Holly Jones in 2018. Taken from WelshGymnastics.org.
Welsh gymnast, Holly Jones, believes she is physically and mentally stronger, heading into her second Commonwealth Games, stating that she is more prepared for this year’s games in Birmingham.
Jones, who is studying sports science at Swansea University, is currently preparing to represent Wales in her second Commonwealth Games, after narrowly missing out on a podium finish in 2018.
The Swansea-based gymnast travelled to the Australia games not knowing what to expect, but states, “it was one of the best experiences of my life”.
“I just loved every bit about the games, it was such a surreal feeling competing at such a big event and seeing famous athletes in the village.
“It was definitely the biggest competition I’ve done and after working so hard to get there, it was one of the best feelings knowing that all my hard work paid off.”
Four years on, 20-year-old, Jones, is relishing the prospect of competing in the UK.
“In Australia, only my coaches and parents went out to watch me compete, so in these games, it’ll be nice for my family and friends to come and support me!”
Almost four years older than she was when she made the trip Down Under, Jones is feeling stronger, both in body and in mind.
“I think physically I’ve definitely improved in my gymnastics, but I’d say especially mentally I’m a lot stronger than I was.
“Last games, I was only 17 and just turned a senior, so I didn’t have a lot of international experience. I went into those games just to enjoy and take in the experience.
“I know I will definitely be carrying that experience with me now.”
Jones has said that she was inspired by the Welsh team that won bronze in the 2014 games in Glasgow, believing if they can do it, so can she.
Speaking on her team in Swansea, she praised the support and facilities on offer to her, stating, “they’ve given me a great support system and have backed me 100%”.
The Welsh gymnast will be full of confidence heading in 2022 after recently regaining her British vault title and picking up a silver medal at the Northern Europeans in November.
Fans of the sport will be excited to watch Holly compete in Birmingham later this year, and with her expressing a desire to pursue gymnastics, the sport that she loves, for years to come, a podium finish would certainly be the cherry on the top of a great start to her career.
After Wales Women’s recent World Cup Qualifying games against Greece and France, all-time leading goal scorer, Helen Ward, believes that her side is well-aware of the task they face going into 2022 but go in with a great deal of confidence and a great year behind them.
At the back end of November, Wales beat Greece 5-0 and fell to a narrow 2-0 defeat to group leaders, France. Wales had one of their greatest performances against France, with goals the only thing missing from their trip to Guingamp.
Speaking on the games, Ward said: “We always knew both games were going to be very different tests and that proved to be the case.
“I thought it was a really dominant performance from start to finish and then the result Greece then went on to get a few days later in Slovenia [0-0] goes to show just how well we played.
“The France game was always going to be a really difficult game, but the girls put in a huge effort, and we were so unlucky not to come away with a point.
“It was disappointing to be down to 10 again and who knows, maybe with 11 we could have snatched something, but it wasn’t to be.”
Wales currently sits second in Group I, with four games left to play. With the next round of games scheduled to be played in April of next year, the Welsh striker believes that the country is in a great position to go through.
“I think if you’d told us we’d be sitting clear in second at this stage, I think we would have bitten your hand off. Not because we wouldn’t have that expectation on ourselves, but you just never know how things will plan out.
“We’ve played everyone at least once now, so we have a good feel of the group, and we go into 2022 full of confidence.”
Reflecting on the quality of football shown in the game against France, Ward states that this confidence that Wales has grown has been building for some time.
“I think the confidence has been growing over the last two or three years.
“Although we didn’t score against France, I think it’s the closest we’ve come to doing so against a top side and that shows we’ve grown”.
We’ve seen several young players begin to break into this hungry Welsh side over the last year, and the Watford striker is excited to see how far they can all go.
“We have been so lucky to find some really, really talented kids in the last few years and the best thing about them is that most of them are in full-time environments with top teams.
“That’s something that the older lot never had at their age and they’re coming into camps ready to compete for a place in the team which is amazing.”
