Cage Confrontation Four gets under way this weekend (From York Press)

Cage Confrontation Four gets under way this weekend

10:25am Thursday 20th October 2011 in Martial arts

YORK’S status as a major centre for mixed martial arts will be enhanced by Cage Confrontation Four, writes Tony Kelly.

The cage fighting event will get underway at the Cornlands Road home of the Energise Centre this Saturday night with a 13-bout card topped by a first for the promoters and the sport in York.

Tony Dias and Gaz Watkinson, whose United Masters Promotions axis has run all four of the Cage Confrontation series, have arranged the city’s first fully professional contest.

Heading the bill will be the showdown between Tom Woodfin of the York-based Multi Masters Academy gym in Layerthorpe, run by Watkinson, against Qasim Shaffiq of the Cage Steel club in Dewsbury.

Dias, who commands the United Martial Arts College in Norton, said there would also be the first York contests to follow the “ground and pound” rules of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

These rules, which are adhered to on the lucrative pro circuit especially that in America, allow fighters to punch to the head when an opponent is on the canvas. Semi-pro rules restrict head shots only to when fighters are on their feet.

Said Dias: “A lot of fighters now want to compete under these NSAC rules to further their careers in the pro game.

“It’s a big step up for them and also for the sport in York. This is our fourth show and with each one we have been trying to progress to help York become more established on the MMA map.”