The Flycatcher, Cometh
Words by Harry Williams
It’s pretty safe to say that Connor Walsh’s (5-1) trajectory over the twelve months has been nothing short of meteoric. To the FCC faithful, Walsh’s recent performances will have come as no surprise as the sixteen-year-old continues to develop his fighting skills while remaining as cool as the other side of the pillow.
If you were to watch one of The Flycatcher’s bouts thus far, you would be enthralled to learn he made his amateur debut less than twelve months ago. In that time, the youngster has been making the most of his competitive youth, taking names and winning titles in the process.
Walsh’s abilities were first witnessed on Full Contact Contender last August at FCC 26 against fellow grappler Saeed Saeedi, taking the victory in a scramble-fest by rear-naked choke in the third round. It was then we realised there was a fun new prospect to keep our eyes on.
Connor would return to FCC just a few months later for the Christmas Cracker in another rough-and-tumble festivity with his toughest test to date under the FCC lights against Jimmy Saddique. A test that yet again, Walsh would answer and one that, yet again, the Scouser would come out on top in, taking a split decision back with his roaring new fanbase.
Having competed five times in six months, Walsh was aiming for more. For his young career, it was a rapidly approaching milestone: the FCC amateur flyweight title was up for grabs against the most unorthodox, wild scrapper he had faced in Ethan Ridler. A man who’s surname was poetic enough in asking all the questions of Walsh’s credentials. From fast hands to rapid takedowns and scrambles, it was a fight to relish and one which notably witnessed further growth in Connor’s abilities.
In what seemed undeniable, the youthful scouser answered all the ‘riddles’ to claim his first piece of MMA gold by unanimous decision. However, it isn’t the championship that makes the man but the man that makes the championship. They say the journey to becoming a champion is hard, but defending it is only that much harder.
Tonight, Walsh will come up against yet another critical assignment in the battle-tested Manchester Predators representative Tom Wright (3-4). Having gone to war with fighters such as Jabeed Rahman, Marlon Jones and Jake Axworthy, Wright has the experience and know-how to hang in there with the baddest and the toughest that the flyweight division has to offer.
Can the Flycatcher keep his title in check and his name unscathed in FCC territory? It all goes down tonight!
