In my monthly look at the ones to that hail from Europe, this edition features a host of top talent which I have distilled into a tidy list for your consideration. Inevitably there will be names returning to the cage this month that I will have missed out as they are being covered by other media outlets extensively, but here is an assortment of bouts which I feel will be compelling to watch.
Linton Vassell vs Ryan Bader – Bellator, Nov 3
Hoping to take the LHW strap back to Europe Vassell, more than most Brits in his weight class, stands decent chance because of his wrestling pedigree. Look for Vassell to showcase exceptional cardio and grappling. This coupled with crisp striking enables ‘The Swarm’ to manifest a shock victory here making history as the second Brit to hold LHW gold in Bellator.
James Vick vs Joe Duffy – UFC, Nov 4
After protracted negotiations around his fight contract Duffy returns to face a credible threat and a stiff test in Vick. Both coming of a couple of back to back wins I’m guessing it will be the more seasoned boxer Duffy who puts on a striking clinic when dispatching Vick in one of the early rounds. It’s a great appetiser for the main card and one of many potential fight of the nights that will feature at ‘The Garden’ that evening.
Alex Lohore vs Richard Kiely – BAMMA, Nov 10
Fresh off an emphatic victory over Nathan Jones, Alex Lohore finds himself in a risky match up against the self titled ‘Face of BAMMA’. Lohore’s tendency to savagely KO opponents and Kiely’s shallow pro fight record on the face of it makes an inevitable quick win for Lohore a sure thing. However, the MMA Gods have a habit of making a mockery of what makes sense on paper and from Kiely’s verbal attacks he has other ideas on how the bout looks set to play out.
Darren Stewart vs Karl Roberson – UFC, Nov 12
This will probably feel like a UFC debut for Stewart who has dropped one ‘No Contest’ and one loss since joining the UFC. Now fighting at middleweight he’ll look to hand Roberson his first loss coming into the promotion with five wins on his record. Stewart seems reinvigorated at his new weight and I’m guessing ‘The Dentist’ will look to loosen some teeth in a hunt for a KO TKO victory.
Cindy Dandois vs Kerry Hughes – Cage Warriors, Nov 25
After an impressive win on Cage Warriors when she spectacularly KO’d Amanda Kelly, Hughes returns to face UFC vet Dandois in what many are claiming will be her toughest challenge to date. With an exceptional striking pedigree expect Hughes to try to keep this standing with fierce exchanges from the opening round. It will be a pretty big scalp given Dandois has fought a literal who’s who of athletes if Hughes manages to get the job done. Hughes has shown on more than one occasion that she shouldn’t be counted out before she’s stepped into the cage.
So, I know I’ve probably missed bouts that you’re looking forward to. Let me know what these are via Twitter, Facebook or below.