Mike Ward Vs Simon Holmes
HW Tournament 1st Quarterfinal
Round one starts with Ward rushing Holmes and connecting with a solid leg kick. Both men work the clinch trying to gain superiority, Holmes lands a knee to the body before Ward pulls him into the mount position. This mistake by Ward proves costly as Holmes lets loose with combination punches to the body and head. Ward covers up not attempting to escape from the constant barrage of strikes. Without showing intelligent defence the referee Grant Waterman is forced to stop the contest in favour of Holmes who advances to the semi finals in the 8 man heavyweight tournament.
Simon Holmes wins 1:55 into Round 1 by TKO – stoppage due to strikes
Steve Thomas Vs Mark Cotch
HW Tournament 2nd Quarter-final
Cotch from Cologne in Germany steps into the cage with a 39 fight winning record making him favourite on paper fighting the less experienced Thomas. As the action gets underway Cotch throws a vicious overhand right that is blocked by Thomas who answers with heavy knees in the clinch, one of which drops the German up against the cage. Thomas seizes this opportunity to gain the mount but manages only one forearm shot before he is reversed from underneath. Keeping his opponent close Thomas pulls off a scissor sweep landing in the half guard of Cotch.
Using numerous forearm shots Thomas is able to distract his opponent enough to once again gain the dominant mount position. From a high mount he is able to land heavy forearm strikes. Looking to set up an armbar Thomas traps one of Cotch’s arms but opts to land several more good punches giving his opponent the opportunity to escape the mount a second time. Working to his feet Cotch separates but Thomas quickly clinches forcing him into the cage and landing more knees.
It’s not long before the action is back on the ground with Thomas landing in sidemount; from here he is able to connect with more forearms before tapping his opponent out with an Americana. Both fighters looked tired and the young Aussie takes his place in the next round where he will face Jarrod Speed who advanced by default as his opponent didn’t turn up.
Steve Thomas wins 4:30 into Round 1 by Submission – Americana
Alessio Sakara Vs Adam Woolmer
HW Tournament 3rd Quarterfinal
Making his debut the heavily tattooed Woolmer looks the heavier of the two, the Italian Alessio appears to be in better physical condition. From the start Sakara looks to overwhelm his opponent landing a straight right and a left kick to the body, Woolmer covers up keeping his head wisely tucked away. Early on Sakara is piling on the pressure unloading lefts and rights before dropping low for a takedown. Woolmer is having a hard time as he gets hit with heavy punches, turning away he allows Sakara to mount. Valiantly Woolmer hangs on as Sakara continues his onslaught; Woolmer looses heart as Sakara finishes him off with an Americana. The aggressive Sakara is going to face Simon Holmes in the semi finals of the elimination tournament.
Alessio Sakara wins 1:27 into Round 1 by submission – Americana
Andy Walker Vs Danny Price
Fighting out of Poole Ju-Jitsu, Walker was giving up a little weight against his opponent out of Mark Weir’s Range Fighting team. As the fight gets underway both men begin stalking one another, first to engage is Walker landing two inside leg kicks but he is caught with his hands low as Price moves forward with punches. In an attempt to avoid getting hit he ducks into an unsuccessful guillotine attempt by Price. After being fairly inactive a failed throw by Walker ends with Price on top in the half guard.
Price manages to pass to full mount, Walker gives up his neck to a choke attempt after turning to avoid being hit. Unable to sink it in Price begins to rain down punches as Walker bravely tries the same from the bottom as he turns to face him. In a sudden reversal Walker spins to his front again and slips out the back door ending in Price’s closed guard.
Looking to bring it to his feet Price pushes Walker away, shooting immediately looking for a single leg Walker forces Price against the cage. Landing a solid knee to the face of Price it’s now Walker’s turn to try and finish with the guillotine but Price defends it perfectly slamming him to the ground.
Trying to create striking distance Price stands in Walker’s guard but gets kicked off; Price looks hurt and stumbles into the cage. Seeing this Walker jumps to his feet to unload a flurry of punches sending Price to the ground but he is unable to capitalise as the bell signals the end of round one. This was a hard round to call but Price edged it by gaining superior position for a long period of time.
Round 2
It all starts with some tired punching by both fighters then Walker attempts a takedown but Price sprawls, securing a guillotine he pulls half guard. Landing punches to the rib area Walker eventually gets his head out of the hold. Much of the round remains in this position as each man seems content to land short rabbit punches until moments before the bells sounds when Walker passes to sidemount. A very tired round for both men in which Walker managed to spend most his time landing short strikes to Price when in his half guard.
At the end of round 2 the judges scored this fight a draw.
