Fighters Only

Issue 029

September 2007

FX3

7th July 2007, Rivermead Centre, Reading.

Report & photographs by Jim Page

Two titles were contested on the fifth show put on by the popular promotion Freestyle Fighting Federation (FX3). In the main event Andre Winner put in a solid but uninspired performance to claim the vacant lightweight title by decision over late-replacement Aidan Marron of Northern Ireland. Lacking his usual crisp timing, Winner still managed to get ahead on the score cards with his striking and did enough to comfortably land the victory and his first title.

Cage Rage veteran Brian Adams made his debut appearance at middleweight and seems set to make waves in the division with his domination of the resilient Irishman Mark ‘Manslaughter’ O’Toole. Shrugging off a heavy left hook in the second round, Adams cut the Irishman before gaining mount position and raining down a series of punches and elbows which forced the referee to step in.

In other title action earlier in the night, French fighter Emmanuel Fernandez scored something of an upset by completely dominating Alex Owen, ending the Bristol man’s unbeaten run and claiming the FX3 featherweight title in the process. Showing incredible balance the Frenchman took Owen down and held top position, implementing a tight game plan to neatly control position before sealing victory with a rear naked choke. UK fan favourite Leigh Remedios issued a challenge to Fernandez after the fight, signalling a return to competitive action following his lengthy hiatus.

Full results

Stuart Rickman def Ed Howard via TKO 0:29 Rd1

Greg Knapp def Rob Neesham via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 2:23 Rd1

Tim Radcliffe def Rocci Williams via KO 2:42 Rd2

Simon Gill def Matt Smith via Submission (Triangle Choke) 1:55 Rd1

Paul Reed def Wesley Felix via TKO 2:02 Rd2

Kevin Simms def Theo Theodouloa via Submission (Strikes) 1:36 Rd1

Brendan Flannigan def Dion Oakes via Submission (Verbal) 4:49 Rd1

Emmanuel Fernandez def Alex Owen via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) 2:23 Rd2

Sami Berik def David Lee via TKO 1:15 Rd1

Brian Adams def Mark O’Toole via TKO 4:20 Rd3

Andre Winner def Adain Marron via Decision

Strike.& Submit 3

8th July 2007, Federation Breweries, Gateshead.

Report by David Kirkland, photographs by Ian Malone

Now into its third show (with the fourth scheduled for October 28th) North East promotion Strike & Submit goes from strength to strength. With names like ‘Buzz’ Berry, Mike Bisping, Terry Etim and Ian Freeman all in attendance, crowds turned up in full force with the majority ready to cheer on a card heavily stacked with local talent. An improvement in the weather meant that fans inside this intimate venue were in high spirits and ready for some action.

With none of the first eight bouts going past the first round it seemed like an early night was inevitable. Rob Davison entertained the crowd with three consecutive slams to then take the back of David Brown. Lee Chadwick brought Nathan Boyce’s undefeated run to an end with a guillotine, and Alex Harris did his best to defend a Dave Jenkins heel

hook before finally tapping, with Jenkins picking up the award for semi-pro fight of the night.

With his army of fans in good voice, Whitehaven’s Martin ‘The Ox’ Thompson managed to defeat Ian Rush with a barraged of strikes on the ground to take the Strike & Submit British light heavyweight title. The contest for the welterweight title was to be the main event – originally lined up to take on Paul Jenkins, Les ‘Hollywood’ Ojugbana was still fired up to take on seasoned pro Lee Doski, and a gruelling three rounds saw a close points decision go to Doski.

Full Results

Lee Doski def Les “Hollywood” Ojugbana via Judges Decision

Martin “The Ox” Thompson def Ian Rush via Submission (Strikes) 2:35sec Rd1

Lee Chadwick def Nathan Boyce via Submission (Guillotine) 1.01 Rd1

Will Burke def Tom Baxter via Submission (Rear naked choke) 2:44

Jamie Austin def Richie Ryder via Submission (Kimura) 3:18 rd1

Ultimate Force: Battle of Waterloo 2 England vs France

21st July 2007, Doncaster Dome, Doncaster

Report by Byron Wicker, photos courtesy of Ultimate Force

In the main event Abdul Mohammad overcame Jason Ball in a gruelling battle. Abdul repeatedly took the local favourite down, but was unable to crack Ball’s stubborn ground defence. After three energy-sapping rounds, the judges went for Middlesbrough-based Mohammad.

The French team displayed sublime grappling ability to take the international challenge 3-1. Norman Parisiese stood out, displaying patience and guile before earning the tap with a textbook choke. The sole home victory blew the roof off the Dome, as Wayne Murray put Djamela Moula to sleep with a stunning guillotine.

Prior to the continental grappling masterclass, the punters were treated to some traditional Yorkshire wallop. The Ultimate Force Heavyweight production line shows no sign of stopping with Jez Tindall, Sean Mckenning and Cliff Moor overwhelming their respective opponents.

Full Results

Abdul Mohammad def Jason Ball via Unanimous Decision

Bendy Casimir def Ian Jones via Submission (Guillotine) 0.39 Rd1

Wayne Murray def Djamel Moula via KO (Guillotine) 0.39 Rd1

Norman Parisiese def David Radford via Submission (Side choke) 4.53 Rd1

Mickael Tozolgan def Gareth Davies via Submission (Arm Bar) 1.05 Rd1

Jez Tindall def David Cieplinski via TKO (Ground & Pound) 2.45 Rd1

Clifford Moor def Ian Rush via TKO(Ground & Pound) 2.09 Rd1

Lee Doski def Gary Savage via Submission(Rear Naked Choke) 1.35 Rd2

Mark Mills def Mark Oates via KO (Strikes) 3.07 Rd1

Samir Mebjdeur def Mike Rutley via TKO (Ground & Pound) 2.56 Rd1

Sean Mckenning def Clifford McCarthy via TKO (Ground & Pound) 1.11 Rd1

Diane Berry def Anna Halliday via Submission (Arm Bar) 1.15 Rd1

Danny Mitchell def Craig Ford via Submission (Triangle Choke) 1.56 Rd1

Stewart Levitt def Michael Wynn via Submission (Front Choke) 3.56 Rd1

James Williams def Liam Henderson via Submission (Armbar) 4.38 Rd1

Tim Close def Reece Iverson via Unanimous Decision

Cage Warriors: Enter the Rough House

21st July 2007, Harvey Hadden Sports Centre, Nottingham

Report by Jim Burman, photographs by Lee Whitehead

Once one of the standard bearers for UK MMA, Cagewarriors has suffered recently due to problems within their infrastructure and this was apparent from this show.

In welterweight action Lee Livingstone finished Kevin Reed early in the second, answering the bell fresher than the Welshman and punishing him with punches and knees until the ref stopped it. The first saw Livingstone push the pace, take down Reed and control most of the ground phase.

Rising star Andre Winner notched up another victory in a hard fought battle with Daniel Thomas. From the outset Thomas seemed determined to get the fight to the ground but Winner had other plans. Thomas was tenacious to the end and for his part indulged in some good dirty boxing in the clinch. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and Winner got the nod from all three judges.

Irishman Mark O’Toole from the UFR camp showed real fists of granite taking out Christian Smith. When the Ref broke them up for inaction O’Toole unloaded his heavy right, staggering Smith and causing him to go into survival mode. After another restart O’Toole landed the same bomb again and chased Smith down, jacking his fist into his face. Smith summoned all his will and managed to take down the overzealous O’Toole although at this point he looked all but out. Shortly after O’Toole slapped on the arm bar from his guard for the tap out win.