The guys are back once again for Puro Combate 2. Mike gained some ground on Justin and Rich by going 5-2 in his Lonestar Beatdown College Station predictions. Look out for IXFA predictions in the next couple of days as well.
Do you agree with them or do you think they are crazy? Either way, let ‘em know! When you’re done reading all the pics, feel free to leave your own picks and comments below and let our experts and Houston know who you think is going to win and why.
If you can’t make it out to the fights, you can follow the action round by round on our live updates page HERE.
Meet the experts
Mike Calimbas (mopthemats.com) – (28-24) Mike Calimbas is an MMA Writer, devotee, and fan that has been a part of the Mixed Martial Arts community for over fifteen years. He has served as a ring official & timekeeper for amateur MMA in numerous local events in Texas with the USACA/Lonestar Beatdown. Mike has also written and provided analysis on the topic of MMA & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for various online publications, including FightLine, Ploomy, and MoptheMats.com. Mike has been training BJJ, etc. on-and-off for the past six years. Off the mats, he spends most of his time with his family, including his baby son, Nicholas and girlfriend, Megan. For more on Mike, check him out on http://twitter.com/mikecalimbas.
Justin Trapp (fighterportraits.com) – (30-22) Justin Trapp is a photographer, designer and one of the premier marketing minds in the MMA industry. He manages the branding and marketing for mma companies, fighters and gyms. He has been a loyal fan of the sport since its inception and works to educate the biased. To see some of his work visit his website, fighterportraits.com.
Richard Burmaster (thecagedoor.net) – (30-22) Richard Burmaster is co-founder of (and a writer for) thecagedoor.net. He has been active in the MMA scene for close to 8 years and has trained in MMA for the last 5 years. His job keeps him on the go across the United States, and thus has afforded him the opportunity to train in many of the top gyms across the nation. From Army combatives to the Militech Fighting Systems, he has been able to try out many of the martial arts from coast to coast. When Richard is not working on his full time job, training in MMA or working with thecagedoor.net, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son.
THE PREDICTIONS
 |
Ryan Lazrine | Name | Jonathan Mack |  |
| Ryno | Nickname | The Mack Truck | ||
| TCD rank | #5 | |||
| 185 | Weight | 185 | ||
| 0-0-0 | Record | 1-1-0 | ||
| Gym | Rocky Long MMA | |||
| Picks | Mike, Justin, Rich |
Mike:Admittedly, I know next to nothing about Ryan Lazrine. I do know that Jonathan Mack is a stand-up fighter who has re-dedicated himself to getting in shape and improving his cardio. Based on his recent performances, the “Mack Truck” looks much improved so I will pick him in this bout. Prediction: Mack via KO.
Justin: I cant find any info on Ryan Lazrine which leads me to believe he is still new on the scene (could be wrong). We all know that Jonathon’s ground game is his weak point but I have heard he has been working hard on that. I have watched his fights on Youtube and say what you will about his ground game, he can take a punch and the dude can put you to sleep with one punch. Prediction: Mack Truck via KO
Rich: Lazirine has good cardio and will have a reach advantage against Mack. Mack has shown great improvement in each of his fights and is now a serious threat at 185 on his feet. Look for Mack to come out aggressive early and if his cardio is there look for him to finish this fight with big punches. Prediction: Mack by KO
 |
Lee King | Name | Jesus Rivera |  |
| Nickname | The Spaniard | |||
| NR | TCD rank | #6 | ||
| 155 | Weight | 155 | ||
| 13-14-1 | Record | 4-2-0 | ||
| Paradigm | Gym | 4oz Fight Club | ||
| Mike | Picks | Justin, Rich |
Mike: This is a hard fight to pick and an early fight-of-the-night candidate, in my opinion. Both of these gentlemen are seasoned stand-up veterans. With a martial arts background stemming back twenty years and sixteen years of Muay Thai training, Rivera is sure to rely on hsi technical proficiency in any fight. On the other hand, On the other hand, Lee King has a lengthy striking resume of his own and is also experienced in San Shou, a style similar to MMA which incorporates throws. Both these fighters are rangy and evenly-matched in most areas. It’s a hard fight to pick but I’m going to go with King edging this one out via a catch-and-sweep here or there. Prediction: King via decision
Justin: I’m excited about this matchup. Lee has fought the whose who of MMA and has a world of experience beneath him. Jesus is a very solid fighter himself. I see this being a back and forth for three rounds. Prediction: Jesus via unanimous decision.