Wales take on France in April with Ward and the rest of the squad ready to continue their fantastic run in the Women’s World Cup Qualifying campaign, in their quest of reaching a first major tournament.
Dan “50K” Ige is ready to put on a show in his fight with Josh Emmett at this weekend’s UFC 269, stating that he is expecting a “Gaethje-Chandler type of war” and claims it will be an “insane fight for the fans”.
Ige dropped to just his third loss in the UFC last time out against the Korean Zombie. After the judges awarded the win to Jung back in June, the now number nine ranked featherweight was not sure what would be next for him. But when the fight offer came through for his bout with Emmett, he just couldn’t say no.
“When they called me with the Emmett fight I was surprised. My mind was thinking smaller because I was coming off a loss and I wasn’t sure in my mind how the company thought about me. I figured I would fight someone below me so I was mentally prepared for anyone, even guys outside the rankings,” Ige said on Just Scrap Radio.
“When they called me I was surprised. But, I am stoked for the opportunity because it is another chance to climb the ladder. It’s a great fight stylistically, it’s a fan-friendly fight. We both bring it and we try to finish out guys and we are both tough to put away.”
The Hawaiian is well aware that he and Emmett go into their fight with very similar fighting styles. With both being hard-hitters who are both experienced grapplers but he believes Emmett’s inactivity gives him the edge heading into Saturday’s scrap.
“It’s an MMA fight. I have the tools and he has the tools to take the fight wherever it goes,” Ige explained. “It’s really going to come down to who is the smarter fighter, who has the better footwork and better angles and can land their shots. That is where I believe my vision, my timing, and my activity will be to my advantage.”
You don’t get the nickname “50K” if you don’t know how to put on a show and looking ahead to UFC 269, Ige believes it will be an all-out war, similar to that of Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. Regardless of the outcome on the night, he is sure he will be the one leaving with his arm raised.
“The dude is super tough. In his last fight, he tore his ACL in the first minute against a hard-hitting Shane Burgos and fought through the entire fight, and won it,” Ige said. “I’m not taking away his toughness, if I go and get a nice knockout like the Gavin Tucker KO, great. It’s not what I prepare for, I prepare for the hardest motherf****r to put away.
“I’m expecting a Gaethje-Chandler type of war. If you are not preparing for that you are going to crumble when it does happen. We are so evenly matched and both can throw heat and wrestle offensively and defensively and we both have the ability to knock each other out. It will be an insane fight for the fans and I’m looking to come out victorious.”
With Emmett ranked ahead of him, Ige knows what a win could mean and what it could mean in the division but he is not looking past this fight.
“I really try not to emphasize that too much. In my last fight, I got caught up thinking about if I beat Zombie I get a title shot or a title eliminator,” Ige concluded. “I have to just focus on this fight, so I’m not looking past this fight. I have a tough guy ahead of me and if I beat him it’s put me at seven. All I know is I’m climbing the ladder.”
You can catch Dan “50K” Ige take on Josh Emmett at UFC 269 on Saturday the 11th. Does Ige live up the nickname once again?
Former Welsh boxer, Colin Jones, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2020 Birthday Honours services for services to boxing and received his medal at Windsor Castle last week.
Jones, experienced an incredible career in both amateur and professional boxing. A knockout specialist who won 26 of his 30 fights, with 23 coming by KO finish. He became the British, Commonwealth and European welterweight champion and before turning professional he also represented Great Britain at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal.
Speaking on his MBE award in Windsor, Jones said: “It’s unique really. It’s very hard to put it into words, it was such a big occasion, to be honoured in that respect and outside of the boxing fraternity, it was something different and unique.
“It’s a fantastic couple of days when you go there and have your honour. It’s nice for the family and it’s nice for everybody in boxing as well, to share that with you”.
Welsh rugby captain, Alun Wyn Jones was also present to receive his OBE award on the day and Jones described the day as a “real eye-opener”, with regards to the occasion.
