Fenwick takes The Bull by the horns . . but to no avail

Mar 14 2010 Sunday Sun

RYAN “THE BULL” COPLAND took sweet revenge for an earlier defeat at the hands of Steve Fenwick in their number one contender clash at Strike UK3.

Fenwick had pounded Copland into the ground at the Cage Fight Night Alnwick Gardens event in October.

But it was Ryan that took charge at the MMA and K-1 rules kickboxing Strike UK 33 in Ashington.

The Bull, next fighting at the Optimus Fighting Championships in April at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, charged in from the onset despite Fenwick opening the bout with a right punch.

Clinching in, The Bull, the stronger of the two, lifted his opponent and slammed him hard into the mat before following him to the ground to take the mount position.

With the dominate position secured, Ryan rained revenge down with heavy blows that forced Fenwick to cover and move.

With Ryan completely in control and Fenwick unable to get away from the ferocious blows, the referee stopped the punishment in 1.41 of the first round.

Now Ryan ‘The Bull’ Copland the number 1 contender for the pro-Strike welterweight belt in the not so distant future.

Ryan said: “Fenwick is a very good fighter and I have a lot of respect for him but the fight went right to plan and showed my improving ground skills to produce a flawless win.

“I’m now back on form thanks to head DFM coach Robert Currah and the support of my sponsors, Mark Jones of Zecca Restaurant, Amble, and the Gentleman’s Barbers, Alnwick.

“They have all helped me enormously in preparing for the Optimus Fighting Championship on April 18th.”

Tickets for Optimus are still available by phoning the Metro Arena on 0844 496666 or by phoning Ryan on 07716 317566.

Strike pro Northern area flyweight title fight saw Paul “Deathwish” Hartly (Team Yasumazu) take on Shamsul “Black Magic” Haque (Team Fighting Fit).

Hartly came out with good straight punches, but Haque realised the danger and clinch, resulting in a melee of good reversals. The Haque seized his chance and used his tremendous strength to slam Hartly to the mat.

Hartly scrambled to his feet and surged forward taking Haque down with a heal hook.

Haque fought back to his feet only for Hartly to take him down again.

Haque tied him into a full guard, and as Hartly attempted a ground and pound, he pounced with an attempted a triangle before snatching victory by cranking his arm in a tight bar.

Haque wins in 2.47 of round 1 via armbar

RESULTS:

Amateur middleweight: Brett “The Hitman” Smart (CBNE) vs. Calumn Bell (DFM Reivers MMA). Smart wins via armbar in 1.07 of round one.

Semi-Pro bantamweight: Paul “The Dark side” Howe (Team Yasumazu) vs. Tony Leach (Team Strike)

Howe wins in 57 seconds of round one via rear naked choke

Female K - 1 rules: Jo Hume (Dekka MMA) vs. Jessica Cunningham-Lowes (Team Strike)

Judges’ decision – Hume’s wins with 30-26 score

Semi-pro flyweight: Liam Watts (Heavy Hitters) vs. Dan Carr (Felling Warriors). Watts wins - armbar in 2.05 of round 1.

Semi-pro lightweight: Karl ‘The Weeble’ Elliot (Team Yasumazu) vs. Martin ‘Mutly’ Taylor. Taylor wins in 2.42 of round 2 via rear naked choke

Featherweight strike northern area Amateur title fight: Dan Boyle (CBNE) vs. Dan Robinson (team Fishtank). Judges’ Call Boyle wins with a 20-18 score

Semi-pro middleweight: Dave ‘cute balls’ Taylor (Team Yasumazu) vs. Dave Charlton (Team Strike). Taylor tight guillotine choke in 59 seconds of round 2.

Men’s K - 1 rules: Lewis Kassei (Heavy Hitters) vs. Jonathan McEnaney (Team Strike). Referee’s decision – Kassei wins in just 12 seconds of round 1.

Amateur welterweight northern area Strike title fight: Kris ‘The Krucifier’ Brotherton (CBNE) vs. Sean ‘The Spider’ Phillips (DFM Reivers MMA) Judges’ call - draw