Upcoming
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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2010
November
Aloha State BJJ Championships: Final Conflict
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
August
Hawaiian Open Championships of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
3/20/10
Hawaiian Championships of BJJ
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
2/28/10
Hawaiian Kimono Combat
(PCHS Gym)
1/30/10
Destiny
(Level 4, Royal HI Shopping Ctr)
(MMA)
Quest for Champions
(Pankration/Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS)
1/23/10
Kauai Knockout Championship Total Domination
(MMA & Kickboxing)
(Kauai War Memorial Convention Center, Lihue, Kauai)
1/17/10
X1: Showdown In Waipahu
(Boxing, Kickboxing, MMA)
(Waipahu H.S. Gym)
2009
12/19/09
MMA at Level 4
(MMA)
(Level 4 RHSC)
12/17/09
Scrap MMA Event
(MMA)
(Pipeline Cafe)
12/5/09
Aloha
State Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
12/4/09
Man Up & Stand Up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
11/21/09
X-1 LIGHTS OUT
(MMA)
(Kekuaokalani Gym, Kona)
UFC
106
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas)
11/14/09
UFC
105
(United Kingdom)
11/8/09
X-1 Scuffle at Schofield
(MMA)
(Tropics, Schofield Barracks)
11/7/09
Mad Skills
(Kickboxing/Triple Threat)
(Waiphu Filcom)
11/6/09
Up & Up
(MMA)
(Kapolei High School)
11/1/09
Boxing
(Palolo District Park Gym)
10/31/09
H.A.P.A.
Hawaii Amateur Pankration Association
Hit-And-Submit
#4
(Pankration)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
10/30/09
Niko's MMA Event
(MMA)
(Veterans Hall, Keehi Lagoon)
10/24/09
X-1:
Scuffle on Schofield 2: Homebound Heroes
Press conference, autograph signing & picture taking
(Tropics Rec Center, Schofield Air Force Base, Wahiawa)
UFC
104
(Staples Center, Los Angeles)
10/18/09
NAGA
Hawaii
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Pearl City H.S. Gym)
10/17/09
Just Scrap
(MMA)
(Hilo Civic Auditorium, Hilo)
10/10/09
Man Up & Stand Up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom)
10/3/09
Destiny Unfinished Business
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
9/19/09
UFC
103
(American Airlines Center, Dallas)
9/16/09
UFC
Fight Night 19
(Cox Convention Center, Oklahoma City)
9/12/09
Hawaiian
Open Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser H.S. Gym)
Up & Up
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
8/29/09
MAUI OPEN 2009
Submission Grappling Challenge
(Sub Grappling)
(Maui War Memorial Gym)
Island Assult
(Boxing)
(Blaisdell Arena)
UF1C
102
(Rose Garden, Portland)
8/22/09
Destiny: Maui vs. Oahu
(MMA)
(War Memorial Gym, Maui)
8/15/09
Mad Skills
(Kickboxing & Triple Threat)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
8/9/09
WEC
(Las Vegas, NV)
8/8/09
UFC
101: Declaration
(BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian)
(Wachovia Center, Philadelphia)
8/1/09
Affliction: Trilogy
Fedor vs. Barnett
(Honda Cetner, Anaheim, CA)
7/25/09
X-1
Scuffle On Schofield
(MMA)
(Tropics Recreation Center, Schofield Barracks)
Amateur Boxing at Palolo
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
Gracie Tournament
(Kalaheo H.S. Gym)
**Cancelled**
7/23/09
JUST SCRAP
(MMA)
(Pipeline Cafe)
7/20/09
Dream 10: Welterweight GP Final
(Japan)
7/11/09
UFC
100: Lesnar vs. Mir
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV)
7/10/09
Man up and Stand up
(Kickboxing)
(Waipahu Filcom Center)
6/27-28/09
OTM's 2009
Pac Sub
(Gi & No-Gi competition)
(Blaisdell Exhibition Hall)
6/20/09
The
Ultimate Fighter 9:
Team US vs Team UK Finale
6/13/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
UFC
99: Comeback
Silva vs. Franklin
(Cologne, Germany)
6/7/09
WEC: Brown vs. Faber 2
(Versus)
6/6/09
Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament
(Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS Gym)
Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields
(St. Louis, MO)
6/4/09 - 6/7/09
World
JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA)
5/30/09
Event of the Champions
(Triple Threat, Kickboxing, Grappling)
(Elite Auto Group Center)
5/26/09
Dream 9
5/23/09
UFC
98: Evans vs. Machida
(PPV)
5/16/09
KTI's Scrappa Lifestylez
Scrapplers Fest
(BJJ/Submission Grappling)
(Kauai)
5/9/09 - 5/10/09 &
5/16/09 - 5/17/09
Brazilian Nationals JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)
5/9/09
X-1 Kona
(MMA)
(Kekuaokalani Gym, Kona)
15th Grapplers Quest Las Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Las Vegas, NV)
5/2/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Waipahu Filcom)
Uprising MMA
(MMA)
(Maui)
May 2009
Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championships
(Sub Grappling)
(Tentative)
4/25/09
MMA Madness Water Park Extravaganza
(MMA)
(Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, Kapolei)
4/18/08
Kingdom
MMA
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
NY
International JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
4/11/09
Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kaiser High)
X-1: Temple of Boom
(Boxing & MMA)
(Palolo Hongwangi)
4/10/09
HFC: Stand Your Ground XII
(MMA, Kickboxing)
(Dole Cannery Ballroom)
4/4/09 - 4/5/09
NAGA
World Championship
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(NJ, Tentative)
3/28/09
Garden Island Cage Match
(MMA)
(Hanapepe Stadium, Hanapepe, Kauai)
3/27/09
- 3/29/09
Pan
Am JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(Carson, CA)
3/27/09
Tiger Muay Thai Competition
(Muay Thai)
(Tiger Muay Thai Gym, Sand Island Road)
3/21/09 - 3/22/09
$30k Grapplers Quest/Fight Expo/Make a Wish Weekend
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Del Mar, CA)
NAGA US Nationals
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Georgia)
3/14/09
Hawaii Amateur Pankration Association: "Hit and Submit"
(Pankration & Muay Thai)
(O-Lounge Night Club, Honolulu)
NAGA Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
3/7/09
UFC 96
(PPV)
(Columbus, OH)
Grapplers Quest Beast of the East
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Wildwood, New Jersey)
2/27/09
X-1 World Events
NEW BEGINNING"
(MMA)
(Maui War Memorial Gym, Wailuku, Maui)
2/21/09
Destiny
(MMA)
(Filcom Center, Waipahu)
UFC
95
(PPV)
(London, England)
2/15/09
X1 World Events
Temple of Boom: Fight Night III
(MMA)
(Palolo Hongwanji)
2/8/09
IWFF
Submission Wrestling Tournament
(No-Gi)
(IWFF Academy, Wailuku, Maui)
2/7/09
4th Annual Clint Shelton Memorial
(Boxing)
(Palolo Gym)
Manup and Standup
(Kickboxing)
(Kapolei Rec Center, Kapolei)
UFC Fight Night
(PPV)
(Tampa, FL)
1/31/09
UFC 93 BJ vs GSP
(PPV)
(MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV)
1/30/09
MMA Event
(MMA)
(Schofield Barracks)
1/24/09
Eddie Bravo Seminar
(BJJ)
1/17/09
UFC
93
(PPV)
(Dublin, Ireland)
1/10/09
MAT ATTACK Jiu-Jitsu & Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Wrestling)
(Lihikai School, Kahului, Maui)
1/3/08
Uprising - Maui
(MMA)
(Paukukalo Hawaiian Homes Gym)
Hazardous Warfare - Maui
(MMA)
(Lahaina Civic Center)
|
|
January
2010 News Part 3
|
Casca Grossa Jiu-Jitsu
is now the O2 Martial Arts Academy with 7 days a week training!
