Upcoming
Events
Do you want to list an
event on Onzuka.com?
Contact Us
(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2007
11/10/07
Aloha State
Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
10/6/07
Punishment
In Paradise 18
(MMA &
Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
7/28/07
Maui Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui)
7/13/07
Punishment
In Paradise 17
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
6/23/06
Ultimate Fight Night
(BJ Penn vs Jens Pulver)
(Spike TV)
6/22/07
Got
Skills
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
6/16/07
Hawaiian Open of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
5/19/07
Kickin it
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
4/27/07
Punishment
In Paradise 16
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery)
4/24/07
Professional Boxing
(Boxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
4/9/07
UFC
GSP vs Hughes 3
(PPV)
4/7/07
Got Skills
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
4/5/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/25/07
Kickboxing Benefit Event for Mrs. Faagai
(Kickboxing)
(Waianae H.S. Gym)
3/24/07
Garden Island Cage Match
5
(MMA)
(Kauai)
3/13/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/10/07
Hawaiian Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
3/5/07
Striking Event
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
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
(Serra vs GSP, 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)
|
|
February 2007 News
Part 2
|
Casca Grossa Jiu-Jitsu
is now the O2 Martial Arts Academy with 6 days a week training!
We are also offering Escrima (stick fighting) on Monday nights
and Kickboxing Tuesday and Thursday!
Click
here for info!
Take classes from the Onzuka brothers in a family-like enviornment! |
 
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! |
Got a question for us? Email info@onzuka.com
or click here to send us
an email.
Fighters'
Club TV LOGO ANIMATION CONTEST
Everyone
knows that Onzuka.com's loyal readers are the most talented in
the state, if not the world! (can you already see where our fluff
complement is going already?) FCTV is looking for a talented
computer graphics whiz to animate our logo for the show. Winner
receives the snazzy RAZE Fightwear shirt and whatever else we
can dig up!
Here
is our logo:
If you have seen the show, you have seen how our old logo has
been animated. We are basically looking to create a cool animation
for our new logo.
We need a long version (10 Seconds) and a short version (3 Seconds)
if possible. Also, any ideas you may have as to what to do with
it would be appreciated too.
Email
entries to: fctv@onzuka.com
Mahalo,
Mark
|
Quote
of the Day
“I
put a piece of paper under my pillow, and when I could not sleep,
I wrote in the dark.”
Henry David Thoreau, 1817-1862, American Essayist/Poet/Naturalist |
FCTV
Episode 47 is Tonight!
Fighters'
Club TV Episode 47 is cut and submitted to Olelo programming.
It will air our normal timeslot of 7pm every Tuesday night on Olelo
Oahu Channel 52.
It will show on Jan. 23, 30, Feb 6 and 11.
Episode
47 features:
-Highlights
from the 2007 January NAGA Absolute No-GI Division,
featuring Bruno Ewald, Dave Chew, Rylan Lizares, and a few more
of
Hawaii's top grapplers.
-interviews
with NAGA promoter Kipp Kollar and MMA.TV owner, Kirik
Jenness.
-Icon
Sport highlights of Jeremy Williams (Pro Boxer) vs Ron Fields
(MMA veteran)
-Technique
of the week, Mike and Mark demonstrate the kimura keylock
-FCTVemail,
Mike and Mark go over a bunch of viewers questions so don't
miss this as it might be yours!
Please
send your Suggestions, Comments, or Questions to:
fctv@onzuka.com
aloha,
fctv808
|
Funeral
Services for Johnathan Vance
Johnathan
Vance's funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 5 pm at Borthwick
Mortuary
near Mauna Kea St, right off of Vineyard.
Borthwick Mortuary
1330 Maunakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone Number: (808) 522-5200
His
burial will be held at Valley of the Temple at 2 PM on Wednesday, February
21.
Johnathan
L. Vance was born on June 12, 1958 and died February 10, 2007.
I
was told this information verbally so if anything is incorrect,
please email us by clicking here and we will correct it as soon as
we can.
I
apologize for all the people emailing us. My incoming email is
down and I finally got access to a web based email so I am finally
getting your messages.
Mike
|
RENZO
GRACIE: "FIGHT WITHOUT RULES"
“To
be honest, I would rather fight this without rules,” Renzo
Gracie said about his recent win over Frank Shamrock. “Believe
it…I like it, I love it!”
Renzo
of course was speaking here in response to the illegal strikes
he received courtesy of Frank Shamrock in their fight at the
recent Elite XC show. In many fans’ eyes, Gracie was controlling
Frank and Shamrock’s quick way out was by way of illegal
strikes. Though Frank may deny it, the knees he delivered to
the back of Renzo’s head were seen by many as intentional
and many thought he landed the knees precisely where he intended
to.
“Gracie
vs. Shamrock” was the main event fight for EliteXC’s
inaugural show in Southaven, Miss. After dominating Shamrock
for the first 7 minutes of the main event, Gracie was struck
with two illegal knees to the back of his head that left his
thoughts muddled and his vision blurry.
As
Renzo writhed around on the cage floor in misery, an indignant
Shamrock repeatedly looked through the cage fence with his shoulders
shrugged and said to the crowd, “I’m sorry, I thought
we were fighting…I guess I’m old school.”
But,
it doesn’t get any more old school in no holds barred fighting
than the Gracie family…especially Renzo, who has fought
the majority of his life – oftentimes with very few or no
rules. But, this was not an "old school" fight.
If
this fight was an "old school" rules fight, then as
Renzo said, “The moment he was trash-talking while he was
on the bottom, I would (have) just stand up and kicked him in
the face, you know…I would head butt him.” The fact
was, though, that the fight did have clear, precise rules.
Renzo
said, “I think it’s very immature from his part.”
When
Renzo could not recover after his allotted five-minute break
the fight was called and was ruled a DQ win for Gracie. Gracie
was not happy that the fight ended this way, and said of a possible
rematch with Frank, “I would love it.”
The
fight that was supposed to answer questions and showcase Shamrock’s
dominance did something entirely different. It instead showed
hole in Frank’s previously considered impenetrable armor
and it showed that Gracie – at nearly forty years of age
– still has some serious battles left in him. Hopefully
for the sake of the fans this fight can be held again.
Source: MMA Weekly |
TRIGG
PULLS DOUBLE DUTY
Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg will pull double duty this
Friday at Pride 33, “The Second Coming.” Trigg, the
Pride Fighting Championships color commentator, plans to fight
and then join the broadcast team. “I will get the job done
inside the Pride ring then go back to the broadcast booth and
tell you about it." said the fighter/broadcaster.
Opening
the show and filling in for Trigg at the broadcasters’ table
will be “The Babyface Assassin” Josh Barnett. At the
conclusion of his bout, scheduled early on the card, Trigg will
go back to the locker room, patch his wounds, shower, get dressed
and make his way to back ringside to call the action. Trigg told
MMAWeekly that he’ll be back behind the microphone regardless
of the outcome in his fight.
It
has been eight years since “Twinkle Toes” last competed
under the Pride banner, and his return is no warm up fight. Trigg
takes on #4 ranked middleweight in the world and Pride Grand
Prix Champion Kazuo Misaki.
This
will be Trigg’s second fight in the middleweight division,
coming off an impressive TKO victory over Jason “Mayhem”
Miller and capturing the Icon Sport Middleweight Title in December.
With
the event in Las Vegas, Trigg will be fighting in his backyard
and feels it will be an advantage. He commented, "Misaki
is very tough, hell, he just won the GP but it will be too hard
to beat me in Vegas. It's home now. I've been training at J-sect
with John Lewis in the morning and then with all the guys at
Extreme Couture MMA at night. I ain't going home no punk, I'm
gonna knock his dick in the dirt.”
The
once retired Trigg is now one of the busiest personalities in
Mixed Martial Arts. Fightinig, commentating, and now doing both
in the same night. He’s finally figured out a way to be
paid twice for one event.
Source: MMA Weekly |
KEVIN
RANDLEMAN AT A CROSSROADS
The last year and a half has been a very turbulent time in the
life of Pride and UFC veteran Kevin Randleman. With his body
ravaged by a severe lung infection, Randleman underwent eleven
different surgeries, which took a huge toll on his body.
As
Randleman said on MMAWeekly Radio earlier this year, he has taken
a significant amount of antibiotics and painkillers over the
past year and a half, and when Randleman found out that some
of those antibiotics and painkillers were banned by the Nevada
State Athletic Commission, he provided fake urine in an NSAC
drug test.
Two
days ago at a disciplinary hearing in front of the NSAC, Randleman
admitted that what he did "was very wrong." Randleman's
license as a fighter was revoked, and his future is now uncertain.
Shortly
after a major health scare in early 2006, Randleman appeared
on MMAWeekly Radio in March 2006 and said, "I almost died
from a lung infection that I didn’t know I had. I had it
for about a year and a half, two years, since I’ve been
coming to Vegas, and I’ve been coming to Vegas for two years.
But I didn’t know. Every time I was fighting, every time
I would train, every time I’d get hit in, like, in my ribs,
I thought it was a broken rib or something, so I just kept training
through it because that is all I know. I guess it was kind of...
I was being a tough guy, and that’s bull---t, people. When
you’ve got a nagging injury that lasts more than a week,
you need to go get it checked out. Well, I let this nagging injury
last almost two years, and I was on the slab table and they were
taking my lung. I was very lucky... eight weeks ago, I was laying
on the table dying."
Randleman
had numerous health issues in 2005, including a torn tendon in
his shoulder, a torn bicep, kidney stones, and shingles. As Randleman
said on MMAWeekly Radio in March 2006, “I came back home,
got surgery on my shoulder, and a week after the surgery I had
the fevers of like 104... my lung collapsed while I was in Ohio.
They drained fluid off my lung. It was just like frickin' six
months of bull crap. They inflated my lung again. I’m back
in Ohio, my lung collapsed. I flew back out here to Vegas to
get better care, to get a pulmonary doctor, and they still couldn’t
tell me what it was because what I had was a fungus. It is different
from having a virus, something you can treat with antibiotics.
A fungus, you have to treat that with medicine totally different."
Randleman's
condition worsened, his weight rapidly dropped from 225 pounds
to 199 pounds and he had a fever of 105 degrees on many nights.
After X-rays were taken of his lungs, Randleman was told that
immediate action had to be taken. Randleman said in March 2006,
"They showed me the X-ray. [The doctor] was like, 'This
is what we need to take out. This is what your lung looks like.'
My lung, if you can just imagine an X-ray of your lungs, my left
lung was gone. It was just completely flat. Every time that I
broke my ribs, because of this fungus that I got, it would drain
all the blood from the broken rib into my chest cavity. It was
just making this bigger ball of stuff. It cracked, crushed my
lung. Literally, the doctor came in there and said, 'We’ve
got to cut you tomorrow. We’ve got to have emergency surgery.'
He was like, 'There is a chance you might lose your lung.'"
Foreshadowing
the decision that he would make later in 2006 to fight on the
Pride USA show even with his ongoing medical problems, Randleman
also said on MMAWeekly Radio in March 2006, "When they said
they were going to [operate on] my lung and they might need to
take it, I was just like, 'Dude, if you don’t give me my
f---ing lung back, I’m going to fight anyways.'"
Fortunately,
surgeons were able to save Randleman's lung, and he appeared
to have recovered from his infection. Having faced his own mortality,
Randleman said early last year, "God just made me understand
that this is a blessing for me... For me not to look at it as
a glorified blessing, I’d be stupid. I definitely look at
it as a blessing. I finally learned to realize that life is short...
but you know what? This sport is a rush."
Though
Randleman survived his early 2006 brush with death, an infection
in his lungs would later return. In the months before his October
2006 fight against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua on the Pride
USA card, Randleman struggled with the effects of the infection,
and he had one of his many surgeries just two months prior to
the fight.
By
his own admission at his NSAC disciplinary hearing, Randleman
was in no condition to perform. Nonetheless, he decided that
he was going to fight on the Pride show, even in his poor health.
On
the day before the October 21st Pride event, Randleman says that
he was given the Nevada State Athletic Commission's list of banned
substances, and panic quickly set in as he saw that some of the
antibiotics and painkillers that he was regularly taking were
on the banned substances list.
Randleman
had three choices at that point. He could have told the athletic
commission about his medical condition, which would have caused
the NSAC's doctors to pull him from the event. He could have
still fought and then submitted his own urine during the NSAC
drug test, which would have caused him to test positive for banned
substances. Finally, he could have still fought and then submitted
fake urine during the drug test.
A
choice had to be made, and it had to be made in a fairly short
period of time. Regarding his frame of mind at the time, Randleman
would later say at his disciplinary hearing, "I was just
thinking [before the fight], 'I can't let everybody down. I can't
let my organization down.'"
Randleman
ultimately decided that he was still going to fight, and that
he was going to submit fake urine if he was one of the fighters
who was drug tested by the NSAC. As it turned out, he was indeed
one of the drug tested fighters, and he failed his post-fight
drug test when the fake urine was detected in the lab. He would
have to face a possible suspension or license revocation from
the Nevada State Athletic Commission at a disciplinary hearing
within a few months of his October 2006 fight.
Randleman
was in big trouble, but the trouble that he faced from a disciplinary
standpoint still paled in comparison to the serious trouble that
was continuing to plague him physically. As Randleman put it,
"My body just shut down" in January 2007, as Randleman
was hospitalized with severe kidney problems. Randleman's wife,
Elizabeth, told MMAWeekly that he did not suffer kidney failure,
but she did state that if he had not gone to the emergency room
on the night that he did, Randleman's health would likely have
deteriorated to include kidney failure.
A
measurement of 150 for CPK (creatine phosphokinase) is considered
normal, and according to Elizabeth Randleman, Kevin's CPK levels
reached a measurement of 68,000. This means that Kevin's muscles
were shutting down, and if they hadn't got it under control when
they did, his kidneys and other organs would have started to
shut down as well.
How
did this happen? As reported at the time by MMAWeekly, much of
the problem stemmed from complications following several surgeries
and Randleman's refusal to slow down and let his body fully recover
before resuming his normal routine. This resulted in Randleman
having to be on intravenous antibiotics for an extended period
of time, which is very stressful on the body. Also, if antibiotics
are taken for a long enough period of time, they eventually start
to have the opposite effect of what is intended.
With
doctors working to flush out his system, Randleman remained in
the hospital for several days. Randleman appeared on MMAWeekly
Radio from his hospital room and said, "I can honestly say
that no matter whatever happens in my life, I have been blessed."
