Cage Rage Championships 5042460 225288238 2008-07-12T22:15:55Z 86.166.171.212 /* Current Champions */ {{Advert|date=December 2007}} [[Image:Cageragelogo.jpg|thumb|Cage Rage Championships logo.]] '''Cage Rage Championships''', also known as '''Cage Rage''', is a [[United Kingdom]]-based [[mixed martial arts]] promotion that premiered on [[September 7]] [[2002]] in [[London]]. Cage Rage is owned and managed by [[ProElite]], with matchmaker and on-screen personality [[Dave O'Donnell]] as a minority shareholder. Fellow on-screen personality and co-promoter [[Andy Geer]] also owned a minority stake until he left the promotion in 2008.<ref name="geerdeparts">{{cite web | author=MMA Weekly | year=2008 |title=Cage Rage promoter Andy Geer steps down|work=mmaweekly.com | url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=6109 option=com_content&task=view&id=311&Itemid=9 | accessdate=May 19| accessyear=2008}}</ref>. Cage Rage events are shown on [[Nuts TV]],<ref name="tvdeal"> [http://www.cagerage.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=280&Itemid=9 Cage Rage 18: Battleground. Sky Sports 3. 10pm], cagerage.tv. Retrieved [[November 21]] [[2006]].</ref> along with their own weekday show on [[The Fight Network (UK & Ireland)]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Cage Rage | year=2006 |title=Cage Rage SLAMS onto TWC Fight! |work=cagerage.tv| url=http://www.cagerage.tv/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=311&Itemid=9 | accessdate=December 6| accessyear=2006}}</ref> ==History== Cage Rage started when Dave O'Donnell and Andy Geer set out to raise money by promoting a small [[mixed martial arts]] show, to provide new mats for their martial arts school. The first Cage Rage event in [[Elephant and Castle]], [[London]] was a success, which led to fans and fighters asking for a follow up show, leading to further shows and promotion as it exists today.<ref name="origin">[http://www.knucklepit.com/mixed-martial-arts-cage_rage.htm TheKnucklepit.com website] Retrieved [[October 18]] [[2006]]</ref> In March 2007, after the purchase of [[PRIDE Fighting Championships]] by [[Frank Fertitta III]] and Lorenzo Fertitta from [[Dream Stage Entertainment]], Cage Rage were announced as members of a promotional alliance instigated by [[ProElite]] and [[Fighting and Entertainment Group|FEG]], the parent companies of [[Elite Xtreme Combat|EliteXC]] and [[HERO'S]] respectively, along with [[Strikeforce]], [[BodogFight]] K-1 and [[Spirit MC]].<ref>{{cite web | author=mmaweekly.com | year=2007 |title=K-1 ANNOUNCES SHOWTIME EVENT & NEW ALLIANCES |work=mmaweekly.com| url=http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=3679 | accessdate=May 19| accessyear=2008}}</ref> However, this working relationship barely lasted a month. When Cage Rage signed K-1 star Bob Sapp to a main event in London for their April 21, 2007, show K-1 stopped Sapp from fighting on the card. This left a desperate Geer and O'Donnell scrambling for a new main event on just days notice with aged veteran Tank Abbott eventually stepping in. Due to the closeness of the two promotions, ProElite purchased the majority shareholding in Cage Rage in September 2007 from Cage Rage's silent partner.<ref>{{cite web | author=mmajunkie.com | year=2007 |title=EliteXC and Cage Rage Championships Join Forces |work=mmaweekly.com| url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/2805/elitexc-and-cage-rage-championships-join-forces.mma | accessdate=May 19| accessyear=2008}}</ref> This was a great deal for Cage Rage, and one which gives a clue to why Elite XC is so deep in the red. Geer was fired from the group he founded in April 2008, and was replaced by former King of the Cage boss Chris Cordiello. In May 2008, Sky Sports said in a statement they would no longer be airing Cage Rage events on their channels. The offical line was that they could not continue with Cage Rage as a fighter (Paul Daley) had swore on live TV on a previous show. However, this was thought to be an excuse as the incident (where Daley used several sexual cursewords) took place well after the 9pm "watershed". Much more likely Sky was disappointed with the average 19,000 viewers Cage Rage was getting. ==Rules== Cage Rage's current rules<ref name="rules">[http://www.cagerage.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=15&Itemid=47 Cage Rage Rules of MMA]Cage Rage website. Retrieved [[October 4]] [[2006]]</ref> are based upon the ''[[Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts]]'' that were originally established by the [[New Jersey State Athletic Control Board]] and modified by the [[Nevada State Athletic Commission]].