The biggest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event in Yorkshire is heading to Liverpool

SINCE its establishment in 2016, Almighty Fighting Championship (AFC) has gradually built up a reputation as 1 of the most respected combat shows about; with regular shows in York and Leeds. Now AFC is coming to the Liverpool Olympia with the hopes of cracking a leading market for MMA in the country.  MMA is 1 of the fastest growing sports in the world, with organisations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), in the United States, and Cage Warriors in the UK, paving the way for up and coming organisations such as AFC to be a starting point for young fighters kicking off their MMA journey. AFC co-founder, Ray Thompson, said:- "We are very excited to bring the show to Liverpool. The City has a great MMA history, with a number of fighters competing in the UFC, with 1 of them, Darren Till, fighting for a UFC title. We offer young fighters the opportunity to begin their journey to see if they can become the next Jon Jones, Georges St Pierre or Conor McGregor."

The world of MMA has changed a lot since Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Royce Gracie won the 1st UFC title in the early 1990's. Over the years the sport has emerged as a genuine competitor to the more mainstream industries such as boxing.  Ray said:- "MMA is the purest form of combat there is; with a lot of potential for explosive fights and knockouts through striking styles such as boxing and kickboxing, to more technical finishes to fights, with on the ground styles like wrestling and judo which can lead to submissions.  Spectators get to see such a variety of styles combined, giving it an excitement you don't get from other combat sports."

Ray thinks Liverpool is an ideal place for AFC to expand their events. He explained:- "There are so many great gyms in Liverpool producing some amazing fighters. I've been to shows in Liverpool before and the level of talent has blown me away. We've managed to build good relationships with the gyms in the City and we've had fans from Liverpool travel to Yorkshire to support their fighters so it makes sense for us to branch out to the area.  The venue is amazing and we feel we can deliver a show that matches the venue and the gyms in Liverpool. This is an event fight fans will not want to miss."

Liverpool fighter Connor Hughes is AFC lightweight champion, and he is thrilled to be involved in the show. He said:- "I can't wait for Almighty to come to Liverpool - it's great show to be apart of. It's very well ran and always has a stacked card full of up and coming talent.  Without a doubt this card will be a sellout - Liverpool has the best fans. They support their own like no other. To defend my title at home makes it all the better. Let's blow the roof off the place!"

The event will take place on the 25 May 2019. The doors will open at 4.30pm, with 1st fight being at 5pm. The tickets will start at ₤30, they can be purchased from the fighters or online at:- AlmightyFC.Com.

Widnes Vikings get  green light for takeover deal

THE Widnes Vikings are delighted to confirm that the board of the Rugby Football League have granted RFL Membership to the consortium who agreed a deal to takeover the club with the administrators earlier this week.  On Friday afternoon, the Vikings were ecstatic to be told that the takeover has been given the green light by the game's governing body. As revealed to the media, the names of the people involved in the consortium are:- Chris Price, Jason Shaw, Roger Harrison MBE, Stuart Murphy, David Dean, Tracey Glendinning, and Rod Steele. Full details of each individual will be released in due course, with supporters being able to get to know the club's new owners in more detail.

With the takeover being granted, the Vikings can confirm that the club will incur a 12 point penalty in the 2019 Betfred Championship season, effective immediately. This means that the club will now sit on -8 points. After receiving the approval for the consortium takeover, Sunday's fixture against Featherstone Rovers will go ahead as planned. The club will reveal ticket details for this fixture very shortly.  As a result of the takeover, Widnes Vikings can confirm the departures from the club following the takeover.  The Vikings can firstly confirm that 1st team players:- Adam Tangata, Krisnan Inu and Wellington Albert have all left the club.

Krisnan joined the club for the 2018 season, and made an instant impact with the club with 6 tries in his first 7 games before injury cut short his time on the field. Inu finishes his time at the Vikings with 19 appearances, scoring 10 tries.

Wellington Albert departs the club with 2 tries in 12 appearances in his spell at the Halton Stadium, with both his scores coming against St Helens.

Adam Tangata joined the Vikings for the 2019 season after a successful spell at Halifax RLFC. Adam has been an ever present for the club at the start of this season, but suffered an injury against Toronto Wolfpack to rule him out of action.

As a result of the club going into administration, the club can also confirm that academy players Sam Walters and Jarrod O'Connor have also left the club to join Leeds Rhinos for undisclosed fees, a decision that was made by the administrators appointed.

Sam Walters is a back rower, playing his community rugby at Halton Farnworth Hornets, and studied at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic College. He made 2 appearances for the Vikings 1st team squad, in the 2017 Festive Derby against Warrington, and a try scoring appearance against North Wales Crusaders, in January 2019.

Jarrod O'Connor is a player who made a huge impression during his time in the Academy. Jarrod played his community rugby at Halton Farnworth Hornets and attended Wade Deacon High School.

Widnes Vikings would like to go on record and thank each player, both 1st team and Academy, for their service to the club. The club can also confirm that first team staff Adam Rowland and Andy Woolfenden, and administrative staff Emmy Holmes and Samantha Croston, have also left the club. The Vikings again would like to thank all for their efforts during their time at the Halton Stadium.