Upcoming
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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
November
Pride
Bushido 5
(MMA)
(Yokohama Arena, Japan)
September
Ring
of Honor 6
( Kickboxing/MMA)
(Kauai)
Tentative
9/18/04
NAGA
Hawaii State Grappling Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Farrington H.S. Gym)
9/11/04
K-1 Hawaii
(Boxing & Kickboxing)
(Aloha Stadium)
9/5/04
Kickin’ It
(Kickboxing)
(Palama Settlement Gym)
August
Ring of Honor 6
( Kickboxing/MMA)
(Maui)
Tentative
8/28/04
Hawaiian Grappling Challenge
(Submission Grappling)
(Oahu)
8/21/04
or 8/28/04
Kickin’ It
(Kickboxing)
(Palama Settlement Gym)
8/15/04
Pride
Final Conflict
(MMA)
(Saitama Super Arena, Japan)
July
Bushido 4
(MMA)
(Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Japan)
7/30/04
Westside
Bash
(Boxing/Kickboxing)
(Ahuna Ranch, Maili)
7/24/04
Submission Wrestling Tpurnament
(Sub Grappling)
(Kahului, Maui, Hawaii)
7/19/04
Pride
Bushido 4
(MMA)
(Nagoya, Japan)
|
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Quote
of the Day
"The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming
it."
Moliere, 1622-1673, French Playwright
|
WESTSIDE
BASH Results!
Punishment In Paradise 5: "Westside Bash"
Ahuna Ranch, Maili, Hawaii
July 30, 2004
By Chris Onzuka - Chris@Onzuka.com
After
a succession of kickboxing events, with the last event crowning
7 Punishment In Paradise Kickboxing champions, promoter Brennan
Kamaka helped to answer one of the most asked questions in Hawaii…who
is the best kickboxer. It just so happens that most of the best
kickboxers are just under or close to 170lbs, so what better
than to hold a tournament of these fighters to prove who is the
best kickboxer under tournament conditions. This also interests
MMA fans because six of the eight fighters are active MMA fighters.
Unfortunately Murphy's Law met the old adage, "The best
made plans of mice and men.." took over. The event moved
venues and took advantage of the beautiful weather and great
outdoors, taking place at Ahuna Ranch in Maile. It was cool,
with a clear sky and the moon crept over the mountains, almost
producing a sign from above to start the fights. The stars of
the event were Cheyenne Padekan in the Welterweight division
and Vai Togia in the Unlimited division. Both fighters beat
two fresh opponents to claim the tournament championship. Cheyenne
Padekan has been pounding fighters in boxing, kickboxing and
MMA, recently beating Dain Agbayani in his first fight back,
winning the Punishment in Paradise championship. He stepped back
into the ring and used his quick hands and accurate punches to
beat Afong. Cheyenne seemed to need a little time to warm up
because after that he finished Feti Weela in impressive action.
After winning the finals, Vai yelled out, "I'm Back!"
after a good effort against Kauwi Kauwi, which turned into a
brawl with both fighters pushing and shoveling, et.
Welterweight
Tournament (170lbs. & Under)
3 Rounds - 1 Minute
Cheyenne "Oh Can He Punch" Padeken (Waianae Boxing
Club, Waianae) def. Reynold Afong (Nanakuli)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
Unlimited
Tournament (265.1 & Up)
3 Rounds - 1 Minute
Vai Togia (Freelance, Waianae) def. Kauwi Kauwi (Waimanalo)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
Welterweight
Tournament (170lbs. & Under) Finals
3 Rounds - 1 Minute
Cheyenne "Oh Can He Punch" Padeken (Waianae Boxing
Club, Waianae) def. Feti Weela (Waianae)
TKO via referee stoppage at 40 seconds in Round 2.
Unlimited
Tournament (265.1 & Up) Finals
3 Rounds - 1 Minute
Vai Togia (Freelance, Waianae) def. Spam (Freelance, Waianae)
TKO via referee stoppage in Round 2.
|
Down
Goes Tyson! The End of an Era?
By Aaron Imholte Live from Louisville
When one attends a Mike Tyson fight or event you rarely know
what to expect. But when the fight is against a virtual unknown
in the Americas, the outcome should almost be sealed and ready
for delivery.
Danny
Williams came in the underdog obviously. But in his walk to the
ring you could see that he had come to fight and that he knew
this was his big shot to make a title contender out of himself.
Tyson
came in also with a look of determination, focus, and a need
for a victory to keep his comeback alive. Almost everyone around
me knew this would be a short night and that Tyson would make
quick work of the Briton.
It
seemed that way three minutes into the Tyson-Williams main event
at Freedom Hall on Friday night. Tyson looked 5 years younger,
charging inside of Williams’ reach behind a beautiful stiff
jab and ripping his opponent’s body and head with fast ferocious
combinations while his uppercut and hooks were thrown with devastating
intentions. Couple that with the fact that Tyson was moving his
head very well and it seemed only a matter of time before Williams
hit the canvas. “I thought we were on our way to a quick
knockout,” said Freddie Roach, Tyson’s trainer, after
the fight.
A
funny thing happened though three minutes into this fight. The
bell sounded an end to the first round and both men were still
on their feet! An even greater concern to team Tyson was a knee
injury suffered by Mike while in a clinch with Williams. “I
don’t want to make excuses for Mike because that is the
last thing he would do but he just couldn’t turn the left
hook over because of the knee injury,” Roach said in the
post fight press conference. It really hindered Tyson’s
head movement and his use of his jab.
But
the fight continued on and for the first half of the second round
it was more of the same. Tyson was landing bombs to the head
and body of Williams while the game Brit stayed on his feet,
absorbing everything Tyson hit him with. “My game plan was
to box him but after he hit me with those first shots I thought,
lets go to war, but his power was not all that I expected it
to be,” Williams later said of his approach to the fight.
Williams showed life in the second, trading bombs with Mike as
well as clinching and using his weight to lean on Tyson in the
clinches. Late in the round Williams really tagged Tyson but
not enough to take the round.
Early
in the third round Williams was warned for punching in the clinch
and had a point taken away from him. Williams was now stunning
Tyson while they are trading shots in close and he even cut Tyson
by his eye. Tyson was still charging and they were still battling,
but later in the round ANOTHER point was taken away from Williams
for punching in the clinch. It was a curious move to everyone
in attendance especially Williams who later said “I felt
like I was fighting two people in there because that ref was
a joke.” The round ended with Tyson appearing a bit shaken
and Williams winning the round visibly, but not on the cards
due to the deductions.
Less
than a minute into the fourth round every writer in attendance
stopped their hurried writing of their round reports, dropped
their pens (including myself) and watched stunned as Danny Williams,
that unknown stepping stone for Mike Tyson’s comeback tagged
Mike repeatedly and sent him backwards. Mike failed to charge
back in and another succession of right and left hands sent Tyson
stumbling to the ground with only the ropes to keep him sitting
upright. Everyone in attendance was shocked to see the ref clutching
Tyson and waving the fight to a halt! Mike Tyson was finished
and even at the post fight press conference a lot of us were
still trying to bring our minds to believe the reality of what
had just happened.
Tyson
was taken to the hospital for stitches, a CT scan and to have
his knee looked at. Team Tyson believes he tore some ligaments
in his left knee which would be a difficult injury for a 38-year-old
to bounce back from.
Afterward
Freddie Roach appeared emotionally shaken by the outcome but
said he was proud of Mike and that he “worked hard”
in getting down from 268 pounds into his fight weight of 233.
When asked if Mike would fight again Roach said that “I
will sit down with Shelley Finkel and Mike and we will have a
long discussion about fighting in the future. We will not discuss
money; I care too much about Mike as a person too see him fight
solely for money.”
To
the victor, however, go the spoils. Danny Williams seemed very
pleased at the post fight press conference and was very focused
on his future options when asked about them. “I would love
to fight Brewster or Byrd because I don’t feel that those
guys are really that good, if Mike wants a rematch I would only
do that if the money was right. I might like to fight Evander
Holyfeild, take another old boy down, no disrespect.”
So
how would someone celebrate such a victory and a career altering
one at that? “My celebration will be being able to hold
my two daughters, that’s all; there will be no partying
or drinking for me.”
As
to Tyson ever fighting again, is he still a draw? Is the mystique
gone? I asked Danny and here is what he had to say. “Definitely,
after someone like Danny Williams beats Mike Tyson it is over
for him.”
Time
will only tell whether Mike will return to the ring. One should
hope for Mike’s sake that he finds some other avenue in
which to pay off his creditors. His career in the ring is all
but over and the draw power and mystique he had may have just
run out for the man formerly known as ‘Kid Dynamite’.
So
tonight in Louisville it is the old case of ‘a star is born,
a star burns out’. Even if Tyson does return to the ring,
he is no longer a factor in the heavyweight scene and never will
be again. I wish him all the luck in the world in whatever else
he pursues. As to Danny Williams, good luck and enjoy your fame,
however long it lasts.
Source: Dog House Boxing |
TYSON
WEIGH-IN
Mike
Tyson weighed in for his scheduled fight against Danny Williams
at 233 pounds. It is seven pounds heavier then Tyson weighed
for his last fight last year.
Below
are the weigh-ins for tomorrow night's boxing bouts:
Mike
Tyson: 233 pounds
D. Williams: 265 pounds
Laila
Ali: 167 pounds
Monica Nunez: 164 pounds
Nelson
Dieppa: 108 pounds
Ulises Solis: 107.75 pounds
Source:
Fight Sport |
Minotauro
ready for Kharitinov
Rodrigo Minotauro has been training hard for the Pride GP final,
which happens on August 15, in Japan. He departs from Rio next
Wednesday and in front of him there is a Russian fighter: Sergey
Kharitinov. Minotauro complains about the brackets delay, but
also stated he is ready to fight the Russian. "They took
so long to define the brackets, but Its okay. When you do fight
a tournament you have to beat anyone," said Minotauro, who
believes Fedor will defeat Ogawa: "I am aware I will face
a tough fighter during my first fight and if I do will, it will
be more complicated over the final match. However I don't even
think about this second bout. I want to defeat Kharitinov."
The BTT athlete compliments Russian game. "He is tough but
so am I. I will exchange punches with Kharitinov and then submitted
him on the ground," promised Minotauro.
Source:
Tatame |
Pró
JJ: Macaco wins Pé-de-Chumbo
2o Desafio Internacional Pró Jiu-Jitsu
Friday, July 29, 2004
Olympia, São Paulo
COMPLETE
RESULTS:
Grand
Prix Heavy Weight
Roberto Godói (Bra) defeated Cristiano Kaminishi (Japan)
by 2x0
Roberto Tozi - (Bra) defeated Nilson Liboni - (Bra) by 11 a 0.
Roberto Godói (Bra) submitted Roberto Tozi - (Bra) via
foot lock
Peter
De Been - Aus (Masters) submitted Marcelo Gheler - (Bra) via
relógio
Leticia Ribeiro (Bra) defeated Aika Sato - (Japan) by 15x0
Bibiano Fernandes (Bra) defeated Takashi Watanabe - (Japan) by
6x4
Luciano Nucci (Bra) defeated Hayakawa Mitsuyoshi - (Japan) by
advantages
Mario Reis - (Bra) defeated Yuki Naki - (Japão) by 3x0
Super
fight:
Jorge Patino Macaco - (Bra) defeated Délson Pé-de-Chumbo
- (Bra) by 4 advantages
Source:
Tatame |
Ebenezer
Braga Becomes a fight promoter in Brazil
by Andre Araujo / Team TATAME
One
of the most experienced Vale-Tudo fighters in Brazil, Ebenezer
Braga (Ruas Vale-Tudo) returns to the fray, this time as a fight
promoter. The first edition o 'Juiz de Fora Fight' is scheduled
for in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais (Brazil's Southwest) in late
September. According to the new promoter, the date and venue
will be defined in the next few days. The theme of the event
is to determine who is the best Vale Tudo fighter in Minas Gerais,
and the method to reach conclusion will be a eight-men-tournament.
Besides the tournament, the local audience will also see two
super-fights.
Debuting
as a promoter, Ebenezer shows confidence: 'I have been fighting
for 15 years and I know too much about fighting shows. I am sure
it will be great! My first concern is not about the show and
the money, but the fight card and all the bouts. The event is
especially made by an athlete for athletes' guarantees Ebenezer,
who besides the whole production, will be in charge of the refereeing.
'I will be the only referee, to keep the neutrality' he states.
The
card is under construction, and fighters have been contacted,
but Boxe Thai's Peterson Mello is already confirmed. 'We are
going to feature known fighters, and also we want toopen room
for new talent. Our major concern is hosting a real fighting
show and with a great card' concludes Braga.
Source: ADCC |
Catching
Up With ALBERTO CRANE
by: Keith Mills
New Mexico standout Alberto Crane is not only active in submission
wrestling tournaments but has also been Lightweight champion
of King Of The Cage. Recently he put on his own show in Santa
Fe, New Mexico with many of his own students fighting, as well
as Shannon Ritch and UFC vet Brad Gumm.
KM:
How did your show go? Crane: It was great; it was sold out. I
had a really good fight. One of my students beat Gumm who fought
in the UFC a while back. This was his first fight.
KM:
Wow, that’s impressive. Crane: There’s another guy,
Jason Tapia. He won nationals this year. He was like the first
Mexican to ever win nationals at the collegiate level and he
won his fight as well. He dominated the guy and the match was
really good. Luckily I was able to get my guy out pretty quickly.
KM:
Yeah, you got yours over in the quickest fight of the night.
Crane: Yeah, and thank God.
KM:
That was with an arm bar and what was it, like 30 seconds? Crane:
Yeah I guess the time was around 28 seconds. I got him in that
omaplata move and I turned that into an arm bar.
KM:
Was there any sense of relief – with all the stress of putting
on the show – that yours ended so quickly? Crane: Yeah,
I was just glad to get the win and to look good. There were a
lot of nerves going in. And then to have the show and to have
all of my guys fighting as well.
KM:
How much help did you get in putting on the show? Did you do
it all yourself? Crane: No, I got a lot of help actually family
and friends and Rich Cordeiro. Yeah, everybody helped out a lot.
KM:
Ok, yeah, I know you have to give him a special thanks for that
he has a lot on his plate. What was it like putting on your first
show? Crane: It was awesome. It was my first time fighting in
Santa Fe. It was kind of special in that kind of way. I had all
my friends and family and they could come downtown and watch
it. It was the first event they ever had in Santa Fe as well
so that was really cool and it went real well and everybody loved
it like the city council. And everybody had a really good time.
The crowd was great as well. There weren’t any fights or
anything it went really smooth.
KM:
The last couple shows I saw in New Mexico were all around Albuquerque
and I think all the mixed martial arts shows have been around
Albuquerque. You were just talking about this being the first
show in Santa Fe. By being a Santa Fe resident, how much personal
satisfaction was it to bring it to your city? Crane: Yeah, that
was the thing, it was great that we could have something in Santa
Fe. I fought all over and I’ve never competed in New Mexico
so when the King of the Cage went to New Mexico it was great
cause I got to fight in New Mexico for the first time. And then
now, to have an event in Santa Fe, in my hometown, it was really
awesome.
KM:
What kind of advice could you give to someone that might be thinking
about putting on their own show. Dave Strasser has been putting
on his show for a while. Jeff Curran has been putting on shows
for a couple of months, but if I recall correctly Shannon Rich
was talking about getting into promoting. From your perspective,
being a fighter and a promoter now and doing so much with yourself
even though you had a lot of help, what kind of advice can you
give these people? Crane: Just do it. Just go for it.
KM:
Having been a fighter for other people’s shows, I am speculating
that you knew how you wanted to treat fighters differently from
other shows. Is that accurate? Crane: Yeah, you are right. You
want to be respectful to all the athletes and the fighters involved
and if you say you are going to do something then you do it.
That’s the bottom line. You follow through with it. You
show respect when you are dealing with people.
KM:
Don’t you have another one coming up in August? Crane: No,
I am not sure when I’m going to have another show.
KM:
So you’re next fight is going to be King of the Cage in
August? Crane: No, actually a student of mine is fighting. It’s
actually going to be the first girl fight in New Mexico. August
28th at the Sky City casino. Sarah Boyd. She actually fought
in the SmackGirl in June I think it was. She did good. She went
against Yuuki Kondo (note: loss by armbar 3:36 round 3). It was
her first fight and the other girl had 12 or 16 fights.
KM:
Do you have anybody else in the King of the Cage on August 28th?
Crane: I am not sure who is going to fight if it is going to
be another guy from my school, but Sarah is one of the main events.
I am really excited about that.
The
full results of Crane’s show “Eruption” as posted
on Crane’s website are:
Alberto
Crane Def. Richie Reyes (Omaplata)
Keigo Kunihara Def. David Davis
Don Ortega Def. Brad Gumm
Tom Pless Def. Victor Hernandez (RNC)
Tait Fletcher Def. Andy Montana
Jason Tapia Def. RJ Gomez
Shannon 'the Cannon' Ritch Def. Fletcher 'the Stretcher' Sievers
For
more information check out www.santafebjj.com.
Source: ADCC |
|
PROMOTER
DECIDES TO FIGHT IN CAGE
KOTC’s
Tedd Williams Ready to Fight!
In
an interesting twist of fate, it seems that King of the Cage
and Gladiator Challenge’s own Tedd Williams will be making
a return to the cage.
On
the December 5th King of the Cage show at Soboba Casino, Williams
is scheduled to square off against Paul Herrera, though Herrera
has yet to sign a contract.
Apparently,
Williams’ return stems from an incident at the King of the
Cage show at Soboba this past February. Herrera was there in
support of his fighter, “Scary” Jerry Vrbanovic, and
was upset when Vrbanovic fought to a draw with MMA icon Dan “The
Beast” Severn.
“Herrera
tried to get the crowd going… flipping people off and stuff
and I was just trying to keep things under control,” according
to Williams. “I mean, you’ve basically got the power
to start a riot when you’re in the cage.”
“…I
was just trying to get him out of the cage and sort of pushed
him through the door and he fell,” Williams continued. Apparently,
Herrera threatened to sue and, in lieu of a lawsuit, the subject
was broached that maybe the two should settle their differences
in the cage instead of the court. Both fighters agreed and, contingent
upon Herrera signing the contract, they will meet in December.
Both
men are Ultimate Fighting Championship veterans. Williams has
a career record of 7-1 and last fought at UFC 27 back in September
of 2000, where he lost a decision to Ian Freeman. Paul Herrera
lost his only fight in the Octagon, to Gary Goodridge in February
of 1996, and has only one other fight to his credit, albeit a
win in his own Hitman promotion.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
BRENNAN
DUCKS MILLER
Journeyman fighter Chris Brennan was trying to find an opponent
for a fight he was planning in Guam. When rising middleweight
fighter Jayson Miller offered to take his offer, Brennan backed
out and stated:
"I
am not going to go out like everyone does in the UFC and fight
a UFC-caliber fighter outside the UFC when there is a chance
to lose" -Chris Brennan
Source:
Fight Sport |
Yves
Edwards - Part 3
by: Keith Mills
Yves Edwards not only has a fight coming up in the next UFC against
an extremely tough Josh Thomson but he is also scheduled to fight
in the second Euphoria Entertainment MFC show in October, a Lightweight
tournament with the likes of UFC vets Hermes Franca and Rich
Clementi as well as former Shooto champion Joachim Hansen.
During
the interview, Yves refers to one of his students, Rocky Long,
who fights on this weekend’s AFC card in Ft. Lauderdale.
Long started out his career fighting at 155 when he says he walks
around closer to 153, predictably resulting in his being out-weighed
and controlled by his opponents. Around the time he started fighting
in Renegades Extreme Fighting he dropped to 145 and has picked
up an 8-1 record since then, mostly in open-hand events in Texas.
Rocky now wants to continue on his path to the bigger events
at 145. His opponent this weekend is Jim Bruketta.
First
Yves finishes talking about his upcoming UFC fight.
KM:
you are fighting about three times as much as Thompson. What
does this difference in experience mean to you? Yves: You know,
like I said before – all the stuff goes out the window once
you step in the cage. If you get too confident in your experience
you are just going to make a harder fight for yourself. I am
not planning on my experience to be a deciding factor. If it
comes to that point then that will kick in automatically. I do
have a little bit more experience and I think that will help,
but it isn’t something I am banking on.
KM:
Everybody knows you prefer to stand up. I think you have 9 submission
wins as a pro and he has 2 submission wins as an amateur. The
two guys he beat, I think one was 1-8 and the other was 2-9 losing
records. Given the fact that you prefer to stand up and that
is what you are going for – Does that difference in experience
or skill and submission make you more confident or change your
plan at all? Yves: Nothing is going to change my confidence level.
I don’t even know how many people he submitted or what their
records were or how many people he has knocked out and I could
care less because there is no way he is going to submit me. He
may get a take down or two, but if it goes to the ground and
stays there he is going to get submitted. If he stands up he
is going to get knocked out. He doesn’t have the experience,
he is game, he is wily, he is good, but this is a whole new world
and he has this concept that he is going to stand up with me.
If he stands up with me he’ll get what everyone else who
stood up with me got. He is going to get ninja fucked.
KM:
Where are you in your training right now? We are about a month
out or so – Are you peaking in your training at this point?
Yves: I don’t know that I am at peak. I always feel really
good. There are some days I go into the gym and feel lackluster,
but I feel really good right now and I am getting better at some
basic things that are really important that a lot of people have
no idea about. I am working really hard with my boxing coach
and my fitness coach is putting me to the ropes so I am feeling
real confident in both parts of my game – in stand up and
on the ground and I am always confident about my transition game.
Mostly the middle close-up standing inside stuff and that is
one thing Josh Thompson has no idea about what he is getting
into. If he tries to play the clinch game with me, it’s
over.
KM:
I was just watching the DVDs of your fights and seeing the clinch
over and over again, it was amazing. With the Clementi fight
and one other UFC one you had that rear mount triangle kind of
hold instead of the hooks in the legs like we are used to seeing.
Where did that come from? We haven’t really seen that in
MMA. Yves: Actually, the first time I ever saw that was in Shooto
and I have been doing that in the gym ever since. Sometimes I’ll
put that hold on guys I feel I am a lot better than or I’ll
put it on guys to make them fight. You know, when your gas is
getting low. What is does, it constricts your lungs and it keeps
me stuck to your back. If you can’t get my legs apart, you
can’t turn to face me and that’s one thing I love about
that submission. It allows me to rest and I am long for the wait
and I am tall and have long legs and it just makes that position
ideal for me.
KM:
I was wondering why we don’t see more of that. Does it fit
in with more of your body type or is there some disadvantage
that I am not catching onto as opposed to the traditional hold?
Do you have any speculation as to why we don’t see more
people trying that? Yves: I would guess it has something to do
with body type. I would expect to see lanky guys doing it. If
you get to see some of the lightweights you will get to see a
lot of them doing that kind of technique.
KM:
How is Rocky Long doing with his prep for AFC? Yves: Rocky is
looking really good. He is pushing pace really hard, he works
harder than anyone else. The guy is a single dad with four kids
and he still makes sure he is prepared. He makes sure to get
all his running done, he is in the gym six days a week, he is
working on his stand up and he is doing it all out, putting everything
he has into it. Right now, he is looking really good. His mind
is focused; he’s ready. He is adapting to everything we
throw at him.
KM:
There’s going to be some inevitable comparisons between
the two of you because he trains with you. How would you say
your styles are similar and how are they different? Yves: I think
the only similarity is that he is real confident standing. He
doesn’t counter like I do, but he leads, he hits a lot harder
and for 145 lbs. he is really strong. But then, I think it ends
there, he is a completely different fighter, he takes some techniques
that I use, but he’s just a completely different fighter.
He is really powerful. You know, I have seen this guy double-leg
and pick up a 250 lb. guy over his head, I am still trying to
do that. He’s phenomenal.
KM:
As far as the training or anything else, is there anything else
you want to get across? Yves: As far as this fight, it’s
not official for the UFC lightweight title, but it is, everybody
knows that it is. Once Josh and I get it over with there’s
nobody else left. We are at the top of the food chain and we’re
not fighting for the title and that’s ridiculous.
KM:
Is it any distraction knowing you have that fight against Kotani
in October? Yves: No, that is a good thing. I am not worried
about Kotani at all; I’ll get worried about him sometime
in late September. I am focused on Josh and by the time I get
done I’ll be in really good shape and Kotani will just be
the next victim.
KM:
Are there any sponsors you want to thank? Yves: Full Contact
Fighter and MMA Weekly. Plex Health and Fitness, it’s a
training facilty for professional athletes.
For
more information please go to http://www.thugjitsu.com and http://Plex.com.
Source:
ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"From what we get, we can make a living: what we give, however
makes a life."
Arthur Ashe 1943-1993, Tennis Player
|
WESTSIDE
BASH Tonight!
Ahuna Ranch, Maile, Hawaii
FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2004
Welterweight Tournament (170lbs. & Under)
Zack Elaraza (Wailuku Boxing Gym, Maui)
Wayne Perrin III (Team Bigdogs, Waianae)
PJ Dean (Bad Intentions, Waianae)
Clyde Paling (Freelance, Nanakuli)
Cheyenne "Oh Can He Punch" Padeken (Waianae Boxing
Club, Waianae)
Mark "El Toro" Moreno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi)
Kaleo Padilla (Westbrook Boxing Club, Kona)
Shawn Taylor (Freelance, Kailua)
Heavyweight
Tournament (265lbs. & Under)
Jacob "Hitman" Fa'agai (Untaimed Bloodline Inc., Waianae)
Doug Armaral (Hawaii Self-Defense, Nanakuli)
Vai Togia (Freelance, Waianae)
Unlimited Tournament (265.1 & Up)
Robert Atisinoe (Hawaii Self-Defense, Nanakuli)
John Tamau (Hawaii Self-Defense, Nanakuli)
Spam (Freelance, Waianae)
Shilo Ho (Team Bigdogs, Aiea)
This
is the only directions that we have for the event. Please don't
blame us if it is wrong.
Directions
to Ahuna Ranch
Take a right on St.
John's St.
(the light right by Maili Cove, the hotel on the Makai side).
Take a left almost at the end of the road
Drive past Maili Elementary School
Past the Stop sign and it will be on your right side
There is a long drive way.
There should be signs from St. Johns road giving directions.
TICKET INFORMATION 330-4483
|
Exclusive:
UFC President and Penn’s Attorney Shed Light on Lawsuit
by Mike Sloan & Josh Gross
 
LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- With news breaking late last week of former
UFC welterweight champion BJ Penn’s lawsuit against Zuffa,
representatives from both sides spoke on the record with Sherdog.com.
In exclusive interviews, Penn’s attorney in Hawaii, Steve
Strauss, and UFC president Dana White answered questions about
the suit.
Before
the complaint was filed on July 8, Penn and his attorneys protested
Zuffa's belt-stripping of Penn after he signed a multi-fight
deal with K-1. They also demanded that Zuffa not only reinstate
the man who defeated Matt Hughes for the 170-pound title, but
the promoter should also line up title defenses for him.
Las
Vegas-based Zuffa refused, claiming that Penn breached his contract
when he signed to fight Duane Ludwig in Japan; as a result it
has penciled in Hughes to face Georges St. Pierre for the vacant
title October 22 in Atlantic City.
