Ultimate Challenge MMA

UCMMA
Private
Industry Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded 2008
Founders Dave O'Donnell, Tony Colasanto
Headquarters London, England
Key people
 Dave O'Donnell Harry Shoebridge
Parent Cage Rage UK
Website http://www.ucmma.tv/

Ultimate Challenge MMA (also referred to as UCMMA) is a mixed martial arts promotion based in the United Kingdom. It is shown live on Primetime in the UK, Fight Now TV in the USA and on Viewster in several other countries.

History

The collapse of EliteXC was quickly followed by Cage Rage with its final show Cage Rage 28 in 2008. Later that same year Dave O'Donnell, one of the original owners of Cage Rage, created Ultimate Challenge UK. Their first event 'Bad Breed' covered the spot where Cage Rage 29 was going to take place.[1]

After a while of promoting many successful events, UCUK dropped the 'UK' out of the name and replaced it with 'MMA' becoming 'UCMMA'. UCMMA has been steadily approaching the same popularity that Cage Rage once enjoyed.[2]

They have sponsorships with companies like Cash4Gold,[3] Official Watches,[4] MMA Sports Nutrition,[5] and Coalition fight music.[6]

On August 6, 2011, UCMMA 22 - Warrior Creed was shown on PPV channel Primetime.[7][8][9]

UCMMA can now be watched on Fight Now TV in the United States in a landmark deal for the promotion. The contract with the network is set for 1 year as of February 2012.[10]

All of UCMMA events from UCMMA 26 - The Real Deal can be purchased from high street retail stores such as Tesco, HMV, and Argos. It can also be purchased at online stores like Zavvi.com, Amazon.com, Lovefilm and The Hut Group.[11]

On May 28, 2012, UCMMA was featured on BBC One programme How To Beat Pain, which was presented by Greg Whyte and Jack Krindler.[12]

After White Collar MMA 6 (WCMMA), UK casting call were taken place at the Troxy for a new American reality show - Warrior Island. Dave O'Donnell hosted the casting call at the request by Global Proving Ground (GPG) President, James Jefferson.[13] The reality show will be directed by Hollywood veteran Ben Perry.

On October 25 it was announced that, along with BAMMA and Cage Warriors, that UCMMA have united with The Centre of Health and Human Performance in London to launched SAFE MMA, a nonprofit organization established to improve the safety of MMA fighters in the U.K. Chief among the organization's plans is a centralized and confidential database for fighter medical records. SAFE MMA, which officially launches Jan. 1 2013, also will provide affordable, standardized blood and medical tests for all registered fighters, as well as advice from leading world experts in sports medicine, according to today's announcement.[14][15]

As of November 21, 2012, UCMMA can also be seen on Canada's The Fight Network.[16]

After Sky Sports cut out all MMA programming from their channels, UCMMA announced that they signed a deal with on-demand channel Primetime for a live broadcasting partnership.[17]

Cage Fighter

They show their chat show, Cage Fighter, every Wednesday night on Sky Sports.[18] Dave O'Donnell hosts the 30 minute show with Grant Waterman and interviews MMA fighters, shows clips of previous fights, GYM of the week, KO/Submission of the week and advertises their next event.[19]

UK1

UCMMA also shows kickboxing matches during their events, referring to them as 'UK1', named after the well known K-1 kickboxing company based in Japan. Because they hold these fights in the same events as they show MMA, the kickboxers use the cage to compete in.

Each fight will be a three 3 minute round with a minute rest period in between rounds, and if it’s a draw one more round will be fought. Each round will be scored using the 10-point must system. Fighters using the most effective aggression and effective technique will win the round. Also the three knock-down rule applies, and a fighter can only be saved from a count by the bell in the final round. the choice to use MMA gloves or standard kickboxing gloves are agreed to by both fighters. Because of the pace of the action, if fighters get into a clinch they will be allowed a single knee strike and then must break clean. If the referee says ‘break’ they must not hit on the break. Rules are set so that certain things that are allowed in MMA are not used in the UK1 bouts, such as standing/clinching elbow strikes, ground fighting (grappling or striking), trips, takedowns or throws.[20]

Since its first bouts, it has gained popularity, as it makes their fight card more exciting and keeps the audience entertained if the prior fights were boring due to slow pace striking or grappling. It also allows the company to reach the type of audience that dislikes the use of small 6oz MMA gloves, grappling and striking to a grounded opponent. There are also titles in each weight division, which follows the same as their MMA divisions.

