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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
3/5-7/04
Arnold
Schwarzenegger World Gracie Professional Submission Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Columbus, Ohio)
2004
11/22/03?
Pac Rim Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Grappling & BJJ)
(Klum Gym, UH Manoa)
11/21/03
SuperBrawl
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
11/9/03
Pride:
Final Conflict
(MMA)
(Toyko, Japan)
11/8/03
Relson Gracie International BJJ Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser High School)
10/25/03
Kick'n It 3
(Kickboxing)
(Ewa Beach)
10/24/03
International
Cage Combat
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Rumored
to be cancelled
10/18/03
Amateur
Fighting Competition 4
(Toughman)
10/18/03
Relson
Gracie U.S. Nationals
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Columbus, Ohio)
|
|
October News Part
1
Wednesday
night and Sunday classes (w/ a kids' class) starting in October!
 
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Quote
of the Day
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."
Confucius
|
Rumble
On The Rock 4 Weigh-ins
All Star
Hawaii
Thursday, October 09, 2003
7:00 PM
By Michael Onzuka
Mike@onzuka.com
Anyone who knows the Penn family knows that when they do something,
they never do it halfway. The star of the family, BJ starts Jiu-Jitsu
and after only 4 years becomes the first non-Brazilian Black
Belt World Jiu-Jitsu Champion. BJ then turns his efforts to MMA
and debuts in the UFC, the most prestigious show in America.
After only three fights, he gets a title shot. Now BJ's manager
and older brother JD takes the lead as the promoter for the Rumble
on the Rock. Usually, a new promoter starts his show on a low
budget and with successful events builds to bigger and better
production. As I said above, the Penn family comes out of the
gate with a custom built UFC style octagon, two 20' screens,
and a runway with a light setup that would make Dana White proud
in their first show.
After three successful events in Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii,
the Penns decided to move the show to Oahu, which is easily the
most populated island in the chain. Oahu has approximately 800,000
people of the about 1.1 million people that live in Hawaii. The
promoters put out an avalanche of press hitting all the major
radio stations, local TV, ESPN, Discovery, The Learning Channel,
and other stations with commercials for this event. Their hope
is to get not only the huge following that BJ has on the Big
Island to come over to Oahu to watch him fight, but an already
large fan base to turn out for some MMA action.
Step one, get a great main event. How about the number one versus
the number two fighters at 155 pounds squaring off? Half of that
is easy enough since JD just had to walk down the hall and ask
his brother BJ if he is game. BJ wants to be the best ever and
the only way he can be the best is if he fights the best. Enter
Takanori Gomi. Gomi was the most devastating fighter from Japan
beating all comers until he was recently stopped by Joachim Hansen.
Gomi is still considered number two in most MMA polls. After
some negotiation, Gomi agrees. The Japanese fighters are always
known for wanting to fight the best as well and for putting on
great performances, especially in Hawaii. Interestingly enough,
this is Gomi's second fight in Hawaii. His first was in Super
Brawl 12 where he submitted Stephen "Bozo" Palling
who also happens to be on this card. Both fighters agreed to
a modification to the standard sanctioned rules of the UFC. The
modifications are that liver kicks (similar to the type made
famous by Royce Gracie) and north/south or straight up and down
elbow strikes are legal. In normal rules, the fighters must throw
an elbow with a hooking action in order for it to be legal. This
rule change opens the possibility for a huge amount of damage.
After all, look how much damage an elbow throwing expert like
Tito Ortiz can do with the hooking elbows.
Step two; create a solid under card filled with popular local
fighters taking on the best of the mainland. Done. Ray "Bradda"
Cooper, Stephen "Bozo" Palling, and Ron "The Machine
Gun" Jhun are all on this card. They are not facing slouches
by any means. Cooper faces off with the only man to defeat the
world's best 170 pound fighter twice, Dennis "Superman"
Hallman. UFC veteran, Gil Castillo, faces off against Jiu-Jitsu
Black Belt and Rumble on the Rock honed fighter Renato "Charuto"
Verissimo. Castillo, being a pupil of Cesar Gracie and a title
contender in both the 170 and 185 pound class of the UFC is a
huge step up in caliber for Verissimo. The rest of the card is
filled with gems which should keep the Hawaii fans satisfactorily
occupied until the main event rolls around. Celebrities that
are here for the event include Pitfight team mastermind, John
Hackleman, UFC veteran Josh Thompson, referee Larry Landless,
and none other than the New York Badass, Phil Baroni, who will
be doing the commentary with yours truly.
Can the Penns pull in the larger fan base of Oahu? If the amount
of people that showed up at the weigh ins at All Star Hawaii
is any indication, we are looking at a capacity crowd. This is
the largest crowd that Hawaii events have had at a weigh in.
All the fighters made weight, but some had to shed a pound or
two which came off pretty quickly. The card is intact and Penn
and Gomi are set to determine who the best is at 155.
Rumble
On The Rock 4 Fight Card
Tonight!
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, October 10, 2003
Super
Flyweight
Yobie Song (Jesus Is Lord) 134.0 lbs vs. Antonio Banuelos (Pitfight
Team) 134.5 lbs
Lightweight
Constructed 160 lb Class
Santino "The Italian Job" Defranco (808 Fight Factory)
156.5 lbs vs. Deshaun Johnson (HMC) 159.0 lbs
Welterweight
Gabe Casillas (Debrazil Academy) 169.5 lbs vs. Ross "Da
Boss" Ebanez (BJ Penn MMA) 170.0 lbs
Light
Heavyweight
David "Kawika" Pa'aluhi (Jesus Is Lord) 204.5 lbs vs.
Joe Riggs (BRAUSA) 200.5 lbs
Flyweight
Gilbert Melendez 145.0 lbs (Cesar Gracie) vs. Stephen "Bozo"
Paling (Jesus Is Lord) 144.5 lbs
Welterweight
Ron "The Machine Gun" Jhun (808 Fight Factory) 170.0
lbs vs. Sean Taylor 170.0 lbs
Shawn was making weight.
Welterweight
Renato "Charuto" Verissimo (BJ Penn MMA) 170.0 lbs
vs. Gil Castillo (Cesar Gracie) 169.5 lbs
 
Both fighters had to cut a pound or so, hence the separate pictures.
Heavyweight
Andy Montana 250.0 lbs vs. Paul "The Executioner" Buenatello
(American Kickboxing Academy) 243.0 lbs
Welterweight
Ray "Bradda" Cooper (Jesus Is Lord) 169.0 lbs vs. Dennis
Hallman (Victory Athletics) 170.0 lbs
Lightweight
BJ Penn (BJ Penn MMA) 155.0 lbs vs. Takanori Gomi (K'z Factory)
154.0 lbs
BJ was all business at the stare down.
Gomi and BJ go over the modified rules.
Promoters Kalae Ah Chin and JD Penn with JD's beautiful girlfriend
and Vice President (AKA MVP) Jodi taking care of the final details.
|
The
Internationals Finally Has a Date!
What: Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu International Championships
When: 11/8/03
Where: Kaiser High School
Gi and No Gi Divisions
Prices:
$55 for gi/no gi division
$90 to enter both gi and no gi divisions
$5 more for each open division
Schedule
9:30 AM Start of the tournament
6:30-7:00 PM Awards
Weigh-ins will be on 11/7/03 at the main academy 9:00 am - 2:00
pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Late registration at the event $5 extra
Source: Relson Gracie |
Carlson
Gracie joins Wallid’s Brazil Dojo: “I could never expect
that my revenge would come so quickly!”
