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MMA in the Olympics


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Inspired by Sherdog’s series of articles creating “Fake” MMA Olympic teams for every country I have decided to do the same for the Cornellverse, then I am going to run a custom save file running the tournaments. Some rules:

 

1) Weight classes eligible are only those with enough characters in the default database.

2) The fighters must have debuted by the default start date.

3) Each country will get two representatives per weight class (if enough fighters are eligible), one of them will be the alternate.

4) Not every country will have enough fighters for an entire team, but they will be able to complete in those weight classes in which they have eligible fighters.

5) Due to rule #4, some tournaments will be longer than others.

6) No elbow strikes to the head until the finals.

 

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/EWRFan/team-usa.png

Team USA:

 

Super Heavyweight: Palmer “Daddy Bear” Lette (Alternate: Frank “BMF” Paul)

 

The Alpha-1 Super Heavyweight Champion and one of the most popular MMA fighters in the world is a no-brainer for the Super Heavyweight spot, even as he has called Japan his second home and has become a mainstream figure there. Sure, he is 36 years old and is known for cardio issues, but in the relatively young Super Heavyweight class nobody has his big-fight experience and he should be the favorite to walk out with the Gold. He is quite possibly the most complete fighter in the weight class with a granite chin, powerful hands and quite possibly the best and most powerful takedowns in the division. He also holds wins over Tomoji Takoaka and Jutaro Honma, the likely representatives for Japan.

 

For his alternate we chose Frank “BMF” Paul, an undefeated fighter with a 9-0 record in professional competition. His only recent loss came against Davey Rushton, the GAMMA Super Heavyweight Champion, in an amateur bout for the reality show Clash of the Titans. He bounced back with decision wins over fellow contestants Lenny DiMaria and Randolph Gilliver in pro bouts. With Rushton on the Olympics, I am sure Paul would like a rematch. Although he is a work in progress who depends on ground control and smothering opponents, we like him because he boasts top-notch conditioning in a division known for sluggish and poorly conditioned fighters and that could be the difference.

 

Heavyweight: “The King of Ground and Pound” James Foster (Alternate: “The Demolition Expert” Raul Hughes)

 

There is no doubt that the most popular fighter in the world has to be on Team USA. The reigning GAMMA Heavyweight Champion has beaten a who’s who of opponents, including the legendary Mark Cohen (twice), Jeff Carlton, Rick Stanley, Tim Boyer and Brazilian Gladstone Lopes. He is one of the two favorites to win the gold in a potential dream match with Hazzan Fezzik. If their respective companies could not agree to make this fight happen, then the Olympics will! Foster is an accomplished amateur wrestler, has power in both hands and if you didn’t know it by the nickname, he has the most lethal ground and pound in the division. His weaknesses are well documented: He doesn’t kick very well and is not very creative, relying on basic strikes and submissions. Bad news for his opponents: He is excellent at that basic stuff. That is why nobody has figured him out yet.

 

Hughes is the total opposite. The man they call the Demolition Expert has lethal dynamite in his hands. He relies on the standup game and that killer, one-punch KO power to win fights and is the top contender for Foster’s title in GAMMA. His boxing is at a whole other level and I believe he could have been a boxing world champion had he tried. However, he was exposed by Tim Boyer as being a fighter who doesn’t know what to do when on the ground. That is how Boyer smothered him into a loss. The USA’s odds increase if Foster stays healthy. However, we didn’t have many options for an alternate. Tank Manu’a has to make an incredibly difficult weight cut, which would fare poorly in a tournament format. Hughes holds wins over Randall Donnelly and Tony McCall, two guys who could have been considered. Christopher Sharp’s glass chin and poor conditioning ruined the man that could have been ideal for this spot. Hughes is the best alternate that we’ve got.

 

Light Heavyweight: Lawrence “The Law” Herringbone (Alternate: “The Punisher” Marlon John)

 

Picking two guys for this spot was very hard. Former champ Spencer Rubenstein, Junior Patinkin, Ricky Heath and uber-prospect Toby Sorkin (who holds an Olympic gold medal in Judo) could have been considered. Had he retained his title over Herringbone, there is no doubt that Rubenstein would have been chosen. But the fact remains: “The Law” bested “The Reaper”. His game is similar (but inferior) to James Foster: Take them down, control them, smother them and pound them. That elite wrestling skill has allowed him to best better strikers like Christian Mountfield, Kendall Tracy and Rubenstein. In an Olympic format that will not allow elbow strikes until the finals, Herringbone’s ugly but effective game is the USA’s best shot at the Gold in one of the most competitive divisions.

