Is Jordan Rinaldi The Best Lightweight In North Carolina? Are The Top Lightweight Ammy's Better Than The Current Crop Of Pros?
by Kelvin Hunt on May 10, 2010 2:30 PM EDT
in North Carolina MMA
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PrintFirstly, don't take this personal I'm just asking questions. Our rankings will be updated in the next week or so as there is a MMA event this weekend down in Wilmington(CFP) and a event next weekend in Charlotte(ECCF).
I asked this question prior to the Rinaldi/Carroll fight going down:
If Jordan Rinaldi pulls the upset and beats Joe Carroll...is he the #1 lightweight in the Carolina's?
First of all, props to both fighters for even taking that fight.
Ya know, when we thought about implementing our very own rankings system for North and South Carolina fighters, I envisioned fights that everyone locally wanted to see. Which basically meant good fighters fighting other good fighters and not guys looking to pad their records with wins. So this past weekend we were treated to a treat at the Fightlab Promotions Cage Fights At The Epicentre 3 event in Charlotte, NC. The main event was the MMA For Real #3 ranked amateur lightweight Jordan Rinaldi(5-1) taking on the MMA For Real #1 ranked lightweight in Joseph Carroll(3-4). This was Rinaldi's professional debut.
You can watch the fight right here as Rinaldi won the fight via split decision.
We are going to do some MMA math even though I hate it with a passsion.
The lightweight division in the two Carolina's is probably the deepest division between the two states and fighters can take a "L" on any given night against legitimate competition. Rinaldi is (1-0) as a professional and (5-1) as an amateur losing to the MMA For Real #2 ranked amateur lightweight David "Colt 45" Howell(7-0) in June of 2009.
Neither Howell nor Rinaldi have fought the MMA For Real #1 ranked amateur lightweight in Jacob Allman(6-0). Allman will be making pro debut later this year after taking part in the SportsfightX 155lb tournament down in Georgia.
The current #2 ranked pro lightweight is Chris Clodfelter(9-6) hasn't fought since June 2009 although the rumblings for a fight between him and Joe Carroll seemed to unearth themselves every other week or so. The #3 ranked lightweight in Jason Palacios(7-6) hasn't fought since August 2009. So is Jordan Rinaldi the top professional lightweight in the state if you look at who he just beat, coupled with his amateur record of one loss?
When I started writing this piece I had one question in mind in which I just asked, but now another question has come to mind.
I know we rank the ammy's and the pro's, but I've been hearing this for a while, that the top ammy's in the state might be better than the current top pro's in the state. Is there any truth to that statement. This should be good, holla at cha boy!
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Jordan is ready...
to fight any lightweight in the Southeast…whether that makes him the best remains to be seen. Talk is cheap so he would rather prove it in the ring. Look for him to have something good lined up soon!
no doubt
Talk is cheap so he would rather prove it in the ring
Just looking for opinions though….cause there are some interesting matchups out there.
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I understand…I would love to see peoples opinions too. I just want people to know that he is eager himself to show his skills in the ring! Great work covering our local MMA scene Kelvin, keep up the good work!
That pro division is in a state of transition. You’ve got several talented guys in there and some more talent joining the pro ranks this year. Originally I thought we might update the rankings every quarter but there is so much activity in this region that it probably warrants much more frequent updates.
YEP!
I think so! He had a great ammy record and he beat the top ranked light weight in the state in his first pro fight! He beat the so called best so that makes him the best….As for the 2nd question, I think there are alot of top rank amateurs that are better then the top ranked pros. The problem is that the ammy’s are’nt turning pro, instead they are accumulating 7,8,9 ammy fights and dominating guys and just don’t have the desire to turn pro or maybe they just love fighting for free! I don’t know. I think that by the time those top rank ammy’s turn pro, then the top pro guys you see up there now won’t be there next year!
yea
I think it’s important for the ammy’s to get that experience though…nothing wrong with fighting 8 or 9 ammy fights before turning pro…cause once you turn pro…shit get real…and that record is YOUR record whereever you go….
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experience
The experience you gain from fighting top level ammys is worth more than getting paid to fight bums. This is especially true for fighters who don’t have an extensive background in any particular area e.g. wrestling, karate, boxing.
I don’t see how you can say the ammys aren’t turning pro. Rinaldi, Cloward, and myself all making pro debuts within a month. I also agree w/ Forant that you should be able to fight ammy as long as you want. Had I not attended the ultimate fighter tryouts I probably would have fought ammy longer.
Word@ the fighters responding...
that’s what’s up….
