SIGMA - Rise of European MMA

cymru96 · December 3, 2013

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Jaromir Grygera

Piotr Dabrowski v Jens Halle

Mugur Boc v Wolfgang Taktarov

Nuno Valentino v Pedro Alves

Alekos Karabatsos v Andoni Olano

Dieter Kolzig v Patrik Pedersen

Jingo · December 4, 2013

SIGMA 20

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Jaromir Grygera

Piotr Dabrowski v Jens Halle

Mugur Boc v Wolfgang Taktarov

Nuno Valentino v Pedro Alves

Alekos Karabatsos v Andoni Olano

Dieter Kolzig v Patrik Pedersen

CageRage · December 4, 2013

SIGMA 20

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Jaromir Grygera

Piotr Dabrowski v Jens Halle

Mugur Boc v Wolfgang Taktarov

Nuno Valentino v Pedro Alves

Alekos Karabatsos v Andoni Olano

Dieter Kolzig v Patrik Pedersen

LoNdOn · December 4, 2013

Fjodor Kanchelskis © v Jaromir Grygera

Piotr Dabrowski v Jens Halle

Mugur Boc v Wolfgang Taktarov

Nuno Valentino v Pedro Alves

Alekos Karabatsos v Andoni Olano

Dieter Kolzig v Patrik Pedersen

batsnumbereleven · December 4, 2013

News and Notes from around the MMA world: March 1999

Signings

ALPHA-1: -

GAMMA: -

OMEGA: Frederico Vergara, Sean Deeley, Russell McPhee, Mauricio de Terreros, Mal Phe Roby, Mando Romero, Hugo Cruz, Titus Colon, Gonzalo Ramos, Julio Correa, Chester Garrett, Blake Sayers, Salvador Santos, Waylon McDermott, Stein de Vries, Rolland Jeffrey, Helvecio Babenco,

BCF: Geoffrey Skelton, Roy Lynch,

FLB: -

XCC: -

WEFF: -

KDMFC: -

Events

Monday 8th March saw FLB 13: Proving Ground in Brazil, in which FLB Heavyweight champion Elzo Alves Moura (#18, 14-0) successfully defended his title against Marcelo Boccoli (13-6) by Unanimous decision in the Headliner.

GAMMA 34: Foster v Banks took place in Colorado on Friday 19th March and saw James Foster (#3, 32-5-1) put up his GAMMA Heavyweight title for the first time in more than a year. Challenger Leon Banks (#9, 34-10) proved to be too much for him to handle as he was KO'd with a big right hand just 22 seconds into the first round. On the same bill, GAMMA debutant Toby Sorkin defeated #21 ranked Light-Heavyweight Mark Cohen (35-8-1) by guillotine, also in the first stanza.

