SIGMA - Rise of European MMA

batsnumbereleven · February 19, 2014

Monday 1st November 2001 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release Signature Martial Arts brings the next edition of SIGMA Gefecht TV on Euro Cable Sports 4 to you from Eisstadion am Pferdeturm in Hannover on Saturday 13th November. Lined up to headline the TV special, is a Heavyweight clash between highly-considered Russian Wolfgang Takarov (#19, 4-1) and English all-rounder Ozzy Bintley (6-1). Taktarov lost last time out in a chance to meet the SIGMA Heavyweight champion, as he was kocked out by Souleyman Ya Konan at SIGMA 53, whilst Bintley was the victim of former champ Lefter Oktay at SIGMA 58. At Middleweight, veteran Czech sambista Jaromir Grygera (20-9) looks to turn around a losing streak as he takes on Dutch kick boxer Edgar van den Hoogenband (5-3), and at Featherweight, Francesco Marazzina (23-9) faces off against Norwegian wrestler Hans Christian Bloch (5-2). Rounding out the card will be a second Heavyweight fight pitting Swedish judoka Torgny Makinen (1-1) against Greek jiu jitsu player Calchas Gekas (1-0). Don't forget to tune in to see the whole card as-live from 2245 CET on Euro Cable Sport 4. </div></blockquote> Card for picks: SIGMA Gefecht TV Wolfgang Taktarov v Ozzy Bintley Jaromir Grygera v Edgar van den Hoogenband Francesco Marazzina v Hans Christian Bloch Torgny Makinen v Calchas Gekas

BigRedMachine · February 19, 2014

SIGMA Gefecht TV

Wolfgang Taktarov v Ozzy Bintley

Jaromir Grygera v Edgar van den Hoogenband

Francesco Marazzina v Hans Christian Bloch

Torgny Makinen v Calchas Gekas

CageRage · February 19, 2014

SIGMA Gefecht TV

Wolfgang Taktarov v Ozzy Bintley

Jaromir Grygera v Edgar van den Hoogenband

Francesco Marazzina v Hans Christian Bloch

Torgny Makinen v Calchas Gekas

batsnumbereleven · February 19, 2014

Friday 5th November 2001 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release Signature Martial Arts is proud to announce today the acquisition of American MMA promotion Xtreme Cage Combat (XCC). As part of the deal SIGMA will assume the outstanding debts of the company, as well as the contracts of fighters signed to XCC and the infrastructure and properties held by the company. SIGMA owners intend to install our own team to oversee management of the company from its base in California, but intend to retain the staff and commercial contracts that XCC has held to date during the initial period of ownership. Signature Martial Arts looks forward to seeing the very best of XCC continuing to perform, with the intention of making the best MMA match-ups that it is possible to do.</div></blockquote>

BigRedMachine · February 20, 2014

Question, with the purchase of XXC dose this mean we will see some American talents from the XCC ranks come over or are they going to wait untill you hit international

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

There will be one or two, yes. The big problem with bringing them over is, of course, that they generally have no popularity at all in Europe, so will end up in prelims unless we pick and choose carefully...

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

Saturday 6th November 2001

Blurcat.com

SIGMA a Saviour?

Yesterday's announcement that SIGMA had bought out struggling Californian MMA promotion XCC came somewhat out of the blue, as it had been anticipated that it would be another victim of overspending and undelivering in the MMA world. Following on the heels of the shutdown of KDMFC, it was broadly expected that XCC would meet the same fate, until SIGMA stepped in to make the purchase.

Having established its presence in Europe quite thoroughly now, SIGMA has developed a genuinely hardcore and strong following that sees attendances at their live shows in the low thousands, but more importantly, pay-per-view revenue measuring in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per event, which puts them in a strong position financially and well-able to absorb the cost of purchasing XCC, whose debts and liabilities are rumoured to be around $30-50,000. Even when the cost of hosting events and paying the fight fees to the most lucratively-paid of XCC's talent, this is a drop in the bucket when considered against SIGMA's income streams.

Questions still remain, however, about the purpose of the purchase, and what the future holds for XCC. Conspicuous by its absence from the SIGMA press release was any mention of how they intend to utilise the assets they have purchased: will they be absorbed into the core SIGMA business? Will the contracts be cherry-picked for the very best and others left to expire? Or, as many Californians will be hoping, will SIGMA continue to run XCC in the United States?

If the latter, what level of involvement will SIGMA have in promotion of XCC events, and how soon will we see XCC stars like the legend Philip Ziskie crossing over to SIGMA to ply their trade against the likes of Nuno Valentino and Lars Bohlin?

Indeed, what benefits do SIGMA management see in having control of XCC?

Whilst it is great to see that they have stepped in to prevent the closure of the USA's second largest MMA company, what is SIGMA's motivation for doing so?

As usual, there are more questions than answers.

iverbure · February 20, 2014

are you taking on all the fighters from that org or are you just going to cherry pick say the top 5 at each weight class and best prospects?

could you perhaps maybe make a post of a couple of the interesting guys in each weight class? i would imagine Ziskie is the major addition to the roster. does this mean you will be adding a Bantamweight division?

as always keep up the great thread.

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="iverbure" data-cite="iverbure" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>are you taking on all the fighters from that org or are you just going to cherry pick say the top 5 at each weight class and best prospects? </div></blockquote> You'll have to wait and see on that - as I said above, most of those from XCC have no popularity in Europe, so would only be on the prelim card in SIGMA. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="iverbure" data-cite="iverbure" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> could you perhaps maybe make a post of a couple of the interesting guys in each weight class? i would imagine Ziskie is the major addition to the roster. does this mean you will be adding a Bantamweight division? [/Quote] I've played on a few months since taking over but aside from Ziskie, the top fighters in XCC at the moment are: Lightweight: Glen Siemaszko (XCC Lightweight champion, 13-0), Elvis Milissis (13-2), Ross Smith (8-1) - all are top 25 ranked Featherweight: Daniel Ortiz (9-1), Easton Frye (22-6), Frank Romita (10-3), Moses Salinas (5-1). Womens: Layla Holmes (XCC Womens champion 9-1), Karen Curtis (11-3), Monica Masters (7-2). Edited to add: No plans to add Bantamweight. There aren't really enough fighters to make it worthwhile. Unless you meant Womens Bantamweight <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ? <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="iverbure" data-cite="iverbure" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> as always keep up the great thread. </div></blockquote> Thanks very much.</div></blockquote>

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

Event report SIGMA Gefecht TV As-live from Hannover, Germany. Attendance: 2530 for a gate of $253,000 Torgny Makinen (1-1) v Calchas Gekas (1-0) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Another match is about to begin; 'Gambit' Torgny Mäkinen takes on 'Blink' Calchas Gekas in the SIGMA Heavyweight division. >There's the opening bell! >Gekas avoids a flurry of rights and lefts. >Mäkinen avoids a jab. >Mäkinen avoids a quick jab and hits a left jab to the cheek. >A jab misses, allowing Mäkinen to counter-strike with a series of quick lefts. >Mäkinen throws a couple of jabs, then chooses to shoot in on Gekas. >The takedown is completed, Gekas is on his back and pulls guard. >Mäkinen begins trying to pass the guard. >Mäkinen gets past the guard with a certain degree of ease and gains side control. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >Mäkinen tries to get into the mount position. >He can't get the mount as Gekas rolls away to stop it, but does take his back instead. >Mäkinen tries to ensnare Gekas in an armbar. >Mäkinen gets the armbar, sinks it in deeply, and Gekas has to tap! >'Gambit' Torgny Mäkinen takes the win by submission! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: 'Gambit' Torgny Mäkinen defeats 'Blink' Calchas Gekas (Submission (Armbar) in 4:07 of round 1). The match was rated as being Great. Comments: Efficient work by Makinen, who appears to have shrugged off his debut loss to Aldous Zwygart. Gekas didn't have a lot to offer here, with Makinen's quick takedown and slick passing and submission game. Francesco Marazzina (23-9) v Hans Christian Bloch (5-2) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Next up is a match in which Francesco Marazzina will battle Hans Christian Bloch in the SIGMA Featherweight division. >And here we go! >Bloch uses a feint to get Marazzina off balance, but the flurry of rights and lefts that follow don't find their mark. >Bloch uses a flurry of lefts and rights to get Marazzina to cover up, then shoots in looking for a takedown. >Bloch gets the takedown! Marazzina pulls guard. >In guard, Bloch begins working to pass to side control. >Bloch is too much for Marazzina, passing guard and gaining side control. >Bloch attempts to americana Marazzina from side control. >Marazzina stops Bloch from applying it. >Bloch blocks an attempt to pull guard. >We pass the halfway mark of this round. >Bloch attempts an armbar. >Marazzina gets caught by the armbar, and it's deep enough that he has to tap! >The winner, by submission; Hans Christian Bloch! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Hans Christian Bloch defeats Francesco Marazzina (Submission (Armbar) in 3:04 of round 1). The match was rated as being Good. Comments: A second armbar victory following good grappling skills. Bloch is starting to show promise, whilst Marazzina seems stuck at that level just below the top couple of notches and unable to take that step up. Jaromir Grygera (20-9) v Edgar van den Hoogenband (5-3) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>The co-main event is up next. Jaromir Grygera goes up against Edgar van den Hoogenband in the SIGMA Middleweight division. >And here we go! >Grygera slips out of the way of a jab. >Grygera swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches. >Grygera moves out of range of a tidy combination of punches. >Both fighters come in and exchange strikes, but neither does any damage. >They wind up in a tight clinch. >Grygera is trying to muscle van den Hoogenband up against the cage. >Grygera manages it, and controls van den Hoogenband up against the cage. >Unable to break free, van den Hoogenband is smothered up against the cage, taking short blows to the body, for about sixty seconds. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >Grygera smothers van den Hoogenband up against the cage while using the occasional short sharp punch to the body, keeping him stuck there for a full minute. >Grygera uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown. >Grygera gets the takedown by using the underhooks for control and working a trip! van den Hoogenband pulls half guard. >There's under a minute left in this round. >In half guard, Grygera begins working to get side control. >He gets past half guard, gaining side control. >van den Hoogenband takes a knee strike to the ribs from under side control. >The time is up, and that's the end of round one. >That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Grygera. >We are back underway! >Grygera swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches. >Grygera swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches. >Both fighters come in and exchange strikes, but neither does any damage. >They wind up in a tight clinch. >Grygera is trying to muscle van den Hoogenband up against the cage. >Grygera manages it, and controls van den Hoogenband up against the cage. >Unable to break free, van den Hoogenband is smothered up against the cage, taking short blows to the body, for about sixty seconds. >Grygera smothers van den Hoogenband up against the cage while using the occasional short sharp punch to the body, keeping him stuck there for thirty seconds. >We move into the second half of this round. >Grygera uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown. >Grygera gets the takedown by using the underhooks for control and working a trip! van den Hoogenband pulls half guard. >In half guard, Grygera begins working to get side control. >He gets past half guard, gaining side control. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Grygera keeps van den Hoogenband guessing with a few quick strikes. >van den Hoogenband tries to transition to a guard, but can't manage it. >Grygera looks to get a mount. >He mounts van den Hoogenband. >The time is up, and that's the end of round two. >I have to give that round to Grygera, but only a 10-9. >Round three begins! >Both fighters come in and throw strikes, there is no real damage done by either. >van den Hoogenband throws a barrage of big right hands but Grygera moves out of range. >Grygera steps back to avoid a kick to the body. >van den Hoogenband throws a barrage of big right hands after using a feint to trick Grygera into committing to a strike, but he moves out of range just in time. >Grygera comes in, looking for a quick takedown. >A counter right hook catches Grygera hard, almost putting him down! >Grygera steps back to avoid a tight combination of punches after falling for a clever feint. >van den Hoogenband comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket. >Grygera lets van den Hoogenband get closer. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Both fighters come in and exchange strikes, but neither does any damage. >van den Hoogenband throws a flurry of rights and lefts, but Grygera covers up well. >Grygera shows good head movement to avoid getting caught with a jab. >From the pocket, Grygera shoots in for a double leg. >The takedown is blocked, and the sprawl allows van den Hoogenband to wrestle Grygera down to the ground instead! Grygera pulls half guard. >Jaromir Grygera is breathing very hard. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >van den Hoogenband fires off a few punches as he catches his breath. >van den Hoogenband throws a few strikes, but is clearly slowing things down so that he can catch his breath. >van den Hoogenband attempts to arm triangle Grygera from the top of half guard. >Grygera blocks it. >The time expires on round three, and that is the end of the fight. >That round goes to van den Hoogenband, 10-9 on my card. >The ring announcer is now giving the official scores. >All three judges give 29-28. >The winner, by unanimous decision, is Jaromir Grygera! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Jaromir Grygera defeats Edgar van den Hoogenband (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Average. Comments: Grygera did good, if methodical, work in the first two rounds to control van den Hoogenband, and won the fight there. He got a little sloppy in the third, allowing van den Hoogenband to wrestle him to the floor, but there was never going to be enough time for the Dutchman to get the tap. Main Event Wolfgang Taktarov (#19, 4-1) v Ozzy Bintley (6-1) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>It's time for the main event of the evening! Wolfgang 'Tik-Tok' Taktarov will take on Ozzy Bintley in the SIGMA Heavyweight division. >And here we go! >Bintley drops his shoulder as a feint, trying to draw a strike. >Taktarov slips out of the way of a jab. >A showdown where they both exchange strikes only results in a stalemate. >In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch. >Taktarov attempts to pick Bintley up for a slam. >Bintley has no answers, he gets lifted up and planted down! Taktarov ends up in guard. >Taktarov is trying to pass guard. >Taktarov is too much for Bintley, passing guard and gaining side control. >Taktarov tries to lock Bintley in an americana. >Taktarov gets the americana fully applied and Bintley has to tap out! >The winner, by submission, is Wolfgang 'Tik-Tok' Taktarov! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Wolfgang 'Tik-Tok' Taktarov defeats Ozzy Bintley (Submission (Americana) in 2:28 of round 1). The match was rated as being Great. Comments: Important win for Taktarov, and he did it in good style. Bintley needs to regroup after this, as he didn't look like a threat out there at all. Show summary Critical rating: Great Commercial success: Good Fight of the Night: Torgny Makinen v Calchas Gekas Knockout of the Night: - Submission of the Night: Wolfgang Taktarov Comments: The fans and critics all loved this one, which is great, as it helps to pull us that little bit further clear of the bottom of Mid Level National. Taktarov will get a tough opponent next, if one can be arranged, to see if his improvement in form can be sustained. Elsewhere, Grygera again looks like he can be used as a route to the top, but his opponent tonight was outclassed for two rounds. Van den Hoogenband has gone 1-3 and won't get his contract renewed, though he does potentially have one more fight with us.

