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February News Part 2

2/20/03

Sorry about yesterday's news

I came home late last night and went straight to bed. I know you guys need your daily fix.

Quote of the Day

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Warriors Of The Ring II
Maui War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku, Maui
February 16, 2003
By Chris Onzuka –
Chris@Onzuka.com

Warriors of the Ring returned for their second event. The first event brought in the largest crowd of MMA fans that Maui has ever seen and for this show it looks like the promoters wanted to appease Maui fight fans by filling the card with Maui fighters. Sometimes the tendency is for established fighters to fight conservatively in order to preserve their records and the first timers have nothing to lose and come out to brawl. These fighters, most of them making their debut, left nothing on the table after their fights and went after each other. The crowd erupted after every exchange. There were a couple of controversial calls, but they were due to unusual circumstances. One instance was the Nerveza-Cabalero fight, Cabalero was winning the fight until it went to the ground and the adrenaline got to him and he fired off some knees to Nerveza’s head, which are illegal. Before the referee could step in to give Cabalero a warning, Nerveza scrambled up to take down Cabalero. During the scramble, Cabalero locked in a tight guillotine for the tap out. So it looked to be a win by submission, but because the knees affected the outcome of the fight, the referee, after consulting the judges, disqualified Cabalero due to the knees. The matches were even with either fighter having equal opportunity to win, which made for tight, but exciting fights. Unfortunately the evening ended on a sour note. Two super lightweights, who put on an very exciting first round, brought the crowd’s excitement to a screeching halt by their lack of action in the second round. Both fighters turned into counter fighters and waited the whole round for their opponent to make the first move. This was the only boring round in the event, too bad it was the last one of the evening. The promoters promise a stacked card and an even better show for the next event. They brought in some up and coming fighters into the ring to build anticipation for some great matches down the road during the intermission. Even Cabbage Correira was brought in to let the Maui fans know that he was thinking of moving to Maui and to let everyone know his future with the UFC.

Preliminary Bouts:

Paul Laga (Bulls Pen, Honolulu, HI) def. Patrick Clark (Koali Fighting Systems, Hana, HI)
Submission due to cut over eye at 3:25 minutes in Round 2.

Charles Hendrickson (Freelance, 6’0”, 220lbs) drew Scott Tam (Maui Full Contact Fighting, 6’0”, 225lbs)
Majority Draw [(19-19), (19-20), (19-19)] after 2 rounds.

Ednor Lat (Maui Full Contact Fighting, 5’10”, 165lbs) def. Robert Billianor (Lockdown Unlimited, 5’10”, 170lbs.)
Submission due to strikes from the mount at 3:48 minutes in Round 2.

John Nerveza Jr. (Bulls Pen, 5’6”, 145lbs, Honolulu, HI) def. Keola Cabalero (Wailuku Kickboxing, 5’7”, 140lbs, Wailuku, HI)
Cabalero disqualified for illegal knee strikes on the ground at 4:05 minutes in Round 1.

Paulo Lupi (Brazilian Freestyle J.J., 173lbs) def. Lucky Keefner (Maui Full Contact Fighting, 175lbs)
Submission via triangle choke at 1:59 minutes in Round 2.

Co-Main Event:

Anthony Billianor (Lockdown Unlimited, 260lbs) vs. Palmer Fuga (Kona Boxing Club, 220lbs, Kona, HI)
Submission via neck crank (reverse rear naked choke) at 3:53 minutes in Round 1.

Main Event:

J.R. Baraoiden (Maui Full Contact Fighting, 120lbs, Kahului, HI) vs. Tien Nguyen (Wailuku Kickboxing, 130lbs, Wailuku, HI)
Draw [(19-19), (19-19), (19-19)] after 2 rounds.

Breaking news: Nino will face Sakuraba at Pride
by: Luca Atalla

The first thing Antonio 'Nino' Schembri did when he received the news was to call home. 'Mom, we must get a new guitar!' he said. The reason is obvious: since he will face Japanese star Kazushi Sakuraba at the next Pride, on March 16th, the big Elvis fan must set up his costume to attend the show in a grand style.

It was the opportunity Nino was asking for and he did not complain about being caught by surprise: 'Actually I love that. It's really an honor to have a chance to face Sakuraba and fighting is my life, so I'm glad they called me. No matter, I was training with a gi, no matter that there is less than a month for the fight. It will be a pleasure, and I'll be ready.'

Nino is not worrying about Sakuraba's experience (14-4-1) nor his skills and he's confident in declaring: 'I'll submit him'. Everyone familiar with Schembri knows this belief is not arrogance. He really believes that, and says the reason: 'I know he will try to avoid my game, but I think 20 minutes is too much time for him to hide. So he probably will be tapping.'

Considered perhaps the most dangerous fighter in Jiu-Jitsu nowadays, Nino is
a former World Champion and holds the title of most technical fighter at ADCC 2001. Only 2-0-0 in vale-tudo, the Brazilian wants to build his career showing how Jiu-Jitsu submissions work in this genre. It would be a big tribute to the real king, Elvis Presley indeed, to submit Sakuraba at home!

Source: ADCC

PRIDE.25 Fight Card
Yokohama Arena
March 16th, 2003

February 19th, DSE/PRIDE press release all match up of PRIDE.25 on March 16th as follows.

New release

Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan / Takada Dojo) vs Nino "Elvis" Schembri (Brazil / Gracie Barra)

Alexander Otsuka (Japan / AODC) vs Kenichi Yamamoto (Japan / Free)

Carlos Newton (British Virgin Islands/Warrior Martial Arts Center) vs Anderson Silva (Brazil /Chute Boxe Academy)
.
Akira Shoji (Japan / Free) vs Alex Stiebling (USA / I.F.Academy )

Already announced

Quinton "RAMPAGE"Jackson (USA / Team Panishment) vs Kevin Randleman (USA / Hammer House)

Dan Henderson (USA / Team Quest) vs Shungo Oyama (Japan / Free)

PRIDE heavy weight championship
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team) vs Emelianenko Fedor (Russia / Russian Top Team)

Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira (Brazil / Brazilian Top Team) vs Kazuhiro Nakamura (Japan / Yoshida Dojo)

Source: Koichi "Booker K" Kawasaki

More on the LIGHTWEIGHTS

After the UCC shakeup and the upcoming UFC featuring four of the top ten, you can bet the top ten is going to shift!

Here's a look at January's version of the MMA WEEKLY TOP TEN. It will be interesting to see how things play out.

Here's a look at some of the movers and shakers in the top ten. Some have fallen, some have excelled and some have yet to shine!

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION - 155 Pounds
1. Jens Pulver - 102 Points (7 first place votes)
2. Takanori Gomi - 99 Points (2 first place votes)
3. BJ Penn - 98 points (1 first place vote)
4. Caol Uno - 64 Points
5. Matt Serra - 48 Points
Tie - Genki Sudo - 48 Points
7. Din Thomas - 42 Points
8. Javier Vasquez - 36 Points
9. Dokonjonosuke Mishima - 17 Points
Tie - Vitor Shaolin Ribeiro - 17 Points

Other votes - Josh Thompson - 10 Pts; Ryan Bow - 8 pts; Yves Edwards - 7 pts; Rumina Sato - 5 Points, Hermes Franca 2 Points, Rich Clementi - 2 pts, Alberto Crane - 1 point

Takanori Gomi: Count 'em....twelve victories and ZERO loses. He's beaten Rumina Sato, Stephen Palling, Ryan Bow, Chris Brennan and Mishima and still hasn't been ranked number one. Often he's plagued with playing it cool and getting a decision which makes him seem 'noneventful' but regardless, he wins. It's highly doubtful he'd ever fight out of Shooto (other than one SuperBrawl appearance) but anything is possible.

Genki Sudo: Another fighter who exudes excitement but is he serious about MMA? There have apparent communication breakdowns between Sudo's management and other organizations. Recently Sudo claimed a hip injury forced him out of UFC but it appears he's fighting for K-1 on 3/1/03 (the day after UFC). He is 7-2-1 with his most notable victories being over Nathan Marquardt, Leigh Remedios and Kenichi Yamamoto. He future is unsure in MMA but he does add an unpredictable edge of excitement and finishes opponents. His bizarre business choices may keep him from ever making it as a star outside of Japan.

Rumina Sato: Once regarded as the sports most exciting fighter, Sato has suffered a bad luck streak. Sato is 1-3-1 in his last five outings but is still a fan favorite. His legendary bouts with Caol Uno, John Lewis, Joel Gerson and the single most amazing piece of video in MMA, the flying armbar against Charles Taylor. Sato has fallen out of the top ten but remains loyal to Shooto. UFC was after Sato a year ago but his stock has dropped and he is out of the top ten.

Matt Serra: Many argued that Serra's loss to BJ Penn was questionable. Although his record is a modest 3-2 Serra's aggressive style makes him one of the most exciting fighters in the 155lbs division. Serra's transitioning from submission to submission without giving his opponents a chance to think is what makes him VERY dangerous. Even when losing, Serra is fighting like a winner and that makes him one of the most explosive fighters in MMA after only five fights.

Jens Pulver: Although 'Little Evil' has an unmatched record, he is often criticized for not finishing his opponents. Some fans even attack him personally which is out of line but Jen's keeps on going. Although he is known for his dangerous left, Pulver's last finish was 11/17/2000 in his now infamous KO of John Lewis. Since then, all of Pulver's matches have went this distance until his recent loss to Duane Ludwig. Criticisms started after Pulver's wins in UFC when he apologized for his performance on a couple of occasions. Although he was a winner, a select group of fans took aim. Many believe Pulver will be back in the UFC. Dana White has said publicly that Pulver calls and talks to him about coming back. After such a 'high impact' loss to Ludwig, it may take a little longer but everyone is optimistic.

Dokonjonosuke Mishima: With a 10-2 record in MMA, Mishima is another player in the 155lbs weight class. His two loses are to Shooto champ Gomi and Din Thomas (lost on a cut). He is quite a character outside of the ring but backs it up with massive submission arsenal. His only MMA ventures outside of Shooto have been in HOOKnSHOOT and Deep. He packs excitement into his fights and is a fan favorite in Japan. It's doubtful that Mishima would venture outside of Japan but Shooto fans in the U.S. are hopeful.

Source: ADCC

The Tao of Tank


Tank Abbott is back in the UFC, and regardless of how you feel about it, the goal is the same as it always was: to fight and destroy the guy in front of him. No more and no less. The advantage of doing it in the Octagon versus one of his favorite watering holes in Los Angeles? He gets paid and doesn't risk going to jail for his fistic ministrations.

Abbott, who returns February 28 in UFC 41, faces Frank Mir, a solid submissions fighter who defeated Pete Williams before losing to Ian Freeman. Despite the constant evolution of skills in the Octagon, the Tank isn't losing sleep over that fact that he made his debut in UFC 6, back when mullets and ineffective fighting styles were comically all too common. The UFC has gotten civilized since, and the Huntington Beach slugger feels it's more than enough of a counterpoint to the spate of cross-training that lead some to wonder if he can compete in today's game.

"There's rounds now," Abbott told maxfighting.com. "There wasn't back when I was fighting Taktarov. I think a lot of guys got into the UFC and said, 'I wanna do this,' but I was out there doing it for free. I'm back doing what I was put on earth to do."

Abbott's streetfighting dossier is the stuff of legend. Back in the mid-90s, when he was whacking out people with a definitive nastiness that made chilling fodder for the highlight reel, he estimated his total at somewhere around 300, with a half-dozen losses among them. "Sometimes I drink too much," he says in explaining the occasional defeat in the street. When he lost in the UFC, he went down swinging. Either way, Tank Abbott brought it, and when he landed, usually that alone justified the price of admission and left you feeling like you'd seen something primordial.

Like a car wreck, you couldn't take your eyes off of him whacking out a 400-lb. John Matua, leaving him twitching, and helped out of the Octagon while clinging to an oxygen mask. Or blasting favored Hugo Duarte with a look of a kid on Christmas while his fists bounced off Duarte's head. It has all the subtlety of a chain whipping, but unless you can deal with Abbott, and quickly, you'll probably be his highlight-reel sissy. And that's just the way he likes it. Tank isn't a bully, but he seems to take special pleasure in beating up those who think they can intimidate him.

Ironically, though Abbott cultivates a bad assed persona during interview segments on TV, he is well educated, holding a B.A. in History from Cal State Long Beach. He's unpretentious and plain spoken with a good sense of humor, and it's what endears him to fans. What Abbott always brought to his bouts was the sense of something memorable about to take place; it's that same appeal that probably motivated the UFC brass sign him up for another run.

He faces a new generation of heavyweights but doesn't dwell on it. He doesn't even care about getting a shot at champion Ricco Rodriguez for the belt. He just wants to fight whoever they put in front of him. And he's still going to be Tank Abbott, all day, and all night long.

"The Tank Abbott training regimen is simple. You get up about 1 pm, grab some food. Go down and do some training," he said. "Then go out and get a drink." With his preferred Stoly in hand, Tanks unwinds from the rigors of a training day.

Even when he's keeping to himself he still finds a fight, and the usually unfazed Abbott betrays a small tinge of bewilderment at the Karmic hand he's been dealt.

"It doesn't matter what I do. I can go into a bar, sit in the corner by myself, and some tough guy is always gonna try and push me around," he said, with a gruesome humor. "Most of those fights were before I was Tank Abbott. I was 220 for half of them, or about 280 for the other half. We'd get down and go for it."

"Nowadays, apparently Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the new kryptonite," Tank adds, pointing to the fighters coming into the game with grappling pedigrees. "Street fighting is a mentality that these people might not have had. It (UFC) is still a fight, though."

Abbott's biggest problem in the UFC was always stamina and excess pounds. His weight, which ranged from a low of 250 lbs. vs. Dan Severn to just over 300 versus Scott Ferrozzo, is now at about 245, startlingly low for his frame. And with time limits and five-minute rounds, he'll be able to do something he was never able to do in his long bouts which too often left him with empty barrels -grab a one-minute rest, suck up some oxygen, and gather himself for another burst of two-fisted mayhem.

Fighters have definitely gotten better in the UFC since he was gone, but if Tank Abbott can hit them, will it matter?

Source: Maxfighting

Lions and Tigers and Bulls!
Interview with Tony Galindo

It's been nearly a year and a half since Tony "The Bull" Galindo last fought. In that fight Galindo suffered a severe knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines of mixed martial arts until now. The next King Of The Cage is only days away and Galindo is set to face the always ready Joey VillaSenor. The Bull took a few moments away from his students to talk about his upcoming fight, his love life, the Lions Den and more.

Brian Piepenbrink: So what's been going on Tony?
Tony Galindo: Well for the last few months I've just been getting ready for this fight and trying to build up the school. Between the school and the fight most of my time has been taken up. I don't know if you've heard, but I've been training with Dean Lister and the guys from City Boxing in the mornings. As you know right now Ken has got his issues with his family and he's more or less retired.

Therefore it's just Vernon and myself here. And with just Vernon and myself I don't feel I can get to where I need to be. Just like before, I tried to work with other people… it's not like it used to be. Before you could train with your team and if you didn't have any other influences you were doing pretty good. Everyone has now caught up with the game so much.

You got guys from Millennia or Mileich or Barnett's camp up north, their really good on their feet, their really good on the ground. So I've had to go and expand my game. I give a lot of credit to the guys from City Boxing. They've been there pushing me very very hard. I've been training with Mike Regner for my Thai-boxing, he's a Fairtex certified instructor. He came from San Francisco. He's really really good. [I train] with Dean and Jaco in the mornings. Dean's as good as anybody on the ground in my book. He did very well at Abu Dhabi and is qualified to go again. This is going to be a good fight for me. I'm very excited to be back. It's been a long haul for me. And I'm engaged by the way.

BP: Wow, when did that happen?
TG: It happened on New Years. I've been with Ute for well over a year and a half and I care for her more than I've ever cared for any other chick. She keeps me happy and she's good to me. She's the reason the business is doing as well as it's doing. She helps me with all my advertisement, she helps me with paperwork. Things that us knucklehead fighters aren't very good at that's when you get a good woman to come in and help you. She's doing the Price Is Right, she's no longer doing the King Of The Cage.

BP: Talk about you opponent.
TG: I'm fighting Joey VillaSenor. I know Joey, I have nothing against him. Usually in my fights I have a grudge against the guy or I don't know him and I build a grudge. With Joey I'm just going to go in there and do my job and finish it as quickly as possible. I'm sure he's training his ass of too.

BP: So I know Guy Mezger has his camp out in Dallas, but what about the other guys? What is the state of the Den today?
TG: Well we're always going to be brothers. We're like a band of brothers that has been switched around. We've pretty much more or less disbanded because we didn't have the leadership that kept us together. The last big fight was Ken's fight with Tito and I didn't get a chance to see him train and he came in really light. That's the lightest I've ever seen him. And he's pushing forty.

But the status on the other guys, Mike still has his gym but he's more or less just concentrating on his family. I talked to him last week and he wished me luck and he said he'd be living the fights through me. I talked to Jerry. Jerry teaches twice a week. He's also engaged. He's doing very well but he's more or less retired himself.

Guy called me, he wished me luck. I told him I was training with Dean and he said "you're in good hands" and he said whenever I have the chance to come out to Texas and show him what I've learned [I could]. And that to me was pretty cool because Guy has never been one too… I wouldn't say cordial but I was a subordinate to him. I was a Young Boy. When I got started I was the young boy so he saw me as the young boy. Now they're starting to see me as something different which I think is good.

Joe Hurley is on his way down here as we speak. He should be here any second. He's doing well himself. He wants to get fights in now, he's been working, saving money trying to support his kid. All these guys got girlfriends then got married and did they're own things. Vernon and I are not training together because I'm training at City [Boxing] and he has a commitment to Miguel Reyes. He's going down to Mexico twice a week to kickbox with them. He had an opportunity to train at City Boxing with us but if he's going to train at City Boxing and represent City Boxing they want to make sure he has the well-rounded training. They can't have him doing jiu-jitsu in the mornings with us and then going to Miguel's at night if he's going to represent the gym. Because if he loses to a good kickboxer and he's representing City Boxing it makes City Boxing look bad, it makes their program look weak. I understand that side of it but I also understand Vernon's. He loyal to Miguel and he has to fulfill his commitment before he can move on and after this fight he said he'll think about coming to City Boxing and I think it would be a good thing for Vernon to do that.

Dean's changed my game a lot him and Jaco. When they get on top or get me from the side or pass my guard it's pretty much been impossible. I've learned a lot of new tricks but like I was saying before the sport has evolved so much. All the stuff that I learned a year ago is either obsolete or you have to modify it and change a few things. The guys are getting really really good. Look at this guy Shoalin who beat Joe. He's got some crazy moves. You can't just stay on the same track so I hope he comes out and trains with us… I'm rambling on huh?

BP: So tell me about your school.
TG: The school is doing very well. I'd say 35% of my students are Navy. And I've got a lot of real young guys you know eighteen nineteen-year-old kids that want to fight. I have a few that I'm getting ready for fights. That's the reason I'm fighting again, not just because I love it but after I win this fight it will make my school look good.

Everyone wants to train at the schools that are kicking ass, that's the bottom line. If you go out there and you get buried or you get pinned and you can't get out… I'm not trying to cut anybody down but if you go out to a fight and some wrestler takes you down and he holds you the entire match then your school is weak in that sense, especially if you're their leader. I eventually want to have my own dojo and whether it's called the "Bull Pen" or it stays the Lions Den is entirely up to Ken. He's still the Lions Den name owner and he's made me who I am today. If it wasn't for Ken I wouldn't be here right now.

BP: One thing I wanted to ask you about. I saw you and your girlfriend, or should I say your fiancé, on ABCs "Are You Hot?". How did she do?
TG: She dropped out of the contest because they called her for The Price Is Right and asked her to take that position. And between you and I now that I've watched the show I'm kind of glad she didn't go through with it. I consider Ute to be my ideal girl ever since I was a kid. But they were just ripping on the girls who were a little too muscular or too skinny, it was just brutal. It's like American Idol. They took the hottest people and the ugliest people. There was no in-between. If you were like an 8 or a 9 you're out. You weren't hot enough for this show. If you were a 10 or a 1 you're in. Because if you saw it they had some crack-head looking chicks and some ugly dudes. So She [Ute] made it and they looked at the rest of us and said you're not hot enough to be on this show, please leave. And Vernon didn't make it either [laughs]!