As such an accomplished professional, Jones ranks this award up there with his 1983 BBC Sports Wales Personality of the Year award and his first British title against Kirkland Laing, stating, “this award is certainly up there with all my boxing accolades throughout my career”.
The Swansea-born boxer now finds himself coaching amateurs with the Welsh Boxing Association. For some, making the switch from fighting to coaching can be a real challenge but for Jones “it’s like riding a bike, once you do it, it comes to you easily. I’ve been in the game since the age of nine so making the transition was something I’ve found quite easy”.
Welsh boxing has risen considerably over the last few decades but even more so in the 2000s. Working with the number of amateurs that he currently is, Jones says he is working with an “elite group”, with many aiming to make a name for themselves at the Commonwealth Games that will take place next year in Birmingham.
The former professional also highlighted the recent achievements of Olympic gold-medalist, Lauren Price, stating she could achieve just as much once she makes the transition to professional. Price being a product of the boxing programme he currently coaches with.
There’s no doubt that with Colin Jones coaching the “budding superstars” of today, Wales could see many a more champions begin to emerge in the next few years.
Speaking on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, former UFC heavyweight champion, Stipe Miocic expressed his disappointment for not being offered a chance to fight for the interim heavyweight championship.
In March, at UFC 260, Stipe was on the end of a brutal KO finish by Francis Ngannou resulting in him losing his heavyweight belt. After the fight, he made it clear he would be taking the rest of the year off. With that, the UFC then booked an interim heavyweight championship fight between Derrick Lewis and Ciyrl Gane.
The former champ made an appearance on The MMA Hour on Monday, where he explained that he would have “loved to have been asked” if he wanted the fight.
Feeling snubbed, he went on to say, “I feel like I understand what the UFC’s doing, it’s a business, but at the same time I think that I deserved a trilogy fight. I wasn’t even asked for the interim fight. Who knows if I would have taken it but just it would have been nice to be asked. Just toes in the water. I don’t know [if I would have taken it]. We don’t know. It’s over with.”
With the disappointment behind him, Miocic made it clear that he is still hoping for the trilogy against, now champion, Ngannou. With both fighters having a win over the other, it’s understandable why the 39-year-old would like a chance at revenge.
“Listen, I’m used to it,” Miocic said. “It is what it is. It’s business. I get it but at the same time, I feel like I was deserving of a trilogy fight. Everyone else has gotten one but me… “I’ll fight anyone like I always say [but] I really want that trilogy fight. That [title] was mine. I want it back. Definitely get a trilogy [in 2022]. Get my shot back at the title. Get my belt back. Back to normal. Everything’s back to normal.”
If the UFC don’t push for the trilogy then he has also stated he would be more than up for a fight against former light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones. Talk of a potential bout begun after the events of UFC 260 and Stipe has made it clear, this does interest him.
“I’m down,” Miocic said about fighting Jones. “I don’t think he wanted it. I don’t know the whole story but I’m down. Then he wants a title shot. I know he’s done well, he’s probably one of the greatest of all time but you’ve still got to wait your order. That’s like me going to light heavyweight and being like I want a shot.”
It’s unclear who we will see the former heavyweight champ fight next but a meeting with the UFC bosses in December could provide us with answers very soon.
Hasbulla Magomedov and Abdu Rozik squaring off. Credit: LAD Bible.
A story we never thought we would be seeing. After gaining millions of followers across all of his social media platforms and having a meeting with Dana White in Abu Dhabi, could we seriously see Hasbulla fight in the UFC?
Hasbulla Magomedov rose to fame this year after he was nicknamed the “Mini Khabib”. At UFC 267, the Dagestani, was given a front row seat in Abu Dhabi where he was supporting his friend, Islam Makhachev, who picked up his ninth win in a row against Dan Hooker.
