Fighters Only

Issue 006

August 2005

One of the most appealing aspects of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is that it can comfortably exist in so many different formats. Whether fights take place in a ring or a cage, under US rules or Japanese, with five-minute rounds or no rounds at all, you can guarantee someone somewhere is running a show that is intent on being that little bit different. In principle, it is easy enough to say that you offer something different to the multitudes of MMA promotions throughout the land, but it is not so easy to actually offer something unique.

FX3 can’t quite claim to offer something unique, but they have done a fine job in pushing the boundaries of MMA in the UK. Featuring innovative rules (in brief, FX3 bouts consist of one ten-minute round, and each fighter is allowed one 60-second time-out) and utilising the UK’s first ever eight-sided ring, affectionately known as the Battleground, FX3 sought to bring something new to the table, and in an admirable debut event, did just that.

The Count goes one further

Michael Bisping (UK) vs Alex Cook (UK)

Wolfslair team member Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping is a UK MMA phenomenon. Holder of the Cagewarriors Light Heavyweight title and the Cage Rage British Light Heavyweight title, he is also a WAKO Super Heavyweight kickboxing title holder. Going into the fight he was an undefeated 6-0-0, with not a single one of his fights going the distance.

Opponent Alex Cook would have a tough job ahead of him but not as tough as you may imagine. He may be 5-4-0, but look his record includes a string of strong international names stretching as far back as 2002. Bisping, a comparable newcomer, has only been fighting professionally since 2004.

Both men came to the Battleground in fine form. Evans looked fitter than I have seen him before, and Bisping looked focussed as always. Upon inspection it seemed there would be little in the way of size or weight differences, so an even match seemed likely, but from the opening bell Evans had other ideas. Barely feeling out his opponent, Evans came out of his corner and within seconds had dropped Bisping to one knee in the centre of the ring, courtesy of a walloping right cross. Bisping, stunned but not out, grabbed hold of his man and the two tumbled to the mat, where a brief scramble ensued.

Emerging from this frenetic tangle of limbs was something quite unexpected — literally moments after he had seemed totally out of his game plan, Bisping had managed to regain his bearings and secure mount position upon his foe. Evans did his best to roll under Bisping, briefly exposing his back, but before the Clitheroe-based fighter could capitalise, Evans turned once again. Taking Bisping with him, Evans rolled over and sat in Bisping’s guard for a moment, but within seconds was fighting off a triangle attempt.

Managing to slip out, a standing restart was called and the two engaged in an earnest stand up encounter for the first time. Bisping held a front headlock while peppering in the odd knee, but seemed content to control Evans for the most part, possibly to slow the pace of an otherwise blistering fight. Letting Evans’s head go, he fired a combination off but was met with equal vigour from Evans, and as the two traded punches they went to the mat once more.

Once again getting the mount, Bisping wasn’t planning on going anywhere, and by taking the back of Evans he slipped on a rear naked choke at 3.21 of the first round and added a fourth title belt to his collection in the form of the FX3 Light Heavyweight title. Not since Paul Jenkins has a British fighter held multi-promotional MMA titles in such quantity. At such a tender age and with plenty of potential in him, expect to see much of Bisping in the near future.

?Three of the best

In the other notable fights of the evening Paul Jenkins (UK) saw a fine return to form against Peter Angerer of the German Top Team. Worried that his recent performances had been somewhat lacklustre, Jenkins was hoping to put on something a little more entertaining for the Reading crowd (his wardrobe-malfunction post-fight dance aside!). Angerer hasn’t fought in the UK since last year in the days of the now defunct Ultimate Combat, but is regarded as a quality European opponent and is well-known for his involvement in Shidokan karate.

Angerer took control of the fight early by pressuring Jenkins on the ropes and hammering in a wicked left high kick again and again. The razor sharp strike kept Jenkins at bay and did not allow him to utilise his famous Hands of Stone, but when the two finally met in a clinch it was Jenkins who took control, taking Angerer down and mounting him. Moving from front to back, Jenkins controlled the German before maybe prematurely looking for an armbar. Slipping out, Angerer managed to escape and dropped back with one of Jenkins’s legs tied up in his arms, attempting a submission. The two battled for control for some time before Angerer managed to gain the win by submission from a reverse heelhook. Not bothered about the result, Jenkins was perfectly happy with his performance, feeling that he had finally returned to something resembling his previous form.

London Pancrase fighters Mark Chen and Ashleigh Grimshaw had an unlucky night against their French opponents. Mohamed El-Aouaji (recently victorious against Danny Batten in Cagewarriors) put Chen through his paces, grinding out a decision with his ground ‘n’ pound attack — though he narrowly escaped a loss by KO when Chen sent him to the mat but could not finish. Frederic Fernandez (brother of fellow fighter Emmanuel) defied his reputation as a grappler by knocking out Grimshaw with a flurry of punches in only 16 seconds. Grimshaw is a highly talented and well-respected fighter and it was shocking to see him lose in such a fashion, but a rematch has been touted and will hopefully occur sooner rather than later.

Full Results (all FX3 rules unless stated)

Bout 1: Jerome Laulan def Jochen Gieb by armbar, 3:44

Bout 2: Antony Espinasse def Amir Subasic by triangle choke, 3:13

Bout 3: Laurent Bonafoux def Nigel Whitear key lock, 3:36

Bout 4: (NSAC MMA Rules) Frederic Fernandez def Ashleigh Grimshaw by TKO/Ref Stoppage, 0:16, R1

Bout 5: Dave Swann def Philipp Schade by TKO/Ref Stoppage, 4:22

Bout 6: FX3 Lightweight Championship Title Fight:

Ollie Ellis def David McLaughlin by Kimura, 3:25

Bout 7: Mohamed El-Aouaji def Mark Chen by unanimous decision

Bout 8: (NASC MMA Rules) Abdul Mohamed def Alex Sambro by TKO/Ref Stoppage, 4:10,.R3

Bout 9: Peter Angerer def Paul Jenkins by heelhook, 3:56

Bout 10: Damien Riccio def Andre Balschmieter by rear naked choke, 3:56