BP: So you and Vernon actually entered the contest?
TG: Yep! [laughs]. I figured if she was going to be doing it I may as well just for the shits and giggles. She says to be with her I must be pretty hot myself. So with that mentality I don't consider myself to be that ugly of a fighter. And she's like "no baby you're hot!". So I went and apparently they didn't think I was that hot. They didn't think Vernon was that hot either. So Ute is the only one hot enough from the clan over here [laughs]. It's the ears, maybe my ears throw them off.

BP: Yeah, cauliflower ears probably don't go over big in Hollywood.
TG: No, but in Japan I'm pretty fucking hot though, I know that [laughs]!

BP: So did she get the Price Is Right job yet?
TG: Yeah she did and she's got another gig with the Travel Channel. She's been doing a lot of commercials. I can guarantee that she's not only going to pass me up, which she already has, but she's going to hit the big time before me or any of my guys will that's for sure.

BP: Well it's a good thing you're marrying her now [laughs].
TG: Oh yeah. I was going to be with her no matter what. She's not only beautiful but she's more beautiful on the inside to me. I mean come on, who would want to take care of me or put up with my shit? I feel very very lucky to have her. I'm going to be with her for a very long time. They say a girl will either make you or break you. That's so true. All the guys that got women who were either not in love with them or with them for the wrong reasons they're all down hill skiers. There is only 1% of the group that's going on the chair lift back up to the mountain. Jerry's doing well, and Mikey is married with kids but everyone else I'm not going to even comment.

BP: Well do you want to add anything before we close?
TG: Watch out for my standup now and my ground. Watch out for this fight because it's going to be a fun thing and you're going to see a different Tony Galindo. No longer will you see the angry caveman going in there and just clubbing and Rahhh! Just muscling his way in there. I think I've put a little dance in my steps now so I can flow a little better.

BP: And the knee's fine?
TG: The knee is perfect. Both of them.

BP: Thanks Tony.
TG: Thank you.

Source: Sherdog

2/18/03

Quote of the Day

What this power is, I cannot say. All I know is that it exists...and it becomes available only when you are in that state of mind in which you know EXACTLY what you want...and are fully determined not to quit until you get it.

Alexander Graham Bell

Matt “The Terror” Serra (pt 2)

Matt “The Terror” Serra is preparing for his upcoming fight in the UFC against Din Thomas. His most recent fight was a decision loss to B.J. Penn who is fighting on the same upcoming UFC card, against Caol Uno for the 155 lb belt. Matt has always trained under Renzo Gracie and now owns two academies that are affiliates of Team Renzo Gracie, the largest and most dominating team in the North East.

KM: Speaking of which I take it the new Renzo Gracie gym has opened already?
MS: It should be open soon. I was there last weekend; he showed me and it’s still getting under way; it looks beautiful.

KM: How often are you training at Renzo’s and how often boxing at Ray Longo’s?
MS: I’m at Ray Longo’s more because it is more convenient for me in Long Island. I do a lot of my boxing there and my sparring and my cardio work. I definitely try to see Renzo as much as I can and he’s always got great advice for me.

KM: How do you look back at the Penn fight?
MS: I enjoyed it. I got to work a lot of stuff. The decision went to him and I’m not going to cry about it. I thought I should have got it but that’s the same as me saying ‘hey, I got robbed’. It was a close fight.

KM: You definitely put on the more exciting show.
MS: I enjoyed it because definitely thought I’m going to grow from that fight. I got tested; I got cut in the first round when I was going for a single. No big deal, nothing to slow me down or anything. It tested my mettle. Everybody said if I couldn’t get him down I’m getting knocked out but he was shying away from the stand-up with me. He tried to get aggressive in the second round and everytime he did…one time I knocked him on his ass. Going into the third round he wasn’t listening to his corner; he didn’t come right after me. He must have felt something. I’m think I’m going to grow from that fight. Anytime you go fifteen minutes with a tough guy you grow from it.

KM: Even though you lost by decision I think you made him look bad. It reminded me of the Pulver/Penn fight and Penn hasn’t quite been the same since then but he definitely took a 180 when he stepped in there with you. He was all defense and stall and even though you lost by decision you had such an effect on him that it’s nothing like his other wins.
MS: You’d think after a fight like that the guy would be respectful but I guess not.

KM: How do you think this Uno/Penn match is going to go? MS: (Penn) is very talented. His mental state and his heart is definitely in question but he is very talented. Uno, if he takes him out in a later round is his best chance. There is a good possibility of that. With this game, it’s a game of upsets. I think Penn will win but at the same time Uno is smart; I think Uno will learn from my fight with Penn. Nobody is unbeatable and this guy is definitely not unbeatable.

KM: How do you feel about the perception of the winner your fight against Din stays in the UFC while the loser needs to step down and get more experience before coming back?
MS: Is that a fact or are you just throwing that out there?

KM: Mostly from Din. He was saying the winner stays in there and I believe his term was ‘the loser goes home’. I was making the point with Din about like Yves Edwards loses and steps down, goes to HOOKnSHOOT and wins that, and now is back in the UFC.
MS: That is only a fight away from getting back in. When you start looking at it like that you put too much pressure on yourself. You put too much pressure on yourself you can affect your performance. You’ll hold back, play it safe…I never want to fight like that. I’d rather go out hard and die hard then win decisions. I’m not even thinking about it to tell you the truth. I’m training for a fight and I know what I gotta do in there and I’m training hard to take this guy out, not win a decision.

KM: We are seeing more attention to the 155s than we usually do in part due to three fights in the next UFC at 155 and Pulver/Ludwig last month. Do you see anything really coming from this like larger paychecks and publicity or is this just a passing phase?
MS: There is a ton of talent in my division. Not only that but styles make fights and there are a bunch of different guys with different styles that match up very well in our division. The Lightweights definitely shouldn’t be paid less, they are more exciting than many of these big guys. I think it’s about time we got paid our due.

KM: So how is the rest of your gym coming right now? Anybody likely to cross over soon or are they sticking to grappling?
MS: Oh no, I have some very good up-and-comers. Pete “Drago” Sell just beat the used to be undefeated Ted Govola. Govola was 9-0 and my guy Pete Sell was 1-0 and people were saying he shouldn’t even take that fight but I knew his abilities in there and they fought a tough fight but Pete definitely dominated. Besides Pete I have Joe Scarola, my highest ranking belt in here, a very good BJJ technician you can expect big things from this year. Also my big guy Tom Muller who just won in Ring Of Combat and Luke “The Silent Assassin” Cummo who just won in Ring Of Combat who is also really good in muay thai. I think these guys all have a future in MMA doing some damage.

KM: I’m wondering at what point we are going to see some of your guys outside the North East.
MS: I‘m going to wait until after my fight with Din and make some calls because I have some guys that are definitely ready for HOOKnSHOOT and things that are on that level and the bigger shows, it’s just a matter of a lot of these guys that I named are helping me with my tow academies so while one if them is fighting the other guys pick up the slack. After this fight these guys all helping me now get ready and helping the academies I’m definitely going to concentrate on my guys and let them get something in.

KM: Anything else you want to project to the fans?
MS: Besides thanking Renzo I want to thank Ray Longo and say keep an eye out for my guys.

Source: ADCC

Fighters on the Move!

Duane Ludwig, fresh off a brutal KO of #1 ranked Jens Pulver, has started receiving offers! After his victory, UFC was hot on his trail and offered him a shot at Yves Edwards. 'Bang' turned down the fight due to short notice and being an acquaintance of Edwards as well. Bang is reportedly waiting on his next combat - K-1 in May! Bang's future is looking brighter every day.

Jose 'Pele' Landi. Not much has been heard out of him after he and Chute Boxe parted ways. There was a strong rumor that Pele may be headed for the UFC in the 185lbs division as UFC President, Dana White, publicly stated he was interested in Pele and was going to make an attempt to contact the Brazilian powerhouse. Pele's last fight was against Carlos Newton where he lost via submission in an incredible seesaw battle at PRIDE. ADCC recently reported Pele is relocating to Rio - so look for a return in 2003!

There was also some chatter about Dan Henderson heading towards the UFC. Henderson has primarily fought in PRIDE for the last two years and is now reported to be fighting again for PRIDE in the next edition. He displayed incredible versatility in his last fight, with 'Minotauro' Nogueira, even after taking the fight on two weeks notice and giving up over 40lbs. Henderson could be back in UFC by year end!

Aaron Riley is preparing for a HOOKnSHOOT World Title match against Chris Lytle. This will crown the new HnS Champion at 170lbs after the belt was vacated by Yves Edwards. The two have somewhat of a rivalry that makes the match more interesting, since both have come up with BIG reputations in their home state of Indiana. Riley is also planning on fighting more often in 2003.

Could Dennis Hallman get a THIRD victory over UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes? Dennis seems to think so! He gets his opportunity to establish himself as a contender at UFC 42. Hallman will take on KING OF THE CAGE Champion Romie Arum in a welterweight showdown.

The WEF and HOOKnSHOOT 145lbs champion is looking to add another belt to his collection. Hermes Franca, from American Top Team, is looking to take home the King of the Cage Championship. Negotiations between the two have started.

Speaking of Hughes, many are speculating that he could retire the welterweight title and move up to 185lbs. This would make room for teammate Robbie Lawler to make a bid for the vacated championship....IF.....Hughes steps up in weight.

Source: ADCC

"Rampage" vs. "The Monster" in Pride 25

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will square off against Kevin "The Monster" Randleman March 16 at PRIDE 25 in a battle of two the most powerful and formidable light heavyweights currently competing. Randleman, 3-0 in PRIDE fights, is coming off a TKO victory over Murilo Rua in December. This marks Jackson's first fight since a late-September victory over Igor Vovchanchyn. It was also announced that Dan Henderson will fulfill the final fight in his PRIDE contract versus Shungo Oyama.

Source: Maxfighting

March SHOOTO Bouts Announced

Slumping SHOOTO 154-pound star Rumina Sato faces Danish competitor Joachim Hansen March 18 in Tokyo, Japan. Sato, 1-3-1 in his last five fights, hopes to again climb the ranks of SHOOTO welterweights, where he's currently ranked sixth. Hansen, 4-1, surprised Takumi Nakayama in SHOOTO's December end of the year event in earning a majority decision victory.

Less than a month following his Feb. 21 King of the Cage bout versus Fernando Vasconcelos, Shonie Carter will fight in Japan for the first time since a December 2000 Pancrase bout. He'll face Seichi Ikemoto in a 167-pound contest. Other Class A bouts include Tetsuo Katsuta versus Hideki Kadowaki and Mamoru against Homare Kuboyama.

Source: Maxfighting

Thinking Out Loud: The UFC Heavyweight Division

What is going on in the UFC these days? First, Jens Pulver exits to pursue personal interests. Then Josh Barnett pees hot for three anabolic steroids, is stripped of his title and abandons Zuffa. After that, Murilo Bustamante, regarded by many as the best fighter, pound-for-pound, in mixed martial arts, turns up his nose to various offers from UFC and has yet to resign. And, of course, Tito Ortiz appears to be a little more than reluctant to fight Chuck Liddell. If that’s not enough, Zuffa has only one supreme big guy, and he is none other than Ricco Rodriguez.

Do you think the UFC Heavyweight class is stacked, or malnourished? Discuss it in the Mixed Martial Arts forum

Ricco will step into the Octagon come February 28th and face challenger Tim Sylvia in what will be the first defense of his title at UFC 41. Ricco smashed Randy Couture into submission in the fifth round of their memorable match in UFC 39 to win the belt, which was forced to be vacated after the Barnett fiasco. Sylvia, a seasoned fighter who hails from the legendary Miletich camp, boasts an impressive 14-1 MMA record, with a solid majority of his wins via knockout. Sylvia lost his professional debut to Jorge Rivera, but has been perfect ever since.

Though Sylvia is a tremendous puncher with an excellent record, does he truly deserve a shot at Ricco’s title? He’s only had one fight in the UFC and even though it was a seesaw slugfest of epic proportions, that one fight alone shouldn’t warrant his shot at the title so quickly. Now, believe me, I am taking absolutely nothing away from Sylvia whatsoever. He definitely deserves to have a crack at the UFC limelight, but it just shouldn’t come so soon. And besides, can you blame him for stepping up? Certainly not. This is the day he’s been dreaming of for many moons. It’s not his fault that he has been catapulted into the #1 ranking for Zuffa’s heaviest strap.

So the question remains: whose fault is it? Not Ricco’s. Not Tim’s. Certainly not the fans. And it’s not even us MMA media guys.

It’s Zuffa’s fault.

True, Zuffa has done a remarkable job in transforming the UFC into the mainstream mega-beast-in-training that it should be. With the help of Lorenzo and Frank Ferttita and Dana White, who knows where the UFC would be these days. They’ve done almost the impossible, which is mutating their fighters into MMA superstars, outdo themselves with seemingly every show and gain more and more notoriety along the way. UFC, right now, is so much better than what it used to be before Zuffa started doing their Copperfield-esque magic tricks. The only thing is, why is the heavyweight division in the UFC so bleak, so blue, so bland?

Alright, check this: UFC has Randy Couture, once dubbed the invincible warrior who’d never tasted defeat inside the Octagon, but has lost two consecutive matches, one by TKO, one by submission. Barnett, Couture’s first slayer, has banished himself from his Vegas ties and is considering a move to fight in Japan or pro wrestling. Pedro Rizzo, the always-deadly striker, has lost three of four, two by TKO. Frank Mir, the Sin City native once hailed as the next best thing in the heavyweight class, got his arse handed to him by Ian Freeman and pulled out of his proposed match at UFC 40. Freeman has since been blasted out of there by Andre Arlovski, who has lost to Rodriguez and Rizzo. We have Gan McGee, who stomped Rizzo, but he seems to be too big for a shot at the title or something. So all we have left is Ricco Rodriguez, a deserving champion if I’ve ever seen one, and Tim Sylvia, a time-tested warrior who’s feasted on weaker competition who gets a crack at the title.

Then we have Pride. Ah, Pride, the “owner” of the world’s #1 heavy, Rodrigo Antonio Nogueira. Those three words say enough, not even mentioning his godly nickname. After him we come to Fedor Emelianenko, fresh off of his dismantling of Heath Herring, another top-notch contender. Moving down the list and we possibly have Barnett. Just those three guys alone topple virtually Zuffa’s entire stable of big guys, not even mentioning Igor Vovchanchyn, Semmy Schilt or Don Frye. Oops, I just mentioned them. What gives? Why is Pride so stacked and UFC is so toppled? The answers will be forthcoming.

Aside from Pride’s more desirable stable of 205+ lb. warriors, another subject looms for Zuffa. He is none other than Tank Abbott. Is he the best of the class, or even near the top? Hell no. But he’s more exciting to watch than a pack of mako sharks feasting on Taliban in a pool of carved up mackerel, that’s for sure. Tank is set to face Frank Mir and there is no doubt that he’ll explode towards Mir, blazing his guns and unloading everything from his clips. The safe bet is to pick Mir because he’s tremendously gifted in almost every aspect of his game, but after seeing him stagger across the Octagon and doing the James Brown from the pummeling courtesy of Freeman, can anybody really bet against Tank? And what if Tank wins? He’ll assuredly be rewarded with a shot at the title, either against Ricco or Sylvia, whoever survives that battle.

It seems to me that Zuffa realizes that their heavyweight class is shedding thin and needed a name fighter to rescue it, in a way that Ken Shamrock came out of nowhere and received a title shot after losing a fight. But hey, bringing Tank back is an ingenious move, certain to rake in cash over fist. There isn’t any MMA fan out there who isn’t talking about, or at least curious to see, what Tank will do. Can you just imagine the shockwaves that would rage through MMA if Tank Abbott, the master of no-holds-barred all-or-nothing mayhem and expert of no true discipline, became UFC’s heavyweight champ in this, the era of all-around and truly talented fighters? Utter BLASPHEMY!

Now I’m not bashing Zuffa at all. Not whatsoever. It’s just that with the departure of Barnett due to the steroid scandal and Rodriguez as the only “great” heavyweight out there, the division is just blah. Thankfully, I can’t say the same thing about the other weight classes in Zuffa’s ranks. Liddell/Ortiz, Bustamante/Baroni, Hughes/Newton III anyone? Okay, we all can let Zuffa slide about the heavyweight situation…for now.

Source: Sherdog

INTERVIEW OF THE WEEK: JENS PULVER

In his first public interview since his loss to Duane "Bang" Ludwig, MMAWeekly's Ken Pishna sat down with Jens Pulver as Pulver reflected on his first loss in three years. Little Evil was very candid in the interview and he talked about his fighting future, IF there is one, not to mention leaving Iowa and moving to Las Vegas to branch out on his own. Here's a sneak peak of the interview that you can read in it's entirety tomorrow.

MMAWeekly: So, Jens, what's been happening since your loss to Duane Ludwig at UCC 12?
Jens Pulver: I've just been sitting at home, really. Reflecting, trying to think about what it was that happened. And the more I sit at home, the more I think about what was going on, I was having a hard time. I'm not making excuses. Duane caught me. Duane studied me, Duane beat me. I give all the props in the world to him. But as far as me, if you watched the tape, I ran out there brawling, I ran out there and threw two great big punches, just wild. I got caught up in this whole stand up thing and I went out there angry. And that's not my motif. I've never fought like that. I'm always patient, kind of slow, calculated. And Duane was ready for it. I've looked at a lot of things that are going on. I've been keeping one big secret from the MMA world and that is that I'm having a little girl, I'm having a baby in a month.

MMAWeekly: Really? Congratulations man!
Jens: Thank you, thanks. That's been tough. That's a lot of work, a lot of preparation. I'm not married. The girl and I are friends, we're dating. And watching Tony get his head split open, that happened right before my fight. And it was just a lot of things kind of built up and I just went out there angry. It wasn't a fight for me no more, I was just angry. I wanted to throw and get all my frustrations out. I lost my skill in the process.

MMAWeekly: You had mentioned many times that you wanted to become more of an exciting standup type of fighter. Do you feel like that kind of got in your head and affected your game?
Jens: I know it did. I didn't even think about take downs, didn't even think about grappling. I'm sitting here worried about this guy, thinking his stand up is great. It never even crossed my mind, Òh, just take him down and beat him on the ground. I got so wrapped up in what I was doing. After 3 years of winning and going undefeated and being on this big streak and holding the belts that I held, you kind of have to invent things to keep you motivated and get you going again. That's what I did. I just wanted to be a stand up guy and that's what Duane was really good at. I don't like being the favorite, I like to be the underdog. Well, I'm an underdog in the standup game, so that's what I'm going to go after is his stand up game. The weird thing is, a lot of people talk and they talk about the whole fight. The truth is after my second left hand, I was out. I do not remember the rest of that fight, the takedowns, the stand up, rolling under the ropes, I don't remember any of it. I was out the whole time. I woke up back on the seat looking at Pat going, Hey, what happened? He goes, Well, it's over. And I go, Really, that's the fastest round I've ever done in my life man. Wow! That was a fast five minutes, then I go, What the? Why's he putting his shirt on? He goes, No, it's over Jens. You got knocked out. I go, Awe, I got knocked out? Oh man.

MMAWeekly: That's the first thing you remembered?
Jens: Yeah, then I'm sitting in the locker room and I go, Well what's this bruise here? And they go, Oh, well that's where he tried to kick you in the head. I'm like, Well, what are these bruises right here? They go, That's when you shot in on him. I go, What's this bruise on my chin? And their like, That's where he caught you with the left hook. I'm like, God damn, how long did we fight? A lot of people ask me, Are you hurt? Are you upset? I'm doing fine, I don't remember it enough to be hurt. I can't accept all the wins and all the great things that MMA has done for me if I can't take a loss. It's just one of them things. Look what happened last time I lost. I ended up beating the world. I wouldn't want to be the guy that I fight next. It's given me a lot of focus.

MMAWeekly: Sounds like you have a great attitude about it. Have you started planning a comeback yet or are you mulling things over?
Jens: I'm working on it. I think a big thing for me, and I make no secrets about it, being in the UFC and then leaving the UFC, it's been tough on me. You know, you had a belt. You had a motivation going in to every fight. So now, you're just kind of going out there for money. I thought that was what it was about, just getting money.

MMAWeekly: And now you think it's not so much about the money?
Jens: To me, it's not. I lost focus on why I was fighting. I liked to fight in the UFC because my family got to watch me, my friends. Like I said, I came from garbage. I came from nothing. I was abused. And this is a great way for me to achieve my dreams. Dana and Lorenzo and all those guys are great people, I just miss them. I miss being around those guys. I miss being around the fighters. Somewhere along the way, I just kind of went on a little self destruction. The only thing that I'm thinking about now, is when I fight again, I want it to be somewhere where I'm going to be happy. I'm going to go back to what I used to be. I'm not Jens Pulver the stand up guy.

