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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
11/21/03
SuperBrawl
(MMA)
Neil Blaisdell Arena
11/9/03
Pride: Final Conflict
(MMA)
(Toyko, Japan)
10/4/03?
Pac Rim Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Grappling & BJJ)
(Klum Gym, UH Manoa)
9/28/03
1st Annual Kauai "Grappler's Paradise" 2003 Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu tournament
(BJJ, Sub Grappling)
(Kauai)
9/26/03
UFC 44: Undisputed
(MMA)
(Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV)
9/21/03
3rd Annual Gracie Kauai Longman Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
Kauai Veteran Center, (BJJ, Sub Grappling)
(Kauai)
9/20/03
SuperBrawl
(MMA)
Neil Blaisdell Arena
9/13/03
NAGA - Hawaiian Grappling Championships
(Sub Grappling & BJJ)
(Farrington HS?)
In The Gym,
Monthly Smokers
Giraldi Muay Thai Gym
(Muay Thai, Halawa) |
|
August News Part
1
Quote
of the Day
"Happiness is not so much in having as sharing.
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we
give."
Norman MacEwan
|
Rumble
On The Rock 3 Tonight!
Hilo is the place to be and we will be there covering the action!
180lbs
Mikey Pikey vs. Eddie
300lbs
Kona Bear vs. Patrick Fonohena
250lbs
Junior Dong vs. Anthony Billianor (Lockdown)
155lbs
Kaynan Kaku (Nova Uniao) vs. Kona
155lbs
Johnny Sampaio (Nova Uniao) vs. David Padilla
155lbs
Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen) vs. Deshawn Johnson (HMC)
140lbs
Iwi Okano (Nova Uniao) vs. Jamal Dequip
175lbs
John Naole (HMC) vs. Kaleo Padilla
170lbs
Royden Demotta (Nova Uniao) vs. Kyle Brees
170lbs
Ross Ebanez (Nova Uniao) vs. Shannon Ritch
170lbs
Renato "Charuto" Verissimo (Nova Uniao) vs. Ray Elbe
290lbs
Wesley "Cabbage" Correira (Grappling Unlimited) vs.
Steve Sayegh |
Fighters'
Club TV Episode 13 Released!
Fighters' Club TV Episode 13 will premier this coming Tuesday
(August 12) at
6pm on Channel 52
--It'll repeat for the next 4 Tuesdays, "same time, same
place."
This episode will feature:
-MMA rules and regulations explained and demonstrated by:
Ronald Jhun, Egan Inoue, Kai Kamaka and Sheldon Young
-Highlights from the Kaos Fighting Championships held at the
Dole Cannery
-Desi Miner vs James Stanford (plus intv. w/ Desi)
-John Naole vs Paul Laga
-Ronald Jhun vs James Meals (plus a joint intv. w/ both Ron and
James)
(remaining fights to be featured on a future episode)
-Intvw. w/ Kaos promoters Dennis Bonner and Kai Kamaka
and
of course, Hawaii's two favorite FCTV hosts, Mark Kurano and
Mike Onzuka
Please
send any questions and comments to any of us (Mike, Chris, Mark
or
Jason) at fightersclubtv808@hotmail.com
Or hot chics w/ resumes to the same address,
Attention casting department, Mr. C ;-) (PLEASE INCLUDE PICS)
Source: Mark Kurano
|
PRIDE
Interview: MURILO BUSTAMANTE!
First
of all, tell everybody about the deal! I came to Japan to corner
Arona and Minotauro. I knew Arona had been injured before he
left Brazil, but nobody thought it was a fracture. I knew that
Arona's injury was serious, but due to the fact he had already
skipped the last match against Overeem in May, we thought Pride
would make him fight anyway.
So
basically you didn't know you would fight? How would I know?!
When I left Brazil the word from Japan was 'Arona is having exams
to figure out exactly his real situation.'
When
did you get the news about the offer to fight? As soon as I got
to Japan, our representative told me that Pride was considering
me as a replacement.
Your
thoughts at that point? Well, I was happy in one way, because
I was flattered that Pride thought I was worthy. At the same
time, I was very disappointed because this was not the way I
was expecting to have my debut in PRIDE. We were working on an
appearance for the November show.
How
long did it take to confirm your name? It was a quick negotiation.
It had to be, nobody had time to think too much. They offered
me good things, and I will represent the BTT in the event. Things
worked out good for everybody. I think they have a good replacement,
and I have my compensation.
So
this is not a single fight contract? That's correct.
What
do you think about your opponent, 'Rampage' Jackson? Honestly
I don't know. Mario was responsible for Arona's preparation,
and I was focused more on Minotauro. Besides, we had a pretty
busy month: I was the main coach for fighters in Knock MMA, Heat
FC and Meca 9. I have prepared 10 fighters for matches, plus
Minotauro for PRIDE. So I didn't even see Jackson's tape, I only
have seen him fighting before. He's strong, he is a good wrestler
and he has good stand up, so I'm gonna have some hardwork to
do...
So
let's talk about the fight itself. How do you think it will unfold?
This is unpredictable. I had 2 days to work my mental game and
convince myself I was not coaching guys anymore! Now I am mentally
prepared and ready to step up there and compete. I'm gonna sleep,
and when I wake up tomorrow I'm will be fighting in the best
tournament ever seen. There the fight will unfold.
People
is saying that the short notice could be used as an excuse. Any
words? Short notice is short notice for me and for him. Do you
think he was expecting to facing me? As for my training, of course,
I was not training for thePride Grand Prix, it was more like
maintenance training, which is way different, but I'm feeling
prepared nonetheless.
So
no excuses... Well, I had the right to refuse this fight if I
didn't want to take it. I think I already proved that I don't
make excuses. When I was about to pull out my fight in my last
UFC title defense due to a finger injury, People from Zuffa asked
me to fight, saying that it would be a disaster for the show
to lose the main event a week prior. I fought and even if I had
lost no excuses were going to be made. I am not a boy, I am a
man and in my life there's no place or time for excuses or regrets.
How
are you feeling for the GP tomorrow? You know, it's weird. I
have a lot of pressure I put on myself, that motivates me. At
the same time, I am more relaxed. The ball is really in Jackson's
court and he is the one who has been 'in' all along, and it is
he who has to prove something. I just have to compete and do
my best, but I am going there to upset people...
Finally,
go and pick the 4 guys who you think will advance to the next
round? Man, it would be irresponsible of me to do that. The only
thing I know is, if I win my fight, my next opponent better bring
a gun with him, because you will have to kill me in November,
otherwise I'll take the whole thing.
Source: ADCC
|
Latest
Official PANCRASE Rankings (as of 8/4/2003)
[Open-weight]
the 10th Open-weight K.O.P. VACANT
#1 Yuki Kondo (PANCRASEism)
#2 Semmy Schilt (Holland/Golden Glory)
#3 Yoshiki Takahashi (PANCRASEism)
#4 Sanae Kikuta (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#5 Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#6 Nathan Marquardt (U.S.A./Colorado Stars)
#7 Josh Barnett (U.S.A./New Japan Pro-wrestling)
[Super
heavyweight(221lbs. and over)]
#1 Semmy Schilt (Holland/Golden Glory)
#2 Tim Lajcik (U.S.A./Gladiators Training Academy)
#3 Ron Waterman (U.S.A./Colorado Stars)
#4 Hideki Tadao (RJW/CENTRAL)
#5 Jun Ishii (Chojin Club)
#6 KENGO (PANCRASEism)
[Heavyweight(199lbs.~under
221lbs.)]
the 1st Heavyweight K.O.P. Yoshiki Takahashi (PANCRASEism)
#1 Tsuyoshi Ozawa (Zendokai)
#2 Katsuhisa Fujii (UFO)
#3 Jason Godsey (U.S.A./I.F. Academy)
[Light
heavyweight(181lbs.~under 199lbs.)]
the 2nd Light heavyweight K.O.P. Sanae Kikuta (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#1 Yuki Kondo (PANCRASEism)
#2 Ricardo Almeida (U.S.A./Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy)
#3 Akihiro Gono (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#4 Nilson de Castro (Brazil/Chute Boxe Academy)
#5 Daisuke Watanabe (PANCRASEism)
#6 Ikuhisa Minowa (freelance)
#7 Yuki Sasaki (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#8 KEI Yamamiya (PANCRASEism)
#9 Evangelista Cyborg (Brazil/Academia Budokan)
#10 Osami Shibuya (PANCRASEism)
[Middleweight(165.7lbs.~
under 181lbs.)]
the 3rd Middleweight K.O.P. Nathan Marquardt (U.S.A./Colorado
Stars)
#1 Izuru Takeuchi (SK Absolute)
#2 Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#3 Kazuo Misaki (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#4 Chris Lytle (U.S.A./Ring Sports Palmers Gym)
#5 Hidehiko Hasegawa (SK Absolute)
#6 Shonie Carter (U.S.A./AIKI Training Hall) *up from #7
#7 Kosei Kubota (PANCRASEism) *up from #10
#8 Eiji Ishikawa (Pancrase GRABAKA) *IN!
#9 Yuji Hoshino (Wajutsu Keishukai GODS) *down from #6
#10 VACANT
[Welterweight(152.5lbs.~
under 165.7lbs.)]
the 1st Welterweight K.O.P. Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#1 Koji Oishi (PANCRASEism) *up from #2
#2 Takafumi Ito (PANCRASEism) *down from #1
#3 Kenichi Serizawa (RJW/CENTRAL)
#4 Hiroki Nagaoka (Rodeo Style)
#5 Satoru Kitaoka (PANCRASEism)
#6 Yuji Hoshino (Wajutsu Keishukai GODS)
#7 Takuya Wada (SK Absolute)
[Lightweight(141.4lbs.~
under 152.5lbs.)] VACANT
[Featherweight(under
141.4lbs.)] VACANT
Source: ADCC
|
Pedro
Rizzo talks about Pride GP
After
a bad year in 2002, it looks like the Ruas Vale-Tudo Team is
finally finding the path back to the victory. The team's top
representative Pedro Rizzo defeated Tra Telligman at the last
UFC, and other team members Gustavo Ximú, Alexandre Baixinho,
Renato Babalú, Antoine Jaude and Eduardo Simões
all got wins in their last vale-tudo events. During the last
Heat Fighting Championship, Pedro Rizzo talked to us about Pride
GP, his future in UFC and about the new era of Ruas Vale-Tudo
Team.
Speak
a little about your last fight versus Tra Telligman... 'The fight
happened as I thought it would, it developed the way I wanted.
In the 1st round I tried some different things, to ty to throw
him off balance. In the 2nd round I changed a little bit and
I took him to the ground to try and tire him a little, because
he was sharp with his boxing. I brought the fight again to the
feet to go for a KO. I didn`t connect with his chin, I hit his
forehead and it cut. The doctor stopped the fight, but if it
didn't stop there he would have been knocked out any way'
What
is your opinion on the fight between Gan Mcgee and Tim Sylvia?
'I don't have an opinion formed regarding that fight, it is a
difficult fight to speak about. Gan Mcgee is improving a lot,
but I think Tim Sylvia is a little better than he, I don't know.
But who win will have to hold this belt with everything they
have because I want that belt again'
What
your opinion on the fight between Rodrigo Minotauro and Ricco
Rodrigues? 'Minotauro has all the tools to win, he has 100% of
a chance at winning. Minotauro is a better striker than Ricco,
better grappler, and better fighter than him. I don´t see
how Ricco can beat Minotauro, only if he has bad luck. But a
fight is fight.'
When
will you return to the octagon? I will fight in november, I still
don't know with who the fight will be. I am waiting for the guys
at the Ultimate to announce against who I will fight.'
Do
you prefer to fight in ring or octagon? 'I like Ultimate, I like
fighting there. OTher rules, like not being able to knee on the
ground (in UFC) - it takes away a lot from the striker and it
gives an advantage to the grappler. Because if he shoots and
you 'sprawl', he does not have to worry about taking a kick to
the face, or a knee when he is underneath.
You
are a striker and another feared striker is having a lot of success
now, Mirko Cro Cop. What do you think of him? 'I think he is
doing well in his fights, he doesn't give easily in the stand
up game, but I think he still has not faced a great wrestler.
The only one that he faced was Fujita, and he hit that knee on
him, but he didn't fight a top guy like Couture or Coleman. He
also never faced a good guy at ground submissions like Rodrigo
(Minotauro), a fighter that will demand more from him than just
a stand up fight.
What
do you think about Cro Cop and Vovchanchin? 'I think it won't
be an easy fight, I think it will be a hard fight.
Emelianenko
Fedor is the top fighter in the heavyweight division at the moment,
how would you fight him? 'Fedor is a tough guy, he has heavy
hands, but he is not a great boxer. But he has heavy hands! He
is a tough fight, because he is good at wrstling, he wants to
stay on top, even against a Jiu Jitsu guy, he is OK on top and
does dmage becaue he hits so hard. I think the way to fight him
is to exchange blows with him, to avoid the takedowns. I don't
think it will be too difficult to avoid his takedowns, although
he is good at wrestling, I already wrestled with Couture, Matyushenko
and I learned. I guarantee I am better on the feet - with my
experience and everything.
Is
there any Heavyweight that you would like to fight? 'I want to
fight with the fighterswho have beaten me, and I want to fight
my way back to the top - whatever it takes.'
What
happened in your fight with Gan Mcgee. 'I lost that fight in
one second, I had not taken a punch the whole fight, I took that
punch in the nose and I could not continue in the fight. I have
been here beside myself, I want to fight himagain to prove that
it was only an accident and that on a normal day I would beat
him.
After
a bad year, the Ruas Vale Tudo Team are back on top. Talk a little
about that. 'I think the 'Ruas Vale Tudo' put an end to that
string of bad luck, I don't know what was happening. But recently,
Babalú won, Ximú, I am coming off a win. Everybody
winning motivates us, I think we learned a lot with our defeats
and we will return better, because everything that we passed
thru we used to gain inner strength.'
Source: ADCC
|
FIVE
AMERICANS GO TO PAN AM GAMES FREESTYLE FINALS, BUT SANDERSON'S
LOSS HAS WRESTLING WORLD ABUZZ
The
U.S. men's freestyle team may have placed five wrestlers in seven
weights in the finals of the 2003 Pan Am Games, to be held Friday
evening -- Stephen Abas at 55 kg/121 lbs., Jamill Kelly at 66
kg/145.5 lbs., Joe Williams at 74 kg/163 lbs., Daniel Cormier
at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., and Kerry McCoy at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. --
but the loudest buzz seems to be about one of those who only
made it to the bronze medal match: Cael Sanderson.
The
four-time NCAA champ from Iowa State never tasted defeat in his
illustrious college career. The international scene, however,
is proving to be something entirely different, with Sanderson
losing this year alone to three opponents from Cuba and Russia.
At
the Titan Games in February, Sanderson, wrestling at 84 kg/185
lbs., lost a 3-2 overtime match to Cuba's Yoel Romero, a 1999
World Champion, two-time World Cup champion, and three-time Pan
Am champion. It should be noted that Romero, who turned 26 in
April, has been wrestling on the international freestyle senior
level since 1997, just before he turned 20, and wrestled on the
junior level before that. This was the same period in his career
when Sanderson was focusing mainly on collegiate wrestling, where
the American folkstyle rules differ and place much more emphasis
on control than those in freestyle.
Sanderson
lost another one-point match a week later, on Feb. 22, at the
Kiev Grand Prix. There he fell by a 7-6 margin to Russia's Vadym
Tokaev, who was a 2002 World Military Champion.
At
the 2003 World Cup, Sanderson also lost to another young, rising
international star. Russia's Khadshimurad Gatsalov, a 20-year-old
who was a 2001 Junior World Champion, defeated Sanderson in yet
another one-point match, by a score of 8-7 in overtime.
In
this year's Pan Am Games semifinals, held Friday morning, Sanderson
got his rematch with Romero. With the match tied at 2-2 in overtime,
here is the description given by USA Wrestling of what happened
next:
'One
minute into overtime, Sanderson took a shot that began a wild
15-second scramble that ended with the two competitors going
off the edge of the mat. The officials on the mat called for
no scoring and the two wrestlers to begin again in neutral, but
FILA officials called for a replay. Following a long replay,
FILA officials concluded that Sanderson had barely exposed his
back in the scramble, giving Romero the third point he needed
to win.
“'I
think it was so close' Jones said. 'I don’t think the call
is right because I don’t think he exposed. I just don’t
think he exposed.'”
It
seems highly unusual that a FILA official who was not one of
those on the mat would call for a replay. This official has not
yet been identified, although it may have been FILA vice-president
Mario Saletnig, who, by the way, is listed on the FILA web site
as living in Florida. Saletnig had been cited as the FILA official
who rearranged the wrestling schedule following what was described
by USA Wrestling as an 'unauthorized' use of the arena on what
was supposed to be the final day of Greco competition.
Still,
Sanderson has been known to expose his back on occasion. The
only points he surrendered at the 2003 USA Wrestling World Team
Trials finals in his two matches with Lee Fullhart were for a
tilt that Fullhart got on a counter-move. Sanderson defeated
Fullhart 7-2 in that match, and then 3-0 to win the World Team
Trials finals. Fullhart had used a similar counter, a two-point
tilt, to win his first match against Sanderson in the best-of-three
series at the 2002 World Team Trials finals by a 3-2 score. There
again Sanderson came back to win the next two matches, 7-1 and
6-1, scoring numerous takedowns.
These
episodes do show, however, that Sanderson does have a history
of making mistakes, especially when it comes to giving up back
exposure under international rules. Such mistakes would not have
yielded points under collegiate rules in the American folkstyle
system. So Sanderson's adjustment to freestyle continues.
Nonetheless,
the direct intervention of FILA officials who were not officiating
that particular match does raise serious questions. At the 2003
European Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, a major
criticism of the officiating was made by 'Mr. Wrestling,' Ali
Gümüs, the chairman of the Wrestling Commission of
the Association of International Sports Writers (AIPS). He wrote
on the AIPS web site that, 'At the event in Belgrade, once more,
it was apparent that some of the referees helped certain wrestlers
reach the gold medal. While other wrestlers trained for the whole
season in hopes of a medal, the referees’ favorites were
the ones who were able to receive them.'
He
then quoted FILA President Raphael Martinetti as assuring him,
'At this championship we fired fourteen referees. In future world
championships and the Olympics in 2004 in Athens, we will not
see the officiating errors of Belgrade.”
Maybe.
Here
is the USA Wrestling press release, taken from the USOC web site,
about the first session of day two of the 2003 Pan American Games
wrestling:
WRESTLING:
U.S. men’s freestyle team places five in gold-medal matches;
Sanderson loses in controversial finish at the Pan American Games
by John Fuller - USA Wrestling
Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic - Five U.S. men’s freestyle
wrestlers earned trips to the gold-medal match at the Pan American
Games.
Wrestling
for gold will be Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at
55 kg/121 lbs., Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) at
66 kg/145.5 lbs., 2001 World bronze medalist Joe Williams (Coralville,
Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs., Daniel Cormier (Stillwater,
Okla./Gator WC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. and 2000 Olympian Kerry McCoy
(Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
The
other two wrestlers, Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC)
and Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), will wrestle for
bronze following heart-breaking semifinal losses.
“Our
guys wrestled with a lot of spirit and heart. We wrestled the
American way,” stated U.S. head coach Zeke Jones.
“We
had a couple of matches that we dropped that were winnable. I
thought those two guys did everything they could on the mat.
It is just that sometimes things aren’t always in your control,”
Jones added, referring to Sanderson’s semifinal loss to
World silver medalist Yoel Romero of Cuba at 8 4 kg/185 lbs.
In
the match, Sanderson controlled the action, but trailed heading
into overtime 2-1. Sanderson had scored once on an ankle-pick,
and Romero had scored two takedowns off of Sanderson shots.
In
the overtime, Romero locked in the clinch first, but broke his
hold 30 seconds later, tying the match at 2-2.
One
minute into overtime, Sanderson took a shot that began a wild
15-second scramble that ended with the two competitors going
off the edge of the mat. The officials on the mat called for
no scoring and the two wrestlers to begin again in neutral, but
FILA officials called for a replay. Following a long replay,
FILA officials concluded that Sanderson had barely exposed his
back in the scramble, giving Romero the third point he needed
to win.
“I
think it was so close,” Jones said. “I don’t think
the call is right because I don’t think he exposed. I just
don’t think he exposed.”
Sanderson
will now wrestle Luis Felipe Vivenes of Venezuela for the bronze
medal.
McCoy
provided the first fireworks for the U.S. team, becoming the
first wrestler to earn a trip to the gold-medal match after pinning
four-time World medalist Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba with one second
left in the first period.
In
a scoreless tie, McCoy was called for passivity. Rodriguez attempted
a gut wrench from the par terre position, but McCoy stepped over
him and put him right to his back, earning the fall.
“I
felt like I was defending okay, but he wasn’t in the best
position,” stated McCoy, who defeated Rodriguez in their
last meeting at the Titan Games. “It was one of those things
that was 50-50, because if I moved my hips a half second too
early or a half second too late, he could have scored on me.”
McCoy,
a vocal leader of the U.S. squad, also felt that this match was
a good way to get the ball rolling for the U.S. team.
“We
set the tone a long time ago as a team. Our goal was seven golds
and seven golds. That is for here and the Worlds. If we wrestle
hard and we wrestle our best, we don’t get beat.”
Abas
continued his pure domination of this tournament, earning a 10-0
technical superiority win in the semifinals against Antonio Gonzalez
of Peru. Abas will next face reigning World Champion Rene Montero
of Cuba. Montero defeated Abas 3-2 at the Titan Games.
Kelly
had to wrestle back through the repechage round to earn his trip
to the gold-medal match. He defeated David Cubas of Peru and
Jhonny Jose Cedeno of Venezuela by a combined 12-0 score. Kelly
will wrestle Serguei Rondon of Cuba for the gold medal. Rondon
defeated Kelly 7-6 in overtime in pool competition.
Williams
suffered a major cut on his forehead to win 3-0 over Zoltan Hunyady
of Canada in the semifinals. Williams scored a takedown with
one second remaining to win the match in regulation.
The
only World medalist on the U.S. men’s freestyle team will
face Daniel Gonzalez of Cuba in the finals. Gonzalez placed eighth
at last year’s World Championships.
Cormier,
a native of Lafayette, La., won his final two pool matches to
advance to the gold-medal match as well. Cormier defeated Wilfredo
Morales of Cuba, a veteran of World Championships, by an 8-0
score to advance. In the match, Cormier scored eight takedowns.
Cormier
will wrestle Antoine Jaoude of Brazil for the gold medal.
'A
lot of good things are happening right now,' stated Cormier,
who has battled through two injuries and the loss of his three-month
old daughter within the last six weeks. 'Like everybody says,
after the rain, the sun is going to come out.'
Guerrero,
like Sanderson, also dropped a semifinal match to a top opponent
- World Champion Giuvu Sissaouri of Canada at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.
Leading
3-2 in the second period, Guerrero got caught in a front headlock.
Sissaouri rolled him for two points and a 4-3 lead. Sissaouri
won the match 5-3.
Guerrero
will face Luis Ortiz of Puerto Rico for the bronze medal.
The
team title will be on the line this evening between the U.S.
and Cuba. Each country has five wrestlers in the finals and they
face head-to-head in three of those.
Medal
matches will begin at 5:00 p.m. (EST) tonight at the Pebellon
de Combate in the Olympic Park.
