Ciaran Clarke Eyeing 10th-Straight Bellator Win
Very few, if any, fighters in history can make the claim of Ireland’s Ciaran Clarke. Clarke is currently 9-0 with all nine of his professional wins coming under the Bellator banner. A win at Bellator Champions Series: London on September 14, 2024, would give Clarke 10-straight wins, all with Bellator. This event will take place inside the OVO Wembley in London, England.
Finding MMA and Early Career
“I’ve always had a love for combat sports. When friends asked me along to a class in 2011, I haven’t stopped since,” Clarke told MYMMANEWS. Beginning his training at 16 years of age, a lot of Clarke’s success for being undefeated as a professional comes from the world renowned team behind him, SBG Ireland.
“First and always, I thank God for giving me the strength to get through all the ups and downs over the years, which brought me closer to my faith. My first coach, Conor Dillon, for showing me what work ethic is when it comes to training and my longtime coach now John Kavanagh for everything you see me do in the cage is what I’ve learned from him putting me forward for the biggest opportunities,” said Clarke. Dillon was a finisher in his professional days, earning knockout wins in over half of his career bouts.
In March 2012, just prior to turning 17 years old, Clarke made his amateur debut. In an amateur career that would span six years, Clarke would earn 13 wins with six of them coming by finish. His solid amateur run would earn him a call straight to Bellator, appearing on the Bellator 227 card, in September 2019. Nearly five years in the professional ranks, Clarke has yet to suffer a defeat and has earned finishes in six of those nine bouts.
Bellator Run
Bellator 227 would see Clarke take his professional debut in Dublin, earning a third-round submission win via rear naked choke. Five months later, Clarke would return to action at Bellator 240: Dublin in February 2020, earning a unanimous decision over Jamie Faulding. Clarke would continue through 2022 earning a 5-0 record in Bellator. At Bellator 291, Clarke would see an uptick in competition facing Leonardos Sinis in Dublin, pulling out the unanimous decision over the more seasoned fighter. Bellator 299 would see Clarke return to Dublin action with yet again another fantastic showing, earning an arm triangle choke for the victory. In his most recent contest, Bellator Champions Series: Belfast, Clarke would get that ninth-straight Bellator win with another triangle coke win.
September 14, 2024, will see Clarke seek his 10th straight, this time against another tough foe in the 12-3 Zebenzui Ruiz. Ruiz is on a five-fight winning streak and has not lost since 2019. So what can fans expect when these two meet in this showdown of young stars? “Expect action bell to bell,” said Clarke. “I will please God with a win and just fight the next guy who helps me climb the ranks.”
