Preview: DWCS Season 3, Episode 8

Shanna Young vs. Sarah Alpar

Young, 28, comes into DWCS debut with a 6-1 professional record, her only loss coming by split decision to Lisa Sprangler. The Knoxville Martial Arts product heads into the competition on the strength of back-to-back wins on the regional circuit. She is a former King of the Cage bantamweight champion and holds a win over current Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder Pam Sorenson. “The Shanimal” has fast hands and likes to overwhelm her opponents with high-output combinations. She has good timing on her overhand right, and she is willing to stand her ground and battle in an all-out rock’em-sock’em matchup. When she does try to avoid strikes, she makes the mistake of moving her head straight back and placing herself against the fence. Young throws a lot of kicks and loves to attack with side kicks to the midsection and front kicks to the face. The Tennessean is a former college wrestler who can effectively mix in takedowns with her striking. She closes the distance well getting to the clinch, where she lands knees and elbows. If she does not strike in the clinch, she excels at grinding her opponents against the cage and either taking them down with a body lock trip or just dropping down on their legs and slamming them to the ground. Young also shoots fast entries from a distance. From the top, Young favors ground control and striking over submissions. She fights at a high pace and does not slow down much throughout the fight. She lost to Strangler because she fell in love with her improved standup and neglected her biggest strength.

Despite only holding an 8-4 professional record, Alpar should not be overlooked. She has won four of her last five bouts, with her lone loss coming to Carina Damm in a fight she took on just two weeks’ notice. The 28-year-old later captured the LFA bantamweight title. The former flyweight has also competed in top regional organizations like Titan Fighting Championship and King of the Cage, and she holds a win over UFC veteran Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger. Unfortunately, the American Elite MMA export has not been able to remain active, only competing five times in the last five years. “Too Sweet” is a southpaw who operates as a pressure counterstriker. She constantly moves forward while sliding into the pocket, where she throws wild shots. Good head movement allows her to land her best strike: a counter left hook, with her check hook running a close second. She will mix in body shots and has nice power in her punches. Alpar has a lot of defensive deficiencies. She makes the mistake of keeping her chin high in the air and leaning straight back. This has resulted in her being rocked by combinations in the past. The Texan is a good wrestler. She usually gets her takedowns by snatching a single-leg or catching her opponent’s kicks. When she is on top, she likes to sit in the guard and soften up her adversary with punches.

These two women are high-output action fighters -- a fact that should result in a back-and-forth war. Alpar should land the better shots on the inside, while Young has the advantage from distance. While both are good grapplers, Young figures to have her way if she decides to turn the bout into a wrestling match. Expect both women to land, with the kicks being the deciding factor for Young, who nets a UFC contract for her efforts. This fight has the potential to steal the show.

Next Fight » Weaver vs. Smyth