Archive
Cage Fighter: Wednesdays on Sky Sports 2
Cage Fighter -- the brand new weekly show from premier UK fight promotion brand Ultimate Challenge kicked off last Wednesday. See the latest episode tonight, 9.30pm, Sky Sports 2.
A weekly show highlighting the UCMMA roster of fighters and promoting the fight cards is massive news for the British mixed martial arts scene.
Presenters will be the recognisable UCMMA faces of legendary promoter Dave O’Donnell, OJ Borg and top referee Grant Waterman.
Tonight’s episode is set to feature Jamaine ‘Mr Pain’ Facey, highlighting what we might expect to see when he faces Edgelson Lua at UCMMA 14: Invincible – August 7th, from the Troxy, London. Oh yes, look out for an appearance from Big Brother’s Brian Belo in the studio.
Make sure you tune in every Wednesday, Sky Sports 2.
Visit www.UCMMA.com for further Ultimate Challenge information.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
VIDEO: Ultimate Challenge – Feel the Pain Press Conference
Dave O’Donnell reveals all, well in a manner of speaking that is.
Get your tickets and see some live UK MMA cage-fight action.
Feel The Pain -- Saturday June 19, Troxy, London.
To be aired next Wednesday on Sky Sports.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
Seni 2010: Were You There?
This past weekend (May 29 & 30) the UK’s premier martial arts expo returned to Excel, London, just down stream from the 02 arena.
Have you been to Disney Land? Did you see everything? Probably not. Seni 2010 was like that, more than enough to see and do in one day.
Travelling up from Bournemouth, reaching the Excel on the Saturday afternoon, I chose to fit in as much as possible to soak up the experience. Upon arrival I had to question if I had in fact arrived at the correct location, greeted by the sight of costumed cartoon heroes, rather than dudes in martial arts attire. It so happened Seni this year coincided with Expo – a special event for sci-fi and anime fanatics.
After checking in at the press desk I journeyed through the expo towards the area for Wu Shu Open, in order to give my Tai Chi instructor Brendan Burnett some moral support, as he entered the Chen style part of the competition. Amidst the many trade stands, I caught site of living legend Royce Gracie, meeting fans and signing copies of his book. Unsuprisingly the queue to meet the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master was massive.
Another master present – Samuel Kwok, a Wing Chun expert demonstrated close combat defence blindfolded! Amazing stuff! Seeing was believing, believe me!
Inside the classical martial arts arena, the Wu Shu was located between Kali stick fighting and the Jiu Jitsu grapplers. There appeared to be less space allocated for this section of the fighting arts since I last attended back in 2007, still great to see it represented. Fortunately I made it just in time, witnessed Brendan’s Chen Sword Form and Cannon Fist Form. Celebrating his 33rd birthday, the Somerset Sifu earned 2 third place trophies. Well done mate.
As previously stated the plan was to experience at much as possible. Next: time for a 10 minute back, shoulder and neck massage, courtesy of one of the lovely ladies at the UCMMA stand. The Ultimate Challenge crew were there promoting their best of DVD, plus the forthcoming Feel The Pain fight card – June 19, Troxy, London.
Visitors also had the opportunity to meet ring girls and the gorgeous girls from Nuts lads magazine, who were more than happy to pose for photos.
Throughout the day top cage fighters were on hand meeting fans. Some of the many mixed martial artists in attendance were Andre Winner (TUF 9), Dan Henderson (UFC & Pride FC), Jamaine Facey and Jimmy Manuwa.
Towards the end of the afternoon 3 very special surprise guests attended the show, non other than Celebrity Big Brother 7 winner Alex Reid, joined by glamour girl wife Katie Price and her son Harvey. Katie tried on a special training vest for size, whilst Alex appeared to be having a brilliant time stopping off at the many trade stands, greeting friends and fans alike.
To sum it up, a fantastic day out, Seni’s got something for everyone. Will I be visiting Seni next time? Damn right I am!
A special thanks to Joe Long – Fighters Inc.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
VIDEO: Dave O’Donnell Talks Seni 2010
Seni 2010, Dave O’Donnell and the Ultimate Challenge MMA crew will be there, alongside the Nuts girls.
Seni 2010, Excel,London. The International Combat Sports Show, 29th & 30th May Bank Holiday weekend -- 10am-6pm daily.
Tickets still available, visit: www.seni.tv
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
BAMMA VS ULTIMATE CHALLENGE
BAMMA is back, bigger, bolder and on Bravo. Recently the Brit MMA organisation returned to the scene, promoting a night of mixed martial arts action at the Roundhouse in London. BAMMA’s production is looking slick, but which do you the ultimate fighting fan prefer, the established promotion Ultimate Challenge (formerly Cage Rage) or new contender BAMMA?
In comparison Dave O’Donnell’s Ultimate Challenge already is an established brand, complete with recognised theme music plus fighters own entrance songs. Resurrection their most recent offering aired on Sky Sports amongst others match-ups showed a brilliant bout featuring former TUF 9 entrant Dean Amasinger in a gruelling contest. Both promoters book some excellent established fighters alongside upcoming MMA talent but ultimately I feel it’s important how the TV product is presented to sell the fights to the punters. BAMMA may just have the edge in this department, judging by their most recent output BAMMA 2, shown on Bravo.
If I’m honest I don’t follow Brit MMA as closely as the UFC, the reason being the excellent job the Zuffa brand do at putting over the cage competitors to us. We know who the present champions are and who their challengers are in good time to get hyped for the octagon showdowns.
Currently there is one Brit MMA championship bout I know of and when it takes place, Mr Katie Price himself Alex Reid versus Tom ‘Kong’ Watson in May at BAMMA 3. That fight promo video interviewing the middleweight mixed martial artists is the way forward for the sport in this country. The style of presentation is very professional, the Celebrity Big Brother 7 winner Reid comes across so natural, rather than hamming up.
Having 2 top Brit MMA fight promotions on TV is great news, meaning there is a choice for us viewers and choice where the fighters can compete, but most importantly we’ll see healthy competition between the companies fighting over the ultimate fighting pound, thus upping their game.
Over to you, who is your pick of the UK fight promotions? Comment here or feel free to air your views over on the BluRayMMA.com Facebook group.




