Round 2 - 16 Winners go head to head!
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Melbourne hosts DOJO KO Australian Title
2nd Elimination Round
The 2nd Elimination round in Melbourne on July 22nd presented some of the country’s best MMA fighters in an action-packed night which, whilst attracting a relatively small crowd, was definitely big on action.
The impressive line up of well-conditioned & very determined athletes (the promise of Australia’s biggest ever MMA fight purse most likely had a lot to do with that) was keen to display Australia their martial art skills en route to the DOJO KO Australian Champion Title and the $50,000 winner’s purse.
Fight of the night would likely go to the bout between former Cuban judo Olympian Hector Lombard (now training in Melbourne at the Hangar 4) and Extreme Jiu Jitsu and Grappling’s Michael Ravenscroft from WA. The bout was a slug-fest mixed with some great groundwork with both men taking standing 8 counts before Lombard got the judge’s points decision.
There were some great demos including Kyokushin Karate Kata and spectacular ice and tile tameshiwari (breaks), graceful but explosive Aikido, energetic, acrobatic Capoeira and the gorgeous White Tiger Round Girls! DOJO KO isn’t just about fights; non-stop entertainment comes at the crowd from the word “Go”. The demos. live music, spectacular lighting and special effects, professionally-produced music composed by Emmy award winning Art Phillips and big screen, pre-fight video interviews and footage of fighters in training all contributed to a real night of top action.
Special Guests included Former world boxing champions, Joe Bugner, Lester Ellis, and Barry Michael.
RONNIE NAJJAR (Muay Thai) VS. GRAEME COGGINS (Kung Fu)
Starting the night off in true Martial Arts tradition, local boy Ronnie Najjar preformed a traditional Ram Muay. Many thought Najjar’s Muay Thai experience would account for an easy win over Gold Coast’s Graeme Coggins’s Southern Kung Fu. However, once the fight began, Coggins wasted no time attacking with a flurry of aggressive blows that ultimately ended the bout very quickly after three quick exits from the ring by Najjar.
The most controversial rule of DOJO KO is the three throw-out rule. Fighters who prepare for it make it an active facet of their fight plan. But enter the DOJO KO without having given considerable thought to the ropeless ring at your peril. It has accounted for the early demise of many promising fighters, both amateur and professional. On the other hand, a number of fighters have worked well with the rule and made it a significant part of their strategy. This is especially true with the judo fighters.
In the case of Najjar and Coggins, I think the exit was not so much Coggins using the rule well but Najjar just not having really trained for it. Had he done so, the fight would have taken on a very different complexion. But Coggins totally dominated the bout with aggressive flows of kung fu-style hammer fists that kept Najjer off balance and out of the ring.
Coggins def Najjar
Round 1. 0.57 seconds by Throw Out
JON VALURI (Extreme JJ & Grappling) VS. JUSTIN TURTLE (Freestyle Wrestling & Boxing)
This was a great tactical bout that showed how fighters have worked the throw out rule into their game plan, both in defense and offense. Highly experienced wrestler and Oceania Pankration Champion Turtle had a plan. Use his strong double leg shots to launch his opponent out of the ring for the throw out victory. Valuri on the other hand was almost expecting Turtle’s strategy and locked in tightly when the double leg shot came, carrying Turtle out of the ring with him and thus neutralizing the attack. Turtle continued with his strategy, controlling the centre of the ring and working the shots. But Valuri used his superior physical strength to hang on tightly and neutralize every time.
Valuri sprawled a one leg takedown, brought Turtle to his guard and clamped on a quick triangle into arm bar attempt. But Turtle defended well, slamming Valuri to the mat, loosening the lock and following with a quick throw out.
Advantage Turtle. But Valuri was calm under the pressure and seemed to be concentrating on his own strategy. On the mat Turtle’s wrestling skills showed and he snatched a great ground-‘n-pound opportunity. It didn’t faze his opponent though and Valuri’s experience and strength from the guard countered well.
