Shamrock FC: 305 - Preview

Keeping a busy spring schedule, Shamrock FC is back on May 11 at the River City Casino, albeit a month earlier than in previous years.

Headlining the May event is "the Professor" Steven Mann (14-5) taking on Matt Delanoit. Mann is riding a two-fight win streak after returning to his roots in the Iowa fight scene, winning twice for Iowa Challenge based out of Burlington, Iowa.

Delanoit (26-14) out of Nebraska is a veteran of over 30 professional fights spanning nearly 12 years in the sport along the way fighting a whos-who that includes Bobby Voelker, Ben Askren, and Josh Neer among others. Delanoit was recently scheduled to rematch Voelker earlier this year but picked up an injury along the way, and Voelker fought a late replacement.

With nearly 50 fights between the two, the main event for SFC 305 should be one to watch. Mann has been the more active between the two and is always in the gym at Finney's training, so we give him a slight edge in this one.

Fresh from his win over Jordan Dowdy last December, former Berger MMA top prospect, Ty Flores is back in action. Flores had to come from behind to capture a second round, rear naked choke submission in his win over Dowdy, snapping a two-fight skid and improving his overall record to 3-2. Now training at Finney's MMA, he is seemingly back to work on his pro fight career after taking over two years off. Flores' opponent Jarrod Thomas will be making his professional debut, and has a big challenge ahead of him.

Dustin Lampros will look to keep the momentum from his first professional win going when he takes on Zach Harvey at bantamweight. Lampros fought late replacement Joe Taylor in January at SFS's promotional debut at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles. Lampros pressure and superior grappling made the difference and propelled him to a first-round stoppage.

Harvey is a journeyman who's fought most of the area's bantam and flyweights including Corbin Howard, Eric Ellington, Ken Porter, and is mostly known for his memorable trilogy of fights with Porter.

Rounding out the main card is flyweight Kris Craig, a former SFC amateur title holder, who will make his professional debut when he takes on Steven Coleman out of the Academy of Courage. This is the most evenly matched fight on the main card and should be a fast-paced, pedal to the metal fight as both love to push the pace. If Coleman can establish his range and keep it standing, he might be able to wear down Craig who loves to use his wrestling to bully his opponents.

On the amateur side of things, Springfield, IL's Vince Hutchens will look to get back to his winning ways when he takes on Cahokia's AJ Graham. Graham has explosive power but isn't as experienced as Hutchens who's had twice as many fights and is 13 years his senior.

Other amateurs to watch for on the undercard, Jimmy D'Angelo out of SCMMA, and husband of Invicta FC Flyweight Kelly D'Angelo, has shown promise after transitioning from boxing to MMA. Also, Aspen Morrison, the fiance of SFC lightweight standout Garrett Gross will be making her MMA debut.

Tickets available form the Shamrock FC Store.

Fight card: (Subject to change)

Steve Mann vs Matt Delanoit
Ty Flores vs Jarrod Thomas
Dustin Lampros vs Zach Harvey
Kris Craig vs Steven Coleman

Kevin Mueller vs Tim Eschenfelder
Ian Zarvos vs Ray Johnson
Jason Gavril vs Arvin Mills
Dom Boyd vs Kody McGehee Kickboxing
Adrienne Brusca vs Haven Faulkner
Max Choriev vs Anthony Oden
Melissa Lorber vs Jessica Smith kickboxing
Jimmy DAngelo vs Justin Lewis
Jason Stevenson vs Steve Mutzu
Emily Mancucuso vs Sarah Christainson- kickboxing
Vince Hutchens vs Cody King
Austin Woodcock vs Adam Stone
Austin Kunz vs TBD

Shamrock FC 305
Friday, May 11th
River City Casino, St. Louis, MO