One to Watch: Iain Feenan at ACB 81: Carneiro vs Saidov

The last time Iain Feenan (6-2-0) fought for Absolut Championship Berkut, the three-time British judo champion left the Manchester Arena with the first blemish on an otherwise perfect professional MMA career. This Friday from Dubai at ACB 81: Carneiro vs Saidov, the Scot hopes to balance his record with the Russian organisation against promotional newcomer and Phuket Top Team member Baz Mohammad Mubariz (9-4-0).  

A member of the Dinky Ninja Fight team who trains at Higher Level MMA in Whitburn, Feenan has shown his capabilities on the feet and on the ground with 2 KO/TKOs and 2 submissions to his name, both of the latter coming in the first round. His most recent win, a decision against Spain’s Iban Hernandez in 2016, netted him the Headhunters FC 155lbs title. This should be no surprise considering Feenan’s stablemates at Higher Level are the likes of former EFC featherweight champion Danny “The Hatchet” Henry (11-2-0) and former BAMMA and CWFC lightweight champion Stevie “Braveheart” Ray (21-7-0), who both now compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. With another impressive win on Friday, Feenan could hope to get a call to join them at a future UK event for the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Feenan’s skills will definitely be put to the test against Afghanistan’s Mubariz however, who comes into the bout on a 4 fight win streak with 3 1st round submission victories and a 9 second TKO in Octagon Fighting Sensation 11 last year among his 9 wins.  Feenan’s coach, the pioneering James Doolan, echoed these sentiments in an interview with MMA UK on Wednesday, stating that provided Feenan “performs at his best” things should go his way.

Ahead of his bout Feenan comfortably made weight and is now “refuelling and ready to go for tomorrow”, with Mubariz also successfully making weight, setting the stage for tomorrow nights exciting clash. Check out the below video of Feenan’s 3rd round TKO of Michael Reid back in 2016 to give you a taste of what’s to come.

The live stream of ACB:81 will be available via ACB’s Facebook, and further coverage will be available here at MMA UK and via our Twitter and Facebook.