In
response, Penn retained the services of local Las Vegas law firm
Raleigh, Hunt and McGarry, P.C, to pursue legal means of settling
the dispute; the complaint against Zuffa, which was obtained
by Sherdog.com, was filed with the District Court of Clark County,
Nevada.
“The
first thing I did was look at the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s
rules and regulations and Nevada Statutes,” Strauss said
Monday afternoon from Hawaii. “We had multiple discussions
with the principles at Zuffa. I had one-on-ones with (Zuffa COO)
Kirk Hendrick. I also participated in discussions with Dana White,
with BJ and Kirk involved. I had an extensive review of the contract’s
provisions that they had and the way the promotions are set up
-- it seems that BJ’s case is a strong one.”
On
the other hand, Zuffa suggests Penn remained under contract and
since he was champion, his contract should have automatically
extended. When Penn decided to sign with K-1, Zuffa -- fearing
Penn would place the UFC brand at risk if he lost while holding
the UFC welterweight belt -- had no recourse except to strip
him of the title.
This
is where the situation becomes cloudy. Did the contract expire,
did a loophole in the contract allow Penn to retain his belt
while fighting for another promoter, or was Zuffa in the right
when it stripped its title from the welterweight?
“If
you really want to look at it, basically the title was vacated,"
White asserted Friday from the UFC's Las Vegas offices. "We
wanted to make it known that BJ no longer held the title when
he fought over at K-1. His contract was up and he chose to leave
and fight for another organization.”
Strauss,
of course, believes Zuffa acted incorrectly.
“It
became clear that we really have to address the exclusivity terms
that Zuffa is trying to enforce,” explained Strauss. “We
have really two approaches on this. First, within the confines
of the agreement, an analysis of the agreement that’s drafted
by Zuffa, and after review of the history between the parties,
has there been a breach by BJ of the terms that would permit
Zuffa to take the action that they did? My analysis is that no,
there is no breach and that BJ did everything that he was supposed
to do; and that we had extensive written communications with
Zuffa explaining to them why we believe that their interpretation
of their own agreement is incorrect -- that the term that they
specifically identify for the duration of the agreement was satisfied.
That is because he fought three times under the contract and
that his championship [fight] occurred more than one year after
his first bout [under the contract]; they had no automatic extension
agreement that they apparently are seeking, or we are expecting
that they’ll be seeking to enforce.
"Based
on their own terms of the contract, without even challenging
the terms, it seems that there is not a reasonable dispute. That
BJ satisfied what he was supposed to do. That he performed his
obligations.”
Strauss
further elaborated that the next step was to look at the at the
agreement under the spotlight of Nevada Law as it pertained to
the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the Nevada Revised Statutes
and the common law in terms of interpretation of contracts.
Strauss
and Vegas-based attorney John Hunt are investigating whether
Zuffa’s conduct is consistent with an applied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing, and whether the exclusivity that
Zuffa is attempting to promote violates Nevada law in terms of
“little antitrust,” which applies to state, not federal
cases.
According
to Strauss, Penn claims that White was disgruntled after witnessing
the Hawaiian's victory over Hughes.
“I
know that BJ expressed that when he won the title; Dana White
had a pained look on his face,” said the attorney. “It
was not expected and [Penn's win over Matt Hughes ] may have
upset [White's] plans. ..."
Speaking
with Sherdog.com before the suit was filed on the 8th, the UFC
president said that had Penn not been welterweight champion when
he fought in K-1, he would have been allowed to fight with virtually
no strings attached.
"[BJ's
representatives] came to me and asked if they could fight in
another organization and I told them yes, but I would do it.
I would do it like I did it with Chuck," White elaborated
Friday. "I would cut the deal. I was trying to cut a deal
to have him fight in PRIDE and the next thing I know is I hear
that he's fighting in K-1. So he walked out on our deal, on our
contract. He wouldn't re-sign with us."
“What
they say and what’s expressed in the contract are two different
things," countered Strauss. “Their contract does not
say that if you are their champion, you’re theirs forever.
It says that if on a date within one year of your first bout
you become champion, then they extend the term for a year. But
that’s not the case; he became champion more than a year
after the date of his first bout of that contract. He only had
three bouts with them (under the structure of his contract)."
"Zuffa
is claiming that they had some heartbreak because they said [Penn]
wanted to take some time and rest, and they said that they’d
let him do that; and by implication, it should have been an extension
of their agreement," he continued. "But there is no
such term in the agreement itself, and in the contract it’s
specific that any modification must be in writing.”
According
to White, "BJ's management came back and said, 'no,'"
to a contract extension, "because he took some time off
and they said the contract was expired. So, at the end of the
day, we let BJ walk. BJ wanted to go, we wished him well as a
fighter in K-1.”
If,
as Strauss claims, there was no contract written with specific
modifications, could there have been a verbal agreement between
the parties which could have kept Penn as UFC champion?
“In
my understanding, there was no such verbal agreement,” he
said. “There is no agreement that says, ‘We’ll
let you rest, but we must extend the term of the agreement.’
It’s simply that he wanted to rest and that’s the way
it was. The agreement that underlines this lawsuit, the basis
of this lawsuit, contains a specific term that says modification
must be in writing.”
“[BJ]
wants to defend his title in the UFC and we expect that they
would provide title defenses until such the time that they either
retire the title and have no more welterweights or until BJ lost
or retired himself,” Strauss said. “We would have to
have an appropriate agreement that would cover compensation to
that, but it’s not something that he’s willing to walk
away from. If they absolutely refuse, then it comes down to a
damages case.”
Before
the case goes to trial there is a possibility that the two sides
could settle out of court. But, according to Strauss. that appears
unlikely.
“We’re
always willing to talk to those people,” Strauss said. “But
I can’t predict whether it could or could not [be settled].
We’re open to discussion, but nothing has come from their
side. First we requested and then demanded title defenses, for
weeks now.”
While
many of the cases settled out of court reward one side with hefty
monetary rewards, that’s not something which interests Penn.
Said Strauss: He simply wants to fight and establish himself
as the world’s best.
What
it would take for Penn to settle?
“Title
defenses and attorney’s fees would probably take care of
it,” Strauss answered. “If BJ can get back in and defend
his title, then the damages really go away. The contract is expired
now, so we would have to cut an agreement that would provide
title defenses and make it worthwhile. BJ’s motivating interest
is really not the money. Surprisingly enough, he wants to be
the world’s best. He wants that recognition and he is not
willing to give up that title belt that he worked really hard
for. In our discussions with Zuffa, they wanted him to give back
the belt. BJ said, 'Look, I earned this belt. Maybe you don’t
understand that, but when you earn something, you don’t
just give it up.'"
White,
however, remains confident in Zuffa's position, openly doubting
Penn's chances at winning in a Las Vegas courtroom.
“Our
litigators have reviewed the documents and believe there's absolutely
no merit to the allegations,” said the UFC president. “Right
now we have litigators who will aggressively defend this matter
and will be seeking reimbursement for the litigation fees.”
Penn's
suit versus Zuffa is the first of its kind in mixed martial arts,
and both sides have decidedly different views on what it could
mean. All Penn wants, said Strauss, is to defeat Zuffa in court
so he can defend his title in the Octagon. Meanwhile, said White,
it's an interesting change of pace when one of the finest fighters
in the world is suing to get back into his show.
Source: Sherdog |
AKEBONO
VS. ROUFUS
K-1 matchmaker Sadaharu Tamigawa announced to the Japanese media
that the matchup of Akebono vs. Rick Roufus would take place
on the K-1 Vegas card on August 7th.
Source: Fight Sport |
Japan
- News Update from the Japanese scene!
by: MMA Observer
Note:
Some of this data appeared on http://www.puroresupower.com/,
Zach Arnold's incredible website of news from the Japanese scene.
PRIDE
in AUGUST
PURORESU POWER reported a few days ago that the next round of
PRIDE's GP, scheduled for August 15th at the Saitama Super Arena,
was sold out in advance!
Well,
that news is indeed true, as Zach Arnold confirms today. Report
includes Fuji TV's production crew altering floor plans to allow
more seats to be made available. This new batch of tickets go
on sale this weekend, starting Sunday, August 1st at 10 AM Tokyo
time. Arnold goes on to predict the PRIDE GP may end up getting
50,000 in the building, breaking all-time attendance records.
JAPAN's
U-STYLE
U-STYLE,
Japan's pro wrestling organization that was started by Kiyoshi
Tamura after the demise of RINGS, is in the news again. Mr. Saeki,
who is the head of U-STYLE and is also heavily involved with
Bushido and DEEP, held a press conference to announce the lineups
for two U-STYLE August shows.
U-STYLE
features what is called a 'strong' style, with pre determined
outcomes, but moves that are more realistic than what Americans
think of as pro wrestling. The Japanese scene has been filled
with a lot of cross over recently between MMA events and pro
wrestling. Even Arnold's website (referenced above) has started
to cover MMA more, as the lines blur with pro wrestling in Japan.
Ogawa,
who remains in the PRIDE GP, is the top draw in Japan's pro wrestling
scene, and his cross over to MMA has been shrewdly planned to
keep him atop the pro wrestling heap. Other Japanese 'fighters'
have come from a pro wrestling background, and the pro wrestling
scene has been hiring foreign fighters for such as Kevin Randleman
and Mark Coleman for appearances.
The
U-style event features Kiyoshi Tamura taking on MMA fighter Dokonjonosuke
Mishima. Mishima, the former SHOOTO fighter, has participated
in pro wrestling before, and he has a pro wrestler's charisma.
His first name being a stage name, and he is 'exciting' and a
performer. It will be interesting to see if Tamura, the acknowledged
star of the event, will look good or not against the smaller
Mishima. The Japanese fans will be watching, and the outcome,
though pre determined, will affect both men's appeal in MMA.
Source:
ADCC |
ADCC
North American Trials
OFFICIAL Invitations being Issued!!!
September 18th, 2004 – Vernon, BC, Canada
'The ADCC is issuing the OFFICIAL invitation for the North American
Trials over the course of the next week' states spokesman Miguel
Iturrate. 'These are the official ADCC qualifiers, with the winners
of each of the 5 weight classes getting an acceptance to the
ADCC 2005 – the 6th Submission Wrestling World Championships.'
The
North American Trials will take place on September 18th, 2004
in beautiful Vernon, BC, Canada. 'We want to thank our hosts
up there, SHOWDOWN FIGHTWEAR, they are great hosts and they will
be putting onm a stand out event.' continues the spokesman. This
is the first North American Trials ever held outside of the USA,
and it is the 4th North American Trials in history.
'Things
have worked out pretty well' reveals the spokesman. 'The 6th
World Championships of Submission Wrestling will be in May of
2005, so it is the perfect time to expand north of the border.
The level of the TRIALS has gone up every year as well, and for
this edition, the ADCC received more applicants than ever. Te
level will be up again this year' predicts the spokesman.
The
first round of official invitations will be distributed by August
4th.
Any
questions? e-mail itur_miguel@yahoo.com.
(Responses by Aug 2nd due to travel).
NORTH
AMERICAN TRIALS UPDATE
The champions from 2003 are all invited back to defend their
titles, and Pablo Popovich will be back in the 66-76.9 KG. Also
assured of a spot are the winners of the TORONTO SHOWDOWN event
scheduled for August 14th, 2004 in Toronto, Canada.
65.9
KG:
#2 - Canadian pre Trials Winner.
66-76.99
KG:
#1 - Pablo Popovich (2003 Champion)
#2 - Canadian pre Trials Winner.
77-87.99
KG:
#1 - Canadian pre Trials Winner.
88-98.99
KG:
#1 - Canadian pre Trials Winner.
99
KG:
#1 - Canadian pre Trials Winner.
Source:
ADCC |
TYSON
ARRIVES IN LOUISVILLE AS THOUSANDS CHEER
by: Eddie Goldman/ADCC Wrestling Editor
While many tickets reportedly remain for Friday's Mike Tyson-Danny
Williams fight in Louisville, Kentucky, according to press reports
thousands of people came out to watch Tyson conduct a public
workout Tuesday.
Here
are the fighters' workout quotes, as released by Showtime, which
will show this fight on pay-per-view.
SHOWTIME
PAY PER VIEW PUBLIC WORKOUT QUOTES:
FORMER
UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION MIKE TYSON, WBU INTERNATIONAL
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DANNY WILLIAMS, UNDEFEATED JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT
CONTENDER ULISES SOLIS TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2004, FROM FOURTH STREET
LIVE, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
Former
undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson (50-4-2, 2 NC, 44
KOs) will take his initial step toward reclaiming a world title
when he faces World Boxing Union (WBU) International Champion
Danny Williams (31-3, 26 KOs) in a 10-round showdown live on
pay per view, Friday, July 30. The TYSON-WILLIAMS pay-per-view
telecast from Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., will begin at
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Straight Out Promotions will present the
event, which will be distributed by SHOWTIME Pay Per View and
carries a suggested retail price of $44.95.
Rounding
out the SHOWTIME pay-per-view telecast, Women's International
Boxing Association (WIBA) Super Middleweight Champion Laila Ali
(17-0, 14 KOs) will make her second title defense when she meets
Monica Nuñez (9-1, 5 KOs) and Nelson Dieppa (20-1-2, 12
KOs) will defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight
crown for the fourth time when he battles undefeated Ulises Solis
(18-0-1, 13 KOs).
MIKE
TYSON
'I am very appreciative of cities like this and the way the fans
here have come out to support me. I may be calmer before this
fight than usual, but the fire will be there come Friday.'
DANNY
WILLIAMS
'Mike Tyson has had his day. Now it is time for Danny Williams
to take over - trust me. Tyson will be as vicious as ever when
he gets into the ring, but so will I. He has tremendous power,
but I am ready for that and anything else he has to offer. I
feel less pressure for this fight than for any fight before.
Everybody expects Tyson to knock me out in one or two rounds,
so all the pressure is on him. Tyson is hungry, but I am hungrier.
He is here just to pay his bills. I am here to make a name for
myself.'
ULISES
SOLIS
'This is a great opportunity for me. I am confident I can win
another world title for Mexico. This will be a great fight. I
hope all my Mexican fans watch.'
Source:
ADCC |
Minotauro
Vs Kharitonov at Pride GP
Now its official: Pride Heavyweight interim champion Rodrigo
Minotauro's opponent at upcoming Pride GP, will be Russian Sergei
Kharitonov. In the other semifinal, Pride's champion Fedor Emelianenko
takes on Naoya Ogawa. Other fights has been also confirmed: Kevin
Randleman Vs Ron Waterman, Wanderlei Silva Vs Yuki Kondo and
Mirko Cro Cop Vs Fedor Emelianenko. The Pride GP Final Conflict
happens on August 15 at Saitama Super Arena, in Japan.
Source:
Tatame |
PRIDE
HEAVYWEIGHT GP FINALS CARD
August 15th, 2004
Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan
DSE/PRIDE officially announced the following matchups for their
PRIDE Heavyweight GP card on August 15th:
Heavyweight
GP semifinals:
Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Naoya Ogawa
Single
fights:
Vanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic vs. Alexander Emelianenko
Kevin Randleman vs. Ron Waterman
Below
are two rumored matchups that may be announced next week:
Mark Hunt vs. Mark Coleman
Dan Henderson vs. Murilo Bustamante
Source: Fight Sport |
PRIDE
GRAND PRIX NOW SET
MMAWeekly's Scott Petersen reports from Japan that Pride has
now announced the final card as far as the upcoming Grand Prix
goes.
This
is how the Final Four will shape up as the official pairings
have been announced....
OFFICIAL
PRIDE GRAND PRIX
-
Sergei Kharitonov vs. Fedor Emelianenko: GP Semi-Finals
-
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Naoya Ogawa: GP Semi-Finals
-
Nogueira/Ogawa vs. Kharitonov/Fedor: GP Finals
OTHER
MATCHES OFFICIAL ANNOUNCED
-
Kevin Randleman vs Ron Waterman
-
Wanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo
Source:
MMA Weekly |
"I
THINK I CAN KNOCKOUT CHUCK LIDDELL"
MMAWeekly SoundOff Radio continued it's sixteen fighters in sixteen
days on Wednesday with Vernon "Tiger" White. Vernon
will be facing Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell at UFC 49
and wants to play 'spoiler' to Chuck's hopes for a title bout.
White
has been training hard on his stamina and boxing. He stated,
"Chuck has a way of wearing his opponents down so he can
beat the tar out of them in the last couple of minutes of the
fight and I'm not going to allow him to do that."
"Tiger"
had plenty to say about Chuck's fighting ability. He commented,
"I think what Chuck does is he makes people play his game
but then when he has to play other peoples game, that's when
he loses." White went on to say, "Chuck has a problem
when people keep him on his heels."
When
asked about his game, Vernon replied, "I actually have no
game. The octagon is my game. I just go out and I fight."
He did however shed some light on what he plans to do in the
fight. Vernon said, "If he gets too close, I've got to take
him down. If he stands away from me, I'm going to have to keep
him away from me because he's real good at those long range shots."
"Tiger"
acknowledged that "Chuck can basically knock anyone out,"
but added, "It's going to be hard to knock something out
that you can't hit." He went so far as to say, "I think
some of the people that I have fought are a lot tougher than
some of the people that Chuck has fought." "If it ends
in a knockout, I don't think it's going to be me because he's
no Remy Bonjaski," stated White.
Ken
Shamrock eluded to the bad blood between Chuck Liddell and Vernon
White at both the post fight UFC 48 press conference and when
he appeared here on MMAWeekly SoundOff Radio. According to Vernon,
the two were supposed to fight in King of the Cage but Chuck
decided to not fight because it wasn't enough of a pay day. He
said the contract was signed but Chuck decided go fight in the
UFC instead and that Chuck is the one being "sour"
about it.
"Tiger"
said, "The way I look at it now, there's no running. If
he did run, there's no running now. If it was money, well he's
getting the money that he wants now, so shut up and fight."
Looking
at the fight itself, Vernon anticipates "a brutal fight
happening because neither of us can stand to lose this fight."
Chuck has his title hopes on the line and White may very well
have his career at stake. White said he is trying not to feel
the pressure but "knows this is a big fight."
As
the interview was nearing it's end, Vernon promised his fans
a "good show." He then took the liberty to say, "To
all the Chuck fans, be prepared." I don't know about you
but as an MMA fan, I am prepared to see this one. "It will
end most likely by knockout and I think I can knockout Chuck
Liddell."
Source:
MMA Weekly |
LISTER
TALKS ABOUT FIGHT WITH SULOEV
Now that Pride’s Bushido 4 pay-per-view has debuted and
the fans have had a chance to see the action, MMAWeekly’s
Mick Hammond caught up with Dean Lister and spoke to him about
his performance against Amar Suloev.
When
asked his overall thoughts on the fight Lister commented, “It
was a close fight. Kind of like a strategically stalled out fight.
I wasn’t able to show my potential on the ground. You can
always look back on a fight, win or lose, and say I should have
done this or should have done that, even if you win, but it’s
promising to show that I can stand with a world class striker.
He has a really good sprall and is a really good wrestler. I
went down to the ground a couple of times with him but only got
on top one time for a few seconds and didn’t get a chance
to work my game.”
Lister’s
strategy in the fight was questioned by some in the MMA community,
to this he replied, “I think I gave him too much respect.
I hadn’t faced a really good striker in the ring so I wasn’t
used to it. He was making a lot of space so it was difficult
to shoot in on him. His strategy was decent in staying away.
It was obvious he didn’t want to engage on the ground and
I wasn’t going to shoot in with my head down and get soccer
kicked. If you miss you have to pull guard right away. If someone
doesn’t like it or thinks it looks bad, well it looks worse
getting kicked in the head.”
Lister
seemed quite adamant about the damage, or lack thereof, he received
by saying, “I can take a hit, I didn’t get hurt or
rocked at all. When he kicked me in the leg he hit me on my ligament
that I had my knee operation on. A chain is only as strong as
its weakest link, so I’ll make it as strong as it can be
in the future. It’s my fault it seemed like he did more
damage to my legs than I did to his. After the fight was over
you could see his legs were more bruised up than mine were.”
When
asked what he thought of the judges’ split decision in favor
of Suloev, Lister said, “That’s the way it goes sometimes.
Judging is one of the hardest things you can do and I wouldn’t
want to be a judge. They have certain criteria they judge on
and I guess I didn’t do enough within that criteria in two
judges’ minds to give me the decision. I look at it like
this, if I win by decision I didn’t really win, if I loose
by decision then I didn’t really lose. In my mind you win
or lose in the ring or not at all.”
The
conversation ended with Lister talking about his future prospects
and if he thinks Pride will have him back, “I believe they’ll
have me back. I really hope that Pride understands that it was
a very stubborn match-up, the styles clash so bad. It wasn’t
as action packed as I thought it should be. I didn’t show
my game, so hopefully next time they’ll get me in a fight
with someone whose style compliments mine. My top two priorities
are my gym (City Boxing) and my students. Pride is the most important
thing in my competitive career, but it’s only fighting.
I have the Abu Dhabi fight next year that’s signed in which
I’m going against Ricardo Arona. That’s going to be
a really good match. He’s got a lot of great skills so it
should be fun for the crowd to watch.”
Source:
MMA Weekly |
COFFEE
GUY EXCLUSIVE: TITO VS. MEZGER PART III
By Coffee Guy
Before reading any further, please read our disclaimer first.
The
following exclusive report was sent to us by our Zuffa informant
called 'Coffee Guy':
Zuffa
has all but signed the matchup of Tito Ortiz vs. Guy Mezger rematch
for UFC 50.
Mezger
may have signed already, but I am not sure if Tito has signed
as of yet. However, it's expected that Tito will sign.
Source: Fight Sport |
COFFEE
GUY EXCLUSIVE: UFC POSSIBLY IN JAPAN
By Coffee Guy
Before reading any further, please read our disclaimer first.
The
following exclusive report was sent to us by our Zuffa informant
called 'Coffee Guy':
Zuffa
is having talks with some small-time Japanese promoters with
the hopes of staging a UFC show in Japan this coming December.
The
show would be small scale, and there is talk that Tito Ortiz
would headline the show.
Source: Fight Sport |
Milton
Vieira
By Eduardo Ferreira
The
man who taught hand's triangle choke to Minotauro
When
Rodrigo Minotauro first used the hand's triangle choke at Pride
GP, everybody wanted to know where the hell that movement came
from. We know who taught him: Milton Vieira (BTT), who also used
the position against Jadyson Costa at Meca XI. However Miltinho
does not know how the hand's triangle choke came out, he guarantees
nobody taught him. Check out a full interview with Miltinho and
know more about the position and lots of news from the Brazilian
Top Team athlete.
You've
been to Japan with your teammates... How is your dealing with
Japanese promoters?
Japanese
complimented me a lot. I did a presentation before Pride Bushido
and I think I did great job. I don't even like to talk about
it now, but I do hope fighting at Pride someday.
Brazilian
Top Team wants to feature a fight between you and Takanori Gomi.
What do you think of it?
I
believe I would give him a hard time. Gomi needs somebody who
enjoys punches' exchanging. Somebody that is not concerned about
what might happen after. He is a complete fighter and a bout
between us would be great because my skills on the feet and on
the ground would bother him a lot. Who knows a fight between
him and me may happen soon, but I believe they will set me up
with a taller fighter.
You
are about to fight at AFC Brasil. How is your training?
My
preparation is normal. I was first told I would face Danilo Cherman,
then Léo Santos and now I will take on Aluísio
Barros (Gracie Barra Combat Team). Over this fight I will give
my best and take the fight to the ground. This trip to Japan
helped me to increase my training, but I am used to train with
bigger BTT guys.
The
hand's triangle choke is also used in Jiu-Jitsu. Where did you
learn this move?
The
hand's triangle choke came out from a wrestling position named
"Role de três pontos". Then I created other variations.
I can surprise an opponent from the half guard, passed guard,
from the back...
So,
are you the creator?
I
say I did not invent the hand's triangle choke, but nobody taught
me. Jucão used to train with me at Universo Atlético
and helped me to diffuse the position. I am fine with Luta-Livre
and I own everything I am to Mater JOP (Jeferson) who taught
me everything I know. He always let me free to do whatever I
wanted and that is the reason I am a Luta-Livre black belt and
BJJ brown belt.
Do
you think Minotauro has conditions to beat Fedor and Kharitinov
with the same hand's triangle choke?
Minotauro
is well trained. He has his game on the feet well sharpened and
his hand's triangle choke is awesome. He has great chances to
submit. I am sure Fedor will face another Minotauro this time.
Do
you think the opponents already know how to defend it? Is it
complicated to defend?
It's
very complicated to defend it. But if they do it, there is another
way out. Minotauro has another secret beneath this weapon...
but I cannot tell you!
Who
would you like to face in your weight category?
There
are three guys I would like to face. Takanori Gomi, who defeated
Fábio Melo, Mishima, who defeated Marcus Aurélio
(ATT) and Genki Sudo, who defeated Royler Gracie at K-1. I guess
I am ready for them. I want to face the best fighters and they
are the best right now. I am sure I will have a hard time with
them, but a good fight is always the hardest one. Nowadays, win
does not matter so much. You have to rock!
Source:
Tatame |
Quote
of the Day
"Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live
in a hostile world. Same world."
Wayne Dyer, 1940-, American Psychotherapist, Author, Lecturer |
Big
News for Super Brawl Fans!
Plan on hearing a lot more about Super Brawl in the coming weeks.
And not just in Hawaii! Super Brawl is launching the largest
national marketing campaign in the history of MMA! T. Jay Thompson, Super Brawl promoter,
recently announced that Super Brawl will be teaming up with one
of the elite Direct Marketing companies in the world to help
distribute Super Brawl DVD's and Videos.
Tahi Entertainment, located in Los Angeles, CA, is spearheading
the project and will bring the Super Brawl brand into the homes
of millions upon millions of viewers. "We have created a
half hour television program that will introduce the Super Brawl
brand to America." Marc Kreiner, CEO, Tahi Entertainment.
"It will run nationally on stations like Spike TV, Comedy
Central, Fox Sports and E as well as airing in specific regional
markets". (Exact
times and dates will be announced here first!) "We are confident this project
will be a big success."
"I have never been more excited about a Super Brawl project!"
T. Jay Thompson, CEO Future Fight Productions. "The team
we have put together to produce this show is mind boggling. Some
very big names in the entertainment business as well as the MMA
world have put there names on this project."
As well as having Marc Kreiner (who is also a former "boy
wonder" Record Executive) and his Tahi team on board, Death
Row Records Top Executive, Suge Knight recently spent the night
in the studio with up and coming Row rapper Eastwood and the
Super Brawl crew reworking the future #1 single "Put Ya
Money Up" and transforming it into the new Super Brawl theme.
"I've heard the track and it is a stone cold #1 hit!"
Marc Kreiner (Producer of over 40 "top 10" hits). Plans
for a Death Row/Super Brawl soundtrack are in the works.
More news on this project soon! |
Wanderlei:
'I bet on Minotauro to win the Pride GP!'
