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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)

2007

2/10/07
Punishment In Paradise 13
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)

2006

November
Aloha State Championship of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)

ROTR Qualfiers
(MMA)
(Kauai)

11/25/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)

October
Rumble On The Rock
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

September
ROTR Qualifers
(MMA)
(Maui)

9/16/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)

August
Icon Sport 48
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

8/26-27/06
International Masters & Seniors Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

8/18/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)

8/12/06
Hawaiian Open of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)

8/5 or 8/12
Rumble On The Rock
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

Garden Island Cage Match 4
(MMA)
(Kauai)

Island Warriors Fighting Championship
(MMA)
(War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)

7/22/06
ROTR Qualifiers
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Center, Hilo)

ROTR Qualifiers
(MMA)
(Guam)

7/22-30/06
CBJF World Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

7/21/06
Punishment In Paradise 12
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)

7/20-24/06
CBJJO World Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

7/?/06
RAZE MMA Fight Night 2
(MMA)
(San Diego, CA)

7/7/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)

6/25/06
Quest for Champions 2006 Tournament
(Sport-Jujitsu, Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling, Extreme Sparring)
(St. Louis H.S. Gym)

6/17/06
RWE Qualifiers
(MMA)
(
Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium, Hilo)

USA-Boxing Hawaii
(Boxing)
(Palolo District Park)

6/10/06
X-1 Battlegrounds 4
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

6/4/06
PRIDE Bushido 11: 'Bushido Survival '06'

(PPV)


6/3/06
X-2 Extreme Wars:
Bay Area Brawl
(MMA)
(Oakland Alameda Coliseum, Oakland, CA)

2006 Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Associations Gi Tournament
(BJJ)
(Gracie Main Academy)

5/27/06
UFC 60:
Royce Gracie vs. Matt Hughes
(PPV)

5/26/06
Icon Sport 45
(MMA)
(Blaisdell 6Arena)

5/20/06
3rd Maui Jiu-Jitsu Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku)

5/13/06
Got Skills Fighter Event
(MMA)
(Pagoda Hotel)

4/29/06
RAZE MMA Fight Night
(MMA)
(ipayOne center , former San Diego Sports Arena
San Diego, CA)

4/21/06
Rumble on the Rock 11: Grand Prix
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

4/15/06
UFC 59: Reality Check
(MMA)
(Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, CA)

4/7-9/06
2006 Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
(BJJ)
(California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA)

4/6/06
Ultimate Fight Night on Spike TV
(MMA)
(Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV)

4/1/06
Punishment in Paradise
(Kickboxing)
(Sea Life Park)

3/26/06
3rd Maui Jiu-Jitsu Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku)

3/25/06
Garden Island Cage
Match #3
(MMA)
(Kapaa H.S. Gym, Kapaa, Kauai)

3/11/06
Hawaiian Championship
of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(St. Louis H.S. Gym)

Full Contact Showdown
(MMA)
(Kahuna's Sports Bar & Grill, Kaneohe Marine Corps Base)

3/4/06
Kickin It 2006
(Kickboxing)
(Venue TBA)

2/26/06
NAGA Hawaii State Championship
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Honolulu)
*Cancelled until Summer*

2/25/06
Icon Sport 44
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)

2/4/06
Kick it Up
(Kickboxing)
(Pagoda Hotel Ballroom, Honolulu)

UFC 57:
Liddell vs. Couture 3

Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV
(PPV)

1/27/06
So You Think You Tough
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Kona Gym, Kona)

January
Grappler's Quest Hawaii
(Submission Grappling)
(TBA)
***Cancelled***

 News & Rumors
Archives

Year 2006
May 2006 Part 3
May 2006 Part 2
April 2006 Part 3
April 2006 Part 2
April 2006 Part 1
March 2006 Part 3
March 2006 Part 2
March 2006 Part 1
February 2006 Part 3
February 2006 Part 2
February 2006 Part 1

January 2006 Part 3
January 2006 Part 2
January 2006 Part 1

Year 2005
December 2005 Part 3
December 2005 Part 2
December 2005 Part 1
November 2005 Part 3
November 2005 Part 2
November 2005 Part 1
October 2005 Part 3

October 2005 Part 2
October 2005 Part 1

September 2005 Part 3
September 2005 Part 2

September 2005 Part 1
August 2005 Part 3
August 2005 Part 2

August 2005 Part 1

July 2005 Part 3
July 2005 Part 2
July 2005 Part 1

June 2005 Part 3
June 2005 Part 2
June 2005 Part 1
May 2005 Part 3
May 2005 Part 2
May 2005 Part 1

April 2005 Part 3
April 2005 Part 2
April 2005 Part 1
March 2005 Part 3
March 2005 Part 2

March 2005 Part 1
February 2005 Part 3
February 2005 Part 2
February 2005 Part 1

January 2005 Part 3
January 2005 Part 2
January 2005 Part 1

Year 2004
December 2004 Part 3 December 2004 Part 2 December 2004 Part 1
November 2004 Part 3

November 2004 Part 2
November 2004 Part 1
October 2004 Part 2
October 2004 Part 1

September 2004 Part 3
September 2004 Part 2
September 2004 Part 1
August 2004 Part 3

August 2004 Part 2
August 2004 Part 1
July 2004 Part 3
July 2004 Part 2
July 2004 Part 1
June 2004 Part 3
June 2004 Part 2
June 2004 Part 1
May 2004 Part 3
May 2004 Part 2
May 2004 Part 1

April 2004 Part 3
April 2004 Part 2
April 2004 Part 1
March 2004 Part 3

March 2004 Part 2
March 2004 Part 1
February 2004 Part 3
February 2004 Part 2
February 2004 Part 1
January 2004 Part 3
January 2004 Part 2
January 2004 Part 1

Year 2003
December 2003 Part 3
December 2003 Part 2 December 2003 Part 1
November 2003 Part 3
November 2003 Part 2
November 2003 Part 1
October 2003 Part 2
October 2003 Part 2
October 2003 Part 1
September 2003 Part 2
September 2003 Part 1
August 2003 Part 3
August 2003 Part 2
August 2003 Part 1
July 2003 Part 3
July 2003 Part 2
July 2003 Part 1
June 2003 Part 3
June 2003 Part 2
June 2003 Part 1
May 2003 Part 3
May 2003 Part 2
May 2003 Part 1
April 2003 Part 3
April 2003 Part 2
April 2003 Part 1
March 2003 Part 3

