Fighters Only

Issue 011

March 2006

Liverpool Olympia, 4^th December 2005

By Percy Dean

I got to the venue at the top of Everton valley a little too early for my own good. It meant I got a good parking space but was left sat twiddling my thumbs inside the ornate interior of the Olympia, watching groups of fighters milling around from the dressing rooms to the rules meeting. I was trying my hardest to fight the magnetic forces that seemed to be emanating from the bar area, as I knew I had a good few hours left and the chances of my car being there tomorrow if I chose to leave it overnight and get the infamous night bus home were looking slim.

The ever-growing status of the Cage Fighting Championships (CFC) in Liverpool drew a heavy crowd and the cavernous interior soon filled. By half seven it was a sea of heads waiting for the show to get started.

The main event was French Top Team’s Frederic Fernandez vs. Luciano Azevedo. Despite emanating from Brazil and the Renovaco fight team, Azevedo has been given the title of honorary Scouser and the local crowds roar reflected this. Fernandez bravely gave his all and chased hard for the strikes battle, but after the stand up went to the floor it was over. Azevedo’s skills were unbelievable, an easy transition to the mount when against a fighter of Fernandez’s skills shouldn’t be easy! Azevedo then rolled from the mount pulling Fernandez into what looked like a triangle but when this didn’t sink quickly enough for the young Brazilian he soon transitioned into an arm lock and a win.

Local hero Terry Etim has had one hell of a year, and his last fight of 2005 was to be against Kamal Nacer. Nacer rushed in and pinned Etim to the fence, but Etim stayed calm and retained his underhooks. Nacer worked the match to the floor, and they landed pressed against the cage. Etim’s long legs soon hooked a shoulder in preparation for the inevitable triangle and although Nacer defended well, as soon as Etim worked out his other leg it was on! Nacer stood and dumped Etim in a last attempt to break the choke but ‘once its on its on!’ Getting an award for outstanding fighter of 2005, Etim is a force at 70kg, and this young fighter is poised to make serious waves in 2006.

Another Frenchman, this time Laurent ‘Commando’ Colombeau, faced Liverpool’s own Jay Bennion. After the initial scuffle both fighters ended up on the floor where Colombeau soon secured the mount, postured up and began to rain ‘em down. Bennion tried hard to better his position but to no avail and in the process found himself having to weather some hard strikes. Bennion was forced to roll to avoid any further punishment and gave his back. Colombeau quickly sunk in a rear naked choke to finish.

Steve Howe and Mark Ashworth both looked focused and ready for what was ahead. A straight-up heavy-hitting brawl ensued, and solid, consistent striking from Howe won through as a left hook crumpled Ashworth to the floor. There was a bit of confusion as to whether the fight was actually stopped by the ref and it ended with both fighters returning to their feet and a restart. A disgruntled Howe soon showed there had been no mistake and quickly scored another knockdown and finished with a KO on the floor.

Yeah it was over quickly, not one fight went to the second round all night so the ref’s hardly broke a sweat, but despite the rapid finishes the fights were balanced and the action was of the highest quality. The local fighters (who made up the majority of the card) showed that the Northwest clubs and talent are more than a force to be reckoned with!

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