ONE, two, three – the countdown is on to the third cage-fighting collision in York.
Cage Confrontation 3 will comprise a distinct international flavour when martial arts devotees of different disciplines will gather again at York’s Energise centre on Saturday, July 16.
The cage-fighting show will be the third under the United Masters Promotions standard, a company run by Gaz Watkinson, founder of the Multi Masters Academy in York’s Layerthorpe, and Tony Dias, who runs his own United Martial Arts College in Norton, near Malton.
And they promise a new venture for their hat-trick of all-action shows.
There are to be three fights pitching warriors from England against counterparts from Scotland.
And besides the “auld rivalry”, talks are ongoing to finalise three, maybe four, title showdowns headed by a Commonwealth kickboxing duel for York’s Billy Wilson and a British kickboxing title challenge by Stu Phillips.
Two other fighters – Ian Hollibeck and junior Jim Henry O’Neill – are poised to fight for regional Thai-boxing crowns.
Said Watkinson: “I have a cousin in Scotland who is part of the mixed martial arts scene in Dundee entitled Urban Disturbance, so that’s how the England-Scotland tie-up has kicked in.
“And with the title fights also coming to York it promises to be a great show.”
Watkinson and Dias started their cage-fighting promotional venture with Cage Confrontation I, which made its debut last year in September at the Energise Centre.
That was followed by Cage Confrontation II – again held at the Cornlands Road venue in March.
Tickets for the third show are now on sale at £40 per person on a VIP table and £25 for standard seats.
For tickets, phone Watkinson on 07798 765259 or Dias on 07956 612667.
Meanwhile, York semi-pro heavyweight Andy Wright, who is expected to feature on the July 16 show, headed an impressive run of success for three Multi Masters Academy fighters at Bradford.
Wright, pictured above centre with Dias, left, and Watkinson, weighed in at 105 kilogrammes but was dwarfed by his opponent, who scaled 120kg. After an adrenaline-fuelled first round, Wright countered to knock out his bigger home favourite.
Matt Kendall (80kg) and Mike Gardener (70) both won their fights on the same bill, while Jan Matusek was unlucky not to have taken the two five-minute round contest at 98kg into a decisive third round.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here