san gokui invitational : SFUK's mixed martial arts reports

San Gokui returned to Kickers Academy on 1st September 2002 to put on another amateur event. As before the event featured both submission grappling and amateur vale tudo matches. With yours truly refereeing the event the following report may include a few mistakes so apologies in advance!

The usual suspects in the form of Mel Leathley’s Sport Ju Jitsu group, Mike Wray’s Phoenix Mixed Martial Arts Academy, Kickers and our good selves were joined by Neil Hall’s Fighting Chance Academy and the renowned Colleseum gym under the watchful eyes of Danny Wallace, Mike Tomlinson and Chris Milward.

The day as usual commenced with the submission grappling.

First up was Melissa Leathley from Sport JJ against Joanne Simpson from Phoenix. Melissa although giving away a few kilos used all her experience to control the match and was awarded a judges’ decision.

The next 2 ladies were both making their competition debuts. Melanie Coulon from Phoenix against Jennie Taylor from Colleseum. Jennie initiated the takedown getting the first advantage and edged ahead with positional control. Again the match went full time and the judges awarded the match to Jennie.

The final ladies match saw Jemma Reisborough from Phoenix against Cheryl Williams from Combat Base BJJ. Being the lighter of the two, Cheryl soon found herself working from bottom but to great effect as took a straight arm lock and got the submission.

Next match saw Troy Rimmington from Sport JJ against Paul Taylor from Phoenix. After an initial exchange Troy nailed an arm lock to take the match.

In a gi grappling match, Chris Eastwood from Combat Base BJJ faced off against Martin Kleinhout from Sport JJ. Martin used his 10kg weight advantage well making Chris really work. At the final whistle, after a close match, Martin got the judges’ decision.

Taking to the ring next in a submission wrestling match was the Fighting Photographer himself Carl Fisher against Mark ‘Spenna’ Spencer. Although being good friends and sometimes training partners both guys went at it at a ferocious pace until Spenna surprised Carl with a leg lock giving Carl nowhere to go but to tap. Good match.

Chris Eastwood stepped back into the ring for his second gi grappling match against John Nevis from Sport JJ. John is a big guy at 125kg and made his weight count keeping Chris busy moving to avoid any sort of control. Chris eventually managed to get a fully extended arm lock just as the match finished. Instead of a submission win Chris got the judges’ decision instead.

The final (or so I thought at the time) submission grappling match was between Pete Guest from Combat Base BJJ against Ian Patterson from Phoenix. Pete being a very good guard player took control and secured a very tight looking arm lock taking the match by submission.

Then it was onto the Vale Tudo matches.

Intermediate Division

The battle of the 16 year olds. Steve Bowman from Phoenix made his Vale Tudo debut against a strong opponent Steve Newlove from Sport JJ. After an exchange of strikes the fight went to ground where Newlove executed a nice arm bar but Bowman refused to tap. The elbow looked to be at breaking point when I stopped the match and awarded the win to Newlove. All of the fighters had been warned prior to the matches that if they did not tap out when a lock was clearly on then the match would be stopped.

Pete Hill from Combat Base BJJ went up against Steve Newlove next. The fight remained standing for the majority of the match where both fighters punched and kicked hell out of each other. This fight was an absolute war and Newlove was keen to avenge his loss in this rematch, the two fought at a previous San Gokui Event. The pair were so well matched that after overtime a draw had to be called.

Ladies Division

Cheryl Williams (Combat Base BJJ) and Jennie Taylor (Colleseum) both came out aggressively throwing shots going to a clinch. Jennie looked strong in the clinch so Cheryl opted to take the match to the ground where both ladies tried to take a dominant position. Cheryl got a decent hold on Jennie’s leg and went for a leg submission. Jennie defended well but Cheryl changed position giving her more leverage and got the submission. Good fight.

Male 60-65kg Division

Deciding to make his entrance into the San Gokui events a memorable one Widge Milward (Colleseum) entered the ring to the unmistakable tones of Frank Sinatra to meet Paul Tighe (Phoenix MMA). Both guys, having won their semi-pro matches at XFC, were destined to meet at some point and put on a good show. On this occasion Widge got the upper hand sinking in a deep guillotine choke giving Paul nowhere to go and had to tap.