Tom Gerald Vs Anthony McRae
This fight was under amateur rules so there was no striking allowed to the head. At only 19 years old McRae was giving up 7kg in weight to the larger Gerald from Team Elite. Right at the start Gerald displays good kicking ability landing a stinging leg kick followed by a spinning heel kick to the body, he continues to kick and push his opponent until he gets a hold of his head. From here McRae is able to trip his man and momentarily lands in sidemount but is unable to secure this position as Gerald works to half guard.
Using his superior strength Gerald reverses his opponent now landing in his half guard, remaining calm McRae is unaffected by Gerald’s attempts to smother him. Eventually Gerald passes to the side but a rushed attempt to mount leaves space for McRae to pull guard. Working free of his opponents guard Gerald manages to get to his feet and pushes McRae into the cage with such force that the mesh actually snaps away from its frame. Round one ends with Gerald dragging McRae to the ground with a head lock.
Round 2
During the break the cage was fixed and round two starts much the same as the first with Gerald dominating his opponent pushing him around from one side to another. Desperately McRae clinches and gets driven to the ground managing half guard. Squeezing McRae’s head Gerald lets him pull a tired guard but before long he is able to pass to sidemount. Gerald finds it hard to get any kind of submission on so elects to stand once more. McRae shortly follows and absorbs some more kicks.
After a sloppy takedown attempt by McRae, Gerald finds himself in sidemount yet another time and again he allows McRae to work back to this guard. Gerald manages to stand and tries to secure a guillotine he pulls his opponent to the floor gaining the mount. For some reason Gerald sits back out of the mount, cranking the neck of McRae he moves to north/south. There is no real choke on but McRae taps out probably due to a combination of fatigue and pressure on his neck.
Tom Gerald wins 4:57 into Round 2 by submission – Choke Hold
Tim Ryder Vs Arhmen Islami
International Fight
They touch gloves as the fight begins and both land leg kicks, Islami displays some decent boxing ability as he jabs and moves, both fighters seem to be comfortable on their feet. Each man seems relaxed and content to keep it standing but then Islami rushes Ryder who is able to swing him to ground. With his back against the cage Islami is happy to work an open guard but Ryder has other ideas and fires a few quick shots before backing off.
Again both fighters exchange kicks and punches as Islami signals to Ryder to bring it on and he obliges but it ends in the clinch. Islami is able to pull Ryder to ground and moves quickly to take his back with the hooks in. It doesn’t take much longer before Ryder taps as Islami sinks in a tight rear choke.
Arhmen Islami wins 2:20 into Round 1 by submission – Rear Naked Choke
Steve Thomas Vs Jarrod Speed
HW Tournament 1st Semi final
Speed starts the contest the fresher of the two men as Thomas returns after having a hard time disposing of his tough opponent earlier in round one. Both fighters touch gloves and the action gets underway, Speed throws a flurry of heavy hands forcing Thomas to the ground. Momentarily Speed gains mount but rather than securing position he continues punching away this gives Thomas the opportunity to get to his knees and look to reverse the action.
Jarrod Speed shows good composure and sprawls, keeping calm he misses an attempt to move to the back and regains his strong sprawl position. Again he goes for the back but Thomas finds his feet and connects with a knee to the face of Speed. This just seems to knock Speed into action; again he unloads with heavy hands then clinches driving Thomas into the cage hard.
Unfortunately this doesn’t work well in Speed’s favour and he bounces off due to the impact from the cage falling with Thomas in the mount. Taking his time Thomas works his way up mounting high and dropping solid shots prompting Speed to turn his back leading to the rear naked choke. Thomas wins again against another tough opponent and secures his place in the final. Speed showed he was game and an aggressive force in his debut cage fight.
Steve Thomas wins 2:17 into Round 1 by submission – Rear Naked Choke
Alessio Sakara Vs Simon Holmes
HW Tournament 2nd Semi final
Both these guys looked impressive in their first round fights dominating each opponent so I was looking forward to this fight and was not disappointed. Holmes begins looking to land an overhand right but Sakara is able to duck under and connect with a punishing left uppercut that drops Holmes. Quickly recovering Holmes is able to stand and clinch and eats a knee on the way up. More punches and knee strikes are landed by both men, getting the double leg takedown Sakara is able to land some big punches on the ground. Holmes looks to be in trouble and tries to pull guard but Sakara stands to pass and quickly gets the mount position.
Hoping to rain down even more big punches Sakara sits up high in the mount but Holmes seizes his moment to escape and pushes him bringing his feet up and under the arms of Sakara to escape out the back door. Holmes looked on the brink of defeat but manages to get to his feet and land some knees from the clinch as the now tired Sakara keeps low looking for another takedown. Now turning things in his favour Holmes attempts a guillotine and Sakara continues looking for the takedown.
