Samurai Fighting Championships returns to Ebbw Vale this Saturday with another stacked card featuring some of the country’s best young fighters. The Welsh promotion’s third instalment will have fans lining up to watch six championship bouts, including a professional main event.
The featured bout hopes to see Shore MMA’s Scott Pedersen compete for the SFC featherweight belt. The winner will walk away as the first SFC professional champion.
Also competing for gold is Ioan Thomas and Theil Edwards, Cameron Brown and Kane Darcy, Ellis Richards and Harrison Coventry, Dan Kitchen and Matt Howarth and Befan Hall and Ciaran Coogan.
With so much to look forward to, here are five fights that you won’t want to miss earlier in the night.
Louie Cooke v Mert Tascakar
This has ‘barn-burner’ written all over it. An all English scrap between two experienced amateurs with a great deal of personality.
Louie Cooke makes his first walk to the cage in 2024 hoping to write a wrong after losing his last bout in October of last year. He went 2-1 in 2023 and will only want to better that this year. A really tricky ground game, combined with some really skillful kicks make him dangerous everywhere.
Mert Tascakar returns to Ebbw Vale riding high. Since competing there in June 2022, he hasn’t lost. The strength and power has never been in doubt with this guy. He wants to take you out and he’ll be trying from the first bell. Don’t miss this one.
Tate Groves v Riley Barton
Tate Groves is gaining a reputation as a South Wales gangster inside the cage. The long limbs of the 17-year-old make him an extremely difficult code to crack. A slick jab and technical takedowns have led to him building a fan-base from such a young age.
His opponent, Riley Barton, will be no walkover however. The undefeated amateur has finished both of his opponents by submission. Confidence will be high when he squares off with ‘Tate Diaz’ on Saturday afternoon.
Lewis Williams v Josh Sinnett
The last time Josh Sinnett entered the SFC cage, he was shooting for gold. It might not have gone his way against Sam Hill in November, but he’s ready to begin that climb once again. His grappling game is next-to-none and he can lock up a submission from anywhere.
Lewis Williams returns to action about three weeks after his last victory. A round one knockout at Supreme CFC 22 proves he has the tools to take on the former title challenger. Calling this one could very well be a coin flip.
Cole Marr v Liam Davies
Cole Marr returns to Samurai hoping to make it two from two after his recent win against Kian Hall in November. A hard-earned decision victory displayed he has skills, as well as the heart, to beat anyone at 145lbs.
Liam “The Python” Davies has already established himself as one the most dangerous amateurs in Wales. A record of 5-2 with all five wins coming by way of finish. Based on his previous bouts, this one could go anyway he wants it too. Can he get another win in front of his home crowd at Samurai?
Rio Paparrigas v Kyle Richards
This one has us intrigued. Rio Paparrigas will be hoping to pick up his second win as an amateur after impressing in his debut back in November. A super slick D’arce choke has earned him a ‘one to watch’ spot going into his second scrap.
Kyle Richards, despite being inactive over the last year or so, has the tools to make this fight one for the fans. Taking on a young prospect in Paparrigas could be the push he needs to showcase his full skillset.
Samurai Fighting Championship 3 goes down this Saturday in Ebbw Vale, Wales. We’ll be covering the whole event here and over on our YouTube channel. Stay tuned.