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

Prediction results

CageRage – 3 /4 (298/408)

BigRedMachine – 2 /3 (86/125) I've given you Bloch, since more of his name was bolded than Marazzina's but didn't count a pick for Grygera/van den Hoogenband, as you bolded the whole line! (sorry!)

Injury report

Ozzy Bintley has picked up a thigh injury and will be unavailable for about 7 weeks, but that's minimal given that the Athletic Commission have shelved him for 3 months. Calchas Gekas and Francesco Marazzina have also been suspended, both for two months.

batsnumbereleven · February 20, 2014

Monday 15th November 2001 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release Signature Martial Arts brings you SIGMA 61 from the landmark Deutschlandhalle in the Westend district of Berlin, on Monday 22nd November. The headline attraction will be a fight for the SIGMA Heavyweight championship, between unbeaten Russian sambo fighter Aleksander Ivanov (#4, 12-0), the reigning champion, and the menacing Ivorian kick boxer Souleyman Ya Konan (#18, 13-2). Ivanov last defended his title at SIGMA 47, where he despatched Terron Cabal by TKO in the fourth round, having originally won the title from Cabal's conqueror Lefter Oktay in the Turk's home town back at SIGMA 41, also by TKO. Ya Konan's path to the title has involved a four fight winning streak, including the humbling of Blurcat.com rankings darling Wolfgang Taktarov at SIGMA 53 with a first round knockout. Co-headlining SIGMA 61: Ivanov v Ya Konan will be a second title fight, as long-standing SIGMA Middleweight champion Fjodor Kanchelskis (#6, 13-0) will be in action after another long break, this time it will be nearly a year since he retained his title against Oleg Tariverdiev at SIGMA 48. Kanchelskis will face Norwegian kick boxer Thorbjorn Rekdal (#19, 12-1), whose last two victims in a six fight winning streak have been Fernando Amaro and Tore Herlovsen, themselves erstwhile contenders for the title. On a stacked card, we'll also be bringing you the completion of the Lightweight trilogy of fights between Luis Basora (#20, 23-5) and Lukas Mellberg (19-6), former SIGMA Lightweight champions both. In their first meeting, at SIGMA 3, back in 1998, Mellberg picked up a 4th round submission victory to take the title. But the re-match two years later saw a reversal in fortunes, as Basora re-gained the title with a 1st round TKO stoppage. Since Basora has since lost the title to Fiyero Lermontov, this one won't be for the belt, but by special arrangement, both fighters and SIGMA CEO Scott Avatar have agreed that this one will be scheduled for five rounds. In the Featherweight division, veteran Lars Bohlin (#8, 53-8) requested a fight with Czech judoka Vaclav Reitsma (9-4), and Reitsma has been happy to oblige him. Bohlin has beaten Pedro Alves and Hans Christian Bloch since dropping the Featherweight title to Nuno Valentino back at SIGMA 43, whilst Reitsma has put away Ruben Ericsson and Freedy Lomax in the same timeframe. Unbeaten Scottish Light-Heavyweight Matthew Michael Kirby (#25, 8-0) will be up against another striker, in Serbian kick boxer Andranik Paletilolu (18-8), whilst Piotr Dabrowski (22-7) will take on French muay thai practitioner Jean-Jacques Levasseur (5-3) in Welterweight action, with both men coming off a defeat. All this can be seen on Pay-per-View through the outlets of our broadcast partner EuroNet across Europe and Russia, and for those in attendance on the night there will also be two preliminary fights to get your adrenaline pumping, as Norwegian all rounder Emil Karlsson (5-2) pits himself against Pierre Chagall (1-1) at Light-Heavyweight, and Hamburg's Roland Furtwangler (3-3) takes on Finnish karate fighter Tuure Varjo (1-0). </div></blockquote> Card for picks SIGMA 61 Aleksander Ivanov © v Souleyman Ya Konan Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Thorbjorn Rekdal Luis Basora v Lukas Mellberg Lars Bohlin v Vaclav Reitsma Matthew Michael Kirby v Andranik Paletilolu Piotr Dabrowski v Jean-Jacques Levasseur (prelim) Emil Karlsson v Pierre Chagall (prelim) Roland Furtwangler v Tuure Varjo

CageRage · February 21, 2014

SIGMA 61

Aleksander Ivanov © v Souleyman Ya Konan

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Thorbjorn Rekdal

Luis Basora v Lukas Mellberg

Lars Bohlin v Vaclav Reitsma

Matthew Michael Kirby v Andranik Paletilolu

Piotr Dabrowski v Jean-Jacques Levasseur

(prelim) Emil Karlsson v Pierre Chagall

(prelim) Roland Furtwangler v Tuure Varjo

batsnumbereleven · February 21, 2014

News and Notes from around the MMA world: November 2001

Signings

ALPHA-1: Tank Manu'a (5-3 GAMMA), Maxime Giresse, Ukyo Narita, Suezo Takasuki, Matsuta Satou,

GAMMA: Rodney Bradley, Carl Shamrock, Matthew Montoya, Isaiah Monroe, Kramer Mayweather, Carl Flores, Leon Miller, Hyun-Shik Lim (5-4 ALPHA-1), Gabriel DeVille, Tony Legg,

OMEGA: Jonathan Huang (1-3 ALPHA-1), Patrick Thomas (4-4 GAMMA),

BCF: -

FLB: -

XCC: Karen Curtis (5-3 WEFF, including a run as WEFF Lightweight champion), Truck Gleeson (1-4 GAMMA), Henry Baldwin (1-3 GAMMA), Toni Dietrich,

WEFF: -

WARRIORS: -

UCFF: -

Events

UCFF 10: TJ v Georgiades II took place on Friday 13th November, and saw hugely hyped Middleweight TJ Fitzgerald (#2, 3-0) retain his UCFF Middleweight title by 1st round TKO stoppage over Konstantin Georgiades (#16, 17-5). On the undercard Spencer Rubenstein (#22LHW, 19-7) submitted Makhak Kirakosyan in the 1st round with an armbar.

BCF: Baines v Beaumont was held in London on Tuesday 16th November, with BCF Middleweight Champion Rob Baines (32-10) retaining the title with a Kimura in the 3rd round of his first defence for two years, against Ginger Beaumont (#18, 8-2).

Saturday 27th November saw ALPHA-1's latest event. Hassan Fezzik (#1, 32-0) was in something of a fight for once in his ALPHA-1 Heavyweight title defence against Sly Twinge (7-2) but pulled through with a 6th round knockout victory in front of 14,500 in Kanto. In the co-main, Nilton Fantoni (#13, 16-1) choked out Yoritomo Ina (22-14) nine minutes into the 1st round of their Light-Heavyweight contest.

BigRedMachine · February 21, 2014

Aleksander Ivanov © v Souleyman Ya Konan

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Thorbjorn Rekdal

Luis Basora v Lukas Mellberg

Lars Bohlin v Vaclav Reitsma

Matthew Michael Kirby v Andranik Paletilolu

Piotr Dabrowski v Jean-Jacques Levasseur

(prelim) Emil Karlsson v Pierre Chagall

(prelim) Roland Furtwangler v Tuure Varjo

batsnumbereleven · February 22, 2014

Event Report

SIGMA 61: Ivanov v Ya Konan

Deutschlandhalle, Berlin, Germany.

Monday 22nd November 2001

Attendance: 5852 for a gate of $585,200

PPV Buys: 196,020 for revenue of $1,176,120

Preliminary matches

Roland Furtwangler (3-3) v Tuure Varjo (1-0)

>Moving on to the next match, in which Roland Furtwangler fights 'Metalhead' Tuure Varjo in the SIGMA Welterweight division.

>There's the opening bell!
>A left jab misses and Varjo strikes back with a solid left.
>A jab misses and Varjo counters with a left jab to the cheek.
>Varjo hits a barrage of big punches on Furtwangler and knocks him down!
>Furtwangler recovers his wits quickly, and waits for Varjo to make a move.
>Varjo motions for Furtwangler to stand up, which he does.
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>From the pocket, Furtwangler shoots in for a double leg.
>Varjo tries to time a counter right hand, but can't get it.
>Furtwangler gets a big takedown and he ends up in half guard.
>Furtwangler starts trying to work to get out of half guard and into a better position.
>He passes straight to the mount.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Furtwangler attempts to set up an americana on Varjo from the mount.
>Varjo doesn't allow the americana to be applied.
>Furtwangler counters an attempt by Varjo to move him from mount by taking his back!
>We have one minute of the round remaining.
>Furtwangler tries to set up Varjo for an armbar.
>Varjo stops Furtwangler from applying it.
>Furtwangler blocks Varjo as he tries to roll over.
>Varjo is in increasing trouble, as Furtwangler gets both hooks in.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round one.
>All eyes are glued on this match after an excellent, action-packed round.
>That round goes to Varjo, 10-9 on my card.

