To mark what could very easily become known as the beginning of a new era of co-operation between UK and US shows, King of the Cage put on its debut show at Ice Sheffield under the watchful eye of Aaron Chatfield. Last minute complications led to the card being cut down slightly, but the crowd in attendance still had the chance to see nine top quality fights, including the eagerly anticipated middleweight championship clash between challenger Damian Riccio of France and the American champion: Joey Villasenor.


Herb Dean is a class act.

Herb Dean was not only in Sheffield to referee some of the fights; a fan-friendly man, he made time to chat to the fans in the bar before the show. He mentioned that he was disappointed that his fight with Tom Blackledge at Cage Rage 12 could not go ahead, but he feels confident that it will happen some time in September. Good luck to both fighters!

Aaron "Duchman" Karels (Holland) vs. Kris Leverton (England)

To begin the first bout of the night, some early floor work was brought back to standing by the ref as Aaron smothered Kris’s work from his guard. The break allowed both fighters to regroup and come out to land some vicious strikes in the clinch: Aaron landed some knees, while Kris put on the pressure with a series of hooks to the head and body.


Both men work for leg submissions.

Aaron then secured double under hooks, allowing him to lift Kris up for quick takedown to land in his guard. Looking to secure his advantage with strikes, he sat up and banged in some punches, before going for a heel hook. Kris, in reply, attempted an ankle lock.


Brutal elbows go in from Aaron.

As Aaron began to seem increasingly uncomfortable, he battled hard to shake off the attempt and make his way into top position. Once there, he rained down a relentless series of spiteful elbows which gave the ref no choice but to step in as Kris covered up. Aaron Karels wins via ref stoppage 3:40 Round 1.

Jason Simpson vs. Nigel Whitear

At the stare down, Nigel shook his head at his opponent confidently in a strong bit of gamesmanship. As the fight started, it appeared that Nigel may have gained the edge as he generally got the better of the early exchanges by landing his meaty left hook.


Nigel bangs in a low kick.

At longer range, both fighters had success with their right low kicks, but the fight did not stay standing too long as Jason found himself working off his back in half-guard. After defending position well, but eating an uppercut for his trouble, Jason worked to put Nigel on his back.


Listening to his corner, Nigel keeps Jason at bay.

Nigel was determined to claim victory and, once in control on top, threw in a barrage of punches that left Jason bloodied and in disarray. A check from the doctor confirmed that he was in no position to continue. Nigel Whitear wins via doctor stoppage 2:04, Round 1.


Once on top, Nigel makes Jason pay.

Ian Jones (England) v Lewis Barrow (England)

Lewis came out and took center of the cage, circling, before putting Ian on his back. Ian was unfazed and attempted an armbar, but a punch from Lewis saw him briefly take side mount. Ian, however, brought the fight back to standing with a guillotine attempt.


Lewis bangs in some vicious punches from the guard.

This was met with an awesome pick up and slam from Lewis, who followed up with swinging punches. Ian had his own success firing back punches and setting up armbar, triangle and shoulder lock attempts.


Lewis stacks Ian up to avoid his armbar attempt.

After another armbar attempt, Lewis stacked Ian up and passed to side mount, taking mount and smashing home some heavy shots.


Nowhere for Ian to go as Lewis sinks the choke.

Ian was taking serious punishment; as he tried to avoid the blows, he turned his back, allowing Lewis apply a choke. Lewis Barrow wins via submission (Rear Naked Choke) 4:48 Round 1.

Ross Pettifer (England) vs. Leslee Ojugbana (England)

In the fourth fight of the night, Leslee was determined to take the fight to the floor from the opening moments, setting up takedown attempts with range-finding punches.


At the start of the fight, Leslie wasted no time in closing the distance.

Ross found himself with his back to the cage on a number of occasions, sometimes warding Leslee off with guillotine attempts and other times being taken down.


Ross tries to distract Leslie with strikes.

To his credit, Ross was able to make his way back to his feet before absorbing any significant punishment.


Ross shows good technique to stay off his back.

Towards the end of the round Leslee scored with a beautiful sweep that put Ross in his guard, but he was able to recover position and finished the round with Leslee in trouble, defending the arm triangle.


An arm-triangle attempt is cut short as the round comes to an end.

To start the second round, Leslee again flew out with a punch to set up a shoot. This time Ross was able to reverse and put Leslee on his back in side mount. Ross quickly worked to mount, where he was able to sit up and land punches at will.


Ross takes control in the mount and lands bombs at will.

One hairy moment for Ross saw Leslee hook his foot around his body, but he was able to maintain position and fight off exhaustion to damage Leslee enough with wide and straight punches to lead to the stoppage Ross Pettifer wins via ref stoppage 2:46 Round 2

Dan Hardy (England) vs. Alexandre "Xandinho" Izidro (Brazil)

Alexandre, taking this fight at less than 24 hours notice, began by taking double under hooks and putting Dan on his back.


