Robinson secures light heavyweight title at FX3

READING, England -- Ryan Robinson once again tasted gold as he secured the FX3 light heavyweight championship by defeating Ryan White much to the delight of the local crowd. The bout started with White looking to bully the eventual champion around the cage, but found himself being taken down in his attempts to thwart a hip throw. Working for the guillotine, he knew he had fallen into Robinson's world as the noted grappler transitioned to north-south before setting up the Kimura for the tap at 1:30 into the first.

In a major upset, Antonio Gym fighter Marius Sukys defeated experienced Cage Rage veteran Sol Gilbert by way of rear naked choke 4:33 into the first. Gilbert appeared to be executing the perfect game plan by taking his opponent down early and working a pointed, precise ground and pound attack, always aware of his corner and positioning his opponent into the cage. Things were going well until another takedown went south and he found himself mounted. Surprisingly, Gilbert gave his back as a way of avoiding strikes as the opportunist Sukys kept his hooks in and worked for the submission.

Jeremy Bailey made short work of his Lithuanian opponent in his return to MMA action with a measured ground and pound stoppage 2:03 after the opening bell. Dedicating the win to his late mother, he was back in a suit before the action resumed to keep the show rolling.

Fight of the night honors had to be awarded to up and coming Rough House standout Dean Amasinger and tough newcomer Stuart Rickman, as the two threw down with gusto. Rickman is one tough customer with only one fight under his belt, but his composure under fire belies his record. Working diligently for the armbar, he put Amasinger in a whole world of danger several times with the same submission, the last of which leaves me confounded as to why he didn't tap!

Amasinger is no stranger to tough times as he is part of the elite camp that is the Rough House, home to Jim Wallhead, Andre Winner, Dan Hardy, and Paul Daley to name a few. He has been pressure tested in training and kept looking for his opportunity. With 55 seconds to go in the first, he secured dominant position and pounded away forcing the referee to halt the bout.

Lloyd Clarkson made the most of a bad situation when adversary Jeff Hayes planted a vicious flying knee on the button as an opening salvo. His attack was precise, but his landing was not. His lack of balance allowed a dazed Clarkson to pop out the back door and secure the hooks while on Hayes' back before sinking the choke in deep at the 0:55 mark.

Nova Uniao fighter and Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt Tim Radcliff got to showcase his ground skills in his back and forth battle with U.K. MMA veteran Sami Berik. It was clear from the start that Radcliff wanted the fight on the mat. Although game at first and displaying some excellent unorthodox reversals, Berik soon came to realize his best opportunities were standing. Unfortunately for the scrappy Turk his chances were dwindling as the fight wore on and with literally one second to go in the first he succumbed to the rear naked choke.

Last minute (well, two hours) replacement Niger Whitear stepped up to replace Kev Porter (who was forced to withdraw due to personal reasons) in the bout with London Pancrase banger Nick Osiczpak. This fight marks the second inside of seven days for Whitear. Perhaps mindful of not getting knocked out again, he pushed the pace early on, to no avail though, as he found himself on his back pretty quickly eating short elbows, covering well and attempting to escape. His turn yielded his back before succumbing to the rear naked choke at 1:55 of the first stanza.

In other action, Edgelson Lua made short work of Brendan Flannigan to bring the cumulative tally of rear naked chokes up to five on the night. Irving Daniels submitted a very tired Ali Reccicia with an inverted armbar. Greg Siwy pounded Wojciech Jamrozik for the stoppage as did David Byfield over Phil Else. And to round out the card, Matt Smith set the record for the fastest FX3 knockout in the history of the promotion with a brutal high kick five seconds from the bell -- the man barely broke a sweat!

Ryan Robinson def Ryan White via Submission (Kimura) at 1:30, R1 Marius Sukys def Sol Gilbert via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:33, R1 Jeremy Bailey def Arunas Klicius via TKO (Strikes) at 2:03, R1 Dean Amasinger def Stuart Rickman via TKO (Strikes) at 4:05, R1 Lloyd Clarkson def Jeff Hayes via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 0:55, R1 Tim Rafcliffe def Sami Berik via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:59, R1 Nick Osiczpak def Nigel Whitear via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:55, R1 Edgelson Lua def Brendan Flannighan via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:39, R1 Irving Daniels def Ali Reccica via Submission (Armbar) at 4:26, R2 Greg Siwy def Wojciech Jamrozik via TKO (Strikes) at 1:20, R1 Davin Byfield def Phil Else via TKO (Strikes) at 2:12, R1 Matt Smith def Mark Ferreira via KO at 0:05, R1

Martin Goink def Phil Pullen via Unanimous Decision, R3 Marvin Arnold def Azran Quasid via Unanimous Decision, R3