Upcoming
Events
Do you want to list an
event on Onzuka.com?
Contact Us
(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
November
Pride
Bushido 5
(MMA)
(Yokohama Arena, Japan)
September
Ring
of Honor 6
( Kickboxing/MMA)
(Kauai)
Tentative
9/25/04
NAGA Hawaii State Grappling Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Tentative)
August
Ring of Honor 6
( Kickboxing/MMA)
(Maui)
Tentative
8/28/04
Hawaiian Grappling Challenge
(Submission Grappling)
(Oahu)
8/15/04
Pride
All Stars Show
(MMA)
(Japan)
July
Bushido 4
(MMA)
(Nagoya Rainbow Hall, Japan)
7/24/04
Submission Wrestling Tpurnament
(Sub Grappling)
(Kahului, Maui, Hawaii)
July 9-12
BJJ
World Cup (CBJJO)
(BJJ)
(SESC gym, Salvador, Brazil)
7/9/04
Shooto
Hawaii
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
6/26/04
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Palama Settlement)
6/21/04
Punishment
In Paradise
(Kickboxing)
(Campbell H.S. Gym)
6/20/04
Pride Heavyweight
Grand Prix
(MMA)
(Japan)
6/19/04
UFC
48: Payback
(MMA)
6/18/04
Super
Brawl 36
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
5/30/04
Ring of Honor 5
(Sub Grappling)
(Campbell H.S. Gym)
|
|
May 2004 News Part
3
Wednesday
night and Sunday classes (w/ a kids' class) now offered!
 
For the special Onzuka.com
price, click on one of these banners above! |
Tuesdays at 6:00PM on
Olelo Channel 52 |
Quote
of the Day
"Watch your "Thoughts," they become words. Watch
your "Words," they become actions. Watch your "Actions,"
they become habits. Watch your "Habits," they become
character. Watch your "Character," for it becomes your
"Destiny.""
Frank Outlaw
|
Help
a little Angel!
A lot of people have asked us who created our site or some returning
visitors were shocked to see how cool our new site was, well,
it is all the work of master flash artist, Marc Ebalaroza and
his company Pacific Design Community. He is a close friend and
we highly recommend him to anyone who wants a site that will
have everyone talking and sets it apart from the hum drum sites
out there.
Marc's heart is as big as his creative ability. You may have
heard about a message board type site that was set up for our
US troops to communicate with family. It was on the local news
stations and papers, Marc and his team were behind that. Now
he is asking for your help with a 2 week old baby. Joey Ching
of Hawaii411.com is a close friend and also has a heart of gold
by helping out with the site.
My heart goes out to this family. As some of you may know that
my terrible twosome (my twins) were in Neonatal Intensive Care
for the first couple of weeks of their lives and had to fight
their way to health. My family feels for Angel's family. So if
you have been blessed this year or recently, please share the
blessing with family who could use an extra share from everyone.
Onzuka.com
Hello:
I recently just donated a website to a friend of mine who's granddaughter
is hospitalized in San Francisco for a Diaphragmatic Hernia of
the Heart. Although only 13 days old the family are keeping their
faith on her recovery. He informed me of the news on Wednesday
regarding the financial situation his family was in because of
all the hospital and travel expenses. And after gathering the
information of his granddaughter's prognosis and his financial
situation I just couldn't walk away without doing anything. So
I decided to construct him a website where people can go to and
send their support and prayers. Joey Ching of Hawaii411.com also generously donated
server space and a domain name.
I did contact all the news stations, however it seemed that maybe
'Jasmine Trias' is just too important at this time because no
one called Sonny (Angel's Grandfather) for any media attention.
If you are willing to show your financial support in anyway,
I WILL add your link / logo to the website along with your name
/ company. We are working on getting the family a fund raiser
account and an online donation form, however for now please feel free to
contact Sonny Cuson at 808.864.0496 for any monetary donations.
For more info visit the website at: www.angelalapai.com
Please pardon the inconvenience of the site, however being that
it was a spur of the moment decision the site is still undergoing
some maintenance, I just wanted to launch it ASAP to get all
the support we can for this little girl and her family.
Please keep Angel Alapai and her family in your prayers. ~ Aloha
Marc.
|
UFC
Titles: Condition Critical
Commentary by Jake Rossen
After Zuffa's latest dust-up, this one involving the defection
of lightweight/welterweight phenom BJ Penn, the MMA faithful are circling a slightly
wounded UFC like wolves out for a kill. Fight fans are like jilted
lovers: make all the right moves - in their eyes - and they'll
preach undying devotion. Do something radical and be prepared
to hide the bunnies and hot water.
The level of venom directed at management in this industry is
unlike anything I've ever seen. Nowhere else can you find page
after page of knee-jerk criticism, name-calling, and demands
that the executive chairs be vacated. If something doesn't make
superficial sense, then it must not make any sense at all. Speculation
becomes rumor becomes rock-solid reality by the time a message
thread enters Page Two. The bottom line is irrelevant when it
comes to the fever dreams of fans. They want what they want,
common sense be damned. And if you don't provide it, you are
cruising for a public bruising.
The
UFC has its share of problems. Big problems. Some situations
were unavoidable. Some were not. The sport as it exists in America
(and make no mistake: the UFC is the sport in the States) seems
to be permanently in flux. No one knows what's going to happen
tomorrow. If Zuffa owns this promotion in two years, I won't
be surprised. If they don't, I won't be surprised.
Foremost
among their headaches: the lack of clearly defined weight classes
and champions. Visit the UFC's web page, click on "Title
Holders," and marvel at a bunch of blacked-out faces with
big question marks. It's embarrassing. It's unnecessary. It needs
to be resolved.
Your
more optimistic fans will shrug a shoulder and say that titles
don't precipitate great fights. That may be true, but a sport
without structure or purpose isn't going to invite the kind of
acceptance it's been begging for. Who would run a race with no
finish line? Who's going to watch a race with no finish line?
Everyone
wants closure, including the athletes. Breaking down the kind
of system that all combat sports are fueled by smacks of careless
direction. The sport needs champions. So do fans. And even in
spite of the UFC's crummy luck, it's not something they can ignore.
Yes,
"luck." Did Zuffa strip Jens Pulver on a whim? Pulver
- despite being the most sensationally dull champion of all time
- thought he was worth more money. Did the guy win fights? Absolutely.
Did he grab the attention of the crowd, which is the primary
factor in determining prize purses? Absolutely not. Chris Byrd
has outboxed nearly everyone he's faced. So has John Ruiz. These
guys win, and win ugly. But do they occupy the same financial
atmosphere as washouts like Tyson? Nope.
Murilo
Bustamante thought he could get a better deal elsewhere. Zuffa
didn't strip him: he left. And when he wanted to return, the
offer was no longer on the table. For those of you who supervise
others: do you let them go job-hunting for months at a time and
then roll out the red carpet when they're done playing the field?
You
do? Pass along your fax number. I want to work for you. Be in
by 11.
The
list goes on...Josh Barnett wanted to head for the Japanese wrestling
scene, and nothing was going to keep him in the UFC; Tim Sylvia
tested positive for steroids.
And
Penn. As a pound-for-pound great, he was an incredible addition
to the UFC's roster. And when he was a contender, there was no
issue in having him fight elsewhere, even against a huge threat
in Takanori Gomi. But as a title holder, playing musical chairs
ceases to be an option. Does anyone see Vanderlei Silva fighting
in K-1? Fedor heading for the UFC? Hell, do any King of the Cage
champs pop up elsewhere?
It
doesn't happen. Any promoter not suffering from a lobotomy doesn't
let their figureheads boost up someone else's business. And yet
it's the UFC that's chided for being "selfish" and
"difficult." This directed at a company that gave Dreamstage
Chuck Liddell and Ricco Rogriduez, while getting exactly Jack
and Shit in return.
Let's
say Penn does fight Ludwig. Forget about the outcome. If you
afford Penn the chance to cash in elsewhere, you have now set
a precedent for all of your champions to do so. There would be
no excuse not to. What happens when Tim Sylvia (or Mir) gets
a huge offer to fight Fedor at around the time you need him to
defend his belt? Now the UFC's schedule - already hampered by
egos, contracts, managers, injuries, and slots - is going to
be predicated on when Pride wants to poach your champions?
That way lies madness, gang. And so Penn was told to pack his
bags: not because of petty behavior, but because it made absolutely
no sense to do anything else.
Treatment
You've got one champ in Vitor Belfort, and you're set to crown
another one on June 19 with Sylvia and Mir. All things considered,
two warm belts is an accomplishment.
But
there's no reason to stop there. Matt Hughes and Renato Verissimo
is a bout tailor-made for the vacant welterweight championship.
Penn's departure may sour fans for some time to come, but it
can't hurt to fill the void he left without delay. As the former
champ, there's nothing more to be said about Hughes' worthiness.
Verissimo just defeated a game Carlos Newton, and for those who
like a little drama, he just so happens to be Penn's mentor.
Two title defenses on one card used to be the norm. Both guys
deserve a shot. There's no reason not to do this. Your number-one
contender is going to be decided with Trigg/Hallman that same
night. It's all gift-wrapped. Take it.
Middleweight
doesn't have to be far behind: take the winner of Baroni/Tanner
on June 19 and slot him against Matt Lindland in August for the
strap. I'm not happy advocating the dismissal of David Terrell,
but there's a larger situation that needs to take priority. You
could have Lindland fight Terrell before taking on the "Payback"
finalist, but now we're talking late in the year for resolution.
It's
inconceivable that you host a middleweight title bout without
Lindland, easily the most dominant 185 lb. guy out there. If
he gets Baroni, well...make it count, Phil. And if he gets Tanner?
If you're on the same team in the same weight class, then you
better damn well be prepared to mix it up. If not, then one of
them needs to be shown the door.
Boom,
boom, boom. By late August, your title lacerations are stitched
up and healing nicely. And no, I didn't forget about the lightweights.
Cut them loose. Juggling five weight classes on a Pay-Per-View-exclusive
event is only going to dilute the product. There's simply not
enough time to make sense of all the divisions. And like it or
not, the smaller guys are traditionally the least enticing to
fight fans. Until TV hits, it's time to put the lightweights
on the shelf.
The
UFC has been burned so many times by title holders that trying
to crown more is probably like palming a hot plate. But there's
simply no other alternative. To be taken seriously as a viable
commodity by both fans and future business partners, you need
to have a grasp on the basics. If an arena full of fans boos
groundwork, is the solution to hold the show in an empty event
center? You just can't ignore the essentials.
The
road to a championship is the underlying theme to every sport
out there. Without it, you're just treading water. The fans -
even the surly ones - deserve better
Source:
Maxfighting |
Brazilian
National Titles Final Results
Xande Ribeiro is the Man!
First
name is the winner:
The
Brazilian Nationals have just ended. With great fights and lots
of the top fighters participating, this year's Nationals was
one of the best ever. In the Brown Belt Absolute it was American
born, Brasa Jiu-Jitsu Clube's Robert Drysdale taking the cake!
The
story of the tournament however was Xande Ribeiro. After a year
living in Ohio, Xande returned with a vengeance. Proving that
he only got better from his USA experience, Xande took the weight
and the Absolute division with a resounding 8 x 0 victory over
young sensation Marcelo Garcia. In the Absolute finals Xande
swept and mounted forcing the dangerous Garcia to turn over his
back. Xande caught Garcia's back once more for the 8 x 0 win.
Rooster
- Daniel Moreno 7 x 2 Felipe Costa
Super-feather
- Carlos Holanda over Robson Medeiros by decision
Feather
- Fredson Paixao 2 x 0 Fredson Alves
Light
- Rodrigo Magalhaes 0 x 0 Marcelo 'Pulginha' Pimentel
Medium
- Garcia by quick submission
Medium-heavy
- Jacare and Marcel Losada closed the bracket. Jacare subbed
everyone he fought
Heavy
- 'Xande' Ribeiro 3 x 0 Jefferson Moura
Super-
Heavy Eric Wanderlei 2x1 (Adv.) Roberto Tozzi
Over
- Claudio Godoi won 0 x 0 Montagna
Absolute
- 'Xande' Ribeiro 8 x 0 Marcelo Garcia
Team
Results:
1-
Gracie Barra
2- Brasa Jiu-Jitsu Clube
3- BTT
Source:
ADCC |
Chuck
Liddell to fight Vernon White?
What happens when an "Iceman" fights a "Tiger"?
That question could be answered at UFC 49. A chat with Chuck
Liddell's trainer John "Pitmaster" Hackleman revealed
that it is a strong possibility that Chuck Liddell will be facing
Vernon "Tiger" White at the UFC 49 event to stay sharp
before he fights the winner of the Randy Couture vs. Vitor Belfort
fight that could take place in Nov. Vernon White makes his UFC
return after a draw with Ian Freeman.
Source:
MMA Ring Report |
PRIDE
GRAND PRIX SET
Our friend Zac Arnold over at puroresupower.com is reporting
these fights as the final Pride Match Ups for June 20th's show.
Mark
Hunt vs. Hidehiko Yoshida
Quinton
Jackson vs. Ricardo Arona
Kazushi
Sakuraba vs. Antonio Nino Schembri
Grand
Prix Match Ups:
Fedor
Emelieneko vs. Kevin Randleman
Giant
Silva vs. Naoya Ogawa
Minotauro
Nogueira vs. Semmy Schilt
Heath
Herring vs. Sergei K.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
SMALL
PROMOTIONS CONTINUE TO GROW
We have seen smaller promotions really make a name for themselves
in the past couple of years. Companies like Rumble on the Rock,
Hook N Shoot and others have really grown in the past couple
of years, but a show that continues to get bigger and biggers
is World Extreme Cagefighting. All you need to do is look at
the picture above to see how popular WEC is becoming with the
fans.
World
Extreme Cagefighting proved once again that it is one of the
top MMA shows in the nation with it’s sold out "WEC
X Bragging Rights" show produced last Friday May 21st at
The Palace Indian Gaming Center in Lemoore California. Crowd
estimates topped 5000 and created an evening of all out excitement
for both the fans and the fighters. The event is believed to
be the largest Mixed Martial Arts event ever held in California.
When
a fighter comes out and the sound system is literally shaking
the entire venue and they see a crowd of over 5000 fans cheering
them on, it just makes for more exciting and compelling fights"
states Scott Adams, President and match maker for the WEC.
Reed
Harris, who is in charge of production of the show was very pleased
with the event and wanted to extend his thanks to all those who
helped make the show a success "I especially want to point
out to the fans out there that these shows would not take place
without the absolute commitment of the staff and the tribe at
The Palace Indian Gaming Center…The have become some of
MMA’s biggest supporters! I especially want to thank Christian
Printup, The Events Manager at The Palace."
"He
is not only the best event manager on the West Coast, but understands
the sport, the fighters and most of all, what the fans want to
see. We approach every show as a team with the goal of putting
on the best show possible." "As always, Paul Smith
Commissioner of the IFC was on hand and oversaw the sanctioning
of the event and we always appreciate his expertise".
While
the WEC continues to work together as a team, it's interesting
to note how many fighters in the WEC have gone on to fight in
the Octagon. Eight fighters from recent shows have not only competed
in the Octagon but won their matches, including Nick Diaz KO'ing
Robbie Lawler at UFC 47. This organization has made a commitment
to bringing in world class level fighters.
Chuck
"The Iceman" Liddell attended the last show and as
Scott Adams, told MMAWeekly "the last time I saw him he
was still signing autographs about 45 minutes after the show
had ended and still had about a 100 people crowded around him…he
has always supported WEC and we really appreciate it. He is a
credit to the sport".
Another
reason why MMA is so great because the fighters truly love the
fans and the fans appreciate the effort fighters give everytime
they step in the ring. When was the last time you Shaquille O'Neal
sit around and talk with the fans about his upcoming game in
the NBA Playoffs?
WEC
is one of the few shows that is working with television networks.
WEC 10 was filmed by HDNET, the high definition television network
owned by Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks. The network
recorded two different shows for future broadcast, as the broadcasting
team was made up of MMA broadcast veterans Jeff Blatnick, Ryan
Bennett and Stephan Quadros.
The
latest word from HDNET is that WEC X "BAGGING RIGHTS"
will premier on Wednesday June 2 at 7:00 p.m. Pacific 10:00 Eastern.
It's
amazing to see this promotion grow up over the past two years.
The WEC has gone from being a new promotion, to one of the most
successful promotions in not only California, but the United
States as well. The WEC's next show will be in August on the
20th. In the meantime WEC will continue to grow as they now have
become on of the premiere companies in the United States.
Source:
ADCC |
Kira
Gracie Gets Her Brown Belt
Kyra Gracie has won the purple belt division in the Brazilian
Nationals and has now been promoted to the rank of brown belt
by Carlos Gracie Jr.. Congratulations Kyra.
Source:
Gracie Fighter |
VEF:
Thales, Maiorino & Jamelão win
The I Vitória Extreme Fight ruled Espírito Santo
on last Saturday (29). With good fights, an amazing production
and big surprises, the tournament proved as big as others in
the country. Thales Leites (Nova União) got the middle
category after submitting Flávio Moura (his first opponent)
via Kata-Gatame, On the final, Thales defeated the local athlete
Lúcio Linhares. Lúcio got his rib hurt and didn't
return to second round.
Over the heavyweight division, Eduardo Maiorino (Champions Factory)
won Chico Melo bu KO, after a high kick in 3 RD. On the other
side of the bracket, Danilo Motoserra (Gracie Barra Combat Team)
did his debut in Vale-Tudo and got everyone surprised with his
aggressiveness. Motoserra ruled Aílton Jacaré (RVT)
with ground n´pound and the referee Carlão Barreto
had to stop the fight. In the final, between Maiorino and Motoserra,
the audience went nuts with the whole movimentation on the ring.
After lots of exchanging punches, Maiorino got the title winning
by 2x1.
During one of the super fights of the night, Jameão got
his sweet revenge from Marcelo Uirapurú (Gracie Barra
BH) and impose the fighter his third defeat. Lots of exchanging
punches and clinche was the way. Uirapuru also got few kick and
Jamelão attacked back with punches every time. When the
fight went to the ground, Uirapurú almost got the foot-lock,
well defended by Jamelão. The unanimous decision for Jamelão
was contested by Vinícius Draculino, Uirapurú's
teacher. 'Local audience ruled the decision," protested
Draculino.
COMPLETE RESULTS:
Circuit under 88kg:
Thales Leites (Nova União) submitted Flávio Moura
(GBCT) via Kata-Gatame
Lúcio Linhares (Alliance) defeated Júlio César
(Champions Factory) by referee's decision
Final: Thales Leite deefated Lúcio Linhares. Lucio didn't
return to 2RD
Circuit under 100kg:
Danilo Motoserra (GBCT) defeated Aílton Jacaré
(RVT) by referee's stoppage
Eduardo Maiorino (Champions Factory) defeated Chico Melo (Top
Brother) by KO in 3 RD
Final: Eduardo Maiorino defeated Danilo Motoserra by 2x1
Super fight:
Bruno de Paula (Alliance) defeated Danilo Sherman by referee's
decision
Gimar de Andrade defeated Luiz Pimpolho (NU/ RVT) by referee's
stoppage
Final: Eduardo Jamelão (Belfort Team) defeated Marcelo
Uirapurú (GB BH) by unanimous decision
Source:
Tatame |
Quote
of the Day
"Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."
Irving Berlin, 1888-1989, Russian Composer
|
Help
a little Angel!
A lot of people have asked us who created our site or some returning
visitors were shocked to see how cool our new site was, well,
it is all the work of master flash artist, Marc Ebalaroza and
his company Pacific Design Community. He is a close friend and
we highly recommend him to anyone who wants a site that will
have everyone talking and sets it apart from the hum drum sites
out there.
Marc's heart is as big as his creative ability. You may have
heard about a message board type site that was set up for our
US troops to communicate with family. It was on the local news
stations and papers, Marc and his team were behind that. Now
he is asking for your help with a 2 week old baby. Joey Ching
of Hawaii411.com is a close friend and also has a heart of gold
by helping out with the site.
My heart goes out to this family. As some of you may know that
my terrible twosome (my twins) were in Neonatal Intensive Care
for the first couple of weeks of their lives and had to fight
their way to health. My family feels for Angel's family. So if
you have been blessed this year or recently, please share the
blessing with family who could use an extra share from everyone.
Onzuka.com
Hello:
I recently just donated a website to a friend of mine who's granddaughter
is hospitalized in San Francisco for a Diaphragmatic Hernia of
the Heart. Although only 13 days old the family are keeping their
faith on her recovery. He informed me of the news on Wednesday
regarding the financial situation his family was in because of
all the hospital and travel expenses. And after gathering the
information of his granddaughter's prognosis and his financial
situation I just couldn't walk away without doing anything. So
I decided to construct him a website where people can go to and
send their support and prayers. Joey Ching of Hawaii411.com also generously donated
server space and a domain name.
I did contact all the news stations, however it seemed that maybe
'Jasmine Trias' is just too important at this time because no
one called Sonny (Angel's Grandfather) for any media attention.
If you are willing to show your financial support in anyway,
I WILL add your link / logo to the website along with your name
/ company. We are working on getting the family a fund raiser
account and an online donation form, however for now please feel free to
contact Sonny Cuson at 808.864.0496 for any monetary donations.
For more info visit the website at: www.angelalapai.com
Please pardon the inconvenience of the site, however being that
it was a spur of the moment decision the site is still undergoing
some maintenance, I just wanted to launch it ASAP to get all
the support we can for this little girl and her family.
Please keep Angel Alapai and her family in your prayers. ~ Aloha
Marc.
|
Major
Super Brawl Announcement
Vitale to face Japanese Superstar June 18th!
Yushin Okami 9-1 Wajyutsu, Tokyo Japan
Okami is 2-0 in the biggest event in Japan, Pride. His style,
like most of the top Japanese stars is tremendously exciting.
He is not afraid to stand and trade bombs and combines his striking
prowess with a solid Judo background. Look for him to fight Niko's
aggressive style with more aggression.
Niko Vitale 17-3, Grappling Unlimited/808
Fight Factory
Vitale is coming off an impressive victory of former UFC Champion
Dave Menne. Although he still has his sights set on the UFC a
win over Okami could easily land him in one of the biggest events
in Japan. Vitale understands the opportunity before him. "Although
this fight may be my toughest to date, the payoff is well worth
it. I dreamed of fighting in the UFC and succeeded. One of my
other dreams is to fight in the Pride organization and I will
not let Okami stand in my way. Don't expect him to be standing
at the end of the fight." Niko Vitale
Source:
Super Brawl |
Monday
Night Fights
"FalseCrack Monday"
Monday Night Fights
"FALSE CRACK MONDAY"
June 21.2004 @ Volcanoes Night Club
We are holding Hawaii's first Mixed Martial Arts & Kickboxing
Monday Summer show ever. We are hosting 8-10 bouts once a month
on a Monday. We're doing this to keep athletes busy during the
summer. We are going to do Toughman style fights, Mixed Martial
Arts and Kickboxing bouts. If you are a fighter and want to sign
up for either of these three styles email second2none@hawaii.rr.com or call 808-330-4483
for more information.
Ticket Information
Promoter Brennan Kamaka
808-330-4483 or second2none@hawaii.rr.com
Bulls Pen in Kalihi
Dino Fernandez
808-330-7108 or bullspen1@aol.com
1111 Dillingham Blvd
Kalihi, Hawaii
(Across Honolulu Community College & next to Subway)
Source: Event Promoter |
Shooto
World Ranking
April 2004
Bantamweight / -56kg
C Mamoru, Shooto Gym Yokohama, Japan
1 Robson Moura, Nova Uniao, Brazil
2 Junji Ikoma, Chokushinkai, Japan - Up / def. Murata
3 Yasuhiro Urushitani, RJW Central, Japan - Down / Up Ikoma
4 Homare Kuboyama, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
5 Hiroaki Yoshioka, Paraestra Tokyo, Japan
6 Masatoshi Abe, AACC, Japan
7 Takeyasu Hirono, Keishukai Gods, Japan
8 Ichaku Murata, New Ground, Japan
Featherweight
/ -60kg
C Ryota Matsune, Paraestra Matsudo, Japan
1 Kentaro Imaizumi, SK Absolute, Japan
2 Masato Shiozawa, Keishukai, Japan
3 Marco Louro, Nova Uniao, Brazil
4 Masahiro Oishi, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
5 Jin Akimoto, Akimoto Dojo Jungle Junction, Japan
6 Akitoshi Hokazono, Cobra-kai, Japan / Up, def. Osawa
7 Kimihito Nonaka, Purebred Omiya, Japan - Down / Up Hokazono
8 Shuichirou Katsumura, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan - Down
/ Up Ikoma
9 Ryan Ackerman, Grappling Works, U.S.A.
10 Hudson Rocha, Brazilian Top Team, Brazil
Lightweight
/ -65kg
C Alexandre Franca Nogueira, World Fight Center, Brazil
1 Stephen
Paling, Jesus is Lord, U.S.A.
2 Joao
Roque, Nova Uniao, Brazil
3 Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto, Purebred Tokyo, Japan
4 Hiroyuki Takaya, Tanaka Juku, Japan
5 Hiroyuki Abe, AACC, Japan
6 Jens Pulver, Team Extreme, U.S.A.
7 Makoto Ishikawa, Purebred Omiya, Japan
8 Naoya Uematsu, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
9 Tetsuo Katsuta, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
10 Hideki Kadowaki, WKSS, Japan
Welterweight
/ -70kg
C Vacant
1 Tatsuya Kawajiri, Team TOPS, Japan
2 Kaoru Uno, Keishukai, Japan
3 Takanori Gomi, Kiguchi Dojo Wrestling School, Japan
4 Ryan Bow, Purebred Omiya, U.S.A.
5 Kotetsu Boku, Purebred Tokyo, Japan
6 Kohei Yasumi, Paraestra Tokyo, Japan
7 Mitsuhiro Ishida, Team TOPS, Japan
8 Takaharu Murahama, Gracie Barra VT Team, Japan
9 Daisuke 'Amazon' Sugie, Alive, Japan
10 Takumi, Paraestra Osaka, Japan
Middleweight
/ -76kg
C Vacant
1 Jake Shields, Team Scandinavia, U.S.A.
2 Jutaro Nakao, Shooto Gym Osaka, Japan
3 Ray Cooper,
Jesus is Lord, U.S.A.
4 Akira
Kikuchi, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
5 Ronald
Jhun, 808 Fight Factory, U.S.A.
6 Chris
Lytle, Integrated Fighting Academy, U.S.A.
7 Manvel Gamburyan, Team Gokor, U.S.A.
8 Seichi Ikemoto, Riroots Conan, Japan
9 Sauli Heilimo, Team Scandinavia, Finland
10 Shigetoshi Iwase, Team TOPS, Japan
Lightheavyweight
/ -83kg
C Masanori Suda, Club J, Japan
1 Dustin Denes, Cesar Gracie Academy, U.S.A.
2 Egan
Inoue, Grappling Unlimited, U.S.A.
3 Shiko
Yamashita, Paraestra Sapporo, Japan
4 Martijn de Jong, Tatsujin Dojo, Holland
5 Scott Henze, Freelance, U.S.A.
6 Curtis Stout, American Jiu-Jitsu Academy, U.S.A.
7 Jon Fitch, Americn Kick Boxing Academy, U.S.A.
8 Shonie Carter, Shidokan U.S.A., U.S.A.
9 Ryuta Sakurai, R-Gym, Japan
10 Lance Gibson, Gibson Pankration Academy, Canada
Pacific
Rim Ranking
April 2004
Featherweight
/ -60kg
C Vacant
1 Kentaro Imaizumi, SK Absolute, Japan
2 Masato Shiozawa, Keishukai, Japan
3 Masahiro Oishi, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
4 Jin Akimoto, Akimoto Dojo Jungle Junction, Japan
5 Akitoshi Hokazono, Cobra-kai, Japan - Up / def. Osawa
6 Kimihito Nonaka, Purebred Omiya, Japan - Down / Up Hokazono
7 Shuichirou Katsumura, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan - Down
/ Up Hokazono
8 Hisao Ikeda, Purebred Omiya, Japan - Down / Up Hokazono
9 Akira Komatsu, Cobra-kai, Japan
10 Alfie Alcarez, Nickwan Kick Gym, U.S.A.
Lightweight
/ -65kg
C Vacant
1 Stephen
Paling, Jesus is Lord, U.S.A.
2 Norifumi
'Kid' Yamamoto, Purebred Tokyo, Japan
3 Hiroyuki Takaya, Tanaka Juku, Japan
4 Hiroyuki Abe, AACC, Japan
5 Makoto Ishikawa, Purebred Omiya, Japan
6 Naoya Uematsu, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
7 Tetsuo Katsuta, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
8 Hideki Kadowaki, WKSS, Japan
9 Katsuya Toida, Keishukai Iidabashi Toi-Katsu Dojo, Japan -
Again / def.
Kazata
10 Bao Quach, Team Oyama, U.S.A. / Down, Again Toida
Welterweight
/ -70kg
C Vacant
1 Tatsuya Kawajiri, Team TOPS, Japan
2 Takanori Gomi, Kiguchi Dojo Wrestling School, Japan
3 Ryan Bow, Purebred Omiya, U.S.A.
4 Tetsuji Kato, Purebred Omiya, Japan
5 Kotetsu Boku, Purebred Tokyo, Japan
6 Takumi, Paraestra Osaka, Japan - Up / def. Nakakura
7 Kohei Yasumi, Paraestra Tokyo, Japan - Down / Up Takumi
8 Mitsuhiro Ishida, Team TOPS, Japan - Down / Up Takumi
9 Takaharu Murahama, Gracie Barra VT Team, Japan - Down / Up
Takumi
10 Daisuke 'Amazon' Sugie, Alive, Japan - Down / Up Takumi
Middleweight
/ -76kg
C Vacant
1 Jake Shields, Cesar Gracie Academy, U.S.A.
2 Jutaro Nakao, Shooto Gym Osaka, Japan
3 Ray Cooper,
Jesus is Lord, U.S.A.
4 Akira
Kikuchi, Shooto Gym K'z Factory, Japan
5 Ronald
Jhun, 808 Fight Factory, U.S.A.
6 Seichi
Ikemoto, Riroots Conan, Japan
7 Shigetoshi Iwase, Team TOPS, Japan
8 Kuniyoshi Hironaka, SSS Academy, Japan
9 Hayato 'Mach' Sakurai, Mach Dojo, Japan
10 Deshaun
Johnson, HMC, U.S.A.
Source: International Shooto Commission |
|
Brazilian
National Titles Quick Results
Congratulations
to winners Brasa Jiu-Jitsu Club's Robert Drysdale medium-heavy,
Vitor 'Koral' who closed the bracket with teammates Chico Mendes
& 'Miudinho (Miudinho = 'tiny'; is the 5'3' & 286 Lbs
1/2 guard wizzard!).
Other
winners included TT's Andre Galvao taking the medium-weight despite
flying the night before from LA. Congratulations to Mexico's
representative Jackson Correa from TT/Valente, getting 3rd in
the same division.
Black
Belt absolute finals scheduled for tomorrow will be Marcelo Garcia
v Xande Ribeiro. Garcia submiited Marcio Corletta & Eric
Wanderlei with chokes from the back, while 'Xande' defeated Rodrigo
Santoro (adv.), Marcel Losada (refs dec.) & Roberto Tozi
(pts). Ronaldo 'Jacare' did not compete in the absolute.
Tomorrow
the full Black Belt divisions, the finals of the absolute and
the Absolute Brown take place!
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
PRIDE
Management to Visit Brazil
by Marcelo Alonso / Team Tatame
A large delagation of Pride management will arrive in Brazil
on May 31st, along with Fuji TV crew. Mr. Nobuhiko Takada, Mr.
Shinoda and MR. Kawasaki are already confirmed for the trip,
with the big boss, Mr. Sakakibara, not confirmed yet.
The
first stop will be in Curitiba, where the PRIDE Team will attend
a hard training session of Chute Boxe members, as well as visit
Wanderlei's new mansion. This is all for a report to appear on
Fuji TV.
The
promoters will alsofly to Minas to see one of the biggestspectacles
in modern 'futbol': Brazil x Argentina in Mineirão Stadium.
This is also for a special report to appear on Fuji Tv.
After
Minas, they will arrive in Rio on June 2nd to visit the Brazilian
Top Team headquarters and to visit the mansion of PRIDE Champion
'Minotauro'. On June 4th, Mr. Takada and his crew will witness
Meca 11. 'More than ever, the fighters have to give their blood
to make good fights. Regardless of their team, the fighter who
makes a good impression will have the opportunity of their life
- to be invited to fight in Pride' said Rudimar Fedrigo.
Source:
ADCC |
Jamelão
debuts in MMA facing Uirapuru in Vitória Extreme Fight
Submitted by: Luca Atalla
Very
expected for many fans and athletes from the martial arts world,
the MMA debut of Eduardo Conceiçao “Jamelao”
promisses to be the greatest attraction of the Vitória
Extreme Fight, competition that will be held on Saturday (29th)in
Espirito Santo, Brazil.
