March News Part 1
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Quote
of the Day
Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.
Anonymous
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Super
Brawl 23 Results & Pictures
Blaisdell
Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
March 9, 2002
By Chris Onzuka - Chris@Onzuka.com
 
It was raining in Hawaii on the
night of Super Brawl 23, but the thunder was inside the Blaisdell
Arena. Some up and comers were tested and bested. Many of the
fighters on the card wanted to see how they would do against
top notch opponents and they found out. Yuki Nakai (Paraestra)
and Eddy Millis (Shark Tank) each brought two incredibly tough
fighters that systematically took apart their Hawaiian opponents.
Egan Inoue's fighters from Grappling Unlimited won their matches
with the exception of Andy Wang, who talked about Samurai spirit
before the match and showed it by staying in the fight against
an incredible opponent. Wang scared the crowd by collapsing after
the fight and had to get carried most of the way back to the
dressing rooms. He did however, walk halfway there under his
own power. Both Niko Vitale and Egan Inoue pulled off come from
behind victories as their opponents were up on my unofficial
scorecard until both fighters turned the fight around and pulled
out victories. And of course the artist formerly known as Wesley
Correira, now just known as Cabbage got to do the "Cabbage
Patch" victory dance as he tired out and pummeled a game
Brazilian, in Renato Bruzzi.
167.6lbs 2x5
minute rounds
Zack Light (Shark Tank, CA) def. Royden Demotta (Nova Uniao)
Majority decision [(19-19), (20-18), (19-18)] after 2 rounds.
 
167.5lbs 2x5
minute rounds
Kolo Koka (Grappling Unlimited) def. Nasser Lewis (808 Fight
Factory)
Unanimous decision [(20-18), (20-19), (20-18)] after 2 rounds.
 
Light Heavyweight
2x5 minute rounds
Nick Bradley (Shark Tank, CA) def. Kaleo Padilla (Westbrook,
Hilo, Hawaii)
Submission via neck crank at 3:45 minutes in Round 1.
154lbs 3x5
minute rounds
Hiroshi Tsuruya (Paraestra, Tokyo) def. Andy Wang (Grappling
Unlimited)
Unanimous Decision [(30-24), (30-25), (30-26)] after 3 rounds.
 
154lbs 2x5
minute rounds
Abe Rodrigues (Grappling Unlimited) def. Atticus Lish (Inosanto/Paulson)
Unanimous decision [(20-18), (20-18), (20-18)] after 2 rounds.
 
132.3lbs 3x5
minute rounds
Ryota Matsune (Paraestra, Tokyo) def. Lincoln Tyler (Freelance)
TKO via verbal submission after the end of Round 1.
Tyler could not see out of his left eye and wisely decided not
to continue.
 
198lbs 3x5
minute rounds
Niko Vitale (Grappling Unlimited) def. Jason Drexel (Inosanto/Paulson,
CA)
Submission via key lock (Kimura) at 3:55 minutes in Round 1.
 
143.3lbs 3x5
minute rounds
Eddie Yagin (Grappling Unlimited) def. Jay R. Palmer (Freelance,
Waianae)
Submission via rear naked choke at 3:49 minutes in Round 1.
 
Super Heavyweight
2x5 minute rounds
Wesley "Cabbage" Correira (Grappling Unlimited) def.
Renato Bruzzi (Francisco Bueno, Brazil)
Referee stoppage (fighter not adequately defending himself) at
4:55 minutes in Round 2.
 
Super Brawl
Middleweight Championship 3x5 minute rounds
Egan Inoue (Grappling Unlimited) def. Marcos Da Silva (Francisco
Bueno, Brazil)
TKO via verbal submission by De Silva due to exhaustion at 0:34
seconds in Round 2.
 
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Ricardo
De La Riva:
Brazil's Best Kept Secret
When did you
start training jiu jitsu?
January 1980.
So you have
been training for 22 years?
Yes.
Who did you
begin training with?
With Carlson Gracie and Marcos Vinicius who (Marcos) currently
has a school in Canada. I trained with both Carlson and Marcos
all the way until I received my black belt and am still affiliated
with Carlson Gracie today.
During this
time you also taught at Carlson's school didn't you?
Yes, I began teaching kids classes for him when I was a blue
belt and then began assisting with adult classes once I received
my purple. After I received my black belt I continued teaching
in Carlson's school for four years then I opened up my own school
in Copacabana and have taught there since.
When did you
receive your black belt?
1986.
I imagine in
this time that you have got to train with a lot of great fighters?
A lot yes.
Who are some
of the guys that you have taught?
There were a lot... Murilo Bustamante, although I was a higher
belt than him, we trained a lot together. Wallid (Ismail), I
taught a lot of classes to Wallid since at that time I was a
brown belt and he was a blue belt. I gave Ricardo Liborio his
purple belt and and trained a lot with him also, and many, many
others from Carlson's.
Who are some
of the notable fighters either sport or NHB that you have promoted
to black belt?
Again a lot of guys, Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira,
Rogerio "Minotouro" Nogueira, Marcello C. Monteiro,
Marcelo Grosso, Moacir "Boca" Omena to name a few...
Do any of these
guys come back to train with you or prepare for special events
once they begin doing their own thing?
All of them do whenever they can. Of course they are all doing
their own things now, but they still come back to train.
You have undoubtedly
trained many champions, do you have any up and coming prospects
you would like to tell us about?
Over 200lbs Mauro Jorge Paulino
180-200lbs. Marcelo Grosso and Moacir "Boca" Omena
150-160lbs. Marcello C. Monteiro
under 145lbs Gil Sangro Justino.
Backing up,
before you received you black belt did you compete much?
I competed in every competition possible.
And after you
received your black belt?
As much as possible although I was a bit more selective.
What are some
of your most memorable results?
Well back then we didn't have the Mundial or the Brasileiro,
instead the biggest tournament was the Rio de Janeiro State Championships.
My first competition
as a black belt was one of my most memorable. In this competition
I won the absolute weight class, however, to do so I had to fight
against Royce (Gracie), Rolker (Gracie), and Arthur Cardenard,
who was considered one of the best students from the Gracie Academy.
Now in this time I had never heard of a Gracie losing any competition
as a black belt, at the lower belts I don't know, but never as
a black belt. I went through and beat all of them and won my
first competition as a black belt. The Gracie's were thought
to be invincible at that time and that kind of took away from
their mystique. I also won the trophy for most technical fighter
that year and the next year. That was in 1986 and 1987.
After that Royler
challenged me to a match. I accepted his challenge and beat him.
He challenged me a second time after that and I beat him again.
It wasn't until our third match that he won. However, I had already
proven myself in jiu jitsu and continued to train and work hard
in the sport.
When was the
last time that you competed?
1999 in Tampa Florida. I took on a challenge match without the
gi.
How did you
do?
I won.
You have been
around jiu jitsu for a long time and seen many of its changes.
What are some of the differences you see between jiu jitsu of
10-15 years ago and today?
Jiu jitsu has evolved a lot in the last 15 years, some techniques
have improved, but inside jiu jitsu itself, the positions are
still the same. An armlock is still an armlock, it has just been
more refined, an americano (key lock) is still the same position
but it has just been made to work a little better in certain
positions.
The part of
the game that has improved the most is defending the guard or
the open guard. Fifteen years ago guys didn't use the guard game
like you see today, fights were more stand up and closed guard.
Is this when
the "De La Riva" guard began?
(laughs)
Yes. When I started competing I wasn't very good at the stand
up. I also had a problem with my joints which made my base somewhat
vulnerable. So to compensate for this I began pulling guys right
away to the ground and to my guard. From this I began then to
develop some new techniques that were very effective for me.
This is essentially where the open guard began and where the
"De La Riva" guard comes from, where I like to put
a hook in behind my opponents leg. This hook is especially easy
for me since I have a very flexible foot.
So the open
guard is the biggest change between then and now?
Yes, this is the biggest difference that I see between jiu jitsu
of 15 years ago and of today. Fifteen years ago you would never
see anyone pulling someone into their guard instead the fight
was dependent on the fighters judo game to get to the ground,
but today in most fights someone will pull their opponent to
their guard. So it was after this that others too began working
on the open guard and that the open guard began to be developed
more effectively.
And the fighters,
how do you view the champions then versus the champions of today?
Royler Gracie is a 4 time world champion. He was a champion 10
years ago and continues to be. Murilo Bustamante also was a champion
many years ago. He won the Mundial a couple of years back and
has recently been very successful in the UFC. Like I said before,
the techniques are the same, they have just been refined to work
a little better. These are just a couple of examples. I believe
that many of the guys who were winning in the past could prepare
themselves to fight now and again come out on top.
Who are some
of your favorite fighters to watch today?
Sport jiu jitsu, I really like to watch Murilo (Bustamante),
Royler (Gracie), and Ricardo Liborio. In NHB I like Rodrigo "Minotaruo"
Nogueira. Actually I could include Minotauro with the gi also
because he is a very good gi fighter, but he has been focusing
on NHB and been very successful.
I have been
told in the past that Ricardo De La Riva is one of Brazil's best
kept secrets. Why are you so well known in Brazil and not so
much here in the states?
I think this is because I am very shy and when people ask me
questions I get almost embarrassed to speak the truth. A lot
of people can't believe that I was actually the first to compete
successfully against the Gracie's or that I have a position named
after me. I don't see myself as all that though. I just see myself
as a skinny guy with big ears and a big nose (laughs) and find
it difficult to brag about myself.
Brazilian jiu
jitsu and NHB really began to grow in the states not too long
ago. This was after the majority of my success in Brazil. In
Brazil I created my name not by any special marketing but by
competing and proving myself here. To carry that over to the
US I would have had to compete there or begin to market myself
there. Since I don't much like to talk about myself in the spotlight
and haven't been competing in any big events, my name hasn't
had a means to really get around in the US.
