Ben Cartlidge Talks Shock N Awe.
So starting Monday 30th of June at 11pm on The Active Channel the brand new Shock N Awe tv series starts, this will be repeated on Sundays at 11pm. The show is set to include fights from James "The Power Weasel" Pennington, James "Job Done" Brum, Kris "Evil" Edwards, Jack Marshman, Martin "Mr-Pink" McDonough, Owen "5 foot hero" Owen, Mike Ling, Chris Garry, "Mad" Jack Magee, Alexei Roberts, Rocci "The South Coast Cinderella Man" Williams, Niko Gjoka and many many more of the top up and coming fighters the U.K has to offer.
Shock N Awe has built a reputation as a birthing promotion for future stars as well as becoming known for it's no nonsense match making and exciting fights. To celebrate this new exposure for the show we decided to catch up with commentator and all round nice guy Ben "The Pen" Cartlidge. Highly regarded for his knowledge within the sport Ben had no issues answering some questions for us.
Addicted: Ben you have been working for two of the biggest promotions in the UK! CageWarriors and UCMMA. From your experience working with both of these monsters how far do you feel Shock N Awe can go?
Ben: I honestly think Shock and Awe have a huge amount of potential.
They're doing everything right at the minute on a professional level and, like pro wrestling in the states before cable syndication, they've got a great reputation in a specific territory.
I think that their 'no easy nights' ethos makes their fights, and specifically their champions, credible and worthwhile. Especially when you look at someone like Pennington for example.
He crushes a few cans and he's 9-0 and people will be talking UFC. I respect the hell out of him for fighting Davey Grant at 6-0; a dangerous guy who looks to have all the tools to go a long way.
Addicted: So do you feel the `no easy nights` approach is a positive or a negative? I mean the match-ups show no sign of career support, it's very much do or die?
Ben: That's a very good question. How helpful is it to feed a fighter cans and hope that they've figured out enough along the way to make it when the big show comes knocking?
What did Mike Grundy learn beating two of Antonio's finest and Craig Allen? I mean seriously, what can he take away from that? I understand pull-outs happen but three in a row and those were the only three guys he could fight?
It's not just the UK though, look at Jason Reinhardt. He was 18-0 when he got to the UFC but had built his record on debut guys and walkovers. He had 3 fights in the UFC, all at different weight categories, and lost them all.
Shock N Awe are building a reputation around competitive matchmaking and by that standard, nobody should get a gimme.
Addicted: As a commentator for the show and the fact that the show mostly deals with the lower weights, do you feel it keeps you on your toes more? I mean that is some fast paced action happening inches from your nose.
Ben: That's the hallmark of Shock N Awe and you expect fast paced action packed fights. You've got to be on your toes, but for me that just adds to the whole commentary experience.
Addicted: We know you love your gaming so in the world of Ben Cartlidge, if Shock N Awe was a console game, what would it be and why?
Ben: That's a pretty crazy question but I like it. I'd probably say something like Smash TV. It's fast, furious and action packed from start to finish. In the words of the host of the show, "Total Carnage, I LOVE IT!!"
Addicted: Thanks Ben, so before you go have you grown any new addictions outside of MMA?
Ben: Any new addictions? I'm still a simple man with simple tastes but I'm currently addicted to my girlfriend Alison's homemade vanilla cheesecake. It's better than any dessert I've had before in my adult life. I'm still addicted to French Bread, Castlevania and Chicken Soup as well.
AddictedMMA would like to thank Mr Cartlidge for once again taking his time to chat to us and for sharing his views. And remember to tune into the Active Channel on Monday evening. If you do not have the channel at home you can watch it live here:
http://www.theactivechannel.com/live/
Don't forget Shock N Awe 12 will soon be upon us, this goes down in Portsmouth on October 13th. Tickets are available here:
http://www.shocknawe.co.uk/
Published by Boogeyman - Sun, 29 Jul 2012 12:43
