Latest news with #Welterweight
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former UFC star to make professional boxing debut on Crocker v Donovan 2 card
Former UFC star Molly McCann will make her professional boxing debut on the huge Lewis Crocker v Paddy Donovan 2 card in Belfast. The Liverpool native, who ended her MMA career in March with a record of 14 wins and eight defeats, has signed with Matchroom Boxing. "It was just the right time to leave the sport of MMA so I chose to leave the sport knowing I had a career waiting for me in boxing," McCann said earlier this month. "The boxing pedigree is there. I was in and out of the boxing gym growing up because I like to fight and like to punch. I can just go. I will fight anyone, wherever, whenever." Promoter Eddie Hearn added at the time: "She'll compete now as a boxer and about time, I'd like to say as well, a former ABA champion, everyone knows the ability as a boxer, obviously been a massive star within the UFC and built her profile globally as well. "We're delighted to start the journey, delighted she chose Matchroom, going to be fighting all around the world and there are going to be some massive nights. We want to keep her nice and active." McCann will make her debut on September 13 at Windsor Park against a yet to be named opponent. A number of bouts for the Belfast show were announced on Friday, including a big co-main event between destructive Light-Middleweight sensation Ishamel Davis and Belfast's own Caoimhín Agyarko.. Caoimhin Agyarko (Image: Mark Robinson/Matchroom) Agyarko stepped in for Davis back in April when injury scuppered his fight with Ryan Kelly – which the Irish fighter duly came through with a majority decision points win. But Davis will be looking to get back to winning ways having featured last on successive Riyadh Season cards in London and in the Saudi capital respectively in which he went the distance against Josh Kelly last September at short notice, before falling to WBC ranked No.1 Serhii Bohachuk last December. 'The Mighty Celt' Tyrone McKenna is another popular homegrown addition to the card as the Welterweight, who in 2023 fell to a unanimous decision to Lewis Crocker – faces a familiar foe in Dylan Moran. The duo collided last December in Waterford where McKenna celebrated an early stoppage, and he'll be looking to repeat his triumph over his fellow Southpaw when they lock horns once again. Cruiserweight sensation Pat Brown, meanwhile, will fight inside a stadium setting for the first time when the popular Team GB Olympian travels across the Irish Sea from Manchester. Brown – labelled by promoter Eddie Hearn as "one of the most exciting fighters in the world' – has enjoyed a sterling start to life in the professional ranks with the 6ft 6in powerhouse blasting his way to a flawless 3-0 start with a hat-trick of knockouts since he turned over last March. And another rising, unbeaten British charge in Aaron Bowen joins Brown on the card as the 6-0 (4 KOs) Coventry Middleweight looks to continue his impressive ascent up the rankings. 'We expect a sell-out crowd for this historic night in Belfast and one of the best atmospheres you've ever witnessed in Irish boxing – you do not want to miss this,' said Matchroom Sport chairman, Eddie Hearn. 'It is the first boxing event at the stadium since the iconic Carl Frampton headlined here back in 2018, and the main event couldn't be more fitting. Two of the best Welterweights in the world battling it out for the IBF World Title – and now we have a blockbuster undercard too.'
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to follow Jack Catterall's big fight against Harlem Eubank
Jack Catterall is aiming to bounce back as the Chorley boxer takes on Harlem Eubank this weekend. Catterall suffered only the second defeat of his career in February, losing against Arnold Barboza Jr via split decision. Advertisement Now he faces Eubank - the cousin of Chris Eubank Jr - who is unbeaten in his 21 professional bouts to date. When and where is the fight taking place? The bout takes place at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday, July 5 and ringwalks for the main event are scheduled for 10pm. How to watch The Lancashire Telegraph will be running a live blog from ringside with build-up and regular updates. The event is also being broadcast live on DAZN as part of their subscription package, which costs £24.99 per month. Who else is on the card? Jack Catterall v Harlem Eubank Joe Cordina v Jaret Gonzalez Quiroz Aqib Fiaz v Alex Murphy Pat Brown v Lewis Oakford William Crolla v Fraser Wilkinson Skye Nicolson v Carla Camila Campos Gonzales Niall Brown v Victor Ionascu Leo Atang v Jiri Surmaj Alfie Middlemiss v Mohammed Wako *Subject to change What has been said? Catterall said: 'This is another huge domestic fight that I can really sink my teeth into. After the disappointment of my last fight, I'm grateful to Frank Smith and Eddie Hearn for giving me the opportunity to headline again in Manchester. Advertisement 'I'm eager to put on a big performance and make a statement in my first fight up at Welterweight. The Eubank name is hot at the moment but I'm ready to put the fire out in style.' His coach, Jamie Moore, added: "Jack's work ethic and his commitment to the sport is like something I've never seen. "As you would expect, after you first loss, he had a good rest - he needed a good rest - because that was the most active he'd been for years. Two of those camps were extended, which meant they were longer than you'd want. "There was a little bit of fatigue there and I feel like the rest has done him the world of good. His attitude has always been bulletproof. He's always been that one track mind type of fighter."