batsnumbereleven · December 4, 2013

Event report SIGMA 20: Kanchelskis v Grygera Friday 26th March 1999 Hohenschonhausen, Berlin, Germany. Attendance: 1992 for a gate of $99,600 PPV Buys: N/A Dieter Kolzig (3-1) v Patrik Pedersen (2-0) <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 Dieter Kolzig fights Patrik 'The Troll' Pedersen in the SIGMA Lightweight division. >We are underway! >Pedersen steps back to avoid a flurry of punches. >Pedersen counters a left jab with a crisp left hand punch. >Kolzig tries for a left jab but Pedersen moves out of range. >Pedersen avoids a flurry of rights and lefts. >Pedersen counters a left jab with a solid left. >Kolzig is looking to get in close and strike from the pocket. >Seeing a takedown opportunity, Pedersen drops down and uses a single leg, Kolzig has to pull guard. >We move into the second half of this round. >Pedersen smothers Kolzig with his body by pushing forward and down. >In guard, Pedersen begins working to pass to side control. >He passes to half guard. >Pedersen looks to get past the half guard. >He gets past half guard, gaining side control. >There's under a minute left in this round. >Pedersen tries to ensnare Kolzig in an arm triangle. >The arm triangle is locked in tight, but Kolzig refuses to tap out! >No! Kolzig manages to break free. Clearly the hold couldn't have been as tight as it looked. >Pedersen blocks Kolzig as he tries a transition to guard. >Round one is brought to an end as time runs out. >I have to give that round to Pedersen, but only a 10-9. >Round two begins! >Kolzig feints an attack, keeping Pedersen on his toes. >Pedersen slips out of the way of a flurry of punches. >Kolzig feints throwing a jab. >Pedersen gets suckered in by a feint, and is lucky to avoid a flurry of rights and lefts. >Moving in closer, Kolzig looks like he wants to strike from the pocket. >Kolzig and Pedersen get closer, both looking eager to engage at close range. >Stepping back, Kolzig creates a bit of distance. >Kolzig throws a left jab but Pedersen avoids it. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >Kolzig feints going high, but Pedersen doesn't buy it. >Kolzig circles as he plans his next move. >Time slips away as Pedersen doesn't press Kolzig, allowing him to circle. >A straight left from Kolzig fails to land. >Time slips away as Pedersen doesn't press Kolzig, allowing him to circle. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Moving in closer, Kolzig looks like he wants to strike from the pocket. >Pedersen lets Kolzig get closer. >Kolzig tries for a left jab but Pedersen uses head movement to avoid it. >Pedersen slips past a straight punch and hits an enormous right hook that knocks Kolzig out and sees him fall face-first to the ground! >The winner, by Knock Out, is Patrik 'The Troll' Pedersen! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Patrik 'The Troll' Pedersen defeats Dieter Kolzig (Knock Out (Punch) in 4:52 of round 2). The match was rated as being Average. Comments: Big finish to a round that looked like it was heading nowhere. Pedersen looked to have the measure of Kolzig from early on in the fight, and Kolzig may well be headed into territory where he acts as primary doorkeeper for newcomers to the organisation. Alekos Karabatsos (12-5) v Andoni Olano (2-1) <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, Alekos 'Killer' Karabatsos competes against Andoni Olano in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division. >The fight begins! >Olano feints going high, but Karabatsos doesn't buy it. >There's a stalemate as both fighters throw strikes but neither hits. >Karabatsos steps back to avoid a left jab. >Olano tries for a left jab but Karabatsos moves out of range. >A straight left fails to land and Olano is able to fire back with a big right kick to the outside of the thigh. >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. >Olano tries to wriggle free, but Karabatsos controls him well and gets in a few close-range punches too. >Karabatsos uses dirty boxing and gets in a few crisp punches on Olano as they grapple. >We pass the halfway mark of this round. >Karabatsos hits Olano with some short strikes to the side of the head while grappling. >Karabatsos hits Olano with some short strikes to the side of the head while grappling. >Karabatsos hits Olano with some short strikes to the side of the head while grappling. >Olano gets a couple of ineffective strikes in, but ultimately loses control of the grapple after being caught off-balance. >Karabatsos hits Olano with some short strikes to the side of the head while grappling. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Karabatsos tries to wrestle Olano backward and up against the cage. >Karabatsos manages it, and controls Olano up against the cage. >Alekos Karabatsos doesn't look like he has much left in the tank. >Karabatsos smothers Olano against the cage, then hits him with an elbow strike to the side of the head. >Karabatsos launches a knee strike but Olano is ready, catches the leg, and uses some wrestling to turn it around so that Karabatsos is the one against the cage. >The time is up, and that's the end of round one. >I think Karabatsos took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >And here we go, round two! >From what we could hear of his corner, it sounds like Olano has been instructed to vary his angles of approach a bit more. >Karabatsos gets suckered in by a feint, and is lucky to avoid a flurry of rights and lefts. >Olano slips past an attempted big right hand and counters with a sharp kick to the shin. >Strikes to the leg like that will take their toll. >Olano hits a kick to the body. >Both fighters exchange strikes, but neither hits anything significant. >Olano scores with a right body kick. >A left jab misses and Olano strikes back with a left. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >An exchange of strikes doesn't lead to any real damage. >From the missed strikes they clinch. >Olano gets caught with a couple of nice short punches as Karabatsos uses his dirty boxing to inflict some punishment. >Alekos Karabatsos seems to be fighting against exhaustion. >The grappling doesn't last long, as they soon break away from each other. >Olano side-steps a barrage of big punches and hits a nasty-looking kick to the inside of the left knee. >Alekos Karabatsos looks to be limping slightly. >It's obvious that Olano has a clear plan to punish the legs. >It will weaken the base of Karabatsos and that will in turn make it harder to generate power when he strikes. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss. >Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up grappling. >Karabatsos and Olano break the grapple and are apart again, circling. >The time is up, and that's the end of round two. >I think Olano took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >And here we go, round three! >Between rounds, his corner told Karabatsos to try and use counter striking in this round. >Olano avoids a jab. >The gas tank looks empty on Alekos Karabatsos. >Both fighters go to exchange blows, but neither hits a telling strike. >Olano counters a left jab with a solid left. >Olano hits a swift inside leg kick on Karabatsos, using a feint to set it up. >There is no doubt that the damage has added up and Alekos Karabatsos has an injured leg. >Olano uses a sharp right body kick. >Olano fires off a stinging leg kick. >We pass the halfway mark of this round. >Olano stings Karabatsos with a series of quick lefts. >Olano keeps out of range, assessing the situation. >Karabatsos steps in closer to force the issue. >A jab misses, allowing Olano to counter-strike with a kick to the inside of the left thigh. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Karabatsos steps in but an exchange of strikes goes nowhere. >Olano presses in closer to attack. >Both fighters fire off strikes, neither produces any significant damage. >The fight comes to an end as the time limit expires. >I think Olano took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >The official scores are being reported now. >All three judges give 29-28. >The winner, by unanimous decision, is Andoni Olano! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Andoni Olano defeats Alekos 'Killer' Karabatsos (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Decent. Comments: Very tight one this, but Olano gets it for me as well, based on the damage he inflicted to Karabatsos' knee. There should be good match-ups for both guys next – Olano might need to go up against a good wrestler, whilst Karabatsos may fight one of Gilchrist, Belien or Klaughnschue, all coming off losses. He asks to fight Daniil Skala next, which is also a possibility. Nuno Valentino (4-0) v Pedro Alves (11-5) <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, Nuno 'The Idol' Valentino battles Pedro 'The Wolverine' Alves in the SIGMA Featherweight division. >Round one begins! >Valentino avoids a quick jab and hits a series of quick lefts. >Alves throws a left jab but Valentino avoids it. >Moving in closer, Alves looks like he may want to wrestle Valentino. >Valentino finds himself pulled into a grappling contest. >Alves tries to wrestle Valentino backward and up against the cage. >Alves manages it, and controls Valentino up against the cage. >Valentino struggles back against Alves, not allowing him to control the grappling. >Alves suddenly finds a standing guillotine choke slapped on him! >Alves can't escape the guillotine, it's tight enough that he has to tap! >Nuno 'The Idol' Valentino takes the win by submission! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Nuno 'The Idol' Valentino defeats Pedro 'The Wolverine' Alves (Submission (Guillotine) in 2:26 of round 1). The match was rated as being Great. Comments: Smart guillotine from Valentino, and looks like he might be ready for bigger and better things. A bit disappointed by Alves, who I hoped would give his compatriot a bit more of a test here. Mugur Boc (7-0) v Wolfgang Taktarov (0-0) <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; 'The Crusher' Mugur Boc takes on Wolfgang 'Tik-Tok' Taktarov in the SIGMA Heavyweight division. >And here we go! >Both throw strikes at each other, both easily defend the other's attempt. >Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up grappling. >Boc is trying to muscle Taktarov up against the cage. >He does so, and now has Taktarov pinned to the cage. >Boc smothers Taktarov against the cage, then scores with a right to the side of the stomach. >Boc catches Taktarov with a knee strike to the thigh. >Boc shows his grappling ability by pinning Taktarov up against the cage and keeps him there for well over sixty seconds. >Taktarov is controlled up against the cage and takes a few left hands via some dirty boxing. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Showing good control, Boc keeps Taktarov stuck against the cage and hits him with short punches to the body for about sixty seconds. >Boc tries to use his dirty boxing skills, but Taktarov uses wrestling to prevent any strikes from being launched. >Taktarov waits for Boc to throw an elbow, then uses wrestling to turn him around so that Boc now has his back to the cage. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >Taktarov tries to foot stomp Boc, but he puts himself off balance and gets turned around against the cage. >Mugur Boc looks very tired out there. >Boc attempts to establish some dominance with his wrestling, but Taktarov is too hard to keep controlled against the cage. >Taktarov catches an unsuspecting Boc in a guillotine, and falls backward to apply even more pressure! >Boc needn't panic as there's only a few seconds left and so the guillotine won't force the tap! >The time is up, and that's the end of round one. >That round goes to Boc, 10-9 on my card. >Round two begins! >Boc must have gotten tagged right on the button, as he goes down from what looked like a simple punch! >Taktarov quickly pounces, looking to rain down punches on the stunned Boc! >Taktarov pounds away on Boc, landing several great shots that threaten to knock him out! >With Boc taking a beating, the referee has to stop the match! >Wolfgang Taktarov takes the victory by way of TKO! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Wolfgang 'Tik-Tok' Taktarov defeats 'The Crusher' Mugur Boc (TKO (Strikes) in 0:32 of round 2). The match was rated as being Decent. Comments: Possibly a bit of a surprise, but Taktarov came in with a big reputation in Russia and will only have enhanced his standing in the rest of Europe too with this win. Boc maintained decent control for part of the first round, but went down rather easily in the second and may have less of a chin than we thought after his fight with Ya Konan. Co-main Piotr Dabrowski (18-5) v Jens Halle (#23, 15-2) <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. Piotr Dabrowski takes on Jens 'Battery' Halle in the SIGMA Welterweight division. >We are underway! >An exchange of strikes goes nowhere. >Dabrowski covers up to safely defend against a flurry of rights and lefts. >Halle backs away to create some more space. >Halle throws a barrage of big right hands but Dabrowski moves out of range. >Halle drops a shoulder, trying to sucker Dabrowski in with a feint. >A couple of quick punches are used to set up a takedown attempt from Dabrowski. >Dabrowski goes under an attempted counter right hand. >Dabrowski gets a single leg takedown! Halle pulls guard off it. >Dabrowski begins trying to pass guard and get a better position. >He manages to pass, but only to half guard. >We move into the second half of this round. >Dabrowski pounds away with elbows from half guard, but Halle isn't troubled by them. >Using an underhook to set it up, Halle looks to scramble for position. >There wasn't enough separation, Dabrowski is able to leap forward and force Halle to turtle up. >Dabrowski rolls the turtled Halle over and secures side control. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Dabrowski is trying to move from side control to mount. >He can't get the mount. >Halle tries to pull guard on Dabrowski but doesn't get anywhere with the attempt. >Dabrowski begins trying to get himself behind Halle. >Halle does well to keep Dabrowski at side control. >The time is up, and that's the end of round one. >I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Dabrowski. >And here we go, round two! >Dabrowski avoids a flurry of punches. >Dabrowski slips out of the way of a jab. >Dabrowski steps back to avoid a flurry of punches. >Advancing, Halle counters a left jab by using a quick series of punches. >Halle looks to move in and stand in the pocket. >Dabrowski sees a chance and dives down for a single leg. Halle, caught by surprise, can only pull guard. >Dabrowski starts trying to work to get past the guard. >Dabrowski struggles but cannot find a way past and remains stuck in guard. >Halle uses his legs to push Dabrowski back, and tries to scramble for position. >Dabrowski is too quick though, and grabs side control before Halle can get up. >We move into the second half of this round. >Dabrowski tries to slip behind and take the back. >He takes the back! >Dabrowski successfully gets both hooks in, and seems primed to finish. >Dabrowski, with both hooks in, attempts to get a rear naked choke fully applied. >Halle stops Dabrowski from getting his arm under the chin and completing the choke. >Dabrowski maintains his hooks, despite Halle trying to break them. >There's under a minute left in this round. >With both hooks in and therefore great control of the body, Dabrowski tries to finish Halle off with a rear naked choke. >The rear naked choke is in deep, Halle has to tap out! >The winner, by submission; Piotr Dabrowski! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: Piotr Dabrowski defeats Jens 'Battery' Halle (Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in 4:40 of round 2). The match was rated as being Good. Comments: Halle didn't really show up here – he got taken down far too easily. Still, Dabrowski took his chance when it arose and now has to be in the frame for a shot at Noach Van Der Capellen for the Welterweight title. Main Event SIGMA Middleweight Championship Fjodor Kanchelskis (#16, 11-0) © v Jaromir Grygera (#7, 19-5) <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! 'The Russian Nightmare' Fjodor Kanchelskis goes up against Jaromir Grygera in the SIGMA Middleweight division. >This contest is for the SIGMA Middleweight title. >We are underway! >After a one-two combination narrowly misses, Grygera is able to strike back with a clean jab. >Kanchelskis slips out of the way of a jab. >Kanchelskis uses a smart combination to get Grygera to cover up, then shoots in looking for a takedown. >Kanchelskis doesn't get the takedown, Grygera was equal to it and pulls them into a clinch. >Getting underhooks, Grygera looks for a takedown. >The takedown is unsuccessful, Kanchelskis blocked Grygera. >Kanchelskis turns Grygera slightly, but can't create enough space to get free of the clinch. >Using his wrestling skills, Grygera is trying to push Kanchelskis up against the cage. >Grygera can't do it though, and ends up being out-wrestled in the grapple. >We've now passed the halfway mark in this round. >Kanchelskis is trying to push Grygera so that his back is up against the cage. >Kanchelskis achieves it, pinning Grygera to the cage. >Kanchelskis tries to use dirty boxing against Grygera, but his opponent's wrestling skills prevent any damage from happening. >Kanchelskis has worked in the underhooks and looks to take Grygera down. >Kanchelskis sweeps the legs and takes Grygera down, hard. >Grygera winds up seated, his back to the cage, with Kanchelskis pressing onto him. >The clock runs down as Grygera is being smothered against the cage wall by Kanchelskis. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Grygera is controlled against the cage wall, unable to shift Kanchelskis off of him. >The time runs out on round one. >I have to give that round to Kanchelskis, but only a 10-9. >Round two begins! >Grygera catches a weak right kick to the legs and uses it to go for a takedown, getting it! Kanchelskis manages to pull guard. >Grygera unloads with some big elbows, but Kanchelskis deals with them comfortably. >Grygera leans back to avoid a couple of wild swings from Kanchelskis. >Grygera attempts to pass guard. >Grygera isn't able to pass guard on this attempt. >Grygera leans back to avoid a couple of wild swings from Kanchelskis. >Time slips away as Grygera successfully keeps Kanchelskis stuck against the ground. >The clock runs down as Kanchelskis is being smothered against the ground by Grygera. >We move into the second half of this round. >Grygera looks to pass guard and get side control. >He can't get free of the guard. >Grygera deflects a couple of punches that Kanchelskis threw from below. >Grygera fires off a few punches as he catches his breath. >Kanchelskis tries to ensnare Grygera in a triangle. >Grygera counters the triangle attempt superbly by twisting out of it and gaining side control. >We have one minute of the round remaining. >Grygera is trying to move from side control to mount. >He can't mount Kanchelskis. >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. >We are back underway! >A jab doesn't find its intended target, allowing Kanchelskis to fire back with a nice one-two combination. >Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything. >From the missed strikes they clinch. >Kanchelskis is looking to muscle Grygera back against the cage. >Grygera ends up backed against the cage. >Grygera takes a sharp stomp to the foot. >Showing his ability to exert control, Kanchelskis smothers Grygera up against the cage for a minute or so, wearing him down with occasional sharp punches to the ribs. >Kanchelskis has worked in the underhooks and looks to take Grygera down. >Grygera blocks the takedown attempt and turns Kanchelskis around so that he has his back to the cage. >Jaromir Grygera doesn't look like he has much left in the tank. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Grygera uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown. >Kanchelskis will not go down, he blocks the takedown despite the best efforts of Grygera. >Grygera loses control of Kanchelskis, who circles out and returns to the center. >Kanchelskis comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket. >Grygera sees a chance to dive for a single leg, but Kanchelskis is able to defend against it. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Kanchelskis misses with an attempted right hook to the body. >Not letting Kanchelskis settle, Grygera moves in closer. >A flurry of punches miss Grygera and allow him to counter-strike with a jab. >The time runs out on round three. >You can hear some boos from the audience, they weren't impressed with that round at all. >I have to give that round to Kanchelskis, but only a 10-9. >Round four begins! >A showdown where they both exchange strikes only results in a stalemate. >Grygera slips out of the way of a jab. >Breathing very hard, Fjodor Kanchelskis is looking ragged. >A showdown where they both exchange strikes only results in a stalemate. >Grygera uses a right hook to the body, but misses. >Kanchelskis seems to be waiting for Grygera to make a move. >A visibly tired Kanchelskis is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Grygera. >Grygera ends up grappling for supremacy with Kanchelskis. >Kanchelskis has worked in the underhooks and looks to take Grygera down. >A sweep of the legs is successful, Grygera has to pull guard. >Jaromir Grygera looks very, very tired. >We are now at the halfway point of the round. >In guard, Kanchelskis begins working to pass to side control. >Grygera keeps Kanchelskis in guard. >Fjodor Kanchelskis looks like he is on the verge of exhaustion. >Grygera tries to sweep Kanchelskis but doesn't get anywhere. >Kanchelskis looks to get past the guard. >He can't quite manage to get past guard on this attempt. >Grygera tries a sweep from the bottom of the guard, but doesn't budge Kanchelskis. >The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left. >Kanchelskis attempts to pass guard and gain a better position. >He passes guard fairly easily, getting to side control. >Kanchelskis throws a few right hands to the body. >The time runs out on round four. >I think Kanchelskis took that round, 10-9 on my score card. >Round five begins! >From what we could hear of his corner, it sounds like Kanchelskis has been instructed to try and get Grygera to the floor in this round. >Kanchelskis throws a left jab but Grygera avoids it. >Kanchelskis slips out of the way of a jab. >Kanchelskis steps back to avoid a left jab. >The gas tank looks empty on Jaromir Grygera. >Grygera tries for a left jab but Kanchelskis moves out of range. >Kanchelskis steps in and unloads with a series of lefts. >Grygera narrowly misses Kanchelskis with a right uppercut. >It seems that Kanchelskis is happy to let Grygera circle for the moment. >We go past the halfway point of this round. >Slowed down by physical tiredness, Grygera still looks to get in close and strike from the pocket. >Grygera is in the pocket, ready to attack Kanchelskis. >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. >Kanchelskis tries to wrestle Grygera backward and up against the cage. >Grygera ends up backed against the cage. >Fjodor Kanchelskis looks like he is almost out on his feet with exhaustion. >With Grygera stuck against the cage, Kanchelskis gets the underhooks and looks for a takedown. >He lifts his opponent and drives him down with a Greco-Roman slam! Grygera pulls guard. >We move into the final sixty seconds of this round. >Kanchelskis smothers Grygera with his body by pushing forward and down. >Kanchelskis throws a few right hands as he takes a moment to plan ahead. >The fight comes to an end as the time limit expires. >That round goes to Kanchelskis, 10-9 on my card. >The judges have given their scores, which are about to be announced. >All three judges score the contest as 49-46. >Fjodor Kanchelskis wins by unanimous decision! </div></blockquote> >Official Result: 'The Russian Nightmare' Fjodor Kanchelskis defeats Jaromir Grygera (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 5). The match was rated as being Poor Comments: A lot of grappling in this one, and Kanchelskis definitely had the better of it, seeming to be the stronger man. Both guys suffered for going the full five rounds though, and it definitely slowed in the last two rounds. Nonetheless, a solid, if not inspiring, win for the champ. Show summary Critical rating: Decent Commercial success: Decent Fight of the Night: Nuno Valentino v Pedro Alves Knockout of the Night: Patrik Pedersen Submission of the Night: Piotr Dabrowski Comments: A bit of a let down, especially with the main event dragging on, but the event definitely moves things forward in the Welterweight title hunt, and Valentino showed he's ready for a step up.

