The Zone FC 8: Inferno Event Report by Dustin Main

(Paul Reed dishes out some punishment from the back)

It was a near sellout crowd for The Zone FC 8: Inferno on February 26th, 2011. Unfortunately there was a last minute scratch to the card as Russian fighter Mukhamed Aushev had a visa issue, and was unable to meet Sweden's August Wallén in a title fight at 84kg (185lbs). The rest of the fighters representing 4 countries stepped up, delivering an exciting night of fights in Gothenburg, Sweden with the crowd appreciating every minute.

Taking the main event slot, Sweden's Hamid Corassani welcomed UK's Paul Reed in a back and forth featherweight contest. They got at it quickly, with Reed ducking a big hook and shortly after, going for the takedown which was stuffed by Corassani, who fired back and rocked Reed. An unsuccessful guillotine attempt left Reed on his back, but he fired an illegal upkick that caused a stop in the action and the fighters were stood. Corassani tagged Reed with a left hook and Reed fell back. Going for the finish, Corassani put the pressure on, but Reed survived the last few seconds to the bell. 10-9 Corassani.

(Reed works for a rear naked choke on Corassani)

Reed worked the jab to start the second round, and they both fired hooks that were near misses. Corassani scored with body shots, but Reed just smiled and knocked him down with a punch of his own, following him into side mount, then passing to mount. He rained down shots and was in total control of Corassani. Reed went for an unsuccessful RNC attempt, but kept top position. Reed was unrelenting with his shots, and the referee was forced to stop the fight.

Paul Reed def. Hamid Corassani by ref stoppage (strikes) - 3:28, Round 2

(Diaby taps to Cheng's choke)

Victor Cheng (Sweden) wasted no time with late replacement French kickboxer Abubacar Diaby in this middleweight fight. Catching a high kick early in the round, Cheng took the fight to the ground and easily passed, first to side control then mount. Diaby had no answer on the ground as Cheng showed total control and took his time working for a cross choke that ended the fight midway through the first round.

Victor Cheng def. Abubacar Diaby by submission (cross choke) - 2:49, Round 1

(Gregor Herb works for an armbar)

The crowd claps along as Mats Nilsson (Sweden) comes out to 99 Luftballons, but once the action begins, Gregor Herb (Germany) shot for the takedown and was stuffed. Stuck in a stalemate against the cage, the crowd clapped to cheer on the fighters rather than booing. It was a close round, fought mostly in the clinch and exchanging single shots. 10-9 Nilsson. 

Much like the first, Herb went for a takedown which was defended as they clinched on the cage. A second takedown attempt was successful, but Nilsson popped right back up and threw some big shots, getting himself on top and in side control. Herb worked to guard, but it was Nilsson landing hard shots from the top. Looking for a submission, Herb brought his legs up for a high guard, but Nilsson was having none of it and fired back, even standing up to fire shots back into Herb's guard. 10-9 Nilsson. 

Herb was bleeding a bit in his corner, and slipped in what was left of the puddle after it was cleaned between rounds. He shot in and got the takedown, but Nilsson scrambled and they continued to jockey for position. In control and landing shots, it was Nilsson's fight at that moment. The German wasn't ready to give up, and went for a guillotine, but couldn't finish. Time was running out and there was a scramble late in the round. Herb worked for a triangle and a last minute armbar as the bell sounded. 10-9 Nilsson

Mats Nilsson def. Gregor Herb by decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

In the only female contest on the card, Germany's Sheila Gaff wasn't fazed by the crowd favorite Hanna Sillén in their flyweight contest (125lbs / 57kg). It took only 8 seconds as Gaff landed punches sending Sillén down against the cage. Gaff followed her, bringing punches to deliver. Sillén was out.

Sheila Gaff def. Hanna Sillén by referee stoppage (strikes) - 0:08, Round 1

In a bantamweight contest, Sirwan Kakai took on Thomas Bäck in an all Swedish fight. After a clinch against the fence, Bäck jumped and went for a guillotine, even trying to pull guard. Kakai wasn't having any of it and Back was forced to let it go. A clinch resulted in a lack of action, but the crowd clapped to encourage the fighters. Kakai got a takedown and ended up in side control. Bäck stayed active on the bottom, threatening with an armbar, but Kakai answered with heavy shots . Kakai 10-9

Looked like Kakai had a small mouse under an eye, but it didn't stop him from stalking Back, landing some serious leg kicks and a heavy kick to the body. Back was noticeably slower in the second, and another leg kick from Kakai made him hit the mat. Kakai followed him to the ground and ended up on top, landing shots from the guard. Bäck continued looking for subs, but it was Kakai in control. Kakai 10-9

Round three played out all on the feet, with Kakai showing off his more crisp standup skills. He was doing the most damage with his leg kicks, while Bäck was putting his head down and throwing haymakers. Kakai 10-9

Sirwan Kakai def. Thomas Bäck by decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Jens Östling came in as a late replacement for an ill Nicklas Danielsson in a welterweight contest against Tim Waage. There was a short feeling out period before Östling shot and they ended up on the fence. Waage worked for a guillotine before they both ended up back on the feet. A high kick by Östling was countered by a punch down the middle by Waage, who was coming up on the better end of the scrambles. Östling was by no means out though, working a leg lock and a trip on the ground. In the end, Waage locked in a fight ending rear naked choke for the finish.

Tim Waage def. Jens Jens Östling by submission (RNC) - 3:34, Round 1

The Norwegian contingent of the crowd was going crazy as Eirik Digre came out. It wasn't to last though as Swedish Simon Sköld had other plans in this lightweight contest. Shortly after the round began, Sköld rushed Digre with fists flying, reminiscent of Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva. Digre tried to defend but was quickly mounted, and after repeated shots, the referee stopped the fight.

Simon Sköld def. Eiriki Digre by ref stoppage (strikes) - 1:34, Round 1

Opening the night off was Ali Ameziane versus Mohammed Abdallah, and they spent very little time waiting around, instead getting right to it. Plenty of attempted head kicks which broke out into 'rock 'em sock 'em' robots against the fence several times, with Abdallah typically getting the best of it. Ali shot for several takedowns, with no luck, paying for them with more standup exchanges along the fence. About midway through the round, an elbow by Abdallah to Ameziane's back while on the ground resulted in him being deducted a point (no elbows allowed). Abdallah was bleeding slightly as they headed to their corners at the end of the round. 9-9 Abdallah 

Ameziane opened round two with a takedown and a slam. He worked from side control to mount before Abdallah used a hip escape to half guard, then back to mount for Ameziane. The crowd clapped to show their appreciation for the transitions. Abdallah escaped to his feet, but not for long as Ameziane shot a single into half guard. He tried to pass, but Abdallah held position. 10-9 Ameziane

The final round saw Ameziane work a leg kick, then shoot a double to a slam. In side control and he was throwing short shots, staying tight to the body so as to not lose position. After a period of inaction, the referee brought them back up to the feet. They exchanged single strikes back and forth, until Ameziane shot another and the slam landed him in side control. Ameziane's takedowns and top control were the story of the fight. 10-9 Ameziane

Ali Ameziane def. Mohammed Abdallah by decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)

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