The MMA Clinic does Brighton. Sunday September 20th 2009.
It’s early, it’s Sunday and by rights everyone should still be bundled in bed. But this is no ordinary Sunday, it’s the day when months of training are put to the test as six of the MMA Clinic’s best, head down to Brighton for their first competitive tournament as a squad.
Two black Clinic Mercedes People Carriers and the trusty jeep wrapped in The Clinic’s logo and its precious cargo (our boys) draped from head to toe in menacing black cruised out of London… I thought I was watching rap video and I was worried we might be more style than substance. But I needn’t have worried because The MMA Clinic took home three of the four titles, winning 11 out of their 13 fights – we had the goods to back it up.
Over the past four months I have watched the MMA squad train week in week out, diligently drilling the same moves to perfection, building their fitness and heading into combat with some “light” sparring, putting what they’ve learnt into practice. Turning up when they’re not feeling 100%, turning up when it’s still sunny and warm outside and the thought of a beer is more appealing.
When you have coaches like ours and a dedicated squad it was no surprise that the journey down to Brighton was void of nerves, everyone turned up on time, everyone was relaxed and in good spirits…everyone was ready to fight. Tim made his own way down and met the boys on the beach. He’d had a more stressful start to his Sunday…no hot water and a train that was delayed. Unsurprisingly, Tim was ready for a fight too!
And so to the fights…
Dom
Fresh from victory on Thursday at The Boxing Clinic’s Contender, Dom set about trying to ensure his winning streak would continue. In his first MMA fight he did not disappoint as he won all three of his fights – not bad for starters. His signature moves were the fast and fine use of his pins…leg kicks, body kicks and switch kicks. But he was happy on the mats too as he won his first fight with a rear naked choke, his second fight with ground and pound and his third with a knock out. All three fights were tough but he made them look easy even though he was dwarfed by some of his opponents… although he dwarfed them with his skill
Pat
Compared to th e rest of the squad, Pat is one of the Clinic’s more seasoned members and so it was fitting that he was poster boy for the day as the national press had their lenses focussed on him…so no extra pressure then! He had two fights tasting victory in both. The key to his success was the immense control he displayed on the ground, once he was on top of someone, they weren’t getting up. His winning move in his first fight was a Kimura and in his second a triangle. Acco rding to team mate Jason, “Pat has always been an alpha male so no surprises he was there on top form. Technically, everything was spot on, no brawling, no sloppy groundwork, proper neat, tidy and complete domination”.
Graham
This was not to be Graham’s day as he dislocated his shoulder in his first fight. But if you want to hear the tale of a warrior read on… This was his first MMA fight and like the rest of the squad he was itching to hit the mats. It all started well, as his opponent tried to land a crafty punch as they touched gloves at the start, un-phased Graham got down to business. The highlight (or low light) was Graham fighting for two minutes with his shoulder hanging out of its socket. As pointed out by Stewart, the Clinic’s resident injury expert, “most people faint when they dislocate their shoulder”, Graham just ensured he made good use of his two legs and good arm!
Lavan
These were Lavan’s first competitive fights and he got through all three, two wins and one defeat. His signature move was his ground game, switching from one submission to the next, triangle to armbar to mount to their back, he was relentless. The winning move in his first fight was a rear naked choke and his second fight was won on points. His first two fights were tough, against opponents bigger and stronger but he took it to them and to quote his team mate Jason, “he handed out some good ass whoopings”.
Tim
I’ve heard the guys in training teasing Tim about his tan and questionable training gear and he takes it all on the chin with the banter never detracting from his training – it’s all just part of the fun. Like the majority of his team mates in Brighton, this was his first MMA fight, one, which he lost but definitely one he will learn from. His fight was one of the toughest, he just could not take the fella down. But he was the first person back in the gym, sparring two days later because he was so p*ssed off with himself.
Mike
Mike has fought MMA before and on the day he won both his fights. He’s described as having a head of concrete but he didn’t have to head butt a soul as his signature moves on the day were an armbar in his second fight and his rock hard head in his first – he can’t be knocked out! Mike was a shining example of keeping at it, soldiering on when you’ve got nothing left. His first fight was tough and at the end he was wrecked, he finally won it after a stand up brawl. He was so wrecked he contemplated not taking the second fight but he did and won it against fellow MMA Clinic team mate with an armbar.
MMA has its knockers, mostly people who don’t understand. I can’t help thinking that if they saw the commitment and hours of training the MMA Clinic team put into their prep for this tournament they would change their minds. Guys dedicated to cutting their weight, honing their technique and building their strength and fitness. Sure beats the alternative of burgers, buns and booze.
By Tony White & Sue Finnegan