In these events, one small mistake can end a bout. When Turtle left his arm out a fraction of a second too long, Valuri snapped on the arm bar, tightened it as Turtle struggled to pry out and pulled the arm straight. Turtle had no choice and tapped out. One of the best fights and both guys deserved to get through.
Valuri def. Turtle
Round 1. 1 min 27 seconds by Submission Tap Out
IVAN KRETZSCHMAR (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) VS. ROHAN MEREDITH (Mixed Martial Arts)
This was a great match that finished too fast. It went to the mat quickly after Kretzschmar lost his balance and touched himself out of the ring once. He recovered, got the takedown and side control, but Meredith escaped well to get the back. A quick struggle for leg locks followed with Meredith coming out in control and snapping on a quick knee lock submission.
Meredith def. Kretzschmar
Round 1. 1 min 4 seconds by Submission Tap Out
HECTOR LOMBARD (Judo/Boxing) VS. MICHAEL RAVENSCROFT (Extreme Jiu Jitsu & Grappling)
Lombard is a great athlete and a great entertainer. His presence on the night stirred some real anticipation and from the first glimpse on the big screen in the pre-fight video, the crowd was looking forward to seeing him explode. He did not disappoint.
But Ravenscroft proved to be a real dark horse. If Lombard had plans of an easy and early night, he hadn’t counted on Ravenscroft’s mental toughness and strong defensive grappling skills.
With judo versus jiu-jitsu, many were expecting the battle to go to the ground and stay there. But a fight crowd loves a real stoush, two warriors trading blows, no quarter given, none expected. And with Lombard and Ravenscroft they got the stoush of the night.
It was three rounds of toe-to-toe action, both men exchanging heavy, though somewhat wild blows from the onset. Lombard’s shots didn’t pack as much knockout power as Ravenscroft’s, but he was more accurate and landed well with his southpaw style right/left combinations.
The fighters literally stood in the middle of the ring and went for it! Lombard ate a hard right that nearly knocked him out and at a count of 8 he was a breath away from being stopped. But he recovered, reverted to his strong judo game and landed a big slamming takedown.
The heavy blows and toe-to-toe action continued into the second round. Lombard was quick and landed good shots but they weren’t heavy enough to stop Ravenscroft. He got another great takedown, scored well with some heavy ground-‘n-pound, but Ravenscroft showed impressive resilience and tenacity. At one stage, Lombard snapped on back-to-back ankle locks that would have stopped many lesser men. Ravenscroft proved to be tough as teak though, hung in there and even managed to give some of his own back before the end of the round. Twice in the bout it appeared that Ravenscroft dropped Lombard with heavy head punches. But Lombard’s instinctive skills took him straight to Ravenscroft’s leg for an attempted takedown that gave him time to clear his head without the need for a standing count. It was great fighting that showed why experience counts for so much.
What a match. Lombard got the close points decision but Ravenscroft showed the heart of a lion. One of the best MMA bouts Australia has seen.
Lombard def. Ravenscroft by Unanimous Points Decision
DANIEL KELLY (Judo) vs. ‘MELLOW’ ROSS DALLOW (Extreme JJ & Grappling / Boxing)
Once again, a real tactical battle. Kelly’s strategy was to use his judo experience to secure the throw outs. It was also a demonstration of why the standup tactic of kneeing a grappler in the head when he comes in low is easier said than done.
Dallow attempted numerous knee kicks, some successful enough. But ultimately, it cost him the match. Highly experienced judo champion Kelly successfully took control of Dallow’s balance when the knee kicks came to score the throw outs he needed to win in the second round. Dallow worked hard to contain the throw outs with his own grappling skills. But it was a matter of postponing the inevitable with the experienced Kelly working his takedowns and keeping Dallow in the defensive.
