There has been a long stranding rivalry between Sweden and Finland for hundreds of years, and that rivalry is sure to produce excitement. Finnish veteran Patrik Pietilä (11-11) is now slated to face Moe "Slim Boy" Ahmadi (4-4) at Fight Club Rush 15!
The event will see FCR return to Stockholm on February 25th, at Strawberry Fields in Solna.
Pietilä has represented the Finnish national team in amateur MMA and has been fighting professionally since 2013.
Throughout the years Pietilä has proven himself to be the very definition of a hardened veteran, willing to take on the toughest challenges without batting an eye. He has defeated former FCR fighter Arman Popal and also holds wins over solid Nordic competition like Saeed Ganji and Ville Yrjola. The Finn has also faced tough opponents like French star Anthony Dizy and still undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov.
Pietiläs biggest win to date occurred in May of 2019 when he faced former UFC fighter David Bielkheden in Stockholm. Bielkheden was a huge favourite entering the fight, but Pietilä rocked his foe early, establishing a clear lead. Despite Bielkheden battling his way back into the contest Pietilä held his lead, winning a unanimous decision after three tough rounds.
Pietilä enters FCR on a losing streak, hoping to re-enter the win column by once again defeating a Swede in the Swedish capital.
With a whopping five appearances in the promotion, Ahmadi is rapidly becoming one of FCR's most popular fighters.
As an unpredictable grappler who is constantly a submission threat, Ahmadi has never gone past the second round as a pro. He headlined the first Swedish MMA event to return after the pandemic started, FCR 7, defeating Elvin Hoxha via second round submission.
Ahmadi struggled in in his following FCR bouts, getting finished by top contenders Christopher Bajo and Alexander Lindgren. During and after those bouts Ahmadi would truly find himself as a fighter, balancing his razor sharp MMA skills with some of the best and most entertaining walk ins in all of Northern Europe.
Ahmadi bounced back into the win column at FCR 13 with a submission win over Abdallah Habib that was just as dominant as it was quick. In his latest outing Ahmadi faced returning Danish bruiser Rick Gangia at FCR 14. "Slim Boy" defended the takedowns eloquently, wrapping up a rear naked choke securing his fourth career win and finish within a round.
The fun-loving finisher Ahmadi will face his toughest test to date against the hardened Finn Pietilä. The only thing one can be sure to expect is excitement.