(January 18th.13) The UK’s premier Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, is proud to announce that 4 more fights have been added to the preliminaries for BAMMA 12, reflecting more of the upcoming talent that the North East has to offer. Regrettably, two injuries have forced further changes to the BAMMA 12 card as both Darren Towler and Wayne Murrie have withdrawn from competing.  Darren Towler was lined up to fight Callum Cook, while Bola Omoyele was set to face Murrie in an elimination contest for the BAMMA Lonsdale British Welterweight title shot.  BAMMA 12 takes place at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on Saturday 9th March 2013.

RICHIE KNOX  VS. THOMAS DENHAM [LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT]

Newcastle’s Richie “The Guv’nor”  Knox  holds a professional MMA record of 3-0-0 but has already claimed 10th Legion’s Light Heavyweight title. Knox holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Pete Irving and Leo Negao, and is renowned also for his excellent stand up skills. He is sponsored by REVGEAR and Fightstoremma.com

Thomas Denham hails from Darlington in the North East and presents a professional record of 4-3-0. Denham joined the BAMMA card for BAMMA 11 when he went to the third round with Mike Neun to lose via TKO. Coming from a wrestling background, he was the highest ranked Freestyle wrestler in England for his age and division for 7 years running. Crossing over to MMA less than two years ago, he debuted professionally with a loss against Anthony Taylor followed by a second defeat at the hands of Rab Truesdale. Denham went on to score 4 consecutive wins and earn the Knuckleforce title.

Follow @KnoxRichie  and @TomDen_MMA on Twitter

PAUL MCBRIDE VS. DARREN WARDLE [MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT]

Liverpudlian Paul McBride fights out of Kaobon with a record of 2-1-0. The 37 year old’s fighting style is Vale Tudo and he debuted professionally out of Wolfslair in 2007 to receive his one loss. His strongest asset is his striking.

Hailing from South Shields, Darren Wardle (3-2-0) is has earned a reputation as a dangerous grappler and a competent striker with an aggressive style.  Made for the Cage has seen Wardle dish out two first round Submission finishes, both of which clocked in at around the 1 minute mark. His other victory brought a first round stoppage via TKO (punches). Wardle fights out of the Fight Pit in Sunderland.

Follow @Dazwardlemma on Twitter

MAHMOOD BESHARATE VS. STEVEN GARDENER [BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT]

Mahmood Besharate is undefeated with a record of 3-0-0 with victories via TKO, Submission (RNC) and Decision.  Originally from Iran and now living and training in Nottingham and Leicester with Team Rough House and Leicester Shootfighters, Mahmood also stood undefeated at Semi-Pro with a record of 3-0-0.  An experienced MuayThai fighter with a 15 year background in Taekwondo, Besharate can also boast strong wrestling skills.

Sunderland’s Steven ‘Bam Bam’ Gardener is coming fresh off a 43 second TKO win at Made 4 the Cage, via punches. Climbing through the Amateur ranks with a record of 6-0-0 and with a Semi-Professional Lightweight title at ‘Made for the Cage 2’ in 2011, Gardener’s professional record stands at 1-3-0 and includes a distance loss at the hands of the more experienced James Macalister of On Top.

Follow @stevenbambam and @persianpridemma on Twitter

ANAS SIRAJ MOUNIR  VS. JOHN JACKSON  [WELTERWEIGHT BOUT]

This Welterweight clash opens up the BAMMA 12 card as a debut match-up between two talented Newcastle fighters. Casablanca’s Anas Siraj Mounir sustained an unbroken record at Amateur of 8-0-0, earning the Made 4 the Cage Semi-Professional belt. With victories via TKO, Submission and Decision, Mounir has demonstrated that he has the capacity to both finish fights in the first and to go the distance. The Moroccan fighter trains at Dungeon MMA in Sunderland, where he lives, and he is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. John Jackson comes from the North East with a background in boxing and is renowned for his lethal knock-out power.

Follow @Anassirajmounir on Twitter

BAMMA 12 will feature on Channel 5 and 5* in the UK;  and will be televised on AXS-TV in the US, The Fight Network in Canada, Red Media in Russia, TV Esporte Interativo in Brazil and Setanta in Africa.

Follow @BAMMAUK on Twitter.

Stay close to The MMA Review (themmareview.co.uk) for all the latest BAMMA news.

Jay Cee – @JayCeeMMA

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*This is an official BAMMA press release. A press release is an announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press.