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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2006
November
Aloha State Championship
of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
August
Hawaiian Open of
BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
Icon Sport 46
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
8/26-27/06
International
Masters & Seniors Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
7/22-30/06
CBJF World
Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
7/20-24/06
CBJJO World Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
7/?/06
RAZE MMA Fight Night 2
(MMA)
(San Diego, CA)
5/26/06
Icon Sport 45
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
5/20/06
3rd Maui Jiu-Jitsu Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku)
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)
3/25/06
Garden Island Cage
Match #3
(MMA)
(Kapaa H.S. Gym, Kapaa, Kauai)
Valley Isle MMA Event
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
3/18/06
Extreme Wars X-1
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
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)
(Filipino Cultural Center, Waipahu)
UFC 58: USA vs Canada (MMA)
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV)
2/26/06
Pride
31: Unbreakable
(MMA)
(PPV)
NAGA Hawaii State Championship
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Honolulu)
*Cancelled
until Summer*
2/25/06
Icon Sport 44
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
|
|
March 2006 News
Part 2
Wednesday
night and Sunday classes (w/ a kids' class) now offered!
 
For the special Onzuka.com
price, click on one of these banners above! |
 |
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
|
Quote
of the Day
"A
desk is a dangerous place from which to watch the world."
John le Carré, English Suspense Novelist
|
War
on the Valley Isle II
March 25,
2006
War Memorial Gym
All questions
about the event can be forwarded to Tyson at 808-870-8940 or
email by clicking here
|
Vitor
Belfort Makes His Pro Boxing Debut
Vitor
“The Phenom” Belfort (13-6-0) will make his professional
boxing debut on March 31st in Salvador, Bahia at ‘Minotauro
Fight 3’ promoted by the Nogueira brothers.
The
Rio De Janeiro native returns to his homeland to compete under
the watchful eye of Brazilian Top Team’s Antonio Rodrigo
“Minotauro” Nogueira (26-3-1) , who returns as promoter
for his third instalment of ‘Mintotauro Fight’.
The
card will feature 11 MMA fights and two professional boxing bouts.
Card
subject to change:
Professional Boxing:
Kelson Pinto vs. TBA
Vítor Belfort vs. TBA
MMA:
Cezar Profeta vs. André Mussi
Edson Draggo vs. Mondragon
Cabo Jai vs. Junior Cigano
Renato Velame vs. Wugne Silva
Flávio Almeida vs. George Kleber Lima
Douglas Cavalcanti vs. Irailson Gama
Yure Fernandes vs. TBA
Edilberto Crocotá vs. TBA
Danilo Índio vs. TBA
Source: Maxfighting |
Exciting
170 lbs War is in the Making
From
UFC.tv - Welterweight contenders Nick Diaz and Sean Sherk will
fight to stay alive in the 170-pound title picture when they
square off in a spectacular matchup at UFC 59 – Reality
Check on Saturday, April 15th at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim,
California.
UFC
59, which is already sold-out, features a UFC Heavyweight Championship
bout pitting champion Andrei Arlovski against challenger Tim
Sylvia, and a light heavyweight bout between Tito Ortiz and Forrest
Griffin. The card will air live on pay-per-view beginning at
10pm ET / 7pm PT.
A
gritty warrior who is willing to take on all comers, Diaz will
be looking to rebound from hard-fought losses to Diego Sanchez
and Joe Riggs with a win on April 15th. Needless to say the pride
of Stockton, California will be firing on all cylinders when
he fights in front of his hometown fans for the first time since
2003.
Pound
for pound one of the strongest fighters ever to step into the
Octagon, wrestling ace Sean Sherk has some unfinished business
with two of the top welterweights in the world – Matt Hughes
and Georges St Pierre, the only fighters to ever pin a loss on
the over 30-fight veteran from Minnesota. Winner of 12 of his
last 13 bouts, ‘The Muscle Shark’ is aiming to make
13 unlucky for Diaz.
Source: Maxfighting
|
Gracie
Fighting Challenge 1 Interviews series - PHIL CARDELLA
Congratulations
to Phil Cardella who used to take classes with us a long time
ago and has a successful school now and a promising career!
Looking
into the Gracie Fighting Challenge 1 held in Nationwide Gymnasium
in Ohio - USA on March 3rd, maXfighting will be talking with
the winners from those match-ups (the first actual "team"
event for MMA, in light of the new developments with the IFL).
The
first to be interviewed is the winner protagonist of the challenge,
the Relson Gracie brown-belt, Phil Cardella.
Takimoto-
Can you please introduce yourself to the fans?
Phil Cardella- I run the Relson Gracie Austin Association. I
surf, spearfish, dive, fish, travel, hunt and of course fight.
I like Martial Arts and always consider my self a student even
as an instructor. I am 6 foot tall, 29 years old and prefer to
fight at 160 lbs but have fought in Grapplers Quest Heavy Weight
Pro division (Same division as Saulo) and many open weight divisions.
I wear a three stripe Brown Belt under Master Relson Gracie and
hang my previously earned Black Belts on the wall. I have tapped
out a Champion Black Belts in professional competition and have
won many tournaments by submission. I have been fighting "professional"
grappling tournaments here in the USA since I was a Blue Belt.
My Jiu-Jitsu has been forged in tournaments and reinforced by
Relson and his father. Phil Cardella's list of accomplishments
and credentials can be see here http://www.maxfighting.com/index.cfm?ac=news.detail&nid=1243.
Takimoto- How did you feel representing the Gracies at Gracie
FC 1 ?
Phil
Cardella- It was a great honor to be the 1st and only American
to earn the privilege of fighting for the Relson Gracie Team
in MMA It was also an honor to have Relson Gracie in my corner.
I felt unstoppable. When I was done with my fight I might have
been at the event a whole of 20 minutes, I just came to get the
job done.
Takimoto- Did you have feel and weight or burden in representing
the family or were you okay?
Phil Cardella- Relson put no weight on my shoulders only support.
I always want to make my students proud to have me representing
them, so that is the pressure I am used to. Since I get to go
home and tell them of my victories when I win I welcome having
to tell them of my future challenges so they can see me make
goals and
accomplish them.