 

The top contender at Herringbone in GAMMA, Marlon John boasts a more complete MMA game and many experts believe he has what it takes to wrest the title away from his Olympic teammate. Yet, that fight has not happened yet and we have to give the benefit of the doubt to the champ. John was caught by Anthony LeToussier’s powerful kicks and lost a fight a year and a half ago, but avenged that loss on his latest fight, showing his improved standup game by knocking out the knockout artist. He also outpointed the legendary Mark Cohen in a fight many felt John should have dominated, but appeared to hold back in deference to the legend. Many great choices for an alternate, but it came down to this: Rubenstein has to make a significant weight cut to make 205. That could pose problems in a tournament format.

 

Middleweight: The Anarchist” Matthew Dean (Alternate: Buddy Garner)

 

Another very competitive division, but it has to start with the #1 pound for pound fighter in the world. Dean has been flat out dominant as the reigning GAMMA Middleweight Champion. After avenging his defeat to Marteen DeVries, Dean has taken out the likes of Sutton Ripley, Osmosis Benn and his alternate Buddy Garner (twice). Like most of the American contingent, he dominates with world class wrestling takedowns, dominant ground control and excellent ground and pound. He also shares some of the same weaknesses: Barely existent kicking game and lack of creativity beyond the basics. Another potential con (or plus depending how it turns out) is that Dean hates preparation. He has been this dominant by winging it pretty much. This could be a weakness….but in a tournament format in which he will face fighters from all over the globe with different sizes and skill sets, his ability to “improvise” depending on how the fight is going might be the ultimate secret weapon.

 

Our apologies to undefeated uber-prospect Adam White who many are penciling as the next top contender for Dean’s belt in GAMMA. But we’d rather take the veteran experience of Buddy Garner. Garner is a man that has gone the distance with Dean once and almost the distance (1 minute into the fifth and final round) on the other fight. If he has been able to hang on that long with the best fighter in the world, he has to be really good. Once again, he is a man with brutal takedowns, excellent top control and better yet, one of the best submission aces in the American team. He can turn his ground and pound into a submission out of nowhere, like he did against Petey Mack who is one of the largest and most intimidating men at 185 pounds. Besides, with two losses to Dean, I am sure he is coming with a chip on his shoulder into the Olympic tournament.

 

Welterweight: Josh “TNT” Aldarisio (Alternate: “The Strategist” Rufus Stephens)

 

Aldarisio is undefeated in GAMMA (his only loss came very early in his career) and is the top contender to the Welterweight title currently held by the Canadian Bobby Brubaker. In his two GAMMA fights against Callum Henson and Yevgeni Sipatov, he showcased the “American way”: Great takedowns, top control and ground and pound. Sipatov barely kept him away in a lopsided unanimous decision loss, while Henson got caught in a guillotine coming out of a scramble and tapped out. His lack of big fight experience could be detrimental, especially when compared to his alternate’s resume, but Aldarisio has become the American hope in GAMMA at 170 pounds.

 

The rumor that Stephens was granted the alternate spot because Nathan Chambers turned it down was unfounded, but the veteran must feel taken for granted when he was passed over for Aldarisio. After all, Stephens went four rounds with Julio Regueiro and won two out of three fights with fellow top contender Nathan Chambers in one of the greatest trilogies in MMA history. He follows the “American way” to the letter and has improved upon it by becoming equally dominant in the clinch. However, it seems the American committee wanted somebody who has not fought Brubaker yet in hopes of upsetting the Gold medal favorite.

 

Lightweight: Brandon “Sugar Rush” Sugar (Alternate: “The Man with No Nickname” Sean Morrison)

 

One of the hardest decisions made. Sugar recently defeated Morrison in a rematch for the 155 pound title in GAMMA after losing the first fight to him. Yet, a lot of people believe Morrison had a better shot at the 155 pound Gold Medal in the Olympics. Here is what we know: Sugar is the best submission artist in the entire American team, a man who tapped Morrison with a triangle and also holds tap out victories over Luke Hilton, Ian Linderman and Nicholas Bretton among others. He is a complete monster on the ground, but is not a dominant wrestler like most of the USA squad, breaking away from the “American Way” mold. His takedowns are adequate and his striking is decent, but he needs the fight on the ground. How will he fare against an elite striker or world class wrestler? Well, he did well enough against Morrison the second time, showcasing improved takedown defense and a willingness to go to the ground and take a more advantageous position. He won almost every scramble on that second fight, showing he was not the same guy who has smothered and controlled for the unanimous decision loss the first time around.