Wanderlei
Silva did his job last year, beating 3 fighters and becoming
the Champion of the PRIDE GP Middleweight tournament. This year,
the focus is on the heavyweights for the PRIDE GP, and that means
Rodrigo 'Minotauro', who still has two matches before he counquers
the GP. With the experience of a GP veteran, Wanderlei bets and
believes the Brazilian will take the title:
'The
title match will be between Minotauro and Fedor. Since Fedor
fought well last time, he has become one of the favorites, but
'Minotauro' is better now. He didn't accept that defeat to Fedor,
so I think he will be coming more prepared this time. I want
'Minotauro' to win, being Brazilian, and I think he has a really
good chance to get Fedor. I bet on 'Minotauro' to be the Champion
of the GP' states Wand.
By
the way, this ties into Wanderlei's future, since his next three
bouts against Yuki Kondo, Quinton Jackson and a heavyweight fighter
(Minotauro, Fedor or Cro-Cop). Wanderlei comments on his next
challenges:
'Pride
pays us very well, but you must fight against anyone there. So,
there are only tough fights for me this year. I´d say an
increasing level will be seen this year. Kondo will be the lightest
fighter, after him there´s Jackson, who´s a very
good and tough athlete. I will have s rematch against him now
since the last time we fought, we were coming from another fight
that smae night, and I really want to fight with him again. But
on December 31st, I think it will be my biggest test, since the
3 fighters for me are real tough athletes, two of them are champions
in their categories. I want to be tested, I don´t run away,
so I guess this year I will face up my biggest challenges.'
Spoken
like a true champion....
Source: ADCC
|
MMA
News from TOUCH of EVIL Newsletter...
The following information comes from the July 19th Touch of Evil
Newsletter. Ordering info can be attained at www.touchofevil.us
--
If Randy Couture defeats Vitor Belfort in August, it's almost
definite that Belfort will fight Tito Ortiz. The original plan
would have been for Ortiz vs. Shamrock in the fall, but with
Shamrock on the IR list, that isn't going to happen this year.
--
Shamrock has one fight left on his contract with Zuffa.
--
Tito has two fights on his contract.
--
Correction on the UFC 48 gate. The correct figure is $901,655,
not $981,655.
--
The gate is the third lowest for UFC in Mandalay Bay history,
trailing UFC 34 at $502,550 and UFC 33, UFC's debut in Las Vegas,
at $816,660.
--
Business lesson for those who don't understand pay per view figures:
Pay per view buyrates are a percentage of how many homes purchased
a show. For example, if the pay per view universe totaled to
54 millions homes, and 150,000 homes bought a show, the buyrate
would be 0.28, as 150,000/54,000,000 is 0.00277. Since buyrate
is represented as a percentage, you’d multiply that result,
0.00277, by 100, so you end up with 0.277, or rounded to 0.28.
This means 0.28% of the pay per view universe purchased the show.
--
The Kimo positive steroid test isn't as big as a story as it
would seem on the surface, as UFC hadn't any plans to use Kimo
again in the near future. Most of Kimo's options as a fighter
seem to be winding down at this point in his career.
--
Mirko Cro Cop being booked against Shungo Oyama at Bushido 4
is clearly Pride's way of trying to rebuild Mirko by giving him
a tomato can. This is what they tried to do with Hiromitsu Kanehara,
but it didn't work because Mirko wasn't able to finish Kanehara.
It worked this time for Mirko, although I question the sanity
of bringing Mirko back so quickly.
--
Touch of Evil Newsletter had confirmed months ago that Dean Lister
had been rumored to have signed with Pride, and Lister debuted
this past month at Bushido 4.
--
Rodrigo Gracie's reason for leaving Pride for K-1 MMA is they
simply gave him a better offer. 'I had a good offer from K-1
and my manager thought it would be a good idea to sign with them,'
said Rodrigo in an exclusive interview with Touch of Evil Newsletter.
Rodrigo was not aware at press time of his first opponent in
K-1 or the date of his in-ring debut.
Source: ADCC
|
So
Far, Kimo Non-Responsive To NSAC Steroid Allegations
By Loretta Hunt
Having passed a July 23rd deadline, UFC heavyweight veteran Kimo
Leopoldo has yet to file a formal response with the Nevada State
Athletic Commission (NSAC) as to allegations of steroid and stimulant
use stemming from his post-UFC 48 urinalysis. Leopoldo's June
28th test results revealed traces of Stanzolol metabolite, as
well as the presence of phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, and pseudoephedrine--
all deemed drugs and/or stimulants not approved for use by the
NSAC. Leopoldo was knocked out by his June 19th opponent Ken
Shamrock in the first round of their main event bout.
Under
NSAC regulations, a respondent has 20 days from the date he was
served a complaint to file an answer with the commission. If
a response is not provided within the allotted time, the NSAC
deems it "…an admission of all matters and facts contained
in the complaint…," as well as a waiver to the right
to an evidentiary hearing.
In
the past, unarmed combatants have utilized their formal responses
to either admit or deny NSAC complaints filed against them, as
well as submit an introductory defense on any or all of the claims
suggested. Heavyweight fighters Josh Barnett and Tim Sylvia both
faced steroid use allegations during their tenures as UFC champions.
Barnett chose to contest the charges brought against him, and
following a formal hearing in which his representation explained
his case, was sentenced to a 6-month suspension. Barnett was
subsequently stripped of his UFC title by the promotion. In comparison,
a remorseful Sylvia admitted to the allegations put before him,
renounced his title, and received a 4-month suspension which
he as has since served. Kimo is the fourth mixed martial artist
to be handed a NSAC complaint of this kind.
"It
could have helped him possibly if he could have had some sort
of reasoning," explains NSAC Michael Mersch of Leopoldo's
inability to reply. "Certainly, if he does not file a response,
it's not going to be an aggravating factor. The only thing that
filing would have done would have been would be to hopefully
explain some of the reasons why it occurred. Assuming that the
content had some sort of value to his case or brought up any
sort of mitigating factor, then yes, we certainly would have
considered it."
Regardless
of a late facsimile or phone conversation on Kimo's behalf in
the next day or so, Mersch says the commission is moving forward
in processing the fighter's case. "Assuming that he decides
not to file any sort of response, then all of the allegations
in the complaint are deemed admitted and the commission will
have a short hearing rather than a long one. Mr. Leopoldo will
still probably be ordered to appear in front of the commission
to respond to the charges." Mercsh anticipates Leopoldo's
case will appear on its agenda in early to mid August, where
a formal hearing in front of the -member board will determine
disciplinary action for the fighter. Leopoldo's license to fight
in Nevada could be suspended for any period of time deemed appropriate
by the Commission, including permanent suspension or revocation
of license. 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 Leopoldo's fighting purse, whichever
may be greater.
Reaching
Kimo late today, the fighter expressed his intent to contact
the NSAC, as well as issue a formal public statement as early
as tomorrow.
Source: FCF
|
Yves
Edwards - Part 2
On
Sunday, August 21st, UFC 49 takes place in Las Vegas and on pay-per-view.
One of the fights is Lightweight legend Yves Edwards against
a very tough Josh Thomson from AKA. In the UFC Yves is on a five-fight
winning streak including Joao Pierini, Rich Clementi, Eddie Ruiz,
Nick Agallar, and most recently Hermes Franca. In-between those
fights Yves has a win in HOOKnSHOOT over Kohei Yasumi, a loss
in Shooto to Tatsuya Kawajiri, and a win in WEC over Deshaun
Johnson. As a Lightweight Yves total record going back a little
over two years is 7-2. By contrast Josh has fought five times
in the same time period, going 5-0 with 2 of those listed on
internet sites as amateur. Josh is 2-0 in the UFC consisting
of Gerald Strebendt and Hermes Franca. The difference in their
fights against Franca is Yves won a split decision and Josh a
unanimous one.
KM:
Full Contact Fighter’s poll and MMA Weekly’s poll have
Josh ranked a couple spots above you. ADCC News’ poll has
you in 2nd place right below Robeiro and Thomson around #8, but
most of these polls are ranking Thomson above you. Do you think
Josh Thomson is overrated? Yves: I don’t think he is overrated
as far as the respect he gets and the way he fights and what
he deserves. I think he is ranked too high, but I don’t
think he is overrated as a fighter. I think Thomson is a good
fighter. I don’t think he is overrated, I think there’s
a lot of politics involved. I’ve been one of those fighters
who hasn’t gotten the respect I deserve for a long time
and now it is slowly coming to me, but at the same time there’s
still a lot of people what begrudge me that, they don’t
want to give me that respect and they’ll say that this guy
is better just to say that I am not as good so you don’t
worry about those kinds of things. The only people that I really
feel were there for support and for their loyalty were with me
from the beginning, the people that I train with and the people
that are genuine fans of mine. Those are the people that if I
lose a fight are not going to say, “oh well, he sucks.”
Those are the people that are like “well, he lost a fight,
but he is still a good fighter, I hope he gets back on track.”
Those are the people whose support I care about and whose loyalty
I care about. Everybody else can do whatever they want.
KM:
I am wondering if people are putting too much emphasis on your
first UFC fights, the two losses before your five in a row –
wasn’t the Matt Serra fight your first fight at 155? Yves:
Actually, we both fought at 170, we weighed in at around 163,
but I am not taking anything away from Matt, it was a really
close fight. I looked at the tapes again and I think Matt won
that fight, but I think it was a close fight and I was a little
competitive. It was my first time at a big show. I had him in
trouble and I did nothing with it. Basically, I had him mounted,
but I stood up and it was just a bad decision – a little
bit of wanting to be at the big show, not wanting to lose my
contract. There was a lot of pressure on me to win, but all that
stuff fell to the wayside now. There’s no pressure I could
care less. I don’t know what they are doing with the lightweight
division, but I can’t let those things worry me cause that
kind of pressure is not what I need. If they don’t want
to do anything with the lightweights that’s their business,
it’s their company, but I feel we deserve a lot more than
what we are getting as far as respect. It’s their company
and I can’t tell them what to do, but it does suck.
KM:
With the Lightweights the bottom line is the paycheck doesn’t
change all that much... Yves: A lot of politics. It’s hard
to understand, hard to deal with, frustrating to have to live
with too. It’s not just in the lightweight division; it’s
all the way across the board. Any promoter that has a fighter
– what they want to do is put on a good show. Basically,
you have to win if you want to come back, that’s how it
started out. Now, all of a sudden, you have to win and be exciting
if you want to come back. You can win, but if you are boring,
there’s the door. Do you want me to fight, or do you want
me to do what you want me to do?
KM:
At what point are they bringing in show aspects – I am not
saying they are to that point, but they want you to take chances
and not necessarily be the best skilled. Yves: Yeah, exactly,
it’s ridiculous. And if you run your mouth like Baroni you
get paid ridiculous. You got a losing record and you get paid
a ridiculous amount of money. It’s frustrating cause it’s
like BJ, he’s like “well, I want to go make this money,
but I don’t want to leave, but I could make a lot more money.
I want to leave and come back.” BJ is fighting a guy whose
style matches with him. It’s like “no, if you go, don’t
come back.” And when you see how much they used to love
BJ, it’s hard, it puts a reality check on you that if they’ll
do that to BJ then I don’t mean anything to anybody.
KM:
how do you feel about your ability to take fights outside of
UFC? Yves: The UFC isn’t paying me enough, putting me in
a cage enough for me to make enough money to survive. I am in
the cage often enough to survive, but I am not getting paid enough
to only fights in UFC. I am not picking on Barroni, but he is
a classic example. He’s pretty much a prime example because
the guy’s first fight was in New York and he had one fight
outside of UFC and he doesn’t really have to do anything
but fight for them and that’s it. He fights often enough
and gets paid well enough that that’s all he has to do.
I am not the kind of guy that goes running my mouth so I am not
going to give you that personality. What I am going to give you
is a guy who steps in the ring and fights from his heart.
KM:
Just comparing that to what you say about BJ Penn…he fought
outside of the UFC and was stripped of the belt, but this fight
with you against Thompson originally was rumored to be for the
belt but that’s not true. It seems like you are on the other
side of the dividing line between the UFC allowing you to fight
elsewhere and how they are treating BJ Penn. How do you feel
about that? Yves: That just proves my point. I genuinely like
all the (UFC employees). As a company, it hurts.
Source: ADCC
|
GOLD
MEDAL PREDICTIONS FOR 2004 OLYMPIC GAMES WRESTLING
For
the past several years, Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling's Director
of Communications and Special Projects, has organized a poll
of international wrestling journalists to make predictions for
the gold medal winners in wrestling at the Olympic Games and
World Championships. These picks are then posted on TheMat.com
as a means of spurring interest in and discussion about these
wrestling events.
With
the 2004 Olympic Games and its wrestling competition right around
the corner, I have compiled my list of predictions. The wrestling
at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, will take place
August 22-29.
You
can also find much more information about the upcoming wrestling
competition at the 2004 Olympics, including weight class previews,
in TheMat.com's Special Section for Olympic Games at:
http://themat.com/specialevents/2004/olympics/default.asp
In
the coming days and weeks I will explain more about why I made
these picks, and add some caveats.
For
now, here are my gold medal predictions for all three styles
of wrestling which will take place at the 2004 Olympics:
Men's
Freestyle champions
55 kg/121
lbs. - Stephen Abas, USA
60 kg/132 lbs. - Yandro Quintana, Cuba
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Makahach Murtazaliev, Russia
74 kg/163 lbs. - Bouvaisa Saitiev, Russia
84 kg/185 lbs. - Sajid Sajidov, Russia
96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Eldar Kurtanidze, Georgia
120 kg/264.5
lbs. - Kerry McCoy, USA
Men's
Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Im Dae-Wong, Korea
60 kg/132 lbs. - Armen Nazarian, Bulgaria
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Armen Vardanyan, Ukraine
74 kg/163 lbs. - Alexei Glushkov/Varteres Samourgashev, Russia
84 kg/185 lbs. - Ara Abrahamian, Sweden
96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Karam Gaber, Egypt
120 kg/264.5
lbs. - Rulon Gardner, USA
Women's
Freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho, Japan
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida, Japan
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho, Japan
72 kg/158.5
lbs. - Toccara Montgomery, USA
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"You can't have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about
yesterday all the time."
Charles F. Kettering, 1876-1958, American Engineer, Inventor
|
ATKINS
INSIDER: PENN, THE UFC, AND OTHER NEWS
By Todd Atkins
B.J. Penn
As
you know, B.J. Penn is suing the UFC. UFC president ana White
and owner Lorenzo Ferttita are very confident that the language
in the contract that B.J. signed will support the UFC's position.
Frank
Trigg is very unhappy that he isn't fighting for the title and
has not been contacted by UFC about a contract renewal. Dana
White thinks Frank Trigg will be back in the UFC, but he was
not given consideration for a rematch with Matt Hughes for several
reasons:
1.
The first fight was not close. (Editor's note: First fight between
Penn and Hughes was not close either, but Dana White still wanted
to give Hughes a rematch.)
2.
UFC feels that Frank Trigg does not carry himself like a champion.
Zuffa does not mind loud, confident, trash talking fighters.
They do feel however that Frank Trigg is over the top, especially
when he is being critical of the UFC, and talking about his porn
sponsorships, etc., even when he has been fined in the past for
doing so.
3.
Frank Trigg also acts like he is calling the shots as far as
contract negotiations are concerned.
The
UFC is signing fighters that will sign their standard contracts
without a bunch of resistance. They are at a point where they
are calling all the shots and there really is not much negotiation
anymore unless you are a Ken Shamrock or Randy Couture.
Zuffa
has their business model at a point where they believe they can
make money. If you are a fighter that is willing to work within
their terms, great. If not, Zuffa will have no problems with
cutting you loose.
Also,
Dana White is getting tired of fighters threatening to go to
K-1, PRIDE, or other shows. Zuffa now feels that it does not
have to try and fight to keep certain fighters. As strange as
it seems, Dana White and Lorenzo Ferttita have so many contacts
that they know who is and who is not being looked at by the other
promotions.
Apparently
one of the new angles that fighters have now been taking is to
say that they have an offer from someone when they really have
no other offers on the table.
I
have also heard (as Tape Lord has already reported) that K-1
is talking to 'Tank' Abbott again about fighting for them.
I
will report some more new stuff later.
Source: Fight Sport
|
Zuffa
Responds To Penn Lawsuit; Calls It Frivolous And Without Merit
Las Vegas, NV -- Zuffa, LLC, acknowledged today that they were
recently served with a civil suit by BJ Penn. Attorneys for Penn
filed a complaint earlier this month with the Clark County District
Court in Nevada against the owner of the UFC alleging the fight
promoter wrongfully stripped the Hawaiian of the UFC welterweight
title, which he won on January 31, 2004, by submitting reigning
champion Matt Hughes.
Raleigh,
Hunt and McGarry, P.C. of Las Vegas contend in the suit that
in stripping Penn, Zuffa breached its contract with 'The Prodigy.'
The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt also asks the court for injunctive
relief, which could restrain or prohibit Zuffa from conducting
a UFC welterweight championship bout without Penn. Basically,
Penn is attempting to block a possible October 22nd welterweight
title fight between Hughes and Georges St. Pierre in Atlantic
City, New Jersey.
Penn
has asked the court to enter judgment against Zuffa according
to proof plus interest as authorized by contract and/or law,
for consequential damages in excess of $10,000, for reasonable
attorney’s fees and costs, for the return of the UFC welterweight
title, for declaratory and injunctive relief, among others.
Zuffa
executives and litigation counsel have reviewed the document
and contend there is absolutely no merit to any of the allegations.
Accordingly, Zuffa will aggressively defend the frivolous case
and will seek reimbursement for its legal fees and cost.
Source: ADCC |
BRAZILIAN
TOP TEAM TO STAY IN PRIDE
Mario
Sperry talked with Brazilian magazine 'Tatame' and announced
that the Brazilian Top Team have renewed their contracts with
DSE/PRIDE.
According
to Sperry, both Rogerio 'Minotoro' Nogueira and Ricardo Arona
extended their contracts with DSE/PRIDE for one and a half more
years.
Paulo
Filho, Luis 'Buscape' Firminho, and Fabio Mello all signed one
year deals, with each fighter guaranteed three fights during
the course of the one year deal.
Sperry
added that DSE/PRIDE was also interested in signing Milton Vieira,
but a deal could not be reached as they wanted him to fight as
a middleweight.
Sperry
said that it would be impossible for Vieira to move up to middleweight,
and that he would try to get him a deal to compete in K-1 'Romanex'
promotion instead.
Source:
Fight Sport
|
SPRATT'S
MOVIE PREMIERE NEXT WEEK
It's a very busy time for fighter Pete Spratt. He has an upcoming
fight in the IFC scheduled for August 14th in Sturgis and he
also has his big screen premiere this week as well.
Spratt
is the star of a movie due out in a couple of weeks, but this
Thursday they are having the world premiere of "Repentance"
Thugz II. It is the second installment of the Thugz franchise.
New Era Pictures is throwing the party at the event which will
take place at the Angelica Film Centre and Cafe on Thursday.
Spratt
will be on MMAWeekly Radio this week to talk about the premiere
and his upcoming fight in the IFC.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
POSTAL
CONNECTIONS: ROYCE VS. SUDO
By Tape Lord
Hello
my friends, my postal connections in the Japan and the US are
telling me that PRIDE have nearly signed a Royce Gracie vs. Genki
Sudo fight for their show on December 31st.
Negotiations
are ongoing, but the match is expected to be finalized soon.
More
news to come regarding this in a few weeks.
Source: Fight Sport
|
Mezger
Looking for the Great American Bad Ass
After going years without a television deal, mixed martial arts
could be on the cusp of a breakthrough. Just last month, the
Ultimate Fighting Championship announced that they have signed
a deal with Spike TV to run a 13-week series entitled "The
Ultimate Fighter™."
And
now, Guy Mezger is producing another MMA related television show,
"Bad Ass." While The Ultimate Fighter™ will follow
young fighters through their development and training, culminating
in an appearance in the Octagon.
Bad Ass is a reality series of a whole different sort. "This
is not a hardcore MMA show. It's more like an American Gladiators
type of show," according to Mezger.
"This
is the most extreme reality tv show. This is real, there's no
safety net," Mezger asserted. Unlike The Ultimate Fighter™
which uses athletes with at least some mixed martial arts experience,
Bad Ass uses only amateur athletes.
Actually,
they don't have to be athletes, just tough guys out with something
to prove. With 3 episodes already in the bag, the bad asses of
Bad Ass already include a rapping cowboy dancer, a hockey enforcer,
an extreme motorcycle rider, a delusional tae kwon do competitor,
and a jiujitsu guy that doesn't like the tae kwon do guy. To
break it down into simple terms: Bad Ass wants colorful, entertaining
guys that think they can throw down, no prior experience required.
How
does it work? Basically, the participants (a group of twelve)
take part in a round of activities that they can score points
in. So far, the activities have ranged from dodge ball with the
professional fighters on the show (more on them in a minute)
to bull riding to measuring the force of their punches. When
done, they total up the points that each competitor has scored.
Through
a lottery system, three competitors are chosen and of the three,
the one with the highest point total is granted his choice of
options. He can either choose to fight a professional fighter
for one 5-minute round under UFC style rules (minus elbows) for
a shot at $25,000 if he wins and an automatic birth into the
series finale tournament even if he loses or he can fight one
of the other two finalists facing a tougher road to the tournament,
but an easier road away from the clutches of a professional fighter.
Who
are the professional fighters? Easy, low-level guys you think?
Uh, no. According to Mezger, "We've got Pete Spratt, Tra
Telligman, Alex Andrade, Travis Lutter, Derek Panza, Chris Bowles,
and Hiro Kamikozono."
Also
on the roster, though not fighting, are Bas Rutten as the Bad
Ass referee, Guy Mezger is the host of the show, and Lion's Den
founder and quintessential Bad Ass Ken Shamrock is a commentator
and resident tough guy expert.
Mezger's
Beat Down Productions has filmed 3 episodes in Dallas to date
with plans for 6 more there. They have plans to then move on
to New York, Atlanta, and either Miami or Los Angeles.
Though
they have been shopping the idea around, no tv contract has been
finalized yet. "We've had a few offers to buy the idea of
the show, but without bringing us on board. It just wouldn't
be the same [show] if we did that. Our producers understand that,"
said Mezger.
So
the plan right now is to move forward and shoot all 22 episodes
of the show, with or without a deal in hand. "That's pretty
ballsy, but we're doing it," crowed Mezger.
It
isn't the MMA show that the UFC is bringing to the table, nor
the show that most MMA fans probably wanted, but it wasn't intended
to be. In fact, the idea grew from a confrontation that Mezger
had with a camera man on the set of a non-related tv show. The
guy basically told
Mezger that mixed martial arts wasn't that impressive and didn't
believe the athletes involved were all that tough.
Of
course, Mezger colorfully defended his position. A producer that
witnessed the argument later told Mezger that it was hilarious
and seemed to find it entertaining. Thus, the idea of taking
an average guy like the camera man and putting him in with a
professional fighter was
born.
If
they can work a tv deal, this may not be the "fight night"
type of show that MMA fans have been waiting for, but The Ultimate
Fighter™ isn't either. Both shows are a step in the right
direction though as they should get mixed martial arts and its
athletes into the mainstream public's eye. And that can only
be a good thing... right?
If
you want to be a Bad Ass, check out their web site at
www.americanbadass.tv or call 214-749-7767.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
APEX
FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS
APEX CHAMPIONSHIP
FIGHTING: GENESIS
SET FOR SEPTEMBER 5th, 2004
(MONTREAL,
CANADA) – APEX Entertainment Group Inc. is proud to announce
their debut event, APEX Championship Fighting: GENESIS scheduled
for September 5th, 2004 at the Pierre Charbonneau Center in beautiful
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
APEX
Championship Fighting host and play by play commentator Stephen
"The Fight Professor" Quadros, who has worked on top
level fighting events around the
world such as K-1, PRIDE, Inoki Bom Ba Ye, Too Hot To Handle,
World Extreme Cagefighting, King Of The Cage, etc., has this
to say about APEX, "The APEX crew is bustling with unbelievable
energy and Montreal is my kind of town! We all agree that quality
is the top priority and that is what we are striving for. The
goal is to make this event fan, fighter and promoter friendly.
We look to
help unify the sport as well as satisfy both the fighters and
the fans. I am very enthusiastic about my participation with
APEX Championship Fighting."
In
the main event of the evening, one of the world’s top super
lightweights (145 pounds), “The Pride of El Salvador”
Ivan Menjivar will be facing off against a tough veteran out
of Milwaukee, Ryan Ackerman. Menjivar is making his return in
front of his hometown fans of Montreal after an impressive debut
in the Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) on June 19th, 2004.
On that date, Menjivar showed the world that he is one of the
top lightweights in the world!
Ackerman
comes to Montreal with a record of 11-5-1 and has been in the
ring with the top fighters at his weight class. Ackerman will
be making his Canadian debut in the APEX ring and will show Canadian
fans why he is considered one of the toughest fighters in the
world. Ackerman is gunning to spoil Menjivar’s coming home
party. Also on the card, is the Quebec return of Gibson Pankration
team member, Kultar Gill, who will be facing off against UFC
veteran Gerald “The Finishing Machine” Strebendt.
Considered
by experts as the top lightweight fighter in all of Canada, with
victories over Donald Ouimet and Dave Rivas, Gill is primed to
work his way into a tough lightweight division in the UFC. Strebendt
is also making his Canadian debut, and as a student of Eddie
Bravo.
Gerald is considered one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors
actively competing in Mixed Martial Arts. He is ready to show
the world that he rightfully deserves a spot
among the sports’ top 155 pound fighters.
MMA
fans across North America will also be entertained by a welterweight
battle between 3-Time UFC veteran Steve Berger who will be facing
off against another fighter who is on the cusp of a UFC invitation;
Keith “Polish Connection” Wisniewski. With a record
of 15-10-2, Berger returns to the ring and to his more natural
weight of 170 pounds after moving down in weight for his previous
two bouts. Berger’s goal is to return to the UFC and show
fight fans that he is one of the top welterweights around.
Wisniewski
has been very impressive by winning his last seven fights and
ten of his last eleven. Considered by experts as one of the top
welterweights to have yet to
debut in the UFC or PRIDE, Wisniewski wants to show his skills
against an extremely tough fighter, on an international showcase.
Wisniewski is another APEX fighter who
is close to being a regular in the UFC; North America’s
premier fight organization.
Also
scheduled to fight at the event is UFC Veteran Dennis “Superman”
Hallman, who will be returning to the ring after a tough loss
to Frank Trigg at the last UFC. Hallman is one of the premiere
submission specialists in the welterweight division. Hallman’s
opponent will be announced shortly and is expected to be another
top competitor from North America.
Also
scheduled to appear on the card in a Heavyweight battle is Mike
Rogers of Rodrigo Vaghi Jiu-Jitsu, who will take on Wendy Kernisant,
who trains under the tutelage of Charles Nestor. Fans from Quebec
and across Canada will be pleased to hear about the return to
the ring of JF Bolduc, who will be facing Rumble on the Rock
veteran Santino Defranco from Scottsdale, Arizona.
