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Jason Tan v Alexandre Izidro

Professional- that sums up Jason Tan’s performance against the always dangerous Izidro. Predictably, the pair battled it out on the canvas for the majority of the first two rounds, showing each other a great deal of respect. In both rounds, Jason had significant periods when he was inflicting damage with strikes while in Alexandre’s guard. This was probably enough to sway the judges his way.
Round Three was, to everyone’s surprise, a stand up exchange. Tan landed some crisp strikes, but they were single shots. Izidro put together more organised work, letting off some effective looking knees and 1-2s. Perhaps sensing he was behind, Izidro took a few more risks in the final minute, but Tan stood up to the assault. The judges all went for Tan 29-28. An impressive scalp- it takes a quality fighter to put an L on Alexandre Izidro's record.

Tom Blackledge v Premyslaw Mysiala

Tom Blackledge took the Heavyweight belt on a cut. The fight started with Mysiala falling on his arse from a slip. For just over minute the two struggled for position and exchanged digs before Premyslaw managed to get to his feet. Time out was called, for the doctor to examine a cut that had appeared over his left eye. And that was that- Tom Blackledge- Heavyweight champion. I didn’t see it, but I'm told that Tom cut him with an elbow strike.
Despite the local victory, there was a slight sense of disappointment in the hall as these two are both top notch and the opening exchanges promised great things to come. I hope that we’ll get the chance to see these two at it again soon.

Jay Gladden v Kieron Mckinty

The biggest cheer of the night was for Jay Gladden’s kick to the head of Kieron Mckinty. It was Muay Thai 101: leg kick, leg kick, on the third, they go for the block, lower the head and you kick it. It’s almost impossible not to fall for it. Kieron took the kick but then felt some tasty knees in the clinch. When the fight finally hit the floor, Mckinty looked far more at home. Unfortunately for him, Gladden is an all-rounder and the Next Generation fighter was quickly on his back before executing a Rear Naked Choke.

Paul Kelly v Jordan James

You are the ref.

Kelly has James in a crucifix for about two minutes of Round Two. James looks to have no idea how to escape. He is being repeatedly punched in the face, but he seems OK. The position means that they are mainly arm punches without that much behind them. What do you do? The man with best view, referee Goddard, called it off. Fair enough in my opinion. Jordan James was of a different opinion and let everyone know.

I understand his frustration at being stopped while in control of his senses, but what was the alternative? Assuming he was given every chance by the ref- Jordan James was being punched in the face and was not in a position to hit back. It looked like he would keep being hit in the face without being able to hit back until the end of the round. Fair decision.

Paul Sass v David Johnson

A minute in: Sass mounts Johnson. It looks over but with a big effort, Johnson slithers out and is about to get up and take the fight to Sass. Unfortunately it never happens. In his haste, he leaves himself open for a split second and the razor sharp Sass snares him in a perfect triangle.
A moment later, Sass is on the fence celebrating and Johnson is shaking his head. He doesn’t look like a defeated man- just a man who would like to have the fight again right now.

The rest

Jay Kieron unleashed a relentless Ground and Pound attack to stop his Lithuanian opponent.
Richie Downes spent most of his fight trying to apply a guillotine on the tough (and sore necked) Rob Sinclair. He put everything into it but Sinclair managed to escape and pay him back with hard clean head shots to end the contest.
Denzil Thomas put in an impressive performance. Although he was always on top, his tenacious opponent, Tom Baxter, was in the fight throughout. Denzil finally saw him off with a devastating guillotine. Baxter tapped just as the lights were going dim. Mick Sinclair dominated his fight, never giving Clichko an inch before finishing him off with a side choke a minute in. The evening began with an entertaining clash of styles. The rock solid Jay Manning managed to survive the spectacular kicks and knees of Joe Whelan. Just as Whelan was beginning to find his range, Manning took him down and slapped on the guillotine.

Venue

The Best-

Carved elephant heads, ace sound system, flashing cage, on a proper street in a proper area, not some leisure park: what more could you want. If only Cage Gladiators could get it on on a Friday or Saturday. Then punters could combine going to the fights with a trip next door to the legendary Grafton grab a granny night(£14.99 entry- includes all drinks at the bar.)

Crowd

Supportive. More ‘normal’ people than at some other venues. Biggest ovations of the night were for the lads who needed medical attention- which is always a good sign.

Best Ring Walk Music

Kieron Mckinty - The Wild Rover

Results

Jay Manning bt Joe Whelan- sub Guillotine R2 2:29
Mick Sinclair bt Soli Clichko- sub Side Choke R1 1:07
Denzil Thomas bt Tom Baxter V Denzil Thomas- sub Guillotine R1 3:05
Rob Sinclair bt Richie Downes- KO GnP R1 3:05
Jay Kieron bt ??????- TKO GnP R1 2:22
Paul Sass bt David Johnson- sub Triangle R1 1.14
Paul Kelly bt Jordan James- TKO Gnp R2
Jay Gladden bt Kieron Mckinty -sub Rear Naked Choke R1 2:39
Tom Blackledge bt Premyslaw Mysiala- Doctors Stoppage (cut) R1 1:35
Jason Tan bt Alexandre Izidro - Unanimous Points Decision

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