The ZT  Tournament on Jan 30th will determine who is the top dog on the domestic heavyweight scene. By waving a juicy £15,000 cheque, Sol Gilbert has attracted everyone who is anyone to Kentish Town. The line up, knock out format and high stakes mean this should be a special night. It's winner takes all. Below, the hurtbusiness looks at the field to see who that might be.

Oli Thompson

Britain’s Strongest Man and 8th in World’s Strongest Man 2006.

An intriguing proposition. The quality of the field means that the novice has to be the rank outsider. His outings so far have been workmanlike victories and the massive jump in class is surely too much too soon. In his favour is (bleeding obviously) strength. If someone who has been ranked in the top ten strongest humans in the world chins you, it’s a fair bet you’re going to fall. If he pushes you, you're falling on your arse. Oli is three stone trimmer since hanging up his Atlas stones and any disciplined 19 stone athlete is going to be a handful.  As he has ties to the ZT gym, you assume he’s not just turning up to be fed to the lions. Hard to see him taking the fifteen grand home- but stranger things have happened.

Karlos Vermola 

CFC Heavyweight Champion

The CFC champion’s speed and agility are off the charts compared to the average jobbing heavyweight. His M.O. is simple: close with opponent, take him down, pass to mount, unleash a barrage of quick punches, take his back, choke him out. Some have questioned the credentials of his opposition, but there can be no doubt his wrestling ability is a cut above most of those operating at domestic level. The fact that he managed to stick to this tried and trusted plan against the reliable Stav Economou suggests that he is for real. Is the big Czech in line for a big cheque?

Neil Grove

Ultimate Challenge UK Heavyweight Champion

The Goliath has equal numbers of backers and haters. Doubters claim he has awful footwork, the cardio of a 60 a day pensioner and zero ground game. His army of fans will direct you to his devastating KO wins over James Thompson and Martin Thompson. The big South African has the power to trouble anyone in the early stages of a contest and has demonstrated respectable takedown defence. Although he is  known to be an easy going character, it is Grove who has added some needle to the tournament by speaking out against James Thompson (Juice-gate) and Karlos Vermola (Mysteriouspullout-gate).

Martin Thompson

Strike & Submit Heavyweight Champion

November 2008 saw Martin Thompson at the top of the pile. A six fight winning streak included blockbusting stoppages of Matteo Minonzio, Tom Blackledge, Colin Robinson and Tengiz. After a year of inactivity, Neil Grove unleashed a right hand that literally lifted Thompson off his feet before pounding the living daylights out of the Cumbrian. If Martin “The Ox” performs well in the tournament, that may be written off as ring rust related bad day at the office. However, size matters and there is a suspicion that Thompson simply does not have the physical stature to compete in the land of the giants. Win or lose; the long rumoured drop to light heavy may well be on the cards.

Tengiz Tedoradze

Former Cage Rage Heavyweight Champion

A few years ago, having a wrestling background in the UK MMA world was the equivalent of bringing a gun to a knife fight. Tengiz was the sheriff who cleaned up in the top division. While others have caught up, no-one can touch the Georgian when it comes to fluidity and technique. The Tengiz suplex is a true thing of beauty. Nearly two years out of the cage and an occasional tendency to ditch the tactics and slug it out put a question mark next to the Barnsley Gladiator. Even so, class is permanent and Tengiz has the tools and experience to win the lot if he brings his A game.

James Thompson

Pride and Elite XC Veteran

A man on a mission. The Colossus is a worldwide name who has fought a veritable galaxy of star heavies. The problem is- he ain’t been beating any for a while. Losing out to the likes of Overeem and Brett Rogers on the road is one thing, but the Cage Rage nightmares must have hurt. The controversial Butterbean stoppage and the ten second blitzing at the hands of Neil Grove are Thompson’s defining moments for the new generation of UK MMA fans. His pleas for a rematch with Grove have fallen on deaf ears, but now Thompson has the chance to prove he is more mega than punk.

Neil Wain

UFC Veteran

“Old Skool” Wain enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top. With very little training under his belt, the Yorkshireman steamrollered his way to a 5-0 record. His fast hands and relentless attacking style won him a UFC contract. At that point, Neil must have run over Dana White’s cat. He debuted against heavyweight champ in waiting Shane Carwin and was dumped when he lost. Wainy hasn’t seen the inside of a cage since. His greatest assets are his punching power and hand speed - recently sharpened up on unlicensed boxing cards. Neil Wain’s counter left hook and right uppercut are as classy as anything you’ll see on the UK MMA circuit. He is a terror in the clinch and his comparatively low centre of gravity and natural strength make him tough to take down.

Rob Broughton

Former Cage Rage British Heavyweight champion

Broughton is strongly fancied to win the tournament for good reason. On the feet, he can dictate the distance with his jab and sets up his big overhand right nicely. You don’t get a nickname like “The Bear” without a dominant clinch game and his submission game is more than respectable. At Cage Gladiators in late 2008, he gave former UFC belt holder Ricco Rodriguez plenty to think about on the ground- something you can’t imagine any of the other candidates doing. Since then, the leaner, mean Rob Broughton has impressed with wins over quality overseas opponents in the M1-Challenge.

hurtbusiness verdict

Winner

On current form, Rob Broughton is the man to beat. A genuine all rounder, “The Bear” has blossomed since becoming Team England’s M-1 anchor man. He has also has a fitness level which will enable him to see out three fights in one night.

Danger

Neil Wain

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