|
|
Martial Arts Xtreme: Review
22 Feb 2010
By Luke Williams
Wesley’s Night Club in Pudsey, Leeds was the venue for the first MMA event to be held in the city. Promoted by Cage Warriors and Ultimate Force veteran Mark ‘Spenna’ Spencer and Peter McFadden, fighters from West Yorkshire and beyond displayed their skills in front of a very energetic crowd. The show featured fighters from local teams such as Flacks (Bradford), Team Fulinkazan (Bradford), and Farrell MMA (Huddersfield) to name a few.
First up was Fulinkazan/Flacks trained fighter Ollie Townsend, as he took on local lad Nazam Zeb of True Spirit MMA, Leeds. Despite a good opening by Zeb, Townsend took the win via disqualification after Zeb persistently landed head shots to his opponent (illegal under the Amateur rules of this show).
In the second fight on the card Flacks member Matt Bryrne faced Paolo Margaglioie representing Farrell MMA, in what turned out to be a very competitive fight in the 63kg division. Both fighters tried to gain control in the clinch from the start, Paolo seemed to take the first points with a takedown, but Matt showed a great guard, holding Paolo in place using the rubber guard before eventually getting back to his feet in a good scramble to finish the round.
The second round and Paolo and Matt engage in another good clinch battle, with both men showing the signs of fatigue, the fight hit the floor again. Matt seemed to take control in the latter part of the round as he passed to mount position, and attempted an armbar which although Paolo escaped, he found himself mounted again. One final armbar attempt by Matt Bryrne may have just swayed it for one judge as he walked away with a split decision. Both of these up and coming amateurs showed great skill and determination. A real crowd pleasing fight, in a way there was no loser, both men looked great and I’m sure will be back on the scene in the near future.
Next Team Fulinkazan fighter Amir Sajid went up against Stockton on Tees based stand-out Daniel John. John came out aggressive landing a few right hooks to the body of Sajid before a perfectly timed double leg had the travelling Team Akurei member on his back. Sajid passed to side mount but was unable to control John who had a very active guard. As the round came to a close both men traded guillotine chokes, with neither man able to get the finish.
As the second round started, Sajid pressed the action in the clinch locking up a standing guillotine only to receive a heavy slam which forced Sajid to release the grip. John passed the guard of Sajid, controlling from side mount, before a sneaky escape out of the back door by Amir Sajid took the fight back to the feet. Amir pressed the action once again controlling against the cage, Amir then dropped for a double leg takedown and John reversed the takedown and landed in mount position hammering blows to the body as the final seconds of the fight ticked away. Daniel John was awarded a unanimous decision by the judges, most likely for his aggression and ability to dictate the pace of the fight.
In what was one of the key performances of the night, Team Akurei member Anthony Frankland rolled straight through crowd favourite Chris Goodwill with a first round submission. Goodwill (who looked to be the bigger man) came out with a leg kick, the favour was returned by Frankland, who then shot in and got a clean takedown. Immediately taking the back of Goodwill, Frankland tried to sink in the rear naked choke, only to be picked up by Chris who then slammed his opponent on his back. Frankland transitioned straight to mount (not deterred from the slam), locked himself in to position and turned Goodwill over and locked in a triangle choke forcing Chris Goodwill to tap. A great performance by Anthony Frankland showing some brilliant ground control.
Adam Khan took True Spirit MMA to 2-0 on the night with a dominant decision win over Gareth Mcmarn at 75kg. Khan set the pace from the start with some good work in the clinch following it up with a good leg trip to get the fight to the ground. Khan passed the Huddersfield based Mcmarn’s guard at will attaining mount position and trying to lock in an armbar as the bell sounded.
The second round featured more good groundwork by Khan attempting a triangle choke on 2 occasions. Khan finished the round strong in the mount leaving no doubt as to who had won the fight. Adam Khan is definitely one to watch for the future.
Caged Steel representative Daz Rhodes was defeated in punishing fashion by Steve Dinsdale in the second round. Both 80kg fighters engaged in an intense stare down as the referee gave them the instructions. That intensity leaked in to the fight as both men charged at each other with bad intentions. Dinsdale took early control with a takedown Rhodes stayed patient and work his way back to his feet. As they separated both fighters trade a wild shot each before Steve works his striking and stops the takedown attempt by Daz Rhodes. Dinsdale unleashed with a flurry of knees from the clinch, dropping Daz to the floor. The round ends with Dinsdale in top position hammering punches to the body of Daz Rhodes.
Steve rushed out at the start of the second with another barrage of knees and punches, opening a cut over the eye of Rhodes. The referee called in the doctor who stopped the fight as the cut prevented Rhodes from continuing. Steve Dinsdale of Chester Submission Wrestlers is another semi-pro fighter destined for greatness based on that performance.
Flacks trained Sebastian Fraczyk put on a very impressive display against Farrell MMA’s Mark Antich. Antich took the initiative with an early takedown but failed to capitalise and was stood up by the referee for inactivity. Antich immediately took the fight to the mat again and attempted a guillotine choke. Sebastian found his way to top position in a good scramble and worked an armbar, Antich luckily saved by the bell.
Sebastian started the second round with solid strikes, outworking Antich to the point of exhaustion. A huge flurry of strikes dropped Antich to the floor forcing the referee to mercifully save him from any more damage. A top performance by Sebastian Fraczyk.
Maybe the most popular fighter on the card, Karl Amos stormed through Anil Kirshaw with a brutal striking display. A crowd pleaser from the start, Amos’ supporters had reason to cheer as he dominated his opponent from the clinch with good knee strikes. A takedown followed but the referee stood the fight up after a brief spell on the ground. After the restart Amos rushed forward again, landing huge knees and followed it up with punches before the referee called the fight in the first round.
Jason Wielgus earned a unanimous decision over Caged Steel’s Tony Jeffries with an excellent wrestling and Jiu Jitsu display. Wielgus gave Farrell MMA there second win of the night, dictating the pace with clinch control. Wielgus took the fight to the ground and passed the guard of Jeffries at will.
The second round started with Wielgus pressing Jeffries against the cage before eventually finding a double leg takedown. Wielgus controls Jeffries until the caged steel man finds his way back up. Unfortunately for Tony Jeffries is was too late, as the bell sounded Wielgus finished the way he started, pinning his opponent against the cage. Jason Wielgus showed some great work to take the decision.
In the main event Ali Arish took his undefeated record further as he soundly beat Farrell MMA fighter Matthew Earnshaw by unanimous decision. Arish representing Moss Side GnP came into the fight with a 2-0 professional record, for Earnshaw this was his pro debut.
Arish took Earnshaw down early and tried to unleash a ground and pound attack. After a minute or so of inactivity the referee stood the fighters up. Neither man was willing to take the fight in the stand up, both looking cautious as they stood toe to toe. Arish took the fight back to the ground where he looked more comfortable, working his punches from half guard, he passed to the side of Earnshaw as the bell went.
Earnshaw began the second round throwing out punches, none of which land clean. Arish attempts a takedown which is stuffed by Earnshaw initially before the Arish eventually got the fight back to the floor. After the referee stood the fight up Arish showed signs of fatigue but battled through to take Earnshaw down for the final time. Moving to the mount position Arish tried to posture up, Earnshaw managed to keep Arish tied up as the fight ended.
A decent showing by Arish, but he definitely needs more work before stepping up in competition in the pro UK MMA scene.
The second instalment of MAX will be held on May 2nd. See mma-max.com for details.
|
|