15 European Fighters Who Could Sign for The UFC in 2014 (Part 2)

15 European Fighters Who Could Sign for The UFC in 2014 (Part 2)
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

With around 6 European UFC cards planned this year, 2014 should see the largest influx of European fighter into the UFC to date.

If all goes to plan and UFC do bless us with 6 cards this year, Joe Silva and Sean Shelby will need to book around 72 fights just for Europe - that's 144 fighters! With all of these cards expected to take place on the UFCs new online subscription service Fight Pass, its likely Silva and Shelby will be looking to add local talent to these cards, to not only sell tickets but to keep the cost of the cards down.

In Part 1 of 15 European Fighter Who Could Sign for the UFC in 2014, we highlighted talent such as Polish fighter, and current top 10 middleweight Mamed Khalidov, and his KSW roster mate Jan Blachowicz as must haves for the UFCs debut in Poland later this year. We also looked at talented prospects Max Nunes and James Brum who have both been setting Europe alight with Bamma and Cage Warriors respectively, as well as fan favourite Irishmen Neil Seery who's signature would no doubt go down a treat with Irish fans in attendance at the UFC's return to Dublin this year.

In part 2 we look at 5 more names which the UFC could add over the next year..... in NO particular order.
 

Mansour Barnaoui - France
Mansour Barnaoui is exactly the kind of fighter Dana White and The UFC like. Barnaoui is a young, passionate and exciting fighter. The Frenchman comes forward, and is aggressive.

With back-to-back wins over UFC vets in Curt Warburton, and Colin Fletcher, Barnaoui has shown well rounded skills and a fighting style that they love over in the UFC.

While it would be fair to say Barnaoui is far from the finished product, with another big win this year - particularly if that win is over another former UFC fighter, theres a great chance the UFC could take a plunge on the Frenchmen for one of their up coming European cards.

Walter Gahadza - UK
One can't argue with Gahadza's 13-0 record. While it's fair to say Gahadza hasn't exactly fought the best caliber of fighter, but he has despatched virtually everyone he's faced with ease.

Set to face Ryan Scope this month, Scope, who has spent time training with Alliance and is coming off a win over TUF: Smashes contest Luke Newman, might be the exact type of name that could earn Gahadza a place on a European UFC card this year.

Gahadza is a finisher with 6 KOs and 5 submissions, and an impressive win over the undefeated Scope could be a coming out party for the fighter who according to his manager, the UFC have already expressed interest in.

Lukasz Sajewski - Poland
With around 6 events planned for Europe, Joe Silva will be scanning Europe for some of the finest talent the Continent, and it doesn't much finer than undeated Pole, Lukasz Sajewski.

At only 23, Sajewski has built an impressive 12-0 record which includes a notable victory over current Bellator high flyer Macin Held.

A solid grappler, Sajewski trains with two-time Greco Roman Olympic gold medalist Andrzej Wronski, and is his blue belt in BJJ which have contributed 6 submission victories.

With the UFC making its debut in Poland this year, a lot the focus will be on if the promotion can bring in Jan Blachowicz, and Mamed Khalidov, but Sajewski could be a hidden gem amongst the lot, and would be a great addition to the UFC Lightweight division.

Pietro Menga - UK
Undefeated, British Flyweight Pietro Menga is one of the finest prospects this country has to offer. Hailing from Salford, Manchester has put together an impressive 10-0 record, collecting UCC & FCC European titles along the way. Perhaps more impressive though, Menga has finish rate rarely seen at 125lbs with all but one of his victories coming by way KO/TKO or submission.

A well rounded fighter, Menga is currently ranked in the top 3 European flyweights and is ready to make the next step in his career, and would be a great addition to the UFCs flyweight division which could do with a few more faces.
 

Peter Sobotta – Germany
 Fans may be surprised to see the inclusion of Sobotta on this list having previous gone 0-3 for the promotion, however with the UFC planning shows in both Germany and Poland in 2014, this year could see the return of the Sobotta.

One of the most popular fighters in Germany, Sobotta is currently on a 5 fight win streak with all though wins coming by submission, and his addition to the UFC would appeal to both Germany and Polish fans due to his heritage.

Join us for Part 3 of Kingdom MMA's 15 European Fighter Who Could Sign for The UFC in 2014 later on in the week. Where we will be revealing 5 more European fighters who could feature in the UFC in 2014.

