Antrim’s Parke to face familiar foe when top MMA returns to Belfast

BUSHMILLS fighter “Stormin’ ” Norman Parke will be part of the co-main event when top-level MMA fighting returns to the SSE Arena in Belfast on June 9.

Bahrain- based promotions company Brave Combat Federation will stage their first card in Europe, with Parke fighting Irish rival Myles Price in the lightweight division.

It will be the first time top-level MMA has been contested in Belfast since BAMMA and Bellator co-staged an event at the SSE Arena in February 2017, and on that occasion Parke also fought at the top of the bill — against Paul Redmond on the BAMMA side of the event.

This time the Co Antrim man — who has a 24-6 record — will enter the octagon for a rematch with “Magic” Price (10-6).

Last time the two met it was Parke who came out on top, winning a unanimous decision in February 2010.

The main event at Brave 13 in Belfast will see bantamweight champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman (9-2) of the Philippines defend his title against Irish challenger Frans Mlambo (5-2).

Newtownards fighter Andy “Taz” Young is also on the card, fighting Liverpool’s Bryan “The Big Bad Wolf ” Creighton in a flyweight bout. Other local fighters in action include Belfast man Decky “The Diamond” Dalton, Fermanagh’s Glenn “The Beast” Irvine and Adam Byrne.

The card will be broadcast on Abu Dhabi Sports, Combate, Star Stat and VodaComm, while tickets are still available from Ticketmaster or by calling the SSE Arena Box Office on 028 9073 9074.