Ken Shamrock
Press Release – Ken Shamrock flies over from Nevada in the United States for Saturday night’s show in Newcastle. UFC Hall of Famer, Shamrock, made his name also as a professional wrestler and stands among Mixed Martial Arts history’s brightest stars. He established his name in the early years of the sport through his rivalry with Royce Gracie before going on to headline over 15 events in the UFC and Pride over the course of his career. Alongside his success in MMA, Shamrock also achieved championship success with the World Wrestling Federation and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, as well as achieving the following titles; NWA World Heavyweight, WWF Intercontinental, WWF Tag Team and WWF King of the Ring.
Shamrock said: “I’m thrilled to be coming over to commentate on BAMMA. There’s a lot of places we don’t get to see from our part of the world so I’m always excited to travel; and I’m always excited to see the up and coming fighters.”
Michael Schiavello will be flying in from Australia for BAMMA 12. Schiavello is host of The Voice Versus series on AXS TV. The one-hour talk show has featured some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, with guests that include Hulk Hogan, Steven Seagal and Sugar Ray Leonard; and MMA fighters, Wanderlei Silva, Jason “Mayhem” Miller and Tito Ortiz. Schiavello has also commentated for K-1, Dream, Maximum Fighting Championship, King of the Cage and The Contender Asia and HD Net Fights. Schiavello began his career in sports journalism is also renowned for his prolific work both as a writer and editor.
Schiavello said: “I’m looking forward to being back in England and back behind the microphone for BAMMA. There’s always a particular buzz to a BAMMA show that sets it apart from any other show in the world. I can’t put my finger on what it is but I know that I like it! I’m most looking forward to seeing Judo Jim Wallhead in the main event. He never has a boring fight, he always brings the house down and to me he’s the epitome of an English fighter: gritty, determined, hard-nosed and lacking a sun tan!”
Follow @SchiavelloVOICE @BAMMAUK on Twitter.
In addition, World Class Ring Announcer Mike Markham has been named the official “Voice of BAMMA”.
BAMMA 12 is scheduled for March 9th in Newcastle, England and will be Markham’s first event as the promotion’s official voice.Markham’s BAMMA debut was in September of 2012 at London’s Wembley Arena. Markham also worked BAMMA 11 in Birmingham, England in December of 2012.
Markham has announced events ranging from the World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi to bouts involving the legendary Fedor Emelianenko in Russia. Markham has worked as a live announcer for over 40 entities, including 24 fight promoters, at engagements around the world.
Mike Markham said: “I look forward to an exciting long term relationship with BAMMA as the sport of MMA continues to vibrantly explode across the United Kingdom.”
BAMMA’s Managing Director, Ashley Bothwell, said:
“Mike Markham has fast become a popular member of the BAMMA team and has made an stunning impression both internally and on BAMMA fans, for his professionalism and the quality of his work. We are thrilled to welcome him into a more permanent role as BAMMA’s MC.”
BAMMA 12 FIGHT CARD
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
MATT VEACH VS. JIM WALLHEAD
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
MARCIN LAZARZ VS. MAX “POWER” NUNES
BAMMA LONSDALE BRITISH LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE BOUT
CURT WARBURTON VS. STEVIE RAY
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT
LUKE NEWMAN VS. RYAN SCOPE
CATCHWEIGHT BOUT 88KG
KEVIN THOMPSON VS. SCOTT ASKHAM
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
JAMES MACALISTER VS. DAWID FARYCKI
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
LEEROY BARNES VS. STEVE WATSON
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
BRETT MCDERMOTT VS. THOMAS DENHAM
MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT
CRAIG ROBERTSON VS. LUKE HARRIMAN
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT
MAHMOOD BESHARATE VS. STEVEN GARDENER
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT
JEFFERSON GEORGE VS. STEPHEN MARTIN
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