New It's Showtime Show Scheduled for December

After a quiet summer, the kickboxing news from around the world is now pouring in.  Hot on the heels of K-1's big scheduling announcements, It's Showtime has announced a new year-end show.  On December 18, they present a show from The Sand in Amsterdam.  This is a different sort of venue for the company - a more intimate 1750 seat theatre that should provide a great setting.  The initial line-up is set and there are some good fights on tap. 

Mosab Amrani vs Mootje Khamal
Hesdy Gerges vs Rico Verhoeven
Cosmo Alexandre vs Aussi (IT'S SHOWTIME world title 77 kg max)
Khalid Bourdif vs Murthel Groenhart
Warren Stevelmans vs Kenneth van Eesvelde
Ashwin Balrak vs Anderson ‘Braddock' Silva

The fight that most grabs my attention is the title fight between champion Cosmo Alexandre and L'houcine "Aussi" Ouzgi.  Both are Muay Thai fighters, and superb technicians.  In the past year, Cosmo has been very strong, scoring stoppage wins over John Wayne Parr, Tum Madsue, Naruepol, and many others, often with his trademark jumping knee.  He was on an 8 fight win streak, almost entirely against top names, before dropping a decision to Nieky Holzken in May.  Aussi has a lower profile, but is a real threat to Cosmo.  His last big fight was a highlight reel KO win over Ali Gunyar earlier this year.  The 77kg division in It's Showtime has not yet really hit its stride, but this could be the fight that really puts this division in the spotlight.

Although it's not a title fight, the contest between It's Showtime champion Hesdy Gerges and Rico Verhoeven should be a good one as well.  Gerges has a fight in September against Rustemi Kreshnik, and back to back wins here would be a good way to capitalize on his momentum from the Badr Hari fight.  Verhoeven has been on the cusp of the top 25 for the past couple years, but has seemed to come up short in the big fights.  He'll have to turn that around if he stands a chance here.  Also of note: this show is only one week after the K-1 Grand Prix finals, which may indicate that Gerges is not expecting a call for one of the remaining wild card slots.

Also looking to capitalize on a recent win is Ashwin Balrak, who scored his biggest career win to date in May when he defeated Daniel Ghita.  His opponent, Anderson Silva, made some good moves last year, though has gone 1-2 in his last 3, with losses to Mourad Bouzidi and Adnan Redzovic.  Balrak should take him here, though Silva remains a threat.

Finally, Mosab Amrani v. Mootje Khamal is just an all around solid fight between two exciting, action-packed fighters.  This could be the sleeper fight of the night.  Khamal moved up from 62kg to 70kg this year to take part in MAX, but Amrani typically fights down at 62.  Not sure what weight this will take place at. 

The fall is usually quiet from It's Showtime, who often focuses on the first half of the year.  It will be nice to see them put on a big card like this during what is shaping up to be a stacked December.