Pan
American Games
at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
August 7-8, 2003
U.S. Men’s Freestyle Individual Results
55
kg/121 lbs. - Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids)
dec. Mischa Japaridze (Canada), 9-2; tech. fall Oscar Ruano (Guatemala),
10-0, 2:31; tech. fall Antonio Gonzalez (Panama), 10-0, 3:34
60
kg/132 lbs. - Eric Guerrero, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
dec. Geovanny Mora (Mexico), 9-2; tech. fall Nelson Rene Crisanto
(Honduras), 10-0, 1:55; lost dec. Giuvu Sissarouri (Canada),
5-3
66
kg/145.5 lbs. - Jamill Kelly, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
lost dec. Serguei Rondon (Cuba), 7-6, ot, 6:56; tech. fall Eddy
Agramonte (Dominican Republic), 11-0, 2:38; dec. Evan MacDonald
(Canada), 5-4; tech. fall Lucas Garraldo (Argentina), 11-1, 3:12;
dec. David Cubas (Peru), 4-0; dec. Jhonny Jose Cedeno (Venezuela),
8-0
74
kg/163 lbs. - Joe Williams, Coralville, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
tech. fall Esteban Vera (Puerto Rico), 11-0, 5:47; tech. fall
Andy Cubas (Peru), 10-0, 3:41; dec. Zoltan Hunyady (Canada),
3-0
84
kg/185 lbs. - Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids)
tech. fall Dario Garcia (Dominican Republic), 10-0, 2:46; tech.
fall Daniel Iglesia (Argentina), 10-0, 3:00; lost dec. Yoel Romero
(Cuba), 3-2, ot, 7:22
96
kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)
pin Matthew White (Puerto Rico), 1:57; pin Randeep Sodhi (Canada),
2:28; dec. Wilfredo Morales (Cuba), 8-0
120
kg/264.5 lbs. - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC)
pin Marcos Vinicius Oliveira (Brazil), 0:19; dec. Colbie Bell
(Canada), 9-0; pin Alexis Rodriguez (Cuba), 5:59
Source: ADCC/Eddie Goldman
|
K-1
August 15th:
Tournament Lineup and Matchups Confirmed
New York, NY - With all of the roster switches being made due
to last-minute injuries and a variety of other obstacles, it
has been hard for fans to decipher which world class combatants
will fill the eight spots in Friday, August 15th's K-1 "Battle
at the Bellagio" single-elimination tournament. At last,
though, there is clarity as both the participants and the quarterfinal
tournament round matchups have been determined.
The
roadmap for the tournament looks as follows:
Tournament
Bracket A:
1st
Match:
· Michael McDonald
Vs.
· Jefferson "Tank" Da Silva
2nd
Match:
· Raul Romero
Vs.
· Aziz "Boom Boom" Khattou
Tournament
Bracket B:
3rd Match:
· Remy Bonjasky
Vs.
· Vernon "Tiger" White
4th
Match:
· Rick "The Jet" Roufus
Vs.
· Gary "Smiler" Turner
The
event will mark the return of Roufus and McDonald, both of whom
fell victim to eventual champion Carter Williams during May's
K-1 USA elimination event. As the defending champion and the
2002 World Grand Prix Semifinals victor, McDonald was favored
to continue his dominance of North American K-1 competition three
months ago. A fired up Williams continued to outscore him for
the majority of three rounds until two of the three judges scored
the bout in favor of the K-1 newcomer. Roufus suffered an earlier
demise when he was caught with a right hand-roundhouse kick combination
that dropped him to the canvas. He stood up, but Williams barraged
him and sent him down for the 10 count at the 2:10 mark of the
first round.
K-1
fans had their first opportunity to see Bonjasky in action last
August when he took on 2001 World Grand Prix Semifinals champion,
Stefan Leko, in a five-round Superfight. The Dutch kickboxer
showed off his vibrant qualities, as he was able to neutralize
much of Leko's power with his speedy footwork. In the end, though,
the 25-year-old touted as the future of "The New Fighting
Sport" came up short on points after the final bell rang
and lost a unanimous decision to Leko.
Coming
off of a June 6th mixed martial arts bout in which he battled
Englishman Ian Freeman to a draw, King Of The Cage Lightheavyweight
champion Vernon White will get his first crack at a championship
in the sport that is comprised 100 percent of combat in the stand-up
position. In his recent outings, White has demonstrated his much-
improved stand-up fighting arsenal, a development that stems
from his work with Shark Tank trainer, Eddy Millis.
Jefferson
Da Silva's appearance will be his first in the United States.
Also known as "Tank," the Brazilian fighter earned
his entry into the Las Vegas loop after he captured the K-1 Grand
Prix Brazil elimination tournament championship on February 23rd.
Seemingly in peak condition, Da Silva was victorious over three
straight opponents in one night during the first-ever K-1 tournament
held in his country.
For
the first time since K-1 began its summer installment of K-1
action in 2001, Mexico will have a presence in the event when
Raul Romero will makes his way North for his first K-1 tournament
appearance. Romero boasts a chiseled, gladiator-like frame and
an aggressive fighting style that comes from his background in
Muay Thai kickboxing.
Both
Khattou and Turner became last minute additions to the tournament
earlier this week and gained their entries based on previous
merit. A 29-year-old native of Belgium, Khattou was last seen
in action during the K-1 Grand Prix in Fukuoka, Japan on July
13th During a Superfight, he inflicted enough punishment on Britain's
Pele Reid to render his opponent unable to answer the bell for
the final round of their matchup. Turner is a 10-year veteran
of the professional fight world, who is notorious for being able
to fight a distance of 10 rounds. Earlier this year, he became
the victor of the K-1 U.K. Grand Prix tournament when he defeated
three straight opponents. A championship round technical knockout
over longtime rival, Gordon Minors, highlighted his performance.
Source: Maxfighting |
Quote
of the Day
Dedication gives our dreams the wings to lift off and the strength
to soar.
|
Rumble
On The Rock 3 Weigh-ins tonight
Weigh-ins will be held at the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo at 5:00PM.
The Penn's put on a very professional event, so if you are on
the Big Island get down there and check it out.
|
Murilo
confirmed for Pride Gran Prix!
by: Marcello Tetel
After several meetings, BTT's Murilo Bustamante has signed to
replace Ricardo Arona in this weekend's PRIDE GP. 'Today, I have
already had a good training session of about 1 hour, to take
the jat lag off. I am feeling very well. I'm gonna take this
fight on short notice but, I'll be ready for him!' stated Bustamante.
Murilo
went to DSE office and had a meeting with Mr. Sakakibara in order
to solve the last minute details. 'I am getting into this mix
to help DSE, because this is not the best way to fight in Pride.
But my teammate is out, and I have to represent Brazilian Top
Team and prove that I can hang with the big boys here' continues
Bustamante.
Murilo
is already in competition mode: very quiet and focused. 'Finally
I got my chance in Pride. This didn't start the way I wanted
but the fans will have fun because the talking is over - now
I am ready to fight!'
Tomorrow
we will have the officoal announcementurin at apress conference,
to officially present Murilo Bustamante as the opponent for Quinton
Jackson at Pride Grand Prix!!
Source: ADCC |
1st
word on Cesar Gracie vs. Frank Shamrock!
by: Keith Mills
Team Cesar Gracie has been doing very well this year in their
homestate ofCalifornia, going 6-0 in WEC in March and 5-0 in
IFC in July. It’s not just the percentage of wins; Nick
Diaz is now in the UFC, and Gil Castillo is in WEC this weekend
before he takes on Frank Trigg IFC next September - these are
indicators os a high level of competition. Now rumors of the
instructor, Cesar Gracie himself fighting Frank Shamrock.
When
asked about this Cesar responded, “It’s going to happen
in November in Las Vegas. I believe it’s a new organization,
I don’t know that much about it. Basically the WEC asked
me first if I was interested in fighting Frank Shamrock in August
and I said I was. For whatever reason that kind of fell apart,
I guess Frank is not fighting for them anymore. He was going
to sign a contract, it didn’t happen. I got an e-mail saying
if I was serious to fight Frank to call their school so I did.
Frank called me a few days later at my school and asked if I
was interested in fighting him and I said I was. He told me it
would be in November in Vegas and we kind of agreed to it and
that’s where we’re at.” No word on if it would
be in Frank’s Shootbox show or some other new promotion.
When asked if it would be MMA rules under NV sanctioning Cesar
replied, “I’m imagining that is what the rules are.”
In
other Team Cesar Gracie news, Martin Armanderez was added to
the WEC card, Jake Shields is fighting in Shooto on the 10th,
Brett Bergmark fights in Last Man Standing on September 5th in
Albuquerque, and ADCC vet David Terrell will be fighting in Japan
later this year. Regarding Steve Heath’s injury that prevented
him from fighting Benji Radach in IFC last month Cesar says,
“He should be in a month or so much better. I’d like
to set up a rematch with him and Radach. There was a lot of anticipation
for that fight leading up to it and unfortunately (Heath) got
injured training with Nick Diaz. If we don’t get it we’ll
fight someone else.”
The
team also hosts the 4th Gracie Open submission tournament coming
up in September in Pleasant Hill. It was originally to be held
in August but the date has been changed. According to Cesar,
“last year we had over 350 competitors. David Terrell beat
Dean Lister.” Keep an eye out for an announcement of location
and date.
You
would think that this would make the gym unbearably chaotic but
actually Team Cesar Gracie, like Team Renzo Gracie on the East
Coast, are spread out over a couple affiliate schools. Steve
Heath teaches at the Stockton school, Antioch is the base of
Nick Diaz, David Terrell runs the Santa Rosa school, one in Sacramento,
the main gym in Pleasant Hill, and Fairtex with Jake Shields.
Despite the success Cesar remains humble saying only, “we
train very hard and the results show it.”
For
more information including location of the different gyms check
out http://www.graciefighter.com/.
Source: ADCC |
The
International SHOOTO Commission Presents
The Americas Rankings
With professional SHOOTO's expansion around the world (Europe,
Brazil, Hawaii, mainland U.S. and of course native Japan) the
time has come to grant recognition to the talent pool that exists
within each region, and develop a system that gives the athletes
a clear direction for becoming a "true" World Champion.
Additionally, the intention exists to help build anticipation
and guide match-ups as fighters work their way through the ranks
and drive toward a title shot.
Accordingly,
three global divisions have been defined and rankings in each
division have been formed. The regions are Europe, The Pacific-rim
and the Americas. In the Americas, which includes both North
and South America excluding the Hawaiian Islands (considered
part of the Pacific-rim), the ISC has detailed 5 criteria used
to determine eligibility for Americas rankings.
1. The competitor must have been born within the region and/or
have legally resided therein for a period of two or more years.
2. The competitor must be rated as Class-A by the ISC 3. The
competitor must have competed in a professional SHOOTO bout no
earlier than January 2002 4. The competitor must have competed
in the weight class in which he is being ranked 5. SHOOTO World
Champions are exempt from the regional rankings
The
rankings seen below reflect all bouts up through 7/31/02. They
will be re-evaluated on the 1st of each month, giving consideration
to the previous months results. To note: Performances in SHOOTO
bouts will be weighed most heavily (particular the most recent)
but victories outside of the SHOOTO circuit will be recognized
as well. At this point, only 5 places in each weight category
have been set, but that will most certainly expand in time.
Now,
without further ado.
Shooto
Lightweight - 65 kg (143.3 lbs)
1. Joao Roaque, Brazil 2-0-0
2. Bao Quach, U.S.A. 2-0-0
3. Ryan Ackerman, U.S.A. 2-3-1
4. Jeff Curran, U.S.A. 1-1-1
5. Joe Jordan, U.S.A. 3-1-0
Shooto
Welterweight - 70 kg (154.3 lbs)
1. Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro, Brazil 3-0-0
2. Javier Vazquez, Cuba 1-0-0
3. Marcio 'Cromado'Barbosa, Brazil 3-3-0
4. Yves Edwards, Bahamas 2-1-1
5. Luis 'Buscape' Firmino, 1-0-0
Shooto
Middleweight - 76 kg (167.5 lbs)
1. Jake Shields, U.S.A. 2-1-0
2. Shonie Carter, U.S.A. 3-0-2
3. Ed Clay, U.S.A. 3-0-0
4. Gideon Ray, U.S.A. 1-0-1
5. Brian Gassaway, U.S.A. 1-1-1
Shooto
Light Heavyweight - 83 kg (183.0 lbs)
1. Dustin Denes, U.S.A. 3-0-1
2. Lance Gibson, Canada 2-1-0
3. Scott Henze, U.S.A. 3-0-1
4. John Renken, U.S.A.2-2-1
5. Curtis Stout, U.S.A. 1-1-1
Source: Richard Santoro, SHOOTO USA Commission |
SHOOTBOX
PRESS RELEASE
The
debut of Frank Shamrock's new ShootBox show is right around the
corner, on Saturday, August 23, at the Orange County Convention
Center in Orlando, Florida, during NAPMA's 2003 World Conference.
Here is the latest press release:
Frank
Juarez Shamrock rocks the combat sports arena with a whole new
sport for a whole new generation with “Shootbox”.
Shootbox
is more than your mixed martial arts event as this revolutionary
sport
removes the hindrances to full contact fighting. In this arena
it is up to the athletes, their skills in mixed martial arts,
physical endurance and strength, as well as outthinking their
opponent that will get them the win. In this new “Box”
gone are the days where an opponent can utilize a fence or rope
to gain position over his opponent. In this new arena, The “Shootbox”
truly tests the skills of mixed martial arts practitioners as
combatants will rely strictly on speed, balance, strength, agility
in true MMA combat.
“If
you have ever seen great champions compete in MMA, positioning,
use of your environment and patience were keys to success that
one combatant had over another” - Shamrock stated –
“In SHOOTBOX, I developed an arena that removes 2 main elements
that assists in favoring one over another, the cage and the ring
itself. In this new arena there are no rings and there are no
cages.
The athletes themselves will be challenged both physically and
mentally to compete at this level.
Aside
the physical characteristics that make up the Shootbox (no ropes
or cage), a new element that includes deduction of points for
“no action” will bring into play more of the “human
chess match” component. By deducting points to combatants
that look to tie a match up in stalemate, fighters are penalized
for those stall attempts resulting in more a planned attack with
your opponent. This will revolutionize the sport of mixed martial
arts as we know it now. SHOOTBOX is destined to be the biggest
sports entertainment development since the inception of wrestling
in our culture and “cagefighting” that became so popular
in the 90’s….Welcome to Shootbox !
For
more info on SHOOTBOX
www.shootbox.com
Source: Vikki VanHoosen - vikkiv@manicsports.com |
JUNGLE
FIGHT: WALLID ISMAEL BRINGS VALE-TUDO IN THE AMAZON
by: Marcelo Alonso / Team Tatame
After
many years prohibited in most states of Brazil, finally Vale-Tudo
starts to return to that land that it was born. Now besides Rio
de Janeiro (Knock), Natal (Heat Fighting Championship) and Curitiba
(Meca), Manaus, capital of Amazon state, will also receive an
MMA international event.
Jungle
Fight Championship is the name of the new show and it will be
promoted on September 13 by Wallid Ismail and Antonio Inoki in
the famous Amazon River. “We are planing 10 superfights
between American, Japaneses and Brazilian fighters. The event
will take place in a boat in the midle of the Amazon river for
a restrict audience of 200 VIP´s and the fighters will
arrive in the ring in small canoes with local indians. It´s
going to be a show for the history of MMA” guaranteed Wallid
revealing that the event will be broadcasted in the pay per view
sistem by Sportv.
By
the names confirmed in the card we have to say that Wallid is
right: “By now we have Rico Chiaparreli, Ronaldo Jacaré,
Fabrício Werdun, Carlão Barreto, Ricardo Moraes,
Marcelo Tigre, Evangelista Cyborg, Lioto Matida and the Japaneses
Nakanishi and Ishizawa. The winners will be part of the Inoki
Army, a team that will represent Mr. Inoki in all events around
the world” guaranteed Carlson´s black belt.
Last
two months Wallid is working hard not only in the promotion of
the event in Manaus but also seting up last details of Brazil
Dojo, the new Vale-Tudo Team that will be the branch of Inoki
Dojo in Brazil.
Names
like Ricardo Morais, Evangelista Cyborg, Marcelo Tigre, Alex
Sakada, Délson Pé de Chumbo are already in the
team. The trainers are Ricardo De La Riva (Jiu-Jitsu/Submission),
Darrel Gohlar (Wrestling), Luís Alves (Muay Thai) and
Paulo Caruso (Physical trainer). “Anyone can be in the team
the only request is not be “chicken”. We are preparing
missiles to the top fighters of each team”. promised Ismail.
Source: ADCC |
Bas
Rutten's Pride Grand Prix Breakdown
By Joe Hall
Liver shot!
Next
up in MaxFighting’s continuing coverage of this weekend’s
Pride Grand Prix is Pride commentator and colorful MMA personality
Bas Rutten. “El Guapo” comments on the intricacies
of each first round match, including the stellar single fights
also on the card.
Ladies
and Gentleman, Bas Rutten:
Chuck
Liddell vs. Alistair Overeem
Edge
on the feet: Overeem.
“Alistair
for sure because he’s from Holland, and he fights with the
top guys. I think they produce way better strikers than here
in the States. Let’s face it, the K-1, 10 or 11 times it’s
been won by Dutch guys.
“Alistair
is very wild. He’s like Gilbert Yvel. He comes out of nowhere
-- BANG, BANG, BANG! Chuck is a good striker. He’s going
to have to change his game plan. The one who broke his game plan
was Randy. It’s coming in with the left hook, left hook,
left hook. Against a striker like Alistair who will throw flying
knees from everywhere … I just see [Overeem] as a better
striker.”
Should
Liddell stand and trade with Overeem? No.
“It
wouldn’t be so smart. I think for Chuck, the key to success
here would be to take it to the ground. Hopefully go for a ground-and-pound.
I had people on the Internet saying that I somewhere stated that
Chuck’s unbelievable submission skills were going to work
circles around Alistair. But I said, ‘When has Chuck ever
won a fight by submission?’ Not that I would ever say anything
bad about Chuck because he is a great guy. He’s a great,
great fighter … but seriously, he’s never submitted
someone.
“I
think the gameplan for Chuck should be take it to the ground.
Why take any risk on the feet? Take it to the ground and then
ground-and-pound, or take it to the ground a couple of times
and win the fight on a decision. And maybe even with a submission.
He trains with great submission guys, so maybe he has a whole
arsenal we don’t know of.”
“Alistair
is working hard on submissions, too. We don’t know who has
the edge in submissions because Alistair has done some submissions
before. Chuck has fought real quality opponents, let me say that.
Alistair, he has too, but not as many as Chuck.”
Most
likely conclusion to the fight? If someone gets knocked out,
it will be Liddell.
“If
it [ends] by knockout, it would be a knockout by Alistair, I
think. On the feet it would probably be a flying knee to the
chest or to the head. He’s very tall and he knows how to
use his length like Semmy Schilt. There are good strikers, but
some people can just control their length. Alistair knows how
to do it, and everything he does is hard. It comes from out of
nowhere.”
Vanderlei
Silva vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Any
chance this fight will end differently than the first two? Yes.
“There’s
always a possibility that Vanderlei might take this fight lightly
in the back of his head, which would be a very stupid mistake
to make against Sakuraba. The second time when Sakuraba fought
Vanderlei, he was getting into his groove again. You remember?
He started doing all his crazy stuff again. He started getting
in control; he took him down; he was in the mount. He was starting
to do the crazy Karate chops again. He was getting into crazy
Sakuraba mode again. If he can make the transition again, then
it could be a big upset. He could submit him. We don’t know.
Sakuraba is a strange guy, and even though he lost a couple of
times, it [was just] a broken bone. And then he lost on a broken
cheekbone. It’s not like you submitted the guy or KO’d
the guy.”
Prediction?
Silva.
“It
could be a surprise, but Vanderlei is on a roll. Normally, I
would say that Vanderlei is going to win this fight.”
Hidehiko
Yoshida vs. Kiyoshi Tamura
Most
likely conclusion to the fight? Yoshida by armbar.
Is
Yoshida that much better than Tamura? Yes.
“On
the ground, for sure. He’s going to take Tamura down. If
he’s fighting with the gi, we saw with Don Frye that you
can’t pull the arm out; it’s more difficult to escape
an armbar. The guy’s a world champion in Judo and a gold
medallist. Let’s face it man, those guys are good. Those
guys are real good. This guy is tough as nails.”
Strategies:
Tamura should keep it standing; Yoshida should get it to the
ground.
“After
the armbar against Don Frye, I said, ‘OK, [Yoshida] is legit.’
But he has to take the fight to the ground. If Tamura is smart
enough and he tries to keep it on his feet, I don’t know.
What Tamura really has is that left kick. If Yoshida is a little
smart, he’s going to block and counter with a right strike.”
Quinton
Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona*
*Although
Arona has withdrawn from the Grand Prix, here are Bas’ thoughts
on how a match between Jackson and Arona would have played out.
Edge
on the feet: Jackson.
“On
the feet, Quinton for sure. He’s one of the only ones from
mixed martial arts to go to K-1 and beat some people up, so that’s
pretty good. Arona is more technical on the ground, but I don’t
know if he can catch Quinton in a submission. And I don’t
know if he can take Quinton down.”
Prediction:
Jackson.
“I
just see Quinton as the winner. I don’t see Arona taking
Quinton down. On the feet I think Quinton can even knock him
out. Quinton’s working hard. This is a guy that’s getting
better every time you see him. He doesn’t stop, you know?
His stamina is good and he’s doing everything right.
“If
Arona can take the fight to the ground, and if he can get on
top -- pass the guard or something -- maybe he can go for submissions.
But Quinton’s not stupid either. He works on submissions,
too. Arona is just very strong, physically. He’s good at
submissions, but overall I see Quinton as the winner.”
Fedor
Emelianenko vs. Gary Goodridge
Who
hits harder?
“I
don’t know, man. This Fedor guy, he’s as tough as they
come. But you have to give it to Goodridge, he fought Mark Hunt.
Mark Hunt is a tough motherfucker, and he did good against him.
Mark Hunt whacked him a few times, but he survived, stayed on
his feet.
Strategies:
Fedor should ground-and-pound Goodridge; Goodridge should keep
it standing and slug it out.
“The
key to victory will be trying to go for takedowns for Fedor,
I think, and then ground-and-pound, like he does with everybody
because he’s unbelievable at it. But can he take Goodridge
down? Goodridge is doing good lately. He’s training hard
in muay Thai. He lost a lot of weight when he fought Mark Hunt.
He lost like 15 pounds; he’s in good shape.”
Prediction:
Fedor.
“This
is two brawlers against each other. Officially, I would say Fedor,
but never count Goodridge out because once he hits, he hits like
a motherfucker too.”
Mirko
“Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Igor Vovchanchyn
Who
should be the favorite? Cro Cop.
“Because
I saw Vovchanchyn’s K-1 fight against Ernesto Hoost. I saw
his fights against other K-1 strikers, and compared to that he’s
really good but not a K-1 level striker. I think Cro Cop is.
He’s proven that he is. Vovchanchyn taking down Cro Cop
is not going to happen. Vovchanchyn should have worked again
on a different arsenal, because he’s had the same arsenal
for the last two years, three years. He’s got the overhand
right; he’s got the liver kick; he’s got the left hook;
that’s it. Cro Cop has been working on his boxing a lot.
He’s got a left kick from hell.
Prediction?
Cro Cop.
“I
see this fight maybe not a KO to the head because Vovchanchyn’s
so tough, but a KO to the legs or KO to the body could happen
coming from Cro Cop.
“Mirko
Cro Cop, he’s getting better and better. Shit, Heath [Herring]
couldn’t take him down. He’s getting very confident.
He could be the next heavyweight champion. Watch out for this
guy. He’s that good. He has the feeling for everything.”
Ricco
Rodriguez vs. Rodrigo Nogueira
Who
should be the favorite? Nogueira.
“Because
he knows how to box.”
Who
has the advantage on the ground? No one.
“Nogueira’s
ground game is very good. His takedown defense is very good.
I don’t know if Ricco can take him down. Ricco’s very
good on the ground too, don’t get me wrong. But I just think
they’re both equal on the ground.”
Prediction?
“Nogueira’s
going to win it on the feet. He just has better boxing skills.
You don’t develop boxing skills in two months. Ricco coming
off a loss -- every fighter who has been KO’d is going to
think about his last fight just before he steps into the ring,
trust me. That could [cause] him to try to run in for a takedown,
rush it, and that would be a major mistake against Nogueira.