Randleman
also addressed his pending NSAC disciplinary hearing during the
same interview on MMAWeekly Radio in January of this year, as
he said, "If you're going to be a man, you have to stand
up for what is right. I made a very bad mistake. I did something
wrong. I want everyone to understand that I am so sorry to my
fans, to MMA, I am going to accept everything that I get... From
the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry for the deception. It is
not my right to fight. It is an honor for me to fight."
More
than a week after he arrived, Randleman was released from the
hospital. According to Elizabeth, Kevin's CPK level was 2,000
when he was released. That is a far cry from what it was when
he entered the hospital, but it's also a far cry from the normal
measurement of 150.
A
few weeks after being released from the hospital, Randleman's
disciplinary hearing in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission
took place. At the hearing this past Friday, February 16th, the
commission ultimately decided to revoke Randleman's fighters'
license. He will only be eligible to re-apply for a fighters'
license after October 21, 2007, and even then, it's not a given
that his application will be granted.
The
commission was upset not only with the fake urine sample that
Randleman submitted, but also with the fact that he did not disclose
his very serious medical situation prior to his fight in Pride
last October, putting his health in great jeopardy.
Commission
chairman Dr. Tony Alamo said at the hearing, "We need to
protect you from yourself... if you had told the doctors about
your medical condition, you would not have been cleared to fight."
Alamo also expressed concern that with Randleman could have potentially
passed the infection along to his opponent, Mauricio "Shogun"
Rua, if both of them had sustained open cuts during the fight,
which is not an uncommon occurrence in MMA. Fortunately, neither
fighter was cut during the fight.
Randleman
said during the hearing, "I was wrong. I was very wrong.
I should have come to you and said, 'Ladies, gentlemen, I have
a problem here, but all I wanted to do was fight... I'm extremely
sorry for the deception... I had 16 months of pure hell."
At
the hearing, NSAC commissioner John Bailey summed up the commission's
issue with full medical disclosure and the danger that Randleman
put himself in: "Sometimes we have to protect fighters from
themselves... You were not healthy in this case, and you did
not make the right judgment. You cannot really provide us any
assurance that if there were a fight next week, that you would
not try to fight next week, irrespective of the fact that your
health is bad. We have to protect you when you can't protect
yourself. You have demonstrated that you can't protect yourself
and that you will deceive us instead of protecting yourself.
You could have gotten killed in that ring."
The
Nevada State Athletic Commission will have a chance in the coming
months to demonstrate just how serious they are about the issue
of full medical disclosure. If they are truly serious about it,
one would think that it would be mandatory for fighters to have
more extensive pre-fight medical testing and examinations if
those fighters have previously fought in Nevada with significant,
non-disclosed injuries. Just a few examples in addition to Randleman:
Chuck Liddell fighting with a torn knee ligament in December
2006, Sean Sherk fighting with a torn rotator cuff in October
2006, Jorge Gurgel fighting with a torn ACL in 2005 on The Ultimate
Fighter 2, Rob MacDonald fighting with a torn labrum in 2005
on TUF 2, Ken Shamrock fighting with a torn rotator cuff in June
2004, and Ken Shamrock fighting with a torn knee ligament in
November 2002.
As
the commissioners said several times during Kevin Randleman's
disciplinary hearing, the NSAC has a duty to protect fighters
from themselves. In the case of Kevin Randleman, the NSAC ruled
that when or if Randleman re-applies for a fighters' license
at any time after October 21, 2007, he will not be granted a
fighters' license unless he can provide conclusive medical evidence
that he is completely healthy.
For
Kevin Randleman, this is not just a matter of his MMA career
being at a crossroads; it is a matter of his life being at a
crossroads.
His
medical issues have, on multiple occasions, led to brushes with
organ failure that he admits could have killed him. He stated
that he had a new outlook on life after his life-threatening
medical issues in early 2006, only to make choices later that
same year which put his health at great risk, specifically fighting
in October even though he had a severe infection. Regardless
of whether or not we have seen the last of Kevin Randleman as
an MMA fighter, we should all hope for the best for Kevin Randleman
as a person.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
“If
you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to
do it over?”
John Wooden, Hall of Fame American Basketball Player and Coach |
Kid
Yamamoto in Hawaii!
I was out
with my family on Saturday and bumped in to none other than MMA
and Wrestling superstar Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto who
was at Ala Moana Center with his family. I had to double take
and shook his hand and told him what's up.
You
never know who you will run in to here nowadays.
|
Xande
Riberio DVD Out Soon & Filmed in Hawaii!
The documentary
about current Absolute Black Belt World Champion Xande Riberio
is being pre-sold at http://www.bjjmart.com. Check out the training
background of Xande under the guidance of multiple time Black
Belt World Champion brother Saulo Riberio as Xande prepared for
the Mundials and how Xande finally claimed the championship and
the title of best Jiu-Jitsu practioner on the planet!
Here
is the summary on www.bjjmart.com:
Xande
Ribeiro Road to a Championship DVD
"The Road To A Championship"
The
road to the top is built on sacrifice, dedication and a lot of
heart
Everybody
wants to be a champion but very few people have what it takes.
This is the history about one person’s dream to be the best
and the road he took to get there. Xande Ribeiro went to Oahu,
Hawaii in June 2006 for the last stages of preparation for the
biggest challenge of his life: Win the Absolute in the World
BJJ Tournament.
In
the "The Road To A Championship" you will be able to
follow Xande’s training including some special water exercises.
You will hear directly from him, the mental approach and fight
strategies that led to his success. Additionally Xande showcases
some of his favorite techniques that he has used successfully
in competition including the 2006 World Championships
Pre-Order
only expected ship date March 14th
DVD
50 minutes
Source: JD |
Lion’s
Den Tryouts Result in Two New Members
Ken
Shamrock held his infamously grueling Lion’s Den tryouts
Saturday, February 17, 2007. Four hopefuls were scheduled to
participate but at the end of the brutal day, only two would
call the Lion’s Den home.
True
to Lion’s Den tradition, the day started with a 30 minute
run. That was followed by transporting multiple heavy sandbags,
one at a time, up and down a steep hill, carrying barrels of
water weighing approximately 25-30 pounds around the perimeter
of Shamrock’s property, then finishing the outdoor portion
of the tryouts with wind sprints up and down a hill.
After
a brief rest, the hopefuls moved to Shamrock’s gym where
they had to complete a five round circuit of knee bags, banana
bags, and uppercut bags. Then, they faced Vernon “Tiger”
White on focus mitts where they performed a variety of punch
and kick combinations. For the next 30 minutes, they wrestled
with fresh opponents about every 2 or 3 minutes, facing open
palm strikes to the head and the potential for being choked unconscious.
All the while, they listened to seasoned Den fighters such as
White, Joe Martin, and Dan Molina encouraging them to quit.
Finally,
they were required to execute 200 sit-ups, 200 push-ups, and
500 squats to complete the tryout.
One
hopeful’s nerves got the best of him, resulting in his leaving
the Den the night before the tryouts. Another young man, from
South Africa, injured his arm during the tryouts and had to quit.
The
two who would emerge as Lion’s Den fighters are Herbert
“Whisper” Goodman and Killa B. Nimmi.
Goodman
is a former Green Bay Packers running back who retired from football
to pursue mixed martial arts training. He had his first professional
MMA fight last November when he KO’d his opponent, Michael
Houlton, in the second round.
Lance
Foreman, the Lion’s Den fight recruiter, was thrilled with
the performance of the two new fighters, “The tryouts went
well,” he said, “and both men finished as strong as
can be. Ken is happy with both guys and both guys have a shot
at being champions.”
Source: Maxfighting |
Marquardt
Next in Line for a Title Shot?
I
was speaking with a very good friend of mine on the telephone
this week and we were shooting the breeze about upcoming fights.
One of the rumors that had been circulating was Nate Marquardt
vs. Rich Franklin if Rich beat Jason MacDonald at UFC 68. It
turns out that this is probably not the case.
According
to some accounts from people inside the industry and another
internet MMA media site, Nate may get his long awaited title
shot at UFC 72.
Marquardt is rumored to be facing current middleweight champion,
Anderson Silva in a fight that most fans consider to be overdue.
None of this has been inked nor confirmed. As it is with every
rumor there is a chance that this may fall through or be just
that, a rumor.
MaxFighting
will keep you updated on any developments relating to this story.
Source: Maxfighting |
Quote
of the Day
"The
greater difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.
Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests."
Epicurus, 341-270 B.C., Greek Philosopher
|
Kickboxing
Benefit Event for Mrs. Faagai
March 25, 2007
This kickboxing event was put together to help raise funds to
help Mrs. Faagai who is fighting off cancer. Please come out
and support this event to help the Faagai family. Her son, Jacob
Faagai will be returning to the ring to headline the event.
Here are the event details (more to follow as it becomes available)
Kickboxing Benefit Event
Waianae H.S. Gym, Waianae, Hawaii
March 25, 2007
Source: Brennan Kamaka
|
Got
Skills Fighter Results!
GOT SKILLS FIGHTER.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17.
WAIPAHU FILCOM CTR.
DOORS OPEN 7:00PM.
FIGHT CARD.
140
MARK TAJON (BULLSPEN) VS. JOSIAH NANCO (ANIMAL HOUSE)
TAJON BY KIMURA FROM GUARD IN ROUND 3
170
JON CRUZ (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. JOSH BAKER (HOUSE OF PAIN)
CRUZ BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
120
JAN QUIMOYOG (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL VARQUEZ (EWA BEACH GRAPPLING)
QUIMOYOG BY TRIANGLE IN ROUND 3
140
THOMAS MATHIAS (WAIANAE KICKBOXING) VS RONNIE VALLAHAMOSA (HOUSE
OF PAIN)
MAJORITY DRAW
200
LOUIS RAMOS (INNER CIRCLE) VS. BRAD TAVARES (UNIVERSAL COMBAT
SPORTS)
TAVARES BY MAJORITY DECISION
NOTE: RAMOS SPOTTED TAVARES 15 LBS AND STILL FOUGHT.
150
KOA RAMEL (HARD KNOCKS) VS VAN SHIROMA (HMC)
SHIROMA BY MAJORITY DECISION
155
HERMAN SANTIAGO (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
SANTIAGO BY REVERSE TRIANGLE IN ROUND 3
165
SHANEN KIRA (MIXED BREED) VS. TIKI (ANIMAL HOUSE)
KIRA BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
130
BRYSEN KEALOHA (TEAM DEVASTATION) VS. DESHAUN JOHNSON (EWA BEACH
GRAPPLING)
JOHNSON BY REAR NAKED CHOKE (MATA LEAO) IN ROUND 3
130
BRANDON MARTIN (4TH ROAD KICKBOXING) VS. CLIFF NAMOC (EWA BEACH
GRAPPLING)
MARTIN BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
TONY PEREIRA (WAIANAE KICKBOXING) VS. JAMAR ESLOSIO (EWA BEACH
GRAPPLING)
PEREIRA BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
175
JOSH ADAMS (JESUS IS LORD) VS. JUSTIN KONIA (ANIMAL HOUSE)
ADAMS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
135 SUBMISSION GRAPPLING ONLY MATCH, ONE 5 MIN ROUND
JAY BOLOS (ANIMAL HOUSE) VS. JERRY SAMSON (JESUS IS LORD)
SAMSON BY ARMBAR FROM GUARD
185
DONOVAN COLLIER (INNER CIRCLE) VS. JASON LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
LOPES BY KO WITH A VICIOUS RIGHT LEG HEAD KICK IN ROUND 1
240
MICHAEL CLARK (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. ALIKA VELAROSA (ANIMAL
HOUSE)
VELAROSA BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
125
JULIO MORENO (BULLSPEN) VS. EVAN QUIZON (TEAM DEVASTATION)
MORENO BY NECK CRANK FROM MOUNT IN ROUND 3
TICKET INFO CALL #779 3237. Or go to www.gotskills.cc.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE @ FIGHTER’S CORNER & PARTICPATING
TEAMS.
GOT SKILLS™ is the
ORIGINAL and 1st event in Hawaii to
feature multi fighting-styles in the same event!
“Where ‘respect’ is earned, not bought!”
Source: Mike Onzuka
|
Chuck
Liddell vs. Quinton Jackson at UFC 71
This past week, news came out that Chuck Liddell would make his
next title defense at UFC 71, but who his opponent would be was
unknown.
When
Quinton Jackson’s WFA contract was purchased by the UFC,
we knew that Jackson was signed through July for two fights.
Jackson and his manager have insisted that they would not fight
Chuck Liddell during either of those fights and that they wanted
at least two warmup fights before a title match against Liddell.
Well,
it appears that the UFC must have loosened the wallet somewhat
and made an enticing offer for Jackson to fight Liddell before
his contract is up. The current word circulating is that Liddell
vs. Jackson will take place this May at UFC 71. Of course, no
official UFC announcement has been made, but several reliable
sources are confirming that this fight has been verbally agreed
to by both camps.
Most
fans were wondering what was next for Chuck after his easy defeat
of Renato Sobral and Tito Ortiz. It was widely assumed that Forest
Griffin would get the next title shot, but his loss to Keith
Jardine derailed those plans for the UFC. Rashad Evans and Keith
Jardine were both possibilites for Liddell’s next opponent,
but personally I don’t believe either of those fighters
is ready for a title shot; and I have a feeling that Joe Silva,
the UFC matchmaker, feels the same way.
Let’s
hope that Jackson is ready for this title shot, and he is free
of the “nerves” and ring-rust we saw in his UFC debut
against Marvin Eastman.
Source: MMA HQ
|
Lindland:
'Yes, I am crazy!’
The American will face Emelianenko on April 14
What was already a given for the whole MMA world, today has become
a reality: Matt Linland, 83 kg, will face Fedor Emelianenko,
who weighs around 105 kg, on April 14, at Bodog Fight, in Saint
Petersburg, Russia.
The
opinion that accepting the fight is an act of insanity on the
part of the American was corroborated by the fighter himself.
“Yes, I am crazy!” declared Lindland, jokingly. "That's
why I got into this sport, but I don't make a habit of taking
fights I don't feel I can win. I want to fight the best guys
out there, and I appreciate BodogFight giving me the opportunity
to fight the very best," he added.
