This Saturday night 4 fighters will enter the storied M-1 ring with one thing on their minds, a trip to the lightweight finals. The semi-final round of the M-1 Selection: Americas tournament takes place at Bally’s hotel and casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the stakes are high as the competition reaches a fever pitch.
We will take a closer look at the match ups, each fighter brings their own style to the ring.
Lightweight Semi-Final
Josh Bacallao vs. George Sheppard
Josh Bacallao
In his quarterfinal match up, Bacallao lived up to his nickname by agreeing to fight after his opponent missed weight by an astounding six pounds. Josh controlled the action early in a bout that prove as controversial as it was entertaining. At 2:44 of the opening frame the fight was halted when Bacallao’s opponent Joshua Key “fell” out of the ring and was deemed unable to continue.
Bacallao enters his fight with George Sheppard looking for a more decisive finish and a berth in the finals.
George “Lights Out” Sheppard enters the fight with a 5-2 record, three of which came by knockout. The Newport News, Virginia native fights out of the MMA Institiute and welcomes the challenges that the M-1 Selection tournament provides.
Sheppard’s opening round fight against Mervin Rodriguez was a hard fought battle that proved to be as close as it was well matched. At the end of a grueling 15 minute back and forth battle, it was Sheppard that came away from the battle victorious as he was awarded the split decision by the judges.
Both fighters have proven they are willing to due what it takes to secure the win. The only question left to be answered is will it be Sheppard’s knockout power, or Bacallao’s well rounded game that will propel the fighter to new heights.
Josh Thorpe vs. Jose Figueroa
With an impressive 10-2 record Josh Thorpe enters the semi-final round of the M-1 Selection: Americas tournament looking for the biggest win of his career. Thorpe is a hardnosed fighter who is known to keep a frantic pace and the pressure on.
Fighting out of Port City MMA, the Mobile Alabama native will have a experience advantage over the rest of the field, an advantage he looks to push him through to the finals.
Submission expert Jose Figueroa fights out of American Top Team in Orlando, FL. With 5 of his seven career wins coming by submission, Figueroa is a handful for anyone he steps in the ring with. Stepping in as a replacement due to an injury, Figueroa will attempt to make the most of this opportunity, and secure himself a date for the September finals.
The M-1 Selection2010 – Americas tournament third round takes place live on August 7 at Bally’s Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Tickets are available through www.TicketMaster.com. Doors open at 7:00 pm, first fight at 7:30 PM/ET.
