A fighters world by Tom Harland
The thing I love the most about open workouts is learning about these fighters. Take as an example, Dawit Asfaw. He was the first one at the open workouts and his team took the time to chat with me extensively.
Dawit is extremely motivated to put on a show. He wants to commit to GCC and Mr. Khan he understands that there is no lock-in contract but he wants to commit to the company long term and not fight anywhere else as Mr. Khan is the first real person to give him a chance. He is a very proud company man.
His family support him but refuse to watch him fight and won't be in attendance but they will be praying for him at home and be waiting to hear from him first thing after the fight.
Dawit is planning on using his winnings to open up a new MMA gym based in Africa to help local men and women kick start there careers in martial arts. Very admirable and I can't wait to see this guy leave it all in the cage Saturday Night.
Dawit Asfaw
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to keep the fight standing and in striking range at all costs
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to throw combinations and punches in bunches.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
When I spoke to newly signed GCC featherweight, Sophie Anderson she wasn't an active participant at the open workouts. She was in shape and she looked ready but she spent her time re-watching footage of Kali Black vs. Krystal Knight on her cell phone and broke down her areas of opportunity based on the footage she seemed to have watched a hundred times over.
Sophie Anderson
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will opt to throw a single knockout punch over combinations
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to avoid the clinch at all costs.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will focus on getting back to their feet when grounded
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
As expected, Rob Jones backed by T.W sports drew the most media attention at the event but they really seemed to enjoy it, Jones in particular. Still, there was a look in his eye this time around that made me feel different, it made me feel uneasy. Rumor has it, he's been a machine since losing at GCC 1. His sole focus in life is beating Awut Somaskul at GFN 2 in Singapore hoping for get a rematch with Cayden and he definitely looks poised to do so.
Rob Jones
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to throw high head kicks at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to transition into Muay Thai Clinch during clinch grappling exchanges.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will focus almost exclusively on getting back up to his feet when grounded.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
Rob's training partner and long term friend, Tommy Ward gave me a T.W combat tshirt and seemed excited to promote the brand but was otherwise short on words. However, Rob Jones seemed confident in his best friends ability to preform on the highest level. ''Tommy is a beast. The only way JaySon Francis is getting to the Semi Final is if he gets a lucky kick on Tommy.'' Rob had declared with a smile on his face.
Tommy ward
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to clinch with his opponent at a higher rate
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will focus on initiating grappling exchanges and taking his opponent down to the ground.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter has a higher chance on locking in Armbar submissions.
The bravado from Rob Jones camp really makes you believe the hype surround them but just minutes later I ran into JaySon Francis who was doing pad work of his own. He repeatedly drilled high kicks into the heavy bag, rattling the chain like a rabid dog tied to a fence. I can honestly say, I have never seen someone throw a high kick with as much force and power as he did. He didn't say too much to me but had just as much as confidence and arrogance within his demeanor as Rob Jones and the rest of his camp did.
Jayson Francis
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to throw high head kicks at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to push the pace and push forward against his opponent at a higher rate.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will focus on keeping the fight at striking range for the duration of the fight.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
It isn't always about who has the loudest voice or even who is most popular, take Awut Somaskul for instance. Accompanied by his training partner Krystal Knight, the two put on a light spar for the media. Despite the feeling that he was the underdog, Awut had a smile on his face every time he shot in on a take down. His camp seemed to be excited for the fight insisting that they had crafted the perfect game plan to derail Rob Jones once and for all.
Awut Somaskul
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will constantly look for the takedown.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound on his grounded opponent at a higher rate.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will look to lock in kimuras at a higher rate
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
It was amazing to see the progress of some fighters who are stepping out into the cage for the second time like Jessica House for instance. House had sustained an injury heading into GCC 1 and despite this put on a stellar performance even as she came up short on a split decision loss against Krystal Knight. This time around she was able to have a full camp, healthy and is in great shape and I can't wait to see how it all translates into the cage for her.
Jessica House
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will focus on throwing low leg kicks at a higher volume
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to mix her striking up with grappling and take down shots to keep her opponent off balance.
Stamina +90, Consistency +80
Expanding beyond that, Kali Black is an absolute killer and appeared to be extremely motivated after a disappointing showing at GCC 1. She engaged in some sparring and her Muay Thai Clinch game looked amazing, she's in great shape and will be looking to finish Sophie Anderson in brutal fashion.
Kali Black
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to transition into Muay Thai Clinch whenever possible.
Trait 2 >> This fighter will look to counter strike in stand up exchanges
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will look to initiate grappling exchanges with her opponent whenever possible.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
I heard a lot of good things about this new guy, Erik Malkasian and I was impressed by his open workout right off the bat. He seems to have a great team behind him that has a mind for the game and they are extremely confident in their ability to strategize against the opposition. I expect Erik to employ the following...
Erik Malkasian
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will constantly look for the takedown.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter has an increased chance on locking in Armbars.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound on his grounded opponent at a higher rate.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
Finn MacGowan is known as a consistently hard worker and hopes to improve on a fight to fight basis. During his session, he seemed focused on almost exclusively drilling takedowns. After his workout, he openly stated exactly what his gameplan would be for the fight. "He can't handle the pace I set or my wrestling. I'm going to mad-dog him all over the cage until his will breaks."
Finn MacGowan
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to initiate grappling exchanges with his opponent whenever possible.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter has an increased chance to avoid being submitted by chokes.
Stamina +80, consistency + 70
By now, I had already watched several fighters train and my feet started to hurt. I had walked around the whole building at this point but this time, I caught a glimpse of Alejandro Rivera. If you recall earlier, I had touched base on Awut Somaskul and Lone Wolf MMA... well, apparently Alejandro Rivera is their third wheel.
Although it was clear that Krystal and Awut had a different bond, Alejandro Rivera seemed to fit well with the duo. Unbeknownst to me, Rivera has been training at Lone Wolf MMA for quite sometime in Thailand allowing him to completely avoid the spotlight and media attention his tenor in Union GP had previously brought onto him. He seemed to be humbled somewhat and spoke highly about his gym and the history of Muay Thai and I can't wait to see how he puts it into practice Saturday Night.
Alejandro Rivera
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to push the pace and push forward against his opponent at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to throw combinations and punches in bunches.
Trait 3 >>> This fighter will look to transition into Muay Thai Clinch whenever possible.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the former Union GP Heavyweight champion, Brock Quarry. Although he did show up to the open workouts with an intention to hit the mats for the media he reportedly left early without notice to pick up a friend from a nearby airport in Singapore.
Brock Quarry
Trait 1 >>> This fighter will look to counter strike in stand up exchanges
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will look to initiate grappling exchanges with his opponent at a higher rate.
Trait 2 >>> This fighter will opt to land ground and pound on his grounded opponent at a higher rate.
Stamina + 100, consistency +90
In closing, I've been to all three GCC open workout events thus far and this event has clearly been the most impressive showing. The fighters look prepared and poised to step into the cage and put on a show and I can't wait.
Tune into GFN 2: Somaksul vs. Jones live on the OWA network on Saturday, September 21st at 1:00 PM EST time.
