Power of Scotland 4 was a brilliant show and I agree with those who thought the venue was more suitable than the previous one. Well done Gary, his really hard working girlfriend and everyone else involved in putting on the show. I really hope you made enough to do it all again mate. I wouldn’t want the stress of it (I am old and grey enough) but I really hope you can face doing it all again as it is a brilliant showcase for MuayThai in the UK as a whole and not just Scotland. It was great to see my many friends from north of the boarder....and plenty of others from this side of the boarder too (and across the water) who had travelled up to watch, compete and prepare fighters. I wouldn’t be in this sport if it wasn’t for the people involved and the camaraderie surrounding it and I loved the atmosphere at the show. I thought the buzz in the changing rooms was great, lots of nerves but really friendly and supportive and that spilled over to the after fight festivities.

A big thank you to Wainey for running us all around all weekend and helping out behind the scenes (brilliant mate thanks), and to Damien (Trainor) for all the support and help, both before with sparring and advice to Dean, as well as helping out the corner. I hope I can return the favour in future mate.

For me, the 8 to 1 tournament lived up to all the hype with real excitement and drama and lots twists and turns. I thought he first round draws were great with
some really interesting matches and full of drama. Albert Chey vs Dzmitry Varats was an interesting clash of styles. Although I was only a casual observer rather than focusing on judging the fight, I actually thought Albert nicked the fight but it did look close and Dzmitry’s size and strength gave Albert real problems.

Everyone in that tournament must have been dreading being drawn against Somboonbab; who is definitely the real deal. Andy got him and must have been thinking “why me...why now?” but he kept his composure and pulled off a sensational win....what a scalp! I know you were pissed off with not going further pal, but that was a great result mate...and it was no fluke. Who knows what would have happened if Andy hadn’t caused Somboonbab’s shoulder to dislocate. The Thai's kicks looked bloody sharp and strong (...they're not just calves they are M&S calves was the quote of the afternoon from Jordan W lol)...I was glad he was kicking Andy and not me...mind you I wouldn’t wanted to be on the end of Andy’s either.

I didn’t know who to shout for in the Willie v John fight, they are both true warriors and more importantly two of the nicest guys in the sport. In the end John was a little too strong and Willie too drained at the weight. This would be a great rematch at 59kgs (I think both lads would appreciate not having to kill themselves to make the weight).

Sebastian vs Dean was a great fight; Sebastian a real veteran with a heart the size of France against Dean, new to the scene but definitely a star of the future. I couldn’t be more proud of Dean, not only for keeping a cool head and showing excellent MuayThai but for the courage he showed when his rib went. He did all that was asked of him and so much more. The rib was injured about 4 months ago in an accident at an interclub and it hadn’t healed properly. Dean had difficulty breathing when he came to the corner after the second but he went out and showed no pain. Dean I know you were gutted not being able to carry on in the tournament but you did the gym and me proud.

The second round fights were equally dramatic. I didn’t see much of Andy versus Dzmitry but what I did see was action packed...I also saw the cut. Andy desperately wanted to carry on but that was a bad cut....it looked more like cosmetic surgery in the changing rooms. You will be back...poss smaller and better, rather than bigger and better though pal (you looked really trim).

Sebastian put nonstop pressure on John in the second semi-final. John’s right arm was kicked so hard he could hardly hold it up but he never ever stopped trying to fight back showing true William Wallace spirit.

The final was exciting rather than a classic technical battle. I wasn’t observing closely enough nor was near enough the ring to see if Sebastian was fouling (I’ll have to look at the DVD). There were certainly some legal throws although possibly too much lower back grabbing during the night as a whole. I had my money on Dzmitry given the battles Sebastian had, had, but he attacked non-stop and it was Dzmitry who tired. Brilliant win. Dzmitry, Albert and Sebastian, despite language difficulties (I am crap at anything other than poor English) were really friendly guys and a credit to the sport.

Ritchie (Hocking) and John (McNamara) was another exciting fight swinging one way and then the other. Ritchie weathered the initial storm and showed some really nice skills to take the fight. Not sure what they feed him on but I should have had some when I was a kid.

Liam vs John (Douglas) proved to be an excellent display of MuayThai from both fighters. Both were cautious and calculating in the early rounds but the action hotted up later in the fight. I was impressed with John last year and knew he had good skills and a good MuayThai brain and he didn’t disappoint this year either. I was very proud of Liam who showed some excellent well timed MuayThai skills but most of all for getting up and attacking strongly in the 5th, after taking the count... great heart and a really cool head. Proud of you mate. It was a close fight (split decision) I thought Liam won the 3rd and 5th and possibly did enough in the 4th to make it 10:9 but I would have to look at the DVD unemotionally to make up my mind on the fight, and anyway it won’t change the decision which went to John and I have no complaints; definitely no point spoiling a good fight between two great lads who are a credit to the sport. Well done John mate really good performance and a good win. Would definitely make a good rematch sometime in the future though.

Great fight between Andy and Rab (both great lads) nonstop action from bell to bell. Andy’s style has improved so much and he is so much better now he uses his head as well as his heart. Well done Daz for helping him make the transition... and for getting him to run. Rab put on a great performance himself on what was a step up in class. I thought Andy took it in the last round and even though it is easy to criticise from outside of the ropes, I did think Rab should have been counted...another fight that would make a good rematch in the future

Frank the referee is a really nice guy who is doing his very best to learn and gain experience of refereeing A-class bouts...which seems easy but isn’t always as easy as it might look. It was a bloody long night for anyone to maintain concentration and referee all the bouts. Frank did make mistakes but we are all human and I am sure he will look at his performance with a critical eye and make adjustments for the future. I thought overall the judging was good. So well done to the judges (including our American friend who I heard good things about, sorry I didn’t get to say hello). The officials are the gatekeepers of MuayThai and as long as we all keep learning and testing our knowledge, the sport here will definitely carry on getting better and better.

A special mention has to go to McRung....a really good lad who made me laugh loads.