Freakshow vs Winner announced for K1ngs of Glory

Andre Winner meets Colin Fletcher at K1ngs of Glory

by Chris Houten @mrhouts

A battle of UFC veterans has been confirmed for K1ngs of Glory's debut show in July.

Top UK MMA lightweights Colin 'Freakshow' Fletcher and Andre Winner will square off in a K1 bout at K1ngs of Glory, on July 27 at the Rainton Medow Arena, Houghton le Spring. K1ngs of Glory and Made 4 the Cage official Dale Percival confirmed the fight via his Facebook page earlier today:

"Wow just confirmed a awesome fight for K1ngs Of Glory on July 27th that will see 2 ex-UFC fighters square off in a K1 style bout when Andre Winner will take on Colin Freakshow Fletcher what a exciting fight with 2 top MMA fighters who like to stand and bang this should be a great fight to add to first KOG Show!!!!"

Fresh off his AON 6 tournament win where he defeated Jordan Miller, Stephen Martin, and Artem Lobov in one night to bag £15,000 prize money. A former TUF runner up, and 6 fight UFC veteran, Andre Winner fights for the 10th time since his release from the promotion having gone 7-2 since then. Widely considered amongst the best technical boxers in MMA, The Team Rough House product is on a 4 fight win streak, and Currently sits 6th in the UK lightweight rankings, 1 place above Fletcher.

One of the stars of 2012's TUF Smashes and also eventual runner up, Colin 'Freakshow' Fletcher, made two appearances before returning to Bamma where he had previously made his name. Since returning to the UK, Fletcher has extended his record to 10-4, with wins over Tim Newman and Tony Hervey and a sole loss coming to Bamma champion Mansour Barnaoui. 

A well rounded fighter, Fletcher employees a Muy Thai style and often uses his striking ability to set up submissions. He has never finished an opponent to KO or TKO in his MMA career. 

Stay tuned to Kingdom MMA for all the latest on K1ngs of Glory. 

Europa MMA's CEO Sean Sinclair talks to Kingdom MMA

Sean Sinclair discusses Europa MMA 1 and his plans for the future of Europa MMA

by Chris Houten @mrhouts

Today Kingdom MMA caught up with the CEO of Europa MMA, Sean Sinclair to discuss Europa MMA 1, which takes place on the 22nd March in Brentwood. Also, we talk about his plans for the future of Europa MMA.

Firstly, thank you for your team.
When I first saw mentions of your first event on twitter a few months ago, I found myself intrigued by the promotion as you have a great main event in Coga vs Backstrom. Can you tell me a bit about yourself and who else forms the brains behind the promotion? and what your backgrounds are?
The founder is Sean Sinclair; I'm a young entrepreneur who has a passion for MMA and wanted to launch my own promotion. There are several other people involved, including a few influential people within the MMA world. However they won’t be announced as part of the team until mid-2014.

Your first show takes place March 22nd, how many months has this show been in the making and have the difficulties of launching a new promotion and arranging your first show been everything you expected?
The show has been in the making since December 2013, with regards to starting a new promotion the saying is “if it was easy, everyone would be doing it!”. The easiest part has been arranging the main card due to the professionalism within the higher levels of the MMA scene.

As I said at the start you have a great main event set in Coga vs Backstrom; Who do you have working as match maker, and how did this fight come about?
All match making is done internally by the team, however we hope to make an announcement about our dedicated matchmaker soon. The fight come about because Backstrom hasn’t been able to get a great fight for a while now, and since Max Coga is on a tear and equally as skilled as Backstrom it was an easy fight to put together. When we told both the fighters about the bout, they were both equally as excited so it was very much a no brainer to make this happen.

You also have some pretty big names from the UK scene on the card such as Jeremy Petley, Wendle Lewis, Andre Winner etc. what is your process behind match making?
We go with the philosophy of R&R (Rankings & Records) meaning we will only put together fights with equally similar ranked guys. If a fighter is not ranked it is done on a record basis of similar fight experience and styles, at this level there is not a lot of footage of guys out there so you can’t make stylistic matchups meaning this is the best philosophy to follow.

So far you have announced 4 bouts for Europa MMA 1, how many fights do you anticipate putting on for your debut show?
Ten fights in total, we feel any more than this pollutes the experience for the fans.

Will all these bouts be professional contests or will you have a mixture of pro and amateur bouts?
No we will be doing professional cards exclusively, with fight nights being held at smaller venues for amateur fighters.

When can fans expect additional fight announcements?
We will be announcing the full card soon, as there are still some spots to fill.

