Down The Pub - News and Notes from the UK
Pedro Wrobel Jan 11, 2005
It's amazing how much information one can gather from that mythical
source known, here in the UK, as "some bloke down the pub." He
never has a name -- he doesn't need one -- but everything he says
is gospel truth.
In this, the first of a regular series of columns, Sherdog.com sends its bravest reporter down to the pub to see what That Bloke's got to say for himself. All in the name of investigative journalism, of course.
Cage Rage Does it Again
Those cheeky cockney chappies are at it again, or so That Bloke tells me. Not satisfied with having married international world-class talent with the best and brightest British hopes, Cage Rage's Dave O'Donnell and Andy Geer may have topped even their last card with their offering for Cage Rage 10, scheduled for February 26.
Brazilian bruiser Renato "Babalu" Sobral also makes a return, hopefully with a different pair of shorts from those that he wore at Cage Rage 9. The Bloke swears that he heard someone say that they'd "rather get into the cage with Babalu than have to wear those shorts." Were Babalu to find out about this, it is probably safe to assume that whomever it was may well live up to the epithet of a "fashion victim."
Other highlights from the Cage Rage 10 card are the two middleweight battles between Sol Gilbert and Curtis Stout, and Alex Reid against Jorge Rivera.There is a very clear theme with these two -- Rivera and Stout are UFC veterans and internationally respected fighters. Reid and Gilbert are two of the new generation of British middleweight talent, hoping to benefit from the trail blazed by Tito's favorite drinking partner, Lee Murray. Gilbert and Reid have proven themselves to be very exciting fighters with good all-round games. They've beaten their competition on these shores, but will they be able to repel these invaders? We'll have to see.
Let us not forget that the UK's most dynamic immigrant will finally get his long-awaited chance to prove himself against a veteran from both the UFC and Pride's Bushido show. Chris "Westside Strangler" Brennan is an internationally renown grappler, but That Bloke tells me that there is a question mark over his stand-up skills. Jean Silva is also a world-class grappler, but there is no question mark over his cart wheeling, high-kicking antics. Will he be able to knockout Brennan with a triple monkey-flip kick to the face? Or would the use of that tactic against such an accomplished opponent make Jean look like a very silly boy? Again, only time will tell. But The Bloke thinks this will be absolutely brilliant.
These comments don't even begin to scratch the surface of the quality on offer here. Leigh Remedios will be making his return against the impressive Robbie Olivier. Basingstoke's favorite groin-guard thrower, Jeremy "Bad Boy" Bailey, also makes his return. Finally, Matt Ewin will be there, fresh from his experience at M-1, where he lost a close decision to Andrei Semenov. Ewin will be looking to return to winning ways against the Brazilian, Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos.
So top marks to the Cage Rage crew. The complete card, at this point, is below.
Renato Sobral vs. Pierre Guillet
Sol Gilbert vs. Curtis Stout
Evangelista Santos vs. Antony Rea
Alex Reid vs. Jorge Rivera
Jean Silva vs. Chris Brennan
Matt Ewin vs. Gabriel Santos
Jeremy Bailey vs. Sami Berik
Robbie Olivier vs. Leigh Remedios
Andy Costello vs. Daniel Burzotta
Marc Goddard vs. Robert Berry
Prelims
Atilla Kubilay vs. Adam Kelly
Kuljit Degum vs. Mustafa Al-Turk
Brad Pickett vs.Chris Freeboune
We're Still Talking About Cage Rage ... and Stephen Quadros!
Sometimes it's just worth re-producing the press release.
"With the new TV deal being negotiated at the moment ... and the rights to the next five Cage Rage DVDs sold, Cage Rage are pleased to announce that Stephen "The Fight Professor" Quadros, the veteran interviewer/commentator from Pride FC, K1, King of the Cage and 2H2H ... has signed up with Cage Rage."
So says Cage Rage co-promoter Dave O'Donnell, probably with a smug grin on his face.
"He will join us at Wembley Conference Centre on Feb 26th, to do all the pre-fight interviews with the fighters at the weigh-in. He will also join the commentary team and conduct post-fight interviews with the fighters backstage. Richard Blackwood will continue to host the show as the mainstream [British] TV audience won't know Quadros."
O'Donnell continues with the promise that "massive news" is still to come regarding a new TV deal. "Sky TV love [Cage Rage] and we have very respectable viewing figures," he says, "but I don’t want to say until we have signed the contract."
