UFC Vets James McSweeney and Ricco Rodriguez Fight at BAMMA 5

http://mmaweekly.com/ufc-vets-james-mcsweeney-and-ricco-rodriguez-fight-at-bamma-5

by Lee Whitehead

BAMMA are currently fleshing out their fifth fight card, scheduled for Feb. 26, with a plethora of talent, including some well-known British fighters clashing with international opponents.

The latest to join this charge is TUF and UFC veteran James “The Hammer” McSweeney, who will be colliding with a resurgent Ricco Rodriguez.

“Ricco Rodriguez is a great fighter and was a very good champion. It will be an honor to fight him on BAMMA,” stated the Jackson’s MMA fighter, adding that for all the respect he may have for his opponent, that stops when the cage-door shuts. “His will be a great name to have on my knockout list.”

Rodriguez has made clear his intentions of carving a way back to the UFC – where he once reigned supreme as their heavyweight champion before undergoing personal and professional strife and a well documented battle with weight. Rodriguez conquered his demons, regained his mojo, and currently rides a 10-fight win streak coming into the bout.

With both fighters having fought recently at 205 pounds, it is interesting to note that the BAMMA encounter will be at a catch weight of 215 pounds.

The provisional BAMMA fight card is listed below, with two more additional bouts to be announced for the main televised card and one potential bout being bumped up from the prelims.

BAMMA Main Card:
Paul Daley vs. Yuya Shirai
James McSweeney vs. Ricco Rodriguez

BAMMA Preliminary Card
Charlie Leary vs. Tom Breese
Frankie Slater vs. Jeremy Petley
Costas Doru vs. Liam James
Time Newman vs. Diego Vital
Paul Cook vs. Tom Maguire
Jason Ball vs. Maktar Gueye
Rob Mills vs. Leigh Cohoon
Daniel Thomas vs. A.J. Wenn