Frenchman Cang is no match for masked man

0 - 0 • Published 10 Jun 2009 10:01

A DRUMCHAPEL cage fighter donned a joker mask for his big entrance and had the last laugh over his French opponent.

It may have been David Galbraith"s first full professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight, but he showed little signs of cage fright, winning the bout against Lyon-based Boun Cang after just six minutes.

Galbraith, 24, spent eight weeks of intensive training preparing for the MMA Respect event at The Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.

Based initially at the renowned Wolfslair Academy in England working alongside UFC fighters Michael Bisping and Paul Kelly, David then picked up top training tips from MMA coach Ricky Gillon at The Battlefield Gym.

He worked on a number of disciplines, including Jiu Jitsu and Thai Boxing, to ensure he was ready come the big day.

And all the time away from his family proved worthwhile in the end as Galbraith recovered from an early blow to win comfortably.

He told Sport Scene: 'I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to win as I was in the best shape I"ve been in. Cang was really good, but I was still confident. My intention was to keep the fight standing, but I took a heavy punch at the start which left me disorientated.

'I regained my composure and attempted to go for submissions known as a triangle choke and an arm bar.

'When the fight was stood up I was kneeing him repeatedly on the head which he obviously didn"t like. By round two, the knees were working so I continued to apply them.

'I could see that he was very tired and bleeding so I took him down to the ground and pounded him until the referee stepped in.'

The fight was scheduled for three five-minute rounds, but the referee stopped it early in round two with blood pouring from a cut to Cang.

The multi-fight event was aimed at professionals in dinner suits and Galbraith, who turned 24 during the fight itself, certainly kept the crowd entertained.

'It was meant to be a night for men in suits,' added Galbraith, 'But everyone was climbing up on the cage as they were so excited.

'I wore a joker mask for my entrance and got a cigar out for my victory whilst I was in the cage.

'It was all for a laugh, but the crowd loved it, they were going crazy and in the end I had to get escorted out by a member of security.

'I didn"t realise until after the fight, but I won it on my birthday as the fight finished at 12.04am.

'It was the best birthday ever.'

 David thanks Ricky Gillon at The Battlefield Gym and Ritchie Carlin and Chris Crowe from EZ sports in Stirling.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 10 Jun 09

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