This event unfortunately is going to draw attention for all the wrong reasons. The disturbing scenes at the end of the event will ruin what was an otherwise unprecedented step in UK MMA.

The punishment of all the ‘true’ fans by the action of the few will surround what is a truly exciting sport in controversy for a while to come.

However for the ‘true’ fan it was a spectacular night, each fight living up to its billing, every fighter giving it their all in the true spirit of MMA.  The UFC originally showcased the talents of some of the world’s greatest martial artists. MMA is a sporting arena designed to showcase athleticism, determination, courage and respect.  Both the French and UK teams showed this in abundance last night.

Dougie Truman is a true UK MMA statesman, embracing the need to further the UK’s presence in the new world order of MMA. Creating waves by splitting the promotion, encouraging UK talent and moving to a larger and more spectacular venue. All this on his wedding anniversary, it was another touch of class to make a presentation to his wife at the start of the show.

The initial circle of opponents in the cage at the beginning of the show drew me back to the half circle line of opponents often faced in karate sparring, and it was a demonstration of respect between the fighters. Especially Bendy Casmir who it appears was intent on shaking everyone in the arenas hand.

By now the Skydome was full to the roof, and everyone was ready to rumble ‘boooooo’.

The SkyDome Arena ready for action

Mohamed El-Aouji vs. Chris Freebourne
Lightweight Bout

Chris Freebourne is a man on an MMA mission.  Unafraid to take any fight at any time the Cage Gym trained fighter is a superb example of the modern day warrior.  His opponent Mohamed El-Aouji a training partner of the ever-present Riccio family was always going to be a tough match, especially on two hours notice.

The match started from distance whilst each fighter felt the other out.  A good punch from El-Aouji lead to a clinch from which the French fighter took back control whilst standing and attempted to throw a head kick to the ‘Freak’, a novel tactic I hadn’t seen before.

Freeborn did well and did not look out of place until he succumbed to a takedown and quickly closed guard, El-Aouji looked to work some elbows ala Team Quest but Freeborn controlled the distance well and prevented any serious damage.  A stand up from the ref intervened but the fight was quickly back to the floor with El-Aouji looking for an armbar that wasn’t there.  At the end of the round the Frenchman had looked dangerous striking, but Freeborn had easily matched El-Aouji’s efforts with a solid defence and determined spirit.

Round two saw some more confidence from Freeborn and a good leg kick rocked El-Aouji, followed by a right hand that if had fully connected may have made a difference.  A trip takedown ended the promise of a stand up war and crucially El-Aouji had improved by landing in side mount.  Moving swiftly for the mount it looked bad for the UK fighter, even though the ‘Freak’ drew a huge cheer with a swift reversal to the guard and a even bigger cheer when he slammed El-Aouji from inside the guard.  In a sudden change of fortune the French fighter slickly sunk in a triangle and got a quick finish at the half way mark of the second round.

Both fighters worked well and gave promise for what was to come. I look forward to seeing both of the fighter’s careers blossoming.

Winner – Mohamed El-Aouji via Submission (triangle) R2

Bendy Casimir vs. Dave Swann
Lightweight Bout

Bendy ‘Nemo’ Casmir did everything but look like his nickname, as he and Dave Swann both strode to the cage with a purpose. These fighters looked ready to go before the ref even dropped a ‘lets get it on’. An awesome left hand from Bendy set up the rest of the match, Swann looked rocked very early on and some excellent scrambling skills regained some composure for Swann whilst Bendy looked to finish.

Two Americana attempts were easily spun out of but some good forearms from Bendy looked to disrupt Swann’s rhythm.  Some good hip movement by Swann led to a reversal but more scrambling saw both fighters back on their feet.  A good takedown saw Bendy in a full mount and looking for a submission Bendy secured the head and arm triangle/side choke for the tap at 4:07 of the first round.

Some great composure by “Swanny” to regain himself after the initial punch and some persistent calm finishing by the powerful ‘Nemo’.  Having seen Swanny’s eye at the end of the night and speaking to him and being told that “I couldn’t see in one eye after that punch, but he could not hurt me” he did very well.

