FCC 36...It's a wrap!

Words by Murdo Todd.

It was FCC 36 this past weekend and the event sent the year off in style thanks to some great performances from both the amateurs and professionals. 

It was the amateur lads up first and thanks to some good wins, there emerged some potential title contenders. Zak Lycett (2-1) kicked the card off with a win over Karol Biskupski (0-1), marking his second win for the promotion. Ali Aziz (1-0) and Danny Dewsnap (1-0) both earned wins in their MMA debuts with the latter getting a ground-and-pound victory within the first minute. 

Jordan Jones (1-2) would produce an impressive arm triangle victory in his bantamweight fight against Kieran Baines (0-1), then Tyler Derbyshire (3-3) and Charlie Balmer (5-5) scored wins over tough opposition.  Hamza Sajid (4-0-1) would extend his undefeated with a first round knockout win over will Branch (2-4).

Jack Fletcher (1-0) impressed in his debut by sinking in a second-round rear naked choke over Lewis Bragg (0-2). Next, Aidan Knight (4-2) would dominate Sahil Khan (3-3) over the scheduled three rounds. After taking the fight on short notice, Alex Home (6-1) would secure a victory over Shabaz Ahmed (2-1-1) in their flyweight showdown.

Making his FCC return, Tom Harvey (6-2) would bounce back with a victory over Kyle Riley (3-2). It was then the turn of Jack McLeod (4-1) and Micky Leithner (5-1) to do battle, McLeod would latch up a deep arm bar to force the tap midway through the second. 

Tom Harvey Vs Kyle Riley (Photo credit: Graham Finney)

Tom Burton (2-0) then kicked-off the pro card, quickly taking down Alexandru Velenciuc (0-2) and landing heavy ground-and-pound in the crucifix position. The referee would jump in the stop the action, giving Burton his second win as a pro. After a successful amateur career, winning the FCC welterweight title, Jamie Davies (1-0) made his first walk as a pro, this time taking on Sofiande Al Bahri (0-2). Davies would dominate the contest to begin his career off on the right track. 

Jack McLeod Vs Micky Leithner  (Photo credit: Graham Finney)

Much like he has done before, Emile Vujakovic (2-0) would score an impressive first round knockout over late replacement, Viljar Andre Tangstad (0-2). Vujakovic continues to impress and is well on his way to a very successful professional career. 

It was then time for local prospect Kurtis Campbell (3-0) to make the walk against then undefeated opposition, Sean Pero (5-1). Heading into the professional game, Campbell had a lot of expectation after an extremely successful run as an amateur.  Picking up several titles ‘The Pink Panther’ cemented himself as one of the best fighters in Europe before turning over in December of last year. Campbell would dominate the contest, displaying his sensational MMA skills he would land a record number of takedowns in what was just a three-round fight. The future is very bright for the 21-year-old. 

Defending his Featherweight Title, Raphael Uchegbu (9-1) would take on game Brazilian Lucas Rodrigues (12-6). Uchegbu would face some resistance from his late replacement opponent and had to survive a scare in the second thanks to a head kick, but would implement his grappling to swerve any danger. The Team Kaobon fighter flashed some nice artillery throughout including his own speedy kicks. Using more of his grappling in the third and fourth, Uchegbu would eventually land the stoppage in the final round after raining down ground-and-pound while on the back. 

Raphael Uchegbu Vs Lucas Rodrigues  (Photo credit: Mark Hempel)

In the postlims, we were treated to some amateur action beginning with two top talents, Billy Adams (5-1) and Lewis Wood (5-2). Adams would extend his impressive win streak with a decision win over a decision victory over Wood. 

 Connor Walsh (Photo credit: Graham Finney)

For the final fight of the night Connor Walsh (8-2) made his return to the FCC cage, this time taking on then undefeated Will Doyle (7-1). Not only was the amateur flyweight title on the line, but bragging rights in terms of UK and Ireland’s flyweight rankings. Both came into the fight highly ranked, but it was Walsh who would walk away with the victory, his belt and rightful claim of No.1 Flyweight amateur in the UK. Walsh would then declare his intention to turn professional. 

That does it for Full Contact Contender for 2023 but be sure to join us for FCC 37 on 9th March 2024!

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