Cage Champs 55 - Preview

One of the longest running promotions in the area returns Saturday for its 55th showing when Cage Championships sets up shop at the Eagles Club in Sullivan.

The main event features Modern Combat's James Cowan taking on Colton Carmack from the Smith Pit in an intriguing amateur match-up between two fighters hungry for their next victory. Cowan is coming off a loss in March to Luis Pena at Fight Hard while Carmack (6-1) could setup a potential state title match-up with Pena in July with a win over Cowan. Carmack hasn't competed in over a year, and will need to shake the rust off quickly against Cowan, who comes out quick from the start.

One of the area's top amateur welterweights, Lucas Clay, will face Montrel James in a K1 match. James, a striking specialist, has often found trouble finding victory in MMA, but always looks solid when the rules allow stand-up only. Clay will need to figure out James' reach, and powerful kicks and want to close the distance and turn this into a brawl.

Clay's teammate at St. Charles MMA, Josh Augustine, is returning to action after a long layoff. Augustine has started putting on muscle and will move up a weight class to face Keith Gorden, who is fresh off a decision loss to Erion Zekthi at March's Fight Hard. Augustine is tall for his weightclass, and is nasty when the fight goes to the ground. Gorden has shown he can hang with the best, and won't be intimidated by Augustine's submissions, as he has shown he can be tough to submit.

MCS's favorite "street fighter," Fred Freeman, is always a tough out and will look to put the pressure on Berger MMA's Alex Macias.

Heavyweights Jerry Ballew and Kris Dodson will look to out maneuver each other in a fight that could end quickly when two large men start swinging. Dodson is a bit of a fan favorite and the crowd should love this match-up.

Kicking off the main card is an exciting K1 match-up featuring Cort Romious, one of our 2015 Amateur of the Year nominee, taking on boxer turned MMA fighter, Cristian Santana. Santana is slick on his feet, and will be a great match-up against the powerful and explosive Romious who can turn out the lights with one shot.

An additional eight bouts on the undercard will round out what should be a great night of fights in Sullivan.

James Cowan vs Colton Carmack
Lucas Clay vs Montrel James - K1
Josh Augustine vs Keith Gorden
Alex Macias vs Fred Freeman
Jerry Ballew vs Kris Dodson
Cort Romious vs Cristian Santana - K1

Nathan Rice vs Angelo Young
Juan Parades vs Daniel Boyer
Jeff Huska vs Zach Jones
Mike Hulsey vs Josh Krejci
Casey Brew vs TBA
Jesse Keezer vs Thaddeus Hart
Isiah Millican vs TBA

Cage Championships 55
Saturday, April 16th
Eagles Club, Sullivan, MO