Shamrock FC: Velocity - Preview

Shamrock FC revs up the engine for April 18th's Velocity featuring a card with eight welterweight match-ups which should help shape the landscape of the region's pro 170-pound division.

Velocity's main main event features Josh Weston returning to action to take on Henry Lindsay.

Weston faced his stiffest challenge of his young career in January when he took on a stalwart of Kansas City MMA, the always tough Rudy Bears. Bears caught Weston with a rear naked choke in the second to capture the victory and claim the Shamrock FC welterweight title and Bellator contract.

Weston is standing on the edge of losing three in a row after starting off his career a red hot 4-1. A strong wrestler, Weston is typically able to control the action and when he shows up hungry and in-shape he is tough to beat.

Jesse Geringer will face Raymond Gray in an anticipated match-up between two strong welterweights. Both had long amateur careers and fought several of the same opponents but for some reason have never crossed paths until now.

Gray was long considered one of the best amateur welterweights in the state with over 30 amateur fights. On his resume is a relative who's who of Midwest fighters including: Kelvin Tiller, Adam Meredith, Chad Williams, and even Fight Hard matchmaker Kain Royer,

Gray dropped his professional debut to Adam Osmoe in January and then rebounded in February to even his record at 1-1. Gray has smothering wrestling and can wear down his opponent, going the distance in his last nine fights.

Like Gray, Geringer had a very successful amateur career and at one point was ranked No. 1 by Spire for 170's. Gerrnger is a gritty, tenacious fighter with incredible heart. He once took a fight up a weight class against hot shot middleweight prospect Denver Sells on just a couple days notice.

Aaron Highfill looks to erase the memory of his pro debut loss with a win over Stacy Bacon. The highly touted Highfill was stopped quickly in the first round in his debut against Bryant West last fall. Highfill has taken several months off to circle the wagons and regroup.


Bacon fought for Shamrock in January in a very competitive match-up with Highfill's sometimes training partner, fellow welterweight Jordan Dowdy. Bacon is tough, durable, and quick to engage his opponent.

Coming off a great year in 2014, Dowdy out of the CMMA gym in Pontoon Beach, will be making his pro debut. Dowdy followed up an undefeated year with a victory lap in January where he took home the Shamrock FC amateur welterweight title in a decision victory over Bacon.

Dowdy will take on Calvin Cunningham. Cunningham hasn't seen action since 2012, and was a familiar face to fight fans up until his semi-retirement. He'll also be making his pro debut.

Rounding out the main card is a featherweight match-up between Gracie Humaita's AJ Siscoe and Scott Ettling out of Xplosive MMA in Hillsborough, IL. This is the classic grappler/striker match-up as Ettling is a gritty, hard-nosed fighter who likes to trade, whereas Siscoe is more at home when he's on his back.

Here is the full card:

Josh Weston vs Henry Lindsay -- Main Event
Jesse Gerringer vs Raymond Gray
Aaron Highfill vs Stacy Bacon
Jordan Dowdy vs Calvin Cunningham
AJ Siscoe vs Scott Ettling

Curt Eller vs Eric Williams
Montrell Prater vs Issac Purnell
Cory Tinnon vs Dee Cannon
Dan Moriarty vs Jake Trigleth
Irfan Mulbinovic vs Edrick Dillard
David Evans vs Drew Walker
Marye Dalton vs Lynn Mondaine
Cort Romeous vs Alejandro Socorro

Shamrock FC: Velocity
Saturday, April 18th
Lumiere Place Casino, St. Louis, MO