5 Unsigned Fighters Who Deserve A Spot On UFC Liverpool
The UFC will be hosting their first ever fight card in Liverpool, England on May 27 and the event is set to be headlined by Liverpool’s own, Darren Till.
With just 10 weeks left until fight night, spots on the card are filling up fast, but here are a few names that could be in contention for a call up to the roster for UFC Fight Night 130.
#1 – Molly McCann
The Cage Warrior’s women’s flyweight champion Molly McCann got the Echo Arena bouncing just a few weeks ago when she defeated Bryony Tyrell for her first ever world title. With six wins in a row and a record 7-1, McCann has shown plenty of times that she can handle business with some of the best fighters in her division. The UFC women’s flyweight division needs a jumpstart and McCann could well be the one to do exactly that. A debut at the Echo Arena would be perfect.
#2 – Paddy Pimblett
Is it even possible for UFC Liverpool to take place without Pimblett? Sure it probably is, but if the event is going to be done properly with no stones left unturned then “The Baddy” has to be involved. Anyone who has attended a Cage Warriors show at the Echo Arena when Pimblett has been fighting will know that the atmosphere is like nothing else. He’s high energy, he’s unfiltered and he’s simply just a whole lot of fun. His flying arm triangle finish at Cage Warriors 90 four weeks ago showed the world that he’s now taking this game a whole more seriously and it would be great to see him get the call. Let’s see what he’s got under the bright lights of the Echo Arena when it’s under the UFC banner.
#3 – Brendan Loughnane
If we are going to talk about Pimblett then you know a discussion about Loughnane is far around the corner. The Mancunian might not walk into the Echo Arena with the same partisan support than his Liverpudlian rival, but he deserves a second crack at a UFC run. Putting his quick jaunt at 155-pounds to face Pat Healy to one side, Loughnane has dominated the European scene at 145-pounds and he’s looked good doing it. Asking the UFC to put together the much clamoured for Pimblett vs Loughnane fight might be a little bit much to ask for, but having Loughnane involved in some way shape or fashion would be much deserved.
#4 – Mike Grundy
Darren Tills’ teammate Mike Grundy is 11-1 as a professional mixed martial artist and had a big push from the local media in the UK when a last minute replacement was needed for the UFC London fight card. Being one of Till’s premier training partners is a bad feather to have in your cap, but Grundy has far more than just that going for him and he deserves the call up on just merit alone. He’s a former Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in freestyle wrestling and is currently riding an 8 fight win streaks with wins in promotions all over the world. His pedigree isn’t to be doubted and now is the time for him to get the nod.
#5 – Chris Fishgold
Fishgold is perhaps the quietest and most reserved of the 5 fighters being suggested, but his case for getting the call up for UFC Liverpool is just as strong. The Liverpudlian is the current Cage Warriors lightweight champion and is riding a 7 fight win streak that extends back to 2015. Fishgold is currently taking some time on the sidelines to consider his next step and reportedly has several offers on the table for him to consider. If the UFC are looking for a local hero with championship pedigree to step up to the plate for May 27, Fishgold has to be in the conversation.