Upcoming
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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2008
1/26/08
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Location TBA)
Tentative
2007
11/24/07
Kickin It
(Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
11/18/07
The Quest for Champions 2007 II
(Sport-Pankration, Submission-Grappling, Continuous Sparring)
(St. Louis High School Gym)
11/10/07
Aloha
State Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
10/27/07
Freedom Fighting
"Battle on the Base"
(MMA)
( Kahunas Ballroom, MCBH, Kaneohe)
10/26/07
Kickin It / Got Skills
(Kickboxing, Varios)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
10/6/07
Gracie Proving Grounds
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
9/28/07
Kickin It / Got Skills
(Kickboxing, Various)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
9/15/07
Icon Sport: Fearless
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
September
Gracie Fighting Championships
(MMA)
9/8/07
UFC
75
(02 Arena in London, England)
(PPV)
Hawaii Fighting Championships
(Kickboxing & MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
8/31/07
Fighters Journey
Pro-Am MMA Event
(MMA)
(tba)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge, Honolulu)
8/25/07
UFC
74: Respect
(Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada )
(PPV)
8/23-25/07
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championshihps
(BJJ)
(The Pyramid, Long Beach, CA)
8/12/07
Punishment
In Paradise 17
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters, Kapolei)
***Postponed***
8/10/07
Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
8/4/07
X-1
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Island Warriors Fighting Championship
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
7/28/07
Maui
Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku, Maui)
7/21/07
Garden Island Cage Match 6: Caged Fury
(Kickboxing, MMA)
(Hanapepe Stadium, Kauai)
Palolo Boxing Club & Kawano Boxing Club
presents amateur boxing
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
7/14/07
Patriot Fighting Championships
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Kaneohe Marine Corps Base)
***Postponed***
7/13/07
Hawaii Fighting Championships: Stand Your Ground 3
(Kickboxing & MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
7/8/07
Dan Henderson Seminar
(MMA)
(O2
Martial Arts Academy, Aiea)
7/7/07
UFC
73: Stacked
(PPV)
7/1/07
Mike Swain Seminar
(Judo)
(O2
Martial Arts Academy, Aiea)
6/30/07
Icon Sport: Fearless
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
***Postponed
to 9/15***
6/29/07
MMA Contendors: Conflict - The Beginning
(MMA)
(Farrington H.S. Gym)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
6/23/06
Ultimate Fight Night
(BJ Penn vs Jens Pulver)
(Spike TV)
6/23/07
Hawaiian
Open of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
6/22/07
Got
Skills
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
6/16/07
UFC 72: Victory
(PPV)
6/12/07
UFC
Fight Night
(MMA)
(Spike Oceanic 559)
6/3/07
The Quest for Champions 2007
(Sport-Pankration, Submission-Grappling, Continuous Sparring
and Sport-Jujitsu)
(Saint Louis High School Gym)
5/27/07
Benefit Concert for the 2007 Hawaii Junior Olympic Boxing Team
(Ewa Ranch, Ewa Beach)
5/26/07
UFC
71 Liddell vs Rampage
(MMA)
(PPV Oceanic 701)
Memorial Day Mayhem
(Kickboxing)
(Kalaheo High School Gym)
5/19/07
Kickin it
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
5/12/07
Punishment In Paradise: Untouchables
(Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters, Kapolei)
USA-Boxing Hawaii Fundraising Event
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
5/5/07
ROTR Qualifer: Beat Down 3
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Center, Hilo)
4/28/07
Pride
Fighting Championships:
(PPV)
(Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV)
Maui MMA Event
(MMA)
(Maui)
K-1 World GP
(Kickboxing)
(Honolulu)
4/27/07
XMA
(MMA, Kickboxing)
**Cancelled**
4/24/07
Professional Boxing
(Boxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
4/20/07
Kickin It 2007 Part 3
(Kickboxing)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
4/7/07
Got Skills
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu Club Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(King Intermediate, Kaneohe)
4/6/07
Hawaii Fighting Championships: Stand Your Ground 3
(MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
4/5/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/31/07
Icon Sport
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
3/25/07
Kickboxing Benefit Event for Mrs. Faagai
(Kickboxing)
(Waianae H.S. Gym)
3/24/07
Garden Island Cage Match
5
(MMA)
(Kauai)
The 2007
Hawaii State/Regional Junior Olympic Championships (Boxing)
(Palolo District Park)
UFC:
Tito Ortiz vs. Dana White boxing match
(Nevada)
*Cancelled*
3/17/07
X-1
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Island Warriors
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial)
3/13/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/10/07
Hawaiian Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
3/3/07
UFC 68
(PPV)
(Columbus, Ohio)
Kickin It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
2/24/07
Pride Fighting Championships:
(PPV)
(Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV)
2/17/06
Got
Skills
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
2/16-17/07
USA-Boxing Hawaii State & Regional Championships
(Boxing)
(Palolo District Park Gym)
2/16/07
Punishment
In Paradise 15
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters)
2/9/07
Icon Sports
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
2/3/07
UFC
67
(Lutter vs Silva)
(PPV)
2/2/06
Got
Skills & Kickin' It
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
1/23/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
1/20/07
IFL
(MMA)
1/14/07
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(St. Louis H.S. Gym)
1/13/07
USA Boxing Amateur Boxing
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
1/12/07
K-1 Dynamite
(MMA)
(PPV, 5:00 PM Ch: 701)
|
|
August 2007 News
Part 2
|
Casca Grossa Jiu-Jitsu
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We are also offering Escrima (stick fighting) on Monday nights
and Kickboxing Tuesday and Thursday!
