HEAD TO HEAD
$1BN U.S. BOUT v SCOTS FIGHT NIGHT Organisers promise an epic event for combat fans
IT’S not the $1billion McGregor v Mayweather battle – but Scotland is preparing for its own super fight-night.
The United Combat Championship promises to be a thrilling event, with some of the UK’s top mixed martial arts fighters, boxers and grapplers on show.
Tonight’s rumble in Dundee will also be a huge opportunity for the country’s best young fighting talent to make their mark.
And while it won’t begin to compete with the razzmatazz in Las Vegas on August 26, it will be one of the biggest shows seen in Scotland in recent years.
Veteran kickboxer Marc Navarro has teamed up with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Darren Clark to put on the UCC event.
Marc features in the headline fight, a rematch with Sweden’s Mickael “Mad Mike” Brilling.
The Dundee man will be out to put on another classic battle after their first encounter – dubbed “the bloodbath” by fans.
Marc said: “This has been a long time coming. We have done smaller-scale shows but I feel it is time to take it up another level and put on a blockbuster event.
“If anyone in the region can pull this off, it is me and Darren. We came together, pooled our experience and we are going to make sure everything is right.
“Dundee is the perfect place to hold this event – the city has been crying out for a massive show like this.”
Quoting Conor McGregor, the Ultimate Fighting Championship ace whose clash with Floyd Mayweather will be his first pro boxing fight, he added: “As a famous man once said, ‘We aren’t here to take part – we are here to take over.’
“My last fight with Mickael can only be described like something out of the movies. Anyone who saw the first bout will know what kind of actionpacked fight the fans will be in for.”
Comparisons between the Dundee event and the big night in Vegas are staggering.
Fighters in Dundee will each earn between £100 and £1000, while Mayweather will collect £78million and McGregor £58million.
And these amounts could QUADRUPLE once ticket sales and pay-per-view figures are taken into consideration.
More than 20,000 will fill the T-Mobile arena in Vegas, while 1500 will be cageside at Dundee’s Ice Arena.
It’s predicted 4.5-5million people will pay to watch the Vegas showdown while highlights of the Scottish event will feature on YouTube.
Darren, from Fife, said: “We’re not looking to compete with the UFC or what’s happening in Las Vegas – that’s impossible – but Saturday will still be one of the best nights of combat sports seen in Scotland.
“There is no way this won’t be a huge success. We have the best local fighters signed and more coming from further afield.”
Dundee MMA fighter Kevin ‘The Animal’ Lobban will be making his second appearance on the pro circuit on Saturday.
He said: “One thing all MMA fighters at every level have in common is that we all love a war and Saturday night won’t be any different.”
Another popular fighter, featherweight Valentine Duke, is looking forward to a home crowd.
He said: “This will be a great chance for some young fighters to make a name for themselves. For tickets and details visit the United Combat Championship Facebook page.