Ultimate Combat 5 : Maximum Power

Chippenham, UK — Sunday 16^th March — The fifth in the series of Ultimate Combat promotions didn’t have any big names like Dan Severn on the bill this time around, but it had plenty of action with only one of the fifteen bouts ending in a decision. Sadly, the hotly anticipated rematch between Sol Gilbert and Lars Besand had to be postponed after Gilbert tore his shoulder during sparring, but the two men came into the ring and promised to deliver the rematch at a future show. The fight card was an international one, featuring Team Shoot Espana, and warriors from the United States and Denmark taking on the best the UK has to offer.

Fight One — Welterweight Bout

Neil Barber vs. Dave Waters

The first two men out of the gate were Neil Barber, a member of the Manchester-based Team Ground and Pound, and Dave Waters, an experienced cage fighter. Waters came out swinging at the bell, and Barber responded with a thigh kick. From the clinch, Waters slammed Barber to the ground, holding the top position. From his back Barber attempted an arm-bar, but Waters worked out of it and landed a punch to his opponents’ face. Waters followed this with a slam when Barber tried to catch him with a triangle choke. Waters kept on the pressure, rabbit-punching, while Barber continued trying to find a submission. Tied up on the ground in a stalemate situation, the pair were separated by the referee and brought back to their feet in the centre of the ring. Waters immediately went for the takedown, and back on the ground Barber attempted his triangle, before he managed to flip Waters, who finding himself on the bottom for the first time in the bout, went looking for an ankle lock as the bell rang for the end of the first round.

The second bell saw Waters come out throwing leather again, before the fighters returned to the canvas, where the referee had to separate them. From the break they went straight back to the clinch, then the ground, before being separated again from a stalemate. Waters, who still had plenty of energy, then worked his ground and pound, forcing Barber to cover up as best he could. With Barber clearly tired and unable to offer any resistance, the referee called a halt to save the Mancunian from further punishment.

Fight Two — Lightweight Bout

Gary Howe vs. Steven Milward

The second fight of the night started with a flurry of blows from both men, before Howe took Milward to the floor. Milward was already bleeding, but scored with elbows and punches. Howe tried to roll out of trouble, but Milward found a rear choke and sunk it in tight, forcing Howe to tap out after 1 minute 28 seconds of the first round.

Fight Three — Middleweight Bout

Robert Mitchell vs. John Nicholson

On entering the ring Nicholson, a two time veteran from Grapple and Strike, looked the more muscular fighter, but Mitchell, the second Team Ground and Pound fighter of the evening, was considerably taller and had the reach advantage. There seemed to be some bad blood between these two. When Nicholson crossed the ring and offered his opponent a handshake before the bout, Mitchell refused, drawing a chorus of boos from the audience. Forced to shake hands by the referee, Nicholson slapped Mitchell’s hand and turned his back, so tensions were running high before the first punch had been thrown. From the bell, Nicholson charged out of his corner throwing punches with bad intentions, and mixing it up with low kicks to the thighs. Mitchell clinched and worked his under-hooks through Nicholson’s arms, prompting Nicholson to start working his knees on the inside. Up against the ropes Mitchell tripped him and attempted a triangle on the ground with Nicholson on top in the half-mount. Evading the triangle attempt, Nicholson tried to commence ground-and-pounding, but the fighters were on the very lip of the ring and the ref broke them apart to prevent them falling out. Back on their feet, Nicholson led with another roundhouse kick to the thigh and a big right hand before Mitchell clinched and tripped him to the canvas. With Nicholson in his guard, Mitchell attempted another triangle at the bell.

Between rounds, Nicholson rested on his stool, but Mitchell preferred to stand, so it was apparent who was feeling freshest when the bell sounded to summon the combatants back into action. The second round began following the same pattern as the first. Nicholson swung a low roundhouse kick, before Mitchell closed the gap and took him down, finally landing on top. From the top Mitchell took an elbow in the face before throwing a flurry of his own that helped put him in position for an arm bar. Nicholson tapped out, and Team Ground and Pound had their first victory of the evening. The Team is barely a year old and they show real promise in their determination and technique, but a little good sportsmanship wouldn’t go amiss.

