Tony
23-04-2008, 12:56
Neil Wain vs Antoni Hardonk at UFC 85 - MMAUniverse.com (http://www.mmauniverse.com/news/SS2718)
The UFC first opponent for explosive British Heavyweight Neil Wain has been revealed. Wain’s manager made the following posting on the cagewarriors.com forum:
“We’ve had confirmation that Neil will fight Antoni Hardonk.
Neil is very happy with the opponent, obviously a challenge but that’s what you get at the UFC level.
Good luck Neil”
The fight, which will be Neil Wain's Octagon debut will take place on the UFC 85: Liddell vs Evans on June 7th at the O2 Arena in London.
Wain has had a meteoric rise to the top of the MMA world. Since making his debut at Ultimate Force 4: Mischief and Mayhem at the Doncaster Dome in November 2006. He got rid of his opponent in the first round and, in the four fights that have followed - nobody has been able to resist his explosive mixture of power and speed.
Antoni Hardonk will represent a significant step up in class for Wain the tall Dutchman made his name in kickboxing before switching to MMA. Hardonk made an impressive entry to the UFC when he scored a first round knockout over Sherman Pendergarst at UFC 65: Bad Intentions. He was exposed when he was defeated by Frank Mir at UFC 74: Respect just over a minute into the fight.
The Dutchman returned to winning ways in his last fight. The was also against a big hitting, British Heavyweight fighting on home soil. Antoni Hardonk took on Colin Robinson at UFC 80: Rapid Fire. In the run up to the fight, Antoni was on the receiving end of some disrespectful treatment. Following an interview with Robinson on the top rated talkSPORT radio show “Hawksbee and Jacobs”, the presenters made fun of the Dutchman’s name - pointing out that it was similar to the British slang for a male erection. On the night, it was Hardonk who had the last laugh. He forced a TKO by way of strikes after only seventeen seconds. Hardonk unleashed a succession of deadly leg kicks which Colin Robinson had no answer for.
Neil Wain is one of the most explosive fighters in UK Mixed Martial Arts. So far, no one has been able to cope with his dynamic, attacking style. He combines speed and phenomenal power to blow away his opponents. Wain goes by the fight name of “Old School”. This sums up the no nonsense attitude which has made him a crowd favourite at shows in the North of England.
Wain fights out of Team Ultimate Force. He is a stable mate of UK number 1 Heavy Tengiz Tedoradze and the rising stars Jason Ball, Wayne Murray and Ian "The Mongoose" Jones.
Some observers have questioned Wain’s pedigree, but he has destroyed everyone who has been put in front of him in his career to date.
He has yet to show a ground game in the cage, but his training partners report that his power and compact stature make him virtually impossible to submit. The ground game may well be vital to Wain against Hardonk. If he is to win - he must find a way to close the distance to avoid Hardonk’s famous kicks.
The UFC first opponent for explosive British Heavyweight Neil Wain has been revealed. Wain’s manager made the following posting on the cagewarriors.com forum:
“We’ve had confirmation that Neil will fight Antoni Hardonk.
Neil is very happy with the opponent, obviously a challenge but that’s what you get at the UFC level.
Good luck Neil”
The fight, which will be Neil Wain's Octagon debut will take place on the UFC 85: Liddell vs Evans on June 7th at the O2 Arena in London.
Wain has had a meteoric rise to the top of the MMA world. Since making his debut at Ultimate Force 4: Mischief and Mayhem at the Doncaster Dome in November 2006. He got rid of his opponent in the first round and, in the four fights that have followed - nobody has been able to resist his explosive mixture of power and speed.
Antoni Hardonk will represent a significant step up in class for Wain the tall Dutchman made his name in kickboxing before switching to MMA. Hardonk made an impressive entry to the UFC when he scored a first round knockout over Sherman Pendergarst at UFC 65: Bad Intentions. He was exposed when he was defeated by Frank Mir at UFC 74: Respect just over a minute into the fight.
The Dutchman returned to winning ways in his last fight. The was also against a big hitting, British Heavyweight fighting on home soil. Antoni Hardonk took on Colin Robinson at UFC 80: Rapid Fire. In the run up to the fight, Antoni was on the receiving end of some disrespectful treatment. Following an interview with Robinson on the top rated talkSPORT radio show “Hawksbee and Jacobs”, the presenters made fun of the Dutchman’s name - pointing out that it was similar to the British slang for a male erection. On the night, it was Hardonk who had the last laugh. He forced a TKO by way of strikes after only seventeen seconds. Hardonk unleashed a succession of deadly leg kicks which Colin Robinson had no answer for.
Neil Wain is one of the most explosive fighters in UK Mixed Martial Arts. So far, no one has been able to cope with his dynamic, attacking style. He combines speed and phenomenal power to blow away his opponents. Wain goes by the fight name of “Old School”. This sums up the no nonsense attitude which has made him a crowd favourite at shows in the North of England.
Wain fights out of Team Ultimate Force. He is a stable mate of UK number 1 Heavy Tengiz Tedoradze and the rising stars Jason Ball, Wayne Murray and Ian "The Mongoose" Jones.
Some observers have questioned Wain’s pedigree, but he has destroyed everyone who has been put in front of him in his career to date.
He has yet to show a ground game in the cage, but his training partners report that his power and compact stature make him virtually impossible to submit. The ground game may well be vital to Wain against Hardonk. If he is to win - he must find a way to close the distance to avoid Hardonk’s famous kicks.