This Friday night is the semi-finals of the Sin City Fight Club’s REDLINE Grand Prix at Center Stage, but talking to the two Atlanta fighters in the semi-finals you might not know that. These fighters agree on a lot of things, including how great of a fighter the other is, but one thinks it’s the semi-finals while the other believes it’s the finals.

According to Douglas Lima, this is the semi-finals as he stated, “If I consider this the finals, I’m going to be underestimating the other two fighters (in the semi-finals). That’s something I’ll never do. Hester vs Lima is a big fight that a lot of people are talking about. But for me the final is more important. But I’m not even thinking about that for now. Hester is in my way and that’s what I gotta worry about for now.”

Lima’s opponent, Clint Hester, is taking this fight Friday night as it’s the finals for him.

“Yes, this is the finals to me. Not to take anything way from Lockhart or Coleman (the other two semi-finalists), but this fight is one of the biggest fights since I’ve been on the MMA circuit,” said Hester.

The tournament started more than a month ago with eight fighters from the Southeast. This Friday night, those eight fighters are down to four. Then in January the two winners will fight for the $10,000 grand prize.

But the key fight for all eyes is this Friday night when Douglas Lima and Clint Hester lock horns in the main event.

The two fighters have carved their way into being known as two of Atlanta’s up and coming fighters while also known as totally different fighting styles.

Lima is a ground fighter known for his jiu-jitsu skills. On the other side of the cage is Hester, a pro boxer with dazzling standup skills that were shown in front of a packed Center Stage a month ago when he brutally KO’d Tex Johnson in the first round.

In the MMA world, Lima has been here a while and paid his dues as he has put together an 11-3 record. But, Lima entered this tournament as a traditional 170 lb fighter and coming off back-to-back losses at 170 lbs.

Hester, at 3-0 as a pro MMA fighter, is still considered a baby in the MMA world only having three fights, two of those against the same opponent. But it’s almost as if Hester has been shot out of a gun in the past 12 months as all three wins have been big fights in the past year.

First he defeated Tex Johnson at Wild Bill’s Fight Night last year via a first round TKO, then he beat Dymond Jones at Center Stage in May via second round TKO which vaulted his career, then he solidified himself in a rematch with Tex Johnson last month in the first round of the tournament where he won via KO at only 42 seconds of the first round.

While Hester might be a newbie to the world of MMA; he is by no means fresh to the world of combat sports.

He’s been involved in wrestling, amateur boxing and pro boxing for some time. The African-American brings his dreadlocks and rap music to a sport where few African Americans have excelled thus far.

“I’m bringing some people who followed me as an amateur boxer to the sports cause they love to see a good fighter fight. I hope I can show the young kids in inner cities that there are other routes you can take,” said Hester. “Rather than getting in trouble and becoming a statistic, they can relate to my look and the music I come out to but it’s in a positive manner. I hope I can influence young inner city kids to have big dreams.”

Lima, like Hester, is facing the same life battles.

Lima left Brazil more than 10 years ago when he was only 11 years old. His family came to America as many do, in search of better jobs and school.

“I came here with my mom, dad, and my brother. Leaving Brazil was hard on us because all of the rest of our family is back there. And we’re very close to them. I don’t really remember with how much money we came to America with. We weren’t planning on staying too long, but it’s been 10 years already. It’s been great for us so far. My parents got a couple of apartments and a house there and they are planning on going back soon. My brother and I are staying.”

For as much as these two fighters and individuals are different, two things are the same. Their training regimen and their need for the $10,000 grand prize.

Hester teaches kickboxing, boxing and sports training at his gym, X3 Sports in Marietta. He mixes in teaching with training under Tony Tucci and Ranieri Paiva at X3. His training consists of conditioning at 9 am, technical training at 11 am, jiu-jitsu at 5 pm and boxing at 6 pm.

Lima trains at American Top Team Atlanta twice a day, six times a week mixing everything together. Jiu-jitsu, wrestling, boxing, muay thai and conditioning. During his down time he teaches kids jiu-jitsu and conditioning kickboxing at ATT Atlanta.

If they win the $10,000 grand prize…what are they going to do with it?

Hester answered, “Put it towards my business, Global Media Group, where we do flyer duplication, web design, graphic design, artist development and artist distribution. And my other business, Short Cakes, where we can have any type of cake or pastry you need for any occasion and any event.”

Lima answered, “Man I got some bills that needs to be paid. Unfortunately that will be the first thing.”

This Friday night we’ll find out which fighter wins and moves closer to the $10,000 grand prize — Douglas Lima or Clint Hester!

Who you taking? Lima or Hester?