The amateur ranks are supposed to be a where lessons are learned inside the cage before the stakes increase at the professional level. And while that concept is fine and good for those who subscribe to that approach, Valor Fights will have none of it.

The Tennessee-based promotion isn't afraid to the let the up-and-coming talent run the show from time to time, and its Apex Fight Series has been running strong because of it. The Apex banner will fly for the 13th time this Saturday night at the Soddy-Daisy Wrestling Arena in Soddy-Daisy, TN.

While pro cards are where fighters and fans expect the pressure to be found, anyone who has witnessed any of the previous Apex action knows there is no adjustment period. The fighters on the ticket know larger opportunities await, and the urgency and tenacity shown at past events serve as proof.

Apex Fights 13 on Saturday night is an event stuffed with title bouts up and down the lineup, including several crucial fights to determine who advances in the UMAFF tournament. And if you aren't sure exactly what the UMAFF is and why you should be impressed...look no further!

Structure in the Amateur Realm

For a very long time the entire sport of mixed martial arts was referred to as the Wild West of combat sports. There was little structure to be found outside of the major promotions in the sport, and this held as status quo up until several years ago.

The current era has many regional shows that serve as feeders to the bigger stages, which is a far cry from the parking lot promotions and smokers shows of the past. With UMAFF and IMAFF, the amateur ranks now have structure as well.

With IMAFF servings as the international governing body, the UMAFF oversees amateur devlopment in the United States. In addition to having many responsibilities, one of the larger elements of the organization is to gather amateur fighters to form a national MMA team similar to how teams are gathered for the international Olympics.

Although MMA has yet to become an Olympic sport, there are still international tournaments going on to keep the progress rolling. On Saturday night at Apex 13, six of the 15 bouts on the billing will fall under UMAFF tournament guidelines as fighters compete to emerge from their regional semifinal matchups.

Saturday night's winners will advance and take one step closer to making the UMAFF national team, and with stakes that high, the ruckus is guaranteed to be full throttle in Soddy-Daisy.

(Big) Boys Just Wanna Have Fun

In the modern era of combat sports it is the heavyweight who has dominated and captivated the attention of fight fans around the world.

While smaller fighters are known to showcase bouts that feature a plethora of speed and technique, expectation of such things goes flying out the window when the big men step into the cage.

Justin Goodin and Billy Swanson aren't stepping in at Apex 13 to find out who has the more technical jab or the more complex cardiovascular system. They are squaring off to throw punches until one of them meets the most violent of sleeps. When you throw the vacant Apex heavyweight strap into that equation, it's the equivalent of dipping the wicks of dynamite sticks in gasoline.

The explosion is an inevitability, but the chance to become the Apex champion will guarantee plenty of wildfire flickers on the burn.

"Big Sexy" Billy Swanson is coming off back-to-back victories inside the cage and will be looking to run the trifecta against Goodin in his hometown of Soddy-Daisy. Swanson is currently sitting at the No. 3-ranked heavyweight in Tennessee according to Tapology, and a win on Saturday night would make a strong case for the top spot in his home state.

Furthermore, Swanson's chest is emblazoned with proud ink that reads "Property of Soddy-Daisy," and he plans on making the dreamy sounding nook into Nightmare-ville for his opponent.

And while Goodin has other plans, the Kentucky native will simply be happy to step in and let his paws go on Saturday night.

Goodin has watched his past four bouts fall victim to cancellation, which has prevented him from putting his career back on the winning track. He was handed a loss last February at Valor 30 and wants nothing more than to turn things around in a big way on Saturday night. Putting Swanson down in front of his family and friends would be the icing on the cake.


Full Apex 13 Fight Card

Justin Goodin vs. "Big Sexy" Billy Swanson (for vacant Apex heavyweight championship/UMMAF Regional Semifinal) 
John Hall vs. "King" James Garmany (for Valor light heavyweight championship/UMMAF Regional Semifinal) 
Kyle Kohler vs. David Robins (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, catchweight, 175 pounds) 
Yemi Oduwole vs. Bubba "The Bad News" Cruz (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, welterweight) 
Jahci Lyles vs. Denzel Freeman (for Valor heavyweight championship) 
Jacob Sandlin vs. Logan Neal (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, featherweight)
Jonathan Nichols vs. Lee Poke (for vacant Apex middleweight title) 
Justin Thompson vs. Hunter Thomas (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, bantamweight) 
Wenona Daniel vs. Jill Myers (catchweight, 160 pounds)
Josh Cabrera vs. Corey Bolden (lightweight)
Tim Johnson vs. Kelly Payne (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, heavyweight) 
Bright Benson vs. Nick Jewell (UMMAF Regional Semifinal, middleweight)
Jordan Penny vs. Daniel "Cheeto" Parsons (flyweight)
Cody Sprague vs. Tanner Poe (welterweight)
Zach Sanders vs. Chase Olsen (welterweight)

Muay Thai Kickboxing Bouts

Alec Lomard vs. Joseph Long (flyweight)
Brandon Gooldby vs. Geoff Phillips (lightweight)

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