Eikö1 Event Mag

WKF Heavyweight No1 contender Mike ConnorsEikö 1

Official Results

Eikö 2previews

+ THE OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON THE OPEN CHALLENGE FOR THE TITLE

+ YOUR CHANCE FOR TWO FREE TICKETS TO EIKÖ2

ISS

UE

1 |

20/

04/

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2

+ THE RUN UP TO YOUR FIRST SEMI-PRO FIGHT

+ SPECIAL PHOTOS FROM THE PRE FIGHT WEIGH-INS

+ INTERVIEW WITH FSI CO-FOUNDER MICHALE WARREN

All fights at Eikö1 were sanctioned

by the WKF

www.eiko.co.uk

Welcome to EiköEikö is a martial arts event that had it’s first show in Newcastle on 25/03/2012. We aim to bring the best combative sports to the octagon, focusing on the pure intensity, high action and skill of the martial arts on show. We refuse to adopt any negative language or promotion associated with MMA, K1 or Kickboxing we feel holds the sport’s image back in this country.

We hope to improve the public’s awareness of MMA in the region as we believe the North East has a fantastic pool of clubs and fighters worth promoting for their skills and abilities. With that in mind, Eikö will become a platform for existing clubs participating in our events to promote themselves as well as their martial artists.

We will always try to pit top local fighters against each other as well as attract fighters from across the UK and Europe to headline our shows. This will give local fighters the best chance to springboard themselves onto bigger and better fights whether it be with Eikö or elsewhere eventually.

With out first show done and dusted this publication goes on to explain how it all went and what is going to happen in what promises to be a very exciting 2012.

J U LY 2 2 AT C L U B L Q

W K F K1 I N T E R N AT I O N A L S U P E R W E LT E R W E I G H T T I T L E

E I K Ö P R O S P E C T 2 0 13 4 M A N P R O M M A C H A L L E N G E / F I R S T R O U N D

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+ A F U L L F I G H T C A R D W I T H A L L L E V E L S O F M M A & K1

T O S TAY U P T O D AT E C H E C K O U T W W W . E I K O . C O . U K

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previewJ U LY 2 2 AT C L U B L Q

E I K Ö P R O S P E C T 2 0 13 4 M A N P R O M M A C H A L L E N G E / F I R S T R O U N D

At Eikö2 we are launching the ‘Eikö Prospect’ MMA Challenge. Every year we will try and find a promising fighter from the UK that has what it takes to go on to big things in the world of MMA. We will invite hand picked fighters based on their reputation for a professional attitude from the local areas to partake in an elimination tournament over the course of the year. At Eikö2 we will in effect have the semi final bouts of our first ever “Eikö Prospect”. The winners will go on to fight each other at Eikö3 in November. The prize includes a cash bonus but more importantly incorporates everything we could think of to help push the fighter on in their career. This comes from working with our sponsors to have them provide one years sponsorship to the winner.

The Prize Includes

A Years Sponsorship off FSI, incorporating:

• One years full membership at FSI • One to One Strength and Conditioning Coached Sessions• Unlimited Access to Group Training Sessions• Nutrition Plan & Advice

A Years Sponsorship off a Top MMA Training Brand. As well as promotional benefits, this will include a full set of training equipment so they have everything they need to train with their respective club.

Also a years supply of Sports Nutrition and supplements for their post workout recovery, enabling them to maintain the high level of work rate required while staying healthy.

The whole package is worth over £4500 which we hope will go a long way to aiding the winner in their push for bigger and better things in 2013.

Look out for more information on the competition and the fighters involved over the coming weeks.

Check out Eikö1 on Sky | Tyne and Wear

If you missed Eikö1 then Highlights are available to watch online at the website for Sky | Tyne and Wear:

www.tyneandwear.sky.com

Once on the site simply search “eiko” to find the videos and write ups on the site. There is also now a free App available to allow you to view articles on your phone.

