BAMMA 13 Date: September 14, 2013 Arena: National Indoor Arena City: Birmingham, England, UK Lightweight bout: Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher (-270) vs Tim “Super Human” Newman (+190) Fight Breakdown: Kicking things off for the BAMMA 13 main card is a scrap between two lightweights who like to move forward as UFC vet Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher takes on the 30-year old Welshman Tim “Super Human” Newman. Freakshow is currently the favorite in this bout at -270 ($270 to win $100), while his opponent Newman is the underdog at +190 ($100 to win $190) at Several Bookmakerss. COLIN “FREAKSHOW” FLETCHER (8-3 MMA, 2-0 BAMMA) is returning to BAMMA for his third appearance in the organization, after being released by the UFC. Freakshow was a contestant on the series TUF Smashes: Australia vs UK, where he advanced to he finals but lost a unanimous decision to fellow Brit and friend Norman Parke. Following the loss, Sean Shelby and the UFC matched him up against Mike Ricci, another TUF finalist from season 16. Many fans believed Fletcher was being thrown to the sharks. He held his own against Mike Ricci in Ricci’s own backyard, but ultimately came up short in another Unanimous Decision loss. After back-to-back losses, he was released, something he believes was unjust after having not been given a proper chance. Fans tend to agree, as Fletcher was outmatched against Parke, and then again by Ricci. It did not make sense to give him Ricci after the fight against Parke, unless they really wanted to let him go. Freakshow is a talented striker who puts on exciting performances. He has poor takedown defense, but a very good submission game. In fact, seven of his eight career victories have come by way of submission. He will be ready to go all fifteen minutes, but I believe he will be looking to end this early and make a statement following his UFC release. TIM “SUPER HUMAN” NEWMAN (10-3 MMA, 1-2 BAMMA) followed his last bout in the BAMMA cage which resulted in a loss to Curt Warburton with back to back wins, one of them in the Cage Warriors promotion, where he currently holds a 2-0 record. Newman loves to take opponents down and dominate with his heavy ground and pound attack. He has good top control and likes to look for submissions while raining down heavy leather. Newman says he is looking to strike with Freakshow and put on a show, but I don’t buy it. I think he is going to attempt to replicate Norman Parke and Mike Ricci’s gameplans and use takedowns to win this fight. He is going to want to be on top of Fletcher, avoid his submission attempts, and beat him up. I believe that is his best route to a victory in this match-up. Newman has great conditioning so he will be game for all three rounds of action. If the fight plays out on the feet, he can certainly hold his own in the striking department, though he will be at a disadvantage against the TUF Smashes veteran. Fight Prediction: Newman will try to take Freakshow down and grind this one out, and I think Fletcher should be expecting that. (If he’s not, then he really is a dunce!) I see Newman getting the better of Freakshow until the moment he gets caught. Gabe’s Pick: Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher by Submission (triangle choke, 4:44 round 1) Gabe’s Recommended Play: Colin Fletcher -270 for a small play; perhaps as a leg of a small two or three team parlay.
