Shamrock FC: 276 - Preview

Shamrock FC returns to the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City for SFC 276 on September 24 and once again Bobby Voelker sits atop the card.

Since July 14, a bout agreement has been on the desk of the Missouri Athletic Commission's desk for Voelker to fight Kyle Kurtz. Whether the fight takes place or not remains up in the air. You can read more about the situation HERE.

Voelker, a Kansas City native, is on a four-fight hot streak since his departure from the UFC at the hands of fellow Missourian, Lance Benoist. Voelker has three stoppages since signing on with Shamrock in the summer of 2014. Aside from a scare from opponent Raymond Gray, thanks to a perfectly timed kick to the body, Voelker (28-12) has essentially breezed through the local competition in KC. A fifth win in a row, and against the 6-2, Bellator-vet Kurtz, could make a return to the UFC or Bellator debut that much closer to a reality.

Who's the best flyweight in KC? You're about to find out. Speedy 125-pound Kendrick Latchman (5-2) will look to rebound from a loss in March at the hands of RFA-vet Kevin Gray. Taking on Latchman in the co-main event is Dustin Kramer, (4-1) one of KC's top lighter-weight fighters. Kramer's submissions are great, but the key factor in this match-up is will he be able to catch the elusive Latchman, who can be hard to grab onto and favors out-pointing his by opponents working leg kicks and jabs.

Matt Uhde and Bo Kunz will square off in a match-up of two guys who like to brawl. SFC fans will remember Uhde's memorable clash with Marcus Sursa where Uhde was unleashing heavy leather until a perfectly timed elbow from Sursa ended his night. Uhde was an All-American Defensive Lineman at Northwest Missouri State in 1996 and is big and athletic.

Kunz, a popular fighter among the St. Louis circles, made his KC debut last November in a first round stoppage of Kevin Woltkamp. Kunz (3-2) is a well-seasoned vet with a long list of amateur fights to add to his five pro fights. While he prefers the slugfest, don't rest on Kunz's submissions because he can end it on the ground should the fight end up there.

In a pre-fight Shamrock FC promotional interview Kunz said: "Matt be ready because I'm coming to knock your ass out. I'm going to KC to make a statement, this guy just happens to be standing in my way."

See the rest of Kunz's interview HERE.

Middleweight Scott Heston will face heavy pressure from Marques Jackson from American Top Team HD who loves to grind out the will of his opponents. Jackson is coming off an unsatisfying performance against the "Sharknado" Gary Westphal in March. After dominating almost every second of the fight, Jackson was forced to tap when Westphal jumped into a standing guard, locked down a guillotine, and got the win. Topeka's Heston has won three in a row but hasn't fought since December of 2013.

Rounding out the main card is Former Missouri Valley and CMSU wrestler Zach Long taking on the impressive lightweight prospect, Tyson Hicks out of St. Joseph, Mo.

In a pre-fight Shamrock FC promotional interview Hicks said: "If you leave me an opening I'm going to make you pay for it. I'm going to be the kid they know that every time this kid fights it's going to be exciting. Whether I'm with him or against him, I've got to watch."

See the rest of Hicks' interview HERE.

A Shamrock FC pro contract will be awarded when a new SFC amateur bantamweight will be crowned. Travis Sumler will face Eric Ellington. Ellington (11-1) has run roughshod over the locals fighters in St. Louis and will cross the state to take on the 21-year old Sumler who has won three in a row, all by way of submission. Sumler's ground game will be a good test for Ellington, who wears people out with early pressure as evident by four first round finishes in his last six fights.

A highlight on the undercard is popular female ammy Rebecca Revelle who is hungry for a victory after coming off a February loss to Jennah Macallister in a disappointing performance. Facing Revelle is Melissa Stringer.

Tickets for this event are available at Cagetix. https://www.cagetix.com/shamrockfc

Full card (subject to change):

Bobby Voelker vs Kyle Kurtz
Kendrick Latchman vs Dustin Kramer
Matt Uhde vs Bo Kunz
Marques Jackson vs Scott Heston
Zach Long vs Tyson Hicks

Travis Sumler vs Eric Ellington
SFC Bantamweight Title (Ammy)

Devin Webber vs Anthony Goldfield
SFC Welterweight Title (Ammy)

Rebecca Revelle vs Melissa Stringer
Jeff Molina vs Steven Coleman
Brad Hagan vs Dustin Cox
Drew Elrod vs Darian Weeks
Zach Scroggins vs Steven Thompson
Trevor Johnson vs Chris Sorrett
Robbie Lopez vs Alex Martinez
Jacob Herbeit vs Curtis Bissell
Tim Shockley vs Brandon Contrell

Shamrock FC: 276
Saturday, September 24th
Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, MO