Add to this world class event, some of the best Canadian talent,
Gibson Pankration Member Blake Frederickson, Brazilian Top Team
Black Belt Fabio Holanda, Brent Beauparlant, a world class wrestler
from Quebec and many others to be announced shortly.
“Our
goal with APEX is to show fans across Canada some of the best
MMA competitors from around the world, while showcasing some
of the best athletes that Canada and Quebec have to offer,”
said APEX Vice President Alex Caporicci. “This sport is
rich with talent, and it’s an honor to give the fans great
fights while giving fighters another venue to show that they
belong among the sports’ elite.”
APEX Championship Fighting will make an announcement shortly
concerning ticket sales for this historic event. But, when tickets
do go on sale, do not hesitate to buy your tickets immediately
as this is the one of the, if not the, most talent filled card
in Canadian history!!!
TENTATIVE
FIGHT CARD (subject to change):
MAIN EVENT - Super Lightweight Fight
Ivan Menjivar (Tristar Gym) vs. Ryan Ackerman (Grappling Works)
Lightweight
Fight
Gerald Strebrendt (10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu) vs. Kultar Gill (Gibson
Pankration)
Welterweight
Fight
Dennis Hallman (Victory Athletics) vs. TBA
Welterweight
Fight
Steve Berger (Rodrigo Vaghi Jiu-Jitsu) vs. Keith Wisniewski (Duneland
Vale Tudo)
Lightweight
Fight
Blake Frederickson (Gibson Pankration) vs. TBA
Lightweight
Fight
Santino Defranco (Arizona Combat Sports) vs. JF Bolduc (Tristar
Gym)
Lightweight
Fight
Fabio Holanda (Brazilian Top Team) vs. TBA
Heavyweight
Fight
Mike Rogers (Rodrigo Vaghi Jiu-Jitsu) vs. Wendy Kernisant (Charles
Nestor)
Light
Heavyweight Fight
Brent Beauparlant vs. TBA
Source: MMA Weekly
|
FORMER
WCW/WWF STAR TO JOIN K-1
The
following is from the SoCal insider called 'xshanex':
"I
was told today that Former WCW and WWF Wrestler Sean O'Haire
will be going to K-1 supposedly as an MMA fighter as well as
a Pro-wrestler.
I
am not sure how soon he will be making his debut, but O'Haire
is a known Martial Artist and had a reputation as a 'tough guy',
though there was once a rumor that a fan KO'ed him at a show,
but I never heard it as a confirmed truth.
Source: Fight Sport
|
Quote
of the Day
"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage
to lose site of the shore."
Anonymous
|
Farewell
Brother!
Casca Grossa student and National Guardsman, Brian I. just got
word that
he will be leaving soon to join our troops in Iraq. He is a good
friend
and a great student.
We
wish him all the best, a safe journey and return. |
Onzuka.com
Exclusive
Baroni out, Lytle in
A reliable source has just informed us that "The New York
Badass" Phil Baroni will no longer be facing Hawaii's Ron "The Machine
Gun" Jhun
in the UFC due to personal reasons.
Chris
"Lights Out" Lytle will step in to replace him. Lytle
is known for his stand up abilities and conditioning so this
should make this a good match up for Ron. He comes in with a
very experienced 14-10-5 record and a two fight win steak with
his last wins over Pete Spratt (who Ron beat in Warriors Quest
2 on 8/25/01 by TKO in round 3) and Tiki Ghosen in UFC 47 (who
Ron lost a close fight to Tiki in SuperBrawl 31 on 9/20/03 by
decision).
At
this point, this is just a rumor, but don't be surprised to hear
a formal release by the UFC very soon!
|
WESTSIDE
BASH
FRIDAY, JULY 30.04 Ahuna Ranch
4 DAYS
LEFT
Presale tickets are still available for this ground breaking
event. We have also added back the 4 Man Heavyweight Tournament.
Freaturing OCCC prison guard SPAM along with AFC 8 Man tournament
champion, Vai Toga with two other freelnace fighters from Nanakuli.
Also Pati will be closing this event with a LIVE performance
after the BOOTY CONTEST..
TICKET INFORMATION 330-4483
|
UFC
Fighters Get "Blind Dates"
By Loretta Hunt
Get
ready for a deluge of fighter-friendly programming coming to
a small screen near you. Not only will the UFC debut their own
reality series on Spike TV next January with The Ultimate Fighter,
audiences will get to gaze through the looking glass as early
as this fall when five Ultimate fighters turn up the charm on
separate episodes of the popular reality-based show Blind Date.
Going
into its sixth season, Blind Date introduces the scenario in
which strangers are paired up and followed through various engaging
activities in the course of one day, in the hopes of sprouting
a relationship. Some make "love connections" along
the way, but the truly entertaining moments come when the couples
just don't seem to click.
Relocating
to Las Vegas for the week, Date's cameras captured the fighters
and their new companions in a host of locations. UFC 47 veteran
Tiki Ghosn toured Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum before rustling
up this date for some mechanical bull-riding, while lightweight
standout Josh Thomson tried his hand at some indoor skydiving.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia led his date through
magician/comedian Amazing Jonathan's Funhouse, which hosts a
collection of gadgets and optical illusions. Welterweight striker
Pete Spratt and company were given a generous stipend to gamble
at the Green Valley Ranch, one of eleven casinos owned by UFC
proprietors Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, and on his date's own
suggestion, heavyweight ham Wes Sims partied away with his gal
at a Vegas strip club. All of the dates culminated with dinner
and drinks, as well as the familiar dip in the hot tub for some,
although Date reps were tight-lipped as to just who took the
plunge. In total, each fighter spent 10 to 12 hours with his
date.
Says
Blind Date field segment producer John Pepper, a longtime mixed
martial arts fan and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu brown belt under Marcus
Vinicius, "I thought if we could get some of their [the
UFC's] bigger names, it would be a chance to introduce them to
people who may not know them and to also put them in a position
where people could really get a kick out of seeing these guys
who are really tough and just animals in the cage in an environment
we've all been in, which is on a date."
According
to Pepper, none of the five lucky ladies selected knew they would
be matched up with an Ultimate fighter, while each athlete was
left to his own devices to reveal his unique occupation. The
fighters were also challenged to get each of their respective
dates into a skimpy UFC top with matching thongs somewhere along
the way, of which Pepper remarks the men performed commendably.
"All the guys were very good on camera," he explains,
"very loose and open and had a good time with it, but Wes
was exceptionally funny. 6'10", 270-pound Wes decided to
take it upon himself to kinda outshine the other guys. He actually
met his date for the first time wearing the pink UFC baby doll
tank top that he was obviously busting out of because it was
size 0." Although Sims opted not to don the matching thongs,
Pepper admits his date was not enthused. "I know that Wes
had the most fireworks of any of the dates. There was no love
lost at the end of their date, that's for sure."
Along
with Sims' antics, Blind Date crews literally ran into fellow
Playboy Playmate and E! Television personality Anna Nicole Smith
while filming Pete Spratt's date, and the bodacious TV star gushed
over the fit UFC specimens and their chosen profession. Pepper
is confident this unexpected footage will escape the cutting
room floor with ease.
Aiming
to air the Ultimate Fighter-themed week of episodes in coincidence
with a future UFC event, Pepper and his team are also trying
to coordinate shooting their hosting segments at a live show
as well. With UFC 49 a month away and UFC 50 to follow on October
22nd in Atlantic City, New Jersey, look for these fighter-infused
vignettes to premiere as early as mid-October.
Source: FCF
|
WHAT
IS COMING UP FOR TEAM CESAR GRACIE
In
the past year, few MMA teams have had the impact across the rings
and cages of the sport as CESAR GRACIE's Team out of northern
Califronia. From the UFC, to ADCC, to PANCRASE and SHOOTO in
Japan, Cesar's fighters have stepped into each organization at
a high level and succeeded over and over. In many ways, 2003-2004
has been their 'time'.
The
team is deep, and despite different team members training in
different locations, the training must be heating up out west.
With the frontline, or the current 'top three' all preparing
for competition in the coming months, we took a look at what
David Terrell, Jake Shields and Nick Diaz have coming up.
Check
out the CESAR GRACIE Team website at Gracie Fighter for a complete
rundown of the team, plus frequent news updates and galleries.
DAVID
TERRELL
He lost his first MMA fight, to Vernon 'Tiger' White, in 1999.
Since, then, he has honed his skills to become one of the top
prospects in MMA at 205 lbs. His coming out party started in
September of 2002, when he captured the ADCC's North American
Trials title in Submission Wrestling. In the World Championships
held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2003, Terrell stood on the podium
at the end an impressive third, submitting ADCC superstar Ricardo
Almeida in the 3-4 match. His road to 3rd place also included
epic battles with 'Margarida' Pontes and Saulo Ribeiro.
He
returned to a series of submission and jiu jitsu superfights,
culminating in a win over grappling star David Avellan. After
this, it was on to MMA and Japan's rugged Pancrase organization.
In
taking on Osami Shibuya and Yuki Sasaki, Terrell met two of PANCRASE's
more experienced fighters, with nearly 100 bouts between the
two. Terrell handled both with relative ease - he won by KO and
choke, finishing both matches in the opening round.
It
is scary, but for his next bout, scheduled for August in UFC
49, against Matt Lindland, Terrell will compete at 185 lbs. Lindland
represents the elite of that weight class, however Terrell has
started to become used to competing againt the elite. Team QUEST
versus Team CESAR GRACIE shows that someone at the UFC is interested
in revitalizing the 185 lb division with an infusion of talent.
JAKE
SHIELDS
Jake Shields is on top of the world right now, capturing the
prestigious SHOOTO world Title with a win over Ray Cooper in Hawaii. Shields won by first round
submission, taking home the belt whose previous owners include
Hayato Sakurai and Anderson Silva. Shields is the first American
to hold the title.
Next
up, Shields has applied for the ADCC's North America Trials,
and awaits a final invitation. 'Cesar is determining the exact
team applicants as we speak, but Jake's name has definitely come
up' states ADCC spokesman Miguel Iturrate.
NICK
DIAZ
The August UFC will also feature Nick Diaz taking on Gokor student
Karo Pariysan. Diaz is the UFC veteran of the group, whose 2-0
record in the UFC has seen him go from a relative unknown to
one of the weight welterweight class' top prospects. His win
over Jeremy Jackson in his debut gave him the win in the rubber
match against a nemesis in their third bout, but it was his win
over UFC poster boy Robbie Lawler that established him among
the elite.
'Karo
is a tough match, and in general, they are both very similar
fighters' reveals a close observer of the UFC. 'Both are tricky,
both have excellent instructors, both have experience and both
are VERY young, with a protege label around them. The difference
will be conditioning, and that is in Diaz' favor. When you are
as good as Karo, you get away with things, but there are questions
about Karo's conditioning - he has been seen drinking and smoking,
nothing serious, but that sort of thing. At this level, I think
those little things make a difference, and Diaz is growing into
the total package'.
The
coming months will show if the 'top three' of Cesar Gracie Team
will continue their hot streaks. Regardless, with the combination
of youth and talent, these coming months will only be the next
step in a natural progression towards LONG careers in MMA.
Source: ADCC
|
ADCC
2005 - Promoter Named For Submission Wrestling World Championships!
Promotional
team headed by AFC matchmaker and ADCC spokesman Miguel Iturrate
to host the 6th Submission Wrestling World Championships
Jiu
Jitsu PRO GEAR's Gilberto Villela Faria and Grappler's Quest's
Brian Cimins round out promotional team.
'We
are ready to bring the 6th ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships
to the United States' states an exhuberant promoter Miguel Iturrate.
'Yesterday, we received final approval from the ADCC committee
on our proposal to host the event in the US. We are very excited,
and we are moving forward with hosting the event in MAY of 2005.
The motions to secure a venue have begun - we have something
special in mind for the event's site. The exact date and site
will be 100% in the coming weeks' states the promoter.
6th
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO PRESENT INTERNATIONAL FIELD IN TRADITIONAL
ADCC FASHION
'One
of the things that makes this event unique to promote is that
the lineup of fighters remains an ADCC committee secret until
very near show time' reveals the promoter. 'This may scare some
promoters, who want to see the lineup for promotion. There is
so much else about the event to work with, however. We know,
in May, there will be 100 World class grapplers at the event.
The SUPERFIGHT between DEAN LISTER and RICARDO ARONA is set.
All the champions in the 5 weight classes are invited back. The
athletes are already preparing for the Continental Trials. The
competition has improved every year, skillwise, and ADCC 2005
will be no different. It is our job as promoters to get the word
out there' states a confident promoter.
CURRENT
ADCC 2005 LINEUP
SUPERFIGHT:
CHALLENGER DEAN LISTER (USA)
versus
CHAMPION RICARDO ARONA (BRAZIL)
16
Man, Single Elimination Tournaments
- under 65.99 KG: returning champion - LEO VEIERA (BRAZIL)
- 66-76.99 KG: returning champion - MARCELO GARCIA (BRAZIL)
- 77-87.99 KG: returning champion - SAULO RIBEIRO (BRAZIL)
- 88-98.99 KG: returning champion - JON OLAV EINMO (NORWAY)
- 77-87.99 KG: returning champion - MARCIO 'Pe de Pano' CRUZ
(BRAZIL)
Plus,
THE MOST GRUELING TOURNAMENT IN MARTIAL ARTS:
- 16 Man Invitional - ABSOLUTE CLASS (OPEN WEIGHT)
Any
competitors who want to submit a resume should e-mail Guy Neivens
of the ADCC directly at thecohiba@yahoo.com.
PROMOTER
CONFIDENT OF TEAM
'I
think we have put together the right 3-man team to promote this
event.' states Iturrate who has worked directly for Guy Neivens
(ADCC Coordinator) on ADCC projects for the last 5 years. 'My
roll will be to make the event happen, period.' reveals Iturrate.
'My experience with HOOKnSHOOT from 1998-2003, my current work
with Euphoria MFC and the AFC in Ft Lauderdale, I have an infrastructure
for things, like the video, that we want to achieve. I have a
pretty good list of international contacts, I am confident the
right pieces to the puzzle will be put together to make a world
class event.'
Two
other key pieces were revealed by Iturrate. ',Gilberto Villela,
of JJ Pro Gear will be working on event coordination. He is located
in southern California, and that is our first choice for location.
We have a lot of options, and Gilberto will be the man 'on the
floor' wherever the event is held.'
'Brian
Cimins of Grapplers Quest has been certified by the ADCC's Lubomir
Guedjev as one of the judges for the event' adds Iturrate. 'This
is a key addition. With the GRAPPLERS QUEST, he has an excellent,
national, grass roots grappling event, and we hope to use some
of that infrastrucutre to have amatuer tournaments using the
official ADCC rules. His understanding of the ADCC system is
integral. We are planting the seeds to have 1000's of amateurs
competing under the ADCC Submission Wrestling system in a few
years. That is a huge advancement that Brian adds.'
SPONSORS:
All Aboard!!!
'MMA
Mart, SPRAWL.TV, SHOWDOWN Fightwear and already aboard and others
are signing up as sponsors' states Iturrate. 'SPRAWL is a long
time supporter, for example. We love working with the people
we have worked with, and we hope to attract new sponsors for
this event.
'The
new logo comes courtesy of our friends at Cutthroat Fightgear'
states Iturrate. 'They are a new sponsor, and we hope to add
more'.
Anyone
interested in sponsoring can contact the promoter directly at
itur_miguel@yahoo.com.
Source:
ADCC
|
CUNG
LE OUT OF K-1
As K-1 prepares for their second trek to the US this year at
Battle at the Bellagio III on August 7th, one of the featured
stars of the show, San Shou Champion Cung Le, is forced to bow
out of the event due to injury.
In
another MMAWeekly exclusive, Le spoke with MMA Weekly’s
Mick Hammond about not being able to fight on the show as and
according to Le; “I won’t be making the August 7th
fight. I tore my hamstring pretty bad and had to have two surgeries
to fix it.”
When
asked when and how the injury occurred Le responded, “It
happened about four weeks ago. It’s just bad technique on
my part; I wasn’t warming up properly before I got into
training. I was lifting weights with my legs and jumped into
sparring with one of my students.
I
went in for a low kick and he brought his leg up high so I ended
up sweeping out his planted foot and I felt a pop and then some
pinching in my hamstring. Not thinking anything of it I then
started my take down training and went for a throw with another
student and when I picked him up I heard and felt two pops and
let him down gently and knew something was wrong.”
According
to Le he will be out for up to four months with the injury, “I
had surgery with Dr. Warren King in Freemont who works with the
Raiders (of the NFL) and he repaired the hamstring with one operation
and then cleaned out my knee orthroscopically with the other
operation.
Basically
the orhtro was done because of all the banging I’ve done
to the knee over the years wrestling and fighting. He had me
on 24-hour a day ice from a machine and told me to keep it elevated
and luckily 10 days after the surgery I was able to walk. I just
went for a visit last week and he told me not to get carried
away with my rehab and reinjure it as right now he says I should
be ready to go in 3-4 months.”
When
asked if he was surprised that he was still on promotional material
for the show Le replied, “I told the promoter about the
injury as soon as I knew what it was and how long I would be
out. I’ve been out of commission the last 10 days and didn’t
know I was still on the promotional material. I will be there
at the show but just for an appearance, but I won’t be fighting
and I’m sorry for the fans who show up expecting to see
me fight.”
Le
however remains optimistic of a return to full form soon when
he said, “Dr. King said that once the injury heals it will
be stronger than ever. Fighting is a love and a hobby, I don’t
do it for a living, I do it because I want to do it and I love
to do it. To my fans I say I’m sorry again I will not be
fighting on the card but I assure you I will be back 100% soon.
I also want to say make sure you warm up properly before you
train or you could end up like me with a torn hamstring, I learned
my lesson the hard way.”
The
conversation closed out with Le’s thoughts on MMA, “I’m
a really big fan of MMA. I’ve met a lot of fighters like
Quinton Jackson, Bas Rutten, and have done some work with Frank
Shamrock. I love going to the shows and meeting the fighters
and have hit it off really well with some of them like Quinton.”
When asked if he’d be interested in fighting any other styles
than San Shou, Le said, “Oddly I’ve never been contacted
by either the UFC or Pride to fight for them. I’m not sure
why but you never know. I mean if the money is right, the Cung
Le fish will bite (laughs).”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
SURPRISE:
TRIGG SPEAKS MIND
Upon the heels of the announcement that Georges St. Pierre will
be fighting Matt Hughes for the UFC Welterweight Championship
at UFC 50, MMA Weekly spoke with top rated contender Frank Trigg
about his thoughts on the fight and why he wasn’t the one
chosen to face Hughes.
When
asked for his thoughts on St. Pierre being chosen over him for
the title match Trigg said, “It’s BULLSHIT. How’s
that for a quote? I have nothing against St. Pierre, I just get
the feeling that either Matt is scared to fight me or that the
UFC are doing all they can to make sure he ends up the champ
again. Don’t get me wrong St. Pierre is a good fighter,
but he’s a green kid, he’s a new kid, I don’t
feel he deserves a shot like this yet.”
When
asked if he felt that his performance against Dennis Hallman
at UFC 48 was to be a factor in the UFC’s decision to determine
the top contenders for the Welterweight Championship Trigg responded,
“I just kind of thought that the winners of Verissimo versus
Hughes and me versus Hallman would fight for the title at UFC
50. This made the most sense in my mind and in the minds of everyone
else’s involved in the situation. You would think that because
I beat up Dennis so bad and he beat Matt and Matt beat me and
I beat Dennis that it would only natural to have Matt and I rematch.
I don’t understand the reasoning behind it and I don’t
understand the UFC’s matchmaking and I don’t have to.
It’s not my money on the line, simply put I’m just
flabbergasted.”
Trigg
was quick to point out his current situation when it comes to
fighting by stating, “I don’t have any fights coming
up. I have no contract and no one has contacted us for a fight.
There are always things ‘in the works’ but that’s
how it is for everybody. I’m sitting here hoping and praying
every day the UFC calls me to set something up. You know how
they like to have the card ready for the show after the one they
have coming up so they can announce it at that night’s fights?
Well they have less than a month now to set something up with
me so they can make an announcement about the UFC 50 fight card
at UFC 49. I’m not the kind of guy who signs within 2 or
3 days of getting an offer. I am a week-long type of guy. I like
to look at my contract and make sure it’s right in all areas
before signing. I get the feeling that maybe they are trying
to stall me out so I will sign the first thing they wave at me,
who knows? Right now I’m technically a free agent and whoever
wants to call me I’ll entertain any offers.”
When
asked about his non-in-the-ring endeavors Frank said, “Well
I’ve been talking to K-1 and I will be at their show the
first weekend of August with my son. Then the weekend in August
of UFC 49 is going to be a crazy one for me because of my clothing
line Triggonomics. On the 19th I’ll be at the Mandalay Bay
for my clothes because some rap stars will be wearing them on
stage. Then on the 20th I’ll be going up to Chicago for
the B-Bash, which is the largest hip-hop show of the year there.
It’s going to have 60,000 people attending over three days
and I will have a booth there too for my clothes. Then I’ll
be back in Vegas on the 21st for UFC 49 with my whole family.
Then I fly back Sunday to LA for a photo shoot on Monday either
with Playgirl Magazine or Muscle and Fitness Magazine, I can’t
remember which one (laughs.)”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
SHAMROCK
GOES OFF ON GRACIE
Cats and dogs, oil and water, yankees and red sox. Some things
just don't go together. In MMA, the Shamrock's and Gracie's are
in the same boat as witnessed yesterday on MMAWeekly Radio.
Frank
Shamrock, who was in Orlando for the mixed martial arts Hall
of Fame, blasted Cesar Gracie in the interview saying Gracie
never ever signed a contract to fight him, not to mention felt
Gracie discredited him spreading rumors on the internet about
their possible fight.
If
you missed the interview it's defintely worth your while on the
radio archives at MMAWeekly Radio.
Also
on the show yesterday was the fight professor Stephen Quadros
and fighter Frank Trigg in a jammed pack hour. Check it out today
on the radio archive at mmaweekly.com.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people
keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."
Conrad Hilton, 1887-1979, American Hotelier, Businessman, Founder,
Hilton Hotels
|
Maui
Open 2004
Submission Wrestling Tournament Results!
July 24,
2004
Maui War Memorial
Wailuku, Maui
Overall,
it was a great tournament with many schools represented. The
schedule of the tournament went by as planned we actually ended
at an early 4 pm which was due to all the help from everyone
involved. The tournament was very competitive because even the
schools that did not bring that many competitors (see the
team participant breakdown below) seemed to have brought
their best fighters that gave the crowd some great matches to
watch. This tournament was not geared for a team title type of
atmosphere, but rather an open, friendly competitive environment
where all the schools could get together and compete with good
sportsmanship which was shown throughout the day.
The
tournament director, Lee Theros, would like to give big thank
you to all who helped make this tournament possible including
the competitors, school support, tournament staff, and everyone
else that was a part of this tournament.
Also,
a huge thank you for Kaynon Kaku (BJ Penn MMA) from the Big Island
and Travis Pennington (Impact Zone) who helped officiate the
matches along with the Onzuka brothers and tournament director
Lee Theros. Without help from Kaynan and Travis, we would have
not finished the tournament so quickly.
Beginner
Teen Open: 1st: Nick Omura (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Sean Enovijas (Maui J.J.)
122-134
1st: Ryan Fukuda (Gracie C.G.)
2nd: Rex Ang (Braz. Freestyle)
135-147
1st: Dominic Agabin (Impact Zone)
2nd: Anthony Adams (Impact Zone)
148-160
1st: Lorrin Ishimine (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Benjamin Corniel (Maui Full Contact)
161-173
1st: Keith Inouye (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Mike Anderson (Goshin Tsugiashi Do)
174-187
1st: Shane Hurdman (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Troy Alvarado (Impact Zone)
188-200
1st: Byron Izuka (Gracie-CG)
2nd: J. Stautzenberger (Gracie-HK) (Coin Flip)
Open
Division 1st: Keith Inouye (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Dominic Agabin (Impact Zone)
Outstanding
Competitor: Keith Inouye (Maui Full Contact)
Intermediate
122-134
1st: Garrett Maeda (Gracie-CG)
2nd: Daniel Morales (Braz. Freestyle)
135-147
Co-Champions: Dominic Agabin/Grant Nakamura
(Impact Zone)
148-160
1st: Lorrin Ishimine (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Eric Tabag (Maui J.J.)
161-173
1st: Ed Joy (Goshin Tsugiashi Do)
2nd: Frank "Paco" Garcia (Maui J.J.)
174-187
1st: Roy Kummer (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Lee Sakai (Gracie-HK)
188-200
1st: Ed Searfoss (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Dexter Kauahi (Gracie-CG)
214
and over 1st: Curt Cummings (Impact Zone)
2nd: Mitch Kepa (Maui J.J.)
Open
Division 1st: Ed Searfoss (Maui Full Contact)
2nd: Luke Hacker (Longman)
Outstanding
Competitor: Luke Hacker (Longman)
Advanced
135-147
Kyle Snyder-Olivares (Gracie-CG)
Bernard Villanueva (Gracie-HK)
Brad Scott (Gracie-Kaneohe) Same school
148-160
1st: Luke Hacker (Longman)
2nd: Alan Hinojosa (Impact Zone)
161-173
1st: Brad Scott (Gracie-Kaneohe)
2nd: Kelii Bibb (BJ Penn)
174-187
1st: Kyle Enovijas (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Neal Tomimatsu (Gracie-CG)
188-200
1st: Jake Mapes (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Kyle Enovijas (Maui J.J.)
214-over
1st: Curt Cummings (Impact Zone)
2nd: Phillip Baltinado (Gracie-Kaneohe)
Open
Division 1st: Jake Mapes (Maui J.J.)
2nd: Kyle Snyder Olivares (Gracie-CG)
Outstanding
Competitor: Jake Mapes (Maui J.J.)
Team
Participant Breakdowns:
Maui Jiu-Jitsu 17 competitors
Gracie (Casca Grossa-8, Team HK-5, Kaneohe Team-2, Gracie Maui-5
) 20
Goshin Tsugiashi Do Ju-Jitsu 6
Maui Full Contact 5
Impact Zone 9
Brazilian Freestyle 7
Longman 1
Koali 1
BJ Penn 1
Freelance 2
Total competitors - 69 |
REPORT:
FORMER UFC CHAMP BJ PENN SUING ZUFFA
According
to a report published in the Hawaii Tribune Herald, an attorney
representing former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight
champion BJ Penn, filed a suit July 8 in Clark County, Nevada,
against Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the UFC.
Penn
was stripped of that title earlier this year after he signed
a contract to fight in Japan's K-1 promotion. The suit alleges
that it was illegal for Zuffa to strip him of a title he had
won legitimately. It also alleges that Zuffa's contracts were
illegal and violated Nevada law.
In
particular, the suits focuses on a key section of the Nevada
Code, NAC chapter 467.112(2), which says: '2. A bout agreement
which provides that an unarmed combatant must fight exclusively
for one promoter or at the option of the promoter is prohibited.'
That
section can be seen at:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/NAC/NAC-467.html#NAC467Sec112
"NAC
467.112 Bout agreements between promoter and unarmed combatant:
General requirements. (NRS 467.030)
1.