The
millionaire owner of Bodog Fight, Calvin Ayre, talks of the fight
with excitement: "Fedor and Matt are both superstars in
the world of MMA, and being able to showcase both of them on
the same card is very exciting.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Gonzaga
to face Cro Cop in Manchester
Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga confirmed in an interview with
The Springfield Repblican that he will fight Mirko Cro Cop at
UFC 70 on April 21.
Gonzaga
has a mixed martial arts record of 7-1 and is undefeated in three
UFC fights.
Mirko
Cro Cop made his UFC debut earlier this month with a convincing
win over the previously undefeated Eddie Sanchez.
Also,
the UFC officially announced today its return to the UK. UFC
70 is scheduled to take place at the MEN Arena in Manchester.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
AOKI
VS. KAKUCHI HIGHLIGHTS SHOOTO CARD
Shooto – Back to our Roots
Counterpoint Preview
Official
bout order:
Sustain
Presents The Shooto # 01 - Back To Our Roots
February 17, 2007
@ Pacifico Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Complete
Results:
Main
Event Shooto World Middleweight Title
Shinya Aoki (Paraestra Tokyo) vs. Akira Kikuchi (Killer Bee)
Winner:
3R Shinya Aoki by Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-28)
154
lbs. Title Bout - Vacant Pacific Rim Crown
Mizuto Hirota (Gutsman Shooto Dojo) vs. Takashi Nakakura (Shooting
Gym Osaka)
Winner:
3R Takashi Nakakura by Decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-29)
143
lbs. Title Bout - Vacant Pacific Rim Crown
Tenkei Fujimiya (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs. Akitoshi Tamura (Tsudanuma
Dojo)
Winner:
3R Akitoshi Tamura by Decision (28-29, 28-29,27-29)
143
lbs.
“Lion" Takeshi Inoue (Shooting Gym Yokohama) vs. Hiroyuki
Abe (AACC)
Winner:
1R 4'04' 'Lion' Takeshi Inoue by TKO
154
lbs.
Ganjo Tentsuku (Purebred Omiya) vs. Yusuke Endo (Gokita Gym)
Winner:
3R Yusuke Endo by Decision (28-29, 28-30, 27-30)
154
lbs.
Koutetsu Boku (Killer Bee) vs. Kenichiro Togashi (Paraestra Hiroshima)
Winner:
DRAW (28-30, 30-28, 30-30)
132
lbs.
Atsushi Yamamoto (Killer Bee) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (Shooting Gym
Hakkei)
Winner:
3R Atsushi Yamamoto by Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Shooto
goes back to their roots with one of the biggest shows of the
year. The anticipated February 17th card will take place at the
Pacifico Yokohama National Convention Center. The fight card
is headlined by a rematch between current Shooto 167-pound Champion
Shinya Aoki (currently ranked #6 in the MMAWeekly.com lightweight
rankings) and Akira Kikuchi (currently ranked #8 in the MMAWeekly.com
welterweight rankings).
MMAWeekly.com’s
Al Yu and Ricardo Mendoza take a look at the fight card in this
special Counterpoint Preview.
“Lion”
Takeshi Inoue vs. Hiroyuki Abe
RM:
Man, Shooto really knows how to disappoint a fan don’t they?
AY:
It is a little disappointing to see this fight but I could think
of a lot worse match-ups. Poor Abe, “Lion” will prove
to be too much for the veteran. This could be a very entertaining
fight though as Abe won’t be hesitant to trade with the
Shooto Lightweight Champion.
RM:
“Lion” captured the Shooto Lightweight title after
beating Antonio Carvalho into the canvas back in May. Since then
“Lion” has gone 2-0, winning a close decision over
American Cole Miller and submitting Navid Yousefi. Abe is coming
off a rather dull draw against Naoki Matsushita at Pride Bushido
12. Abe’s last win was in Shooto back in May when he submitted
Hawaiian
fighter David Padilla.
AY:
I’m not sure what’s more unbearable, Abe’s uninspired
draw with Matsushita or Inoue’s ‘lion stripe’.
RM:
Come on now Al; don’t make fun of the man’s hair now…
AY:
Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
RM:
This one is too easy to pick, “Lion” by decision. He
is going to outwork Abe both on the feet and on the ground.
AY:
Decision? I have “Lion” winning by strikes in the second.
Please Sustain, announce Takeshi Inoue vs. Hatsu Hioki later
this year so I can die a happy man.
Shooto
Middleweight Championship Match:
Shinya
Aoki vs. Akira Kikuchi
RM:
Ok, onto the main event.
AY:
I can’t wait for this fight. “Baka Survivor” has
been playing on my iPod nonstop.
RM:
I know this is the fight that you have been waiting for buddy.
AY:
Did I mention I can’t wait for this fight?
RM:
Are you wearing your yellow spandex pants?
AY:
I made the whole family wear them.
RM:
Since beating Kikuchi, Aoki has gone on to debut in Pride, winning
all three of his appearances by submission. Who can forget Aoki’s
impressive gogoplata victory over Joachim Hansen at Pride Shockwave
2006?
AY:
I don’t think I can ever get sick of watching that fight.
That gogoplata was absolutely a thing of beauty. People thought
I was crazy when I predicted Aoki would submit Joachim Hansen.
RM:
Thanks to “Kid” Yamamoto’s actions following their
first match, all Killer Bee fighters were suspended from competing
in Shooto until October. Kikuchi came back and submitted the
always tough Ronald
Jhun in
the first round at the Shooto - Champion Carnival.
AY:
I believe Kikuchi underestimated Aoki in their first fight. It’s
going to be much tougher this time around because Kikuchi has
had time to think about and improve on what he did wrong. Aoki
is one of the most naturally gifted Japanese BJJ fighters I’ve
seen in recent history. His use of the rubber guard is a beautiful
thing.
RM:
This one is going to way closer then the first fight. Kikuchi
won’t underestimate Aoki like he did the first time and
he won’t be so willing to go to the ground this time around.
Aoki is still leagues better then Kikuchi on the ground but is
still lacking in the stand-up, where Kikuchi will look to score
his points.
AY:
Aoki brings a lot of momentum with him into this fight. He isn’t
known as a remarkable striker so he must continue to use his
Judo background and excellent ground game to improve on his performance
from their first fight.
RM:
This is a tough one to call but Aoki should be able to get this
on the ground but not without taking some shots on the way down.
Aoki takes this one by split decision.
AY:
Split, eh?
RM:
Yes Al, I said split decision and no I’m not crazy….
AY:
No, you’re not crazy at all. This will be a very close fight
and a split decision wouldn’t surprise me. However, I see
Aoki taking a unanimous decision. Kikuchi is very difficult to
submit so Aoki will need to keep up a fast pace and get the fight
on the ground.
Source: MMA Weekly/Shooto
|
Quote
of the Day
"Try
not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man
of value."
Albert Einstein, 1879-1955, German-born American Physicist
|
Got
Skills Fighter Today
GOT SKILLS
FIGHTER.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17.
WAIPAHU FILCOM CTR.
DOORS OPEN 7:00PM.
FIGHTCARD.
120
JAN QUIMOYOG (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL VARQUEZ (EWA BEACH GRAPPLING)
125
JULIO MORENO (BULLSPEN) VS. EVAN QUIZON (TEAM DEVASTATION)
130
DAMIEN DAS (INNER CIRCLE) VS. BRYSEN KEALOHA (TEAM DEVASTATION)
140
TONY PEREIRA (WAIANAE KICKBOXING) VS. JAMAL BENITEZ (EWA BEACH
GRAPPLING)
140
KEONI SALAS (BULLSPEN) VS. RONNIE VILLAHAMOSA (HOUSE OF PAIN)
140
RICHARD BERNARD (HSD) VS. LOREN OTAKE (HMC)
150
KOA (HARD KNOCKS) VS. JOSIAH NANCO (ANIMAL HOUSE)
155
HERMAN SANTIAGO (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
155
RAYMOND TRAN (BULLSPEN) VS. KAPENA ABULE (VALENTINO KICKBOXING)
165
KALEO ING (TEAM MIXBREED) VS. TIKI MOUSSER (FREELANCE)
170
JON CRUZ (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. JOSH (JESUS IS LORD)
185
DONOVAN COLLIER (INNER CIRCLE) VS. JASON LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
195
BRANDON MARTIN (HSD) VS. CLIFF NAMOC (EWA BEACH GRAPPLING)
200
DONOVAN KITZMILLER (INNER CIRCLE) VS. BRAD TAVARES (UNIVERSAL
COMBAT SPORT)
240
MICHAEL CLARK (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. ALIKA VELAROSA (ANIMAL
HOUSE)
170
PJ DEAN (O2 MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY) VS. JUSTIN KONIA (ANIMAL HOUSE)
130
STEPHEN PALING JR. VS. COREY FREITAS (ANIMAL HOUSE)
135
JAY BOLOS (ANIMAL HOUSE) VS. JERRY (JESUS IS LORD)
TICKET INFO CALL #779 3237. Or go to www.gotskills.cc.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE @ FIGHTER’S CORNER & PARTICPATING
TEAMS.
GOT SKILLS™ is the
ORIGINAL and 1st event in Hawaii to
feature multi fighting-styles in the same event!
“Where ‘respect’ is earned, not bought!”
Source: Rick Lee
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE RESULTS!
Punishment In Paradise: East Vs West Showdown
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Kapolei, Hawaii
February 16, 2007
PIP
returns to the west side and to a popular format of pitting fighters
from Oahu's east side of the island against fighters from the
west side of the isle. The initial card was a marathon of fights,
but as is the "promoter's curse," many of the scheduled
fights dropped off the card. Last night's card did, however,
feature two title bouts and participation by a number of gyms
around the island. Up and comers came to test their skills and
some veterans threw their hat in the ring to sharpen their skills.
The night's action was broken up twice by a downfall. But, thus
is the risks of holding an outdoor event. The event's MC Big
Teaze entertained the crowd (and us) throughout the night, but
especially during the "unexpected" intermissions.
A
great match was the Randy Rivera's solid combinations and pressure
pitted against the smooth slipping and counter punching of Jon
Bernard. Deusch Puu displayed true heavyweight power by knocking
out Justin Puauoi literally three times. Puauoi looked to be
stunned while standing up two times in the fight, but recovered.
Deusch sealed the deal by keeping the pressure and landing some
bombs that caused Puauoi to crash into the canvas. Another great
fight was Kona Ke working his way on the inside of the taller
Zane Kamaka. Kamaka showcased a great chin, as Kona tested it
throughout their fight. The two fighters battled back and forth,
but Kona slipped in and got the better of the exchanges to win
the fight.
135lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Sam Ferriera (Team Ruthless, Waianae) def. Jarret Matsuda (Kodenkan,
Kailua)
Split decision after 3 rounds.
170lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Tony Miyose def. Brandon Tisalona (Westside Connection, Waianae)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
160lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Chad Valentine (HMC, Kalihi) def. Kia Hale-Gannigan (Untamed
Bloodline, Waipahu)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
185lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Miller Ualesi (Sit You Down, Waianae) def. Justin Lawelawe (Uprising
Fight Team)
Unanimous decision [(29-28), (29-28), (30-27)] after 3 rounds.
175lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Bryson Okada (Sit You Down, Waianae) def. Aaron Panoke (Freelance,
Honolulu)
Unanimous decision [(30-27), (30-27), (30-26)] after 3 rounds.
150lbs
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Randy Rivera (HMC, Kalihi) def. Jon Bernard (Team Ruthless, Makaha)
Unanimous decision [(29-28), (29-28), (29-28)] after 3 rounds.
140lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
William Armstrong (Uprising Fight Team, Wahiawa) def. Erwin Celes
(Sit You Down, Waianae)
TKO due to ankle injury in Round 1.
195lbs.
P.I.P Championship Bout (3 Rounds x 2 Minutes)
Curtis Jones (Dream Team, Waianae) def. Junior Sua (Waipahu)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
Heavyweight
(3 Rounds x 1½ Minute)
Deusch Puu (Freelance, Ewa Beach) def. Justin Puauoi (Westside
Connection, Waianae)
KO in Round 1.
170lbs
Championship Bout (3 Rounds x 2 Minutes)
Kona Ke (Team Ruthless, Makaha) def. Zane Kamaka (Guts &
Glory, Waianae)
Split decision [(30-27), (30-27), (28-29)] after 3 rounds.
155lbs
Bout (3 Rounds x 2 Minutes)
Shaison Laupola (Team Ruthless, Makaha) def. Makana Fonda (Bulls
Pen, Kalihi)
Unanimous decision after 3 rounds.
150lbs.
Bout (3 Rounds x 2 Minutes)
Kaipo Gonzales (Team MMAD) def. Chris Goodsen (Westside Connection,
Waianae)
Unanimous decision [(29-28), (29-28), (30-27)] after 3 rounds.
|
UFC
OFFICIALLY GOES UK ON APRIL 21
by Ken Pishna
The Ultimate Fighting Championship today officially confirmed
what has been rumored for quite some time now, their official
return to the United Kingdom on April 21, 2007. Their first show
in Great Britain in nearly five years is set to take place in
Manchester, England at the MEN Arena, with tickets going on sale
on Monday, Feb. 19.
“We
are very excited to be back in the UK,” said UFC President
Dana White in a release from the UFC. “We had a lot of obstacles
over the last six years, but I never gave up on bringing the
UFC back to the UK. Now we have our UK office up and running,
we’re going to have fights in the UK and throughout Europe,
so the UFC is here to stay.”
As
White stated, the return to England has been a long time coming,
but really got some legs to it in autumn of 2006 when the UFC
announced the hiring Marshall Zelaznik as the President of their
UK division.
England
has been a bastion of development for mixed martial arts in Europe
over the past couple of years with Cage Rage rising to the top
of the native promotions in the UK. It appears that Cage Rage
isn’t quite ready to give up their position as the leader
in the UK without a fight as they have a show scheduled for the
same day as the UFC’s return, just 3 hours away at Wembley
Arena in London.
Cage
Rage is doing their best to stack the card not only with top
UK talent – including Mark Weir, Mark Epstein, Paul Daley,
Alex Reid, James Zicic, and others – but they have also
signed K-1 and Pride veteran Bob Sapp and UFC and Pride veteran
Vitor Belfort to separate bouts. Along with the fight card, Cage
Rage has also extended a 20% discount to people who buy their
tickets by March 17th in an attempt to secure their live audience.