MMAWeekly: Do you think that your attempt to be a stand up fighter was a failed attempt?
Jens: I don't think it was failed. I'm in MMA. There is a reason why they don't box with 4 ounce Boxergenics on their hands. They will sting yah. I got the stand up, but I just got to remember. I got to go back to what I was. I was a wrestler. I came from the ground and I got to keep that in mind. I forgot about my ground all together. All I was thinking about was stand up. I got to change that up. This is everything goes and I have to go back to using everything.

MMAWeekly: It sounds like a lot of your thoughts center around the UFC. Are you going to make a hard push to get back into the UFC?
Jens: I'm not gonna make a hard push. But, I've got a little girl on the way and there are a few things that I'd like to do for myself. I'd like to beat Royce Gracie's record, I'd like to go 10-0 in the UFC. But again, there's a lot of problems with that. I don't know if they'll ever have me back. I don't know if they want me back and the truth is, it's not necessarily the UFC that I'm worried about getting into or getting out of. I just want to be happy wherever it is that I'm fighting. I was extremely happy when I was in the UFC.

MMAWeekly: Do you regret deciding to leave the UFC?
Jens: I took some advice from people and made my decisions, and I stick by my decisions. If I never go back, that's okay, I did what I needed to do when I was there. I gotta be happy. I gotta get hungry again. I gotta have fun. It's gotta stop being a job and stop being about money. It's gotta be about the fans and being about having fun again. If I don't have that, then I really don't want to do it any more. I've contemplated quitting and start training other people who are hungry and have what I had.

MMAWeekly: The thought of quitting has come about since your fight in the UCC?
Jens: Yeah, since the UCC. I still, I haven't fully made up my mind. I may not fight anymore. I'm gonna help Rich Clemente get ready for his fight in the UFC against Yves Edwards. I don't know, there's just a lot more on my plate right now than there was six months ago.

MMAWeekly: So you're saying that you might not return to the ring?
Jens: I don't know if I will or not.

MMAWeekly: I know a lot of people would be disappointed if they don't ever get to see you fight again, myself included.
Jens: I don't want to disappoint anybody. I want to be the fighter that they knew and grew to enjoy and grew to like. And if I don't, then I'd be cheating them, just like I'd be cheating you and I'd be cheating myself. So, that's what I'm after right now. I'm looking at maybe making a move to Vegas for training. Not because of anything wrong here. The things that I have set up to do after fighting are in Vegas, working with elderly care and things like that. Which is something that I've always wanted to do, working with people.

MMAWeekly: What would be your involvement with that?
Jens: Basically just running a business. Doing in-home nursing and registered nursing and things like that. It'd be great for fighters. The fighters could go spend some time with the elderly people, just hang out with them and get paid. They'd have a job, you know. Elderly people, they're the warriors. Anyone that can make it as long as they have, my hat is off to them. Thats just a job that I've been planning for a long time.

MMAWeekly: So you would run the business?
Jens: Well, what it would do is, it would get me back to Boise so I can complete the circle that I've been trying to complete which is to run the office there in Boise and take care of Boise's elderly. And then go back to fly fishing and get outdoors. Start training fighters and start working with teams and possibly fight myself. It's just time to make a move and get back to what I was doing before and just always remembering, there's gonna be an exit here pretty soon and your window is short as a fighter.

MMAWeekly: Does this mean that you're leaving Miletich Fighting Systems and Team Extreme?
Jens: No, I'll never leave Monte. Monte has been a great manager to me.

MMAWeekly: What about Pat?
Jens: The thing is with Pat is he's kind of like the nest. I mean, he took care of me, he's mothered me and even he agrees, maybe it's time for me to go. I have a lot of experience.

MMAWeekly: So, you feel like you need to go out on your own?
Jens: Now, when I get into a big fight, I'm coming back here. But, before that, it is time for me to go out there and make my own life. I'm not really doing much here but training with people and for three years, that was fun. That's what I wanted. But I need more to do than just sitting around training all day long. I've got to have an exit from the fighting world and that was the other thing. Constantly being in the gym, never taking yourself anywhere. Never giving yourself a reward for winning. Never giving yourself time to forget that you're a fighter and go be something else. There's nothing to do in Iowa man, that's why the fighters are so good here, you're stuck, you train, that's it. [laughs] It's just time for me to go out there and plan my exit while I have the opportunity.

MMAWeekly: Sounds like you've really been thinking things through?
Jens: Oh boy, I tell you what, it's been a spiritual thing man. I go from I don't know if I even want to fight again to completely accepting the fact that I got beat. I'm glad I got beat by such a classy individual though. Duane was nothing but class. Bas Rutten, I always loved him, he's a great guy. I got started in his tournament in Denver. If it had to go, I'm glad it went to him. Now I'll be ready. If a guy like B.J. comes at me, I'll have to flatten him. Guys like him don't deserve it, but a guy like Duane, very deserving, very humble, a guy who works hard. If I had to go down, I'm glad I went down to a guy like him. Problem is, I'm gonna come back up. That I know. I'm not gonna go out on a low note.

MMAWeekly: Despite what you said, you don't sound like you're done yet.
Jens: Not yet, there's still some fire in this belly. I'm just trying to figure out which direction I want to shoot it.

MMAWeekly: Well, thanks for talking to us at MMAWeekly.com Jens.
Jens: Thank you, I appreciate it. Anything for MMAWeekly.

Source: MMA Weekly

2/17/03

Quote of the Day

Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the proof.

Galbraith's Law

808 Fight Factory Gladiator Challenge 14 Results!

Hot off the presses! Kai Kamaka, one of the head trainers and coaches at 808 Fight Factory, just called me with the result of his fighters in the Gladiator Challenge 14.

Carl Malenko vs. Nate Quarry
Carl Malenko got injured so Mac Danzig vs. 808 Fight Factory's Tripson Kersiano was the main event!

Mac Danzig (RAW) vs. Tripson Kersisano (808 Fight Factory)
Quick Summary: Tripson lost late second round by rear naked chokes, but won the first round by grounding and pounding. Tripson picked up the RAW fighter and slammed him as well as took him down numerous times in round 1. Tripson also had a deep footlock and popped his opponent's foot. Kai said that his foot almost touched his leg.

Abe Baxter vs. Dez Miner (808 Fight Factory)
Dez Miner wins in the middle of the second round by choke. He beat his opponet down real good.

Albert Hill vs.
Jim Kikuchi (808 Fight Factory)
Jim Kikuchi wins by tap out from shoulder pops in the second round.

Congratulations to all the 808 Fight Factory Fighters who did an incredible job and represented Hawaii very very well!

Joao Morais returning to Brazil!

After 13 years in Hawaii, Black Belt Joao Morais will be returning to his native Brazil to pursue his dream. Morais, who has long dreamed of having a fitness training camp, began to set the wheels in motion and will be opening a surf ,jiu-jitsu,kite surfing ,fishing and wind surf camp in the southern Brazil's City of Garopaba.

Joao wishes to thank the 13 years of support from all his students and friends and invites everyone to stop by and check out his new digs as soon as it opens. Be sure to keep an eye on www.joaomorais.com for the latest. Aloha Joao!

Source: ADCC

Kickin it Again!

Derek Bright and I are trying to give the fighters of Hawaii another venue to fight in again if intrested in fighting in one of our events coming up, We are planning another fight at the end of May, please contact Derek Bright@ 554-7898...


The name of the event is called "Kickin it Again"
Date: April 5, 2003
Start Time: 6:00 pm
Location: Palama Settlement Gym
Cost for entry: $10 General admission
$15 Ringside

Tentative Main Event-
170lbs-
Shawn "Tornado" Taylor
vs
PJ Dean ( AFC 2 Champion )

Semi Main-
150lbs-
Brandon Absher
vs
TBA
The rest of the fight card will be sent soon I'll be in touch

Thank you very much for your time and support.

Mahalo,
Danny Kaheaku

Hawaii International Muay-Thai Boxing Association

Tony Giraldi, presents Hawaii International Muay-Thai Boxing Association. Hawaii's Sanction Body for Professional, Amateur and Jr. Amateur (ages 8-17), competition for American Kickboxing / Oriental / Muay-Thai / Free-Style / Unarmed Combat. This is to build fighters from Beginner to Advance levels in Amateurs, then turn Pro. Safety equipment is mandatory to protect ALL Female and Male Amateur Fighters.

Rounds/Time Limit for Amateurs 18 year's old and above: March 29, 2003

American Kickboxing: 3-rounds, 2-minutes each round, 1-minute rest.

Oriental: 3-rounds, 2-minutes each round, 1-minute rest.

Muay-Thai: 3-rounds, 2-minutes each round, 2-minutes rest.

Rounds/Time Limits for Jr. Amateurs

American Kickboxing/Oriental/Muay-Thai:

Ages 8-15, 3-rounds, 1:30 each round, 1-minute rest.

Ages 16-17, 3-rounds, 2-minutes each round, 1-minute rest.

Fighters registation, rules, competition attire and fees $30.00. Contact Tony Giraldi @ 623-6238 or e-mail giraldimuaythai@yahoo.com. DEADLINE for ALL registration and fees March 15, 2003. Full name, address, contact numbers, gym name, coaches name, weight, height, want to fight American Kickboxing/Oriental/Muay-Thai, TRUE fight record. NOTE: If you have fought Professionally, you cannot fight in this Amateur Event.

Fighters, mark your calenders for our monthly Amateur competition March 29, April 26, May 31, June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 25, November 22, 2003. Event will be held at Giraldi Muay-Thai Gym in Halawa Valley, 99-1421 Koaha Place # Bay 3, located next to OICA Poison Ink. December 2003, date and location pending for championships.

TWINS, mahalo for ALL your help. Aloha, Tony

Copa Pacifica

Cleber Luciano's Copa Pacifica is getting a lot of attention. The traditional event in its 6th year now has become the talk of tha academies. The Copa is being viewed as the perfect opportunity for a last tune-up prior to the 2003 Pan Ams by most of the teams and that is generating a LARGE number of entries. The event is going to be held on March 8 & 9 at the Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, Ca.

Be sure to call (714) 842-4554 or check out www.cleberjiujitsu.com for more info or to sign up!

Source: ADCC

The Cricket Speaks!

Fresh of his big sprint win over the Gracie Barra Team on the Pedra da Gavea Challenge Royler Gracie 'AKA 'The Cricket' (shown right) spoke with Kid about the race and future plans. The Challenge, actually a friendly between the two super competitive schools, actually began in ADCC 2001 during a breakfast gathering, the day before the competition. The Gracie Barra table Renzo Gracie, Nelson Monteiro, Cachorrao Almeida, Marcio Feitosa & Sean Alvarez was discussing fitness training and the subject of climbing the Pedra came up. The Barra team was raving about Monteiro's speed and dominance of the climb. Royler interjected: 'I love the climbing Pedra and my time is pretty good!' The Gracie Barra team going: 'Yeah yeah! Sure sure!'

Fast forward to 2003 and Royler sees Gordinho climbing the rock and kids with him: 'Are you here for a nice afternoon walk?' The fiesty and very competitive Gordinho didn't take the coments lightly and the challenge began to take shape. Gracie Barra's leader Carlos Jr, who has been coaxing his fighters to use the climb as an important way for body/mind conditioning with obvious great results (see most tournament Team wins), ran with the idea and became the designated head judge. (see Luca's report for details)

After the win Royler commented: 'This is a great way to get everyone fired up about the upcoming 2003 ADCC! What could be better way than to get the competitve juices flowing along with some physical conditioning on a dare that started in ADCC 2001?' Royler went on to tell that he is already started his conditioning program eyeing ADCC 2003, but had only trained two days for the climb. He continued saying that after Gordinho's start he thought that a record would be broken, and he wasn't planning on coming in second. Royler continued: 'At this time, all my energies are focused on ADCC. The tournament is THE definitive word in Professional Grappling and I want to defend my title! The preparation has already began. After the event I want to fight NHB, but we will address that after May!'

When asked about Nelsinho's demand for a rematch Royler quipped: 'Tell them to run and practice and when someone in their team starts to reach 17.5 min, they can start to call me!' . Gracie Barra's second in command Marcinho Feitosa, who is currently in California, wants to avenge his school: 'I want to get that 'Magrinho' on the hill!' Marcio said laughing, 'we should have a big run-off after ADCC snactioned by the CBJJ and the ADCC Commitee!'

Could we be seeing a new event become a part of ADCC and the CBJJ events ? :) With May just around the corner, ADCC is already dominating the thoughts and lives of the top grapplers in the World!

Source: Kid Peligro/ADCC

Eddie Bravo and the Twister


“Twister, Twister!” Sometimes you’ll hear it yelled at tournaments when he’s fighting. Sometimes you hear it in class if you happen to be there when he’s training at Jean Jacques Machado’s school in Tarzana, California. You might even see some of the other students in the class trying to “get the Twister” on another student in the class.

Eddie Bravo started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu over eight years ago after seeing one of the early UFC’s when Royce Gracie won against much larger opponents by fighting on the ground. Realizing that his karate lessons weren’t cutting it, he signed up at the Machado school and began his journey into the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Before that, he had played football and done some wrestling in high school.

“The Twister”, as it has come to be known, has it’s origins in wrestling. “It’s called ‘the Guillotine’ and is one of the very few wrestling moves that’s actually a finishing move. They call anyone that specialized in the Guillotine ‘Leg Riders’ and that’s what I was” Bravo says. “When I started jiu-jitsu, I would always go for the guillotine. The only setup in wrestling is when you have control of someone’s back which is very common in wrestling. But the thing with jiu-jitsu is I couldn’t get in on anybody because I couldn’t get anybody’s back and if you get someone’s back, you might as well try the rear naked choke. So I figured out a few different ways to get it without having the back. The most common way is side control. Also when a guy shoots for a double and you sprawl on top of him, I can get it from that spot. I made it work for jiu-jitsu.” Rigan (Machado) and Jean Jacques had never seen it and didn’t know what it was. “They just started saying ‘that’s a tweeest…that’s tweesting.’ They just started calling it ‘Twister’ (there is already a choke in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu called the Guillotine) and then they started calling me ’Twister’ and I hated that because back then in ’95, that’s when that Disney movie “Twister” was out. It was just so Taco Bell…plus that game, Twister - a white, shiny sheet with colorful spots.” It got to the point where he even asked Rigan and Jean Jacques to stop calling him “Twister” and asked them to change it to whatever ‘twister’ was in Portuguese. They told him that the closest thing to twister in Portuguese was “toronado” which he didn’t like any better. He gave up on the name and it stuck. Now, he likes the name and enjoys it when he’s at a tournament and people yell for him and the move.

Eddie Bravo continues to train. He has a brown belt under Jean Jacques Machado and trains other jiu-jitsu and NHB fighters including Gerald Strebendt. He recently won a spot at the ADCC North American trials and is headed for Brazil in May.

Source: ADCC

Big Dog beats Minowa in Japan

PANCRASE / 2/16/2003
Osaka, Japan - Osaka Grand Cube

PIC: The BIG DOG swinging at PRIDE, against Akira Shoji

“It was a good fight”, states a happy Ricardo Almeida as his train pulls into Tokyo station after the trip from Osaka, where he beat Ikuhisa Minowa by unanimous decision at the Pancrase show a couple of hours before. Although Minowa is a very respected grappler in the Land of Raising Sun, a calm and confident Big Dog proved to be just too much for him. “We did not exchange many punches and kicks, as I preferred to fight on the ground,” describes a tired Ricardo who went to Osaka early this morning (Japanese time), fought, and came back from there on the same day, on the 8pm train.

All the action was controlled by Almeida, who swept Minowa with good “omoplatas” and almost submitted his opponent several times. “I caught him in a guillotine choke right at the beginning and he snored, but he didn’t tap. This guy definitely has a strong heart”, says Almeida remembering another important point of the match: “I got the side position and went to his head, choking him holding his head and arm together. he even left some slobber on my arm, but he did not give up. After spending some time in that situation I released the hold in order to conserve energy”.

During the three five minutes rounds, Ricardo mounted, got Minowa’s back and side position many times and, according to himwas hit hard at any time, ending with no injuries at all. Big Dog’s win was a big thing in the fighting world, especially in Japan. It seems that Minowa, along with Kikuta and several other fighters were part of a TV show, the theme of which was “How to beat Ricardo Almeida”. In that program, they studied what they thought were the strongest points the Big Dog had, and how avoid them. The results prove they must study a little more!

COMPLETE RESULTS:
Daisuke Hanazawa defeated Tetsuo Uehata at 1:39 of round one due to rear-naked choke.

Satoshi Watanabe DREW Kenji Takeshige

Daichi Fujiwara defeated Kenji Matsui With a MASSIVE KO in only :11 of round one.

Yoshiro Maeda defeated Shigeyuki Umeki in 1:41 of round two by rear-naked choke.

Yuji Hoshino bested Takaku Fuke by Judges decision (3-0).

Kengo Watanabe over Koji Okuyama by Judges decision (3-0).

Hidehiko Hasegawa defeated Kosei at3:05 of round two with an armbar.

Kenichi Serizawa defeated Roland Fabre at 2:58 of round one with a rear-naked choke.

Akihiro Gono DREW Chael Sonnen.

Ricardo Almeida ended the winning streak of Ikuhisa Minowa.
Unanimous decision after three rounds. Pancrase was hoping Minowa would win after promising the fans an 'undefeated 2003.'

Source: ADCC

STEPPING UP WITH DAN GABLE (Part One)

If you don't know about Dan Gable, then you don't know about wrestling. He had 181 straight victories, first in high school and then in college at Iowa State, over a seven-year period, until his last college match, that famous 13-11 loss to Larry Owings in the 1970 NCAA finals. He was a freestyle world champion in 1971, and then an Olympic gold medalist in 1972, where he did not surrender even one point to his opponents. Then Gable entered coaching, leading the University of Iowa from 1977 to 1997. In those 21 years, the Hawkeyes won 15 NCAA Div. I national championships. He now serves as an Assistant to the Athletic Director at the University of Iowa, as Interim Head Resident Freestyle Coach for USA Wrestling, and unofficially as an ambassador for the entire sport of wrestling.

All those numbers and official titles, however impressive and unprecedented, barely speak to the intensity, passion, and undaunted spirit that this wrestler from Waterloo, Iowa, has brought to the world's oldest sport.

Amidst a blizzard of awards ceremonies, speaking engagements, and media appearances, Dan Gable traveled to New York the weekend of Feb. 7-9 to be a featured part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of college wrestling at Columbia University. Almost having myself to wrestle off an endless stream of well-wishers, admirers, and media, I sat down with Dan Gable just prior to the Columbia-Princeton meet that highlighted this 100th anniversary celebration. Fittingly, we talked matside, as the teams prepared for action.

All sports have legendary, historical figures. Gable is surely one of wrestling's legends. But just because one has gone down in history does not mean that one knows everything about it. We started by discussing that the birth of college wrestling in America did not take place in his home state of Iowa, or other current American wrestling capitals such as Oklahoma or in the Midwest, but in New York City, at a meet between Columbia and Yale in 1903.

'I should look into my history books a little bit more, I guess, because I didn't know that,' admitted Gable. 'I didn't know exactly that this was the birthplace. And now I do know that, and it means a lot to me. I know a lot about the sport, and I just keep learning. That's kind of my motto as a coach and as an athlete, and now as somebody that deals with a lot issues. And it's certainly important for me to know this, just from the standpoint of knowing where it evolved.'

Gable then referred to the many historical articles that were part of the program for this 100th anniversary celebration. 'I was reading the article that talked about the first match, and I tell you, it was very interesting,' he said. 'And then yesterday [Feb. 7] I was at the New York Athletic Club, watching an event with Columbia and Cornell, and that was very interesting. Then again, here we have one right here at Columbia, and I see some of the same people that were at the New York Athletic Club that are in the stands here. So I'm actually thrilled to be here.'

It used to be almost automatic that college wrestling's top teams would come from Oklahoma or Iowa. But with Minnesota winning the past two NCAA Div. I National Championships, and top wrestlers emerging on teams all throughout the country, college wrestling has moved in a direction where things are beginning to even out somewhat.