The bout agreement between a promoter and an unarmed combatant
must be executed on a form provided by the commission.
2. A bout agreement which provides that an unarmed combatant
must fight exclusively for one promoter or at the option of the
promoter is prohibited.
3. A bout agreement which provides that an unarmed combatant
is to pay for the services of his opponent is prohibited.
[Athletic Commission, § 86, eff. 4-25-78]—(NAC A 12-13-82;
11-2-88; 12-2-97)"
According
to this article, UFC president Dana 'White was unavailable for
comment, but UFC Publicist Spence Johnson told the Tribune-Herald
that the UFC was aware Penn had filed suit, but the organization
had not yet been served with the lawsuit and could not react.'
The
Nevada State Athletic Commission regulates all professional combat
sports in that state, including boxing, mixed martial arts, and
kickboxing.
This
entire article from the July 20 edition of the Hawaii Tribune
Herald can be seen at:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/archive/2004/07/20/Sports/260191.html
Source:
ADCC
Penn suing
to reclaim his world title
Tuesday, Jul 20, 2004
Hilo Tribune
By JOHN BURNETT
Las Vegas attorney John A. Hunt has filed a civil lawsuit on
behalf of former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight
champion BJ Penn against Zuffa, LLC, parent organization of the
UFC. The complaint filed July 8 in Clark County, Nev. District
Court also names unnamed "Doe" individuals and "Roe"
Corporations as defendants.
The
suit alleges, among other things, that the UFC, which is owned
by Station Casinos moguls Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, illegally
stripped Penn, whose legal name is Jay Dee Penn, of his world
welterweight title for signing a two-fight deal with Japan's
K-1 organization, and that both an exclusive promotional agreement and a
bout agreement for Penn's successful welterweight title fight
were drafted and executed by Zuffa in violation of Nevada law.
The
suit quotes Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 467.030(4), which
provides, "The Commission (Nevada State Athletic Commission)
shall prepare all forms of contracts between sponsors, licensees,
promoters and contestants" and the Nevada Athletic Code,
Chapter 467.112(1), which reads, "The bout agreement between
a promoter and an unarmed combatant must be executed on a form
provided by the commission."
The
suit asks for consequential damages in an unspecified amount
in excess of $10,000 as well as unspecified punitive damages,
attorney fees and court costs. The suit also asks that the court
order the UFC to return the welterweight crown to Penn, which
he won Jan. 31 in UFC 46: Supernatural, with an upset submission
victory over then-UFC titleholder Matt Hughes.
A
tersely worded UFC press release May 17, 2004, stated "Zuffa,
LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, announced that
due to BJ Penn's reported signing with the K-1 organization,
Penn would no longer compete in UFC events. Additionally, Penn's
actions have resulted in him being stripped of his title."
The
release quoted UFC President Dana White as saying, "I'm
looking forward to moving on and crowing a champion."
The
suit alleges that the UFC's move to strip Penn of his title for
signing a bout agreement with K-1 is in violation of NAC Chapter
467.112(2) which reads, "A bout agreement which provides
that an unarmed combatant must fight exclusively for one promoter
or at the option of the promoter is prohibited."
According
to the lawsuit, "When Penn executed the promotional agreement
and the Zuffa bout agreement, he was unaware that the exclusive
terms found in the promotional agreement were prohibited by the
Nevada Athletic Commission. He was also unaware that the Nevada
Athletic Commission must prepare all forms of contracts between
sponsors, licensees, promoters and contestants and that a bout
agreement must be executed on a form provided by the Commission."
"We're
asking for a dollar per TV household -- and that's the context
we hope this legal action will be viewed in," said JD Penn,
the fighter's father. "We're not being greedy. All we're
asking for is to be treated legally and fairly. BJ won a UFC
world championship in the cage and he's been deprived of his
right to defend his title in the cage. That title is a worth
literally millions of dollars to the UFC and it means a great
deal more than just money to BJ, who worked unbelievably hard
for a long time to achieve it. He wants the belt back and he
wants to defend it."
The
suit alleges that "Zuffa's actions are in violation of Penn's
rights" and "Zuffa's conduct has damaged and continues
to damage Penn in his business and subjects him to potential
irreparable harm." The document asks that the court issue
an injunction restraining Zuffa from conducting a UFC welterweight
championship title bout without Penn.
Efforts
by the Tribune-Herald to contact Hunt, a partner in the prestigious
Las Vegas law firm Raleigh, Hunt & McGarry, were unsuccessful,
but if the suit is successful, it could be worth as much as $52
million to Penn. All UFC events are televised on a pay-per-view
basis. Prices for the fight cards, which typically televise five
or six of the eight fights vary at different cable and satellite
providers, but typically range from $25-$30. A UFC press release
in April, 2004, quoted UFC President Dana White as saying, "Presently
UFC events air in over 52 million households on pay-per-view
on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, the Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers
Choice Canada."
White
was unavailable for comment, but UFC Publicist Spence Johnson
told the Tribune-Herald that the UFC was aware Penn had filed
suit, but the organization had not yet been served with the lawsuit
and could not react.
According
to the UFC 46 fight payroll released by the Nevada State Athletic
Commission, Penn, who entered the bout against Hughes with a
6-1-1 record, was paid $25,000 to "show" (fight) with
an additional $25,000 for a win. Hughes was paid $55,000 to show,
and would have been paid another $55,000 for a successful defense.
In the main event, Randy "The Natural" Couture, was
paid $120,000 to show and would have made an additional $80,000
had he not lost his light-heavyweight title to Vitor "The
Phenom" Belfort, who made $100,000 to show and an additional
$30,000 for his TKO win over Couture. Penn's guaranteed money
was less than the $30,000 paid to former welterweight champion
Carlos Newton, who took a lackluster 12-7 record into battle
against Hawaii-based Renato "Charuto" Verissimo and
the lost a lopsided decision to Verissimo, Penn's jiu-jitsu trainer,
who was making his UFC debut. Total purse for the fight's 16
fighters was $515,500.
The
lawsuit alleges that bout agreement between the UFC and Penn
for the Hughes fight was executed on a form "created and
drafted on behalf of Zuffa and was not of a form provided and/or
prepared by the Nevada Athletic Commission" and therefore
did not conform to Nevada state law. Nevada Revised Statutes
NRS 467.030(4) stipulates, "The (Nevada Athletic Commission)
shall prepare all forms of contracts between sponsors, licensees,
promoters and contestants." Nevada Administrative Code 467.112(1)
provides: "The bout agreement between a promoter and an
unarmed combatant must be executed on a form provided by the
commission."
BJ
Penn had told the Tribune-Herald in an earlier interview that
the UFC had said he would receive a "bump up comparable
to what Hughes is getting" but according to both Penn and
his father, the UFC, had not tendered an actual contract offer
to Penn.
The
UFC currently has only two champions in its five weight divisions
-- Belfort at light-heavyweight and Frank Mir, who won the heavyweight
title after a TKO defeat of previously stripped champion Tim
Sylvia in UFC 48: Payback. The organization has either stripped
or allowed five champions to abdicate since 2002: Penn, Sylvia,
Josh Barnett, Murilo Bustamante and Jens Pulver. Sylvia and Barnett,
both former UFC heavyweight champions, were stripped for alleged
steroid use. Bustamante, a former UFC middleweight champion,
was relieved of his title after a monetary dispute with the UFC.
Pulver was stripped after a successful lightweight defense against
Penn on Jan. 11, 2002 in UFC 35: Throwdown for not accepting
an offer to defend his title for $20,000, according to MMAWeekly.com.
That title has been vacant since, remaining unoccupied after
a bout between Penn and Japan's Caol Uno Feb. 28, 2003, on the
UFC 41: Onslaught card was declared a draw.
Penn's
first K-1 fight was a first-round submission victory at 170-pounds
against Duane "Bang" Ludwig on the organization,s initial
Romanex MMA card, May 22 in Saitama, Japan. The show was reportedly
viewed by about 30 million people in Japan on a live, free nationwide
telecast. According to the elder Penn, BJ Penn's share of the
purse was $180,000, all money guaranteed, more than 3-1/2 times
what he made to fight Hughes and $70,000 more than Hughes would
have been paid by the UFC for a successful title defense.
Source: Hilo Tribune |
2004
Worlds = Explosive
The
greatest single day of drama and victory in BJJ just ended. In
the fight of the decade, Roger Gracie and Ronaldo Jacare fought
a battle for the ages . . . Jacare, takes Roger's back early
in the match and has a soild attack. . . for the second time
in two days Roger espaes what seems to be the invetable . . .
Jacare ahead on points and controlling the fight with few minutes
to go . . . Roger pulls guard and somehow locks an arm-bar on
Jacare . . .Jacare doesn't tap, his arm is bent 135 degrees before
he escapes . . . with a limp arm and a lot of confusion between
the crowd and teammates roaring the referee Fredson Alves allows
the fight to continue and Jacare ahead 4 x 0 and with his left
arm limp by his side avoids contact . . . . Roger tracks him
down and fredson takes away 2 points for avoiding the match .
. . crowd still roaring and teamates from both sides screaming
. . . time runs out . . . there are two winners . . . Jacare
takes the Absolute title and wins the guts performance, Roger,
the magician with a performance of a lifetime . . . Jiu-Jitsu
wins! Jacare leaves for the hospital to check his arm and finds
out that there is only ligament damage!
The
rest of the event . . . Xande Ribeiro breaks through and takes
the heavy . , , Roger wins the Super-heavy by submission (he
won every fight by sub except the Absolute), Terere fights with
the giants and falters on the final of the over against Werdum
2 x 0 in a barn burner!
The
rest of the results:
Rooster:
Moraes over Maia
Super-feather: Leo Vieira defeats Bibiano Fernandes 2 x 0
Feather: Mario Reis repeats over Fredson Paixao 2 x 0
Light Daniel
Moraes
over Bomba 2 x 0
Medium Marcello Garcia breaks through and wins his first Black
Belt Title 9 x0 over Cassio Werneck
Medium-Heavy Braulio Carcara wins by default as Jacare is in
the hospital (although he called and said for them to wait for
him as he was coming back to fight!)
Heavy: Xande Riberio over Jefferson adv 1 x 0
Super-Heavy Roger Gracie subs Comprido Medieros
Over Werdum over Terere 2 x 0
Absolute: Ronaldo Jacare over Roger Gracie 2x0
Absolute
Brown Belt winner: All fights by sub except the final when time
ran out oin his kimura . . . Andre Galvao
2004 Worlds
Brown Belts and the Black Belt Absolute
Day
three of the 2004 worlds brought some of the best fights ever
. . . today Jiu-Jitsu won! In one of the best matches ever witnessed
by yours truly, Roger Gracie submitted Fernando Terere in the
quarterfinals of the absolute. Roger and Terere had submitted
their opponents on the way to their quarterfinals showdown. The
match began with Terere scoring with a takedown and then, in
his characteristic lighting style, getting Roger's back (only
one hook) and sinking what appeared to be a tight choke for the
win. The crowd led by Team TT roared in excitement, but Roger
kept his composure and somehow escaped the inescapable, reversed
the position, mounted and submitted Terere with a choke from
the mount! The crowd from Gracie Barra roared back in celebration.
After the match a very stoked and gracious Roger stated: 'It
was very tight but I remained calm, somehow escaped from it and
then reversed the position, and then the weight difference helped!'
At
the end of the match, after congratulating Roger, Terere challenged
last year's Champion Marcio Pe de Pano to enter the mat leading
to cheers and jeers from both fan clubs!
In
the other brackets Xande Ribeiro submitted his opponents including
Fabio Pega Leve and Fabricio Werdum to reach the Semi's against
the other submission machine Ronaldo Jacare, while Marcelo Garcia
was doing the same on his side of the bracket until he was stopped
by Roger Gracie in another barn burner. Jacare beat Xande by
judge decision after a 3 x 3 advantage draw. One of the early
favorites to contend for the title, Saulo Ribeiro, bowed out
with 15 seconds to go in his third match with a dislocated shoulder.
Saulo had submitted his first two opponents.
Tomorrow
the absolute finals will have a rematch of 2002 Brown Belt absolute
finals with Jacare facing Roger. The last time these two met,
Roger came out the victor so tomorrow there is a lot at stake.
In
the Brown Belts Andre Galvao won the medium with several submissions
and Vitor 'Koral' won the super heavy. Rafael Lovato Jr lost
his opening match by advantage in the last second when the opponent
scored a reversal to tie the point score!
Tomorrow
is the final day of cometition featuring the Black Belt weight
division and the Brown Belt absolute.
2004 Worlds
2nd Day
The
second day of the 2004 Worlds just finished with some incredible
matches. American Superstar Mike Fowler succumbed in his quest
for Gold in his weight division. There were so many great fights
in the Purple belt class that you'd think it was the Black Belt
division, the level of the sport is growing by leaps and bounds!
Notables
in the audience were Royler Gracie, Saulo & Xande Ribeiro,
Rodrigo Comprido, Carlson & Relson Gracie, Romero Jacare,
Fabio Gurgel, Leo Castello Branco, Yuki Nakai, Lloyd irvin, Garth
Taylor & Claudio Franca (I am sure I forgot some BIG names
and will hear about it! Sorry guys).
Showing
the strength of Jiu-Jitsu around the World, teams from Japan,
Peru and Republic of South Africa were showing their colors yesterday
and today, including Ladies Blue Belt Winner Penny Thomas!
Today
the Brown Belt weight divisions and the Black Belt absolute starts!
Source: ADCC
|
UFC
49 Preview: Interview with YVES EDWARDS
On Saturday, August 21st, UFC 49 goes down in Vegas with, no-BS
or hype, one of the best cards in a long time. Yves Edwards takes
on American Kickboxing Academy’s Josh Thomson as just one
of the fights and although last official word was the Lightweight
belt last held by Jens Pulver is still to be vacant this fight
might just steal the show. Both beat Hermes Franca by decision
and both have been fighting for about as long with Yves having
a slight advantage in amount of years. What really sets these
two apart is Yves fights an average of three times as much if
you include his non-UFC fights like Shooto, HOOKnSHOOT, and most
recently WEC.
Yves
also trains other fighters, such as Rocky Long, who is fighting
Jim Bruketta in the next AFC show. That show is in Ft. Lauderdale
on July 31st. Long is 6-1 in the last year alone. More on that
in the next part of our update with Yves but here we start out
with an overview.
KM:
You are fighting in the next UFC against Josh Thomson. How do
you feel about that? YE: I feel good about that. It’s always
good to fight there because it’s good exposure and builds
your fanbase, especially when you get on television. As a Lightweight
you never know when you are going to get on television on the
main card. I love it. It’s some of the best competition
in the world. That’s what I’m in it for, to fight the
best.
KM:
Weren’t four or five of your UFC fights on prelims? YE:
Actually my first two fights were on the main card. After that
one fight was on the prelims and one fight was a swing fight.
My prelim fight was against Clementi. (Note: the DVDs for UFC
45 against Nick Agallar and 43 against Ruiz both list those fights
as prelims while 37.5 Yves was first fight of the night on a
mostly non-televised show).
KM:
I was wondering if this was any sense of satisfaction to see
your name more in the spotlight in what I thought was your second
return to the main card. YE: It’s always good to be on the
main card; you are guaranteed to be seen. Either way the most
important priority is to fight. All that stuff goes out the window,
everything else is irrelevant except the guy in front of you.
Once you get to that point that is all to worry about but once
you get out all those other things come back and that’s
when you do want to be on the main card.
KM:
Ten of your fights are on DVD including UFC, HOOKnSHOOT, Extreme
Challenge, and SuperBrawl. There are a lot more videos available
to scout you out by as opposed to Josh Thomson. Does that mean
anything to you, that he could prepare specifically for you to
that degree? YE: He can prepare all he wants, he is still going
to get his ass whupped. He hasn’t fought on some of the
bigger shows. He’s a good fighter. You don’t need a
whole lot of tape on someone unless you want to see how they
have improved over the years. I’ve seen Josh fight on a
couple different occasions, we have fought on a couple of the
same shows (note: Shogun 12/01 and Bushido 1/01 for example)
and he has always been a good fighter. I think the telltale signs
of his fight show in his last fight, against Hermes Franca. He
is a really good wrestler but he has this misconception he is
really good at everything else. He has decent standup and I appreciate
that and applaud him for that but it’s not as good as he
thinks it is and he’s running around talking about how he
is going to stand up with me and beat me up and whatnot. I know
it’s a front because he has to take me down, he has no choice.
KM:
It seems like people are still underestimating your standup.
Watching the videos of the Clementi fight and Agallar fight,
both tried to stand up with you. Do you think you are not being
respected enough for your standup? YE: No, not really. I don’t
take it as a sign of disrespect or anything, I think it is a
sign of stupidity. Nobody jumps into a tank of sharks thinking
they are going to out-swim the sharks. That is just stupid if
you think you can do that. Constantly guys try to stand up with
me and it’s the same principle. You are not going to be
able to. You don’t have the experience, you don’t have
the training, don’t have the skills. If somebody were to
go in there and knock me out or beat me standing they would get
a whole lot of props and credit for that but fighting ain’t
about getting props and getting credit, it’s about beating
somebody’s ass. If they want to stand up in front of me
that is exactly what they are going to get.
Source: ADCC
|
PANCRASE
- Neo Blood Results!
'Neo Blood Tournament 2004
Korakuen Hall on
July 25th, 2004 - DAY SHOW
Complete
Results:
Featherweight
Tournament:
- Naoji Fujimoto over Masayuki Demise by judges decision.
- Atsushi Yamamoto over Yohei Tagami by judges decision.
Lightweight
Tournament:
- NUKINPO! over Takuro Miyata by judges decision.
- Yuji Oba over Sotaro Yamada by judges decision.
Kobus
Huisamen (South Africa) over Ryuta Noji by KO, RD 1.
Pancrase
vs. Team Gracie:
- Joe D'Arce over Eiji Ishikawa by KO, in RD 3.
- Satoru Kitaoka over Kurt Pellegrino via choke, in RD 2.
- Fabio Leopoldo over Yuki Sasaki by judges decision.
'Neo
Blood Tournament 2004
Korakuen Hall on
July 25th, 2004 - NIGHT SHOW
Taishiro
over Toshinobu Komeya in 15 seconds by KO.
Hidetaka Monma DREW with Hiroyuki Nozawa after two rounds.
Neo
Blood Featherweight Tournament Finals:
- Atsushi Yamamoto over Naoji Fujimoto after two rounds by a
3-0 judges' decision.
Neo
Blood Lightweight Tournament Finals:
- Yuji Oba over NUKINPO! in the 1st round in 2 minutes, 35 seconds.
Pancrase
vs. Team Quest:
- Heath Sims over Takafumi Ito in the 1st round in 3 minutes,
35 seconds by referee stoppage (straight right, down, stoppage).
- Kei'ichiro Yamamiya over Chael Sonnen by judges decision.
- Kazuo Misaki over Ed Herman Shopulder lock, RD 2.
Source: ADCC
|
Zuffa
Revamps Reality TV Show;
Drops Heavyweight Division
Las Vegas, NV -- Zuffa is revamping the format of their Reality
TV show proposed for January 2005 on Spike TV. While little is
publicly known about the overall structure of the reality series,
it will provide an inside look at the process to locate, develop
and train professional ultimate fighters of the future. An emphasis
may be placed on the passions, dedication and training it takes
to break into UFC events.
Shooting
of “The Ultimate Fighter” is scheduled to begin later
this summer at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas, however,
short a second weight division. Zuffa will be dropping heavyweights
from the series. A lack of candidates is cited for their decision.
It is unknown whether dropping this division will shorten the
original 13-part reality series. An informal inquiry last month
revealed the lightweights (155 lbs) were already excluded from
the series.
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"Nothing is impossible to a willing heart."
John Heywood (c.1497-1580) British Dramatist
|
Maui
Submission Grappling Tournament
Today!
The
Onzuka brothers will be on Maui this weekend with the Relson
Gracie team, so news will be posted when we get back on Sunday
afternoon.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Maui War Memorial
Competition starts at 10:00 am
Weigh
ins on Friday, July 23 at Shapemaker Fitness
Beginner,
Intermediate, and Advanced Divisions
There
is still time to sign up for the tournament! We are bringing
up a good sized team to compete and hopefully everyone supports
this tournament.
Maui Open
2004
Submission Grappling Tournament
Wailuku, Maui Hawaii
Dear
Friends,
It
is our great pleasure to invite you and your organization to
attend and compete in the 1st Annual Maui Open Submission Grappling
Tournament. The event will take place on Saturday, July 24, 2004
at the War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii.
Competition will consist of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
skill levels and all weight divisions, modified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
rules apply. There will be medals, prizes, and individual achievement
awards to the winners. We are also planning to have several professional
exhibition matches between top level grapplers with prizes and
cash purses. Please contact us if you are interested.
Weigh-ins
will be held on Friday July 23, at Shapemaker Fitness, on 250
Alamaha St. #N3 (near the airport). Opening ceremonies and late registrations
will held at the War Memorial Gym at 9:00 am, Rules briefing
at 9:30 am,
Competition to begin promptly at 10:00 am. Post Event BBQ (food & entertainment)
to follow!
Neighbor Island competitors can weigh-in on the day of the event,
but it is strongly urged that all competitors weigh-in on Saturday
in the interest of starting on time.
We
will be reserving a block of hotel rooms to ensure accommodations
for our neighbor island clubs. Any interested clubs or persons
may contact us to set up room accommodations.
It
is our hope that you and your organization will join us in the
spirit of sportsmanship and competition, and help us in promoting
the sport of Submission Grappling throughout the State of Hawaii.
See
you on the Mats!
Lee
Theros and Ira Hookano
Event
Coordinators
Please
feel free to contact us should you have any questions.
1st Annual Maui Open
732 Makaala Drive
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793
Email: mauibadboy@aol.com
Ph. (808) 298-7698
(808) 357-5463
|
'UFC
49: Unfinished Business' Card Updated
UFC 49: Unfinished Business
Saturday, August 21, 2004
MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas, Nevada
Las
Vegas, NV -- Vitor Belfort and Randy Couture meet in the octagon
for the third time in their MMA careers on Saturday, August 21,
in the main event at 'UFC 49: Unfinished Business' at the MGM
Grand Garden in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Couture,
now 12-6, was victorious in their first meeting on October 17,
1997, at 'UFC 15: Collision Course.' The Portland, Oregon, fighter
won by TKO from strikes at 8:16 into the fight. The 41-year-old
is the only fighter to ever hold UFC world titles in multiple
weight classes. He is also the only 2 time UFC heavyweight champion.
Belfort, now 12-3, was victorious in their second meeting on
January 31, 2004, at 'UFC 46: Super Natural.' The Sao Paulo,
Brazil, fighter won by TKO from a cut at 0:49 into the fight.
The 27-year-old is the youngest UFC tournament champion. Will
Couture go 2 for 3 against Belfort and get back the light heavyweight
title or will Belfort have the means to once again stop the former
champion in their 5-round fight?
The
updated card sees Phil Baroni replacing an injured Robbie Lawler
against a game Ronald
Jhun. Baroni,
now 3-4 in the UFC, is coming off his 3rd straight loss against
Team Quest fighters at 'UFC 48: Payback' on June 19. Baroni may
be looking for a little payback of his own in facing Jhun who
is coming off a win by TKO from corner stoppage over Ryan Schultz
of Team Quest on May 7. Jhun, an active KOTC, Rumble on the Rock
and SuperBrawl welterweight fighter was stepping up to middleweight
in facing Lawler.
Light
Heavyweight Championship: Vitor Belfort vs. Randy Couture
Light Heavyweight: Chuck Liddell vs. Vernon White
Lightweight: Yves Edwards vs. Josh Thomson
Middleweight: Matt Lindland vs. David Terrell
Heavyweight: Mike Kyle vs. Justin Eilers
Middleweight: Phil Baroni vs. Ronald Jhun
Welterweight: Nick Diaz vs. Karo Pariysan
Middleweight: Joe Riggs vs. Joe Doerkson
Check
out www.UFC.tv for more information.
Source:
ADCC |
Fredson
Paixao talks about
BJJ Worlds and his debut in Pancrase
by: Andre Arajo / Team TATAME
Gracie Barra BJJ black belt Fredson Paixao was defeated last
year in the final of the 2003 BJJ Worlds by ex-Behring Jiu-Jitsu
fighter Mario Reis. Now, Paixao wants revenge, and he has been
training hard for it. The last year also saw Fredson enter into
Vale-Tudo, winning his debut bout against Rani Yahya at the last
Jungle Fight 2 event held in May. We talked to Fredson about
his expectations for this year's BJJ Worlds as well as about
his international debut. Fredson fights Yoshiro Maeda at the
upcoming Pancrase event in Japan. Check out the quick interview
below:
So,
what can we expect from you at the BJJ Worlds? I have been training
hard for this IX BJJ Worlds. I have to take the loss to Mário
Reis back. This time I will be the one submitting his opponent
on the cover of TATAME. Last year was his time, but I will do
my best this year and I want to rock the featherweight category.
What
about Vale-Tudo, you are about to fight at Pancrase' next August
22nd event against Yoshiro Maeda, who defeated Soca... Yes, I
am about to face the same athlete who beat my teammate Alexandre
Soca. I have been watching his bouts on tape and I am getting
ready to defend his knees and punches. I will impose my game.
I am not a boxer, not a Muay Thai fighter or a striker, so I
will take this bout to the ground. I am also getting some tips
from Soca, such as the guy's weak points and things like that.
Its
gonna be your first time in Japan? Yes. I am very excited about
it. It's a great honor get to know Japan and the Japanese culture.
They have such a unique way of living, such as they respect the
elderly and I do appreciate this a lot.
Now
you are fighting at Pancrase, what will you pursue after that?
I want the Pride organization to start featuring a lightweight
edition, it would be awesome. Fighting at Shooto it would be
amazing as well. I hope someday somebody gives littler fighters
a chance to show their skills.
You
did your debut in Vale-Tudo at last the Jungle Fight and defeated
Rani Yahya. Tell me about this experience. I think it was an
excellent start. I couldn't even believe how good it was! I heard
lots of comments before the fight that he would beat my ass,
and the worse of all, the fight was in my birth place! Those
kind of comments just gave me more will to win, more will to
prove my game is efficient and kicks ass. So when I stepped inside
the ring, I said tp myself: I will shine now or I will be forever
in the dark. Its now or never! I already had lost to him during
a submission fight. By the way, submission is one thing and Vale-Tudo
is another completely different thing.
So,
now you are about to debut over in an international event. Do
you have the same feeling as before Jungle Fight? Exactly the
same, I do have the same thoughts. It did matter to me to win
here in Brazilit was important, but building an international
Vale-Tudo career is everything for a fighter like me.
You
said before, that your fights are the 'Now or Never' type. Talk
about this? I think that losing is not the end of the world,
and you can learn a lot with each loss. Of course nobody likes
to lose and it's not good for a fighter to lose all the time.
The taste is bitter, but you have to move on and keep training.
It's what I do, move on and get better. It will be that way in
the World's this year iand in MMA.
Source:
ADCC |
Quick
Word With Marcelo Garica Before The JJ Worlds!
by: With M. Dunlop
Marcelinho speaks about his no-gi, gi and MMA games!