We are also offering Kali-Escrima (stick fighting) on Monday
nights with Ian Beltran and Kickboxing Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday with Kaleo Kwan, PJ Dean, & Chris Slavens!
Kids Classes are also
available!
Click
here for info!
Take classes from
the Onzuka brothers in a family-like environment! |
Looking
for a hotel room on Oahu?
Check out this reasonably priced, quality hotel in Waikiki!
For
the special Onzuka.com price, click banner above! |
 |
Fighters'
Club TV
The Toughest Show
On Teleivision
Tuesdays
at 8:00PM
Olelo Channel 52 on Oahu
Also on Akaku on Maui
Check
out the FCTV website! |
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!
|
Want
to Advertise on Onzuka.com?
Click here for pricing and more
information!
Short term and long term advertising available.
More than
1 million hits and counting!
|
O2
Martial Arts Academy
Your Complete Martial Arts School!
Click here for pricing and more
information!
O2 Martial Arts features Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu taught by Relson
Gracie Black Belts Chris and Mike Onzuka and Shane Agena as well
as a number of brown and purple belts.
We also offer a Boxing and Kickboxing classes with a staff that
is unmatched. Boxing, Kickboxing, and MMA champions Kaleo Kwan
and PJ Dean as well as master boxing instructor Chris Slavens
provide incredibly detailed instruction of the sweet science.
To top it off, Ian Beltran & Erwin Legaspi heads our Kali-Escrima
classes (Filipino Stickfighting) who were directly trained under
the legendary Snookie Sanchez.
Just a beginner with no background? Perfect! We teach you from
the ground up!
Experienced martial artist that wants to fine tune your skill?
Our school is for you!
If you want to learn martial arts by masters of their trade in
a friendly and family environment, O2 Martial Arts Academy is
the place for you!
|
Want to Contact
Us? Shoot us an email by Clicking Here!
Follow O2 Martial Arts news via Twitter at:
http://www.twitter.com/O2MAA
Quote
of the Day
"In
giving advice, seek to help, not please, your friend."
Solon (638 BC - 559 BC)
|
Sidney
Silva Seminar
After almost a year Training and teaching in Las Vegas at Wanderlei
Silva’s Gym ( www.wandfightteam.com ) I have the pleasure
to be back in Hawaii to see my good friends and students for
a few days and also use this opportunity to share my grappling
skills with you guys.
This
MMA,NO GI, seminar it is about to show you effective positions,
the ones that really work, not the fancy acrobatics ones, the
real ones, the most commons attacks, transitions between strikes
and grappling, mistakes, combination's and of course the defenses
and escapes for all that using LEVERAGE which is the real weapon
of Jiu-Jitsu.
It
is all about the details. Everybody knows how to do an arm bar,
triangle, choke … right? But also a lot of time people miss
the positions because they miss the details. A little detail
can make the position successful or not, can be the difference
between the victory and the defeat.
Also
I would like to do a different style of seminar, which instead
of only showing you the positions and drills, like the traditional
types of seminar, you will also be allowed to ask your own questions
about specific positions and/or moves that you concern about.
I
want you, at the end, to feel that you learned as much as possible
and especially had fun.
So
I would like to invite you and your friends to learn and have
fun on February 06 from 10am to 1 pm at HMC ( Kalihi ).
The
investment is only $ 30 and the seminar will start at 10am until
1pm and after will have lots of time for free training and enough
time to get back home and watch the UFC.
If you want to pre-register and guarantee your place send a check
or money order to:
Erick
Alves
1927 A Wilhelmina Rise
Honolulu HI 96816
Call
Erick for more information at (808) 386 - 8265 for more info
or email him at erik25wa@hotmail.com
|
UFC
Announces First Outdoor Event
By Ray
Hui
For
the first time in UFC history, the fights will take place outdoors
when the promotion debuts with UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi,
the UFC announced Wednesday.
As
MMA Fighting previously reported, the two main events set for
the card are title fights between champ Anderson Silva against
Vitor Belfort and titleholder BJ Penn versus Frankie Edgar. Also,
Renzo Gracie will make his debut against former champion Matt
Hughes.
As
of two weeks ago, the UFC didn't have venue when it announced
that Flash Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the government
of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, purchased a 10 percent stake in
Zuffa, the parent company of UFC and WEC.
The
UFC has decided on the Concert Arena in Ferrari World, a theme
park in Yas Island, where Beyonce, Jamiroqui, Kings of Leon and
Aerosmith played shows last year.
"This
is one of the biggest and most significant nights in the history
of the UFC," UFC president Dana White said in a statement.
"UFC 112 is our first ever outdoor event and it is taking
place in the hometown of our brand new partners, Flash Entertainment.
We are very happy we could deliver what fans around the world
will recognize as a stacked card featuring the sport's biggest
stars."
Penn
(15-5-1) will be making his third title defense. He won the belt
against Joe Stevenson at UFC 80 in January 2008 and has defended
the belt by finishing Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez.
Edgar
(11-1) has won six of his seven UFC fights, with his lone loss
against Gray Maynard. Maynard was also in the running for a shot
against Penn, but after lackluster performance in a split decision
win against Nate Diaz, was passed over by Edgar.