W e w a n t t o h e a r y o u r b e s t f i g h t n a m e s f o r a n y f a m o u s p e r s o n

( c u r r e n t o r h i s t o r i c a l ) . T h e f u n n i e s t o r s m a r t e s t w i l l b e c h o s e n

b y E i k ö a n d a n n o u n c e d o n o u r t w i t t e r a n d f a c e b o o k o n

M a y 14 . L a s t e n t r y w i l l b e m i d n i g h t M a y 1 3 .

To e n t e r s i m p l y w r i t e y o u r i d e a o n o u r f a c e b o o k p a g e w a l l a t :

w w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / e i k o u k

o r t w e e t i t w i t h @ e i k o u k i n y o u r t w e e t .

“ T h e C h o p p e r ” H e n r y t h e 8 t h

W i n s t o n “ T h e B u l l d o g ” C h u r c h i l l

G u y “ D y n a m i t e ” F a w k e s

WIN 2 FREE TICKETS TO

J U LY 2 2 AT C L U B L Q

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previewJ U LY 2 2 AT C L U B L Q

THE MAIN EVENTOur Main event for Eikö2 will feature Newcastle’s very own Craig Jose, fighting for the WKF K1 international Superwelterweight Belt. Craig will be looking to add to his impressive collection of titles he has picked up along his long road of 38 wins in Proffessional Thai Boxing and K1 fights. Craig fights out of the Faktory, where he is is in fact the Head Thai Boxing coach. Many people may know Craig as a fighter, perhaps having seen him fight before. For those who haven’t, then at Eikö2 your in for a treat, as Craig’s reputation is amongst the highest in the area, when he comes to fight he comes to fight hard. It’s not surprising then that he has been so successful and at Eikö 2 he will be looking to add to that success, by adding the WKF k1 title to his waist..

Standing in his way is his opponent, and he is no slouch. His opponent is the French rising star and hot prospect Jamal Wahib. Jamal has an impressive record of W34, L3, D2 and 19 of those wins come via KO. Jamal fights out of Thai Boxing gym ‘Team R.M. Tiger’ in Dijon, Auxonne in France. He will be coming over to Newcastle representing not only himself and his club but also his country, as this is an International Belt. If he wins, he will be taking it back with him to France, and it wil be his to defend for France until someone from another country can take it back.

He has to win it first however, and Craig is Newcastle and England’s representative in this bout. Whoever wins, one thing’s for sure, this is going to be a fight to remember and one you can’t afford to miss.

Eikö 1 Official ResultsFight 1: Amateur MMA 70kgDave Leach (67.7kg) vs Anthony Hollis (68.6kg)

The show got under way with a full 3 round tug of war between CSN’s David Leach and Anthony Hollis. The first round mainly saw a battle for position while both fights fought up against the fence. When it was on the ground Hollis was often on top but under control inside Leach’s guard. It ended with a guillotine attempt that could not be finished before the bell. In the second round Anthony took the most advantages positions, taking the fight to the ground and stayed on top for the most part of the round, although David executed some nice sweeps towards the finally seconds. The third round started with a huge takedown from Leach but Hollis recovered quickly and the round ended after a continued stalemate battle on the ground.

Decision: Split Draw

Fight 2: Amateur 77kgKris Anderson (77.3kg) Vs Zeliminah Mustaov(77.6kg)

The second fight saw Judo Black belt Kris Anderson take on the Chechnian Wrestler Zeliminah Mustaov. This one was fast, a few swift strikes were exchanged but Zel then put Kris against the cage, Zel scored a takedown before Kris made the mistake of showing his back to Zel who was quick to pounce, get his hooks in and secure the rear naked choke.