ADCC
2003 revelation and Alliance Black belt Marcelo Garcia is not
satisfied enough after his winning 2003 and 2004, beating everybody
he faced in the submission wrestling. Marcelo also won his first
Brazilian gold in middleweight category last at the last BJJ
Brazilian Titles tournament, which was his first conquest in
Jiu-Jitsu as a black belt.
Now,
with a few hours left before he fights in his second BJJ World
Championships, Marcelinho Garcia states to us about his results
WITH and WITHOUT a gi: 'You know, I can not evaluate if I’m
better without gi or if I am better using it. The fact is that
I train a lot, lot more with my gi' says the Fabio Gurgel student.
'I
know that I had more impressive results in my grappling fights,
but I think every fight has his own history. I lost to Fernando
Terere again in Japan but I beat Ronaldo Jacare in Manaus, last
April' remembers Garcia, who will not find Terere among his opponents
in middleweight, as Fernando decided to fight against the heaviest
guys at this year's worlds.
'So,
I can fight both with and without gi with no difficulties, and
I believe in Jiu-Jitsu above all other things. I’m
sure all my BJJ training will be a lot useful when I make my
debut in MMA!' finished the phenomenon.
Source:
ADCC |
Ended
the first day at IX BJJ Worlds
Ended a while ago the female disputes at IX BJJ Worlds, in Tijuca
Tennis Club gym, in Rio de Janeiro. The last golden medal of
the day was given to Renzo Gracie's cousin Kyra, and her Gracie
Barra's partner Bianca Barreto, on Super Featherweight. "A
lot of people thought I didn't deserve the brown belt. This medal
proves they were wrong", unburdens Kyra.
Debuting
wearing the Brown belt at IX Worlds, Kyra heated the gym with
her victory over the black belt World champ Letícia Ribeiro
on her second fight. "Letícia is an excellent fighter
and after I've lost to her at 2003 Worlds, still as a purple
belt, I trained hard to defeat her", remembered the Gracie.
Letícia admitted she could have been more aggressive:
"I needed more braveness. It's a good fight and now is 2x1
for me. We'll fight each other a lot yet", stated Letícia.
This
purple, brown and black belt female disputes brought another
surprise. Leka Vieira got eliminated by the Amazonian Hanette
Quadros, who later conquered the Lightweight division. In the
finals, Hanette beat Mariana Coelho (Oswaldo Alves) by 4x0.
FEMALE
RESULTS:
Blue
Belt
Featherweight - Ana Carolina (Gracie Humaitá)
Super Featherweight - Fabiana Borges (Top Brother)
Lightweight - Barbara Gomes (Queirós Saude)
Middleweight - Fernanda Mazele (Agnaldo Borges)
Middle Heavyweight - Deny Thomas (Luis Cláudio Jiu-Jitsu)
Purple,
Brown and black belt
Featherweight- Daniele Silva (Leão Dourado)
Super Featherweight - Kyra Gracie e Bianca Barreto (Gracie Barra)
Lightweight - Hanette Quadros (UGF)
Middle Heavyweight - Mirela Cortez (UGF)
Source:
Tatame
|
Juvenile
comes with the first medals
The first athletes going to the mats, the juveniles blue belt
already knows the first 2004 world champs. The Amazonian Diego
Borges took the golden medal at Roosterweight. At Featherweight,
the 2004 world champ is Philipe Freitas, from BH team, with Pedro
Motta (Gracie Barra) winning the Superfeatherweight. At Lightweight,
Vinícius Marinho (UGF) took the golden medal, with Rafael
Xavier, from Breda, doing the same at Heavyweight. At this moment,
the blue belt girls are splitting the six fighting areas of Tijuca
Tennis Club gym with the juvenile fighters.
Let's
get the IX Jiu-Jitsu Worlds on! - 13:51
TATAME.com
is straight from the Tijuca Tennis Club gym to bring to you all
about the IX BJJ Worlds. The started an hour ago and at this
time the juniors blue belt are fighting at Rooster, Feather,
Superfeather and Middle weights. Yuki Nakai, president of BJJ
Japanese Federation is in the gym now, supporting a 30-athletes
team, and he just revealed that this year he'll be in the Superfeatherweight
disputes. On 2003, Nakai didn't fight due to a knee injury. 'This
year we will rock!', hopes Nakai.
Six
times Worlds champ Saulo Ribeiro is also watching the first disputes
and his anxious about the Openweight matches. 'During the World
Cup I felt the two years without fighting. Here at Worlds I want
to fight for the Openweight title and I think my brother Xande
will be my strongest opponent', provoques the most awarded Royler
Gracie's pupil, saying also that at Middle Heavyweight Ronaldo
Jacaré will be his toughest opponent.
Source:
Tatame
|
|
Are
you ready for Kabomba!?!?!
Kabomba!
Your No Holds Barred Directory. Kabomba is a mma, jiu jitsu directory
that attempts to catalog all websites related to jiu jitsu and
mma. Looking for new equipment like gloves and kimonos? Check
out the Gear directory. Looking for a place to train in the new
neighborhood you moved to? Check out our Academy directory which
currently contains over 200 academies worldwide.
Kabomba
is driven by links submitted by users so submit your favorite
links today! Check out www.kabomba.com
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
KERRY
MCCOY'S LAST STAND
by: Eddie Goldman/ADCC Wrestling Editor
Kerry
McCoy, the U.S. representative at the 2004 Olympics in freestyle
wrestling at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., did not expect to be on this
year's Olympic Team.
No,
it was not because he felt that he could not win at the Olympic
Trials; on the contrary, he is universally regarded as having
been the top American heavyweight since 2000, when he made his
first Olympic Team, and still is maintaining that position.
Kerry
McCoy didn't expect to be going to Athens because he thought
that by now, by 2004, he would have been long retired as an active
wrestler.
'After
Sydney, I really wanted to be done,' stated McCoy just after
winning another Olympic berth at the 2004 Olympic Trials in May
in Indianapolis. 'It was just one of those things that, I had
so many opportunities taken away from me, from bad calls from
officials, bad timing, this and that -- after Sydney I was really
like, 'OK, this is really it, I'm done.' '
Top
on the list of what he felt were bad calls was his Sydney match
with Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan, an opponent with whom McCoy
would cross paths many times thereafter. A wild match between
these two ensued in the round just before the medal round. McCoy
thought that he had won, but a review by the officials had it
scored 11-9 for Taymazov. McCoy would end up fifth, shy of an
Olympic medal, while Taymazov took home a silver medal.
The
plan at that point, more or less, was for McCoy to stick it out
for one more year and then retire from competition to focus on
his coaching career. He has been an assistant coach at Lehigh
under head coach Greg Strobel, who also coaches him in freestyle
for the New York Athletic Club.
That
one more year was 2001. 'The World Championships being in 2001
was a big spark,' said McCoy. 'It was supposed to be in New York.'
McCoy is a native of Riverhead, NY, and was a New York State
high school champion in 1992, wrestling for Longwood High School
in Middle Island, NY.
The
2001 World Championships were scheduled to be held in Madison
Square Garden beginning on September 26. As we know, and as McCoy
recalled, 'Sept. 11 pushed that back.' The freestyle worlds were
relocated to Bulgaria, and once again a medal just eluded McCoy.
He finished fourth, which was also where he had placed in 1998,
in his first trip to the freestyle worlds.
'After
a couple of bad performances and a couple of missed opportunities,
I really started doubting whether I wanted to continue,' he continued.
Added to this list of coulda-woulda-shoulda events was the 2002
World Championships, which were held in Iran, but which the U.S.
team had to skip following warnings of a direct threat of violence
on the American wrestlers there.
'That
was a real tough one, because that was right there in that kind
of deciding stage when I was kind of contemplating being done,'
McCoy said. 'That was one of the things that really made me think,
'Maybe it's not meant for me to win a medal.' '
But
stick it out he did, and just in time for achieving some of his
goals. Now the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling
were on the agenda, and they were finally being held in New York
Madison Square Garden. McCoy competed in this event and got the
best finish of his international career, earning a silver medal.
But the man who beat him by a 4-1 overtime score in the finals
was, once again, Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan.
Now
it was the end of another quadrennium, with the 2004 Olympics
coming up, and it was certainly not the time to quit. 'The ultimate
goal of being an Olympic champion is really what kept me driven
the last few years,' explained McCoy. Competing in his third
straight Olympic Trials, McCoy, a U.S. Nationals champion every
year since 2000, dispatched long-time rival Tolly Thompson in
two straight matches by scores of 5-3 and a whopping 8-0.
Despite
this dominant performance in these matches, McCoy insisted, 'They're
never easy. Tolly Thompson and I have wrestled so many times
that every time I wrestle it gets tougher. I had to make sure
I was on top of my game and he's a great competitor. He's really
one of the main reasons why I am where I am, because all through
college and the last few years in international he's been the
guy that's been pushing me to get better. I know I had to try
and get better to be able to compete against him, so I gave him
a lot of credit.'
McCoy,
a two-time NCAA national champion while wrestling for Penn State,
was denied the chance of becoming a three-time champ when he
lost in the 1995 heavyweight finals to the wrestler from Nebraska,
one Tolly Thompson.
With
the entry of Steve Mocco into the freestyle ranks, the competition
has heated up for McCoy. Mocco was a 2002 NCAA runner-up in his
freshman year and captured the heavyweight crown in his sophomore
year while wrestling for the University of Iowa. This past season
Mocco took an Olympic redshirt year, finishing second at the
Nationals and third overall in the Olympic Trials after losing
to Thompson in the Challenge Tournament finals, 3-1. Mocco has
since transferred to Oklahoma State, which has produced three
of the seven freestyle wrestlers who are on the 2004 U.S. Olympic
Team.
'With
all the other guys in the weight class, it wasn't easy,' stressed
McCoy, who beat Mocco in the 2004 Nationals' finals, 3-0. 'The
heavyweight weight class is starting to get some depth, and I'm
real fortunate to come out on top.'
Being
on top means that he will once again have to face those heavyweights
who came out on top in their own countries. And as many American
wrestlers are prone to do, he identified his potential foes by
their countries.
'I
expect to see most of the same guys they've had in the last couple
of years,' he said of who may compete in Athens this year. Unlike
the U.S., which has an open Olympic Trials competition to determine
its slate of Olympic wrestlers, some other countries do not announce
their lineups until the last possible moment, sometimes even
at the weigh-ins the night before the competition is set to start.
'I
know Russia has two really tough guys. They're going to have
a dilemma to see which guy they send. The Uzbekistan guy, I lost
in the finals last year, he's going to be around. The Cuban's
been doing real well. The Turk. So those are really perennially
the top guys,' said McCoy.
The
'two really tough guys' for Russia are David Musulbes, the 2000
Olympic heavyweight freestyle champion and the 2001 and 2002
world champ, and Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov, who finished a disappointing
17th in the 2003 worlds at heavyweight but was a 1997 world champion
at 97 kg. Kuramagomedov has defeated Musulbes at several events
including the 2003 FILA Absolute Championships, so he may very
well be Russia's entry this year.
The
Cuban is Alexis Rodriguez, a 1998 world champion who beat McCoy
4-1 in that tournament, and also 3-1 in the bronze medal match
at the 2001 worlds. But Rodriguez has also fallen to McCoy in
events like the 1999 World Cup and the 2003 Pan American Games,
in which McCoy pinned him. Still, Rodriguez cannot be counted
out. He won the 2003 FILA Absolute Championship in both the 120
kg and absolute divisions, defeating Musulbes along the way.
The
Turk is Aydin Polatci, whom McCoy beat in the 2001 World Cup.
Polatci skipped the 2003 worlds, but came back to capture the
2004 European championships, edging Kuramagomedov in the finals
in overtime, 3-2. He also was a 1997 junior world champion, and
finished second in the 2002 worlds, the year the U.S. sat out.
And
'the Uzbekistan guy,' of course, is Artur Taymazov, the 2000
Olympic silver medalist, 2001 world silver medalist, and 2003
world champ.
This
year McCoy is confident that he can finally upend the muscular
Taymazov.
'After
watching the match from the finals last year, I had about six
or seven scoring opportunities that I didn't take advantage of,'
analyzed McCoy. 'So I just have to wrestle a mistake-free match.'
Often
key to international wrestling, especially on such an elite level,
is the clinch. It was from this position that Taymazov won his
overtime finals match last year from McCoy. But, McCoy argued,
that was last year.
'My
confidence in the clinch has improved, so if it does come down
to that, I have no doubt that I'll be able to win,' he stated.
McCoy's
approach includes getting a fast start. 'You can build a lead
quick,' he said. 'When guys come at me a little bit harder it's
a little bit easier for me to score, counter-offense.'
Confidence
is also not a problem for this two-time Olympian. 'I feel real
comfortable that if I wrestle my best, no one can score on me.
And I feel good that I can turn anybody and I can defend from
anybody. So if I keep that up, the sky's the limit,' said McCoy.
While
this will be it for McCoy's international career, he is far from
done in the world of wrestling. 'I plan to stay at Lehigh. I'd
like to stay involved in coaching for a couple of years, and
see what opportunities present themselves,' he said. And, if
and when the Real Pro Wrestling circuit gets off the ground,
don't be surprised to see him competing there again, as he did
in that event's pilot show in October 2002.
But
first comes Athens.
'The
first time you make an Olympic Team, there's no feeling like
it. So you really can't compare it with that. But being able
to come back through a lot of adversity -- I had initially had
planned, actually twice, I had planned to retire and stop competing.
To be able to come back and make the team after some ups and
downs that we had in the last couple of years is really special.
I'm just really happy that I'm going to have a chance to go win
the gold.'
And,
he added, 'God-willing, I'll be able to win one this year.'
For
those wanting to meet and show support for Kerry McCoy before
he leaves for Athens, he will be having an autograph session
this Friday, July 23, from 6 to 8 PM EDT, at Bennigan's on Schoenersville
Road in Bethlehem, PA.
Kerry
McCoy's official web site is at:
http://www.kerrytherealmccoy.com/
Source:
ADCC |
FIRST
CLASS BJJ CAMP from the promoter
Do
you want to train at the most famous BJJ and MMA academy in the
world?
Do
you want to train with the best fighters in the world?
Do
you want to stay at the most beautiful city in the world?
Do
you want to stay at a Five Star hotel instead of share a room
with a bunch of people you don’t know?
Do
you want to have outdoors activities such as Trekking, visit
to Maracanã Stadium, Sugar Loaf?
Do
you want to have a World Class Black Belt Seminar and Rules Clinic
with a CBJJ Certified Referee?
Do
you want to visit a BJJ Social Project at one of the slums in
Rio?
If
all of your answers are YES, we more than welcome you to join
us. Brazilian Top Team and Nova Geração have come
together to offer the First Class BJJ Camp to the practitioners
and enthusiasts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This one tells the other
camps apart because of the high quality of its instructors, its
infrastructure (accommodations, transportation, social &
cultural activities) and city tours.
The
camp will take place August 21 – September 01 and will prepare
for the Masters International (August 28). It is open to every
practitioner all over the world, regardless of academy, age,
belt or sex.
WHAT
IS INCLUDED?
2
daily training sessions at the BTT and NG headquarters under
the supervision of the champions ZÉ MARIO SPERRY, MURILO
BUSTAMANTE, BEBEO DUARTE e TOCO.
12 days/ 11 nights - double accommodations at a five-star hotel
in luxurious apartments at the famous Ipanema beach, two meals
included
BJJ Seminar with World Class Black Belt PAULO CARUSO.
Rules Clinic with CBJJ Certified Referee.
Visit to Rocinha Project.
Transportation for all the activities.
Sightseeing to Pão de Açucar (Sugar Loaf), Barra
Beach, shoppings and Maracanã Stadium with a bilingual
guide.
BTT ATAMA Embroiled Gi AND MORE!
PRICE:
USD 120.00 PER DAY (ALL INCLUDED)
SPECIAL PACKAGES: If you need SPECIAL PACKAGES, e-mail us. We're
working together with a travel agency to offer the best.
You
will be probably training when you bump into top fighters like
RODRIGO MINOTAURO, RICARDO ARONA, FERNANDO MARGARIDA, PAULÃO
FILHO, among others.
Enjoy
your holidays and bring your family. There will be alternative
activities for them, such as outdoor activities and visits to
historic cities. To assure quality we limited to 15 the number
of students at this time!!! Any additional info, e-mail us or
visit WWW.JIUJITSUCAMP.COM
Best
Regards, First Class BJJ Camp
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
BTT
closes five contracts with Pride
Just arriving from Japan, where the Brazilian Top Team won the
BTT vs Team Japan challenge at Pride Bushido 4, Zé Mário
Sperry celebrates the good moment in MMA and announces some new
deals closed with Dream Stage Entertainment (the Pride producers).
According to Sperry, Rogério Minotouro and Ricardo Arona
closed a 1.5 year contract with the Japanese producers, with
Paulão Filho, Júnior Buscapé and Fábio
Mello closing a 1 year deal, with three fights for each one.
"The team fought really well and they deserve it. We also
tried something to Milton Vieira, but Pride wanted him fighting
at 80kg-division. It's impossible for him", explained Zé
Mário, that is also negotiating Miltinho with K-1, to
fight at Romanex division.
Source:
Tatame
|
ST.PIERRE
SIGNS NEW DEAL
One of the young most promising fighters in the UFC is Georges
St. Pierre. St. Pierre burst onto the scene in the TKO promotion
defeating some of the best fighters in the world; including,
Pete Spratt at the time.
He
then stepped onto the worldwide stage of the UFC and has impressed
people so much that he will be facing Matt Hughes for the vacant
UFC title at 170. Just when life can't get any better, St. Pierre
just signed a new four fight deal.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
FRANKLIN
READY TO BE BACK IN THE BIG SHOW
Rich Franklin joineded MMAWeekly SoundOff Radio on Wednesday
and talked about finally losing for the first time, whether he
will be fighting at 185 pounds or 205, and what the future holds
for him.
Rich
was given the opportunity to make some good money on the last
day of 2003 when he took a fight on short notice in Inoki's promotion
against Ryoto Machida. He found out he was fighting "after
Thanksgiving and the fight was New Year's Eve." He said
at the time he didn't think he was stepping on the UFC's toes
by accepting the match, because he wasn't under contract with
the UFC. The one thing he didn't foresee happening was losing
that fight. It was a "tough loss," as he put it.
Franklin
said he knew he would lose eventually because everyone does but
the timing of his loss couldn't have been worse. There is a lot
of pressure for an undefeated fighter to remain undefeated. Rich
felt this pressure. In his first fight after the loss, Rich stated,
"I didn't feel the pressure." He was just hungry to
get back in the ring.
Franklin
is coming off of back to back quick wins but has no immediate
fights lined up. He was supposed to be on the IFC card in Mexico
but the event was canceled. The good news is, his manager, Monte
Cox has been talking with the UFC about bringing Rich back.
The
only question is, will he be fighting at 205 or 185? Rich said
he hasn't decided yet. He has always been a smaller light heavyweight,
walking around at about 210. He thinks some changes in his diet
and a little time, he could make 185. Franklin said he will do
a "trial run" to see how he feels at that weight before
he makes a decision.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
SAKURABA
INJURY KEEPS HIM ON SHELF
MMAWeekly's Scott Petersen reports from Japan that it will be
a awhile before we see one of Japan's great stars compete in
MMA. Nobuhiko Takada announced at a press conference on Tuesday
that Kazushi Sakuraba will not be able to participate in the
upcoming Pride Grand Prix card.
Sakuraba
was tenatively scheduled to fight on the August 15th card but
injuries have once again kept him on the shelf. Sakuraba felt
his knee buckle midway through his fight against Nino Schembri.
Sakuraba ended up winning the fight by decision, but now Sakuraba
plans on getting his knee scoped to have the knee cleaned out.
Takada said that he plans on having Saku fight possibly on the
December 31st card.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
'CRO
COP' VS. COLEMAN POSSIBILITY
Sportsnavi is reporting that Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic has asked
to face Mark Coleman on the PRIDE GP Finals show on August 15th.
Cro
Cop also asked that if he beats Coleman, that he be allowed to
fight a rematch against Kevin Randleman in October.
Source:
Fight Sport
|
PRIDE
BUSHIDO LIVES ON
Despite the feeling amongst the Japanese media that DSE/PRIDE
might discontinue its PRIDE 'Bushido' series, DSE/PRIDE has now
announced that the show will continue.
PRIDE
Bushido 5 will take place in September, and PRIDE Bushido 6 will
take place on November 23rd at the Yokohama Arena.
Furthermore,
it was announced that PRIDE Bushido will begin to focus its matchmaking
more on Japanese fighters.
Source:
Fight Sport
|
POSTAL
CONNECTIONS: MMA REALITY SHOW UPDATE
By Tape Lord
Hello
my friends, back in January I reported first about a reality
show that will feature regular people fighting against MMA fighters.
Not the UFC/Spike show, but another show tentatively titled 'So
You Want To Be A Badass?'
In
an update to that story, my postal connections inform me that
the show's producers are now seeking contestants for the show.
The
show will give the contestant each week the chance to choose
from one of the five fighters on the show and throw down in a
cage. If the contestant wins or goes the 5 minute distance, he
gets USD$25,000 The winner will also gets a contract with the
Lion's Den. (editorial comment: LOL)
Fighters
who will be featured on the show are Guy Mezger, Ken Shamrock,
Travis Lutter, Alex Andrade, Tra Telligman, and Pete Spratt.
To
learn more about the application process for the show, go to
http://www.americanbadass.tv/ to
Source:
Fight Sport |
Lee
Murray Interview
by Pedro Wrobel
Middleweight Lee Murray is England's hottest fighting property
right now. With a record of 8-1-1, he has finally been making
waves in the global sport of mixed martial arts, with stoppage
victories over the legendary Brazilian striker, Jose 'Pele' Landi-Jons,
and the tough Puerto Rican, Jorge Rivera . Lee was signed to
fight against Curtis Stout at UFC 48 but was unable to compete
due to visa complications. It has recently been confirmed that
Lee will be fighting against another dangerous Brazilian striker,
Anderson Silva , at Cage Rage 8 in September.
Sherdog.com
caught up with Lee to find out his thoughts on his career, on
Cage Rage, on the UFC and on his fellow fighters.
Sherdog:
So, Lee, it's now been confirmed that you'll be fighting against
Anderson Silva at Cage Rage 8. How do you feel about that?
Lee
Murray : Anderson is a tough guy, he's one of the best middleweight
fighters in the world. A win over Anderson Silva -- that'd be
a big step up the ladder for me. It would put me right at the
top level of fighters in the middleweight division. So yeah,
I'm really looking forward to it.
Sherdog:
What's the situation with the UFC at the moment? You had visa
trouble?
Murray:
Yeah, I had big visa problems, I can't get out there at the moment.
I've got an ongoing court case and that probably won't be done
until late September, October, maybe even November. Until that's
all sorted, I can't get out to the UFC no more. So I've got to
keep myself busy and fight in England.
Sherdog:
So can we expect to see you back there once the case is done?
Murray:
Yeah, once the court case is out of the way and if I can get
out there, I'll go. I'm still contracted to the UFC and they're
letting me fight over here in Cage Rage in September to keep
busy. As soon as I can get back to America to fight, then I'll
be back there.
Sherdog:
Does that assume a victory over Anderson?
Murray:
Well I'll be fighting here at Cage Rage no matter what happens.
That's for sure, that's a given. I'm told that Anderson Silva
has accepted the fight, he wants to fight me, he's ready to come
over here. What happens after that ... I dunno, we'll see.
Sherdog:
There's a whole set of rumours surrounding your potential opponents
in the UFC. You had some bad words spoken about you by Joe Riggs.
What's that all about?
Murray:
(frowning) Joe Riggs has never fought anybody tough, and when
he has fought somebody tough, he's never beaten them. He's never
beaten anybody tough. They asked me to fight this Riggs and my
training team all said: "Who's Joe Riggs?" Nobody knew
who Joe Rigs was, so we said "bring us somebody better than
him." We asked for the top guys -- we were asking for guys
like Anderson Silva even then. We asked for Evan Tanner , we
asked for Phil Baroni , we were after the guys who were in the
top ten, the top five but the UFC couldn't make any of those
matches so it was a last minute thing, I got matched up with
Curtis Stout . They said to us: "Look, we've got these fighters
that you can fight," and they asked us to fight Curtis Stout
. So I thought f--k it -- I'll fight Curtis Stout , I'll fight
anyone. But Joe Riggs ... I believe he's fighting in August,
he'll be fighting against ...
Sherdog:
... Joe Doerksen ...
Murray:
Yeah, Joe Doerksen , and if he beats Joe Doerksen and he wants
to fight me then I'll fight him. He can come here, or I'll go
there, whatever. We'll fight. Because Doerksen has got a win
over me, and that's the only loss I've got on my record -- to
Joe Doerksen . That was, like, three or four years ago when I
didn't know anything. I didn't know any groundwork -- I'd only
been training a little while. So yeah, if he wants to fight we'll
fight. We'll get it on.
Sherdog:
Jorge Rivera said at the weigh-in (for Cage Rage 7) that a win
over Mark Weir could set up a rematch with you. He said he'd
made some mistakes in your fight and he'd really like to fight
you again. Any thoughts on that?
Murray:
I think there's no need for a rematch with Rivera. I beat him
cleanly, I beat him convincingly, it wasn't even close. It didn't
go to a split decision. There was nothing close about the fight
-- I won the fight in a minute, so fair enough. I won fairly
and cleanly and I've got to move on from that. I want to fight
the people that are on top of their game, the people that are
in the top five, and I want to just work my way up until I get
to number one. If I beat Anderson Silva in September, then I
believe that I'll be number three in the world. I think the only
guys who would be above me then are Evan Tanner and Matt Lindland
. And then I'll take Tanner and then I'll take Lindland and then
I'll be number one. That is my goal -- to get to number one.
I couldn't give a s--t about these guys who are behind me, just
running their mouths. I couldn't give a s--t about them. I'm
going for the guys that are in front of me, I ain't going for
the guys who are behind me, there's no point in that. I don't
want to take backwards steps; I want to take forward steps. I
want to get to the belt; I want to get to number one.
Sherdog:
How about Japan? Is UFC the way forward? Or would you like to
fight in Pride or Bushido, now that they have that show?
Murray:
I'd like to stay with the UFC. I'm not really bothered about
fighting here, there and everywhere. I'd like to stay in the
UFC. But if I can't get my visa, if I can't get out there, then
what can I do? I'll just have to go elsewhere to fight. I need
to keep fighting and that's the bottom line.
Source:
Sherdog |
Carlos
Gracie Jr
By André Araújo
All
set for the IX Mundial
Few
weeks missing to the IX BJJ Mundial, the president of Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu Confederation (CBJJ in Portuguese), Carlos Gracie Júnior
talks about what might be seen over the Tijuca Tênis Clube
mats from July 22 to 25. 'Today I see fighters having more troubles
to become a champion. We cannot name more favorites, and I mean,
in all belts,' reveals Carlinhos, confirming that the prestigious
of the Mundial is still the big thing of his competition. 'Who
comes abroad, comes to fight the Mundial, so, they featured the
other event in other date and it was good for them,' guarantees
Carlinhos, referring to the Brazilian Olympic Jiu-Jitsu Confederation
event. Check out the full interview bellow:
Tell
me about the news for this Mundial?
