The North West’s hottest amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event, Full Contact Contender (FCC), is proud to confirm a the second half of its Double-Bill Main Event for FCC 9. Bulgarian bantamweight prospect Sotir Kichukov will move down to flyweight to face former champion Pietro Menga for the vacant FCC Pro Flyweight title.

Kichukov, a 23 year old from Pomorie, Bulgaria, sports a 12-1 record and carries a seven fight unbeaten streak into the bout. The grappling specialist has taken seven of his career wins by decision whilst competing exclusively in the MAXFIGHT promotion in his home nation. While his record is impressive, he’ll be taking a sharp step up in competition against the home fighter Menga. Prior to FCC 9, Kichukov will be in action this weekend at M-1 Challenge 45 in St Petersburg, facing 12-6 bantamweight Yunus Evloev. FCC officials have indicated that he will face Menga for the belt regardless of the outcome of that fight.

Pietro ‘Pitbull’ Menga (10-0) will be looking to recapture the FCC Pro Flyweight title he forfeited prior to his bout with Artimij Sitenkov in June 2013. The MMA Academy Liverpool project went to a decision for the first time in his professional career against the Lithuanian, having finished all nine previous opponents. Originally tabbed to return to the FCC cage last year, an injury postponed the grappling prodigy’s return until early 2014.

Promoter Adam Teh said: “It’s been in the works for a while, but I’m proud to announce the second part of a huge double bill main event for FCC 9! It’s been incredibly tough to match Pietro Menga; we’ve had discussions with a number of top domestic and European fighters which haven’t panned out. Sotir Kichukov has stepped up to the plate though, and while it’s a huge step up in competition for the youngster, we feel that his submission acumen will make for some interesting grappling exchanges as he looks to take the title back to Bulgaria!”

“Along with the previously announced bout between Jason Cooledge and Brendan Loughnane, this makes for an incredible double header for FCC 9. As for which bout goes on last, we’ll either have to toss a coin or invest in another cage to do them both at the same time!”

The promotion has also revealed two additional amateur title fights, signalling its commitment to the amateur divisions with five amateur title bouts in total. Shaun Hampton of Team Chongi will defend his light heavyweight crown against Cage Warriors veteran Andy Clamp from Blackledge MMA, while newly minted amateur heavyweight champion Tom ‘The Tank’ Bankevics’ faces Kaobon’s Tom Aspinal.

Also added to the originally announced card is a professional bantamweight bout between Ste Nightingale (2-1) and Gaz Pilot (5-0-1). Mike Castell (3-1) has been confirmed as the opponent for Kane ‘The Danger’ Mousah (2-0). SBG Mainline’s Azi Thomas (2-0) will face hot amateur prospect Joe Nazokatov in his professional debut at 155lbs.

Adam Teh said: “This is without a doubt the biggest and best FCC card to date, on both the amateur and professional side of things. Hampton vs Clamp and Bankevics vs Aspinal are big fights in every sense of the word, and it’s great to see a former FCC amateur fighter like Joe Naz making the first step on his pro journey inside our cage. Mousah and Castell will no doubt be all-action, and if Pilot vs Nightingale doesn’t produce fireworks, I don’t know what will!”

FCC 9, takes place in the Premier Suite at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium on March 22nd, 2014, with highlights to be broadcast on Sky’s MyChannel as a later date.

Full Contact Contender 9 Fight Card (Subject to change, more bouts to be confirmed):

Main Event Double Bill:

FCC Pro Flyweight Title: Pietro Menga vs Sotir Kichukov

FCC Pro Lightweight Title: Brendan Loughnane vs Jason Coolidge

Professional Showcase Bouts:
Ste Nightingale vs Gaz Pilot
Kane Mousah vs Mike Castell
Mick Gerrard vs Aaron Aby
Azi Thomas vs Joe Nazokatov

Unified Amateur Title Bouts:
Heavyweight: Tom ‘The Tank’ Bankevics (c) vs Tom Aspinall
Light Heavyweight: Shaun Hampton vs Andy Clamp
Lightweight: Ashley Reese (c) vs Kris Leeson
Welterweight: Calum Brady (c) vs Ian Buckley
Bantamweight (vacant): Javonne Morisson vs Sam Spencer

Unified Amateur Bouts:
Bantamweight title eliminator: Ben Deaden vs Carl Burton
Chris Senior vs Josh McManus
Rick Mawdsley vs Neill Smith
Jack Cartwright vs Jason Jacques
Brett Venables vs Paul Douglas
Craig Kelly vs Wayne Teirney
Callum McVey vs Ryan Robinson
Andreas Tricomitis vs James Duckett
Aaron Robinson vs Jay Robinson
Paul Bentley vs Conor Riordan

Tickets start at £30 standard, £45-65 cage side reserved, £650 VIP cage side table (seats up to ten, includes two course meal). Cage side and VIP seating includes assess to a private bar and waitress service.

FCC 9 is sponsored by Better Bodies Supplements and Premier Therapy.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Adam Teh (07816659015) for details.

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