BAMMA-Lonsdale British Welterweight Title bout: Leon Edwards (7-1) vs Shaun Taylor (7-0)
The Victoria Warehouse, Manchester. Sept 13 – Edwards oddly slipped onto his back in the opening seconds and Taylor swiftly took advantage – leaping into the champion’s guard and holding Edwards tightly against the fence. Having remained calm, Edwards worked back to his feet and with a spin move he created distance to get away from the fence.
Almost immediately after escaping the clutches of his opponent, Edwards secured a Thai clinch and dropped Taylor with a knee to the body followed by an uppercut. Edwards may have thrown away an early victory as he anticipated the stoppage prematurely and walked away. The referee saw no reason to end the contest and Taylor got back to his feet only to be cut down again with a head kick. Edwards then controlled the challenger on the ground to see out the opening stanza.
Taylor took a shin to the face early in the second round but continued to show resilience. Edwards showed growing confidence, albeit with single strikes, using straight punches and knees to keep Taylor at bay.
Taylor took a few moments to recover from a groin shot, but remained unable to close the distance and was put down once again with an uppercut. Edwards’ single shots continued as counter blows; frustrating Taylor who attempted to switch back to wrestling, only to be shrugged off by the British champion.
More of the same in round three as Taylor was unable to figure out the southpaw approach of Edwards who’s patient counter shots continued. Despite Taylor falling to the canvas with every clean blow, Edwards allowed his opponent to stand up, and the drawn out punishment continued. A straight two shot combo sent Taylor to the canvas one more time, Edwards gestured that enough is enough and the referee stepped in to end Taylor’s agony.
BAMMA World Featherweight Title bout: Tom Duquesnoy (9-1) (c) vs Ashleigh Grimshaw (16-8)
The most highly anticipated fight of BAMMA 16 left fight fans truly gutted. Unfortunately, the bout was declared a ‘no-contest’ as Duquesnoy throws an inside leg kick that catches Grimshaw flush in the groin rendering him unable to continue – it really was that bad, a stretcher was required for Grimshaw to exit the cage but we hope for a rematch in December!
Welterweight – Main Event: Paul Daley (34-13-2) vs Marinho Moreira da Rocha (28-6)
Enjoying a short lack of pressure, Da Rocha held his own as Daley struck reservedly. ‘Semtex’ picked his moments with spells of pressure using the Thai clinch and later a jumping knee.
Seemingly frustrated, Da Rocha lost patience momentarily and rushed forward, only to be tossed aside by Daley who followed up with a kick to the body of his off balance opponent.
Daley came out for round two immediately with a more powerful, threatening stance that now pressured his opponent a great deal more. Daley refused to be rushed backwards against the fence and countered Da Rocha’s momentum before delivering a wave of strikes from the Thai clinch.
Daley began to let loose more and more, the clinical combinations seemed endless and an overhand right was followed by a left hook to the body of Da Rocha who collapsed in pain resulting in Daley taking yet another scalp via knockout.