UFC president, Dana White was asked about him and what exactly he was doing there, to which White replied, “I don’t know if he’s going to be fight but we’re definitely going to be doing something with him”.
This reply has left fans questioning what the purpose of their meeting was, with many supporters of the sport speculating that we could see a one-off fight take place between Hasbulla and his nemesis, Abdu Rozik.
The two both went viral after their ‘pre-fight press conference’ video showed the two trash talking and brawling back in May of this year.
Since then the two have regularly gone back and forth online with rumours of a fight in mixed martial arts apparently in the works, but no plans have yet been announced officially. As well as this, Abdu confronted Hasbulla at UFC 267 on Saturday night with the both having to be held back.
Since then, Asxab Tamaev, an MMA fighter who works with Hasbulla has claimed that Dana White is ready to help settle this fight inside the Octagon. Tamaev has posted, what he is claiming to be a DM from White who says, “can we do it somehow?”.
Image: Instagram.
Some fans of the sport have suggested that it would morbid to watch the two fight under official MMA rules, with both of them around three feet and three inches tall, however, there are still many asking for the UFC to get it done.
At this moment in time, it feels unlikely that we will see Hasbulla and Abdu settle their differences inside the octagon, but if you’re willing to believe the rumours then don’t cancel the idea out entiely. We still aren’t sure what went on between the Dana and the Russian in their meeting so expect some sort of news soon.
Brandon Scott. Taken from the Boxing Wales (@BoxingWales) Twitter account.
Decorated amateur boxer, Brandon “Boom Boom” Scott has officially turned pro at 18-years-old and will be trained by former champion, Gavin Rees.
Scott struggled with his weight and fitness from a young age but after being introduced to boxing at the age of 12, his life has only gone up.
Subjected to bullying as a child, he uses that as fuel now as he strives for boxing glory.
“I learnt that some people aren’t always nice, they can be horrible sometimes, but it taught me to learn to get on with it, which gives me a major advantage when I’m training.
“I always give 1000% because I know that no one is going to do this for me.”
It is also confirmed that Scott will be trained by former WBA super lightweight champion, Gavin Rees.
“It feels amazing to know he’s going to be passing down his knowledge to me.
“He’s already helped me loads and hasn’t asked for anything but for me to give 100%. Never asked for a single penny.”
Rees held the WBA title from 2007-2008 and finished his pro career with a record of 38-4-1.
Fighting out of Swansea, Brandon has had an excellent amateur career that’s seen him win three national titles, a British title, won over 30 fights and several other tournament wins.
“To think I’m now a professional boxer seems a bit surreal to be completely honest.”
Despite only just turning pro, he’s already thinking about titles.
“I’m running this all the way to the top. I take my life day by day, but I’ve got tunnel vision in becoming a world champion.
“I will set my next target when it’s reality. I’m fully expecting there to be obstacles and bumps along the way but when they come, I can promise that I will be ready.”
Fans can expect to see an aggressive boxer who likes to pick opponents apart.
“I like to come forward with feints, head movement then I like to get my power shots off from range. I do rely a lot on my footwork.
“People should expect an exciting fight but with some top-level technical skill and ability.
“I truly believe when I box to my full potential, I will steal the show, and everyone will know what I’m capable of.”
Welsh MMA has grown significantly over the past few years, with several fighters representing the country in MMA’s leading promotion – the UFC. However, almost every one of those fighters made their names in UK-based promotion, Cage Warriors.
After the success of the Cage Warriors Academy Welsh event in Ebbw Vale on Saturday afternoon, here are five fighters that you should watch as they rise through the ranks in their aspirations of MMA glory.
Befan Hall:
Befan Hall. From Cage Warriors Academy Wales Facebook.
Starting things off, we have 16-year-old, Befan Hall. Still so young, Befan is certainly someone to keep your eye on. Still only an amateur but progressing with help from Shore MMA gym, the home of UFC bantamweight, Jack Shore, he kept his perfect record intact after beating Cory Bethall in the first fight of the day.
