As all MMA fans know, the best fights on a live card often come well before the main event. That possibility is no different at Nanaimo, B.C.’s Battlefield Fight League 8: “Island Beatdown” in the Frank Crane Arena on May, 28th. Sure, the main event between B.C. raised MMA legend Denis Kang (34-12-2) and fellow Top-30 middleweight Jesse Taylor (18-6) is a massively meaningful fight that will draw the attention of fans the world over, but below are three potential sleeper-fights you absolutely won’t want to miss.

#1. 155lbs.: Eli Wyse (4-1 AM) vs. Chris Day (6-4 AM)
In the proud tradition of Battlefield Fight League, this high-level amateur bout between two B.C. fighters has significant title implications for either eventual winner. It takes place in Battlefield’s lightweight division where Nanaimo’s Eli Wyse is currently undefeated, but he hasn’t received the chance to take on a name-opponent… until now.
His opponent is Kelowna’s Chris Day who generally fights at featherweight. Wyse’s size advantage might lead some to view this as his fight to lose. However, Day is as grizzled a veteran as you’re ever likely to find on any amateur circuit, having headlined multiple BFL events starting with BFL1. Interestingly, Chris Day remains one of the most respected amateurs on the BFL roster despite winding up on the losing end of all four of his performances within the promotion. Three extremely-close decisions, some of which were highly-controversial, plus one unfortunate injury-TKO later, and Day now gamely moves up to take on this dangerous lightweight opponent.
Many long-time fans will surely hope Day finally catches his BFL break on May 28th, so he might return to his natural weight class and finally vie for the coveted featherweight title. Of course, Nanaimo fight fans will surely be pulling for the local favourite in Wyse, who may be in line for a lightweight title shot of his own with the win.

#2. 185lbs.: Mike Jorgensen (6-2-1) vs. Jordan Beecroft (2-0)
For many fighters, staging a successful return to the professional fight game after seven years away would be an accomplishment worth relishing for some time, but that’s apparently not the case for B.C.’s Mike Jorgenson. After scoring a KO victory over Team Revolution’s Darwin Douglas (3-3) at BFL7: “Invasion,” Jorgensen returns just two months later against a physically bigger up-and-comer in Jordan Beecroft (2-0). This fight represents the classic clash of experience vs. youth, combined with a second MMA standard. That’s because it’s also arguably a grappler vs. striker affair, with the crafty Jorgensen possessing half of all his wins by submission and undefeated Beecroft possessing serious KO power. Of course, the catch is that we’ve seen the veteran Jorgensen handle himself ably standing up, but just what Beecroft offers on the ground remains to be seen at BFL9: “Island Beatdown.”

#3. 145lbs.: Graham Spencer (6-1) vs. Bruno Capedeville (3-1)
Island MMA fans who attended Battlefield Fight League’s debut in Nanaimo were undoubtedly frustrated by the technical malfunction that prevented local featherweight Graham Spencer from scoring his first BFL victory. Two months later, he’s put that unexpected outcome in the rear view and looks to get back on track at “Island Beatdown.” Spencer has lost only once in his professional MMA career and, with submission wins in half of his victories, might appear as the natural favourite against a less-experienced opponent. However, things aren’t as simple as they seem because Bruno Capedeville is a BJJ brown belt who has top-level grappling experience on the world stage. Capedeville also already proved his worth to BFL fans, winning a hard-fought split-decision at BFL7. As a result, this fight should be a back-and-forth showcase of some of the highest-level grappling on the card, which also helps explain why it ended up as the co-main event.
Battlefield 8 will take place on Saturday May 28, 2011 from the Frank Crane Arena in Nanaimo B.C. The mainevent will feature UFC/Pride Veteran Denis Kang vs. American Jesse “JT Money” Taylor.
Tickets for Battlefield 8: Island Beatdown are going fast, and are available through yayatickets.com and all of the ticketing locations listed below:

Fuel Supplements
440-2980 Island Hwy N
Nanaimo, BC V9T 5V4
(250) 751-8866

Pure Self Defence Studios
1722 Bowen Road
Nanaimo, BC V9S 1G9
(250) 754-6996

Northfield Esso gas station
2300 Northfield Road,
Nanaimo, BC
(250)729-7230

Pure Self Defence Studios
Suite F, 220 Dogwood St, Campbell River, BC V
(250) 286-6998

Solisa Tanning
5107 Somerset Drive
Nanaimo, BC V9T 2K5
(250) 585-2253

Jens Hair and Nails
1-508 8th street
Nanaimo B.C.
Victoria, B.C.

Studio 4 Athletics
715 Yates Street,
Victoria
(250) 382-3687
Langford, BC

Crusher combat sports
2956 West Shore Parkway –
Unit 149
(250) 478-3596
Victoria, B.C.

Commox Valley
Commox Valley Boxing www.cvboxingclub.com