M-1 Challenge veteran Matt “12 Gauge” Thorpe (13-9-0) makes his fifth appearance of 2009 on Saturday night, when he travels abroad once more to face the talented Swedish wrestler Tor Troeng (10-3-1) at “Battle of Botnia 2” in Umea, Sweden

Thorpe (who is managed by Warrior Promotions Fighter Management) spent most of 2009 representing “Team England” in this year’s M-1 Challenge and is a seasoned campaigner with over 7 years experience in MMA.  Currently ranked as one of the Top 10 British Middleweights; Thorpe is a tall rangy fighter (he stands at 6ft 4in / 193cm) who is skilled in all ranges.   Whilst Thorpe also holds wins over the likes of former Cage Rage British Champion Che Mills; the German Shidokan fighter, Peter Angerer; the Shooto Holland / M-1 veteran, Raymon Jarman and many more.

Although previously known for his unsuccessful but epic 5 round battle for the CWFC World Welterweight Title against Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy back in 2005.  Thorpe has carved a name for himself on the world scene in 2009 after moving up a division to Middleweight at the end of last year.  After previously citing his frustration due to a lack of opportunity in the domestic ranks, he leapt at the chance to represent his country in the 2009 M-1 Challenge which saw him travel to Japan, the USA, Holland and Russia.   Thorpe went 2-2 in the global team event with submission victories over Yusuke Masuda (Japan) and Rafael Rodriguez (Spain).

Thorpe’s efforts helped Team England reach the Semi Finals of this year’s tournament before they were finally eliminated by the Russian Legion, who were eventual winners of competition.  In his semi final Challenge bout; Thorpe suffered a painful submission loss to UFC veteran Ansar Chalangov, which some suggested may have seen end of Thorpe’s 2009 adventures.  However the offer of redemption and the chance to end his 2009 campaign on a high, proved too much for the talented all-rounder from Stockport, England to resist.

So yet again the Team Colosseum  / Northern Cartel fighter has dug out his passport and has flown overseas this time to Northern Sweden, as he prepares to face one of the rising European Middleweight prospects, in the form of the 6ft 2in / 189cm submission wrestler Tor Troeng.

Troeng has spent the past four years steadily climbing up the European ranks and has mostly seen action on the Scandinavian circuit where he fought on the now defunct European Vale Tudo show, Shooto Europe, Fight Festival and most recently Superior Challenge.  He has also racked-up a series on impressive wins against local opposition and also holds wins against highly rated European level opposition such as Matti Makela and Jacek Buczko.

Troeng has also challenged some of Europe’s leading Middleweight contenders with mixed results with decision losses to the Pride FC veteran Daniel Acacio and the recent UFC signee Lucio Linhares, as well as a TKO loss to the Sengoku veteran Mamed Khalidov.

Although that has not dented the hopes of this rising European Middleweight who is currently unbeaten in his last 6 bouts and according to some observers is hovering just outside the top 10 European rankings.   Last time out Troeng showed his growing pedigree by defeating Thorpe’s compatriot and former UFC and Pride veteran Mark Weir by Triangle choke  in round 3 of their encounter at Superior Challenge 4.  On that night the Swedish fighter showed great composure as  he weathered the initial storm before using his ground skills to submit the talented British striker.

Now he faces another internationally known British fighter in the former of Matt Thorpe who travels to Sweden knowing that a good performance will not only see him end the year on a high but will also see him back in contention for opportunities in a stacked domestic and European Middleweight scene for 2010.

This Middleweight clash is the headlining bout of the “Battle Of Botina” show which takes place at the 2300 seater capacity Gammliahallen in Umeå, Sweden.  This show also features several other intriguing match-ups which sees the Swedish Lightweight Hamid “Akira” Corassani (7-2-0-1nc)  take on the undefeated and highly touted Slovakian  Ivan “Buki” Buchinger (10-0-0).  Whilst also in Middleweight action Lloyd Clarkson from the UK takes on Jonas Hellqvist and Cage Warriors veteran Martin Wojcik takes on Sascha Weinpolter in a Light-Heavyweight clash.

For more information on this show go to http://www.battleofbotnia.com