Shawon Choudhury won the UK Fighting Championship (UKFC) amateur flyweight title last night. Facing Luke Burns of Aspire across a competitive fight, the ACE MMA prospect took home a decision as well as the belt. The question now begs to ask for the UK’s number one amateur flyweight: who is next?
Connor Walsh Rematch?
Back in November, Shawon Choudhury claimed his first title by defeating Connor Walsh at AFC in Liverpool. The fight was reminiscent of Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva’s first fight. Choudhury had moments throughout the fight, but Walsh was largely winning on the cards until the finish. Since then, Walsh has picked up two victories and even claimed the FCC flyweight title in his most recent outing.
Connor Walsh is a very impressive athlete with skills all over the cage. Known for his grappling dominance, his striking is also very important to note. Managing distance well, using the pressure to set up his ground game, it seems dangerous to engage with Walsh anywhere.
Training with other UK prospects Kurtis Campbell and Charlie Balmer, Walsh is a name to watch out for. Will he get the opportunity to avenge the only loss of his A-class amateur career?
Ciaran Heffernan?
Before Luke Burns stepped in at UKFC, Choudhury was originally set to face Ciaran Heffernan for the gold. Heffernan is a prospect out of Manchester Top Team who has been doing all the right things as of late.
2-0 with two finishes to his credit, Heffernan was in attendance at UKFC, and no doubt was watching the title fight. Once Choudhury is ready to get back in under the lights, the fight could be potentially re-made.
As I previously mentioned, Heffernan has never gone the distance. He has power in his hands more than that of your average flyweight, alongside a smothering ground game. Although only two fights into his amateur career, Heffernan has more experience than his record would suggest. Constantly looking to improve his skills at MTT, Heffernan has all the right tools, training partners and coaches to gun for gold.
Joe Fields?
Joe Fields needs no introduction. Coming off another victory at AFC, making him 5-1 with four finishes. Whether he goes for the AFC or UKFC belt is all down to the matchmakers now.
three knockout victories, all stemming from punches. Fields has immense power and isn’t afraid to show it. Training alongside another champion in George Staines, Fields has training partners who help him with his drive to become the best.
Whoever Fields fights, it is guaranteed to be a quality matchup. Competitively, Fields always accepts the toughest fights to step closer towards the inevitable title shot.
Who Will Be Next?
In conclusion, Shawon Choudhury has a lot of matchups available at his feet. The double champion has made his mark on the amateur scene, and it will take a special kind of challenger to unseat him.
Shawon has made all the right adjustments in his amateur career to show dominance wherever he goes, climbing his way to the top. Following in the footsteps of his coach Shaj Haque, Shawon has all the right people around him to go all the way if that is what he chooses.
The decision now lies with the matchmakers to choose who is next for “Beast Boy” after his title victory at the weekend. Regardless of who that may be, it will undoubtedly be a high-level affair with two warriors slugging it out for the number one spot.
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Featured image credits to UK Fighting Championship
