Today, BAMMA has announced that the recently re-signed Shay Walsh will face Aaron Blackwell at BAMMA 29 in Birmingham at the Genting Arena on May 12, 2017.
#BAMMA29 Adds @ShayWalshMMA Vs. @SmackwellMMA & @SteMartinMMA Vs. Daniel Rutkowski https://t.co/xyfyRsPI2K #GetReady #MMA #Birmihgham pic.twitter.com/1veFBwqaES
— BAMMA (@BAMMA) April 10, 2017
Walsh (15-4) returns to the BAMMA promotion after a successful debut with Bellator in Belfast beating James McErlean at Bellator 173. The former BAMMA world champion will be hoping for a successful outing in Birmingham this time round after a disappointing night at BAMMA 25 where he was stopped by current UFC starlet Tom Duquesnoy.
Although talks of a potential fight with British champion Alan Philpott arose on social media after Walsh’s latest win, the match-up wasn’t made with Philpott claiming he wouldn’t be able to make weight for when Walsh wanted the fight.
This marks the severalth time the Northern Irishman has watered down talks of a potential clash, Walsh told MMA Plus.
The Lancastrian, who is hopeful of reaching the heights of UFC in the near future, instead comes against “The Apprentice”s latest victim in Aaron Blackwell.
The experienced Londoner has been in the cage with the likes of Brad Pickett and Ronnie Mann and with a record of 7-1 in the last six years, Blackwell will provide a stern test for the returning former champion.
This fight follows the news of Walsh signing back with the BAMMA promotion on a multi-fight deal. Walsh has stated his intent to reclaim his belt and has insisted anyone who stands in his way will be “run over”.
The news of Shay competing at BAMMA again has been welcome news to many, including Alan Philpott, who again stated his intentions of facing the Lancastrian on social media.
@BelfastBasedMMA @BAMMA @ShayWalshMMA @FloCombat @lonsdale1960 @jess_impiazzi @tigermuaythai @andyjshep @EFNSports @BebeMcdermott @danielmovahedi @BuddaeJohnson @UNILAD Welcome back. See you soon. As long as all goes to plan
— Alan Philpott (@AlanPhilpottMMA) April 9, 2017
Chris Miah has also stated that he would like to fight Walsh in the near future, meaning Shay is walking back into the promotion with a target on his back.
@bendrfcsmith97 @BAMMA @ShayWalshMMA @FloCombat @lonsdale1960 @jess_impiazzi @tigermuaythai @andyjshep @EFNSports @BebeMcdermott @danielmovahedi @BuddaeJohnson @UNILAD Watched Shay main event in Brum years ago his good, a few wins and I believe I'm up there with him and Philpott for the belt.
— Chris Miah (@chrismiahmma) April 10, 2017
The fight will add to an already stacked card in the Midlands with the likes of Brett McDermott, Yanick Bahati, Matt Hallam and the highly anticipated return of Chris Miah all featuring.