“Ricco
should really try to stay focused. Hopefully he worked very hard
on his hands. And then just try to box some and then maybe go
for a takedown and try to get to side mount. But then again,
you’re fighting against Nogueira.
“Nogueira
has been in there with some tough guys. He was in there Fedor;
he hung in there with Heath when Heath was at the top of his
game. And he got the best of Heath in the punching exchanges.
Let’s face it, he’s boxed for a long time.
“This
is the card. Every single fight is very hard to call.”
Source:
Maxfighting |
PRIDE
Grand Prix News and Notes
By Yoshinori Ihara
PRIDE
heavyweight champion Emelianenko Fedor said he's in good condition
for Sunday's bout versus Gary Goodridge at a one-on-one yesterday
with the media in Tokyo, Japan. "He fought many great fighters.
He is a K-1 veteran, so he has good stand-up skill. But his grappling
is also good," said Fedor about Goodridge.
When
asked who the number-one contender to his heavyweight title was,
Fedor answered that the man whom he defeated in March to earn
the belt, Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, should
be first in line. He also hopes that fellow Ukrainian Igor Vovchanchyn
defeats Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic on Sunday. It's believed
that if Fedor and "Cro Cop" win, they'll square off
in November in a championship bout.
Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson made his appearance in front of the
Japanese media on Thursday and said it doesn't matter who replaces
Ricardo Arona. Speaking publicly for the first time about the
injury, Arona apologized and expressed his disappointment about
not being able to compete. DSE has scheduled a press conference
on Friday in Tokyo to confirm Arona's replacement. It's believed
they'll announce Murilo Bustamante, Arona's Brazilian Top Team
teammate, as the last-minute replacement.
Source: Maxfighting |
Is
Nog a Must Win for Ricco?
by Ken Pishna
Going into a fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is anything
but a sure win for anyone and considering his status as one of
the top heavyweights in the world, a loss to him shouldn’t
be anything to be wary of. That might not be the case for Ricco
Rodriguez though.
Ricco
enters his bout with Nog sporting a record of 14-2. Those 14
wins include victories over Andrei Arlovski, Pete Williams, Tsuyoshi
Kosaka, and current UFC “Interim” Light Heavyweight
Champion Randy Couture. His losses are no less impressive at
the hands of Bobby Hoffman and UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia.
So what’s the harm in Ricco fighting one of the most highly
regarded heavyweights in the world when he might not come out
on top?
You
might say nothing, but for Ricco, there’s actually a lot
on the line here. After his loss to Bobby Hoffman, he put together
a string of eleven victories that culminated in a win over Randy
Couture to become the UFC Heavyweight Champion.
With
the win over Couture, Team Punishment cornered the market on
the two most coveted divisions in the UFC. Ricco had realized
a dream, breaking down to tears in the ring. He wanted to carry
the belt with style and be the champion to cross over to the
hispanic community. Ricco felt that he could be one the fighters
to spearhead the mixed martial arts movement into mainstream
acceptance, but it wasn’t to be.
In
his first title defense, Ricco lost his belt and was handed a
crushing blow to his dreams when underdog Tim Sylvia KO’d
him just three minutes into their bout. Ricco took the loss to
heart and has rarely been seen and even more rarely heard from
since the defeat. He wasn’t supposed to lose.
Ricco
took this fight only three weeks out from the show and is coming
in with a surgically repaired knee. Add that to Nog’s status
as one of the top fighters in the world and the odds are stacked
pretty heavily against Ricco. A loss here could send Ricco reeling.
This
is a time when there are few shows and few slots to fill and
a lot of talented fighters wanting to fill those slots. The UFC
rarely gives a fighter with two losses in a row another shot
on pay-per-view without that fighter first scoring a couple of
big wins on a smaller show. With Pride following suit - DSE President
Nobuhiko Takada recently said that Pride fighters losing more
than one or two fights would not be invited back - the pressure
to win is greater than ever if a fighter wants to remain at the
top. Couple this with Ricco’s intense emotional response
to defeat and he really needs to win this one.
A
win against Nog would propel him back towards the top of the
heavyweight rankings and give him a tremendous amount of credibility
in his quest to be the champion again. A loss could send him
spiraling down, possibly out of the UFC, to earn his way back
up the ranks. The only thing for sure is that we’ll find
out, come Sunday, which way Ricco is headed.
Source: MMA Weekly |
SAKURAI
READY TO BUILD OFF MOMENTUM
You could say that Mach Sakurai is back on schedule after his
recent win over Dave Menne last month in Japan.
Sakurai
has agreed to sign a potential, long-term deal with DEEP that
has him starting the deal on 9/15/04.
"Mach"
will fight Chonan Ryo who is a student of Tamura. Chonan is described
as a wildly aggressive fighter and the crowd loves him. This
is a plus for DEEP to have two Japanese fan favorites squaring
off in the main event.
The
DEEP show combines pro wrestling with MMA but all matches are
legitimate! The characters of pro wrestling combined with the
unpredictable excitement of MMA makes are interesting shows and
high-grossing ticket sales.
On
this same show, we will see the return of Brad Kohler to MMA.
Kholer, the former UFC veteran is scheduled on the show to face
Dos Caras Jr
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
The only way to fail is to stop trying to succeed.
|
Rumble
On The Rock 3 Tentative Fight Card
Hilo, Hawaii
August
9, 2003
Get
your tickets today to check out this event. if you don't live
on the Big Island, start booking your flights. The Onzuka brothers
will be on hand to cover this event!
180lbs
Mikey Pikey vs. Eddie
300lbs
Kona Bear vs. Patrick Fonohena
250lbs
Junior Dong vs. Anthony Billianor (Lockdown)
155lbs
Kaynan Kaku (Nova Uniao) vs. Kona
155lbs
Johnny Sampaio (Nova Uniao) vs. David Padilla
155lbs
Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen) vs. Deshawn Johnson (HMC)
140lbs
Iwi Okano (Nova Uniao) vs. Jamal Dequip
175lbs
John Naole (HMC) vs. Kaleo Padilla
170lbs
Royden Demotta (Nova Uniao) vs. Kyle Brees
170lbs
Ross Ebanez (Nova Uniao) vs. Shannon Ritch
170lbs
Renato "Charuto" Verissimo (Nova Uniao) vs. Ray Elbe
290lbs
Wesley "Cabbage" Correira (Grappling Unlimited) vs.
Steve Sayegh
|
INTERVIEW:
PRIDE Champion VANDERLEI SILVA!
“I
will Kick asses!”
Text
by Alexandre Lobo photo by Marcelo Alonso.
It
is a few days from the Pride GP Middleweight first round, scheduled
for August 10th, and everybody is especulating who will win the
three fights and become PRIDE's 'grand' champion. In theory,
the title will be in good hands with anyone who comes thru this
rugged field of eight elite fighter.
However,
one fighter goes to this competition with a deeper responsibility
to maintain his image: the 'Axe Murderer' Wanderlei Silva. As
the Pride Middleweight champion, Silva is the man to beat for
the other seven, and he knows this will make it a tough tournament.
After almost a half year without fighting as he recover from
knee scopes, the brazilian fighter returns to Japan with the
same old hunger to fight and he announces: “I’m training
hard, and I will come back by kicking everybody's ass”.
Why
did you, the Pride Middleweight champion, decided to participate
in this Pride GP? Aren’t you afraid that your standing may
be affected if you lose the tournament? This was my fans desire,
they always want more from their idol. I’m a real fighter
and I want to show everybody that I’m not a legend. I’m
real and I don’t choose my opponents. I’ll show to
all of the world that it’s my time. I know that if I win,
I’ll become greater. I want to be respected for what I do
as a MMA fighter.
Being
the Pride Middleweight champion - do you feel more pressure to
win this GP? Sure, it gives me more responsibility, but it also
lets me be more confident. Truly, anyone of these guys have the
skills to be the champion. There are just top fighters in this
GP, so I want to bring my mental game as well.
And
how do you intend to win this championship? I’m preparing
myself like a madman and I’ll be ready to kick asses. It
will be the Chute Boxe way: a lot of agression. Anyone who will
fight me, will have to be more cautious. To win a tournament
format like this, the thing is not to hurt yourself a lot in
the first bout. After that, you need to be well-prepared and
of course, a little luck helps. However, I won’t get too
conservative in the ring and I’ll fight looking for a knock
out. My punching is much better now!
What
do you think about this third meeting with Sakuraba in a Pride
ring? People in Japan think that it was just a lucky thing my
other two victories. What can I do? Just fight again. I respect
Sakuraba a lot, he is a great fighter and I’m sure that
he will be there to put on a good show.
You
went half a year without fighting due to a knee injury after
the Pride 23 bout with Kanehara. How are you now? Although I’m
still doing the physiotherapy work, now I’m 100%. I had
a spectacular recovery after the surgery, so I spent just a month
away from thehard training routine and now I’m getting the
rhythm back again.
What
about your training routine for this tournament? All my teammates
helped me. I did some great Muay Thai training with Anderson
Silva. It was tough - I almost broke my nose! (laughs). Besides,
I trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Cristiano Marcelo (Royler
Gracie black belt) and MMA with a lot of tough guys like Murilo
Ninja and Shogun. You could see in the fight against Cyborg (Meca
9) how tough this Shogun guy is getting. I can tell you by the
way. He is improving soon He will be a big star in the Vale-Tudo
world.
Besides
you, of course, who do you think will pass to the second round?
I think Liddell will beat Overeem and Yoshida will submit Tamura.
However, anything can happen in Jackson´s fight. He has
a hammer in his hand!
After
that little confusion between you and Jackson in Pride 23 and
hearing you now, I think that you prefer Jackson… If I have
to fight him, no problem. I want to kick his ass.
Leaving
the Pride GP aside, everytime Dana White, the UFC promoter, says
that his dream is to make a match between the UFC Middleweight
champion and the Pride Middleweight champion, you. Would you
like to fight in this scenario? I think it would be great. I’m
a fighter and a fight like that is always interesting. I want
to fight.
What
would you like to say to your fans?I appreciate that they support
me, because I need all the good vibes. In Japan, I’ll be
fighting for Brazil, and every bit of support helps!
Source:
ADCC
|
The
Ultimate Submission Showdown(TM)
When
Rorion Gracie talks about a new project people tend to listen!
Rorion has been actively working on a new concept for a Submissions
event but so far the only things to show were two ads in Grappling
Magazine saying:' No Gi, No excuses. Put up or shut up!'. While
he is still being tight lipped about details, the original creator
and founder of the U.F.C. said: 'Just wait Kid, Just wait! You
won't be disappointed!' Inside info has that this will be an
8 man Submission Grappling event with top names from different
Grappling styles. Rules will be similar to IGJJF events and most
things aaloowed such as slams, locks etc.
So
mark this date: October 11, 2003 at the James Armstrong Theater
in Torrance, California - The First Ultimate Submission Showdown
will take place. More details as they become available will be
released here, until then you can get some info at www.IGJJF.com
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro
|
More
on PRIDE's RICARDO ARONA Situation!
Friday
morning, BTT headquarters at AABB Lagoa - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Everybody
was training hard because the feel of competition was in the
air. Three members of the Brazilian TOP TEAM had fought for the
new promotion HeatFC the day before. The following friday, 3
other teammates would be fighting in the Meca 9 event. The final
sparring session focused on Ricardo Arona, who would be departing
for Japan on Saturday and Paulo Filho, who is training for the
IFC 8 man tournament in September.
Paulo
attempted a takedown and Arona defended, immediately asking for
a time out. Arona hit the mat with anger and frustration - his
knee could not support his weight. Somebody provided ice and
the session was over.
The
day after, Arona prepared to depart at Galeao Airport with a
ball on his ankle......
He
said that although he applied the ice treatment all day long,
things were getting even worse.
Mario
Sperry called BTT's representative in Japan to upfate them on
the situation. Of course, after a 24 hour flight, the size of
Arona's ankle was increasing.
As
soon as he got in Japan, Arona chcked into the Akasaka Hotel,
and from there he went to a clinic for exams, including the most
important and conclusive, the MRI.
After
2 hours of exams the bad news: It was not a ligament tear or
stress as had been hoped, Arona's ankle was fractured and he
was out of Pride Grand Prix.
The
promoters had to consider replacements at the last minute, always
a hard task. The idea to replace a BTT fighterwith a BTT fighter
was floated. Mario Sperry could not replace Arona since he is
healing a hand from recent surgery. The other representative
of BTT, Rogerio Nogueira is in worse condition than Mario, coming
off two arm operations.
BTT
member and former UFC Champion Murilo Bustamante was already
on a plane heading to Japan, as a coach for his teammates. He's
in shape and presents a potential solution for the problem at
hand. Murilo may not be totally focused for an event with the
magnitude of Pride Grand Prix, but he has been training and preparing
his teammates for very tough fights.
Today
we will have the final meeting between Pride promoters and Bustamante
so be ready for PRIDE to announce something, one way or another.
EDITOR's
NOTE: The Ryan Gracie rumors appear to be false. Ryan is reportedly
still in Sao PAulo, and he and his cousin Renzo Gracie have other
commitments and are not available for this event. This is from
their Japanese handlers, who would be involved.
Source:
ADCC
|
Catching
up with Ricardo “Cachorrao” Almeida
It’s
been a good year for Ricardo Almeida. His marriage to lovely
wife Ally is strong. Baby Renzo is healthy and walking. The enrollment
at his New Jersey academy has doubled. His students continue
to do well at tournaments. The hand injury is healed to 100%.
He was invited to compete at the 2003 Abu Dhabi Championships.
And he is undefeated in Pancrase.
The
Almeida’s were married December 12, 2001, and blest with
a baby boy, appropriately named, Renzo, on September 20, 2002.
Almeida, a family man, has always felt “it’s the best”
referring to a child being the biggest blessing one can ask for,
adding “there’s nothing better than being at home with
my wife and kids.”
Almeida
attributes the growth of his Willingboro, New Jersey academy
to his personal attention in teaching “I guess I have been
able to focus more on teaching,” he said, “the students
can get really personal attention.” The academy currently
offers classes four times a week, but the Almeida’s will
be moving to south Jersey in September “so we’ll be
able to have a full schedule at my school.” A move to a
larger facility is also planned by years end.
Almeida
suffered a career threatening injury to his hand while training
in mid 2002. After consulting doctors, the 26-year-old underwent
reconstructive surgery and returned to the ring in late 2002,
“it kept me away from the rings longer than I wanted,”
said the 100% healed Almeida.
At
the 2003 Abu Dhabi Championships in Brazil, “Almeida vs.
Jacare” was elected the best fight of the competition. At
the rules meeting, the judges stated after 1 overtime (15 minutes)
if it was 0-0, the judges would render a decision, but “this
match was simply too even to fairly make the call,” said
Miguel Iturrate, ADCC Spokesperson, “it was just that tense
for the first 3 OT’s.” Going into the 4th overtime
“they are so even, it is scary,” exclaimed Guy Neivens,
one of the main organizers. The Brazilian press christened the
30-minute match the greatest in ADCC history. “I was happy
to perform well,” said Almeida, “even though ADCC is
not my main focus right now.” His main focus right now is
MMA, “it’s just difficult to get proper preparation
for an event of the magnitude of ADCC while having a busy MMA
schedule,” he said. Almeida has never won at Abu Dhabi,
but he has placed each year; taking second in 1998 and 2001,
and best fight of 2003. He has a trophy for each of the 5 editions.
“I feel my focus should be more on MMA (right now),”
Almeida said, “especially since I don't intend to fight
much longer.” Almeida offers “everything I do now is
so I can be a better teacher.”
Cachorrao
made his Pancrase debut at “Pancrase: Spirit 8” on
November 30, 2002, where he earned the submission win over Osami
Shibuya by rear naked choke. That win was followed up by a Unanimous
Decision win over Ikuhisa Minowa at “Pancrase: Hybrid 2”
on February 16, 2003, and another Unanimous Decision win over
Yuki Sasaki at “Pancrase: Hybrid 3” on April 12, 2003.
Almeida has been working a lot on strategy for his fights “if
you watch these three fights you will see a different fighter
each time,” said the # 2 ranked light heavyweight. In his
fight against Sasaki “he had a very solid guard, so I adopted
the Chuteboxe style with stomps and soccer kicks,” Almeida
exclaims “it’s exiting to watch!”
The
highly respected Team Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black
belt returns to Pancrase on their 10th Anniversary event card
-- August 31, 2003. Almeida faces # 3 ranked middleweight Kazuo
Misaki of Team Grabaka during the Pancrase 2003 Hybrid Tour at
Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. Masaki has been active in
Pancrase since May 2001, and sports a 10-2-1 record, including
a win over Almeida team mate Joe D’Arce by TKO from punches
at “Pancrase: Hybrid 1” in January 2003. Almeida knows
he will be tested “Misaki is a dangerous fighter,”
he says, “it will be a test to see how well I feel fighting
at 180 pounds.” Almeida adopts a training philosophy to
fight “every match as a championship match.” Knowing
you are only as good as your last match in this sport “it
is very important to try to be your best each time out there,”
he says, “so I am very focused and training harder than
ever.”
For
more information on Ricardo Almeida or training Renzo Gracie
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, check out www.RicardoAlmeida.com.
Source: ADCC
|
Brazil's
'Cyborg' is confirmed for Pancrase!
Despite
having his shoulder injured in his fight against 'Shogun' at
Meca 9, Evangelista 'Cyborg' has just confirmed his participation
on the next edition of Japan's Pancrase event, scheduled for
August 31st in Japan.
According
to Brazil Dojô representative Wallid Ismail, Cyborg will
face japanese star Yuki Sasaki to avoid problems on the japanese
circuit. The brazilian fighter revealed in an exclusive interview
to TATAME’s site just two days ago, that he would turn down
the Pancrase offer because of this injury. To avoid a very delicate
situation with the show organizers, who will be celebrate ten
years of Pancrase and had been annoucing Cyborg´s fight
as one of the principal match of the card, 'Cyborg' intends to
meet his commitments.
According
to Wallid Ismail, he received a request this past Thursday from
Pancrase president, Mr Ozaki and, after other talks, decided
to confirm Cyborg’s fight. 'Everything to fix this misunderstanding',
revealed Wallid. Cyborg said to us that he is really worried
about fighting at less than 100%, but he is gonna do it to preserve
a good relationship in the Japanese circuit and to not affect
his career.
On
Monday, Cyborg will be in Rio de Janeiro to see a doctor. According
to Wallid, Cyborg is not gonna step inside with 100%, but he’s
gonna win. 'We also closed a second fight for the following edition,
when he will be 100%', guaranteed Wallid. According to Cyborg,
he is okay about the fight. 'I will fight, even being injured
to not let down my new team'.
Check
out the full card:
Yuki Sasaki x EVANGELISTA CYBORG
Kazuo Misaki x RICARDO CAHORRÃO
Osami Shibuya x Tohru Yano
Yuki Kondo x Josh Barnett
Akihiro Gono x NILSON DE CASTRO
Kiuma Kunioku x CROSLEY GRACIE
Minoru Suzuki x Takashi Iizuka
Source:
ADCC
|
Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson:
Bringing PRIDE to America
When you wear a chain around your neck and go by "Rampage,"
it goes without saying that you are bringing the ruckus. Quinton
Jackson does just that, whether it's mowing down opponents in
the ring or sounding off about Internet blowhards that don't
understand the sport.
When
you think of him living in Orange County, Calif., it's not unlike
the vision of Clubber Lang in "Rocky III," doing terrifying
amounts of pull-ups and calisthenics, hardening himself for the
final confrontation with an opponent he's bent upon destroying.
His environs keep him edgy. His dreams are within a fist's journey
to fruition. Whomever gets in his way could be in for rough evening.
"Rampage"
brings the ruckus.
It's
because Jackson, despite his wrestler's origins, is a new breed
of mixed martial artist. He likes to score knockouts, and he
comes to bang. No softie when it comes to trading blows, Jackson
doesn't shirk from taking a shot and has steadily improved in
recent bouts, notching wins over Igor Vovchanchyn, Kevin Randleman,
and Mikhail Iloukhine.
The
6-foot-1-inch, 205-pound light heavyweight just left for Japan
to face Ricardo Arona in the opening round of the August 10 PRIDE
Middleweight Grand Prix tournament, but with Arona's injury,
officials are scrambling to find a substitute (at press time
one purported replacement was Murilo Bustamante, which is like
Carmen Electra stepping in when your date bails on you last-minute).
For
Jackson, it doesn't matter whom he faces. Fighting in Japan caters
to his warrior style, as they've taken to his business-first
demeanor, and he to them in return.
"In
Japan they are different because they really respect fighters,"
Jackson tells MaxFighting. "They don't give a fuck whether
you win or lose, but how you fight. That's how it should be in
America. But in America you get these Internet geeks that get
on the forum and want to talk shit about you. And they don't
know shit. But then you got cool guys here, too. This is my job,
and if I win, it's like you get a promotion."
The
equivalent to winning his first bout, and moving on the semifinals
this fall would be his own office in the metaphorical land of
cubicled prestige. If he wins the whole enchilada, he'll have
the upstairs corner office, and be hip-deep in mahogany furniture
with a legion of flunkies on his speed dialer. Huge earning power
will be his, with the winner of the Tito Ortiz-Randy Couture
bout left standing as the other best light heavyweight in the
world. It's another step toward the big time, and Jackson can
taste it.
Hard
training is on the menu, and Jackson's been gobbling it up, ingesting
doses of Tito Ortiz and Ricco Rodriguez in Big Bear, Calif. He
wants to let it all hang out, and maybe get a crack at PRIDE
light heavyweight champion Vanderlei Silva along the way, whom
Jackson had a confrontation with after his stoppage of Randleman
earlier this year.
"Only
reason I wanna fight Silva is because he has the belt. I have
nothing against the guy, he pushed me. He just has the belt,"
Jackson says. "If I fight him in the tournament, it don't
mean shit, but if I win, I'm like a champion. He can lose and
I can lose. But I want to fight the guy anyways."
And
Jackson feels more than a little home-country pride in representing
to Silva, or whatever Brazilians he may come across, that the
stateside "Rampage" has arrived.
"I'm
definitely looking forward to bringing it home for America,"
he said. "America needs a champion in PRIDE."
Source: Maxfighting
|
Alistair
Overeem (Team Golden Glory) vs Chuck Liddell (Pitfight Team)
This
fight has the potential to be the best of the night. Both fighters
are renowned for their thunderous striking ability, and have
comparable ground games. Chuck Liddell’s aura of indestructibility
may have been lifted after his devastating loss to Randy Couture
in early June, but make no mistake about it, he will be hungry
for this win.
Overeem
on the other hand will look to solidify himself as one of the
top 205-pound fighters in the world with a victory over the highly
lauded Iceman. Overeem also has not lost a fight in over three
years (lost to Bobby Hoffman via brutal KO punch), and is coming
off a series of impressive victories.
The
key to the outcome of this fight will be who dictates the style,
and the pace. If Liddell can dictate the fight, and use his striking
to set-up his wrestling skills, then he will have a great chance
at winning this fight. If Overeem can use his height, and reach
advantages, while using his devastating knees (especially if
he has positional control on the ground), then it could be yet
another difficult loss for the UFC veteran.
It
is interesting to note that two of Overeem’s three loses
came to Russian Top Team fighter Iouri Kotchkine in the early
portion of Overeem’s MMA career. Having re-examined those
two fights, it is quite clear that the most effective way to
beat Alistair is to use strikes to set up takedowns. In both
fights, Kotchkine (who has more of Kyokushin Karate background
than anything else) was able to outstrike the Dutchmen, while
avoiding Overeem’s valiant takedown attempts.
