Legacy FC: July Preview

By
AJ Hoffman
 – 05/21/2011Posted in: FC July 2011

Written By: AJ Hoffman

Legacy continues to blow us away with the cards that they put out. Each one has been better than the last with the organization, and July’s offering will be no different. Collin Cantrell joined us on our weekly podcast to break the news about the upcoming July card for Legacy FC 7.

We thought we would wet your appetite with a quick preview of each match-up.

Cody Phillips VS Shelby Sheehan

The first fight of the night features Cody Phillips taking on Shelby Sheehan. Both fighters are making their pro debuts. Phillips will obviously look to keep the fight standing, while Sheehan would probably prefer to get this on the mat. One thing to keep an eye out for will be gas tank.  Cardio has never been an issue for Phillips in the past, but both guys have had a bit of time away from the cage so it could be a factor for one or both. In Phillips’ case, it should be interesting to see how the injuries he suffered in the win over Austin Franks have healed (reports are he’s 100%).

Justin Reiswerg VS Gerardo Abadie

Next up will be Justin Reiswerg taking on Gerardo Abadie. Abadie has not been in action since October of 2007, but brings a 4-0 record into the cage. 2 of those wins have been by TKO. Reiswerg sports a 2-1 mark, but the lone blemish is to the top ranked fighter in Houston in Adam Schindler. Since that loss he has looked impressive in back to back wins, the most recent being an arm bar submission of Rey Trujillo.

David McClung VS Tony Orozco

Two gym founders will do battle as Brazos Valley MMA’s David McClung takes on Silverback Fight Club’s Tony Orozco. Orozco lost his first go in the cage against Shawn Machado, while McClung has gone 1-4 as a pro. Orozco looked strong before injuring his shoulder and being pounded out by Machado. McClung has not fought since December of 2010, when he lost to Danny Cervantes by TKO in 18 seconds. An interesting side note in the fight is that McClung faught Orozco’s son, Scotty Juarez, back in March of 2010 at Legacy FC 2. Juarez won via TKO in the first round.

Craig Gardner VS John Malbrough

Craig Gardner will take on John Malbrough in a welterweight showdown. Malbrough just lost his first fight, and will have a shot against UFC vet Jake Rosholt before this match happens. Gardner had a great career as an amateur, going 5-1-1. His lone pro fight was an outstanding performance against Jeff Rexroad in July of last year. This should be one of the better matchups on the card.

Jesus Rivera VS Rey Trujillo

Jesus Rivera and Rey Trujillo will stage a rematch of one of the best fights Houston MMA has ever seen, a 5 round war in March of 2010 that Trujillo won. Rivera holds career wins over Lee King and Jace Pitre. Trujillo will look to get his career back on the right track, having lost 4 of 5 after a 7-0 start as a pro. Expect both guys to come in looking for a war.

Lee Higgins VS Scotty Juarez

Lee Higgins takes on Scotty Juarez in his first matchup since a February loss to Ryan Couture on the Strikeforce Challengers card in Austin. Juarez’s only fight so far was a win over David McClung. This should be a big step up for him, as Higgins is still considered one of the most promising fighters on the Houston scene.

NEWLY ADDED:

Pat Bierschwale VS Jonathan Harris

Pat Bierschwale will take on Jonathan Harris in what should be an exciting matchup. Bierschwale racked up a 4-1 amateur mark, including a split with John Malbrough, and after dropping a decision to Patrick Hutton in April his pro record sits at 1-1. Jonathan Harris bounced back from his first career loss, a TKO at the hands of Legacy welterweight champ Mike Bronzoulis, with a controlling decision victory over John Malbrough. His pro record is now 5-1. While Bierschwale had a hard time engaging Hutton, expect for Harris to be more than willing to engage. Should be a fun fight.

Jason David Frank VS Shawn Machado

Jason David Frank will take on Shawn Machado in a fight voted on by the fans. Machado took in over 40% of the online vote, and comes in with an unblemished 2-0 mark as a pro. JDF dismantled Jose Vasquez in :46 seconds in his lone pro appearance. He recently began training at Silverback with Tony Orozco, who happens to be the last man that Machado defeated. It’s a great opportunity for Machado, who will be looking to break the aura of invincibility that Frank has built. Frank will look to prove that he is more than a gimmick. Should be a great battle.

Angel Huerta VS Steve Garcia

Angel Huerta and Steve Garcia will throw down for the 135 lb. title in what promises to be an outstanding matchup of strikers. Garcia is coming of a tough split decision loss to Will Campuzano, but had won 4 of 5 before that fight. Angel has been nothing short of dominant since turning pro, going 4-0 with 3 TKO’s. I would be shocked if either one of these guys tried to get this fight to the floor, and this has fight of the night written all over it.

Frank Gomez VS Daniel Pineda

Frank Gomez and Daniel Pineda will go at it in a match that could be a good gauge of exactly how close Pineda is to a shot at the big time. Gomez is a top prospect from Jackson MMA in Albuquerque who has four fights worth of WEC experience. After some self-admitted mistakes in picking fights by Pineda, he has finally hit his stride and is proving to be one of the best in Texas. He has won 5 of his last 6, and three straight, all in the first round. These two great wrestlers should make for a great chess match.

UPDATED

Chad Robichaux VS Jonathan Mackles

Chad “Robo” Robichaux will take on Jonathan Mackles in one of the featured fights of the night. Robo is coming off his first career loss,a 3rd round TKO defeat at the hands of Bellator 135 champion Zach Makovsky. Mackles, fighting out of Slidell, LA, has an 8-1 pro record. His only loss came against hard hitting Bryan Goldsby. Mackles has one fight in the Bellator promotion, a split decision win over Brock Kerry.

NEWLY ADDED

Mike Bronzoulis VS Pete Spratt

Mike “The Greek” Bronzoulis will take on UFC veteran Pete Spratt, and hopes to add to his winning streak, currently at 4. Bronzoulis has been busy with both Legacy and Shark Fights, and was set to fight for the IXFA title when injury forced him off the card. After starting his career at 8-1, Spratt’s record is now at 22-19. He has experience against some of the best in the world, including Josh Koscheck, Robbie Lawler, Chris Lytle, Carlos Newton and UFC champion Georges St. Pierre. Most think Bronzoulis is on the brink of being a breakout star on the national level. A win over such an accomplished veteran could push him through.

Carlo Prater VS Efrain Escudero

Finally, the main event will pit Carlo Prater against TUF Season 8 champion Efrain Escudero. Prater had hit a rough patch, losing 4 of 5 fights. He has righted the ship in his last two, however, with two first round, first minute submissions. One of those came in Brazil, and one came against Bryan Travers on a Strikeforce Challengers card. Escudero was released from the UFC after losing two fights in five chances. A 3-2 record is nothing to sneeze at in the UFC, but Escudero missed weight badly in his last fight against Charles Oliveira. Since his release he has gone 3-1, with his most recent turn being a decision loss to fellow UFC vet Fabricio Camoes in Tachi Palace FIghts.


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