12:39PM, Mon Mar 26, 2012

Mixed Martial Arts: James Cannon Wins Showpiece Bout At First Newcastle Eiko Event

By James Craggs Location: Newcastle

Video: Knock-out action from the MMA fighters

Local Kickboxer James Cannon won the top bill fight in the first ever MMA event organised by Eiko at LQ nightclub in Newcastle.

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The ‘K1’ fighter knocked out opponent Rob ‘Tiny’ Ward in the first round with a clean shot in his first professional fight.

The 10-fight card featured mixed experience and weight classes from amateur first fighters to professionals such as Cannon, Ward and Sunderland born fighter Steven ‘Bam Bam’ Gardner.

Video: Heavyweight Michael Connors on the frustrations of his fight being called off.

The original headline fight was to be between American heavyweight fighter Michael Connors but after two opponents pulled out of fighting him he was left a spectator.

Connors did take to the stage during an interval though to issue a challenge to any comers to fight him for a shot at the World Kickboxing Federation Heavyweight MMA International Championship.

Only one fight ended in knock-out with the rest finishing in submissions with the exception of the opening fight of the day between Dave Leach and Anthon Hollis which was declared a draw.