Part1 (20-11):- https://steemit.com/mma/@europemma/20-euro-fights-to-watch-in-april-2018-part-1
First, I want to apologise for the delay in posting this continuation of my previous piece. Fortunately, all but one of the fights have yet to happen/are still arranged (you can guess which one) so I don’t have to edit too much of the list.
Number 10-1:-
10. Artur Sowinski (18-9) Vs Salahdine Parnasse (10-0-1) - Featherweight
KSW 43 - April 14th
There are tonnes of fights that could be included in this spot, but I feel like the absolutely superb matchmaking by KSW has earned a big spot in this contest.
Artur Sowinski (18-8) is a veteran of KSW, fighting for the promotion 15 times and holding the Featherweight Championship in 2015. Having shared the cage with Conor McGregor, Curt Warburton, Artem Lobov, Marcin Held, Marcin Wrzosek and Kleber Koike Erbst, there’s a wealth of experience under the 31-year-old’s belt.
But KSW is going in hard on the development of wonder kid Salahdine Parnasse (10-0-1). The 20-year-old has shown skills all across the map, defeating everyone he’s faced in professional mixed martial arts. While he’s yet to share the cage with the calibre of foe that Sowinski has competed against, Parnasse is looking to build towards an impressive legacy and the first stepping stone he’ll have to conquer is Artur Sowinski.
This is some really interesting matchmaking between a tested veteran and an up and coming star, and KSW deserves all the praise for such an event.
9. Damian Janikowski (2-0) Vs Yannick Bahati (8-3) - Middleweight
KSW 43 - April 14th
Although I disagree with it’s standing as the KSW 43 main event, Damian Janikowski (2-0) Vs Yannick Bahati (8-3) is a tremendous contest and is a shining example of how to build up a touted contender without compromising the integrity of the sport (I’m looking at you Bellator).
Janikowski is an Olympic Bronze Medallist with deep roots in Greco-Roman Wrestling. The Wroclaw, Poland fighter is just 28 years old but has already displayed an extremely high level of adaptability throughout his two previous KSW wins, both TKO stoppages.
While this is Janikowski’s first time in the MMA spotlight, Yannick Bahati simultaneously held the EFC and BAMMA Middleweight titles until 2017, where he picked up losses to Dricus Du Plessis and Mike Shipman respectively.
If Janikowski can pick up a win here, it will prove he is at the level where he could compete for championships after just 3 fights, which would be an incredible achievement.
Yannick Bahati feels he is no one’s hype boost though and will be adamant about upsetting the local crowd.
8. Artem Lobov (14-14-1) Vs Alex Caceres (13-11) - Featherweight
UFC 223 - April 7th
After originally being rumoured for UFC London, this fight was announced for UFC 223 and headlines the preliminary card.
Artem Lobov (14-14-1) splits the opinions of MMA fans. Some fans look at his professional record, his connections to Conor McGregor and his fairly rigid fighting style and feel that he’s only in the company as a result of nepotism. However, as a massive fan of European MMA, I have watched Lobov continue to have war after war, engaging in some excellent fights and getting wins over some fantastic fighters such as Shay Walsh, Andrew Fisher, Teruto Ishihara, Chris Greutzmacher and Julian Erosa. For a little bit of perspective, many felt Julian Erosa defeated one of the biggest prospects beyond the UFC, Paddy Pimblett, quite easily, yet Erosa lasted just one minute against Artem Lobov in the Ultimate Fighter 22 semi-final.
Love him or hate him, you don’t want to miss an Artem Lobov fight.
Up against the Russian is Alex Caceres (13-11). Although he too has a less than impressive record, I think fans are typically much more accepting of the 18 fight UFC veteran as many of his losses are razor close split decisions. Caceres is a slick striker with a lot of speed and movement. His attacks are sharp and unpredictable, and his jiu-jitsu game would make even the best fighters think twice, but Alex is also very hittable and walks into big shots frequently.
This fight is so high on the list before it’s an exchange of strikers, both desperate for a win to remain in the company, and both with huge defensive weaknesses that make for a hell of a fight. This could easily be the fight of the night, and if you’re a fan of watching people get punched in the face, don’t miss those prelims.
7. Zabit Magomedsharipov (14-1) Vs Kyle Bochniak (8-2) - Featherweight
UFC 223 - April 7th
Hands down, the biggest shocker in recent UFC memory is that Zabit Magomedhsairpov (14-1) is opening this card. Winner of the ACB FW Grand Prix and former ACB Featherweight Champion, Zabit has exploded onto the scene in the UFC with some outstanding striking, followed up by dominant grappling. Zabit has won both of his previous UFC fights by submission, but the Russian is constantly chasing down a highlight reel KO with flashy but impactful striking.