'You just don't know what's going to happen as much,' agreed Gable, citing the Iowa-Michigan State meet of Feb. 7. 'I figured Michigan State matched up pretty good with them, so I gave them a chance to win a couple of matches. But they won the dual meet on criteria. So that just wasn't happening as much when I was coaching.' He continued, 'It's definitely going to make some areas very excited, and others probably not quite as excited. But they're already established, so there's no going away for Iowa, I'll tell you that.'

Right in the mix of that evening out process is the Ivy League, which has seen a resurgence of wrestling, both on the team and individual levels. Harvard's Jesse Jantzen, Cornell's Clint Wattenberg and Travis Lee, Princeton's Greg Parker, and even freshman Matt Palmer of Columbia are among those who now can be seriously considered as candidates for one year or another winning NCAA national championships.

'I think that's great,' commented Gable. 'I think it should be that way. The thing that's been amazing to me is, our sport has to battle a bunch of issues right now, just to keep it around. But we are stepping up. And we're stepping up and taking on these issues. And some people are getting upset with us, creating a little bit of factions here. But I'll tell you, when you believe in something, you go for it. And our group has stepped up. But you know what? I want to give a lot of credit to the Ivy League schools, because they have had the ability to step up as much as anybody else, just because they have not only wrestled, but they have put themselves in a financial position to be able to step up more than a lot of wrestling people. And that means a lot to me, and to the sport it represents. I'm not just going to say 'thanks.' I'm just going to say it's a good combination, academics and sports, especially wrestling.'

At the top of the list of these issues facing college wrestling has been the interpretation and enforcement of Title IX, in particular its 'proportionality' clause.

'You've hit the main issue,' Gable continued. 'We just have to right now get some things changed that will give a little bit more flexibility in running athletic programs. Right now, they're kind of hard-fast. You are either this way, or change it, or you get sued. So right now we have to have some flexibility, and hopefully that flexibility will happen in the near future.' A series of battles at hearings and committees of the Department of Education have drawn the lines on that contentious issue.

But Gable sees wrestling imperiled by forces not only at home, but abroad as well.

'The other thing that's really going on right now is at the International Olympic Committee level,' he stressed. 'We need to really step up there as well, because there are a lot of people that are in charge right now that are saying we should only have the sport of wrestling, not freestyle, not Greco. We have men's wrestling and women's wrestling. So they're thinking about trying to do something with the style. We are so established in freestyle and so established in Greco across the world that it would be a shame.'

As recently as the 1996 Olympics, there were ten weight classes apiece in freestyle and Greco. These were reduced to eight in 2000, and now to seven each. Women's wrestling has seven weight classes in international competition, except in the Olympics, where there will only be four.

'We already got cut back so many weight classes, that it puts too many kids in the same weight class. I have six kids right now that wrestle for me that were in five different weight classes, that are all in the same weight class right now. That's unheard of,' he said, speaking about the 145.5 lbs./66 kg weight class.

Still, Gable remains the optimist.

'I'm really looking forward to getting wrestling even more organized than it has been,' he said. 'And it looks to me that we are doing a pretty good job. Otherwise we would have got thrown out already. I'll tell you why, because there were enough outside people, with enough outside interests away from wrestling, that we could have been gone. But we got some great people in here, and they know what it means. And it's now the time to step up.'

To be continued.

For more information on Dan Gable, go to: http://www.dangable.com/

Source: ADCC/Eddie Goldman, wrestlingeditor@yahoo.com

2/16/03

Quote of the Day

"The nearest way to glory is to strive to be what you wish to be thought to be."

Socrates

The Cricket: Royler is the King of the Mountain!
by: Luca Atalla

The morning was suitable for the challenge. Although the summer in Brazil is often hard, the temperature was not too high warly this Saturday, a cloudy day in Rio de Janeiro. Without eating anything, Rafael 'Gordinho' Corrêa woke up and went straight to Nelson Monteiro's house to catch a ride with his teammate for the battle at the Pedra da Gávea hill against Royler Gracie.

The Gracie Barra team arrived at the foot of the hill nearly 20 minutes ahead of the time scheduled. Royler arrived there with his own 'rabbit' - his student Mauro - right on time, 10:30am. The groups were relaxed and joking with each other, but when the start time was near they stopped talking, their faces showing the signs of deep concentration.

Anyone who has climbed the hill knows the exercise is tough. It is a long, steep trail where there is not time to rest until the end, the place known as 'The Boat' because the big rock that looks like a hull. The route is used by the Jiu-Jitsu athletes to train since the early eighties, when Carlos Gracie Jr. moved his academy to the neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca, where 'Pedra da Gávea' is located, and discovered that the effort to climb challenges the mind just like a fight.

Most people in good shape that are used to climb the mountain normally make the route in 25 minutes. A handful have made it in 22', 23' and very few have done it in less than 20'. The under 20' group are known by name, since they are very rare. Nelson Monteiro (18'), Royler (17'30'') and Rafael (18'30'') are in that select group, however they've never competed against the clock and each other as they did today.

Rafael started the race running like a maniac and pushed the group in the very beginning, where usually people walk to warm up. 'At that time, I thought that if he keeps that pace until the end we would all suffer a heart attack' Royler stated after the contest. Fortunately Rafael did not. When they arrived in the first steep part, he slowed down and Royler immediately got the lead. From there on Gracie simply disappeared from their opponents' view. 'It was unbelievable! He seemed like a cricket. Every time I looked Royler was farther away.' Stated a baffled Rafael!

As the minutes ticked by, things got even better for Royler, as he surged in the last sprint, with a relaxed expression on his face, and his opponents nowhere to be seen. With the hands on his knees helping each big step, he crossed the check point just 16'25'' after the start. 16'25''!!!

His student came in next clocking 18' and Royler started shouting: 'Where is Gracie Barra? ! ? !' while Nelson and Gordinho were still climbing. The former finished in 19'13'' and the latter in 19'35''. Both were ashamed. 'It was like been outscored by 15 points, and after that being submitted,' compared Gordinho while the champion did not stop of joking: 'You were my rabbit. If you did not rush in the beginning I would not had broke my record!'

Gordinho shrugged: 'I confess. I'm not able to make that time.' However Nelsinho did not give up and wants more: 'I want a rematch. I'm sure I can beat you', said the black belt. Royler laughed and did not say anything more. He can keep quiet as he lets his time speak for him.

Source: ADCC

PELE LANDI - Bound For Rio De Janeiro!
by: Marcello Tetel

Many who know him say the same thing - he is a great guy, but sometimes his emotions overcome him! Inevitably, for some, thee are bad feelings when his name arises.

After a controversial decision to leave the team he was such a big part of, it appears that Cuban born Jose 'Pele' Landi is ready to make news again.

First things first - the split between him and the ChuteBoxe Team is irreversible. 'I don't want comment on that, but my love for the team just ceased.' states Pele. There are rumors everywhere, with money swirling as the central issue, but Pele will not feed any of these rumors!

The 2nd big piece of news about Pele is that he is moving to Rio de Janeiro!

Pele will try to rebuild his career, and he is looking to Rio de Janeiro for a fresh start. 'I love this city! I will be going back to Curitiba from time to time to see how things are going in my school.' states Pele.

We don't know yet where Pele will be training in Rio, but his new teammates better be ready, because his training methods are hard and heavy, and he is hungry to fight again. 'I have been contacted by the Battleship people but nothing confirmed yet.' states Pele.

Source: ADCC

Tamura's U-STYLE

Kiyoshi Tamura's first U-STYLE show is in the books! This event sold out, taking place in front of a 1,600 head standing room only crowd. The enthusiasm at the event and the fan response was described as enormous and extremely positive.

The opening of the show featured a video presentation showing the various stages of scoring with complete demonstrations. This gave the crowd a detailed rundown of rope escapes, submissions and how the fighters obtain points.

Most observers believe the majority of the matches were legitimate, but some still have the skepticism after some pro wrestling style angles played out.

One angle saw Dokonjonosuke Mishima, formerly of Shooto, challenge Kiyoshi Tamura himself to a match at the upcoming April event.

There is also serious talk about Josh Barnett coming in for a future U-STYLE event. Barnett is a longtime fan of the UWF (now U-STYLE) type of pro wrestling/fighting. Many believe the Barnett would love this far more than New Japan but it's his call.

The inaugural card went down as follows, with several MMa veterans in there. More to come on whether the matches are real or not:

1. Katsushisa Fujii defeated Ryio Echigo.
1:33 by referee stoppage due to a dangerous wrist-lock.

2. Manabu Hara submitted Naoki Kimura.
7:41 with a choke sleeper.

3. Yasuhito Namekawa tapped Kyosuke Sasaki.
9:14 with a kneebar.

4. Ryuuki Ueyama defeated Hiroyuki Ito.
8:47 with a leglock.

5. Takehiro Murahama defeated Kazuki Okubo.
7:14 when Murahama scored a brutal German suplex and followed up with a straight armbar. Match was described as spectacular and Murahama challenged Tamura after this match.

MAIN EVENT. Kiyoshi Tamura defeated Wataru Sakata.
In match that was described as HOT, was a dramatic-style match that got the crowd pumped. The score was tied but it was Tamura scoring a guillotine choke at the 11:46 mark.

U-STYLE returns to Differ Ariake in Tokyo, Japan in April with great momentum from their first event.

Source: ADCC

Extreme Challenge 49 - A Look Back
by: Keith Mills

Extreme Challenge 49 held last weekend in Davenport, IA kept most of the standing room only crowd glued to the action, partly due to faster stand-ups than most promotions. Guest referee and UFC Welterweight champion Matt Hughes wasted no time in separating stalled fighters, a good move considering the amount of regional wrestling talent on the card.

Quickest fight went to Jonathan Goulet with an :08 high kick KO to HOOKnSHOOT vet Jason Rigsby in the first bout. Rigsby threw one distance testing punch before Goulet fired off his right leg.

The most surprising fight was Dennis Reed’s loss to Kyle Jensen. For most of the fight Reed reversed takedowns in mid-air or threw his opponent to land in the top position, arguably totally dominating the fight but it was in round 2 that Reed appeared to be too close to the ropes and didn’t have the room to flip Jensen, landing up on his back where Jensen pined him down with his own legs and fired off shots at his unprotected face.

Now 12-4 Jason Medina’s win over then 3-0 Eric Beaulieu was the most uneven fight of the night based on the fact that Beaulieu had only a week to train to replace Medina’s original opponent Pain Peters. Beaulieu never quit and managed to go the distance but Medina resisted Beaulieu’s ground strategy, even knocking down the Canadian at which point the fight was obviously going to Medina.

Fight of the night would have to go to the tournament finals between Buck and Seguin. At one point while the fighters were on their feet Buck maneuvered behind Seguin and lifted him in the air to slam him but Seguin managed to defend and escaped still on his feet. Buck did manage to finally take Seguin down and land some face shots while Seguin managed to land at least one of his own from his guard but the TKO came when the fighters were standing in the second round and Buck snuck in a straight right that knocked Seguin down and followed it up with some strike to the prone Seguin before Hughes stepped in.

Complete Results:
Jay Buck def Ryan Stout 1:48 r2 by guillotine choke
Kyle Jensen def Dennis Reed 2:20 r2 by TKO
Jonathan Goulet def Jason Rigsby :08 r1 by KO (kick)
Brenden Seguin def Leo Sylvest :46 r2 by neck crank
Spencer Fisher def Kurt Illeman 1:15 r1 by KO
Jay Buck def Kyle Jensen by unanimous decision
Brendan Seguin def Jonathan Goulet :46 r3 by TKO
Jason Medina def Eric Beaulieu by unanimous decision
Jay Buck def Brendan Seguin 1:34 r2 by TKO:

A gallery of shots from each fight can be found at http://www.io.com/~kmills/ec020803.htm.

Source: ADCC

Gladiator Challenge 14: Tomorrow at Eagle Mountain

The next Gladiator Challenge event takes place February 16 at the Eagle Mountain.
Doors open at 3:30, fights start at 5:00 PM.

Carl Malenko vs. Nate Quarry

Marcos Santos vs. Jeremy Jackson

Joe Stevenson vs. Casey Balkenbush

Mac Danzig vs. Tripson Kersisano

Jason Lambert vs. Tom Vaness

Brain Sleeman vs. Lee McKenna

Cole Escovido vs. Derek Baca

Source: Sherdog

Noguiera, Emelianenko Comments

Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira:
I've heard that PRIDE is having some troubles and now is the time for that we fighters have to put our strength together. I think our biggest and most important job is for us to have great fighters in the PRIDE ring. I swear I will defend PRIDE as the PRIDE Champion. Proving that I am the strongest in the world will be my way of protecting PRIDE. Mr. Morishita tried to put this fight together last year and I want my victory of Fedor to be in memory of him. And I want to give him the present of beautiful technique as well.

Fedor Emelianenko:
I'm really excited now that I can finally challenge the PRIDE Champion. I put the honor of our Russian Top Team on the line and promise that I will defeat Nogueira. Vale Tudo was a made for the Brazilians by the Brazilians. That doesn't deter Russian fighters, though. I will overcome him. The time has come for the world to know the skill and power that has lay dormant in the Russians.

Source: Pride

2/15/03

Quote of the Day

"Live out of your imagination instead of out of your memory."

Les Brown

Royler challenges Gracie Barra!

We are finally getting into the season of Jiu-Jitsu and grappling this year, and our athletes are already getting close to their best shape. Three time ADCC champion Royler Gracie is one of those guys. Looking to defend his title at the World Championship event, next 17 and 18 of May, Royler has been training hard! Otherwise, he would not go to Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu academy headquarters, as he did last Monday, challenging anyone to face him at “Pedra da Gávea”, a hill where usually the competitors improve their physical conditioning on a very hard trail.

Gracie Barra then sent two contenders to the battle: Nelson Monteiro, one of the earliest trainers of Jiu-Jitsu at the ADCC Club in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Rafael “Gordinho” Corrêa, a former world Jiu-Jitsu Champion who claims to be the king of that rugged hill. Royler does not believe that.

“Gordinho is an easy guy to beat,” says Gracie laughing loud. But he respects “Nelsinho”. “Let’s see if he can beat me. Perhaps, but honestly I don’t think so. And I’ll break my time record in that competition so I’m sure it is going to be even harder.” Asked if that challenge will be as tough as a fight, Royler had a clear answer: “Yes, we are going to sweat blood in that race”.

This friendly contest happens tomorrow morning and we will let ADCC news readers know the results.

Comments: lucaatalla@hotmail.com

Source: ADCC

Tamura's U-STYLE Show Sold Out!

Kiyoshi Tamura's U-STYLE show set for tomorrow afternoon has officially sold out! ADCC reported that this would happen and it's official.

This is considered a major and monumental success for such a new product in the crowded Japanese sports industry. New Japan and All Japan PRO Wrestling have had miserable ticket sales lately, so this has to open the eyes of many people.

The two rival pro wrestling groups have drawn approximately 1,500 in attendance, down from a pinnacle of 9,000 in the past.

Many believe that Tamura's product will be real fights mixed with 'worked' fights. This adds drama to their main events and the proven formula of pro wrestling and MMA works in Japan. If this is true, it enables them to build strong characters and storylines for their main events (which is why RINGS was a huge success).

There are some who are claiming that U-STYLE will be 100% legitimate as well. If this is the case, opponents will be carefully picked for the company's top fighters.

There will be an additional 300-500 tickets made available on the day of the event that will be 'standing room only.' These tickets will be sold at a high price just hours before the event takes place.

There is talk amongst fans that U-STYLE has inadvertently capitalized on the fall of K-1 and PRIDE. Tamura stumbled into a very fortunate situation by accident after the arrest of Ishii and the death or Nayoto Morashita.

We'll find out what happened within 24 hours!

Source: ADCC

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua - Ninja's Little Brother
by Drew Carr

Drew Carr: I want to start at the beginning. Were you a tough kid growing up, and got into a lot of fights at school? Did you and Murilo fight a lot when you were younger?

Shogun: No, I always played sports, but I never fought in the streets. I have never been in a fight in the streets in my life, but Ninja used to. With Murilo (Ninja), we used to play fight. We had, when I was ten or twelve, these sets of boxing gloves, and we used to play fight with these.

Drew Carr: Take us through a typical day in your neighborhood growing up. A lot of fighters come from tough neighborhoods. Was there a lot of violence around Murilo and yourself?

Shogun: Our neighborhood was pretty quiet by Brazilian standards, but I always hung around fighters and they always seemed to be getting into something.

Drew Carr: Now you're obviously a part of one of the top fighting teams in the world, and brother to the ultra aggressive Murilo "Ninja" Rua. Was Ninja involved in getting you involved in MMA? Whom do you train with the most at Chute Boxe?

Shogun: Yes, my Brother got me involved with Vale Tudo. I had already been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 4 years at that point, and I had trained some Muay Thai when Murilo took me to Chute Boxe. I am a purple belt. I still train Jiu Jitsu. But when I fight, I like to stay on my feet and fight. So in that sense, I am more of a striker. My Professor is Rafael Cordeiro.

At Chute Boxe everybody fights everybody. It is like a round robin. It does not matter your weight class or skill level, everybody fights. In the morning it is mostly professionals, and the fighting is Vale Tudo. In the afternoon it is Muay Thai, and everybody fights everyone. Amateurs, Pros, Black Belts, and Beginners, we all mix it up.

Drew Carr: Do you prefer to train in ground skills, or is it more fun for you to do the striking part of your training?

Shogun: The striking part. I like Muay Thai better.

Drew Carr: How many fights have you had, total (including Muay Thai) ? How many pure MMA fights have you had?

Shogun: I have had 5 Muay Thai fights and one vale tudo fight.

Drew Carr: Which style was more difficult, MMA or Muay Thai?

Shogun: The most difficult fight I have had so far was my first Muay Thai fight because I was so nervous. But in terms of what is more physically demanding, Vale Tudo is more strenuous.

Drew Carr: If given the chance to win a fight using strikes from the rear mount, or using a submission like a rear naked choke, which one do you think you would instinctively go for?

Shogun: It depends on the situation. If someone gives me his neck.... (Note: We are on the Tatame, and he is acting and thinking different. The situations on his back, side, and mounted). then, I will go for the Mata Leon (Rear naked choke) If he tries to protect his neck with his arms, or chin, I will hit him.

Drew Carr: What weight class are you fighting in, and who do you want to fight in that weight class?

Shogun: I fought in Mecca 7 at 80 kilos. I now weigh 90 kilos and will fight Mecca 8 at 85 Kilos. Rudimar (Chute Boxe Manager) asked me to go up to the next weight category.

Drew Carr: It is looking like you might face Roan Carneiro at MECA 8 in April, will you be doing anything special to prepare for him, or is he just another opponent for you?

Shogun: I am surprised, you found out the same day I did. (laughs) I heard the same rumor that I was fighting him too. However, I will keep the same training regimen no matter who I fight.

Drew Carr: Do you follow the sport of MMA closely, or just enjoy the art of fighting for yourself?

Shogun: I am a big Vale Tudo fan. I like to watch the sport that I participate in. I always watch the MMA fights on cable on Saturday nights. I am a big fan of my Brother, Wanderlei, and Rafeal Cordiero my teacher.

Drew Carr: How does a daily workout at Chute Boxe go for you?

Shogun: In the morning, I fight MMA (Vale Tudo) for two hours. Then, I go swimming for 40 minutes, then I lift weights. I train Muay Thai in the afternoon. At night my bother and I give classes and I train with my students. I give classes at a friends Tatame.

Drew Carr: You're lifting weights to help in your quest to gain muscle to fight in the heavier weight class, what type of a program are you on?

Shogun: Yes, Rudimar asked me to go up weight so I am lifting heavy weights with supplements. I lift heavy weight three times a week. One day leg and triceps, next back and shoulders, then biceps and chest. 3 sets of 10 repetitions.

Drew Carr: Who are some of the other younger fighters that will be emerging from Chute Boxe and making an impact on the MMA world in the near future?

Shogun: I can think of Pit Bull, who is 16 and is great at Muay Thai, and good on the ground and has a very strong will to win.

Then there is Mauricio Amando, he is 21 years old, and 73 kilos. He will explode this year.

There is Jamanta, who is a young heavyweight. He is good on the ground, and also good on the feet.


Drew Carr: Does Chute Boxe have a lot of other fighters from other teams asking to come and work out there?

Shogun: Lots of people ask Rudimar if they can come and train at Chute Boxe (Professional Teams), but very few are selected.

Drew Carr: Is it a difficult process for an outsider to be able to workout/spar/roll with your team?

Shogun: Anyone can train Muay Thai at Chute Boxe, however, the professional team training is restricted where we train for MMA.

