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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2007
10/6/07
Punishment In Paradise
18
(MMA &
Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
7/13/07
Punishment In Paradise
17
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
4/27/07
Punishment In Paradise
16
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
2/9/07
Punishment In Paradise
15
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
1/14/07
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Location: TBD)
2006
12/9/06
Grapplers Quest West X
(All Sport Arena, Las Vegas, NV)
12/1/06
Icon Sport
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
11/25/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
11/24/06
Punishment In Paradise 14
(MMA &
Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
11/12/06
Aloha State Championship
of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
11/4/06
Suma
Up Martial Arts (SUMA)
(Kickboxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
November TBA
RWE
Qualfiers
(MMA)
(Maui)
10/21/06
Pride Fighting Championships:
The Real Deal
(PPV)
(Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV)
RWE Qualfiers
(MMA)
(Hilo)
10/14-15/06
Pacific
Island Showdown
International Invitational Ultimate Full-Contact Stickfighting
Championship
(Stickfighting)
(Filipino Community Center Ballroom, Waipahu)
10/13/06
RWE Qualfiers
(MMA)
(Katchafire Concert,
Guam)
10/7/06
Hawaii Fighting Championships: “Stand Your Ground I”
(Kickboxing/Jiu Jitsu/MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
10/6/06
X-1 Battlegrounds
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Got Skills 5
(Kickboxing/Boxing & Wrestling/Sub Grappling)
September
ROTR Qualifers
(MMA)
(Maui)
9/23/06
UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn 2
Arrowhead Pond,
Anaheim, California
9/16/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
9/9/06
Punishment In Paradise 13
Unfinished Business
(Kickboxing, MMA)
(Dole Cannery Square Ballroom)
9/2/06
Icon Sport 47
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
8/26-27/06
International
Masters & Seniors Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
8/26/06
Got Skills 3
(Kickboxing/Boxing & Takedowns/Submission Grappling)
(Ilima Intermediate, Ewa Beach)
Palolo Gym Smoker
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
UFC 62
(MMA)
(PPV)
8/21/06
UFC 62 Countdown: Liddell vs. Sobral
(Spike)
UFC: All Access Renato "Babalu" Sobral
(Spike)
8/18/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
8/17/06
Ultimate
Fight Night 4
(MMA)
(Las Vegas, NV)
The Ultimate Fighter 4:
The Comeback Premiers
(Spike)
8/12/06
Hawaiian Open of
BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
8/5/06
Rumble On The Rock
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Garden Island Cage Match 4
(MMA)
(Kauai)
Island
Warriors Fighting Championship
(MMA)
(War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
7/28/06
RWE & PXC
(MMA)
(University of Guam Fieldhouse, Mangilao, Guam)
7/22/06
RWE Qualifiers
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Center, Hilo)
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)
7/8/06
Ring of Honor
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Waianae H.S. Gym)
7/7/06
Kickin' It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
UFC 61
(MMA)
(Las Vegas, NV)
7/3/06
Got Skills 2
(Kickboxing/Boxing & Wrestling/Sub Grappling)
(Pagoda Hotel Ballroom)
s 2006 Tournament
(Sport-Jujitsu, Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling, Extreme Sparring)
(St. Louis H.S. Gym)
7/1/06
Pride
(MMA)
(Saitama Super Arena)
6/24/06
The Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale
(MMA)
(The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV)
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*** |
|
September 2006 News
Part 1
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 7:00PM
***NEW TIME***
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
|
Got a question for us? Email info@onzuka.com
or click here to send us
an email
Quote
of the Day
"Don't
smother each other. No one can grow in the shade."
Leo Buscaglia, 1924-1998, American Author and Expert on Love
and Human Relationships
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS Results!
Dole Cannery Ballroom, Honolulu, Hawaii
Saturday, September 9, 2006
175lbs.
Sean Basset (Team Shamrock,California) vs. Ronald Jhun (808 F.F,
Kalihi)
Jhun by TKO at 35 seconds of round 2
155lbs
James Martinez (Team MMAD, Kailua) vs. Harris Sarimento (808
F.F, Kaneohe)
Martinez pulled out of the fight.
Kids
American Kickboxing
Wesley Benigno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs Nainoa Mesiona (808 F.F,
Waipahu)
Benigno by unanimous decision (30-26)(30-26)(30-26)
147lbs.
Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pin, Kalihi) vs. Tony Rodiques (Westside
Connection, Waianae)
Moreno by unanimous decision (29-26)(28-27)(28-27)
Ikaika
Martin vs John Vistante Jr (Sit You Down, Waianae)
Vistante by unanimous decision (27-30)(27-30)(27-30)
Kaipo Cayetano (Smith TKD) vs Derek Butay (Fighters Union, Waianae)
Cayetano by TKO at 55 seconds of round 2.
145lbs.
Sam Chong vs. Sadhu Bott (HMC, Kalihi)
Bott by unanimous decison (27-29)(27-29)(29-27)
170lbs.
Zane Kamaka (Guts & Glory, Waianae) vs. Fatu Tuatasi (808
F.F, Waipahu)
Kamaka by unanimous decision (29-28)(29-28)(30-27)
Thomas Sedeno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs Preston Kealoha
Sedeno by TKO at 1:43 of round 3
Chris Williams vs Josh Amarral
Williams by TKO at 1:10 of round 2
185lbs.