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dustin Poirier: First two rounds tell us how Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev goes
Dustin Poirier gave insight on Islam Makhachev's UFC welterweight debut. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) vacated his UFC lightweight title for a move up to 170 pounds, and is expected to challenge welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC) at the end of the year. Advertisement Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) was submitted by Makhachev at UFC 302 last June. A heavy handed and technical boxer like Della Maddalena, "The Diamond" explained how the Aussie's approach will impact how the fight goes. "I think we'll find out in the first or second round how much trouble (Makhachev) has getting (Della Maddalena) down," Poirier told MMA Junkie. "I think if he gets those takedowns, he's going to get the win. If Jack can stop those takedowns – he does have good takedown defense - I think the boxing and the size could wear on Islam and give him some problems. But Islam's striking is awkward and different. You have to worry so much about the takedown. "You can't plant your feet and throw off those number combinations and really rip and sit on your punches because he's going to change levels, so it changes the way you fight. For me, it did. I'm speaking from experience. We'll see how Jack approaches and how Jack executes out there, but if you're worried about takedowns, your shots are different. You're not sitting on everything and standing in front of the guy, you're trying to move and be light on your feet. I think the first two rounds will tell us how the fight is going to go." Della Maddalena was able to fend off Belal Muhammad's grappling and outstrike him en route to a unanimous decision win to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Poirier breaks down Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Islam Makhachev admits improved Jack Della Maddalena is 'going to be a hard fight'
Islam Makhachev not taking UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena lightly. Standing in Makhachev's pursuit of a second UFC belt is Della Maddalena (18-2 MMA, 8-0 UFC), who outstruck Belal Muhammad to claim the welterweight title at UFC 315 last month. Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) acknowledges the Aussie has shown vast improvements in his game. Advertisement "It's going to be a hard fight. Honestly, it's going to be," Makhachev told MMA Junkie. "I saw his fight against Belal. He's good, man. When he began fighting in the UFC, he had problems with wrestling, but now he's improved because I've seen him training a lot with wrestlers and grapplers, and that's why he's champion right now. He's good everywhere. But we will see who's the best fighter in the world very soon." Makhachev was surprised to see Della Maddalena dethrone Muhammad, who he's trained with before on numerous occasions. He was also confused by Muhammad's game plan. "It was crazy," Makhachev said. "I know Belal well. I was training with him many times, and I know his skills. I was surprised how he fought. I was surprised by his fight plan. I think he did mistakes. He had the option, but he didn't use (it). He started to wrestle in the last round, maybe. "You have to wrestle from the first round if you have plan to wrestle because you can make him tired – you're not sweating. I saw: Maddalena has improved a lot because he has really good boxing, and he knows everybody is going to try to take him down, and now he has good defense." Advertisement Many viewed Makhachev as a big lightweight, but the move up to welterweight hasn't been as seamless as expected. "I will try to be big, but it's not easy," Makhachev said. "All my life, I've been cutting weight, but now when I want to be big, my weight stays in the same position. I try to lift more. We do some program and slowly, slowly we bring maybe two kilograms now. It's very hard, but I don't want to be big by eating and not training. I want to be with muscles. I want to train, do right lifting program, and bring some muscles." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev: Jack Della Maddalena is 'going to be a hard fight'
Morocco World
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
PFL Africa Returns to Johannesburg with High-Stakes August Showdown
Rabat – The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns to South Africa this August, staging the second PFL Africa event at Carnival City's Big Top Arena in Johannesburg. Set for Saturday, August 9, the night promises to bring together top-tier African MMA athletes in a continued quest for regional titles. After a strong launch in Cape Town, the tournament shifts to Johannesburg with Welterweight and Featherweight first-round fights. These divisions draw some of the continent's most talked-about fighters, all hoping to carve a path toward becoming PFL Africa's first champions. At the top of the card, Nigerian featherweight Patrick Ocheme (6-1) faces Guinea's Mohamed Camara (5-2-1) in a bout that carries more than just numbers. The two fighters come in with reputations built through grit, and both eye a bigger stage through this tournament. In the co-main event, Angola's Shido Boris Esperanca (9-1) returns after a dominant PFL debut to take on seasoned Gambian fighter Ibrahima Mané (14-5) in a Welterweight first-round bout. The meeting places experience and hunger in direct opposition. This year's PFL Africa season features 32 fighters from 15 nations, each bringing a distinct fighting style and personal story. While the league offers structure, the ambition on display belongs entirely to the athletes. Tickets go on sale Thursday, June 12, through TicketPro. With the energy around African MMA continuing to grow, organizers expect another full house and a crowd eager for every bell. The PFL stands out in the world of mixed martial arts for its merit-based format: win to move forward. That simplicity has allowed it to grow quickly and attract a broad international audience. For African fighters, the league opens a new door, one that leads straight to global competition, with a clear way forward. Tags: African MMAPFLPFL Africasports
