June News Part 3
Quote
of the Day
It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dreams of
yesterday are the hopes of today, and the realities of tomorrow. |
808
Fight Factory Submission Tournament
Results!
Farrington High School Gym
June 29, 2002
Kai Kamaka's first submission grappling tournament went off without
a hitch and, believe it or not, started on time (for those of
you that are not familiar with start times, events usually plan
to start 30 minutes after the stated start time for slow pokes).
It even ended within 3 hours. The tournament had approximately
50 competitors and 100 spectators, which is a big success for
a submission grappling tournament. Kai plans on running these
types of tournaments every three months. I want to congratulate
all the competitors, not just the winners because everyone came
to test themselves in a friendly environment.
Team Titles:
1st Place: 808 Fight Factory - 33 points
2nd Place: Relson Gracie - 16 points
3rd Place: Grappling Unlimited - 9 points
4th Place: Kodenkan - 8 points
$75.00 Fastest
Submission Award Winners:
Novice: Lloyd Lique - 32 seconds
Intermediate/Advanced: John Crisostomo - 28 seconds
Women's Division
1st Place: Adrienna
Jenkins (Gracie)
2nd Place: Cheyene Takeuchi (808 Fight Factory)
Novice Division
130lbs & Under:
1st Place: Ivan Uleda (Grappling Unlimited)
2nd Place: Joelson Ea (808 Fight Factory)
3rd Place: Ryan Belmonte (Gamebred)
146-160lbs
1st Place: Jim Kikuchi (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Clint K. (808 Fight Factory)
3rd Place: Lloyd Ligue (Geraldi)
161-175lbs
1st Place: Josh Aipolani (Kodenkan)
2nd Place: Harris Sarmiento (Kodenkan)
3rd Place: Richard Maldonado (Bulls Pen)
176-190lbs
1st Place: Paul Wright (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Josh Urbano
3rd Place: Vance Galapia (Bulls Pen)
220lbs & Over
1st Place: Phillip Balinado (Gracie)
2nd Place: Gordon (808 Fight Factory)
3rd Place: Paul Savea (808 Fight Factory)
Intermediate/Advanced
Division (Combined both divisions)
130lbs & Under:
1st Place: Ivan Uleda (Grappling Unlimited)
2nd Place: Ryan Belmonte (Gamebred)
3rd Place: Joelson Ea (808 Fight Factory)
131-145lbs
1st Place: Dain Agbayani (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Jim Kikuchi (808 Fight Factory)
3rd Place: Lincoln Tyler (Grappling Unlimited)
146-160lbs
1st Place: Clint K. (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Scott Judd
3rd Place: Bred Lewardowski (JKD Unlimited)
161-175lbs
1st Place: John Crisostomo (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Harris Sariento (Kodenkan)
176-190lbs
1st Place: John Crisostomo (808 Fight Factory)
2nd Place: Harris Primes (Gracie)
3rd Place: Clifford Camat (Bulls Pen)
|
Royce
Gracie back in the Octagon?
Many people who watched
the recent ULTIMATE ROYCE GRACIE PPV hosted by Mike Goldberg
and Royce Gracie were pleasantly surprised. Most thought the
PPV was extremely informative and brought back some casual fans
to see Gracie, who has been absent from UFC since 1994. It also
answered many questions that hard-core fans wanted to know for
years.
Royce had made
an appearance at the celebrity filled Las Vegas debut of the
UFC back on September 28, 2001 (same show with Victoria Silvestadt,
Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman, Carmen Electra, Fred Durst, Chuck
Norris and many others). But many were certain he would never
fight in the UFC again.
Apparently there
is some talk of the legend's return to the Octagon. Gracie was
on a recent talk show in Canada saying that he is open for talks
and has been negotiating with the UFC for a potential return
to the Octagon.
After the infamous
33-minute match with Ken Shamrock, Royce took nearly seven years
off before his return to MMA. He defeated Nobuhiku Takada and
suffered his first defeat in the now legendary match with Kazushi
Sakuraba where he threw in the towel after ninety minutes.
This could mean
big box office news for the UFC as Royce Gracie was UFC's first
mystical and marketable star. Many fans tuned in to see what
the 'little guy' would do next and who he could beat.
The Gracie-Shamrock
2 show ranks among the top ten fight PPV's of all time and did
HUGE money.
The Royce Gracie
era spawned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners world wide and
revolutionized the way martial artists and people perceive 'self
defense' and legitimate fighting.
It is believed
that Royce Gracie got an astronomical hard-core following from
his UFC victories, seminars, etc. This could mean an immediate
return of Gracie Jiu Jitsu followers to tune in to the NEW brand
of UFC if a deal is met.
Source: ADCC |
The
Kaneohe Team has moved their Saturday classes
The Kaneohe Team has moved their Saturday classes
from Smith Tae Kwon Do to the Hawaiian Island Twisters
Gymnastics location (45-174 Kahuhipa Street). The
times have also changed to 11 AM-1 PM.
We also wanted to thank Bob Smith for his generosity
and support in helping the team progress.
Ronn Shiraki |
|
2002
BJJ Worlds Just around the corner
July is the
month, Rio de Janeiro is the place. The World comes to Rio to
test with the best. Preparations for the 2002 Worlds are going
strong and mos tof the top athletes are rearing to go. Inside
rumors are that despite the absence of Fernando 'Margarida' Pontes
due to his motorcycle accident, there will be plenty of top people
vying for the gold.
Gracie Humaita's
Team with have Saulo & Xande Ribeiro leading the way. While
Alliance Team will answer with Leozinho, Comprido, Terere and
many others. Not sitting on the sidelines are Gracie Barra and
Nova Uniao. The only big question is who is going to compete
where with two Worlds schedule within a few days of the other.
More details as they become available.
Royler
Gracie Training Hard
Word directly
from the Champion's mouth is that he is training extra serious
for his fight in the July 19th, 21st Century Warriors''A Night
of Champions” at the Atlantic City Tropicana Casino and
Resort. Royler, who is always super serious about his training
is taking his American Pay-per-view debut with extra dedication
knowing full well that his opponent former Hooknshoot Champion
Henry Matamoros is a man of many surprises.
Gracie informed
us that he has been logging many hours on the mat and has come
up with 'a few new moves' in the last few weeks! More specifics
about the secrets and on Matamoros' preparation as the event
nears.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
This
Month in Mixed Martial Arts History: June
Super Brawl held their first event
in June 1996. Lions Den competitors Jerry Bohlander, who was
impressive in his UFC debut months earlier, and Tra Telligman
journeyed to Hawaii for the inaugural show. Both were successful;
Bohlander submitted two opponents to win the middleweight tournament,
and Telligman was victorious in the heavyweight field.
June
1997 marks the first major matches between wrestlers in MMA.
At the Brazil Open '97, the Hammer House, led by Mark Coleman,
faced the rAw Team, spearheaded by the Chiapparelli Brothers
(Louis and Rico). Representing the Hammer House was Kevin Randleman
and Eric Smith; their counterparts from rAw were Tom Erikson
and Dan Henderson. A meeting was not guaranteed, though. The
event was divided into two four-man tournaments based on weight,
and the showdowns would transpire only if each fighter made it
through the opening round. Each did, and a wrestler versus wrestler
final was set for both weight classes.
In
the lighter division, Henderson used a guillotine choke to render
Smith unconscious. rAw also prevailed in the heavier class after
Erikson violently knocked out Randleman with a series of powerful
right hands. The scene afterward was one of the more peculiar
to date. A group of seven people struggled to move Randleman's
muscular frame onto a stretcher, and when Erikson noticed their
fruitless efforts, he offered his help. "The Big Cat"
cleared the group out of the way, gently picked his opponent
up and placed him on the stretcher.
In
June 1998, Pride reeled in professional wrestling fans while
frustrating the MMA faithful at their third show by featuring
Nobuhiko Takada in the main event. Takada submitted Kyle Sturgeon
in a match meant to rebuild the pro wrestler's reputation in
real fights and thus set the stage for a rematch against Rickson
Gracie. That dreaded bout occurred at Pride 4 and, of course,
Takada lost again. On the Pride 3 undercard, Kazushi Sakuraba
submitted Carlos Newton in a classic submission battle.
Perhaps
the best fight in Holland's MMA history took place in June 1999
when Gilbert Yvel faced Semmy Schilt. Rules played an important
role in the bout; quick stand ups severely limited time on the
ground and guaranteed a slugfest. The action began right away
as the smack of Yvel's flying right hand connecting with Schilt's
head immediately followed the ding of the opening bell. Schilt,
who fought open hand even though Yvel wore gloves and could therefore
punch, valiantly fought back with stinging knees to his adversary's
midsection. In the end, Yvel bombarded Schilt with a flurry of
flying knees and right-left combinations to capture the thrilling
match.
Also
in June 1999, the bitter rivalry between Egan Inoue and Marcelo Tigre failed to be settled
in the ring at Super
Brawl 12.
Referee Matt Hume had no choice but to end the heated battle
by disqualifying Tigre for repeated fouls. A rematch was planned
but never materialized. Tigre's antics were the likely cause;
he was disqualified for a second time against Wesley Coreirra at Super Brawl 21: "The Road to
the Rematch." Tigre was disqualified yet again in September
of last year in Pancrase.
In
June 2000, Canada's premier MMA event, the Universal Combat Challenge,
held their first show.
One
week later, Iowa hosted UFC 26, which was billed as "Ultimate
Field of Dreams." However, the fight card was anything but
a "dream" and served as a clear indicator of SEG's
struggles. In the main event, Kevin Randleman won a lackluster
decision over Pedro Rizzo.
Also
in June 2000, Vitor Belfort returned after a yearlong layoff
to fight Gilbert Yvel at Pride 9. After Belfort blasted Yvel
to begin the bout, the action slowed considerably, and Belfort
won the decision.
UFC
32 and the events surrounding it in June of last year certainly
deserve a spot in the annals of MMA. At the UFC 32 press conference,
Zuffa made a monumental announcement: the UFC would return to
cable. The long awaited breakthrough sparked cheers by those
present, but was relatively anticlimactic considering the tremendous
effort against the cable ban that had spanned the past years.
The show was also a significant step forward for MMA as fans
packed the Continental Airlines Arena (home of New Jersey's Nets
and Devils). Tito Ortiz headlined the card, finishing Elvis Sinosic
in the first round. Other bouts featured impressive wins by Josh
Barnett, BJ Penn, Pat Miletich and Caol Uno. The 11,492 fans
that packed the Meadowlands for UFC 32 remains the record for
a MMA show in the U.S.
Source:
Maxfighting |
Youthful
Emerson Gets Crack at Pulver
Jens Pulver's exit from the UFC has allowed him to explore a
diversity of opportunities. He'll likely head north for a fight
in Canada and eventually overseas for a showdown in Japan. His
first stop, however, will be for a friend in Minnesota. Promoter
Brad Kohler signed Pulver, who relinquished his title upon leaving
the UFC, for what looks to be a tune-up bout for the upcoming
ventures. So, which journeyman was selected to help prepare Pulver?
Well, Kohler didn't exactly choose a mediocre veteran. He picked
a hungry 20-year-old.
It
was just a normal day of training at Ruas Vale Tudo in Laguna
Niguel, California, when Robert Emerson was first offered a chance
to fight the number one lightweight in the world. "One of
the guys on our team who knows Brad Kohler pretty well just asked
me if I wanted to fight Jens," Emerson said. And, with little
regard for the task at hand, Emerson simply replied, "Yeah."
He
was excited; there was no hiding that. He just wasn't scared,
which one would think to be another appropriate response. "I'll
probably end up fighting Jens in the future so I'm thinking to
myself, why not now?" Emerson said he's fighting "so
I'll know myself -- where I rate on the list, if I can consider
myself a pro or amateur."
All
aspiring fighters question how they compare to the best, but
only a few are able to step in the ring and take a test against
a world champion. Emerson's not entirely sure why he's one of
the "fortunate" few to get a shot. "I guess the
guys who spoke for me spoke really well," he said. "I'm
not really that well known in the sport, overall. Down here in
Southern California are the only shows I've ever fought in --
nothing really that big. I guess it's just pure luck."
Although
few fans have recognized Emerson's name when mentioned as Pulver's
opponent, he says he has "a pretty good reputation"
in Southern California. He began training in mainly striking
oriented martial arts around 10 years old and balanced his background
by wrestling in high school. Those teenage years were also the
period when Emerson fashioned his status in various street fights
and brawls at parties.
Don't
expect an untrained thug this Saturday in Minnesota, though.
Emerson has spent the last year and a half under the guidance
of UFC great Marco Ruas. A conversation with an old instructor
spawned Emerson's current training. After chatting about a rising
sport that was then best known as no-holds barred, the instructor
mentioned that Ruas was starting a school in the area. Emerson
had been searching for a setting to learn the sport, and he was
there the first day Ruas Vale Tudo opened its doors.
The
quality of training has convinced Emerson that he's found what
he was looking for. "It's insane," he said of training
with Marco Ruas. "His knowledge of the sport just blows
me away. He puts us through hell."
Emerson
described his workouts as a fusion of techniques. "We do
a lot of Thai pad work, a lot of stand up. We don't have different
classes for boxing or kickboxing or wrestling; we pretty much
throw all of them together. We'll grapple with strikes; we'll
spar all out -- take him down, hit the person, submit him. [Ruas]
just blends everything together really well so you don't get
stuck in the mind frame of 'OK, I'm boxing. now, I'm wrestling.'
You just mix it all together so you think of everything while
you're fighting."
Despite
his well-rounded routine, Emerson still specializes in striking.
"I 'm more of a standup fighter," he said. "I
work on the sprawl. If it goes to the ground, I feel comfortable,
but more than likely I'll try to stand it back up or keep it
on the feet. For one, I feel comfortable [standing], and for
two, the most exciting fights are on the feet. That's what the
fans want to see."
If
Emerson desires a standup battle, Pulver will indulge him. "Little
Evil" prefers to trade punches rather than submissions and
has dropped more than a few comers. "I admire the way he
fights -- keep it on the feet, throwing punches," Emerson
said of Pulver. "He doesn't do any of that fancy-smancy
shit; he just gets in there and gets the job done."
Emerson
acknowledges a similarity between Pulver's style and his own
but also noted a difference. "Mine is more of a kickboxing
standup as opposed to him being more of a boxer," Emerson
said. He also cited kicking as an advantage over Pulver. "His
fight with Dennis Hallman, I didn't see him throw one kick. Hallman's
standup isn't that great, and he was landing some kicks on Jens."
Undaunted
by his foe's knockout power, Emerson is confident he can hang
with the Pat Miletich-trained fighter who never lost in the Octagon.
"It's going to be on the feet," he said. "All
of his opponents mostly try to take him to the ground. I'm not
going to do that; I'm going to try to stand up with him. So,
it's going to be a boxer versus a kickboxer. It's probably going
to be bloody and exciting."
The
challenge ahead is extraordinary. Not only will Emerson come
eye-to-eye with a world champion, he'll bring only one closed-fist
match of experience with him. "I wish I had more fights
so I'd know for myself that I'd be on the ball," he said.
It won't be a major issue, however, according to Emerson. He
says he's ready, and there is little to lose. "Obviously,
[against] Jens Pulver, if I lose, it's not going to be that much
of a disappointment."
On
the other hand, a win over Pulver, though it's a long shot, would
send Emerson skyrocketing up the ladder. A solid performance
is more likely than an epic upset and would also propel him forward.
"Oh, I'd be happy with a good performance," Emerson
said. "I'm not just going in there thinking about winning
or losing. I'm going in there to have fun and make it a good
show and to see how good I do matched up against a guy like this."
Emerson's
deficits -- his youth and inexperience -- may actually benefit
him against Pulver. He's too young to know his limits and too
green to be scared. Such characteristics have been the ingredients
for upsets throughout sports history. That may seem farfetched
for this weekend, but one eager 20-year-old will give it a shot.
Source: Maxfighting |
IFC
and UFC Cards Rounded Out
The IFC announced this week that Paul Buentello, who's coming
off an impressive KO victory over Roger Neff in the King of the
Cage on June 19, will face Rocky Batastini for its vacant U.S.
heavyweight title at the Eagle Mountain Casino just outside Porterville,
Calif. on July 12. This is a rematch of a contest that saw Buentello
win by armbar May 3rd, 2000.
