Making his debut under the umbrella of Europe’s leading mixed martial arts promotion, Billy ‘Mojo’ Horne (8-2) is set to overcome underdog status in his middleweight (185 Lbs) bout against Jason Norwood (10-2) on one of North Americas premiere broadcast networks. M-1 Global’s debut event on SHOWTIME can be seen LIVE on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
At 6’1” and walking around at a hearty 210lbs, the 33 year old Cincinnati, Ohio native sports a stout 8-2 record since making his debut as a professional fighter in 2007 and is known for his submission victories which include a quad of suffocating rear-naked chokes and a neck-wrenching guillotine. Making this prospect even more versatile is a heavy right-hand that he effectively uses as a precursor to unleashing a ground offensive and deadly kicks which he’ll need to land strategically in order to prevent Norwood from shooting in successfully.
Fighting out of the Cincinnati Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Horne holds notable wins over Lucas Lopes, Josh Haynes and a pair of ‘W’s on Fernando Rivera. Riding the momentum from winning back to back fights, Horne was quick to seize the opportunity to fight Norwood on a week’s notice and is intent on utilizing every ounce of athleticism and heart to continue climbing the ranks.
Horne’s history in MMA includes ten years of training with former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin before he became a household name in the sport; his training partner’s success brought along unintentional absences from the gym which required Mojo to make a change in camps in order to continue developing as a fighter.
Often considered the fighter to strike first, Horne is not one to play it safe on the canvas and favours tactical offensives to create the opportunities to secure advantageous positions. Preferring to keep his average take-home income per round on the higher side by refusing to let the judges decide his fate, expect Horne to try and finish this fight early. With good striking in addition to his submission arsenal, Horne poses a considerable threat to Norwood in a battle few expect to go the distance.
M-1 Challenge: Damkovsky vs. Figueroa airs LIVE on SHOWTIME on Friday, March 25 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
For information on SHOWTIME Sports programming, including exclusive behind-the-scenes video and photo galleries, complete telecast information and more, please go to the new SHOWTIME Sports website at http://sports.sho.com
For additional information, go to the official M-1 website, www.M-1Global.com and M-1 Global facebook fan page
