It’s fight week for Absolute Championship Berkut’s (ACB) Australian return and the Russian based Juggernaut has once again not disappointed, producing another stellar linup for Australian MMA fans.
ACB 88 takes place at Chandler Arena in Brisbane on Saturday night and follows the promotion’s Australian debut late last year on the Gold Coast (ACB 76 recap here).
Saturday’s event will stream live on the ACB MMA Facebook page. The original main event was set to feature a light heavyweight clash between former UFC fighters Thiago Silva (20-7) and Chris Camozzi (24-13). Just this week, however, the promotion announced that due to visa complications with Silva, the new headliner will see UFC veteran Luke Barnatt (14-5) take on Polish veteran Karol Celinski (15-6-1).
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🇦🇺 #ACB88
Posted by ACB on Saturday, June 2, 2018
As for the Aussies, Fight News Australia recently covered multiple Australian lightweight champion Callan Potter’s upcoming fight against former UFC and Bellator fighter Marcin Held. This fight has now been elevated to the co-main event spot.
Also on the card, Australia’s Jacob Holyman-Tague (5-1) takes on multiple time Brazilian Jiu Jitsu champion Rodolfo Vieira (3-0).
Currently riding a three-fight win streak, Perth’s Steven Kennedy (25-8) will come up against Bellator veteran EJ Brooks (12-5).
Meanwhile, long-time local welterweight standout Corey Nelson (20-6-2) will put a 12 month layoff behind him when he squares off with Lithuanian fighter Mindaugas Veržbickas (14-6-2).
Other local names set to compete include Gustavo Falciroli, Michael Tobin, Trent Girdham, Shannon Ross and Charlie Alaniz along with New Zealand’s Kieran Joblin.
Check out the finalised lineup below.
- Luke Barnatt vs. Karol Celinski
- Callan Potter vs. Marcin Held
- Rodolfo Vieira vs. Jacob Holyman-Tague
- Tanner Boser vs. Chase Gormley
- Kieran Joblin vs. Adam Townsend
- Frantz Slioa vs. Adrian Diaz
- Trent Girdham vs. Kyle Reyes
- Michael Tobin vs. Michael Mannue
- Corey Nelson vs. Mindaugas Verzbickas
- Steven Kennedy vs. EJ Brooks
- Narek Avagyan vs. Andy Young
- Charlie Alaniz vs. Shannon Ross
- Alan Philpott vs. Gustavo Falciroli
- Rodrigo Praia vs. Trevin Jones
- Darren Habben vs. Stewart Nicol
ACB 76 Gold Coast Videos: