I think I am in love.
Alexi Amarui is one of the newest additions to the GCC women's featherweight division and I am going to keep things pseduo professional here and simply state that I am a big fan. She was in GREAT shape. When I approached her it was with butterflies in my belly, I stumbled my words but she managed to make sense of them. This is what she had sang, I mean... said to me.
''Well. It's my debut fight and I want to make a huge statement to all the division with an impressive win. I am here for the belt and anyone crossing my way to a championship match will be crushed'' - Alexia Amarui
Alexia Amarui
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to mix things up between striking, grappling and clinch work to keep her opponent off balance and guessing.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to throw one big knockout punch over the use of combinations.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound over controlling her opponent or submissions.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
If my job wasn't on the line, I would have just hung around Alexia all day. Next up, I ran into a mammoth of a man in Erik Johansen. Fighting out of the Global Training Facility, it didn't appear he had the best of training camps. He looked to be in decent shape but could probably benefit from a full training camp somewhere else.
Erik Johansen
Stamina +70, consistency +40
It's been a few events now that I have seen GunPlay MMA around but this time I made an observation I hadn't before. This guy, Vishis. Silent. Intense. He's been here the entire time; I just didn't notice him. This time it was different. The camp had directed their full attention to preparing him for his debut in what I'd best describe as a family cookout gathering. I thought about approaching Vishis for a statement but Trixxie ran her thumb across her throat as a friendly warning and that was enough for me to make a hard pass on that one. Thanks, Trix.
Vishis Vourture
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to land a higher amount of headkicks on his opponent.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will take an aggressive approach against his opponent constantly pushing the pace.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter has a higher chance of locking in guillotine chokes.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
After all that intensity, it was nice to make my way over to the Lone Wolf MMA booth. Krystal Knight observed Alejandro Rivera closely as he worked with a training partner his size the team had flew out specifically for his training. I managed to sneak up on Krystal Knight for a quick little sound byte!
''If I told you my strategy for my fight with Anaquin you'd probably think I was crazy but me, Awut and the rest of my team really put our heads together and decided that sometimes less is more. I know I am pretty good but Anaquin Adams is even better. If we go skill for skill, I know she's got an edge over me so it's vital that I implement my strengths and settle for nothing less. See you soon, Anaquin.'' - Krystal Knight
Krystal Knight
Trait 1 >>> This fighter look to lock their opponent into a Muay Thai Clinch at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to cling onto their opponents when grounded for a referee stand up.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
On the flip side, Anaquin's training has all been behind closed doors. There may be a reason for that. She has requested privacy as she prepares for this fight, though no reason has been given for that. I wasn't able to confirm if she had even attended the weigh ins this week but knowing a little bit about Jay Williams, I believe the following is her strategy heading into the fight.
At the conclusion of the weigh ins, Anaquin Adams took to her social media accounts with the following post:
"Knight is an amazing athlete. I'm very proud to even be stepping into the cage with her. But, make no bones about it, I plan on continuing my dominance and plan to put her down before it goes to the judges." - Anaquin Adams
Anaquin Adams
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will avoid the clinch at all costs.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to get the fight on the ground at a higher rate.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound over controlling her opponent or submissions.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
While Nika Kosov and Christian Ibanez didn't have a camp to call home just yet, the two always have each-others back and seems to be inseparable. Nika Kosov and a sparring partner were drilling sweeps when I spoke to Christian. Here is what he had to say translated directly from Spanish.
"Nika is a work horse and her technique is out of this world. We've rolled for hours, days even and I have to say, despite my strength advantage I've struggled. My wrestling is good, I have trained since a boy but Nika has submissions that you don't feel being worked then all of a sudden you're tapping. I don't know much about this Lyla but I do know she'll have to be special to beat Nika. I wouldn't sleep on Nika's hands either, I've seen her sparring with actual boxers and she might not win every round but I see their eyes and they hurt when she hits them.'' - Christian Ibanez
Nika Kosov
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to get the fight on the ground at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter has a higher chance of locking in leg locks.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will opt to throw one big knockout punch over the use of combinations.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
I caught up with Jay Aguero in between his open workout and he had quite a lot say about his fight with Alejandro. I'd LOVE to see this guy at a press conference.