In addition,
the UFC added four bouts to its July 13 pay-per-view from London,
England. Leigh Remedios and James Zikic raise the number of UK
fighters on the card from two to four. Remedios takes on Japanese
lightweight Genki Sudo, while Zikic encounters undefeated Phillip
Miller. UFC veterans complete the eight-bout card as welterweights
Gil Castillo and Tony DeSouza square off, and former light heavyweight
championship challengers Evan Tanner and Vladimir Matyushenko
look to get back in the title hunt.
Source:
Gross/Maxfighting |
MaxPreview:
Shooto
Although two Shooto champions are on the card, no titles will
be up for grabs for the first Shooto PPV event of 2002, held
June 29 in Osaka. Shooto welterweight (70 kg or 154 lbs.) champ
Takanori Gomi headlines the card against BJJ black belt, but
MMA newcomer, Leo Santos, while Shooto light heavyweight (83
kg or 183 lbs.) titleholder Masanori Suda will battle late replacement
Ronald Jhun.
Takanori
Gomi has taken Shooto by storm, amassing a perfect 9-0 record
since he debuted in late 1998. He snagged the vacant Shooto welterweight
crown with a unanimous decision over Rumina Sato in the Shooto
year-end show on December 16th last year. Before that, Gomi hadn't
fought for 13 months, since defeating Ryan Bow by decision, and
this will be his first fight since defeating Sato six months
ago.
While
racking up an impressive list of credentials in BJJ and submission
grappling, including a third place finish in Abu Dhabi 2001,
Leo Santos has never stepped foot inside an MMA ring. The Nova
Uniao black belt has chosen a difficult opponent for his debut.
His submission skills have been proven on the mat, but like any
top-level grappler making the transition to MMA, there are questions
about his striking ability and his chin.
Gomi
has used his ground-and-pound style to ride out decisions against
his last four opponents. When he first burst onto the scene,
Gomi preferred to stand and slug it out. That would be Gomi's
smartest choice in this fight, as Santos will clearly be more
skilled and comfortable on the mat than standing. Gomi's hands
are fast and pack a lot of power. On the feet, he could probably
score a TKO; however, look for Gomi to take Santos down, use
his strength, flexibility, and toughness to defend every submission
thrown at him, and chip away with punches to earn his fifth straight
unanimous decision.
Earlier
this year, Masanori Suda won the Shooto light heavyweight title
with a highly controversial decision over Lance Gibson (a rematch
of a previous non-title fight won by Gibson). Five months earlier,
the judges ruled his fight with Larry Papadopoulos a draw, a
decision many feel should have been given to the Australian.
Even though he is now the champion, Suda still has much to prove
to the fans to solidify himself as the best fighter in the division.
A
late replacement for Australian wrestler Chris Brown, the always-game
Ronald Jhun steps into the Shooto ring for the second time this
year. His first appearance was disappointing, losing a close
decision to Izuru Takeuchi. In his only other fight in Shooto
Japan, on January 14, 2000, Jhun fell victim to Yuki Sasaki's
dangerous triangle/armbar combination late in the final round.
For the third time, the odds are against the Hawaiian taking
on one of the top Japanese Shooto fighters. Jhun is a dangerous
striker with solid takedown defense. In addition, he is difficult
to submit, and always puts up a tough fight.
The
edge has to go to the champ, who has the ability to put Jhun
on his back and threaten with submissions. Add to the fact that
Jhun took this fight on a weeks notice, and Suda is the clear
favorite. However, Suda has been defeated twice by strikes, and
Jhun has the skills to take him out on his feet. Still, the more
likely scenario is an exciting ground battle, with Suda attacking
constantly before landing a submission late in the fight.
Once
set to challenge for the welterweight title, Dokonjonosuke Mishima
had to pull out of the fight with an injury. Four months later,
Gomi won the vacant title with his defeat of Rumina Sato. Now
Mishima is looking to earn another shot at the title. In his
last fight on May 11, Mishima took the place of his Cobra Kai
teammate in a Pancrase Gate (amateur) match, catching Masao Ando
in a triangle choke in the second round. Earlier this year, he
won in his only Shooto appearance of 2002 thus far, taking out
Ben Thomas with punches from the mount in the first round.
Iran
Mascarenhas represents the second Nova Uniao black belt making
his Shooto debut on June 29. Unlike Santos, who will be fighting
for the first time in MMA, the 23-year-old sports an impressive
12-0 record down in Brazil.
Mascarenhas
is an unknown, while Mishima is one of the most popular and exciting
fighters in Shooto. Mishima has constantly faced the best, defeating
the likes of Marcio Cromado and Ryan Bow. Look for Mishima's
experience against top-level competition to play a key role.
If he can't land a first round submission, Mishima will start
to slow down as he has always had a problem with gassing. But
he should have enough to finish the three rounds and win a decision.
In
the most compelling match up of the night, Rumina Sato makes
his return to Shooto for the first time since his heart-breaking
loss to Gomi in his third shot at the elusive Shooto welterweight
title. Arguably the most popular fighter in Shooto's 13-year
history, Sato is once again looking to earn his way back to #1
contender status for yet another chance at putting the belt around
his waist.
In
his way stands the undefeated Javier "Showtime" Vazquez
out of Millennia Jiu-Jitsu. Fighting for the first time in Shooto,
Vazquez is taking a large step up in competition. A BJJ brown
belt with a wrestling background, Vazquez is a threat to anyone
on the mat.
Sato
has good striking skill, but word is out about his chin. He can't
take a good shot. Lucky for him, Vazquez doesn't have the skills
to take him out standing. On the ground, however, Vazquez has
a varied submission attack.
The
first round will be all Sato, with the Japanese superstar threatening
with submissions from all angles. As with all Sato fights, the
longer the fight goes, the less of a threat he becomes. Although
Vazquez is impressive on the mat, Sato will be on a mission to
prove he deserves another shot at the belt. Sato should be able
to land a submission, likely a leg lock, in the first few minutes
of the fight.
Dave
Strasser made his Shooto Japan debut just last month, defeating
Takuya Wada by a close split decision. The Wisconsin native gained
experience fighting in Extreme Challenge and other smaller shows
in the Midwest before taking a decision from Ruas Vale Tudo student
Alexandre Barros in an official Shooto fight in HOOKnSHOOT Overdrive
on March 9 of this year. Now, with an unblemished 2-0 Shooto
record, he is given a chance to showcase his skills on Japanese
PPV.
After
beginning his career with a 4-1-3 record, Seichi Ikemoto has
reeled off three straight losses -- Steve Berger, Tetsuji Kato,
and Takuya Wada -- since being promoted to Class A (the top echelon
of Shooto), and has since been dropped from the Shooto middleweight
(76 kg or 167 lbs.) rankings. An exciting and flashy striking
style, Ikemoto finds himself in trouble when on the mat.
Poor
Ikemoto. Shooto keeps throwing this guy tough opponents, not
giving him a chance to build back up both his record and his
confidence. Strasser is yet another good grappler who should
be able to take Ikemoto to the mat and dominate to earn a decision.
Yasuyuki
Tokuoka has been an impressive young Shooto middleweight since
turning pro last April. In his first fight this year, on February
11, he ran his record to 3-0 by defeating Hirofumi Hara in a
brutal display of ground-and-pound rarely seen in Shooto.
Yoichi
Fukumoto won the 2000 All Japan Amateur Shooto Championships
-- the biggest amateur Shooto tournament of the year, held every
September. But he didn't turn pro until January 25 of this year,
and his debut was disappointing, losing by armbar to Akira Kikuchi
(the 2001 All Japan champion) in the first round. He bounced
back to decision Shinobu Ito on May 5.
These
two have a bit of history. The man Fukumoto defeated to take
first in the 2000 All Japan was Tokuoka, catching him in a rear
naked choke in the first round. However, Tokuoka has proven to
be a better professional fighter thus far, with better wrestling
and striking skills. Fukumoto may have a slight edge in submissions,
but Tokuoka should be able to ground-and-pound to a decision.
Four
years before making his Shooto debut, Shooto cruiserweight (91
kg or 200 lbs.) Kaichi Tsuji took part in the Lumax Cup '97,
an eight-man tournament that required the competitors to wear
a gi jacket. In that event, Tsuji defeated Pride star Akira Shoji
before losing to current Shooto light heavyweight champion Suda.
In Shooto, Tsuji has defeated Katsuhiko Ochiai (brother of Pride
fighter Giant Ochiai) and lost to Masaya Inoue, both by decision.
Masato
Nishiguchi, the 2001 All Japan Amateur Shooto Cruiserweight champion,
goes by the ring name "The Great Naniwa." The 28-year-old
out of Muso Senjyutsu will make his Shooto debut on Japanese
PPV.
Tsuji's
Judo background and pro experience will be the difference in
this fight. There could be quite a bit of clinching in this fight,
with Tsuji looking for the throw and Naniwa doing everything
he can to keep from getting thrown. On the ground, I don't see
Tsuji advancing position or Naniwa threatening with submissions
from his guard. Look for Tsuji to ride out the decision victory.
Source: Maxfighting |
Quote
of the Day
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs,
though checkered with failure, than to take rank with those poor
souls, who neither enjoy much or suffer much, because they live
in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. |
Relson
Gracie's Website Has New Look
The
Legendary Relson Gracie's web site has a new look. It also features
and exciting view of the take down that Daniel Mories, a Royler
Gracie Blackbelt did on ADCC standout Barret Yoshida. Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu .
http://www.relsongracie.com
|
Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Kids Classes in Kaneohe
The Relson Gracie Kaneohe Association has just opened a kids
class on June 27th for children ages 6 and up and wanted to get
the word out.
The main instructors are Purple Belt Ron Shiraki, Purple Belt
Jeff Furuta, and Brad Scott.
Schedule:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 5-6 PM at the
Hawaiian Island Twister Gymnastics Location.
To
get more information from our website (click
on Kaneohe Kids button) or, they can link directly
with this address: http://www.kaneoheteam.com/kids.htm
|
808
Fight Factory Submission Tournament
Tomorrow!
Place: Farrington High School Gym
Date: June 29, 2002
Weigh ins: 8:30am-11am
Grappling starts at 12 noon
Cost: $30 Pre-Registration and $40 for day of the event.
3 Divisions: Novice, Intermediate and Advance.
Come
and support grappling tournaments so the Hawaii guys have more
opportunities to compete!
Weight Classes:
130 and under, 131-145, 146-160, 161-175, 176-190, 191-205, 206-220
and 220 and above.
Time limits:
Novice - 4 minutes
Intermediate - 5 minutes
Advance 6 minutes
In case of a tie:
There will be a 2 minute overtime for all divisions until there
is a winner.
Point system:
Takedown 2 points
Pass the guard 2 points
Sweeps/Reversals 2 points
Knee to the belly 3 points
Mount 4 points
Back mount 4 points
Rules:
No heelhooks in novice and no leglocks at all in the kids division
Fastest submission will be given $75 cash for Novice, Intermediate
and Advance
Pre-Registration can be mailed to:
98-413 Ho'okanike Street, Apt C
Pearl City, Hawaii 96782
Kai
can be contacted by email at kkamaka@hotmail.com or by calling 478-4509.
There
is a 5 foot team trophy for 1st place, 4 foot for 2nd and 3 foot
for 3rd. There will also be booths with fight gear, cell phones
and other cool stuff.
We would really appreciated a volunteer from every school to
referee to ensure fair and unbiased officiating. We are trying
to get 1 from every school.
Source: Kai Kamaka |
UFO
Press Conference
PIC: BTT Star
Mario Sperry has his hand raised as Champion, at ADCC 2000. Sperry
returns to action in August. Pic courtesy of FIGHTWORLD ARCHIVES
On Thursday,
June 28th 2002 there will be a press conference to introduce
the UFO project to the MMA media. The conference is scheduled
for the Tokyo Dome hotel. A large turnout of MMA media is expected!
UFO has reserved
the Tokyo Dome for August 8th, 2002. Their arrangements at the
arena will results in setaing for an audience of 60,000, which
is more than the Pride Grand Prix audience at the Tokyo Dome.
It seems that free TV is in the future of MMA in Japan as well.
After FOX in America and SBT in Brazil, UFO is inking a deal
for the first UFO show to be broadcasted live on free TV in Japan.
The channel is yet to be named.
Inside rumors
are still saying that Antonio 'Minotauro' Nogueira headline the
card this card against a Japanese fighter. First words heard
pointed to Japanese pr wrestling legend Naoya Ogawa as his potential
opponent, but word is that a Pancrase fighter will be the opponent.
'Minotauro' has confirmed that he will fight, despite a potential
herniated disc problem.
Brazilian TOP
TEAM star Mario Sperry is another name confirmed in the show.
After his knee surgery, Sperry is returns to Japan to fight in
UFO, against a Japanese star.
Finally, there
is a strong possibility that UFC Middleweight Champion Murilo
Bustamante will fight in the August UFO show. Bustamante has
reportedly received good offers to rekindle his career in the
land of the Rising Sun, with the ever present match with star
Sanae Kikuta high on a list of matches the Japanese promoters
want to see. More will be known in the next few days.
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
Post
Fight UFC 37.5 Interview:
STEVE BERGER
UFC
37.5 - Steve Berger versus Robbie Lawler - June 22nd, 2002 -
Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV
ADCC:
Steve, sorry about the tough loss, what is your perspective on
the fight?
Steve: You win some you lose some, they can't all be golden!
It was a good fight, I just got caught.
ADCC:
Carry us through the fight from your perspective?
Steve: We both came out swinging in the first round, it was a
good round both of us were looking for the KO. The second round
I just got caught, that's the way it goes.
ADCC:
Steve, where his strikes just too fast to take it to the ground?
Steve: No, I never intended to shoot on him until later on in
the fight, I knew he would be looking for the double leg right
off the bat, considering my strength is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The one shot I took was because he left himself open after he
threw the high kick, so I went for it.
ADCC:
What is next for you? Will you retire as some thought if you
lost?
Steve: I don't have anything planned right now. I'm not ready
to retire. This was the first time in my career I've ever been
finished (k.o.'ed or submitted) in a fight. I'll learn from this
loss and I'll come back stronger.
ADCC:
Anything you would like to add?
Steve: I've defeated two UFC fighters (one of them twice) and
I've had draws with two UFC fighters. Unfortunately for me, none
of these fights have taken place in the UFC. It's only a matter
of time before I make it back and showcase what I can do.
ADCC:
Good Luck, Steve!
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Interview:
Alexandre 'Xande' Ribeiro
'Xande'
continues to sweep his divisions in competition across the United
States and in Brazil, winning the Mundials, the Gracie Nationals
and Grapplers Quest. The 21-year-old credits his brother Saulo,
and his students in helping with training. Xande, currently residing
in Ohio, has an active schedule of classes, privates and workshops
at the many Ribeiro associations. Employing a 'train, train,
train' mentality, Xande believes 110% in his Jiu-Jitsu, and looks
for it to take him to the next Abu Dhabi. I've been talking and
e-mailing with Xande for the last month, as he took the time
to answer some questions for me.
JC:
What is your age, height, weight and current location?
AR: I am 21-years-old, 6', 195 lbs, and I am now training in
Toledo, Ohio.
JC:
How did you come to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
AR: (My brother) Saulo was training and invited me to train with
him. I was 10-years-old.
JC:
So, you've studied for 11 years?
AR: Yes.
JC:
Would you tell me about your BJJ background?
AR: I started in 1991, and in 1999 I moved to Rio to go to college
and train with my brother at Gracie Humaita.
JC:
When did you earn your black belt and from whom?
AR: In 2001 - Saulo gave it to me after I won the Arnold Classic
in Columbus, Ohio.
JC:
Where do you train?
AR: Now I teach in Toledo, Ohio and Southgate, Michigan and train
with my students.
JC:
Tell me about your training.
AR: When I came here I lost a lot of my technical training, but
anyways, my students still help me a lot because I know how to
train with them to improve my technique and theirs. I work out
3 times a week and keep my cardio doing a special training, that
always keeps me in shape, and I've been training some boxing
and wrestling that helps me a lot too and makes me prepared for
a future MMA event.
