Ultimate Fighting. Some call it ''Caged Combat,'' it consists of licensed no-holds-barred fights. The sport has grown in popularity at an amazing rate; it's on national TV and now holds its World Championship at London's Royal Albert Hall.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage.com via ZUMA Press.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - SAMMY SCHIAVO, of the Bushido fighters, towers over fallen JEAN SILVA during their relentless fight at the 'Cage Wars.'
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Jean Silva, of Brazil, strikes Sammy Schiavo of the notorious Bushido Fighters from France.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, UK - GAZ having his mouthguard replaced through the cage in between rounds at the 'Millennium Brawl.'
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage.com/ZUMA
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Jean Silva leaps at his opponent in the cage at York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The crowd and cage at the 'Millennium Brawl'.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
ALEXIS, Jean Silva and KAMAL LOCK.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The referee explains the rules to Japan's GENKI SUDO. Sudo is one of the most unorthodox ultimate fighters whose creative style involves surprise moves such as cartwheel guard passes and spinning back fists.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Some of LEE MURRAY'S avid fans during his fight at the 'Millennium Brawl'. Moments later they leapt into the cage.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The referee checks the fighters to make sure they are okay during a fight at 'Cage Wars'.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - A model between rounds at the UFC's at the Royal Albert Hall.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Twenty-two year old ALESSIO SAKARA, one of Italy's top fighters, in the changing room after losing a fight at the York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Crowd watches 'cage fighting' at the York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Top fighters MICHAEL JOHNSON (L) and LEE MURRAY relax during fight training.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Jean Silva having his medical examination before a fight.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The fighter JAMES ZIKIC stands outside the cage after his defeat at the Royal Albert Hall.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Sunday Sport page three model JEMMA SWEENEY watches a fight from a VIP table. Her father, DOUGIE TRUMAN, the promoter of Cage Warriors, stands behind her.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The fighters at London's famous Shootfighters Gym strike a pose.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - PAUL JENKINS has the much coveted belt put on by Mark Weir at the York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - MATT HUGHES, the World Champion, about to strike opponent, CARLOS NEWTON.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - The elegantly dressed fighter Alex Evans looks on during a fight at 'Cage Wars'.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Lee Murray, who has a large fan base, about to enter the cage at the 'Millennium Brawl'. Moments into the fight he won and the crowd erupted, climbing excitedly into the cage.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - (L-R) Jean Silver and the actor ALEX REED, one of the original lead heart throbs of TV's Hollyoaks soap opera.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Fighter after a bout at the York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Spectators watch through an interior window from the bar at the 'Millennium Brawl'.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - EUGENE JACKSON 'THE WOLF', moments after being knocked out by the incredibly fast first strike of MARK WEIR at the UFC's event.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - Jean Silva triumphant after his fight calls his mother in Brazil as he stands outside York Halls.
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
Feb. 12, 2004 - London, United Kingdom - SIMON HOLMES after a fight at the York Halls. His protective older brother, Phil, also a fighter said while holding a spoon with ice against Simon's swollen cheek, ''Mum's gonna kill me when she sees this bruise.''
© Francesca Yorke/eyevine/zReportage/ZUMA.
