MMA: Rise of the Welsh Warriors show in Criccieth was a tremendous success

Gyms across North Wales were celebrating some great results at the Rise of the Welsh Warriors show in Criccieth last Saturday.

Chris Pritchard of Pritchard’s Martial Arts in Caernarfon had three cracking wins on the action-packed card.

Gari Roberts produced a dominant performance in recording a decision victory, Celt Brady triumphed via a triangle submission and Dean Riley raised the roof with a spectacular knockout success in the second round of his contest.

Also in fine form were Muay Thai world champion Mike Egan’s fighters from the Immortals Gym in Rhos-on-Sea.

Jack Margetts-Williams scored a first round stoppage, Ethan Arif-Ridler halted his opponent in the third, while Erik Zilka and Ste Mueller both emerged victorious in the second.

Carl Ellis also produced a good performance but lost on points to Justin Wyn Williams.

The event was hosted by Marvin Pritchard and Sally Williams of Porthmadog-based MPMA.

Top of the bill was the WUMA heavyweight title bout between MPMA’s champion Alan Blacks of Caernarfon and Ben Humphreys from Porthmadog’s newly-opened Mad-Dog Gym.

Both men were unbeaten and the fight went the full five rounds. After the final bell there was a new title holder, Ben winning a 4-1 decision to stretch his undefeated record to 5 and 0.

The sportsmanship between the pair was uplifting, both men, who are great friends outside the ring, a credit to their sport.

A fuller report on this fight appeared on Grassroots North Wales over the weekend.

Ever-improving Martin Williams (MPMA) boosted his career further when he produced a knockout win over the experienced and always determined Dan Pritchard (Gorilla).

MPMA’s popular Gethin Jones also enjoyed the feeling of victory in his clash with Pawel Ci.

John Gwynfor Jones (MPMA) and Aled Parry put on a classic grappling contest which ended in a draw after 15 minutes of intense action.

MPMA’s Jason Taylor and Aiden Jones both suffered losses, but are young and talented enough to come again stronger.

In his rematch with Zilka, Aiden was up against an older opponent but did his gym proud. Coach Marvin Pritchard predicts a good future in the sport for this young talent.

Shaynna Vidamour (MPMA) was involved in a great battle and came out with a deserved win against Rachel Thomas (Gee MA).

Harri Glyn, a white belt in ju-jitsu, put up a great show but submitted out at about the nine-minute mark against Celt Brady.

It was a great night for MPMA’s Rhodri Iwan, though, as he defeated Sion Davies via submission.

Defeated but far from disgraced from the MPMA camp were 13-year-old Bedri Lewis, Sion Wyn Jones, Manocha Lewis and Anthony Ritchard.