A packed crowd at the Pembroke Indoor Arena witnessed headliners Christian Schembri and Brandon Borg both win by knockout, as Malta show is televised globally by Triller TV and Swerve Combat.
Saturday 8th February saw Rage Kombat launch their exciting new combat sports league in Malta – a promotion that promises to showcase a variety of different fighting disciplines and live music at every show.
Founder Mark Wilson Smith was delighted with the success of the debut event: ‘‘I was very happy to see a sell out crowd on the night. It shows that fight fans are buying into the concept of Rage Kombat. We saw some very competitive bouts; new talent making their debut appearance; great knockouts; and the audience generated a fantastic atmosphere too. This event had boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Kudo, but our next event in the summer will have even more combat sports on display and live music again too!’’
Christian ‘Coqqos’ Schembri, who was one of the big names on the card, easily outclassed his British opponent, George Watson. The big Brit was down multiple times before Schembri knockout him out after just 1 minute and 34 seconds of round one. After the bout, Schembri commented: ‘‘Quick win, but I wanted and expected a better challenge from my opponent, a good fight is always welcome. At least I got to slip and throw punches under the bright lights and I beat who they put in front of me.’’
Brandon ‘Bogon’ Borg faced eager Kaine Burns from the United Kingdom. Burns was up for a fight and pressed forward throwing often, but Bogon was a level above and dropped his opponent early in the fight before stopping him for good at 1 minute and 53 seconds of round two. An entertaining fight that had the crowd on their feet, as Borg now looks for a title fight in the near future.
Fight of the Night
The Fight of the Night Award went to Kudo practitioners Nichita Mazurchevici, representing Kudo Malta, and his Ukrainian opponent Danylo Kotliar. The Japanese combat sport allows punches, kicks, throws, headbutts, and submissions – and both fighters made full use of the options available to them. The crowd watched on it awe as the fight flowed from a standing position to the ground, and back to standing again. Ultimately, it was Mazurchevici who was declared the winner on points after a very competitive contest.
In the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu bout, Belgian fighter Lucas Sidhu was able to overcome Maltese local Alec Grech. The bout went the scheduled 5 minutes in length, with Sidhu being declared the winner 11-5 on points.
Aside from the combat on display, fans were also treated to a Brazilian Samba band, Roma Rio, performing live during the half time show. The drum beats and rhythm certainly got the crowd up dancing and helped add to the party atmosphere on the night.
Elsewhere on the main card, popular home fighter ‘Prince’ Bray Pace knocked out England’s Callum Goodison after 47 seconds of round two, while Bray’s celebrity friend Samuel Ericcson cheered from ringside.
Moez Zinad continued his unbeaten run making it six wins in a row with a unanimous points decision over durable and game Italian Christian Danilo Guido, a fighter known as ‘El Ninja’. After the bout Zinad took the microphone to thank the audience who had turned up to watch him and notified everyone that he would be back in action again in just two weeks’ time.
Promising young talent Fouad Wakil made his professional debut and easily outclassed his Albanian opponent Ronaldo Skorovoti. The bout ended in Fouad’s favour with a technical knockout in round one after 2 minutes and 54 seconds.
All in all, a great start and first show for Wilson Smith’s Rage Kombat. Fans are already looking forward to their next event planned for June this year.
Main Card Results
- Christian Schembri Win KO George Watson (Boxing)
- Brandon Borg Win KO Kaine Burns (Boxing)
- Bray Pace Win KO Callum Goodison (Boxing)
- Nichita Mazurchevici Win Points Danylo Kotliar (Kudo)
- Moez Zinad Win Points Christian Danilo Guido (Boxing)
- Lucas Sidhu Win Points Alec Grech (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu)
- Fouad Wakil Win TKO Ronaldo Skorovoti (Boxing)
- Jak Johnson Win Points Craig Saxton (Boxing)