Cage Contender 12 setting the standard for 2012
Only weeks after Cage Contender sold out another Irish MMA event they have begun announcing some serious fight action for their third season which kicks off on 25th February in Dublin.
They will again be returning to what has become their spiritual home in the capital, the National Basketball Arena in the suburb of Tallaght just south of the city centre.
On a recent TV broadcast Cage Contender promoter John Ferguson stated that the plan for 2012 was that every CC champion would be given a mandatory defence against a UFC veteran and his first announcement has not disappointed. The first champion to be given the opportunity is Welterweight champion and Dublin native Cathal “The Punisher” Pendred who will face off with UFC/Pride Vet and 3 time King of the Cage world champion Chris “The Westside Strangler” Brennan.
“This fight fits in perfectly with our model and plan for 2012. Cage Contender has built a strong reputation and massive broadcast footprint in a very short space of time, the cornerstone of this has been solid matchmaking of meaningful fights. But that means meaningful for the fans as well as the fighters, we put on fights that people will pay to see – it’s the business we are in.
We may not have the supposed heritage that other promotions our size have or indeed their large budgets so that means we need to be more creative in what we do to compete and continually sell out arenas while achieving high televised ratings.
Bringing Chris Brennan from Dallas Texas is big for the Irish Fans, he is well known here in Ireland and the UK with many gyms flying under his Next Generation banner and let’s not forget his pedigree – he has wins over fighters like Antonio McKee, Shannon Rich and Joe Stevenson. Pendred wants to get to UFC and there can be no doubting that a win over Brennan would strongly bolster those changes, so it’s not only a great fight for the fans but a great chance for our current Champion too” – John Ferguson
This fight certainly has got tongues wagging in true Cage Contender fashion with many MMA fans split in their opinion of the outcome. Pendred’s SBGi coach and mentor BJJ black belt (2nd degree) wizard John Kavanagh summed up his view on the Irish MMA forum at www.boards.ie by saying
“It’s an honour for me to have one of my guys fight Chris. he was actually the first guy I learned ‘proper’ No Gi Jits and MMA from when I went to the states back in 2000 for the first time (along with David jones who went on to set up Next Generation with Chris here in Ireland).
I’ve trained with Chris many times and he has taught me a lot about the sport, weight cutting etc. all that aside he’s one of nicest guys I’ve met in the game, treated us so well when we were over with him. As I’ve said it’ll be an honour to have one of my fighters compete against him, sorta like a star wars Jedi apprentice moment”
Chief support for the event has been announced as still undefeated LHW champion Marius “Pitbull” Lapenas’ first title defence where he has been matched with the also unbeaten prospect John Michael Shiel who Cage Contender have simply dubbed “JMS”.
“Marius is as tough as well done steak and still unbeaten. JMS is no different, this match is exciting me loads because someone’s “O” is gonna go! This is another cracking fight for the fans and should be worth the entrance fee alone. JMS’ last fight on Cage Contender was voted Season 2 fight of the year, it should be a cracker” _ John Ferguson
Further details on the undercard are expected over the next few weeks but such is the anticipation for this event tickets can be purchased already at www.premiertickets.ie – Possibly the perfect Xmas present?
