JUDO CHAMP WINS MULTI FIGHT BELLATOR CONTRACT

By Phil Doherty

KARL Etherington has won a multi-fight deal with top fight show Bellator.

The GB Judo star – who has an impressive 7-0-0 pro MMA record - will start his new fight career on the hit USA show in January.

His deal was secured by his management team "Old Skool Fight Management" who negotiated a multi-fight, multi-year contract with Bellator.

Etherington is a heavyweight who has won every one of his fights in the first round.

Carl Messen, of Old Skool Fight Management, said: "Karl's first fight for Bellator will be in January in the USA and this will be followed by two further fights on the show before he competes in a $100,000 eight man tournament in September.

"This is a great opportunity for Karl to become of the top fighters in the world in the heavyweight division."

The deal was secured by Neil Wain and Carl, who jointly run "Old Skool Fight Management" after a series of negotiation with Bellator’s management.

Old Skool Fight Management is based in Yorkshire but has fighters from across the UK in their stable.

Karl is a 2nd Dan black belt in Judo and competes for Great Britain. He is ranked eighth in the British Judo Association's national rankings.

Neil, who has fought in the UFC himself,  said: "Karl has devastating knock out power and will be flying the flag for the UK in Bellator.

"He is looking to establish himself as one of the top heavyweights in the world and this deal will give him the platform to do just that.

"These are exciting times for everyone involved with 'Old Skool Fight Management' with some great opportunities for the fighters on the horizon.

“You will be able to follow Karl's progress in Bellator as he sets his sights on winning the Heavyweight Title in one of the world’s biggest MMA promotions.

"We are always looking for talent to market so any fighters wanting to join our team should get in touch as soon as possible."

To join the team phone Carl Messen on: 07713 077433

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+++SEPTEMBER EDITION+++

WHEELED WARRIORS AND THE UCFC TEAM UP

By Luke Robbins

WHEELED Warriors and the Ultimate Cage Fighting Championships have teamed up to bring disabled fighters into the cage.

This is the first time a show has stepped up to the mark to have wheelchair fighters compete against one another under MMA rules.

Col Woods, head of Wheeled Warriors, said: "I have the pleasure to announce that after much discussion Wheeled Warriors and the UCFC have agreed to join forces. This is for the benefit of both the fans and physically-challenged fighters across the globe.

"We have come together to bring both amputees and wheeled fighters into the ring to compete just like any other."

Carl Messen is head of the UCFC which is a rising star in the UK with regards to MMA. He is looking to make big moves in the game and establish himself as a top promotional entity for years to come.

Col Wood has established Wheeled Warriors, which is the name for the stable of fighters. Also he has a corresponding charitable organisation known as Fight2Walk. His aim is to ensure the physically impaired have ample opportunity to take part in combat sports and potentially hopes to get these competitions paralympic recognition.

Col said: "I had the pleasure to attend as a ringside spectator to his most recent endeavour which was UCFC 4, housing 13 bouts of amateur and pro MMA action. The night was honoured to feature special guests from the UFC in Ryan Badar and Clarence Dollaway.

At UCFC 4 the announcement was made that the two bodies are now to work side by side. In explaining Col's achievements to date the announcer described both the man and his work as 'truly inspirational'.

Col added: "It is clear this concept is well-received and ahead of its time as very few would expect something of its kind to come to fruition so soon.

"To conclude, this is a great collaboration which surely will improve sports and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. Both sides are gaining opportunities."District Attorney Jon Alexander told local media: "The earliest he’ll be able to see a parole board is 2062. We saved Taylor’s family the agony from reliving the incident at the trial."

Wyatt's lawyer had said his client had not wanted to testify at a trial. His team had decided to take the deal because although it was 50 years in prison, the alternative was life without parole.

He had been found by police at a house in Klamath River covered in blood. The officers found Powell's body on a sofa with the body's tongue and heart cut out. Skin on his face was also gone.

The heart was found in a wood-burning stove.