<ref name="nsac">[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html NSAC Regulations: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT]. Nevada State Athletic Commission. Retrieved [[October 4]] [[2006]]</ref> These rules have been adopted across the [[US]] in other states that regulate mixed martial arts. As a result, they have become the standard ''de facto'' set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across the US and for cage-based MMA worldwide. As of Cage Rage 13, amendments to the ''Unified Rules'' have been made, most notably [[#The "Open Guard" rule|the "Open Guard" rule]] and the banning of [[Elbow (strike)|elbow strikes]] to a downed opponent. ===Rounds=== All Cage Rage fights are contested over three, five minute rounds. There is a one minute rest period in-between rounds. ===Weight divisions=== Cage Rage currently uses six weight classes: * [[Featherweight (MMA)|Featherweight]]: 61 - 66 kg (136 - 145 lb) * [[Lightweight (MMA)|Lightweight]]: 66 - 70 kg (146 - 155 lb) * [[Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]]: 71 - 77 kg (156 - 170 lb) * [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]]: 78 - 84 kg (171 - 185 lb) * [[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]]: 84 - 93 kg (186 - 205 lbs) * [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]]: Over 93 kg (205 lbs) ===Cage=== Cage Rage uses an nine-sided caged arena to stage bouts similar to the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC's]] trademarked Octagon, though it is smaller in size. It has foam padding around the top and between each of the eight sections and has two entry/exit gates on opposite sides. The canvas is marked with a line that is a metre away from the fence at all points. ===Attire=== As per the ''Unified Rules of MMA'', Cage Rage only allows competitors to fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab. ===Match outcome=== Matches usually end via: *'''[[Submission (combat sport term)|Submission]]''': a fighter taps on the mat or his opponent three times (or more) or verbally submits. *'''[[Knockout]]''': a fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue. *'''Technical Knockout''': stoppage of the fight by the referee if it is determined a fighter cannot "intelligently defend" himself or by ringside doctor due to injury. *'''Judges' Decision''': Depending on scoring, a match may end as: :*unanimous decision (all three judges score a win for one fighter), :*split decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with the third for the other), :*majority decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with one for a draw), :*unanimous draw (all three judges score a draw), :*majority draw (two judges score a draw). :*split draw (the total points for each fighter is equal) A fight can also end in a '''technical decision''', '''technical draw''', '''disqualification''', '''forfeit''' or '''no contest'''. ===Judging criteria=== The [[ten-point must system]] is use for all Cage Rage fights; three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. The decision is announced at the end of the match but the judge's scorecards are not announced. ===Fouls=== The following are considered fouls in Cage Rage: # [[headbutt|Butting]] with the head. # [[eye-gouging|Eye gouging]] of any kind. # Biting. # Hair pulling. # [[fish-hooking|Fish hooking]]. # [[Groin attack|Groin attacks]] of any kind. # Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent. (see [[gouge#In martial arts|Gouging]]) # [[Small joint manipulation]]. # Striking to the spine or the back of the head. (see [[Rabbit punch]]) # Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (see [[Elbow (strike)]]) # Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea. # Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh. # Grabbing the [[clavicle]]. # [[soccer kick|Kicking]] the head of a grounded opponent, unless an open guard has been called (''as of 10 September 2005''). # [[knee (strike)|Kneeing]] the head of a grounded opponent, unless an open guard has been called (''as of 10 September 2005''). # [[stomp (strike)|Stomping]] a grounded opponent, unless an open guard has been called (''as of 10 September 2005''). # [[Elbow (strike)|Elbow strikes]] to a grounded opponent (''as of 10 September 2005''). # [[kick|Kicking]] to the kidney with the heel. # Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (see [[piledriver (professional wrestling)]]) # [[throw (grappling)|Throwing]] an opponent out of the ring or fenced area. # Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent. # Spitting at an opponent. # Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent. # Holding the ropes or the fence. # Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area. # Attacking an opponent on or during the break. # Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee. # Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat. # Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee. # Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury. # Interference by the corner. # Throwing in the towel during