BAMMA 19 - Main Card Announced

(PRESS RELEASE) -- BAMMA Leaders in MMA sports entertainment are proud to announce the three of the main card bouts for BAMMA 19 on Saturday 28th March at the Blackpool Winter Gardens. In the Main event in Blackpool Martin Stapleton Vs. Jeremy Petley will finally meet in the BAMMA cage in a hotly anticipated fight. The Co-Headliner is a bout with title ramifications as Ashley 'Cruiser' Grimshaw faces off against Brazilian Orestes Betran in a Featherweight No.1 contenders bout. Rising stars Jack McGann & Marc Diakiese face each other in a battle which will see one of them lose their undefeated record. It's all on the line as BAMMA 18 rolls down the Golden Mile to the Winter Gardens on 28th March 2015.

Main Event

Martin Stapleton Vs. Jeremy Petley (Lightweight)

Another bout from BAMMA 17 that was derailed by injury has been resigned for BAMMA 19. Martin "50 Cal" Stapleton is one of the UKs standout MMA Lightweight competitors. Training out of SBG Manchester under Karl Tanswell. He now sports a record of 15-4 with 5 T/KOs, 5 Subs and 5 Decisions. Stapleton had a successful debut at BAMMA 17 against late replacement Sebastien Fournier via 1st Round submission.

"This Fight with Petley should've happened in Dec It was tragedy it didn't happen in front of a Manchester crowd, but by March i've made 4 months worth of more improvements and will show why I'm too much for anyone in this division.

After this Fight its simple, Mansour Barnaoui better get watching some tape of me coz I'm coming for him next. I'm gonna make him 5 lbs of gold lighter!"

London Fight Factory’s Jeremy Petley returns to the BAMMA cage after suffering an injury just before BAMMA 17. His last appearance in the BAMMA cage he defeated Richie Downes at BAMMA11. He now brings a record of 10-5-0. Also recently signing a multi-fight deal with BAMMA he had this to say on the upcoming fight with Stapleton:

"After recovering from the injury I'm looking forward to getting back down to work and making a stamp in this lightweight division. I'll be making it very clear in this fight that I am coming after that title. I will have that belt around my waist."

Co-Main Event

Ashley Grimshaw Vs. Orestes Bertran (Featherweight No.1 Contender Bout)

Ashleigh Grimshaw brings 12 years professional experience as arsenal, and holds a record of 16-8-1-2. Fighting out of the renowned Team Titan, the Londoner is returning after a No Contest in his title fight with Tom Duquesnoy after he suffered an accidental low blow. Riding a 6 fight win streak (And the no contest with Duquesnoy) of 1st round finishes. Past conquests include names such as Phil Harris and Vaughan Lee, alongside a Who's Who of UK opponents.

"He is just another victim in my eyes. It's nothing personal, I have respect for him but he will inevitably be broken by the pressure and levels I bring into the cage"

Orestes Betran is a 31 year old Brazilian fighting out of HJJT & Iron Gymnasium in Londrina, Brazil. The featherweights current pro record stands at 16-4 and is currently riding a fight win streak. On signing with BAMMA Betran had the following words:

"It's an honour to be apart of a great organization like BAMMA, I look forward to performing in front of the great UK fans."

Jack McGann Vs. Marc Diakiese (Lightweight)

After his human wrecking ball destruction of Kayvan Fallah at BAMMA 17, McGann announced his arrival in the BAMMA Lightweight division. McGann now holds a 7-0 record and fights out of the world famous Wolfslair Gym under the tutelage of his father and founder of Wolfslair, Anthony McGann. Jack is very aware of the ramifications of this bout and commented on the fight:

"There's a saying in our industry "you eat what you kill", and I am very hungry. It's a performance based business and I intend to perform to the best of my ability. I will train as always for a long fast paced fight. But on the night I will be seeking to finish from the get go.

Marc is a very classy and talented fighter with a lot of hype. I will have to bring everything in my arsenal to break him. This fight for me will set out the rest of my career. If I can dominate Marc like I have the rest of my opponents then for me there's no obstacle I cannot overcome. I give full respect and admiration of the fighter Marc is.

I am focused on his abilities and my coaches have studied him thoroughly. This has the makings of a truly great fight. I'm not looking for points or the decision of the judges I intend take him out!!!!!!"

Marc Diakiese was originally slated to face Kane 'The Danger' Mousah, until Mousah was unable to compete due to a long standing knee injury. The Bonecrusher went on to face and defeat Vince O'Neil in a hard fought decision at BAMMA 17. With that victory his record moved to 6-0 (2-0 BAMMA). He now puts his undefeated streak on the line at BAMMA 19 in Blackpool and had the following words for his opponent Jack McGann:

"I'm currently enjoying the best training camp of my career out at All Stars in Sweden. I have a lot of respect for Jack McGann as a fighter & although I knew we would meet at some point I thought it would be a little further down the line at BAMMA.

However with this in mind I have complete confidence in my ability & my aim is to eventually win the Bamma British Title. I am looking forward to a hard fight & I'm sure we won't disappoint the Bamma crowd."

Tickets will be on sale soon.

Stay up to date with all the latest BAMMA 19 news at bamma.com and via the hashtags #BAMMA19 #WelcomeToTheNewAge

You can follow Martin Stapleton, Jeremy Petley, Ashleigh Grimshaw, Orestes Betran, Jack McGann & Marc Diakiese on Twitter @Stapes_50cal @JeremyPetley @CruiserMMA @OrestesBetran @JackMcGann93 @Marc_Diakiese & @BAMMA