Winner: Zeliminah Mustaov Method: Submission (Rear Naked Choke) Time: 1st round (1min 3secs)

Fight 3: Amateur 70kgReece Pearn: 67.5kg VS James White: 70kg

This was another particularly explosive fight for an amateur rules match, White came out with a heavy leg kick but it was skillfully caught and used to quickly get the take down by Pern. Pern worked hard for side-control, followed by an arm-bar at-tempt which White did well to get to his feet and defend. Pern didn’t give up on his submission attempts though, he worked his legs up his opponent and prevented White from escaping. In a final attempt to get free, White used his raw strength to lift Pern off the ground and slam him into the mat. This attempt only allowed the composed Pern to sink his lock in deeper, forcing the submission.

Winner: Reece PearnMethod: Submission (Arm Bar)Time: 1min 13sec (1st round)

Best Amateur of the Night

The prize for best Amateur went to Reece

Pearn who showed great technique

in securing an armbar and maintain it

against some big heavy slam attempts.

Reece received a prize of free supliments

from ‘Bodymaxx’ to help him recover

after his training.Reece trains with ‘The

Dungeon’ BJJ and MMA club in Sunderland’

Reece Pearn

FSI isn’t just another gym; it is a highly effective athletic strength and conditioning facility. Every aspect of FSI has been tailored and designed to improve an individual’s performance whether that is simply to lose a few pounds of body fat, and improve general fitness, to competing in sports at professional level to everything in between. The FSI philosophy and mission statement is to provide the UK’s most effective training facility, with a training venue filled with world class equipment, top coaches and services. This is a message the whole company believe and follow, none more so than the Managing Director, Michael Warren:

“Everyone involved with FSI has a vast number of years and experience in the fitness industry. Each person brings a lot to the table regarding effective fitness training and methods. FSI was a 3 year planning process and throughout that time the philosophy was always to focus on fitness results, to create a brand and facilities that put clients, members and athletes results first”.

FSI disregard anything that isn’t highly effective for true fitness results. That means that FSI disregard many traditional equipment and facilities found in most gyms. No TV’s will be found at FSI, no cardio equipment, no swimming pool, no café or relaxation areas, no spa’s or steam rooms, no fixed resistance machines. Why? Warren explains:

“Because all of those things are either distractions to training, do nothing to get fitness results, or are not very effective and there are more effective training alternatives. The FSI philosophy of serious training and serious results means that our training and methods are leading the fitness industry and going against the traditional norms. The FSI message and goal is simple: to provide most effective training facilities possible, so that spending 3 or 4 hours a week training at FSI will get more fitness benefits and results than training at any other gym in the UK, we like to think of FSI as a facility as a results factory”.

FSI is already attracting a vast range of members and users from general fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes. FSI are now starting to attract a number of MMA fighters as more and more athletes from sporting disciplines realise that the FSI’s way of training is so effective and can deliver world class results. The popularity of MMA fighters training at FSI is all to do with the realisation of the importance of strength and conditioning to a fighter’s success. FSI’s training methods and philosophy is ideal for MMA fighters, and not only are the facilities and equipment perfect to improve a fighters strength and conditioning, but FSI have specialist training camps with

top strength and conditioning coached training as well as many other additional services available, from sports massage, NLP, to supplements. Warren goes to explain:

“Many people seem to be stuck in the ‘old school’ ways and using incorrect training methods to train fighters. People presume going for long runs will get them conditioned for a fight, whilst this will improve aerobic energy system and improve an athlete’s ability for going to complete a long run, it does little to prepare the athlete for the fight. In fact, this type of training method could be disadvantageous by actually decreasing explosive power. Also Some combat athletes and coaches believe that strength training should incorporate weight training, often following a programme that resembles more of a bodybuilding type training programme, that does nothing to actually develop real combat explosive power and strength”.

Warren goes on to say:

“At FSI we understand the scientific principles and how to correctly train combat athletes for the sport. By correct training methods and prescription we can improve a fighters explosive strength and power, and increase the ability of knockout power. We can improve a fighters conditioning to being able to dictate the pace of the fight, and prevent gassing out. We can make a talented fighter an overall more dangerous opponent by not only becoming more offensive, but also increasing their speed and power, both key to developing a fighters ability to defend better against an opponent’s attacks’.