Takimoto- How did you see your fight against Patrick Horner going?
Phil Cardella- I always envision victory, I go over how it is
possible before every match I ever do. I try to find weak spots
in my opponent's game and take advantage of that. I knew he was
an undefeated champion that had to earn his spot to fight on
the card by winning and he was much bigger than me. So I had
to make no mistakes and set the pace at the start of the fight
to make it my victory.
Takimoto- What did you know about Horner?
Phil Cardella- I knew Pat Horner was part of American Top Team
(he trains with Jorge Gurgel's team) and was an accomplished
wrestler that was undefeated in Professional MMA 7-0, all wins
by submission. I knew he had some amateur fights but I did not
know he was 10-0 in amateur MMA. I knew he was coming down from
almost 200 lbs to fight me. I knew that he would have very good
cardio and would be in his best shape ever to fight me. I also
knew he understood how to relax in the ring, win off his back
and win on top. I knew he boxed as well.
Takimoto- You had three years away from MMA fighting, why did
this happen and how did you prepare yourself for this fight after
so long off?
Phil Cardella- Because Relson wanted me to learn Jiu-Jitsu to
his standard. I was training my Jiu-Jitsu with the purpose of
representing our team the way Relson wanted eventually. So I
am on the mats 7 days a week. It has been that way for over two
years. I am one of the hardest workers known. I spar and work
hard on the mats everyday that my body will let me. During my
break from fighting I went to Brazil twice and did well in the
Mundials both times, and trained after the Mundials as well.
I fought in lots of grappling tournaments, gi, no gi at the toughest
levels possible. I trained with my students and training with
partners at my academy really hard for several months leading
into this bout. I have people that can challenge me in certain
aspects of my training that train under me. I have a monster
Brown Belt that is a Black Belt in Judo and a great wrestler,
Richard Giberson. He has helped me train for every professional
fight that I have done. For the Holidays I went to Relson's house
to sleep on the mats and trained during Christmas and New Years.
I conditioned under the water at Sandies Beach, running with
boulders under water with Rhalan Gracie, running sprints in the
deep sand and rough break waters. I stayed in the Rough Hawaiian
waters as much as possible when I was not on the mats. I came
back from Relson's and stayed healthy, and made sure to do rounds,
swim sprint laps with my mouthpiece in ride the bike, run and
spar with my students. I arrived 5 days before my fight and trained
with Relson's Columbus Ohio Association before I fought. I did
lots of 5 minute clinch work with strikes with a very good wrestler
that also trains boxing and Jiu-Jitsu. Before the Arnolds, the
Columbus Association always has some really great training and
some amazing champions on the mats. I was lucky to be surrounded
by that.
Takimoto- You were the first Gracie representative who entered
the ring. What did you think when watched HamerHouse turning
the score which was 3-0 to start and ended at 4-3?
Phil Cardella- I see it different, if you count the whole fight
card, the experienced Gracie Team won. I do not think that was
smart to have debut fighters on this card- two of this Gracie
Team for the event had zero fights before the GFC. It is like
having the first gi tournament for someone and putting them in
the Mundials.
Takimoto- Inside the challenge [Gracies v. HammerHouse] which
fight most impressed you?
Phil Cardella- I paid a whole lot of attention to my fight and
to hear how many people thought that it was the fight of the
night. I liked my fight the most because we both showed good
sportsmanship and it was a very exciting decisive aggressive
fight. I thought Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro versus Chris
Brennan was great, both showed lots of skill & heart.
Takimoto- How long have you been training with Relson? Which
brought you to him?
Phil Cardella- I have been training with Relson for over 10 years.
I had a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and had been exposed to lots
of different Martial Arts already. The first time I trained
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was before I left home for the United States
Marine Corps with my little brother Steve Cardella who had trained
with Royce and Relson in Texas and Oklahoma during seminars.
My little brother grew up training with Rafael Lovato Sr. and
Jr. Then I started training with Relson's Aiea Association, University of Hawaii
Association and his main academy. You can tell my Jiu-Jitsu is
Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu because 90% of my matches end by me submitting
my opponents. Relson's Jiu-Jitsu is for fighting. When applied
properly you will win by submission. We don't care too much about
points because in a real fight nobody is counting points and
advantages.
Takimoto- Relson was the visionary for Gracie FC 1, so did he
invite you to compete and represent his name or did you show
interest on competing under Relson's name at this event?
Phil Cardella- I had known about the Gracie Fighting Challenge
when it was just a glimmer in Relson's eye. I was given a poster
from Relson over four years ago when he was just starting the
idea of promoting fighting events. I hung the poster at my apartment
till I got an academy, then I hung it there. When he gave me
the poster I was told if I wanted to fight I could when I was
ready and if my technique was up to standard. I always try to
do things the right way so I had to learn Jiu-Jitsu to the level
of a Relson Gracie Representative. I always have an intrest to
fight at the toughest level possible and I always support my
Instructors events, so it was something I was looking forward
to.
Takimoto- What has this event brought for you after your victory?
Did you get more recognition over your name?
Phil Cardella- It was good for Relson to see in person what I
can do in a limited rules environment when I do not have to be
nice. I had to make a good show and a mess to draw some attention.
I also wanted my students and team members to see what I am capable
of. I really wish my fight was part of the pay-per view show,
not the under card so more people could see what I am capable
of. I wish that I could fight in Japan's larger events NOW. I
know I can win in those ranks. It is good to stay current with
fighting pretty often, so I made my return. But, only time will
tell if I got much out of fighting at the Gracie Fighting Challenge.
I hope after this interview I get a sponsor.
Takimoto- After this fight against Horner, you added a sixth
victory in 8 fights as listed online. However it's not accurate,
so can you describe you real fight-resume?
Phil Cardella- This fight against Horner was my 12th victory
in professional competition. I did two amateur tournaments before
going pro. When I went pro I fought in an open weight 8-man tournament
that I won all three fights by submission. Since it was my first
professional event and I won I did not think it was that hard.