The fight started with Hall immediately pushing for the takedown and getting some effective ground and pound work in early. In the second round he found the finish after yet another terrific takedown and what can only be described as experienced grappling. The heavy punches on the floor were too much for Bethall who saw the referee wave it off with Hall the victor.
It wasn’t just the method of victory that highlights Befan as someone to keep an eye but his grappling and especially his takedowns. Aspirations of reaching UFC gold, keep your eyes on his rise.
Ioan Thomas
Ioan Thomas. From Cage Warriors Academy Wales Facebook.
Someone who seemed to be a somewhat fan-favourite on the night was 15-year-old Ioan Thomas. Walking out and receiving thunderous applause, Thomas, who also fights out of Shore MMA, picked up his win inside the cage and did it in impressive style.
His fight began with some heavy pressure from his opponent, Callum Davies, but despite this, Ioan secured the takedown and almost got the job done early with his ground strikes. In the second, he continued to maximise his takedowns and his wrestling and just as he did in the first, almost had the fight stopped with some vicious ground strikes getting through.
It wasn’t until the third and final round that his wrestling proved too good for his opponent and after beating his opponent up for three solid rounds, the ref stopped the fight and the crowd exploded. It became clear after Ioan’s fight that Shore MMA were going to have an impressive night and the levels of wrestling and jiu-jitsu were going to prove too much for most.
Still so young, it’ll be worth seeing how far the Welsh fighter can go.
James Wamsley
James Wamsley. From Cage Warriors Academy Wales Facebook.
A strong contender for finish of the night was 22-year-old James Wamsley. Fighting out of LD Fighters in Exeter, he came into his fight with another perfect record. Wamsley took on Lewis Williams and their scrap did not disappoint. Both guys came out and secured takedowns early.
On the feet, the two traded heavy blows back and forth with both landing, but just 56 seconds into the fight, it was James who landed the knockout blow which sent Williams down to the canvas. A devastating right hook, followed by a McGregor-style strut made this fight/finish a real spectacle for all in attendance.
“As far as that tragic walk off is concerned, I had no idea how to react and apparently that’s what came naturally to me.”
Wamsley remains still new to the sport, having only trained for just over a year and just two fights under his belt but the ferocity and the power is certainly something to keep your eyes on.
Josh Archer
James Archer. From Cage Warriors Academy Wales.
Those in attendance on Saturday were treated to numerous first round finishes and the fourth of the night came from Torquay-based, Josh Archer. Fighting out of Lions Den gym and Fightworx MMA, his fight began with Archer getting his opponent, Elis Westacott (fighting out of Shore MMA), down with a right hand that knocked him off balance.
After some ground strikes and a first submission attempt, Westacott was forced to tap after the second attempt. A rear naked choke which showcased Archer’s impressive work on the ground in his MMA debut.
“I love everything about MMA. The training, the nerves before a fight and the thrill of winning”.
With two Thai Boxing fights also under his wing, his range of martial arts, highlight him as a real prospect and still only 24, the English fighter is becoming a real prospect.
Kenzie Jones
Kenzie Jones. From Cage Warriors Academy Wales Facebook.
Finally, we have 20-year-old Kenzie Jones. Yet another Shore MMA fighter and yet another amazing show of grappling and jiu-jitsu. A current record of 4-0 and a career trajectory that can only go up, Jones picked up another impressive finish to his MMA resumé.
The Welshman began his fight with Kirk Heely, with a big head kick and got the takedown in the early stages. Jones brutally dropped Heely on to his head and after some more quality grappling, he got the submission just a minute and half into the fight. A d’arce choke submission and another win for Team Shore.
Another young fighter with dreams of competing in the UFC, the featherweight amateur will continue to work towards his goals and is someone I advise you keep up to date with.
The UFC has historically begun each new year with a crazy fight card to get fans pumped, and that isn’t going to be changing in 2022. Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane will get their chance to unify the UFC heavyweight belt at UFC 270 according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto.
