Resurrection Fighting Alliance has emerged as one of the top regional organizations in the United States since it was established in December 2011. The organization aims to promote rising prospects and give veterans a platform where they can earn a shot back in the big show. Friday’s RFA 7 card focuses more on the prospect side of that equation, as fighters like Brandon Thatch, Chidi Njokuani and Mirsad Bektic all look to make impressions that could lead to a contract with a bigger organization down the road. MMA Oddsmaker Nick Kalikas opened the betting lines for this card today at Several Bookmakers, and it should not be surprising that those three prospects are all favored. Take a look at the odds for the full AXS TV portion of the card: ——————– Brandon Thatch -675 Mike Rhodes +425 Chidi Njokuani -190 Jeremy Kimball +150 Mirsad Bektic -270 Nick Macias +190 Vinnie Lopez -185 Billy Colon +145 Tommy Thompson -305 Joey Banks +225 Danny Mainus -270 Zac Chavez +190 ——————– Brandon Thatch (8-1) is a heavy hitting welterweight who trains out of the Grudge Training Center in Colorado, but has also recently spent time at the Tristar Gym in Montreal. All eight of his wins have come via first round stoppage, while his lone defeat was via decision early in his career. He has had praise heaped upon him by some notable training partners — including Georges St-Pierre — who expect to see him fighting in the Octagon soon. A heavy favorite in this bout at -675 (bet $675 to win $100), Thatch is expected to continue his recent roll. Standing in Thatch’s way is no pushover. Despite being less than a year into his MMA career, Mike Rhodes (4-0) has shown a natural aptitude for the sport. He already has wins by KO, submission and decision on his resume, and is backed by one of the most talent-rich camps in MMA, Roufusport. While this big step up in competition for Rhodes is reflected in his underdog line of +425 (bet $100 to win $425), he is looking to upset the hometown fighter and continue the sterling start to his career. The co-main event features a former opponent of Thatch’s, Chidi Njokuani (9-3) against Jeremy Kimball (8-3). Of their combined 17 wins, 13 have come by knockout, so expect this fight to take place on the feet. Oddsmakers have given Njokuani the early edge in this one, as he is a -190 favorite to Kimball’s +150. Njokuani will look to join his brother Anthony in the UFC and become the 10th pair of siblings to fight for the organization. Kimball, who holds recent wins over UFC veterans Drew McFedries and Tommy Speer will do everything in his power to keep that from happening. Bosnian transplant Mirsad Bektic (5-0) has only been fighting professionally for a year and a half, but he has made quite the impression through the regional circuit already. Surrounded by top pro fighters in one of the best gyms in MMA, American Top Team, Bektic’s progression has been rapid and he’s looking for that to continue here against Nick Macias (6-2). Macias has only fought once since the beginning of 2012, but he has shown a fairly well-rounded game which should prove a good test for Bektic. Macias is still seen as a moderate underdog at +190, while Bektic is favored at -270. The other three fights on the main card each feature a member of the Grudge Training Center. Vinnie Lopez (5-3) is a -185 favorite over New Mexico’s Billy Colon (4-4) who opened at +145. Grudge fighter Joey Banks (2-0) is listed as a +225 underdog to Tommy Thompson (4-0) who is the second biggest favorite of the card at -305. Finally, Colorado bantamweights square off in the opening fight of the night as Grudge’s Danny Mainus (1-0) opens as a -270 favorite with the comeback on Zac Chavez (1-0) at +190. All the action can be seen live on AXS TV tonight.