Drew Carr: There was a rumor in the MMA community lately that you had signed a contract to fight for The Pride organization, is this true? Or, are you still in negotiations with them?

Shogun: No my dream is to fight in the Pride or UFC. Rudimar is my manager and he is responsible for my contracts. Mr. Kawasaki from the Pride organization came to the Mecca and liked my fight, but nothing has been signed.

Drew Carr: Do you think once you secure a big fight in an organization like The UFC , or Pride, that there will be any extra pressure on you to perform well?

Shogun: That is a complicated question. Do you mean psychologically, or because my of my brothers success? (pauses)

Either way I do not think so, because my Coach Rafael, and Master Rudimar prepare us psychologically. In one of the Brazilian fight magazines they commented how calm I was during MECA 7. There are some guys who are great in practice, but when you get them in front of a crowd they cannot fight in these events, but I hope I am not one of them.

Drew Carr: It seems as though all of the Chute Boxe fighters do perform well under pressure, are there any special preparations your trainers put your team mates through before their big fights?

Shogun: Yes, there is a lot of psychological help. First off, everyone supports everyone else. Nobody hangs their head if they lose. And, everyone is respectful when they win. We fight every day.

Second, on the day of an event … your professor gets you ready. Also, Master Rudimar gets you ready. They do not say "Hey, watch out for his left hook!!!!", that stuff would be crazy to say 30 minutes before a fight. They say "Go man, you're the best! It's all yours. You are better than the other guy, you're going to tear him to pieces." You listen, you believe in yourself, and it works. No pressure, just win.

Drew Carr: Other than your Chute Boxe team members, name a few MMA fighters you enjoy watching.

Shogun: I like to watch Minotauro, and Murilo Bustamante.

Drew Carr: Do you like to watch any fighters from countries other than Brazil?

Shogun: Yeah, I like "Jon Pipi" (Lightweight from the US "note: I have no idea who he is talking about"), and I also like to watch Tito Ortiz and Dan Henderson from the US.

Drew Carr: What do you do in your spare time, away from Chute Boxe and training?

Shogun: I like to go to the beach and play soccer, like all Brazilians.

Drew Carr: What types of music do you listen to when not training?

Shogun: When I am not training I like to listen to Brazilian Music. MPB Musico Popular Brasiliero, Yvette Sangalo, that sort of stuff. For Training, Techno.

Drew Carr: Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

Shogun: I hope to be fighting in Pride in 3 years.

Drew Carr: Do you think you will have won, and still be holding, a title in a big MMA event within that time frame?

Shogun: I think about fighting and training. I think winning, and being a champion, is a consequence of that work.

Drew Carr: What are your goals in MMA , as well as in life?

Shogun: My goals are to help out my family, and those around me, through MMA. My next goal is to buy an apartment.

Drew Carr: Anything else you would like to add.

Shogun: I think the Chute Boxe team is the best in the world for its unity, its heart, and its will to win. For this I want to Thank Master Rudimar and Professor Rafael Cordeiro for teaching me what I know, and my brother for pushing me on.

Source: Sherdog

2/14/03 Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Guys, it's that time of the year again to bring something home or don't bother coming home. You have been warned! Just trying to help the boys out by keeping the peace on the home front.

Quote of the Day

Courage is the mastery of fear, not the absence of fear.

Mark Twain

AFC 3 is Looking for Fighters

The promoters of Amateur Fighting Competition 3 is still looking for fighters that are 200 lbs & Under & 201 lbs & above. Remember, the winner gets a $1000 prize.

You can apply to fight in this exciting event by writing to or calling:

Linebred, LLC
P.O. Box 2747
Waianae, HI 96792
Phone 808-696-5502

or emailing:

info@afchawaii.com

The AFC is a 2 weight-class 'toughman' single elimination tournament. There is an Under 200lb division as well as a 200 and over division. The winner of each division gets either a cash prize (in which case he would no longer be considered an 'amateur') or a gift certificate (thereby keeping amateur status).

The AFC is an idea started by Linebred, LLC. Ray "Bradda" Cooper and his wife Monica wanted to give local fighters a chance to compete in a fair, controlled environment without having to step into a full blown MMA match. The AFC is a place for fighters to see if they have what it takes in the ring against others.

Ray “Bradda” Cooper is an international fighter who is compassionate about seeing local talent discovered. Ray competes at a professional level in a sport called Mixed Martial Arts. Ray is a renowned fighter that holds titles in Superbrawl, Warriors Quest and is ranked #4 in World Shooto in Japan. In the sport of MMA he is highly respected as an athlete. As an athlete, his purpose and vision is to see economical growth, physical strength increase, and to provide a place where people can come and watch a sport that will uphold professionalism as well as integrity. Line Bred believes that through having these types of events it will create desire as well as vision in local athletes - The desire to get physically fit and a vision to see dreams fulfilled.

Before the AFC, an aspiring fighter might never see actual competition in a semi-controlled ring environment. Now, the Amateur Fighting Competition put on by Linebred, LLC provides him that chance... The chance to show his skills without the danger of a severe experience mismatch.

The first AFC was held on February 2, 2002. 16 fighters - 8 in each weight category - went at each other that night, each hoping to win the $1000 prize. The punches rocked the arena that night, and when the dust settled and all was over, Shaft Rideros had taken the Under 200 division and Vai Togia had conquered the 200 and over division. Both chose to take the prize money in cash, a move that eliminated them from defending their new titles in any other AFC events.

The second AFC was held May 23, 2002. 16 fighters again went after the 2 titles and $1000 in prizes. AFC2 showcased boxing skills that were definitely not considered 'amateur' by any means. The fights were very exciting and well matched, and the crowd was on it's feet more than once! By the end of the night PJ Dean had taken the 200 and under title and Kaleo Westbrook won the over 200 division. AFC2 definitely had the crowd pleasing fights.

March 29th, 2003 will be the date of AFC3. Fighters are being contacted. It will be held at the Waikiki Shell in the Amphitheather.

An exciting 2003 for AFC is planned, as the winners of the AFC's will face off at the Neal Blaisdell Center in the 'Big Show'. 3 AFC events are planned for this year.

Check out http://www.afchawaii.com for more information!

2003 PAN-AMERICAN JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIP

THE TOURNAMENT

The tournament will take place on April 26th and 27th in UCSB (University California Santa Barbara, Robertson Gym) - Santa Barbara, CA.

The enrollment form is now up online.

Go to http://www.cbjj.com.br/english/pancham2003.htm

Thanks to Rob for pointing that out!

Luca's Column: UFC's Redemption Song!

It is a really hot afternoon in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro's southernmost beach. As the elevator climbs the Cantagalohill, the temperature gets even higher, reaching a nearly unbearable 42C as we approach the Nobre Arte boxing club. A bell rings, stopping a guy whose legs look more like tree trunks from swinging in the middle of the ring.

After five rounds of intensive training Pedro Rizzo looks for the window beside him and his eyes gaze at the Lagoa Rodrigues de Freitas, on of Rio's lagoons that is famous for sightseeing. Despite the beautiful view, Rizzo's mind is not paying attention at all. He is thinking about his fight two weeks from now, against Vladimir Matyushenko at 'UFC 41 - Onslaught'.

'I'm more than ready,' states 'The Rock' as he takes offthe gloves, helped by boxing coach Claudio Coelho. Coehlo keeps quiet, his eyes say he agrees with the pupil. Rizzo breaths almost without any effort, and after the workout he has been thru, it seems to confirm the fact he is in shape.

It's obvious why Rizzo is taking his fight against the Russian wrestler very seriously. He used to be the UFC's heavyweight number one contender, and even after his two losses to Randy Couture - one of those very controversial - he as still at the top of the game. Then came a big upset last September, when he roke his nose against Gan McGee and lost the fight. He went through
surgery, stayed out for five months and now he's back, trying to prove that he should have another shot for the belt.

Another fighter looking for redemption at the UFC will be Alexandre 'Café' Dantas, the current absolute Jiu-Jitsu national champion in Brazil. Café lost to Yuki Kondo at the 'UFC 27 - The Bad Boys', on Sep 22nd, 2000, and since then he's been looking for a chance to step back into the octagon. And now the chance comes, as the promoters put him to face the same Gan McGee who beat Rizzo. 'Actually, I wanted to fight Rizzo, who is the best fighter out there, even better than Ricco [Rodriguez, the belt holder],' Dantas gives his opinion 'but they offered me McGee and I accepted. I think my time is now! I as focused a lot in Jiu-Jitsu recently and in 2002 I won everything and I didn't have any points scored on me the whole year.'

Café's mind seems strong and his confidence does not change what he thinks about his opponent's skills. 'I'll try to exchange punches and kicks but I don't think it is going to be hard to take him down, since he's very tall. On the ground of course, I'm better than him,' finished the BJJ black belt.

Source: ADCC

A Look At the 155 lbers in MMA (pt 2)

We took a look at some of the 'little guys' making BIG waves in the sport a few days back. Once again, we look at five more fighters that are on the verge in the 155 lb weight class. These are five more that have potential 'breakout power' and several have undefeated records but are still going unnoticed!

Javier 'Showtime' Vazquez: Don't let the pink hat and robe fool you! Vazquez is a submission machine. A perfect 6-0 record with five wins in KOTC and his landmark win over Rumina Sato in Shooto back on 6/29/02. He is gradually increasing the bar everytime he steps out. Facing tougher fighters is definitely in his future and if he can keep up the pace....it will definitely be 'Showtime.'

Stephen Palling: 'Bozo' is another fighter who many feel deserves a shot. The only problem is that Palling is only 144lbs and would considered 'small' for 155lbs. He has a 10-4 record but his loses are to top-ranked fighters (Din Thomas, Taknori Gomi, 'Pequeno' Nogueira and Joao Roque). Palling has won seven out of eight fights and if he can pack on a few pounds, he could be a major force at 155lbs.

Alexandre Franca Nogueira: At 9-2-1, 'Pequeno' packs an impressive SEVEN submissions into his record. He is known for his patented guillotine choke (sometimes called 'five finger choke'). Like Vitor Ribeiro, you may know it's coming but you can't escape it. He has finished five opponents with this very move. Nogueira is another exciting fighter but is light (around 145lbs). All of his matches have been with Shooto and many doubt he would be willing to leave, but should he try his luck at 155, he could be in the top ten in a hurry!

Josh Thompson: A relatively unheard of fighter out of American Kickboxing Academy with an impressive 4-0 record. He has been called up two times for the UFC but injuries have kept him from stepping up to the big show. He has yet to defeat a top 10 fighter, but his exciting style makes him a hot prospect for the future. Thompson is fresh of a decision victory at the WFA 3 and if he can keep healthy, he's going to make an impact.

Yves Edwards: ALL of his wins, with the exception of his fights with Aaron Riley, are FINISHES (many knockouts)! This means, if you're on the receiving end of an Edwards beatdown, you have about a 60% chance of being knocked unconscious. Most are aware of his KO power and play a ground game, but only the TOP submission guys have submitted Edwards (Sato, Iha) and none have come close in years. His last two matches have ended with his opponent knocked out. Yves is the best known of the prospects, having fought 3 UFC matches, but at 25 years old, this exciting sand up fighter may just be beginning to come into his own.

We'll take a look at the MMA Top Ten in a few days. Where does Jen's stand? Should Gomi be #1? You'll find out!

Source: ADCC

Tournaments: Love 'em or Hate 'em?

With the King of the Cage heavyweight championship up for grabs in an upcoming tournament style draw and the ongoing Extreme Challenge middleweight tournament making headlines, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the tournament format. Keep in mind; we are talking about same day tourneys, where competitors fight multiple matches to determine the eventual champion.

Back in the Dark Ages of MMA, nearly every show adhered to a tournament style. It was the way the first UFC’s were marketed, style versus style, to find the best fighting art. We have come a long way since then, and I one of many grateful fans.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for giving the fans what they want--and they have clamored for tournament style shows for year--but just don’t confuse a tournament winner with the best fighter because they are not always synonymous. Tournaments bring up a whole host of problems when it comes to determining who is truly the ultimate fighter.

First off there is the injury factor. Injuries are a part of any sport but how can you say one fighter or another is the best when their opponent comes in after a lengthy war in a previous round, battered and bruised, while said fighter breezes through his early round competition. Or how about an alternate fighter getting into the main draw and winning the whole shebang after just one match ala Steve Jennum in UFC 3.

Or how about fatigue? When both fighters come to the ring fresh and ready to go, we get a clearer picture of the skills they bring with them to the arena. That picture gets more and more distorted as the night wears on and the athletes advance in their bracket.

The Royce Gracie-Kazushi Sakaraba fight is the best example of this. After defeating Gracie in a 90-minute marathon, Saku goes on and nearly armbars Igor Vovchanchyn. Would he have been able to pull that off if he were fresh? We will never know.

Another factor that must be taken into consideration is fighter safety. It is not sensible to keep sending these guys out there in a fatigued or injured state. These athletes are warriors and we must look out for their protection as well as the sports.

The worst scenario might have to be the fighter who loses but is tabbed to replace the injured combatant who had just defeated them. We saw this recently in the K-1 Grand Prix this last December, when Ernesto Hoost lost to Bob Sapp but somehow was chosen to continue--even though there was an alternate waiting in the wings--and eventually won the whole thing.

Are you telling me Ernesto Hoost is a better fighter than Bob Sapp? While his credentials speak for themselves, he has yet to prove it in the K-1 ring and should never have been in the position to win the Grand Prix after getting TKO’d by Sapp. I guess what I am trying to say is call him Grand Prix Champion but please don’t say he is the best fighter in K-1.

Sure it makes sense for some of the smaller shows to continue to set up tournaments. Number one, they create excitement and draw fans. It also is a way for them to narrow down a large field of contenders and crown a champion. A champion in some people’s eyes I suppose.

I would much rather see two highly-skilled athletes come to the ring in top condition and meet on a level playing field to determine who the better fighter is. I am not into watching two guys, already tired and beaten, give lackluster performances at the end of a long night.

While they can be entertaining--the best show I think I have ever seen live was the IFC Super-heavyweight tournament where Gan McGee won it all--they just don’t lend themselves to always finding the best fighter. Add to that the fact that they are banned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and we will most likely never see a same day tournament in a major event again.

There will always be the people claiming the old days were so much better. Not just in MMA but in all walks of life. I do not concur.

Its called evolution, folks. And while it is nice to reminisce about the past and get all sentimental about how great things used to be, we sometimes forget how far we have come. I, for one, am not ready for a return to the Dark Ages.

Greg Savage grew up in the dark ages, before there were VCRs and remote controls.

Source: Sherdog

"15 Years of Hits"

Best of Flyin' Hawaiian Volume 3

Tower Records Pearl Kai*

Thanks to all the Onzuka.com readers and other buyers, the Best of Flyin' Hawaii Volume 3 is now

#1 in the Hawaiian Top Ten

and

#6 in Overall Store Sales

(ahead of J-Lo, Aaliyah, 2Pac, Missy Elliot, Santana, Avril Lavigne, Sean Paul, Eminem, B2K, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Gregory Issacs, Ja Rule, Pink, Mariah Carey and Busta Rhymes)

*during the week of 2/3/03 thru 2/9/03

and

Native Blend's new music video "I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me" is the #1 video on Overdrive Live
See it this week Tues-Fri @ 9:30pm on OC16

Mahalo for your support!

Visit the new website:
www.flyinhawn.com

2/13/03

Quote of the Day

Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become.

Jim Rohn

Brotherly love

McKinley's wrestling team
has 2 sets of brothers and
all of them open the year
as OIA champs

By Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.com

left to right, Emile Suehiro (senior, 130 pounds), his brother, Rene (junior, 140), Desmond Thain (senior, 135) and brother, Lawrence ( senior, 119).

When the McKinley wrestling team opens its Oahu Interscholastic Association schedule on Friday, the Tigers will take the mat knowing they've already faced some of the best the league has to offer.

Two sets of brothers account for one-third of McKinley's 12-member wrestling team, and all of them return this season as OIA champions.

"You're only as good as your workout partner, and they have such good workout partners. It fortifies the whole room," McKinley coach Chris Johnson said. "The whole room lights up because of the intensity."

Emile and Rene Suehiro and Desmond and Lawrence Thain won league titles in their respective weight classes last year. As a team, McKinley also opens defense of the championship won last winter Friday against Kaimuki at the Kaiser High gym.

"We've had a lot of brother sets go through, but it's been awhile since we've had this kind of quality brother sets," said Johnson, entering his 17th season with the Tigers program.

The Thain brothers are both seniors but aren't twins, as Desmond is eight months older than Lawrence. Desmond is wrestling in the 135-pound weight class this season, while Lawrence is the Tigers' representative at 119.

Emile Suehiro is also entering his senior season, with Rene going into his junior year. Both are moving up a weight class this year, as Emile is entered in the 130 division and Rene at 140.

The two sets of brothers have known each other since elementary school as classmates at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu school. Marcel Suehiro, the eldest of the Suehiro brothers, got his younger siblings interested in wrestling before graduating from McKinley in 1999, and moving on to Embry-Riddle University in Arizona.

The Suehiros went to McKinley, while the Thains enrolled at Kaimuki. The brothers were reunited last year when the Thains transferred to McKinley, where the Suehiro brothers helped them assimilate into the Tiger squad.

"We felt close to everybody in the first three weeks," Desmond Thain said.

He added that facing the Suehiros in practice let he and brother Lawrence know they had the potential to contend in the OIA.

"It told us where we were at," Desmond said. "If we were junk, we'd be getting our butts kicked by them. But we came in and we were doing all right and improving against them."

The quartet helped McKinley make up for a lack of numbers by winning their divisions at last year's OIA championships. It gave the Tigers their fourth team championship since 1996.

Lawrence Thain got the Tigers started by winning the 119-pound class. Emile Suehiro then won at 125 and Desmond Thain followed with a victory at 130. Rene Suehiro captured his second league championship by winning the 135 division.

Rene went on to win a state championship with a 6-3 win over Iolani's Kyle Muraoka in the final and enters his junior year with high expectations.

"I know how the competition is in states and how much harder you have to push," he said.

Rene got a little extra boost at the state meet by watching his brother's match. Emile lost to Iolani's Brent Kakesako, 4-3, in one of the fiercest battles of the 2002 championships.

"His match was before mine last year and that motivated me a lot," Rene said.

Emile said the loss is pushing him to work even harder in his senior season and his effort in practice hasn't gone unnoticed by his coach.

"(Emile) has all the attributes of a champion," Johnson said. "He's extremely disciplined, he's very humble, he's very respectful. He wrestles injured all the time because he goes so hard.

"When we sprint he's always first. All I have to do is say, 'Keep up with Emile' and I know they're going hard."

Both Desmond and Lawrence advanced to the semifinals in their divisions at last year's state championships, but lost to Iolani wrestlers. Desmond went on to finish fifth at 130, while Lawrence came in sixth at 119.

As McKinley's lightest wrestler, it's up to Lawrence to get the team off to a strong start in its matches.

"I usually have to go up first, so I have to break the ice," Lawrence said. "I always try to win that first match so I can give the team a better look at what they have to do."

Aside from the point totals, the Suehiros and Thains also give the Tigers stability in a sport with a notoriously high attrition rate and provide their teammates a high standard to measure themselves against.

"When we put these four guys in there it keeps the mix going and it keeps the intensity high," Johnson said. "In this case, you have four OIA champions going at it, and I have the luxury of shifting them around the room so everybody can see different styles of wrestling."

Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin

Allan Goes - Back With BTT?

Allan Goes is back in Brazil and has been spotted around his former teammates in BTT. Word is that he will face Jeremy Horn in the next PRIDE. Look for a confirmation of this match from PRIDE in the coming weeks.

A return to BTT for Goes means that confusions and misunderstandings of the past. Remember that Goes was one of the fighters from Carlson Gracie Team that separated to form the Brazilian Top Team.

Goes has actually been in and out of the BTT a few times! The first time was
when Vitor Belfort, Carlos Barreto, Ricardo Arona, Paulo Filho as well as Goes disagreed with the adopted policies of the BTT head coaches. Some time passed, and the BTT seemed to have accept Filho, Barreto and Goes back.

After Goes' fight against Mark 'The Hammer' Coleman (in Pride 13), the misunderstandings returned, and Goes left BTT again. Goes formed a new NHB Team, Universo Fight Team, and spent some time living in the states. He fought against Alex Stebling in Pride 18 (12-23-2001) and lost again. After recovering from injuries, Alan surfaced for several weeks at AMC in Seattle, where there were rumors he helped train Bob Sapp for PRIDE. Now, the Prodigal Son has returned home to Brazil and the BTT.

