LOCAL fighters took on tough competitors from Australia’s best fighting gyms in a huge night Muay
Thai & MMA action in the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre last Friday.
About 750 fans turned up to watch the night of 13 fights, headlined by the ISKA welterweight world title kickboxing bout over seven rounds, This fight was a tough encounter, with Japanese fighter coming out strong, but to be constantly countered by Tim with strong crosses and Great Leg kicks, the fight went all seven rounds with the crowd getting right behind the Aussie who took the bout to become the new ISKA world champion Tim Drury from fite108 gym on the Central coast.
They were also treated to a host of other tough fights.
Brad Traynor had a double reason to celebrate after claiming a close win in a split decision during an
even first bout on the cards. Traynor turned 21 three weeks before taking to the ring in his first bout, but has not been able to
celebrate because he was in training for the fight.
Facing Daniel Kimber from Picton, Traynor finished strongly to easily win the final round, after Kimber
claimed the second, bloodying Traynor’s nose in the process.
However Traynor got to nod following an even first round split the judges scoring the event.
Traynor’s win was to be the only one scored by the five local fighters taking part in the night.
The closest was probably Jay Ellard, fighting in the super middleweight division, facing Sydney fighter
Peter Landecka from Pitbull who was coming off a first-round knockout win in his previous bout.
Organiser of the fight night and head coach at the Southern Fitness and Martial Arts Centre, Richard
Neradil, said he thought Ellard had done enough to take the points.
However, after the two young guns exchanged three rounds of big hits it was Landecka who was
given the judges’ decision.
During the fight Landecka showed plenty of ability with his hands, landing many strong blows, but
Ellard’s kicks proved move potent, frequently causing Landecka’s legs to buckle under their force in a
fight that had the big crowd cheering and chanting.
Earlier in the night Mik Miles took to the round in his first full-contact fight, and showed plenty of
promise despite being outpointed by Newcastle fighter Ben Cook.
Chris McLaughlan opened strongly against Scott Bullock of Canberra in their super welterweight bout,
taking the first round. But two accidental kicks to the groin in the ensuing two rounds slowed him down, and Bullock took
control to even have a standing eight count applied to McLaughlan during the third.
McLaughlan lost on points, as did David Freeman-Smith in his super middleweight bout.
Like McLaughlan before him, Freeman-Smith started strong and had the better of exchanges during
the first round, but lost the ascendancy during a flurry of blows landed by Newcastle opponent Michael
Sessions.
The punches appeared to hurt Freeman-Smith, and slowed him down to the extent where Sessions
took control, the final two rounds, and the victory.
Super lightweight fighter Chad McGillick is another who could count himself unlucky to lose in a
majority points decision to Renato Vieira, of Canberra, after a bout in which both performed well and
had moments of dominance.
The night also saw mixed martial arts arrive in Nowra, with local fighter Robert Hewitt, of Kumiai Ryu
taking on Brad Davis, from the Southern Highlands.
With an early focus on takedowns and gaining physical control, in was Davis that took control and was
able to pass Hewitt’s guard late in the first round to begin a ground and pound, resulting in the fight
being stopped with 10 seconds remaining in the first round.
Neradil said he was happy with the night, and particularly the response from the large and vocal crowd.
He has already started preparations for his next fight night.. Febuary 19th 2011
