FL.5 / September 2015

Hayes weighing in very light for this bout while Stewardson failed to make weight first time around and came in right on the limit an hour later. Stewardson lands with the first significant kick to the head followed by a hip throw. Hayes moves in but gets tagged, Stewardson ties her up and sends in some knees. Hayes really needs to be blocking them or they are going to take their toll on her midsection. Stewardson again with the hip throw but a nice stiff right hand finds its mark from Hayes. Hayes pushing forward now but Stewardson again picks her time and sends Hayes crashing to the mat with takedown number 4.

Round 2 and Hayes needs to find an answer for Stewardson’s takedowns. Stewardson shoots for a double and this time Hayes defends with a sprawl. Hayes just seems to be standing and waiting for the inevitable now, she really needs to be moving more and putting some combinations together as Stewardson clinches and flips her over again. Hayes now looking for a double but cant finish, Stewardson applies the clinch again and drops in 2 nice knees to end the round.

Round 3 and a big teep though the middle from Stewardson, Hayes backs up and Stewardson throws another. Stewardson smells blood here and piles on the pressure with 3, 4, 5 straight punches that back Hayes up again. Stewardson now using her dirty boxing with a single collar tie and uppercuts straight into the clinch, turns her hips and down Hayes goes again. Another outside trip for Stewardson and Hayes is struggling. All the takedowns are finally catching up with Hayes. The referee offers up the standing 8 count but Hayes has had enough and her corner team retire their fighter at 1:10 seconds of round 3. Your winner, in the blue corner, Alice Stewardson.

Lewandowski opens up with a nice low kick 1, 2 combo and Parton slips with a head kick return. Both guys moving well and looking for a dominate position in the clinch, Lewandowski pushes off and goes back in with the low kick set up to punches. High kick from Parton, Lewandowski goes for a trip. Both guys looking relaxed, comfortable and sticking within the light-con rules. Lewandowski shoots for the first double leg of the fight and gets it. They finish off the round exchanging equal shots, pretty much kick for kick. Very even first round.

Good exchange of strikes to start off the 2nd round, Lewandowski grabs a thai clinch and puts in some knees but Parton keeps his hips back, defends then executes a simple trip, good TD for Parton. Back on their feet and its Lewandowski with that right kick 1, 2 combination again to set up another thai clinch driving Parton into the corner. Nice body shot from Lewandowski as he drops under for a double. Parton uses his underhooks and Lewandowski will struggle to finish that. Both guys landing with high and low kicks but it looks like Lewandowski is putting the volume in slightly more as they break for the final round.

Lewandowski again with the low kick but Parton fires back with a high kick, they clinch again, Partons hips are well back to avoid Lewandowski’s knees, he looks for the trip, its defended so he switches his hips and sends Lewandowski flying, great hip throw from Parton. Lewandowski comes back with a number of unanswered shots and Parton fires again with that left high kick. Parton now on the offensive, Lewandowski drops under and shoots a double, its stuffed by the ropes but he gets the re-shot. Parton now with the clinch and they trade knees, both guys seem to be tiring but not giving anything up just yet. Great fight from these to young men as it goes the distance. The judges score the bout 29-28 30-28 and 30-28 for your winner from Way of the Spiritual Warrior in Coventry, Szymon Lewandowski.

Nathan Alsop (Tap or Snap) vs Jack Drake (Impact MMA)

Fast start from Drake as he comes out firing, Alsop returns the favour and catches a kick to score his first takedown. Drake goes after Alsop again with punches but Alsop drops underneath and scores with a single leg. Alsop now on the attack but Drake fires back, both guys wrestling hard now on the ropes, Alsop has a single leg again and gets the finish. Referee James Hurrell just reminding them both that they are in the light-con division, nothing over the top yet but fights can quickly escalate into full contact unless kept in check by the officials. Alsop grabs another single and Drake goes down again. Alsop with a low kick but Drake jumps in and finishes a double. Great first round from these young men with some fast clean techniques and no let up in the pace.

Round 2 sees Alsop check 2 low kicks from Drake and lands one of his own which buckles Drake but he manages to stay on his feet. Quick exchange of hands and Drake lands with a superman punch only to be taken down again by Alsop. Both guys fighting hard in the clinch, Drake with some well placed knees and a high kick on the break. Alsop is in again on a double and finishes neatly. Drake breathes deeply and throws the straight right, Alsop again times his shot well and dumps Drake on the mat again. Alsop really using takedowns well now finishes another right on the bell. Good round for Alsop dominating with his takedowns.

