Shamrock FC: Revenge - Event Preview (Updated)

Shamrock Fighting Championships returns to the comfy confines of Lumiere Place Casino when it hosts "Revenge" on April 19th.

Fan favorite Sal Woods will face Garrett Gross in a rematch of a fight from March of 2012. Both fighters are looking to rebound off a loss. Woods (7-14) was submitted by Jimmy Donahue last June whereas Gross (4-4) saw a two-fight win streak come to a close when he lost by unanimous decision to Belal Muhammad in Indiana. Their previous encounter, although one round was deemed as a Fight of the Year candidate.

"Saturday will be a new fight on a new night," Woods said. "I'm not the same fighter I was then and I'm sure he's not the same fighter he was on that night."

Both fighters competed previously at welterweight, this bout will be contested fifteen pounds lighter at 155.

"Sal is a real game opponent," Gross said. "He doesn't back down from many fights. It frustrates me when guys won't take fights but that's how it is now."

KJ Editor Brett Auten breaks down this epic rematch.

Eye-popping up-and-comer Luke Nelson, out of Tyron Woodley's ATT Evolution will face Joel Blair in the co-main. Nelson is coming off a spectacular TKO of Kain Royer in his pro debut in December, 2013. Blair defeated Jake Buehler in December and then came back in January and lost to Scott Futrell.

"My job is fighting and training," Nelson said. "I'm in this to be a world champ. The reason I fight is because I love the sport. Not everyone can do this, wake up and become a fighter. It is not a weekend thing."

Blair took almost two full years off before returning last December.

"I would love to dedicate more time to MMA," Blair said. "I'm just a normal guy with a normal life trying to fight my ass off."

Read the breakdown of this great welterweight clash by Sam Catanzaro.

Finney's MMA wrestling coach Ryan Sutton will return to the cage to take on Eric Crittendon. Sutton will look to even his pro record with a win over Crittendon.

Rebecca Ruth will take on Crystal Stevens and John McGaughlin will face Wil Alfaro to lead off the pro card.

The amateur side is highlighted by two of Finney's MMA's top young guns in Joaquin Buckley and the returning Dustin Fischer. Both fighters have shown extremely high upside. Buckley is considered to be one of the best amateurs in the region and will take on a very tough Kyle Kurtz. Kurtz went toe-to-toe with Aaron Highfill in February and had him in some bad spots before Highfill was able to get the finish. Fischer will be taking on J.J. Tirpak

Another match that should peak your interest is a battle between Auhston Dickerson and Sebastian Grant. Dickerson is an exciting, athletic fighter to watch, and Grant is about as scrappy as they come.

Full fight card as follows:

Garret Gross vs Sal Woods - Main Event
Joel Blair vs Luke Nelson
Ryan Sutton vs Eric Crittendon
Rebecca Ruth vs Crystal Stevens
Wil Alfaro vs John McLaughlin

Joaquin Buckley vs Kyle Kurtz
Jordan Dowdy vs Ben Stuckey
Dustin Fischer vs J.J. Tirpak
Kris Craig vs Tommy Kusick
Brad Hagedorn vs Sammie Wilborn
Edrick Dillard vs Brandon Emery
Auhston Dickerson vs Sebastian Grant
Joe Kelso vs Mario Michael Morrissey
Issac Purnell vs Bud Sedlock

Shamrock FC: Revenge
Saturday, April 19th
Lumiere Place Casino, St. Louis, MO
Doors @ 6 | Fights @ 7:30