Jamelao
is going to face Marcelo “Uirapuru” Azevedo, who replaces
Rafael Capoeira. The Gracie Barra Combat Team athlete had a knee
injury during his training and was not able to step into the
ring. Despite the replacement of his opponent, Jamelao, who left
the Master Team to join the Belfort Team, is very confident in
his performance in VEF.
“It
is going to be a very special moment. I will have the opportunitty
to show my fighting techniques to those who live in the city
where I´ve been living for 12 years. I´ve been training
really hard to win”, said Jamelao. Uirapuru and Jamelao
have fought twice before under Jiu-Jitsu rules. Uirapuru won
the first one and the second fight was interrupted with no winner.
Marcelo
Uirapuru is an MMA fighter with two losses in two fights, both
in Heat, in 2003. In the first one he was defeated by Renato
Babalu and in the second fight he was beated by Alexandre Vaca.
Expert in capoeira, he´s been training Jiu-Jitsu for seven
years and muay thai for seven months. According to him, it´s
time to achieve the first victory. “I am foccused on my
training and it will be an honor be part of the envent´s
main fight. I´ll try to win and provide a good show for
the audience”, stated the fighter.
The
Vitoria Extreme Fight will be realized in Alvares Cabral gymnasium,
with the capacity for seven thousand spectators. “Our main
goal is to put the Vitoria Extreme Fight in the MMA Brazilian
scene, and after that, become the best and biggest event of our
country”, said the promoter Gabriel Silva. To provide the
public the best structure, the organization invest almost US$
30.000.
Check
the card below:
Bruno
de Paula (Alliance Jiu-Jitsu) x Danilo Cherman (Andre Pederneiras
/Nova União)
Gilmar de Andrade (Leitai Sanshou Freestyle Team) x Marcelo Sallazar
(Brazilian Top Team)
Superfight:
Eduardo
Jamelão (Belfort Team) x Marcelo Uirapuru (Gracie Barra
- BH / Abada Capoeira)
Tournament:
-88
Kg:
Thales Leites (André Pederneiras / Nova União)
Flavio Moura (Gracie Barra Combat Team)
Lucio Linhares (Alliance Jiu-Jitsu)
Júlio Cesar (Champions Factory)
-100
Kg:
Eduardo Maiorino (Champions Factory)
Chico Melo (Top Brother)
Ailton Jacare (Ruas Vale-Tudo)
Danilo Motosserra (Gracie Barra Combat Team)
Source:
ADCC |
Minotauro
set to face Herring, Brazilian Top Team looking to triumph in
Korea, Wanderlei Silva continues to hit Brazilian mainstream
and a solid card for MECA 11!
The
Brazilian Beat:
By Eduardo Alonso
In the last Brazilian Beat of May of 2004 the focus is already
set for June, as next month promises a lot of interesting things
for an MMA fan, being him from anywhere in the world. June will
bring the second round of the PRIDE GP, that because of the card's
single matches, such as Quinton Jackson against Ricardo Arona,
promises to be more interesting than the first round of the same
Heavyweight GP. Also, June will treat Brazilian fans to MECA
11, in one of the best cards every put together at this Brazilian
promotion, with some intriguing match-ups. Besides those two
marquee happenings for any Brazilian fan, June will witness to
first big MMA show ever in Korea, with plenty of PRIDE and UFC
veterans taking part on the card, and a handful of Brazilian
fighters competing in it. So, with the eyes set on June we enjoy
the last hours of May with news from both present and near future
of the Brazilian MMA scene, FCF brings yet once again another
Beat straight from the often hot, and now cold weather of Brazil
[believe it or not it's damn cold here now], enjoy the news!
As
the second round of the PRIDE Heavyweight GP approaches and the
date of departure for Japan grows near, the Brazilian Top Team
headquarters is extremely busy. Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira is,
although not officially confirmed, going to face Heath Herring
in a rematch of the bout that gave Nogueira the PRIDE Heavyweight
belt for the firs time back at PRIDE 17. Training has been tough
as not only Mino is preparing for Herring, but Arona for his
PRIDE comeback against Quinton Jackson, in two fights that are
bound to be worth the ticket alone!
The
PRIDE GP is not the only thing causing noise and keeping everybody
busy at the BTT training camp, as four fighters from the team
are preparing for the major Korean show that will take place
in June as well. Although rumored to be facing Alistair Overeem
in the show, Minotauro's brother Rogerio Minotoro Nogueira will
be fighting the "Brazilian Killa" Alex Stiebling, in
a crucial match for both guys career. The other BTT members will
have Japanese opponents at the Korean promotion, as Paulo Filho
will fight Daijiro Matsui, Fabiano Capoane will be fighting Namekawa,
and Claudio Godoy will be facing Hamada. Former Chute Boxe fighter
Anderson Silva, who's facing Jeremy Horn at the same show, has
been training with Minotauro every now and then to help in Nogueira's
preparation for Herring, as well as his preparation for Jeremy
Horn, of course.
Speaking
of the PRIDE GP Second round, among the special fights featured
for the show besides the ones from the tournament, one will more
than likely feature Nino "Elvis" Schembri is his debut
as a Chute Boxe fighter in a rematch against Japanese superstar
Kazushi Sakuraba. Rumors have been high for a long time in Brazil
about this match up, and it is indeed going to happen as Nino
has been preparing for the fight and hoping to repeat the outcome
of their first outing.
Speaking
of Chute Boxe, PRIDE Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva continues
to be making some noise in the Brazilian mainstream media. This
week Silva came to Sao Paulo once again to hit some TV shows,
as well as Radio ones. Silva's knee has been fine lately as he
is already training regularly at Chute Boxe and is likely to
face Yuki Kondo in PRIDE's August show. Another interesting PRIDE
related piece lately in Brazil is that DSE public figure Nobuhiko
Takada is expected to be coming to Brazil soon, for a two-week
stay following training in academies such as Chute Boxe and BTT,
as well as following the next MECA Vale-Tudo.
This
last May 22nd, the 10th edition of Champions Night brought the
already traditional minor show from the Brazilian Northeast region
to the south of the country for the first time ever. Taking place
at the city of Marilia, in the state of Sao Paulo [financially
the most important in the country], the show counted with seven
MMA matches as well as four Muay Thai bouts. The standouts of
the show were Deep veteran Gleison Tibau, and former Chute Boxe
fighter Emerson Naja, both scoring quick and impressive wins.
Here are the results of the MMA matches:
Ricardo Alves def. Adriano Maciel by triangle choke in R1
Pedro Akira def. Luis Popo by KO in R1
Regiclaudio Kexada def. Alex dos Santos by referee stoppage in
R1
Junior Killer def. Fabio D'amore by TKO in R2
Fabricio Robo def. Robson da Silva by armbar in R1
Gleison Tibau def. Daniel Muralha by armbar in R1
Emerson Naja def. Marcelo Barbosa by KO in R1
This Saturday, May 29th Vitoria Extreme Fight will take MMA to
yet another Brazilian capital, continuing to spread our sport
around the country. The capital of the state of Espirito Santo,
near Rio de Janeiro, the city of Vitoria will see some experienced
fighters battling inside the ring, as HEAT veteran Marcelo Uirapuru
was confirmed as the replacemente of Rafael Capoeira, facing
Jiu-Jitsu standout and local hero Eduardo Jamelao. UFC veteran
Flavio Moura is another experienced fighter taking part on the
card, facing Thalles Leite from Nova Uniao in the first round
of a middleweight tournament. The show will also count with K-1
veteran Eduardo Maiorino battling Chico Mello, this time in the
1st round of the heavyweight tournament. Check out the card:
Middleweight
Tournament:
Flavio Moura vs. Thales Leite
Lucio Linhares vs. Julio Cesar
Heavyweight
Tournament:
Eduardo Maiorino vs. Chico Mello
Danilo "Motoserra" vs. Ailton Jacare
Single
Fights:
Marcelo Salazar vs. Gilmar Andrade
Bruno de Paula vs. Danilo Sherman
Eduardo Jamelao vs. Marcelo Uirapuru
Still
on the subject of MMA shows in Brazil, the 11th edition of MECA
Vale-Tudo is coming up on June 5th, at the city of Teresopolis,
near Rio de Janeiro, with a very interesting card! Names such
as Gustavo Ximu, Nilson de Castro, Tony de Souza, Luis Azeredo,
Jorge Macaco Patino, Daniel Acacio and others are guarantee of
a good spectacle, as this is clearly the strongest MECA card
in recent time. FCF will bring you all the action from MECA 11,
and here is the card for Saturday, June 5th:
Fabricio Monteiro vs. Fernando Boi
Alex Gaze (Boxe Thai) vs. Andre Bispo (RFT)
Suyan Queiroz vs. Luciano Azevedo (RFT)
Junior Besouro (RFT) vs. Luis Brito
Luciano Cardoso vs. Parazinho
Ivan "Batman" vs. Alexandre "Baixinho" Barros
(Gracie Barra Combat Team)
Jadyson Costa (Chute Boxe) vs. Milton Vieira (Brazilian Top Team)
Daniel Acacio (Chute Boxe) vs. Eric Tavares (Ruas Vale Tudo)
Delson "Pe de Chumbo" (Gracie Barra) vs. Jorge "Macaco"
Patino (Chute Boxe)
Tony de Souza (Nova Uniao) vs. Luis Azeredo (Chute Boxe)
Gustavo Ximu (Gracie Barra Combat Team) vs. Nilson de Castro
(Chute Boxe)
Vitor Belfort's quest to find any information about his missing
sister Priscila Belfort continues. "The Phenom", who
was planning a trip to the USA at the next June 7th to prepare
for a rematch against Randy Couture granting a chance to focus
more into fighting, has been appearing in TV shows every week
pleading for information on his sister, who's missing for more
than four months already. The reward for any information that
can lead to Priscila is up to 10,000 Reais, which is around US$3,300.
With the announcement of the reward the Brazilian police has
been receiving new information lately, and hope is now getting
bigger again to at least finally find out what exactly happen
with Vitor's sister. FCF continues to hope for the best and if
somehow you have any information regarding Priscila, please contact
the Brazilian Police.
Source:
FCF |
K-1
CLAIM SAPP STILL MISSING
K-1 is continuing to say to the Japanese media that they have
lost contact with Bob Sapp since his loss to Kazuyuki Fujita.
Sapp
was scheduled to do a pro-wrestling matchup this coming Thursday,
but noone have been able to contact him.
Sources
in the Japanese media are saying that this whole scenario is
most likely a K-1 angle to ease Sapp's work load without upsetting
his many pro-wrestling fans. K-1 have already stated they wanted
Sapp to do less pro-wrestling matches so he can concetrate more
on his K-1 rules and MMA fights.
Source:
Fight Sport |
|
K-1
SIGNS AKIYAMA
Yomiuri
Sports reports that K-1 has signed Japanese judo star Yoshihiro
Akiyama.
Akiyama
made controversial news at the judo world championships when
his first three opponents complained that his judo jacket had
some slippery substances applied to it. This was a charge he
had also been accused of in the Japanese selction tournament.
After
being ordered to change his jacket to an IJF issued jacket, Akiyama
lost and ended up without a medal.
Source:
Fight Sport |
|
ATKINS
INSIDER: ORTIZ VS. SHAMROCK PART 2
In
yet another Fightsport.com exclusive, my source, who goes by
the name of 'In the know', has informed me that if Ken Shamrock
defeats Kimo Leopoldo, he will get a rematch with Tito Ortiz.
As
you all know, the first match between Shamrock and Ortiz was
the highest grossing fight under the Zuffa regime. UFC president
Dana White feels that a rematch would have the same success in
ticket and pay-per-view sales.
Also,
many websites have been incorrectly reporting that Matt Hughes
vs. 'Charuto' Verissimo will be a title fight. This is not true
as the title fight will be held at a later show. The winner of
the Matt Hughes vs. Charuto Verissimo matchup will face the winner
of the Dennis Hallman vs. Frank Trigg to determine the welterweight
title at a later show.
Source:
Fight Sport |
TYSON:
'I'LL FIGHT TARVER AND KO HIM IN ONE'
Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson told the media that he's
willing to fight Antonio Tarver.
"I'll
fight him and show Roy how it should have been done -- one round,"
said Tyson.
Tyson
went on to say that he's not interested in a fight with Roy Jones
Jr., and added, "Roy's going to have to knock that guy [Tarver]
out. He's got to beat that guy for any credibility".
Source:
Fight Sport |
UFC
CONTINUES TO PROVE FIGHTSPORT.COM CORRECT
As Fightsport.com first reported last year, the UFC has no plans
to ever crown a lightweight champion again, and will most likely
drop the lightweight division in the future.
The
UFC continues to prove our scoop correct when they announced
that the Yves Edwards vs. Josh Thompson fight scheduled for UFC
49 will not be for the vacant lightweight title as was previously
speculated.
Source:
Fight Sport |
|
K-1,
TYSON, AND HBO UPDATE
K-1
matchmaker Sadaharu Tanigawa recently spoke with the Japanese
media and went into further details about K-1's future plans
with Mike Tyson and HBO.
Tanigawa
re-itirated that they have a signed contract with Tyson, and
that all that's left is to agree upon an opponent for Tyson.
The fight would be promoted under K-1's 'Fight Entertainment
Group (FEG) subsidiary. The fight would be under boxing rules,
and would take place in either July or August in either New York,
Las Vegas, or Los Angeles.
Furthermore,
Tanigawa stated that Tyson's fight purse would be close to what
he makes in boxing. Opponents that K-1 would like to match against
Tyson include Bob Sapp, Jerome LeBanner, or Shannon Briggs. Tyson's
camp would like to see journeyman boxer Kevin McBride as Tyson's
opponent.
Tanigawa
also added that a deal with HBO to televise the Tyson fight,
as well as televising both the regular K-1 and K-1 MMA brands
on a regular basis, is very close to being finalized.
K-1
can already be seen on ESPN as is. A deal to be on HBO would
further propel the K-1 brand into the American mainstream.
More
news to come on this in the next few weeks.
Source:
Fight Sport |
PRIDE
TO EXPAND INTO U.S. AND BRAZIL
Nobuhiko Takada announced that DSE intends to make a strong effort
to expand the PRIDE brand into the U.S. and Brazilian markets
in 2005.
Source:
Fight Sport |
SILVA
VS. KONDO IS OFFICIAL
DSE/PRIDE officially announced to the Japanese media that the
Vanderlei Silva vs. Yuki Kondo matchup will take place as a single
fight on their PRIDE Heavyweight GP Finals card on August 15th.
Source:
Fight Sport |
BARONI:
'NOBODY'S EVER SEEN LEE MURRAY'S HANDS'
UFC middleweight contender Phil Baroni answered some questions
for his fans on the UG forum and had the following to say about
potential opponent Lee Murray:
Phil
Baroni on Lee Murray's powerful strikes: "Nobody's ever
seen Lee Murray's hands. They're afraid to let that Pele video
out but I plan on breaking his jaw."
Phil
Baroni on the self promotion: "I'm just being me. Lee Murray
is saying the shit that I said two years ago. He's reading the
book that I wrote, and Tito's a total different ball game.
Source:
Fight Sport |
'TIGER'
WHITE IN STREET BRAWL
In yet another Fightsport.com exclusive, Josh H. from Las Vegas
tells the FS 24/7 News staff the following:
"Vernon
'Tiger' White was recently involved in a massive brawl relating
to his bouncing job. The first details we have received indicate
a group of criminals attempted to attack the bouncing crew where
Vernon White works. Vernon defended himself and knocked out six
or seven opponents, most of whom were his size or larger.
When
analyzed, this event is in stark contrast to Tito Ortiz's well
publicized humiliating loss at the hands of a much smaller Lee
Murray in the streets of London. More details to follow within
the next day." -Josh H.
Source:
Fight Sport |
Sven
Bean Part 1
By Arnold "The Sushiboy" Lim
Sven Bean is the Manager of MMA and K-1 stars Duane Ludwig and
Pete Spratt among others as well as the promoter of the Ring
of Fire show out of Denver Colorado. He was gracious enough to
spend some time with “The Sushiboy” and had much to
say about Duane Ludwig, Pete Spratt, Pat Smith, Ludwig's upcoming
bout with BJ Penn and more...
MMARR:
Duane didn’t do to well against Parr, What happened to Duane
Ludwig against John Wayne Parr?
SB:
he cut too much weight too fast, he was out there by himself
in Japan, I didn’t get to Japan until actually an hour before
the fight started because I had a death in the family.
MMARR:
I am sorry to hear that.
SB:
It is alright, our other coach that was going out there got delayed
because of weather and had to spend the night in San Francisco
and didn’t get there until three hours after the weigh in.
and Duane was cutting over 18 pounds to get to the weight, he
went in a little heavy, because …he went in a lot heavy
because he went in with a hurt ankle so he couldn’t run
leading up to the fight he couldn’t run at all and that
is how he keeps his weight down by running. He couldn’t
run at all and he came in heavy, turned out to be a big deal
because we have a pretty good system for cutting weight, but
since he was there by himself, his support team wasn’t there
he was trying to cut the weight he panicked a little bit he did
it the wrong way and he was very weak, he just cut too much weight
too fast, Parr didn’t ever hurt him, he never hurt him,
all the knockdowns were flash knockdowns, Duane would go down
and pop right back up and look over at us kind like “What
the hell” not out at all, not hurt at all, and then the
weight was such a big difference they made us wear ten ounce
gloves and he wore 8.
MMARR:
Are you allowed to do that and have different size gloves?
SB:
K-1 can do whatever they want. And also everyone wore 8 ounce
Reyes…
MMARR:
What is 8 ounce Reyes?
SB:
Reyes is a type of glove, it is a Mexican glove and they are
made with horse hair so they are known as one of the hardest
hitting gloves out there, even specifically for boxing and the
lightweights because, the lightweights don’t have a whole
lot of punching power with the little flyweights and straw weights,
they want to gives them as much power as possible. The these
gloves are very tiny. And they gave us these ten ounce gloves
that were not Reyes, they were some kind of promotional glove
I had never seen them before. I put the Reyes next to the gloves
that they wanted us to use, they looked like my 16 ounce trainers
that I used to spar with. There was like a 2 and a half difference
in size. Combine all that stuff together, against fighting John
Wayne Parr with who even fighting on an even level is going to
be a tough fight and you are in a no win situation. But people
put a lot more in the losses here in North America then they
do in Japan.
MMARR:
I was told that John Wayne Parr at one point was training together
with Duane Ludwig.
SB:
Yeah years ago.
MMARR:
How did that pan out? Were they friends at all?
SB:
They were living together basically, in a dorm situation with
the Roufus brothers and John Wayne Parr and Angela, now Angela
Parr, because of that training camp they hooked up. Anyway it
was just a month and a half in the summer time so nothing big.
MMARR:
But they knew each other pretty well I guess then.
SB:
Oh yeah, we have been following Parr’s career, we know each
other, we see each other all the time at different fights.
MMARR:
What were the weight limits for the max fight?
SB:
154lbs, 70 kilo’s
MMARR:
You got Pete Spratt taking a couple of losses here. He has been
having a little bit of a difficult time here. What is next for
Pete?
SB:
He just fought a month ago in a kickboxing fight and beat an
undefeated fighter, I got him in the super league, and I am also
negotiating for a fight in Sturgis, possibly with the IFC but
it will probably be just a stand up fight. It might be kind of
cool, it is going to be a cage, they are going to have MMA gloves
on but it is going to be under Mui Thai rules.
MMARR:
Very Cool
SB:
Yeah that would be pretty neat and he tried out for the boxing
reality show and the producer called him personally and told
him how impressed he was they really like the whole.. that he
is an ultimate fighter, and he was never a pro boxer and they
are totally into it so if that happens that is actually what
he is going to do for three months because that is how much time
it will take.
MMARR:
Can you tell us a little more about that boxing reality show?
Is that the one with Sylvester Stallone?
SB:
Yeah the one with Stallone, he tried out in Dallas, Sylvester
Stallone’s brother Frank Stallone, pulled out his personal
video camera to record it, got on the phone and called Sylvester
Stallone and said you gotta see this guy, The producer of the
Phone called Pete personally and that is the same producer that
does all the reality shows. Mark…
MMARR:
What are his thoughts on MMA right now is he still interested
in persuing that at all?
SB:
Totally but he is just going to take a slow process getting back,
I am going to probably bring him out here, to fight on Ring of
Fire, but it looks like it will be a kickboxing match as well.
MMARR:
Was it difficult on him mentally to lose those two fights?
SB:
You would have to ask him that.
MMARR:
Pete was out here in Montreal when he was supposed to fight Georges
St Pierre the first time. Was he more mentally prepared that
first day then he was the second time?
SB:
Oh Yeah…totally. He had a lot of stuff going on and you
always hear that from people but the reality of it is we are
humans and if our mental state isn’t there then you are
not going to perform.
MMARR:
I think the second time out I believe it was the American thanksgiving,
I am not one hundred percent sure about that…
SB:
You are correct, both of us we were away from the family and
stuff…
MMARR:
who else do you manage as well?
SB:
Jay Jack, Amanda Buckner, couple of big K-1 fighters, I have
got negotiations with Aaron Brink right now, I will probably
pick him up.
MMARR:
Jay Jack will be headlining an event here pretty quick can you
tell us a little bit about that?
SB:
yeah he is going o fight John Cronk who is a KOTC fighter and
he is a shoot boxing world champion which is, like San Shou what
Cung Le does. He is also a kick boxing champion, tough guy he
has got a lot of fights. Probably has a 100 fights under all
his styles. It is kind of a bad Blood fight, the guys don't necessarily
like each other, John was kind of the bad boy around here for
a long time and Jay came up and everybody started you know…”looking
at Jay and saying wow there is something there” and so John
kind of took it as a challenge to his status as the top guy at
that weight in this area.
MMARR:
How about Amanda Buckner, she is dating Mr. Jack correct?
SB:
Correct
MMARR:
Does she have anything on the go in the near future?
SB:
Yeah she was supposed to fight and she got an injury and we were
offered Amanda Buckner vs. Jennifer Howe, which would be a rematch
and on the same card, Jay Jack vs. Jeremy Horn, so it would have
been boyfriend girlfriend vs. boyfriend girlfriend I talked with
Monte (Cox) about it yesterday and the guy didn’t have the
money to pull that off, I mean it sounded good on paper and everyone
had no problems doing it but the guy just didn’t have the
money to pull it off it was a small show so…It is tough
to get fights for fighters and the females it is twice as hard….
MMARR:
How did you get into managing and how did you get into the sport?
SB:
How I got into the sport was as a fighter, training with all
the guys…it is in my blood and I would much rather be a
fighter then a manager and a promoter but I am old. I had another
successful business at the time and two little children and my
wife told me she didn’t want me fighting so I just got out
of it but I still continue to train….
MMARR:
Were you geared more towards standup or were you a grappler?
SB:
Standup, I fought bare knuckle knockdown style karate, and I
am a kickboxer.
MMARR:
So how many fights do you have? What is your record?
SB:
I don’t want to get into that. It is just something in my
past, let us put it that way. I could have been…I know ….It
was just an opportunity that went by and I really wanted it so
it is kind of a hard issue for me. I wanted to do it but circumstances
wouldn’t let you , so when you got something you really
want to do in life, like telling Dale ernhardt jr sorry you just
can't race now go get behind a desk. So anyways the way I stayed
close to the fight game and the fights was I kept training and
I was working with some guys and we would go to different shows
and I would just look around to different events and go ”if
I was doing it I would do this” or if this was my show I
would do that. And people got tired of hearing me say that and
they said then why don’t you do it and I did. And I started
promoting and I started working with Duane and Pete and a few
other guys, the main thing is I never really wanted to be a manager,
if I like a guy I just want to make sure they get what is coming
to them, fighters don’t need to deal with the business end
of it.
MMARR:
Their job is to fight.
SB:
yeah, before I really switched over to doing the fight game full
time, my other business and Duane would work for me at that,
and he was like, he knew I knew how to do business deals and
I was working with billion dollar corporations like GE capital
and you know,…I can negotiate with King of the Cage I guess….
Laughs
MMARR:
We talked about you having a successful business what type of
business did you have?
SB:
I did project management doing modular corporate office moves
like 300 people or more. I guess when I get looking at some of
my shows, it is just another project. Just a another project
that has got deadlines and I have got everything just like I
was doing in my other business.
MMARR:
I think at UFC 45 there was some talk about getting Pat Smith
coming to fight. Do you still manage Pat Smith?
SB:
No I don’t manage Pat.
MMARR:
Not anymore?
SB:
Not anymore.
MMARR:
is that an issue you mind getting into?
SB:
I don’t mind getting into it.
MMARR:
You picked up Pat Smith obviously people hadn’t heard from
him for a long time, it was the news for a little bit. What happened?
SB:
When I first started working with Pat it was at the suggestion
of my coach. Clarence Thatch, out of respect to him I said I
would do it, even though I was a little hesitant, just because
Pat Smith doesn’t have the best reputation. So I did it,
but when I was working with him he failed to mention….his
goals were like get me back into the UFC, so I said well I could
do that. Let’s do it. Then he failed to mention that he
was on suspension from the Nevada State Athletic commission.
And I didn’t find that out untill I had already gotten an
offer from the UFC. So we get this offer and are like great Pat
you are back and they call us and we are like he is suspended
indefinitely. So I had to go through jump through the hoops and
talk to Nevada commission and find out what needed to be done
and the list was long. There was like 30 items that needed to
be done, every test imaginable. Every medical test imaginable,
drug screening, not just blood tests but drug screening everything
and we did it all. We did it all and everything was submitted
and turned in and it was about ten days out from the UFC, and
the UFC called and said well you know what, we are pulling the
plug on the fight. And I didn’t understand why, and they
said it just isn’t going to happen Nevada is dragging their
feet, and they are not going to pass him. So I said well we have
ten days left you don’t know that. And they basically said
yeah we do know that, they are not going to pass him. And then
I asked him why what happened there and again he didn’t
tell me any of this before but he had gotten into a verbal altercation
with the Nevada State Commission 5 years earlier when they didn’t
sanction Ultimate Fighting. And it was over a boxing match and
basically told the whole commission to “Fuck Off”…not
basically...he did. He flipped everybody off and said that is
OK, I don’t need to box, I will just go fight Ultimate fighting
anyway and fuck you guys. Well that was 5 years ago and it is
all the same people so now when his name comes across the board
to get sanctioned by Nevada, obviously people remembered that
very well so he made some enemies they made him jump through
hoops, and I hear, I spoke with Marc Ratner, two weeks ago at
K-1 that they are still trying to and that he has got some new
people working with them and I guess they are close and maybe
he will get his license back I think Pat’s Window of opportunity
is very small.
MMARR:
True
SB:
So at that point it was like so what else can we do? What else
can we do? And I had got an offer from King of the Cage to fight
Paul Buentello which we accepted and then that was fine but then
I was talking to my coach saying I got Pat a fight, it is a big
title fight, how is his training going? He is like I haven’t
seen him he is not training here. And then he had a big falling
out with my coach and it just was like, this just isn’t
working because the guys that I manage, like Duane and Pete and
everyone else I have a personal relationship with them. And it
just wasn’t there and it just didn’t work out on everybodies
part I don’t think he was all that necessarily happy with
me and I don’t know it was kind of Mutual.
MMARR:
there was a little bit of controversy in that fight. What did
you think of that fight and how do you think that fight would
go around the second time.
SB:
I think Duane Ludwig won that fight under the way the rules stated.
We won under those rules. If the rules were different he wouldn’t
have won that fight, we accept that. We have offered the rematch,
Genki has turned it down.
MMARR:
So it was Genki that turned it down?
SB:
Yeah well when we were offered the rematch we said no problem,
in the UFC. I don’t know so much that Genki turned it down,
I think maybe his management did because they were trying to
get it done in Japan. I think they kind of knew that K-1 MMA
was coming and Genki and Bang are both K-1 fighters as well as
UFC fighters, they must have had the inside track and said we
will just wait this one out so…which is great because it
works out for everybody and we definitely want to fight for the
UFC still it is not like that at all but we are also not going
to turn down money. It is serious money especially for 155er’s
are notoriously known for getting underpaid, if you are not a
heavyweight, it is tough to get a really, really good payday,
and this is a good payday, I mean seriously good payday.
MMARR:
So basically holding out for better money down the road is better
for everyone kind of deal…
SB:
In that fight that particular fight, yeah It was nothing that
we did I am just speculating on what the Genki camp did, I am
sure that is probably the case.
MMARR:
When Duane Ludwig fought at the UCC show that fight was pretty
decisive did you expect the fight to go quite like that?
SB:
I knew that Duane was going to knock Jens out.
MMARR:
You knew it?
SB:
I knew it.
MMARR:
What was it that…
SB:
I knew it because I knew they underestimated him, the camp as
a whole did and I also, knew where Duane’s head was at the
time, his training was right, his head was right, everything
was just perfect, and I just knew how hard he hits at that weight
the reach, everything I knew that Jens was going to have a hard
time getting Duane down, he has got a good sprawl, Genki did
it the right way with the upper body locks and stuff Genki and
Jens are two completely different fighters and they match up
differently then Duane, Duane had the height the reach when we
went into that fight, for me it was funny listening to all the
crap on the internet because I had the inside track. I just knew,
I knew it was going to play out like that I didn’t know
it was going to go that quick but I thought it was going to be
maybe a round of feeling out and maybe Jens trying to push the
issue, then he would eventually get caught, and no disrespect
to Jens, I spoke to Jens in Vegas about this, weeks ago, if they
did it now obviously it would be a completely different fight
because he would change his game plan. I just think he had the
wrong gameplan going in and underestimated Duane and Duane was
just at the top of his game, it was his night and no one was
going to beat him that night. You saw it, his reaction was just…he
was just on. I had a hundred percent confidence that night. And
that was it.
MMARR:
Do you have any up and comers in the camp or guys that you know
are going to be coming up pretty soon and are going to make some
noise?
SB:
Yeah, Ali Abdelaziz he is a Judo guy, he is going to be the first
guy, actually Judo player besides Yoshida, he is going to be
the first Judo guy that is going to really really going to make
a big statement in MMA.
MMARR:
More so then Karo Parisyan?
SB:
Oh Yeah,
MMARR:
what does he weight?
SB:
170
MMARR:
Who has he fought so far?
SB:
he is just 3-0 he has fought in all of my events. He is from
Egypt he finished 8th or 9th in the Olympics.
MMARR:
Sydney Olympics?
SB:
I think 96 Olympics
MMARR:
Barcelona?
SB:
yeah Barcelona He is just a physical specimen, he trains with
Mike van Arsdale and all the guys at the Olympic training centre,
he has got really good hands for a ground guy, I mean his last
fight ended in 17 seconds, he threw 7 left hooks in a row and
just destroyed this guy. He does things like, he is so creative
he did a summersault guard pass to land in full mount, and he
has such good Judo literally if he puts his hands on you…
you go flying through the air, I mean he is really, really good
and he is just a freak genetically.
MMARR:
How old is he
SB:
26
MMARR:
Who else do you got, anyone else?
SB:
Christian Allen,( at 170lbs) he is going to be fighting in Shooto,
Christian fights very similar to Mark Hominick, same kind of
style, same kind of body type, same everything. Actually he was
supposed to be fighting Tommy Lee but now Tommy Lee is fighting
on the TKO card now Christian is fighting Carvalho….He is
fighting him in the Ironheart Crown, and it is for the number
one ranked Shoot in North America so he is going to get exposure
on that and that show is going to be filmed for Japan and so
we are really hoping that I am sure whoever wins that fight is
going to get to go to Japan and fight in Shooto. Ali and Christian
are my two main guys, I got some heavyweights that I am working
on, actually I have a whole team of guys but the two guys that
are the closest to really making it to the next level are Ali
and Christian and Jay jack, I think Jay Jack should be in the
UFC he has got A level skills with his only loss coming to Pete
Spratt via Knockout and you know that is just one of those things…if
Pete hits you chances are you are going to go down, if he hits
you before you take him down.
MMARR:
Anything else on the go for Sven Bean?
SB:
For me? Trying to take over the world, same as it ever was…
nah just plugging away, getting my guys opportunities and trying
to build Ring of Fire. My DVD’s ( Ring of Fire Best of 1-3)
that is a crazy process, a lot of it is on the UPC code which
we are a little bit hung up on now I guess. DVD’s are getting
out, I have got a little TV show that I am trying to get together
just local on the UPN network, that is a slow process but it
is going to happen.
Best
of Ring of Fire 1-3 will be available in Best Buy across the
nation. Mr. Bean also runs F.Y. productions. (Depending on whether
Mr. Bean likes you or not F.Y. stands for either Flaming Yang
if he likes you or if he doesn’t like you... (I think you
can guess the other one.) Duane Ludwig will be fighting BJ Penn
on May 22 the same night as Sven Bean’s Ring of Fire show
in Colorado.