I have only lost two pro fights against Gracie Team Members
before I owned my own Gracie Academy. My longest match was against
Eddie Miller. I was a lightweight fighting a middleweight. I
won the stand up and the ground, but he is big and tough. I know
he had trained with Rampage Jackson, Yves Edwards, Saul Soliz
and more. Yves cornered him for the fight. The fight went to
the second round where I won by submission. I had a whole lot
of energy and confidence coming into my fight against Horner.
I had waited a long time to get to play by those rules. He took
some really hard hits and I played a tricky submission game that
he worked hard against. His base and boxing was better than I
expected. He is a champion that was undefeated before I fought
him.
Takimoto- Which are you goals for this year? Have you something
schedule for the next months?
Phil Cardella- The goals for this year are to work very hard
at getting my black-belt. I have been doing this for years. I
also want to fight in Japan very bad. I really want to fight
in PRIDE, K-1 or SHOOTO. I have returned from The GFC and have
been back on the mats, back to training for another MMA fight
and have been busy improving my training partners.
Takimoto- Last words?
Phil Cardella- I would like to of course thank Relson for the
chance to be the first American to represent our team in NHB.
It was an honor and I hope I made a great impression. I would
like to thank Christy Thomas for being supportive, Richard Giberson
for being a beast-training partner that can prepare me for battle.
I would like to thank Chad Glisson, Daniel Moraes, and Ryan Larson.
I would like to thank all the Relson Gracie Team Members, to
include my students, they keep me humble and support my training.
I would like for everyone to know I want to fight in Japan now.
I do not have any personal challenges I just want to fight the
best opponents in the best events. I think I match up very well
against any of the lightweights in PRIDE. All my fights are exciting
and I always try 100%. And go check out www.Austinjj.com
Source: Maxfighting
|
Quote
of the Day
Cherish
forever what makes you unique, 'cuz you're really a yawn if it
goes.
Bette Midler, American Singer/Actress/Comedian
|
Extreme
Wars X-1 2 Fight Card Results
Blaisdell
Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
March 18, 2004
MMA: 145lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Kevin Delima (Bulls Pen) VS Dave Moreno
Moreno by reverse naked choke in round 1
MMA:
165lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Bryson Kamaka (808 Fight Factory) vs. Peter "Boy" Kahananuui
Kamaka by TKO in round 1
MMA: 210lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Randy Leuder vs. Derik Thornton
Leuder by arm triangle in round 1
MMA:
145lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Albert Manners (BJ Penn's MMA) VS Lorenzo Coca
Manners by unanimous decision
MMA: 145lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Eddie Yagin (Grappling Unlimited) vs. Donald Gonzalez Jr.
Yagin by corner throwing in the towel in round 3 due to elbow
injury to Gonzalez
X-1
135lbs Championship Match:
MMA: 135lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Ed Newalu (808 Fight Factory) VS Lafayette Barelo
Newalu by tap out in 4:41? min of round 2
MMA:
160lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Jamal Perkins (808 Fight Factory) VS "Sugar" Shane
Nelson (BJ Penn's MMA)
Perkins by unanimous decision
MMA:
Open - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Shane Carwin Vs Kasey Jackson
Carwin by guillotine at 22 sec of round 1 (Jackson was put to
sleep standing)
MMA:
185lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Jay Carter (BJ Penn's MMA) vs. Joshua Ferriera
Carter by KO at 1:29 min in round 2
MMA:
205lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Derik Thornton Vs Jr Sua
Sua by unanimous decision (Walter Saliss did not show and Thornton
stepped up to fight again to fill the spot for his second fight
of the night).
MMA:
185lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Daniel "Death Roll" Higgins VS Fernando Gonzales
Higgins by rear naked choke in round 2.
MMA:
Open - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Miles Tynannes VS Reuben "Warpath" Villareal
Split decision draw (one judge Tynannes, one judge Villareal,
one judge draw)
MMA
160 lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Kola Koka VS Mike Maestas
Koka by unanimous decision
MMA:
235lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
John "The Bull" Marsh (228 St Gym) Vs Shane Faulkner
Marsh by KO in round 3
X-1
170lbs Championship Match:
MMA: 170lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Ross "Da Boss" Ebanez (BJ Penn's MMA) VS Mark Moreno
(Bulls Pen)
Moreno via decision (Moreno broke his foot during the fight and
Ross fought with a cold)
Main
Event:
MMA: 210lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Marcelo Tiger VS John "The Machine" Lober
Tiger by arm bar in round 1
Source: X-1
|
MARCH
MADNESS IN MMA
Do You Believe In Miracles? With all of the recent upsets, is
the playing field leveling out in MMA?
By
Damon Martin, MMAWeekly
With
March Madness about to start, sports fans are always anticipating
the next great Cinderella story. Lately the world of mixed martial
arts has had its own run of underdogs taking out the heavy favorites,
and it begs the question, are the favorites getting sloppy or
has the new breed caught up?
Going
into UFC 58, Yves Edwards was making his return to the octagon
as the already uncrowned lightweight champion. He was considered
the number one fighter in the 155lb weight class prior to stepping
in against a virtual unknown named Mark Hominick. While having
mixed success in Japan, Edwards did manage to show well in all
of his fights and a chance to return to the UFC and the newly
reformed lightweight division had to excite him but unfortunately
the excitement was short lived.
After
enduring some good stand-up by Hominick, Edwards found himself
on the short end of a triangle choke. Once on the ground, despite
a valiant effort, Edwards had no choice but to tap out and Hominick
earned the biggest win of his career. Coming into the fight,
Hominick was seen by both critics and fans as a stepping stone
for Edwards to get his championship but the young Canadian had
other ideas and earned a hard fought victory over one of the
best in the game.
Another
fighter that has struggled as of late and that was recently dismantled
despite being the favorite going into the fight was former UFC
heavyweight contender, Pedro Rizzo. While the Brazilian heavy
hitter has definitely lost a step or two over the last couple
of years, his skill and experience cannot be denied. His loss
to Roman Zentsov at Pride 31 by knockout at only :25 seconds
of the very first round was still shocking to many, including
the fans that remember that it was only a few years ago that
Rizzo was knocking out fighters like Andrei Arlovski and Josh
Barnett.
