Fighters Only

Issue 020

November 2005

Battle of Britain

Reading

Rivermead Centre

October 15th 2005

After their inaugural show last June, the newly created Freestyle Fighting Federation (also known as FX3) attracted the attention of more than a few people in the UK MMA community. Their innovative rules, their eight-sided ring, their zero tolerance approach to fighter inactivity and their ambitious attitude saw people become very interested. Suddenly, fighters were clamouring to get on the event, and fans were waiting with bated breath for news of their next show.

When the card came, it contained three distinct themes; UK vs UK, UK vs Brazil and UK vs The World. The usual last minute pull-outs saw the loss of a few key matches, but the remaining card of ten fights featured UFC veteran Leigh Remedios, a highly anticipated rematch between Abdul Mohamed and Alex Izidro, and most importantly, a World welterweight title fight between Paul Daley of Nottingham and Peter Angerer of Germany.

Angerer vs Daley

Daley (6-3-2, weighing in at 77.1kg) may only be 22 years old, but this young man has been steadily rising through the ranks of the UK MMA scene for some time now. Exploding onto the scene in 2003 at Extreme Brawl 3, all of his 6 victories have been by TKO. Unable to capture either the Cage Rage or CageWarriors titles (both fights were deemed draws) it was clear he was eager to add the status of champion to his CV.

Shidokan Karate fighter Angerer (4-4-0 according to respected MMA sources) came in slightly lighter at 76.5kgs and would be 15 years older. Having won his two most recent contests in convincing fashion, he would certainly be a test for the English fighter, but was regarded as the underdog by bookmakers. This was understandable, considering the calibre of opponents each had faced. While Daley has been busy fighting the best the UK and Europe has had to offer, even making a venture onto American soil, Angerer has never managed to cement his position among the top European welterweights.

Meeting in the ‘Battleground’, the two cut starkly different figures, though only an inch separated their heights. Daley, long-armed and stocky, would certainly be aware of the kicking ability of the noted striker Angerer, but reach advantage was certainly on his side. Both men fighting in an orthodox stance, they engaged in a brief exchange before meeting in a clinch. Jockeying for position, a patient feeling-out process began as the two studied each other for openings. A trip from Daley put the two on the canvas, and as Angerer looked to work his half guard Daley unleashed a succession of terrible lefts that had Angerer blindly struggling to regain full guard. Managing to avoid the worst of the barrage, Angerer was beckoned back to his feet by Daley, though looked none-too-worse for the earlier punishment. The two met in a clinch once again, and as they circled and fought for position against the ropes, Daley snapped Angerer’s head down onto a huge knee that dropped the German to all fours. About to follow up, Daley was pulled off his stricken opponent by referee Grant Waterman at only 3.28 of the first round.

Tallying up 7 victories all by TKO is no mean feat for someone of Daley’s age, and bagging a world title belt in the process should send out a clear message to anyone else on the UK welterweight roster. A stunning combination of energy and aggression makes Daley a very dangerous fighter, and his improving abilities mean it should only a matter of time before his career skyrockets.

Izdiro vs Mohan

As reported on in Issue 8 of Fighters Only, Alexandre ‘Xandinho’ Izidro (3-3-0, fighting out of London) and Abdul Mohamed (10-3-2, fighting out of Middlesborough) had met in the ring once before. A rather suspect decision put Abdul the winner of that contest, which left plenty of unfinished business between the two. Izidro felt robbed of a victory and was said to be keen to avenge the loss, but reports of what took place prior to the weigh-in suggest either naivety on the Brazilian’s part, or a sheer wilful neglect of his duty.

Both fighters are known, as are many top lightweight fighters in this country, to cut weight to make the specified limit of 70kgs. As this fight was signed on relatively late notice, a catchweight was agreed of 74kgs. A member of Team Fighters Only, Abdul weighed in comfortably and without trouble, but Izidro is reported to have struggled to make weight. Walking around at anywhere from 76 to 78kgs, it is said that he had to make multiple visits to the sauna to lose the weight. Reasons as to why he found it so difficult range from a lack of proper training to a neglect of proper pre-fight nutrition. Regardless, Izidro finally made weight and the fight was OK to go ahead.

