Shamrock FC: Destruction - Event Preview

In a recent interview Jesse Finney, President of Shamrock FC, reaffirmed his commitment to the Kansas City market, and with SFC: Destruction he brings one of his most compelling and competitive fights cards to date.

The main event features local stand out and hometown favorite Matt Uhde.

Uhde is best known for his war with former UFC-vet Houston Alexander at Bellator 117. He will face off against Omaha's Marcus Sursa, a veteran of both Bellator and Strikeforce. Sursa trains under the direction of UFC brothers Jake and Joe Ellenberger out of the Mid-America Martial Arts gym.

Also featured on the card is Bellator-vet Owen Evinger taking on Jordan Howard. Howard is a winner of five straight, including four first round finishes. Evinger, out of Odessa, MO last saw action in July for Shamrock.

Jared Block's Modern Combat System's team from Hazelwood, MO will be sending four representatives to KC. This include three of its top pros: Hugh Pulley, CJ Hunter, and Scott Futrell. Amateur Jamese Taylor will also be on the card.

"We like traveling because we like fighting the toughest guys out there." Block said. "I've known matchmaker Dustin Garrens for a long time, and been on his shows in the past. He's a fair guy, likes exciting fights, so we trust him to match our guys. He's looking to build some guys in the region, and we want to be a part of that."

Block's ace, the undefeated "Wolverine," Hugh Pulley will return to KC after a blistering one minute 18 second dismantling of Chad Williams in September.

"Hugh is fighting a Strikeforce veteran in Zak Bucia." Block said. "This will be his toughest fight yet."

Pulley has a combined ring time of just under four minutes in his first four professional fights, and will face someone who has only been stopped one time in 17 fights.

"Training for Hugh is going good," Block said. "He went out the MMA Lab (Arizona) and worked with John Crouch and Ben Henderson. Put some work in with those guys."

Bucia was recently on the losing end of an absolute war with Rudy Bears at Shamrock FC: Impact in July. Bucia (11-6) is hard to put away and will be a great test for Pulley.

Bucia has won five of his last seven, dropping a decision to both Bears and Billy Evangelista. Eight of Bucia's wins have come by way of submission, and he posses a nasty armbar. If Pulley gets sloppy, Bucia will submit him.

Another fight with fireworks written all over it matches Pulley's teammate and brother, CJ Hunter taking one of KC's top pros Jeremiah Denson.

"CJ is fighting Denson which is a very tough fight for him too," Block said. "Good little fight, I think they're both pretty evenly matched."

Denson, 1-1, had a very impressive amateur career that featured 10 wins in a row to close out including victories over Chad Williams and Chuka Willis. Six of his final 10 wins were by way of submission.

Denson will have to be sharp to submit Hunter, who's known locally as "The Ground Shark." Hunter also posts a 1-1 record.

"We love fighting for Shamrock." Block said. "They treat fighters fair, they take care of the fighters. I like fighting in Ameristar in Kansas City as well as St. Louis. Both hotels and venues are beautiful. They add something special to the fight show. It's an intimate setting, but you get the feel of the big crowd as well."

Bantamweights Raul Romero and Joe Fulk kick off the professional card

Saturday's event will feature also what matchmaker Dustin Garrens is calling, "King of KC" series. Starting with "Destruction" all future Shamrock KC cards will host ammy title fights to determine the Queen or King of KC at each weight class.

"This is a way for us to separate ourselves from all the other local shows and not be their competition." Garrens said. "We are allowing other local events to be the starting ground for amateur MMA and we will strictly focus on the top ammys in the Midwest that can one day become future Shamrock FC pro champions."

It was announced in September that Shamrock FC would be partnering with Bellator FC in 2015 to bring shows to Kansas City and St. Louis.

"2015 looks to be super exciting with our commitment and partnership with the "new" Bellator." Garrens said. "Now being able to offer any Shamrock FC fighter a 2-fight deal with Bellator. We are excited about our close out show November 22nd in KC, and even more excited about our 2015 future."

Full fight card for Shamrock FC: Destruction:

Matt Uhde vs Marcus Sursa - Main Event
Zak Bucia vs Hugh Pulley
Owen Evinger vs Jordan Howard
Derek Williams vs Scott Futrell
Jeremiah Denson vs Cjay Hunter
Raul Romero vs Joe Fulk

"KING OF KC" Amateur Titles
145lbs - Izzy Ortiz vs Steve Nguyen
135lbs - Steven Null vs Jose Andrade
155lbs - Seth Snodgrass vs Jamese Taylor
205lbs - Will Johnson vs Jeremy White
170lbs - William Lavine vs Duane Johnson
185lbs - Eric Davis vs Xavier Lewis

Shamrock FC: Destruction
Saturday, November 22nd
Ameristar Casino, Kansas City, MO