Despite the lure of the Rugby World Cup Final, a healthy crowd turned up at the Doncaster Dome for Ultimate Force 7. They were rewarded with the four ingredients that have been common to recent shows at the Dome: excitement, skill, an electric atmosphere and a French victory.
Proudly wearing Tricolour shorts, David Baron showed all his experience to take the honours in his clash with Abdul Mohamed. The two highly ranked lightweights soon ended up against the fence, with Abdul standing over the grounded Frenchman. Abdul piled on the pressure, but was unable to breach Baron’s defences. Baron, who has been in with the world’s best, kept his opponent at bay with strikes from his back. During one of these exchanges, a Baron elbow opened a cut over Abdul’s right eye. The position of the cut forced the doctor to call the fight off.
Abdul has a history of getting cut. A top class campaigner like Baron no doubt factored this into his game plan. A win’s a win and there’s no point in crying over spilt blood. Full marks to Ultimate Force for bringing over a top notch foreign name. Getting this kind of meaningful big fight on can only be good for the sport.
Mick Sinclair overcame Ian Jones in a war that went the distance. Sinclair showcased some impressive slams and strikes in the first two rounds. Despite taking some punishment, Jones was never overwhelmed and countered with energy sapping guillotine attempts. After a brutal clinch knee exchange at the start of the third, both fighters were running out of gas. With their hands dropping, the pair both tried to end the contest with spectacular head kicks. None connected and Sinclair deservedly got the nod from the judges.
When the history of UK Mixed Martial Arts is written, whoever does the section on Paul Jenkins will end up with writer’s cramp. This time he didn’t have enough on the night against Doncaster’s Jason Ball. Ball dropped Jenkins with a sharp left hand before forcing the tap with a Rear Naked Choke. One thing is certain - Jenkins will be back.
Another local favourite, Clive Moore, submitted the very game debutant Lukasz Paropiec. Moore was willing to take a few shots as he went for the takedown. With the pair on the canvas, Moore unleashed countless heavy right hands to Paropiec’s head before attempting a guillotine. Lukasz escaped but got caught in Moore’s half guard. Another barrage of rights followed, this time leading to a rear naked choke. Paropiec resisted as long as possible before tapping.
Wayne Murray and Clifford Hall had a hugely entertaining scrap. In just over four hectic minutes, the pair went at it and between them tried every move in the book (and a few that are too risky for the book). The contest ended when Murray gained side control and bombed the resistance out of Hall before gaining the submission by way of rear naked choke. Following on from his stunning win over Djamel Moula at the last Ultimate Force, Wayne Murray is quickly establishing himself as a rising star of the promotion. He fights in an all action style and finishes fights- what’s not to love. Having said that, it takes two to tango and Cliff Hall will be welcome on any card on this showing.
Team Machine’s Chris Charlton put in a dominant performance against the always brave Gary Savage. Charlton showed good hand speed early on to put Savage on the deck against the fence. Charlton got into mount and continued the onslaught until the ref dragged him off.
Billy Saul could not get away from the long legs of Robin Robson. Anyway he turned, there always seemed to be a triangle waiting for him. Both fights ended with arm bar submissions.
Diane Berry made it two quick wins in two Ultimate Force appearances. The doctor decided that the cut over Lisa Newton's eye was bad enough to call a halt to the match inside a minute.
Semi Pro
Michael Lamb submitted Scott Askerm in the second round of a gruelling contest. The match was memorable for the noise made throughout by Askerm’s hugely enthusiastic supporters.
Another man with a vocal fan club, Linton Vassell, pulled off a slick Kimura to defeat Ian Tobell.
