Kingdom MMA 2013 Awards: Fighter to Watch in 2014

Kingdom MMA Awards Fighter to watch in 2014: Arnold Allen
by Ben Heather @benheather

As well as taking a look back and recognising the achievements of 2013 we would also like to take a look forward to who we believe will be the fighter to watch in 2014. We wanted to give the award to a fighter who some of the casual fans may not have heard of or knew much about, but trust me by the end of 2014 you will all know this fighters name.

Unlike all of the other awards which between our writers we had numerous contenders to pick the winner from there was only one name that came to mind for this category and everyone agreed, that name was Arnold "Almighty" Allen.

Arnold Allen is the 19 year old rising star fighting out of BKK Fighters and has a record of 6-0. Arnold has only been fighting professionally since April 2012. In 2013 Arnold went 4-0, including three wins fighting for Cage Warriors in which he never had to go in to the third round. Since fighting for Cage Warriors Arnold has really showcased his skills with two victories by submission and a TKO win over Doni Miller at Cage Warriors 61.

Arnold started 2013 fighting at UCMMA 32 in February where he defeated Carl Orris picking up the fighter of the night bonus in what can only be described as a one sided unanimous decision victory. It remains the only time that Arnold has been the distance in a fight but he really showcased his skills that night. Arnold landed head kicks, take downs and when he had his opponent on the ground didn't ease up as he continued with some brutal ground and pound that his coach Jack Mason would have been proud of.

The next time we would see Arnold back in the cage he would make his Cage Warriors debut at Cage Warriors 56 where he defeated Andy Green by rear naked choke in the first round. After that fight he signed a five fight exclusive contract to fight only for Cage Warriors proving that they could also see that he is certainly a star of the future and wanted to keep him on their books.

Next up Arnold fought the most experienced fighter of his career to date as he battled Dec Williams at Cage Warriors 60 in October. If you saw the fight without knowing who was the more experienced fighter you would not have known that it was only Arnold's fifth fight of his professional career as he took Dec Williams down in the first round before posturing up and landing some explosive shots on Williams who just had no answer for it. In the second round Arnold got the victory by submission. After locking in a guillotine choke on the ground but realising he couldn't finish the fight he released it and instantly locked in a triangle choke which this time made Williams tap securing Arnold's fifth win of his career.

Arnold returned to action in December fighting for the first time outside of the UK as Cage Warriors returned to Amman, Jordan for Cage Warriors 61 where he fought Doni Miller. This fight saw Arnold show off his improved boxing skills as he floored Miller in the first with a crisp right hook but was unable to finish the fight then as Miller did a good job locking him up and being unable to get off his normal ground and pound. Within 30 seconds of the second round Arnold found his mark again this time it was the left hand which floored Miller and Arnold was then relentless with his punches on the downed Miller before the referee came in to stop the fight.

If you have not seen any of Arnold Allen's fights then I recommend that you get on YouTube and check them all out. He is a great fighter who can go a very long way in the sport and to think he doesn't turn 20 until the 17th January. Having Jack Mason as his head coach, who has witnessed and been in probably every situation during a fight and guys Luke Barnatt, Sean Carter and Jason Cooledge in his corner is only going to help him achieve whatever he wants to in this sport.

Congratulations Arnold you have been crowned Kingdom MMA’s Fighter to watch in 2014 – Arnold we salute you.

Arnold Allen ahead of CW60 "sparring with my dad is not good fun"

Kingdom MMA talk to Arnold Allen ahead of Cage Warriors 60

by Ben Heather @benheather

Today, Kingdom MMA caught up with Arnold Allen who fights out of the BKK Fighters gym and goes in to this weekends Cage Warriors 60 event with his unbeaten record on the line. Currently 4-0 in his professional career Arnold Allen has certainly shown he is a class act and one to look out for in the future. He is still only 19 years old and looks to have a promising career ahead of him. Today we spoke about signing with Cage Warriors, training at BKK and what its like to spar with your dad.

Ben: Hi Arnold, thanks for taking the time ahead of your fight this weekend at CW to speak to us.
Firstly, for those who do not know much about Arnold Allen or haven't seen you fight what can they expect to see on Saturday night in London?
Allen: They can expect an exciting fight from me and Declan, we'll both be looking to finish the fight.

Ben: When did you start training in MMA?
Allen: I started training MMA properly at about 15 or 16 years old.

Ben: Did you have any amateur/ semi pro fights before you turned pro?
Allen: I've had 7 amateur MMA bouts, 5 amateur boxing fights and 3 K1 fights.