In round 2, Kelly scored two strong throw outs, placing the advantage clearly in his corner. But a sharp right from the not-so-mellow Dallow opened a nasty gash above Kelly’s left eye that was close to stopping the bout. Even after a visit from the doctor, the bleeding didn’t completely stop, so it was touch and go. Kelly was allowed to continue with a clear warning from the referee that the cut could end the bout any second if Kelly’s vision was compromised.
So what would come first, the third throw out or the TKO from a ref stoppage due to the cut? At the restart, Dallow fired off a few nice knees towards the head. But he may have been better off with his feet on the ground, his balance strong and letting loose some sharp punches. Kelly again caught Dallow off balance after a knee kick, secured the third throw out and the victory, narrowly managed to avoid the TKO due to the cut.
Kelly def. Dallow
Round 2. 1 min 53 seconds by Throw out
CRAIG ‘GUNNER’ GRESHAM (Judo/Boxing) vs. DANIEL SCIBILIA (Foot & Fist Boxing)
A quick bout once again, as a result of the throw out rule. When the ring is that small and there are no ropes, the key is to control the centre. If you can’t control the centre, then stay away from the edge. Whilst Gresham may have been slightly more aggressive, Scibilia took advantage of the ring’s edge.
At most turns it appeared that Gresham was initiating the offense, both on the feet and on the ground. But it was Scibilia who was more aware of the ring’s edge, using Gresham’s own strength, aggression and momentum to his own advantage to work him out of the ring for the throw out advantage. The bout ended with Gresham scoring a strong takedown and mount, but on the restart he went out a third time all too easily, giving Scibilia the victory.
Scibilia def. Gresham
Round 1. 1 min 53 seconds by Throw out
DOUG MEIJER (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Boxing) vs. PAUL ‘YOGIE’ COWIE (Traditional Jujutsu)
Meijer was just too strong for Cowie in this bout which was expected to go to the ground but finished with punches. Whilst Meijer came in as a BJJ fighter, his extensive Kyokushin Karate and kickboxing training was evident very early. He kept the bout on the feet where he dominated strongly. Cowie showed courage and mixed it well with Meijer but had no answer for Meijer’s combinations.
After the first 8 count, Meijer moved in quickly to finish the bout, maintaining the aggression that left Cowie with few answers and finally saw referee Cameron Quinn stopping the bout.
Mejier def. Cowie
Round 1. 1 min 25 seconds by TKO
HIRIWA ‘HILLBILLY’ TE RANGI vs. ROBBIE ‘THE BLACK KNIGHT’ KNIGHT
Another anticipated big match that fizzled. Knight is a powerful athlete who was taking his match against the highly experienced kickboxing legend Te Rangi very seriously. Te Rangi is a big man, but Knight, at 137kgs of power, was bigger.
Knight didn’t want to give Te Rangi any room to unload his standup skills and experience, so his strategy was simple: close the gap and drive him out. And he did exactly that, three times in quick succession (the third one with a badly sprained ankle). Te Rangi didn’t get a shot off and it was very clear he was not prepared for the ropeless ring.
The third out was from a takedown and side control, showing future rivals that whilst Knight is a giant of a man, he also has good ground skills as well.
Still, with two big men promising a great bout, the soft ending left the crowd somewhat disappointed.
Knight def. Te Rangi
Round 1. 1 min 4 seconds by Throw out
That’s it for the first round of DOJO KO. Round two of the first Australian Title is scheduled for October on the Gold Coast (see ad in this issue). The 16 winners from the Queensland and Melbourne shows will battle it out to determine who will advance to Round 3 and edge closer to the DOJO KO Australian Title.
Every step further also means the prize money increases. The winners of October’s bouts will receive $2,000 each and a birth in the final 8.
The promoters have also looked at the controversial throw out rule. It is this rule that gives the DOJO KO its unique flavour. Nevertheless, it is also clear that fighters are having trouble adjusting to it. So instead of the 3 throw outs ending the bout, it will now result in a points loss in the round instead. This rule change should mean the crowd will see even more top fight action.
