We have plenty of action to look forward to this coming week as New England fight fans. We have 4 fighters competing in various organizations around the country, and we want to make sure that they get their due before stepping into the cage to go to war.
Tim Caron (10-2) vs. Kyle Stewart (12-3)
On Friday top ranked middleweight, Tim "The Bear" Caron, will step in to the LFA cage on a few weeks notice to take on an uber tough UFC vet in Kyle Stewart. Caron, who fights out of Burgess MMA in Manchester, New Hampshire, got the call from one of the top minor league organizations in the world a few weeks ago, and will make the trek to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. "The Bear" has only fought twice in the past 2 years, but don't sleep on his inactivity. Caron has been a rising prospect on the New England scene for many years, and now he takes on arguably the toughest competition of his career. Kyle Stewart trains out of Arizona, and is a UFC vet that is looking to claw his way back onto the big stage. Stewart is one of, if not the, best middleweight/welterweight who currently is not on the UFC roster, so the task will be a lofty one for Caron. Stewart likes to strike, while Caron has a well-rounded game. Caron's best path to victory is to get the fight to the mat, and look for a sub or beat Stewart up in top position. Make sure you tune into UFC FightPass on Friday night as Caron and Stewart are scheduled to throw down in the co-main event of the evening. This should be a good one!
Ras Hylton (6-4) vs. Davion Franklin (1-0)
Ras "Rasquatch" Hylton was able to notch the biggest win of his career back in July under the Bellator MMA banner, as he stepped up on 3 days notice to take on a 6-1 Rudy Schaffroth. Hylton grabbed his first win by decision in his career, as his cardio proved to be the difference in the fight as Schaffroth slowed in the later stages. The 9th ranked heavyweight in New England got a call to return to the Bellator cage to take on up-and-coming prospect Davion Franklin. Franklin may only be 1-0 in his MMA career, but don't let that fool you, as he is a former collegiate wrestler, and currently trains out of one of the top gyms in the country in Jackson-Wink MMA out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Franklin is in the midst of a developmental deal with Bellator, as this will be his 2nd fight with the organization. Hylton was able to fit in a full camp for this fight, and has been training extensively at First Class MMA, Dragon Fire Martial Arts, and also with his good friend and BKFC heavyweight, Chris Sarro. "Rasquatch" will be the first fight on the Bellator card that will be aired on Saturday. You can catch Ras' fight on the Bellator YouTube page for free.
Pat Casey (6-2) vs. Daniel Madrid (17-6)
In a middleweight bout, Pat "The Gorilla Ninja" Casey will step in to take on another Arizona based fighter in a very skilled Daniel "DemiGod" Madrid. Casey got the call last Friday that Bellator needed a middleweight replacement for Austin Vanderford who had tested positive for covid. Without hesitation, Casey accepted the offer and got mentally prepared to go to battle in a little over a week. Casey isn't a stranger to the Bellator cage, as he's gone 2-1 with the organization during his professional career. The Springfield, MA native jumped on the opportunity to perform for Bellator, and had no qualms at fighting at middleweight (he'd like to be at welterweight eventually), or facing the toughest opponent in his career. Madrid is a grappler by trade, as the majority of his wins have come via submission. Madrid is on a 4 fight win streak, with his two most recent wins coming under the LFA banner this year. Casey will have his work cut out for him, but this is definitely a winnable fight for "The Gorilla Ninja", and is an opportunity to propel his career on the world's stage. It is still yet to be determined if Casey's fight will be on the prelims or the main card, but make sure you tune in to watch "The Gorilla Ninja" throw down Friday night on the Bellator 246 card at Mohegan Sun.
Mike Rodriguez (11-4) vs. Ed Herman (24-14)
"Slow" Mike Rodriguez will step back into the UFC cage for the 5th time, and looks to carry the momentum of his recent victory with the organization just 2 weeks ago. Rodriguez got the call last week that the UFC needed a replacement for Ed Herman's original opponent, John Allan. the 39 year old Herman is a 23 fight UFC vet, and brings a gritty, brawling style to the cage. Rodriguez trains out of Lauzon MMA, and currently holds a 2-2 record with the organization over the last 2+ years. He's coming off a very impressive KO victory over Marcin Prachnio (13-5) where he landed a monster elbow and followed it with punches on the mat before the ref called off the fight and awarded Rodriguez the victory. A deadly striker with a personality as big as his smile, Rodriguez is looking to ride the wave of his last victory in a quick turnaround. "Slow" will be fighting on the main card that will air on ESPN+ Saturday night.
It's a weekend filled with action for New England MMA fans, so clear the schedule, grab a beverage, and lets watch 4 New Englanders deliver some carnage in the cage!
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