March 2003 Part 2
March 2003 Part 1
February 2003 Part 3
February 2003 Part 2
February 2003 Part 1
January 2003 Part 3
January 2003 Part 2
January 2003 Part 1

Year 2002
December 2002 Part 2
December 2002 Part 1
November 2002 Part 2
November 2002 Part 1
October 2002 Part 3
October 2002 Part 2
October 2002 Part 1
September 2002 Part 3
September 2002 Part 2
September 2002 Part 1
August 2002 Part 2
August 2002 Part 1
July 2002 Part 3
July 2002 Part 2
July 2002 Part 1
June 2002 Part 3
June 2002 Part 2
June 2002 Part 1
May 2002 Part 3
May 2002 Part 2
May 2002 Part 1
April 2002 Part 3
April 2002 Part 2
April 2002 Part 1
March 2002 Part 3
March 2002 Part 2
March 2002 Part 1
February 2002 Part 2
February 2002 Part 1
January 2002 Part 3
January 2002 Part 2
January 2002 Part 1

Year 2001
December 2001 Part 2
December 2001 Part 1
November 2001 Part 2
November 2001 Part 1
October 2001 Part 2
October 2001 Part 1
September 2001 Part 3
September 2001 Part 2
September 2001 Part 1
August 2001 Part 2
August 2001 Part 1
July 2001 Part 3
July 2001 Part 2
July 2001 Part 1
June 2001 Part 2
June 2001 Part 1
May 2001
April 2001 Part 2
April 2001 Part 1
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001

Year 2000
Nov-Dec 2000
October 2000
Aug-Sept 2000
July 2000
March-May 2000

June 2006 News Part 1
 

Wednesday night and Sunday classes (w/ a kids' class) now offered!


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  Fighters' Club TV
The Toughest Show On Teleivision

Tuesdays at 9:30PM
Olelo Channel 52 on Oahu
Akaku on Maui

Check out the FCTV website!


Fight To Defend Mixed Martial Arts In Hawaii!

The Hawaii Government is trying to ban or restrict MMA in Hawaii.
Please contact your local representative and let them know that you support MMA in Hawaii. Click the link below to look up your Representative and his contact info!

HB3223 has been passed with Amendments. Basically the bill has been rewritten to create a MMA Commission to regulate MMA in Hawaii and passed on to the Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee and the Judiciary Committee for further hearings.

Get all the details concerning the two MMA Bills by clicking here

 6/10/06

Quote of the Day

"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging."

Hank Aaron, Hall of Fame American Baseball Player

Strikeforce: 'Revenge' Results
June 9th, 2006
HP Pavilion, San Jose, CA

Alistair Overeem defeats Vitor Belfort by unanimous decision.
Cung Le defeats Brian Warren by TKO at 4:19, RD 1.
Gilbert Melendez defeats Clayton Guida by split decision.
Bobby Southworth vs. James Irvin declared a no contest.
Tyson Griffin defeats Duane Ludwig by TKO at 3:57, RD 1.
Josh Thomson defeats Harris Sarmiento by triangle choke at 3:19, RD 3.
Eugene Jackson defeats Mike Seal by TKO at 2:49, RD 2.
Daniel Puder defeats Tom Tuggle by armbar at 0:28, RD 1.
Jared Hamman defeats Scott Graham by TKO at 1:36, RD 1.
Luke Stewart defeats Bill Duvall by armbar at 1:15, RD 1.
Clint Coronel defeats Juan Miranda by choke at 1:43, RD 2.
Chris Amarante defeats Sean Bassett by armbar at 4:37, RD 1.

Source: Fight Sport

X-1: Extreme Fighting: Battlegrounds 4
Tonight
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
June 10, 2006

Marcelo Tigre faces UFC Vet Trevor Prangley

Local MMA icon Marcelo Tigre faces his toughest opponent yet in Trevor Prangley. On top of being a four-time UFC veteran, Prangley has excellent wrestling skills and has faced some of the top names in MMA. He has faced fellow UFC veterans Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Jeremy Horn, Chael Sonnen and holds wins over UFC's Curtis Stout, Andrei Semenov, and Travis Lutter. Prangley can hang with the best and even in his losses, none of these top names could finish him. All the fights went to a decision. His wins were by referee stoppage or by knockout which means that Prangley is a heavy handed finisher that likes to punish his opponents. Prangley sports an impressive 11-3 record in MMA primarily in the 185 lb. class. He will move up to 205 lbs to face Tigre here in Hawaii. If Tigre can pull off a win, he may have the UFC knocking on his door and he will prove to the world that he deserves all the recognition of being one of the most exciting and tough fighters still active.

Amateur MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Peter Placido (Bulls Pen) VS Gene "Bino" Gregory (Mix Breed)

Amateur MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 260lbs
Thomas Ferguson (Team Devastation) VS Nickolas Agricola (HMC)

XMA Match/Stand Up: 3 Rounds x 2 Minutes - 140lbs
David Balicao (HSD) VS Donald Gonzales (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Marcus Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS Alika Rincon (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 150lbs
Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS "Dirty Dave" Moreno (Freelance, Kona)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Kaleo Kwon (Eastsidaz) VS Lorin Ishimine (Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
John Crisostomo (808 Fight Factory) VS Chad Guzman (Team Papakolea)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
Dylan Clay (Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu) VS Kimo Wolfel (Eastsidaz)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 185lbs
Bryson Kamaka (808 Fight Factory) VS Josh Ferriera (Freelance, Waianae)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 145lbs
Ed Newalu (808 Fight Factory) VS Kainoa Walther (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 135lbs
Mark Oshiro (Bulls Pen) VS Tony Belvidere (Team Devils Den)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 145lbs
Vacant Super Lightweight Championship Bout
Eddie Yagin (Grappling Unlimited) VS Kana Hyatt (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
X-1 Welterweight Championship Bout
Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS Johnny Geraghty (Freestyle Academy)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 205lbs
X-1 Light Heavyweight Championship Bout
Marcelo "Tiger" Dantas VS Trevor Prangley (American Kickboxing Academy)

Source: Event Promoter

Fuji TV cancels PRIDE FC

Today, Fuji TV officially severed all ties with the PRIDE Fighting Championships. This means that PRIDE FC currently has no television coverage in Japan. The cancellation is effective immediately. Yesterday's PRIDE Bushido 11 show, which was supposed to be broadcasted in 5 days, will not be shown.