You want to
change that now though don't you?
Yes. I have been preparing for quite awhile now to return to
competition. I plan to begin competing and am going to do whatever
it takes. I have passed up chances to do interviews on the internet,
on TV, with newspapers, but know that this is part of what I
am going to have to do to get back on top and am willing to do
it even though I don't always enjoy it.
I have heard
that you are planning on returning to competition and would like
to debut in NHB?
That is true. I don't plan just to start competing again with
the gi but to debut in NHB and continue with my career as a fighter.
I have already done many fights with and without the gi and see
NHB as a natural step in my evolution as a fighter. I would also
like to experience this type of fighting. If I like it, I will
continue to fight at every chance I get. Many of the guys that
I have helped train for NHB in the past always tell me that I
should get in the ring, that with my technique and experience
I could be very successful. Now I would like to go ahead and
do that.
Any idea where
you would like to begin fighting?
I really don't care. I have been looking at a possibility in
Japan and also one in the US. I am not going to be picky though,
I will fight in about any event.
So if someone
called you to fight in June or July you would be ready to go?
Yes! I am 37 years old and time is going by fast (laughs). I
don't have the time that say a 20 year old has in their career
but I still have some good years of fighting left in me. Age
is both physical and mental and I feel strong in both. I want
to get out there and start fighting.
What have you
been doing to prepare yourself for NHB?
I have been training a lot of boxing, a lot of workouts without
the gi, and special training for NHB.
One more thing.
I heard that you are planning on coming up to the US to give
support to some of your formers fighters March 9th at Hook N
Shoot in Evansville, Indiana?
Yes, I am going to be in Indiana that week and will be there
to support some of my former students.
I also hear
that you will be doing a couple of seminars while you are here
in the US?
Yes I will be in Evansville, Indiana, on March 10th teaching
a seminar along with one of my black belts, (Marcello C.) Monteiro,
and then will be in Orlando on March 13th at United Martial Arts.
Thanks Ricardo.
Yes, thank you Alan.
Source: This is an interview done by
Alan W. Stockman on 02/26/02.
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Quote
of the Day
Here is a quote appropriate for the day of Super Brawl.
To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it.
Anonymous
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Super
Brawl 23 is Tonight!
Super Brawl
kicks off tonight, so get there early and save us a couple of
parking spaces. The show starts at 7:30PM at the Blaisdell Arena.
There are more cool pictures of the Super Brawl weigh-ins courtesy
of web and computer guru Anthony King on Super Brawl's web site.
Check
it out at:
http://www.superbrawl.tv
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Warriors
Quest Gives Back to the Community
Buy a shirt and help out some kids.
2002 is a new
season for WQ. Starting with this event we are achieving one
of our goals! WQ will be selling t-shirts of the WQ 4 poster!
All contributions will be sowed into a program called Breakthrough
for youth at risk!
Breakthrough for youth at risk is a non-profit organization.
This organization searches for lost youths who believe they have
no hope! This organization then takes these youths through a
1 week boot camp, which breaks them and exposes the wall that
blocks them from growing in life! When the camp is over volunteers
keep up with them to stay on track! Unfortunately there are not
enough funds to have a booth camp every month!
This organization
has only been successful in getting funds for two cycles a year
reaching only 50 youths! We are asking for your help by donating
only $15 for a WQ 4 t-shirt! It will impact a child's life! Our
children are our future so please be a blessing to those who
are lost and need to be found!
If you are interested
please contact me at:
edwinakamaka@warriorsquest.tv
Or, you can
mail a check or money order payable to:
Fighters Production-LLC
PO Box 970689
Waipahu Hi 96797
For shipping
and handling please add an additional $3.50
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Enson
Inoue Pre-Pride 19 Interview
Interview with
Enson Inoue
March 8, 2002
By Brett Herman
Enson Inoue,
"Yamoto Damashi," has been competing in mixed martial
arts since 1995, mostly in the Shooto organization. He's fought
once in the UFC, tapping out Hammer House up and comer Royce
Alger. Inoue has been in the ring against many big name heavyweights,
including Mark Kerr, Heath Herring, Igor Vovchanchyn, and "Minotauro"
Nogueira. He also claimed a victory over current UFC Heavyweight
Champion Randy Couture, submitting him by armbar in under 2 minutes.
Inoue came to
Pride in 1999 for Pride 5. While he doesn't own the best win-loss
record, he has achieved world wide respect and fans with his
"go for broke" style. After his fight in Pride 12,
Inoue announced his retirement. A little more than 1 year later,
he made his return to the ring to face the number-one ranked
fighter in the world, Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira.
Brett Herman chatted with Inoue in between training sessions
prior to Pride 19.
Brett Herman:
How was the training in Thailand?
Enson Inoue:
The training in Thailand - good! Everything was good, everything
went smooth, no injuries, hard training. My body feels fine,
it feels better and better.
Brett Herman:
What weight will you be fighting at?
Enson Inoue:
Probably between 96-100 kilos.
Brett Herman:
Do you think Minotauro is going to want to stand with you, or
do you think he's going to shoot in or try and pull guard?
Enson Inoue:
I think he'll probably want to throw with me standing, and I
think he's so good on the ground too that some time in the game
he'll probably want to take me down too. So, he'll probably want
to do everything he can to me, I expect. He'll proably try to
beat me up standing, if not, if it feels a little awkward then
he'll probably try to take me down and finish me on the ground.
If he's badder
and better than me that night, he can do it but I am going to
make sure that I am pretty bad...and pretty good! I am ready
to do whatever he wants to do man. If he makes a mistake, I am
going to be there to capitalize, That's all I can say. He's human
and he'll make a mistake somewhere along the way, and it's just
a matter of if I can just get the right timing, do the right
things at the right time.
Brett Herman:
Does your training team have you ready for Mino, Enson?
Enson Inoue:
Yes, and my brother is coming in tomorrow so I'll get an additional
3 more sparring partners in, looking forward to it.
Brett Herman:
Who hits harder, Igor, Kerr, or Heath?
Enson Inoue:
Well, I better say Igor because he put me in the hospital for
four days, and Kerr and Herring didn't! As far as power, I felt
that Kerr had the most power - he was the heaviest and he felt
the most dangerous on the ground. I thought Igor's punches were
a lot heavier than anyone. Herring had a good strategy I felt,
he was willing to move and pass the guard. Yeah, Kerr's strength
and weight I felt on me, Igor's punches, and Herring's movement.
Brett Herman:
Did you watch Minotauro vs. Herring?
Enson Inoue:
Yes, I saw the whole fight, I was pretty impressed with Nogueria
again, very impressed.
Brett Herman:
Will you still throw bombs if you get inside his guard?
Enson Inoue:
Yeah, I feel comfortable in his guard, if I get the opportunity
I'll hit him from the guard, if I get the opportunity I'll pass
from the guard. If I get the oppportunity I'll break away and
jump on his face if I can.
Whatever's there
you know, he's so good that it's a lot easier for me to just
go in there and have a real small game plan and just go by feel.
He's so good that there's not really a weak spoke in the wheel
that I can focus on.
Brett Herman:
You are going to be part of the one of the biggest cards in Pride's
history, how hard can this show absolutely rock, and are you
guys ready to blow us fans out of our seats?
Enson Inoue:
Yeah, I'm looking at the card, and I'm going wow, I wish I was
in the stands so I could enjoy it as a fan, you know?
Brett Herman:
Who is going to win, Igor or Heath?
Enson Inoue:
That's a big one 'cause I fought both guys, I lost to both guys,
and I certainly know what both guys can do! I think it's going
to be a real game of strategy and a very explosive fight. It's
more up in the air than anything, I couldn't pick a winner.
Brett Herman:
Shamrock vs Frye?
Enson Inoue:
I think it's going to come down to stamina. I think Ken would
have a little edge with submissions. If I had to pick somebody,
I'd go with Ken, but I think it will come down to stamina because
I know that Ken and Don have had problems with that in their
last fights. It will prorably boil down to who can control that
rage better and who can last a little longer.
Brett Herman:
Any update on your possible military status?
Enson Inoue:
No, I am getting all kinds of emails and suggestions from people
that I'm close with. I didn't realize that there was so much
to consider, so what's going to happen is after my fight I am
going to sit down and look at all the options. I am definitely
going to do something, and whatever it takes, I am going to do
it.
If it has to
do with getting away from Japan for awhile and serving somewhere,
or going off to the States and teaching somewhere, whatever,
you know? I'll do it all voluntarily, just to help the cause.
I am definitely going to do something. I just have to figure
out how I would be most useful.
Brett Herman:
After you fight Minotauro, will you retire or will you continue
to fight for Pride?
Enson Inoue:
No, no, no, it's just one fight, Pride knows that. Just one fight.
I wanted Silva because I thought Silva would be a better fight
for me, because I lost to the top 3 heavyweights, and Nogueria,
he's one of the best. I know I have a good chance to beat him
because I'll throw down at any time.
I wasn't even
going to come out and fight, the reason I was going to come out
was that I wanted to say something about New York. The manager
of Pride had an idea of putting me in the ring one more time
for all the people, and it was a good way to help one of my friends
who died in the World Trade Center. It was a good way to maybe
do a tribute to him too.
So, I thought
to myself for one last bang the biggest fireworks would be with
Silva. I just kind of drooled at the idea of standing toe to
toe with Silva and letting it all go down.
That's where
the negotiations started, and then I got into the idea of it,
getting the fire back, and then it changed to Nogueria. There
is no doubt about it, I think me and Silva is a fight that everyone
wants to see.
