Tom Breese “I will be looking to compete November or December this year.”

Tom Breese “I will be looking to compete November or December this year.”

Credit Cage Warriors

by Andreas Georgiou - @AGeorgiouMMA

Birmingham's Tom “Fearless” Breese has been tipped by many as one of UKMMA's next stars. With all six of his professional wins coming by finishes, Breese has shown success with his aggressive yet calculated style of fighting. 

Despite only being 22 years-old, Breese has already trained with some of the world's best at Tristar Gym in Canada.

He was set to take UKMMA by storm after his British welterweight title win at BAMMA 11. However, a severe ACL injury meant that Breese has spent the last year on the sidelines. 

In an interview with Love2Fight magazine's George McCann, Breese admitted he had partially torn his ACL a year before the actual injury, although he completely tore it whilst training at Tristar gym in July 2013. He started undergoing constructive surgery that November. 

“I'm currently eight months and three weeks post-op from ACL surgery. Recovery has gone great, I returned to full training at eight months post-op and feel sharper than ever.” 

Breese has stressed the importance of not rushing his return from injury, in order to preserve the longevity of his career. 

“It is very important not to rush back. This injury is very serious and can ruin a fighters career if it is not looked after and rehabilitated in the best way possible.

MMA is my whole life, without it I would be lost, so I have been extremely dedicated to rehabilitating my knee and I will continuing with strength work and rehab for the rest of my career.”

He defeated Warren Kee in December 2012 to become the BAMMA British Middleweight champion, calling it his defining moment. Yet, the following April, the Fearless MMA fighter accepted a multi-fight contract offer with Cage Warriors. 

“Winning the BAMMA title was a great achievement. Then the opportunity came to sign for Cage Warriors and I couldn't turn down the chance to fight higher calibre opponents and test my self in Europe's toughest division. 

When I signed with Cage Warriors last year I was very excited to fight for Europe's best show and test my fighting style against a stacked welterweight division. 

Now I'm even more excited and hungry, I've improved physically and mentally in the last year.” 

With any fighter out for a lengthy period time, there is the worry of ring rust upon their return, but the 22 year old has no such uncertainty. 

“I haven't fought in such a long time but I will be better because of it. I don't believe in ring rust. I had a year out from sparring and had my first spar a couple of weeks ago my timing was better than ever I believe that's because I kept in great shape during my recovery.” 

Although he has been out of action, Breese has admitted to keeping a close eye on the competition. “I drive down to every show in England or Wales and watch. I like to go to the events to visualise and prepare mentally for fight time. Also I'm a big fan of the sport and more than happy to travel to watch a great show live.” 

Breese remains undefeated at both amateur and professional level. He has finished all six of his pro bouts, 90% of them by submission. It is clear he will be a true challenge to anyone in the welterweight division once he debuts under the Cage Warriors banner. 

“The welterweight division is very exciting and I can't wait to compete in it. I will not target a single name as I'm ready to fight anyone in the division. 

I dedicate my whole life to being the best in the world and that's what I'm working towards everyday.” 

After Cathal Pendred relinquished his welterweight title upon accepting to take part on The Ultimate Fighter season 19, it was up to Cage Warriors to crown a new champion. At CWFC 66, Nicolas Dalby finished Sergei Churilov in the fourth round to take the gold. The fight took place in Dalby's homeland of Denmark. 

“I think Nicolas Dalby is a exciting fighter and brings a different style of fighting into the Cage Warriors welterweight division so do many other of the welterweights. I look forward to solving these puzzles and showcasing my fighting style.” 

With the rest of the welterweight division continuing to improve, including talented fighters such as Jack Mason, Mohsen Bahari, and Jake Bostwick, Breese is looking forward to mixing it up with the best. Hopefully for him, before the end of 2014. 

“Everything is going to plan so far and I will be looking to compete November or December this year. Next year I plan to be extremely active.”

You can keep up to date with Tom Breese's return by following him on Twitter - @Breese0121

Rob Sinclair Out Of Lightweight Tournament, Ricardo Tirloni Now Set To Face Rich Clementi

Rob Sinclair Out Of Lightweight Tournament with Knee Injury 

A knee injury has forced England’s Rob Sinclair out of the Bellator Season 9 Lightweight Tournament, which takes place September 27th from Portland’s Moda Center on September 27th live on Spike. Sinclair will now be replaced by Bellator veteran Ricardo Tirloni. The Brazilian submission ace was originally scheduled to face Marcin Held in a lightweight feature fight, but will now move into the tournament, while Held will take on Portland native Ryan Healy.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting Bellator.com, as well as the Moda Center Box Office. The event will broadcast LIVE starting at 6 p.m. PST on Spike, as well as in Spanish language on mun2. The preliminary card will be streamed LIVE and FREE on Spike.com starting at 4 p.m. PST.

