Abdul Mohammed took the 10th Legion Lightweight World Title after a unanimous decision victory over Rasmus Bendsten. After a series of disappointing results, Abdul returned to winning ways by going back to basics.
This was a classic Abdul performance: slam-tastic takedowns and total domination on the deck. The new champion controlled his Danish opponent and fired off enough punches and elbows to prevent the fight from being stood up. Abdul showed that his wrestling skills are intact. That being the case- he would still be a tough night’s work for any UK lightweight.
Craig Burke is ready to take on the heavyweight division. Great news for everyone (except men who weigh over 93kg and have an aversion to sudden blackouts). His cage debut went exactly as expected. He entered the arena to “I’m Gonna Knock You Out (Mama Says Knock You Out)” by LL Cool J. A few seconds after the opening bell, Pao Zoro was eating canvas. He took a few clean punches before the killer head kick felled him.
Burke has a rock solid background in Karate and Muay Thai and is in tremendous shape. More than a match for anyone on the feet, we’ll have to wait and see if he has the all round game to make it to the big time.
Neil Broadbent defeated Laurent Kamoun by unanimous decision. Broadbent was busier in the first, but the Frenchman looked all business. Kamoun picked up the pace in the second, scoring on the feet with leg kicks and a fierce uppercut before putting a lot of effort into a triangle attempt. With a round each in the bag, it was Broadbent who took the initiative in the third. Working from the side, he fed Kamoun a steady diet of elbows to secure the win.
Semi Pro
Louis Chapman took the Light Welterweight British Title with a decision win over Jake Tear. If there were any doubts, the third round cleared things up for the judges. Chapman went for every sub in the book. Rear naked choke, reverse triangle, arm bar and a triangle in the dying seconds that looked tapworthy.
Keith Rouse bossed the first round of his bout with Dieter Huggins. Rouse’s left hand was a mere ornament as he relentlessly lead with his right hand. Early in round two, Rouse finally threw a left with devastating results. Huggins fell and the fight was over.
Tony Shields bombed out Ben Rule with the overhand right from Hell. Larger than life local hero Stuart Crooks punished Luke Arwynck with some wild punches and heavy knees. Arwynck could not make it out for the third. Pete Wright subbed Laurence Neal with a second round guillotine. John Broadhurst stopped Lukasz Kuras due to a cut over the eye.
Matt Pope and Gaz Endersby left it all in the cage. There was some skill on show, but it was the furious brawling that got the crowd on its feet. When the white smoke came from the judges, it was Pope that got the vote- but both fighters were cheered to the rafters. Proper tough guys.
AM’s
Mark Brown beat Stephen Middleton with a guillotine. Kieron Coxon and Andy Craven scored decision wins over Fran Robertson and Rob Binns respectively. Bryn Grey submitted Anthony Dilworth with a guillotine.
Fight of the Night
Matt Pope v Gaz Endersby
Ring Walk Tune of the Night
Runner up
Tony Shields
Man of the Night
Craig Burke.
You got the feeling that this could be the start of something big.