acb 2 poster

After a superb debut event ACB returns to Greenbank Sports Academy this Saturday 16th of June for ‘ACB2 – Showdown’. As before, the promotion has secured some very promising fights involving some up and coming stars of the future.

There are no less than 5 titles up for grabs and, if you have seen the ACB page on Facebook, you will have seen the excellent quality belts and medals on offer to the fighters. Let’s take a look at the main card.

 

Callum Gaghan v Adam Brindley                                     Featherweight Title

Callum Gaghan has a record of 2-0 and fights out of Dave Jackson’s gym. Dave Jackson has an excellent pedigree and has trained Rampage Jackson, Michael Bisping, Chieck Kongo, etc. Callum stepped up at late notice on ACB 1 and took the title with an extremely convincing win. He is comfortable in all aspects of the fight and will trade or go to the ground as necessary.

Adam Brindley has a record of 2-1 and fights out of his mother’s gym Brindley Martial Arts. Adam has an extremely strong kickboxing background. His last mma fight was a loss on ‘Battle of the Bay’ so he will be looking to get back on track. He is a strong mobile fighter that comes to fight all the time, will go to the ground when required but would rather keep the fight stood up.

This fight could certainly be a classic ‘striker v grappler’ match. If Brindley connects with a power shot it could be game over for Gaghan but I feel that Callum will be too strong for Brindley, take it down quickly and secure the win via submission in the first round.

 

Gavin Hughes v Shahean Mesdaghi                              Welterweight Title

Gavin Hughes is taking this fight extremely seriously and has taken 8 weeks off work to prepare; he is also training 3 times per day 6 times per week so is extremely motivated and focussed to take the title. Gavin trains with Sapphire gym and feels that although he has very good wrestling his striking is coming on in leaps and bounds and won his fight on ACB 1 via big KO.

Shahean Mesdaghi’s experience is mainly in K1 and he is a former ‘UK strongman North’ contestant so brings bags of strength and motivation to this fight. He fights out of Gym 21 fight club in Kensington and is raring to get the title.

This is going to be an all-out war with both men trading but I think that Hughes’ more mma style will prevail with a stoppage due to ground and pound in the first round.

 

Kevin Fryer v Andrew Clamp                                             Light-Heavyweight Title

Kevin Fryer has a record of 3-1 and trains out of Sukata MMA in Blackpool under Gary Savage. Fryer is an excellent ground fighter that is patient and controlled on the ground. He doesn’t rush but is always looking for openings, submission attempts, and ways to win the fight.

Andrew Clamp fights out of the highly respected Team Colosseum under Aaron Chatfield and has a record of 2-0. Clamp is a beast at the weight and looks extremely strong and conditioned. He likes to fight on the ground and again is very patient in securing his submissions using slick positioning and strength to open up his opponents.

I think that the main factor in this fight will be the fact that Fryer is a late replacement and depends on how hard he has been training. If he has been training hard this could be a tough technical fight but there is also the possibility that each man will elect to trade as it’s not expected of them? I know that Clamp will come extremely prepared and tip him to win via submission in round 2.

 

Benn Malone v James Bray                                                           Middleweight Title

Benn Malone fights out of the Kiai Centre in Crosby and has a record of 1-0.  Malone has an extremely experienced background in Thai Boxing and has more recently moved into MMA bringing an excellent level of striking with him.

James Bray is an independent fighter from Wales and has a record of 2-2. He has a good MMA background, is big at the weight, and likes to stand and bang.

I think that this fight like Hughes v Mesdaghi will be a stand up war, with both men throwing heavy punches and kicks. I see Malone’s Thai background just edging it for him and think that Malone will win by TKO in the first round.

 

Scott Brady v Beau Gavin                                                  Lightweight Title C class

Scott Brady fights out of Birkenhead and has a record of 2-0. He is an independent fighter and is a personal trainer so has excellent cardio and will fight hard.

Beau Gavin fights out of HAMMA under Sean ‘HAMMA’ Martin and has a record of 3-1. Beau has a superb Thai background and has trained with his dad – Jay Gavin, a very well respected coach – but his submissions and ground game are just as good. He has an excellent gas tank and very rarely tires keeping fighting until the very end. He is athletic and has lots of striking and wrestling strength.

I honestly can’t see Gavin losing this fight. He can finish people stood up or on the ground and possesses a level of fighting maturity way beyond his years. I think that Gavin will win in round 2 via submission.

By Peter Coop