After a long hiatus, Goes is certain to have ring rust, but he is once again training with the best fighters in the world! He is working to provide a good show for us in the next Pride!

Source: ADCC

Tripstin Kerisiano's opponent speaks! 2 other 808 Fight Factory Fighters in Gladiator's Challenge

First look at Gladiator Challenge fighter and rAw team member Mac Danzig
by: Keith Mills

This Sunday rAw team member Mac Danzig returns to Gladiator Challenge at a new weight of 170, up from 155 in his last fight in WEC last summer. His opponent, 808 Fight Factory fighter Tripstin Kerisiano, tends to be known for his decision wins in shows like Warriors Quest and last weekend’s SuperBrawl while Mac is best known for his submission wins in shows like the Extreme Challenge trials and Gladiator Challenge.

KM: The next show you are in is Gladiator Challenge this coming weekend. Tell us about your opponent Tripstin Kerisiano.
MD: A guy from Hawaii. He actually just fought SuperBrawl this past weekend.

KM: Did you get a chance to catch that SuperBrawl?
MD: No, I didn’t see it. I have friends in Hawaii and they told me how he fights and everything. I pretty much know what to expect.

KM: What do you expect from him? MD: I expect him to come out throwing big right hands because that is basically what everyone told me he does. When he gets to the ground he just tries to ground and pound but I’ve been training for that. I don’t have a whole lot of partners that are the same size as him but I think I train with a much better team, train a lot smarter. No disrespect for him but it should be a good warm-up fight for me to get back into the game where I want to be. It’s my first fight at 170.

KM: You are going up to 170?
MD: Yeah, I’m moving up to 170. Last time I cut to 155 I had a really really hard time doing it. When I first started fighting it was easy for me to get to 155 but once I moved out here to rAw and started training full-time and eating basically I just kept growing. It was really hard for me to make 155 for that WEC and then after that we decided even though I’m small for 170 right now that’s what I’m going to have to move up to. I would love for them to have a 165 division; that would be perfect.

KM: The odd thing is the trend right now is for people who have been fighting in the 170 division to start dropping down to 155 like Chris Brennan and now Joe Stevenson.
MD: Yeah, it’s true. I guess everybody is different with their body types and how much weight they can cut. I walk around at 168 with 5% body fat so it’s really hard for me. I’d have to cut about 8 lbs of muscle and then 5 lbs of water before the fight and for me I can’t do it. For someone like Trigg who has been wrestling all those years and cutting weight all the time, his body is used to it but with me I didn’t wrestle in high school or college or anything so it’s a lot harder.

KM: But at 170 you are going to be facing people like Romi Aram and John Alessio that cut from higher. Do you feel more confident fighting at 170?
MD: When I first was going to make the move up I was pretty worried about it because I train with Fernando Vasconcelos and Trigg and they are both pretty big, especially Trigg. I train with him every day and it’s really hard for me to move him around or get anything accomplished so it’s kind of discouraging but as I started just training more with some of the bigger guys in the gym and some of the guys that fight at 170 I’m starting to get used to it. I think a lot of it is mental. When it comes down to it I am going to have to gain probably at least about 5 more pounds in order to feel comfortable. I may walk around at like 178 and then cut. It is intimidating when you have guys like Hughes and Trigg in that weight class but when the time comes I think I’ll definitely be ready.

KM: The rAw team seem more like the strong wrestling-based fighters we see out of the mid-west, not the typical California fighters we are used to seeing. As an insider, how do you view it?
MD: When I first came out here me and my friend Mike Willis were staying in Huntington Beach. We were planning on training with Team Punishment and I didn’t even get a chance to go there. He went there once and told me about it and then I said ‘why don’t we go to rAw and check it out’ and as soon as I came here I decided this was where we were going to stay because the very first thing I did is I came in and trained with Trigg and Rico (Chiapparelli) my very first day and that was coming from Pittsburgh where there wasn’t much out there. As far as the approach to fighting goes it is grappling oriented and takedown oriented; those are the fundamentals, the foundation of everything out here. The way Ricco teaches us you definitely have to be a complete fighter. He wants us to use the ground skills and we work on everything but he won’t let anybody show up that wants to fight without training their muay thai like they need to. Every single day of the week we do something different. Some days we just put on the gloves and spar kickboxing and some days we’ll just go on the ground with strikes. He has us working everything; it’s really Rico’s influence. He definitely knows what you need to do to be a complete fighter. A no-nonsense type of gym.

KM: You don’t teach fitness classes on the side. One thing I noticed with Trigg especially was the amount he listened to Rico but I don’t know how true that is of all the team. You were just talking about the no-nonsense approach and amount of direction of Rico but how much of an influence in the actual fight does Rico have to the rest of the team?
MD: I think he has a real big influence on everybody. I’d say he along with Miletich are the two best corner people in the business. Trigg is going to be in my corner for sure and Rico is going to be there for this fight. It’s something that gives you confidence. He knows the right thing to do in every situation; he knows my strength is submission and he’s going to let me work that. That’s a problem I see with a lot of corner people; they are good and they know what they are doing to a certain extent but they want their people to do the things that they would do but Rico knows I’m not a NCAA National Champion wrestler so I’m not going to get takedowns off of every single combination. He knows I need to work my guard sometimes and he’ll let me do that. You just keep your ears open and when you need advice he’s there. I think everyone on the team listens to him, especially me and Trigg and Fernando.

Gladiator Challenge 14 takes place this Sunday, February 16th at Eagle Mountain Casino. The complete line-up so far is:

Carl Malenko vs. Nate Quarry
Marcos Santos vs. Jeremy Jackson
Joe Stevenson vs. Casey Balbenbush
Mac Danzig vs.
Tripstin Kerisiano (808 Fight Factory)
Jason Lambert vs. Tom Vaness
Brain Sleeman vs. Lee McKenna
Jaime Hantz vs. Joe Barrios
Cipi Gamino vs. Brandon Salcedo
Cole Escovido vs. Derek Baca
Abe Baxter vs.
Dez Miner (808 Fight Factory)
Big 'John' Dabney vs. Mike Martinez
Neil Peyron vs. Gilbert Magana
Albert Hill vs.
Jim Kikuchi (808 Fight Factory)

Source: ADCC

Two more Pride Matches announced

Kevin Randleman will be facing off against Quinton Jackson at the Next Pride event on March 16th. Both fighters are extremely strong and it will be a step up in competition for both fighters. Jackson is coming off a big win against "Ice Cold" Igor Vovchanchyn and Randleman against a subpar Kenichi Yamamoto. This match looks to be very competitive on paper and one of the highlights on the card for the American fans. Dan Henderson will also be on the card against Shungo Oyama, who lost his last fight to Ryan Gracie via Armbar. The Armbar injured Oyama putting him out of action for a while and he will be facing an uphill battle in Dan Henderson. Henderson must be relieved he isnt fighting any Heavyweight Champions on short notice this time around. Look for Dan to control early and often. An interesting side note is that both competitors trained at Millenia Jiu Jitsu in California for various periods of time. Now they will be facing each other in the Pride Arena. Sakuraba is also rumored to be on the card but his opponent is still unknown.

Source: MMA Ring Report

DIN THOMAS Interview (part 2)

In part 1 we heard Din’s thoughts on the next UFC and Matt Serra. Din fights Matt at the UFC 41 “Onslaught”. In this part Din talks about the American Top Team and the 155 division as a whole.

KM: What is your perspective on the American Top Team? DT: Just watch out, American Top Team is doing big things this year. We’ve been pretty much destroying everybody in the South.

KM: Dustin Denes and Hermes Franca have been fighting in HOOKnSHOOT in Indiana but how many people go out to Indiana to see that. At HOOKnSHOOT in Florida in December we saw a couple more like Boca. DT: We have a plethora of guys who do nothing and care nothing else in the world except to fight. The good thing about it is they’re all pretty new to the game and they are all like sponges, all learning the right way. They all come from a jiu-jitsu background but they are all open to learn everything. We box and kickbox and everything is under the eye of Ricardo Liborio who is a genius, a wizard when it comes to fighting. Everything we do is very detailed and specific and I don’t think there is any team in the world that has what we have. We’re all still pretty new so the potential is limitless. I’m telling you, in the next couple of years it’s going to be ridiculous how fast we row. Right now everybody thinks of Miletich. Miletich has the squad right now but you’ll see.

KM: I still track Miletich Martial Arts more than others but I’ve got my eye on Millennia Jiu-Jitsu in California and American Top Team. I think it’s going to get interesting as we get to the point of you guys taking on each other of which of these two is going to be the next Miletich Martial Arts. DT: I’ve heard a lot about Millennia and they seem to be going in the right direction too. I think with the amount of guys we got just in the room in one day it’s crazy, bananas, really impressive. After a session you go ‘wow, look at all these guys, these guys are for real, it’s no joke’.

KM: How many ATT people normally fight at 155? I thought you were the only one and then Hermes fights at 145. DT: (Hermes) fluctuates; he can go from 155 to 145. We also have Edson Denes and Marcus Aurelio. We have the four of us at 155 and every day we battle.

KM: What is Dustin “Clean” Denes fighting at now? DT: 185. He has a fight coming up in Shooto in a couple weeks.

KM: The next Shooto? DT: The next Shooto, yeah. I’ll tell you what, Clean is just the most intense, serious guy when it comes to fighting I’ve ever met. I can’t believe how intense this guy is.

KM: He always comes off so focused and methodical. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him change his facial reaction. He’s just so flawless; he’ll grab a position and not let it go, keeps working it. You are more familiar with Boca then me. I remember last time I saw you in Florida you were saying ‘keep and eye on Boca’. DT: Yeah, Boca. A monster. We call him Frankenstein; he just strolls forward and when he grabs you it feels like a bear.

KM: Isn’t he 170? DT: I think right now he’s about 185.

KM: American Top Team isn’t known as much for the Heavyweights. DT: Our biggest guys are in the 205 range. With the exception of Wade Rome but Wade I wouldn’t say is one of the serious guys. He’s got the 9-5 and isn’t looking to make big things happen. He’s still doing his thing with grappling and everything.

KM: Following your career for the past couple of years until last year when you joined up with the ATT you were pretty much a loner as far as training, not really affiliated with a team until the ATT. How does it feel to have found a home and be part of the ATT? DT: It feels good to have support and the backing, not having to worry about if a guy is going to show up for practice one day, this guy being hurt…I’m just a pawn in the game now instead of the king. I show up to practice and I do my thing and I know in practice every day there are going to be about twenty guys there waiting to beat me up as opposed to before I had to teach class and maybe I couldn’t get some training in and it was really hard to focus.

KM: Who is your biggest challenge in training? DT: Honestly, Hermes Franca.

KM: It seems like you are in the lowest division that have enough fighters around to make a division on a large scale. We don’t have enough 145s… DT: That’s true. That’s very true. I could name like six guys.

KM: How does it feel to fight in the lightest class supportable when most promoters seem to favor the Heavyweights? DT: I think it kind of sucks and it is kind of disrespectful. Even at 155 I think the top guys at 155 could hang with the guys at 170 and even 185. I think it’s kind of disrespectful to us as 155ers.

KM: It seems like there is still the perspective that the Heavyweights draw the crowds and give the most money to the Heavyweights and the headline bout and all that. I prefer the 155s and 170s myself. DT: The thing that sucks about it is the only reason why the Heavyweights draw the most crowds is because the promoters put more money into those guys. They are the ones on the posters. UFC sometimes will put the lighter guys on the poster and everything but for the most part all you see is the big guys and the big guys never really do anything exciting. I would think that if the promotions start promoting the smaller guys a little bit more it would be a lot better because those fights are always better.

KM: Now that Yves Edwards is signed to fight in the next UFC which should be at 155 do you think that view is changing? Are the 155s starting to get the recognition they deserve or am I just jumping to the wrong conclusion? DT: The UFC, they do promote us a little bit and they are giving us a chance. I do think that in the future as people start to see more 155ers they’re going to start demanding it and it’s inevitable we’re going to get the respect that we deserve.

KM: With the attention right now on Duane Ludwig and Yves coming back, both predominantly known as strikers, but either Penn or Uno would hold the belt if given the choice who would you like to fight next? DT: I never really think about that.

KM: Whoever they put in front of you? DT: Realistically. It’s not like I can say ‘I want to fight this guy because he matches up well’. It never works out that way because everybody has strong points. In a fight anything can happen so it doesn’t really matter.

KM: How is dinthomas.com going? Any changes coming? DT: Yeah, Yeah. As a matter of fact I’m thinking of getting my little brother to work on the site.

KM: Are we going to see more videos or merchandise? DT: Hopefully we’ll get more videos and merchandise. Right now it’s just hard for me to find time to do anything. Within the next couple of weeks with the UFC coming up with people seeing me they’ll want to go to my site. By that time I’m going to have to start making some changes because right now my site’s a little dull.

KM: I was wondering if you were going to do anything to capitalize on that timing. DT: Absolutely, I have to. Gotta be a little bit more professional about that.

KM: Are you still running your own gym? DT: In Orlando. Mike Black has got that. He’s pretty much taking care of that for me. I really appreciate Mike because he understands at first and foremost I’m going to be a fighter and to fight I have to train and to train I have to train with the best. The best happens to be down here. I just have to do what I have to do and he understands that.

The UFC’s next live PPV event is UFC 41: Onslaught at 10 p.m.EST/7 p.m.PST Friday, February 28, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. Locate Ultimate Fighting Championship on the internet at www.ufc.tv.

Source: ADCC

Sanderson one of five finalists
for the 2002 AAU James E. Sullivan Award


With Full Credit to USA Wrestling

Sanderson one of five finalists for the 2002 AAU James E. Sullivan Award

ORLANDO, Fla. - The Amateur Athletic Union today announced the that Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) is one of five finalists for he 2002 AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award. Known as the ' Oscar' of the sports awards, the AAU Sullivan Award honors the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States.

The 2002 AAU Sullivan Award Finalists are: Cael Sanderson, Wrestling; Natalie Coughlin, swimming; Sarah Hughes, Figure Skating; Apolo Anton Ohno, Speed skating and Chris Waddell, Paralympic athlete Skiing and Track and Field. The presentation to the recipient will be held on March 18th, 2003 at 7:00 pm in the New York Athletic Club following a dinner reception for the five finalists.

'What an amazing array of athletes this year's group of finalists represent. These are the best of the best in amateur athletics,' said Bobby Dodd, AAU President. 'We could not be more proud of these fine young athletes. They uphold the true values and ideals of the award and the AAU with their outstanding athletic performances, coupled with their fine display of honor and integrity in every day life.'

Sanderson will have the opportunity to become the fourth wrestler to win the prestigious AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award. John Smith (1990), Bruce Baumgartner (1995) and Rulon Gardner (2000) have also won the award.

Sanderson was a member of the 2002 U.S. Freestyle World Team at 185 lbs. In 2001, he also qualified for a spot on the World Team, but forfeited his spot to complete his senior year of college after the Sep. 11 World Trade Center attacks postponed the World Championships set to be held in New York City in late September.

This year, Sanderson was once again unable to compete in the World Championships after a credible threat was made to the U.S. team. The event was slated to be held in Tehran, Iran.

Sanderson capped off an amazing 2002 by winning his fourth NCAA Division I title. His career record of 159-0 is tops on the Iowa State Univ. career wins list and he became the first collegiate wrestler ever to win four NCAA titles and go undefeated for his career. His season ended with him being named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler for the fourth consecutive year and he captured his third Dan Hodge Award, given to the nation's top collegiate wrestler annually. Both accomplishments were firsts in college wrestling.

'It is an honor to be mentioned with so many great athletes and Olympic heroes,' Sanderson said. 'I feel blessed to have been able to accomplish the things I have. It is always nice to be recognized for your hard work and accomplishments, and I am sure the others up for this award feel the same way as well.'

Sanderson will compete this weekend in the Titan Games in San Jose, Calif. He will wrestle against six-time World and Olympic medalist Yoel Romero of Cuba.

A voting body of over 800 members narrowed the field of finalists from 11 to the top five for the 73rd Annual AAU James E. Sullivan Memorial Award, based on the qualities of leadership, character, sportsmanship, and the ideals of amateurism.

The AAU Sullivan Award goes far beyond athletic accomplishments and honors those who have shown strong moral character. It has been presented annually by the AAU since 1930 as a salute to founder and past president of the Amateur Athletic Union, and a pioneer in amateur sports, James E. Sullivan.

Source: ADCC

MARC LAIMON

ADCC: How have you been? Marc: Very good, thank you.

ADCC: You have had many great matches during the last year, what was your most memorable one? Marc: I'd have to say the Dale, Jr., was the most memorable.

ADCC: Tell us your thoughts on that controversial match with Clemente. Marc: I have never seen anything like that before. I tell all my students to go for the tap and not let the judges decide, but I guess even that doesn't work sometimes. I made him tap!!! I have the tape you can see the match at www.onthemat.com Video tape does not lie!!!

ADCC: Will you be going to the ADCC Championships in May? Marc: I would love to have the opportunity to fight in ADCC again. I just hope I get an invitation

ADCC: If you do receive an invitation, What will be your strategy this time compared to last? Marc: Last event I lost to Cacareco by minus 1 for jumping the guard. He never came close to passing, and I felt I was more aggressive, but the way the rules are I lost. I have been working on my wrestling, which has been slowly improving to help in this type of competition. I also have a few new tricks to unveil if I am invited.

ADCC: Do you have any MMA plans in the near future? Marc: I only train MMA Fighters. I am not a fighter. I only fight on Dead or Alive 3 for Xbox. I am the man at that. No One can beat me!!! I also ruin peoples lives in Halo. I have an open challenge to anyone out there. Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, I will smash you in DOA 3 or Halo, you pick it.

ADCC: Any last comments? Marc: Even though I feel I get some 'questionable' calls when I compete, I love this game. I want the sport to grow! A competitor only has a limited time to compete, but a lifetime to watch and enjoy the sport. I hope people can get the politics out of these competitions, and set rules to help push the sport into the mainstream. It may not be in my lifetime, but hopefully a strong foundation will be laid for future competitors and fans alike. Thank you for the interview Frank.

Source: ADCC

2/12/03

Quote of the Day

Optimisn is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other

Brian Tracy

Warriors Of The Ring II

Maui War Memorial Gymnasium
Wailuku, Maui
February 16, 2003

Warriors of the Ring returns for their second event this Sunday, so get your tickets today because the event is only 4 days away.

Preliminary Bouts (tentative card):

1. Scott Tam (Maui Full Contact) vs. Charles Hendrickson (Freelance)

2. Ednor Lat (Maui Full Contact) vs. Robert Billianor (Lockdown Unlimited)

3. Keola Cabalero (Wailuku Kickboxing) vs. John Nerveza Jr. (Bulls Pen)

4. Lucky Keefner (Maui Full Contact) vs. Paulo Lupi (Brazilian Freestyle J.J.)

5. Patrick Clark vs. To be announced opponent

Co-Main Event:
6. Anthony Billianor (Lockdown Unlimited) vs. Palmer Fuga (Kona Boxing Club)

Main Event:
7. J.R. Baraldon (Maui Full Contact) vs. Tien Nguyen (Wailuku Kickboxing)

Source: Event Promoter

Pacific Fighting Championships
Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, Hawaii
April 17, 2003

The PFC has just released a tentative fight card. Expect a lot of knockouts because almost every fighter on the card is a boxer or kickboxer, so you know that leather is going to fly. Tickets for the inaugural PFC event will go on sale on March 1st, at the Blaisdell box office. Music group Ka’uka will also be performing. Get your tickets early because it will be held under the stars at the Waikiki Shell, where seating is limited.

170lbs
PJ Dean (Waianae Boxing Club/Hard Knocks, AFC 2 Champion)
Vs.
John Naole (HMC)

205lbs
Roman Paris (Team Nanakuli)
Vs.
James Kepa (Bulls Pen)

155lbs
John Kukahiko (Kokenkan)
Vs.
Neal Andres (HMC)

Heavyweight
Pasi Fa’amui (Professional Training Center)
Vs.
Sonny Leiutu (Waianae Boxing Club/Hard Knocks)

170lbs
Deshaun Johnson
Vs.
TBA

145lbs
John Naraveva (Bulls Pen)
Vs.
Lyndon Patricio (Westbrook Kickboxing)

170lbs
Blake Hottenberg (Kodenkan)
Vs.
Jaime Gelapia (Bulls Pen)

155lbs
Josh Colleon (Kodenkan)
Vs.
Jerome Kekumu (Hard Knocks)

145lbs
James Rumler (Professional Training Center)
Vs.
Zack Rapal (Waianae Boxing Club/Hard Knocks)

160lbs
Craig Park (Hard Knocks)
Vs.
Kepa Riveira (Professional Training Center)

Source: PFC Matchmaker

Steven Seagal Takes Witness Stand at Mob Trial

This is a confirmation of part of the documentary on Steven Seagal that just aired this past week on E!. It was E!'s True Hollywood Story: Steven Seagal.

