It’s that time of year again.
The URL returns the tourney style gauntlet for grand prize concept so beloved within the BRC at large. Only this time the event will feature a live audience. As one of the best billings the URL imprint provides for my 2cents, the fun and competitive field has been revealed for us all to fill out brackets and watch the madness play itself out with surefire W/L results set in stone to fuel the fire 🔥
Exciting!
Looking forward to enjoying scanning all the bracket predictions to come from BRC contributors and fans all over! Congratulations in advance to all participants.
Here’s a brief weigh-in= ⬇️
Tru Foe v. Geechi Gotti
Forecast: Who let Geechi Gotti back into the UM field to menace the tourney again? The reigning UM3 Champ returns to defend the flag within the drawn lines of playoff style one and done heated exchange. Look we've seen Geechi Gotti in this element thrive. So it is quite likely somebody may be in for a rough nite. The somebody- Tru Foe. A worthy talent in his own right who will sport a tone of similar authenticity in brand appeal with a Midwest spin to it. The gritty Chicago native hands down faces the biggest uphill climb of any lower seed the tourney presents and yet…don’t you get the sense Foe's ability to speak to the heart of the core subject matter Geechi has built into a foundation for himself, is the exact type advantage in short and precise rounds that Foe could utilize here to potentially steal a stage, even if briefly? Well as a massive underdog going in this pathway would seem to be the ideal avenue of success for Tru Foe quiet kept as both present prior tournament experience to lean on. Particularly in the case of Geechi Gotti he’s now seen the light at the end of the tunnel and how its plentiful fruit bearing labor led to a turning of the tide in his favor as the year progressed. This go round he'll need to exact much of the same fiery tenacity and determined competitive aggression here that saw him accumulate great success both in his previous UM3 run as well as career overall. And if that isn’t enough, how about a up the ante for incentive? Cool, well Tru Foe as a current MM belt-holder offers to evolve this 1st round matchup for UM5 into a sanctioned title bout as well to further increase the weight of the result for this bout. Respect to Tru Foe. He'll need his best showing to date for this one. But such would be the case regardless.
Upset Meter: Moderately low
🥶
Sheed Happens v. Nunn Nunn
Forecast: Rematch clause activated? This bout adds a sequel to the collection with much more at stake this go round as these two square off yet again in a short turnaround within a win or go home scenario. Interesting. Also of interest- Nunn Nunn may be one of the URL rosters best kept secrets in plain sight as a steady hand of BR intangibles who of late is becoming much less of a subtly quiet kept fighter and more of a versatile lyrical fighter with climbing potential and it’s dope to see. Across from Nunn, Sheed Happens brings performance laden content as well as the confidence of finding success in this style bout previously v. Nunn as he will look to build upon the positives found within that fight. And though the forecast currently can assuredly predict Nunn will be a tough draw for anybody within this tourney style matchup, Sheed Happens will hope to earn a hard fought decision with performance measured on a scale. Thus technical adjustments will be required for Sheed to find those precision packed punches that land at a fairly winnable percentage up against one of the P4P best pure lyrical fighters in the entire field. Nothing insurmountable for Sheed by any means as his style has shown to be effective more often than not but rather a word to the wise- it will be very interesting to see what a betting odd over/under for this bout would look like.
Upset Meter: Take the point spread and run. 🎯
O-Red v. JC
Forecast: The trilogy. What should be the closing chapter of a longevity clause and I would fully expect an uptick in punches thrown for this one as both artists undoubtedly have both the tangible ability and strategic veteran experience in craft required to ratchet up the heat for a bout that could very well end up as one of the toughest decisions to arrive on for the paneled judges with a close margin of defeat likely all things even. I’d also venture to say that at some point in the bout these two will kick up the gears and go for the knockdown. JC convincingly took the latest contest between the two and thus conventional wisdom suggests the trifecta in this setting will be one far closer to a majority draw nailbiter than a TKO decision. I would also imagine a theme for the weekends festivities for most will be the fighters desire to score a clean knockout and take the decision out of the judges hands with as clear a victory as possible. Well, that said anything is possible between the lines however this bout fits the bill as one of a true NCAA 8/9th seed toss up that comes down to the wire. And when factoring in a rested and rejuvenated O-Red returning to ring action in this one I expect JCs hand will be forced to bring the dark forces out and compete. And we should all hope so considering the potential rematches down the line for both (Geechi/O-Red, JC/Nunn Nunn) that should motivate these two fighters beyond the obvious $.