Tickets start from just $20 though Ticketek.
Check out the Fighters page for more info on the fighters.
Will be posting up detailed results and photos soon - keep an eye on the Events page
The Ultimate Reality in the Art of Combat!
Clip Contents:
Joe Bugner - DOJO K.O. is "one of the greatest combat sports I have ever seen..."
Channel 9 Gold Coast- Footage of First Elimination Round Weigh In Day
More footage being added every day, keep watching this space!
MELBOURNE - SECOND ELIMINATION ROUND
Friday 22nd July 2005
Doors open 6.30pm. Action starts 7.30pm.
State Netball-Hockey Centre, Parkville, Victoria
Check out the Events page for more detail or click on the poster to the left
Gold Coast Show and Results Updated
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND RESULTS OF THE
FIRST ELIMINATION ROUND
Saturday 7th May 2005
Interview with Darren "Danger" Burton
NHB Live 89.7FM - WA
Perth, WA (Saturday 11th June)
NHB Live 89.7FM
Our own Darren "Danger" Burton was interviewed by Grant Girdwood on NHB Live - MMA Radio Show on 89.7FM this afternoon. This interview was streamed live to the internet also. We apologise for not giving prior notice of this interview for everyone to listen to, but we will try and get hold of a recording to put on the DOJO K.O. website.
We would like to thank Grant for giving us the opportunity to feature on his show today. What a fantastic show for all those MMA fans out there, these guys are all about giving martial arts the exposure it deserves.
We feel privileged to have been invited to do this interview on a show which has had such renowned guests as Pete Spratt and Royler Gracie.
For anyone interested in listening to the NHB Live segment in the future, if you are in WA then tune in to 89.7FM every Saturday at 11am Perth time.
For everyone else, you can go to the TwincitiesFM website and listen to it by live streaming - www.twincitiesfm.com.au
DOJO K.O. - FIGHTERS GO HEAD TO HEAD IN RAISED CIRCULAR COMBAT RING
Gold Coast, QLD (Tuesday 12th April)
Up Entertainment brings you DOJO K.O. National Title with the first event at Carrara Stadium on the 7th May.
DOJO K.O is an exciting new format allowing the fullest expression of the many martial arts and unarmed combat techniques. In contrast to existing formats, the raised 7m circular combat ring with no ropes is certain to provide an exciting event.
A spokesman for Up Entertainment says that the DOJO K.O. format has been developed for the greatest audience appeal and to provide good value entertainment for its target audience of 15 – 45 year olds. And indeed the ticket prices for free entry for under 16 y.o. if accompanied by a paying adult should guarantee a strong attendance by that age group.
The audience will experience the excitement of live music, lighting and special effects as well as live martial art performances on the night. And, of course, real sports action. DOJO K.O is professionally produced to entertain the audience with music composed by Emmy award winning Art Phillips and the best in the business designing the lighting for the event. DOJO K.O. is combining the best of the entertainment ideas from martial arts tournaments around the world.
Up Entertainment is a visionary new TV production company on the Gold Coast with fresh ideas for event management. This innovative newcomer has designed DOJO K.O. as part of a reality television series specifically for free to air television. We will have a candid look at the fighters. The colourful, the outrageous, the controversial, the unexpected, the bravado and the butterflies.
A top production crew will be shooting the first episode of the TV series at Carrara Stadium on 7th May.
The Martial Arts phenomenon is sweeping the country. According to a SCORS (Standing Committee on Recreation and Sport) report, over 300,000 Australians are participating in Martial Arts. Females make up over 50% and 15-24 y.o. make up over a third. A spokesperson for Up Entertainment says that he is confident that DOJO K.O. will appeal to the many martial arts enthusiasts, particularly its younger members.
Judging by the enthusiastic response so far the first event will be a sellout.
For further information about DOJO K.O., Email us at info@dojoko.tv or call the office on +617 5607 1888. |
