BUTLER-POTARD REMATCH SET FOR ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY
25 November 2014
At ONE FC: TOTAL DOMINATION last year, light heavyweights Sylvain Potard and Jake Butler faced off in a highly anticipated contest. Jake Butler, the former NCAA wrestler and captain of his wrestling team at Princeton University was riding a three-fight winning streak with all finishes, and was hoping to add another win to his record. Meanwhile, the unheralded Potard was making his ONE FC debut.
Potard though, had other plans. After a close first round, the Frenchman started the second round with a left hook that landed on Butler’s chin. He then followed it up with a series of relentless strikes that called an end to the contest. The win was a huge upset that silenced the 12,000-strong crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Butler, the Ivy League alum who gave up Wall Street for an MMA career is hungry for revenge. He believes that he is the better mixed martial artist and simply got caught. He bounced back from the defeat by trouncing Egypt’s Mohamed Ali, and immediately asked for the rematch. Butler was granted his request. Now more than a year removed from that contest, Butler and Potard are once again set to lock horns at ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY.
Butler stated, “He’s the only loss on my record. I would love to get in there and do it again. I’m pretty confident I can beat him. I think the last bout was not a reflection of the type of fighter that I am and what I can do.”
To achieve victory, Butler would probably be well suited to return to his wrestling roots. His takedowns have proved unstoppable thus far in his career. In their first meeting, Butler managed to take Potard down in the final seconds of the first round. Butler will be the strong favorite to emerge victorious should he be able to bring the bout to the canvas.
Manila fans will also be treated to another light heavyweight clash as James McSweeney faces Roger Gracie. ONE FC: WARRIOR’S WAY could determine the future of the ONE FC light heavyweight division.
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