JC:
How did you come to train there?
AR: We have Saulo Ribeiro Association here and I came to help
the students.
JC:
Who do you train with for Gi?
AR: Saulo comes to support and test the students and I train
with him - when he is not around, I train with the students.
JC:
Who do you train with for No-Gi?
AR: Same, but I just increase my wrestling skills.
JC:
Do you train with Royler Gracie?
AR: When I am in Rio.
JC:
Growing up in Brazil and training in Jiu-Jitsu all your life,
who has been your idol or the fighter that you most wanted to
emulate?
AR: Saulo for sure, it's good to have the best fighter in the
world around you and better (because) he is my brother.
JC:
What is your most competition moment in your career?
AR: Each competition has its memories, it is hard pick one.
JC:
What is your favorite submission hold?
AR: Whatever the opponent gives me, but most of them come from
the opponent in my guard.
JC:
You are considered to be one of if not the best submission grapplers
in the world right now. What are your plans for Abu Dhabi and
the Mundials?
AR: I hope to go to the next ADCC event. They are the best grapplers
in the world, and just to be there would be an honor to me. The
last time I tried the qualifying and I got second and I didn't
go, but to the next time I hope be invited, if not I will try
the qualifying again. For the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds, I will be in
Rio one month before the tournament to train, and I'll try my
best. This is the only title left, I already won the Worlds in
the purple and brown belt, and this year I'll try for the second
time to win the title in the black belts.
JC:
You are a 2-Time Pan American Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Champion. What
do you attribute this success?
AR: Train, train, train and respect to all competitors, and the
biggest thing is, that I believe 110% in my Jiu-Jitsu and how
much I still can grow as a fighter.
JC:
You mentioned preparing for a future MMA event. So, you see yourself
transitioning into MMA?
AR: Yes, it's normal. You train Gi, No-Gi and show your skills,
which makes you comfortable to transition into MMA, but it's
not in my plans right now, because I still want to win and prove
a lot in Gi and No-Gi, as well as win the ADCC and Jiu-Jitsu
Worlds, which are my goals right now.
JC:
What was your experience at the Gracie Nationals?
AR: I just fought the Gracie Nationals one time in Columbus,
OH. I fought a guy almost 300 pounds I tap him.
JC:
You recently competed in the 2002 Grapplers Quest Absolute Division,
where you had 3 matches. In the Quarter-Finals, tell us about
how you wowed the crowd at GQ with that amazing triangle choke
setup on Popovitch?
AR: I saw Popovitch fight one time only, at Arnold Classic 2001
against Feitosa, I saw very good stand up skills but I didn't
have the opportunity to see his ground, and I tried to put the
fight on the ground. In this fight he almost passed my guard,
that made him confident in the fight, but he made a mistake and
I saw the mistake and got my opportunity. It was a great fight.
JC:
In the Semi-Finals, you had a very technical match where you
won by a commanding 10-0. Tell us how it went.
AR: It was against Todd Margolis, a very good and technical wrestling.
But one time on the ground, I developed all my game and kept
the fight under control. The main thing (for me) was to fight
and not get too tired, because I already knew that my next opponent
was (Jeff) Monson.
JC:
And speaking of Monson, in the Finals, at only 187 pounds, you
submitted the 215 lb., 1999 Abu Dhabi Champion. How does it feel
to be one if not the first person to submit Jeff Monson in competition?
AR: I respect Monson a lot, he proved that he is very good, but
on the mat everybody is the same, and as I told, I believe 110%
in my Jiu-Jitsu, and I knew one time we were on the ground I
had to do my best and try everything I could. Submit him was
just a consequence of the fight, everyone can tap, you just have
to be on the mat. I know I will fight him again and I will try
my best again, if my best is enough to beat him or somebody else,
I will, if not, for sure I will have another chance.
JC:
You're in association with your brother, Saulo, but do you have
any plans to open your own academy in the United States or Brazil?
AR: I don't have my own academy, I have an association with my
brother and another black belt that works together his name is
Regis Lebre, we already have an academy in Copacabana, Brazil
and some guys that are under us here in US. Now I am supporting
our Team in Toledo, OH and Southgate, MI that are the main ones,
and some in Southbend, IN, WV, New Castle, PA, Mansfield, OH,
and now one in NC.
JC:
You dust top guys. Is that a thrill?
AR: Yes, it makes me very happy and proud of, but I don't let
this go up in my head, I try to be always the same and respect
everybody as well.
JC:
What is one thing about Alexandre Ribeiro that would have people
saying, 'hmmm, I didn't now that?'
AR: There is nothing I hide, my life is an open book, but 'hmmmmm,
I don't know.'
JC:
Where would you like to be 1 year from now?
AR: Well, I hope be in a place that makes me happy, but to be
more straight, I hope to be at ADCC and training for my second
World Champion in Black belt.
JC:
Do you have a web site or a way for people to get in touch with
you?
AR: www.sauloribeiro.com.
JC:
Is there anything you'd like to say?
AR: I would like to say thanks to my brother, my family, my friends
and everybody that supports me, and say to the people stay in
peace in these days, and try to make their minds focused on good
things and that way, we can make our world a little be better
in the future.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Pre
Fight SHOOTO Interview -
LEONARDO SANTOS (NOVA UNIÃO)
Nova
Uniao's Leonardo Santos makes his MMA debut in SHOOTO at the
June 29th, 2002 Osaka, Japan show. His opponent is SHOOTO Lightweight
Champion Takanori Gomi, who is 11-0 in MMA. A tall order, however
Santos is both mentally and physically up to the task - meet
LEO SANTOS...
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Hi man, last time I met you to do an interview it was
for the MUNDIALS 2001, how're you doing?
Santos- I'm fine, after ADCC2001 I received a proposal to teach
Jiu Jitsu in São Paulo, so after MUNDIALS2001 I went there.
My team got good results there, kids with 4/5 months of training,
won some events. So now after that time, I finally got my opportunity
in NHB.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Talk about htis opportunity?
Santos- I don't know [laughs]! I was in São Paulo training
for the 'Copa Brazil por Equipes' and André Pederneiras
offered me the fight in SHOOTO. My students are without me, so
I had to put another teacher/master there. I had to ask myself
if I was a fighter or a teacher/master - so for while I'm fighter
- if everything goes good for me I'll continue this way. NHB
gives more financial return to the fighters.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- When did you confirm the SHOOTO against Takanori Gomi?
Santos- I knew 1 month before the match, Pederneiras asked me
if I would want to fight.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- What was your reaction?
Santos- In the moment when Pederneiras told me about this fight
I thought maybe I'd not fight because that was little time to
prepare myself, mainly because I'm going to fight against the
champion, so I had a chat with Pederneiras and he put a lot of
trust in me, saying that I've potential to fight with anyone,
so I decided to accept the fight.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- You're moving from Jiu Jitsu to NHB when Jiu Jitsu tournaments
are now giving money. What about that?
Santos- My head is dizzy [laughs]. I fought since I was a kid
aged 6 years old. I can't say that I never won money, but that
money never was enough. When Jiu Jitsu revamped it's goals -
giving money to the fighters - I'm leaving it to go to NHB. So
I think that it's the fighter in me that wants to try new challenges.
Who knows, my career in NHB can be better than Jiu Jitsu, however
if the NHB career doesn't turn out the way I like I've Pederneiras
to help me decide if I should fight or not, he'll evaluate me
in Japan. GOMI will be my test and if Pederneiras says ok for
me, Santos in Jiu Jitsu will be over, I'll dedicate myself to
NHB.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Which are the biggest differences between your Jiu Jitsu
training and your training right now for NHB?
Santos- The difference is a total turn around, with gi I can
rest and in submission is the same. However in NHB you need to
train things which you have never trained before, such as Muay
Thai. I started my Muay Thai training and I'm liking it very
much, but this kind of training it takes alot out of you and
can make you tired very fast, besides Wrestling. The training
I've always done is Submission (Jiu Jitsu without gi). Muay Thai
and Wrestling are things which I never did before, so I've a
bit of difficulty, but I'll improve be sure.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- What's hardest Muay Thai or Wrestling?
Santos- Muay Thai. Just to keep your hands up makes your shoulders
very tired, so in the first week of this kind of training I suffered
a lot, I thought it was too hard for me. But now I've done everything
correct and I'm not as tired during the training. Time is the
best teacher, the much more I train the better I'll get.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- What were your main concerns during the first NHB training?
Santos- My biggest doubt was to know if I was able to eat punches
to the face or not. In my first training in Muay Thai I ate a
punch but I recuperated pretty fast, so I didn't have big troubles
[laughs]!
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- On Jiu Jitsu you like to fight on the bottom, so do you
think you will have a problem takeing your opponent down in NHB?
Santos- No it's only in Jiu Jitsu that I like to fight on the
bottom. For example in Submission I put it in my head that I
should fight on the top, so I've worked on my takedowns. So in
NHB I'll need to improve because it's different, I need to adapt
myself to this kind of training because it's my debut - but I
want to be on top also.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- It's your debut, however you almost fought in HEROES
2 (NHB Brazilian event). Were you sorry that you didn't fight?
Santos- Well, if I didn't fight it wasn't because I didn't want
to, it was because GOD didn't want it to happen. I believe much
in these things, so maybe HE preferred that I didn't fight in
HEROES 2, because HE'd give me a second good opportunity, such
as this one in SHOOTO, which is a better opportunity. I'll fight
against a undefeat champion, who knows if I win, that will rebound
my name.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Do you think that if you had fought and lost in HEROES
2, this opportunity wouldn't have appeared?
Santos- There're persons who think like that, I cannot to reply
to your question because this didn't happen. Probably it would
have upset my way to Japan, because a loser is a loser, nobody
wants to know what happened when you fought, only the result.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- In our last interview you said that Abu Dhabi 2001 was
your most international experience, so do you think you will
have a problem handling the pressure of fighting in SHOOTO?
Santos- I don't know. I'm used to Jiu Jitsu and Submission competitions.
I don't know if there's some things with more pressure than Jiu
Jitsu, because the rivalry between the academies is tough - the
people screaming the name of the academies and other things.
But I'll face a thing that I've never faced before, I'll be in
the country of my opponent and the fans will be with him. I've
trained much and inside the ring is only GOMI and SANTOS, therefore
I'm ready.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Will you totaly leave Jiu Jitsu?
Santos- Like I said before, if I fight well in NHB, I'll select
the Jiu Jitsu events which I'll take part, because it's very
hard to keep yourself training Jiu Jitsu and NHB, they're completely
different.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Do you know anything about Gomi before the announcement
of your fight against him?
Santos- I didn't know him, I remember him from Abu Dhabi but
he had been beat by Matt Serra. Although when the fight was offered
to me, my opponent was going be Rumina Sato, so the promoters
changed and put me against the champion. Until then I had not
watched his fights. Now I watched him fight, he's an excellent
fighter. This fight'll be a real NHB test for me, I won't face
a regular fighter - Gomi is an undefeated rock - it will be a
hard and great fight.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil- Any final comment?
Santos- [thinking a lot] Be sure, I'll do everything what I did
in Jiu Jitsu and Submission events, that is to say I'll show
technique and heart. Keep your eyes on this fight, because I
want to win more than anything.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Caol
Uno Wrestles in Japan!
More
fighters continue to venture toe the world of pro wrestling.
The
latest is standout Caol Uno, who is primarily a MMA fighter.
Reportedly, the lightweight has tremendous potential as a 'high
flyer' in pro wrestling. He competed in the first Antonio Inoki
New Year' Bom-Bay-Ye show and got over big with the crowd. Uno
had the strongest showing (even with Shamrock, Frye, Ogawa, Fujita,
Kerr and others on the show).
The
UFC lightweight contender had his second match for All Japan
pro wrestling two weeks back and word is that he gave another
strong performance.
All
Japan is one of the Japan's two largest wrestling groups and
primarily showcases heavyweights. Kind of odd since Uno is in
the 155 lbs range.
Uno
teamed with Kendo Kashin and took on Kaz Hayashi and Mr. Problem.
Ironically, 'Mr. Problem' is Daijiro Matsui who does MMA for
PRIDE.
Look
for Uno to make sporadic appearances in pro wrestling but he
will still maintain his fighting career.
The
Contenders show which features submission wrestling/grappling
is owned by Caol Uno as well. He is putting together a tag team
submission wrestling show (NOT pro wrestling) and has verbal
commitments from Maurice Smith, Josh Barnett and others.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Quote
of the Day
"No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time
has come."
|
Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Picnic
July 4, 2002
Ala Moana Beach Park
All day and night
Like I said, no one sends anything in to see what they are going
to bring. If you guys are at least planning on come, shoot me
an email.
|
Warriors
Quest
Online Store
GRAND OPENING
Warriors Quest is pleased to announce the GRAND OPENNING of www.warriorsquest.tv online store. We have
Warriors Quest Videos and clothing for sale now!! |
Official
UFC 37.5 Press Release
LIDDELL DEFEATS
BELFORT BY UNANIMOUS DECISION; TO MEET ORTIZ FOR UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
TITLE
Lawler Stops
Berger In Co-Main Event For Fox Net's Best Damned Sports Period
LAS VEGAS, June
26, 2002 - Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight
Chuck Liddell became the top contender for Champion Tito Ortiz'
title with a unanimous decision over Vitor Belfort last Saturday,
June 22, before a sellout crowd of 3,779 at Bellagio. Both fighters
were cautious the first two rounds before Liddell caught Belfort
with a hard right hand at 3:45 of the third round and knocked
him down. Judges Abe Belardo and Cecil Peoples favored Liddell,
30-27, while Marcos Rosales had it 29-28 for Liddell.
'I knew I could
catch him sooner or later, and I did. Tito is a good friend,
but at fight time, it will be different,' Liddell said.
Ortiz said the
same thing in a post-fight interview.
'Chuck and I
used to train together. But, the Octagon is mine and I will protect
it,' he said.
Liddell of San
Luis Obispo, Calif., ran his Mixed Martial Arts record to 10-1-0
while Belfort is now 10-3-0. The Liddell-Belfort elimination
bout was the main event of a six-fight card that was produced
for the FOX Sports Network's Best Damned Sports Show Period All-Star
Summer Celebration. Four of the fights, excluding Liddell-Belfort,
aired yesterday on the cable network show, the first time a UFC
event has ever been on basic cable television. The Liddell-Belfort
fight will air in its entirety on a UFC pay-per-view show in
August.
In the main
event for BDSSP, powerful, Welterweight puncher Robbie Lawler
(6-0-0) of Davenport, Iowa, hit veteran Steve Berger (15-7-3)
of St. Louis, Mo., with a wicked right followed by a devastating
left at :27 of the second round for a TKO to remain undefeated.
Lawler has won both of his fights in the UFC in a little over
a month. On May 10, he defeated Aaron Riley by unanimous decision
in Bossier City, La.
In other fights
that were highlighted on BDSSP:
Welterweight
Pete Spratt (11-4-0) of Sherman, Tex., defeated Zach Light (11-2-1)
of Corona, Calif., at 2:25 of the first round due to tapout by
an armbar.
Welterweights
Benji Radach (12-0-0) of Olympia, Wash., and UFC newcomer Nick
Serra (5-1-0) of Long Island, N.Y., went the distance before
Radach won a three-round, unanimous decision.
Middleweight
Tony Frycklund (7-1-0) of Davenport, Iowa, defeated UFC newcomer
Rodrigo Ruas (1-1-0) of Rio de Janeiro by referee's decision
at 3:34 of the second round. Frycklund dominated the fight, got
in Ruas' guard and ended it with a flurry of punches.
In the opener,
veteran Yves Edwards (9-5-1) of the Woodlands, Tex., welcomed
Joao 'Pierini' Marcos (5-1-0) of Redwood City, Calif., to the
UFC with a headkick at 1:19 of the first round. The kick knocked
Marcos down and he couldn't recover. The referee stopped the
fight when Marcos couldn't defend himself. Edwards won by TKO.
