Issue 005

July 2005

France wins 7-2

The much-awaited Cagewarriors event Strike Force: UK vs France finally took place on May 21. A team of top French fighters dominated the UK team in the biggest event ever held by a UK promoter. Coventry Sky Dome was the venue for this monumental event — a first in the history of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Europe. While the UK team lost the event, they can take consolation in the fact that they left with all the belts. A full report can be seen in this issue on page 74.

The event was so successful and had such a great atmosphere that Cagewarriors promoter Dougie Truman has decided to stick with the format and the venue. Strike Force 2 will be UK vs The World. French fighters Damien Riccio, Emmanuel Fernandez and Gregory Bouchelaghem are already expected to compete along with the German Daniel Weichel. The event will be held on July 16 at the Coventry Sky Dome.

The Cagewarriors event had some fallout though. The rematch between Matt Ewin and Damien Riccio ended in a questionable no-contest. Damien and Matt have agreed to a rematch on July 16. Both fighters are worked up and have been attacking back and forth on Internet forums. Due to all of the publicity surrounding this fight Cagewarriors has something special planned — so far all we know is that there will be a winner.

Damien Riccio is fighting for the King of the Cage Middleweight belt at King of the Cage (KOTC) UK on July 24 in Sheffield. His opponent is current belt holder Joey Villasenor. Gregory Bouchelaghem was also due to fight on the show but the fight was cancelled when his opponent Lars Besand pulled out due to injury.

Damien’s student Mohamed El-Aouji has impressed fans and promoters at Cagewarriors: Ultimate Force and Cagewarriors: Strike Force with his aggressive fighting style. So much so that he was chosen to replace Danny Batten in FX3: “X”plosion on July 18 against Mark Chen. If Mohamed continues his winning streak you would have to expect to see him fighting for a featherweight belt in the near future.

Shooto Featherweight Champion Pequeno’s trip to France was a huge success. Three separate seminars were held in Paris, Avignon and Montpellier, and all were very well attended. I got a chance to speak to Nogueira while he was in Paris and he wants to fight in the UK — listen up promoters! Nogueira also mentioned offers to compete in the K-1 and Pride Grand Prix.

The senate meeting mentioned in last month’s issue was a moderate success. While representatives of all of the major French MMA organisations and teams were present, very few of the invitees from other martial arts or organisations attended. Two secretaries from the Ministry of Sport did attend and advised the MMA representatives to collect a list of clubs and attendees in order to apply for a state recognised governing body. To this end Gael Coadic of the Bugei organisation has begun to collect information.

Former Cagewarriors Featherweight Champion Emmanuel Fernandez is in negotiation with the K-1 organisation for a possible appearance in July’s Heros event. If negotiations are successful it would provide a fantastic platform for a worldwide career for the diminutive Frenchman. Emmanuel has also begun negotiations to host the ADCC French Grappling Open in 2006. Emmanuel would run the competition in association with the newly-formed French Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Union of which he is president.

Loic Pora and Fred Rado’s Pancrase association is going from strength to strength. Regional competitions continue in the Paris and Biarritz regions, with a view to holding a major event in December in Paris including some of the top fighters from the French Top Team, French Konnexion and other teams. Names mentioned include Mohamed Khacha, David Baron, Samy Schiavo, Johnny Frachey, Emmanuel Fernandez and Bendy Casimir.

Cyrille Diabaté and Matthias Ricco will both make their returns to Cage Rage in July. Cyrille will take on Brazilian Fabio Piemonte of Chute Boxe while Matthias takes on English bruiser Mark Epstein.

Moise Rimbon made his return to the ring this month when he fought for the Total Fight Heavyweight belt in Hungary. Weighing in at only 92kg Moise dominated his 108kg opponent from beginning to end to win a unanimous decision and the belt. Moise is expected to defend the belt at the next Total Fight event.