Bradford McClurg

The Northern Irish amateur MMA scene continues to produce exciting fighters willing to test themselves inside the cage, and Bradford McClurg is another name making his presence known.

Representing IFS Northern Ireland, Bradford has been building his experience through competition on the local MMA circuit, with appearances on Clan Wars providing some memorable moments along the way.

With victories by both submission and knockout, Bradford has already demonstrated an ability to finish fights wherever the opportunity presents itself — and his performances have taken him all the way to a shot at Clan Wars championship gold.

Building Experience on the Amateur Scene

Amateur MMA is about much more than maintaining a perfect record.

It’s where fighters learn to deal with different styles, difficult opponents and the pressure that comes with stepping into a cage in front of a live crowd.

Bradford’s journey has seen him experience all of those challenges.

One of his earlier recorded contests came against Ryan Mulholland at Clan Wars 50 in November 2024. Bradford suffered a first-round submission defeat, but rather than allowing that setback to define his progress, he returned to competition and produced two impressive performances.

Showing His Finishing Ability

Bradford returned to Clan Wars in October 2025 when he faced Aubrey Tarr at Clan Wars 53 in Belfast.

It didn’t take long for him to make an impact.

Bradford secured a first-round TKO victory in just 56 seconds, getting himself back into the win column in emphatic fashion.

It was exactly the type of performance that can build confidence for a developing amateur fighter — but his next appearance would be equally impressive.

Another First-Round Stoppage at Clan Wars 54

In March 2026, Bradford returned at Clan Wars 54, this time facing Stephen Murphy in an amateur bantamweight contest at Belfast’s New Forge Arena.

Once again, the judges weren’t required.

Bradford stopped Murphy with punches after just 1 minute and 15 seconds of the opening round, recording another KO/TKO victory.

Two consecutive first-round stoppages demonstrated the threat Bradford carries when he finds an opening.

Across those two fights combined, Bradford needed only 2 minutes and 11 seconds of cage time to secure two victories.

Fighting for Clan Wars Gold

Those performances helped lead Bradford towards the biggest opportunity of his amateur career so far.

On 13 June 2026, Bradford faced Michael “Mighty Mouth” McBride at Clan Wars 55 with the Clan Wars Bantamweight Championship on the line.

This time, Bradford experienced a very different type of fight.

Instead of another rapid finish, the contest went the distance, with McBride ultimately taking the championship by unanimous decision.

Bradford may not have left with the belt, but competing for a championship represents an important milestone in any amateur career.

It also gave him something his previous two contests couldn’t — extended cage time in a high-pressure title fight.

Dangerous Wherever the Finish Appears

One of the interesting aspects of Bradford’s developing record is that his victories haven’t been limited to one area of MMA.

Alongside his recent knockout victories, his recorded fight history also includes a triangle-armbar submission victory.

That ability to find finishes through both striking and grappling is valuable in a sport where a fight can change direction in seconds.

An opponent has to respect the striking threat while remaining aware that opportunities can also be created on the ground.

As Bradford continues developing at IFS Northern Ireland, combining those different aspects of his game will be an important part of his progression.

Learning Through Wins and Defeats

Bradford’s amateur journey is also a good example of why records don’t tell the complete story of a developing fighter.

Defeats are part of combat sports.

What matters during the amateur stages is what happens afterwards.

Following his defeat at Clan Wars 50, Bradford returned with two consecutive first-round stoppage victories and earned himself an opportunity to compete for a championship.

That progression tells far more about the development of an amateur fighter than simply looking at the win and loss columns.

What’s Next for Bradford McClurg?

After already experiencing submissions, knockouts, decisions and a championship contest, Bradford is accumulating exactly the type of varied cage experience that can help shape an amateur fighter.

His recent run has demonstrated genuine finishing ability, particularly with consecutive first-round TKO victories.

The Clan Wars title fight provided another type of experience entirely — three rounds of championship competition against a tough opponent.

Now the focus turns towards taking everything learned from those contests back into the gym at IFS Northern Ireland and continuing to improve.

Bradford McClurg has already shown that when he gets an opportunity to finish a fight, he is capable of taking it.

With plenty of his amateur journey still ahead of him, he’ll be another Northern Irish fighter worth following as he continues developing inside the cage.

Follow Bradford McClurg

Keep up with Bradford’s amateur MMA record, opponents, results and future appearances through his Tapology records.

Tapology:
Bradford McClurg – Amateur MMA / IFS Northern Ireland