Correy Wilson (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Tellis Sionesini
(808 F.F, Waipahu)
Sionesini by TKO at 1:59 min of round 2.
140lbs.
Bronson Cayetano (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. vs. Erwin Celes
(Sit You Down, Waianae)
Cayetano by unanimous decision (29-28)(29-28)(30-27)
230LBS.
Loren Kanoa (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Charles Kipili'i Jr (Fighters Union,
Waianae)
Kanoa by unanimous decision (28-27)(28-27)(28-27)
200lbs.
Frankie Ruiz (Team Submit, Honolulu) vs. Rob Chong (Koden Kan,
Waimanalo)
Chong by unanimous decision (26-30)(27-29)(26-30)
165lbs.
Dean Henze (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Brendon Wong (Disciples
of Puhi, Kauai)
Henze by TKO at 55 seconds of round 3
175lbs.
Dean Lista (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Trevor Sojot
Lista by TKO at 1:50 of round 2. |
SUMA
Is Back!
SUMA, which stands for Stand Up Martial Arts, has just announced
its return after taking a hiatus after 2 successful events. Big
things are planned, but cannot be released at this time. What
can be released is that they have secured the Blaisdell Arena
on November 4th for their return.
Stay tuned to Onzuka.com for the latest news as we work to pry
information from the promoter.
|
BJ
Penn vs.
Matt Hughes II
By Luke Nicholson
In case you’ve been living under a rock somewhere, UFC is
having a HELL of a year. Coming off UFC 61, where a re-match
between Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock drew 775 thousand buys on
PPV, and UFC 62 which will probably do in the range of 450-500
thousand PPV buys, UFC is extremely hot right now. So, people
might be wondering, can a match between BJ Penn and Matt Hughes
continue the awesome momentum of UFC in 2006? My answer would
be an enthusiastic YES.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Analyzing
Rickson Gracie
Trainers, rivals and commentators say what they think about one
of MMA’s biggest controversies: how would Rickson do in
an eventual comeback to the rings?
Do
you want to create a buzz in a discussion about MMA? It’s
easy. You just need to bring up the name of Rickson Gracie. You
can’t go wrong there. It doesn’t matter what the level
of knowledge about the sport is among the group. Everyone will
feel the urge to say something. Rickson Gracie is one of the
few fighters capable of provoking hot-headed discussions, only
comparable to those between soccer fans.
The
temperature rises even more if someone ponders about how the
idol would do in a professional MMA fight nowadays. Maybe the
doubt would sound like a hypothetical question, once the level
of the fights today would not give much of a chance for someone
already with 46 years of age and that is out of competitions
for more than five. But, it’s another story with Rickson
Gracie.
That’s
why NOCAUTE Magazine (this piece was originally published last
February)’s staff put on the shorts, gloves and got on a
real fight to go after Brazil’s biggest specialists. We’ve
got to 20 different opinions that may or may not help the reader
build an opinion about Rickson’s conditions. But they will
be useful in a future discussion, and you’d better believe
that it will soon come up…
Wallid
Ismail
Carlson Gracie’s pupil and Jungle Fight promoter
It all depends on his training and nothing else. If he’s
training hard, in prime shape and in good health, he is able
to face anyone. Being Rickson or someone else, if the guy is
a real fighter, has spent his life in the world of fighting and
has Jiu-Jitsu to back him up, there’s no secret about it:
he just needs to go there and brawl. Everybody is always too
concerned about winning or loosing. To me, everyone who steps
in a ring is already a winner.
Rodrigo
Minotauro Nogueira
BTT’s Jiu-Jitsu and judo black-belt and MMA fighter
Rickson was one of the first Brazilians to fight abroad and thanks
to his fights in Japan, Brazil is widely respected there nowadays.
We owe that to him. I imagine that he has to prepare well. It
has to involve other martial arts, including wrestling. From
what we’ve seen of Rickson fighting, if he uses Jiu-jitsu
correctly and brings the fight to the ground at the right moment,
I think he will have the same ease he had before. The difference
perhaps is on the techniques that he is going to have to use
nowadays and that depends, of course, on the quality of the opponent.
I also think that being undefeated or not is not the main issue.
Great fighters lose at a certain point of their career. Wanderlei
was defeated and then won again. The same thing happened with
Murilo Bustamante, who got over it. Japan being the center of
the MMA world nowadays helps a lot. The Japanese audience gives
value to the competitor, not caring if he is victorious in the
ring. It’s going to be great for the MMA world to see Rickson
back. It’s going to draw the attention of more people to
our sport.
Royler
Gracie
Rickson’s younger brother
Rickson gathers an impressive mixture of strength, technique
and speed, specially a quickness of thought that I’ve rarely
seen in another fighter. His Jiu-Jitsu is still at a very high
level and his greatest virtue is to never give the opponent chances
to make a mistake. In order to beat him, the opponent would have
to be able to escape Rickson’s game and not make mistakes.
Fighters that master Jiu-Jitsu may complicate the fight for Rickson
because they are more prepared to get out of Rickson’s positions.
The only thing that could maybe make things harder for Rickson
is the long absence that makes you lose some of your punch and
the notion of space in the ring. He needs to be training hard
to overcome that but he has already overcome several obstacles
and this one would be one more in his long and victorious career.
