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MaxBax

http://sfuk.tripod.com/events/irishmmatrials.html

The First Irish Mixed Martial Arts trials were held this weekend in Belfast. The Combined Budo Association and Unavoidable Promotions worked together to hold an outstanding event attended by 40 fighters over 400 spectators, with a further 200 being turned away at the door.

jonny burrows thom lamont lee hasdell

The event, which was so well organised (with a massage area as well as doctors and paramedics) as to impress TFF headman and Pioneer of MMA in the UK Lee Hasdell, went off without a hitch. Lee explained the rules to the 40 fighters present and the event got started right on time. The Event was attended by Red Bull, a fact that Lee Hasdell was well aware of (You’ll understand when you see the photos) which I believe is a first for Martial Arts outside of Thailand.

As the first fight started the announcer encouraged the crowd to support these young fighters, and the crowd complied. To a roar of applause and cheering the 2 young fighters fought to a draw.

Over all the standard of fighters was pretty good with the Chum Sut Total Fighting System and Gracie Barra teams dominating the proceedings. There were a number of surprise showings from traditional Ju Jitsu and a commonwealth Judo team member who seemed to grow in confidence as the event went on.

One of the highlights of the event had to be Darren Ward, a kickboxer who trains with Lee Hasdell, fighting against the Instructor for Gracie Barra Northern Ireland Graham Keyes (Sorry if I spelled your name wrong Graham). The fight started with the Gracie fighter surprising Ward with a leg kick, after a few short exchanges standing up the fight went to the ground. After a good bail out from an armbar attempt by Ward and an escape by the Gracie Fighter from a near figure 4 ankle lock the fight ended in a draw. What most impressed me about this fight was that the 2 fighters then spent most of the rest of the event together, discussing fights, discussing tactics and shouting encouragement for each other in their second fights which they both won. Ward due to stoppage from knees and Keyes with a SWEET armbar from the mount 30 seconds before the end of the fight.

The event ran right through with only one injury. One of the Gracie Fighters, Alan Lowry, had his nose broken when his opponent jumped up inside his guard and Lowry took a shot either with his own knee or Johns Elbow (it was hard to see from where I was standing). The Medical team were right on it and Lowry was seen to in no time. His only grievance was that he couldn’t fight on afterward.

I would write more but the Drunk one lost his Dictaphone while living up to his ill gained Moniker, I will get the pictures up as soon as I can.

I’d like to say thanks to Tom Lamont and Johnny Burrows for inviting me to the event and showing me and Boppaluccio a great weekend and finally a word to Lee Hasdell

I KNOW YOUR SECRET!!!

If ya smelllllllllllll What Droc is distillin’

dlofnep

"I would write more but the Drunk one lost his Dictaphone while living up to his ill gained Moniker, I will get the pictures up as soon as I can."

LOL!

Colm_OReilly

AFAIK, that's ancient history

john kavanagh

from a loooooong time ago

mark.leonard

Irish Mixed Martial Arts: Trials
Belfast, Ireland
September 24, 2000


That's what it is. (was!)