Silva
(25-4) is coming off a dominant knockout win against Forrest
Griffin in August and elbow surgery. He would have faced Belfort
earlier this month at UFC 108, but wanted more time to recover
from surgery.
Without
a single middleweight fight since his UFC return, Belfort's credentials
and his first-round knockout last September over Rich Franklin
was enough to convince the UFC to grant him a title shot. Belfort
(19-8) will enter the fight on a five-fight win streak and three
straight knockouts.
Making
his long-awaited UFC debut is Renzo Gracie -- who turns 43 in
March.
"I
do love fighting. This is the thing that I love the most,"
Gracie told MMA Fighting last week. "I do believe that I
can still hang in there with the young guys and I still can be
in a competitive level."
Gracie
fights 36-year-old Hughes, who in the first half of last decade
was the most dominant welterweight in UFC. In September, Hughes
also signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC, putting retirement
rumors to rest.
UFC
to be streamed live in China
The
UFC is further expanding into the Chinese market, naming Sohu.com
as an official web partner. Sohu.com will stream UFC events live
on its kung fu channel beginning with UFC 109 in February. Sohu.com
is also the official partner of the NBA and ESPN in China. The
UFC began airing in China last summer on NMTV.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Doggy
Bag: The Importance of Lesnar
by Sherdog.com Staff
Everyone answers to somebody, so we, the staff at Sherdog.com,
have decided to defer to our readers.
“The
Doggy Bag” gives you the opportunity to speak about what’s
on your mind from time to time.
Our
reporters, columnists, radio hosts, and editors will chime in
with our answers and thoughts, so keep the emails coming.
This
week, readers weigh-in on the return of Brock Lesnar and fighters
shuffling between weight divisions.
Sherdog,
I’d like to hear a staff member chime in on the return of
Brock Lesnar and what it means for the UFC.
-- Justin W.
Brian
Knapp, associate editor: In short, more money. Lesnar, in his
brief career, has become the promotion’s most dependable
cash cow and its most polarizing figure. The two go hand-in-hand,
of course. His return equals more lucrative gates and higher
pay-per-view buy rates. That, in itself, has to be music to UFC
President Dana White’s ears.
From
a competitive standpoint, it gives the UFC a superstar heavyweight
around which to build. Lesnar, a young 32 and still developing
as a mixed martial artist, provides the promotion countless options
with which to work, assuming he can return to full strength.
He figures to face the Frank Mir-Shane Carwin winner in a title
unification bout sometime this summer. Should Lesnar pass that
test, possible matchups with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Cain Velasquez
and Junior dos Santos loom.
The
more important question surrounding Lesnar centers on what can
be expected from him inside the cage. To face one’s own
mortality at such a young age can bring about permanent change,
mentally and physically, and there are no guarantees we will
ever again see the same fighter who demolished Mir at UFC 100
in July. The UFC certainly has considered the possibility.
Fortunately,
the UFC’s heavyweight division is far better prepared to
withstand the potential loss of someone like Lesnar. Mir’s
resurrection, Carwin’s emergence and the continued development
of Velasquez and dos Santos, plus the arrival of prospects like
Todd Duffee, give the company alternatives it did not have a
few short years ago. It’s a far cry from when Tim Sylvia
ruled the division.
I
have to say I'm pretty confused about what would make both Diego
Sanchez and Nate Diaz want to move up to 170 pounds. I know both
of them are coming off of tough losses, but what makes them think
welterweight will let them be any more successful? Sanchez lost
to one of the best fighters in the world, who would also be one
of the best at 170. Diaz has struggled with stronger wrestlers
at lightweight, and welterweight has even bigger, better wrestlers.
Am I wrong in thinking these moves are overreactions to tough
losses?
-- Matt Gale
Jordan
Breen, FightFinder czar: I can't say it's entirely an overreaction
to the losses. After all, Nate Diaz had mentioned in the past
he thought 170 pounds was in his future, and Diego Sanchez had
made references to preferring his welterweight diet over his
lightweight menu.
However,
I don't think the moves are for the better. You're quite right
in pointing out that Sanchez's lone loss as a lightweight came
to the best lightweight in the world, who very well may be the
second-best welterweight in the world. His failures against Penn
were not linked to anything physical, but rather the fact that
Penn is leagues beyond Sanchez as a boxer, and Sanchez's wrestling
was nowhere near good enough to create the sort of scrambles
in which he usually thrives. Sanchez just isn't as good as Penn,
and it was an easy style match-up for "The Prodigy"
to boot.
Sanchez
will still be competitive as a welterweight and will still likely
earn himself top-10 status. However, the fighters at the top
of the weight class continue to get better, and it is still a
division full of grappling-savvy wrestlers who can recreate his
experience in the Jon Fitch fight. More than that, if Penn does
eventually move up to 170 pounds, the title situation is a free-for-all,
and Sanchez would have been right in that mix.
As
for Diaz, he is a young and developing fighter who lost a couple
of close, competitive fights because of his technical warts.
Despite his length and toughness, he is incredibly hittable,
and worse, he doesn't move his feet. The Clay Guida fight is
a great example of the necessity of footwork, as Diaz stood completely
still while Guida charged at him, trying to aim at Guida's rapidly
oncoming face. These are major technical issues that need to
resolved, as they transcend weight. Diaz will be no more able
to defend every takedown with a kimura/outer trip at welterweight
than he was at lightweight, and probably less so given bigger,
stronger wrestlers at 170.
Whether
a fighter is going up or down the scale, there are always issues
more important than the weight itself. Chiefly, are the shortcomings
in your game actually related to your size, and does moving to
a new weight class give you a stylistic advantage based on the
elite fighters in that division? For Sanchez and Diaz, the answer
on both fronts is unfortunately no.
TJ, as a fellow Minnesotan I have heard a lot of buzz about Brock
Lesnar, like I am sure you have. I can't turn on Sherdog Radio,
look at the website, or even listen to local radio without hearing
about Lesnar. I get it; he is a big deal. But the attention being
paid to his return is getting to the point where it's annoying.
I liked your tweet this week where you said,. "I have nothing
relevant to say about Brock Lesnar." Why did you post that?
Are you as sick of the Lesnar speak as I am? Also, who is going
to win the NFC championship game?
-- Kyle from Minneapolis
TJ
De Santis, radio host: Kyle, I understand you being overwhelmed
with the talk about Brock Lesnar. You and I are getting a little
more of it than the average MMA fan as we both live in the Minneapolis-St.