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ammy staing ammy
I am staying ammy as long as i need to. I am not turnign pro until im 100 percent happy with my abilitys. I would love to get paid but pay checks can wait. I plan to do like 2 or 3 more ammys after my fight june 5th.
by bradleytherainbow on May 10, 2010 10:35 PM EDT reply actions
lots of great guys out there..
there are tons of great guys in NC and SC both ammy and pro.. so you will see sum insane match ups in the next 1 to 2 years..
by Chris Clodfelter on May 10, 2010 10:40 PM EDT reply actions
yea
as more guys get fights under their belts…we’ll stretch the rankings out to top ten…
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by Kelvin Hunt on May 10, 2010 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Speaking of great fights...
when are you fighting again Chris? I have a brother who is very interested…
Forant hit the nail on the head......
Your amateur career is to PREPARE you for the pro’s. If your serious about your career, you should fight the toughest guys you can find, or guys that are " bad style matchups" for you while your ammy.The stakes aren’t high. The only thing on the line is your pride. Win or lose, if you get better after that fight then it was worth it.
When you fight pro, you have to be a little more conservative about things. YOU CAN NOT AFFORD A LOT OF LOSSES EARLY IN YOUR PRO CAREER! If your skills are on point, FROM that extensive ammy experince, you will run through MOST pro’s at that same stage in their career (early).
If someone plans on going pro and staying local, you dont need an extensive ammy career, OR tough ammy fights for that matter. If your trying to make it to the big show, after a few pro fights you should be ready because you’ve had those tough matches.
When guys come to the UFC/WEC with blown up records (from lack of tough fights) they get weeded out quick.
I also think building a fan base while your ammy is important too. These people will follow your career and support you through the pro ranks.
Oh yeah, someone already mentioned this but having a ridiculous base in some form of martial arts changes things. Especially (but not limited to) high-level wrestlers. They have the luxury of being able to learn on-the-job. I hate wrestlers ha haa
The harder you work, the luckier you get.........
by The Demolition Man on May 11, 2010 1:06 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Good points. Staying Ammy past 5 fights is pretty smart. Typically your first couple fights will be against other people just starting out. They may be bums they may be all stars you do not have much control over it. But with a good record you will face better and better competition in a relatively “safe” environment. If you make a mistake ohh well, learn from it and fight another tough opponent.
Only with a more experienced record, will you be able to really gauge the people you will be fighting and be able to test yourself against the movers and shakers of the fight world.
First couple pro fights are not the time to really test to see if you have what it takes, you should have done that while being an ammy.
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yessir...
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by Kelvin Hunt on May 11, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions
I think we are missing a core point here…there is no set number of amatuer fights you NEED before turning pro. The math is different for every fighter. Some take longer to develop, some have a core like wrestling that allows them to develop more quickly, and some are just blessed with God given talent to progress faster then others. Each fighter is different and it is up to his/her trainers and coaches to help them asses what is the best move after each fight. Sometimes you are just good and extra fights won’t change that…and sometimes you need more time to develop…it is different for everyone. Chose accordingly.
Solid point as well...
I know you know this..but NC requires five ammy fights before going pro…unless you have a decorated ammy career in another sport like college wrestling or something..in which that requirement can be waived I think…I think 5 fights is a good number…by then you at least know where you are and you can decide if you are serious about the dedication it will take to be a legit fighter.
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by Kelvin Hunt on May 11, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
NO WAY!
Anyone that has seen Jacob Allman fight and saw the Carroll/Rinaldi fight will tell you that Allman is simply in a league of his own. Don’t get me wrong… Carroll and Rinaldi are both good fighters. But Allman is significantly better. Since you’re talking math… if Rinaldi was the #3 ammy and Allman was the #1 ammy, then what is Allman if Rinaldi is #1 pro??? I really hope we see Rinaldi and Allman fight in the near future. My prediction… Rinaldi won’t make it out of the first round.
Godfather? Be serious...
I’m not sure who you are or what crack pipe you take hits from…but “won’t make it out of the first round”…Seriously? Jordan has NEVER been stopped and has one loss on his record, that loss came a guy (Howell) who took him down but inflicted no damage…in fact, Howell was the one with a busted face post fight. Allman couldn’t finish Owens, Jordan did. Allman gets one rear naked choke and you think he will stop Jordan in round one…Allman’s jiu-jitsu isn’t close to Jordan’s level, just ask Joe Carroll. Be serious when you assess things. Allman may be a better wrestler but Jordan is no slouch their and is a better boxer and in jiu-jitsu. It would be a good fight for sure, I will see if I can’t make that fight happen some day.
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