Clan Wars 42 Preview

Clan Wars returns this weekend with a 12 fight card preceded by their inaugural contender’s show. Their 42nd card is set to go down in the Jim Baker Stadium, Templepatrick and will feature four pro fights, two of which are title bouts.

The Main Event of the evening will feature a cracker between the undefeated Shem Rock (6-0) and Nathan Kelly (2-2). Both men made their promotional debut earlier this year but their performances were enough to secure a title fight.

Shem Rock is a prospect that was flying under the radar and is beginning to gain a lot more traction now. His impressive record is stacked full of finishes, mainly submissions. His grappling ability has been unmatched as of yet in a pro bout but his striking will be a very interesting factor to keep an eye on in this one. He’s been putting in rounds over at DCA so you can expect his striking to be exceptionally dangerous.

Across from him will be BJJ Black Belt Nathan Kelly, who’s on a resurgence recently after starting off his pro career on a two-fight skid. Prior to turning pro, he was highly regarded as an amateur, winning an IMMAF World Silver medal back in 2016. The SBG Ireland fighter is known for his expertise on the ground but showed just how lethal his hands are when he sparked out Rogger Lopez in just nine seconds back at Clan Wars 41. Stylistically speaking this fight could be a barn burner and not one you want to miss.

The Co-Main event sees Jeanderson Castro take on the undefeated Andreeas Binder for the Welterweight strap. Castro is coming off a highlight-reel flying knee KO in his last bout at Clan Wars 41. Castro has the more pro experience of the two and looked very sharp in his last bout.

Binder on the other hand is hoping to maintain his perfect pro record after he got the finish in his last fight at Cage Conflict 4. An interesting fact about Binder is that he is the only man to beat Ian Garry in MMA, having won a split decision when the pair met as amateurs. He’s recently been mixing things up and has been training over at SBG Charlestown under the tutelage of Owen Roddy, so it will be interesting what improvements we see from him in this one.

The other SBG Charlestown fighter to keep an eye on is Hugo Borim who will be making his pro debut against IFS MMA Belfast’s Marek Jakimowicz. Borim is a BJJ blackbelt and well versed on the ground from competing in IBJJF competitions. His opponent made his debut on the Bellator Euro Series 9 card and looked fantastic in his fight with Curtis Dodge. Finishing the Welshman via ground & pound in the opening round.

The full fight card is as follows and tickets for the event have officially sold out.

Pro MMA: Nathan Kelly vs. Shem Rock – 145 lbs vacant title bout
Pro MMA: Jeanderson Castro vs. Andreeas Binder – 170 lbs vacant title bout
Pro MMA: Hugo Borim vs. Marek Jakimowicz – 170 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Dara O’Sullivan vs. Shea Leathem – 155 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Preston McKevitt vs. Rory Fekkes – 145 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Shaun Wright vs. Peter Halpenny – 165 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Corey McLaughlin vs. Brian Damien – 145 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Eoghan Teague vs. Joe Beck – 125 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Daniel Forde vs. Billy Sutherland – 135 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Caelon McElhone vs. Ronan Deegan – 135 lbs bout
Pro MMA: Liam Delsol vs. Adam Gustab – 150 lbs bout
Amateur MMA: Shay Farren vs. Aaron Boyle – 170 lbs bout