Come this weekend, the 46th edition of Full Contact Contenders arrives with a loaded card! Below, I will discuss who you should be paying extra attention to while you watch this Saturday:
Liam McCracken, 24, 7-1, LightweightÂ
The 24 year old scouser’s seven wins come by four TKOs and three submissions, with his sole loss being a close fight at Bellator to current PFL contender, Asaël Adjoudj. Liam McCracken has been training since he was ten years old and it shows, as his game is extremely well rounded. He has amazing striking with a killer right hand. Paired with extremely slick back takes, he’s always dangerous from bottom as well. However his young career is not the biggest story when it comes to Liam McCracken.
About 3 years ago, Liam McCracken was struck by a bus on his way to a training session. McCracken was stuck under said bus for 60 minutes after the accident, as surrounding people tried to save him. Despite numerous life threatening injuries like blood gushing out of his head and being burned by the engine, Liam McCracken survived. The lightweight fighter has overcome the unthinkable, and everyone should be rooting for this kid. After returning to safety, McCracken even asked if the bus driver and people on the bus were okay.
Liam McCracken is a true fighter. Just two pain stacking years later, Liam McCracken would make his MMA return at Kingdom 9, where he would score a round one submission over Jhon Bryan. Followed by a cancelled bout at WOW FC, he would then make his 2nd walk since the incident at FCC 45, where he would earn a 39 second TKO of Nonato Junior. Now, McCracken looks to secure vacant lightweight gold at FCC 46 where he fights the 11-3 Mateus Linhares, who currently is riding a 4 fight win streak.
Liam McCracken uses his powerful striking to open up takedowns and back takes, which I think he could repeat through rounds against harder opponents and use as a path to victorie. However, I also think he likes to test himself on the feet as well, and while we haven’t seen him get rocked yet in his career, if the bus couldn’t put him out, then who can.
Jack Mcleod, 25, 2-0, WelterweightÂ
Jack “The Ripper” Mcleod has more than impressed through just two pro fights. 15 seconds in to his pro debut, Jack was swinging for the finish! He dominated the undefeated Everton Oliveira through the 1st round and the 2nd, securing a heel hook finish to close the show. His 2nd pro fight at FCC 45 was over in just a minute! As Jack landed a massive hook, which stumbled his opponent, followed up by some ground-and-pound opening up a head and arm choke.
In his next appearance, Mcleod now will be facing Luis Gabriel Fostek, a debuting Brazilian. This isn’t the best opponent for a guy who has ran through his other opponents, so it will be difficult to see if he has made any true improvements. Though if anything, a lack luster performance will drop his stock, but I expect his first TKO win here. His hands seem to have a lot of power in them despite his use of great ground game.
At only 25-years-old, The Ripper still has a lot of time to keep growing and improving. He is an extremely fun watch with an all action style – even when on the ground – he’s constantly hunting for submissions or openings for ground and pound. His amateur career showed a lot of the same tendecies, as he chooses to go to the ground instead of strike. He did however get 2 TKOs through his fights; one being his last amateur fight where he got a TKO via ground strikes. So even then, he can choose to drag his opponent to the ground before the kill.
Jack Axworthy, 31. 2-0, BantamweightÂ
Jack Axworthy is unbeaten in 1o MMA fights including his amateur career, and so far through his two professional fights, he has been a must watch. Starting off his pro career, he fought at APFC 8, where after dropping his opponent early and controlling the first round, he finished the fight 14 seconds into the 2nd with a beuatiful spinning hook kick to TKO his opponent.
Axworthy would then fight a year later at Kingdom 9, where he got a 31 second Head Kick TKO! Despite his age, at 31, Axworthy is still a prospect as he seems to be well rounded. His ground game seemed to be developed and he can easily control the position on the ground. However where he shines, is obvisouly his striking. He is extremely confident in his ability to avoid getting hit and has a lot of accuracy with his kickboxing. One thing that stands out is that he doesn’t need to control the center of the cage early on, as his takedown and strike defense allow him to fight off his back feet well, while also being dangerous. He’s patient and usually will find the center at some point – and that’s when he starts to land.
Honarable Mention:Â
Stephen Clancy, 19, Pro Debut, FeatherweightÂ
The 9-0 amateur is making his professional debut against Tyreece Richards, who is currently 1-0 with a first round TKO. This is a great test for the debut of Clancy, who was covered last year by one of our other writers here at MMA Prospect Vault. See the link below:
Amateur Prospect of the Month: December