The full fight card can be found below:

MAIN CARD:

Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal: Mark Godbeer (8-1) vs. Cheick Kongo (18-8-2)
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Marcus Davis (22-9) vs. Tiger Sarnavskiy (23-1)
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: John Alessio (34-16) vs. Will Brooks (10-1)
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Martin Stapleton (12-1) vs. Saad Awad (14-5)
Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Ricardo Tirloni (15-4) vs. Rich Clementi (45-22-1)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Lightweight Feature Fight: Scott Thometz (6-2) vs. Brent Primus (2-0)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Andy Uhrich (9-3) vs. Nathan Coy (12-4)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Joe Pacheco (6-0) vs. Tyson Jeffries (10-7)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Marcin Held (15-3) vs. Ryan Healy (23-12-1)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Jeremiah Riggs (7-7) vs. Peter Aspinwall (3-3)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Austin Springer (3-0) vs. Brent Alvarez (1-1)

Cage Warriors add 6 Brits to Roster

Cage Warriors add 6 Brits to Roster

Photo: Gavin Morris | Cage Warriors

Europe's leading MMA promotion Cage Warriors has today confirmed the addition of UK based fighters Saul Rogers (pictured), Arnold Allen, Danny Lawson, Paddy Pimblett, Sean Carter and Fabio Ferrari, all who join the promotions ever expanding roster on exclusive 5 fight deals.


Rogers (7-1) puts pen to paper having made an impressive CWFC debut in Liverpool last weekend when he submitted Jason Cooledge in the first round of their bout at Cage Warriors 57.

The 21-year-old lightweight said: “I’m delighted to have signed with Cage Warriors and I really appreciate the opportunity I’ve been given. I’m stoked about the whole thing. I couldn’t be happier.
“Neither Cage Warriors nor MMA fans will ever be disappointed by my performances. I can promise that all my fights will be well worth watching.”

Allen (4-0), a 19-year-old featherweight, joins the CWFC ranks after he also won by first-round submission in his promotional debut earlier this month against Andy Green at Cage Warriors 56.

Lawson (8-3), a 24-year-old featherweight who’ll soon make his Cage Warriors debut, has taken all but one of his wins by stoppage and is currently on a six-fight win-streak.

Pimblett (4-0), an 18-year-old bantamweight, took his first three professional wins by first-round stoppage before earning an impressive unanimous-decision win over Florian Calin at Cage Warriors 56.

Carter (6-0) is now 2-0 with CWFC thanks to wins this year against Matt Hughes and Adam Boussif, which saw the 28-year-old lightweight keep his unbeaten record intact.

Ferrari (6-2-1), a 27-year-old Brazilian-born middleweight, overcame Brett Sizeland at Cage Warriors 56 and also holds a notable win over CWFC veteran Henry Fadipe.

“I’m very happy with this latest batch of signings,” said Cage Warriors CEO Graham Boylan. “They’re six guys with excellent records and their best years still ahead of them. I look forward to seeing them develop with Cage Warriors.”

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest Cage Warriors news as it happens.

Brits Rob Silnclair & Martin Stapleton Included in Belllator Season 9 Tournament

Brits Rob Silnclair & Martin Stapleton Included in Belllator Season 9 Tournament

The Toughest Tournament In Sports continues as Portland’s Rose Garden Arena plays hosts to Bellator MMA on Friday, September 27^th. The night will showcase the opening round of the Bellator Lightweight Tournament, as well as stacked preliminary card.

No stranger to the MMA game, Marcus Davis will use his veteran talent as he faces Russian submission artist Tiger Sarnavskiy. Davis is well aware of the opportunity at stake for his future, but will have to hold off Sarnavskiy, who holds an impressive 24-1 professional record.

After spending only 74 seconds in the cage with two first round knockouts last season, but falling to David Rickels in the Season 8 Tournament Final, Saad Awad is ready for redemption. Awad will face UK striker Martin Stapleton, who enters the fight riding an eight fight win streak and brings an impressive 12-1 record to the cage.   

“Bellator always brings top tier athletes from around the world and I'm excited that I get to be a part of this upcoming tournament again,” Awad said. “I’ve added a few things to my arsenal and I can't wait to showcase them and put on a great show.”

Fan favorite Will Brooks will also return to the big stage and battle MMA veteran John Alessio. After suffering just the first loss of his professional career in the Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Semifinal to Saad Awad, Brooks is ready to get back under the bright lights.

“I just want to get back in the winner circle,” Brooks said. “I have some unfinished business from last season and I am going to keep it simple, to the point and devastating for every fight. I need and want the belt and I am going to take it from whoever has it, but I am hoping it will be Michael Chandler.”

Making his Bellator debut, England’s own Rob Sinclair will battle long time veteran Rich Clementi on September 27th. With 27 submission wins in his professional career, Clementi will look to his experience in the cage to take down Sinclair, and put it all on the line for a last tournament run.  

“I am so excited to have the chance to compete again,” Clementi said. “For those who have been following me, I made an official retirement a few months ago and was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. The last few years of competing, I’ve been running on four flat tires, but after being under treatment for the last three months and my body is responding well. Fighting is who I am and the thought of not being able to do that was devastating. I am so excited to get back in the cage and show people what I am made of.”

Bellator MMA Main Card:

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Marcus Davis (22-9) vs. Tiger Sarnavskiy (23-1)

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Will Brooks (10-1) vs. John Alessio (34-16)

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Saad Awad (14-5) vs. Martin Stapelton (12-1)

Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round: Rob Sinclair (12-2) vs. Rich Clementi (45-22-1)