 

Morrison will definitively come in with a chip on his shoulder and with hopes that his Olympic participation leads to a trilogy bout with Sugar once they return to GAMMA. He has wins over a who’s who of competitors, including Beau Gorshin (twice), Bud Brockett, Benny Danare, Truck Gleeson and his teammate Sugar. He is cut from the same mold as Foster and Dean: Elite wrestling, top control and takedowns. He can tap you out or pound you out the American way. This is one of the few times fans are very divided on who they wanted to see competing for Team USA and many wish the roles were reversed. We will have to wait and see.

 

Featherweight: Phillip “Kid” Ziskie (Alternate: “Lightning” Lamont Banner)

 

With the lack of Featherweight division in GAMMA, it will be up to the regional XCC promotion to provide the competitors. The former XCC Featherweight Champion Phillip “Kid” Ziskie, is a young competitor who combines elite wrestling skills with high-intensity striking. He is a fan favorite due to his crowd pleasing style that has led to knockout wins over Coltrane Aaronson, former XCC Lightweight champ Jamie Hewitt and the current XCC Featherweight champion, Brazilian Luiz Machado. He also holds a decision win over notorious Brazilian competitor Rafael “Slick” Tavares. That’s right; he has beaten both members of the Brazilian team. His most recent loss came to fellow American Sammy “The Shark” Gaffigan, who turned down the alternate spot offended that Ziskie got the call over him. That should set up a rematch when they go back to the XCC.

 

His alternate is undefeated super prospect Lamont Banner. The son of former boxing world champion Douglas Banner Jr had to earn his way into the team, one of the few spots open to trials. After Sammy Gaffigan turned down the alternate spot, former XCC Featherweight Champion Easton Frye came down with an injury and third choice Anthony Ray Shenkman admitted his inability to make weight consistently for the tournament format, the US Olympic Committee held trials for the alternate spot. Banner surpassed the far more experienced Wallace Everett and Frank Romita as well as fellow prospects Markus Waller and David James Diggle for the final spot. He is still very young and his lack of experience, coupled with poor ground game and the Achilles heel of the US team, lack of kicking technique, means that Ziskie has better stay healthy if we want to reach the podium. However, he has excellent cardio, world class boxing skills, dynamite power in his hands and has shown his ability to stay on his feet with excellent takedown defense.

 

Bantamweight: “Wild” Willy Basset (Alternate: “Barrage” Brian Claremont)

This is one of the rare instances in which the champion is not the chosen representative. Basset is 18-2 and widely considered the best at 135 pounds in the world. He has never crossed paths with Claremont. But there is no doubt that Basset, who has one of the fastest shots and best overall wrestling games at 135 pounds, was the right choice. His striking is suspect, particularly his non-existing kicking game, but he schooled Claremont during the trials and ended up controlling him on the ground for significant stretches of time. The American Way comes into play again and it seems that was enough to convince the coaches to go with Basset.

 

Claremont is the reigning XCC Bantamweight Champion and comes with a chip on his shoulder. If something happens to Basset and he is put in, expect to see violence. Much like 145 pound alternate Lamont Banner, Claremont boasts two bricks for fists, which combined with impeccable punching technique, lead to plenty of knockouts. They also share similar weaknesses: Lack of kicking game, poor wrestling and ground skills and suspect submission defense. Team USA has a better shot with Basset, but don’t count out Claremont.

 

Women’s Featherweight: Hope “Scythe” Lehane (Alternate: “The Pissed Off Angel” Laura Adair )

 

Women’s MMA is still in its early stages, but there is no doubt that Lehane, the WEFF Featherweight Champion, has to be our representative. She holds victories over Haley Croft and the likely Brazilian representative, the dangerous Janinha. Although her wrestling skill is average and her stand-up game is barely adequate, she possesses impeccable ground control and dangerous submissions. It is that dangerous ground game that led her to tap out wins over Croft and Janinha and it very well may be the key to the gold medal.

