Alexey Ignashov Added to K-1 ColliZion

Earlier this week we previewed this weekend's exciting K-1 ColliZion card headlined by Mighty Mo v. Catalin Morosanu.  Now, just 3 days before the event, Kombat.ro has announced a new fight to be added to the main card: Alexey Ignashov v. Ron Sparks.

With a record of 76-17, Ignashov is a popular and accomplished K-1 veteran best known for being one of only two men to KO Semmy Schilt under kickboxing rules (Badr Hari being the other).  That is undeniably an impressive accomplishment, but unfortunately, it was also back in 2004.  Since that time, Ignashov has not reached those same heights.  Seen as inconsistent even in his prime, Alexey suffered a knee injury in 2005 that he has never really bounced back from.  He's 7-9 since that injury, and currently on a 3 fight losing streak and coming fresh off a decision loss in the rematch with Schilt just this past weekend.

His opponent is Ron "The Monster" Sparks, primarily an MMA fighter out of Kentucky.  At 6'5" and nearly 300 pounds, Sparks is a superheavyweight and has used that size and power to rack up a 5-0 record in MMA, including his first 4 wins coming in a combined time of (get this) 2:24.  Not bad at all.  But the big wildcard with Sparks is his total lack of professional kickboxing experience.

Despite Ignashov's recent troubles, it's hard to bet against the veteran here.  Look for Sparks to make it a brawl and Ignashov to use his technique to outlast Sparks' initial flurry.  Once the first minute passes, Sparks' size could be a problem, and I look for Ignashov to wear him out and score the win.