Fight Four — Lightweight Bout

Brian Sugden vs. Aaron Chatfield

This one was almost over before it started. Both men were making their debuts as MMA professionals, and apparently all the excitement had left Brian Sugden primed and ready to explode. The bell hadn’t stopped ringing before he tore across the ring and lashed out at his opponent with a furious tirade of punches. He seized Chatfield who was trying to clinch and slammed him to the canvas. The slam may have been what knocked Chatfield out, but Sugden was so pumped up he threw a handful of shots before he realised his opponent was unconscious. Sugden was already backing off when the referee called a halt. Oxygen was administered to the fallen fighter, and happily Aaron was soon back on his feet, which was clearly a relief to his victorious opponent. The ring announcer called the stoppage at 28 seconds of the first round, marking a wild and lightning fast pro debut for Brian Sugden.

Fight Five — Light-Heavyweight European Bout

Julian Gonzalez (Spain) vs. Tom Blackledge (England)

Gonzalez was first of the Spanish fighters on the card tonight, and he came with some impressive credentials, being a veteran of the M-1 Russia competition and Spanish Vale Tudo Champion. He cut an imposing figure in the ring, with heavily muscled arms and shoulders. His opponent Tom Blackledge has his fair share of past victories to his credit, with the fastest knockout in Grapple and Strike history — timed at three (yes, three) seconds.

From the outset, Blackledge opened up the exchange of martial musings with a jumping front kick that didn’t land clean on Gonzalez, but stopped the Spaniard closing the gap. Blackledge shot in and took Gonzalez down, but was unable to maintain control, allowing Gonzalez to escape to his feet. The Spaniard then began his own assault, launching a fearsome ground and pound that encouraged the Englishman to get back to his feet. Gonzalez threw some heavy leather and Blackledge responded with a high roundhouse that landed on his opponents’ shoulder. Gonzalez took the opportunity to push Blackledge into a corner, where the English warrior demonstrated some fast footwork in swapping places with the rampaging Spaniard. Blackledge punched and threw another high kick, but they landed on his target’s arms and gloves. Moving out of the corner swinging at Blackledge’s chin, the Spaniard was caught in a headlock and thrown to the ground, where Blackledge landed on the bottom. He attempted a triangle, but Gonzalez muscled out of it and threw shots from the half-mount, but was unable to work past Blackledge’s guard. Gonzalez regained his feet and scored a kick to the head of his prone opponent that clearly shook Blackledge up badly. The bell rang with Blackledge on his back and Gonzalez looking for a way to dive in without getting caught in the guard.

Between rounds Blackledge was sucking gas in his corner, trying to find his second wind. Alas, there was no respite and the bell sounded calling him back to the fray. Clearly tired and unwilling to trade shots, Blackledge immediately shot for a single leg, but Gonzalez, who looked fresh despite the pace of the opening foray, drove Blackledge on to his back. The English scrapper managed to hold Gonzalez in his guard and the pair were separated by the referee, forcing the tired British pugilist back to his feet. Blackledge threw two high roundhouse kicks at the advancing Gonzalez, but they landed on the shoulder, and Blackledge tumbled into his corner as Gonzalez drove relentlessly forwards. With the Spaniard on top throwing down punishment, and an exhausted Blackledge unable to defend himself, the referee stopped the contest just as the towel was about to come in from the English corner. It was am impressive performance by both men and an auspicious start for the Spanish team.