Final round and Alsop looking again for the shot, Drake drives Alsop back with a flurry of straight punches, Alsop looks for the double again but Drakes uses his underhook and flips him onto his back with a well timed hip toss. Drake seems to have wised up to Alsops doubles now and sprawls out well. Alsop now looking slightly drained where as Drake seems to have found some extra energy and keeps driving in the body shots. Alsop shoots again and Drake defends. Alsop is fading fast and eats a beautiful high kick from Drake causing the ref to give him a standing 8. Drake finishes the round with a flurry of punches and a body kick, Alsop is after one last TD but just doesnt have the energy left to finish it. What a fight from these two young men, very evenly matched in the first, big 2nd round for Alsop and Drake taking the 3rd with a 10-8 round. So it goes to the judges scorecards, they score the bout, 29-28 29-28 and 29-27 in favour of the fighter from Impact MMA, Jack Drake.

Hassett takes the center of the ring, quick exchange of hands and a nice teep front kick from Bisla. Hassett advances and stumbles, unsure why the ref has a quick word with Bisla but back they go again. Hassett drive Bisla back and they clinch up, quick wrestle on the ropes and Hassett turns in his hip and takes Bisla down for the first takedown. Bisla drives forward and they clinch up again, this time Bisla sees his chance and returns the favour and down goes Hassett. The ref is taking a look at Steve and calls off the fight due to a nasty cut from a clash of heads on the last takedown. An unfortunate end to this bout but with it being a light-contact fight the ringside paramedics have advised against Hassett continuing and causing any further damage so this bout will go down as a No Contest. Hassett received a number of stitches at A&E later that evening but has healed nicely and will be back fighting again soon no doubt.

Fast start from Migacz and it seems to have taken Hickman by surprise as he lands with a number of unanswered shots. Good job by the referee bringing them to the center with a reminder that it is a light contact fight. Hickman has woken up now and fires in some nicely placed low kicks. Migacz returns with another flurry of punches that still seems a bit wild, maybe he has misunderstood ‘light contact’ completely !!!!! The referee again has a word with Migacz AND his corner to reinstall the LC rule set. Hickman has realised that he has to match Migacz and comes out with a fluryy of kicks and punches. Both men standing in the pocket trading shot for shot now, Hickman clinches up and uses his knees well. Migacz wants out but Hickman clings on and stays on the attack. Migacz now with a bunch of bodyshots as they match each other for strikes to the end of the round.

Hickman goes on the offence now, Migacz looking a little unstable for some reason and tries in vein for a judo throw. Hickman is landing the cleaner shots as Migasz seems to be fading rapidly and loses his footing resulting in both men taking a dive. Hickman is straight back up and ready to fight but Migacz is slow to rise, looking at his corner for something. Hickman advances again but Migacz seems to just fall down in an attempt to take his opponent with him. Again he is very slow to rise and his mouthpiece is now hanging lose. He is shaking his head and seems to telling his corner he is finished. The referee gives a standing 8 for Migacz to recover, he says yes to continue but his body actions say otherwise. Nice superman punch from Hickman followed but a few strikes and he easily throws Migacz to the floor, this has got to be close to the end for Migacz now but he is saved by the bell.

Round 3 and Migacz is slow to rise but as Hickman advances he explodes into life with a flurry of punches. They may not have been very technical but they find there mark and catch Hickman by surprise. Hickman knows that he has this in the bag but Migacz’ very unorthodox movements are making it very difficult for him to do anything productive. Seems hes not going to have to as the referee has rightly so seen enough as Migacz is in no fit state to continue. So, the referee stops the fight at 38 seconds of the final round, declaring your winner by referee stoppage, Andrew Hickman.

First time in the FightLight ring for Bennett whilst Shu is coming off a loss at TC4 earlier this year. Bennett comes out fast but Shu working well off his back foot. Bennett keeps pressing and looks to clinch up, Shu defends well with a crossface a stuffs Bennetts takedown attempt. Shu seems to have taken a groin shot and takes a minute to recover. Off they go again with Bennett landing some nice straight punches, they clinch up again, Bennett turns his hip in to look for a hip throw but Shu stays on his back, no score this time. Bennett again in for the clinch, throws some nice knees and looks to set up the hip throw again but loses his grip, Shu stays on his back, Bennett turns in again, 1 , 2 knees and this time lands the judo throw for the first TD of the fight. Back on their feet and Bennett is in tight on that clinch again, down goes Shu with the same throw. Shu is wising up to Bennetts gameplan now and defends another TD attempt as they finish the round out with some dirty boxing.