Paulo
Filho
BTT athlete and MMA fighter
I have no doubt that Rickson Gracie is the best ground fighter
of all time. I bet on him against any athlete of today: if he
is able to shorten the fighting distance and find a favorable
position I think that even Fedor, Wanderlei or anyone else doesn’t
stand a chance against Rickson. Of course he risks being knocked
down if he faces a good striker way heavier than him, but in
his weight category he will lose to no one. Many people say they
know JJ and that they can beat him but Rickson has submitted
Sergio Penha and other legends of the sport. So, you need to
really be someone to know how to escape his positions. Many consider
Rickson’s opponents so far to be weak, but you can’t
blame it on him for being so good: they say the guys were weak
but in fact Rickson was too good for his time. When he won the
first Japan Open, he was 30 years old, almost a veteran. Today,
many of those who are considered to be tough guys go under much
before that age.
Fabricio
Werdum
BJJ black-belt and MMA fighter
If I were Rickson I wouldn’t come back. He is a martial
arts myth and has nothing left to prove. If he’s doing it
out of love for the sport he has my support. Rickson will always
do well. He will follow his same old style, do the same thing
as always and the opponents will be submitted the same way. Adversaries
will tap out even if they know his game. He is one of rare fighters
I’ve seen in action who do not give up ground positions.
Many regarded as aces in JJ fail in submitting their adversaries
because they can’t hold on to the ground positions. I doubt
that’s going to happen to Rickson. I know that if he faces
a top fighter it’s going to be hard but if he faces a veteran
things get easy. Anyway, I bet on him against anyone.
Allan
Gumby
Onthemat.com columnist
Rickson is not invincible in the same way no man is. However,
his Jiu-Jitsu style is the most perfect I’ve ever seen.
I do not imagine him losing to anyone that has a good basis in
grappling. The biggest peril for Rickson, as for any grappler,
would be the moments before he could shorten the distance. Once
he is able to clinch, Rickson has a very good chance against
anyone of today. Until today I hear stories of how he is able
to dominate several top fighters that train with him. So, although
I consider age a factor, I believe that in Rickson’s case
it’s a smaller factor than it is for other athletes.
Amaury
Bitetti
Two-time world JJ champion
I would really like to see Rickson back in action. Age is not
a problem. He is very much centered and is in excellent physical
condition. Nevertheless, I think he needs at least three fights
against athletes of less expression before he faces a top athlete.
The ideal is for him to start out slowly and to get rhythm progressively.
The most important thing for him today is for him to adapt to
new MMA rules. Ten years ago he used to finish the opponent right
at the beginning of the fight but today he has to learn to throw
the opponent down several times during the combat. That’s
a natural process for Rickson, only a matter of getting used
to that. He could face [former Japanese judoka Hidehiko] Yoshida.
It would be a good ground fight and Rickson has all the possibilities
of winnning.
Pedro
Rizzo
MMA fighter
The decision of coming back is entirely Rickson’s. Only
he is aware of his actual physical and psychological conditions
to fight. He’s not a kid anymore but if he really decides
to go back he has all the tools to do well. But, it’s necessary
that he train really hard and adapt to the new MMA rules. Today,
the fights have three rounds and not much time. Fighters are
better versed and almost everybody knows ground techniques, which
makes submitting harder if you consider the more limited time
we have today. He’s going to need to know at least a bit
of standup fighting in order to be able to bring the combat to
the ground. But, as athletes are driven by the great challenges
and as Rickson is a great athlete and competitor, I think he’s
going to come back.
Wanderlei
Silva
Chute Boxe athlete and MMA Fighter
Rickson is an icon of our sport and it will always be a pleasure
to see him in action. However, he may feel the age difference
if he does not pay attention to his body’s limits, once
the routine of training gets more and more exhaustive and injuries
seen to happen more often. But, as we can see, everyone in the
Gracie family is well prepared. Royce is still fighting and even
Master Helio fought at that age. I saw some Rickson fights and
he went really well against Funaki. He showed good psychological
preparation and was able to ally technique to coolness. I sincerely
doubt that he’s is not prepared to fight standing up. Today
it is very difficult to throw anyone down without good strikes.
It’s impossible to win at a top level knowing only JJ. I
think he ought to come back gradually and bit by bit joining
the top team of fighters. I would like to see how Rickson would
do against Dan Henderson.
Silvio
Behring
Jiu-Jitsu teacher
Rickson was a great name of Jiu-Jitsu after Rolles Gracie died.
He was the guy who understood the system that his father created.
Whoever thinks he has stopped in time and is outdated is going
to be really surprised when they see him in action. For some
to get to his level they’ll have to be born again. Other
than that, if he’s in good shape, it’s going to be
tough to overcome him. Even so, I’m against his comeback.
He is a master and does not need to prove anything else to anybody.
The fighting world today is all about entertainment and the spirit
and the respect for martial arts are long gone. I don’t
see why Rickson should get in it.
Mauricio
Shogun
’05 MMA fighter of the year
Rickson has invested a lot in that sport and so his comeback
will be interesting. He seems to be in very good shape despite
his age. He leads a very healthy life and should be trouble if
he is well prepared. Nowadays, it counts a lot to ally fitness
with the psychological condition. If he’s well on both,
he can beat a lot of people. But, sincerely I don’t believe
he will be able to defeat the top athletes of his category (up
to 182 lbs). I believe his comeback depends only on his will
to fight. The important thing is whether he wants it and whether
he is missing the rings. I don’t
believe he needs to do it for the money.
