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Ultimate Force is never less than a great night out. Ace venue, the most enthusiastic fans in UK MMA and a roster of quality regulars. For a variety of reasons, Saturday’s event looks like being even better than usual.

The main event sees a classic up and comer versus veteran match up for the European Welterweight title. Danny Mitchel won the Title Challenge at Total Combat 28, earning himself a grand and a massive boost to his reputation. On a night when all around were losing their heads- Danny got past homeboy and future superstar Andy McQueen and “The Viking” Runar Gundersen. Back on home turf and backed by his always noisy fan club- Mitchel will be hoping to push on. Facing him is veteran Lee Doski. Doski has been in with everyone who’s anyone on the UK scene. On his last visit to Doncaster, he showed his class when submitting the ultra-game Gary Savage. Since then- he has endured a spell out injured and a three fight losing streak. When you see that those losses came against Simon Phillips, Peter Irving and in a Pancrase rules fight against Jess Liaudin- it doesn’t seem nearly as bad. A chance for both fighters to make a statement. Doski needs a win to show he really is on his way back. A win for Mitchel would mean he becomes a player on the domestic Welterweight scene.

Jim Wallhead is undoubtedly a player on the domestic Welterweight scene. “Judo” Jim was the clear favourite to take the British Fighting Championship title before that organisation imploded. He was due to face Fabio Taldo in the first round of the BFC. Ultimate Force have stepped in and the fight will now go ahead. Wallhead will be expected to prevail. His last two fights have demonstrated why he is one of the most feared Welters outside the big shows. His display of controlled aggression against Fabricio Nascimento highlighted his vastly improved stand up in the UK fight of the year. His destruction of jiu jitsu ace Igor Araujo proved beyond doubt he is ready to step up to the next level. Overlooked for TUF 9, Jimmy will just have to keep dishing out the pain until the one of the major promotions hand over his long overdue contract. My only experience of Taldo was seeing his win over Edgelson Lua at the first Ultimate Challenge. Taldo took his man down and looked for a heel hook for three minutes before earning the tap. Hopefully, he has more than the Ken Shamrock plan #1 in his locker or it could be in for a brief but highly unpleasant experience.

Wayne Murrie v James Bateman is another salvaged BFC first round bout. Bateman has graduated to the Dome via impressive displays at the Storm Force / Phoenix Fights feeder shows in Rotherham. In Murrie, he is facing one of the stars of Ultimate Force. Rarely in a dull fight, “Mayhem” has a habit of getting the crowd on their feet, most notably when choking out Djamel Moula at Ultimate Force 6: Battle of Waterloo. Last November, his thrilling third TKO win over Leslee Ojugbana allowed Murrie to show off his all round game. On that form, it’s hard to look beyond a Wayne Murrie win.

Ian Jones headlined the last Ultimate Force and was comprehensively beaten by Ross Pearson. No shame in that as Pearson looks to be the outstanding prospect in UK MMA and is currently winning fans on both sides of the Atlantic due to his starring role in TUF 9. Jones will take on Tommy Maguire on Saturday.  

Jason “Daddy Cool” Ball will return to the scene of his greatest triumphs in the hope of revitalising his career as a lightweight. Since dropping down from Welter, Ball has clocked up wins against Aidan Marron and Glenn Mincer. He has also dropped a decision to Mick Sinclair and came closer than anyone to beating the phenomenal Paul Sass. Doncaster’s favourite David Haye lookalike battered the Scouse prodigy for eleven minutes and twenty six seconds before being snared in the inevitable triangle. His opponent Alexandre “Xandinho” Izidro will be a good measuring stick. He loses a few- but only because he chooses to mix it with the very best. Both men are always in great shape and the judges may be called on to separate them.

On top of these goodies- you’ve got another nine fights to enjoy. The Dome is one of the most luxurious venues on the UK MMA circuit and, with this many local heroes on the bill, you can guarantee a special atmosphere. Add in the attractions of the cheekiest ring card girls in the business and the extra large beer glasses and you’ve got pretty much the perfect night out.

Be there.

For full details, go to Ultimate Force website