Michael Smolik was a multiple-time world champion as an amateur. In the World Kickboxing and Karate Union he was a professional world champion. He fought once for Glory but then retired and has been in MMA since. Only moving to MMA last year, he’s 3-0 already.
My thoughts on him in MMA: In MMA there is always a need for light heavyweights. Smolik is the athletic technical fighter the division doesn’t see as much. You don’t see a lot of big guys in MMA that are light on their feet and quick. Smolik fits that bill as a real differentiating factor in the division. Along with his kickboxing, he’s got all the physical and athletic ability to go far.
Ammari Diedrick the 26-year-old is a former Glory kickboxer. He only went 2-2 for Glory before coming over to MMA. Diedrick did have a pair of kickboxing fights falling through so MMA is what got him inside the cage. He is only 1-0 in MMA but did have an exhibition fight he won as well.
My thoughts on him in MMA: He won his exhibition fight early, taking out the lead leg. In his fight that went three rounds it was no different. Diedrick relentlessly chopped away with leg kicks. Over and over he will attack the legs and that opens the door for his striking. Also, his takedown defense has looked pretty solid too. Still young so Diedrick has a high ceiling.
