ICE FC: International Combat Elite - Irlam Leisure Centre 01/03/14 I'd just like to start by saying.... you know you've been to an awesome show when the only thing you have to complain about is the occasional crease in the covers on the sports hall floor!!! ICE is a relatively new MMA show, which recently joined forces with MCR FC, to put on the second of its instalments, set to be the best so far... Presented on this occasion, by what could be considered by most as a promotion "dream team". Made up of Tom Blackledge (ex-UFC Fighter), Adam Teh (FCC Promoter), Aaron Wilkinson (TUF Quarter Finalist) and Carl Prince (MC and Fighter) it was always destined to deliver. The result of this collaboration was an awesome fight card, with some great up and coming fighters, from some of the best clubs in the North including SBG, Blackledge MMA, Lions Paw MMA and Martin Stapleton's FCPC to name only a few. The night commenced with a surprisingly good Amateur C Under 16's fight, with HAMMA's Lars Adkins Vs Jack Torrence. Both young fighters performed excellently, with Torrence just getting the better of the numerous standing exchanges but with Adkins regularly pulling guard and working well on the floor. Adkins walked away the victor on a judges decision but both fighters are ones to watch over the upcoming years. The show continued to meet expectations as it progressed with one of the shows key entertaining moments taking place as Team Mushin's James "The Rascal" Reece took on Phil Evans. Surprisingly this moment was not during the fight, which Reece won by armbar in the first, but in his victory celebration... The Rascal mounted the wall of the cage directly in front of commentators, Ian Butlin and Jamie Hay, shouting "Adam Teh you're next!!!". Momentum built further as Ian Butlin called both Reece and Teh into the cage to discuss the prospects of a future bout. Teh, after further taunting from Reece, attempted a takedown which was broken up and clearly in fun but it may be the start of an entertaining build up for ICE 3?!? So choosing my personal fight highlights this week was a really hard decision as it seems my choices are vast, but here they are... Ross Robinson Vs Jordan Thompson - as the first fighter up in the show to be cheered on by the huge, loud crowd of Wiganers expectations were set high for Ross Robinson... and those expectations were met. In what was a tough back and forth fight, Robinson finished Thompson in the second with a rear naked choke after a brutal display which left which left both of them exhausted. After a good display from both competitors it was Robinsons heart and determination that seen him through and helped him take the win. Dean Gaskell Vs Leon Clarke - FIGHT OF THE NIGHT - this can sometimes be a hard decision, especially at shows like this with great fight after great fight but for me this little beaut of a match-up stood clear of the rest. Gaskell came out like a beast in the first, pumped and fuelled by the support of seemingly ever-growing crowd from Wigan, after a number of exchanges he almost finished Clarke with a barrage of heavy strikes in the first. It wasn't looking good for Clarke, but he came out in the second with what can only be considered as a new lease of life, matching Gaskell throughout the early parts of the round in standing, clinching and the ground. Towards the end of the second Gaskell turned out the lights for Clarke with absolutely devastating ground and pound that left Clarke requiring medical assistance. Thankfully he was ok, eventually rising to a huge, well deserved ovation from the audience, both of these guys have left everyone there with something to tell friends about for a long time to come. Well done to new champion Liam Davies, who walked away ICE FC Featherweight belt after defeating Geoff Ogendo in a technical five round ground display. Congratulations must also go out to Reece Ackers, Luke Taylor, Aaron Johnson aswell main event winners Mike Berry and Jack McGann... And thanks to all fighters who made this event a great night of entertainment. In summary it was great to be here and I for one will not be missing any future ICE FC fight nights. Everyone involved should be proud of what was achieved. Until next time, Much love FCC Ric

So here I am catching up on the UFC 170 Prelims after attending my first MMA event of the year last night… And writing my first ever blog with an event review and summary.

Amateur Cage Battles 9 - “Brawl in the Hall” promoted by Sean Martin and Ben Dearden from HAMMA. On display were a variety of their own team plus fighters from gyms such as ISF, AVT, Team Mushin, MMA Acadamy, KC Fightbase and Doghouse and more.

The night had some great action, highlights include…

Callum Gahgan vs Ricardo Franco - both great fighters who have had appearances on FCC previously. This fight saw the first of two huge local upsets, when after a short standing exchange from both fighters, it went to the ground. Gahgan locked in a tight guillotine choke, but Franco defended well and as soon he was free he unleashed some vicious ground and pound, leaving referee Brad Conway with no option but to step in and stop the fight due to a large open cut on the left brow of Gahgan.

Kyle Preston vs Jason McKnight - A strong performance from McKnight, shocking the ACB Amateur B (61kg) champion Preston, and his huge following - which by the way, almost brought the roof down with their chants of “There’s only one Kyle Preston!”. It ended in a first round victory by knee bar for McKnight… Preston seemed hurt post fight and I can only hope there’s no serious damage and he’s back fighting fit soon.

"Fight of the Night" honours, in my opinion, should go to Adam Bramhald and Luke Crossland - a three round battle with some solid stand up and groundwork from both fighters that got the crowd (who originally seemed to be fully behind Crossland) with no option but to cheer both fighters equally for their performances as the fight goes the distance and Bramhald was unanimously named victor and handed the vacant ACB Amateur A (61kg) title.

Finally, other shout outs need to go to Reece Parker, Kyle Keane and Marcin Bystron for their wins on the night, none of which needing to go the distance.

Overall it was a great way to start off what will no doubt be a great year for local MMA events… it made me realise how much I miss the scene over the Christmas period and has got me really rev’d up for FCC 9 in March.

Thanks to everyone involved, and I’d encourage everyone to keep their eye out for the fight videos from Sharefight.com.

Much Love, FCC Ric

... and so it begins

It feels like a lifetime ago since the last FCC show back in November, well at least for me, and its been quiet but not just for FCC... like us most of the other leading amatuer UK promotions havent opened their doors either. But now it all starts here with a number of fight nights across the Northwest ... im heading to ACB where Sean Martin and the rest of the Hamma lads will no doubt put on a great show, in the great setting of Parr Hall in Warrington. But cant deny I feel i'll be missing some right tear ups over at Reps Retribution over in Preston. Also for all of you boxing fans Big Trouble in Little Envi over in Liverpool. So tonight ill try and grab some snaps and report back on the best of tonights fights. Much love FCC Ric

FCC Ric & Tumblr... Why?

So I’ve been working on FCC with founders, the Teh family, since day 1… Which was over 2 years ago now.

I have seen the event grow rapidly from an initially struggling show, working our arses off to get 300-400 people at the first event, held in a TA centre hall with a pop up bar in Bury…. to the night we exceeded a 3000 attendance, at the Premier Suite of the Reebok Stadium… for what I like to call the “Battle of the Beasts”: Heavyweights Ric Mawdsley vs Scott “The Slasher” Mitchell.

I have witnessed wars of the likes you would only expect to see on the creme de la creme of professional sporting events like UFC and Bellator… Ashley Reece Vs Martin Chester immediately springs mind. Both fighters going toe to toe, blow for blow, both being dropped, rocked and caught in sub attempts. Each almost finishing the other at the bell of the first two rounds, until Ashley finally took the win and the title in the third!

Anyway not going to waffle right now, all I want to say is that the show just gets better and better and I’ve decided to put down my thoughts and experiences for those missing them in real life to see, so be sure to keep coming back for event info, Team FCC updates, sponsor information, fight and fighter reviews!

Much love, FCC Ric

...and this is most of Team FCC (AKA The Family)

This is the MMA event I work on!

So first post ever and an introduction! This is me... And FCC's amazing ring girls Chels, Raschel and Bec