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The Toughest Show On
Teleivision
Tuesdays at 7:00PM
***NEW TIME***
Olelo Channel 52 on Oahu
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Check
out the FCTV website! |
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Quote
of the Day
“My
body is like breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I don't think about
it, I just have it.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Austrian-American Actor/Bodybuilder/Politician
|
ROGER
HUERTA READY FOR ANOTHER WAR
Roger Huerta, now 4-0 in the UFC, will make his return to the
Octagon on August 25th when he takes on Alberto Gonzalez Crane.
He stopped by MMAWeekly Radio recently to talk about the fight
and his career of late.
Since
gracing the cover of Sports Illustrated a few months ago, Roger
Huerta has become one of the most popular fighters in the sport,
but the Texas native doesn’t let the hype get to him too
much.
“I
try not to think about it,” said Huerta about his newfound
fame. “I’m a fighter first and foremost. People are
like ‘you’re an awesome fighter, you’re a great
fighter’ and it’s awesome because I hope I am. I come
in there and I try to bang and put on a good show.”
His
upcoming bout will be a showdown with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert
and former King of the Cage lightweight champion, Alberto Gonzalez
Crane.
Huerta
admits that Crane is a dangerous opponent harnessing one of the
best ground games in the lightweight division.
“I’d
be stupid to say I’m going to go on the ground with a black
belt in jiu-jitsu guy like that,” Huerta stated about his
opponent. “This is MMA, it’s mixed martial arts, so
I’m going to go in there and do what MMA is about which
is to bang. If it goes to the ground, it goes to the ground.
If it’s standing, it’s standing. So basically it’s
wherever the fight takes, I’ll go and that’s where
we’ll end up.”
In
this fight, Crane will be returning to action for the first time
in over 2 years and ring rust as well as cardio could play a
major factor in the bout.
“It
could definitely be a factor, especially with me, I’m really
conditioned,” said Huerta “One of my biggest assets
is that you fight me, you better be ready to go forever. I’m
not going to gas. I’ve got gas in the tank and I’m
ready to go for a long time. To my opponents and to Alberto,
I hope he’s well conditioned.”
A
student of Dave Menne, Huerta has fought a variety of fighters
with varying styles in his fights this year, but his training
regimen stays the same.
“I
train the same basically for every opponent,” stated Huerta.
“Basically with that said, is just going 100 miles an hour.
I just come in there to bang and to fight. I’m a fighter
and that’s what I do.”
With
his growing popularity and tremendous skill, the question always
comes up for Huerta. When does he want a shot at the title?
“I’ll
be ready whenever,” said a confident Huerta. “It just
depends when Dana White, Joe Silva and my manager Monte (Cox)
decide. Whenever, whatever those guys think. Whenever they think
it’s the time for me to go for that.”
The
bout with Crane will be the fourth this year for Huerta, but
he feels he would like another turn in the Octagon before 2007
expires.
“To
me, I believe there should be one more fight in me before the
year ends.”
With
UFC 74 just a week away, Huerta seems confident going into his
fight with Alberto Crane and wants to make a statement following
his previous fight with Doug Evans.
“You
guys will be in for an awakening,” said Huerta about the
upcoming fight. “I’m quite awakened after my last fight
when I fought Doug (Evans). I got two weeks notice and a week
and three days of training really at the same time so much was
on my mind and I was just so flat in that first round. I have
a lot to prove again. I’m hungry, I feel like I need to
go in there and put on a good show again.”
Huerta
will get his chance when he faces Alberto Crane on August 25th
in Las Vegas on the main card of UFC 74.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
ALBERTO
GONZALEZ CRANE TALKS UFC DEBUT
Many fans don't know who Alberto Gonzalez Crane is, but he plans
on changing that next Saturday night when he faces off against
UFC lightweight star Roger Huerta.
While
Crane's first test in the Octagon isn't an easy one, he brings
a lot of tools to the table that could lead to a very exciting
fight with Huerta. Alberto is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner
who has competed in Abu Dhabi and in Grappler's Quest. He is
also a former King of the Cage Lightweight Champion. Undefeated
at 8-0, with only one victory by decision, Crane is a submission
expert who likes to finish the fight.
