In anticipation to a long awaited M.M.A. event Closed Combat Arenas aptly labelled “Put up or shut up” did in fact come up with goods. On Thursday the 27th of March at the Mayfair centre Seaton Carew in Hartlepool the stars shone brightly. Top Jiu Jitsu, Kick/Thai boxing, wrestling and boxing athletes came Together to compete under one roof in one cage. The first section into the cage was the Kick and Thai boxing sections, there was no shortage of action here.

If I’m honest some of the best Thai and kick boot fights to date, C.C.A.s Kristina Peek was up against Jen Walsh of Newcastle kickboxing this was a good fight with both ladies putting on their stamp at the end we gave it an exhibited draw well done.

Up next we saw newcomer Brett Ramshaw of C.C.A. up against Matt Fidler in the 77kilo Thai Section from Sor Thankiful Newcastle, this fight was a showcase to their hardwork with some fine exchanges from both sides. The fight did in fact go the distance with Fidler taking a very close decision, Ramshaw proved his mettle far beyond my expectations.

We then moved on to a kickboxing bout between John Atkins Nick Clougher of the Advanced Fighting Centre of Newcastle and Karl Pugh of C.C.A. in this 84 kilo section fight, from the off Clougher of A.F.C. Newcastle came out on the offensive with some fine kicking skills but the Cyborg never deviated from his goal, guard up highand chipped away at Cloughers defence, eventually Pugh knocked his opponent down and Clougher did appear at one point to come back in fine style with some exceptional kicking only to be knocked down once again by Karl Pugh in the 2nd round.

Finally in the Kick/Thai boxing section we had an all out war between top super kicker Danny Thompson and Andy Hanlon top C.C.A. Thai fighter. This was a good all out fight with some exceptional exchanges and counter offensive strategy from both fighters at the end of the 3 rounds Hanlon took the decision based on the more offensive style and dynamic leg kicks.

The next section was the Amateur MMA first up was Michael Lund at 68 kilos of C.C.A. Hartlepool up against P.F.S. fighter Simon Ng this was a good fight that went the distance with some good upright striking, Mr Ng appeared to have the upper hand in round one but Lund of the C.C.A. proved he was no one’s mug with some fine takedowns and jiu jitsu on the floor, I had Lund winning these fight, 2 rounds up in all honesty.But a unanimous draw was in fact given... I don’t argue with judges.

The next fight was C.C.A.s James Fleet up against Alfas Miah in the 63 kilo section from the Fighting Fit gym, Fleet continually on the attack from the striking point of view then the fight went to the floor and Fleet fell for Miahs arm bar giving him a tap out in the First round.

Adam Mossap of P.F.S. was up next in the 88 kilo section up against Kristian Warham of the A.C.C. This was a long hard fight that went the distance with even finishes throws and groundwork from both sides the final result was a draw.

Mark Pendlington was up next From C.C.A. up against P.F.S. fighter Henry Jack, this fight was a long hard one with Pedlington launching a continual attack from top bottom and this was the pace of the fight for the 3 rounds Pedlington would Put a finish and Jacks tenacity would allow him to escape, Finally Pedlingtons hard work paid off he took the decision.

Next up was newcomer Christopher O'Keefe C.C.A. newcomer up against Caged Steel’s Amir Azam, both guys from the off were up for it. O’Keefes style was worked out early buy Azzam the fight went the distance with Caged Steel taking the decision, Wally you did fine this was just the beginning. Well done to Amir.

At the 75 kilo section next up was C.C.A. fighter Matt Fleet up Against Andy Treen of M.J.J.C. Fleet launched the attack and appeared to have the upper hand on the upright but it went to the floor and no matter how hard Fleet struggled with treen’s arm bar the outcome was a first round tap out.

In the final section of this part the 95 kilo fighters went to war in a fine display of Jiu jitsu technical ability between the winner Damian Rounding of Caged Steel and the eventual runner up Chris Douglas of Phoenix MMA.

Now was the turn of the Semi Professional mma exponents, first into the cage was Kalum Lodge at 60 kilos of the C.C.A. in this grudge match up against M.J.J.C. s Elliot McGlade. All I can say about this fight was if you blinked you would have missed it Lodges punching attacks were phenomenal but McGlades grappling skills were unbelievable with the eventual guillotine choke in the first round. Quick, but a fantastic fight from both sides.

Next up was a battle of the 90 kilo giants in the shape of C.C.A.s power puncher Malcolm Maize against John Atkins A.F.C. fighter Keith Kennedy, Maize launched his attack from the start catching Kennedy with a fine punch which appeared to rock him this was the state of the art for most of the fight it was all give and take, I was Impressed with Kennedys cool and his leg kicks. This was a good war from both sides Kennedy took the win with a T.K.O. and if this is what Maize is capable of i can’t wait to see his next fight.

Here was the turn of the lightweights at the 60 kilo section between that of ‘Ice Cool’ C.C.A. man Thomas Izzett and Oobie Rahman of Fighting Fit. From the off this was a striking game ,Rahmans kicking ability was exceptional the fight was a melange of kick and punch combinations from both sides... then it went to the floor with Izzett at this point taking the upper hand,at this point the fight turned around and Rahman pulled out a strategic arm bar to win the fight in the first... I d love to see these two fight off again i was impressed, is that Possible?

Next up in this section was two 84 kilo fighters in the shape of C.C.A.s Mike Young up against A.F.C.s Shaun Crawford this fight from its beginnings was going to be quick both to up a offensive strategy it went to the floor Crawford took the game up getting top control of Young, Young turned it around and got a rear naked choke. Well done to both fighters a fine tough fight.

Peter Biggins at 83 kilos from C.C.A. was up against top jiu jitsu stalwart and all-round cool guy Rob Hughes of M.J.J.C. Biggins intentions I believe was to win this one on his feet but it didn’t go that way in a lot of respects. Biggins on the attack it went to the ground and Rob Hughes pulled out arm bar from his back despite attempts to free himself Biggins couldn’t escape good fight, firstround tap out.

The Finale was a Professional Mma fight in the 84 kilos section between Independent fighter Gary Firby of Newcastle and C.C.A.s golden boy Ian Cooper. This was a good old fashioned tear up. Cooper came out in his own relaxed style of boxing Firby came out to kick ass. Cooper launched a combination flurry of punches after feeling the guy, out which hit Firby, Firby responded with a hook punch which put Cooper on his bottom. Quick as he could Cooper drove for Firbys legs to take him out and ground and pound in fine style. Just another day at the office, well done both fighters.

Source: www.closedcombatarena.co.uk