Lookout for “Nemo” and “Swanny” in the future.

Winner – Bendy Casmir via Submission (side choke) 4:07 R1

Boris Jonstomp vs. Jimmy Wallhead
Middleweight

Boris Jonstomp looked imposing warming up, and Jim Wallhead matched him with a charged ring entrance looking like a F1 car as he accelerated into the cage ready to go to war.  These guys were fuelled up and ready to burn.

Wallhead started fast and got two fine takedowns but was well met by some good defense from Jonstomp and as they both fell Wallhead landed in a poor position with Jonstomp looking to sink a rear naked choke quickly.  Wallhead repeatedly fought out of numerous submission attempts and looked good in defening this ground attack.

As all grapplers know defence can sometimes burn energy and whilst composed Wallhead looked tired as the French fighter worked to the mount.  Never really looking to strike to damage Jonstomp was working to a plan looking for a submission, but an elbow opened a tiny cut and Wallhead turned to his back.  Jonstomp moved quickly to sink a rear naked choke and this time it stuck, with a poor angle to defend his neck Wallhead tapped at 4:20 of the first round.

A very entertaining fight with Submission being matched by defence. A tough fight for Wallhead and again two very promising talents to watch out for.

Winner – Boris Jonstomp via Submission (neck crank) 4:20 R1

David Baron vs Dan Hardy
Welterweight

Dan Hardy of the Roughhouse gym is one of the UK’s rising stars, David Baron is current Shooto European champion and 6-0-0 in MMA.  Baron is a tough Judo man and Hardy a Thai fighter, this was a classic match up and a classic match.

Grappler Vs striker is always a good fight, but many-fancied Hardy to have more than a punchers chance in this one which was to be a card stealer.  Some may say this was the fight of the evening.

Both fighters worked the distance well and with Baron looking for a takedown, he forced the match to the floor finishing in Hardy’s half-guard.  With his strong Judo talent Baron looked for an armbar/omo-plata combination.  Hardy defended well from a tough position and got the crowd roaring as he fought off some determined attempts for the sub.  The Frenchman moved to take Hardy’s back but gained no joy from there as Hardy moved well to avoid danger.

Baron sensing Hardy’s growing confidence and skills worked from the mount to take the back and kept hunting for the Nottingham man's arm, but Dan kept robbing him of some tough sub attempts.  A triangle looked sunk but once again the valiant Hardy worked out and time was called on the round.  The crowd cheered as the fighters moved back to their corners and Baron looked dejected he hadn’t secured one of the subs.

Hardy came out for the second round and showed why he is rated so highly with two great strikes.  Sensing a stand up confrontation Baron replied with a flurry of hands and Hardy ducked under for the single leg.  Baron looked for a guillotine, it was never there and Hardy keeps looking for the takedown. Working hard and inspired by the now bellowing masses Hardy and Baron begin the chess game of sub attempts and defence until for some reason Baron looks for a leg lock.  Much to the delight of the UK contingent as Hardy’s eyes light up and some furious strikes rain down on the Frenchman.  Quick to notice the danger from his fast hands Baron pulls the fight to the floor and works some good ground skills again looking for an arm.

You can see the confidence growing in Hardy as he steps out for the third and final round.  A good stand up exchange leads to Hardy playing the guard game, Baron seems to not like this position and stands up quickly looking to menace from his feet.  However sometimes as Taktarov will testify this is very dangerous, especially with a striker like Hardy.  An up-kick rocked the Frenchman back and Hardy looks for a TKO with a flurry of hard strikes.

But a very professional Baron recovered very well and moved to a butterfly guard quickly and used a swift set up for a triangle.  With the triangle sunk-in, the crowd cheered on Hardy hoping he would escape and although he made a brave attempt to defend and works out of it, Baron was able to sink it in deeper and the UK fighter tapped out after 3:10 secs of the third round.

