UKFC is ready to make a splash with their first show of 2022, UKFC 18, live on LIVE MMA. Although there are only four pro bouts on the docket, there is a SALIVATING twenty-five (!!!) fight amateur slate. Three of those pairings just so happen to be incredibly intriguing Championship show-downs.
Before we get to the title tilts, the top of the UKFC 18 pro card. Mike, “The Fury” Thompson, makes the walk for the first time since his first professional loss. His opponent will be 20-fight vet Martin Fouda. When we spoke with Mike, he told us to expect a dominant performance.
Manchester Top Team’s Louis Lee Scott and Team Torres prospect Daire Toman in the loaded Bantamweight weight class. Elsewhere, Connor Hughes and Corey Fry both enter UKFC 18 undefeated in the pro ranks, 3-0 and 1-0, respectively. Both will be taking on pro debutants, and both expect to leave victorious.
The Amateur Title Fights
The first of the title fights will be contested at Flyweight. Team ACE’s Shawon Choudhury has been on a tear, standing at 6-1 in the amateur circuit. Not to mention, Shawon is the current reigning Amateur Almighty FC Flyweight Champion as well. He will be fighting Luke Burns, a 4-1 prospect fighting out of Aspire on three weeks’ notice. We spoke to Luke, and he told us that he expects to be better everywhere.
Chris Morris enters with a 7-1 amateur record and wages war with the 10-4 Jose Machado. The Amateur European Light Welterweight Championship is on the line. Matthews is a finisher, and it’s no secret. All but one of Morris’ victories have ended with a stoppage. Machado is coming off a solid showing at the 2022 IMMAF Senior World Championships, winning two fights in three days.
Sandwiched in between is Aspire’s Jack Axworthy, who will be looking to move to 5-0 in his amateur career. He takes on Manchester Predators representative Tom Wright. The amateur UKFC Bantamweight Championship will be up for grabs, but who will grab it?
UKFC 18 LIVE RESULTS:
Catchweight (68kg/149.6lbs): Mike “The Fury” Thompson (2-1) vs Martin Fouda (5-15-1)
This fight will occur at a catchweight of 68KG (150 lbs). Mike represents The MMA Academy and is coming off of his first pro loss. Martin represents Pancrase Gym in Sweden and looks to avoid his fifth straight defeat.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Mike Thompson defeats Martin Fouda via Unanimous Decision
Bantamweight (61.7KG/136LBS): Louis Lee Scott (2-0) vs Daire Toman (2-1)
Highly touted Manchester Top Team prospect Louis Lee Scott looks to continue his undefeated run. After a setback in his pro debut, Daire Toman tries to push his winning streak to three. So something has got to give, but who will give it?
OFFICIAL RESULT: Louis Lee Scott defeats Daire Toman via third round submission (RNC).
Catchweight (68kg/149.6lbs): Corey Fry (2-0) vs Cesar Valencia (0-0)
Corey Fry tries to extend his win streak against Cesar Valencia, who is 0-2 in his amateur career. This will be his professional debut, and it is a very tall task.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Corey Fry defeated Cesar Valencia via first round KO.
Catchweight (72kg/158.4lbs): Connor Hughes (3-0) vs Javier Cuestas Rojas (0-0)
Connor Hughes enters attempting to get a fourth straight first-round finish to start his career. His opponent is Javier Cuestas Rojas, and there is plenty of mystery surrounding Javier. Javier has no recorded fight record, but that could help him be a completely unknown commodity.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Connor Hughes defeats Javier Rojas via first round submission (RNC).
Amateur European Light Welterweight Championship (74.8kg/165lbs): Chris Morris (7-1) vs Jose Machado (10-4)
This title fight should be explosive. Chris Morris has secured six finishes, but Jose has five himself. So, this fight is likely to be action-packed. With as much amateur experience as you could ask for, this could be a barnburner.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Chris Morris defeats Jose Machado via Unanimous Decision to become the NEW UKFC Amateur Light Welterweight Champion.
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Amateur Bantamweight Championship (61.2kg/136lbs): Tom Wright (3-3) vs Jack Axworthy (4-0)
The Bantamweight belt is on the line, and both men will be chasing gold. Undefeated Jack Axworthy’s seeing gold, but Tom Wright of the Manchester Predators wants nothing more than to rip it away. Will Jack Axworthy win his fifth straight at UKFC 18?
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jack Axworthy defeats Tom Wright via Unanimous Decision to become the NEW UKFC Amateur Bantamweight Champion.
