The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts confirmed this morning with MMA Plus that Harry McLeman (6-2) will meet Andy De-Vent (10-8) for the BAMMA-Lonsdale British Middleweight Championship, on April.5 at London’s Copper Box Arena.
‘Mad Mac’ McLeman was defeated upon his BAMMA debut last year in the final round of a bout with current Middleweight World Champion Scott Askham. Since then, McLeman has gone on to best consecutive products of Team Rough House in Matt Hallam (4-2) with a second round Guillotine Choke at BAMMA 13, before earning his shot at the belt with a unanimous decision victory over Matt Howard (9-2) at BAMMA 14 back in December.
In contrast, Manchester’s Andy De-Vent features as the more experienced fighter in what will be his BAMMA debut. At 35-years-old, De-Vent is showing the best form of his career with a run of four straight victories consisting of three knockouts and one submission. Most recently, De-Vent claimed a TKO victory (leg injury) over former British title contender Andrew Punshon at ‘Made 4 the Cage 13’ on Feb.22.
BAMMA’s British titles are a highly constructive accolade for promoting the UK’s top breakthrough fighters, most notably with former British middleweight champ Jack Marshman who received tremendous support and publicity during his reign en route to challenging for the world title.
However, Marshman was stripped of his British crown back in 2012 when the Welshman failed to make weight by a single pound prior to submitting Andrew Punshon at BAMMA 10. Now, it seems the promotion may once again be looking to highlight Britain’s best; Wayne Murrie currently stands as the only British champion (welterweight), with seven vacant crowns in contrast to the current lineup of five BAMMA world champions.
