GFL 10 is set to take place this Friday, April 15 from the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA. There is so much going on with this card that I’m really not sure where to start. They partnered up with Victory Promotions and owner Vincent Fraumeni, and have a hell of a fight card to match the extra promotional value put into this event.
From Gary Hoey playing the national anthem, to having stars in attendance like Micky Ward, UFC Vet Jason Delucia and Scotty Lago (Olympic Bronze Medalist-Snowboarding) the stars will be out for this event. There will also be a ton of promotional value, featuring 8 total video screens.
They even have an afterparty presented by the Brewery Exchange 201 Cabot st Lowell.
As far as the card goes, it’s sick. The Main Event has been hyped like crazy, with John Benoit putting his title on the line against Matt Bessette. If you haven’t had a chance to check out the television show they aired on NESN titled “The Life” it can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/user/GFLMMA. If you don’t know these guys and what they do well, you must be living under a rock. Both guys have received a ton of press on here, and both can do it all. I want to add my two cents on some comments made leading up to this fight. Bessette made a comment about how Benoit thinks he’s much better than he is and that Benoit has no reason to be confident coming into the fight. Well, Benoit is 11-2, and beat guys like Don Carlo-Clauss, Noah Weisman, Damian Trites, Bill Jones, and Justin Hammerstrom. Bottom line is that John has always fought tough guys, finds a way to win, and always improves. He’s one of the best in the area for sure. Benoit has also commented about how Bessette sucks and really doesn’t belong in the cage with him. We all know that’s not true either. Bessette won Fight of the Year last year, and is more than a worthy contender. I doubt Benoit is overlooking him. There is a ton of bad blood here, and neither wants to come out on the losing end of a fight they both wanted, and both talked a ton of trash leading up to. Both guys will lay their heart on the line in this one.
In another big time match up, John Ortolani takes on Joe Manzello. Orto is the prospect with the hype, but do not sleep on Manzello. He’s built like a tank, and has only lost to super tough guys. He took Saul Almeida to a split decision, and fought Marc Stevens, Drew Fickett, Tamdan McCrory and Mike Littlefield. The point I’m trying to make is that he won’t be overwhelmed or shocked by anything Ortolani does in the cage. John will be faster, and more explosive, but he won’t be able to man handle Manzello like he has some of his other opponents. This should be another great fight.
Aniss Alhajjajy returns to the cage to take on hot prospect Luis Corapi in what I expect to be the fight of the night. Both guys look great on their feet, and aren’t afraid to take chances. Don’t blink in this one. Who ever comes out on top should be a fight or two away from a title shot.
Two big, powerful fighters face off at 205 when Cody Lightfoot takes on Steve Skrzat. With the bombs these guys throw, I don’t thing this one goes too long. I have no idea who wins, but it’ll be ugly either way.
As always the rest of the show is filled out by some of the best amateur talent in New England, as well as some of the most exciting young pro’s. I’m really not sure how any local fight fan can justify skipping this event..and dress nice, they are filming the event for future use on one of their shows on NESN.
Here the latest card:
205 Cody Lightfoot 5-1 (Seacoast/ Kaos) vs Steve Skrzat 4-2 (Factory)
155 Steve Butler 1-3 (Gracie Barra) vs Pedro Da Silva 0-3 (Tapout Boston)
135 Nick Bennett 0-0 (Mass BJJ) vs Lucas Cruz 0-0 (Wai Kru)
Main Event
Lightweight Championship Fight 155lbs
Matt Bessette 6-2 (Underdog BJJ) vs John Benoit 11-2 (Renzo Gracie NH)
Main Card
155 John Ortolani 4-2 (Gracie Barra NH) vs Joe Manzello 5-6 (The Factory)
155 Devin Powell 2-1 (Port City BJJ) vs Anthony Loycano 3-0 (Warriors Pride)
155 Aniss Alhajjajy 4-1 (BTT) vs Lewis Corapi 2-0 (Sityodtong)
170 Brandon Cyr 3-0 (Team Dow) vs Pete San Antonio 3-1 (Warriors Pride)
Undercard
145 Antonio Viera 0-0 (Lowell MMA) vs Mike Materkowski 0-0 (Cage Strikers)
170 Phil Lamire 0-1 (GBNH) vs Billy Bonnell 0-2 (Mu-Han)
145 Ken Kersch 0-0 (Real Deal MMA) vs Josh Bourque 3-2 (Cage Strikers)
170 Nick Berube 0-2 (Team Dow) vs Isaiah Gomez 0-0 (North Shore BJJ)
145 David Sousa 0-0 (Warriors Pride) vs Colton Blanchette 3-0 (Cage Strikers)
165 Brian Wilmoth 0-0 (Villari’s Hillsboro NH) vs Samuel Morales 0-0 (Daniel Gracie)
155 Brian Cosco 0-0 (BTT Boston) vs Ted Washburn 0-0 (West Side MMA)
185 Dan Lapore 0-2 (Team Dow) vs Jesse Merit 0-0 (Anubis)
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