Alberto
Gonzalez Crane hasn't fought since January of 2005, but is now
refocused on his MMA career. “I took a break. I worked.
I sat on the sidelines and watched everybody else.
“I
thought about if I really wanted to do it. I'm back. Before I
wasn't committed, the difference now is I'm 100% committed.”
Crane
has moved to Los Angeles and trains with Renzo Gracie black belt
Shawn Williams as well as The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 runner
up, Manny Gamburyan.
A
couple of years ago, the lightweight division was non-existent
in the UFC, therefore it was hard for the lighter fighters to
make good money. Now with the UFC lightweight division being
one of the most potent divisions in the world, there're plenty
of opportunities for rising stars to make a good living.
“It's
the best time ever to fight in the UFC,” said Crane.
Crane
can instantly boost himself up in the lightweight division with
a win over the very popular Roger Huerta. While Huerta has received
the popularity, many fans feel he hasn't been tested, yet. Huerta
struggled badly in the first round against Doug Evans in his
last fight, but rebounded to force a TKO stoppage in the second.
Crane
knows that he has a tough task ahead of him, but is very confident
in his skills. “I think he's a real tough guy. He has great
stamina. He's aggressive. I think there’s a lot of holes
in his game though and I want to take advantage of that. That's
just my opinion.”
Many
fighters put pressure on themselves in their UFC debut, but Crane
doesn't feel that way. He's just excited to be there and to be
on the main card. “I'm not putting any pressure on myself.
I'm just happy to be in the UFC. It's something that I've been
wanting for a long time and I'm excited. I'm really grateful
for the opportunity to fight Roger and to fight in the UFC.”
Some
people may believe that Alberto Gonzalez Crane would have some
ring rust after not fighting for over two years, but he believes
he'll be fine. “I've been competing a lot in grappling,
so I feel good.”
With
UFC 74 coming up next weekend, this fight is definitely looking
to be one of the most exciting fights on the card. “You
can expect an awesome, dynamic, crazy fight. Don't miss it.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
FIGHT-BY-FIGHT:
SHOOTO "THE ARRIVAL" [UPDATE]
Shooto makes its long awaited debut on the U.S. mainland on Saturday
night as Manly Promotions presents Shooto: The Arrival at the
No Limits Event Center in Irvine, Calif. Three Shooto standouts
make their way to the mainland.
[UPDATE]
The promotion had intended to have UFC and Pride veteran Nick
Diaz face Shinji Sasaki in a submission grappling match, but
the California State Athletic Commission would not allow Diaz
to compete. According to Jason Manly, Shooto's promotional partner
in the U.S., the commission said that due to Diaz' suspension
in Nevada, he "cannot compete in any fashion" in California.
SHOOTO
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT:
TENKEI FUJIMIYA VS. BAO QUACH
Shooto
Lightweight 2005 Rookie Champion Tenkei Fujimiya takes on rugged
veteran Bao Quach. Tenkei Fujimiya has a 7-1-2 record in MMA
and trains out of the Shooting Gym Yokohama with Mamoru. Bao
Quach has a 9-8-1 record in MMA and trains out of the No Limits
Training Center with Colin Oyama. Fujimiya, the #7 Featherweight
in the MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings, is coming off a disappointing
decision loss to current Shooto Lightweight Champion Akitoshi
Tamura at Shooto: Back to Our Roots. Quach last scored a knockout
victory over Del Hawkins at IFO: Eastman vs. Kimmons.
Out
of the three match-ups involving Shooto talent, this is the most
evenly matched as both fighters will come out looking to bang.
Fujimiya is coming off two rather uninspiring performances in
the ring, first drawing with Katsuya Toida then dropping a decision
to Akitoshi Tamura, a fighter that Fujimiya had previously knocked
out. Quach is a veteran of Shooto and has reeled off three straight
wins to put his record over .500.
This
fight basically comes down to who will be the first fighter to
connect with a solid shot then be able to pounce and finish his
opponent. When it’s all said and done, look for Fujimiya
to prove a point and impressively knockout a less talented Quach
in exciting fashion.
Prediction:
Tenkei Fujimiya by KO in the first round.
SHOOTO
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT:
KENICHIRO TOGASHI VS. BRAIN COBB
BJJ
black belt Kenichiro Togashi returns to California to take on
Gladiator Challenge Lightweight Champion Brian Cobb. Kenichiro
Togashi has a 7-4-4 record in MMA and trains out of Paraestra
Hiroshima with Keisuke Sakai. Brian Cobb has a 9-4 record in
MMA and trains out of Team Pain and Suffering in California.
