A huge welcome to the Cagewarriors Jungle for the Brazilian Behemoth Zuluzinho Zuluzinho, whilst The Outlaw strikes again against Spanish opposition

I was looking forward to attending this event, mainly because I wanted to witness the success of what is a more than deserving team of promoters and staff.  I was interested to see the change in arena set up and the presence of a more workable number of security staff.  Speaking with Dougie Truman (The CWFC President) before the show the enthusiasm and commitment this man has for UK MMA can only be matched with the mileage Ian (Dean) must cover running the floor.
The arena filled well even in such good weather, I guess being on an ice rink has its benefits and it was straight into the action.

Mick Whitty Vs Toni Vivas

The first fight was a middleweight match up with Toni Vivas against Mick Whitty. Whitty representing the CWFC team, the Wolfslair gym. Initial exchanges saw Whitty looking to have great potential on his feet, sensing this; Vivas looked to tie him up early on.  Some good clinch work by both fighters led to a takedown attempt by Whitty but resulted in a loss of position to half-guard. 
Some scrambling moves the fight back to the feet with Whitty again trying to impose himself on Vivas.  With KO power ominous in Whitty’s hands more clinch-work follows.  Suddenly a powerful hip toss sees Whitty mounted on Vivas and in close proximity to the cage. A powerful burst of ground and pound sees the fight stopped and the Wolfslair man victorious at 4:49secs of round one.

Winner – Mick Whitty via TKO/Ref Stoppage (Ground and Pound), 4:49, round 1

Gregory Bouchelaghem Vs Robert Mitchell

Fight number two saw Gregory Bouchelaghem versus Rob Mitchell. This fight was to hit the floor early on with Bouchelaghem looking for and getting a double leg.  Some good groundwork by both men saw reversals of position and Mitchell working inside Bouchelaghem’s guard.  It seemed like both men were nullifying anything thrown at each other.
The second round followed much the same script as the first, both fighters looking hungry but eventually the Frenchman’s ground skills got the better of Mitchell. Some fast positional changes saw the back mount secured almost as quickly as the rear-naked choke that finished the fight. 

Winner – Gregory Bouchelaghem via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), 3:41, round 2

Dan Hardy Vs Lautaro Arborelo

At this point in the evening it was time for the Outlaw, Dan Hardy could be a show stealer.  Entering the octagon looking like a bandit from the streets of Compton with a bandana obscuring his face, it was obvious he was here to rumble as he took on Lautaro Arborelo in the third fight of the night.
The first round was on and Dan again looked liked he was going to be a danger on his feet.  Arborelo worked out very quickly not to stand with Hardy and shoots early on into the round.  A good takedown sees some great work by Dan to get to his feet and Arborelo instantly looks to keep the clinch. Hardy worked well to take back control but Arborelo sunk a kimura grip, with Hardy pounding his legs with knees time runs out on the first.

Round 2 saw one of the most bizarre things I have witnessed in a cage. Both fighters obviously respecting each other had been smiling and touching gloves with alarming regularity. Out of nowhere Arborelo moves to touch Hardy’s glove smiling and throws some lightning fast fists during the sporting gesture, luckily for Hardy who has his wits about him nothing came of it.  An unusual tactic from the Spaniard I am not sure he chose the right opponent to play games with.  The round works itself out to a similar finish, Hardy looking strong on his feet and Arborelo looking to negate the striking game.

Round 3 contained a highlight reel slam by Arborelo on Hardy, which would stun most fighters, but this seemed to just re-energise the Outlaw.  It was time for Hardy to do what he does best and he began to batter the Spaniard.  Hardy looked efficient and fired some strong powerful combos and some good kicks.  Quickly he had driven Arborelo against the cage and the TKO looked imminent, so Hardy having almost had a glint of a Chuck Liddell in his eyes changes to Matt Hughes and drops for a single leg.
But Hardy gives up his dream of revenge for the takedown and stands back up and unleashes what is to be the last nail in the coffin drilling continued head kicks into the tough Spanish fighter to gain the win via referee stoppage.
Winner – Dan Hardy via TKO/Ref Stoppage (Strikes), 3:52, round 3

This was a great fight, Arborelo looked tough and willing, and Hardy looked composed and exuded professionalism. Hardy just got the edge and dominated well.

Dan Hardy is a promoter’s dream, a true showman with potential looking like he is developing the class to go with it.  It will be interesting to see what he picks up in the USA from Team Quest.

