Upcoming
Events
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event on Onzuka.com?
Contact Us
(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2008
6/5-8/08
World Jiu-Jitsu Championsihps
(BJJ)
(Long Beach, CA)
3/28-30/08
Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championship
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)
2/08
OTM Grappling Tournament?
1/26/08
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Location TBA)
Tentative
Kickboxing event
(Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
2007
11/23/07
Kickin It / Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Kickboxing, Various)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
Hawaii Fighting Championships 4
(Kickboxing & MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
11/18/07
The Quest for Champions 2007 II
(Sport-Pankration, Submission-Grappling, Continuous Sparring)
(St. Louis High School Gym)
11/17/07
Kickin It / Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Kickboxing, Various)
(Kalaheo High School, Kailua)
11/16-17/07
Hawaii Training Center Boxing match event
(Boxing)
(Hawaii Training Center, Waipahu)
11/11/07
Aloha
State Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
10/27/07
Freedom Fighting
"Battle on the Base"
(MMA)
(Kahunas Ballroom, MCBH, Kaneohe)
10/26/07
Kickin It / Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Kickboxing, Various)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
10/19/07
Hawaii Fight League
(MMA)
(Dole Cannery)
10/6/07
Gracie Proving Ground
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
9/28/07
Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Kickboxing, Various)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
9/15/07
Elite XC
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
September
Gracie Fighting Championships
(MMA)
9/8/07
UFC
75
(02 Arena in London, England)
(PPV)
Hawaii Fighting Championships 4
(Kickboxing & MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
8/31/07
Fighters Journey
Pro-Am MMA Event
(MMA)
(tba)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge, Honolulu)
8/25/07
UFC
74: Respect
(Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada )
(PPV)
8/23-25/07
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championshihps
(BJJ)
(The Pyramid, Long Beach, CA)
8/12/07
Punishment
In Paradise 17
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters, Kapolei)
***Postponed***
8/10/07
Hawaii's Most Wanted
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
8/4/07
X-1
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Island Warriors Fighting Championship
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
7/28/07
Maui
Jiu-Jitsu Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gymnasium, Wailuku, Maui)
7/21/07
Garden Island Cage Match 6: Caged Fury
(Kickboxing, MMA)
(Hanapepe Stadium, Kauai)
Palolo Boxing Club & Kawano Boxing Club
presents amateur boxing
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
7/14/07
Patriot Fighting Championships
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Kaneohe Marine Corps Base)
***Postponed***
7/13/07
Hawaii Fighting Championships: Stand Your Ground 3
(Kickboxing & MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
7/8/07
Dan Henderson Seminar
(MMA)
(O2
Martial Arts Academy, Aiea)
7/7/07
UFC
73: Stacked
(PPV)
7/1/07
Mike Swain Seminar
(Judo)
(O2
Martial Arts Academy, Aiea)
6/30/07
Icon Sport: Fearless
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
***Postponed
to 9/15***
6/29/07
MMA Contendors: Conflict - The Beginning
(MMA)
(Farrington H.S. Gym)
X-1 Presents
Fight Club Meets The Night Club
(MMA)
(O Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
6/23/06
Ultimate Fight Night
(BJ Penn vs Jens Pulver)
(Spike TV)
6/23/07
Hawaiian
Open of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
6/22/07
Got
Skills
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
6/16/07
UFC 72: Victory
(PPV)
6/12/07
UFC
Fight Night
(MMA)
(Spike Oceanic 559)
6/3/07
The Quest for Champions 2007
(Sport-Pankration, Submission-Grappling, Continuous Sparring
and Sport-Jujitsu)
(Saint Louis High School Gym)
5/27/07
Benefit Concert for the 2007 Hawaii Junior Olympic Boxing Team
(Ewa Ranch, Ewa Beach)
5/26/07
UFC
71 Liddell vs Rampage
(MMA)
(PPV Oceanic 701)
Memorial Day Mayhem
(Kickboxing)
(Kalaheo High School Gym)
5/19/07
Kickin it
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
5/12/07
Punishment In Paradise: Untouchables
(Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters, Kapolei)
USA-Boxing Hawaii Fundraising Event
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
5/5/07
ROTR Qualifer: Beat Down 3
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Center, Hilo)
4/28/07
Pride
Fighting Championships:
(PPV)
(Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV)
Maui MMA Event
(MMA)
(Maui)
K-1 World GP
(Kickboxing)
(Honolulu)
4/27/07
XMA
(MMA, Kickboxing)
**Cancelled**
4/24/07
Professional Boxing
(Boxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
4/20/07
Kickin It 2007 Part 3
(Kickboxing)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
4/7/07
Got Skills
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
Papakolea Jiu-Jitsu Club Tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(King Intermediate, Kaneohe)
4/6/07
Hawaii Fighting Championships: Stand Your Ground 3
(MMA)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
4/5/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/31/07
Icon Sport
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
3/25/07
Kickboxing Benefit Event for Mrs. Faagai
(Kickboxing)
(Waianae H.S. Gym)
3/24/07
Garden Island Cage Match
5
(MMA)
(Kauai)
The 2007
Hawaii State/Regional Junior Olympic Championships (Boxing)
(Palolo District Park)
UFC:
Tito Ortiz vs. Dana White boxing match
(Nevada)
*Cancelled*
3/17/07
X-1
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
Island Warriors
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial)
3/13/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
3/10/07
Hawaiian Championship of BJJ
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Klum Gym UH Manoa)
3/3/07
UFC 68
(PPV)
(Columbus, Ohio)
Kickin It
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
2/24/07
Pride Fighting Championships:
(PPV)
(Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, NV)
2/17/06
Got
Skills
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
2/16-17/07
USA-Boxing Hawaii State & Regional Championships
(Boxing)
(Palolo District Park Gym)
2/16/07
Punishment
In Paradise 15
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Hawaiian Waters)
2/9/07
Icon Sports
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
2/3/07
UFC
67
(Lutter vs Silva)
(PPV)
2/2/06
Got
Skills & Kickin' It
(Kickboxing/MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
1/23/07
Ultimate
Fight Night
(Spike TV)
1/20/07
IFL
(MMA)
1/14/07
NAGA Hawaii
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(St. Louis H.S. Gym)
1/13/07
USA Boxing Amateur Boxing
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
1/12/07
K-1 Dynamite
(MMA)
(PPV, 5:00 PM Ch: 701)
|
|
November 2007 News
Part 1
|
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 environment! |
 
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.
Onzuka.com
Hawaii Underground Forum is Online!
Chris, Mark,
and I wanted to start an official Onzuka.com forum for a while
now. We were searching for the best forum to go with and hit
a gold mine! We have known Kirik, who heads the largest and most
popular forum on the net, The Underground for years.
He
offered us our own forum within the matrix know as MMA.tv. The
three of us will be the moderators with of course FCTV808 being
the lead since he is on there all day anyway!
We
encourage everyone from Hawaii and our many readers around world
to contribute to the Hawaii Underground.
If you do not have a login, it's simple and fast to get one.
Click here to set up an account.
Don't worry about using Pidgin English in the posting. After
all it is the Hawaii Underground and what is a Hawaii Underground
without some Aloha and some Pidgin?
To
go directly to the Onzuka.com Hawaii Underground Forum click
here!
|
Quote
of the Day
"You
can't pick cherries with your back to the tree."
J. P. Morgan, 1837-1913, American Financier/Philanthropist/Art
Collector
|
Aloha
State BJJ Championships Tomorrow!
Sunday, November
11, 2007
Gym 1 at UH Manoa
Tournament Starts at 10:00 am
Good luck to all competitors and coaches!
Please remind everyone to register early and before Thursday,
8 November, so we can try to have brackets done before Saturday
(Day of weigh-ins) and ready for review by all competitors &
coaches/instructors.
Picture of the Final Conflict 2007 Aloha State BJJ Championship
Belt
Weigh-in and general information can be found on www.brazilian-freestyle.com or www.hawaiibjj.com or "mail-in"
form registration.
Also, the FAX has changed to (808) 941-8771 just in case someone
doesn't want to use the online registration and payment.
For further information, questions, or concerns, please contact
David K. Hattori at hawaiibjj@hotmail.com or #(808) 722-7243.
Source: David Hattori
|
Big
John McCarthy talks Fedor
Most popular MMA ref thinks Russian would have hard time with
Couture
One of the most famous faces in world MMA doesn’t belong
to a fighter, is even more popular than the competitors, UFC
referee Big John McCarthy is known for refereeing the event’s
biggest fights, creating jargon and having a friendly relationship
with the fighters. In an interview with the American site MMAMadness,
the American spoke on, among other subjects, Fedor and Couture.
“I
think Fedor is a phenomenal fighter. He's extremely well-rounded;
he does things really well. He's the best at some things, and
what he's not the best at he's good at. He's got very good standup
as far as he's willing to throw. He throws a lot of punches from
different angles; his wrestling ability is good; his hips are
very good; his ability to stay up at times and his hip movement
is outstanding; his ground-and-pound is as good as anyone's has
ever been; he throws punches from the ground harder because of
the way that he turns his hips; and his submission game is good.
I think given time that'd he be as dominant as he was in PRIDE.
But I think that if you throw him in against a top guy when he's
not used to the cage, the different rules, or the size of the
cage, a lot of things would work against him. If he was brought
into the UFC I think that he should take some fights to get himself
acclimated to it, because there is a difference. I think that'd
be a smart thing to do.
“if
I were Fedor's management I would never do that, because he's
coming in at too much of a disadvantage. Not because he's not
a great fighter, because he is. And skill-wise he's probably
the top guy in the world right now, but he's not used to the
things that happen. It's a different atmosphere; it's a different
arena. There are things that you can do in that cage that don't
work in a ring. Especially against a guy like Randy who uses
the cage very well, he's knowledgeable about how it works. Fedor
would be putting himself at a disadvantage in his first fight.
It would've been a mistake."
In
other related news, Monte Cox, president of M-1 Global, Fedor’s
new organization, declared today that there will be no event
in Japan with the Russian fighter on New Year’s eve. The
following monte Cox quotes come from MMAJunkie.com: “No.
It’s not going to happen “There was an offer. We looked
at it. We tried to see if it was possible, but in the end, there
just wasn’t enough time to pull it off. It wasn’t a
bad idea. It was kind of planned to be a sort of goodbye to Pride
fans for Fedor.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Kerr-essing his
Way Back to Meaningful MMA
by Josh Gross
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.,
Nov. 7 -- Mark Kerr needed a break, and he nearly got one from
the left arm of Stephen Gavin.
Had Kerr failed
to thrash his heavyweight opponent from St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday
evening on a Xcess Fighting card in the Circus Nightclub, his
nickname could have been changed to suggest the one time smashing
machine was now a full time snacking machine.
Losing five in a
row and failing to stand with his hand raised since August 2000,
Kerr, nearly 280 pounds at Friday's weigh-in, was simply happy
to register a win, no matter whom it came against -- a far cry
from the days when some thought he was the most feared fighter
on the planet.
Kerr, 39, slammed
Gavin hard to the mat after briefly working in the clinch. Showing
that the "Smashing Machine" retained, at a minimum,
some of the power that made him such a force prior to Igor Vovchanchyn,
the Arizona-based heavyweight toyed with his overmatched foe.
The win over Gavin,
which came at 1:39 of the opening round, is step one he said.
"Step two is
to get an upgrade in opponent and see if I can get back in that
really good feeling of how I feel about myself when I get in
the ring," said Kerr, who mentioned he had another year
and a half to make anything out of himself before walking away.
"I think if I'm able to do that, I think there will be more
opportunities than I realize."
Though Eric "Butterbean"
Esch failed to show at Friday's weigh-in, the sting of an MIA
King of the Four Rounders wasn't enough to prevent the WCO super
heavyweight title from going on the line. Jumping in against
Jimmy Ambriz was journeyman Ruben Villareal.
Villareal, fighting
out of Calousa, Calif, could do little save for getting pinned
between the cage fencing and the 280-pound Ambriz after an early
takedown. A stream of right hands from Ambriz met Villareal's
face as the Santa Ana-based fighter worked from knee-on-belly
position. Referee Nelson "Doc" Hamilton put a stop
to the contest at 1:19 of the first.
Falling short in
consecutive UFC fights to Gabriel Gonzaga and Wilson Gouveia,
Carmello Marrero began his comeback trail with a solid win over
the gutsy Rafael del Real.
"It definitely
is a different feel when you get to smaller shows," Marrero
said after the fight. "I think it's important because I
needed to take that step back and rebuild myself.
First part of it
was getting here, getting to these smaller shows, get a couple
wins under my belt and making the most of it."
Taking a pounding
to close out the first five-minute frame, del Real, of Tulare,
Calif., walked back to his corner thinking about a busted eye
that prevented him from seeing properly. It was then that the
fight was called.
Marrero says two
or three more outings like tonight's and he'll be ready for a
return to the UFC. If he makes it, you can rest assured that
the American Top Team fighter would have done so because of the
opportunity to train and teach.
Middleweight Marcus
Gaines, of Sacramento, needed just 67 seconds to choke Los Angeles-based
middleweight Mavrick Harvey.
Fighting in front
of his neighborhood fans, Scott Epstein took a hard road to victory
over Sergio Quinoles. Working the rubber guard as Eddie Bravo
watched from Epstein's corner, the featherweight was offensive
from the bottom. Though he was close with armbar and omoplata
attempts, Epstein failed to lock anything down until late in
the second.
Quinoles, of Lemoore,
Calif., succumbed to a triangle choke at 4:36 of the second.
Light heavyweight
Fabio Costa moved his record to 4-0 by slicing open the right
side of Paul Karsky's head, forcing a referee stoppage on the
recommendation of the cage-side doctor at 1:14 of round one.
A grind-em-out bantamweight
tilt resulted in Jason Georgianna, of Eugene, Ore., taking a
unanimous decision over Riverside, Calif.'s Todd Guimond that
was closer than scores indicated. Two judges saw it 30-27, while
the third notched a 29-28 tally.
In a solid scrap,
145-pounders Georgi Karakhanyan, of Riverside, Calif., defeated
Hildred Oliney, also of the Inland Empire, with 21 seconds remaining
in the opening period.
Oliney showed good
wrestling early, as the speed of the fight was fierce. Karakhanyan
flung wild punches before going to the canvas and locking in
a rear-naked choke.
Another all Riverside
battle, this time at heavyweight, saw an accumulation of short
punches and elbows to the head of Greg White manifest into David
Mejia's fourth win in four fights. Mejia landed an extended series
of unanswered strikes until referee Nelson "Doc" Hamilton
moved in to call a stop to the fight at 2:30 of the first.
Adam Lehman didn't
let a hurt Daniel McWilliams off the hook. Connecting with an
uppercut before the close of the first, Lehman, fighting out
of Riverside, Calif., put McWilliams on his back before passing
the guard. A damaging elbow followed a hard punch to McWilliams,
prompting referee Cecil Peoples to call a halt to the welterweight
contest 34 seconds of round two.
Featherweight Jeff
Willingham of Lake Forest, Calif., hyper-extended the right arm
of Riverside, Calif.'s Bobby Sanchez at 2:32 of the opening period
for the tapout armbar victory.
Listed on the bout
sheet as a lightweight contest, Baltimore, Maryland's, Josh Gaskin
was left without a fight when his scheduled opponent, Tony Garcia,
failed to make the fight. No explanation from the promoter was
announced.
Source: Sherdog
|
UPDATE:
SHERK HEARING POSTPONED
Re-Scheduled Date 'Likely' Dec. 4
By Brian Knapp
The California State Athletic Commission today confirmed the
postponement of UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk’s Tuesday,
Nov. 13 appeal hearing for a steroids-related suspension. CSAC
associate governmental program analyst Bill Douglas cited scheduling
conflicts as the reasons behind the delay. The hearing has not
yet been rescheduled, though Douglas said a replacement date
for Tuesday, Dec. 4 is likely. To hold a CSAC meeting, a quorum
of five of the seven board members must be present.
“Eleven
different individuals need their schedule coordinated –
not an easy task,” Douglas said.
The
CSAC made a previous decision to delay a ruling on Sherk on Oct.
31 after commissioner Julio Ramirez expressed concern over a
17-page brief from Howard Jacobs, Sherk’s attorney. The
brief, which included 20 exhibits, never reached the seven CSAC
members charged with voting. Jacobs was provided with an acknowledgement
of receipt by CSAC executive director Armando Garcia, Douglas
and Karen Chappelle – the deputy attorney general for the
state of California.
Attempts
to reach Jacobs regarding the latest postponement were not immediately
successful.
