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Cagewarriors: Strike Force 3 - The Viking Invasion Report by Symon Jenner Pictures by Robert Swann
October 1, 2005 Skydome Arena Coventry, England
- - Special Thanks go out to Symon Jenner and Robert Swann, Ian Dean and Cagewarriors.com for the following:
Fight Gallery by Robert Swann
Guillotine Revolution!
It was a night in which Dougie Truman continued to raise the bar for UK MMA. Not only did he manage to get Ian “The Machine” Freeman on board as the night’s MC, but he also managed to line up an impressive card featuring a mix of internationals and top domestic fighters. As a result “Strike Force 3” promised a lot and it lived up to the hype as Cagewarriors delivered a night of lightning quick action with furious striking and some sublime submissions.
The Skydome once again provided an awesome arena for MMA. With an ever-changing layout, it enables a safe area for fans to enjoy some excellent action inside the CWFC 32ft octagon. The VIP area was full and the crowd was buzzing with support for the Singh-Sidhu brothers who were making their debut in professional mixed martial arts action.
The first action of the night saw Darren Spencer of the Wolfslair Academy take on Kristian Lexell of Shootfighting Stockholm (Shooters MMA). It was a pro-debut on very short notice for the Wolfslair fighter but he looked hungry and determined to win.
Bout 1 - Middleweight (UK vs. Scandinavia series bout 1)
The bout started with Spencer moving well on his feet and Lexell noticed early on that the ground was the best option for him, and he took it there with a good double leg. Lexell then opened up with some ground and pound through the guard of Spencer. Spencer worked well to reverse the position from underneath whilst Lexell hunted for a head and arm triangle. Spencer easily avoided this but ended up losing position and giving up the mount. Lexell unleashed a barrage of blows from the mount, but only when the elbows started did Spencer look in any trouble, however Lexell did not hesitate and continued on until the Ref had no choice
but to call an end to the contest.
Bout 2 - Light-heavyweight
The second fight of the night saw Ross Pointon take on Jerome Laulan. The only words to describe this fight are fast and war. 36 seconds later a bloody Pointon is back on the winning trail. From the press pit we saw the look in Pointon’s eyes as he entered the octagon. The instant he stayed in the pocket trading like a man possessed you knew it was bad for Laulan. Blitzed by the hand speed of Pointon, Laulan succumbed to a tight guillotine before you could blink. Finally Pointon lived up to his potential and I can’t wait to see him fight like this again in the future.
Winner - Ross “The Gladiator” Pointon via submission (Guillotine Choke) 0:36 of round 1.
Bout 3 - Heavyweight
Nogueira. A tentative start to the fight saw Goddard against the cage preventing the takedown from the Brazilian, but the fight soon made its way to the canvas. Some swift blows from both fighters saw a clever reversal of position and Goddard in the guard of Nogueira. In a repeat of the last fight Goddard finds himself ready for execution and was locked up in a guillotine by Nogueira, heads a rolling it’s over, as Goddard has no choice but to tap. Nogueira was pleased to get back to winning ways and celebrates. But the poignant image is Goddard kneeling in the octagon trying to figure out how he got caught.
Winner - Henrique "Chocolate" Nogueira via submission (Guillotine Choke) after 2:49 of round 1.
Bout 4 - Vacant CWFC Lightweight Title (UK vs. Scandinavia series bout 2)
Jani Lax strikes an imposing figure, he looked confident and in excellent shape as he calmly made his way to the octagon. Little Alex looked like a man with a mission and had something to prove after some controversial decisions in recent events. Some cagey stand up from both fighters saw Izidro utilizing some pummelling to seize double under-hooks. A big cheer accompanies the resulting slam by Izidro as he lands in the guard of Lax. Scrambling sees the fight standing quickly but the speed of which Izidro jumps into the guillotine stuns Lax and even Izidro’s corner thought he may be wasting energy. However Izidro knew better and carried on forcing a brave Lax to tap out. This was a great way to take the vacant title and the cage was awash with celebration and smiling faces. When asked who was next for Izidro he said he will fight anyone who is put in front of him. In the words of Ian Freeman, Izidro is ‘a true warrior.'
