MTK MMA’s first fight card of the year takes place on Saturday 13th April at the iconic York Hall in East London. The main card is stacked with 3 world title fights in the Welterweight, Lightweight, and Featherweight divisions. The undercard is starting to take shape with a talented list of professional and amateur fighters matched up and ready for war.
MTK Welterweight Title Fight: Jaz Singh vs. Tayo Odunjo
The undefeated Jaz Singh and Tayo Odunjo will face off in the final of the 4-man welterweight eliminator in a battle to crown the inaugural MTK MMA Welterweight champion. Jaz Singh (1-0) earned his title shot with a highlight reel knockout against Tommy King in October. Jaz took only 9 seconds to stop the kickboxing veteran in the first round to advance to the final. Singh is a member of Team Crossface and trains under the watchful eye of David Lee.
Tayo Odunjo (1-0) advanced to the finals by picking up a great win over the tough Jahreau “The Nightmare” Shepherd in October. Odunjo submitted Shepherd in the first round with a triangle choke to earn his title shot. Tayo is a product of Revolution Martial Arts, where he is trained by head coach Steve O’Keefe. The talented finisher also trains out of the famous Roger Gracie Academy in West London.
Jaz Singh vs. Tommy King
MTK Featherweight Title Fight: Diego Barbosa vs. Jabeed Rahman
Diego Barbosa and Jabeed Rahman will now face each other for the inaugural MTK MMA Featherweight championship. The fighters were originally scheduled to be part of a 4-man featherweight eliminator with Huseyin Garabet and Joe Calboutin. Garabet withdrew from the eliminator after suffering a serious injury.
Diego “The Barbarian” Barbosa (6-2) finished off strong in 2018 with 2 first round submission wins against Mickey Miller and Will Curry. Barbosa trains under Ricardo Da Silva at Nova Forca Jiu-Jitsu. The Barbarian is a veteran of the Bellator and BAMMA promotions. Diego is currently in Brazil completing work on his new Mixed Martial Arts academy Barbosa MMA.
Jabeed Rahman (1-0) made his successful pro debut against John Spencer at MTK MMA Newcastle: The Rising in November. Jabeed turned pro after a stellar amateur career where he picked up titles in Cage Warriors Academy NW, Almighty Fighting Championship and Gladiator Promotions. Rahman now trains at Danny Mitchell’s AVT Leeds gym alongside Marc Diakiese, Scott Askham and Jack Grant.
MTK MMA Preview
- Former UCMMA Lightweight champion Harry Davies will make his MTK MMA debut against Kimbo Tinghaugen. Davies was originally scheduled to face Chase Morton but will now face Tinghaugen for the inaugural MTK MMA Lightweight title.
- The rematch between Jahreau Shepherd vs. Calvin Reynolds has been attached to the card but hasn’t been officially announced by MTK MMA. The pair have exchanged words on social media in recent months.
- Nova Forca representative Jarvis “Mr Intense” Grey (1-0) will now face Ahmed Alash in the Lightweight division. Ahmed gave Billy Cornell all he could handle in a great fight at MTK MMA in October. Cornell was able to come through adversity and get the win but Alash impressed with his performance.
- The undefeated Kayne Isaac will meet Will Timmis for the MTK RDX Amateur Bantamweight title in a potential fight of the night.
- MTK Newcastle’s Brad Tarren will be making his London debut against Darryl John. The Geordie powerhouse will be looking to keep up the momentum of his teammates Joe Calboutin and Tommy Quinn who recently picked up dominant wins at Bellator: Newcastle.
- Tariq Khan and Reuben “Little Narstie” Lindo will finally meet in the cage after Khan withdrew from their scheduled bout in October.
MTK MMA Professional Bouts (Bout Order TBC)
MTK Welterweight Title Bout: Jaz Singh vs. Tayo Odunjo
MTK Lightweight Title Bout: Harry Davies vs. Kimbo Tinghaugen
MTK Featherweight Title Bout: Diego Barbosa vs. Jabeed Rahman
Welterweight Bout: Kojo Lewis vs. John Robinson
Lightweight Bout: Jarvis Grey vs. Ahmed Alash
Bantamweight Bout: Mike Hales vs. Tony Hall
Featherweight Bout: Adrien Valean vs. Ollie Mathis
MTK MMA Amateur Bouts (Bout Order TBC)
MTK RDX Amateur Bantamweight Title Bout: Kayne Isaac vs. Will Timmis
Light Heavyweight Bout: Brad Tarren vs. Darryl John
Featherweight Bout: Tariq Khan vs. Reuben Lindo
MTK MMA
Saturday 13th April
York Hall, London
Call 07710139374 or 079400626221 for tickets
Visit www.mtkmma.com for more information
