TriStateFighter.com contributor Dan Holzhauer dialed in on one of the undercard fights which will contend for Fight Of The Night honors this Saturday in Philadelphia at UFC 101.

By Dan Holzhauer:

With every passing day, and passing legislation, the world of MMA in the Northeast, United States continues to grow. Area talent will take center stage at UFC 101, when the octagon makes its Philadelphia debut. Boston native Kenny Florian will showcase his world-class talents in the main event, but the true depth of local talent will be measured when up-and-coming fighters John “Doomsday” Howard and Tamdan “The Barn Cat” McCrory collide on the undercard.

Both Howard and McCrory have become poster-boys for the unknown talent that can be found throughout the Northeast. Before signing their first UFC contracts, both men competed solely in local shows such as Combat Zone and Ring of Combat. “We’ve fought in a lot of the same circuits in the Northeast and I’ve seen his fights,” says McCrory. They combined for an 18-4 record across NJ, MA and CT, crossing paths several times. UFC 101 will mark the third time that the two fighters will compete on the same card.

Two extremely talented young fighters, both men train out of local gyms that were previously untapped resources for MMA talent. Howard praises his gym, Wai Kru in Allston, Mass. as the future of the sport. “We have UNBELIEVABLE talent, man! I emphasize unbelievable,” he says. “Even though it’s a quiet school that’s not known yet, it’s about to be [known].”

But as close as their careers paths have gone, their philosophies on fighting couldn’t be any further apart. Howard’s strategy is slow and cerebral. “I’m nice and relaxed and I only use my energy when I need it,” he says, “I like to be smooth and relax and stay calm.”

McCrory, who trains at CNY MMA in Cortland, NY, leaves no room for inactivity. “If he starts slow, it could make for an early night. I never got anywhere in life being passive and letting people walk all over me.” McCrory developed his style as a contrast to his shy personality. Considered a “poor kid” in school, he was quiet and introverted in childhood and throughout his days at SUNY Cortland. But when Tamdan found MMA, the Barn Cat came out. “Becoming a fighter caused me to be reborn,” he says.

The twenty-two year old McCrory had a background in high school wrestling, and found BJJ in college. Three years ago he hooked up with local fighter Erik Charles and began training twice a day. “I was training about 2 months before my first fight,” he says. “My coaches didn’t believe I could win a fight, but I begged them for it and when I got in there I went to town.” The Barn Cat went on to finish his first nine fights in the first two rounds, and after just one year of training McCrory found himself under contract with the UFC.

Howard’s background was in football and track & field. He was hooked by submission grappling, which contributed to six submission wins in his first nine fights. Early in his career, Howard made a habit of falling behind in fights and pulling out victory in the end. “A lot of fights I’ve been real fortunate to win. I’ve been in situations where I was losing the whole fight and I came back,” he says. Since coming to Wai Kru in 2007, Howard has stepped up his game while fighting tougher competition. The biggest improvements have come in his wrestling. “We have some D1 All-American wrestlers,” Howard says. “There was a time when they used to kill me, but now I can hang with them.”

The contrast in styles should make for plenty of excitement. McCrory is sure to bring the fight to Howard early. “Beating someone just isn’t enough for me. I want to go beyond all doubt in victory. No ‘what ifs’ when I fight. I want to demolish those who stand in front of me,” he says. With his aggressive style, McCrory will be looking to end the fight from the start, but that is just what Doomsday will be looking for. “I know he’s going to come hard and we’re going to put on a good show,” Howard says. “I have a lot of people call me Blakuraba, referring to Sakuraba, because I’m so calm… it takes experience.”

But both fighters have experienced what happens when their fights don’t go as planned. Doomsday has gone to five decisions in his career, going 3-2 in those fights. He knew he had to ramp up the aggression in his UFC debut against Chris Wilson. “I felt that I had to set the pace and really get my legs set,” Howard said of the fight. But when Howard was unable to finish the fight after multiple rear-naked choke attempts in the third round, his fate was left in the hands of the judges, who rendered a split decision in his favor. “I thought after that third round I would have a unanimous decision. I was pretty shocked,” he says of judge Cecil Peoples’ scorecard which favored Wilson.

McCrory felt the sting of his own aggression against BJJ black belt Dustin Hazelett. McCrory went toe-to-toe with Hazelett until the Barn Cat was stunned by a right head kick. “I had a moment of weakness and got buzzed,” he says, “when that happens to you, you go back to your roots and your instincts. Unfortunately my instincts are grounded in wrestling, and that played into his game.” The stunned McCrory shot for an ankle pick. His opponent pulled guard and immediately went for an omoplata from rubber guard. McCrory fought off several submission attempts but Hazelett was able to transition to an inverted armbar and and force McCrory to tap. “He got the better of me that night, but I don’t believe that fight would play out the same if we were to meet again in the cage.”

These experiences inside the octagon have helped shape both fighters. The fighter who learned the most will have his hand raised inside the Wachovia Center on August 8^th. Howard says, “We’re going to put on a good show. I expect fight of the night.” And With their contrasting styles, everyone expects fireworks. “I’m a very passionate person and I bring that into every fight,” McCrory says. “That’s what I think the fans want to see, and I’m happy to provide that.”

(Dan Holzhauer is a writer and editor for University Sports Publications)