Paul area. If I turn on the local sports station it does seem
to be either Brock Lesnar or Minnesota Vikings talk. But, is
that really a bad thing?
A
few years ago I was begging local FM's and AM's to talk about
the sport of mixed martial arts. Now, I hear something nearly
once a day referring to MMA or the UFC proper.
It
does grate on me that everyone is talking about Lesnar, but that
is by design. UFC President Dana White and company has done everything
they can to stress the severity of Lesnar’s health concerns.
The talk is the product of that.
To
steal a line from the pro wrestling world, Brock Lesnar is "the
most electrifying man" in mixed martial arts. If he stubs
his toe it's going to make the headlines somewhere. Recovering
from a potentially career-ending health complication is going
to spark some long-winded chatter.
Sadly,
I am not a huge Vikings fan. But I hope they can get it done
against the Saints. Minneapolis hasn't seen a pro franchise championship
since the 91 Twins. I will be pulling for the purple on Sunday.
Source: Sherdog
|
HOW
HERSCHEL WALKER ENDED UP WITH STRIKEFORCE
by Damon Martin
There is no doubt that Herschel Walker's fight coming up this
weekend has the mainstream sports media eyeing Strikeforce and
the former football player's debut. From appearances on ESPN's
Pardon the Interruption to Howard Stern radio, Walker has been
making the rounds telling everybody why he chose MMA.
But
why did Strikeforce take a chance on Walker?
Strikeforce
CEO Scott Coker spoke with MMAWeekly Radio just before Saturday
night's fights and explained how originally the promotion was
set to pass on signing Walker.
"When
we first sat down with his manager the initial response was we're
not going to be in this business, and we're going to go and keep
doing fights, the big, big fights that we had and keep promoting
the guys like Nick Diaz, and Gina (Carano) and Fedor (Emelianenko),
Cung (Le) and Frank (Shamrock) and those guys. But you know,
he said just take a meeting with Herschel and I said okay,"
Coker commented.
Strikeforce
officials met with the former NFL and USFL star and decided to
allow Walker to show them how much he knew, and if that would
be enough to perform in a professional mixed martial arts fight.
"We
took a meeting with Herschel and he said just watch me work out,"
said Coker. "I went down to Legends gym and watched Herschel
work out and set up a kickboxer to come kickbox with him, and
a grappler to come grapple with him, and a jiu-jitsu black belt
to come grapple with him, and you know, he didn't do too bad.
"I
asked Bob (Cook) what do you think? He said if he comes up to
San Jose (Calif.) and lives here for three months and trains
here for three months, like a real training camp, then I think
AKA could get him ready."
The
conditions were set. Walker would train at the famed American
Kickboxing Academy, working with top athletes like Cain Velasquez,
Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, and many others.
"I
told Herschel that was the deal. If you can basically stop your
life and move to San Jose and come to a training camp, then we'll
do it, but it's going to be a big commitment on your part,"
Coker stated. "And he did it. He stayed here all through
the holidays and Christmas and New Year's, and he's committed,
never missed a practice, never complained, and I've heard he's
been in there with all the guys from AKA."
The
culmination of the Herschel Walker experiment will come to fruition
this Saturday night as the former All-Pro makes his Strikeforce
and MMA debut against Greg Nagy in a heavyweight contest.
"I'm
proud of him," Coker said about Walker. "I'm just excited
to see what happens on Saturday."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
9
Fights Greenlit for UFC on Versus
by Brian Knapp
“The
Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 finalist Brendan Schaub will
lock horns with Chase Gormley in a preliminary heavyweight matchup
at UFC on Versus 1 on March 21 at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield,
Colo. Nine matches have been greenlit for the event.
Schaub
last competed in December, when he suffered a first-round knockout
against former International Fight League heavyweight champion
Roy Nelson at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale in Las
Vegas. A Ring of Fire and Ultimate Warrior Challenge veteran,
the 26-year-old Coloradan trains alongside heavyweight contender
Shane Carwin and former middleweight King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt.
Schaub, who played football at the University of Colorado and
enjoyed a brief stint in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills, has
never fought past the first round in five fights as a professional.
The
once-beaten Gormley, 26, made his ill-fated debut inside the
Octagon in October, when he succumbed to a first-round triangle
choke from the 6-foot-11 Stefan Struve at UFC 104. He was a collegiate
All-American wrestler at Montana State University - Northern,
an NAIA school in Havre, Mont. Gormley, the former Gladiator
Challenge heavyweight champion, holds victories over EliteXC
veteran Jon Murphy and the 340-pound Eric Pele.
Meanwhile,
former World Extreme Cagefighting heavyweight titleholder James
Irvin, in his first appearance in nearly two years, will toe
the line against American Top Team’s Alessio Sakara in a
preliminary light heavyweight tilt.
Saddled
by knee injuries, Irvin has not appeared since he was blasted
by UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in July 2008. The
31-year-old Californian has proven a deft finisher inside the
cage, having secured 10 of his 14 career wins by knockout or
technical knockout. Former WEC light heavyweight champion Doug
Marshall and UFC veterans Terry Martin, Houston Alexander and
Scott Smith rank prominently on Irvin’s list of victims.
Sakara
will carry a two-fight winning streak into the match. The 28-year-old
Italian followed his head kick knockout of Joe Vedepo at UFC
Fight Night 15 with a narrow split-decision victory over Thales
Leites 11 months later at UFC 101. Sakara has not competed since.
Wins over former King of the Cage champion James Lee, reigning
Fight Club light heavyweight titleholder Victory Valimaki and
Australian journeyman Elvis Sinosic dot his resume.
Elsewhere,
Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Eric Schafer will square off with
Jason Brilz in a 205-pound tilt. Schafer has won four of his
last five fights but finds himself on the rebound following a
unanimous decision loss to “The Ultimate Fighter” Season
8 winner Ryan Bader in October. Brilz, who owns victories against
Jason MacDonald and Tim Boetsch, was outpointed by Eliot Marshall
at UFC 103 in December.
A
light heavyweight matchup pairing Jon Jones with Brandon Vera
will headline the UFC’s debut on the Versus network, along
with a pivotal heavyweight clash between the world-ranked Junior
dos Santos and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Source: Sherdog
|
Thirteen
Months After Gruesome Injury, Corey Hill Returns With Win
By Mike
Chiappetta
Former UFC fighter Corey Hill won his comeback fight last night,
defeating Jason Trzewieczynski by unanimous decision at an event
in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
It
was Hill's first fight in 13 months. In Dec. 2008, the former
collegiate wrestler suffered one of the most gruesome injuries
in MMA history, when he fractured the tibia and fibula in his
right leg while throwing a kick. His shin snapped into a V-shape
and he fell to the mat as the fight was promptly stopped.
