South Coast prospect makes professional MMA debut

Tomorrow evening at the Portsmouth Guildhall, Shock n Awe 39 commences, a mix of amateur and pro mixed martial arts for the locals to enjoy.

Jack Stickler makes his professional MMA debut fighting the Brazilian Jeffery Almeida, who boasts a 1-0 pro record.

Almeida took the fight one week ago after Stickler’s original matchup against Nick Fielding was cancelled due to Fielding pulling out due to injury.

When asked about the change of opponent, Stickler stated that: “It hasn’t changed much, I have a game plan and I’m going to stick to it. Nothing matters but winning.”

Due to the bout being professional, there are a vast change of rules: elbows and knees to the head are allowed, and also heel hooks and knee-bars are allowed among other submissions.

When asked about these changes Stickler’s confidence did not let up.

“It makes no difference, I’m always going to come to fight, no matter what and will utilise the change of the rules to my game, which I think is suited to pro anyway.”

Stickler is riding a five-fight unbeaten streak in MMA, defeating Max Smith in March.

In terms of the bout list he was fourth on the main card on Shock n Awe 38.

Now he co-mains the next Shock n Awe event after that, ready to put Portsmouth on the MMA map.

“Everyone is gonna be lit. The atmosphere towards the end of the night, so I prefer it.”

A key to any MMA fight week is the weight cut.

Stickler walk walk-around weight is around 78kg, and he had to cut down to 65.8kg to reach the featherweight weight.

When asked about his weight cut his answer was short and sweet.

“Gravy, baby. Best one to date. Dialled in.”

Stickler will want the fight to go as easily as his weight cut did.

Shock n Awe 39 starts at 2:30 tomorrow (4.10.25) and has seven bouts on its main card.

There are 29 preliminary fights with many local fighters, including a representative from Southampton’s gym, Exile: Daniel Svecov.