I lost ot Kerr,
Igor, and Herring, so personally I didn't think that I desrved
the shot at Nogueria. Statistically, I can understand that people
say there is no way I can beat Nogueria. I also felt that it
would be best for me to drop down to Middleweight, where I'd
be at my own weight, without trying to put on weight to fight
heavyweights, and I felt that Silva would be the best fight.
But Pride obviously has their own ideas, and all they could talk
to me about was Nogueria. I am game for him now, I am fully up
for it...don't ever count me out.
All Pride told
me was "Nogueria, Nogueria, Nogueria" and I was like
"I want Silva, Silva, Silva." They said "how about
this much money for Nogueria," and I was like "I want
Silva."
Then they said
"Well, how about this much?" I said "I want Silva."
Then they said,
"Well how about doubling this, and I was like "Whoah!
Looking better and better, Nogueria is looking more like Silva!"
I am married now and I have a family, I start thinking along
those terms too, and it becomes a business decision at the end.
People are saying
that Enson doesn't deseve a shot, that I don't deserve Nogueria,
and I second that, that' s why I asked for Silva. Everyone on
the internet is saying Coleman, Igor, these guys are more valid,
and I totally agree with that. I have shown that I can hang with
the best Heavywieghts, and I have also lost to the best Heavyweights.
So, I figured that the most interesting thing for now was to
drop down a weight class, which is my normal weight actually,
and where I feel that I fight the best, and have a shot at Silva.
So, I am sittting
behind my keyboard reading this on the internet, and I want to
tell these guys that this is exactly how I feel, it wasn't my
choice. But, I am not going to turn down a nice, juicy steak
on a golden platter when it's served to me, you know? I am not
wrong to take it when it's being offered to me like that. Maybe
I'm not qualified, but as long as I have more than zero percent
chance to win, even if it's a 0.1 percent chance, I am a qualified
contender. If it was for the Heavyweight Belt, I would have declined,
because I didn't earn a shot at the title.
Check back tomorrow
for the second part of this four part exclusive interview with
Enson Inoue.
Source: Sherdog |
Super
Brawl 23 Weigh Ins
by Michael
Onzuka
Mike@onzuka.com
Hard Rock Cafe
Honolulu, Hawaii
March 8, 2002
3:00 PM
Super Brawl
23
March 9, 2002
Neil Blaisdell Arena
A change in venue was
in store for Super Brawl 23. A mixture of interior and exterior
accommodations greeted the fighters at the Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu.
Hawaii's weather gave in and it was a beautiful late afternoon
after some morning showers that threatened to keep the weigh-ins
indoors. Each camp kept to their territory, but the atmosphere
was pretty relaxed. Eddie Millis of the Shark Tank accompanied
by heavy hitter Jose Lopez were present to support their fighters
Zack Light and Nick Bradley. Kai Kamaka of 808 Fight Factory
showed his support backing Nasser Lewis and Jason Dacquel. Journeyman,
Jay R. Palmer will give 100% like usual against the fast rising
Dragonball Z looking Eddie Yagin sporting a bright blue hairdo.
Former University of Hawaii football standout and the MMA "total
package," Falaniko Vitale looks to get back on track by
facing a relative newcomer Jason Drexel from the Inosanto/Paulson
Academy. Francisco "Chico" Bueno, a Pride veteran and
BJJ black belt, brought a very buff Renato Bruzzi to face the
local steam roller, Cabbage Correira and headliner, Marcos De
Silva, to face local favorite Egan Inoue. Pride veteran and newly
back to work fighter, Enson Inoue was present to support his
brother as usual. Cabbage has been extremely successful keeping
the fight standing with good upper body grappling skills and
stunningly hard punches. With a BJJ background, Bruzzi will probably
look to take the fight to the ground. The big test will be if
can take the big man down. Marcos De Silva made a spectacular
introduction to Hawaii fans by beating Ron Jhun in text box BJJ
fashion. The loss was very early in Jhuns career and the fans
can only hope that De Silva has progressed at least half as much
as Jhun has in order to give Egan a run for his money. One thing
that was working against De Silva was weight. He was having an
extremely hard time trimming down and still was unsuccessful
by the time I left. Hopefully, the excessive last minute weight
loss does not factor in to this fight which will pit two high
quality grapplers to battle.
Renato Bruzzi vs. Wes "Cabbage"
Correira |
Niko Vitale vs. Jason Drexel |
Lincoln Tyler vs. Ryota Matsune |
Jay R. Palmer vs. Eddie Yagin |
BJJ Black Belt Yuki Nakai talking
with his fighters |
Francisco "Chico" Bueno, BJJ Black
Belt |
|
Quote
of the Day
Happiness is enhanced by others but does not depend upon others.
|
Relson
Gracie Kaneohe Team Website
Purple Belt
Relson Gracie Association instructor Ronn Shiraki has just completed
the website for his school. If you are on the Kaneohe side, stop
by for a free introductory class on Saturday from 1:00 pm to
3:00 pm.
Check
out the webpage at:
http://www.kaneoheteam.com
|
Super
Brawl Update
www.SuperBrawl.tv
SuperBrawl XXIII
weigh-ins and press conference will be held at the Hard Rock
Cafe in Honolulu on Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m.
Both the weigh-ins and press conference are open to the public.
Meet your favorite
fighters!
Also at the Hard Rock on Friday from 4-6 p.m., your favorite
fighters will be on hand to sign autographs and hang out with
fans. This is your chance to get up-close and personal with these
personalities. Don't forget your camera!
Celebrate after
the fights!
The official SuperBrawl after-party is at the Hard Rock Cafe.
After the fights on Saturday night, you can party like a rock
star with the guys of SuperBrawl!
Enter to win!
The Hard Rock is giving away dinner for 2 and tickets to the
fights! Just stop by the Hard Rock Cafe and enter to win! No
Purchase necessary. The Hard Rock Cafe is located on the corner
of Kapiolani Blvd. and Kalakaua Ave., across from the Hawaii
Convention Center.
Official Fight
Card
1. 175lbs 2x5
minute rounds
Zack
Light
175lbs |
v |
Royden
Demotta
175lbs |
|
(Shark
Tank) |
|
(Nova
Uniao, Hilo) |
|
1-0 |
|
0-1 |
We may start out
the night with fireworks! Zack is a promising, young, collegiate
level wrestler who also has had success in toughman competitions.
As a Shark Tank fighter, you can count on him coming in good
condition. Royden trains with UFC superstar BJ Penn and likes
to brawl. Who will be left standing? We will see tonight. Pick’em
Even odds
2. 167.5lbs
2x5 minute rounds
Nasser
Lewis
167.5lbs |
v |
Kolo
Koka
167.5lbs |
|
(808
Fight Factory) |
|
(Grappling
Unlimited) |
|
1-0 |
|
2-1 |
Two local fighters
looking to find their way into the Super Brawl rankings. Pick
’em Even Odds
3. Light Heavyweight
2x5 minute rounds
Nick
Bradley
195lbs |
v |
Kaleo
Padilla 190lbs |
|
(Shark
Tank) |
|
(Westbrook,
Hilo, Hawaii) |
|
0-1 |
|
0-1 |
This will be a
classic case of grappler versus striker. Bradley is a collegiate
level wrestler making his pro debut and Padilla a seasoned boxer
with limited Mixed Martial Arts experience. Kaleo will attempt
to survive on the ground and land bombs while standing. Bradley
3-2 favorite
4. 154lbs 3x5
minute rounds
Hiroshi
Tsuruya
154 lbs |
v |
Andy
Wang
153.8 lbs |
|
(Paraestra,
Tokyo) |
|
(Grappling
Unlimited) |
|
Shooto
#6 Ranked 4-1-3 |
|
Super
Brawl #7 Ranked 2-2 |
Wang has come
down from nearly 200lbs when he decided he wanted to fight. He
has had mixed results, but at this new weight and rounding out
his training in new home of Los Angeles look for him to give
Tokyo’s Tsuruya all he can handle. Pick ‘em Even Odds.
5. 154lbs 2x5
minute rounds
Atticus
Lish
154lbs |
v |
Abe
Rodrigues
154lbs |
|
(Inosanto/Paulson) |
|
(Grappling
Unlimited) |
|
1-0 |
|
Super
Brawl #5 Ranked 2-2 |
This will be
a close fight. Lish will likely command the stand up, while Rodrigues
will be stronger on the ground. The edge goes to Rodrigues by
way of ring experience. Rodrigues 3-2 favorite
6. 132.3lbs 3x5 minute rounds
Ryota Matsune
132lbs |
v |
Lincoln Tyler
132lbs |
|
(Paraestra, Tokyo) |
|
(Freelance) |
|
Shooto #6 Ranked 8-1 |
|
Super Brawl
#5 Ranked 3-2 |
Two straight losses have blemished
Tyler’s perfect record, but that is not stopping him from
taking on top competition. Matsune is a tremendously well-rounded
fighter who will be looking to finish the fight from many different
angles. Tyler’s Jiu-Jitsu skills may be too one-dimensional
for Matsune. Matsune 2-1 Favorite
INTERMISSION
7. 167.5lbs 3x5 minute rounds
|
Jay R. Palmer |
v |
Eddie Yagin |
|
(Freelance, Waianae) |
|
(Grappling Unlimited) |
|
19-13 |
|
Super Brawl
#6 Ranked 4-0 |
No one can Say Jay R. Palmer is
not “game,” but he might be in over his head with the
fastest rising star in Hawaii’s MMA scene. After only his
first appearance in the Super Brawl ring, Yagin’s K.O. of
Ryan Diaz was voted as one of the top 3 fights in Super Brawl
history! Yagin’s devastating striking ability may end this
one early. Yagin 3-1 favorite
8. 198lbs 3x5 minute rounds
Jason Drexel
198lbs |
v |
Niko Vitale
198lbs |
|
(Sean McCully’s
LA Boxing, CA) |
|
(Grappling Unlimited) |
|
2-0 |
|
#1 Ranked 9-2 |
Vitale, coming off a loss in a
non-Super Brawl match, looks to get back on the winning track.