Troy Rimmington Sport JJ V Paul Tighe

Rimmington won by decicision but I can't recall specific details of the fight, sorry!

Male 65-70kg Division

The Paul Rimmington (Sport JJ) V Ryan Hunter (Combat Base BJJ) match started at an awesome pace until Ryan caught an unintentional head shot from a beautiful punch. Purely unintentional, Rimmington clipped Hunter as he shot in fo a takedown. Ryan took a minute to clear his head and the match re-started. Both guys fought with a lot of guts with ryan just edging a judges’ decision.

Unfortunately Paul Rimmington then had to withdraw due to injury

Male 70-75kg Division

Graham Beaumont (Sport JJ) faced Ian Margerison (Fighting Chance Academy) in a very close match that had to go to judges decision before Graham was awarded the win. Ian fought very well on his Vale Tudo debut.

BJJ practitioner Chad Belwood (Kickers) took on Tony Morales (Phoenix MMA). Both guys started out with kicks to good effects before the fight went to ground. Chad worked his slick ground game while Tony blasted punches in. Chad eventually made enough space to sink in a triangle which Tony tried to escape but had to tap.

The 3^rd place play off saw Tony Morales getting the win over Ian Margerison.

Male 75-80kg Division

Pool 1

Iain Brownley (Phoenix MMA) V Aaron Chatfield (Colleseum) was a war. It was obvious that both guys could hit and tried to on every available opportunity. Aaron tried to land some kicks, one of which Iain caught and took Aaron down with. Aaron fought with spirit but the calmer Brownley managed to settle into his game on the mat and edged out Aaron on the decision.

Dave Simpson (Phoenix MMA) V Matt Thorpe (Colleseum) followed the same frantic pace of the previous match. The fight was similar except this time the Colleseum fighter had more of the control thus gaining a judges’ decision.

Pool 2

Carl Fisher fighting out of Tom Blackledge’s Academy caught an accidental knee in the face from Steve Fitzsimmons (Sport JJ) which seemed to throw Carl off his game a little. Carl was just settling into a knee ride as this happened and, after a short break to recover, struggled struggled to regain control of the match. This is not detracting from the fact that Steve took control and got a choke submission later in the match.

Carl had to withdraw from his second match due to injury.

Male 80-85kg Division

The eagerly awaited debut of Bamber from Combat Base BJJ didn’t disappoint as he took the fight to Alan Reisborough from Phoenix MMA. I have to admit that with two powerful and game opponents in the ring I was a little nervous myself. So focussed was Bamber he didn’t even flinch when unintentionally punched in the face. Both guys were throwing thunderous shots until they clinched. Alan tried to take Bamber down but ended up offering his back when Bamber took and sunk in a rear naked strangle for the win. Very impressive debut.

Also making his debut was Shawn Lancaster representing the Fighting Chance Academy against Spenna representing Combat Base BJJ and Kickers. Shawn tried to make his weight advantage count and fought very well against Spenna who is a patient fighter. At the end of regulation time Spenna took the judges’ decision.

Vale Tudo Tournament Finals

Widge Milward (Colleseum)V Troy Rimmington (Sport JJ)

Rimmington shot for a takedown after an exchange of strikes but left his neck open.Chris seized the opportunity and sunk in a deep triangle forcing Troy to tap out early in the match.

Richard Westwell (Colleseum) V Ryan Hunter (Combat Base BJJ)

This was as good a match as any I’d seen that day. Both fighters trading shots before clinching. From the clinch Ryan went for the takedown but Richard caught a guillotine on the way to the ring floor. Ryan looked to be in trouble as he struggled against the hold. He eventually got his head free and started to mount some offence. Ryan managed to pass guard to a side control and attempted a reverse mounted triangle. From there he attacked Richard’s arm but he managed to defend until Ryan re-rolled an eventually got the tap out. Both guys fought with great heart.

Graham Beaumont (Sport JJ) V Chad Belwood (Kickers)

Weird is the best way to describe this. Chad nipped out for something to eat and didn’t get back in time for the final match giving Graham the win by default. Graham however accepted a submission grappling match instead against Ian McFarlane from Phoenix MMA which Graham won.

