Advertisement
MMA

Ballymena's Alan Philpott ready to upset 'the best prospect in the world'

The 24-year-old bantamweight aims to quell the hype surrounding Tom Duquesnoy at BAMMA 27.

Alan Philpott celebrates defending his title Alan Philpott celebrates after defending the BAMMA Lonsdale bantamweight title against Aaron Blackwell. Gary Carr / INPHO Gary Carr / INPHO / INPHO

ALAN PHILPOTT IS adamant that he’s the man to finally bring an end to the dominance of BAMMA’s dual-division champion Tom Duquesnoy.

The reigning world title-holder in BAMMA’s bantamweight and featherweight divisions, Duquesnoy (13-1) has been untouchable with BAMMA and is widely regarded as one of the top fighters operating outside the UFC thanks to an impressive 10-fight undefeated streak.

In Philpott’s eyes, Duquesnoy is “the best prospect in the world” but the Ballymena native will get an opportunity to quell the hype surrounding the Frenchman next weekend when he challenges for his 135lbs title.

The meeting of Duquesnoy and Philpott (16-8) on Friday, 16 December at Dublin’s 3Arena will headline BAMMA 27, a card which also features leading Irish fighters such as Chris Fields, Rhys McKee, Dylan Tuke and Sinead Kavanagh.

BAMMA 27 will form one half of an MMA double bill on the night, raising the curtain for Bellator’s Irish debut. James Gallagher and Brian Moore will be flying the Irish flag on the Bellator 169 bill against Anthony Taylor and Daniel Weichel respectively.

In a promo video produced by BAMMA, Lonsdale champion Philpott said: “Getting that title would prove to me that not only am I the best in Europe, I’m ready to take on the world.”

BAMMA / YouTube

In recent years, Philpott has been one of the most active and successful fighters on the Irish and UK circuits, as well as competing as far away as Poland and Japan. He’s had his fair share of setbacks along the way, but the 24-year-old believes he’s now ready to put together the kind of consistent run of big wins that has eluded him thus far.

“I’m in the best condition of my life,” said Philpott, who’s now training at the Aspire Combat Academy in Liverpool. “I’m as fast as I’ve ever been, as strong as I’ve ever been, I’m hitting harder than I’ve ever hit. I’ve been getting better every day.”

Philpott, who eased to victory against Aaron Blackwell at the 3Arena in September, added: “I’ve got the utmost respect for Tom Duquesnoy. He’s got good power, good striking, he’s a good all-rounder. But I’m the one to beat him.

“I do believe I’m the best. He’s got the status as the best because he’s got that belt and he’s top of the chain. But I’m coming to take that away from him. There’s no one in those whole division that’s going to be able to stop me in my path.

“I’m destined to be the world champion, take that number one spot in Europe and then take over the world.”

Watch me prove you wrong! The promo for Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited UFC comeback

Conor McGregor is challenging his $75k fine and community service in court