Much like Vitale, his opponent is an ex-football player with
tremendous raw natural talent, but with less ring experience,
look for Vitale to teach a lesson to this rookie. Vitale 2-1
favorite
9. Super Heavyweight 2x5 minute
rounds
Renato Bruzzi
235lbs |
v |
Wesley “Cabbage”
Correira
260lbs |
|
(Fransisco Bueno,
Brazil) |
|
(Grappling Unlimited) |
|
2-0 |
|
#1 Ranked 9-3 |
The toughest heavyweight in Hawaii
may have his hands full with Brazilian born Renato Bruzzi. Look
for “Cabbage” to use his effective “sprawl and
brawl” technique. If Bruzzi can get “Cabbage”
off his feet (which is no easy task), he may be able to finish
him. Otherwise, look for “Cabbage” to be mugging it
up for the cameras after another victory. “Cabbage”
3-2 favorite
10. Super Brawl Middleweight
Championship 3x5 minute rounds
Marcos DaSilva
183lbs |
v |
Egan Inoue
183lbs |
|
(Fransisco Bueno,
Brazil) |
|
(Grappling Unlimited) |
|
Super Brawl #2 Ranked |
|
Super Brawl Champion
12-3 |
DeSilva showed his submission prowess
by choking out Ronald “The Machine Gun” Jhun in Super
Brawl 13. Does he have what it takes to match Egan’s arsenal
of submissions? We may not find out if Egan decides to use his
much improved boxing skills. Look for Egan to try and keep this
fight “up and up.” DaSilva’s best chances are
on the ground and that is where he is going to try and take the
fight. This will be Inoue’s toughest Super Brawl fight.
Inoue 3-2 favorite |
First
Time Ever-Two Nite Tournament! Super Brawl Heavyweight Tournament
Friday and Saturday, April 26 & 27
“Cabbage”
and the Best Heavyweight fighters from around the world will
compete in a 16-man
Heavyweight
Tournament so big, we need two nights of Super Brawl action!
The winner of this $20,000 Tourney will have to win 4 fights
in just a 24 hour period!
The
biggest tournament In History!
Details
on special discounts on the two nights of tickets coming soon! |
Quote
of the Day
You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.
|
Mario
Sperry Seminar
Mario Sperry
did not let us down and gave a great seminar covering one hour
of gi and one hour of no gi instruction. I have to say that it
was one of the best seminars that I have been to in a while,
probably since Fredson was here. He went over some half guard
techniques, neck cracks, and attacking the back material. He
is very open to questions and is a no nonsense teacher. What
I mean by that is he is very open to stating that certain techniques
are difficult to pull off, especially if you go against an experienced
grappler. He said that he will return to Hawaii and I hope that
he stops by to give another seminar because I will be there for
that!
|
Wrestling
US World Cup Team
for immediate release: March 5, 2002
World medalists
Eggum, Williams and Olympian McCoy to lead U.S. team
at the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling in Spokane,
Wash., April 6-7
The United States
will have a strong squad as it looks to defend its team title
at the Northern Quest World Cup of Wrestling, set for April 6-7
at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash.
We are proud
to announce that Northern Quest Casino is the new title sponsor
of the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling.
*I*m honored
that Spokane was chosen by USA Wrestling to host this prestigious
event,* said Spokane Mayor John Powers. *Events like this help
fill hotel rooms and restaurant tables and boost sales at local
merchants. Ultimately, they shine a national and international
spotlight on our City, helping build our image as a destination
for those who live in our Region and beyond.*
This will be
the first World Cup competed under the new international wrestling
weight classes, and the U.S. will have experience and talent
at each weight class.
Leading the
effort will be 2001 World silver medalist Brandon Eggum (Minneapolis,
Minn./Minnesota Storm) competing at 187.25 pounds. Eggum surprised
the international wrestling world by winning a silver medal in
his first major international event. It was the highest finish
of all U.S. freestyle wrestlers last year. Eggum is originally
from Sidney, Montana, and is expected to have many fans at the
event.
2001 World bronze
medalist Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) will be
competing at 163 pounds at the World Cup. Williams has won two
straight World Cup gold medals. A three-time NCAA champion for
the Univ. of Iowa, Williams was also fourth in the 1999 World
Championships.
Kerry McCoy
(Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC), competing at 264.5 pounds, is a
winner of three straight World Cup titles and will seek his fourth
in a row. McCoy was fifth in the 2000 Olympic Games, and placed
fourth in the 1998 and 2001 World Championships. McCoy was a
two-time NCAA champion for Penn State.
Four other U.S.
World Cup team members have competed for the United States at
the World Championships.
Eric Guerrero
(Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids), a member of the 1999 and 2001
U.S. World Teams, will battle at 132 pounds. Guerrero was a three-time
NCAA champion for Oklahoma State Univ.
Eric Akin (Lincoln,
Neb./Dave Schultz WC) who wrestled in the 1999 World Championships,
will compete at 121 pounds. Akin was a NCAA runner-up at Iowa
State.
Two members
of the 2001 U.S. World Team will be on the World Cup team at
the new 145.5-pound weight class, Bill Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye
WC) and Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)
Zadick placed
seventh in the 2001 World Championships at 138.75 pounds. He
was a NCAA champion at the Univ. of Iowa. Zadick grew up in Great
Falls, Mont., and is expected to have a large crowd following.
Bono competed
at the World Championships at 152 pounds. He won a silver medal
at the 2001 World Cup. Bono was a NCAA champion and two-time
runner-up at Iowa State.
The final U.S.
weight class will feature a pair of emerging young talents, Chad
Lamer (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) and Daniel Cormier (Stillwater,
Okla,/Gator WC) at 211.5 pounds.
Lamer was a
University World Champion in 2000. He won three NCAA Div. II
titles for South Dakota State.
Cormier has
been impressive during the past year, winning a number of gold
medals at international events. He was a NCAA runner-up last
year for Oklahoma State Univ.
The United States
won the event when it was held in Spokane in 1999 and has won
four of the past five team titles. The other international wrestling
powers expected are Russia, Korea, Germany and Canada.
The Quad State
Cup, a USA Wrestling event for athletes from Kids through Open,
will be held alongside the World Cup. Young wrestlers can do
both - wrestle and watch! For information, contact Craig Hanson
at (509)226-0765 or Dale Imes at (509)226-3715.
Fanfest will
be the activity and hospitality gathering area just for fans
at the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling. Meet with
your friends before and between sessions. This will be a place
to gather autographs, get souvenirs and see the latest in equipment
and innovations in wrestling. It will be free and tons of fun!!
Join the festivities at the SeasonTicket directly north of the
Arena.
Single session
tickets are now on sale and range in price from $13-26. Call
1-800-325-SEAT or go to the web site at www.ticketswest.com.
An all session adult pass is $69 while an all-session youth pass
is $59. Groups of 10 or more receive a $4 discount per ticket.
USA Wrestling members, Military Personnel and Seniors 55 and
older receive a $2 discount per ticket. No multiple combination
of discounts will be accepted.
The headquarters
hotel is the Doubletree Spokane City Center. Call 509-455-9600
and ask for the World Cup rate.
For additional
information, contact Star USA at 509-448-6829.
U.S. lineup
for Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling
55 kg/121 lbs. - Eric Akin, Lincoln, Neb. (Dave Schultz WC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Eric Guerrero, Stillwater, Okla. (Sunkist Kids)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Bill Zadick, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Chris Bono, Gilbert, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Joe Williams, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Brandon Eggum, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota
Storm)
97 kg/211.5 lbs. - Chad Lamer, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC)
97 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)
Source: Abu
Dhabi
|
Official
Press Release
'Return
of the Heavyweights' tourney
filled in Utah
A
mixture of strikers and grapplers complete the tournament field
for Extreme Challenge 47: Return of the Heavyweights.
Undefeated
Mike Kyle, huge Ernest "Samson" Henderson, Brad Anderson
and Eric Klepper will compete in the 8-man heavyweight tourney
March 16 at McKay Events Center in Orem, Utah. They join previously
announced fighters Tim Sylvia, Rocky Batastini, Matt Frembling
and Gabe Beaupurthy.
In
an alternate bout, Ray Harris will face Dino Delacruz.
"These final four guys were picked from a pretty large group
of fighters," said co-promoter Monte Cox. "We wanted
to get a good mixture, so we took Kyle and Klepper, who are known
for their strong striking ability... and Henderson and Anderson,
who have wrestling and submission experience."
The
winner and runnerup in the tourney will earn berths in the mega
16-man heavyweight tourney at Super Brawl on April 26-27 in Honolulu,
Hawaii. Winner of that event pockets $10,000.
In
the first qualifier, held earlier this month in Des Moines, Iowa,
winner Ben Rothwell and runnerup Mike Radnov earned berths into
the Hawaii event.
Besides the tourney and alternate fight, it was previously announced
that local favorite Jennifer Howe would defend her Extreme Challenge
women's title against Angela Restad of Seattle.
Also,
Salt Lake's Phil Henderson will battle Provo's Chris Kiever in
and all-Utah heavyweight bout.
The fighter hotel is the Hampton Inn and special room rates are
available for Extreme Challenge fans. Call 801 426-8500 for reservations.
The
tourney field...
Mike
Kyle
6-4, 250, Boise, Idaho
MMA record: 7-0
Strengths: Knockout power
Ernest
Henderson
6-3, 380, Ellensburg, Washington
MMA record: 0-1
Strengths: Jiu-Jitsu, judo
Brad
Anderson
6-2, 220, Colorado Springs, Colo.