Bamma Strike Gold with Mansour Barnaoui

Bamma Strike Gold with Mansour Barnaoui
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

At Bamma 13 Mansour Barnaoui entered the cage a relatively unknown prospect to UK fans. 3 months later, not only has Barnaoui earned and defended the Bamma lightweight title knocking off 2 of the best British lightweights around, he has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters under the BAMMA banner, and a promise product on the international scene.

With so many MMA events around the world, UK fans can be forgiven for not knowing much about Barnaoui as the majority of his fights to date have been in France where the Tunisian now resides. Yet at just 21 years old and a pro for just over 2 years, Barnaoui has shown he has everything it takes to hang on the international circuit… and he’s only getting better.

In just two fights with BAMMA, Barnaoui has shown he's got the skill set to not only be a fan favourite but to continue to grow to be a world class fighter one day.

In wins over Curt Warburton and Colin Fletcher, Barnaoui has shown the trademarks of a fan favourite: he is an aggressive, durable fighter with bags of heart, that can also mix it up with the best: he can strike, is great in the clinch, and can submit opponents. Which Ultimately led Barnaoui to finish 2 opponents who have had 5 UFC fights between them.

The Tunisians only career losses have come to American, Kevin Lee, a fighter who has just signed for The UFC and Islam Makhachev, an undefeated Ukrainian prospect who at 9-0 is probably not too far off a UFC contract himself.

Not only is Barnaoui an asset to BAMMA as a skilled fighter, being French may also provide BAMMA with a pantomime villain like character, which adds tension to a fight, makes it more interesting and ultimately sells more tickets. 

Barnaoui is by no means the finished product yet though, as he does have the penchant for dropping his hands in the thick of it for some stand and bang, but to his credit his chin hasn't let him down having never been finished in his MMA career. Bamma however is the perfect learning ground for Barnaoui. With 6 fight cards planned for 2014, Bamma can not only provide Barnaoui with the type of fights he needs to grow, they can provide him with the exposure he deserves thanks to several well established TV deal across the globe.

With the departure of BAMMA stars such as Tom Watson, and Jimi Manuwa to the UFC, BAMMA have been waiting for their next star who can go on to international fame the way both Watson and Manuwa have, and Barnaoui can be just that.

At just 21 years old and a pro of just 2 years, Barnaoui is just scratching the surface when it comes to his potential, yet to defeat 2 experience pros in Warburton and Fletcher, who worked their whole career to get to the level Baraoui is now just 2 years in, shows the natural talent Barnaoui is. A talent who is going to keep getting better, smarter, stronger and more disciplined.

Bamma 14: Daley vs Da Silva Results

Bamma 14: Daley vs Da Silva Results
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Paul Daley Def. Romario Manoel Da Silva – KO (Uppercut) – RD 2 (1:42)  

Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley returned to Bamma with a bang at the LG Arena, knocking out Romario Manoel da Silva in the main at Bamma 14.

Starting off slow, Daley started the first round measuring da Silva with a couple of hard leg kicks which left da Silva’s leg noticeably red, and a sweet jab that was money for most of the round. Da Silva offered little offense in the opening frame baring a pawing overhand right, which Daley could see coming from a mile off.

In the second round both men came out noticeably willing to exchange. Semtex continued to land the jab, cracking the much bigger da Silva straight down the middle, which cause the Brazilian to back toward the cage. Daley pressed forward faking an overhand right causing da Silva to raise his guard, leaving the fighter exposed for a vicious left uppercut that took the Brazilian off his feet, instantly knocking out the previously unfinished fighter.

“I heard my corner say to throw the overhand right. One of them caught him, but I could see he was expecting it, so I faked one. He thought I was going to go with the right again, but then I threw the left,” Daley said. “I knew [the fight was over]. You can tell by the way they fall. He wasn’t getting up from that.”

Mansour Barnaoui Def. Colin Fletcher  - Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - RD 1 (4:00) for The Bamma World Lightweight Title

Mansour ‘Tarzan’ Barnaoui successfully defended his Bamma Lightweight Title in the evening co-main event, submitting Colin ‘Freakshow’ Fletcher via Rear Naked Choke in one of the wildest one round fights on the UK MMA scene all year.