Togashi won a fairly easy submission victory over Darren Crisp
at a recent Warrior’s Cup show. Cobb earned his third victory
over John Reedy at ShowXC: Noons vs. Berto.
Togashi
is easily one of the most underrated lightweights in the world
due in part to his deceiving record, which doesn’t tell
the whole story behind the fighter. Although they are recorded
as losses, Togashi fought two close wars with two top ten lightweights
in Joachim Hansen and Mitsuhiro Ishida where he held his own
with both. Cobb has been impressive of late, notching three straight
victories after an unsuccessful debut in Japan against Eiji Mitsuoka
at Cage Force 2.
Both
fighters seem to be very competent on the ground and that is
going to be the undoing for Cobb. Cobb is nowhere near the same
level on the ground as Togashi and that is where he will falter.
Look for Cobb to put up a good fight against Togashi but he eventually
fall to the superior ground skills of Togashi.
Prediction:
Kenichiro Togashi by submission in the second round.
SHOOTO
WELTERWEIGHT BOUT:
“WICKY” AKIYO NISHIURA VS. JOE CAMACHO
Shooto
Lightweight 2006 Rookie Champion “Wicky” Akiyo Nishiura
will make his debut at 155lbs as he takes on Joe Camacho. “Wicky”
Akiyo Nishiura has a 6-2 record in MMA and trains out of the
Shooting Gym Yokohama with “Lion” Takeshi Inoue. Joe
Camacho has an 8-11-2 record in MMA and trains out of Aloisio
Silva BJJ in California. Wicky comes scored a close split decision
victory over Hideki Kadowaki at Shooto: Back to Our Roots 2.
Camacho comes off a stoppage victory over Hector Pena at California
Cage Championships: Road to the Championship.
Plain
and simple this is going to be a showcase fight for Wicky, who
will make his debut at a higher weight division. Wicky has had
trouble in recent fights making weight at 145lbs and has decided
that he is better suited at 155lbs, where he might have a little
more pop in his already strong punch. Camacho has been around
for a while and is a respected veteran, but he has always faltered
against top competition as his record shows.
This
fight isn’t going to be any different. Look for Wicky to
take advantage on the feet and finish off on the ground with
strikes in an exciting fashion.
Prediction:
“Wicky” Akiyo Nishiura by TKO in the first round.
SHOOTO:
THE ARRIVAL
Saturday, August 18
No Limits Event Center
Irvine, California
-Main
Event: Tenkei Fujimiya vs. Bao Quach
-Kenichiro Togashi vs. Brian Cobb
-Akiyo “Wicky” Nishiura vs. Joe Camacho
-Brett Cooper vs. Vince Guzman
-Raja Shippen vs. Leo Hirai
-Rudy Gomez vs. Nick Breaker
-Kelvin Nimsiriuengphal vs. Rick McKorkal
-Travis McRoberts vs. Richie Collingham
-Martin Bautista vs. Albert Hill
-Steve Grode vs. Carlos Fuentes
-Brian Platfoot vs. Shane Delrosario
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
"If
you're bored with life
-- you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do
things
-- you don't have enough goals."
Lou Holtz, American College Football Coach and Motivational Speaker
|
More
red ink for the IFL
The IFL filed it’s 10-Q report with the SEC (links here
and here). The numbers don’t lie. Pay attention to the comments
section of this post, as I expect a lot of our smart financial
readers to chomp into the data here. Here’s the first thing
that stands out from the latest 10-Q:
For
the three months ended June 30, 2007, we incurred a net loss
of $6.9 million, or $0.13 per share, as compared to a net loss
of $1.8 million, or $0.10 per share during the comparable period
in 2006. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, we incurred
a net loss of $13.8 million, or $0.26 per share, as compared
to a net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.14 per share, during the
comparable period in 2006.
Revenues
for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 were $2.7 million
and $4.2 million, respectively. During 2006, revenues for the
comparable periods were $738,000.
Regarding
the IFL’s cash reserves:
Based
upon management’s current forecast of future revenues and
expenses, the Company believes its cash resources will likely
be sufficient to fund operations into the second quarter of 2008.
The Company is also evaluating the profitability of other revenue
sources, such as franchise or team sales, digital rights and
pay-per-view broadcasts.
Now
you see why they like the team concept — they’re hoping
to reel in some money marks who would pony up cash to ‘own’
a team.
The
10Q states that on 12/31/06, the IFL had $16.6 million USD in
cash and cash equivalents. As of 6/30/07, they have $2.5 million
USD in cash and cash equivalents. The most damning number is
their accumulated deficit figure, which was $9.6 million USD
on 12/31/06 and is now nearly $23.5 million USD as of 6/30/07.
The IFL’s current outstanding liabilities are at $1.9 million
USD as of 6/30/07.