Will
Chuck Liddell be able to do the same thing? Considering the fact
that Liddell is a better striker than Kotchkine, and is as good
of a wrestler, it’s quite possible. Of course, it is up
to Liddell to use this specific strategy, instead of trying to
prove to the world that his sloppy combinations against Randy
Couture were not indicative of his striking ability. Even if
Liddell gets Overeem down, he has to be able to hold him there,
and work from within the guard. Liddell must also be aware of
Overeem using his long limbs to reverse positioning, and set-up
either a Rear-Naked Choke (a move Alistair seemingly always is
looking for on the ground) or an armbar.
In
the end, I see this fight opening up with explosive periods of
striking, and then going to the ground. I just don’t think
Liddell will be able to overcome Overeem’s length advantages,
and his experience within a ring (one fight hardly constitutes
experience, plus the fact that if taken down, Liddell won’t
have the support of the cage to help him back up). Considering
how much Alistair has improved since his RINGS bouts of early
2000, I think this will be his coming out party with a hard fought
TKO victory over Liddell sometime in the early portion of round
number three.
Potential
X-Factor: PRIDE favoring Overeem because of Liddell’s UFC
association.
Source: MMA Weely
|
GONG'S
KILLER COMMITS SUICIDE
Alex Gong's death over the weekend rocked the mixed martial arts
world. The man who killed Gong with a gun shot apparently has
now turned the gun on himself. The following is from the San
Francisco newspaper, the Mercury News.
"A
man whom police believe was the main suspect in the Friday shooting
death of world kickboxing champion Alex Gong, killed himself
in a South San Francisco motel room, ending a 12-hour standoff
with authorities, said police.
"The
man, whose name has not been released pending confirmation by
the San Mateo County coroner, shot himself in the head at about
12:30 p.m. in an upstairs room at a South San Francisco Travelodge.
"Police
believe he is the person who sideswiped the 32-year-old professional
athlete Alex Gong's car Friday afternoon in San Francisco, as
he drove away, then shot Gong in the chest after Gong chased
after him. Police do not believe the two men knew each other."
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
The very act of believing creates strength of it's own.
|
INTERVIEW:
RODRIGO 'Minotauro' Nogueira - PRIDE's Once and Future King?
The 'Minotaur' Starts His Return to PRIDE
Denis
Martins- You have not had a fight since since March. Thisis a
long layoff for you, do you think it has any negative effects
at this stage of your career?
'Minotauro'- You could say it is somewhat normal. This happened
with me last year, when I had an injury, I took advantage of
that time to take a much needed rest while I healed it. Pride's
pace is hard and I fought with a break of 2 months; then last
year I fought 3 times in 5 months. Now, after this much time
out of the ring, I am beginning to get hungry for a fight again!
But in another sense it is good, because I can train hard and
come back way stronger than before and in better shape, as fighters
we have to realize that we are not machines. If we do not take
time to heal and prepare our bodies our careers will not last
very long.
Denis
Martins- You had several injuries nagging in the last year and
in the beginning of this year. So you are totally healed now?
'Minotauro'- I had injuries to my leg, shoulder, toe, elbow and
back. My back was hurt when I took the fight against Emelianenko
Fedor. I am okay right now and recovered.
Denis
Martins- Do you think that should you have refused some fights
last year to avoid these injuries?
'Minotauro'- I am fighter, I like to fight and I like to perform
good. When I won those fights, I got pumped up, you know. I always
liked to fight, and I feel that a real fighter is one that honors
his commitments. I did that, but now I need to slow down and
think about my health and if I fight with injuries I may not
make a good show. My intention from now on is to only fight when
I can put forth a 100%.
Denis
Martins- Why did your brother (Rogerio 'Minotoro' Nogueira) disappear
from fighting after your injury?
'Minotauro'- He is not my shadow. Coincidentally, he had injured
his elbow at the same time. We now have a pact between brothers,
we only will fight when we are a 100%.
Denis
Martins- Talk about the back injury - it seems that was the worst
of the injurues?
'Minotauro'- My back injury is the sort that has to be looked
after on an on going basis, I need to go to Holland 3 times a
year, to a place there and have a check up. When I prepare for
a fight I need to condition my whole body and not only those
muscles used for fighting. I have been working out for 3 months
now on a special weight training routine and feel I am in great
shape for my next fight.
Denis
Martins- While some Pride fighters coast along fighting against
questionable opponents, you are not on of these guys you are
always facing top opponents, explain why?
'Minotauro'- I do not know. I never had my name involved in mismatches.
And I read on the internet that I had lost because I had finally
faced a real fighter and my other opponents were nothing and
that bla, bla, bla. I always fought against tough fighters and
I never took my opponent down and executed a ground'n'pound.
I fought for KOs, submissions even though the fights did not
always go my way I was always looking for those things and trying
to make them happen.
Denis
Martins- Are you disappointed with these comments?
'Minotauro'- I think those guys who say these things do not really
understand the fight game. I always showed my best and I hope
to continue fighting against high level fighters.
Denis
Martins- Fedor x 'Minotauro' was a good fight. But how did you
see that fight?
'Minotauro'- Fedor was a machine, his game plan was to take me
down and pound me. It worked, but he did not try to pass my guard
or to submit me. He had a ground game like Mark Kerr had. I watched
the tape and I think I fought him similiar to the way I fought
Mark Coleman who is also a gnp type fighter. Against Coleman,
I did not have injuries and was close to a 100% healthy, but
against Fedor I was really injured and my right leg was hurt
bad. You can see that on the tape, I could not to defend my right
and he got to hurt the right side of my face, while the left
side was normal. I do not want to take away from what he did
to me and make excuses like alot of fighters do, but I fought
very bad on that night.
Denis
Martins- Did you think Fedor had a similar game plan as his other
fights in Pride?
'Minotauro'- He fought a controlled, balanced fight. He annulled
my triangle, armlock and shoulder-lock; if you watch it again
you will see he came on and was aggressive at times but it was
very controlled and not wild. He punched once, twice, three times
then he would stop; he is really good with his punches, but he
knew enough not to risk by punching wildly.
Denis
Martins- He had a good sequence of punches in the final seconds
of the R1. Were you in danger or getting KO'd then?
'Minotauro'- Bustamante asked me when I sat down after round
1, how I was. I told him, he punches hard but I am okay. The
only problems I was having dealing with his punches were when
my head was on the corner or on the ropes. The referees did not
restart the fight in the middle of the ring and sometimes my
head was out of the ring. Out of all the problems I was having
with Fedor, this was the biggest, those punches seemed to do
the most damage to me for some reason. Maybe if we had fought
in the middle of the ring; I would have had a fair chance. You
have more of an opportunity to move and avoid punches if your
in the middle or away from the ropes.
Denis
Martins- What do you mean by 'fair chance'?
'Minotauro'- Fighting from the bottom, against the corner and
a referee pushing your head is not fair, you know? (laughs)
Denis
Martins- I think that day was just not your day. You were able
to sweep him twice, however the bell sounded.
'Minotauro'- The second time that I swept him, he was very tired
and the the first time that I swept him, I passed his guard easily,
but I did not get to stabilize the position.
Denis
Martins- He reversed you after the first sweep. Was that a mistake
you made?
'Minotauro'- I did not have space. I tried to get the mount too
quickly, time was running out and if I had more time I would
have stabilized the position. My cornermen shouted that I had
less than 30 seconds, so I tried to act fast and that was the
result.
Denis
Martins- You are going to fight in one of the Pride GP superfights,
where you will face a fighter who you always wanted to fight
you, Mirko 'Cro Cop'. What was going through your mind when these
rumors were going around that you would fight him?
'Minotauro'- He is a tough fighter and for me it is not worthwhile
to face a weak fighter in my comeback. I think that if I beat
him my chances to be a top contender for the belt will be high.
Denis
Martins- Another rumor appeared, Josh Barnett against you. So,
would
you like to reply to the challenge he made to you at Pride Dynamite/ShockWave?
'Minotauro'- He challenged me at a time I did not expect, he
challenged me and it was in the heat of the show, so I did not
understand what he said to me. After a few seconds I found out
what he had said but I did not believe, because I had a chat
with Barnett at breakfast in the hotel. And then he came at me
with this challenge, I did not like his attitude. If he had spoken
with me about this challenge during the morning, no problem.
This is the game and the crowd likes to see that. Okay, okay,
you know, we are young and we will face each other soon, maybe
in Inoki Bon Bye 2003.
Denis
Martins- Any different motivation in fighting 'Cro Cop', Barnett
and now Ricco Rodriguez?
'Minotauro'- The promoter put these three fighters before me
to fight. You know, I did not refuse even one of them. My reply
for the promoters was, I fight, I fight and finally I fight (laughs).
Denis
Martins- But Rodriguez submitted you, would you like to return
this to him?
'Minotauro'- I do not think like this. He submitted me in ADCC
2000. However I believe my NHB game is better than his. I will
fight on the feet, I will defend his takedown attempts and I
trust in my ground game. I think I have improved alot even since
my last fight, I can be beat for sure, everyone can be beat,
but I will fight for a KO or submission.
Denis
Martins- What kind of problems did these changes cause for you
during your training?
'Minotauro'- All kinds actually. I trained with left-handed sparring
partners and they were kicking me all time, so after that changed
my kind of training for Barnett. And once again I changed to
face Ricco.
Denis
Martins- Ok 'Minotauro', send a message to your fans and fans
of NHB.
'Minotauro'- I like the fans who admire my technique. I go to
Japan and I just fight technically, I do not fight with strength.
When I face fighters heavier and stronger than myself I do not
trade strength with them, I try to put my technique over their
strength. And I think the fan appreciate when fighters fight
looking for submissions. This is like the boxing fans who love
to see a great KO.
Source:
ADCC |
BTT's
Ricardo Arona out of Pride GP
Due
to a serious ligament injury to his foot, Ricardo Arona is out
of this weekend's Pride GP. 'He was sparring with 'Minotauro'
in the last training session at Darrel Gohlar´s and he
twisted his foot. Since then he can barely walk, but he really
wants to fight so he went to Japan anyway' Murilo Bustamante
told us at the black belt surf challenge last Saturday.
In
Japan, Arona got the result of his exams and found out a ligament
injury would keep him out of the event. Internet rumors have
stated that Maurício Shogun or Murilo Ninja could replace
Arona but Rudimar, Chute Boxe´s leader, guaranteed it´s
impossible. Rudimar stated 'Unfortunately we cannot put two fighters
from the same team in the tournament'.
So
the natural substitute for Arona would be his teammate Murilo
Bustamante who is already in Japan. BTT spokesman Bebeo Duarte
told us that even not being in his best shape Murilo can fight.
'It will depend of an agreement with Pride promotors. He was
not training for this fight but he has interest in signing a
contract with Pride' assured Duarte.
Besides
Bustamante, Ryan Gracie and another japanese fighter
Source:
ADCC
|
Alistair
Overeem: Hammer Time
Nothing
can shake a man more than the moments before a fight. Put that
man in a ring with someone just as dangerous as he is and add
thousands of fans to the equation, and the pressure could be
unbearable.
Unless
you love what you're doing.
"I
don't have any mental problems or fears before a fight,"
says 23-year-old Alistair Overeem, who will compete in the Pride
Grand Prix this Sunday against Chuck Liddell. "A fight is
a fight and I love fighting. The only time I feel strange is
when I'm waiting behind the scenes to enter the arena. Pride
always makes you wait in back during the entire previous fight.
The moment I hear my music over the sound system and I step into
the arena I feel great and everything comes naturally. Thousands
of fans screaming for me, there's no better feeling."
Well,
maybe one better feeling, and that's the sound when Overeem,
known as the "Demolition Man" drops his hammer on an
opponent, something he's been able to do to the tune of 16 MMA
victories against three losses, as well as 13 Muay Thai wins.
"To
win a fight is awesome on its own, but to finish a fight before
the official time limit by way of KO is indescribable,"
he exclaims. "I'm a true believer that a fight can be decided
by one punch, one kick or one knee. You just have to be patient,
wait for that right moment and of course have the abilities to
do so."
So
given the standup skills of both Overeem and Liddell, it would
seem to be a given that Sunday's first round matchup will be
a war fought on the feet. Overeem, not shy about his striking
abilities, begs to differ.
"My
standup skills are much better than Chuck's, let alone my explosiveness,"
says Overeem. "I also know for a fact that Chuck will never
be able to submit me, so when the fight goes to the ground, which
it will, he better watch out that I don't submit him. Last but
not least, I've had quick and solid victories over the past three
years and Chuck just came out of a loss last June. Chuck has
the ability to control his opponents mentally. This has no effect
on me. I love fighting and I always enter the ring with a smile
on my face. I'm not underestimating Chuck at all. I know those
punches he throws are awesome, if one of them lands……Ouch!
But I'm representing Pride in this fight and I wont disappoint
them."
Liddell's
one-sided TKO loss to Randy Couture in June shocked many in the
MMA world. Even more were surprised when "The Iceman"
jumped to Japan as a UFC representative in the Grand Prix. But
the biggest surprise may be that in Overeem, Liddell is facing
a young, confident up and comer who may have the overall skills
to pull off what many would consider to be an upset. And though
Overeem respects Liddell, you almost get the feeling that the
worst part of this whole ordeal for him is waiting for the opening
bell to ring.
"Chuck
is a great fighter," admits Overeem. "He's very good
all-round and he has good endurance. He has fought many big names
in his career and he has suffered few losses. But when I analyze
this fight I come to the following conclusion: I'm ten years
younger which gives me an enormous advantage. My cardio is much
better. I also have a height advantage over Chuck, which gives
me a better reach. My normal weight is 205 lbs., so I don't have
to worry about diets. My total focus is on getting better, where
as Chuck is spending a lot of time losing weight. Plus, like
I said, Chuck still has the feeling of defeat on his mind. I
will take full advantage of this situation. This is not Chuck's
fight to control, it's mine."
But
all that confidence doesn't just come from the folly of youth.
Alistair Overeem is a fighter on the rise, a kid who can do it
all, but at the same time, knows that there is work to be done
to get to the level of the greats, and that one slip could knock
him back down the ladder.
"It
(success) does give me a good feeling and I assume I must be
doing something right," laughs Overeem. "But seriously,
the past three years the pressure has been building up. The more
you win, the more people want to take you down. I will never
be overconfident because if I don't maintain my training skills
and motivation, I'm definitely beatable. I have to keep training
hard and stay focused."
One
gets the impression from Overeem that he's living his dream as
a professional fighter, and that he doesn't want to wake up.
Even when you ask him why he fights when there are easier ways
to make a living, with the speed of one of his devastating knees
he interjects:
"Easier
ways?" Overeem asks. "Tell me, where can you make a
lot of money in a relatively short time by doing something you
love? Sure the preparations before a fight and my way of life
might sound extremely difficult to a person with a nine to five,
but I can't imagine myself behind a desk for the rest of my life.
If I play my cards right, I'll be fighting until the age of 30
and I will have made enough money to live a fantastic life."
A
fantastic life is a lot further than where Overeem thought he
might have ended up during his wild years growing up. Born in
England, Overeem later relocated to Holland, where his mother
raised Alistair and his older brother Valentijn, a fellow MMA
fighter.
"We
grew up without a father and my mother went thru hell and back
to give us the best possible upbringing," said the younger
Overeem. "My brother also stood by me when we were growing
up. After all he was the man of the house and I owe him a lot."
But
young Alistair also liked to scrap, and he got into his share
of fights in school and scuffles in the street, something he
can freely admit now that he has turned his life around.
"I
was a typical problem child," he admits. "When everybody
would go straight, I would go back. In school I was also never
able to pay attention and got in trouble a lot. I'm happy I found
a healthy way to express my energy, if not, who knows where I
would have ended up. And without the proper guidance from my
brother and close friends, who knows what would have happened
to me. Here in Holland it's real easy to end up on the wrong
side of the track."
At
15, Overeem made the decision that would later change his life,
and he began kickboxing, following in the footsteps of his brother
Valentijn, who many were heralding as MMA's next big thing.
"Actually
my brother was my inspiration to start fighting," says Overeem.
"When I was 15 he was already competing in events all over
the world. I really looked up to him. He was my idol. One day
he inspired me to come train with him at the gym in Amsterdam.
After that I was hooked and the rest is history."
Four
years later, Overeem was tabbed to make his MMA debut in the
"It's Showtime" show on October 24, 1999. Less than
a round later, the 19-year-old secured a rear naked choke and
submitted Ricardo Fyeet. But just four days later, on a Rings
"King of Kings" show, Iouri Kotchkine scored a controversial
majority decision over the youngster. It was a loss Koychkine
repeated eight months later, and time has not healed Overeem's
wounds about either defeat.
"My
two losses against Iouri Kotchkine were pure robberies,"
says Overeem. "I feel I won both fights but they gave the
decision to Iouri. Watch the tapes and you'll see that I'm right.
It's a waste of paper to elaborate more on my fights with Iouri."
Another
early loss in Rings - and Overeem's last defeat - was to veteran
banger Bobby Hoffman in June of 2000, a case of too much inexperience
against too much punch.
"When
I fought Bobby Hoffman I was 19 years old," he remembers.
"My former manager made a bad decision by letting me fight
a much more experienced fighter. At that time there was hardly
any serious stand-up training in the gym. That fight was only
my seventh fight, whereas Bobby had already fought 16 prior fights,
against people like Ricco (Rodriguez), Heath (Herring) and Josh
(Barnett). I'm not looking for excuses but given the circumstances
I did OK and was winning the fight until the lights went out."
Sandwiched
around these three defeats were four victories, and even though
his 4-3 record didn't inspire awe among the casual viewers, to
fight game insiders, it was becoming clear that Overeem had the
right stuff to move fast, and with the proper training and management,
the sky would be the limit.
In
March of 2001, Overeem made his Too Hot to Handle debut with
a 53-second demolition of Stanislav Nyschik, and as he gradually
added weapons to his arsenal in and out of the ring (Marc DeWeerd
as manager, Golden Glory as his training team), the "Demolition
Man" started looking unbeatable both standing and on the
ground, something Overeem attributes to his training partners
and to his six appearances in Too Hot to Handle (which is run
by DeWeerd).
"Without
a doubt the Too Hot to Handle events did a lot for me,"
says Overeem. "My manager, who also owns Too Hot to Handle,
saw great potential in me and gave me all the opportunities to
fight in his events which led to Pride."
"And
after joining Golden Glory I felt I joined a new family. Team
Golden Glory started with Gilbert Yvel. And I joined pretty quick.
Right after Heath and Sem Schilt, my brother and I joined the
team. It feels great having people watch over you who know what
they are doing. Everything is taken care of. Now I train in a
fully equipped gym, I have the best trainer in the world, I have
physical guidance etc. etc. If I need something all I do is ask.
Sometimes I've got to be careful I don't get too dependent on
having everything taken care of for me."
Overeem
doesn't want to forget the harder times, doesn't want to turn
his back on where he came from. And even though he is surpassing
his brother in terms of ring accomplishments and prestige, there
is no one Alistair holds in higher regard, and if there is any
sense of professional jealousy among the siblings, you won't
find any trace of it here.
"He's
very happy for me," says Alistair of Valentijn. "I
still look up to him, after all he's my big brother."
A
strong finisher with chokes, fists, or knees, Overeem has not
heard a judges' decision since dropping the second decision to
Kotchkine in 2000, and he is on a 12 fight winning streak (that
includes wins over Mike Bencic and Bazigit Atajev in Pride).
Needless to say, his inclusion in the Pride Grand Prix was a
no-brainer to diehard followers of the sport, a decision that
has surprised the more casual fans and led to some discussion
about Overeem's merits in getting into the tourney. Not surprisingly,
Overeem has some pointed feelings about the doubters, and he
wouldn't even mind coming to the States to show US fans his merits
up close and personal.
"I've
been reading a lot of articles on the American Internet sites
lately and it came to my attention that many people doubt my
possibilities fighting Chuck, let alone winning this tournament,"
says Overeem. "It probably has to do with the fact that
Americans will always back up the American fighter, just like
the people here in Holland back me up. It will give me great
pleasure proving all of them wrong. I'm not mean by nature, but
when people judge me without even knowing me, that pisses me
off. After my win I would love to fight in the UFC. Don't get
me wrong, I honor my relationship with Pride and I want to keep
fighting in Japan, but the UFC is also something I would love
to do. Maybe in the future Pride will lend out some of their
top fighters like UFC is doing now. Anyway, if it comes to this
it's something my manager will work out."
But
that's in the future. For now, all Overeem is concerned about
is Chuck Liddell and the Grand Prix tournament. Yet like any
successful young fighter who hasn't tasted defeat in years, he
has also set some lofty goals for himself.
"I
feel absolutely comfortable with all the opponents I will face
during this tournament," says Overeem. "When I fought
Mike Bencic in the last Pride event, I was originally scheduled
to fight Ricardo Arona. Ricardo is a feared opponent for any
fighter, but I accepted this fight without hesitation, even though
that fight would determine if I could compete in the Pride Grand
Prix. Personally, by becoming the Pride Grand Prix champion I
will have achieved one of many goals in my life. After my victory
I will fight for the light heavyweight title and after that my
goal is to concentrate on heavyweight fights and the heavyweight
title. Fighting heavyweights is nothing new for me, seeing as
I always fought heavyweight opponents. Professionally my career
will get an enormous boost by winning this tournament. I'm entering
this tournament as the underdog. I will break open many doors
that will help me expand my career. I will be known all over
the world as a true champion and the extra money is more than
welcome."
It's
not about the money though. It's about pride (pardon the pun)
and leaving a mark on a still growing sport. And for Alistair
Overeem, fighting is in his blood, his sweat, and his tears.
It's his entire world - and what could be more important than
that?
"It's
my way of life," he says. "I would sacrifice almost
anything else. Even now a trophy means more to me than a fat
check. I'm a guy who respects people, no matter what you are
or what you do. In the ring I'm an animal, but outside I'm just
a normal person, who laughs when something is funny and who cries
when I'm sad. I must always stay in touch with reality. One moment
you're a star and the next moment people will have forgotten
all about you. It's sad but that's the way of life. I'll never
forget where I came from, no matter how much money I make. I
hope I can keep up my status until I retire and then people will
say: 'The Demolition Man was one of the best fighters to have
ever walked the planet.'"
Source:
Maxfighting
|
Hackleman
Takes Liddell Back to Roots, Restores the 'Iceman' for Grand
Prix
Wake
up, Chuck.
"The
Iceman" had been seduced into relaxation. He had discarded
opponents like he was checking off a Sunday to-do list. He had
arrived at the end of a long road to the title and found that
no one was there. Tito was gone; the title was his.
Time
to bask.
"He
kind of fell into a little slump training," says Liddell's
renowned trainer John Hackleman. "No one could beat him
…. He kind of fell into, 'Let's go here and do a photo shoot.
Let's go here and get on a radio show.' Dana flies him a day
here, a day there. [Chuck] realizes now that sometimes he has
to take charge of his own training, say 'Wait, I'm training for
a fight now and that's going to come first.'"
The
realization was reached after Randy Couture dismantled him in
June. The fight was a technical masterpiece by his ageless adversary.
He demolished Liddell's acclaimed takedown defense and picked
apart his touted striking game. He slammed Liddell early and
late and beat him to the punch throughout.
"I
think [Chuck] was just off a notch, and Randy was on. That's
all," says Hackleman on what exactly went wrong. "His
stuff wasn't quite working like it should have, and Randy's stuff
was working a little better than usual. You put those two things
together and that happens. I think if they fought 10 times, they'd
probably split it five and five. But he was off, no excuses."
But
critics, including yours truly, have said it was more of a mechanical
issue than a timing problem, especially during the standup exchanges.
It looked like Liddell's assault consisted of wild and looping
punches that were not only easily avoidable but also left him
vulnerable. Meanwhile Couture took aim straight down the middle
and connected like an arrow splintering into a bull's-eye.
"For
anyone to criticize the looping punches," admonishes Hackleman,
"they don't criticize them when they're knocking people
out. For them to criticize [Liddell] for throwing a looping punch
would be like criticizing Mike Tyson for throwing a looping punch.