Fight Six — Lightweight International Superfight

Brian Davis (USA) vs. Pat Carr (England)

This martial cross-cultural exchange was between American Brian Davis, who trains with the Ze Marcello Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, and the very popular British fighter Pat Carr, the Ultimate Combat 4 European Superfight Champion. When the action began, Davis took Carr down to the canvas, gaining the top position and trying to score with shots to Carr’s head. Pat defended and started working his way out, leading Davis to switch to an attempted leg lock. Carr, demonstrating technical virtuosity and tremendous speed, switched around and applied a rear choke. The American succeeded in escaping the choke and landed a shot to Carr’s face before attempting a choke of his own. With Carr on his back, Davis squeezed the front choke in hard, but Carr, despite turning bright red, broke his grip and held Davis in his guard before the referee broke them apart a short while later due to a lack of action. Upright, Carr threw a roundhouse as Davis closed the gap for a takedown that saw the British fighter land in the half-mount. Pat threw a flurry of shots and as Davis worked for the reversal, Carr switched to an arm-bar. There was no escaping this one, and Davis tapped out as Carr cranked on his elbow.

Despite lasting less than a round, this was an outstanding match, with both fighters displaying speed, technique and heart. Carr was so delighted with his victory that he performed a headstand in the middle of the ring. He’s an extremely slick competitor, able to switch direction and tactics in a heartbeat, and hopefully we’ll see a lot more of him in the future.

Fight Seven — Welterweight Bout

Daniel Rogerson vs. Matt Thorpe

Mat Thorpe, a member of Team Coliseum from Cheshire, squared off with Daniel Rogerson, the third fighter from Team Ground and Pound to grace the ring this evening. Thorpe got the proceedings underway with a high kick that was answered with a flurry of punches from the Manchester fighter, who forced his way inside and introduced Thorpe to the canvas. Thorpe was looking for a submission, and worked his legs in for a triangle choke, to which Rogerson responded by picking up his opponent and slamming him to the floor. Attempting a second slam, Rogerson allowed Thorpe to flip him over and down, but the fighter kept his wits about him and landed in position to snap on an arm-bar. Thorpe tapped out, and the Manchester posse had another notch in their collective belt.

Fight Eight — Middleweight European Bout

Antonio Navarro (Spain) vs. Sandy Geddes (Scotland)

It was time for the Spanish contingent to grace the squared ring once more in the hugely muscled form of Antonio Navarro, whose previous credits include holding the Spanish Kickboxing Championship belt. Apparently Navarro must have had some trouble coming through Her Majesty’s Customs, who apparently had confiscated his neck, because his head seemed directly connected to his massive shoulders. Facing him in the blue corner was Sandy Geddes, a member of the Paratroop Regiment of Scottish extraction. Geddes looked slightly taller than his Spanish dancing partner, but Navarro looked the more powerful. From the opening bell Geddes made use of his own kickboxing experience, throwing a high roundhouse at the advancing Navarro. The two men clinched, and Geddes kept working, scoring with a punch to the Spaniards’ head. Navarro then relocated matters to the canvas, where Geddes tried an unsuccessful guillotine choke, not an easy technique to attempt on someone with no neck. Navarro threw some hurtful shots from his position on top, then sprawled to catch the Paratrooper in an upper four-direction pin. Navarro proceeded to crush his opponent into the floor of the ring, smothering him, forcing Geddes to tap. So far it had been a very felicitous night for the scrappers from Team Shoot Espana. But the night wasn’t over yet.

Fight Nine — Heavyweight European Bout

Pauli Nielsen (Denmark) vs. Ryan Robinson (England)

Time for the big men to leave their mark. Pauli Nielsen, from Denmark, is the training partner of Lars Besand, the Danish heavyweight Shootfighting Champion. Ryan Robinson had fought the month before in "Cage Rage 2" in London where he had defeated Lance King. True to form, Robinson began the bout launching a front kick at Nielsen’s breadbasket, before the two men clinched. Ryan forced the action to the ground, where the Dane attempted an arm-bar. As Ryan rolled out of the arm-bar, he caught a foot in the face from Nielsen, which, unfortunately for the Danish fighter, only seemed to enrage the British warrior. A furious Robinson grabbed Nielsen in a headlock and hurled him to the ground, where he quickly secured a rear choke. Nielsen tapped out and a pumped up Robinson was clearly delighted. Trophy in hand he hollered, "I love winning!" above the applause of the crowd.

