Issue 096
December 2012
Along with Michael Bisping moving ever closer to a crack at the UFC 185lb belt, there are a number of other Brits who may get the chance for a shot at gold in the future. Here’s the seven of the best...
About
Brad Pickett
Boxer who went Stateside to overhaul his wrestling game.
Ross Pearson
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter season nine.
Jimi Manuwa
Undefeated former UCMMA light heavyweight champion.
Phil Harris
Europe’s number-one flyweight and recent UFC signing.
Paul Sass
Scouse submission prodigy, unbeaten until recently.
Kris Edwards
Tipped to be the first Welshman to make it to the UFC.
John Hathaway
A late starter who switched from rugby.
Known For
Brad Pickett
His newspaper-reading entrances to the sounds of cockney duo Chas & Dave.
Ross Pearson
Won plenty of fans with his aggressive stand-up.
Jimi Manuwa
Viciously powerful stand-up and 100% finish rate over 12 fights.
Phil Harris
Unbeaten for years, previous defeats had come when he fought outside his weight class until he tapped out in his UFC debut at 125lb.
Paul Sass
Incredible ability to catch anyone in a triangle.
Kris Edwards
Sharp Thai boxing and slick submissions.
John Hathaway
Wrestling skills above the average UK level.
Worth Seeing
Brad Pickett
His flying foot stomp KO on Ozzy Haluk to take the featherweight title at Cage Rage 13.
Ross Pearson
In his final domestic match pre-TUF, he submitted veteran Ian Jones with a rear naked choke.
Jimi Manuwa
His Thai clinch battle with TUF: The Smashes’ Valentino Petrescu before a brutal round-one KO at UCMMA 14.
Phil Harris
‘Billy’ dug deep to defeat Neil Seery by unanimous decision at BAMMA 3.
Paul Sass
His split-decision win over Rob Sinclair at OMMAC 2 is remembered as one of the all-time great UK MMA bouts.
Kris Edwards
Last year, Edwards defeated highly regarded bantamweight James Brum with a rear naked choke.
John Hathaway
Hathaway steamrollered Tom Egan in Ireland on his Octagon debut at UFC 93.
Highlight
Brad Pickett
Finished Yves Jabouin with an uppercut knockout at UFC on Fuel TV 5 in England to take ‘Knockout of the Night’ honors.
Ross Pearson
‘The Real Deal’ went to war with Dennis Siver in March 2010 and scored a unanimous decision victory.
Jimi Manuwa
In his UFC debut this September he utterly trounced Kyle Kingsbury on the feet, leaving the AKA man’s left eye a swollen mess for a doctor stoppage.
Phil Harris
His triangle-armbar finish against Remi Morvan on Cage Warriors 46 was a thing of beauty.
Paul Sass
Showed he could do it on the big stage when he snared Mark Holst in a trademark ‘Sassangle’ in the first round at UFC 120.
Kris Edwards
Showcased his dangerous guard game before catching Brian Hyslop in an armbar at Cage Warriors 48.
John Hathaway
Shocked the world at UFC 114 with a dominant win over Diego Sanchez.
Title Shot?
Brad Pickett
With the status of Cruz uncertain, consensus top-10 guy ‘One Punch’ is in the mix for a shot at the banatamweight title.
Ross Pearson
His high profile due to coaching on TUF: The Smashes and his willingness to step up at short notice mean he could get the call at featherweight.
Jimi Manuwa
He couldn’t have made a better case in dominating Kingsbury. A few more like that and he’ll be in the title conversation.
Phil Harris
With the flyweight title picture still in flux, an early shot for Harris is still not out of the question.
Paul Sass
Despite tapping to Matt Wiman in September, a couple more famous scalps would make him a credible challenger.
Kris Edwards
Now campaigning at 125lb, the youngster is poised to make a big impact in a weight division short on stars.
John Hathaway
Lost his unbeaten record, but a series of good results would propel him up the rankings.
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