June 2 saw women’s combat sport in NZ take a huge step forward with the Primetime Events Australasian Knockouts.

It comprised of an 8 Women kickboxing tournament and, for the first time in NZ a women’s MMA event – also with 8 fightes in knockout format. Also on show was a knockdown karate bout and 3 Combat Submission Fights.

The women’s kickboxing was a veritible who’s who of of the sport in NZ and delivered up plenty of fast paced action with some very close fights. And none closer that the final which went to a split decision, the nod going in favour of ETK fighter Michelle “Pressure” Preston.

In the MMA, all competitors were participating for the first time in Mixed Martial Arts and showed a tremendous amount of courage doing so. The standard was high with knockouts and submissions before a pumped up crowd at the Waitakere Trust Stadium. Eventually the crown went to a very sharp looking Fiona Muxlow of Renshinkai (Will/Machado) who submitted all of her opponents.

There was a showing from the Will/Machado Auckland crew, with Mike Fooks and Glen Tarrant taking on officiating duties in the CSF and MMA. In addition an award was given to the fighter with the greatest heart, to commemorate the memory of Primetime competitor and Will/Machado blue belt Keiji Okamoto who died tragically in a car accident last year. Keiji was a model of what we expect a martial artist to be, determined, gentle, friendly and full of heart. The award could have in all honesty gone to any of the fighters on the night, but in the end a decision had to be made and it went to Sue Glassey for her gutsy performance against two very talented grapplers in Rebecca Attwood and Fiona Muxlow.

From a local level the MMA event saw GroundControl 2 striper Diane Skudder enter her first MMA match. Diane did extremely well and should be proud of herself. She dominated the first round against a much taller fighter, taking side control and then eventually mount and with a very close armbar attempt. In the second round she received a very well placed knee to the midsection which took her wind and she eventually succumbed to the ground and pound while fighting for her breath to return. A strong effort which her clubmates at both GroundControl and Integrated Fighting can be proud of.

All in all a great night out for all – congrats to Belinda Dunne and Melodie McDonald for putting on a very successful show.

Full results for the night:

Kickboxing round 1

Leighan Banham v Karen Coutts, Leighan by Decision

Anna Sisson v Paula Davidson, Anna by Decision

Angela Bennet v Michelle Preston, Michelle by Decision

Natahsa Bevan v Bronwyn Wylie, Bronwyn by decision in extra round

MMA round 1

Diane Skudder v Peta Radnidge, Peta by ref stoppage in the second
Shona Minns v Carla Mayer, Carla by ko in the first

Rebecca Attwood v Sue Glassy, Sue by ref stoppage in second round

Fiona Muxlow v Justine , Fiona by armbar in 2nd round

Kickboxing round 2

Leighan Banham v Anna Sisson, Leighan by Decision

Michelle Preston v Bronwyn Wylie, Michelle by Decision

MMA Round 2

Peta Radnidge v Carla Mayer, Carla by ref stoppage in 1st round

Fiona Muxlow v Sue Glassey, Fiona by armbar

CSF

Alex Scott V Kinya Hashimoto, Alex Scott by 4 submissions -0

Neil Swailes V Satoshi Koutani, Satoshi by takedown in overtime

Tabitha Avery V Kate, Tabitha by submission

Kickboxing Finals

Leighan Banham v Michelle Preston, Michelle by decision

MMA Finals

Fiona Muxlow v Carla Mayer, Fiona rear choke