This
time Mundial will count with more foreign athletes. The kids
has been making a good exchanging with Brazilians. This is the
prove Jiu-Jitsu is getting ever more developed outside. However
I still didn't have access to the Mundial's numbers, I am sure
we are about to receive more athletes. Jiu-Jitsu is catching
fire all over the world and its getting bigger and bigger. About
our structure, there is not so much to change. Today I see fighters
having more troubles to become a champion. We cannot name more
favorites, and I mean, in all belts.
Do
you think a 10 days difference may increase the number of athletes
at the Mundial?
No,
I don't think so. In fact, Who comes abroad, comes to fight the
Mundial, so, they featured the other event in other date and
it was good for them.
The
open class dispute promises a great time. Ronaldo Jacaré
it will debut at Mundial as a black belt, Márcio Pé-de-Pano
will defend his title, and there is also Roger Gracie. Tell me
about it.
I
guess Ronaldo Jacaré has great chances to win any category
he fights. He is in such great phase, in fact, he has been ruling
all events lately. I am sure he is one of the favorites. I am
sure people will see lots of great bouts. Pé-de-Pano is
the main favorite, because he owns the title, but everything
may happen...Roger has been training hard and we cannot miss
a second of this open class.
And
about Fernando Margarida? He rocked the last BJJ World Cup...
I
am not sure we subscribed. So far he haven't join us.
He
said to team TATAME he would not fight because he would have
to fight a trial to join Mundial...
This
is not true. He could subscribe and not even fight, once the
best fighters sometimes don't even have to fight. He just needed
to do few fights. Margarida has been away from the Confederation
for so long... and that is the reason he does need the trial.
I really want to see him fighting at the Mundial and I would
never turn into a hard job. He is such a great athlete and has
a beautiful BJJ. Too bad he is gonna be away from the Mundial.
You
said: 'Due to the big number of athletes we may not determine
favorites'. What to say about André Galvão (TT
Jiu-Jitu)? The one who has been ruling the brown belt?
André
today is a favorite. If I have to bet in somebody, it would be
him. He has been ruling a long time ago, but as I said, fighting
is fighting and the result depends of a lot of things...
Could
you name a new talent that might stop him this year?
There
is a brown belt, Vinícius Draculino' pupil named Rômulo
Barral, who is tough and comes as a middle heavyweight. It would
be a great fight and I would like to see it. They might fight
each other over the open class and the weight division also.
I am sure it will be the best fight of the brown division.
What
message would you like to send to the fighters are about to join
the Mundial?
Do
never gave up the BJJ world champion's dream. There are many
times you do fight and don't win, but you must not care and train
hard for the gold. But I do warn you: train hard. Nowadays, its
not gonna be easy to conquer a gold at the blue, brown, purple
belts..., there are lots of good kids on the mat.
Source:
Tatame |
Quote
of the Day
"Reasonable people adapt themselves to the world. Unreasonable
people attempt to adapt the world to themselves. All progress,
therefore, depends on unreasonable people."
George Bernard Shaw, 1856-1950, Irish-born British Dramatist
|
Maui
Submission Grappling Tournament
This Saturday!
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Maui War Memorial
Competition starts at 10:00 am
Weigh
ins on Friday, July 23 at Shapemaker Fitness
Beginner,
Intermediate, and Advanced Divisions
There
is still time to sign up for the tournament! We are bringing
up a good sized team to compete and hopefully everyone supports
this tournament.
Maui Open
2004
Submission Grappling Tournament
Wailuku, Maui Hawaii
Dear
Friends,
It
is our great pleasure to invite you and your organization to
attend and compete in the 1st Annual Maui Open Submission Grappling
Tournament. The event will take place on Saturday, July 24, 2004
at the War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii.
Competition will consist of Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
skill levels and all weight divisions, modified Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
rules apply. There will be medals, prizes, and individual achievement
awards to the winners. We are also planning to have several professional
exhibition matches between top level grapplers with prizes and
cash purses. Please contact us if you are interested.
Weigh-ins
will be held on Friday July 23, at Shapemaker Fitness, on 250
Alamaha St. #N3 (near the airport). Opening ceremonies and late registrations
will held at the War Memorial Gym at 9:00 am, Rules briefing
at 9:30 am,
Competition to begin promptly at 10:00 am. Post Event BBQ (food & entertainment)
to follow!
Neighbor Island competitors can weigh-in on the day of the event,
but it is strongly urged that all competitors weigh-in on Saturday
in the interest of starting on time.
We
will be reserving a block of hotel rooms to ensure accommodations
for our neighbor island clubs. Any interested clubs or persons
may contact us to set up room accommodations.
It
is our hope that you and your organization will join us in the
spirit of sportsmanship and competition, and help us in promoting
the sport of Submission Grappling throughout the State of Hawaii.
See
you on the Mats!
Lee
Theros and Ira Hookano
Event
Coordinators
Please
feel free to contact us should you have any questions.
1st Annual Maui Open
732 Makaala Drive
Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793
Email: mauibadboy@aol.com
Ph. (808) 298-7698
(808) 357-5463
|
LITTLE
EVIL GOES ONE ON ONE WITH MMAWEEKLY
MMAWeekly.com spoke with Jens "Little Evil" Pulver
fresh off his hard fought victory over Stephen Paling in last
weeks Shooto event in Hawaii.
MMAWeekly:
Jens, congratulations man. What a crazy fight it sounded like
man.
Jens:
Thank you very much. It was without a doubt the craziest fight
that I've ever been apart of.
MMAWeekly:
Really? Take us through it because I saw some of the recaps but
of coarse, we couldn't watch it live or anything. Take me through
this fight round by round. It sounded like you knocked him down
in the first round, is that correct?
Jens:
Yeah. I got him in the first but to start the fight off he came
out throwing combinations that were hitting me so hard. It would
hit my arms and I'd still see lights in my eyes cause he was
knocking me all over, every direction. About thirty seconds of
that, I starting thinking, well I can't sit here and get hit
by one of those shots. So, I came back firing and got him into
the corner and did my usual, cutting off the corner and I stepped
to the right, knowing that he would have to come out to the left
and pop, down he went. I tried to hit him one more time, you
know, and then he got up and we just went back to going crazy,
throwing down punches and knees, really wailing on each other.
At the end of the first round he threw a kick at my knee that
I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to come out in
the second round and Monte was like, well we can get the doctor.
And I was like, no I don't want Paling knowing he got me. So, I'm just sitting
there, you know, just waiting. I was just like, calm me down.
I don't know how I'm gonna keep going but I figured, well I might
as well go out there and go until you fall down. I never fell
down so.
MMAWeekly:
Wow. That was the amazing part, I mean, you've got to be shocked
that, you know, he's bringing it after you knocked him down.
Especially in the first round.
Jens:
Yeah, it was. I was like man, you hate the standing eight count
but you know, overall I love it. I was talking to Jake Shields
about that afterward and he was like, man you've got to hate
that eight count. UFC or any other fight, that would have been
over. I go, yeah but one of these times I might get put to the
floor and I'll be glad I got a eight count you know. I like it
overall. I think it's a good rule. Yeah, it was just umm, you
know, he came out banging. At that point, pretty much going into
the second round, I knew, you know. I was going to go toe-to-toe.
There was no reason for it not to. The second round, the same
kind of things. His right eye was already swelling up. I landed
another combination that made the left eye bleed more. I mean
the right eye bled more and the doctor looked at it. So, I got
a little break there. They had a doctor's stoppage, or not a
stoppage but they stopped the match to look at the cut. So I
knew he was bleeding out of that one. Then, I just started, with
the knee injury, I started working the jab. Just pow, pow, pow,
pow, constantly pumping that thing in his face. At one point,
sometime in the second, he hit me with a combination. Literally,
he hit me harder than I've ever been hit in my life.
MMAWeekly:
Really?
Jens:
Oh, I've never been hit so hard ever. He caught me with one behind
the ear. I looked up at him and I rubbed both my cheeks and went,
nothing. I said, come one [laughs]. I played the mental game
that he wasn't hurting me, even though he was hurting me good
you know.
MMAWeekly:
So, you throw down. Third round, tell me about the finish of
the fight.
Jens:
I knew that jab was stepping up and I knew, you know, I was popping
double jabs, jab hooks and it was jacking that head up. I mean,
I was throwing really hard jabs, really stepping in to them.
I heard A.J. and Monte both say I've got to step in and you know,
jab, jab and come in and throw the left. I was having the problem,
you know, I didn't want to step in and get kicked on that leg.
I was trying to do two things at once. So, finally I just took
a deep breath and went in there throwing the jab and threw the
left as hard as I could afterward. I seen him go down and that
was it.
MMAWeekly:
Were you worried about him getting back up or was it one of those
shots where you knew it was the end of the fight?
Jens:
Umm, I wasn't worried about him getting up because I had a feeling.
We had beaten each other up so badly up to that point that whoever
fell, that was probably going to be it.
MMAWeekly:
Last man standing.
Jens:
Yeah, without a doubt. It was the hardest. I was telling A.J.,
I can't even celebrate really this win because the pain I went
through is all I can think about. All I remember about the fight
was how hard, just how hard it was to get to the end. It was
the most painful thing I've ever been through.
MMAWeekly:
You know, the former coach of the Houston Rockets and he's the
current Laker's coach now, and the quote he always said man,
'you can never underestimate the heart of a champion.' That's
the bottom line. You had to show that in this fight right?
Jens:
Yeah, without a doubt. My brother said, man it's like you were
fighting a right handed version of you. He kept coming back.
MMAWeekly:
I look at your fight career and in the past, I know you would
take this fight to the ground. Are you being too hard headed
by going through all this pain and not taking this fight to the
ground?
Jens:
Umm, you know, sometimes. Yeah but this was one of those fights
that once it got started, I wanted it to end on it's feet. I
really wanted to get in there and test defense and things like
that, and my boxing background against a great boxer. Like I
said, for the fans. They deserve it so far bit it for me to try
and avoid getting bruised up or black eye. I'd rather they watch
it. The Hawaiian fans and the Japanese fans were there and they
were pumped up. Something they really wanted to see you know.
MMAWeekly:
The fans, they really got their money's worth. Greg Honda from
MMAWeekly was there and said the crowd was going nuts in that
fight. It was that good.
Jens:
They were all Paling before the fight. There were all, didn't
care afterward. They just couldn't believe what they'd seen.
I think a lot of people afterward, they couldn't believe. I mean
me and Paling stayed in the ring and hung out after the fight
and signed autographs together and took pictures. I think people
knew. I told him, man you're my brother. I just gave a piece
of my soul and my heart tonight in the ring. You're now my brother,
forever respect. I don't know what happened in there. I know
I'm coming on here with that whole philosophical, spiritual movement
but I tried to tell Adrien after a few days. I can't explain
what happened out there but a piece of me died in the ring in
that fight. I don't know what happened. It was the hardest thing
I've ever been through.
MMAWeekly:
Wow, amazing indeed. Jens, it's too early to look ahead but I'm
going to ask you anyway. With another win, another knockout win,
I know a lot of people are trying to get in position to sign
you. I know K-1's interested. Pride's interested. What do you
think? What does your gut tell you? Any idea what your next fight
will be and who it will be against?
Jens:
Well, I can take a wild guess and say I'm not going to be in
the UFC anytime soon [laughs]. We can start with that. I don't
know where I'm going, to be honest. I haven't really thought
about it. This is the first time I'm going to be physically forced
to take time off, but I know I want to box. I want to get ready
for when Shooto calls again. I would love to sign K-1. All those
shows are great. I would love to be a part of them.
MMAWeekly:
Jens, let me throw this at you. If you had your choice, which
guy would you want to fight next; Gomi or Nogueira?
Jens:
Gomi.
MMAWeekly:
How come?
Jens:
I want to fight Gomi because I'd like to take a shot at the best
155 pound fighter now that BJ's gone up to 170. I would like
to go up there one more time to show him. I've seen his skills.
I've seen his wrestling skills and stuff and I'd like to just
go up there and show the best 155 pounder what I can do to. It
would be nice to pump up one time, get heavy again, just for
fun. The reason why I didn't say Nogueira is I know I'm going
to fight Nogueira. Nobody's stopping me from getting my hands
on that belt. I'm going to be the first ever to win the U.S.
title and the Japanese title. I'm going to be the first one.
I've been saying it. Two knockouts already, I'm starting to prove
it. It's going to happen. If I get to pick an opponent, I'd like
to fight Gomi because he always, we always were supposed to fight.
I'd just like to give it a try.
MMAWeekly:
I'd like to see that fight. So basically you're saying there's
not too many more days, just judging from what you've said, there's
not too many days ahead at 155 for you.
Jens:
There's no reason. I'm a 143 pounder in Shooto. There's no reason
to fight at 155 really. I like boxing at 147. I'll probably go
and box at 140.
MMAWeekly:
Jens, always appreciate it man. It sounded like an amazing fight.
I'm very happy for you. If there's a guy who deserves it, it's
you. Congratulations on another great victory.
Jens:
If I can, I'd just like to, I want to thank Tap Out and my boxing
coach, everyone that helped me prepare and of coarse my corner
man and woman; my brother Able, my fiance A.J. and Monte Cox.
I just want to thank all of you. Seriously, it was one of those
fights that unfortunately didn't get to be televised but it was
a war all the same. My fans, the people that watch me and support
me. That's why I keep giving them a reason to come back and I'll
continue to give them a reason to come back every time they want
to see me fight. I just want to say thank you to everyone for
not letting "Little Evil" die.
MMAWeekly:
Jen's, appreciate it my man. Class act. Good luck to you.
Jens:
Thank you.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
2004
Worlds Begins
The
2004 World BJJ Tournament starts today with the blue belt and
the ladies events. Tomorrow the Purples go at it followed on
Saturday by the Brown Belts and the start of the Black Belt Absolute.
On Sunday the Black Belt event and finals and the Brown Belt
Absoulte take place.
Notables
competing in the event by weight are:
Balck
Belts:
Over Division: Fernando Terere, Fabricio Werdum & Marcio
Corleta
Super-Heavy:
Rodrigo Comprido Medeiros, Erik Wanderlei, Gabriel Vella, Roger
Gracie & Roberto Tozi
Heavy:
Xande Ribeiro, Eduardo Telles, Jefferson Moura, Roberto Godoi,
Lúcio Lagarto & Demian Maia
Medium-Heavy:
Saulo Ribeiro, Ronaldo Jacare, Marcel Louzada, Delson Pe de Chumbo,
Fabio Nascimento & Braulio Estima
Medium:
Marcelo Garcia & Cassio Werneck
Light:
Daniel Moraes, Carlos Eduardo Vieira, Bruno de Paula & Rodrigo
Magalhaes
Feather:
Mario Reis, Fredson Paixao, Fredson Alves & Rodrigo Damm
Super-Feather:
Bibiano Fernandes & Carlos Escorrega
Rooster:Felipe
Costa & Marcos Norat
Ladies:
Leka Vieira, Leticia Ribeiro, Kyra Gracie
Brown
Belt: Andre Galvao and Rafael Lovato Jr
2004
American Nationals Date Change
The
3rd American National Tournament has been re-scheduled for November
7th, 2004. The event originally was scheduled for September 2004
but had to be re-scheduled due to a date conflict. Besides the
prestige of being named American Champion, the National Champions
automatically become members of Team America, qualifying to compete
against Team Brazil in the team Cahmpionship prior to the 2005
Pan-Am. For more info go to www.cbjj.com.br
Source: ADCC
|
Neo
Blood pits Team Quest against Team Pancrase in Japan
Gresham,
OR -- Heath Sims, Chael Sonnen and Ed Herman are heading to Japan
today to represent Team Quest against Team Pancrase in the Neo
Blood Tournament finals as part of the Pancrase 2004 Brave Tour
this Sunday, July 25, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Pancrase
number 8 ranked welterweight Heath Sims of Team Quest meets Pancrase
number 2 ranked welterweight Takafumi Ito of Team Pancrase. Sims
is coming off a win by submission over Brad Gumm at Sportfight
2 on March 19. Ito is coming off a win by Unanimous Decision
over Minoru Ozawa in Pancrase on April 23.
Chael
Sonnen of Team Quest meets Pancrase number 8 ranked light heavyweight
Keiichiro Yamamiya of Team Pancrase. Sonnen is coming off a loss
by TKO due to a cut to Jeremy Horn in Extreme Challenge 57 on
May 6. Yamamiya is coming off a win by Unanimous Decision over
Kozo Urita in Pancrase on May 28.
Ed
Herman of Team Quest meets Pancrase number 3 ranked middleweight
Kazuo Misaki of Team Pancrase. Herman is coming off a win by
submission over Shane Davis in Sportfight 4 on June 26. Misaki
is coming off a win by Unanimous Decision over Jorge Patino in
Pride Bushido 3 on May 23.
Source: ADCC
|
Master
Leitao in the USA!!!
How
can a 67 year old man can roll around, and most of the time submit,
stronger and young fighters?
The
question was asked by Pride director Nobuhiko Takada when visiting
the Ruas Vale-Tudo Academy last month on a visit to Brazil. This
was the same comment made by many after seen Mestre Roberto Leitao,
one of the creators of Luta-Livre and the no 1 ground master
of Marco Ruas.
Rolling
around with some of the top guys who participated at the '1st
Joe Moreira International Submission' grappling tournament that
took place on July 10th at Southern Cal University (Aliso Viejo).
After receiving a tribute from the promoter Joe Moreira, Leitao
gave the oportunity for american athletes to learn a his grappling
skills by giving two seminars at the Joe Moreira and Marco Ruas
academies. Known in Brasil as 'the king of leglocks', master
Leitao amazed the students with his different techniques. 'It
was excellent opportunity. Joe Moreira's event was amazing! I
ended up being invited for a new series of seminars next month
in LA , San Francisco, Concorde and Oakland' stated the father
of Roberto Leitao, the top brazilian wrestler ever and now the
headcoach of Ruas Vale-Tudo in Rio.
Be
on the lookout for these seminar opportunities in southern California.
Source: ADCC
|
THE
FATE OF TOCCARA MONTGOMERY
It was a showdown, and a rematch, which few expected to happen
at the 2004 Olympic Trials, which took place May 21-23 in Indianapolis
at the RCA Dome.
Kristie
Marano, who won her second world championship in 2003 while wrestling
at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., and is also a seven-time world medalist,
could not compete at that weight at these Olympic Trials. The
reason was simple: At the 2004 Olympics, the first for women's
wrestling, only four of the usual seven weights in women's wrestling
would be contested, and 67 kg was not one of them. So she went
down to 63 kg/138.75 lbs. in April, and promptly won the U.S.
Nationals. But at the weigh-ins for the Olympic Trials on May
20, she missed making weight by a whole pound. Marano's only
choice was to go back up -- way up -- to the next weight class,
72 kg/158.5 lbs, almost 20 pounds heavier.
And
that weight has been ruled in the U.S. since 2003 by Toccara
Montgomery, herself a two-time world silver medalist who had
won one of those medals at that weight last year.
These
two have met many times before, with their last meeting, in the
finals of the 2003 New York Athletic Club Christmas Championships
in New York on Dec. 21, providing encouragement for Marano in
her underdog quest to earn an Olympic berth. There Marano also
had to wrestle up a weight but for a different reason: No other
woman wrestler had entered that tournament at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.,
and she wanted to wrestle. So up it was to 72 kg/158.5 lbs, where
she faced Montgomery in the finals.
That
match, like so many these two have wrestled, was very close.
Marano had tied it up at 3-3 early in the second period. But
at the four-minute mark, Marano turned Montgomery and pinned
her. For her effort she was named the tournament's Outstanding
Wrestler in the women's division.
Once
again these two were paired up in the finals of the Olympic Trials
after Marano had won the two-day Challenge Tournament. In their
first match of this best-of-three series, it looked like Marano
might repeat her magic. In the first period she leapt ahead by
a 5-0 score. But Montgomery chipped away at that lead, evening
the score at 6-6 with a two-point exposure with just 30 seconds
left in regulation. A last-second takedown shot by Marano failed,
so to overtime they went.
This
was essentially a sudden-death overtime, as the next point scored
would determine the winner. At just 19 seconds into overtime,
Montgomery threw Marano from her feet to her back for three points.
That made it 9-6, and gave Montgomery the crucial first match.
Their
second match was virtually over in the first minute. There at
just 44 seconds into it, Montgomery picked up where she left
off in the previous match's overtime, and scored a three-point
throw landing Marano once again on her back. Montgomery would
hold on to triumph, 4-3, and take this series, two matches to
none.
After
her victory at the Olympic Trials, Montgomery commented that
Marano's moving up in weight 'didn't affect me much.' In fact,
she attached a different kind of significance to it. 'I think
all things happen for a reason,' said Montgomery. 'And because
she moved up, it allowed my teammate to make it into the finals
for the first time. I thought that was really good.' Here she
was referring to Alaina Berube, who, like both Montgomery and
Marano, wrestles for the New York Athletic Club, and made it
to the finals at 63 kg/138.75 pounds, where Berube fell to Sara
McMann.
Commenting
on her previous loss to Marano, Montgomery continued, 'I think
that happened for a purpose, too. I didn't think she'd be here
in my weight class. I think that was something that was supposed
to be fate.'
Perhaps,
in her view, the reason was to motivate her. 'I was a lot flat-footed
from the loss from December, and I knew I had to get moving and
get my style of wrestling on. And I think I wrestled more of
her style back in December,' she analyzed. And because she fell
so far behind in their first match at the Trials, Montgomery
said, 'I just knew I had to get it going. I needed that first
match's momentum to go into the second one and wrestle hard like
I did.'
Coming
from behind is actually sometimes preferable for her, much to
her coaches' chagrin. 'I always wrestle harder when I'm behind,'
admitted Montgomery. 'Coaches like to see you control the match
the whole time. Me, personally, I don't go in saying I want to
be down, but when I am down, I do wrestle a lot tougher.'
Montgomery
also views her battles with Marano as good preparation for the
Olympics. 'She doesn't like to give her opponents a lot of space,
and she crowds me a lot,' she said. 'That's something I have
to adapt to when I'm wrestling her. But it's a good style for
me to practice with and work with somebody like her because a
lot of Europeans wrestle the same way.'
But
Montgomery knows who will be her biggest obstacle to a gold medal
when the Olympics begin next month. That is five-time world champion
Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan. Montgomery noted that Hamaguchi is
her 'toughest competitor internationally.' And while Montgomery
may believe in fate, she is going to try to have a say in what
her fate will be the next time they wrestle.
'Hamaguchi
got the last win, and I'm definitely trying to go back in and
review that the next time around,' said Montgomery.
Almost
like her see-saw series with Marano, Montgomery has traded wins
with Hamaguchi. At the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle
Wrestling, on Sept. 14 in Madison Square Garden with the American
fans cheering her on, Montgomery was defeated by Hamaguchi in
the 72 kg finals, 4-1. The key scoring was a two-point tilt by
Hamaguchi in the final minute.
These
two were to meet again less than a month later, and this time
on Hamaguchi's home turf. The setting was Tokyo's Yoyogi Gym
Number 2, often used for fake pro 'wrestling' cards and mixed
martial arts events. This time it was the 2003 Women's World
Cup, held in Tokyo, Japan, October 11-12.
Montgomery
met Hamaguchi once again in the final match of a dual between
the American and Japanese teams to determine the team champion
at this event. Japan was leading 12-11 going into this match,
but it would be Montgomery who would avenge her loss in New York
by defeating Hamaguchi, in Japan, by a 5-3 score.
They
would meet yet again in January, and this time on neutral ground,
as if that mattered much to these two. This was an Olympic Test
Event, held January 24, 2004, in Athens, Greece. This time Montgomery
drew Hamaguchi in the semifinals. Now Montgomery pulled ahead
3-2 in the second period, but Hamaguchi tied it at three apiece
in regulation. And this time it would be Hamaguchi who would
prevail, scoring a takedown just 31 seconds into overtime to
take the match, 4-3.
At
the 2004 Olympics there will also be an enormous amount of attention
paid to Hamaguchi back in her home country. Besides being one
of four defending world champions representing Japan in women's
wrestling, she will be the flag-bearer for Japan at the Olympics'
Opening Ceremonies on August 13.
So
what does this all mean? What is the fate of Toccara Montgomery?
Which of her recent matches with Hamaguchi happened for what
reasons? Are the lessons in her victory, or her two losses?
Toccara
Montgomery might always insist that 'I think all things happen
for a reason.' But she will also mull her defeats and 'go back
in and review that the next time around.'
It
was William Shakespeare who wrote in 'Julius Caesar' that, 'Men
at some time are the masters of their fate.' And it was Franklin
Delano Roosevelt who said in 1939, 'Men are not prisoners of
fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.'
But
does this apply to women, and women who wrestle?
In
Toccara Montgomery's case, the rest of us will just have to wait
until Sunday, August 22, and Monday, August 23, when the women's
Olympic wrestling competition takes place in the Ano Liossia
Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece. That, I suppose, is our fate.
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"If you think you are too small to be effective, you have
never been in the dark with a mosquito."
Betty Reese
|
Brazilian
MMA Gets Japanese Coverage!
The
recent visit of PRIDE executives Nobuyuki Sakakibara and Nobuhiko
Takada to Brazil received HUGE coverage from the Japanese press.
Besides
Fuji TV and 'Number Magazine', both of whom sent five reporters
to follow each step the Pride leaders took as they traveled throughout
three different states (Parana, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro).
The visit of the Pride Team to Brazil received five pages in
the bi weekly Martial Art Magazine 'Kakutogui Tsushin' last month.
The report shows the promoters visiting BTT, Chute Boxe and Ruas
Vale-Tudo headquarters, as well as visiting the mansions of their
golden boys Wanderlei Silva and Rodrigo 'Minotauro'.
Very
impressed with the popularity of Vale-Tudo in it´s
homeland, the president of Pride, Sakakibara, declared in the
report his desire to produce a Pride event in Brazil, pointing
to Maracanã (the biggest soccer stadium in the
world) as the perfect stage for the event. The coverage finishes
with Takada and Sakakibara receiving recognition at the Meca
11 event held in Teresapolis.
Source: ADCC
|
Anderson
Silva celebrates his K-1 debut
Brazilian
fighters ruled the recent 'Gladiator FC - Episode 1' event held
on June 27th in South Korea. One of these Brazilians was Anderson
Silva who outlasted Jeremy Horn for a judge's decision. Now,
Anderson is training hard for his K-1 debut, scheduled to happen
on August 15th in Japan. Now one of the 'Muay Thai Dream Team'
leaders, Silva expects to face the Frenchman Cyril Abidi. According
to the Brazilian, fighting in K-1 is like a dream come true.
'This
will be the fight of my life!' says an excited Anderson. 'I've
always dreamed about my K-1 debut. Fighting under K-1 rules is
different from anything else. Any mistake is enough to be KOed'.
