Absolute MMA is gearing up for their inaugural event tomorrow evening. The headline bout features home-town favourite Ramil Kamilov as he aims to stay unbeaten against Kris Allard. The remainder of the Absolute MMA 1 card is stacked mostly with up-and-coming athletes stepping into the amateur ranks for the first time. Read on for my picks across the full card.
Ramil Kamilov (2-0) vs. Kris Allard (2-3): PRO Lightweight
Allard hasn't stepped into the cage in over two years, whereas Kamilov has put together four fights during that same stretch. Allard could be dangerous if he drags the contest to the mat, but Kamilov should control the outcome if he keeps things on the feet and perhaps adds a couple of takedowns of his own.
Prediction: Kamilov wins via TKO.
Tomas Alamos (0-0) vs. Jake Craig (1-0): AMATEUR 215 pounds
There's virtually nothing public about Alamos. Craig comes out of Shaved Bears MMA in Edmonton, where he trains alongside Tanner Boser and Christian Larsen, so I'm backing him.
Prediction: Craig wins via knockout.
Ethan Cheung (0-0) vs. Morgan Bateman (1-0): AMATEUR Lightweight
Bateman may have gotten past that opening-night jitters, but Cheung trains out of Champions Creed and should be fully ready for his debut. It's hard to bet against Champions Creed.
Prediction: Cheung wins via TKO.
Imadudeen Atmeh (0-0) vs. Prince Kumar (0-0): AMATEUR Bantamweight
This one is genuinely compelling — Atmeh is the younger sibling of Albaraa and Izzudeen and will probably pose a real threat standing, while Kumar brings a tough grappling game. If Atmeh avoids the mat, he should come out on top.
Prediction: Atmeh wins via knockout.
Josh Fox (1-0) vs. Cal Kostiniuk (0-0): AMATEUR Middleweight
Not a lot of intel on either competitor here. I'm pretty sure Fox also trains under Champions Creed, so I'll stick with him over the unknowns surrounding Kostiniuk.
Prediction: Fox wins via decision.
Adam Brezinova (0-0) vs. Dat Le (0-0): AMATEUR Lightweight
I'm drawing a blank on Brezinova, so I'll lean toward Le, who runs his own martial arts school.
Prediction: Le wins via TKO.
Yan Tun (0-0) vs. Chase Graham (0-0): AMATEUR Featherweight
Another Champions Creed product in Tun. I'll ride them all day long with absolutely nothing to work with on Graham.
Prediction: Tun claims victory by TKO.
Hamza Khan (0-0) vs. Jamie Ingram (0-1): AMATEUR Bantamweight
Ingram brings valuable cage experience to the matchup, hailing from a solid training camp at CMC. Since there's no background available on Khan, I'm backing Ingram to secure his maiden professional victory.
Prediction: Ingram takes it on the scorecards.