Despite
being so entrenched in the UK market, Cage Rage still faces a
difficult battle as the UFC has ballooned in popularity worldwide
over the past year and has a multitude of marketing resources
to draw upon. It appears they are also looking to ramp up their
returning roster as early rumors suggest the inclusion of Mirko
“Cro Cop” Filipovic, Tito Ortiz, Forrest Griffin, and
Andrei Arlovski as likely participants on the April 21st fight
card.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Brandon
Vera Demanding Too Much?
Brandon Vera has been one of the most talked about heavyweight
fighters in MMA recently, with all of that attention due to his
contract dispute/negotiations with the UFC. Vera currently has
one fight left to fulfill on his UFC contract which expires this
September. It was thought that Vera would have had a title shot
against Tim Sylvia already, but the UFC is not going to give
a title shot to a fighter not under long-term contract.
MMAlowdown.com
is citing an article from WrestlingObserver.com which discusses
the current state of contract negotiations between Vera and the
UFC.
According
to Dave Meltzer of Wrestlingobserver.com, the UFC offered Brandon
Vera $200,000 guaranteed per fight, with much more if he wins
the title and headlines Pay Per Views.
Brandon
Vera and his camp shot back with a demand of a $1.5 million signing
bonus with seven figures guaranteed per fight on a three fight
deal, which was the same amount offered by Gary Shaw of Elite
XC, as soon as Vera’s contract expires in September. The
UFC thought the offer was laughable and turned it down without
any thought at all. Gary Shaw did confirm to Meltzer the figures
were accurate.
Now,
there is no verification that any of this information is correct.
In fact, Gary Shaw of EliteXC has made a point to say that he
will not negotiate with any fighter currently under contract
with another organization.
If
the UFC really has made an offer of $200,000 per fight to Brandon
Vera, I personally think he is a fool to not accept such an offer.
While Vera is an exciting up-and-coming fighter, he really hasn’t
beaten anyone of note in his career. In fact, you could argue
that his “biggest” win to date was against a past-his-prime
Frank Mir.
For
Vera to “demand” over a million per fight with a 1.5
million dollar signing bonus is crazy, IF IT IS TRUE. I’m
not so sure these numbers can be completely trusted, but I’m
putting them out there for you to decide on your own.
Personally,
I think $200,000 per fight is even too much to offer Vera at
this point.
Source: MMA HQ
|
Pitbulls
train together
NYC team getting ready to face Red Bears
Unlike
last year, when they lacked unity and some organization, in 2007
the New York Pitbulls are serious about getting fit for the IFL
season. That’s what Ben Fowlkes reported at the league’s
web site. The group training sessions were a promisse the team
coach, Renzo Gracie, made last year.
“We’ve
all really been pushing hard since Renzo’s fight in December,”
confirmed heavyweight Bryan Vetell. The team schedule includes
several sessions under the direction of Renzo and also trainings
without the coach.
During
a rare break in the work out, Renzo pupil’s spoke their
minds about the master’s last fight against Frank Shamrock:
“Anyone who would say that Renzo was pretending obviously
doesn’t know what they’re talking about,” said
lightweight Erik Owings about Shamrock’s attempt to make
the crowd believe that the illegal knee strikes to Renzo’s
back of the neck weren’t that hard.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Former
Fighter Gil Castillo In Hot Water
Former UFC fighter and previous member of our fight team, Gil
Castillo, is being actively sought by government officials for
defrauding investors. Below is a story in today's Contra Costa
Times newspaper:
Walnut
Creek commodities-investment adviser, who law enforcement officials
cannot locate, must pay $1.3 million to settle a Commodity Futures
Trading Commission lawsuit accusing him of defrauding clients
through Web sites with names such as Never-Lose.com.
Gilbert
Castillo Jr. and his firm, Castle Enterprise Corp., were ordered
by a U.S. District Court judge in San Francisco to forfeit $814,900
in gains and pay $480,000 in fines, the CFTC said.
Castillo's
Walnut Creek-based firm, which was not registered with the CFTC,
operated Web sites that misled prospective clients about his
prowess and track record from 1999 to 2005, according to Judge
Thelton Henderson's order.
In
its lawsuit, the regulator accused Castillo of claiming his "amazing
Crystal ball method" helped forecast market moves and falsely
touting annual investment returns of more than 400 percent.
The
CFTC filed its lawsuit in April and never located Castillo, court
records show. No attorney is listed for him, and his phone number
couldn't immediately be found. His Web sites have since been
shut down.
Source: Gracie Fighter
|
Quote
of the Day
"You
know you are on the road to success if you would do your job,
and not be paid for it."
Oprah Winfrey, American Talk Show Host/Actress/Entrepreneur
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE TONIGHT!
EAST vs
WEST SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY FEB 16,
HAWAIIAN WATERS!
DOOR OPEN 6:30 FIGHTS START 7:30PM
FIGHT CARD
145lbs.
PIP World Championship (3x2 Mintue Rounds)
Lorenzo
Moreno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs. Zack Rapal (Fighters Union, Waianae)
160lbs
PIP State Championship (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Ikaika
Choy Fu (Jesus is Lord, Kaneohe) vs. John Visante Jr. (Sit You
Down, Waianae)
150lbs.
Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Kaipo
Gonzales (Team MMAD) vs. Chris Goodsen (Westside Connection,Waianae)
INTERMISSION
170lbs
Championship Bout (3x 2 Minute Rounds)
Kona
Ke (Team Ruthless, Makaha) vs. Zane Kamaka (Guts & Glory,
Waianae)
155lbs
Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Makana
Fonda (Bulls Pin, Kalihi) vs. Shaison Laupola (Team Ruthless,
Makaha)
Heavyweight
(3X 1½ Minute Rounds)
Deusch
Puu (Freelance, Ewa Beach) vs. Justin Pulai (Westside Connection,
Waianae)
195lbs.
P.I.P Championship Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Junior
Sua (TBA, Waipahu) vs. Curtis Jones ( Dream Team, Waianae)
130lbs.
(3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Julio
Moreno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs. Matt Kauhane (One Speed Fight
Team, Kailua)
215lbs.
Exhibition (3x1 Minute Rounds)
Paul
Savea (Jesus Is Lord, Waipahu) vs. Carl Sua (Fighters Union,
Waianae)
INTERMISSION
140lbs
Bout (3x1½ Minute Rounds)
Ryan
Lee (Bulls Pin, Kailihi) vs. Colin McKenzie (Team Ruthless, Makaha)
140lbs.
Bout( 3x 11/2 Minute Rounds)
Brandon
Day (One Speed Fight Team, Kailua) vs. William Armstrong (Uprising
Fight Team, Wahiawa)
150lbs
Bout (3x11/2 Minute Rounds)
Randy
Rivera (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Jon Bernard (Team Ruthless, Makaha)
175lbs.
Bout (3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Aaron
Panoke (Freelance, Honolulu) vs. Bryson Okada (Sit You Down,
Waianae)
185lbs..Bout
(3 X 1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Justin
Lawelawe (Uprisisng Fight Team)Vs. Miller Ualesi (Sit You Down,
Waianae)
160lbs.
Bout (3x 1½ Minute Rounds)
Chad
Valentine (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Kia Hale-Gannigan (Untaimed Bloodline,
Waipahu)
135lbs.
Bout(3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Jarret
Matsuda (Koden Kan, Kailua) vs. Sam Ferrira (Team Ruthless, Waianae)
Source:
Event Promoter
|
Got
Skills Fighter Weigh-Ins
Today
GOT SKILLS FIGHTER.
WEIGH-INS.
FRIDAY, FEB. 16th @ 6:00PM.
ILIMA INTERMEDIATE. EWA BEACH.
*THOSE UNDER 18 REQUIRED TO BRING PARENT/GUARDIAN w/ PHOTO I.D.
GOT SKILLS FIGHTER.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17.
WAIPAHU FILCOM CTR. DOORS OPEN 7:00PM.
FIGHTCARD.
120
JAN QUIMOYOG (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL VARQUEZ (EWA BEACH GRAPPLING)
125
JULIO MORENO (BULLSPEN) VS. EVAN QUIZON (TEAM DEVASTATION)
130
DAMIEN DAS (INNER CIRCLE) VS. BRYSEN KEALOHA (TEAM DEVASTATION)
140
TONY PEREIRA (WAIANAE KICKBOXING) VS. JAMAL BENITEZ (EWA BEACH
GRAPPLING)
140
KEONI SALAS (BULLSPEN) VS. RONNIE VILLAHAMOSA (HOUSE OF PAIN)
140
RICHARD BERNARD (HSD) VS. LOREN OTAKE (HMC)
150
KOA (HARD KNOCKS) VS. JOSIAH NANCO (ANIMAL HOUSE)
155
HERMAN SANTIAGO (INNER CIRCLE) VS. PAUL LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
155
RAYMOND TRAN (BULLSPEN) VS. KAPENA ABULE (VALENTINO KICKBOXING)
165
KALEO ING (TEAM MIXBREED) VS. TIKI MOUSSER (FREELANCE)
170
JON CRUZ (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. JOSH (JESUS IS LORD)
185
DONOVAN COLLIER (INNER CIRCLE) VS. JASON LOPES (JESUS IS LORD)
195
BRANDON MARTIN (HSD) VS. CLIFF NAMOC (EWA BEACH GRAPPLING)
200
DONOVAN KITZMILLER (INNER CIRCLE) VS. BRAD TAVARES (UNIVERSAL
COMBAT SPORT)
240
MICHAEL CLARK (TEAM ISLAND THUNDER) VS. ALIKA VELAROSA (ANIMAL
HOUSE)
170
PJ DEAN (O2 MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY) VS. JUSTIN KONIA (ANIMAL HOUSE)
130
STEPHEN PALING JR. VS. COREY FREITAS (ANIMAL HOUSE)
135
JAY BOLOS (ANIMAL HOUSE) VS. JERRY (JESUS IS LORD)
TICKET INFO CALL #779 3237. Or go to www.gotskills.cc.
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE @ FIGHTER’S CORNER & PARTICPATING
TEAMS.
GOT SKILLS™ is the
ORIGINAL and 1st event in Hawaii to
feature multi fighting-styles in the same event!
“Where ‘respect’ is earned, not bought!”
Source: Rick Lee
|
Renzo
Comments on Fight , More News
1) "The f*@king guy actually looked up to the referee and
said "I'm going to knock him out, I'm just waiting for him
to get tired and then I'm going to get up and knock him out."
I looked at him and said, no man your gonna stay here on the
bottom for the whole f%*king fight. I think he decided to foul
me so the whole world wouldn't see how bad his ground game truly
is"
Source: Gracie Fighter
|
COLE
ESCOVEDO SUFFERS PARALYSIS FROM INFECTION
by Ken Pishna
Cole Escovedo, a longtime veteran of the World Extreme Cagefighting
promotion (Cole started fighting on the WEC’s second event
ever), is currently suffering paralysis from the waist down.
According
to a post by Laura Escovedo on MMA.tv and confirmed by Reed Harris
of the WEC, Cole contracted a staph infection back in December
that went unchecked because he just thought it was a spider bite
or something of that sort. By the time he was diagnosed in January
with staph, the infection made its way into his spine and paralyzed
him from the waist down.
Cole
was hospitalized and underwent an operation to alleviate some
of the fluid that had built up on his spine due to the infection.
He has since been released from the hospital and is now at home
with a walker and is set to begin therapy.
At
the time of publication, it was unknown whether Cole’s paralysis
is a permanent or, hopefully, a temporary condition.
One
of the top 145-pound fighters in the world, Cole has fought most
of his career in the WEC and has amassed a professional record
of 11-4. Known as the “Apache Kid,” he has won seven
of his fights by triangle choke, his signature finishing move.
As
Cole is considered a part of the WEC family, Harris and everyone
at the WEC, as well as those of us at MMAWeekly.com, would like
to wish Cole a speedy recovery and our hopes and prayers go out
to him and his family.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
The
Brazilian Notebook
by Gleidson Venga (gvenga@sherdog.com)
Just
like with Brazilian soccer, the beginning of every year is when
mixed martial artists are going through changes, negotiations,
and virtually everything else.
Vitor Belfort is back in Rio de Janeiro to train alongside the
newborn team known as "Black House." Antonio Rogerio
Nogueira talks about his next PRIDE appearance. Jose Land-Jons
is packing his things to fight in Costa Rica. And new UFC acquisitions
are preparing for their Octagon debut.
Vitor Belfort promises his best in 2007
After spending some years living in Belo Horizonte, a quiet city
in Brazil, Vitor Belfort has returned to Rio de Janeiro, where
he will train full time with the Black House.
He believes that this change will give his career new life, and
soon he will be better than when he was in his prime - when he
was nicknamed "The Phenom."
"People are still calling me up, but that old Vitor will
not come back," said Belfort. "I'm ready to show a
better Vitor, more mature, more conscious, more technical and
with a good mind."
Belfort said he was seeing a psychologist. He also revealed that
he was on speaking terms with his former coach Carlson Gracie
before the jiu-jitsu legend's death in Feb. 2006. If Carlson
hadn't passed away, Belfort said, they would definitely be together
again.
"If I did something wrong against Carlson," Belford
said, "God was giving me the chance to fix things up."
"Minotoro" talks about his PRIDE 33 bout
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is scheduled to fight Feb. 24 in Las
Vegas against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou.
"I think he is a good opponent," said the Brazilian
Top Team 205-pounder. "I've been away from the ring for
a very long time, and this is giving me motivation. I'll be very
aggressive and determined. This will be my first fight in Las
Vegas and I hope to fight well and please the crowd."
"Minotoro" is enjoying his comeback, but admitted he
would like to face another opponent.
"I would like to fight against Wanderlei Silva for the title,"
stated Nogueira. "Unfortunately he doesn't accept my challenge.
Now I'll be waiting for another chance to face him."
"Pele" fights in bodogFIGHT.
Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons is scheduled to fight in the
next bodogFIGHT edition in Costa Rica. His opponent will be Phil
Norman.
"All I know about him is he has a few fights, and he is
undefeated," "Pele" told Sherdog about the Brit.
Holding a three-fight contract with the organization, the Brazilian
will fight at 170 pounds because he feels more agile and won't
need to cut a lot of weight.
The training sessions are difficult, he said.
"I'm well prepared and I'm just fixing what is going wrong."
Living in Canada, the veteran fighter has trained for some weeks
in Europe, where he was elevated to the rank of BJJ black belt.
To the fans, he promises he will be determined in the ring.