Both guys exchanging punches as they start round 2, Bennett closes the gap again, gets the lift and takes Shu down. Bennett looks for that judo throw again but Shu has figured him out and stays heavy on his back. Nice punch combo from Bennett now and again they clinch. Nice body shots from Bennett and hits that judo throw again. Looks like Shu needs a to find something extra as Bennett is getting the best of every exchange now. Bennett with a flurry of unanswered punches and although Shu doesn’t seem hurt or in too much trouble the referee has stepped in with a standing 8 count. Off hey go again and Shu needs something big to get beck in this fight. Bennett clinches up again, has the over/under, picks Shu up and slams him hard to the canvas. Great takedown right on the bell but Bennett isnt moving. Bennett has inadvertently knocked himself out on the last takedown and the paramedics are quickly in the ring. That brings an unfortunate end to the bout and not one that either men would have wanted, however, it will go down as a TKO victory for the fighter from the blue corner, Shu Zenfeng. James did pay a visit to A&E afterwards as a precaution and was given the all clear.

Both guys looking in great shape for this welterweight full contact bout. Quick exchange of punches with a big swing and miss from Ogendo and the first low kick from Hampson. Both guys moving nicely and looking very well matched in styles. They seem happy to trade boxing skills, Ogendo using his in-and-out movement well and Hampson timing his shots in accordance. Hampson stands firm and lands with a nice straight right through the middle. The judges might be struggling to separate these two as they match each other strike for strike. Great first round.

Quick touch of gloves as we enter the 2nd round. Ogendo explodes on Hampson and drives him to the corner but Hampson grabs the body lock and punches on the break. The pace has definitely quickened as they exchange punches again, Hampson seems to be holding the center of the ring well and Ogendo happy to circle off and look for his openings. Hampson looks for the inside low kick and apologies as it looks like it landed a bit high. Ogendo only takes a minute and is good to go. Left jab from Hampson and Ogendo looks to counter. Right hand from Hampson and Ogendo ducks under looking for the first takedown of the fight but its stuffed. Now Hampson looks for the shot, Ogendo defends and they scramble out of the corner, Ogendo seems to get clipped on the way out but seems fine. Hampson now loading up with his punches as they throw leather to end another incredibly close round.

They come out for round 3 and Ogendo throwing the early flurry, Hampson again doesn’t seem worried and stands his ground. Hampson throws the low kick, Ogendo grabs the leg and takes him down to finish the first takedown of the fight. Hampson drives forward now but Ogendo is looking confident and shoots in again only to get stuffed by a very strong looking Hampson that out of nowhere throws an almighty overhand right that puts Ogendo in all sorts of trouble. Ogendo took that shot clean but manages to get his act together well enough in the 8 seconds count for the referee to allow him to continue. Hampson moves in again and BOOM !!! Same punch floors Ogendo for the second time and its all over. Official decision, winner by way of knock out at 1:20 seconds of the 3rd round, Will Hampson.

Round 1, Watson comes out strong tags Rich with a great flurry of punches right off the bat. Rich is firing back but they seem to be coming up short. First low kick from Rich only to be counted with a left hook straight right combo by Watson. Watson really teeing off now and Rich is taking some punishment. Big foot sweep from Watson and Rich goes down. Back on his feet and Rich comes forward again only to meet a big lead uppercut and right hand that drops Rich to the canvas. Maybe more of trip than a knock down but the referee will give Rich a standing 8 count regardless. Rich keeps coming forward but Watson is finding his mark everytime. Nice foot sweep again from Watson and Rich looses his footing for the second time in the round. Watson seems to have the speed advantage over Rich and finishes out the round with another strong combination. Big first round for Watson.

Round 2 and Watson is straight back at it again with some big combination punching. Rich looks to clinch but Watson just throws him off. Nice head kick from Rich but eats a right hand for his troubles.  They clinch up, single knee from Rich and a nice punch on the break. Great head movement from Watson and Rich can’t seem to pin his man down. Another head kick from Rich only to be countered by what is becoming Watsons favourite and most damaging weapon, the lead uppercut to straight right. Watson is definitely out boxing Rich now but Rich just keeps on coming. Another good round for Watson, lets see if Rich can find something different in the 3rd.

Both men seem to be sticking with the their gameplan and its looking like an all out kickboxing bout with neither man even attempting a take down. Rich is pressuring Watson again and lands with a nice right hook. Watson still moving well but may have taken his foot off the gas a little. Rich drives forward with 3 straight shots that force Watson back. Watson now responds with a low kick to punch combo. Rich now with a superman punch and the round ends with Rich possibly clawing a round back.