Dan controls in the guard.

Dan, however, worked well to regain his feet, before again being taking down. This time, Alexandre was able to mount and then take Dan’s back.


Alexandre looking to finish from the rear mount position.

From the back, Alexandre moved position for a triangle choke. Dan was not happy with this; in an impressive display of strength, he lifted his opponent high in the air and walked across the cage before planting him flat on his back.


Dan picks Alexandre up to counter his triangle attempt with a brutal slam.

An armbar attempt from Alexandre caused no trouble for Dan who stood up out of it and kicked Alexandre in the face as he stood up. In the ensuing stand up, Dan was very comfortable, landing with low kicks, occasionally looking to go high. The end of the round brought another escape from back position by Dan and a series of knees in the clinch.


Alexandre tests Dan’s submission defense with an armbar attempt.

In the second round, Alexandre was again able to take the fight to the floor and take Dan’s back, but he also had his success on the floor landing with punches, cutting down Alexandre’s options Dan Hardy wins via unanimous decision after 2 rounds.

Matt “12 Gauge” Thorpe (England) vs. Arran Barrow (England)

Arran began by landing two impressive left hands and pinning Matt against the cage. Matt, however, would not be held there and reversed position, breaking out the clinch to land a nice left-right punch combination.


Matt charges in to pound Arran as he turtles up.

Matt then hit with a huge punch which staggered Arran badly. Seizing on his advantage he chased him down to land bombs as Arran turtled up. Amazingly, Arran was able to regain his senses enough to reverse position, landing in Matt’s guard.


As Matt tightens up the triangle, Arran has nowhere to go.

Comfortable on his back though, Matt was able to quickly secure a triangle choke on his doubtlessly still dazed opponent.
Winner - Matt Thorpe via Submission (Triangle Choke) Round 1.


’12 Gauge’ with an awesome victory.

Paul Jenkins (Wales) vs. Atif Zariouhi (France)

Atif, from the Riccio camp, was able to start the fight by taking Paul down and landing in his half guard. Paul remained calm, however, and quickly gained full guard. Working well off his back, Paul tried a guillotine, which gave him an opening to make his way out and sprawl all over Atif, bullying him with body shots.


Paul keeps himself off his back with a solid sprawl.

The end of the round came following a very well executed slam from Paul, who followed up with elbows and further shot to the body.


Getting in low, Paul takes Atif up for a slam.

At the beginning of the secong round, Paul scored with a takedown and gained mount. He then sat up to throw strikes and looked so confident that he drew a reprimand from high corner.


Paul: so confident in the mount he had a conversation with the commentary team!

Paul was able to stay mounted though and banged him enough hurtful blows to convince the ref he had seen enough. Paul Jenkins wins via ref stoppage Round 2.

Martin Kampmann (Denmark) vs. Brendan Seguin (USA)

In this international bout, the fighters came out and circled, as if to signpost a stand up fight. A couple of right low kicks went in from Brendan, which he followed up with a left hook.


The fighters circle with Brendan generally the aggressor.

Martin, however, saw the next low kick coming and countered with a right hand which led to a flash knockdown. Brendan did not seem to fussed and continued to strike, it was not long though before Martin was able to counter a right hand with a solid left hook, which again had Brendan on the floor.


One huge left high kick and Brendan was out.

He bounced straight back up, but looked less confident through his smile this time. Martin smelt blood; controlling the center of the cage, he moved forward and landed a picture perfect left high kick which sent Brendan crashing to the floor unconscious. Martin Kampmann wins via TKO 2:05 Round 1


Martin celebrates with his corner.

Main Event - KOTC World Middleweight Title Fight
Damien Riccio (France) vs. (Champion) Joey Villasenor (USA)


The awesome Joey Villasenor.


Damian showed no sign of intimidation in front of the champion.

To start the fight, Joey reduced the distance, putting Damian on the back foot. Launching in, though, Joey found himself on the wrong end of a beautiful left hook counter from the aggressive Frenchman.


Joey stalks, but a second later walked onto a beautiful counter.

Dropping to his half guard, Damian looked to secure his position. Joey, however, had recovered quickly from the initial shot and exploded to his side with an incredibly executed reversal.


Damian lands momentarily in Joey’s half-guard.

Joey then stood up, looking to pass the guard, Damian though, would not let him.


Joey stands up, looking for an opening.

Seeing his chance, Joey blasted in a vicious series of three punches, all landing flush, bashing the consciousness from Damian and securing the defense of the title.


Three brutal shots in succession and Damian is left unconscious.

To the credit of his fighting spirit, Damian regained his feet well after the stoppage and claimed that he was able to continue, but it was clearly already Joey’s night. A wonderful night of MMA, brought to an explosive conclusion. Joey Villasenor wins via ref stoppage 1:55 Round 1


Joey Villasenor, still the KOTC Middleweight champion.