(Wayne “Mayhem” Murrie – the new OMMAC welterweight champion. Image courtesy of Cagewarriors)
Wayne Murrie garnered the biggest win of his career this Saturday and claimed the OMMAC British welterweight title in the process. A competitive three-round battle with the seasoned North East man Pete Irving saw Murrie land damaging strikes, come close with submission attempts and scramble well on the mat.
Murrie continues his win streak and his assault on the domestic scene, whilst pushing to remain as active as possible. After the fight, the Doncaster-based spoke to FIGHT! and offered us his thoughts on the contest.
“I thought it was a fantastic war. I really enjoyed fighting Peter; he’s a very talented guy. I was excited to fight him and I feel happy with the outcome.”
Yorkshire as you like and very humble with it, when asked what winning OMMAC’s championship gold meant to him, Murrie continued:
“Well, it means I’ve got to come back and defend and I’m happy with that, I like fighting on Chris Zorba’s shows. I fought last time on short notice. This time I’ve had time to prepare and I’ve come and shown my true colours.”
Murrie has a commonwealth Muay Thai championship under his belt and is collecting UK MMA titles at a rate of knots. His background in the striking art has set a good framework for that and it showed tonight as the welts on Irving’s leg from thudding leg kicks were apparent at the end of the fifteen minutes. The Manvers man is versatile, however, and strives to bring all areas of his game up to speed and it showed when the fight hit the mat.
“I’ve been prepared to take it everywhere,” he noted. “I know Pete’s well rounded, as much as people thing he’s from a grappling background. I know he goes to Brazil a lot but I also know he’s got a lot of Thai guys in his camp so I was expecting a well rounded war. I’ve been working my ground game as much as my stand-up to be prepared in all areas for him really.”
Although he came close with submissions throughout, it was in the third round that Murrie locked on a tight-looking armbar that looked like it may seal the deal. The continued threat proved that he can hold his own in the grappling stakes, especially as it came against one of the country’s best submission wrestlers at 170lbs. Irving’s grit saw him through though, and Murrie respects that.
“It [the armbar] felt fantastic! I heard his arm click at one point but he’s a very, very stubborn guy. Full credit and I take my hat off to him for battling out of that.”
With the win, Murrie edges into mix of the UK’s top ten which is home to many talented fighters. But what’s next for him?
“I love to fight internationally so hopefully there’s more of that,” he told us. “I fought Thai guys when I was competing in Thai boxing and fought in America last year as well as fighting some French opponents. I might be fighting Manu Garcia in Marbella in a couple of weeks so hopefully that comes off and there’ll be more of that to come.”
Unassuming and respectful, Murrie has been the dark horse on the UK’s 170lbs scene for a while. He is now coming into his own and proving that he can take out the top tier talent. Expect a big 2010 from him and the Manvers Fight Factory crew.
Comments are closed.