Submitted by: Luca Atalla
GRACIE
Magazine’s site publishes Master Carlson Gracie and Wallid
Ismail’s open letter to the fans accepting the challenge
between Brazil Dojo and Brazilian Top Team Check here the complete
note!
Rio,
October 9th 2003
Open
letter from Brazil Dojo to BTT and all the fans
I
was really surprised about what was written on the note released
by the Brazilian Top Team, specially the part about Wallid Ismail.
Wallid has always been a warrior of ethic and responsibility.
The BTT leaders cannot speak about moral, ethics and honesty.
All the stuff I have always done for them not even a father would
do. And I have plenty of stories to support what I am saying.
One
of them: When their parents divorced, I offered all four students
from Bustamante family to keep training with me for free, and
I treated them as my sons, including Murilo. Zé Mário
Sperry used to train at other academies and lost all fights in
many tournaments, but I saw his potential and invited him to
train with me. He replied that his family hated to listen about
fighting and would not give him any money to join a Jiu-Jitsu
academy. So, I invited him to train for free as well. Bebeo was
another case, although I tried really hard, I could not make
him become a champion. He was interested in some others stuff…
But he has never paid any lessons either.
Some
time later, I went to U.S.A. and opened the big events to all
my students, and made them fight for valuable prizes, always
with my name behind. I even left them taking care of my academy,
the Carlson Gracie Team. But to my surprise, they started to
boycott me, they did not want to give any percentage of their
prizes to anyone.
That’s
how they came up with the Brazilian Top Team, promising that
they wouldn’t charge any percentage from any fighters. But
this did not happen. They betrayed me and then betrayed all their
teammates. That was the time Carlao, Vitor Belfort, Allan Goes,
Paulo Filho, Ricardo Arona and others fighters left BTT. The
three heads of the team, Sperry, Bustamante and Bebeo, had betrayed
everybody.
About
the challenge between BTT and Brazil Dojo, I could never expect
that my athletic revenge would come so quick. All I want is that
they make their list of fighters, although I’d prefer that
the challenge only involve the three leaders. I don’t have
anything against the other members of their academy, they actually
were betrayed as well. I only demand that it be a 'winner takes
all the money'; no money for the losers! And that the combats
be held in the NEXT JUNGLE FIGHT! As everyone knows, whoever
makes a challenge cannot choose where or when, fights anywhere!
Note
from Wallid Ismail:
The
BTT leaders said I, Wallid Ismail, had paid to Rodrigo “Minotauro”
and to Rogerio “Minotouro” to show up in the first
Jungle Fight. It’s a lie. I invited both of them because
they are my friends. In Paulo Filho’s case, he is my friend
since childhood and never had a comfortable relation in BTT.
About Carlao Barreto, he really was going to fight in the Jungle,
as he confirmed in several interviews before. Those guys from
BTT only wrote lies and bullshit on their note to the press.
Now I would like the readers and fans to decide: who works with
ethics, BTT or Brazil Dojo?
The
complete letter in his original version with all the polemic
you check in GRACIE Magazine’s site: www.graciemag.com !
Source: ADCC |
A
Look Back: SUPERCAMPEONATO CYCLONE DE SUBMISSION 3
SuperCampeonato
Cyclone de Submission 3
Date: September 13th
Place: Sao Januario, Rio de Janeiro
Well
if you have been paying attention to this event, something is
different
of before. The promoter removed the name - Luta-Livre - from
the
announcements. An explanation was made by the main promoter Mario
Miglioli
about that: -'I wanted to make an event where all fighters of
Grappling/Submission could fight, if I continued putting the
name
Luta-Livre, fighters from Jiu Jitsu would not come to this event
and it
worked. This time I got 68% of Jiu Jitsu fighters and 32% of
Luta-Livre'
The
presence of more Jiu Jitsu fighters, was perceptible when you
looked at the 6 tough weight class categories. The fighters were
divided between
under 59kg, 60-68kg, 69-77kg, 78-86kg, 87-98kg and over 99kg.
We all came to
see the multiple times Submission and Jiu Jitsu chmapion, Adriano
'Nasal' Pereira. Also, the Super-Heavy weight International Master&Senior
2003 champion Paulo 'Peposo' Rodrigues. All weight classes were
very tough, but the 60-68kg was toughest with the champion fighting
5 times to capture the 'gold' medal, the sponsor's prize kit
and the prize in money. The other considerable point was that
the three super fights did not dazzle the whole tournament. Once
again I was the only one who kept covering the event when the
three superfights were over. To tell the truth, at the last event,
the super-fight involving Alexandre 'Cacareco' Ferreira and Paulo
Filho did dazzle the whole event since the crowd's expectations
were totally focused on this match.
The
tournament results were:
Under 59kg
Rafael Rebello def. Wellington Dias [4-2]
60-68kg
TAEDE def. Marcelo Santos [6-2]
69-77kg
Adriano 'Nasal' Pereira def. Vitor Nobrega [4-0]
78-86kg
Alexandre 'Baby' def. Fabio Bastos [4-0]
87-98kg
Andre 'Marola' Candido def. Danilo 'Moto-Serra' [1-0]
Over 99kg
Paulo 'Peposo' Rodrigues def. Lenny 'Montanha' [advantage]
1st
Super Fight:
Rany Yahrya (Team Athaide Jr.) def. Fredson Paixao (Equipe 3)
by 6-0
Paixao once again showed that no gi competitions are not his
specialty. He
had the merits in the beginning of the match of almost armbarred
and toe-holded Yahrya. But he was limited to that and some grips
for get a best position for a wrist-lock, but with no success.
Then the fight went to the ground by Yahrya who after two attempts
of single leg, got to take Paixao down and work for the guard
passage. Fredson tried to adjust his position on the bottom to
sweep Yahrya. That gave an advantage to Yahrya. Paixao's mistake
was going back to his feet and letting Yahrya grab his waist.
Both guys on the feet and Yahrya pushed Paixao to the ground
from where he got 4 more points and to catch Paixao's back with
the two hooks. Paixao survived
around 2 minutes to not be submitted again this time (last time
was in MUNDIAL 2003). Yahrya tried rear naked chokes and simple
chokes, however Paixao was able to avoid these attacks esaily,
while tried to free himself of the Yahrya's hooks. With a move
of pure strength, Paixao freed
himself and in the same time attacked Yahrya with a heel-hook,
did not work, he went
for a ankle-lock and finally a toe-hold; all attacks were defended
by Yahrya. Who only waited for the time to finish. He conquered
a important victory in his career over Paixao. Yahrya who is
still a brown-belt should receive his black-belt soon. After
to wining the ADCC Brazilian Trials and this match-up against
a very well rounded black-belt.
2nd
Super Fight:
Fabricio 'Morango' Camoes (Gracie Tijuca) def. Peterson Melo
(Boxe Thai
Team/BTT) by 8-0
Two MECA winners faced each other in a Submission event and some
thing intriguing surrounded this match. Both guys have submission
backgrounds, while 'Morango' is a Vinny black-belt, Melo has
a black-belt in Luta-Livre and a brown-belt in Jiu Jitsu, but
Melo is known as a skilled
Thai-Boxer. Are you waiting for the intriguing things? Well,
'Morango' KO'd his last opponent in MECA while Melo submitted
his last two opponents in MECA, so if the fighters has his background
based on the feet or on the ground, it doesn't seem to matter.
