Hello everybody! Welcome to Jocelyn's Picks! What a great night of fights Fazan Khan and his matchmakers have planned for GCC 13 - Hanson vs Rivera. I've studied the fighters, and looked at past fights. Here are my predictions.
Sigurd Bjarnasson (2-3) vs. Ambrus Themis (1-3):
What a fight to get pulled up from the prelims. We have a classic striker versus grappler contest in the middleweight division.
For Ambrus Themis to win this fight he'll have to avoid takedowns, because if he is taken down Sigurd holds all of the advantages.
On the other hand Sigurd needs to make sure this fight takes place on the ground, because Themis is sure to beat him up on the feet.
If Ambrus Themis uses a nice striking and wrestling clinch combination he should take the W.
Winner: Ambrus Themis
"Coming off one of the most embarrassing losses in GCC history, humiliated afterwards. Not a lot I can say. Should've been fired on the spot, right now I'm fighting to prove to myself I can do this." - Ambrus Themis
This guy should believe in himself as his family does.
Indigo Greene (4-3) vs. Joe Ravvi (2-1):
Joe Ravvi is a Muay Thai specialist training out of the T.W Combat camp, and Greene is a world class Jiu-Jitsu practitioner with proven knockout power.
For Indigo to win this fight he'll need to either out strike his opponent or somehow take the fight to the ground, and work for one of his trademark armbars.
If Ravvi wants to win the fight he'll need to clinch Greene against the cage, and control him using his dirty boxing, short elbows, and knees.
On paper it looks as though Indigo Greene should earn his fifth GCC win, but I have this funny feeling the man known as razor wire will get the job done.
Winner: Joe Ravvi
Fabiano Bonucci (2-0) vs. Kenny Kimura (2-0-1):
This matchup will see who loses their zero. 'Gucci' Bonucci is a world-class striker with top notch takedown defense and Kenny is known for that kimura.
What I'm trying to say: if the fight hits the ground Kenny Kimura will have an advantage, but if the fight stays standing then Fabiano will have said advantage.
I feel that is the more accurate scenario, and Gucci will walk away with his third win while Kimura will suffer his first loss.
Winner: Fabiano Bonucci
''Nobody in the world would've predicted I'd make it this far in the GCC, I mean you've actually reached out to me for a comment and I don't know what to say. It's been a good run and I don't want to jinx it.'' - Kenny Kimura
Just like Ambrus Themis. Kimura should believe himself as his fans believe in him.
Bo A. Constrictor (0-0) vs. Levi Young (0-0):
If anybody tells you they're not excited for this fight they have either never seen Supreme MMA or they're lying. This was supposed to be a heavyweight title fight headlining Supreme's 8th event, but the promotion folded before the event could take place. Thankfully GCC is now putting it on.
Bo A. Constrictor is a world-class wrestler with a stifling ground game and top-notch grappling abilities.
Levi Young is an expert in the clinch and can be very dangerous in the submission department.
What a fight!
With that being said I do feel that Bo A. Constrictor will take Young to the ground and using his immense ground pressure will earn the victory in the Supreme showcase.
Winner: Bo A. Constrictor
"We all know what this is for, this is for that Supreme MMA title. He can forget about calling himself a champion for Supreme or for GCC. His career ends this fight. I'm knocking him out, retiring that Supreme belt with me, and then I'm coming after any heavyweight Kosov Kourt wants to feed me! We have unfinished business." -Levi Young
"This is what I have to say about Mr. Young. I have always been in this man’s crosshairs. He thinks that he has the skills to avoid Total Constriction but I’m undefeated in an MMA ring because no one has figured that out. I have taken the life he so strives to have and I did it in months. He will always be in my shadow as I slither through the ranks of GCC. I left Supreme MMA THE Champ. That belt is on my mantle. He will never fight for it. This is about principles, nothing more. I will beat him and conclude his rage." Bo A. Constrictor
Two confident men heading into the Supreme showcase.
Jessica House (5-3) vs. Krystal Knight (4-3):
A rematch of their sweet 16 semifinal. That night Krystal Knight was able to earn a split decision, but that was almost 14 months ago, and both have grown as fighters.
Krystal will need to entrap Jessica in a Muay Thai clinch, put her up against the cage, and look for those brutal knees and elbows she's become famous for.
She'll need to avoid the ground because Jessica will have a major advantage in that department.
Jessica will need to stick with her boxing, and avoid the Muay Thai clinch at all costs. I believe if she can outstrike the Lone Wolf MMA representative, and avoid the clinch Jessica will gain a measure of revenge against 'pretty good' Knight.
Winner: Jessica House
"Last time I met Krystal I was basically competing in my second ever match which took place during a one night tournament, and I got a split decision loss. Since then I have come so far in terms of my ability. I think that I will showcase my talents against her and I think I will get the victory for myself and the TW Combat team." - Jessica House
"I have a lot of respect for Jessica House and I feel like we are in the exact same spot in both of our careers respectively. Win, lose or draw - I think we both walk out with a fight of the night bonus." - Krystal Knight
These are two GCC veterans. They will show they're still two of the best featherweight's in the world.
Alejandro Rivera (5-1) vs. Ross Hanson (5-1):
This fight really is personal.
Alejandro Rivera defends his title against Ross Hanson. Both of these men have been dominant over their careers. They are both 5-1 inside the GCC cage.
For Ross Hansen to win this fight he will need to avoid any striking situation with Alejandro Rivera. He will need to use his ground game, heavy top control, and ground and pound. If he follows that simple recipe he will win the heavyweight title.
Alejandro Rivera needs to use his expert kickboxing, and his footwork to avoid the takedowns from his opponent. If he is able to follow that simple game plan Alejandro will retain his title, and run his streak up to six.
Although I have trouble betting against Rivera, this time I'm going to bet on the son of madness, and his incredible wrestling game to win this fight, and become the heavyweight champion.
Winner: Ross Hanson
"I guess Rivera didn't pay attention to the last time someone tried to talk s(expletive)t to fire me up. We are the two highest ranked fighters overall in MMA right now.
If he wins, he's won six in a row and will have wins over pretty much every heavyweight in the company. If I win, I'll have the five win streak and the title, plus I'll be known as the one who beat Alejandro Rivera.
This is about more than a dude f(expletive)g my Mom to get in my head. This is literally about everything it means to be a professional fighter. This is the biggest fight in GCC history. I don't plan on leaving without the belt." - Ross Hanson
"October the 9th I'm going to do exactly what I do to everybody else. I'm going to knock him out, and he'll just be another perro that 'El Pantera' has beaten." -Alejandro Rivera
As sure as the day is long, this fight is personal.
I want to thank everybody for reading this week's Jocelyn's Picks - GCC 13 edition!
Follow Jocelyn Edwards on twitter @JocEdwards95