Sherdog.com will reveal all (not like that!) as soon as it is available.
Cage Rage ... Dates
This being January, the Cage Rage crew have been making their new year's resolutions. The first was to plan ahead and this, it seems, they have done.
The next five event dates have been announced, all at Wembley Conference Centre. These will be February 26, April 30, July 2, September 10 and December 3.
O'Donnell promises that on each card the fighters will continue to get more and more "high profile."
Watch this space.
Not to be Outdone ... CageWarriors!
Sherdog readers are already aware that CageWarriors, the other big UK show, have expanded (/news/news/cagewarriors-fighting-championships-expansion-and-franchising-announcement-2276) threefold, much like the Gremlins did when you got them wet. There have been further developments.
The "feeder show" referred to in the article above has now been named as CageWarriors "Quest" and it will showcase purely semi-pro matches. In The Bloke's opinion, this is great news, since the UK grassroots scene was certainly in need of a little fertilizing. Top marks, then, to CageWarriors owner Dougie Truman, and his tireless media manager, Ian Dean.
Dates for the new show have already been confirmed. These will be April 8, July 29, September 17 and December 18.
If the series proves successful, then there is a possibility that the new show, based in Sheffield's Octagon Centre, may expand along two lines. Firstly, Truman and CageWarriors "Quest" organizer Rob Butler could expand this venture to six shows in 2006. Secondly, there is a chance that a franchise in the South of England may also be secured.
Hardy souls wishing to compete on CW "Quest" are urged to contact Dougie Truman at [email protected] or Ian Dean at [email protected].
Open Hearts and Open Mats
Never let it be said that the UK MMA scene is heartless. In the wake of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia, a number of UK MMA groups are organizing fundraising events, as originally reported here.
An open mat event is also being organized in the south of England. This will take place in the Riverpark leisure centre in Winchester on January 22, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the possibility of an extension until 7.30 p.m.
Individuals wishing to attend are asked to pay £5, with further donations accepted, and all proceeds going to charity. A number of UK MMA luminaries are expected to be in attendance. For more details, please contact Symon Jenner at [email protected].
In this, the first of a regular series of columns, Sherdog.com sends its bravest reporter down to the pub to see what That Bloke's got to say for himself. All in the name of investigative journalism, of course.
Advertisement
Those cheeky cockney chappies are at it again, or so That Bloke tells me. Not satisfied with having married international world-class talent with the best and brightest British hopes, Cage Rage's Dave O'Donnell and Andy Geer may have topped even their last card with their offering for Cage Rage 10, scheduled for February 26.
The biggest news is that none other than "The Axe Murderer"
himself, Wanderlei
Silva, will be in attendance. Silva will not actually be
fighting, but he will be cornering his Chute Boxe colleague,
Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, in his fight against Frenchman Anthony
Rea.
Brazilian bruiser Renato "Babalu" Sobral also makes a return, hopefully with a different pair of shorts from those that he wore at Cage Rage 9. The Bloke swears that he heard someone say that they'd "rather get into the cage with Babalu than have to wear those shorts." Were Babalu to find out about this, it is probably safe to assume that whomever it was may well live up to the epithet of a "fashion victim."
Other highlights from the Cage Rage 10 card are the two middleweight battles between Sol Gilbert and Curtis Stout, and Alex Reid against Jorge Rivera.There is a very clear theme with these two -- Rivera and Stout are UFC veterans and internationally respected fighters. Reid and Gilbert are two of the new generation of British middleweight talent, hoping to benefit from the trail blazed by Tito's favorite drinking partner, Lee Murray. Gilbert and Reid have proven themselves to be very exciting fighters with good all-round games. They've beaten their competition on these shores, but will they be able to repel these invaders? We'll have to see.
Let us not forget that the UK's most dynamic immigrant will finally get his long-awaited chance to prove himself against a veteran from both the UFC and Pride's Bushido show. Chris "Westside Strangler" Brennan is an internationally renown grappler, but That Bloke tells me that there is a question mark over his stand-up skills. Jean Silva is also a world-class grappler, but there is no question mark over his cart wheeling, high-kicking antics. Will he be able to knockout Brennan with a triple monkey-flip kick to the face? Or would the use of that tactic against such an accomplished opponent make Jean look like a very silly boy? Again, only time will tell. But The Bloke thinks this will be absolutely brilliant.
