(Photo: Mason (left) and Alloway (right) via Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors)
It was mixed results for the Australian fighters at Cage Warriors 65 earlier today with Ben Alloway taking home a unanimous decision against Jack Mason, while Damien Brown was edged out by local fighter Paul Redmond also by unanimous decision.
The event was held at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday night (Sunday morning in Australia).
Ben Alloway immediately took the centre of the cage, however Mason caught a kick early and pressed the action against the cage. Mason briefly got his opponent down, however Alloway got straight back to his feet as the two clinched against the cage again. Just over half-way through the round, Mason tripped Alloway to the ground. Mason looked to pass, which allowed Alloway to move his hips and escape back to his feet. The two fighters separated and Alloway landed a big knee that rocked his opponent before coming in with more kicks as Mason pressed the action against the cage again.
Mason again looked to catch a kick to get the fight to the ground but Alloway was able to escape his leg. Alloway landed some good punches on his feet before Mason secured a single-leg takedown to the fight to the ground. Mason controlled the fight on the ground but was unable to do much with his position and Alloway escaped back to his feet. The two fighters clinched against the cage, which allowed Alloway to land some solid knees.
Alloway mixed up his strikes to start the third-round landing punches and kicks early. Mason dropped levels and attacked with a single leg takedown before switching to the double-leg to get the fight to the ground. Alloway immediately gave up his back to get back to his feet where he was able to break the grip and escape back to the centre of the cage. The two exchanged punches on their feet as Alloway again left himself open for a takedown as Mason caught the kick and secured another takedown. With seconds remaining in the fight, Alloway locked up a triangle choke and used the position to land strikes from his back.
All three judges awarded the fight 29-28 to Ben Alloway who was able to bounce back from a recent two fight losing streak. Alloway moved to 13-5 as a professional and moves a step closer at a potential Cage Warriors title shot with his second win in the promotion. The experienced Mason drops to 26-13.
Damien Brown faced local Dublin fighter Paul Redmond in the second bout on the main-card. When the fight began, Redmond immediately looked for the takedown however Brown attacked with a guillotine which forced Redmond to try to pass to side-control, allowing Brown to escape. It was Brown who then got the takedown and got the top position, however was forced to defend numerous submission from from Redmond. With 60-seconds left, Brown landed a big right while transitioning from a toe-hold submission. Brown ended the round with two further punches from the top.
In the second-round, Brown missed with two early punches as Redmond landed a jumping knee to the mid-section. Brown went for a single-leg however his Irish opponent got the switch takedown and ended up taking the back. Redmond looked to lock up a rear-naked choke but Brown was able to escape and eventually got back to the top position. Redmond reversed with a sweep to get into side-control. This forced Brown to move and he escaped back to his feet, however Redmond stayed on the inside, and secured another takedown before the round ended.
Redmond again came out the aggressor and pressed the action against the cage. Brown looked for a takedown, however Redmond countered and immediately looked for a choke. Brown escaped and as the two battled for position against the cage, Brown again locked up the guillotine and was able to utilise the submission attempt to get the top position. From the bottom, Redmond attacked with another triangle choke and shortly after escaped back to his feet and got a takedown of his own. Redmond landed a pair of knees as Brown looked to escape back to his feet and got into mount before the fight ended.
In the end, the judges decision was unanimous as Paul Redmond walked away with a unanimous decision victory in an entertaining battle. All three judges scored the fight 29-28.
It’s the second consecutive loss for Brown who drops his professional record to 10-6 in what was his second outing in the Cage Warriors promotion. 27 year-old Redmond moves to 9-4.
The event was headlined by a lightweight battle between former UFC veteran John Maguire and fellow English countryman Saul Rogers. It was Saul Rogers who walked away with the win 29-28 on all three judges card to take his record to 8-1. Maguire drops to 19-7.
Main Card (cagewarriors.tv):
- Saul Rogers def John Maguire via Decision (Unanimous)
- Ben Alloway def Jack Mason via Decision (Unanimous)
- Alex Enlund def Artem Lobox via Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 2:24
- Damien Rooney def Bryan Creighton via Submission (Triangle Choke), Rd 2, 2:10
- Paul Redmond def Damien Brown via Decision (Unanimous)
- Philip Mulpeter def Aldric Cassata via TKO (Knee to body & punches), Rd 1, 3:13
Preliminary Card (Facebook):
- Lee Caers def Merv Mulhulloand via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 2, 3:12
- Catherine Costigan def Irene Cabello via Decision (Split)
- Paddy Pimblett def Martin Sheridan via Decision (Unanimous)
- Konrad def Shane Gunfield via Decision (Unanimous)
- Neil Ward def Gavin Kelly via TKO (Punches), Rd 1, 2:58
