Travis Lizotte "Full Contact Writer"
Just two and a half years removed from being the fastest rising Women's Flyweight prospect in New England, Connecticut's Ascension Athletics product Alexandra "The Great" Ballou (1-0) makes her highly anticipated return to the cage this Friday night in Biloxi, Mississippi at iKon Fighting Federation 5. Following up an impressive 3-0 amateur career, Ballou hit the pro scene in October of 2018 under the Bellator MMA banner and scored an emphatic third round TKO of Lisa "Insane" Blaine at Bellator 207 at Mohegan Sun. Unfortunately Alexandra would suffer a devastating ACL injury while training that would cost her the entirety of 2019, coupled with the effects of Covid-19 that took away her entire 2020 campaign and Ballou has not seen competition in some 29 months. That layoff will finally some to an end this Friday as Ballou welcomes the professional debut of Griffin Fisk (0-0, 5-3 as an Amateur) live on UFC Fight Pass at iKon 5.
Still on the right side of 30 years old and continually growing as martial artist the 29 year old Ballou is backed by MMA royalty here in New England, training under Jeff Haddad and Matt Bessette at Ascension Athletics and lead by Tyson Chartier of Top Game Management. Alexandra is ecstatic about finally getting back in the cage and not only showing the country what they have been missing, but also being able to showcase her progression since her pro debut. Known predominately as a grappler in her early career, Ballou told our Steve Domeinico in her recent appearance on "The Room Podcast" that she is ready to feature her improved striking in this fight with Fisk, IF the opportunity presents itself.
Doing research on Fisk; she isn't going to be an easy out for the talented Ballou, in her five amateur wins Griffin Fisk notched an impressive four finishes (1 Knockout, 3 Submissions) fighting for several promotions across the Southeast, including another UFC Fight Pass partner; Island Fights. Fisk also displayed a granite chin as an ammy, showing the inert ability to walk through some of her opponents power strikes to employ her own clinch heavy offense all the while never being finished. When the fight hits the mat, Fisk possesses decent control from the top and loves taking the back of her opponents, but gaining ground position on the grappling heavy Ballou will prove to be quite the chore.
On the mat is where Ballou shines, she bullies her opponents into the canvas before forcing them to quit, earning the New England native three stoppage victories (1 Knockout, 2 Submissions) in her four career fights spanning her amateur and professional careers. Coming back from a long layoff this seems to be an excellent match up for Ballou to further her top prospect status as she hopes that stringing a couple impressive victories together to kick off 2021, will have her on the UFC's radar by the conclusion of the year. And that goal is not very far fetched, with a win at Bellator already on her resume, a nice comeback Friday night on UFC Fight Pass and Ballou could be right back on the fast track to cracking the UFC's Women's Flyweight roster.
Alexandra Ballou and Griffin Fisk will meet at a Catchweight of 130 pounds in a featured bout on the Main Card at iKon Fighting Federation 5 at the Biloxi Civic Center in Biloxi, Missississippi and can be seen live, exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 pm Eastern. iKon 5 is due to be headlined by the MMA return of Jason "The Kid" Knight (20-6, 2-1 BKFC), who returns to the cage after three consecutive fights in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship's squared circle, as he looks to end his current four fight skid in the cage against fellow BKFC and MMA veteran Cliff "The Goblin" Wright (12-15, 0-1 BKFC). Wright replaced Taurean Bogguess (15-11, Knee Injury) on just under a weeks notice to step up and welcome Knight back to the cage. Below is a quick look at the Entire iKon 5 fight card, which is subject to change.
Main Event: Jason Knight (20-6) vs. Cliff Wright (12-14)
Featherweight
Co-Main Event: Socrates Pierre (11-6) vs. Harris Stephenson (6-2)
Catchweight 175 lbs
Griffin Fisk (Debut) vs. Alexandra Ballou (1-0)
Women's Catchweight 130 lbs
Macy Breaux (Debut) vs. Shawna Ormsby (2-2)
Women's Strawweight
Kayla Hracho (3-2) vs. Emilee King (4-4)
Women's Strawweight
Valerie Wong (0-1) vs. Isis Verbeek (0-1)
Women's Strawweight
AJ Fletcher (6-0) vs. Wesley Golden (9-17)
Welterweight
Charlie Decca (2-0) vs. Kyle McGrough (0-1)
Catchweight 165 lbs
