As expected the Littledown Centre was absolutely jam packed for this explosive event on 3rd December. The usual “Absolute Adrenaline” party atmosphere was in full force for what turned out to be a fantastic evening for British and in particular Bournemouth fighters.
The production had all the glamour of a big TV presentation with big screens showing pre-fight interviews and action from previous events. There was a big camera crew also present who were filming for the official DVD as well as preparing footage for a TV showing in the new year.
VIP tables were completely sold out some six weeks prior to the event and the atmosphere was electric, with many fighters from around the globe scheduled to appear in a mix of Thai Boxing, Kickboxing & MMA contests.
Top of the bill was the return of “The Machine”, World Thai Boxing Champion Janine Davis From The Bulldog Gym in Bournemouth.
After three years out with injury she returned to compete under Kickboxing rules, challenging Rachel Ealey for the European title.
The entrance was spectacular and the crowd were at fever pitch following an explosive night’s entertainment.
Both girls obliged and tore into each other from the opening bell. It was clear that the plan did not include overtime for either. Davis put combination punches together but Ealey was not phased and fired back with her own. At one point you had to wonder if this was going to go even one round let alone the distance.
At the end of the opening session a hideous swelling appeared under Davis’s right eye. The doctor came into the corner to inspect and it was clear that she was going to be on borrowed time.
Davis was straight off her stool for the second round and launched another blistering attack, but again Ealey was up for it and the exchanges had the already excited audience jumping and cheering.
This went on for the next three rounds. Just as you thought Davis might get on top, Ealey would return fire in equal measures.
Back in the corner again the doctor was putting pressure on and offered up one last round as the swelling was getting worse.
Again Davis went for it with 110%. Most fighters would have folded and it was clear that Ealey was beginning to feel the pace.
The fifth round ended and the eye injury was now an open wound. The doctor had no option but to stop the contest giving victory and the European title to the excellent Rachel Ealey. Out of interest the scorecards had Davis ahead but with three rounds still to go in a contest like this, anything could have happened.
Backing up this top of the bill clash was another Bulldog fighter Jenny Prowse who squared up to Gette Halle (Norway) for the European Title under Thai Boxing Rules.
Again, another fast start had everyone on their feet with Halle looking for the early finish with her trademark right hand. Prowse was having none of it and stuck to her game plan of smashing Halles legs with strong kicks and following through with strong knee strikes to the body.
It was clear that the plan was working and soon Halle’s lead leg was black and blue and she was noticeably hurting each time the kick landed. In the clinch Prowse totally dominated, making things very uncomfortable and landing with knee after knee.
At the beginning of each round Halle would try to set the pace with her punching but Prowse walked through her. This was the best Jenny Prowse that we hade seen.
Again the low kicks went in followed by knees and the ooh’s and ah’s from the crowd said it all.
At the final bell there was only one winner – Jenny Prowse, the new European Champion!
It was a good night for the girls and Natalie Bee (Mu-Gen-Do Bmth) continued the thread as she defended her British crown against unbeaten Emma Dove from Hove.
Dove started well and did most of the scoring while Bee’s footwork kept her out of trouble. However, this one soon exploded into a slug fest, with a little bit of finesse. Dove would knock Bee’s head back with a great shot but the return fire came in the form of strong combinations.
The rounds rolled on with non stop action and it was obvious why Natalie Bee was the champion as she started to take over, despite Emma Doves constant come forward attacks.
The final round was a cracker, with Dove needing the stoppage and Bee happy to trade with her.
The final bell came and Natalie Bee retained her British Title by unanimous decision.
Fight of the night was the Southern Area Title Clash between Scott Rowley (Bulldog Gym) and Mark Townley (Puma Kickboxing).
Rowley was on fire for this and it was clear from the off that he would not be denied as he powered and bullied Townley from the off, scoring a knockdown early in the first.
But Townley did not want to waste this opportunity and fired back with fantastic combinations to stay in contention. Rowley’s movement was a joy to watch and this was clearly his coming of age. He switched from kicks to punches, reigning in from all angles whilst Townley struggled to adapt to the variation.
Many times you thought the Puma fighter may fold but his guts, desire and determination kept him on his feet and firing on all cylinders.
Rowley just seemed to get stronger and stronger and he forced another count which clinched the victory and the title after five pulsating rounds.
Mark Townley was also outstanding and it will be good to see him back in 2007.
