This is a superb achievement with Leo and Mo being recognised as the top contenders for the title. So, let’s be there to support him! Bring your cars, dogs, cats, hamsters and postcards with “Hello Mum!” printed on them to the event this weekend. Good Luck Leo. We’re all behind you.

EFR 12 – The Elk Nightclub, Derry

SUNDAY 16TH MARCH 2008
2.00PM RULES MEETING
2.30PM MEDICALS
3.00 PM DOORS OPEN TO PUBLIC
4.00PM FIRST BOUT(THERE WILL BE NO BREAKS IN THE ACTION FROM FIRST FIGHT TO LAST)

Tickets £25 – pay on door no problem.

Please join me in welcoming Cathal Pendred to the Kokoro MMA Semi Pro Team.
The “Man of Steel” himself is destined for greatness and we really can’t wait for Chaos 2; the production values and organisation are second to none.

Here goes with the Kokoro Line Up;

Leo Burdock (Kokoro MMA 1-0-0) v. TBC, C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (65.8kg)
Will Burdock (Kokoro MMA 1-0-0) v. Danny Balmar (IMMA 1-1-0), C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (77kg)
Neno Platisa (Kokoro MMA 1-1-0) v. TBC, C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (84kg)
Cathal Pendred (Kokoro MMA 0-0-0) v. Dean Balmar (IMMA 0-1-0), C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (84kg)

Will and Cathal certainly can’t afford to take their tasks lightly. IMMA is a top class outfit. With Rodney Moore as their coach and UFC Veteran Colin Robinson as their stablemate; we can expect the Balmar boys to bring A-Class standards to these C-Class matchups. Can’t wait!

The Kokoro Line Up:

Neno Platisa (Kokoro MMA) v. Richard Taylor (UFR Gym), C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (84kg)
Leo Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Matt Taylor (UFR Gym), C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (65.8kg)
Will Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Ronan McKay (UFR Gym), C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (77kg)

“This is gonna be great!”

The lads were up against opponents from respected gyms throughout Ireland. Kyoujin, Donegal Jiu Jitsu and Longtower Judo lined up solid opponents; strikers, jiu jistu champions and all rounders. In the end they were unable to hold fast against the Kokoro MMA Team who’s time, effort, heart, mind and spirit paid dividends on the night.

A special thank you to Cathal Pendred for working the corner with me throughout the night and assisting Junior in preping for the fight. It’s only a matter of time before we see Cathal in the ring himself.

Thanks also to Colin, Barry, Wes, Denise and Jenny for assisting with everything from camera work to pad work. Biggest thanks of course to Junior, Leo, Will and Neno showing what Kokoro is all about… …Heart, Mind & Spirit. And after last night.. …style!

RESULTS:

Semi Pro Middleweight (@82kg compromise)
Neno Platisa (Kokoro) Vs Peter O loughlin (KYOUJIN)
Neno Platisa, RD1*, Key Lock

Peter came out swinging with some big and dangerous punches. Neno did a great job of circling out of danger, returning the compliment and bringing Peter to the ground. Neno took advantage of being in Peter’s guard and stood to rain down blows a la Fedor. Thouroughly entertaining.

During their next ground encounter, Peter locked on a chicken wing that had Neno in trouble but Neno has drilled this over and over and was prepared. He locked tight, picked his moment and reversed out of the lock. Peter was waiting however, and found himself on top but in Neno’s guard. Neno pulled off a reverse key lock from his back. Quick and slick leaving the crowd and his opponent’s corner wondering what had caused Peter to tap. Neno Platisa has now made his mark in Irish MMA and he’s here to stay!

Semi Pro Middleweight
Stephen Nolan (KYOUJIN) Vs Will Burdock (Kokoro)
Will Burdock, RD1*, Guillotine

Will came out with a front kick in the first 5 seconds of the match that was so well timed and so powerful that it launched Stephen across the ring and almost knock him out, leaving him with little energy to defend a strong guillotine from Will. Classy. I’ve never seen a front kick like it and Will is stronger than the average ox. This was over quickly. Wow!

Semi Pro Featherweight
Chris Mc Kendrick (Long Tower) Vs Leo Burdock (Kokoro)
Leo Burdock, RD1*, Standing Guillotine

Strategy pays. Leo had drilled over and over to wear down his opponent with boxing and look for the guillotine. Chris came out swinging and looked dangerous but Leo out boxed him and stalked Chris around the ring. Chris did the right thing and looked to take Leo down to avoid the blows. Leo’s no slouch on the ground and was prepared for this; we were back on our feet and from there it went according to Leo’s playbook; wear him down, guillotine on his feet. Heart, Mind, Spirit. Congratulations Leo!

