It was a highly anticipated night of MMA in Dublin, Ireland, at BAMMA 30, but dubious results left a lot to be desired for the fans in the 3Arena.
The main event of the evening, a bantamweight title fight between Shay Walsh and Alan Philpott didn’t go according to plan. After a hot build-up, the fight ultimately ended in a lacklustre way.
Philpott came to the cage evidently hyper and raring to go. Within the first five seconds of the first round, the Northern Irish fighter landed a head kick, rocking Walsh and sending him to the floor. Walsh recovered and looked to mount attacks of his own but continued to get clipped.
However, after going to the floor as a result of simultaneous kicks, “The Apprentice” landed yet another kick to the face of Walsh whilst on the floor. Though unintentional, the kick was illegal, and the doctor advised referee Leon Roberts to stop the fight with Walsh unable to continue, deeming the result a no contest. Both Philpott and the Irish crowd were disappointed with the result but both fighters said another fight will happen in the near future to decide the fate of the BAMMA 135-pound championship.
Philpott lands a accidental illegal blow which puts an end to the contest #BAMMA30 #MMA #Dublin pic.twitter.com/NYCTGdWYNi
— BAMMA (@BAMMA) July 7, 2017
In the co-main event of the evening, Paul Redmond impressed his hometown crowd with an eye-catching performance against former champion and BAMMA veteran Rob Sinclair. In a close fight, Redmond had the defining moment when he pushed his hips to escape from the bottom and landed a miraculous leg-lock on the 37-year-old.
Following the fight, Sinclair announced that his mixed martial arts career was over and despite retiring after his previous loss, he felt this was the right time for him, leaving his gloves in the cage to sign off a fantastic career.
The retirement of a BAMMA Legend. Congratulations on an amazing career #BAMMA30 #MMa #Dublin pic.twitter.com/cscLMdXRqq
— BAMMA (@BAMMA) July 7, 2017
One of the UK’s highly touted prospects, Fabian Edwards continued his impressive run, winning his BAMMA debut with a second-round submission against Aaron Kennedy, showing he isn’t a one-trick pony. Despite this, Edwards remained disappointed with his performance.
End of Days from Fabian "The Assassin" Edwards #BAMMA30 #MMA #Dublin pic.twitter.com/Rzg4aVpgSQ
— BAMMA (@BAMMA) July 7, 2017
In the Lonsdale flyweight championship bout, Daniel Barez dominated proceedings against Irishman Ryan Curtis, winning the fight 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
Elsewhere, former Lonsdale champion Rhys McKee was part of a classic when he battled through three hard rounds against Richie Smullen, ultimately ending in a majority draw in the highly anticipated lightweight clash.
In the first notable fight of BAMMA 30, SBG Ireland’s Ion Pascu defeated Henry Fadipe in the opening round in the battle of experienced welterweights.