Ngannou won the belt in March of this year when we brutally KO’d Stipe Miocic in their rematch at UFC 260. Since then, the Cameroonian has made it clear that he is ready for his first title defense towards the backend of the year. However, things did not pan out that way.
Towards the end of July, it was announced that Derrick Lewis would meet Ciryl Gane and fight for the interim heavyweight belt at UFC 265. The fight was a shock to the MMA community, with Ngannou himself describing it as a “slap in the face’”. Despite this, the fight went ahead and Gane came out on top, finishing Lewis in the third round.
After the events of UFC 265, it is now being announced by Brett Okamoto that the former training partners, Ngannou and Gane will be given the chance to unify the belts at UFC 270 in January of 2022.
Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane will fight to unify the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 270 on Jan. 22, multiple sources confirmed to @bokamotoESPN.
Contracts are not yet signed, however both sides have agreed. The date was first reported by French media outlet La Sueur. pic.twitter.com/NMRbrHEHpg
The two fighters began their training at the MMA Factory in France, under the same coach, Fernand Lopez. It has been a few years since the Predator has trained in France but the two will certainly be used to facing off with one another.
If reports are also to be believed, we could also be seeing Israel Adesanya defend his middleweight belt in a rematch against Robert Whittaker. This could be the first time we have seen Adesanya fight on the same card as Ngannou and would make for a spectacular start for the UFC in 2022.
If you’re hoping to see finishes at UFC Vegas 39 on Saturday night then prepare yourself for middleweights—Phil Hawes and Deron Winn who will finally have their chance to scrap after their July bout had to be rescheduled due to Winn’s serious injury.
Up-and-comer Phil Hawes (32), began his MMA career in 2014 in the Legacy Fighting Championship after standing out as junior-college champion in Iowa state. He’s had stints on season 23 of the Ultimate Fighter and Dana White’s Contender Series, but took his time to break onto the scene.
With a current record of 11-2, the New Jersey born fighter finds himself making his fourth walk to the octagon, where he currently stands at 3-0 under the UFC lights. Hawes earned himself a first round finish over Jacob Malkoun in his debut and followed it up with two 2021 decision wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Kyle Daukaus. However, don’t be put off by those last two decisions, the middleweight carries serious power in his hands.
Deron Winn (32), born and raised in Liberty, Missouri, is another man with an impressive background in wrestling and will also be known to have a close friendship with Daniel Cormier himself. He holds a record of 7-2, which surprisingly contains no submission wins, given his wrestling credentials, with four of them coming inside the octagon.
The most notable feature of Winn’s is his uncommon 5’5 height, making him one of the shortest middleweights in the UFC. However, this didn’t stop him from getting a debut win against Eric Spicely, as the judges awarded him the unanimous decision and saw him take home the fight of the night.
His great start was not continued unfortunately as he found himself on the end of back-to-back defeats to Darren Stewart and Gerald Meerschaert. After his fight with Meerschaert, Winn tested positive for amphetamines and saw himself on the end of a nine month suspension. Most recently, he took on Antônio Arroyo in December of 2020 and got the job done with another win on the judge’s cards.
Fight Prediction:
With the two 32-year-olds ready to go at it, I’d expect to see Phil Hawes take the centre and work the jab early on. Winn will have to work the legs and do what he can to take the fight to the ground. Hawes will prepare for this and be ready to tee off on his opponent early on.
With both of them having backgrounds in wrestling, don’t be surprised to see this fight contain plenty of clinches and ground work. However, I can see Phil Hawes’ height and power being too much for Winn who will more than likely, look for the KO/TKO victory.
Route to Victory—Phil Hawes
Keep a hold of the centre.
Take early advantage of his jab.
Pick the moments to throw the heavy strikes.
Route to Victory—Deron Winn
Work the body/legs.
Find the takedown and take advantage of the ground and pound.
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