MMA record: 4-1
Strengths: Wrestling, judo
Eric
Klepper
6-7, 280, Temecula, Calif.
MMA record: 5-4
Strengths: Muay Thai
Tim
Sylvia
6-8, 260, Bettendorf, Iowa
MMA record: 7-0
Strengths: Striking, reach
Matt
Frembling
6-0, 240, Los Angeles
MMA record: 7-0
Strengths: Well-rounded
Gabe
Beaupurthy
6-2, 255, Colorado Springs
MMA record: 6-3
Strengths: Judo, wrestling
Rocky
Batastini
6-2, 300, Reno, Nev.
MMA record: 11-6
Strengths: Striking
Alternate
fighters...
Ray
Harris
6-0, 250, Cincinnati, Ohio
MMA record: 0-0
Strengths: Striking
Dino
Delacruz
5-10, 315, Salt Lake City
MMA record: 0-0
Strengths: Striking
|
Quote
of the Day
For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds
of happiness that you can never get back.
|
Mario
Sperry Seminar Tonight!
Jose Mario
Sperry, World Champion Black Belt, MMA Champ, and Brazilian Top
Team founding member, will be conducting a seminar at the Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy tonight from 7:00-9:00 pm. It has not
been clarified if it will be a combination gi and no-gi seminar,
but be prepared just in case. Sperry is fresh off a huge win
in Japan over top 5 fighter, Igor Vovchanchin. The cost is just
$40 which is a steal. Call the academy at 589-2524 to reserve
your spot!
Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy
844 Queen St.
Honolulu, HI 96813
808-589-2524
|
Fighters'
Club TV Air Time
The
brand new show, Fighter's Club TV, has just released episode
three featuring yours truly in a "Technique of the Week"
segment as well as featuring Super Brawl promoter T. Jay Thompson
and Haru Shimanishi's HMC. I'm looking forward to see how it
came out. I saw a preview and it looks pretty impressive. It's
a great show so check it out!
Fighters'
Club TV #3 airs:
Channel
52
3/23/02 12:30 pm
3/24/02 11:30 pm
3/25/02 11:30 pm
3/26/02 9:30 pm
|
2nd
Arizona Grappling Challenge: UPDATE!
Marc
Laimon (Nova Uniao's Black Belt) and Christopher Leininger (UFC
Veteran) will be competing in a special Jiu-Jitsu match at the
2nd Arizona Grappling Challenge on April 6th. This will be Marc's
Black Belt debut, against the experienced local fighter Leininger.
Sponsored
by: HCK Kimonos (www.howardliu.com) , Hardcore fight gear
(www.hcfightgear.com) .
More
information about this tournament at (480) 517-1960 or azcombatsports.com with Gustavo Dantas.
|
NCAA
Division I Wrestling Rankings
3/5/02 release
March 5th Release:
See
below the W.I.N. Magazine's NCAA Division I team and individual
wrestling rankings. The rankings are formulated on input from
coaches across the country and by analyzing past results. Individuals
and teams are ranked according to placement potential at the
NCAAs in March. To follow the weekly rankings during the season,
go to our website at WIN-magazine.com.)
W.I.N.¹s
Top Twenty
1. Minnesota (1st)
2. Michigan (2nd)
3. Iowa (3rd)
4. Oklahoma State (4th)
5. Oklahoma (5th)
6. Ohio State (6th)
7. Iowa State (7th)
8. Pennsylvania (8th)
9. Missouri (9th)
10. Illinois (10th)
11. West Virginia (11th)
12. Lehigh (12th)
13. Lock Haven (13th)
14. Edinboro (15th)
15. Northern Iowa (17th)
16. Boise State (NR)
17. Arizona State (14th)
18. Purdue (16th)
19. Central Michigan (19th)
20. Fresno State (20th)
21. Wisconsin (18th)
22. Cornell (21st)
23. Michigan State (22nd)
24. Hofstra (23rd)
25. Nebraska (25th)
25. Penn State (24th)
Others: Northern
Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Oregon State, Virginia Tech,
Air Force, Oregon
125 Pounds
1. Stephen Abas - Fresno State, Sr. (1st)
2. Leroy Vega - Minnesota, Sr. (2nd)
3. Chris Fleeger - Purdue, Fr. (3rd)
4. Skylar Holman - Oklahoma State, Jr. (5th)
5. Matt Ridings - Oklahoma, Sr. (6th)
6. AJ Grant - Michigan, Sr. (7th)
7. Ben Vombauer - Boise State, Jr. (4th)
8. Jason Powell - Nebraska, So. (8th)
9. Shaun Williams - Oregon, Sr. (15th)
10. Twam Pham - Illinois, Jr. (9th)
11. Luke Eustice - Iowa, So. (10th)
12. Mason Lenhard - Penn, So. (11th)
13. Chris Williams - Michigan State, Sr. (12th)
14. Travis Lee -
Cornell, Fr. (13th) (From St. Louis High, Hawaii)
15. Ty Malia - Iowa State (16th)
16. Tom Noto - Hofstra, Jr. (17th)
17. Greg Schaeffer - Indiana, Jr. (18th)
18. Mario Stuart - Lehigh, So. (19th)
19. Shawn Bunch - Edinboro, Fr. (NR)
20. Tony Black - Wisconsin, Jr. (20th)
133 Pounds
1. Ryan Lewis - Minnesota, Jr. (1st)
2. Johnny Thompson - Oklahoma State, So. (2nd)
3. Witt Durden - Oklahoma, Jr. (4th)
4. Foley Dowd - Michigan, So. (5th)
5. Kevin Black - Wisconsin, Jr. (6th)
6. Zach Roberson - Iowa State, So. (7th)
7. David Douglas - Arizona State, Sr. (3rd)
8. Cliff Moore - Iowa, So. (8th)
9. Rad Martinez - Clarion, Jr. (9th)
10. Jeff Ratliff - Ohio State, So. (10th)
11. Jordan Webster - Central Michigan, So. (11th)
12. Phillip Mansueto - Cleveland State, Jr. (12th)
13. Cory Ace - Edinboro, Jr. (13th)
14. Chad Hay - Illinois, Sr. (14th)
15. Brandon Lauer - West Virginia, So. (15th)
16. Jesse Brock - Boise State, So. (NR)
17. Travis Drake - Appalachian State, Jr. (16th)
18. Derrick Hayes - Fresno State, Sr. (18th)
19. Marat Tomaev - Penn State, So. (17th)
20. Ryan L¹Amareaux - Michigan State, Jr. (19th)
141 Pounds
1. Marc Conley - Navy, Sr. (1st)
2. Sean Gray - Virginia Tech, Sr. (2nd)
3. Eric Larkin - Arizona State, Jr. (3rd)
4. Aaron Holker - Iowa State, Jr. (4th)
5. Dylan Long - Northern Iowa, So. (5th)
6. Chad Erikson - Minnesota, Sr. (7th)
7. Mike Maney - Lock Haven, So. (8th)
8. Robert Sessley - Ohio State, Sr. (9th)
9. Cedric Haymon - Cal Poly, Sr. (6th)
10. Shane Cunnanan - West Virginia, Jr. (10th)
11. Grant Hoerr - Wisconsin, Sr. (11th)
12. Phillip Simpson - Army, Fr. (12th)
13. Nate Parker - Oklahoma, Jr. (13th)
14. Scott Moore - Penn St., Jr. (16th)
15. Coyte Cooper - Indiana, So. (15th)
16. Chad Caros - Edinboro, Sr. (14th)
17. Luke Moffitt - Iowa, Jr. (17th)
18. Brian Watson - Oregon, Fr. (NR)
19. Ronnie Delk - Oklahoma St., Fr. (18th)
20. Blaise Mucci - Pittsburgh, Sr. (19th)
149 Pounds
1. Mike Zadick - Iowa, Sr. (1st)
2. Jared Lawrence - Minnesota, Jr. (2nd)
3. Jamar Billman - Lock Haven, Sr. (3rd)
4. Mike Kulzcycki - Michigan, Jr. (4th)
5. Jared Frayer - Oklahoma, Sr. (5th)
6. Billy Maldonado - Iowa State, Sr. (6th)
7. Jesse Jantzen - Harvard, So. (7th)
8. Keaton Anderson - Ohio State, Jr. (8th)
9. Jerrod Sanders - Oklahoma State, So. (9th)
10. Jeremy Spates - Missouri, So. (10th)
11. Jake Percival - Ohio, So. (11th)
12. Joe Henson - Penn, Jr. (12th)
13. Scott Frohardt - Air Force, Sr. (13th)
14. Karl Nadolsky - Michigan State, Jr. (14th)
15. Jason DeBruin - Hofstra, Sr. (15th)
16. Ryan Berger - Illinois, Jr. (16th)
17. Billy Smith - West Virginia, Jr. (17th)
18. Marc Hoffer - American, Sr. (18th)
19. Colin Robeston - Boise State, Jr. (19th)
20. Ty Morgan - Central Michigan, So. (20th)
157 Pounds
1. Bryan Snyder - Nebraska, Sr. (1st)
2. Yoshi Nakamura - Penn, Sr. (2nd)
3. Luke Becker - Minnesota, Jr. (3rd)
4. Shane Roller - Oklahoma State, Jr. (4th)
5. Ryan Bertin - Michigan, Fr. (5th)
6. Scott Owen - Northern Illinois, Sr. (6th)
7. Joe Carr - West Virginia, Sr. (7th)
8. Gray Maynard - Michigan State, Jr. (8th)
9. Matt Anderson - Iowa, Jr. (9th)
10. Josh Janson - Ohio State, Sr. (11th)
11. Griff Powell - Illinois, Sr. (13th)
12. Doug Cieleski - Oklahoma, Sr. (12th)
13. Derek Jenkins - Rider, Jr. (14th)
14. Kenny Burleson - Missouri, Jr. (16th)
