Britain’s top UK Lightweight fighter Brendan Loughnane (12-2 MMA) has confirmed that he will be fighting on #ACBManchester in March, which ends rumours that he would be fighting Paddy Pimblett under the Cage Warriors banner.
Loughnane will still compete at Tanko Fighting Championships 2 on 3rd December against Paul Cook, before starting 2017 under the ACB banner. So with that in mind and in typical #WHOATV we have devised a list of opponents we would love to see him fight at #ACBManchester;
Saul Rogers
With Rogers signalling his content to stay with ACB for the foreseeable future you have to think that the promotion will be looking to use Rogers as their go to guy especially when the show rocks up in the UK. Having made light work of Michel Adalena at #ACBGlasgow a match up with Loughnane would certainly be a huge fight for the Manchester card and a guaranteed ticket seller. Arguably two of the very best Lightweights in the UK would certainly make for an entertaining bout and seeing these two fight anyone outside of this level of competition would be criminal.
Mike Wilkinson
Another solid Manchester based fighter who along with Loughnane would definitely put bums on seats in Manchester, but also make for a very high level fight. Wilkinson unfortunately was injured ahead of #ACBGlasgow so we didn’t get to see him back in the UK, but rest assured he would jump at the opportunity to fight Loughnane.
Norman Parke
Parke picked up a crucial win over Andrew Fisher in Glasgow and it was a much needed win for the Northern Irishman. In a post fight interview he stated that he wasn’t quite ready to go back to the UFC, so a match-up with someone like Loughnane would make perfect sense for him. It’s likely that he is going to be fighting again before the year is up but he should definitely be looking to fight for ACB when they return to the UK and a bout with Loughnane could certainly be the attractive offer he seeks.
Charlie Leary
Leary has had a fantastic 2016, picking up four wins on the bounce and in his latest fight defeating Rob “C4” Sinclair and I feel that Leary is definitely now ready to make that step up in competition. A bout with Loughnane would really be a solid test for both men and give Leary the opportunity that I feel he deserves. Don’t let his record fool you, Leary could give any 155lbers a run for their money on his day.
Mansour Barnaoui
Barnaoui is in my eyes one of the best 155lbers outside the UFC and on his day could step in against any promotional Champion and give them a run for their money. He has been known to bounce around promotions and has a bout for KSW in December scheduled, but if ACB were able to wave their magic wands a Barnaoui Vs Loughnane bout could easily be one of the best European Lightweight bouts you could sign at any time.