Sherk
(33-3) tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Metabolite
(the same banned agent for which MMA legend Royce Gracie was
flagged in June) following his unanimous decision victory over
Hermes Franca at UFC 73 in July. The CSAC fined the 34-year-old
Minnesotan $2,500 and suspended him for one year.
A
product of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Sherk was the
third UFC champion to fail a steroids test during a title reign,
as he joined former heavyweight champions Josh Barnett and Tim
Sylvia. The UFC stripped Barnett of his crown following his positive
test; Sylvia surrendered his belt after he was flagged.
UFC
president Dana White has already said Sherk would not be stripped
of his crown. White called the CSAC’s handling of the Sherk
case “a mess.” It was confirmed last week that B.J. Penn would meet Joe Stevenson
for the interim UFC lightweight championship at UFC 80 on Saturday,
Jan. 19 in Newcastle, England. Sherk would presumably face the
winner once his situation with the CSAC is resolved.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Quote
of the Day
"Not
the fastest horse can catch a word spoken in anger."
Chinese Proverb
|
X-1
World Events and 102.7 The Bomb proudly
presents the Mixed Martial Arts Event "New
Bloods" Tonight!
November
9th
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu Hawaii
starts at 6:00 and the
first fight starts at 7:00
In the X-1 ring we have an exciting card featuring one title
defense plus two new champions to be crowned.
In the main event Mark "the knockout" Moreno will be
fighting his toughest fight ever against a 14-3 UFC veteran Chad
Reiner he is a well rounded fighter skilled in submissions and
also good with strikes. In the Co-main event Hawaii 's undisputed
135lb champion Ed Newalu will be fighting a very tough and skilled
135lb Kana Hyatt fighting out of Lava MMA on the Big Island of
Hawaii. Kana Hyatt at 135lb has a history of knocking out guys
20lb heavier.
One of the fights everybody is talking about through Myspace.com
and MMAHawaii.com is the show down some are calling, "the
fight of the century" DC vs BK. This is the fight that has
grabbed the attention of not only the islands but the mainland
too. Dirty Curty "Palolo's finest" will be squaring
off with promoter turner fighter Brennan Kamaka. X-1 is searching
for the next Heavy Weight Champion and will be holding two heavy
weight battles.
For theX-1 State Heavy weight championship At 6'2"and 260lb
Analu Brash fighting out of Maui will be taking on Oahu's 6'2"
240lb Doug Hiu fighting out of team MMAD. Also in the heavy weight
division Jordan Patterson 6'2" 245lb will be squaring off
with Kawika Paul 6'4" 235lb of Team All Bizness.
In the under card X-1 has brought together the top semi-pro and
amateurs from around the island. The line-up includes Sean Sakata
winner of the Fight Club meets Night Club 170lb Grand Prix will
be matched against Ben Santiago fighting out of Team Ruthless.
Also in the under card Herman Santiago vs Shaison Laupola, Micah
Ige vs Cisco Bringas, Kris Knight vs Collin Mansanas, Kyle Kaahanui
vs Steve Farmer, and Kaniela Ahnee vs John Bernard.
X-1 will also be holding a 8 man 140lb Grand Prix Tournament
with the winner taking home a belt and a title the competitors
include Colin Mackenzie, Jared Iha, Willy Dela Cerna, Jay Bolos
Gary Rabellizsa, William Armstrong, Keola Silva, and Nui Wheeler.
The Grand Prix is always a crowd pleaser.
We are excited to bring Oahu 's finest to the ring and also this
X-1 will be featuring live musical performances by top local
bands Ooklah the Moc, B.E.T. and Be-on Paradise . Talk about
entertainment, we'll see you November 9th at the Blaisdell Arena
doors open at 6:00.
More info at www.X1Events.com,
www.Onzuka.com
|
ELITE
XC UPDATE
Noons, Slice, and Diaz Ready
for “Renegade”
By FCF Staff
The
American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, will host
Elite XC’s latest offering this Saturday night, “Renegade.”
Headlining the card is a fight between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons for the vacant Elite
XC lightweight title, while Kevin Ferguson (“Kimbo Slice”)
will make his debut for the promotion against Bo Cantrell. Other
bouts scheduled for the card include; Jake Shields (19-4-1) vs.
Mike Pyle (14-4-1), Antonio Silva (8-1) vs. Jonathan Wiezorek
(11-1), and Kyle Noke (13-3-1) vs. Seth Kleinbeck (8-3).
Diaz
(14-6) is coming off a tightly contested Split Decision win over
Mike Aina at Elite XC’s “Uprising” card in September.
Despite having a tough night in his Elite XC debut, the Cesar
Gracie fighter has not lost a bout now since April 2006, when
he dropped a Unanimous Decision loss to Sean Sherk at UFC 59.
“I’ve
had good training and a good camp but I always think I can be
in better shape. But I’m as in good of shape as I can be,”
Diaz was quoted as saying in an Elite XC news release. “KJ
is coming to win, but I think I have some good strategies for
him. I want to win this fight and then go on to fight the best
in the world.’’
Noons
(5-2) managed to put his February KO loss to Charles Bennett
behind him, when he knocked out Edson Berto at a ShoXC event
in July. The noted striker’s only other loss came in 2002
when he was submitted by Buddy Clinton.
“I
have a great team and we have had one of our greatest camps ever.
I am totally fit. Mentally, physically and emotionally, I am
perfect,” Noons stated in the release. “To fight for
the EliteXC world title is a great opportunity for me. Nick is
a great opponent, but I think I am stronger than he is.”
On
account of his Internet fame, the performance of street fighter
turned professional fighter, Kimbo Slice, will likely garner
a lot of attention this weekend when he takes on Cantrell (10-7).
Slice has been training with Bas Rutten and Shawn Tompkins to
prepare for this weekend’s bout.
“I
am really looking forward to a great fight and want to thank
EliteXC and Showtime for the opportunity,” the release quoted
Slice as saying. “I am looking forward to fighting in Texas.
I am definitely ready to get it on. I’ll be looking to spread
some blood around. I am going to try and break his arm.’’
Elite
XC, “Renegade” will be broadcast on the Showtime Cable
Network Saturday night beginning at 10:00 PM EST/ PST. The card’s
other bouts that will not be broadcast on television but will
be available for viewing at ProElite.com include, Geoff Bumstead
(2-1) vs. Robert Ruiz (1-0), Yves Edwards (29-13-1) vs. Nick
Gonzalez (13-5) , Jon Kirk (10-1) vs. Matt Lucas (7-0), Ralph
Kelly (6-1) vs. Brett Rogers (5-0) and Jae Sok Lim (7-2) vs.
Lane Yarbrough (6-4).
Source: FCF
|
Kelly
Slater praises Rickson and Arona
Eight-time world champ declares love for fighting to Sportv crew
Eight-time
world champion Kelly Slater gave signs yesterday of his love
for fighting, after a laid-back chat with also-surfer Teco Padaratz
and the crew of Sportv, which was shown by the cable channel.
After commenting on how he had been a reasonably good tennis
player and skater, the American finished his heat during the
Santa Catarina stage and, upon leaving the water, asked the cable
channel reporter to finish his response.
“The
guys asked me if I have a hobby or practice any other sports,
and I forgot one I think is very important to remember, Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu. I’ve trained with Rickson Gracie, and not at
the France stage I was able to train with Ricardo Arona. I love
the sport, as well as MMA. I always watch K-1 and Pride,”
said the many-waved myth.
Source: Tatame
|
KANG
DISCUSSES INJURY, LOSS TO AKIYAMA
by John Evans
Denis Kang – the “Super Korean” – speaks
about his fight with Yoshihiro Akiyama, his contract with K-1
Hero’s and the future of Korean MMA.
MMAWeekly:
How are you feeling since the fight with Akiyama?
Denis
Kang: I’m fine. I’m taking a week off from running
or anything like that and I’m not going to spar for a few
weeks because I’m pretty sure I had a concussion. I had
some memory loss, but other than that I’m fine. I’m
ready to start training for whatever comes next; hopefully it
will be Dec. 31.
MMAWeekly:
Can you take me through the fight?
Denis
Kang: Everything was going really well. I was backing him up.
I could see his low kicks coming and I could see his jabs and
other punches coming and I was tagging him – I don’t
want to say at will, but I wasn’t having much trouble finding
my range.
There
came a point where we were trading jabs. I jabbed, he jabbed.
His jab landed right on my eye and I basically lost all of my
depth perception from that point forward, and it was really hard
for me to gauge distance to where I was almost seeing double.
Things were really blurry and I thought to myself, I can’t
keep backing him up like this because I can’t tell if I’m
getting too close or not. So I started trying to back up myself
to lure him into a big shot because I knew I couldn’t keep
things going like that much longer.
Eventually
he caught me with that right uppercut when I was weaving and
bobbing, and that was it. I woke up about two seconds later.
MMAWeekly:
You were breathing out of your mouth. Did the shot in the nose
hurt you at all?
Denis
Kang: The shot in the nose was nothing. The eye is what did it.
I think it must have scratched the retina or something. The shot
in the nose was just a minor nuisance – just a scrape on
the top of my nose that was bleeding, not a broken nose. It might
have given him confidence because he saw me blinking. I was just
trying to blink, repeatedly, because sometimes the vision comes
back when you do that.
MMAWeekly:
So you will be competing in another K-1 Hero’s before you
defend your heavyweight title against Ryuichi Murata in Spirit
MC.
Denis
Kang: Yeah, Murata won the tournament, so I’ll be facing
him sometime next year.
MMAWeekly:
Any idea who you will be facing in Hero’s?
Denis
Kang: That should be Dec. 31 and I have no idea. I don’t
even think they know yet. (laughs)
MMAWeekly:
How did you get started with Spirit MC?
Denis
Kang: It was through a friend of a friend who had gone over to
Korea to do some business with them. He got a video tape of Spirit
MC and when he got back here to Vancouver he mentioned it to
me. Then we contacted them. Actually, at first it was paying
almost nothing. We had to pay our own airfare. A lot of people
were telling me not to do it – saying I was taking a step
back by fighting in a small show like this. But I wanted to fight
in front of my father.
MMAWeekly:
Do you think they are going to be able to attract top-level fighters
from outside Korea in the future?
Denis
Kang: I think so. They’re partnered up with EliteXC now.
They’ve got access to a lot more capital and many more fighters.
I think it’s a good way for them to grow.
MMAWeekly:
What do you see for the future of Korean MMA as a whole?
Denis
Kang: I think they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.
I think we are going to see really good fighters at the small
weight classes, like at 145 or 155 (pounds). At the heavier weights,
they’re still good – like at 170, 185, 205 and heavyweight
– there’s just a smaller talent pool to draw from.
These guys on Go Super Korean (a Korean MMA reality show, much
like “The Ultimate Fighter”), they’ve just got
so much heart, so much desire…
MMAWeekly:
Who wins, Kwang (Kwang Hee Lee) or Mr. Perfect (Kyeong Ho Kang)?
Denis
Kang: (laughs) Kwang Hee Lee, I like the crazy style. That’s
a tough one to call, actually. They call him Mr. Perfect because
he’s close to perfect, a pretty damn good fighter. It’ll
be a tough fight.
MMAWeekly:
Contracts have been in the news a lot lately, so I’ve got
to ask you why K-1 Hero’s? What did you see from other promotions
like Bodog and Ultimate Fighting Championship?
Denis
Kang: They all had comparable offers, but some of them had different
clauses that kept you tied down to their particular organization,
which is exactly what I didn’t want. I wanted the freedom
to compete in Spirit MC at least once a year. I didn’t mean
that I wanted to compete in every other show out there, just
Spirit MC, which isn’t really a competitor for those other
organizations, except in the Korean market. I didn’t see
why it should be such a big deal. K-1 was the only one gracious
enough to accept that term, so I went with them.
MMAWeekly:
K-1 Hero’s recently played on XTM (a Korean network television
station) again during prime time and I’m sure it played
in Japan as well. Here in Korea, next to Choi Hong Man, you are
probably the most well-known figure in fighting sports, but you’re
not getting that kind of exposure in North America.
Denis
Kang: You’re right; I’ve been blessed in Korea. In
North America it’s been harder, quite honestly, because
I don’t fight over here. People are not exposed to me; they
don’t know who Denis Kang is unless they are a hard-core
fight fan or they’ve watched me on YouTube or bought my
DVD. I think that’s going to change one day when I make
the crossover to the U.S. market to compete, but right now I’m
very happy doing my thing in Korea and Japan. Maybe someday down
the road – there are a lot of things I’d like to do
if the circumstances are right. I mean who knew that Pride would
be going under?
MMAWeekly:
Denis, thank you for your time.
Denis
Kang: I want to let (fans) know that the fight didn’t go
my way last time and that I’m bogged down, but I’m
not out. I’m still here and I’m still training hard
and I’m motivated to come back stronger than ever.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Wallid
announces Jacare’s return
“Jacare will defend Jungle title in MMA World League”
Wallid
Ismail is in a meeting. Or at war, as he likes to say. Half an
hour later, though, he returns GRACIEMAG.com’s call. The
former fighter from the Amazon asks some questions, praises the
Brazilians in the UFC, and then spills the news: “I am finishing
up negotiations for my next event. Now Jungle Fight shall be
called MMA World League, and it will be a great show. We are
working hard to put on the event this year in the USA, that’s
what I hope, but at the latest the maiden event will be beginning
of next year.”
According
to Wallid, the main fight has already been determined. “Jacare
will have his first under 185 pound [84kg] defense of the title
he won at Jungle Fight in Slovenia, during December of last year,
against a fighter yet to be decided. Jungle always launched countless
talents that are now kicking ass all over the world, and with
the MMA World League that will certainly continue to be the case,”
bets the former fighter. Ronaldo Jacare has seven wins, one loss
and is coming off two quick submissions in the rings of Manaus,
in September and October of this year.
Source: Willian Jung /ACAT
|
Quote
of the Day
"Luck
is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get."
Ray Kroc, 1902-1984, American Entrepreneur
|
X-1
World Events and 102.7 The Bomb proudly
presents the Mixed Martial Arts Event "New
Bloods" Tomorrow!
November
9th
Blaisdell Arena, Honolulu Hawaii
starts at 6:00 and the
first fight starts at 7:00
In the X-1 ring we have an exciting card featuring one title
defense plus two new champions to be crowned.
In the main event Mark "the knockout" Moreno will be
fighting his toughest fight ever against a 14-3 UFC veteran Chad
Reiner he is a well rounded fighter skilled in submissions and
also good with strikes. In the Co-main event Hawaii 's undisputed
135lb champion Ed Newalu will be fighting a very tough and skilled
135lb Kana Hyatt fighting out of Lava MMA on the Big Island of
Hawaii. Kana Hyatt at 135lb has a history of knocking out guys
20lb heavier.
One of the fights everybody is talking about through Myspace.com
and MMAHawaii.com is the show down some are calling, "the
fight of the century" DC vs BK. This is the fight that has
grabbed the attention of not only the islands but the mainland
too. Dirty Curty "Palolo's finest" will be squaring
off with promoter turner fighter Brennan Kamaka. X-1 is searching
for the next Heavy Weight Champion and will be holding two heavy
weight battles.
For theX-1 State Heavy weight championship At 6'2"and 260lb
Analu Brash fighting out of Maui will be taking on Oahu's 6'2"
240lb Doug Hiu fighting out of team MMAD. Also in the heavy weight
division Jordan Patterson 6'2" 245lb will be squaring off
with Kawika Paul 6'4" 235lb of Team All Bizness.
In the under card X-1 has brought together the top semi-pro and
amateurs from around the island. The line-up includes Sean Sakata
winner of the Fight Club meets Night Club 170lb Grand Prix will
be matched against Ben Santiago fighting out of Team Ruthless.
Also in the under card Herman Santiago vs Shaison Laupola, Micah
Ige vs Cisco Bringas, Kris Knight vs Collin Mansanas, Kyle Kaahanui
vs Steve Farmer, and Kaniela Ahnee vs John Bernard.
X-1 will also be holding a 8 man 140lb Grand Prix Tournament
with the winner taking home a belt and a title the competitors
include Colin Mackenzie, Jared Iha, Willy Dela Cerna, Jay Bolos
Gary Rabellizsa, William Armstrong, Keola Silva, and Nui Wheeler.
The Grand Prix is always a crowd pleaser.
We are excited to bring Oahu 's finest to the ring and also this
X-1 will be featuring live musical performances by top local
bands Ooklah the Moc, B.E.T. and Be-on Paradise . Talk about
entertainment, we'll see you November 9th at the Blaisdell Arena
doors open at 6:00.