The next UFC
fight event will be the Brawl At Royal Albert Hall Saturday,
July 13, at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. In the main
event, Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (26-3-0 in Mixed Martial
Arts) of Hillsboro, Ill., will defend his title in the long-awaited
re-match with former champion Carlos Newton (10-5-0) of Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada. Tickets for the eight-fight card, 100 pounds
sterling, 75 pounds sterling and 50 pounds sterling, are on sale
now at the Royal Albert Hall box office in London, at all Ticket
Master outlets in the United Kingdom, by calling Ticket Master
at 011-44-020-7316-4709, or on the internet at www.tcketmaster.co.uk.
Brawl At Royal
Albert Hall also will be available in the United Kingdom, Ireland,
North America and Brazil on British Sky Broadcasting (BskyB),
iN DEMAND, DirecTv, Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu, Viewers Choice
Canada and Globosat Programmadora LTDA pay-per-view television.
It also will be televised on WOWOW-TV in Japan. The fight will
be televised at 7 p.m. (BST) on BskyB in the U.K. and Ireland
and on a tape-delayed basis in the other countries. Viewing times
will be announced. The suggested retail price in North America
is $29.95 and in the U.K., 14 pounds sterling.
Source: Josh Hedges |
UFC
38 'BRAWL at the HALL' Final Card
U.K.'S REMEDIOS, ZIKIC COMPLETE FIGHT CARD FOR UFC: BRAWL AT
ROYAL ALBERT HALL, JULY 13, IN LONDON
4 British Fighters
Now On 8-Fight Card For UFC's First European Show
LAS VEGAS, June
26, 2002… Leigh Remedios, the United Kingdom's top lightweight
Mixed Martial Arts fighter, and James Zikic, a light heavyweight
contender from Watford in London, will add a decidedly British
flavor to the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Brawl At Royal
Albert Hall eight-fight card at 7 p.m. BST, Saturday, July 13,
at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Remedios (11-2-1
in MMA) of Ashford, Kent, England, will meet Genki Sudo (3-1-1)
of Tokyo, Japan, who is one of his country's top lightweight
fighters. Zikic (16-2-0) will fight undefeated Phillip Miller
(13-0-0) of Hesperia, Calif. Zikic, a stand-up specialist previously
trained with UFC legend Frank Shamrock in Northern California.
Miller just won an eight-man World Vale Tudo tournament in Runaway
Bay, Jamaica..
UFC veterans
complete the London card with top welterweight contender Gil
Castillo (17-1-0) of Concord, Calif., taking on Tony DeSouza
(5-1-0) of Lima, Peru, and light heavyweight Evan Tanner (7-1-0)
of Gresham, Ore., meeting Vladimir Matyshenko (11-2-0) of Los
Angeles, Calif.
Undefeated British
middleweight Mark Weir of Gloucester, England, will put his 16-0-0
record on the line when he meets Eugene 'The Wolf' Jackson (11-4-0)
of East Palo Alto, Calif. A heavyweight showdown will be between
undefeated Frank Mir (4-0-0) of Las Vegas, Nev., and top-ranked
British heavyweight Ian Freeman (12-5-0) of Sunderland, England.
Light heavyweight Elvis Sinosic (4-5-1) of Syndney, Australia,
will meet Renato 'Babalu' Sobral de Cunha (9-1-0) of Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, in another feature match.
The main event
will be the long-awaited re-match for the UFC welterweight championship.
Champion Matt Hughes (26-3-0) of Hillsboro, Ill., will defend
his belt against former champion Carlos Newton (10-5-0) of Newmarket,
Ontario, Canada. Hughes captured the welterweight crown Nov.
2, 2001, at UFC 34: High Voltage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
in Las Vegas with a controversial knockout of Newton. Hughes
picked him up as he was attempting a triangle choke and slammed
him to the mat. The force knocked out Newton just as Hughes went
unconscious from the choke. Referee John McCarthy separated the
fighters and awarded the victory to Hughes. Many thought Newton
won.
Hughes defended
his title March 22 at UFC 36: Worlds Collide at the MGM Grand
Garden Arena with a fourth round technical knockout of legendary
Japanese fighter Hyato Sakurai. Newton last fought on February
24 in Japan where he defeated highly ranked Brazilian striker
Jose 'Pele' Landi-Jones by arm bar submission.
Tickets for
Brawl At Royal Albert Hall, 100 pounds sterling, 75 pounds sterling
and 50 pounds sterling, are now on sale at the Royal Albert Hall
box office in London, at all Ticket Master outlets in the United
Kingdom, by calling Ticket Master at 011-44-020-7316-4709, or
on the internet at www.ticketmaster.com.
Brawl At Royal
Albert Hall also will be available in the United Kingdom, Ireland,
North America and Brazil on Sky Box Office, iN DEMAND, DIRECTV,
Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu, Viewers Choice Canada and Globosat
Programmadora LTDA pay-per-view television. It also will be televised
on WOWOW-TV in Japan. The fight will be televised live at 7 p.m.
BST on Sky Box Office in the U.K. and Ireland and on tape delay
at 10 p.m. EDT /7 p.m. PDT on iN DEMAND and 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m.
PDT on DIRECTV in North America. The suggested retail price in
North America is $29.95, and in the U.K., 14 pounds sterling.
U.K. fight fans also can view 'Ultimate Fighting Championship,'
a weekly, two-hour show that airs at 10 p.m. each Thursday on
British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB).
Source: UFC/Josh
Hedges |
PRIDE
FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
SECURES NEVADA LICENSE
Los Angeles,
Calif. – June 25, 2002 – Dream Stage Entertainment
today confirms that PRIDE Fighting Championships has officially
been granted a license by the Nevada Athletic Commission. The
first event is yet to be scheduled and will abide by all Nevada
Athletic Commission guidelines.
Details for
the first official PRIDE FC event in Nevada will be announced
at a later date.
ABOUT PRIDE
FC
Originating in Japan, PRIDE Fighting Championships combine the
most highly skilled MMA competitions with a 21st Century entertainment
philosophy to create the next generation in cutting edge sports
entertainment. PRIDE competitions include athletes from across
the globe, including the United States, Japan, Brazil, Europe,
Russia and many other countries. PRIDE allows techniques from
a myriad of martial arts and combat sports, solidifying its place
as an authentic and unique fighting style that is built on tension
and excitement, appealing to the growing audience of 21st Century
entertainment fans.
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
NATIONAL
COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK STARTS IN EARLY 2003; HOW MUCH WRESTLING
WILL BE FEATURED?
Submitted by: Eddie Goldman
Wrestling
is listed as one of 19 college sports that are slated to be featured
on a new, 24-hour cable network scheduled to debut in the U.S.
in the first quarter of 2003. And with the staff of this new
venture, the National College Sports Network (NCSN), it may gain
greater national exposure than ever before.
The
three co-founders of NCSN are Brian Bedol and Steven Greenberg
(who had co-founded Classic Sports Network and later sold it
to ESPN) and Chris Bevilacqua, a former executive at Nike. In
a press release, they stated that NCSN will become 'the nation's
first 24-hour cable network devoted exclusively to the best in
college sports.' And they seem to have found supporters with
deep pockets, adding that this 'venture plans to invest close
to $100 million. In addition, more than a dozen college conferences,
representing some 150 colleges and universities, have committed
to date to partnering with NCSN.'
Some
in wrestling will immediately recognize the name Bevilacqua.
Chris was himself a two-time All-American at 150 lbs. in 1984
and 1985 at Penn State. He is also the son of longtime coach
Al Bevilacqua, who is currently one of the main leaders of the
New York-based Metropolitan Wrestling Association, which is organizing
the 2003 Freestyle Wrestling World Championships in New York.
Chris
also said in the NCSN press release, 'What's most significant
about NCSN is its appeal not only to fans, but to colleges and
universities who are seeking greater exposure for, and revenue
from their sports programs. This is especially true today as
colleges wrestle with Title IX regulations to try to maintain
and build fledgling properties into long-terms assets. NCSN will
also assist colleges in alumni fundraising and athlete recruiting
efforts, as well as provide a national platform for institutional
messages at little or no incremental expense.'
Already
on board with NCSN is the Big Ten Conference, which actually
includes eleven teams with major wrestling programs, including
2001 and 2002 NCAA champions University of Minnesota, and the
legendary University of Iowa.
The
NCSN press release quotes Big Ten Conference Commissioner James
E. Delany as saying, 'The Big Ten Conference is pleased and honored
to be included in the National College Sports Network. The Big
Ten-NCSN relationship will provide welcome television opportunities
for Conference men's and women's championships and sports that
generally do not benefit from television exposure, enhancing
the overall experiences of all student-athletes.'
But
this does not mean that wrestling, or any other sport, for that
matter, is a lock for the new NCSN. Many events, like the NCAA
Div. 1 Wrestling Championships, have already had their rights
sold to networks like CBS and ESPN. That leaves other events,
such as regular-season competition, conference championships,
and smaller national championships, up for grabs.
A
recent article in Sports Illustrated about NCSN says that 'Bevilacqua
also might go after Div. II and III football and basketball,
and his old sport, wrestling.'
The
operative word here is 'might,' as little is definite for this
new network.
In
addition, NCSN has the task of convincing cable companies to
add it to their already crowded channel lineups, and cluttered
sports selection.
Still,
with major backing and a host of other successful niche sports
networks, such as the Golf Channel and the forthcoming Tennis
Channel, NCSN has a shot at being picked up by major cable operators,
especially on their expanding digital tiers.
Just
how much wrestling NCSN will show at first will be determined
by how much interest the company feels there is from the viewing
public. Many in the wrestling community believe that more television
exposure is key to wrestling's future, and that when wrestling
receives that exposure, it will hook new legions of fans.
But
we first must play a role in convincing those at NCSN that there
indeed is a national market for college wrestling on television.
NCSN
has a web site at: http://www.ncsn.com/. Make sure to click
that link and go there to check out the site, and contact them
to inform them that you want more wrestling on television.
While
you are in your activist mode, make sure also to contact your
local cable company (the suits, not the customer service reps)
to tell them that you also want to see the National College Sports
Network on their system when it kicks off early next year. You'll
be happy you did.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Pride
21 Pictures
Hello,
We
have added 29 photo images from Pride 21 held on June 23rd.
Please
enjoy!
Susumu's
Gallery:
http://come.to/susumu
|
Quote
of the Day
"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant
day."
Alexander Woollcott, 1887-1943, American Columnist, Critic
|
Fox-y
Boxing: Cable Net Trumpets
the Sport of the 21st Century
Commentary by Jake Rossen
Getting
in cahoots with a network known for airing quickie marriages
to millionaires and showcasing washed-up sitcom stars in psuedo-boxing
events was a dicey move. Allowing your product to be presented
on a comedy/talk show, where the hosts are less than informed,
is even riskier. Yet despite all odds, Zuffa's Ultimate Fighting
Championship was introduced to a brand-new audience on Tuesday
evening, and the sport seems none the worse for the wear.
Fox
Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show, Period" was the
showcase for a UFC presentation that took up recurring time in
their two hour telecast. Fans were dubious as to how exactly
Fox would treat this package: clips advertising the special featured
Keith Hackney pounding on bulbous Manny Yarborough, hardly indicative
of the current competition.
While
co-host Tom Arnold spent time on a film set with UFC stars Tito
Ortiz and Chuck Liddell, and seemed to have respect for their
art in later interviews, co-hosts Chris Rose, John Salley, and
Michael Irvin have proven to be fairly ignorant of the proceedings
in past discussions. Rose, in particular, seemed fond of asking
questions like, "When do you, as a fan, say enough is enough?"
to UFC commentator Joe Rogan and, to Bruce Buffer, "Does
your brother ever give you crap for doing this?" Barbara
Walters, step aside.
Rose,
who ironically voices the network's insipid Celebrity Boxing
events, seemed to tone down his hyperbole this time around, although
Fox itself stepped it up. The program started with a disclaimer
that advised viewers that the night's installment of the show
was "violent, and may be unsuitable for some viewers."
Never mind that Fox regularly airs fiery car accidents, bone
breaks, and genital injury on their "You Gotta See This!"
program, sans the warnings.
Throughout
the first hour of the show, the regular sports chatter was interspersed
with highlights from the undercard bouts from the June 22nd Bellagio
event. Lovely Leann Tweeden was on site to host the goings-on,
shaming Carmen Electra in both beauty and ability to present
simple information. Yves Edwards took out Joao Pierini with a
high kick, and Rose made mention of the fact that Pierini is
okay, albeit afflicted with a separated shoulder. In the brief
clips that followed, Benji Radach and Tony Fryklund were seen
emerging victorious in their respective bouts.
In
the only competition televised in its entirety, "Ruthless"
Robbie Lawler took it to Steve Berger, turning up the heat early
in the second round to score a KO. Before the bout, John McCarthy,
Bruce Buffer, and Tito Ortiz took viewers through the various
ways to win a MMA match, an invaluable few minutes that served
to educate those in the dark about current regulations. The fight
itself was surrounded by all the familiar UFC elements: lasers,
walks to the Octagon, and Big John's booming demand for the fighters
to get it on. Lawler was never in any danger, and he dispatched
Berger in quick and decisive fashion. Potential new fans saw
spinning kicks, takedowns, uppercuts, clinch work, and ground
work, nearly all of which came fast and furious.
Was
it all good? Showing a submission victory might have gone further
to separate this sport from boxing, in that so many more variables
can be implemented.
But
one can't be too hard on an organization that has brought MMA
to this point: an explosive debut on cable television. No smart
remarks, no misinformation perpetuated. Just a damn good fight,
professionally presented.
In
what would most consider a small moment, a graphic flashed on
the screen that listed the commentating team of Jeff Osborne,
Mike Goldberg, and Joe Rogan, with a Fox Sports Net logo attached
to it. For a split second, gone were the sensationalistic headlines,
the witchhunts, and the disrespect shown to the athletes. MMA
was just another sport on the network, replete with little factoids.
Here's
to hell of a lot more of that.
Source: Maxfighting |
WFA
CHAMPIONSHIPS: LEVEL 2
ATTRACTING TOP CABLE SPORTS CHANNEL
JAY MOHR OF ESPN's "MOHR SPORTS" TO ATTEND JULY 5th
SHOW
Las Vegas, NV
(June 25, 2002)- For the first time ever, ESPN will feature a
professional mixed-martial arts production on prime time. Final
preparations are underway for the WFA's highly-anticipated second
installment, to be held at the magnificent Hard Rock Hotel and
Casino over America's most patriotic holiday weekend. Continuing
to take the sport to the next level & attracting the attention
of the world, this WFA event will be covered by ESPN's own Jay
Mohr. Mohr, the host of Mohr Sports, will be on hand with his
television cameras in tow to observe and participate in what
is sure to be an electrifying night of mixed martial arts action.
(air date to be announced soon) And with seven scheduled bouts
touting the sport's hottest talent from around the world, Mohr
will not leave disappointed.
In the main
event, sparks will fly in the WFA's first-ever middleweight championship
as Thai/kick-boxer supreme Jermaine "Bamm-Bamm" Andre
locks horns with New Mexican scrapper Joey "Pancho"
Villaseñor. Coming in fresh from two back-to-back wins
at the King of the Cage, will Andre be able to bring "Pancho
Villa's" winning streak to a screeching halt?
In the co-main
event, the legendary heavyweight brawler Kimo makes his return
to the cage after a four-year hiatus. Facing him will be the
always-tough Tim Lajcik. Will the "Bohemian's" wrestling
and boxing prowess be too much for the Hawaiian behemoth?
Jay Mohr, an
accomplished film and television actor/comedian, might be remembered
best for his uncanny performance as a sleazy sports agent opposite
Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire as well as for co-starring as a diligent
reporter tracking the path of a good-deed-epidemic in Pay It
Forward with Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt. He often guest hosts
on premiere radio's Jim Rome Show and is a regular guest on the
nationally syndicated Opie & Anthony Show out of New York,
and on L.A.'s number one and also nationally syndicated morning
show, KROQ's Kevin & Bean. Most recently, Mohr starred in
the highly acclaimed television show Action, before heading into
the field of sports journalism. Mohr Sports, which airs weekly
for the sports channel juggernaut (check your local listings
for air times), will have its cameras rolling for an upcoming
segment focused on America's most promising new sport. Mohr will
capture all the fervor of this burgeoning sport and its fighters,
and production plans include him getting in on the action himself!
