Gym host Rough N Ready mma studio in Northampton opened its doors for the penultimate round in seasons 5 of the Leagues quest to find its champions. Old favourites and new comers pitted themselves at the very impressive venue in Northampton in the 18ft cage which saw some spectacular 45 bouts resulting in 25 submissions, and 20 draws.
Kicking off the action was Isle of Man youth fighter Liam Quinn, Blackdog mma in the featherweight division, Liam squared up with Ian Mcreery from Lumpini Gym, Southampton who got caught in a leg lock in 1.06 sec. Quinn’s second bout of the day was against Harrow martial arts fighter, Dorel Daniel Matache, who also got caught in a leg lock from Quinn in 0.44 sec. Now the Blackdog fighter sit’s at the top of the Featherweight division on 15 points which will surly hands the FW title to Isle of Man fighter. Blackdog coach Andrew Laurence was delighted with Quinn’s progress, Blackdog mma have recently moved to better training premises which has defiantly being an improvement for his stable of fighters.
Blackdog also shares the top spot in the Batamweight class with first timer Nail Jones taking on Veejay Tosar, 1st Legion fighters who caught Tosar in an Arm bar in 1.14 sec, Jones then managed a draw with Luke Shanks, from Shudan mma, London. Sharing the Batamweight top spot with Jones is another newcomer Javid Benalah, Neil Mcleod gym who also drew with Luke Shanks, but beat Dorel Daniel Matache, Harrow martial arts in his second bout of the day.
Lightweight division fighter Phil Patrick, Neil Mcleod gym took on Leon Thompson from Lumpini gym who couldn’t escape the grip of Patrick’s Arm bar in 0.49 sec. The next fighter to test the skills of Patrick was Jason Beaumont from Clinch & Control; Beaumont managed to stay in the game for 2.58 sec getting caught in a RNC. Patrick now sits with a comfortable 14 points with Exeter fighter Zac Reed hot on his heels with 10 points. Reeds needs to win both his fighters in the London finals and hoping Patrick slips up and doesn’t get that one win which will secure the lightweight title for him.
Andrew Lane, Exeter mma managed a win and a draw to keep the pressure on top spot holder John Gilbert, Mcleod gym. Lane, on 13 points has lost only once in this season in possibly the hardest weight division to Gilbert in Rd 2. Lane pulled off his win to Brett Baker, Clinch & Control by a Komura in 4.25. Gilbert is a composed fighter who sits on top of the welterweight division with 16 points gaining them by 5 wins and only 1 draw. Gilbert & Lane will meet again in the finale in London where both men will be relentless on trying to secure the top spot.
The middleweight division is still open with two fighters on 12 points, Peter Kingsland, Poole Cage Academy didn’t managed to attend Rd 3 hasn’t slipped up yet and could pull it off in London, But Charles Mason, Exeter mma has already fought 8 times so far this season and needs Kingsland to lose his next two bouts in London in having any hope of picking up that title belt.
When a fighter is focused and intent on winning then this has to be Jacob, Kamper Exeter mma. The Viking sits on top spot with 13 points having only 1 bout in Northampton with new comer Dan Cooper from Clinch & Control which ended in a draw. Kamper is focused after finishing second in Season 4 LHW division. Second in the Light Heavyweight table is youth fighter Chris Stewart from A1 martial arts. It’s going to be tall order for Stewart, if he wins his first bout in London, Then wins against Kamper, Stewart then potentially could have a third fight in London, and if successful pick up the LHW crown. A lot of weight is on the young man’s shoulders against the formidable Viking from Exeter.
Tommy Newell SJ MMA is sitting pretty on the Heavyweight division, with 10 points. Only Nick Jones Lumpini gym, Southampton could force Newell to second place if he beats Newell at the finals, and has a third fight to overtake Newell and pick up the leagues HW crown.
Fighters of the day went to heavyweight Exeter fighter Roman Madry who weighed in 99.55 kg and Ross Cutting Lumpini gym 97.65 kg. The big boys entertained the crowd with big slams, big punches and big hearts. Even on the floor both guys tried for submissions and pulled of escapes, the watching crowd screamed for more as both men battled it out to a much deserved draw.
The finals will be hosted by Fighters Inc promoters at the Sports Dock university campus in London. Entry are now being taken for round 4 as wells as the mma national open knock out tournament which will be held on Sunday 9th June. The mma open is for anyone to enter who wishes to test their skills in mma.
