Phil Baroni Gets Headbutted at Cage Rage

Disgraceful scenes marred the latest Cage Rage event - when a fighter was headbutted by his opponent’s brother after his fight.

The “New York Badass” Phil Baroni has decided not to press charges following an assault on him at Wembley Arena on Saturday night – witnessed by millions on live TV. But Cage Rage officials have banned the brother of his defeated opponent, Scott Janson, attending future fights following the incident at Cage Rage 27: Step Up presented by EliteXC.

First the American bangs out Janson in a blistering battle which lasted just 3 minutes 18 seconds of round 1. Then as he checks on Jansen’s condition he fends off an attacker that without warning headbutted the 32 year old. Baroni, who was fighting at Welterweight for the very first time, badly needed a victory following three back to back defeats. A sanguine Baroni has decided to let the matter rest.

“These things happen.” Said Baroni. “It must be tough to see a loved one get knocked out like that. Emotions ran high. I want to put this behind me.”

Dave O’Donnell, Cage Rage Co-Promoter said: “We launched an immediate investigation in to cage side security – and have issued a ban on a member of Scott’s family attending future fights.

“This should not have happened. Baroni has shown a lot of dignity throughout. Many fighters might have responded and escalated the situation".

“It was great to see the guys in the bar after the fight shaking hands and joking".

“The incident is now closed.”

The Wembley crowd and viewers on Nuts TV witnessed a night of MMA action.

In the battle of the big boys Neil "Goliath" Grove wore down Ferryhill’s Robert "Buzz" Berry. In the long awaited rematch Berry had the better of an exciting first round but failed to make his advantage count.

Round two sees Grove land a right left combination that took the wind out of Berry’s sails then moved in for the kill landing some hefty shots on his prone opponent with the referee calling it a night 1 minute 28 seconds.

Mustapha al Turk carried off the vacant British Heavyweight title overpowering a much fancied James McSweeney in the first round. Al-Turk gave the referee no option but to step in when took the fight to the floor and rained blows on his downed opponent.

Robbie Oliver retained his British Featherweight title finally getting the upper hand against Ashleigh Grimshaw and executing a rear naked choke in the fifth minute of the second round.

Tom "Kong" Watson cruised to a relatively comfortable win against John Phillips catching the judges eyes in an encounter that went the distance.

Stavros "Crazy F'n Bear" Economou roared to victory in a three round thriller which brought the crowd to its feet slamming Polish Piotr Kusmierz to all corners of the cage. His extraordinary efforts earned Economou a unanimous decision from the judges.

City Whizz kid, Francis Hegany, faced his own credit crunch in the cage failing to take the vacant lightweight title. Jason Young let go both barrels out punching and out manoeuvring the Northern Irishman in a three round war of attrition earning him a unanimous decision.