In order to give a better view into the world of WFA mixed-martial
arts fighting, Jay has asked to be part of a fighter's camp.
(fighter yet to be determined) He will train along with the fighter
during fight week, accompany the fighter in his dressing room
for warm-up and ultimately be in the fighter's corner. The World
Fighting Alliance warmly welcomes Mohr and his crew to "where
the fight club meets the night club!"
July 5th is
almost upon us! Don't miss out on the next level in MMA competition.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased through the Hard
Rock Hotel and Casino's box office (702-693-5000) and through
all Ticketmaster locations (www.ticketmaster.com). Ticket prices range from $35
to $200, with VIP 5-Seat table seating for $1000. Visit the WFA's
official web site for ticket breakdowns, seating chart, and exclusive
interviews and bio information on the entire card (www.wfa.tv).
For more event
information, please contact Paula Romero, WFA Marketing &
Promotions at WFA
Press@aol.com. |
MINI
INTERVIEW: SAULO RIBEIRO
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Why did you decide not to fight in SUPERBRAWL?
S. Ribeiro: Well, I fought recently in a no gi event and SB will
be on July 13, which is very close to the date of the MUNDIALS.
The MUNDIALS is where I get more exposure, especially in the
US. So I hope to fight against Egan in September or November,
if a retirement not happen.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Wasn't the SB money proposal's enough?
S. Ribeiro: Everything was nice, I only decided to keep July
open to fight in the MUNDIALS, and I couldn't let this opportunity
pass this year. It's Jiu Jitsu that gives me the notoriety to
acquire good proposals in NHB and Submission events.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: What do you think of the idea of having two Brazilian
Confederations of Jiu Jitsu. Which event will you take part in,
CBJJ or CBJJO?
S. Ribeiro: In reality, any separation in Jiu Jitsu is harmful
for Jiu Jitsu. I know that the idea is to add to the sport, but
it's not happening. I'll analyze and decide what is better for
my career, because I'm going to dispute my 7th World Title event.
Like I said before this separation has harmed Jiu Jitsu a lot,
because when you share a thing and transform it in two, sometimes
you cannot get the things which only one was getting. I hope
that everything runs ok, however I prefer not to take part in
this political side of Jiu Jitsu.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Will these events be tradition (CBJJ) versus innovation(CBJJO)?
S. Ribeiro: Of course. The CBJJ has an event which is the result
of being held for 6 years, while CBJJO will have an event with
a bit more professionalism. If the CBJJO puts in practice everything
they're saying, this'll be an event with much success and that
everybody will want to take part.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Are your students free to fight where they want?
S. Ribeiro: I leave everybody free to compete where they want.
The fighter is the most harmed by this split because he has to
decide which event he will compete in. There'll be two champions
in one category. That will cause confusion. I am only waiting
to see the result of all of these good ideas, because having
the ideas is different from making them a reality.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: You've traveled a lot lately. What's the reason?
S. Ribeiro: Thank GOD, I'm with an Association in USA that has
more than 400 members in 8 Associations in different states.
My brother is the head of the Matrix in Toledo, Ohio. So I've
given seminars almost every month for them, as I had said before
i fought in North Carolina against student of Ken Shamrock. I
competed in the Superfight, and my student, Daniel Moraes, won
the event. So I want to prepare myself for the MUNDIALS, and
will focus on NHB for the second semester. I have some proposals,
however I want to choose the right one. I'm preparing myself
on the feet, because Im sure NHB is the inevitable way for the
Jiu Jitsu fighters.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Your American student, Dave Gomes, has a event named
TFC. Will you fight in this event?
S. Ribeiro: Yeah, we're almost closed with this fight, however
I want to put this fight in my head when I am 100% guaranteed.
I was at the event and I saw my future opponent. It will certainly
be a great match and I hope to confirm this soon.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: TFC isn't a very known event, why will you fight?
S. Ribeiro: This event will be a kind of union between Gomez
(the promoter) and myself. It's good I don't take part in very
known events for a while, because I want to get more experience.
Its like in Jiu Jitsu, to fight minor events first, and later
the big ones.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Which events have given you proposals?
S. Ribeiro: USA promoters. I prefer that too, because my fans
are in USA. I want to close a deal with the UFC and I hope to
get it early.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Last words?
S. Ribeiro: I would have fought in the FJJO event last weekend,
however the event was cancelled. I'd use it as training because
I haven't fought with a gi since the MUNDIALS2001. So I'll focus
on the MUNDIALS 2002 training with Royler Gracie on the technical
side, Paulo Caruso for the physical one, and João Mala
the Judo one.
FIGHTWORLD.com
Brazil: Thanx and good luck in next weekend.
S. Ribeiro: Thanx man!
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
UFC
Post Fight Interview: BENJI RADACH
UFC
37.5 - Benki Radach versus Nick Serra - June 22nd, 2002 - Bellagio,
Las Vegas, NV
ADCC:
Benji, Do you think your preparations helped you win the fight?
Benji: Yes, the past year prepared me for this fight. He would
have beaten me if I would have fought him a year a go or less.
Since I have been training with Dennis Hallman my submission
defense has improved tremendously.
ADCC:
Take us through the fight from your perspective?
Benji: Well, the fight basically consisted of trying to knock
him out, but at the same time keeping from getting choked in
a triangle and then he would transition to an armbar and then
I'd have to fight out of that. On our feet I just wanted to hit
him real hard as he came in with a shot, so I didn't try and
defend the takedowns very well.
ADCC:
What was different about this fight than your last, besides the
out come?
Benji: The difference is that in my Serra fight, Nick didn't
want to stand up and it was hard to connect with him on his feet
as he tried to get to clinch, jump guard, or shoot. Plus Nick
took some good shots to the head that didn't knock him out.
ADCC:
Did Nick surprise you at all?
Benji: I wasn't surprised in the fact that he was real good on
the ground, but I was surprised in the fact that he had such
a good triangle. He almost had me a few different times and it
was hard to keep out of.
ADCC:
What do you think you need to work on for your next fight?
Benji: Well this one I didn't train very hard on my hands. Did
not do enough sparring and so my hands got a bit tired. I wasn't
used to that. So for my next one you can guarantee good hands.
ADCC:
What do you think about the ruling on your fight with Steve Berger?
Benji: I don't like it for the fact that we were all warned before
hand that if we are going to be in a dangerous position and not
protect our selves that we would be warned and then stopped if
you continued to not protect yourself. That is what happened
in my fight with Berger. And if you talk about my hands on the
fence, I didn't even know I was doing it and wasn't warned for
it. Many other fights have had guys hold the fence in the past
and have won maybe because of it. I didn't win because I was
holding the fence. I won because I hit him real hard right off
the bat. I could have thrown the last bunch of punches weather
I was holding on to the fence or not.
ADCC:
Do you want a rematch now?
Benji: No, doesn't matter really.
ADCC:
Benji, what is next for you?
Benji: Just get better and better.
ADCC:
Thanks for your time, and good luck.
Benji: Thank you for your support. I hope this last fight was
a good one.
Source:
Abu Dhabi |
Quote
of the Day
"When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live
your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice."
Cherokee Expression
|
July
4th Jiu-Jitsu Picnic
July 4, 2002
Ala Moana Beach Park
All day and night
We were about due for another picnic so we are planning it for
July 4th. This is a chance to get out with your Jiu-Jitsu brothers
and sisters and have them meet your family (e.g. wife, girlfriend,
or both). If you have been to Ala Moana on the 4th of July before,
you know that it is probably the craziest day of the year. I
would highly recommend that you come as early as possible (I
think we are planning on going at about 5 am) to get parking
and try to reserve the space. Plan on staying all day and night
because we'll probably stay for the fireworks at night. Even
if you can only stop by for a little while or just so happened
to be in the area and can find parking, stop by, it will be worth
it.
All
Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu students and their families are invited.
We want to have all the main academy and all of the association
students to meet each other to bring the team closer together.
It is a potluck which means bring some extra food. You don't
have to bring food to feed an army, but if everyone brings a
little extra food, we will have more than enough. We will be
playing our heated volleyball game and water football as well.
If
you want to let us know what you are going to bring so we can
start a list (no one ever sends in anything, but in case you
want to break that trend), email us by clicking here. I will bring the utensils
(e.g. plates, forks, spoons, napkins) as well as a dish. If you
are used to eating on silverware, you are out of luck my friend.
|
UFC
on Fox Sports TONITE!!!
UFC
on Fox Sports' 'Best Damn Sports Show Period' on Tuesday, June
25th!
LAS
VEGAS: The Ultimate Fighting Championship, the world's leading
ultimate fighting sports event, will make its debut on basic
cable television Tuesday, June 25, on the Fox Sports Network's
Best Damned Sports Show Period 'All-Star Summer' Celebration.
The BDSSP's All-Star Summer will be filled with big-name guests
from the worlds of sports and entertainment from June 24 to July
19. The two-hour show airs nightly at 8:00 p.m. and/or 11:00
p.m. local time on most Fox Sports Net regional sports networks,
and at 10:00 p.m. and midnight on FSN Bay Area, Chicago, Florida,
New England, New York and Ohio.
Tonite,
June 25th The BDSSP's feature match will be a welterweight battle
between undefeated up-and-comer Robbie Lawler (5-0-0) of Davenport,
Iowa, and veteran Steve Berger (15-7-3) of St. Louis, Mo., and
highlights from four other bouts will round out the coverage.
The telecast marks the first time that cable audiences can see
a UFC fight without a pay-per-view charge, so ultimate fighting
is almost certain to have its largest audience ever.
TELL
ALL YOUR FRIENDS!!!!
For
more info, check out the website at www.UFC.tv
Source: Josh Hedges |
Hawaii's
Amateur Muay-Thai/Kickboxing State Champioships
"Walk the Walk". Hawaii's Amateur Muay-Thai / Kickboxing
State Champioships, tentive date is December 12, 2002, at Neil
Blasidell Center. This event will be sancition by the International
Kickboxing Federation (IKF), the largest, world-wide, kickboxing
sancitiining boby. The state champioships is open to students
Jr. Fighters, ages 8-17 years old, and 18-years old and above,
all Men, Women, from all local martial art schools, gyms, etc.
Competing disciplines are Muay-Thai / Kickboxing. State champions
will receive state titles and belts. Other competing fighters
will receive medals and trophies.
The
2002 State Championships will serve as a precursor to Hawaii's
IKF Regional Tournament. Finalists from each weight class and
discipline will advance to the 2003 IKF / RINGSIDE National Tournament
and represent the state of Hawaii. If you are interested, please
E-Mail to Snowtiger499@aol.com your full name, age,
discipline, gym name, ture fight record: boxing, kickboxing,
muay-thai, mixed martial arts, by 21 July 2002, to receive your
fighter registration forms, fighter registration fee for this
event is $40.00.
|
Correction
Department
We were informed that Ron Jhun fights for and is one of the head
trainers at 808 Fight Factory and not Jesus Is Lord. Sorry about
that. I was unsure who he fought for and just reported what was
on ADCC. |
JJM
Tournament Rocks -
Leozinho steals the show
Jean
Jacques Machado's California State Championships rocked. The
event well organized event had the presence of many Black Belts
including Rigan & Johnny Machado, Cleber Luciano, Sonequinha
Moreira, Caique Elias, Marc Laimon, Gersinho, 'Tinguinha' Mariano,
Ricardo Pires, Fabio Santos, Renato Magno, Franco de Camargo,
Paulo Guillobel, Fernando Vasconcellos, Aloisio Silva, Randy
Bloom, Xande Brandao and many others. There were some great matches
including a Brown Belt fight involving Jeff 'Triangle' Higgs
who submitted his opponent via the dreaded submission to win
the division.
The
ladies Superfight had Leka Vieira defating Gazzy Parman by points
5 x 0 demonstrating why she is one of the best competitors in
the World.
The
Black Belt Tournament had Alliance's Ricardo 'Franjinha' Muller
collecting the $$$ for the heavies. While Ricardinho defeated
Oscar 'Japa' by points for the second place.
In
the Lightweight tournament Leozinho Vieira took top honors. Machado
Black Belt Fabinho Vinelli submitted Daniel 'Coyote' via choke
while Leo defeated Wander Braga by points 2 x 0. In the finals
Leo used his dynamic style to get ahead of Fabio 24 x 0 before
sinking an arm-lock for the submission.
Congratulations
to all. A photo collage will be up in the next few days!
Source: Abu Dhabi |
UFC
Post Fight Interview:
PETE 'The Sectre Weapon' SPRATT
UFC 37.5 - Pete
Spratt versus Zach Light - June 22nd, 2002 - Bellagio, Las Vegas,
NV
ADCC: Pete,
Congratulations on a big win. What was your first experience
in the Octagon like? Pete: It was a great experience, especially
having my good friend Yves on the card with me. It was just like
old times and whenever we're together good things tend to happen
for the both of us!
ADCC: Take the
readers through the fight for us from your perspective. Pete:
Well, Zach kinda pressed the action a bit and really didn't give
me any room to strike effectively. I knew it was only a matter
of time before he went for the takedown so I decided to blast
him with a couple of hard kicks before we went to the ground.
While on the ground I was very comfortable but I did want to
be on my feet. I really wasn't worried about his ground and pound
because most of the time, if you can't strike standing you really
can't get anything on the ground. You have to know the mechanics
of punching to be effective in either position, which he doesn't.
I realized that I needed to do something to get this fight over.
Zach was starting to tire and I knew that it was only a matter
of time before we got restarted or I was going to get up. Well,
he ended up making a mistake and I capitalized on it and shocked
the MMA world!
ADCC: You defeated
a team Punishment guy, what does that mean for you? Pete: Doesn't
really mean anything my opponent Zach not Team Punishment. I
am good friends with Tito and I wish that it didn't have to be
that way but, 'Business is business!' I showed Tito what I was
wearing under my Tap Out short, my lucky 'Team Punishment' fight
shorts. He just smiled. It was great. I was basically letting
him know that I will always be a part of Team Punishment no matter
what!
ADCC: Pete,
did you think you would beat him so quickly? Pete: No, not really.
I was expecting to go into the second round and then get the
KO but I had to take my gift!
ADCC: Is there
anyone you would like to thank that helped you train for this
fight? Pete: I would like to thank first and foremost my trainers
Saekson Janeiro and Saul Soli, they are two of the best trainers
in the World at what they do. Also my manager Sven Bean for locking
the deal. My strength and conditioning coach and good friend
Lanny Petit. My sponsors Sherdog.com and Tap Out Clothing: www.inyaface.com. My boxing coach Debra Browning
and my wrestling coach Yousef, training partners Jason House,
Joe Gracie, Yves Edwards and all the guys at Janjira Muay Thai,
Patumwadee Gym, The Woodlands MMA, Mohler jujitsu, Ironworks
Gym, Tribal Nation and all the guys that showed their support
for me. Gabe, Gilbert, Larry, Bones, Mike, Aliunde Maxwell, and
the 903 PLAYAS. Sorry if I missed anyone but you all know who
you are!
ADCC: Who would
you like to fight, if you could fight anyone in the division?
Pete: Anyone the UFC wants me to fight!
ADCC: What's
next for you? Pete: Just gonna enjoy this one for the time being
and let my manager make it happen. I just wanna to relax for
a few days and get the fight game out of my mind and just enjoy
life a little. I want to spend some time with my family and friends
you know???
ADCC: Pete,
I heard you have a CD coming out, is that true? Pete: Yeah, with
my group the 903 Playas. We are currently in the studio recording
out 3rd CD and looking to release real soon. We are already getting
good feedback from a couple of record labels and things are looking
good. Got a couple of things in the works with my sponsor Tap
Out so be on the lookout for that to!
ADCC: Thanks
for your time. Pete: It was my pleasure and thank you for taking
the time!
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
Quote
of the Day
"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift
you higher."
