Posts Tagged ‘BAMMA 9’

Jack Marshman (Left) & Leeroy Barnes (right) will return to the cage for BAMMA 9

Barnes vs. Nembhard

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Izzy Carnwath

Anyone following the world of MMA would know Leeroy Barnes is one of the most colourful characters in the game, and he’s definitely not backward in sharing thoughts regarding his opponents.  Of his upcoming bout at BAMMA 9, Leeroy said on Facebook, “Too Strong, Too fast, Too Powerful, Too fit and Too good looking for Nick Nembhard!!  And I’m still almost 7 weeks out.  Amazing session tonight! You’re all going to see something special come March 24th at the NIA in Birmingham.”

But Barnes is always prepared to back up his talk with brutal workouts and total commitment in the cage.

In another Facebook entry, Leeroy declared “Those rope climbs were shockingly hard work when I couldn’t feel my hands in the cold and had 20kg of chains hanging off my neck!!  On a plus note PB on standing vertical jump!!  Almost my shoulder height!!  The Extreme S&C record, white man CAN jump!  Need to transfer that power back into a double-leg takedown now.”

Despite losing his last bout to Jack Marshman at BAMMA 8, whilst challenging for the Lonsdale British Middleweight Championship, Barnes pressed Marshman, and was the first opponent Jack was unable to stop in his 9-0 career.  “It was a good fight,” says Leeroy.  “It was the most enjoyable fight I’ve been part of and it was an honour to face Jack.  I didn’t do enough in the fight and looking back I’m disappointed in that as I believe I had the ability to beat Jack.  It was a big step up in class for me but I was ready.”

The Marshman vs. Barnes title match was an incredibly tough duel and one that will be long remembered by fans.  Leeroy is certain Jack didn’t underestimate him as a challenger.  “Most people would think so.  You only have to look at some of the losses from early in my career to get the wrong impression of what I’m about.  I was hoping he would underestimate me but unfortunately for me he didn’t.  He worked hard and it showed in the fight.  That’s why he holds the title,” says Barnes.

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BAMMA Middleweight Nick Nembhard

Nembhard vs. Barnes at BAMMA 9

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Izzy Carnwath

Great Britain has always been known for its cricket, boxing and all codes of football; now the UK is fast becoming guardian to one of the world’s most exciting brands of ultimate fighting, with Europe’s leading Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, constantly delivering events that are loaded with both top-notch mixed martial arts skills and high-spirited combat.

Scheduled for March 24 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, BAMMA 9 is a classic example of the depth of Britain’s world class fighters, and features a card of mostly home-grown athletes, including the headline bout between Tom Watson and Jack Marshman.

But on any given day the three major prelim bouts could easily be main events.  And Andrew Punshon vs. Matt Howard, Jason Ball vs. Colin Fletcher, or Nick Nembhard vs. Leeroy Barnes could very well steal fight-of-the-night honours on March 24.

Nick Nembhard has carved an impressive name for himself as a well-rounded fighter with exceptional Muay Thai and BJJ capabilities, and is looking forward to displaying those skills when he makes his BAMMA debut against Leeroy Barnes in Birmingham.

Knucklepit was fortunate to catch up with Nick Nembhard in his lead up to BAMMA 9.

Nick, how did you first get involved in a fighting art and how old were you? 

I first started karate at eight years old.

Where were you born and where is your current hometown? 

Wolverhampton; I now live in Walsall, West Midlands.

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Jason 'Daddy Cool' Ball Ready for BAMMA 9

Jason Ball vs. Colin Fletcher at BAMMA 9

© Marc Wickert www.knucklepit.com
Special thanks to Izzy Carnwath

On Saturday 24th March, 2012, lightweights Jason ‘Daddy Cool’ Ball (18-10-0) and Colin ‘Freakshow’ Fletcher (7-1-0) will be facing off at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, UK, for BAMMA 9. 

Europe’s leading Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, has been consistently delivering some of the world’s top MMA competitions and they’re promising to continue the top-notch battles at BAMMA 9.  Ball vs. Fletcher is bound to be one of the year’s most spectacular showdowns, and already has MMA fans talking.

Jason Ball made a name for himself in the US after his two epic battles in Tampa, Florida, against James Berto at RFC (Real Fighting Championship), with the first decision going to Ball via split decision in July 2009, and the rematch being taken more decisively by Ball in November of that year after he secured a unanimous victory and left wearing the RFC lightweight belt.

Despite losing his two last fights at BAMMA by decision, Jason is determined to get his career back on track in the UK on March 24.  Known to possess diabolical standing and ground skills ‘Daddy Cool’ believes he has what it takes to shutdown the ‘Freakshow’.

Jason, were you confused with the way the ring announcer read out the results of your first bout against James Berto?

At the time I didn’t notice, I was just waiting to hear my name announced and have my arm raised.

How did you feel after you fought James the second time for the RFC Lightweight Title and won by unanimous decision?

On top of the World.  To go over there and beat the guy in his own backyard twice and to leave with a title after a tough fight was a great feeling.

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