White Collar MMA (WCMMA)

Dave O'Donnell created White Collar MMA (WCMMA), with the idea that "gives the average man the chance to experience the thrill of hand to hand combat inside the octagon. Competing in the disciplines of boxing, kick boxing, Muay Thai and MMA, WCMMA lets nine to fivers take the frustrations of the office out on the man to stands toe – 2 - toe with them in the cage." He says: ‘Every man who sits behind his desk at work watches MMA fights on YouTube or at home on TV can now give it a go. WCMMA gives that man the chance to live the dream.[21] These guys will compete against each other in three 90 seconds rounds in a safe and controlled environment putting their skills to the test in a safe arena against fellow nine to fivers.’[22]

Dave will make sure that all fights are fair and each competitor is in the right condition to fight. There will not be cost cuts on production will give them the opportunity to make their dreams come true. This will be their chance to become Rocky for one night. They will also hold amateur and semi-pro fights as well to allow amateur mixed martial artists a chance to grow their skills before going professional.

Ultimate Ball

UCMMA created a new sport inside MMA during the early part of 2012 called 'Ultimate Ball'.[23] The team-based sport, which combines sports such as rugby, American football, basketball and mixed martial arts, is played in the cage in which both sides try to get the rugby-shaped ball into the opposition's goal, with takedowns and body shots allowed.[24] Ultimate Ball debut at UCMMA 27.[25][26]

The concept to Ultimate Ball came to Dave O'Donnell around the time Cage Rage was at its highest peak, but had to wait until UCMMA grew bigger to make the sport happen.

The rules to Ultimate Ball are:

  1. Two five-minute rounds
  2. If there is a draw after ten minutes, then a one-minute additional time and the first player to score wins the game.
  3. If after the one-minute extra time it is still a draw, it goes into penalty shootout until one time takes the lead.
  4. To score, the ball must stay in the net to count.
  5. One player can't score straight away until a teammate scores the next goal.
  6. The ball must be passed twice before scoring a goal.
  7. Four to a team, three active and one player must be sub (32-foot cage will have five players).
  8. A team must have different fighter from Heavyweight downwards.
  9. Heavyweight must be no more than 120 kilograms.
  10. Subs must be Welterweight or below.
  11. Substitution can only be made when a player is injured or at half time.
  12. A red-carded player must sit out for 1 min of the game.
  13. Restart from the centre of the cage.
  14. At start of game and any restart, all players must be behind the ball.
  15. Strikes and takedowns are allowed when a player has the ball (push kicks, punches to body, trips, sweeps and takedowns).
  16. No punches on the floor, only grappling to get the ball.
  17. Only the referee will decide who gets the restart, i.e. the player in possession of the ball.
  18. If both players have the ball, referee will call a chest start (both players with chest on ball, with hands behind back until referee blows whistle to continue play).
  19. If the ball goes out of the cage, the other team gets the restart.
  20. If a player hits another player who doesn't have the ball deliberately, he will be sent off and a substitute cannot be used.
  21. All players must be medically checked before taking part.
  22. All players must wear groin and mouth guards while taking part.[27]

Ultimate Ball tournament

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
Diesel Gym 4
Team Colosseum 0
Diesel Gym
Team Semtex
Team Semtex 7
House of Pain 1
 
