Issue 008
October 2005
Octagon Centre,
ShefIeld
17th September 05
In recent months CageWarriors Fighting Championships have been busy developing their distinctive brand of MMA, with an ever increasing portion of the UKMMA pie being theirs to claim. Restructuring their schedule so as to encompass professional shows in both the north and south of England, as well as creating partnerships with other promotions, a second-tier show was also revealed earlier this year. The creation and development of the feeder show CW: Quest was intended to develop the new generation of pro-MMA fighters. Offering a platform for aspiring amateurs and semi-pro fighters to test the waters of competition, Quest has established itself over the course of three events as a breeding ground for talent.
Though beset by a mixture of last-minute injuries and pullouts, the Quest team dug deep into their contact books and were able to put together a 10-bout fight card which featured well-known faces such as Dan Hardy, Sami Berik and Jimmy Walhead. Based at the now-familiar Octagon centre in Sheffield, and just six weeks after the last edition, Quest 3 featured a card consisting mainly of unknown local fighters, but more than a couple of those featured left an indelible mark upon the minds of the fans.
For many in attendance, the highlights of the show seemed to be the two headlining fights. In the main event, professional UK MMA stars Dan ‘The Outlaw’ Hardy and Sami ‘The Hun’ Berik resolved an ongoing internet feud, while the co-main event saw Fighters Only reporter Hywel Teague take on old adversary and Gracie Barra stand-out Andy Roberts under semi-professional rules.
Dan Hardy vs. Sami Berik
The main event saw journeyman Sami Berik (4-6-0) look to revenge a previous loss to the Nottingham based Rough House team, when he took on the 8-3-0 Dan Hardy. Earlier this year, Berik had faced Hardy’s team-mate Paul Daley (Nottingham, 6-3-2) and was stopped inside the first round following a brutal ground and pound attack. Though Paul is consistently ranked among the top welterweights in the UK, Hardy is as well, so it was puzzling that Berik was so keen to take on the difficult task of beating such an established fighter.
Prior to this fight, an internet feud infuriated Hardy and led to him promising to repeat the punishment that Daley had dished out 3 months previous, only worse. Some had predicted that this would be a quick fight, but Hardy was in no mood to finish it early. Keen to make a statement, Hardy methodically picked apart Berik throughout the fight. It could be argued that Berik won the first round by frustrating Hardy and nearly trapping him in a crucifix, but Hardy’s superior striking and grappling put him in control. Hardy even tried to work
an armbar whilst against the fence and looked far stronger as the round ended.
Rounds two and three were all Hardy, as he showed what looked to be at times a sadistic streak by peppering Berik with combination attacks. Using his trademark mixture of fast punches and kicks, Hardy kept Berik on the outside of his greater reach, and in considerable pain. To his credit, Berik displayed the terrific courage he is now noted for, and kept moving forward. When attempting to strike back, he would find himself viciously countered and taunted by Hardy, whose strikes picked apart Berik with mean intent.
Hardy could be called guilty of prolonging the fight longer than necessary, as he could have finished the fight on several occasions after winding Berik with front kicks and spinning kicks to the midriff. Though on the receiving end of a striking lesson and literally unable to offer any real resistance, Berik would not give up. Ordinarily this would have caused many fighters to quit, but Berik is known to embody true warrior spirit. His face and body visibly marked up and showing considerable signs of fatigue, he bravely hung on to the
final bell.
Hardy continued his ascent to the upper echelons of the welterweight decision with a classy, if drawn out, performance. He cruised to a clear decision victory after the three rounds were over, yet a huge amount of respect from the Sheffield crowd went to Berik for his gutsy performance. Hardy seems in line for a potential shot at the CW welterweight title, whereas Berik has finally listened to the advice offered him and has announced he intends to cut to 70kgs.
Hywel Teague vs. Andy Roberts
The history between Hywel Teague of Straight Blast Gym Manchester and Andy Roberts of Gracie Barra London stretches back to 2003, where the two met under restricted MMA rules on the Doncaster show Yorkshire Fight Night. Both that fight and a previous encounter at a submission grappling competition went the way of Roberts, so it was clear that an advantage lay with the newly promoted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt.
This time around they were to meet with rules that permitted strikes to the head both standing and on the floor, which at first glance seemed to favour the SBG Manchester fighter’s style better than that of Roberts. In the weeks leading up to the event both men seemed confident and were seen to be playing mind games on various internet forums, but when the bell rang, an unexpected turn of events took place. As expected, Roberts started off trying to work his grappling game, successful in taking the fight down to the mat with some early takedowns, though unable to work from top position. Avoiding any attacks from Robert’s guard, Teague seemed determined not to fall into the trap of the BJJ purple belt’s slick submissions, and using both striking and some slick grappling of his own, was repeatedly able to regain his feet.
