Stories From Premier FC 7
From Old School

Anthony Kaponis and Dan Lauzon are so focused on their training that they’ve blocked out all else in their lives, including their telephones. Actually, I just have not been able to hook up with either of them for an interview, so I’m gonna fly by the seat of my pants for this one. Jason Franklin and Karyn Wesch have put together one of the most anticipated MMA cards of 2011 for Premier FC 7, (This Saturday @ U-Mass Amherst) and the Main Event / Co-Main Event are the Quinn v Funch and Lauzon v Kaponis. I don’t think that too many would argue that Ryan Quinn v Ricardo Funch makes for an outstanding match-up, but there are some who would doubt that Anthony Kaponis v Dan Lauzon fall into the same category. Match maker Jason Franklin put it this way; it all depends on which Anthony Kaponis shows up.

Anthony Kaponis (4-4) came to the NorthEast MMA scene as a powerful wrestler with solid striking. As a 170 lb amateur he knocked out Steve Dunn, something no one else had done before or has done since. In his first Pro fight (also at 170 lbs) he TKO’d Adam McQuaid, who is one tough 170 pounder from Team Burgess. (At the time, Lone Wolf McQuaid was 4-0 at 170 lbs; 3-0 Ammy, 1-0 Pro.) There was another TKO win for Kaponis over 185 pounder Stephen Stengal. Kaponis then took on one of the best 170 pounders in the region and was knocked out by Chuck O’Neil. Anthony’s next fight was a five round Fight of the Year split decision loss to # 3 ranked lightweight Matt Bessette, a fight that many in attendance feel that Anthony won. In fact, all four of Kaponis’ losses are to ranked and / or undefeated fighters. Anthony has taken some fights that some in his camp feel he shouldn’t have at the time. He’s an emotional guy who loves to train and lives to fight. I’ve seen Anthony Kaponis at his best and I’ve seen him at his not-so-best. A motivated Anthony Kaponis is a handful for any one at 155 lbs.
Dan Lauzon (15-4) is the best Lightweight in the region. The youngest UFC fighter in the history of the promotion was let go by Dana White & Co and has since run off three straight wins over names like Trites, Ortolani, and Weisman. Justin Hammerstrom once told me that he’s never been hit as hard as when Dan rocked him back in 2008. Dan has only four losses in nineteen fights; three are in the UFC and the fourth is to a WEC veteran. Jason Franklin said that Dan is motivated; a motivated Dan Lauzon is one scary dude!
What we have for this fight are two interesting components. We have a motivated top ranked fighter taking and a dangerous guy with nothing to lose and a lot to gain! Nice job from Jason Franklin.

Several months ago I researched an Amateur 135 lb fighter named Jake Smith. I found Jake Smith (3-0) as well as Jacob Smith (3-0). I discovered that these two 135ers are the same guy, so we HM’d him at 135 lbs in our Bantamweight Amateur rankings. Since then I’ve found out that he’s actually Jacob Smith (6-0). He is an outstanding wrestler fighting largely off our radar in Vermont and Western Mass. Jason Franklin has Jacob matched against Nestor Xicohtencatl (1-0). Nestor X is a skilled submission guy. I am interested in seeing Nestor fight again, but I’m very excited to see Jacob Smith fight. This fight came together as certain fighters fell off the fight card this past week; Nice job here by Jason Franklin.

Tyson Chartier, the most avoided fighter in MMA today, had yet another opponent fall off the MMA radar; Ralph Johnson is out! Ralphy’s loss is Barrington “Rude Boy” Douse’s gain. When the rude one heard that Tyson needed an opponent he jumped at the opportunity, and he did this on THREE DAYS NOTICE! Barrington fights naturally at about 140 lbs and is amongst the busiest Pro fighter in the NorthEast; I hardly ever see him in the crowd at the fights because he’s usually on the fight card. Barrington (8-10) has fought guys on short notice at a variety of weight classes. Taking on Tyson Chartier on three days notice at a catch weight of 160 lbs really says a lot about the man. So we have a change in the itinerary. The snake and the mongoose have been replaced and the busiest man in MMA is taking on the most avoided man in the game.

Thank You Barrington Douse!

Fighting just keeps getting cooler!
Old School