5 UK Fighters to Follow 2012 - Part One
This list is not solely based on fighters who should be fighting inside the world famous octagon, but fighters who I believe are ready to take the leap to the next level and progress their career. It's not a top 5 fighters or who I believe is the best, as one man's opinion does not make that a fact! But these are guys I personally expect to see achieving bigger things by this time next year!
So read on and enjoy, if you do like it make sure you click "like" at the bottom!
1) Bola Omoyele - Welterweight - 6-1 - Team Titan/American Top Team
A one man wrecking machine on the domestic scene, fighting for Ultimate Challenge at The Troxy, Bola has been running through opponents since his sole defeat to Carl Noon back in March 2010. Since then Bola has dominated and brutalised the men standing opposite him on fight night in such a way that not one opponent has made it out of the first round. His latest opponent, the very tough Warren Kee was dispatched in just 98 seconds as recently as last month, in a match many people expected to go the distance. Time will tell what is next for Bola but with the UFC keeping their eye on the goings on at The Troxy (Thompson, Maguire, Young, Vemola etc...) Bola surely cannot be overlooked for much longer.
2) Piotr Ptasinski - Welterweight - 3-0 - Trojan Free Fighters
Since Ptasinski hooked up with Trojan and head Coach Paul Sutherland, each fight he's come on leaps and bounds. After one sole semi-pro fight Piotr took the decision to turn pro and so far it's been a wise one. After two clinical performances his perfect record looked in jeopardy at Valley of Kings 2 this past February against Deneil Brozowski, after being caught early in one of the fights of the year so far, Piotr showed great composure and technical ability to turn the tables. As the clock hit the two minute in the first round of the fight Brozowski was tapping out to the tightest looking armbar you'll see in Wales this year! By this time next year I'd expect Piotr to be a fixture on cards such as Cage Warriors/BAMMA/UCMMA.
3) Luke Newman - Welterweight - 5-0 - Team Titan/American Top Team
Luke Newman.... This guy appears to have it all. Predominantly known for his stand-up game due to a boxing background, Luke's fast hands and pinpoint accuracy are more than enough to have opponents looking for a way to take the fight to the floor at the earliest opportunity, but....with a ground game to match anyone's Luke is equally at home on the ground (as his last two wins would suggest). Training at Titan along some of the UK's finest and also honing his skills at American Top Team alongside the likes of Hector Lombard, one thing is for sure; if Luke makes The Ultimate Fighter UK vs. Australia house then some Australians are getting their asses kicked! By this time next year I'd fully expect one of the major North American organisations to be looking at adding Luke to their fighter roster!
4) Lew Long - Lightweight - 5-1 - MAT Academy/Winston's Fitness
With a massive boom in Welsh MMA over the last few years there are several guys who could easily make this list. One man whose name keeps popping up whenever I talk to my Welsh friends in the know is that of Lew Long. Highly regarded by all that "know" MMA we will find out where Lew is after his next fight on June 2nd, taking on Brazilian submission specialist Diego Vital. Three fights in 2011 saw Lewis' stock rise significantly and if 2012 goes the same way then you can expect Long to follow his countrymen Kris Edwards and Jack Marshman onto Cage Warriors and BAMMA cards sooner rather than later.
5) James Pennington - Bantamweight - 6-0 - GYM01
"The Power Weasel" James Pennington has displayed incredible raw talent, grit and determination so far in his professional MMA career. Add the coaches at GYM01 honing the talent Pennington possesses then you have a beast on your hands. Only one of his six victories have been outside of the first round (against the tough Chris Garry at SNA 10), James is a finisher whether it be via a choke or TKO. Having captured the Shock N Awe and KAYO MMA Bantamweight titles so far this year, 2012 has been great to James and with the success the GYM01 fighters have had on Cage Warriors this year I'd bet good money that we see James grace their cage before 2013!
Stay tuned as next month I will bring you part two! If you have any comments or suggestions for future articles then feel free to email me @ SteveWickett@AddictedMMA.com or hit me up on Twitter @AddictedMMA.
Last Year's Feature: http://addictedmma.com/story-Blog_3286_Steve039s-Five-UK-MMA-Stars-On-The-Rise.php
Photos:
1- Bola Omoyele - Charli Edwards, Little Red Creative
2- Piotr Ptasinski - Huw Fairclough, Short & Round Photography
3- Luke Newman - Charli Edwards, Little Red Creative
4- Lew Long - Huw Fairclough, Short & Round Photography
5- James Pennington - Ben Farrelly, AddictedMMA.com
Little Red Creative: www.LittleRedCreative.co.uk
Little Red Creative on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Little-Red-Creative/158813547489096
Little Red Creative on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/Charli1403
Short and Round on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Short-Round/133783940043144
Ben Farrelly on Twitter: www.Twitter.com/BoogeymanAddict
Published by Steve Wickett - Sat, 19 May 2012 21:00