 

The alternate is the prospect Adair, who toppled fellow prospect Tabitha Cameron in the trials. With Haley Croft taking herself out of the running, Adair kicked her ticket in with her strong muay thai game and ability to keep the fight standing. She is one of the few Americans that can actually kick, with her lethal high kicks being a sight to behold. Lehane is our best bet, but don’t be surprised of Adair kicks her way to the finals.

 

Women’s Bantamweight: “The Arizona Animal” Sarah Vaughan (Alternate: Hester “The Slayer” McLean)

 

Vaughan is the most experienced female competitor in the tournament. A former XCC Women’s Champion at a catch weight, she took out the then undefeated Michelle Adams to become the WEFF Bantamweight Champion in her first fight for the company. The 34-year old also holds a notable win over her alternate, besting McLean at a catch weight while fighting for XCC. She is the ideal representative for the “American Way”: Dominant wrestler, excellent ground and pound and top-notch ground control.

 

McLean is the opposite of Vaughan: She possesses one of the best and most lethal standup games in the division, but lacks any sort of ground game and that proved to be her downfall against McLean. The good news is that Women’s MMA is in its infancy and there are not many expert ground tacticians in the games. She has a big power puncher’s chance.

 

Women’s Flyweight: Layla Holmes (Alternate: Katherine “The Great” Williams)

 

Although there is no formal division on most companies, Women’s Flyweights will compete at the Olympics and Team USA will take two top prospects ahead of proven veterans like April Watson and Vicki Summers. The choice was Holmes, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace who holds a signature tap out victory over the aforementioned Watson. She possesses one of the best submissions skills and top-notch submission defense, but she also boasts an above average stand-up game, making her a tough out no matter where the fight takes place. Many believe that Holmes, who normally competes at a higher weight due to lack of divisions in many MMA companies, will become the new face of American Women’s MMA and a gold medal at the Olympics might help pave the way.

“The Great” would have been a great choice as well. Although she lacks Holmes’ stand-up game and appears to be a one dimensional ground fighter, the Judoka has excellent takedowns and dominant wrestling ability. She also boasts a nasty clinch game and submission skills that can rival Holmes. She used her positional control to dominate one of the most dangerous strikers in women’s MMA, Nina Belle, over three rounds, proving that she is not afraid of facing dangerous strikers.

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<p><span>http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy270/EWRFan/TeamCanadaLogo.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;"><span style="color:#FF0000;">TEAM CANADA</span></span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">IRWIN “MURDER FIRST” MIDDLETON</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">SEB MOOREHEAD</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Middleton, who competes for GAMMA and participated in the “Clash of the Titans” reality show, is another limited stand-up artist with poor conditioning and zero ground game. Like his nickname entails, he is a powerful hitter and holds a knockout victory over fellow COTT contestant Peter Windsor. However, he also suffered a KO loss to Davey Rushton in the finals. </p><p> </p><p>

Seb Moorehead is an undefeated 8-0 prospect from Canada who dominated the trials. He has beaten only regional competition using his superior size and strength, in spite of a very limited skill set. Coming from a kickboxing background, he is a limited striker with above average stand-up game, but lacks any sort of ground game or submission defense.</p><p>

It is unlikely that Team Canada makes the medal round in the Super Heavyweight division.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>HEAVYWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE TOWER OF POWER” TIM BOYER</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE MERCHANT OF MENACE” MASON ARCHER</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p>

Team Canada has an outside shot at the medal round at Heavyweight thanks to the veteran Tim Boyer. Using his nasty clinch game effectively as both, an offensive and defensive tool, combined with some of the nastiest knee strikes at 265 pounds, Boyer is a forced to be reckoned with. He lost his only title bid to GAMMA Champion James Foster, but went a full five rounds and Foster called him the toughest opponent he has faced. Boyer also holds a notable UD win over American alternate Raul Hughes and a KO victory over the hard-hitting Jeff Carlton.</p><p> </p><p>

Mason Archer has spent the bulk of his career fighting for Alpha-1 in Japan. He is one of the tallest competitors at 265 and boasts a lethal stand-up game. He uses his size to keep opponents at bay with his long jab and powerful leg kicks. However, he was quickly tapped out by Hazzan Fezzik , exposing his weak ground game. He holds a KO victory over Brazilian Gerson Mauricio. He beat veterans Norman Pike and Russel McPhee for the nomination.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"> “THE CALGARY ASSASSIN” MIKE WATSON </span></strong><strong>(ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">ANTHONY “LIVE WIRE” LETOUSSIER</span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