"Guys, a big hug for you all," he said. "To my
fans who are always cheering for me, you can be sure that in
my chest is beating a brave samurai heart. I'm a man who doesn't
walk away from the fight, because fighting is my life."
The Brazilian media name the best moments in 2006
The Web site "Portal do Vale Tudo" brought together
the Brazilian mixed martial arts media to crown the best moments
of 2006. Participants included Tatame, Nocaute and Gracie Magazine;
the newspaper Jornal do Vale Tudo; TV channel Premiere Combate;
and Web site Portal do Vale Tudo.
Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic, Diego Sanchez and Fabio
Negao were some of the names recognized.
Fighter of the Year
1) Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
2) Paulo Filho
3) Chuck Liddell
Fight of the Year
1) Diego Sanchez vs. Karo Parisyan
2) Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin
3) Josh Barnett vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
4) Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz
KO of the Year
1) Mirko Filipovic vs. Wanderlei Silva
2) Anderson Silva vs. Tony Fryklund
3) Gesias Calvancanti vs. Hiroyuki Takaya
Submission of the Year
1) Shinya Aoki vs. Joachim Hansen
2) Paulo Filhovs. Ryo Chonan
3) Marcus Aurelio vs. Takanori Gomi
Event of the Year
1) PRIDE Open-Weight GP Finals
2) UFC 66
3) HERO'S GP Finals
4) Super Challenge
Newcomer of the Year
1) Fabio Negão
2) Thiago Silva
3) Shinya Aoki
News and Notes
Roan Carneiro is one of the UFC's new acquisitions. The Brazilian
Top Team fighter will make his debut at UFC Fight Night in April
against Anthony Torres in the middleweight division. "UFC
is a dream coming true," said Carneiro.
Another UFC acquisition is Ediberto Crocota, a member from Minotauro's
Team. He will also fight in the middleweight division and is
the top prospect from his team. "Crocota is an excellent
fighter," said Rogerio Nogueira. "He is growing up
very fast in MMA. I'm sure he will fight well in UFC."
Wallid Ismail just signed a contract for the broadcast of his
two events - Jungle Fight and Mixed Martial Arts World League
(MMAWL) - on the Internet. This last event is his new project.
The transmission copyrights now belong to Infotec Business Systems
Inc. at www.wavelit.com. Infotec plans to become the biggest
Internet-TV network on the planet. Making good use of the success
of MMA in the U.S., and signing a contract with Wallid, the company
intends to be the top network in MMA.
At 61 years of age, Rei Zulu doesn't want to retire. Famous in
Brazil since facing Rickson Gracie twice in the 1980s, Zulu just
won another fight recently. On Jan. 20 he faced a 35-year-old
opponent, needing just 48 seconds to score win. His son, "Zuluzinho,"
said he planned to show the tape of the fight to PRIDE managers
because he wanted his father's last fight to happen with the
Japanese organization.
Source: Sherdog
|
Quote
of the Day
“A
wise person should have money in their head, but not in their
heart.”
Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745, Anglo-Irish Writer and Satirist |
Funeral
Services for Johnathan Vance
Johnathan
Vance's funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 20 at 5 pm at Borthwick
Mortuary
near Mauna Kea St, right off of Vineyard.
Borthwick Mortuary
1330 Maunakea Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone Number: (808) 522-5200
His
burial will be held at Valley of the Temple at 2 PM on Wednesday, February
21.
Johnathan
L. Vance was born on June 12, 1958 and died February 10, 2007.
I
was told this information verbally so if anything is incorrect,
please email us by clicking here and we will correct it as soon as
we can.
I
apologize for all the people emailing us. My incoming email is
down and I finally got access to a web based email so I am finally
getting your messages.
Mike
|
Got
Skills This Saturday!
WHAT -
GOT SKILLS
WHEN - FEB 17, 2007 (SATURDAY)
WHERE - WAIPAHU FILCOM CENTER
DAMIEN DAS 130 BRYSEN KEALOHA
INNER CIRCLE TEAM DEVASTATION
LOUIS RAMOS 200 BRAD TAVARES
INNER CIRCLE UNIVERSAL COMBAT SPORT
SHANEN KIRA 165 KIKI
TEAM MIXBREED ANIMAL HOUSE
DONOVAN COLLIER 185 JASON LOPES
INNER CIRCLE JESUS IS LORD
KOA 150 JOSIAH NANCO
HARD KNOCKS ANIMAL HOUSE
JON CRUZ 170 JOSH
TEAM ISLAND THUNDER JESUS IS LORD
MICHAEL CLARK 240 ALIKA VELAROSA
TEAM ISLAND THUNDER ANIMAL HOUSE
HERMAN SANTIAGO 155 PAUL LOPES
INNER CIRCLE JESUS IS LORD
KEONI SALAS 140 RONNIE VILLAHAMOSA
BULLSPEN HOUSE OF PAIN
RICHARD BERNARD 140 MICAH
HSD EWA BEACH GRAPPLING
JAN QUIMOYOG 120 PAUL VARQUEZ
INNER CIRCLE EWA BEACH GRAPPLING
RAYMOND TRAN 155 KAPENA ABULE
BULLSPEN VALENTINO KICKBOXING
BRANDON MARTIN 195 CLIFF NAMOC
HSD EWA BEACH GRAPPLING
JULIO MORENO 125 EVAN QUIZON
BULLSPEN TEAM DEVASTATION
KALAI IRVINE 185 CHEV LAMOYA
UNIVERSAL COMBAT SPORT ANIMAL HOUSE
TONY PERERRA 140 JAMAR ESLOSIO
WAIANAE KICKBOXING EWA BEACH GRAPLLING
PJ DEAN 170 JUSTIN KONIA
CASCA GROSSO ACADEMIA ANIMAL HOUSE
TBA 135 JERRY
JESUS IS LORD
MARCUS MARTINEZ 145 DESHAUN JOHNSON
BULLSPEN EWA BEACH GRAPPLING
ALL PARTICIPANTS AND MATCHES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
|
UFC
OFFICIALLY GOES UK ON APRIL 21
The Ultimate Fighting Championship today officially confirmed
what has been rumored for quite some time now, their official
return to the United Kingdom on April 21, 2007. Their first show
in Great Britain in nearly five years is set to take place in
Manchester, England at the MEN Arena, with tickets going on sale
on Monday, Feb. 19.
“We
are very excited to be back in the UK,” said UFC President
Dana White in a release from the UFC. “We had a lot of obstacles
over the last six years, but I never gave up on bringing the
UFC back to the UK. Now we have our UK office up and running,
we’re going to have fights in the UK and throughout Europe,
so the UFC is here to stay.”
As
White stated, the return to England has been a long time coming,
but really got some legs to it in autumn of 2006 when the UFC
announced the hiring Marshall Zelaznik as the President of their
UK division.
England
has been a bastion of development for mixed martial arts in Europe
over the past couple of years with Cage Rage rising to the top
of the native promotions in the UK. It appears that Cage Rage
isn’t quite ready to give up their position as the leader
in the UK without a fight as they have a show scheduled for the
same day as the UFC’s return, just 3 hours away at Wembley
Arena in London.
Cage
Rage is doing their best to stack the card not only with top
UK talent – including Mark Weir, Mark Epstein, Paul Daley,
Alex Reid, James Zicic, and others – but they have also
signed K-1 and Pride veteran Bob Sapp and UFC and Pride veteran
Vitor Belfort to separate bouts. Along with the fight card, Cage
Rage has also extended a 20% discount to people who buy their
tickets by March 17th in an attempt to secure their live audience.
Despite
being so entrenched in the UK market, Cage Rage still faces a
difficult battle as the UFC has ballooned in popularity worldwide
over the past year and has a multitude of marketing resources
to draw upon. It appears they are also looking to ramp up their
returning roster as early rumors suggest the inclusion of Mirko
“Cro Cop” Filipovic, Tito Ortiz, Forrest Griffin, and
Andrei Arlovski as likely participants on the April 21st fight
card.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Swick
vs. Okami at UFC 69
Today
on his MySpace page, Mike Swick officially announced his next
opponent and event. At UFC 69 Swick will be taking on Yushin
Okami in a fight most are reporting to be one that determines
if Mike gets his title shot or not.
In
the post Swick had this to say:
"Hey
guys,
Well,
for all of you who are wondering, I am fighting Yushin Okami
at UFC 69.
The fight will take place on April 7th in my hometown of Houston,
Texas! I am so excited and training very hard. I will train for
12 full weeks by the time I arrive in Houston, the longest I
have ever trained for a specific fight. I can't even describe
how good it feels to know I am coming home to fight in my backyard
in front of all my family and friends.
Thanks,
and I can't wait to see all you guys there!"
It
was a very smart business move for the UFC to place Swick's fight
in his hometown of Houston, Texas. If Mike beats Okami, he most
certainly deserves the title shot that he has repeatedly asked
Dana for.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
No
Gi brings Chute Boxe to Rio
The
Brazilian fightwear No Gi, who did recently a partnership with
the American fightwear company Everlast and was the sponsor of
big events like the ADCC Brazil and Shooto Brazil, announced
this week the new partnership with the team from Curitiba Chute
Boxe. The Brazilian fightwear will mount a new filial of the
team of great fighters as Wanderlei Silva and Maurício
Shogun in Rio de Janeiro . “The Chute Boxe team is coming
to Rio de Janeiro and it will be part of our training center.
So the Training Center of No Gi will be the Chute Boxe home in
Rio de Janeiro”, told Walmir Barroso exclusively to site
TATAME.
Source: Tatame |
PSL
Seminars
The
Professional Submission League (PSL), the champions league of
submission wrestling, has stacked the deck for this weekend Febuary
16-18 at TheFitExpo in Pasedena, Ca. The PSL will be conducting
a series of seminars that are FREE with your admission into TheFitExpo,
California's once a year fitness extravaganza. The PSL Seminars
feature 3 MMA Legends educating the public on the effectiveness
of the grappling arts in interactive hands on technical training
sessions.
This
weekends schedule is as follows:
Friday,
Feb 16, 2007 @ 6 PM
PSL Founder & World Cup Freestyle Wrestling Champion, Takedowns
for MMA & Submission Rico Chiapparelli www.r1gym.com
Saturday,
Feb 17, 2007 @ 12:15 PM
ADCC World Submission Wrestling Champion & Top Ranked MMA
Heavyweight, Submission Training Drills Jeff Monson www.jeffmonson.com
Sunday,
Feb 18, 2007 @ 1:15 PM
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Mundial & ADCC World Submission Wrestling
Champion, BJJ for Submission Saulo Ribeiro www.srjja.com
All
of the PSL Seminars will be held in the Conference Building,
1st Floor, Room C#101-102. TheFitExpo is providing us with mats
so bring training gear if you would like to participate (or just
swing by to watch).
All
PSL athletes will be signing autographs before and/or after their
seminars at the PSL booth in the main expo hall. The PSL booth
will be busy all weekend with special appearances by PSL athletes
along with 'The Voice of Pride' & new Icon Sport Middleweight Champion Frank
Trigg,
among others … Do not miss this unique opportunity to interact
with these world re-known martial artists while picking up some
of the PSL latest goodies.
For
more info on the PSL 'Where The Mission is Submission', go to
www.prosubleague.com
Tickets
for The Fit Expo are priced at $13 daily or $25 for the full
weekend and are available at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Discount coupons are available at selected area Subway Restaurants,
GNC Nutrition Shops, and 24 Hour Fitness locations.
For more info on the TheFitExpo go to www.thefitexpo.com
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Historic,
First Ever, State Sanctioned All Girls Caged Match
(Los
Angeles, Calif., Feb. 5, 2007)---It’s not your daddy’s
old school mud wrestling that’s a draw these days for men,
18-34, but all female caged fighting that ‘s generating
crowds and TV ratings, especially at testosterone driven Spike
TV.
The
first-ever, state sanctioned all female MMA (mixed martial arts)
“caged fighting” card, featuring fighters from the
U.S., Japan and Mexico, will take place Sat., Feb. 17, at the
Japan Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Titled “Fatal Femmes
Fighting” (www.fatalfemmesfighting.com) and presented by
J.I.M.M., LLC, the event features lightweight, flyweight and
middleweight match ups for a total of eight fights. Some of the
sport’s hottest talents, including the USA’s Lisa Ward
and Japan’s Masako Yoshida, will be on hand, doing battle
in the night’s most anticipated bout. A.J. Benza, current
host of “High Stakes Poster,” will help announce the
event and provide color commentary.
Promoter
Eddy Millis calls the Feb. 17 event “an historic moment
for a sport that’s just begging its ascension.”
“Unlike
pro wrestling, these are real fighters going toe to toe for championship
titles,” he adds.Sixteen of the sport’s best exponents
will fill out the Saturday night card, including Latina Jessica
Pené.
Featured on numerous national news shows, such as “60 Minutes,”
caged fighting draws more cable pay per views buys these days
than conventional boxing and its individual live events have
grossed as much as $5 million each. Tickets, priced at $45, $75
and $95 are on sale at the Japanese American Theatre (213 680
3700), at www.fatalfemmesfighting.com or by calling 1-877-FFF-9381.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
“Mother
is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.”
William Makepeace Thackeray, 1811-1863, Indian-born English Novelist
|
IS
PRIDE AT STAKE FOR ED FISHMAN?
The rumors swirling around a possible sale of Pride Fighting
Championships have been endless. Who’s going to get Pride?
Zuffa? Bodog? IFL? Vince McMahon? Ed Fishman? Or does it remain
a property of DSE?
Of
all the speculation, the least likely option is that Pride will
remain under the ownership of Dream Stage Entertainment, their
current parent company. Despite the strong desire to keep the
promotion in the Land of the Rising Sun, the hurdles may be insurmountable.
Pride has become a sinking ship with the loss of their homeland
television deal amid accusations of ties to the Yakuza (Japanese
mafia).
Although
the public stance is that Pride “is not for sale,”
there have been talks. In fact, MMAWeekly sources reveal that
there have been talks, in one form or another, with most of the
aforementioned parties. Does that mean that they have all made
a bid for Pride? No. But as Pride looks to find a way to move
forward as they have been dwarfed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s
shadow, various options have been explored with many potential
partners.
It
appears that most suitors have dropped out of the picture. The
two left standing at this point seem to be Zuffa (the UFC’s
parent company) and Pride’s own President of Pride U.S.A.,
Ed Fishman.
Sources
have indicated that Zuffa has made an offer to purchase Pride.
