Sportfight 13 - Full Review

Post date: 15-May-2011 09:13:52

The MMA show rocked up to the Lanark Auction Market on 14^th May to take in the action at Sportfight Scotland 13. The “home” show for the DNFT didn’t fail to deliver and evening of entertaining fights pleased the crown at this unique venue.

In the main event Local boy Martin Delaney (DNFT) took on Irelands Stephen Kingsbury (EFR) in a 73KG catch weight bout. Delaney quickly took Kingsbury to the mat who briefly regained his guard prior to being passed and turtling due to strikes, Delaney delivered a few more shots before taking Kinsbury’s back and applying a rear naked choke and forcing the Irishman to tap early in the first.

Fresh from his impressive stoppage of Andy Hillhouse at SFC 4 Heavyweight Rab “Baloo” Truesdale of Hostile Territory faced the Dinky Ninja’s wrestling powerhouse Tam Watson in the penultimate bout of the evening. Watson frustrated Baloo by repeatedly taking him to the mat. However, referee Wull McCracken was forced to stand the fighters up on several occasions as Watson showed little meaningful offence from within Truesdale’s guard and rarely tried to advance his position. With Baloo having landed a larger volume and more effective strikes when standing and Watson having controlled much of where the fight took place it was an interesting fight to go to the judges’ cards. The result; a majority draw, with two of the three ringside officials scoring the fight 29-29 and the other awarding all three rounds to Watson.

In Scotland first ever professional flyweight encounter Brian Hyslop of the DNFT took on Fighters Hive’s Darren Gilchrist. As is often the case when lighter weight fighters clash the pace was fast and furious, particularly in the early stages of a first round which saw both combatants exchange sweeps and reversals following and early takedown from Hyslop. Much of the round was spent with Hyslop in Gilchrist’s guard looking to deliver ground and pound, however, Gilchrist done well to break posture and not allow Hyslop to fully unload. The second round saw Gilchrist taken to the mat again by way of a body lock trip takedown which Hislop used to good effect on several occasions, the round followed a similar path to the first before Gilchrist was able to gain top position and mount Hyslop before taking the back and applying a rear naked choke which looked to have the DNFT fighter in trouble. However, he fought out of it and ended the round delivering more shots from Gilchrists guard. Gilchrist pulled guard early in the third but Hyslop was able to nullify any submission threats. Following a referee stand up Hyslop landed a nice left hook which staggered his opponent and again utilised the bodylock trip takedown to take the fight to the canvas. All three judges awarded the contest to Hyslop.

In the first pro bout of the evening Hostile territories Adam Stevenson faced the taller and rangier Garry Ward of the DNFT. Both fighters exchanged crisp strikes from the outset with Stevenson pushing the pace and taking the centre of the cage and Ward content to stay on the outside, circle his opponent and use his jab and low kicks to good effect. The first round ended with Stevenson pressing Ward against the cage.

The second round started similar to the first with Ward using his reach and circling Stevenson. Both men exchanged failed spinning back fist attempts and Stevenson was clearly looking to land to the body of the taller man. Ward took the fight to the ground but Stevenson locked in a guillotine choke as he went to the canvas. Ward escaped and delivered ground and pound from his knees and standing before the bell signified the end of the second.

Stevenson executed a perfectly timed and impressive ankle pick takedown early in the third to put Ward on his back. From here he delivered shots from top but Ward was active on his back and opened up a cut on Stevenson’s forehead with an elbow from the bottom which caused more blood loss than I have seen in a domestic match. The referee had little choice but to stop the bout and what had been an exciting and competitive fight was awarded to Ward.

A semi Pro undercard preceded the pro bouts and it’s safe to say the future is bright for the DNFT with fighters like Allan Johnston and John Paul Grace progressing through their ranks. Both men standing out in their wins. A notable mention also for Sean Flynn who looked impressive and in my opinion was taking the fight prior to being on the receiving end of an excellently timed spinning back fist from opponent Lukaz Szarafiniak.

Full results

(PRO)

Martin Delaney defeated Stephen Kingsbury RNC rd1

Rab Truesdale drew with Tam Watson

Brian Hyslop defeated Darren Gilchrist by unanimous decision

Garry Ward defeated Adam Stevenson by referee stoppage (cut) rd3

(Semi Pro)

Alan Johnson defeated Josh Dilcock by submission (Kimura) rd1

Sean Epton defeated Don Wilson by unanimous decision

John Paul Grace defeated Richard Shore by submission (Armbar) rd1

William McCurdy defeated David Mackie by submission (armbar) rd1

Nathan Wilson defeated Sean Swailes by submission (guillotine) rd1

Lukaz Szarafiniak defeated Scott Flynn by KO (Spinning back fist) rd2

Charlie McLean defeated Robin Montgomery by TKO (Knees) rd1

Muay Thai

Yvonne McCabe defeated Francis Thomson by split decision.

TOM T