Upset Alert: Nah. Spooky tit for tat. 🏴☠️
Shooney da Rapper v. Head I.C.E.
Forecast: I.C.E. …legendary Renaissance is back. The Harlem bookkeeper is no stranger to tournament success having seen so much of it off-platform within the KOTD format many years prior. For this particular URL tourney we'd hope much less controversy ensues around Head I.C.E. and the decision looming for his bout against- Shooney. A headpuncher who predictably went toe to toe with Fonz and gave him a run for it before ultimately succumbing to the dangerous combo of boom flurries Fonz delivers. Here Shooney will see a much different fight. And one she should perhaps be mindful of in the sense that I.C.E. tends to find areas of attack in an unorthodox southpaw like fashion that can creep up on a punch heavy lyrical fighter if not careful (see v. Ave) should the fight be brought to the inside (layered material) as opposed to straight punch power. Id imagine Shooney will be favored significantly on the bettor spread, thus unmoved by the thought of a loss however I for one will not discount the element of surprise that Harlems own can often bring to the table with odds stacked up against it. Foreshadowing?
Upset Alert: Bracketbuster? 🚨
Stumbles v. Real Sikh
Forecast: First things first I don’t think it’s a matter of can Stumbles take a decision over Sikh as much as it is frustrating when the field analysis doesn't properly annotate the full spectrum of the bout, even with clear favorites going into it. There is no question Stumbles faces immeasurable odds according to the optics as the superior rhymer in this bout is Sikh by a wide margin. However, the path to victory for Stumbles may not solely depend on the inherent ability to stack bars as much as it will likely be about making a sonic connection with the aesthetics of his best attributes and the viewer simultaneously. And why not? Two minute rounds the URL didn’t book anyone for a long time therefore for Stumbles the bout becomes more of a sell job than a true pen fight. His ability to appeal to a different aspect of the sport and make the stage his own while altering the expectation setting will be his greatest ally up against Sikh. To be clear, it is probably Stumbles willingness to offer insight into why <my life not yours> that will take him the furthest in this bout. He doesn’t win without it. The technically superior fighter usually prevails when BR system defaults set in. But if Stumbles avoids it long enough to cast doubt into the true effectiveness of Sikhs punches without taking the sure bait of trying to match the aggression then just maybe…
Upset Alert: Moderately low…🔕
Pristavia v. Fonz
Forecast: On the surface, multiverse Pristavia KOing Fonz into a dirtnap is the only way one can see this bout not going Fonz way right? Gotta see it to believe it… The landlord is hardly one to be trifled with. However, Pristavia certainly has one thing going for her heading into the ring walk- momentum. Power is the unknown quantity of mystery awe and appeal Pristavia now represents as a shrewd demonstration of marketability coupled with timely fights. Leading up to this Fonz bout with recent showings v. the likes of Danny Myers/Yoshi G/C3 seemingly landing her the stock growth appraisal green light to warrant a fair inclusion into the field, Pristavia arrives. Management certainly picked the fights strategically to land at the landlords front door. And as an emerging prize fighter with a push, Pristavia comes into the UM5 tourney with much to prove up against her toughest challenge yet- a former UM champion with a fight style tailor suited to win in this setting. This fight is uphill for her and her merit towards her own realized potential will be tested thoroughly up against Fonz. Speaking of, on the brighter side Fonz most recently took the heaviest of punches from Shooney da Rapper and withstood his ground. Fonz has a Battle Rap chin. On the other hand, Pristavia presents a similar blunt force power albeit with a twist- range. Pristavia could cast a wide shadow to net the big fish and it is the element of surprise still looming for her best performances to come. So long as they are well prepared in strategy and delivered according to plan, Pristavia will land her punches en route the road to creating her signature moments in real time. One could argue Fonz himself is still on that same road with an upward trajectory simply much further along the path. But no question Pristavia holds an emergence to be beloved. The ultimate trump card held handy and required to steal a decision from Fonz as he will point on tally as one of the best artists round for round this entire UM5 tournament hands down IMO. What prevails to victory between these two elemental factors will be telling as this bout has the potential to stir the most debate amongst the inevitable gripe to come with the judged decisions and the process each took toward getting to an absolute even keel determination of a real winner. Controversy may actually peak in this one. I would hope for scorecards to be made available in UM5… Listen man, a Fonz v. Rum Nitty Final Four BRC fever dream matchup should be all the motivation required for him to step into his calling as next up. Or, Pristavia will leave the opening weekend of UM5 the latest of newly minted URL stars. Either development will be a very important storyline of #URLSZN22. What we know- the winner here will be dangerous.