More info at www.X1Events.com,
www.Onzuka.com
|
Rickson
Gracie "Hopes" for 2008 Return
Rickson Gracie fans will have to wait until next year to see
the 48-year-old grappling legend return to the ring.
Speaking
exclusively with Sherdog.com's Denis Martins, Gracie, who turns
49 on Nov. 20, stated that he will be looking for a fight in
early 2008 after negotiations for a proposed K-1 Dynamite!! bout
on Dec. 31 ceased.
"Even
though I feel like I have nothing to prove, I'm still motivated
to compete," said Gracie. "Possibly something in the
beginning of next year, I hope."
Rickson
has not stepped in the ring since choking Masakatsu Funaki into
submission in May of 2000.
"If
the price is right, I go for the competition," declared
Rickson, who has a mixed martial arts record of 11-0-0. "I'm
really looking [forward] to my next fight, but [a promoter] will
have to pay me what I want."
Source: Sherdog
|
Yves
Edwards signs six-fight deal with EliteXCw
Lightweight veteran Yves Edwards (29-13-1) has signed a six-fight
deal with EliteXC, according to Steve Sievert of the Houston
Chronicle's Brawl Sports.
Edwards,
a ten-time UFC competitor, is leaving BodogFight, where he lost
both his fights against Jorge Masvidal and Mike Brown. Edwards
is currently in an atypical slump, dropping five of his last
six fights and going winless since April 2006.
Edwards'
first fight on the deal will take place this Saturday when he
takes on 26-year-old Nick “The Ghost” Gonzalez
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Report:
“Kid” Yamamoto to Focus on MMA
By Kelsey Mowatt and Kevin Jepson
According to a recent report in Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper,
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto will not compete in that nation’s
upcoming wrestling nationals in December in order to concentrate
on his MMA career. Due to the fact participation in the nationals
is typically viewed as a necessary pre-condition for any athlete
wishing to compete in the Olympics, Yamamoto will likely therefore
not compete at the upcoming 2008 Beijing games.
Currently
the #2 ranked 145lb. fighter in the world by FCF, Yamamoto (15-1)
did not compete for much of 2007 due to his prior commitments
in regards to his Olympic wrestling aspirations. Most recently
at a K-1 Hero’s event on September 19th, Yamamoto earned
a Unanimous Decision victory over jiu-jitsu champion Bibiano
Fernandes. The 30 year-old-fighter has not been defeated since
2002 when he lost by TKO to Stephen Paling at a Shooto event
in May of that year. Since that time Kid has won 12 straight,
a streak that includes victories over Caol Uno, Royler Gracie,
Jeff Curran and Genki Sudo.
Source: FCF
|
Kimbo
& Bas: A Match Made In MMA Heaven
Bas Rutten is no spring chicken. The former UFC Heavyweight champion
and three-time King of Pancrase has been arould the world of
Mixed-Martial-Arts longer than most. So it made perfect sense
when I first heard that Rutten (aka El Guapo) would be training
Kimbo Slice as he enters the world of MMA.
Surely
by now you’ve heard of Kimbo. Internet sensation, street-fighting
legend, huge guy who dismantled former boxer Ray Mercer - for
better or worse, the man is the talk of the combat sports world.
When
I spoke with fellow Elite XC fighter, Jake Shields, he had this
to say about Kimbo’s Elite debut:
“It’s
a little goofy to give him so much hype right away”
Shields
may have a point but one can’t deny the intrigue surrounding
Saturday night’s fight and who better to give us the real
low down on how Kimbo preparing for bout against Bo Cantrell
than his trainer, Bas Rutten.
Source: Jarry Park
|
Book
Review:
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ultimate Fighting
By John Brodigan
Mixed Martial Arts, or more specifically the UFC, has been growing
in popularity for a few years now. There’s one thing in
this year alone that perfectly highlights just how huge the sport
has gotten. It’s not all the TV programming on Spike TV,
nor is it the coverage on ESPN and NBC Sports. You know you’ve
made it huge when you have a “Complete Idiot’s Guide”
written, and thanks to authors Rich “Ace” Franklin
(former middleweight champion) and Jon F. Merz, we now have “The
Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ultimate Fighting.”
The
“Idiot’s Guide’s” are usually written to
be tongue-in-cheek, but I found this one to be surprisingly informative.
It’s a great overview of the sport, where it’s been,
where it’s going, and what it takes to become an ultimate
fighter. All the fighting styles are broken down, giving a brief
history of what they are, and how to both apply them and counter
them in the fight.
Though,
if you saw his last fight, author Franklin may have wanted to
read the part about “how to escape from the clinch”
a little more closely. I digress…
The
book is broken into five parts. Part 1 is your basic speed reader’s
tour of the UFC, looking at the history of the sport, the organization,
and goes over the basic rules. Chances are if you’re reading
this, you know all that schtuff already. Part 2 looks at the
different fighting styles and goes into what “styles make
fights” means. It also covers different strategies, using
different example from past UFC encounters.
Part
3 and 4 is where it gets really interesting, because that’s
where it discusses the “stand up game” and taking the
fight to the ground. They cover every possible hold, punch-kick
combination, and counter you can think of. Not only do they use
step-by-step (and picture-by-picture) instructions, they also
explain why to do it, what the benefits are to do it, and what
to do to prevent it.
In
Part 5 they discuss the preparation that goes into the fight.
The basics are pretty common knowledge: train, work out, eat
healthy, train some more, get another work out in, drink a protein
shake, and then decided on either training or working out. But
it also looks at the mental preparations that go into a fight:
studying your opponent, developing an effective game plan, and
how to work that game plan into your training. We also get the
“Rich Franklin Story,” looking at his background and
how he applies everything we just read into each of his fights.
All
joking aside, “A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Ultimate
Fighting” is a great read for anyone who is just getting
into mixed martial arts, as well for those of us know-it-all’s
who think we know more than we actually do.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Quote
of the Day
"Education
is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
Nelson Mandela, South African President and Nobel Peace Prïze
Wïnner
|
5
Hawaii
Boxers
Qualified For the Olympics
Just returned from Chicago from the AIBA World Championships.
We got 5 boxers qualified for the Olympics, need to get 6 more
in at the next 2 qualifiers in Guatamala and Trinidad and Tobago
in March and April. We also got 2 gold medals and tied for 2nd
after Russia with total points. Chicago spent $12 million dollars
on event, everything first class. They Housed us at the Hilton
and all meals free also. Met Muhammed Ali, Holyfield, Teddy Atlas,
Ernie Terrell, Nadia Comenich, Bart Conners, etc... Over 40 Olympians
at the bouts. Over 120 countries and 600 boxers, every country
sending their Olympic Team to qualify for Olympics. Now you must
qualify, just because you make your Countries Olympic Team doesn't
mean you go to Olympics. Security really tight, protesters, lot's
of boxers defecting, etc.. were some of the problems. No need
to put in paper or news, just some insight into whats going on
with our USA-Boxing Team. Thanks, Bruce
Source: Bruce Kawano
|
IFL
World Grand Prix Semifinals
“The Janitor” Cleans House,
Wins Light-Heavyweight Title
Horodecki Defeats Palaszewski
in the Fight of the Night
Report
by Dustin Lee DePue
Hoffman Estates, IL–The IFL did a good job plugging the
many leaks that sprung from its end of the year tournament as
many fighters were forced to withdraw due to injury or contract
disputes. Although the absence of some of the years top IFL fighters
was noticeable, it was still an entertaining night of fights
for the 4,107 fans who filled the Sears Center.
With
no other competitors in the 205 lb division, the title was up
for grabs as UFC veteran Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko
took on TUF 1 cast member Alex Schoenauer. The Janitor put in
a workmanlike performance, out wrestling Schoenauer and winning
the first ever IFL light-heavyweight title. Matyushenko played
it safe, using his superior wrestling to repeatedly take Schoenauer
to the mat. On the ground, he used his excellent base to maintain
the superior position while looking for opportunities to land
strikes or go for submissions. Schoenauer proved too adept to
be submitted, but he did eat some leather and was bloodied by
fights end. Though Matyushenko slowed considerably in the third,
Schoenauer was unable to capitalize. Matyushenko wins a unanimous
decision 29-27, 29-28, 29-28.
Benji
Radach added another highlight to his already excellent year
by knocking out Brent Beauparlant. No real surprises as Radach
kept the pressure on Beauparlant from the opening bell until
the fight ending left hook. Radach came out aggressive, throwing
heavy right hands and knees to the body as he picked his opponent
apart. Surprisingly, Beauparlant stood his ground, covering up
well while trying to get punches in edgewise. Unfortunately for
him, Radach was able to use his speed to keep one step ahead.
He landed a flying knee and mixed in punch combination, staggering
Beauparlant repeatedly with right hands. Still, Beauparlant pressed
forward, eating a pin-point left hook right on the jaw that dropped
him at 2:26 of the first round.
Chris
Horodecki earned the nod in a pick-em decision, eking out Bart
Palaszewski by a razor thin margin. It was a back and forth battle.
Horodecki was the busier fighter in round one, putting together
fluid combinations and staying busy with low and high kicks.
Palaszewski was able to score with counterpunches however, his
overall offensive output was less than Horodecki.
Round
two saw Palaszewski take Horodecki down where he worked his ground
and pound, scoring with hammer fists. As Horodecki worked to
his feet, Palaszewski scored with knees to the head. He followed
that up with several powerful punches that hurt Horodecki and
had him backpedaling. Palaszewski chased him around the ring,
dropping his hands as he went for the kill. Horodecki took advantage,
throwing combos from off of the ropes, landing several that held
Palaszewski off and allowed Horodecki to survive the round.
With
each fighter taking a round, it was all about the final four
minutes and both fighters left everything in the ring. Palaszewski
landed a crisp jab that snapped his opponents head back, showering
the audience with sweat. Horodecki returned, landing a stiff
jab of his own. Palaszewski scored often with kicks to the body,
but Horodecki was upping his production, throwing more punch
combos and mixing in low and high kicks. Although none of the
high kicks landed, they certainly punctuated his more aggressive
output. In the end, it proved to be enough as the judges awarded
him a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
Jay
Hieron out wrestled Donnie Liles for much of their three round
bout. Hieron was able to take Liles down at will, maintaining
top position for the majority of all three rounds. He came close
with a guillotine choke in round two, however Liles wasn’t
about to go down that road again. He escaped but continued to
be out-wrestled. After a ref stand-up in round three Hieron chose
to stay standing, peppering Liles with a mix of low and high
kicks. Although devoid of fireworks, Hieron exerted complete
control over Liles, fighting on his terms throughout the fight
and easily winning a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-28).
Wagnney
Fabiano made it four submission victories in the IFL, catching
John Gunderson with a guillotine choke. Gunderson used an extended
feeling out period to score with punches in the first round.
Fabiano threw a few looping hooks before going for the takedown.
It took some doing but he eventually took Gunderson down. Fabiano
closed the round with a guillotine attempt that Gunderson was
able to defend.
In
the second, Gunderson began to load up his punches. After landing
a right hand, he could be seen wincing and shaking his right
hand. He wouldn’t throw another big right hand for the rest
of the fight. He was eventually taken down and as he tried to
maneuver back to his feet, Fabiano was able to sink in a guillotine
choke, sweeping Gunderson and finishing him from the mount at
1:53.
Delson
Heleno proved again why he is one of the most feared welterweights
in the IFL, submitting Gideon Ray with an armbar in the first
round. It was deja vu for everyone involved, starting with wicked
groin shot when Heleno tagged Ray with an errant lowkick. After
several minutes of rest, the two squared off again. Heleno quickly
took Ray down, going from side control to mount in a flash and
latching onto an arm. Ray fought to escape, but at 1:57 he succumbed,
verbally submitting to the armbar
Antoine
Jaoude advances to the finals in December, submitting Shane Ott
in the first round.
Ott took it to Jaoude early, scoring the first takedown against
the Brazilian Olympic wrestler. Jaoude was able to get back to
his feet, scoring with a knee to Ott’s face from the clinch
before getting Ott to the ground. On top and in side control,
Jaoude wasted no time, securing an arm-triangle choke that put
Ott to sleep at 3:29.
Roy
Nelson overcame a booing crowd and the mack truck known as Bryan
Vetell, pounding out a TKO in the final round. Vetell scored
with knees from the clinch while Nelson scored several trip takedowns
and body shots from the clinch. Vetell was able to stifle much
of Nelson’s stand-up game by clinching, however, on his
back in the third he was unable to defend against a series of
accurate right hands, eating four or five shots right on the
chin. Seeing that his opponent and friend was unable to defend
himself, Nelson stopped punching and stood up. When Vetell couldn’t
get up the ref stepped in and called the fight at 1:01.
Matt
Horwich notched his nineteenth submission victory, catching Brian
Foster with an armbar in the final second of the first round.
Horwich quickly closed the distance, avoiding Foster’s punches
and securing a takedown into the mount. A few punches later and
Foster gave up his back. Horwich looked for a rear-naked choke
but leaving a hook out cost him as Foster was able to escape
and get back to his feet. Foster then scored a takedown of his
own but found himself caught in a triangle choke. Unable to finish
with the choke, Horwich seamlessly switched back and forth from
armbar to triangle before finally locking in the armbar for a
verbal submission at 3:59 of round one.
Full Results
Light-Heavyweight
Title
Vladimir Matyushenko def. Alex Schoenauer by unanimous decision
(29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Benji
Radach def. Brent Beauparlant by KO 2:26 R1
Chris Horodecki def. Bart Palaszewski by split decision (29-28,
28-29, 29-28)
Jay Hieron def. Donnie Liles by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-28)
Wagnney Fabiano def. John Gunderson by guillotine choke 1:53
R2
Delson Heleno def. Gideon Ray by armbar (verbal submission) 1:57
R1
Antoine Jaoude def. Shane Ott by arm-triangle choke 3:29 R1
Roy Nelson def. Bryan Vetell by TKO 1:01 R3
Matt Horwich def. Brian Foster by armbar 3:59 R1
Source: MMA Weekly
|
The
‘Spider' Speaks
by Gleidson Venga
Sherdog.com recently caught up with UFC middleweight champion
Anderson Silva to collect his thoughts on a second win over Rich
Franklin (Pictures), the No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking and the
future of the 185-pound division, which The Spider has undoubtedly
claimed as his own.
Gleidson
Venga: Were you expecting to dominate the fight that way?
Anderson Silva: I did what I trained to do. I was well prepared,
and thank God my techniques were superior.
GV:
But did you have any trouble compared to your first match?
AS: Always. Because there are no cans. Every fighter who steps
in the Octagon is well trained, especially a high-class guy like
Rich Franklin (Pictures).
GV:
He seemed to be very worried when you were trying to clinch him
and unleash your knees.
AS: Those are my strongest tools. This is what I train for everyday,
and
that was my strategy. That's it.
GV:
In the last seconds of the first round, you seemed to knock him
out, but the referee waited until the horn sounded. What do you
think about that moment?
AS: I think if I had one more minute, I would have finished that
fight. But things like this happen.
GV:
And now are you enjoying your vacation in Brazil?
AS: I'm not on vacation. I'm wasting my time training in a gi
with the guys from the Black House. Next Nov. 4, I'll return
to Curitiba to see my family and then I'll go to the United States
to continue my wrestling training at a university in L.A. I'll
be there for 20 days and then I'll return to Brazil to train
in the Black House gym.
GV:
Has a date or an opponent been announced for your next fight?
AS: Not yet, but I'm training to face the better ones, and I'm
waiting to know who it will be.
GV:
The media are pointing to you as the best pound-for-pound fighter,
better even than Fedor Emelianenko . How do you feel about this?
AS: Media is media. You have to know your place in these situations.
Because when you lose, you're finished; but when you win, you're
the best. So you have to know how to keep things apart, but I'm
mindful of this. I know if I won't train, I will lose. I know
also if I train, there will be a guy who can beat me. So the
deal is to keep training. To me this victory over Rich Franklin
(Pictures) is in the past. I'll work to not commit the same errors
I committed in my previous fights.
GV:
You are probably the main superstar in Brazil. This is almost
unanimous. What are you facing at this moment in your career?
AS: I'm trying to do my job well. I train to do these things
people are seeing. There are no cocky things, no waste of time.
I train every single movement I do in my fights. And I have to
say thank you to all my fans, people who cheer for me. While
I keep fighting, I'll keep training to do better so people will
be proud of me.
GV:
And how big is your fame in the United States?
AS: It's nice, very gratefully. But this is the point: You have
to know how to keep things apart. I must be well prepared always.
