Issue 037
May 2008
FX3
March 15th 2008. Rivermead Centre, Reading
Text: John O’Regan. Photos: Robert Swann
Emmanuel Fernandez successfully defended his featherweight title against Scottish opponent Paul Reed on the latest FX3 event. The Frenchman is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and champion grappler, not an easy fight for anybody. Reed was on an unbeaten run of seven fights before taking on Fernandez, who made it clear in the pre-fight video that he had no intention of losing his title. It looked like he might be in danger of saying goodbye to it as Reed got the better of a clinch near the start of round one and managed to catch Fernandez with a blow that gashed his nose.
By the end of the first round Reed was caught in a solid triangle, but was saved by the bell. Fernandez dropped him at the start of the second and took the fight to the floor, which is his natural territory. After some ground and pound from the mount, he forced Reed to turn over and sank in a rear naked choke to retain his belt.
On the undercard, Brad Pickett took on Fred Fernandez, younger brother of the featherweight champion. Pickett had a scare in the first round when Fernandez almost secured a leg lock and later had his back and was looking for the choke. In the second he played a nice sprawl and brawl game and managed to secure a guillotine from a sprawl, finishing the fight and setting up a clash with Emmanuel Fernandez.
For a full write-up of the FX3 event and exclusive photo gallery visit our website www.fightersonlymag.com.
TOTAL COMBAT 23
February 23rd 2008, Houghton Le Spring.
Text: Jack Sexton. Photos: Total Combat
Lisa Higo vs. Nadia Van Der Vel was the first professional women’s bout in Total Combat’s history. It also turned out to be the fight of the night as both women went toe to toe and traded for nearly three full rounds. It was Higo who took the victory after rocking the game Dutch fighter, capitalsing with vicious strikes, forcing the ref to jump in.
Charismatic fighter Eddie Ng pushed all boundaries with his ring entrance. Dressed head to toe in pink to the tune of ‘Barbie Girl’ it was certainly different! In the ring it was all business as he showed his BJJ skills against crafty veteran Jason Ball. Ball set up a takedown with strikes but before Ng even touched the ground he was working for a triangle. This transitioned to a slick armbar that Ball struggled to get out of, forcing a tap just before the two-minute mark.
In the international lightweight title fight Ross Pearson and Mark ‘Spenna’ Spencer traded some good shots before the fight moved to the floor. Spencer threw numerous close armbar attempts but Pearson rained down heavy blows from top to stop the fight by TKO. Main event of the night was Sunderland’s Colin Sexton taking on Lithuanian Sergej Siaucila. Sexton dominated from the bell with some serious ground and pound having rammed Siaucila into the side of the cage but as Sexton stood up to drop power punches the Lithuanian went for broke and forced a tap out via heel hook.
ULTIMATE FORCE 7
Doncaster Dome, 20th Oct 2007
Report by Byron Wicker. Photography by Nick Wildman - www.kophoto.co.uk
David Baron showed all his experience to take the honours in his clash with Abdul Mohamed. The two highly ranked lightweights soon ended up against the fence, with Abdul standing over the grounded Frenchman. Abdul piled on the pressure, but was unable to breach Baron’s defences. Baron, who has been in with the world’s best, kept his opponent at bay with strikes from his back. During one of these exchanges, a Baron elbow opened a cut over Abdul’s right eye. The position of the cut forced the doctor to call the fight off.
The rest of the night delivered the usual Ultimate Force mix of thrilling action in front of an appreciative and enthusiastic crowd. Mick Sinclair overcame Ian Jones in a war that went the distance. Sinclair showcased some impressive slams and strikes in the first two rounds. Despite taking some punishment, Jones was never overwhelmed and countered with energy sapping guillotine attempts. After a brutal clinch knee exchange at the start of the third, both fighters were running out of gas. With their hands dropping, the pair both tried to end the contest with spectacular head kicks. None connected and Sinclair deservedly got the nod from the judges.
Doncaster’s Jason Ball dropped Paul Jenkins with a sharp left hand before forcing the tap with a Rear Naked Choke. Another local favourite, Cliff Moore, submitted the very game debutant Lukasz Paropiec. With the pair on the canvas, Moore unleashed countless heavy right hands to Paropiec’s head before he applied the fight-winning choke.
Wayne Murray and Cliff Hall had a hugely entertaining scrap. In just over four hectic minutes, the pair went at it and between them tried every move in the book. The contest ended when Murray gained side control and bombed the resistance out of Hall before gaining the submission by way of rear naked choke.
Full Results:
David Baron def Abdul Mohamed via Doctor’s Stoppage 3:22 Rd1
Mick Sinclair def Ian Jones via
Unanimous Decision
Jason Ball def Paul Jenkins via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 2:37 Rd1
Cliff Moore def Lukasz Paropiec via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 3:19 Rd1
Victor Anulek def Rob Owens via Submission (Guillotine) 2:21 Rd1
Chris Charlton def Gary Savage via TKO (Ground ‘n’ Pound) 0:41 Rd1
Michael Lamb def Scott Askerm via Submission (Guillotine) 3:54 Rd2
Robin Robson def Billy Saul via Submission (Armbar) 3:03 Rd1
Will Burke def Sebastian Grabarak via Submission (Armbar) 3:55 Rd1
Diane Berry def Lisa Newton via.Doctor’s Stoppage 0:52 Rd 1
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