Fuji TV claimed that the reason for the cancellation is due to a breach of contract by Dream Stage Entertainment, the parent company of PRIDE FC. Although Fuji TV did not mention how DSE violated the contract, it is likely because of DSE's connections with organized crime.

Source: MMA Fighting

HBO BOXING'S JIM LAMPLEY BASHES MMA
Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - by Ivan Trembow

The voice of HBO Boxing, Jim Lampley, bashed the sport of MMA on Monday during his guest-hosting gig on Jim Rome's show.

While UFC president Dana White continues to say, as recently as last week in the Washington Post, that the UFC is "coming soon" to HBO, it seems pretty clear that Lampley does not approve and will not be rolling out the welcome mat when or if the UFC does sign with HBO.

Lampley said that while boxing is a real sport, UFC events are nothing more than a bunch of bar fights. Lampley showed no respect for MMA or its competitors, even saying that MMA fighters are "not athletes."

Mixed martial arts and the UFC were repeatedly referred to as "no-holds-barred fighting" by Lampley, even though that hasn't been true since 1994. He apparently didn't even get the proverbial memo about how Zuffa added all of the rules in 2001.

Lampley went on to say that any of the top fighters from the UFC or K-1 would lose very quickly to a top boxer. That may be true in a boxing match, but it would certainly not be true in an MMA fight.

Even if an MMA fighter did beat a top boxer in an MMA fight, Lampley said it would "mean nothing" because "it's a bar fight," and he could go to a bar at any time if he wanted to see a bar fight.

Regarding the popularity of MMA in the United States, Lampley said that the UFC will never be bigger than boxing, which is already a factually incorrect statement when it comes to TV ratings and all but the biggest boxing pay-per-views.

Lampley, who has come under fire from some boxing fans in the past for "cheerleading" the HBO-backed fighter in many major boxing matches, is not exactly Mr. Credibility, so his comments should not come as much of a surprise. As the long-time play-by-play man for HBO Boxing, Lampley is also a major player in the old-school boxing crowd, the majority of which feels very threatened by MMA as it continues to chip away at boxing's audience.

Source: MMA Weekly

BJJ Clash:
"Minotauro" Likely Faces Werdum in PRIDE OWGP's Second Round

By Eduardo Alonso

In the middle of a series of intriguing PRIDE related events that has been gathering MMA fans' attention throughout the world, many are forgetting about the second round of PRIDE's Open-Weight Grand Prix, scheduled for July 1st, in Tokyo, Japan, and news concerning this upcoming show are developing at full force. In what will be a clash of Brazilian jiu-jitsu experts, Brazilian Top Team superstar Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira will very likely face Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic's jiu-jitsu trainer Fabricio Werdum in a second round match-ups.

In a press conference scheduled for this Thursday in Japan, DSE, the company that runs PRIDE, is likely to officially announce this bout, as well as address other issues concerning the show's current TV deal situation in Japan. Recent news from Japan is the promotion has lost its contract with FUJI, its major carrier.

Regardless, the second round promises exciting action with a clash of two jiu-jitsu stylists with ever improving boxing skills, as well the rumored bout that may be announced as well between the "Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva and Japanese wrestler Kazuyuki Fujita. That leaves a big question mark in the pairing of the remaining competitors in the Grand Prix: Filipovic, Hidehiko Yoshida, Josh Barnett and Mark Hunt.

Source: FCF

Cage Rage 17 Update
By Mark Pickering

Cage Rage has announced three additions to Cage Rage 17 on July 1st at Wembley Arena, London, England.

Mark Chen faces Robbie Olivier in a featherweight contest

In a rematch of their Ultimate Combat X clash, PRIDE’s James Thompson confronts Tengiz Tedoradze

John Marsh tackles Brazilian UFC veteran Pe De Pano

Full Card:

David “Tank” Abbott vs. Amokrane “Kiane” Sabet
Melvin Manhoef vs. Ian “The Machine” Freeman
Curtis Stout vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos
James Thompson vs. Tengiz Tedoradze
John Marsh vs. Pe De Pano
Henry Miller vs. Robert Berry
Mark Epstein vs. Dave Legeno
Mark Chen vs. Robbie Oliver
Daijiro Matsui vs. Zelg Galestic
Brad Pickett vs. Robbie Oliver
Jeremy "Bad Boy" Bailey vs. Remy de Way
Chris Bacon vs. Andy Costello
Paul Daley vs. Paul Jenkins
Abdul Mohammed vs. Jean Silva
Ross Mason vs. Eddie Ruiz
Darren Geisha vs. Dean Bray

Source: Maxfighting

 6/9/06

Quote of the Day

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come."