For further information on Wheeled Warriors phone Col on: 07445 030621

Or visit:
 

www.sportechdsc.com

To visit Fight2Walk go to:

www.fightiiwalk.com

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+++AUGUST EDITION+++

JADE JONES WINS GB A GOLD MEDAL

By Martial News Reporter

JADE Jones has won Great Britain a gold medal in the London Olympis.

But team mate Sarah Stevenson - another GB medal hopeful - crashed out in the first round of her division.

Controversial fighter Muhammad Latulo showed he was a man of destiny after taking bronze medal in his section after beating Armenia's Arman Yeremyan 9 to 3.

He was controversially picked for the Olympics over Aaron Cook, the world number one.

He said: "That was never on my mind, that was never fuel or reason to do well. There was massive pressure not just on me but all four GB fighters coming into this.

"I just wanted to win a gold medal for GB. It's not the colour I wanted, but I'm satisfied with bronze. It’s hard earned, I fought hard for it, and I'm grateful and happy that I've got this reward."
 
Performance director Gary Hall said: "We selected a fighter who has delivered."

Lutalo had the chance for the bronze medal as a losing semi-finalists through repechage system. He then came through to fight the for the bronze medal position.

Jade Jones, 19, defeated China's Yuzhuo Hou, the world champion in the -57kg featherweight.

She defeated the Chinese fighter with a 6 to 4 score.

She said: "It's amazing. The crowd has just been amazing. Before I came out I was thinking that she took my world championship final. That killed me for ages.

"So I wasn't going to let her beat me here in front of a home crowd. To be the first British athlete to win an Olympic gold is just amazing."

Garyv Hall said: "What Jade has done this is just phenomenal.

"She is one of these characters who is never satisfied and always wants more – she is absolutely driven to be the best."

She beat Tseng Li-Cheng 10-6 in the semi-finals.

Being held in Newcastle on November the 18th, the event will feature world-class fighters with North East favourite Muay Thai fighter Craig Jose taking on Willy Borrel, of France, for a WBC Title.

And there is top kickboxer Jamie Bates who will be facing Steve Dossett in a Pro K-1 rules prestige bout.

David Weild, of Action Promotions, said: "We also have a fantastic fight lined up with Mick Terrill who is taking on Romy Da Silva in a pro K-1 rules super bout.

"And then there's Toni Philips who is fighting Maria Pantazi, of Greece, in a international Muay Thai super bout.

"Athos Konstandi is matched against Fabrice Mason, Leon Caush is fighting John Malkin, and Ash Griffith will face Marcus Powell, all in pro K-1 fights..."

There will also be a host of other pro fights, amateur bouts as well as boxing matches.
Bareknuckle champion, and star of the "Knuckle" TV documentary, James Quinn will be a special guest of honour at the show.

David added: "Special thanks goes out to the gyms and coaches that are supporting our show and making it happen: MASAC Gym, Mayhem Gym, The Faktory, James Watling Kickboxing, EastCoast MMA, Red Dragonz, PitbullBoxing, Fight Academy, Zambidis Club Greece, Scorpio Kickboxing, Felling Warriors, Impact Gym France, and all others that I may have forgot!

"The card is looking very solid now and the fight night promises to be one of the best seen in the region. It is definitely one of the best Pro cards seen in the north with some really top talent on display.

"There are still a number of bouts to match, so if anyone wants to join the card please get in touch asap."

A JU-JITSU man admitted robbery and affray at Crown Court.

Terence Taylor attacked a disabled man, 21, and a 17-year-old youth at a Middlesbrough home.

He had gained entry to the flat by knocking on the door and asking for a cigarette.

He used Ju-jitsu moves on his victims as well as punching, choking and kicking them.

Taylor, who was drink on Tequila, put the disabled man's bad leg in a lock before jumping on it as well as hitting the youth on his head with a bike seat pole. 

He made threatening moves with a knife including stabbing a bike tire and cushion next to the youth's leg.

When the disabled man tried to flee he forced back into the house before making him hand over his phone. He then smashed the youth's head against a wall and dragged him of onto the flat's balcony.

When police arrived he was banging on the flat door with a metal pole.

Talyor was sentenced to five years.