[It] knocks most people out, but once in a while, for whatever
reason, you're not going to win. It wasn't because of his looping
punches; it was because Randy Couture's timing was more on, his
strategy was a little better, and he beat Chuck to the punch.
"A
straight puncher doesn't beat a looping puncher more than the
other way around; it's just who's better that night. Sometimes
we throw straight punches, but a lot of our hooks are looping,
and they work for us. Out of everyone that criticizes, I bet
you .00001 percent has been inside of that cage and knows what
it's like. His looping punches work, and we're going to stay
with our same training and our same strategies and our same basics.
We're just going to sharpen up the training a little bit."
Whatever
happened in the octagon that night -- and I'm not inclined to
argue with the Pit Master -- Liddell lost. And then he woke up.
Says
Hackleman: "Now we know we have to go back to old school
Pit training, old school Chuck Liddell -- the way we did it before
when he was fighting for three dollars and 50 cents gas money
in Bakersfield. Knowing that it's not about all the glitz and
glamour; it's how much hard work and sweat you put in at the
gym."
Before
he lost to Couture, the other man's hand hadn't been raised since
March 99. Liddell didn't lament after Jeremy Horn choked him
out at UFC 19. Instead, he built one of the most remarkable runs
in MMA history, winning his next seven bouts in the UFC -- besting
Belfort, Babalu and Randleman, among others -- and numerous matches
outside the octagon.
There
wasn't much time for mourning after this one, either. "He
stayed in Vegas an extra day or two, and by the time he got back
he was ready to rock," says Hackleman. "In fact, we
had already heard he was going to be fighting again [in the Pride
Grand Prix] so he was right back to training almost immediately.
I'd say three days and he was back [to being] Chuck.
"He's
the 'Iceman' for a reason. He really doesn't get too worked up
either way to tell you the truth."
Liddell
may be phlegmatic when confronting some aspects of defeat, but
he's also like any other warrior. He's invigorated, awake and
alive with a fresh energy pumping through his body. And behind
that drive, training camp for the Grand Prix began.
"We
started off just back to basics, a lot of hands up, chin down.
A lot of old school basic training," says Hackleman of Liddell's
preparation. "And then he shot over to Vegas to do some
serious advanced groundwork with John Lewis and work on some
strategies there with the takedowns and the ground stuff. Then
he shot back up here, and we're doing the finishing touches now
on working on my stuff and putting John Lewis' stuff into play.
And then we're adding some of the wrestling moves he gets from
SLO Kickboxing, including Gan McGee and Scott Adams and those
guys."
The
group overseeing Liddell's training will form a gameplan for
his upcoming meeting with Alistair Overeem, a dangerous standup
specialist from Holland. Liddell's "serious" workouts
with Lewis may be a hint that he plans on grounding and pounding
his opponent (though Hackleman says Liddell, who recently received
his purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, always preps with Lewis).
For
the record Hackleman says we'll have to "wait and see"
whether Liddell stands with Overeem or uncharacteristically attempts
a takedown. "It depends on what happens in the first couple
seconds of the fight," he says. "There's an A-plan
and a B-plan, and we could go either way."
Regardless
of whether it comes on the feet or on the ground, expect a victory
for Liddell, Hackleman concludes. "One loss didn't break
Chuck," he says. "He's a through and through warrior.
He has a true samurai spirit, and that's going to show through."
Source:
Maxfighting
|
MaxPreview:
Pride's Total Elimination
The World's Best Collide in the Card of 2003
As
infuriatingly inconsistent as they can be, Dreamstage Entertainment
nonetheless knows how to make jaded fans forget about gross mismatches
and puzzling Japan-centric attractions. Quickly.
Pride:
Total Elimination 2003 will be held August 10 at the Saitama
Super Arena, with a US broadcast hours later at 9 PM ET time.
With three tremendous heavyweight bouts and the opening round
of a light heavyweight tournament, promoters will be hard-pressed
to develop a more star-studded and intriguing card this year.
Perhaps the tournament finals in November will be a worthy contender.
Among
the highlights: Chuck Liddell will look to invade the rival promotion
and represent the UFC; Quinton Jackson will attempt to clear
a huge first-round hurdle named Arona; Kazushi Sakuraba will
try to defeat both a recurring villain and fan apathy; and dubious
challenger Hidehiko Yoshida will try to overcome suspicions over
his true mettle.
Here's
a look at the card. Predictions have no money-back guarantee,
so tread carefully at the betting windows.
Pride
Middleweight (Light Heavyweight/Under 205 lb.) Tournament
Quarterfinal Bout
Chuck Liddell vs. Alistair Overeem
Lowdown:
Chuck Liddell, where has your momentum gone? On the morning of
June 6, Liddell was widely considered to be the most dominant
and talented light heavyweight on the circuit. Three rounds with
underdog Randy Couture changed all that. Liddell looked confused
and out of sorts as he ate three punches for every looping one
thrown. Now Couture is set to challenge Tito Ortiz to decide
an undisputed champion: Liddell is left to wonder what went wrong.
Perhaps
relocation will provide an answer. Dubbed the "UFC Assassin"
by promoters, Liddell will represent the US-based organization
in the eight-man affair. His lone appearance in Pride was a grisly
back-and-forth battle with Guy Mezger that left the Lion's Den
vet sprawled on the canvas.
Overeem
is a solid first-round opponent with a storied career in Japan.
Seemingly oblivious to his brother Valentijn's troubles in the
same ring, Overeem has used his impressive striking game to go
on a three-year undefeated run. None of those wins came against
someone of Liddell's caliber.
Odds
On: Liddell by KO. Chuck will come out looking to make a statement
to Pride staffers and hot/cold fans. The Iceman's sprawl and
scramble defenses are second to none.
Quarterfinal
Bout
Quinton Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona
Lowdown:
Jackson is potentially the most marketable fighter Stateside
in Pride's employ. Not that it'll earn him any breaks: Arona
is the real spoiler of this line-up, and could stand as Jackson's
toughest test to date.
Amid
hype over being homeless (not true) and the best talker in the
business (true), Jackson made his debut against a then-hot Sakuraba
in 2001. Despite throwing him around like a wet rag, Jackson
eventually succumbed to a choke. Newly motivated, Jackson went
on an undefeated run that peaked with wins over Igor Vovchanchin
and Kevin Randleman. "Powerhouse wrestler "almost doesn't
do Jackson justice. If he gets his hands on you, he'll hurt you.
Even a brief stint in striking-only K-1 didn't leave any marks.
On him.
Arona
is the jiu-jitsu contingent in the tourney and of the most well-conditioned
athletes in the game. Don't even think about submitting him.
Hasn't happened. Knocking him out? Hasn't happened. Unfortunately,
don't think about him finishing you, either. He's decisioned
Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson, and Murilo Rua. Like the much-maligned
Sarlaac Pit in Star Wars, Arona could digest you for a thousand
years. Be thankful for time limits.
Odds
On: Jackson, but it won't be easy. Expect an endurance test that
leads to a decision for "Rampage."
Quarterfinal
Bout
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Vanderlei Silva
Lowdown:
It's inevitable that the Japanese - so starved for redemption
- would demand a third opportunity for Sakuraba. His near-inhuman
run as the world's best middleweight came to a bloody halt at
the hands of Silva in 2001. A rematch appeared to be contested
more closely, but a finale that saw Silva pick him up and slam
him down hard enough to make bones appear in strange places gave
away any mystique. Sakuraba was quickly becoming a battered fighter
with his insistence on trying to conquer much larger athletes.
Incredibly,
he then contested Mirko Filipovic in a gross mismatch that resulted
in more physical trauma. Even a fight with Nino Schembri - one
he appeared to be in control of - ended in a bloody KO loss.
Sakuraba's mind may be willing, but his body is certainly not.
While
Silva is clearly in better shape, his concurrent road hasn't
been much more impressive. Wins in Pride have come over incompetently
matched fighters: Tamura, Kanehara, and most laughably, point
Karate man Iwasaki. Perhaps in fear they'd lose their main protagonist,
Pride has done Silva no favors, and he may be in for a surprise
when later rounds bring about credible contenders.
Odds
On: Saku's relations cashing a life insurance policy. This is
no longer a trite underdog story: Saku is in real danger of being
seriously hurt. Due to the size difference and wear on the body,
a mistake that would cost a well-matched fighter the fight could
cost Saku his health. Look for a quick TKO and a merciful referee.
Quarterfinal
Bout
Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Kiyoshi Tamura
Lowdown:
In a rare meeting between hometown favorites, Pride guarantees
one will advance to the semifinals in November. Yoshida is among
the most oft-discussed figures in the sport, but perhaps for
reasons he'd rather not hear about.
The
former Olympian in Judo entered Pride in a grappling bout versus
Royce Gracie and caught flack early on for embracing a victory
via an early stoppage. Fights against dubious opponents Don Frye
and Sataake followed. Has Yoshida had a real fight to date? We
may never know, but he's yet to absorb a strike to the face or
a challenge from a credible opponent. Our Duh-Ometer is in a
tizzy.
That
won't change with Tamura, a RINGS star who has also had rumors
circulate of his questionable bouts. Both Bob Sapp and Vanderlei
Silva molested the undersized fighter in recent contests. He
KOed Nobuhiko Takada in Takada's retirement match, but the merits
of that are questionable in either fantasy or reality.
Odds
On: An ill-respected bout that will see Yoshida advance. But
imagining him in against any of the other six combatants is a
real stretch.
Heavyweight
Bout
Emelianenko Fedor vs. Gary Goodridge
Lowdown:
The senseless practice of abandoning a title exchange continues
here with heavyweight champ Fedor getting a break (of sorts)
against heavy-hitting Goodridge.
Fedor
won a brutal bout against Kazuyuki Fujita in June, his first
match since winning the title from Antonio Nogueira in March.
Fedor is ham-fisted and nearly homicidal when on the ground.
Missed punches that hit the mat sound like thunderclaps.
Goodridge
is Pride's proverbial entertainer, a wild brawler that could
end any fight at any time with a well-placed strike. Unfortunately,
that single dimension means he has yet to score a victory over
an A-lister who knows better.
Odds
On: And that won't change here. While Fedor has had to contend
with heavy-duty submission experts, his skills in that area should
prove to be useful against Goodridge.
Heavyweight
Bout
Mirko Filipovic vs. Igor Vovchanchin
Lowdown:
Amateur plastic surgeon Filipovic will continue his ascent in
the heavyweight division when he opposes returning favorite Vovchanchin
in a bout that could be a step to the title.
Filipovic
raised eyebrows back in 2000, when he delivered a knee to the
granite-headed Fujita that left him bloody and stumbling. Since,
he's defeated Sakuraba ( a mismatch), Fujita (again), and Heath
Herring. A long stint in kickboxing and an increasingly potent
sprawl equate to a rough night for anyone.
Vovchanchin
is no stranger to imposing his will standing, but recent performances
indicate some degree of burnout. He was bested by Quinton Jackson
and Herring before coming back last month in a small show and
displaying a more chiseled physique.
Odds
On: Filipovic by decision. With his stout frame, Vovchanchin
may find better luck in the light heavyweight division. Against
the razor-sharp "Cro Cop," he'll find himself with
more than he can handle on the feet.
Heavyweight
Bout
Ricco Rodriguez vs. Antonio Nogueira
Lowdown:
Not long ago, this bout would've been a showdown between champions.
Rodriguez bested Randy Couture for the title, only to lose it
to powerhouse Tim Sylvia. Nogueira saw his undefeated streak
come to an end at the hands of Fedor. Now the two will settle
up in a battle of former champs.
Nogueira
hasn't competed since the decision loss to Fedor, opting to heal
up after a string of tough fights. Rodriguez also hasn't shown
up since his loss to Sylvia. Intriguingly, Rodriguez submitted
Nogueira in an Abu Dhabi event years ago. Both have obviously
advanced a long way since. With two athletes so well-versed in
grappling, this could be a ground war for the ages.
Odds
On: Nogueira. Rodriguez won't be able to use his patented elbow
strikes, removing a useful tool. Nogueira may also have the advantage
on the feet. This one could go the distance, but either way,
it'll likely be a return to form for the Brazilian star.
Source: Maxfighting
|
Quote
of the Day
Your work reflects who you are. Make yourself proud.
|
Rumble
on the Rock this Weekend in Hilo!
The card should be arriving soon. JD and BJ Penn always put on
an incredible show with a full UFC style cage and a great production.
We will post the fight card as soon as we get it. If you can
get to Hilo this weekend, you do not want to miss this event!
|
SHOOTO
Rocks Tokyo This Weekend!
Hawaii's
Bozo Paling Goes for the Title!
August 10th
Kanagawa, Yokohama Culture Gymnasium
As
a side note, I met one of the trainers of Joachim Hansen while
in Brazil and he said to look for big things from this kid as
well as Alistair Overeem who is fighting Chuck Liddell in round
one of the Pride lightheavyweight Grand Prix.
Mike
SHOOTO
puts on a BIG summer show this weekend, with a show featuring
5 'A' class bouts. Americans Jake Shields of Team Cesar Gracie
and Yves Edwards of the UFC are on the undercard, while 3 title
defenses top the card, in the Featherweight [-60.0Kg], Lightweight
[-65.0Kg] and Welterweight [-70.0Kg] divisions.
Perhaps
the most highly anticipated of the title bouts is the lightweight
rematch between Alexandre Franca Nogueira and Stephen Paling,
while insiders are watching the Welterweight bout betweenTakanori
Gomi and Joachim Hansen, as Gomi tries to remain undefeated against
a tough challenger, with 'Shaolin' others waiting in the wings.
Card
Subject To Change...
Class
B 2 x 5 minutes rounds
Bantamweight [-56.0Kg] - Daiji Takahashi vs. Masatoshi Abe
Bantamweight
[-56.0Kg] - Hiroaki Yoshioka vs. Junji Ikoma
Class
A 3 x 5 minutes rounds
Welterweight [-70.0Kg] - Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Yves Edwards
Middleweight
[-76.0Kg]
Jake Shields vs. Akira Kikuchi
Featherweight
[-60.0Kg] Championship
Masahiro Oishi vs. Ryota Matsune
Lightweight
[-65.0Kg] Championship
Alexandre Franca Nogueira vs. Stephen Paling
Welterweight
[-70.0Kg] Championship
Takanori Gomi vs. Joachim Hansen
|
Interview
with WANDERLEI SILVA
By Gleidson Venga – Translated by Eduardo Alonso
Gleidson
Venga: What did you think of Sakuraba being chosen as your first
opponent at the Pride GP?
Wanderlei
Silva: I found it a very good choice cause all the Japanese fans
want to see me fighting against him again, and everytime I fought
Sakuraba we made a good showing, so the public will have a good
showing once again.
Venga:
But what did you think of the Japanese promoters putting you
to face him for the 3rd time in your career? Don't you think
it may be too much?
Silva:
This is usuall in Japan, fighters face each other a lot of times
there and they believe Sakuraba can beat me. I don't think so
and I fully trust my potential, so I think I'll beat him for
the third time.
Venga:
Do you think he may retire if he loses to you once again?
Silva:
In fact, I don't think so. He is a good athlete, who does a lot
of good fights there. I don't think so cause there's still a
lot of people for him to face and he is a guy that sells out
arenas, who draws the public, so I think he's still a huge name
in Japan.
Venga:
How is your preparation for the PRIDE GP going?
Silva:
I'm doing an intense physical preparation with professor Waldemar
Guimarães [former trainer of pro-bodybuilders such as
Dorian Yates] and I did some work to gain a bit of weight. I
reached 102kg and now I weighing 97kg, and I'm going down till
93kg, since the GP will be at this weight division. I'm doing
some intensive Muay Thai training, as well as Jiu-Jitsu and cardio
training. I'll be 100% there!
Venga:
After being forced to stay on the sidelines recovering from knee
surgery, how's your anxiety to fight again?
Silva:
Well, in fact I was fighting all the time, so for me it seems
like I never stopped and I'm still in fighting rhythm. I'm training
hard all day, my whole life is focused on this event and I'm
doing nothing but training and working. My life is changing a
lot now, I'm going to have a son next month, and he is likely
being born on the 15th of August, one week after my fight and
honestly the anxiety is huge, my life is heading towards a great
phase.
Venga:
A lot of people hope, in part due to the commercial side of the
thing for the UFC and in part cause this would match up two great
strikers against each other, that you fight Chuck Liddell during
the GP. What do you think about this?
Silva:
This would be great, cause Liddell is a fighter with a style
that works well for me, since I like to fight guys who will be
willing to trade strikes, and I think that if we meet in the
finals it's going to be an amazing fight, and the one who gets
an easier semi-final will have the edge. But if I end up facing
him I'll go right at him, and I think I can knock him out.
Venga:
During this break you had to take, what did you think of the
fights you saw in your weight division, and what did you think
of the level of the fighters?
Silva:
I think the division is more competitive, but for me this is
great, cause when the fighter's levels go up it makes for better
fights, and with that we attract even more of the public's attention,
and I think this is very good . I like to fight good fighters,
I don't like easy fights, so much that I never picked an opponent
and I'm still not doing it. I'm training a lot to keep myself
among the top of my weight division.
Venga:
How did this opportunity to fight at the Pride GP appear? Did
you ask to fight or suffered pressure from the promoters to do
it?
Silva:
In fact there was a major appeal from the fans. Pride was heavily
pressured from the fans, cause everybody wanted me to fight,
and I was receiving a lot of e-mails in my website due to my
large fan base in Japan. I was receiving a lot of e-mails, a
lot of people was wanting me to fight and everytime I fight there
the house is packed, people get nervous "Silva is entering!"
everybody gets their hands sweating, everybody gets nervous,
and everybody knows they're going to see an exciting fight. I
feel very proud to have reached this status, since PRIDE is the
biggest show right now and everybody wants to fight there, this
is very good for me.
Venga:
Ever since your days at IVC 2 you don't fight in a tournament
format. You may be in for this challenge again in Novemeber if
you get past Sakuraba this August 10th. Are you planning any
special preparation to face 2 fights on the same night?
Silva:The preparation is the same indeed. You have to prepare
yourself to the most you can handle. It won't help to train 10
hours in one day, and then having to stay 3 days without training.
It has to be an everyday thing. You gotta keep training and taking
it, and I'm in this rhythm. I even just got back from the training,
so the guy that can take more training and will be feeling better
on the day of the event will have a lot more chances than the
others that didn't prepare that well.
Venga:
You fought Mirko Cro Cop one year ago and nowadays the guy is
one of the top heavyweights in the globe. How do you rate his
performance in the ring these days?
Silva:
The guy is doing well, he did a fight there with Heath Herring
[at PRIDE 26] and I even told Kawasakii [DSE Booker] "Man,
I think Heath Herring won't be able to win" and it turned
out that Cro Cop toyed with him. So, the guy's potential is growing
and this is good for me, cause I look at my fight against him
as a win, since it was a draw only because of the rules. As his
stock goes up, I'm going up as well, so people can see that I
didn't beat a slouch, and I'm among the top. Whoever things Silva
isn't prepared is going to be in for a surprise, cause I'm entering
this tournament and I'm going to win!
Venga:
Minotauro may face Cro Cop at the same show, appart of the GP
[now it looks this fight ain't going to happen]. What advice
would you give him about this fight?
Silva:
He has to go right at him with everything he has to win, cause
if he trade strikes with him he is in for trouble. The guy kicks
very well and if Minotauro wants to risk it he may end up being
knocked out. He is very fast, and even I that train Muay Thai
my whole life was surprised by some of his kicks. He has a very
powerfull kick that if he manages to hit you your in trouble.
You can even see that he knocked Herring down with some kicks
to the ribs. You gotta be aware, and Mirko is also defending
takedowns well now, it's a very tough fight.
Venga:
And how is the training in the Chute Boxe camp going?
Silva:
We're preparing Shogun now, since he is going to fight in a tournament
in the USA [IFC] The training is focused on him now, and everybody
is training. Ninja is very strong now, weighing 99kg, and getting
ripped. Assuerio is weighing 111kg and he is also very strong,
even so that a guy even runaway from him lately [Editor's note:
Brazilian Top Team fighter Edson Drago withdrew from a Muay Thai
fight against Assuerio in the last minute, already in the warm
up, saying he was not feeling well] This guy disapeared with
only five fights before his fight with assuerio, it was a major
shame! So you can see that Assuerio is scaring people. He is
going to fight Fabiano Scherner now at MECA, and I hope this
guy won't runaway as well. So, we're training very hard and our
team is getting more and more preared all the time. This year,
with the help of God, we're going to have a lot of fights in
the circuit.
Venga:
To wrap things up, can you leave a message for your fans who
will be supporting you in the PRIDE GP?
Silva:
I want to ask the guys to support me, cause I'm Brazilian and
will be defending our flag there. I'm training hard to not disapoint
anyone. So, all of those who like me please send me the best
feelings and support me. Whoever wants to send me a message can
go to my website at www.wanderleisilva.com.br I'm there all the
time reading the messages, and also sending message to talk with
everybody. I also want to send a major hug to the folks at Portal
do Vale Tudo, cause it's a great website, very well planned and
with quick news where we can find out about everything that's
going on. It's totally unbiased, and it's updated daily, it's
great. A hug for everybody and please support us. Fighting is
my life, I prepared myself a lot and I always try to do my best,
thanks a bunch to those who always support me and send me good
feelings. Thank you all.
Source:
Portal do Valetudo |
WEC
“This Time It’s Personal” Preview!
Lemoore, CA - Not much time remains before the WEC “This
Time It’s Personal” show, a show that features some
of the fighters we’ll be hearing about for months to come.
Both Gil Castillo and Ron Waterman fight on this card just over
a month before they appear on an IFC card in addition to Shonie
Carter and the WEC Light Heavyweight title between Sammy Sleezer
and Alex Shoenaur.
In
one of the more intriguing matches of the night Team Cesar Gracie’s
Gil Castillo takes on Team Quest’s Ryan Schultz. Most fans
remember Castillo for his 1-2 career in the UFC stretching from
September 2001 where he lost to Dave Menne continuing through
January 2002 when he beat Chris Brennan and up until November
2002 where he lost a title shot against Matt Hughes. What most
fans don’t remember is he is still the IFC Welterweight
champ, holds a win over King Of Pancrase Nathan Marquardt, and
fights out of Team Cesar Gracie. TCG is the team that went 6-0
in WEC in March and 5-0 in IFC in July and also boasts now UFC
competitor Nick Diaz, ADCC invitee David Terrell, the impressive
Steve Heath plus many more. In his most recent fight in WEC 6
Gil dominated Chris Williams to the point he appeared to be looking
at the ref to stop the fight as he ground and pounded his way
through the first round before Williams’ corner threw in
the towel. Castillo is currently scheduled to defend his IFC
Welterweight belt against WFA Welterweight Champ Frank Trigg
on September 13th in IFC in North Dakota.
Castillo’s
original opponent was supposed to be HOOKnSHOOT Welterweight
Champion Chris Lytle, the Pancrase vet that lost a decision to
the aforementioned Diaz but KO’d Aaron Riley and most recently
won a decision over Laverne Clark. Lytle couldn’t escape
his firefighter duties and had to cancel but the original match-up
goes to show the level of attention Gil is getting. Gil’s
opponent now is Team Quest’s Ryan Schultz, a 1-0 Danderzone
vet in MMA but according to WEC a national champion wrestler
from the University of Nebraska. With Randy Couture and Matt
Lindland training him you can bet he is ready for this fight
and it won’t be another one-sided fight like Chris Williams
was.
Team
Cesar Gracie’s Nick Ertl also appears on this card in a
fight against Wander Braga.
Although
Shonie Carter’s opponent is still unconfirmed the rest of
the card is currently:
John
Letters vs. Mike Brown
Wander Braga vs. Nick Ertle
Dan Lanier vs. Gabe Ruterger
Nick Galardi vs. Jason Von Flue
George Cvangelista vs. Gary Quan
John Appleby vs. Jack Cardenas
Jesse Heck vs. Poppis Martinez
Jason Petts vs. Boyd Ballard
Levi Thornbrue vs. Anthony Arria
Kenneth Williams vs. Abram Baxter
Rudy Vallederas vs. Dax Bruce
Alex Shoenaur vs. Sammy Sleezer
Don Rugebregt vs. Tony Alanis
Ryan Schultz vs. Gil Castillo
James Nevarez vs. Ron Waterman
Source:
ADCC |
Bobby
Hoffman defends KOTC title this weekend!