 
Blood Line 8
Team Razor 4
Blood Line
Team Gypsy
Team Gypsy 6
Team Wartime 2

Scheduled events

Event Date Venue Location
TBA TBA The Troxy London, Greater London, England

Past events

# Event Date Venue Location
56 UCMMA 43 - Ultimate Challenge MMA 43 May 2, 2015 The Troxy London, Greater London, England
55 UCMMA 42 - Ultimate Challenge MMA 42 February 7, 2015 The Troxy London, Greater London, England
54 UCMMA 41 - Ultimate Challenge MMA 41 November 8, 2014 The Troxy London, Greater London, England
53 UCMMA 40 - Ultimate Challenge MMA 40 September 6, 2014 The Troxy London, Greater London, England
52 UCMMA 39 - Ultimate Challenge MMA 39 May 3, 2014 The Troxy London, Greater London, England
51 UCMMA 38 February 1, 2014 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
50 UCMMA 37 December 7, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
49 White Collar MMA 12 November 2, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
48 UCMMA 36 October 5, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
47 White Collar MMA 11 September 7, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
46 UCMMA 35 August 3, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
45 White Collar MMA 10 July 6, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
44 UCMMA 34 June 1, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
43 White Collar MMA 9 May 4, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
42 UCMMA 33 April 6, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
41 White Collar MMA 8 March 2, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
40 UCMMA 32 February 2, 2013 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
39 UCMMA 31 December 1, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
38 White Collar MMA 7 November 3, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
37 UCMMA 30 October 6, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
36 White Collar MMA 6 September 8, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
35 UCMMA 29 August 18, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
34 White Collar MMA 5 June 30, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
33 UCMMA 28 May 26, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
32 White Collar MMA 4 May 5, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
31 UCMMA 27 April 7, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
30 White Collar MMA 3 March 3, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
29 UCMMA 26 - The Real Deal February 4, 2012 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
28 UCMMA 25 - The Beat Down December 3, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
27 White Collar MMA 2 November 12, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
26 UCMMA - Dominican Republic November 6, 2011 Hard Rock Casino Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
25 UCMMA 24 - Hands of War October 22, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
24 UCMMA 23 - Go 4 It September 17, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
23. UCMMA 22 - Warrior Creed August 6, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
22 UCMMA 21 - Stand Your Ground June 25, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
21 White Collar MMA 1 June 4, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
20 UCMMA 20 - Fists of Fire May 14, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
19 UCMMA 19 - Lights Out March 26, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
18 UCMMA 18 - Face Off February 5, 2011 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
17 UCMMA 17 - Kings of the Cage December 3, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
16 UCMMA 16 - Unbelievable October 22, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
15 UCMMA 15 - Showdown September 18, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
14 UCMMA 14 - Invincible August 7, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
13 UCMMA 13 - Feel the Pain July 20, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
12 UCMMA 12 - Never Back Down June 8, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
11 UCMMA 11 - Adrenaline Rush March 27, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
10 UCMMA 10 - Resurrection February 6, 2010 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
9 UCMMA 9 - Fighting for Heroes December 5, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
8 UCMMA 8 - Dynamite October 24, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
7 UCMMA 7 - Mayhem September 19, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
6 UCMMA 6 - Payback August 22, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
5 UCMMA 5 - Heat July 11, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
4 UCMMA 4 - Relentless May 9, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
3 UCMMA 3 - Unstoppable March 28, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
2 UCMMA 2 - Unbreakable February 7, 2009 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom
1 UCMMA 1 - Bad Breed December 6, 2008 The Troxy London, England, United Kingdom

[28]

Current Champions

MMA Champions

Division Upper weight limit Champion Since Title Defenses Next Fight
Heavyweight Above 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) United Kingdom Darren Towler
South Africa Neil Grove (Interim)		 September 17, 2011
December 1, 2012 		1 (Towler)
0 (Grove)
Light Heavyweight Super 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) May 2, 2015 (UCMMA 43) 0
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) United Kingdom Linton Vassell February 4, 2012 2
Middleweight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) Czech Republic Karlos Vemola August 3, 2013 0
Welterweight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) United Kingdom Bill Beaumont February 7, 2015 (UCMMA 42) 0
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) United Kingdom Charlie leary October 5, 2013 0
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) United Kingdom Ashleigh Grimshaw May 26, 2012 0
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) United Kingdom Luiz Henrique Tosta February 7, 2015 (UCMMA 42) 0 vs. Danny Lawson @ 43
Flyweight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) United Kingdom Giorgio Andrews August 18, 2012 0

