Batchelor ready 'to show the world' on PFL debut
Pontypool's rising MMA star Levi Batchelor will make his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut on 5 July against unbeaten Tunisian prospect Fahdi "The Gladiator" Khaled in Brussels.The bantamweight bout pits two undefeated fighters against each other, with both men boasting 2-0 professional records and looking to make a statement on one of the fastest-growing stages in mixed martial arts.Batchelor, 23, said: "He's a dangerous opponent. It just goes to show once you get to this stage, you can't pick and choose who you fight."The event marks the PFL's first major card in Belgium and continues the organisation's European expansion, building on its growing global profile with stars such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and British standout Dakota Ditcheva among its ranks.For Batchelor, the opportunity represents a major step in his young career and one he is relishing.It's a bit surreal," he added. "The PFL was never something I thought too much about - it always seemed so big and glamorous in the MMA world. "As soon as the opportunity came, I jumped at it. I know I'm ready, I'm grateful to be here, and I'm going to put on a good show. It's the start of something special."
Training out of the renowned Shore MMA gym in Abertillery, south Wales - the same camp that has produced Jack Shore, Oban Elliott, and Brett Johns - Batchelor has an impressive pedigree. The Welshman enjoyed a decorated amateur career with a 9-1 record, capturing titles in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions on the Cage Warriors Academy Wales circuit."They've all said to me 'You're more than ready for this step,' even before I turned pro," said Batchelor.Both of Batchelor's professional wins have come via TKO, underlining the striking ability that has made him one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from the Welsh MMA scene in recent years."I'm more than ready for this level," he added. "I'm going to shock a lot of people on the night. It's going to be an interesting match-up - but I'm looking forward to it."Now, with the eyes of the MMA world turning to Brussels, the Welshman is embracing the moment and the chance to make his mark on the international stage."I've never been in a more perfect position to take this chance and show the world who I am," he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
UFC star Sean Strickland storms cage to attack teammate's opponent
Sean Strickland stormed the cage at an MMA event on Sunday, striking a fighter who beat the UFC star's teammate. At a Tuff-N-Uff fight card in Las Vegas, Strickland's teammate Miles Hunsinger suffered a second-round submission loss to Luis Hernandez, who won via standing guillotine choke. Hernandez immediately celebrated by looking through the cage fence at Strickland and Chris Curtis – another UFC fighter and teammate of Strickland – and sticking out his tongue while gesturing to his crotch. That led Strickland and Curtis to rush into the cage to confront Hernandez, with Strickland punching the 28-year-old twice. Curtis in fact separated the pair, seemingly trying to prevent Strickland from striking Hernandez again. Yet when Hernandez appeared to goad Curtis at point-blank range, the latter seemed to offer some stern words before being dragged away by the referee. All the while, the cage filled up with other officials and people trying to defuse the situation. Later, the unbeaten Hernandez told journalist Ariel Helwani: 'We were in the fight, and they were talking in the fight. And listen, there's only so much we can take. 'This is entertainment, right, [but] he said some things, and then I said some things back, and I guess he didn't like what I said back. 'He was talking s***, saying I was tired, he was making fun of me, I think he called me fat. I don't take that lightly. 'Me? I said, 'F*** you, Sean Strickland.' Yeah, he punched me, he did [connect], but I'm still standing – still smiling.' Strickland is one of the most divisive fighters in the UFC. The American, 34, pulled off an all-time MMA upset in 2023, when he outpointed Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight title, though he lost it to Dricus Du Plessis in his first defence. But he is equally known for his views on various political and social matters, having once claimed he wanted to kill an opponent in the cage. Strickland has also criticised women's MMA, and insulted Australia before fighting there in February. Strickland, who previously fought in Australia when he won the middleweight title, said: 'It's a really beautiful country. I would consider Australians as English white trash. Some Irish, too; you know they sent the lot here. As an American white trash, I feel like I have a lot in common with you f***ers.' Referencing Australia's introduction of gun laws, after the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, Strickland added: 'You had one mass shooting and gave up all your guns, that was kind of pathetic. 