>Round two begins!
>Furtwangler swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches.
>A jab misses, allowing Varjo to counter-strike with a barrage of big right hands, knocking Furtwangler down!
>Furtwangler shakes off the blow almost immediately though, and waits for Varjo to make a move.
>Furtwangler grabs a kick and uses it to pull Varjo down into guard.
>Varjo tries to stand up, but Furtwangler keeps him firmly in guard.
>Varjo gets pushed back thanks to a butterfly guard, and stands, looking down at Furtwangler who remains on his back.
>Varjo gets pulled down into guard.
>In guard, Varjo throws a couple of punches designed to keep Furtwangler guessing.
>Furtwangler grabs Varjo and draws him in close, smothering him.
>Varjo looks to pass guard and get side control.
>Furtwangler keeps his guard secure.
>Grabbing an arm, Furtwangler attempts to lock on a triangle choke.
>Furtwangler gets the triangle choke, it's in deep and Varjo has to tap out!
>The winner, by submission, is Roland Furtwangler!

>Official Result: Roland Furtwangler defeats 'Metalhead' Tuure Varjo (Submission (Triangle With Armbar) in 3:27 of round 2). The match was rated as being Fantastic.

Comments: Lots of quick ebb and flow to this one. I thought Varjo had made a mistake in the first round by allowing Furtwangler to his feet, but the German showed in the second what a danger he could be from his back, and took a deserved, if slightly surprising victory, having twice been put on the mat.

Emil Karlsson (5-2) v Pierre Chagall (1-1)

>In the last of the preliminary matches, 'The Midnight Killer' Emil Karlsson squares off with 'The Swiss Kiss' Pierre Chagall in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division.

>There's the opening bell!
>Karlsson stings Chagall with a series of quick lefts.
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>Not comfortable in the pocket, Chagall steps back and creates some space.
>Karlsson avoids a jab and scores with a sharp kick just above the hip.
>A jab misses, allowing Karlsson to counter-strike with a body kick.
>Both fighters come in and exchange strikes, but neither does any damage.
>Chagall slams a crisp left into the gloves of Karlsson, but can't follow up.
>Not letting up, Karlsson quickly steps in closer to attack Chagall.
>We've now passed the halfway mark in this round.
>They both meet with strikes, but neither does any damage.
>Chagall circles away, creating some distance between them.
>Karlsson comes in with a couple of jabs, using them as cover so that he can shoot in.
>Chagall sees the takedown coming and tries to move.
>The takedown is successful, Chagall pulls guard.
>Karlsson throws a few strikes, but they are without venom.
>Karlsson starts trying to work to get past the guard.
>Karlsson is too much for Chagall, passing guard and gaining side control.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Karlsson tries to lock Chagall in an armbar.
>Karlsson gets the armbar, sinks it in deeply, and Chagall has to tap!
>The winner, by submission; Emil Karlsson!

>Official Result: 'The Midnight Killer' Emil Karlsson defeats 'The Swiss Kiss' Pierre Chagall (Submission (Armbar) in 4:57 of round 1). The match was rated as being Decent.

Comments: Return to good from from Karlsson after his difficult experience against Niko Soldo. He looked good here. Chagall looked okay on his feet, but had no answer at all to Karlsson's top game.

Main card

Piotr Dabrowski (22-7) v Jean-Jacques Levasseur (5-3)

>Moving on, Piotr Dabrowski goes head to head with Jean-Jacques Levasseur in the SIGMA Welterweight division.

>Round one begins!
>Levasseur feints stepping in.
>Levasseur feints stepping in.
>An errant jab sets Dabrowski up to counter-strike with a jab.
>Dabrowski avoids a barrage of punches and hits a nice jab.
>Dabrowski sees a right body kick coming, grabs it, shoots in for a takedown, getting it! Levasseur manages to pull guard.
>In guard, Dabrowski begins working to pass to side control.
>Advancing his position fairly easily, he passes to side control.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Dabrowski tries to ensnare Levasseur in an armbar.
>Levasseur gets caught by the armbar, and it's deep enough that he has to tap!
>The winner, by submission, is Piotr Dabrowski!

>Official Result: Piotr Dabrowski defeats Jean-Jacques Levasseur (Submission (Armbar) in 3:07 of round 1). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: Seems like it's the night for submissions. Dabrowski is efficient here, against someone he really should beat, and Levasseur really isn't in his class, and had no defense at all. Levasseur is being cut after going 0-4.

Matthew Michael Kirby (#25, 8-0) v Andranik Paletilolu (18-8)

>Next up is a match in which Matthew Michael Kirby goes up against 'The Battering Ram' Andranik Paletilolu in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division.

>There's the opening bell!
>Paletilolu just avoids a combination of short sharp punches and hits a nice jab.
>Paletilolu avoids a series of wayward big punches and counters with a vicious leg kick.
>A jab doesn't find its intended target, allowing Kirby to fire back with a left.
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>A wayward right kick to the body allows Kirby to hit a couple of nice shots.
>Both fighters fire off strikes, but neither does any significant damage.
>Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up clinched.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Paletilolu looks to get some strikes in, but Kirby seizes the moment and wrestles his way into control of the grapple.
>Kirby tries to wrestle Paletilolu backward and up against the cage.
>Kirby manages it, and controls Paletilolu up against the cage.
>Kirby nails Paletilolu with a hard right hand to the side of the head, stunning him.
>Paletilolu takes a sharp stomp to the foot.
>Kirby pins Paletilolu up against the cage and hits a couple of nice right hands to the side of the head.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Paletilolu waits for Kirby to throw a knee strike, then uses wrestling to turn him around so that Kirby now has his back to the cage.
>Paletilolu looks for a knee strike, but Kirby out-wrestles him and switches them around so that he is in the dominant position.
>Kirby uses a vicious foot stomp.
>Kirby drives a knee to the thigh area.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Kirby.

>There's the bell and round number two begins!
>Paletilolu slips past a left jab and fires back with a left jab to the cheek.
>Kirby sees a body kick coming and hits a straight left.
>A barrage of punches miss and Paletilolu strikes back with a nice left hand.
>Paletilolu covers up in the face of a combination of short sharp punches, then fires back with a leg kick.
>Kirby throws out a quick left jab.
>Paletilolu comes in closer to press the issue.
>Paletilolu counters a wayward left jab with a thudding right hook to the body.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Paletilolu counters a wayward left jab with a couple of tight angled jabs and a scorching right hook to the body.
>Kirby feints throwing a jab.
>Paletilolu counters an errant left jab with a pair of jabs and a big right hook.
>Paletilolu comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket.
>He gets into range.
>We have one minute of the round remaining.
>Kirby checks a leg kick.
>Kirby dodges a body kick and returns fire with a stinging jab.
>Using head movement to slip past a left jab, Paletilolu hits a series of quick jabs.
>A low kick is checked by Kirby.
>Round two ends as time expires.
>I have to give that round to Paletilolu, but only a 10-9.

>Round three begins!
>Paletilolu slips past an attempted big right hand and counters with a great combination, ending with a beauty of a right cross.
>Moving forward, Paletilolu counters a left jab with a powerful right hook to the body.
>A big right hand doesn't find its intended target, allowing Paletilolu to fire back with a high kick, sending Kirby crashing down to the ground, out cold!
>'The Battering Ram' Andranik Paletilolu takes the win by Knock Out!

>Official Result: 'The Battering Ram' Andranik Paletilolu defeats Matthew Michael Kirby (Knock Out (Kick) in 1:28 of round 3). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: Cracking bout, this one, and a surprise finish. Kirby looked like he had control of things in the first round, but Paletilolu showed just how dangerous he can be, and takes Kirby's undefeated streak in fine style.

Lars Bohlin (#8, 53-8) v Vaclav Reitsma (9-4)

>Next up is a match in which 'Ice Cold' Lars Bohlin competes against 'Violent' Vaclav Reitsma in the SIGMA Featherweight division.

>Round one begins!
>An exchange of strikes doesn't lead to any real damage.
>Bohlin looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Reitsma.
>Reitsma seems happy to grapple with Bohlin.
>With Bohlin in his grasp, Reitsma tries to set up a judo-style throw.
>Reitsma uses a nice inside leg trip and Bohlin is forced to pull guard!
>The clock runs down as Bohlin is being smothered against the ground by Reitsma.
>Reitsma tries to pass the guard.
>He finds himself unable to pass guard on this attempt.
>Reitsma can't control Bohlin, who scoots them both backward until they are resting against the side of the cage.
>Using the cage, Bohlin walks up, but cannot break the control of Reitsma.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>With the cage trapping Bohlin, Reitsma looks to be attempting to set up a judo throw.
>Reitsma uses a nice inside leg trip and Bohlin is forced to pull guard!
>Reitsma attempts to pass guard and gain a better position.
>Bohlin is ready for the attempt though, and keeps Reitsma firmly in guard.
>Bohlin manages to scoot them both backward until they are against the cage.
>Bohlin stands by bracing against the cage, but can't shake Reitsma who remains in control.
>Bohlin is trapped up against the cage and takes repeated small punches to the body from that position. This goes on for roughly half a minute.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Unable to get free, Bohlin is smothered up against the cage for about thirty seconds.
>Reitsma looks for a foot stomp but Bohlin takes the opportunity to turn them around so that he is in the dominant position.
>Round one ends as time expires.
>I think Reitsma took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>And here we go, round two!
>Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss.
>From the missed strikes they clinch.
>Reitsma tries to wriggle free, but Bohlin controls him well and gets in a few close-range punches too.
>Reitsma gets caught with a couple of nice short punches as Bohlin uses his dirty boxing to inflict some punishment.
>Using his wrestling skills, Bohlin is trying to push Reitsma up against the cage.
>Bohlin manages it, and controls Reitsma up against the cage.
>Reitsma wrestles back against Bohlin, turning him around so that he now has his back to the cage.
>With Bohlin stuck against the cage, Reitsma tries to set up a judo-style throw.
>Bohlin is taken down by a quick inside leg trip, he can do nothing but pull guard!
>Reitsma throws a few weak-looking punches as he decides on his next move.
>Bohlin tries to throw some elbows from the bottom, but Reitsma smothers him.
>Reitsma punches down at Bohlin, but they are easily taken on the gloves.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Reitsma tries to pass the guard.
>He can't get free of the guard.
>Reitsma leans back, preventing Bohlin from throwing any elbows to the top of the head.
>Bohlin doesn't allow Reitsma to smother him against the ground.
>Bohlin tries to ensnare Reitsma in a triangle.
>Reitsma defends well against it.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Reitsma throws a few right hands to the body.
>Reitsma tries to pass the guard.
>Bohlin is ready for the attempt though, and keeps Reitsma firmly in guard.
>Vaclav Reitsma doesn't look like he has much left in the tank.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>An extremely close round, could have gone either way, but personally I'll give it to Reitsma 10-9.

>And here we go, round three!
>Bohlin catches a weak right kick to the legs and uses it to go for a takedown, and gets it, Bohlin is in half guard.
>Bohlin attempts to kimura Reitsma from the top of half guard.
>Reitsma defends himself well and is in no danger.
>Reitsma attempts to guillotine Bohlin from the bottom of half guard.
>Reitsma gets the guillotine fully applied and Bohlin has to tap out!
>The winner, by submission, is 'Violent' Vaclav Reitsma!

>Official Result: 'Violent' Vaclav Reitsma defeats 'Ice Cold' Lars Bohlin (Submission (Guillotine) in 1:28 of round 3). The match was rated as being Decent.

