The North West’s mixed martial arts fans were treated to nineteen fights over seven hours by Full Contact Contender for FCC 14 at the Macron Arena, Bolton.
Despite losing their main event just a week out from the event, the promotion managed to put together a strong card that featured an array of amateur and professional talent.
Featherweight bout: Dean Trueman Vs. Adam Ventre
This one saw Dean Trueman (4-3), coming off a loss in his last fight, take on Adam Ventre (4-1) who was victorious in his outing at FCC 12.
The fight quickly began to take a familiar shape: with Trueman landing the better shots and able to take his man down, but Ventre, whose four wins have all come via submission, looking constantly dangerous from his guard.
By the third round, it was clear Ventre needed another finish, but with his opponent better in the stand up department and taking him down repeatedly, it was only going to come via submission from his back.
Despite having to fend off arm-bars and triangles, Trueman landed punches from the guard, en-route to a unanimous decision victory.
Result: Dean Trueman def. Adam Ventre via unanimous decision
Welterweight bout: Mick Bowman Vs. Aymard Guih
For the most part, this fight resembled one of those soft-core porn films channel five used to air: lots of hugging and bodily contact, but not much action. Time and again Guih (9-5-1) used his takedown ability to wrestle Bowman (8-4) to the floor, but once on the ground the Ivorian proceeded to do little to nothing; no submission attempts and hardly any passes or ground strikes.
The fight followed this pattern for three full rounds, although towards the end of both rounds two and three, Bowman did manage to momentarily reverse the position and end up on top, landing more shots in his small window of opportunity than Guih did whilst on top for most of the bout.
But the judges went with Guih and whilst he caused near to no damage to his opponent, he did control the majority of the fight.
His nickname may be Barakuda, but if he’s to attract more fanfare, he’ll need to find more bite.
Result: Aymard Guih def. Mick Bowman via unanimous decision
Bantamweight bout: Jordan Desborough Vs. Declan Williams
The co-main event saw Carlisle’s Jordan Desborough (10-4) take on Rossendale’s Declan Williams – both victorious in their last two fights – in a bantamweight bout.
The first round saw Desborough, the wrestler, secure an early takedown and after working to side control, he landed some heavy elbows that caused damage to Williams’ right eye.
The second round was a carven copy of the first, with Williams again on his back after failing to defend the takedown. After landing some more heavy elbows, Desborough managed to take his opponents back, flatten him out and instead of looking for the rear naked choke, the SBG mainline fighter instead opted to reign down punches, and the referee intervened – albeit about ten seconds later than necessary.
The victory takes Desborough to three straight wins and a possible title-fight against champion Robbie Fallon.
Result: Jordan Desborough def. Declan Williams via TKO
Matt Inman Vs. Dez Parker
After Paddy Pimblett was injured, what was previously billed as the co-main event was moved up to main event and the welterweights put on a show deserving of its new status.
Matt Inman (16-7) headed into the fight on a two-fight win streak, his latest victory coming at FCC 13, while his opponent, Dez Parker (6-4), had won one and lost one of his last two contests.
The fight got off to a fast start, and when the first round wasn’t being spent in the clinch against the cage, both men stood in the centre content to stand and bang. Parker was having more success with his punches, repeatedly finding a home for his straight right hand, but as the round progressed Inman started to find success of his own, more often than not with his feet.
The second saw Inman continue where he left off at the end of the first, with the Manchester fighter constantly hammering kicks to Parker’s thigh that seemed to cause confusion. Midway through the round, Inman unleashed a flurry of punches that dropped his opponent and after he swarmed with hammer fists the referee drew the fight to a close.
Inman now has three consecutive victories and all but one of his sixteen professional career wins have come inside the distance.
Result: Matt Inman def. Dez Parker via TKO
Full Contact Contender 14 Results
Matt Inman def Dez Parker via TKO (R2, 2.30) and retains the FCC European Welterweight Title
Jordan Desborough def Declan Williams via TKO (R2, 3.51)
Aymard Guih def Michael Bowman via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Dean Trueman def Adam Ventre via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Aaron Aby def Karim Miard via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
Ian Williams def Mike Castell via Submission (Guillotine Choke) (R1, 0.29)
Ashley Reece def Tobias Reid via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Tony Morgan def Danny Barker via TKO (R1, 0.56)
Shaun Hampton def Dan Konecke via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Amateur Fights
Shawn Kenny def Paul Wadsworth via KO (Punch) (R1, 0.10)
Chris Senior def Matthew Bonner via Submission (RNC) (R2, 2.16)
Igor Puskarskis def Tarro Grogan via Majority Decision (49-46, 48-47, 47-47)
Jack Owen def Simon Home via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Lerone Murphy def Lloyd Sweeney via TKO (R2, 2.32)
Lukas Pilch def Lucas Alosinski via Referee Stoppage (R1, 2.29)
Jamie Hay def Andy Nevinson via Submission (Armbar) (R2, 1.34)
Aaron Pierre def Corey Layfield via Submission (RNC) (R1, 2.40)
Rob Woodrow def Ash McCracken via TKO (R2, 2.02)
Reece Street def Imraan Yusuf via TKO (R1, 2.16)
