TWO Welshmen are making their debuts – and history – by competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) this weekend.
\nJack Marshman and Brett Johns will become the first men from Wales to take part in UFC – a mixed martial art cage fight, known for its bloody action and minimal rules.
\nContestants who are matched in various weight categories enter the Octagon, an eight-sided cage and have to defeat their opponents by knockout, submission or judges\u2019 decision. Fights are shown around the world and audiences for the biggest fights number in the millions.
\nMiddleweight Jack \u201cHammer\u201d Marshman, 26, from Abertillery, will be in Belfast to fight Sweden\u2019s Magnus Cedenblad, 34, who joined the UFC in 2012 – winning all but one of his five fights.<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n#tbt first time I got to wear my @cagewarriors strap fits to nicely to let it go roll on oct 15th 1st defence #andstill<\/a><\/p>\n
A photo posted by Jack Marshman (@jackmarshman19) on Sep 29, 2016 at 12:53am PDT<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Marshman,is not only a champion cage fighter but is also a member of the British Army\u2019s 3rd Battalion parachute regiment.
\nHe has been fighting professionally for six years and vacated his belt as middleweight champion for the London-based CWFC (Cage Warriors Fighting Championship) to take part in Saturday night\u2019s event.
\nBantamweight fighter, Brett Johns, 24, who fights out of Swansea, is also appearing in his first UFC bout and will be taking on fellow debutant Kwan Ho Kwak, 27, from South Korea.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\nA photo posted by Brett Johns (@brettjohnsmma)<\/a> on Nov 10, 2016 at 11:58am PST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Fighting professionally since 2012, Johns has an impressive record prior to joining UFC, with 12 wins and zero losses under his belt.
\nJohns should not be over confident though, Kwan Ho Kwak is also undefeated with 9 wins and zero losses, including 6 by knockout.
\nKnown to many as Brett \u201cThe Pikey\u201d Johns, the fighter trains out of Swansea\u2019s Chris Rees Academy, which specialises in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts.
\nFans of Marshman and Johns have been out in force on Twitter, including CWFC who have been wishing Jack Marshman luck on his upcoming fight.<\/p>\n\nGood luck in the @UFCEurope<\/a> @jackmarshman<\/a>! Here’s a look back at your Cage Warriors highlights ? pic.twitter.com\/ucHHaKwkXQ<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) October 7, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nNow its #FightWeek<\/a>, Best of Luck to @36Johns<\/a> & @jackmarshman<\/a> both making their #UFC<\/a> Debuts, representing Wales!! #UFCBelfast<\/a> #UFCFightNight<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ndTyFYs8u7<\/a><\/p>\n