The Liverpool MMA scene is as hot as ever right now, with the likes of Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann in the UFC, and now with emerging prospect Kurtis Campbell.
Campbell was the main event at Full Contact Contender 40 on Saturday night and defended where he defended his featherweight title for the first time with an opening round submission.
“The Pink Panther” jumped on the mic immediately after the win and sent a message to UFC President Dana White. The Liverpool fighter said: “When they want me I’m ready. Come on big man [Dana White], you know who I am, I know who you are. Let’s f***ing get it!”
The 22-year-old now has an undefeated 6-0 professional record with four wins coming inside the distance.
Campbell revealed his dominant wrestling performance was “a big part of the gameplan.” He added: “I’ve been in there drilling this stuff for the past year and my team were telling me, as soon as I get him down, he isn’t going to get back up. I listened to them, trusted them and that’s what I got done on the night.”
His impressive record means the Liverpool fighter will likely have a number of options for his next bout. However, Campbell wants to make sure his choice is the right one and he said that he’ll be sitting down with his team soon to ensure he makes the right step.
Connor Walsh, training partner of Campbell’s at KC Fight Gym in Kirkby, also fought at the event and captured a viral spinning back kick TKO victory in just 30 seconds of the opening round.
Walsh said: “It was picture perfect. I couldn’t ask for a better thing to happen. I felt like I was a lot more relaxed tonight too, ready to use my striking a lot more, that’s one thing I’m buzzing with.”
Walsh also holds an undefeated early 3-0 professional record but, arguably, most impressive is that he has finished all of his opponents in the opening round while fighting at 125lbs.
The KC Fight Gym pair may not have hours of in-cage experience, but they are learning from the very best as they headed to Thailand at the start of this training camp to sharpen their skills.
Campbell said: “It was massively beneficial, seeing different bodies and different game plans. When I go in there now, I know I’ve seen it all before so I am as ready as ever.”
Other Merseyside based fighters found success on Saturday’s card. Marlon Jones won a first round TKO in his return to the octagon after a two-year layoff. Ellie Davies won by finish in her professional debut and Jamie Davies locked in a second round submission win, amongst others.