GV:
You fought in the 93-kilogram [205-pound] weight class in PRIDE
a few years ago. Did you consider fighting in this weight class
in the UFC?
AS: When I fought in PRIDE, there was no under 83-kilogram weight
class, so I had to fight under 93 kilograms. UFC offered me to
fight in this weight class [185 pounds], so I play there. Everybody
has their own problems, and my problems are all under 83 kilograms.
But if I have to fight against the light heavyweights, I'll do
this. My regular weight is 97 kilograms; so to reach 93 will
be easy for me.
GV:
One of your biggest friends and supporters is Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira (Pictures). With Randy Couture (Pictures) leaving the
UFC, there is a big chance he'll have a title shot. What are
you expecting?
AS: I'm expecting him to win that belt. He is working for this.
We are looking forward to it, and our goal is for him to get
this title. But he has a good mind. He knows it won't be easy;
he has to train hard. But we are all helping him because we know
he deserves this title.
Source:
Sherdog
|
Report:
Old DSE staff wants to book Fedor in Japan
By Zach Arnold
Sankei
Sports is reporting that old DSE staff is preparing for a double-header
on New Year’s Eve at Saitama Super Arena (with a Hustle
pro-wrestling show during the afternoon and an MMA event at night).
The paper claims that there is great interest in booking Fedor
for the MMA event.
The
news coincides with Fedor’s open letter on the M-1 site,
proclaiming with great interest that he would like to fight in
Japan on NYE.
Quick
thoughts: Given that this type of event would have the smell
of ex-DSE staffers involved, it would be unlikely that a TV network
would consider airing this event. Perhaps, at best, a PPV on
SkyPerfecTV (satellite PPV) or if they got extremely lucky, a
small time frame on TV-Tokyo (the smallest of Japan’s five
free-to-air TV networks).
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
"Love
puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a
heart."
Source Unknown
|
"MAN
UP & STAND UP" CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING
WHAT - "MAN
UP & STAND UP" CHAMPIONSHIP KICKBOXING
WHEN NOVEMBER 17 2007 SATURDAY
WHERE KALAHEO HIGH SCHOOL GYM
DOORS OPEN 6:30
JOHN MENDONSA NAKOA FIGHT CLUB WELTER WEIGHT THOMAS MATHIAS WAIANAE
KICKBOXING
CHAMPIONSHIP
DAVID LUI HMC SUPER LIGHT WEIGHT JERELL MUNOZ HSD
HMC CHAMPIONSHIP HSD
GARY REBILLIZSA INNER CIRCLE JR SUPERLIGHT WEIGHT MIKE UEMOTO
ANIMAL HOUSE
CHAMPIONSHIP ANIMAL HOUSE
KOLOA KAHALEWAI TEAM ANILAND HEAVE WEIGHT ALIKA VELAROSA ANIMAL
HOUSE
CHAMPIONSHIP
OTO TEAM ANILAND SUPER HEAVY WEIGHT KENJI SAITO ANIMAL HOUSE
CHAMPIONSHIP
WAYNE PURVEY TEAM ISLAND THUNDER LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT EZEKIEL LOPEZ
NAKOA FIGHT
CHAMPIONSHIP
KANALOA COOKE DOGS FOR LIFE BANTAM WEIGHT SEAN ORTIZ KUAPA FIGHT
CLUB
CHAMPIONSHIP
TODD YOUNG I RUSH 170 TBA
JUNIOR TEAM ISLAND THUNDER 205 DEZ MINER FIVE O BOXING
JUSTIN KAHALEWAI TEAM ANILAND 90 LB CHAMPIONSHIP THEODORE WALLACE
TEAM RUTHLESS
CHAD VALENTINE HMC MIDDLE WEIGHT RICKY MURRILLO FREELANCE
CHAMPIONSHIP
MAX HALLOWAY TEAM RUTHLESS LIGHT WEIGHT JUMAR ESCOSIO ANIMAL
HOUSE
CHAMPIONSHIP
JUSTLY LAQUIHON HMC 80 ANDREW MCCUE EAST OAHU
TAZ KAHALEWAI TEAM ANILAND 40 LB CHAMPIONSHIP ZION LISTA HMC
JOSH KEANU TEAM RUTHLESS 185 KEPA KMFS
KONA KE TEAM RUTHLESS 170 HOKU CUBAN NAKOA FIGHT CLUB
JENNA ODA TEAM ISLAND THUNDER 145 ALEXANDRIA AREVALO ANIMAL HOUSE
MIKE SANTOS HMC 155 SEBASTIAN MARICADO TEAM ANILAND
ALL MATCHES AND PARTICIPANTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Source: Event Promoter
|
ULTIMATE
FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Terrell Injured, Doerksen In for UFC 78
By FCF Staff
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s official website is reporting
that middleweight fighter David Terrell has injured his ankle
and will be unable to fight Ed Herman (12-4) at UFC 78. Stepping
in to replace Terrell on short notice is the veteran Joe Doerksen
(39-10). The upcoming bout will mark Doerksen’s first return
to the UFC since last March, when he lost by Unanimous Decision
to Nathan Marquardt at the promotion’s “USA vs. Canada”
event. Since that fight Doerksen has gone 7-1, with his only
loss coming in his last bout, an August 5th TKO stoppage to Paulo
Filho at WEC 29.
After being submitted by Jason MacDonald at Ultimate Fight Night
7 last October, Herman has won his last two bouts, defeating
Chris Price and Scott Smith at UFC Fight Night 9 and UFC 72 respectively.
UFC
78 will take place November 17th at the Prudential Center in
Newark, New Jersey. “Validation” will be headlined
by a light-heavyweight bout between “Ultimate Fighter”
winners, Rashad Evans and Michael Bisping.
Source: FCF
|
Old
DSE staff wants to book Fedor in Japan
By Zach Arnold
Sankei
Sports is reporting that old DSE staff is preparing for a double-header
on New Year’s Eve at Saitama Super Arena (with a Hustle
pro-wrestling show during the afternoon and an MMA event at night).
The paper claims that there is great interest in booking Fedor
for the MMA event.
The
news coincides with Fedor’s open letter on the M-1 site,
proclaiming with great interest that he would like to fight in
Japan on NYE.
Quick
thoughts: Given that this type of event would have the smell
of ex-DSE staffers involved, it would be unlikely that a TV network
would consider airing this event. Perhaps, at best, a PPV on
SkyPerfecTV (satellite PPV) or if they got extremely lucky, a
small time frame on TV-Tokyo (the smallest of Japan’s five
free-to-air TV networks).
Source: Fight Opinion
|
MMA
Figurines Available Christmas ‘07
In
the past, mixed martial arts fanatics have had to get their toy
fix by getting their figures from Japan. Pride and K-1 fighters
such as Don Frye, Kevin Randleman, Kazushi Sakuraba, Quinton
'Rampage' Jackson, Mirko 'Cro Cop', etc. were available in the
Land of the Rising Sun.
Now
the sport of MMA in America is catching up to where the popularity
was in Japan. Fight fans will be able to get some of their favorite
fighters figures soon. Round 5 is proud to release their first
official line of MMA collectible figures.
“Due
to the mainstream rise in popularity of professional MMA, the
response from our website has been tremendous. These collectibles
will be the hottest sellers for the upcoming Christmas season,”
said Damon Lau, CEO of Round 5.
The
first series of collectible figures will be available to North
America in time for this holiday season and international orders
may be placed online. Highlighting the initial series will be
a group of current and former MMA champions including icons such
as Randy “The Natural” Couture, Quinton “Rampage”
Jackson, Matt Hughes and “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”
Tito Ortiz.
"This
first series showcases the most exciting championship fighters
to date, in their most well known poses," said Barron Lau,
Marketing Director of Round 5. “Each fighter had direct
input in the design and development of their own collectible
figure including the look, feel and pose. We are honored to be
releasing these collectibles at a time when the sport has achieved
so much success.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
CUNG
LE TO BE ‘SQUEEZE’-D IN SAN JOSE
November 4, 2007; San Jose, CA….Unbeaten world kickboxing
champion and mixed martial artist Cung Le (20-0) will make his
highly-anticipated return to the cage for a middleweight (185
lb. limit) showdown with The Ultimate Fighter Season 2 star Sam
“The Squeeze” Morgan (19-8) during the Strikeforce
“Four Men Enter, One Man Survives” mixed martial arts
mega-card at San Jose’s HP Pavilion on Friday, November
16th.
“I
just can’t wait to get back in the cage,” said Le,
who, in his last effort, was a winner over Tony “The Freak”
Fryklund by way of TKO in a featured bout during “Shamrock
vs. Baroni,” the first-ever live SHOWTIME PPV mixed martial
arts event, produced by Strikeforce on June 22nd. Le frustrated
and hammered Fryklund with quick hands and a combination of reverse
spinning back kicks and round kicks to the body before the referee
ordered a stoppage 25 seconds into the third round.
By
easily handling Fryklund, a 10-year veteran of professional mixed
martial arts and a former student of the world-renowned Miletich
Fighting Systems, Le began to answer questions about whether
his dominance in the world of kickboxing could translate to similar
success in competition that allows combat on the ground as well
as on the feet.
“I
think the fight with Tony definitely proved that I have the ability
to be a force in mixed martial arts,” said Le. “Being
able to fight on your feet is just as important as being able
to fight on the ground in this sport because the fight starts
standing up. My ground game is still evolving but, as far as
stand up goes, I feel I’m one of the strongest fighters
out there.”
Le’s
success in martial arts combat sports recently earned him a guest
appearance on The History Channel hit documentary series, The
Human Weapon. During an episode spotlighting the sport of mixed
martial arts, the four-time K-1 Superfight champion and two-time
captain of The United States San Shou Kickboxing team showed
co-hosts Jason Chambers and Bill Duff the mechanics of kicking.
Like
Le, Morgan conquered his last opponent with ease, finishing Sam
Jackson with a rear naked choke in the opening round of their
August 2nd meeting. The outing, Morgan’s first in just under
a year, helped the Minnesota native reestablish his confidence
before his upcoming debut at 185 pounds.
“This
is a great fight for me” said the 26-year-old Morgan of
the matchup with Le. “He’s a wonderful opponent and
I’m gonna come out on top because it’s a bad fight
for him. I’m not the same guy that was fighting on The Ultimate
Fighter. I’ve changed and my goals have changed. I’m
happy and excited about this fight because I know the outcome
– me winning.”
A
former welterweight (168 lb. limit), Morgan indicated that the
recent changes he’s gone through, primarily an improvement
of his mental toughness, were the greatest factor behind his
decision to leap to the next weight class. “I feel that
I’m that person that is up to the challenge and it’s
in my grasp to take this fight and come out victorious,”
he said. “I feel that right now where I’m at, it’s
all or nothing.”
During
his career at 168 lbs, Morgan earned a number of notable wins,
including a knockout of world Muay Thai champion, Duane “Bang”
Ludwig, and a submission of Aaron Riley. “I want to fight
all the top name guys in this sport. I’m not scared of any
of them. I want to take them all on.”
Presented
by BodogFIGHT, Strikeforce “Four Men Enter, One Man Survives”
will be headlined by the first-ever sanctioned mixed martial
arts tournament in the state of California. Slated to compete
in the four-man middleweight (185 lb. limit) playoff are Trevor
Prangley (16-4), Falaniko Vitale (24-7), Yuki Sasaki (21-13-1),
and Jorge Santiago (14-7).
Each
tournament bout will consist of two, five-minute rounds. Brackets
for the single-elimination event have yet to be determined.
In
other action, heavyweight superstars Paul “The Headhunter”
Buentello (23-9) and Alistair “The Demolition Man”
Overeem (25-11) will battle to become the first Strikeforce World
Heavyweight Mixed Martial Arts Champion in history.
World
Light Heavyweight Kickboxing Champion Brian “The Mad Stork”
Schwartz (18-0) will step in the cage for the first time in his
16-year professional fighting career to face Lemont Davis (8-4)
in a 175 lb. limit matchup
Tickets
for the Strikeforce extravaganza are on sale at Ticketmaster
(408-998-TIXS) and Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com)
as well as at the HP Pavilion box office (408-287-7070). Ticket
prices range from $30 to $200.
HP
Pavilion doors will open for Strikeforce “Four Men Enter,
One Man Survives” at 5:30 PM PST on Friday, November 16th.
The first preliminary bout will begin at 6 PM and the first tournament
bout will commence at 7:30 PM.
About
Strikeforce
Strikeforce
is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which,
on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock
vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts
fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza,
which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion,
played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995,
Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming
for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship
kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial
arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” Since then,
it has produced the first SHOWTIME PPV mixed martial arts event
in history with its world championship “Shamrock vs. Baroni”
card on June 22nd of this year followed by the first-ever mixed
martial arts event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion on September
29th.
For
More Information and Fighter Interviews, Contact:
Mike Afromowitz
Strikeforce
(917) 566-8754
muaythaimes@aol.com
Source: Mike Afromowitz
|
Quote
of the Day
"It
doesn't make much difference how the paint is put on as long
as something has been said. Technique is just a means of arriving
at a statement."
Jackson Pollock, 1912-1956, American Painter
|
Fábio
Gurgel talks about Marcelo Garcia debut
The Leader of Alliance and master of Marcelo Garcia, Fábio
Gurgel, has not been not his pupil corner, but he watch Garcia's
bout against the Korean Dae Won Kim at last October 28 at Hero's,
that was hold at Seoul, at south Korea. “I believe it was
a good debut. I spoke with him yesterday and he also liked the
experience. He has to improve something, but in a general view
one he was well and only took that knee. He said that he did
not feel the hit, but the blood went down and he was not seeing
anything more and he had no conditions to continue. He took several
surgical points, inclusive internals”, said Gurgel, that
appointed where Marcelinho needs to improve.
“I
think that his take down is great, he diverse a lot and in spite
of Kim resisted well, he was able to put him down to put down.
I believe that he has to be more comfortable at stand up game.
It is not to improve his stand up game but improve his blockade.
He still has a lot to improve. For been his debut and he lost,
it seems that he fought badly, but he did a first excellent round”,
it believed Gurgel.
Source: Tatame
|
Frank
Shamrock vs Ken Shamrock?
By Brian Knapp
EliteXC
Live Events President Gary Shaw confirmed this week he has held
preliminary discussions about promoting a potential megafight
between brothers Frank and Ken Shamrock within EliteXC. The two
adopted brothers have expressed a willingness to fight one another
in the past.
“I
talked to my team about it,” Shaw said. “I would love
to do brother versus brother. It would be a great promotion.”
Frank
Shamrock (22-8-1), a former UFC middleweight champion and King
of Pancrase, submitted Phil Baroni with a rear-naked choke June
22 to win the vacant Strikeforce middleweight crown. He has won
11 of his last 12 fights, the lone setback a disqualification
loss to Renzo Gracie last February. The soon-to-be 35-year-old
holds victories over Bas Rutten, former UFC light heavyweight
king Tito Ortiz and veteran Jeremy Horn.
Ken
Shamrock (26-12-2), meanwhile, has not competed since losing
to Ortiz by first-round TKO last October. What’s more, the
44-year-old has not won a fight since June 2004 and has lost
six of his past seven bouts. He owns wins over former UFC heavyweight
champion Maurice Smith, Dan Severn and Rutten.
Source: The Fight Network
|
ATT
savage comments on team
After fighting at the Worlds, Indio has his revenge in MMA
After taking his gi from the hanger and facing hard-hitting heavyweights
from the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds (the category won by Xande Ribeiro),
Danillo Villefort, 24, returned to his natural habitat. The ATT’s
Indian, son of legendary Francisco Indio from Carlson Gracie’s
day, rediscovered his winning ways in the ring, and sat down
for a chat with GRACIEMAG.com via email.
What
was your last fight, last Friday, like?
Danillo
Indio: This fight against Todd Carney happened in Tampa, Florida.
It was a revenge match, I lost to him in my first fight in the
United States, one year ago in the AFC. So I already knew what
his game was like, and when it started I took over the middle
and fired off a sequence of direct jabs. I saw that he felt it
but I didn’t go after him prematurely. Later I threw some
knees to his face, took him down and threw a lot of elbows at
him, and finished the round with a tight kimura.
In
the second, I did a harai-goshi, “hip throw”, and we
landed sideways by the fencing. That was when Parrumpinha yelled,
“Pass cuz there’s no way for him to replace it!”
I passed, trapped his arms with my legs and punished him till
the ref pulled us apart. He later asked me for another fight,
and I said yes, of course! (Laughs)
What
are things at the American Top Team like these days?