Chinese Proverb

808 Fight Factory's Harris Sarmiento Fighting on Strikeforce Card

STRIKEFORCE II
June 9, 2006

Main Event: Vitor Belfort vs. Alistair Overeem
Title Fight: *Clayton Guida vs. Gilbert Melendez

Bobby Southworth vs. James Irvin
Tyson Griffin vs. Duane Ludwig
Cung Le vs. Brian Warren
Eugene Jackson vs. Mike Seal
Josh Thomson vs. Harris Sarmiento
Brian Ebersole vs Crafton Wallace
Puder vs. TBA
Scott Graham vs. TBA
Luke Stewart vs. TBA

* 155 lb. title holder

808 Fight Factory's Bryson Kamaka
Fights In KOTC


King of the Cage: MANGLER
Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, CA
Friday, June 9th

Complete fight card:
- Bobby Hoffman vs Ruben Villareal
- Al Garza vs Shawn Bias
- William Sriyapai vs Charles Benway
- Thomas Kenney vs
Bryson Kamaka
- Aaron Witherspoon vs Jeremiah Metcalf
- Big Will vs Chance Williams
- Jerry Davis vs Alan Zunner
- JR Perea vs Sambo Blankenship
- Jaime Sandec vs Gene Gilsdorf
- Richard Blankenship vs Luis Giblanski
- Brian Sesma vs Moises Castillo
- Manny Rodriguez vs Adrian Perez
- Bobby Lee vs Brandon Beckering
- Chris Lair vs Pat White
- Richard Johnson vs Marcos Nava
- Clark Bevans vs Randy Palmer
- Rubin Taigle vs Ron Cushen
- Jason Alsman vs Mike Morales
- Danny Suarez vs Elijah Young

X-1: Extreme Fighting: Battlegrounds 4
Tomorrow
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
June 10, 2006

Marcelo Tigre faces UFC Vet Trevor Prangley

Local MMA icon Marcelo Tigre faces his toughest opponent yet in Trevor Prangley. On top of being a four-time UFC veteran, Prangley has excellent wrestling skills and has faced some of the top names in MMA. He has faced fellow UFC veterans Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Jeremy Horn, Chael Sonnen and holds wins over UFC's Curtis Stout, Andrei Semenov, and Travis Lutter. Prangley can hang with the best and even in his losses, none of these top names could finish him. All the fights went to a decision. His wins were by referee stoppage or by knockout which means that Prangley is a heavy handed finisher that likes to punish his opponents. Prangley sports an impressive 11-3 record in MMA primarily in the 185 lb. class. He will move up to 205 lbs to face Tigre here in Hawaii. If Tigre can pull off a win, he may have the UFC knocking on his door and he will prove to the world that he deserves all the recognition of being one of the most exciting and tough fighters still active.

Amateur MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Peter Placido (Bulls Pen) VS Gene "Bino" Gregory (Mix Breed)

Amateur MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 260lbs
Thomas Ferguson (Team Devastation) VS Nickolas Agricola (HMC)

XMA Match/Stand Up: 3 Rounds x 2 Minutes - 140lbs
David Balicao (HSD) VS Donald Gonzales (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Marcus Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS Alika Rincon (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 150lbs
Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS "Dirty Dave" Moreno (Freelance, Kona)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 155lbs
Kaleo Kwon (Eastsidaz) VS Lorin Ishimine (Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
John Crisostomo (808 Fight Factory) VS Chad Guzman (Team Papakolea)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
Dylan Clay (Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu) VS Kimo Wolfel (Eastsidaz)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 185lbs
Bryson Kamaka (808 Fight Factory) VS Josh Ferriera (Freelance, Waianae)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 145lbs
Ed Newalu (808 Fight Factory) VS Kainoa Walther (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 135lbs
Mark Oshiro (Bulls Pen) VS Tony Belvidere (Team Devils Den)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 145lbs
Vacant Super Lightweight Championship Bout
Eddie Yagin (Grappling Unlimited) VS Kana Hyatt (Young Guns de Luta)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 170lbs
X-1 Welterweight Championship Bout
Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen) VS Johnny Geraghty (Freestyle Academy)

MMA: 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes - 205lbs
X-1 Light Heavyweight Championship Bout
Marcelo "Tiger" Dantas VS Trevor Prangley (American Kickboxing Academy)

Source: Event Promoter

KARO VS. DIEGO SET FOR TUF 4 LEAD-IN SHOW
by Ivan Trembow

Spike TV and Zuffa have scheduled an Ultimate Fight Night event for Thursday, August 17th with the main event of Karo Parisyan vs. Diego Sanchez.

MMAWeekly's Rumors section previously noted that Parisyan and Sanchez were going to be fighting in August, and that fight has now been moved from the UFC 62 pay-per-view (on August 26th) to the Ultimate Fight Night broadcast on August 17th.

The date of the Parisyan vs. Sanchez fight, and the fact that the fight is scheduled to happen in the first place, has also been confirmed by a graphic on Diego Sanchez' official web site.

The August 17th live fight special will air from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM and will serve as the lead-in to the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 4: The Comeback.

After the strong ratings that were drawn when a live "Ultimate Fight Night" event served as the lead-in to the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter 3 back in April, it only makes sense that Spike TV and Zuffa are doing it again.

All of the UFC's previous live fight specials, as well as the upcoming specials on June 24th and 28th, have taken place in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, as of today, Zuffa has not made a request with the Nevada State Athletic Commission to hold an event in the state of Nevada on August 17th. This could mean that Zuffa is planning to venture outside of Nevada for the first time on Spike TV, or it could simply mean that Zuffa has not yet secured a venue for August 17th in the state of Nevada.

Karo Parisyan had been publicly promised a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title after he won three consecutive fights in the UFC, which were against Nick Diaz, Chris Lytle, and Matt Serra. Parisyan was scheduled to fight for the title against Matt Hughes last November, but Parisyan injured his quadriceps in training and had to pull out of the fight. Parisyan seemingly lost his status as a top contender due to the fact that he got injured, as his next fight in the Octagon was a victory over Nick Thompson, who was making his UFC debut.

After winning the middleweight competition in dominant fashion on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Diego Sanchez moved to the welterweight division, where he won back-to-back fights with impressive performances against Brian Gassaway and Nick Diaz. The latter is one of the most-watched fights in UFC history, as it was the main event on the UFC's most-watched live fight special in history. Last week at UFC 60, Sanchez won a close fight via judges' decision over John Alessio.

While it's rumored that BJ Penn believes he should get the first title shot against the winner of this fall's battle between Matt Hughes and Georges St. Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Title, one could certainly make the case that the winner of the Parisyan vs. Sanchez fight should receive that distinction instead.

Source: MMA Weekly

'PE DE PANO' VS. MARSH

Marcio "Pe de Pano" Cruz

Brazilian magazine 'Tatame' reports that the matchup of Marcio 'Pe De Pano' Cruz vs. John Marsh will take place on the Cage Rage card in London, England, on July 1st.