In this magnificent sport never you can never know the final
result of a fight. Well then, let's leave the NHB out of this
issue, because now they were fighting Submission only. They were
only using their ground games. Melo did shoot a takedown first
Morango sprawled and did a guillotine choke that started without
any problem for Melo, but became a bit problematic when Melo
pulled guard in a weird way. With no danger
of a submission Melo fell in Morango's guard, then reversed him
and tried a toe-hold. He did no get but ended in Melo's half-guard.
The fighters came back to their feet and Melo shot a single-leg,
'Morango' defended and put another guillotine-choke that made
Melo step back to escape. But, everyone was expecting to see
when Melo would take 'Morango' down due to his multiple attempts.
Then 'Morango' surprised everyone and took Melo down with a classic
double-leg and passed his guard. Melo restored the half-guard
and after some stalling time they returned to their feet again.
After another of Melo's takedown shots, 'Morango' was able to
score his second takedown with
success again the basic double-leg. So 'Morango' started his
attempt to pass the guard again but it was too late and he overwhelmed
Melo 8-0.
Alexandre
'Cafe' Dantas (Gracie Barra) def. Denis Gomes (Team Athaide
Jr.) by rear naked choke.
'Cafe' and Gomes began gingerly with neck clinches and without
much effort to take the fight to the ground. The unknown Gomes
was the first who tried a takedown, he dominated Cafe's left
leg, but 'Cafe' was stronger than Gomes and defended it almost
lifting Gomes. 'Cafe' got his first points via reversal and they
started his head-to-head on the feet game. Then 'Cafe' took Gomes
to the ground with a takedown. Gomes felt the pressure and was
totally foiled by 'Cafe' who started his arsenal of attacks and
passed the guard. Soon he got Gomes's backs with the two hooks.
Gomes was in a bad position, face on the ground and with 'Cafe'
on his back trying to fit the arm under Gomes's chin, many attempts
were needed before finally he choked out Gomes in around 4 minutes
and the only one of the three super-fights finished with a submission.
Source: ADCC |
NSAC
Files Complaint Against UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia
On
October 7, 2003, Marc Ratner, Executive Director of the Nevada
State Athletic Commission, filed a Complaint For Disciplinary
Action And Notice Of Hearing against UFC Heavyweight Champion
Tim Sylvia.
The
complaint alleges Sylvia violated Nevada Administrative Code
467.850, including (1) “the administration of or use of
any alcohol, stimulant or drug, or injection that has not been
approved by the commission.” As a licensed Nevada professional
mixed martial artist, Sylvia is subject to the provisions of
Chapter 467 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and of Chapter 467
of the Nevada Administrative Code.
The
NSAC tests for any performance enhancing drugs, including anabolic
steroids. Sylvia voluntarily submitted to a urinalysis immediately
following his first title defense at “UFC 44: Undisputed”
in Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 26. An analysis of the sample was
conducted by Las Vegas based Quest Diagnostics and the results
were concluded just 4 days later. The toxicology report was received
by the NSAC on Oct. 2. “The urinalysis reflected the presence
of Stanozolol Metabolite, which is an anabolic agent,” stated
Ratner.
The
complaint, which included the toxicology report, was sent by
certified mail to Sylvia at his Bettendorf, Iowa, address and
also faxed to manager Monte Cox. Zuffa LLC, owners of the UFC,
was immediately notified by the NSAC.
An
official release from Team Extreme and Miletich Fighting Systems
states -- UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia announced today
that he had taken a banned substance prior to his title defense
against Gan McGee on Sept. 26 in Las Vegas. 'I made a terrible
mistake... the biggest mistake of my life,' Sylvia said. 'I wish
I could take it back, but that isn't possible. So, I'm ready
to accept the consequences for my actions.' The Nevada State
Athletic Commission notified Sylvia of the infraction earlier
this week. Sylvia hopes to have a hearing in front of the board
on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas. 'After I won the title, I wanted to
look better... to have a better physique,' Sylvia said. 'I have
never taken steroids before, so I tried it for a month after
the Ricco fight. Now, it's obvious that it was a big mistake.'
Sylvia said he will abide by whatever decisions are made by the
NSAC and Zuffa. 'I just want to apologize for letting people
down... my fans, my teammates, my family, the Nevada State Athletic
Commission and the UFC,' Sylvia said. 'I can't express how disappointed
I am in myself right now. I've gotten such great support from
so many people... I hope they will stick by me and help me get
through this. I want to accept responsibility for what I did,
do whatever I have to do to put it behind me, and move on with
my career.'
Zuffa
offered a brief, but supportive statement on Oct. 8 “we
don’t want to say much at this time,” said Jack Taylor,
Public Relations for Zuffa LLC, but in the statement, UFC President
Dana White said “we are very disappointed that the lab tests
came back and showed that he (Sylvia) used steroids. We fully
support Tim in his efforts to respond to these charges and to
work with the Nevada State Athletic Commission to come to a fair
and just resolution. We also fully support the NSAC in whatever
its judgment might be.”
A
hearing is already scheduled for Oct. 15, and is expected to
include Ratner, Sylvia, Cox and White.
Under
the NRS and NAC, the commission may suspend or revoke the license
of Sylvia, as well as impose a penalty of up to 100% of his $60,000
purse. Sylvia may also be required to pay the costs of the proceeding,
including investigative costs and attorney’s fees. “We’ve
had other cases, but each case is decided on its own merit,”
said Ratner. In the complaint, Ratner is seeking full reimbursement
“it’s unfortunate. We just need to educate everybody.”
Sylvia
is expected to speak on internet radio Thursday. ADCC News will
continue to follow this story and report as it unfolds.
Source: ADCC |
Say
It 'Aint So!
UFC Champion Tim Sylvia Issued NSAC Complaint For Steroid Use
For
a second time in less than two years, another UFC champion has
tested positive for steroid use. Current heavyweight champion
Tim Sylvia was verbally notified through his management a week
after the fight that test results detecting anabolic steroid
use had come back positive. As required by Nevada State Athletic
Commission (NSAC) regulations, Sylvia had voluntarily submitted
to a urinalysis following his title defense victory over Gan
McGee at UFC 44, held on September 26, 2003 in Las Vegas. A formal
written complaint, filed by the NSAC, was faxed to Sylvia's management
and a copy mailed out to his Bettendorf, Iowa home.
In
the complaint issued by Keith Kizer, Chief Deputy Attorney General
and acting legal counsel for the NSAC, alleged violations included
the use of the anabolic steroid Stanozolol Metabolite, a drug
or injection that is not approved for use by the NSAC. More familiar
by its street name, Winstrol, the drug is utilized to promote
body tissue-building processes.
As
part of standard procedure adopted after January 1, 2002, the
NSAC began regular steroid testing in title fights for all its
unarmed combat sports. For UFC 44, Sylvia, Gan McGee, Tito Ortiz,
and Randy Couture all went through the requisite steroid testing,
as well as standard drug testing, which includes scans for marijuana,
various foreign substances and masking agents. Sylvia's urinalysis
was the sole sample to come back positive for steroids. Kizer
could not confirm if the other fourteen UFC 44 competitors that
night were drug-tested as well.
Waiving
his right to answer these allegations within 20 days of notice,
Sylvia's management has already verbally communicated, with Kizer,
the champion's admission to the charges filed in the complaint.