San
Jacinto, CA-For KOTC 27 Bobby Hoffman defends his Heavyweight
title against #1 contender Paul Buentello on August 10th. This
card will be held at Soboba Casino as a non-PPV card. It’s
the second KOTC show out of three with the first being last weekend
in NM and the third being in Reno at the Silver Legacy Casino
on the 16th.
Hoffman
won the Heavyweight title by winning a 4-man tournament in Albuquerque
at KOTC 21 on February 21st. He took out Sam Sotello early in
the 2nd round before defeating alternate Jason Godsey in the
finals 1:56 in the first round. He showed great improvement in
his first outing since being released from jail where he spent
much of 2002. The Bad Seed is said to have turned his life around
and is re-focused on fighting, knowing at almost 37 years old
his time is short.
Paul
Buentello is no stranger to the cage himself, holding a confirmed
MMA record of 13-7. The KOTC and IFC vet turned around his early
2001 three-fight losing streak to go on a four-win reign of terror
over the past two years, ending one fight by submission to strikes,
one by TKO, and his last two by KO.
This
title fight has TKO written all over it which should please the
fans of the Heavyweight sluggers. So far the only other fights
currently confirmed or advertised are:
Joe
Stevenson vs. Thomas Schulte
Marcus Aurelio vs. Antonio McKee
Keigo Kunihara vs. Timothy Mendoza
Rumored
to be on this card is Bao Quach, formerly of Next Generation
and sitting on a rep heightened by the defeat of the amazing
Cole Escovedo.
Source:
ADCC
|
Update
on American TOP TEAM
The American Top Team fighters seem to be everywhere. The following
is a calendar of events in which they are competing in. August
looks to be a busy month so lets get right to it!
This
coming weekend, we head to Toledo, Ohio for Quest Fight Promotions
'Initial Impact.' This is there first show, and we are excited
to be apart of it.
Marcel
Ferreira is one the of the Featured Fights going up against Anthony
Rea, a European BJJ Champ from France. Marcel is coming off a
tough loss to Davion Peterson, in which he tore his knee up during
the fight. He looks to be in excellent shape after his stint
from rehab. Marcel tested his knee, recently won his weight class
in NAGA and then went on to win a grappling only Superfight a
few weeks later. Look for Marcel to showcase his smooth groundwork
in this battle of BJJ champs.
Next
up on the main card, we have Emyr 'Tiburon' Bussard versus Chris
Myers from Ohio fighting in the 185 pound division. Emyr is coming
off a recent win over Leo Sylvest and hopes to continue his winning
ways going into this fight. He is always in the gym working hard
looking for new ways in which to improve himself.
Wald
Bloise is fighting Dave Campbell from Ontario in the 170 pound
weight class. Wald is very good all around. Solid ground work,
good defensive skills, combined with good striking. If Wald opens
up like he does in the gym, the fans will definitely be in for
a treat! Wald looks to put his most recent loss behind him and
come out on fire.
Next
stop is Satureday the 10th for King of the Cage, where 2 of our
most explosive fighters, Marcus Aurelio and Jorge Santiago look
to excite the fans August 10th at the Soboba Casino in California.
Marcus
Aurelio takes on Antonio McKee in what has the makings of a ground
war. Marcus is a Jiu-Jitsu stud. Having competed successfully
in the sport scene for years, he has turned his sights on the
MMA world where he has quickly racked up 5 wins all by submission.
He is also the current holder of 2 regional HOOKnSHOOT belts.
Marcus plans on staying busy, fighting one week later in Mass
Destruction against Jason Ireland. Marcus is looking to make
a name for himself in the stacked 155 pound division.
Jorge Santiago takes on one of Gokor's top students in Manvel
Gamberyian. Jorge has a 3-0 record taking out all of his opponents
in the first round. Jorge brings to the table his raw aggression
and athleticism each and every time out. He will be a force in
the 170 pound division before too long.
Looking
ahead to the month of September, AFC 5 is back on the 5th with
ATT members possibly competing including Edson Diniz, Dustin
'Clean' Denes, & Marcel Ferreira looking to fight in there
hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
One
of my personal favorites to watch, Hermes Franca has been invited
back to the UFC on September 26th, where he takes a step up in
competition fighting Caol Uno. Hermes improves every time out
so look for some new surprises from this exciting fighter!
I
will keep the updates coming, in the meantime I hope to see you
all at the show!
Source: ADCC |
PRIDE
GP - Match Order Announced!
PRIDE GRANDPRIX 2003
Date: August 10th, 2003
Place: Saitama Super Arena
Open: 13:00
Start: 15:00
DSE
announced today, Monday the 4th of August, the fight order for
the PRIDE GP coming up this next weekend. The foreign fighters
are starting to arrive in Japan, with this highly anticipated
event less than 1 week away.
Card
Subject TO Change:
1st
Match:
- Emelianenko Fedor (Russia/Russian Top Team) vs Gary Goodridge
(Republicof Trinidad and Tobago / Free)
2nd
Match:
- Alistair Overeem (Golden Glory) vs. Chuck Liddell (The Pit
Fight Team)
3rd
Match:
- Quinton Jackson (Team Oyama) vs. Ricardo Arona (Brazil / Brazilian
Top Team)
4th
Match:
- Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team) vs Ricco
Rodriguez (USA/Team Punishment)
5th
Match:
- Mirko Cro Cop (Croatia / Cro Cop Squad Gym) vs Igor Vovchanchyn
(Ukraine / PMMA)
6th
Match:
- Hidehiko Yoshida (Yoshida Dojo) vs. Kiyoshi Tamura (U-FILE
CAMP.COM)
7th
Match:
- Kazushi Sakuraba (Takada Dojo) vs. Wanderlei Silva (Chute Boxe
Academy)
Source:
ADCC
|
UFC
44: UNDISPUTED - Tix on Sale as of Saturday!
Mandalay
Bay, Las Vegas, NV. - Friday September 26th, 2003
Tickets
went on sale this past weekend for the UFC's long anticipated
UFC 44 - UNDISPUTED event. With this UFC, ZUFFA returns to MANDALAY
BAY, the site of their inaugural Vegas event. The live event
is expected to draw well, as this is a sort of homecoming for
ZUFFA.
Live
event tickets, $350, $250, $150, $75 and $35 are on sale at 10
a.m. as of this Saturday, July 26, at the Mandalay Bay box office,
at all Ticketmaster locations, at www.ticketmaster.com and www.mandalaybay.com.
Tickets
also may be ordered by telephone at 1-877-632-7800 or 1-702-474-4000.
Ticket purchases are subject to transaction fees. The UFC is
returning to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the site of its
first event in Nevada in September 2001. UFC 44: Undisputed also
will be available LIVE on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EDT on iNDemand,
DirecTV, Dish Network, TVN, Echostar, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers
Choice Canada. The suggested retail price is $29.95.
For
the event, the UFC is planning to offer 9 bouts, 1 up from the
8 normally produced.
CARD
SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
LIGHTHEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP (205 lbs):
Tito Ortiz versus Randy Couture
HEAVYWEIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP (265 lbs):
(Champion) Tim Sylvia versus (Challenger) Gan McGee
265
lbs: Wesley
CABBAGE Correira
vs. Andrei Arlovski
170 lbs: Dennis Hallman vs. Nick Diaz
155 lbs: Hermes Franca versus Caol Uno
185 lbs: Jorge Rivera versus David Louiseau
205 lbs: Rich Franklin vs. Edwin Dewees
170 lbs: Gerald Strebendt vs. Josh Thompson
170 lbs: Dave Strasser versus Karo Parisyian
Source:
ADCC |
Frye
In Action!
MMA Vet Invades Small Screen, Talks Of Injuries and Return
By Loretta Hunt
Dispelling
reports that he might be "laid up" with debilitating
injuries following a July 20th pro-wrestling event in Japan,
Don "the Predator" Frye took New York City by storm
this week to step in front of the movie cameras. The UFC and
PRIDE veteran was onhand to film a scene for the upcoming HBO
film Strip Search, which focuses on a man wrongly accused of
being a part of a terrorist cell in the States. Rugged, all-American
Frye was brought on as one of three FBI agents who nab their
suspect off a bustling New York City street in broad daylight.
The fast-paced shoot was a learning experience for first-timer
Frye, who got to work under directorial great Sidney Lumet (Night
Fall On Manhattan, Dog Day Afternoon) as well as perennial stunt
coordinator Douglas Crosby, also MMA enthusiast and respected
UFC judge. The physically demanding scenario was tense for Frye
at first, especially when Lumet told him he could not use a double-leg
to takedown the lead actor, but Crosby was there to coach the
seasoned wrestler through it all. No release date has been set
for the film, which stars Glenn Close and Dean Winters of OZ
fame.
In
the meantime, 36-year-old Frye says he is concentrating on mending
his body, which has seen close to ten years of experience in
both mixed martial arts and professional wrestling. Persisting
injuries in his neck, particularly three collapsing vertebrae
weakened by a neighboring set of vertebra previously fused together,
are causing Rye the most difficulties, he says. Flying around
the set though, one could hardly notice his ailments, and the
Predator is optimistic as to when he might make a return to fighting.
"Probably six months," he predicted, "because
last time I pushed it [following his decision win over Ken Shamrock
at PRIDE 19]. I was back in three months and I think that was
too much. Right now, I'm just waiting for the surgeon to call
me back and set up a date to operate." With one fight left
on his PRIDE contract that will need to be fulfilled within ten
months, Frye has set his sights on a formidable opponent. "I'd
like to fight Cro Cop [Mirko Filipovic]. I think he's the best
one out there. He's the man." Gunning for top talent like
Russian Filipovic, is their any thought to making this fight
the "big finale" to his already respectable 15-3 career?
"I don't know," the usually outgoing fighter remarked
shyly for once. "It depends on how I feel once they fix
my neck. If they turn me into Superman again, I'll come back."
Frye
began his famed MMA career back at UFC 8 in 1996, where he knocked
out Thomas Ramirez in a mere ten seconds before going on to take
the tournament win that night. He returned to UFCs 9 and 10,
as well as it's Ultimate Ultimate '96 tournament, earning key
wins over competitors like Amaury Bitetti, Gary Goodridge and
Tank Abbott, while establishing himself as the epitome of toughness
in the biz. He began wrestling professionally in Japan in 1997,
gathering a fan following that eventually led him to his debut
at PRIDE 16 and three subsequent wins. A rough patch followed,
however, with losses in both PRIDE and K-1. Frye's latest PRIDE
appearance was a rematch loss to fellow trailblazer Mark Coleman,
who bested the Arizona native in the final round of UFC 10 seven
years prior.
Frye
is hoping to rebound from this disappointing loss he hesitated
to comment on, but says he takes a bit of solace in knowing that
he is simply not physically 100% at this time. For now, with
his body going in for repairs, the Predator says he is fine with
his mouth doing his talking -- he's scheduled to appear as a
commentator for Frank Shamrock's inaugural MMA event, ShootBox,
on August 23rd in Orlando, Florida.
Proving that NYC is not so small after all, fellow UFC vet Ron
Van Clief happened to pass by the set and recognize Frye in action.
The oldest athlete to ever compete in the UFC (Van Clief was
51 years old at the time of his UFC 4 appearance), the martial
arts specialist is in the city to begin work as a technical advisor
on Wesley Snipes' next film The Black Panther.
Source:
FCF |
LOPEZ
BEATS GARDNER AGAIN, AS CUBA SWEEPS ALL SEVEN GOLD MEDALS IN
GRECO AT PAN AM GAMES
The
third time wasn't the charm for Rulon Gardner. The 2000 Olympic
gold medalist and 2001 World Heavyweight Greco-Roman Wrestling
Champion, on the comeback trail after a near-fatal snowmobile
accident that sidelined him for most of 2002, lost for the third
time this year to the 20-year-old phenom from Cuba, Mijain Lopez.
These
two faced each other in February at the Dave Schultz International
Tournament in Colorado Springs and the Titan Games in San Jose,
CA. Both times Lopez triumphed, 3-0.
Wrestling
Sunday night in the Greco-Roman finals at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. at
the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic,
Lopez again shut out Gardner, this time by a score of 5-0. Gardner
thus had to settle for a silver medal.
Cuba
also swept all the gold medals in the seven weight classes in
Greco. The U.S. won four silver medals and two bronze medals.
For
more, check out the U.S. results on TheMat.com at:
http://www.themat.com/results/default.asp?CategoryID=16&ResultID=5541
There
is also an AP story about the Greco results at the Pan Ams at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/08/03/sports2039EDT0384.DTL
Source: Eddie Goldman/ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
Quality is never an accident. It's the result of intention, effort
and skill.
|
"LITTLE
EVIL" NEWS PART I: JENS FIGHTING IN A NEW WEIGHT CLASS
In
somewhat of a surprise move, but probably a smart one, Jens Pulver
is moving down a weight class to 145 pounds. MMAWeekly's Ken
Pishna spoke with Pulver's manager, Monte Cox, and he confirmed
that Pulver is indeed making the move to 145 pounds in his next
fight.
"We're
still going to consider fights at 155, but it just makes sense
for Jens right now," said Cox. With more and more fighters
in the sport cutting anywhere from 10-20 pounds in most weight
classes, Pulver was becoming one of the smaller guys in the lightweight
division.
A
drop to 145 should put him towards the bigger end of the featherweight
class. Pulver's first fight at 145 will be against Joe Jordan
of Kentucky on August 15th. The two will square off in Rock Island,
Illinois as part of Monte Cox's Extreme Challenge: Bar Wars that
will take place in The District in an outdoor setting.
The
show will feature an amateur boxing tournament with contestants
comprised of bouncers from local bars in the area and be highlighted
by the bout between Pulver and Jordan.
Pulver
talked with Ryan Bennett this weekend and you will hear more
about Pulver's future tomorrow, but it's still believed Pulver
will fight in Shooto at 155 in a couple of months. Pulver shed's
light on his future with Bennett, including how Jens got a telephone
call from Big Evil, the Undertaker from the WWE, not to mention
an update on his health and mental state plus some other interesting
news and notes tomorrow.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
|
PRIDE
ATTENDANCE ON A RECORD PACE
With
all the shows taking shape in Japan the most monumental news
surfaced last week. The PRIDE GRAND PRIX is on it's way to becoming
one of the highest grossing MMA events ever.
According
to a few Japanese newspapers, ticket outlets reported that the
event was nearly sold out as of last week with sales exceeding
$5,500,000 U.S. dollars.
This
has already been a major success with plenty of time to add more
seats for the walkup. Merchandise is also expected to surpass
the $1,500,000 mark as well. The current Japanese (and world)
record is the $10,220,000 gate set by Akira Maeda vs. Alexander
Karelin in their worked RINGS match from February 21, 1999.
Ticket
sales seemed to boost once the Tamura, the pro wrestler was added
to the card as the Japanese fans love what he brings to the ring.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
More
Drama for Your Momma - The Tournament Returns
By Jake Rossen
The
greatest thrill for combat sports enthusiasts may also be the
biggest headache for promoters and athletes. It involves coercion,
financial risk, and the potential for a disastrous climax that
leaves fans under-whelmed....and far less likely to sample future
wares.
We
speak not of the return of Tank Abbott, but of the tournament,
an event format that has been on the verge of extinction since
greater athletic commission influence imposed stricter standards
years ago. With the risk of disappointing matches, alternate
endings - or simply no ending at all - it's no wonder that promoters
were all too eager to move on. Yet even fickle fans have a short
memory, and the nostalgia factor means that demand and enthusiasm
remain high. The tournament may be wheezing, but 2003 is offering
up some life support.
The
most prominent return to the format, largely abandoned since
1998, will take place in Japan in August and November. Dubbed
"Total Elimination," Pride hopes to rekindle excitement
generated a decade ago while hedging their bets and separating
the quarterfinal bouts from the semis and final. In September,
the IFC will take no such precautionary measures, instead offering
up eight fighters in a single-evening light heavyweight affair.
Early
ticket sales for Pride are reportedly at an all-time high, bolstered
not only by strong matching but the promise of winning fighters
colliding at a later date. In a sea of scrutinized events, all
exhaustingly sanctioned, it's somewhat of a treat to see. In
less enlightened times, the tournament was the show. Anything
else? Single fights? Unthinkable.
1993's
inaugural UFC made a star out of Royce Gracie literally overnight,
since that was about how long it took saucer-eyed viewers to
talk to friends about a skinny Brazilian who wasted three tough
guys in a single evening. But his demonstration of jiu-jitsu
was powerful due in large part to repetition. His quarterfinal
bout, a sleepy affair with Art Jimmerson that ended with a whimper
(from Art), would not have been all that inspirational by itself.
It was minutes later, when he dispatched of the sculpted Ken
Shamrock, and then the violent Gerard Gordeau, that Gracie's
technique was on true display.
The
slender, smiling foreigner had climbed a mountain in under three
hours of Pay-Per-View time, telling not only his story but those
of the seven other athletes who fell short. For a renegade sport
and its unknown combatants, the tournament made quick work of
introductions and allowed for almost instantaneous emotional
investment. It was such a success that when UFC II was developed,
the tournament grew to a pool of sixteen fighters. If getting
through three fights was a challenge, then getting through four
would be even more dramatic.
And
it was: UFC II is probably the most oft-viewed MMA event due
to its heavy rotation in video stores across the country and
garish B-movie content. Experts in all manner of arts were dispatched
in graphic, bloody detail. And again it was Gracie who emerged
from the gauntlet, relatively unscathed. Aside from acquiescing
that sixteen fighters may be overkill, SEG saw no reason to slow
the tempo.
1994's
UFC III gave the first hint that the tournament format may be
entering choppy waters. Fans wanted to see a rematch between
Shamrock and Gracie, and so the two were paired in such a way
that they'd potentially meet in the finals. Talk about bold assumptions.
Gracie had such a traumatic fight against Kimo in the quarterfinals
that he was unable to continue, crumbling the brackets like a
house of cards. Shamrock dropped out to disinterest: he only
wanted Gracie. That left a disappointing finale in which fresh
alternate Steve Jennum pounded his way to a title.
UFC
IV brought back Gracie for a bravura revenge performance that
had him submitting Dan Severn in the finals. It was a return
to storybook form for the contest.
As
time went by, the tournament didn't seem to lose its step, making
instant stars out of Tank Abbott, Severn, Marco Ruas, and Mark
Coleman. Ironically, it was a star-studded "Ultimate Ultimate"
show that ground things to a halt with numerous decisions and
disappointing performances. Later, UFC XI's atrocious finale
that had Mark Coleman left without anyone to fight in the finals
seemed to be a strong indication that it may be time to allow
for some evolution.
After
a grand finale with 1996's "Ultimate Ultimate" sequel,
1997's UFC XII saw the introduction of four-man tournies divided
between two weight classes. It was an addition used to great
effect by Extreme Fighting years prior.
Concurrently,
tournaments in competing promotions continued as they originated:
Renzo Gracie made quick work of his WCC opponents; Murilo Bustamante
and Tom Erikson challenged each other in the finals of MARS;
Pancrase utilized open-hand strikes to help cement strong finishes
with relatively healthy fighters in their Japan-based shows.
But
stateside promotions that lacked the UFC brand strength fell
by the wayside. By UFC XVIII, amid criticism from pundits and
an increasing desire to resemble a legitimate fighting sport,
the tournament format was dropped altogether, making its last
appearance in 1999's Ultimate Japan 2. From that point on, all
UFC events were single-fight affairs, leaving the arduous task
of building fighters to take place over months instead of hours.
The athletes themselves had no inherent problem with the change:
as the level of competition grew, it became more and more unreasonable
to expect any one fighter to successfully run that course.
Fully
aware of the mystique the tournament format held, DSE drove fans
into a frenzy with 2000's Grand Prix show, a return to former
glory that featured a wealth of talent. Promoters even cherry-topped
the proceedings with tournament sensation Royce Gracie: his semifinals
bout with Kazushi Sakuraba stands as one of the most impressive
wars of attrition the sport has ever seen. But it wasn't without
controversy - GP winner Mark Coleman had a relatively easy bye
to the finals when Kazuyuki Fujita threw in the towel in seconds.
Even so, the format allowed Coleman to regain prominence after
years of struggle. Just as the tournament had created stars,
so it could also re-create them, overnight.
The
promotion was immense and costly, and even spectacle-slanted
DSE waited three years before attempting it again. Amid perhaps
an even better assembly of talent than before, the eight-man
show will take place over two events, with only the finalists
having to fight twice in an evening. This dilutes the intensity
of the tournament, but stands as perhaps a necessary evil. Talent
levels continue to rise, and an injured superstar dropping out
at the halfway point dulls excitement. Even in its softened form,
Pride's tournament remains the most anticipated event of the
year.
Despite
protestations that strict commissions wouldn't allow for fighters
to fight multiple times in an evening, Nevada already allows
the grueling K-1 event to do just that. Recently, New Jersey
allowed for "exhibition" boxing matches with fewer
rounds to accommodate a tournament. Still in its formative phase,
MMA in the States may not return to its roots anytime soon.
Despite
the push for mainstream acceptance, there's still a certain part
of the fan psyche that welcomes regression. Weren't most of us
cheering when Gracie mowed down his opposition? When Coleman
made the most impressive career comeback in the sport's history?
When
the tournament fails - as in the case of UFC XI - it can be a
momentum killer. When it works, there may not be a more thrilling
combat event in the world today.
Source:
Maxfighting |
KIMO
UNVEILED: MMA’S MYSTERY MAN SPEAKS ABOUT HIS LIFE-TO- BE
IN K-1
K-1 Press
Release by Michael Afromowitz
He
strode to the ring in silence, a poker face on and head forced
slightly down by the end of a large wooden cross perched on his
back. The name of Jesus adorned his midsection and was accompanied
by decorative artwork on his 6 foot 2 inch, heavyweight frame.
A well-conditioned man, who was apparently in touch with religion
somehow, suddenly captivated an unsuspecting audience. It was
an unusual spectacle, even in a sport that traditionally embraces
the untraditional.
This
vivid scene remains ingrained in the minds of mixed martial arts
aficionados and it is one that they continue to associate with
the Hawaiian-born Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player since he took his
first steps towards making a name for himself in September of
1994.
Nearly
nine years after he introduced himself to the world in such unique
fashion, Kimo Leopoldo will seek to spread his wings out to the
genre of combat sports that equips its athletes with boxing gloves
and boasts an 80 percent knockout rate. Like his first entrance,
this one will carry heavy anticipation as the 34-year-old is
scheduled to face the most physically threatening figure in “The
New Fighting Sport” during Friday, August 15th’s K-1
“Battle at the Bellagio.” The impending three, three-minute
round collision with 6 foot 3 inch, 375-pound Bob Sapp at Las
Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel and Casino has insiders anticipating
what Leopoldo, known primarily for his submission skills on the
mat, will be able to do when the contest is kept in the stand-up
position.
Q:
How do you feel about your upcoming fight with Bob?
A: I just think this is a good opportunity to show a part of
me that no one’s really seen in a while. I’ve been
working stand-up for a while and I’m the kind of guy –
usually, I have to be forced to do something to bring the best
out of me. Pressure brings the best out of me.
Q:
As far as your improvement in stand-up fighting, I know you recently
started training with Eddy Millis of The Shark Tank. How is that
going?
A: It’s going good because, first of all, for me to train
with somebody I have to have enough respect for him to humble
myself to let them instill their philosophy. Fighting is philosophy,
more than actual technique because you have to believe in something.
He’s pulling that out of me – the confidence to believe
in what I’m doing.
Q:
How do you feel training with Eddy has improved your stand-up
fighting game?
