Immortals Fight Promotions 4 – Fight Talk Scotland Review
This past Saturday February 28th, Immortals Fight Promotions returned to Aberdeen’s Beach Balloroom for the 4th time, and put on undoubtedly their finest show yet. The promoters are the first to admit that the earlier shows weren’t the best they could be, but Saturday nights event selling out, an engaged and entertained crowd and an atmosphere that far surpassed the previous three shows, 7 of the 10 fights ending up in a finish and the card being paced much better than the previous three are all signs that the promotion is heading in the right direction. With UFC veteran Neil Hall refereeing, you knew the officiating would be of a high standard and the judges got every decision right, which is always a good thing!
Aided in part by the Charity bout between John Proctor and Danny Patterson, combined with the donations of spectators on the night, the event raised a massive £2,030 for Macmillan – an outstanding achievement, which the promoters deserve full credit for.
It wasn’t all easy for the promoters as one of the more anticipated bouts was called off due to one fighter missing weight on the day – in a show of class the promoters paid the fighter who did make weight. A nice touch from Immortals showing that they are not just in this game for the money, but look out for the fighters too.
Perhaps the most significant event on this card in hindsight will be the Professional debut of top Scottish Light Heavyweight Prospect Dale Middleton, who claimed a first round victory over Gold Team’s Piotr Maniak.
In a few years time, people may well look back on this card as the first time they heard of three amateur fighters who went on to have a good few more fights (and wins); Kieran Laidlaw of Shooters Dundee, Connor Imison of GCG and Ryan Donald of Titan Gold Team all had breakout performances, all three showcasing fantastic wrestling en route to wins, which is so often the difference at the C Class level in Scotland.
Those in attendance will most likely remember the fights between Kieran Laidlaw & Aaron Towns and the fight of the night between Simon Kelly and Ryan Donald, with Donald’s array of massive takedowns sure to be engrained in the memory of anyone who attended the show
The total domination of Gold Team’s Maciej Linke was another highlight – the BJJ Black Belt submitting Phil Flynn to capture the promotions inaugural professional Lightweight belt, presented to him by UFC legend Jeremy Horn.
A good show from a promotion that is always improving – we look forward to their next one. Be sure to like their Facebook Page by clicking HERE to keep up to date with all news on future shows
Remember to like Fight Talk Scotland by clicking HERE for the best coverage of Scottish MMA bar none
Below is a brief recap of each fight on the card and a link to each fight in it’s entirety on Youtube
Maciej Linke (Gold Team) def. Phil Flynn (Manchester Predators) @ Lightweight Pro via Sub @ 1:00 of Round 1
BJJ Black Belt Linke shot for, and secured, the takedown immediately, and secured a Rear Naked Choke submission victory in exactly 1 minute, sending the crowd home happy and taking home the promotions Lightweight title.
Dale Middleton (Results Gym Forfar) def. Piotr Maniak (Gold Team) @ Light Heavy Pro via Sub @ 2:24 of Round 1
Maniak scored an early takedown, but Middleton reversed to top position almost instantly, survived a few leg lock attempts, and after softening Maniak up with some nice G & P, secured the submission finish midway through Round 1 – impressive debut for the Scottish prospect.
Calum Owens (House Of Pain) def. Craig Mitchell (Immortals) @ 98kg C-Class via Technical Sub @ 0:38 of Round 1
The heavily anticipated bout between the big boys ended before the fireworks could begin – Owens pressed Mitchell to the cage and secured a standing guillotine, which forced referee Neil Hall to intervene and call a halt to the bout as it appeared Mitchell was going out. Hope to see both these lads on a future show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS91S637Oxs
Ryan Donald (Titan Gold Team) def. Simon Kelly (Team Parente) @ 70kgs C-Class via Unanimous Decision
This bout, the Fight Talk Scotland Fight Of The Night, was all about the takedowns of Donald. Donald must have landed near double figures on the takedown front, most of which were suitable for any highlight reel. Kelly kept it competitive, but the decision was clear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB-w0uqXby4
Dawid Kostecki (Immortals) def Graeme Salazar (Team Parente) @ 70kgs C-Class via Sub @ 2:14 of Round 2
After an incredible back and forth round 1, which I, and all three judges, scored as a 10-10, Kostecki took over in round 2 after a mistake by Salazar on the ground, locked up a tight triangle which left the game Salazar no choice but to tap. Kostecki continues to look better every outing and we’ll surely see him fighting on home soil again on the next show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJSXSy4NsI
Connor Imison (GCG) def. Kam Cheng (Fusion Gold Team) @ 62kgs C-Class via Unanimous Decision
Impressive debut from GCG’s Imison, whose constant, technically efficient, takedowns proved too much for the game Cheng, who did well to keep getting up to his feet and even teased a guillotine once or twice, but had no real answer for the wrestling of Imison, who won a clear decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPvlb0OUZlg
John Proctor (Titan Gold Team) def. Danny Patterson (Results Gym, Forfar) @ 62kgs C-Class via sub @ 1:35 of Round 2
Fantastic back and forth fight which Proctor secured the victory in with a Rear Naked Choke early in the 2nd round – crowd absolutely loved it and all proceeds went to Charity!
Kieron “Baby Spice” Laidlaw (Shooters Dundee) def. Aaron “Terminator” Towns (Results Gym Forfar) @ 58kgs C-Class via Sub @ 1:18 of Round 3
In as pure a Striker v Grappler match up as you can hope to see, the wrestling and top game of Laidlaw proved to be too much for Kickboxing World Champion Towns. Early in the third round, Laidlaw eventually turned the top control into submission offence and locked in a tight guillotine, forcing Towns to tap out and bringing a really fun bout to a close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmv9S6PUFXc
Paul McCulloch (Glasgow Fitness) def Anthony Smyth (Titan Gold Team) @ 77kgs C-Class via Unanimous Decision
Excellent, dominant performance from McCulloch, who was far ahead everywhere. We scored the bout as 30-25 for McCulloch who was landing take downs at will, strong ground and pound and even on the feet McCulloch was teeing off. Big respect to Smyth who showed real heart to stick in and go the distance. Look forward to seeing more of McCulloch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWFVENlxumM
Alexander Wylie (Newlife) def. Justin Thain (Gold Team) @ 70kg C-Class via Sub @ 1:30 of Round 1
Wylie landed an early takedown and immediately took the back securing an early submission win in a brilliant performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOFei3PDb_g