Saturday the 13h of June marked the debut of SPartan promotions in Ballymenagh, Co. Antrim. It was a bittersweet event for Point Blank Gym; on the drive up to Antrim the promoter rang to tell us that Ben's opponent had pulled out. We can only guess what was going through Johnny McGuillon's head, from Ultimate Jiu Jitsu in Strabane, that he pulled out wiht only a few hours to go to the fight, but he had missed weight the day before and Ben's management had agreed to take the fight even though the Son of Life would be giving up a few kilos in the cage. This agreement had been made with the Strabane gym, so it was a surprise then when the fight was pulled with so little notice.

On the other hand Enda Fenton, a long time journey man of the MMA League took to the cage for the first time, this being his second full rules match up.

Enda struggled for the first time with his weight and had real trouble at the weigh in on Friday. This combined with a creative route to Ballymenagh preyed on the young fighter's mind, and he was not his usual relaxed pre fight self in Antrim. As the match up drew closer and Enda began to warm up on the pads the nerves started to fall away as e remembered just how hard he had trained for the event. Enda entered the cage determined that he would emerge the victor. As is always the case when facing a Red Dragon fighter, Enda had decided to be wary of his opponents stand up. After the bell went and his opponent threw his first jab, Enda shot for a picture perfect double leg and got side mount. His head was a little over to one side on the shot and the game Antrim fighter had secured a tight head lock. Un deterred Enda moved to mount and began working to free his neck. After some time he succeeded and began a cat and mouse game with his opponent where he shifted into high mount and tried to get a top arm bar, several times he began the technique only to bail out when it became apparrent that thje move wasn't there. "Enda showed great patience", said coach Mark Leonard, "although I knew the clock was winding down on the first round, I didn't want to ask him to rush as he was doing suvch a great job keeping control". With just 3 seconds left in the first round Enda swung for the arm bar and secured a tap, referee Aidan Marren stopped the contest giving Enda his second win by submission.

In the main event Point Blank;s Kevin "Sandman" Moran took on A class veteran and long time friend of Point Blank Clive "Bad Man" Staunton. Clive was coming to the ring on short notice, but had been training for a fight himself that had been cancelled only two weeks previously, coupled with his edge in experience it was sure that Clive would be coming to the cage prepared and ready to go. Kevin too had worked hard for this fight, though he had originally been training for a different opponent Ballymenagh native Jonny Shiels of IMMAA.

From the opening bell it was obvious that Clive had a very particular game plan, he used his excellent clinch work to pin Kevin against the wall and work on tiring his arms while peppering his legs with knes. Kevin struggled with Clive's unorthodox clinch and struggled to generate momentum though he did take top position in the first round and looked like he was about to stage a comeback before the Bad Man reversed once more. In the second round Kevin was defending well and it looked like Clive's attempt to tire Kevin's upper body in the clinch would not pay dividends. Anyone who wrestles Kevin knows that he can clinch forever without fatiguing. Clive was able to get a takedown from there however and from half guard landed some heavy elbow strikes prompting Kevin to make a mistake giving Clive the win by side choke. An excellent performance by Kevin and an experience that will stand to him. Clive the gentleman that he is had this to say - "Thanks in particular to Kevin for being a warrior and a gent, much like the rest of the Galway posse. In an atmosphere of t-shirts and eyeballing, it's fantastic to be able to sit down and have a chat and a laugh with your opponent, his coaches, corner and supporters before and after the event. " a sentiment echoed and reciprocated here in Point Blank!

At UFC 99 in Germany Point Blank Gym fighter Paul Delaney made it over to watch the event, and even got there early enough to make the weigh in's. While back in galway Kevin, Ben and Enda were going through their own weight cutting for the Spartan 4 event, Paul was able to get talking to 2nd Generation Irish fighter Marcus Davis, who does battle under the moniker "The Irish Hand Grenade". Paul presented Marcus with an Irish tri-color bearing the caption "Castlepark Galway" the hometown of Paul and many other Point Blank members.

Davis, who's father is a Waterford Farmer ex-patriated to the States, was proud to bear the flag of his father's land for his entrance at UFC 99.

There is no doubt, Paul Delaney has made his mark on the UFC!

Benjamin "Son of Life" Davis takes to the Cage once more this Saturday on the 4th installmant from the Spartan Promotion. Taking place in the Tullyglass Hotel in Ballymena this event is sure to be another sold out affair with a large number of IMMA fighters on the bill, the IMMA fights out of Ballymena, so they will be the local fan favorites of the night.

Ben's opponent is Jonny McGillion of Ultimate Jiu Jitsu, Ben will be his 4th opponent, has shown great ability in all three ranges and is becoming better rounded each time he takes to the cage. This is sure to be a blaster, as we have come to expect from Ben.

The main event at this show will be Point Blank's Kevin "The Sandman" Moran, he takes on a long standing friend of Point Blank Gym Clive Staunton, many of you will remember Clive from last year's Summer Camp and his Thai Boxing workshop on the Sunday morning. Clive is a tremendous fighter who has never had a boring match. Kevin is also a great entertainer in the ring and these two mates will no doubt put on a worthy main event for the County Antrim crowd.

Also fighting on the card is the best kept Bantam secret at Point Blank, Enda Fenton. Enda started training a number of years ago at the gym and has been as constant as the North Star in coming to training and putting in 100% every time. He has earned his stripes on the MMA League circuit and made his ring debut at the Fight Before Christmas last December. Enda has improved tremendously since that win and is eager to get into the cage. His opponent fights out of Red Dragon MMA in Antrim Town and will be a handful, another great match up for Saturday.

Results will be posted as they happen to my Twitter Feed so if you haven't made your Twitter account, grab one now and you will get the results right after they happen.

So if you see the boys in the gym in the next couple of days be sure and wish them the very best of luck!

From this week until the end of the month, there is a very special new membership offer running at the gym; If you bring two friends to the gym, who sign up for any course (Teens, Kids, Adult Beginners, Intermediates) then you will earn a free copy of UFC Undisputed on the platform of your choice as soon as the game releases.

Everyone has a couple mates that have thought about coming down training with you at some point, this is your chance to encourage them into starting something that will greatly benefit them, and now there is an added kickback to you!

Many of us have been playing the demo already available on Xbox Live and the PSN and it looks like being the best fighting game of the year. Check out the trailer below