“The Calgary Assassin” follows the established trend in Team Canada: Great standup, poor ground game. The difference is that Watson has elite takedown and submission defense, allowing him to keep the action where he needs it to be. He is known as having the fastest hands in the division, as showcased in KO victories over Christian Mountfield and Ken Peters. Both men didn’t see the shot that put them down for good. Although he lost to Spencer Rubenstein in his bid for the GAMMA Light Heavyweight Championship, Watson remains one of the top contenders and has a legitimate shot at the medal round.</p><p> </p><p>

The veteran LeToussier has lethal kicks and unmatched KO power, but has suffered back to back losses to Rubenstein and American alternate Marlon John that seems to have affected his confidence. However, he easily beat out the competition at the trials and his motor mouth and constant trash talking have allowed him to get into opponent’s heads and dominate them psychologically. Canada has a better shot with Watson, but don’t count out Livewire.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>MIDDLEWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE AMAZING” JJ REID</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE TALENTED” SUTTON RIPLEY</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

JJ Reid is one of the top contenders at 185 pounds for the GAMMA promotion. Although he has barely adequate striking, he is a BJJ expert and owns a submission win over Patrick Thomas. However, back to back losses to Matthew Dean and Osmosis Benn have shaken his confidence and there is no doubt he is the representative simply because Petey Mack is unable to consistently make weight. </p><p> </p><p>

Ripley is an unconventional striker who has been more successful than a man with his skill set should. He is mostly a one-dimensional puncher who has uncanny balance and the ability to lure opponents into rock-em-sock-em brawls that he usually wins. He did this to the far more talented Dexter Darling and beat him by TKO. He was unsuccessful against Matthew Dean however. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WELTERWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">BOBBY “ALL-STAR” BRUBAKER</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">SIMON “HELLBOY” VINE</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

There is no doubt that the current GAMMA Welterweight Champion was getting the nod. Brubaker knocked out the legendary Julio Regueiro for the title in his last fight, a massive upset that many still consider a fluke. Winning the Gold medal might silence the critics. Although he has sub-par wrestling and struggles with positioning on the ground; “All Star” is an elite level striker in all respects. Whether it is with his punches or kicks, anything he hits you with has the chance to end the fight. He showed much improved takedown and submission defense against Regueiro, forcing the legend into the type of fight he couldn’t afford. The end of the fight came from a lethal right high kick to the face that crumpled Regueiro like wet paper. The owner of KO victories over the likes of Tyler Lass, Jim Carpenter and Dan Halvorsen, there is no doubt that Brubaker is Canada’s best shot at any gold medal.</p><p> </p><p>

The ALPHA-1 veteran Simon Vine edged out the likes of Zachary Gilbert and Callum Henson for the alternate spot. Although he suffered a UD defeat against Japanese legend Ichisake Miyagi in his last fight, Vine’s elite wrestling and dominant ground and pound give him a higher chance of victory than anybody else in Team Canada’s arsenal.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>LIGHTWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">BENNY “THE JET” DANARE </span></strong><strong>(ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“MR. INTENSITY” BRUCE STEVEN</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Canada’s Benny “The Jet” Danare uses his elite level takedowns to down opponents and then attempt to twist them into pretzels with his BJJ game. The submission expert was once considered the hottest prospect in the division until he was downed by Sean Morrison in his attempt to conquer the 155 pound title in GAMMA. Although he has been on a bit of a funk recently, nobody wants to face the master of the rubber guard in this tournament. </p><p> </p><p>

Bruce Steven is another elite submission artist from Canada who recently defeated Ian Linderman via tapout inside the GAMMA cage. His sparring sessions with Danare as they prepared for the games are the stuff of legend. However, he possesses an even weaker striking game than his Olympic teammate and struggles against bigger, dominant wrestlers. His unanimous decision defeat to Sean Morrison is a testament to that. No matter who represents Team Canada inside the cage, the opposition better keep their limbs in check.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>FEATHERWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">FOGGY LEE</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">ROGER “JUMPING” BEAN</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

There are not a lot of fighters on the regional scene in Canada at 145, so the Olympic team is composed of two talented prospects relatively inexperienced against top opposition. The 8-3 Lee is considered the brightest, which is surprising considering he is pretty much a self-taught fighter. He mixes volume striking with an above average submission game and presents a dilemma no matter where the fight takes place. Although he does not possess powerful hands, he has mastered a technique he calls the “Quebec Slap” in which he puts together a peppering series of rapid-fire jabs that frustrates opponents and keeps them at bay. </p><p> </p><p>