At boiling point the crowd cheering and everyone applauding two superb fighters, this was beginning to look like the event could not get any better.  Two men had just gone to war on each other yet they can stand up and shake each other’s hands in a show of the respect they deserve. True MMA warriors.

Winner – David Baron via Submission (triangle) 3:10 R3

(Champion) Emmanuel Fernandez vs. Danny Batten
Cagewarriors Featherweight Title Fight (5x5 minute rounds)

Fernandez is a BJJ black belt, 5-0-0 in MMA and a member of the French Top Team.  Having beaten some of the UK’s best, Fernandez has the pedigree and the skills.  Danny Batten is a member of Ze Marcello UK and a well rounded BJJ stylist.  This title bout was full of promise when pen was put to paper.

Batten had the reach on Manu and the round started from distance, you could sense Manu was biding his time looking for the shoot and when it came Batten was catapulted into the cage.  Manu controlled Batten well and looked to strike but good hip movement and half guard work from Batten stopped any serious damage.

This was a classic ground game, one for the purist with both fighters showing why they hold high ranks in the classic Brazilian martial art.  Batten in particular looked for the omo-plata and triangle whilst Manu defended and dominated position very well.  Eventually Manu worked to side control but had lost the benefit of time and the round drew to a close.

Batten had obviously decided on a gameplan before the fight and his hard training was about to pay off.

Throughout the fight Batten threw submissions at Manu overloading him with attack after attack.  So it was no surprise to the people at my media table when in the second round another great takedown by Manu lead to Batten defending from the guard.  Manu looked to impose on Batten but his hips were too slick and a rapid triangle was locked on before the French fighter could blink.  The crowd erupted in a deafening roar as the UK took their first fight and Batten had tapped out one of the best champions seen in the UK.

Ze Marcello, Eduardo and company all knew of Danny’s skills, it is ironic that they led to the capture of the man renowned for his ground skills and his triangle choke.

A true champion, Manu congratulated the UK fighter and gave the limelight to the deserving new featherweight champ Danny Batten.  A great victory for Batten and both a shock to the French team and a spectacular end to Fernandez’s reign.

Winner – Danny Batten via Submission (triangle) 2:18 R2
Danny Batten wins the CWFC Featherweight Title

With the French up 4-1 at the break the promise of the first scheduled fights had warmed up the cold ice arena and what was to come thrilled and disappointed in one of the saddest incidents I have witnessed.

Gregory Bouchelaghem vs. Ross Pointon
Light Heavyweight Bout

The action resumed with Gregory Bouchelaghem taking on Ross Pointon. The man from the Gladiator gym Russell Crowe’d his way to the ring to the perfect theme tune.  Both men were set for confrontation in the octagon. Pointon looked dangerous on his feet throwing early and with good effect, Bouchelaghem quick on the uptake shot in and took it to the mat.

A common position found the UK man looking for a guillotine that was never there and using up a lot of energy in the process. However Ross ‘Maximus’ Pointon worked the floor to his advantage and frustrated Bouchelaghem into giving up position and a great reversal saw the Frenchman on his back.

Just as quickly as Bouchelaghem had known to shoot he looked straight away for a kimura which led to another reversal and grabbing the back of Pointon. This was to be the last reversal of fortune as the Frenchman got his hooks in and sunk a wicked rear naked choke to force the tap from the strong English gladiator at 4:10secs of the first round.

Something I don’t like is the WWE callouts of other fighters.  If your good you will have no problem attracting good fights.  Bouchelaghem looked good, so I was disappointed when he took the microphone and started a war of words. Leave your skill on the mat and let that call out your opponents.  It appears he wants Matt Ewin, but that is another story all together. Pointon can look at this fight with pride. He gave 100% and looks like another promising English fighter. I am looking forward to seeing his next efforts in the cage.

Winner – Gregory Bouchelaghem via Submission (rear naked choke) 4:10 R1

Marcus Tchinda vs. Antonio Silva

What can I say about Junior, the crowd adopted the ironically named fighter from Brazil like one of their own.  This guy is a powerhouse, he is 144kg of hell on two feet.  He could easily play a Bond villain and if his career does not take off in the cage, he can go looking for roles in Hollywood.  This however does not appear to be even in contention.

