Welterweight: Jack Grant (8-1) vs Alexei Roberts (10-6)
The Victoria Warehouse, Manchester. Sept 13 – Alexei Roberts gave up 8 inches of height to the 6’1 Jack Grant who looked to control the opening moments with his significant reach advantage. Roberts caught a kick and proceeded to chase down his opponent and jump into a guillotine choke attempt, but was slammed onto his back. Grant transitioned to control the back of his opponent and looked to hold the position before coming back to the feet and shaking Roberts with a series of punches.
Roberts looked eager as the second round began, stalking his opponent with a powerful stance. Grant found himself taken down against the fence and gave up a number of positions before eventually pulling guard, only for Roberts to stand up and continue to stamp his mark on the round with strikes as Grant looked like a totally different fighter, now considerably fatigued.
Roberts surely sensed victory leading into round three with Grant so exhausted. Showing patience, Roberts slowly stalked his opponent as Grant’s hands continued to hang extremely low. Grant was backed up against the fence and Roberts waded in with punches, but was unable to unload with significant power, holding back exhaustion himself.
Roberts grabbed a standing guillotine, but the attempt provided a somewhat comical sight as Grant offered no response; hands by his side while comfortably surviving the submission. Both fighters traded slugging blows as the final seconds passed with Roberts’ determined, grinding assault earning him a well earned and much needed victory via unanimous decision.
