In the main event of the night Iron Warrior fighter and local heavyweight sensation Liam Ronan went head to head with Chris Konieczny.
Before the fight Ronan's MMA trainer Jamie Weaver told reporters:
“This will be a very exciting and challenging fight,” said Weaver. It is a rematch of a fight from the beginning of the year, which was Liam’s first semi-pro fight and his first victory"
“Each fighter has something to prove and both are training extremely hard.”
It looked from the packed sports hall in Nantyglo that Liam had brought the whole of Merthyr to support him which shows the type of support he generates.
The fight lived up to the hype and was all action from the start with both fighters looking to make an impact and put the first round in the bag but while the taller Liam Ronan looked to score with a big right hand Konieczny ducked the shot and immediately went for the takedown. Liam composed himself well on the mat and looked for the reversal from the guard of Konieczny which he eaily obtained.
In the later part of the round while trying to stand up Liam got caught in a leg lock that had him grimacing in pain but was able to hang on until the end of the round.
Round two started again with Liam looking to trade but Konieczny must have done his homework on the bigger hitting Ronan and again tried to secure a takedown. Liam moved well on the mat and easily overpowered Konieczny and got inside his guard while firing good effective shots to the body. Both men looked tired coming to the end of the round but the result was never in doubt and was a unanimous one with a score of 20-18 all in favour of the Iron Warriors fighter Liam Ronan and crowned a new Grapple and Strike Heavyweight champion.
Preparations are also moving forward for “Merthyr Fight Nite”, to be held at the new Leisure Centre on March 7.Tickets for all fights can be bought from Active Bodies Martial Arts Academy on 01443 692111.
