellator 51. Even with the win, Holt’s career in Bellator halted from there, and he has gone 5-2 since on the regional scene.
If Holt can finish Edwards impressively this weekend, he deserves a shot inside the Octagon.
1. Rick Glenn vs Chris Manuel – Pure Fighting Championship 3
Former World Series of Fighting (WSOF) Featherweight champ Rick Glenn returns to the regional scene after five straight WSOF bouts to battle WEC and Bellator veteran Chris Manuel in the main event of Pure Fighting Championship 3.
At 26 years old, “The Gladiator” is still in his fighting prime, coming off an impressive knockout over Adam Ward at WSOF 24 last October.
As for Manuel, the American Top Team veteran returned to the cage in 2015 after a three year layoff, and went 1-1 in exciting fights.
Manuel has all the tools to defeat Glenn, but there is no doubt the former WSOF champ is the heavy favorite on Saturday night.
Could a win earn “The Gladiator” a UFC roster spot?
That’s a wrap fight fans!