By Jake Smith
Scott ‘Denkharft’ Pedersen, the 2019 IMMAF European Open Bronze Medalist, will make his long awaited professional debut in a Featherweight bout against Matthew Elliott at Cage Warriors 120 on Thursday March 18th.
Throughout his 25 fight amateur career, Pedersen competed in three IMMAF events and held multiple regional titles. The Welshman’s introduction to the IMMAFs came in 2017, at the World Championships, where he came up short against Quitin Thomas in the opening round.
Not to be deterred, Pedersen’s next appearance on an IMMAF platform came at the 2018 European Open Championships. Already establishing himself as an athlete who is as fresh in the last minute as he is in the first, it came as no surprise when his first IMMAF victory came by way of a unanimous decision over Austrian Daniel Schordje. Pedersen bowed out in the second round to Pavel Senchenko, who went on to win Gold in the tournament.
He returned once again at the 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA European Senior and Junior Open Championships for what would be his most successful tournament. After a round two TKO against Rachid Bullguchev of Belgium and a split decision over Tobias Zacho Storm of Team Denmark, Pedersen found himself in a semi-final bout against Antonio Marti. After an extremely close bout, the Welshman’s tournament landed on the wrong side of a split decision against the Spaniard, but he claimed the bronze medal in the featherweight division.
With his dominating prowess and eye catching style, Pedersen established himself as a fan favourite on the amateur scene: the 24-year-old has been steadily turning heads on his way to the professional ranks.
Last year, Pedersen made the decision to move his training to one of the most sought after gyms in Wales, Shore Mixed Martial Arts.The anticipation heading into Pedersen’s professional debut is not too dissimilar to the excitement that surrounded fellow Team Wales Alumni and team mate, Jack Shore, ahead of his professional debut.
‘Denkharft’ credits his confidence heading into the professional game, to the experiences he had competing in multiple IMMAF events. He said:
“The IMMAF platform gave me the opportunity to see all different types of looks from high level fighters across the world that’s where my confidence turning pro comes from.
“To call myself a professional is something I’ve been working towards since I was a kid. I can’t wait to walk in that area with the 4oz gloves on!”
Cage Warriors The Trilogy 3 takes place on March 18th, 19th & 20th and will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass.