'It's the lack of freedom, dude. How insane is it that we're in a modern country and hate speech is a thing? [...] We're in a modern country with running water, and you guys know: it's real bad […] real f***ing bad, dude.' Strickland's views were even featured on the front page of the Australian Daily Telegraph 'ssports section. The paper branded him the 'UFC's biggest imbecile' and called for 'someone [to] please knock this guy out'. In a strange move, the UFC shared the front page on its social-media accounts.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Newport sign Grimsby goalkeeper Wright
Newport County have signed Grimsby Town goalkeeper Jordan Wright on a free 26, made 37 Grimsby appearances last season but was told he could leave Blundell Park after Dave Artell's side missed out on the League Two becomes County's sixth signing of the summer under new manager Dave Hughes."We're really pleased to welcome Jordan into the team. He's got experience and he's got youth on his side," Hughes said."Lee Kendall (Newport's goalkeeping coach) was keen to bring in someone that fits the profile that we needed - and with Jordan we feel that he can play a big role for us going forward." Wright is the second goalkeeper to arrive at Rodney Parade this summer, with ex-Northampton Town stopper Nik Tzanev due to complete his move to Wales following international duty with New Zealand.A former Nottingham Forest trainee, 6ft 5in Wright made his EFL breakthrough at Lincoln, playing 32 times for the Imps before moving to he was made available for transfer with a year remaining on his contract, opening the door for a move to Exiles had been keen to add to their goalkeeping options after long-serving stopper Nick Townsend departed after seven years, turning down a new contract to sign for National League have made significant progress in their summer recruitment, including the signing of Wales midfielder Matt Smith after his departure from Scottish outfit St well as Tzanev, Newport have brought in Barrow striker Ged Garner, Haverfordwest County centre-back Lee Jenkins and Michael Reindorf on loan from Cardiff City, while defender James Clarke has signed a new deal.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Fulham plot shock transfer swoop to beat Man Utd to 6ft 4in striker Tolu Arokodare who was top-scorer in Belgium
FULHAM are plotting a summer move for Genk's star striker Tolu Arokodare as they look to bolster their attacking options ahead of next season. The Nigerian forward, who was in scintillating form last season, finished as the top scorer in the Belgian Pro League with an impressive 17 league goals and 23 in total across all competitions. Standing at 6'4'', Arokodare is a towering presence in the box and possesses the pace and finishing ability to trouble any defence. His brilliant performances have not gone unnoticed with Manchester United and AC Milan also monitoring the 24-year-old's progress. Ruben Amorim 's side are keen on signing Viktor Gyokeres but reports suggest Arokodare, considered a rising star in European football, is also on their radar. Sources close to the player have revealed to SunSport that Arokodare is eager to secure a move to the Premier League. Fulham have already held exploratory talks with the striker 's entourage following his recent switch of agency, a move aimed at facilitating a transfer to England. The Cottagers boast a growing contingent of Nigerian players, with Arokodare understood to share a strong bond with compatriots Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey. Arokodare's powerful displays in Belgium have made him one of Europe's most sought-after young strikers. Fulham are determined to add firepower to their squad after a mixed Premier League campaign. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW Manager Marco Silva is believed to be a huge admirer of Arokodare's physicality and clinical finishing and sees him as an ideal fit for Fulham's style of play. The striker is valued at around £15million. Given his exploits in the Belgian league he could prove to be a major coup for Fulham if he can replicate that form in the Premier League. Last season, Fulham finished 10th but goals were hard to come by. Raul Jimenez was the only player to reach double digits, scoring 12 goals, with Alex Iwobi contributing nine. One of the key areas the club is looking to strengthen is goal output. They hope to bring in players capable of reaching double figures in the Premier League as they aim to solidify their top-flight status and push for the increasingly competitive European spots now available to English clubs.