Falling to his guard Sakara tries to use the momentum to immediately sweep Holmes but ends up having to fight his way back to half guard when Holmes keeps his balance. Looking for an Americana Holmes hopes to finish the fight but Sakara manages to regain a closed guard. Now in the closed guard Holmes begins to pound and Sakara puts up a tired defence but gets very sloppy and Holmes passes to sidemount.
Moving to mount Holmes connects with more punches, Sakara turns his back and gives an opportunity for Holmes to choke but he is unable to capitalise letting Sakara off for his mistake. Managing to turn to face Holmes once again Sakara now takes more punishment so turns his back a second time but this time he taps as Holmes attempts the choke. This was an excellent back and forth battle, early on Holmes looked in serious trouble but was able to hang on and turn the tides late into the round.
Simon Holmes wins 4:50 into Round 1 by submission – Rear Choke
Matt Ewin Vs Andy Pay
Fighting out of UFC veteran Mark Weir's range fighting team Matt Ewin enters the cage undefeated in professional competition. From the start it’s easy to see he is a skilled fighter as he quickly gets a takedown and takes his time connecting with short body shots in the half guard of Andy Pay. Ewin works toward the cage to land some punches to his opponents face. Pay gets to his knees trying to get the top position but Ewin calmly secures a guillotine and falls to a closed guard. It’s not very long at all before Pay taps and Ewin extends his unbeaten record in impressive fashion.
Matt Ewin wins 1:32 into Round 1 by submission – Guillotine choke
Rosi Sexton Vs Serena Saunders
This was to be the first time in the UK two women had competed in a cage fighting competition and as a fan of the sport I was really looking forward to seeing what would unfold. Saunders attacks first with a leg kick and Rosi clinches quickly; you could hear her trainer shouting instructions knowing her strength was the grappling game. Getting a body lock Rosi lifts Saunders and drops her to the ground going straight to the mount and locking in a tight armbar winning the fight by submission.
Rosi Sexton wins 40 seconds into Round 1 by submission – Armbar from the mount
Paul Jenkins Vs Shain Tovell
Welterweight Title Fight
Early on it looks as though Jenkins is in for a tough time as he gets caught with a variety of kicks by the Muay Thai fighter Tovelle. Jenkins closes the distance it’s easy to see how he earned his nickname as he moves inside and drops Tovelle with a powerful right cross. Moving in to finish Jenkins tries to unload more punches but Tovelle composes himself and pulls guard. Jenkins breaks free and beckons his opponent to follow him to the standing position, Tovelle obliges.
It’s not long before the action goes to ground again when the fighters clinch but as Tovelle tries to put Jenkins in his guard he once again gets to his feet allowing his opponent to follow. Both fighters try a few jabs looking to set something up and the fight is stopped for a short while after Tovelle catches an accidental thumb in the eye. Using his superior reach Tovelle connects with some left jabs and strong leg kicks. Jenkins looks to be loading up his heavy hands looking for an opportunity to unload and he does but none of the shots get a clean connection.
Tovelle is able to clinch and begins throwing knees then wraps his arm round Jenkins looking for a standing guillotine, Jenkins does well to pull his opponent to ground then reverse the position. Tovelle lets his guard open relieving the pressure and letting Jenkins out of the choke hold. Standing high in the open guard Jenkins delivers a solid right hand that lands square on the nose of Tovelle who taps immediately crowning Paul Jenkins the Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion.
Paul Jenkins wins 2:40 into Round 1 by submission – Tap Out due to broken nose
Steve Thomas Vs Simon Holmes
HW Tournament Final
Due to an injury sustained in his previous fight Holmes was unable to compete in the final therefore leaving Steve Thomas to take the title.
Jean Silva Vs John Waite
Right at the start Silva makes his way across the cage and drops Waite with a right hand, he stands back to allow his opponent to get back to his feet. Waite gets back up and narrowly avoids a spinning heel kick to the head then a 360 degree spinning kick, as Waite backs off Silva closes in performing a cartwheel followed by a strong kick to the body. Scoring his first attack of the fight Waite is able to execute a perfect Judo throw, showing his Jiu Jitsu experience Silva snakes his way round from underneath and ends in a full mount.
Turning his back Waite allows Silva to get his hooks locked in, much to the crowds amusement Silva then begins spanking his opponent’s ass. Several spanks later Waite tries to buck Silva off and he springs back to his feet hoping to pull off some more spectacular Capoeira kicks. Not failing to impress Silva misses once but connects with a solid spinning heel kick yet Waite stands strong. Silva then performs some Capoeira movement and a cartwheel closing in on his opponent who goes to ground giving his back once again.
