Herefords leading mixed martial artist Dave Coles has made a promising start in his quest to qualify for the Amateur Grapple and Strike finals. Dave competed in the first of three qualifying events with the top two competitors in each weight division battling it out in the grand final showcase to be held in November. Grapple and Strike is a real test of the effectiveness of a fighter’s art, and following in the footsteps of his fellow coach and training partner Simon Small, Dave is only the second marital artist from Hereford to put his martial arts training to the ultimate fighting test.
In his first fight Dave faced Chris Nulty of NUSW. Dave opened the fight with a front kick followed by a leg kick, Nultys defence was to try and take Dave down to the ground with a leg grab technique but Dave saw the technique coming and managed to secure an arm-lock that saw his opponent desperately defend. Using his superior strength Nulty picked Dave up slamming him into the canvas and loosening the lock.
Dave delivered a number of punches to his opponent’s ribs; Nulty defended the blows but in doing so left an opening for an arm-lock. Dave spotted the opening, took the arm and moved into position to secure the lock. This time Nulty was unable to loosen the lock and after a brief struggle had to submit to give Dave the win at 2:39 of the first round.
Unfortunately Daves next opponent had to withdraw from the event after breaking his hand in his first fight.
With all other fighters in the category fighting to a draw Dave is currently in first place, however with two trials and four fights still to go a lot of work still remains to be done for the Hereford fighter.
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