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By: Tom Strong, MMATorch UK Contributor
Cage Warriors made a welcome return to our screens this past Friday night with Fight Night 10. It came only six days after holding their last event in Copenhagen, Denmark for CWFC 66 from the King Hussein Youth City Boxing Areana in Amman, Jordan. Though only an eight fight card, it didn't fail to deliver; with seven stoppages and only one fight going to a decision victory, the fans were treated to a great night of fights.
Abu Azaitar Def. Jack Marshman (TKO RD1):
Abu Azaitar (9-2) was making his Cage Warriors debut and headlining in the main event against Jack Marshman (14-5) who stole the show.
Both fighters were eager to make an early impression and came out swinging for the fences, though it was Azaitar who landed first with a left hand that dropped Marshman. It only took Azaitar thirty-four seconds into the first round to make Marc Goddard call a halt to the fight, as he landed a barrage of unanswered blows to the Welshman Marshman, forcing a TKO stoppage.
Marat Pekov Def. John Cullen (SUB RD1):
The co-main event bout pitted bantamweights Marat Pekov and John Cullen against one another. Having lost his last two fights for Cage Warriors, the Russian Pekov (11-5) wasted little time trying to get John Cullen (17-8-2) to the mat. After a few failed attempts, Pekov finally forced the takedown. In position Pekov secured an armbar, though Cullen did a great job defending it, only for Pekov to gain better control and lock in the armbar for the second time. This time, though, Pekov was able to extend the arm forcing Cullen with little option but to tap out.
Pekov picks up his first win under the Cage Warrior banner, and leaves John Cullen with back to back losses.
Malik Merad Def. Mohamed Ali (TKO RD3):
In a very entertaining light-heavyweight battle, Malik Merad (10-6) and Mohamed Ali (18-11) put on two rounds of non-stop action. Mohamed imposed his strength from top position and Merad showed his submission skills, finally edging the fight in the second round with full mount position landing some ground and pound. The fight would end in bizarre fashion at the start of the third round, though. With only nine seconds on the clock in the third, Ali verbally submitted without a punch landing. Though unsure the reason for the verbal tap, it may have been as a result of an eye injury.
Frenchman Malik Merad now extends his winning streak to five fights.
Norman Paraisy Def. Allan Love (UD):
This was the only fight of the night that went the distance. It was Frenchman Norman Paraisy (14-3-2) who took the honours over Allan Love (11-5), taking the decision victory (30-27 x 3) on all three judges score cards.
Paraisy took full advantage of his superior boxing skills, using his jab along with devastating leg kicks, and he took the fight away from Allan Love from the first round on. Paraisy didn't have things all his own way, as Allan would have his moment late into the third round with some submissions attempts, only for the buzzer to sound and Paraisy to take the victory ending Allan Love's five fight streak.
Marcin Lasota Def. Paul Marin (SUB RD1):
Possibly my favourite fight of the night. Though it only lasted three minutes into the first round, it had just about everything. Marcin Lasota (8-0) took control early with a couple takedowns, only for Marin to reverse the positions and then land some heavy blows down onto Lasota.
Lasota stayed calm on his back and managed to secure a triangle choke; Marin, sensing trouble, slammed Lasota to try to break the hold, only to leave an arm out. Lasota went for the armbar/triangle choke, forcing Paul Marin to tap.
Marin denied tapping to the armbar, though replays showed he did actually tap.
Carl Booth Def. Jarrah Ali-Silawi (KO RD1)
Carl Booth (1-0) took only thirty-one seconds to knock out the man from Jordan, Jarrah Ali-Silawi (1-1). Booth, making his pro MMA debut, silenced the noisy crowd when he landed a stunning right hook that landed perfectly to knock Jarrah out.
*Results from the preliminary card saw featherweight Dave Hill submit Miguel Maro via guillotine choke in the second round, and Yazan Janeb defeating Hicham Laghzali via third round TKO.
Main Card Results:
Abu Azaitar def. Jack Marshman (TKO) RD1. 0.34
Marat Pekov def. John Cullen (SUB) RD1. 3.45
Mailk Merad def. Mohamed Ali (SUB) RD3. 0.09
Norman Paraisy def. Allan Love (UD) 30-27 x 3
Marcin Lasota def. Paul Marin (SUB) RD1 3.02
Carl Booth def. Jarrah Al-Silawi (KO) RD1. 0.31
Prelimary Card Results:
Dave Hill def. Miguel Haro (SUB) RD2. 2.11
Yazan Janeb def. Hicham Laghzali (TKO) RD3. 2.57
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