Zuffa’s ownership has not confirmed the offer or any details
about such an offer.
There
is also reliable information that Fishman is in negotiations
to purchase the company. Although he has not publicly confirmed
that any figures have been passed back and forth, Fishman has
recently made a public push for the company, saying, “I
would like a chance to buy Pride.”
Despite
neither Zuffa nor Fishman publicly acknowledging any detailed
negotiations, it would make sense for both to pursue such a transaction.
For Zuffa, for all intents and purposes, it would lock up the
current worldwide mixed martial arts market and gather nearly
every top fighter in the world under their umbrella.
As
far as Fishman is concerned, he is in a win-win situation in
his pursuit of the company. He currently has a multi-year contract
with Pride as the President of Pride U.S.A. If he buys the company,
he will move forward with marketing it the way he sees fit and
has the opportunity and apparently the resources to strengthen
Pride as a competitor to the UFC in the world-wide market, as
the UFC is set to expand into several other countries, most notably
Canada, Mexico and the U.K. Should he purchase the company, Fishman
has plans to aggressively expand Pride’s presence as well,
“I would not change anything except probably grow faster
here in the United States, China, Russia, Korea, and other countries.”
If
Fishman is not able to secure a deal to purchase Pride, just
his attempt to do so would most assuredly drive up the value
of the company. Although details of his current Pride U.S.A contract
are not made publicly available, anyone purchasing the company
would have to keep him on as President of the U.S. arm of the
company or buy out his contract.
If
DSE is inclined to sell or sees no other option, it would not
seem unreasonable that they might be more inclined to sell to
Fishman than Zuffa. Zuffa would obviously swallow the company
up and assimilate it to their rules, their ideals, and their
presentation.
Fishman
on the other hand has stated to MMAWeekly’s Scott Petersen
that his interest is not in changing Pride, but expanding its
market. “I can tell you that, for me, I want to expand Pride
the way it is. I love the way they make it more entertaining.
I love the production value. I love that the fights go faster.
I would not change anything except probably grow faster here
in the United States, China, Russia, Korea, and other countries.
What UFC has planned for it I have no idea if they’d keep
it or just roll the fighters into UFC," said Fishman.
His
intent to continue to present Pride in the fashion that the Japanese
owners have could weigh very heavily on DSE. Culturally, the
Japanese are a very proud people and if Fishman wants to continue
the company in a way that honors their creation, it could help
to sway their decision on who to sell to, if indeed the company
changes hands.
And
who knows, if Fishman is successful, maybe we’ll finally
get to see some of those dream match-ups that fans have been
pining for, at least if he has anything to say about it. “I
guess I have a dream that, if I’m lucky enough to buy [Pride],
I would love to find out who has the best fighters in the world,”
said Fishman. “Somehow I believe that UFC fans, they must
have something good because they bought Cro Cop for much more
money from Pride. He’s a great, great fighter from Croatia;
even though he was defeated by Fedor, Nogueira, Hunt, and Randleman.
I’m sure he will do unbelievable in UFC and I’m not
sure the UFC fighters will beat him. Maybe someday they’ll
take the challenge and put up their heavyweight with Fedor, and
their middleweight with Wanderlei, their welterweight with Henderson,
and their lightweight with Gomi and we’ll find out for sure.”
For
a guy who doesn’t yet own Pride, sounds like he sure has
a lot of plans at the ready to move the company forward…
Source: MMA Weekly |
André
Galvão debuts at MMA
Champion
of the Brazilian national selective for ADCC 2007 at the category
until 70kg, the black belt André Galvão (Brasa)
hopes that 2007 year will be the best one of his career. BJJ
world champion of 2005 and vice world champion in 2006, Galvão
wants to get his second title this year at the black belt, the
ADCC title and told that will debut at MMA ring. “My MMA
debut will happen during this year, after the Worlds Championships,
everything is already planned. I am training Boxing, and after
ADCC I will start to train punches with the Brasa MMA team with
Distak. This year will be a surprise year for me. I am more than
happy, thanks God”, said Galvão in exclusive interview
you may check out on Monday here at site TATAME.
Source: Tatame |
AL-TURK
BEATS KERR AT CAGE RAGE 20
Mark
Kerr looked unfocused and unimpressive against Mustafa Al-Turk,
a shell of his former self and clearly a man whose career as
a fighter is over. He didn’t really offer much of an offense
to Al-Turk aside from a brief attempt at a Kimura. Al-Turk was
all business throughout the fight, dominating the American with
ease in the standup and on the ground. A solid win for the London
Shootfighter Heavyweight who has still to be pushed any further
than halfway though a first round.
Marios
Zaromskis and Damien Riccio must take honors for “Fight
of the Night.” Zaromskis dominated the game, French fighter
in a standup war to be remembered. Zaromskis employed a Sprawl
and Brawl game plan to perfection, setting up kicks off a 3-4
punch combination and then defending the shoot. Three rounds
in and a T-shaped cut forced a halt to the bout to protect the
battered Frenchman.
Tom
Howard must still be wondering what hit him! From nowhere, Blackledge
threw a brutal high kick flattening the American out and leaving
him with a two-inch long gash across his forehead from right
eyebrow to hairline. The medical team and referee Leon Roberts
did a sterling job in protecting the fighter. I hope he’s
OK, a truly devastating KO.
James
Thompson recorded a loss to Butterbean having been caught with
a flash KO punch putting him down. Butterbean followed him down
to land more strikes as Thompson worked for a single to try and
turn his opponent, then referee Grant Waterman steps in to halt
the action recording a KO win for the American. Widely viewed
as an early stoppage by most in attendance and clearly frustrating
for James Thompson following his impressive win against Yoshida.
FULL
RESULTS:
Butterbean
def James Thompson via KO 0:43 R1
Mustafa
Al-Turk def Mark Kerr via GNP 2:29 R1 (Kerr taps out)
Tengiz
Tedoradze def Rob Broughton via Doc Stoppage (cut) 0:58 R2
Dave
Legeno def Dan Severn via Unanimous Decision
Daijiro
Matsui def Tom Watson via Armbar
Buzz
Berry def Mark Buchanan via GNP 2:18 R1
Tom
Blackledge def Tom Howard via KO 0:40 R1
Mazakazu
Imanari def Robbie Olivier via Flying Armbar 0:27 R1
Marios
Zaromskis def Damien Riccio via Doc Stoppage (cut) 4:37 R3
Ronnie
Mann def Ashley Grimshaw via Unanimous Decision
Jack
Toczyelowski def Jason Barrett via Doc Stoppage (cut) 4:04 R1
Francis
Heagney def Lee Doski via Kimura 2:50 R1
Source: MMA Weekly |
Quote
of the Day
"There
is no end. There is no beginning. There is only the infinite
passion of life."
Federico Fellini, 1920-1993, Italian Filmmaker
|
FCTV
Episode 47 is Tonight!
Fighters'
Club TV Episode 47 is cut and submitted to Olelo programming.
It will air our normal timeslot of 7pm every Tuesday night on Olelo
Oahu Channel 52.
It will show on Jan. 23, 30, Feb 6 and 11.
Episode
47 features:
-Highlights
from the 2007 January NAGA Absolute No-GI Division,
featuring Bruno Ewald, Dave Chew, Rylan Lizares, and a few more
of
Hawaii's top grapplers.
-interviews
with NAGA promoter Kipp Kollar and MMA.TV owner, Kirik
Jenness.
-Icon
Sport highlights of Jeremy Williams (Pro Boxer) vs Ron Fields
(MMA veteran)
-Technique
of the week, Mike and Mark demonstrate the kimura keylock
-FCTVemail,
Mike and Mark go over a bunch of viewers questions so don't
miss this as it might be yours!
Please
send your Suggestions, Comments, or Questions to:
fctv@onzuka.com
aloha,
fctv808
|
RIP
Johnathan Vance!
Local martial
arts icon, Johnathan Vance, head instructor for Advanced Kempo
Karate System, has passed away this past Saturday morning due
to reports of an advance form of blood cancer. Specifics are
not known at this time, but this is what we have been told. Vance
created Advanced Kempo from scratch and built it in to a very
competitive and active Kempo school producing some very good
kickboxers and many respectable martial artists.
We
had the opportunity to meet Johnathan and he always made time
to stop by and shake our hand and say hi whenever we bumped in
to each other. He is a modern day warrior that will be missed
by many. Our condolences go out to his family.
Rest
in Peace Brother!
|
State
takes closer look ultimate fighting events
By DAVID EGGERT
The Associated Press
LANSING,
Mich. (AP) — State officials are taking a closer look at
ultimate fighting in Michigan, calling the caged events illegal
and potentially life-threatening.
The
Department of Labor and Economic Growth said Friday it had issued
a cease and desist order against Bay City-based Adoreable Promotions
Inc., creator of the Original Toughman Contest, and promoter
Gregory Ahrens.
Ahrens'
event scheduled for Saturday in Muskegon still will be held,
but state regulators plan to be there watching intently.
Our
position has been that ultimate fighting is illegal in Michigan,"
said Archie Millben, enforcement director for the Bureau of Commercial
Services. "In some of the bouts, people just box each other.
What they're putting on constitutes an unlicensed professional
boxing show."
The
order involves an unlicensed event held at Saginaw's Dow Event
Center on Dec. 15, for which fighters were paid, according to
the state. Professional ultimate fighting is illegal in Michigan
— except at American Indian casinos — but regulators
want to investigate "amateur" mixed martial arts bouts.
Ahrens
said Friday that a travel stipend or gas money — not prize
money — was given to contestants at the December event.
He added that Saturday's fighters won't be paid at all. He also
plans to have fighters fill out waiver forms saying they're amateurs.
"Amateur
martial arts are exempt from regulation of the state," said
Ahrens, of Richland, west of Battle Creek. "We intend to
comply with the law."
He
said he doesn't plan to hand out trophies or medals at Saturday's
bouts. In mixed martial arts bouts, athletes kick, chop, hold,
wrestle and strike each other over three rounds.
Millben
said he's worried about safety — not just whether fighters
are paid, like in pro bouts shown on TV.
"You're
letting caged fighting go on in Michigan. It's big in the country,
so it's something under focus right now," he said.
But
Ahrens said mixed martial arts bouts have been held in Michigan
previously, saying 50 promoters around Michigan are arranging
events.
When
asked if the bouts have been allowed, Millben said: "I won't
say they've been allowed. I would say we didn't know about them.
... We've just caught up with them, to tell you the truth."
The
courts could eventually decide whether amateur ultimate fighting
is legal in Michigan.
"The
potential injuries to participants in these types of contests
or exhibitions are often costly and potentially life-threatening,"
said Robert Swanson, director of the Department of Labor and
Economic Growth.
Ahrens
responded: "Anytime you get into a fight is life-threatening,"
adding that fights can be stopped.
David
Eggert can be reached at deggert(at)ap.org
Source:
Mlive.com
|
Sugar
Shane is Too Sweet For Luis Collazo
In
a battle of slick welterweight boxers, "Sugar" Shane
Mosley (44-4, 37 KOs) won a hard-fought unanimous decision over
Luis Collazo (26-3, 12 KOs) in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 35-year-old Mosley looked like a 25-year-old Mosley by outworking
the younger Collazo in almost every round of the fight. He jumped
on Collazo from the first round with harder punches to the head
and body and never stopped fighting.
There were points in the fight where Collazo's southpaw style
gave Mosley some trouble and Collazo was able to land a few hard
left hands, but not enough of them to win the rounds or change
the momentum of the fight.
In the eleventh round, a counter right hand sent Collazo down
in the final seconds. Rather than sit on his lead in the twelfth
and final round, Mosley tried to go for a knockout as Collazo
looked for a lottery punch that never came. The final scores
were 118-109, 118-109 and 119-108.
The welterweight division is the absolute goldmine of boxing.
The amount of talent that currently exists in the welterweight
division is unmatched when compared to any weight division in
the sport.
Even with such a high level of talent at the weight, Mosley will
still have trouble finding an opponent because a lot of the big
names at 147 are locked up in upcoming bouts or litigation proceedings.
The man who would bring any welterweight the most money, Floyd
Mayweather, Jr., is scheduled for a meeting with Oscar De La
Hoya on May 5 in Las Vegas. The fight with De La Hoya takes place
at the junior middleweight division of 154-pounds, or seven pounds
shy of the welterweights.
Most anticipate that Mayweather will back down to the welterweight
division, whether or not he wins of loses the bout with De La
Hoya. Mayweather says that he will retire and Mosley blew his
chance at a fight and he plans to retire after beating De La
Hoya.
"He had the opportunity to fight me since 1998. Now he is
calling me out to make a big payday. He's part of Golden Boy
Promotions, just one of Oscar's puppets," Mayweather said.
Three other big names at the weight, WBA champ Miguel Cotto,
WBO champ Antonio Margarito and undefeated Paul Williams, are
involved in a circle of confusion and litigation.
Cotto will go up against Oktay Urkal in a mandatory title defense
on March 3 in Puerto Rico. Less than two weeks ago, it was announced
by Top Rank, that Cotto would then face Antonio Margarito in
the main event of a June 9 pay-per-view.
Almost a week following the announcement, it was reported that
Margarito had signed a contract to face Paul Williams in a mandatory
defense. Goossen Tutor, promoter of Margarito, put in the highest
purse bid to win the promotional rights to the Margarito-Williams
bout.
Top Rank, promoter of Margarito, did not take part in the WBO
purse bid because it was perceived that Margarito would vacate
his title to face Cotto in June. Shortly after the news came
out of the Margarito-Williams clash, Bob Arum, head of Top Rank,
immediately issued a statement that a lawsuit would be filed
against Goossen Tutor, Margarito and Margarito's co-managers.
Arum, claims that his company owns 100% of the promotional rights
to Margarito, and he did not have permission to sign a contract
to fight Williams. And, the only reason his company did not participate
in the purse bid proceedings was because he was promised by Margarito
and his managers that a fight with Cotto was the path they were
taking.
According to Margarito's team, they were unable to come to a
financial agreement with Arum for the Cotto bout. On the other
end, the WBO gave them a limited window to commit to a bout with
Williams, or Margarito would be stripped of the title. As the
clock began to tick down, Margarito signed the contract to make
his mandatory defense. If a favorable deal did not materialize
for Margarito (with Cotto), he would have lost the bout with
Cotto, and lost his title, which would have lost him the bout
with Williams.
