Shamrock FC: 317 - Preview

As Shamrock FC continues to gain momentum in Kansas City, its April return comes with one of their most loyal soldiers getting a second chance at Shamrock gold. Bobby Voelker returns on a three-fight win streak to face Cameron VanCamp for the SFC Welterweight title. Also, a bantamweight title eliminator, and a pro kickboxing bout round out the professional main card.

It was the summer of 2017 when Bobby Voelker and Zak Bucia met for an epic encounter in one of the most anticipated fights in the annals of KC MMA history. In five rounds, Bucia outpointed Voelker, a veteran of 45 professional bouts, to win the title and guaranteed Bellator contract.

Voelker has won 7 out of 8 since exiting the UFC including notching his 30th professional win last February. Voelker is Shamrock FC's top draw, and has treated the KC fans to some exciting fights. In his recent form, Voelker has to come from behind to find the winner's circle, and a more poised, patient Voelker has emerged. Indiana's VanCamp has won 6 out of his last 7, finishing all six bouts and has only been decision three times in his sixteen fights.

When Voelker starts to sense victory he puts the pedal to the metal and usually finds the finish, with VanCamp's knack also having a penchant for finishing fights, it's safe to say the judges can take the night off with this one.

Two of Midwest's top bantamweights will square off when the "Gerber Baby" Jacob Thrall faces Cort Romious in a match-up that could create SFC's #1 contender at 135 pounds. Romious, fighting out of St. Charles MMA is pure athlete with an incredible highlight reel of KO's and has finished all three of his pro fights. Thrall (4-1-1) has four finishes in his six fights, including two rear naked chokes. If there's any weakness in Romious' game it would be on the ground, something that Thrall excels at. We tend to lean towards Romious in this one, but only based on his recent form and outstanding amateur pedigree.

With recent rules changes by the Missouri Athletic Commission professional kickboxing is now legal inside the MMA cage. Thus far it's been very popular with the Shamrock FC fans and has produced some exciting highlights thus far. KC fans will get a taste when Brad Ragan takes on Brandon Breault.

Kicking off the professional main card is KC's favorite fighting teacher Aaron Poston back hoping to teach Nick Radtka a lesson. We last saw Poston in December of 2016 the second of a 2-fight skid. Poston is tough as nails, with some slick submissions which also happens to be Radkta's strength. When two ground guys face off, often a slug-fest. If Voelker wasn't on the card, this bout has "show stealing" potential.

Two title bouts highlight the all-amateur under card. In a unification title bout, Tim Jackson form St. Louis will take his amateur bantamweight belt down highway 70 to Kansas City, to take on the the interim champ Travis Sumler. Sumler (10-4-1) has won four in a row dating back to September of 2017, while Jackson is a perfect 5-0 but hasn't seen action in over a year when he defeated Kory Beck to win the title. Jackson's wrestling can be suffocating, but Sumler is a bit of a savant off his back, this is the exact type of match-up we love seeing.

In the other preliminary title challenge, Andrew Floyd will face Jeremy White for the light heavyweight belt. Floyd is perfect at 5-0 with four, first round stoppages thanks to his concrete chin and dynamite right hand. His opponent Jeremy White fights out of Glory MMA and Fitness and is a Captain in the US Army.

Also under card matches to keep an eye on are stand-up specialist Jimmie Hendrix taking on Myle Ogletree, and the MMA debut of Jackson Henson the son of Wrestling Olympic Silver Medalist, Sammie "The Bull" Henson. Also of note, Asa "Chemtrail" Collier will face Ty Schrader.

Fights will be streamed on FloCombat, tickets available from SFC Store.

Full card: (Subject to change)
Bobby Voelker vs Cameron VanCamp - SFC Welterweight Title
Jacob Thrall vs Cortavious Romious
Brad Ragan vs - Brandon Breault - Pro Kickboxing
Aaron Poston vs Nick Radtka

Travis Sumler vs Tim Jackson - 135lb Amateur Title
Andrew Floyd vs Jeremy White - 205lb Amateur Title
Derrick Wicks vs Spencer Wray
Jackson Henson vs Harrison Rice
Marrisa Ellis vs Brandi Smith
Jimmie Hendrix vs Myles Ogletree
Jake Wilson vs Mike Murray
Leo Perl vs Jacob Edmiston
Asa Collier vs Ty Schrader
Dustin Doty vs Lance Farmer

Shamrock FC: 317
Saturday, April 6th
Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, MO