27th October 2007

Fight 9: MMA 3x 5 Australasian Heavy weights Title
Reuben De Jong (Strike Force MMA) 124 Kg WON Split decision Vs Felise “FOB Father” Leniu (Team Juggernaut)

The climax of all climaxes was before us, as the tub thumbing on centre cage was about to unfold. Leniu who gave a way a serious reach and height advantage against the goliath in De Jong, who got a raving response from the crowd. As always a small regiment of Strike Force corner men were present including Danny Coddling and Kick Boxing world champ Aaron “Bomber” Boyes.

Round one was a slow feel out start and Reuben pushed Felise to his corner of the hexagon, clinched away and dropped him to the canvas. It was a case of Moby Dick resting on Simba the Lion and Reuben looked to work for a strike out. The FOB daddy was using all his experience to spoil this assault. It was like an unceasing Tsunami and a vice like Anaconda choking and working his way for the kill. Felise to his great credit hung tough and weathered the giant blows. Leniu had a bloodied face for his troubles, but Reuben was tiring. He failed to capitalise when Felise had his back to him, and the hooter sounded. Round one was Reuben’s.

The second started as Reuben strangely stayed away and Felise looked for his trademark flying right hand. He connected once and then gained the advantage by top mounting on the man mountain, working away with his strikes to De Jong’ head and face. Then in a dour arm wrestle, Reuben stands up and tries to hustle Felise and clinch away, using his Bamboo tree like knees. That looked like Felise’ round and the fitness and experience started to show. We were in for a trench fight: Hexagon style.

Round three and it was getting more exciting than watching Chelsea Handler on E! Reuben looked to stay away and surprise the terrier like Felise with a takedown but he was up to the play. He sprawled, slipped and slithered away. It looked like they wanted to finish this standing up. Felise was lining up his killer blow in the flying right and then it came, stunning and dropping the behemoth to the canvas and he jumped on the big guy to wail away and attempt a choke hold. Reuben was gassing out and Felise started to take control leaning up against the fence and pounding his skull. Reuben did find shots to his opponent’s body, but seemingly Felise did more damage. As the hooter sounded the writing looked set on the wall, and a five foot ten upset was beckoning, but it was not to be. Reuben picked up the win on split decision, and was acknowledging of Felise’ efforts – “He Fu**ing took it to me- he’s a champion. ROGUE saw the fight in favour of Felise, but it could have gone either way and rightly so it was a split points win. Great entertainment!

CARNAGE IN THE CAGE
ASB STADIUM, AUCKLAND
27TH OCTOBER 2007
VS RUBEN DE JONG

HIRIWA TE RANGI PROMOTIONS
CHRISTCHURCH
8TH DECEMBER 2007
4 MAN ELIMINATION
CAGE FIGHT

KING OF THE CAGE (MMA)
AUBURN RSL
9TH JUNE 2007
VS HIRIWA TE RANGI
RESULTS: ROUND 2 WIN BY KO

KINGS OF OCEANIA 14th APRIL 2007
AUCKLAND TOWN HALL
NEW ZEALAND
RESULTS: ROUND 1 WIN BY KO, ROUND 2 WIN BY KO, FINAL ROUND LOSS BY TKO

SUPER OCEANIA PROMOTION
NOVEMBER 4TH
BONNYRIGG SPORTS CLUB, SYDNEY
RESULTS: WIN BY KO

KI OCEANIA QUALIFIER
NOVEMBER 18TH
TRUST STADIUM, WAITAKERE, AUCKLAND
To watch live log onto: www.tvnz.co.nz
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