Almighty FC 24 goes down this weekend in Liverpool,and we’ve got a loaded card at hand. Four title fights are topped off with Raphael Uchegbu‘s attempt at 61 KG (Bantamweight) gold. Sure, the pro portion of the card is action-packed, but this is one of the best amateur slates you’ll ever see.
With four titles on the line and the premier show in town, Liverpool will be rocking Saturday evening. So, ladies and gentlemen, you may want to fasten your seatbelt as I’ve got you covered with some of the fighters YOU should watch this weekend.
PRO: Raphael Uchegbu (5-0)
Team Kaobon is known for UFC stand-outs Darren Till and Tom Aspinall, but plenty more killers roam the mats at Kaobon. Raphael Uchegbu just so happens to be one of them. The 5-0 pro combines slick, unpredictable striking with a phenomenal top game.
It’s come to be expected from Team Kaobon that their fighters will be sharp on the feet, but Uchegbu’s star does not dim on the mat. Raphael has beautiful entries and especially succeeds at getting the fight to the ground off the fence. He’s never content with only having top position either, as he consistently takes every opportunity to inflict damage. If Raph is on top, his opponent is in trouble, as seen in his last Almighty victory.
Focusing attention on his ground game does not take away from his stand-up at all. Raphael is smooth in his footwork, and in his shot selection. He uses his long, lanky frame as well as anyone you’ll see at this level. Raphael has smooth boxing, and his lead roundhouse kick is a game changer when it comes to the feet. Combine everything mentioned, and you may realize that Raphael Uchegbu could just steal the show at Almighty 24.
PRO: Anthony O’Connor (4-4)
Surprise, surprise, it’s Team Kaobon again. Anthony O’Connor is a real, legitimate fight mind. The type of person who just loves everything about fighting. He spoke with CSUK earlier this week and that much was easy to see, even in simple conversation. A delight both in the cage and out.
Anthony’s most recent pro stint was in Cage Warriors, where he had three fights with the promotion. He hasn’t fought since December of 2020. Anthony told our Lewis Simpson that ever since returning to Kaobon, he’s been in the gym day and night. Not only has Anthony been training consistently, he’s also been coaching up and coming fighters in the gym as well.
O’Connor is in his first fight since his Cage Warriors run, which had its highs and lows. Anthony sandwiched a win over Steven Hooper in between two stoppage losses. These losses don’t tell the full story. Both opponents that overcame Anthony in Cage Warriors still stand undefeated with the promotion. Both men are nearing a title shot, and Mike Figlak has demanded attention from MMA promotions worldwide. Losses to world class talent in a world class promotion is helpful, not hurtful. This promises to help Anthony at Almighty 24. Overlooking O’Connor is a massive mistake.
PRO: Tom Mullen (1-1)
If you see the 1-1 pro record and scoff, then you put more value into records than into skillset. Yes’ Tom Mullen is coming off of his first loss in this MMA journey, but knowing this teaches you nothing. For many top tier fighters, a tough loss to an opponent like Mark Ewen is what pushes them to new heights. I believe Tom is one of those fighters.
Tom isn’t your average 1-1 prospect. In his amateur run, Tom finished all but one of his opponents in the very first round. Up until his final amateur bout, Mullen had only been past 90 seconds once. That one time, he took 2:50 to submit his opponent. His pro debut was more of the same. Just over twenty seconds into the first round, Tom stopped his opponent with a head kick. Statement made.
Tom next got in there with Mark Ewen, and we know what happened there. I spoke with Tom earlier this week, and he insisted that he is going to get back into the win column. A fire is burning inside of Tom that’s often seen in top tier fighters after a frustrating loss. I can’t wait to see how he responds at Almighty 24.
AMATEUR: Kurtis Campbell (6-0)
We’ve arrived at the amateur slate, and where better to start than with the Pink Panther. Kurtis Campbell currently holds three Championships in promotions outside of Almighty. Campbell holds two Championships in the well-respected UKFC promotion, and one in FCC as well. At Almighty FC 24, he makes the daring attempt at a fourth belt in a third promotion.
Campbell will be making his debut with Almighty FC in this one, but the lights have never shined too bright for the young prospect to this point. I believe it’s safe to say they won’t be too bright now. Taking the Almighty Championship is exactly the type of statement that would cement Kurtis’ reputation as an elite prospect. A prospect who won’t take anything less than number one, period.
Many view Kurtis as the number one in the UK amongst his division, and it’s hard to argue that. The young man is as accomplished as you can possibly be on the amateur scene, and continues to strive for more. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time covering this sport, it’s that the great ones never settle for good enough. If there’s one thing Kurtis isn’t doing, it’s settling. Kurtis ‘The Pink Panther’ Campbell is an issue for anyone who finds themselves across from him. That doesn’t mean nobody is willing, though.
AMATEUR: Tiarnan Loughran (6-0)
Tiarnan Loughran is where willing meets able. I spoke with the Irishman earlier this week, and he stated that initially, he was offered to fight Kurtis. Loughran also told me he accepted the fight. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, that isn’t the fight we get to see Tiarnan in this weekend.
Tiarnan finds himself a day away from battle with Teddy Stringer for the 70KG Amateur Championship of Almighty. The confidence oozed by Tiarnan is unlike anything I’ve seen in recent memory, outside from his brother Caolan (who fights at Cage Warriors 135). Sure, some of the confidence has to come from working with his brother, but training at Team Kaobon has to be the driving factor.
Tiarnan told me he plans to go 10-0 at Amateur and get the number one pound for pound ranking in the UK and Ireland, and that if it meant fighting Kurtis Campbell next, he’s in. The task currently at hand is Teddy Stringer, but Loughran isn’t worried. “Teddy’s experienced, experienced at losing” is what Tiarnan had to say about his opponent in our short chat this week. He followed that by stating Teddy is a game opponent who always comes for a scrap, but Tiarnan expects to pressure Teddy early and get him out of there. So much to unpack surrounding Tiarnan, which is why he’s one to watch.
Follow me on Twitter @Uncaged_Media, and follow us at Combat Sports UK for more exclusive content!