Afterward,
Hill was told by doctors that his fighting career was likely
over.
The
6-foot-4, 155-pounder first came to national attention on season
five of The Ultimate Fighter, where his size made him stand out
among the cast. After losing in the quarterfinals to eventual
season champion Nate Diaz, Hill debuted in the UFC by defeating
Joe Veres in Jan. 2008. At UFC 86 a few months later, he was
submitted by Justin Buchholz before suffering the injury in a
bout against Dale Hartt.
The
31-year-old improved to 3-2.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Liddell,
40, has plenty of fight left in him
MMA old-timer eyeing 'Ultimate' tussle with Ortiz
By ADAM
HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Longtime UFC fighter Chuck Liddell, 40, is shown at the UFC training
center in Las Vegas on Monday during filming of "The Ultimate
Fighter: Season 11." The season will culminate with a fight
between the show's two coaches, Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
Photo by Gary Thompson.
There
is no shortage of pro athletes who have tried to compete at the
highest levels long after their bodies were able.
Chuck
Liddell never wants to be listed as one of them.
Liddell, 40, began his coaching stint on "The Ultimate Fighter:
Season 11" on Sunday in Las Vegas, a gig that will climax
with a fight against opposing coach Tito Ortiz this summer.
Liddell
is still one of MMA's biggest stars, but he has lost four of
his last five fights and hasn't been in the Octagon since a knockout
loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in April.
Liddell
is fighting against the publicly stated wishes of Ultimate Fighting
Championship president Dana White, who has repeatedly said he
wants Liddell to retire from MMA.
"I
miss fighting and I want to fight, so that's what I'm doing,"
Liddell said Monday, expressing a desire to prove he is still
a viable fighter. "I'll keep arguing and (White) will keep
arguing with me. I just have to show him that I can perform."
Liddell
said he has plans beyond a third meeting with Ortiz, whom he
has beaten twice.
"I
would like another fight and then I want another fight after,"
he said. "Hopefully, Dana's happy with my two wins and I
get a shot at a contender and then a shot at a title. That's
four fights and that's about as far forward as I've thought."
Liddell
insists he won't overstay his career, saying when it's time to
retire, he will know.
"I
have to go out on my own, the way I want to go out. It has to
be my decision," he said. "I'm not going to let fans
or people that aren't that close to me and don't watch me train,
don't see what I can still do, make that decision for me."
Ortiz
joked that he hopes Liddell has lost a step, but said the ex-light
heavyweight champ remains a worthy competitor.
"He
looks in great shape. His sense of awareness is there more than
ever," he said. "I think Chuck shouldn't have a problem
at all competing."
Filming
for season 11, which features middleweight fighters, will run
about six weeks and episodes will debut on Spike (Cable 29) on
March 31.
•
LASHLEY OPPONENTT -- Former World Wrestling Entertainment star
Bobby Lashley finally has an opponent for his Strikeforce debut.
He will take on ex-UFC heavyweight Wes Sims in Miami on Saturday
on a card to be aired on Showtime.
Finding
a suitable opponent for Lashley wasn't easy. Yohan Banks was
the first fighter proposed, but he was rejected as a worthy competitor
by Florida's athletic commission. Jimmy Ambriz was approved,
but Strikeforce decided to go with Sims instead.
Lashley,
33, is 4-0 on minor cards since transitioning from scripted fights.
He won three NAIA national wrestling titles at Missouri Valley
College.
The
card also features the professional debut of Herschel Walker
and two title fights. Nick Diaz will fight Marius Zaromskis for
the vacant welterweight title in the main event. Cristiane "Cyborg"
Santos will defend her women's lightweight title against Marloes
Coenen.
•
HILL ON WAY BACK -- Former UFC lightweight Corey Hill, a contestant
on season 5 of "The Ultimate Fighter," took another
step on his comeback from a horrific leg injury by winning a
unanimous decision over Jason Trzewieczynski on a minor circuit
card in Niagara Falls, N.Y.
It
was Hill's first fight since he shattered his leg attempting
to kick Dale Hartt on a televised UFC card in December 2008.
Source: Review Journal
|
MIKE
BROWN BREAKS DOWN ALDO VS. FABER
by Jeff
Cain
Former World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight titleholder Mike
Brown won the title by defeating Urijah Faber and lost his belt
at the hands of Jose Aldo. With Faber and Aldo lined to fight
later this year, Brown gives his unique insight into the championship
match-up.
“It’s
a great fight,” Brown told MMAWeekly.com.
“I’d
say Aldo’s the better striker. He keeps his defense very
tight and he’s got a lot of weapons,” explained the
former champion. “Not only the punches, but the knees make
him dangerous because you try to take a shot or you try to slip
punches you’re going to get hit with a knee. It’s a
littler more dangerous too as a shorter fighter. He’s got
those long limbs.
“In
his last fight, Urijah was dropping his hands, putting them down
by his waist. You can’t do that with a guy who kicks really
well and has so many diverse strikes,” added the American
Top Team trained fighter.
“Urijah’s
got the better wrestling. He’s got that great scramble ability
which makes him very dangerous,” said Brown. “Urijah’s
got the wrestling background. He’s a scrambler, man. He
finds ways to scramble and get on top in situations. He’s
also gotten more powerful. He’s looking bigger and stronger
than ever before.”
Brown
didn’t make a prediction on who would win the fight, but
knows he wants to be there to see it.
“I
just want front row seats to it. That’s all I want,”
commented Brown. “I don’t know about who is going to
win. That’s a big fight, man. It’s a fight I definitely
want to see.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
USADA
chief executive: Athletic commission drug testing is a joke
By Zach
Arnold
Just
remember this when you recall what Keith Kizer said during the
failed negotiations between the Mayweather and Pacquiao camps.
If you don’t recall what he said, he essentially said that
urine tests would be sufficient for the two camps in regards
to effective drug testing. Heck of a job, commissioner:
Q:
Shane Mosley obviously slipped through some cracks on urine testing
alone in Nevada. …
A:
“Let me correct that premise for you. The current state
of drug testing done by these state commissions is a joke. They
don’t test for EPO. They don’t test for designer steroids.
