Raja Shippen hasn’t lost a fight since October 2015 and has been on a tear ever since.
The American, who considers himself an honorary Aussie, training out of Australian Top Team in Western Sydney will be looking to secure his fifth consecutive victory and the Spartan Combat League bantamweight strap when he returns to his homeland to fight Josh Huber in August.
Shippen is coming off a stellar victory back in March when he brutally finished Jung Hyun Ahn in the first round and has plenty of self assurance that he can get the job done yet again.
“Coming off four victories my confidence is high. Knowing I have trained all over the world and with some of the best in the sport, and that my last fight went so well, I’m feeling really good,” Shippen told Fight News Australia.
His opponent Huber is no walk in the park though. The veteran brown belt has a 21-10 professional career and has fought for major promotions such as WSOF and RFA. Likewise he has finished his last three fights via submission, two of those coming in the first round.
“He seems like a tough guy who likes to scrap so I know it’s going to be a mad fight. At the end of the day though the belt is coming back to Sydney with me.”
Shippen has every reason to be bold in the lead up to his next fight despite the formidable opponent and is looking to make a statement in an effort to inch closer to that elusive UFC contract.
“I have great, positive people around who me who believe in my skills and I know I have all the tools to bring home this win.
“My ultimate goal is to be picked up by the UFC after this win but if not I’d like to fight for the biggest show in Australia again – Hex. I want their 135lb belt but the UFC is definitely the goal by the end of the year.”
Spartan Combat League will be held on on August 19 live from Colorado, USA (ET).
