Tim Barnett’s MMA Fight Blog
Pulling from a fight is always a devastating thing for any fighter. After all the actual fight is the
reward they get for the hard training and sacrifice they make on a day to day basis in the gym. This
was no different for myself. I had to withdraw from my fight at FCC 10 and it hit me hard. I literally
did all I could to try and make sure I was back for the contest but it just wasn’t possible.
For days after I moped around like a child in trouble gutted at my decision and wondering if it was
the right one, it was! 3 weeks after my injury I was back in the gym and coach Jason has already
scheduled another fight on the BAMMA Liverpool card a massive opportunity for any fighter especially an amateur!
This is what’s really good about mixed martial arts it gives amateurs a chance to fight on big stages
to get a good taste of professional fighting before they eventually make the transition.
This was the case at FCC 10 which I went down to watch with my other half. As soon as we arrived
at the show the professionalism was evident. From the general vibe to the staff and setup, the show
was destined to be a success from start to finish and it definitely didn’t disappoint. We had 3 of our
lads fighting and all 3 came out victorious on the night.
First up was Adam Mcgann making his debut in the cage. He was fighting Danny Mcloud a lad who
lives local to me and I know his brother well. They are both really tough and well-rounded and from
a good rival gym. The contest was destined to be a good one and it really was! Back and forth action
from the opening bell, Mcloud was pressing for the takedown and McGann was trying to keep it
standing using his slick boxing skills. It was a fantastic first contest for both lads and a really good
experience. Adam Mcgann got the victory by unanimous decision and deservedly so. He managed to
impose his game plan land the better strikes on the feet, defended the takedowns and secure a few
takedowns of his own as well as two close submission attempts.
Next up was Robbie Fallon, unfortunately for Robbie his opponent pulled out just a few days earlier
so he fought an independent guy who looked easily like a middleweight but Robbie did what he does
best. Took the guy down, took his back and pounded his head into the canvas! I could hear it from
where I was sitting! The lad has power! Short night for Robbie but another win on his record and his
first TKO!
Finally was Aaron Aby! This lad is like an inspiration and I have picked up a lot from him around the
gym. Aaron fought a tough tough guy in Scott Gregory and he showed why he is such a good mixed
martial artist! He dropped Scott with some beautiful knees and was pounding Scott but he used
his fantastic wrestling to reverse the position only for Aaron to use his slick jiu jitsu that the MMA
Academy Is famous for and switch from triangle to arm bar and finish Scott in the first round! Not
only that but Aaron also managed to raise over £1000 pounds for charity! Massive success for him
that night!
With the positive vibes from FCC still looming over me the Monday after I was back in training
hard! Jason had informed me of my fight so I was working on improving my game in all areas. What
has really stood out to me recently is the completely unbelievable standard of coaching the MMA
Academy has to offer. I have to give a special mention to Mike Wootten here! I can personally say
that the lad has assessed my game and taken it to places it never would have gone and I know for a
fact its not just me who feels this way as I have seen just how many of the lads recently have been
complimenting his coaching skills! He can stand in for Thai or jiu jitsu classes the lad can teach it all!
Big thanks to Mike.
Training for this next fight is going really well! I feel sharp already and I cannot wait to get back in!
My knee is getting stronger by the day and I have picked up new techniques and taken a positive
from it as I can’t use my knee in the same way therefore adding things to my game that I may not
have before my injury! You have to see the positives and I really have. I feel better than I was before
my injury!
I’ve recently spoken to a few of the lads recently and what seems to be common is that a lot of
people are assessing their skill set and adding areas to it to make them more well-rounded. Jay
Seddo for example is doing a lot more Thai! I trained it with him recently and wow! The lad has
improved so much in such a short space of time! Also Kinny and Graham have been working a lot
more on their boxing and it has payed off so much! That’s what I love about our gym! Ego’s are
dissolved when we walk through the doors, everyone can take constructive criticism and use it to
improve! I can guarantee everyone will go far!
With 4 weeks to go till the big night I intend to keep working hard in the areas that need it most and
put on a good show on the night! The show is only in the Olympia in Liverpool so I hope to see you
all there!
Keep working hard, keep helping each other that’s how we will all keep getting better as a team! See
you all on the mats!