Hint. Hint. Nudge. Nudge. Wink. Wink.
''Alejandro Rivera and I have similar backgrounds as we both come from a professional wrestling background. While he stepped away from the sport to pursue MMA I still dabble in it. I look to make a name for myself here in Global Combat Championships and become a champion much like I am a champion of the pro wrestling realm. I have a lot of steam coming off my unanimous decision win over Manik Mercer and I want to carry that momentum over to my fight with Rivera. I'm not looking for the decision win this time around though. No, this time, I'm looking to end this with a KO right there in the middle of the ring.
With all due respect to my opponent, I'm looking to make a name. Rivera KO'd his last opponent. In defeat, he was still awarded Fight of the Night in his previous bout. At GCC 4, it doesn't have to be the prettiest thing. It doesn't need to win Fight of the Night. It just needs to end with yours truly, The New Perfection, with his hand raised.'' - Jay Aguero
Jay Aguero
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will avoid the clinch at all costs.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to throw one big knockout punch over the use of combinations.
Stamina +90, Consistency +80
After watching Alejandro Rivera workout with his training partner under the watchful of eye of Krystal Knight it's clear Rivera is planning to rely heavily on his Muay Thai Clinch and his opponent is going to want to desperately avoid it at all costs.
Alejandro Rivera
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to out counter strike his opponent in standup exchanges.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will throw a high volume of leg kicks at his opponent.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter look to lock their opponent into a Muay Thai Clinch at a higher rate.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
Notably at the open workouts, TW Combat was said to heavily antagonized by the fans in Greece specifically Juanita Sanchez. Typically a fan favorite she seemed to be visibly upset at the crowd reaction and some of the fan encounters between her and her team. Jay Williams specifically addressed this by saying that the crowds reaction with not negatively impact Juanita Sanchez. Unfortunately, Ms. Sanchez left the open workouts earlier than normal and so I missed her completely. That said, rumor is she had one of the best camps in her life and will be more than ready this Saturday.
Juanita Sanchez
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to mix things up between striking, grappling and clinch work to keep her opponent off balance and guessing.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to slam their opponent at a higher rate.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound over controlling her opponent or submissions.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
Gaia's coaches within the House of Khan have gone on the record to state that she couldn't be more prepared for this fight mentally and physically. She had even begun researching, watching film, and training for this fight even prior to knowing whether she would be defending her title against Sanchez or Knight. Gaia's complete focus is on being the first Global Champion to successfully defend their championship. The coaches also cited Gaia's team-oriented attitude toward training in House of Khan. She was instrumental as a sparring partner and overall training partner to Rupika Khan as she looked toward her fight with Misty DeMeans. Despite the loss, House of Khan looked strong as Rupika dominated many of the rounds only to lose via a doctor's stoppage.
Gaia Galanos
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to keep the fight standing and within striking range.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to throw a high volume of leg kicks.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter look to lock their opponent into a Muay Thai Clinch at a higher rate.
Stamina +100, Consistency +90
It seems Mr. Khan is very pleased with how Gaia has become a big money-maker for GCC as well as a huge face of House of Khan and the company overall. With the cameras and attention swarming Gaia Galanos in her hometown, I managed to obtain the following quote which will be used to carry this peice out.
I have been focusing on one fight at time. That mentality has led me to become the GCC Featherweight Champion, and now Juanita Sanchez gets her opportunity to dethrone me. While she's motivated to become champion, I'm motivated to be the first Global Champion to successfully defend her title. It certainly isn't going to help her that I will have the home field advantage in Greece. Come January 4th, I am going to put Juanita's supposed Iron Chin to the test. - Gaia Galanos
Fin.