Want to find out what equipment FSI recommends MMA fighters should be using for MMA Strength and Conditioning and why, keep an eye out for FSI’s upcoming Training for MMA article.

FSI has not been open a year and yet already is starting to attract athletes from outside the North East to train and be coached by the FSI coaches, testament indeed to the company’s good work and strong philosophy. Something Warren and the rest of FSI are determined to strive and continue to develop.

“We have many developments both regarding additional equipment, some of which will not be found in any other gym in the UK, and are sourced from China and the US. We will continue to develop links with affiliate companies that will bring added benefit to athletes and members that can enhance the overall service we offer’”.

Eikö Sponsors FSI Co-Founder Michael Warren, talks about what makes FSI special and why fighters, and anyone who is serious about strength should come see their facility.

Regarding Eikö and FSI, Warren states:

“Eikö was an absolute perfect fit for us as a company, we want to be a company that supports North East sport including organisations as well as individuals, and like FSI, Eikö want to support local clubs and fighters, and offer a platform for local fighters to go onto bigger showcase fights. This is a philosophy we fully support and admire, and like us they are a professional organisation. We are fully committed in supporting Eikö’.

For further information about FSI Strength and Conditioning Training Services check out – www.fsi-gym.co.uk

@FSIGYM

/FSIGYM

Sponsors of

Fight 5: Semi-Pro 85kgKhamzat Salmurzaev 85.4 Vs John Jackson 81.7

Both fighters came out throwing some clean strikes in a couple of brief exchanges, but it quickly closed to clinch distance and then against the cage. Both fighters wrestled for position but when Jackson dropped for a single leg, Salmurzaev started to work a Guillotine. Jackson fought hard to counter it, almost working out of it a couple of times. Eventually Salmurzaev got his hands together and made it count.

Winner: Khamzat SalmurzaevMethod: Submission (Guillotine)Time: 3min 15sec (1st Round)

Semi-Pro MMAFight 4: Semi Pro 77kgDaniel Flintoff 76.7kg Vs Scott Gray 76.3kg

Moving on to the semi-professional action and things got under way with another first round submission victory. This time, Gray took Flintoff to the floor, only to be nicely swept by Flintoff, who transitioned from side to mount before executing a nice arm bar and taking the win.

Winner: Daniel FlintoffMethod: Submission (Arm Bar)Time: 1min 32sec (1st round)

Fight 6: Semi Pro 84kgRuslan Razhabov: 82.5kg Vs John Baldwin: 82.2kg

This was another exciting battle that didn’t make it past the first round. Baldwin came out with some heavy punches but Razhabov returned with some sharp striking including a good head kick, which although checked, was enough to make Bald-win look for the take down. Up against the cage Razhabov tried to jump guard to take a guillotine, Baldwin was strong and managed to get his head clear once on the ground. Razhabov

gained wrist control and as Baldwin made a move he looked to set up an arm bar, Baldwin did well to escape, only this time Razhabov was quick to transition his submission into a Triangle choke. Baldwin couldn’t make a third escape and as Razhabov sank the choke in, Baldwin had to tap.

Winner: Ruslan RazhabovMethod: Submission (Triangle Choke)Time: 2min 15sec (1st Round)

Fight 7 Semi-Pro CatchChristopher Edgar 67.4 Vs Kim Zotterman 73.8

Edgar showed some great fighting spirit stepping up to take this fight. Wanting to get in there and get the experience, he was fighting another man with the same spirit who had travelled from Sweden to compete and was happy he made the trip. Both fighters went at it from the out set, both giving as good as they got. Eventually though, Zotterman made use of his large reach advantage before working off his back, securing an arm bar which Edgar could not escape from.

Winner: Kim ZottermanMethod: Submission (Arm Bar)Time: 2min 14seconds

Best Semi-Pro of the Night

The prize for best Semi-Pror went

to Ruslan Razhabov for his quick

transations from submission to

submission despite his opponents

escape attempts. He too received free

supliments from ‘Bodymaxx’. Ruslan

trains with ‘Combat Sports Newcastle’.