The next passage of fights saw Thomas Valentin take on Ross Pointon, Tom Niinimäki versus Danny Batten for the Featherweight title, Moise Rimbon against Henrique Nogueira and Levente Varga versus David Brown.

Thomas Valentin Vs Ross Pointon

Round one of Valentin versus Pointon started well for the Gladiator who looked dominant through some fierce ground and pound through the guard of Valentin.  A couple of quick reversals and again Pointon looks strong punching but doesn’t seem to be causing too much damage.  In the second round the fight hits the ground and Pointon demonstrates some great submission escapes to avoid a kimura. The fight moves close to the cage and again Valentin locks in a kimura, with nowhere to roll Pointon is forced to tap out. .
Winner – Thomas Valentin via Submission (Kimura), 2:17, round 2

Danny Batten Vs Tom Niinimäki

The featherweight title fight was much anticipated after Batten’s superb submission win over the talented former champion Fernandez.  Niinimaki looked imposing by standing up and cutting the ring off well, but Batten meets the challenge and counters continually.  The rounds continued much in this fashion with Batten earning more and more respect from the Finn. 
A big shot in the fourth dropped Batten, but a professional recovery saw Batten attacking the legs of Niinimaki and distracting him enough to regain his composure well.  The final round again saw respect from both men, and no clear domination. As the fight drew on Batten gained confidence and was a match for Niinimaki this was reflected in the judge’s decision.  You have to clearly dominate a champion and Niinimaki looked menacing but never ultimately troubled the champ and Batten retained his title after going the distance.
Winner – Danny Batten via Majority Decision after 5 rounds (49-46, 49-48, 48-47)
(Danny Batten retains the CWFC Featherweight Title)

Moise Rimbon Vs Henrique Nogueira

Moise Rimbon looked confident as he walked to the octagon, and with good reason. Being informed Henrique was a former sparring partner of Ricardo Arona gave me hope of great things from this fight. It was not to be, as Rimbon imposed himself quickly and ‘Chocolate’ Noguiera worked well with the Frenchman on the ground.  Towards the end of the first round a tight heel hook looks to have the Brazilian’s number on it but Nogueira defends well and time is called.  However early in the second round a bomb from Rimbon drops Nogueira and he is clearly dazed as some punishing strikes dispatch him in style.
Winner – Moise Rimbon via TKO/Ref Stoppage (Strikes), 0:30, round 2

In the only fight I have seen a fighter stood up from the mount position Levente Varga from Carlson Gracie Hungary won a split decision over a braveDavid Brown.
Winner – Levente Varga via Spilt Decision after 3 rounds (28-29, 30-28, 30-28)

Miika Mehmet Vs Michael Bisping

The next fight saw Miika Mehmet taking on Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping for the Cagewarriors Light-Heavyweight title.
Mehmet looked psyched up heading to the ring and this was evident in his ‘cyborgesque’ flurry at Bisping.  Bisping dealt with this well but ended up being bundled to his back. With the quality of the training Bisping has had throughout his career and now the BJJ instruction available to him at the Wolfslair he is demonstrating a ‘complete’ game.
Active from the bottom he never looked in any trouble. Working back to his feet well he decided enough was enough and nailed Mehmet with a big punch, and finished the Finn with some ferocious ground and pound.  
Winner – Michael Bisping via TKO/Ref Stoppage, (Ground and Pound), 3:01, round 1
(Michael Bisping retains the CWFC Light-Heavyweight Title)

The Count is slowly gaining celebrity status in the UK MMA scene and his hard work and ability to turn it up makes him a worthy champ.

Nelson Semedo Vs Ross Mason

The next fight was a middleweight contest between Nelson Semedo and Ross ‘the Boss’ Mason. The first round saw some strong clinch work from both fighters and some good exchanges on the feet.  Eventually Semedo manages to force the fight to the ground but again both fighters match each other’s efforts.

In the second round Mason is advancing well and in a strange coincidence Dan Hardy next to me is saying ‘keep your chin down Ross’ the next thing is an explosive punch dropping him to the canvas.  A dazed and confused Mason looks finished and Marc Goddard seems ready to step in however Mason snaps it back and composes himself before getting Semedo to the floor and moves into the Portuguese’s guard.
Unfortunately blood is now pouring from Mason’s nose and Goddard wants it checked. The fight restarts after the blood is cleared but the flow just won’t stop and Goddard stops the fight to protect the fighter.

