Apologies for the disrupted service, I have been to the USA on business... but I am back now... that's what counts
Let's start of with a big well done to "Judo" Jim Wallhead for his victory over Che Mills. This was a HUGE domestic fight, for real bragging rights in the domestic welter weight division. I didn't see the fight, but heard it was a close affair, with Wallhead securing the decision. Hopefully his team mates can continue the Roughouse ride to the top on the UFC!.... not sure what took Jim so long, 12 Gauge submitted Che in under a minute :)
Anyway, this is going to be a selfish blog... I'm going to pimp the Team Colosseum sponsors!
Caged Steel - http://cagedsteel.com/
Caged Steel is Team Colosseum's main sponsor, supplying the day to day apparel, fight wear and gloves for the professional and semi-professional fight team. Caged Steel is headed up by Jamie Thwaites, a guy who is passionate about UK MMA and I last told you about when he supported the M-1 Challenge England Team. In my opinion UK fighters should be supporting Caged Steel as much as possible. It's our brand... a Domestic brand! Why buy all the US brands, when we can have our own strong home grown brand? Anyway, Jamie started Caged Steel in July 2007.
Jamie first started MMA, or vale Tudo as it was known about 10 years ago, however, he drifted away because back then it was still an underground thing and there was nowhere you could go to really learn. He returned to the sport about 5 years ago when a friend was fighting on Pride and Glory up in the North East. Not only did it rekindle his interest in the sport, but gave him the idea of starting an MMA brand. It has taken 2 years to build the Caged Steel range. Every product is a quality to rival the big American brands, indeed Caged Steel use the same manufacturers who make the Hayabusa gear.
As the leading European MMA brand Caged Steel has also made it a point to not only try and build relationships within the sport, but to put a lot back in. Jamie opened Caged Steel Gym in October 07, and with the help of Neil Hall, Caged Steel now has a fight team of about 20 fighters.
It has also been a point of Caged Steel to support UK fighters and shows. Caged Steel has supported a number of UK fighters including Ross Pearson and Jim Wallhead, and currently, they sponsor 44 established and up and coming fighters in the UK. Caged Steel have also partnered up with promotions such as Ultimate Force and Strike & Submit.
MMA Hit Pit - http://www.mmahitpit.com/
MMA Hit Pit has quickly turned into the leading UK website for MMA news. Covering both domestic and international shows and fighters, MMA Hit Pit work almost like an all access TV station. The website carries a number of blogs (including mine!) from top fighters, promoters and coaches. In addition MMA Hit Pit also runs a weekly live chat with some names from the sport. This is a weekly session and allows anyone to ask virtually anything. We have seen guests such as Ian Butlin, Terry Etim and Marc Goddard, with more great names coming up. Everyone should put it in their diary. 8pm on Sundays (c'mon... it's better than X Factor!)
CKA Martial Arts Supplies - http://www.ckamartialartssupplies.co.uk/
Stockport based martial arts supplies are one of the few genuine shop fronts selling top MMA gear. Carrying all the brands you would expect. CKA supply Team Colosseum with protective equipment such as gum shields, hand wraps and groin guards, ensuring our fighters remain intact! It's the perfect place to visit and buy your Caged Steel gear from, if you want to see the gear, before purchasing.
Phil Marsden Strength and Conditioning
Recently our fighters have been working with local Leigh expert, Phil Marsden. Phil is the strength and conditioning coach at Leigh Rugby club and also holds a JC Santana MMA-CSCC certification. He has spent a lot of time with "Superman" Sam Fergusson and Chris "The Red Devil" Thompson, helping them achieve a supreme level of strength and fitness. In addition to full programs for Sam and Tommo, Phil has been advising Matt "12 Gauge" Thorpe on his conditioning program, as Matt prepared for his 12th Dec face off in Sweden.
As always, Team Colosseum is keen to speak with anyone that would like to sponsor us. We've been around for 15 years.... basically day one in the UK and have produced European title holders, international fighters and domestic champions. If you wish to discuss sponsorship, drop me an email on aaronchatfield@hotmail.co.uk
I'll sign off with a quick mention about Burnley Brawl 2 and P4TV Sports Network (http://www.p4tv.com/). Ian Butlin and I have commentated on a lot of shows recently, with 3-4 of them being filmed by P4TV, including Burnley Brawl. I urge you to check out P4TV. They charge just £15/year for full access to their programme of MMA, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, etc. This includes shows like OMMAC, Cage Gladiators, Fight Ikon and Burnley Brawl. P4TV have bold plans to get a dedicated combat sports TV channel, but this won't happen if we don't support them now, as an internet channel. Go subscribe! As for Burnley Brawl, Got to say, one of the best UK shows I have been to. Mr. Ashton and Sinclair promote a great domestic show, delivering exciting local fighters with an incredible crowd. You have to give it to the people of Burnley, they know how to support their fighters. Make sure you get to Burnley Brawl 3, you will not regret it!
Anyway, enough of the plugging... next week, I am going to hopefully start posting some interviews with people.... some obvious and hopefully some not so obvious
Until then... chin down, hands up!
Aaron