Oprah Winfrey, 1954-, American TV Personality, Producer, Actress,
Author |
PRIDE
21: Demolition Results
June 23, 2002
Don Frye def Yoshihiro Takayama via TKO (Strikes) R1
Emelianenko Fedor def Semmy Schilt via Decision
Daniel Gracie def Takashi Sugiura via Decision
Shungo Oyama def Renzo Gracie via Decision
Jeremy Horn def Gilbert Yvel via Decision
Anderson Silva def Alex Steibling via TKO R1
Gary Goodridge def Ahmed Labazanov via Decision
Bob Sapp Def Kiyoshi Tamura via KO R1
Source: Maxfighting |
Another
match added to Warriors Quest 6
Warriors Quest 6
"BEST OF THE BEST"
Match
Added
Micheal
Talalotu (Waianae Kickboxing)
Vs.
Aki Tago (Team Assassin)
This
will be a match that will add yet another BANG to Warriors Quest.
Talalotu, an amatuer kickboxing champion who defeated Danny Steele,
will make his MMA debut against another talented kickboxer. Tago
has a reputation for being a good fighter that has K-1 experience.
You do the math, both fighters only know two things, to punch
and kick!!!
Source: Warriors Quest |
United
Gracie NHB Team debuts!
Chuteboxe, Brazilian Top Team, Team Punishement, Raw & Hammer
House now get ready for United Gracie Team.
In
a major exclusive to your columnist Kid, NHB legend Royce Gracie
announced the formation of the United Gracie NHB Team along with
his cousins Ralph & Charles Gracie. The new NHB team will
develop and support existing fighters in their quest for an NHB
carreer.
Royce
stated "The United Gracie Team will be making its mark in
NHB very soon. We are starting up with a core group and will
be set up for every aspect of NHB training." His cousin
Charles Gracie added: "The team will take care of every
aspect of the fighters needs, not limited to the technical training
but also assisting in fight contracts etc."
We
attempted to contact Ralph for a statement but he is in Japan
for the Pride event.
The
team has announced its first new member . . . he is none other
than Dean 'The Machine' Lister who will be fighting on August
2nd for the King of the Cage title. Dean was so excited about
being a part of the team and said: "I will train hard .
. . I am ready to go . . . with these guys behind me I feel I
can reach my full potential and more!"
Source: ADCC/Kid Peligro |
Ron
Jhun to fight Shooto Champ
Osaka Braces
For SHOOTO!
Kanaoka Park Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
June 29th, 2002
Promoted By: Sustain
Australia's
Chris Brown Out of Match With Suda, Replaced by Ronald Jhun
SHOOTO
prepares to return to Osaka with one of their more definitive
shows. The return of Rumina Sato is a highlight, but perhaps
more important is the appearances of Dokonjonosuke Mishima and
Takanori Gomi. Mishima returns after a grappling match for a
different organization that cast doubt on his SHOOTO status.
Hopefully he is here to stay, as Mishima is definitely an elite
level fighter.
Gomi
returns with the SHOOTO Welterweight Title well in hand, however
he faces a tough task in Nova Uniao's Leo Santos. Santos finished
3rd in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships at 76
KG, after winning the grueling Brazilian qualifiers in 2001.
Though this is his debut in SHOOTO, at 6'1 he presents huge match
up difficulties for any welterweight, and his Jiu Jitsu is abslolutely
top shelf. This match should be explosive.
Two
veteran's of America's HOOKnSHOOT square off in a Middleweight
bout as Dave Strasser takes on Seichi Ikemoto. Ronald Jhun steps in to fight LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT Champion
Masanori Suda.
Also
of note is the debut of Nova Uniao's Iran Mascarenas. Trainer
Andre Pedernerais had been working on getting him the SHOOTO
match for a while, and he could only smile when asked about Iran.
After the recent performance of Vitor 'SHAOLIN' Ribeiro, who
smoked Nakayama in :45 seconds at the May HnS, this team seems
read to cross over to SHOOTO.
OFFICIAL
SHOOTO - Card Subject To Change:
- CLASS B Cruiserweight [-91Kg]: Kaichi Tsuji v. The Great Naniwa
- Middleweight [-76Kg] 2002 Rookie Tournament Semi-Final: Yoichi
Fukumoto v. Yasuyuki Tokuoka
- CLASS A Middleweight [-76Kg]: Dave Strasser v. Seichi Ikemoto
- CLASS A Welterweight [-70Kg]: Rumina Sato v. Javier Vazquez
- CLASS A Welterweight [-70Kg]: Dokonjonosuke Mishima v. Iran
Mascarenhas
- CLASS A Lightheavyweight [-83Kg]: Masanori Suda v. Ronald Jhun
- CLASS A Welterweight [-70Kg]: Takanori Gomi v. Leonardo Santos
Source: ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"If I were asked to give what I consider the single most
useful bit of advice for all humanity it would be this: Expect
trouble as an inevitable part of life and when it comes, hold
your head high, look squarely in the eye and say, "I will
be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."
Ann Landers, 1918-, American Advice Columnist |
Katelyn
& Logan make the papers
My twin's birth announcement finally hit in today's Honolulu
Advertiser in the Ohana section (not the criminal wrap sheet
section...yet) on D-19. Check it out, they're the cutest babies
on page...but then again I'm biased.
Chris |
PRIDE
21 Quick Results
This is from a forum
at 1:30AM and no updates since then, so it may or may not be
accurate.
Yoshihiro Takayama Vs. Don Frye
Semmy Schilt Vs. Emelianenko Fedor
Bob Sapp def. Kiyoshi Tamura via KO by way of right hook in 11sec
in 1st round.
Gary Goodridge def. Labazanov Arhmed via Judges Decision (3-2)
Anderson Silva def. Alex 'Brazilian Killer' Steibling via TKO
at 1:23 minutes in 1st round.
Jeremy Horn def. Gilbert Yvel via unanimous decision
Daniel Gracie Vs. Takashi Sugiura
Renzo Gracie Vs. Shungo Oyama
Source: Sherdog's
forum |
UFC
37.5 Descriptions from FCF's Aaron Crecy
UFC 37.5 Official
Results
June 22, 2002
Bellagio Hotel & Casino-Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fight
One-Lightweight Bout
Yves Edwards def. Joao Pierini Marcos by TKO (head kick), 1:19
R1
This fight took place in the standup, with Pierini landing two
overhand lefts that opened a small cut under Edwards' right eye.
Then, Edwards landed several low kicks before going upstairs
with a high kick that nearly beheaded his Brazilian opponent.
After following Pierini to the mat and landing twice, Edwards
stood up and stepped away in order to return to the standup.
After bringing Pierini to his feet, the referee called time for
a doctor's examination. The bout was then halted, as it appeared
that the discombobulated Pierini had injured his shoulder during
the fall.
Fight
Two-Middleweight Bout
Tony Fryklund def. Rodrigo Ruas by TKO (strikes from mount),
3:34 R2
Ruas opened the bout by landing several counter lefts that seemed
to stun Fryklund. Then, the ever-advancing Fryklund landed two
overhand rights, scoring a knockdown with the latter. After following
Ruas to the ground, Fryklund landed a succession of right heavy
hands from inside the guard and from the half guard. Avoiding
a Ruas leglock attempt, Fryklund finished the round on top, softening
his foe with forearms and punches.
The second round brought even more action as the fatigued Ruas
went for a quick finish. The fighters traded combinations and
knees before Fryklund scored another knockdown with an overhand
right. From there, it was a bludgeoning, with Fryklund landing
huge strikes from the mount that left Ruas' face bloody and battered.
After escaping from another leglock attempt, Fryklund finally
managed to gain a full mount and finished the affair with a flurry
of punches.
Fight
Three-Welterweight Bout
Robbie Lawler def. Steve Berger by TKO (strikes), :27 R2
The first round saw Lawler initiate a methodical attack employing
an assortment of strikes and kicks. Berger held his own, however,
withstanding a straight left and ducking several high kicks.
Lawler countered two strong takedown attempts to keep the fight
standing, moving to the clinch and landing knees to Berger's
midsection and a collection of devastating right hooks to the
ribs. Berger managed to turn the tables and momentarily took
control with knees and strikes from the collar tie before Lawler
broke loose and took control again from the outside. Lawler used
a bodylock from the clinch to slam Berger to the mat as the round
wound down, finishing the period above Berger looking for strikes.
The next round was frighteningly furious-and one-sided-as Lawler
landed a huge right hook, two left hooks that put Berger on his
back. Then, Lawler used five hard right hands to end the bout,
leaving Berger prone and stunned as referee John McCarthy halted
the affair just 27 seconds into the second round.
Fight
Four-Welterweight Bout
Pete Spratt def. Zach Light by submission (tap out to arm bar),
2:25 R1
Spratt came out with two big high kicks, the second of which
Light caught and used to work to the clinch. After a bodylock
takedown, Light ended up in Spratt's guard, a position that he
seemed very uncomfortable in. Light attempted to drive Spratt
against the cage, but to no avail. When Light did finally try
to pass the guard, Spratt used his feet to push off the fence
and position his hips for an arm bar. While it seemed that Light
was in a good defensive position, Spratt soon rolled through,
extended his hips and earned the tap out.
Fight
Five-Welterweight Bout
Benji Radach def. Nick Serra by unanimous judges' decision
Radach took the unanimous decision by resolutely sticking to
his game plan-strike on the feet and strike on the ground. Though
Serra did nothing on his feet but take shoots and pull guard,
Radach landed occasionally from the outside while using a strong
sprawl to avoid most of the takedowns. When Serra did manage
to pull guard, Radach was patient from inside the guard, evading
several triangle attempts while scoring with a steady stream
of calculating right hands. Each round brought more of the same,
with Radach's best standup connection coming in the third round
behind the strength of a straight right that put Serra on the
canvas. Serra, however, was able to last the round, only to lose
on all three judges' cards.
Fight
Six-Light Heavyweight Bout
Chuck Liddell def. Vitor Belfort by unanimous judges' decision
This much-anticipated match-up certainly lived up to the hype
as Liddell and Belfort convened to deliver an exciting fight
that satiated the action-hungry audience. Rounds one and two
were almost too even to call, with Belfort seeming to win the
first and Liddell the second. Belfort surprised the crowd --
and Liddell -- with an impressive takedown from a bodylock. Pushed
against the fence, Liddell was able to use the side of the cage
to help push himself to his feet. Unfazed, Belfort scored another
bodylock takedown and Liddell again escaped, this time working
into the clinch. Once his underhook was in place, Liddell controlled
the pace, using the fence to trap Belfort while landing knees
to the thigh and strikes to the ribs.
Once Belfort escaped the clinch position toward the end of the
first round, the fight turned into a stand-up war with Liddell
pushing the pace. Belfort seemed content to throw counter left
hands while Liddell was throwing big right hands and left low
kicks. For his part, Belfort unleashed a series of high kicks
that served to excite the fans-however, none of them landed cleanly.
Liddell also provided some fireworks, in the form of a series
of spinning back kicks, several of which landed hard on Belfort's
side.
The fight appeared even going into the third round. Sensing that
he needed to win the final period, Belfort tried to establish
control early, advancing toward Liddell for the first time in
the fight. After three minutes and thirty seconds of seesaw battle,
the two warriors unleashed a salvo of strikes upon each other.
Belfort's left landed several times, but Liddell seemed unfazed-rather
than retreating he pressed ahead. With less than a minute remaining,
Liddell finally landed the big punch he had been looking for,
a looping right hind that cam from the waist and knocked Belfort
to the mat. Liddell then threw several low kicks while Belfort
butt-scooted and then followed him to the mat with about thirty
seconds to go. From there, Liddell worked from inside Belfort's
guard, pushing him to the fence and then throwing a barrage of
strikes in the final ten seconds to seal the victory.
Though the fight was scored 30-27 on two judges' cards, the third
judge who scored the bout 29-28 was in all likelihood the most
accurate. Whatever the case, this is a fight that is sure to
remain a topic of conversation for MMA fans for years to come.
Source:
FCF/Aaron Crecy |
UFC
37.5 Results & Descriptions
This is from MMARingReport. I got screwed! Kyle called me and
said that the UFC was aired at 11AM Hawaii time. I totally missed
it. If anyone taped it, please let me know by emailing me.
PLAY
BY PLAY
1) UFC LIGHTWEIGHT
BOUT - 3 ROUNDS:
JOAO "THE TAZMANIAN DEVIL" PIERINI VS. YVES EDWARDS
Both exchange punches. Edwards caught with a few lefts. High
right kick to head by Yves--knocking down Joao and following
with a flurry of punches. Time out by ref to get the Dr. to check
out Joao's injury. Joao fell on his hand and injured it from
the fall. Yves wins by ref stoppage 1:19 1st round.
2)
UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT BOUT - 3 ROUNDS
TONY "THE FREAK" FRYKLAND VS. RODRIGO RUAS
Leg kicks by Ruas. Exchange of knees by Ruas. Frykland in trouble,
caught a left punch by Ruas. Right punch by Frykland dropped
Ruas. Frykland has good rights from the ground. Frykland is bleeding
from his forehead--cut. Solid left punches by Ruas from the ground.
Frykland working to get a mount. Ruas working for a heel hook
but didn't get it. Frykland lands a solid right to Ruas. Frykland
throwing solid right bombs on Ruas. Huge rights by Frykland.
Ruas eating a series of solid punches by Frykland. End of round
1.
Round
2:
Exchange of punches by both fighters. Frykland caught with a
solid left by Ruas. Ruas stumbles down on the ground after getting
caught by a solid right by Frykland. Good left forearms to the
head by Frykland. Ruas eating more rights from the ground. Frykland
works to get a side mount and throws a right bomb at Ruas' face.
Frykland gets full side mount and continues to throw solid rights
to head and body. Right forearms to the head by Frykland. Tony
jumped over Ruas' guard and landed a solid right. Ruas is bleeding
pretty bad. Frykland has full mount. Frykland throws solid lefts
and rights. Ref stops the match. Ruas is in bad shape, laid out
with the doctor going over his injuries. Tony Frykland wins by
ref stoppage 3:34 2nd round.
3)
UFC WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - 3 ROUNDS:
ROBBIE "RUTHLESS" LAWLER VS. STEVE BERGER
This match is for FOX Sports Net and The Best Damn Sports Show
Period. Leanne Tweeden (reports for the Best Damn Sports Show
Period and Blue Torch TV) presents the match.
Robbie
attempts knees and leg kick. Straight right from Lawler. Robbie
missed left high kick and Berger gets the quick takedown. Double
underhook takedown by Berger and Lawler basically stood up. In
the clinch, Lawler throws body shots and left knee to midsection
of Berger. Lawler attempts left high knee to head. Berger throws
right knee. Uppercuts and rights by Berger in the clinch. Good
left to the head by Lawler to Berger. Exchange of punches but
nothing connects. Robbie throws a left knee to Berger. Berger
has a good read of Lawler's hands. Berger throws body shots in
the clinch. Lawler gets what looked like a judo throw to Berger.
Lawler throws few rights and lefts from the ground. End of Round
1.
Round
2:
Huge right hook from Lawler and knocks down Berger, follows with
an uppercut and two solid rights, a left, and a last right that
knocks Berger out. Robbie Lawler wins by ref stoppage 27 seconds
2nd round.
4)
UFC WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - 3 ROUNDS:
PETE "THE SECRET WEAPON" SPRATT VS. ZACH LIGHT
Exchange of punches. Spratt throws a left high kick and a left
knee to the misection. Light gets him in the clinch and takedown.
Spratt gets full guard. Light attempts to throw a left. Spratt
counters with a right from the ground. Pete working to get back
up. Light working to keep Spratt down. Light throws forearms
and Spratt gets an armbar (surprise). Nice transition, Spratt
uses his leg against the fence to get his leg over and sink in
the armbar. Pete Spratt wins by submission (armbar) 2:25 1st
round.
5)
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - 3 ROUNDS:
BENJI "THE RAZOR" RADACH VS. NICK SERRA
Nick shoots in to get a single leg. Radach fights to stay up.
Serra jumps to guard. Radach takes him against the fence by his
corner. Radach throws a right. Serra looking to triangle. Radach
is trying to put his arm back through. Serra throws a couple
of lefts from the ground. Radach gets his arm through and throws
bombs at Serra, a flurry of rights and lefts. Radach completely
out and gets back on top of Serra. Radach continues with right
punches to Serra's head. Radach with solid forearms to Serra's
face. End of round 1.
