Bai Lang Martial arts in Telford threw their hat into the promotional side of the Ring Light Continuous Kickboxing competition on the 29th April when at their luxurious 4,400 sq ft gym Chief instructor Lee Whitfield and father and Bai Lang operations Manager Dave Whitfield promoted their first open tournament under the title of The Bai Lang Midlands Open - The Uprising.
Impressed with a BLCC event in Solihull the Month before they decided to use the same format of the hugely popular Contender Championship Series competitions to put on a show to the very highest standards.
A good turn out on the day of pre entered fighters from a number of different clubs and a healthy showing of spectators there to support their fighters helped to build the anticipation and excitement for a day that would be highlighted by an English National title fight between USKA's Ridwan Khan and current ISKA English Kingpin Regis Khan from Newark Martial arts. Regis the son of WKA World full contact Champion Dean Sugden was keen to add another version of the title to his collection. He boasts an impressive record of 14 fights, 11 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws one of which was to Ridwan last time out at the contender competition in Solihull. Ridwan Khan had his confidence lifted with the draw against Regis in their last bout and was sure he could go one better this time and get the win. His record stood at 17 fights, 12 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws and he was the winner of the ISKA British Championships this year and earned him qualification to represent his country and fight in the European Championships in Hungary. In prospect this was a mouth watering clash and one that both lads had trained hard for knowing the standard of the other.

Starting pretty much bang on time it was time for the first competitors to enter the ring and get the action started. First into the ring for USKA and giving away 6kg in weight and 6cm in height was the ever improving

Miss Megan Kelly against Bai Lang opponent Azra Parvais over 3 x1 minute rounds.
Round 1 saw Azra the more aggressive landing good combinations of punches but Megan landing the better kicks. Megan showing her a little too much respect was allowing her to press forward and as a result conceded the first round by a small margin. Round 2 and 3 however was a different story. Despite having to deal with her now almost standard bloody nose Megan battled forward landing more frequently with both her hands and her body kicks even making the heavier girl have to stop for a respite at one point looking slightly overwhelmed and tired in the 3rd round after a series of Megan's kicks. Azra finishes the round strong with a volley of punches but it is not enough to claw back the lead in this crucial decision making round. Two rounds to One and the winner Megan Kelly in a tough battle.

Next into the ring we had a senior bout featuring Marko Conte from USKA against a talented fighter making his transition from the junior ranks to the seniors in Bai Lang's Murray Dadswell again over 3 rounds.
Both Marco and Murray respectful of each others technique keep the fight at range and fall short with many of their techniques over the three rounds. Neither man committing to make up the judges mind one way or another and the bout and judges decision a Draw at the sound of the final bell.

Murray Dadswell would again take to the ring this time in a demonstration bout against USKA newbee Kasim Sumel. Kasim has only been sparring for 4 weeks or so and as a result needed to be matched carefully. Due to there not being a suitable match available Murray kindly agreed to jump in for a demonstration bout and give Kasim a run and his first experience on the competition stage.
Kasim put up a good account of himself considering his lack of ring experience and also the nerves of performing in front of a crowd for the first time. The demonstration will serve him well for next time he gets in there facing someone of his own age and experience.

Rising USKA star Zakir Rahman was next in to take on Jordan Frost from Newark Martial Arts in a three round contest. Zakir has gone from strength to strength over the last couple of tournament outings and was taking on another of Dean Sugden's technical Newark fighters so knew that he was in for a fight.
The beauty of Zakir is his fluency of technique. He throws at a high volume but manages to mix in good variety of hands and legs almost effortlessly. His opponents when trying to trade with him cannot seem to keep up and get overwhelmed. This has seen Zakir win his last four fights by stoppage. Not from the fact he is hitting them hard but putting pressure on them that they seem to not be able to cope with.
Jordan started well but Zakir always looked one step ahead. Jordan showed distress at the end of the second round and the third brought about a stoppage with Jordan having a panic / asthma attack that saw the newark corner pull their man out. Zakir shows yet more improvement bringing new things to his game and nothing up another win on his ledger. Winner by 3rd round stoppage Zakir Rahman.