It’s
awesome, we have Gesias the two-time champion, Parrumpinha and
Tubarao had good wins the other day… Thank God it’s
all going extremely well. Andre Benkei (the team’s physical
trainer) told me that the athletes that train a lot here in the
general barracks and follow the training regime set out by the
ATT have obtained, just this year, more than 20 wins, with only
two by decision, and only three losses, by decision. It reflects
a job well done.
You
received your black belt this year from Liborio. Are you thinking
about competing as a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu or judo?
That
generates responsibility, but provides greater security. It’s
just that, when the going gets tough, what makes the difference
is whether you trained or didn’t train. As my friend Thiago
Jambo says, I have six wins and two learning experiences. I’m
aware that I’m a more mature, calmer fighter.
Have
you kept in contact with your partners from the BTT? What’s
your take on the mood of the team, from afar?
I
always talk with them. I think they are in the housekeeping phase.
I won’t go into detail. I just haven’t spoken with
Touquinho, unfortunately, but I have no doubt in my mind he’s
going to take this Fury FC GP! The guy’s a monster!
Ze
Mario Sperry is planning his team for the 2008 IFL season. Is
there any chance he’ll pick up anyone from the ATT?
I
don’t know who he’ll call to the team, but when the
IFL final in Florida went down he stopped by here at the ATT
and trained with us one day. He was also at my last fight, and
he’s been swapping information with Liborio about athletes
that could make up his team, but I don’t know anything yet.
How
has fighting in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship helped you in
this MMA fight?
Fighting
in the Worlds was leisure for me, I haven’t fought a lot
of Jiu-Jitsu championships in my career, so I wanted to feel
the pressure of the black belts. But I was there mostly to take
my brother to fight and have fun.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Koubousen
Companion: Weighty Issues
by Jordan Breen
If
you thought Gary Shaw and ProElite were the only ones waging
war on the weights and measures of MMA, think again.
DEEP
big boss Shigeru Saeki has announced that he is set to make a
plethora of changes in an effort to remodel DEEP in 2008. Perhaps
most interesting, he is strongly considering revamping DEEP's
weight classes to suit those of the unified rules of mixed martial
arts used in North American regulation and sanctioning.
Currently
the only promotion in Japan that uses the unified rules in any
form is Greatest Common Multiple, which employs the full unified
rules for its Cage Force series. Although Saeki has not elaborated
on his desire to move toward the unified weight classes, it would
appear that he is intent on keeping the current rule structure
of DEEP, which includes stomps and soccer kicks while prohibiting
elbows.
In
a recent interview regarding upstart company World Victory Road
and the establishment of the Japanese MMA Association, Saeki
said he loathed the idea of homogenizing the rules of MMA in
Japan. He feels rule structures are essential in providing the
"flavor" of various promotions.
DEEP
currently has championship titles at 143, 154, 168 and 181 pounds,
and at106 pounds for female competition. The promotion's weight
classes are less defined, however, as there are a considerable
amount of both open-weight bouts and bouts contracted at catch-weights.
Though that may not change, under the unified rules the divisional
titles would be revamped to 145, 155, 170, and 185, and to 105
in the female case.
Saeki
also revealed that he wanted to add another weight class in the
neighborhood of 132 pounds -- a weight class used in amateur
and pro Shooto competition. Furthermore, he hopes to jumpstart
the division with a tournament in early 2008. However, if Saeki
does in fact revamp DEEP's divisions according to the unified-rule
weights, the division would be 135 pounds.
On
the topic of championship reform, Saeki also revealed that as
181-pound champion Ryo Chonan's new UFC contract is non-exclusive,
the 181-pound title will likely be on the market early next year.
Saeki stated last month that he planned on having a 181-pound
challenger tournament next year. But in light of recent events,
that same tournament, which will likely begin in February or
April, will probably be for DEEP's divisional championship.
Pancrase
Also Set to Slide Scales
Saeki
is not alone in his vision of weight class reform in Japan.
Pancrase
officials have also announced that they are very interested in
the idea of using the weight structure provided in the unified
rules of mixed martial arts, to "aim at a more worldwide
Pancrase."
Much
like DEEP, Pancrase apparently wishes to keep its own in-ring
rule structure, which currently eschews elbows and allows soccer
kicks and stomps. However, Pancrase authorities say that by next
February at the very latest, they hope to officially alter their
weight classes, likely in the pattern of the unified rules.
Pancrase
runs weight divisions at 141, 152, 165, 181, 198, 221 and 221-plus
pounds. Under the unified rules, these weight classes would become
145, 155, 170, 185, 205, 265 and 265-plus. Current Pancrase titlists
would retain their titles under the altered weight categories.
Grabaka
Greets Killer Bees and Chute Boxers
One
of Japan's strongest gyms just got a little stronger.
Grabaka
-- home to the likes of Sanae Kikuta, Akihiro Gono, Kazuo Misaki
and Kazunori Yokota -- recently welcomed Riki Fukuda as an official
team member. Fukuda, who made his home at Killer Bee in addition
to spending time stateside at American Kickboxing Academy, has
trained at Grabaka in the past. His gym change is reportedly
under amicable circumstances.
Fukuda
is coming off a controversial split-decision loss to Joey Villasenor
at EliteXC's Hawaiian venture in September. The former Japanese
collegiate wrestling standout will now join the Japanese gym
that has perhaps the most depth north of the lightweight division,
with Kikuta, Gono and Misaki, in addition to Eiji Ishikawa, Keiichiro
Yamamiya and Yuki Sasaki.
Also,
Grabaka will welcome a crop of youngsters from Chute Boxe Japan,
as the gym's Nakano, Tokyo, branch, which is in the same neighborhood
as the main Grabaka gym, recently closed.
Sanae
Kikuta has revealed that no less than three up-and-coming fighters
from the former Chute Boxe Japan gym have opted to join the Grabaka
team, and that he has been in talks with Chute Boxe representatives
in Curitiba to potentially foster a relationship that could see
collaborative training and fighter exchanges between the two
gyms in the future.
Hioki
Heads Home for Heat
Hatsu
Hioki will have an opportunity to atone for his recent embarrassment
in front of his hometown crowd in Nagoya.
Coming
off a massive upset loss to unheralded South Korean Jong Man
Kim in front of his home audience, the 24-year-old Hioki will
take part in the next Heat card in Nagoya on Nov. 25 at the Nagoya
International Convention Center Event Hall. No opponent has been
named for Hioki in what figures to be a tune-up fight.
Hioki
was originally scheduled to be a part of the Heat card in August
against Brazilian import Gustavo "Coelho" Franca. However,
due to a broken toe sustained in training, he was forced to pull
out and be replaced by Katsuya Toida.
Also
announced for the card, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and NEX
Sports leader Hiroshi Umemura will compete against a yet-to-be-named
opponent. The 35-year-old Umemura is 7-0-1 in his last eight
bouts and undefeated in the last three years. At the last Heat
card in August, he made short work of South Korea's Seo Su In,
notching a first-round submission victory.
Kingdom
of Grapple Celebrates Anniversary
One
of Japan's influential MMA sites is about to celebrate its first
anniversary. What better way to celebrate than with an MMA card
of its own?
Later
this month will mark the one-year anniversary of Kingdom of Grapple,
a mobile MMA Web site created by Broad Media Casting Co. Ltd.
In commemoration of the event, Broad Media Casting has announced
that it will hold an MMA event, Kingdom of Grapple Live 2007,
on Nov. 25 at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo.
The
event will work in cooperation with a host of Japanese promotions,
including Pancrase, DEEP, GCM, Zendokai and Smack Girl. The two-part
bill will feature two four-man tournaments for up-and-coming
fighters at 143 and 154 pounds in the afternoon show. It is expected
that Pancrase, DEEP, GCM and Zendokai will each provide a representative
for each tournament to flesh out the brackets.
The
evening portion of the card is scheduled to have eight individual
fights. With cooperation from Smack Girl, there will be at least
one female bout on the card. Pancrase competitors Hikaru Sato
and interim welterweight King of Pancrase Katsuya Inoue are also
being sought to compete. Japanese MMA pillar Tsuyoshi Kohsaka
is expected to provide some talent from his Alliance-Square gym
for the evening lineup.
Shooto
Rookie Finales
Leading
Shooto promoter Sustain has revealed the preliminary lineup for
the year's final pro Shooto card, which will crown the 2007 Shooto
rookie tournament champions.
The
Dec. 8 card at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo will crown six of the seven
Shooto rookie champions for the year. The only final that will
not be contested on the card will in fact not be contested at
all. The 154-pound final was slated to match Hiroshi Shiba and
Yu Ueda, who are both teammates at Purebred Kyoto. The fighters
decided among themselves that Ueda would pull out of the tournament,
allowing Shiba to become the 2007 rookie champion by default.
In
the 115-pound tournament, All Japan amateur champion Hiroyuki
Abe of K'z Factory, who is undefeated as a pro, will look to
repeat his first pro win against Hiroyuki Ikeda of Paraestra
Tokyo. Abe, who dominated Tomohiko Yoshida in the semifinals
last month to advance, knocked off Ikeda in his pro debut last
November, choking him out in the second round. Ikeda notched
his first career win in September, stopping Tatsuya Yamamoto
with strikes on the feet to advance to the final.
In
the 123-pound final, 2006 All Japan amateur champion Tatsuro
Kamei of Paraestra Hiroshima will try to close out the tournament
against Wajyutsu Keisuikai Tokyo's Kenji Hosoya. Hosoya, who
got a bye into the semifinals, took a majority decision over
Yosuke Ebihara to advance in May. Kamei defeated Kenya Kayo and
Suguru Inoue in the quarters and semis to advance, defeating
both via triangle choke in less than a combined five minutes.
Undefeated
20-year-old Paraestra Matsudo prospect Hiromasa Ougikubo hopes
to add a rookie championship on top of his 2005 All Japan amateur
title. Ougikubo knocked off Satoru Ota in May before steamrolling
Kazuya Tamura and choking him out in the first round in September.
His
opponent, Purebred Kyoto's Yasuhiro Kanayama, also won a title
at the All Japan amateur championships in 2005 at 143 pounds.
However, Kanayama has not fared as well as a pro, with a 1-2-3
record. Kanayama drew both Nobuhiro Hayakawa and Junya Kudou
earlier this year, and he advanced in the tournament both times
via lottery, picking the lucky envelope after the draws were
announced.
The
143-pound leg of the tournament will feature two turnaround fighters
vying for the title. Tomonori Taniguchi, a pupil of Hayato Sakurai,
began his pro career 0-3 before impressively stopping both veteran
Yohei Suzuki in a non-tournament bout and Naohiro Mizuno to advance
to the finals in July.
In
the finals, he'll meet TK Esperanza's Kazuhiro Ito, who after
being dominated in his pro debut last November, rattled off two
sensational stoppages to make it to the tournament finals. The
heavily-tattooed Hiroshiman armbarred Takumi Ota in a mere 26
seconds in May, before smashing Toshihiko Yokoyama unconscious
with a vicious knee in September in only 32 seconds.
Submit
Shizuoka's Akihiro Yamazaki and Shooting Gym Osaka's Tomokazu
Yuasa will do battle in the 168-pound semifinal. The slick submission
specialist Yamazaki quickly submitted BJJ black belt Mateus Irie
Nechio in March, then knocked off Daisuke Okumiya in September
to punch his ticket to the final. The powerful brawling Yuasa
picked the lucky envelope in March after a pitch-fight with Takesuke
Kume was judged a draw, and then he bested Toshihiko Sugimoto
last month to advance to the finals.
At
183 pounds, Hiroki Sato of Kakuto Circle OZ will meet Takaaki
"C-Boy" Oban in the final. Sato crushed Atsushi Matsuki
in last month's semifinal bout with a first-round KO, and Oban
made short work of Seiji Furukawa in May, tapping him out in
less than four minutes to reach the final.
For
cards such as this, it is typical that Sustain uses a single
Class-A bout or an important Class-B bout with promotion implications
as the main event. No main event has been announced, but the
card's headliner could very well follow the aforementioned pattern.
Murofushi
and Miki Move to A-League
While
2007's Shooto rookies attempt to make their mark in the pro ranks,
two of last year's rookie kings have earned their Class-A promotions.
After
their wins at the Oct. 20 Shooting Disco card at Shinjuku FACE
in Tokyo, last year's 115-pound rookie champion Shinya Murofushi
and 123-pound rookie champion Ryuichi Miki have both been officially
promoted to Class A in Shooto.
Murofushi,
4-0-1, took a split decision over Atsushi "ATCH Anarchy"
Takeuchi, and Miki, 5-2-2, defeated Toshimichi Akagi via unanimous
decision after an action-packed 10 minutes.
The
extremely lanky 24-year-old Murofushi dominated his way through
last year's rookie field en route to winning the 115-pound tournament.
He seemed bound for Class A from the beginning.
Miki's
match with Akagi was essentially an eliminator bout between two
Class-B competitors fighting for a Class-A promotion. Miki, who
is now undefeated in his last six bouts, was an underdog throughout
last year's 123-pound rookie tournament, but he showed marked
improvement in each successive bout before defeating Ayumu "Gozo"
Shioda in the final.
Akano,
Yabushita Lead Japanese Contingent to California for FFF
There
is no MMA action in Nihon this weekend, but a crop of female
fighters will cross the Pacific for Saturday's Fatal Femmes Fighting
card in Ontario, Calif.
With
FFF champion Roxanne Modaferri sustaining a shoulder injury in
training, Hitomi Akano has stepped into the main event against
rising Brazilian star Vanessa Porto. Akano is coming off a September
loss to former adversary Takayo Hashi, in which she lost her
Smack Girl 128-pound title in a hotly contested decision.
The
streaking Porto has emerged as one of the best up-and-coming
females in the world and gained a measure of publicity recently
with her public challenge of Gina Carano. Because Porto-Modaferri
was scheduled to be for Modaferri's organizational title, the
winner will likely be Modaferri's next championship challenger.
Returning
to FFF will be female-fighting pioneer Megumi Yabushita, who
will take on FFF titlist and female stalwart Lisa Ward, who will
be making a considerable jump in weight to meet the former judoka
and pro-wrestler in a non-title affair.
Yabushita
typically competes at 135 pounds. She fought at the last FFF
card in July, where she was destroyed en route to a unanimous
decision loss by the Josh Barnett-trained Ginele Marquez.
Ward,
who usually campaigns between 106 and 110 pounds, last saw action
at the BodogFIGHT Vancouver tapings in August, where she was
submitted in the first round by female superstar Megumi Fujii.
Two
of Yabushita's Tomoegumi teammates will also make the trek. Hard-luck
veteran Yukiko Seki will look to get into the win column against
novice Brandy Nerne, and FFF and BodogFIGHT veteran Keiko "Tama
Chan" Tamai will return stateside, trying to snap a four-fight
losing streak against Cindy Hales.
Source: Sherdog
|
Quote
of the Day
"Every
day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."
Source Unknown
|
Hawaii
Training Center November 2007 Match Event
For Males, Females, Seniors and J.O.(s)
Fact
Sheet
Dated: October 16, 2007
Introduction:
Hawaii
Training Center, "Home of Evolution Boxing Club," will
be holding a match event on November 16, and 17, 2007 Saturday,
7 pm at 94-547 Ukee Street. Suite 203/209, Waipahu, Hawaii 96797.
Weigh
in:
Oahu
Maui
Date: November 14, 2007 Thursday Date: November 14 , 2007 Thursday
Location: Hawaii Training Center Location: Jeff McKee's gym
Time: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm Time: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Big
Island Kauai
Please weigh in on Fight Day. Please weigh in on Fight Day.
No Weight Master assigned for this island No Weight Master assigned
for this island
Drawings:
Location: Hawaii Training Center
Date: November 14 , 2007
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Ph #: (808) 676-2020 or (808) 520-5826 (cell #)
Boxers
competing in this match event must be registered with USA Boxing
prior to the weigh in.
Should
you have any questions regarding this match event please feel
free to call Chanelle Valdez at (808) 520-5826. We hope that
all the clubs are able to participate and we look forward to
serving all of Hawaii Boxer and Clubs.
Aloha,
Hawaii Training Center, Inc.
Management
Source: Chanelle Valdez
|
Hendo
may drop weight
Idea would be to put end to Anderson Silva’s domination
Controversial president of the UFC, Dana White never hid from
anyone his desire to have Dan Henderson fight in the middleweight
category. The American arrived at the UFC with two Pride belts,
in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions, however,
the fighter opted for the heavier category. One of the factors
to stimulate Dana’s desire is the complete domination of
the weight group on the Brazilian’s part. Henderson would
be in line to fight for the title, as would the recently-hired
Ricardo Cahorrao.
