The 4th and final UKMMAC show of the year had the misfortunate to be on the day after Cage Rage 9, which

was held not too far away in London.  For some, that would have been a huge setback.  However, UKMMAC

promoter Lee Johnstone is a realist and knows what his audience likes and he tailors his show to suit that

niche market.  Subsequently, the famous Circus Tavern was full again for the 2nd week in a row, as seven

days previous, it featured a PPV Darts tournament which featured rival organisations pitting their champions

against each other to see whose best.

Well Sunday, the 28th of November, saw the Current UKMMAC under 65.8 Champion Luiz Tosta pitting his

talents against the durable London Pancrase fighter Mark Chen.  And this event saw the return of the ever

popular Canvey Islander Darren Guisha and a UKMMAC Heavyweight title fight as Francis Carmont took

on the unbeaten Ross Pointion whose smashed his way to victory in the previous UKMMAC and Extreme

Brawl events.

With 14 fights scheduled a long night awaited and with a delay due to organisational problems backstage,

the fights were decreased in length with Pro Fights going down to 2x5min rounds and Title fights 3x5

minutes.  However, the unmistakeable tones of MC Phil Walker opened the show, the lights came on and

the music played and the action was ready to go.

Fight 1 - Amateur -65.8kg (145 lb.) bout

Taher Khan vs. Darren Russel

After being outclassed last time out by the talented Ashleigh Grimshaw, Darren Russel was back, this

time in Amateur action against debutant Taher Khan who he outweighed by 6kg’s (13 lbs).  Wearing Gi

pants, Russel showed that he has been working on his ground game, and his Judo background that was

called into question last time round was put into good use as he dominated Khan in style.  Starting with a

takedown into side position, Russel worked position and attempted several submissions before finally nailing

Khan with an armbar which forced Referee Fred Rado to stop the fight at 2.27 mark.  In amateur rules, a ref

will stop the fight if a submission is applied correctly and damage could occur.

Winner – Darren Russel via ref stoppage by Armbar 2.27 Round 1

Fight 2 – Pro MMA Welterweight

Paul Bridges vs. Owen Osborne

Gracie Barra Dagenham’s Paul Bridges made his pro MMA debut against Owen Osborne, a kickboxing

champ from Medway.  In a tight fight that was mainly spent clinched by the ropes with both fighters

exchanging knees and other strikes in the corner with Bridges looking to close the distance when they were

not clinched.  The 2nd round saw Osborne fire off a 1-2 combo and a knee after pushing the BJJ stylist away

from a clinch by the corner, Bridges managed to secure a takedown and had his opponent hanging out of the

ring as time ran out.

The Judges to my right have awarded the fight to Bridges, a result which was greeted with a torrent of boos

by the crowd. However, I feel that the fight was very close with both men having a case to argue that they

could claim a round each.  Although he still has a lot of work to do it will be interesting to see Bridges fight

again and use his BJJ skills in the UKMMAC ring.

Winner – Paul Bridges via Spilt Decision after 2 rounds

After this fight Paul Bridges proposed to his girlfriend in the middle of the ring which was a nice touch and

was appreciated and supported by all at the Circus Tavern and gave the MC for the night another chance to

show off his unique skills on the mic.

Fight 3 – Amateur Lightweight

Elliot Layborne vs. David West

This fight saw Leyborne from the Nemesis gym dismantle his opponent from the Masters Academy (who had

UKMMAC Middleweight Champion James E Nicholle in his corner).  West, in his debut fight, put on a

spirited performance but was outworked by a superior ground fighter who caught West in numerous

submissions and slick triangle set-ups with West wiggled out of.  However, eventually late in round 2,

Layborne finally trapped his opponent and for the 2nd time UKMMAC head referee Fred Rado intervened to

stop West from sustaining permanent injury in the submission.

Winner – Elliot Leybourne via ref stoppage due to an armbar 3.37 Round 2

Fight 4 – Pro MMA Welterweight

Johnny Frachey vs. Mark Harrison

French star Johnny Frachey took a step up to welterweight to take on the 2 time UKMMAC veteran Mark

Harrison who had UKMMAC promoter Lee Johnstone in his corner for this fight.  Frachey was booed solidly

by the partisan crowd as he was introduced.

