Cage Championships 48 - Event Preview

Titans collide this Saturday in Sullivan when Travis Edwards from Jefferson City takes on local favorite Nick Pohlmann from Rosebud, MO.

The two big heavyweights faced each other in January of last year with Edwards getting the first round stoppage. Edwards would go on to face Jason Ostrowski for the first ever Spire State Heavyweight Title in March.

Although he wasn't successful against Ostrowski, Edwards will get another crack at the state title on Saturday, but will have no easy contest with a hungry Pohlmann, eager to avenge the only loss of his amateur career. Ostrowski recently moved to Texas and has vacated his title.

"The state title will be a great honor," Edwards said. "My biggest accomplishment is being ranked number one in a couple sanctioning bodies."

Since 2010, Edwards has racked up 18 amateur fights and has an impressive 13-5 record including a victory over Pohlmann.

"I train a lot." Edwards said. " I get better every day and learn from every fight. Wrestling is something that I work most on."

Fighting out of the state capital, the athletic Edwards got into MMA looking to stay in shape. A natural athlete, Edwards took to it quickly winning five of his first six fights.

"Truth be known I started MMA to stay in shape." Edwards said. "I have always tried to put on good weight and keep cardio up as well. That has been a challenge. Turning pro is in the near future." Edwards said. "I have had a lot of ammy fights, but then again I may cut down in weight and fight some at cruiser or light heavyweight."

This former college basketball player also stays busy outside of the gym.

"I enjoy seeing my daughter and going to all of her high school sports activities. Also I play softball and drag race old cars." Edwards said.

Pohlmann trains under Patrick Smith in the Smith Pit in Cuba, MO and is a training partner of RFA middlweight Jake Collier. Pohlmann now 7-1 has fought all eight fights under the Cage Championships banner, with the lone loss coming from Edwards.

"The fact that I lost adds extra motivation for sure." Pohlmann said. "Nobody likes to lose and now I have a chance to redeem myself."

With the loss to Edwards fresh in his mind, Pohlmann understands what Edwards brings to the table.

"I have been working on my stand-up a lot." Pohlmann said. "Travis had good heavy hands so that has been the main focus."

From nearby Rosebud, Pohlmann will be the overwhelming crowd favorite on Saturday.

"The amount of support I receive is amazing." Pohlmann said. "When you have a ton of people cheering you on it really helps pump you up."

If Pohlmann can control his nerves it should be a very competitive fight as Edwards is well seasoned and faced the toughest heavyweights in the state.

The Sullivan-based Cage Champs has made Denver Sells a star, and the talented young middlweight will drop back down to his normal weight after one time trip to light heavyweight at Cage Champs 47. Sells easily defeated Brandese Powell with a quick stoppage in the second round. Sells is 7-2 and may be the best remaining amateur middleweight after several of the area's top guys have turned pro. Facing Sells is Carl Jefferson, a 30-year old middleweight from Illinois. Jefferson has had a lot of fights, and should be a good test for Sells.

Athletic and talented Jamese Taylor will take on Cody Huff in an exciting lightweight match-up. At 9-4, Huff will be Taylor's most experienced opponent to date, and his arsenal of submissions could give trouble to the tall and lanky Taylor who is known primarily as a strike. Taylor from Modern Combat Systems recently lost a close decision to Nick Kreutz.

Another local favorite, Jason Figgemeier will return to the states and will take on Ty Flores. Figgemeier is an active duty soldier who often uses his leave time as a chance to sharpen up his skills in the cage, much to the delight of the locals in attendance who get pretty rowdy when Figgemeier steps into the cage.

Full fight card:

Nick Pohlmann vs Travis Edwards
Spire State Heavyweight Title

Denver Sells vs Carl Jefferson
Cody Huff vs Jamese Taylor
Dakota Bush vs Laree Hutchinson
Matthew Nall vs Cody Winistoefer
Chris Watkins vs TBA
Ty Flores vs Jason Figgemeier
Ryan Meynell vs Brandon Pierson
Josh Boyer vs Ryan Shelton

Cage Championships 48
Saturday, June 28th
Big Eagles Hall, Sullivan, MO