Hendo,
who showed no interest in dropping divisions up until now, seems
to have reflected on the subject. In an interview with an American
radio station, the athlete declared there were good chances of
his dropping weight to set off on his journey for the middleweight
title at UFC 79. To be held in Las Vegas on December 29, the
event will include the much awaited battle between Wanderlei
Silva and Chuck Liddell, besides the fight for the welterweight
belt between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra. Stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com
for more news.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Gesias
values his placing at the American ranking
Twice
K-1 Hero's champion, Gesias Cavalcanti appeared only at sixth
place in the American ranking of the 70 kg category. “At
least, at this time, I appeared in their ranking (laugh) ”,
said Gesias, which valued Wh he is behind names like the Japanese
Takanori Gomi (1), Hayato Sakurai (2), Gilbert Melendez (3),
Tatsuya Kawajiri (4) and Shinya Aoki (5). “They have more
time then me fighting in a great event that was the Pride, which
had a bigger exhibition in world-wide level. Of course they deserve,
because for me this is the most difficult category to made a
ranking. Between the top 10, any one can alternate at the post
of number 1”, said the black-belt of the ATT, which complemented:
“Perhaps
for the American ranking a big part of them could not have seen
my bouts. They value more for the numbers of top fighters that
I have fought. Then, to reach the first position, I have only
to fight and to keep winning”, said Gesias, still on holidays
at Rio de Janeiro. Another Brazilian at the ranking is the champion
of the Cage Rage Vítor Shaolin, who in despite of the
defeat for Gesias appears at seventh place.
Source: Tatame
|
LIDDELL
READY TO WELCOME SILVA BACK TO UFC
by Jeff Cain
No one was more excited by the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s
official announcement that Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva
would finally fight at UFC 79 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas than Liddell
himself.
"I'm
very excited," the former light heavyweight champion told
MMAWeekly.com. “I've been waiting for this fight for a long,
long time.”
The
bout has been years in the making and many believed it would
never happen, including Liddell, "I thought that for a long
time. I've always said I'll be surprised when it does (happen),
but I'm happily surprised now and I can't wait until we get there."
Now
that the bout agreements have been signed and the fight is official,
Dec. 29 cannot come soon enough for Liddell.
With
both fighters coming off back-to-back losses, some think the
match up has lost a little of it's luster, but Liddell disagrees.
"I
think it's going to be a huge fight because people have been
waiting for it for so long and people have been talking about
it for so long."
Asked
if there was any added pressure to win coming in off two losses,
Liddell replied, "I'm just excited to get in there and fight
Wanderlei. There's no extra pressure.
"To
me, it's a chance to fight Wanderlei and put myself back in contention
for a title shot. I just want to fight. I'm glad I get the first
shot at him."
Silva
hasn’t fought in the UFC for more than seven years. He lost
a decision to Tito Ortiz upon the promotion’s last trip
to Japan in April of 2000.
Liddell's
been in several big fights in his storied career, but none he's
wanted more than this one with the former Pride Fighting Championships
middleweight titleholder.
"I've
always said the opponent helps what motivates you during training,
and this is definitely one I'm excited to get in the gym to get
ready for."
Not
only does the motivation appear to be there, Liddell also likes
the stylistic match up and his chances for a favorable outcome.
"I
like a guy who comes at me and forces the fight. I don't think
this one goes to a decision, that's for sure. It might make it
into the second or third round, but someone is going out sooner
or later.
"I
plan on sending him out in the first round."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
TRANSFORMATION
Hieron Two Steps from a Title in IFL World Grand Prix
By Chris Yucus
Entry
into the world of mixed martial arts was a way for Jay Hieron
to cope with troubling times. After years of finding solace in
wrestling, a sport at which he excelled, Hieron walked away.
He left the wrestling team at Hofstra University because of conflicts
with the coach. He thought he had “wasted his whole life
wrestling.”
Dark
days would follow Hieron’s departure from the amateur wrestling
arena, as his environment and disillusionment transformed the
world around him. “I wasn’t from the best neighborhood,”
says Hieron, a Long Island native, “and I fell into the
wrong path.” Before long, he found himself with legal problems
after an arrest for selling narcotics.
By
then, Hieron had already been introduced to MMA. High school
friend and Nassau Junior College teammate Phil Baroni had asked
Hieron to help him train for a match with former Olympic silver
medalist Matt Lindland at UFC 34. Hieron accepted Baroni’s
invitation.
“At
that point I wasn’t interested in fighting MMA,” Hieron
says. “I was just helping him.”
After
his arrest, Hieron rekindled the fire that had propelled him
to two state runner-up finishes in high school and a junior college
national championship. He returned to the same gym where he had
worked with Baroni and began training himself.
“Just
sweating and sweating everyday” filled the void in his life
that surfaced when he quit wrestling, and the sweat he shed during
workouts helped drain him of the stress he carried from his legal
troubles. Training soon roused the dormant competitive passions
Hieron says he “had buried deep inside.” Once again,
athletics were bringing out the best in him.
“I
fell in love with the sport of mixed martial arts,” Hieron
says. “It gave the same feelings I had from wrestling, only
deeper. It changed my life; now I don’t take any day for
granted.”
Hieron
launched his professional MMA career in 2003 and has since amassed
a 12-4 record. Following his first loss – a first-round
TKO to Georges St. Pierre in his promotional debut at UFC 48
in 2004 – Hieron pondered his future in the sport.
“I
went back home and I thought about it,” Hieron says, “I
thought that this is what I love to do, [and] this is what I
want to do. So I took the next step and moved across the country
to sharpen my skills and become a better fighter.”
Hieron
relocated to Las Vegas and rededicated himself as a martial artist.
There, he hooked up with Forrest Griffin and three-time UFC heavyweight
champion Randy Couture. The group began training together at
the UFC Training Center and continued its efforts at a new venue
when Couture opened Xtreme Couture Mixed Martial Arts in 2007.
Hieron
looks upon training with Couture, a man he holds in high regard,
as a blessing. He views Couture “like an older brother,”
as the two discuss not only topics related to fighting but life
issues, as well.
Hieron’s
decision to move to Las Vegas has paid dividends. Now fighting
for the International Fight League’s Los Angeles Anacondas,
he has distinguished himself as one of the league’s elite
welterweights with a 4-2 record. Hieron will face off with Donnie
Liles (8-3, 1-1 IFL) in the semi-finals of the IFL World Grand
Prix this Saturday at the Sears Centre in Chicago. Hieron submitted
Liles with a guillotine choke in March.
Because
of injuries, Hieron’s opponent has been switched twice in
the past several days. The changes have not fazed the 31-year-old.
“I’ve
been training hard for eight weeks for this fight, working on
every aspect of my game,” Hieron says, “I’m just
glad they found someone to step in and fight me.”
Source: The Fight Network
|
Din
Thomas arrested
By Zach Arnold
The
Vero Beach Press-Journal in Florida is reporting that Din Thomas
was arrested by local police on Tuesday for running ‘illegal
cage fighting’ matches at his training facility.
More details at MMA HQ.
Din Thomas = Tyler Durden?
UFC Veteran Din Thomas was arrested yesterday in Port St. Lucie,
Florida for holding illegal MMA competitions at his gym.
According
to the police arrest warrant, Thomas was holding MMA fights in
a cage and charging $10 per person for the 150 or so in attendance.
According to the police report, Thomas stated that they fighters
were just students from his American Top Team academy and the
spectators were mostly family and friends. Din stated that he
was holding the fights to get his students used to fighting in
front of crowds and that they were only sparring the same way
they would during a class. Thomas stated that the money collected
would be used for a raffle to give away prizes like Apple iPods
and ATT clothing.
The
police didn’t seem to agree and arrested Thomas for holding
illegal sporting competitions without a license.
PORT
ST. LUCIE — Din Thomas, almost a legend in the ultimate
fighting world, was arrested Tuesday after police say he ran
“illegal cage fighting” matches at a local training
studio that he runs, a police spokesman said.
Thomas,
31, faces a felony prohibited competitions charge after police
got a tip Oct. 19 about the matches at a facility he uses in
St. Lucie West.
Inside,
they observed two men fighting in an octagon-shaped ring surrounded
by about 150 spectators. The fights reportedly weren’t sanctioned.
The
state Boxing Commission, which is part of the Department of Business
and Professional Regulation, licenses and regulates professional
boxing and mixed martial arts in Florida, DBPR spokesman Sam
Farkas said.
Amateur
boxing matches are regulated and licensed by a sanctioning committee
that’s approved by the boxing commission, but no mixed martial
arts fights are allowed at the amateur level.
“At
the end of the day, he was having a professional mixed martial
arts match that was not licensed through us,” Farkas said.
“It was a case of unlicensed activity.”
Thomas
is well known in the world of ultimate fighting, commonly known
as mixed martial arts, a brutal combination of boxing, kickboxing
and wrestling in a boxing ring or cage. The fighting is so intense
that most fights are limited to three five-minute rounds.
Thomas,
who lost last month to Kenny Florian in an Ultimate Fighting
Championship match televised live on Spike TV, has a gym on South
U.S. 1 near Port St. Lucie Boulevard. It’s named American
Top Team Port St. Lucie (ATTPSL) because of an affiliation with
American Top Team, a national organization with franchises across
the country.
A
Delaware native, Thomas was 12 when he moved with his family
to Port St. Lucie, graduating from Port St. Lucie High School
in 1994.
Update: Things are not looking good
for Din Thomas:
Robert
Vega with the Port St. Lucie Police Department said that during
one of the matches, one of the men was knocked unconscious and
that there was no hired medical staff at the event to aid him.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
"I
paint life as I would like it to be."
Norman Rockwell, 1894-1978, American Painter
|
STEVENSON
VS. PENN FOR INTERIM TITLE
AT UFC 80
by Damon Martin
Joe Stevenson and B.J.
Penn are
set to do battle at UFC 80 in New Castle, England for the interim
UFC lightweight title as confirmed by Stevenson earlier today.
MMAWeekly
spoke to the former “Ultimate Fighter” season 2 winner
who said the bout was originally talked about as a part of UFC
79 on Dec. 29 in Las Vegas, but now the fight has been moved
to main event status for the U.K. show taking place in January.
The
winner will take home the interim UFC lightweight title while
current champion Sean Sherk awaits his final verdict from the
California State Athletic Commission after his positive steroid
test stemming from his July 7th fight with Hermes Franca.
Sherk’s
suspension is currently set to run for 1 year which would keep
him out of action until July 2008, but the appeal set for Nov.
13 could result in a reduction or elimination of the suspension
depending on the outcome of the hearing.
Penn
and Stevenson have long been considered the top contenders for
the lightweight title and the bout will be five rounds just as
any regular championship bout.
UFC
80 will also feature a heavyweight rematch between Gabriel Gonzaga
and Fabricio Werdum.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Sean
Sherk to remain UFC lightweight champion
Sean Sherk will remain the UFC lightweight champion regardless
of the final ruling of the California State Athletic Commission,
says Yahoo! Sports.
Sherk
is currently facing a one-year suspension, which could possibly
be reduced depending on the outcome of his next hearing on November
13.
According
to the report, UFC President Dana White said he will not strip
Sherk of his title due to his dissatisfaction with the way the
commission has handled Sherk's appeal.
The
lightweight division won't remain in limbo, though.
White
will match up BJ
Penn and
Joe Stevenson in January for the interim lightweight title at
UFC 80 in Newcastle, England. The interim champion will take
on Sherk at a later date to unify the belts.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
IFL
World Grand Prix: Battle For The Belts
IFL World Grand Prix: Battle For The Belts
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Sears Centre in Chicago, IL
Lightweights
-
Wagnney Fabiano vs. John Gunderson
- Chris Horodecki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Welterweights
-
Delson Heleno vs. Gideon Ray
- Jay Hieron vs. Donnie Liles
Middleweights
-
Benji Radach vs. Brent Beauparlant
- Matt Horwich vs. Brian Foster
Light
Heavyweights
-
Vladimir Matyushenkko vs. Alex Schoenauer
Heavyweights
-
Antoine Jaoude vs. Shane Ott
- Roy Nelson vs. Bryan Vetell
Source: MMA Fighting
|
ELITE
XC RENEGADE PRE-FIGHT MEDIA CALL
Shaw Confirms New Weight Divisions, Slice, Shields, and Noons
Ready
By FCF Staff
ProElite held a media teleconference call today to field questions
about the company’s upcoming Elite XC “Renegade”
card, which will take place November 10th, at the American Bank
Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The card will be headlined by
a lightweight title fight between Nick Diaz and KJ Noons and will also feature
bouts with Jake Shields taking on Mike Pyle, and Seth Kleinbeck
versus Kyle Noke.
Kevin
Ferguson “Kimbo Slice”, was also scheduled to fight
Mike Bourke on the 10th, however, Elite XC announced today that
Bourke will be unable to fight due to a broken clavicle. Bo Cantrell
has been confirmed by the promotion has his replacement.
Diaz (R) Will Face Noons On November 10th
Elite
XC Live Events President Gary Shaw fielded a series of questions
during the call, covering an array of topics that included the
upcoming November 10th card, Elite XC’s new weight divisions,
to Randy Couture’s recent resignation from the UFC.
For
sometime now Shaw has stated publicly that Elite XC was going
to examine the possibility of introducing new weight divisions
to their promotion. Shaw confirmed this afternoon that Elite
XC would now be promoting 8 weight brackets in total.
“I’ll
give you the run down from the bottom to top,” said Shaw.
“We’ll have a 140 weight class, 150, 160, 170, 185,
205, and then of course 205 to 265, and then at 265 is our super-heavyweight
and above. I want to tell you the reason, I believe very much
in the health safety and welfare of the fighters, I’m very
concerned in the mixed-martial-arts world about this cutting
of drastic amounts of weight, not only the week of, but the night
before and almost the day of. I want to get some weight classes
so that fighters can fit much better into certain weight classes,
have the opportunity to fight for world titles, without endangering
their health.”
When
asked about ProElite streaming Randy Couture’s press conference
last week on its official website, and whether or not the UFC
champion might have a future with Elite XC, Shaw offered this
response.
“As
far as Randy Couture goes, I don’t tortuously interfere
with anybody’s contract, until I know for sure that Randy
is out of his contract I will not approach him. But believe me;
this organization would welcome Randy Couture in any facet of
what we do, either as a consultant, or as a fighter or as an
announcer, or anything else. He has a home here, but I would
definitely not tortuously interfere with an ongoing contract.”
Shaw
also was asked about M-1 Global’s recent signing of Fedor
Emelianenko, and whether or not Elite XC would be willing to
work with the promotion.
“Yes,
very, very, interested, love Monte Cox, think that Monte’s
a great guy, love to do work with Monte, love to work with Fedor,
great fighter.”
The
Elite XC Live Events President also commented on contractual
negotiations with Jake Shields and recent speculation that the
fighter might be looking towards the UFC. Shaw stated his fervent
desire to resign Shields and that the promotion is looking to
lock up the fighter long term. Shields acknowledged that he his
happy with Elite XC and that he is quite certain he will be resigning
with the promotion.
As
far as the fighters go, Kimbo Slice fielded numerous questions
in regards to his signing with ProElite, his training camp and
his switch over into professional sports. The former street fighter,
who became an Internet legend due to footage of his fights, has
been training with Bas Rutten and Shawn Tompkins to prepare for
his Elite XC debut.
“I’m glad about it,” Slice said in regards to
Elite XC signing him. “I pray to God, you guys, you know
what I’m saying, that you were able to come through and
snatch me up, you know, when the other show got shut down, it
kind of upset me because I didn’t think I was going to get
a chance to fight. All that hard training and hard work that
I put into it, if I wasn’t able to bang it was kind of depressing
for me.”
Slice
had been scheduled to fight Tank Abbot at Cage Fury Fighting
Championship 6 earlier this month before it was cancelled due
to the loss of a key investor. The fighter also noted during
today’s call that he would be willing to fight Abbot “in
the parking lot”, if so required, and would also welcome
a fight with Sean Gannon.
When
asked for a statement about his upcoming fight with Diaz, Noons
said;
“Like
I said before, you know, Nick is the number one guy in the world
because he beat Gomi, and I’m getting a great opportunity
to face the number one fighter in the world for a title. I’m
really excited, I’ve been training very hard and I’m
really excited to make this the fight of the night, fight of
the month, fight of the year whatever.”
As
far as Shields and his thoughts on facing Pyle, Shields commented,
“I’m
excited to be fighting for Elite again, and I’ve been training
really hard. I think Mike Pyle is a rgood opponent, and I’m
going to go out there and put on a good fight.”