Ben: You are now 4-0 in your professional career only going the distance once would you say that being an exciting fighter and finishing fights is important to you?
Allen: Putting on exciting fights is always my aim. MMA is all about entertainment and if the fights don't entertain fans the sport will never grow. I always want to finish we don't get paid overtime!

Ben: How has the camp gone and can we expect to see the best Arnold Allen yet in the cage on Saturday night?
Allen: Trainings been good no injuries or anything so I'm happy! And I hope so haha.

Ben: At just 19 years old you are 10 years younger than your opponent Dec Williams on Saturday, do you feel age will be a factor on Saturday?
Allen: I don't think age is going to be a factor in this fight.

Ben: Where do you feel you have the advantage on Saturday night?
Allen: I feel I'll have the advantage where ever this fight goes.

Ben: How do you expect the fight to go on Saturday night?
Allen: I expect my hand to be raised at the end of it but it won't be easy work.

Ben: I believe your father is also a fighter and is still fighting now, how did he take the news when you told him you wanted to do the same?
Allen: Yeah my Dad is a fighter, I think he's retiring but he can never make his mind up. He was more than happy when I started competing, he took me to BKK fighters a few years back and I haven't looked back since.

Ben: Do you and your dad spar together? If so how does it feel to punch your dad? I know growing up I have thought of doing it many times but would never actually do it.
Allen: I've sparred my dad a few times but he hits pretty hard so it's not good fun. I remember him dropping me with an overhand right haha.

Ben: Only a couple of months ago you signed a five fight exclusive contract to fight for cage warriors. How pleased were you to be offered that contract?
Allen: I was really happy to sign with Cage Warriors I always wanted to fight for them as loads of my favourite fighters have fought for them before there UFC careers and also my head coach Jack Mason fights for Cage Warriors so it's pretty cool to be on the same promotion.

Ben: Training at BKK Fighters you get to train with some of the UK's best fighters, do you think you would be fighting for the top European promotion if you were not training with the guys you do.
Allen: Definitely not the great team we have at BKK is definitely the reason I'm on such a big promotion, there's loads of top level amateurs too who are nearly ready to turn pro so it's awesome down there.

Ben: Would you like to say thanks to anyone or any sponsors?
Allen: Too many to thank individually but thanks everyone for all the help and advice it's really appreciated.
Everyone at Kingdom MMA would like to wish Arnold all the best ahead of his fight this weekend at Cage Warriors 60.

Sean Carter ahead of Cage Warriors 60 "I'm always going for the finish, if you're not you shouldn't be in there"

Kingdom MMA speak to Cage Warriors Sean Carter ahead of CW60 on Saturday night

by Ben Heather @benheather

Kingdom MMA caught up with Sean Carter today ahead of his fight this weekend at Cage Warriors 60 and discussed his fight with Richard Griffin, signing with Cage Warriors and how he changed his life by losing 50kgs. Sean could potentially fight twice on Saturday as his fight is a lightweight title tournament reserve bout and the winner will then step in if needed later on in the night to fight for the title in the unfortunate event that one of the lightweights in the tournament gets injured and can not fight.

Ben: Hi Sean, thank you for agreeing to speak to us ahead of what could be a very big night for your career. Firstly, for those who do not know much about Sean Carter or haven't seen you fight what can they expect to see on Saturday night in London?
Carter: They can expect to see a man with a beard throwing his arms and legs about.

Ben: You have had quite a transformation in your life over the past few years dropping 50kgs in the past 6 years. What inspired you to initially make the drastic change in your life?
Carter: I was 24 and could barely walk the stairs without being out of breath so I thought it was time for a change. Just to get fitter and look better and be more powerful with the chicks. I had always done martial arts as a kid and just got back into it to lose some weight.

Ben: You could be seen as an inspiration to a lot of people out there who would like to change their lifestyle, how did you go about starting to lose the weight?
Carter: I can only say what worked for me but in my experience you have got to change the way you are and be honest with yourself. Some people can eat shit food and get away with it, some people can't there is no point saying its unfair its just the way it is. I was one of them people if I eat bad i get fat. So to start with I would eat clean 6 days a week and eat whatever I wanted 1 day a week.

Exercise wise find something that you can bring yourself to do a few times a week. If you hate everything find the thing you hate the least.

DON'T GIVE UP IT WILL COME OFF

Ben: On Saturday night you have the possibility of fighting twice in one night, as a possible injury replacement for the lightweight title fight have you done anything to prepare for this?
Carter: The Same as always just had to increase the rounds of sparing and did a few extra bicep curls.  

