Top prospects are set to collide in Paris when Mark Ewen faces Andreas Binder in showcase bout at PFL Paris on Thursday March 7th.
The Lightweight contest is just one of several exciting showcase bouts set for the French capital on the first PFL European show of 2024- which include Abdoul Abdouraguimov taking on British veteran Jack Grant and an astonishing headline bout between the unbeaten Cedric Doumbe and Baysangur Chamsoudinov.
The bout will mark both Ewen and Binder’s promotional debuts as the pair will no doubt be looking to make a statement against one another.
Ewen has largely been touted as one of the biggest mixed martial arts prospects in the UK. After joining the professional ranks in 2021, Ewen quickly got to work and was not afraid to travel in order to develop his game. After a successful debut against Michael Blair in Scotland, he then travelled to the North East and got his second consecutive second round win against Tom Mullen. Just two fights into his professional career and Ewen was given his first shot on an international show, when he travelled to South Africa to face Adrian Sanchez at EFC 95. The Scotsman dispatched of the South African native in two rounds, tying up a tight Anaconnda choke. It was back to Europe for his fourth outing, when Ewen appeared on ARES 10 and once again showed his striking prowess against Khairulla Khaitullaev, stopping him in the very first round.
4 stoppage wins in his first 16 months a professional caught the attention of Bellator, who signed Ewen on a on a multi-fight. His first promotional showing came at Bellator 299 against the fellow undefeated Noah Gugnon. It was a step up in promotion and opponent but the Higher Level athlete took it all in his stride and racked up his fifth finish within the distance, in as many fights.
Binder is undoubtedly the most experienced opponent Ewen has faced so far. The Irish-based Romanian will be keen to continue his recent fine form, which sees him unbeaten in three & crowned the Levels Fight League Lightweight champion.
Binders professional career started far from how he would have envisioned, losing his professional debut and then picking up a no contest in his second bout. His change in fortune came in his third bout, when he stopped Diarmuid O Buachalla with a second round TKO. From there, Binder went on an impressive run, claiming four stoppage wins on the bounce against Vadim Kolesnikov, Michail Gusakov, Jeanderson Castro and Rostem Akman. The wins earned him a spot as one half of the main event for Inferno 5, where he fought against Roberto Pastuch for the vacant Welterweight title. Pastuch put an emphatic end to ‘Judokas’’ impressive run, finishing him with a first round rear naked choke.
Since his loss to Pastuch, Binder is yet to taste defeat again, with the back to back wins against Cristian Valencia and Chris Stringer before a solid performance against Aiden Lee.
The card is set to host the opening round of the 2024 European Welterweight and Lightweight tournaments at the Accor Arena, Paris.
