Hard Knocks landmark 50th event went down this past weekend from the Century Casino in Calgary, Alberta (See full play-by-play HERE). The card featured a handful of exciting prospects including fast rising Bantamweight wrecking ball Jesse Arnett who defended his Bantamweight Title and undefeated Welterweights Leo Xavier and Peter Grajcar. In this article we’ll look ahead to see what could possibly be next for some of the more impressive winners.
Keep in mind, in most cases the match-ups listed here are hypothetical and have not been announced or rumored to be taking place unless otherwise noted.
Let us know your thoughts on who should be up next for the big winners and the rest of the card and who you think would win our hypothetical match-ups.
135lbs- Jesse Arnett (11-4) vs. UFC Contract
The time has come for “The Big Cat” to be unleashed on the UFC Bantamweight division. After yet another finish over a solid prospect in Mike Hernandez at HK 50 this weekend there’s not a whole lot left for Jesse Arnett in Canada aside from Josh Hill. After a 3-4 start to his MMA career not a lot of people we’re paying attention to Arnett but he started to catch people’s attention when he upset Mike Davis in 2014. Arnett has now rattled off 8 straight victories including 7 straight finishes over increasingly difficult competition including UFC veteran Roland Delorme, top prospect Vince Murdock, Derrick Minner who came in on a 6 fight win streak and the aforementioned Mike Hernandez who was also on a 6 fight win streak. If Arnett somehow does not get the UFC contract he so deserves, he’s already scheduled to defend his Bantamweight title for the third time at HK 51 in October! Hopefully Arnett can crush a fellow Bantamweight prospect’s dream and punch his ticket to the big show!
170lbs- Leo Xavier (4-0-1) vs. Peter Grajcar (3-0)
Leo Xavier remained undefeated after a dominant decision victory over fellow hot prospect Thomas Richardson on Friday at HK 50. Xavier turned pro in 2013 after a very successful 7-1 amateur career where he finished all seven of his victories by submission. Xavier’s pro competition has been very experienced, sporting a combined 21-16-2 record. A logical next step for Xavier would be fellow HK 50 winner Peter Grajcar who submitted his pro debut opponent Roman Dubinski by second round D’arce choke. Grajcar sports a similar history as Xavier going 6-0-1 as an amateur before turning pro in 2014 and winning his first three bouts as a professional.
185lbs- Miles Anstead (8-1) vs. Nick Ring (14-4)
Miles Anstead has established himself as one of the top Middleweights in Canada and while a bout against fellow 8-1 Middleweight prospect Ryan Janes would be a dream matchup, Anstead has already stated that he would not fight his friend and teammate. Anstead wants to add a big name win to his resume, someone who will get him noticed by the bigger organizations. TUF and UFC veteran Nick Ring would certainly fit that bill. If Anstead could secure a victory over the six time UFC veteran it would likely get him noticed by the UFC brass and get him one step closer to a shot at a UFC contract… while we’re at it, why not make it for the vacant HK Middleweight Title?
185lbs- Josh Griffin (4-4) vs. Graham Park (4-2)
Win or lose Josh Griffin always seems to put on an exciting fight with only one of his 9 career fights making it to the judges scorecards. Griffin stopped a two fight losing streak this weekend with a first round triangle choke over Trenton Rowell. Someone like Graham Park, who has yet to go the distance would likely provide an action packed, fan friendly bout. Park holds two wins by TKO and two by Submission while losing only to tough veterans Marcus Hicks and Mark Drummond that latter of which is now a teammate of Park’s.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________