Ze
Mario Sperry
BTT leader
Rickson’s return is first of all an incentive to all Brazilians.
He helped to prove the importance of Jiu-Jitsu in MMA. He’s
an example of determination to us all. It is very hard to say
whether he’s going to do well, if he’s well prepared.
It’s going to be difficult for him in case he hasn’t
followed the evolution in training and if he tries to fight as
he did in the past, especially if he faces a top athlete. For
example, he needs to know muay thai, boxing and wrestling in
order to go well against great strikers. Anyway, I give all my
support to a supposed comeback if it’s his will, if he wants
to surpass his own limits. After all, being in the ring valorizes
any fighter, despite their age.
Murilo
Ninja
Chute Boxe athlete
I see Rickson’s comeback with very good eyes and I’m
curious to see how he will do. Because of his age, I think it’s
difficult for him to beat any top athlete, but to be sure we
have to see him in action. Due to his technique and experience
he can even win. What if we meet in the up-to-182-lbs category
of Pride? If got the opportunity, I would keep the fight standing
up but I sincerely can’t say much because I don’t know
how he’s going to be prepared. I know it would be hard to
beat Rickson but it would be a pleasure to face him.
Vitor
Shaolin
Lightweight Cage Rage champion
If I were Rickson I wouldn’t risk coming back now. There
are a lot of envious guys who want to make their names by defying
him now that he is 45 and does not need it anymore. It’s
valid if you consider the monetary side but I see no meaning
if it’s only meant to give an answer to whoever wants to
challenge him. Even so, I think he’s going to do well against
heavier fighters. The lighter ones are way too fast, what would
make it really hard for Rickson. In his favor is the fact that
Rickson would hardly lose the ground positions and would keep
applying those moves with perfection. Few are the fighters that
will be able to neutralize his game. It’s hard to talk about
Rickson’s standup fighting. He’s probably going to
be well prepared and he won’t try the double-leg entry the
same way he used to because he knows things have changed and
most fighters don’t fall for the old moves anymore. If he
loses, it does not matter. Defeat is part of everyone’s
life and any great fighter is subject to it.
Anderson
Silva
Middleweight Cage Rage champion
It’s hard to talk about his comeback because he has been
away for such a long time. Rickson knows better than us all whether
now is the best time to come back. He has a great history in
martial arts and I can only applaud and watch his comeback. The
only but I see is in the case he has to face a top athlete. Those
kids today are in another rhythm of training and it would be
tricky for Rickson to face someone like Fedor, Wanderlei or Shogun.
Maybe it’s better for him to face someone from the old days.
I really would like to see Rickson facing Minotauro. Both have
an outstanding Jiu-Jitsu and it would be a lesson for the lovers
of good MMA.
Relson
Gracie
Rickson’s elder brother
MMA fighters today are almost like machines running on vitamins
and taking beatings like you’ve never seen before. I think
Rickson could beat each one of them if he still had the age and
the proper training. But he’s 46 now. He would be stupid
if he fights a top athlete. He has nothing to prove.
Alexandre
Cacareco
BTT wrestler
I think it’s too risk for him to come back now. If they
don’t choose a suitable adversary the chances of Rickson
being defeated is great. MMA has evolved and nowadays everybody
knows how to defend an armbar, a triangle choke. The moves he
used then don’t say a lot now. With the ADCC and seminars,
ground techniques got spread around. Another thing is that referees
do not allow the fights to stay on the ground forever. Rickson’s
biggest problem is not his age, but being out of rhythm. I’m
afraid that his comeback will serve merely as a ladder for younger
fighters who will want to beat him to make their names.
Evangelista
Cyborg
Chute Boxe athlete
If Rickson is missing the rings, he has to do what his heart
tells him to do. Even if he loses, that’s no big deal. Royce
has been defeated and nobody thinks less of him because of that.
I bet with anyone that if Rickson had stayed in action he would
have lost many fights by now. But please don’t put him to
fight a top guy at first. They should pick one of these Japanese
old-timers. He will have many difficulties against the top fighters
because of the time he has been away. Nowadays, everybody knows
Jiu-Jitsu. It’s hard to win using only that. You have to
know muay thai also, for instance.
Garret
Poe
American journalist – Sherdog.com
Age definitely matters, even if you are Rickson Gracie. I agree
that Rickson is able to fight with anyone, but to win is another
story. Yes, he could be KOed and I would only bet on him depending
on the opponent. He could beat a lot of fighters but he would
have trouble with the top athletes (Minotauro, Wand, Fedor, Cro
Cop etc…); these would beat him, no doubt about it. I think
he has nothing to gain and all to lose.
Eddie
Goldman
American Journalist – ADCC News
Rickson is 47 now (in February 2006) and absolutely nothing else
to prove. He has done inside and outside the ring all he could
do. Age for me is a key aspect. Your body changes and you don’t
heal from injuries as fast as you did when you were 20 or 22.
Of course there’s a lot of fighters Rickson could beat but
I don’t think it would be right to open a precedent for
fighters his age to continue fighting. MMA is still struggling
for recognition and to have something happening to Rickson during
a fight would be awful for the spot. Therefore I hope he is retired
from fights and that he continues to teach and to devote time
to his family.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Internal
media speculation on Tyson
By Zach Arnold
Kakutolog (in Japanese) has a very interesting post about a Gendai
Net report on PRIDE & Mike Tyson working together. More specifically,
the supposed motives on PRIDE’s behalf for booking Tyson.