Comments: Another good fight that could have gone either way. Reitsma looked as though he initially held the edge, but when he got taken down in the third I feared the worst for him, so it was a good piece of work to get the guillotine – Bohlin has now lost that way twice in his last four fights, and won once that way too!

Luis Basora (#20, 23-5) v Lukas Mellberg (19-6)

>Next up is a match in which 'El Diablo' Luis Basora will take on 'The Ice Cold Swede' Lukas Mellberg in the SIGMA Lightweight division.

>We are underway!
>Mellberg tries for a left jab but Basora moves out of range.
>They come together and strike, but neither can land a clean shot.
>Basora avoids a jab.
>Basora steps back to avoid a left jab.
>Basora steps back to avoid a left jab.
>Basora slips out of the way of a jab.
>Basora is looking to get in close and strike from the pocket.
>Keen to keep space between them, Mellberg backs away.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Basora comes in with a couple of jabs, using them as cover so that he can shoot in.
>He has the takedown! It's a single leg, and Mellberg has to pull guard.
>Basora looks to get past the guard.
>He finds himself unable to pass guard on this attempt.
>Mellberg attempts to lock on a triangle choke.
>Basora blocks the triangle attempt.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>In guard, Basora begins working to pass to side control.
>Mellberg keeps Basora in guard.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I have to give that round to Basora, but only a 10-9.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>Basora slips out of the way of a jab.
>Mellberg tries for a left jab but Basora moves out of range.
>Mellberg throws a left jab but Basora avoids it.
>Mellberg feints going high, but Basora doesn't buy it.
>Mellberg darts in and out of range quickly, trying to get Basora to commit to throwing a strike.
>Basora comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Mellberg.
>Mellberg uses movement to keep out reach, meaning Basora cannot get close enough to grapple.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Mellberg throws a swift jab but doesn't do any damage.
>It seems that Basora is happy to let Mellberg circle for the moment.
>An errant jab sets Basora up to counter-strike with a series of quick jabs.
>We're into the final minute of the round.
>Basora steps back to avoid a left jab.
>There's a short stalemate as both fighters advance and throw strikes, but neither hits.
>Round two is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I have to give that round to Basora, but only a 10-9.

>We are back underway!
>From what we could hear of his corner, it sounds like Basora has been instructed to wrestle Mellberg in this round.

>A left jab misses and Basora counters with a left jab to the cheek.
>Mellberg slips out of the way of a flurry of punches.
>Mellberg feints going high, but Basora doesn't buy it.
>Basora comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Mellberg.
>Basora can't get close enough to grapple, Mellberg makes sure to keep out of range.
>Mellberg fakes a lunge.
>Not letting Mellberg settle, Basora moves in closer.
>Basora comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Mellberg.
>Mellberg ends up grappling for supremacy with Basora.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Using his wrestling skills, Basora is trying to push Mellberg up against the cage.
>Basora achieves it, pinning Mellberg to the cage.
>Showing good control, Basora keeps Mellberg stuck against the cage and hits him with short punches to the body for about sixty seconds.
>Mellberg wrestles back against Basora, not letting him maintain control for any length of time.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Basora steps back from Mellberg and looks to unleash some strikes.
>Basora throws a left jab but Mellberg uses good head movement to make sure it slips by.
>Basora is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Mellberg.
>Basora can't get close enough to grapple, Mellberg makes sure to keep out of range.
>Lukas Mellberg is breathing very hard.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round three.
>I have to give that round to Basora, but only a 10-9.

>There's the bell and round number four begins!
>Mellberg avoids a flurry of rights and lefts.
>Basora is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Mellberg.
>Mellberg uses movement to keep out reach, meaning Basora cannot get close enough to grapple.
>Basora looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Mellberg.
>Mellberg keeps himself moving out of range, not wanting to grapple.
>Luis Basora looks very tired out there.
>Looking tired, Basora comes in closer, attempting to wrestle with Mellberg.
>Mellberg keeps himself moving out of range, not wanting to grapple.
>From the looks of things, I don't think Lukas Mellberg has much energy left.
>Basora slams a crisp right into the gloves of Mellberg, but can't follow up.
>Mellberg seems to be waiting for Basora to make a move.
>We've now passed the halfway mark in this round.
>Basora, who is visibly tired, looks like he might want to get in close and wrestle with Mellberg.
>Mellberg keeps himself moving out of range, not wanting to grapple.
>A visibly tired Basora is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Mellberg.
>Basora cannot get close enough to the elusive Mellberg to grapple.
>Luis Basora looks like he doesn't have a lot left to give.
>Lukas Mellberg looks like he is completely out of gas.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Mellberg fakes a lunge.
>Not letting up, Basora steps in closer to pressure Mellberg into action.
>Round four is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Basora.

>There's the bell and round number five begins!
>Mellberg avoids a flurry of rights and lefts and hits a solid left.
>Mellberg steps back to avoid a flurry of punches.
>Mellberg, who looks drained, comes forward looking for a takedown.
>The takedown is blocked, and the sprawl allows Basora to wrestle Mellberg down to the ground instead! Mellberg pulls half guard.
>Basora looks to get past the half guard.
>Mellberg can't keep his opponent in half guard, and Basora gains side control.
>The gas tank looks empty on Luis Basora.
>Basora tries to lock Mellberg in an armbar.
>Basora gets the armbar, sinks it in deeply, and Mellberg has to tap!
>The winner, by submission; Luis Basora!

>Official Result: 'El Diablo' Luis Basora defeats 'The Ice Cold Swede' Lukas Mellberg (Submission (Armbar) in 2:18 of round 5). The match was rated as being Very Poor.

Comments: The right winner, as Basora was the one who actually pressed the fight, but perhaps we did this an injustice by setting it for five rounds, as the action wasn't really sufficient to justify it. Mellberg looked distinctly out of sorts for most of the fight. With the defeat, Mellberg leaves SIGMA on a three-fight losing spin. We may see him again though.

Co-main

SIGMA Middleweight Championship

Fjodor Kanchelskis (#6, 13-0) © v Thorbjorn Rekdal (#19, 21-1)

>The co-main event is up next. 'The Russian Nightmare' Fjodor Kanchelskis fights 'Brickhouse' Thorbjorn Rekdal in the SIGMA Middleweight division.
>The SIGMA Middleweight title on the line in this match.

>Round one begins!
>A left hand misses, allowing Rekdal to counter with a stinging left jab.
>Kanchelskis avoids a jab.
>Kanchelskis avoids a quick jab and hits a left.
>Kanchelskis goes to the body and then to the head with a tidy combination to get Rekdal to cover up, then shoots in.
>He has the takedown! Rekdal pulls guard.
>Kanchelskis smothers Rekdal with his body by pushing forward and down.
>Time slips away as Kanchelskis successfully keeps Rekdal stuck against the ground.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Kanchelskis begins trying to pass the guard.
>Advancing his position fairly easily, he passes to side control.
>Kanchelskis tries to get into the mount position.
>Advancing his position, he gets mount.
>Kanchelskis unloads with big punches from the mount, but Rekdal is able to deal with most of them.
>Kanchelskis pounds away from the mount with elbows, but is unable to land many clean shots on Rekdal.
>Rekdal has a large gash above his eye from that strike.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Kanchelskis unloads with big punches from the mount, but Rekdal is able to deal with most of them.
>Kanchelskis pounds away from the mount with elbows, but is unable to land many clean shots on Rekdal.
>Kanchelskis pounds away from the mount with elbows, but Rekdal covers up and defends them well.
>Rekdal tries a sweep from the bottom of the mount, but gets rolled and Kanchelskis has his back!
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Kanchelskis.

>Bleeding, Rekdal is attended to by the cut man between rounds.

>We are back underway!
>Rekdal counters a left jab by using a crisp left hand punch.
>Kanchelskis steps back to avoid a left jab.
>Both fighters exchange strikes, but neither hits anything significant.
>Kanchelskis counters a wayward low kick by catching it and shooting in for a takedown, and gets it! Rekdal has to pull guard.
>Kanchelskis looks to pass guard and get side control.
>He passes the guard well, gaining side control.
>Kanchelskis tries to put Rekdal into an americana.
>Rekdal fights off the americana attempt.
>Kanchelskis blocks an attempt to pull guard.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Kanchelskis holds Rekdal in position with side control and drives a big knee into the ribs!
>Kanchelskis attempts the mount.
>He is too good for Rekdal, and has mount.
>Kanchelskis pounds away from the mount, and Rekdal struggles to deal with them.
>We're into the final minute of the round.
>Kanchelskis pounds away on Rekdal, landing several good shots in the process.
>Kanchelskis unloads with some big elbows, but Rekdal deals with them comfortably.
>Rekdal tries to turn over and sweep Kanchelskis, but rolls too far and gives up his back!
>Kanchelskis attempts an armbar.
>Rekdal pulls his arm free at the last second, and is able to secure side control over Kanchelskis.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Kanchelskis.

>We are back underway!
>Kanchelskis slips out of the way of a jab.
>Kanchelskis moves out of range of a tidy combination of punches.
>A nicely executed one-two combination sets up a takedown attempt from Kanchelskis.
>A counter right hook catches Kanchelskis hard, almost putting him down!
>Kanchelskis avoids a jab.
>Moving in closer, Rekdal looks like he wants to strike from the pocket.
>Kanchelskis tries to single leg Rekdal as he steps in, but he is too quick to step away.
>Rekdal hops around from foot to foot, looking for an opening.
>Kanchelskis doesn't press the issue, allowing Rekdal to circle.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Rekdal counters an errant left jab with a superb combination of left hook to the body and a big right cross.
>Rekdal feints an attack, keeping Kanchelskis on his toes.
>Kanchelskis chooses to shoot in on Rekdal.
>Rekdal counters with a right hand that catches Kanchelskis flush, rocking him!
>Fjodor Kanchelskis is breathing very hard.
>Rekdal looks like he wants to stand in the pocket and strike with Kanchelskis.
>Kanchelskis now has Rekdal standing in the pocket.
>We're into the final minute of the round.
>Kanchelskis shows good head movement to avoid getting caught with a jab.
>Rekdal dodges a jab, and fires back with a solid left jab.
>Slipping past a one-two combination, Kanchelskis has the angle to counter with a stinging jab.
>Round three ends as time expires.
>Good effort there, that was a very exciting round to watch. More please!
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Rekdal.

>We are back underway!
>A feint sets up a kick to the body, but Kanchelskis manages to just avoid it.
>A feint sets up a right head kick attempt from Rekdal, but Kanchelskis moves out of range at the last moment.
>Kanchelskis avoids a tight combination.
>Rekdal looks like he wants to stand in the pocket and strike with Kanchelskis.
>Kanchelskis counters with a takedown, and Rekdal is forced to pull guard.
>Time slips away as Kanchelskis successfully keeps Rekdal stuck against the ground.
>Kanchelskis begins trying to pass the guard.
>Advancing his position fairly easily, he passes to side control.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Kanchelskis tries to slip behind and take the back.
>He takes the back!
>Rekdal is in increasing trouble, as Kanchelskis gets both hooks in.
>With both hooks in, Kanchelskis tries to flatten Rekdal out for the rear naked choke.
>Rekdal defends himself well against the choke.
>Fjodor Kanchelskis looks like he is on the verge of exhaustion.
>Thorbjorn Rekdal is breathing very hard.
>Rekdal tries to improve his chances of survival by breaking free of the hooks, but they're too tight.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Kanchelskis, with both hooks fully in, tries to get the rear naked choke applied.
>Kanchelskis gets the rear naked choke fully applied and Rekdal has to tap out!
>The winner, by submission, is 'The Russian Nightmare' Fjodor Kanchelskis!

