Tim Newman v Jason Ball BFC

British Cage Fighting Simply Stunning Stand Up...


Tim Newman came to Barnsley for a war, which is exactly what you have to do when you step into the cage with Jason Ball. What followed was an explosive stand up battle of bombs, dynamite kicks and a brutal ground and pound to finish the contest with 2 minutes remaining in the final round...

Barnsley (G4MMA) 20 Feb 2010 – The MC announced it as the BFC co-main event of the evening, but it was by far the “fight of the night”, if not one of the most thrilling displays of stand up striking ever seen on a domestic MMA contest.

Both men circled reminiscent of two gladiators from back in the day of the slaves in the great Coliseum of Rome. The locals boomed out “DADDY COOL” while the Celtic fans countered with “NEWMAN”, as the fighters threw spear like jabs, with hammer hooks and combinations of head punches and body kicks. Newman looked composed as he countered almost every punch thrown at him, and showed no respect by slamming leg kicks into the thigh of his opponent. Blood trickled from Ball’s nose soon as Newman stuck to the task of trading blows at a relentless pace.

The hooter sounded to bring the first round to a close, neither man attempted taking his opponent to the ground. Round two and Newman confidently countered punches followed with leg kicks. Ball stalked the centre of the cage while Newman continuously pacing the periphery trading bombs and jabs. Newman tried to shoot but Ball was too quick, so again the stand up battle continued with Newman attacking with a spinning leg kick that whistled past Ball’s head. The fans bayed for their heroes to stake the claim on the bout as the blood flowed from Ball’s nose, while Newman’s face was bruised and swollen. Newman was tipping it with his aggressive striking and counter punching.

Final round and Ball started to find his range, perhaps the pace got to Newman as he bravely stuck to the counter punching that had kept Ball at bay. Then mid way through the round came an onslaught of upper cuts from Ball as he hooked his glove around Newman’s head. As Newman moved backwards covering up from the blows Ball attacked with a flying knee catching Newman to the head, dazed Newman dropped to a crouching position propped against the cage and Ball came in to finish. Newman lunged from his position and drove against Ball’s thighs to force him back and managed to get back to his feet, albeit groggy and dazed, then another knee to the head, as Newman dropped face down to the canvas and Ball pounced with a brutal ground and pound. The referee dragged Ball from his prey thrusting his hand into the air – it was over for Newman...

Whilst its difficult to swallow a loss, its comforting knowing that the crowd showed appreciation for Tim Newman coming into their domain standing toe to toe with their hero, who is without a doubt one of the top fighters in the UK and still the RFC champion. No doubt Jason will go on to bigger things immediately, but Tim Newman has etched his name among the UK’s elite fighters and will continue his quest to the greater things in MMA. Its fantastic to see two men with such a promising future – good luck to both as the swelling subsides and the battle scars heal for the next war.

By Gary Cross, G4 MMA Fighters