International spotlight: Phil De Fries upsets Stav Economou in UK heavyweight prospect battle

Essex based Ultimate Warrior Challenge held their third event of 2011 in England over the weekend. A clash between two UK heavyweight prospects served as the main event as Phil De Fries (7-0) battled Stav Economou (11-2).

After a close opening round with each man scoring with takedowns, De Fries took control in the second frame. De Fries dragged Economou back down to that mat at the midpoint of round two. On the ground the BJJ purple belt wailed away with a bundle of punches that shook up Economou. The 25 year old Economou eventually ceded back control and De Fries finished the fight with a rear naked choke.

De Fries has won all seven of his professional bouts via submission.

The Sunderland bred De Fries now holds the mantle of top UK heavyweight prospect with his win over Economou. At 6'4 and 254 pounds De Fries ground skills compliment his powerful hands. Only 25 years old De Fries may only need a win over a veteran of the UFC to earn his shot with a major US promotion.

The loss moves Economou to 3-1-1 in his last five fights. Economou came into the bout with De Fries fresh off his biggest box office win, a first round drubbing of ex Pride and K-1 star Bob Sapp. The compact heavyweight is still in search of a signature win over a heavyweight with top 50 ranking credentials.

Ultimate Warrior Challenge 16 results
Essex, England

Ben Middlemass def. Damian Fisher by Majority Decision
Jordan Wright def. Steve May by DQ (Fouls) R1
Craig Hughes def. Nathan Cook by Submission Guillotine Choke 2:42 R1
Luke Hughes-Barnatt def. Kay Ericsson by Unanimous Decision
Dan Coram def. Scott Cooper by TKO (Punches) 1:45 R1
Stuart Tyrie def. Lucian Graylejk by Submission Kimura 1:34 R2
Victor Liland def. Graham Williams by Submission Rear Naked Choke 3:17 R1
Terry Montgomery def. Kester Adaba by TKO (Punches) 1:09 R2
Murrey Fullerton def. Mindau Tarboius by KO (Punch) 1:06 R1
Fabio Ferrari def. Darren Wardle by Submission Armbar 3:37 R2
Walter Gahadza def. Arunas Klicius by TKO (Punches) 1:37 R1
Zsolt Balla def. Luke Blythe by Majority Decision
Simeon Thoresen def. Fabricio Nascimento by Submission Rear Naked Choke 2:35 R1
Phil De Fries def. Stav Economou by Submission Rear Naked Choke 3:56 R2