Parke to be unleashed at Cage Contender event

Fighting out of the famous EFR gym in Antrim, and with a professional record of 8-1-0 is, Norman has quickly become one of the top Welterweight competitors in the UK and is using this contest as a another stepping stone to the big time.

The Bushmills man will be facing one of Ireland's top prospects, Myles Price, who has a professional MMA record of 7-1-0 and fights out of the Top Pro gym in Kilkenny.

This promises to be a top fight with both fighters eager to protect their impressive record and it's one which Norman is eagerly awaiting.

"Myles is a very good kickboxer with a very steady ground game," Norman told Times Sport. "He's on a good winning streak like myself, but I feel that if I can keep the fight on the mat I'll have the advantage. But it's definitely going to be a war!

"I've been working really hard on my wrestling and jujitsu, also been running a lot mixing it up with sprints. This week coming up to the fight I'll just be working on a bit of technique and on my game plan.

"Everything is going well at the minute it's just really continued on from last year. I'm on a nine fight winning streak at the minute so I'm feeling good and confidence is high."

This looks like being a big year for the 23-year-old with a number of big fights lined up and there is also the possibility that he could be heading off to America to train with a UFC legend.

"Yeah it's going to be an interesting year," said Norman. "My next fight will be in Leeds on March 28 and then hopefully it'll be on to Finland in April, but this still has to be confirmed. I've also a few other fights being lined up in the UK and Europe later in the year.

"I'm also looking into heading out to America in April for two months to train with former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes and the Hit Squad. It'll be a great experience for me and will really improve my game.

"I'd also appreciate any help anyone can give me to be able to train fulltime. A big thanks to my sponsors Ink Unleashed and The Scotch House Bar. If anyone would like to sponsor me they can contact me via email at: [email protected]."

Also on the card at Carrick will be Northern Ireland’s first female cage fight. The undercard contest will see Aisling McLarnon from Londonderry’s Evolve fight team take on Amanda English from the Informed Performance gym in Dublin.

Headlining the event is the featherweight tournament which will see four of the finest in this division around lock horns for the prize money and Cage Contender title.

Hotly tipped to win the main contest is Kevin McAlonan who fights out of David Patterson’s EFR gym. Fresh from a recent victory over Fred Fernandez, he will be hungry to continue his winning form.

Tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie and the fighters on the bill. For up to date details on the event see www.fight.ie.