Source: Fight Sport

MAURICE SMITH: 'I FUCKING HATE ZUFFA AND K-1'

Maurice Smith was recently interviewed by American journalist Brett Atchley. Here's what Smith had to say:

Interviewer: How did this opportunity come your way?

Smith: It's been in the planning stage for sometime. They initially offered the position to Randy (Couture) but he was under contract with the Zuffa and couldn't do it so they offered to me and here we are.

Interviewer: Is Ivan Salaverry going to be on the team?

Smith: No, there has been more than a little bit of confusion over that. Initially MMA Weekly, I think, posted that Ivan was on the team roster. Ivan saw that, called me and wanted to know what the hell was going on. Realize that we were only negotiating at that time so Ivan thought I assumed that he was going to agree. I did nothing of the kind; I don't know where they got that. All in all, the IFL offered Ivan a very lucrative offer. He passed on it. He has a child on the way and is opening his new gym and those are the reasons why he couldn't accept the offer. Ivan is a good friend of mine and I did my best to persuade him but he is not signed with the team. I don't understand it.

Interviewer: Not long ago Zuffa wanted him back to fight Evan Tanner. Evan posted that on a blog on My Space right after he had spoken to Joe Silva.

Smith: That may have been what Zuffa says or Evan says but in any event it wasn’t for that reason. I told Ivan that I didn't care who he fought for as long as he was getting paid to do it and Zuffa screwed him as they do with all of the fighters when they don't put on the show they want. Ivan signed a contract for three fights and after he fought Nathan (Marquardt) they dumped him. That was bullshit. Everybody has bad fights, Randy, Chuck, Tito etc. Get where I’m going?

Interviewer: No, where are you going?

Smith: Ivan had great fights with Riggs and Frykland, but since he wasn't a poster boy or a favored son they just tossed him. Dana tossed him.

Interviewer: How are the Tigersharks shaping up?

Smith: Things are coming along pretty well. I primarily have a team with a collegiate wresting base. So right now we are working on conditioning; conditioning first and some basic boxing and stand up skills. I'm attempting to determine where their strengths and weaknesses lie. I've got Dennis Hallman who is the most experienced athlete on the team.

Interviewer: How is that working out for you?

Smith: How is what working out?

Interviewer: How is Dennis working out?

Smith: Honestly, I thought he was going to be a real pain in the butt, but that has not been the case at all. He has been real supportive and very helpful. He does all of my scouting which has proven to be a real asset. Very happy with him. I think he will have to take on the leadership role with the team.

Interviewer: In terms of compensation and benefits for the fighters how does it meter out?

Smith: This is what makes this so good for all of us as employees, that's what we are. The fighters get a set amount for the first fight and they get a bonus for a KO, TKO, or submission. If the team wins, they get an additional bonus and they get an amount for training that has an annual cap on it. It all comes out to about $5,000 not including the training money. They receive health insurance which is huge as you can imagine. The money for fighting increases as the IFL grows.

Interviewer: Do you mean that the IFL has to show a period of growth before the athlete is paid more that what you just shared?

Smith: No, there are promises in place that ensure that the pay will increase in the next event and on from there. The IFL is putting out a sizable amount of start up money for just the fighters. That should tell you where their priorities are. They are focused and determined to take care of the athletes so that they don't have to struggle to make ends meet. The money for them now isn't great but it's more than what Zuffa is offering some of their experienced fighters and they are not getting any insurance. The potential financial security for the athletes in this organization is very good.

Interviewer: The coaches are being well taken care of?

Smith: Yes, I mean it's not huge money but I'm very happy with the arrangements.

Interviewer: Do the coaches have ownership in the IFL?

Smith: We are compensated with stock options as part of our salary. The base salary is ok.

Interviewer: Do any other organizations offer this sort of package?

Smith: None that I’m aware of, but that doesn't mean anything. I've been out of the know for sometime.

Interviewer: What do you mean?

Smith: Listen, before all of this came about I had made my mind up that I was out of this industry. I was just disgusted with it. People would ask me if I saw that fight or knew this person and I didn’t care or didn't want to know. These fighters that are up and comers now? I don't know any of them.

Interviewer: So you don't know who Forrest Griffin is?

Smith: Forrest who?

Interviewer: He's fighting Tito Ortiz in the next UFC.

Smith: No, I don't know him, never heard of him and don't care unless one of my guys has to fight him, which is highly unlikely.

Interviewer: Why were you disgusted with the industry?

Smith: I was involved with SEG and K-1. I fucking hate Zuffa and I fucking hate K-1. I never considered myself a Zuffa champion, I was a SEG champion. Zuffa never gave any of us that respect. I shouldn't have to call and ask for tickets to an event. I shouldn't have to negotiate the best deal for a trip. I'll bet Michael Jordan doesn't or John Elway. That's what I mean; I am a former UFC heavyweight champion and a former K-1 champion. Do I get treated like one? Fuck no. These guys fighting in those organizations now have to sell their souls. One paycheck to the next. They don't care about these guys. All they care about is how much money they can make off of these athlete's blood and injury. I'm not saying I want Zuffa to fail because they have done a lot for the sport, but without these athletes they wouldn’t be making all that money. They are not letting most of the fighters see any of it.

Interviewer: They have signed a deal with FSN, what are your thoughts on that?

Smith: The t.v. deal is huge. It will be instant exposure. How long did Pride and Zuffa work on getting a t.v. deal? Ya, well I would think by how this whole thing is coming together that the IFL is putting to rest any talk of whether they are serious or not.

Interviewer: I think so. Are they going to increase the number of teams in the IFL?

Smith: Yes, they are working on that on an international level already. When that happens then you have a valid world championship title.

Interviewer: As opposed to a Pride championship belt or UFC, K-1 etc.?

Smith: Yes, I mean just because you're a UFC champion, what does that really mean? Nothing. It only means that you are the champion in that organization. There is no world title validity. I think that Pride is a more valid belt because they draw fighters form all over the world. They will not ever unify those belts because someone is going to have to give up a large piece of their pie. Too much money at stake, fuck what's best for the fighter or the sport.

Interviewer: Can you divulge any prospects on future coaches?

