Fighters Only

Issue 015

July 2006

06 May Birmingham NEC

Every year the martial arts, combat sports and fitness communities meet at the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre for a weekend of competitions, demonstrations and most important of all, shopping!

Europe’s largest trade exhibition for fighting arts, SENI has been running since 1999. From humble beginnings the expo has grown to feature seminars, demonstrations, competitions and much more. Spread over five ‘zones’ (designed to cater for enthusiasts of combat sports, extreme fitness pursuits, survival and self defence and much more) SENI had something for everyone.

In recent years, the ‘classical’ martial arts have always had dominance over the show, with numerous stands and stalls promoting their wares. This year however, things were different. Reflecting the changing face of public attitudes to combat sports, at least two thirds of the trade stalls on offer carried some kind of mixed martial arts gear.

Add to that the numerous MMA fighters and celebrities who were in attendance and you could have been mistaken for thinking SENI had turned into an MMA expo! Even the Pain and Glory show on the Saturday night had no less than four mixed martial arts fights on the card, with Chuck Liddell receiving the biggest cheer of the night when he greeted the fans from in the ring. Fighters Only had a large stall there, with our very own editor Ian Freeman meeting and greeting fans, and we also hosted the signing of the contracts between Ian and his opponent Melvin Manhoef (for more details turn to the next page) as they prepare for their fight at Cage Rage 17.

The MMA ‘notables’ who were there read like a who’s who list- UFC light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell (along with his bosses, UFC president Dana White and the owners of ZUFFA, the Fertita brothers) were seen chatting away at the FightDVD stand, with Chuck drawing a huge queue of autograph hunters!

The Fighters Only stand drew more than a few familiar faces from the European MMA scene, as we were visited by UFC veterans Mark Weir and Leigh Remedios. A highly recognisable face also popped by in the shape of referee extraordinaire Grant Waterman, as did the UK’s brightest welterweight stars Dan Hardy, Paul Daley and Jim Wallhead. Cage Rage fighters Abdul Mohamed, Jason ‘Bad Ass’ Barrett and even the man mountain Kiane came to check us out, all eager to read our latest issues.

In fact, Cage Rage promoters Dave O’Donnell and Andy Geer (using the Blitz stand as a base of operations) were there bigging up their huge July show Cage Rage 17. With Kiane in tow (not the kind of guy you can easily miss) and Abdul and Mark Weir performing separate demonstrations in the cage, MMA was well represented. With UFC fighter Jeff Monson even competing in the no-gi grappling competition Urban Gorillaz, MMA fans were truly spoilt. One of the biggest draws of the weekend though, was the action on the mats. With the Gracie Invitational BJJ competition taking place on the Saturday and the Urban Gorillaz no-gi submission grappling comp on the Sunday, there was plenty of quality action going on. The huge number of competitors proved the growing popularity of the sports (so closely linked to MMA) and spell good things for the future of MMA in this country.

All in all, it was a long and tiring weekend but one we thoroughly enjoyed- for all those who came by the Fighters Only stand and gave us your support, comments and feedback (not to mention your money!) we are truly thankful. Roll on SENI 2007

Comment from Cage Rage

When we heard the monumental news of Ian returning to the cage, we had so many questions. Andy Geer, co-promoter of Cage Rage, told us exactly why and how this match was made, and why he in particular was looking forward to it so much. One revelation is that the whole fight about as a bit of a joke!

“After Fedor came over (Cage Rage 16 in February) we were joking around,” said Andy. “You meet him in the flesh and he’s not the beast you imagine. Ian jokingly said ‘“I’d slap Fedor”’ and we asked him if he wanted to come back. He said he’d love to, but we said we wouldn’t get him an easy fight- we said Melvin and he said yes without hesitation!”

So why did Cage Rage pick Melvin as Ian’s opponent, especially when they are in difference weight categories? “We made the match because of their styles. This is at a catchweight of 96kgs, but the reason we made this match… How on earth do you follow Melvin vs Cyborg? This fight is main event material anywhere in the world, and it will be the co-main event along with Tank Abbott vs Kiane.”

Cage Rage 17 will take place on July 1st at the Wembley Arena. Moving from their old venue of the Conference Centre, Cage Rage will be looking to fill a 7000-seat stadium for the first time. “My message to the fans is simple- you want big fights, we’ll put them on for you- but please buy a ticket and support the shows.”

Ian Freeman interview

What has brought you back to Cage Rage to fight? Basically, I think there’s one fight left in me, if not more than one… I didn’t start fighting until I was 31, I’ve tried to do so much in such a short space of time, I burnt myself out a bit and after having a rest I feel that I’ve got another fight left.

When you originally retired, did you feel that you would never fight again, that you’d never go back? Definitely. But my body was so tired, so tired of all the training and all the fighting. You know, I’d have a fight, have a week off and get ready for another one. So when I retired, I thought, ‘Thank fuck for that.’ I’d go to MC shows and see people getting ready for fights and think, ‘Thank God I’m out of that.’ I just feel that I’ve got a bit of the buzz back again.

When you heard you were fighting Melvin, what did you think? I was very pleased because of being out of action for well over a year, I didn’t choose Melvin, they chose him for me, you know, because Melvin is one of the best up and coming young light heavyweights in Europe, if not the world, so they must think that I still have it in me.

He’s known for being a good kickboxer, how do you think his strengths match up against yours? He’s definitely the better stand up fighter, I’m more of a brawler… he does K-1, I think that if I did K-1, I don’t think I’d do as well as he’s done. His kicks are awesome and he’s got a fantastic physique. Although he’s built like a brick shithouse, I don’t think he’s going to be as strong as me. I know for a fact that it’s not going to be an easy fight.