Amateur Flyweight Championship: Shawon Choudhury (6-1) vs Luke Burns (4-1)
Almighty FC Champion Shawon Choudhury chases a second belt at UKFC 18, but Luke Burns dreams of playing spoiler. ACE MMA and Aspire are two of the brightest gyms in the UK, and these are two very bright prospects from each gym. With both fighters finishing all but one of their wins, we’re anticipating a firefight, and I believe you are too.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Shawon Choudhury defeated Luke Burns via Unanimous decision to become the NEW UKFC Amateur Flyweight Champion.
With only one loss in ten combined fights, this is a pairing between two fighters who refuse to lose. The winner of this one could see a title fight next, and you’d struggle to find someone to disagree with.
Amateur Lightweight: Conor Dearn (4-0) vs Aaron Mcdonald (5-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Aaron McDonald defeats Conor Dearn via Second Round Submission (RNC).
Amateur Lightweight: Callum Connor (4-0) vs Denis Frimpong (2-1)
Callum Connor looks to move to 5-0 at the expense of Ireland’s Denis Frimpong, but Denis isn’t relying on it. Both of these fighters are must-watch prospects, which could be the fight of the night.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Callum Conor defeats Denis Frimpong via Split Decision.
Amateur Featherweight: Aaron Small (5-0) vs Ruairi Lavery (5-2)
The featherweights are ready to get down and dirty. Both of these men could be seeing the pro ranks very soon. This could be a statement victory on the amateur career of either man.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Aaron Small defeats Ruairi Lavery via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Catchweight (64kg/140.8lbs): Zach Fry (5-3) vs Dan Holt (2-0)
Zach Fry looks for his fifth win at amateur, but Dan Holt attempts to complete the trifecta and move to 3-0. Who comes out on top?
OFFICIAL RESULT: Zach Fry defeats Dan Holt via second round TKO (Doctor Stoppage).
Amateur Flyweight: Nils Goitom (1-0) vs Diogo Ramos (1-2)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Nils Goitom defeats Diogo Ramos via Unanimous decision.
Amateur Catchweight (64kg/140.8lbs) Jay Kinsella (0-0) vs Paul Burns (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jay Kinsella defeats Paul Burns via First Round TKO (Strikes from Mount).
Amateur Catchweight (64kg/140.8lbs): Charlie Flanagan (2-1) vs Alex Gil (5-6)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Charlie Flanagan defeats Alex Gil via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Catchweight (64kg/140.8lbs): Aftab Javed (4-4) vs Leon Williams (5-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Leon Williams defeats Aftab Javed via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Welterweight: Jason Weaver (1-0) vs Andy Green (2-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Andy Green defeats Jason Weaver via Split Decision.
Amateur Catchweight (60kg/132lbs): Jack Grundy (1-0) vs Victor Goncalves (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Victor Goncalves defeats Jack Grundy via Disqualification (Illegal Knee).
Amateur Bantamweight: Corin Smith (2-1) vs Imran Yaman (1-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Imran Yaman defeats Corin Smith via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Welterweight: Caine Le Tissier (1-0) vs Mati Mazur (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Mati Mazur defeats Caine Le Tissier via second round submission (Triangle Choke).
Amateur Featherweight: Kane McGaughey (0-0) vs Aaron Haake (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Aaron Haake defeats Kane McGauhey via First Round Knockout.
Amateur Flyweight: Alex Home (1-0) vs Abdul Choudhury (1-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Alex Home defeats Abdul Choudhury via First Round Submission (Guillotine).
Amateur Flyweight: Jimmy Saddique (2-2) vs Dan Farrell (3-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Jimmy Saddique defeats Dan Farrell via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Flyweight: Yannick Goitom (0-0) vs Romeu Nobrega (0-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Yannick Goitom defeats Romeu Nobrega via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Featherweight: Mitch Wood (1-1-1) vs Lewis Loynes (1-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Mitch Wood defeats Lewis Loynes via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Lightweight: Josh Dean (0-1) vs Frank Kenny (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Frank Kenny defeats Josh Dean via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Flyweight: Dane Bolton (1-0) vs Conor Donaldson (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Dane Bolton defeats Conor Donaldson via Unanimous Decision.
Amateur Middleweight: Tristan Smith (2-0) vs Tomas Sinko (0-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Tomas Sinko defeats Tristan Smith via Retirement (Injury) in the second round.
Amateur Catchweight (60kg/132lbs): Mathew Pugh (2-1) vs Nayem Hoque (0-1)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Matthew Pugh defeats Nayem Hoque via Submission (RNC) in the second round.
Amateur Bantamweight: Salah Ayuby (2-1) vs Joel McArdle (1-0)
OFFICIAL RESULT: Saluh Ayuby defeats Joel McArdle via Unanimous Decision
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Featured image credits to UK Fighting Championships