15. Mike Tolar - Kent State, So. (15th)
16. Tony Overstake - Oregon, Jr. (NR)
17. David Bolyard - Central Michigan, So. (17th)
18. Adam Britt - VMI, Jr. (18th)
19. Matt Veach - Iowa State, Jr. (19th)
20. Levi Provost - Wyoming, So. (20th)
165 Pounds
1. Matt Lackey - Illinois, Jr. (1st)
2. Tyrone Lewis - Oklahoma St., So. (2nd)
3. Joe Heskett - Iowa State, Sr. (3rd)
4. Tom McMath - West Virginia, Sr. (4th)
5. Chris Vitale - Lehigh, Sr. (5th)
6. Eugene Harris - Oregon, Sr. (6th)
7. Josh Henson - Pennsylvania, Sr. (7th)
8. Robbie Waller - Oklahoma, Jr. (8th)
9. Johnny Clark - Ohio State, So. (9th)
10. Matt King -- Edinboro, So. (10th)
11. Carl Fronhofer - Pittsburgh, Jr. (11th)
12. Chris Vecchio - Penn State, Sr. (12th)
13. Nick Nemeth - Kent State, Sr. (13th)
14. Tyrone Woodley - Missouri, So. (14th)
15. Charles Martelli - Michigan, Sr. (15th)
16. Burt Pierson - Cal-Davis, Sr. (16th)
17. Pierre Pryor - North Carolina State, Sr. (17th)
18. Nate Baker - Minnesota, Fr. (18th)
19. Anton Hall - Michigan St., Jr. (19th)
20. Oscar Sandiago - Purdue, Jr. (20th)
174 Pounds
1. Otto Olson - Michigan, Sr. (1st)
2. Josh Koscheck - Edinboro, Sr. (2nd)
3. Greg Jones - West Virginia, So. (3rd)
4. Greg Parker - Princeton, Jr. (4th)
5. Jeff Rusak - Old Dominion, Sr. (5th)
6. Rick Springman - Penn, Sr. (6th)
7. Tyler Nixt - Iowa, So. (7th)
8. Jacob Volkman - Minnesota, Jr. (8th)
9. Ryan Lange - Purdue, So. (9th)
10. John Kopnisky - Missouri, Sr. (10th)
11. Nathan Coy - Oregon State, Sr. (11th)
12. Steve Strange - Cal Poly, Sr. (12th)
13. Jim Stanec - Cornell, Sr. (13th)
14. Tony Denke - Nebraska, Sr. (14th)
15. Ty Wilcox - Oklahoma State, Sr. (15th)
16. Michael Barger - Oklahoma, Sr. (17th)
17. Rasheed Evans - Michigan St., Sr. (16th)
18. Gerald Harris - Cleveland State, Jr. (18th)
19. Terry Parham - Air Force, Sr. (19th)
20. Eric Huaun - UNI, Fr. (20th)
184 Pounds
1. Andy Hrovat - Michigan, Sr. (1st)
2. Viktor Sveda - Indiana, Sr. (2nd)
3. Scott Justus - Virginia Tech, Jr. (3rd)
4. Damion Hahn - Minnesota, So. (4th)
5. Jessman Smith - Iowa, Jr. (5th)
6. Rob Rohn - Lehigh, Sr. (6th)
7. Josh Lambrecht - Oklahoma, Jr. (7th)
8. Clint Wattenberg - Cornell, Jr. (8th)
9. Travis Pascoe - Nebraska, Fr. (9th)
10. Ben Heizer - Northern Illinois, So. (10th)
11. Mark Becks - Penn State, Jr. (11th)
12. Kyle Hansen - Northern Iowa, Sr. (12th)
13. Jason Potter - Illinois, So. (13th)
14. Pat Popolizzio - Oklahoma State, Sr. (14th)
15. Isaac Weber - Oregon State, Sr. (19th)
16. Ralph DiNesco - Wisconsin, So. (15th)
17. Anton Talamantes - Ohio State, Jr. (17th)
18. Joshua Millard - Lock Haven, Sr. (16th)
19. Jeremy Wilson - Portland State, Sr. (18th)
20. Tom Tanis - Rutgers, Sr. (20th)
197 Pounds
1. Cael Sanderson - Iowa State, Sr. (1st)
2. Jon Trenge - Lehigh, So. (2nd)
3. Nick Preston - Ohio State, Sr. (3rd)
4. Owen Elzen - Minnesota, Sr. (4th)
5. Kyle Smith - Michigan, Jr. (5th)
6. Chris Skretkowicz - Hofstra, Fr. (6th)
7. Scott Barker - Missouri, So. (7th)
8. Justin Ruiz - Nebraska, Fr. (8th)
9. Dave Shunamon - Edinboro, Jr. (9th)
10. Jason Payne - Northern Iowa, Sr. (11th)
11. Tom Grossman - Oklahoma, Jr. (12th)
12. Erik Gladish - Arizona State, Sr. (10th)
13. William Gruenwald - Oklahoma State, Fr. (13th)
14. Anthony Reynolds - Sacred Heart, Sr. (14th)
15. Matt Greenberg - Cornell, Jr. (15th)
16. Eric Mausser - Clarion, Jr., (16th)
17. Dave Schenk - Cal Poly, Jr. (NR)
18. John Bush - Purdue, Jr. (18th)
19. Avery Zerkle - Lock Haven, Sr. (17th)
20. David Sandberg - Pittsburgh, Sr. (19th)
Heavyweight
1. Steve Mocco - Iowa, Fr. (1st)
2. Tommy Rowlands - Ohio State, So. (2nd)
3. Garrett Lowney - Minnesota, So. (3rd)
4. Leonce Crump - Oklahoma, So. (4th)
5. Jake Vercelli - Purdue, Sr. (5th)
6. John Lockhart - Illinois, Sr. (6th)
7. Jason Cooley - Oregon State, Sr. (7th)
8. Kevin Hoy - Air Force, Jr. (8th)
9. Kellan Fluckiger - Arizona State, Jr. (9th)
10. James Huml - Oklahoma State, Sr. (10th)
11. Matt Knauer - Iowa State, Sr. (11th)
12. Paul Hynek - Northern Iowa, Jr. (12th)
13. Matt Brink - Michigan, Sr. (13th)
14. Bronson Lingamfelter - Brown, Sr. (14th)
15. Matt Feast - Penn, Fr. (15th)
16. Dawid Rechul - Harvard, Sr. (16th)
17. Eric Webb - Oregon, Jr. (17th)
18. John Testa - Clarion, Jr. (18th)
19. Ryan Kehler - West Virginia, Sr. (19th)
20. Steve Kovach - Navy, Jr. (20th)
|
Quote
of the Day
Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where
you are.
|
Media
Alert!:
Super Brawl 23
February 9, 2002
Neil Blaisdell Arena
Get your tickets Now!
 
Join
us at the Hard Rock Cafe
SuperBrawl 23 weigh-ins and press conference will be held at
the Hard Rock Cafe in Honolulu on Friday, March 8 at 3 p.m. Both
the weigh-ins and press conference are open to the public. All
press credential must be picked up at this time!
Meet
your favorite fighters!
Also at the Hard Rock on Friday from 4-6 p.m., Egan Inoue and
your favorite fighters will be on hand to sign autographs and
hang out with fans. This is your chance to get up-close and personal
with these personalities. Don't forget your camera!
Enter
to win!
The Hard Rock is giving away dinner for 2 and tickets to the
fights! Just stop by the Hard Rock Cafe and enter to win! No
Purchase necessary. The Hard Rock Cafe is located on the corner
of Kapiolani Blvd. and Kalakaua Ave., across from the Hawaii
Convention Center.
Tickets
to the event are on sale at the Blaisdell Center box office,
all tickets plus outlets or online at www.ticketplushawaii.com
Much
more info at www.superbrawl.tv
Contact:
T.Jay Thompson tj@superbrawl.tv (808) 524-6062
|
UFC
36 update - Thomas out, Dullanty in
UFC 36: Worlds Collide
Friday, March 22nd - MGM Grand in Las Vegas
HW Title Fight - Couture vs. Barnett
WW Title Fight - Hughes vs. Sakurai
Due
to a knee injury suffered in training earlier this week, Din
Thomas has been forced to withdraw from his fight with Matt Serra
at UFC 36. Thomas’ replacement will be Kelly Dullanty, from
San Jose, California.
Dullanty
is undefeated in MMA competition, with a 4-0 record. He is known
for having very good wrestling skills, but he trains in Muay
Thai and loves to bang. Dullanty fights for Team Shamrock, out
of the American Kickboxing Academy, where he trains with “Crazy”
Bob Cook and former UFC middleweight champion Frank Shamrock.
|
SUSUMU
- Always 'THE BEST'
Hello,
We
have added 12 pictures from The Best, 'minor league' of Pride,
held on February 2nd in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.
Please
enjoy!
Susumu's
Gallery: http://come.to/susumu
|
Quote
of the Day
The best gifts to give:
To your friend - loyalty
To your enemy - forgiveness
To your boss - service
To a child - a good example
To your parents - gratitude and devotion
To your mate - love and faithfulness
|
Jiu-Jitsu
Student Wrestling Champ!
Rene Suehiro, who wrestles for McKinley High School at 135 lbs,
has just won the Hawaii State Championship this Saturday. Emile
Suehiro, 125 lbs., took second in a very close 4-3 match, which
went down to the wire. John Spiker continues his quest to be
the second Hawaii State 4-time champ by winning the 145 weight
class by 4 pins and one tech fall. Spiker pinned his opponent
in the finals to claim his third title as a junior. Lawrence
and Desmond Thain also had great performances placing forth and
third respectively. Congratulations to these warriors!