What kind of fight do you think this is going

to be? I think it’s going to be a brawl. It’s definitely going to be a brawl. I’m not frightened about his stand up, no way. I’m actually doing a lot of stand up, getting ready for him.

Have you got a prediction for the fight? A long hard slog, put it that way. If he thinks I’m old and over the hill, he’s got a big shock coming to him. I don’t want to give any predictions, but obviously I wouldn’t be going in if I thought I was going to lose.

Is this a one-off deal you’ve got with Cage Rage here? Yeah, it’s a one-off deal. To be honest, I’m only looking at one fight at a time. I’m 40 in a few months time and it’s just silly looking any further past each fight as it comes at this age.

Have you got anything to say to the fans of UK MMA? Yes! I’ve got one fight coming up and I’m going to prove to everyone that I’m still the best out there. I’ve been the best in Britain for 8 or 9 years now, just because I’ve had a year off and I’ve retired doesn’t mean that I’m past it. There’s a lot of great up and coming fighters who will probably be better than I ever was, but at the moment, I’m the best out there and I’m going to prove it when I get in and fight Melvin.

Melvin Manhoef interview

You signed the contracts today, you’ve seen Ian face to face- what do you think about this fight?

It is nothing special. It’s a fight like any other fight. We are professionals; we are going to take it professionally. When we are in the ring or the octagon, we have to hurt each other. I want to win, and he wants to win. I signed to fight, its just business, but pleasure also! I love fighting! It is my hobby, it began as a hobby, sure I can earn a little bit of money, but money is not the motivation, you know? It is for my honour and my name.

You’ve had a couple of very impressive fights on Cage Rage, you’re very popular with the CR fans- is this a show you like working with?

Yeah of course, because of the fans you know? The fans appreciate you, win or lose, they are still there. That’s nice. They cheer people up when they lose, that’s what a fighter needs. If a fighter gets booed or something, you don’t get the motivation to go out. You cannot always win. That’s what I like about the fans here.

What did you first think when CR offered you Ian?

I was surprised, because I spoke with Ian and he said that he wasn’t going to fight any more. I was surprised, but it is an honour to fight him. I expected somebody else, but Ian is good for me. He has got a good name and it is nice to fight against someone who has achieved so much.

Do you think it will be an entertaining fight?

Yes, whatever happens, yes. I think so. Whenever I come to London, I enjoy being here and fighting here. It is nice to have so many people behind you, and it is a pleasure for me to fight him.

What about styles- you’re known as a kickboxer, and he is a good all rounder. Do you think his style poses you any problems?

No, I’ll say it like this, Fabio Piamante, and guys like that- Shungo Oyama, who I fought in Japan, these are all good ground fighters. You must do something to get me on the ground, and if I don’t want to go, I won’t go. So I am prepared for everything, if he wants to take the fight to the ground, I will stand up, and if he gets me on the ground, we will see if I can ground and pound him or not.

Prediction?

I don’t like to predict fights, I always say I will talk in the ring.

PAIN AND GLORY

Birmingham NEC May 6th 2006

SENI’s Saturday night showpiece for the last few years has been the multi-combat sports event of Pain and Glory. Promoted by Paul Hennessy, renowned for his work in putting on K-1 tournaments in the UK, it would see athletes from almost every discipline face off in an effort to please the diverse crowd.

With boxing, Muay Thai, K-1 kickboxing and of course MMA all on the card, it was an event with something for everyone. The ‘Terminator’ Paul Taylor headlined the event, coming back from a long layoff due to injury, but biting off more than he could chew by taking on PRIDE veteran Yuki Sasaki. A Pancrase, Shooto and DEEP fighter with a record on 19-12-1 going into the fight, Sasaki had competed in the UK back in March on the huge show WCFC. His experience and savvy was too much for the kickboxer Taylor, who succumbed to a kimura in the first round. This was poor matchmaking- surely the local lad Taylor should have been given an easier comeback fight?

K-1 heavyweight James McSweeney earned a solid decision victory over the Japanese fighter Takeru. Opening with an array of flying knees, high and low kicks and some brutal hooks, McSweeney controlled the first two rounds and seemed moments away from pinching it. Takeru, though outsized and outgunned, hung on and as the Englishman tired, he took over in the third. He hurt McSweeney with some torrid leg kicks, but didn’t have the boxing skills to get anywhere near a finish, leaving McSweeney to cruise to a decision. Andre Fyeert armbarred Christian Smith in double quick time, even though he was slammed hard by the wily Englishman. Opening with two hard leg kicks, Fyeert showed his Muay Thai background (its unimaginable that any Dutchman doesn’t have a Muay Thai background!). Smith hoisted Fyeert up high and slammed him hard, but the Dutchman managed to lock on an armbar from the bottom for the win.

Ian ‘M16’ Butlin went back and fore against the well-respected kickboxer-turned-MMA fighter Harvey Harra in a very balanced match. The two worked well in the clinch and on the ground with both nearly securing armbars, but Butlin was forced to retire between rounds due to torn intercostals. Having injured his ribs some weeks prior, he did not want to pull out of the fight, yet found the injury too much to fight through.

The Brazilian Josenildo ‘Loquinha’ Ramarho armbarred Team Extreme member Charlie Francis with ease. Cracking Francis right on the nose with a good right hand, Ramarho found himself working his guard against the powerful middleweight, but caught an armbar barely two minutes into the fight.

The assorted boxing, kickboxing and Muay Thai fights provided plenty of entertainment, with some particularly fierce action taking place in the Thai-style fights. The guest appearance of Chuck Liddell drew the biggest cheer of the evening- the UFC light heavyweight champion briefly spoke in the ring and drew support from all corners of the audience, proving the popularity of MMA among today’s combat sports enthusiasts.