Martin knocks out the champ to claim best win of his career
Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 14 May 2008
WHITEHAVEN heavyweight Martin Thompson enjoyed the best win of his mixed martial arts career when he knocked out Cage Rage champion Tengiz Tedoradze in the first round of their battle for the Ultimate Force title in Doncaster.
The Georgian Sambo stylist was saved further punishment by the referee as Thompson swooped after Tedoradze was floored by a vicious uppercut.
Tedoradze had been on a four-fight winning streak before being hammered by Thompson, and brother Kevin, himself a highly-regarded MMA fighter, believes he now deserves a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world’s leading fight promotion.
“It was absolute class,” Kevin said. “In a sense, he has defeated the UK No 1, though they weren’t fighting for the Cage Rage belt.
“I think a UFC contract now would be brilliant. The UFC is getting bigger over here, and there’s no reason why Martin couldn’t get one.”
Tedoradze enjoyed recent wins over weighty American fighter Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch and ex-Cage Rage heavyweight champ Rob Broughton, both beaten inside the distance, to improve his record to 23 wins and eight losses.
Two of his defeats came against world class fighters Jeff Monson, an American who had a shot at the UFC title, and Brazilian Fabricio Werdum, a top UFC contender.