Harrison started off the brighter with a single leg takedown and guard the Frenchman’s guard and tagging

him with a few overhead shot from that position.  However, half way through the round, the Frenchman swept

his English opponent and looked to pass his guard.  Harrison utilised a nice high guard which frustrated

Frachey for a while before he changed tact and moved into side position then to a north /south  where he

went for a guillotine and locked it on extremely tightly and rolled onto his back as he looked to crank it

somehow Harrison managed to push out of it and ended the round striking out of the Frenchman’s guard.

Round 2 saw an early takedown by Frachey in which he ended up in guard.  Harrison started to throw

hammer fists to the cries of “Eng-er-land” eventually Harrison got a ¾ top position of the Frenchman both

men were caught on the ropes and were restarted standing halfway through round 2.  From the restart

Franey landed a need and a Takedown into guard where he went for another guillotine choke and a triangle

before Harrison powered out on it.  The round ended with Harrison on his back defending and was glad to

hear the bell sound for the end of the fight  after a failed rear naked choke attempt which saw him gassing

badly and in trouble.

The fight went to the judges with Mark Harrison winning in a fight I felt was far too close to call because

despite his early dominance the English fighter probably relived to hear the bell ring at the end of round 2.

Winner - Mark Harrison via Majority Decision after round 2

Fight 5 – Pro MMA under 65.8kg (145 lb.)

Alberto Teran vs. Ashleigh Grimshaw

The supremely confident Ashleigh Grimshaw (representing London Pancrase), fresh from a win at UKMMAC

8, looked to impress and show why he is one of the UK’s up and coming stars in the lighter weights with a

win over Alberto Teran.

Teran looked good in his previous UKMMAC performance in May before he was eventually DQ'ed.  From the

start, Grimshaw took the fight to Teran and despite being taken down early, Grimshaw swept his opponent

and locked on a face down armbar and looked to banana Teran’s arm in an excruciatingly painful fashion. 

Somehow Ternan was able was to escape that and another armbar attempt before Grimshaw ended up on

his back countering any strikes Teran made with heel strikes to the kidney.  Grimshaw ended the round

looking very flexible as he attempted more submission attempts from his back which Teran was just able to

avoid

Round 2 had Teran neatly get another early takedown and managed to get top position. Grimshaw went

into closed guard and waited before going on the counter attack with a triangle attempt.  Again Teran showed

some resilient defence work by pushing out of the lock and looking for a choke of his own. However,

Grimshaw was 1 step ahead of him again and defended well and despite Teran trying to strike down at

Gerimshaw, the London Pancrase fighter was able to secure another triangle attempt in textbook fashion and

eventually force Teran to tap late on in round 2.

Controversy then reigned as Ternan continued fighting claiming he did not tap and struck out whilst on the

floor at Grimshaw who retaliated by standing up and kicking Teran on the floor before Fred Rado broke

things up.  Another aggressive dominant submission display by Grimshaw, who will no doubt be looking to

take himself to the next level in 2005.

Winner - Ashleigh Grimshaw via triangle choke after 4.30 of Round 2

Fight 6 – Amateur Middleweight

Kevin Deans vs. “Rick”

In a typical UKMMAC amateur match-up, the stocky muscular Kevin Deans was in action against “Rick”

from the Keddles gym who despite having the crowd on his side and looking much taller and athletic than his

opponent, looked exposed whenever the fight went to the ground or clinch positions. 

Deans controlled the fight scoring with numerous takedowns and finished the job following a ref break

midway through round 2, where he pushed his opponent to the floor, got side position and threw down some

strikes by the ropes which made his opponent turn and give his back.  This set-up a neat rear naked choke

for the win, in what still was a crowd pleasing Circus Tavern special.