Sylvia and his camp also issued a public statement on October
7th stating such. In response, the champion has been asked to
appear before the NSAC's five-member board, chaired by Luther
Mack, at a previously scheduled October 15th meeting. Since Sylvia
has already acknowledged his wrongdoing, the meeting will most
likely move into the NSAC's disciplinary phase. "I assume
that's how it will go," stated Kizer, "unless he changes
his mind [referring to Sylvia's admittance of guilt]. For better
lack of the term, Slyvia will have to 'throw himself on the mercy
of the court' and give reasons, if he can, as to why they should
be lenient." Marc Ratner, the Executive Director of the
NSAC, will present the evidence relevant to the case at the proceedings,
with Kizer there to assist him. Monte Cox, Sylvia's manager,
will also be in attendance, along with representatives of Zuffa
Sports Entertainment, the promoters of the UFC. At this time,
Sylvia is not planning on using legal counsel. (If for some reason
Sylvia fails to attend these hearings, a decision can still be
reached in his absence.)
Once
under disciplinary consideration, Slyvia's license to fight in
Nevada could be suspended for any given period of time deemed
appropriate by the Commission, including permanent suspension
or revocation of license. The least severe response would be
to give Sylvia a warning. In lieu of or in addition to the suspension
or revocation of his license, the NSAC can also administer a
penalty not to exceed $250,000 or 100% of Sylvia's fighting purse,
whichever is greater. Sylvia received a purse of $30,000 to fight
McGee and a bonus of $30,000 for his win. In the written complaint,
obtained by FCF, recommendations issued on behalf of the Executive
Director included both a monetary fine and action taken on Sylvia's
license.
The
NSAC's jurisdiction dictates over the sports of boxing, kickboxing,
"Toughman" competitions, as well as MMA, which it sanctioned
as a sport in July of 2001. Sylvia will be the fifth person,
out of an estimated 200-plus matches, to be formally charged
and (possibly) reprimanded for steroid use since January 2002.
Kickboxer Rick Roufus, boxer Fernando Vargas, and mixed martial
artists Josh Barnett and Mark Smith have all been penalized in
the past.
Barnett's
case was the first instance the Commission has ever had in which
an unarmed combat sports competitor has tested positive for a
performance enhancing agent. He denied allegations that he utilized
three anabolic substances found in his body following his UFC
36 victory and was eventually handed a ten-month suspension (from
the date of the fight) when he could not prove otherwise. Smith
was suspended for a year for multiple steroid and drug-related
infractions following his November 2002 King Of The Cage fight
in Reno, Nevada. In addition, Kizer noted that the NSAC has been
gradually adopting a more aggressive stance with its rulings.
Champion
Tim Sylvia politely declined to speak yesterday on the situation,
and requested comments be made on his behalf through longtime
Team Extreme manager Monte Cox. Cox, who stated that neither
he nor any of Sylvia's teammates at Miletich Martial Arts had
any knowledge of the use prior to NSAC notification, had this
to say. "It's not what people think, although people are
going to believe what they want to. This isn't like Tim did a
big cycle of steroids, he was stacking, and stuff like that.
That's not what it was. He won the title. He's always been not
too happy with his body and has worked hard to try and change
it and he took a shortcut. It was a bad choice, but he made the
choice on his own and people makes mistakes. He's a teammate
and we're gonna support him." According to Cox, Sylvia told
him he started a one-month cycle early into his eighth month
layoff between his appearances at UFC 41 and UFC 44. "He
did it well before the fight," relayed Cox. "It lasted
about a month and he really didn't think it was that big a deal.
He was under the impression it would be long out of his system.
But, he was actually not familiar with it. He'd never done it
before."
With
regards to Sylvia's UFC heavyweight belt, as it was also with
Barnett's case almost two years ago, the NSAC does not have any
authority to revoke a title and/or overturn the decision of this
or any other fight. Says Kizer, "We have no jurisdiction
over any belt -- whether it be kickboxing, boxing, or MMA. It's
totally up to the promotion." Kizer added the NSAC can make
a recommendation on the matter if they so wish, but he doubts
that will be the case.
Zuffa
has made precedent in the past when it decided to adjust ruling
on Josh Barnett's win over Randy Couture at UFC 36 to a "No
contest." Barnett was also stripped of the heavyweight belt
he had acquired in that fight. In Sylvia's case, however, this
champion was defending his belt and a "no contest"
ruling would erase the fight from the records, but not necessarily
revoke him of his title.
Contact
made to Zuffa today resulted in the following notification: UFC
president Dana White has refrained from making any comments till
after the October 15th proceedings, but did release a statement
earlier this morning supporting Sylvia, as well as the NSAC in
whatever action they make take in the matter.
As
for Sylvia's second title defense against challenger Frank Mir
that was slated for UFC 45 on November 21st in Connecticut, no
formal announcement has been made as to if and what any alternate
plans may be. Cox has not received any formal notification that
Sylvia won't be fighting come November, yet feels it unnecessary.
"They don't have to tell me. I know he's not going to fight
in November. He's going to get a suspension for this, and even
if he didn't get a suspension, mentally, he's in no way ready
to defend his title in November. Mentally, it's taken quite a
toll on him." FCF has learned that heavyweight contender
Andrei Arlovski's camp has been contacted by the UFC and the
two parties are in "discussions" now. UFC 43 veteran
Wes Sims has also confirmed his ongoing contact with Zuffa regarding
a potential UFC 45 fight and is currently training to step in
if the opportunity should arise.
Source: FCF |
Ultimate
Rebuttal!
Champion Couture Speaks Out on Ortiz's Claims for Rematch
By Loretta Hunt
We
recently brought you Tito Ortiz and his desire for an immediate
rematch. Now undisputed UFC light-heavyweight champion Randy
Couture strikes back with his on thoughts on a rematch, who he
thinks Ortiz and he should really fight, as well as insight into
his recent showdown with "the Huntington Beach Bad Boy."
It's all part of another exclusive interview to appear in this
month's Full Contact Fighter. Let's take a look at an excerpt:
FCF:
Once again, congratulations on another stellar outing at UFC
44. I'd like to start by asking you about an interesting comment
you made at the press conference following that fight. You said
that in fighting Ortiz, he made you do a lot of things you didn't
want to do.
RC: Besides the time I spent working on my bottom game, I was
referring to the other area of pre-fight hype. Tito kind of brings
a certain intensity and persona to the pre-fight hype and it's
not my style. It's not what I like to do. It's not how I like
to represent myself or the sport. And he kind of forced me to
stand up and do a few things that I'm uncharacteristically not
used to doing -- talking back a little bit and fortunately for
me I didn't have to make up a lot of what I felt. I pretty much
said what I felt about the situation and was able to do that
with conviction so that made it easier for me. Generally, I would
have kept those thoughts and feelings to myself and just gone
out and done my job.
FCF:
Jumping to the hot topic at hand, you stated at the press conference
that you would gladly give Ortiz a rematch, but under a certain
condition...
RC: That's correct. I'll give him a rematch, but not until he
fights Chuck Liddell.
FCF:
What if Liddell does less than favorably in PRIDE?
RC: None of that matters. If Chuck wins PRIDE, then he's going
to get a rematch with me. That makes sense. He'll hold the PRIDE
belt and I'm holding the UFC belt in the light-heavyweight division;
we should fight again and try to kinda unify those belts. If
Chuck doesn't do well in PRIDE, if he doesn't get past Quinton
[Jackson] or loses to Wanderlei [Silva], then it doesn't really
matter. He's still a top contender in this weight class in the
UFC and he and Tito should fight. Everybody wants to see that
fight and Tito needs to answer that question.
Find
out Couture's thoughts when we brought Vitor Belfort in the mix,
as well as his plans for his next and final fight on his UFC
contract. All in the next issue of Full Contact Fighter.
Source: FCF |
SHOOTO
on Halloween in Japan!
