ALVES V KAMPMANN - Preview

It is probably fair to say at this stage, that when the UFC take their show beyond America, they tend to reserve the more stellar cards for the fans of Brazil and Canada. The exception of course being UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi, and only the most cynical of fans would correlate that with the large investment the company received from partners there.

However, the card scheduled for Saturday morning at the Allphones Arena in Sydney is far from the rag tag hand-me-downs fans outside of Latin and North America have become accustomed to. The main event, between Thiago Alves and Martin Kampmann is one of those fights that could be over the moment asses hit the seats or have fans on their feet, screaming bloody murder for fifteen minutes.

This fight pits two of the sport’s premiere Muay Thai practitioners against each other, who both find themselves in welterweight purgatory.  So, if either man wants to elevate himself up the ranks in any kind of meaningful way, victory must be comprehensive and beyond reproach.  Being the bigger, more powerful athlete, with title fight experience, you would have to favour Alves.

My Prediction Alves KO/TKO Round 3

Fans in Sydney are also being treatedwith the official debut of the flyweight division, with a two-fight tourney to decide who will contest for the title later this year. Former Bantamweight No.1 contender Demetrious Johnson takes on Octagon debutant Ian McCall in the first semi-final, which is followed by Joseph Benavidez battling another UFC first timer, Japan’s Yashuhiro Urushitani.

What will be truly mesmerizing about these historical bouts is the pace men of this stature can fight at; Cruz v Faber II will probably look lethargic in comparison.  Any outright prediction for these fights would be speculative, however, Johnson and Banavidez have been at this level many times before and will not be fazed by it, and they’re probably the safest bet.

Keep an eye out for all the tri colours on display; there should be a fairly strong Paddy contingent in attendance.

Coverage starts at 2am Saturday morning on ESPN.

By Tom Rooney

Cage Contender XII - The Photos

Some shots we got at Cage Contender XII last weekend - check out our full review here 

- all images rights nick@brodieexposures.com

Cage Contender Main Card Report - Nelson Bags Another Win

The Flying Pikeman Moore

When the main card of an event features, Gunnar Nelson, an Ex-TUF contestant and several Grade "A" home grown fighters you know you are on to a winner but Cage Contender XII really delivered last Saturday night. For the packed numbers inside a sweltering National Basketball Arena they were treated to a thrilling main card featuring four first round finishes and the pro debut of one of Ireland's brightest prospects. In the evening's main event, in a real treat for Irish MMA fans - international sensation Gunnar Nelson ended a one year hiatus from MMA to take on Ukrainian Alexander Butenko. The event which was featured live on Icelandic TV featured a stunning display of technique and skill from the unbeaten Icelandic native, who threw his opponent to the mat to landi a perfect arm-bar from mount to leave the crowd on their feet in raptures.

Gunnar's post fight interview with Woah TVs Katie Larmour

Due to TV scheduling Nelson's fight was succeeded by the eagerly anticipated match up between SBG's Brian "The Pikeman" Moore and BTT's Conor "Done Deal" Dillon. Both fighters were cheered on vocally throughout and arrived into the cage in phenomenal shape which was displayed in a frenetic opening round. Moore in his last outing at Celtic Gladiator impressed with not only his composure but the strength of the man from County Wexford. Once again Moore handled all that a skilled Dillon had to offer to finish the fight via RNC near the end of round number one. It clearly meant a lot to Moore who flew to the top of the cage to salute the crowd - in his post-fight interview he would go on to explain that the victory was dedicated to his Great-Aunt Lil' who had passed away.

JMS looked focused in his pre-fight warm up

With the crowd at fever pitch the seemingly unstoppable John Michael Sheil took on ex-TUF Season Three contestant Ross "The Gladiator" Pointin in a classic Ireland vs. England match up. Again Sheil demonstrated that he can simply walk through punches and he matched all that Pointin had to offer in the early exchanges. Sheil was fighting for the third time in almost as many month's and looked sharp, throwing straight punches that began to connect and back up Pointin towards the middle of the round. Eventually after being shook by an upper cut - Pointin was dropped with a right. Once he had his opponent controlled "JMS" landed several strong shots to finish the fight via TKO and send the crowd into raptures.

It was a tremendous way to end the evening and sent large numbers in attendance home satisfied that they had witnessed an excellent night of MMA action. Cage Contender again delivered at the highest level the future looks bright - roll on the Cage Contender XIII.

Read the rest of the Main Card including wins for Quelly, Edgeworth and Brennan below.