Shamrock FC: Domination - preview

Despite what the Mayans have predicted, 2013 promises to be a very big year for Shamrock FC.

In a recent press release, Jesse Finney has promised as many as 10 professional bouts split between the promotion's current home at Lumiere Place and the 1800-seat venue at River City Casino in South County. If you've been fortunate to witness the growth of the Shamrock's pro/am events over the past 12 months, you've got to be excited for what the future holds.

Saturday night will be the final show of the calendar year and it appears Shamrock FC has saved the best for last with an exciting event that features four intriguing pro bouts and a stacked amateur under card.

Kevin Engel (look for our Q&A later this week), the veteran of over 130 amateur and pro kickboxing and boxing matches looks to parlay his combat experience into his new passion for mixed martial arts. Working under the tutelage of black belts Lucas Lopes and Ezra Lennon, Engel has been a quick study of the submission game. If he's able to piece together his ground game, Engel can be even more of a force to reckon with. On Saturday, in the main event, Engel will face Travis Sveum,(7-5) a veteran of over 20 amateur and pro MMA fights. Based out of Independence, MO, Sveum is a familiar face in the Titan FC organization having fought there twice. Of his seven pro victories, Sveum has submitted four. Engel's last opponent promised to keep it standing, and paid the price. The question remains if Sveum make the same mistake?

Fans of Malcolm Smith will finally get to see his long-awaited pro debut. Fighting out of Hahn MMA, Smith looked great in his last amateur fight and got many people excited about what the future holds for the young lightweight. His last amateur fight was also his first time competing at lightweight, where he will remain as a professional. On Saturday night he has not drawn an easy opponent.

Vincent Eazelle out of Geyston's Martial Arts is a very well-rounded athlete, undefeated as an amateur and with a pro record of 2-1, Eazelle's only loss came via decision at Shark Fights. Smith might have the edge in athleticism, but give the nod in experience to Eazelle, who is no stranger to big fights. This has potential to be the fight of the night.

Danny Andrews and Rick Bolin will tangle on the main card. Andrews lost recently to Bolin's teammate Kevin Engel in a two-round war. Bolin is a tough, tenacious fighter who likes to grind out victories with his dominating top game, while Andrews is strong and very comfortable on the ground. This has the makings of a bloody stand-up battle.

The undercard features several rising prospects including Anthony Livingston, Aaron Highfill, Mack Mankowich, and Jake Buehler among others.

Livingston is an exciting fighter with several first round stoppages, he will be taking on a game Curtis Eller. If his fight with Highfill is any indication, don't blink on this one.

Highfill is a tough middleweight who's only loss as an amateur is to Anthony Livingston via eight-second KO. His opponent on Saturday is Malcolm Smith's teammate Jake Buehler. Buehler is a big, athletic kid from Jefferson County who loves to scrap, and will be a handful for Highfill.

Last week we caught up with Malcolm Smith, Rickey Bolin, and Kevin Engel. You can check out the interviews here:



Here is the full fight card for Shamrock FC: Domination

Pro bouts:
Kevin Engel vs Travis Sveum
Vincent Eazelle vs Malcolm Smith
Rickey Bolin vs Danny Andrews
Josh Weston vs Willie Rose

Amateur bouts:
Anthony Livingston vs Curtis Eller
Brandon Schehl vs Thomas Campbell
Aaron Highfill vs Jake Buehler
Coren Riley vs Jase Finley
Rebecca Gullet vs Britt Wilson
Dustin Lampros vs Kyle Pallone
Mack Mankowich vs Jason Cribbs
Robert Lee vs Bob Hinchcliffe

Shamrock FC: Domination
Saturday - December 1st
Lumiere Place Casino
Fights start @ 7:30