ACB 65 Sheffield: Ones to Watch

Sheffield plays host to ACB when the promotion sets out its stall at the Sheffield Arena with a card headlined by UFC vet Thiago Silva who will face Batraz Agnaev in a five round light heavyweight title clash. The event, put together at break neck speed when it was moved from its original stateside location, features a host of names, many of which will be fighting on UK soil for the first time. It seems only right to draw attention to some of the talent taking to the cage this Saturday.

Mike Grundy vs Michael Tobin
Currently riding on the crest of an impressive nine fight win streak Grundy, last seen in action way back in January of this year, will look to continue his run when he goes up against Michael Tobin. Tobin ‘The Great White’ whose last fight ended his 11 and 0 record when Dean Garnett produced a stunning spinning back kick to the body has every intention of getting back into the win column which makes this such a compelling match up. Both are slick, both are considered among the elite in their weight category and both always look to make a statement.

Niklas Backstrom vs Andrew Fisher
After a short run in the UFC it’s pleasing to see Backstrom has dusted himself off and is back on the hunt to lift a belt of some kind. This represents Backstrom’s first fight for the promotion having racked up three wins in a variety of promotions and those who have followed his career will know that he has insisted on fighting the best Europe and indeed the world has to offer. Andrew Fisher represents a step up in recent competition and could derail ‘The King of the North’s’ roll. Fisher’s record, whilst checkered, will pose a threat by way of experience making this a potential fight of the night candidate.

Brendan Loughnane vs Pat Healy
How long will Brendan Loughnane be denied an invite back to the UFC. The ex TUF competitor has been on a tear since leaving the house and has notable highlight finishes which to the casual observer would elicit the response ‘what else does he have to do to get into the UFC?’Loughnane is undoubtedly banking on a win over a widely recognised name in Healy to set him up for a future ACB title fight. The younger, hungrier Loughnane will look to take what will amount to an impressive scalp which he’ll obtain in impressive fashion.

Thiago Silva vs Batraz Agnaev
The relatively unknown Agnaev cut an impressive highlight reel KO in his last outing when he dispatched fellow light heavyweight Max ‘Power’ Nunes at ACB Supersonic. It’s pretty safe to say that the favourite going into this will be the UFC veteran Thiago Silva. After various bouts in a variety of mixed martial arts promotions Silva will aim to remove all memories of his last outing where he took Jared Torgeson to an uninspired decision win. Something tells me that we’ll see a return to the Thiago Silva of old and that’ll mean either a solid KO or more than likely an emphatic TKO.

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