Rhodri Evans

By guest columnist Ben Evans.

On fight night in Ebbw Vale, the quiet of the valleys doesn’t last long. By the time the first walkouts begin, the sports centre is already packed. Hundreds of fans lining the floor, voices echoing off the walls, all building towards the moment the cage door closes.

For the fighters, there’s no gentle introduction. The walk from the changing rooms is long, deliberate, and impossible to ignore, before opening out into a path that cuts straight through the crowd.

Teammates, family, and supporters press in on all sides, the noise rising with every step. For many, some as young as 16, it’s their first taste of that kind of intensity.

And yet, this is exactly what defines Samurai Fighting Championship. Set in the heart of the South Wales valleys, with a backdrop that has produced some of the country’s toughest and most dedicated athletes, it has become more than just a fight card.

With sell-out crowds, growing production, and a reputation that now stretches far beyond Wales, SFC is fast establishing itself as one of the most important stages in British mixed martial arts.

Samurai Fighting Championship may feel like a relatively new name on the Welsh sporting calendar, but its roots run far deeper. Long before the first Samurai event in October 2023, the platform had already been years in the making, shaped through earlier incarnations as PainPit and later Cage Warriors Academy Wales.

PainPit dates back to the early 2010s, providing some of the first consistent opportunities for aspiring mixed martial artists in South Wales to test themselves in a competitive setting.

That foundation was built upon in 2017 with the arrival of Cage Warriors Academy Wales, aligning the region more closely with one of Europe’s most recognised MMA pathways and further strengthening its reputation as a breeding ground for talent.

The transition to Samurai marked more than just a change in name. It signalled a clear intent to evolve. Raising production standards, expanding fight cards, and creating a platform capable of hosting a greater number of professional bouts alongside its established amateur scene.

The mission always remained unchanged: to provide fighters in Wales, and beyond, with the best possible environment to develop, perform, and progress.

In that sense, SFC is not a starting point, but the latest chapter in a story that has been unfolding in the valleys for well over a decade.

At the centre of Samurai are two figures whose influence on Welsh mixed martial arts stretches far beyond a single promotion: Richard Shore and Colin Mould.

Known across the Welsh MMA community as “Shaky”, Shore has long been one of the sport’s most recognisable and respected voices. As head coach of Shore Mixed Martial Arts in Abertillery, he has played a pivotal role in developing fighters who have gone on to compete on some of the biggest stages in the sport.

His reputation, built over years in the corner and on the mats, is woven into the fabric of the region’s success.

Alongside him, Mould has been instrumental in shaping Samurai FC into what it is today. Working closely with Shore and embedded within the same gym environment, his focus has consistently been on creating opportunities and ensuring that fighters not only compete but do so in an environment that reflects the scale of their ambition.

That shared vision is what underpins the promotion. As Mould has put it, SFC has become “a real proving ground for elite talent. Fighters come here, perform on a big stage and get noticed.” It’s a philosophy that explains both the growth of the event and the calibre of athletes it continues to attract.

For Shore and Mould, the aim has never been simply to put on fights. It’s about building a platform. One that gives Welsh fighters, and those travelling in from further afield, a genuine pathway to progress.

If Samurai Fighting Championship represents the present of Welsh MMA, its history tells a much bigger story about the sport’s development in the region.

Across its previous incarnations, the platform has featured many of the names who have gone on to define Welsh success on the global stage. Fighters such as Jack Shore and Brett Johns – widely regarded among the country’s most accomplished competitors – are part of a generation that helped establish Wales as a serious force within the sport.

Others, including Mason Jones, Cory McKenna and Oban Elliott, have followed similar paths, progressing from the domestic scene to major international promotions.

While not every journey looks the same, the connection is clear. Events like these have consistently provided a platform for fighters to gain experience, build reputations, and take the next step in their careers.

Today, that link remains just as strong. Established names are still a visible presence, whether in the corner or on commentary, while a new generation begins to follow in their footsteps.

It’s this continuity that defines the promotion. Not just a showcase for one night, but part of a wider system that continues to produce, develop, and support elite Welsh talent.

For those unfamiliar with mixed martial arts, it can be easy to misunderstand what’s happening inside the cage. But spend any time around the sport, whether in the gym or on fight night, and a very different picture begins to emerge.

In covering events like Samurai, it quickly becomes clear just how much discipline sits behind every performance. The preparation alone demands months of structure, sacrifice, and consistency, long before a fighter ever makes that walk through the crowd.

For many, simply stepping into the cage is the result of years of hard work.

There’s an artistry to it too. Beyond the physicality, MMA is a sport built on timing, decision-making, and control, where one moment can shift everything. It’s something that often goes unnoticed until you’ve seen it up close.

Perhaps most striking, though, is the contrast between the fighters themselves and the perception that surrounds them.

Outside of competition, they are often measured, respectful, and grounded. Fully aware of the opportunity in front of them and appreciative of the platform they’re given. The intensity is reserved for the moments that matter.

And it’s here that events like SFC play an important role. Not just in showcasing the action, but in offering a clearer understanding of the sport and the people within it.

The growth of Samurai Fighting Championship reached a new level at its eighth event, marking a significant milestone not just for the promotion, but for Welsh MMA as a whole.

For the first time, a Welsh MMA event saw its main card broadcast live across BBC platforms, with fights streamed via BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport. It was a landmark moment, bringing the sport to a wider audience than ever before.

For co-promoter Colin Mould, the impact is clear: “This is a huge step for Samurai, but more importantly, it’s massive for the fighters. A BBC platform gives our athletes real visibility. The kind that opens doors and helps them progress to the next level of the sport.”

That opportunity is not lost on those within it. Jack Shore described the exposure as “huge” for the next generation, while Richard Shore called the move “groundbreaking… not just for SFC, but British MMA in general.”

Even at amateur level, the shift is being felt. As champion Malakai Gough put it: “I love the attention, so knowing I’m fighting in front of more people is giving me a lot more confidence!”

With record viewership for the promotion and a growing national platform, SFC is no longer just building momentum; it’s beginning to break through.

Attention now turns to June 27, where Samurai Fighting Championship returns for its ninth instalment. An event that looks set to build on everything that has come before.

While the full card is still taking shape, early indications point towards another stacked night. A schedule featuring multiple professional bouts, alongside a number of amateur title fights, reflecting the same balance that has become a defining feature of the promotion.

There is also the possibility of only the second professional title fight in SFC history, adding further weight to an already significant occasion.

If recent events are anything to go by, the expectation is clear. A sell-out crowd in Ebbw Vale, a charged atmosphere, and a platform that continues to grow, both in scale and in reach.

With more established names expected to feature, the event promises not only to showcase emerging talent, but to reinforce the strength of Welsh MMA at every level.

But beyond the individual fights, the wider story remains the same. Samurai has become part of a much bigger movement, and one that continues to develop fighters, create opportunities, and shift perceptions of the sport in Wales.

On June 27, that story moves forward once again.

Image Credit: Huw Fairclough

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