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Ultimate Force Punishment -
3 May - Doncaster Dome
For the second time in
a fortnight- Dan Hardy left a top class international opponent on
the deck with a sore head, after pounding his way to victory over
Daniel Weichel. The Outlaw then announced he was joining the UFC on
a four fight deal.
The German showed he is back to his best with an aggressive first round
display- but against Dan Hardy- the best Europe has to offer probably
isn’t good enough anymore. Early on, the jiu jitsu specialist looked to
have secured a winning position- a rear naked choke with both hooks in.
Hardy bridged his way out- but Weichel continued to make the running.
Although he was under constant pressure- the Rough House fighter never
appeared worried. His confidence was justified when he managed to get
back to his feet at the close of the first.
Fighting Dan Hardy is like playing Man United. If you get a chance-
you’ve got to take it, because they have the fire power to make you pay.
The second started with some stinging kicks. The fight hit the canvas
again- but this time it was Hardy bossing the action. Once the
jackhammer left elbows started landing- it was only a matter of time
before the fight was stopped.
Dan Hardy is the best British fighter to step up to the UFC. If he
continues to improve, he may be headlining Stateside soon.
But who needs the Ultimate Fighting Championship when you’ve got
Ultimate Force.
In the main event- Martin Thompson pulled defied the odds to take
the Heavyweight strap from Tengiz Tedoradze. The Ox did well to
resist the champion’s takedown attempt. The action moved to the centre
of the ring. Thompson took the opportunity to start throwing his bombs.
Not for the first time in his career; Tengiz decided to trade with a
renowned banger. Predictably, the Cumbrian landed and Tengiz went down.
Tedoradze did well to haul himself back onto his feet- but the
floodgates were opening. He went down as second time and was followed by
a hungry Ox. A new champion is crowned- due to ref’s stoppage: Ground
and Pound.
Jason Ball retained the Welterweight belt, defeating Leslee
Ojugbana in spectacular fashion.
Leslee probably edged the first on the judges' cards. Using his
impressive upper body strength, he kept Jason pinned against the fence
and scored with knees. Towards the end of the first- a series of
uppercuts in the clinch from Jason suggested the shape of things to
come.
Ball came out for the second, determined to get his shots off. A big
right and lead had Leslee rocking- the big left that followed it put him
down. A couple for good luck on the floor and it was all over. “Daddy
Cool” Ball retains his belt.
Equally impressive was new Lightweight champ Ross Pearson. In
Brazil , they have a term for quitters. They say they are the kind of
fighter who asks for the bill. Pearson spent two rounds alternating
between going close with rear naked choke attempts and punching the Hell
out of Aidan Marron. The Irishman didn’t ask for the bill. He
stayed for pudding, coffee and a couple of brandies before Pearson threw
him out of the fight.
The end came in the third with a main course of bruising hammer fists
followed by an armbar for afters.
If, as is rumoured, Jason Ball is going to drop to Lightweight- a fight
with Ross for the belt would be a great future main event.
Local favourites Wayne Murray and Lanus Jones warmed the
crowd up with deserved victories. Murray took a unanimous decision over
the popular Irishman Mark O’Toole. Murray looked confident and
dictated the tempo throughout, but “Manslaughter” O’Toole got through
with the odd single shot. Both men seemed to enjoy the gruelling battle
and the judges came to the only possible decision. Lanus Jones impressed
with a composed all round performance- topped off with a first round
stoppage.
Scott Askerm v Avi Jack. Scott came out throwing a lot of clean,
accurate shots. Jack had his gloves up and his back against the fence as
Askerm showed off his impressive stand up arsenal. You could hear the
fat lady gargling. The fight went to the ground and, after a lively
exchange- Avi Jack executed what looked like a perfect armbar. Scott
hung on for a ridiculous amount of time before finally tapping. Great
stuff.
Lawrence Neale submitted Danny Mitchell by way of armbar.
Jules Willis forced Rob Freeman to tap with a guillotine
in the second round. James Martin took a majority decision
against Dave Bridges.
Crowd
When they get going- the Ultimate Force crowd are the loudest in the UK
. Add to that the contingent from Whitehaven backing Martin Thompson and
you’ve got an atmosphere.
Also- more genuinely sexy women than any other show.
Best Ring Walk
Music
Dan Hardy- Nowhere to Run : Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Runner up (for pure naffness)
“Manslaughter” O’Toole – Jump : Van Halen
Man of the Night
There may be more obvious choices- but I’m going for Daniel Weichel.
Over on a hiding to nothing- he showed why he is highly regarded on the
European scene. On the comeback trail after dome crushing KOs , he asked
Dan Hardy some tough questions.
For
further Ultimate Force coverage-
read blog
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