MMA

Ireland’s largest MMA promotion, Cage Contender, held its seventh event recently and due to excessive demand for tickets, it was moved to the Kings Hall in Belfast.

Such was the success of promoter John Ferguson's events that they have now been screened in 57 countries worldwide. This most recent event will be broadcast in Ireland on Setanta in the coming weeks, but here’s a sneak peek at how the event went down.

Cage Contender 7 proved a very successful night for Dublin’s Straight Blast Gym with its fighters going undefeated. Having Chris Fields, Arni Isaksson, Artem Lobov and Owen Roddy all win would have been sweet enough, but when you add in the club taking home the featherweight (Roddy) and middleweight (Fields) titles from the event, it was made it even sweeter.

Even more incredible is the fact that the Cage Contender lightweight and welterweight titles are owned by Myles Price and Cathal Pendred, also of Straight Blast Gym.

Team Ryano also posted a strong night’s work with a sensational TKO in the ladies match from Adriana Gibadulinova. JOE’s featured fighter Neil Seery was victorious in what was considered the fight of the night, beating the highly touted Damien Rooney by decision after a three-round war.

The full results from are card are as follows:

James McLaron defeated Sean Knox Submission (Guillotine Choke) round 2 at 0:35

James Gallagher defeated Mark Walker via Decision (Unanimous)

Conor Cooke defeated Chris Meanie via KO (Punch) round 2 at 1:56

Artem Lobrov defeated Ian Turner via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) round 2 at 2:31

Stephen O'Neill defeated Marty Kelly via Submission (Keylock) round 1 at 1:16

Adriana Gibadulinova defeated Aisling McLaren via TKO (Punches) round 1 at 0:31

Alan Philpott defeated Liam Murray via Submission (Armbar) round 2 at 2:38

Ramunas Venslovas defeated Kieran Davern via Submission (Achilles Lock) round 1 at 1:05

Greggor Lennard defeated Sean Crowe via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) round 1 at 5:00

Pat McAlister defeated Mick Brennan via TKO (Punches) round 3 at 2:36

Joe Clarke defeated Kevin Carney via Submission (Armbar) round 1 at 1:45

Neil Seery defeated Damien Rooney via Decision (Unanimous)

Arni Isaksson defeated Ronan McKay via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) round 3 at 2:35

Owen Roddy defeated Shane Thomas via KO (Punch) round 2 at 4:07

Chris Fields defeated Ryan Kelly via TKO (Punches) round 1 at 4:37

CAGE CONTENDER will return to the National Basketball Arena in Dublin with the first Irish show of its second season on 12 March 2011. Any coaches wanting fighters on the card should email john@fightoptions.com. They will require full fighter details including all combat sports experience.

Fergus Ryan