They test for a basic, simple menu that anybody with a heartbeat
will escape. I just hate to hear that Shane Mosley did something
really sophisticated to get around their testing. No, he didn’t.
He would’ve been caught dead to rights in our program. But
it doesn’t take a whole lot to sidestep the simple kind
of drug testing that these state commissions are doing.
“Again,
I hope it’s familiarity, I hope it’s knowledge, because
part of the growth is for entities, but also athletes, to become
knowledgable about these issues. If you’re a clean athlete,
or you’re a sport organizer, promoter, state commission,
whatever, if you want to protect clean athletes’ rights,
you’re going to put in a clean program.”
Q:
What is the difference in cost — because obviously, with
most state commissions, you’re dealing with tax-based, governmental
agencies — what’s the difference in cost between a
urine test and a blood test?
A:
“There’s not much. Incremental cost. It’s certainly
not cost-prohibitive and if you want to protect clean athletes,
you’ll put it in place. Take half of one percent of what
these two boxers were going to generate, or make for themselves,
and you’ve paid for a couple years of your program. I always
hear that is a defense to not wanting it to be done, but it’s
really not. It’s frankly a weak excuse not to protect clean
athletes’ rights.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Nogueira's
Coach Had A Stroke
More details have emerged regarding the car crash Antonio Nogueira’s
coach Luiz Alves was involved in yesterday. Alves lost control
of his vehicle on Tuesday morning near his Rio de Janeiro home
and was taken to hospital, where he remains.
However,
initial reports that he was in “critical” condition
were somewhat erroneous. It appears that Alves had in fact suffered
a stroke while at the wheel of his car and it was this that caused
him to lose control and crash. According to Sherdog, the crash
happened at a low speed.
Reports
are still mixed as to Alves’ current state of consciousness
- he was apparently unconscious for much of yesterday - but according
to Tatame, he has been awake and speaking with people. His wife
and several friends are with him at the hospital.
One
of those friends told Tatame, "He suffered a major accident,
but his picture is already stable. He even lost consciousness,
but has recovered. I'm with him all the time, 24 hours a day.”
Alves’
hospitalisation is a blow for the camp of Rodrigio Nogueira,
who faces Cain Velasquez at UFC 110 on February 21st. Alves is
the main striking coach for both Nogueira brothers and is also
heavily involved in the game planning aspect of camps.
Source: Fighters Only
|
Buchholz:
I’ve been eating lots of meat and doing a bunch more jiu-jitsu!
By Jay
Furness
Justin Buchholz speaks about his upcoming fight with Mac Danzig
and preparations for the pivotal bout.
Alaskan Justin Buchholz is gearing up to face The Ultimate Fighter
winner Mac Danzig at UFC 109 as we approach February 6th.
First appearing in the UFC two years ago at UFC Fight Night 12,
Buchholz has gone 1-3 in the promotion but this record belies
the performances he has put in and the skill, durability and
heart he has shown. Never a dull moment a Buchholz bout, the
Team Alpha Male fighter will always show up to fight and has
had great battles with Terry Etim, Matt Wiman and Jeremy Stephens
before ultimately ending up with another notch in the loss column.
Source: MMA Unlimited
|
Quote
of the Day
"Man's
greatness lies in his power of thought."
Blaise Pascal, 1623-1662, French Mathematician/Physicist/Theologian
|
Quest
for Champions
Today
 |
Strikeforce
: Miami (preview)
Today!
Nick
Diaz vs Marius Zaromskis – UFC veteran Nick Diaz has a ton
of experience, his record is a veritable who’s who of the
Welterweight division and he’s really improved his game
since being cut from the UFC. After 2 Strikeforce catch weight
fights at 180 lbs in which he defeated Frank Shamrock and Scott
Smith, Diaz will be back to his ideal fighting weight at 170
lbs. Zaromskis “the Whitemare” spent most of his career
in the Cage Rage promotion until making a huge splash in the
MMA world by winning the Dream Welterweight Grand Prix after
defeating Hayato Sakurai and Jason High both by high kick Knockout
in the same night. His latest opponent in Dream Ho Bae Myon also
fell victim to his Crocop-esque high kick in 19 seconds of the
first round. Diaz has the experience, boxing and BJJ advantage
in this fight which might suggest that Zaromskis doesn’t
have much chance of winning but never sleep on Zaromskis. His
stock is on the rise and he’s got that athleticism and X-factor
which always makes him dangerous. Diaz should look to take this
fight to the ground where he can neutralize the striking of Zaromskis
and utilize his superior BJJ to look for a submission. They will
be fighting for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title but
the Dream title held by Zaromskis will not be on the line in
this fight.
Winner
: Nick Diaz
Christiane
Santos vs Marloes Coenen – The defending Champion Chris
“Cyborg” is on an 8 fight winning streak defeating
the likes of Shayna Baszler, Hitomi Akano and Gina Carano. As
a product of the prestigious Chute Boxe Academy, Chris is a fearsome
Muay Thai striker and she holds a purple belt in BJJ. Her opponent
Dutch standout Marloes Coenen is a submission specialist, she’s
an experienced fighter but I believe that she will have her work
cut out for her against the imposing Santos.
Winner
: Christiane Santos
Melvin
Manhoef vs Robbie Lawler – The massive Manhoef competes
both in professional MMA and K-1 Kickboxing where he continues
to instill fear in his opponents with his vicious knockout power.
Whether he gets the KO or falls to a submission one thing is
for sure, it will happen in the 1st round, of his past 19 fights
17 have ended in the 1st round. Melvin competes at the highest
level recently facing such fighters as Gegard Mousassi, Mark
Hunt and Paolo Filho. UFC veteran Robbie Lawler is a scrappy
striker with a number of classic fights in the UFC but lately
he’s been much more calm and collective during his fights
which should be how he approaches this fight with Manhoef. The
only kryptonite found effective against Manhoef has been a strong
ground game which Lawler does not have in his arsenal. His only
hope is to try and survive the initial onslaught by Manhoef and
take control of the striking in the later rounds after Melvin
has slowed down. This is easier said than done, I will be pulling
for Lawler but Manhoef will likely be too much for the tough
Miletich product.
Winner
: Melvin Manhoef
Herschel
Walker vs Greg Nagy – At 47 years of age, Herschel Walker
has decided to subject himself to a trial by fire stepping into
the cage for the first time with no professional fight experience
of any kind. Of course he’s a legendary athlete winning
the Heisman trophy in 1982 and placing 5th on the all time NFL
rushing list over a 12 season career as well as many other accomplishments.
