Rising stars in MMA ready to step into octagon Sunday

London, Ont. fighters head to Windsor, Ont. this weekend for their own UFC Championship title.

London fighter Ibrahim Moursy has dreams of one day hoisting a UFC Championship title.

His second career amateur bout is part of the Rising Stars: Next Generation 5 event this weekend in Windsor, Ont.

“I’m very excited to fight in this organization because I noticed they take it really seriously,” said Moursy at Adrenaline MMA in London, Ont. “The stage is big, a big crowd, so it’s going to prepare me for the future.”

The fight series comes to the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex in Windsor on Sunday, July 12.

“We have 20 action-packed mixed martial arts as well as kickboxing bouts,” said Chris Horodecki, a former MMA fighter and current promoter. “We are showcasing some of the top up and coming talent in the region and in the country and we have two professional fights on the card.”

The headliner is former UFC Fighter TJ Laramie against Jesus Ru.

“We’re giving the guys an opportunity and a platform to fight at the highest stage,” added Horodecki. “People are buying the pay per view all across the world. They’re getting the opportunity to fight in front of friends and family locally, so it’s a huge opportunity for them.”

There are titles on the line and London’s Stevie Doxtator wants one. He’s fighting in the 155 lbs title fight against AJ Market.

“He fights very high level jiu jitsu and he’s a brown belt,” said Doxtator, who prepared for two other fighters who backed out. “I’m excited to go there and test my skills and test all the hard work that we’ve been doing here at the gym with the coaches and the teammates and I’m feeling good.”

This fight is his second attempt at a belt.

“The first one was a national Muay Thai, won that one,” said Doxtator. “This one same thing I get another chance to showcase all the hard work I’ve been doing and I’m blessed to have this opportunity.”

Another title is on the line when London’s Brayven Warren steps in for a 200+ kickboxing fight against Windsor’s Kevin Shkambi.

Warren hasn’t had an official bout since suffering his only career loss to Shkambi two years ago.

“I tore my bicep [muscle] on that last fight, so I just got stronger, I got better, I was around 220 [pounds] last fight, and it’ll be a surprise when I’m at this fight,” said Warren. “Rising Stars is such a great opportunity for someone who wants to make it in this, in this kickboxing MMA, Muay Thai world and wants to rise to the top and be facing the best. That’s what I’m doing this Sunday.”

Former wrestling champion Brayden Todd from Ingersoll is also on the card, looking to bounce back from a recent loss where he suffered setbacks from a weight cut.

“My hands are getting a lot sharper every single day,” said Todd, who was hitting pads with Canadian UFC legend Mark Hominick. “They’re getting better and I’m predicting a first-round KO, I promise.”

Horodecki says this promotion is striking when the iron is hot. This is their fourth show this year and is looking forward to hosting an event in London in early October.