It
actually gets worse. Their 2007 house show revenues are $1.4
million USD as of 6/30/07. The cost to make that money at the
gate? $12 million USD. Now throw in the figures they made from
TV. The revenues would be $4.2 million USD, with only $141,224
USD of that coming from sponsorships (not good). The cost of
that $4.2 million in revenues is $13.8 million USD. Even though
the IFL made nearly double off of TV rights as they did on house
shows, they still are massively hemorrhaging cash to produce
events. The current operating loss for the IFL in 2007 is $14
million USD and the net loss is $13.8 million USD.
The
end result is that the numbers look real bleak for the IFL. There’s
no sugercoating the bad financials. I’m not as nice about
it as Steve Sievert is. I’ve got a fantastic idea - let’s
have an MMA version of an “I Quit” match between the
IFL and Pro Elite, except it’s really a Loser Leaves Town
match.
Plus,
more bad news for the IFL - Rory Markham will be out of the IFL
team finals on 9/20 in Florida.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Bustamante
defeated Wanderlei at MTL
In
an amazing dispute, the Wildfire, team that had Murilo Bustamente
as coach, defeated Hurricane, headed by Wanderlei Silva by a
3x2 score at MO Team League, that was hold at São Paulo,
last Saturday, August 10. Wildfire scored first after Luciano
Azevedo finished Ocimar Costa with a triangle position on the
third round, after lost the first and been better on the second,
staying almost all time on Ocimar’s back. At 77kg category,
Flávio Alvaro defeated Gérson Conceição
by judges decision, and tie the score for Wanderlei’s team.
Making
the best bout of the night, Rafael Sapo made one more point for
Wanderlei’s Hurricane, winning Silmar Rodrigo in 84kg category.
Sapo took Silmar down in the third rounds and almost submitted
him in the first, when took Silmar backs and tried a rear naked
choke. Avoiding Wanderlei’s Hurricane victory, Alexandre
Cacareco used all his experience to take down, pass to the half
guard and submit Rafael Monteiro with a Kimura at 1m20s of the
initial round.
The
decision stayed for the heavyweight bout. André Mussi
(Hurricane), that had already defeated Joaquim Mamute (Wildfire)
at XFC Brasil, didn’t repeated the same performance. After
took Mussi down and hitting him from the guard on the first round,
Mamute repeated the take down on the second, passed the guard
and stayed on the north-south position, submitting the fight
with a choke that guarantied the victory for Murilo Bustamente’s
Wildfire.
COMPLET
RESULTS
MTL
Club Athlético Paulistano, São Paulo, Saturday,
August 11, 2007
Alternate
fights:
- Marcos Babuino defeated Rodrigo Ruiz at judges decision;
- Allan Fróes defeated Paulo Arruda at judges decision;
Wildfire
3x2 Hurricane:
- Luciano Azevedo (70kg) submitted Ocimar da Costa (69,9kg) with
a triangule position;
- Flavio Álvaro (76,5kg) defeated Gerson Conceição
(77kg) at judges decision;
- Rafael Sapo (83,8kg) defeated Silmar Rodrigo (83,4kg) at judges
decision;
- Alexandre Cacareco (92,7kg) submitted Rafael Monteiro (92,8kg)
with a kimura;
- Joaquim Mamute (114kg) submitted André Mussi (119,2kg)
with a choke.
Source: Tatame
|
A
Gentle Giant's Existentialist Woes
by John Lee
Last
Wednesday, a special report on Hong Man Choi was broadcast on
Korea's version of 60 Minutes, the disingenuously titled In-depth
60 Minutes, which has led to the resurgence of a controversy
surrounding Choi's health.
There
was a media circus earlier this June when it was revealed Choi's
scheduled bout with Brock Lesnar on K-1's June 2nd Dynamite!!
USA card was cancelled because MRI results showed the clinical
presence of a tumor near the South Korean's pituitary gland.
The
TV special comes hot off the heels of a California State Athletic
Commission (CSAC) hearing on Aug. 6 at which Choi's appeal of
the commission's decision to deny him a license was on the agenda.
Not
only did the CSAC uphold its original decision to bar Choi from
fighting, it also revealed surprising evidence to suggest that
the fighter's camp and promoter, Fight Entertainment Group, had
possibly falsified medicals for one of Choi's K-1 matches in
Nevada a year earlier.
The
paperwork filed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC)
showed a "perfect MRI" without a tumor, said CSAC Executive
Officer Armando Garcia, whereas the MRI results taken this year
clearly showed the presence of a tumor roughly 2 cm wide. Logically,
this could mean only two possible scenarios: a) the MRI submitted
in California was doctored, or b) a tumor appeared within a year,
which is plausible, but unlikely as Choi admitted to having a
tumor since high school.