Josh
Thomson took on Clay Guida recently as an undercard fight to
the Frank Shamrock/Cesar Gracie showdown, and while just about
everyone thought that Thomson would walk through Guida, the result
was much, much different. While the fight did go to a decision
and Thomson had some very good submission attempts throughout,
it was Guida who pounded and punished Thomson for all five rounds,
earning the victory and leaving his opponent a broken and bloody
mess afterwards.
The
common factor in all of these fights obviously is that the underdog
won and it left the favorites to wonder what they could have
done differently to change the outcome. Upsets are a natural
part of any sport but recently mixed martial arts has had a string
of unlikely winners topple the heavy favorites. While injuries
occur all the time, watching Mark Coleman, who most had pre-determined
to lose when he fought Grand Prix champion, Mauricio “Shogun”
Rua, walk out victorious stunned more than just a fair share
of fans.
Walking
into a fighter’s hometown as an underdog and not only winning
but putting on one of the most impressive performances of the
entire show is next to impossible. But that’s exactly what
New Mexico fighter Carlos Condit did when he stepped into Renato
“Charuto” Verrissimo’s backyard in Hawaii and
knocked him out in the first round at Rumble on the Rock in January.
While
Ricco Rodriguez is not quite the same fighter, size or otherwise,
as he was when he was UFC heavyweight champion, his recent loss
at Rage in the Cage to little known fighter Robert Beraun was
nothing short of shocking.
Training
centers for martial arts have been open all over the world for
what seems like forever but with the recent growth of MMA, many
of these places are starting to train their students for full
contact combat. The days of there only being Team Quest, Miletich
Fighting Systems and Team Punishment are well since past. Now
with the influx of more and more teams and training systems,
fighters from all over are starting to become complete mixed
martial artists, never focusing on one area and becoming true
fighters.
Greg
Jackson has started to churn out top level fighters at breakneck
speed as of late. City Boxing in California has a few champions
just waiting to be crowned. And Rich Franklin’s training
techniques along with his friends Billy Rush and Jorge Gurgel
are attracting fighters from all over the nation to take the
trip to Cincinnati to see what all the fuss is about.
The
fact is the playing field is starting to level out a bit and
the veterans will have to step it up or the new breed of fighter
will be forcing them to step out. No fighter is safe from the
hungry new comer who listened to Dana White’s verbal curse
ridden tirade asking if they want to be a *expletive deleted*
fighter and got a fire to compete and make it all the way to
the top of the ranks. The Ultimate Fighter is built on the hype
of showing new talent and making the dream of some young fighter
come true with their chance to compete in the legendary octagon.
In
the next few days another team will be crowned the Cinderella
of the NCAA tournament…but who will be the next upset victim
in MMA? Time will only tell but in all likelihood, the wait won’t
be for very long.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
DOLLARS
AND SENSE IN MMA
‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality TV show and its wide
reaching audience has changed the face of Mixed Martial Arts
(MMA) in North America. We’re witnessing a growth spurt.
Ticket
sales are up as well as ticket prices. Both pay-per-view purchasing
price and buy-rates are at a record high. Over the weekend, StrikeForce’s
‘Shamrock vs. Gracie’ set an American record for attendance
at an MMA event with more than 18,200 spectators. Sponsorship
dollars are rolling in like the high tide. Fighters have become
recognizable public figures. Today, the only thing in the sport
of MMA not on the upward fast-track is fighter pay.
Georges
St. Pierre has been labeled "the future," but reportedly
only brought in $48,000 for his Ultimate Fighting Championship
(UFC) 58: ‘USA vs. Canada’ bout with BJ Penn, who only
took home a mere $25,000 for his efforts. Rich Franklin is one
of the sports biggest stars, but isn’t being paid like one.
The UFC Middleweight Champion reportedly only took home $34,000
for his title defense against David Loiseau.
While
MMA in the Unites States appears to be exploding into new markets,
are the fighters being short changed at the counter? Many think
so. Something tells me you’d be hard pressed to find a fighter
who doesn’t think he is worth more than the check he is
cashing.
MMA
has not only caught the eye of companies willing to throw sponsorship
dollars into a growing sports phenomenon, but it has caught the
eye of sportsbooks eager to cash in on the MMA’s sudden
popularity. Could the combination of the sport’s thirteen
year over night success story in the U.S. accompanied with sportsbooks’
interest and out of date fighter pay lead to the biggest taboo
in the sports world, fixing outcomes? MMAWeekly Radio recently
spoke with Josh ‘The Punk’ Thomson, and he made some
interesting comments concerning the subject of low fighter pay
leading to "worked’ fights.
MMAWeekly
nor Josh Thomson is suggesting that any fighter has or will fix
a fight’s outcome, but could the lure of easy money, and
a lot of it, sway a fighter to do the unthinkable? The Yves Edwards
vs. Mark Hominick opening odds had Hominick as a +600 underdog,
meaning if you placed one hundred dollars on Hominick you would
have earned six hundred. Because of the opening odds and the
eventual outcome of the match, we’ll use it as a hypothetical
example to illustrate how the combination of out dated fighter
pay and sportsbooks’ interest in MMA could be a deadly combination.
In
MMAWeekly Radio’s conversation with Josh Thomson, which
can be heard in its entirety by clicking on the radio archive,
he brought up an interesting scenario. He said, "Here is
something to look at. If a fighter, lets say he is making $16,000.
If he walked in there with say twenty grand and he dropped twenty
grand on himself and he was +600. He’s going to walk with
what? I think $120,000 at +600, so he’ll walk with $120,000
on top of the money he is getting back. So what is a fighter
to do? I’m not just pointing out the UFC, I’m saying
any organization is only paying $10,000 a fighter. You know?
They’re throwing odds on these fights. The fighters, they’re
not being paid enough. They’re going to eventually get smart
and throw their own fights . . . If the odds were +600 against
somebody else, whose to say that somebody just wouldn’t
go in there and throw one fight and make 120 grand? That is more
money than they would make in the next four fights."
