The Macron Arena in Bolton, Lancashire played host to the latest installment of mixed martial arts action from North West based promotion, Full Contact Contender for FCC 13 last Saturday, 20th June.
The 19 fight card, headlined by a tussle between rising English star Paddy ‘the baddy’ Pimblett and Spaniard Miguel Haro, delivered an action packed evening of both amateur and professional bouts.
Lightweight: Jai Herbert Vs. Martin Sweeney
Kicking off the professional bouts on the main card was a lightweight bout between Jai Herbert (2-0) and Martin Sweeney (0-1).
The fight began with Herbert controlling affairs with his clinch, using vicious knees and elbows to batter his opponent, and it was beginning to look like a poor piece of work from the matchmakers.
But during one of the exchanges, Sweeney suddenly landed an uppercut flush on Herbert’s chin, dropping him to the canvas. With Herbert struggling, Sweeney was able to gain full mount, but although he landed a few heavy shots, he was unable to secure the finish.
After Herbert survived, he eventually overturned the position and Sweeney finished the round defending a head and arm choke. Great first round, but scored definitely for Herbert.
The second round began in similar fashion to the first, with Herbert again using his clinch to great effect. After tying his man up, he unleashed a knee that sent Sweeney wobbling and the fight was ended, emphatically, with a high kick to the head. A great performance from Herbert and a very entertaining way to get the pro bouts started.
Herbert: TKO (round 2)
Featherweight bout: Azi Thomas Vs. Chaouki Hannachi
The strangest moment of the evening came in this featherweight matchup between Manchester’s Azi Thomas (5-1) and Frenchman Chaouki Hannachi (2-3)
With both fighters returning to their feet after a scramble on the ground, Hannachi appeared to gesture he’d been struck by a low blow. But instead of stopping proceedings, the referee – who mustn’t have seen the alleged infraction – did nothing, and seizing his opportunity, Thomas threw a haymaker and downed his unsuspecting opponent.
By rule, the fight should have been ended as a TKO, as Thomas had done nothing wrong with the referee failing to pause the fight. But instead of awarding him the win, the official, to the bemusement of most in attendance, gave Hannachi time to recover and allowed the fight to continue.
Fortunately for the ref (the incident would’ve been looked into further if Thomas had lost, and his error highlighted) Hannachi appeared shaken and didn’t look the same fighter after the restart. Thomas eventually took him down and after taking his back and flattening him out, he rained down punches, forcing Hannachi to submit by strikes and the fight was stopped – albeit a minute or two overdue.
Azi Thomas: TKO
Bantamweight bout: Jordan Desborough Vs. Malek Latreche
After some heated exchanges on social media with Adam Ventre, his initial opponent, Jordan Desborough (9-4) eventually had to settle for a bout against a late replacement, with Ventre pulling out a week before the fight due to injury.
Stepping in to face the man from Carlisle was Frenchman Malek Latreche (2-2). As it turned out, he probably wishes he hadn’t.
Throughout the first round, Desborough controlled the action and dominated, using his superior grappling to control his opponent on the ground, although during the early stages, Malek defended well from his back, not allowing ‘Handsome’ to land many shots.
The second round saw Malek attempt to pressure Desborough against the fence, but the Englishman eventually took him down again and after controlling him on the ground, Desborough managed to secure the mounted crucifix, ending the fight with brutal elbows – Malek’s corner throwing in the towel to save their man from further punishment.
So a good night for Desborough who looked dominant with this win, which perhaps sets up a bout with Adam Ventre at FCC 14. Let the verbals recommence.
Desborough TKO (round 2)
Matt Inman Vs. Vincent del Guerra
With both fighters totaling only eight decisions in their combined 57 contests, there was an icicle-in-Hell’s chance of this one going to the judges.
Inman (15-7) was heading into the fight with only one win in his last three, knowing another defeat would severely dent his chances of progressing up the national rankings, and although he didn’t have it all his own way the Mancunian duly rose to the challenge.
His French opponent, Vincent del Guerra (22-14), who also had his back against the wall after losing five of is last eight, started the fight well, catching Inman numerous times with a flurry of shots – one of which opened up a sizeable cut under the Mancunian’s eye. With blood pouring from his newfound orifice, he appeared to be struggling with del Guerra’s powerful hands.
But midway through the first round, Inman tweaked his tactics and rather than the failed stand-and-bang approach, he cut off his opponent’s space and pushed him against the fence, landing uppercuts and elbows from the clinch. The tide had turned and Inman headed back to his corner as the clear winner of the round.
As it transpired, that was all she wrote as the action was brought to a premature end – del Guerra conceding after suffering what appeared to be a broken hand – and whilst the nature of the victory may not have been what Inman was looking for, he’ll be happy to get the win and make it two on the bounce.
Corner concedes: (Round 2: 0:00)
Main event: Featherweight bout: Paddy ‘the baddy’ Pimblett Vs. Miguel Haro
The main event saw promising Englishman Paddy Pimblett (9-1) take on Spaniard Miguel Haro (8-5 (1) in a featherweight contest.
Pimblett, who fought for Cage Warriors before they encountered their current issues, is being touted as one to watch, and with each performance he’s showing why.
Haro headed into the fight with a poor run of three losses from his last four, but ‘Santa Muerte’ began the fight promisingly, swinging wildly and catching Pimblett with a few good shots before taking ‘the baddy’ down.
But, with Haro unable to advance his position, Pimblett was beginning to look lively on the ground, attempting submissions – including an omoplata – before sliding underneath and landing on top of his opponent.
With jiu-jitsu Pimblett’s forte, Haro was now in deep water and, unequipped with the requisite skills to swim, it was only a matter of time before proceedings ground to a halt. It came when Haro attempted to scramble to his feet, Pimblett taking his back and locking in the rear naked choke.
The win takes Pimblett’s record to 9-1, and the likeable Liverpudlian is really beginning to make a name for himself. With the future of Cage Warriors – and their fighters – still uncertain, it may only be a matter of time before the big promotions are circling.
The Jay-from-the-Inbetweeners lookalike mightn’t resemble a high-level MMA fighter, but he certainly performs like one, and at 20 years of age he has the time to further develop his skills and become a top talent on the world stage.
Full FCC 13 results HERE.
