By Dean Weir

The Liverpool Olympia played host to the 5th installment of the ever improving OMMAC promotion.
Despite the late withdrawal of John Phillips due to his failure to make weight, the evening was still a major success with some excellent contests.

Linton Vassel's journey to the North West ended very profitably with a dominating victory earning him the light-heavyweight title. Repeated takedowns, control and submission attempts from the first bell culminated in Vassel taking Thompsons back and sinking in a solid rear naked choke to take the belt home.

Phillips' replacement Andrius Juskas was completely outclassed with Paul Cahoon. A wildly aimed punch missed its target before Cahoon put the Lithuanian down with a powerful shot of his own. Juska's flailing leg was too much of an invitation for Cahoon who simply grabbed a hold and easily sunk in a very tight heel hook to claim the victory in just 25 seconds.

Adam Parkes' Lithuanian opponent Trifonovs faired a little better than his fellow countryman - he lasted into the second minute. After reversing an initial takedown Parkes ground and pound went unanswered before the referee stepped in to call a halt to the proceedings.

Relentless takedown attempts from Stu Tyrie were not enough in his bout with Tony Moran. The Wolfslair man showed great skill in defending the takedown and punished Tyrie with some pinpoint strikes. The fight ended with Moran gaining top position on the floor and unleashing some viscous ground and pound, which required the doctors intervention to inspect a nasty cut on Tyries head. The fight resumed, only for Moran to continue the punishment with relentless elbows before the referee called a halt with just 1 second remaining of the second round.

The Wolfslair achieved an unblemished record on the night with two other victories from their stable of fighters. Gary Kelly returned with a dominating first round victory over Kevin Carney and Mick Bowman dispatched Jules Willis with an impressive Triangle within a minute of the first bell.

"Fight of the night" honours belonged to Richie Downes and Marley Swindells. Local man Downes gave a very impressive and focused performance with some excellent striking, particularly the persistent kicks to the left thigh of Swindells. Downes rightly gained a unanimous decision from the judges after the full three rounds of this epic battle.

Lewis Long tasted defeat for the first time in the pro ranks. Chris Oban's relentless quest for control on the fence and on the ground eventually paying off with a north / south choke after 1 minute 22 seconds of the third round.

Other fights on the night saw Ali McLean defeated by an ever improving and undefeated, Mike Wilkinson via rear naked choke. Gareth Pilot handed Pietro Menga his first defeat, again via rear naked choke and Mike Wooten dispatched Walter Caydas with some impressive ground and pound.

FULL RESULTS:-

Semi-Pro
Gareth Pilot def. Pietro Menga via rear naked choke - R2 - 3:19.

Pro
Mike Wooten def. Walter Caydas via TKO (GnP) - R1 - 3:26.
Richie Downs def. Marley Swindells via unanimous decision.
Mick Bowman def. Jules Willis via triangle choke -  R1 - 1:00.
Mike Wilkinson def. Ali McLean via rear naked choke - R2 - 1:32.
Gary Kelly def. Kevin Carney via TKO (GnP) - R1 - 4:34.
Chris Oban def. Lewis Long via north/south choke - R3 - 1:22.
Tony Moran def. Stu Tyrie via TKO (GnP) - R2 - 4:59.
Adam Parkes def. Valerijs Trifonovs via TKO (GnP) - R1 - 1:46.
Paul Cahoon def. Andrius Juska via heel hook - R1 - 0:25.

Light-Heavyweight Title :-
Linton Vassel def. Kevin Thompson via rear naked choke - R1 - 4:21.