MMA
is in a metamorphosis phase, making the transition from underground
to mainstream. Several online sportsbooks sponsor some of the
biggest names in the industry, getting their name out there to
a potentially lucrative market. But one has to question the competency
of some of the odds. Recently there have been a few match-ups
that odds makers have bit the bullet on. The ‘Pe De Pano’
Cruz upset over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir was
a money maker for insightful gamblers who recognized the outrageous
odds in favor of Mir who was coming off a severe injury and an
extensive leave of absence from MMA competition.
Most
recently, Mark Hominick was an enormous underdog facing Yves
Edwards. He pulled off the upset costing sportsbooks an astronomical
amount in loses. Josh Thomson commented, "The Mandalay Bay
had them at -600. Someone went in there and they dropped twenty
grand. That is why the odds dropped from -600 to -400 in one
night against the Hominick and Yves fight. Someone went in there
and put twenty grand on Hominick, and that’s a big deal.
That is why these casinos and stuff don’t put betting lines
on really the undercards in boxing. They do maybe one undercard
if it is a good undercard, like one bout on the undercard. It
is always the betting lines on the main event and that is it.
You don’t see betting lines on all the other smaller events,
all of the other fighters underneath there because whose to say
those guys aren’t just going to go out there and throw the
fight? They’re only making four grand."
All
the ingredients are in place for the worst case scenario come
to fruition. It may not have happened yet, but low wages and
inflated, incompetent odds making is a recipe for disaster. "I
don’t think it has happened yet, but these odds were ridiculous.
Mike Swick was -600 against Vigneault, and so was Hominick. Hominick
was +600, so whose to say these fighters aren’t going to
do that, go drop twenty grand? Why not drop whatever they’re
going to make on their fight because they know they’re going
to get it right back after they throw it? – I’m not
saying that it hasn’t happened. I’m just saying that
I’m not aware of it happening. I mean, there is always talk
of people doing it, but I’ve never encountered someone really
saying yea, I’ve done it. Yea, on the DL. They’re not
telling me on the DL." Josh Thomson told MMAWeekly.
MMAWeekly
asked Josh Thomson point blank if he thought the Hominick and
Edwards fight was a "work." Josh immediately responded,
"No. I don’t think so." But the current conditions
of fighters being paid minimal amounts and sportsbooks posting
unrealistic odds, it is just a matter of time before fights are
fixed, if it hasn’t already happened.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Ninja
vs. Paulão at Pride Bushido 10
One
of the most awaited matches of Pride will put face to face Chute
Boxe and Brazilian Top Team once again. Dream Stage Entertainment
has announced the bout: Murilo Ninja (Chute Boxe) and Paulão
Filho (BTT) at Pride Bushido 10, MMA event scheduled to April
2, in Japan. The controversy between athletes comes from Pride
GP Middleweight 2005, when Paulão got at Ricardo Arona's
corner. DSE also announced three disputes. Denis Kang vs. Mark
Weir, Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Paul Rodriguez and Akihiro Gono vs.
Dae Won Kim.
COMPLETE
CARD (subject to change):
Pride
Bushido 10
Sunday,
April 2, 2006
Ariake
Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan
-
Takanori Gomi vs. Marcus Aurélio;
-
Dan Henderson vs. Kazuo Misaki;
-
Yuki Kondo vs. Phil Baroni;
-
Murilo Ninja vs. Paulão Filho;
-
Joachim Hansen vs. Luiz Azeredo;
-
Jens Pulver vs. Mazakazu Imanari;
-
Denis Kang vs. Mark Weir;
-
Mitsuhiro Ishida vs. Paul Rodriguez;
-
Akihiro Gono vs. Dae Won Kim;
-
Seichi Ikemoto vs. TBA;
-
Ikuhiza Minowa vs. TBA.
Source: Tatame
|
Quote
of the Day
"Life
is the flower for which love is the honey."
Victor Hugo, 1802-1885, French Poet/Dramatist/Novelist
|
Extreme
Wars X-1 2 Fight Card Tonight!
Blaisdell
Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii
March 18, 2004
Fights start promptly
at 7:00 PM so come early!
MMA: 145lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Kevin Delima (Bulls Pen) VS Dave Moreno
MMA:
165lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Bryson Kamaka (808 Fight Factory) vs. Peter "Boy" Kahananuui
MMA: 210lbs - 2 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Randy Leuder vs. Derik Thornton
MMA:
145lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Albert Manners (BJ Penn's MMA) VS Lorenzo Coca
X-1
135lbs Championship Match:
MMA: 135lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Ed Newalu (808 Fight Factory) VS Lafayette Barelo
MMA:
145lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Eddie Yagin (Grappling Unlimited) vs. Donald Gonzalez Jr.
MMA:
160lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Jamal Perkins (808 Fight Factory) VS "Sugar" Shane
Nelson (BJ Penn's MMA)
MMA:
Open - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Shane Carwin Vs Matt Nelson
MMA:
185lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Jay Carter (BJ Penn's MMA) vs. Joshua Ferriera
MMA:
205lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Walter Saliss Vs Jr Sua
MMA:
185lbs - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Daniel "Death Roll" Higgins VS Fernando Gonzales
MMA:
Open - 3 Rounds x 3 Minutes
Miles Tynannes VS Reuben "Warpath" Villareal
MMA:
235lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
John "The Bull" Marsh (228 St Gym) Vs John "Big
J" Kailiuli
X-1
170lbs Championship Match:
MMA: 170lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Ross "Da Boss" Ebanez (BJ Penn's MMA) VS Mark Moreno
(Bulls Pen)
Main
Event:
MMA: 210lbs - 3 Rounds x 5 Minutes
Marcelo Tiger VS John "The Machine" Lober
Source: X-1
|
Two
Bouts Added to UFC 59 – Reality Check
Middleweight veterans Jeremy Horn and Evan Tanner will look to
move further up the 185-pound ranks when they clash at UFC 59
– Reality Check, which will be held at the sold-out Arrowhead
Pond in Anaheim, California on Saturday, April 15th.
Also
added to the show, the UFC’s first in California, is a welterweight
battle between Drew Fickett and American Top Team fighter Thiago
Alves.
