Saturday, July 2, sees the return of Ultimate Impact, the region’s premier MMA promotion, to Gloucester’s GL1 leisure centre.
Together with Dan Richards, we preview the show.
Originally scheduled for February, Ultimate Impact 17 was moved to July. Dan explained the reason behind the postponement: “There are two answers to this: the short answer, and the honest answer.” Could we have the honest answer please, Dan?
“These shows are incredibly hard to put together and they don’t really give back financially in return. That’s the honest answer. So, you know, I have a busy schedule, Paul (Sutherland) has a busy schedule. If you start to consider putting on a show like this it takes out a huge chunk of our time and we get very little in return.”
“We tried to put something on in February, but it just didn’t work out. We struggled to find dates – what with other shows going on, and the return of Cage Warriors. Also Cage Warriors joining with Pain Pit etc. We still found it hard to find a date for this show, but we thought ‘Sod it, we’ve really got to pin down July 2 and go for it.’”
“The other major stress is that we’ve had a lot of changes to the original card. We’ve had a lot of fighters pull out. Some pull outs are genuine – and you can’t fault that, they are what they are – and then you get constantly messed about by fighters that think they’re fighters, but they’re not. They want this and they want that. You’ve not got a record to your name and you’re asking for how much C’mon, let’s be realistic… And they just pull out.”
Putting a card together is extremely difficult as it is and, if I’m honest, the world of MMA (at our level) is not in a good place.
Despite the problems Ultimate Impact have had in putting together this show, they’ve managed to come up with a solid card.
Third down the card, Jamie Sexton (1-0) takes on Chris Astley (2-4) in a welterweight bout. I don’t know a lot about Sexton, but I am familiar with Astley. Last seen at BAMMA 20, he has an exciting ‘do-or-die’ style. I expect these lads to duke it out in the centre of the cage.
The co-main sees Brett ‘The Werewolf’ Hassett (2-1) take on Richard Williams (1-0). Hassett has a mix of subs and TKOs on his record, whilst the one win I can find on Williams’ record came by way of a Brabo choke – we should see some slick jitz.
The main event is set to be a corker, with both men bringing extensive records and experience in UK terms. Alex Brunnen (5-2), pits his skills against Jamie Reynolds (6-6). Brunnen comes in on a four-fight win streak and his record boasts a sub-heavy game. Reynolds’ wins come mainly by decision. This could suggest that he is a bit of a spoiler, but Dan tells me that he is a very talented mixed martial artist. I’m expecting 70% of this bout to take place on the mat.
Further down the card features a champion vs. champion submission only grappling match. Lightweight Mario Saeed takes on Owain Parry in a ten minute round, no-gi bout. First to get the submission, wins. It is as simple as that. Money raised in this sponsored match will go to CG5, a charitable organisation based in Worcester. They align themselves with sporting events to raise money in order to give it back in the form of grants to disadvantaged kids that are into sport.
Updated fightcard:
Alexander Brunnen vs. Jamie Reynolds
Brett Hassett vs. Richard Williams
Jamie Sexton vs. Chris Astley
Bradley Wills vs. Josh Ozanne
Mario Saeed vs. Owain Parry – charity grappling match
Michael Corston vs. Craig Rawlins
Michelle Nash vs. Joanne Doyle
Daniel Fricker vs. Tony Mills
Toddy Porter vs. Ben Hughes
Peter Robson vs. Matt Page
James Price vs. Callum Gilbert
Jack Bryant vs. Owen Gower
Jack Eglin vs. Shea Evans
Nat Pohl vs. Oban Elliott
Kieran Durrance vs. Ryan Mayes
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