He holds a 6h degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do which wont help
him much as Jose Canseco demonstrated in the Dream Superhulk
tournament last year. On the plus side he’s been training
at American Kickboxing Academy for about 6 months now with some
of the best fighters in the game today, hopefully they will have
helped him transition his football skills to functional wrestling
for MMA. His Opponent? Greg Nagy, a relative unknown with one
professional fight, most people feel that this is a set up fight
for Walker to win in order to show his credibility that he belongs
in the sport. Odds makers have Walker as a 5-1 favorite over
Nagy, they know something which leads me to fall in line behind
the insiders.
Winner
: Herschel Walker
Bobby
Lashley vs Wes Sims – WWE star Bobby Lashley was originally
slated to face undefeated Shane Del Rosario with a record of
9-0 but for undisclosed reasons his opponent was changed. The
next opponent matched up with Lashley was journeyman Jimmy Ambriz
with a record of 14-12-1 but apparently someone felt that was
too big a test for Lashely and that fight was also scrapped without
any explanation. So now the final verdict is Wes Sims, who’s
career has collapsed since his short stint in the UFC. Apart
from being a complete one-sided mismatch, Sims is also a last
minute replacement so he hasn’t even had the opportunity
to train for Lashley. If this isn’t a lock, I dont know
what is, bet the house, the farm and your first born on this
one.
Winner
: Bobby Lashley
Jay
Hieron vs Joe Riggs – Two former champions pushed back to
the undercard to make way for the Walker and Lashley show, I’m
very disappointed about this move by Strikeforce but here we
are so lets break it down. Hieron was supposed to fight Diaz
for the vacant title last year but when Diaz missed his drug
test and was forced to withdraw from the fight “the Thoroughbred”
went on to win a decision against TUF reject Jesse Taylor. Hieron
is riding a 6 fight winning streak and he will need to get past
Riggs if he hopes to challenge for the title against the winner
of Diaz vs Zaromskis. Since receiving his walking papers from
the UFC at the hands of Diego Sanchez, Joe “Diesel”
Riggs has bounced between Rage in the Cage and Strikeforce where
he recently won a decision over Phil Baroni. With both of these
men coming from boxing and wrestling backgrounds, this should
be a great fight between 2 very game veteran fighters who both
want this win very badly. While Hieron has the edge in speed
and accuracy, Riggs should have the advantage in strength and
power but these guys are both tough as nails and the never quit.
I expect to see a 3 round slug fest with Hieron out pointing
Riggs to a decision victory and fighting for the title later
this year.
Winner
: Jay Hieron
Source: MMA HQ
|
SONNEN
BLASTS SILVA, CHAMP'S MANAGER FIRES BACK
by Damon
Martin
Chael Sonnen is gunning for the middleweight belt, but he's also
going after Anderson Silva for what he perceives as a falsehood
being portrayed by the champion.
The
Top 10 middleweight spoke to MMAWeekly Radio recently where he
unloaded on Silva and his manager, Ed Soares, for some issues
he has with the fighter most call the top pound-for-pound competitor
on the planet. Sonnen says very candidly that he's hoping for
a title shot if he gets past Nate Marquardt at UFC 109, but doesn't
care one bit if it's Silva who's defending the belt.
"I
would imagine, who knows what Anderson's doing. At the end of
the day, who cares," said Sonnen. "If he wants to leave
the division, leave the sport, who cares. Beat it, nobody tunes
in to watch him anyways, and his little fake 'I don't speak English.
"You
want me to let you in on a secret, Anderson Silva speaks perfect
English. He just has such a low amount of respect for you and
all the rest of the media that he pretends he doesn't. I've had
conversations with Anderson Silva in perfect English, and on
top of that he's so boring to listen to that he and his rocket
scientist manager, Ed Soares, who is also about as exciting as
watching grass grow, have decided that Ed is better on the mic
than Anderson, so just let Ed do the talking."
Sonnen
says Silva's disdain for the media reaches back to other fighters
as well, who speak about the subject in private amongst themselves.
"It's
quite ironic that all the media comes on and talks about how
great this guy is for reasons that are completely un-understandable
to me. How great Anderson Silva is, and all of us fighters are
in the back going, 'jeez, they're out there massaging his ego,
Anderson hates them so much, he pretends he can't understand
them,’" Sonnen stated.
One
person who will not be signing up for the Anderson Silva fan
club anytime soon is Sonnen, who also slammed the champion for
his top pound-for-pound status, and believes that if they ever
do fight, the verbal warfare will be decidedly one-sided.
"That
guy's no more the top fighter out there than Bigfoot is roaming
the woods," said Sonnen. "That is an absolute myth,
and all these guys can buy into it, but there's a young man out
in Portland, Ore., that is not signing up on that bandwagon.
"If
Anderson ever signed to fight me, which is highly unlikely, he'll
be getting a verbal beating like you've never seen. And his language
barrier won't be the point of interest."
Silva's
manager spoke exclusively with MMAWeekly Radio after hearing
Sonnen's comments and actually had some complimentary things
to say about the Team Quest fighter, but believes that everything
being said has a purpose behind it.
"Who
is this that we're talking about?" Soares joked when Sonnen's
name came up.
"I
think Chael's a really super nice guy and every time I've met
the guy he's always been really cool to me. That's weird that
he would say stuff on the radio, but I think at the end of the
day, Chael's not a dumb guy, he's a pretty smart guy," Soares
commented. "I think no one will really pay attention to
what he has to say unless he probably talks about Anderson."
Soares
also reacted to Sonnen's comments about Silva's performances
and believes he needs to look in the mirror before pointing the
finger at anyone else.
"Anyone
that has a mouth can say what they want," he said. "I
don't think people pay too much attention to what Chael does.
Saying that Anderson's boring or Anderson's this, Anderson's
that, we don't even need to go back and see what Chael has done.
If you really want to analyze Chael's career over the past couple
years, he's had some wins, but he said he didn't tap against
Paulo Filho. If the ref wouldn’t have stopped the fight,
Paulo Filho would have his arm in Brazil with him.
"And
when he beat Paulo Filho, he was 35 to 40 percent of a Paulo
Filho and he took him to a decision. Then he went and fought
Damien Maia, got submitted quick, and now he's going to fight
Nate Marquardt which Nate just ended up knocking out Damien Maia.
I think Chael should be really focused on his fight that he's
got against Nate Marquardt because I can tell you right now that's
probably going to be the hardest fight of his life. I would put
my money on Nate."
