Freeman Wins Cage Rage Heavyweight Title; Lindland Calls out Murray

LONDON, Nov. 27 -- The Cage Rage promotion delivered a real gem with this show. Twelve fast-paced, action-filled fights led to twelve decisive finishes, with only one fight making it past the first round inside the Wembley Conference Centre. There were no judge's decisions, no laying and praying, just good old fashioned brawls.

Cage Rage 9 will be a metaphorical feather in the cap for the London-based promotion in its quest to attain wider coverage for the sport in the UK. With rumors of a live television deal in the offing, promoters Dave O'Donnell and Andy Geer were hoping for a smooth show. Apart from one early technical hitch with the power supply, Cage Rage 9 seems to have delivered the goods.

This was a good night for the home grown prospects, with the fighter of the night prize, in my opinion, being shared between Michael Bisping and Jean Silva. Bisping demonstrated the depths of his determination in a dominating performance, and Silva showed that he was back to his crowd-pleasing best.

In the main event, Ian Freeman walked through Ryan Robinson on his return to the cage. Robinson seemed uncharacteristically afraid of Freeman, flinching even before Freeman landed any shots. Nevertheless, the younger heavyweight refused to back down, gamely taking Freeman down. Unfortunately, Robinson could not keep him there and Freeman worked his way back to his feet, catching a kick from Robinson and putting the younger man on his back. From the top position, Freeman was relentless, pounding on Robinson and forcing the youngster to give up the rear mount. Once Freeman had his back it was all over for Robinson, and referee Grant Waterman stepped in to save him further punishment.

Freeman takes the Cage Rage heavyweight title by TKO 2:44 of the first round.

Matt Lindland proved to be too much for the popular Mark Weir as the American pounded out a first round victory. Weir started well, showcasing the incredible speed of his punches and kicks, but Lindland was not phased, crowding Weir against the cage and working methodically for the takedown. Weir remained calm, defending well from his guard, but was unable to sweep the American. Lindland, for his part, picked and chose his shots, eventually landing a hard elbow that opened up a deep cut on Weir's face.

Despite the booing of the crowd, the doctor ruled that Weir was in no state to come out for the second round.

Lindland proved to be just as entertaining on the microphone as he is in battle, as more fireworks exploded after the fight. During Lindland's post-fight interview, he announced that there was another Brit that he wanted to bash. The crowd's reaction was a mixture of cheers and boos as domestic champion, Lee Murray, rushed to the ring.

Murray had to be restrained as Lindland taunted him about his "rodeo" clothes and offered him some peanuts. "What is this, a circus? Are you a f**king monkey? You want some peanuts, monkey-boy? Are you a clown?" Lindland said.

Murray, never the calmest of individuals, was incensed, responding with a torrent of expletives, as well as calling Lindland a "bald monkey" and suggesting that he should buy himself a wig. "I'll smack you up, you ugly p***y, and send you back to America," he said to Lindland.

Lindland seemed to be enjoying himself, questioning whether anyone could understand a word the angry Murray was saying, and finishing by saying to him: "Look at you, you're hopping mad! Who's the monkey? Who's the monkey, Monkey-Boy?"

The crowd loved the exchange, and the thought of a Lindland-Murray showdown is mouth watering.