Two of the bigger mixed martial arts promotions in the market will be holding events this weekend, and Cage Rage will provide us with some entertainment on Saturday during the daytime hours for fans in the States. Cage Rage 26 isn’t the most stacked card we’ve seen in recent months, and it really doesn’t even make a blip on the radar for casual MMA fans. Nonetheless, its MMA action, and it should provide some big knockouts that Cage Rage is usually known for producing.
Main Event
Ian Freeman vs. Paul Cahoon: Both guys could be easily labeled as ground and pound/standup fighters. Cahoon is riding a five-fight winning streak while Freeman has been retired since September of 2006. Freeman has the edge in experience and has fought much tougher competition in his career, but cage rust and age could be huge factors in this battle. Cahoon is very susceptible to the knockout, but Freeman has also shown that weakness in the past. This very well could be an evenly matched fight. I’ll take Freeman due to experience, but don’t doubt that Cahoon could possibly get the upset win here. Freeman via TKO, Round 2
Ross Mason vs. Ross Pointon: TUF alum Ross Pointon had an impressive outing in his last fight despite losing due to a horrible cut on his forehead. It wasn’t exactly the most technical bout he’s ever had, but he showed heart and threw huge blows despite being rocked a few times. Once again, both guys are bangers, but Pointon has the most abysmal submission defense. If Mason can simply get to the ground, Pointon could be in trouble. Regardless, I think this will end in a knockout. Mason via TKO, Round 2
Mark Epstein vs. Matt Ewin: Ewin will look to take this to the ground, but he’ll have some problems with Epstein’s size most likely. Epstein is the typical British fighter in that he wants to bang most of the fight. With his size advantage, he may be able to simply use top control to pound out a win here. Epstein via TKO, Round 1
James Zikic vs. Rodney Faverus: Zikic should win this one as he is much more well-rounded than Faverus. He has some good wrestling abilities coupled with some good striking skills that should present problems for Faverus’s weak submission defense. Look for Zikic to work his strikes and hit the ground for the submission. Zikic via submission, Round 2
Henrique Nogueira vs. Marc Goddard: Nogueira has already defeated Goddard once back in October of 2005, and it should go the same way this time around. Goddard just recently came back into the sport in March, but his history would indicate that he is susceptible to the submission. Has his defense improved? We’ll find out, but Nogueira sunk in a guillotine early in their last fight. Nogueira via submission, Round 1
Brad Pickett vs. Paul Reed: This fight is shaping up to be a battle between two solid combatants. Pickett has some able power and submission skills while Reed also possesses the same skillset. Pickett has more experience however, and he’s fought some better competition in his career. Reed hasn’t fought great competition at all, and I think the edge lies with Pickett. Pickett via submission, Round 1
Marius Zaromskis vs. Che Mills: I’m taking Marius here for the simple fact that he has awesome power and heavy hands that could potentially put Mills down. IN their first meeting, Mills got the best of Zaromskis, but that was nearly a year and a half ago. This one should be a great toe-to-toe battle. Zaromskis via TKO, Round 2
Edgeleson Lue vs. Chris Rice: Lue only has 3 professional bouts, but he has some heavy hands. Unfortunately for Lue, Rice also has some heavy hands coupled with some solid experience in the cage. This could be Lue’s big break to move up to some better competition. Rice may be too much to handle here however, so I’m going to stick with experience. Rice via TKO, Round 1
Gary Kelly vs. Harvey Harra: This is ultimately a pick’em fight. Harra has more experience, but he seems weak to the submission. Kelly has 3 total fights with one going to a no-contest. We can’t make any broad predictions based on his record, but Harra just isn’t that impressive to take right now. Kelly via submission, Round 1
Popek Rak vs. Kevin Simms: Simms is 1-5 with a weak chin while Rak is 1-0 with some power in his hands. Rak should take this one and remain undefeated. Rak via TKO, Round 1