Cage Rage

Paul Daley Changes Mind Again

Despite announcing his intention to retire from mixed martial arts earlier this year at the age of 24, it seems that Paul Daley has pulled a Michael Jordan and wants to come back and fight after all.

According to MMA Mania, Daley, who served as a color commentator during the U.K. television broadcast of Cage Rage’s “Extreme” event over the weekend, revealed his desire to return to active competition to those in attendance.

Daley specifically called out newly crowned Cage Rage British welterweight champion Che Mills, who defeated Marius Zaromskis due to a nasty first-round cut to claim the belt that Daley had vacated last month. The two reportedly had a brief staredown and exchanged some words inside the cage.

Daley last stopped Sam Morgan, a former cast member on the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, with strikes at a ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series event in January. Daley shook off a fast start by Morgan to land a devastating first-round elbow that put Morgan down for the count.

Freeman Victorious in Return at Cage Rage 26

English mixed martial arts legend Ian Freeman was victorious in his return from a brief retirement Saturday afternoon, earning an unanimous decision over Paul Cahoon and taking the former champion’s Cage Rage British light heavyweight title in Birmingham.

Freeman saw very little trouble during the course of the bout with Cahoon, save Cahoon taking the veteran’s back on a pair of separate occasions, while using an effective ground-and-pound assault to keep Cahoon at bay and leaving him unable to mount a suitable amount of offense.

After the fight, Freeman assured fans that a return fight against Cahoon was not a one-time thing and that he would be back to defend his title.

“I’m 41 years old now and I have to say that I’m in the best shape of my life,” Freeman said during a post-fight interview. “The training leading up to this fight was very difficult but the end result was worth it. I feel younger than I did years ago. Going back into retirement isn’t an option at this point. I’m not going anywhere.”

Marius Zaromskis was unsuccessful in his bid to win the vacant Cage Rage British welterweight belt, suffering a nasty cut in the beginning of the first round of his bout against Che Mills that forced the ringside doctor to stop the action after the first five minutes, ultimately awarding Mills the championship.

Matt Ewin controlled Mark Epstein over three rounds to win an unanimous decision and successfully defend his Cage Rage British middleweight title. UFC veteran Ross Pointon submitted Ross Mason with a heel hook and James Zikic submitted Rodney Faverus, handing the former kickboxer his fifth straight defeat.

Complete results from the event:

Harvey Harra def. Gary Kelly - Submission (Triangle)
Chris Rice def. Edgeleson Lue - TKO (Strikes)
Popek Rak def. Kevin Simms - TKO (Strikes)
Brad Pickett def. Paul Reed - Majority Decision
Henrique Nogueira vs. Marc Goddard - Draw
Matt Ewin def. Mark Epstein - Unanimous Decision
Ross Pointon def. Ross Mason - Submission (Heel Hook)
James Zikic def. Rodney Faverus - Submission (Armbar)
Che Mills def. Marius Zaromskis - TKO (Cut)
Ian Freeman def. Paul Cahoon - Unanimous Decision

Cage Rage 26: Extreme Weigh-In Results

The official weigh-in results for tomorrow afternoon’s Cage Rage 26: Extreme show are below. All fighters successfully made weight.

The event will be headlined by a Cage Rage light heavyweight British title bout between a returning veteran in Ian Freeman and a streaking Paul Cahoon, who is currently riding a five-fight winning streak and most recently defeated Elvis Sinosic in December.

Mark Epstein and Matt Ewin will also clash for the Cage Rage middleweight British belt. Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Ross Pointon will be in action as well, taking on Ross Mason. The full card will be available for free viewing on ProElite.com.

Main Card:

Ian Freeman (205 lbs) vs. Paul Cahoon (200 lbs)
Rodney Faverus (204 lbs) vs. James Zikic (202 lbs)
Ross Mason (169 lbs) vs. Ross Pointon (169 lbs)
Mark Epstein (185 lbs) vs. Matt Ewin (184 lbs)
Paul Reed (145 lbs) vs. Brad Pickett (145 lbs)
Che Mills (169 lbs) vs. Marios Zaromskis (169 lbs)
Henrique Nogueira (200 lbs) vs. Marc Goddard (205 lbs)
Kev Simms (240 lbs) vs. Popek Rak (228 lbs)
Harvey Harra (154 lbs) vs. Garry Kelly (154 lbs)
Chris Rice (184 lbs) vs. Edgelson Lue (180 lbs)

Report: Esch-Berry Likely at Cage Rage 27

Fresh off of a surprising knockout of Ken Shamrock, Robert Berry will likely try his hand against infamous former professional boxer Eric “Butterbean” Esch at Cage Rage 27 in July.

