Who desires MMA after darkish on Saturday night time? In case your reply was “Sure,” you then’re in luck. Late night time aggressive violence closes out a marathon day of motion from around the globe, with the final cease on the itinerary for July 20 being the Golden State’s capital metropolis.
After taking everything of June off, Urijah Faber‘s A1 Fight returns for 2 exhibits in as many weeks within the month of July. It begins this Saturday with A1 Fight 22.
Protection begins from Arduous Rock Dwell Saturday night time at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT with the undercard earlier than transitioning to the primary card at midnight ET/ 9 pm PT (early Sunday), with blow-by-blow commentary being delivered by MMA Sucka’s very personal Michael Hernandez. UFC girls’s flyweight Cory McKenna will function the analyst.
One programming notice: A1 Fight 22 will solely be seen gavel-to-gavel on the promotion’s official YouTube channel. UFC Battle Cross will carry the primary card of subsequent Friday’s A1 Fight 23.
Tremendous-Middleweight Championship at Stake Saturday Night time in A1 Fight 22 Major Occasion
All informed, barring any late changes to the bout order on Saturday night time, the ultimate model of A1 Fight 22 options 11 bouts, all within the skilled ranks. Highlighting the night time’s actions is a battle for supremacy at 195 lbs. within the A1 Fight 22 important occasion.
The Vacant A1 Fight Tremendous-Middleweight Championship is up for grabs when Kevem Felipe (9-7 MMA, 1-1 A1 Fight) takes on 20-fight veteran Jason Butcher (15-5 MMA, A1 Fight promotional debut), an alumnus of each the PFL and Bellator MMA. In accordance with California State Athletic Fee coverage on fights in regionally-based promotions, the A1 Fight 22 important occasion is an marketed most of three rounds at 5 minutes per spherical to shut the present.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, all bouts happening throughout regional occasions in California are to be three rounds in size. No exceptions have been made for championship fights.
A1 Fight 22 Major Occasion Fighter Comparability and Betting Odds
Heading into the A1 Fight 22 important occasion on Saturday night, Jason Butcher stands because the taller man at 6-foot-3, in comparison with Kevem Felipe’s 6-foot-1 body. Butcher owns a three-inch attain benefit (74 inches to 71 inches over Felipe.
At present, the oddsmakers have this one listed as a pick-’em on the cash line. Felipe is put in at -120 odds, whereas Butcher counters at -110. For those who plan on betting on this or every other struggle taking place in MMA this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Kevem Felipe Faces Fast Turnaround Forward of A1 Fight 22 Major Occasion
Kevem Felipe enters Saturday night time’s headliner having posted a document of 3-2 in his final 5 fights. Most lately, he returned to the win column due to a first-round knockout victory over Aireon Tavarres (6-2 MMA) on June 8 throughout Zhong Luo CFS 10 for that promotion’s middleweight title.
By the point the A1 Fight 22 important occasion begins this weekend, he’ll have solely had 42 days, precisely six weeks, between fights. Whereas staying lively is sweet for any fighter on the regional circuit, solely taking six weeks between contests could be a problem for Felipe forward of this super-middleweight title struggle as he seeks to win his second belt in as many months.
With time being tight for Felipe and his group, what sort of a coaching camp has he had? Extra importantly, how will he fare?
Will the Third Reserving Be the Allure for Jason Butcher?
Within the different nook, Jason Butcher has gone 3-2 himself over the past 5 contests. At present, Butcher’s on a two-fight successful streak, however he’s had a protracted interregnum between fights. Final day out, he bested Doug Usher (14-6 MMA) by the use of first-round knockout in B2 Combating Collection 183 on Could 27 of final 12 months for his or her middleweight championship.
Since then, Butcher has been scheduled to struggle Kevem Felipe twice this 12 months. Each fights have been scrubbed with out a punch being thrown.
Initially, Butcher and Felipe have been to have squared off on March 29 and once more on Could 17. Each postponed fights have been to have taken place at middleweight, with the March 29 struggle scheduled for the Vacant A1 Fight Middleweight Championship. Butcher was in poor health forward of the primary reserving in March.
Jason Butcher has had greater than a 12 months between fights, so how a lot in the best way of ring rust will he have had forward of the A1 Fight 22 important occasion?
Evaluation, Movie Examine, and Prediction
It appears to be like like we’ve obtained one other a type of traditional strength-versus-strength matchups within the A1 Fight 22 important occasion. Who will win the day?
Felipe Can Get The Job Accomplished in a Hurry
With the A1 Fight 22 important occasion happening within the wee hours of Sunday morning on the East Coast of the USA, don’t fall asleep when Kevem Felipe enters the cage. You may get up after dawn not understanding the end result of the struggle.
If he performs the best way he did final month vs. Tavarres, you’ll be sorry you dozed off. In the course of the first spherical of the struggle, Felipe absorbed a kick to the leg earlier than making an attempt one to the top which did not join.
Afterward within the spherical, he landed some kicks of his personal and slowed the tempo of the struggle down a bit bit to stalk Tavarres, persevering with to pepper him with additional leg kicks. Upon making an attempt a flying knee, he returned to the leg kicks earlier than lastly ending the struggle with a nasty head kick for the knockout.
Identical to in soccer, search for the kicking sport to play a job in figuring out the champion at super-middleweight on Saturday night time. If Felipe connects with one clear kick proper on the button, this one might be over in a rush.
Butcher Can Minimize a Battle Quick
Within the different nook, Jason Butcher could make his night time on the workplace a fast one. Simply take a look at the video of his struggle towards Doug Usher. Proper after the opening bell, Butcher slipped earlier than touchdown a collection of punches to place Usher down and out in below 30 seconds.
If Jason Butcher beats Kevem Felipe to the primary strike, the momentum can swing his approach.
Closing Ideas
For those who’re within the Japanese or Central Time Zones, placed on a pot of espresso earlier than A1 Fight 22 begins. You might want it to remain awake for the primary occasion.
Prediction: Kevem Felipe by First-Spherical KO.