Winner - Kevin Deans via Rear Naked Choke 3.15 round 2

Fight 7 – Amateur Welterweight

“Taz” vs. Paul Golding

This fight saw the welcome return of the UK MMA anthem “Smash Sumthin” which filled the smoky arena

and pumped the fans in attendance up for this short amateur encounter, which saw Golding from Medway

Submission camp rocking his opponent as soon as the bell rang.  Taz (who was making his debut) was

visibly rocked and was on rubber leg street, but instead of capitalising on this, Golding fired in a poor

roundhouse kick that resulted in Taz getting the upper hand in side mount as Golding fell.  Taz quickly took

the advantage and worked position and took Golding’s back and slapped on a rear naked choke for the win

which must of left Golding kicking himself.

Winner – “Taz” via Rear Naked Choke 1.38 round 1

Fight 8 – Pro MMA Lightweight

Karim Arditi vs. Tom Barlow

It was the UK vs. France as Barlow from Master Academy in Plymouth took on the Brighton based

Frenchman who was announced as having a background in Kung-fu.  Barlow started brightly with a takedown

that resulted in Barlow standing over his opponent whilst Arditi attempted leg sweeps on the floor.  As Arditi

returned to his feet he was taken down again as Barlow continued his dominance by attempting numerous

submission moves and like many others on the show will be frustrated not to have finished things earlier

against an opponent who was in survival mode.
 
Round 2 saw the Frenchman throw some wild strikes at the start but was taken down and Barlow neatly

gained full mount and worked for a triangle by the ropes.  To his credit, Arditi worked out of it and even

attempted a tired looking leg lock as both men were on the floor.  However, Barlow sat up out of it and

passed Arditi’s tired defence and landed some strikes down on his opponent which forced the tap out after

1.18 of round 2 due to exhaustion.  A convincing win for Barlow but Arditi did showed more skills than his

background suggested by hanging on in there and avoiding numerous submission attempts in round 1.

Winner – Tom Barlow via ref stoppage due to exhaustion 1.18 round 2.

Fight 9 – Pro MMA under 65.8 (145 lb.) world title

Luiz Tosta (Champ) vs. Mark Chen

Tosta, who was making his 2nd defence of the UKMMAC under 65kg title, entered the ring accompanied by

Cage Rage lightweight Champion Jean Silva to the tones of an a cappella singer in Portuguese.  The fight

was a slow and often frustrating affair with Tosta in round one looking to tie Chen up in the corner and work

for a takedown and position from there.  Chen was on the defensive for most of this round but did manage to

get some strikes in as the round ended.

Round 2 favoured Chen as he came out more aggressive and came back with a slam/takedown after the

action was stood up following a takedown by Tosta early in round 2.  Chen was then in top position for most

of the round next to his corner landing some strikes on Tosta, but was unable to make any real progress due

to some good defence by the Brazilian.  Tosta came back at the end of round 2 but I feel that Chen did even

to take the round and even the judges score, even though it could be argued that both men nullified each

other at times.

Round 3 saw an early shoot from Tosta, which Chen was able to stand up out of before being taken down

again almost straight away.  From here Tosta frustrated Chen’s escape attempts whilst not being active

himself.  With 2 minutes the go the action was restarted and this tactical slow bout heated up a bit as they

clinch and Chen landed a knee before being taken down again before there was another stand-up with

seconds to go as the MC encouraged both men to go for it as the bell sounded.

Then controversy regained as there was a wait as the Judges tallied their totals, as Chen’s corner was

unaware that the fight had been changed to 3 rounds and were complaining whilst the Brazilian were clam

and confident.  However, as Phil Walker took to the centre of the ring and announced that Chen was the

winner and new UKMMAC champion, the complaints from the Brazilian’s corner started in earnest as they

were unhappy with the verdict.

All in all, it wasn’t a good ending for a fight that failed to sparkle.  Maybe it plodded along due to both fighters

believing there were to be 2 added rounds, or maybe there was simply a clash of styles.  However, it was a

difficult fight to score, as Tosta never looked that threatening and Chen did recover well after a poor first

round and looked in much better condition in as the fight ended and would have taken advantage of Tosta’s

suspect conditioning if the fight went any longer.  However, I honestly don’t believe there will be a big queue

of people wanting to see a re-match and Tosta may be better off working on his all round game which has

been called into question on previous UK MMA appearances if he is to take the title again.