The classical BJJ game of Roberts had little effect on the stronger and more aggressive Teague. Nullifying Roberts’ takedown attempts through the use of a good sprawl and excellent clinch work, Teague was able to pick his shots, and hurt Roberts with a terrific backfist on the floor that broke his opponent’s nose. As the first round ended, Roberts walked back to his corner showing signs of fatigue and visibly bothered by the injury to his face, whilst Teague calmly bounced up and down waiting for the next round.
Round two saw Teague on the attack again, and although Roberts looked for the takedown, Teague had settled into his strategy of sprawling and striking. The pace of the fight totally dictated by Teague, he even elected to take the fight to the floor himself with a huge suplex off the cage. When the action did go to the floor, Roberts was unable to make any headway, and found himself on the receiving end of some harsh ground and pound. Outwrestled and out of ideas, it was all too much for Roberts, whose head bounced off the canvas as a result of three huge hammerfists. As Teague beckoned Roberts to stand up, Roberts signalled to the referee that he could not continue at 1.48 of the second round.
Using his post-fight interview to cheekily tell everyone that he did actually know what he was talking about and wasn’t just another armchair warrior, Teague cemented his reputation as a leading voice in the world of MMA journalism with an emphatic win over a
game opponent.
Round Up
In the other action of the night Hardy’s team mates continued the increasing trend of Rough House domination by going 4-0 in style. Lee Livingstone put on a BJJ clinic by submitting Welsh welterweight powerhouse Mark Owen in under three minutes. New Rough House recruit Jim Walhead saw a welcome return to form after cutting to Welterweight and winning his Cage Kickboxing debut by TKO against a game late replacement David Perkins, and finally “Psycho” Steve Tetley made up for his previous Quest lost with a thirty-four second KO in his first fight at lightweight against Shooters MMA representative Kurt Taylor of Derby.
Other impressive performances saw Derby’s Christian Smith make an impression on those behind the scenes at Cagewarriors by winning a bruising encounter with Welshman Jordan James. Smith controlled his heavier opponent in the clinch and delivered some huge knees en-route to a comfortable two round decision which should see him in the professional ranks fairly soon.
Also, huge credit must go out to Tom Laycock from SBG Manchester who fought twice in one night. Laycock bounced back from a loss in the opening fight against the impressive Scott Alott, to return later on in the show and TKO James Prosser from the House of Pain gym in Wales in an entertaining bout.
Once again promoter Rob Butler and the Quest team were able to put on a crowd-pleasing show which could lead to some new faces appearing in the professional ranks in 2006. The next Quest show is scheduled for December the 11th at the Octagon centre, and fighters are currently being sought. Go to www.cagewarriors.com for
more details.
Full Results
Under 70kg
Scott Alott (Taylor Total Fighting) vs. Tom Laycock (SBG Manchester)
Winner - Scot Alott via Submission (rear naked choke) after 2:57 of round 1
Under 77kg
Lee Livingstone (Rough House Nottingham) vs. Mark Owen (House of Pain Wales)
Winner - Lee Livingstone via Submission (rear naked choke) after 3:03 of round 1
Under 93kg
Jordan James (House of Pain Wales) vs. Christian Smith (Tap or Snap/Derby Shot). Winner - Christian Smith via Judges Decision (unanimous) after 2 rounds
Under 77kg
Mick Sinclair (Bisping Total Fighting) vs. Neil Huntley (Tap or Snap/Derby Shoot). Winner - Mick Sinclair via Submission (armbar) after 1:44 of round 1
Under 77kg - Cage Kickboxing (3x3 minute rounds)
Jim Wallhead (Rough House/Urban Combat) vs. David Perkins
Winner - Jim Wallhead via Doctor Stoppage (due to a cut) after 2:19 of Round 2
Under 70kg
Tom Laycock (SBG Manchester) vs. James Prosser (House of Pain Wales). Winner - Tom Laycock via TKO/Ref Stoppage (Ground and Pound) after 1:21 of round 2
Under 70kg
“Psycho” Steve Tetley (Rough House) vs. Kurt Taylor (Tap or Snap/Derby Shoot). Winner - Steve Tetley via TKO after 0:36 of round 1
Under 77 kg
Hywel Teague (SBG Manchester) vs. Andy Roberts (Gracie Barra)
Winner - Hywel Teague via verbal submission after 1:43 of round 2
Main Event – Welterweight bout under Professional MMA Rules
Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy (Rough House) vs. Sami Berik
Winner - Dan Hardy via Judges Decision (Unanimous) after 3 round