You recently announced a new fight to the card, can you tell us about that fight and will this form part of the main card or the prelims?
Mohammed Babadivand who is a training partner of Niklas Backstrom will be taking on Frenchman Peter Ligier who fights out of Geneva Switzerland, this will be a professional bantamweight contest on the main card.

Are Europa MMA doing any drug testing for this show, and do you plan on working with Safe MMA for your first show? If not, is there a reason behind not working with Safe MMA and would you like to do so in the future?
Standard blood tests for Hep B/C and HIV are being done, which Europa MMA has funded. However, PED’s are not being tested for this event, as you can imagine the logistics behind this has proven difficult for the first event. We will be signing up with Safe MMA for what we will anticipate to be our third event.

Do you plan on making the show available online, whether it's live or delayed on youtube for fans who can't be in attendance?
All fights will be available on youtube, streaming is something we’re exploring and look to bring soon.

I know tickets for Europa MMA 1 are on sale now, where can fans buy tickets and how well are tickets selling?
Tickets are available at Ticketline.co.uk and local fans in Essex looking to buy tickets can like us on Facebook and take advantage of our free courier service. Tickets are selling at a steady pace as expected of a first event.

Do you have a set number of shows targeted for this year and do you plan on putting titles on the line at some stage?
We don’t have a set target, although we are currently committed to three shows as things stand. We won’t be introducing titles until the promotion gains credibility, as we want them to mean something for the fighter.

Can you tell me what your aspirations for the promotion are? Whats the ultimate goal?
The ultimate goal is to introduce a tournament format with a generous cash prize; we aren’t looking to take on any of the promotions who have a roster of fighters. We simply want to be a platform for European fighters to launch themselves into the MMA scene, and hopefully land lucrative contracts with other promotions.

Where do you see Europe MMA 3 years from now?
Doing our first tournament which will span over four shows, and hopefully some of those shows will be in various capital cities across Europe. Including England, Germany and Sweden.

Finally what sets Europa MMA apart from all the other promotions in the UK?
The main event of our first show represents what sets us apart, you are going to see high ranked guys from different countries across Europe meeting on neutral ground. To give both fighters the best opportunity and the fans and an experience of what the best across Europe have to offer. Helping grow peoples interest and support of other European fighters and promotions across the continent.

Thank you for your time Sean, we really appreciate it at such a busy time and all of us at the site are looking forward to your first event. As Sean said before that first event, Europa MMA 1 takes place at the Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex on 22nd March. Tickets are priced between £30 - £50 for this event.

Jeremy Petley vs Andre Winner Set for Europa MMA 1 Co-Main Event

Jeremy Petley vs Andre Winner Set for Europa MMA 1 Co-Main Event
by Chris houten - @mrhouts

A lightweight bout between 2 UK MMA veterans has been confirmed as the co-main event for Europa MMA 1.

5 time Bamma veteran, Jeremy Petley will take on Ultimate Fighter Season 9 runner up Andre Winner in the penultimate bout of Europa MMA 1's debut show in March.

Europa MMA 1 takes place March 22nd, at the Brentwood Centre, Essex and is headlined by Germany’s no.2 and Sweden’s no.2 ranked featherweights Max Coga and Niklas Backstrom. Tickets are now on sale HERE.

Fighting out of London Fight Factory, Canadian born lightweight Jeremy Petley has amassed a 10-4 record since making his pro debut in 2010. A well rounded fighter, Petley has finished 6 of his 10 victories - 2 TKOs, 4 submissions. Petley enters the bout at Europa MMA 1 on a 5 fight win streak, which has seen the 28-year old pick up victories in both Bamma and Made 4 the Cage, defeating notables such as Richie Downes and Dyson Roberts.

Best know for his time on the Ultimate Fighter Series 9, where he came runner up to Ross Pearson, 6 fight UFC vet, Andre Winner enter the bout at Europa MMA 1 hoping to get back to winning ways having lost his most recent bout against rising Polish prospect Mateusz Gamrot at KSW 24 this past September.

Since his release from the UFC, 32-year old Winner has put together a 3-2 run which includes an unsuccessful attempt at the Bamma lightweight title lossing a split decision to Rob Sinclair at Bamma 10. Widely considered one of the best technical boxers in MMA, Winner has finished 6 of his opponents - 3 by submission, 3 by TKO, and hold victories over notables such as Drew Fickett, Jason Ball, Rafaello Oliveira, and Roli Delgado.

"Putting this bout together was a tough challenge, Jeremy has been down to fight since day one and his opponents have change twice since December 2013. Every time we threw a name at Petley he said 'let’s do it'. So when the opportunity came for us to invite Andre Winner to compete on this card, Jeremy was the first guy we wanted to give the opportunity to." a Europa MMA Official said.

