Battlefield FL 16: Downtown Beatdown – Preview

Vancouver, B.C.’s historic Vogue Theatre hosts Battlefield Fight League 16: “Downtown Beatdown” on Friday, May 25th, featuring two title fights and the best amateur fighters from B.C. and beyond.

This Friday at BFL 16, Jer Kornelson (4-2) and Ryan Allen (3-1) will compete for the freshly-vacated middleweight strap in the co-main event. While the heavyweight main event features the return of bruising Brazilian behemoth Adam Santos (5-1), who risks his title against Kyle Francotti (2-0) of Kamloops, B.C.

A stark reality of promoting B.C.’s finest amateur MMA fighters is that BFL champions tend to progress quickly to successful careers within Battlefield’s pro cage, and in far-flung international promotions. Battlefield FL has already experienced this with the likes of B.C.’s Gary “St-Lion” Mangat (3-0 PRO), who recently fought and won in New Delhi, India.

The latest to graduate, so to speak, is longtime BFL amateur middleweight champion Micah “The Bully” Brakefield (0-0 PRO). But time and titles wait for no one, so the last two #1 contenders to Micah’s belt will now square off for the championship at BFL 16: “Downtown Beatdown.”

From Impact MMA in Nanaimo, B.C. Jer “The Jerk” Kornelson is familiar to most BFL fans who have enjoyed watching his rare blend of raw physical power and impressive agility. Arguably the strongest middleweight in the entire division, Kornelson will nevertheless face a sturdy challenge in Ryan Allen. A disciple of Team Gracie Barra in Vernon B.C., Allen possesses surprisingly slick striking, much more so than might be expected based solely on the sign above of his home gym.

Both have come tantalizingly close to wearing BFL gold already and neither will be interested in letting another chance slip away. Expect a fierce, frenetic fight from these two, but one that could easily go the distance.

The heavyweight main event, on the other hand, is unlikely to extend past the first round! Not that Adam Santos, of Morganti Ju-Jitsu, and Kyle Francotti, a protege of BFL fighter Matt Baker (7-3 PRO), aren’t tough-as-nails. The fact is, both are so used to levelling their opponents that neither is likely to give up a single inch, which should make this match nasty, brutal, and short. Undefeated Francotti has never been past round one, while Santos has similarly finished all his BFL opponents in the opening frame.

Santos would look to continue building momentum toward a potential pro career of his own, but that’s the problem with being a BFL amateur MMA champion.

Everyone wants the belt!

Don’t miss your chance to see these two great title fights and many more tilts live at BFL 16: “Downtown Beatdown” in Vancouver, B.C. on Friday, May 25th.

Tickets still available: www.bfltix.com
View full fight card: http://battlefieldfight.com/bfl16/