Smith: I think Don Frye would be a great coach.

Interviewer: Are you saying they are talking to Don?

Smith: No, I said I thought he would be a good coach.

Interviewer: Hmmm, he is in the US fighting this week. A coincidence.

Smith: Maybe, I don't know.

Interviewer: How about Frank Shamrock?

Smith: No, he's busy with other things.

Interviewer: What does Frank think about the IFL?

Smith: We didn't talk about it much, why don't you ask him?

Interviewer: Well maybe I will. Frank was quoted as stating that the people at Zuffa are stupid, did he share his opinions further with you?

Smith: If he said that than I would think that pretty much explains it...don't you?

Interviewer: You have named Roman Roytberg as an assistant coach.

Smith: Yes, he's a good friend and he has had success in the industry on a lesser level. He knows his way around and I trust him.

Interviewer: What about his dental practice?

Smith: He's giving that up to be a thespian.

Interviewer: What is he thinking?

Smith: I don't know, but he's serious and if that is what he wants to do then fine.

Interviewer: Geeeeeez, I gotta talk to him.

Smith: Ya, maybe someone else can talk some sense into him.

Interviewer: You said earlier that you were done with the fight game. What changed?

Smith: When I was down in Australia with Pete (Spratt) one day something happened. I don't know what to call it, but I don't want to say it was spiritual or anything. More psychic. All I know is I came back a different man both internally and on the outside. Male menopause or something. I'm just more emotional and things; people mean more to me now in different ways than they used to. I mean I had my emotional episodes when I won K-1 and I have them now over the most insignificant reasons. Parts of movies, kids, you know stuff like that. I care about these guys I'm coaching and care about their well being. The IFL cares about them too and that is something that I believe in. If they were anyplace else trying to do what they are doing they would just get used, broken up and thrown on the street when their services were no longer valued or needed. I'm confident that won't happen here. There aren't a lot of egos around here. It's a team effort.

Interviewer: That's probably an appropriate note to conclude this interview on.

Smith: Yes, it would be.

Interviewer: Thanks for talking with me Mo and glad your back.

Smith: Anytime, and good luck.

Source: Fight Sport

 6/8/06

Quote of the Day

"Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up."

Jesse Jackson, American Clergyman and Civil Rights Leader

Results for Hawaii -vs- Las Vegas Boxing Match
Hawaii wins 4-3
May 27, 2006
Las Vegas, NV

1) J.J. Benitez (Hawaii/ Kawano/Tiki Ent. B.C). def. DeShawn Bringhurst (unattached) at 75lbs. by decision.
2). Mason Cornelio (Hawaii/Kawano/Tiki Ent. B.C.) def. David Beltran (Barry's Boxing) by Referee Stopped Contest (RSC) 3rd round.
3). Ricardo Vidana (Barry's Boxing) def.
Kekoa Bonifacio Concepcion (Hawaii/Evolution B.C.) by decision at 119 lbs.
4). Louie Padilla (Barry's Boxing) def.
Kawika Tangjian Jr. (Hawaii/Kawano/Tiki Ent. B.C.) by dec. at 120lbs.
5). Marco Russell (L.V. Boxing) def.
Cameron Ursua (Hawaii/Palolo B.C.) by RSC-2nd at 155lbs.
6). Daly Tipoti (Hawaii/Kawano/Tiki Ent. B.C.) def. Anthony Lavelle (Barry's Boxing) by decision at 201+.
7). Francis Tursi (Hawaii/Evolution B.C.) def. Edgar Vallin (Steele Boxing) by decision at 201+.

Final Score: Hawaii - 4 Las Vegas - 3

Notes: Francis Tursi pulled it out for us when Hawaii and Las Vegas were both tied going into the last bout. Crowd was going crazy. Excellent tough bout. David Tangjian Jr. lost an excellent, tough, and very close bout to Louie Padilla currently ranked # 3 right now in the U.S. We sounded like we had as much Hawaii Supporters as Las Vegas did. Thanks to J.J. Benitez, parents and family members, they came with about 20 supporters from Hawaii. We thank Johnny Jackson for taking care of us, and putting on a great show. It was a memorable and fun experience.

Source: Bruce Kawano

USA-BOXING
PALOLO BOXING CLUB AND KAWANO/TIKI ENT.
PRESENTS
USA-BOXING HAWAII
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Palolo District Park 6 p.m.

WEIGH-INS: 12 NOON, JUNE 17TH AT PALOLO GYM
Tentative Bouts, updated 06/05/06

15-20 BOUTS SCHEDULED

TOP BOXERS FROM OAHU, BIG ISLAND, MAUI AND KAUAI WILL COMPETE.

1). James Callos-Jordan 10/60 - Tristen Kamaka 9/65
Wailuku (Maui)(0) Kai Kamaka (0)
2). Justly Laquihon 11/67 - Kai Kamaka III11/72
Unattached (0) Kai Kamaka (0)
3). Rocky Balala 11/91 - Patrick Cullen 11/95
Central Maui (5+) Kalakaua (5+)
4). Jonard Devera 14/100 - Dustin Ah-Chong 13/105
Kalakaua (5) A.P. Big Island (1)
5). Jenson Juan 14/97 - Devin Ah-Chong 13/100
Kalakaua (0) A.P. (0)
6) . Alex Camala Palacios 14/145- Josh Nakagawa 14/145
Oki B.C. (Kauai) (1) Southside (Maui) (1)
7). Eddie Carrillo 21/140 - Chris Williams 17/140
Unattached (0) A.P. (0)
8). Gino Ramos 15/110 - Ezra Cabang 14/107
Kawano (5+) A.P. (?)
10 minute- Intermission
9). Ronick Daniel 15/122 - German Lee 16/122
Wailuku (1) A.P. (1)
10). Hoku Dusenberry 16/145 - Noah Abdil 16/145
Oki B.C. (0) Southside (0)
11). Aaron Echales 18/130 - William Miura 21/134
Central Maui 2 bouts A.P. (2)
12). Joe Bissen 160 - Paul Gutierrez 160
Central Maui(2) Kawano (4 )
13). Kawika Maddela 178 - Kainoa Oca-Kauhane 170
Central Maui(0) Kawano (1)
14). Todd Park 155 - Josiah Cabang 152
Pearlside (?) A.P. (5+)
15). Amadeo Ezzo-White Jr.127 - Tommy Ordonez 134
Unattached (5+) A.P. (5+)
Intermission- followed by 3 Main Event Bouts.
16). Sasha Tatsuhara 104 - Gina Ramos 99
A.P. (2) Kawano (8)
17). Matt Takata 128 4 rounds David Tangjian Jr. 121
Palolo (4) Kawano (13)
18). Isaiah Vasquez 200 4 rounds Gabe Aio 200
Evolution (8) Kawano (9)

