Carnage Media

BY Clayton Skulina

Carnage Fight Series is back, with their fifth installment taking place at Ten Fifty Eight Event Center in Sandusky, OH. Headlining the show is heavyweight prospect Charlo Cleveland (3-1) taking on Cam Graham (9-21). Cleveland, fighting out of Tiffin with Demolition Fight Team, is eager to show off his speed and athleticism against the battle tested Graham, who’s coming off a fight with former UFC Heavyweight contender Alexander Romanov. 

The co-main event features CFS veteran Jimmy “The Sandstorm” Sandlin (11-13) of Dayton taking on journeyman Jay Haas (16-18) of Hanover, PA. Sandlin, who’s riding a two-fight win streak, seeks his first victory under the CFS banner, while Haas looks to build off an armbar finish in November. 

The main card is rounded out by debuting professional fighters JD “The Reaper” McNett (0-0) out of McClure and John Leark (0-0) of Grand Rapids, MI. McNett, who has two professional boxing fights on his record, looks to notch his first professional MMA win, while Leark looks to utilize his background in Muay Thai and collegiate wrestling to steal the show.

Also on the card are Sandusky natives Juwan “Bigg” Minnefield and Andrew Gamblin, who are taking on Kaiden Hastings and Nate Murphy, with the later being for the CFS Amateur Featherweight title.

KEYS TO VICTORY:

Minnefield vs Hastings

Minnefield

• Take him down- utilize strong grappling background get on top early.
• Use the crowd to your advantage- hometown guy here, crowd will be in your favor. Build off that energy.

Hastings

• Utilize creative striking- Hastings is one of the most creative strikers on the Ohio amateur scene today, utilize that background.
• Don’t get taken down- Kaiden has struggled on the ground in the past, stuff the shots and keep it standing.

Prediction– Minnefield by Rd 1 KO

Gamblin vs Murphy

Gamblin

• Set up combinations- very creative striker, utilize Muay Thai strikes.
• Defend the takedown- best chance to win is through striking exchanges, defend the takedown and keep it standing.

Murphy

• Look for the takedown- Gamblin is most vulnerable on the ground, look to take him down and set up a submission.
• Ignore the noise- Gamblin lives and trains in Sandusky, do not let the hometown crowd distract from the gameplan.

Prediction– Gamblin by UD

McNett vs Leark

Leark

• Dictate where the fight takes place- impose your will. Leark has dynamic background, let him use it to his advantage.
• Utilize reach- significant height and reach advantage, stay on the outside and pick your shots.

McNett

• Get in close- use shorter frame to move inside and take away Leark’s power.
• Don’t end up on bottom- Leark has a very strong grappling background, if it goes to the ground, stay on top and ground and pound.

Prediction– McNett by split decision

Sandlin vs Haas

Sandlin

• Mix in takedowns- Hass has a hole in the grappling department, shoot to get him down and look for a submission.
• Stay Active- 7th fight this year, likely in better shape. Keep moving and let the hands go.

Haas

• Utilize experience- fought on bigger shows and has more fights. Use to create openings.
• Defend the takedown- every loss on his record is by submission, Sandlin was a college wrestler. Keep it on the feet.

Prediction– Sandlin via UD

Cleveland vs Graham

Cleveland

• Win the striking exchanges- utilize speed and time up strikes.
• Be explosive- move fast and look to counter.

Graham

• Watch the headkick setup- Cleveland has two headkick finishes, keep hands up
• Lean on experience- over 30 professional combat sports fights, use your experience to dictate the direction of the fight.

Prediction– Cleveland via rd 1 KO