It was all eyes on Sunderland, Tyne and Wear in England last night as Made4TheCage 23 took place at the Rainton Meadows Arena.

The co-main event of the evening was billed by many as the 'People's Main Event', with two of the UK's biggest talents going at it for the Made4TheCage European Welterweight title.

On one side of the cage, Sunderland's own Ryan Scope walked into the arena that night with a perfect 10-0 record having competed and defeated high level opposition in the likes of both BAMMA and ACB. 

His opponent, the Welshman, Lewis Long was 13-4 before walking into the cage last evening having built his record fighting mostly in Cage Warriors. 

It was to be a battle of two of the UK's biggest talents unsigned to a major promotion and the action that ensued was fast, furious, and totally captivating. 

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The opening exchanges saw Long take the center of the cage. Long threw a few strikes followed by a kick, but Scope replied well with a stiff leg kick before Long could follow up with a few jabs that pushed Scope back.

Both fighters then began using their kicks to find their range, but neither was really troubling the other before they clinched up against the cage for the first time. It was always going to be interesting to see the strength differential between the two, with Long the more natural welterweight, but they looking pretty even and after a quick struggle they broke apart and got back to work on their striking.

Scope then landed the first meaningful shots when he dug a front kick into the sternum of Long and rocked his head back with a quick hook. Long ate it well and looked untroubled, but he smartly clinched up and pushed Scope back.

The two then traded leg kicks after breaking apart, but then once again they clinched up against the cage where the two were evenly matched strength-for-strength. They then moved back to the center of the cage where Scope scored with a jab, before Long replied with a nice combination throwing his hands first and then a kick to the midsection. 

Scope then landed the cleanest exchange of the fight, first rocking Long with a lovely right cross and then a left head kick that Long did well to semi-block with his hands. Scope was then on the front foot pushing Long back and he then changed levels well with a nice takedown to put Long on his back.

Scope then rained down strikes as he moved round to Long's back with the Welshman on his knees. Long tried to squirm free, but Scope was trying to flatten him on his front while raining down strikes. 

Some crazy scrambles then ensued and Long managed to power through and take the action to the edge of cage. This was a pivotal moment as Long was able to use the cage to reverse the position and take the top position himself. Scope then himself scrambled and attacked the leg of Long who defended well by rolling through. Both men were fighting for their life to take the dominant position on the mat, but it was Long who took the top position and worked his way into Scope's guard.

Scope then attempted to control him by pulling rubber guard, but Long used his strength to push him against the cage, flatten him out and then take his back. He then rolled over onto his own back, sunk in his hooks, applied a rear-naked choke and that was all she wrote. Scope tapped and after a few short seconds on his knees, he immediately made it to his feet looking disappointed and annoyed with himself.

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Long celebrated with his hands in the air knowing after a troubled 2016 he was back in business and picking up big wins.

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Seconds after the fight was over the two showed their class and embraced in the center of the cage. It was great work by both men who must soon be picked up by a big organization--London calling for Bellator in May? Who knows, but don't bet on them both moving on to bigger and better things very soon.

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Made 4 The Cage 23 Main Results 

James Mulheron def. Ruben Wolf via TKO (punches), Round 3 -- for the M4TC European heavyweight title
Lew Long def. Ryan Scope via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1 -- for the M4TC European welterweight title
Milad Ahady def. Gavin McGee via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1
Nathan Thompson def. Jon Spencer via submission (triangle choke), Round 1
Josh Abraham def. Craig Clarkson via submission (armbar), Round 1