Tagdh Gannon and Finlay Smith delivered a high-level, open-stance tactical battle in a winner-takes-all showdown, with both the WMO International and WMO European titles on the line. What unfolded was a measured, technical contest that erupted into a dramatic fifth-round crescendo.

From the opening bell, it was clear this would be a chess match. Operating in open stance, both fighters were cautious but sharp. Smith scored early with a sweep, while Gannon looked to establish his teep and long left kick. A clean one-two and a left kick from Gannon were answered by Smith’s right body work. Neither man overcommitted in the opening round. Sweeps, teeps, and low kicks were exchanged in a round defined by precision and patience.

Round two saw the tempo lift slightly. Gannon scored with a beautiful sweep of his own and began mixing elbows with body kicks. Blood appeared from Gannon’s nose, but he remained composed. Smith responded with a sweep and continued targeting the body, attempting to catch kicks and counter. Gannon found success with his calf kick and landed sharp left hands and elbows. It remained razor-close — both fighters unwilling to concede ground.

By round three, urgency increased. Gannon began finding a rhythm with his left knee to the body, doubling up effectively and mixing in left body kicks. Smith pressed forward more assertively, landing a solid right hand and utilising his right kick with growing success. Gannon answered with a beautiful jab and knee combination, followed by a sharp right elbow. Smith’s guard held strong under elbow attempts, but Gannon finished the round with greater momentum, including a jumping knee attempt that partially landed. It was a strong close from Gannon.

Round four was fiercely competitive. Smith continued scoring with sweeps, catching Gannon’s body kick and dumping him cleanly more than once. A spinning elbow attempt from Smith narrowly missed, while a left hook landed cleanly. Gannon answered with knees to the body and a right elbow combination. High kicks and spinning attacks from both men added drama to an already tight round. It was tactical, intense, and extremely difficult to score.

Then came round five.

Gannon elevated the intensity. Early in the round, he landed a devastating knee that forced an eight count on Smith. Though Smith beat the count and showed resilience, Gannon sensed the momentum shift. He pressed forward, targeting the body with jabs and left kicks, pinning Smith near the ropes. Knees began landing repeatedly in the clinch, turning Smith and maintaining control.

Smith attempted spinning elbows and backfists in response — one spinning elbow landing clean — but Gannon’s forward pressure and knee work proved decisive. A beautiful sweep-to-knee sequence from Gannon drew a strong reaction, and he continued landing sharp left knees and elbows in tight exchanges. The fight closed with both men locked in the clinch after a furious final exchange.

After five elite rounds, Tagdh Gannon was announced the winner.

With the victory, Gannon becomes a dual WMO International and European champion — a statement performance in a fight that demanded composure, durability, and tactical intelligence.

This wasn’t a one-sided affair. It was a high-level war between two elite fighters operating at the top of their craft.

And when it mattered most, Gannon found another gear.