Saturday March 3rd – UCMMA returned to the Troxy, London this weekend to showcase their brand of White Collar MMA – an event that gives amateur and semi-pro fighters the chance to test their mettle against one another inside a cage and in front of a packed-out live audience.

WCMMA 3 hosted no fewer than 19 bouts, in an evening that saw ten fights finished within the first 90-seconds. The event also offered up spectacular knock-outs, awesome submissions and a show of clinical striking. Don’t be fooled into thinking that amateur or semi-pro means second-rate action; some of these guys have the potential to be the future of UK mixed martial arts. All 38 fighters put their reputations on the line in a show of true heart and determination, fighting like warriors in front of their friends and family. WCMMA is, arguably, the best place to witness future MMA stars at grass-roots level, but with all the glitz and glamour that you would come to expect at a UCMMA event. 

Ben McGonigle vs. Shane Fuller (75KG)

The main event of the evening wasted no time in getting started as both fighters came out swinging at a frenetic pace. McGonigle lands a push-kick to his opponent’s midriff and follows up with a crisp jab. McGonigle throws a leg kick, but Fuller catches the leg and trips his opponent, sending him crashing to the mat. McGonigle scrambles back to his feet, Fuller shoots in immediately with a double leg and that sees McGonigle on the floor once more. Again, McGonigle manages to get back to his feet and both fighters engage in a stand-up brawl in the centre of the cage – this fight has literally gone all round the cage in a matter of seconds.

The second round sees both fighters clinch in the centre of the cage and Fuller lets loose with a couple of knees to the mid-section. Fuller presses McGonigle against the cage applying the pressure and landing some vicious body shots to his opponent. Fuller eases off the pressure momentarily and it’s enough to give McGonigle enough room to create some distance and move away from the fence. McGonigle connects flush with Fuller’s chin, and now it’s his turn to press Fuller up against the cage and unload with some brutal body shots of his own. McGonigle connects with a huge knee and Fuller looks hurt. Fuller looks to create some distance between him and his opponent, but McGonigle can sense the finish is nigh and stalks his opponent, landing a combination of quick successive punches that all find their target. Fuller staggers and crashed to the floor – clearly dazed and separated from his wits, referee Andy Sledge has seen enough and waves the fight off.

Ben McGonigle defeated Shane Fuller by KO – Round 2 (1:13)

Sam Story vs. Ben Barlow (HW)

If you blinked during the co-main event of the night, you would have missed half of the action. Both fighters circled in the centre of the cage before Barlow un-corks a huge right hand shot to the face of Story. Stunned by the blow and visibly rocked, Story turns his back on his opponent. Barlow follows up and unloads with some vicious heavy hands to his opponents head, giving the referee no option but to call a halt to the contest after just 11-seconds.

Ben Barlow defeated Sam Story by submission due to TKO – Round 1 (0:11)

Charlie Curtain vs. Eugene Foo (86KG)

Both fighters come out strong, throwing power shots from the opening bell. As Foo and Curtain clinch in the centre of the cage, Foo fires off some rapid knees to his opponent’s mid-section – one is deemed to be illegal by the referee, who momentarily calls a break from the action to warn Foo.

The fight re-starts exactly the same as the beginning of the round. Curtain secures a brief takedown, but Foo is back to his feet within seconds. Curtain throws a body kick, which Foo catches and uses the momentum to throw his opponent to the floor, just as the bell for the end of the round rings out.

In the second round, both fighters clinch early on, with Foo pressing his opponent against the cage. In a tussle against the fence, both fighters sprawl to the mat, and it’s Foo that takes advantage of the situation as he transitions from guard to mount and lets loose with his fists, firing bombs on his opponent. Referee Andy Sledge has seen enough and steps in calling a stop to the action.

Eugene Foo defeated Charlie Curtain by referee stoppage due to ground and pound – Round 2 (0:57)

Danny Harding vs. Aaron Tongue (LW)

In what was arguably the fight of the night, Danny Harding and Aaron Tongue fought at a relentless pace for three solid rounds in a back and forth battle that could easily have gone either way.

The first minute of the fight is what can only be described as an all-out-scrap between two guys not looking to leave anything inside the cage during their battle. Towards the end of the round, Tongue scores a takedown, and as Harding scrambles back to his feet, Tongue is looking for an ankle lock, which Harding does well to evade. The first round ends with both fighters taking turns to swing wild, looping, heavy shots at one another.

The second round starts off at the same balls-to-the-wall pace as the first – Tongue lands a heavy straight right, but Harding fires back with a one-two combo of his own. Both fighters tumble to the mat and take it in turns to transition for top position. The referee decides to stand them both up and it’s another relentless paced brawl.

Harding starts the third round strong, landing some vicious crisp shots which looks to have Tongue slightly rocked. Tongue secures a takedown midway through the round, but with little action taking place the ref stands them both up. Harding finishes the round the strongest firing off a flurry of heavy shots, and it may be enough to just swing the round in his favour – in which is essentially a very difficult round to score.

Danny Harding defeated Aaron Tongue by unanimous decision

Charlie Bullion vs. Kieran Moore (73KG)

Bullion starts strong and lands with a stiff jab that has Moore backing up against the cage. Moore secures a takedown late in the round and despite looking to take his opponents arm; the round draws out before he has the chance.

The second round sees Bullion come out swinging wildly before shooting in for the takedown. Moore stuffs the attempt, but Bullion is relentless and manages to overpower his opponent to the ground and up against the cage. Bullion transitions to full-mount; Moore rolls onto his front and Bullion looks to take his opponent’s back, just as the round comes to a close.

In the third round, Bullion attacks with a low kick and immediately shoots in for the takedown. Moore defends the takedown, but in the tussle both fighters bounce off the side of the fence and hit the deck. Moore looks to take Bullion’s back now, but Bullion twists to his side and Moore secures the mount position. A last gasp armbar attempt from Moore is too late as the third and final round comes to an end.

Charlie Bullion defeated Kieran Moore by split decision

Nathan Rose defeated Daniel Lawrence by referee

stoppage – Round 1 (0:41)

Bobby Collins defeated Jake Anthony by referee

stoppage due to ground and pound – Round 2 (0:41)

Ben Fordham defeated Paul Joy by referee

stoppage due to ground and pound – Round 1 (1:17)

Mohammad Lasladj defeated Chris Butler by

referee stoppage – Round 1 (0:41)

Danny Turton defeated Robert Scott by submission

due to guillotine choke – Round 1 (0:37)

Steve Andrews defeated Pat O’Sullivan by KO –

Round 1 (1:17) *UK-1 Rules Bout

Lee Williams defeated Tom Jones by referee

stoppage due to ground and pound – Round 1 (1:09)

Emrah Sonnez defeated Jimmy McGonigle by

unanimous decision

Calvin Petrie defeated Daniel Muruako by TKO –

Round 1 (0:09)

Adam Randle defeated Amin Bedra by unanimous

decision

Andy Norman defeated Paul Pineda by submission

due to guillotine choke – Round 1 (0:37)

Ben Dishman defeated Jamie Savage by majority

decision

Garry Duffy defeated Damian Bartlett by TKO –

Round 3 (0:43)

Mike Hodgkinson defeated Perry Johns by

submission due to RNC – Round 1 (1:18)