"We are incredibly happy to have Andre on the card, I was a big fan of his on the Ultimate Fighter, and in my opinion is still one of the best lightweights in the UK. I know this is an important fight for both guys and I think we can expect a great fight."

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on Europa MMA 1 

Professor Green To Headline UCFC Legends of MMA

Professor Green To Headline UCFC Legends of MMA

TOP British rapper Professor Green is heading the music acts taking to the stage at the UCFC-Keepmoat Stadium fight show.

Already the UK’s biggest fight show of 2013, the Legends of MMA boasts some of world’s top MMA fighters on its show being held in Doncaster on July 27th.

Now the show organisers have revealed that Professor Green will head an impressive array of music acts which include the Sunshine Underground and Jay MYa.

A UCFC spokesman said: “We are delighted to announce Professor Green is coming to headline the UCFC-Keepmoat Stadium Legends of MMA event.

“The event already has some of the world’s top fighters appearing and, combined with top class music acts such as The Sunshine Underground and Jay MYa, will be an event to remember.”
Professor Green has a string of top 30 single hits including “Just Be Good to Green”, “At Your Inconvenience” and “Read All About It”.

He has been nominated and won major music awards including the MOBO’s Best Hip-Hop Grime act 2010 and the NME’s Best Dancefloor Filler award in 2011.

The fight card is packed with some of the biggest MMA legends on the circuit including former Ultimate Fighting Championship legends Neil Wain, Ian Freeman, the former Vale Tudo champion and the USA’s Ken Shamrock, a UFC veteran.

There is also UFC’s and TUF finale contestant Andre Winner, Ricco Rodriguez, the former UFC heavyweight champ, the unbeaten Bellator fighter Karl Etherington.

The spokesman added: “As well as those top fighters we have more with Neil Grove, of Bellator, Dragan Pesic, Oli Thompson and Paul Taylor. Darren Towler will also be facing Colin Robinson in what will be an explosive fight.”

Not only is Keepmoat Stadium the home of Doncaster Rovers football team and the RLFC Dons, it is also the base for the Rover Belles female football side.

Tickets are now on sale at start from £50. Corporate - Box of 10 (£1000 + VAT) Limited numbers; VIP Restaurant - Tables of 10 (£850) Limited numbers; Olympic Seating - £120 (Cageside); and Standard Seating - £50.

To buy tickets phone 0844 324 5590, or go to the Keepmoat Stadium Ticket Office at www.keepmoatstadium.com or www.ucfc.tv

Kingdom MMA Exclusive: Rob Sinclair "Curt Warburton is next, he deserves his shot"

Kingdom MMA: Exclusive interview with BAMMA Lightweight World Champion Rob C4 Sinclair

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Tuesday 2nd April 2013 BAMMA Lightweight World Champion Rob Sinclair (12-2 MMA) kindly took some time out of his busy schedule and road to recovery to answer some questions for KingdomMMA.co.uk.

Ben: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview for Kingdom MMA. It is very much appreciated.

Firstly congratulations on your recent news, how long now until you become a father again? I believe your partner is having a little boy, is this correct and will this be your first son?
Sinclair: Yep, it's a little boy, he's due August 12th so we are past half way now, I'm really excited to see him.

Ben: Were you a fan of MMA before you started training?
Sinclair: To be honest not really, and the reason is I'd never even heard of it. I'd seen a clip on TV when I was partying with the boys in Greece but that's my only experience of it.

Ben: When did you first start training?
Sinclair: I started training around 2006, previously I'd done a little Thai boxing but nothing competitive.

Ben: Why did you start training MMA?
Sinclair: Mainly because my brother did, he got me to go training with him.

Ben: Was there a particular fight that you had seen that made you want to get in to MMA?
Sinclair: No there was no particular fight, I went training with Bisping and he was the first person I saw fight live.

Ben: Had you trained in any martial arts before you started training in MMA? Even if it was as a kid?
Sinclair: Like I say I did a little Thai boxing but nothing competitive, I was more into football to be honest.

Ben: Did you ever have any amateur fights? or did you go straight to pro? If so what was your amateur record?
Sinclair: I had what was once called pro b class, which is strikes to the ground with the 4oz gloves on but no elbows. I lost a split decision and I won my 2nd fight then I went straight to pro.