The news comes from Stash Capar of The Fight Network, who cites an anonymous source within the United Kingdom’s most high-profile mixed martial arts promotion.

As was previously mentioned, Berry knocked out UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock at Cage Rage 25: Bring It On last month. The win snapped a two-fight losing streak for Berry and quickly became his biggest career win to date. The English veteran has gone up against the likes of Dan Severn, Colin Robinson, and Tengiz Tedoradze but fell to all of them.

Esch was stopped at the hands of Patrick Smith at this past weekend’s inaugural YAMMA Pit Fighting show. The former boxer has now lost his last three fights. Esch weighed-in at 416 pounds for the fight against Smith, his highest weight to date. This will be his fourth bout against the confines of Cage Rage.

Mac Stops Barrett at Cage Rage Contenders

Joe Mac, cutting down to welterweight for the first time, used a fierce ground-and-pound attack throughout the opening minutes of the first round to defeat Jason Barrett in the main event of last night’s Cage Rage Contenders show in London, England.

Mac scored a takedown at the start and controlled Barrett on the canvas, eventually pinning him up against the fence while continuing to rain down blows. Barrett stayed busy from the bottom, evident from the mouse underneath Mac’s eye, but wasn’t able to escape, eventually prompting referee Grant Waterman to stop the bout.

Suley Mahmoud used superior striking to earn a unanimous decision over House of Pain veteran Jordan James in the night’s co-main event.

Complete results from the event courtesy of Sherdog:

Joe Mac def. Jason Barrett - TKO (Strikes)
Suley Mahmoud def. Jordan James - Unanimous Decision
Jack Mason def. Jake Bostwick - Submission (Heel Hook)
Ashleigh Grimshaw def. Christian Binda - Submission (Strikes)
Marvin Arnold def. Kes Kpokpodgri - TKO (Strikes)
Kym Farid vs. Mamarizaev Jahongir - No Contest
Denniston Sutherland def. Ryan White - Submission (Choke)
Jason Young def. Jody Cottham - TKO (Strikes)
Marius Sukys def. Richard Griffin - KO (Spinning Kick)
James Elson def. Danny Cubitt - Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Lee Wieczorek def. Steven Elliott - Unanimous Decision
Umidjon Mavlyanov def. Azran Quasid - TKO (Strikes)
Edgelson Lua def. Dan Mohavedi - KO (Punch)
Chris Greg def. Kieran Hanbly - Submission (Guillotine)

Daley Vacates Cage Rage Title

The Paul Daley saga continues…

Just a few weeks after it was reported that Paul “Semtex” Daley would not be competing at last month’s EliteXC and Strikeforce co-promoted “Shamrock vs Le” event in order to instead go on to defend his Cage Rage welterweight title at the promotion’s next event on May 10th, Daley has vacated his Cage Rage British welterweight belt.

Cage Rage officials reported the news on their official website this afternoon, where it was also mentioned that Daley may not be returning to defend his Cage Rage World title until early next year. The Nottingham, England native revealed his intention to temporarily retire from active competiton back in February.

Daley is coming off of an impressive knockout of former cast member of the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Sam Morgan. Daley shook off a fast start by Morgan to land a devastating first-round elbow that put Morgan down for the count.

Marius Zaromskis and Che Mills will now battle it out for the vacant title at a Cage Rage event in the near future.

Report: Daley to Defend Cage Rage Belt in May

Despite announcing his intention to retire from mixed martial arts following a bout at the upcoming Elite Xtreme Combat and Strikeforce co-promoted “Shamrock vs Cung Le event, it seems that Paul “Semtex” Daley won’t hang up his gloves until at least the spring.

The news comes from Stash Capar of The Fight Network, who has learned that Daley will not be competing at next weekend’s event and instead will go on to defend his Cage Rage welterweight title at the promotion’s next event on May 10th.

“I’ll be defending my world title belt on May 10th in Cage Rage,” Daley said in the report. “No opponent has been confirmed yet.”

Daley’s comments come less than a month after the the Nottingham, England native revealed his intention to retire via an online message board account on Cage Warriors official website. Daley has also since vacated his FX-3 welterweight belt.