Winner – Nelson Semedo, Ref Stoppage (Cuts) 1:49, round 2

An unfortunate but safe and necessary end to what was a good fight with both fighters looking willing to bang, maybe a rematch in the future?

Leigh Remedios Vs Emmanuel Fernandez

Next up was the much-anticipated bout between Leigh Remedios and Emmanuel Fernandez.  Both fighters entered the octagon looking like they had a purpose.  The fight started well and it was obvious straight away that Remedios had been training his stand up game hard with the Quannum team.  An extremely capable pair of grapplers Remedios and Fernandez soon looked to work some technical clinches against the cage.  Punches and knees were almost exchanged in an “you go, I’ll go” pattern but neither fighter lost the determination and the fight moved back and forth to the end of round one.
Round two saw a rapid takedown by Fernandez straight into an equal reversal by Remedios.  The stand up exchange continued with both fighters seeming well versed in countering what was coming their way.  Some good kicks found the target from both fighters.  It was clear that a cerebral fight was being fought as the round timed out.
Round three saw Remedios and Fernandez again working the clinch to great effect, neither fighter able to fully breach the defence of the other.  The stand up game again looking like each fighter was effectively negating the other.  This extremely technical fight was to go the distance and to leave the result in the judge’s hands.
It was in my opinion very hard to separate these fighters. It was a clever fight each with a good game plan worked out. I am not sure how the fighters feel, but a draw seemed a fair result. 
Result - Draw (28-30, 29-28, 29-29)

Zuluzinho Zuluzinho Vs Rafal Dabrowski

Welcome to the land of the giants, as I was sat right by the entrance watching these monsters enter the Octagon for me was a highlight of the evening.  Rafal Dabrowski was big; I mean really big, the real surprise was that Zuluzinho Zuluzinho was bigger, much bigger.  I had overheard the paramedics saying that they had to use a leg blood pressure cuff to take Zuluzinho Zuluzinho’s blood pressure at the medical.  The entire Wolfslair team who sat with us in the press area were excited about this fight, with very good reason.

This fight kicked straight off into a slugfest, the chins displayed by both fighters in the first minutes were impressive.  Both fighters moved around the ring stalking the other dropping bomb after bomb on each other.  The focus switched to Zuluzinho Zuluzinho as he started to gain the upper hand and his grin followed by a face of pure evil intent moved the Pole onto the back foot. As round one timed out we were waiting for round two on the edge of our seats.

Round two saw Zuluzinho Zuluzinho looking tired compared to the Pole but we were about to witness something, as the fight moved closer to the cage and both fighters clinched, a thunderous uppercut from Zuluzinho Zuluzinho strikes the sweet spot and drops Dabrowski to the floor.  It was over the moment he hit the floor and Zuluzinho Zuluzinho finished the fight with ease.  Almost running back to the middle of the cage Zuluzinho Zuluzinho drops to his back ala Carol Uno and the excitement and cheering by the crowd is matched by the celebrations of the Wolfslair team!

Winner – Zuluzinho Zuluzinho via KO, (Punch), 2:04, round 2

All credit to Dabrowski for getting in the ring with this man, both fighters had great heart and iron chins. But the question is who is next for this behemoth?

The main event of the evening was next as Martin Kampmann fought the CWFC Middleweight Champion Matt Ewin.

Martin Kampmann Vs Matt Ewin
Middleweight Championship Bout

The main event of the evening was to be a shockingly short affair.  After an initial feeling out session led to a flurry of strikes from both men.  Ewin ended up underneath Kampmann and looking comfortable.  However Kampmann worked his posture to strike through Ewin’s guard and dropped some big elbows down resulting in a tap out that it seemed only Marc Goddard saw.  A hush descended on the crowd. Ewin left the octagon obviously disappointed and we all hope not seriously injured as it appeared one of his eyes was closed completely.

Winner – Martin Kampmann via Submission (Strikes), 2:45, round 1
(Martin Kampmann wins the CWFC Middleweight Title)

The event was over, a well-organised evening with a good crowd; good set up and well delivered fights.  All of the fighters were a credit to the sport and Phil Walker did his usual outstanding job.  The stars of the evening are the warriors giving their all in the octagon, but we have to remember the men behind the scenes.  I believe they achieved what they wanted from this show.  After the unfortunate events at the last event it has been shown Cagewarriors can deliver the goods.
 
I can’t wait for the next one!