He's back!
The undefeated prodigy Colby 'Slickness' Thicknesse (3-0) returns March 2nd, 2024 at Hex Fight Series 28 in Melbourne...
It'l be nearly 8 months to the day that Colby Thicknesse tore ligaments in his knee, and 10 months removed from a torn intercostal (rib injury), that forced him out of a highly anticipated bout with 'The Mutant' Emrehan Hekimoglu (3-2) back in May 2023 at Hex Fight Series 26 in Melbourne. Hekimoglu badgered Thicknesse for months, mocking him for withdrawing out of their fight due to injury. Emrhan even renamed his opponent 'Colby Chickness'. Like a chicken.. because chick, chickness, and his name is Thickness... you get it. (click here to see)
Thicknesse, a highly respected prospect with tremendous grappling, has already been talked about with the UFC at just 3-0 (8-1 am). Colby has been a main training partner of the UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski since he was quite literally a toddler and routinely mixes it up with best combat athletes the country has produced. He is still trained to this day out of the former church turned combat gym, Freestyle MMA, in Windang NSW, under the great 'Master Splinter' Joe Lopez.
Thicknesse will look to get back on track and continue his rise up the Australian MMA ranks and become what he has been dubbed by so many since a very young age, The future of the sport. But standing in his way is a man that should be both thanked as much as he is revered by Colby.
On November 18th, Michael Mannu (7-3) got a chance to take care of a problem for 'Slickness'. he got to do what many had wanted, but none more than Colby himself. Step inside the cage with 'The Mutant'...
Michael Mannu dominated Hekimoglu from the opening round at Hex Fight Series 28, earning a unanimous decision victory in the process. Mannu is a slick striker, with great grappling and unbelievable cardio. It's a very tall test for Colby who, despite coming back from injury, has been thrown back in the thick of it.
I wouldn't be surprised if we see the winner of this fight go on to challenge the victor of the Hex Fight Series 135lb title unification bout between (c)Sean Gauci & a fighter dubbed the future himself by many people, (ic)Cody Haddon.
Colby had this to say about his return:
"I'm super excited for this matchup with [Michael] Mannu, coming back after a year lay off due to multiple injuries to fight a skilled opponent like him is what this sport is all about. I expect us to steal the show with this fight."
Regardless of the outcome, like many athletes returning from multiple injuries, just being in the cage again is a victory in itself. I honestly couldn't tell you who i think is going to win this fight. Colby is a prodigy, Mannu has found his former glory. Nevertheless, in a response more cliche than a fighter telling you "i don't care who I face next, whoever the UFC gives me", the real winners will be us... Well it will be someone obviously, unless it's a draw. Which would be weird, and rare... We digress. It'll be a sick fight!
For tickets to the event click here
- Mitchell Tinley
