Joel Antik presents TOP RANK - HEAVYWEIGHTS (POST ROUND 2)

Why hello there folks! Joel Antik here with another edition of TOP RANK! I know I've already done the heavyweights at an earlier time, but I just couldn't help myself. With the AFC HW Tournament wrapping up in the next coming weeks, we've already seen some big fights and some upsets. And it's definitely shaken up the rankings. Anywho, lets get going!

#5 Kenny Davis (6-1)

Looks like you made it buddy. I know you guys at NAFF have had some inner issues as of late, it hasn't really slowed down your progress. Your last fight with Jamin Anderson stole the show. It was an absolute blast to watch the two of you throw down like you guys said you would. As much as NAFF loves to clown on me, the reporter, it's not a problem. I've always stated that I try to be as unbiased as possible as a figure in the media. Jamin has stated my journalism is quote on quote 'trash', but it's alright. Really it is. It's not about that at all really. It's about you, Kenny Davis. Your rise, and I believe you'll keep rising through the rankings if you keep fighting the way you do. A pit bull with is back against the wall, nowhere to go but forward and up. You got what you wanted Mr. Davis. You've cracked the TOP RANK top 5, and I hope you believe it to be a big of a deal as I do. I'm not so sure how great NAFF is doing behind closed doors, but it sure hasn't affected your training and preparation coming into your most recent bout. In fact it didn't affect your teammate Jamin either. Anywho, welcome to the top 5 Kenny Davis. Lets just hope you stick around and not make me look like a fool. It was a very very very tough choice. There's a lot of talented folks that are worthy of being in the top 5, but I went with you. Don't disappoint me!

#4 Bimbo Jackson (9-1)

Oh Bimbo Jackson, I'm a fan. Really I am. I'm hurting watching that last fight you had against Crumb. You gave it your all, you engaged, you were the aggressor. Can't say I'm a fan of what Crumb did in the final stages of your last fight, but hey, whatever it takes to win right? You did what you had to do. You were down on the cards or perhaps maybe tied depending on the judges. You knew you had to win the round, you had to go for the finish. It's this killer instinct that I appreciate. You always fight to finish, to put on a show, I respect that wholeheartedly. Honestly, it could've gone either way really. However it doesn't change the fact that you lost, which unfortunately means you have to drop down from your previous #2 spot. It pains me to do so, Bimbo, you're a quality fighter, you really are. I believe in a rematch or a best out of 5, you'd most likely beat Crumb or at least break even with him. Your striking was defended pretty well by Crumb, but you sure did make him feel your power everytime you did manage to tag him. I know you'll bounce back stronger, tougher, meaner. You're still a top notch fighter in my book. I have Bimbo at #4. Crumb may have bested you, but this is just the beginning. 420 Fight Club. Keep fighting the good fight Mr. Jackson. Perhaps a rematch with Crumb is in the near future, maybe then you'll be a different fighter.

#3 Templeton Crumb (9-0)

King Crumb, coming off a fresh close victory against Bimbo Slice. I really want to like you. I did before your fight with Bimbo. Fighting for the fans and fighting smart are two different things. I respect the fact that you came in with a gameplan to minimize Bimbos striking, which worked, and did what you had to do to score the fight in your favor. You weren't fighting to finish, but it's okay, really it is. You're a talented boxer and that's without any doubt. You outboxed Bimbo, there's no question about that. The technical expertise, the surgical striking was put on display. Power, maybe a little lacking? Few fight fans have coined you as a pillow puncher. Debuting with a knockout was fluky to say the least, but however, the results don't lie. You fight to win, you outclassed Bimbo, although just slightly to gain the victory and entrance to the next round in the tournament. It's tough really, you're a great fighter, and I appreciate the work you do in there. I want to rank you higher, but I just cant seem to bring myself to do that. You're still one of the few remaining undefeated amateurs out there, and there's a good reason for that. You're next fight will be against another power puncher in Kenny Davis, perhaps you'll once again out slug or outbox him, but who knows. Kenny's shown to be a great boxer in his own right, but perhaps you'll show the world that you're just that much better. No one knows really, but King Crumb is #3.

