Nanaimo Impact MMA plans to bring the pain at Battlefield Fight League: Island Beatdown.
Four of the club’s fighters are on the big MMA card Saturday (May 28) at Frank Crane Arena – Graham Spencer, Ryan Ballingall, Jer Kornelson and Eli Wyse.
“We’re injury free and healthy and peaked at the right time,” said John Punt, Impact trainer. “They’re good to go, right on the money.”
Spencer’s match with Bruno Capdeville will be one of the semi-main events.
“Graham’s good to go, he’s got a good game plan,” Punt said. “He’s better than he has ever been. This will be the best Graham Spencer that you’ve seen.”
Denis Kang, who is fighting Jesse “J.T. Money” Taylor in the main event tonight, said his friend Capdeville is tough.
“I’m about two or three weight classes above him and when I grapple with him he gives me fits,” said Kang. “He’s really technical.”
Promoter Jay Golshani said Spencer (6-1) might be a slight favourite over Capdeville (3-1) due to his professional MMA experience, but noted that the Vancouver fighter has trained in martial arts all his life.
“Graham is probably more well-rounded, he’s good at everything,” Golshani said. “Bruno is also well-rounded but his biggest asset is his ground game: his jiu-jitsu and his submissions.”
Punt said Spencer is “very, very good at forcing his fight” on opponents.
“He’s not a defensive fighter, never has been, never will be,” Punt said. “He’ll force his system on you and break you down.”
FIGHT FACTS … Saturday’s undercard starts at 5 p.m. with the main card beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets, $30-50 or $100 for floor seats, will be available at the door. For a preview of the Kang-Taylor main event, please click here.
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