To his credit Waite is able to turn and face Silva and not get choked, Silva gets to his feet and waits for John to follow. When he does Silva once again connects with an unorthodox drop kick then misses a high flying spinning kick. Both fighters clinch and Silva lifts him in the air landing in a sidemount where Waite tries to hang on but Silva slips into a knee on the belly. Waite is able to push him away and avoid a kick aiming for his head from the butt scoot position. After avoiding the kick Waite stands up but Silva quickly attacks again with a front kick. They now clinch against the cage and Waite tries to lock in a standing guillotine but Silva slips out as the round comes to a close, definitely a round for Silva.
Round 2
As in round one Silva again charges out quickly and connects with a flying kick that sends Waite face first into the cage. It’s becoming hard to see how Waite can win; he seems bewildered with Silva’s style and high risk manoeuvres not knowing what to do next. Waite takes a step forward but is met with another spinning kick to the head, wisely backing off he evades a wild spinning kick launched towards his body by Silva.
Showing no respect for his opponents offence Silva casually approaches Waite with his hands down by his waist, this gives Waite a good opportunity to land something and he attempts a side kick that is caught by Silva who then connects with a right hand. This causes Waite to fall to his back and Silva performs a cartwheel guard pass landing in the mount position. Silva for the first time looks to being some ground and pound resulting in Waite turning his back once again, instead of going for a choke Silva slides off for an armbar but Waite begins to stack him so Silva just jumps away, gets to his knees then picks up a single leg landing in sidemount.
It now looks as though Waite has nothing left and he turtles up, his heart and Jean’s casual approach the only things keeping him in the fight. Silva takes his back but rather than trying to finish with any kind of submission he prefers to rub his chin in Waite’s back. A call from his corner prompts Silva to momentarily stand and kick Waite in the ass before he drops back down again to the side of his opponent. It looks if Silva was looking for an omoplata but he is rolled so triangle his legs around Waite who is on his knees with Silva on his back.
Posing for a photo Silva with a sort of reverse triangle position turns toward his corner rolling Waite to his back. Waite spoils the Kodak moment kicking his face from underneath, Silva just chuckles. Still communicating with his corner Silva is told there is not much time left so he grabs the wrist of Waite and makes him submit with a kimura. Waite was seriously outclassed but showed he had heart, Silva was there to entertain the crowd for as long as possible confident he could get the win before the final bell.
Jean Silva wins 4:15 into Round 2 by submission – Kimura
Rod Phelps Vs Ray Burns
This fight was to be contested over two three minute rounds, Burns fights out of Mark Weir’s Range Fighting team and Phelps trains’ at Pool Ju Jitsu. Phelps begins the fight with a high kick attempt which is caught by Burns who pushes the action toward the outer perimeter, seizing a guillotine choke as Phelps tries to regain his balance. Trying to sink it in tight Burns goes to guard but to his credit Phelps hangs in there and passes to half guard, slipping out of the attempt. Phelps does well passing to sidemount but he doesn’t attempt the mount correctly and Burns puts him back in the guard.
Again Phelps manages to pass to sidemount but Burns is able to escape then rush in on his turtled up opponent giving Phelps the opportunity to buck him off as Burns tries to take his back. Now in sidemount once more Phelps lands some knees to the body of Burns and pulls half guard trying to lock in a guillotine of his own but it comes too late and the bell sounds for the end of round one. A close round but Phelps was able to gain superior position more times and probably edged it, both fighters had guillotine attempts.
Round 2
To begin with Phelps once again opens with a kick but this time follows it up with a wild haymaker of a right hand which connects well. Dropping his head due to the force of the punch Burns allows his opponent to grab hold of a tight guillotine, Phelps tries to pull half guard again to finish. Quickly recovering Burns slips into the mount but is immediately reversed by Phelps who lands in the open guard of Burns and let’s go his grip around the neck.
Similar to round one Phelps is easily able to pass the guard of Burns, this time Phelps holds the sidemount for a longer time but when attempting an armbar he leaves enough space for Burns to come out. Yet again Phelps gets a tight grip around his opponent’s neck but this time he goes to the closed guard to try the submission. Eventually Burns who looked in trouble is able to escape and lands a punch prompting Phelps to kick him away. As he Phelps pushes his opponent away he rolls over backward to his knees with Burns in a front head lock position.
Both fighters get to their feet and trade some punches, a few connect before Phelps gets a takedown from the clinch. Phelps is able to land in the sidemount but doesn’t get much time to try anything as the bell signals the end of round two and therefore the fight. This was evenly contested fight and if Phelps had used more strikes on the ground it would have been a more convincing victory, but he certainly won both rounds.
Rod Phelps wins 3:00 into Round 2 by unanimous decision.
