Shogun Fights 15 Preview and Predictions

Charm City will host a charmed night of mixed martial arts when Shogun Fights celebrates the milestone of its 15th event with some familiar faces for Maryland MMA fans. The organization will also welcome some new fighters to the Shogun Fights stage. The evening is topped by a pair of title fights.

The action begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, from Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore.

If you ask Shogun Fights founder John Rallo, he’ll tell you that both Watley and Presley are on the radar of some of the big organizations, and maybe even the UFC. This isn’t surprising, since these are two of the most exciting fighters on the Shogun Fights roster. Each man has recently put on a memorable performance.

Watley shocked local favorite Dan Root with a head-kick knockout at Shogun Fights 14 earlier this year to win the lightweight title. Meanwhile, Presley put on one of the most memorable performances that almost no one saw at Shogun Fights 12 last year when he submitted Micah Terrill to win the Shogun Fights welterweight title. Now, Presley is moving down a weight class in hopes of tasting gold for a second time.

Both fighters come into this bout on winning streaks. Watley hasn’t lost since he made his pro debut at Shogun Fights 10 in 2014. He is very well rounded, with his victories almost equally split between knockout, submission and decision. Presley hasn’t had a fight go to decision since 2011 and has a proclivity for submissions.

This fight really is too close to call. These guys are almost mirror images of each other. However, Watley really opened some eyes with his performance against Root. He’ll find a way to overwhelm Presley and retain his title.

Delbrugge is looking to get back on the winning track after coming up short in his last fight for the regional promotion Cage Fury Fighting Championships in August. He will be defending his Shogun Fights welterweight title, which he won earlier this year after submitting former champion Micah Terrill. The victory was Delbrugge’s third consecutive one by submission, which is not at all surprising for a purple belt in Brazilian JIu-Jitsu who’s competed all over the world.

Foxworth isn’t to be taken lightly, though. He’s coming off a submission victory of his own last month, and he has only had one of his six pro fights go the distance. This may not be the fight when fans at Royal Farms Arena will want to go freshen their beer or take a bathroom break. There will be a finish here.

Foxworth boasts three victories by knockout, but Delbrugge’s power is every bit on par with his ground skills. Delbrugge will unleash that power on Foxworth and retain his title.