Comeback kid Jas makes successful cross-border raid

Senior Reporter

Tuesday 17 July 2012

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS: A YEAR since his last fight and seven months on from a horror knee injury, Jasim Beg made a triumphant return to the cage on Sunday.

Coach Davie Galbraith and Jasim Beg

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STEF LACH

The Govanhill fighter, 17, beat Callum McVay via unanimous decision after three rounds of action at Ultimate Cage Contender (UCC) at Edgeley Park, the home of Stockport County and Sale Sharks.

Jasim, who is a member of the Govan-based Gladiatorial Combat fight team, took his semi-pro record to two wins, no losses and one draw with the impressive victory – and put to bed any lingering fears of a recurrence of the dislocated knee which stopped him in his tracks towards the end of last year.

As his head coach David Galbraith tells it, Jasim's injury – picked up in training – was "horrific". Galbraith, the 27-year-old number-two ranked professional lightweight MMA fighter in Scotland, said: "Jas' knee was pointing the opposite way round from what it was supposed to. "It was horrific and we were really worried about him. "But ever since he first came to this gym he has been incredibly driven and determined so it should really be no surprise that he was back in the cage so soon. "It was a remarkable recovery and the physios were amazed at how fast he healed. "It was a great fight, a total war. Jas and Callum are both cut from the same cloth and they put on a real show. "Callum wasn't scared of Jas as those are the kind of guys Jas wants to fight. "Jas' striking was superior and he came closest to finishing the fight so he deserved the unanimous decision. "I can't tell you how proud I am of him." The near-finish came as Beg locked on an armbar in the third round, shortly after Manchester youngster McVay landed a huge slam takedown that had his many supporters in the audience up on their feet. With his elbow bent to its limits, McVay somehow struggled free but could not do enough to take the victory away from the young Scot. In a fast-paced opening round, Beg landed the cleaner punches although McVay's aggression made it difficult for the strikes to do any serious damage. The second round saw Beg take firm control, starting with a beautifully-timed takedown as McVay threw a leg kick. With the rules dictating no head strikes were permitted to a grounded opponent, Jasim worked tirelessly for a submission but in the end had to settle for the judges' decision. Usually the coolest of customer, Jas was noticeably nervous before the fight. As Galbraith wrapped his hands backstage, the realisation that seven months of hard work was all about to come down to three rounds seemed to dawn on Beg. With a group of friends having made the trip south from Glasgow, he was never going to give anything other than 100%. The relief on his face was plain to see as the MC announced the decision. Galbraith said: "He can enjoy this now, but knowing Jas he'll be back at the gym in no time. "It's coming up for Ramadan but not even that will keep him out of the gym."

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Comeback kid Jas makes successful cross-border raid

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