UFC
59 – Reality Check, which features a UFC Heavyweight Championship
bout pitting champion Andrei Arlovski against challenger and
former champ Tim Sylvia, and a light heavyweight bout between
Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin, will air live on pay-per-view,
beginning at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
One
of the busiest fighters in mixed martial arts history, Jeremy
Horn has also established himself as one of the most intelligent
practitioners to ever step into the Octagon. Holder of victories
over the likes of Chuck Liddell, David Loiseau, Dean Lister,
Josh Burkman, Forrest Griffin and Vernon White, Horn is coming
off a close decision win over Trevor Prangley at UFC 56 last
November and would like to build upon that success on April 15th.
A
competitor with a never say die attitude, Evan Tanner is eager
to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses to Rich
Franklin and David Loiseau. Before those losses though, Tanner
was on a four fight hot streak that saw him defeat Phil Baroni
in consecutive fights, submit Robbie Lawler, and stop David Terrell
to win the UFC middleweight title. A little over a month from
now, the Texas native will look to start a new streak with a
win over Horn.
Source: Maxfighting
|
WFC
Release - Matt Ver Halen, Top of His Game
Denver
CO: Names like Urijah Faber, Cole Escovedo and Josh Thompson,
dominate the conversation when speaking of the top 145-pound
fighters, so Ver Halen is used to being out of the spotlight
– and in truth, he wouldn’t have it any other way.
“You
know, it doesn’t even bother me. I figure just let them
hype up the other guys, I mean the more press for this weight
class the better,” Ver Halen said.
35-year-old
Ver Halen has been training in Martial Arts since the age of
eight, and has excelled in Muay Thai kickboxing, Western Boxing
and No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Ver Halen trains with some of
the top names in the sport including Ultimate Fighting Championship,
veterans Drew Fickett and Joe Riggs as well as one of the original
stars of American MMA – Don Frye. Not only has Ver Halen
learned fighting techniques from these top-coaches, but has learned
the intangibles of how to win, while having a little fun while
doing it.
“Don
has taught me so much,” Ver Halen stated. “He has taught
me composure and respect. He has taught me not be a smack talker,
and be a respectful guy, not only to my opponents, but to everyone.
Drew (Fickett), he’s just nuts man, he’s all over the
place, he’s a lot of fun.”
Ver
Halen also takes coaching from one of his championship opponents
- a tactic that very few fighters employ. Ver Halen uses this
unique perspective to improve his game, and gain an insight that
can’t be taught through traditional methods. “Mike
Knight is my Muay Thai coach, and he is the guy that I fought
for the Rage In The Cage championship, you would not believe
how much training with him has raised my game. He is a great
asset to the team.”
“The
Warlock,” Ver Halen, holds championship belts in both RITC
and the WFC – a rare occurrence even among MMA elite. Ver
Halen is the current RITC 145-pound champion and then went on
to win the WFC belt in September, 2005. Ver Halen won the belt
in a three round war with Steve Horton at the first WFC event
“Clash of the Titans.”
Ver
Halen admitted that fans and other fighters might have misjudged
his performance against Horton. A performance he has labeled
“forgettable.”
“That
fight, was probably the most boring fight of my career. Going
in, I was concerned about the altitude in Colorado, so I was
a little reserved – defensive. That and he (Horton), was
really, really strong.”
Ver
Halen now looks towards defending his WFC belt as he steps into
the cage to battle upstart Steve Sharp, this Saturday night at
“Final Countdown,” at the state-of-the-art Budweiser
Events Center in picturesque Loveland, Colorado.
“I
have been training super hard for this fight. I can’t remember
the last time I was this fired-up for a fight,” Ver Halen
revealed.
“I
heard he (Sharp), wants to stand with me. That’s only because
he doesn’t know who I am. If he did know me there is no
way he would say that, but if he wants to keep the fight standing
– then you know, may God help him.”
With
a win over Sharp, Ver Halen is one step closer to being on the
shortlist of the bantamweight elite, one step closer to the spotlight,
and one step closer to the top of the mountain.
Source: Maxfighting
|
Campo
Grande Fight 1 - The Brazilian Grass Roots
People often talk about the grassroots circuit in the US and
how it helps fighters develop. Well, Brazil (the motherland of
Vale Tudo that has produced Vanderlai Silva, Rodrigo Nogueira,
Vitor Belfort, Ricardo Arona, and the of course the GRACIES)
also has a thriving grassroots scene. It has to... All the major
teams in Brazil (Brazilian Top Team, Gracie Barra, Nova Uniao,
Chute Boxe) all need places to get the up-and-comers into action
and build them up with hopes of bigger fights in MECCA, STORM,
Jungle FC, and even onto Japan and the US.
One
of those venues for the aspiring Brazilian athlete is Campo Grande
Fighting. This show brought together young hungry fighters from
across the Brazilian MMA community, and presented the action
in 12 exciting fights. The promoter took a chance, by making
the fights all 2x5 minute rounds, hoping to force the fighters
into action because of the short time limits and threat of draws.
The gamble paid off for promoter Jorge Turco, as the event was
one of the most exciting action-based shows in Rio de Janeiro.
In
the opening ceremony, promoter Turco paid homage to master Carlson
Gracie's memory through the presence of the best friend of Carlson,
the filmmaker Osvaldo
Paqueta, who shared some words with maXfighting after the Carlson's
unfortunate death.
And for the event itself, all the fighters in the show where
absolute first timers. However, if any of these fighters were
nervous, it did not show. Rarely we see an MMA event where the
first fight is "the fight of the night". The "debuters"
Roberto Vieira of UGF and Gracie Barra's Sergio Pim, came in
to trade heavy blows right away, on the feet. Vieira had more
tools on the feet and he pushed Pim out by using low-kicks that
forced him back. Vieira pursued Pim around the ring, and Pim
circulated to escape from the polished stand-up game of his opponent.