Round
2:
Serra shoots in on Radach. Radach stays up. Serra goes for another
double leg and Radach sprawls. Serra tries to pull guard again.
Serra gets full guard. Radach gets in a solid right to Serra.
Serra attempts the triangle again. Radach gets in a left shot.
The two are stood up. Serra shoots in again. Gets a single leg
and gets Radach on his back. Serra gets the half guard. Serra
throws a forearm. Radach holding Serra to end the round. End
of round 2.
Round
3:
Serra shoots in. Radach keeps it standing. Serra shoots in and
pulls Radach into the guard. Radach throws a right and follows
with several forearms. Radach gets in a right bomb to Serra.
Serra tries to keep Radach tight. Ref pulls them apart and stands
them up. Radach catches Serra with a right, knocking him down.
Radach waits for Serra to get back up and Serra gets up into
the clinch. Serra jumps the guard and Radach goes down with him.
Ref stands them up once again. Radach throws shots and Serra
shoots in. Radach back aways and Serra shoots in again. End of
match.
Winner by unanimous decision Benji "The Razor" Radach.
6)
UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT - 3 ROUNDS:
CHUCK "THE ICEMAN" LIDDELL VS.VITOR "THE PHENOM"
BELFORT
Liddell with a right high kick to the head. Liddell attempts
a leg kick and Belfort takes him down. They land with Liddell
into the fence. Liddell fights to get up and they're up. Belfort
gets a leg trip and takes Liddell down. Lidell moving well from
his back, gets a forearm on Belfort. Liddell working to take
it back up. He gets Belfort up and the two are in the clinch.
Liddell switches places and has Belfort up against the fence.
Liddell throws solid knees to outside of Belfort's thighs. Liddell
throws a solid right to Belfort. The two exchange knees to the
thighs of both fighters and body shots from Belfort. Solid right
leg kick to Liddell's thigh. Left leg kick with counter to head
by Belfort. End of Round 1.
Round
2:
Solid right leg kick to Liddell's thigh. Liddell is feinting
a lot to get Vitor to move more. The two exchange leg kicks simultaneously.
Vitor slips as he throws a left shot. Liddell catches Belfort
with a big right and Belfort goes into the clinch into the double
underhook. Big knees from Liddell. Knees to the inside thigh
of Belfort by Liddell. Ref pulls them apart and back to the middle.
Liddell catches Belfort with a spinning back kick to the mid-section.
Belfort gets Liddell with a solid left to the head. Vitor lands
a glancing right, left combo to Liddell's head. The two exchanging
low kicks to the thighs. Liddell attempts a spinning back kick
to the mid section but Belfort catches the leg. Liddell throws
a right, left combo but doesn't connect. Belfort gets in a left
high kick to the head. End of round.
Round
3:
Liddell with a low left kick and a left counter to the head.
Liddell attempts a spinning back fist. Belfort with a left high
kick to the head. Belfort catches Liddell with a hard left to
the face and a left high kick to the head. Belfort throws another
left high kick to the head but is blocked by Liddell. Spinning
back kick attempt by Liddell again. The two exchange punches
nothing lands with 2 minutes left into this round. Liddell gets
an overhand right but gets caught by Vitor countering with a
few shots. The two exchange a flurry of punches and Liddell gets
Vitor with a solid right and knocking him down. Liddell tries
to follow with punches. Liddell jumps into Belfort's guard. Liddell
throws solid shots at Belfort. Round ends. Winner by decision
Chuck "Iceman" Liddell.
Source: MMARingReport |
Quote
of the Day
"It matters only that you manifest your genius; it doesn't
matter when. It's never too late or too early."
Mark Victor Hansen, American Motivational Speaker, Author
|
Mahi
takes Gold at the Aloha State Games Again!
The original
resident big man and BJJ brown belt, Sam Mahi once again captured
gold in the action pistol division at the Aloha State Games.
I am not sure how many gold medals he has, but I believe he has
competed in every Aloha State Games event. The Law Enforcement
(Duty Rig) division is where only law enforcement officers compete
wearing the same rig (holster, issued handgun and belt) as they
would on regular duty. Basically this means that when Sam is
on duty, he will probably be able to draw his weapon and shoot
a criminal before he has time to pee his pants. Good job Sam!
Blair Wulfert is a blue belt in BJJ that has been MIA for the
past few years, but took bronze, congrats Blair.
2002
Aloha State Games
Action Pistol Results
Koko Head Combat Range, Honolulu, Hawaii
June 15 & 16, 2002
MALE OPEN DIVISION
M Class: gold, Cem Esteban.
A Class: gold, Kelvin Kawate; silver, Randy Gavino; bronze, Ed
Ah Toong.
B Class: gold, Robert Loui; silver, Ken Kimitsuka; bronze, Teofilo
Duldulao.
C Class: gold, Bert Duquez; silver, Joseph Albero; bronze, Dominador
Duquez. D Class: gold, Joe Ramos; silver, Pablo Eligio; bronze,
Jill Kawamoto.
U Class: gold, Mario Layugan; silver, Lance Kimura; bronze, Edwin
Guerrero.
MALE
STANDARD DIVISION
A Class: gold, Keith Kawamoto; silver, Randy Gavino; bronze,
Nyle Warinner.
B Class: gold, Richard Abe; silver, Robert Loui; bronze, Chet
Nierenberg.
C Class: gold, Fred Lucas; silver, Zumel Aguilar; bronze, Ocsar
Bumanglag.
D Class: gold, Joseph Albero; silver, Pablo Eligio; bronze, Joe
Ramos
U Class; gold, Lance Kimura; silver, Robert Estranero; bronze-Jeff
Wang.
FEMALE
OPEN
Gold, Kenlie Ward; silver, Jill Kawamoto.
FEMALE
LIMITED
Gold, Marika Waidelich; silver, Suan Mulkern.
MILITARY
Gold, Mario Layugan.
SENIORS
Open: gold, Ed Ah Toong; silver, Chet Nierenberg, bronze, Zumel
Aguilar.
Limited: gold, Richard Abe; silver, Chet Nierenberg; bronze,
Tom Mau
JUNIORS
Open-Gold-Travis Takeuchi
Limited-Gold-Travis Takeuchi
LAW
ENFORCEMENT (Duty Rig)
Gold; Samson
Mahi; silver,
Richard Wheeler; bronze, Blair Wulfert.
TEAM
RESULTS
Gold: "Shh. Don't Tell Keith" -- Robert Loui; Keith
Kawamoto; Lance Kimura; Jill Kawamoto.
Silver: "Slick" – Ian Onaga, Joseph Albero, Florante
Carlos, Thomas Mau
Bronze: "Aloha Power" – Ken Kimitsuka, Kenlie
Ward, Glen Nakamura, Mike Ward
Source:
Mark Zeug |
Dream
Stage Entertainment given a license by NSAC
Pic Courtesy of the PRIDE FC website - www.pridefc.com!
Dear All,
I just came back from Las Vegas.
DSE got a license from Nevada State Athletic Commission. It has
been almost 16 month after we have applied the license. This
is the first case that a foreign company was licensed in USA.
It was very honor for us that was a unanimous vote. We are going
to release an official announcement through our PR firm Bender/Helper
on Monday.
Regards,
Hideki Yamamoto
Dream Stage Entertainment USA
Source: Dream Stage Entertainment USA |
Tapuout247's
PRIDE 21 Demolition Picks
This Sunday another edition of PRIDE rolls out, the 21st that
is, give or take a few. This event is taking place at the Saitama
Super Arena in Ohmiya, Saitama-Pref., Japan. If you are in Japan
you can catch it live on SkyPerfecTV in JAPAN, June 23rd Live
PPV or if you are anywhere else on DIRECTV, DishNetwork, TVN
on June 30th, Tape-Delay PPV or for our Canadian readers on Bell
Express Vu, Viewer's Choice Canada on June 30th, Tape-Delay PPV.
Yoshihiro Takayama
Vs. Don Frye
Yoshihiro Takayama who is from Japan will fight Don Frye. Don
was originally going to fight Mark Coleman, but Mark is out due
to injury. Don is giving up thirty pounds to Takayama, but that
probably will not matter too much. Look for Don to be the Predator
and take out Takayama.
Gilbert Yvel Vs. Jeremy
Horn
This match will be an exciting one for sure. I have been a big
fan of both of these guys. Yvel has not done well in his last
few outings, but is looking to prove himself against the Veteran
Horn. Jeremy is a very patient fighter and knows the ring and
the cage well. I look for this match to go to decision. I am
picking Horn.
Semmy Schilt Vs. Emelianenko
Fedor
Semmy Schilt is still the big man in the ring. His two fights
in the Octagon were exciting. His defeat of Pete Williams and
his fight with Barnett were something to remember. At 6'11, Semmy
is always dangerous. He will be taking on PRIDE new comer Emelianenko
Fedor from Russia. He weighs in at 227 lbs. and gives up ten
inches in height. He is no rookie to MMA, being `02 RINGS 2002
'World Title Series' Absolute Weight Class Champion, `01 RINGS
2001 'World Title Series' Heavy Weight Class Champion, also is
`96 Russian National Judo Championship Winner. I never count
a Russian out, but if his skills are only grappling, he is in
for a beating. I pick Semmy to win.
Kiyoshi Tamura Vs.
Bob Sapp
This matchup would never happen in the United States, at least
not legally. Tamura comes to the ring at 198lbs and 6'0', whereas
Bob Sapp comes in at 350lbs. and 6'10'. Are we to take this serious?
Anderson Silva Vs.
Alex 'Brazilian Killer' Steibling
This is Silva's first appearance in PRIDE, he is from Brazil.
He will weigh in at 175 lbs and is 6'0'. He is the 2001 Shooto
To The Top where he defeated Hayato Sakurai and 2001 Shooto To
The Top where he defeated Tetsuji Kato. He is ranked number one
in Shooto Middleweight and is a Mecca Vale Tudo veteran. The
'Brazilian Killer' weighs in at 198 lbs and is 6'1. He has defeated
two strong Brazilian fighters, thus earning him the nickname.
He has beaten Allan Goes in Pride 18 and Wallid Ismail in Pride
19. I am picking the 'Brazilian Killer' to win.
Daniel Gracie Vs.
Takashi Sugiura
We have not one but two Gracies on this card. The first being
the new comer, Daniel Gracie. He of course is from Brazil and
a Jiu-Jitsu stylist. He is a Big Gracie though, he will be coming
to the ring at lean 225 lbs. and is 6'2. He will be taking on
Takashi Sugiura. Sagiura comes to the ring also at 225 lbs and
is 5'11'. He is a very good wrestler and is the 1995 All Japan
Free Style Wrestling Championship Winner. From what I have heard
about Daniel, he is a very good grappler and has good takedowns.
I am picking Gracie to win.
Gary Goodridge Vs.
Labazanov Arhmed
This is Big Daddy's 14th PRIDE fight, give or take a few. Gary
has fought in PRIDE 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, GP, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 &
16. What a competitor. He wins some and he loses some, but he
is always in there. He is fighting a tough Russian fighter, Labazanov
Arhmed. This is his first appearance in PRIDE. Arhmed's big claim
to fame is that he is 2000 RINGS King of Kings 2000 Veteran.
He will need more than that to take out Big Daddy. I pick Big
Daddy to win.
Renzo Gracie Vs. Shungo
Oyama
Renzo is back in the ring. his team has been fighting all over
the place. If you do not know who Renzo is, then you have just
woke up from a long coma or are from outer space. Renzo will
be taking on a tough Japanese opponent Shungo Oyama. Oyama has
appeared in PRIDE 14 and 15 and is a King of the Cage veteran.
I am picking Renzo to win, but of course am biased.
Source: ADCC/Frank Mullis |
Quote
of the Day
"Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we
never use."
Charles M. Schultz, 1922-, American Cartoonist, Creator of ''Peanuts''
|
|
US
Submission Championships Results
Results
from the US Submission Championships in Hendersonville, NC on
6/8/02. Saulo Ribeiro defeated Chris Rogers by submission (choke)
in the Superfight.
Daniel
Moraes won
the 8 man tournament defeating Pedro Brando (Gracie Barra) in
the semi finals by points and Carlos Lemos Jr. (Gracie Barra)
in the finals by points 4x0.
The
Team Trophy was won by Joe Hurst Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy.
Congratulations to Saulo and Daniel who trained and gave seminars
at The Joe Hurst Academy in Concord, NC. For more details check
out www.groundgrappling.com
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
Akira
Maeda - in the News Again!
Masami Ozaki the president of Pancrase has been pursuing an ongoing
lawsuit against Akira Maeda, the founder of the now defunct RINGS
group. The lawsuit has apparently been resolved, with Maeda being
ordered to pay Ozaki $12,000 in damages stemming from the attack.
Sources say that Maeda
lost his temper in May 2000 and grabbed Ozaki and slapped him
in the face. This caused a bleeding from Ozaki's nose, and it
made major Japanese headlines in the fighting sport press.
Allegedly, this attack
happened after Ozaki had already sued Maeda several months before
the altercation. The first lawsuit got Ozaki a $40,000 settlement.
Akira Maeda has been
absent from the news since closing down RINGS in February. There
have been rumors of him moving to California to start a MMA promotion,
and there is other talk of Maeda staying in Japan and restarting
RINGS as it was before (scripted fighting/sports entertainment).
Source: Fightworld |
Heating
up for PRIDE 21:
It's party time for Renzo
Respected by everyone
in the fight game, Renzo Gracie is truly one of the nicest people
you will ever meet in your life, both as a person and as a fighter.
Known for not picking opponents, Renzo truly loves what he does
and his passion for fighting translates into his behavior, his
fighting-style and even his students. After testing himself against
some of the best fighters in the world, and suffering some bumps
in the road -- like against Sakuraba and Dan Henderson -- Gracie
has not looked back, he continues to improve and train harder
and harder to compete again, just for the sake of competing and
fighting!
How many fighters in Renzo's position would be testing themselves
so often against some of the best, even though he is out-weighed
by most, if not all, of his opponents? Probably not many, but
he simply doesn't care about reputations or living off of past
accomplishments. Renzo Gracie just wants to be himself and do
what he loves the most, and finally after several months waiting
he will be back in the ring in Japan! On June 23rd, it will be
party time for Renzo, as he will face Japanese fighter, KOTC
and PRIDE veteran Shungo Oyama. In a conversation just two days
before he left for Japan, Renzo stopped his class in New York
to speak with us about his next fight, his training and his views
on the fight game as FCF is feeling the heat for PRIDE 21!
FCF: You were always
one of the most active fighters, not only from the Gracie family,
but from Jiu-Jitsu in NHB as well. You're finally returning to
fight in PRIDE for the first time since PRIDE 17. How was it
for you to wait all this time to fight again?
Renzo: It sucked! I have been preparing to fight in the last
three PRIDE events, since PRIDE 17. But it goes this way; maybe
it was even good for me to wait a little more because I had the
chance to train even more. I'm in one of the best shapes of my
life, I managed to put on some weight in a lean way, with little
fat, and so in the end this entire wait was satisfactory.
FCF: In the past you
had some problems gaining weight because of your tough schedule!
You train, teach classes, take care of your family and your students.
How do you manage to reconcile the life of a professional fighter
with all those other responsibilities?
Renzo: I have to do it all! I'm a father of three kids! So it's
the wife, the kids, the dogs, everything. [Laughs] And I also
have to train and teach classes, because I'm the main professor
here. I think the major factor that drives me to do all of this
is the passion I have for what I do. This makes me never feel
tired, so as tired as I may get, I'm always standing up and doing
what I have to do! There's no other way brother, it has to be
done so we'll do it.
FCF: You are known
for not picking opponents and always wanting to face top-level
competition, like Maurice Smith, Dan Henderson, Sakuraba and
Kikuta, among others. Do you get somehow frustrated when the
event opts to put you against a supposedly less competitive athlete?
