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ZT Fight Night Tournament - The Heavyweights: Review
03 Feb 2010
By Simon Morton-Mason
The much anticipated Heavyweight tournament, which was moved from the HMV Forum in London, had suffered a number of setbacks, but Sol Gilbert and his team persevered and the show was moved to the Town Hall in Hove, the home of the ZT Fightskool.
There was one change in the roster - Martin ‘The Ox’ Thompson was devastated to have had to pull out at the 11th hour due to a slipped disc, but was still well represented by his fans who had travelled down from Carlisle and gave their support to the evening. He was replaced by the American Joe ‘The Doctor’ Vedepo, representing Liverpool’s Wolfslair gym, who received the call the night before to fight. Even more impressive, as he usually fights at middleweight. And it showed – he was noticeably smaller when he entered the ring during the introduction with the other competitors.
Hosted by UK legend Ian ‘The Machine’ Freeman and with Pride / UFC Superstar Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in attendance, it was clear from the talent standing in the ring that a great night was on the cards.
QUARTER FINALS
Fight 1
Rob ‘The Bear’ Broughton vs Neil ‘Old Skool’ Wain
Picked by many as a favourite and considered the best heavyweight in the UK, Wolfslair fighter Broughton started the tournament against former UFC competitor Wain. Round 1 started with an early knockdown by Wain, who got the mount, but was unable to capitalize and the both men were soon up again. Broughton had Wain against the ropes and made good use of knees before going for a standing guillotine attempt that Wain popped out of. The round ended with another mount by Wain.
The second had an opening exchange of blows, with Wain’s right eye injured and beginning to close. He still brought it however, until he ended up with his back on the ropes, where Broughton again went for the standing guillotine, this time getting it secured and leaving Wain no choice but to tap.
WINNER - Rob Broughton with a guillotine choke at 1:16 of the second round.
Fight 2
James ‘The Colossus’ Thompson vs Tengiz Tedoradze
With high-profile fights in Pride, DREAM and EliteXC, James Thompson was certainly one of the most experienced in the competition, going up against another favourite with years of experience, Georgian born Tedoradze. Both men easily win ‘stare down of the night’!
The first round saw Thompson score a takedown, getting a rear mount. Whilst Thompson rained blows to either side of the head, Tengiz managed to defend well, keeping Thompson’s hands trapped and blocking an attempted choke. He eventually popped free and the fight got back to the feet, where Tengiz scored a nice combination of strikes and Thompson missed with a BIG right before the round ended.
Round 2 saw another exchange of blows, before Tengiz moved Thompson against the ropes, who then scored a takedown by literally falling flat onto Tengiz. Thompson then attempted a rear naked choke, which Tengiz rolled nicely out of, but ended up back under a rear mount. Thompson let rip with more blows to the side of the head and it wasn’t long before the referee called a halt to the match. Thompson had a cut above his right eye following the fight.
WINNER - James Thompson with the TKO at 2:55 of the second round.
Fight 3
Miguel Bernad vs Joe ‘The Doctor’ Vedepo
The round started with a nice leg kick from the dangerous Muay Thai fighter Bernad, but he was soon scooped up and slammed with a HUGE takedown by Vedepo. Bernad almost got back to his feet but got caught in a very slick and lightning fast armbar. Bernad tapped and it was all over.
WINNER - Joe ‘The Doctor’ Vedepo by armbar at 0:35 of the first round.
Fight 4
Oli Thompson vs Steve Day
Both fighters began by feeling each other out until former ‘Britain’s Strongest Man’ Thompson scored a takedown, following up with strikes from the rear. Both fighters got back to their feet, where Oli swung and caught Day with a BIG right for the knock out.
WINNER - Oli Thompson by KO at 1:07 in the first round.
Before the quarterfinals, Ian Freeman introduced Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson to the ring to say a few words, mainly to threaten anyone who called him Mr T again with a drop-kick!
SEMI FINALS
Fight 1
Rob Broughton vs James Thompson
An early clinch saw the fighters trade knees, which ended up with Thompson’s back on the ropes before he took Broughton down. He secured mount and followed up with elbows to the head and body, but Broughton defended well.
Thompson scored a single leg takedown into side control briefly, but Broughton managed to regain his feet again before ending up on his back. Thompson rained down hammer fists, but couldn’t finish him and both men ended up standing again with Thompson looking tired. Broughton then landed a right dead on the money that dropped Thompson, and followed up to score a knockout and book his place in the final.
WINNER – Rob Broughton by KO at 2:28 of the second round.
Fight 2
Oli Thompson vs Joe Vedepo
Both fighters went at it with enthusiastic striking; a little too enthusiastic at times, with a knee to the groin from Thompson. Vedepo managed to take Thompson down and started throwing elbows from the top position and, after a scramble, attempted a rear naked choke that Thompson escaped from. There was then some confusion when Vedepo's corner man entered ring the apparently before the round had ended, but the horn simply hadn’t sounded.
The second round saw a point deduction for Vedepo due to an illegal knee, but a flurry of pinpoint knees and punches lead the referee to step in and end the fight, giving us our second finalist – a middleweight American in a UK Heavyweight competition!
WINNER - Joe Vedepo TKO 1:24 of Round 2
KICKBOXING
Pete Mercer vs Shaun Lomas
As we waited for the final, we were entertained by a kickboxing match between Pete Mercer and Shaun Lomas. Despite a good work rate by Lomas, Mercer defended well and never really looked to be in trouble. You would almost wonder at times whether he was planning on hitting back at all, but when he did strike, he landed with precision, putting Shaun down on several occasions. Lomas continually kept up with the pressure with some nice kicks to the body, but Pete utilized his reach advantage and front kicks to keep Shaun at bay. At the end of three rounds, the heart displayed by Shaun Lomas just wasn't enough and the decision went in favour of the much touted Mercer.
WINNER – Pete Mercer by decision.
Unfortunately, Vedepo came to the ring to announce he had to withdraw due to a hand injury in the last fight, thereby bringing back the man he beat, Oli Thompson which was clearly a popular decision with the crowd.
FINAL
Rob Broughton vs Oli Thompson
Broughton scored a takedown early in the first, but the fight quickly got back to it’s feet. Superman punch from Broughton and a flurry of punches left Thompson dazed at the end of the round.
Broughton appeared to be sporting a swollen left eye at the opening of the second. He swung, but missed with a huge uppercut and Thompson accidentally caught him with a low knee to the groin. Thompson made several attempts to secure a takedown, but Broughton showed good defence and a strong base. At the end of the second round, both men were looking understandably tired.
The fight moved to the first third round of the evening, with Broughton keeping Thompson at bay with jabs. The crowd was clearly supporting Thompson and the chants for his name carried on throughout the round. Unfortunately, it didn’t help him as Broughton forced him against the ropes and utilized foot stomps several times. Thompson was still going for the takedowns however, but they were still being well defended and Broughton threw a big flying knee that almost connected. They both ended up on the ropes and more foot stomps ensued to end the round as it went to a judge’s decision.
Despite a spirited effort by Oli Thompson, all three judges scored it 30 – 27 for the winner:
ROB ‘THE BEAR’ BROUGHTON
Despite the change of venue so late in the day, Sol Gilbert put on a slick and well-run night, and we now look forward to May and their light heavyweight tournament.
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