October 31st, 2003
Kitazawa Town Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Gutsman Promotion
Additional
Matches to be Announced - Lineup Subject To Change:
Class
B 2 x 5 minutes roundsL:
Welterweight
[-70.0Kg]
Koji Takeuchi vs. Ganjo Tentsuku
Lightweight
[-65.0Kg]
Lion Takeshi vs. Masanori 'Gatch' Sugatani
Flyweight
[-52.0Kg] 2003 Rookie League
Issei Tsurumi vs. Tiger Ishii
Welterweight
[-70.0Kg] 2003 Rookie Tournament Final
Tomonari Kanomata vs. Nobuhiro Obiya
Class
A 3 x 5 minutes rounds:
Bantamweight
[-56.0Kg]
Junji Ikoma vs. Takeyasu Hirono
Source: ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish
nothing in life."
Muhammad Ali, 1942-, American Boxer
|
Rumble
On The Rock Weigh-ins Today!
All Star Cafe
in Waikiki
7:00PM
Fight Card:
- Takanori Gomi vs. BJ
Penn
- Dennis Hallman vs. Ray
“Bradda” Cooper
- Paul Buentello vs. Andy Montana
- Gil Castillo vs. Renato
Verissimo
- Gilbert Melendez vs. Stephan "Bozo" Paling
- Joe Riggs vs. David
"Kawika" Pa’alui
- Gabe Casillas vs. Ross
"Da Boss" Ebanez
- Eddie Ruiz vs. Santino Defranco
- Antonio Banuelos vs. Yobie Song
Tickets
for the Blaisdell Arena show range from $35-200. For more information
call (808) 935-1600.
Rumble on
the Rock
Event Tickets/Package Deals
Front Row $200
Cageside Rows 2-6 $100
Cageside Rows 7-8 $65
Risers $55
Loge $50
General Admission $35
VIP Package
1RT Interisland, 1nt Stay OutRigger Maila
1 Front Row 1VIP Aft. Party $479
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1RT Interisland, 1nt Stay OutRigger Maila
1 Cageside $350
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For more Info Call (808) 935-1600
Tickets
are also available at:
Blaisdell Arena Box Office
Sack N Save Foodland
www.ticketmaster.com
Charge by phone at 877-750-4400
Ttickets
are going fast so grab yours now!
|
ULTIMATE
FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP STATEMENT CONCERNING HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
TIM SYLVIA
LAS
VEGAS, October 8, 2003 ... Dana White, president of the Ultimate
Fighting Championship, today made the following statement concerning
UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia:
"We are very disappointed that the lab tests came back and
showed that he used steroids. We fully support Tim in his efforts
to respond to these charges and to work with the Nevada State
Athletic Commission to come to a fair and just resolution. We
also fully support the NSAC in whatever its judgment might be."
Source: Zuffa |
USS
Fighter Travis Lutter
by: Kid Peligro / ADCC JJ Editor
We
touch base with yet another competitor of the upcoming October
11th event, to be held at the James Armstrong Theatre, in Torrance,
CA. is sponsored by mainstream companies like Varig Airlines,
BankCard USA Merchant Services and WorldSize Nutritional Technologies.
Your
name, different styles you've trained in, and your main fighting
style?
TL-Travis Lutter. BJJ
What
do you like best about your chosen fighting style?
TL-Submissions
Why
do you want to compete in The Ultimate Submission Showdown?
TL- The chance to win a major event like this
What
do you think of the rules of this event?
TL-Challenging and will make for interesting fights
What
is your favorite technique?
TL -Anything that involves my opponent tapping.
Who
would you like to fight as a final match and why?
TL- Doesn't matter, at this level everyone is tough.
Anyone
can purchase tickets at: Armstrong Theatre Box Office (310) 781-7171
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy (310) 782-1309
Or Online go to www.igjjf.com
Source: ADCC |
MATT
HUGHES TO DEFEND WELTERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FRANK TRIGG AT UFC
45: REVOLUTION LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW, NOV. 21
by: Jack Taylor
‘Tank’
Abbott Returns To Fight ‘Cabbage’ Correira In Heavyweight Action As
Ultimate Fighting Championship Marks Its 10th Anniversary At
Mohegan Sun Arena
TICKETS
NOW ON SALE!
LAS
VEGAS, October 8, 2003… Two of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s
(UFC) most popular fighters, Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes
and legendary Heavyweight Tank Abbott, will headline an all-star,
eight-fight card LIVE on pay-per-view at UFC 45: Revolution starting
at 10 p.m. EST, Friday, November 21, from the Mohegan Sun Arena
in Uncasville, Conn.
UFC 45: Revolution, which will mark the UFC’s 10th anniversary,
will feature Hughes’ fifth title defense against highly-rated
Frank Trigg, while Tank, one of the UFC’s all-time knockout
artists, will meet Hawaiian power-puncher “Cabbage” Correira. The remainder of
the card will be announced.
Tickets,
$300, $200, $100, $60 and $30, are on sale now at the Mohegan
Sun box office and at www.tickets.com. Tickets also may be ordered
by telephone at 1-800-477-6849 or 860-862-8499. All ticket purchases
are subject to transaction fees. UFC 45: Revolution will be available
LIVE on pay-per-view on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, Bell
ExpressVu, TVN, Echostar and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested
retail price is $29.95.
Hughes
(29-3-0 in mixed martial arts), from Hillsboro, Ill., is considered
by most experts the strongest pound-for-pound fighter in MMA.
Known for his high amplitude body slams and devastating ground
and pound attack, he won the welterweight title at UFC 34: High
Voltage on November 2, 2001, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with
a second round knockout of Carlos Newton. Since then, he has
looked more and more unstoppable in title defenses against Hayato
Sakurai, Newton in a re-match, Gil Castillo and Sean Sherk.
UFC
45: Revolution Hughes/Tank – add one
But
in Trigg (9-1-0), from El Segundo, Calif., Hughes will be challenged
by a fighter who feels he is more talented in all facets of MMA,
including wrestling. Trigg is a four-time U.S.A Wrestling All-American
and a 2000 Olympic trials wrestling finalist. He also is a second
degree black belt in judo and the current World Fighting Alliance
welterweight world champion. Trigg also has beaten Dennis Hallman,
who defeated Hughes twice. Trigg says he knows Hughes is very
strong and an excellent wrestler, but he is confident he is the
better fighter.
“Tank”
(8-9-0) from Huntington Beach, Calif., is one of the most popular
fighters in the UFC’s ten-year history. All fans love knockouts
and he has delivered some of the most memorable. Tank, who says
he was born to fight, respects no martial arts style or fighter
and says that even when he loses it is his opponent who usually
ends up in the hospital.
“Cabbage” (16-4-0) from
Hilo, Hawaii, made his debut at UFC 39: The Warriors Return,
September 27, 2002, at the Mohegan Sun, in an absolute war with
future Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. Cabbage displayed fast
hands and an incredible chin and fans demanded to see him again.
He returned at UFC 42: Sudden Impact, April 25, in Miami, Fla.,
where he knocked out jiu-jitsu champion Sean Alvarez at 1:46
of the second round. Cabbage said he will be in the best shape
of his life and will be ready to go to war with Tank.
The
UFC’s first fight event, UFC 1: The Beginning, was held
November 12, 1993, at McNichols Arena in Denver, Colo. That night,
Royce Gracie defeated Gerard Gordeau in the final match with
a tap out by rear naked choke to become the first UFC champion.
