"Don’t blink.” For a man that is never short on words and happy to talk, Chris Barnett kept it short and sweet at the weigh-ins Thursday night. “My training camp consisted of guys all 6’2 and over, all weights.” Barnett feels that his opponent, Walt Harris, can’t do anything to him that he hasn’t already experienced in practice. Harris, on the other hand, openly plans to exploit the vast height and reach advantage he maintains over Barnett. “Boxing is my background”, Harris told us. He did note that he worked extensively on his ground game, really concentrating on wrestling and BJJ. “The Big Ticket” relayed that he still worked his striking but he knew that he was facing a ground fighter. “294? WOWWWW..”, Harris was overheard saying after both stepped on the scale. Harris was astounded by Barnett’s overage in weight. In the heavyweight division the maximum weight is 265, and Harris came in at 253.5lbs, with 294 being well over the allowed limit. “I knew he would come in over, but I didn’t know it would be like that.” Harris said. “It doesn’t make a difference. The way I feel right now, it doesn’t make a difference.”

Many of the fighters came in over weight last night at the North Orlando Sheraton during the weigh-ins. Mark Serkez was noticeably drawn out and drained from his weight cut. When asked if the cut was tough, Serkez only replied

“Yeah, very.” Serkez still came in over weight at 173lbs. With three straight losses and looking to snap the streak, this is the last thing Serkez needed. Patrick Mikesz didn’t have a problem with his foe for the evening not making the cut. “Four pounds is nothing. It happens all the time. I just hope we can put on a good fight.” Mikesz, with daughter in tow, looked very ready and determined for his fight. Both fighters need a win, and at 37 years old, Mikesz knows it’s time to get back to winning.

Gert Kocani was surprised, but elated, that he was picked to fight for the vacant WEF lightweight title. When asked if he would win this one by submission, he said he had no plans for that and wanted to end this one standing up and get the knock out. We last saw Kocani fight in Miami, and he put on an awesome show refuting all of his opponents submission attempts and making his competition pay each time. Even though he is listed as a BJJ fighter, only one of his four wins have come by way of submission with two ending in knock outs. And even if Goodridge’s last fight ended with him the victor via rear naked choke, Kocani knows that his submission defense is good enough that he doesn’t have to worry about getting caught. “I want the knock out” he told us. Kocani also knows what winning the strap can do for his career and plans to seize the opportunity and make things happen for him.

Brett Harold, who we have had on our radar since his first round knockout of Fred Lanna back in November, looked exhausted and worse for the wear from his weight cut. He also came in over weight at just over 187lbs. He has a formidable opponent in Gamille Major who is 0-1 professionally but holds a height and reach advantage over his adversary. Harold looks as if he may have the power advantage, but one wonders if the cut will affect his power and stamina for the evening. Will there be more fireworks when Harold enters the ring? Felix Lopez was a full five and a half pounds over for his fight. This probably won’t affect his performance but the weight difference may play out as an advantage for him in the ring. All four fighters in the co-main events for the evening came in at their proper weight. Dave Mewborn and Orlando’s own, Seth Petruzelli, tipped the scale at 204 and Anthony Rea and Rob Wince were 205 and 201 respectively.

While the night of fights will be in the absence of superstar and UFC hall of famer, Ken Shamrock, this fight card should be packed with action and great fights. Shamrock was sidelined with MRSA and pulled out early enough to find a proper replacement for Anthony Rea. Many of the fighters have exciting fights in their past and will undoubtedly be ready to put on a great show. We look forward to attending and bringing you all the action.

Alex "Bayna" Barna

Featured Writer

LockedInMMA.com

@BaynaVI

@LockedInMMA  on twitter