Pakistani boxer and mixed martial artist Furqan “The Lion” Cheema, 28, will make his professional MMA debut at “Combat Challenge 23.” It will take place at the Cedar Court Hotel in Bradford, Yorkshire, England on March 16, 2019.

At “Combat Challenge 23,” Cheema will face Daniel “DanDan” Hunter of the United Kingdom in the welterweight division. The latter is a former bare knuckle and boxing titleholder.

For many years, Cheema has been training in Bradford. He and Hunter both come from a striking background so the Pakistani fighter expects a good standup fight between them at “Combat Challenge 23.”

As an amateur MMA fighter, Cheema has 9 wins and 1 loss. As a boxer, he has 2 wins and 0 loss.

Aside from having bare-knuckle expertise, Hunter is also a good boxer so one could expect some good boxing in the fight but it may fall into a quick finish or a long standing trade, according to Cheema. The latter has no doubt that there will be fireworks.

“I can’t wait,” Cheema said. “It is going to be a battle.”

Hailing from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Cheema comes from a family of fighters. The family owns a professional and amateur boxing gym called Khalid Bin Waleed (KBW), which has produced many champions and is located in Dewsbury, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England.

“The fight camp is going very well at KBW, Team Hanson and Gracie Barra,” Cheema stated. “We have all the tools to win. I believe in all my coaches and got the best people around me alongside teammates, I will give my 100 percent.”

“This is just start of a journey, InshAllah,” Cheema added. He also thanked his coaches for helping him prepare, namely professional and amateur boxing coach Tanny Hussain of KBW, black belt kickboxer Jay Hanson of Team Hanson and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Jamie Paxman of Gracie Barra.

Cheema ready for his MMA pro debut and is confident to win the bout against Hunter, according to the Pakistani fighter’s manager Muhammad Rizvan Ali, who is also the Prime Sports Management owner. Ali said, “You will soon see Furqan competing in big MMA organizations such as ONE Championship and Brave Combat Federation.”

“This guy is the future,” Ali said of Cheema. “Watch him today and see him next year. He will be a star of our Asian MMA circuit very soon.”

Here is a clip featuring Cheema: