Sherdog.com Preview: WFA: King of the Streets Pt. I

Jul 20, 2006
MCCULLOUGH: 5’9”, 155 pounds, 29 years old, Huntington Beach, California, known as “Razor”

BACKGROUND: McCullough is a submission wrestler with an extensive Muay Thai background. He’s a five-time United World Muay Thai Association Champion and holds titles in the I.K.B.A., I.S.K.A., I.M.T.C. and other international fighting organizations. He has a professional record of 12-3 in MMA and 15-2 (8 KO) in kickboxing. Rob also won the eight-man tournament at the Pit Fighting Championship in 2003.

WFA EXPERIENCE: Lost a decision to Josh Thomson (Pictures) at WFA 3.

WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: Rob has great stand-up skills. His Muay Thai accolades are well documented and he’s been successful in transferring those skills to MMA. Ten of his 12 stoppages have been due to strikes and all three of his losses have gone the distance.

SARMIENTO: 5’9”, 165 pounds, 22 years old, Honolulu, Hawaii, known as “The Hit Man”

BACKGROUND: Sarmiento trains as part of the Koden Kanteam with Dustin Peterson and Ed Newalu (Pictures). He carries a professional record of 18-14 in MMA.

WFA EXPERIENCE: None.

WHAT HE BRINGS TO THE BOUT: He has tons of experience with more than 30 pro bouts under his belt. His career has been up and down and he currently on a four-fight slide (the longest since he first started fighting) so he’s likely hungry for the win. He’s shown he is versatile, scoring victories with strikes and by submission.

OVERALL OPINION OF MATCH: Fair. This is a rematch of a bout at World Extreme Cagefighting 9 about two and a half years ago. The interesting twist here is that Sarmiento represents McCullough’s last MMA loss. Also “The Razor” is 6-0 since that bout and before the Sarmiento fight last loss in 2002 (a 10-1 run). Both fighters have come a long way in four years but Sarmiento is on a four-fight slide. A win over McCullough would wipe away those losses in the minds of many fans and it would likely land him on a major card. “The Razor” needs to both settle an old score and beat a good fighter while he’s vulnerable.