Marquee Matchups Set for Instinct MMA 4

[keithlewis]

Marquee Matchups Set for Instinct MMA 4


After much anticipation, Instinct, Canada’s #1 mixed martial arts promotion, was finally able to confirm over the weekend that it’s next event, INSTINCT 4: THATCH VS GRANDMONT, will take place on Friday night, June 29, at Montreal’s Pierre Charbonneau Centre.

In the main event of the evening, the match fans have clamored for will finally occur as Quebec’s own MARTIN “THE HAMMER” GRANDMONT (12-6; 9 KO) will face American prodigy “RUKUS” BRANDON THATCH (7-1; 6 KO, 1 SUB). Grandmont and Thatch were originally set to do battle last February and March however a back injury kept “The Hammer” on the shelf on both occasions. His return was scheduled for the fall but when he received word that Thatch needed an opponent, Grandmont jumped at the opportunity. “He kept calling me and bugging me, he kept saying: I want to fight Thatch and I want to fight him now!” declared Instinct President Stephane Patry. Needless to say, the dangerous striker from Lac Megantic will get his wish on June 29. Thatch brings to the table not only a near perfect records but an incredible reputation for quick knockouts as all six of his career KO victories have come within the first minute of the fight, an unparalleled feat in MMA. “I am always looking to finish and Grandmont will be no different,” exclaimed the man thought by many to be the future of the welterweight division on the worldwide level.

The sport of mixed martial arts was built on contrasting the different styles or disciplines of martial arts however this fight is the complete opposite as both men have very refined stand-up skills. The contrast between these two men lies more in their backgrounds. Thatch can best be compared to “best in show” bullmastiff, as the 26 year-old has been groomed to be a fighter as far back as he can remember. Fighting is in Thatch’s blood as both his father and grandfather were high level professional pugilists. Grandmont on the other hand is the neighborhood stray feared by all others. As he put it: “I didn’t have a father training me to fight from the age of 5… I didn’t even have a father!”

STEPHANE PELLETIER READY FOR THE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS CAREER

When STEPHANE PELLETIER (6-1; 3 KO, 3 SUB) signed with Instinct MMA last winter, he knew the organization could provide him with the best opponents in the world thus allowing him to advance his career. Pelletier will take the next step in proving that he is one of the best bantamweights in the world on June 29th as he will stand across the cage from a former world champion and a man who is a certifiable legend in the sport of mixed martial arts “LIL’ EVIL” JENS PULVER (26-16-1; 14 KO, 4 SUB). The 26-year old Pelletier is known for being an endless boundless stream of energy that is constantly moving from the moment he enters the arena to the moment the fight ends. Despite having been named the 2011 Quebec Fighter of the Year, many Instinct fans discovered him for the first time last March, as he was victorious over the lauded Melvin Blumer via first round submission. In only his third year as a professional, Pelletier has already built quite a reputation not only for his physical prowess, but also for being extremely strong mentally. He also possesses a trait that is common to all great fighters: he seems to always find a way to win.

However, Pelletier will have to raise his game to an entirely new level when he faces the legendary Pulver. The latter is a true pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts as he became the first lightweight champion in the history of the UFC in 2001, a title he was never defeated for. During that reign, he accomplished something only one other lightweight has ever managed to do: defeat perennial champion BJ Penn. In 2011, Pulver opted to pursue his career in the 135-pound division, winning his debut fight in the weight class via TKO and currently holds a 2-1 record in his new weight class. He comes to Montreal this June aiming to cement his place as part of the worldwide elite in the division.

“THE SURGEON” RETURNS

When Instinct was born in August 2011, “THE SURGEON” THIERRY QUENNEVILLE (15-9; 2 KO, 8 SUB) traded his 4-ounce gloves for a headset as he became the color commentator on the promotion’s French language pay-per-view broadcasts. He had no interest in getting back into the cage but, as is the case for most “retired” fighters, the competitive fire still burned inside him. He recently announced his intentions to the Instinct brass and the wheels were in motion for “The Surgeon” to operate. Quenneville was clear in his intentions: if he were to come back, he did not want to fight a ham in his return. He will do just the opposite as he will take on UFC veteran “LIL’ HULK” LUKE CAUDILLO (17-16; 13 KO). The Nebraska native is no stranger to La Belle Province, having fought in Montreal in 2007, knocking out his foe in a mere 12 seconds.

ALSO IN ACTION…

In addition to these three incredible contests, fight fans are in for an incredible night of action as the top prospects from Canada and around the world will do battle. Other bouts on the main card include: Toronto’s Todd Stoute facing American Anselmo Gutierrez in a battle of undefeated light heavyweights; an all-Montreal lightweight challenge as Derek Gauthier takes on Loyd Galindo; Denver’s Cody Donovan faces Ontario’s undefeated submission specialist Peter Nolan; hockey enforcer tuned MMA fighter Derek Parker goes toe to toe with Sherbrooke, Quebec’s Strahinja Gavrilovic as well as the Canadian debut of French lightweight phenom Mansour Barnaoui, whose record stands at a perfect 7-0. Preliminary bouts are also scheduled beginning at 5 PM.

Tickets for Instinct 4 are available at the Pierre Charbonneau Centre by phone at (514) 255-4222 or via internet at www.centrepierrecharbonneau.com For more information on Instinct, visit our website at www.instinctfighting.com, join our Facebook group or follow us on Twitter @InstinctMMA.