The
official position of Choi's camp is that no MRI was submitted
to NSAC, only a medical statement. Choi's camp and FEG Korea
are preparing a case to counter these allegations. Apparently,
in Nevada, if a fighter has taken an MRI within a year, he or
she has the option of submitting a medical statement by a licensed
doctor based on that MRI, instead of being required to take a
new scan at a state appointed hospital as in California.
While
Choi has not specifically commented on the impact this will have
on his fighting career, it is generally viewed that he will not
be able to fight in the U.S. any time soon. However, the fact
that neither representatives from FEG or the fighter's camp were
present at the hearing on Aug. 6 suggests that they are not overwhelmingly
concerned with Choi's suspension in the U.S.
What
is a concern is that this will negatively impact the K-1 World
Grand Prix Final 16 to be held in Seoul, Korea on Sept. 29. This
event, which has traditionally been held in Osaka, Japan, has
tremendous significance for K-1: it signals K-1's move to expand
its presence in Korea and the rest of East Asia.
The
Sensibilities of a Giant
Perhaps
because this incident threatens Choi's participation in the September
event and by extension his livelihood, the "Techno-Goliath"
seems to be taking the recent media coverage detailing his illness
very personally.
Following
the news report that stressed the life-threatening severity of
acromegaly and gigantism, of which Choi is claimed to be suffering
from, he has since gone into seclusion, resurfacing just once
to hold an interview with ISplus.com and express his resentment
towards the Korean media, which he claims has painted a malicious
and erroneous depiction of his illness.
"I'm
a human being too," he said. "Like everyone else I
want to live a long and healthy life. I'm the kind of person
who believes your health is more important than money. Why would
I have jumped into K-1 if I thought I was going to die in a few
years? If I felt that there was even a 0.01 percent possibility,
I'd walk away.
"I'm
thankful people are concerned, but right now I just want to leave
the country and live overseas," wailed an indignant Choi
in response to accusations of the moral depravity in risking
one's health for money.
At
the August 6 hearing Garcia entreated Choi to receive immediate
medical attention and duly withdraw from active competition.
"Even
I got scared when I head about the CSAC's announcement in June,"
responded Choi. "But I felt the initial tests were carried
out a bit carelessly and went out and got a second, third and
fourth opinion, all of which said I didn't need surgery."
Robert
S. Bray, a Medical Director with Saint John's Spine Institute
in Los Angeles, confirmed that while Choi does have "an
active growth-hormone-secreting tumor," it is not a serious
threat to his health or life and can be treated with a few weeks
of drug therapy, and so "should not restrict Mr. Hong Man
Choi from continuing to fight," which it did not as recently
as Aug. 5 when he stopped Gary Goodridge in Hong Kong.
Choi's
reactions are partly understandable: when you are 7' 2"
and 350 pounds, it doesn't take a genius to figure out what people
are snickering behind your back.
Garcia
vindicated … to a certain extent
While
all the attention has focused on Choi's illness, one lesson that
could be taken away from all this is the importance of medical
regulation in combat sports, something that should not be lost
in raising greater awareness of fighters' safety in South Korea.
Moreover,
Garcia's statement that "the interests of the event, promotion
or management come second to the interests of the fighter"
seems to have reverberated fairly loudly in Korea: since the
TV special, the media, various figures in the sports community
and medical doctors have through interviews expressed the need
to increase the standards of medical regulation in combat sports.
Korea
is notorious for its lax medical standards. In most instances,
the onus is placed entirely on the fighters to look out for their
own safety; the Korean government currently leaves it up to the
fighters to deem for themselves whether they are fit to compete
or not.
In
fact, Korea witnessed its first MMA related death at a Gimme
5 event (now known as Neofight) in 2005. The cause of death was
due to brain hemorrhaging after the fight, but many blamed the
death on the promotion's inadequate medical standards.
Despite
this shocking death, not much has changed since: at MMA events
today, only one or two general practitioners, who do not have
much experience in dealing with MMA-related injuries, are dispatched
from local hospitals.
In
comparison, the medical standards are vastly better in Japan;
however, due to this fiasco with Choi, K-1 in particular has
suffered a serious blow to its image.
Many
people are now beginning to question K-1's actions in knowingly
allowing Choi to fight at risk to himself and accusing K-1 of
moral corruption and corporate exploitation. And, there is always
the issue of steroids in Japan.
In
the long run this incident could prove to be beneficial to combat
sports in Korea and East Asia in general, similar to how John
McCain's renouncement of the UFC as "human cock-fighting"
brought about vast regulatory changes that ended up saving the
UFC and mixed martial arts in the U.S.
The
Korean government has not yet intervened, but as more people
take up the cause and demand greater medical regulation, that
could happen.
As
for Choi, one can only hope that he truly believes in the aphorism
he has displayed on his personal Web site: "What won't kill
me, will only make me stronger."
Choi
isn't the most graceful fighter in the world, but he may very
well be the saving grace of combat sports in Asia.