Honolulu Star Bulletin
February 24, 2002
St. Louis keeps its grip on title
By Jason Kaneshiro
St. Louis survived
a tight three-team battle to retain the boys state wrestling
title last night in the finals of the Data House State Wrestling
Championships at Blaisdell Arena.
The Interscholastic
League of Honolulu swept the top four places in the meet, led
by St. Louis' 154.5-point performance. Kamehameha came in second
with 144 points, followed by Iolani at 143. Punahou finished
fourth with 111.5 points.
"It feels
even better this year, because it was so tight every week,"
St. Louis coach Todd Los Banos said. "Last year, I knew
we had a great team, but this team accomplished even more because
they went undefeated this season.
"It's a
tough fight every week."
St. Louis sealed
its second consecutive team championship when three-time state
champion Jonathan Spiker pinned Punahou's Kevin Takasaki to win
the 145-pound division and Kai Kwon beat Baldwin's Spencer Chun
7-0 in the fifth-place match in the 171-pound class.
"It took
all of them," Los Banos said of his team's effort. "It
just happened to be (Kwon's) match and Jonathan's match that
did it."
St. Louis entered
the finals in first place with 136.5 points, with Kamehameha
(135) and Iolani (130) just behind.
Hilo's Shane
Rellez beat Waiakea's Mikhail Higa 3-1 in the 103-pound final
in a battle of Big Island rivals.
St. Louis' Benn
Willmore defeated Baldwin's Rowell Daquep in the 112-pound class
8-4, and Iolani got first-place points from Jared Wakayama (119
pounds) and Brent Kakesako (125).
Wakayama erased
a 3-1 deficit to Waiakea's Nick Galloway with a two-point takedown
to end the second period. He took the lead with an escape early
in the third and went on to win 6-4 over the top seed.
Kakesako survived
a bruising battle with McKinley's Emile Suehiro. Trailing 3-1
entering the final period, Kakesako got a point on an escape
and scored with a reversal with about a minute left in the match
to win 4-3.
Rene Suehiro
earned a measure of revenge for his brother and McKinley by beating
Iolani's Kyle Muraoka 6-3 in the 135-pound final.
Mililani helped
St. Louis' cause as Justin Kawamata beat Iolani's Owen Yonehara
14-6 in the 130-pound final and Jaime Keehu defeated Kamehameha's
Christian Kikuchi 12-3 for the 140-pound championship.
In the tightest
match of the evening, Lahainaluna's Jeffery Lavita and Hilo's
Alex Kalawe wrestled for seven minutes without a score. Lavita
finally scored on a reversal in the second overtime and won 5-0.
Lahainaluna's
Kainoa Casco won his second state title with a pin of Farrington's
Paul Laga in the 160-pound match.
Robert Yamashita
added to Iolani's total with a 14-5 victory over Waiakea's Marcus
Busch in the 171-pound final.
Molokai's Justin
Luafalemana scored the upset of the night by beating St. Louis'
Prince Brown 3-2 for the 215-pound championship.
Waipahu's Maalele
Uele won the 275-pound division with a 7-6 win over Lahainaluna's
Charles Tang.
Honolulu Star
Bulletin
February 24, 2002
OIA
The Moanalua girls repeated as Oahu Interscholastic Association
wrestling champions last night, getting the best team effort
from a stacked field at leilehua last night.
The Menehunes won because of their three state champions, Caylene
Valdez at 108 pounds, Shani Alvarado at 140 and Stephany Lee
at 155. It was enough to give them the team title 135-122.5 over
Kahuku.
It was share
the wealth, as seven different schools won individual championships,
with Moanalua leading with three and Mckinley second with two.
Kahuku, Mililani, Pearl City, Nanakuli and Leilehua all walked
away with a champion.
"It is
always a surprise for us," Moanalua coach Joel Kawachi said.
"We've got three OIA champs and did pretty well."
Alvarado and
Lee both pinned their opponents in the championship in the first
period, but Valdez did not have such an easy time. Shanel Vivas
of Kahuku pushed her for three periods before losing 11-8.
McKinley won
the boys team title 154-145 over Moanalua, thanks to its four
individual champions at the lower weights: Lawrence Thain at 119, Emile Suehiro at 125, Desmond
Thain at 130 and Rene Suehiro at 135.
McKinley last
won in 1999, and would have won four in a row had Moanalua not
beaten them the previous year.
Two-time defending
champion Kahuku dropped to seventh, leaving the draw even more
spread out than the girls, with 10 schools getting individual
champions in 14 weight classes. The Red Raiders did not have
any of them. |
Mario
Sperry Seminar This Wednesday!
Fresh off a victory by submission of Igor Vovchanchyn, one of
the heads of the Brazilian Top Team, "The Zen Machine"
Jose Mario Sperry will be putting on a seminar at the Relson
Gracie Main Academy this Wednesday, March 6th from 7:00-9:00PM.
The address is:
844 Queen Street (right off of Ward Avenue)
The cost is $40.00, if you would like to hold your spot, please
call the main academy at 589-2524.
|
Ken
Shamrock Seminar is off!
The Ken Shamrock seminar in Hilo scheduled for March 9th is officially
cancelled due to not reaching the required minimum amount of
students.
Ken Shamrock will appear at the Hawaii Pro Wrestling Shockwave
2002 event on Friday, March 8th at 6 PM at the Sangha Hall in
Hilo. He will also be at the after party at Shooters Bar and
Grill at 11PM, and will be in Kona on March 10th from 3-6PM at
the Kailua-Kona K Mart. Mahalo!
Aloha,
Mariner
Revell
XFA
www.xfa.biz
Office: (808) 961-3366
Fax: (808) 961-4929 |
Warriors
Quest 4 Update!
Dan
Gilbert to replace Nathan Marquardt in Warriors Quest main event.
Gilbert, who is ranked #6 in Shooto will take on # 4 ranked Shooto
fighter Ray "Bradda" Cooper. Gilbert, who had a big
TKO against UFC veteran Jutaro Nakao. Nakao, as all you Hawaii
fans know, choked out former UFC Champion Pat Miletich in Hawaii.
Source: Event Promoter |
'Celebrity
Boxing'
With MMA getting virtually no mainstream TV coverage or network
deal (cable or sports) the project of 'Celebrity Boxing' is offensive
to many MMA fans as well as average, non-MMa watching human beings
alike!
None other than
FOX will be producing 'Battle of the Bad Girls' which features
some of the most world-renowned sleaze artists taking part in
the first event, scheduled for March 13, 2002.
Tonya Harding,
whose claim to fame is having her husband whack Nancy Kerrigan
in the leg to better her position in the 1994 Olympics, will
face none other than 'The Long Island Lolita' Amy Fisher, the
teen-aged prostitute who shot her lovers wife in the head.
Harding was
later found guilty of conspiracy and Fisher did time for attempted
murder.
Also on this
'fabulous' show is a grudge match of the Partridge Family vs.
the Brady Bunch as Barry Williams takes on Danny Bonaduce.
There are other
matches to be added and many entertainment insiders are unsure
whether it was going to be live or video taped.
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
Quote
of the Day
"Effective management always means asking the right question."
Robert Heller |
State
Wrestling Championships
This Weekend
The State
Wrestling Championship starts today at the Blaisdell Arena and
continue on to Saturday. Johnny Spiker, (pictured above) who
I used to train with at Shobukan Judo Club, looks to continue
his path to becoming the second Hawaii State 4-Time State Wrestling
Champion. He is currently a junior at St. Louis and already has
two state titles under his belt. I believe he is one win away
from tying the all time total wins in wrestling. He is destroying
everyone in his path and it looks like he is going to do that
this weekend.
Relson
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu team members:
Lawrance
Thain - 119 lbs.
Emile Suehiro - 125 lbs.
Desmond Thain - 130 lbs.
Rene Suehiro - 135 lbs.
The
four above all are from McKinley high school and all just won
the OIA championships last weekend. We wish them the best and
hopefully they all will come back with State Championship titles.
Good luck! |
Warriors
Quest Website Launched!
Fighters
Production,LLC has launched www.Warriorsquest.tv so fans can
keep up with the latest from Warriors Quest. The site is still
underconstruction but looking good.
|
THE
ADCC STIRS!
The Long Road To The
2003 Submission Wrestling World Championships Begins!
Things are never
quiet at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club, but with the bustle of day
to day activities, thoughts of Submission Wrestling and the prestigious
tournament that is ADCC's pet project seemed to be on backburner.
Not anymore!
'2003 will be
the 5th Submission Wrestling World Championships.' says ADCC
tournament guru Guy Nievens. 'It is still a long way away, but
it will be in March, April or May of 2003, we are not sure of
the date yet.'
'With a tournament
this size, we want to start planning early.' says Neivens, who
has organized the previous four. 'We can say that our qualifier
series will also go forward, and that will start in the last
quarter of 2002. So be on the lookout for those, all over the
world.'
'The champions
from the 2001 World Championships receive an automatic invitation
back to the 2003 tournaments. Other than that, the best way to
assure you get an invite is to qualify!' Neivens repeats some
of the ground rules from years past. 'Naturally, we will continue
to invite a field of international teams, and we have a long
list of previous competitors that will get invites. We have 80
slots in the World Championships, plus alternates, so I think
the Qualifiers take on greater importance for the competitors
- it is a sure invite if you win one' concludes Neivens.
So this is a
call to the grappling world! Be on the lookout for the 5th SUBMISSION
WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS!
A LOOK BACK
AT 2001 - PERHAPS THE GREATEST GRAPPLING TOURNAMENT OF ALL TIME!
