FRANCIS HEAGNEY VS ZACK JONES
Francis Heagney def. Zack Jones via TKO (Strikes) at 3.08, R1
The first fight of the night was in the Light Weight Division and saw Francis Heagney take on Zack Jones.
Heagney, who fights out of London Shootfighters, looked dominant from the start and made quick work of the young Welshman. The fight was stopped by the ref in the 1st round due to ground and pound.
In the post fight interview, Heagney commented ‘When I got the chance to get on top of him I went for it. I was ready to go for three rounds.’
TIM RADCLIFFE VS ABDUL MOHAMED
Tim Radcliffe def. Abdul Mohamed via Unanimous Decision, R3
Radcliffe had a great first round dominating on both upright and on the floor. Mohamed took an early blow to the nose which bled heavily and surely knocked the fighter’s concentration.
In the second round, the crowd failed to get a glimpse of the ‘slam man’ they have seen in the past, as Radcliffe continued to dominate.
Radcliffe picked his shots and displayed some excellent low leg kicks. His timing was perfect and he remained constantly in range. Mohamed however looked shellshocked and, even though he knew it was all or nothing for him in the third round, he couldn’t break Radcliffe’s flow.
In the past Radcliffe has made a name for himself as submission expert, but tonight he showed off his ability to fight well whilst standing. Radcliffe really did look in great shape and has left people talking about the strong future he has ahead of him.
After the fight, Radcliffe commented ‘I have been training to push away and keep it off the ground even though I like to go on the ground in jujitsu I thought my best chances were to hurt him standing up and then use my striking as I had a longer reach. I was trying to work it, keep on the outside, circle round and avoid the take down’
Looking forward to his next fight Radcliffe only said with a smile, ‘Francis had better watch out’
WELTER WEIGHT DIVISION
EUGENE FADIORA VS NATHAN CHAMP
Eugene Fadiora def. Nathan Champ via Unaminous Decision, R3
The first of the welterweights saw Eugene Fadiora overpower and outclass Nathan Champ. Fadiora dominated from the start as the fight was kept standing. He picked his shots and used his jabs and high kicks beautifully.
Champ played into Fadiora’s hands and seemed outsmarted by the young fighter from the Midlands. Champ looked his best in the third round despite the streams of blood on his face. However youth won out over experience and Fadiora was awarded the win by the judges.
Post fight, Fadiora commented ‘I followed a game play and it went to plan. I have worked to pick my shots making sure they are more effective when they hit.’
[LUA vs MILLS] EDGELSON LUA VS CH’E MILLS
Ch’e Mills def. Edgelson Lua via Unaminous Decision, R3
The second welterweight fight of the night was the highly anticipated clash between Edgelson Lua and Ch’e Mills.
This was a great equally matched fight and both men looked very quick and strong from the start. This fight really did have everything! The audience saw some impressive leg kicks from Mills and some slick moves from both fighters. Ch’e looked to have the slight advantage early on as he locked in tight on Edge looking for the choke. However Lua managed to come back and, by the end of the second round, Mills was looking tired.
In the third round fatigue was setting in for both fighters but even when Mills was on top of Lua throwing the punches Lua refused to give up. From somewhere Mills got a second wind and a flying knee kick followed by a series of punches in the third round was where he proved his dominance.
‘I just had to dig deep and keep on going…..I tried to finish him but he is tougher than anyone I have fought before, fair play to him…. I almost gave up but I just thought no way I didn’t come this far to give up.’ Mills said after been awarded the win.
MIDDLE WEIGHTS
JOHN PHILLIPS VS DENNISTON SUTHERLAND
Denniston Sutherland def. John Phillips via TKO (strikes) at 3.22, R1
The fight went to the ground quickly and both men showed their strong abilities. Phillips showed he has the moves with an excellent reversal on Sutherland. This fight was all about the wrestling. Sutherland managed to get on top and fire some explosive shots which led to the tap out of Phillips due to a dislocated shoulder.
John Phillips tapped through ground and pound out due to shoulder injury at 3.22 in the 1st round.
After the fight, Phillips’ trainer revealed to Christian O’Connell that John had dislocated his shoulder last week in training but still came to fight despite it.
JOHN MAGUIRE VS TOM WATSON
Tom Watson def. John Maguire via TKO at 2:37, R3
After a big entrance from Watson in his Kong outfit, the two men stared each other out from their corners both pumped for the fight.
The fight began with some excellent high head kicks from Watson. However, the fight then went to the ground and Maguire looked more in control as he tried to slip the guillotine, but Watson was too wise to fall into that trap and managed to get up on his feet again.
In the second round a series of great take downs from Maguire really looked to take the energy out of Watson. However, Watson’s superb fitness levels didn’t let him down and he came back with some fantastic knees and elbows in the third round. Maguire looked tired and in trouble as Watson fired relentless shots.
Maguire tried to lure Watson to the floor but Watson wasn’t having any of it and was determined to keep the fight standing. Watson was awarded the win through technical knock out.
Post fight, Watson spoke with confidence, ‘It took me a couple of rounds to adapt but by the third round I knew I just had to go for it.’
Looking forward to the forthcoming final Watson said, ‘I knew I was going to go to the final. I wouldn’t come here if I didn’t think I could win.’