A: We’ll see on August 15th. It’s gotten me to the
point that I’m gonna fight a K-1 fight.
Q:
From what you’ve seen of Bob, how do you feel you will match
up with him?
A: I feel I have a very good chance against Bob. He has some
weaknesses and I have some too, so we’re gonna see what
happens. But, I feel that I’m gonna come out on top.
Q:
What kind of strengths, as a fighter, do you feel you bring to
the sport of K-1?
A: I bring that question mark in there where you don’t know
what’s gonna happen. That excitement. I bring in charisma.
I bring in my beliefs and I bring in a look.
As
far as my fighting technique, I really don’t want to talk
too much about it because I don’t want to give up what I’m
gonna do in this fight. But, I have some strengths in my stand-up
that are just natural abilities that I haven’t used yet.
Q:
A lot of fans on the internet have been talking about the fight
and have been questioning or even doubting your ability to succeed
in a fight that involves all striking from a stand-up position.
How would you respond to this criticism?
A: I’m steppin’ in there to show them what’s up.
I’m steppin’ in there, not necessarily for their questions
to be answered, but I’m steppin’ in there for me to
complete myself. I welcome the doubters because those are the
people paying money to see me. They want to see their doubts
come true. I like that because that’s bringing them to the
fight.
Q:
At this point, are you looking to stay with K-1 for the long-run?
A: We’ve signed a six-fight deal with them so they’re
looking out for me. They’re not just trying to take advantage
of me with one fight. They’re trying to build something
around me, so I feel positive with that organization or else
I wouldn’t have just taken a chance like this.
The
Tank (Abbott) fight (on June 6th) was a one fight deal for me.
And that was a chance that I took because I knew that all kinds
of things would happen from that. I knew I was gonna be able
to win the fight and show myself. I feel good with my stand-up
to the point where I feel I could make a career out of it.
Q:
What excites you about this sport?
A: I’m starting to have fun doing kickboxing. I’m liking
it and I’m pretty good at it, even though I haven’t
shown anyone yet. In the training room, I’m pretty good
and I have certain combinations that I play off of that just
came naturally to me.
If
I could just go into the ring and pull the trigger when it’s
time to pull the trigger by throwing those combinations how I
do in practice, everything should come out good. I don’t
want to say stand-up is new to me because I’ve been doing
stand-up pretty much all through my MMA career, but I hadn’t
focused on it like I am right now. And now that I’m focused
on it, it’s like when I first learned Jiu-Jitsu. It’s
like a sponge – I’m soaking it all up. And the more
you learn, the more exciting it gets. I’m learning a bunch.
Q:
A big part of fighting is mental. How would you say your experiences
during your younger years made you the fighter that you are today?
A: From my very first fight, it was all about mental because
I didn’t train and I didn’t know what to expect. I
just went in there with the faith of God, believing God would
take care of everything. My belief in him is what got me into
the ring to have the guts to step to the level where I would
perform against professional athletes.
From
there, I just carried it over by learning. When in the actual
ring, you learn. I didn’t have prior experience at all.
All the experience that I got was actual fighting experience
so I learned what works and what doesn’t work and I learned
that everyone’s basically the same physically. One person
may have a better right hand, one person may have a better left
hand, one person may have a chin. But, a human is a human. The
difference is what you said – the mental. So when you step
into the ring, there can’t be doubts or questions. You’re
there on a job and bring it on.
Q:
Back in 1995, you actually fought in a K-1 rules fight in Japan
against Masaaki Satake.
A: That was nothing about nothing. That was the first time I
put gloves on. I never even trained with gloves prior to that
fight. I had signed a four-fight deal with K-1. The first fight
was (against) Patrick Smith (Leopoldo was victorious by way of
submission under MMA rules on December 10, 1994) and the second
fight they threw gloves on me. Joe Son was my manager and he
didn’t prepare me for that fight. That was basically my
last fight with Joe Son as my manager because he put me into
a situation where I had no clue of what was going on. Prior to
that fight, I didn’t even know it was a kickboxing match
until I stepped into the locker room and they put gloves on me
and I was like ‘What are these things (laughs)?’ If
you’ve never put gloves on, it’s like having big pillows
on your hands. You don’t even really know how to punch with
them on.
Q:
Is there anything else you would like to tell people?
A: Yea, there is one thing. I beat Sakuraba (at the S-Cup in
Japan). Everyone thinks it was a fake fight. No one has given
me the credit for that. It’s not even that I want credit
for the win, I just want to know what’s up with these organizations
that won’t even step up to the plate and give that win to
me. Whoever prints up my record, none of them credit me with
a win over Sakuraba. Sakuraba was a good victory for me because,
even though when I fought him it was his first fight, I didn’t
know the potential he had.
Source:
Maxfighting |
|
INTERVIEW
OF THE WEEK: THE ICEMAN
The
Pride Grand Prix is just a couple of weeks away and for Chuck
Liddell, it's the biggest fight of his career thus far. Liddell
has never had back to back losses in his career. His last lost
before Randy Couture was a couple of years ago against Jeremy
Horn. After Horn he went on a rampage beating some of the best
fighters in the world. Liddell wants to fight the best and while
some people felt Liddell should take a tune up fight, he said
"no" and fights the best in world at the Pride Grand
Prix. Chuck Liddell is this week's Interview of the Week.
Ryan
Bennett: I understand you're out in Las Vegas where it's like
115 degrees. Tell the fans a little bit about why you're out
in Vegas.
Chuck
Liddell: I came out here to train with John Lewis, to work on
my ground stuff, and just to get away and get some training in.
Ryan:
Congratulations, by the way. I heard you got your purple belt
in Jiu-Jitsu.
Chuck:
Yeah, I've been training with John Lewis for a long time, and
it was cool to get this purple belt.
Ryan:
A lot of people don't know you have a ground game, but you must
be doing something right to get a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. Your
next fight is against Alistair Overeem, and there has been a
lot of talk about whether you're going to stand up with him or
take the fight to the ground. Do you think this might be a fight
where we get to see some of those Jiu-Jitsu skills?
Chuck:
You never know. I'm still going to go out there with the plan
of striking with the guy. I've been watching a lot of film on
him, and I think I can knock him out, so that's what I'm going
to go out there to do. At the same time, you never know, we might
end up on the ground, too.
Ryan:
This is the first time in a few years that you're coming off
a loss. Was that a hard thing to stomach, losing after a couple
years of being undefeated and winning so many fights?
Chuck:
Well, I don't like to lose anytime. So yeah, it's tough for me,
it's tough to take a loss. I feel like I didn't perform like
I should have, so that makes it even worse. But you've just got
to pick yourself up and start training and start fighting again.
I'm very happy to be able to get right back into it with this
fight being in August, so I didn't have to take much time off
between fights. I'm ready to go.
Ryan:
You've got a tough opponent in the first round of the Grand Prix,
not that any of the other guys would be easy fights for anyone,
but Alistair Overeem is a really tough guy. What do you see in
Overeem's game? When you break it down and watch film on him,
what do you see in this kid?
Chuck:
He's athletic, he's strong, he has some good height, and he's
really good at striking. He likes to get in there and throw knees,
and just throw a lot of stuff out there. He comes in with a very
erratic and hard to reach style, so it will be very interesting.
Ryan:
I know the first round is going to be on one show and then the
semi-finals and finals will be on another show, but when you
look around and see all these guys in the tournament like Vanderlei
Silva, Quinton Jackson, Kazushi Sakuraba, Ricardo Arona... is
this one of those situations where you want to go for the quick
knockout so you don't get injured or tired? Do you want to just
get in there and get out quickly?
Chuck:
I always want to get in there and get out quickly, but I don't
think it's going to matter that much. I'm not going to change
my gameplan. If you go out there trying to knock someone out
with every punch or kick, it usually doesn't work. It's usually
when you're in the middle of a combination, or just out there
throwing your strikes and you catch someone. So if the fight
with Overeem is quick, that's great, but if not, I'm going to
be okay with that too.
Ryan:
Tito Ortiz was on MMAWeekly Radio recently, and we talked about
you and a lot of other subjects. He was saying how he knew Randy
Couture was going to win, and he had money on Couture, and things
like that. What do you think when you hear things like that from
Tito?
Chuck:
Look, Tito will always talk, but when it comes down to it, when
it came time to step up, he didn't. I don't think he will ever
fight me. He gets into his own hype, and he has always been good
at talking. He'll talk s--t, but he won't back it up when the
time comes.
Ryan:
So you're convinced he won't fight you after this fight with
Couture? He said on MMAWeekly Radio that he would fight you after
Couture, regardless of how you do in the Grand Prix, but you're
convinced he won't fight you?
Chuck:
I'm convinced he won't fight me. He'll never fight me. The guy
is a coward; he's not a real fighter. He doesn't want to fight
someone that he thinks can beat him. And he knows that's true
not only today, but back when we used to train together and I
used to pound him. I haven't talked about it that much because
training is training, but you can ask Dana White; I remember
Dana telling him to get up off the ground. But Tito will always
talk; especially, now that he doesn't have to fight me. I said
all along that whenever I lose or if I lose to someone else,
he'll come right back to the UFC and forget about all of his
financial demands. And that's exactly what happened. My biggest
disappointment in losing that fight was probably the fact that
it let Tito off the hook. But now he's saying he'll fight me
after he beats Couture, whether I win or lose in the Pride Grand
Prix... so if he gets by Randy, I guess we'll see if he lives
up to that statement.
Ryan:
Man, I can hear it in your voice... you're pretty pissed off
about this, aren't you?
Chuck:
Yeah. If he originally stepped up to fight me, then it would
be just like any other fighter whether I won or lost. But when
he talks all this s--t... he just has a big mouth. If he would
fight me, if he would really fight me, this would be a non-issue.
Instead he just talks s--t about how much he wants to fight me
even though he knows it's not true. I'll be shocked if he ever
actually does step up and fight me.
Ryan:
Switching gears a bit, who do you think is the most dangerous
guy in the Grand Prix?
Chuck:
That's hard to say because there are a lot of dangerous guys
in that tournament. For me personally... I might have a hard
time winning a decision, so it would be dangerous for me to fight
a guy who isn't going to want to stand up with me or isn't going
to let me come at him. That could make it difficult for me against
the guys who are focused on the ground game.
Ryan:
What was the reasoning behind the decision to train with John
Lewis for awhile instead of John Hackelman?
Chuck:
Well, I'm still training with John Hackelman, too. I've always
trained with those two guys. It has been a while since I have
come out here (to Las Vegas) to work on my ground game with John
Lewis, but I planned on doing it after the fight with Randy.
Originally, I didn't plan on having another fight until November,
but I just kept my plans and came out here to train even after
signing to fight in August.
Ryan:
Do you think it will be a little easier to fight in Japan since
you previously fought in Japan against Guy Mezger? Do you think
that will make it easier than it might be otherwise to adjust
to the different climate and time zone, and deal with the jet-lag?
Chuck:
Yeah, I'm not really worried about it for that reason, because
I have fought in Japan before. I don't have too much of a problem
with jet-lag coming to Japan, it's coming back from Japan that
gives me more jet-lag.
Ryan:
Do you think Alistair Overeem is going to try to duplicate the
Randy Couture gameplan of coming at you with all-out aggression?
Chuck:
Well, that wouldn't even be a change of gameplan for Alistair
because that's the way he fights. He comes right across the ring
and he's ready to take it to you, so it won't be any change of
gameplan for him.
Ryan:
Do you think that because you're fighting in a Pride tournament
as a representative of the UFC, maybe Pride will give you the
hardest possible road to the finals?
Chuck:
I wouldn't be surprised, but then again, there is no easy path
to the finals in this tournament. So I'm not really worried about
that.
Ryan:
How does it affect you mentally going into this fight since you're
coming off of a loss?
Chuck:
Not much, because I still think that I can beat any 205-pound
fighter in the world on any given night. So that part of it doesn't
bother me; I'm ready to go.
Ryan:
You've always been very good at getting up off the ground when
you've got a guy on top of you trying to dish out punishment.
With this tournament being in a ring instead of a cage, how is
it different trying to get up from the ground when there's no
cage for support?
Chuck:
I still do a lot of the same things from the ground to get back
to my feet, but I've been training in a ring lately just to get
used to it. It does change it a little bit and makes it a little
bit harder to get up from that position, but I can still do it.
I just have to be a little bit more technical on the ground and
do some things differently. Also, the ring in Pride has really
tight ropes, and those ropes can be used in some of the same
ways that a cage can be used.
Ryan:
Do you plan on training with Randy Couture again at any time
in the future?
Chuck:
You never know, but I'm planning on fighting him sometime in
the future, so probably not until after that happens.
Ryan:
Who would you like to fight most out of all the fighters in the
Grand Prix?
Chuck:
Vanderlei Silva, just because I have wanted to fight him for
a while and I think it would be a great fight. Our styles would
make a fun fight to watch for the fans. He's a very tough guy
and he has been one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the
world for a long time.
Ryan:
Other than the Couture fight, are there any fights in your career
that you can look back on and say that they were particularly
tough compared to other fights?
Chuck:
Not really, because all of the guys I've fought have been tough
in their own different ways.
Ryan:
Do you think there will ever be a rematch between you and Jeremy
Horn?
Chuck:
I don't know. I heard he was going down to 185 pounds, so that
would make it a long shot. But if he stays at 205, then it's
always a possibility.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
The power of vision is in foreseeing better things to come, then
making them happen.
|
We're
back!
Thanks for being so patient and awaiting our return. What do
you guys think about the new site? Pretty awesome huh? Again,
a huge thanks to Flash web designer Marc Ebalaroza and his company,
Pacific Design Company.
Brazil was terrible for us competitive-wise, but not bad as a
vacation. Here are some brief results of just our team:
Brandon "Mentarosa" Bernadino - lost by 2 advantages
Reyn "Smiley" Morimoto - lost by 10 points
Bobby "Bouche/Wanderer" Moss - lost by kimura
Malcolm "Campeao" Ahlo - won two (points & forearm
choke), lost the 3rd by points in his weight class
In the absolute - lost by points
Mike "Dois Minutos" Onzuka - lost by back choke
Chris "Breakin' The Law" Onzuka - Lost by 2 points
(throw)
The one thing that all of us wanted to do, which was to visit
Professor Helio's farm, fell by the waist side as we were left
behind and were not allowed to try to schedule something. So
much for our efforts in Brazil on that one. We met some great
people while there, the Sweden team was very cool and of course
Marcelo Yogui's student, Flavio was killer. He set us up and
took good care of us. And of course all the guys that we met
before and took time to say "What's up" while we were
in Brazil, Murilo Bustamante, Jamelao, Cabelinho, Pe de Pano,
Marcio Corleta, Fredson Alves, Fredson Paixao, Maguilla, Saulo
Ribeiro, Amal Easton, Todd Margolis, and the others that I can't
think of. All of them are top BJJ guys, but are humble enough
to remember a few guys from Hawaii.
On
other notes, Rhalan Gracie lost his first match in the kids division
and Phil Cardella of our Austin Association looked great and
submitted his first three opponents (triangle, armbar, triangle)
before being stopped by a killer Brazilian in the purple belt
adult division.
We are updating our Brazil travel guide so check that in a couple
days or so to get the up to the minute tips and tricks to make
the most of your stay in Brazil and get warnings on what to do
and not to do while in Brazil.
With
the World Cup going on, it has really taken a lot of the competitive
drive between the larger schools out of the CBJJ Worlds. The
2000 worlds was probably the last one (or at least the last worlds
that we saw) that had this rivalry that made it fun to watch.
The Nova Uniao team would compete in chants with Barra Gracie
and Gracie Humaita, among other schools. Ronaldo Jacare definitely
stole the show. He was absolutely amazing by winning his weight
class and open by all submissions except for his last match in
the absolute. Last year, he did the same thing except he lost
to Roger Gracie in the absolute finals. Everyone stopped to watch
Jacare when he was on the mats. Even during the black belt finals,
everyone was watching Jacare instead of the black belts. Jacare
had quite a cheering session. He is a monster and I cannot wait
to see how he will do in the black belt division. He has a killer
overall game from takedowns to top game and bottom game and he
is a finisher. We are still waiting for the CBJJ to finish their
results and we will post it here or link it to their site.
We will get up our pictures of the trip as soon as our heads
stop spinning. |
Help
Find This Girl!
Please contact the
Police (911) if you know of her where abouts.
Please keep this girl and her family in prayer, pray for her
safe return and that Lord will give her comfort and peace in
returning home, and pass this on to your friends as well.
Subject: please help Johnny B. of Mana'o Company find his daughter
PLEASE PASS THIS ON AND HELP JOHN FIND HIS 13 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER
Aloha,
My name is John Baricuatro Jr., and my daughter "Kaimana"
is missing. Please help me bring her home. Attached is a current
photo of Kaimana and we have her description and information
below.
Please let us know if you need more information.
Name: Jasmine-Aja Kaimana'Pumehana Baricuatro
Age: 13
Height: 5'4
Weight: 155
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Answers to the name "Jasmine" which is her first name,
or "Kaimana" which is her Hawaiian name. Last seen
on Tuesday evening, July 1, 2003 in Maluohai, Kapolei (Village
6).
We appreciate your immediate attention to this situation and
thank you for all of your help. If you think of anything else
we can do or anyone else who can help, please call me at (808)
286-2778.
Mahalo "BIG",
Johnny B.
|
Fairtex's
Alex Gong Shot To Death
The American Sambo Association has a mission of building bridges
between martial arts of all styles. Likewise, when harm comes
to a respected artist of any style, we all suffer. The martial
arts community has sufferd a huge loss with the murder of Alex
Gong, Fairtex Trainer and champion Muy Thai kickboxer. Prayers
go out to the Gong Family, his friends, and students from the
membership and friends of the American Sambo Association.
For those of you who do not know of Alex Gong, here is a list
of some of his achievements...
National Siam Award "Best fighter of the year (2001)
K1 Super-Fight winner (2001)
K1
Super-Fight winner (2000)
ISKA
Lt. Middle weight world champion (1999)
ISKA
Lt. Middle Weight N. American Champion (1998)
ISKA
Super Welter weight Inter-Continental Champion (1997)
WMTC
Super Welter Weight N. American Champion (1996)
IFCA
Lt. Middle Weight US national Champion - Amatuer (1995)
Alex
Gong has also competed in K-1 USA CHAMPIONSHIPS and K-1 WORLD'S
BEST 2001
He
defeated Melvin "The Warrior" Murray via TKO Right
Hook - 2 Knock Downs (3R 2'44")
Alex
"F-14" Gong also beat Duane "BANG" Ludwig
via 5R Decision 2-1
Alex
has been training at the Fairtex Camp since 1994 with head trainer
Phicheat Arunlueng "Ganyao". Ganyao is known as a power
trainer and curial in the success of Alex's career. Alex has
also trained with Master Apideh Sit Hirun (named Muay Thai Fighter
of the century by the King od Thailand). Apideh is the head trainer
of Fairtex Thailad. Prior to Fairtex, Alex trained with Paul
Meteyo. "Kru Mateyo has inspired me to continue my Muay
Thai and martial arts training". Before Muay Thai, Alex
trained in the Seido Kai kan karate for three years under Shihan
Edwards in the US and at the Seido head quarters in Osaka Japan,
the K1 organization. Alex has also trained in Tae Kwan Do for
six years and several various martial arts including Aikido and
Judo.
Here
is the story of his murder....
San Francisco Chronicle
Fender-bender
hit-run turns fatal in S.F. Kickbox champ chases down driver,
winds up shot to death
Jaxon
Van Derbeken and Michael Cabanatuan, Chronicle Staff Writers
Saturday, August 2, 2003
A
world champion Thai-style kickboxer was shot to death in the
middle of a busy San Francisco street Friday after he chased
down a hit-and-run driver who had slammed into his parked car
minutes earlier.
Alex
Gong, 30, was pronounced dead at the scene on Fifth Street near
Harrison Street. Witnesses said he was shot at point-blank range
when he confronted the driver, who apparently waited for a traffic
signal to turn green before opening fire and speeding away.
Gong,
who had been working out at the South of Market training gym
he runs at 444 Clementina St., was wearing yellow boxing gloves
and boxing trunks when he was killed.
Police
had not released a description of the gunman or his vehicle Friday
night. But witnesses described him as a Caucasian between 155
and 165 pounds who was driving a green Jeep Cherokee.
The
slaying came one day after San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and
other officials announced the start of a campaign to crack down
on hit-and-run driving.
The
4:30 p.m. incident began outside Gong's Fairtex gym when his
car, also a Jeep Cherokee, was hit by a passing car. Enraged,
Gong gave chase on foot, going a block east on Clementina, then
a block and a half south on Fifth Street. At that point, Gong
confronted the driver, who had been forced to stop as traffic
backed up near the Bay Bridge on-ramp.
''The
victim put his arm out to stop the driver, the driver pushed
him back and then shot him -- point blank," said Marilyn
Moore, a witness who was riding in a car on Fifth Street.
'I
JUST COULDN'T BELIEVE IT' "The victim grabbed himself and
fell backward," she said. "The driver backed up, put
the car in drive and drove off. He turned right on Harrison.
"I
just couldn't believe it, I've never seen nothing like that in
my life," Moore said.
Brian
Lam, 26, an instructor at Fairtex, said members of the gym saw
the initial fender-bender through an open garage door. Gong,
who was inside training, took off barefoot after the man, said
Lam, who grabbed a camera and followed. "As I was running
up, I see Alex arguing with the guy," Lam said. "The
light turned green, the guy popped him. He definitely waited
for the light to turn green."
Lam
said he tried to take a picture of the fleeing Cherokee, but
was in a rush to help his mortally wounded friend. "I just
yelled for people to help," he said.
A
motorcycle officer on the way to the Hall of Justice nearby stopped,
and he and Lam both attempted to resuscitate Gong.
"Last
year, Alex paid for my CPR certification," Lam said. "I
was giving him mouth-to-mouth, the officer was giving him chest
compressions."
Lam
said a single bullet struck Gong just above the heart.
"I
thought he was dead maybe 10 seconds after he was shot,"
Lam said
Source: American Sambo Association
Alex Gong was shot
and killed today in San Francisco
San
Francisco's TV CBS Channel 5 Reported: A road rage incident may
have led to a deadly shooting South of Market in San Francisco
during the Friday afternoon commute. Investigators say there
was a minor traffic off 5th St. in the South of Market area,
and that the victim of the homicide apparently chased the suspect's
car. Witnesses say the victim confronted the suspect at 5th and
Clara. "It appears that it was a traffic accident dispute,"
said Maria Oropeza of the San Francisco Police Department. "The
victim chased the suspect, and upon contact, the suspect shot
the victim."
A witness named Jason said, "He tried to confront the guy.
We heard one pop, and he fell to the ground." The suspect's
vehicle is described as a green or gray Jeep Cherokee with possibly
a broken window. Southbound 5th St. was blocked off at Folsom,
and there was another police blockade on Harrison. Traffic was
moving in the area as of 6:30pm, but it was very slow.
Witnesses
say after he shot Gong the driver sped away towards the Bay Bridge
but not before several of Gong's students caught the make of
the car and his license plate number. The students tried to revive
Gong who was actually in his gym working out at the time of the
hit and run but were obviously not successful. Once informed,
the Police shut down streets near the Bay Bridge but no word
on whether the shooter has been caught yet.
"This
is a sad day for martial arts." Said Scott Coker, (L) who
was responsible for much of Gong's publicized success as a fighter
on the StrikeForce Events in San Jose, California shown on ESPN
Worldwide. "He did so many great things for MuayThai and
the martial arts community, keeping MuayThai alive in America
through his spirit and his gym."
Source: Martial Info |
Phil
Migliarese wins Best of Philly!
Phil
Migliarese, one of Relson
Gracie's
newest black belts has been noted by the Philadelphia magazine
'Best of Philly' awards. The Best of Philly has recognized Phil
Migliarese of Balance Studios as Best in Philadelphia for Ashtanga
Yoga.