batsnumbereleven · December 5, 2013

Prediction results

London 4/6 (13/18)

CageRage 3/6 (76/109)

Jingo 3/6 (31/50)

cymru96 2/6 (51/79)

A win for London here, the only one to pick Olano to beat Karabatsos. Cymru was the only one who didn't pick Kanchelskis to retain his title.

Injury report

Jens Halle has reported an ankle injury after his fight, and the medical staff have indicated he will have to be out for about 6 weeks. He also picked up a one month precautionary suspection from the athletic commission, who handed out 2 month rests to Mugur Boc and Pedro Alves, and an enforced 3 month break for Alekos Karabatsos and for Dieter Kolzig.

End of month finances

A loss of just under $3k this month, as the fighter payments racked up to almost $62 this time around.

SIGMA signings

The contracts of the following came due, and all these fighters were offered new deals:

Fiyero Lermontov, Rafael van der Moot, Daniil Skala, Evgeni Medtner, Noach Van Der Capellen, Terron Cabal, Kenneth Toadspew, Matti Kurri,

An offer was made for the contract of GAMMA's former Welterweight champion Julio Regueiro from Spain.

batsnumbereleven · December 5, 2013

Monday 1st April 1999

Blurcat.com Featherweight rankings

1. Li-Kong Ho, KDMFC
2. Philip Ziskie, XCC
3. Moses Salinas, Unemployed
4. Luis Machado, XCC
5. Tomohiro Takeuchi, KDMFC
6. Fernando Peragon, SIGMA
7. Norberto, KDMFC
8. Lars Bohlin, SIGMA
9. Rafael Tavares, XCC
10. Afolabi Soyinka, Unemployed

batsnumbereleven · December 5, 2013

Monday 1st April 1999

Press Release

Signature Martial Arts is pleased to announce that SIGMA 21 will emanate from the Trier Arena on Friday 12th April. The Main Event will be a SIGMA Light Heavyweight championship fight between defending champion Matti Kurri (#16, 9-0-1) from Helsinki and his undefeated challenger, St. Petersburg's Valentin Taneyev (#15, 7-0).

Co-headlining SIGMA 21: Kurri v Taneyev will be a Featherweight clash between Italian judoka Francesco Marazzina (#19, 20-6) and 23-year-old Serbian Muay Thai practitioner Milovan Ajetovic (5-1). Ajetovic is reportedly still burning from being awarded the dishonor of “Worst fight of the year” by Blurcat.com, and will be looking to make a statement, particularly after his quick finish of Ivica Ancic last time out.

At Lightweight, Bremen's Harald Hubner (6-2) will take on Franak Pavilchenko (12-5) from Belarus, and Italian wrestler Carmelo Rossi (9-3) will fight Norwegian sambo expert Stian Agdenstein (2-0) at Welterweight.

Youngsters Roope Kuqi (1-0) and Heinz Schroder (1-1) have just 38 years between them, and will face off in Heavyweight action, whilst Nigeria's Casim Yenkini (11-3), coming off a loss to Jaromir Grygera, will be the opponent for the debuting 25-year-old Georgian Vladoslav Medvedev (0-0) who comes to SIGMA with a high reputation in his homeland.

Card for picks:

SIGMA 21

Matti Kurri © v Valentin Taneyev

Francesco Marazzina v Milovan Ajetovic

Harald Hubner v Franak Pavilchenko

Carmelo Rossi v Stian Agdenstein

Roope Kuqi v Heinz Schroder

Casim Yenkini v Vladoslav Medvedev

Jingo · December 6, 2013

SIGMA 21

Matti Kurri © v Valentin Taneyev

Francesco Marazzina v Milovan Ajetovic

Harald Hubner v Franak Pavilchenko

Carmelo Rossi v Stian Agdenstein

Roope Kuqi v Heinz Schroder

Casim Yenkini v Vladoslav Medvedev

CageRage · December 6, 2013

SIGMA 21

Matti Kurri © v Valentin Taneyev

Francesco Marazzina v Milovan Ajetovic

Harald Hubner v Franak Pavilchenko

Carmelo Rossi v Stian Agdenstein

Roope Kuqi v Heinz Schroder

Casim Yenkini v Vladoslav Medvedev

cymru96 · December 6, 2013

Matti Kurri © v Valentin Taneyev

Francesco Marazzina v Milovan Ajetovic

Harald Hubner v Franak Pavilchenko

Carmelo Rossi v Stian Agdenstein

Roope Kuqi v Heinz Schroder

Casim Yenkini v Vladoslav Medvedev

batsnumbereleven · December 6, 2013

News and Notes from around the MMA world: 1st - 14th April 1999

Signings

ALPHA-1:

GAMMA:

OMEGA: Adham Ibrahim, Jerry Bogdonovich, Viktor Blokhin, Fletcher Merman, Leonardo da Costa, Sadakuno Katoh, Tyrone Pinke, James Jerome, Spencer Rubenstein (from GAMMA), Ernest deLinde,

BCF:

FLB: Waly da Cunha

XCC:

WEFF:

KDMFC:

Events

WEFF 10 took place on Monday 1st April, and saw 'The Black Widow' Michelle Addams (#4, 11-1) take the WEFF Lightweight title from #3 ranked champion Gina Dixon (6-1) by Unanimous decision. Elsewhere, #8 Womens Featherweight Lynda Epsom took her undefeated record to six contests with a 2nd round TKO voctory over Diana Marr (3-1).

Saturday 13th April saw ALPHA-1: Yamada v Kitabatake, where World #1 Light-Heavyweight Tadamasa Yamada (23-1) retained his ALPHA-1 Light-Heavyweight belt with a 4th round armbar submission victory over previously unbeaten judoka Sho Kitabatake (#8, 14-1). Also on the card, #3 Heavyweight Armen Sarkisian (25-2) defeated #10 Kunimichi Kikuchi (27-5) by TKO in the opening round.

Other Notable news

Heavyweight veteran Armen Sarkisian's contract with ALPHA-1 came up for renewal, but I chose not to make an offer: he's from Armenia, which is more-or-less in Asia by my reckoning, being East of Turkey. He might have been a bit beyond our reach financially, in any case.

batsnumbereleven · December 6, 2013

Event report

SIGMA 21: Kurri v Taneyev

Friday 12th April 1999

Trier Arena, Trier, Germany.

Attendance: 2159 for a gate of $107,950

PPV Buys: N/A

Casim Yenkini (11-3) v Vladoslav Medvedev (0-0)

>Next up is a match in which 'The Super Eagle' Casim Yenkini will battle 'Red Army Renegade' Vladoslav Medvedev in the SIGMA Middleweight division.