Roger Bean is an undefeated 6-0 prospect but his skills are yet to reach Lee’s heights. Although he has excellent conditioning and an above average striking game, he has zero wrestling or submission skills and more experienced grapplers will no doubt take advantage of this. Canada’s chances to medal in this round are slim, but they are marginally higher is Lee stays in it.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>BANTAMWEIGHT:</strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"> D’ARCY SPOODE</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">STIFFY LITTLE</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Canada boasts two of the top prospects in the 135 pound weight class and the undefeated D’Arcy Spoode has taken the nomination. The cocky youngster has a decent all-around game, but his strong suit is his stand-up game. He is an above average kicker that likes to pepper opponents with lightning quick leg kicks and a steady diet of jabs. Although he does not have much punching power, he uses his technique to set up dangerous high kicks and also has a decent muay thai clinch with devastating knees. He is a very fast and well-conditioned athlete who usually dominates the scrambles, although his mat game is nothing to talk about.</p><p> </p><p>

Little is the total opposite, as his standup game is non-existent but he has compiled a 9-1 record thanks to above average wrestling and masterful ground and pound. It is no secret that his gameplan is to take the opponent down and mash him like potatoes, but not many fighters have been able to stop him yet. He might find such one dimensional techniques difficult to employ against world class opposition.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WOMEN’S FEATHERWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">ALYSON “ALLEY CAT” ARROWAY</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE MIGHTY” ALISHA WOOD</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Arroway made some noise with consecutive knockout victories over contenders Tammy Westenra and Lynda Epsom for the WEFF promotion. Although she is a one dimensional kick-boxer with a poor ground game, she boasts one of the best stand-up arsenals in the Olympics and has a surprisingly dominant clinch game. If she can keep it standing, she has a legit shot at the medal round.</p><p> </p><p>

“The Mighty” Alisha Wood suffered a devastating knockout loss to Janinha under the WEFF banner, but she is one of the strongest contenders in the division and many would argue that she has a better shot at the medal round than Arroway. She is quite possibly the strongest woman in the world and her amateur wrestling skill is considered elite. Unfortunately, that is her only skill. Her stand-up is horrible, her ground and pound is mediocre and he boasts zero submission wins under her resume. She can take them down and keep them there, but she doesn’t know what to do when she has them on the ground. That could pose serious problems.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WOMEN’S BANTAMWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“THE LADY OF 1000 SUBMISSIONS” SANDY OLIVER</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">“GLAMOROUS G” GIANNA RUSSO</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Oliver has not competed for any of the big promotions, but with a 10-0 record in the Canadian regional circuit, 9 of which have come via tapout, there is no doubt she has a real shot at the medal round. Of course, she has extremely poor stand-up and striking and will rely on her ability to take opponents down and twists them into pretzels. But there is no doubt that her submission skills are elite and will pose problems for the majority of fighters in the women’s bantamweight division.</p><p> </p><p>

Russo surpassed several other prospects for the alternate spot. The 5-0 youngster has an above average BJJ game and surprised the coaches by hanging with Oliver on the mat during the trials. She is not as good as Oliver, mind you, but better than most in the division. No matter who Canada puts in the cage, the objective will be the same: to take limbs and twist them in dangerous ways.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WOMEN’S FLYWEIGHT: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"> “THE ELECTRIFYING” JENNY DENEUVE</span></strong><strong> (ALTERNATE: </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"> LESLIE MYERS</span></strong><strong>)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Jenny DeNueve is one of the hottest female talents in the world today, no matter which division we are talking about. He devastating striking game and unquestioned heart are combined with a high fight IQ that allows her to create game plans for every opponent. It has allowed her to remain unbeaten in spite of having a lackluster takedown defense and non-existing submission game. Three consecutive KO victories under the WEFF banner against talented opposition like Allison Beattie, Nicola Tyler and Christine Jameson have given her a lot of momentum heading into the Olympics and has a real shot at the medal round.</p><p> </p><p>

Myers is the total opposite, an undefeated prospect in regional competition with elite BJJ skills and terrific submissions. However, her stand-up game is really poor and she doesn’t have much experience against elite competition, especially the level of competition that can exploit her weaknesses.</p>

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