It appears that potential bouts against Margarito, Cotto and
Williams are up in the air until the legal dispute can be sorted
out.
Regardless of what happens in a court of law, Mosley is not going
to face either Cotto or Margarito in the near future. The main
obstacle from making either fight is the feud between Golden
Boy Promotions, where Mosley is a partner, and Top Rank, who
handle Cotto and Margarito.
Kermit Cintron, the IBF champion, is also embroiled in a legal
dispute with his promoter Bobby Bostick, and his former promoter
Main Events. Originally, it was Cintron who was supposed to face
Mosley tonight. After he learned that Golden Boy Promotions was
going pay Bostick a number that was significantly higher than
what he was actually going to receive from Bostick for the Mosley
bout, he refused to move forward with the fight.
Cintron also revealed that Bostick owed him a lot of money for
prior bouts, including a memorable bout with David Estrada last
April. Main Events had an option to put in a bid for the bout
with Estrada, but were outbid by a higher number from Bostick.
After learning that Bostick did not live up to his bid, Main
Events felt duped and immediately sued him for the right to promote
Cintron. Bostick has counter-sued against Main Events and Cintron,
claiming that Cintron's claims of owed money is false.
Some other recognizable names that are possible opponents are
Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir, both former undisputed welterweight
champions. Baldomir does not have a date set for a bout, and
Judah returns to action in April. Arturo Gatti has a tentative
return date on July 14, rumored to be his final bout but it's
unlikely that Mosley will be picked as the opponent.
Mosley plans to stay active, already targeting a return to the
ring in the next few months.
"I'm going to fight again in May, June, possibly July. It's
probably going to be in June," Mosley said.
On the undercard;
Former WBA junior welterweight champion Vivian Harris (27-2-1,
18 KOs) overcame a very game Juan Lazcano (37-3-1, 27 KOs) to
win a close unanimous decision. The scores were 114-113, 115-112
and 115-112.
After Harris took the first two rounds, Lazcano began to fight
with intensity in the third round and made it a very close contest
for the entire fight. In the twelfth and final round, referee
Tony Weeks deducted a point from Lazcano for a minor low blow,
which gave Harris a 10-8 round to secure the decision.
Source: Boxing Scene |
Nine
minutes: How the Sydney Olympics changed wrestler Rulon Gardner's
life
By
Doug Robinson
Deseret Morning News
Nine
minutes. That was all it took to change Rulon Gardner's life,
for better or worse — one nine-minute wrestling match against
a legendary Russian, and here he is, almost seven years later,
still riding the wave of his Olympic triumph in Sydney.
The
wave has brought him to Utah and deposited him in a mountainside
home, high above North Salt Lake, where he lives conspicuously
alone when he is here at all.
He spends 200 to 300 days a year on the road, telling people
the story of how a Wyoming farm boy slew Goliath. He spends so
many days on the road that he moved here to be close to Salt
Lake International Airport, which can be seen from his balcony.
He plans to buy a private plane soon to save travel time; he
will pilot the plane himself. His life is travel, speaking and
phone calls, all spin-offs from those magical nine minutes.
"When we first went to Sydney, we had no idea what was ahead
of us," says Gardner's father, Reed, a retired dairy farmer.
The Olympic champ is now a professional motivational speaker,
and the mention of this appellation causes Gardner, who is sitting
at a table in his kitchen tapping intermittently at a laptop
to check e-mail, to launch into an imitation of late comedian
Chris Farley's famous Matt Foley character. He's got the voice,
shape (300 pounds plus) and comedic instincts to pull it off.
"My name is Matt Foley," he begins, "and I'm a
motivational speaker; I'm 35 years old and I live in a van down
by the river."
But, of course, Gardner, now the same age as Foley, is not exactly
living in a van down by the river eating government cheese. He
is surrounded by the tell-tale signs of money. He lives in this
spacious house, with its panoramic view of the Great Salt Lake
and Bountiful. There is a 14-foot TV screen downstairs, along
with a sauna/steam room. The two-car garage is crammed with a
Hummer (license plate: KUJO), a vintage Mustang, an Audi and
a Harley. In the driveway there is a shiny black pickup (GOLD),
and parked elsewhere is a boat and a Jeep, and soon he will add
the airplane to his transportation collection.
"I'm
still blown away," says Gardner. "Every day is a miracle.
I was going to be a first-year, 34-year-old P.E. teacher in Afton,
Wyo."
Instead, he is a professional speechmaker who earns more in one
week than a teacher makes in a year, pulling down about a million
dollars annually. He travels 300,000 miles in a year and gives
well over 100 speeches to groups ranging from John Hancock, AT&T,
IBM, Wal-Mart and Blue Cross to pharmaceutical companies, farm
organizations and schools. He pockets $10,000 to $15,000 per
gig.
"He spent nine minutes on the mat with that ugly man from
Russia," Reed Gardner likes to say with a laugh. "I
spent 50 to 60 years on the farm, and I don't have nothin."'
Over and over, Gardner speaks about success, overcoming odds,
persistence, hard work, etc., and, of course, those nine minutes.
He tells of how the country boy beat the unbeatable, larger-than-life
Alexander Karelin, the nine-time world champ and three-time Olympic
champ, in the Greco-Roman heavyweight wrestling finals at the
2000 Olympics' Sydney Summer Games.
To fully appreciate that feat, you should know that Gardner didn't
even qualify for an Olympic team until 2000, when he was 29 years
old. Karelin, meanwhile, hadn't even been scored upon in 10 years.
Opponents weren't as concerned about losing as much as escaping
with their health. Karelin was famous for a reverse body lift
in which he slammed his opponent on his head. The last time Gardner
had faced Karelin he had lost 5-0, which is the equivalent of
a 56-0 blowout in football. To this day, Gardner sees a chiropractor
several times a month to treat a neck injury from one of his
early bouts with the Russian (he believes he broke two vertebrae).
As he sits at the computer, he rotates his head side to side
periodically to make it pop and relieve stiffness.
The
day of the match in Sydney, a friend called Gardner from the
United States and pleaded with him not to compete against Karelin
because it wasn't worth it. Bob Costas, the TV commentator, said
the odds of Gardner winning were 2,000 to one.
Russian and Olympic dignitaries attended the match, planning
to give Karelin his historic fourth gold medal. But, of course,
Gardner prevailed 1-0, with Karelin doing the unthinkable in
the final seconds, dropping his hands and mumbling a surrender.
Gardner has been living off that one victory ever since, becoming
a multimillionaire in the process. He never envisioned that Olympic
victory would pay off like this through all those years of training
and meager stipends.
"This wasn't a dream," he says. "This was an unexpected
happenstance."
No other gold medalist wrestler has ever been able to cash in
like Gardner, not even the legendary Dan Gable or Utah's own
Cael Sanderson, who were actually better, more accomplished wrestlers.
But there has been no other win like Gardner's. It was Rocky
Balboa beating Russian Ivan Drago; the U.S. hockey team beating
the Russians. All of them dredged up the old Cold War rivalry.
Gardner has rushed to make the most of the opportunities those
nine minutes gave him. Not only has he given hundreds of speeches,
he has made significant investments in real estate. He has invested
in the horse trade, buying a blue-blooded cutting horse to train
and breed.
He is building a health club in Logan, which will be called Rulon
Gardner L.A. Workouts.
He hopes it will be the first of several such ventures. He is
part owner of American Trails Adventures, which makes accessories
for four-wheel drive vehicles, and he invested in a wireless
Internet company.
He
is part owner of Granite Energy Inc., which owns hundreds of
oil wells in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. He is building an
11,000-square-foot house in east Layton, which he had planned
to live in but will soon put up for sale.
Other lucrative deals have fallen into his lap, but he has not
been so eager to embrace them.
The World Wrestling Federation — then known by its initials
as the WWF, and now called World Wrestling Entertainment, or
WWE — offered him $1.5 million a year shortly after he returned
to the United States from Sydney. Gardner turned it down. He
had a formal meeting with pro wrestling huckster Vince MaMahon
but rebuffed his offers.
"Life is not about money," he says. "You can make
money any way you want if you lower your standards. I don't believe
in hurting people, even if it's fake. I don't want to portray
that image."
As he speaks, Gardner's cell phone rings with another offer to
fight, this one a match against Russia's Fedor Emelianenko in
a mixed martial arts bout that would consist of, in Gardner's
words, "full contact and pretty much no rules." Only
eye-gouging, head-butting, biting and shots to the groin are
specifically banned.
"Fedor has no weaknesses," says Gardner. "I watched
him beat the hell out of a guy. (Mike) Tyson is a chump compared
to Fedor."
Gardner has received several similar calls coaxing him to take
the fight against Fedor. The money is good — $500,000 just
to get in the ring — but Gardner says he probably won't
accept because the object is to injure.
He did accept one fight. Four months after tearfully retiring
from wrestling following his bronze-medal performance at the
2004 Summer Games, he competed in a mixed martial arts fight
in Tokyo against Olympic judo champion Hidehiko Yoshida.
"I
did it because it was champ against champ," says Gardner.
After the bout, he conceded that as he met Yoshida at center
ring before their match, he wondered if it was too late to back
out. For a man who says he has never been in an altercation,
it was a frightening experience. It wasn't until after he received
threats on his life after his Olympic triumph that he took six
weeks of training in self-defense, which probably helped him
defeat Yoshida in what aficionados considered a major upset.
He reportedly collected $200,000 for his pains.
"After that fight, he told his mother he wouldn't do that
anymore," says Reed Gardner.
From the outset, his parents and siblings urged him not to accept
such fights or to wade into pro wrestling, even when the WWF
was dangling $1 million in front of him.
"For a kid who never had 20 bucks in his life, it was a
tough decision," says Reed Gardner. "But we told him
the money is not worth getting your face beat off."
Ethical and moral considerations aside, Reed Gardner believes
it would have been a mistake financially for his son to enter
the seamy world of pro wrestling.
"If he had done that, it wouldn't have allowed him to do
the things he's doing," he says. "When he won, this
country needed someone who was a small-town farm kid who seemed
to touch a lot of people. If he had done the WWF, the iron would
be cold by now. He would be associated with those people."
The day Rulon Gardner returned from Sydney, he was met by Mary
Lou Retton, the Olympic gymnast champion and queen of the 1984
Summer Olympics.
She told him to be careful how he handled his newfound celebrity.
"She knew what was in the future for him," says Reed
Gardner. "She advised him. She told him to be careful who
he signed as a manager and how he handled his money."
Overnight,
he went from anonymity and per diems to fame and wealth. It was
a strange new world for a young man who grew up milking cows.
Before the Olympics, he was living on an annual stipend of $9,000
from USA Wrestling, surviving largely on his wife Stacy's job
as a teacher.
Then came those nine minutes on the mat in Sydney and he was
the toast of America. He made the round of TV shows — Letterman,
Leno, Conan, Oprah, the "Today", "Who Wants to
Be a Millionaire" (where he won $125,000 — was this
guy on a roll, or what?).
He did milk ads. He appeared on Capitol Hill. He met President
Bush twice. He did a guest shot on "Nash Bridges."
He went to the ESPYs. He took a bow at a Jazz game. He was invited
twice to the Playboy Mansion but declined. And then he went on
the road to make his fortune, and he's still there today. Try
to leave a message on his cell phone and you'll likely be told
that it's full.
The money and travels and celebrity have come with a steep price.
He has been married and divorced three times, twice since winning
the gold medal. He married while attending Ricks College, but
the lifestyle and focus of a wrestler took its toll and they
eventually divorced. His second marriage lasted four years (none
of his marriages produced children), ending a year after the
Sydney Games.
"People dream of something, but be careful what you dream
for," he says. "I didn't dream this. I didn't expect
it. But when you travel 300 days a year, when you're on the road
that much and always gone and people want you to do stuff —
I get three to four calls a day for charities — you have
opportunities. After winning the gold, the stress took its toll.
After I won, it changed everything. I went from my training and
wrestling to nonstop traveling. In March of 2001, I was gone
every day."
Gardner's
brother Russell once told the Rocky Mountain News, "So many
things happened so fast after the Olympics that there was no
way of overcoming it. In 35 days, he spent about six hours at
home. Not only that, he became frustrated and short (with people).
I think both changed."
Gardner married a Utah nurse a month before the 2004 Athens Olympics,
but they divorced after less than a year of marriage.
"No, I'm not lonely," Gardner says. "I'm happy.
I have lots of friends."
While he says this he is perusing an Internet dating site for
LDS singles and making occasional comments about their beauty.
The Gardners, Reed says, tell Rulon that if he's going to settle
down with a family he better get to it. "Every member of
the family told Rulon he was making a big mistake," says
Reed Gardner of the divorces.
The Gardner siblings, like their parents, are salt-of-the-Earth
people. Rollin has taken over the family farm. Diane teaches
school in Evanston. Marcella is a nurse in Laramie. Evonne Henderson
is married and lives in Iowa. Reynold is finishing a Ph.D. in
Oregon and hopes to return to Afton to teach. Geraldine Ward
is a cardiologist in Cheyenne. Russell teaches at the Afton middle
school and owns and operates a convenience store in town.
"Rulon lives a different lifestyle than the rest of us,"
says Reed Gardner. "One thing I tell him is that he ought
to get a real job and get up in the morning."
He thinks about this a moment. He is a man who oozes wisdom,
the kind that is accrued while milking cows 730 times a year
for half a century.
Reed Gardner continues, "There is so much pressure being
a celebrity. He's not the same kid he used to be, and I wouldn't
expect him to be. Being a celebrity would change anybody. Someday
he's going to have to slow down. At one time I thought he would
be a coach. But he is not pursuing it, because that iron is still
hot and he's making his living traveling around giving speeches."
Rulon
Gardner has attacked his life away from the mat with zeal. He
snowmobiles, wakeboards, travels the world, rides his Harley.
He still trains occasionally with the U.S. wrestling team and
conducts wrestling clinics around the country, hoping to help
prepare a new Olympic champion. He has nearly completed his schooling
for a pilot's license, after which he will buy a plane and pilot
himself to speaking events, saving himself time wasted in airports.
At times, he seems to possess reckless abandon. In 2002, he spent
17 hours in the Wyoming backcountry after his snowmobile dropped
into a hidden lake. Gardner was soaked, and temperatures fell
to minus 25 degrees.
Eventually, he lost most of a middle toe to frostbite, which
has since melded into a neighbor toe — "It kind of
grew over and made a little friend," is the way Gardner
puts it.
