MMA: “MACHINE GUN” KELLY BATTLES “RED DRAGON” TONIGHT
LFA 34 is upon us and that means Spartan’s Kelly “Machine Gun” Kobold (18-3-2) is hours away from her AXS TV return. Kobold, of Saint Paul, MN and Katy “Red Dragon” Collins (7-3) square off in an intriguing flyweight match that will be featured tonight at the Mystic Lake Casino, Prior Lake, MN.
It’s rare to see a fighter being hailed as a pioneer that is still competing. Kelly Kobold, however, is not just competing. She is doing so at arguably the highest level of her accomplished career. Kobold has been instrumental in helping the growth of women’s MMA from the day she began fighting in 2002. Now she and Collins battle in a highly anticipated fight on possibly the most stacked show that LFA has ever promoted. Kobold fought and won regularly before taking a break from fighting in 2011. Her long-awaited return came last August with LFA and now she is gunning for win number 19.
“I actually think the long lay off between fights was the best thing ever for my fighting skillset” said Kobold. “During my 6 year lay off, I got to train and teach martial arts for the love of the sport. Without the added pressure of a fight looming over my head. I feel as though I’ve gotten a chance to really grow as a martial artist and increase my fight IQ. Couple that with an increased knowledge of diet, nutrition, and physical fitness and I’m at the top of my game despite my age and the number of years Ive been fighting.”
With 14 wins inside the distance to her credit, the jiu jitsu purple belt from Spartan Martial Arts can finish a fight quickly in many different ways. The same can be said about her opponent who hails from Missouri. All but one of Katy Collins’ victories have come by knockout or submission as a pro. Her amateur career produced the same results. Like all of her fights, Kobold says fans in attendance can expect fireworks.
“Katy is a tough, gritty, determined fighter with a long record. Her combined amy and pro record is as big as mine. In watching her past fights, I see someone who is agressive and pushes the pace. Though she doesnt seem to be very comfortable with the stand up aspect of a fight, she has a big overhand that I’ll need to watch out for. Other than that, I expect her to clinch and try to drag me to the ground for some ground and pound or a submission. But I’m a spider (laughing) and the clinch is my web. Needless to say, I like this match up a lot.”
Fans can always expect a war from me. I have no quit in me and I will not stop until the ref peels us apart. I see the same qualities in Katy and that means fireworks! No matter the outcome of the fight, its a win for fans!
Currently Announced Main Card (Televised on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT):
Main Event | Lightweight Title Bout (155 lb)
– Robert Watley (10-1) vs. Brandon Jenkins (11-5)
Co-Main Event | Lightweight Bout (155 lb)
– Travis Perzynski (22-9) vs. Trey Ogden (9-2)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Jordan Griffin (14-5) vs. Darrick Minner (20-7)
Featherweight Bout (145 lb)
– Nate Jennerman (10-3) vs. John DeVall (15-8)
Women’s Flyweight Bout (125 lb)
– Kelly Kobold (10-5) vs. Katy Collins (7-3)
Featherweight Bout (155 lb)
– Bobby Lee (7-1) vs. Nick Ammerman (4-0)
Middleweight Bout (185 lb)
– Tim Hiley (5-0) vs. Willie Whitehead (2-1)
Undercard @ 5:00PM CST
Pro Undercard Bouts (3×5 rds)
Heavyweight Bout
Patrick Martin (5-3) vs. Calyn Hull (2-0)
Middleweight Bout
Wayman Carter (7-7) vs. Alton Cunningham (4-0)
Amateur Bouts
Bantamweight Bout
Zach Buros-Nash (7-3) vs. Eliot Jurries (5-2)
Flyweight Bout
Christina Ricker (3-3) vs. Jordan Nickelatti (3-1)
Catchweight Bout (120)
Daniel Soriano (1-0) vs. Tyus White (1-0)
Catchweight Bout (175)
Ben Ross (7-3) vs. Joey Hart (2-0-1)
Featherweight Bout
Thomas Vievering (0-0) vs. Zak Flessas (0-1-1)
Catchweight Bout (195 lbs.)
Rodney Nash (5-4) vs. Alexander Brown (3-2)
Featherweight Bout
Angel Pacheco (7-4) vs. Bryan Bautista (5-2)