A rematch now with Noor Muhammed taking on a fighter who had beaten him at the start of the month in the Junior British Championship in Melton Mowbray. Dillon Moss from Force 1 would be the opponent and it was Noor's chance to reverse the loss and put the record straight in a three round bout. This bout was a classic example of volume Vs technique. Dillon applying more pressure but Noor landing the cleaner accurate shots. The frenetic pace kept up for the three rounds with Noor showing good pressure at times and showing that he would not be bullied in there. A bout between these two is always going to be close and the judges could not split them awarding the bout a Draw.

The next fight was another 3 round rematch but of a completely different class featuring USKA two times European Champion Azad Khan against newly crowned ISKA British Champion and one of the best junior fighters pound for pound in the country Kyle Williams from Fran Zuccala's Eclipse gym in Wolverhampton.
When they met before Azad won a unanimous decision in front of Kyle's home crowd. This time due to studies for his exams Azad had not been in the gym for three weeks but was enjoying a 6kg weight advantage so it was shaping up as being a fight featuring many variables. With the history between the two and both young warriors competitive nature there was a mean centre ring stare down and although totally respectful of each other you could see from the intensity just how much it meant to both lads.
Kyle starts well, both lads are throwing and landing with crisp accurate sharp technique of the highest quality. Azad finds his flow and answers back with some well timed eye catching axe kicks to the head.
The first round ends with Azad in front landing the more techniques but Kyle showing every bit as much quality. Round two and this time it is Azad that scores first, pressing home his weight advantage and putting Kyle on the retreat. Some great work in the round by both lads but again the feeling was that Azad had just edged Kyle in terms of landing shots. The third and final segment and the USKA corner knew that Kyle would come out strong in an attempt to sway the judges in his favour. Azad was aware of this and was ready to fight fire with fire to protect his lead. The first connect of round 3 was them both landing the jab together knocking each other back. The crowd are ignited by the intensity of the bout and the atmosphere in the round is every much as exciting as any full contact show with the lads really putting on a show of top class action.
Kyle lands a perfect jab to the Eclipse crowds delight only to be answered back by Azad landing another axe kick and then followed by a blistering punch kick combination to put him back in front. The final bell sounds and the expression on Kyle's face shows that he think he has done enough as he salutes his crowd of supporters. Azad his usual cool self if happy with his efforts and smirks as he comes back into the USKA corner knowing he has once again done enough to secure the win. Referee Dean Sugden calls the lads to the centre and expresses his opinion that this had been the best fight of the day so far to the agreement of the crowd as they show their appreciation with a massive round of applause. The winner declared by unanimous but close decision to the USKA fighter Azad Khan. Checking with the judges after they had all three rounds to Azad but by close margins. A quality fight and one that cannot detract from the fact that Kyle is still, tested and proven as being the best 45-48 kg fighter in the country. The weight and skill of Azad on this occasion however just kept him one step ahead.

Barely time to catch our breath after the fantastic showing from Azad and Kyle next up we saw another senior bout featuring Nadeem Mohammed from USKA against Jesters kickboxing gym's Odin Conquest over 3 rounds. Nadeem showed good class in this bout with some very stylish moves and counter punches and kicks that Naseem Hamed himself would have been proud of. Odin showing some super kicking ability of his own at times but not managing to match Nadeem's work and land rate to drop a decision. The well deserved winner Nadeem Mohammed.

