All the Results in Significant Week For Scottish MMA

This past weekend proved to be a big one for Scottish MMA, with three fighters competing under the banner of major organisations. The week could have been even more significant, with two short-notice opponent pull-outs rendering two further Scots unable to fight on their respective cards this weekend. Of the three that did compete, their results were a mixed bag.

Casey O’Neill

Scottish-born Casey O’Neill, 23, lived in Kilmarnock until the age of 10, before her family set off for the Gold Coast in Australia. Having secured back-to-back finishes in her first two UFC bouts, O’Neill faced off against Antonina Shevchenko this weekend in Las Vegas – the older sister of dominant flyweight champion Valentina. Despite amassing over two minutes of top control in the first round, O’Neill struggled to close the distance early on, with Shevchenko sniping her from the outside in a competitive opening round. In round two, O’Neill used clever feints to close the distance and get the fight to the mat early on. In her wheelhouse, O’Neill threatened with submissions and eventually finished Shevchenko via brutal ground-and-pound late in the second, earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for her efforts. Having fought in her fifth fight in 12 months, O’Neill has earned some time off. She may join fellow Irvine-born Joanne Calderwood in the official UFC rankings later this week. Regardless, it’s likely a top 15 opponent awaits O’Neill when she returns to the Octagon. With an unblemished professional record at 8-0 and having scored a trio of finishes in the UFC, O’Neill is a legitimate top prospect making waves in a division that is crying out for new blood to compete with the dominant champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

Chris Duncan

Stirling’s Chris Duncan, 28, was also in Las Vegas this weekend. Duncan was scheduled to compete against Manuel Gaxhja on Dana White’s Contender Series for a UFC contract last Tuesday. Gaxhja missed weight on Monday – coming in four pounds heavy – before ultimately withdrawing from the bout merely hours before they were set to compete citing illness. Duncan weighed in for Saturday’s UFC card in case there was any need for a last-minute lightweight alternate but was not required. Duncan has since confirmed he will remain in Vegas and compete on Dana White’s Contender Series on October 12 against an opponent yet to be confirmed.

Robert Whiteford

Five-fight UFC veteran Robert Whiteford, 38, made his sophomore Bellator appearance in his first outing in almost two years since his incredible comeback win over Sam Sicilia at Bellator London 2. The promotion was back in London for Bellator 267, with Whiteford taking on Sunderland’s Andrew Fisher in the featured bout on the main card. Despite his tendency to be drawn into barn burners, Whiteford fought an intelligent, disciplined fight. Although lacking fireworks, Whiteford controlled the distance, countering Fisher’s shots and defending and reversing his opponent’s level-changes. Unfortunately, mid-way through the second round, Whiteford succumbed to a third eye-poke from Fisher and was rendered unable to continue. The referee declared the bout a no contest, with Whiteford already expressing his desire to run it back with Fisher in the future.

Scott Malone

Dundee’s Scott Malone, 33, risked a three-fight winning streak at Cage Warriors 129 as the latest instalment in the promotion’s trilogy series ended on Saturday evening. Malone last competed at the last trilogy series in June, returning to Cage Warriors after a three-fight skid that saw him lose to the likes of current champion Jack Cartwright and UFC prospect Jack Shore.  Malone made the drop from bantamweight to flyweight as he took his first step at a run for Cage Warriors flyweight gold against undefeated Italian Dylan Hazan in the events curtain jerker. Throughout the entire 15 minutes, Hazan’s athleticism allowed him to dictate the fight. His pace and pressure meant Malone spent the majority of the fight on his back. Despite a profound amount of top control, Hazan offered very little by way of strikes or submission attempts, whilst Malone was active off his back, landing elbows from the bottom. Because of this, one judge scored the fight 29-28 for Malone. However, the other two judges saw the fight for Hazan, with the Italian winning via split decision.

Aidan Stephen

Malone wasn’t the only Scotsman scheduled to be competing across Cage Warriors’ events last week, with Aidan Stephen booked to compete at Cage Warriors 128 the day prior. Boasting a professional record of 8-4, Stephen last competed at Cage Warriors 122 in March against highly touted Swedish prospect Tobias Harila. Whilst former opponent Paul Hughes was crowned Cage Warriors featherweight champion on Friday, Stephen was unable to compete earlier that evening as planned. His opponent – Finland’s Edward Walls – recorded a positive Covid-19 test and was forced to withdraw from the bout on short notice.