SFC 12: Championships round 1: takes place on Saturday 11th of February 2017.
This will be an eight fight card and will be hosted at Lauriston Hall, Edinburgh.
The evening will showcase exciting talent both at professional and amatuer level and there
is a barn burner of a main event, between Graeme Armstrong and Thomas “The Immortal” Jessing at welterweight.
I spoke to promoter Khalid Khames about his thoughts on SFC 12:
“All gyms involved have a history of producing good fighters. With each putting forward multiple opponents the card is exciting and hopefully they’ll all go away with at least one win.
I don’t have favourites and I’m looking forward to the entire event but if I had to pick one fight it would be Nathan Hughes vs Thomas Hepburn.
Nathan fought in SFC11 and is 4-0, will Thomas change that?
Furthermore it is nice to host debut fights and exciting to see new competitors enter the scene.
Finally once again the coaches have all been cooperative and helpful and the fans have made the event a sell out, all of which I feel deserves a big thank you!”
Graeme Armstrong vs Thomas Jessing
Main Event: Welterweight bout
Graeme Armstrong (Higher level) (7-7): Graeme will be hoping to kick start 2017 with a bang. Despite a two year hiatus, from 2013 to 2015. Graeme has only fought once in 2016, a loss at ICE 15 against Hakon Foss. 2015 produced one fight, a unanimous decision win against Shah Hussain at Headhunters FC. A win against Thomas Jessing will be so important for his confidence going forward.
Graeme’s last four fights have produced one win and four losses.
Thomas “The Immortal” Jessing (Somma) (4-2): Thomas will be energised and confident going into the fight against Graeme, having won in November against Romain Bidet at Somma 2. Thomas has been really active in 2016, fighting four times, producing two wins and two losses.
Thomas will be looking to go (5-2) on Saturday night.
Nathan Hughes vs Thomas Hepburn
Featherweight bout
Nathan “Kid Philly” Hughes (Griphouse) (4-0): Nathan is a hot prospect in the featherweight division and goes into SFC12 with an impeccable four fight win streak. Nathan’s last win, was a unanimous decision victory against Borja Gonzalez Mora at Headhunters FC in November. Nathan’s last three victories have come by way of KO/TKO.
Nathan is the 24th ranked active UK/Ireland amateur featherweight.
Nathan is the current Headhunters FC amateur featherweight champion.
I spoke to Nathan about his fight with Thomas Hepburn at SFC12:
What is your thoughts on SFC12?
“I think SFC is one of the most organised, well ran events in Scotland. They always feature some of the best fighters in the country. If SFC12 is anything like the last event, we’re all in for a treat!”
What do you know about Thomas a Hepburn and his style?
“I don’t know too much about Thomas, besides the fact he is a strong grappler, who looks to have a decent standing game as well”
What have you been working on in this training camp?
“My training camp pretty much never differs to who my opponent is. Obviously, I have accounted for more grappling. But, I mostly worked on implementing my own game plan instead of countering his”
Prediction?
“My prediction would be, that it will be a highly entertaining fight for the fans. I know I am capable of getting him out of there within the distance. But, I won’t be in any rush”
Thomas Hepburn (Rick Young) (4-1): Thomas will be hoping for a positive 2017.
Thomas goes into the fight against Nathan, on the back of a decision loss against Shamil Ghadziev at Forza FC 5 in November. Thomas only fought once in 2016 and his last win came back in October 2015, against Eddy Cook at On Top: Nemesis.
Thomas four wins have come by way of three submissions and one TKO.
I spoke to Thomas about his fight with Nathan Hughes at SFC12:
What is your thoughts on the fight with Nathan?
“The matchmakers did an excellent job in matching two of us with similar experience”
How much do you about Nathan and his style?
“Nathan has good muay thai, comes from an incredibly reputable gym”
What have you been working on in this training camp?
“Just continually improving everything. Being well rounded is key. I’m also training boxing occasionally at a boxing gym nearby”
Prediction?
“Nah, I don’t make predictions. If I knew the outcome I wouldn’t bother fighting”
