hurtbusiness

Massive news from FX3 . For years, MMA fans have wondered about the lack of competition in London. Apart from the marmite like shows from Cage Rage / UCUK- the capital has been an MMA free zone.

This press release from FX3  gives notice that they are ready to change all that:

“FX3 “X”treme Combat was established in the UK in 2005 and since that time has grown to become one of the prominent and leading promotions through-out the UK and Europe. Due to restrictions from the venue and local councils it has been 6 months since the last FX3 “X”treme Combat event which was held in September 2008. We are now pleased to announce that alongside our dates in Reading, Berkshire we have now also secured a London venue which is The York Hall, Bethnal Green. The York Hall has recently undergone major refurbishment and our first event there will be on June 13th and then again on October 31st 2009 with more dates to follow. We have also confirmed a whole batch of new fighters for FX3 including some of the most well known and respected fighters in the UK such as Mark Weir, John Maguire, Leo Nagao and many more. Denniston Sutherland, the current FX3 Light Heavy Weight World Champion will be defending his title against Jake Bostwick, another new signing to FX3 in his bid to be crowned World Champion. Crowd favourite Scott Jansen will take on the monster of a man Joe Mac for the British U77K Title. We are also very excited to welcome to our upcoming fight cards Gorgio Andrews, Suley Mohmood and Michael Johnson all from the renowned London Shoot Fighters Gym. European superstar Jason Jones from the World Famous Mikes Gym in Holland will be back in the FX3 Circular Cage along with team mate Danny Van Bergen who will also be contesting for the FX3 Light Weight Title. It is also our honour and pleasure to welcome back Dutch fighting sensation and K1 + MMA legend Melvin Manheof… 2009 now looks like a very exciting year for FX3 “X”treme Combat, with 6 events booked between May and December 2009, for full details and fight cards please visit www.fx3.org.uk ”

MMA in the York Hall. Great news. Pity about the clash with UFC 99.

A full report on Cage Gladiators XI is now up on the main site:

Go to Report

The UK MMA season gets into full swing with Cage Gladiators XI – Resurrection at the Olympia in Liverpool on Saturday night.

No doubt the attendance will be boosted by TV groupies hoping to catch a glimpse of Emile “Million Dollar Trader” Coleman. Those of us who are going for the fights will also have plenty to keep us going.

Lightweight is arguably the deepest division in UK MMA and CG XI will help us to work out the pecking order of that weight class. In the main event, Harvey Harra will have the chance to confirm he can mix it with the best. Coming up, he has a BFC clash against the rejuvenated Ian Butlin. Before that, he has to face the most dangerous legs in the North West.

(WARNING : MICHAEL WINNER STYLE NAME DROP COMING UP)

I was talking to Greg Jackson recently and the world’s number one trainer/coach was raving about Paul Sass. Sass has been over to Jackson’s in Albuquerque and apparently doesn’t look out of place in that stable of superstars. He has the incredible record of six straight pro wins by triangle (nine including semi and amateur). He will be a strong favourite to continue his unbeaten run- but Harra has some impressive names on his record and is well capable of spoiling the party.

The last man to fall victim to the “Sassangle” was Jason Ball. The result disguises the fact that “Daddy Cool” spent long periods dishing out brutal ground and pound and came within a whisker of  a stoppage win. Ball was a top ten Welterweight and showed he has the strength and experience (some gloriously sly fence grabbing to maintain top position) to be a genuine threat to anyone at Lightweight. The Donny David Haye lookalike has already clocked up a win away in Florida this year against ATT’s Glenn Mincer, so he will be full of confidence. He’ll still need to be on the top of his game to get past Mick Sinclair. He has shown off his subs in the past and his last Olympia appearance reminded everyone about his striking. My favourite Mick Sinclair fight was his three round war with Ian Jones at Ultimate Force in October 2007.  The final round saw the pair knee lumps out of each other in the clinch before taking it turns to look for last minute head kick KOs. Both of these lads have got big futures- but the one who gets his arm raised on Saturday night will be making a real statement.

There is quality down the card- including a few hurtbusiness faves. Lucasz Les looks to have all the tools to be a genuine star. On the last card I saw he is matched against the wily old campaigner TBC- but you have to fancy him get the W.

Les Ojugabana had a disappointing 2008. He went 0-3 and also went to Mannheim to fight Mario Stapel, only to discover the German had pulled out when he was waiting for him in the cage. As is often the case- the stat’s only tell half the story. His to and fro war with Wayne Murray was one of the fights of the year and he has the physical tools to compete with anyone at Welterweight. On a superficial level- we love the matching tracksuits of “Team Hollywood” and the high jumps. Julian “Jabba” Soares looks a tough cookie on paper- but Leslee will be hoping to get the job done.

Kam Atakuru has the most deceiving record in UK MMA. 1-3 doesn’t look much until you check the quality of the 3- the aforementioned Jason Ball, Lucasz Les and Les Ojugabana. For proof that Kam is no mug- check out the video of his bout with Jason Ball. It’s one of the most amazing fights you’ll see. For those sheep who have fallen in with the view that Marc Goddard has a tendency to stop fights early- it’s required viewing. 

Atakuru v Ball

Kam will be hoping his CV makes more respectable reading after his fight with Russel Burns.

If none of that floats your boat; there are another eight fights to enjoy. If that isn’t value for money – I don’t know what is.

For full details, ticket etc go to:

Cage Gladiator’s website

Full report will be available at the main site

www.hurtbusiness.com

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UPDATE

Lucasz Les will fight the legendary Paul “Hands of Stone” Jenkins.

A word to the wise about a couple of quality reads for followers of MMA.

Over at www.mmahitpit.com , fighter Dave Bownds has a blog. It’s always worth reading and his latest offering, which covers his fight at Night of the Gladiators is particularly good.

Read it here. 

Another fighter who has started blogging is favourite for the BFC Bantamweight title Paul McVeigh. It was inevitable that one of the Dinky Ninjas would start sharing their knowledge with the world. We know from articles in the Scottish press that they are the world’s most intellectual fight team. After a hard sparring session they love nothing better than gathering around an open fire to toast crumpets while deconstructing Satre and pressing wild flowers.

McVeigh’s blog is certain to be a good read- full of tips, insight into the warped mind of a quality athlete and no doubt a few laughs. hurtbusiness predicts it will become a must read.

Check it out at: maccavelli.wordpress.com