Matt Thorpe (Colleseum) V Iain Brownley - injured

Unfortunately Iain had to withdraw so Matt was declared the winner although a little disappointed he didn’t fight in the final.

Steve Fitzsimmons (Sport JJ) V Aidrian Oliver (Fighting Chance Academy)

Fitzsimmons won but I can't recall how, sorry!

Bamber and Spenna are training partners who chose not to fight, subsequently sharing first place.

Hull Sport Ju Jitsu won the Team Trophy, demonstrating how they have developed over the months. Widge Milward was given the Fighter of the Day trophy for demonstrating great technique and being entertaining on the day. It was nice to see old friends and meet new faces, and seeing Neil Hall's guys, and the Colloseum bunch getting a look in cna only raise the standards of other teams now that the competition is deepening. This event just keep getting better and the fighters on the day hopefully all took away something valuable from the day. Darren did a great job of (again) offering a friendly environment in which everyone could gain experience.

SUBMISSION WRESTLING

Melissa Leathley (Sport JJ) V Joanne Simpson (Phoenix MMA)
Melissa by decision.

Melanie Coulon (Phoenix MMA) V Jennie Taylor (Colleseum)
Jennie by decision

Jemma Reisborough (Phoenix MMA) V Cheryl Williams (Combat Base BJJ)
Cheryl by submission.

Troy Rimmington (Sport JJ) V Paul Taylor (Phoenix MMA)
Troy by submission

Chris Eastwood (Combat Base BJJ) V Martin Kleinhout (Sport JJ)
Martin by decision

Carl Fisher (Tom Blackledge's Academy) V Spenna (Combat Base BJJ/Kickers)
Spenna by submission

Chris Eastwood (Combat Base BJJ) V John Nevis (Sport JJ)
Chris by decision

Pete Guest (Combat Base BJJ) V Ian Patterson (Phoenix MMA)
Pete by submission

Graham Beaumont (Sport JJ) V Ian McFarlane (Phoenix MMA)

VALE TUDO TOURNAMENT SEMIS

Steve Bowman (Phoenix MMA) V Steve Newlove (Sport JJ)
Newlove by referee stoppage

Pete Hill (Combat Base BJJ) V Steve Newlove (Sport JJ)
Draw

Cheryl Williams (Combat Base BJJ) V Jennie Taylor (Colleseum)
Cheryl by submission

Widge Milward (Colleseum) V Paul Tighe (Phoenix MMA)
Widge by submission

Troy Rimmington (Sport JJ) V Paul Tighe (Phoenix MMA)
Troy by decision

Paul Rimmington (Sport JJ) V Ryan Hunter (Combat Base BJJ)
Ryan by decision

Graham Beaumont (Sport JJ) V Ian Margerison (Fighting Chance Academy)
Graham by decision

Chad Belwood (Kickers) V Tony Morales (Phoenix MMA)
Chad by submission

Tony Morales (Phoenix MMA) V Ian Margerison. (Fighting Chance Academy)
Tony by decision

Iain Brownley (Phoenix MMA) V Aaron Chatfield (Colleseum)
Iain by decision.

Dave Simpson (Phoenix MMA) V Matt Thorpe (Colleseum)
Matt by decision.

Carl Fisher (Tom Blackledge's Academy) V Steve Fitzsimmons (Sport JJ)
Steve by submission

Bamber (Combat Base BJJ) V Alan Reisborough (Phoenix MMA)
Bamber by submission

Shawn Lancaster (Fighting Chance Academy) V Spenna (Combat Base BJJ/Kickers)
Spenna by decision.

Vale Tudo Tournament Finals

Widge Milward (Colleseum)V Troy Rimmington (Sport JJ)
Widge by submission

Richard Westwell (Colleseum) V Ryan Hunter (Combat Base BJJ)
Ryan by submission

Graham Beaumont (Sport JJ) V Chad Belwood (Kickers)
Graham by default

Matt Thorpe (Colleseum) V Iain Brownley - injured
Matt by withdrew due to injury

Steve Fitzsimmons (Sport JJ) V Adrian Oliver (Fighting Chance Academy)
Steve by submission

Bamber and Spenna train together at Combat Base BJJ so did not fight each other in the final calling it a draw and sharing first place.