Source:
MMA Ring Report |
Quote
of the Day
"Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."
Irving Berlin, 1888-1989, Russian Composer
|
Ring
of Honor Submission Grappling Tournament Postponed
Ring of
Honor Submission Grappling Tournament has been postponed to June
13th!
It
was previously scheduled for this Sunday, May 30, but due to
scheduling conflicts at Campbell High School, the tournament
had to be pushed back to Sunday, June 13th. Registration forms
and more information will be available shortly.
Campbell
High School Gym
7:30-9:30AM Weigh-ins
10:00AM start
$30 pre-register, $40 on the day of the event
Source:
Event Promoter
|
Maui
Open 2004
Submission Grappling Tournament
Wailuku, Maui Hawaii
July 24, 2004
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 & 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 |
|
Kickin’
It Scheduled for June 26th
The
kickboxing event Kickin’ It returns to Palama Settlement
on Saturday, June 26th. Tentative fight card to follow soon.
Source:
Event Promoter |
Youth
Kickboxing at 50th State Fair
There
will be possibly up to six kickboxing matches for kids under
19 years of age under the tent at the 50th State Fair. Kickboxing
is not new to the 50th State Fair, but has not been featured
for a while. This will give the general public a chance to check
out the champions of tomorrow. The matches will be held on Saturday,
June 5th, at 3:00-4:00PM under the tent. Check it out.
|
"Poor
Performance" MMA Suspensions Enacted In New Jersey
By Loretta Hunt
"Mismatch"
can be a dirty word in MMA, a touchy subject that is often acknowledged
when it happens, but quickly dismissed as an inevitable occurrence
of a young sport still in the throws of development. The New
Jersey State Athletic Control Board, however, has chosen not
to perpetuate such occurrences in its own backyard. Following
April 24th's Ring of Combat 6 event held in Elizabeth, NJSACB
Chief Inspector Sylvester Cuyler flagged two competitor's performances
as less than acceptable within its jurisdiction.
Straight
Blast Gym Hamilton fighters Bret Perchaluk and Jon McCaffrey
were placed on indefinite suspensions for "poor performance,"
a reflection of the NJSACB's determination that these fighters
might have been overmatched against their respective opponents
that night. In an effort to alert additional regulatory bodies,
as well as promoters in and outside the state of its findings
and ultimately prevent reoccurrences in the future, the NJSACB
has registered these suspensions with the central registry currently
utilized by boxing commissions across the country to gauge a
fighter's readiness to compete. Explains NJSACB Counsel Nick
Lembo, "Our primary goal with any combat sport is to do
our best to attempt to ensure the health and safety of the competitors.
Secondary, is also to ensure public confidence and trust that
when they're purchasing a ticket, they're buying to see even-matched
competitions, and I think that's in the best interest of the
sport for everybody involved." A first for the sport of
MMA, Lembo says he hopes this registry of "checks and balances"
will be adopted by others in the future. To find out more about
this groundbreaking system enacted in New Jersey, check out the
rest of Counsel Lembo's exclusive interview in the current issue
of Full
Contact Fighter.
Source:
FCF |
2004
Brazilian National Titles
Largest ever Black Belt Contingent Fighting
The
final stage of the 2004 Brazilian National Titles is going down
this weekend in Rio de Janeiro. Satrting Saturday, May 29th at
The Brown and Black Belts adult, Master and Senior fight for
the title of National Champions at the Ginásio da Universidade
Gama Filho. This year, a record 184 Black Belts are signed up
and competing inckuding stars like Ronaldo 'Jacare', Marcelo
Garcia, Fredson Paixao, 'Xande' Ribeiro. Fredson Alves, Marcio
Corletta, Felipe Costa, Eduardo 'Portugues', Pedro Duarte, Claudio
& Roberto Godoi, Roberto Tozi, Eric Wanderlei, Marcus Norat
& Eduardo Telles.
All
fight brackets are available at: http://www.cbjj.com.br/cgi-bin/montachaves.asp
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
Black
Belt GP's card available now
The 16 names who will fight at Black Belt GP challenge has been
announced. Due to some problems with DirecTV Music Hall, the
organization decided to postpone the event for June 24thin São
Paulo. Because of the problem, the Black Belt GP leaves DirecTV
Music Hall and goes to Clube Espérrea hall. "We had
some troubles, but we assure the event will rock! The whole production
will be the same as the old place, with two big screens and a
stage," guarantees Fernando Lopes, known as Fepa.
On
the mat, the best names of national BJJ under 70kg promises a
great show. On the list, stars as Mário Reis, Daniel Moraes,
Leonardo Santos, Carlos Eduardo Português, Márcio
Feitosa and Frédson Paixão, among others. One of
the best ones, Leonardo Vieira (Brasa) will not be able to fight.
Vitor Belfort's trainer, Leozinho will travel with UFC champion
to US on June 9th, where Belfort will train hard to fight Randy
Couture, in August. The tickets for Black Belt GP will be available
next Monday (31), from 12h to 20h. It costs R$30. Tickets are
also found at major gyms in São Paulo.
COMPLETE
CARD (subject to change):
-
Mário Reis (Sul Jiu-Jitsu);
- Carlos Eduardo Português (Cia Paulista);
- Daniel Moraes (Gracie Humaitá);
- Frédson Paixão (Gracie Barra);
- Reinaldo Ribeiro (Brasa JJ);
- Leonardo Santos (Nova União);
- Danny Abu (Macaco Gold Team);
- Tiago Gomes (Barbosa);
- Márcio Feitosa (Gracie Barra);
- Frédson Alves (Gracie Humaitá);
- Laércio Fernandes (Lótus);
- Gustavo Falciroli (Godoi/BTT);
- Rodrigo Damm (Alliance);
- Ocimar Costa (Chute Boxe);
- Leandro Fidelis (Infight);
- Luciano Nucci (Gracie SP)
Source: Tatame |
Anderson
in Rio thinking on Korea
Announced on June 26 Gladiator's card, Anderson Silva is going
to Rio de Janeiro to close his practice series before departing
to South Korea. Silva is arriving in Rio in the beginning of
June and, besides preparing himself for the tournament, he will
help Rogério Minotouro and Rodrigo Minotauro on their
training. As Anderson, Minotouro will fight in Korea and Rodrigo
Minotauro is confirmed on Pride GP Heavyweight second round,
next June 20.
Anderson
doesn't confirm, but the Muay Thai Dream Team fighters probably
will face American Jeremy Horn, who has an impressive record
of 66 wins, 12 losses and five draws and was defeated by Renato
Babalú at IFC - Global Domination final round. Still in
Curitiba, Anderson is training badly, focused on Wrestling, Judo,
Jiu-Jitsu and just sharpening his Muay Thai techniques.
Since
he left Chute Boxe, Anderson is going to Rio frequently to train
with Nogueira brothers. He considers this interchange important
for the developing of the sport in Brazil. "We always have
to think on the developing of our techniques. I don't have any
intention to face any Brazilian fighter", states Silva,
who also do some practices with CWB people, in Curitiba.
Source: Tatame |
IS
BOB SAPP DONE WITH FIGHTING?
MMAWeekly's Scott Petersen reports from Japan that there seems
to be a common belief that Bob Sapp could be done with the fight
game after his crushing defeat at the hands of Fujita this weekend
in Japan.
Sapp
was scheduled to make a few appearances in Japan; however, Sapp
went back to the United States immediately a few days ago without
giving any friends or promoters any notice.
K-1
producer Tanigawa was caught off guard by this move and told
the Japanese media, “Sapp totally lost his fighting spirit.
We also suggested he could fight (for) a non-title for upcoming
match but he refused it."
One
person close to Sapp said that he went back to the US because
his eyes were swollen shut and he needed to see his doctors and
get his eyes treated but in the same breath he said "I have
no idea of his returning to Japan.” Sapp was supposed to
take part in K-1's Shizuoka on June 26 but that is looking more
and more unlikely.
Petersen
talked with a few people close to Sapp in Japan who said, "I
think we have seen the end of Bob fighting period. I don't care
if it's K-1, MMA, or anything else. If he wants to do pro-wrestling,
so be it, but his other goals have taken away from training in
the fight game...." Petersen reports the "other goals"
being acting and public appearances which left very little time
if any, to train and fight.
MMAWeekly
tried to contact Bob Sapp for comment, but was unable to reach
him. One of Sapp's friends in Japan went on record saying "Bob
led many to believe after the loss to Fujita he was done with
fighting all together and I believe that. He's made his money,
he may get the part in the upcoming Marvel comics movie as Ben
Grimm in Hollywood, why go through all this fighting when your
heart isn't in it. I don't think you will see Sapp fight again
in Japan, the US, anywhere. He is done fighting in my opinion."
Source:
MMA Weekly |
OPEN
LETTER TO UFC FROM THE FANS
In all the years we have done daily news at MMAWeekly, never
has there been a topic where we have received so many emails.
The
UFC has some major public relation issues they will have to mend
with the hardcore fans regarding the BJ Penn situation. Many
of you emailed us about the situation and through the hundreds
of emails, this letter summarized how most fans feel about the
current situation of the UFC.
Reader
Matt Bowen created a thread about this subject on the Soundoff
Forum and he also created an open letter to UFC President Dana
White. White has decided not to address the issue on the radio
show or the MMAWeekly website at this time.
Dear
Mr. White:
I have been a fan of MMA for almost 3 years now and I follow
the sport pretty closely. Recently, you have been under some
harsh criticism for actions you have taken, and I for one have
not taken part in that thinking that you really know what you
are doing. However, the more I think about it, if you have a
plan and you know what you want to do, then why are we all in
the dark.
Currently,
the UFC is the only major source of MMA in the US. Currently
you have 1 champion, 4 vacant titles, and a lot of unanswered
questions. So I am taking the time the time to list some concerns
that people have, myself included, in hopes that you can take
the time to finally give us some answers.
First
of all, let's talk about the title situation. You currently have
4 vacant titles, and you only current champion is Vitor Belfort,
who while he is a great fighter, did win the title somewhat controversially.
Recently you stripped BJ Penn of the welterweight title, which
is understandable, because like it or not, BJ made a decision
that the money was more important than the UFC title. It's bad
business for the UFC to let their champs fight elsewhere, and
that's fine with me.
Here
is what I don't understand.... you have had the middleweight
and lightweight title vacant for some time now, and there seems
to be no end in sight. In the lightweight division, you seemed
to have an easy fix to the problem but no one seems to want to
fix the problem. Josh Thomson beat Hermes Franca who was the
also beat by Yves Edwards. So logic would tell you that since
all three are top 10 lighweights and Thomson and Edwards both
won, that you could put Thomson and Edwards in a title match
and you could finally crown a lightweight champion. Now while
logic would tell you that, reports coming out today state that
this fight will not be for the title.... and it leaves many of
us wondering why.
Now
the 185-title picture has also been very clouded as well. Since
Murilo Bustamonte left, there hasn't even been mention of a title
fight, let alone plans for one. Not even some sort of tournament
format to crown a champion. There is plenty of talent at 185,
but the only fight we ever seem to see is Matt Lindland vs. Phil
Baroni. Why can't we crown a champ at 185, bring in some new
talent and crown a champ...
One
other question that has come to mind for me is in regards to
the heavyweight title picture. It seems that you don't even want
to crown a champion at middleweight and lightweight, because
you have not even addressed the issue for years, however, once
Tim Sylvia was lifted from his suspension, you were more than
willing to spoon feed Sylvia two title fights, the first being
cancelled due to his test results not being cleared in time.
Now I am a huge Tim Sylvia fan, but is it fair to the fighters
that you can't crown a champ in two divisions, but you are more
than willing to put a heavyweight title fight together as soon
as you are able. It almost seems a little contradictory.
One
other thing, what is up with the TV deal???? It's been close,
real close, almost done, but nothing has ever happened. The last
I seem to remember hearing is you hope to be on TV by fall, but
fall is coming quickly. Can you give us an update???
Finally,
I want to bring up the subject of talent. I understand that the
UFC is a business and as such, you must have entertainment as
well quality fighters. But in two examples, Phil Baroni and Wes
Sims (even Tank Abbott fits here), their entertainment value
far exceeds their talent as fighters. Now don't get me wrong,
I am a fan of both fighters (Baroni and Sims), but it's hard
for me to watch these two continually on PPV when there are people
like Jeremy Horn, Jens Pulver, Sean Sherk, Babalu, Rich Franklin,
Ricardo Almeida, Joe Doerkson, Ronald Jhun, Gil Castillo, etc.
who don't even get a shot. I don't understand.
It
seems as though you are more interested in attracting the casual
fan, as opposed to listening to what the fans who watch now (the
hardcore MMA fans) would like to see.
In
the end, I'm not going to sit here and bash you because quite
frankly I realize you have a very tough job and it's not as easy
as a lot of people think. All I am asking is that you give us
some answers.
I
thank you for your time.
Respectfully
yours.
Matt
Bowen
Source:
MMA Weekly |
K-1
World GP 2004 Card
K-1 announced their upcoming boxing vs K-1 card called the K-1
world Grand Prix. They will have three fights that will be Boxing
vs K-1. The rest of the matches will be under K-1 rules.
K-1
World GP 2004
June 6th, 2004
Nagoya Aiichi Rainbow Hall
Nagoya, Japan
K-1
vs. Boxing matchups:
Ernesto Hoost vs. Francois Botha
Alexey Ignashov vs. Ray Mercer
Musashi vs. Vassily Jirov
K-1
rules matchups
Peter Aerts vs. Gary Goodridge
Carter Williams vs. Petr Vandrechek
Martin Holm vs. Marvin Eastman
Alistair Overeem vs. Takeru
Jan Nortje vs. Naoufal Bennazouz
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Interview
– Gustavo Ximú
By: Gleidson Venga / Team TATAME
Gustavo
Ximú is in the final phases of preparation for his match
with Nilson Castro at Meca 11 on June 5th. Away from the ring
since his xontroversial match against Allan Góes in Heat
2, Ximú hopes to please his fans with a spectacular show.
How´s
your preparation going for the match? It´s going pretty
well. It seems that match after match I´ve been get more
well prepared, getting way better. Because at each fight, at
each place I pass through, things get harder, then I gotta be
always well prepared to get into the ring 100%.
And
what´s your planned strategy for the match? I´m well
prepared physically and technically, wherever the fight takes
place, if it goes on stand or on the ground, I don´t care.
I have no choice, as the fight goes, we will see what will happen.
But my opponent is a very on stand fighter, he has many KOs by
blowing with knees, but that´s it, in the ring it´s
only me and him, there´s no one else. I hope I would be
better than him and then, I will go for it, there´s nothing
programmed, scheduled. I know his game and as the fight goes
on we will see what happens. I´m prepared to be on stand
and on the ground. The truth is that two gets in the ring and
one leaves as the champion.
Nilson
comes from some defeats in a row, do you think these events could
make him become more dangerous? Of course he will come more trained,
prepared, but in despite of this defeats, even if they were victories,
for me, nothing changes, because I consider him as a very tough
opponent. His defeats don’t mean he´s weaker, for
he has built his name, he´s really a tough guy and it will
be a very tough fight.
This
fight was scheduled for a long time, no? This fight was supposed
to happen before, but since I went to fight the King of the Cage
it couldn´t be done, and due some problems with my stock
as well, and since I fought by the end of December and have been
training for a long time without competing, I have accepted the
invitation to fight with Nilson, because it doesn´t worth
for me if I would fight against someone with less name, beat
him and people say 'ah, it was an obligation for you to beat
him'. So, it will be a fight that will add a lot to my career.
Everybody
has already seen your fight on Heat 2 against Allan Góes
on PPV. Have you already talked to him in order to schedule a
new match? I don´t speak with him anymore. Once I went
to train Boxe at Nobre Arte and he went on the day after, because
he never goes on the gloves´day, because he´s a coward,
he goes only to technical classes. And I don´t speak with
him anymore because there´s no reason for that. If he had
broken his hand or some other serious thing, that´s allright,
I´m a professional and I would take it in an sportive way,
but it could be the opposite, but he wanted to win trickery,
it doesn´t exist. He screwed up a work I did for three
months to get there, because he truly saw I was going to knock
out him, he ran away from me. There´s no reason for me
to fight against him again, there´s no motive. He were
tricky, he asked the guy to stop it and he didn´t do it.
Referee error, allright, but he wasn´t offensive when he
had to come over and stop it, but it was his trickery, everybody
saw that. He has a bad fame cheating the others, money stuff,
cheating his alumnus in United States, it´s all written
there.
You´re
at the 85kg category, where Pride has been investing, on Bushido.
This fight would be useful as a showcase in order to get some
fights there, right? For sure, I´ve already fought and
won some fights there in RINGS, I fought at Deep as well, I thought
I was going make it, but they didn´t continued that with
me there, they didn´t call me again. And once more I will
be waiting for their presence, I´ve heard that Kawasaki
and Sakakibara will be here. Once more I´m gonna invest
in it and try to go to Pride.
What
do you think about these many events that have taking place in
Brazil? The cards have been coming way better. The Brazilian
fighters are the toughests ever, the fights here are awesome.
Actually, there are many new fighters willing to come out and
they´re not looking for the financial side. I think this
is right too, when I was younger I was used to think this way,
'fuck the money, I want to come out', but now they´re using
this statement with the older fighters which has been difficulting
the stock negotiations. I think they should pay us better, the
owners of the events come and say 'But this is Brazil, not Japan'.
I know we´re in Brazil, but it could be a little better.
I like to fight here, I have already fought in Natal, on Meca
(Curitiba) twice. I think the rooter will be at my side there
too, of course rooter doesn´t win the fight, but there
will be lots of people supporting me, it will be damn cool, many
people from Rio will be in Teresópolis to see my match.
There will be many people from Rio and Niterói in Meca
to watch out my fight. The rooters will not win the fight, but
that´s an unique opportunity to show my jog to my friends,
since many of them have never seen it at live, just by videotape,
they will see the real thing.
And
what do you think about these surprises among the MMA world?
Strikers being knocked out by grapplers, grapplers being submitted…
Nowadays, in the MMA world, there´s no one invincible forever,
at the first sign carelessness from one of the fighters, the
other takes advantage on it. Talking about Ebenezer, I haven´t
seen his fight yet but I think that in a moment when he let down
his guard, his opponent came in and blasted him. Then you go
and fight 15 or 20 minutes, you have to be on all the time, because
if my opponents gives me a chance, I will take him at this chance.
There are people training to make their reputation over good
fighters. Ebenezer is a real tough guy, with many Prides and
stuff like that, the guy defeated him and at the end, on the
interview, said 'damn, I don´t believe this'. At your academy,
you can be submitted, you gotta do wrong there, training, there,
on the ring, you have the opportunity, that´s it, that´s
the image that will be recorded in people´s mind. The Vale
Tudo is an sport I love but at the same time it´s very
ungrateful, because it´s individual, if you win you´re
the champion, if you lose you´re nothing.
Any
final comments? This fight in Teresópolis will be seen
over ppv live. I hope to see everybody rooting for me, I will
give my best effort, I have been training well. I hope I don´t
get tired, that everything goes fine. I hope to win by knockout
or a submission, but I prefer the knockout since he´s a
very tough opponent and if I knock him out, I believe this would
be very good for my career. I will devote this victory to everyone
who will be there watching me, I´m back, and that´s
it!!!
Source:
ADCC |
Drew
Fickett faces Kyle Brees tonight deciding Arizona’s top
welterweight fighter
by: Joseph Cunliffe
Undoubtedly one of the top fighters to come out of Arizona, Drew
Fickett scored wins over UFC veterans Edwin Dewees and Dennis
Hallman in building his impressive 21-2 record. The 24-year-old
is coming off a second round submission win over Brazilian Top
Team black belt Fabio Holanda in the WFF earlier this month in
a fight considered to have been an all out war. Just one month
earlier, Fickett defeated Carlo Prater of Team Thugjitsu and
Shaun Beckett of Fusion Fight Team to win the welterweight tournament
at Rage on the River in California. Fickett faces a formidable
opponent in Kyle Brees of Team SRJ tonight in Evolution Combat
at the Celebrity Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.
Born
in Tucson, Fickett grew up Arizona, Florida and South Carolina,
as his father sold real estate and had various ventures throughout
the country. These moves didn’t stale the energetic kid.
Fickett was a jock all the way playing baseball, basketball,
football, golf, tennis, and training in traditional martial arts
since he was 10. Fickett wrestled 4 years in high school, then
in junior college, but a near fatal motorcycle accident in 2000
side-lined the aspiring champion.
JC:
You had a near fatal motorcycle accident? DF: I was about 20-years-old
when that happened. I got hit head on by a pick up truck. [solemn]
I nearly bit it, but I am still here because of God. It took
about 1.5 years to recover. That pretty much ended my wrestling
career.
JC:
Is that why you didn’t fight MMA in 2001? DF: Yes, that
is correct.
JC:
Did you attended college? DF: Yes, I attended college at the
University of Arizona. I changed my major a few times. I was
first a Philosophy major and then after a 1.5 years I transferred
over to Pima Community College in Tucson so I could wrestle on
the junior college team. The first year I wrestled half way through
the season I was hit. I then changed my degree to Education and
started coaching wrestling at a local high school. I also attended
Arizona State University for a semester after Pima.
JC:
Did you graduate? DF: No, I am still in school.
JC:
Do you look to work in the education field upon graduation? DF:
No, actually there probably isn’t enough money in that for
me. I want to try and make it in fighting and open my own gym
and go back to school and maybe get a nutritional degree or sports
science degree.
JC:
No money in education, but in MMA? DF: [laughing] Not at all,
but it’s really what I love to do. $500 off an MMA fight
is like free money.
JC:
How are you academically? DF: I’m like a straight A student.
JC:
How did you become involved in MMA? DF: It was kind of funny.
Me and my buddy, Walie Zariffi, who actually fought about 8 fights,
were really into martial arts, you know how traditional martial
arts isn’t practical for fighting, back in 1999 we didn’t
know that. I wrestled. We boxed a little bit and did some karate.
That’s about all we did. We went to the second Rage in the
Cage and we saw those guys fighting and we thought we could beat
those guys. Roland Serria got on the microphone and asked that
anyone who wanted to fight sign up. We thought we would look
into it. We weren’t thinking of this as a career; just thought
we’d try it out. We fought in the next show and we both
won. I just started fighting from then. The more I kept winning
the more serious I got about it.
JC:
The turning point for you is when you kept winning and continued
with it? DF: Yeah. At first it was a lot of fun. I was a wrestler
as a kid, so I had a little psychopath way of training [laughing]
and working out. I really just enjoyed the fights. The more I
won the tougher my opponents became and the more and more serious
I got.
JC:
When did you start training in MMA? DF: I’ve really always
been open minded, especially for a wrestler, it really came together
for me when I moved up to Phoenix and I was training with Gustavo
Dantas and Trevor Lally at Arizona Combat Sports. The 2 best
teachers I have ever had, and some of the best instructors overall,
whether wrestling or other sports.
JC:
Do you train in a Gi? DF: I don’t train, but I compete,
[laughing] and I have only lost 1 match in a Gi out of about
30. I don’t like the Gi. I’m a wrestler and I like
the high intensity and I like to out position people and I think
the Gi just slows me down. Guys grab a hold of my Gi and it drives
me nuts. I see the positive aspects of the Gi and I think it
helps you technically on your ground game, and when you take
it off it makes you faster. Being in MMA, and trying to train
specifically, I really don’t have the time to train Gi.
JC:
You’ve boxed too? DF: Yeah. I probably had 10 amateur boxing
fights. I went 9-1, loosing my first one.
JC:
What is a typical training day? DF: I do treadmill sprints for
cardio, which for me is harder then a fight. Every time I do
it I fear it. I do 3 sets of 2 minutes and 3 sets of 1:15 minutes
on a 15% incline running speed as fast as I can. I take a 1-minute
break between the 2 minute sets and a 45 second break between
the 1:15. I have someone stand behind me with their hand on my
lower back to hold me up. I may do 8 sets depending on the duration
of the fight. I’ll do some JJ in the morning and do some
submission grappling. I’ll take a break and later in the
afternoon I’ll get in a hard wrestling practice. I do a
lot of drilling wrestling, technical wrestling a lot of slow
heated drilling. Every other day or third day I usually spar
of lift. Depending on what I lift I will either kick box or box.
I lift quite a bit for functional strength and power with a lot
of dead lifts and squats and cleans. I do a lot of swimming too.
I love to swim. Interval swimming is great... 25 meters or 50
meters. I’ll cool down with some underwater no breathers.
It really opens up the lungs.
JC:
Where do you fit all of this in to your daily schedule? DF: Right
now I have a part time job at a market research firm. I don’t
go out. I don’t have a car. I sacrifice everything for fighting.
I feel the sacrifices will be worth it in the end.
JC:
When and where was your first MMA fight? DF: It was RITC in Phoenix,
Arizona, at the Rock N’ Rodeo.
JC:
How did it go for you? DF: It went real well. I fought a guy
who weighed about 200 when I weighed about a buck 50. I was just
crazy and I fought him. I was doing a lot of wrestling and throwing
him around. I was going for submissions. I had a lot of karate
kicks to his head. It was open hand, so I hit him with an open
hand a few times. I won the Majority Decision.
JC:
What are some promotions have you fought in? DF: USCF in Seattle,
Washington; KOTC, RITC and WFF.
JC:
You have wins over UFC veterans Dennis Hallman and (2 over) Edwin
Dewees. What are your thoughts on your fights, defeating the
opponents you have and still being in Arizona? DF: I’m definitely
not happy being in Arizona. The last year and last fight in Arizona
I just cannot get a fight in Arizona. Kyle Breeze was the last
fight I had in Arizona. I can look at it and be frustrated, but
I look at it positively, and say my time is going to come. I
have already beaten guys in the UFC. It will come. I just have
to be persistent and not be discouraged. It’s a business.
I have to think about promoting myself and not take it personally.
I think most promoters have misguided values. I know if I take
a couple more big fights against big names it will get me where
I want to go. I’m not too worried about it. The longer they
wait to match me up against these opponents that I want is the
better I will get. I already think I am one of the most well-rounded
fighters in the world.
JC:
What has been you most memorable fight? DF: Definitely Hallman
because there was so much emotion involved. I was so scared shitless
before the fight. Also Sean Beckett was a great fight. It was
a stand up brawl. It just came down to me being in better condition
and a better wrestler.
In
Part 2, we’ll explore highs and lows in MMA for Fickett,
what drives him to succeed, where he looks to go and he’ll
have a message for professional fighters.
Source:
ADCC |
Ernie
Perea KOTC Interview
Posted by James Baker
It
is May 24, 2004 and Ernie Perea is on his way home from an exhausting
10-hour workday. From what I have learned from talking with Ernie,
it is a blessing when his workday is just 10 hours. Ernie is
a law enforcement officer in Southern California.
What
does law enforcement have to do with a MMA interview you ask?
Ernie is about to open the floodgates to an untouched resource
of talent in the law enforcement and fire services departments
respectively. Men and women who dedicate their lives in serving
and protecting our community’s everyday, and now MMA exclusively
King of the Cage is inviting these professionals to compete.
During
Ernie’s drive home on I-10 in Southern California, he was
able to spend a few
minutes with me on his cell phone and explain his plans for King
of the Cage, as well as the rest of the MMA community;
Baker:
Who is Ernie Perea?
EP:
I am 31 yrs old, 5’8, 160lbs married with three daughters,
Madison, Shelbie, and Eliza. As you already know, I am a law
enforcement officer in Southern California and have been fighting
crime for over 8 years now. I have lived in Southern California
all my life, exclusively in the San Bernardino and L.A. areas.
I
grew up with family members going in and out of jail, and l was
exposed to the streets at a very young age. I never hung out
on the street corners looking for trouble, but trouble would
always find me due to my close-knit family ties. As I am sure
many of your readers can relate to, when you have a big family,
over 100 cousins like I do, you are taught at a young age to
always have your family members back, right or wrong. The funny
thing is I seem to remember having more fights with my cousins
then street fights. It was my family’s way of toughing me
up I guess.
When
I was 15, 16 yrs old, I began to see what direction many of my
cousins were going in and I wanted no part of it. I used to be
made fun of by uncles, cousins, everybody, when I would tell
them that one day I would be a cop. I can remember the ass whoopin’s
I used to endure because the cops were the bad guys in many of
my cousins eyes. Now, here I am 15 years later a law enforcement
officer, the first law enforcement anything with in my family.
Baker:
What department do you currently work for?
EP:
Out of respect for my organization, I’d rather not say who
my current employer is until I get their permission to do so.
I can say, I used to work for the Department of Corrections as
a correctional officer in several prisons through out the state.
Great job! I recommend C.D.C. to anyone who wants to throw his
or her hat into the law enforcement pool. It is a great way to
start a career and learn from men and women, who are serving
time. The knowledge I gained from this career was so valuable,
because it further gave me an understanding of people and how
to communicate without trying to come across as something your
not. Respect is a huge word in state prison and I have carried
that term with me into the streets in which I patrol.
Baker:
What about your Martial Arts background? Is your law enforcement
occupation the reason you train in martial arts?
EP:
“Laughing”, No, no, not at all. Crime fighting would
be a good reason to start though. I began training in kickboxing
when I was about 19, 20 yrs old. My reasoning behind why I began
training had to do with my upbringing and the amount of pressure
my cousins put on me to fight. Growing up I was short, skinny,
small frame; I was not comfortable with my physical statue. Believe
me my cousins made sure I knew just how short and skinny I was.
Even though I am Mexican, at least that is what my mom tells
me, I look like a white boy and these same cousins would constantly
tell me I was not part of the family due to my green eyes and
light hair.
Baker:
I understand you are competing in an upcoming event of King of
the Cage, what are the circumstances behind this?
EP:
I have two important reasons for competing in King of the Cage.
My dad is huge boxing fan. He is real sick with cancer and battling
this disease that has no cure. If there was one thing I ever
wanted to do to make my dad proud of me before he leaves, is
to have him see me compete and win by way of knock-out, his favorite.
My dad has always been a competitor, and I am no different, my
desire to win is intense, “Just ask my wife during an argument!”
Just kidding…
My
second reason is a businessman and friend by the name of Terry
Trebilcock. I have always been a die-hard fan of MMA. I turned
one of my rooms inside the house into a mat room and filled it
with MMA posters, pictures, and all kinds of cool stuff, “Especially
from KOTC events.” I have had many battles inside my “Fight-room!”
I personally trained an ex-KOTC fighter by the name of Richard
Solis for all of his fights with-in this room.
Terry
has been asking me for about a year or so to compete for his
organization. How can I turn down a man who has been nothing
but respectful to me and the people I bring to his events? Terry
has always made sure that the law enforcement community which
I bring to KOTC events is taken care of and felt as if we are
all part of the show, not just fans.
From
the first KOTC show I have brought with me judges, lawyers, officers
from all over the West Coast, medical professionals, firefighters,
etc. I can go on and on. Now KOTC’s fan base has reached
some high profile professionals, who have major influence on
the future of not only KOTC, but also other MMA events.
Baker:
You mentioned before this interview that there are some untouched
talent in martial arts waiting in the wings. Care to explain?
EP:
Just like the MMA community in California is trying to get this
sport legalized and sanctioned by the State Athletic Commission,
in a way so is the professional community. I am trying to bring
an understanding of this sport to my administration, my union,
and my co-workers. With-in my department I am the liaison, “expert”,
on the MMA scene. Whenever the district attorneys office or its
members has a question regarding our sport they ask me. When
that big unfortunate fiasco about two years ago, occurred at
the Casino in Cabazon, Ca. during an MMA event, a few of the
prosecutors involved in that, asked me for advise and to consult
with their office regarding the circumstances of that day.
By
participating in King of the Cage, I will give others a chance
to compete with their employers blessing and understanding. Did
you know that a two-time Vale-Tudo/MMA champion is also a law
enforcement officer in Southern California? This guy is famous
in Brazil; die-hard Vale Tudo fans will know whom I am talking
about.
Baker:
I did not know that. Is this MMA champion going to be competing
also?
EP:
I am not sure, Tedd Williams from Gladiator Challenge just asked
me a few weeks ago if I thought my partner would be interested
in fighting in his event, anything is possible. Everyone at work
that is aware of my upcoming fight is keeping an open eye out
and an ear to the ground, waiting to see what happens when the
dust settles. My administration is just not educated enough to
give its complete blessing. “YET!”
The
Police and Fire games Judo/TaeKwonDoe four time champion is also
my partner out in the street and he is waiting patiently for
an opportunity to compete in King of the Cage also. This guy
is a solid 180lbs of lean muscle, if he competes at 170lbs watch
out! Another officer, a brown belt in Brazilian Jujitsu under
Pedro Calvahlo, 6’1 205lbs, who is so smooth and precise
it’s intimidating to watch him roll in practice. He is also
waiting for the right opportunity to make a splash in King of
the Cage.