The main event now for the Boys 40-45kg 10-12 years old BLCC English National title featuring USKA's Ridwan Khan against Newark Kickboxing's Regis Sugden over 5 1/2 minute rounds. Both fighters knew what to expect having fought before and by accounts from both instructors both had trained well and confident of victory. Round 1 An excellent start for the Newark youngster showing awesome defensive skills and counter punches and kicks. Ridwan is looking flat and heavy footed as he is stalking Regis and is struggling to get his shots off first. The bell sounds and it is clearly a round to Regis with Ridwan having to solve some puzzles and step up his game if he is to win this title. Round 2 Ridwan closes the gap quicker this round and pins Regis to the ropes which was part of the strategy. Regis is still defending well but Ridwan for the first time is finding his target. Regis however is matching his good work with sound counter attacks of the ropes. A second round ends and again it is one to the Newark fighter. Things are not looking good for Ridwan. Round 3 A pivotal round in the fight that if Ridwan lost would leave him no chance of getting the decision on points. A looser looking Ridwan is looking more fluent now and his techniques are land more frequently. Regis is starting to look a little more laboured and his counters are not as sharp but still managing to move away and not get pinned as much on the ropes. A tough round to call and this was reflecting the scoring with all three judges with opposing views one to Ridwan, one to Regis and one scoring it even. That could have been the key round in the fight but we would have to see what the last two rounds brought. Round 4 An on fire Ridwan starts the round fast on finds success with none stop combinations of punches and kicks. Ridwan maintains this forward fast pressure for the whole round and a tired looking Regis is unable to match his fir power. The round ends and it is clearly a round for the USKA fighter. The first one that he has unanimously won on all three judges score cards. Round 5 Ridwan knows he needs another round like the last one to make an argument for winning this fight. regis knows Ridwan will come on strong judging by the last round and it is all for the taking for both lads. Ridwan continues where he left off in the forth but Regis is proving more resistant knowing it his the last round and he can go all out. Ridwan lands a few head kicks in the mix and we feel he has just done enough to take the last round although no one can deny that it was close. It will be in the hands of the judges now and ultimately will be scored on what they preferred more. Both fighters are called to the centre by referee Dale Wood and the decision reads as follows........................

Judge A scores the bout 47 / 46 for Regis
Judge B scores the bout 48 / 48 a draw
and
Judge C scores the bout 49 / 48 to the new BLCC English national champion Regis Sugden.

The title fight can be seen in full by clicking the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewAZdJNQ2eA

disappointment for the USKA team but if you have to lose you want to lose in that fashion. A razor thin decision that on another day could have easily went the other way. Credit to both fighters on an impressive showing. The winner will move on and the loser will rebuild and i'm sure come again.

On the wind down of the title fight we now saw Jake Richards from USKA stepping into the ring to face Vishav Partap Singh from Bai Lang Martial Arts over 3 rounds. Vishap was enjoying a 4 year age advantage over 16 year old Jake but needing more of a test than the junior ranks three times British Champion Jake was happy to step up to the challenge. An erratic but talented all the same Vishav seemed to break Jake's rhythm early not affording him the time and space he was accustomed too to get his effective combinations off. Unfortunately along with an erratic pace comes tiredness and fatigue and as he slowed down and stopped pressing forward Jake came into his own in the second and third and handily dissected his man to win a unanimous decision. It was good for Jake to fight a less conventional fighter to get experience dealing with them and one thing was sure Vishav had not just come to make up numbers. he was there to fight. All the same the winner on points Jake Richards.

Haroon Khan from USKA next in to fight Connor Goodchild from Force 1 in a three round contest. Haroon very hesitant at the start of the contest showing Connor a little too much room and respect. Connor has good legs but most are missing widely. Haroon makes the mistake of backing away from his legs and takes a beautiful turning side kick to his face for his error. Connor's workrate and aggression are impressive but in terms of landing techniques there is very little in it at the sound of the bell. In round two we see another round pitting Connor's workrate against Haroon's accuracy. The round ends and we are told going into the last round by referee Dale Wood that it is all even and that in effect it would be scored on the last rounds work. After harsh words in the USKA corner by coach Kelly to Haroon for his neglect of a game plan Haroon starts the third as a different fighter pressing forward and taking Connor's legs away from him on the offence. Without his legs to lead Connor is much less effective and Haroon is winning the boxing exchanges easily and punctuating his success finishing with the kick. The contests ends and on the strength of the last rounds work Haroon Khan is awarded the win. It has to be said though that Connor's effort in the first two rounds on another day may have got him the nod.