Another World Champion Mo Kargbo finished his career with a bang as he stopped former foe Jan Olav Petersson (Norway) in five rounds. The pair had clashed previously for the world title with Kargbo coming from behind to win.
Petersson ko’ed Nigel Jackson on his last visit to Bournemouth and immediately called Kargbo (who was in the audience) out. The scene was set for another tough outing.
Petersson started fast as usual and took the fight to Kargbo, who bided his time before exploding back with fast and hard combinations.
Early on in the contest the Norwegians eye opened and he knew he had to finish the fight soon if there was any chance of victory.
Kargbo knew this and continued to pick his man off, although Petersson was still the busier and probably ahead on the score cards.
After each round the doctor inspected the eye in the corner until finally at the end of the fifth round the stoppage had to be called.
A win to end Mo Kargbo’s career against a top international fighter.
Under Mixed Martial Arts rules Jeff Lawson (Bulldog Gym) entered the ring in a confident mood fresh from his British title victory three weeks earlier in Portsmouth. Lawson is remembered for his exciting contest on the “Absolute Adrenaline – Game Over” Cage Fighting event last June and he was eager to please the crowd again.
His opponent was “Cage Rage” star Jordan Miller who’s current form suggested that this would be a classic encounter.
Both men squared up and Lawson blasted in with a flying knee to the head. Miller dealt with it accordingly and came back with a right hand that nailed Lawson, dropping him to the canvas. Miller pounced but Lawson recovered quickly. Both men became entangled on the canvas until Miller was lifted and slammed back to the ground. Punches were exchanged on the floor until Lawson passed guard for the full mount position and began the ground and pound. Millers arm became unexpectedly available and Lawson took advantage by locking on the arm bar for a quick early submission.
A great win for Jeff Lawson against the sporting Jordan Miller.
In the other MMA bout, Glen Winslade]]. Cox had been very verbal on the various MMA forums calling out both Winslade and Jeff Lawson. However, tonight was not his night as Winslade destroyed him in just over a minute, forcing an arm bar that will probably put Cox out of action for the next three months.
The big heavyweights James Richardson (SDCS Bmth) and Keith Adams (Dorchester Kickboxing) served up a real treat in their four round war of will and attrition.
Both men were surprisingly agile for their size with head kicks being exchanged along with big heavy bombs from each hand.
Richardson was dropped early with one of those kicks but he got straight back up to push Adams to the limit with solid combinations. It was a tit for tat battle and a question of who’s spirit would break first and by the end of the second it looked as though Adams was beginning to get tired.
The third round was more of the same and although Adams looked unsteady on his feet, it was just fatigue and he was in no danger. As the shots reigned in, he continued to fire back but Richardson was now getting the upper hand in the exchanges.
The last part of the contest was dominated by Richardson who, following the knockdown in the first, needed to make sure he was on top if there was to be any chance of victory.
At the final bell the audience were on their feet in appreciation as the victory went to James Richardson. This was a true crowd pleaser.
Trevor Soko (Bulldog Gym) is currently unbeaten as a Thai Boxer but stepped in at the last moment to replace an injured Rob White against Puma Kickboxing’s Eric Laffin. Laffin had scored a sensational last round KO against White at the previous Absolute Adrenaline event and this was billed as the grudge re-match. Soko knew he was up against it having not competed under Kickboxing rules before but still took the fight straight to Laffin.
This was a nice display of Kickboxing from both men. Soko made sure that the Laffin bombs stayed away from his chin but it didn’t stop them coming. As they glanced off of the Bulldog fighter’s tight defence you couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if one got through.
As it turned out, Soko had a little more experience and continually backed up his opponent, clocking up the points to score a comfortable victory.
In the three show openers of the evening Gordon Linton (Bulldog Gym) beat Tom Lawson (Dorchester Kickboxing) on points in a tasty battle of two youngsters (both 15) with a bright future.
Nick Richardson (SDCS Bmth) beat Chris James (All Or Nothing Bridgwater), also on points.
Local Colin McIntyre made a good start but was stopped in the third by Lithuanian Arunus Andrius.
If you have never been to an “Absolute Adrenaline” experience, it’s probably about time you did. The event is one of the most polished and professional showcases for full contact martial arts that you will ever see. It sits firmly in the top three promotions in the UK and the attention to detail in every area from the VIP set up to the big screen entertainment is second to none.
“Absolute Adrenaline – New Blood” returns to Bournemouth in March and features the return of double world champion John Orchard.
