The second event of ‘International Fight week’ is a TUF finale event headlined by a strawweight title fight between Ultimate Fighter coaches Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Claudia Gadelha, in a rematch of a fight Jedrzejczyk won via split decision back in 2014.
Since that fight, Jedrzejczyk has gone on to claim strawweight gold and establish herself as the number one in the division, beating Carla Esparza, Jessica Pene and Valerie Létourneau along the way. Whilst everyone knows Jedrzejczyk is a fantastic striker, not as much credit is given to her takedown defence which is improving with every fight and also ensuring that she keeps her fights exactly where she wants them to be. Gadelha has been calling for this fight since Jedrzejczyk won the belt from Carla Esparza and now after a season of baiting each other on The Ultimate Fighter, she gets her wish. Since their first fight, Gadelha has only fought Jessica Aguilar back in August 2015 however she did it in dominant fashion against a tough opponent. More renowned for her submission game than her striking, Gadelha would like to get this fight to the canvas, however training at Nova Uniao has ensured that she’s more than comfortable in the standing exchanges but she’s arguably not at the level of striking as Jedrzejczyk. Following the performances the last time these two met, this is sure to be a close contest, however it’s hard to look past Jedrzejczyk again in this fight.
Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I’m wasting none of my time writing about TUF contestant fights. Just assume they’ll be as poor as they are 99% of the time.
Former Bellator lightweight champion, ‘Ill’ Will Brooks makes his debut on this card against Britain’s own Ross Pearson in a lightweight fight that will hopefully help determine just how good Brooks is. Brooks was the reigning Bellator champion before being released from the company and holds two wins over Michael Chandler, a man that has beaten lightweight title contender, Eddie Alvarez. Brooks does have a very good wrestling base and combined with some KO power, it makes him a dangerous fighter, especially when he’s looking to make an impact in a new organisation. Person is no mug however, and has been in the fight game a long time. His striking is criminally underrated and over the past few years his takedown defence has improved since he debuted in the company. That being said, Pearson hasn’t won two fights on the bounce since 2013 and I don’t expect that to change here.
Choi Doo-Ho and Thiago Tavares has been put together for one reason, and one reason only; they both like to finish, Choi has amassed twelve wins via KO or submission in his fifteen fight career and is riding a twelve fight win streak coming in ton this fight, with his last three fights being won by KO. Tavares is also a finisher, although he likes to use submissions to get his wins, with thirteen of his twenty career wins ending with a tap out. These two fighters may be polar opposites in how they end their fights, but one thing is for certain, this won’t go the distance.
Joaquim Silva v Andrew Holbrook open up the main card in a battle of the undefeated lightweights. Both of these fighters like a finish with Silva possessing the heavier hands of the two and Holbrook having a crafty submission game. Both these fighters will be hoping to make an impression in this fight that will make people take notice, in a division as deep as 155lbs.
Fights to watch on the prelims; John Moraga vs. Matheus Nicolau, Cezar Ferreira vs. Anthony Smith
DOM BURY
LEAD WRITER
Welsh BJJ Blue Belt and founding member of the Gunnar Nelson Fan club. Known vagabond and all round scumbag.