Winner - Mark Chen via Judges Decision (2-0) at the end of round 3. Chen becomes new UKMMAC World

under 65.8kg champion

Fight 10 – Amateur MMA Welterweight
Danny Jones vs. Edgar Leite

The penultimate amateur fight was a quick one sided encounter as the Portuguese Edgar Leite (who was

announced as being a member of the Brazilian Top Team) gave the Nemies gym’s Danny Jones a quick and

harsh lesson in groundwork 101.  The Thai Boxer’s opening kick was caught with ease by Leite and from

there he was quickly taken down into side position, where Leite looked to pass guard and avoided some

upkicks when he stood and dived through the defences of Jones.  Once he was back in top position Leite

reached back and grabbed Jones’ leg and applied a heel hook near the ropes for a quick and easy win.  Leite

celebrated with a Jean Silva style Capoeria kick before exiting the ring.

Winner – Edgar Leite via heel hook 58 seconds round 1

Fight 11 – Pro MMA under 65.8 kg (145 lb.)
Dave Campbell vs. Dean Jones

Dean Jones looked to make it 3-0 for Jess Liduin’s London Pancrase team as he took on the experienced

Dave Campbell who loss to Phil “Billy” Harris late on in round 3 of their clash at UKMMAC 7.  Campbell who

has appearances in Ultimate Combat and Pride and Glory is no pushover and was a good test for Jones who

was just over the 65.8kg limit cutoff as he attempts to make it big in this competitive division.

Jones started off well with a leg kick that knocks Campbell down but instead of rushing in, Jones kept with

his cool clam demeanour and had good head movement and looked for an opening which came when he

picked up and slammed Campbell down.  Campbell closed his guard as cries of “Deano, Deano, Deano”

filled the arena.  Once on the ground, Jones looked aggressively for an opening and dropped numerous

elbows and strikes to make an opening in a dominant round for Jones.

Jones rocked Campbell again at the start of round 2 with some impressive striking before landing another

pick up and slam which left him in the corner having to defend elbow strikes from Jones.  Campbell’s face

started to mark-up as Jones pushed Campbell about the ring looking to further his advantage.

With a minute to go  the referee stood the action up before Jones landed a head kick followed by a takedown

with more elbow before attempting a submission as the bell rang to signal the end of the round and the end

of a dominant performance by Jones.

An impressive performance by the uneaten Jones who I believe will be another fighter to look out for in a

stacked under 65.8 kg division in 2005.

Winner – Dean Jones via Unanimous Judges Decision at the end of round 2

Fight 12 – Amateur under 65.8kg (145 lb.)
Jack Khan vs. Graham Cooke

Cooke from Gosport came into the Circus Tavern looking to get back to winning way after a decision loss in

April’s FCFN.  He faced Jack Khan who yet again faced a huge weight disadvantage in UKMMAC

competition as he was nearly 8kg’s (18 lbs) lighter.  However Khan started off by taking Cooke down and too

to improve his position as Cooke went on the defensive and nearly caught his freestyle opponent with a

guillotine choke, a triangle and an armbar all of which Khan was able to slip out of before Cooke swept out of

guard and managed to gain full mount where he unleashed a barrage of ground and pound for the win via ref

stoppage at 2.38 of round 1.  Cooke was ecstatic and launched a string of celebratory expletives into the

smoky atmosphere which showed how much this impressive win meant to him.  Khan on the other hand

most now think about improving his ground game or bulking up.  As promoter Lee Johnstone will find difficult

to get opponents at the 55-57kg (121-126 lbs) mark.

Winner – Graham Cooke via ref stoppage due to ground and pound 2.38, round 1

Fight 13 – Pro MMA Vacant UKMAAC Heavyweight Title
Francis Carmont vs. Ross Pointon

Due to family issues, Dan Burzotta was unable to defend his UKMMAC Heavyweight Title, so he graciously

vacated it which set up a clash between former champ Francis Carmont and the unbeaten powerhouse from

Stroke-on-Trent Ross Pointon.  Pointon from Team Gladiator started off quickly and charged in for a low

takedown and although Carmont settled himself and quickly looked for a triangle, Pointon picked up and

slammed the Frenchman by the ropes.