There
are so many police officers, fire fighters, etc. that are so
athletically gifted and currently train in martial arts it is
scary. I have personally been approached by a dozen or so officers/fire
fighters who have told me if I compete they want to compete also.
Baker:
What is in the future for Ernie Perea both in the MMA world,
as well as your everyday life?
EP:
I just want to get through this one opponent with a win and then
I will take it one day at a time. Besides I promised my wife
a vacation immediately after this fight, so we can both unwind
after 8 weeks of intense training.
Tyson
Johnson, “KOTC ring announcer/MMA fighter”, who is
a fitness machine, keeps me motivated and keeps my cardio at
a high level. Tyson is great for fighters or anyone who wants
or needs intense and extreme mental/physical conditioning. I
have been an advocate of Tyson and the law enforcement community
in hopes of having him training our officers in basic grappling
techniques and the importance of health/fitness. Tyson once told
me that he enjoys teaching officers; “they are people to
be respected for their hard work and efforts. If they are going
to put their lives on the line for me and other possible victims,
then I want to make sure that they are able to overcome any physical
adversity and training imaginable.”
In
fact, Phillip Miller who is also a world MMA champion, is on
the brink of becoming a law enforcement officer. I am doing everything
I can in getting him through the door, and on his way of fulfilling
his dream of fighting crime. Bad boys beware if you decide to
take on Officer Miller, what a mistake that would be! Phillip
is also a great trainer who breaks each move down for me and
explains each movement. Whatever law enforcement department picks
him up will be very fortunate; he’s a great kid.
Baker:
Is there anything else that you would want to say to the people
who are
reading this article?
EP:
The flood gates will open with new talent real soon, some of
our biggest heroes in MMA are soon to be firefighters, officers,
dentists, etc., with no other reason to be in this sport other
than to compete and be the best. I want to thank Tedd Williams
and Terry Trebilcock for giving me an opportunity and opening
the door for professionals to step through. Thank you for interviewing
me, I’ve never been interviewed before, my family will be
impressed.
Baker:
I am sure your family has been impressed by your accomplishments
for a long time now, and the best seems yet to come.
You
can see Ernie “The Piranha” Perea making his King of
the Cage debut on Saturday June 12th 2004 at 7p.m. and aired
on Pay Per View T.V. on Friday June 25th at 7p.m. Check out KingoftheCage.com
for further information.
Source:
MMA Fighting |
Quote
of the Day
"One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse
to soar."
Helen Keller, 1880-1968, American Blind/Deaf Author, Lecturer,
Amorist
|
Penn
Opens up After Easy Win Over Ludwig
by Steven Curtis
After bolting the UFC for K-1, “The Prodigy” still
#1
Saitama,
Japan: BJ Penn was loose and relaxed, and he had every reason
to be. Only minutes before, he had crushed Duane “Bang!”
Ludwig in one of the most eagerly awaited debuts in K-1 history.
While he admitted to being “nervous” about his first
fight in Japan during the post-fight press conference, now he
was basking in the moment, and Sherdog.com was along for the
ride in an exclusive interview.
“After
I beat Duane,” BJ said, “I told him, ‘I’m
sorry; I’m the best in the world right now.” While
he admitted regretting that remark – “I shouldn’t
have rubbed his face in it,” he said- – who can argue
with the man? With this win, hot on the heels of his submission
victory over Matt Hughes at UFC 46, it’s clear that Penn
is on a mission to conquer the MMA world and he won’t be
denied.
“My
next plan is to go to China, then Africa,” he joked.
BJ
admitted that he had a little trouble convincing Zuffa &
Co. over at UFC to let him take the fight at all.
“UFC
was worried about what would happen if I lost,” he said,
“And I was like, “What’s there to worry about?
You want the belt? Fight me in UFC!”
By
letting BJ do his thing – which is to fight anyone, anytime,
anyplace - UFC now has another champion taking care of business
in Japan, which is, after all, the biggest MMA market in the
world. And while BJ said he had every intention of fighting in
both Japan and U.S. for the foreseeable future, it was pretty
clear to us where his heart lies.
“I
want everyone to know,” said Penn, “that I am the champion,
and I will be defending my title in the UFC before the end of
the year.” (Does this mean that he is not stripped?) BJ
asked us not to reveal his potential opponent, but we can tell
you that if it happens, it’s going be a superfight of epic
proportions.
As
for K-1, BJ has already gone on record as saying that he wants
to fight Genki Sudo, whose star is definitely on the rise after
crushing Royler Gracie. Ditto the Japanese media and fans, all
of whom are excited by the prospect of a hometown hero in a country
that hasn’t produced many aside from the great Sakuraba.
But earlier, during the post-fight press conference, BJ accused
Sudo of ducking him. “I don’t want to disrespect him,”
he said, “but Genki was my first choice, and he didn’t
accept.”
After
tonight, can you blame him?
Source:
Sherdog |
Rodrigo
Gracie and K-1 hook up
A
short while back we announced that Rodrigo Gracie was in negotiations
with K-1. Now, with Rodrigo's fifth consecutive win against Japan's
Hayato 'Mach' Sakurai, K-1 knew they had to make a move. So the
deal is done: Rodrigo Gracie signed a 3 fight deal with K-1!
The
details of the fights are not yet available and opponents have
not been discussed, but it is now confirmed that Rodrigo signed
a 3 fight minimum/ 1 year deal with Mega event K-1 MMA. The contract
includes a 3 year management deal with K-1 for promotions and
other considerations in Japan.
Rodrigo,
will be accompanied by his cousin Royce Gracie for his fights
in Japan .
We
caught up with Rodrigo to find out what’s up.
KP:
You must be very excited to have signed this deal
RG: Yes, we have been working on the deal for a while now, and
I am very pleased that it has been finalized. Its time for Gracie's
to start competing in K-1 events.
KP:
Have you started training, even though you do not have an opponent
yet?
RG: I have been training and staying in shape, an opponent is
not important for training, only for fight strategy, so yes,
I have been training and keeping myself in shape.
KP:
You are currently undefeated in MMA competitions, does that put
pressure on your for your fights?
RG: I am a Gracie, that puts pressure on me for the fights, the
record is just a record. Its what's in your heart that matters.
Anything can happened in the ring, the only way to know that
is to step in to the ring.
KP:
Your cousin Royce Gracie will be going to Japan with you, anything
to say about that.
RG: Yes I am very happy to be able to have him around. I have
been talking to him a lot, he has a lot of experience in MMA
and inside into fighting, I think its a good person for me to
listen and learn. I still train with Renzo, the family now is
more united than ever.
KP:
Anything you want to add
RG: Just want to thank all my fans and supporters in the US and
Japan, my students and family. I am very excited about this opportunity
and I think you will see a more focused and determined fighter
this time around in K-1
KP:
Thank you
RG: My pleasure
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
New
team: Brasa, Braza or Brazza?
Now it's official. Leonardo Vieira, Rodrigo Comprido, Ronaldo
Jacaré and other BJJ fighters got together with Leo Castello
Branco and released Brazza team. The only missing thing now is
deciding how do spell this new team name: with s, z or zz. "Over
the subscription is written Brazza, but it probably will be with
a "s". The idea is relate the name to coal," explained
Felipe Costa, BJJ black belt. The name has been already used
by fighters at BJJ Brazilian tournament held last weekend at
Gama Filho University in Rio de Janeiro. 'I always had a great
relationship with them and it has been a while they wanted to
join the group together. Now this dream became true,' explained
Castello during the tournament.
Source: Tatame |
After
the gold, Juliana will fight BJJ
After conquering the first gold medal at Luta Olímpica
Pan-American, Juliana Borges plans to fight the BJJ World Cup,
which happens in Salvador, Bahia in July. The fact is the female
fighter from Goiana, besides the three years of Wrestling, is
also a BJJ black belt. She already won three gold medals. Blue
belt, purple belt and brown belt. Fernando Boi's pupil, Juliana
wants to do a great exhibition at BJJ World Cup. "Last year
I didn't fight because I was traveling with Luta Olímpica
team, but this year I wanna rock the event down and get another
medal," warns Juliana.
Source: Tatame |
Claudinho
comments Royler's KO
Back in Brazil, Nobre Arte's Boxing trainer Cláudio Coelho,
who did Royler Gracie's trains for K-1 Romanex, commented the
knockout applied by Japanese Genki Sudo on last Saturday (22).
Coelho also declares the referee was fair and acted right. 'There
was no negligence. The referee was precise when interrupted the
bout,' stated Claudinho, showing sorrow for the fight result:
'Royler
was fine. He clinched, put him down, and he didn't allow Sudo
to do his game. Royler got the key-lock and he didn't allow his
to stand up. What really happened was Sudo tried to stand up
and Royler committed a mistake on the ground, when he tried to
embrace Sudo's legs. Then he threw the fatal knee,' analyzed
Claudinho, adding: 'Royler took all control of the fight. He
did block Sudo's game well and gave him a hard time all the time.'
Due
to both events proximity, Claudinho went to the Pride and checked
out the challenge among Gracies and Japaneses at Bushido. "Ryan
did a nice fight and was much more aggressive. Ralph got KO'd
by a knee, but it was a completely different situation from Royler's
case," said the Boxing trainer. Check out later today the
Pride Bushido's Photo Gallery here at TATAME.com. Don't miss
it.
Source:
Tatame |
|
NO
TITLE ON THE LINE AT UPCOMING 155 BOUT
With
all the problems the UFC has encountered with their champions,
it probably shouldn't come as a big surprise that it appears
there will be no title on the line when Yves Edwards faces Josh
Thomson in the 155 division.
A
subdued Edwards questioned if there will ever be another lightweight
champion in the UFC yesterday on MMAWeekly Radio. He went on
to say, "I love fighting and I love to do this but, ultimately
what's the real goal? The situation is "frustrating"
and Yves compared it to, "Kinda like driving with no destination."
He added, "It's unfortunate that the powers that be don't
really care to see a champion," and that he wouldn't be
surprised if the lightweight division "went away."
Yves
made his boxing debut in Houston recently in impressive fashion.
He, like some other Mixed Martial Artists like Din Thomas and
Chris Lytle, have made the cross over from MMA to boxing. Yves
scored a knock out victory and said, "I had a good time."
"It's
a big difference," commented Edwards, who knew nothing about
his opponent until stepping in the ring with him. Yves pointed
out that he didn't have to worry about being taken down. I got
the sense that he is boxing to stay busy and as a part of his
MMA training. "Fighting's fighting, so it's definitely going
to help my MMA career," stated Edwards.
You
heard Monte Cox talk about it Tuesday, New Jersey putting on
an eight man 155 pound tournament later this year. Yves stated,
"I definitely want to throw my hat in that mix." Edwards
described the lightweight division as, "One of the most
competitive weight classes in the world....Arguably the most
competitive weight class out there." To win this eight man
tournament with such names rumored as, Rich Clementi and Hermes
Franca, would mean a lot to Yves.
Right
now, Edwards is doing regular training to stay in shape. The
first week of July, he will step up the routine and focus solely
on Josh Thomson. He would like to box again in September but
he'd rather compete in the tournament more.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
|
NEWTON
TELLS THE FANS NOT TO WORRY
This
past Sunday at PRIDE’s Bushido 3 show, MMA superstar Carlos
“The Ronin” Newton lost a controversial decision at
the hands of Daiju Takase. Upon returning home to Canada, Newton
spoke with MMA Weekly’s Mick Hammond about the fight.
When
asked about the decision Newton commented, “It was disappointing
for me and especially my trainers. However I accept the decision
as part of the sport and am not discouraged. I’m mostly
looking forward to my next fight at the 185lb weightclass.”
Newton
also spoke about his impressions of his developing stand up game
and how it related to the fight by saying, “I thought Takase
was a formidable striker who has a reach advantage on me. But
my skills have come along further than I had thought they were
and I was able to show some superiority. Trust me I was just
as surprised as everyone how well I stood up with him.”
Newton
went on to further discuss his decision to move up in weight
by stating, “I will stay at 185 from now on. Fighting at
welterweight (170) has been stressful for me with school and
the pressure to cut weight. As a middleweight I feel I can guarantee
my fans an exciting fight and that’s all that matters to
me.”
When
asked what his plans are at 185, Newton said, “I am strongly
considering challenging the UFC middleweight division.”
When current top-ranked UFC middleweight Matt Lindland was brought
up, Newton replied, “It would be a great fight, he’s
a really strong fighter. I think I need a little more time to
get comfortable at this weight and explore my strengths and weaknesses.
Things move at different speeds at this weightclass and I’d
like to get in a fight or two before challenging someone like
Lindland.”
Newton
closed out the conversation by saying, “I want to thank
my fans, MMA Weekly, and I hope everyone enjoyed the fight. Don’t
let the decision bog you down, as I’m not letting it bog
me down. I’m a new fighter at a new weight with a new outlook
and am really looking forward to it. Also be sure to check out
www.CarlosNewton.com, it’s been redesigned and really looks
great.”
Source:
MMA Weekly |
PARISYAN
COMMENTS ABOUT FIGHTING DIAZ
Word broke earlier this week about the possibility of a welterweight
fight between Karo Parisyan and Nick Diaz at UFC 48 this upcoming
August 21st. MMA Weekly’s Mick Hammond was able to contact
Karo and get his thoughts on the possibility of this fight.
Karo
stated, “The UFC brought up the idea to me and yes, I will
fight him. I haven’t signed the contract yet but will soon.”
Parisyan continued by saying, “I just started getting back
into training after taking a few days off after my fight with
Shonie (Carter at WEC 10 this past Friday). It’s too early
to say what’s going to happen in the fight as anything is
possible, but I’m going to go out there, keep up the pressure,
and give him the heat.”
When
asked about his WEC Welterweight Championship fight with Shonie
Carter, Karo responded “I haven’t seen the fight yet
and am hoping to get a tape of it soon. I know it was a good
fight and Shonie is a great fighter, but it’s just another
day at the office for me. I learned one thing from that fight
for sure, I don’t want to stand and get kicked anymore (laughs).”
Diaz
is coming off a surprise KO victory over Robbie Lawler at UFC
47 this past April and is widely considered a top contender for
the recently vacated UFC Welterweight title. This fight will
be Parisyan’s first in the UFC since losing a unanimous
decision fight against George St. Pierre at UFC 46 in January.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Remco
Pardoel - Interview
by Daryl Callahan
With
the unmatching images of a stocky schoolyard bully out for lunch
money and the humble, honest personality that he displayed in
UFC 2, Remco Pardoel became as unique an attraction as anything
MMA has since seen. He came from Holland, a land of kickboxers,
yet was most comfortable on the ground. His respect and admiration
for those he fought contrasted the brutal dark side that was
let loose in the cage: a brief UFC star, Pardoel has since continued
to fight on in more modern MMA.
Derek
Callahan: How did you first start up in MA?
Remco
Pardoel: There was an ad in a magazine in Holland, called KO
magazine. I reacted that I wanted to fight in this event called
the UFC.
DC:
What made you want to enter the UFC?
RP:
I believed in my style and I wanted to look how far I could get
in this kind of an event. It is always a hot item, which style
is the best. Holland is a pro Thai boxing country and I want
to prove them wrong.
DC:
How did your impression of the event change from before to after
you competed in it?
RP:
My belief in jiu-jitsu only went stronger. I knew about the Gracie's.
I invited Jacare in November 1993 over for a seminar after I
met them at the world championships in Denmark at that time.
DC:
How come so many fighters from the early UFCs are gone and you're
still fighting?
RP:
I love to compete. I was out for two years in 1996 due to a complicated
broken leg I broke my shin bone, crushed my calf bone and my
ankle was in four pieces. That happened in a judo match. I still
have the urge to prove that I belong to the best 20 in the world.
DC:
How has the game gotten tougher/easier for you since UFC 2?
RP:
A lot of people now go in to survive the 2 or 3 rounds. At that
time there was only one winner. So people went for it. The skills
of different fighter has moved up a lot. A year ago nobody ever
thought someone could beat Minotauro. Look what Fedor did to
him.
DC:
I'd like to hear about your fights with Marco Ruas, Orlando Weit,
and Royce Gracie please.
RP:
Orlando Weit: He is a Thai boxing legend. I really looked up
to him. He never was kayoed in his entire career until the UFC,
I really had the thought that [I] would not survive this one.
Everything went as planned with the shoot and the takedown, than
it was a kind of rush. The rest is history. Royce Gracie: The
best way to learn something to compete in it. Royce was the man
to compete against. He was, and I still think, the better man.
He won fair and square. I am proud that I am one of people who
had the honor to compete with the legend of the cage. Marco Ruas:
This is a different story. He was not really fair. He used grease.
So at that time I did not had the experience to fight a guy with
oil over his body. I loved to get a rematch. He declined.
DC:
Why have you slowed down your schedule as of late?
RP:
Ask Dana White. I had a bad promotion. Bas Boon was my manager.
I could help Gibert Yvel and Heath Herring with the promise that
I should get some fights offered. I waited 18 months. If I asked
him for a fight the answer was that I should train more. Yeah
right.
DC:
What can we expect from you in the future?
RP:
I really don't know I hope that someone can offer me a good deal
in an event like Gladiator Challenge, King of the Cage or the
UFC.
DC:
We see many kickboxers from Holland, but not many jiu-jitsu guys
like yourself. Why do you feel that's so?
RP:
I tried to build up BJJ in Holland. In 1996 we had an descent
team. We played 3-3 against a pro Japanese team as amateurs.
Some guys were jealous and got it as far that we split up. I
could start from scratch. I helped some fighters and we are getting
back on track again. The second thing is, the magazines and other
media are Thai boxing orientated also. For instance, judo and
jiu-jitsu is big in Holland, 240,000 people train judo and jiu-jitsu,
and we have many big stars and there is nothing about that in
the magazines. That is sad I believe.
DC:
Would you ever like to be back in the Octagon? If so, how do
you plan on getting there?
RP:
It is better to ask Dana White this question.
DC:
How have you evolved as a fighter since the UFCs?
RP:
I trained some boxing, won a few fight standing, made the classic
mistake to forget my ground game in some fights. I am over that
and ready to take any challenge.
DC:
As evidenced by your KO of Weit, how were you able to overcome
the thoughts of, 'hey, I may have to really hurt a guy here?'
RP:
He would do the same with me when he had the chance. MMA is the
strangest sport around. Before and after you can make really
good friends with some people, fighters. When it is in the ring
or cage it will be war.
DC:
Tell me about the emotions that ran through the backstage areas
before the early UFCs, what was the 'behind the scenes' like?
RP:
For me it was kind of hectic. It was all new. I never fought
outside a tatame, on the street once or twice, but never for
a packed arena. I am used to sleep before a fight. That makes
me relaxed and focused, so I'm not seeing a lot before the fights
are on.
Source:
Sherdog |
Quote
of the Day
"It is never too late to be what you might been."
George Eliot, 1819-1880, British Novelist
|
|
SHOOTO
ON THE ROAD TO HAWAII
Shooto
is taking their show on the road as they have scheduled fights
at the Blaisdell Arena on July 9th. Hawaiian fighters will be
well represented on the card as there will be two title matches
and 3 current Shooto champions.
Fight
Night Blaisdell Arena July 9:
Hawaii
& Japan union vs. World
-
Jake Shields vs. Ray "Bradda" Cooper (Middleweight
vacant title match)
-
Masanori Suda vs. Dustin Denes (LHW Shooto title match)
-
Jens Pulver vs. Stephen Paling
-
Rumina Sato vs. Bao Quatch
-
Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida
-
Alexandre "Pequeno" Nogueira vs. TBA
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Downloadable
Videos of K-1
Here is a link to videos from K-1
http://erimanthe.free.fr/
BJ
Penn vs. Bang Ludwig
Bob Sapp vs. Kazuyuki Fujita
Genki Sudo vs. Royler Gracie
Source: Kyle O. |
Ruas
taught Fujita how to KO Sapp
Kazuyuki Fujita's victory over Bob Sapp, at K-1 Romanex last
Saturday in Japan, had a Brazilian mind behind. During three
weeks, Marco Ruas has trained Fujita in United States and set
up all the strategy to defeat the American giant. 'The whole
thing was made by Ruas. The time he had was damn short to teach
an athlete and because of it, Ruas looked after with best Fujita's
quality: Wrestling,' explained Pedro Rizzo, who arrived from
Japn this week, where had trained for two days with the wrestler.
'How
is hard to take Sapp down with double-leg, Marco told Fujita
to use the single-leg, reach Sapp's side and kick him, because
he is damn strong and slow,' declared Rizzo. This was the second
time Marco Ruas trains Kazuyuki Fujita for a Vale-Tudo bout.
The Brazilian also was contacted by Antônio Inoki's office
to help Fujita to get ready to Imamu Mayfield at December 31st's
Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye.
Source: Tatame |
Lightweight
stars at Black Belt GP
In a new format, the challenge Black Belt returns on June 9th
promising a real show with the BJJ lightweights. Now, with a
Grand Prix, the competition will feature BJJ fighters as Leonardo
Vieira, Mário Reis, Frédson Paixão, Bibiano
Fernandez, Leonardo Santos, Daniel Moraes, Márcio Feitosa,
among others. They will run for a R$10,000 casho prize, besides
the belt. The matches will be held at DirecTV Music Hall, in
São Paulo, and the athletes will be separated in a single
16 bracket. Champion and vice champion will do four bouts.
The
tickets are available at TicketMaster at the local, at the Credicard
Hall and at Sala São Paulo. Tables cost R$30 and vip seats
R$60. The organization also asks for a 1kg food donation, which
will be donated by a careless institution.
Confirmed
athletes (subject to change):
Leonardo Vieira, Mário Reis, Fredson Paixão, Bibiano
Fernandez, Leonardo Santos, Daniel Moraes, Carlos Eduardo Vieira,
Reinaldo Ribeiro, Gustavo Falcerolli, Luciano Nucci, Danny Abu,
Thiago Gomes, Pablo Rodrigo, Laércio Fernandes, Márcio
Feitosa and Ocimar Costa
Source:
Tatame |
|
DIAZ
VS PARYISAN IS ON
Yesterday
we told you there was a solid chance that Karo Parisyan vs Nick
Diaz could happen very soon. Today it's being confirmed on the
graciefighter.com website. Here is what they had to say...
"We
are confirming that Nick Diaz will be facing Karo Parysian at
UFC 49 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Parysian is coming off of a 3 round
decision win over Shonie Carter and is hoping to reestablish
himself in the UFC's 170lbs division. Diaz is coming off of a
KO win over Robbie Lawler and is looking to work his way up for
a title shot. This has the potential to be a very good fight."
Source:
MMA Weekly |
KEN
SHAMROCK INTERVIEW
Recently, MMAWeekly talked with "The World's Most Dangerous
Man," Ken Shamrock about his return to the octagon bout
against Kimo Leopoldo at UFC 48, June 19th. Ken discusses his
up coming fight, his brother Frank Shamrock, and much more...
MMAWeekly:
How are you man, how's everything going? How's the injury?
Ken
Shamrock: You know what, I've been training, probably pretty
hard now for two and a half to three months with some of the
guys down in L.A. man. I feel great man. I feel really good.
I feel real confident, the best I've felt in probably five years.
MMAWeekly:
People have wondered how you would return from that injury. You're
are telling me right now, you know, you're training hard on it.
Is it 100%?
Ken:
Well, you know, it isn't 100% yet but when the bell rings June
19th, I'll show how 100% I am.
MMAWeekly:
Everybody's looking forward to it. Ken, what are you going to
weigh against Kimo? Kimo's a pretty big guy, what do you want
to weigh at, coming in?
Ken:
I'll probably be at 217. It's a good fight weight for me. I usually
weigh, I walk around probably around 220. When I start training
hard, I put on more muscle but I lose a little bit of weight.
I'll be there around 220-217. I like 217, I feel really good.
My leg's strong. There's some little things I've got to work
out there, so I'm probably about 95% right now.
MMAWeekly:
Are you worried, I mean, Kimo's probably going to be 240-250,
are you worried about giving up that much weight?
Ken:
No. You know what, I love guys that are bigger than me. I just
feel that I'm just as strong, I'm quicker, I'm in better shape.
I feel good when I fight a bigger guy.
MMAWeekly:
Ken, of coarse, we talked to Kimo not that long ago. He was talking
a little bit about you and he said, hey, I respect Ken Shamrock.
He's done a lot for the game, but he goes, the thing about Ken
is I don't know how much he's improved since we last fought.
Kimo says, hey, I've improved a hundred fold. How do you respond
to that?
Ken:
[laughs] It's easy to respond to. Last time, I beat him in what,
four minutes? This time it may take me eight minutes. He's improved
a whole bunch. His striking is good, his kicks, his grappling
is improved but, you've got to remember, it didn't take much
for me to beat him. So, let's say he's gotten better, I haven't
gotten worse. Actually, the fight it, I've gotten a lot healthier,
so now, I'm back on my game. Where I should be. I just say it
may take me a little bit longer. you know, he's probably gotten
better defense but the result is going to be the same.
MMAWeekly:
Ken, what do you want to accomplish still in this sport? People
are saying, man he's coming off that tough knee surgery, how
many more fights does he have in him? How long do you want to
stay in this fight game?
Ken:
It's not about how long I want to stay in it. It's not about
trying to prove anything. It's because I don't want to sit on
the couch right now and be a couch potato. I enjoy going out
and training and I enjoy fighting, and I enjoy my career. I'm
going to do it as long as I'm capable of doing the hard training
and being competitive out there. Hey, you know what, people lose
fights. Just as long as they're out there and they put on good
shows and they fight hard. I hate losing. I don't want to lose,
that's why I train hard and that's why I keep working hard. I'm
40 years old man, I feel like I'm 25 right now. I feel great.
When I step in the ring June 19th, to fight Kimo at the Mandalay
Bay in Vegas, then people can go Wow, hey he should fight for
ten more years.
MMAWeekly:
I know there was a lot surrounding you fight with Tito Ortiz
at 205. Let me ask you, just the weight at 205, did you feel
a lot weaker than say 217?
Ken:
It wasn't the weight, you know, we had a lot of things going
on there. I fought through, not only, cutting weight for the
first time in fifteen years, you know, I had some injuries that
I needed to take care of. I've always been able to overcome injuries.
I've always been able to win. I put myself in to a corner that
I couldn't get out. Now, I think that's the biggest difference
in that Tito Ortiz fight. Hopefully, after this Kimo fight, I'll
get to challenge Tito Ortiz and see if he'll take that challenge.
I really don't want to step out and let that fight go. I want
to get back in there and fight the way I'm capable of fighting.
I'm not going to say that the outcome will be any different with
winning and losing. That's why you fight the fight, you never
know but, I do believe that I am better than I showed.
MMAWeekly:
Why do you feel confident that a second time against Tito could
be different, in your opinion?
Ken:
Well, let's just say I've got some things taken care of. I'm
able to fight the game that I need to fight. I can go to the
center of the ring. I can move around. I can shoot. I can do
submissions. I can punch, kick, I can do all those things I need
to do that I wasn't able to the first time in there.
MMAWeekly:
I thought you were crazy fighting with a torn ACL. Seriously,
that fight, you were fighting with the same injury correct?
Ken:
Yes.
MMAWeekly:
What were you thinking man?
Ken:
I know dude, it's the hard hard headedness. You kick yourself
in the butt but, you know, my whole career I've had a broken
hand, and I've had a broken foot and I fought with those things
and I won. I really thought that when I stepped in with Tito
Ortiz, with this ACL, that I could win the fight. Sometimes being
an athlete, being hard headed, being so driven in your training
and driven in who you are that you overlook the fact that, you
know, you have to be 100% to beat some of these guys. You can't
go in half assed and that's what I did. I went in there thinking
I could just whoop Tito Ortiz no matter what kind of injury I
had. He's not the kind of guy you can just go in there and beat
up with an injury.
MMAWeekly:
I think some of the greatest moments at UFC 47, not only were
the fights but, some things that happened behind the scenes.
I don't know how much you want to talk about this but one of
the coolest things I saw was Ken Shamrock giving a hug to Frank
Shamrock. It seemed like, to me, that things look pretty good
between you. Can you talk a little bit about your relationship
with Frank and how that's going?
Ken:
Yeah, you know, Frank kinda went his own way and that's a personal
family problem between me, him and my dad. Things happen in families,
you see it all the time. I don't like to put my family problems
out in air, in the public but I try and always make sure that
I try and keep my family close because, you know, when you die,
family's the only thing you have. I always try to keep my relationship
open with Frank, no matter what. So, that's what that was, just
making sure that Frank knew that I'm still here, still there
and he's still my brother, no matter what decisions or things
that happened in the past. He's still there. He'll always be
my brother and hopefully things will keep working the way they're
working and we get some things ironed out and have a relationship.
MMAWeekly:
What would it take to bring the Lion's Den back with Frank Shamrock?
Ken:
I think Frank's in a different direction. You know, he's kinda
got his own system. You know, it's kinda like, you don't want
to screw things up. You want to try and keep your relationship
going and keep things well and I think anytime you mix business
and family together, you alway have problems. So, I've decided
to keep it just family. He's kinda got his own thing going. He's
doing very well. The Lion's Den's always been going and that's
what I'm in charge of. Frank needs to be the leader of his group.
MMAWeekly:
Will you train with him at all? I mean, do you guys train together
even though, like you just said, you're kinda on different teams
so to say?
Ken:
I would definitely open my door up to Frank training, working
out with me. This fight here, I've already got people there,
scheduled training routine and regiment. Every thing's already
going so this fight wouldn't work but if he just wanted to come
in and roll around and help me, be one of my sparring partners,
because I've already got a trainer, so that's who I'm with right
now. Like I said, I'd open it up to Frank if he'd like to come
down and roll around and work out with me as a training partner
but, you know, he's real busy.
MMAWeekly:
There were some rumors that Guy Mezger might come back to the
UFC, what's the latest with that?
Ken:
Yeah, there was talk about him fighting Tito Ortiz but I don't
think...Guy fights overseas, different places, England, places
like that and he makes pretty good money. I just don't think
the UFC's in his ballpark right now. Which is, you know, that's
just business.
MMAWeekly:
Let me ask you about the Lion's Den. You guys still training
together or is that one of those things that you guys kinda went
your separate ways as well?
Ken:
No, no, the Lion's Den's still together. I trained with different
guys for this fight because I've been training with my guys for
10-12 years and, you know, I need to shake things up. I didn't
want to leave home again with going to Dallas to train up there
so, I stayed home and I'm going to L.A. I train with a lot of
different people, different faces come in all the time. They're
not regular faces and present different challenges to me.
MMAWeekly:
This fight with Kimo, what do you see as the outcome? Obviously
you think you are going to win but, I mean, are you going to
win with a submission, what do you think? If you envision this
fight, how do you think it's going to go?
Ken:
I don't know because it depends on what Kimo does, you know,
then that's what my game will be. I believe I will beat him at
any aspect, whatever he...it depends on how he comes at me and
that's what's going to happen. I'm prepared for everything. I
know his whole thing is very aggressive so if he comes out aggressive,
it will be a quicker fight but if he come out and he's more strategic,
then it might go a little longer.
MMAWeekly:
People want me to ask you about Royce Gracie. I know it's a fight
you would love to see. Do you think that will ever happen?
Ken:
Not here in the United States. [laughs]
MMAWeekly:
That would have to happen in Japan you think?
Ken:
Yes, because Royce won't fight under the rules here. He likes
to make his own rules. So, I've always fought under whatever
rules I've been at. He kinda likes to put his own rules together
and if it were to happen, it would happen in Japan. Like I said,
I told the last person who asked me that, I said, you know, Royce
Gracie can put whatever rules he wants in there. He can have
no time limit, no rules, it doesn't matter to me because I'd
beat the hell out of him. I would, I'd beat him down. He wouldn't
have to worry about any rules because it ain't going to happen,
I'd beat him down.
MMAWeekly:
I'd love to see it a third and final time. There's a couple of
guys that I think you would like to get in there. One's Royce
Gracie and maybe Dan Severn.
Ken:
Dan Severn, yep. I tried to get that to happen too and it didn't
but I think Dan's done.
MMAWeekly:
He's getting up there. I can't believe he's still fighting to
be honest.
Ken:
Well, he isn't fighting. He's going in there and collecting a
pay check.
MMAWeekly:
Let me ask you a little bit about your future. We've seen Japan
really come in and they're spending a lot of money on fighters.
BJ Penn, we've seen other UFC fighters leave to fight in Japan.
What about you man? I'm sure they've got their eye on you and
have seen what you can do. I'm sure they'd love to have you back.
Is there any thought about fighting in Japan again?
Ken:
I ain't thinking about that. The only thing I'm thinking about,
right now, is Kimo, June 19th. That to me, right now, is not
the important thing to me. I'm not about worrying about what's
going to happen in the future. My future is June 19th.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
"If your ship doesn't come in, sail out to it."
Jonathan Winters, Actor
|
HUGHES
VS VERISSIMO FOR TITLE?