Upset alert: Moderately High ⚠️
Swamp v. Shotgun Suge
Forecast: A 7/10th seed style toss up swing bout for the parlays to have at and set a bracket up one way or the other. Should be interesting. On one side you have Suge. And should he elect to go bully ball up against both the artistic and literal stature of Swamp then this bout turns into one of those it went the distance preference fights where a judge will ultimately decide between nostalgia and engagement versus a fundamentally sound overall quality. And the kicker is you don’t even know who is who until the outcome emerges. Though if Swamp has his way this bout positions the optics more in his favor aesthetically as a style of similarly surface appeasing offensive approach with far more dimensional range than the what you see is what you get type stern approach of a Shotgun Suge. Note the intangibles development of Swamp will be under the microscope in this bout as one of the more popularized figures of the underrated variety the URL roster holds dear who still needs to create more signature moments and wins to drive the push forward his potential in the ring as a marquee act requires and warrants. The nostalgia around Swamp some would say has worn over time and I would challenge them to instead assess more along the lines of Swamps nostalgia is simply dormant and in need of watering. The roots of giving Honor to God and Ace a lyrical bandage are still alive and well. Promote the growth of the soil Swamp. Furthermore, Suge could be in the midst of a career revitalization as an adjustment to the times evolves him and if so he'll get right to it and build on his strengths in this bout which should serve him quite well. If not, Swamp prevails. Open shut scenarios for these two feels about where the bout goes. I for one do expect humor as an undertone for both fighters as a change of pace jab strategy. This fight most likely ends up an either or decision should all rounds complete.
Upset Alert: Bettor odds. House wins. 🎰
Real Name Brandon v. Rum Nitty
Forecast: RNB flips galore and endless zoo/animal punch themes? Man… Danny did it. He summons the Boogeyman and now the first in line for a battle death certificate since then just so happens to be the model irony in a crowd yelling get off the ropes while still learning the ropes same time. Real Name may have just drew the toughest assignment of the UM5 field for several reasons when keenly considering the logic in how RNB being the literal reigning UM Champ netted him- the literal reigning co-Champion of the UM tourney prior. Talk about SOS and bracketology… The Rum Nitty losing a sanctioned contest is something that rarely ever happens enough that I could never actually assume it to be done until the bout completes. Battle Raps Errol Spence administers lyrically induced pain in a surgically breathtaking fashion you just don’t see often. Shame the skill and talent of Real Name Brandon whom previously I felt matched up very well with his prior opponent now goes from very open-ended odds and possibilities to just one- must knockout Rum Nitty before the bottom of the 3rd or go home. No grey area in-between. Tough ask for anybody. Though there should be enough respect for the budding progression arc of Real Name not to disrespect his growing BR stature with outlandish betting odds and polls but, it is without question now how plain and direct the assignment is for him to knockdown Rum and keep him there before a series of ghoulish Nitty punch combinations get spooky and send this bout into orbit like most interactions with the Alien soon end up. In sort of a rule of thumb so to speak I would surmise that Real Name Brandon does possess the requisite heavyweight punch power to apply the logic that anybody can get their number called at any time but truth is that such an outcome would be the single greatest upset of the UM5 tourney at any point in its entirety and that in itself would be a story of its own. So how is it that anyone can say with a straight face they’d predict such a thing? Then again, it’s May Madness. St. Peter’s run?
Upset Meter: Low ❄
I hope tensions are high on stage yet vibrant and laid-back for the viewership present and home as the URL’s Ultimate Madness tournament kicks off soon!
As always I salute and express much gratitude in the highest order to all those who pull up and make time to read with the kid. Respect to you. 💯
TwoCent
P.ess- Bar Aesthetics Part 3 & 4 to come…
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