Ben: Have you ever had two fights on the same night before?
Carter: I once had had a TLC match and a hell in the cell match in the same night with my brothers.

Ben: What would it mean to you if you won your fight, then had to fight again and won the cage warriors lightweight title?
Carter: It would be truly wicked and totally radical man

Ben: You are now 6-0 in your professional career and 2-0 fighting for cage warriors. Do you think a win on Saturday night, even if you are not required to take part in the title fight puts you as a front runner for the next lightweight contender?
Carter: I don't know maybe

Ben: How has the camp gone for this fight?
Carter: Really well thanks for asking

Ben: How do you expect the fight to go on Saturday night against Richard Griffin?
Carter: Hes a tough dude but I'm always going for the win and the finish if your not you shouldn't be in there.

Ben: On paper Griffin does not have the best record losing nearly two thirds of his fights. Do you think he is more of a threat than his record suggests?
Carter: yes 100%

Ben: Only a couple of months ago you signed a five fight exclusive contract to fight for cage warriors. How pleased were you to be offered that contract? 
Carter: Really pleased, it felt great to be on board with such a great promotion. 

Ben: Does the hype behind Conor McGregor make you dream about what could happen in your career?
Carter: I just concentrate on one fight at a time at the moment it is all on Cage Worries 60. 

Ben: Would you like to say thanks to anyone or any sponsors?
Carter: Thanks to all my coaches, sponsors and team mates. I would be nowhere without you guys. Thanks to Cage Warriors for having me back and thanks to you for just being you #GetSome

Everyone at Kingdom MMA would like to thank Sean for his time and wish him all the best ahead of his fight this weekend at Cage Warriors 60.

Cage Warriors 60 Lightweight tournament pairings set; Kelly vs. Stephens also added

Cage Warriors 60 Lightweight tournament pairings set; Kelly vs. Stephens also added

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

A FOUR-MAN tournament will take place at Cage Warriors 60 to determine a new CWFC lightweight champion, and today officials have revealed details of the semi-final pairings.

Cage Warriors 60 will take place at The Forum in Kentish Town, London, on Saturday, 5 October. Tickets, priced from just £25, are currently on sale HERE.

To be contested on the night, the lightweight tournament will feature Jason Ball (pictured), Ivan Buchinger, Stevie Ray and Mick Sinclair, all of whom will be aiming to pick up the two wins required to clinch a belt that was vacated by Conor McGregor earlier this year.

Buchinger (23-4) will face Sinclair (12-3) in one semi-final, while on the other side of the draw, Ball (20-12) and Ray (12-4) will also clash for a coveted place in the decider.

Each semi-final bout will consist of two five-minute rounds and an additional overtime round will be contested in the event of a draw. Five five-minute rounds will be scheduled for the final.

The semi-finals will feature on the CWFC 60 preliminary card, with the final scheduled to conclude the night’s action as the main event.

In order to facilitate any enforced withdrawals, the previously-announced meeting of Sean Carter and Richard Griffin will act as a reserve bout.

Meanwhile, a women’s bout has also been added to the CWFC 60 card, which will be the promotion’s 10th of 2013.

Former Muay Thai world champion Amanda Kelly (0-0) will make her professional MMA debut in a bantamweight bout against fellow Brit and Muay Thai practicioner Hannah Stephens (2-1).

Omoyele v Wilkinson Set for Cage Warriors 60

Omoyele v Wilkinson Set for Cage Warriors 60
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

A Welterweight match up between 2 former Ultimate Fighter contestants has been added to Cage Warriors 60.

Bola Omoyele, of TUF Smashes fame will take on Aaron Wilkinson who featured on season 12 of The Ultimate fighter atThe Forum in Kentish Town, London, on Saturday, 5 October, 2013.

Omoyele (7-1, 1-0 CW) who made his Cage Warriors debut at Cage Warriors 56, the first of a five fight deal which he signed with Cage Warriors upon leaving the TUF Smashes house, has finished his last 6 opponents in the first round, including his most recent victory over Vincent del Guerra.

Speaking on the bout, Omoyele said:

“I’m looking forward to being back in the cage again to show what I can do. This is a tough fight but that’s how I like my fights to be. I’ll be ready for it.”

His opponent, Wilkinson (10-6, 1-1 CW) who hasseven of his 10 wins by submission returns to action for the first time since last December when he dropped a unanimous decision loss to Alan Johnston at Cage Warriors 50, which snapped a three-fight win-streak.

 “Bola’s a great fighter and this is a good fight; one that has definite Fight of the Night potential." 26 year old said. "But I firmly believe I can put in a strong performance and get the win.”

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on Cage Warriors 60.