>And here we go!
>A flurry of rights and lefts miss, allowing Yenkini to hit back with a clean jab.
>Yenkini swiftly avoids a barrage of big punches.
>Yenkini looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Medvedev.
>Medvedev moves in too, and they start to grapple.
>Yenkini is looking to muscle Medvedev back against the cage.
>Yenkini can't move Medvedev at all though, and finds himself being out-wrestled.
>Medvedev is trying to muscle Yenkini up against the cage.
>He does so, and now has Yenkini pinned to the cage.
>Medvedev uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown.
>Yenkini stops the takedown attempt, then uses his wrestling to take control of the grapple and put Medvedev against the cage.
>Yenkini looks for a foot stomp but Medvedev takes the opportunity to turn them around so that he is in the dominant position.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Medvedev uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown.
>A Greco-Roman slam floors Yenkini, Medvedev executed it well.
>Yenkini winds up seated, his back to the cage, with Medvedev pressing onto him.
>Medvedev tries to improve his position.
>He does brilliantly, and manages to get full mount on Yenkini!
>Medvedev pounds away with elbows, but doesn't do much damage, if any, Yenkini covers up well.
>Yenkini tries to get to half guard but can't.
>Medvedev pounds away from the mount with elbows, but Yenkini covers up and defends them well.
>Medvedev controls Yenkini, who was trying to wriggle to half guard.
>We're into the final minute of the round.
>Medvedev pounds away from the mount with elbows, but Yenkini covers up and defends them well.
>Medvedev maintains control, despite Yenkini trying to wriggle free.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round one.
>That was a yawner of a round, and I think both fighters are now a bit frustrated.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Medvedev.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>Yenkini waits out a flurry of punches and then hits a left jab to the cheek.
>Medvedev avoids a quick jab and hits a flurry of small strikes.
>Yenkini is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Medvedev.
>Medvedev moves in too, and they start to grapple.
>Yenkini finds his dirty boxing smothered, and Medvedev gains the dominant position in the grapple.
>Medvedev has worked in the underhooks and looks to take Yenkini down.
>He lifts his opponent and drives him down with a Greco-Roman slam! Yenkini pulls guard.
>Yenkini is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Medvedev off of him.
>Medvedev starts trying to work to get past the guard.
>He passes guard fairly easily, getting to side control.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Medvedev has solid control over Yenkini, and starts pounding away with right hands.
>Yenkini is taking lots of shots, and can't seem to find a way out from this position!
>The referee pulls Medvedev away, stopping the match!
>The winner, by TKO, is 'Red Army Renegade' Vladoslav Medvedev!

>Official Result: 'Red Army Renegade' Vladoslav Medvedev defeats 'The Super Eagle' Casim Yenkini (TKO (Strikes) in 3:11 of round 2). The match was rated as being Average.

Comments: Medvedev lived up to his billing here, against a potentially tricky opponent. Takedowns in both rounds showed his grappling control, which was the key to the victory here. Yenkini will be a bit disappointed, but this was a tougher match-up than many debutants would provide, and he may get a deserved step down in class next time to allow him to prove himself in the middle ranks of the division.

Roope Kuqi (1-0) v Heinz Schroder (1-1)

>Moving on, Roope 'The Second Generation Star' Kuqi fights Heinz Schroder in the SIGMA Heavyweight division.

>There's the opening bell!
>A flurry of punches miss Schroder and allow him to counter-strike with a nice left hand.
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>Both fighters come toe-to-toe and strike, but none of the strikes result in significant damage being done.
>Schroder gets tagged with a crisp jab.
>Kuqi hits a nice crisp left jab.
>Slipping past a left jab, Kuqi hits a series of quick jabs.
>Kuqi works the jab.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>A left jab misses the mark and allows Kuqi to counter with a solid right hook to the body.
>Kuqi throws a left jab but Schroder uses good head movement to make sure it slips by.
>Kuqi slips past a jab and scores with a crisp left.
>Schroder eats a stiff jab.
>Kuqi, from the pocket, unloads with a series of heavy right hands!
>Getting destroyed, Schroder falls to the ground...but the blows keep on landing!
>Schroder is taking a lot of shots, the referee has no option but to leap in and stop the fight!
>By TKO, the winner is Roope Kuqi!

>Official Result: Roope 'The Second Generation Star' Kuqi defeats Heinz Schroder (TKO (Strikes) in 3:52 of round 1). The match was rated as being Good.

Comments: Good win for Kuqi, but Schroder doesn't appear to have much to offer here, and is likely to be a casualty when his contract expires. More of a test needed for the Finn.

Carmelo Rossi (9-3) v Stian Agdenstein (2-0)

>Next up, Carmelo Rossi goes head to head with Stian Agdestein in the SIGMA Welterweight division.

>And here we go!
>They exchange strikes, but neither fighter inflicts any real damage.
>A left jab misses and Agdestein strikes back with a clean left.
>Rossi slips out of the way of a jab.
>Rossi glances a strike off the side of the shoulder.
>Agdestein presses in closer to attack.
>Agdestein is looking to get in close and strike from the pocket.
>Agdestein is now standing in the pocket.
>Agdestein shoots in, looking for a close range double leg.
>The takedown is completed, it was a single leg and Rossi is left on his back pulling guard.
>Agdestein looks to get past the guard.
>He passes to side control.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Agdestein attempts to move to mount.
>Rossi can't fend off his opponent and is mounted.
>Agdestein fires away with punches, Rossi is getting pounded.
>Rossi is barely able to do anything at all, he cannot get out from under Agdestein!
>The referee gives Rossi time to do something, but eventually has to come in and stop the fight!
>The winner, by TKO, is Stian Agdestein!

>Official Result: Stian Agdestein defeats Carmelo Rossi (TKO (Strikes) in 4:16 of round 1). The match was rated as being Good.

Comments: Much better performance here from Agdenstein than in his previous contest (a UD win over Boutzikos), whilst Rossi seems to have found his limit. He still has things to offer us though. Agdenstein will move up in class next time.

Harald Hubner (6-2) v Franak Pavilchenko (12-5)

>Next up, Harald 'Hammer' Hubner will take on Franak Pavilchenko in the SIGMA Lightweight division.

>We are underway!
>Pavilchenko slips past a left jab and counters with a crisp jab.
>Pavilchenko slips out of the way of a jab.
>Hubner is looking to turn this into a wrestling match, and is getting in closer to Pavilchenko.
>Pavilchenko counters by dropping down and hitting a single leg, Hubner is forced to pull guard.
>Pavilchenko throws a few right hands as he takes a moment to plan ahead.
>Pavilchenko tries to pound on Hubner with elbow strikes, but all the blows are comfortably dealt with.
>Hubner attempts a triangle choke on Pavilchenko from the bottom of the guard.
>Pavilchenko defends well against it.
>Pavilchenko begins trying to pass the guard.
>Hubner keeps his guard secure.
>Pavilchenko blocks an attempted sweep.
>We've now passed the halfway mark in this round.
>Hubner is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Pavilchenko off of him.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Hubner is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Pavilchenko off of him.
>The time runs out on round one.
>Hopefully the next round will produce a little more in the way of action.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Pavilchenko.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>Pavilchenko moves in quickly after a wayward punch and hits a clean left.
>Pavilchenko counters a flurry of punches by hitting a clean jab.
>There's a takedown attempt from Hubner.
>Pavilchenko tries to hook a guillotine as Hubner comes in.
>The guillotine attempt doesn't work.
>Pavilchenko cannot stop the takedown, Hubner drove in with too much pace and power.
>Pavilchenko ends up sitting, his legs trapped under Hubner, with his back pressed against the cage.
>Pavilchenko is controlled against the cage wall, unable to shift Hubner off of him.
>Hubner looks to get a more dominant position by pushing Pavilchenko from a seated position onto his back.
>Pavilchenko gets turned onto his back, and is left under side control.
>Hubner attempts to move to mount.
>Hubner isn't able to mount Pavilchenko this time around.
>Pavilchenko looks ready to try and scramble, but Hubner is quick to move to prevent that.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Pavilchenko takes a knee strike to the ribs from under side control.
>Pavilchenko squirms around, preventing Hubner from connecting fully with a knee strike attempt.
>Looking to catch his breath, Hubner is content to just throw a couple of punches to the body.
>Pavilchenko works some separation, then tries to quickly scramble his way into a better position.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Hubner manages to come out on top, with Pavilchenko pulling half guard.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round two.
>That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Hubner.

>There's the bell and round number three begins!
>It sounded like his corner told Pavilchenko to attempt to get Hubner to the floor in this round.
>Pavilchenko avoids a flurry of punches.
>Pavilchenko counters a left jab with a clean left.
>Pavilchenko shoots in for a takedown.
>Hubner attempts to avoid Pavilchenko as he shoots in.
>Hubner cannot stop the takedown, Pavilchenko drove in with too much pace and power.
>The takedown leaves Hubner seated with his back pressed against the cage.
>Breathing very hard, Harald Hubner is looking ragged.
>Pavilchenko looks to get a more dominant position by pushing Hubner from a seated position onto his back.
>Hubner gets turned onto his back, and is left under side control.
>Pavilchenko has solid control over Hubner, and starts pounding away with right hands.
>Hubner had better start defending himself, or this will be over!
>The referee pulls Pavilchenko away, stopping the match!
>Franak Pavilchenko takes the victory by way of TKO!
>Post-Fight: In an interview, Hubner confirms that he had been suffering with a virus coming into this bout.

>Official Result: Franak Pavilchenko defeats Harald 'Hammer' Hubner (TKO (Strikes) in 2:21 of round 3). The match was rated as being Good.

Comments: Neither guy seemed to be able to do much with their top position in the first two rounds, but Pavilchenko did much better in the third. Whether Hubner's conditioning was impacted by his virus is moot, really, since he showed in the first round that he didn't have much to offer from his back today. I'll forgive him this one, since the contest was rated reasonably well. Pavilchenko has two straight wins and looks likely to face someone tougher in his next bout, and has asked to face former Lightweight champ Lukas Mellberg. It's ambitious, but if that's what he wants, he might get it.

Co-main

Francesco Marazzina (#19, 20-6) v Milovan Ajetovic (5-1)

>The co-main event is up next. Francesco Marazzina goes head to head with 'The Serbian Psycho' Milovan Ajetovic in the SIGMA Featherweight division.

>Round one begins!
>Ajetovic counters a left jab with a swift right kick to the leg.
>Ajetovic tries for a right body kick but Marazzina moves out of range.
>A left hand misses, allowing Ajetovic to counter with a vicious leg kick.
>Strikes to the leg like that will take their toll.
>Ajetovic circles around Marazzina.
>Not letting up, Marazzina quickly steps in closer to attack Ajetovic.
>Both fighters throw strikes, no significant damage is inflicted by either.
>Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up clinched.
>Marazzina tries to wrestle Ajetovic backward and up against the cage.
>Marazzina does it, Ajetovic is stuck with his back to the cage.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Marazzina attempts to set up a judo-based throw to take Ajetovic to the ground.
>Ajetovic is taken down by a quick inside leg trip, he can do nothing but pull half guard!
>In half guard, Marazzina begins working to get side control.
>Marazzina isn't able to pass from half guard thanks to the tenacious defence of Ajetovic.
>Ajetovic tries to move from half guard to full guard, but Marazzina doesn't allow it.
>Marazzina attempts to arm triangle Ajetovic from the top of half guard.
>Ajetovic defends it well.
>Ajetovic tries to get full guard on Marazzina but doesn't get anywhere.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Marazzina tries to ensnare Ajetovic in an arm triangle.
>Ajetovic defends it well.
>Ajetovic tries to get full guard on Marazzina but doesn't get anywhere.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round one.
>Incredibly close round, but Ajetovic came out just ahead on my score card.