Source: FCF
|
Fedor
fights February 15
M-1 Global debut in Chicago
Fedor Emelianenko already has his MMA return date set. Away from
the ring since April, when he overcame Matt Lindland, the Russian
heavyweigh announced his return date of February 15, in Chicago,
in an interview with his own site. His adversary in the maiden
event of M-1 Global, with which Fedor signed a contract this
month, has not yet been defined, the same goes for the rules.
“We
are still negotiating the rules, as we want something that will
be internationally acceptable, and applicable in Europe and the
United States. But the rules will be based on Pride rules,”
said Fedor, who guarantees that he’ll be in shape: “I
think that at this moment I remain in good shape and training
hard. Right now I am training for the World Sambo Championship
and next will follow up on my MMA career.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
IFL
WORLD GRAND PRIX 2007 PREVIEW
by Ricardo Mendoza
After a long and strenuous team season, the International Fight
League is now set to begin crowning champions in five different
weight divisions with its 2007 World Grand Prix, which is set
to take place on Nov. 3 at the Sears Centre in Chicago.
What
was once a promising card full of the IFL’s biggest stars
vying for a championship belt in their respective weight division
has now gone through drastic changes due to contract disputes
and injuries.
One
of the more notable absences in the Grand Prix is the promotion’s
No. 1 heavyweight, Ben Rothwell, who along with Mike Whitehead
and Antonio McKee is absent due to contractual disputes. Other
stars like Andre Gusmao, Brad Blackburn, Pat Healy, Reese Andy
and Mike Ciesnolevicz were forced out because of various injuries.
In
what is the most competitive weight class in the Grand Prix,
the lightweight division features a much-anticipated rematch
of two of the IFL’s most popular stars in the Anacondas’
Chris Horodecki and the Silverbacks’ Bart Palaszewski. In
their first meeting, Horodecki won a close split decision victory
over Palaszewski, who at the time was undefeated in the IFL.
Expect another war from these two fighters in what will likely
end up being the fight of the night.
In
the other half of the lightweight bracket, Wagnney Fabiano of
the Dragons takes on the Lions’ John Gunderson. Fabiano
is undefeated in the IFL with all three of his victories coming
by way of submission in the first round. Gunderson has only tasted
defeat once in the league, losing a controversial split decision
to Palaszewski in a fight many thought he won. Gunderson needs
to keep the fight on the feet in order survive the submission
onslaught of Fabiano on the ground.
The
welterweight division features rematches of two fights that went
to decisive finishes the first time around. The Pitbulls’
Delson Heleno submitted the Dragons’ Gideon Ray by Kimura
when they first met back in June of this year. Ray needs to keep
the fight on the feet in order to avoid the same fate as their
first fight.
Fan
favorite Jay Hieron of the Anacondas rematches the Razorclaws’
Donnie Liles in the other welterweight semi-final. They met for
the first time in March with Hieron submitting Liles with a choke.
Hieron is coming off a shocking loss to Brad Blackburn and will
want to prove a point in this fight. Not much has changed since
these two last met; so expect the fight to play out much like
their first encounter.
In
the middleweight division, heavy favorite Benji Radach of the
Anacondas faces off with the Dragons’ Brent Beauparlant.
Radach is undefeated in the IFL, finishing all four of his opponents
within the distance. Beauparlant has looked like a new fighter
since moving down to middleweight, but it will be a big upset
if he can pull off the win over Radach.
Eccentric
Wolfpack middleweight Matt Horwich takes on the Razorclaws’
Brain Foster in the other divisional match-up. Horwich has had
an up and down career in the IFL, but he is a dangerous submission
fighter that can strike at any time. Foster has been the most
consistent fighter on the Razorclaws and has been rewarded with
a spot in the Grand Prix. As long as he keeps this fight on the
feet, he can stop Horwich. This is an even match-up that should
be decided by whoever is able to take the fight to their comfort
zone.
Due
to an abnormal amount of injuries, a champion will be determined
in the light heavyweight division in Chicago, skipping the semi-final
round altogether. In a battle of Ultimate Fighting Championship
veterans, the Sabres’ Vladimir Matyushenko face Alex Schoenauer
of the Anacondas. Matyushenko has dominated the 205-pound division
and winning this fight would be the crowning achievement of his
IFL career. Schoenauer has shown flashes of brilliance, but has
been inconsistent throughout his career. He needs to be at his
best here. Look for Matyushenko to continue his dominance and
become the first divisional champion in the league’s short
history.
The
heavyweight division is without its biggest star in Rothwell,
which now leaves it wide open with two contenders sticking out.
In the first match-up, Antoine Jaoude of the Condors faces the
Dragons’ Shane Ott. Jaoude has put together an impressive
run this season, but has been unable to finish off his opponents.
Ott made an impressive debut in the IFL, but lost in his second
fight to Roy Nelson. Look for Jaoude to use his slow technical
ground game to grind out another dominant decision victory.
In
the other half of the heavyweight bracket, Roy Nelson of the
Lions takes on the Pitbulls’ Bryan Vetell. Nelson has been
impressive with his only IFL loss coming to Rothwell in a fight
that many believe could of gone either way. Vetell has had a
mixed career in the league, losing to the top heavyweights but
holding his own against lesser-experienced fighters. Look for
Nelson to use his superior striking skills and experience to
overcome Vetell.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
M-1
management team announced
Five minutes ago, Sibling Sports issued a press release announcing
who is part of M-1’s management team.
Monte
Cox is the M-1 Global President and CEO. Vadim Finkelchtein is
appointed to the M-1 Global Executive Committee. Bob Clark is
the COO. Joost Raimond will be President of M-1 Eurasia and be
appointed to the M-1 Global Executive Committee. Apy Echteld
will be VP of fighter development. Brian Patton will be the Vice
President of M-1 Global. SFX Media & Events VP Dennis Spencer
will be on the M-1 Global Executive Committee.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
“Kids
go where there is excitement. They stay where there is love.”
Zig Ziglar, American Säles Trainer and Motivational Author/Speaker
|
Aloha
State BJJ Championships
Sunday, November
11, 2007
Gym 1 at UH Manoa
Tournament Starts at 10:00 am
Good luck to all competitors and coaches!
Please remind everyone to register early and before Thursday,
8 November, so we can try to have brackets done before Saturday
(Day of weigh-ins) and ready for review by all competitors &
coaches/instructors.
Picture of the Final Conflict 2007 Aloha State BJJ Championship
Belt
Weigh-in and general information can be found on www.brazilian-freestyle.com or www.hawaiibjj.com or "mail-in"
form registration.
Also, the FAX has changed to (808) 941-8771 just in case someone
doesn't want to use the online registration and payment.
For further information, questions, or concerns, please contact
David K. Hattori at hawaiibjj@hotmail.com or #(808) 722-7243.
Source: David Hattori
|
UFC
DISPUTES COUTURE'S CLAIMS ABOUT HIS PAY
LAS VEGAS – Heavyweight champion Randy Couture abruptly
resigned from the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Oct. 11.
He followed up with a press conference from his Xtreme Couture
gym in Las Vegas on Oct. 25 detailing the reasons for his resignation.
“This
was never a money issue,” he said. “It’s been
a prevailing feeling of respect that wasn’t being given.”
However,
much of the information doled out at that press conference centered
on various facts and figures related to Couture’s compensation.
On
Tuesday, UFC president Dana White, co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta
and Chief Financial Officer John Mulkey held a press conference
from Zuffa, LLC (the UFC’s parent company) headquarters
in Las Vegas to “address some statements that Randy Couture
made about the UFC and his pay that are false,” according
to White.
"I
sat back and watched his press conference last week on TV, on
Thursday, and I have to be honest with you,” added Fertitta,
“I felt that the statements that he made had so grossly
misrepresented the facts that I felt that we needed to protect
ourselves because I felt that the statements were made in a way
meant to hurt us. The fact is you can only sit back and be silent
for so long. The facts are the facts. We have the facts.”
The
UFC refuted much of what Couture said, producing checks cashed
by him, both in reference to a disputed “signing bonus”
and total monies for pay-per-view bonuses indicating that the
heavyweight champion did receive an amount differing from his
presentation.
"When
he signed and executed the promotional agreement he was awarded
a signing bonus of $500,000 of which half was to be paid upon
signing and half upon the completion of his first fight which
was UFC 68," stated Mulkey.
The
UFC did produce a letter written by White to Couture dated Jan.
12 detailing the signing bonus as well as a cashed checked signed
by Couture dated Jan. 30 for $250,000.
Although
the letter only indicated a $250,000 signing bonus, an additional
check for $250,000 dated March 3, 2007 and referenced as “UFC
68 Bonus” was issued to Couture, which would seem to back
up the $500,000 amount referenced both by the UFC and Couture.
The
biggest difference here seems to be that the UFC considered the
$500,000 a signing bonus, with the letter from White backing
up at least half of that amount, and Couture calling it an “off
the books” bonus and the $250,000 check in January an “advance”
on that bonus.
For
the first time in it's history, and probably the last, the UFC
opened its financial records to the media showing the signing
bonus, as well as his bout pay and pay-per-view revenue.
The
numbers cited by Couture last Thursday during his press conference
were clearly in contrast to the documents presented at Zuffa
headquarters on Tuesday. Couture estimated that he received a
half million dollars from pay-per-view sales following the bout
with Tim Sylvia at UFC 68, while the numbers, including check
receipts, produced by the UFC totaled $936,000 based on 540,000
buys.
UFC
documents also project buys for the Gonzaga fight, at UFC 74,
at 485,000, which would mean $787,000 to Couture according to
his pay-per-view bonus scale.
Not
including his $500,000 signing bonus, the UFC indicated that
Couture’s pay for the Sylvia fight totaled $1.186 million
and $1.072 million for the Gonzaga fight, some of which is indicative
of the pay-per-view estimates and a $35,000 “Fight of the
Night” bonus for the latter bout.
In
addition to fight-related pay, Mulkey also stated that Couture
had an employment agreement with the company that paid him $200,000
per year, as well as approximately $56,000 for commentating fees.
Couture
last week stated that he and his lawyer interpret that his current
contract will expire in nine months.
The
UFC disputed that claim, White saying, "We'll find out.
Randy Couture got a half a million dollar signing bonus eight
months ago to sign this contract with us and we're going to do
everything in our power to make sure he honors it."
Asked
if there would be any legal action taken against Couture, Fertitta
responded, "That's up to Randy.
"From
our perspective, Randy Couture is still under contract with the
UFC, and we will do whatever we have to do to continue to protect
our rights."
White
added, "I hope not. I don't want to play this out in court.
"If
Tito Ortiz and I can work things out, I'm sure Randy Couture
and I can."
He
also revealed that the UFC plans to offer Couture, possibly later
this week, a fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for early 2008.
“As
far as I'm concerned here today, Randy Couture is our heavyweight
champion, and we're going to figure this thing out."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
ANNOUNCES FULL UFC 78 FIGHT CARD
The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Tuesday announced the full
fight card for UFC 78: Validation scheduled for the Prudential
Center in Newark, N.J. on Nov. 17.
In
addition to the previously announced main event between former
“Ultimate Fighter” winners Rashad Evans and Michael
Bisping, the line-up will also feature a number of up-and-coming
fighters.
Perennial
top ten welterweight fighter Karo Parisyan will face former Pride
Fighting Championships competitor Ryo Chonan, who will be making
his UFC debut in the 170-pound division.
Knockout
artist Houston Alexander returns, sporting a 2-0 record in the
UFC, to take on undefeated Team Link fighter Thiago Silva.
In
a lightweight match-up that is expected to be a “Fight of
the Night” candidate, Spencer Fisher returns after recovering
from a recent staph infection to face rising star Frankie Edgar.
After
a multitude of injuries that kept him out of the UFC, David Terrell
is finally set to return to face tough middleweight contender
Ed Herman.
The
undercard will feature Chris Lytle taking on American Top Team
member Thiago Alves in a welterweight bout, former “Ultimate
Fighter” competitor Joe Lauzon against Jason Reinhardt,
Luke Caudillo facing Marcus Aurelio in a lightweight contest,
and former Pride fighter Akihiro Gono making his Octagon debut
against Tamden McCrory.
Full
UFC 78 Fight Card:
Rashad
Evans vs. Michael Bisping
Karo Parisyan vs. Ryo Chonan
Houston Alexander vs. Thiago Silva
David Terrell vs. Ed Herman
Spencer Fisher vs. Frankie Edgar
Joe Lauzon vs. Jason Reinhardt
Chris Lytle vs. Thiago Alves
Luke Caudillo vs. Marcus Aurelio
Akihiro Gono vs. Tamden McCrory
Source: MMA Weekly
|
PHIL
BARONI'S SUSPENSION REDUCED TO 6 MONTHS
The California State Athletic Commission on July 3, 2007, stated
that fighter Phil Baroni had tested positive for Boldenone Metabolite
and Stanozolol Metabolite following his Strikeforce main event
bout with Frank Shamrock on June 22. He was subsequently fined
$2,500 and suspended for one year.
Boldenone
and Stanozolol are common anabolic steroids that are banned from
athletic competition in California.
Baroni
went before the commission on Tuesday to appeal and subsequently
had his suspension reduced to six months. With the penalty being
retroactive to the night of the bout, he will be eligible to
fight again after Dec. 22. His fine was upheld.
“I
take this as a loss. I never did steroids,” said Baroni
following the hearing.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
SEAN
SHERK'S CASE PUT ON HOLD AGAIN
Sean Sherk, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight
titleholder, went before the California State Athletic Commission
on Wednesday to argue his case against an alleged positive drug
test result following his successful title defense against Hermes
Franca on July 7. His case has been put on hold for the second
time.
Apparently,
Sherk’s attorney, Howard Jacobs, submitted a brief of the
evidence and other details that he would be presenting on the
champion’s behalf to the CSAC on Friday. Inexplicably, the
brief was either not reviewed or not made available for review
to the complete membership of the commission.
After
some discussion between the commission and a visibly frustrated
Jacobs, it was determined that Sherk’s case would remain
in recess until Nov. 13, giving the members of the commission
ample time to review the brief.
Sherk’s
case stems from the aforementioned drug test result that allegedly
indicated that he tested positive for Nandrolone Metabolite.
Nandrolone is a known anabolic steroid, use of which is illegal
for athletes competing in the state of California.
Upon
notification of the test result, the CSAC fined Sherk $2,500
and suspended him for a total of 365 days.
His
original hearing to address the charges was on Aug. 6. At that
point, Sherk asked for and was granted an extension to his appeal
due to not receiving information relating to his case that he
or his representatives had requested from the commission.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
CAMP
REPORT: TEAM LINK (GONZAGA VS. WERDUM)
Team Link has become a breeding ground for some of the best talent
around the world of mixed martial arts of late. With fighters
such as Gabriel Gonzaga helping to build the foundation along
with head trainer Marco Alvan, top competitors such as Paulo
Filho have stepped up and called the team home.
Recently,
MMAWeekly spoke to Alvan, who gave an update for many of Team
Link’s top fighters and prospects.
GABRIEL
GONZAGA READY TO FIGHT; WERDUM IS NEXT
After
suffering a tough loss in his shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship
heavyweight title, Gonzaga has recovered from a broken nose and
is now ready to move on to new competition.
“When
the fight was offered to (Gonzaga), he took it at the same time,”
Alvan said about the match-up with Fabricio Werdum. “He
knew that it was a possibility to happen and he liked the idea.
He thinks the first time was a great fight, but now is completely
different circumstances. Both improved a lot and it is going
to be a great fight.”
The
bout is set to take place at UFC 80 in New Castle, England, and
marks a return to the country where Gonzaga scored his biggest
win to date when he knocked out former Pride champion Mirko “Cro
Cop” Filipovic.
As
Alvan alluded to, the fight with Werdum is a rematch. The two
met in September of 2003 at the first Jungle Fight event in Brazil,
where Gonzaga lost via TKO in the third round.
PAULO
FILHO JOINS TEAM LINK
World
Extreme Cagefighting middleweight titleholder Paulo Filho officially
joined Team Link recently, moving on from Brazilian Top Team.
He will arrive in Massachusetts in November to start final preparations
for a bout he hopes will take place in December.
Rumors
circulated recently that Filho would fight former UFC welterweight
Frank Trigg, but nothing was ever finalized and now it appears
the bout is off the table.
Plans
are currently still in the works for Filho to fight on the WEC
card – featuring a featherweight title bout between Urijah
Faber and Jeff Curran – but no opponent has been named.