Other fighters on that first card included Ken Shamrock, Kevin
Rosier, Art Jimmerson, Teila Tuli, Patrick Smith, Zane Frazier,
Jason DeLucia and Trent Jenkins.
As
part of the 10th anniversary, the public is invited to visit
the web site, www.ufc.tv, and vote for the top 10 UFC fighters
of all time.
Source: ADCC |
The
Savage Truth - Here We Go Again
By Greg Savage
Just
when you thought the heavyweight division of the UFC was starting
to come around, another champion looks like he will be KO’d
by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Tim
Sylvia’s announcement that he had taken steroids—winstrol
to be exact—in an effort to tone his physique after his
stunning knockout of previous champ Ricco Rodriguez throws the
proverbial monkey wrench into the plans for UFC 45 in Sylvia’s
old stomping grounds of New England. The “Maine-iac”
was to headline the show but will most likely be suspended and
possibly stripped of his title.
While
this new dilemma really isn’t anyone’s fault at Zuffa,
it is just another of a long list of incidents that have plagued
the patron saints of MMA here in North America.
After
a continuous parade of heavyweight champs were unable to defend
their belts, either in the ring or because of athletic commission
sanctions, Tim Sylvia looked like a marketable guy who could
sit atop the division and generate some interest for the UFC.
Think
again.
Sylvia’s
positive test has thrust the steroid issue back into the spotlight
that shone on former UFC champ Josh Barnett who also tested positive
in March of 2002. Unlike Barnett, Sylvia has vowed to comply
with whatever sanctions the NSAC hand down.
I
talked with Sylvia’s manager Monte Cox early Wednesday morning
and he informed me that Tim will indeed have a hearing on October
15 before the Athletic Commission to determine what sanctions
will be levied against him.
Cox
said he expects at least a six month suspension but that there
is a possibility of nine months, a la Fernando Vargas, or even
a year-long suspension if the NSAC really wants to make a statement
against performance enhancing drugs.
While
in Las Vegas he will also meet with UFC brass about the title
situation. The Team Extreme fighter and his camp claim that they
should not have to relinquish the title since he captured it
in a match in a state that required testing and that he subsequently
passed. The length of his suspension may have a lot to do with
the outcome of the heavyweight title.
I
can not see Zuffa being able to let a fighter hold a title while
he is unable to defend it for such a long period of time and
with the fiasco that was the light heavyweight interim title
I don’t think we will see that again in the UFC.
So
where does that leave Zuffa with UFC 45? With Matt Hughes and
Frank Trigg as the only viable headline match up, that’s
where. Know I love to watch Hughes fight as much as the next
MMA enthusiast but lets not kid ourselves, he is not a big draw
outside of hardcore MMA fans. It is a sad state of affairs when
one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world but it is
the truth.
Poor
old Zuffa. They are like the Chicago Cubs, loveable losers who
do their best but no matter how hard they try something is always
standing in the way of success. As fans we have come to expect
the unexpected and here it is again, rearing its ugly head at
the most inopportune of times.
With
the 10th anniversary show just over six weeks away and their
rising heavyweight star on the sidelines indefinitely, this looks
like the UFC 40 aftermath all over again. A tremendously successful
show that many hoped would be the momentum generating event towards
main stream acceptance only to be followed by an event that turns
out to be little more than a blip on the MMA radar screen.
It
will be interesting to see how this all plays out, whether Zuffa
can scramble to sign a big name to anchor the big anniversary
show, what happens with Sylvia and the title and what this will
do to the momentum gained from UFC 44. Stranger things have happened
but just like the Cubbies fans, when all is said and done, I
have a feeling MMA fans in North America will be crying in their
beers again.
Then
again the Cubs still have a chance to win the World Series this
year. Yeah right!
Greg
Savage volunteers for the Sherdog random drug testing just a
LITTLE too frequently.
Source: Sherdog |
Interview:
GIL CASTILLO (Part 2)
by: Keith Mills
Team Cesar Gracie’s Gil Castillo steps back into the limelight
to take on Nova Uniao’s Renato Verissimo, a vet of 2 previous Rumble On The
Rock. Castillo has been inactive in MMA since March with a back
injury keeping him out of WEC in August and September’s
IFC show getting cancelled where Castillo was supposed to fight
Frank Trigg. Verisimo debuted in MMA in March and so far has
raked up three wins.
Part
2 of this interview was originally done just 24 hours before
it was announced his fight with Frank Trigg for the IFC belt
was cancelled.
KM:
You currently hold the IFC World Welterweight belt. What are
your thoughts on defending that? GC: I had to do it sooner or
later. (Note this was when he thought he’d fight Trigg in
September).
KM:
It’s been about a year? GC: Two years since I won that against
Nathan Marquardt.
KM:
What do you recall about your fight against Marquardt? What can
you tell us about that? GC: It was a good fight. It went five
rounds, a lot of action, it was called by the promoters and several
other people the most technical fight they have ever seen. People
came up to me and said that fight belonged in the UFC. We went
back and forth, he’s a talented guy, a good fighter. That
is the only time I’ve ever been taken down in my life besides
Matt Hughes. Quite honestly I think it’s because I didn’t
sleep for two days before. Anyway, I took him down several times
and I had positioning the entire fight in every round. I won
every round in the fight but the second round they gave to him.
The reason was I won the first four minutes but in the last part
of the round I was in his guard and I postured up a little bit
and forgot in those rules you could kick to the guy’s face
from your back. Every other fight you can’t. I postured
up and he kicked me right in the face and I flew back like five
fight. He got up and smacked me again and I was wobbly at that
point so they gave him the round. In my opinion I won 23 minutes
of a 25 minute fight.
KM:
I’ve only seen that recent WEC fight and your three UFC
fights, so I’ve only seen you fight in a cage. The fight
against Menne…in the last round when you two came out instead
of touching gloves you did a little hug type thing. I’ve
never seen a show of respect like that. GC: It was for the title
and we just made it 25 minutes through the fight so we just came
out a did a little hug and said ‘let’s go’.
KM:
Those were the only fights of yours I’ve seen. Have you
ever fought in a ring before? GC: When I beat Vernon White, that
was in a ring.
KM:
Was that your only one? GC: Yes.
KM:
I don’t recall you really utilizing the cage. GC: The reason
I prefer the cage is if you go to take a guy down in a ring a
lot of times when they are sprawling out they go outside the
ring. I think for the safety of the fighters it’s better
for a cage.
KM:
Ahhh, not really using a cage as a weapon but the fighter safety
point of view. GC: You can use it as a weapon if you want to
do a Tito Ortiz tactic. I don’t do much of that.
KM:
As far as fighting in the IFC or maybe WEC Team Cesar Gracie
has you as the IFC World Welterweight Champion and your teammate
Nick Diaz as the US and Americas Welterweight Champion. Obviously
you two wouldn’t fight each other. Any chance of one of
you vacating their belt? GC: (Pausing) well, there is no reason
for Nick to vacate his belt because I have the higher belt. I
would vacate my belt if need be. I plan on getting another shot
at Matt Hughes. The UFC asked me to fight Frank Trigg. (Note:
this interview was done before the IFC show with Gil vs. Frank).
Maybe one more opponent in the UFC before Matt or going in from
Trigg to Matt, whatever they want to do because they are having
trouble finding opponents for him. I’ve been telling them
I wanted to fight (Hughes) that night but you guys wouldn’t
let me. Let’s do it again, I’m ready. I don’t
see why people should be in the UFC and then once they get there
say ‘I’m not ready for Matt Hughes’. I think you
are either a fighter or you are chicken shit, I don’t like
that kind of stuff. If you are in the UFC you are supposed to
be one of the best so you should have the attitude ‘I’ll
fight anybody’.
