The BAMMA 14 preliminaries will kick off with a Bantamweight bout between fresh talents, “free fighter” Ben Rees and “nightmare” Ed Arthur (pictured,left). ‘BAMMA 14: Daley vs. Da Silva’ takes place on 14th December at the LG Arena in Birmingham. Tickets are on sale at http://fola.me/Ly8g5
19 year old Ben ‘Flubber’ Rees fights out of East Devon with a record of 1-0-0, having won ‘Submission of the Night’ for his professional debut in June. He also has 9 documented fights at Amateur level. Described by his coach as a “free fighter”, Rees started training in MMA at the age of 15 and trains solely in MMA at Lion’s Den gym, which is renowned for its military membership and approach. Summarised by ex-army coach, Dave Matthews, as “a good, honest, young fighter who is tough as nails but very humble”, Ben Rees will be taking a big step up as he opens the show at BAMMA 14.
Rees said: “I am really honoured to be competing on BAMMA, as it is the top UK promotion and always has exciting match-ups. To be allowed to showcase my skills is like a dream come true. Ed Arthur is a tough worthy opponent he has a great skill-set and I feel this will be my toughest opponent yet. Who knows how the fight will go: Ed is strong, well rounded, older than me….Remind me why I’m taking this fight again? Also my Coach Dave says he’s possibly better looking (?) Anyway, the fans can expect a great bout from two of the best looking fighters in the division. It will be entertaining and one not to be missed.”
Opponent, 24 year old Ed Arthur presents a professional record of 1-0-0 and remained undefeated through Amateur level. Half of his fights have been finished in the first round. Fighting out of Hemel Martial Arts with Denniston Sutherland and Josh Bangert as training partners, Arthur is said to be strong in all areas of the fight game.
Arthur said: “I will drag my opponent into the deepest darkest waters and he will have nightmares forever after facing me. The opportunity to fight for BAMMA is one I am really looking forward to. The bigger the stage, the better for me. I can show the world how good Hemel Martial Arts is. I deserve the win because I train harder, push myself further and mentally I am stronger than anyone out there. I know what it is to be a true mixed martial artist, not just a joker with a punch. This is my time to show everyone what I am about.”
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BAMMA 14 FIGHT CARD SO FAR [30.10.13]
With more fights to be announced
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
PAUL DALEY VS ROMARIO MANOEL DA SILVA
WORLD LIGHT WEIGHT TITLE
COLIN FLETCHER VS MANSOUR BARNAOUI
WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
SCOTT ASKHAM VS ION PASCU
BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT TITLE
WAYNE MURRIE VS MICHAEL JOHNSON
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
WENDLE LEWIS VS LEON EDWARDS
FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT
ZI SHAH VS ANDY CRAVEN
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
TIM WILDE VS JEFFERSON GEORGE
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
TIM MENZIES VS JAMES SAMUDA
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
MATT HALLAM VS CURTIS WIDNER
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
Photo: Mark Blundell
BEN REES VS ED ARTHUR