The main event will feature a fight that is years in the making as Irish MMA pioneer Rodney Moore (7-8) will come out of retirement to face UK MMA veteran and reality TV celebrity Alex Reid (10-9-1).
Moore last fought in 2012 pushing former UFC fighter Dean Lister to the third round but succumbing to a heel hook by the two-time ADCC gold medallist. A chance at headlining a card in the Odyssey Arena is what tempted the 40-year-old out of retirement and he is said to be more motivated than ever and looking to go out on a high.
Alex Reid is one of the most household MMA names in the UK and Ireland due his celebrity lifestyle making him a mainstream star. Reid however is also an incredibly tough fighter as proven on many occasions. He has fought some of the best fighters in the world including former UFC champ Dave Menne, Marilo Rua and who can forget his five round war with Tom ‘Kong’ Watson. Reid has won his past two fights, most recently at BAMMA 11 with a unanimous decision victory over Sam Boo.
A massive (literally) fight that will pit a former UFC heavyweight against a former Pride heavyweight will serve as the co-main event for the evening. Northern Ireland’s own Colin ‘Big C’ Robinson (10-11) takes on James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson (18-14).
‘Big C’ recently snapped a seven-fight-skid with a TKO victory over the hard-hitting Darren Towler. That seven-fight-skid included loses to some of best heavyweights around including Stefan Struve, Dan Severn, and Philip De Fries. Standing at 6ft 4in and 240+ lbs Robinson has proved himself as a dangerous striker finishing 6 of his 10 wins by KO/TKO. He also returns to the venue where he made his UFC debut against Eddie Sanchez at UFC 72.
Thompson is one of the most travelled heavyweights around having competed in promotions such as Pride, Deep, SFL, KSW, Cage Rage, and Elite XC all on his long CV. Currently undefeated in four fights, his best run since 2005, he brings with him an 89% finishing rate.
The fight card also feature a selection of top local talent.
The always exciting Artem Lobov (7-7) will compete against dangerous Scottish fighter John Cullen (15-7-2). Lobov has churned in some of his best performances ever lately putting together a good streak but that was halted in his last bout. Cullen has one of the most impressive finishing records having won by stoppage in each of his wins.
Liam Shannon (4-3) recently made his comeback with a dominating performance earlier in 2013 and he will need a similar effort if he is to overcome the dangerous striker Conor Cooke (4-3).
‘Youth vs. Experience’ is the theme of the next fight as brash youngster Alan Philpott (10-6) faces one of Ireland’s most experienced fighters in Steven McCombe (20-21-1).
Full Fight Card:
Alex Reid vs Rodney Moore
James Thompson vs Colin Robinson
John Cullen vs Artem Lobov
Conor Cooke vs Liam Shannon
Alan Philpott vs Steven McCombe
Sean Crowe vs Paul Craig
Ali Maclean vs Michael Doyle
James McErlean vs Stevie Kilfin
Chris McDonald vs Mark Palmer
Amateur Undercard
TITLE – Connor White vs TBC
TITLE – Ayo Daly vs Cianan Toland
Paul Kelly vs Fearghal Brown
Lee Finlay vs Curtis Mooney
Gavin O’Neill vs Scott Keenan
Cristiana Theodoli vs Sinead Kavanagh
Joe Armstrong vs Gerard McKee
(card subject to change)