Winner - Alexandre “Xandinho” Izidro via Submission (Guillotine Choke) after 2:58 of round 1. Alexandre
“Xandinho” Izidro wins the vacant CWFC Lightweight Title
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A short break saw the night’s action dedicated to Lee Murray who was brutally stabbed in an incident during the week. Initially critical Murray showed that his heart is as strong outside the octagon as it is inside it and is recovering well. I am sure I speak for everyone involved in UK MMA when we wish Lee a speedy and full recovery and offer our support to his family.
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Bout 5 - Middleweight (UK vs. Scandinavia series bout 3)
Taking a fight on twenty-four hours notice is no mean feat but to take it against an accomplished mixed martial artist like Bielkheden is especially brave. Ramarho showed no fear straight off the bat as he took it to Bielkheden, forcing him to his back with a strong shoot. Some excellent hip movement saw Bielkheden lock in a tight armbar and what seemed to be a verbal submission emanated from the cage from Ramarho, but the Ref told them to fight on, as it was not a clear submission. The resulting scramble sees Bielkheden in the guard of Ramarho who was moving well on the bottom and looking for a submission. Bielkheden obviously had enough of the triangle attempts and proceeds to ‘rampage’ his way out with a slam. He followed up with some big hammer-fists and punches which forced Ramarho to turn his back to prevent further punishment. As he moves to turtle Bielkheden sinks in a Mata Leao and an impressive win is sealed as the British based Brazilian is made to tap out.
Winner - David Bielkheden via submission (Rear Naked Choke) after 4:52 of
round 1
Bout 6 - Welterweight
After two flashy entrances by these fighters this show had a lot to live up to, as Singh entered the arena with a raucous drum beat and crowd. Whilst Wallhead appeared in his black belt and GBR judo Gi to Paradise City looking calm and focused in the face of fierce local support. Back to basics was the cry from the corner as Wallhead stalked Singh around the cage. Credit to the debutant Singh, as he was moving well and looking to trade with a collected and focused Wallhead. Basics came the cry again as Wallhead used his grappling skills to get a big ‘Ooooo’ from the crowd as the slam hit the mat. Using the cage well Singh moved back to his feet, whilst Wallhead went for an ambitious head and arm triangle whilst standing, but sensed the energy was wasted whilst Singh worked hard to escape. As Singh tired he looked to go back to his good footwork but fatigue saw his hands drop regularly, Wallhead capitalised on this and landed with some strikes you would expect to see from a Rough House fighter. Eventually Singh-Sidhu’s hands stayed down long enough for Wallhead to deliver a flurry which brought the brave Singh to his knees. The incredibly tough Singh was not going to tap or stay down so the towel came into to the ring, which called an end to a good contest. The local support for Singh looked to be on the verge of ruining the evening for all concerned but in a display of class, Singh (who was also assisted by the imposing Ian Freeman talked the crowd down.) Then in a further act of class by Singh he even got his rowdy support to applaud Wallhead. A good debut for Singh, as he still put on a good show, whilst Wallhead added to the entertainment and deservedly won. Wallhead looked far more focused and has some serious potential too, and as a result it will be interesting to see who he faces next.
Winner – Jim Wallhead via Corner Stoppage (Due to strikes) after 3:14 of
round 1
Bout 7 - Heavyweight
This was billed by some people to be the sleeper fight of the evening and they weren’t to be disappointed. Right from the start it was obvious Blackledge was going to need to avoid the heavy hands of Tedoradze. It seemed the game plan was to fight the wrestler on the ground as Blackledge went to the guard. The ground game looked like a solid plan for Blackledge as he worked well to secure an armbar, which looked like it was going to gain the win. Somehow the powerful Tedoradze worked out of it and the fight came back to the standing position. Another exchange saw Blackledge trading with Tedoradze; again it seemed Tedoradze’s power forced moved Blackledge to the ground. Blackledge then looked for submissions but moving well on the ground just wasn’t going to be enough against the ferocious Tedoradze, as he bullied his way past the guard and smashed Blackledge into the mat for the win. Tedoradze is a force to be reckoned with, and whilst Blackledge looked good he didn’t have it in him tonight to beat the “Barnsley Gladiator”. However it would be interesting to see what Blackledge could do if he was to move back down to light heavyweight.
