In lightweight action, Nigerian-born striker and former World Combat League veteran Anthony Njokuani (12-2, 3-1 WEC) will look to continue his success and streak of knockouts as he faces off against NCAA All-American and Big 12 wrestling champion Shane Roller (7-2, 4-1 WEC) in a contest that could determine the next WEC lightweight contender. Roller is coming off a “Submission of the Night” victory over Danny Castillo at WEC 44 while Njokuani enters the contest with a knockout victory over former IFL standout Chris Horodecki at WEC 45.
The match-up does give a hint of bias toward Njokuani as he has provided the WEC with three consecutive highlight reel knockouts with his most recent bout climaxing in a brutal head kick to an evading Horodecki. There is no doubt that Njokuani has the explosive power and adept striking ability to produce awe-inspiring moments in the cage, and the WEC looks to be banking on similar results in this showdown.
But it isn’t exactly a “gimme” fight. Roller is one of the top wrestlers in the WEC, and his skills on the mat have steadily improved as he’s transitioned his vaunted wrestling credentials to the sport of mixed martial arts. With a tight guillotine choke and the ability to smother opponents on the ground, Roller isn’t to be taken lightly as Njokuani hasn’t faced a top flight wrestler like Roller.
The major disparity between the two fighters, however, lies heavily on the striking portion of this match-up. Njokuani is a former Muay Thai champion, competed in the World Combat League, and has proven striking skills. Roller, on the other hand, has some very deficient striking skills, almost to the point where most fans write him off against any opponent with average punching skills.
Roller does possess some survivability skills though. He was able to stave off an onslaught by Danny Castillo, miraculously last till the late rounds, and pull off a rear naked choke in the third to win. If he can bring Njokuani down to the ground and tire out the lengthy striker, Roller has a chance.
Unfortunately, Roller’s chance really is limited to that area of the fight. With every fight in mixed martial arts, the battle begins on the feet, and Njokuani has a very good chance at bombing Roller with his hands and feet and lighting up his chin like a Christmas tree. Roller’s striking won’t be able to compete with Njokuani, and I think the WEC will get exactly what they hope to see in a Njokuani knockout in the first round on Saturday night.
Njokuani should vault himself into a position of contention with the victory, but a Roller upset would likely put him just out of reach until he gains another win. As much as we hate to say it, it’s easier to market a knockout powerhouse like Njokuani over the wrestling abilities of Shane Roller.
Don’t blink in this fight. Njokuani’s power will meet its end on Roller’s chin.