Ruslan Razhabov

Mike travelled to Newcastle to fight for the WKF title on March 25. The problem was his original opponent, Tomasz Cerwinski, would not pass a medical on the grounds that he had been KO’d within the official time allowance and therefore could not be sanctioned. Eikö were quick to find a suitable replacement in local fighter Chris Petrie. With only a few weeks to prepare for the fight, Chris stepped up his training to get himself ready for the opportunity to fight for Title. Unfortunately in doing so he sustained an injury in training which prevented him from being able compete.

An Open Challenge for the WKF Title

This led WKF to make Connor’s the official No1 contender for the MMA International Heavyweight Championship. Connors made it be known, he came to fight stating:

“I want to say thanks to everyone here in Newcastle, you have all been very nice to me...just one thing though, I want to fight here. I wanna lay a challenge to anyone here, in Newcastle in the UK, Anyone, you will not make it out of the first round, Il fight anyone, come fight me here, in November, speak to Eikö, the WKF there going make it happen and I’ll be back then...”

Mike has a strong wrestling background and this is something that thinks is lacking in most British MMA fighters weaponry and has said:

“In general I’m shocked at the level of wrestling in most British MMA fighters, I wanted to come over here and show how good my wrestling is and how important it can be in MMA. My original opponent was a giant of a man, I wanted to slam him in front of the Newcastle people, show them something they might not usually get to see, I just wanna perform and put on a good show, fight well and win that belt!”

Eikö3 will be in Newcastle in November 2012 and Mike will be fighting for the WKF title. Will Connors finish it in the first round? Will he be able to use his wrestling to slam his opponent? Will he become champion? We’ll have to wait until November to find out if Connors come through on his promises.

Fight 8: NSAC 66kgMatt Johnson 65.4kg Vs Andy Cook 64.9kg

This was one of the most exciting fights of the night for sure. Both men made great entrances with the crowd on the edge of their seats. The fight started explosively with some fast ex-changes. The main event in the first round was undoubtedly when Cook secured and arm bar only to have Johnson resist it. He got to his feet, used a slam unsuccessfully, then resorted to some heavy ground and pound hammer fist strikes to make Cook release his hold. From here, Johnson took mount and with Cook covering on the bottom he unloaded some heavy strikes, although Cook did well to block most of them before expertly turning Johnson from the bottom. Shortly after that the round ended, with both men aware they were in a fight.

The second round started and it was Johnson who took the initiative, instantly getting the fight to the ground and secur-ing mount. With out a second thought Johnson unloaded with strikes to the head, this time two consecutive heavy strikes found their mark causing Cook to tap out.

Winner: Matt JohnsonMethod: Submission (Strikes)Time: 45 secs (Round 2)

NSAC Rules MMA

Professional MMA

Professional MMA

Fight 9: Pro 68kgSteven Gardener (68.3kg) Vs Mark Alderidge (68.0kg)

Gardener came out of the gates with some explosive head kicks and leg kicks. One of these kicks landed hard just above Alderidge’s knee. This damage was visible when Mark tried to shoot for a take down but his leg gave out on him. Although he got straight back up and moved forward again on Gardener, he could only take a leg and not secure a decent takedown with Gardener ending up on top. Gardener started to make a guillotine attempt when Mark tapped out. The official decision is guillotine submission but the damage to that knee surely played a part.

Winner: Steven GardenerMethod: Submission (Guilotine)Time: 24sec (1st round)

Fight 10: Pro k1Rob Ward (100.1kg) Vs James Cannon (111.3kg)

The super heavy weight K1 was the to be the show piece fight of the night. The two fighters were ready and in good condition and what a battle they were about to have.

It was Ward that landed first with a good front kick, Cannon staggered but absorbed it and returned fire with some great combinations including some heavy leg kicks. It wasn’t long before Cannon scored his first knockdown. Ward recovered and came out fighting straight away. Ward’s power was clearly formidable but the difference maker was the number of clean shots landed, with Cannon displaying good head movement and a solid guard. Ward however received one too many clean shots once again, Cannon then scoring his second knockdown.

