Jess Liaudin took the 10th Legion World Welterweight title with a stunning first round TKO victory over Pete Irving. The Joker took the initiative from the bell and never let the intensity drop. His first chance came when he took Irving’s back as the pair stood against the fence. Despite Liaudin having a hook in, Pete managed to escape.

From then on, it was a strictly stand up affair. Irving obviously fancied it on the feet and pushed forward. Up against the fence, Jess exploded back into the fight with a flying knee that brought gasps from the crowd. Pete Irving has given some recent opponents a Muay Thai lesson, but he looked a couple of gears below his best at the Gemtec Arena. Sensing that this was his day, Jess pitched a couple of lead right hands- scoring big both times. Irving was hurt and the uppercut that followed pretty much sealed the deal. His feet and instincts tried to move him away from trouble, but his eyes signalled that the end was nigh. No way was Liaudin going to let him off the hook. The final strike that dropped the Geordie was more forearm than glove, but it followed a string of clinical headshots. Irving fell to the floor face down with Jess immediately diving on him. Jess let off a few bonus strikes and nothing was offered in return, leaving referee Goddard with no option.

A bravura performance against one of the most highly regarded fighters in UK MMA.

Expect to see The Joker back on the big stage soon.


Marcus Silva also impressed to take the European Light Heavyweight belt. As soon as his fight with Jaime Palou went to the ground it was game over. Silva wrapped his legs around his Swedish opponent and went straight to mount. A lightning transition later and an armbar was being applied. Palou struggled to his feet and attempted to loosen the Brazilian’s grip by dropping him on his head. Silva bounced, hung on then applied more pressure, gaining the tap.



Bryan Moore became the 10th Legion European Middleweight champ after a punishing contest against Dane Christoffer Hansen. The first two rounds were gruelling ground battles, with Moore mostly on top. The Dane was deducted a point for kneeing the kneeling Moore in the head. Hansen put it all into the last round. After landing a spinning backfist, he took Moore’s back, sunk in the hooks and went all out for the rear naked choke. Cut, bloodied and tiring, Bryan Moore toughed it out and earned a split decision from the the judges.

 

The impressive Artur Sowinski submitted Craig Jose with his third attempt at a rear naked choke in their brief encounter.

 

Semi pro’s

Aaron Baum and Matt Pope put on a terrific local derby that got the crowd on their feet. Baum marched forward with Pope working on the back foot. At the end of the second, Baum was cut above the eye and Pope’s open mouth suggested the gas tank was running low. Baum came out slugging in the final round. He trapped Pope against the cage, grabbed his head and held it down as he unloaded a series of fast right hands. With the stuffing beaten out of him, Pope could not resist when Baum caught him in a standing guillotine.

A great effort from both fighters. It wasn’t always pretty, but it was never less than thrilling.

 

Persistance paid off for Alex Wright. He repeatedly went for the triangle choke against Phil Gowans, eventually getting the tap in the third round.

Duane Harper defeated Steve Gate by way of triangle in the first round.

Chris McWatt won his fight when Frenchman Pao Zoro was unable to continue after his efforts in the first round.

 

Amateurs

Liam Griffiths and Kieron Coxon won with first round armbars against Stefan Dziurzynski and Wayne Witham respectively. Jamie Beveridge struggled with the amateur rules before submitting Steve Corner with a triangle choke. In the opener, Steve Middleton took a unanimous decision over Tien Hung Pham.


Event

For a first show- fantastic. Ran like clockwork. Beautiful new cage too.

Crowd

Very loud and enthusiastic. Many bouts matched fighters from rival local clubs creating a red hot hot atmosphere.

Venue

More leisure centre than arena. Staffed by the the most hard working council employees I’ve ever seen.

Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
 

Wayne Witham – lost his fight but won the raffle.
 

Best Ring Walk Tune

Kieron Cox
 

Gimme Shelter – Rolling Stones


Man of the Night
 

Jess “The Joker” Liaudin

World class.