Source: ADCC |
BENNETT
BREAKDOWN:
WHAT SHOULD THE UFC DO NOW?
If you ask any member of the media that has spent any kind of
time with Tim Sylvia there's a common perception. You can't help
but like the champ. He's very easy going and he's a guy to root
for, because as some people in the South would say "Tim
is good people." While he is "good people" it's
very shocking to see this decision he made. Sylvia will be the
first guy to tell you, what he did is 100% wrong. I'm a huge
fan of Tim Sylvia and hope everything works out for him, but
now he has to deal with the consequences of his decision.
The
champ will have to go through the monsoon of criticism which
is well underway by the people he never meant to offend and that's
the fans. He has also put his bosses, the UFC, in a very difficult
position and now we have a big mess on what the future holds
in the Heavyweight Division. So what exactly IS the future in
the UFC Heavyweight picture? That's the question that no one
knows about and we won't have answered until the Nevada State
Athletic Commission rules on this case on October 15th in Las
Vegas.
The
common perception is...."Should Tim Sylvia be stripped of
his title?" Most people say yes. Before you think it's a
guarantee he will be stripped, because of what happened to Josh
Barnett, that still may not be the case.
There
is still a chance that he won't lose his title. I know, you say
how can you strip Josh Barnett and not Tim Sylvia? That's a good
question and personally, I don't know if you really can strip
one champion and not strip the other.... but for arguments sake
here's the reason why the Barnett case is a bit different than
the Sylvia case.
Basically
there are some different elements going into it. Josh Barnett
was the challenger in his fight against Randy Couture. Barnett
won the fight, he then won the championship and when the NVSAC
tests came back, Barnett had tested positive for steroids. We
all know the rest of the story. This is how the Sylvia situation
is a little different than Barnett
Sylvia
became champion with a win over Ricco Rodriguez. Sylvia immediately
was tested for steroids after THAT fight at UFC 41. Tim tested
negative for steroids in that fight which was 9 months ago. So
basically Sylvia won the championship, clean, and at that point,
100% legitimate. Tim Sylvia nine months ago was the champion
on his own accord.
Now
in his first title defense, Sylvia has tested positive after
he was already champion, so from some perspectives, why not call
the fight a no contest like the did with Barnett vs Couture?
If they did call it a no contest, would Sylvia still be champion
since he won the championship, (for a lack of a better word)
"clean and 110% legit" The NVSAC could be in a spot
to just suspend him and not take away his title if they chose
to go that route. That's a BIG "if", but that's what
some people think could possibly happen.
Basically
the thought process would be "since he was clean when he
was champ would they consider just taking away his last win and
make it no-contest and give him a suspension instead of losing
the title? I don't know either, I'm just talking out loud with
you. Some people will say that in the Barnett case, he was never
the "true" champion because he tested positive for
steroids. Sylvia on the other hand was the champion before testing
positive for steroids. Does it make any difference? Maybe, maybe
not, but this is what I do know. That subject, I guarantee you,
will be brought up to the commission and they will have to take
that into consideration when ruling on the 15th.
Here
is the bigger question...WHAT NOW? The UFC has to be sick to
their stomach. The UFC has spent so much time answering the questions
about their heavyweight division and now they finally felt, not
only do they have a legit champion, but they can rally behind
Tim Sylvia because he has been dominant... and now THIS happens?
If Zuffa was worried about getting a legit champion, now what
on earth will they do.
You
have a few scenarios in my mind playing out with this entire
situation. Let's just say for a moment that the NSAC and the
UFC strip Tim Sylvia. Frank Mir is the number one contender right
now, obviously, or he wouldn't be getting a title shot. Why not
have Frank Mir face your former champion in Ricco Rodriguez?
Ricco faired very well in Japan, he is a legit contender and
he probably deserves a shot ahead of Frank Mir in the first place.
So why not put your former champion into the drivers seat and
have him fight for the title? It makes as much sense as anything.
The
winner of this fight could then face Sylvia, IF he is only suspended,
say for six months. If Nevada suspends him for a year, like they
did Barnett, then you have the possibility of who should face
the Ricco vs Mir winner? While that is WAY down the road, there's
the thought you then can dangle Andrei Arlovski out there as
a future match up, if the champ is suspended for an extended
period of time.
WIth
that said you could also flip the equation and say Mir fight
Arlovski and if Sylvia doesn't come back, you have Ricco waiting
for the winner. As much as I love Arlovski's game, I think a
Mir vs Ricco situation is the best way to go. You could also
make an argument that Gan McGee should fight Tim Sylvia because
he was the guy that was "cheated" against. (By the
way, steroids did not make Gan lose the fight, it was McGee not
having his hands up in that lost the fight.)
One
more idea to throw in there if Sylvia is suspended for an extended
period of time. If the UFC wants to create some extra excitement,
you really could do a four man tournament in ONE night that really
would be exciting. Arlovski vs McGee and Mir vs Ricco. That however
would kill any future match, especially if Sylvia has to sit
on the sidelines for a year.
For
now speculation will run wild and everyone will throw in their
2 cents including yours truly on what the UFC should do. The
bigger issue coming out from all of this? It's sad when we as
MMA fans, can't accept a fighter for his skill but what he looks
like physically. Ricco Rodriguez has been crucified by fans for
his physical appearance. Rodriguez continues to get hammered
for "his gut".
It's
mind boggling to me when Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia, of ALL
people, are busted for steroids. Think about that. Two guys that
don't have bodybuilder physiques by any stretch of the imagination,
two guys that have tremendous skill, but two guys who are not
happy with the way THEY look and want an edge. NOT an edge to
become better fighters, but to LOOK better. What does that really
say about the state of the sport. It's hard to believe that these
two champs became more worried about how be more marketable,
then focus on how they perform as world class fighters. That's
what the sport has become.
It's
not how great of a fighter you are, but do you have the "body"
to match your skill. This is just the beginning folks. Unfortunately
we will see more and more things like this happen. For now though
we will just sit back and play armchair quarterback and wait
for the big day, for October 15th to come, when the Nevada State
Athletic Commission will rule on the future of the UFC Heavyweight
Title.
Source: MMA Weekly |
HACKLEMAN
SPEAKS OUT
John Hackleman made an impromptu appearance on Monday's MMAWeekly
Radio Show had a few things to say about Gan McGee's loss at
UFC 44 and the way people have reacted to it. Hackleman is the
head trainer of many fighters at The Pit, including Gan McGee
and Chuck Liddell, and one of the things he has taught them is
the technique of a looping punch. John Hackleman half-jokingly
wondered aloud why people always call it a "power shot"
and not a looping punch whenever one of his fighters knocks somebody
out, but whenever one of his fighters loses a fight, people go
around saying that John Hackleman teaches people to throw looping
punches and it's not a very good strategy to have.
John
Hackleman correctly pointed out that looping punches tend to
work in devastating fashion when they connect, which has been
the case in ten MMA knockouts dished out by Gan McGee, and Chuck
Liddell's knockouts of fighters like Guy Mezger and Alistair
Overeem. Hackleman said that his fighters deserve respect and
so do their punching techniques. He also said that looping punches
didn't have anything to do with Gan McGee's loss to Tim Sylvia,
and it was more of a case of Gan not keeping his hands up at
all times to defend his head. Hackleman said that he and Liddell
both told McGee going into the fight to keep his hands up, but
he left himself open in the heat of the moment and Tim Sylvia
capitalized. Hackleman said that plenty of professional boxers
make the same mistake, and this case Tim Sylvia made Gan pay
for it.