>Official Result: 'The Russian Nightmare' Fjodor Kanchelskis defeats 'Brickhouse' Thorbjorn Rekdal (Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:29 of round 4). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: And our first title match of the evening goes the way of the defending champion, who pretty much dominated this, with his ability to get the takedowns and some rough ground-and-pound once he got there. The only criticism I would have is that perhaps he should have finished it earlier, but Rekdal's submission defense and covering up was very good, all things considered. It looked for a while as though the two stuffed takedowns by Rekdal in the third round might prove a turning point, especially if it meant that it forced Kanchelskis to stand and trade with him, but the champ persisted with his strategy, and it paid off.

Main Event

SIGMA Heavyweight Championship

Aleksander Ivanov (#4, 12-0) v Souleyman Ya Konan (#18, 13-2)

>It's time for the main event of the evening! 'The Great Bear' Aleksander Ivanov goes head to head with 'The African Dream' Souleymane Ya Konan in the SIGMA Heavyweight division.
>This match is for the SIGMA Heavyweight title.

>We are underway!
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>Ivanov counters a leg kick by grabbing it and attempting a judo-style trip takedown, and gets it, into half guard.
>Ivanov attempts to kimura Ya Konan from the top of half guard.
>Ya Konan defends it well.
>Ya Konan tries to sweep Ivanov but doesn't get anywhere.
>In half guard, Ivanov begins working to get side control.
>Ivanov doesn't even bother going to side control, he simply mounts Ya Konan.
>Ivanov attempts an armbar.
>Showing good defense, Ya Konan stacks up Ivanov to defend the armbar, and eventually works to getting side control.
>We've now passed the halfway mark in this round.
>Ya Konan unloads with some big elbows, but Ivanov deals with them comfortably.
>Ivanov attempts to sweep Ya Konan.
>Ivanov sweeps Ya Konan over, ending on top in side control.
>Ivanov starts trying to work to go from side control to mount.
>He does it, and has the mount on Ya Konan.
>Ivanov tries to ensnare Ya Konan in an armbar.
>Ya Konan does excellently, defending the armbar and using it to get on top in side control.
>We have one minute of the round remaining.
>Ya Konan relinquishes side control and stands up, letting Ivanov stand too.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round one.
>That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Ivanov.

>We are back underway!
>Ivanov avoids a jab.
>Ivanov counters a leg kick by grabbing it and attempting a judo-style trip takedown, and gets it! Ya Konan pulls guard.
>Ivanov begins trying to pass guard and get a better position.
>He passes to side control.
>Ivanov seems to be looking to increase his control by applying a crucifix.
>Ya Konan is in big trouble as he is trapped in the crucifix.
>Ivanov attempts to set up a kimura on Ya Konan from the crucifix.
>Ivanov releases the crucifix in order to get the kimura fully applied, and Ya Konan has to tap out!
>The winner, by submission, is 'The Great Bear' Aleksander Ivanov!

>Official Result: 'The Great Bear' Aleksander Ivanov defeats 'The African Dream' Souleymane Ya Konan (Submission (Kimura) in 2:51 of round 2). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: And a great finish to the night as well, with an excellent technical grappling contest that belies both guys size and propensity to hit big. Super scramble in the first round and a creative finish from the defending champ.

Show summary

Critical rating: Good

Commercial success: Decent

Fight of the Night: Roland Furtwangler v Tuure Varjo

Knockout of the Night: Andranik Paletilolu

Submission of the Night: Luis Basora

Comments: Disappointed with the Lightweight trilogy finale, but aside from that we had a good night. Both champs retained, which makes finding the next challenger for both titles something of a priority.

batsnumbereleven · February 22, 2014

Prediction results

Identical picks this time, so 5/8 for both of you, to give totals of 303/416 (CageRage) and 91/138 (BigRedMachine)

Injury report

No injuries, and just a couple of one-month suspensions, so nothing for us to worry about.

Friday 26th November 2001

Press Release

Signature Martial Arts is delighted to welcome the current BCF Middleweight champion Rob Baines (#9, 31-10) to its roster as of next month. Baines, who recently defended his title for a second time earlier this month against Ginger Beaumont, has become available to SIGMA as his contract expired, and was pleased to sign for SIGMA rather than extend his contract with the London-based organisation.

“BCF just haven't been booking me for fights,” Baines told us on signing. “It was two years between my last couple of defenses. I know it's a difficult job to find relevant matches, but I thought they had more than that. I'm looking forward to testing myself in SIGMA, and taking the SIGMA Middleweight title from Fjodor Kanchelskis.”

Baines won the BCF crown from Davis Spyrou back in September 1999 and has won his last five BCF fights, four of them by submission.

“I see my style as something different to most other fighters,” Baines insisted, of his 'Wigan hooking' monikered form of grappling.

We look forward to seeing his style in the SIGMA cage over the next few years as Baines works through his 6-fight contract.

other new signings:

24-year-old Lightweight Irish striker Nathan Doyle
29-year-old Iraqi Welterweight grappler Ern Fathoui
32-year-old Uzbekistani Heavyweight, Omar Khan

We've successfully negotiated an 8-show extension to our TV contract with Euro Cable Sports 4, which also allows for a slight expansion of the show to 5 fights from March onwards.

Luis Basora and Roland Furtwangler have both been offered contract extensions, of 5 and 4 fights respectively.

Monday 1st December 2001

Blurcat.com Featherweight rankings

1. Philip Ziskie, XCC
2. Li-Kong Ho, Unemployed
3. Kiakyushu Ono, Unemployed
4. Nuno Valentino, SIGMA
5. Yoshiro Makamori, XCC
6. Mansoor al-Khalif, Unemployed
7. Easton Frye, XCC
8. Moses Salinas, XCC
9. Afolabi Soyinka, SIGMA
10. Jason Dalglish, SIGMA

batsnumbereleven · February 22, 2014

Tuesday 2nd December 2002 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release Signature Martial Arts is delighted to announce that our Christmas show this year will take place on Saturday 27th December, and will hail from Curt Frenzel Stadium in Augsburg, Germany, home of the Augsburger Panthers ice hockey team. Headlining the event will be a re-match between Matti Kurri (#7, 13-1-1) and Niko Soldo (#6, 20-3-1) for the SIGMA Light-Heavyweight title currently held by Kurri. Their previous fight took place at SIGMA 31, and saw Soldo take a second round knockout victory to claim the title, but since then, he lost the title to Rafael van der Moot at SIGMA 39, but has two further stoppage victories since. Kurri regained the title by beating van der Moot at SIGMA 49 via split decision and has also defeated Mantas Andreyev and Faas Smit since his one loss to Soldo, and now has the change to revenge that defeat. The co-main event of SIGMA 62: Kurri v Soldo II will be a Lightweight fight that looks likely to shape the contendership for the title in that division, as undefeated Northern Irish grappler Gregory O'Hara (#16, 10-0) seeks to extend his perfect record and earn a title shot that he has long felt he deserves. His opponent will be fellow wrestler Harald Hubner (8-4) of Bremen, who has won two straight. In the Heavyweight division, English kick boxer Rav Kapur (#13, 11-1) continues his quest for a title shot with a match-up against dour Finn Ari Peltonen (28-10) whose workmanlike performances have won victories but few fans since joining SIGMA from ALPHA-1. Another Englishman, the unbeaten Iain Fussell (#13, 10-0) will follow up his contentious split decision win over former champ Noach Van Der Capellen at SIGMA 56 with a test against Norwegian sambo expert Stian Agdestein (5-2), whose recent wins over Bjarne Bjerre and Kenneth Toadspew have brought his skills to the attention of fans lately. A grappling affair is expected in the Middleweight division, as Croatia's Drazen Gabelich (10-4), having submitted Tore Herlovsen at SIGMA 54, will be put up against Danish 23-year-old Shaun Dico (3-0). Kicking the Pay-per-View part of the card off will be a Featherweight fight between highly-considered Swedish-American Ryan Gustafsson (#14, 3-0) and explosive Polish striker Jan Ilic (4-2), whose last three fights have all finished in the first round. In preliminary action, there will be an all-English Heavyweight battle and a classic striker vs grappler encounter, as Fritz Phipps (8-3) takes on Christopher Drew (5-2), with both looking to recover from a recent loss. There will also be a Welterweight clash between kung fu fughter Luc Lagrange (1-3), likely on his way out of the organisation, and 19-year-old Italian prospect Fabrizio Asti (0-1). All the action will be available live on Pay-per-View through EuroNet across Europe and Russia.</div></blockquote> Card for picks SIGMA 62 Matti Kurri © v Niko Soldo Gregory O'Hara v Harald Hubner Rav Kapur v Ari Peltonen Iain Fussell v Stian Agdestein Drazen Gabelich v Shaun Dico Ryan Gustafsson v Jan Ilic (prelim) Fritz Phipps v Christopher Drew (prelim) Luc Lagrange v Fabrizio Asti

CageRage · February 23, 2014

SIGMA 62

Gregory O'Hara v Harald Hubner

Rav Kapur v Ari Peltonen

Iain Fussell v Stian Agdestein

Drazen Gabelich v Shaun Dico

Ryan Gustafsson v Jan Ilic

(prelim) Fritz Phipps v Christopher Drew

(prelim) Luc Lagrange v Fabrizio Asti

batsnumbereleven · February 23, 2014

News and Notes from around the MMA world: December 2001

Signings

ALPHA-1: Meiji Hagiwara,

GAMMA: Marvin Stevens (0-2 OMEGA), Brayden Behrami (0-3 ALPHA-1), Tom Essy, Wesley Sneep, Gavin Marshall, Eric Dartmouth, Avidor Federman,

OMEGA:

BCF: Hiro Arai (2-5 ALPHA-1), Thomas Smith (2-4 GAMMA), Guilherme Faure (2-4 SIGMA), Maarten De Vries (0-4 GAMMA), Stanislaw Lipnicki (3-6 SIGMA), Edgar van den Hoogenband (1-3 SIGMA), James Spencer,

FLB: -

XCC: -

WEFF: -

WARRIORS: -

UCFF: Irfan Saleem Hamed, Norbert Vinkus (1-2 GAMMA, 0-2 ALPHA-1),

Events

Saturday 6th December saw GAMMA 63: Reid v Garner II in Colorado, with Buddy Garner (#7, 20-1) regaining the GAMMA Middleweight title that he lost to Stuart Strange back at GAMMA 49 from JJ Reid (#5, 29-7) by unanimous decision after the full five rounds of their fight. In the co-main, Christopher Sharp (#13, 39-12) took Knockout of the Night as he stopped Raul Hughes (#16, 17-4) in the second round.

FLB 29: High Stakes took place on Monday 8th December, with the FLB Welterweight title on the line in the main event, which saw Manuel Silva (#2, 17-0) successfully defend against Procipio Golias (#6, 19-6) with a second round TKO stoppage. Elsewhere Edson Edmilson (24-14) took Submission of the Night honors in the opening contest, with a first round armbar victory over the previously unbeaten Luis Furtado (7-1).

Although there's been no word from new owners at SIGMA about the continuing future of the company, XCC continued operations with XCC: Siemaszko v Horowitz on Thursday 11th December. The undefeated Glen Siemaszko (#8, 13-0) retained his XCC Lightweight title with an armbar submission in the second round against challenger Matt Horowitz (6-2).

ALPHA-1's Warriors of the Ring aired again on Thursday 18th December, with the best fight of the night being on the preliminary card, as former GAMMA star Ken Peters (14-5) got a first round stoppage of Pete Shilton (8-5).

WARRIORS 4: Rush v Benn was held in Ireland on Friday 19th December, and saw another former GAMMA star, Osmosis Benn (22-3) beat Andrew Rush (18-9) by stoppage in the first round to win the inaugural WARRIORS Middleweight title.

