[PilotMan]

GAMMA: Exposure is about to get underway. All the fighters made weight again. Here is our preview.


GAMMA: Exposure Preview
to air live, late night, on The POP! Network
First week of February, 1997


Durham Red Raiders (2-0-1, 7pts) v. Buffalo Outlaws (2-1-0, 6pts)


Gary Sampson, Red Raiders (16-11-1) v. Russell McPhee, Outlaws (3-0-1)


Samson has the age, skill and experience, but McPhee is a fantastic physical speciman. McPhee also fought well in his last match against another more experienced fighter. Both men have kick boxing backrounds, but Sampson likes to pound his opponents on the ground. McPhee is fairly one dimensional and will be in trouble if he has to defend on the ground. How far can his age and physical condition count? Blurcat likes Sampson by KO. That would be 1-0 for the Red Raiders.


Malcom O' Hearn, Red Raiders (4-2-2) v. #10 Bruce Steven, Outlaws (5-1)


Both men are going to look to fight on the ground, but it seems that Steven is going to be the hardest to beat with his grappling skills. O' Hearn is going to try and beat Steven into the mat. His punches are going to need to be very strong to win. O' Hearn is a better athlete though, but in the end Steven should pull it out and tie the score 1-1.


Owen Hyde, Red Raiders (2-0) v. Ashley Ballard, Outlaws (4-0-2)


A toss up. That is what they are saying. Hyde sees his first action for Durham, both men are green, and both like to fight standing up. Blurcat likes Hyde via TKO. That would be 2-1 for Durham.


Ray Eton, Red Raiders (7-2-1) v. Nate Chambers, Outlaws (5-0-2)


Both Chambers and Eton have been ranked but with the growing competition in the welterweight division they both have been shuffled. A win for either of these guys here would be good for them. Both men are well rounded and can finish the fight standing or on the ground. It should be an exciting fight. The experts are predicing Chambers by KO, to give the outlaws a 2-2 tie.


#9 Stuart Strange, Red Raiders (9-3-2) v. Matthew Dean, Outlaws (10-3)


A few weeks ago, this would have been for the title. But Dean was beaten and Strange is coming off of a pair of draws. Dean will try and control Strange on the ground, but Strange is strong and has good striking skills. That is something that Dean doesn't have. A win for either fighter will put them higher up in the rankings. Experts think that Strange will get the win and the win for Durham.


Main Show


Light Heavyweight Division


JJ Reid (12-1-1) v. #6 Aleksei Chekhov (8-2-1)


Reid will try and and avoid the bombs of Chekhov and take him to the ground. If he can get ground control he will be tough to beat. If Chekhov can keep him off, his big strikes will make him the favorite. Blurcat likes Reid by submission.


Middleweight Division


#8 Petey Mack (7-1-1) v. #5 Tucker Plumm (13-7-1)


Mack has been a monster no matte who he fights. Plumm fought at lightweight in the BCF, and here he is at Middleweight. Mack was a light heavy who moved down. You do the math. Both men are good up or down. But Mack has the slight advantage both ways. Plumm will need to draw on all of his experience to get the win. Blurcat likes Mack for the win.


Lightweight Division


#6 Charles Stiles (9-2-1) v. #3 Beau Gorshin (23-14)


If Gorshin wants a title shot against Silva he will have to take on Stiles first. Stiles has tremendous ground skills while Gorshin will have to land some big blows. Stiles is coming off of a win over Jackson Gray, while Gorshin got a win over Duane Weatherly. Blurcat likes Stiles by submission.


Welterweight Division


#2 Joe Hinchcliffe (13-4-1) v. #6 Dan Halvorsen (22-11-4)


Halvorsen was the #3 ranked fighter in the Middleweight division, and now he is #6 in a lower weight class. Hinchcliffe would really like a shot at a title, and beating a legend like Halvorsen would really drive that point home. Hinchcliffe likes to stay up, but he will need to keep Halvorsen away. Halvorsen will try and put Hinchcliffe on his back and utilize his superior ground skills to control the fight. Experts like Halvorsen by KO.


Main Event


GAMMA Heavyweight Title


Champion Raul Hughes (11-0-1) v. Challenger #2 Lefter Oktay (8-0)


No surprise here. Both of these boys can hit. Hughes likes to hit standing, while Oktay will try and take Hughes down and pound him down. Hughes knocked out Foster, who is considered the greatest ground and pounder of all time, and Oktay is not far behind, even though he is far less experienced. Oktay might be a little before his time here, and I really wonder if a fighter who only has 8 pro fights should be fighting for one of the most prestigious titles around. An Oktay win could set up a huge battle between him and James Foster, a match that already has fans jumping out of their skin. Blurcat thinks that Oktay will get the takedown and control Hughes before the Champ can get control. Hopefully it will play well on live TV.