Renzo: Without a doubt I don't like it very much. Because I think
that this type of fighting [NHB]... it's a chance you have to
measure your skills against another competitive fighter. So,
when they start to bring less expressive fighters... even though
Oyama, this guy I'm going to face now, is a very tough guy! People
have a bit of a wrong notion about him because they only watched
the two PRIDEs he fought in. He was still very nervous there,
and didn't know how to control things. But I had the chance to
watch him fighting some submission wrestling against some good
Japanese fighters and he gave quite a show in terms of grappling
skills, some good takedowns and beautiful submissions. But unfortunately,
he not only had bad luck in PRIDE but he also wasn't prepared
to face an event of that size, with fighters of that importance,
back then. But he is a tough guy, I have to be very careful,
he strikes very hard! But without a doubt I would prefer to fight
against other fighters. If I could chose, I would chose other
opponents, but if the event thinks it needs to be one of those
guys, I can't do anything about it.
FCF: Do you think
that because of the name you established in NHB, and because
you're a Gracie, you now will have to face almost only Japanese
fighters in PRIDE?
Renzo: I think they try to do a show for the Japanese public.
I believe when we're facing Japanese fighters, it creates bigger
ticket sales. Now they're running out of options, I already went
at it against almost everyone there brother. [Laughs] But they
do the show for Japan, I even think this is one of the factors
that when Rickson fights, he always fights against a Japanese
fighter, because this is what is marketable for Japan.
FCF: It seems that
now PRIDE is starting to focus on the American public as well,
so things may change a bit...
Renzo: I believe from now on we'll start to face American fighters,
even Brazilian Fighters as well. Now things we'll have a bigger
variation, [something that] I think is important for the game.
FCF: By the way, do
you believe that for a fighter in your position it can be sometimes
even more dangerous to face someone with a "not so great"
record in NHB?
Renzo: Without a doubt! Because you don't know what to expect
from the guy! On the other hand, he probably studied all of my
life in terms of fighting! So he has sort of a study of my reactions,
and I don't have any about his reactions. Because when they offered
me Ohara, despite [the fact that] we may think that he was going
to be a "piece of cake" since we don't know him, he
was training at Sakuraba's academy, and several other academies
back then, and he completely dominated everyone he trained with!
And since he was a heavy guy, weighing 103kg and a very good
wrestler, good in judo, so they were counting that he could beat
me! But they weren't expecting that he was going to get very
nervous! At the moment he would take a punch, all of his technique
would go away! So his technique went away because he got nervous.
I was seeing that he was nervous in the fight, so I worked exploiting
it. But at the same time the physical difference was so big that
I couldn't put him where I wanted. If he tried to attack me,
the fight would be much easier, but this didn't happen and he
stayed on the defensive through the whole fight. With that physical
disproportion things got tougher this way, and at the same time
I didn't want to expose myself so I stayed clinching and hitting
when I had to hit him.
FCF: And you know
how it goes, if you beat a guy with not so much [status] in NHB,
you only did what you were supposed to do...
Renzo: Exactly! It's even funny now because everyone calls me
and says: "Hey Renzo! This one is easy man!" [Laughs]
But man, the fights that I like are when people call me and say:
"Be careful! He is going to rip your head off in there!"
[Laughs] The only easy and sweet thing in life I know is milk
pudding! [Laughs]
FCF: That and Mommy's
lap! [Laughs]
Renzo: Yeah!! Milk pudding and Mommy's lap man!! [Laughs] Other
than that everything is tough [Laughs]
FCF: Speaking of opponents,
your opponent for this fight will be Shungo Oyama. What do you
think of him as a fighter?
Renzo: He fought some Grappling events in Japan, and, as I told
you before, he gave quite a show there from what I saw. He was
unfortunate in not being able to do the same performances when
he fought in PRIDE. But I was even reading an interview [he did]
not too long ago, and he commented the same thing. He said that
now he has nothing to lose and he is facing a top name and now
he can try to really show his game. So I believe it's going to
be a very tough fight, and I'm not expecting an easy fight by
any means.
FCF: Why do you believe
some athletes that were great judokas, like him, have some difficulties
to adapt and achieve success in NHB?
Renzo: I'm a judo black belt, so I can comment on it. Judo is
a strict sport and it preaches discipline all the time... you're
a sportsman all the time. It's a sport with several rules, where
you fight for points to be able to win. So it's tough for someone
who trained it for his whole life, to the point where he became
a top name on the sport, change his mindset that much to fight
NHB. In Jiu-Jitsu's philosophy, since you're kid you start to
learn to adapt yourself for future NHB competition. You prepare
yourself mentally, physically and technically. And I think this
is very important.
FCF: So they're so
used to the sportive style of judo, that they don't have that
fighting mentality of who is ready to brawl...
Renzo: Without a doubt! And in the moment he feels some pain
he taps you know. The moment that he takes a punch, he gets scared,
or surprised! And this doesn't happen with someone from Jiu-Jitsu!
Every time I take a punch, I get even crazier! [Laughs] I want
to return the favor as soon as possible. [Laughs]
FCF: You have been
showing a very good evolution in your Muay Thai, and you looked
to trade strikes all the way during your fight against Ohara.
Oyama has a strong right hand punch. Can we expect some surprises
standing up in this fight?
Renzo: I was training a lot of Muay Thai, and now I have been
emphasizing a lot on my hands. I have been training a lot of
boxing. Oyama strikes very hard, and hits very strong with his
right-hand, but, without a doubt, if he leaves his guard open
my hand will be flying! [Laughs] I'm not only counting on going
there, grabbing him and doing my Jiu-Jitsu you know. Without
a doubt, Jiu-Jitsu is my specialty, so if I have an opportunity
to do my game, I'll try! But If I see an open guard, I'll try
to show that the same rain that pours on my land, pours on the
neighbor's land too! Do you know what I mean?
FCF: It's noticeable
in your fights that you're feeling more comfortable trading now,
and you're starting to feel more confident about it...
Renzo: Yeah! Now all this time training standing up is really
starting have an effect on my game. I have been able to train
it a lot, and now I can see when the punches will come, I know
how to react better, so I'm improving! I think this is the quest
to be a perfect fighter, I mean, to be comfortable in any situation!
Learning stand-up fighting is very important.
FCF: You have been
gaining weight recently. How much will you weigh for this fight?
Do you intend to gain even more weight? What do you consider
your ideal weight to fight NHB?
Renzo: For this fight I'll probably be weighing around 86kg [189.6lbs].
I don't think I'll try to gain more weight, because I don't have
a very big body structure. I believe that weighing too much may
even hinder my game instead of improving it. I think my ideal
weight is around 86, or 87kg! It doesn't need to be more than
this. In the end brother, I'm a malnourished Brazilian! [Laughs]
FCF: [Laughs] But
nowadays we have lots of well-nourished Brazilians in NHB! [Laughs]
Renzo: Isn't it amazing man? [Laughs] They started to add some
vitamins to the food down there and the guys are getting big!
[Laughs]
FCF: Do you feel comfortable
fighting with that extra weight?
Renzo: I feel comfortable! But I'll be honest with you; it doesn't
make much difference, because all of my opponents are much heavier
than me! Everyone fights above 90kg [198.5lbs] and PRIDE usually
asks me to weigh more than 90kg, because I'll have much more
fights then, since everybody there is above 90kg! I'm always
the smallest one there! [Laughs]
FCF: You never cared
about weight differences! But don't you think an event like the
UFC, with more weight divisions, could be good for you?
Renzo: Without a doubt. I already considered this hypothesis,
but I have a very big sympathy for PRIDE. I think PRIDE is the
event where the best fighters in the world today are fighting,
and it's where the best rules are! Inside the ring in PRIDE "sparks
really fly," and there's no easy time, people fight in there!
It's the biggest show, and beating up someone or taking a beating
myself, it's there that things happens for me. Without a doubt,
it's the biggest show nowadays, with the best organization, best
event production, and they're now even coming with a new videogame.
FCF: Yeah! Everybody
is anxious for this game!
Renzo: Sure! They even told me they're putting the best looking
guy in the martial arts on the game! A certain guy called Renzo...
[Laughs]
FCF: [Laughs] I bought
a videogame console just because of this game!
Renzo: I'm anxious to give it to my kid! He plays this crap all
day long! I told him that he is going to have to play with me!
[Laughs] But the worst part is that he likes to play with Tito
Ortiz on the UFC game! [Laughs]
FCF: How was your preparation for this fight?
Renzo: Like I told you before, I had the chance to train a lot,
because I trained for more than six months for this fight, because
I trained for three PRIDE events that I ended up not fighting
in... since PRIDE 18, when I was supposed to fight! So I trained
for PRIDES 18, 19, 20 and now 21! To be honest with you, I'm
feeling in the best shape of my life nowadays! I'm anxious for
this fight to see how it's going to unfold! I have been training
everything! From takedowns, to boxing, the ground game, so I'm
very well prepared. When I tell you that I'm very well prepared,
I mean in all aspects! Standing up, taking him down, fighting
on the ground, from the top, inside the ring, outside the ring!
[Laughs] Where the situation presents itself, I think we can
make a good showing!
FCF: Rodrigo Gracie
recently made his debut at PRIDE, fighting very well against
Daijiro Matsui. When will we se Rodrigo back in PRIDE?
Renzo: He was confirmed to fight in this event now! He was going
to face Kikuta, but at the last minute the Pancrase people didn't
enter this PRIDE. He was then going to face Kanehara, but there
was a little problem with Kanehara, and I don't know what it
was. So, in the end he prepared till last week to fight, and
his fight was cancelled. He is now getting a little taste of
what I experienced in the past months, [Laughs] but he is in
an excellent shape! In great condition, very strong, very lean!
He is punching so hard that he is even knocking down a horse.
[Laughs]
FCF: You are now bringing
another student of yours, Daniel, to the event. What can we expect
from him? What can you tell us about his fighting style?
Renzo: Daniel, to be honest, is still a bit raw. I didn't want
him to debut in PRIDE now. I wanted him to prepare more and get
more experience before taking a fight of this importance. But
on the other hand, the guy he is going to face is also making
his debut. It'll be a novice against a novice -- even though
the guys have some very good credentials... and from what I have
been told, he is a very strong guy. I think Daniel has a very
good variation of strikes and positions and if he will be able
to do his game and feel relaxed in the fight, he can shine and
make a good showing without a doubt. Besides, he is a good- looking
kid! He's supposed to be taking pictures instead of fighting
and breaking other people's faces and having his face broken!
[Laughs] But he weighs 102kg [224.9lbs], is a very strong kid,
very lean, punches very hard, and has a very good variation of
positions on the ground! So if he can impose his game there,
he is going to surprise a lot of people! I believe if he keeps
preparing himself hard, in about a year or so, he is going to
be a star of the sport!
FCF: What are Renzo
Gracie's plans for the future as a fighter?
Renzo: Man! I want to brawl again!! [Laughs] This is my religion
and I want to pray man! [Laughs] I plan to fight for PRIDE, and
if other opportunities appear, I'll be fighting as well! I like
it! I think I'm one of the few in this business who can say from
his heart that loves to do it! I like to brawl in that event!
I don't get nervous and I sleep before the fights! Before the
event you even have to wake me up because I'm sleeping! [Laughs]
Nothing shakes me there! Half an hour before the fight I'll be
speaking to you on the same way I'm speaking now. So I think
you only get so relaxed when you have confidence in yourself,
and [are conscious] of everything that can happen inside the
ring. I don't think I need to prove anything anymore. I believe
I've already proved what I'm capable of doing, the same way I
already showed when I lost what I'm capable of doing. I didn't
deny extending my hand to my opponent in defeat. I was a sportsman.
I believe something that happens inside the ring is out of your
control. But it only happens to the ones who are inside the ring!
Those who are watching only comment! [Laughs]
FCF: That's why I
chose this profession! [Laughs]
Renzo: It's easier! [Laughs] But it's the most important one
in fact, because it's the profession that will generate future
fighters! They'll read what you're writing and they'll understand
it, so it'll help generate future characters, future fighters,
and future right ways of thinking!
FCF: Since you always
want to test yourself, is there anyone you would like to face?
Renzo: I think it's very bad when a fighter tells a name of someone
he would like to fight. But man, I think it would be easier for
you to ask me who is the fighter I wouldn't like to face! [Laughs]
And I'll tell you: None!
FCF: Excluding the
family the family members! [Laughs]
Renzo: Yeah! I don't see faces or hearts man! [Laughs] Without
a doubt, there are various great fighters that I would like to
test myself against. It's a question of letting faith decide
who's going to be the next one, and let the event promoters feel
enthusiastic to make it happen.
FCF: Any final message
for your fans?
Renzo: Here we go again! [Laughs] I'm not alone, and if a win
or a defeat comes, it isn't only mine! It's ours! As long as
I'm alive and thinking, I'll be brawling, and when I get to a
point where I won't be able to brawl anymore, I'll still be brawling
through my students and my kids! This was the choice I made in
life.
FCF: Thanks a lot
and good luck!
Renzo: Man, thanks a lot!
Source: FCF |
UFC
Picks by Frank Mullis
The UFC not
to be on PPV is this weekend. However, do not fear, the Berger-Lawler
fight will be on FOX, the Liddell-Belfort fight will be on a
later UFC PPV and I am sure we will see the others is a New Years
Eve special. Zuffa is working hard to keep the best MMA show
in the world in our living rooms. This weekend at the Bellagio
in Las Vegas, those in attendance will get to see some outstanding
fights.
Chuck
Liddell vs. Vitor Belfort
The main event of the evening is the fight that will determine
who will face Tito for the title. Belfort is the odds on favorite,
but I am picking the man with the MOHAWK, the 'Iceman.' Belfort
has been away from the Octagon way too long. His last fight in
pride was not that impressive. Liddell has defeated almost everyone
put in front of him including Bustamante. I see no reason why
Belfort will give him as many problems as Bustamante did. I pick
Liddell by decision.
Robbie
Lawler vs. Steve Berger
The match that will be televised on Fox is Robbie Lawler who
is 5 -0-0 from Davenport, Iowa will take on Steve Berger who
is 15-7-3 of St. Louis, Missouri. Lawler impressed everyone in
his UFC debut May 10 at UFC: High Impact in Bossier City, Louisiana.
His fight with Aaron Riley was one of the most exciting fights
I have ever seen. Lawler has the quickest hands and feet of anyone
in this division or any other for that matter. Berger is coming
back from the No Contest fight against Benji Radach. Steve sees
this fight as a win-lose situation. If he loses he might not
be back for a while. I am going to pick Berger by decision. I
think he will be able to take this fight to the ground, where
Riley was not.
Yves
Edwards vs. Joao Pierini
Joao Pierini is 5 -0-0 out of Redwood City, California will take
on the veteran Yves Edwards. Yves is replacing Josh Thompson,
who is out due to injury. Edwards is a much better fighter than
his UFC record shows. I think he actually beat Uno, but that
is neither here nor there. Pierini will have to stay away from
the knees of Edwards to survive; I do not think he will. I pick
Edwards by knockout.
Benji
Radach vs. Nick Serra
Benji Radach from Olympia, Washington, will return to the Octagon
to face, Nick Serra who is 5 -0-0 of Long Island, New York. He
is the younger brother of Matt Serra, but do not think he is
here on his coat tails. Nick is an excellent fighter, some say
even more aggressive than his brother. Nick is a Black Belt under
the legend, Renzo Gracie, never takes that lightly. Benji's fight
with Steve did not reveal much about his game, but Nick will
more than likely take it to the ground. I pick Nick by submission.
Pete
Spratt vs. Zack Light
Pete Spratt, who is 10-4-0 of Sherman, Texas, will fight Zack
Light who is 11-1-1 of Corona, California. Zach is a member of
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz' Team Punishment. This
looks to be an exciting fight as well I am going with the Punishment
Team. I pick Light by decision.
Tony
Fryklund vs. Rodrigo Ruas
Tony Fryklund, who is 6-1-0 of Davenport, Iowa will take on UFC
rookie Rodrigo Ruas who is 1 -0-1 of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Fryklund currently trains with Miltetich Fighting Systems. The
Ruas name should also bring back memories of the 'King of the
Streets', Marco Ruas Marco was the eight-man tournament champion
at UFC 7. His nephew is certainly well trained in the world of
the Octagon. His lack of fight experience, however, may cause
problems. With just two fights under his belt, the crowd at the
Octagon may cause him some trouble. I am picking Team Miltetich's
experience to win.
Source: ADCC/Frank Mullis |