From the Promoter (Dedicated to Uncle Fu):
I would like to start off by saying that Saturday night was a cracker!! With over 1000 people in attendance (doors had to be closed by 8pm) the show just started to build momentum from the first fight. Weeks leading into the evening I was a little worried about the strength of the line-up due to pull outs and other dramas associated with promoting but as soon as the first bell sounded for action, all fears about the night dissipated.
1. Brandon O’Reilly from Advance beats Sean Attiig from (Tao Wu Shin) 1:07 into round one by RNC in spectacular fashion as he jumps up onto his back like a crazed koala on steroids and sinks in the choke.
2. Brad Mc Gloklen (Rockhard) was caught in a reverse triangle from bottom by Ryan Byrne early into the first and looked in trouble. He escapes and applies a great arm bar to win in 2:09 of the first round. Hat of to Brad for taking the fight on 1 day’s notice due to a fighter pull-out.
3. Adam Brooker (Sakura Ryu) take on a very tough looking Jing Attiig from (Tao Wu Shin) in what turned out to win the “fight of the night” award. Both guys just pounded each other and took some huge shots. Towards the end of the first it looked like Jing was going to nudge in the points but Adam took him down nicely and got mount just as the bell sounded. Round two started much the same as round one except Adam wisely decided his best advantage may lay in his ground game. He scores a takedown gets side control only to be caught in a side guillotine but showed good form by sinking in his own choke to get the tap.
4. Jared Thomlinson (Advance) looked like a beast and facing him was a young 18 first time fighter from (Red Dragon) who are starting to make some waves in the local MMA scene. He looked very young until the bell rang which seemed to have replaced his innocent looks with that of a possessed demon. Jared weathered the storm and repeatedly took him down until he finally secured a rear naked 2:58 in the 1st round.
5. Muay Thai
6. Muay Thai
7. Muay Thai
8. Fergus Balfour (Advance MMA) faced Jay Cobain (Baekjol MMA) in what was the biggest surprise of the night due to the fact Jay came out like a freight train and knocked out Fergus cold 9 sec in the 1st round. People were stunned but probably not as much as Fergus who had no idea of what had transpired.
9. Dai Umeno (Tiger Gym Japan) faced CFC Champ Rob Hill. This was a very unusual and controversial fight. It started with some stand up exchange and after hitting the deck Dai secured a guillotine which was sunk quite deep. He was straining to get it on and what appeared to be Rob tapping, the ref broke the fight. Anthony and Rob both protested saying he was punching not tapping. I jumped into the ring, we spoke to the judges, 2 thought they saw a tap, one wasn’t sure, I thought I saw the tap, the Japanese were saying it was a tap but after a quick deliberation I made a decision which was quite unusual and I asked if we could re-start the fight from the same position and continue the fight. I told them that I would review the film the next day. The match was re-started and Rob ended up getting out and punished Dai winning by a K.O. 3:35 in the 1st round. The next day I studied the film and with the hindsight of a good angle, could clearly see it was a closed fist but I suggest to anyone not to punch in quick succession so close into the body as it looks like a tap. I rang Anthony and apologised to Rob and him as I really thought it was a tap. Well done Rob! Before I saw the tape I asked Dai if he wanted to come back and challenge him again if it was deemed a no contest and he declined.
10. Brazilian Antonio Mota, purple belt training under Matt Cooper at Advance gym took on PUMMA brown belt and forum member, Justin “Juggs” Dee in the first of the grapple only 4 man eliminator matches. Both guys looked great. Juggs tried more subs but Antonio was a little more slick and took the match be judges decision.
11. Next was another Brazilian Rodrigo Balerio who holds a black belt currently training with Daniel Lima (Fight club) taking on Jacob Sidic (Siam). What a great display of grappling these guys put on. Jacob just kept on putting the pressure on and trying to sub where possible. Rodrigo was all class but just couldn’t get the upper hand which saw Jacob get the decision.
12. Final match saw Antonio and Jacob. Very even match up until 3:31 in the round where Antonio got a sweet arm triangle which Jacob wanted none of and tapped. Antonio was superb as was Jacob and the crowd really enjoyed it.