They met in the center of the ring again and blasted each other
heavily with sequences of straights and cross-punches. Vieira
gave more than he got, forcing his opponent to shoot to avoid
a KO. From the clinch Pim threw Vieira down. Vieira quickly turned
and sunk in a heel-hook, but Pim countered and the fight quickly
returned to the feet. They kept the fight at a distance, and
when it was at striking range Vieira unloaded with an arsenal
of knees, two of which connected with Pim's head. The Gracie
Barra fighter finally dropped at the 3:00 minute mark. He remained
conscious and tried to keep fighting, but Vieira followed him
to the mat and forced Pim to tap out from punches to the face.
An interesting match-up had BTT versus Nova Uniao when a clash
of the jovial Henrique Mello neutralized the 30 year old BTT
fighter Eduardo Mun-Ra. It was clear that Mun-Ra was better prepared,
but every time they exchange strikes on the feet, Mello connected
and Mun-Ra had to change gears to avoid damage. It happened several
times during the two rounds' of a fight that had very little
action on the ground. When the opportunities presented themselves,
Mun-Ra attempted a triangle choke that Mello used to pass the
guard. In the end Mello won by split decision over Mun-Ra.
MaXfighting was mentioned by promoter Turco when he addressed
the audience to tell about the presence of this humble MMA writer
who was covering the show. I felt proud about their appreciation,
and the promoter was very happy for the exposure!
In the main-Event, for the Superfight belt and to qualify for
the next level in MMA, Rio MMA Challenger 2: Vitor Hugo (Libra/JTT)
def. Wendell Negao (Rio Fight) by rear naked choke
In a great format form the sport, this fight was to qualify the
winner for a fight one
month later in the Turco's main promotion, the Rio MMA Challenger
which is the next step for aspiring young athletes. Edition 2
of that show is confirmed for May 12th where the winner will
appear, with a belt around his waist.
Negao put Hugo in the corner with a striking attack. Hugo tried
to take it down, but could not and he had to keep the pace in
a game where he wasn't comfortable on his feet. Twice Negao came
close to knocking Hugo out, but instead of a cross-punch or a
low kick, he preferred to take Hugo down. The fighters were clinched
in a neutral corner close to my position when Hugo finally dropped
Negao with a slam. Negao tried to get back on his feet position,
but Hugo was on his back and sunk his forearm under Negao's chin
to finish the contest and capture the CP Superfight belt.
Full Results:
Submission-grappling
Vitor Avilla (JTT) def. Joao Paulo (Rio Fight) by referee decision
MMA
Roberto Vieira (UGF) def. Sergio Pim (Gracie Barra) tapout from
strikes
Marcio Caverna (Top Brothers) def. Vinicius Russo (JTT) by deicsion(majority)
Henrique
Mello (Nova Uniao) def. Eduardo Mun-Ra (BTT) by decision(majority)
Sandro Gemak (AKTBERJ) def. Gilliard Patrick (Rio Fight) by guillotine
choke
Leandro
"Xia" Guapiacu (Libra/JTT) def. Alex Shock (Boxe Thai)
by decision(majority)
Felipe
Goncalves (Team Indio) def. David Belizario (Rio Fight) by TKO(doctor
stoppage)
Matheus
Trindade (BTT) def. Mark Scalon (RFT) by decision(majority)
Hugo
Ricardo (Rio Fight) def. Carlos Eduardo (Libra/JTT) by disqualification
Jorge Blade (AKTEBRJ) def. Di-Everton (Rio Fight) by TKO (referee
stoppage due to intense nose's bleeding)
Rafael
Barbosa (BTT) def. Ulisses Vieira (Freelancer) by armbar
Daniel
Almeida (Nova Uniao) def. Roque Oliver (BTT) by decision(majority)
For the CG Fight belt (Rio MMA Challenger 2 qualifier)
Vitor Hugo (Libra/JTT) def. Wendell Negao (Rio Fight) by rear
naked choke
Source: Maxfighting
|
Quote
of the Day
"Be
slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue
firm and constant."
Socrates, 469-399 B.C., Greek Philosopher
|
Tokoro,
Sudo and LeBanner are Budokan "HEROS"
TOKYO -- Japanese mixed martial arts fighter Hideo Tokoro, 27,
made it look easy -- taking just 49 seconds to submit compatriot
Yoshinori Ikeda in the main event of HEROS 2006.
Tokoro
executed a single leg takedown to start the 72kg weight-class
bout, then got into a full mount position. Ikeda, a Kyokushin
Karate fighter making just his second mixed martial arts start,
wormed his way out to get on top, only to be met with a triangle
choke. With the pressure increasing and no chance of escape,
Ikeda tapped out.
Held
at the historic Nippon Budokan in central Tokyo, this was the
first event of the year in FEG's HERO mixed martial arts fightsport
format. Bouts were contested under HEROS Rules (5Min. x 2R &
1R Extra for tiebreaking), with specific weight limits as noted.
Dutch
kickboxer Melvin Manhoef took on Shungo Oyama of Japan in the
first contest. The pair of 74kg fighters boxed for half the first
round before going to the mat with Manhoef in mount. Oyama pushed
and then bicycle-kicked his way back to his feet, but Manhoef
met him with a high kick that opened a cut on the Japanese fighter's
face. A doctor's check cleared Oyama to continue but Manhoef
laid in with the fists, socking his opponent good before the
doctor called a stop, giving Manhoef the victory.
K-1
veteran Jerome Le Banner of France met American freestyle fighter
Jimmy Ambriz in the second bout. Ambriz is a stocky customer,
at 139kg/306lbs he brought a 20kg/45lbs weight advantage to the
ring along with his 8-1 record in mixed martial arts. Ambriz
charged forward from the bell, and just seconds in the two were
on the mat. LeBanner kept the legs up and did well in guard,
forcing a stalemate and a standing restart. Again Ambriz came
rushing, his arms flailing, but LeBanner got the decisive blow
this time -- a right hook that dropped the American for the KO
win.
The
next matchup was a 70kg weight-class bout featuring Kazuyuki
Miyata of Japan and Erikas Petraitis of Lithuania. Petraitis
went down early and Miyata hovered overhead, passing the guard
with punches. Soon, Miyata came into a side mount, then deftly
twisted his way into position for an armbar and submission.
