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FIVE BLOODY NIL!
24 Aug 2009 11:22AM
I'm back!
Just about back in the swing of things after the recent trip to Holland for the final edition of the M1 regular season. Funny how even a short trip like that, takes it out of you. Something about flying (even for an hour or so) tires you out. It took three days to feel normal again! lol, look at me moaning about travelling the world in the name of MMA!!! God, I am a very lucky person to be in the position I am... and very thankful. This year alone I have been to Japan, USA and Holland, with Russia coming up and potentially another USA... awesome! Anyway, enough chit chatting..on with the updates!
M1 Team England
Er..... FIVE BLOODY NIL!
Just in case you have been in a cave for the last week or so... I said CAVE, not cage... I hope some of you have been in a cage! Team England put on an awesome performance in Holland, destroying Team Spain five nil and sealing a spot in the semi-finals in September. I have to say a massive well done to the whole team, especially Scott Hewitt and Dave Keeley, neither of who have a lot of experience, but delivered like true pros on the days. I want to quickly cover the M1 season this year. It's the first season that England have had a team in the event, so I'm not sure what anyone expected, results wise. The first match up we had was against Team Japan, in Japan. It was a huge ask, but the team went out and performed incredibly, pulling a 4-1 victory and getting the attention of the other teams in the challenge, as well as the promoters. In fact, we really hit it off with the M1 people, especially the US guys, Cory, David, Sam, etc. The team was on a high heading into the second match up against Team France. Another long flight, this time to Kansas. Looking back, something didn't feel right about this trip and sure enough, the results reflected that. After a bad start with Ian Butlin getting KO'd quick, we followed with loss after loss until Robbie Broughton stopped the rot... unfortunately to late and we went down 1-4. It was devastating. On the good side, Robbie's performance got him a place on Affliction Trilogy! With a little time off before the next fight, we had to rebuild the team moral. Unfortunately, not before another blow. After consulting a dentist and doctor, Ian Bultin was advised to retire from fighting, meaning we had to find a new lightweight. To add to that, the 30 day rule meant that we would not be able to have Robbie on the team. We were hurting! Dave B and I discussed options and decided to replace Robbie's spot with 6'10" Dave "Iron Giant" Keeley and Dave's fighter, Scott "Honey" Hewitt, stepped in at LW. The team trained hard and the 5-0 victory is now, as the say, history. So what's next? Team Russian Legion, that's what. Luckily we watched them fight in Holland, where they put on a great performance. Typical Russian, they are tough and mean, excellent greco skills and their LW and WW put in superb performances. That doesn't scare us. We have better rounded fighters and we know we can beat this team and get to the finals. This time around we don't need a 5-0 win, 3-2 will secure our place... of course, you know us by now....our prediction? WE PREDICT PAIN!... ok, we predict five nil! :)
On the other bracket, USA East v USA West? I'm confident that USA West will secure a dominating victory and go through to the finals. USA West are a great bunch of lads. We got on well with them in Japan... the last words we said to them when we left Japan?... "See you guys in the finals!"... looks like we are only 5 fights away from that!
Before moving on, I just want to thank the Team Sponsors... we couldn't do it without them!
http://cagedsteel.com/main.php
http://www.sci-mentor.com/
http://www.fightshop.com/
http://www.chokeoutpoker.net/index.php
Team Colosseum
The focus on M1 recently has meant that I haven't had a lot to say about Team Colosseum, which is a shame, cause we have a good bunch of lads and a growing fight team. Hopefully some future champs in the next 3-4 years. I've been trying to get a few fights organised and have some match ups in the diary. At the end of September we have AMMA, a great amateur show. On this edition we have regular, Sam Fergusson. Sam is 1-3 at Am/SP, all at MW. To be honest, Middle weight was always to big for him and he has now got his weight down to Welter Weight. At u77k I expect to see fireworks. Sam has a bang and a half on him and has worked his grappling hard. I predict a big win for Sam this time and the start of a streak of WW wins in the coming months. We also have a new guy, Ste Lane on the show. Ste us a mate of Tommo's and is an excellent prospect. This will be his debut, so not sure what we will see until the day, but I am confident. At the same time Matt will be in Russia fighting for Team England. Unfortunately I won't be at either, as I have tickets for a music festival... METAL FEST!!! It's not very often that I miss guys fights, but I have the tickets and sometimes you have to look after yourself first :)
After the AMMA show, we have a new show in Bolton, which is run by Darren Sherlock from Slaford Fight factory. This will be a return from one of my favourite guys on the team. Chris Thompson has trained hard in the past and unfortunately the victories haven't been forthcoming, however, I strongly believe that he has all the skills he needs and the work ethic. if he can stick to his game plan and take his time, we will be rewarded with a great victory!
We've also got other shows and Ground Control 6.0 coming up. I hope to see more fighters out there, as we re-build the Colosseum brand.
MMA noise
Not got a lot to talk about here, simply because it's all been M1 for me. The only things that really grabbed my attention was the strikeforce results. Mousasi v Babalu... round of applause, please! I had Gegard down as winning this, thought that he had a style that may cause Renato some problems, but didn't realise how dominating the finish would be... are we seeing a rising star? Speaking of dominating.... Cyborg is here! The way she destroyed Carano was incredible. Great to see Carano actually make weight too. This is Carano's first loss, so I am keen to see how she bounces back, but more importantly I am interested to see where Santos can go. Here only loss was at the start of her career, since then she has pounded her way to 8 straight wins. if she was a bloke, she would be tipped for UFC champion, but she's not and the options are limited. There are no high profile titles for women and even worse than that, there simply isn't viable competition out there. With Carano despatched, who next for Cyborg? Kobold? Evinger... maybe UK's only Rosi Sexton? With so few viable opponents, especially in any clearly defined weight catagory, can any female fighter truly achieve their full potential?
What's the answer to that? Attract more female fighters? Wider weight categories? Mixed-sex fights? It would be a great shame to see the genuinely talented female fighters go untested and unfulfilled....
Thats your lot for this week...
Chin down, hands up
Aaron
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