Highly touted MMA prospect Liam McCracken is eyeing a ‘statement victory’ as he gears up for his Bellator MMA debut in Dublin.
The former Rainhill High schoolboy will take on France’s Asaël Adjoudj at the 8,000-capacity 3Arena on 25th February. Broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, Bellator - considered by many as the world’s next-best MMA promotion behind the UFC - will showcase the two prospects in the prelims of their Saturday night show.
“I think he’s probably the best person I’ll have fought, but I’ve been fighting serious people ever since I was a kid - I was fighting grown men when I was 16”, affirms McCracken, speaking exclusively to the ECHO.
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“It’ll be one of the most skilled fights on the card, but it’s so low down. It’s one of those fights where, in a few years, after we go on to have big careers, they’ll look back and go, 'I didn’t even know those two fought!'
“There’s probably not as many eyes on us as the main card, but it’s a good excuse to show a new audience exactly how good I am.”
In a decorated amateur career, which included team selection for England during the 2019 International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) World Championships - the world’s most prestigious amateur MMA tournament - McCracken established himself as one of the hottest contenders at the domestic level, seizing regional titles for both Cage Warriors Academy North West and Preston-based outfit UKFC.
Coupling this, as the only combatant to stain a defeat on the perfect record of MMA Academy’s Kurtis ‘The Pink Panther’ Campbell - widely deemed as one of the best 145 pounders at regional level - the mild-mannered McCracken has become a feared adversary amongst the pros.
This reputation, however, has proven cumbersome in the transition to professional ranks for the striking technician.
“It’s been a nightmare (getting fights). I’ve not had a fight yet where I’ve weighed in at the agreed weight”, insists the 21-year-old McCracken.
“Every single fight week something happens. So many pullouts. In my second (professional) fight, the kid got to the day before the weigh-in, the fight was meant to be at 66(kg) and he’s said, ‘I’m not gonna weigh any less than 74(kg).’ Meanwhile, I’m at 68 kilos!
“The regional scene is a bit of a mess, to be honest. It’s difficult at the lower level. Until you can get with a big promotion, it can be quite messy.
“I’ve been turned down a lot. People know through gyms; I train a lot with different gyms. Word gets around, you know what I mean? I think a lot of people at the North West regional level know how good I am now.”
Now, with Bellator’s promotional power and professionalism, the issues bedevilling McCracken’s early pro career on the regional circuit have taken a recess.
However, as the Emerald Isle fixture will conclude the one-fight deal signed under the American promotion, the pressure is on McCracken to show his worth in the ‘one and done’ outing.
In wake of fathering a baby girl named Myla in August of last year, there’s been no room for compromise on the ultimate goal: a contract with the promotion-leading UFC.
“I was debating whether to do Bellator,” continues the self-proclaimed ‘quiet man’, McCracken. “Obviously, they’re the rival promotion (to the UFC), but they offered me a one-fight deal.
“The kid I’m fighting is on a development deal, he’s their fighter. I’m being brought in, but they probably want me to get beat (laughs).
“After this, I can go back to fighting wherever I want; I don’t want to be tied down to anything until I’m in the UFC. Our gym doesn’t have the best relationship with Cage Warriors (the leading UK-based MMA promotion).
“It’s not really a route for us, but it’s probably the most common one for a European fighter. I’ll probably have to do it a little bit differently.
“I probably will have to go back to the regional scene, then something like Dana White’s Contender Series. I’ve been speaking to a management company, and they’ve said that’s a realistic goal to work towards. That’d be an experience.”
With Bellator proving a lofty platform for the young Aspire Combat Academy challenger, a good showing could propel his career faster than a typical grassroots showing.
And as there are no promises of a second bout with Bellator after the showdown with Adjoudj, the desire to win, and win decisively, is paramount.
“Because of the pressure I put on myself, to me, each fight is always as important as the next. Whether I’m fighting in a sports hall or on BBC iPlayer, it’s all the same, I’m my own worst critic.
“I wanna stay undefeated and keep my finishing streak going. I wanna do it in style, I don’t just wanna be winning, I want people to be taking notice.
“I’m aiming to be signed by the UFC by the back end of the year. It is achievable, as long as I get my head down.
“I wanna be remembered as one of the best to do it - it’s why I’m doing it. People might laugh now, but if you’re not aiming for that, you’re in this game for the wrong reasons.
“I’ve always been like this. Ever since I dropped school, I’ve always said I want to be the best at it. I’m all in to be one of the best ever”