Again Ward came out fighting landing another big front kick, before Cannon caught the leg and scored sweep. Rob picked himself up from the floor for the third time and once again set him self to fight.

Cannon now had the measure of his opponent though, and as Ward came forward so did Cannon, landing a clean straight right on the chin of Ward knocking him out.

Winner: James CannonMethod: K.OTime: 1min 48sec (1st round)

Main Event K1 Rules

Rusland and Khamzat prepare for their first Semi Professional fight.Your first fight is a big step, whether it be a boxing, kickboxing, Thai, K1 or MMA. Most people enter at the Amateur level first, get a feel for competing in front of crowd and dealing with the nerves and butterflies, which for most never go away.Once you feel like you have that experience to take it onto a higher competitive level, how to you go about upping your game. Khamzat and Ruslan, friends and teammates at CSN (Combat Sports Newcastle) which is also Pedro Bessa Newcastle. Both had 2 Amateur MMA fights under their belt and both were moving onto their debut Semi-Professional Bout at Eikö1.

After the weigh-ins they both attended a BJJ Seminar with Pedro Bessa Held a CSN. We asked both their feelings into going into their first Semi Pro fight:

Khamzat: I was nervous and at the same time I was keen to fight, as it was my debut in Semi-Pro at Eikö1. It’s different when someone fights at amateur and semi-professional level. I understood/

knew what I am going for and took training very seriously. Our coach Steven Matthew Ritson, prepared me and my bothers from CSN for the fight mentally as well as physically. When it came to action I just did what I was trained for and by help of Allah won the fight. It was an incredible experience for me and I am looking forward for upcoming competitions.

Ruslan: “I was looking forward to this fight and trained hard as much as I could. Of course, as any other fighter I was quite worried because it was my first semi pro fight which is completely different from the amateur. Especially, I had butterflies in the stomach when I was in the changing room with my team mates preparing for the fight. However, when I stepped into the cage I forgot about the crowd and concentrated on the fight. With time I have learnt to control my fear, if you do not control it, it will destroy you and you will not be able to focus during the fight. The fight didn’t last for too long since I managed to win in the first round by submission. Thanks to our coach, In the future, God willing, I am going to compete as much as I can. I really do enjoy doing MMA and I’m proud to be a member of CSN club.”

Even though Khamzat and Ruslan took it easy throughout the seminar, listening intently and staying relaxed to ensure they were not injured before their fight, something held. As, if you had not read already, both took victories within the first round via submission. How will you prepare for you next fight?

Tell us on Twitter @eikouk or email us at [email protected]

Pre-fight ShenanigansThe weigh-ins were 24hrs before the show, there was a lot of mind games and intense stare-downs. However, there was a lot of laughs and high spirits as the infectious characters that went alongside many of the fighters on the show came out. It was good to see so many guys who not only take the sport seriously but enjoy every aspect of it from the beginning to the end.

A big thanks to...Eikö would like to give thanks to everyone who was part of our first show. Photographer Carn

Thirkel, Sky Tyne and Wear’s James Craggs, MC Mick Nokes, Refferee Mark Graham and Neil

Hall and all the WKF officials. The Ambulance Staff, Club LQ and all their Staff, Ring girls

Helena Donkin, Sophie Halliman, Jade Louise Easterbrook and Nicci Carr, and to Nicki

Jobson for the back stage help.

A huge thank you to all the clubs that featured fighters on the show including, CSN,

The Dungeon BJJ, Fellon Warriors, Team Shotokai and The Bear Pit. We look forward

to seeing you al again soon.

All fights at Eikö1 were sanctioned

by the WKF

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www.f ightstoremma.com

Customer servicesT: 0191 447 3631 or 0191 645 2666 (after 5pm) E: [email protected]

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