“As of now I will be stepping down as Cage Rage, FX-3, and KOTR champion,” Daley said back in February. “I’ve vacated all of these titles. Futher more, I will consider my self retired from mixed martial arts as of March 29th. On that date, I will fulfill my commitment with EliteXC.”

“Once I’ve found the path I originally set out on in MMA, I may return to this sport,” Daley added. “It may be six months, it may be six years, who knows.”

Daley is coming off of an impressive knockout of former cast member of the second season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, Sam Morgan. Daley shook off a fast start by Morgan to land a devastating first-round elbow that put Morgan down for the count.

No word on any potential candidates in terms of an opponent for the international star as of yet.

Phillips Tests Positive for Banned Substance

Cage Rage officials have announced that John Phillips have become the first fighter to test positive for a banned substance under the organization’s self-implemented drug testing program that was started in October 2007.

“John Phillips, from Team Trojan tested positive for one of the drugs on the current banned list,” promoters Dave O’Donnell and Andy Geer wrote in a statement on the promotion’s official website. “Although the drug is not recognized as a performance enhancing drug, it is nevertheless on the list and action has been taken.”

Phillips has now been prohibited from competing in any mixed martial arts events inside the United Kingdom for the next four months. His win over Jake Bostwick at last weekend’s Cage Rage event has also been changed to a no contest and his purse withheld.

EliteXC President Gary Shaw is credited with initiating the promotion’s drug-testing program, mainly because the country currently does not have a governing body which can rule over such matters concerning MMA.

It’s also important to note that since no such commission exists, Phillips can likely fight in the country during his suspension without having to face legal action. However it would potentially come with a ban from ever competing for Cage Rage again in the future.

EliteXC parent company ProElite purchased Cage Rage last year. 

Berry Stops Shamrock Overseas

LONDON - Before an excitable crowd of 8,000-plus at Wembley Arena, mixed martial arts pioneer Ken Shamrock of the USA was handed his first knockout loss by English powerhouse Robert “Buzz” Berry at Cage Rage 25.

Berry landed a series of strikes to the head of Shamrock and sent him down. The referee waved off the fight at 3:26 of the first round as the 240-pound Berry prepared to pounce on his fallen opponent.

In other televised fights, Cage Rage featherweight champion Masakazu Imanari of Japan applied a text book reverse heel hook to destroy the knee of formidable Brazilian adversary Jean Silva. Silva tapped out at 2:35 of round one, and appeared to be in tremendous pain.

In a battle of big men, heavyweights Rob Broughton of England won a majority decision over fellow countryman Neil Grove by scores of 29-28 twice and 28-29. The two men entered the cage at a combined 250-plus pounds and fought an entertaining scrape for three full rounds.

Local favorite Tommy “Kong” Watson thrilled his adoring fans with a knockout of American Pierre Guillet. With Watson on his back during first-round action, Guillet dove in to attack, but Watson struck first by landing a devastating upward heel strike to Guillet’s head. Watson quickly pounced on top of the fallen Guillet and finished him with fist strikes to the head.

Complete event results are after the jump:

Continue reading "Berry Stops Shamrock Overseas"

Cage Rage 25 Weigh-In Results

The official weigh-in results for tomorrow’s Cage Rage 25: Bring It On are below. All fighters successfully made weight.

The event will be highlighted by Ken Shamrock’s return to action as he will be welcomed in his Cage Rage debut by opponent Robert “Buzz” Berry. Shamrock’s son Ryan will compete on the undercard against Giorgio Andrews. Masakazu Imanari will also defend his featherweight title against Jean Silva.

Ken Shamrock (220 lbs) vs. Robert Berry (240 lbs)
Masakazu Imanari (143 lbs) vs. Jean Silva (144 lbs)
Gary Turner (220 lbs) vs. Mustapha Al-Turk (240 lbs)
Rob Broughton (282 lbs) vs. Neil Grove (273 lbs)
Pierre Guillet (184 lbs) vs. Tom Watson (184 lbs)
Ivan Serati (200 lbs) vs. Roman Webber (204 lbs)
Aisling Daly (129 lbs) vs. Aysen Berik (132 lbs)
Giorgio Andrews (133 lbs) vs. Ryan Shamrock (134 lbs)
Henrique Santana (169 lbs) vs. Michael Johnson (169 lbs)
Marvin Arnold (180 lbs) vs. John Hathaway (184 lbs)
John Phillips (184 lbs) vs. Jake Bostwick (184 lbs)