>We are back underway!
>Ajetovic steps back to avoid a left jab.
>A feint sets up Ajetovic perfectly to try to get a knock out with a scorching right cross, but Marazzina sees it at the last possible moment and ducks under.
>Marazzina avoids a flurry of punches and hits a straight left.
>Ajetovic uses a right hook to the body, but misses.
>The fight slows as Marazzina sits back and allows Ajetovic to circle.
>They exchange strikes, but neither fighter inflicts any real damage.
>Marazzina covers up to safely defend against a flurry of rights and lefts.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>An exchange of strikes doesn't really lead to anything.
>In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch.
>Marazzina looks to take Ajetovic down by setting up a judo throw.
>A great inside leg trip sees Ajetovic get thrown to the mat, and Marazzina is left in guard.
>Marazzina lies on top of Ajetovic, basically smothering him.
>Marazzina begins trying to pass guard and get a better position.
>Ajetovic keeps Marazzina in guard.
>Ajetovic tries to get double underhooks on Marazzina so that he can get some control, but can't get them.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Marazzina fires off a few punches as he catches his breath.
>Time expires and we come to the end of round two.
>That round goes to Marazzina, 10-9 on my card.

>And here we go, round three!
>Between rounds we could hear the corner of Marazzina telling him to watch for strikes but to look for takedown opportunities.
>An exchange of strikes doesn't lead to any real damage.
>They wind up in a tight clinch.
>Marazzina tries to wrestle Ajetovic backward and up against the cage.
>Marazzina does it, Ajetovic is stuck with his back to the cage.
>With Ajetovic stuck against the cage, Marazzina tries to set up a judo-style throw.
>He executes an outside leg trip, sweeping Ajetovic to the mat where he pulls guard!
>Marazzina smothers Ajetovic with his body by pushing forward and down.
>Marazzina begins trying to pass the guard.
>Marazzina struggles but cannot find a way past and remains stuck in guard.
>Marazzina doesn't allow Ajetovic to lock him up with double underhooks.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Marazzina smothers Ajetovic with his body by pushing forward and down.
>The clock runs down as Ajetovic is being smothered against the ground by Marazzina.
>Marazzina looks to pass guard and get side control.
>Ajetovic comfortably blocks the attempt and keeps Marazzina in guard.
>Francesco Marazzina doesn't look like he has much left in the tank.
>Marazzina gets pushed back thanks to a butterfly guard, and Ajetovic quickly scrambles.
>He may regret that choice, as it gives Marazzina the perfect opportunity to come over the top and get side control.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Marazzina starts trying to work to go from side control to mount.
>He finds himself unable to get the mount on this attempt.
>The time expires on round three, and that is the end of the fight.
>I think Marazzina took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>The official scores are being reported now.
>The judges have given 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27.
>Francesco Marazzina wins by unanimous decision!

>Official Result: Francesco Marazzina defeats 'The Serbian Psycho' Milovan Ajetovic (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Very Poor.

Comments: Whilst this wasn't exactly frenetic, I think these two are hard done by to call it “very poor”. The top game wasn't hugely active, but there were attempts to pass guard, and submission attempts, so although I hate the rating, I'm nopt going to throw the fighters on the scraphead for it, as I thought they deserved better. I had Marazzina winning all three rounds, so am happy enough with the decision, though I suspect his camp will be trying to figure out how two of the judges awarded a round to his opponent. Marazzina suggests that a fight against Snorri Gunnarsson would make sense next – to him, perhaps, but not to me.

Main Event

SIGMA Light Heavyweight Championship

Matti Kurri (#16, 9-0-1) © v Vanentin Taneyev (#15, 7-0)

>It's time for the main event of the evening! Matti 'The Hammer' Kurri battles 'The Hand Grenade' Valentin Taneyev in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division.

>The SIGMA Light Heavyweight title on the line in this match.
>We are underway!
>Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss.
>A couple of quick punches are used to set up a takedown attempt from Kurri.
>Taneyev sees the takedown coming and tries to move.
>The takedown doesn't work, Taneyev saw it coming and got out of range.
>Kurri looks like he might be trying to get in close and wrestle with Taneyev.
>They start grappling, Taneyev looks happy to engage Kurri at close quarters.
>Kurri uses underhooks to gain solid control, and is looking for a takedown.
>Taneyev blocks the takedown attempt and takes control of the grapple.
>Taneyev is trying to push Kurri so that his back is up against the cage.
>Kurri out-wrestles him though.
>Kurri has gotten underhooks in and is looking to take Taneyev to the ground.
>Taneyev blocks the takedown attempt.
>Taneyev turns Kurri slightly, creating enough space so that he can break free of the grapple.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Taneyev uses a right hook to the body, but misses.
>Kurri steps in to put some pressure on.
>A couple of quick punches are used to set up a takedown attempt from Kurri.
>Taneyev tries to avoid Kurri.
>Kurri can't get the takedown, Taneyev was too quick to back away.
>Taneyev shoots in for a takedown.
>Taneyev doesn't get the takedown, Kurri was equal to it and pulls them into a clinch.
>Kurri is trying to muscle Taneyev up against the cage.
>Kurri does it, Taneyev is stuck with his back to the cage.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>With Taneyev stuck against the cage, Kurri gets the underhooks and looks for a takedown.
>Taneyev cannot stop being lifted up and blasted with a Greco-Roman slam, he can only pull guard!
>Kurri smothers Taneyev with his body by pushing forward and down.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Kurri.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>Advancing, Taneyev counters a left jab by using a right kick to the thigh.
>Both fighters throw strikes at the same time, both miss.
>Taneyev throws a combination of rights and lefts, using them as cover so that he can shoot in.
>The takedown doesn't work, Kurri sprawled to defend it and then works into a clinch position.
>Kurri is trying to muscle Taneyev up against the cage.
>Taneyev doesn't let himself be driven back though, and gains a dominant position in the grapple instead.
>With underhooks giving him solid control over Kurri, Taneyev looks for a takedown.
>A sweep of the legs is successful, Kurri has to pull guard.
>Taneyev pounds away from the guard with elbows, but Kurri isn't troubled by them.
>Taneyev deflects a couple of punches that Kurri threw from below.
>Taneyev starts trying to work to get past the guard.
>He finds himself unable to pass guard on this attempt.
>Kurri tries to catch Taneyev with a punch, but it is not on target.
>Valentin Taneyev is breathing very hard.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Taneyev tries to pass the guard.
>Advancing his position, he passes to half guard.
>Taneyev attempts to pass half guard.
>Kurri comfortably blocks the attempt and keeps Taneyev in half guard.
>Using an underhook to set it up, Kurri looks to scramble for position.
>It's a bad choice though, as Taneyev seizes the opportunity to leap forward and secure side control.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Taneyev punches down at Kurri, but they are easily taken on the gloves.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>I'd say that was definitely 10-9 in favour of Taneyev.

>There's the bell and round number three begins!
>A weak body kick is countered by Kurri with a solid left.
>Kurri gets suckered in by a feint, and is lucky to avoid a flurry of rights and lefts.
>Kurri avoids a barrage of big right hands.
>Valentin Taneyev looks very, very tired.
>Kurri comes in with a couple of jabs, using them as cover so that he can shoot in.
>Taneyev tries to avoid Kurri.
>Taneyev avoids the takedown attempt.
>Matti Kurri is looking really tired.
>Taneyev counters a left jab with a series of quick jabs.
>A jab doesn't find its intended target, allowing Taneyev to fire back with a series of hard rights!
>Kurri steps back...and almost stumbles over! He is on wobbly legs!
>Taneyev tries to capitalise with a massive right hand, but it misses.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>A straight left fails to land and Taneyev is able to fire back with a flurry of jabs and straight punches.
>Taneyev takes a jab to the cheek.
>Kurri avoids a body kick.
>Valentin Taneyev looks exhausted.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Slowed down by physical tiredness, Kurri still looks to get in close and strike from the pocket.
>Kurri is in the pocket, ready to attack Taneyev.
>Both fighters come in and exchange strikes, but neither does any damage.
>An exchange of strikes goes nowhere.
>Round three ends as time expires.
>I have to give that round to Taneyev, but only a 10-9.

>There's the bell and round number four begins!
>A straight left fails to land and Taneyev is able to fire back with a kick to the body.
>Kurri avoids a jab and scores with a flurry of jabs and straight punches.
>Taneyev moves in quickly after a wayward punch and hits a solid left jab.
>A couple of quick punches are used to set up a takedown attempt from Kurri.
>Taneyev tries to avoid Kurri.
>The takedown doesn't work, Taneyev saw it coming and got out of range.
>Kurri avoids a kick to the leg and hits a left jab to the cheek.
>Despite being tired, Kurri looks like he wants to stand in the pocket and strike with Taneyev.
>Kurri moves into the pocket.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Kurri comes in, looking for a quick double leg takedown from close range.
>The takedown is completed, Kurri came in hard and fast and was too much for Taneyev.
>The takedown leaves Taneyev seated with his back pressed against the cage.
>Kurri starts trying to get Taneyev on his back so that he can gain a better position.
>Kurri shows his ground skills and gets full mount!
>Kurri pounds away on Taneyev, landing several great shots that threaten to knock him out!
>The referee jumps in and saves Taneyev from taking any more shots!
>The winner, by TKO; Matti Kurri!

>Official Result: Matti 'The Hammer' Kurri defeats 'The Hand Grenade' Valentin Taneyev (TKO (Strikes) in 3:29 of round 4). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: Fascinating battle, and an evenly-contested match-up until Kurri got his second takedown. The challenger looked like he controlled the middle rounds, and might have finished it in the third when the champ looked a bit wobbly, but credit to both men here, as this is exactly what we want to see. Kurri showed that his victory over Nicolai Mickiewicz to take the belt was no fluke, and Taneyev loses relatively little in defeat here. Lots of options going forward for both fighters.

Show summary

Critical rating: Good

Commercial success: Decent

Fight of the Night: Matti Kurri v Valentin Taneyev

Knockout of the Night: Matti Kurri

Submission of the Night: -

Comments: Nothing specific to mention this time around.

batsnumbereleven · December 6, 2013

Prediction results

CageRage 6/6 (82/115) – well done, a full house!

Jingo 5/6 (36/56)

cymru96 3/6 (54/85)

Injury report

Milovan Ajetovic has picked up an injury to his eye during his fight with Francesco Marazzina and won't be available for another 5 weeks. Marazzina himself has picked up a suspemsion from the commssion of 2 months. Also receiving precautionary suspensions were Casim Yenkini (1 month), Valentin Taneyev (2 months) and Heinz Schroder (3 months).

batsnumbereleven · December 6, 2013

Monday 15th April 1999

Press Release

Signature Martial Arts is pleased to confirm that its next event will take place on Friday 26th April at Sporthalle, Boblingen. SIGMA 22: Lermontov v Nouri will be headlined by a SIGMA Lightweight championship clash between defending champion Fiyero Lermontov (#9, 12-0) from Omsk in Russia and Greek Pankration expert Georges Nouri (#14, 11-1).