Rich: This should be the FOTN and could be an instant classic. If your not a fan of Jesus than you just don’t like this sport. Jesus has an iron chin and can put you too sleep with anything he hits you with. King is a long time fight veteran and he has fought some of the worlds best( Gulliard-Sherk-Huerta-Prater). Both fighters love to push the pace and it is rare to see either backing up. King should have a reach advantage in this fight. Prediction: Jesus by decision
|
Daniel Gipson | Name | Ike Villanueva |  |
| Nickname | Hurricane | |||
| NR | TCD rank | #4 | ||
| 205 | Weight | 205 | ||
| 1-5-0 | Record | 5-4-0 | ||
| Gym | Rocky Long MMA | |||
| Picks | Mike, Justin, Rich |
Mike: I don’t know much about Gipson but I do know the Lufkin fighter is carrying a 1-5 MMA record into the cage against the tough equally-experienced Ike Villianueva. (5-4) I do not know how Gipson’s MMA record translates into professional Muay Thai. Perhaps Gipson fancies himself a standup fighter and that could help his chances but I see Ike bullying ahead in this fight and shortening the distance with his diry boxing to forge ahead for the victory. Prediction: Ike via decision
Justin: Both guys very tough but I see Ike looking to avenge his loss to Artenas Young and come out to end the fight quickly. Prediction: Ike via KO
Rich: Gibson should have a reach advantage in this fight and if he can mix in some kicks he has a chance to keep Ike on the outside. Ike has a granite chin and the power to stop any fighter put in front of him. Look for Ike to work his way in side to try and hurt Gibsons body then attack the head. Prediction: Ike by TKO
Quick Picks
| Fight | Mike | Justin | Rich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chrystian Castor vs James Moss | Castor | Moss | Moss |
| Jonathan Lopez vs Kyle Simpson | Lopez | Simpson | Simpson |
| Tony Concepcion vs Kyle Butler | Concepcion | Concepcion | Concepcion |
| Mark Garcia vs Dominic Rodriguez | Garcia | Rodriguez | Rodriguez |
| Guillermo Martinez vs Matt Weeks | Martinez | Martinez | Martinez |
| Robert Lujan vs Jeremy Mahon | Lujan | Mahon | Mahon |
| Joanna Quilantan vs Roxy Adams | Adams | Quilantan | Adams |
I gott get behind Mahon of course here… and also Dom…there my brothers and help me out with my standup big time at 4oz…
For those who don’t know…..Gibson is a fighter that has great standup. Expect to see very fast hands and powerful punches….hes a great style matchup for ike. Ike is Ike and we all love to see him brawl and thats what it will be.
Of course Jesus is one of my favorite fighters period. Lee king is also one o fthe first guys to help me out when i started training and is one of the most talanted fighters in texas. Lee will use more unorthadox styles and be less predictable and wil enjoy a considerable reach and hight advantage…..but “The Spaniard” is an animal. he will never stop comming forward unless you have finished him. His kicks are undoubltley some of the best int he game. This is a FOTN candidate for sure…How many times is Jesus and FOTN mentioned together…The guy has NO FEAR and he doesn’t even blink when you hit him. Ive alwasy said that Jesus is the real ICEMAN…he makes Chuck look like a nervous wreck….Guys don’t miss this fight.
thanks for the support. all of the soldiers from 4oz will go out and fight with heart, skill and violent intentions !
IVoz
where do you submit pics? I have one of Ryan “Ryno” Lazrine
I can see the link you posted in the previous comment. I’ll get it added, THANKS!
Hurricane Ike will strike twice in Houston ! Artenas Who Young Was running the whole fight the Gipson will feel the wrath of A HUrricane !!