The 2001 tournament,
the 4th annual SUBMISSION WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS saw the
worlds's greatest grapplers gather in Abu Dhabi, UAE for a 2
day tournament that sets the standard for grappling elite! AN
international field representing dozens of countries - particiapnts
include Royler Gracie winning his 3rd title, Renzo Gracie stunningly
upset, Ricardo Arona sweeps two tournaments, Mark Kerr battles
Mario Sperry, Jean Jacques Machado launches a stunning submission
assault in the Absolutes! Plus Rodrigo Gracie, Tsuyoshi Kosaka,
SHOOTO's Takanori Gomi, Japanese Champion Sanae Kikuta among
dozens of other world class grapplers!
'The set is
a limited edition, and we only a limited amount left' states
producer Jeff Osborne. 'These will be a collectors item, and
it will be a while before we get another batch of sets printed,
so get yours today! These are going!
Source: Abu
Dhabi |
Frye
Bests Shamrock;
Silva Retains Middleweight Title in an Incredible Night at Pride
19
by Josh Gross
Tokyo, Feb. 24 -- It
was over five years in the making, and the only thing Don Frye
could do when he stepped in the ring to see Ken Shamrock standing
in front of him was smile. All the bad blood, both real and manufactured,
finally reached critical mass Sunday night, and over 25,000 fans
in the Saitama Super Arena got to witness two tough old men make
war with each other.
Neither man
did much damage early on. It seemed every time there was enough
space to throw punches or meaningful knees, they would inevitably
clinch and proceed to throw rabbit punches to the ribs and small
knees to the midsection and thigh. As round one progressed, Frye
started to find the proper range and connected to Shamrock's
head several times.
Tired of eating
leather, Shamrock used a risky scissors sweep to put Frye on
his back. Immediately, Shamrock landed an inside heel hook that
would have finished any normal man, but Frye refused to give
as Shamrock moved the submission from the inside to the outside.
A push kick
landed to Shamrock's left eye and he began bleeding, but that
didn't stop the 38-year-old from working on his nemesis' leg
via a toehold. Round one ended and a perplexed Shamrock went
back to his corner, while Frye limped, then walked, to his.
Both men slowed
in the second round. Besides a solid body shot by Shamrock and
a good knee by Frye, neither man was able to injure the other.
Shamrock looked fatigue as he had little snap on punches and
knees. Frye, on the other hand, seemed fairly fresh heading into
the third and final round.
With a mouse
forming underneath his left eye, Shamrock began the last round
much like he fought the second as he moved to clinch after a
short exchange of punches. However, Frye had started to gain
momentum via the punching game and seemed to be on the way to
a knockout as he blasted Shamrock with a straight right.
Shamrock fell
to the mat and appeared to be done. The 36-year-old Frye pounced
and, amazingly, Shamrock sat up. Yet, Frye pummeled Shamrock
and it seemed like the possibility for the fight to go to the
judges was slim to none. Showing an incredible amount of heart,
Shamrock continued to fight even though he was severely dazed.
Frye mounted, but Shamrock used the opportunity to put Frye on
his back for the first time in the fight.
With just over
one minute remaining, Shamrock fell back in another heel hook
attempt. Again, Frye refused to tapout and the two men battled
in a game of leg locks before the bell sounded to signal the
end of the fight.
It was an unreal
war between two fighters hailing from a long-gone era. Putting
differences aside, Frye and Shamrock hugged following the fight
knowing that five years of hate resulted in one of the most impressive
displays of toughness the sport had ever witnessed. The judges
called a split decision in Frye's favor but, more importantly,
it was everything that makes mixed martial arts so great.
The fight order
for Pride 19 had the Shamrock-Frye showdown before both the Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira-Enson Inoue and Vanderlei Silva-Kiyoshi Tamura
battles. While there was a small emotional letdown, both fights
featured some amazing action and truly great finishes.
Silva defended
his title for the first time since winning it in November against
a man many gave little chance to. Tamura was 13 pounds lighter,
fighting in a world he was not used to and facing a vicious man
who'd been on quite a tear as of late - it did not look promising.
None of that
mattered to Tamura. He stepped in confidently and made his presence
known early on with a solid kick to the champ's stomach. Silva
scored a takedown and worked an effective ground-and-pound game
that saw him take advantage of Tamura's inexperience with Pride
rules.
Tamura's head
continued to be Silva's target throughout much of round one while
the challenger laid back first on the mat. Silva used that game
plan throughout much of the first ten minutes, which caused Tamura's
nose to start leaking blood. Towards the end of the stanza, Tamura
regained his feet and landed a powerful shot to Silva's chin
that staggered the champion. However, he did not follow up and
Silva recovered by taking down and pounding on Tamura the remainder
of the round.
Tamura opened
the second with another solid kick to Silva's upper body and
the two exchanged punches. Silva, who now had a pretty good-sized
cut above his right eye that would require six stitches, dropped
a solid knee on his foe. While Tamura had been successful at
holding off most of Silva's offense, he started to have difficulty
accounting for everything.
Following a
Silva kick to Tamura's face that just missed the mark, the challenger
threw a big left hand that Silva slipped and answered with an
overhand right. The punch landed on the money and Tamura dropped
like a sack of potatoes 2:28 into the second round.
Pride champion
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira displayed the skills that have made
him the top heavyweight fighter in the sport as he finally finished
Enson Inoue with a triangle choke at 6:07 of the first round.
The bout, a non-title fight, started slowly as Nogueira smartly
avoided getting sucked into a slugfest with Inoue.
Instead, he
worked from submission to submission until there was nothing
Inoue could do but go to sleep. A trip from a body lock brought
the fight to the mat and Nogueira almost secured a kimura right
away. The submission looked tight and would have finished almost
anyone else, but Inoue pledged not to tapout and Nogueira didn't
want to break the arm, so he let go.
After some solid
grappling that saw several reversals, especially a beautiful
sweep that landed Nogueira in Inoue's half guard, the champion
threw together his final flurry of subs that lead to the consciousness-ending
choke. Nogueira moved from oma plata, to toe hold to oma plata
to triangle choke in an amazingly proficient and quick manner.
Heath Herring
and Igor Vovchanchyn fought their hearts out for 20 minutes before
Herring was declared the victor by unanimous decision. In what
may have been the most exciting 10-minute first round in Pride
history, both men imposed their will on the other.
The resulting
scramble of strikes, submission attempts and position reversals
was almost dizzying in their frequency. It didn't take long for
Vovchanchyn to bleed from near his right eye but the sight of
his own blood only seemed to wake him up. Throwing knees, sprawling,
using combinations and out-grappling the larger Herring, Vovchanchyn
looked incredible in the second half of round one.
The second round
was much different. Countering a Herring a low kick with a right
hand, Vovchanchyn found himself controlling the American from
side control throughout most of the period. In the third, Vovchanchyn
opened with a strong right, but the rest of the round belonged
to Herring as he effectively grounded-and-pounded his shorter
opponent.
Vovchanchyn
was given a yellow card with one minute remaining in the final
period, but it wouldn't have made much of a difference in determining
the winner, as Herring was the more aggressive fighter as time
wore on.
Carlos Newton
and Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons participated in one of the
best fights in Pride history. Off the opening bell, "Pele"
just missed a blistering high kick that was destined for Newton's
head.
Undaunted, Newton
used several Judo style takedown and submission attempts to try
and take "Pele" out of his game plan. After a near
armbar, "Pele" managed to find his feet and he defiantly
shook his head in Newton's direction. From there he landed a
nice one-two combination and off the clinch he blasted his opponent
with a massive knee that would have surely finished most any
man.
Staggered, Newton
clinched and "Pele" threw him down into side control.
Newton recovered just in time to reverse the top/bottom situation
and passed to the side from the Brazilian's guard.
Newton then
spun and took "Pele's left arm in a straight armbar. The
limb was fully extended and Newton applied full force before
"Pele" finally tapped to the submission 7:17 of round
one. It was an amazing contest. These five fights are the best
five consecutive fights ever for any mixed martial arts card,
and I feel privileged to have been able to watch them live.
The same couldn't
be said for Rodrigo Gracie's fight versus Daijiru Matsui. Gracie
did a good job of taking down the tough Japanese veteran, but
did little but punch while down on the mat. It didn't take much
before Matsui's nose bled heavily. In the second round, things
went from bad to worse for Matsui. His nose continued to bleed
profusely and Gracie started to get in his comfort zone.
The third round
saw Gracie lasso Matsui's neck and finish him with a guillotine
choke 3:28 of the third. Even though he had an arm inside, Matsui
couldn't do much after Gracie locked in the submission.
A self-appointed
"Brazilian Killa," Alex Stiebling overcame yet another
South American fighter on Sunday night as he outlasted Wallid
Ismael for the unanimous decision.
Ismael worked
very hard to get Stiebling to the mat, and was successful at
least once in all three rounds, but the effort went a long way
in tiring out the veteran fighter. Also, Stiebling broke his
hand early on in the first round and he was unable to effectively
land any punches with that hand.
To his credit,
Ismael came in prepared but had trouble getting past the American's
guard. His efforts only worked to tire himself during the 20-minute
bout. Each takedown attempt became more and more difficult, and
Stiebling took advantage as he started to knee Ismael whenever
possible. The pattern repeated itself until the final bell rang.
Stiebling was named a unanimous decision winner -- one he clearly
earned.
The first fight
of the night featured Tom Erikson versus a much lighter Tim Catalfo.
It didn't take long for the nearly 290-pound Erikson to grab
hold of Catalfo, lift him in the air and drop him to the mat.
The 43-year-old
Catalfo had little answer for Erikson especially the moment was
mounted. Unable to escape, Catalfo rolled to his stomach and
exposed his neck. Erikson placed his forearm across Catalfo's
neck (like what Heath Herring did to Erikson at Pride 11) and
pulled on the choke. Catalfo tapped our 2:35 into the fight.
Source: Maxfighting
|