#2 Abe de Groot (8-0)

Moving up the rankings, at #2 we have 'The Tower of Power' himself, Abe de Groot! With a dominating display against Howard McGregor showing off something new in his arsenal of skills with a triangle choke from the mount position! The ceiling on this kid is unreal! This guy is a god damn skyscraper, everybody knows that. When you have that height and length, you'd want to use that advantage through your strikes right? That's what I'd do, but no, de Groot has shown his improvement in grappling. He's shown everyone that he's not just another Dutch kickboxer, but a well rounded fighter. Honestly, I came into the fight expecting some nasty leg kicks and probably another head kick finish, but no! We saw some wrestling and some quality grappling from de Groot. He's fighting the undisputed top dog next round against Verboom and I'm sure this newfound grappling game may just be the trump card that he needs to unseat the Honey Badger from his throne. What are we going to see from de Groot next? A kid with this type of frame shouldn't be able to do this kind of stuff. It baffles me honestly, but I'm not complaining! Keep surprising the fans and critics! A Dutch European final will be the fight to watch out for!

#1 Dominicus Verboom (9-0)

Was there really any question? Holding the top spot, we have the 'Honey Badger' Dominicus Verboom. His most recent fight against Artem Magomedov was awe inspiring. On paper, it looked like Verboom finally met his match. Artem's a very solid grappler, one of a caliber that Verboom has yet to face in his amateur career. Artem has decent wrestling too. We've never seen Verboom fight off his back, perhaps it was time to see it happen. Did it happen? Well, sort of. Artem successfully took down Verboom, but the weird thing is, Artem just sort of froze there after the successful sweep that put Verboom on his butt. Perhaps he was shocked himself that he'd done it. Well, lets just say that was the first and final mistake that he'd make in the fight. In typical Verboom fashion, he taught Artem a lesson he wouldn't soon forget. You don't take the Honey Badger down, you just don't. Artem was met with a HUGE front kick to the face, which proceeded to force the ref to stop the fight. Early stoppage? It's debatable really. But Verboom was out for blood, he was on a mission to make Artem pay for embarrassing him. A front kick from hell, a front kick that sent vibrations throughout Artems entire body. The ripple effect in slow motion just flowing through his face was scary almost. If y'all heard the impact like I did, I'd thank the ref for stopping the fight like he did. Otherwise, Artem might've been seriously injured. The hype train continues, fellow Dutchman Abe de Groot is the next stop for the Honey Badger. Will he keep chugging along? Or will the Tower of Power pull off an upset for the ages? We'll see... we'll definitely have to see. But Dominicus Verboom, you made it easy. #1. #1. #1. Unanimous, without a doubt. I'd like to see anyone else argue as to why you shouldn't be at the top.

On the bubble: Inocente Cesário (8-2-1), Jamin Anderson (9-3), Nikolai Melikov (7-1), Yeong-gi Kang (5-0), Yoon-seok Lee (5-0), Artem Magomedov (5-2), Howard McGregor (6-3), Tyler Riggs (3-0), 
Ronaldo Bragança (3-0)

Rounding out the #5 spot was tough. You guys might say I'm not showing any love for the Asian and South American regions, but trust me it was tough. The Korean tag team duo hailing from Apex Fight Team are a force to be reckoned with. They're facing each other in the next round, and that's a fight to watch out for. Many young up and coming HW prospects to watch out for. D'Brickashaw, Tyler Riggs, Jon Thompson to say a few. Don't hate, appreciate. As Tom 'Nacho' Tortilla once said, am I Jon Annoying? I don't know Nacho, am I? Anywho, here's to another installment of TOP RANK. Thanks for reading, feel free to share your thoughts or agree to disagree. Joel Antik out!