Ben: You now have a 12-2 MMA record with only 3 fights going the distance, do you pride yourself on the fact you put on exciting fights?
Sinclair: Yeah I guess so, I don't like going the distance and if you look at who i have gone the distance with it's pretty impressive. I'm 2-1 in decisions with the one loss by split decision, I like to get in and out, I really don't like to be in there longer than I have to be.

Ben: One of your losses was against Paul Sass, however you are one of only two people to fight Sass to a decision before losing a split decision. Would you like a rematch to avenge that loss even though I believe you are team kaobon team mates now?
Sinclair: No the fight is gone now and we are friends. I wanted the rematch because I wasn't happy with my performance, but I lived and learnt through the experience and it's made me a better fighter now I believe.

Ben: In your last fight against Andre Winner you went to the championship rounds for the first time and yet still proved you had the cardio to control the fight, against arguably your toughest opponent. How did you rate your performance in the last fight?
Sinclair: I was happy with it when I look back, Winner is a tough guy, great experience and a UFC vet. He was the number one in the UK of fighters outside the UFC, so I was happy. I maybe should of thrown more to try and get the finish but again each fight is a learning curve and Andre Winner doesn't lose many, so I'm happy I got the decision.

Ben: The Andre Winner fight was the first main event on channel 5. How did it feel being honoured to main event such a big moment for BAMMA and British MMA?
Sinclair: Yeah it was a great sporting moment for me, and against such a creditable opponent. We could of probably put on an even greater fight if we would have had proper time to prepare. I know Andre had a knee Injury and I had a bad elbow injury, but it turned out to be a great night for TV, BAMMA and the fans.

Ben: I believe you have just had the all clear following your injury and now returned to full training again, can you explain what injury you had and how it happened?
Sinclair: No I ain't had the all clear yet, I'm doing what I can. I can't run yet or wrestle, it's around 70% fixed thanks to Emma Fletcher and Dave Bell at Perform Centre. I was training at Full Contact Perform Centre in Rochdale and I was jumping on and off a box and my ankle just gave way.

Ben: You have spoken on twitter about applying for TUF twice and not getting in? Would you apply again if they did another lightweights series?
Sinclair: Yeah I applied twice, I went to Vegas for TUF 14 I think and then the smashes try outs. I got to the last 10 on the smashes series, but that was it. If there was another? Hmmm maybe.

Ben: Who would you like to fight next and when? do you think a fight against Curt Warburton will be your next fight and do you think he deserves a shot at your BAMMA World Championship belt?
Sinclair: Yeah it's gonna be Curt Warburton, I was supposed to fight him in march but this injury happened, so the fight didn't happen. I think he does deserve it, it will be a good fight.

Ben: Other than Curt Warburton do you see many more challengers within the British MMA scene that you have not already beat, or do you think the next challenge may lie fighting for a big American organisation?
Sinclair: I don't know, there's some good up and comers. I just focus on 1 fight at a time and at the moment it's getting my ankle better then I'll look to Curt.

Ben: Would you say you had any weaknesses inside the cage that you need to develop?
Sinclair: Weaknesses? Erm yeah definitely, but nobody has figured them out yet ;)

Ben: I think the fact that you are the Bamma lightweight world champion and only do MMA part time is a great achievement. How much better do you think you could be if you trained full time?
Sinclair: You have no idea, I have no idea, the sky's the limit. I don't think my opponents realise how hard I can hit, or how strong I am, or how mentally willed I am. Imagine training full time, like a lot of my past opponents I've beaten.

Ben: Recently BAMMA have started giving fighters exclusive contracts, is this the same for you and if so how many fights have you got left on your BAMMA contract?
Sinclair: I have 1 more fight on my current contract, then we will discuss another contract.

Ben: If you could fight anywhere in the world where would it be?
Sinclair: Manchester M.E.N Arena

Ben: As a fan do you have a favourite fighter?
Sinclair: Yeah I like Fedor and Chuck Liddell

Ben: If you could put together a fantasy fight who would you want to watch fight and why?
Sinclair: It's gonna have to be Anderson Silva vs Jon Jones, both are very dominant...

Ben: Finally do you have any training partners, or sponsors that you would like to thank?
Sinclair: Yeah I'd like to thank my coach Gav Boardman and Dave Bell from Predators MMA and Perform Centre. Emma Fletcher my Physio, Bad Boy, Real Nutrition, Glenn Slater co, Smuggling Duds, Soulmate Foods, Funky Gums, fightshop.com, my brothers Mick and Lewis, my girlfriend and daughter Georgia and Pascha, my unborn baby boy and my family.

Ben: Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in the cage again fighting for BAMMA.

Keep checking KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest news on Rob Sinclair, BAMMA and all the latest news from the world of MMA.