Since BJ Penn was stripped of the UFC title at 170, the big question
is what the UFC will do with the welterweight title.
A
quick fix would be have to Charuto Verissimo fight the former UFC Champion, Matt
Hughes for the the vacant title.
It
appears though that is not likely. Both fighters are currently
training for three rounds, NOT five rounds. Verissimo told MMAWeekly
last night “I haven’t heard anything about fighting
for a championship. I’m just trying to get ready for Matt
Hughes....”
Part
of getting ready for Hughes is trying to simulate his power and
strength. Verissimo has been working out with a few olympic caliber
wrestlers from the Olympic training facility in Colorado Springs.
“Training
has been going very well and I’m just trying to workout
with these wrestlers to prepare me for the fight” Charuto
said. For now it seems Verissimo will be preparing for a three
round fight not a five round championship fight at UFC 48.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Mercado
& Yagin Do Not Fare Well in Guam
Pacific Xtreme Combat event in Guam.
The
bout served as a tuneup for Horn, who will face Anderson Silva
in South Korea next month.
Another
Team Extreme member, Rich Clementi, also fared well, defeating
Eddie Yagin of Hawaii in a lightweight fight. Clementi opened
a cut and battered a game, but undersized Yagin with knees throughout
the fight. The doctor halted the bout after the second round.
Complete
results...
Blake
Fredrickson def. Justin Mercado via TKO at 2:55 of RD 1
Kultar Gill def. Dave Rivas via choke at 1:10 of RD 2
Adam Lynn def. Jason Medina via tap from kick at 2:05 of RD 2
Rich Clementi def. Eddie Yagin via doctor stoppage at end of
RD 2
Chris Burb def. John Cing via TKO at 1:40 of RD 1
Buck Greer def. LaVerne Clark via Triangle Choke at 1:03 of RD
2
Jeremy horn def. Cameron Brown via head/arm choke at 1:30 of
RD 1
Manny Chong def. Jay Santos via referee stoppage due to passivity
in RD 3
Source:
MMA Weekly |
CARD
CHANGES FOR UFC 48: PAYBACK
Lee Murray and Jason Miller out
LAS VEGAS, NEV, May 24, 2004.... Due to issues regarding his
travel visa, Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championshipâ,
has replaced Lee Murray on the UFC 48 fight card. Murray, from
London England, is vigorously trying to resolve his visa problems
but it appears that the matter can't be resolved until after
the June 19 bout. Until Murray secures his travel visa no announcement
will be made on when he will fight again.
South
African, Trevor Prangley (21-2) will take Murray's place. Prangley
will be making his UFC debut against Curtis Stout (7-3-1). Prangley
is coming off a unanimous decision win over Andrei Semenov at
EE - Russia vs. USA this past March.
Due
to on going legal problems Jason Miller has been replaced. Taking
Miller's place will be Jay Hieron (4-0). Hieron, from Long Island,
NY will make his UFC debut against Georges St Pierre (6-0).
With
these bouts in place here is what the rest of UFC 48 looks like.
The
main event at UFC 48: Payback will feature Heavyweight Ken Shamrock
as he returns to the Octagon. Shamrock, "The World's Most
Dangerous Man," (25-8-2) and Kimo (10-3-1), will meet in a long-awaited re-match.
Shamrock submitted Kimo with a knee bar at UFC 8: David Vs. Goliath
and fans have anticipated a payback fight ever since. Kimo is
coming off an impressive submission victory over hometown rival
Tank Abbott at UFC 43: Meltdown last June in Las Vegas.
Tim
Sylvia (18-0) makes his much anticipated return to the Octagon
taking on Frank Mir (7-1) for the Heavyweight championship. Former
UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes (36-4) will meet Renato "Charuto"Verissimo
(6-0-0).
Power striker Phil Baroni (6-3-0) will battle Evan Tanner (30-4-0)
in a re-match of their controversial middleweight fight November
21 at UFC 45: Revolution. Dennis Hallman (51-8-2) looks to avenge
a previous defeat to Frank Trigg (9-2). Veteran lightweight Matt
Serra (12-3) will meet Ivan Menjivar (13-2) in his UFC debut.
Tickets
for the all-star, fight card are $350, $250, $150, $75 and $35,
are on sale now at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office
in Las Vegas, at all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com
and www.mandalaybay.com. Tickets also may be ordered by telephone
at 1-877-632-7400 or 1-702-474-4000. Ticket purchases are limited
to eight per person and are subject to transaction fees. UFCâ
48: Payback will be available LIVE on pay-per-view at 10 p.m.
EDT on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, TVN, Echostar, Bell ExpressVu
and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested retail price is $29.95.
Source:
FCF |
Jungle
Fight Championship 2, A Look Back
by: Denis Martins
JFC 2 Proves To Be Full Of Surprises With A Jungle Backdrop!
Date: May 15th, 2004
Place: Studio 5 Centro de Convencoes in Manaus, AMAZONAS
Anacondas,
panthers, Indians and the Amazon forest; all of these attractions
were part of Mr. Antonio Inoki's and Wallid Ismail's second edition
of Jungle Fight. And this time it had an addition to the name,
that of 'Championship' now becoming the JFC.
Well,
those were really good attractions but a KO provided by a Jiu
Jitsu fighter and a submission flaunted by a Muay Thai fighter
captured our attention to the action inside the ring. Although
no surprise in the modern age of MMA, two fighters with unknown
names in the sport had impressive wins over specialists in the
fields they were dominated in. The super veteran Ebenezer 'PitBull'
Fontes Braga got KO'd for the first time in his career by the
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black-belt Fabricio Werdum in Round 2; ouch!
This was after Braga failed to dictate the pace on the feet and
escaped from a mount on the back in first round.
While
Fabiano 'Pega-Leve' Scherer fell victim to a submission through
a guillotine choke at the hands of Assuerio Silva... ...or should
I say arms? Scherer did not sink his grappling game-plan all
the time, but when he did, got caught. Both results were unexpected,
but the pace of the entire event was high. The first fight of
the card showed local fighter Charlie Brown and his 'pernadas'(low-kicks
without technique, only using strength) and murros'(punches with
the same characteristic). Brown was successful over Gabriel 'Napao'
Gonzaga, who almost was KO'd by the second weapon ('murros').
The 45-year-old fighter gassed in Round 3 and asked told the
referee 'I do not want anymore'.
Fredson
Paixao, from Gracie Barra Combat Team, mauled the experienced
Rany Yahyra during all three rounds of the fight. Yahya was very
nervous and though he had some good moments trading punches on
the feet, he was overwhelmed by the will of Paixao in a successful
NHB debut.
An
aggressive and consistent game on the feet guaranteed victory
for French fighter Boris Jonstomp over Adriano Martins. Jonstomp
did not have skills on the ground and Martins seemed to be a
bit confused. When Martins ate a lot of bombs on the feet, he
realized that he was not going to succeed standing so he took
the fight down. Unfortunately for him, he was forced to stand
back up and trade punches again. Martins acted as his own corner
and stood with a smile on the face, waiting for the punches of
Boris. Jonstomp ate a knee to the face in one of the more exciting
exchanges and almost saw his victory get shipwreck. In the end
he won a split decision.
ChuteBoxe
fighter Daniel Acacio was able to give us another display of
takedown skills and scored a KO in Round 2. His opponent, Buck
Greer, did not display a good game and was dominated on the feet.
Acacio stated; 'Greer had takedowns skills but he was slow in
the stand-up game'. Even though Greer was a warrior, he did not
last more than two rounds and was KO'd by the right-hand of Acacio.
Two
fighters were more nervous backstage preparing for the fight
than they were during the actual fight. The first of them was
Japanese fighter Katsuyori Shibata. Shibata took his opponent
down, passed the guard of the unknown The Ice Man and submitted
the 'frozen fighter' by choke (hokenza-gatame) in one minute.
Ronaldo 'Jacare' was the fastest bout winner. He scored a TKO
victory over the Intercontinental Muay Thai champion Viktor Babkin
via punches from the mount position and the bout lasted 56 seconds.
It
was 'do or die time' for Carlos Barreto against Bobby Hoffman.
Another defeat for Barreto would cause nightmares for the Brazilian
fighter. When the fight began, Hoffman tried to land his trademark
dangerous punches and Barreto was forced to fight from the bottom
on the ground. Hoffman attacked the body of Barreto while the
BTT fighter worked on a sweep he got via armbar attack. Then
from the top, Barreto landed some punches and sunk an arm-triangle.
Hoffman 'roared' and it seemed like only a matter of time before
he tapped out but he survived and finished round 1. In Round
2, Barreto was pounded by a right-straight when Hoffman countered
his slow low-kick. Barreto felt the strike and sat down on the
ring floor.
Hoffman
rushed forward like a tractor and tried to pass Barreto's guard
using only his strength. Barreto was able to hold him at bay
stopping Hoffman's momentum, swept him, and finished him with
punches from the mount position. It was a good win and a victorious
return for Barreto who had to battle like a lion for it.
All
the enthusiasm that the fans from Amazon put in Leopoldo Montenegro
fell on the ground when he chose to use his Jiu Jitsu game in
the main event of JFC 2 against Travis Wiuff. The passive clinch
game of Montenegro was answered with a hailstorm of jabs and
knees. Montenegro pulled the fight to guard but, while he worked
armbars and triangles, Wiuff smashed Montenegro's face with strikes.
I would like to know what Montenegro had in mind when he held
Wiuff in his guard. Leopoldo worked inefficiently for shoulder-locks,
armbars and triangles while Wiuff showed Montenegro that this
wasn't the road to victory for the Brazilian. It was then that
one of these triangles stamped a sad end for Montenegro. After
securing the triangle, he was lifted by Wiuff and slammed solidly
to the mat. Montenegro fainted and ate 4 more blows in the face
until the referee Marcus Vinicus stopped the contest, while still
in Round 1.
Conclusions:
With the exception of two quick fights, all of the bouts showed
us very competitive matches and an event structure like no other
Brazilian MMA event ever seen before. Barreto challenged Wiuff
after the main-event, settling up a re-match.
Wiuff
knocked Barreto's performance in Heat FC 2: 'Evolution'(12/17/03)
and accepted Barreto's challenge. That bout is scheduled for
September (Jungle Fight Championship 3). Mr. Inoki has a very
singular way of seeing the forest preservation at the talking
with Wallid that in next event the fighters should display their
concern on preserving it; planting seeds and small trees.
COMPLETE
RESULTS:
- Gabriel 'Napao' Gonzaga (Gold Team) def. Charlie Brown (Academia
Ajuricaba) by TKO
- Fredson Paixao (Gracie Barra Combat Team) decisioned Rany Yahya
(Ataide Jr.) - unanimous
- Boris Jonstomp (Team Amoussou) decisioned Adriano Martins (Monteiro
Carioca) - split
- Daniel Acacio (ChuteBoxe) KO'd Buck Greer (Next Generation)
- Fabricio Werdum (Winner-Behring) KO'd Ebenezer 'PitBull' Fontes
Braga (RVT/Boxe Thai)
- Katsuyori Shibata (New Japan ProWrestling) choked The Ice Man
(USA)
- Carlos Barreto (BTT) def. Bobby Hoffman (BullPen) by TKO
- Ronaldo 'Jacare' (Brazil Dojo) def. Viktor Babkin (Russia)
by TKO
- Assuerio Silva (Muay Thai Dream Team) choked Fabiano 'Pega-Leve'
Scherer (BTT)
- Travis 'Diesel' Wiuff (USA) KO'd Leopoldo Montenegro (Brazil
Dojo) via slam!
Source:
ADCC |
Pé-de-Pano
fighting again in US
BJJ black belt Márcio Pé-de-Pano is getting ready
to return to United States. ADCC 2003 champion has practically
guaranteed his participation at the 3rd Annual Nashville Grappling
Open, which happens at Nashville town on June 12th. Pé-de-Pano's
opponent will be Wade Rome, who was already defeated by the Brazilian
at last Arnold Gracie World Submission Wrestling over a controversial
confront. At that time, the fight ended 0x0 and the referee gave
the victory to Pé-de-Pano, letting the adversary nuts.
According
to Rome, the referee didn't compute two throws. 'I went to shake
his hand and he attacked my legs. I defended putting my hand
on the ground and then I spin. The rule was clear. It is only
considerate a take down when I put my knee on the ground, what
by the way, didn't happen. After that, I applied a kimura and
he escaped, I swept and returned to the original position. So
I don't know why he has been complaining about it,' states Márcio
Pé-de-Pano, who due to this compromise, it will be out
of Brazilian BJJ Championship.
Source:
Tatame |
Wagnney
Fabianno submits at TKO
With Nova União's leader, André Pederneiras, by
his side, Wagnney Fabiano got the Super Lightweight title's at
CanadianMMA event TKO last Saturday 22. During the battle, Wagnney
submitted the American fighter Tommy Lee via Katagatami. The
Brazilian fighter dominated the confront all the time and took
the opponent down for two different times. Over the second one,
the Nova União reached the half guard, got the mount and
won via Katagatami.
"I
quickly talked with Wagnney after the bout, and he wasdann happy
about the final result," celebrates his brother, the BJJ
World Champion Leonardo Santos. Now, Wagnney Fabiano may fight
Mark Homminick, one of the best fighters in his weight division,
with Fabiano and Tommy Lee. This was his second victory in Vale-Tudo.
On the first one, Wagnney defeated Charles Nestor by referee's
decision at UCC 1, in 2000.
Source: Tatame |
Bibiano
fights tomorrow in Japan
Good new for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Japan. After the Pró
Jiu-Jitsu Challenge promoted by Koral, in last November and Japan
Open Championship, featuring Marcelo Garcia Vs Fernando Tererê's
super fight, another event promises a great show in Japan tomorrow
(26). The 4th Ground Impact will feature BJJ Black belt from
Gracie Barra Bibiano Fernandes on the main fight of the night
taking on Japanese Wado Toshiyuki. The other super-fight of the
night will bring Japanese Yuki Nakai facing Hayakama Mitsuyoshi.
The event will also feature Brazilians Luciano Pires, Frontin
Cunha and Cristiano Kaminishi on the card. The Ground Impact
4 happens tomorrow at Kitazawa Twon Hall.
Check
out the card bellow (subject to change):
Yuki
Nakai Vs Hayakama Mitsuyoshi
Wado Toshiyuki Vs Bibiano Fernandes
Asakura Kouji Vs Taisho
Luciano Pires Vs Frontin Cunha
Cristiano Kaminishi Vs Sugie Amazon Daisuke
Kusayanagi Kazuhiro Vs Hayashi Shunsuke
Uematsu Naoya Vs Yamazaki Takeshi
Kataoka Masato Vs Takumi
Ouchi Takashi Vs Koutani Satoru
Source:
Tatame |
PARISYAN
VS DIAZ COMING SOON?
Nick Diaz was watching Karo Pariysan this past weekend and while
impressed with Karo’s performance against Shonie Carter,
Diaz said “Let’s get it on in August. Karo and me.”
It looks like that could happen.
Fresh
off his victory over Shonie Carter at WEC 10, a still excited
Karo Parisyan joined MMAWeekly SoundOff Radio Monday. Parisyan's
plans for the future are the UFC. He wants the 170lb. title.
Karo said that he doesn't care who he has to fight. Nick Diaz
was at the WEC event and a fight between he and Karo is what
a lot of people would like to see.
Karo said, "I'd love to fight Nick Diaz." He discussed
the enormous amount of pressure on him to win, the fight itself,
and his future plans at someday getting a UFC belt.
1.
Karo said, "This is redemption time for me...I had to show
everybody that what happened with St.Pierre was a fluke."
Karo dominated the entire fight with Shonie. When he talked to
MMAWeekly before the fight, Parisyan said his only game plan
was to keep the pressure on Carter and that's exactly what he
did.
If
there was a turning point in the match, it came at the first
take down. Karo said, it was then that he knew it would be his
night. "Everything just went well," he added. He threw
submission attempt after submission attempt at Shonie and stated
about Carter, "He's a tricky guy, they should call that
guy Houdini." Parisyan felt like he fought a smart fight
and made Shonie fight "his game."
Karo
felt "unbelievable pressure" going into his fight with
Shonie. He commented, "I had more pressure on me for fight
than the Strasser fight." Adding to that pressure was a
groin injury that only allowed him to train hard for two weeks
in preparation for the bout. Karo went on to say, "In a
way, my career was on this fight."
When
he does come back to compete in the UFC, Karo will be fighting
at 170 pounds. He admittedly had trouble making weight against
Georges St.Pierre, having to cut sixteen pounds in three days.
He stated yesterday that he doesn't like to cut weight but can.
His fight with Shonie was at 180 pounds and Karo competes in
Judo at 178. He stated that he felt great at 180 but will the
drop back to 170 change anything?
Source:
MMA Weekly |
ATT
UPDATE: HERMES, AARON RILEY AND DIN
Hermes Franca is recovering well from his nose surgery and is
starting to become active in training. Hermes plans on being
cleared to fight in the Octobers Euphoria MFC 8 man lightweight
tournament.
Jeff
Monson recently fought his second boxing match and scored a KO
for his first pro win. Jeff is now 1-0-1 as a pro boxer and plans
on entering Euphoria MFC 8 man Heavyweight Tournament. Din Thomas
also picked up his first professional boxing win recently by
a unanimous decision and uped his record to 1-0-1.
Din
will continue boxing professionaly but is looking to get another
mma match under his belt this summer. Dustin "Clean"
Dennes has been training hard for his long awaited and over due
Shooto light heavyweight title shot against Manisouri Suda, which
will be held on July 9th in Hawaii.
Aaron
Riley recently took a short vacation to visit family back in
Indiana and Kentucky and has just returned home to begin training
for a fight in August which will most likey be down in Brazil
for AFC Brazil. AFC will be in Wisconson on Saturday June 12th,
this card will feature Wilson Goveia as well as the pro mma debuts
of Petrus "Buffalo" Walker and Thiago "Jambo."
Marcus Aurelio was victorious once again in ZST, he defeated
Naoyuki Kotani by TKO at 3:34, RD 2. Marcus is interested in
fighting in the next PRIDE Bushido show.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
TITO
TALKS ABOUT FUTURE
Tito Ortiz has been talking to the fans recently on his chat
room at TitoOrtiz.com He talked about a variety of topics. Ortiz
mentioned he has an energy drink out now called "Ultimate
Fuel" and had his first movie shoot for his latest acting
venture. The movie is called "Vince Undercover."
He
said that he will be fighting on the August UFC card against
one of the following: Rich Franklin, Vernon White, Ian Freeman
or Babalu. If it ends up being Ian Freeman, Ian would be the
one coming down in weight rather than Tito going up. After being
undefeated the last couple of years, Ortiz has sustained back
to back losses for the first time in his career losing to Randy
Couture and Chuck Liddell.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Diego
Sanchez: On the Brink
By Arron Barringer
Destroying
his opponents with an unblemished 8-0 record, King of the Cage
welterweight Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez has been waiting
for a title shot for some time. His time is near, as he's slated
to fight the winner of Jorge Santiago and John Alessio. "I
hope that Alessio wins," says Sanchez. "I'm the number
one contender and Santiago is the number two contender."
Diego
speculates on the matchup of the fight: "John Alessio wants
to defend his belt before he loses it, and I give him credit
for that, but he should be fighting me."
Talking
with the Nightmare it becomes increasingly obvious that his is
a man on a mission. That mission is to prove to the world what
Sanchez appears to already know: he is the best fighter. "Not
many people are willing to fight me," says Diego confidently,
"since I am the Nightmare and all."
Of
his goal of fighting in Japan, Sanchez says he welcomes an opportunity
to fight in PRIDE Bushido.
Before
his fight for a King of the Cage belt, which should occur in
August or September, Sanchez will be fighting in Brazil versus
Eric Tacerez, a Marco Ruas student, in June at the HEAT event.
This year, Sanchez will be a busy man, as he is also looking
to compete in the Abu Dhabi trials in Vancouver as well.
He
claims that the secret to his success thus far is no secret at
all. He has a team that has molded him into a vicious and skilled
fighter. "I give all my credit to God for my talent,"
he says. "But Greg Jackson has coached me better than I
could have ever been coached."
Sanchez
does not stop there, praising his entire team, especially Chris
Luttrell, Joey Villasenor and Keith Jardine. "Keith is a
pounder," explains Diego, "and the reason why my chin
is so good!"
Source:
Maxfighting |
Quote
of the Day
"If you don't have a dream, How you gonna have a dream come
true?"
From Lyrics for Happy Talk, South Pacific
|
Fighters'
Club TV Episode 21
Fighters' Club TV Episode 21 has been cut and submitted to programming.
It
will air in our normal timeslot at 6pm Tuesday night on Channel
52 on the
following dates: May 18 and 25, then on June 1 and 8. Personally,
I'm
proud of this one, even if some of the fights didn't go the way
I'd hoped
for.
Episode
21 features:
-Chris
Onzuka's debut investigative piece on BJ Penn.
(What every local needs to know about Hawaii's most successful
fighter)
-Highlights
from Superbrawl 35
-Curran vs. Nonaka (+ interview w/ Jeff Curran)
-Doerksen vs. Fukuda (+ interview w/ Joe Doerksen)
-Enson Inoue vs. Tom Sauer (+ interview w/ Sauer)
-Technique
of the Week
-Back by popular demand, Chris and Mike cover some half-guard
passing
techniques that every fighter should know
+
Hawaii's 2 favorite FCTV hosts, Mike Onzuka and Mark "the
other guy" Kurano.
Don't
miss the credits--Matt Hughes talks about Hawaiian fighters,
BJ and MMA...
Questions,
Comments, Suggestions? (Ladies w/ resumes--pics attached)
email
us at: fightersclubtv808@hotmail.com
|
|
Are
you ready for Brasa ? ! ? !
What
is Brasa (embers)? A bird, a plane or a Super HOT Team? If you
chose the latter one you are correct grasshopper! Leonardo Vieira,
Rodrigo Comprido, Ronaldo Jacare, Ratinho, Ricardinho Vieira,
Damien Maia, Reinaldo Ribeiro and a host of other top guys have
reunited with former Alliance Co-leader Leo Castello Branco and
created the new powerhouse team called Brasa.
The
team had been in the making for quite some time, but with the
Brazilian Nationals happening this past and following weekends
the leaders could wait no more, so they made its official debut
in the Nationals. The team will start of with BJJ and Submission
but may later expand to NHB.
Leo
commented: 'The kids had been trying to get me to come join them
for some time but I was busy with other projects but finally
they won over. I am very happy because we had a lon time friendship.'
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
The
Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals Event Results
The Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals Event featured some of the
best submission grapplers in the United States battling out to
unify grappling an Official Team U.S.A.
The
Team U.S.A. Trials champions will battle a World Grappling Team
consisting of Canadian, Brazilian, and Japanese Grapplers at
the World Championships later this year!
Lightweight
(149.9 lbs. and below):
Quarter
Final Round:
Dave Jacobs (Yamasaki) defeated Mike Fowler (Lloyd Irvin) via
points, 4-0
Renato Tavares (ATT) defeated Jordan Damon (Tai Kai) by points
Alan Teo (Renzo) defeated Jeff Glover (Paragon) with a straight
ankle lock
Mike Mrkulic (Royler Gracie/Dave Adiv USA) defeated Ulysses Gomez
with a figure four toe hold
Semi-Final
Round:
Renato Tavares (ATT) defeated Dave Jacobs (Yamasaki) via points
Alan Teo (Renzo) defeated Mike Mrkulic (Royler Gracie/Dave Adiv
USA) via rear naked choke
Finals:
Renato Tavares (ATT) defeated Alan Teo (Renzo) via points, 16-0
Welterweight
(150-169.9 lbs.):
Quarter
Final Round:
Pablo Popovitch (ATT) defeated Tony Torres-Aponte (Urban Jungle
Self Defense)
by shoulder lock (Kimura) submission
Rob Kahn (Royce Gracie/Groundhog) defeated Ken Parham (Lloyd
Irvin) by armbar submission
Diego Sanchez (Jackson's Fighting Team - Gaidojutsu) defeated
Anthony Tolone (Marcio Simas)
via submission
Shawn Williams (Renzo Gracie) defeated John Hasset (Balance Studios)
via points, 10-0
Semi-Final
Round:
Pablo Popovitch (ATT) beat Rob Kahn (Royce Gracie/Groundhog)
via points
Diego Sanchez (Jackson's Fighting Team - Gaidojutsu) defeated
Shawn Williams (Renzo Gracie)
via points
Finals:
Diego Sanchez (Jackson's Fighting Team - Gaidojutsu) defeated
Pablo Popovitch(ATT)
by advantage
Middleweight
(170-184.9 lbs.):
Quarter
Final Round:
Nakapan Phungephorn (Lloyd Irvin) defeated Brad Pearce (Gustavo
Machado) via points
Amal Easton (Colorado BJJ/Renzo Gracie) defeated Noah Spear (Balance
Studios) by armbar
Joe D'Arce (Renzo Gracie) defeated Chris Moriarty (Alliance/Jacare)
via points, 2-0
Thiago Jambo (ATT) defeated James Brasco (Wrestling) via points
Semi-Final
Round:
Nakapan Phungephorn (Lloyd Irvin) defeated Amal Easton (Colorado
BJJ/Renzo Gracie)
by advantage
Joe D'Arce (Renzo Gracie) defeated Thiago Jambo
via guillotine (front choke) submission
Finals:
Joe D'Arce (Renzo Gracie) defeated Phungephorn in finals OT by
points
Light-Heavyweight
(185-204.9 lbs.):
Quarter
Final Round:
Rick Macauley (Balance Studios/Hasset's) defeated Marco Delima
(NYMAG/Gene Simco)
via kneebar submission
Justin 'ChimChim' Garcia (Groundhog) defeated Ken Kronenberg
(Tai Kai) via points
Eliot Marshall (Boulder Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Amal Easton) defeated
Glover Teixeira (The Pit Fight Team) by armbar
Marcel Ferreira (ATT) defeated Rick Migliarese (Balance Studios)
via points
Semi-Final
Round:
Justin 'ChimChim' Garcia (Groundhog) defeated Rick Macauley (Balance
Studios/Hasset's)
by points in a war
Marcel Ferreira (ATT) defeated Eliot Marshall (Boulder Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu/Amal Easton) by points
Finals:
Marcel Ferreira (ATT) defeated Justin 'ChimChim' Garcia (Groundhog)
via points
Heavyweight
(205 lbs. and over)
Quarter
Final Round:
Jorge Oliveira (Ralph Gracie) defeated Tim Carpenter (Balance
Studios) by points
Glen Sandull (Planet Jiu Jitsu/Groundhog) defeated Tom Muller
(Renzo Gracie/Serra Brothers)
by points
Marcos 'Machine' Oliveira (ATT) defeated Pat Stano (Balance Studios/Joe
Priole) by points
Jamal Patterson (Renzo Gracie) defeated Lamont Tyler via submission
Semi-Final
Round:
Glen Sandull (Planet Jiu Jitsu/Groundhog) defeated Jorge Oliveira
(Ralph Gracie) by advantage
Jamal Patterson (Renzo Gracie) beat Marcos 'Machine' Oliveira
(ATT) by guillotine
Finals:
Jamal Patterson (Renzo Gracie) beat Glen Sandull by submission
Source:
ADCC/Kid Peligro |
Belfort
in US gets ready for Couture
The final Vitor Belfort's preparation for the rematch against
Randy Couture will be done in the United States. The Ultimate
Fighting Championship Light Heavyweight champion departs on June
7th with his trainers Leonardo Vieira and Distac (Boxing). Vitor
will rent a house and he will stay there until the fight against
Couture at UFC 49, in beginning of August.
The
Brazilian intention is being focused only for this fight. The
winner will face the Chuck Liddell during the upcoming UFC editions.
"Due to these problems with my sister, I haven't be able
to focus on my training. That is the reason I decided to move
to the US, where I have hired a few sparring guys to train with
me," explained Vitor, who is still very upset about his
young sister's missing Priscila Vieira Belfort.
Priscila
is missing since last January 9th in Rio de Janeiro. Belfort
family asks for help. If you know anything about her missing,
please call (21) 2253-1177.
Source:
Tatame |
Fighting
Words - Competition, Glory and Violence
by Tony Montana
Fighting
is an emotional sport. Think about your state of mind when you
watch a football, baseball or basketball game. Now contrast that
with the blood that pumps through your veins when you watch MMA.
Most people that have been to MMA events will contend the electricity
in the air is unlike any other sporting event. This is because
fighting appeals to certain primal instincts that other sports
do not. Fighting is based on competition, glory and violence.
Everything about MMA can be broken down into one of these three
categories.
Competition
There exists an undeniable and innate human compulsion to prove
oneself. Whether it is in the ring or in the office boardroom
we have a need within us to be better than our colleagues. It’s
part of every day life. You do not need to be a fighter yourself
to appreciate the competition that takes place in a ring or octagon.
And what better test of self is there than “mano a mano”
combat?
Glory
Glory comes in many forms. Some people want a hero, others want
someone to admire, and others simply want to be entertained.
The purpose of having champions is to settle the otherwise never
ending debate of who is officially the best. All fans admire
him and all other fighters aspire to be him. The glory aspect
of the sport is directly related to what is at stake. In one
scenario, the heavyweight championship may be at stake. In another
example, the fight may have to redeem oneself in a rematch. Kazushi
Sakuraba’s upcoming “retirement series” is a perfect
example of something that is primarily about glory.
Violence
Like it or not, the morbid fascination lies within each and every
one of us. We want MMA to be safe. Yet we do not want to lessen
the abilities of combatants to inflict damage upon one another.
In other words we want maximum, acceptable violence per our buck!
The early UFCs under the SEG group were all about marketing violence.
Violence is instantaneous, mindless, gratuitous, satisfaction.
And in today’s society, violence appears to sell more than
competition and glory.
Japan
sells glory
Japanese promotions like PRIDE and K-1 emphasize the glory aspect
of MMA. The pre fight conferences look more like a meeting of
the board of directors. The K-1 Romanex ring was painted gold
in color which signifies importance. The elaborate Bushido pre-fight
spectacle with drums banging, rain falling, pyrotechnics, and
screaming fighter name introductions all emphasize the importance
of the event at hand.
The
post fight celebrations would lead you to believe that the fighter
had just stopped the barbarian invasion! The elegantly dressed
ring girls, decorations falling from the ceiling, the oversize
trophies and the super sized pay cheques all emphasize the glory
aspect.
The
actual names of the events also appear to emphasize the glory
aspect of the sport. “The Battle at the Bellagio” sounds
more like a glorious war than a MMA fight card. “Critical
Countdown” screams of dire importance. “Bushido”
refers to the warrior spirit. “Final Conflict, Inferno,
Shockwave” and so on are all words used to glorify the event.
North
America sells violence
Nothing conveys barbaric violence more than a caged octagon.
It certainly presents a more dangerous feel than does a ring.
Two men locked inside a cage fighting until one is either knocked
unconscious or submits is quite the premise for a sport trying
to gain mainstream acceptance. Frank Shamrock who is involved
in his own MMA production called Shootbox once said that TV will
never allow sport in which men fight in a cage on prime time
television.
Those
of us that are enlightened enough to understand the safety precautions
would argue adamantly against the misconception of “someone
could die”. However, we must keep in mind that we are not
representative of the general public. To the general public,
appearances are of crucial importance. To the casual observer
PRIDE FC looks safer than does the UFC. The brighter lights,
the whiteness of the canvas and ropes, the paramedic-looking
referees (also in white), and the 5 doctors immediately on the
scene give an illusion that the violence in the ring is being
controlled.
Contrast
the North American MMA event names with those of Japan. “Payback”
screams of violent retribution. “It’s On!” implies
a grudge match between foes. “Rumble on the Rock”,
“King of the Cage”, “TKO”, “Superbrawl”,
“Rage in the Cage” are obviously not selling hand cream.
In
Conclusion
Does the suit make the man or does the man make the suit? This
is the question one may wonder when looking at certain MMA promotions
and the fans they attract. Only in Japan do you see women pushing
baby strollers into MMA events. The fans appear more subdued
and appreciative of the action. They also appear to applaud the
grappling aspect of the sport more than their American counterparts.
North
American events cultivate boisterous fans yelling and booing
throughout the fights. Fans are slowly becoming more educated,
yet the average Joe in attendance just screams for blood. Do
North American promotions promote this attitude with their violence-oriented
marketing? Will the lowest common denominator always drive the
market place? Can we evolve into a more appreciative, more glory
focused society?
It
is difficult to identify what makes a MMA fan tick. Similarly,
it is impossible to paint an accurate picture with just one stroke
of a brush. But perhaps we have some valued insight knowing that
we have competition, glory and violence on our MMA pallet.
Source:
MMA Fighting |
|
More
K-1 & Bushido Pictures
More
K-1 and Bushido pictures can be seen on MMA Weekly.com. Hopefully they fixed
it because the pictures would not download for me at the time
of this writing.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
"To accuse others for one's own misfortunes is a sign of
want of education. To accuse oneself shows that one's education
has begun. To accuse neither oneself nor others shows that one's
education is complete."