The
Gendai Net article claims that PRIDE’s real motive behind
signing Mike Tyson (to an exhibition boxing match) is to try
to market a Tyson vs. Bob Sapp or Tyson vs. Emelianenko Fedor
exhibition match to either Nippon TV or TV-Asahi, two large Japanese
free TV networks who have reportedly shown interest in working
with PRIDE. Despite the fact that Tyson cannot work in Japan
due to his felony rapsheet, it’s certainly possible that
PRIDE could market a foreign show to be aired on tape-delay on
New Year’s Eve for a Japanese TV network. The end game for
PRIDE seems to become much clearer now.
DSE
is likely putting their future in the hands of a man who doesn’t
know what the future holds in store for him.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Is
it fair to criticize a good business model?
Ivan
Trembow's latest post on UFC 62 salaries fits in with a recurring
theme on this site - namely that the UFC runs its business more
like a professional wrestling promotion than a sports promotion:
Zuffa president Dana White has said in numerous interviews over
the years that he would prefer for the UFC's fighter salary information
to not be publicly available, and White said just this week in
a Canadian Press article about UFC fighter salaries, "When
people know what you make, it causes a lot of problems in your
life."
Unfortunately
for White or anyone else who shares his position on the matter,
that is simply not how it works with any major sport. Athletes'
salaries are public knowledge in the National Football League,
National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Major
League Baseball, and every other major sport.
By
talking in various interviews about secret bonuses without revealing
the specific amounts (including the following quotes from the
Canadian Press article: "Our fighters make a lot of money,
a lot of money... we're thrilled, thrilled that these guys are
able to make what they're making"), the UFC has essentially
taken the position that the salaries of UFC fighters are secret.
This
is unlike any other major sport and is a lot closer to World
Wrestling Entertainment's position on its performers' salaries,
which makes it very surprising for White to have taken this position
publicly. One would think that anything which might invite comparisons
to WWE's business model for paying talent would be avoided.
What Ivan does not mention is that the UFC also resembles a professional
wrestling promotion in another sense, it promotes its brand first
and fighters second.
Now
here is something that may surprise many of you. If I ran the
UFC I would likely do the same thing.
If
you consider only what is in the UFC's best interest, and put
aside what is in the best interest of the sport of MMA, it makes
sense for the UFC to protect information like Ivan describes.
It helps them maintain low purses since fighters are less able
to gauge their true market value.
It
also makes sense for the UFC to focus its energies on branding
itself since that makes people believe that the UFC is the sport
of MMA, not just one of several promotions. That helps stifle
competition, keep salaries low and keep PPV sales high.
But
(obviously) I do not run the UFC, so I have the luxury of looking
at what is in the best interest of the sport of MMA. In my opinion,
what is in the best interest of MMA is for promoters to treat
MMA as a sport. Transparency of information and competition are
keys to that, even though they alone do not guaranty that the
sport will benefit (see boxing). Nevertheless, they are important
first steps. Fighters should be able to fairly gague what they
are worth, which can only really be done when they know the amount
of revenue they help generate. If they know the amount of money
they generate, then competing promoters will bid against each
other to set a true market value.
So,
regardless whether the UFC's approach makes sense for the UFC,
it should continue to receive the criticism it deserves so long
as it is not what is best for the sport of MMA.
Source: Whaledog
|
Quote
of the Day
"A
crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety."
Aesop, 620-560 B.C., Greek Fable Author
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS TODAY!
Dole Cannery Ballroom, Honolulu, Hawaii
Saturday, September 9, 2006
175lbs.
Sean Basset (Team Shamrock,California) vs. Ronald Jhun (808 F.F,
Kalihi)
155lbs
James Martinez (Team MMAD, Kailua) vs. Harris Sarimento (808
F.F, Kaneohe)
147lbs.
Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pin, Kalihi) vs. Tony Rodiques (Westside
Connection, Waianae)
150lbs.
Kaipo Cayetano (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Duke Saragossa
(808 F.F., Wahiawa)
175lbs.
Weston Victorin (Disciples Of Puhi, Kuaui) vs. Avelino Lee (Freelance,
Big Island)
145lbs.
Sadbu Bott (HMC, Kalihi) Vs. Dereck Butay (Fighters Union, Waianae)
170lbs.
Evan Lowder (Jesus Is Lord, Waipahu) vs. Zane Kamaka (Guts &
Glory, Waianae)
170lbs.
TBA Vs. Fatu Tuatasi (808 F.F, Waipahu)
140lbs.
Sam Chong (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Eric Zolonaka (HTC Nakoa,
Mililani)
185lbs.
Correy Wilson (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Tellis Sionesini
(808 F.F, Waipahu)
140lbs.
Bronson Cayetano (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. vs. Erwin Celes
(Sit You Down, Waianae)
210lbs.
Bill Hall (HMC, Kailihi) Vs. Kepa Rivera (Fighters Union, Nanakuli)
230LBS.
Loren Kanoa (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Charles Kipili'i Jr (Fighters Union,
Waianae)
200lbs.
