BAMMA 14 has almost arrived and on Sat, Dec 14th, live from the LG Arena, Birmingham, the promotion will host what promises to be a fitting end to another landmark year for the promotion.
The card will undoubtedly feature some of the UK’s most talented and highly renowned stars, yet victory is by no means a foregone conclusion and BAMMA’s best of British will be eager to prove that their reverence and notoriety remains altogether justified.
Here are three fighters who most certainly fall into this category and will know that an impressive win will be the perfect gift to set them up for the New Year ahead –
1. Jim “Judo” Wallhead (24/8/0) is one such fighter who will be desperate to immediately return to the win column following a mixed 2013 that has seen his record splintered between both victory and defeat. The Leicestershire stand-out made quick work of UFC veteran Matt Veach back at BAMMA 12 before dropping a razor-thin decision to the American Eddy Ellis which saw the BAMMA World Welterweight Championship slip through the Englishman’s grasp. Wallhead will know that a victory is crucial if he is to re-emerge as the number one contender yet his opponent, Florent Betorangal (14/8/0) will be in no mood to roll over for the Judoka and will provide a stern test with his own grappling credentials.
2. Another Brit who will be looking to make a statement come fight night is Colin “Freakshow” Fletcher (9/3/0) who has had one of the most eventful twelve months of any British fighter in the sport. After blasting his way into the UFC by way of The Ultimate Fighter he was unceremoniously dumped by the promotion following successive defeats, yet the incomparable “Freaskshow” made a successful return at BAMMA 13 with a solid decision over Tim Newman and needs to prove he should still be considered among the elite by claiming the World Lightweight Championship from Mansour “Tarzan” Barnaoui (10/2/0). The fact that the champion has called out the challenger proves how highly regarded Fletcher is and a win for “Freakshow” would provide the perfect end to a tumultuous year for the Geordie jester.
3. The one Brit who perhaps personifies BAMMA’s best of British more than anyone else is none other than Paul “Semtex” Daley (33-13-2) who will be targeting another highlight laden performance following a frustrating year of frenetic activity. Nottingham’s finest has remained busy throughout 2013, winning three of his four contests, yet legal issues have prevented the Brit from competing in the Bellator Welterweight Tournament, forcing him to seek alternative employment in a disparate conclave of regional promotions. Daley always looks for the spectacular finish and having not fought in BAMMA for going on two years he will be keen to make a statement upon his return to the company. His opponent Romario Manoel da Silva (23-11-1) should oblige with a fan-friendly approach, having vowed to meet “Semtex” front and centre and with Daley recently announcing plans to divide his time between MMA and Kickboxing this contest could showcase why he remains one the most exciting and unpredictable fighters competing in combat sports today.