On Friday 1 June 2012, the Extreme Fighting Championship
returns to Carnival City, Johannesburg for EFC Africa 14. The MMA event will be
headlined by a lightweight title fight between two of the biggest names in
South African MMA - reigning EFC Africa lightweight champion Costa Ioannou and
former EFC Africa welterweight champion Adam Speechly.
Costa Ioannou (4-0)
Costa Ioannou (#1 Lightweight rankings) has been dominant in
the lightweight division, finishing 3 of his 4 fights inside the EFC Hexagon
against a who’s who of South African lightweights . The Fightfit Militia
product also became the first man to successfully defend his EFC Africa title
at EFC 11 when he defeated Alex Cheboub via third round rear-naked choke
submission. Costa Ioannou, aptly dubbed “The dominant champion” will look to
continue his incredible form when he steps in the Hexagon at EFC Africa 14
against Adam Speechly in his second lightweight title defence.
Costa Ioannou road to EFC Africa 14
Fight
|
Result
|
Method
|
Event
|
Review
|
Brendon
Katz
|
Win
|
Decision (Unanimous)
|
EFC Africa 3
|
|
William Bentley
|
Win
|
Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
|
EFC Africa 5
|
|
Wentzel Nel
|
Win
|
Submission (Triangle Choke)
|
EFC Africa 8
|
|
Alex Cheboub
|
Win
|
Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)
|
EFC Africa 11
|
Adam “The Prodigy” Speechly (12-3)
After losing his EFC Africa welterweight title, Adam Speechly will drop down to lightweight for the first time in his EFC career. The prodigy (4-2 EFC) is widely regarded as one of the best ground fighters in South Africa and has submitted three of his opponents in the Hexagon. Speechly has only lost twice in the EFC, once to Lebanese fighter Abdullah Hamdan and most recently to Dallas Jakobi in their welterweight title fight last year. Adam Speechly will want to bounce back with a win over the ever dangerous Ioannou.
Adam Speechly road to EFC Africa 14
Opponent
|
Result
|
Method
|
Event
|
Review
|
Dino Bagattin
|
Win
|
Submission (Rear-naked Choke)
|
EFC Africa 2
|
|
Russell van Heerden
|
Win
|
TKO (Elbows)
|
EFC Africa 3
|
|
Nolan Swanepoel
|
Win
|
Submission (Rear-naked Choke)
|
EFC Africa 4
|
|
Abdullah Hamdan
|
Loss
|
KO (Punches)
|
EFC Africa 6
|
|
Nolan Swanepoel
|
Win
|
Submission (Guillotine Choke)
|
EFC Africa 8
|
|
Dallas Jakobi
|
Loss
|
Decision (Unanimous)
|
EFC Africa 10
|
Costa Ioannou and Adam Speechly - Fighter Comparison
Stand-up advantage
Though Adam Speechly has improved dramatically on the feet, I
have to give the advantage to Costa Ioannou in the stand-up department. Ioannou
is one of the most aggressive strikers in the EFC, and is able to press forward
and close the distance effectively, which invariably results in a clinch
situation. In the clinch he has displayed a vicious arsenal of knees and elbows
which have felled many an opponent.
Ground advantage
The ground is where this fight gets interesting, as Speechly
and Ioannou are both well versed and
respected ground fighters. Speechly has a plethora of accolades in the no-gi
submission wrestling game, while Ioannou holds a brown belt in Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu. This one is too close to call, as both fighters have very different
backgrounds and styles. I think the ground advantage could go either way or end
up being nullified.
Physical advantage
Adam Speechly is the taller man with the greater reach, and
as he dropping down a division, should be the bigger man. Contrary to this
though, I believe Costa Ioannou will have a strength advantage. One factor to consider is how Adam
Speechly will react to dropping the extra weight. There is definitely an
element of risk in not taking a fight or two to test how his body will react to the new weight division.
Mental advantage
Mentally I believe neither fighter has an advantage as both
are very experienced and should be accustomed to the spotlight. Both Speechly
and Ioannou have title fight experience and have held titles before.
Costa Ioannou – Keys to victory
- Close the distance when standing, fight on the inside
- Use the clinch effectively – avoid the take down and land power shots.
- Be methodical on the ground. Work for dominant position, wear Speechly out and work effective ground and pound
Adam Speechly – Keys to victory
- Maintain distance in the stand-up
- Look for the take down - get the fight to the ground as soon as possible
- Work for early submission on Ioannou
Costa Ioannou vs Adam Speechly – EFC 14 fight prediction
This fight has all the makings of an action packed tussle. Costa
Ioannou will come out the more aggressive fighter, looking to close the
distance and nullify Speechly’s reach advantage. Speechly will be content to stay on the
outside and work his striking, but will certainly favour his chances on the
ground.
Costa’s aggressive style will lead to a clinch situation
early on. This will be pivotal to the outcome of the fight as the clinch is not
only where Ioannou can do the most damage, but also where Speechly can get the
fight down to the ground. Due to both fighters being comfortable on the ground,
I believe this fight will definitely end up there and the two master grapplers
will have to work hard to secure anything. Round one will end with both
fighters intact.
Round two will see Costa Ioannou begin to take control of
the fight and wear Adam Speechly out. I predict the Fightfit Militia fighter
will once more close the distance, land some big shots on the inside and take
Speechly to the mat. A worn down Speechly will not be as effective in his
defence and Ioannou will be able to obtain a dominant position and work some
vicious Ground and Pound over the course of the round to end the fight in the
second frame via TKO. Costa Ioannou will maintain his lightweight title and
solidify himself as one of the best fighters in South Africa.
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1 comments:
Costa is coming !
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