With
regards to his opponent Abidi, Silva confesses he doesn't know
much about him, however, he guarantees he is ready to avoid any
unpleasant surprise. 'I'm working very hard to correct my weaknesses
and get better every single day. As far as I know, Abidi is a
right handed fighter, and I am using many guys like him during
my training' stated Silva. Silva also told ADCC that there is
nothing to the rumors about a possible fight against Brit Lee
Murray, rumored to be scheduled for September 11th in London's
Cage Rage 8.
During
the Gladiator FC, Silva stepped into the ring wearing a Brazilian
Top Team t-shirt, however, he guarantees us he is not thinking
about any change. 'I like everyone at BTT. Rodrigo 'Minotauro'
and Rogerio 'Minotouro' Nogueira are friends of mine. But in
the future, if it is interesting to me and to BTT, I don't see
any reason why I might not be part of the Brazilian Top Team.
But for now, I represent myself and my family' finishes Anderson.
Source: ADCC
|
Pancrase
Event Complete Lineup 8/22/04
'PANCRASE
2004 BRAVE TOUR'
Sunday, August 22, 2004
doors open; 3:00PM
fights start; 4:00PM
Umeda Stella Hall (Osaka, Japan)
Complete
Lineup Subject To Change:
Amateur
Match: TBD
Pro-Match
# 1 welterweight 2x5 min rounds
MANAO KUMAGAI (Zendokai) vs YUJI MIYAZAKI (MMA Dojo Cobrakai)
Pro-Match
# 2 middleweight 2x5 min rounds
DAISUKE HANAZAWA 13 (MMA Dojo Cobrakai) vs THE GREAT NANIWA (MMA
Musosenjutsu)
Pro-Match
# 3 featherweight 2x5 min rounds
MASASHI KAMEDA (MMA Dojo Cobrakai) vs MITSUHISA SUNABE (HYBRID
WRESTLING MUGEN)
Pro-Match
# 4 heavyweight 2x5 min rounds
TSUYOSHI OZAWA (heavyweight 1st ranked/ Zendokai) vs SEHAKU (RJW/CENTRAL)
Pro-Match
# 5 welterweight 2x5 min rounds
KOJI OISHI (welterweight 1st ranked/ PANCRASEism) vs OTOKO! TOKUOKA
(WATER)
Semifinal
light heavyweight 3x5 min rounds
NILSON DE CASTRO (light heavyweight 4th ranked/ Brazil/ Chute
Boxe Academy) vs DAISUKE WATANABE (light heavyweight 5th ranked/
PANCRASEism)
Main
Event featherweight 3x5 min rounds
YOSHIRO MAEDA (Pancrase Inagakigumi) vs FREDSON PAIXAO (Brazil/ Gracie Barra Combat Team)
Source: ADCC
|
Marco
Ruas: 'I Am Not Retired Yet'
Ruas analyses Kazayuki Fujita's strategies and warns he'll be
back in 2005!
Marco
Ruas had been in Brazil on vacation, where he has been for 3
weeks to see his family, friends and to check out how the Ruas
Vale Tudo team is doing.
Upon
catching up with Ruas, one of the subjects on his mind was the
recent victory Kazuyuki Fujita scored over Bob Sapp on the K-1
Romanex event. Ruas spoke of the Japanese fighter's strategy
during the match:
'I
prepared his strategy for the fight against Bob Sapp. Fujita
trained with me for 2 weeks, and after that, I spent a week with
him in Japan. Since Bob Sapp had accepted the rule that allows
kicking on the ground, I told Fujita 'look, I don't want you
to get double leg, hit just a single, because with a double leg,
he could sprawl and fall down on top of you, and he is a heavy
guy! Let's attack him with single legs, and when you get him
to the ground, do not hold him. When he pushes you, you get up
and kick him'. He did it all. Fujita has many qualities, he listens,
he withstands a lot of punishment, he has a good chin and has
lots of will power. He did good and I think he's been showing
good improvement.'
The
fans of Ruas Vale Tudo are anxious to see their idol back in
the ring, since Ruas hasn't announced his retirement officially.
He has confessed he will be back in 2005:
'I
will be certainly back to fight, it's in my plans. I'm scheduling
it for next year. I want to fight next year for sure, in Japan
or in Korea, since I have been invited to fight there. The last
time I was in Japan, I got an invitation to fight in Korea, a
good offer. I didn't accept it because, once I'm committed to
something I must be ready 100%. I'm not there to fight for money,
so paramount is the fact that I want a victory. To prepare, I'll
have to quit with my classes, because things wouldn't work out
well. At my age, giving classes and train for a match is no longer
possible. I can't train and give classes, they're different aspects.
Training for competition and at the same time, focusing on your
pupils must be separated, so I intend to create a plan for next
year to do this. for now, I'm only at my academy, but next year
my plan involves bringing some people to help me out in the USA,
or I could come back to Brazil to prepare. That's my dream: I
want to step on a ring again.'
'Would
it be just one match?' we asked the RVT leader.
'It
depends on my condition. After the fight, I will be able to tell
you this. I did a fight and I thought it was my last one, but
it won't be, it was 3 years ago, and I was 40.' stated Ruas.
'Everything depends on how I will feel after the fight, if I
get tired. Let's see during my training and during the fight
itself, how my stamina is. Everyone must know when to quit, it's
sad, but none of us likes to think about it, but there's a time
you gotta admit it, and I don't think my time hasn't come yet.'
Source: ADCC
|
Jake
Shields Q & A
By Joe Hall
Jake
Shields recently completed his climb to the top of Shooto by
submitting Ray
Cooper
and capturing the promotion's middleweight (167-pound) championship
on July 9 in Hawaii. The bout for the vacant title brought revenge
for Shields, who had dropped a majority decision to Cooper in
August 2002. It also marked the culmination of Shields's undefeated
run through the Shooto ranks that had begun in December 2002
with an upset win over Hayato Sakurai. FCF caught up with the
new Shooto Middleweight Champion to get his thoughts on the bout,
his opponents over the last two years and his Cesar Gracie teammates.
FCF:
Describe how the rematch against Ray Cooper played out from your
perspective.
Jake Shields: Basically, I came out and was trying to strike
with him a little bit. I wanted to strike with him for a little
while then take him down, but he ended up taking me down. I wasn't
ready for that. I got caught off guard and then ended up sweeping
him with a half guard sweep. He kind of scrambled back to his
feet. Then I believe I took him down, passed his guard and ended
up taking his back and choking him. I believe it took about three
minutes.
FCF:
There have been some claims that you held on to the choke too
long. Describe how the match ended from your view.
JS: I put my head on one side and started choking him. He started
tapping the mat on the other side, so I couldn't really feel
what was going on. I felt that he was going out, but I couldn't
feel him tapping and I didn't want any controversy. There's been
several fights where someone doesn't tap or says they didn't
tap and they have to restart it. I just wanted to end the fight.
I didn't feel anyone tap. I stopped when I felt the ref. I mean,
Cooper is somebody I have a lot of respect for, but I just wanted
to finish the fight.
FCF:
You lost a majority decision to Cooper the first time you fought
him. What made the difference this time?
JS: I think I was just ready. I was in great shape. I was ready
to push non-stop. My Jiu-Jitsu had gotten way, way better. Before,
a lot of my fights were on two weeks notice. You can't push quite
as hard on two weeks training. For the Cooper fight, I trained
two months nonstop. I didn't have to hold anything back and I
think that makes a huge difference.
FCF:
You've beaten some tough guys in the last year or two that don't
necessarily have big names yet. Akira Kikuchi was one of them.
What is your impression of his game?
JS: Kikuchi is really good. I think he's right up there. He's
phenomenal on the ground. I was really surprised with his ground
(game). I didn't really know anything about him before I fought
him, so I underestimated him a little bit. As soon as I got out
there, I realized how hyped he was.
FCF:
What's so good about his ground game? Was he really tricky or
fast or unorthodox? JS: It was just really basic Jiu-Jitsu. Just
a really tight game. Good wrestling, just well-rounded. He has
really good armbars, good passes, good takedowns. Good guard.
Just an all around good, solid Jiu-Jitsu game. But with a wrestling
style too. He comes from a Judo background; he has like a controlling
style.
FCF:
How about Kazuo Misaki, who you drew with?
JS: I would say he's just an all around tough brawler. Great
cardio. Pretty good striker, good ground, all around.
FCF:
How do those two compare with Sakurai, who you beat in 2002?
JS: I think they're all pretty close to the same level. They're
all up there.
FCF:
How would your teammate Nick Diaz match up against Kikuchi?
JS: I think that would be a really good grappling match, those
two. I think Nick has better hands, but grappling-wise it would
be very interesting. Slightly different styles but similar at
the same time.
FCF:
You've received some criticism, Jake, for not finishing your
fights and for not being especially aggressive. How do you respond
to that criticism?
JS: I think part of it is, I probably could have been a little
more aggressive. A couple of the fights, I wasn't in the best
shape. It was like two weeks notice on two of those fights. But
also those guys had really good guards; Kikuchi, Sakurai and
Misaki were all guys with really good guards and it was hard
to open it up and pass.
FCF:
Are there ways you can improve your game in that regard?
JS: I think I can definitely improve. I've been working harder
and harder on passing. I've been working harder on opening it
up with bigger and stronger strikes. And I've been working on
my standup.
FCF:
What's next for you? Is anything lined up?
JS: At this point, no. But I want to fight soon. Shooto wants
me to defend the belt, but that's not for a while. Hopefully
I'll do something before then, in the U.S. or Japan or wherever.
FCF:
How do you think Nick Diaz's UFC fight against Karo Parisyan
will go?
JS: It's an interesting matchup. I think Karo is not someone
you want to underestimate, but I think Nick has better hands
and better ground. I think Nick will end up either tapping him
out or knocking him out. But I think it will be a good fight.
FCF:
David Terrell is a teammate that's debuting against Matt Lindland
at that same UFC. From a teammate's perspective, how does Terrell
match up with Lindland?
JS: Dave is just awesome. It's a really tough debut fight. Matt
Lindland, no doubt, he's a top UFC 185-pounder. I'd have to pick
Dave to either tap him out or knock him out. I think his ground
is too dangerous and he has heavy hands too.
FCF:
In terms of wrestling in the fight, how do you think Terrell
will do with Lindland?
JS: Dave's a really good wrestler. Obviously, Lindland's a silver
medalist, but I wouldn't be surprised if Dave took him down at
some point in the fight.
Source: FCF
|
WRESTLING
TO BE BROADCAST FOR NINE STRAIGHT DAYS, AS NBC ANNOUNCES 2004
OLYMPICS SCHEDULE
NBC, the 2004 Olympics' broadcaster in the U.S., announced on
its NBCOlympics.com web site Tuesday the highlights of its preliminary
broadcast schedule for the 2004 Athens Games. NBC will be showing
approximately 1,210 hours of programming spread over the seven
channels which make up the NBC Universal network -- NBC, MSNBC,
CNBC, USA, Bravo, Telemundo, and NBC HDTV. This means that they
will be providing 24-hour Olympics programming, averaging over
70 hours a day, August 11-29.
The
announcement also noted that these listings are subject to change.
NBC usually highlights gold medal performances by American athletes,
so these likely will get priority in whatever sport they will
occur.
Also,
during each day of the competition, NBC will air a replay of
its prime time coverage in the overnight hours, usually from
2 AM to either 5 or 6 AM. Also, as the schedule indicates, some
events will be shown live, and some on tape. The live and taped
events may also be shown at the same time in each time zone,
or at the time listed in either the Eastern or Pacific time zones
in the U.S. So checking your local listings, as well as rechecking
the NBCOlympics.com web site, is essential to following a sport
like wrestling.
As
you also will see, there will be wrestling coverage on NBC, CNBC,
and/or MSNBC for every one of the nine days during which its
Olympic competition takes place. Note that NBC is planning prime
time coverage on Wednesday, August 25, of the Greco-Roman gold
medal finals in 120 kg/264.5 lbs., which could involve an attempt
by Rulon Gardner to capture his second straight gold medal. Presumably
also, if Gardner is not in that match, those finals may not be
shown.
Note
also that wrestling shares these long programming blocks with
other sports, and that the coverage will shift back and forth
from sport to sport. So if you are planning to tape the Olympic
wrestling competition, stock up now on lots of tape.
Here
is the preliminary schedule for the 2004 Olympic wrestling competition
on the NBC Universal networks. The times listed are either in
EDT or PDT in North America, as noted. Note also that the local
time in Athens, Greece, is EEST (Eastern European Summer Time)
or UTC/GMT +3 hours, which is seven hours ahead of EDT in North
America.
The
NBCOlympics.com television listings page is at:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/tvlistings/index.html
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 22 - DAY 9
CNBC
-- 2:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Wrestling - Women's Competition (LIVE)
MONDAY,
AUGUST 23 - DAY 10
MSNBC
-- 2:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. ET
Wrestling - Women's Semifinals
MSNBC
-- 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Wrestling - Women's Gold Medal Finals
TUESDAY,
AUGUST 24 - DAY 11
NBC
-- 8:00 p.m. - Midnight ET/PT
Wrestling - Super Heavyweight Greco-Roman Competition
NBC
-- 12:35 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Competition
MSNBC
-- 2:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. ET
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Competition (LIVE)
WEDNESDAY,
AUGUST 25 - DAY 12
NBC
-- 8:00 p.m. - Midnight ET/PT
Wrestling - Super Heavyweight Greco-Roman Gold Medal Final
NBC
-- 12:35 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Gold Medal Finals
MSNBC
2:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. ET
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Semifinals (LIVE)
THURSDAY,
AUGUST 26 - DAY 13
NBC
-- 12:35 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Gold Medal Finals
MSNBC
-- 2:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. ET
Wrestling - Greco-Roman Semifinals (LIVE)
FRIDAY,
AUGUST 27 - DAY 14
NBC
-- 12:35 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Freestyle Competition
SATURDAY,
AUGUST 28 - DAY 15
NBC
-- Noon - 6:00 p.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Freestyle Gold Medal Finals
NBC
-- 8:00 p.m. - Midnight ET/PT
Wrestling - Freestyle Gold Medal Finals
NBC
-- 12:30 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. ET/PT
Wrestling - Freestyle Gold Medal Finals
CNBC
-- 3:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Wrestling - Freestyle Competition
SUNDAY,
AUGUST 29 - DAY 16
CNBC
-- 3:00 a.m. - Noon ET
Wrestling - Freestyle Gold Medal Finals (LIVE)
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"Great minds have purposes; others have wishes."
Washington Irving, 1783-1859, American Author
|
WESTSIDE BASH
ALTERNATES WANTED!!
We are currently looking for alternate fighters for the 170lbs
class. We have a packed tournament, but just in case the fighters
can't make the next round. A $1,000 cash prize goes to the winner.
Also, if anyone wants to kickbox, let me know.
contact 330-4483
|
Bushido
OnDemand
Oceanic InDemand
Bushido is showing:
Sunday, July 25, 2004
9:00 am to 12:00 pm Channel 701
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Channel 701
|
Georges St Pierre
to face Matt Hughes for Welterweight Belt.
The Rumor mill has been working overtime but nothing had been
signed sealed and delivered until today and it is official. Georges
St Pierre will face off against one of the greatest pound for
pound MMA fighters in the UFC in Matt Hughes. St Pierre was excited
when he told "The Sushiboy" that he is
"Training very hard" and looking for a good fight.
His Manager Stephane Patry also echoed his sentiments and confidence
going as far as to say that "St Pierre will make Hughes
look bad". Mr. Patry had nothing but praise for the former
welterweight champion Matt Hughes and went on to say "I
love Matt Hughes, he comes to my shows, and he is a great fighter
but in MMA styles make matches. Georges St Pierre is a bad match
up for him." We will have an interview with Mr. Patry in
the coming days so look for that in the near future. -MMARR-
Source: MMA Ring Report |
JULY 2004 - ADCC's
TOP TEN MMA!
under 145 lbs.
#1 Jens Pulver (Miletich Fighting Systems, USA)
#2 Alexandre 'Pequeno' Nogueira (Brazil)
#3 Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto (Japan)
#4 Joao Roque (Nova Uniao, Brazil)
#5 Ivan Menjivar (Costa Rica)
#6 Mike Brown (Team Elite, USA)
#7 Tetsuo Katsuta (Japan)
#8 Hiroyuki Abe (Japan)
#9 Hiroyuki Takaya (Japan)
#10 Stephen
Paling (USA)
145.1 - 155 lbs.
#1 Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro (Nova Uniao, Brazil)
#2 Joachim Hansen (Team Scandinavia, Oslo, Norway)
#3 Takanori Gomi (SHOOTO, Japan)
#4 Josh Thompson (Team AKA, USA)
#5 Yves Edwards (ThugJitsu, USA)
#6 Genki Sudo (Japan)
#7 Matt Serra (Team Renzo Gracie, USA)
#8 Tatsuya Kawajiri (Japan)
#9 Hermes Franca (American TOP TEAM, USA)
#10 Luis 'Buscape' (Brazil)
155.1 - 170 lbs.
#1 BJ Penn
(USA)
#2 Matt Hughes (Miletich Fighting Systems,, USA)
#3 Sean Sherk (USA)
#4 Jake Shields (Cesar Gracie, USA)
#5 Rodrigo Gracie (Team Renzo Gracie, USA)
#6 Nick Diaz (Cesar Gracie, USA)
#7 Frank Trigg (rAw, USA)
#8 George St Pierre (TKO, Canada)
#9 Chris Lytle (Integrated Fighting, USA)
#10 Akira Kikuchi (Japan)
170.1 - 185 lbs.
#1 Yuki Kondo (Japan)
#2 Anderson Silva (Brazil)
#3 Matt Lindland (USA)
#4 Jeremy Horn (Miletich Fighting Systems,, USA)
#5 Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan)
#6 Masanori Suda (SHOOTO Champion, Japan)
#7 Evan Tanner (Team Quest, USA)
#8 Amar Suloev (Red Devil, Russia)
#9 Trevor Prangley (Lion's Den, USA)
#10 Denis Kang (Soares JJ, Canada)
185.1 - 205 lbs.
#1 Wanderlei Silva (Chute Boxe, Brazil)
#2 Randy Couture (Team Quest, USA)
#3 Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson (USA)
#4 Vitor Belfort (Brazil)
#5 Dan Henderson (USA)
#6 Chuck Liddell (USA)
#7 Tito Ortiz (USA)
#8 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Brazilian TOP TEAM, Brazil)
#9 Rich Franklin (Team EXTREME, USA)
#10 Renato 'Babalu' (Brazil)
205.1 lbs and Up.
#1 Emilianenko Fedor (Red Devil, Russia)
#2 Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira (Brazilian TOP TEAM, Brazil)
#3 Josh Barnett (NJPW, USA)
#4 Frank Mir (Pires JJ, USA)
#5 Andrei Orlovski (Belarus)
#6 Sergei Kharitonov (Russia)
#7 Mirko Filipovic (Croatia)
#8 Tim Sylvia (Miletich Fighting Systems, USA)
#9 Ibragim Magomedov (Red Devil, Russia)
#10 Travis Wiuff (USA)
Source: ADCC |
COFFEE GUY EXCLUSIVE:
HUGHES VS. ST-PIERRE IS OFFICIAL
Before reading any
further, please read our disclaimer first.
The following exclusive
report was sent to us by our Zuffa informant called 'Coffee Guy':
Both Matt Hughes
and Georges St-Pierre have signed contracts to fight against
each other for the vacant UFC welterweight title.
The bout will take
place in UFC 50 on October 22nd.
Sources in Las Vegas
report that UFC 50 will most likely take place at the Boardwalk
Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The date for the
show is tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 22nd.
Source: Fight Sport |
HORN INJURY UPDATE
Jeremy Horn, still hampered by the injured groin muscle from
his last bout with Anderson Silva, surpised many people and fought
this past weekend in Alaska. Horn was able to put Kyle Seals
away with a body shot late in the first round. Long regarded
by critics as a "boring" fighter, Horn continues to
prove them wrong by finishing his opponent in each of his last
five wins. Horn told MMAWeekly that he believes there is a good
possibility of having his groin fully healed before his next
fight against Nathan Marquardt at the IFC show next month in
Sturgis.
HIS GOOD FRIENDS
AND TEAMMATES RICH FRANKLIN AND JENNIFER HOWE WERE ALSO ON THE
SAME CARD in Alaska this weekend. Rich Franklin, and Jennifer
Howe all won their fights this past week at the Alaska Fighting
Championship in Anchorage, Alaska.
In another first
rounder, Franklin was able to submit Ralph Dillon halfway through
the first round with a key lock. The win is Franklin's second
in a row since losing to Ryoto "Lyoto" Machida at Antonio
Inoki's New Year's Eve Bom-Ba-Ye show, the first of his career.
Highly regarded
as the best female mixed martial artist is the world, Howe faced
a game Linda Langerak. Howe finished her with strikes from the
mounted position at the end of the second round. Now 12-0, this
is only the second time in her career that Howe has been taken
beyond the first round, the first was a decision win over Angela
Restad. Outside of the decision to Restad, Howe has finished
all of her other eleven opponents.
Howe's next bout will be in defense of her IFC Women's Middleweight
title against IFC Women's Light Heavyweight Champion Jaqueline
Andrade at the IFC's August 14th show at Sturgis.
Horn will also be
fighting on the Sturgis show where he will be facing five time
King of Pancrase Nathan Marquardt for the IFC Middleweight Championship.
At the IFC's July 31st show in Monterrey, Mexico, Franklin will
square off with Eric Escobedo in a Light Heavyweight Superfight
in the show's
main event.
Alaska Fighting
Championship Official Results
Lightweights
Jimmy Gainey def. Nate Weiblans by ref stoppage 2:48 of 3rd round
Rodney Rhoden def. Eric Soellner by Tap out 0:32 of 2nd round
Middleweights
Yoter Blalock def. Craig Brow by KO 0:35 sec. of 1st round
Jimmy Carswell def. Heath Clark by ref. stoppage 2:12 of 2nd
round
Marcus Facine def. Shane Hatcher at 0:40 sec. of first round
fighter
quits
Heavyweight
Ed Schultz def. Joe Phipps at 1:39 of 1st round fighter quits
Women's 135 lb. class
Jennifer Howe def. Linda Langerak, end of round 2 fighter quits
Light Heavyweight
Rich Franklin def. Ralph Dillon at 2:55 of the first round by
keylock
Jeremy Horn def. Kyle Seals at 4:08 of first round, TKO ref.
stoppage
Source: MMA Weekly |
SET YOUR 2004 OLYMPIC
WRESTLING BOOKMARKS NOW
In case you hadn't
noticed, the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, are just around
the corner. The opening ceremonies take place in a little over
three weeks, on August 13, and the wrestling competition starts
in a little over a month, running from August 22 to 29.
This year it should
be easier than ever to follow the Olympic wrestling results online.
The International Olympic Committee still does not allow live
webcasts of Olympic events; for that you will have to search
the television listings, which soon should be available in many
countries. But there will be much coverage, including reporting
of results, taking place online, and hopefully as quickly as
possible.
Here are the major
2004 Olympic wrestling sites in English which we have found so
far. We hope to list more soon, including the personal online
journals of Olympic wrestlers.
THEMAT.COM'S SPECIAL
COVERAGE SECTION
The special coverage
section of TheMat.com, run by USA Wrestling, for the 2004 Olympics
promises to be the most comprehensive in the world in the English
language.
Right now the site
has begun a series of previews by each weight class and style.
These previews are invaluable in anticipating what might occur
on the mats when the Olympic wrestling starts this year.
There are also schedules,
news, and historical background articles. There are also many
links to more information about the U.S. Olympic wrestlers.
Also listed is a
link to results, which means that this site may be the best to
get these results first.
The 2004 Olympic
wrestling special coverage section of TheMat.com is at:
http://themat.com/specialevents/2004/olympics/default.asp
WRESTLING CANADA
LUTTE 2004 OLYMPICS PAGE
Wrestling Canada
Lutte also has begun a special section for the 2004 Olympics.
There are bios of each of Canada's Olympic wrestlers, along with
their photos, profiles, and records. There are also links to
the athletes' own web sites.
The Wrestling Canada
Lutte 2004 Olympics page is at:
http://wrestling.ca/athletes/olympicteam.php
NBC WRESTLING PAGE
NBC, the 2004 Olympics'
broadcaster in the U.S., has an interesting and rather comprehensive
site already functioning, NBCOlympics.com.
On that site is
a special wrestling page filled with news articles, interviews,
information about wrestling's rules, photo galleries, and much
historical information. Not surprisingly, this site makes much
use of both audio and video in its presentations.
The NBC Olympics
wrestling page is at:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/wrestling/index.html
CBC WRESTLING PAGE
CBC, the 2004 Olympics'
broadcaster in Canada, also has its own wrestling page. This
includes news, wrestling history, and discussion of wrestling's
rules.
The CBC 2004 Olympics
wrestling page is at:
http://www.cbc.ca/olympics/sports/wrestling/
BBC WRESTLING PAGE
Although Britain
is not a major force in wrestling and will only have one athlete
competing this year in this sport, the web site of the BBC, the
2004 Olympics' broadcaster in the UK, has lived up to its reputation
for comprehensive coverage by creating a 2004 Olympic wrestling
page.
It has international
and British wrestling news, history, and information.
The BBC 2004 Olympics
wrestling page is at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/wrestling/default.stm
ATHENS 2004 OFFICIAL
WRESTLING PAGE
The official web
site of the 2004 Olympics has links to pages on every Olympic
sport. The wrestling page discusses history, equipment, rules,
athletes, and qualifications, and has a glossary and a list of
2000 Olympic wrestling medalists.
There are also important
links to ticketing and venue information.
The Athens 2004
wrestling page is at:
click here
U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM
WRESTLING PAGE
There is also a
wrestling page on the web site of the U.S. Olympic Committee.
There are links to news, articles, bios, and more.
This page is at:
http://www.usolympicteam.com/222.htm
USA TODAY OLYMPIC
WRESTLING PAGE
Of all the major
newspapers in America, USA Today seems to be the most devoted
to covering the Olympics. Its web site has also set up a special
page for wrestling news and information. That can be seen at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/athens/wrestling/wrestling-info.htm
SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
2004 OLYMPICS PAGE
Although it does
not have a special page for wrestling, the web site of Sports
Illustrated has a special section for the 2004 Olympics which
is providing coverage of all Olympic sports and the Olympics
as a whole. There are also links to many articles. It can be
seen at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2004/
FILA
It is almost needless
to say, but once again the hapless FILA, the international wrestling
federation, is lagging behind events and the rest of the world.
FILA's web site
has thus far not created any special coverage section for the
2004 Olympics. They do promise 'live access' to the 2004 European
wrestling championships -- which took place this past April.
The FILA database
may be the one place on this site where Olympic wrestling results
are posted first. It can be seen at:
http://www.iat.uni-leipzig.de/datenbanken/dbwrest/start.php
FILA also has a
list of which countries have qualified at which weights and in
which styles. This list, however, is inaccurate in that it lists
names of wrestling who earned those spots. These wrestlers may
or may not be the same ones competing in the 2004 Olympics, and
many of these countries have yet to announce their full lineups.
This list of qualifiers
is at:
http://www.fila-wrestling.com/home/qualif_olymp.htm
Source: ADCC |
|