From the opening bell Barnaoui burst out the gate like a bull at a rodeo with a barrage of punches, dropping Fletcher with a sharp left hook. Although Fletcher was able to get right back up he was meet with more onslaught for the 21 year Barnaoui who showed off his Muay Thai skills catching Fletcher with a couple of nice knees for the Thai plum.

Its wasn’t all Barnaoui though at Freakshow managed to break away from the clinch and catch Baraoui with a few crisp shots that sent Frenchman to the floor. Sensing a come from behind victory the former Ultimate Fighter contestant locked in a brabo, which looked tight, however Banaoui did well to defend and wiggled himself out.

Escaping the choke, Baranoui was able to take the back of Fletcher where he managed to trap one of Fletchers arms in a body triangle. With only one hand to defend himself and the champion on his back, there was little Fletcher could do to defend against a Baranoui Rear Naked Choke which saw the Englishman tap out with one minute remaining one the clock.

Jimmy Wallhead  Def.  Florent Betorangal – KO (Slam) – RD 3 (3:21)

Jim Wallhead returned to the cage at Bamma 14 to face French fighter Florent Betorangal hoping a win here would be enough to earn a shot at the Welterweight title, which he lost out on when he fought Eddie Ellis Bamma 13 – a fight that most people felt Wallhead won.

In the opening round both men began trading early, with Betorangal slightly edging it. In a difficult round to score, Wallhead may have been able to steal the round near the bell when he was able to get double under hooks, and take Betorangal down in homage to his Judo days using a O Soto Gari (outer leg sweep).

Batorangal came out strong at the start of the second round, catching Wallhead with a couple of good shots against the cage. Seemingly uninterested in trading with the Betorangal at this point Wallhead was able to get a double leg takedown and spend the remainder of the round chipping away at Batorangal in top control.

Probably need a stoppage at this point Batorangal came out strong for the 3rd round. Wallhead was able to back the Frenchman against the cage before getting double under hooks. Hoisting Batorangal in the air, Judo Jim took Batorangal down with a ferocious slam, which replays showed knocked Batorangal out on impact. Upon getting the takedown, Wallhead stepped in with a couple of good elbows for good measure before Marc Godard stepped in to rescue Betorangal.

Max Nunes Def. Ion Pascu – Unanimous Decision (29, 28)

Max Nunes returned to the cage for the first time since his September loss to Jason Jones for the Bamma Light-heavyweight title. Looking to redeem himself at a new weight class, Nunes took on Ion Pascu in a bout that may have middleweight title implications.

Ion was originally scheduled to meet the current Bamma Middleweight Champion Scott Askham for the title at Bamma 14, however Askham had to pull out due to injury, and was replaced by Nunes.

The opening round began slowly with each man attempting to size up each other range. Baring a couple of jabs there was little action from both men for the opening few minutes. The round closed with Nunes controlling the action against cage, which won him the round.

The fight came alive in the second however, with Pascu landing a thunderous kick to the body, which caused Nunes to back up before collapsing like a beaten man. Pascu did he best to finish the fight from there but was unable to. Little doubt though who won that round leaving it dead even going into the Third.

From the opening bell, it was evident Nunes had no interest in standing with the hard-hitting Pascu, dragging the fight to the ground within the opening minute. Nunes remained in top control for the remainder of the fight to take a judges decision 29-28 on all 3 score cards.

Wayne Murrie Def. Michael Johnson – Submission (Rear Naked Choke) - RD 1 (3:23) for The Bamma Lonsdale British Welterweight Championship

Tom Duquesnoy Def. James Saville - Referee Stoppage – RD 2 (4:04)

Leon Edwards Def. Wendle Lewis – KO (Uppercut) - RD 1 (1:20)

Harry Mcleman Def. Matt Howard - Unanimous Decision (30-27)

Andy Craven Def. Zi Shah – Submission (Heelhook) - RD 1 (0:37)

Tim Wilde Def. Jefferson George – Dr. Stoppage - RD 1 (3:42)

Tim Menzies Def. James Samuda – Referee Stoppage - RD 3 (3:16)

Matt Hallam Def. Curtis Widmer – TKO (Hammerfist) - RD 1 (2:15)

Ed Arthur Def. Ben Rees – Dr. Stoppage – RD 1 – (5:00)