TCP; Saturday night fights!

This article originally ran at www.theclackamasprint.com. Too see the original, click here.

David Beasley, Associate Editor
Wednesday,May 14, 2013
Volume 46, Issue 21
Sports

Another action packed night of cage fights will take place in downtown Portland this Saturday on Burnside at The Roseland Theater as the Full Contact Fighting Federation hosts Rumble at the Roseland 71. Back in January, Katie Howard became the FCFF Women’s Junior Flyweight Champion when she defeated Kyra Batara by Unanimous Decision in the main event of Rumble at the Roseland 69.

Howard’s upcoming opponent, Emily Corso, earned the title of Women’s Flyweight Champion after defeating Emily Whitmire via armbar at Rumble 65 in August. Pitting champ against champ, the match is sure to be full of fireworks.

Howard is a very fast and dexterous fighter. She has pinpoint accuracy and solid conditioning. She will need to use her technique and quickness to her advantage against her larger, more powerful opponent. Howard will be eager to bounce back with a win after her last tough match against another larger opponent Robin Woods. Woods won the 130 pound super fight at Rumble 70 in March with a controversial power bomb slam knockout.

When Woods picked up Howard and slammed her to the mat, her head collided with Howards’ face, head butting is against the rules in mixed martial arts competitions and to win in such fashion is generally not desirable. The match between Howard and Corso should be an amazing battle as the clash of the titles erupts. Corso has an amateur record of 3-0 with all three wins by submission.

Five more title fights are in store for Saturday evening. The 185 pound division championship will be decided between current title holder John Simon and the challenger Jose Rodriguez. In other bouts; Super heavyweight Ricky Alcaraz returns against Casey Lunzman. Heavyweights Tyree Fortune and Russell Tunes will square off. The women’s 205 title will be contested by Myndi Stalnaker and Hillary VanOrnum. Current 135 pound champ Journey Newson will defend his title against Brent Messineo.