Epictetus, 50-120, Stoic Philosopher
|
PRIDE
BUSHIDO 3: Complete Results!
PRIDE BUSHIDO 3
Sunday May 23rd, 2004
Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan
By Mark Ginther
Challenge
Matches
Bertrand
Amoussou def Raou by KO (strikes) 29 seconds into the 2nd round
Shamoji
Fujii def Kim Jin O by submission (choke) 2:58 into the first
round
Alexandre
Emelianenko def Matt "The Twin Tiger" by submission
(choke) 3:16 into the first round.
Undercard
Choi
Mu Bae def Yoshihisa Yamamoto by unanimous decision
Kazuo
Misaki def Jorge Patino Macaco by unanimous decision
Daijiro
Takase def Carlos Newton by split decision
Akira
Shoji def Tamakairiki by KO (strikes) 18 seconds into the first
round
Kazuhiro
Nakamura def Chalid "Die Faust" by submission (armbar)
4:45 into the first round
Mirko
Filipovic def Hiromitsu Kanehara by unanimous decision
Main
Event: Team Japan vs. The Gracies
Ricardo
Almeida def Ryo Chonan by unanimous decision
Takanori
Gomi def Ralph Gracie by KO (strikes) 6 seconds into the first
round
Ryan
Gracie def Ikuhisa Minowa by split decision
Source:
ADCC |
PRIDE
BUSHIDO 3 Results
More details:
- In an untelevised match up, Choi Mu Bae defeated Yoshihisa
Yamamoto via Unanimous Decision..
-
Kazuo Misaki defeated Jorge Patino Macaco via Unanimous Decision.
-
Daiju Takase defeated Carlos Newton via Split Decision.
-
Akira Shoji defeated Tsuyoshi Tamakairiki via KO in the first
round in 18 seconds. In Shoji's 20th PRIDE appearance, he easily
finished Tamakairiki with strikes.
-
Kazuhiro Nakamura defeated Chalid “Die Faust” Arrab
via Arm Bar in the first round at 4:45.
-
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic defeated Hiromitsu Kanehara
via Unanimous Decision. Less than a month after getting knocked
out by Kevin Randleman, Mirko Cro Cop looked sluggish in his
return. Give the RINGS veteran Kanehara credit for going the
distance and avoiding the knock out.
Japan
vs. Gracies
-
Ricardo Almeida defeated Ryo Chonan via Unanimous Decision.
-
Top ranked lightweight Takanori Gomi defeated Ralph Gracie via
KO in six seconds. Gomi won his PRIDE debut in a powerful fashion
by quickly knocking out Ralph Gracie and following with punches.
Before the fight, Ralph refused to touch gloves with Gomi.
-
Ryan Gracie defeated Ikuhisa “The Punk” Minowa via
Split Decision. Controversial finish that will keep mixed martial
arts fans talking. Gracie had Minowa's back during the first
round attempting the choke. Ryan Gracie received a red card in
the first for kicking Minowa off after the referee paused the
fight. Minowa fought back in the second round by ground and pound.
Each time the referee would pause the fight to reset them away
from the ropes, Minowa would lift Gracie and move Gracie back
in the corner. After Ryan Gracie was awarded the decision, he
called out Kazushi Sakuraba and Hidehiko Yoshida.
Preliminaries:
- Bertrand Amossou defeated Raou via KO in 29 seconds in Round
2.
- Katsuhisa Fujii defeated Kim Jin Oh via Rear Naked Choke at
2:58 in Round 1.
- Alexander Emelianenko defeated Matt "The Twin Tiger"
Foki via Choke at 3:16 in Round 1.
Source:
MMA Fighting |
GRACIES
SPLIT WITH JAPANESE THIS WEEKEND
by Jade "Ninjamonkey" Prout
Members
of the highly respected Gracie family (and one of their disciples)
had a big weekend in the world of Mixed Martial Arts, and the
results of their endeavors were "Mixed" as well.
The
inaugural K1 MMA event "K1 Romanex" featured a match
between Japanese superstar Genki "The Neo-Samurai"
Sudo and the legendary Royler Gracie. Royler valiantly worked
to finish his opponent despite being at a considerable weight
disadvantage, but Sudo knocked out the diminutive Gracie to take
the win. According to those who were there, Genki's entrance
was just as spectacular as his in-ring performance.
Ricardo
Almeida, representing Team Gracie in the Team Battle at Bushido
3, turned things around with a unanimous judges' decision over
Ryo Chonan. This gave Team Gracie the lead in the Team Battle,
and served to soften the blow dealt to the family at the K1 show.
If
MMA enthusiasts were shocked by the result of Genki-Royler, they
must have suffered coronaries when they learned that Takanori
Gomi had knocked out the always-intense Ralph Gracie just 6 seconds
into their match at. Team Japan bounced back from Chonan's loss
in explosive fashion with Gomi's victory.
It
all came down to the final match between the fiery Ryan Gracie
and Ikihusa "The Punk" Minowa. Their fight went the
distance, and the judges were split 2 to 1... in favor of Ryan!
Team Gracie triumphed once again over Team Japan; and with the
Genki-Royler fight added into the equation, they ended up in
a draw with their Japanese adversaries.
My
respect goes out to all of the fighters who competed, regardless
of nationality or family name. They all put themselves on the
line for the entertainment of the fans, myself included. I hope
I speak for all of us when I say: we appreciate it.
As
always, readers may feel free to contact the author by email
at ninrobmon666@yahoo.com to discuss this article.
Source:
MMA Fighting |
Does
ADCC 2005 Mean Redemption for 'Cacareco'?
Submitted by: Luca Atalla With R. Nogueira
Alexandre 'Cacareco' has expressed that he is disappointed with
the Brazilian MMA market. 'I can’t fight because there are
no good offers by the vale-tudo promoters. I make more money
in small submission wrestling championships than in MMA”,
revealed the 2nd Place finisher in the Absolute and 88-98kg categories
at ADCC 2003. This is why Cacareco considers the next edition
of ADCC as the must important challenge of his life: 'The money
I won in the 2003 event paid all my debts. But, for the 2005
competition, in the United States, my intentions go beyond the
money. This time, I want to develop my international career,
show my stuff to foreign promoters and start to fight in the
biggest MMA tournaments in the world”, explained the Gracie
Barra Combat Team member.
Cacareco,
25 years old, also said that he made a pact with his academy
teammate and ADCC Champion Mb: 'Just after the Jiu-Jitsu World
Cup of 2004, me and Marcio are going to train specifically for
the ADCC 2005. Last year, I practiced for just one month before
the tournament, and almost got first place in two categories.
For the next edition, I will train without the gi for more than
five months. I think my chances of victory will grow if I follow
this strategy”.
Source:
ADCC |
BJ
Penn vs. Duane "Bang" Ludwig Pictures
Check out the pictures of the Penn-Ludwig fight on MMA
Weekly.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Minotauro
emphasizes Wrestling
By André Araújo
After
the whole Boxing season in Cuba, Pride heavyweight interim champion
Rodrigo Nogueira Minotauro got a sharpened Boxing and also received
compliments from Japanese organization and press. However, his
Wrestling skills showed some weakness. Minotauro confirms: "I
do need to improve my Wrestling". His self-critic came after
two take downs applied by Hirotaka Yokoi during the first phase
of Pride GP, on last April. From Curitiba, where Minotauro has
been training further, the champion talked to Team TATAME. The
full interview you might read bellow. Check it out!
How
is your training for the next phases of Pride GP?
I've
started my training last week. My idea is improving my Wrestling
for the following phase. I mean that because I suffered two take
downs from Hirotaka Yokoi in my last fight. I've trained a lot
of Boxing that I forgot to train other stuffs. It's okay my punches
skill were good, whatever I didn't KO.
You
had received a lot of compliments from the Japanese press due
to your ring movements...
My
work with Boxing was fundamental for my moves on the ring. I've
learned to move myself better on the ring and I felt great with
it. As I said before, whatever I didn't win by KO, I imposed
my game and I submitted him.
Tell
me about your impression about Randleman's KO over Mirko Cro
Cop.
I
thought Mirko threatened a high kick on the ring and Randleman
realized it. I am sure Randleman's star shined at that moment...
he was damn prepared. No way out it was a lucky move. He waited
for the right moment, the one Mirko threatened to kick and stroke
him. He meant it.
No,
do you have a guess about your next opponent?
I
have no clue about it..., but I've heard some rumors about ...
Kevin Randleman or Heat Herring.
Changing
the subject, you do make part of a Vale-Tudo Team in Brazil South,
the CBW. When the idea of featuring this team came out?
I
have been training in Curitiba for two years and in fact it is
Nogushi's gym. Every time I was on vacation I used train in there.
There are about 30 pupils, plus Anderson Silva. The team is good
and some athletes are dealing with events as Shooto Switzerland...
as I don't have conditions to be here everyday, every time I
can I come in here and make a visit to the team...
What
is the goal team, once you represent BTT?
We
do want to set up our fighters in Brazil and abroad. The main
goal is putting fighters to do international bouts. With my projection
in Vale-Tudo and Japan, sometimes its easier to open some doors.
What
is Katel importance on the team?
He
is one of the most experienced fighters, winning also the last
Shooto Switzerland on last February. He is damn good exchanging
punches, has a good Muay Thai and I think I will see him fighting
in Japan.
How
Nogushi joint the team?
Nogushi
used to do a supervision of Muay Thai classes. We also have teachers
from all modalities as Fred Sukata and now He-man with Wrestling...
we count with over 30 people fighting Vale-Tudo. I always come
in here to pass a little bit about my fighting experience.
Source:
Tatame |
Leo
Vieira ready for Black Belt GP
Black Belt GP promises to join together the best BJJ fighters
nowadays and Leonardo Vieira does not want be out of it. Besides
he is not confirmed at the competition, Leozinho has been training
hard to face names as Frédson Paixão, Bibiano Fernandes,
Leo Santos, Daniel Moraes, among others. Between the trains,
classes and taking care of Vítor Belfort train for UFC,
Leozinho is fine with the idea to fight for R$10,000.
"It's
all set for me to fight. It just missing few details," stated
Vieira. Asked about how this GP would be like old Mundials, before
the Confederation's breakdown, Leozinho complains: "the
thing is. They are joining together many weight categories on
the same event and the heavier fighters will have more facility.
I guess it would be better if they separated the GP."
Source:
Tatame |
POSTAL
CONNECTIONS: K-1 TO TARGET UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION NEXT
By Tape Lord
Hello
my friends, my postal connections in the K-1 organization are
telling me that after K-1 attempts to poach UFC heavyweight champion,
that they will then go after the UFC's light heavyweight champion.
K-1
will also target some of the top contenders of both the heavyweight
and light heavyweight divisions.
As
was already mentioned a few days ago, K-1 will first make offers
to both Tim Sylvia and Frank Mir after their title fight in UFC
48 on June 19th.
Then
they will supposedly make offers to both Vitor Belfort and Randy
Couture after their title fight in UFC 49 in August.
UFC
heavyweight contenders Wes 'Cabbage' Correira and Andrei Arlovski
are also two heavyweights that K-1 will try to sign very soon.
More
info to come in the next few weeks.
Source:
Fight Sport |
SAPP
TO HAVE MORE TIME TO TRAIN
The Japanese media report that K-1 held a staff meeting today
to discuss the Bob Sapp situation.
K-1
matchmaker Sadaharu Tanigawa told the Japanese media that they
discussed how they could prevent any further damage to Sapp's
marketability, and decided to immediately implement plans to
ease Sapp's busy schedule and give him more time to train and
rest.
Sapp
will also be spending more time improving his skills with New
Japan's Kickboxing trainer Ihara.
Source:
Fight Sport |
GARDNER
SHUTS OUT FOES, TO FACE BYERS IN OLYMPIC TRIALS FINALS SUNDAY
by: Eddie Goldman/ADCC Wrestling Editor
INDIANAPOLIS,
May 22 -- With a pin in the Challenge Tournament quarterfinals
against Corey Farkas, and a 5-0 decision in the semifinals over
Paul Devlin, an aggressively wrestling Rulon Gardner advanced
to the finals of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which will
be held Sunday at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Gardner will
face the 2002 Greco-Roman world champion, Dremiel Byers, in a
best-of-three series. This will be a rematch of both the 2004
U.S. Nationals' finals and last year's World Team Trials' finals.
Byers defeated Gardner at this year's Nationals, but fell to
him two matches to one at the 2003 Trials.
Gardner,
the 2000 gold medalist and 2001 world champion at heavyweight
in Greco, commented about his performances in both matches Saturday,
saying they were, 'I hate to boast, but perfect. It's exactly
what I wanted. It's exactly how I wanted to wrestle these matches.'
He added that it helped him 'get my lungs opened up,' and that
it also met his goal 'to make it out of here without causing
any type of injury upon myself or my opponents.' As he spoke,
1996 Olympic silver medalist Matt Ghaffari, who has been cornering
Gardner, wrapped a bag of ice around Gardner's healing right
hand and wrist.
In
his finals matches with Byers, Gardner pledged to 'do the same
thing I did last year to him and knock him off.' He added, 'I'm
just glad I just didn't have to put my shoes out there this match
and leave everything on the mat,' referring to the custom of
wrestlers retiring by leaving their wrestling shoes on the mat
after their final bout.
Gardner
said that he expects to make his mark against Byers late in their
matches because 'that's where he makes mistakes.' Gardner called
Byers 'so explosive, so powerful, and so energetic.'
Then
he did his best to promote the entire Olympic Team Trials finals:
'Here's two world champions going at it, Olympic champion. Here's
three of the last four years, here's the best people in the world
putting it all on the line on one mat.'
He
continued: 'You look at Cael Sanderson and Garrett Lowney. You
have Sammie Henson, former world champion. Dennis Hall. Up and
down the line it is an amazing matchup to watch, all the different
weight classes. You're going to see some unbelievable throws.
You're going to see some heartbreak. You're going to see some
tears, and probably some broken bones tomorrow. But people are
going to leave it on the mat. And that's all we ask for in wrestling.'
Gardner
concluded: 'This is everything we could imagine for, the weekend
before the Indy. And we're going to have the opportunity to hopefully
show our best and hopefully have people understand our sport
in a new light and hopefully enjoy it and come back and support
it.'
Here
are the results of the Challenge Tournament finals, as well as
Sunday's matchups for the Olympic Team Trials finals:
U.S.
OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS – WRESTLING
Indianapolis, Ind., May 22, 2004
Championship
Series Final Results
MEN'S
FREESTYLE
55 kg/121 lbs.
Sammie Henson, Highland Mills, N.Y.(Sunkist Kids) dec. Teague
Moore, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 6-3
Henson to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Stephen Abas (Fresno,
Calif./Sunkist Kids) in a best of three series on Sunday for
a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
60
kg/132 lbs.
Mike Zadick, Iowa City, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) won by ref. dec. Danny
Felix, Charlottesville, Va. (Sunkist Kids), 2-1, ot, 9:00
Zadick to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Eric Guerrero (Stillwater,
Okla./Gator WC) in a best of three series on Sunday for a spot
on the U.S. Olympic Team
66
kg/145.5 lbs.
Jared Lawrence, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Eric
Larkin, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), 4-3, ot 7:34
Lawrence to face 2004 U.S.Nationals champion Jamill Kelly (Stillwater,
Okla./Gator WC) in a best of three series on Sunday for a spot
on the U.S. Olympic Team
74
kg/163 lbs.
Joe Heskett, Grover Beach, Calif. (Gator WC) pin Ramico Blackmon,
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Team Excel), 1:34
Heskett to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Joe Williams (Iowa
City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
84
kg/185 lbs.
Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Muhammed Lawal,
Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), 7-2
Sanderson to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Lee Fullhart (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Gator WC) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
96
kg/211.5 lbs.
Tim Hartung, St. Paul, Minn. (Minnesota Storm) won by ref. dec.
Tommy Rowlands, Columbus, Ohio (Dave Schultz WC), 2-2, ot, 9:00
Hartung to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Daniel Cormier (Stillwater,
Okla./Gator WC) in a best of three series on Sunday for a spot
on the U.S. Olympic Team
120
kg/264.5 lbs.
Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) dec. Steve Mocco,
N. Bergen, N.J. (New York AC), 3-1, ot, 6:05
Thompson to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem,
Pa./New York AC) in a best of three series on Sunday for a spot
on the U.S. Olympic Team
WOMEN'S
FREESTYLE
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) dec. Sara Fulp-Allen,
El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College) 5-3, ot, 6:33
Chun to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Patricia Miranda (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) in a best of three series on
Sunday for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
55
kg/121 lbs.
Tela O'Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC) dec.
Jenny Wong, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5-2
O'Donnell to face 2004 U.S.Nationals champion Tina George (Colorado
Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
63
kg/138.75 lbs.
Alaina Berube, Escanaba, Mich. (New York AC) dec. Stefanie Shaw,
Waterford, Conn. (New England Elite), 5-4
Berube to face 2004 U.S. Nationals runner-up Sara McMann (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
72
kg/158.5 lbs.
Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) pin Stephany
Lee, Honolulu, Hawaii (Missouri Valley), 3:34
Marano to face 2004 U.S.Nationals champion Toccara Montgomery
(Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
MEN'S
GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs.
Dennis Hall, Plover, Wis. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Lindsey Durlacher,
Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3-1, 6:20
Hall to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Brandon Paulson (Coon
Rapids, Minn./Minnesota Storm) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
60
kg/132 lbs.
Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Glenn
Nieradka, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 3-0
Warren to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Jim Gruenwald (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
66
kg/145.5 lbs.
Kevin Bracken, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) dec. Glenn
Garrison, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 6-0
Bracken to face 2004 U.S. Nationals runner-up Oscar Wood (Fountain,
Colo./U.S. Army) in a best of three series on Sunday for a spot
on the U.S. Olympic Team
74
kg/163 lbs.
Keith Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army) dec. Steven
Woods, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force), 9-0
Sieracki to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Darryl Christian
(Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) in a best of three series
on Sunday for the No. 1 ranking on the U.S. National team. The
United States did not qualify for the Olympics in this weight
class.
84
kg/185 lbs.
Jake Clark, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps) dec.
Aaron Sieracki, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force), 3-0,
ot, 9:00
Clark to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Brad Vering (Colorado
Springs, Colo./ New York AC) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
96
kg/211.5 lbs.
Garrett Lowney, Kaukauna, Wis. (Minnesota Storm) dec. Dan Hicks,
Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Marine Corps), 3-1, ot , 6:23
Lowney to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Justin Ruiz (Salt
Lake City, Utah/New York AC) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
120
kg/264.5 lbs.
Rulon Gardner, Cascade, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Paul Devlin,
Cascade, Colo. (U.S. Army), 5-0
Gardner to face 2004 U.S. Nationals champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado
Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) in a best of three series on Sunday
for a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team
Source:
ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams,
and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will
meet with a success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Essayist, Poet, Naturalist
|
Royler
KO'd by Genki, BJ Chokes Ludwig!
A couple
pictures of the BJ-Bang fight are on MMA Ring Report and the
choke picture is on MMA Weekly
K-1 MMA Championship ROMANEX
Held May 22, 2004
Saitama Super Arena, Japan
Gladiator def. Antoni Hardonk by unanimous decision
Blue Wolf def. Tom Howard by TKO 4:44 into R2, corner threw in
towel
Lyoto def. Sam Greco by split decision
Gary Goodridge def. The Predator by KO (strikes) 1:22 into R1
Josh Barnett def. Rene Rooze by KO (strikes) 2:15 into R1
Genki Sudo def. Royler Gracie by KO (strikes) 3:40 into R1
BJ Penn def. Duane Ludwig
by submission (choke) 1:45 into R1
Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Nakao stopped in R1 due to cut over Frye's
right eye; ruled no contest
Shinsuke Nakamura def. Alexey Ignashov by submission (choke)
1:51 into R2
Kazuyuki Fujita def. Bob Sapp by submission (strikes) 2:15 into
R1
Source:
FCF |
K-1
Romanex Show: Sudo, Penn, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling All Win
Big
Rising Sun Report by Keith Vargo
On
Saturday night, MMA's favorite hippie idealist, Genki Sudo, pulled
off the biggest win of his career by knocking out Royler Gracie.
The Japanese fighter engaged Gracie in an impressive grappling
display, where both fighters aggressively went through a catalogue
of positions and defenses. But Sudo punctuated his escapes and
reversals with punches, knees, and stomps and it made all the
difference.
Royler
may be the most active and accomplished grappler in the Gracie
clan. But he's only occasionally an MMA fighter and it showed.
Gracie seemed totally comfortably with Sudo when they were just
grappling. He easily escaped being partially mounted a few times,
tried setting up a couple of heel holds, and brushed off one
Sudo attempt at getting his back. But he seemed to forget about
the striking game entirely, until Sudo reminded him.
At
around 1:40 in the 1st round, Sudo escaped a heel hold set-up
and missed Royler's head with a stomp on his way out. When Gracie
got up and tried to take Sudo down again, they locked up and
exchanged knees to the body, with Sudo throwing the more effective
ones. Gracie then pulled the
Japanese fighter to the ground and into his guard. But Sudo stood
up, jumped over Royler's guard and stomped right on his face.
He quickly tied up Sudo's leg again and seemed to be threatening
a foot or ankle lock, but Gracie looked a little shaken. From
there on, it was all downhill for the jujutsu
great.
Sudo
yanked his leg out hard and Gracie was dragged along with it
and spun to the side. Sudo got to Royler's side and started punching.
As the Brazilian turned into him and tried to clinch, Sudo sprawled
and started kneeing Royler's head. Then Gracie tried to stand
and clinch, but took two more knees to the face that put him
on his back. Sudo seized the opportunity, landing eight solid
punches to the jujutsu legend's face that bounced out his mouthpiece
and left him starched.
Sudo
by KO at 3:40 of the first round
Josh
Barnett/Rene Rooze
Before
this fight, Barnett promised that he would use pro-wrestling
throws and finishing holds to beat this kickboxer. But Rooze
decided to spoil those plans.
After
pretending for about five seconds that he'd stand and trade with
Rooze, Barnett charged in and clinched. As he struggled to get
Rooze on the ground, the kickboxer punched him in the back of
the head and hung on to the ropes. When Barnett finally got a
good grip, lifted Rooze, and turned him around to slam him, Rooze
actually reached over Barnett's shoulders and blatantly held
on to the top rope with both hands.
After
the ref got in Rooze's face about it (index finger two inches
from his face yelling, "I WANT A CLEAN FIGHT!!! CLEAN FIGHT!!!
OK?!?!") and gave him a yellow card, the fight continued.
Barnett charged in and wrapped up Rooze again. Then he powered
the kickboxer to the canvas, directly into a full mount. From
there, it was just a matter of time as Barnett pounded away until
the ref stopped it, making Rooze pay for mucking up his pro-wrestling
gimmick.
Lyoto
Machida/Sam Greco
Lyoto
Machida was coming off an impressive KO win over the UFC's Rich
Franklin at Inoki's New Year's Eve show. So many thought he'd
make short work of aging K-1 karate/kickboxing stylist Sam Greco.
But Greco must've really put in his time and done his homework
before transitioning to MMA,
because he nearly stole a victory from one of Inoki's best.
Machida,
of course, took the game to the ground, but found it hard to
keep Greco on his back. He also attempted numerous arm locks
that the kickboxer got out of surprisingly easily. When Greco
did get the top position, the difference in his striking showed.
Anytime Machida gave him an opening, he dug into it hard with
punches. But, in the end, it was visibly worried Machida who
was awarded the split decision.
Shinsuke
Nakamura/Alexey Ignashov
Last
New Year's Eve, Ignashov and Nakamura fought and the result was
a controversial stoppage by the ref. While leading on the cards,
Nakamura took a knee to the grill that put him on his back and
gave Ignashov the win. But the pro-wrestler was on his feet again
almost immediately and it seemed like a premature stoppage. So
the fight was later declared a no-contest.
This
time around, many people thought the hard hitting Russian would
annihilate Nakamura. But Ignashov had foolishly fought a kickboxing
match with Semmy Schilt two days before and looked weak. Nakamura,
on the other hand, looked fresh and took the fight to Ignashov.
He put the kickboxer on his back and kept him there while working
a light ground-and-pound for most of the first round. Ignashov
looked gassed as his corner tended to him between rounds.
In
the second, Nakamura got the takedown easily and then surprised
everyone. He passed to the side-position and leaned on Ignashov's
windpipe with a forearm choke. The big Russian squirmed briefly,
trying to escape and then tapped. After he stood up, he hacked
and coughed and looked bitterly disappointed, leaving the ring
almost immediately.
Kazuyuki
Fujita/Bob Sapp
If
Fujita were any kind of kicker, Bob Sapp would probably be paralyzed
right now. After easily taking Sapp down and escaping a clumsy
foot-lock by him, Fujita got side-position. Then he stood and,
when Sapp tucked his chin and covered, soccer kicked him square
in the back of the head.
Sapp
looked seriously rattled and Fujita took advantage, trying to
lay some punches and some legit soccer kicks on Sapp while he
was struggling to get his bearings. Then Fujita did it again!
When Sapp rolled to his side he threw a knee to the back of his
head! After following that up with some
relatively light punches, Sapp rolled to his hands and knees
and turtled up. So Fujita stood up and hit him with some more
soccer kicks to the top of Sapp's head.
After
a valiant attempt to stand, Sapp got put on his back again with
leg trip off a front headlock. Then Fujita easily passed to the
side and started punching as Sapp curled up in the fetal position.
But Sapp covered and Fujita continued to hit him with legal punches,
as well as more punches and knees to the back of the head. Sapp
tapped at 2:15 in the first round. But it looked more like a
mugging than a fight.
In
other action...
BJ
Penn/Duane
Ludwig
B.J.
Penn quickly put away Duane Ludwig early in the first round.
He immediately took Ludwig down at first contact and quickly
got him in full mount. From there, Penn laid on a number of hard
punches to the face before cinching up a nice arm triangle choke.
Gary
Goodridge/ Sylvester "The Predator" Terkay
Gary
Goodridge hit Terkay with what looked like a grazing left hook
early in the first round. But he dizzied the pro-wrestler with
it and threw two more left hooks that dropped "The Predator".
It looked like the referee gave him more of a fight than Terkay,
as the lightweight official struggled to keep a pumped up Goodridge
from going back to pound on the wobbly but back-on-his-feet pro-wrestler.
Don
Frye/Yoshihiro Nakao
This
fight was stopped early in the 1st round because of a nasty cut
over Frye's right eye. Because the cut was the result of an accidental
head-butt and it was too early to go to the cards, the fight
was declared a no-contest.
Source:
Maxfighting |
K-1
Romanex
By Monte Dipietro
Sapp
Stopped in Saitama
SAITAMA, JAPAN, May 22, 2004 -- Kazuyuki Fujita submitted Bob
"The Beast" Sapp with a combination of kicks and punches
to win the main event at the K-1 ROMANEX series debut. Fujita's
upset victory capped a card of nine bouts fought under K-1's
new mixed martial arts-inspired ROMANEX rules at the Saitama
Super Arena (the official rules are here: http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1gp/e002.htm).
In
the first matchup, Mongolian Dolgorsuren "Blue Wolf"
Serjbuddee took on fellow pro-wrestler "Green Beret"
Tom Howard of the USA. The Wolf has been fighting since he was
a teen, and is the brother of Sumo Yokozuna (Grand Champion)
Asashoryu. The versatile Howard, meanwhile, is a student of the
relatively obscure martial art Sambo, a Russian discipline which
combines judo and wrestling techniques.
The
Wolf moved in from the bell, powering Howard backward for a takedown
then quickly moving in. Howard tried to reverse several times,
but spent most of the first round in the guard position. With
more than half of Howard's white hair stained red from a gash
at the top of the forehead, the referee stopped the action for
a doctor's check but it was decided that Howard could continue.
In the second, Howard resisted Wolf's takedown attempts, preferring
to stand and strike, but soon found himself down in the guard
again. Wolf moved for position, but could not strike to effect
until, after Howard bucked him away, he was able to assume a
reverse back trunk lock and push dozens of knees in on the top
of Howard's head. To the bloodied and battered but never-say-die
Howard's credit, it was his corner, convinced he had absorbed
enough punishment, which finally threw in the towel.
K-1
legend Sam Greco, who turned 37 earlier this month, predicted
his matchup with Antonio Inoki protégé Ryoko "Lyoto"
Machida of Brazil would show that his "long journey from
Karate to K-1 to wrestling to MMA proves that we can do anything
if we only try." But Lyoto, who turns 26 later this month,
was not inclined to play his role in Greco's allegory.
Lyoto
got the first takedown early and moved into the side mount, but
Greco was able to force a deadlock and so the fight was restarted
from the standing position. Greco got the stand and strike fight
he wanted, but Lyoto was equally comfortable here. Although there
was a fair bit of clinching through the first, Lyoto looked smart,
trading kicks and getting through with a good straight right
late in the round.
The
second began with more stand up fighting before Lyoto executed
a takedown and got in. Again Greco's defense was good and he
bucked the Brazilian midway through, but Lyoto was there with
the kick to stop Greco from getting to his feet. Lyoto assumed
a half mount position for some 30 seconds before Greco nicely
reversed. But Lyoto twisted his way out, and the round again
ended in stalemate, Greco standing, Lyoto defending from the
mat.
There
was further stand-up action in the third, and Greco's low kicks
looked to be hurting Lyoto's lead leg. But again the Brazilian
brought it to the mat, getting in with a half then working deftly
to a full mount. Greco again bucked a reverse, and got on top
to throw punches, but Lyoto's defense was sound.
In
all an entertaining, back and forth fight. Judges surely had
a tough time, but Lyoto took it by split decision.
Trinidad
and Tobago's Gary Goodridge has 33 MMA bouts under his belt,
and is a 3-dan Black Belt in Kuk Sul Won to boot. His opponent
in the third fight was the big (197cm, 139kg) American pro-wrestler
Sylvester "The Predator" Terkay, fighting in just his
second MMA bout. "I have a dangerous opponent," acknowledged
The Predator at the pre-event press conference, "but I'll
do my best." Predicted Goodridge, who is known for his explosive
starts: "The crowd will get plenty of action!"
And
action is exactly what they got, as Goodridge stayed on his feet,
softening his larger opponent up with punches. In a matter of
about a minute, the Predator had become the prey. It was a left
roundhouse that got set the big guy to wobbling, and a second
left that dropped him good. Slumped clumsily against the ropes,
The Predator was in no condition to defend himself as Goodridge
closed in to deliver more punches, and so the referee quickly
stepped in to stop the bout. A convincing KO win for Goodridge,
who is now undefeated since August of last year (and that loss
came against the very formidable Emelianenko Fedor).
With
a surprising (and endearing) effort, the defending 10th King
of Pancrase Josh Barnett addressed the pre-event press conference
in good Japanese, promising that "Nobody can beat me tomorrow."
The American's opponent here was Dutch kickboxer Rene Rooze.
Although
Rooze has won all three of his MMA fights, the kickboxer clearly
wanted to work his Team Aerts finesse rather than going to the
mat with Barnett. Alas, soon after being assessed a yellow card
for repeatedly grabbing the ropes to stymie Barnett's takedown
attempts, Rooze fell victim to a good old fashioned 'ground 'n
pound' attack which quickly resulted the referee stepping in
and a KO victory for Barnett.
Much
anticipated was the youth vs experience matchup between Jiu-jitsu
fighters Genki Sudo of Japan and Royler Gracie of Brazil. Gracie
hails from the mixed martial arts' most famous family, and has
thrice won the Abu Dhabi 65kg Championship. Now 38 years of age,
Gracie had not fought an MMA bout in more than three years --
how would he match up against the unpredictable Sudo, 13 years
his junior?
After
improbably beating the gigantic Butterbean in his last fight,
Sudo the showman was delighted to have somebody his own size
to tango with. "It will be my first time against a real
Jiu-jitsu fighter," smiled Sudo at the pre-event press conference,
"I am looking forward to it very much."
A
flashy interpretation of a traditional Brazilian dance heralded
Sudo's entrance to the ring, but after that the Japanese fighter
was all business. Gracie got the first takedown, but there were
a number of reverses in the early going, a fast-paced fight that
saw a lot of creativity. After Sudo escaped from Gracie's attempt
at a legbar, he was able to get in position. Gracie twisted half
free, but as he rose he met a decisive knee, and fell back to
the canvas stunned. Sudo wasted no time coming in with a flurry
of punches. After the third unanswered blow, Gracie's mouthpiece
came flying out, and after the fifth, it looked like his lights
would go out, so the referee came in to stop the punishment.
An KO win which affirms Sudo's evolution from curiosity to contender.