To
check out go to www.balancestudios.net
Source: ADCC |
Boxing:
Lewis considers future
by: BBC Sport
World
heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis says his proposed fight against
Vitali Klitschko is likely to be his last.
Lewis
beat Klitschko after gaining a sixth-round technical knock-out
in Los Angeles last month.
Negotiations
for the rematch are already under way and the fight could take
place on 6 December.
Asked
if he would retire should the bout go ahead, Lewis told BBC Sport:
'Yeah I think so.
I'm
going to make a wise decision in the near future Lennox Lewis
'I
would have nothing left to prove. Even now I have nothing left
to prove. I'm just basically boxing for the fun of it.'
But
Lewis insists he will wait until the negotiations with Klitschko
are concluded before making a final decision on his future.
'Other
people are hyped up about the Klitschko fight and obviously they
want to see another one,' Lewis said.
'I
enjoyed the first one. Right now we are just working out the
logistics and talking to his manager and [pay-TV company] HBO
to see what we can work out.
'I
definitely want to see what can be worked out before I really
make that decision on what I'm going to do in my near future,
whether I'm going to retire or keep going.
Source: ADCC/BBC |
GENKI
SUDO OK After Stabbing Incident!
by: Marcello Tetel
One of Japan's most recognizable MMA stars, UFC veteran Genki
Sudo fell victim to an apparent random act of violence on Tokyo's
city streets. On July 24th, Thursday, a motorcyclist wielding
a knife stabbed five different unrelated victims, one of them
being Sudo. The criminalalso slashed car tires during a 10 minute
rampage in the Shibuya neighborhood of Tokyo, a busy commercial
district.
The
assailant remains unknown and at large, despite being filmed
by a security camera in a convenience store where he stabbed
one of the victims.
Sudo
was stabbed in the chest while he was driving his motorcycle,
and he was the last victim of the night. The assailant, who was
also driving a motorcycle, stared at Sudo at a traffic light,
and then pursued Sudo for about 500 meters before stabbing him.
Sudo
was taken to the hospital and was released. He is reportedly
recovering very fast. ADCC wishes a speed recovery!
Source: ADCC |
2003
Worlds Black Belts
By Kid Peligro
Big
surprises abound on the last day of the event. The first surprise
was Master Team Felipe Costa breaking through his spell of bad
luck and reaching the finals in the Rooster division against
Daniel Moreno. Felipe defeated last year's champion Marcos Norat
in the opening match (last year Norat defeated Costa in the opening
match) and carried the momentum all the way to the finals where
he beat Daniel Moreno by two takedowns. Felipe finally showed
everyone what he does in training at Master's team.
In
the Super-feather, Carlos 'Escorrega' showed everyone the great
form he is in and made the finals gainst teammate Bibiano Fernandez.
Bibiano however defeated Escorrega by points to take the title.
The
second big surprise in the World was Winner-Behring star Mario
Reis, submitting two time World Champion Fredson Paixao via triangle.
Reis has been doing the 'killer' triangles since his early days,
in past Worlds winning several matches as a purple belt by the
deadly sub. Reis faced Alexandre 'Soca' Carneiro in the finals.
Soca, who had been close to the title many times, was in great
form beating Reinaldo Ribeiro by points but after getting ahead
on the score by 4 x 2 ended up losing the match to Reis by a
score of 8 x 4 . Reis won both the World Cup and the 2003 Worlds.
In
the lightweight division, Gracie Humaita's Daniel Moraes beat
perenial winner Marcio Feitosa in a very disputed match by advantages.
Moraes and Feitosa had faced each other a few times in competition
with Feitosa usually coming out on top. Great win for Moraes!
In
one of the most anticipated matches of the entire day, Fernandinho
'Terere' submitted ex-teammate and current rival Marcello Garcia
via triangle. Garcia, who shocked the World by winning ADCC 2003
in May, was fighting his first Worlds as a Black Belt. The in-form
Terere passed Garcia's lethal guard, and went from a choke to
a triangle to submit Garcia.
Brazilian
Top Team's Cassio Werneck beat Master's Marcel Lousada by points
6 x 0 to take the Medium-heavy Gold. In the heavy, multiple times
World Champion Rodrigo 'Comprido' submitted Godoi via foot-lock
but fell in front of Roger Coelho by points. Coelho went on to
the finals but fell to Gracie Barra's Jefferson Moura's triangle.
Super
heavy Fabricio Werdum beat Canolezi to reach the finals while
his teammate Marcio Corletta fell in the hands of Alliance's
Leo Leite in the semi's. Fabricio Werdun went on to sweep Leo
Leite and secured his first Black Belt title.
Both
Roger Gracie and Pe de Pano chose not to compete in their weight
division to save themselves for the Absolute finals. Pano took
the fight on a guard pass to repeat as Absolute Champion. Pano
dominated the match and won by 3 x 0 and almost caught Roger's
back but had only one hook in.
In
the team titles Gracie Barra took the overall with newcomer Master's
Team came in second by a difference of only 10 points!
Full
results: (winners in dark)
Galo:
Felipe Costa (Master) 4 v 0 Daniel Moreno (Tanque)
Superfeather:
Bibiano Fernandes 6 x 2 Carlos 'Escorrega' v (Both from Gracie
Barra)
Feather:
Mario Reis (Winner-Behring) 8 v 4 Alexandre Soca (Gracie Barra)
Light:
Daniel Moraes (Gracie Humaita) 2 adv v 1 Marcio Feitosa (Gracie
Barra)
Medium:
Fernando 'Terere' (Master) Sub. triangle v Marcello Garcia (Alliance)
Medium-Heavy:
Cassio Werneck (BTT) 6 v 0 Marcel Louzada (Master)
Heavy:
Jefferson Moura (Gracie Barra) sub. triangle v Roger Coelho (Macaco
Gold Team)
Super
Heavy: Erik Wanderlei (Gracie Barra) ref. dec. v Roberto Tozi
(Godoi)
Over:
Fabricio Werdun (Winner-Behring) 2 v 0 Leonardo Leite (Alliance)
Absolute:
Marcio 'Pe de Pano' (Gracie Barra) 3 v 0 Roger Gracie (Gracie
Barra)
In
the Brown Belt belt Absolute Ronaldo 'Jacare' won the whole thing
doubling up with both weight and Absolute titles in the Worlds
and the World Cup! Next year he will be pushing the boundaries
of the Black Belt division! Jacare got his Black Belt by his
master Henrique from Manaus.
Source: ADCC |
Kim
'The Sensation' Mason
Sentenced To Life In Prison
by: Joseph Cunliffe
Kim
Mason was convicted of aggravated first-degree murder last month
and sentenced to life in prison on Friday, July 25, 2003, for
killing a nursing assistant from Indonesia who was last seen
in his Kirkland, Washington apartment in February 2001.
Active
in kickboxing and MMA, 'The Sensation' last trained with Matt
Hume at AMC Pankration. A veteran of HOOKnSHOOT, Shooto and Superbrawl, Mason has suffered
losses to Jay Buck and Ronald Jhun, and recognized a win over Kai Kamaka and a
draw with Hiroshi Tsuruya.
The
10-week trial was probably the biggest fight of the 24-year-olds
life. With more than 70 witnesses and 400 pieces of evidence
offered, the odds were stacked against Mason, though, the body
of the deceased, Hartanto Santoso, has not been found.
Marina
Madrid, Mason's girlfriend at the time, was given immunity for
her testimony in the criminal trial, but it is uncertain whether
the family of the victim would have a right to seek civil damage
against Madrid.
Mason
will appeal the decision.
Source: ADCC |
JOSH
BARNETT To Pancrase!
by: Booker K
Sammy Presents PANCRASE 2003 HYBRID TOUR AUGUST 31 , 2003
-10th Anniversary -
Place: Ryogoku Kokugikan (Tokyo, JAPAN)
Today,
it was announced that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Josh Barnett
will make his next appearance in Pancrase NEO BLOOD TOURNAMENT
2003, at Korakuen Hall.
Yuki
Kondo was in the ring greeting fans at the press conference,
when Barnett entered the ring and announced his fight against
Kondo. Barnett is therepresentive of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
So, it is an officially announced match up.
-
Yuki Kondo (Pancrase Ism) vs Josh Barnett (New Japan Pro Wrestling)
Source: ADCC |
AKEBONO
TO APPEAR AT SCREENING OF HIT FILM 'SUMO EAST AND WEST' AUG.
1 IN L.A.
by: Eddie Goldman/ADCC Wrestling Editor
If
you didn't get a chance to see the new film SUMO EAST AND WEST,
and you can be in the Los Angeles area on August 1, you are in
luck. This film was one of the most acclaimed entries at this
year's TriBeCa Film Festival in New York, organized by Robert
De Niro. It will be having one more screening in Los Angeles
on Friday, August 1, at 7:00 PM PDT, at the Aratani / Japan America
Theater.
In
addition, one of the greatest stars of sumo ever, former Yokozuna
Akebono, will be on hand to show more film clips after the screening
and conduct a question-and-answer session. Filmmakers Ferne Pearlstein
and Robert Edwards, who made SUMO EAST AND WEST, will be there
as well.
Here
is your online invitation:
We
hope you can attend the screening of SUMO EAST AND WEST followed
by clips and a special Q&A with former Yokozuna or Grand
Champion AKEBONO the Hawaiian-born superstar who was the first
non-Japanese wrestler to reach this exalted status in the 2000
year history of sumo.
Friday,
August 1, 7:00PM
Aratani / Japan America Theater
244 South San Pedro St. Los Angeles
Box Office: 213-680-3700
Tickets: $12/General, $10/Seniors & JACCC members
*for
more info or other sumo events, please visit:
http://www.usasumo.com/events/index3.html
Thanks
and we hope to see you there.
Ferne
Pearlstein/Robert Edwards
http://www.sumoeastandwest.com
More
on AKEBONO
Born Chad
Rowan in
Waimanalo, Hawaii, Akebono is the first non-Japanese yokozuna
(grand champion) in the two-thousand year history of sumo. An
honor student in high school in Hawaii, Chad was first spotted
as a teenager by a sumo recruiter who was impressed by the natural
grace of the 6'8' future yokozuna while Chad was serving as a
pallbearer at a family funeral. Shipped off to Japan, he became
the protégé of Jesse Kuhaulua—the
first Hawaiian sumo champion in Japan, who had subsequently retired
from the sport and opened his own sumo stable—where
he was given the name Akebono, which means dawn, or rising sun.
In a sport where a low center of gravity is considered crucial,
sumo cognoscenti scoffed at the prospects for so tall a wrestler.
(Chad had been a basketball player as well as a wrestler in high
school.) But Akebono quickly proved his doubters wrong, and in
1993 donned the
ceremonial white cloth belt of the grand champion, seen being
woven by novice sumo wrestlers in the film. Hampered over the
past few years by a chronic knee injury, Akebono rebounded in
stirring style in late 2000, winning two out of three straight
tournaments before announcing his retirement in January of 2001
at the age of 31.
Source: ADCC |
Pulver
to Box?
RealBoxing.com is reporting that former UFC lightweight champion
Jens Pulver may be making his pro boxing debut in Atlanta on
August 22. This debut, against a to be determined opponent and
expected to occur at welterweight (147 pounds) is of course contingent
on Pulver's performance in his fight on Aug. 15 in Rock Island,
Illinois against Joe Jordan. More to come...
Source: Maxfighting |
|
Brandon
Low Tech´s Minnesotian in Greco
Brandon
Low has started Greco competition in Fargo as of 8:00 am Hawaii
time. The first session was delayed due to computer problems.
He tried all week to get down to 105lbs. but as of yesterday,
he only went down to 108 lbs. So, he will be competing in the
112lbs. division. He had his first match against a Minnesota
guy and beat him 12-2 "tech". Hopefully with one under
his belt, he'll be more confident. He told us that he has the
largest division. We'll keep you posted. Results will be posted
at the end of each session on www.themat.com
Source:
Lynn Low |
Pride
Match Ups!
Here is official announce three heavy weight single match ups
in PRIDE GP.
Mr.Takada
spoke following match ups today.
Mirko
Cro Cop (Croatia / Cro Cop Squad Gym) vs Igor Vovchanchyn (Ukraine
/ PMMA)
PRIDE
Heavyweight champion
Emelianenko Fedor (Russia/Russian Top Team) vs Gary Goodridge
(Republicof Trinidad and Tobago / Free)
Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team) vs Ricco Rodriguez
(USA/Team Punishment)
Source: Koichi "Booker K" Kawasaki
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SAPP
TO TACKLE KIMO ON AUGUST 15TH
Superheavyweights to get it on in K-1 rules Superfight at "K-1
Battle of the Bellagio"
What
happens when an irresistible force collides with an immovable
object? K-1 is about to let the world find out on Friday, August
15th when Kimo Leopoldo clashes with Bob "The Beast"
Sapp at Las Vegas' Bellagio Hotel and Casino during "K-1:
Battle at the Bellagio."
Yesterday,
the premiere martial arts combat sports promotion officially
named the 6 foot 2 inch, 275-pound Leopoldo as the opponent of
the most watched man in mixed martial arts, whose appearance
in Sin City next month will mark his first in the United States.
The two superheavyweights will meet in a three, three-minute
round K-1 rules Superfight.
Leopoldo,
a 34-year-old, eight fight veteran of the UFC and former Pride
competitor, is coming off of an impressive first-round stoppage
of fellow original UFC combatant, David "Tank" Abbott.
Just shy of the two-minute mark of their fight on June 6th at
UFC 43, Leopoldo slapped on a triangle choke which forced Abbott
into submission.
The
meeting with the 6 foot 3 inch, 375-pound Sapp will mark only
the second time in his career that Leopoldo, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
player more accustomed to punishing his opponents on the mat,
will lace up the boxing gloves for a K-1 bout. In 1995, he was
pitted against Japanese fighter Masaaki Satake and abruptly stopped
with a left hook in the second round. Four months ago, Leopoldo
employed the help of Eddy Millis, commander-in-chief of Rancho
Cucamonga, California's Shark Tank martial arts training center,
to bring his kicking and punching skills up to par with the rest
of his game.
Considering
his precarious past, Leopoldo's willingness to jump into a bout
with the monstrous figure who, twice knocked out four-time K-1
World Grand Prix champion Ernesto Hoost last year, comes as little
surprise. During his early adulthood, before he found his calling
in the combat ring, Leopoldo kept all kinds of bad company in
order to earn enough money to survive. He later turned to religion
as a means of steering himself in an honest direction. To remind
himself to stay on this path, he tattooed Jesus' name across
his midsection and an oversized cross on his back.
Sapp,
meanwhile, has increasingly been on the radar of the United States
media, which has taken a keen interest in his career switch from
NFL lineman to martial arts wrecking machine. Appearances in
the pages of ESPN magazine and hip-hop bible, The Source, were
bolstered by recent Sapp interviews on FOX Sports Network and
Black Entertainment Television (BET). On Monday, June 23rd, Sapp
arguably made his most significant crossover to date when he
graced the cover of leading daily business newspaper, The Wall
Street Journal.
Source:
Mike Afromowitz |
HEAT
FC news, Belfort's Wedding plans, Jiu-Jitsu Under the Spotlight
and Arona Ready for action!
The Brazilian
Beat:
By Eduardo Alonso
HEAT FIGHTING
CHAMPIONSHIP is coming strong this next July 31st and MECA follows
on August 1st. Also on the MMA trend, this edition of the BEAT
brings you results from the latest Shooto show in Brazilian soil,
as well as news regarding Ricardo Arona's training as well as
his mentor, Mario Sperry, recovery from surgery. But since MMA
isn't all that is into fighting, we're also bringing a taste
of Jiu-Jitsu in this edition, since the sport has being totally
on fire in Brazil this past days! As it couldn't be different
in this space recently, Vitor Belfort is once again on the news
and the guy has been literally everywhere in our country, appearing
in several shows and raising to the spotlights once again. Since
there's a saying that time is money, let's not waste a single
dime more and bring you the news straight ahead, as Full Contact
Fighter never rests and keep following the beat, as fighting
in its different forms sets the rhythm through July in Brazil!
The second edition of Shooto Brazil took place in the city of
Niteroi, near Rio de Janeiro, this past July 12th. The show featured
9 amateur Shooto bouts, and for the first time ever in Brazil
5 Shooto Class B fights, bringing hope of even bigger Shooto
events to come in the near future in Brazilian soil. The show
was going smooth up until a point, during the professional bouts,
that the ring ropes started to have problems and fighters were
falling of the ring. This got to a point that it made the final
match, between UFC veteran Rafael Carino and MECA veteran Walter
Aba, be stopped and declared a draw, since it couldn't continue
like that. Other than that everything went well and the event
served to show some talented newcomers that may appear at Japanese
Shooto in the near future. Here are the Class B fights results:
Tiago 'Marreta' def. Petter Rollof by TKO
Fabrício 'Bicudo' def. Fabrício 'Sabiá'
by TKO
Luis 'Besouro' Jr. def. Julio Cesar Alves by judges' decision
Gustavo 'Careca' def. Alexandre "Xandinho" by judges'
decision
Rafael Carino drew with Walter 'Aba' Farias
Jiu-Jitsu
stand out Saulo Ribeiro was out of his surprising Muay Thai debut
on July 23rd at Knock MMA and Muay Thai in Rio de Janeiro. Ribeiro
who was never known for his striking skills, was scheduled to
take part in the show in a Muay Thai bout, but in the past few
days he withdrew from the fight due to lack of proper training
for the bout, because of his busy seminar schedule. According
to Saulo he just signed a deal with the UFC to fight on the show's
November card against a yet to be named opponent, and he plans
to fight in an NHB show around September as a warm up.
Vitor
Belfort is in Rio de Janeiro along with his teammate Grabriel
"Gladiador" to corner him in his fight against Evangelista
Cyborg at Knock MMA. "The Phenom" told the Brazilian
press that he postponed his wedding party, originally scheduled
for October, to December of this year due to his participation
at UFC 45 in November. Belfort plans to marry his fiancé
Joana Prado in October, as far as the civil ceremony goes, and
have the party only after the fight so it won't affect his training.
The couple already lives together and marriage is merely a detail
at this point. Vitor has also been saying is going to fight for
the belt, facing the winner of Couture vs. Tito in November,
although is way more likely that he will indeed face up and comer
Rich Franklin.
This
past few days the BJJ World Cup, promoted by Nova Uniao, gathered
all the attention of the Jiu-Jitsu community gathering some of
the top fighters of this art in Rio de Janeiro. Names like Brown
Belt Ronaldo Jacare, and Black Belts Fernando Terere, Delson
"Pe de Chumbo", Gabriel Napao, Demian Maia, Leo Leite,
Rodrigo Comprido, among others. Some of the most important titles
in the Black Belt division came with Fernando Paredada, from
the BTT, beating Rodrigo Comprido at the finals of the heavyweight
division to become the champion, Demian Maia winning the absolute
over Gabriel Napao, and Vitor Viana also defeating Gabriel Napão
at superheavyweight. In the middleweight division Fernando Terere
and Eduardo Jamelao, being teammates, split the title and Ronaldo
Jacare once again reigned supreme in the Brown Belt absolute
division. Now the Jiu-Jitsu world will continue to be heated
as the tradition BJJ World Championship will take place in the
coming days.
As
Brazil is not only made of Jiu-Jitsu, MMA is also on the verge
of shaking things up trough July and even on the early days of
August. The 9th edition of MECA World Vale Tudo is coming this
next August 1st promising to bring a lot of excitement for Brazilian
fighting fans, taking the show outside of Curitiba for the first
time ever. The show will happen at the city of Terespolis, in
the state of Rio de Janeiro, and will be broadcast live in pay
per view in Brazil. Brazilian Impacto fighter Carlinhos Lima,
who was originally scheduled to face Mauricio Shogun Rua is injured
and now the Chute Boxe prodigy will face none other than MECA
and PANCRASE winner Evagelista Cyborg! Cyborg also fought at
Knock on the 23rd, but took the fight against Shogun on short
notice on what promises to be the highlight of the night. Another
bout, between MECA veteran Leopoldo Serao and Marcelo Grosso
is now rumored of not being part of the card anymore, however
since there's no official word about it yet, he is the current
MECA 9 card, not in the actual fighting order:
Fabrício Morango x Marcelo Nigue
Adriano "Bad Boy" (Macaco Gold Team) x Roan "Jucão"
Carneiro (Brazilian Top Team)
Leopoldo Serão x Marcelo Grosso
Assuério Silva (Chute Boxe) x Fabiano "Pega-Leve"
Scherner (Brazilian Top Team)
Maurício "Shogun" Rua (Chute Boxe) x Evangelista
"Cyborg" (Budokan)
Delson "Pé de Chumbo" x Daniel Acácio
Brandon Lee Hinkle x Gabriel Napão (Macaco Gold Team)
Peterson Mello (Boxe Thai) x Marcelão (Chute Boxe)
Rafael "Capoeira" (Gracie Barra) x Ivan Batman (Universo
Atletico)
Claudinho das Dores x Marcelo "Grilo" Alfaia (Brazilian
Top Team)
After
yet another amazing showdown as a brown belt at the BJJ World
Cup, Jiu-Jitsu sensation Ronaldo Jacare is on his way to become
a Black Belt very soon. Ronaldo was added to the card of the
3rd Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in Sao Paulo, this next August 21st,
in a show that already count with names such as Jorge Macaco
Patino, Robson Moura, Marcelo Garcia, Fernando Terere, Gabriel
Napao, Alexandre Cafe Dantas, among others, all fighting in single
matches with special rules. Jacare is scheduled to face Delson
"Pe de Chumbo", in a very interesting fight, meaning
his black belt debut, putting him in a level where he is more
than capable of competing already.
Brazilian
Top Team member and fighting legend Mario Sperry is recovering
perfeclty from his hand surgery, a little more than a week ago.
The surgery went fight and now "The Zen Machine" is
taking his time to recover, while he handles plenty of other
business in the meantime. Speaking of Mr.Sperry's business, Mario
will have some interesting news to share with the fans in the
coming days, and of course FCF will be happy to bring them to
you!
Speaking
of the Brazilian Top Team, both Ricardo Arona and Rodrigo Minotauro
Nogueira are training hard for their August 10th PRIDE outings.
With the tough task of facing Quinton Jackson in his first PRIDE
GP match-up, Ricardo Arona is training as hard as ever and feeling
very confident in his performance. Arona believes PRIDE gave
him a tougher way till the belt, but he is taking this as motivation
and looking forward for a battle with Jackson at the PRIDE ring.
His teammate Minotauro is also very excited with his chance to
face former UFC champion Ricco Rodriguez, as is no secret that
Nogueira loves rematches, and he lost once to Rodriguez in a
Submission Wresltling match.
The
newest Brazilian NHB show in the scene continues its works for
their inaugural edition this next July 31st in Natal, up in the
Northeast of Brazil. Heat Fighting Championship 1 is set to change
the sport forever in the country, as the promoters are announcing
a never-seen before production for Brazilian standars, as well
as a solid fighting card. With the adding of UFC and RINGS veteran
Renato Babalu Sobral to the fighting card this past week, the
show is full fo well known names in the country's MMA scene,
such as Brazilian Top Team fighter Carlos Barreto, and his teammate
Angelo Araujo, who is the IVC Venezuela runner up, and winner
of 3 MECA fights, PRIDE veteran Ebenezer Fontes Braga, and WEF
veteran Alexandre Baixinho Barros, among other, including American's
Forrest Griffin and Ben Rothwell. Unfortunatelly UFC veteran
Curtis Stout is reported to be injured and pulling out of the
card, and now promoters are looking forward for a international
replacement on the coming days. Also, an extra fight is bound
to be announced at any minute, as the show keeps getting bigger
and bigger. Among the plans for this next few days is the debut
of the event's website, as well as the start of ticket sales
in the city of Natal. The show's official press conference is
scheduled to take place this next July 29th, and FCF will keep
you posted on the news on this brand new Brazilian MMA show!
Source: FCF |
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