By FCF Staff
Tom “Kong” Watson added another impressive win to his growing resume today in London, England, as the BAMMA middleweight champ dismantled veteran Murilo “Ninja” Rua with strikes en route to a second round knock-out win.
Both men came out firing and exchanged numerous leg kicks and punches to begin the five round championship fight, but Watson was able to find the mark more often, and appeared to stun Rua on a couple of occasions with crisp punches. Although Rua kept calling Watson on and remained defiant, as the bout continued Watson also brutalized the Pride veteran’s left knee with kicks.
As round three began Rua’s knee was heavily bruised and swollen, and the Brazilian’s mobility was severely reduced as a result. In a desperate effort to get the fight to the mat, the extremely game Rua bull rushed Watson to the cage fence, but the British fighter was able to negate his opponent’s takedown attempts.
Shortly after, Watson blasted Rua with a head kick that appeared to put the renowned fighter out on his feet, before several more punches from the champion brought about the referee’s intervention.
In another featured middleweight attraction, UFC vet Frank Trigg had very few difficulties in disposing of noted striker John Phillips. As many expected, Trigg immediately looked to take Phillips to the mat, and was able to do so just moments into the bout.
Working from the top position, Trigg blasted Phillips with several piercing elbows that cut the Welsh fighter badly, and the referee halted the action soon after to have the ringside physician examine the cuts. Despite Phillip’s objections, the bout was called to an end, likely setting up a future bout between Trigg and the BAMMA champ Watson.
Veteran Ivan Salaverry’s return from retirement didn’t go quite as planned, as the UFC vet dropped a unanimous decision loss to Britain’s Matt Ewin. Although Salaverry faired alright with Ewin in a fight that was predominately spent on its feet, the 40 year-old-fighter didn’t do enough to earn the judge’s nod in what was a rather conservative affair.
Here are the results from the BAMMA 6 broadcast:
Tom Watson def. Murlio Rua by KO (strikes) R3 2:06
Frank Trigg def. John Phillips by TKO (doctor stoppage due to cuts) R1 2:41
Matt Ewin def. Ivan Salaverry by Unanimous Decision
Che Mills def. Marcio Cesar by TKO (strikes) R1
