HEATXC 5 – PUNISHMENT REVIEW!
As most everyone knows, a major objective of Heat XC is to develop a stockpile of talented young fighters who can eventually make their case for a spot on the big MFC events.
Call it a developmental or feeder system or even a “farm” team, Heat XC is solidly progressing in its original intent by giving fighters a chance to move up the ladder in similar fashion to say minor-pro hockey or triple- and double-A baseball. So looking over the recent Heat XC 5: Punishment card, here is essentially a “farm” report – a review of some names and who is looking ready to step up and whose stock has taken a tumble.
Scott Payne – a nice addition to the Heat roster who showcased some very good striking in his lopsided (albeit three-round) finish of Devon Neville. Payne demonstrated quick, damaging punches and decent accuracy. As with most novice fighters, Payne will need to work a fair bit as he progress particularly his cardio but that should come in time. His next test needs to be against someone in better physical condition that Neville (nine pounds over at weigh-in) and someone who can either test Payne’s striking defence or his ground game. Overall a good debut that showed promise.
Garret Nybakken/Jevon Marshall – a rematch of their MFC 25 preliminary bout. It’s now even between the two with a win each so it seems only natural to complete this trilogy. Nybakken looked like he learned more from their first encounter than Marshall did and took advantage. Sure it would be good to see them against competition they don’t know inside and out but it’s worthwhile to finish this rivalry once and for all before moving on.
Danny Valimaki – gets a grade of incomplete for his latest effort. Take nothing away from his performance which lasted less than a minute but it’s impossible to truly grade his performance against such poor competition. A stern test next time out is mandatory to really gauge where Valimaki is at.
Ryan Fortin – probably earned the “most improved” nod from his last time out – maybe even over his last few fights. Fortin flashed a much more aggressive nature, banging away with fists and knees, but equally as noteworthy were a few new tricks including a back-heel trip. There is a lot of potential there to work with if it is nurtured properly. We’ll find out if it’s being done right when Fortin gets the call up again to the MFC ranks against an appropriate foe.
Marty Melnychuk/Ryan Getschel – undoubtedly the fight that attracted the most fan and media attention and it lived up to the hype. Not much in the way of style or skill but tons of heart and heaps of aggressive behavior. At 35 and having a full-time job, Melnychuk will more than likely take his win and call it a day – one and done. Getschel should look to do it again, however, and look to become a Heat fixture.
Keto Allen – simply the most dominating performance of the night. It’s extremely rare to see a fight end in the manner in which Allen put Jason Gorny away – a pair of belly-to-back suplexes that crushed his opponent’s will, not to mention his collarbone. Allen is without a doubt Heat’s top prospect and one of Canada’s best young welterweight hopefuls. The next mission for Allen is to main event a Heat show and pull off another dominating performance against stiffer competition. If he can do that, he could prove to be a threat to the MFC’s growing stable of 170 pounders.
David Heath – far from a “farm” team prospect, an appearance in Heat XC was more of what in baseball or hockey circles would be a brief injury rehab stint. Heath put his previously torn bicep to work with a barrage of strikes, opting to keep the fight on the feet to get some work in. He could have ended it much earlier with a takedown and some demolition on the ground, but instead he threw everything but the kitchen sink at Jason Kuchera, including a left-handed Superman punch, and rarely missed as evidenced by the destruction of Kuchera’s face. The victory gives Heath a leg up in preparing for his expected clash with Solomon Hutcherson at MFC 26 in September.
Lots of positives coming out of the night, guys heading in the right direction or at least looking as though they are poised for bigger and better things. But in the fight game for every positive there are negatives and there were definitely some setbacks for certain fighters:
Jason Gorny – completely overpowered by Keto Allen. Crashed back to reality (on the back of his head) as to where he stands in the hierarchy.
Devon Neville – first impression was a lasting one, and not in a good way. Dramatically missed his target on the scale and couldn’t avoid getting pasted by Scott Payne for over 13 minutes.
Jason Kuchera – in the best shape of his career yet was destroyed by David Heath, who toyed with Kuchera before finally deciding to end the assault. If Kuchera wants to remain on the scene it should be as a Heat mid-card regular. Otherwise, for his own well-being, “The Show” should close for good.
