Angrrr Management originally began their series of shows in the South West of England but have now settled on the small but perfectly formed Forrest Glades Arena venue in Kidderminster. Despite taking a terrible hammering through drop-outs, Grrround and Pound, boasted a well (if not hastily) put together line-up designed to impress for their Live On-Demand debut.
The more familiar names to appear on the card were those of Ross Mason, Danny Batten, Tengiz Tedoradze and Andy Costello. However, even in the presence of such luminaries, it was the semi-pros that stole the show.
Between them, Tim Newman and Adam Stanton notched up two extremely impressive victories. The only unfortunate thing was that their combined efforts lasted only 59 seconds.
Stanton started off the night’s action by landing an explosive double leg takedown on his opponent Damien Sayer, followed by a textbook armbar. The bout lasted only 53 seconds- which should give you a clue as to what happened in Newman’s fight. In a bout that lasted only six seconds, Newman stormed in, threw a looping overhand left and walked out. The Liddell-esque punch landed right on the sweet spot and required no further action from Newman, who simply stood back and watched the unconscious Scott Clist crumple to the canvass.
Ross Mason is a supremely talented athlete but despite this fight record is rather spotted. He has defeated many tough opponents yet has been found wanting when making the step up to “world level.” His recent loss to Paul "Semtex" Daley was a major setback in terms of domestic recognition also. However Mason got back on track with a resounding defeat over Phil McCall. Mason spent most of the opening round on McCall's back, slugging away with heavy hands and searching for an opening for a submission. That opening came after only 3:37 of the first round. Mason snaked his arm around McCall's unguarded neck and slapped on a rear naked choke that was tighter than Shonie Carter’s underpants.
The highly anticipated bout between lightweights Danny Batten and Kio Nakao proved to be rather controversial. Many in audience thought that Batten should have won, whilst others sided with the Japanese fighter. The debate that raged afterwards was one of ‘which man had sought to end the fight?’. Whilst Nakao scored the third round’s only takedown and spent the majority of the round padding at his downed foe, he was also forced to avoid a succession of ambitious Batten submission attempts. Nakao’s ground and pound was perfunctory at best, yet Batten’s submission attempts rarely gave Nakao cause for concern.
The result of the judge’s deliberation was a unanimous draw. Although this was probably the logical text-book decision, many observers would have sided with Batten for his greater desire to see a premature end to the three round fight.
In the opening round of Tengiz Tedoradze vs Andy Costello, Tedoradze suplexed Costello to the mat and began implementing water torture-like ground and pound. The Georgian born fighter’s plodding, methodical approach is deceptive. The trickling stream of hammer-fists and little jabs from half-guard didn't look that devastating but every one either opened up a new nick under Costello's eye or bump under his skin. Costello looked finished after round one and returned to his corner. Despite being beaten physically, Costello still had an impressive amount of heart and came out for a second round of punishment.
Smelling blood, Tengiz amped up his G 'n' P game a little in the second, sending forth a barrage of nauseating ground and pound which made a mess of Costello’s face. Wave after wave of punishment flew into Costello’s face with no response. Referee Grant Waterman put an end to the bout at 2:30 of round two.
In the rest of the night’s action:
Lance King verbally submitted to Tony Bentley’s monstrous knees and follow up strikes. The win was timed at 3:16 of round one.
Richard Weeks proved to be a weak replacement for Lee Doski, and he got schooled by the vastly superior Mick Broster], who scored a submission via side choke at 2:10 of round one.
Spencer Dummer came up short against the much more experienced Lithuanian Shooto fighter Antanas Jazbutis. Jazbutis had an answer for all of Dummers ground efforts and eventually took a rear naked choke after 4:12.
…and…
Jake Blyth put on a ground and pound clinic for three rounds against his opponent Alan Watson, scoring a TKO at 3:11 of the third round.
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