Shamrock FC 308 - Preview

When Shamrock FC returns to Kansas City on August 18, it is loading the card with some of the best young talents that KC has to offer.

Johnny Eblen headlines the Ameristar KC card in his toughest test to date when he faces Lucas Lopes a veteran of nearly 50 professional fights.

Undefeated as an amateur, Eblen won his first two professional fights, both for Shamrock FC, and the buzz continues to grow. Eblen, a former University of Missouri wrestling stand-out who posted 87 wins, follows in the footsteps of Ben Askren, Michael Chandler, and Tyron Woodley as former Tigers turning to the mixed martial arts. While he has big shoes to fill, Eblen continues to improve every time he steps into the cage, training in Boca Raton as a member of American Top Team.

Though Lopes hasn't been in the cage since 2015, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is an active coach in the St. Louis area and continues to hone his skills. Lopes is a dangerous fighter in all positions, especially on the ground, where Eblen is specialized.

Heavyweight prospect Anthony Garrett has battled lousy luck in his last two scheduled fights, both getting scrapped during fight week due to illness, or other foreseen circumstances, but the big guy from Title Boxing is back on the card. Garrett (3-1) has three first-round stoppages, and his only loss is to seasoned veteran Matt Uhde, who is a tall order for anyone. Garrett faces Mike Wasem, a karate specialist out of St. Louis who is excellent on the feet and improving immensely on the ground.

Featherweights Thomas Thatcher and Craig Farley will mix it up. The "Sniper" Thatcher is looking to rebound from a tough loss in September, and Farley is the perfect opponent for him to do so, although it won't be easy. Farley is 2-1 with his only loss coming at the hands of Glory MMA prodigy Mike Breeden at Bellator 171 in January 2017.

The "Machine Gun" Raul Romero takes on Steve Brown at featherweight. Romero is a tough as nails, hard-punching fighter, and will be a good test for Brown who is coming off a big win in September that featured a last-second stoppage in the second round of the fight.

Rounding out the professional portion of the card, Robert Gidron (3-1) will take on Ivey Nixon (2-1) in an exciting middleweight match-up to kick off the main card.

The event will be streamed live on FloCombat and tickets to the event can be purchased via the Shamrock FC Store.

Full fight card: (Subject to change.)

John Eblen vs Lucas Lopes
Anthony Garrett vs Mike Wasem
Thomas Thatcher vs Craig Farley
Raul Romero vs Steve Brown
Ivey Nixon vs Robert Gidron

Roland Harris vs Derik Wicks
Haylee Woodward vs Drea Hawkins - Kickboxing
Lantz Nave vs Derek McMillan
Cody Gillenwater vs Levi Rector
Chad Dodson vs TBD Kickboxing
Derek Crawford vs Jacob Harbit
Shawn Birch vs David Scott - Kickboxing
Nick Bowers vs TBD
Chris Laperle vs Josh Horn
Dan Olajiga vs Kirby Blanke

Shamrock FC 309
Saturday, August 18th
Ameristar KC, Kansas City, MO