SGF's own Zak Cummings (left) will fight Lamont Stafford Saturday at Drury's OFEC. Photo by Allen Vaughan/TAGsgf.com
Springfield has always been used as a proving ground in sports. Missouri State has been the springboard to many successful men’s basketball coaches. The Springfield Cardinals have employed and hosted dozens of future big league players. Saturday night at O’Reilly Family Event Center, two MMA fighters will get a chance to show SGF what big-time MMA looks like.
Both Zak Cummings and Andrew Whitney could be making what could be their last local MMA fights. Why? Because the big leagues might be calling. Cummings (13-3), a 6-foot and 180-pound fighter, has been rumored to be in consideration for UFC and has participated in StrikeForce Challenger events. Cummings is fighting Lamont Stafford, a 6-foot-6 fighter from Oklahoma City with a 3-2 record.
“Normally, it’s tough to get a fight here in my hometown,” Cummings said. “Lamont is a tough guy and he’s got a lot of good tools. It’s going to be a good fight.”
Yes, SGF's Andrew Whitney knocked a guy out with a flying knee to the face. It's become a monster on YouTube with more than 20,000 views.
Whitney (6-1) is a 5-7, 135 pounds and is best known for a knockout that caught the Internet’s attention, a flying knee that ended a match with Laramie Shaffer. Here’s the part where we would show it to you on video, but the company has removed it, trying to keep the highlight for themselves. Lame. Either way, Whitney will be facing Brandon Wood (1-5).
From the News-Leader’s Erin Bolen: “The UFC has said they’d pick me up at 7-1, and I’m 6-1 right now,” Whitney said. “That’s why this is probably the last time I’m fighting locally and I’m real excited about getting in there. All the hard work is done.”
But, both are on the big-time organizations’ radar and wins on Saturday night’s card will only further their opportunities. Ozark’s Devian Golden, who has been a monster on the local amateur MMA circuit, is making his pro MMA debut, too. Golden was a football and wrestling star at Ozark HS.
The event will feature boxing, too, including the return to the ring of Jacob Chavez, known locally for being B.J. Flores‘ trainer.
Tickets are still available at DruryTickets.com. GA is $15 and floor seats are going for $35. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
BOXING
Matt Schaefer (3-4) vs Josh Downing (debut)
Jacob Chavez (1-3) vs Darrin Fansler (1-9)
Steven Kollin (debut) vs AJ Van Camp (debut)
Jesse Cook (2-0) vs John Brewer (1-0)
MMA
Devian Golden (debut) vs Luke Shepard (0-1)
Allen Gibson (5-2) vs Justin Robbins (12-10)
Lucas Overcast (2-2) vs Ed Smith (3-2)
Andrew Whitney (6-1) vs Brandon Wood (1-5)
Zak Cummings (13-3) vs Lamont Stafford (3-2)
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