State Champions with scheduled matches:

Gina Ramos- 3X State Champion, 1st Hawaii female to ever win the National Junior Olympics , and USA National Championships, Ringside World Champion, ranked #1 for the year of 2005, 2006 by USA-Boxing. Currently ranked #1.

Tommy Ordonez - 2X State J.O. Champion from Big Island. Opponent, Amadeo Ezzo-White Jr- 2X J.O. Champ, 2X Open Champ.

Gino Ramos- 06 J.O. State Champ for 15/16 at 106, will compete in Marquette, Michigan at the National Junior Olympics at the end of this month. Opponent- Ezra Cabang 2006 State Champion at 106 in the 13/14 age division.

Joe Bissen - 2004 J.O. State Champ

Gabe Aio- 2006 Hawaii State Heavyweight Champ. His opponent Isaiah Vasquez is 8-1 formerly from Texas, 4 rounds.

Other 2006 State J.O. Champions scheduled are: Oahu's Justly Laquihon, Maui's - Rocky Balala, Big Islands- German Lee, and Kauai's - Hoku Dusenberry.

Admission will be $10, 12 and under - $5 at the door.
All participants must be registered with USA-Boxing Hawaii.

Need more info email me at bkawano@aol.com or Joel Kim at mangoman923@earthlink.net

Source: Bruce Kawano

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua was recently interviewed by Brazilian magazine 'Tatame'. Here's what Shogun had to say (interview by Andre Araujo, translation by Ricardo Alonso):

Tatame: Did you see the first round of the PRIDE Open Weight GP? Did anyone surprise you? In your opinion, who is the favorite to win the Open Weight GP title?

Shogun: In all honesty, there were no surprises. The fighters who won were stronger, they were the favorites. I didn't see the fights, I only heard the commentary. In my opinion, Minotauro and Vanderlei are the favorites.

Tatame: How did the controversy with Mark Coleman end up being resolved? Will there be a rematch? You have not accepted this defeat, correct?

Shogun: That's for sure. I want to show the entire world that I am capable of beating him. Coleman is a great athlete and I'd like very much to face him again, but it all depends on PRIDE.

Tatame: Is it true that you surprised your doctors with how fast you are recovering?

Shogun: Yes, they've been impressed with my fast recovery... I'd like to thank Marcio Mamba, Dr. Carlos, and Vita Hospital for their assistance. I've already started to swim and do some running. I was going crazy at home, not being able to train. I was wanting badly to get back to training, and I just started my Muay Thai training today. I did some shadow boxing and some kicks on the bag. I'll still take it slowly getting back into Jiu-Jitsu, but I'll be training Muay Thai three times a week while I continue my physiotherapy to fully recover from my elbow surgery.

Tatame: Can your fans expect a return to the ring in the second half of the year?

Shogun: Even though the doctors have confirmed that I'm recovering rapidly, they've also said that the earliest I can return to fighting is in September. I won't be able to help Vanderlei (Silva) much right now, but as I recover more I will be able to help him more so that he can win the Open Weight GP belt.

Tatame: You're the champion of the PRIDE 205-pound GP and your brother is entering the PRIDE 183-pound GP. What advice have you given to him? Aside from your brother, who do you think are the strongest fighters in the 183-pound GP?

Shogun: I told him that despite his loss to Paulo (Filho), he's still one of the favorites of that weight class. It all depends on him. If he works hard at it, then he totally has all the qualities to take the title. Regarding your second question, in this day and age, every fighter is difficult. You can never overlook anyone. But for sure, Paulo (Filho), Murilo Bustamante, and Dan Henderson. They're the ones who stand out the most in that weight class.

Source: Tatame

SAPP: 'K-1 THREATENED MY SAFETY'

Bob Sapp

Bob Sapp recently spoke with American journalist to talk about his side of the story about why he left the Amsterdam arena before his scheduled K-1 fight against Ernesto Hoost in Amsterdam, Holland, on May 13th.

According to Sapp, he had already completed a 20-fight contract with K-1. His agreement with K-1 was to re-negotiate a new contract on his 21st fight, with the promise of a substantial bonus, and the promise a new contract would be in place by his 22nd fight. The fight with Hoost would've been his 22nd fight for the K-1 organization and an agreement on a new contract was expected by Sapp.

According to Sapp, one week before the Hoost fight was to take place, K-1 and the promoter of the K-1 Holland event, Simon Rutz, contacted Sapp and promised him in good faith that a new contract had been drawn up by the K-1 counsel and would be available for his review in Amsterdam. According to Sapp, also stated that the money for the new contract would supposedly be in the USD$500,000 range and that it would be deposited into his account or in escrow before his arrival to Amsterdam.

According to Sapp, no money had been deposited yet when he arrived in Amsterdam four days prior to the event. A day before the fight was to take place, Sapp contacted K-1 attorney, Toru, who supposedly displayed an irritable attitude towards Sapp and brushed him off.

After more attempts to contact K-1 management, it became clear to Sapp they would not engage him, at which point Sapp went to K-1 Holland promoter Rutz and offered to fight Hoost for free if K-1 agreed to release him completely from all current and future obligations, or that he be presented with the promised contract, signed by K-1 matchmaker Sadaharu Tanigawa, that they were in severe breech of.

Sapp's demands were then conveyed to Tanigawa, and he was then told that he would have his contract signed on the morning of the event. Sapp had his own contract drafted just to cover his bases.

