Press Release – Thursday, 28 April 2011: Europe’s leading MMA promotion BAMMA are proud to announce the final lineup for BAMMA 6: Kong vs Ninja.
In the co-main event of the evening, top Middleweight title prospect, John Phillips (13-3-0) will take on PRIDE and UFC veteran Frank Trigg (20-8-0).
Phillips returns to BAMMA after a devastating 90 second TKO win against Cage Rage veteran James Zikic at BAMMA 4. With BAMMA 6 marking his 3rd appearance on a BAMMA card, Phillips is eager to impress and cement his position as a number 1 contender for Tom Watson’s Middleweight title.
John Phillips said “Trigg is an opponent that most rising MMA middleweight fighters like myself would love to fight. He will be fighting back at his comfortable weight, so I will be fighting him at his strongest. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that I intend to test my new found skills against. My last fight at BAMMA 4, many saw one side of me. This time the fans will be in for a lot more of what I have to offer.”
Standing in his way of a possible title shot is Frank Trigg. Known for his legendary smack talk and fighting out of the World famous Xtreme Couture Gym in Las Vegas with training partners Randy Couture, Forrest Griffin and Gray Maynard, Trigg makes his long awaited BAMMA debut to take on the Welsh prospect.
Frank Trigg said “I am very happy to announce my upcoming bout at Wembley Arena as well as my new association with BAMMA. I have been a fan of the energy and enthusiasm generated by the BAMMA shows and can’t help but correlate the continued improvement in MMA in the UK with BAMMA’s incredible expanding fan base”
A big change on the card comes from the loss of Phil Baroni, forced out through an injury picked up in his last fight and now in a state where doctors are preventing him from fighting again in May.
Accepting the fight at short notice will be long time UFC veteran Ivan Salaverry, making his return to MMA after a 3 year absence to face Matt Ewin. Notable for being a pioneer of the crucifix position from side control, often referred to by UFC commentator Joe Rogan as “The Salaverry”, the Canadian middleweight returns from retirement to make his BAMMA debut.
Ivan Salaverry said “I am absolutely excited and really honored to be making my entry back into MMA on BAMMA’s stage. It has always produced exciting fights, and is growing exponentially with each show. BAMMA is now in the top 5 promotions in the World and I just feel fortunate to be with them. In the past few months of negotiating, I just kept training and telling my team that I had to be ready and now here I am and ready to get out there and perform to the level that will put me hopefully on a championship contention course”
On the late change of opponent Mat Ewin had this to say “I’m totally gutted that Baroni has pulled out the fight, especially at this late hour. I was looking forward to a real scrap with the New York Bitch. The change of the opponent I consider way better technically, especially on the ground. Now I’m looking for a TKO victory over Ivan Salaverry. Be warned, Ewin is back!!”
Long time Cage Rage veteran Jeremy ‘Badboy’ Bailey makes his MMA return after a 3 year absence, taking on an as yet unnamed opponent.
Bailey said “As long as there is blood running through my veins and time left on the clock, I will try to end my opponents career. It doesn’t matter who it is. I will never give ground and never take a backward step, if I’m still breathing, I not losing!”
South London Fire Fighter, Kurt Johnson makes his professional MMA debut against 2-1-0 Kenny Moyston
Kurt said “This fight is a huge opportunity on a great show, a huge stage for any fighter to make their professional debut. I’m looking to turn some heads, impress the crowd and finish the fight – all in my back yard!”
Jude Samuel, matchmaker for BAMMA says “This is the one of biggest and strongest MMA cards this country will ever witness. 16 fights in one night at one of the most iconic sporting venues this country has to offer. With every event we aim to draw a line in the sand and give the fans the high quality of entertainment that they are seeking for, whilst answering any questions people may have about our goals and ambitions for the future. It’s a team effort and we have the whole MMA industry to thank. Bring on BAMMA 6!”
As well as being able to watch the top 3 fights live, for the first time ever, fans in the UK and around the World will be able to watch the preliminary card via BAMMA.TV. A selection of fights from the prelims will be available live with the rest available on-demand after the event. Fans can pre-register for BAMMA.TV now
BAMMA 6: KONG vs NINJA
Wembley Arena, London
Saturday 21st May
THE MAIN CARD – LIVE ON SYFY IN THE UK and BAMMA.TV OUTSIDE OF THE UK from 9pm GMT / 4pm ET / 1pm PT
WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
TOM ‘KONG’ WATSON vs MURILO ‘NINJA’ RUA
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
JOHN PHILLIPS vs FRANK TRIGG
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
MATT EWIN vs IVAN SALAVERRY
THE PRELIMS – AVAILABLE VIA BAMMA.TV IN THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY – RUNNING ORDER TBC
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
VALENTINO PETRESCU vs JOAO PAULO DE SOUZA
WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDER
JASON BALL vs LEONARDO SANTOS
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
CHE MILLS vs MARCIO CESAR
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
SHANE OMER vs AARON WILKINSON
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
NEIL WAIN vs MARCIN BARTKIEWICZ
WELTERWEIGHT
KURT JOHNSON vs KENNY MOYSTON
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
SAM WATLING vs LEIGH COHOON
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
CATALIN ZMARANDESCU vs SHARIF MOHAMMED ALI
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
SCOTT JANSEN vs CRAIG CHESTERS
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
COSTAS DORU vs JEREMY PETLEY
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
CHARLES ‘CHAZ’ SCOTT vs MURREY FULLERTON
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
JEREMY BAILEY vs TBC
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
RYAN WHITE vs FRASER OPIE
Presented by:
GoDaddy.com
In Association with:
PKR.com – The Official Gaming Partner of BAMMA
Lonsdale – The Official Equipment Partner of BAMMA
Revoker “Stay Down” – The Official Theme Song of BAMMA
BUY TICKETS FROM: TICKETMASTER.CO.UK
Doors Open at 3.30pm GMT
First Fight at 4.30pm GMT
No entry after 8pm GMT
MAKE SURE YOU’RE ON BOARD FOR BAMMA 6 AT WEMBLEY ARENA
Tickets are available via TICKETMASTER
Watch LIVE on Syfy in the UK: Sky/HD 114, Virgin TV 135 and TalkTalk 22.
Watch LIVE on BAMMA.TV outside of the UK