Pointon then went on the offensive and landed his usual range of ground and pound strikes to his downed

opponent.  There was suddenly a brief pause which caused referee Fred Rado to dive in and he stopped the

action and the fight, much to the surprise of everyone in attendance.  After another brief pause the crowd

were informed that in the referee’s professional opinion Carmont was unable to continue due to a rib

complaint.  In another classy action, former champ Dan Burzotta presented Pointon with the title belt and he

takes another step up the UK MMA scene ladder and will be one to watch out for in 2005.  However, he may

need to cut to light-heavyweight to maximise his chances for success at the higher levels.

Winner - Pointon via Ref Stoppage via GnP/Injury 1.13 round 1. Pointon claims the UKMMAC Heavyweight

Title

Main Event
Fight 14 – Pro MMA UKMMAC British Welterweight Title
Pete Davis vs. Darren Guisha

Having knocked out Carlson Gracie standout Masaya Doi at the last UKMMAC, Pete Davis now took on the

muscular local favourite Darren Guisha, who in the main event of UKMMAC 8, exhibited a concrete cranium

when he walked through several huge head kicks before stopping Abner Loveras in round 3 of their clash in

August.

The Brighton based Davis from the 70/30 club was soundly booed by the Canvey Island faithful as he walked

to the ring and when the fight started and the crowd had settled down from Guisha’s entrance, it was Davis

who was facing the music as he was subjected to an array of takedowns, slams and ground and pound by

the stronger more powerful Guisha who used his sides and strength to dominate on the floor and standing,

and could bully Davis without making any inroads into Davis ground defence, but just close to strike through

it instead of passing it.

Round 2 saw the same with Guisha getting a takedown and just pounding away from the outside.  When the

action was stood up, Guisha would run and charge his opponent, look for a takedown and he would pound

away from top position on the deck.  This Patten continued through round 2 with Guisha’s only passing

Davis’ guard in the dying seconds of round 2, but before that was content to strike in Davis’ guard whilst

moving him to the ropes and striking down as often as possible.

Round 3 saw Guisha drive into Davis like  tank, which nearly resulted in Davis falling out of the ring, once the

action hit the mat, Davis tried to look for a sub but the muscular Guisha powered out of it, round 3 saw the

same Patten as before, however Guisha did tire a lot towards the end without making much headway, but he

did keep on  with this one dimensional power based display and as the bell rang for the end of round 3,

Guisha supporters raised the roof knowing the result was inevitable.

Despite a very game effort by the resilient Davis, Guisha was declared the winner by a unanimous pints

decision and as the crowd chanted his name, Darren Gusiha was given the UKMMAC title.  A dominant win

by the Essex native, however this one dimensional power game will only get him so far and he will need to

start working on guard passes and more technical based manoeuvres if he is to climb much further in the UK

scene.  But for now he is a popular champion, and 1 who will be touch to beat in the UKMMAC circuit.

Winner - Darren Guisha via Unanimous Judges Decision - Guisha wins the UKMMAC British Welterweight

Title

My Thoughts

UKMMAC has had a mixed year with cards that have varied in quality and with increased competition that

has resulted in them clashing with other shows.  However, despite the minor backstage set backs, I really

enjoyed this show.  Yes, the action was raw, yes UKMMAC appeals to a niche market, however the vast

majority of the audience went home happy and although it may not be the highest skill level,

UKMMAC promoter Lee Johnstone promises “Extreme Fighting” and his show lives up to exactly what it

says on the flyer.

This kind of action will never appeal to purists and realistically, it can’t compare with other organisations who

have seemingly unlimited money to spend, but they give it a go regardless.  Technically, some of the fighters

are wanting and this can sometimes result in shows like in UKMMAC 8 in which nothing held my interest for

too long, however tonight, everything seemed to click and although it may have been a case of “styles make

fights” or “fighters make an event,” I don’t know, however I went away happy. So if you like your MMA rough,

tough and raw…take a trip down to the Circus Tavern.  With rumours of an 8 man elimination tourney for

March, you won’t be disappointed