Frankie Ruiz (Team Submit, Honolulu) vs. Rob Chong (Koden Kan,
Waimanalo)
165lbs.
Dean Henze (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Brendon Wong (Disciples
of Puhi, Kuaui)
175lbs.
Spence White (Freelance, Kailua) vs. Dean Lista (HMC, Kalihi)
150lbs.
Jacob Smith (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) Vs. Mike Ulibas (Sit You
Down, Waianae)
**CARD
SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
TICKET
OR FIGHT INFORMATION CALL 778-6833
243
Tickets left
Source: Promoter
|
Anatomy
of a Championship: Penn vs. Hughes
By Sean McClure
So, here’s the deal. The most anticipated rematch since
Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture back at UFC 52 is off. Georges
St. Pierre had to pull out of his rematch with Matt Hughes for
the welterweight championship due to a groin injury. This left
a hole in the UFC 63 card on September 23rd. A hole in the main
event of that card the UFC desperately needed to fill. Whom could
they get on such short notice that would take the fight against
the most dominant welterweight of all time? The very fighter
who dethroned him the first time of course.
BJ
Penn is
a man of few words. He is also the man who stepped up at UFC
46 and defeated Matt Hughes by submission due to a rear naked
choke in the very first round. He came up from the UFC’s
thinning lightweight division and took the welterweight title
for his own. After that, Penn was stripped of the title due to
a contract dispute. Returning to action at UFC 58, BJ lost a
close and controversial split-decision to the man whose spot
he is taking at UFC 63, Georges St. Pierre. It is no surprise
that he was the natural choice. Diego Sanchez is just coming
off a hard fought win over Karo Parisyan at Ultimate Fight Night
6 so he was out. Karo, who was previously the number one contender
and could not receive his title shot due to injury, just got
beat by Diego. Penn was the obvious and best choice out of the
rest of the contenders.
Matt
Hughes says he does not think about his loss to Penn, but I know
better. You can see it in his face. Matt may be able to focus
on his next opponent while training for his fight, but he isn’t
fooling anyone. Some hardcore fans flood the internet forums
with claims that Matt will never be the real UFC champion until
he beats Penn. Of course, these very same people say that he
got lucky when he beat Georges St. Pierre the first time….right.
Because of claims like these, Matt has to want to avenge that
loss. Who can forget it? The shocked look on Matt’s face.
BJ planting a bloody kiss on his lips and then licking the blood
off his own. It was so surreal to see that. I have heard the
conspiracy stories, too. Matt taking Penn lightly because of
his size advantage, staying up until 2 AM drinking heavily. Dana
White catching him and then telling him to take his butt to bed.
I have heard all of those stories, but they change nothing. Matt
has a chance now to avenge that embarrassing loss. To finally
shut the critics up about his championship validity.
BJ
Penn has looked soft (out of shape) in several of his last fights.
Critics rightfully believe that this may play negatively into
his rematch with the current champion. They have a good point
if you really look at it. Penn gassed (ran out of energy) in
the second round with St. Pierre, allowing GSP to take him down
at will, which is what lost him the fight. If Penn shows up looking
soft and this fight goes several rounds, things begin to favor
Hughes heavily. In a recent interview, BJ was discussing his
training. In a nutshell, he stated that he took his training
too seriously for GSP and he was wound up too tight before the
fight. He also stated that he would be training lighter, differently
for Hughes. Penn also said that he wanted to make the sport what
it once was to him and that’s fun. I am not sure that is
such a great idea, BJ.
Matt
Hughes is a machine. When getting ready for a fight and training
in Iowa he gets up at 6 AM to start training, goes until 6:30
PM, and then has another practice session. He is freakishly strong,
deceptively quick, and amazingly resilient. Just ask Frank Trigg.
BJ
Penn has all of the tools to win this. He is a jiu jitsu expert,
good at striking, and very fast. His stand up turned St. Pierre’s
face in to something that looked like a bad William Shatner mask.
I don’t think stand up will matter much in this fight because
I think Matt is going to want to ground and pound BJ. This may
play to BJ’s advantage.
Matt
will surely want to use his size and strength advantages against
the smaller Hawaiian fighter. His jiu jitsu has come so far since
his fight with Penn that he could pull off a submission if Penn
runs out of steam. Expect a big slam followed by a powerful positioning
battle won by Hughes. It’s what he does after that should
determine the outcome. If Hughes gets overconfident or sloppy,
BJ will catch him and we will have a new champion yet again.
The
questions that need answered here are simple. Will BJ repeat
his success? Will Matt get his revenge? Will BJ’s lack of
conditioning lead to his downfall? Will Hughes manhandle Penn
the way he did Royce Gracie?
We
will have to wait until September 23rd to see.
Source: Maxfighting
|
PRIDE
Final Conflict Absolute 2006 Fight Card
This is the fight card and fight order for this Sunday's (9/10)
PRIDE Final Conflict Absolute 2006 from the Saitama Super Arena
in Saitama, Japan.
1.
Yosuke Nishijima vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos
2. Semifinals: Josh Barnett vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
3. Semifinals: Mirko Cro Cop vs. Wanderlei Silva
4. Reserve Match: Sergei Kharitonov vs. Aleksander Emelianenko
5. Ricardo Morais vs. Lee Tae Hyun
6. Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Yoshihiro "Kiss" Nakao
7. Mauricio Shogun vs. Cyrille "The Snake" Diabate
8. Ricardo Arona vs. Allistair Overeem
9. Finals: Winner of Cro Cop/Silva vs. Winner of Barnett vs.
Nogueira
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Frank
Shamrock Signs to Fight
Frank Shamrock has signed to fight in The World Fighter Championships.