Source: Sherdog
|
IFL
World Team Championship rosters announced
The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s
number one professional mixed martial arts league, today announced
the rosters for the 2007 IFL World Championship on Thursday,
September 20, at Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. Many of
the league’s top stars will be in action as the second-seeded
New York Pitbulls (3-0 regular season), coached by Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu master and MMA legend Renzo Gracie take on the defending
champion Quad Cities Silverbacks (2-1), led by MMA champion Pat
Miletich. Additionally, a series of preliminary bouts will feature
other stars of the IFL and competitors from American Top Team,
one of the country’s largest and most active MMA squads.
Among
the most anticipated matchups in the final include rematches
between heavyweights Bryan Vetell (Jamaica, N.Y.) of the Pitbulls
and Ben Rothwell (Milwaukee, Wis.), and between middleweights
Fabio Leopoldo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf,
Iowa). Rothwell, the undefeated heavyweight, brings an 8-0 IFL
record into the match, including four wins in 2007. He won a
first-round KO over Vetell in their 2006 meeting in Moline, Ill.
Leopoldo was the victor in the previous matchup with McGivern,
via second-round submission at the same event.
Fans
are also excited about the battles between light heavyweights
Jamal Patterson (Hoboken, N.J.) and Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown,
Pa.) and lightweights Deividas Taurosevicius (New York) and Bart
Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.). Patterson has first-round wins
in all three of his IFL triumphs and faces a tough test in Ciesnolevicz,
who has won five straight bouts. Taurosevicius, who served as
the Pitbulls’ alternate earlier in the year, was promoted
to starter for the team’s semifinal win over the Tokyo Sabres
and proved up to the task with a victory. He steps up against
Palaszewski, whose eight wins match Rothwell’s for the most
in IFL history.
The
Pitbulls’ Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) will take
on a replacement at welterweight for the Silverbacks, as standout
Rory Markham (Chicago) injured his left hand in his semifinal
victory and will not be available for the final.
“I
think it’s fitting that two of our flagship franchises meet
for the World Championship rings,” said IFL Commissioner
and Co-Founder Kurt Otto. “We are looking forward to a night
of non-stop action as the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu style of Renzo
Gracie’s athletes goes up against Pat Miletich’s patented
methods.”
The
Pitbulls advanced to the finals by edging the Sabres, 3-2, while
the Silverbacks registered a 4-1 triumph over the top-seeded
Los Angeles Anacondas, on August 2 at Continental Airlines Arena
in East Rutherford, N.J. The two teams did not meet during the
2007 regular season, but the Silverbacks did record a 3-2 win
on Sept. 23, 2006, in Moline, Ill.
In
addition to the team competition, the night will include four
preliminary bouts of interest to IFL fans as well as local enthusiasts.
In action will be popular IFL lightweight Ryan Schultz (North
Platte, Neb.) of the Portland Wolfpack against American Top Team’s
Aaron Riley (Port St. Lucie, Fla.); light heavyweight Allan Goes
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) of the Tiger Sharks against Chris Baten
(Tampa, Fla.); and welterweight Brad Blackburn (Olympia, Wash.)
against Travis Cox (Naples, Fla.). Rolles Gracie (New York),
a Jiu-Jitsu champion, also makes his MMA debut against ATT’s
Seth Petruzelli (Orlando, Fla.).
Following
the Championship, the IFL will hold its season-ending “World
Grand Prix,” pitting the league’s top athletes at each
weight class. The semifinals will be held on Nov. 3 at the Sears
Centre in Chicago, with the winners advancing to the World Grand
Prix finals on Dec. 29 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The
full rosters for the Finals follow. Bout order will be determined
by coaches’ choice prior to the Official Weigh-in on September
19.
No.
4 Silverbacks (2-1 regular season team, 9-6 indiv.) vs. No. 2
Pitbulls (3-0, 10-5)
155 lb.: Bart Palaszewski (Wonder Lake, Ill.) (8-1 IFL, 28-8
overall) vs. Deividas Taurosevicius (Lithuania) (2-0, 8-2)
170 lb.: TBD vs. Delson Heleno (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (4-2,
11-3)
185 lb.: Ryan McGivern (Bettendorf, Iowa) (4-4, 10-5) vs. Fabio
Leopoldo (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (3-1, 5-2)
205 lb: Mike Ciesnolevicz (Williamstown, Pa.) (5-2, 13-2) vs.
Jamal Patterson (Hoboken, N.J.) (3-1, 3-1)
265 lb.: Ben Rothwell (Milwaukee, Wis.) (7-0, 22-5) vs. Bryan
Vetell (Jamaica, N.Y.) (2-2, 3-2)
Preliminary
Bouts
155 lb.: Ryan Schultz (North Platte, Neb.) (3-2, 16-9-1) vs.
