Cage fighter Martin Stapleton to headline at the Reebok

Photo: Journeaux

Martin Stapleton

Rochdale professional cage fighter Martin Stapleton will headline at his first fight back in the UK when he goes up against Stanislav Enchev in June.

Martin will fight for Full Contact Contender (FCC) as a one off appearance at the Reebook Stadium in Bolton at FCC 10 before heading back to the USA.

Speaking to Rochdale Online, Martin said: “I think I am back in America towards the end of the year so until then I need to keep busy with fighting.”

Martin’s last appearance for FCC in June 2012 saw him defeat Shah Hussain in FCC’s first ever professional contest.

Martin will now step into the FCC cage in Bolton on 21 June, two years since his last appearance. He said: “It is fantastic to be able to fight close to home. I’m expecting around 300-400 people from Rochdale to come along.”

This is something that Martin misses whilst fighting in America. He added: “I am always the away fighter when I am in America so it is nice to fight at home and have people supporting you.”

Stanislav Enchev, Martin's opponent is a former featherweight fighting out of Ruse, Bulgaria. He currently has a professional record of five wins and seven losses.

Speaking of his opponent, Martin said: “I tend not to look at my opponents. I let my coaches do that and I let them tell me what to do then I just turn up on the night and do what I know best.”

Martin currently has a professional record of 12 wins and three losses and says he is confident about leaving Bolton as the winner.

He said: “Yes I am confident. I am always confident. I am the best fighter in Europe.”

After his return to fighting in the UK, Martin anticipates being back in the USA around November/December of this year but wouldn’t say no to
appearing in the UK again.

He added: “It all depends on what Bellator allow me to do because they have my contract. I think I am due back in America around November/December time but if they allow me to make another appearance in the UK then I will do, but if they say no, then they say no, so we’ll have to see what happens.”

Martin will go up against Stanislav Enchev at the Bolton Reebook Stadium in a European Lightweight Bout.