The World Fighter is a new organization that is based on the
premise of obtaining the world's best fighters and having them
battle it out in a tournament to decide who is actually the best
of the best. Unlike other tournaments, they will have a field
of at least 16 fighters per weight class and one colossal superfight
in every event. Shamrock has signed to be fighting in the first
superfight, slated for early 2007. We will be announcing his
opponent in the following weeks.
Cesar
Gracie has been hired as the official matchmaker for the World
Fighter and will be taking all applications.
"This
is just an incredible event and I'm happy to be a part of it.
I have some of my very best fighters already signed on. Nick
Diaz, Jake Shields and Nathan Diaz will all be on the card as
will some other of our fighters. I am currently getting top notch
talent from Japan, Brazil and Europe to fight also. The owner
of the event has asked me to also secure some up and coming fighters
that are incredibly talented but just haven't had enough public
exposure here in the U.S. If a manager or fighter would like
to participate they can contact me by email at graciefed@aol.com.
The fighters' purses are excellent, with the winner of each division
winning a multi-million dollar pay day." -Cesar
Source: Gracie Fighter
|
STEPHAN
BONNAR TESTS POSITIVE
FOR ANABOLIC STEROID
by Ivan Trembow
In a developing news story that broke on Wednesday's edition
of MMAWeekly Radio, MMAWeekly has learned that Stephan Bonnar
tested positive for an anabolic steroid after his fight against
Forrest Griffin at UFC 62 on August 26th.
The
specific banned substance that was found in Bonnar's post-fight
urine sample after his unanimous decision loss to Griffin was
Boldenone Metabolite, according to the Nevada State Athletic
Commission's drug testing results.
Boldenone
is an anabolic steroid that is intended for use only by veterinarians,
specifically to help rehabilitate injured horses. It has several
brand names for veterinary use, including Equigan, Equipoise,
Ultragan, and Ganabol. It is on the banned substances list of
all the major athletic commissions and sports leagues.
In
a formal complaint filed on Wednesday by the Nevada State Athletic
Commission, Bonnar was informed of his positive test result and
was made aware that the NSAC has the right to suspend and/or
fine him for his positive test result, pending a disciplinary
hearing.
The
amount of the fine can be up to $250,000, or the complete amount
of the fighter's purse for the event, whichever amount is greater.
In this case, Bonnar's purse for the August 26th fight was $16,000,
so the maximum possible fine is $250,000.
The
length of the suspension can be whatever the NSAC deems appropriate,
but the suspensions have ranged from three to twelve months in
past instances of mixed martial artists and boxers testing positive
for banned substances.
According
to the NSAC complaint, Bonnar's side has 20 days from the date
of the complaint to issue a formal response to the NSAC in writing,
which would put the date at September 26th.
After
Bonnar's side has formally responded, the NSAC will set the date
for a disciplinary hearing, at which Bonnar will be "entitled
to be represented by counsel of his choice" and will also
be entitled to "cross-examine witnesses, present evidence,
and argue on his own behalf before a decision is made by the
Commission."
Even
before his drug test results came back positive for a banned
substance, Bonnar had already been medically suspended for six
months due to a broken right thumb, so it's unlikely that he
would have fought again this year even if he hadn't tested positive
for a banned substance at UFC 62.
Boldenone
is not generally a popular drug among bodybuilders because of
the fact that traces of the drug remain in the user's system
for several months after use. According to Food and Drug Administration
filings, which cited the Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation,
Boldenone is intended for use by veterinarians as "an aid
for treating debilitated horses when an improvement in weight,
hair coat, or general physical condition is desired."
The
FDA filings added, "Federal law restricts this drug to use
by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian." Due to potential
health risks for humans, the FDA has gone so far as to say that
Boldenone "should not be administered to horses intended
for human consumption."
The
possible side effects of Boldenone when used by humans include
high blood pressure, increased water retention, elevated levels
of estrogen, possible hair loss, flu-like symptoms, anxiety,
and acne.
A
total of eighteen fighters competed on the UFC 62 card on August
26th, and four of those eighteen fighters were drug tested by
the Nevada State Athletic Commission. In addition to Bonnar,
the other fighters who were drug-tested were Chuck Liddell, Renato
"Babalu" Sobral, and Forrest Griffin, all of whom passed
their drug tests.
With
a cost-per-fighter of $278.40 to run all of the tests for steroids,
stimulants, and recreational drugs, the total amount spent on
drug testing for UFC 62 was $1,113.60.
At
the UFC Fight Night card in Las Vegas on August 17th, four of
the eighteen fighters who competed were drug tested by the NSAC.
Those fighters were the two main event fighters, Diego Sanchez
and Karo Parisyan, as well as two fighters who were selected
at random, Josh Koscheck and Jason Von Flue. Sanchez, Parisyan,
Koscheck, and Von Flue all passed their drug tests.
As
with UFC 62, the total amount spent on drug testing for UFC Fight
Night was $1,113.60.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
"It
is better to offer no excuse than a bad one."