Kyle Bochniak (8-2) hasn’t managed to generate quite as much attention as his opponent, going 2-2 since signing with the big leagues. All 4 of his fights have gone to decision, so don’t expect the Massachusetts native to be taking big risks and chances when he enters the cage. Bochniak is certainly entering the arena as a spoiler on April 7th, looking to disrupt the fluid motions of Magomedsharipov and grind out a less than impressive decision.
Like #11, Israel Adesanya Vs Marvin Vettori, this fight is very much the story of one man. All eyes, well, at least all the eyes that are willing to catch the first fight on the Fight Pass prelims, will be on Zabit Magomedshairpov as he aims to continue his war on the Featherweight division with yet another outstanding stoppage victory.
6. Karolina Kowalkiewicz (11-2) Vs Felice Herrig (14-6) - Woman's Strawweight
Bellator 196 - April 28th
By now, the skill level of Karolina Kowalkiewicz (11-2) is well scouted, with everyone knowing exactly the pedigree of striking she brings to the table. After winning the KSW Flyweight Championship in 2014, Kowalkiewicz fought a few more times before signing for the UFC in 2015. A three-fight win streak, including a split decision victory over the current champion Rose Namajunas, led to Kowalkiewicz, let to a highly anticipated rematch with fellow Polish fighter Joanna Jedrzejczyk.
After losing her title shot, and picking up another loss to Claudia Gadelha in her next outing, Karolina bounced back at UFC Gdansk with a decision win overt Jodie Esquibel.
Karolina’s extremely high-level striking is going to be tested by Felice Herrig (14-6) who has surprised everyone with her career resurgence.
After a fairly tame showing in The Ultimate Fighter Season 20, Felice initially went 1-1 in the UFC with her loss coming to Paige VanZant. It didn’t seem as though Herrig was going to be the breakout star she proclaimed to be, but she’s been on an absolute tear following the loss. Her four-fight win streak includes wins over Alexa Grasso and Cortney Casey, and you have to think that a win over Karolina puts her squarely next in line for a Strawweight title shot against Namajunas or Jedrzejczyk.
Although nothing has been officially announced, this fight could easily be a title eliminator.
5. Brett Johns (15-0) Vs Aljamain Sterling (14-3) - Bantamweight
UFC Fight Night 128 - April 21st
This is my personal favourite fight of the month, and I’ll go on record to say that I’ll always be pretty biased when it comes to Brett Johns (15-0). The undefeated fighter seems to be spearheading a Welsh revolution as of late, with fighters like Jack Shore, Jack Marshman and John Phillips following closely behind. After two reasonably pedestrian outings in the UFC, Johns finally broke out, hitting an incredible Calf Slicer on Joe Soto in just 30 seconds last December.
The submission was shown everyone, and Johns stock skyrocketed overnight. With all eyes on ‘The Pikey’, he’s finally been thrust into a legitimate top contender fight when he shares the Octagon with Aljo Sterling.
Aljamain Sterling (14-3) is one of the most well-known fighters in the UFC’s Lightweight division. With slick striking and smooth transitions, Aljamain is a threat wherever the fight goes. After a commanding victory over former Bantamweight Champion Renan Barao, Aljo was stopped in his tracks by a sickening Marlon Moraes knee in his last outing.
Sterling is going to be on a warpath, looking to get straight back into title contention. Brett Johns innovative grappling and textbook boxing is going to put the more battle-tested warrior in the firing line, however, and personally, I can’t wait.
4. Fedor Emelianenko (36-5) Vs Frank Mir (18-11) - Heavyweight
Bellator 198 - April 28th
I couldn’t omit this fight, could I? I can’t guarantee it will be a high-level affair. I can’t go on record saying it will be a barn burner or even an impressive display of mixed martial arts. However, what I can proclaim is that this fight is FINALLY going to happen. The Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this opening round match has delivered us a nearly-lost piece of history.
Fedor Emelianenko (36-5) is perhaps the greatest fighter to ever walk the planet. I could run down his opponents, his accolades, his accomplishments, but I really don’t have to. Everyone knows who The Emperor is, and exactly how important he is to the sport of MMA.
For years, people speculated and wondered just how good Fedor would do against the best in the UFC. While Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar were other potential foes, much of the talk lay firmly at the feet of Frank Mir (18-11).