Americans
B.J. Penn and Duane Ludwig squared
off in a 170 pounds (77kg) limit middleweight class bout which
was over quickly. Soon after the opening bell, a double leg takedown
got Penn in position. Ludwig tried to hold the guard but he was
outclassed here. Penn slipped to a half mount then a full, all
the while threatening with punches while working for position.
Just 1:45 in, with Penn pressing an extended arm choke down,
Ludwig submitted.
MMA
marvel Don Frye is one of America's most respected MMA fighters,
recently training with fellow legend Frank Shamrock. On this
night he met the 2001 All-Japan Wrestling Champion Toshihiro
Nakao. From the bell, Nakao went for the legs and a takedown,
but Frye was persistent in his resistance. Unfortunately, head-to-head
contact early in the scramble opened a deep cut directly over
Frye's right eye. The referee let the two grapple on until Nakao
got in and Frye slipped into a guard position, then called time
and invited in the ringside doctor for a check on Frye's eye.
With the blood free-flowing, the doctor had no choice but to
stop the fight, much to the disappointment of the crowd. The
head-to-head contact was ruled accidental, and so the bout was
declared a "No Contest."
Remarked
Frye afterward: "We were like a couple of long-horn rams
buttin' heads, it was a stupid way to end the fight!" Asked
about Nakao's abilities, the metaphor-blessed Frye had this to
say: "He's got technique and he's got power and he's got
balls the size of church bells. He's got a great future in this
sport!"
A
highly-anticipated fight on the card was the rematch between
K-1 superstar Alexey "The Scorpion" Ignashov of Belarus
and pro-wrestler Shinsuke Nakamura, the 34th IWGP Heavyweight
Champion. In his MMA debut last New Year's Eve, an apparent victory
over Nakamura was ruled a "No Contest" on appeal from
Nakamura's camp when it was judged that the referee had prematurely
stopped the fight. (Nakamura ate a knee, but then quickly jumped
to his feet, ready to continue).
Here
Ignashov again had to contend with Nakamura's superior takedown
skills. In the early going, Ignashov was able to remain standing
in the clinch for quite a stretch of time, his back toward the
corner, his body hunched forward. He pushed Nakamura off with
some vigor, and set up to spar, but was unable to connect with
any good punches or kicks. And so Ignashov again was frustrated
by Nakamura, who was able to get in at the legs for takedowns
several times. Ignashov spent most of the first in the guard
position, using his powerful long legs to try and keep Nakamura
back, using his superior reach to strike out fairly well, but
not well enough to do any real damage.
Nakamura
is a patient fighter, and that is what won this for him. Although
he didn't get the position he wanted in the first, he did get
it in the second. After slipping nicely around Ignashov's guard
to get into a high side mount, he brought the guillotine down
and forced a submission.
The
first thing Ignashov said to reporters when he entered the post-bout
interview space was "Please don't ask me anything about
the fight." This drew a round of laughter from those assembled,
and a few minutes later, the Scorpion loosened up a little: "Well,
I should say that arrived in Japan late, and so I wasn't really
ready for the fight. Of course I do think Nakamura is very good,
but I believe I'm better, and I hope I can have another chance
with him to show that."
Nakamura
had a quiet smile on his face during his interview, a smile that
grew more pronounced after Ignashov's trainer, the classy Marco
Calcavante, stepped up to give him a Varig Gym training jacket.
"I was not surprised by the result," said Nakamura,
"I felt confident from the start, it all went according
to plan."
The
main event pitted 162kg former NFL lineman and the ne plus ultra
of K-1 stardom, Bob "The Beast" Sapp, against pro-wrestler
and former IWGP Champion Kazuyuki Fujita. "There has been
a lot of talk about this belt," boomed The Beast, who currently
holds the IWGP honors, pre-fight. "But when I step into
the ring, I will be fighting for honor and pride, and to show
you that the Beast is the best!"
Sapp
had not lost a fight this year, and was undefeated under MMA
rules since the summer of 2002. But, his plan to stay standing
and slug it out with Fujita went horribly wrong when he was taken
down just seconds into the first round.
No
sooner had this begun than it ended, and The End, it must be
said, was wholly devoid of grace. After a fair bit of grappling,
at which Sapp was not half-bad, Fujita finally twisted free while
Sapp stayed down on his back, a position in which he proved about
as mobile as, say, a turtle. Fujita circled round and began firing
kicks at Sapp's head, which left Sapp nonplussed to say the least.
When Fujita clocked Sapp's head with a knee, the American's body
twisted to one side, and he lay there in the fetal position,
as vulnerable as a baby. Fujita quickly came in with punches,
landing a half dozen lefts from above and rights from below before
the hapless Sapp tapped out. It wasn't pretty.
Said
a modest Fujita afterwards in his interview: "Fighting Bob
Sapp, I got a sense of his power, which is quite good. For me,
it was great to be here in ROMANEX and I hope I have the chance
to do it again soon!"
Bob
Sapp did not appear in the post-bout interview space.
In
an undercard fight, The Gladiator beat Antoni Hardonk by unanimous
decision.
K-1
Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa was pleased with the event,
"It was our first time doing this sort of thing, and I think
we had some excellent matchups. I want ROMANEX to be unique in
the world of mixed martial arts, we are not so concerned with
who wins and who loses, the important thing is that we have fights
of the highest quality possible."
'ROMANEX'
derives from "Roman" and "Extra" and is a
new production for K-1 and the Fighting Entertainment Group (FEG).
The event attracted 14,918 fans to the Saitama Super Arena and
was same-day broadcast in Japan on the TBS network. Check the
K-1 Official Website for the official results: (http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1gp/top597.htm).
Special
thanks to Monte Dipietro and K-1 for this write-up.
For more information about K-1 visit thier official website
http://www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1/
Source:
MMA Ring Report |
Punishment
In Paradise 4: “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS”
Tentative Card
Campbell High School Gym, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
July 3, 2004
Super
Middleweight MMA Championship
172lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Mark Moreno (Bulls Pin) Vs. Wayne Pierin Jr. (Team Bigdogs)
Cruiserweight
Kickboxing Championship
205lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Mike Malone (Eastside Grappling) Vs. Andre Washington (Team Thunda)
Light
Heavyweight Kickboxing Championship
179.lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Tommy Pestana (808 Fight Factory) Vs. Kaleo Padilla (Westbrook
Boxing)
Heavyweight Kickboxing Championship
215lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Chris West (HMC) Vs. Bill Hall (Freelance)
Light
Middleweight Kickboxing Championships
159lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Dain Agbayani (808 F.F.) Vs. PJ Dean (Bad Intentions)
Lightweight
Kickboxing Championship
137lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Domi “Dominator’ Lopes ( Team Bigdogs) Vs. Steven Tandal
(Waimanalo Kickboxing)
Super
Welterweight Kickboxing Championship
153lbs. 2x3 Minute Rounds
Kaipo Gonzales (Eastside) Vs. .Preston Lee (Animal House)
Super
Lightweight Kickboxing Championship
130lbs. 3x2 Minute Rounds
Stephen Paling III (Jesus Is Lord) Vs. K.C. (Wailuku Kickboxing,
Maui)
Middleweight
Kickboxing #1 Contender Match
165lbs. 2x3 Minute Rounds
Ikaika (Backyard Bombers) Vs. Frank Rebello (Advanced Kenpo)
Junior
Heavyweight Kickboxing #1 Contender Match
100lbs. 3x1 Minute Rounds
Sage Yoshida (H.M.C.) Vs. Keola McKee (Wailuku Kickboxing, Maui)
Junior
Bantamweight #1 Contender Match
60lbs. 3x1 Minute Rounds
Tristen Febria (E.B.F.C.) Vs. Abraham Reinhart (Wailuku Kickboxing,
Maui)
Source:
Event Promoter |
Trevor
Prangley Gets Called Up; Faces Curtis Stout At “UFC 48:
Payback”
Submitted by: Joseph Cunliffe
South
Africa native Trevor Prangley received the long awaited call
from the UFC. The 31-year-old will be heading to Las Vegas, Nevada,
for “UFC 48: Payback” on June 19. Prangley will face
UFC, HOOKnSHOOT and M-1 veteran Curtis Stout in a middleweight
fight.
Prangley
has massed a mixed 24-2 record, or 7-1 professionally, competing
in the XFA in Florida, Ultimate Monterrey in Mexico, Frank Shamrock’s
Bushido in Arizona, Ultimate Athlete and Kick Down 8 in Colorado
and Euphoria MFC in New Jersey.
In
a March 2004 ADCC News interview, Prangley said, “this year
is my year to step up in MMA” at his new fighting weight
of 185. And Prangley did that when he faced UFC and M-1 veteran
and Russian Red Devil Fight Team stand out Andrei Semenov in
Euphoria MFC at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey,
on March 13. Prangley earned the Unanimous Decision win over
Semenov and it was hinted that he would be UFC bound. Stout suffered
a loss to Semenov in M-1. Prangley’s only professional loss
is to Renato “Babalu” Sobral.
Prangley
owns the Idaho Lion’s Den with partner Derek Cleveland and
you’ll find him training at AKA in San Jose, California. |
'UFC
48: Payback' Updated Card; Hofstra Wrestler Hieron Replaces Miller
by: Joseph Cunliffe
UFC 48: Payback
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Mandalay Bay Events Center
Las Vegas, Nevada
�UFC
48: Payback� is less than 1 month away and
up until this week the first announced card has remained untouched.
Jay Hieron of Bellmore Kickboxing Academy on Long Island, New
York, replaces Jason Miller on the 7 fight card. Hieron is 4-0
in MMA. The Rodrigo Gracie BJJ white belt is coming off a Decision
win over Fabio Holanda of Brazilian Top Team. The Hostra University
wrestler will face his most seasoned opponent to date in Georges
St. Pierre.
CARD
SUBJECT TO CHANGE:
Heavyweight: Ken Shamrock 25-8-2 vs. Kimo Leopoldo 10-3-1
Welterweight: Matt Hughes 36-4-0 vs. Renato �Charuto�
Verissimo 6-0-0
Heavyweight Championship: Tim Sylvia 18-0-0 vs. Frank Mirv 7-1-0
Middleweight: Phil Baroni 6-3-0 vs. Evan Tanner 30-4-0
Welterweight: Dennis Hallman 51-8-2 vs. Frank Trigg 9-2-0
Lightweight: Matt Serra 12-3-0 vs. Ivan Menjivar 13-2-0
Middleweight: Jay Hieron 4-0-0 vs. Georges St. Pierre 6-0-0
Visit
www.UFC.tv for more information.
Source:
ADCC |
BREAKING
NEWS: REAL PRO WRESTLING SET TO ANNOUNCE NETWORK TELEVISION DEAL
by: Eddie Goldman/ADCC Wrestling Editor
INDIANAPOLIS,
May 22 -- In news that just might change the overall structure
of wrestling, the Real Pro Wrestling group has announced that
they have a 'network television deal memo' for a regular weekly
television show in the U.S. beginning in February 2005. An official
announcement about this new show is expected within a week.
The
deal would give Real Pro Wrestling a regular weekly show on a
major broadcast network which is said to reach 98 million homes,
according to both a Real Pro Wrestling executive and their web
site. A February start date was chosen largely because that is
when the NFL season has just ended.
Which
network the deal is with and other show information will be announced
when all the final details of the contract are worked out, which
is also expected to happen in a matter of days. A deal for a
television show in international markets is also in negotiations.
A new television production schedule for 2004 will be announced
shortly as well.
In
related news, Rulon Gardner, coming off a pin today of Corey
Farkas in the semifinals of the Challenge Tournament which precedes
the finals of the Olympic Trials here Sunday, has repeatedly
stated that if he loses here, he will retire as an active Greco-Roman
wrestler. Gardner added that if he wins the Olympic Trials and
gets to wrestle in Athens, that will be his last Greco competition.
But
asked if he would consider returning to the mat for Real Pro
Wrestling, he replied that he would, although perhaps not on
as regular a schedule as he has been wrestling this year. Real
Pro Wrestling is 'a great organization,' stated Gardner. So when
Real Pro Wrestling gets its television show up and running, it
just may feature the best-known active wrestler in America today.
Real
Pro Wrestling is planning to announce more information about
its television deal shortly on its web site, at:
http://realprowrestling.com
TheMat.com
has results from the Olympic Trials at:
http://themat.com/specialevents/2004/trials/default.asp
Source:
ADCC |
South
Korea discovers passion for MMA!
by: Luca Atalla
June
26th and 27th, 2004
2004 Olympic Gymnastics Arena
Seoul, South Korea
In
order to compete with their Asian neighbors the Japanese, the
South Koreans will promote on June 26th and 27th the biggest
MMA event ever in that country.
The
show named Gladiators has famous names from all over the martial
arts world such as Rogério Minotouro Nogueira, Dan Severn,
Daijiro Matsui, Paulão Filho and Anderson Silva (former
Chute Boxe Athlete).
Rogerio,
PRIDE Champion 'Minotauro'’s twin brother, is going to face
American Alex Stiebling, who used to be known as the Brazilian
Killa until he was
KOed by Anderson Silva in Pride. ‘The Koreans are following
the Japanese show's
steps. They are willing to receive the best fighters in the world
in their events’ stated Minotouro in his interview at ADCC
news.
Check
the Gladiator´s line-up out and stay tunned to ADCC news
to find out more details.
Cards
Subject To Change:
26th
- Tanimura Mitsunori x Tchourakov Edouard
- Yasuhito Namekawa x Fabiano Capoane
- Sung Chul Kim x Sakuragi Uji
- Dan Severn x Hidetada Irie
- Ikuhisa Minowa x Igor Borisov
- Kim Jong Wang x Brad Kohler
- Rogerio Minotouro Nogueira x Alex Stiebling
27th
- Okuyama Koji x Matkine Serguei
- Hamada Jyunpei x Claudio Godoy
- Sultanmagomedov Kavkaz x Bae Chun Ho
- Jin O Kim x Shinji Katase
- Choi Mu Bae x Akhmedov Zourab
- Daijiro Matsui x Paulo Filho
- Jeremy Horn x Anderson Silva
Source:
ADCC |
Schutz
over Castillo, Parisyan beats Shonie
WEC X Results
The Palace Indian Gaming Center, Lemoore, CA
May 21, 2004
Steve
Ramerez def. Chino Esparza 0:47 R1 by rear choke
Lavar Johnson def. Levi Thronbrue 2:32 R1 by TKO
Richard Montoya def. Bill Coffman 0:47 R1 by TKO
Amir Rahnavardi def. Kengo Ura by TKO between rounds 1 &
2
Doug Marshal def. Anthony Aria 0:22 R1 by armbar
Bert Bergmark def. Daisuke Ishii 4:49 R1 by TKO
Poppies Martinez def. Gabriel Cruz 0:30 R1 by submission to strikes
Ryan Schultz def. Gil Castillo by split decision (3 rounds)
Alex Stiebling def. Tim McKenzie 2:25 R2 by arm triangle
Gilbert Melendez def. Olaf Alfonso 4:54 R3 by TKO (won lightweight
championship)
Karo Parisyan def. Shonie Carter by unanimous decision (won welterweight
championship)
Rafael Real def. Mike Serr 2:19 R1 by TKO (won heavyweight championship)
Source:
FCF |
RICKSON
TO MAKE 'ROMANEX'
DEBUT AND OTHER NEWS
Sources in the Japanese media are saying that the next K-1 'Romanex'
card, which will most likely be in July, will feature the K-1
debut of Rickson Gracie.
It's
not sure who his opponent will be right now, but retired Sumo
grand champion Wakanohana seems to be the front-runner.
K-1
will also begin to market Genki Sudo as the new 'Gracie Killer',
so a possible matchup between Sudo and Gracie will be most likely.
Look
for Kazuyuki Fujita, Josh Barnett, and B.J. Penn to all be on
the card as well.
Source:
Fight Sport |
JIROV
POSSIBLE FOR 'K-1 VS. BOXING' SHOW
K-1
will be putting on a 'K-1 vs. Boxing' card on June 6th, which
will air on ESPN pay-per-view and Fuji TV.
The
big news is that it appears that K-1 may have signed former IBF
cruiserweight boxing champion Vassily Jirov to the show.
Here
is the line-up that is being mentioned so far:
Ernesto
Hoost vs. Ray Mercer
Peter Aerts vs. Francois Botha
Alexey Ignashov vs. Vassily Jirov
Source:
Fight Sport |
|
FUJITA
AS POSSIBLE TYSON OPPONENT
Fujita
after beating Sapp.
The
Japanese media is reporting that Kazuyuki Fujita has now been
thrown into the mix as a possible opponent for Mike Tyson. Fujita
himself announced after yesterday's win over Bob Sapp that he
would like to face Tyson.
Source:
Fight Sport |
Quote
of the Day
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
Buddhist adage.
|
ROY
JONES vs. TARVER 2
WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
SATURDAY MAY 22@ 9:45pm ET/6:45pm PT
Not
sure what time it is airing Hawaii time.
The
HBO telecast starts off with the exclusive delay broadcast of
the world light heavyweight title fight between Roy Jones Jr.
and Antonio Tarver. That rematch was held on May 15 at the Mandalay
Bay Resort in Las Vegas with Tarver scoring a stunning second-round
KO win.
Source:
HBO |
CABBAGE vs SAPP?
MMAWeekly's Scott Petersen reports from Japan that when Bob Sapp
was being interviewed by the media, Petersen overheard one of
Sapp's cornermen talking about facing Cabbage at a future K-1
event.
Sapp
himself said he was focusing on his fight with Fujita and wouldn't
talk about any other fight. As for Cabbage he is trying to get
a big fight, now that his suspension from the UFC may be longer
than first thought.
As
we reported last week, it appears Cabbage will be suspended even
longer than first thought since his case has now been turned
over to the Attorney's Office.
Cabbage's
medical suspension was set to expire on May 18. However, Cabbage
became in hot water with NSAC after failing to adhere to the
terms of the suspension to fight on the Rumble on the Rock card.
That was where he lost a unanimous decision to John Marsh. Cabbage
violated the medical suspension by participating in the event
and his future is in the air with Zuffa.
K-1
has stepped in and started talking to many people since they
are diving into MMA as a great sport in the U.S. and the world.
No
contracts have been signed; basically, they wanted to see if
both guys would accept the fight and it appears both of them
have verbally. It's unknown if Cabbage's loss has affected his
standing at all with the K-1 company.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Gracies
in action this weekend
by: Luca Atalla
The Jiu-Jitsu world is focused on Japan, where the most traditional
family of that style will have members fighting tomorrow and
after tomorrow.
The
first to act is the three times ADCC champion Royler Gracie,
who will face Japanese Genki Sudo in K-1 Romanex. Royler, always
well conditioned, intends to fight on the ground, and did the
final training in Japan, along with boxing coach Claudio Coelho,
BJJ teacher Vinicius Aieta and US representative David Adiv (photo).
Despite having faced Nova Uniao teacher Andre Pederneiras back
in 2000, Genki Sudo said: 'Finally I will face a real Brazilian
Jiu-jitsu fighter.'
The
day after Romanex, Pride Bushido will run its third event, featuring
the team confront between Gracie Family and Japan. The Gracies
will be represented by Renzo’s young brothers Ryan e Ralph
and Renzo’s pupil and ADCC veteran Ricardo Almeida.
The
three fighters, in Japan since last Wednesday, seem very sharp
in the training sessions this week. The funny thing was the stationary
bike bought by Ryan Gracie (Ralph is seen in the picture riding
it), who wants to take the toy to the stadium to help him in
the warm-up for his fight against Japanese star Ikuhisa Minowa,
known as 'The Punk'.
Besides
team Gracie, Brazilians fans have more reasons to keep their
eyes in Bushido and Romanex. BJJ specialist and new Chute Boxe
member Jorge Macaco will also fight on Sunday. He will face Japanese
Misaki. And, for those who think Brazilians are only grapplers
or chuteboxers, stay tuned to the fight in K-1 Romanex that will
put Sam Greco against Lyoto Mashida. Lyoto, despite of the Japanese
name, was born in Para, a state in North of Brazil, and in his
4-0
record in MMA, he always showed his great karate skills.
K-1
Romanex line-up
- Bob Sapp vs Kazuyuki Fujita
- Alexey Ignashov vs Shinsuke Nakamura
- Don Frye vs Yoshihiro Nakamura
- Josh Barnett vs Rene Rooze
- Gary Goodridge vs Sylvester 'The Predator' Terkay
- B.J. Penn vs Duane Ludwig
- Genki Sudo vs Royler Gracie
- Sam Greco vs LYOTO Machida
- Blue Wolf vs Tom Howard
Pride
Bushido III line-up
JAPAN VS GRACIE (3 vs 3):
- Ikuhisa Minowa vs Ryan Gracie
- Takanori Gomi vs Ralph Gracie
- Ryo Chonan vs Ricardo Almeida
Another
fights:
- Tamakairiki vs Akira Shoji
- Mirko Crocop vs Hiromitsu Kanehara
- Yoshihisa Yamamoto vs Choi Mu Bae
- Kazuo Misaki vs Jorge Patino Macaco
- Daiju Takase vs Carlos Newton
- Kazuhiro Nakamura vs Chalid 'Die Faust'
Source:
ADCC |
Jungle
Fight 2 Review:
Refusing to Surrender!
UFC and Pride veterans show they still have what it takes in
the North of Brazil
By Eduardo Alonso
It
has been a while since Travis Wiuff, Carlos Barreto and Assuerio
Silva had a shot at the UFC or Pride and people often debate
on whether certain fighters are done for the "big thing"
or not. This past Saturday, entering the early hours of Sunday,
up in the north of Brazil at Jungle Fight 2, those three fighters
surprised many showing they not only have what it takes to have
a shot at the "Major Leagues" of our sport, as well
as they are in constant evolution despite the ups and downs an
MMA fighter career can present. Among many things, Jungle Fight
2 also helped to show that with our sport becoming so even, with
fighters going fast from the "next big thing" to a
"tomato can", it's very important to give new chances
to competitors that once were considered among the elite of mixed
martial arts.
In
the hot weather of the city of Manaus, counting with a interesting
production and a good crowd on hand, Wallid Ismail and Antonio
Inoki clearly saw an upgrade in the level of excitement from
their first Jungle Fight venture to last Saturday night's Jungle
Fight 2. In the fight that was maybe the most awaited one, former
Chute Boxe fighter Assuerio Silva stunned most of the audience
with his improved ground skills in a winning effort against Brazilian
Top Team fighter Fabiano Scherner. The first round saw Scherner
get a slight upper hand with some takedowns and a bit of ground
and pound, but doing close to no damage to his opponent. However,
in the second round Assuerio dominated the action with his Boxing
skills, connecting with solid uppercuts only to make Fabiano
fall victim of a guillotine choke that amazingly submitted the
Jiu-Jitsu stylist. Following this fight, the main event saw a
smart, fit and strong Travis Wiuff execute a perfect gameplan
and give no chance to local hero Leopoldo Montenegro. After Montenegro's
submission win over Mark Schultz at Jungle Fight 1, expectations
were high among local fans, but what they saw was Wiuff hurting
him on stand up early in the fight, controlling the takedowns
and escape every submission attempt from the bottom, until Leopoldo
tried for a triangle that made Wiuff slam him so hard on the
mat he got semi-unconscious, so Travis would just finish him
with hammer-fists and punches still in the first round.
Another
highly awaited match-up had two UFC veterans battling each other
in Carlos Barreto against Bobby Hoffman. Many doubted Barreto's
chances against Bobby's pure aggressiveness, however the Brazilian
Top Team fighter worked a Jiu-Jitsu clinic on Hoffman, attempting
one triangle choke, one footlock, one kata-gatame choke from
the bottom, another one from the top and one armbar from the
guard, all in mere five minutes of fighting! Bobby came into
the fight with a strategy to ground and pound Carlos, however
the was forced to spend the whole fight defending, even being
saved by the bell in the first round when he was caught in a
tight kata-gatame choke from the top. The second round saw the
same domination, as Barreto mounted him and pounded away until
the referee saw indications that Hoffman wanted no more after
one impressive outing by a fighter most call boring. Another
UFC veteran, Ebenezer Braga, didn't had the same luck as he was
controlling the fight against Fabricio Werdum, defending takedowns
well and hurting him with knees and punches, until he was caught
by a prayer in the second round that sent him do dream land in
brutal fashion. To his credit, Werdum is an amazing grappler
and proved he have a great chin and will only improve. As knockouts
weren't rare in Jungle Fight 2, Daniel Acacio scored his first
KO as a Chute Boxe member, completely dominating Buck Greer with
better Wrestling and more aggressive stand up, despite the reach
difference.
The
other fights of the night saw Gabriel Napao fighting cautiously
against 43 year old "Charlie Brown" because of his
punching-power, and earning his win due to superior cardio and
speed, French Kickboxer Boris Jonstomp controlling Adriano Martins
on stand up, and prevailing with his cardio and agility, even
though he got caught by a hard knee that almost got in out in
the second round, Jiu Jitsu prodigy Ronaldo Jacare making quick
work of Victor Babkin with a quick takedown followed by a mount
that got the Russian helpless, Japanese Wrestler Katsuyori Shibata
running over "Ice Man" needing around one minute to
secure a side choke for the win, and BJJ world champion Fredson
Paixao showing amazing heart and will in his MMA debut, imposing
his pace and aggressiveness against a surprisingly passive Rani
Yahira that didn't seem comfortable at any moment in the fight.
Happy with the success of Jungle Fight 2, Wallid Ismail is already
planning the third edition for September, and a rematch between
Carlos Barreto and Travis Wiuff, who fought at HEAT FC 2 with
Wiuff winning a judges' decision, is being considered for the
main event.
Source:
FCF |
Post
Fight Interview: ALBERTO CRANE
by: Keith Mills
On
last weekend’s King Of The Cage show in New Mexico Alberto
Crane returned to fight in front of his local fans. Crane was
mainly known for his brief tenure holding the Lightweight belt
when he defeated Javier Vazquez in February 2003, and his recent
fight against Takuto Hida in ZST which he talked about in a previous
interview prior to this win. Crane is now 6-1. On this night
he took on John Mahlow of MASH, the man who fought Thomas Schulte
for the belt after Alberto relinquished it last year. Schulte
beat Mahlow to become the KOTC Lightweight champion but lost
the belt to Joe Stevenson last November. In round one Mahlow
kept the fight standing with the exception of a brief ground
phase in which Mahlow prevented Crane from scoring. In round
two Crane almost immediately took Mahlow down and choked him
out.
KM:
Congratulations. How do you look back at that fight? AC: Thanks.
It was a good test for me. I didn’t expect him to do what
he did. I thought he was going to try to take me down and I didn’t
take into consideration I would need my takedowns. I was wrong
but it was good because it tested me, see what I’m made
of. I was able to come out of it with the win.
KM:
It did look like he had the first round with the striking. What
was going through your mind in that round? AC: ‘I better
get it together, man. Calm down and think of what you are going
to do’. I kind of did, I don’t really remember, trying
to get him up against the cage and trying to get in some of my
good positions but he was real strong. I wasn’t expecting
him to be as strong as he was and I was never able to get into
any good positions. In the second round I took him down, he tried
some jiu-jitsu on me and I have some experience in that. I was
able to counter and get into get into good position on my own
and finish off of that.
KM:
You finished right in front of me so I had a clear view of your
legs trapping his arm and I noticed he was trying to throw knees
to the head… AC: They were on the top of the head. It kind
of got me mad and made me want to punch him, so it was kind of
good. Like, ‘I better give it right back’ ad because
of that he started to panic and I was able to get him. It was
a great fight, he was a really tough opponent, I give him a lot
of credit.
KM:
It looked like you were trying to go for a crucifix and rear
choke at the same time. How would you describe that submission?
AC: Crucifucks. It fucks either way. In my first NHB fight I
finished a guy with that.
KM:
Is that something you train a lot to use? AC: Whatever people
give me. It just happened to be there and I took advantage of
it.
KM:
Are you back in the running for the KOTC Lightweight belt? AC:
Maybe, yeah. I think next I’m going against a world-ranked
Japanese guy in Santa Fe on July 16th. I don’t know the
details yet but I know it’s July 16th. I’m looking
forward to it to test myself against one of the best in Japan
and I think it will be a really big show.
KM:
I take it as news comes out fans should check santafebjj.com?
AC: Yeah, and the news, some guys like you hanging around.
KM:
Anything you can say at this point about your up-and-comers?
AC: Yeah, check out the show in July. Tom Pless won tonight,
it was his second fight. He triangled the guy in the first round
fighting a game opponent.
Looks
like we’ll have to wait to hear more about the fighters
Crane teaches. In the meantime keep an eye on www.santafebjj.com
for info on the July show he mentioned. No word is currently
available if Crane will be invited back to ZST but if so it will
happen after the July show he mentioned above.
Source:
ADCC |
K-1:
press conference at the mall
Japanese
innovated the press conference at this time at K-1 Romanex, MMA
event which will happen on Saturday , May 22nd in Tokyo. The
fighters were featured to the press inside a mall, the Venus
Fort, at Odaiba district. Besides the card with huge stars as
Royler Gracie, Josh Barnett, Genki Sudo and BJ Penn, one more
time, the great name of it was Bob Sapp.
Dressed
with a white toga and IWGP (International Wrestling Grand Prix)
belt, Sapp drove the audience nuts and said he will rock Kazuyuki
Fujita. 'Its gonna be quick and fast, because Fujita is tough
and fast... so I will explode. I am aware he will try to put
me down and punch me on the ground. If he tries to exchange punches
with me, the fight will end soon, because I will KO him,"
stated Sapp.
Other
confront that has been generating a lot of waiting is between
Royler Gracie and Japanese fighter Genki Sudo. 'To reach K-1
is wonderful for every figther. I am really happy to be here
and I am sure this bout will be great," guaranteed the diplomatic
Royler. Sudo, was thankful to meet someone at his weight. During
his last K-1 fight, last December, the Japanese (1,75m and 70kg)
faced American fighter Butterbean (1,80m and 159kg) and he has
beaten him. 'It will be the first time I will get a real BJJ
fighter. I have been wanting that a while ago," celebrated
Sudo.
Check
out the card bellow (subject to change):
-
Bob Sapp Vs Kazuyuki Fujita;
- Alexey Ignashov Vs Shinsuke Nakamura;
- Don Frye Vs Yoshihiro Nakamura;
- Josh Barnett Vs Rene Rooze;
- Gary Goodridge Vs Sylvester 'The Predator' Terkay;
- B.J. Penn Vs Duane Ludwig;
- Genki Sudo Vs Royler Gracie;
- Sam Greco Vs Lyoto Machida;
- Blue Wolf Vs Tom Howard.
Check
out in our interview session the full interview with Royler Gracie
here at TATAME.com
Source:
Tatame |
Fabrício
Werdum
By André Araújo
Surprise
at the Jungle?
BJJ
black from Bhering Fabrício Werdum was responsible for
one of the best moments of Jungle Fight 2, held on last May 15th
in Manaus (AM). Surprising everybody, Werdum KO'd Ebenézer
Braga (RVT), one of the most important Brazilian strikers, in
second round. What was treated as a lock move by many people,
Werdum says it was planned and this kind of surprises are always
present in his game. Who does not remember Werdum's flyer kick
over Gabriel Napão at Jungle 1? According to the BJJ black
belt, that move was trained with his young brother, who is a
Capoeira fighter. With the swing happened the same. Check out
bellow the full interview.
A
BJJ black belt KO'ing a striker. Lots of people got surprised.
What do you think about it?
In
fact, I did not planed to KO Ebenezer. Everybody was telling
me this fight would not be easy. The thing was make the distance
between us shorter and put his down. I got a lot of punches in
my head, knees too and I got a bloody nose. I ended to pretend
a leg attack and threw a punch. I stroke him in his head, near
from his ear and he fell. At first Jungle I began with a flyer
kick. Now I got Ebenézer with my surprising move.
Some
people talk about this move as a lucky one...
During
a fight like that, luck is always welcome. But it really didn't
happen. I had been training that move with my brother Felipe
Werdum at the Hotel Tropical and during the bout, I king of reminded
it and threw the punch. It was really natural.
Tell
me about this Chute Boxe story. Are you going to train in there?
For
me Chute Boxe is the best Vale-Tudo team in the world. About
Jiu-Jitsu, the best for me is Behring and my teacher Sylvio Behring.
I've never said I would leave Behring. Once Behring, always Behring.
Train at Chute Boxe for me is a dream. I want to train Vale-Tudo
with the best ones. In Vale-Tudo, I wanna represent Chute-Boxe
and over the Gi tournaments I want to represent Behring. In fact
I was thinking even bigger., like a integration. Who knows?
Another
athlete dealing with Chute-Boxe is Gabriel Napão, the
same one you fought at Jungle 1. Are you okay with that?
That
would be great. Napão is such a tough guy. We also met
at Jungle 2 behind the scenes and we commented that bout. I am
sure that would be great to train with him.
How
is BJJ scene in Spain nowadays?
