James Doolan is pure class. He took the vacant British Bantamweight title with a first round triangle win over James McGuinness. McGuinness took the fight to the Scot and was eager to get Doolan onto the floor. After the first takedown, Doolan worked his way back onto his feet. The second time- he bided his time and applied the triangle when the chance came.

McGuinness has put together a solid record and will certainly learn from this experience. On the night, he was up against someone who is currently operating on another level.

One lapse in concentration cost Vaughn Harvey dear. He and Ashleigh Grimshaw were well matched, but Harvey was just edging the first with his straight punches and slick groundwork - including an amazing reverse from side control.

As the round drew to a close, Grimshaw slipped. Harvey dives to take advantage. In a flash, Grimshaw slides a leg behind his neck. Harvey tries to pull back. Grimshaw catches his arm. He’s trapped. The triangle’s on. The fight is over.

Team Titan flood into the cage to celebrate with their man. The new Cage Gladiators British Featherweight champ. Vaughn Harvey kneels on his own- staring at nothing.

A dramatic end to a fight that was warming up nicely. There’s plenty to like about both fighters and I would love to see them in the cage together again.

Rob Sinclair is a man at the top of his game. After dancing his way to the cage, he coasted through the first round against Alexandre Izidro. When he picked up the pace in the second, the writing was on the wall. Sinclair hunted his man down, trapped him against the fence and let him have it. Awesome.

Next up for Sinclair is Paul Sass. If you have any interest in UK MMA. You have to be there.

Ashley Pollard looked every inch the supporting actor before his fight. He nervously paced the cage as the crowd went nuts for Sean Jones. Their enthusiasm looked justified as Pollard tasted a stiff jab and wobbled. Roared on, Jones looked unstoppable.

Out of nowhere, Pollard threw a despairing haymaker. The huge right hand shot connected. Sean Jones was out before he hit the deck.

Ashley Pollard mounted the fence and milked the stunned silence of the Olympia crowd.

At the previous Cage Gladiators, a controversial cut stoppage ended the contest between Alex Makohonin and Kev Axworthy. This time- there could be no arguments. Axworthy pressed forward, landing solid leg kicks, but the fast hands of Makohonin were always waiting for him. A right head kick in the second knocked the senses out of Axworthy. Although he stood and his inner warrior told him to keep throwing punches, the fight was effectively over. He fell after being caught by a series of punches and knees and was saved by the ref.

Mike Edwards survived a long standing guillotine attempt to beat Richie Ryder. Mad Mike threw his opponent to the canvas and dropped right elbows from side control until the fight was waved off.

In each of the three rounds, Aaron Wilkinson picked up Luke Smith and dumped him hard onto the deck. Smith was always in the fight, but eventually tapped to a guillotine. 

James Manning put on a dominating performance, taking down Tom Morris and releasing nasty elbows before polishing him off with a kimura.

Richie Downes scored with a rear naked choke in the first round against Chris Dougan. Danny Withington took less than a minute to submit Neil Harwood with a guillotine.

Chris Garry and Ant Murphy got the show off to cracking start. The two youngsters showed a lot of heart and a fair bit of skill in an exciting battle. Garry’s ground and pound convinced the ref to end it in the second.

Event

Tremendously entertaining. Quality up the top with some ace tear ups on the undercard. An absolute feast.

Superbly run as always- with a special shout to the medical staff who had a very busy night.

Best Shorts

Luke Smith

Back:  "Showman"

Front: "Fun in the Cage"  

One bad point

You don’t notice how important a good MC is…till the bloke from last night turns up. The constant calls for a warm welcome and calling the fighters boys is one thing. Announcing a result wrong is excusable. Not finding out how to pronounce a name and shrugging it off with a smile because its foreign is pathetic. Then again, he couldn’t even get the English ones right: Witt – ington?

Fight of the Night

Axworthy v Makhonin

Man of the Night

Kev Axworthy

Carried on fighting and looking for a KO when he was pretty much asleep.