While Mir has been more frequently seen commentating for ACB since his knockout loss to Mark Hunt in 2016, the former UFC Champion has dedicated the last couple of months to return to fighting shape, all with his sights set on defeating the man he never fought and advancing in the Grand Prix.
While Frank might not be a masterful striker, his 2015 KO of Todd Duffee was nothing short of artistic, and in a realm where Fedor Emelianenko is battle-worn and heavily aged, Mir has a damn good chance of landing it.
3. Roberto Soldic (13-2) Vs Dricus Du Plessis (11-1) - Welterweight Championship
KSW 43 - April 14th
I am all-in on the Roberto Soldic (13-2) hype train. Stepping onto the scene seemingly out of nowhere at Cage Warriors 87, the now 23-year-old shocked everyone by knocking one of the best European fighters, Lew Long, out cold in just 40 seconds with a head kick.
If that’s not impressive enough, Soldic would step in on short notice to fight KSW Welterweight Champion Borys Mankowski, and he would brutalize the champion to a third round retirement.
Following his win, Soldic would charge into the crowd, pushing a member of the crowd. Was it a fan? Was it an opponent’s trainer? Nope, it was Dricus Du Plessis (11-1).
The EFC Welterweight and Middleweight Champion, Dricus Du Plessis is South Africa’s number one export. With an insanely effective submission game, Du Plessis has choked out 8 of his 12 opponents.
The bad blood is overflowing in this one, and there’s a good chance that neither fighter will prioritize legacy over violence in this Welterweight Title Fight.
2. Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1) Vs Rose Namajunas (7-3) - Woman's Strawweight Championship
UFC 223 - April 7th
I’m getting closer to spelling it without having to use Google.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-1) is the most technical, accurate and sharp striker that woman’s martial arts have ever seen. With the ability to punch and kick in clinical fashion, she really brought about a new wave and next level in female mixed martial arts.
However, at her highest height, Joanna was torn down by a first-round knockout loss to Rose Namajunas (7-3).
Rose was forced to take an onslaught of mental warfare from the champion before the fight, but remained poised and composed all the way up to the fight. In the ring, Rose unleashed her hands with power she had previously withheld, breaking Joanna badly over the course of the 3-minute affair.
Now, Joanna has dedicated everything in her career towards regaining the title. The Poland native has wagered that the rest of her career is irrelevant if she doesn’t overcome her foe this time around, but once again Namajunas has shunned the spotlights and microphones, focusing only on walking out of Brooklyn with the UFC Woman’s Strawweight Championship resting on her shoulder.
1. Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0) Vs Max Holloway (19-3) - Lightweight Championship
UFC 223 - April 7th
Of course, the original number one fight was going to be Khabib Vs Tony Ferguson, but after the cursed fight fell through for the fifth time, UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway (19-3) stepped up on just 6 days notice to fight one of the scariest men walking the planet today.
Max, along with fighters like Robert Whittaker, has proved that it doesn’t take witty comebacks and manufactured hype to sell a fight (although I wouldn’t take shots at Max on Twitter if I were you). Remaining a professional, true to his own sense of decency, Max slowly built his way up the Featherweight rankings following a decision loss early in his career to Conor McGregor.
After an incredible 10 fight winning streak, including wins over Anthony Pettis, Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas and Jeremy Stephens, Max was finally handed his chance at immortality. Clashing with Jose Aldo, Max destroyed the legend on his way to a third-round stoppage. After Frankie Edgar was injured, Max would again face a replacement Aldo, winning in almost exactly the same method.
However, he’s fighting Khabib Nurmagomedov (25-0). Although plagued by injuries and weight issues, Khabib has remained one of the most consistently terrifying fighters the sport has ever seen. His wrestling is unlike any we’ve seen before, and his ground and pound is the stuff of nightmares.
I honestly feel like Khabib’s style is the most demeaning in the sport. He gives fighters enough space to work or try and escape, before snatching it back from them with a brutal elbow or punch. While some fighters relentlessly go on the attack, searching for a TKO, Khabib lets you try and reverse the position, leaving the opponent to actually decide whether or not they should quit trying.
It’s awful that Nurmagomedov Vs Ferguson isn’t happening, but this fight is still incredible. Max Holloway, a Featherweight, is stepping up at 6 days notice, while injured, to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov. This is the stuff of legends and if Max walks out of Brooklyn as the UFC Lightweight Champion, he jumps the line to become one of the greatest to ever do it.