ACB‘s upcoming show in Manchester has been bolstered by the addition of a featherweight bout between Robert Whiteford and Nam Phan.
Both Robert “The Hammer” Whiteford (13-4) and Nam Phan (21-16) are veterans of the UFC and they join a star-studded card full of major league alumni, including headliner Luke Barnatt, who faces KSW middleweight Champion Mamed Khalidov.
Whiteford returns to ACB after headlining Braveheart show
For Whiteford, this high profile fight could provide a launchpad back to the UFC, if he can earn himself a statement victory after the 33-year-old previously expressed his dismay after receiving his walking papers, having gone 2-3 with the promotion.
Notably, he was released following a competitive split decision loss to Lucas Martins, a fight which saw both fighters released thereafter. Though he initially questioned his future in the sport, Scotland’s Whiteford returned last October, defeating Kevin Petshi via unanimous decision at ACB 47.
As for Nam Phan, he will be looking to get himself back into the win column for the first time since February 2015. The 33-year-old from Garden Grove, California has gone 3-3 since his release from the UFC back in March 2014.
A veteran of season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter, Phan enjoyed a four-year, eight-fight run with the UFC, holding notable wins over Cole Miller and Leonard Garcia. Known as an exciting fighter, Garcia was given more leeway than Whiteford, though his luck ran out following a three-fight losing streak, coming up short against Dennis Siver, Takeya Mizugaki and Vaughan Lee.
ACB 54: Supersonic takes place on March 11 at the Manchester Arena, England. For more ACB news, head here.
Updated ACB Supersonic Fight Card
Luke Barnatt vs. Mamed Khalidov
Brett Cooper vs. Aslambek Saidov
Saul Rogers vs. Pat Healy
A. Dzhanaev vs. Adam Zając
Vinny Magalhães vs. P. Mysiala
Dean Garnett vs. Michael Tobin
Danny Mitchell vs. Andy Devent
Mukhumat Vakhaev vs. Tanner Boser
Ibrahim Chuzhigaev vs. David Mitchell
Rakhman Dzanaev vs. Adam Zajac
Shoaib Yousaf vs. Javonne Morrison
Nam Phan vs. Robert Whiteford