Current 'UK1' Champions

Division Upper weight limit Champion
Heavyweight Above 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) United Kingdom Chi Parry Lewis
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) United Kingdom Iain Martell
Middleweight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) United Kingdom Louis King
Welterweight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) United Kingdom Galore Bofando
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) United Kingdom Caleb Loo
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) United Kingdom Huseyin Garabet
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) Vacant
Flyweight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) Vacant

Notable Fighters in the UCMMA

The following have also competed for top tier promotions such as UFC

Other promotions

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Ultimate Challenge UK: Bad Breed". MMA Universe. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  2. ↑ "Interview with Dave O'Donnell". Mmaprospectsuk.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  3. ↑ "UCMMA strike Gold with new 2010 sponsorship deal". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  4. ↑ "Mixed Martial Arts UK - UCMMA". OfficialWatches.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  5. ↑ "MMA Sports Nutrition sponsors UCMMA 23 and Jamaine Facey". WWBRD.com. 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  6. ↑ "Coalition Fight Music announce UCMMA as co-sponsor of the "Man-Up" Campaign | Addicted MMA | Mixed martial arts". Addicted MMA. 2011-04-21. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  7. ↑ "Alex ‘Reidinator’’ Reid vs Jason ‘Badass Barrett". Primetime. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  8. ↑ "Alex ‘Reidinator’’ Reid vs Jason ‘Badass Barrett | Primetime". Primetimelive.co.uk. 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  9. ↑ "UCMMA Going To PPV With Primetime; Reid vs. Barret Main Attraction". yourmma.tv. 2011-07-12. Retrieved 2014-09-20.
  10. ↑ "UCMMA 'The Ultimate Challenge' Coming to FIGHT NOW TV". PWInsiderXTRA.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
  11. ↑ "UCMMA 26 DVD Available In Tesco and Other High Street Stores". FullMount.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "UCMMA on How To Beat Pain". mmauncagedmag.com.
  13. ↑ "DAVE O’DONNELL SET TO HOST U.K. CASTING CALL FOR GPG REALITY SHOW ‘WARRIOR ISLAND’". themmareview.co.uk.
  14. ↑ "Cage Warriors, BAMMA and UCMMA unite for MMA SAFE fighter-safety initiative". mmajunkie.com. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  15. ↑ "BAMMA, UCMMA, CWFC FORM MMA SAFE PROGRAM TO IMPROVE FIGHTER SAFETY IN U.K.". sherdog.com. 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  16. ↑ "Canada's Fight Network Partner With UCMMA". yourmma.tv. Retrieved 2012-11-21.
  17. ↑ Jay Dann. "UCMMA announces Primetime deal: UK MMA promotion to be televised live via on-demand channel". mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  18. ↑ "Sky Sports 4 10.00pm: Cage Fighter - Muscle Finesse Sponsored Pro Jimi Manuwa!". Muscletalk.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  19. ↑ UCMMA and Sky Sports partner up for Cage Fighter. "UCMMA and Sky Sports partner up for Cage Fighter - TKO - Mirror.co.uk's MMA Blog". Blogs.mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  20. ↑ "UCMMA 22: Tom "Kong" Watson Talks UK-1 Bout - MMA News & MMA Video - Full Mount MMA - Mixed Martial Arts Network". Fullmount.co.uk. 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  21. ↑ Cartlidge, Ben (2011-04-11). "Ben Cartlidge: Super North Star MMA: WCMMA: The Caveman vs. The Cavalier". Bencartlidgesupermma.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
  22. ↑ "Cage Rage presents white collar mma 2 results". MMA Pundit. Retrieved 2012-02-12.
  23. ↑ "ULTIMATE BALL; UCMMA FOUNDERS MIX RUGBY WITH MMA TO CREATE NEW GAME". MMA Fights. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  24. ↑ "Dave O’Donnell defends Ultimate Ball, states it will be successful". The Fight Lounge. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  25. ↑ "UCMMA Roll Out 'Ultimate Ball'". Your MMA. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  26. ↑ "UltimateBall mixes MMA, soccer, rugby, basketball and a dash of awesome". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  27. ↑ "Rules and Objectives of UltimateBall". Ultimate Ball. Retrieved 2012-07-15.
  28. ↑ "Ultimate Challenge MMA Fights, Fight Cards, Videos, Pictures, Events and more". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2012-02-16.