The same night saw OMEGA: Pinke v De La Torre in Northern Mexico, where Tyrone Pinke (##5, 5-1) retained his OMEGA Welterweight title with a 1st round TKO victory over Mexican Louis De La Torre (10-3).

Monday 22nd December saw WEFF 26, and Emma Birch (#1WFW, 11-1) retaining her WEFF Heavyweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Lynn Lake, Manitoba's Diana Marr (#11, 6-2). In the co-headliner, Brooke Rockerfeller (4-2) posted something of a surprise in defeating Hazel McClay (#11WBW, 6-3) by split decision.

BigRedMachine · February 23, 2014

SIGMA 62

Gregory O'Hara v Harald Hubner

Rav Kapur v Ari Peltonen

Iain Fussell v Stian Agdestein

Drazen Gabelich v Shaun Dico

Ryan Gustafsson v Jan Ilic

(prelim) Fritz Phipps v Christopher Drew

(prelim) Luc Lagrange v Fabrizio Asti

batsnumbereleven · February 24, 2014

Event Report SIGMA 62: Kurri v Soldo II Curt Frenzel Stadium, Augsburg, Germany. Saturday 27th December 2001 Attendance: 5768 for a gate of $576,800 PPV Buys: 196,650 for revenue of $1,179,900 Preliminary matches Luc Lagrange (1-3) v Fabrizio Asti (0-1) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Next up is a match in which 'Lucky Luc' Luc Lagrange fights 'Sparkling' Fabrizio Asti in the SIGMA Welterweight division. >We are underway! >Lagrange feints rushing in, but withdraws. >Lagrange slips past a left jab and counters with a crisp left hand punch. >They come together and throw strikes, both miss. >Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up clinched. >Asti looks to scoop his opponent up for a slam. >Lagrange is able to block it and pull away from him. >A flicked jab from Lagrange only finds gloves. >The fight slows as Asti sits back and allows Lagrange to circle. >Asti slips out of the way of a flurry of punches. >We pass the halfway mark of this round. >There's a stalemate as both fighters throw strikes but neither hits. >In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch. >Asti tries to suck Lagrange to the ground by wrapping his legs around the waist and pulling guard. >He achieves it, Lagrange is now on the ground in his guard. >Asti attempts to grab an arm of Lagrange from the bottom of the guard. >Asti gets an armbar fully applied and forces the tap out! >By submission, the winner is Fabrizio Asti!</div></blockquote> >Official Result: 'Sparkling' Fabrizio Asti defeats 'Lucky Luc' Luc Lagrange (Submission (Armbar) in 3:39 of round 1). The match was rated as being Average. Comments: The drop down to Welterweight doesn't seem to have helped Lagrange all that much, and this is the last we'll see of him in SIGMA. Asti looked much more comfortable here than in his debut against Roland Furtwangler. Fritz Phipps (8-3) v Christopher Drew (5-2) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>In the last of the preliminary matches, 'The Not-So-Gentle Giant' Fritz Phipps goes up against Christopher Drew in the SIGMA Heavyweight division. >The fight begins! >Several big right hands miss, setting Drew up to counter-strike with a crunching right hook to the body. >An exchange of strikes doesn't really lead to anything. >In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch. >Phipps is trying to muscle Drew up against the cage. >Phipps achieves it, pinning Drew to the cage. >Drew is trapped against the cage and Phipps punishes him with a solid elbow strike to the cheek. >Drew is controlled up against the cage and takes a few right hands via some dirty boxing. >Phipps steps back from Drew and looks to unleash some strikes. >A left jab misses, Drew counters with a left jab to the cheek. >A leg kick gets checked by Phipps. >We move into the second half of this round. >There's a short stalemate as both fighters advance and throw strikes, but neither hits. >From the missed strikes they clinch. >Using his wrestling skills, Phipps is trying to push Drew up against the cage. >Phipps manages it, and controls Drew up against the cage. >Phipps steps back to achieve some separation from Drew and gets ready to strike. >Drew shows great hand speed to score with a nice three-punch combination from the pocket. >Working from the pocket, Drew hits a right hand to the body. >Drew uses a stiff jab. >Phipps shrugs off the blow and stays in the pocket. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Drew uses a stiff jab. >Slipping past a left jab, Drew hits a flurry of small strikes. >An exchange of strikes goes nowhere. >In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch. >Phipps is trying to push Drew so that his back is up against the cage. >Drew ends up backed against the cage. >Round one ends as time expires. >I think Drew took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >There's the bell for the start of the round! >Between rounds, his corner told Drew to try and use counter striking in this round. >Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss. >Drew avoids a quick jab and hits a lightning fast couple of jabs and a right cross. >Both fighters come in and throw strikes, there is no real damage done by either. >There is an exchange of strikes, but neither fighter does any damage. >Moving in closer, Drew looks like he wants to strike from the pocket. >He gets into range. >There's a stalemate as both fighters throw strikes but neither hits. >Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up clinched. >Drew uses dirty boxing and gets in a few crisp punches on Phipps as they grapple. >Drew uses some dirty boxing as he grapples with Phipps. >Fritz Phipps is looking really tired. >We pass the halfway mark of this round. >Phipps gets caught with a couple of nice short punches as Drew uses his dirty boxing to inflict some punishment. >Drew uses dirty boxing and gets in a few crisp punches on Phipps as they grapple. >Drew tries to wriggle free, but Phipps controls him well and gets in a few close-range punches too. >Phipps tries to wriggle free, but Drew controls him well and gets in a few close-range punches too. >Fritz Phipps looks very, very tired. >Phipps and Drew separate and we're back to a stand-off. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Phipps hops around from foot to foot, looking for an opening. >Not letting up, Drew steps in closer to pressure Phipps into action. >Drew counters an errant left jab with a couple of nice shots. >Round two is brought to an end as time runs out. >I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Drew. >There's the bell for the start of the round! >Drew throws a leg kick but Phipps avoids it. >Both fighters throw strikes, no significant damage is inflicted by either. >Slowly moving in closer, a ragged-looking Phipps wants to wrestle Drew. >Phipps can't get close enough to grapple, Drew keeps him away with strikes. >Breathing very hard, Christopher Drew is looking ragged. >An exchange of strikes doesn't really lead to anything. >Drew gets Phipps with a punch to the ribs, but it lacked power. >Not letting up, Phipps quickly steps in closer to attack Drew. >Slowly moving in closer, a ragged-looking Phipps wants to wrestle Drew. >Phipps can't get close enough to grapple, Drew keeps him away with strikes. >We move into the second half of this round. >Phipps avoids a flurry of punches. >Drew circles around Phipps. >Phipps quickly gets in closer, looking to attack. >Phipps tries for a left jab but Drew moves out of range. >Fritz Phipps looks like he is completely out of gas. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >A straight left by Phipps keeps Drew from advancing. >The fight slows as Drew sits back and allows Phipps to circle. >Time runs out and that's the end of the fight. >An extremely close round, could have gone either way, but personally I'll give it to Phipps 10-9. >Here come the official scores. >All three judges score the contest as 30-27. >Christopher Drew wins by unanimous decision! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Christopher Drew defeats 'The Not-So-Gentle Giant' Fritz Phipps (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Average. Comments: Not really much happening here. Neither fighter seemed to be able to apply enough pressure or hit with clean enough strikes to make a difference, and it all rather slowed down. Drew clearly won it for me. Main Card Ryan Gustafsson (#14, 3-0) v Jan Ilic (4-2) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Next up is a match in which Ryan 'Argy Bargy' Gustafsson battles Jan 'Thunderbolt' Ilic in the SIGMA Featherweight division. >Round one begins! >A feint sets Ilic up for an inside leg kick, but Gustafsson evades it. >Ilic feints going high, but Gustafsson doesn't buy it. >Ilic feints to the right, trying to draw Gustafsson into throwing a strike. >Ilic feints going high and then throws a barrage of big rights, with Gustafsson only just able to evade them. >Gustafsson throws out a couple of jabs as a set up, then shoots in for a takedown. >Gustafsson gets the takedown! Ilic pulls guard. >Gustafsson begins trying to pass the guard. >Ilic finds his opponent too skilled, and Gustafsson passes guard into side control. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >In side control, Gustafsson begins working to get a mount. >He easily gets the mount. >Gustafsson pounds away from the mount with elbow strikes, and Ilic struggles to deal with them. >Gustafsson pounds away on Ilic with elbow strikes, landing several good shots in the process. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Gustafsson pounds away with elbows from the mount, but doesn't really do a great deal of damage. >Gustafsson pounds away from the mount with elbows, but is unable to land many clean shots on Ilic. >Gustafsson pounds away with elbows, but doesn't do much damage, if any, Ilic covers up well. >Ilic tries a sweep from the bottom of the mount, but gets rolled and Gustafsson has his back! >The time is up, and that's the end of round one. >I think Gustafsson took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >Round two begins! >From what we could hear of his corner, it sounds like Gustafsson has been instructed to try and get Ilic to the floor in this round. >Gustafsson steps back to avoid a one-two combination. >Gustafsson feints throwing a jab. >Ilic darts in, feints a jab, darts back out. >Gustafsson swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches, having fallen for a feint. >Gustafsson isn't drawn in by Ilic feinting to his left. >Both fighters throw strikes, no significant damage is inflicted by either. >Gustafsson throws a couple of jabs, then chooses to shoot in on Ilic. >Gustafsson gets the takedown! Ilic pulls guard. >We move into the second half of this round. >Time slips away as Gustafsson successfully keeps Ilic stuck against the ground. >Gustafsson throws a few right hands, but is mainly trying to catch his breath. >Ilic throws out some punches, but Gustafsson leans back to avoid them. >Ilic is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Gustafsson off of him. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Gustafsson pounds away with elbows, but doesn't do much damage, if any, Ilic is comfortable holding guard. >Gustafsson deflects a couple of punches that Ilic threw from below. >Gustafsson begins trying to pass guard and get a better position. >Advancing his position fairly easily, he passes to side control. >Time expires and we come to the end of round two. >I think Gustafsson took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >We are back underway! >Both fighters throw strikes, no significant damage is inflicted by either. >Both fighters exchange strikes, but neither hits anything significant. >Ilic drops a shoulder, trying to sucker Gustafsson in with a feint. >Ilic avoids a jab and scores with a barrage of big right hands, knocking Gustafsson down! >Ilic moves in quickly, kneeling beside Gustafsson and starting to hammer down with punches! >Ilic pounds away, Gustafsson is barely able to offer any defence at all! >With Gustafsson taking a beating, the referee has to stop the match! >By TKO, the winner is Jan Ilic! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Jan 'Thunderbolt' Ilic defeats Ryan 'Argy Bargy' Gustafsson (TKO (Strikes) in 1:57 of round 3). The match was rated as being Great. Comments: The value of having knockout power in your punches was clearly demonstrated here by Ilic, who was pummelled for two rounds and defended well, and was able to get the big shot just when he needed it. Gustafsson will be very disappointed not to have finished the fight earlier, and he had opportunities but seemed focused on delivering ground-and-pound instead of looking for a submission, and that lack of variety in his top game may well have cost him the chance to take this one. Drazen Gabelich (10-4) v Shaun Dico (3-0) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Moving on to the next match, in which Drazen Gabelich will take on 'Tenacious' Shaun Dico in the SIGMA Middleweight division. >And here we go! >Dico tries for a left jab but Gabelich moves out of range. >Dico shoots in for a takedown. >Gabelich tries to hook a guillotine as Dico comes in. >The takedown is too fast, Gabelich cannot grab the guillotine. >Gabelich gets taken down by a single leg, and has to pull guard. >Dico attempts to pass guard and gain a better position. >Gabelich comfortably blocks the attempt and keeps Dico in guard. >Gabelich grabs hold of an arm and attempts a triangle choke on Dico from the bottom of the guard. >Dico pulls free of the triangle and brilliantly spins to side control. >Dico starts trying to work to use side control as a way to get behind Gabelich. >Dico struggles but cannot get behind Gabelich. >Gabelich tries to lock on an arm-in guillotine from the bottom of side control. >Gabelich cannot get it applied. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >Dico attempts to roll Gabelich slightly and take his back. >Gabelich keeps Dico from getting behind him. >Gabelich tries to sweep Dico but can't. >Dico throws some small strikes, but is clearly just taking a moment to try and catch his breath. >Dico throws some small strikes, but is clearly just taking a moment to try and catch his breath. >Gabelich tries to ensnare an arm. >Dico fends off Gabelich, and doesn't give up an arm. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Dico punches down at Gabelich, but they are easily taken on the gloves. >Gabelich tries to lock on an arm-in guillotine from the bottom of side control. >Dico blocks it. >Round one is brought to an end as time runs out. >I think Dico took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >There's the bell for the start of the round! >Dico moves in quickly after a wayward punch and hits a couple of hard right hands! >Dico looks to be trying to close the distance between them. >Gabelich ends up grappling for supremacy with Dico. >Dico uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown. >Dico doesn't get the takedown, Gabelich blocked it. >Gabelich uses a whizzer to turn Dico slightly, creating enough space for him to break free of the grappling entirely. >Dico throws a couple of jabs, then chooses to shoot in on Gabelich. >Gabelich tries to avoid Dico. >Dico can't get the takedown, Gabelich was too quick to back away. >Gabelich circles as he plans his next move. >Not letting up, Dico quickly steps in closer to attack Gabelich. >Dico looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Gabelich. >Gabelich moves in too, and they start to grapple. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >Gabelich uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown. >Gabelich gets the takedown by using the underhooks for control and working a trip! Dico pulls guard. >Gabelich lies on top of Dico, basically smothering him. >The clock runs down as Dico is being smothered against the ground by Gabelich. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Time slips away as Gabelich successfully keeps Dico stuck against the ground. >Gabelich smothers Dico with his body by pushing forward and down. >Round two is brought to an end as time runs out. >That was a close round, but I'm giving it to Gabelich, 10-9. >And here we go, round three! >Between rounds we could hear the corner of Gabelich telling him to watch for strikes but to look for takedown opportunities. >Dico steps in, feints a kick, then darts back out. >Gabelich doesn't get drawn in as Dico feints a kick. >Dico throws a couple of jabs, then chooses to shoot in on Gabelich. >Gabelich saw the takedown coming, he tries to grab a guillotine. >The takedown is too good, the attempted guillotine is lost. >He has the takedown! It's a single leg, and Gabelich has to pull guard. >Dico begins trying to pass guard and get a better position. >Dico struggles but cannot find a way past and remains stuck in guard. >Gabelich grabs Dico and draws him in close, smothering him. >Dico throws a few right hands as he takes a moment to plan ahead. >Dico throws a few strikes, but is clearly slowing things down so that he can catch his breath. >We move into the second half of this round. >Dico is trying to pass guard. >He can't find a way past the guard. >Gabelich uses his legs to push Dico back, and tries to scramble for position. >Dico seizes the opportunity, Gabelich was too slow and gets caught in side control. >Dico begins trying to get himself into mount. >Dico isn't able to mount Gabelich this time around. >Gabelich tries to move to guard, but Dico doesn't allow it. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Dico tries to slip behind and take the back. >He finds himself unable to advance his position on this attempt. >Shaun Dico is breathing very hard. >Gabelich tries to sweep Dico but can't do it. >The time expires on round three, and that is the end of the fight. >I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Dico. >The ring announcer is now giving the official scores. >All three judges have scored it 29-28. >Shaun Dico wins by unanimous decision! