Strike & Grapple : Light Pancrase & Catch Wrestling

Mustapha Al Turq setting up the armbar on Michael Matsoukas in Light Pancrase

Venue: Wanstead Leisure Centre, Wanstead, London, 6 October 2001

Fred Rado's amateur Pancrase events have traditionally been a venue for future UK MMA stars to cut their teeth. Pro fighter's such as Kamal Lock, Jon Thorpe, Chris Milward and Michael Johnson, all gained early experience fighting in these events. This time Fred ambitiously held an event featuring 2 different competitions:

1. Light Pancrase, which allows no head punches, standing or on the ground
2. Catch Wrestling - No gi, submission wrestling

Despite several fighters pulling out at the last minute, the turn out was excellent - the most encouraging thing was to see so many novice MMA fighters, from so many different clubs, mixing it on the mat.

Results:

Catch wrestling - Winners

• -70 Ricky Moore (Fairholme Vale Tudo)
• -80 Jawaad Khan (Self Trained)
• -90 Paul Hines (London Shootfighters/Pancrase)
• +90 Mostapha Al Turk (London Shootfighters)

Light Pancrase - Winners

• -70 Rob King (Pancrase)
• -80 Jawaad Khan (Self Trained)
• -90 Suley Mahmoud (London Shootfighters/Pancrase)
• +90 Mostapha Al Turk (London Shootfighters)

Special Award to Fight of the Tournament - Yvette Burton (Team Mauler)

The Finals:

Catch Wrestling:

-70kg Ricky Moore (Fairholme Vale Tudo) def Ben Gregory (Pancrase). Submission : armbar.

Moore, who fights somewhat like another one of Andy Jardine's fighters, Danny Brennan, pulled out a nifty armbar to get the better of Ben Gregory.

-80kg Jawaad Khan def Wayne Rowlands (Bob Breen's Academy). Submission : Figure 4 toe hold

Khan gets the toe hold on Rowlands

A good techinal match with Khan dominating position and trying loads of submissions. Rowlands defended effectively and counter attacked with a kneebar from the half guard attempt. Both fighters rolled around trying to get leglocks, until Khan secured a toe hold for the victory.

-90kg Paul Hines (London Shootfighters/Pancrase) def Neven Jovanovic (London Shootfighters/Pancrase) . Decision.

Jovanovic played very defensively, stalling and backing away from the more aggressive Hines, perhaps waiting to catch a guillotine, if and when Hines shot low. The whole match was basically pummelling and the judges gave it to Paul Hines for being more aggressive.

Paul Hines (facing) wrestling Neven Jovanovic

+90kg Mostapha Al Turk (London Shootfighters) - win by default.

Mostapha dominated every match he competed in all day. He was due to meet Matt Perkins (Bob Breen Academy) in the Catch Wrestling final, but Matt had to pull out with a slight knee injury.

The Finals:

Light Pancrase :

Mr King meets Mr Knee

-80kg Jawaad Khan def Alexis (Pancrase). Decision.

Alexis kicks at Jawaad Khan in the -80kg Light Pancrase Final

Khan proved to be one of the most dangerous fighters of the competition - Dislocating a fighters elbow and KO'ing another by a head kick on his way to winning both the Light Pancrase and Catch Wrestling finals. Khan is mostly self trained, although he has studied at Gracie Barra UK, Pancrase and Anaconda. Pancrase's Alexis gave Khan an pretty even match, which was finally won by judges decision.

Suley about to pull off the armbar

These guys train together, so the start was tentative, with both fighters feinting strikes and takedowns. Warren got the thai clinch and rammed a few knees into Suley's midsection. Warren also got the takedown from the clinch, but Suley rolled and gained side control. Warren twisted his hips to get the guard and as Suley began to bodypunch, Warren swivelled to try an armbar. Here a little bit of controvesy kicks in. Warren thought Suley tapped and Fred stopped the fight. However Suley protested that he didn't tap and that the armbar wasn't fully on. So Fred awarded a 'rope escape' against Suley, much to Warren's disappointment, and the fight is re-started from standing. This time, Suley dominated, getting the takedown, side control, knee on stomach, mount and finally a swift armbar to win.

+90kg Mostapha Al Turk (London Shootfighters) - another win by default, with runner up, Nick Bown unable to make the final.

Fighter's love Fred's events. He's earnt a reputation for being honest, fair and organised. (He had one of the biggest back-up medical crews ever seen at a UK MMA event). So, if you're looking to compete, or to spectate, get yourself down to the next Pancrase.

Fred hopes to hold an amateur event evry 3 months, as well as having another Pro Pancrase in the near future. Our thanks go to Fred Rado and his team for the hospitality. SFUK

Clubs that attended included: (if we missed your club let us know)

• Anaconda BJJ
• Bob Breen's Academy
• Leicester Shootfighting
• Fred Rado's Pancrase
• Team Mauler
• Nottingham Yawara Ryu
• LondonShootfighters.com
• Lee Hasdell's Shin SenJutsu

For more pics, keep an eye out on SFUKVision