Fans Choose "Krazy Horse" vs Fickett for Shine Fights

It’s official. Former UFC welterweight contender turned regional-scavenging-lightweight-fighter: Drew Fickett will meet the Quinton Jackson of the 155-pound weight class, Charles “Krazy Horse” (or “Kid Kaos” depending on who you ask) Bennett, at a Shine Fights event on September 10.

In an effort to appeal to it’s fan’s, the upstart promotion held a ballot for fans to have control of which first round match ups they would like to see in the upcoming Lightweight Grand Prix tournament.

The 8-man tournament will take place all in one night at the Patriot Center, in Fairfax, Virginia. Other tournament participants include former WEC lightweight contender Richard Crunkilton, former WEC title challenger Carlo Prater, well traveled veteran James Warfield, UFC veteran Marcus Aurelio (who owns a submission victory over former Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi), and Hector Munoz–no relation to Mark Munoz.

Undefeated lightweight Josh Shockley was to participate in the Grand Prix as well, completing the 8-man tournament, however fell out due to injury. Shine Fight’s has since replaced Josh with Strikeforce veteran and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt Conor Heun. News came from the promotions official twitter account.

Fickett ventures into his first time at lightweight come tournament time, and after a long stretch of outlandish acts–such as showing drunk to weigh-ins in a proposed match up with THE proverbial journeyman, Shannon Ritch (Ritch is reported to hold over 100 fights under his belt as a professional).

Bennett is no stranger to controversy as well. The Pride/KOTC veteran has been arrested on countless occasions, and boasts a supposed locker room knockout over former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva–though you’ll hear differently on the incident from “The Axe Murderer”.

The first two rounds of the Grand Prix will consist of two five-minute rounds. Should the fight result in a draw after the first two rounds, a sudden victory third round will occur, with a three-minute allowance instead of the usual five, due to the tournament format.

The finale, which again will culminate at the end of the night, will consist of three five-minute rounds–the norm for most MMA competition. Conceivably, a fighter can compete in as much as 41 minutes of action on September 10, should the winner go to a decision in the course of three fights overall.

So, my MMA peeps, anyone else excited for Shine Fights? Albeit, their still going through their money struggles, a Grand Prix of this magnitude is reminiscent of the old Pride days, where some of the most electrifying moments in the sports history has culminated. While none of the competitors here don top-10 status, all prove to be formidable fighters and will all deliver come Sept. 10.