These comments don't even begin to scratch the surface of the quality on offer here. Leigh Remedios will be making his return against the impressive Robbie Olivier. Basingstoke's favorite groin-guard thrower, Jeremy "Bad Boy" Bailey, also makes his return. Finally, Matt Ewin will be there, fresh from his experience at M-1, where he lost a close decision to Andrei Semenov. Ewin will be looking to return to winning ways against the Brazilian, Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos.
So top marks to the Cage Rage crew. The complete card, at this point, is below.
Renato Sobral vs. Pierre Guillet
Sol Gilbert vs. Curtis Stout
Evangelista Santos vs. Antony Rea
Alex Reid vs. Jorge Rivera
Jean Silva vs. Chris Brennan
Matt Ewin vs. Gabriel Santos
Jeremy Bailey vs. Sami Berik
Robbie Olivier vs. Leigh Remedios
Andy Costello vs. Daniel Burzotta
Marc Goddard vs. Robert Berry
Prelims
Atilla Kubilay vs. Adam Kelly
Kuljit Degum vs. Mustafa Al-Turk
Brad Pickett vs.Chris Freeboune
We're Still Talking About Cage Rage ... and Stephen Quadros!
Sometimes it's just worth re-producing the press release.
"With the new TV deal being negotiated at the moment ... and the rights to the next five Cage Rage DVDs sold, Cage Rage are pleased to announce that Stephen "The Fight Professor" Quadros, the veteran interviewer/commentator from Pride FC, K1, King of the Cage and 2H2H ... has signed up with Cage Rage."
So says Cage Rage co-promoter Dave O'Donnell, probably with a smug grin on his face.
"He will join us at Wembley Conference Centre on Feb 26th, to do all the pre-fight interviews with the fighters at the weigh-in. He will also join the commentary team and conduct post-fight interviews with the fighters backstage. Richard Blackwood will continue to host the show as the mainstream [British] TV audience won't know Quadros."
O'Donnell continues with the promise that "massive news" is still to come regarding a new TV deal. "Sky TV love [Cage Rage] and we have very respectable viewing figures," he says, "but I don’t want to say until we have signed the contract."
Sherdog.com will reveal all (not like that!) as soon as it is available.
Cage Rage ... Dates
This being January, the Cage Rage crew have been making their new year's resolutions. The first was to plan ahead and this, it seems, they have done.
The next five event dates have been announced, all at Wembley Conference Centre. These will be February 26, April 30, July 2, September 10 and December 3.
O'Donnell promises that on each card the fighters will continue to get more and more "high profile."
Watch this space.
Not to be Outdone ... CageWarriors!
Sherdog readers are already aware that CageWarriors, the other big UK show, have expanded (/news/news/cagewarriors-fighting-championships-expansion-and-franchising-announcement-2276) threefold, much like the Gremlins did when you got them wet. There have been further developments.
The "feeder show" referred to in the article above has now been named as CageWarriors "Quest" and it will showcase purely semi-pro matches. In The Bloke's opinion, this is great news, since the UK grassroots scene was certainly in need of a little fertilizing. Top marks, then, to CageWarriors owner Dougie Truman, and his tireless media manager, Ian Dean.
Dates for the new show have already been confirmed. These will be April 8, July 29, September 17 and December 18.
If the series proves successful, then there is a possibility that the new show, based in Sheffield's Octagon Centre, may expand along two lines. Firstly, Truman and CageWarriors "Quest" organizer Rob Butler could expand this venture to six shows in 2006. Secondly, there is a chance that a franchise in the South of England may also be secured.
Hardy souls wishing to compete on CW "Quest" are urged to contact Dougie Truman at [email protected] or Ian Dean at [email protected].
Open Hearts and Open Mats
Never let it be said that the UK MMA scene is heartless. In the wake of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia, a number of UK MMA groups are organizing fundraising events, as originally reported here.
An open mat event is also being organized in the south of England. This will take place in the Riverpark leisure centre in Winchester on January 22, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with the possibility of an extension until 7.30 p.m.
Individuals wishing to attend are asked to pay £5, with further donations accepted, and all proceeds going to charity. A number of UK MMA luminaries are expected to be in attendance. For more details, please contact Symon Jenner at [email protected].