After the cheering subsided the two giants of the night squared off, Marcus Tchinda was not lacking in size himself and both fighters threw kicks with unseen grace for such large men.  Junior looked far more dangerous on his feet and moved around the octagon with a malevolent intent that the French fighter could not live with.

Hitting the ground the ever-menacing Junior stalked Tchinda with vicious strikes. But credit to the French giant he hung on until he appeared to stall by spitting out the mouth guard.  This bought the fight into Junior’s stand up world and Tchinda was gassed.  A floating mammoth of a left jab felled the giant and Junior leapt in and finished his man with some expert ground and pound  at the end of the first.

The Wolfslair man has finished Tengiz Tedoradze and Tchinda and is on his way to the big time, it will be interesting to see who will step up to fight this man. Muito Bom Sr. Silva!

Winner - Antonio Silva via Referee stoppage TKO (strikes) 3:03 R1

Cyrille Diabate vs. Michael Bisping
Light-Heavyweight Cage Kickboxing (3x3 minute rounds)

The next fight lined up MMA royalty as ‘The Count’ took on ‘The Snake’ in a cage kickboxing bout. Diabate is a tall rangy fighter and Bisping is a powerful looking light heavyweight this was to be the key factor in the four round war.
Bisping looked far more aggressive as he closed the gap and consistently attacked Diabaté.  The reach looking to be outdone at the onset, we were surprised Diabate looked so calm as Bisping’s aggression appeared to be getting the better of the counter puncher.  Diabate worked the Count’s body well but the first round was tough to score.

The script continued into the second and again Bisping looked to beat the reach, sensing a slow start Diabaté woke up and got his front kick and knees working to good effect bloodying Bisping and draining his energy.  The third was not so good for Bisping, ever the aggressor fatigue was leading to some good counter punching and more knees from the Snake.  As the fight drew to a close it was tough to call, Bisping was always moving forward and looked dominant but never made it count, the same could be said of the lazy counter striking from Diabaté.

So it went to a fourth round, this was too much to ask for Bisping unfortunately as he looked to move forwards and got picked off by a fighter with that little bit extra in the tank. Diabaté worked hard for the win.

Bisping looked good and if he can transfer his aggression with a bit more focus will make for great viewing in other events.  Diabaté won on experience and looked professional, however for entertainment you have to go with Bisping and his stand up wars with Mark Epstein lead me to believe ‘The Count’ is capable of aristocratic quality entertainment. I enjoyed watching Bisping and Diabate fight, both a credit to the sport and both very capable fighters.  How about an MMA rematch?

Winner – Cyrille Diabate via Decision after at the end of the first extra round.

Damien Riccio vs. (Champion) Matt Ewin
Cagewarriors Middleweight Title Fight (5x5 minute rounds)

At this point of the evening the controversy begins with the anticipated match between Damien ‘le Taureau’ Riccio and Matt Ewin.

Damien gets a lot of confusion from the UK fan base, I think because of his like for internet forums and a quick keyboard jaunt into flaming now and again. However the man has had serious back problems recovered well and obviously under all the bravado has the heart of a warrior, this man lives to fight. Riccio is an entertainer and the rematch with one of the UK’s golden boys Matt Ewin could have been then main event.

The first started with some good stand up exchanges and Riccio getting a solid leg kick in.  A single leg attempt was met with a good sprawl from Riccio and a strong base allowed Riccio to take Ewin’s back. A neat reversal from Ewin sees Riccio using an effective butterfly guard.  Riccio is defending strikes well and working for a kimura. Good ground exchanges see Ewin get to Riccio’s back but good skill from Riccio thwarts Ewin’s attempts to sink a rear naked choke.

In round two some great wrestling sees Ewin get a single leg to groin takedown this awesome takedown is met with an equally good scramble from Riccio and it’s back to the feet. Some strong clinch work leads back to the butterfly guard.