Winner – Tengiz Tedoradze via Submission (Tap out due to ground and pound) after 2:20 of round 1.
Bout 8 - Welterweight (UK vs. Scandinavia series bout 4)
Touching gloves is an act of sportsmanship, diving straight into your opponent while he has his glove raised to meet yours is below the belt and is certainly is not the done thing. Maybe this was a pre-planned strategy but Gonzales had done his homework on the dangerous Hardy. This act pre-empted an easy takedown for Gonzales who punched his way to Hardy’s back. Although Hardy is notorious for his submission defense, Gonzales had the upper hand and locked up in a figure four on his back with Hardy looking to work his way out. Eventually at the end of the round, a bloody Hardy emerged into the Swede’s guard as the bell went for the end of round 1. Round two saw a big head kick from Hardy damage Gonzales, but the tough Swede kept coming forward and took down Hardy to half-guard. Tired from initially weathering the storm in the first round Hardy cannot prevent a secure rear naked choke finding the mark.
Winner - Diego Gonzales via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) after 1:19 of round 2.
Bout 9 - Featherweight
The second of the Singh’s made their pro-debut to the sounds of another fantastic live drum medley. This was met by Davis coming to the ring draped in the dragon of Wales. After watching this fight it seems crazy to me that the big MMA organizations do not promote the lighter fighters, as both men showed the heart of heavyweights in a barn storming fight. Both fighters came out throwing down and Davis got the better of Singh initially, but somehow found himself on the floor. However a rapid reversal saw Davis moving from armbar to triangle and controlling the pace. Davis never quite found the submission finish and as a result seemed content to just bang it out, much to the delight of the crowd. The end of the fight saw Davis furiously raining down blows to get the TKO victory. The support having learnt from last time delivered one of the cheers of the night. Again to quote the MC this was ‘one f**k of a fight.'
Winner - Kyle Davis via TKO/Referee Stoppage (Ground and Pound) after 3:42 of round 1.
Main Event - CWFC Light Heavyweight Title (UK vs. Scandinavia series bout 5)
I think the smiling by Lovstad was his undoing. “The Count” is normally frightening when he fights as his usual calm self. I don’t think winding him up was sensible. A rapid sprawl from Bisping saw Lovstad on his back, and that was where he would stay as Bisping goes to defcon 1. Pouring destruction on the prone Lovstad, resulted in a swift TKO for Bisping. Three taps on the chest, some return on the smiling and one middle finger later it is all handshakes and victory celebrations for “the Count.” The end of the fight was taken very well from the amiable Lovstad and the Count deservedly retains the title belt.
Winner - Michael “The Count” Bisping via Submission (Tap out due to ground and pound) after 1:10 of
round 1. Michael “The Count” Bisping retains the CWFC Light-Heavyweight
Title.
This was an excellent evening of mixed martial arts competition at the Skydrome with slick production matching the action inside the octagon. There was also great crowd support for the debutant Singh brothers and great work on the microphone by “The Machine.”
I nearly forgot there were some great fights too with Izidro claiming the title and Bisping showing why he wears the belt. Good wins for Lexell, Pointon, Chocolate, Bielkheden, Tedoradze, Wallhead, Gonzales and Davis too. However yet again the UK team is defeated by the foreign invaders, as the UK lost 3-2 to the all star Scandinavian team.
Next up is Cagewarriors Strike Force 4: Night of Champions on November 26th and with Cagewarriors going from strength to strength it makes for an interesting night, especially as 9 CWFC title fights are
planned. So stay locked-on to
www.cagewarriors.com
for more information. Pictures by Robert Swann
- From Ian Dean and Cagewarriors.com with a little editing from us (color, etc...)
(10/5/05)
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