Combating the who’s who on the newbie degree, profitable a number of titles alongside the best way, ‘The Pink Panther’ Kurtis Campbell is broadly considered among the best up-and-coming prospects popping out of the UK. He makes the primary defence of his Full Contact Contender featherweight title this weekend LIVE on UFC Combat Cross from 7.30 pm UK BST. Dan spoke with the unbeaten Liverpudlian initially of struggle week, discussing his potential pathway to the UFC and coaching with PFL star Brendan Loughnane(30-5) on the Bangtao Muay Thai gymnasium in Thailand…
When requested how struggle camp has gone forward of his first championship defence, he defined, “I feel if struggle camps go too effectively, then it’s not a great factor. You all the time have your bumps in your struggle camps, so it’s part of it. I’ve had a number of bumps, however apart from that, the camp’s been easy, and there’s no stone left unturned, and I’m simply able to carry out now!”
Robust Matchmaking.
He matched in opposition to Austrian Daniel Matusa, who comes into the competition with an expert document of 7-3 and makes his promotional debut after plying his commerce on the Austrian regional scene. Matusa is coming to upset the apple cart. Campbell likes being matched with fighters exterior the home scene as he beneficial properties helpful expertise on his path to what he describes as ‘the premier league of blended martial arts’ that’s the UFC.
Additionally Learn: UFC Combat Cross: Prospect Watch – Georgian Featherweight Giorgi Poladishvili
When requested in regards to the matchmaking from promotion Full Contact Contender Kurtis stated “I feel with the opposition I’m getting it’s good as a result of I’d by no means fought a Brazilian or I’ve not fought an Austrian earlier than so preventing names from these international locations are good to get behind me earlier than I do go to the UFC as a result of I feel I’ll be preventing elsewhere in different international locations somewhat than again at residence.”
Coaching with Brendan Loughnane.
‘The Pink Panther’ has not too long ago been coaching in Thailand, the place he repeatedly visits Bangtao Muay Thai gymnasium along with his secure mates. On one explicit event, he obtained some helpful minutes in with Mancunian featherweight Brendan Loughnane, who’s on the opposite finish of the spectrum in his profession with 5 occasions the variety of fights to Kurtis.
Information is energy, and knowledge has lots to do with mental humility, which Loughnane has in bucket hundreds. He fought on a number of promotions till settling with the PFL, the place he heads into his fifteenth below the banner as he competes this Saturday within the PFL championships. He bids to turn into a two-time PFL world champion in his thirty sixth skilled contest, taking over unbeaten Russian Timur Khizriev(17-0).
When talking on selecting up recommendation from the UK MMA legend Campbell, he stated, “He’s obtained loads of knowledge to provide out, so when he speaks, I pay attention. That’s the kind of particular person he’s, so I obtained the prospect to coach with him and do some drills, simply studying new combos and types. It’s lots to soak up, however there’s lots of good information.”
Full Interview with Kurtis and World In Sport’s Fight Sports activities Author Dan Kelly through the Full Pressure Fight YouTube channel: Prospect Kurtis Campbell(5-0) forward of struggle on FCC40 – talks Brendan Loughnane & FCC matchmaking.
FCC 40: Ones To Watch
Elsewhere on the cardboard Jordan ‘The Jock’ Rutherford(8-2) tops the newbie invoice as he bids to win the FCC European Welterweight title and make it 5 titles below 4 promotions earlier than he makes the transition to the paid ranks.
Connor ‘The Flycatcher’ Walsh(2-0) is a very long time buddy and secure mate of Kurtis Campbell, the flyweight appears to excite the followers with one other dominant end this time in opposition to Junior Willian(4-4). Walsh is one other promising younger prospect that FCC is getting behind, placing lots of religion into one of the best up-and-coming expertise by matching them with robust worldwide opponents with data equal to or higher than the house fighters.
5-0 middleweight Emile Vujakovic fights for the vacant FCC middleweight crown when he steps in with Guilherme Soares(14-7). With 21 fights below his belt, the Brazilian will look to make use of his expertise in opposition to Manchester’s Vujakovic, who’s operating by opponents for enjoyable with 4 spherical one spotlight reel finishes and a win through rear bare choke.