A local doctor who assisted Gardner's birth once told his parents
that their son was going to be accident prone, and he has seemed
bound to prove him right. He once accidentally impaled himself
on a hunting arrow and walked to the hospital. About 10 days
before the 2004 U.S. wrestling championships, he T-boned his
Harley into a car. He did a front somersault and popped right
to his feet. He went to practice that afternoon. Two days later
he dislocated his wrist in a pickup basketball game.
Many wondered why Gardner bothered to return to the Olympics
in 2004, knowing he had a tough act to follow and his fortune
was made.
"People ask me why I do so many things," he says.
"Because I can. I grew up squeezing (cow) teats all my life.
I busted my butt so many years wrestling and training; now I
enjoy life."
So,
how long will Gardner be able to ride the Sydney gravy train?
"That's the ultimate question," he says. "I don't
think it will ever dry out. But if there's a point I don't have
financial needs, I'll do it free."
His father's advice notwithstanding, Gardner says he will never
"get a real job." He plans to build several health
clubs that offer the usual fitness amenities, plus wrestling
clubs. He wants to continue to work with the national team and
promote schools. He hopes to curtail his travel and speech commitments
soon to devote more time to his health clubs and other things
he's "invested in," as well as his personal life.
"I think of traveling as more days that I've lost of my
life," he says.
But after seeing 49 states and 40 countries in his young life,
Gardner is looking forward to coming home someday.
"Ultimately, my goal is to end up back in Wyoming to end
up with my family."
Source:
Deseret morning news |
Quote
of the Day
Mom always
tells me to celebrate everyone's uniqueness. I like the way that
sounds.”
Hilary Duff, American Actress and Singer
|
EliteXC
Results
SHAMROCK
DQ'D; LADIES STEAL THE SHOW
Southaven,
Miss. – Debut events can be the toughest time for any organization
trying to put the best foot forward in MMA. When the UFC came
back under Zuffa in 2001, every televised fight going to decision
and a main event getting cut off by pay-per-view didn’t
bode well for the organization. Lackluster production plagued
the WFA’s debut event in 2006. And now Elite XC gets to
add on to that list in which a great night of fights were overshadowed
by a controversial ending in the main event.
Frank
Shamrock and Renzo Gracie added another chapter to their family
rivalry but this time with no solid conclusion to talk about.
In the first round, Shamrock came out looking to stand with Gracie,
landing some good leg kicks early on. Gracie withstood and got
to the clinch with Shamrock, eventually taking him down where
he spent a great amount of time in side control trying to improve
positions. The 2nd round opened much the same way with Renzo
Gracie taking Shamrock down with relative ease and ending up
in side control once again.
This
time around, Shamrock started to push off the cage, trying to
move or get out of the position. As Renzo tried to land some
elbows from side control, Shamrock threw two consecutive knee
strikes that landed flush to Gracie’s head and neck. While
impressive by nature, the knees were in fact illegal as they
were thrown and landed on a downed opponent. Referee Herb Dean
stepped in to stop the action in which time Gracie rolled over
with a wide eyed look, staring at the ceiling. The Brazilian
was given 5 minutes to recover to see if the fight could continue
but the damage was done and the fight was stopped.
After
a conference with Herb Dean the announcement was made that Frank
Shamrock had been disqualified due to the illegal knee strikes
to the head of Renzo Gracie, who couldn’t continue after
the blows. Renzo Gracie wins by DQ at 2:00 in the 2nd round but
the stoppage will no doubt leave a black eye on an overall solid
show.
Antonio
Silva returned to action after a disappointing loss to Eric Pele
in Bodog Fight by stopping Wesley “Cabbage” Correira in first round. Silva
took the fight to the ground early with a great double leg takedown
where he unleashed a ground and pound attack. Cabbage survived
early but after standing back up he was greeted with a flying
knee that put the former UFC heavyweight on the mat. Silva jumped
in and slammed Cabbage with punches, forcing a stop to the action,
giving the big man from Brazil his 8th professional win in his
career, this probably the biggest of his relatively short career.
Joey
“The Dreamsmasher” Villasenor, who seemingly changed
his moniker just before the bout to “Smokin” Joe Villasenor,
had a very impressive showing in the biggest win of his career
over former #1 middleweight contender, David “The Crow”
Loiseau. After a tough run in Pride that saw him lose 2 in a
row, Villasenor came out with a renewed fire ready to prove that
he belongs at the top with other great 185lb fighters. In the
first round, he took Loiseau down at will and worked side control,
landing elbows to the head and knees to the body. Loiseau gave
up his back at will, something he is becoming quite notorious
for doing, but Villasenor could not capitalize. The 2nd round
saw much of the same with Villasenor taking Loiseau down and
continuing the ground attack on the mate. A 3rd round saw Loiseau
try to come alive after a very lackluster showing in the first
2 sessions but Villasenor started to show his boxing skills by
hitting some very good body shots while defending from the Canadian’s
unorthodox strikes.
“Smokin”
Joe Villasenor gets a unanimous decision win over David Loiseau
in very impressive fashion by dominating fashion through all
3 rounds. The former King of the Cage champion has now proven
he can hang with the best in the world after beating Loiseau
and will now wait for his next challenge in Elite XC.
Women’s
mixed martial arts has taken huge strides in the last few months,
none bigger than the marquis fight featured on the main card
of the Elite XC show between Gina Carano and Julie Kedzie. The
two female fighters came in ready to prove that their brand of
combat can stand toe to toe with the guys.
Carano
looked absolutely phenomenal with her stand-up as she landed
numerous combinations that put Kedzie on her heels in every round.
Whenever Kedzie did manage to clinch with the muay thai champion,
it was Carano who overpowered the situation and took the bout
the ground, where she quickly stood the action back up. Kedzie
was rocked with shot after shot from Carano but to her credit,
she kept fighting and coming back for more no matter the punishment
she was taking.
When
Kedzie finally did get Carano down, the Las Vegas native defended
well and eventually reversed the position and stood back up where
she again pummeled Kedzie from post to post. Carano nearly finished
the fight on numerous occasions with fierce punching and even
managed to throw some wicked high kicks that surely would have
ended the match-up if landed. After 3 very exciting rounds, Gina
Carano keeps her MMA record perfect with a unanimous decision
win over Julie Kedzie.
Trash
talking is a big part of any competitive sport and no fight on
the Elite XC debut card had more jaw jacking than the bout between
Hawaii’s
KJ Noons
and the always entertaining Charles “Crazy Horse” Bennett.
A feeling out period left the crowd wondering if the two warriors
were going to ever engage but soon after the stand-up war ensued.
Noons landed some good leg kicks that seemed to slow Bennett
down at points but it was the thunderous right hand from “Crazy
Horse” that ended the fight. The enormous shot was followed
up with a few more punches before the referee stepped in declaring
Charles “Crazy Horse” Bennett the winner at 3:43 in
the 1st round by knockout.
The
prelims were televised on Pro Elites website for free and outside
of the Kevin Federline clone running around annoying just about
everyone in attendance and watching at home, the broadcast was
a novel idea and a great way to introduce fans to Elite XC. Javier
Vazquez returned to action for the first time in over 3 years
and won a split decision over a very game Adriano Pereira. Mike
Pyle got back to his winning ways with a very dominant performance
over Rumble on the Rock veteran, Ross “Da Boss” Ebanez submitting the Hawaiian
by rear naked choke early in the first round. Tim “Big Perm”
Persey started off the night with a great knockout over Bo Cantrell.
Edson Berto won his bout by TKO over John David Shackelford but
not without some controversy as Berto grabbed at the cage multiple
times to stop from being pulled or reversed to which the referee
never addressed during the bout. Riki Fukuda defeated a very
overmatched Chris Gates by TKO early in the initial round as
well.
With
Shamrock vs. Gracie ending in such an anticlimactic way, there
will always be a shadow cast over this show. It was Shamrock’s
poor sportsmanship after the fight calling his opponent out and
saying that he was just getting ready to set him up to be knocked
out after Gracie controlled him for the better part of both rounds
that showed little class in defeat. The shining moment of the
show came with the debut of women’s MMA on the big stage.
Fight of the Night honors go to Gina Carano vs. Julie Kedzie,
who both showed tremendous heart and unbelievable skill in their
bout. Fighter of the Night is handed to Gina Carano who showed
that she is not just a pretty face but a pretty fierce fighter
to boot.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
PUNISHMENT
IN PARADISE
WEIGH INS FEB 15,2007 @ 6:30PM
EN FUEGOS GRILL (KAPOLEI)
ALSO
LAST DAY TO GET THE TICKETS FOR PRESALE PRICE!!
EAST
vs WEST SHOWDOWN
FRIDAY
FEB 16, HAWAIIAN WATERS!
DOOR
OPEN 6:30 FIGHTS START 7:30PM
FIGHT
CARD
145lbs.
PIP World Championship (3x2 Mintue Rounds)
Lorenzo
Moreno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs. Zack Rapal (Fighters Union, Waianae)
160lbs
PIP State Championship (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Ikaika
Choy Fu (Jesus is Lord, Kaneohe) vs. John Visante Jr. (Sit You
Down, Waianae)
150lbs.
Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Kaipo
Gonzales (Team MMAD) vs. Chris Goodsen (Westside Connection,Waianae)
INTERMISSION
170lbs
Championship Bout (3x 2 Minute Rounds)
Kona
Ke (Team Ruthless, Makaha) vs. Zane Kamaka (Guts & Glory,
Waianae)
155lbs
Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Makana
Fonda (Bulls Pin, Kalihi) vs. Shaison Laupola (Team Ruthless,
Makaha)
Heavyweight
(3X 1½ Minute Rounds)
Deusch
Puu (Freelance, Ewa Beach) vs. Justin Pulai (Westside Connection,
Waianae)
195lbs.
P.I.P Championship Bout (3x2 Minute Rounds)
Junior
Sua (TBA, Waipahu) vs. Curtis Jones ( Dream Team, Waianae)
130lbs.
(3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Julio
Moreno (Bulls Pen, Kalihi) vs. Matt Kauhane (One Speed Fight
Team, Kailua)
215lbs.
Exhibition (3x1 Minute Rounds)
Paul
Savea (Jesus Is Lord, Waipahu) vs. Carl Sua (Fighters Union,
Waianae)
INTERMISSION
140lbs
Bout (3x1½ Minute Rounds)
Ryan
Lee (Bulls Pin, Kailihi) vs. Colin McKenzie (Team Ruthless, Makaha)
140lbs.
Bout( 3x 11/2 Minute Rounds)
Brandon
Day (One Speed Fight Team, Kailua) vs. William Armstrong (Uprising
Fight Team, Wahiawa)
150lbs
Bout (3x11/2 Minute Rounds)
Randy
Rivera (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Jon Bernard (Team Ruthless, Makaha)
175lbs.
Bout (3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Aaron
Panoke (Freelance, Honolulu) vs. Bryson Okada (Sit You Down,
Waianae)
185lbs..Bout
(3 X 1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Justin
Lawelawe (Uprisisng Fight Team)Vs. Miller Ualesi (Sit You Down,
Waianae)
160lbs.
Bout (3x 1½ Minute Rounds)
Chad
Valentine (HMC, Kalihi) vs. Kia Hale-Gannigan (Untaimed Bloodline,
Waipahu)
135lbs.
Bout(3x1 ½ Minute Rounds)
Jarret
Matsuda (Koden Kan, Kailua) vs. Sam Ferrira (Team Ruthless, Waianae)
Source:
Event Promoter
|
Anderson
will train in Thailand
UFC champ to spend 20 days in Asia
Anderson
Silva's rest is training. After submitting Travis Lutter in UFC
67, held last Saturday, the Brazilian packed his bags to travel
across the world. Owner of one of today's greatest standup games,
Anderson is going to Thailand to perfect his muay thai. Interestingly,
this will be the first time Anderson visits the Asian country
that gave birth to one of the world's favorite martial arts.
First,
however, Anderson will stop by in London. In the English capital
he will teach seminars for those interested in learning a bit
from the arsenal that has been taking over the UFC's middleweight
division.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Heath
Herring returns at UFC 69
The “Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring has confirmed
that he will make his second UFC appearance at UFC 69 in Houston,
Texas.
Herring
lost in his UFC debut at the last Ultimate Fight Night to Jake
O’Brien. After the fight, Herring revealed that he had slightly
torn his MCL prior to the fight, and that is why he took his
rather unusual fighting stance and why he was so ineffective
on the ground and at stopping O’Brien’s takedowns.
Well,
Heath will get his chance to redeem himself in front of a hometown
crowd at UFC 69. No official opponent has been named yet.
UFC
69 will be headlined by the Welterweight title fight between
Georges St. Pierre, and The Ultimate Fighter season 4 winner,
Matt Serra. Also on the card is what should be an excellent fight
between Diego Sanchez and Josh Koscheck.
Source: MMA HQ
|
After
loss at ADCC, Jucão wants UFC
The BTT athlete Roan Jucão, who did signed contract to
do three bouts at the UFC octagon, will do his first bout at
the American event on April 5th, at UFC Fight Night 9. Jucão,
who will face the Hawaiian
fighter Anthony Torres, said that doesn’t know his adversary,
but knows that he never did lose. “I don’t know him
a too much, but he is pupil of the Inoue brothers and he never
did lose”, said Jucão.
Champion
of the national selective of ADCC 2005, Jucão enjoyed
the opportunity to avaluate his defeat at the selective to Marcelo
Uirapuru (Gracie Barra BH) and guaranteed that the favoritism
didn’t disturb him. “We just did need more resistence.
I did lose some weight to fight. I have always trained Submission
and I did get in the selective to adapt myself into the weight.
I lost for a tought athlete just because of a little detail”,
said Roan Jucão who is expecting to be invited by the
ADCC organization.
Source: Tatame
|
Diaz
on Gomi
We spoke to Nick Diaz on his upcoming encounter with current
lightweight Pride Champion, Takanori Gomi. The 23 year old did
not refrain from expressing his thoughts.
"I
don't think he has anything to offer that I haven't seen before.
I think I've fought tougher guys than him. The guys I've fought
hit harder, were better wrestlers and better grapplers. What
does he think he'll be able to do to me? I'm not intimidated
at all and if he thinks he can knock me out that's fine. I think
he'll be the one getting an ass beating so I hope he's ready."
- Diaz
Source: Gracie Fighter
|
|