NEW YORK - Action film star Steven Seagal testified Tuesday that a crew of alleged mobsters demanded that he make movies with them -- or else.

As he left a 2000 meeting with the men, Seagal claimed one told him, "If you would have said the wrong thing, they would have killed you."

Seagal was called as a government witness at the racketeering trial of Peter Gotti, brother of the late crime boss John Gotti, and other reputed gangsters.

Authorities say Seagal -- known for his martial-arts moves in films like Under Siege and Exit Wounds -- was a victim of a bid by the Gambino crime family to infiltrate the film industry for profit.

Prosecutors say Seagal, 50, was extorted after a falling-out with his former business partner, Julius Nasso, an alleged Gambino associate.

The actor testified that he was menaced by defendant Anthony "Sonny" Ciccone, who allegedly demanded the actor pay the Gambinos $150,000 for each movie he made with Nasso.

"Look at me when I talk to you," Seagal quoted Ciccone as saying during one shakedown. "We're proud people. ... Work with Jules and we'll split the pie."

He testified he tried to "buy time" by agreeing to reunite with Nasso: "These were people who were not going to let it go."

Prosecutors say wiretaps caught Nasso being instructed to demand money from the actor. In a bugged VIP room at a Brooklyn restaurant in 2001, the suspects could be overheard chuckling over how "petrified" Seagal looked at a meeting, prosecutors said.

The actor told jurors he has a license to carry a handgun and had gone to the meeting armed.
"In New York, I always carry a gun," he said.

Defense attorneys deny any threats were made, saying Nasso was always businesslike in seeking to get Seagal to repay $500,000 he loaned the actor for taxes. In his opening statement last month, defense attorney George Santangelo called Seagal "a pathological liar."

On Tuesday, Santangelo asked Seagal if he once tried to hire a former CIA operative to kill someone.
"This is insane," Seagal shot back before the judge struck the question. "I'm not on trial here."
Seagal also testified that he never asked authorities to protect him from the mob.

"I'm a movie star," he said. "If you want to keep making movies, you don't want to start a war with these people.

Source: Associated Press


Steven Seagal Is 'Under Siege' in Court
By Katie Cornell Smith

NEW YORK — Action star Steven Seagal could come Under Siege today after a federal judge yesterday left the door open for two reputed mobsters' lawyers to grill him on his various legal entanglements.

"I'm going to keep some restraints so this does not turn into a media spectacle," Brooklyn federal Judge Frederic Block ruled yesterday. "I'm going to try and keep things cool."

Seagal, who is set to take the witness stand Tuesday, claims his former film producer teamed up with a crew of wiseguys in a $3 million shakedown scheme. Since the start of this case, defense lawyers have branded Seagal a "pathological liar."

"He has the appearance of a history of attacking people or threatening people who he perceives as a threat," said Richard Levitt, lawyer for Primo Cassarino, a reputed wiseguy on trial for extortion with alleged capo Anthony "Sonny" Ciccone.

Block said he would allow cross-examination on a suit Seagal has filed against the "German mafia," thwarting prosecutors' attempts to stop defense lawyers from suggesting that Seagal likes to feign victimization.

But Levitt and Ciccone's lawyer, George Santangelo, will not likely be permitted to grill Seagal on his ties to a private eye in L.A. who has allegedly threatened journalists reporting on the New York case.
Source: NY Post

Source: Fox News

Luca's Column: The SUPER DOG!

The crew of Continental Airlines is used to a blond, muscular customer who checks in alone for flight #9 departing from Newark, NJ to Narita, Tokyo. Last Monday, with a mask covering his eyes and two bottles of water stuffed into his seat pockets, he would lay for nearly 14 hours, refusing all meals.

His boarding pass had the name Ricardo Almeida on it, and the customer with these “freaky” habits, the one known as Big Dog, acts like that for a reason: this Sunday the 16th of February, at Pancrase's event scheduled for Osaka, Japan, he will face Japanese star Ikuhisa Minowa, and his discipline prior TO a fight includes a lot of rest and NO plane food (sigh!).

A very technical and well rounded fighter, Big Dog is an awesome athlete as well. We caught up with Martin Rooney, the Managing Director of the Parisi Speed School (in NJ). Martin is Ricardo’s conditioning guru, and he gave us some inside information about the Big Dog's body and mind for this important duel.

ADCC - How is Ricardo’s shape this time?
Martin Rooney - He is in the best shape ever. Every fight he continues to
improve physically and mentally. Physically, he is much stronger in the legs for this fight. We have focused a lot of the training here, since this is a very important area to be strong with against Minowa. Ricardo is 200 pounds and solid. He continues to put on muscle and his improved legs are a big part of the weight gain.

ADCC – You said he improved mentally too. How?
Martin - We focused a lot on the mental aspect as well. We have been working on training from a top sports psychologist for sharpening mental toughness. Ricardo is now much more in control of his emotions for the fight which makes him even harder to beat.

ADCC – What was his routine before he left?
Martin - The week before the fight we did less volume, but higher intensity exercises that helped Ricardo to see his improvements and to keep him fresh. We worked snatches, heavy med ball throws, sprints, and a lot of core work. Ricardo is also working heavily on his fight game with a lot of time spent on boxing, muay htai and of course grappling under Renzo Gracie. Ricardo is ready, and Japan is going to see it.

ADCC – Any special care considering the time difference and the tiresome trip?
Martin - As for jet lag, Ricardo is used to the time change and knows what to do. He makes sure he drinks plenty of water the whole flight, and rests over the trip. He gets there a week before the fight to acclimate to the time change, and has the proper supplements with him to fight stress and immunity issues.

Come on readers, I want interaction! Keep sending me short anecdotes, curious stories or questions, critiques, opinions, preferences etc. I will try and develop my column with the most wanted stuff from right here in Brazil. Let’s work together. React!

my contact is lucaatalla@hotmail.com

Source: ADCC

Leozinho Wins in Japan

Master Team's Leozinho Vieira competed in the Professional Jiu-Jitsu League Ground Impact Zero-Two in Ariake, Japan yesterday. Leozinho defeated the tough Mitsuyoshi Hayakawa (Striple/Black) by choke at 4:12. Hayakawa is considered one of the best Black Belts in Japan having recently bested Yuki Nakai. Leozinho fought despite suffering from a serious cold and high fever. Leo somehow mustered enough will to fight and choke his opponent. Hayakawa entered the match wearing an Alliance Team patch in his Gi! Hayakawa had trained in Brazil at Alexandre Paiva's Academy and also had taken private lessons with Terere. The sight of Hayakawa with the Alliance patch infuriated the normally calm Vieira and accoring to him: 'caused me to go into hyperdrive! I choked him from the mount but still can't recall what kind of choke I used!'

In the other Superfight Nakai attempted to avenge his Worlds 2002 loss to 'Soca' Carneiro. Soca and Nakai faced each ther in the early round of the feather weight in a thrilling match. With less than a minute to go Nakai was ahead on points over Soca, but lack of experience on his part along with a gritty effort by Soca left Nakai on the losing end. This time around 'Soca' defeated Nakai by 3 advantages in a very tight match demonstrating that Japan is rapidily gaining status as a force in Jiu-Jitsu along side of Brazil and U.S.A.

More details to come including more words from Leo.

Source: Kid Peligro/ADCC

Pan Am Update

CBJJ Site Updated with 2003 Pan-Am Info:

CBJJ top brass Marcelo Siriema & Carlos Gracie Jr have informed us that the CBJJ Website has been updated with complete info on the Pan Ams along with enrollment form.

Siriema confided that this year, with the event being in California, he is expecting the largest number of competitors ever. In his words: 'This year's winners will truly be best in the Pan American Continents!'.

Additionally the CBJJ is planning to have the 1st BRAZIL X USA TEAM CHALLENGE opening the 2003 Pan American, thereby garanteeing the strongest presence of 'top' Brazilians ever in the Pan Ams. Names like Marcio 'Pe de Pano Cruz, Saulo Ribeiro, Marcio Feitosa and many others will be competing against America''s best! Don't miss out and check it out!

This event will occur on April 26th and 27th, 2003 in Santa Barbara, Ca!

Source: ADCC

UFC's Lightweight Fighter MATT SERRA

Just as UFC 40 focused on the Welterweight class, UFC 41 on February 28th in Atlantic City, NJ looks to be focused of the Lightweight class with Caol Uno taking on BJ Penn for the belt, Yves Edwards taking on Rich Clementi, and Matt Serra taking on Din Thomas. Here is part one with Renzo Gracie disciple Matt Serra, one of the toughest, fastest, most technique oriented fighters to enter the octagon regardless of weight.

KM: Before I forget what is up with your student Chris Schlesinger?
MS: Chris? He’s actually here right now training. He’s not going to be fighting mixed martial arts any time soon, he wants to concentrate on getting his stand-up better-he’s been concentrating on that a lot. I want to watch out for my guys. I think he’s going to be going to the Pan Ams this year and he’s just concentrating on the grappling circuit. The Pan Ams, maybe back to the Worlds this year.

KM: I’m keeping an eye out on him.
MS: He’s a very entertaining grappler.

KM: He seems to follow in your footsteps pretty well. MS: You’ll be seeing a lot more of him this year.

KM: One last question about Chris; last I heard a couple months ago he was going to be fighting in his first mixed martial arts show. Did he go through with that?
MS: No, what happened was his opponent dropped out.

KM: Well let him know I’m waiting for him. Speaking of which, you in the next UFC.
MS: Exciting. Very exciting.

KM: What are your thoughts on Din as an opponent?
MS: I think Din is very tough. He’s tough in a lot of different areas. I believe his strategy is going to be like most guys I fight, going to try to keep it on the feet and try to knock me out. That’s what I think he’s going to try to do. I really doubt he’ll use the same strategy he did with Uno because he knows that will be playing right into my hands. That’s okay because I always train for the worst case scenario. I’ll be prepared whether it’s on the feet or on the floor.

KM: My perception is that he seems to have a reputation for a 155 as a pretty good striker but you have the speed. There is no doubt you are faster. I think it will be a matter of speed versus power. MS: Yeah. I believe he got worn out a little bit with Uno and not taking anything from Uno because I think he’s a warrior but I think I’m more powerful and quicker and even more aggressive. He’ll have to be in really phenomenal shape because he will get pushed to the limit. I’m ready for a fifteen minute war. I’m actually having my first day off in a while tonight because I’ve really been training my ass off.

KM: Are you going to train right up to the fight or are you stopping a week or so out?
MS: I train up until the week, like four or five days right before the fight and then I’ll take off. I’ll take off when I need it like I have one day off a week.

KM: You’ve been training for this for a while so you’re not wrapping it up yet but over half way through. Are you starting to slow it down at all?
MS: I’d say I’m more than half way through. I’d say the next eighteen days are going to be rough. It’s definitely going to get harder before it gets easier.

KM: You don’t seem to cut much weight or have any problems with that.
MS: I actually do. I cut the weight but it’s so much better now. At first I was like ‘I have to walk around at 155’ but it’s nothing like that. I just get down really close to 160 and then cut the water out and put it back. I’m not a guy who cuts more than 10 lbs or anything like that like wrestlers that have been doing it all their lives. With the Dullanty fight (UFC 36) it was pretty scary because I was never used to it and I actually got dehydrated training and tore my bicep sparring like three weeks before the fight.

KM: You were saying you only cut weight the last two times you fought.
MS: Yeah, because I fought 170 before that and I walk around at 170. It’s just too much of a weight difference when I get in there because I’m not fighting guys that are 170.

KM: I finally saw your demo tape. Were you 170 for those fights?
MS: I believe for the Abu Dhabi it was the qualifiers and when I fought over there it was in kilograms but it was like 167 or something like that.

KM: This tape was two MMA bouts in a ring. I didn’t recognize the referee. I think one ended with a choke and one ended with an armbar pretty quickly. (Note: Vengeance At the Vanderbilt 7 & 11).
MS: Oh yeah, those I was fighting around 165.

KM: On the Best Of Abu Dhabi DVD I think was the qualifier.
MS: That one I think the cutoff was 168 or something like that. It was in kilograms. I won’t cut weight for a grappling tournament like Abu Dhabi or anything but with MMA I would definitely like to be my quickest and strongest and I think 155 is a great weight class.

KM: What I’m getting at is you fought around 170 before and you’ve been fighting at 155 for three shows now. Do you think 155 is your home?
MS: Again, if there was a 160 lb weight class I’d like that a lot better but there’s not so I’ll get rid of the extra 5 lbs. I’ll suffer for like a day and a half with the weight. I like fighting lighter; it just makes more sense. You have guys like Matt Hughes and Sakurai and these guys are like big dudes. I’m sure they walk around at like 190 if not or more and it’s not right. To get a guy down is hard enough and then they stand you up. I’m fighting guys more my size at 155.

KM: I prefer the 155s and the 170s because they are quick and exciting. One thing that seems odd to me lately is we are used to seeing mostly grapplers at 155 but lately we have been seeing more strikers making the news at 155 like Yves back in the UFC, Duane just knocked out Jens Pulver.
MS: With these little gloves on anybody can get caught. It’s not a boxing match. Sometimes it’s the guy who lands the better shot first. Look at Pedro Rizzo versus Gan. He’s probably got ten times better hands but the other guy landed a big straight ‘boom’ and that’s it, ended the fight. You gotta know you are one punch away from losing in there so you gotta just get the hard sparring in, the hard training.

All that hard training will pay off on February 28th when Matt Serra steps into the octagon to battle Din Thomas in UFC 41 in Atlantic City. For more information check out www.ufc.tv.

Matt Serra’s website www.serrajitsu.com has much more information on him as well as his gym, part of the Team Renzo Gracie structure.

Source: ADCC

W.I.N. Magazine’s
NCAA Division I individual wrestling rankings

Below are W.I.N. Magazine’s NCAA Division I individual wrestling rankings. The rankings are formulated on input from coaches across the country and by analyzing past results. Individuals are ranked according to placement potential at the NCAAs. To follow the weekly rankings during the season, go to our website at WIN-magazine.com.

W.I.N.’s Top Twenty-five

125 Pounds
1. Chris Fleeger - Purdue, So. (1st)
2. Travis Lee - Cornell, So. (2nd)
3. Ben Vom Baur - Boise State, Sr. (3rd)
4. Jason Powell - Nebraska, Jr. (5th)
5. A.J. Grant - Michigan, Sr. (6th)
6. Nick Simmons - Michigan State, Fr. (7th)
7. Luke Eustice - Iowa, Jr. (4th)
8. Bo Maynes - Oklahoma, Sr. (8th)
9. Tony Black - Wisconsin, Sr. (9th)
10. Skyler Holman - Oklahoma State, Sr. (10th)
11. Kyle Ott - Illinois, Fr. (11th)
12. Vic Moreno - Cal Poly, So. (12th)
13. Jordan Sianni - Pittsburgh, Fr. (13th)
14. Efram Ceballos - Cal State Bakersfield, So. (14th)
15. Rocco Mansueto - Cleveland State, Sr. (17th)
16. Matt Valenti - Penn., Fr. (18th)
17. Seth Lisa - West Virginia, Fr. (NR)
18. Chris Rodriguez - North Carolina, So. (15th)
19. George Cintron - North Carolina State, Sr. (NR)
20. Jared Opfer - Kent State, Jr. (NR)

133 Pounds
1. Johnny Thompson - Oklahoma State, Jr. (1st)
2. Ryan Lewis - Minnesota, Sr. (2nd)
3. Cliff Moore - Iowa, Jr. (3rd)
4. Zach Roberson - Iowa State, Jr. (4th)
5. Kevin Black - Wisconsin, Sr. (5th)
6. Witt Durden - Oklahoma, Sr. (7th)
7. Foley Dowd - Michigan, Jr. (6th)
8. Cory Cooperman - Lehigh, Fr. (8th)
9. Josh Moore - Penn State, Jr. (9th)
10. Mike Simpson - Arizona State, So. (10th)
11. Mark Jayne - Illinois, So. (11th)
12. Ricky LaForge - Hofstra, So. (12th)
13. Phil Mansueto - Cleveland State, Sr. (13th)
14. Rad Martinez - Clarion, Sr. (14th)
15. Jesse Brock - Boise State, Jr. (15th)
16. Evan Sola - North Carolina, So. (16th)
17. Brandon Lauer - West Virginia, So. (17th)
18. Joe Malia - Nebraska, Jr. (18th)
19. Urijah Faber - Cal-Davis, Sr. (19th)
20. Travis Drake - Appalachian State, Sr. (20th)

141 Pounds
1. Zach Esposito - Oklahoma State, Fr. (1st)
2. Teyon Ware - Oklahoma, Fr. (2nd)
3. Dylan Long - Northern Iowa, Jr. (3rd)
4. Aaron Holker - Iowa State, Sr. (4th)
5. Jason Mester - Central Michigan, Jr. (7th)
6. Dana Holland - Arizona State, Sr. (5th)
7. Mike Maney - Lock Haven, Jr. (6th)
8. Phillip Simpson - Army, So. (8th)
9. Scott Moore - Penn State, Jr. (9th)
10. Coyte Cooper - Indiana, Jr. (10th)
11. Derek Phillips - Minnesota, Sr. (11th)
12. Clinton Frease - Brown, Sr. (12th)
13. Gabe Vigil - Boise State, Sr. (13th)
14. J.P. Reese - Missouri, Sr. (14th)
15. Jeff Ratliff - Ohio State, Jr. (16th)
16. Doug McGraw - Penn, So. (17th)
17. Cory Ace - Edinboro, Sr. (18th)
18. Shane Cunanan - West Virginia, Sr. (19th)
19. Josh Wooten - Northern Illinois (20th)
20. Luke Moffitt - Iowa, Sr. (15th)

149 Pounds
1. Eric Larkin - Arizona State, Sr. (1st)
2. Jared Lawrence - Minnesota, Sr. (2nd)
3. Jesse Jantzen - Harvard, Jr. (3rd)
4. Jake Percival - Ohio, So. (4th)
5. Jerrod Sanders - Oklahoma State, Sr. (5th)
6. Collin Robertson - Boise State, Sr. (6th)
7. Jeremy Spates - Missouri, Jr. (7th)
8. Travis Schufelt - Nebraska, So. (8th)
9. Dustin Manotti - Cornell, Fr. (9th)
10. Ryan Churella - Michigan, Fr. (14th)
11. Karl Nadolsky - Michigan State, Sr. (10th)
12. Jon Masa - Hofstra, So. (11th)
13. Billy Smith - West Virginia, Jr. (13th)
14. Ty Eustice - Iowa, Fr. (12th)
15. Jody Giuricich - Penn, So. (15th)
16. Ty Morgan - Central Michigan, Jr. (16th)
17. Justin Giovinco - Pittsburgh, Sr. (18th)
18. Tony Overstake - Oregon, Sr. (19th)
19. Anthony Coleman - Cleveland State, Jr. (20th)
20. Dan Jankowski - Purdue, Sr. (NR)

157 Pounds
1. Keaton Anderson - Ohio State, Sr. (1st)
2. Luke Becker - Minnesota, Sr. (2nd)
3. Scott Owen - Northern Illinois, Sr. (3rd)
4. Shane Roller - Oklahoma State, Sr. (4th)
5. Gray Maynard - Michigan State, Sr. (6th)
6. Ryan Bertin - Michigan, So. (5th)
7. Derek Zink - Lehigh, Fr. (7th)
8. Joe Johnston - Iowa, Fr. (8th)
9. Alex Tirapelle - Illinois, Fr. (9th)
10. Derek Jenkins - Rider, Sr. (10th)
11. Kenny Burleson - Misouri, Sr. (12th)
12. Rocky Smart - Arizona State, Sr. (13th)
13. Dave Bolyard - Central Michigan, So. (11th)
14. Nate Wachter - Penn State, Sr. (14th)
15. Mike Tolar - Kent State, Jr. (15th)
16. George Carter - Bloomsburg, Sr. (16th)
17. Mike Patrovich - Hofstra, Fr. (17th)
18. Adam Britt - VMI, Sr. (18th)
19. Tim Foley - Virginia, Sr. (19th)
20. Matt Gentry - Stanford, So. (20th)