A fighter now with a 6kg weight advantage Ross Davis from Bai Lang Martial Arts would take on the extremely talented USKA fighter Mark sedgwick. Head to head there was very little in the height so the USKA camp was happy for the fight to go ahead and were confident of success. This bout would be held over three rounds. A fast and furious start from both fighters with excellent exchanges of technique The first round saw Mark land home with the better work and volume of connects but Ross putting in a good account of himself in the process. Ross starts round 2 very strong and puts the heat on Mark using his weight advantage but the flame soon burns out when fatigue starts to set in. This gives Mark a chance to take over and being the much more deliberate of the two starts to score with clean accurate combinations of technique. Round three sees Mark have it all his own way. Ross is tired and showing it now and Mark is showing his class moving through the gears and his vocabulary of technique landing some quality placed shots. No doubt about the decision on this one but Ross deserves to be commended on his good effort against one of the best kids in the country. The winner, Mark Sedgwick.

In the penultimate USKA fight now Reiss Larvin would go head to head with a fighter who was stepping in for his second bout of the day Odin Conquest from Jesters kickboxing gym. Odin had previously fought and lost to another USKA fighter Nadeem Mohammed but had an age advantage over 15 year old Reiss of 5 years. This bout was scheduled over the three round distance. Round 1 saw Reiss go straight onto the attack walking Odin down and putting him under his usual own brand of relentless pressure. Sometimes because Reiss is such an in your face fighter it detracts from how technically gifted he is but because he does it so well he always walks away with the win. After being asked in his corner to stand his ground but not press the attack in the second round Reiss began to start looking like the force we know he can be.
Picking Odin off and showing great illusive defence when Odin tried to fire back. Reiss is in full control now and Odin's face is looking the worst for ware as blood from his nose is spread across it. Odin however is unfazed and willing to fight on. The last round continued in the same vein as the second with Reiss in control and picking his shots well. His accuracy when he gives him self space is scary at times and Odin seems to have accepted the role of survival moving around mainly working on the defence. The fight ends and as expected Reiss Larvin is declared the winner.

Last fight in now for USKA and one that we were not particularly looking forward to. 13 year old unbeaten hot prospect Laurie Pearson from the newark Martial arts gym in against an improving and more focused than usual USKA fighter 11 year old Stacey Richards over three rounds. Laurie also had a 9cm height advantage and both fighters scaled in at exactly 50kg. The tactic from the USKA corner was a simple one. Forward pressure with a high tight guard given that Laurie is known for her fast accurate boxing skills. Then once pinned against the ropes round kicks to Laurie's body. A simple plan and one that is easier said than done against a fighter of Laurie's quality. Round 1 starts and Laurie opens up with a fast combination mixing her hands with her legs. This fast start triggers Stacey to do what she had been told to do and back Laurie up to the ropes. Stacey keeps her there for much of the round and although Laurie was scoring the prettier work the feeling was that Stacey had done enough with her pressure, guard and work rate. The instruction from the USKA corner was simple, more of the same as both girls came out for round 2. The second round played out much the same as the first probably slightly more in Stacey's favour. She knew what she needed to do to be successful and pressed the action from the start not affording Laurie any room. laurie now also looked a little tired on the ropes from Stacey's relentless assault but still managed to find a cracking front kick to the face of Stacey shortly before the bell to end the round. By our estimations another round to Stacey and only one more round to go. Round three started better for Laurie having some success holding Stacey off with her push kicks down the centre but Stacey would not be denied and continued to press forward and close the gap between them. A strong finish to the round by Stacey put the scoring of it in doubt but in our eyes Stacey a winner because of her work in rounds 1 and 2 anyway. Tense times after the action at ring centre as we waited for the result. Had Stacey done enough in the judges eyes to put the first blemish on unbeaten Laurie's record??? Yes she had, the winner awarded by the judges Stacey Richards!

So a great end to the day for USKA with a brilliant performance from Stacey using the right tactic to cause to upset and put the first loss on Laurie's record. Stacey seems to be going from strength to strength.
USKA finish the day with a tally of 9 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss and a 1 demonstration.

Credit to Lee and Dave and their team at Bai Lang for a great first effort and a really enjoyable day.
There is already talk of a follow up event which i'm sure will be equally impressive so watch this space for details.