Fight Ten — Lightweight Bout

Dave McLaughlin vs. Lee Bowers

Next into the spotlight were Cambridge fighter Dave McLaughlin, a veteran of Ultimate Combat and the Russian Cage Fighting Champion. Facing him was Lee Bowers, a three time Grapple and Strike combatant, who had the benefit of having Pat Carr in his corner on this occasion. Bowers opening gambit was a high kick to the head, which McLaughlin took on the arm. When Bowers repeated the trick, McLaughlin rushed in for a takedown. On the ground the action flowed with alacrity, as Bowers tried for a guillotine, McLaughlin attempted an ankle lock, and then having both failed in their submission attempts, the two fighters traded blows as they switched positions. McLaughlin, finding it to be his turn on top, made good use of his position to crank on a key-lock. Bowers tried to muscle out of it, but the lock was on tight, and he had to tap as McLaughlin notched up the pressure.

Fight Eleven — Middleweight European Superfight

Javier Garcia (Spain) vs. Paul Ramsdale (England)

Javier Garcia, from Team Shoot Espana, came in to the ring with an extremely impressive résumé, that includes an MMA record of 12-2, and the Brazilian Grappling Championship title. His antagonist tonight was the Millennium Brawl British Title Holder Paul Ramsdale. When the bell called the fighters out of their corners, Ramsdale emerged as the aggressor, hurling punches before shooting in to take Garcia down. Before the Spaniard had a chance to apply any kind of submission, Ramsdale picked him back up only to slam him down hard. Pouring on the pressure, Paul then unloaded leather, before Garcia escaped to his feet and found Ramsdale’s back. Showing excellent defence, Ramsdale resisted a rear choke, and turned around, finding himself in Garcia’s guard. The Spanish brawler looked like he had a good chance of securing a triangle choke, but the ever-defiant Ramsdale dug short punches in to his opponents’ ribs. Just as it looked as though Ramsdale would escape the triangle, Garcia switched to a textbook demonstration of an arm-bar, and Ramsdale suddenly found himself tapping out. An excellent outing for both competitors, with Garcia showing grace under pressure and quick wits in switching to the arm-bar from the triangle.

Fight Twelve — Ultimate Combat British Title Fight — Welterweight

David Webb vs. Paul Jenkins

Welshman Paul "Hands of Stone" Jenkins is one of the busiest fighters on the UK circuit. A British and Welsh Kickboxing Champion, Jenkins obviously likes to keep himself occupied, he must be a disciple of the old boxing adage "Rest Makes Rust". There was no rust in evidence tonight when Jenkins took on David Webb, from Tokon Submission, for the British Title. In the first round, both men displayed their kickboxing training, trading kicks from the bell. Jenkins threw a low roundhouse, which Webb answered with a high roundhouse, but neither landed clean. Jenkins threw a second low kick before letting his hands fly, encouraging Webb to clinch. Jenkins caught Webb with a trip and they went down, where the Welshman threw a series of punches before Webb managed to restrain him in the guard. After a short stalemate on the floor, the referee stepped in to separate the pair, and on their feet they traded blows before grappling. Displaying his strength, Webb drove Jenkins in to a neutral corner where he held him against the ring post. Jenkins tried another trip, and Webb was having none of it, keeping Jenkins trapped in the corner. In response, Jenkins used his free right hand to work on Webb’s ribs, and began climbing the ropes looking for leverage. The referee stepped in and broke the two men apart, but they immediately clinched again and Webb returned Jenkins to the neutral corner. Unable to break the clinch, Jenkins started stomping on Webb’s feet, which sufficiently unsettled the fighter for Jenkins to grab a leg and take Webb down. The Englishman reversed Jenkins and they regained their feet. Jenkins scored with a low roundhouse to the outer thigh just before the bell for the end of the first round.

