Iranian world champion Greco-Roman wrestler Amir Aliakbari will make his long anticipated MMA debut on Australian Fighting Championships 13 next month.
News of Iranian’s debut was revealed by the promotion yesterday with AFC confirming today that he will meet Benjamin Sosoli. AFC 13 is scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Pavilion in Victoria on June 14 which will be headlined by a duo of title fights.
Aliakbari placed first at the Greco-Roman world championships in 2010 and 2013, only for the latter title to be stripped from him and a lifetime ban handed down following a second career doping offence. Aliakbari’s eyes quickly turned to MMA and the heavyweight has based himself out of AKA Thailand, which also features Australian UFC heavyweight Soa Palelei.
At only 27 years-old, time is on Aliakbari’s side as he looks to add a striking game to his physical and aggressive style of wrestling.
Looking at stopping him at the first hurdle will be Benjamin Sosoli who will be eager to add another first-round stoppage to his record.
Headlining the card will be Ben’s brother and former Storm Damage heavyweight title holder Brandon Sosoli. The Freestyle Fighting Gym trained fighter makes his AFC debut and will face-off against Andre ‘The Giant’ Meunier who under kickboxing rules, has faced the likes of Peter Graham and Paul Slowinski. The heavyweight title was previously held by Soa Palelei before he vacated it after signing with the UFC.
In a battle for the AFC vacant featherweight championship, 2014 domestic fighter of the year, Alex Volkanovki will look to make it seven wins on the trot when he comes up against New Zealand fighter Scott MacGregor. Volkanovski kept himself busy last month, winning his professional boxing debut via unanimous decision.
Fight Card:
- Brandon Sosoli vs Andre Meunier – AFC heavyweight title
- Alex Volkanovski vs Scott MacGregor – AFC featherweight title
- Kitt Campbell vs Shane Mitchell
- Amir Aliakabri vs Benjamin Sosoli
- Peter Davenport vs Mikey Vaotuua
- John Beirouti vs Brandon Drillich
- Ivo Dos Santos vs Darwin Sagurit
- Kaan Ofli vs Luke Catubig
- Amin Yaqubi vs Harley Deltoro
- Muhammad Abdu vs Jason Petropoulos
- Daniel Shuardt vs Luke Howad
- Nikos Trepca vs Tyler Petee
- Maseiga Tuala vs Ryan Mills
