UKFC has continued their form in announcing top amateur matchups lately. They announced that Matthew Pugh and Nayem Hoque would fight at a 60kg catchweight under B-Class rules this week.
Matthew Pugh vs Nayem Hoque
Both fighters are looking to return to the win column. Hoque is looking to pick up his first MMA win. Nayem Hoque trains out of ACE MMA in South Shields and is the brother of undefeated prospect Sami Hoque. To say he is in good hands with his training partners.
Pugh is no slouch, though. An accomplished grappler fighting out of Reps MMA, Matthew has shared a mat with Zach & Corey Fry, Connor Hitchens, and other accomplished fighters. Specialising in his mat work, it is likely that Hoque’s last outing caught Pugh’s eye in training camp. After a strong showing, a late submission loss is what put ACE’s young prospect on the back foot with his record.
Don’t let that 0-1 fool you at first glance. Nayem Hoque has powerful shots that can land at any time and trains with some very decorated grapplers inside his uncle’s gym. It would not shock me to see that he would be prepared for any grappling offence that would come his way, essentially turning the bout into a human chess match.
Letting these two young prospects clash so early in their amateur careers will honestly be a treat for those watching. The quality of amateur MMA grows by the day, and watching two hungry athletes go at it for the honour of a win will truly be an interesting one at that.
Are you team Pugh or team Hoque? Make sure to show your support as they head into the bout!
UKFC
UKFC takes place on the 12th of March and will surely be a great event with high-level fights. Make sure to support everyone involved, as regional events like this help athletes massively. Getting cage time is vital as they progress their game and climb the rankings. The UFC is a long shot away for many athletes, but the support these fighters can get at regional events will mean the world to them. Make sure to send a message of support, buy a ticket or PPV, or even acknowledge the work they’re putting in to chase their dreams!
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Featured image credits to UK Fighting Championships
