It was announced yesterday that Europe’s flagship Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, is proud to announce that BAMMA 15 will take place at the Copper Box in London on 5th April. Located in London’s Olympic Park in Hackney Wick, the iconic Copper Box Arena is a multi-sport venue which was famously used for the Summer Olympics in 2012. The fight card is to be announced shortly and tickets go on sale this week.
BAMMA’s Director, Ashley Bothwell said:
“It’s exciting for BAMMA to be holding an event in the Olympic Park at the Copper Box, as it carries a huge sporting legacy. 5th April will see the coming together of months of preparation for the fighters as all their hard work and sacrifice boils down to a few explosive, intense minutes. It is fitting that these crucial minutes should share a home with so many elite and aspirational sporting memories.”
BAMMA IS ALSO PROUD TO ANNOUNCE:
OLI THOMPSON VS GZIM ‘ALBANIAN PSYCHO’ SELMANI
WILL HEADLINE FOR
BAMMA 15
AT THE COPPER BOX ARENA, LONDON (UK)
5TH APRIL 2014
Europe’s flagship Mixed Martial Arts promotion, BAMMA, is proud to announce Oli Thompson vs Gzim Selmani as the Heavyweight headliner for BAMMA 15 at the Copper Box in London’s Olympic Park on 5th April.
Oli Thompson originally made his name as a strongman, peaking in 2006 when he won the TWI Britain’s Strongest Man contest and reached the finals of the IFSA World Championships, in which he came 8th. Thompson also notably attained 2nd and 3rd places in IFSA British Championship contests. The 34 year old debuted professionally in Mixed Martial Arts in 2009, and went on to become UCMMA’s Heavyweight Champion in 2011, before competing in the UFC then KSW. Training out of 1st Generation in Sussex with a professional record of 12-5, Thompson has gone 3-1 since fighting in the UFC and has won his last two bouts via TKO in the first and second rounds. 50% of Thompson’s wins have come via Submission and 42% via KO or TKO. Thompson weighs 248lbs at 6ft1.
Gzim ‘The Albanian Psycho’ Selmani fights out of Golden Glory and Tatsujin Dojo in the Netherlands with a MMA record of 5-1* and a kickboxing record of 1-0, the victory scored via a flying knee KO. The Kosovo Albanian stands at 6ft 3 and weighs 263 pounds. He started training in Judo at the age of 5, then started kickboxing at the age of 12 before taking up MMA at the age of 15 with his older brother Egzon Selmani. Gzim debuted professionally in MMA at the age of 18.
BAMMA‘s matchmaker, Jude Samuel, said: “Selmani is mainly considered a striker. However at 19 years of age he has not yet had his patterns laid down which makes him unpredictable, dangerous and exciting to watch.”
Indeed, 2 of his MMA victories have come via TKO and 3 via Submission. The ‘Albanian Psycho’ is also the Dutch Heavyweight Grappling Champion 2013, and the Rough Diamonds Kickboxing Champion 2013 in Germany. None of his fights to date have cleared the 2nd round.
Oli Thompson said:
“I have been looking to fight on BAMMA for a long time. The show always has a great look. I am bringing an intensity and athleticism that is not seen in many heavyweights, and I will put my body on the line to get the win at all costs. I want to become the first BAMMA Heavyweight champion”
You can Follow @OliThompson_Fit and @GzimSelmani on Twitter
*Gzim Selmani – MMA Fight Record
1: Gzin Selmani def. Kaan Postaci
KO, 1st RND
July 8th 2012, Shaolin Ryu – Fight Club Den Haag 2012
Video: http://youtu.be/EItC4crmcLs
2: Gzim Selmani def. Jorrit Leemans
Armbar, 2nd RND, 2:32
13th October 2012, Shooto Holland
Video: http://youtu.be/XXgGNs4qrWI
3: Gzim Selmani def. Tolea Ciumac
TKO (Corner stoppage), 2ND RND
24th November 2012, Super Pro Romania: “KLASH – Road to Glory”
Video: http://youtu.be/ZpJywRz3Oyo
4: Ante Delija def. Gzim Selmani
TKO (punches), 1st RND, 3:09
24th May 2013, FFC – Final Fight Championship 5
5: Gzim Selmani vs. Mario Milosavljevic
Guilotine Choke, 1st RND, 0:35
9th November 2013, BFC – Bosnia Fight Championship 1
Video: http://youtu.be/PaRWKXIVYLw
6: Gzim Selmani def. Thomaz Simonic
Arm Triangle Choke, 1st ROUND, 1:54
13th December 2013, FFC – Final Fight Championship 10
Video: http://youtu.be/-Q3w-JeFPsE
LINK TO VIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kvxBScOYPU&feature=youtu.be
BAMMA is brought to you in Association with:
Lonsdale & Sports Direct – The Official Equipment Partners of BAMMA
Safe MMA – Independent British Medical Organisation
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