Valor Fights

3 Reasons to Watch Valor Fights 37

3 Reasons to Watch Valor Fights 37

By Evan MurachValor Fights will invade FloCombat's event hub once again this Saturday, August 27, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Valor Fights 37 comes with a full

Aug 25, 2016 by Duane Finley
3 Reasons to Watch Valor Fights 37
By Evan Murach

Valor Fights will invade FloCombat's event hub once again this Saturday, August 27, in Cleveland, Tennessee. Valor Fights 37 comes with a fully stocked, 17-fight card that includes four amateur title fights.

The fights begin at 5:30 p.m. CDT, streaming LIVE right here on FloCombat. Here are three reasons to tune in.


1. From the Crimson Tide to Cleveland, Tennessee

There aren't many things that match the thrill of winning a MMA fight, but getting the national championship-sealing strip sack in front of 94,000 roaring fans probably contends.

That's exactly what Eryk Anders did in 2010, but winning fights is what he's doing now. Anders, who was a linebacker for Nick Saban's BCS National Championship team at the University of Alabama, is fighting in the main event of Valor Fights 37.

Anders is 4-0 so far in his pro career, and his last victory came via submission in just 33 seconds. The 29-year-old middleweight certainly has a knack for drawing a crowd, as this will already be his fourth main event appearance in his young career. Since he turned pro last year, Anders has only gone to the judges' scorecards once.

His opponent, Jesse Grun (3-2), is a Valor Fights veteran who recently fought for the promotion's welterweight title. Grun's two career losses came against the future Valor Fights middleweight champion, Sid Wheeler, and current 170-pound champ, Felipe Portela.

Can the undefeated Anders move one step closer to a UFC contract, or will Grun steal his spotlight? Tune in to FloCombat on Saturday night to find out!


2. Four Big Gold Belts!

Yes, you read that right. There are FOUR championship title fights on this card. Four!

Amateur titles often indicate a fighter is ready to make the jump to the next level, and for these talented young fighters, that memory of walking out of the cage with their first championship belt around their waist will last forever.

The first of these title bouts will put the bantamweight title on the line as the No. 4-ranked amateur 135-pounder in Tennessee, Hunter Thomas (3-0), squares off against Kevin Alexander (4-2), who's making the drop down from featherweight.

In a battle of the undefeateds for the 170-pound belt, Bubba Cruz (3-0) will take on former lightweight Casey Peel (1-0). Then, at 205 pounds, Travis Gregoire (1-0) will have his hands full when he fights the more experienced James Garmey (4-0) for the light heavyweight belt.

Finally, the last fight before the main card is the unification of the Apex and Valor featherweight titles. Doug Williams (8-4), the Apex champion, is on a seven-fight win streak. He will face Valor champ David Mang (2-1).


3. Return of the Fly

In MMA, talented, up-and-coming flyweights are hard to come by. The UFC is always in search of 125-pounders to fill its roster.

Although he may not be on the UFC's radar just yet, Valor Fights believes Devin Ward could be the next big thing at 125 pounds.

At 5-7, Ward is much taller than the average flyweight, and he uses his towering size well on the ground. He has six career finishes, all by submission. He's undefeated as a professional (2-0), and his only career loss was by split decision as an amateur.

The man standing in Ward's way is Damarcus Holmes (2-4), the 12th-ranked 135-pounder in South Carolina. He'll make his return to the flyweight division with hopes of derailing Ward in his home state.

Can an impressive victory for Ward propel him to top prospect status, or will Holmes pick up the biggest upset on the card? Fire up your FloPRO accounts on Saturday night to find out!