Finnish sambo fighter Ari Peltonen (#20, 25-8) will take on the Ivory Coast's Souleyman Ya Konan (9-1) in the Heavyweight division in the co-headliner, and at Middleweight, the versatile Fernando Amaro (52-13-4-2NC) will face Berlin's Uwe Maier (9-4).

Ground-and-pounder Dag Kreuger (4-1) will be looking to avenge his loss at SIGMA 16 to Niko Soldo against another Balkan Light-Heavyweight in Andranik Paletilolu (15-6), who also lost last time out. At Welterweight, South African Templeton Crumb (17-4) will put his boxing skills up against the judo of Spain's Alberto Basora (18-8), and two 21-year olds, Pole Jan Ilic (1-1) and Dutch kick boxer Gerrit Dudok (4-1) will be hope to roust the crowd in the opener at Featherweight

Card for picks:

SIGMA 22

Fiyero Lermontov © v Georges Nouri

Ari Peltonen v Souleyman Ya Konan

Fernando Amaro v Uwe Maier

Dag Kreuger v Andranik Paletilolu

Templeton Crumb v Alberto Basora

Jan Ilic v Gerrit Dudok

CageRage · December 6, 2013

SIGMA 22

Fiyero Lermontov © v Georges Nouri

Ari Peltonen v Souleyman Ya Konan

Fernando Amaro v Uwe Maier

Dag Kreuger v Andranik Paletilolu

Templeton Crumb v Alberto Basora

Jan Ilic v Gerrit Dudok

batsnumbereleven · December 7, 2013

News and Notes from around the MMA world: 15th-28th April 1999

Signings

ALPHA-1: -

GAMMA: -

OMEGA: Carl Ratcliffe, Jack Mitchell, Dimitar Kazilashvili, Pete Shilton, Akram Moore, Rafael Christopher, Steve Mason,

BCF: -

FLB: -

XCC: -

WEFF: Leslie Myers, Steph Smith

KDMFC: -

Events

KDMFC 11: Atep v Nutnum took place on Tuesday 16th April, with Atep of Indonesia (#5, 11-0) retaining his KDMFC Lightweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Teeratep Nuntum (10-5). Womens #2 Featherweight Sakoyo Ebisawa (7-0) extended her unbeaten record with a first round Rear naked choke win over Kit Sakamoto (#16, 4-1).

At GAMMA 35: Stephens v Allen, John Rivero made headlines by failing to make the 205lb limit for the Light-Heavyweight division for a fifth successive fight, coming in a whopping 9lbs over the mark for his showdown with Rupert Dreck. GAMMA officials refused to comment, but they must be running out of patience with the big Puerto Rican, whose contract is up for renewal! In the event itself, on Friday 19th April, the headlining bout saw Rufus Stephens (#5, 19-1) retain the GAMMA Welterweight title with a 3rd round TKO stoppage of #8 David Allen, whose record now stands at 16-3, whilst in the co-main, Rupert Dreck moved to 5-0 and showed that making it a catchweight bout with Rivero (15-4) hadn't affected him too badly.

Thursday 25th April saw XCC's latest event take place in California, with the XCC Lightweight title up for grabs. It was retained by the unbeaten Darren Southall (7-0), who inflicted a first defeat on Campbell Crane (7-1) via first round guillotine. In Featherweight action, Luiz Machado (#4, 25-4) defeated Wallace Everett (#19, 10-2) by Rear naked choke in the first round.

Other Notable news

Disappointment for SIGMA as we were unable to agree a suitable contract with World #12 Welterweight Julio Regueiro (21-1) and he chose to re-sign with GAMMA.

Jingo · December 7, 2013

SIGMA 22

Ari Peltonen v Souleyman Ya Konan

Fernando Amaro v Uwe Maier

Dag Kreuger v Andranik Paletilolu

Templeton Crumb v Alberto Basora

Jan Ilic v Gerrit Dudok

batsnumbereleven · December 8, 2013

Event report

SIGMA 22: Lermontov v Nouri

Friday 26th April 1999

Sporthalle, Boblingen, Germany.

Attendance: 2133 for a gate of $106,650

PPV Buys: N/A

Jan Ilic (1-1) v Gerrit Dudok (4-1)

>Moving on, Jan 'Thunderbolt' Ilic will take on 'The Dutch Master' Gerrit Dudok in the SIGMA Featherweight division.

>We are underway!
>Dudok avoids a jab.
>Dudok avoids a barrage of punches and hits a picture-perfect right roundhouse kick to the side of the ribs.
>A straight left fails to land and Dudok is able to fire back with a kick to the body.
>A wayward right kick to the body allows Ilic to hit several big right hands, putting Dudok down, dazed!
>Ilic doesn't have time to capitalise though, as Dudok recovers his wits quickly.
>Ilic looks to get on top of Dudok.
>Dudok is too quick, slipping away from Ilic and starting to scramble.
>Dudok ends up in guard.
>Dudok throws a few strikes, but they are without venom.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Dudok is trying to pass guard.
>He finds himself unable to pass guard on this attempt.
>Ilic reaches up and tries to lock Dudok in a guillotine.
>Dudok blocks it.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Dudok looks to pass guard and get side control.
>Ilic keeps his guard secure.
>Dudok leans back to avoid a couple of wild swings from Ilic.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>That was an exciting round, hopefully the fighters will continue with that pace in the next.
>I think Ilic took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>Round two begins!
>A barrage of punches miss and Dudok strikes back with a couple of nice rights.
>A wayward low right kick allows Ilic to hit a straight left.
>Ilic covers up in the face of a combination of short sharp punches, then fires back with several big right hands, putting Dudok down, dazed!
>Dudok recovers his wits quickly, and waits for Ilic to make a move.
>Ilic tries to secure a ground position.
>Dudok is too quick, slipping away from Ilic and starting to scramble.
>Dudok somehow ends up on top of Ilic in north-south position.
>Dudok gives up the north-south position in favour of sliding over into side control.
>Dudok throws a few right hands, but is mainly trying to catch his breath.
>Dudok tries to get into the mount position.
>He can't quite manage to get to mount on this attempt.
>Ilic gets some separation and tries to scramble for position.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Ilic ends up on the bottom with Dudok in side control.
>Dudok pounds away from side control, but Ilic isn't troubled by the strikes.
>Ilic works some separation, then tries to quickly scramble his way into a better position.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Neither fighter manages to impose himself in the scramble, and they both end up standing.
>Advancing, Ilic counters a left jab by using a flurry of quick punches.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>I have to give that round to Ilic, but only a 10-9.

>Round three begins!
>Between rounds, his corner told Dudok to be aggressive and really let his hands go.
>An exchange of strikes goes nowhere.
>Going toe-to-toe, both fighters start exchanging close range strikes!
>Dudok hits a right hook to the body.
>Ilic throws a flurry of punches but Dudok covers up and takes them easily.
>Ilic dodges a kick to the body and fires back with a clean punch.
>Ilic tries for a left jab but Dudok uses head movement to avoid it.
>Ilic backs away from Dudok, creating some space between them.
>Ilic gets Dudok with a punch to the ribs, but it lacked power.
>Not letting up, Dudok quickly steps in closer to attack Ilic.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>A huge right head kick is avoided and sets up Ilic to counter with a flurry of small strikes.
>Gerrit Dudok looks very tired out there.
>Dudok feints left and tries to get Ilic to commit to a strike, but gets no joy.
>Dudok steps in, feints a kick, then darts back out.
>Ilic comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket.
>Ilic is now standing in the pocket.
>Slipping past a left jab, Dudok hits a right body kick.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Ilic dodges a kick to the body and fires back with a big right that knocks Dudok out!
>The winner, by Knock Out; Jan Ilic!

>Official Result: Jan 'Thunderbolt' Ilic defeats 'The Dutch Master' Gerrit Dudok (Knock Out (Punch) in 4:17 of round 3). The match was rated as being Fantastic.

Comments: Super hot opener! Ilic thoroughly deserved the win after putting Dudok down in both the first two rounds, but he could easily have lost it on the ground, coming out on the bottom in the scrambles.

Templeton Crumb (17-4) v Alberto Basora (18-8)

>Moving on, Templeton 'The Body' Crumb takes on Alberto Basora in the SIGMA Welterweight division.

>We are underway!
>A straight left fails to land and Crumb is able to fire back with a clean jab.
>A showdown where they both exchange strikes only results in a stalemate.
>Having stepped in close to throw their strikes, they end up clinched.
>Basora looks to take Crumb down by setting up a judo throw.
>Basora uses a nice inside leg trip and Crumb is forced to pull guard!
>The clock runs down as Crumb is being smothered against the ground by Basora.
>Crumb is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Basora off of him.
>Basora looks to get past the guard.
>He can't find a way past the guard.
>Basora doesn't allow Crumb to lock him up with double underhooks.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Basora attempts to pass guard.
>He can't get free of the guard.
>Basora doesn't allow Crumb to lock him up with double underhooks.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Crumb is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Basora off of him.
>In guard, Basora begins working to pass to side control.
>He can't get free of the guard.
>Round one ends as time expires.
>The fans are booing loudly after a dire round that featured little in the way of action.
>I think Basora took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>Between rounds, his corner told Crumb to take it to Basora in this round.
>An attempted inside leg kick misses, giving Crumb the opportunity to counter with a crisp jab.
>Crumb avoids a quick jab and hits a series of big punches, putting Basora down on the ground!
>Crumb doesn't have time to capitalise though, as Basora recovers his wits quickly.
>In comes Crumb looking to get some form of ground control.
>Basora moves quickly, scrambling for position before Crumb can get a hold.
>The scramble ends with both fighters back on their feet, facing each other.
>Both fighters come in and throw strikes, there is no real damage done by either.
>Both fighters go to exchange blows, but neither hits a telling strike.
>In close proximity from the strikes they threw, they fall into a messy clinch.
>With Crumb in his grasp, Basora tries to set up a judo-style throw.
>Basora uses a nice inside leg trip and Crumb is forced to pull guard!
>Time slips away as Basora successfully keeps Crumb stuck against the ground.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Time slips away as Basora successfully keeps Crumb stuck against the ground.
>Time slips away as Basora successfully keeps Crumb stuck against the ground.
>Basora throws a few strikes, but is clearly slowing things down so that he can catch his breath.
>Basora doesn't allow Crumb to lock him up with double underhooks.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Crumb is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Basora off of him.
>Crumb is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Basora off of him.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>That round goes to Crumb, 10-9 on my card.

