From the undercard to the headliner, fighters are climbing the ladder thanks to the
Since 2009, all seven of the mixed martial arts organizationB次元官网网址檚 events have boasted a card rich with Island fighters, often with bigger names brought in to serve as headliners.
Now itB次元官网网址檚 VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 time to shine.
AFC No. 8: Vengeance, is scheduled for April 14 at Bear Mountain Arena, and the last four fights feature Victoria-based AFC veterans Ryan Janes, Nick Driedger, Karel Bergen and Diego Wilson.
Though WilsonB次元官网网址檚 fight against DuncanB次元官网网址檚 Corey Gower is the last of the night, it isnB次元官网网址檛 necessarily the marquee match.
B次元官网网址淧ick any one of those fights, all of them look exciting, and have earned a local following,B次元官网网址� said AFC co-organizer Jason Heit. B次元官网网址淪ince (AFC) started weB次元官网网址檝e been all about developing local talent, now weB次元官网网址檙e seeing it.B次元官网网址�
Wilson, Driedger and Janes are all out of Vic WestB次元官网网址檚 Zugec Ultimate Martial Arts, and are all known for their slick grappling and ground game.
All three are on a fast ascent, though JanesB次元官网网址� opponent, Marcus Hicks, carries an interesting element. Hicks has 31 fights to his name, and though just 11 are wins, itB次元官网网址檚 27 more fights than Janes has.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 say this is one of those fights Janes has to win,B次元官网网址� Heit said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 more pressure on him. Hicks is what I call a gatekeeper. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a few guys like him, and youB次元官网网址檝e got to win that (fight) to get to the next level.B次元官网网址�
Bergen, meanwhile, is looking to follow Island MMA training partner Derek Medler in becoming another top-10 ranked fighter in Canada through the AFC. BergenB次元官网网址檚 fight with Adam Smith is the second time theyB次元官网网址檝e been pencilled in. The two were lined up for AFC 7 back in November, when Bergen defeated step-in fighter Dave Logan instead.
Of course, the beauty of going to the fights means you never know whoB次元官网网址檒l put in the match of the night.
B次元官网网址淚n the undercards, Bronson Petterson brings a style thatB次元官网网址檚 exciting,B次元官网网址� Heit said.
From Campbell River, Petterson will fight Chris Anderson in a fight that Heit did little to accommodate.
B次元官网网址淭hat fight seemed to already be set,B次元官网网址� Heit said. B次元官网网址淚 believe there is a place in this sport for a guy who is just tough, and thatB次元官网网址檚 Bronson. HeB次元官网网址檚 a guy weB次元官网网址檝e scouted in the local scene and wanted.B次元官网网址�
Without a polished defence, Petterson has the potential every time he fights to become a fan favourite because he makes it an absolute war, Heit added.
Zuma youngster Alexi Argyriou is also on the undercard. ItB次元官网网址檚 ArgyriouB次元官网网址檚 second attempt at his MMA debut after an injury pulled him out of AFC 7. Tickets for AFC 8 are available at Sports Traders, the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre and online at Armageddonfc.com.
AFC 8 April 14th, 2012 Bear mountain Arena.
Main Card
Diego Wilson (5-1) vs Corey Gower (3-1) 135
Karel Bergen (5-0) vs Adam Smith (3-0) 170
Nick Driedger (5-1) vs Bruno Capdeville (3-3) 145
Ryan Janes (3-1) vs Marcus Hicks (11-20) 185
Ash Mashreghi (0-0) vs Dejan Kajic (1-1) 170
Nathan Swayze (2-2) vs Derek Mrak (0-0) 200
Under Card
Alexi Argyriou vs Guy Gauthier 155
Chris Anderson vs Bronson Petterson 185
Dustin Joynson vs Dylan Moore 265
Dillon Brown vs Brandon Shorter 155
Josh Williams vs Dee Obaro 145
Ty Daggis vs Jonathon DuBois 170
