Newark based Regis “The First” Sugden has signed an 18-month contract with BAMMA and is expected to make his debut at the Manchester Victoria Warehouse on December 6.
Sugden said: “I can’t wait to get in that cage and live up to my nickname, to be ‘The First’ to break new ground with techniques that no one has seen yet, and I want to thank BAMMA’s Jude Samuel for giving me the opportunity to do it on the biggest stage.”
The news of Sugden’s signing was broken on Sugden’s official website and was also confirmed by the addition of his profile to the BAMMA website.
Jude Samuel, Head of Talent and Fighter Acquisition for BAMMA said: “I’m extremely excited by BAMMA’s acquisition of Regis Sugden. The Sugden family has a deep history in combat sports and, with Regis heading into the world of MMA, there are exciting times ahead for UK Mixed Martial Arts.”
The 19 year old trains with some of the best fighters on the British shores, such as brother Chad, who fights K-1, “Judo” Jimmy Wallhead, jiu-jitsu specialist Ranjeet Bara and Suggy’s Gym’s very own international wrestling coach Krzysiek Adamczyk.
Sudgen has a wealth of experience to back up his name. These include numerous accolades such as ISKA Pro K-1 Commonwealth championship, ISKA K1 Rules British championship, not to mentioned being ranked a second Dan black belt in kickboxing.
The Bantamweight division is home to some great grapplers, such as: Michael Wootten and Ed Arthur. However Regis’ training regime of jiu-jitsu and wrestling five days a week, alongside his continual work at Suggy’s Gym softens the task.
Manager and coach Dean Sugden added: “Often facing more experienced wrestlers and Jitsu guys, and sometimes making the wrong choices in the heat of battle, it’s been a huge learning curve for Regis. ”
But he has now matured as an MMA fighter, is extremely disciplined and is making the right decisions even under pressure. At Bantamweight, he is going to be very hard to beat.”
UPDATE: It has been confirmed that Sugden will face off against Ben “The Handyman” Dearden at BAMMA 17 in a Bantamweight contest.
Dearden, of HAMMA Merseyside, is also set to make his pro debut on the event, having previously competed at amateur, beating James Reece by second round arm bar at BAMMA Fight Night: Pascu vs Chadwick: “I’m going to drag him into deep water and see if he can swim! Diversity is the tool of champions.”