Another
70kg weight-class fight followed, with mixed martial arts specialists
and former SHOOTO Champion Caol Uno of Japan and Rich Clementi
of the United States mixing it up. The pair sparred a fair bit
in the early going before Clementi got the takedown and Uno went
to guard. Clementi worked to side then rear mount, but Uno twisted
round to get on top, and started putting the punches down, connecting
nicely with a few lefts before the bell.
In
the second, Clementi swept from the clinch for the takedown but
Uno worked his way into a mount and put the punches down once
again. After some squirming and bucking and a brief time on their
feet, the two went to the mat and finished the round in a deadlock.
His fists having put the most punishment across, Uno was rewarded
with the win by unanimous decision.
A
couple of big tough guys, Heath Herring of the United States
and Gary Goodridge of Trinidad and Tobago, met in the next bout.
Herring came in with a high kick which Goodridge grabbed for
a takedown and canopener, but couldn't work well on the mat.
After some writhing and strikes but no opportunities for submission,
the pair were given a standing restart. They boxed then mixed
it up a little but neither could take control.
In
the second Goodridge repeatedly found Herring on his back, but
could not pass, and so backed off to force a standing restart
and more boxing. It was during one of the sparring exchanges
that Herring surprised Goodridge with a right hook, knocking
him to the canvas for the KO win.
A
88kg-limit bout featured Japanese fighters Yoshihiro Akiyama,
a Judo Champion; and pro-wrestler Tokimitsu Ishizawa. Akiyama
is wildly popular in Japan, and the crowd went nuts as he railed
on Ishizawa with his fists during a first round which the pair
spent almost entirely on their feet. Whenever Ishizawa came forward
looking for the takedown, Akiyama put in more punches. Akiyama
also connected with a high kick, which might have ended the bout
but for Ishizawa's strong chin.
After
some clinching early in the second round, the fighters finally
went to the mat, where Akiyama took a side mount, then coolly
worked a choke hold to force the submission.
A
couple of hefty Judo stylists, Yoshihisa Yamamoto of Japan (190cm/6'3";100kg/220lbs),
and Min Soo Kim of South Korea (186cm/6'1";112kg/247lbs)
met in the next bout. There was unbridled boxing in the early
going, Kim with the better stuff. A takedown put the Korean into
a rear mount but not much happened there. Back on their feet
the pair boxed again, and now Yamamoto got some good licks in.
Back to the mat with Yamamoto on top, albeit in an awkward position,
and coming down with the fists. When they got back to their feet,
Yamamoto planted a spinning back punch before the boys finished
the round with another exchange of frenetic boxing.
Kim
was bleeding from atop the left eye at the start of the second,
but displayed superior stamina as the round progressed. Approaching
the midway point, the Korean got into rear mount again, this
time making no mistake as he worked a pull-up choke for the quick
submission.
In
a 72kg weight-class matchup, flashy and unorthydox Japanese fighter
Genki Sudo took on Ole Laursen of Denmark. Sudo started with
spinning kicks, and when the fight went to the mat looked ready
to put Laursen into a heelhook. But the Dane spun out of the
hold, and after shaking a Sudo rear mount was able to get into
a mount of his own. The two showed speed and technical prowess
here, with frequent reversals, but the first ended with neither
dominating.
They
went to the mat quickly in the second. Laursen worked some good
moves, but the slippery Sudo stayed out of danger. Laursen threw
Sudo from the clinch and passed with punches then leapt in with
a couple of stomps that were among the best attacks in this very
exciting fight. Back on their feet, Sudo missed with spinning
back punches to end the round. A close contest -- the judges
saw a draw and called for a tiebreaker.
Here
Sudo got into side mount early but Laursen's defenses gave the
Japanese fighter little to hit. But Sudo soon got a full mount
and did better with his punches. Laursen reversed and wanted
to stand and strike, but Sudo got the takedown and was better
with a side mount and triangle hold through the remainder to
take the win by unanimous decision.
In
the 75kg-class opening fight, Antonio McKee of the United States
beat Kiuma Kunioku of Japan by unanimous decision.
The
HEROS 2006 event attracted a sellout crowd of 8,770 to the Budokan.
It was broadcast live in Japan on the TBS Network, and in OnMedia's
Super Action TV in South Korea. Time-delay broadcasts are set
for 54 countries on EuroSport -- check with local broadcasters
for scheduling. As always, visit the K-1 Official Website (www.k-1.co.jp)
for complete coverage.
Source:
Maxfighting |
K1
HEROS PRESS CONFERENCE
The final press conference before tonight's K-1's HERO'S card
took place and Heath Herring had a simple message for Big Daddy
Gary Goodridge.
Herring
said that he felt maybe now he wouldn't have to be worried about
being kissed before his fight. (Herring alluding to the Nakao
kiss before the fight that ended up with Herring KO'ing Nakao
before the fight started.)
Goodridge
responded anything can happen since it is a "no rules"
match as everyone laughed. Other interesting news and notes from
the Press Conference you can watch right now on MMAWeekly TV
was the fact that Quinton Jackson was there at the event to corner
a couple of the fighters.
Some
of the media was wondering if K-1 would make a play at Jackson
since he is still a free agent. Jackson told the media that he
has not signed with Pride or anyone else at this point.
Also
Rich Clementi was not available at the press conference because
he was trying to make weight. It took him three times before
he was able to do so. So the Clementi vs Caol Uno fight is on
for tonight. Watch the press conference before tonight's card
right now on MMAWeekly TV. If you missed yesterday's weigh-in
there is only one website you can watch the exclusive action,
only on MMAWeekly TV.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
CALIFORNIA
LOVE: UFC BACK TO BACK SHOWS
Fans
are coming in force for upcoming MMA shows. UFC 59 sold out most
of their tickets the first three days they went on sale. Tickets
for UFC 60 are going at a frantic pace at the Staples Center.
So far fans haven't had a problem buying out the $50 and $100
dollar tickets which have already been sold out at Staples. Tickets
are still available for the more expensive seats at $1000, $800,
$600, $400, and $200.
As
far as the card goes, the official matchups should be released
shortly by the UFC and you can as always check the "rumors"
| |