At this point in the fight Riccio is already suffering a small cut near his eye, nothing serious and the fight has continued. An elbow from Riccio leads to a small (but bleeding profusely) cut to the side of Ewin’s eye.

After a stoppage and clean up Ewin looks good to go, both fighters are happy and the position is reset in the butterfly guard. Some scrambling sees Riccio on top and using his elbow to strike down in a manner not dissimilar to Randy Couture's hand on face slide off fore arm strikes.  From my seat I cannot see clearly exactly what strikes are being used but it looks legit.  Blood is pouring out of Ewin and the Ref waves at hip height signalling another check of the cut. This however was misinterpreted as a TKO win for Riccio.  All chaos ensues, with both fighters needing to be separated and the octagon invaded by staff, corner men and paramedics.

It is at this point Ewin complains that Riccio used his fingers to open the cut further, and Grant Waterman examines both fighters at the request of the French ref.  If you can understand that about half an hour passes with no real obvious movement, other than two opposing camps disagreeing over everything and no clear video evidence, it may give you an indication as to why crowd frustration and discontent was growing.

It seems that in this fight the only winner is confusion and a no contest is called. We should all hope for a rematch along the lines of the way the fight was going. Both fighters have considerable skill and heart and obviously will never give up this makes for an exciting prospect in the future.  Riccio Vs Ewin 3 is not to be missed.

Result - No Contest

Emmanuel Marc vs Barrington Patterson
Main Event – Heavyweight Bout

The final bout of the night saw local boy Barrington Patterson step in against Emmanuel Marc in a heavy weight retirement fight.  It was at this point the lack of Skydome security presence saw the crowd converge on the octagon.  Nobody was to blame for the events that followed other than the drunken hooligans that started the fire burning.

The fight saw Barrington strong and dominating on his feet succumb to a strong Greco-roman type takedown from under hooks by Marc, who was exhibiting a graceful yet powerful wrestling style leading to full mount.  Some strikes lead to Barrington clinging on in hope of protecting himself from strikes. Whilst seen as stalling it effectively prevented Emmanuel causing too much damage. Not too exciting to watch but effective was keeping Patterson in the hunt.

The man from the bottom worked to guard and the French fighter escaped his clutches and delivered the blow that was to end Barrington’s and the events night. A massive right turned the lights off and another secured the KO from the alert Ref.

Winner – Marc Emmanuel via KO R1

It was at this point the discontent boiled over into shameless, ignorant violence. Whilst the paramedics are rushing into the octagon to revive a stricken warrior the now malicious crowd turn their attentions to launching bottles and objects into the octagon at the fighters and people attending to them.  Not only did this steal the limelight from the deserving Marc who showed great heart taking on the local boy it caused severe damage to the reputation UK MMA was building.

What proceeded the throwing of bottles can only be likened to the sick events that plagued British football in the past. As the fever pitch erupted fighting broke out and the overwhelmed security contingent had to turn to the riot police to bring their own version of pacifying to the situation.  It was ironic that as an innocent bystander stood away from the fighting a security guard decided I was a threat and tried to remove me from the arena. The real fighting caused some minor casualties and some damage to the arena.  The actual damage is to that of the promoters who have strived to bring UK MMA to the main stream.

It is important to learn from the bad and to take the good from a horrid situation. Let us hope the minority does not blind the eyes of the majority.  I will not dignify the actions of the few with any more words other than complete contempt for those who tried to destroy the sport we all love.  British culture must change and change soon.

If we want to perform amongst the elite within the sporting world we must change our attitudes towards winning and losing. 

Cagewarriors put on a good show. Dougie Truman showcased some great UK talent against solid international opposition. The forward thinking attitude of Dougie will go along way to advancing MMA in this country. If our fighters can develop the determination and skill shown tonight then there are exciting times ahead. Great credit to the French team for an exemplary, professional performance.

A couple of parting thoughts;

“When it is dark enough you can see the stars” Charles A. Beard.

“We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.” Nathaniel Greene