So, into round 4 and Rich comes out with a head kick which seems to skim off Watsons eye as he winces in pain. The referee calls time and checks him out. Maybe it was a toenail or a bit of dirt but Watson is ready to go again. Rich now seems to have found some fire and comes in hard on Watson that has him backing up. Big head kick followed by a flurry of shots. Another head kick lands and Rich has come alive. Watson still punching off his back foot but its Rich being the aggressor now. Rich pushing forward but Watson stands firm a lands with big right hand. They clinch up in the corner, single knee from Rich and returned by Watson. Both guys matching each other punch for punch in the center of the ring and the crowd are loving this.

Final round for this Lightweight title fight and Rich gets off first only for Watson to counter with a lovely left hook. Still no attempt at a takedown from either man but that could just be what Rich needs right now. Nice knee in the clinch from Watson and delivers 5 or 6  clean shots that snap Rich’s head back. First takedown attempt from Watson but it seems a little half hearted and Richs stuffs it easily. Big foot sweep from Watson and the ropes keep Rich from taking a dive. They clinch up with a little bit of dirty boxing from both men, right hand lands from Rich and the left uppercut from Watson finds its mark again. Both corner teams screaming for the finish now as the 10 second warning sounds and its Watson that lands with a right straight left hook to the body. What a fantastic fight from these to young men, both showing excellent cardio and boxing skills. So, after all 5 rounds we go to the judges scorecards. They score the bout 49-45, 50-46 and 49-48 for the winner by unanimous decision, Sean Watson. Big props of coarse for the runner up, Nathan Rich.

Both guys enter the ring looking in great shape for this middleweight title fight. Cotton who is no stranger to the fight game has competed at big shows all over the UK and Plant is the current Battle Arena welterweight European champion. Plant opens up with a low kick and Cotton returns with a straight right. Both men taking their time, staying relaxed and looking for an opening. Big spinning backfist from Plant, Cotton ducks underneath and times his shot perfectly to get the first takedown. Cotton now pressing Plant into the corner and using his doubles unders for control, nice knee from Cotton as Plant reverses him and throws a knee of his own. Quick exchange of punches and they break for the second round.

Plant looks for a superman punch and they end up in a clinch, both guys using the dirty boxing now and Plant breaks out. Big leather being thrown in both directions and im sure they both have respect for each others power.  Cotton looks for a double but is sprawled on. Plant with the inside low kick to set up a 1, 2. Cottons pays him back with a nice right hook. Plant looks for the shot, bounces Cotton off the ropes and finishes it right on the bell. Very even round again and the judges will be scrutinizing every shot from now on.

Off we go again for round 3, Plant with a big swing and a miss, Cotton happy to bide his time. Plant again with that inside foot sweep to set up his punches, closes the distance and clinches up. Cottons gets double unders and looks for the trip, Plant tries to flip him anyway but it ends up in an untidy scramble. They seem to be reading each other perfectly and yet giving nothing away. A straight right to the body from Cotton, a counter left hook from Plant and both guys seem to want to pick single shots rather than fire off a big combo or utilize their wrestling or Judo backgrounds. Big left hook from Plant to finish the round but Cotton slips off with a smile on his face, he seems to be enjoying himself in there !!!

Plant out strong again for the 4th round, big head kick and blocked by Cotton. Cotton paws out a jab and throws a body kick that Plant grabs onto and takes his man down. Another hard inside foot sweep from Plant but Cotton replies with a straight right to the body and left hook combo. Now Plant is letting his hands go, sets up a double and Cotton sprawls on it. Cotton now with the 4, 3, 2 combination that lands, doesn’t seem to worry Plant to much though and he returns with a body kick. Cotton seems to be looking closely for Plant to make a mistake, he throws a shot and they clinch but Cotton just throws Plant off. Plant again with that inside foot sweep that’s catching Cotton everytime, if only he could find something extra afterwards. Another incredibly close round with neither man really shining above the other.

Fifth and final round and this definitely could go either way to now. Cotton with a big overhand right that seems to drop Plant although it seems to be more of a slip than a knock down so no 8 count this time. Both guys know the end is close and seem to be throwing harder shots. Plant looks for the TD but Cotton uses his whizzer and defends well. Cotton now with 3 hard bombs and he seems to be landing the better shots in this final round. Plant isn’t done yet though and launches a heavy body kick. They clinch up again, sharp knee from Cotton and Plant looks for the double. Cotton has double unders and easily defends as Plant gives up on maybe choosing to save his energy for the dying seconds. Both guys looks shattered now as they trade shots with one last takedown attempt from Plant as the final bell sounds. This fight was great on paper and didn’t disappoint in reality either. Big respect to both guys as we go to the judges scorecards. So after all five rounds the judges score the bout 49-48, 50-46 and 48-48 for your winner by Majority Decision, and new FightLight Middleweight Champion, Josh Plant.