competition. When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw. ===Match conduct=== The referee has the right to stop the fighters and stand them up if they reach a stalemate on the ground (where neither are in a dominant [[Grappling position|position]] nor work toward one) after a verbal warning. ===Defunct rules=== ====The "Open Guard" rule==== Cage Rage was the home of a unique rule in the world of cage-based MMA; the "open guard" rule. Designed to prevent stalling on the ground, it allowed a standing fighter to use strikes on a downed opponent that would otherwise be [[#Fouls|fouls]]. If a downed fighter was at least a metre away from the cage, on his back and able to avoid or defend against attacks, the referee would raise his arm and call "open guard". Once an open guard was called, the standing fighter could use the following attacks on their opponent: *stomps, *kicks or knees to the head, or *flying attacks. Unless an open guard has been called, these strikes were fouls. This rule was introduced at [[Cage Rage 13]] and was designed to prevent a fighter from laying in an open guard where his opponent can only throw leg kicks or drop to initiate grappling.<ref name="rules" /> However, due to their ongoing desire to standardise rules across the UK and work with a potential MMA board of control, this rule was scrapped. ==Events== {{seealso|List of Cage Rage events}} The first Cage Rage event featured top British fighters, such as [[Matt Ewin]] and [[Robbie Oliver]], and international fighters, such as [[Chute Boxe Academy]]-trained [[Jean Silva]]. This formula has continued down the years since the first show, with such top domestic fighters like [[Ian Freeman]] and [[Michael Bisping]] appearing, as well as internationally-known fighters like [[Murilo Rua]] and [[Anderson Silva]]. [[Cage Rage 26]] was the first main Cage Rage show to be held outside [[London]]. ===Cage Rage Contenders=== In early 2006, Cage Rage Championships launched '''Cage Rage Contenders''', a secondary-level show for up-and-coming fighters to showcase their skills. Trying to conjure up the feel of early Cage Rage shows, these shows take place in a nightclub setting with VIP tables surrounding the cage. Cage Rage also aimed to franchise the Contenders name to other promoters across the country, the first promoter of which was Jay Gilbey of Intense Fighting in Peterborough.<ref>[http://www.cagerage.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=306&Itemid=9 Christmas comes early], cagerage.tv. Retrieved [[November 16]] [[2006]]</ref> Since then, Contenders shows have been expanded to [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], [[Wales]] and [[Nottingham]]. ==Current Champions== {{main|List of Cage Rage champions}} {| style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="3" |- bgcolor="#CCCCCC" ! '''Division''' || '''British Champion''' || '''Since''' || '''World Champion''' || '''Since''' |- | [[Heavyweight (MMA)|Heavyweight]] || Mustapha Alturk || Cage Rage 27 || [[Antonio Silva (fighter)|Antonio Silva]] || Cage Rage 12 |- | [[Light Heavyweight (MMA)|Light Heavyweight]] || [[Paul Cahoon]] || Cage Rage 22 || [[Vitor Belfort]] || Cage Rage 23 |- | [[Middleweight (MMA)|Middleweight]] || [[Matt Ewin]] || Cage Rage 19 || [[Anderson Silva]] || Cage Rage 8 |- | [[Welterweight (MMA)|Welterweight]] || [[Che'e Mills]] || Cage Rage 26 || [[Paul Daley]] || Cage Rage 23 |- | [[Lightweight (MMA)|Lightweight]] || Vacant || || [[Vitor Ribeiro]] || Cage Rage 13 |- | [[Featherweight (MMA)|Featherweight]] || [[Robbie Olivier]] || Cage Rage 18 || [[Masakazu Imanari]] || Cage Rage 20 |} == Notable fighters == === Champions === The following fighters have won titles in Cage Rage and are well-known in the world of MMA. *[[Michael Bisping]] *[[Mark Epstein (fighter)|Mark Epstein]] *[[Ian Freeman]] *[[Paul Cahoon]] *[[Zelg Galesić]] *[[Paul Jenkins (fighter)|Paul Jenkins]] *[[Chris Lytle]] *[[Melvin Manhoef]] *[[Abdul Mohamed]] *[[Brad Pickett|Brad "One Punch" Pickett]] *[[Vitor Ribeiro|Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro]] *[[Jean Silva]] *[[Anderson Silva]] *[[Tengiz Tedoradze]] *[[Mark Weir]] *[[Vitor Belfort]] *[[James Zikic]] === Other fighters === Non-titleholders who have competed in other top-level promotions. *[[David L. Abbott|"Tank" Abbott]] *[[Travis Lutter]] *[[Lee Murray]] *[[Jorge Rivera (fighter)|Jorge Rivera]] *[[Murilo Rua|Murilo "Ninja" Rua]] *[[Renato Sobral|Renato "Babalu" Sobral]] *[[Lee Hasdell]] *[[Eric Esch]] (Commonly known as 'Butterbean') *[[Gary Turner]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.cagerage.tv Official Cage Rage Website] *[http://www.cagerage.tv/contenders/dublin.htm Cage Rage Contenders: Ireland] {{MMA organizations}} [[Category:Recurring events established in 2002]] [[Category:Mixed martial arts organizations]] [[fr:Cage Rage]] [[pt:Cage Rage Championships]] [[ja:Cage Rage]]