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.

Cage Contender XII Prelim Report

A split draw!

Another Cage Contender in the bag, another successful night for Irish MMA and personally a lesson leaned which I will get to later. The event saw the increasingly popular promotion return to the National Basketball Arena for their twelfth show and MMA fans many of which newcomers were treated to a plethory of talent with the card headlined by international sensation Gunnar Nelson. The running order also featuring a who's-who of Irish talent with the likes of Peter Quelly, Brian Moore, John Michael Shiel, Alan Kavanagh, Ricky Edgeworth and James "Sexual" Heelan all putting on a show for the packed bleachers at the home of Irish basketball.

When the doors opened at 6PM the crowds began to fill the arena, Cage Contender MD John Ferguson was overheard saying wryly "Somebody did the math..." in reference to a tweet he had sent earlier in the day - I never found out what he meant but he seemed happy out. Many fans were seated with many more availing of the €12 standing tickets available on groupon a couple of weeks before. When the action eventually got underway those in attendance were not disappointed. Right of the bat we were treated to a welterweight fight between Anzer Antsaev and Chris O'Donoghue and both delivered straight away! O'Donoghue opened up with a a flurry of punches and took control of the octagon to press the action early. Antsaev soon settled as the pair exchanged leg kicks. Action paused briefly as the pair clinched against the cage. Eventually Antsaev secured a take down and showed excellent grappling to secure a mount to finish via TKO in round one.

Kavanagh and Heelan

The next fight featured two of the up and coming stars of Irish MMA as the man with the awesome nickame James "Sexual" Heelan SBG defeated Alan Kavanagh of Husaria Fight Team via UD following a hard fought two rounds after losing the last round to his game and determined opponent. Heelan was held down by Kavanagh for the entire first round after slipping whilst attempting a head kick early on, in the following two rounds-  his take down defence and counter right had the difference and the decision was just. Next up was a controversial fight as Primal's Dave Hanney share a split draw with MMA Lucan's Islam Bisayev. Both men were supported vocally throughout and both parties felt they did enough to see their hand's raised. Rumours abounding that the rematch will take place on Celtic Gladiator soon....

A very game Sean Keogan

The final preliminary fight saw Sean Keogan of Kokora take on Scobie "Blaze" Burke of Coolmine BJJ. The event as a highly charged affair with both young men throwing with lethal intent from the bell. The heart, determination and skill of the two can not be underplayed - for amatuer fighters they really but on a hell of show right until the final bell with Keogan calling his opponent on in a desperate valiant bid to steal a victory. Emotions ran high but in the end Scobie's control and grappling superiority proved the difference - would like to see both men step back inside the cage soon.

The prelims were good, the main card was even better, oh and lesson learned.... *journalism/hack rule number one "never leave your notes down when you go for a burger" they generally don't stay put... Goddamit. Full report of the main card coming tomorrow.