The day of the event, Less than four hours from the start of the event, there was still no contract. At that point, Sapp would not go to the arena and took a firm position that he would not participate in the event unless he had a valid contract of some nature.

Two hours before the event was to commence Sapp got a call from Rutz, supposedly begging Sapp to come to the arena, and was once again assured that everything would be in order. Sapp then went to the arena, and when he got there he was met by both Tanigawa and Toru and directed to go to his dressing room to get ready and taped, and that they would be there with the documents containing within them a new contract.

Sapp then got ready for the fight but Tanigawa and Toru never came to the dressing room with a new contract. Numerous attempts to contact them by cell phone were unsuccessful. Sapp then went outside to look for them and found them, at which point he demanded that they sign the contract he had drafted up. They refused, and insisted they needed an American to interpret the contract first.

Sapp then declared that he would not fight, at which point arguments broke out between all parties involved. According to Sapp, he was then told by both Toru and K-1 representative Dieasuke Karaguchi that if he did not fight, his physical well being, as well as the physical well being of those who were with him, would be compromised.

At that point, Sapp and his entourage immediately returned to his hotel room and made a phone call to a well known billionaire friend who immediately arranged for eight bodyguards to see him and his team safely out of harms way.

Sapp and his team were led from the hotel with eight security personnel to an undisclosed location in Amsterdam where they spent the night and then caught a plane back to the United States. The aftermath of what happened is something that is almost beyond belief in what it reveals about K-1, its personalities, its athletes, and the industry as a whole.

According to Sapp, he's since been speaking with all MMA organizations in North America and is actively pursuing an MMA career with these organizations. According to Sapp, K-1 is doing everything in its power to legally recieve compensation if Sapp signs with another MMA promotion in North America.

However, if Sapp has indeed completed his K-1 contract, then it would appear they have no case. Sapp just laughs it off and says, "Let them make their move, they got no game over here, they're delusional."

Source: Fight Sport

Interview with King of the Cage Owner
Terry Trebilcock

By Bernie Calderon

BC: Your last Pay Per View had the return of Don Frye to the U.S. His match against Warpath went to a draw. Does that change any future plans you had for him?

Terry Trebilcock: No not at all it was a great fight. I’m more interested in guys that put on good fights. I’m not interested in guys that think they need to win every fight, although it doesn’t hurt. I’d much rather have a guy go out there and leave it all in the ring, than a guy try and pad a record. The crowd cheers for people who leaves it all in the cage, they don’t cheer for the guy that just wins the fight. As a matter of fact, there’s a lot of times when a guy wins a fight and the cheer is light. They cheer for a guy that leaves it all in the cage like Don Frye does. Who is a better legend today than Don Frye? Who of the original legend group is a better fighter at the present time than Don Frye? Definitely not Royce Gracie. Definitely not Ken Shamrock, as everyone saw a year ago. None of the original guys from UFC can compete with Don Frye.

BC: What future events do you have on tap?

TT: I have an event at Soboba (Casino) coming up June 9th. Then I have a big show August 4th, pay per view show.

BC: Who are currently KOTC Champions?

TT: 135- Manny Tapia

145- Urijah Faber

155- Mac Danzig

170- Matt Stansell

185- Joey Villasenor

205- James Lee

Heavyweight- Tony Bonello

Super Heavyweight- Eric Pele

BC: What makes KOTC different from all the other fight organizations such as WFA and IFL?

TT: Compared to the WFA, we run a successful business plan and we’ve honored all our commitments and contacts. I don’t know why the guys from WFA are coming back. It was an organization that was defunct in the first place. I don’t think they honored a lot of contracts, business the first time around. The IFL is a brand new organization and they seem like really nice people but again, they’re starting off. I have 150 fights under my belt. I have 160 hours of fight footage on many of the best guys in the sport. You wanna look at what the guys are like in the UFC right now, probably 7 of their top 12 most marketable guys are (KOTC) guys. They are all guys I own the majority footage of. All four champions of the Spike TV reality show were all from KOTC. Now Forrest Griffin only scheduled a couple fights, 3 fights I think it was with me. But Joe Stevenson, all his fights except the fight we put for him outside is with KOTC, 29 fights. Diego Sanchez, Rashad Evans, we continually produce the best guys in the world. I continually put on the most exciting fights in the sport. I like the smaller cage. It gives for less room for fighters running. And I provide more matches for the fighters and for the fans.

BC: Speaking of Joe Stevenson, Diego Sanchez, and Rashad Evans, how do you feel KOTC prepared them for the next level?

TT: I don’t know if there is a “next level.” I’d like to look at who you talk about in the next level. The last guy to beat Chuck Liddell is Quinton Jackson, which is a KOTC guy. Tim Silvia couldn’t make KOTC when he was coming up; he only fought in Gladiator Challenge. I don’t believe there’s a next level out there. I believe that my top guys can compete with anybody out there. Top guy for top guy, I’ve proven I can put my top guy against their top guy any day. Let me ask you a question, who do they have at 145 pounds that can beat Urijah Faber? Even at 155? And Joey Villasenor…Rich Franklin wouldn’t fight Joey Villasenor, there’d be no chance. They would never let it happen. Don’t get me wrong Matt Hughes is a super champion, and absolutely I’d have to say the best 170 pounder in the world. But don’t get me wrong, but as soon as he won the championship and (UFC) went to him as being the marquee guy, I took Dennis Hallman right after he beat Hughes the second time to KOTC, and had him under contract for a year. So I had the guy that was beating him. In the heavyweight division, look at how well Buentello is doing. Isn’t he 4-1 in the UFC? Ricco Rodriguez, prior to him you know, getting out of shape and stuff, he ran the table at Pride and UFC. So the “next level?” I don’t think there is. They claim there’s a next level but if there really was a next level, then the guys who end up leaving or losing some of the guys that I lose, they’d go on and be lucky to go 50-50 if there was another level. They wouldn’t go 2-1, 5-0. What is Joe Stevenson’s record since he started fighting in UFC? What is Diego Sanchez’s? What is Karo Parisyan’s? What is Paul Buentello’s? What is Duane Ludwig’s? You start adding up the numbers and guys who were stars in KOTC and you realize these