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: 'Tenacious' Shaun Dico defeats Drazen Gabelich (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Poor. Comments: Rather dour this, with neither man really able to progress past the guard of their opponent even when they got it to the ground. Iain Fussell (#13, 10-0) v Stian Agdestein (5-2) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Another match is about to begin; Iain 'The Elite' Fussell battles Stian Agdestein in the SIGMA Welterweight division. >Round one begins! >Agdestein tries for a left jab but Fussell moves out of range. >Agdestein looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Fussell. >Agdestein can't get close enough to grapple, Fussell makes sure to keep out of range. >Agdestein comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Fussell. >Agdestein grabs Fussell and pulls him into a grapple. >Using his wrestling skills, Agdestein is trying to push Fussell up against the cage. >Agdestein can't do it though, and Fussell gets a more dominant position in the grapple instead. >Using his wrestling skills, Fussell is trying to push Agdestein up against the cage. >Fussell manages it, and controls Agdestein up against the cage. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >With the cage trapping Agdestein, Fussell looks to try and take him down. >The takedown is successful; Agdestein seemed happy to take it and pull guard. >Agdestein tries to ensnare an arm. >Agdestein cannot secure the arm. >Fussell attempts to pass guard and gain a better position. >Advancing his position, he passes to half guard. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Fussell throws a few strikes, but is clearly slowing things down so that he can catch his breath. >Agdestein tries to sweep Fussell but doesn't get anywhere. >Time expires and we come to the end of round one. >I have to give that round to Fussell, but only a 10-9. >There's the bell and round number two begins! >Fussell avoids a jab. >Agdestein just avoids a combination of short sharp punches and hits a solid left. >Agdestein comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Fussell. >Fussell tries to counter Agdestein with a right hand, but it doesn't hit the target. >Agdestein is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Fussell. >Agdestein grabs Fussell and pulls him into a grapple. >Agdestein tries to wrestle Fussell backward and up against the cage. >Agdestein can't do it though, and ends up being out-wrestled in the grapple. >Clinched with Agdestein, Fussell looks to try and take him down. >The takedown is successful; Agdestein seemed happy to take it and pull guard. >Agdestein tries to ensnare an arm. >Agdestein cannot secure the arm. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Fussell attempts to pass guard and gain a better position. >Fussell struggles but cannot find a way past and remains stuck in guard. >Fussell leans back to avoid a couple of wild swings from Agdestein. >Fussell starts trying to work to get past the guard. >He can't find a way past the guard. >Agdestein, working from the bottom, clips Fussell with an elbow. >There's under a minute left in this round. >In guard, Fussell catches his breath, content just to throw a couple of punches to the body. >Fussell throws a few right hands, but is mainly trying to catch his breath. >Time expires and we come to the end of round two. >That was a close round, but I'm giving it to Fussell, 10-9. >Round three begins! >Agdestein tries for a left jab but Fussell moves out of range. >There's a takedown attempt from Agdestein. >Agdestein finds his takedown blocked with a sprawl, and Fussell promptly wrestles him to the ground, ending up on top, in half guard. >Breathing very hard, Iain Fussell is looking ragged. >Fussell attempts to pass half guard and gain a better position. >He finds himself unable to get past the half guard on this attempt. >Agdestein attempts to guillotine Fussell from the bottom of half guard. >Fussell defends it well. >Fussell tries to stand up, but can't get free of half guard. >Agdestein attempts to guillotine Fussell from the bottom of half guard. >Fussell pulls free before the guillotine can be applied. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >In half guard, Fussell begins working to get side control. >Fussell struggles but cannot find a way past and remains stuck in half guard. >Agdestein tries to transition to full guard, but can't manage it. >Stian Agdestein doesn't look like he has much left in the tank. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >Fussell looks to get past the half guard. >He passes to side control. >From the looks of things, I don't think Iain Fussell has much energy left. >Fussell relinquishes side control and stands up, letting Agdestein stand too. >We reach the time limit and this fight is over. >I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Fussell. >The ring announcer is now giving the official scores. >The judges give 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27. >Making Iain 'The Elite' Fussell the winner by unanimous decision! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Iain 'The Elite' Fussell defeats Stian Agdestein (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Poor. Comments: No controversy this time, but beyond his takedowns, Fussell never really did much here, and it plodded along. At least Agdestein tried to make something happen with a few submission attempts from the bottom. Rav Kapur (#13, 11-1) v Ari Peltonen (28-10) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>Next up is a match in which 'The Beast Of Birmingham' Rav Kapur will take on Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen in the SIGMA Heavyweight division. >Round one begins! >A showdown where they both exchange strikes only results in a stalemate. >Peltonen comes in, looking for a quick takedown. >Kapur counters with a right hand that catches Peltonen flush, rocking him! >Peltonen avoids a jab. >Kapur slips past a left jab and counters with a superb combination of left hook to the body and a big right cross. >Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss. >Peltonen slips out of the way of a leg kick. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >Peltonen steps back to avoid a kick to the body. >Peltonen goes to the body and then to the head with a tidy combination to get Kapur to cover up, then shoots in. >Kapur tries to step away from the takedown. >The takedown doesn't work, Kapur saw it coming and got out of range. >Peltonen misses with an attempted right hook to the body. >Not letting Peltonen settle, Kapur moves in closer. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Peltonen avoids a tight combination. >Kapur avoids a jab and scores with a left jab to the cheek. >Peltonen throws a combination of rights and lefts, using them as cover so that he can shoot in. >Peltonen can't get past the sprawl of Kapur, and finds himself pushed face-down to the ground. >Round one ends as time expires. >That round goes to Kapur, 10-9 on my card. >There's the bell for the start of the round! >It sounded like his corner told Kapur to stand with Peltonen, but to be careful not to get caught. >Peltonen slips out of the way of a jab. >They come together and strike, but neither can land a clean shot. >Peltonen slips out of the way of a combination of short sharp punches. >Kapur feints to the right, trying to draw Peltonen into throwing a strike. >Peltonen comes in, looking for a quick takedown. >Kapur tries to avoid the takedown. >The takedown is unsuccessful, Kapur avoided Peltonen. >Peltonen avoids a jab and scores with a left jab to the cheek. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >A jab misses and Peltonen counters with a solid left jab. >Peltonen counters an errant left jab with a clean left. >Peltonen looks to be trying to close the distance between them. >He pulls Kapur into a grapple. >Peltonen is looking to muscle Kapur back against the cage. >Kapur out-wrestles him though. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >Kapur is trying to muscle Peltonen up against the cage. >Kapur does it, Peltonen is stuck with his back to the cage. >Peltonen takes a knee strike to the inside of his own knee. >Rav Kapur is looking really tired. >Peltonen waits for Kapur to throw an elbow, then uses wrestling to turn him around so that Kapur now has his back to the cage. >Time expires and we come to the end of round two. >I have to give that round to Peltonen, but only a 10-9. >And here we go, round three! >Between rounds we could hear the corner of Kapur telling him to lure Peltonen in and catch him on the counter. >Kapur counters a wayward left jab with a barrage of big right hands, forcing Peltonen back! >Peltonen sees a low kick being set up and strikes first with a fast and accurate right hook that knocks Kapur out cold! >Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen takes the win by Knock Out! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen defeats 'The Beast Of Birmingham' Rav Kapur (Knock Out (Punch) in 0:48 of round 3). The match was rated as being Good. Comments: Pleasantly surprised with the level of action in this one after some real snoozers featuring Peltonen recently. This is more the form that saw him doing so well in ALPHA-1 a few years ago than we'd seen to date. If nothing else, he's earned himself another top level opponent, but it isn't likely to be the title shot against Ivanov that he is calling for in his post-fight interview. Kapur hadn't previously looked in trouble at any stage, so the KO came as a bit of a surprise – his corner were right to warn him about getting caught! Co-main Gregory O'Hara (#16, 10-0) v Harald Hubner (8-4) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>The co-main event is up next. Gregory 'Chief' O'Hara fights Harald 'Hammer' Hubner in the SIGMA Lightweight division. >The fight begins! >Advancing, Hubner counters a right jab by using a stinging left jab. >O'Hara comes in closer, looking to wrestle with Hubner. >Hubner seems happy to grapple with O'Hara. >O'Hara is trying to push Hubner so that his back is up against the cage. >He does so, and now has Hubner pinned to the cage. >O'Hara steps back to achieve some separation from Hubner and gets ready to strike. >O'Hara throws a leg kick but Hubner checks it easily. >O'Hara looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Hubner. >Hubner ends up grappling for supremacy with O'Hara. >Using his wrestling skills, O'Hara is trying to push Hubner up against the cage. >Hubner ends up backed against the cage. >Hubner takes a knee strike to the inside of his own knee. >O'Hara takes a short step back and prepares to strike. >We move into the second half of this round. >O'Hara slips past a jab and scores with a great left hand, Hubner took it full in the face and is knocked down! >O'Hara doesn't have time to capitalise though, as Hubner recovers his wits quickly. >O'Hara motions for Hubner to stand up, which he does. >O'Hara comes in closer, looking to clinch with Hubner. >He pulls Hubner into a Muay Thai clinch. >O'Hara tries a knee strike, but Hubner blocks it and wrestles his way out of the Muay Thai clinch. >We're into the final minute of the round. >O'Hara looks to be trying to close the distance between them. >Hubner keeps himself moving out of range, not wanting to grapple. >Hubner uses a smart combination to get O'Hara to cover up, then shoots in looking for a takedown. >Hubner can't get the takedown, O'Hara defended it well. >Round one is brought to an end as time runs out. >Great round, very exciting. >I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of O'Hara. >Round two begins! >From what we could hear of his corner, it sounds like O'Hara has been instructed to wrestle Hubner in this round. >An exchange of strikes doesn't really lead to anything. >Not comfortable in the pocket, O'Hara steps back and creates some space. >O'Hara counters a left jab by hitting a solid right. >Hubner shoots in for a takedown. >O'Hara tries to avoid Hubner. >Hubner doesn't get the takedown, O'Hara avoided it. >Hubner throws a feint. >O'Hara hops around from foot to foot, looking for an opening. >Hubner steps in closer to force the issue. >Hubner comes in closer, looking to wrestle with O'Hara. >O'Hara seems happy to grapple with Hubner. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >O'Hara is trying to muscle Hubner up against the cage. >O'Hara manages it, and controls Hubner up against the cage. >Unable to get free, Hubner is smothered up against the cage for about thirty seconds. >O'Hara tries a foot stomp, but that puts him off balance and allows Hubner to turn him so that he ends up backed against the cage. >We're into the final minute of the round. >Hubner has worked in the underhooks and looks to take O'Hara down. >The takedown doesn't work, O'Hara blocked it and then turns it so that Hubner is the one against the cage. >Gregory O'Hara looks very tired out there. >O'Hara tries to hit Hubner with an elbow, but Hubner takes the opportunity to switch it around so that he is in control and O'Hara is the one backed against the cage. >O'Hara takes a hard foot stomp. >Time expires and we come to the end of round two. >That has to go down as a 10-9 round to O'Hara. >As he sits on his stool, Hubner starts getting psyched up - he knows it's now or never. >There's the bell and round number three begins! >Hubner fakes shooting in, but O'Hara doesn't fall for it. >Hubner chooses to shoot in on O'Hara. >O'Hara looks to grab a guillotine off the takedown. >The takedown is too fast, O'Hara cannot grab the guillotine. >Hubner gets the takedown! O'Hara pulls guard. >Hubner looks to pass guard and get side control. >Hubner passes to side control with ease. >Hubner pounds away on O'Hara with crashing elbow strikes, landing several great shots that threaten to knock him out! >The referee is forced to jump in and stop the match! >The winner, by TKO; Harald Hubner! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Harald 'Hammer' Hubner defeats Gregory 'Chief' O'Hara (TKO (Strikes) in 1:29 of round 3). The match was rated as being Good. Comments: Bit of an upset this, as O'Hara was being postioned for a title shot. Hubner started to come back into the fight in the second after being out-manoeuvred in the first, and once he got the takedown looked like a complete monster! Main Event SIGMA Light-Heavyweight championship Matti Kurri (#7, 13-1-1) © v Niko Soldo (#6, 20-3-1) <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>>It's time for the main event of the evening! Matti 'The Hammer' Kurri will battle 'The Gladiator' Niko Soldo in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division. >This is a SIGMA Light Heavyweight title fight. >The fight begins! >Kurri slips out of the way of a jab. >Kurri is suckered in by a feint, and only just avoids the follow-up spinning back fist attempt. >Kurri shoots in for a takedown. >Soldo sees the takedown coming and tries to move. >The takedown doesn't work, Soldo saw it coming and got out of range. >Soldo throws a combination of rights and lefts, using them as cover so that he can shoot in. >Kurri saw the takedown coming, he tries to grab a guillotine. >The takedown is too good, the attempted guillotine is lost. >The takedown is completed, Soldo came in hard and fast and was too much for Kurri. >Kurri winds up seated, his back to the cage, with Soldo pressing onto him. >The clock runs down as Kurri is being smothered against the cage wall by Soldo. >Time slips away as Soldo successfully keeps Kurri stuck against the cage wall. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Kurri is controlled against the cage wall, unable to shift Soldo off of him. >Soldo tries to improve his position. >Kurri keeps Soldo close in, not letting the mount happen. >Kurri tries a sweep, but doesn't budge Soldo. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Soldo tries to put Kurri into a guillotine choke. >Kurri gets caught in a guillotine, but is not tapping! >Kurri must have managed to stop the choke being properly applied. >The guillotine is finally released, Soldo may have gassed his arms trying to force the tap out. >Time expires and we come to the end of round one. >That round goes to Soldo, 10-9 on my card. >There's the bell and round number two begins! >Kurri steps back to avoid a flurry of punches after falling for a clever feint. >Soldo counters a wayward left jab with a jab. >A couple of quick punches are used to set up a takedown attempt from Soldo. >Kurri attempts to avoid Soldo as he shoots in. >Kurri avoids the takedown attempt. >Soldo moves in quickly after a wayward punch and hits a stinging leg kick. >Soldo drops a shoulder, trying to sucker Kurri in with a feint. >Kurri chooses to shoot in on Soldo. >Soldo attempts to snare Kurri in a guillotine off the takedown. >The takedown is too good, the attempted guillotine is lost. >He has the takedown! It's a single leg, and Soldo has to pull guard. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >Kurri lies on top of Soldo, basically smothering him. >In guard, Kurri begins working to pass to side control. >He finds himself unable to pass guard on this attempt. >Kurri deflects a couple of punches that Soldo threw from below. >Kurri pounds away from the guard, but Soldo isn't troubled by the strikes. >Soldo reaches up and tries to lock up an arm. >Kurri shows great skill by not only defending the submission, but using it as a basis to gain side control. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >Kurri pounds away with punches from side control and Soldo is having trouble doing anything about it! >The referee is forced to jump in and stop the match! >Matti 'The Hammer' Kurri takes the win by TKO! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Matti 'The Hammer' Kurri defeats 'The Gladiator' Niko Soldo (TKO (Strikes) in 4:59 of round 2). The match was rated as being Decent. Comments: And Kurri gains revenge for his defeat to Soldo at SIGMA 31, and this time retains the title. I'm sure there'll be a third fight at some point, but in a division this strong there are lots of other potential contenders. The ref might have done Soldo a favour if he'd held off a second or two longer before calling the fight, but given Soldo's condition afterwards, I'm not sure he'd have made it out for the start of the third round in any case. Show summary Critical rating: Decent Commercial success: Decent Fight of the Night: Jan Ilic v Ryan Gustafsson Knockout of the Night: Ari Peltonen Submission of the Night: Fabrizio Asti Comments: Quite a few surprises tonight, and just enough momentum from this one to keep us stable and 4% into Mid Level National.

