By: Tom Strong, MMATorch UK Columnist
The British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA) will make a return next month with their first in a series of ‘Fight Night’ events across the UK. Since the announcement of the new ‘Fight Night,’ this will be the first event at the Guildhall in Southampton, England, on the 7th of June.
Headlining the main event of the evening, Scott Askham will put his Middleweight Title on the line when he faces Sweden’s Max Nunes. Askham (11-0) is currently undefeated in his eleven pro fight career, including wins over Denniston Sutherland, current UK BAMMA middleweight Harry McLeman, and Jack Marshman. Scott Askham won the middleweight title defeating Jorge Luis Bezerra via unanimous decision when the pair met in September 2013 at BAMMA 13. Since winning the title Askham has been plagued with injury and been unable to defend his title until now.
Highly talented Max Nunes (13-1) only defeat came when he fought Jason Jones for the BAMMA light heavyweight title at BAMMA 13. The fight ended in a second round submission ending Nunes eleven fight win streak. Since that defeat, Nunes dropped weight classes from light heavyweight to middleweight. Making a successful middleweight debut at BAMMA 14, Nunes defeated Ion Pascu over three rounds, taking a unanimous decision win. More recently, fighting outside of BAMMA, Nunes wasted little time defeating Boris Miroshnichenko via first round TKO at ProFC 53 in April.
Also confirmed for the event will see the return of Ashleigh Grimshaw (15-8-1), who has recently signed a five fight deal with BAMMA. Riding high on a five fight winning streak, Grimshaw has finished his last five opponents inside the first round. His opponent Dragan Pesic (3-1) will be making his BAMMA debut on the 7th of June. Pesic three MMA wins have all come inside the distance and via submission.
BAMMA ‘Fight Night’ series will see itself move away from the major cities, taking top talents to the regional scene along with regional fighters to make up the cards.
Fight Card:
Scott Askham vs Max Nunes – World Middleweight Title
Alexei Roberts vs. Artem Kotov – Lightweight
Ashleigh Grimshaw vs. Dragan Pesic – Featherweight
Alex Montagnani vs. Tim Menzies – Welterweight
Ed Athur vs. Michael Cutting – Bantamweight