Archive for May, 2008

We have an English pro fighter training with us, he is preparing for his upcoming title fight.  He is very skilled in wrestling and BJJ so Jonny, the ground coach, is loving it and they are having some good battles on the ground.

Confirmed for 19th July at the Redden Fight Club.

Leamy, who trained at Lockdown for his title fight, is now the MMANZ heavyweight Champ.

Here is a write up of the fight from Rouge Magazine.

Okay- main event and the time to brawl was upon us, Tato had his finest hair cut to date and Striker with his mentor and legendary coach/fighter Karl Webber and an entourage of Strike Force ?commandos? at his side. Sam?s corner man performs a Haka and we are into it- whoa, fiery– Upon the stare down we were away!
Round One:
Sam throws some solid hands and he dictates the range straight away- Tato pushes forward and follows. He gets tagged and returns with a kick. Tato goes for the first take down and Sam escapes with his back to Leamy- brilliant. Tato moves forward and they grapple on to the ropes?some stagnant clinching with Striker getting an occasional knee. Leamy has double hooks on Striker?s back but nothing really happening. A low blow but we are resumed again and Sam keeps finding his jab. Tato?s busier and the take down attempts are good.
Boa Athu scores round 10-9 Tato
Steve Shin scores round 10-9 Tato
Round Two:
Sam keeps the jab going and then a flurry of punches, Tato goes for the take down and they almost end up outside the ring. Tato goes for another take down and he pushes Sam out of the ropes, again. They are stood back up centre ring as opposed to mimic the ousted take down by the ropes and Tato fires a kick which connects. Then again another kick! Followed by an inside thigh kick. He does it again and now controlling the range well. Sam tries to hook but round ends with Tato dominating.
Boa Athu scores round 10-9 Tato
Steve Shin scores round 10-9 Tato
Round Three:
Tato goes for the take down and in a small hustle and jostle both men regain their feet. Tato is aggressive and comes forward, Striker looks for his hands and then an inside thigh kick from Sam. Tato now chases him and attempts another take down but Striker gets away. He throws few punches, nothing severe- and Tato is now looking for more take downs, nothing comes and then a kick on Sam-and yet again. Nice outside thigh kick which score. He is landing clean blows- four unanswered kicks and in full control of range now. Sam throws a left hook and Leamy finishes with an inside thigh kick.
Boa Athu scores round 10-9 Tato
Steve Shin scores round 10-9 Tato
Round Four:
Sam swings hard at Tato but he brushes it off- Tato has a high guard and throws a kick from it. He is pushing forward looking for a big hit and then a take down- he misses and is pushed to the corner where Sam clinches and throws quite few knees, which are landing. Sam pushes his weight on Tato with no major activity. Tato now blocks the knee strikes and is reversed on the ropes, he breaks the clinch and then pushes forward and kicks again! Sam then nails a vicious left hook to end and was the busier, connecting more and being effective.
Boa Athu scores round 10-9 Striker
Steve Shin scores round 10-9 Striker
Round Five:
Striker goes for a big kick and misses as Tato moves away?Striker now going forward and swinging. Tato kicks and misses, Very tactical accumulation from both men, setting up for a take down. Tato nails a kick on Sam, who attempts a sweep kick of his own but misses. Sam then gets a kick in and is chased by Tato to the corner, luckily he slips away. No major contact but then Striker gets a big outside thigh kick. Now Sam tries to chase and then the bell! Very close final round?
Boa Athu scores the round 10-10
Steve Shin scores the round 10-9 Striker
Right- Score cards now and as expected the judge?s score a unanimous win for Leamy Tato, who finally gets the nod for all his hard work and tenacity. He is the new MMA NZ Heavy weight champion!
Boa Athu scores fight 49-47 Tato
Steve Shin Scores fight 48-47 Tato

K1 New Zealand star Leamy Tato is training at Lockdown MMA for his MMA fight. Leamy is fighting Sam Brown on the 24th May in Auckland for the NZ Heavyweight MMA title. Lockdown wishes Leamy all the best for his fight.