GFN 4: Khan vs. DeMeans (Open workouts)

I took a minute to just stand outside the arena in Berlin, Germany looking into the nights sky in amazement. The Christmas lights were bright and a thin layer of snow formulated from underneath my feet. With one swift deep breath of the cold winter air one thing to me was very clear by the time I had exhaled.

The landscape of the GCC was quickly changing.

At the open workouts in Berlin, I ran into Renegade Kali. For those wondering, no, she isn't Kali Black. We're not quite sure where this Kali has came from and there are several conspiracy theories behind the identity of Renegade Kali but let me just say that this chick is super intense either way. Fighting out of the Global Training Facility she drilled hard kicks into a heavy bag, each kick was harder than the last.

I approached her for a question, it was a horrible idea.

''Fans? What fans? I don't need such a thing. All that matters is I walk in that octagon, knock someone's lights out, and walk out. I fear nobody, I like nobody, hell, coaches input is to just ignore the bullshit and do what I do best. Dominate the competition. Who cares what happens? I sure don't. As long as it one day ends with me holding that title high above your stupid heads, then good. That's what I want. To prove you idiots wrong about your favorites. They can't hold a candle to me. Why try?''

Under the watchful eye of Nika Kosov, she overseen her teammates open workout like a hawk. Known for her bubbly personality outside of the cage, she was all business as she took mental notes in preparation for war. I asked Nika if I could have a few words with Christian Inbanez and she kindly obliged. This is what he had to say,

''Leon seems like a nice kid and all but he is unfortunately stand in my way of obtaining champions status. I am going to knock him out and then I want big fight next. There is no lose here I must win and I win is style. I predict a round 2 KO!!!''

His opponent Leon Young is making his professional MMA debut.

He's had some time to spend with his mother, father, and sister, who will be in the crowd cheering him on. He's also been spending time with his girlfriend Lyla Nitro, hoping he can get the win to impress her. If he's going in, he's going in swinging. I spoke to Leon about his fight and this is what he said,

''I respect Christian and I respect what the man's done for his country. However, I'm not going to allow a bigger man to walk in and think he can take me down. I'm walking in there and walking out with my hand raised in victory. I'm starting my MMA journey off with a bang!''

In a GCC first, brother and sister are fighting on the same card and both equally hoping for the same level of success. We could be looking at the next MMA family dynasty come Saturday Night. Jade Young the sister of Leon Young issued the following statement to the media after her workout.

''I'm not letting someone who's been in the GCC spotlight before ruin this for me! My brother and I came for one reason, and that's to fight. And an older woman won't get the one up on me.''

After losing via TKO to Anaquin Adams in the first round, Jessica had to take a step back and re-evaluate her career. She decided that training with TW Combat Sports long term would give her the best returns. Hey, if you can't beat em... join em. Heh. Sorry. I spoke to Jessica and she was cool.

"I looking forward to facing Jade. I know she will be looking to impress in her debut but I feel amazing I had a camp that I feel has helped me take a big step forward in terms of my skills set.''

Jack Nation fights out of the House of Khan camp lead by GCC President Fazan Khan. I wasn't able to catch up with Jack personally at the event but he was said to be very courteous with both fans and reporters but refused to talk about his future in GCC or his upcoming opponent. Below, I detail what strategies we anticipate he'll implement against Sigurd.

I had a rather unusual encounter with HILITE FC's own, Sigurd Bjarnasson.

Sigurd had been suiting up for his open workout adjusting the tape on his hand wraps when I had approached him it was at this moment Sigurd stands into a superhero pose,sticking his beard out and proclaims "The Nation is in peril!". He immediately laughs and adds "Stupid joke. Of course I will win!"

The awkward part about it was is I was just trying to ask him the whereabouts of his unquestioned leader, Misty DeMeans had been. It was at this time rumors started circulating that she had something big planned for the event and I wanted to get to the bottom of it for the extra clicks.

Sorry Sigurd.

At the event, I wasn't able to catch up with JaySon Francis unfortunately but I heard he and his team at Gunplay MMA were cracking jokes and having some fun with the fanfare surrounding the event in Germany. I did manage to score a few pics off a fan and here's one of them.

With each open workout, they typically come with a few surprises but when watching a guy like Clive Hicks you realize that some fighters are disciplined and follow a strict routine rarely ever deviating from it unless necessary. Clive made no effort to hide or disguise his game plan as he repeatedly drilled take downs and fished for submissions. After rolling, he flat out told the media his strategy.

Tristan McPeak has been working closely with TW Combat Sports and after a second round knockout of Agustin Gates has earned the respect of his teammates becoming a full fledged member of the team. Tristan looked to be in pretty good shape, I just feel that Clive looked much bigger and stronger and we'll see how it all plays out.

I was slightly disappointed to hear that while Rupika Khan was present at the open workouts her booth was closed off to the public and nobody could get in except authorized personale. I tried to reach out to Mr. Khan for an official statement but his team never reached back to me.

In the lead up to the fight, Rupika Khan has been fairly vocal on social media which leads fans to speculate that maybe she isn't as confident as she claims to be about the fight. She is clearly insecure if she's afraid that Misty will use any of the footage against her.

At the same time, I guess I understand it from a business perspective. It seems that Rupika and her team are taking this fight extremely seriously as the belief is this is the fight could make or break the rest of her career moving forward. However, this is what we can expect from Rupika Khan on Saturday Night:

Last but certainly not least, Misty DeMeans. After sitting on the sidelines coaching and corner her HILITE FC team members for months, Misty has always had a presence around these parts so now that it was her turn she was sure to make it a spectacle.

I say that because she literally had an octagon set up with a small venue sized crowd surrounding at as she sparred with a local German fighter wearing a headgear. She knocked the poor son of a bitch out cold within two minutes.

From there, a scuffle ensued. Apparently the local fighter didn't exactly sign up for a sparring match and there seemed to be a misunderstanding between both camps due to a language barrier. Regardless, it made Misty DeMean's significantly ore hated than she already was and as the story circulates around German news the hate for her will likely reach a fever pitch by the GCC airs live in Berlin this Saturday. I can't wait.

Tune in Saturday at 1:00PM EST to 1:50 PM EST for GFN 4: Khanvs. DeMeans EXCLUSIVELY on Splatsports! streaming platform by purchasing GCC fight pass for only $24.99 per month. They are offering a 3 day trial this weekend and you can save 50% off your first month by predicting the result of Saturday Nights main event!