>There's the bell for the start of the round!
>They come together and throw strikes, both miss.
>Both fighters fire off strikes, neither produces any significant damage.
>Crumb checks a leg kick and comes right back with a clean right jab.
>Basora covers up to safely defend against a flurry of rights and lefts.
>Basora comes in, looking for a quick double leg takedown from close range.
>A counter left cross catches Basora hard, putting him down!
>Crumb quickly pounces, looking to rain down punches on the stunned Basora!
>Crumb fires away with punches, Basora is taking powerful shot after powerful shot!
>The referee jumps in and saves Basora from taking any more shots!
>The winner, by TKO, is Templeton 'The Body' Crumb!

>Official Result: Templeton 'The Body' Crumb defeats Alberto Basora (TKO (Strikes) in 1:55 of round 3). The match was rated as being Poor

Comments: Basora had the first opportunity in this fight, but failed to make it count, and it cost him. Crumb was careful with a tight guard on his back, and was much the better striker, so deserved the win. Crumb moves forward in the Welterweight division and needs a convincing performance next time out to be considered for a title match.

Dag Kreuger (4-1) v Andranik Paletilolu (15-6)

>Next up is a match in which Dag 'The Viking' Kreuger will take on 'The Battering Ram' Andranik Paletilolu in the SIGMA Light Heavyweight division.

>Round one begins!
>Moving forward, Paletilolu counters a series of wayward big punches with a crisp left hand punch.
>An errant jab sets Paletilolu up to counter-strike with a clean jab.
>Kreuger avoids a jab.
>Paletilolu waits out a flurry of punches and then hits a kick to the inside of the right leg.
>A flurry of punches miss Paletilolu and allow him to counter-strike with a solid left jab.
>Paletilolu avoids a flurry of punches and hits a straight left.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Kreuger looks like he wants to stand in the pocket and strike with Paletilolu.
>Backing off, Paletilolu makes sure to keep out of range.
>Paletilolu avoids a flurry of punches and hits a crisp left hand punch.
>Both throw strikes at each other, both easily defend the other's attempt.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Kreuger comes in, looking for a quick takedown.
>Kreuger gets a single leg takedown! Paletilolu pulls guard off it.
>Kreuger looks to pass guard and get side control.
>Kreuger is too much for Paletilolu, passing guard and gaining side control.
>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 Paletilolu, 10-9 on my card.

>And here we go, round two!
>A left hand misses, allowing Kreuger to counter with a series of quick punches.
>Paletilolu tries for a leg kick but Kreuger moves out of range.
>Kreuger shoots in, looking for a takedown.
>Paletilolu gets taken down by a single leg, and has to pull guard.
>Kreuger lies on top of Paletilolu, basically smothering him.
>Kreuger attempts to pass guard and gain a better position.
>He does excellently, getting past the guard and into side control.
>Kreuger is trying to move from side control to mount.
>Paletilolu can't fend off his opponent and is mounted.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Kreuger starts hammering away at Paletilolu with punches.
>Unless he finds a way out of this position soon, Paletilolu is going to lose this fight!
>With Paletilolu stuck and taking a pounding, the referee has to stop the match!
>Dag Kreuger takes the victory by way of TKO!

>Official Result: Dag 'The Viking' Kreuger defeats 'The Battering Ram' Andranik Paletilolu (TKO (Strikes) in 3:04 of round 2). The match was rated as being Great.

Comments: Well deserved victory for Kreuger, who can look forward to a tougher opponent next time, having shaken off his loss to Soldo. Paletilolu may not have much of a future with SIGMA, and will either be fodder for a top guy coming off a defeat, or an entry level test for a debutant.

Fernando Amaro (52-13-4-2NC) v Uwe Maier (9-4)

>Next up, Fernando 'The Traveller' Amaro competes against Uwe 'Max' Maier in the SIGMA Middleweight division.

>The fight begins!
>Amaro fakes shooting in, causing Maier to prepare to defend it.
>Amaro throws a flurry of rights and lefts, but Maier is able to cover up in time to absorb them.
>Maier tries for a right body kick but Amaro moves out of range.
>Maier counters a left jab by hitting a clean left.
>Maier feints to the right, trying to draw Amaro into throwing a strike.
>Maier doesn't get drawn in as Amaro feints a kick.
>Maier avoids a quick jab and hits a hard right kick to the legs.
>Amaro counters an errant left jab with a series of lefts.
>We go past the halfway point of this round.
>Amaro feints to the right, trying to draw Maier into throwing a strike.
>Maier narrowly misses Amaro with a right uppercut.
>Not letting up, Amaro steps in closer to pressure Maier into action.
>Amaro throws out a couple of jabs as a set up, then shoots in for a takedown.
>Maier gets taken down by a single leg, and has to pull guard.
>Amaro unloads with some big elbows, but Maier deals with them comfortably.
>Maier tries to catch Amaro with a punch, but it is not on target.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Amaro attempts to pass guard and gain a better position.
>Amaro is too much for Maier, passing guard and gaining side control.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I think Amaro took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>Round two begins!
>Amaro steps back to avoid a leg kick.
>Amaro counters a weak right kick with a nice jab.
>Maier tries for a right body kick but Amaro moves out of range.
>Amaro catches a right leg kick and goes for a takedown getting it! Maier manages to pull guard.
>Amaro pounds away on Maier, but few of the shots lands clean.
>Maier tries to pull Amaro in close and pepper him with short strikes, but can't.
>The clock runs down as Maier is being smothered against the ground by Amaro.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Maier is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Amaro off of him.
>Time slips away as Amaro successfully keeps Maier stuck against the ground.
>Amaro lies on top of Maier, basically smothering him.
>Amaro smothers Maier with his body by pushing forward and down.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>The clock runs down as Maier is being smothered against the ground by Amaro.
>The time is up, and that's the end of round two.
>That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Amaro.

>There's the bell and round number three begins!
>A weak right kick is countered by Amaro with a flurry of quick punches to sting Maier.
>Amaro counters an attempted body kick by scoring with a crisp jab.
>Amaro chooses to shoot in on Maier.
>Maier sees the takedown coming and tries to move.
>The takedown is unsuccessful, Maier avoided Amaro.
>Maier uses a right hook to the body, but misses.
>Not letting Maier settle, Amaro moves in closer.
>Both fighters fire off strikes, but neither does any significant damage.
>Moving in closer, Amaro looks like he wants to strike from the pocket.
>He gets into range.
>We move into the second half of this round.
>Amaro shoots in, looking for a close range double leg.
>The takedown is successful, Maier pulls guard.
>Amaro begins trying to pass the guard.
>He passes the guard well, gaining side control.
>Stuck under side control, Maier takes a knee to the ribs.
>Amaro tries to slip behind and take the back.
>Maier tries to escape but only succeeds in giving up his back!
>Fernando Amaro is breathing very hard.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>Amaro tries to lock Maier in an armbar.
>The armbar is fully applied, Maier has no option but to tap out!
>Fernando 'The Traveller' Amaro takes the win by submission!

>Official Result: Fernando 'The Traveller' Amaro defeats Uwe 'Max' Maier (Submission (Armbar) in 4:23 of round 3). The match was rated as being Average.

Comments: Amaro looked all the way through that he had the beating of Maier, but I did think it was going to go to the judges to decide, as his ground game in the first two rounds was pretty uninspiring. Maier has now dropped three straight and is in danger of being cut.

Co-main

Ari Peltonen (#20, 25-4) v Souleyman Ya Konan (9-1)

>The co-main event is up next. Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen squares off with 'The African Dream' Souleymane Ya Konan in the SIGMA Heavyweight division.

>Round one begins!
>Ya Konan tries for a left jab but Peltonen moves out of range.
>A jab doesn't find its intended target, allowing Ya Konan to fire back with a swift right kick to the leg.
>A left jab misses and Peltonen strikes back with a tasty jab - right cross combination.
>Ya Konan comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket.
>Peltonen now has Ya Konan standing in the pocket.
>Peltonen, standing in the pocket, is close enough to grab a body kick and go for the takedown, and gets it! Ya Konan has to pull guard.
>Peltonen smothers Ya Konan with his body by pushing forward and down.
>We've now passed the halfway mark in this round.
>Peltonen fires away with elbows, but Ya Konan deals with them fairly well.
>Peltonen leans back to avoid a couple of wild swings from Ya Konan.
>Peltonen lies on top of Ya Konan, basically smothering him.
>In guard, Peltonen begins working to pass to side control.
>He passes guard fairly easily, getting to side control.
>The end of the round is coming quick, there's under a minute left.
>Peltonen throws a few right hands to the body.
>Peltonen throws a few strikes, but is clearly slowing things down so that he can catch his breath.
>Round one is brought to an end as time runs out.
>That has to go down as a 10-9 round to Peltonen.

>There's the bell and round number two begins!
>Ya Konan feints stepping in.
>A jab misses and Peltonen counters with a straight left.
>Both fighters fire off strikes, neither produces any significant damage.
>Moving forward, Peltonen counters a left jab with a crisp jab.
>Ya Konan slams a crisp right into the gloves of Peltonen, but can't follow up.
>Time slips away as Peltonen doesn't press Ya Konan, allowing him to circle.
>Peltonen looks to move in and stand in the pocket.
>Ya Konan keeps himself moving out of range.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Ya Konan looks to move in and stand in the pocket.
>Ya Konan moves into the pocket.
>Both fighters come toe-to-toe and strike, but none of the strikes result in significant damage being done.
>Ya Konan circles away, creating some distance between them.
>Ya Konan is looking to get in close and strike from the pocket.
>Peltonen now has Ya Konan standing in the pocket.
>There's a stalemate as both fighters throw strikes, but neither scores.
>We have one minute of the round remaining.
>Peltonen comes in, looking for a quick double leg takedown from close range.
>The takedown is successful, Ya Konan pulls guard.
>Ya Konan is controlled against the ground, unable to shift Peltonen off of him.
>Round two is brought to an end as time runs out.
>I think Peltonen took that round, 10-9 on my score card.

