Thursday, 17th May 2012
All the latest Ashburton News, Sports, Community and Business Information
| Cage warriors captivate the crowds |
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By Jonathan Leask April 18 2011
"It was a spectacular night. It was a first for Ashburton and a first for the events centre and everyone seemed to enjoy it," events centre manager Roger Farr said. Cage Warriors Five saw three modified Thai kick-boxing bouts and five mixed martial arts (MMA) fights throughout the night.  But it was not just a fight night, it was the full experience.There was the cage itself, a ring announcer, intro music, big replay screens and of course a ring girl. To go with the whole package, the fighters put on a great display of power and athleticism; those expecting a bar brawl were impressed at the strength and technique on display. "It's definitely a different sport. Some people like boxing, or martial arts, some people like rugby, but it's not everyone's cup of tea," Mr Farr said. "It's described by some people as savage or barbaric but they are trained athletes. "They do go at it pretty hard but the referees are there for a reason." The sport's image is why MMA coach and Cage Warriors organiser Renata Sadlier brought the event to Ashburton, to showcase the fastest growing sport in the world on a local level. "It's an exercise in spreading the sport around. "It gives people a chance to come along and see exactly what it is rather than assume what its like," Mr Sadlier said. Fittingly, the opening bout was between two debutant fighters. As they sized each other up, the crowd also started to get the feel of what they were in for, except for the few impatient spectators baying for blood from the opening bell. As the night wore on the crowd got in behind the fighters as the intensity and experience levels rose, along with the understanding of the new members in the crowd. A charity auction to fundraise for three members of the Cage Warrior fraternity that lost their lives in the February earthquake raised over $1000.
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