The second began with Webb giving Jenkins a taste of his own medicine, landing a low roundhouse. Jenkins shot for a leg, but got caught in a potential guillotine. He managed to drive Webb to the canvas, breaking the hold and finally getting the opportunity to unleash a fearsome ground and pound. This is Jenkins’ bread and butter, and he let his hands go, scoring repeatedly to Webb’s face and head. As the leather rained down the referee stepped in to save the defenceless Webb from absorbing further damage.

Jenkins finally has a British MMA title to show for all his hard work, and was clearly delighted with the win. The Welsh warrior is a tough and determined fighter and acquitted himself with panache on this occasion.

Fight Thirteen — Lightweight Bout

Ozzy Haluk vs. John Waite

Ozzy Haluk was the last member of Team Ground and Pound to enter the ring at Ultimate Combat 5. Opposing him was John Waite from Team Warriors in Portsmouth, a two-time Ultimate Combat veteran. Haluk was the aggressor from the get-go, throwing fast, hard punches at Waite, catching him in the face and driving his man against the ropes. Waite tried to take Haluk down, then scored with a high kick that slowed Haluk long enough for Waite to take him to the canvas. The Manchester fighter tried on a triangle for size, but Waite responded, landing punches to Haluk’s ribs in the process. As Waite tried to regain his feet, Haluk kept his legs locked around his opponent’s neck, and rolled Waite on his back, trapping him between his legs. Haluk then had free rein to land punches on the head and face of the prone Waite, until the referee decided Waite had absorbed sufficient battering to warrant calling a halt. "Ground and pound, that’s what I’m talking about!" said a very pumped up Haluk, whose victory took the final total for the Manchester team to 3-1 for the night.

Fight Fourteen — Light-Heavyweight International Superfight

Ruben Vazquez (Spain) vs. Pierre Guillet (USA)

This was definitely the fight of the night. International Pankration Champion Ruben Vazquez, from Team Shoot Espana, looked like he only needed to be painted green to double for the Incredible Hulk. Undefeated in MMA, Vazquez looked extremely powerful coming in to the ring, with a barrel chest and huge shoulders and arms. His opponent was the taller and slightly thinner American Pierre Guillet, who is with the US Airforce, stationed near Cambridge. Guillet came to the ring with an MMA record of 8-1-1, which includes two Ultimate Combat Superfight Champion titles.

From the offing, Vazquez rampaged across the ring, where he was met by a high roundhouse from the American. Vazquez shot in for a double leg takedown, but Guillet sprawled. A second takedown succeeded for the Spaniard and on the ground he tried to unload several huge right hand haymakers on to Guillet, who defended well in the guard. Guillet pushed Vazquez off and found his feet again. Vazquez shot in for another double leg takedown, but this time Guillet sprawled and secured his underhooks, forcing Vazquez to stay on his feet. The Spaniard drove Guillet into a neutral corner, but Guillet scored repeatedly with his knees to the solar plexus and stomach, even landing one knee strike to his opponent’s chin, which rattled Vazquez. The referee separated the two fighters and moved them away from the ropes. Guillet threw a high roundhouse and Vazquez dumped him on his back for his trouble. The American worked punches in to his opponents’ ribs, before Vazquez tried a choke. Guillet responded with an attempted arm lock, and the two fighters were tangled on the floor when the bell rang for the end of round one.

Guillet sat on his stool between rounds, while Vazquez stayed on his feet, but coming out for the second go-round, the American seemed to have more gas in the tank. Guillet landed a low thigh kick on the advancing Spaniard, before sprawling to resist another take down attempt. Guillet scored with short punches in the clinch before Vazquez grabbed him in a bear hug and threw him down. Fighting out of the guard, Guillet landed several shots to Vazquez’ face and tried out a triangle choke. All the while the Spanish warrior was trying to find Guillet’s chin with his big right hand. The Spaniard backed away from a moment, trying to regain his breath, before moving back in again, swinging away with a vengeance. Guillet tied him up and tried a triangle, then an ankle lock. Vazquez continued to swing his right arm like a baseball bat, but Guillet defended brilliantly, constantly tying him up in the guard and landing short punches, and the Spaniard was breathing hard. The crowd was roaring encouragement and members of Guillet’s entourage led a chant of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" to spur their fighter on. After a third triangle failed by Guillet, the fighters stood back up and clinched. Guillet scored with a knee in the kisser, and Vazquez was clearly suffering. Now it was Guillets’ turn to take Vazquez down, holding him in the guard where he foiled every attempt by Vazquez to ground and pound. The round ended with Vazquez trying desperately to find Guillet with his right hand haymakers at the bell.

