Independence Day proved difficult for the independent fighters of Rd 1 of season's two of the UK mma league, in Northampton.

Mma gyms, South Coast Submissions and Accrington Shootjutsu are currently fighting for the "Top mma club" spot with last year's winners Lumpini Gym just being them.

The leagues first round kicked off with an impressive 23ft cage supplied by GMATT, letting the 50-mma competitor's show off their mma skills in the cage.

Last season top mma club, Lumpini Gym, Started off an impressive start with having seven of there fighters winning 3 of their bouts, Lumpini senior instructor, Sean Toomy was delighted with his young fighters start to the new season, and said "he was looking forward to lift the top club award again at the end of the year". Dan Hope and Fred Harrington both topping the Middleweights division for the Lumpini Gym, will be training even harder for the next event in November.

The star of the show went to 67 years old Peter Griffiths; yes that's correct 67 years old. Peter trains under Neil McLeod, from the McLeod gym in Nottingham, and has being speaking to the league promoter for around 6 months to see if Peter could compete at his age, and with having the event so near to Peter's hometown, Peter jumped at the chance to compete.

The League's senior matchmaker Scott Pooley, Said, "were getting a lot of request from all sort of fighters, young and old, many female's also wanting to compete in the league. Peter has being eger to compete and after a quick medical he was fit to fit. The crowd loved him, Peter didn't get the win's that he wanted but loved having the experience of fighting in the cage", Peter's quipped "is that a world record for the oldest mma fighter in the cage".

Strong contenders to lift the top mma club award this year is Accrington Shootjitsu, club instructor, Jimmy Hey, fighters will possible dominate the lower weight categories with all his guys being under the welterweight division. Accrington shoot managed to win 5 of their bouts. Chris Dixon Accrington Shootjutsu is topping the leader board of the featherweight division and Jimmy Hey tops the lightweight division.

Fastest tap-out of the day went to Lightweight contender Brett O'Brien from South coast Submissions with an impressive 0.43 second Guillotine, South coast submission senior instructor "Big" Brian "Big" Adams was happy with his boys start in Rd 1, and will try to push his guys further in this years competition, Brian Adams, said "being at the top of your game is not easy, with good competitions like the league polishing up all the new guys, every competitor is chasing to be the best, and the experience the guys get from the mma league is vital to improving the boys game". Dan Childs and Jason Gillis South coast Submissions, both top the Welterweight category with both guys winning their bouts.

And newcomers to the league Chris "FW" Martin, The Grip House, from Scotland, also proved the league is right for him with two draws on the day. Chris said that the five-hour car journey was worth it to compete, as this is the only amateur mma competition giving you the chance to fight in a cage.

Kettering Shootfighters also give there five fighters an outing, with last seasons Middleweight Andy Draper aiming to improve and win weight division, but only managed to hold Fred Harrington, Lumpini gym off to force a draw. Kettering shootfighters managed two wins from James Styles and Sam Weller winning their bouts.

Matthew Macguire, Andy Nugents gym wants' resolution after being piped to second position in last year's lightweight final. Matt managed a draw and win.

Another new comer to the league Christopher Fensom Warrior MMA pulled off an exciting win against Darren Moody, from the Lumpini Gym, in the Light heavyweight division, with a 4.47 Rear Naked choke to put him second in the tables behind Marco Crispini Lumpini Gym, who currently holds on to the top position, Marco was in the finals of last season Light heavyweight, and will be looking to capitalize on his team team-mates loss.

Veteran fighter & League promoter Andy Walker started the league in 2007, for new mma guys to get the much-valued experience required for this growing sport. Competing in the league is helping give each fighter the ring craft required, and also helping them with the tools that go with fighting with the sport before turning pro. Andy Says "the coaches play the biggest part of the development of their fighters with giving them the chance to compete in amateur events like the league, giving them constant support and up to date training method, techniques, diets etc, and steering them to competing on a bigger world stage wide". Walker believes that this competition is crucial for the development of British fighters. Walker is now excited about the future prospects for the finals in April 2010.

The league is working closely with Fighters Inc promoters, Paul Alderson to put on an even bigger and more impressive final at next years Seni show.

Round two is in Yorkshire at the Caged Steel gym on the 7th November.