Press Release – (January 8th.13) The UK’s premier Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, is proud to announce that Jimmy Wallhead has signed to a 4 fight deal with BAMMA that is exclusive in the UK.
“Judo” Jimmy Wallhead walks into the BAMMA 12 cage, to face Matt Veach, with an extended fight record of 23-7-0. Regarded among the elite of UK fighters, the Rough House athlete has endured a long road to recognition, through the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. Rejected for a role in “Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom” in 2008 on the grounds of being ‘too experienced’; Wallhead has been frequently avoided in his career on the grounds of his exceptional talent.
Jimmy Wallhead first appeared at BAMMA to defeat the legendary Frank Trigg at BAMMA 7. He returned at BAMMA 8 to cut down Joey Villasenor with flying knees and a spectacular KO. With one bout at Bellator in between, Wallhead’s clash with Matt Veach on BAMMA 12 will see him work to stake out his claim in the Welterweight division.
Jimmy Wallhead said:
“I’m happy to be signing a deal with BAMMA. It’s where I want to be putting on exciting fights for the UK fans. I will also be hunting for that world title for sure!”
Wallhead’s manager, Wad Alameddine of Fight Management said:
“I’m very pleased to have Judo Jim signing for BAMMA. He’s achieved some of his biggest wins on this show and he thoroughly enjoys being part of BAMMA. We’re looking forward to a successful, but also busy year with one of the best shows in the world. Jimmy’s certainly looking forward to regaining some momentum and being seen back on British TV again after what feels like a very slow and difficult couple of years for his career. Anyone stepping up to fight Jimmy this year on his home turf better be ready because I’m confident we’re going to see the best “Judo Jim” any of us have ever seen!”
BAMMA’s Managing Director, Ashley Bothwell, said:
“Jimmy is considered by many to be the UK’s number 1 Welterweight and has brought some of the most exciting fights to happen in the BAMMA cage. We’re proud to welcome Judo Jimmy to our ranks and I can’t wait to see him continue on his roll at BAMMA 12.”
BAMMA 12 FIGHT CARD
WITH MORE FIGHTS TO BE ANNOUNCED
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
MATT VEACH VS. JIM WALLHEAD
BAMMA LONSDALE BRITISH LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
CURT WARBURTON VS. STEVIE RAY
BRITISH WELTERWEIGHT TITLE CONTENDERS FIGHT
BOLA OMOYELE VS. WAYNE MURRAY
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
LUKE NEWMAN VS. RYAN SCOPE
HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
DARREN TOWLER VS. CALLUM COOK
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
KEVIN THOMPSON VS. SCOTT ASKHAM
Follow @judojimmy and @BAMMAUK on Twitter.
About BAMMA:
BAMMA (The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts) is a premier European MMA organization that launched in June 2009 with the aim of delivering Mixed Martial Arts events that fully capture the entertainment and sporting prowess on display in the world’s fastest growing sport. To achieve this aim, BAMMA brought together a team of skilled individuals with a wealth of combined experience across Television Production, Event Organisation and Mixed Martial Arts. BAMMA’s combination of arena sized venues, stunning fight cards and exceptional production values has led to BAMMA’s position as one of Europe’s most recognisable MMA brands. With a highly experienced team each BAMMA event always delivers a highly anticipated and unique Mixed Martial Arts experience.
About Lonsdale:
Firmly established as the leading brand of fight sports equipment and clothing, Lonsdale is steeped in over 50 years of fight history. From humble London origins the Lonsdale brand quickly became the hallmark of both boxing and MMA champions throughout the world, with its legendary quality and authenticity.
It is no coincidence fights legends Tom ‘Kong’ Watson, Muhammad Ali, “Marvellous” Marvin Hagler, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton have all trained and fought in Lonsdale.
About Safe MMA
SAFE MMA is a not for profit organisation established to improve the safety of MMA fighters in the UK. Under the Safe MMA banner, the medical centre provides a secure, centralised and confidential database for fighter medical records; and coordinates affordable, standardised blood and medical tests for all registered fighters. Additionally, SAFE MMA members will have access to advice from leading world experts in sports medicine.
UK promotions Cage Warriors, BAMMA and UCMMA united to help found the project and have agreed that from 1st January 1013 all fighters on their cards must be registered to SAFE MMA and undergo annual medical tests and bi-annual blood tests. The promotions have agreed only to use fighters that are deemed medically safe to fight under the SAFE MMA (green light) system and not to use fighters that are suspended due to injuries, such as concussion, or who are overdue for blood tests, for example. Additionally, the promotions have pledged to have medical professionals carry out pre- and post-fight tests with all results to be submitted to the confidential medical database at 76 Harley St. Medical data will never be transmitted to anyone but SAFE MMA will be able to give a rapid and all-hours service to inform authorised promotions of who is medically safe to fight and who needs to be rechecked, at the time of enquiry. Visit www.safemma.co.uk for further information.