Shamrock FC: Ultimate - Preview

Forget a bang, Shamrock Fighting Championships is going to end the year with a sonic boom.

On Dec. 5 at the River City Casino the aptly named "Ultimate" features some of the best talent the area has to offer in mixed martial arts.

"This has been a successful year with 22 shows," SFC president Jesse Finney said. "But of the 22 shows, from top to bottom, this is our best card. All of our top prospects are on this card and we are trying to make a statement with it."

Headlining the event is a SFC Heavyweight Title bout between Bobby Brents and Fred Moore.

Brents (15-5) out of Springfield, IL, is coming off a 10-second starching of Scott Hough in June. Moore (3-1) is a relative newcomer, but has already fought twice for Bellator. All three of his wins have come via TKO. The winner of the main event will net the Shamrock FC Heavyweight title and a Bellator contract.

Skill, speed, and athleticism will be at the forefront when Kendrick Latchman (4-1) meets Trevor Ward (5-1) in the co-main bout. Latchman out of Modern Combat Systems is blindingly quick while Ward is super crafty on the ground and can up the volume on the striking. The six-foot Ward will have nearly half-a-foot worth's of range on Latchman.

St. Charles MMA and Berger's Fit or Fight have always had a friendly, respectful rivalry. Two of the top fighters from both of those established schools will meet when Yohance Flager faces SCMMA-staple Kirk Huff. Flager (7-7) has six wins via submission. Both are slick on their feet and strong on top. A knee injury kept Huff on the MMA sidelines during the middle part of the year. Always one with a toe in all of combat sports, Huff (3-0) has professionally boxed and competed in both Respect events - which featured some of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu players in the region during the 2015 campaign.

The social media beef has already started between Dan O'Connor and Nick McClean.

O'Connor is the established veteran of the pairing while McClean is looking to make a name for himself at the expense of "Johnny Irish". O'Connor (6-5) has dropped four of his last five but has faced plenty of stiff competition including Pedro Nobre and Joey Diehl. His vaunted ground game has led to four submission victories. McClean made his pro debut this summer with a TKO win over Dillon Tolbert at SFC: Throwdown.

Rounding out the main card is Marc Godeker vs. Lee Burns and the pro debut of Wes Powers, one of the region's top amateurs, against Sean Woodson.

As if the main card wasn't enough action, three title bouts headline the amateur undercard.

In a rematch, Shaun Scott will put his SFC middleweight strap on the line against Jason Christeson. An early-fight injury for Christeson led to a swarming win for Scott earlier this year. Susie Mama Beast Wyatt will face Ashley Samples for the vacant women's flyweight strap and David Evans will take on belt-holder Cortavious Romious for the featherweight title.

Winners of the SFC amateur belts are eligible to earn SFC pro contracts after their first title defense.

Also at SFC: Ultimate, Jim Boucher is being inducted into Shamrock FC Hall a Fame. Boucher was a promoter of combat sports for 25 years, delving into MMA, kickboxing and boxing where he promoted events at Fisher's Ballroom in Belleville, IL.

Full card:

Bobby Brents vs Fred Moore (Shamrock FC Heavyweight Title)
Trevor ward vs Kendrick Latchman
Aaron Highfill vs TBA
Yohance Flager vs Kirk Huff
Dan O'Connor vs Nick McClean
Lee Burns vs Marc Godeker
Wes Powers vs Sean Woodson

Shaun Scott vs Jason Christeson - 185 Title
Susie Wyatt vs Ashley samples - 115 Title
David Evans vs Cortavious Romious - 145 Title
Bob Hinchcliffe vs Steve Coleman
Chris Moore vs Zach Burcham
Jace Burcham vs TBD
Ben Gray vs Dee Barron (TBD)

Shamrock FC: Ultimate
Saturday, December 5th
River City Casino, St. Louis, MO

Brents photo courtesy of Jimmy Range Photography