Massive night of fights in Scotland tonight.
LITTLE over a year since On Top Promotions held its first event, the Glasgow-based MMA promotion is taking over the city's Kelvin Hall for the third time.
On Top 5 features 12 professional mixed martial arts bouts and is expected to be a 1500-strong sell-out.
On Top 1 was held in the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park, but the promotion needed a bigger venue for its next event. Bellahouston Sports Hall was packed for On Top 2, but it was when the promotion moved to the famous Kelvin Hall - host to a string of legendary boxing matches down the years - for On Top 3 that it became the premier MMA organisation in Scotland.
It has been at the West End facility ever since, putting together fight cards of such quality to rival the very best in Europe.
On Top 5 features another title fight, with Wishaw's Dean Caldwell facing On Top champion Nico Musoke for the welterweight strap.
Undefeated so far in his professional career, 37-year-old Caldwell is in confident mood.
He said: "I've reached that stage of training now where I've gone over everything so many times and have everything worked out to such an extent that I wish the fight was tonight.
"I just want to get into that cage.
"Musoke is a very skilled fighter. You would be hard pushed to find a mediocre Swedish fighter.
"Every time I agree to take a fight, I see it as the biggest fight of my career. But this really is the biggest test I've ever faced.
"I'm confident, having five wins and no losses will only breed confidence in any fighter. But we're always trying to improve as professionals and be as well-rounded as possible."
Returning to On Top is Kilmarnock's Joanne Calderwood, who has won her first two pro MMA fights after a world-beating Muay Thai career. The 26-year-old faces French opponent Ainora Motta.
Also on the card is former Commonwealth boxing champion Craig Docherty. The striking expert from Milton in Glasgow won his debut MMA fight at On Top 4 against the experienced Nathan Thompson.
For his second bout in 4oz gloves, he takes on Frenchman Mamadou Bathily.
Clydebank's Dean Reilly will fight in Scotland for the first time in more than two years when he takes on Fouad Mesdari.
Reilly is taking lessons learned on a recent trip to the spiritual home of martial arts into his the bout.
The 30-year-old was in Japan earlier this year for a fight that, although he lost, taught him more than many of his victories.
He said: "I was happy with my performance in Japan although not the result.
"It gave me a lot more faith in myself and made me actually enjoy the fighting experience.
"When I fight like that I feel I can give anyone problems.
"I'm psyched to be fighting at home again as I've not fought in Glasgow in over two years."
An all-Scottish clash between Glasgow's David Galbraith and Stirling's Adam Stevenson promises to be one of the fights of the year. With Stevenson having won his last four fights by armbar submission, Galbraith expects a tough test of his skills.
The 26-year-old said: "Adam is on a really good run just now so it's a great fight for me and the fans.
"Both of us have similar styles as we like to push forward and go for the win. It's on Scotland's best show in my home town so the thought of the fight gets me very excited."
On Top promise bigger and better production on the night, with lighting and visuals on another level to anything seen on a Scottish show before.
Just check out this fight card
Dean Caldwell v Nico Musoke for On Top welterweight title
Joanne Calderwood v Ainora Motta, 55kg catchweight
Alan Johnston v Jessin Ayari, welterweight
David Galbraith v Adam Stevenson, lightweight
Steven Ray v Qasim Shafiq, welterweight
Dean Reilly v Fouad Mesdari, lightweight
James Macalister v Barry McGuigan, flyweight
Danny Henry v Leon Del Guadio, lightweight
Doni Miller v Mariusz Abramiuk, featherweight
Jonny Goodall v Rhys Parker, lightweight
those are some great match ups, if your in the area do not miss out
http://www.ontoppromotions.co.uk/
Published by Boogeyman - Sat, 2 Jun 2012 02:13
