FanPost

Prospect Watch - Nick Gaston

I recently came out of the Dark Ages and upgraded to an LED HD TV. With the HD package offered by my local cable company, I started receiving HD Net. I am not going to go troll on everyone and discuss the wonders of HD Net, but I now have more options for receiving mma in both live fights, replays and news shows. Anyway, I DVR'd King of the Cage: Honor on May 14th and just got around to watching it.

All in all it was what I expected of a small show; small cage, dark arena, alot of empty seats. In fact, the announcer in the Sanchez v. Sanchez fight announced the split decision "49-46...Sanchez, 48-47"...pause..."wait, ha ha, they are both Sanchez", and then started over. However, the fights were good, some were extraordinary. The Sanchez v. Sanchez fight was a great back and forth for all 5 rounds with Donald Sanchez having the crisper stand-up to take the 145 KOTC belt, Abel Cullen pulled a slick RNC in the first round, and Mike Kyle pulled out a 5-round fight against Tony Lopez to win the 205 KOTC belt. But, the fight that really stood out to me was the fight between Nick "Afrozilla" Gaston and Darrill "Titties (always makes me laugh)" Schoonover.

Gaston, veteran of 3 professional fights, 11 amatuer fights and MTV's Bully Beatdown, took on his toughest test to date, in a 265 pound battle with 10-1 "The Ultimate Fighter" veteran Darrill "The Boss" Schoonover, better known for Rampage's rant about how he has Titties!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBh8KIc4138

Anyway, Gaston comes out with the obvious better stand-up. He looks crisp and is walking Schoonover down. Then to my suprise he starts throwing really good low kicks and then throws an "over-his head" high kick. This from a guy who weighed in at 253 pounds. He is light on his feet and peppering "Titties" with jabs and 1-2's keeping him extremely off balance and showing a good muay thai clinch when "Titties" is getting too close. Schoonover is looking for one big shot, as he is known to have good power in his right hand. Round 1 ends with Gaston bloodying Schoonover's nose and decisively winning the round.

Round 2 starts very similar to round 1 in that Gaston is picking "Titties" apart, until Schoonover wades in and connects with the right hand which dazes and bloodies "Afrozilla", possibly breaking his nose. Schoonover rushes in to try to finish, but is unable to get the job done. Gaston is noticably more tentative now, but continues to bob and weave and starts to pick him apart again. Schoonover rushes in and Gaston takes him down pretty easily and falls into mount position. From there he drops elbows, and I mean DEVASTATING elbows, that open "Titties" up like a stuck pig. Schoonover, blinded by the blood, tries to stave off the attack, but the ref comes in shortly thereafter and stops the fight due to the cut, which actually sprays out of his head as he gets up off the mat. I cannot find any good video, or I would post. This was as bloody as BJ/Joe Daddy or Taktarov/Severn. Really gruesome stuff, even for me. Gaston TKO (cut) 3:38 of Round 2.

Nick Gaston is going to make a name for himself in mixed martial arts. He has a rare combination of speed, strength and quickness for a man his size. He is versed in boxing, muay thai and ground and pound, which he showcased in the destruction of Darrill Scoonover. Based upon what he has shown in both fighting and his interviews, Gaston will garner a serious look from one of the national promotions, and could make their choice to sign him easy with a win over KOTC 265 lb champ Tony Johnson. With dedicated training and more experience to his name, don't be suprised to hear his name come up as a the new "it" guy for either of the national promotions. He really could be that good.

FanPosts are user-generated content that do not reflect the editorial opinions of MMAmania.com nor its staff.