George Washington, 1732-1799, 1st President of the United States
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE: UNFINISHED BUSINESS TOMORROW!
Dole Cannery Ballroom, Honolulu, Hawaii
Saturday, September 9, 2006
175lbs.
Sean Basset (Team Shamrock,California) vs. Ronald Jhun (808 F.F,
Kalihi)
155lbs
James Martinez (Team MMAD, Kailua) vs. Harris Sarimento (808
F.F, Kaneohe)
147lbs.
Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pin, Kalihi) vs. Tony Rodiques (Westside
Connection, Waianae)
150lbs.
Kaipo Cayetano (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Duke Saragossa
(808 F.F., Wahiawa)
175lbs.
Weston Victorin (Disciples Of Puhi, Kuaui) vs. Avelino Lee (Freelance,
Big Island)
145lbs.
Sadbu Bott (HMC, Kalihi) Vs. Dereck Butay (Fighters Union, Waianae)
170lbs.
Evan Lowder (Jesus Is Lord, Waipahu) vs. Zane Kamaka (Guts &
Glory, Waianae)
170lbs.
TBA Vs. Fatu Tuatasi (808 F.F, Waipahu)
140lbs.
Sam Chong (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Eric Zolonaka (HTC Nakoa,
Mililani)
185lbs.
Correy Wilson (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Tellis Sionesini
(808 F.F, Waipahu)
140lbs.
Bronson Cayetano (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. vs. Erwin Celes
(Sit You Down, Waianae)
210lbs.
Bill Hall (HMC, Kailihi) Vs. Kepa Rivera (Fighters Union, Nanakuli)
230LBS.
Loren Kanoa (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Charles Kipili'i Jr (Fighters Union,
Waianae)
200lbs.
Frankie Ruiz (Team Submit, Honolulu) vs. Rob Chong (Koden Kan,
Waimanalo)
165lbs.
Dean Henze (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) vs. Brendon Wong (Disciples
of Puhi, Kuaui)
175lbs.
Spence White (Freelance, Kailua) vs. Dean Lista (HMC, Kalihi)
150lbs.
Jacob Smith (Smith Taekwondo, Kaneohe) Vs. Mike Ulibas (Sit You
Down, Waianae)
**CARD
SUBJECT TO CHANGE**
TICKET
OR FIGHT INFORMATION CALL 778-6833
243
Tickets left
Source: Promoter
|
Arona
Ready for Overeem
By Marcelo Alonso
Away from the ring since December 31, when he faced Wanderlei
Silva in a dispute for Pride's Middleweight title belt, Ricardo
Arona returns to the ring in Japan to face Alistair Overeem.
"His strongest point is his knee strikes, but I´m
training to defend that and throw him down like Belfort did.
Putting him down is good because he loves to fight on the ground,
which is good for us," says Arona. Asked about a possible
revenge match against Wanderlei Silva, Arona said: "I don´t
have any interest in facing him because I already beat him twice."
"My main concern right now is the belt and I'm going to
fight anyone who has it. Actually, I heard that the winner of
my fight against Overeem will fight for the belt, but that's
not official," revealed Arona. Heading to Japan on Monday
along with teammate Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira and
the Brazilian Top Team, Arona belives Minotauro will win the
Pride Open-Weight tournament. "Anything can happen in the
fight between Wanderlei and Cro Cop. Josh Barnett is a dangerous
fighter, but I believe Minotauro can beat him," concluded
the Brazilian Tiger.
Source: FCF
|
Check
out what's in the current issue of FCF ...
The return of the WFA: Jackson edges out Lindland, Rutten takes
out Warpath.
IFL
lures comic book fans at this year's Wizard World Convention.
Rediscovering
the roots of BJJ: The truth behind Conde Koma's life in Brazil.
WEC
22: Fighting for a Memory - Stiebling, Olson victorious in Ryan
Bennett Charity Event.
Din
Thomas returns to UFC competition after three-year hiatus on
The Ultimate Fighter 4.
The
Great Northern Hope, Patrick Cote, joins cast of TUF 4.
Surfing
with Sharks: Jiu-jitsu black belts hit the competition waves.
K-1
HERO'S Tourney: A shaky debut for Saku.
Art
of War Fighting Championship: Economic growth for China meets
American ingenuity.
Three
Brazilians, two Grand Prix, one shot at gold: Wanderlei, Minotauro
and Filho will represent their country and teams in Pride's two
tournament finals.
"Young
Guns" open fire at Total Combat 15.
Xande
king of jiu-jitsu at Mundial.
Rickson's
son, Kron Gracie, submits 11 in his debut.
Jason
Lambert: UFC's undefeated dark-match veteran.
A
Puncher's Chance: Cage Rage British Featherweight Champ Brad
Pickett is a local hero in London, but he wants to take on the
world.
Reality
Fighting 13: Battle at the Beach.
ECC
3: East Coast Warriors.
Jason
MacDonald: Always one fight away.
Icon
Promoter shown "No Mercy" at Ax Fighting 12.
In
our monthly columns...
Physical
Therapist and Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach Pal La
Bounty talks about The Benefits of Branched-Chain Amino Acids.
In
Matt Hume's techniques, Matt Hume & Trevor Bjornethun demonstrate
Heel Hook Position Knee, Hip and Spine Crank.
Fight
fans make their predictions on who will win the PrideFC Open-Weight
Grand Prix.
| |