Aaron Riley (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) (0-0, 23-9-1)
170 lb.: Brad Blackburn (Olympia, Wash.) (3-2, 10-9) vs. Travis
Cox (Naples, Fla.) (0-0, 4-4)
205 lb.: Allan Goes (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) (3-1, 10-5-2) vs.
Chris Baten (Tampa, Fla.) (0-0, 5-2)
265 lb.: Rolles Gracie (New York) (0-0, 0-0) vs. Seth Petruzelli
(Orlando, Fla.) (0-0, 7-4)
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Wand
trains with Couture
In Las Vegas, Silva trains with the veteran
Randy Couture gained a heck of a reinforcement for the final
stretch of his preparations for his fight against the Brazilian
Gabriel Gonzaga, set for August 25, in defense of his UFC heavyweight
belt. The latest star to move to Las Vegas, Wanderlei Silva had
barely arrived in the world capital of MMA when he went to train
at the academy of the veteran UFC champion.
According
to the site Xtreme Couture MMA, Wand even risked a prediction
for the main bout of UFC 74. “Randy is ready for this fight,
with good boxing. He will win,” said Wand, whose final days
in Brazil you can learn about in NOCAUTE #55, which will hit
the newsstands in Brazil by Friday.
The
praise doesn’t stop there. “He is really strong on
the ground. He has excellent Jiu-Jitsu and a lot of stamina.
He is stronger than I thought,” Wand said as an observation.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
reverse side also has a reverse side."
Japanese Proverb
|
Mixed
martial arts 'Uprising' will get national TV audience
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
ELITEXC:
UPRISING
What:
Professional mixed martial arts
Where:
Blaisdell Center Arena
When:
Sept. 15, preliminary bouts start at 3 p.m.
Who:
Robbie Lawler vs. Murilo "Ninja" Rua in main event,
plus 10 other bouts.
TV:
Five bouts, including the main event, will be shown live on Showtime.
Tickets:
$25 for upper level, $35 for risers (off center), $45 for loge
and risers (center), $75 for floor; $150, $250 or $400 for ringside.
Available at Blaisdell box office or www.ticketmaster.com.
Millions of eyes are expected to focus on Hawai'i for a mixed
martial arts event Sept. 15.
The
EliteXC organization is spending millions of dollars to put on
a good show.
Gary
Shaw, president of live events for EliteXC, made an official
announcement yesterday that the "Uprising" card at
the Blaisdell Center Arena on Sept. 15 will be televised live
on the Showtime cable network. It is the first MMA event from
Hawai'i to be televised across the nation.
"We're
flying in a large group to produce this event, and we're also
going to help the economy by hiring local crew as well,"
Shaw said. "We're looking at $1.5 million, at least, just
to make this happen."
Iowa's
Robbie Lawler will face Brazil's Murilo "Ninja" Rua
for the EliteXC middleweight world championship in the main event.
Five
bouts are scheduled to be televised on Showtime, starting at
4 p.m. (Hawai'i time). Only subscribers of Showtime can view
it (it could be blacked out in Hawai'i, depending on ticket sales).
Shaw
said Showtime currently has more than 15 million subscribers.
"That's
a lot of people," Shaw said. "But I've always believed
that Hawai'i is the home of mixed martial arts, and that's a
big reason why I wanted to do this."
In
addition to Lawler-Rua, the other bouts scheduled for broadcast
are: Nick Diaz vs. Mike Aina; Joey Villasenor vs. Riki Fukuda;
Jake Shields vs. Renato "Charuto" Verissimo; Gina Carano
vs. Tonya Evinger.
Aina
and Verissimo train in Hilo. Several other Hawai'i athletes are
scheduled to appear on the non-televised undercard.
To
help promote the event, EliteXC signed Hawai'i's top two MMA
organizations — Icon Sport and Rumble on the Rock.
"Without
a doubt, Sept. 15 will be the biggest and greatest MMA event
Hawai'i has ever seen," Icon Sport president T. Jay Thompson
said. "But Sept. 15 will not be the biggest and greatest
event Hawai'i will ever see. I think this is the beginning of
what will be some amazing MMA on the islands."
Rumble
president Jay Dee Penn said: "There's two different fan
bases with Rumble and Icon, so I think this will bring the two
bases together and take the sport to a whole new level."
Thompson
and Penn have both promoted numerous MMA shows at the Blaisdell
Arena, but both said EliteXC's production will be different.
"This
will be bigger and better than anything we've seen in Hawai'i
for MMA," Thompson said. "The bells and whistles that
come with this show are something else, not to mention the quality
of fights."
It
should be noted that Icon Sport and Rumble on the Rock are collaborating
for the Sept. 15 event only.
Rumble
on the Rock is scheduled to host its own show Oct. 20; Icon Sport
has its own show scheduled for Nov. 17.
Thompson
said Lawl | |