Magnum Force 2 - A local Show !

Post date: 18-Jul-2011 20:41:26

Ask any MMA fan north of the border to tell you about Scottish MMA and undoubtedly you will hear tales of the SFC in Stirling and On Top in Glasgow. Those with slightly longer memories might reminisce about Absolute Combat and the one off but excellent Eurofight Extreme.

However, whilst the “big shows” are certainly worth talking about and have provided epic encounters, such as the thrilling John Cullen v Paul Reed war at SFC 3, the roots of Scottish MMA run much deeper. From Honour in Aberdeen to the Hostile territory fight nights in Alloa the regional shows have been providing an existing mix of action from Amateur through to pro for some time.

Amateur MMA has its critics, and the rules certainly change the game significantly but giving a budding fighter the chance to show their stuff on a local show not only provides them an introduction to the pressures of competing in front of an audience, but enables promoters to tap into the valuable family and friends market, hopefully opening their eyes to what goes on outside the UFC and building Scottish MMA from the ground up.

One such show featuring Amateur contests alongside the Semi pro and professional bouts is Magnum Force. The brainchild of one time Dinky Ninja and current Asylum MMA coach Wull McCracken and Andy Wilson, the leader of Ayr’s West Coast MMA. The show made its debut in the venue it’s taken its name from last year, Irvine’s Magnum leisure centre. The second instalment takes place on 27th August and along with possibly the most important heavyweight bout to take place in Scotland, features up and coming fighters from throughout Ayrshire and Scotland.

In the main event the afore mentioned Andy Wilson, a student of Erik Paulson and Scotland’s own heavyweight Mat Hughes lookalike, looks to swap his number two ranking (SFB) with the younger and more active Billy “Bedlam” Davids, who was recently awarded the top spot by a panel of judges. Wilson hasn’t fought since Eurofight in 2009*, where he made quick work of Mickey Madden, and will have a lot on his plate between promoting the show, preparing his students who are also competing and getting himself fight ready. Undefeated Davids of Alloa’s hostile territory will certainly be hoping Wilsons mind won’t be on the job and he will be able to repeat the submission victory he earned at the first Magnum Force show where he submitted Wilson’s team mate / student Sean Dillon early in the first.

A professional Welterweight bout between Lycans Fight teams polish wrecking machine Bart Rozmiarek and accomplished WOSSOBAMA Thai fighter Ally Smith provides a suitably awesome co main event. The Ayrshire crowd will split down the middle as the Kilmarnock based BJJ purple belt Bart and Ayr’s Smith collide in what to many will appear to be a traditional grappler v striker match up. Smiths MMA game will be a mystery to many but working with the West Coast MMA team, be assured he will be no mug on the canvas. Likewise Rozmiarek’s not afraid to stand and bang and has far from basic striking. This could easily be fight of the night!

With an undercard littered with fighters from Lycans (Kilmarnock) Kilmarnock MMA, Asylum (Cumnock) West Coast MMA (Ayr) and teams from throughout Scotland there is bound to be an electric atmosphere. Tickets can be purchased from the fighters, Wull on 07772874438, Andy on 07734969919 or from the Magnum on 012940313010 (£20 general admission, £25 close to ringside )

*MMA Universe is wrong; it was a different Andy Wilson lost to Chris Philips at UWC

Tom T