Amateur Heavyweight
Eugene Mcrossan (Donegal Jiu-Jitsu) Vs Junior Charlie (Kokoro)
Junior Charles, 2×5, Unanimous Decision

With just four or five months of training behind him, we can’t tell you how proud we are of Junior’s performance. Eugene McCrossan is a Jiu Jitsu brown belt and World Champion with many, many years of experience. Juniors clinch work however was text book and Eugene was unable to progress the bout as he would have liked. Junior worked the clinch and dropped heavy blows to Eugene’s ribs. Eugene was TOUGH but Junior worked his clinch game like a pro and brought Eugene down repeatedly. Eugene almost pulled off an armbar early on (nicely slipped in too!) but Junior reversed it – calm, cool and collected – taking side control. In the end Eugene was unable to find an answer for Juniors dominating top game (pin, position and pound).

As proud as we are of Junior; we have to thank Eugene. Eugene McCrossan is a class act and a true gentleman and competitor. We need more people like Eugene in MMA. Contratulations Junior on a big first outing and a great win! Thanks to Eugene for giving Junior the opportunity to compete in such a tough and technical first outing!

Four great fights, four classy wins. A proud day for Kokoro. Congratulations Gentlemen!!! Thanks to Jason for putting on a quality show with excellent production values. We hope that Kokoro will be invited to the next one!

*Times will be confirmed when I’ve had a chance to review the video.

We’re all set to enjoy the following Kokoro MMA Team Matchups;

Neno Platisa (Kokoro MMA) v. Peter O’Loughlin (Kyoujin) – C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (82kg)
Leo Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Chris McKendrick (Long Tower) – C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (65kg)
Will Burdock (Kokoro MMA) v. Stephen Nolan (Kyoujin) – C Class, 2 x 5 minutes (77kg)
Junior Charlie (Kokoro MMA) v. Eugene McCrossan (Donegal Jiu Jitsu), D Class, 2 x 5 minutes (-100kg)

www.chaosfightingchampsionships.com

Neno will take on Peter O’Loughlin of Kyoujin MMA and this will be an 82kg matchup. Peter Lavery, coach at Kyoujin has been a friend and supporter of Kokoro MMA since the start. This fight is certain to be an entertainment fest!

Seamus Cassells (Kokoro MMA) vs. Brian Hill (Progressive Combat)

Seamus did incredibly well. After two rounds of intense action, Colin Robinson (UFC Signed Fighter on the UFR Fight Team) declared, “there were so many arm bar attempts even I can’t get this one wrong!”. Seamus taller and stronger opponent rained down heavy strikes on Seamus in an attempt to stop him in his tracks. In the end though, Seamus’ clean takedown skills brought Brian crashing to the mat time after time. With that, Seamus’ Amateur record got kicked off at 1-0-0. Congratulations Seamus!

Neno Platisa (Kokoro MMA) vs. Ronan McKay (Progressive Combat)

Neno Platisa is the embodiement of the very word Kokoro. “Heart, Mind and Spirit” is exactly what it takes to step in to the ring, directly at Semi Pro, after just 6 months of Martial Arts training. Unfortunately, this wasn’t to be Neno’s day. Neno threw a right high kick that left him off balanced then taken to the ground and mentally unsettled. Despite escaping several submission attempts, he was eventually forced to tap out to a Kimura in Round 1. A crowd pleasing fight and a great debut effort!

Davy Patterson, UFR Organiser and Coach of Ireland’s Top Team, took the time to compliment Seamus and Neno on their “quality” performances.

Congratulations guys! About 15 people made it up to Antrim to watch these Debut fights and you made us all proud!

Phil McRory – Rush Fight Academy – 75.7 kg

Dave Dwyer – Rush Fight Academy – 65.0 kg

Seamus Cassells – Kokoro MMA – 81.5 kg

Neno Platisa – Kokoro MMA – 82.3 kg

Good luck to Seamus and Neno; and we wish the very best of luck to our friends at Rush Fight Academy.

Good luck to both Seamus “The Weasel King” Cassells and Neno “The Wrecking Machine” Platisa, stepping up for their amateur and semi-professional debut matches respectively. We’re all behind you lads!

Arrangements;

11:00am departure (we’ll leave on time – no exceptions I’m afraid).
Sunday 23rd September, 2007
Pick up under the bridge behind Connolly Station

Seamus “The Weasel King” Cassells will debut in an Amateur Middleweight matchup
vs.
Brian Hill of Progressive Combat Belfast.

Neno “The Wrecking Machine” Platisa will debut in a Semi-professional Middleweight matchup
vs.
Ronan McKay of Progressive Combat Antrim.

Good luck to the lads (not that they’ll need it!) and roll on the road trip..!