Vazquez staggered back to his corner, where his trainer obviously decided his man was spent. The towel went in before the bell rang for the overtime round and that was the end of Vazquez’ unbeaten record. Guillet received a huge round of applause, which was richly deserved. He fought with guts, skill and outstanding ringmanship, keeping his head under tremendous pressure. Hopefully Guillet will be back for Ultimate Combat 6 in June, if he isn’t called up to active duty in the Gulf first.

Fight Fifteen — Ultimate Combat British Title Fight - Lightweight

Mark Chen vs. Paul Sutherland

Both of the fighters competing for Lightweight honours were Ultimate Combat regulars. Mark Chen from Harrow took on Paul Sutherland from the Rough House Gym in Gloucester. Sutherland looked like he was in top shape coming out for the opening bell. He threw a high roundhouse, allowing Chen to shoot in for a takedown and an attempt to secure a key lock. Chen brought Sutherland into his guard, but was unable to stop two solid punches finding their mark from his opponent. Sutherland attempted to break free of the guard, but Chen wasn’t about to let his man escape and as the two rolled across the canvas they rolled out under the bottom rope. They were saved by the officials’ ringside table and were separated by the referee to prevent them falling completely out of the ring. Back on their feet, Chen took Sutherland back to the ground, but Sutherland was getting the best of the action on the floor, scoring another punch and venturing an arm-bar. Chen replied with a guillotine choke, pulling it on tight. Sutherland was able to get his feet planted and the referee broke them apart when neither man was able to continue working. Chen threw a pair of high kicks on his feet, but left himself off-balance for a takedown, where Sutherland threw short hard shots into Chen’s ribs on the ground. The bell drew the curtain on the first round, which Sutherland had taken with his more effective groundwork.

The second round set up the pattern for the rest of the fight. The combatants invariably went to the ground, where Chen was unable to control Sutherland in the half-guard. For his part, Sutherland wore Chen down with numerous small shots to his face and body. Separated by the referee for inactivity, Sutherland immediately shot back in and took Chen down again, landing in his guard, where he continued pecking away at him with short punches. The referee broke them apart again, and the pattern was replayed — Sutherland took Chen down, and continued to methodically apply a ground and pound. The second round belonged to Sutherland, who was the only fighter to score with his offensive skills.

During the break between the second and third rounds, Mark Chen looked drained. Ignoring his corner-men’s frantic appeals to stand back and punch, Chen opened the third with another high kick. True to form, Sutherland shot in underneath the kick for a single leg takedown, and found himself in the familiar territory of Chen’s guard. Chen appeared unable to mount any kind of offence, and it was up to Sutherland to carry the action and he stuck to his ground and pound. By this point Chen’s face was becoming increasingly marked up and it was all he could do to keep his much fresher opponent in the guard.

The two-minute overtime round failed to deviate from the established form, with more ground and pound from Sutherland, who could see the title at the end of the tunnel. At the close of the final round, Sutherland earned the unanimous decision and the Ultimate Combat British Lightweight belt. The three judges scored the fight 36/40, 36/40 and 37/40 for Paul, whose face looked completely untouched and he was beaming with happiness as promoter Dale Adams strapped the Championship Belt around his waist.

And so the evening came to a close. The fans went home happy, after an evening of furious action in the ring. It was certainly an easy night for the three judges, who were only called upon to deliver one single decision. Paul Jenkins realised his British Title ambitions, and Pierre Guillet and Ruben Vazquez fought a masterful scrap. Roll on Ultimate Combat 6! Report by David West

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