CAGE fighting is proving a massive hit in Accrington.
Jimmy Heys runs the "East Lancashire Predators" based on Gillies Street and had four fighters on the bill at a Hyndburn Sports Centre Mixed Martial Arts extravaganza.
Cage fighting - or Mixed Martial Arts as it is officially known - doesn’t always conjure up good images but Jimmy was quick to point out that the event, the third in Hyndburn in recent times, ran smoothly.
"For anybody watching, they would have seen a safe, well organised sporting event," he said.
"Mixed Martial Arts has received some bad publicity and people seem to shun it as being a violent, aggressive, man sport.
"While it is aggresive, it is a controlled aggression in a controlled enviroment and it is a skilful, tough sport.
"MMA is becoming massive and looks likely to soon overtake boxing as the most viewed combat sport as it is also taking over traditional martial arts and styles in the gyms."
Of the Accrington men on show, Brendan Walker beat his opponent with a classy performance in the first round. He submitted him with an armbar on the first bout of the evening.
Mark Ryder and Mark Hill both fought their first MMA fights at the event and both took their fights at short notice with both going to a judges decision which unfortunately went the other way.
"It was hard as Mark Hill took the fight with only a day to prepare. The lads battled hard and I think the general opinion was we should have had at least to draws," said Jimmy.
The main event of the evening was fought between two Accrington fighters, both making their debut as professionals.
Ian James, from East Lancashire Predators, took the fight on three days notice after Razvan Boast’s initial opponent pulled out with injury. It topped the bill and deserved to do so as both lads got off to a fast, explosive start.
James had the better of the early exchanges, flooring Boast but couldn’t manage to finish him early with a rear naked choke attempt.
After a few more clashes, James again got a dominant position on the back of his opponent but couldn’t capitalise.
The tide then changed as Boast dislodged James and James ended up on his back with Boast sat on top in full mount. James covered up but his opponent rained down punches until the referee stopped the fight.
"It was a quality fight," said Jimmy.
"But I think only three days preparation for Ian took it’s toll although I won’t take anything away from Raz because he fought hard and was extremely durable.
"We didn’t have plans for Ian to go pro so early and we where extremely proud of him.
"Things are looking good for the future of our club, we are currently top of the UK MMA League, which is the best league for our fighters.
"We also have two individual league leaders in their weight divisions.
"We have three coaches at the Predators gym - myself, Ian Longson and Rob Freedman with Ian currently ranked in the top ten of the country at kickboxing and he runs a kickboxing club alongside the MMA."