batsnumbereleven · February 25, 2014

Prediction results Identical picks again this time, scoring both of you 4/8, to leave CageRage with 307/424 and BigRedMachine with 95/146. Injury report No injuries this month, but the Athletic Commission have placed precautionary suspensions of a month on Niko Soldo and Gregory O'Hara, two months on Ryan Gustafsson and threemonths on Rav Kapur. SIGMA contracts/signings Bulgarian Light-Heavyweight brawler Semyon Gabrelovic. Dutch Kung fu fighter Stein De Vries has been picked up from OMEGA, where he went 3-2. Shaun Dico has earned himself a 6-fight extension, and Rav Kapur a further 5 fights. Monday 1st January 2002 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> Blurcat.com End of Year awards 2001 <div style="text-align:center;">Fighter of the Year: Tomohiro Takeuchi (ALPHA-1) Promotion of the Year: OMEGA Rookie of the Year: not awarded Show of the Year: ALPHA-1: Fezzik v Matsuhiro Female Fighter of the Year: Denise DeNiro (WEFF) Team of the Year: Dragon's Lair Gym Rise of the Year: Floyd Haywood (GAMMA) Fall of the Year: Ludvig Strauss (SIGMA) Fight of the Year: Ethan Sutton v Tora Mizwar (ALPHA-1: Fezzik v Twinge) Worst fight of the Year: Logan Bluffer v Robun Yamazaki (GAMMA 58: MacReary v Carlton) Knockout of the Year: Souleyman Ya Konan v Wolfgang Taktarov (SIGMA 53: Taktarov v Ya Konan) Submission of the Year: Heiji Endo v Tadao Miyazaki (ALPHA-1: Endo v Miyazaki) Main Event of the Year: Hassan Fezzik v Koyoka Matsuhiro (ALPHA-1) Upset of the Year: Floyd Haywood v Angor Salvador (GAMMA Decimation TV)</div></div></blockquote>

batsnumbereleven · February 26, 2014

Tuesday 2nd January 2002 <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="36914" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release Signature Martial Arts is delighted to be taking SIGMA Gefecht TV to Madrid, Spain and the Raimondo Saporta Pavilion for the first SIGMA show of 2002 on Saturday 13th January, where Madrid's own former GAMMA Welterweight champion Julio Regueiro (#12, 24-2) will make his SIGMA debut against Danish wrestler Bjarne Bjerre (7-5). Regueiro's last fight was his title defeat by Nathan Chambers, whilst Bjerre has been away from the cage for a few months since his loss to Stian Agdestein. A star-studded line-up will also see Croatian kick boxer Zvonimir Asanovic (32-5) looking to atone for his SIGMA-debut defeat to Dag Kreuger, and he's up against another tough opponent in Russian striker Mikel Tupolov (3-2), once considered to be the brightest of Russia's young Light-Heavyweight prospects, but reeling from successive defeats to Nicolai Mickiewicz and Valentin Taneyev. Also on the card, English Featherweight Duey Rickert (8-3) will face Sweden's Ruben Ericsson (9-6-1) in what should be a striking battle, and a second Spaniard, Xavi Castillejo (5-2) will hope to wow the fans in a Lightweight clash with unbeaten English brawler Clive Cruiser (3-0). As usual the show will be broadcast almost immediately after its close at 2245CET on our television partners Euro Cable Sport 4 across the continent, so do tune in to catch all the action.</div></blockquote> Card for picks SIGMA Gefecht TV Julio Regueiro v Bjarne Bjerre Zvonimir Asanovic v Mikel Tupolov Duey Rickert v Ruben Ericsson Xavi Castillejo v Clive Cruiser

CageRage · February 26, 2014

SIGMA Gefecht TV

Julio Regueiro v Bjarne Bjerre

Zvonimir Asanovic v Mikel Tupolov

Duey Rickert v Ruben Ericsson

Xavi Castillejo v Clive Cruiser

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SIGMA - Rise of European MMA

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