THIAGO
SILVA READY TO FACE HOUSTON ALEXANDER
Sporting
an undefeated professional record and 2-0 inside the Octagon,
Thiago Silva will face off against Houston Alexander at UFC 78
in New Jersey on Nov. 17.
Silva
has looked impressive in his two fights in the UFC. This bout
with Alexander could create another top contender for the 205-pound
championship.
“If
Thiago fights smart in this fight, he has all the tools to win,”
said Alvan about the match-up with Alexander. “I think it
is the opportunity that Thiago was waiting for to show all the
UFC fans that he can be in the top of the UFC 205-pound division.”
Alvan
doesn’t believe that Silva has any extra pressure on him
stepping into this fight with an undefeated record and says if
anyone has pressure coming into the bout, it’s Alexander.
“Thiago
knows how to deal with that because every fight he needs to put
his clean record on the table,” Alvan stated. “I think
the pressure is on Houston because he finished his first two
fights in the UFC fast with spectacular TKOs, but now he knows
that Thiago (is) coming with the same idea. That is the TKO.”
TEAM
LINK GOES 3-0 AT EXTREME FIGHTING INTERNATIONAL
Last
weekend, three of the top up-and-coming fighters from Team Link
competed in the Extreme Fighting International event held in
Springfield, Mass. with all three coming out victorious.
Nate
Woodger won at 205 pounds, Gabriel "Gladiator" Santos
at 185 pounds and Armenian Karn Gregorian kept his perfect record
of 5-0 intact en route to becoming the light heavyweight champion.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
“The
greatest weariness comes from work not done.”
Eric Hoffer, 1902-1983, American Social Writer
|
Onzuka.com's
Hawaii Underground!
The forum
is making huge waves by being the fastest growing forum on mma.tv.
I know a lot of you are lurkers (people who do not post and just
read the thrads). Don't be shame. Sign up for an account. No
one will know it is you and you can post what you feel and bounce
ideas back and forth. We have been having some interesting threads
that I know some of you are itching to make a comment. Our goal
is to make the Hawaii Underground the most visited and have the
most interaction of all the state based forums.
My
recommendation? Select a user name that no one will know that
is you so that you have full creative freedom to post whatever
thought or idea. The beauty of a forum is people disagreeing
on subjects.
Please
help the forum grow by signing up and posting. Please be patient
because it takes 2-3 days before your account is set up.
If
you do not have a login, it's simple and fast to get one. Click
here to set up an account.
To go directly to the Onzuka.com Hawaii Underground Forum click
here!
|
X-1
World Events and 102.7 The Bomb proudly
presents the Mixed Martial Arts Event "New
Bloods" November 9th at the Blaisdell Arena
in Honolulu Hawaii, live entertainment
starts at 6:00 and the
first fight starts at 7:00
In the X-1 ring we have an exciting card featuring one title
defense plus two new champions to be crowned.
In the main event Mark "the knockout" Moreno will be
fighting his toughest fight ever against a 14-3 UFC veteran Chad
Reiner he is a well rounded fighter skilled in submissions and
also good with strikes. In the Co-main event Hawaii 's undisputed
135lb champion Ed Newalu will be fighting a very tough and skilled
135lb Kana Hyatt fighting out of Lava MMA on the Big Island of
Hawaii. Kana Hyatt at 135lb has a history of knocking out guys
20lb heavier.
One of the fights everybody is talking about through Myspace.com
and MMAHawaii.com is the show down some are calling, "the
fight of the century" DC vs BK. This is the fight that has
grabbed the attention of not only the islands but the mainland
too. Dirty Curty "Palolo's finest" will be squaring
off with promoter turner fighter Brennan Kamaka. X-1 is searching
for the next Heavy Weight Champion and will be holding two heavy
weight battles.
For theX-1 State Heavy weight championship At 6'2"and 260lb
Analu Brash fighting out of Maui will be taking on Oahu's 6'2"
240lb Doug Hiu fighting out of team MMAD. Also in the heavy weight
division Jordan Patterson 6'2" 245lb will be squaring off
with Kawika Paul 6'4" 235lb of Team All Bizness.
In the under card X-1 has brought together the top semi-pro and
amateurs from around the island. The line-up includes Sean Sakata
winner of the Fight Club meets Night Club 170lb Grand Prix will
be matched against Ben Santiago fighting out of Team Ruthless.
Also in the under card Herman Santiago vs Shaison Laupola, Micah
Ige vs Cisco Bringas, Kris Knight vs Collin Mansanas, Kyle Kaahanui
vs Steve Farmer, and Kaniela Ahnee vs John Bernard.
X-1 will also be holding a 8 man 140lb Grand Prix Tournament
with the winner taking home a belt and a title the competitors
include Colin Mackenzie, Jared Iha, Willy Dela Cerna, Jay Bolos
Gary Rabellizsa, William Armstrong, Keola Silva, and Nui Wheeler.
The Grand Prix is always a crowd pleaser.
We are excited to bring Oahu 's finest to the ring and also this
X-1 will be featuring live musical performances by top local
bands Ooklah the Moc, B.E.T. and Be-on Paradise . Talk about
entertainment, we'll see you November 9th at the Blaisdell Arena
doors open at 6:00.
More info at www.X1Events.com,
www.Onzuka.com
|
Who
will be next Rodrigo Minotauro’s opponent at UFC?
At
our new poll you will be the UFC Matchmaker again and choose
a opponent from Rodrigo Minotauro next bout. The names to choose
are Andrei Arlovsky, Brandon Vera, Cheick Kongo, Fabrício
Werdum, Gabriel Napão, Mirko Cro Cop, Tim Sylvia or the
UFC Champion Randy Couture. Vote now!
At
our last poll, you make the right choice, and made right at who
Wanderlei Silva wold face at his debut at UFC. With 41%, Chuck
Liddell was the leader, fallowed by Forrest Grifin at second
with 22%, Tito Ortiz in third with 13%, UFC champion Quinton
Jackson with 11%, Lyoto Machida and Dan Henderson with 4% and
Keith Jardine in the last position with 2%.
Source: Tatame
|
Gesias
values his placing at the American ranking
Twice
K-1 Hero's champion, Gesias Cavalcanti appeared only at sixth
place in the American ranking of the 70 kg category. “At
least, at this time, I appeared in their ranking (laugh) ”,
said Gesias, which valued Wh he is behind names like the Japanese
Takanori Gomi (1), Hayato Sakurai (2), Gilbert Melendez (3),
Tatsuya Kawajiri (4) and Shinya Aoki (5). “They have more
time then me fighting in a great event that was the Pride, which
had a bigger exhibition in world-wide level. Of course they deserve,
because for me this is the most difficult category to made a
ranking. Between the top 10, any one can alternate at the post
of number 1”, said the black-belt of the ATT, which complemented:
“Perhaps
for the American ranking a big part of them could not have seen
my bouts. They value more for the numbers of top fighters that
I have fought. Then, to reach the forst position, I have only
to fight and to keep winning”, said Gesias, still on holidays
at Rio de Janeiro . Another Brazilian at the ranking is the champion
of the Cage Rage Vítor Shaolin, who in despite of the
defeat for Gesias appears at seventh place.
Source: Tatame
|
Top
spot in MMA poll is a three-horse race
By Dave Doyle, Yahoo! Sports
Fedor
Emelianenko has long been considered the world's top mixed martial
artist.
The
31-year-old Russian heavyweight was the unanimous No. 1 pick
for the first Yahoo! Sports pound-for-pound top 10 list in August.
But
heading into November, Emelianenko has a tenuous hold on the
top spot, as matters both inside the cage and out had a major
impact on this month's rankings.
Inside
the octagon, Anderson Silva, the UFC middleweight champ, put
on a show in defeating Rich Franklin via TKO in Franklin's hometown
of Cincinnati. Silva used state-of-the-art defense to parry Franklin's
spirited charge in the first round, then used an awe-inspiring
array of strikes to finish the fight in the second.
ADVERTISEMENT
Away from the action, Emelianenko walked away from millions of
dollars offered by UFC to sign with the Mix-1 Fight promotion.
Emelianenko has not faced a top-notch heavyweight in two years,
and by signing with the unproven M-1, he gives the appearance
he is no longer interested in testing himself against the world's
best competition. The announcement, in part, prompted Randy Couture's
surprise split with UFC.
Emelianenko
finished with 114 points to Anderson Silva's 109 and Quinton
"Rampage" Jackson's 104.
A
breakdown of the voting for the top three: Emelianenko received
six first-place votes, two seconds, three thirds and two fourths.
Silva received four firsts, six seconds, and two fourths, as
well as one 10th-place vote that likely kept him out of the hunt
for first. Jackson had three first-place votes, two seconds,
five thirds, one fifth and two sixths.
Another
factor that impacted this month's poll results: There have been
some changes to the voting panel. Sam Caplan is no longer part
of the poll. Caplan, who is one of the sharpest reporters on
the MMA scene, has taken a job with Pro Elite, EliteXC's parent
company. As a matter of policy we do not give ballots to reporters
who get their paychecks from promoters, which is why UFC.com's
Tom Gerbasi, another solid writer, is not a part of the panel.
We wish Sam all the best in his new gig.
Joining
the poll this month are several worthy reporters: Mike Chiappetta
of NBCSports.com; Todd Martin of CBSSports.com; and Franklin
McNeil of the Newark Star-Ledger. For links to our pollsters’
sites, go here.
One
more note: With the official dissolution of PRIDE, we are no
longer listing the defunct company's titleholders in the rankings.
For the record, the final PRIDE champions were Emelianenko (heavyweight);
Jackson (light heavyweight); Dan Henderson (welterweight) and
Takanori Gomi (lightweight).
10.
Gilbert Melendez
Points: 20
Affiliation: Strikeforce
Weight class: Lightweight (Strikeforce lightweight champion)
Hometown: Concord, Calif.
Record: 13-0
Last month's ranking: 10
2007 results: def. Tetsuji Kato, unanimous decision, Sept. 29
Analysis: Melendez returned to action with a workman-like win
over the tough Kato on Sept. 29. Melendez was working with a
broken hand, but pushed the action and was never in serious trouble.
Melendez has a money match-up building with Josh "The Punk"
Thomson. Now it is up to Strikeforce to make the match.
9.
Matt Hughes
Points: 32
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Welterweight
Hometown: Hillsboro, Ill.
Record: 41-5
Last month's ranking: 9
2007 results: def. Chris Lytle, unanimous decision, March 3
Analysis: Barring unforeseen changes, expect the two-time former
UFC welterweight champ to settle into this spot until he challenges
Matt Serra for the title on Dec. 29.
8.
B.J. Penn
Points: 43
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Lightweight/welterweight
Hometown: Hilo, Hawaii
Record: 11-4-1
Last month's ranking: 7
2007 results: def. Jens Pulver, Round 2 TKO, June 23.
Analysis: UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk's appeal of his
steroid suspension will be heard before the California State
Athletic Commission on Oct. 31. In theory, this means that by
this time next month, we should know whom Penn will fight for
the title and on what date.
7.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Points: 44
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Heavyweight
Hometown: Vitoria da Conquista, Brazil
Record: 30-4-1
Last month's ranking: 8
2007 results: def. Heath Herring, unanimous decision, July 7.
Analysis: Big Nog got enough love from the new pollsters to nudge
him ahead of Penn into the seventh spot. With Couture's abrupt
departure from the UFC, Nogueira looks like the odds-on favorite
to claim the crown.
6.
Randy Couture
Points: 48
Affiliation:Under contract to UFC
Weight class: Heavyweight
Hometown: Gresham, Ore.
Record: 16-8
Last month's ranking: 5
2007 results: def. Tim Sylvia, unanimous decision, March 3; def.
Gabriel Gonzaga, Round 3 TKO, Aug. 25
Analysis: Couture has earned his spot in the top 10 due to his
tremendous performances this year. But did you notice the audience's
reaction when Stephan Bonnar and Tim Sylvia mentioned Couture
in their post-fight interviews at UFC 77? You could all but hear
crickets chirping. The way his departure has been handled makes
one wonder if his managers are the same people who came up with
New Coke.
5.
Dan Henderson
Points: 65
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Light heavyweight
Hometown: Victorville, Calif.
Record: 22-6
Last month's ranking: 3
2007 results: def. Wanderlei Silva, Round 3 KO, Feb. 24; lost
to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, decision, Sept. 8
Analysis: I've had confirmation that UFC boss Dana White checks
in with these rankings, so Dana, here's a personal request from
me to you: Please pony up enough cash to convince Henderson to
drop back to middleweight and fight Anderson Silva. Not only
does this have the potential to be 2008's match of the year,
but you have no one left at 185 pounds whom MMA fans believe
have a prayer of beating "The Spider."
4.
Georges St. Pierre
Points: 82
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Welterweight
Hometown: Ste. Isidore, Quebec
Record: 14-2
Last month's ranking: 3
2007 results: lost to Matt Serra, Round 1 TKO, April 7; def.
Josh Koscheck, decision, Aug. 25
Analysis: Silva's awesome performance against Franklin nudged
the middleweight champ ahead of GSP in the standings. St. Pierre
is not expected to fight again until he faces the Hughes-Serra
winner in 2008.
3.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
Points: 104 (3 first-place votes)
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Light heavyweight (UFC lt. heavyweight champion)
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn.
Record: 28-6
Last month's ranking: 4
2007 results: def. Marvin Eastman, Round 2 TKO, Feb. 3; def.
Chuck Liddell, Round 1 TKO, May 26; def. Dan Henderson, decision,
Sept. 8
Analysis: One could make solid cases that either Rampage, Silva
or Couture are the fighters of the year in 2007. In Jackson's
case, he excelled while fighting under the pressure of two of
the biggest media spotlights in MMA history: First in beating
Chuck Liddell for the light heavyweight title, then in defeating
Henderson for the unified title.
2.
Anderson "Spider" Silva
Points: 109 (4 first-place votes)
Affiliation: UFC
Weight class: Middleweight (UFC middleweight champion)
Hometown: Curitiba, Brazil
Record: 20-4
Last month's ranking: 4
2007 results: def. Travis Lutter, Round 2 TKO, Feb 3; def. Nate
Marquardt, Round 1 TKO, July 7; def. Rich Franklin, Round 2 TKO,
Oct. 20
Analysis: What's there to add about Silva that hasn't already
been said? How about the awesome ensemble of strikes he unleashed
to finish the fight against Franklin? Most fighters, when they
sense the kill, tend to lock in and unleash the same type of
strikes over and over until the fight is stopped. But Silva mixed
up lethal kicks, punches, elbows and knees with ruthless precision
from a stand-up position.That's going to be difficult for anyone
at his weight class to counter.
1.
Fedor Emelianenko
Points: 114 (6 first-place votes)
Affiliation: M-1
Weight class: Heavyweight
Hometown: Stary Oskol, Russia
Record: 26-1 (1 no-contest)
Last month's ranking: 1
2007 results: Defeated Matt Lindland, round 1 submission, April
14
Analysis: By signing with the upstart M-1 promotion, Emelianenko
has guaranteed that several more months will pass before he fights
again. And when his next fight does occur, there is no guarantee
it will be against a top-rated heavyweight. While Fedor deserves
respect for the body of work in his career, there are enough
doubts about his future commitment to fighting the world's best
that seven of the 13 pollsters decided against giving him the
top spot.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
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Fighters'
Club TV New Episode!
Channel 52
Tuesdays at 7:00 PM
Make sure to tell your friends and family!
Yes, we're
back! After a bit of a break due to Mark concentrating on his
fight at Elite XC where he was victorious, FCTV comes back with
another great show!
We
take a look at a new event, in a new venue, by a new promoter...Fighters
Journey!
Mark
interviews one of the top fighters in the world at 160 lbs, Cesar
Gracie student, Nick Diaz. This interview was conducted just
before his now epic battle with Hawaii's own Mike Aina in Elite
XC.
Mike
gets a chance to chat with another Cesar Gracie student and one
of the best at 170 lbs, Jake Shields.
We
have a very special guest for our technique of the week segment
that you do not want to miss!
As
always, your warm and inviting hosts, Mark Kurano and Mike Onzuka
tastefully batter back and forth for your entertainment and enjoyment.
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Aloha
State BJJ Championships
Sunday, November
11, 2007
Gym 1 at UH Manoa
Tournament Starts at 10:00 am
Go to http://www.hawaiibjj.com for information and
to register.
Please use this email if you need to contact
me or call me at 722-7243
Also, the FAX has changed to (808) 941-8771 just in case someone
doesn't want to use the online registration and payment.
Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
Thanks,
David K. Hattori
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