>Round three begins!
>Several big right hands miss, setting Peltonen up to counter-strike with a solid left.
>There's a takedown attempt from Peltonen.
>Ya Konan tries to step away from the takedown.
>The takedown is unsuccessful, Ya Konan avoided Peltonen.
>Peltonen steps back to avoid a left jab.
>Ya Konan slams a crisp right into the gloves of Peltonen, but can't follow up.
>Peltonen comes in closer to press the issue.
>Peltonen shoots in, looking for a takedown.
>Ya Konan sees the takedown coming and tries to move.
>Ya Konan avoids the takedown attempt.
>We are now at the halfway point of the round.
>Ya Konan looks to move in and stand in the pocket.
>Peltonen seems happy to engage with Ya Konan in the pocket.
>Ya Konan backs away to create some more space.
>They come together and strike, but neither can land a clean shot.
>Ya Konan comes in closer, looking to attack from the pocket.
>Ya Konan and Peltonen get closer, both looking eager to engage at close range.
>Ya Konan backs away from Peltonen, creating some space between them.
>There's under a minute left in this round.
>A speculative right hand from Ya Konan doesn't find a home.
>Not letting Ya Konan settle at all, Peltonen comes in closer.
>Peltonen throws a combination of rights and lefts, using them as cover so that he can shoot in.
>Ya Konan sees the takedown coming and tries to move.
>The takedown is unsuccessful, Ya Konan avoided Peltonen.
>Ya Konan looks to move in and stand in the pocket.
>Ya Konan moves into the pocket.
>Time runs out and that's the end of the fight.
>That was a close round, but I'm giving it to Ya Konan, 10-9.

>The judges' scores are now being announced.
>The judges give 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.
>So the winner, by unanimous decision, is Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen!

>Official Result: Ari 'The Finnisher' Peltonen defeats 'The African Dream' Souleymane Ya Konan (Unanimous Decision in 5:00 of round 3). The match was rated as being Very Poor.

Comments: I was expecting better things from these two – Peltonen has the class to dominate on the ground, and Ya Konan is a dangerous striker, but neither seemed to be interested in taking any risks to get the win. Peltonen was particularly culpable, choosing just to smother from top position. He wants a title shot against Terron Cabal, but I think he needs to show me more than this to earn it, so will have to again before I give him that honour.

Main Event

SIGMA Lightweight Championship

>It's time for the main event of the evening! Fiyero Lermontov squares off with 'The Sharpshooter' Georges Nouri in the SIGMA Lightweight division.
>The SIGMA Lightweight title on the line in this match.

>We are underway!
>There's a stalemate as both fighters throw strikes but neither hits.
>A right jab misses, Lermontov counters with a flurry of quick punches.
>Lermontov throws a right jab but Nouri uses good head movement to make sure it slips by.
>Lermontov throws a flurry of punches but Nouri covers up well.
>Both fighters advance and strike, but neither hits anything.
>Standing in the pocket, Nouri chooses to shoot in for a double leg on Lermontov.
>Lermontov tries to time a counter right hand, but can't get it.
>The takedown is successful, Lermontov couldn't quite stay on his feet.
>Nouri ends up holding a seated Lermontov around the waist, pressing him up against the cage.
>Nouri starts trying to get Lermontov on his back so that he can gain a better position.
>He can't quite manage to get to mount on this attempt.
>Lermontov hits some weak punches to the upper back, but they're more out of frustration than anything.
>We pass the halfway mark of this round.
>Nouri tries to improve his position.
>He finds himself unable to get the mount on this attempt.
>Lermontov, trapped against the cage, pummels Nouri on the back with several small shots, although they're more out of frustration than anything.
>Time slips away as Nouri successfully keeps Lermontov stuck against the cage wall.
>We move into the final sixty seconds of this round.
>Not liking his options, Nouri looks to get a better position over Lermontov.
>Nouri isn't able to mount Lermontov this time around.
>Lermontov, stuck up against the cage, hits several clubbing forearms to the back.
>Nouri pushes forward against Lermontov, basically smothering him against the cage wall.
>The time runs out on round one.
>There was very little to separate them in that round, but I'll give that one 10-9 to Nouri.

>There's the bell and round number two begins!
>Nouri avoids a tight combination.
>Nouri steps back to avoid a tight combination of punches after falling for a clever feint.
>Lermontov slips past a right jab and fires back with a right high kick that catches Nouri on the side of the head, knocking him out cold!
>The winner, by Knock Out; Fiyero Lermontov!

>Official Result: Fiyero Lermontov defeats 'The Sharpshooter' Georges Nouri (Knock Out (Kick) in 0:59 of round 2). The match was rated as being Average.

Comments: Good start from Nouri, but Lermontov showed how dangerous he is, and retains the title. Definitely not the end for Nouri though.

Show summary

Critical rating: Decent

Commercial success: Good

Fight of the Night: Jan Ilic v Gerrit Dudok

Knockout of the Night: Fiyero Lermontov

Submission of the Night: Fernando Amaro

Comments: Mixed bag of fights tonight. Disappointed with the co-main, but the Featherweights put on a smashing show and the Main Event rounded things off with a bang. Looks like we'll continue running alternate months with 2 shows for now, as we seem to have just enough top level guys to justify it.

batsnumbereleven · December 8, 2013

Prediction results

Cage Rage 5/6 (87/121)

Jingo 4/6 (40/62)

Injury report

The trainers report a clean bill of health as far as injuries are concerned, but the athletic commission have issued precautionary suspensions of one month to Andranik Paletilolu and Uwe Maier, and two months to Alberto Basora, Georges Nouri, Gerrit Dudok and Jan Ilic.

End of month finances

A profit of $22k this month, which brings us back up above the starting point for the first time. This has taken 16 months, which I don't think is bad at all, without any PPV deal or TV shows bringing in any cash, so thanks to our loyal supporters who come to our shows for that!

batsnumbereleven · December 8, 2013

Monday 1st May 1999 <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 Heavyweight rankings 1. Hassan Fezzik, ALPHA-1 2. Tim Boyer, GAMMA 3. Armen Sarkisian, ALPHA-1 4. Leon Banks, GAMMA 5. Raul Hughes, GAMMA 6. Carter Potter, BCF 7. Terron Cabal, SIGMA 8. Tank Manu'a, GAMMA 9. Stafford Alois, BCF 10. Lefter Oktay, SIGMA </div></blockquote>

batsnumbereleven · December 8, 2013

Tuesday 2nd May 1999 <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 will hold its next MMA Event at Wilhelm Dopatka Halle in Leverkusen, home of the Bayer Giants Leverkusen basketball team, on Friday 26th May 1999. The event will be styled SIGMA 23: Soldo v Smit and will be headlined by a Light Heavyweight fight between former SIGMA Light-Heavyweight champion Niko Soldo (#5, 16-2-1) and Dutch wrestler Faas Smit (#12, 36-14). Heavyweight action will see two undefeated fighters face off, as Turkish kick boxer Lefter Oktay (#14, 14-0) takes on 25-year-old Hamburger Bastian Neske (3-0). On the undercard, Russian Jiu jitsu player Oleg Tariverdiev (8-1) is pitted against Norwegian Thai boxer Tore Herlovsen, who is unbeaten in six fights, in the Middleweight division. Danish wrestler Bjarne Bjerre (4-3) faces Hamburg's Roland Furtwangler (1-1) at Welterweight. Two young Featherweights will match up, with 23-year-old Czech judoka Vaclav Reitsma (6-3) fighting 20-year-old Croatian Ivano Ancic (1-1), and the card will be led off with former BCF Lightweight champion, Seth O'Breen (#10, 13-0) getting his SIGMA debut against veteran Slovenian karate fighter Milenka Rudonja (17-5), who lost to Georges Nouri last time out.</div></blockquote> Card for picks SIGMA 23 Niko Soldo v Faas Smit Lefter Oktay v Bastian Neske Oleg Tariverdiev v Tore Herlovsen Bjarne Bjerre v Roland Furtwangler Vaclav Reitsma v Ivano Ancic Seth O'Breen v Milenka Rudonja

batsnumbereleven · December 9, 2013

News and Notes from around the MMA world: May 1999

Signings

ALPHA-1: Jozef Jankowski, Sly Twinge, Taye Burnett, Daigo Kitaguchi,

GAMMA: -

OMEGA: Nestor Morozov, Xiao Ling-Hu, Keith Plaice, John Nundanu, Griff Irvine, Marty Pereira, Connor Baffin, Lima Fraga,

BCF: -

FLB: Dias Candido,

XCC: -

WEFF: Denise DeNiro, Kochiyo Chikamatsu, Lora Hayes,

KDMFC: -

Events

BCF: Sithalayan v Cupples took place on Sunday 7th May, with the main event seeing #2 Welterweight Vikram Sithalayan (20-2) retain his BCF Welterweight title with a first round achilles lock submission victory over Martin Cupples (7-1). In Heavyweight action, unbeaten Rav Kapur (#14, 9-0) continued his rampage through BCF, knocking out #24 Heavyweight Dave Lennon (14-5) with a big knee.

Thursday 11th May saw FLB 14: Stormy Weather in Brazil, where #15 Elzo Alves Moura ran his streak to 15 victories and retained his FLB Heavyweight title in the process, as he beat #23 Murilo Satinho (9-1) with a fourth round KO.

OMEGA's debut event took place in Guadalajara on Sunday 14th May, and the main event saw unbeaten Welterweight judoka Heikichi Shimizu (3-0) defeat the home town favourite Louis De La Torre (6-1) with a first round rear naked choke submission. In the fight of the night, Light-Heavyweight Jerry Bogdonovich (6-0) beat the debuting Stein De Vries of the famous De Vries Kung Fu family by KO in the second round.

Saturday 20th May saw ALPHA-1: Endo v Deguchi, and something of a surprise, as #5 Middleweight Heiji Endo (14-2) was upset by Kadonomaro Deguchi (5-0) by 6th round submission in an ALPHA-1 Middleweight championship contest. Elsewhere, previously unbeaten Heavyweight Gershon Mauricio (#15, 10-1) was beaten by the promising Kanezane Fujii (3-1), and Chinese Pai Cheng took KO of the night with a third defeat for a ranked fighter, his scalp being Khru Djangjan (#25, 13-2).

GAMMA 36: Banks v Hughes took place on Saturday 27th May, and #6 Heavyweight Raul Hughes (16-2) won the GAMMA Heavyweight title from Leon Banks (#5, 34-11) by 4th round KO. On the undercard, the unfortunate Buddy Garner (#1 Middleweight, 16-0), who seems unable to attract the eye of the GAMMA matchmaking team to give him a title shot, extended his impressive unbeaten record with an unanimous decision victory over JJ Reid (#8, 25-6).

Other Notable news

Lightweight legend Sukarno left KDMFC after his contract ran out, not having fought since February 1998.

Jingo · December 9, 2013

SIGMA 23

Niko Soldo v Faas Smit

Lefter Oktay v Bastian Neske

Oleg Tariverdiev v Tore Herlovsen

Bjarne Bjerre v Roland Furtwangler

Vaclav Reitsma v Ivano Ancic

Seth O'Breen v Milenka Rudonja

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