I
wonder to release the Europa Top Team. As US has America Top
Team, Brazil has Brazilian Top Team and Russia, the Russian Top
Team, I would like to release a Vale -Tudo team in Europe. Jiu-Jitsu
in Spain is getting better even better. We do count with five
black belts in there now. We also got few champions at 4th Spain
BJJ Cup, BJJ event promoted by Robin Gracie. Actually I teach
from Monday to Friday in Madri. Saturday and Sunday I try to
reach other localities outside Madri.
How
is your agenda now?
I
am in Europe now and I will be back to Brazil on next July 1st
for the Mundials. I guess I will be at Jungle Fight 3's card,
but I do have a fight scheduled in Valencia, the Spain Vale-Tudo.
I will face the French fighter Damien Riccio on the next June
26th.
Talking
about Gi tournaments... Are you up to next Mundial and BJJ World
Cup?
I
am not sure. I only know I will be fighting at BJJ World Cup.
Being at the Mundial it just depends of a MMA event promoted
by Hunter, the Hunter Combat Submission MMA, where I do have
chances to fight... both events happen on the same day.
You
do an old issue with Márcio Pé de Pano over BJJ
events. With the GI tournaments getting close, how is this thing
between you two?
For
me, he is the best in the world, well, he is the absolute champion.
I really want to met him over the BJJ championships. However
in my opinion this year he will not win a thing. At most second
or third place.
Source: Tatame |
K-1
PREVIEW PART II
The Best of the Rest
by Ken Pishna
Though
there are really only three highly competitive bouts on the K-1
Romanex card, there are some other fighters that will stand out
to MMA fans. Among them: Josh Barnett, Don Frye, Gary Goodridge,
Alexey Ignashov, and Ryoto “Lyoto” Machida.
Josh
Barnett
Despite a dominating 12-1 record and being a former UFC heavyweight
champion, Barnett’s rating as one of the best heavyweights
in the world has been brought into question lately. The primary
reason being that he has only fought four times since departing
from the UFC over two years ago, pursuing a primary career in
professional wrestling. Never mind that he won all four and those
wins included King of Pancrase Yuki Kondo and the 7’0”
tall Semmy Schilt.
At
Romanex, Barnett faces Rene Rooze, a fighter from Holland that
is more known for his kickboxing expertise than his MMA skills,
despite a 5-2 record in the sport. This should be another notch
in Barnett’s King of Pancrase belt as he possesses ample
standup skills to fend off Rooze and get him to the ground for
a submission.
Don
Frye
Don Frye is quickly becoming the stereotypical profile of the
athlete that just doesn’t know when to call it quits. He
has had a glorious career that includes winning the UFC’s
Ultimate Ultimate 96 and has wins over the likes of Gary Goodridge,
Tank Abbott, Gilbert Yvel and Ken Shamrock. But “The Predator”
had his knee shredded at the hands of Shamrock and has serious
medical concerns about his neck and has been told to stop fighting.
Still he continues on.
Frye
is probably the most John Wayne-type character in MMA which makes
it all the more difficult to watch him quickly fade into obscurity.
He has lost his last three bouts. There was a time when facing
a Japanese pro wrestler with one MMA bout under his belt, such
as is the case with his opponent Yoshihiro Nakao, would be a
walk in the park for Frye. With his declining health, it’s
hard to tell if Frye takedowns and ground and pound will be able
to carry him through. Hopefully, it will and Frye will end his
career before it is ended for him.
Gary
Goodridge
Having retired after his win over Don Frye at Pride’s New
Year’s Eve Shockwave show, Gary Goodridge has quickly been
lured out of his rocking chair by K-1. And why not? He has what
should be an easy opponent with only one MMA bout for experience
in professional wrestler “The Predator” Sylvester Terkay.
Goodridge
has always been a big, strong competitor in MMA, but has spent
a lot of time over the past year or so improving his striking
game and even has a win over K-1 standout Mike Bernardo under
K-1 kickboxing rules. Expect Goodridge to fend off Terkay’s
takedown attempts, keep the fight standing, and knock him out,
possibly with the same type of high kick he used to KO Don Frye
on New Year’s Eve.
Alexey
Ignashov
Having already forged a stellar career in K-1 kickboxing with
wins over Carter Williams, Mike Bernardo, Jan Nortje, Cyril Abidi
and the legendary Peter Aerts, Alexey Ignashov is testing his
mettle in the MMA arena. Despite only one MMA bout to his resume,
Ignashov is a superior striker and is being groomed to be K-1’s
version of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. He’ll get
that chance in this rematch with Shinsuke Nakamura, another Japanese
pro wrestler, who carries a 2-2 record in MMA including a New
Year’s Eve loss to Ignashov.
Ryoto
“Lyoto” Machida
Though not widely known throughout the world, Lyoto carries into
the ring with him a 4-0 record including a head turning TKO win
over Rich Franklin and wins over Michael McDonald and Kengo Watanabe.
Though he will be facing legendary K-1 fighter Sam Greco, who
is 1-0-1 in MMA, Lyoto’s standup is solid and should be
good enough to get him past Greco’s standup and to the ground
where he should control the fight. His win over Franklin created
a nice buzz, a win over Greco would help to grow that buzz a
little louder and move Lyoto towards a higher profile bout his
next time out.
The
Leftovers: Blue Wolf vs. Tom Howard
My only question is this: Why is this bout taking place on an
MMA card? Both are popular pro wrestler’s in Japan, Blue
Wolf (Dolgorsuren Serjbudee) under the New Japan banner and Tom
“The Green Beret” Howard under the Zero-One banner.
Still I ask, “Why? Why? Why?” I don’t know why
and, frankly, I’ve given up trying to understand why some
Japanese promotions make these types of matchups. All I know
is that this one will probably end by Mongol Slam or Special
Technique #1-100.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
PRIDE
BUSHIDO 3 PREVIEW...
PART II by Mick Hammond
MMAWeekly's Mick Hammond gives us Part II of his breakdown of
the Pride Bushido show this weekend. If you missed Part I, read
it on yesterdays news.
Lastly,
the series finishes off with the largest of fighters on both
sides going at it. Ikuhisa “The Punk” Minowa is no
stranger to MMA or PRIDE fans having fought an astounding 50
fights (going 23-19-8), most recently coming off a KO loss to
Wanderlei Silva at the last Bushido.
This
former Pancrase fighter turned Brazilian Top Team member is known
for his balanced attack both standing and on the ground. Physically
strong and always a hard worker, Minowa is known for giving his
all every time out and is not a fighter someone can take a break
against without paying for it. Currently training with the BTT
only makes him a better fighter and, despite recent losses to
top notch opponents (Silva and Quinton “Rampage Jackson”),
Minowa is the type of fighter who can beat anyone at any time.
Facing
Minowa will be the most hot-blooded of the Gracie clan, Ryan.
Originally slated to fight Hayoto “Mach” Sakurai at
the last Bushido, Ryan was forced out of that fight due to injury,
but returns to PRIDE for his first fight since participating
at the inaugural Bushido last year. A member of his cousin Renzo’s
team, Ryan (3-2) is known for being a physically strong fighter
and possessing good striking ability along with his family’s
trademark Jiu-Jitsu.
This
fight could very well come down to emotion, as both fighters
are known for an aggressive streak in their nature. Minowa nearly
got into a post-fight brawl with Quinton “Rampage”
Jackson after their match at Shockwave 2003, while Ryan had to
be held back by family members as he proceeded to verbally barrage
Hidehiko Yoshida after he defeated Yoshida prodigy Kazuhiro Hamanaka
at Bushido 1. If cooler heads don’t prevail, this fight
could be brutal and quick. Look for Minowa to try to slam Gracie
and both fighters to look for submissions on the ground, this
one looks to be anyone’s fight.
The
fights of the triple main event are not the only intriguing match-ups
at Bushido 3. On the undercard, there are also two PRIDE veterans
returning to the ring to make a statement after embarrassing
losses. Firstly is Japanese fan favorite and adopted son Carlos
“The Ronin” Newton who will be making his return to
Japan and PRIDE since defeating Renzo Gracie at Bushido 1 back
in October of 2003. Newton (12-9) is coming off a unanimous decision
loss to Renato
Verissimo
at UFC 46 and will be looking to rebound against veteran journeyman
Daiju Takase (6-9-1) who is coming off a win over former King
of the Cage Champion Chris Brennan at Bushido 2.
Look
for Newton to take the fight to the ground and work his very
smooth Jiu-Jitsu style in hopes to gain a submission victory.
Takase, while not possessing a great record, has had success
defending submissions and hasn’t lost via submission in
almost 5 years. So this fight could very well come down to who
outworks the other fighter and impresses the judges the most
earning a hard fought decision victory.
Also
looking to bounce back at Bushido 3 is heavyweight striker supreme
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. After his surprising KO
loss to Kevin Randleman at PRIDE Total Elimination 2004, Cro
Cop (9-2-2) has said he will rebound back to top form and show
the world he deserves another shot at a heavyweight title. Opposing
Filipovic will be Rings veteran Hiromitsu Kanehara (15-10-1).
The announcement of this fight was no surprise to many as Kanehara
had made it quite clear he wanted to fight Mirko at Total Elimination
2004, but was unable to be signed in time for the event.
While
many do not question Kanehara’s heart in wishing to fight
Cro Cop, many will be questioning his sanity as if recent history
teaches us anything, Mirko will be looking to end the fight fast
and ferociously with his trademark striking style. Both Ron Waterman
(PRIDE 27) and Yoshihisa Yamamoto (Bushido 2) can attest what
it’s like to be on the end of a vengeful Cro Cop strike
looking for redemption. Kanehara, a submission specialist, will
be fighting for the first time since late 2002 when he was dominated
by Wanderlei Silva at PRIDE 23. He will look to survive the onslaught
of punches and high kicks from Filipovic and try to take the
fight to the ground to work a submission or survive long enough
to have the fight go to a judges’ decision.
Other
notable fights on the card will be Hidehiko Yoshida trained fighter
Kazuhiro Nakamura (2-1) taking on German born Khalid “Die
Faust” Arrab (5-2) in a match of young rising heavyweights.
And in what may well be his last shot at PRIDE glory, veteran
gatekeeper Akira Shoji (11-10-5) will face off against former
Sumo wrestler Tamakairiki making his MMA and PRIDE debuts.
Even
without Silva VS Kondo, PRIDE Bushido 3 has shaped up to be a
great card full of top class fighters in intriguing fights. From
the three on three team battle to the return of two MMA superstars
and everything in between this show looks to be a perfect transitioning
point to PRIDE’s Critical Countdown 2004 show in June.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
"Too
often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word,
a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of
caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
Leo Buscaglia, American Expert on Love, Lecturer, Author
|
Help
a little Angel!
A lot of people have asked us who created our site or some returning
visitors were shocked to see how cool our new site was, well,
it is all the work of master flash artist, Marc Ebalaroza and
his company Pacific Design Community. He is a close friend and
we highly recommend him to anyone who wants a site that will
have everyone talking and sets it apart from the hum drum sites
out there.
Marc's heart is as big as his creative ability. You may have
heard about a message board type site that was set up for our
US troops to communicate with family. It was on the local news
stations and papers, Marc and his team were behind that. Now
he is asking for your help with a 2 week old baby. Joey Ching
of Hawaii411.com is a close friend and also has a heart of gold
by helping out with the site.
My heart goes out to this family. As some of you may know that
my terrible twosome (my twins) were in Neonatal Intensive Care
for the first couple of weeks of their lives and had to fight
their way to health. My family feels for Angel's family. So if
you have been blessed this year or recently, please share the
blessing with family who could use an extra share from everyone.
Onzuka.com
Hello:
I recently just donated a website to a friend of mine who's granddaughter
is hospitalized in San Francisco for a Diaphragmatic Hernia of
the Heart. Although only 13 days old the family are keeping their
faith on her recovery. He informed me of the news on Wednesday
regarding the financial situation his family was in because of
all the hospital and travel expenses. And after gathering the
information of his granddaughter's prognosis and his financial
situation I just couldn't walk away without doing anything. So
I decided to construct him a website where people can go to and
send their support and prayers. Joey Ching of Hawaii411.com also generously donated
server space and a domain name.
I did contact all the news stations, however it seemed that maybe
'Jasmine Trias' is just too important at this time because no
one called Sonny (Angel's Grandfather) for any media attention.
If you are willing to show your financial support in anyway,
I WILL add your link / logo to the website along with your name
/ company. We are working on getting the family a fund raiser
account and an online donation form, however for now please feel free to
contact Sonny Cuson at 808.864.0496 for any monetary donations.
For more info visit the website at: www.angelalapai.com
Please pardon the inconvenience of the site, however being that
it was a spur of the moment decision the site is still undergoing
some maintenance, I just wanted to launch it ASAP to get all
the support we can for this little girl and her family.
Please keep Angel Alapai and her family in your prayers. ~ Aloha
Marc.
|
"SUMMER
HEAT 2004"
Martial Arts Tournament
Kumite Kata Weapons
 
Presents
"SUMMER
HEAT 2004"
Martial Arts Tournament
Sunday, June 6, 2004
King Intermediate School
Kaneohe
featuring...
U.S.S.J.A SPORT JUJITSU * EXTREME SPARRING * KUMITE * KATA *
WEAPONS
See:
Karate vs. Kung fu vs. Tae Kwon Do vs. Kempo vs. Kickboxing vs.
Jujitsu vs. Shootfighting
...KICK, PUNCH, THROW AND SUBMISSION !...
Registration
and Weigh-Ins starts at 8:30 a.m.
Competition
begins at 9:30 am Sharp!
Entry
Fee: $20.00 per event/division
For
more information contact Kempo Unlimited at 778-3601 or Yin Kui
Tsin Hao Kempo at 220-7113.
|
K-1
ROMANEX PREVIEW PART 1
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Saitama Super Arena
The
Card:
Bob Sapp vs. Kazuyuki Fujita
Alexey Ignashov vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Don Frye vs. Yoshihiro Nakao
Josh Barnett vs. Rene Rooze
Gary Goodridge vs. The Predator (Sylvester Terkay)
B.J. Penn vs. Duane Ludwig
Genki Sudo vs. Royler Gracie
Sam Greco vs. Ryoto “Lyoto” Machida
Blue Wolf vs. Tom Howard
With
their show dubbed “Romanex,” K-1 makes their first
full-fledged foray in MMA with an exciting card that features
such matchups as Bob Sapp vs. Kazuyuki Fujita, B.J. Penn vs.
Duane “Bang” Ludwig, and Genki Sudo vs. Royce Gracie.
Also on the card will be fighters Josh Barnett, Don Frye, Gary
Goodridge, and Lyoto.
Bob
Sapp vs. Kazuyuki Fujita
The main event, of course, will feature “The Beast”
Bob Sapp in what could actually be one of his toughest bouts
to date, despite his loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Sapp will
be facing the man with the head made of stone, Kazuyuki Fujita,
and that’s not a put down nor an exaggeration.
Fujita
is 10-4 in MMA competition and has not been knocked out despite
facing both Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic.
The closest anyone has come was a doctor stoppage due to a cut
at the hands of Filipovic. Also a professional wrestler, Fujita
has a strong background in grappling and carries a lot of power
on his 6’0”, 250 pound frame. His wins include Mark
Kerr, Ken Shamrock and Gilbert Yvel.
Although
he is 5-1 in MMA, Sapp has yet to earn the respect of most fans
around the world. At 6’3” and 375 pounds, he wins most
of his bouts through shear size and isn’t widely respected
for his skills which are still that of an advanced beginner.
In fact, the only time that Sapp has faced a top ten competitor,
Nogueira, he lost, despite outweighing him by more than 100 pounds.
With
his strong wrestling background and size, it is likely that Fujita
will be able to get Sapp down and wear on him with a ground and
pound attack, possibly getting a ref stoppage or opening him
up for a choke. Sapp, on the other hand, has tremendous power
that emerges from his mountainous size and can end most fights
with one big swipe of his bear claw. Fujita though has been able
to withstand tremendous punishment, so it will be interesting
to see if he can get Sapp down or if Sapp will be the first to
rattle his cage.
BJ
Penn vs.
Duane “Bang” Ludwig
Of all the bouts on K-1’s MMA debut card, BJ Penn vs. Duane
Ludwig has to be the most highly anticipated, at least by American
fans, for many reasons. Chief among those reasons has to be that
Penn had just won the UFC welterweight title in his last fight,
defeating Matt Hughes, but due to his signing with K-1, the UFC
has stripped him of that title. Another interesting aspect to
this one is that Ludwig, who was on fire in the MMA world after
knocking out Jens Pulver and a controversial decision win over
Genki Sudo, took this fight on just two and a half weeks notice
after having spent the better part of the last year focusing
totally on kickboxing.
Despite
being born and raised by the UFC, Penn has grown up and decided
to strike out on his own. With a 7-1-1 record, his only loss
to Jens Pulver, Penn felt both the financial and emotional pull
of Japan. Despite being one of the UFC’s most popular fighters,
he yearned for more, believing that K-1 would be able to spread
his popularity to a wider audience and I’m sure the extra
financial incentives don’t hurt either.
Despite
getting his start in MMA because of his phenomenal background
in Brazilian Jiujitsu, Penn made an immediate impact with his
vicious striking. His first three MMA bouts ended due to his
striking. After losing a close decision for Jens Pulver’s
title, Penn went into a slump of sorts, although he was still
winning, until he “went back to his roots” in Hawaii
and emerged with successive submission victories over two of
the top fighters in the world in their respective weight divisions,
Takanori Gomi and Matt Hughes. Now, he leaves the UFC and the
title he won from Hughes behind to make his way in Japan.
Duane
Ludwig has earned a reputation, especially with the KO of Pulver,
as being the most feared striker in the MMA lightweight world.
Despite a lack of respect for his ground game, Ludwig has enough
skill on the ground to have parlayed his striking skills into
a 10-2 record in MMA. That goes along with a 45-4 record in Muay
Thai.
If
he can catch Ludwig, Penn does have the power to knock him out
as he displayed in his 11 second KO of Caol Uno, but he will
most likely want to get Ludwig on the ground were his abilities
are far above Ludwig’s. Of course, Ludwig will want to do
the opposite. He has a good sprawl and takedown defense and will
try to keep Penn on his feet and use his superior striking skill
to knock him out.
The
X factor in this one is Ludwig’s attitude. He accepted this
fight on short notice, comes in the lighter fighter, and knows
that few people expect him to win. The odds are stacked against
him and he knows he has nothing to lose. This is when a fighter
can be most dangerous, just ask Kevin Randleman.
Genki
Sudo vs. Royler Gracie
The last of the three bouts that really highlight K-1’s
first all MMA card is “Neo-Samurai” Genki Sudo against
Royler Gracie. Sudo is immensely popular in Japan and so is the
Gracie clan. This should be one of the more popular fights on
the card in Japan.
Sudo,
9-3-1, is somewhat of an enigma in MMA. He has a strong background
in jiujitsu and in striking, but is really known more for his
enigmatic ring entrances and a very awkward, unorthodox style
in the ring. Sudo brings excitement with him wherever he fights,
but the knock on him has been that he won’t face the top
opponents. He has reportedly turned down a rematch with Ludwig
and also shied away from an opportunity to face BJ Penn on this
same card.
Despite
lacking the experience that Sudo carries with him, at 3-1-1 in
MMA, Royler’s only loss was to Japanese legend Kazushi Sakuraba.
He is also regarded, along with Rickson, as the most technical
of the Gracie fighters. Royler has fought in many top-level grappling
events throughout the world, but this will be his toughest MMA
fight next to Sakuraba.
Sudo
always has that awkward style that tends to through most fighters
off of their game. It will be interesting to see how his style
will affect Royler. He will have to hope that his style does
give Royler some fits and that he will be able to outstrike the
grappling master because the ground isn’t going to be a
friendly place against a Gracie.
Royler,
for his part, has reportedly been training quite a bit on his
feet for this fight. Still, the quirky style of Sudo’s will
be tough to ignore. If Royler can stay patient and time it right,
he can through just enough strikes to get in on Sudo, get him
to the ground, and possibly submit him or control him long enough
for a decision win.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
Russians
against Minotauro in Pride GP?
by: Luca Atalla with Raphael Nogueira
The
last edition of GRACIE Magazine features an article entitled
“Russian Threat” as it's cover report. The article
is a “spy file”, warning Brazilian fans about the possibility
of their star Rodrigo 'Minotauro' confronting both Fedor Emelianenko
and Sergei Kharitonov, two of the top Russian fighters who are
still in the Pride GP.
Emelianenko
and Kharitonov are sambo practitioners Sambo is a martial art
developed in the russian army and whose techniques on the ground
are very similar to Jiu-Jitsu. Standing, sambo is a mix of judo
and freestyle wrestling. That’s why russians are considered
“complete fighters”, it means that they are able to
play in every part of the ring, in every situation of a match.
Boxing
is another virtue of president Putin's compatriots. Kharitonov
defeated Murilo Ninja by knockout in the first night of Pride
Heavyweight Grand Prix. It was not by chance that 'Minotauro'
himself went to Cuba some months ago, to develop his boxe techniques.
“Lot of fighters learned how to run away from ground combat.
That’s why I need to train more boxing. I need to move myself
faster than the enemy when I’m on my feet', said Minotauro,
who has already lost to Fedor, in Pride 25.
Source:
ADCC |
MAY
2004 - ADCC's TOP TEN MMA!
under 145 lbs.
#1 Alexandre 'Pequeno' Nogueira (Brazil)
#2 Jens Pulver (Team EXTREME, USA)
#3 Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto (Japan)
#4 Joao Roque (Nova Uniao, Brazil)
#5 Ivan Menjivar (Costa Rica)
#6 Stephen
Paling (USA)
#7 Tetsuo Katsuta (Japan)
#8 Hiroyuki Abe (Japan)
#9 Hiroyuki Takaya (Japan)
#10 Mike Brown (Team Elite, USA)
145.1
- 155 lbs.
#1 Vitor 'Shaolin' Ribeiro (Nova Uniao, Brazil)
#2 Yves Edwards (3rd Column, USA)
#3 Genki Sudo (Japan)
#4 Joachim Hansen (Team Scandinavia, Oslo, Norway)
#5 Josh Thompson (Team AKA, USA)
#6 Caol Uno (Japan)
#7 Takanori Gomi (SHOOTO, Japan)
#8 Hermes Franca (American TOP TEAM, USA)
#9 Marcus Aurelio (American TOP TEAM, USA)
#10 Matt Serra (Team Renzo Gracie, USA)
155.1
- 170 lbs.
#1 BJ Penn
(USA)
#2 Matt Hughes (Team EXTREME, USA)
#3 Sean Sherk (USA)
#4 Jutaro Nakao (Japan)
#5 Rodrigo Gracie (Team Renzo Gracie, USA)
#6 Nick Diaz (Cesar Gracie, USA)
#7 Renato
Verrisimo (Nova Uniao, Brazil)
#8 Chris Lytle (Integrated Fighting, USA)
#9 Carlos Newton (Canada)
#10 Frank Trigg (USA)
170.1
- 185 lbs.
#1 Yuki Kondo (Japan)
#2 Jeremy Horn (Team EXTREME, USA)
#3 Anderson Silva (Brazil)
#4 Matt Lindland (USA)
#5 Masanori Suda (SHOOTO Champion, Japan)
#6 Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan)
#7 Ricardo Almeida (Team Renzo Gracie, USA)
#8 Evan Tanner (USA)
#9 Amar Suloev (Red Devil, Russia)
#10 Denis Kang (Soares JJ, Canada)
185.1
- 205 lbs.
#1 Wanderlei Silva (Chute Boxe, Brazil)
#2 Randy Couture (Team Quest, USA)
#3 Vitor Belfort (Brazil)
#4 Dan Henderson (USA)
#5 Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson (USA)
#6 Chuck Liddell (USA)
#7 Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (Brazilian TOP TEAM, Brazil)
#8 Tito Ortiz (USA)
#9 Ricardo Arona (Brazilian TOP TEAM, Brazil)
#10 Kevin Randleman (Hammer House, USA)
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 Andrei Orlovski (Belarus)
#5 Tim Sylvia (Team EXTREME, USA)
#6 Mirko Filipovic (Croatia)
#7 Semmy Schilt (Holland)
#8 Frank Mir (Pires JJ, USA)
#9 Ibragim Magomedov (Red Devil, Russia)
#10 Heath Herring (Golden Glory, USA)
Source: ADCC |
Hieron
in for Miller
East Coast stand-out Jay Hieron will step up to take over for
legally-plagued Jason Miller at UFC 48.
Undefeated
in MMA (4-0) and kickboxing, Hieron will fight Georges St. Pierre
at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on June
19th.
Check
back soon for more info.
Source:
FCF
|
Tererê
out of Brazilian Championship
2003 Brazilian Openweight champ, Fernando Tererê will not
defend his title on this year edition, next May 29 and 30, in
Rio de Janeiro. After beating Marcelo Garcia at Japan Open Championship,
last May 15, Tererê now is in US to do a tour of seminaries
around the country. From San Diego, where he's practicing with
his mentor Carlos Valente, TT Jiu-Jitsu black belt will also
go to Las Vegas and Atlanta, returning to Rio only at the end
of May.
Who
will defend TT Jiu-Jitsu's name this time is the brown belt André
Galvão, that ruled on 2003 Worlds and 1st America Golden
Cup First Open. Galvão also fought in Japan and now is
in US with Tererê, returning on May 24 specially for the
Brazilian Championship. "I can't fight this Brazilian and
now I'll focused only on 2004 Worlds", announces Tererê,
who will do his practicing with Wágner Motta and Edmilson
Dantas.
Source:
Tatame |
PRIDE
BUSHIDO PREVIEW PART I
PRIDE BUSHIDO VOLUME 3
By Mick Hammond
In
only its third edition, PRIDE’s Bushido show has become
one of the foremost MMA events in the world. Created to showcase
fighters in the lower weight classes, Bushido has provided some
of the most entertaining moments over the last year with some
of the best talent in the world. Using special rules designed
to keep the action going, fights are rarely boring and holding
the events in smaller settings gives this series a distinctly
more intimate feel than it’s larger regular series counterpart.
This
third volume of the series, taking place on May 23rd, shows no
sign of letting up the short but great tradition that’s
already been forged. As a sign of the series’ growing popularity,
for the first time, the show will debut via tape-delay on PPV
the same day as the event itself still at the special reduced
price of only $19.95.
As
for the fight card itself, originally the show was to be headlined
by the highly anticipated matchup of PRIDE Middleweight Champion
Wanderlei Silva and Light-Heavyweight King of Pancrase Yuki Kondo,
but due to a knee injury Silva could not compete. Even without
that fight the card is looking very solid and includes what is
becoming the staple of the Bushido series, a multi-fighter team
battle, this time featuring a best of three series between Team
Japan and Team Gracie.
This
time representing Japan in the team battle is Ryo Chonan, Takanori
Gomi, and Ikuhisa “The Punk” Minowa, three of Japan’s
top fighters. On the opposing side, the Gracies will be represented
by Ricardo Almeida, Ralph Gracie, and Ryan Gracie.
This
series presents a triad of interesting match-ups starting with
U-File Camp fighter Ryo Chonan (6-3) against Middleweight King
of Pancrase Ricardo Almeida (7-2) representing Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Chonan, a veteran of DEEP who is coming off a victory over the
Takada Dojo’s Daijiro Matsui this past January, is a scrappy
fighter in the vein of teammate Kiyoshi Tamura. He’s a good
striker with decent ground skills known for going the distance
against his opponents. Facing him is Ricardo Almeida, making
his second appearance in PRIDE and first fight since defeating
Nathan Marquardt for the Middleweight KOP title last November.
Almeida, the only non-Gracie on the team, was personally selected
by Renzo Gracie to represent him in the series and is an expert
Jiu-Jitsu fighter with good striking skills. Look for the more
experienced Almeida to take the fight to the ground and use his
superior skills there to try to secure a submission.
The
second fight in this best of three series could possibly be Team
Japan’s best shot for a win as highly ranked Takanori Gomi
(15-2) of the K’z Factory takes on Ralph Gracie (6-0) representing
his own school. Gomi is widely regarded as one of the top 2 or
3 fighters in the world at his weight class and his only losses
have come to fighters generally grouped in the same class as
him (BJ Penn and Joachim Hansen). Gomi is a master ground fighter,
able to quickly take opponents down and either dominate them
with a barrage of strikes or take a submission opportunity when
it presents itself. Few fighters can finish on the ground as
Gomi can.
On
the other side, Ralph Gracie is a life long practitioner of the
form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that bears his famous name, but he
has only had six MMA fights and has faced decidedly weaker competition
than Gomi. However, Ralph cannot be completely counted out. His
tenacious style has earned him his “Pit Bull” nickname
and he is a hard worker no matter what the situation. Of course,
his Jiu-Jitsu skills are that of a Gracie’s and he has used
them to finish off four of his six fights. This fight, like the
previous one, will go to the ground and it will be up to Gomi
to avoid Ralph’s submission attempts while using his superior
speed to land shots and possibly go for his own submission. This
could be the quickest fight of the night, so don’t blink.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
KARO
NEEDS WIN TO GET BACK TO UFC
Karo "The Heat" Parisyan recently spoke with MMAWeekly
about his up coming WEC match against Shonie Carter tomorrow
night.
His
also discussed his loss to Georges St. Pierre and his past fighting
accomplishments. Karo has been fighting in competition for more
than half of his life. The 21 year old first started competing
in Judo when he was just nine years old. Since then, he has gone
on to win seventeen national titles, four international titles,
along with a Silver Medal in the Pan Am Championships.
There
was a buzz around Karo Parisyan before he made his UFC debut
in September, 2003 at UFC 44. His style of throws and submission
attempts out of nowhere, impressed and wowed spectators. In just
under four minutes, Karo submitted the veteran fighter, Dave
Strasser.
At
UFC 44, Parisyan faced off against Canadian sensation Georges
St.Pierre. St.Pierre would become the second person to defeat
Karo when the judges handed down a unanimous decision in favor
of Georges. Parisyan's other two loses are to Sean Sherk. Karo
stated that St.Pierre is a tough guy but, "St.Pierre did
not beat Karo Parisyan, Karo Parisyan beat himself before the
fight."
Karo
explained that he had "a lot of stuff" going on in
his life at the time and he took St.Pierre lightly. He also had
trouble making weight for the fight. Parisyan said he had to
cut sixteen pounds in three days. As a result of having to cut
so much weight, Karo said he felt dehydrated and weak. He wants
a rematch with St.Pierre to prove to everyone that his loss was
a "big fluke."
Friday
night, Karo has a tough match-up against "Mr. International",
Shonie Carter. Parisyan characterized Shonie as, "A veteran
of the sport and he does a lot of crazy stuff." Karo isn't
a fighter who goes into fights with a game plan. He commented,
"If I have to throw my hands, I'll throw my hands. If I
have to take him down and submit him, I'll take him down and
submit him." His only plan going in, is to press the fight
and keep the pressure on Carter. He just wants to win the fight.
He went on to say, "I want that win on my record."
His prediction for the fight was, "Don't blink...just watch."
Source:
MMA Weekly |
WES
SIMS TALKS FUTURE
The ruling came on Tuesday evening that Wes Sims' appeal to the
Nevada State Athletic Commission to get his knockout loss to
Mike Kyle overturned and made into a No Contest, was denied.
On Wednesday, Wes was featured on MMAWeekly Radio and discussed
the ruling, as well as his future plans in Mixed Martial Arts.
Sims
said the ruling is "upsetting." It has been disputed
and argued over; whether or not, Mike Kyle bit Wes in their match
at UFC 47. Following the fight, Sims did have teeth marks on
his chest and they were still present, some time later, at the
post fight press conference. According to Wes, the bite came
early in the fight, right after the two fighters went to the
ground. Wes went on to say that Kyle attempted to bite him more
than once in the fight.
Called
into question was the restart of the fight after referee John
McCarthy stood the fighters up. Sims pointed out that the commission
has stated before that the referee is in there to protect the
fighters but contradicted themselves in their ruling by taking
the stance that the referee is only in there to stop the fight.
Wes clearly had his back turned to Kyle when the fight was restarted
and Wes stated, "John made a mistake, it's as simple as
that." Sims will get his chance to appear before the commission
and give his account of what took place in the octagon on April
2nd.
Wes
took the fight with Kyle on one day notice after Tim Sylvia's
banned substance test came back with traces of steroids remaining
in his system from the previous positive test result. Wes commented,
"That fight was my fight to win and I got screwed."
When asked if he would like a rematch with Mike Kyle, Wes didn't
hesitate to say he would accept a rematch. "This time, I'll
get to train for it and I will beat his ass," stated Sims.
Wes
still has one fight remaining on his UFC contract and a favor
owed for stepping up and taking the fight against Kyle that really,
in a lot of ways, allowed the event to be so successful. He would
like to stay in the UFC and be a fixture there for a long time
to come. Right now, Wes continues to train and waits for his
next opportunity.
Source:
MMA Weekly |
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