Round one of the contest played out much as their last encounter. Izidro, a BJJ blackbelt and noted submission grappler, once again did the unexpected and managed to repeatedly and unceremoniously deposit Abdul upon the canvas and control him from top position. Taking down such an accomplished wrestler is no mean feat, let alone holding him there, but Izidro looked to be on the cusp of a first round victory as he set up and locked in a deep arm-triangle choke. Gritting his teeth and powering out after what must have seemed an age, Mohamed escaped and set about turning the fight around.

Scheduled for two five-minute rounds (a third would only be required if the judges were unable to declare a winner), the second round was clearly won by Abdul. Managing to counter Izidro’s attempted wrestling attacks, he scored well from in the clinch and started to dictate the pace of the fight. With round one clearly Izidro’s, and round two narrowly going to Abdul, a third round was called to settle this dispute.

The superior conditioning of Abdul really came into play in the final stanza, as he continually pushed the pace and chased Izidro around the ring. The Brazilian was now visibly tired, and looked to his corner many times for both advice and instruction. The encouragement he received from top UK featherweight fighter Danny Batten could not rescue him, and Abdul took down, controlled and struck Izidro in a gutsy last-ditch effort. All questions were answered as the judges returned their verdict- a unanimous decision in favour of Mohamed.

ROUND-UP

UFC veteran Leigh Remedios (12-6-2, fighting out of Huddersfield) took on Sami Berik (4-7-0, London) in place of injured team-mate Ian Butlin. Bravely, if briefly, standing with unorthodox striker Berik (fighting at lightweight for the first time), Remedios decided to shoot in when the pressure of Berik’s wild swings became too much, and easily took a submission victory in just over two minutes. Standing and with Remedios clinging to his back attempting a choke, Berik jumped backwards to slam Remedios heavily. Though severely winded, Remedios hung on for the choke and put Berik on a losing streak of five straight fights.

Phil ‘Billy’ Harris (8-4-0, Portsmouth) survived a torrid first round against debut fighter Valdo De Menezes (Brazil) in a bantamweight contest. 60kg Harris is not known for his striking prowess, and suffered under the pressure of De Menezes’ leg kicks. Being taken down didn’t help his efforts much either, though the Brazilian could not pass the Englishman’s guard. Upon the start of the second round, it was Harris who piled on the pressure. Chasing De Menezes with ineffectual strikes, he defended a takedown with ease before attempting a front choke. When the Brazilian sat to guard to defend, Harris scored well with heavy ground and pound that badly stunned a cut De Menezes and prompted a stoppage by the referee.

The Merseyside- based Wolfslair Team fighters Henrique ‘Chocolate’ Nogueira (2-3-0), Paul Kelly (pro debut) and Josenildo Ramarho (4-4-0) all enjoyed first round victories, stopping their opponents in impressive fashion and affirming their position as a force in UK MMA. London Pancrase fighter Mark Chen (5-4-0) saw a blistering return to form and avenged a prior loss by KO’ing tough featherweight Ricky Moore (11-8-0, London), while top-ten World-ranked Shooto fighter Jose Aldo (5-0-0, Brazil) took apart Irishman Mickey Young (1-0-0) with ease, and welterweight Danny Rushton (2-4-0, Leigh) came back from a five year layoff from competition to win by decision over Cambridge’s Lee Doski (4-4-0).

Full Results

Emmet McNally vs Josenildo Ramarho

Ramarho by Submission (Armbar) 3.34 Rd 1

Ricky Moore vs Mark Chen

Chen by KO 2.18 Rd 1

Danny Rushton vs Lee Doski

Rushton by Unanimous Decision after two rounds

Nigel Whitear vs Paul Kelly

Kelly by TKO (RSF due to strikes from mount) 0.54 Rd 1

Mickey Young vs Jose Aldo

Aldo by TKO (RSF due to GnP) 1.05 Rd 1

Rodney Moore vs Henrique ‘Chocolate’ Nogueira