John
Hackleman also said that Gan McGee has no fights remaining on
his UFC contract, so McGee is now a free agent. John said that
McGee would love to re-sign with the UFC, but he is also open
to fighting in Pride or any other organization if the UFC is
no longer interested in him. John promised the UFC that they
would not regret it if they give Gan another shot, and he brought
up one specific suggestion that Zuffa should consider. Hackleman
said that if the UFC is looking for an opponent for the 6-foot-10
Wes Sims, putting McGee up against Sims would make perfect sense
whether it took place at UFC 45 in November or at any other time
in the future. Hackleman said that it would be an exciting fight
and that Gan would prove all of his critics wrong by knocking
Sims out.
Source: MMA Weekly |
CESAR
GRACIE LOSING PATIENCE WITH FRANK SHAMROCK
Cesar Gracie appeared on Monday's MMAWeekly Radio Show and voiced
his frustration over the fact that it doesn't look like he will
be fighting Frank Shamrock anytime soon. Cesar said that everything
was set for him to fight Frank on the WEC's August show and both
sides verbally agreed to the deal, but then Shamrock never showed
up on the day of the contract signing and that was the end of
any potential fight in the WEC. Cesar said that it wasn't a particularly
classy move on Frank's part, but he still wanted to fight Frank
very much and agreed to fight him on the November ShootBox show
even though it's Shamrock's show with his referees, his judges,
and his company.
After both sides verbally agreed to a deal once again, the November
ShootBox show was delayed/cancelled and the Cesar-Frank fight
was delayed indefinitely. Gracie said that Frank didn't even
have the decency to notify him of the delay/cancellation, so
Cesar was training hard for a fight that had already been delayed
before he finally found out about the delay from someone else.
Cesar said that Frank went around telling people during interviews
and seminars that he was going to be fighting Cesar in November
(which Shamrock undeniably did claim), and Frank allegedly continued
to make these claims long after he knew that it wasn't going
to happen.
Frank
Shamrock went around saying that he and Cesar Gracie had both
signed the contract to fight and had also signed a contract with
the arena in Las Vegas, when in fact Frank never signed anything
and the arena had never even been booked, according to Gracie.
Cesar said that he verified that claim with the arena, and he
was disappointed that Shamrock would blatantly lie to people
like that.
At
some point, Frank Shamrock and his representatives started putting
out the word that Frank wanted to fight Cesar, but the Nevada
State Athletic Commission wouldn't sanction the fight because
they were afraid it would be a huge mismatch in Shamrock's favor.
(Gracie is 0-0 in full-contact MMA fights but has done very well
in Jiu-Jitsu and has tapped out numerous MMA fighters at his
gym.) After Shamrock and his people started putting out the story
about the athletic commission, Gracie said that he got in touch
with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and verified that Shamrock's
story turned out to be a complete lie. They had no problem sanctioning
the bout if Shamrock would sign a contract and book an arena
for the event. A dejected and discouraged Cesar Gracie said that
he would still love for the fight to happen, but he doesn't think
it ever will happen because this is twice now that Frank has
backed out of the fight with a lot of lies and not a lot of honor.
Cesar
Gracie was also asked for a status update on one of his many
promising young students, Nick Diaz. Cesar said that he was very
proud of Nick for his victory over Jeremy Jackson at UFC 44,
and he also credited Jackson for being a good fighter as well.
Cesar said that he would like to see Diaz back in the Octagon
against Karo Parisyan at UFC 45 or UFC 46 given the fact that
they're both welterweight fighters and they both looked impressive
at UFC 44. Gracie also said that he'd love to see the UFC match
Diaz up with Pete Spratt at UFC 46 in early 2004, but he added
that it's all up in the air right now and the UFC might also
decide to match Spratt up with Jeremy Jackson or any number of
other fighters at UFC 46.
Regarding
the injured orbital bone that MMAWeekly reported yesterday, Cesar
Gracie confirmed that Nick Diaz does indeed have an injured orbital
bone and added that it's more in the cheek-bone area than the
eye socket. The athletic commission doctors listed Diaz as having
a "possibly broken left orbital bone," but Gracie said
that it has started to feel a lot better since UFC 44 took place
and they're pretty sure that it's not broken. Just to make sure
that it's a nasty bruise and not a broken bone of any kind, they
are planning on having an X-ray for Diaz at some point, probably
later this week. If the X-ray does end up showing a broken orbital
bone, Diaz will not be cleared to fight in the state of Nevada
again until March 26, 2004 (six months after UFC 44).
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
"Hard work without talent is a shame, but talent without
hard work is a tragedy."
Robert Half, American Businessman, Founder of Robert Half &
Associates.
|
Official
release from
Team Extreme and Miletich Fighting Systems
UFC
heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia announced today that he had taken
a banned substance prior to his title defense against Gan McGee
on Sept. 26 in Las Vegas.
"I made a terrible mistake ... the biggest mistake of my
life," Sylvia said. "I wish I could take it back, but
that isn't possible. So, I'm ready to accept the consequences
for my actions."
The Nevada State Athletic Commission notified Sylvia of the infraction
earlier this week. Sylvia hopes to have a hearing in front of
the board on Oct. 15 in Las Vegas.
"After I won the title, I wanted to look better ... to have
a better physique," Sylvia said. "I have never taken
steroids before, so I tried it for a month after the Ricco fight.
Now, it's obvious that it was a big mistake."
Sylvia said he will abide by whatever decisions are made by the
NSAC and Zuffa.
"I just want to apologize for letting people down... my
fans, my teammates, my family, the Nevada State Athletic Commission
and the UFC," Sylvia said. "I can't express how disappointed
I am in myself right now. I've gotten such great support from
so many people ... I hope they will stick by me and help me get
through this. I want to accept responsibility for what I did,
do whatever I have to do to put it behind me, and move on with
my career."
Source: FCF |
FCF
Exclusive!
Tito Ortiz Battles Defeat in a Candid Interview, Speaks of Next
Opponent
By Loretta Hunt
On
the heels of last week's UFC 44, FCF has been able to secure
the first exclusive interview with former light-heavyweight champion
Tito Ortiz on his devastating loss to undisputed champion Randy
Couture. In the comprehensive interview set to run in the next
issue of Full Contact Fighter, Ortiz speaks out on the fight,
his injuries going in, who and when he wants to fight next, his
rematch clause, and a slew of other hot topics. His answers may
surprise you. An opening excerpt follows:
FCF:
Tito, thank you for taking the time to speak with FCF. With a
week to reflect on the fight, you must have some thoughts regarding
it.
TO: It was everything I didn't expect. Randy Couture caught me
totally off guard. He out-wrestled me in every aspect as a wrestler
and as a fighter. It was his night. I couldn't take nothing away
from him. Randy Couture showed me a weakness that I should have
never looked past, and that was wrestling. I looked past it for
the last month. I don't know why I could let myself do that.
Of course, having a herniated disk in my back had a lot to do
with it, but at the same time, I'm not taking nothing away from
Randy Couture 'cause he did fight a tremendous fight. I'll tell
you one thing, though, I'm going to be a lot meaner the second
time because that just shows what type of takedowns I can take,
what kind of punishment I can take, along with the same factor
of defending myself. I mean, he never really hurt me one time.
He had me mounted, he had me -- I was in every position you can
get a guy when you take him down, but he never hurt me once.
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