CFFC XII: Preview by Shawn Baran

Cage Fury Fighting Championship returns to Resorts Hotel and Casino this Saturday night for their twelfth installment.  We have come to expect each show to better than the last and Saturday night should solidify that fact.  Matchmaker, Arias Garcia and company have put together a stacked card that you can safely assume is an early Christmas present for the fans.  Some MMA veterans and newcomers will be on hand to electrify the sold out crowd.  Without further ado, let us peek at some of the headlining match-ups.

The main event of the evening will see UFC vet, Greg Soto (8-2) try to take the Welterweight Championship away from the explosive Chip Pollard (5-2).  Pollard took the title at CFFC 10, back in July after beating up Joey “Boom Boom” Rivera and forcing a Doctor stoppage.  Pollard will bring his crisp and precise striking to the cage to force the same outcome this weekend.  Soto will be ready as he has been around the block before and will be ready to weather Pollard’s violent offensive attack.

Chip Pollard likes to keep the fight standing and this will be his best chance at stopping Greg Soto.  Soto is very well versed on the ground, but can manage a fight wherever it may end up.  Soto can strike and he can grapple with the best of them as he is incredibly well rounded.  If Pollard wants to keep his title, he will need to bring his “A” game with him Saturday night.  One mistake and no doubt, Soto will capitalize and bring the welterweight belt home.  This championship main event will be a great one to watch.

Also returning to the local MMA scene will be Pellegrino standout, George Sullivan (8-3) who looks to get back into the “win” column after coming up a little short in a title fight back in April of this year.  Sullivan has been working harder than ever to not make the same mistakes he made back in April and should be ready to go on Saturday night.  Sullivan has his work cut out for him, though, as he will square off against always tough, Mike Winters (5-1).  Winters has seen action in M-1 as well as Bellator so he is no stranger to a big fight atmosphere.  Both these fighters have some impressive ground and pound so we will find out whose is better.

Winters is also a CFFC vet and is always impressive in the cage.  Last time out, he beat Mike Wade at his own game, wrestling.  Winters is strong on the ground and dangerous on his feet as he does have some very heavy hands.  Winters has a fast shot for his takedowns as well.  Sullivan had better be prepared to do some sprawling Saturday night.  Sullivan is also incredibly well rounded and should not be taken lightly.  Sullivan’s bread and butter is his ground and pound, but he can submit you just as easily.  There is a good reason that this fight is your co main event for the evening.  Wherever the fight ends up, both fighters like to stay busy so there will be no shortage of action here.

Rounding out the headlining match-ups on this stellar card will be Chris “The Story” Liguori (13-9) taking on Don Carlo-Clauss (7-5).  There will be a ton of experience in the cage Saturday night with this fight.  I have always said, Liguori’s record does not reflect how incredibly gifted this fighter really is.  You will see why I continue to say that when “The Story” adds yet another chapter to his career.  Win or lose, you will see one of the best MMA skill sets around.  Liguori trains with some of the best around with Ricardo Almeida, Frankie Edgar, Mark Henry, Tom DeBlass, and Nick Catone.  With a camp like this, it is no surprise that these guys keep winning.

Don Carlo-Clauss has fought all over, but as of late has lost two straight fights and desperately needs to get back into the win column.  Carlo-Clauss is another one that even when he loses, it is a very competitive fight.  Saturday night, he will need to have a mistake free performance if he hopes to defeat Chris Liguori.  Carlo-Clauss likes his striking, but is a little lacking in the ground game and submission defense.  Expect Liguori to soften Don up with some footwork and strikes and then take the fight down and try to finish off his opponent.  As with any other Liguori fight, this one could be your fight of the night.

Amongst these fights you will also see some of the best talent on the East Coast when the likes of Dan Cion, Daniel Holmes, Steve Perez, Ariel Sepulveda, Brian Kelleher, and the always entertaining - Artur Rofi and Ozzy Dugulubgov set foot in the CFFC cage and put on a heck of a show for you, the fans.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy this fantastic card and kick off your Holiday season with some breathtaking MMA action.  CFFC 12 goes down this Saturday night, December 10^th at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ.  The action is set to start at 7pm.  Head over to www.cffc.tv for more information.