165 Pounds
1. Matt Lackey - Illinois, Sr. (1st)
2. Tyrone Lewis - Oklahoma State, Jr. (2nd)
3. Troy Letters - Lehigh, Fr. (3rd)
4. John Clark - Ohio State, Jr. (4th)
5. Jacob Volkmann - Minnesota, Jr. (5th)
6. Tyrone Woodley - Missouri, So. (7th)
7. Nick Passolano - Iowa State, So. (6th)
8. Kevin Carr - Central Michigan, Sr. (8th)
9. Oscar Santiago - Purdue, Sr. (9th)
10. Noel Thompson - Hofstra, Sr. (10th)
11. Levi Provost - Wyoming, Sr. (12th)
12. Matt Palmer - Columbia, Fr. (16th)
13. Chris Vecchio - Penn State, Sr. (11th)
14. Nick Nemeth - Kent State, Sr. (13th)
15. Nick Frost - Arizona State, So. (14th)
16. Mike Kulczycki - Michigan, Sr. (15th)
17. Drew Kelly - Northern Iowa, Jr. (17th)
18. Matt King - Edinboro, Jr. (18th)
19. Jacob Klein - Michigan State, Fr. (20th)
20. Sean Jenkins - Brown, Sr. (NR)

174 Pounds
1. Greg Jones - West Virginia, So. (1st)
2. Chris Pendleton - Oklahoma State, So. (2nd)
3. Tyler Nixt - Iowa, Jr. (3rd)
4. Robbie Waller - Oklahoma, Sr. (4th)
5. Ryan Lange - Purdue, Jr. (8th)
6. Eric Hauan - Northern Iowa, So. (5th)
7. Blake Kaplan - Ohio State, Jr. (6th)
8. Brian Glynn - Illinois, So. (7th)
9. Brad Dillon - Lehigh, Jr. (9th)
10. Travis Pascoe - Nebraska, So. (10th)
11. Shane Webster - Oregon, So. (11th)
12. Eddie Gifford - Fresno State, Sr. (12th)
13. Curtis Owen - Arizona State, Sr. (13th)
14. Josh McClay - Minnesota, So. (14th)
15. Ralph Everett - Hofstra, Jr. (15th)
16. Mark Fee - Appalachian State, Sr. (16th)
17. Hunter Guenot - Bloomsburg, Sr. (17th)
18. Carl Fronhoffer - Pittsburgh, Sr. (18th)
19. Rashaad Evans - Michigan State, Sr. (20th)
20. Matt Herrington - Pennsylvania, Fr. (19th)

184 Pounds
1. Clint Wattenberg - Cornell, Sr. (2nd)
2. Jessman Smith - Iowa, Sr. (1st)
3. Greg Parker - Princeton, Sr. (3rd)
4. Josh Lambrecht - Oklahoma, Sr. (4th)
5. Scott Barker - Missouri, Jr. (5th)
6. Mark Becks - Penn State, Sr. (6th)
7. Gerald Harris - Cleveland State, Sr. (7th)
8. Ben Heizer - Northern Illinois, Sr. (8th)
9. Ralph DeNisco - Wisconsin, Jr. (9th)
10. Austin Palmer - Iowa State, Sr. (10th)
11. Ty Matthews - Indiana, Sr. (11th)
12. Travis Frick - Lehigh, Fr. (13th)
13. Jake Rosholt - Oklahoma State, Fr. (12th)
14. B.J. Padden - Nebraska, Fr. (14th)
15. Ryan Wilman - West Virginia, So. (15th)
16. Jordan Holm - Northern Iowa, So. (16th)
17. Scott Justus - Virginia Tech, Sr. (17th)
18. Jake Stork - Maryland, Sr. (18th)
19. Dusty Heist - North Carolina, So. (19th)
20. Pete Friedl - Illinois, Fr. (NR)

197 Pounds
1. Jon Trenge - Lehigh, Jr. (1st)
2. Justin Ruiz - Nebraska, So. (3rd)
3. Muhammad Lawal - Oklahoma State, Sr. (2nd)
4. Chris Skretkowicz - Hofstra, So. (5th)
5. Dave Shunamon - Edinboro, Sr. (4th)
6. Anthony Reynolds - Sacred Heart, Sr. (6th)
7. Nik Fekete - Michigan State, Sr. (7th)
8. Damion Hahn - Minnesota, Jr. (8th)
9. Anton Talamantes - Ohio State, Sr. (9th)
10. Pat Degain - Indiana, So. (10th)
11. Chris Jones - Drexel, Jr. (11th)
12. Eric Mausser - Clarion, Sr. (12th)
13. David Schenk - Cal Poly, Sr. (13th)
14. Tom Grossman - Oklahoma, Sr. (14th)
15. Ryan Fulsaas - Iowa, Jr. (15th)
16. Kyle Smith - Michigan, Sr. (16th)
17. Morgan Horner - Lock Haven, Fr. (19th)
18. Sean Stender - Northern Iowa, So. (17th)
19. Matt Greenberg - Cornell, Sr. (18th)
20. Tyrone Byrd - Illinois, So. (20th)

Heavyweight
1. Steve Mocco - Iowa, So. (1st)
2. Tommy Rowlands - Ohio State, Jr. (2nd)
3. Kevin Hoy - Air Force, Sr. (3rd)
4. Kellan Fluckiger - Arizona State, Sr. (4th)
5. Paul Hynek - Northern Iowa, Sr. (5th)
6. Boe Rushton - Boise State, Sr. (6th)
7. Garrett Lowney - Minnesota, Jr. (7th)
8. Pat Cummins - Penn State, Jr. (8th)
9. Matt Feast - Penn, So. (9th)
10. John Testa - Clarion, Sr. (10th)
11. Andy Bowlby - Oregon State, Sr. (12th)
12. Greg Wagner - Michigan, Fr. (11th)
13. Brent Miller - West Virginia, So. (13th)
14. Joe Sahl - Lehigh, Jr. (14th)
15. Kevin Herron - Missouri, Sr. (15th)
16. Tomas Rodriguez - Kent State, Fr. (16th)
17. Justin Staebler - Wisconsin, Sr. (17th)
18. William Gruenwald - Oklahoma State, So. (18th)
19. Russ Davie - Cleveland State, Jr. (19th)
20. Brad Steele - Wyoming, Sr. (20th)

Source: ADCC

2/11/03

Quote of the Day

Lack of forgiveness causes almost all of our self-sabotaging behavior.

Mark Victor Hansen

Fighters' Club TV Tonight!

Due to popular demand, Fighters' Club TV episode VII will reair on ch. 52:

February 11 (TUE), 8:00 pm
February 18 (TUE), 8:00 pm
February 25 (TUE), 8:30 pm.

Episode VII features:

Your favorite 2 MMA hosts (Mike O. & Mark K.)
Superbrawl 25 highlights featuring:
-Eddie Yagin vs. Jin Kazeta (+intv w/ Eddie)
-Barret Yoshida vs. Jason Bress
-Egan Inoue vs. Martin de Jong (+intv w/ Egan re: fight analysis/retirement/his future)

Chris Onzuka will be making his FCTV debut as roving reporter conducting the interviews.

Technique of the Week: UFC, PRIDE, & Pro-Wrestling Champion, Don "The Predator" Frye
And, a FCTV exclusive interview with Superbrawl Promoter T. Jay Thompson regarding the mysterious ring announcer, Tommy Dakota.

Any comments or suggestion--like us, hate us, want to feature more pretty sheelas.

Also, if you see us in a store or at the mall, stop by and say what's up and that you watch the show. We're just your average MMA hosts trying to make a living on no pay.

Contact us:
markk@flex.com

Tuesday Night Fights at Gussies

Didn't have enough MMA action on Saturday night at Super Brawl? Think you are at least as good as the fighters in the ring or just want to see what it is like to participate in a MMA match? Come down to Gussies (near the airport, the birthplace of MMA in Hawaii) and try your luck.

Fight Time: 8:00 pm
Time Limit: Three One-Minute Rounds
Level: Amateur MMA Fighters only
Cost: $5 cover, but it is free if you fight.
Gi or No Gi competitors allowed.

Egan Inoue's Super Brawl Fight is Online!

Check out Egan Inoue versus a very game and talented Yukiya Naito at www.superbrawltv.com

For login info, email:
thn@pixelworld.net

thehawaiinetwork

Arnold Classic -- Gracie Worlds UPDATE

As you all know, we are only a few weeks away from the Arnold Classic -- Gracie Worlds competition! We have over 58 different teams competing this year to go along with some of the most accomplished grapplers on the PLANET! This years event looks to be "The Best Grappling event Ever held in North America!" Please don't forget that the Schwarzenegger fitness expo, which we are a part of, has approximately 75,000 to 85,000 people in attendance each day with over 10,000 different athletes competing in a multitude of sports. Please come prepared for this! That said, there are a few items that I want to pass on to everyone:

Hotel Rooms -- Please contact our tournament travel agent at 1-800-801-4481 and ask for "Michelle." They have a complete list of area hotels for the competition and can get great rates on airfare! Please leave your name and number if you get their voicemail, and remember, Michelle is on pacific time.

Men's Amateur No-Gi -- We have added NEW weight classes to this event. They are:
155 and under
156lbs. to 171lbs.
172lbs. to 187lbs.
188lbs. to 203lbs.
204lbs. to 219lbs.
220lbs. and over

We have also given the competitors who are just doing the No-Gi competition the option of weighing in on Saturday, March 1st between 10:00AM and 4:00PM.

Tournament Coverage -- Ultimate Athlete Magazine and Grappling Magazine will be at the event. Also, Schwarzenegger/Lorimar Productions has made a deal with Fox Sports to cover all the events at the Fitness Expo to include our competition!

Mats for Sale -- Zebra Mat Company will be supplying the mats again at this years competition! All of the tournament mats will be on sale at a discounted price. Each individual mat will sell for $95.00 each. Please contact Tom of Zebra Mats at 1-800-989-8085 to place your order.

Special Guests -- This year Tito Ortiz and Carlos Newton will be in the house!

Gracie Seminar -- Relson Gracie along with his brother Rolker Gracie will be conducting a seminar on Friday, February the 28th from 7:00PM to 9:00PM. We are also planning on having a few more of the Gracie clan in attendance!

Sponsor -- This competition would not continue to grow if we didn't have great sponsors. One of our sponsors, who must go unnamed, has made our Pro event a huge success each year. I just wanted to thank him for all of all of the support!
Another sponsor, who I can name, is GLC. This company has been supporting our event over the past couple of years. Please check out their website at GLCDIRECT.com!

T-Shirts and other goodies -- Finisher Fight wear will be supplying all of the competition t-shirts for this years event! The first 400 athletes will receive a free t-shirt. Ultimate Athlete magazine will be handing out 400 Pride Playstation II games
and Magazines. Finally, just a reminder to all of the competitors. You will receive a weekend pass for the Schwarzenegger Fitness Expo. Make sure you take one of the free bags they give you at the door. The fitness/nutrition vendors give you a bunch of free stuff, "enough to fill up several bags full."

More updates to come!

John Cooper
Tournament Director
1-800-765-6999
www.GracieWorlds.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HMAIS WORLD MARTIAL ARTS
CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR KICKS OFF

February 6, 2003 , The Hawaii Martial Arts International Society announced today the official
opening of their 2003-2004 tournament season and the 2003-2004 HMAIS World Martial Arts Championship Tour.

This years events (2003-2004 Season), will consist of State, Regional, and International Conferences, martial arts tournament qualifiers, along with the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society "HMAIS" World Championships Tournament. Our purpose is to promote "Martial Arts Sporting" competitions that are both Sanctioned and Rated by the "HMAIS". During our 2003-2004 competition year, each "COMPETITOR" (Who is a member of the "HMAIS", and who competes in our "HMAIS" Sanctioned & Rated" events), will accumulate "Division Points" per tournament placing or win, will compete for "Seeded Placements", in our upcoming "HMAIS" Tournament Conference events and each will strive to achieve "HMAIS World Champion" status in their respective divisions, at the end of our tournament season.

At the completion of our tournament season, the "HMAIS" will honor our very best competitors with our coveted "HMAIS World Champion" awards, at our Annual HMAIS Awards Banquet. That this year is taking place in Las Vegas Nevada on July 12, 2003

The first tournament of the 2003-2004 season, will be the "HMAIS Presidents Tournament", which will be held at the luxurious Sahara Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas Nevada, on July 13th, 2003, this is the day after the who's who in martial arts "HMAIS Hall of Fame Awards Banquet". The Martial Arts Sporting Competitions will consist of the following, Open Martial Arts (Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, etc), Mixed Martial Arts "Team" (Pankration, Sports Jiu Jitsu, Sambo, Judo, Greco-Roman, etc) and Filipino Stick Fighting and Sayaw (Forms).

"This seasons events should prove to be extremely exciting, with the new additions and having the event take place in Las Vegas just adds to the excitement for not only the competitors but for the spectators and the society members. I have to thank Professor Jody Perry,Grandmaster Dano Meadows and all the members for all the work they have put into the 2003-2004 season, that is what is going to make this tournament so great" Stated "HMAIS" Chairman Professor Jaime Abregana Jr.

For those tournament promoters interested in becoming a part of the "HMAIS Santioning and Ratings" please contact Grandmaster Dano Meadows at jadedragon@sympatico.ca. The "HMAIS" is always looking to expand into new markets worldwide, so feel free to inquire about becoming part of the "HMAIS" and finding out all the benefits that come with it.

If you want to join the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society feel free to visit the "HMAIS" website at www.hmasociety.com.

Go to www.karatekidzonline.com/community to view past news announcements

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Professor Jaime Abregana Jr, GM Dano Meadows
Hawaii Martial Arts International Society
Ewa HI USA
Email:
hmasociety@yahoo.com
Web:
http://www.hmaisociety.com

Source: Jaime Abregana

Extreme Challenge 49: QUICK RESULTS

Davenport, Iowa - Jay Buck beat odds favorite Brendan Seguin to win the first qualifier in the Middleweight tournament series. Both fighters made it all the way through the tournament showing great striking and wrestling with Buck actually taking one minute more to finish his first bout of the evening and four more to finish his second. Although there was an alternate bout in case of injury the winner Spencer Fisher wasn’t needed in the tournament.

Even though Seguin lost in the finals he is still on his way with Buck to Hawaii May 9th for the finals in SuperBrawl 24 where they will both face the top two winners of the EC50 tournament later this month and four other invitees including Joe Doerkson. Chances are since Fisher won the alternate bout but wasn’t included in the actual tournament there is a good chance he will get one of the spots in Hawaii but nothing is decided at this time.

- Jay Buck def Ryan Stout 1:48 r2 by guillotine choke
- Kyle Jensen def Dennis Reed 2:20 r2 by TKO
- Jonathan Goulet def Jason Rigsby :08 r1 by KO (kick)
- Brenden Seguin def Leo Sylvest :46 r2 by neck crank
- Spencer Fisher def Kurt Illeman 1:15 r1 by KO
- Jay Buck def Kyle Jensen by unanimous decision
- Brendan Seguin def Jonathan Goulet :46 r3 by TKO
- Jason Medina def Eric Beaulieu by unanimous decision
- Jay Buck def Brendan Seguin 1:34 r2 by TKO

The second qualifier takes place in Salt Lake City, Utah on Sunday, February 23rd. No official card has been released yet but promoter Monte in a recent interview said, “Shooting from memory I know we have Dennis Kang, Griffin Reynaud, Todd Carney, Randy Rowe, Cruz Chacon for Ludwig’s camp, Tim, I think it’s, Graham from Liddell’s school, Brian Ebersole from IL, and Eddie Rolon.” Stout, when interviewed before this show indicated he was training for the Utah show when Forrest Petz had to cancel and Monte called his camp to ask him to compete in this one, in addition to if necessary the Utah show.

Also on the Utah card is the much-anticipated return of Jennifer Howe as she takes on Amanda Buckner, the up-and-coming 135 lb fighter that made an impressive performance in a quick win over HOOKnSHOOT vet Christine Van Fleet last year. Howe has been off with recovery from ACL surgery and was said to have been working on her boxing extensively lately in addition to her back ground in BJJ.

Source: ADCC

Baroni speaks out!

It's a shame that Zuffa doesn't have a weekly TV. Why? Because Matt Lindland and Phil Baroni are cutting promos and interviews that would make the WWE salivate!

The two have gone back and forth with unbelievable insults and promises that are not only intriguing, but are making this match more interesting each day.

Recently, Baroni came under criticism from Brazilians and the fans of Brazilian fighters.

For the longest time, Baroni has done EVERYTHING to attempt to get Bustamante to fight him. It has gone unanswered and it reached Baroni's boiling point.

Baroni, who many believe has a great shot at beating Bustamante, recently spoke publicly about the situation to answer some questions.

'I want to make one thing clear I am not a racist. I don't hate Brazilians. I just have a problem with one, Murilo Bustamante, for not facing me.'

'I got pissed off talking about him and I said some things that did not come out the way I meant. I understand Ricardo Pires being pissed off with that interview but as far as him kicking me out, I have been training at John Lewis' school for the last month and a half because I didn't like the way things were going at Ricardo's gym.'

'He was always off in Brazil and wasn't there to train me. We had a deal and I fulfilled my part of it and now we're done. I think it was a low blow for Ricardo to come out publicly like this. I didn't go public when I fired him as my trainer for him not living up to his part of the deal.'

'What I was trying to get across in the interview was since Bustamante isn't American he doesn't care if he fights in America. I'm American and it means a lot for me to fight in the UFC. I was not being insulting saying that Brazil is a third world country.'

'So once again to make it clear, I don't hate all Brazilians, just Murillo Bustamante for denying me my shot at the title and if he wants to do something about it he can meet me in the Octagon.'

Phil Baroni

Source: ADCC

Results from Submission Wrestling in Campos

This last weekend the city of Campos, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was once again the stage for the best grapplers in the country to perform their art, in an event that is surely becoming the best of its kind in Brazil. 2003 has been THE year in terms of Submission Wrestling in Brazil, since the famous Abu Dhabi world championship will be hold here and all the most important athletes from Jiu Jitsu, Luta Livre and other grappling forms have been training hard for it, therefore accepting all possible chances to improve their game competing in all the the events that are popping up. With the Abu Dhabi Brazilian trials happening less than a month ago, most athletes are still in competition rhythm and the chance to fight for a prize money of more than 1,000 dollars surely appealed for everybody, and plenty os stars appeared on the beaches of Campos to showcase their skills and guarantee the success of the second edition of the event. Names like Alexandre Cacareco, Eduardo Jamelao, Gustavo Ximu, Johil de Oliveira, Antoine Jaude, Cristiano Lazarini, among others, were all fighting in Campos.


Success is the right word to describe the event indeed! Despite the late drop out of Carlos Barreto from the superfight against Alexandre Cacareco, due to his participation in K-1 Brazil, and the intense heat of the Brazilian Summer, promoter Leandro Ribeiro Campos managed to work around the problems and guaranteed the success of the event that had a crowd of 4,000 people on hand for it! It's amazing to see an Submission Wrestling event counting with a crowd of that magnitude, and besides the 4,000 names like PRIDE champion Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira, Ebenezer Braga and others were also watching the event live. On the mats, placed in an interesting open air arena, the action was also hot with RVT fighter Alexandre Cacareco once again reigning supreme both in the Absolute division and the Superfight, repeating the level of performance displayed in the ADCC Brazilian trials. Cacareco used his solid Wrestling skills, combined with his power and experience to win the event's championship for the second time in its second edition. Bruno Bastos, from Nova Uniao, who did well in the ADCC trials as well, and Cristiano Lazarini from Gracie Barra also put on impressive performances. Overall the event pleased the crowd and most importantly the fighters who had the chance to compete in a professional event, with a good prize money and press support. Now let's wait for the third Submission Wrestling in Campos as soon as it happens! Here are the champions in each division:


Up to 65 kg: Rodrigo Damm (Alliance)
Up to 76 kg: Suyan Queiroz (Brazilian Top Team)
Up to 87 kg: Bruno Bastos (Nova Uniao)
Up to 98 kg: Cristiano Lazarini "Titi" (Gracie Barra)
Absolute: Alexandre Cacareco (Ruas Vale Tudo)
Superfight: Alexandre Cacareco defeated Eduardo Jamelao by points.

Source: FCF