Commenting
about Silva's willingness to speak English also came up. While
Soares admits that the champion has had some issues with the
media in the past, overall he understands that it's all part
of the business.
"He
doesn't speak perfect English. It's definitely improving a lot
and he can start to have a little bit more of a conversation
with people, but at the end of the day when the lights are on
and the camera is there, he likes to have someone next to him
there to translate for him," Soares said.
The
Brazilian manager understands that the fight game is a business,
and Sonnen may be playing the part of the villain to perfection.
He also knows that talking the way he is could prompt a rivalry
and a shot at Silva's middleweight title.
"I
don't know what he's doing, but I would be keeping my mouth shut
and in the gym training, especially training his stand-up,"
Soares said in closing.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Bob
Shamrock, who achieved fame as foster parent, mixed martial arts
pioneer remembered by family, friends after death
Monday, January 25th, 2010.
Issue 04, Volume 14.
Bob
Shamrock, whose path to international fame began in Anza, was
honored Monday by friends, family members and fellow mixed martial
arts pioneers following his recent death in Reno at age 68.
Beginning
in Anza in the late 1960s, Shamrock and his then-wife, Dee Dee,
started charting a path that took him from being a bus driver
to a foster parent of more than 600 boys and the adoptive father
of a pair of fighters who have etched their mark on the world
stage.
In
his life, Shamrock helped guide hundreds of foster children into
adulthood in the Anza, Hemet, Susanville and Lockeford areas.
He died Jan. 14 of diabetes-related complications at the home
of his son, Ken, and word quickly spread on Internet sites sponsored
by martial arts-oriented magazines, fighters, studios and companies.
In
his death, Shamrock has connected Dee Dee Barth with Ken, an
Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Fame member, and his extended
family.
"I’ve
got a whole new beginning with him. I’ve proud of what Kenny’s
become," Dee Dee, who lives in Modesto, said in a Wednesday
morning telephone interview. "He wants me to be part of
everything. It’s wonderful what the Lord has done. I’m
just so grateful."
Bob
Shamrock grew up in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. His father ran
a rescue mission. As a boy, Bob helped feed downtrodden men who
were out of work or had just returned from the Korean War.
Bob
and Dee Dee married in 1963, and they eventually gravitated to
the sparsely-populated Anza area. It was there he drove a school
bus to and from Hemet High School and she drove a mobile library
van.
Those
jobs gave them summers off, which meshed perfectly with his dream
of caring for foster children and opening a group home for orphan
or troubled boys.
"In
Anza was where it began," Dee Dee said. "We weren’t
able to have children. That’s why we went into foster care.
That’s where the Lord led us."
The
foster program – which typically housed six to eight boys
at a time – eventually became known as the Shamrock Boys’
Home.
The
couple remained in Anza for about five years and then moved to
Hemet, she said. They divorced in 1980 after Dee Dee had spent
11 years working with the foster children. She remarried in 1983,
and kept in occasional contact with Bob afterward.
Don
and Pat Ellington, who have lived in Anza for about 45 years,
remained close with the couple since they arrived in the rural
community east of Temecula. Don Ellington last saw Bob Shamrock
three years ago, but he left a lasting impression.
"It’s
been very hard," Pat Ellington said of learning about Bob’s
death.
"There
will never be another one like him," she said. "Bob
was a very, very devoted man to his boys and his wife and his
religion. He was a very outgoing, friendly person. I never met
anybody who didn’t like Bob."
Pat
Ellington and her husband were unable to travel on short notice
to their friend’s memorial service, which was held at Calvary
Baptist Church in Susanville.
Bob’s next stop on his lifelong migration throughout California.
It was there that Kenneth Wayne Kilpatrick, whose biological
father had deserted Ken’s mother and their four children
shortly after his birth, was driven to Shamrock’s ranch
by a parole officer.
The
15-year-old had been in plenty of trouble by that point –
including widely reported accusations of strong-arm robbery –
and his future prospects appeared to be limited to group homes
or prison cells.
Bob
quickly developed an appreciation for Ken’s obvious athleticism
and immediately started mentoring him towards what came to be
a career as one of the most celebrated combat-sports figures
in history, earning him the right to be described as "The
World’s Most Dangerous Man".
Bob
legally adopted Ken when he turned 18 in 1982. Out of respect
and appreciation, Ken legally changed his name to Shamrock. Bob
later adopted a second foster child, Frank Alisio Juarez, who
also took the Shamrock surname. With their adoptive father’s
help and guidance, both siblings skyrocketed to mixed martial
arts fame.
After
Susanville, Bob Shamrock moved his boys’ home to Lockeford
in the San Joaquin River Delta south of Sacramento. After Lockeford,
Bob spent a few years living in San Diego when Ken moved there
in the mid-90s, before returning back to Susanville.
It
was shortly thereafter that Bob encouraged Ken to reinitiate
contact with his High School infatuation, Tonya Mambourg and
soon they were married and all residing on the outskirts of Reno,
where Ken operates his Lion’s Den mixed martial arts and
fitness center.
About
200 people attended Bob’s memorial service in Susanville
on Monday. Attendance was limited due to a snowstorm that kept
many Reno-area residents from crossing Donner Summit on Interstate
80. "Due to the weather, there were a lot of people who
couldn’t come," said Tonya during our telephone interview.
Service
participants included fighters Joe Hurley, Vernon "Tiger"
White, Richard Montoya, Noah Shinable and Rick Reeves.
About
30 people shared their recollections of Bob during the service
and told how he had touched their lives. The speakers included
men who had lived in the group home. They said Bob influenced
the way they live today as husbands and fathers.
Ken
Shamrock blinked back tears several times during his remarks.
He recalled Bob revealing that he felt as though he was nothing
without the Lord.
Ken
also recalled that he was frightened at first when he arrived
at the Shamrock Boys’ Home. But the love that permeated
the place made it feel different than any group home he had visited.
Ken
said Bob taught the youths that bad decisions would affect them
as well as others around them. Bob would often use sports references
– such as football penalties that can derail a team’s
scoring opportunities – to illustrate that point.
Ken
said he would like to see people follow his adoptive father’s
example and be kind to others, even if they are different from
themselves.
The
family is setting up a foundation for troubled youth in Bob Shamrock’s
name. More information is available by calling (775) 384-3302.
Source: Fight Opinion/The Fallbrook Valley News
|
Heading
Into Demian Maia Fight, Dan Miller Feels He Has Something to
Prove
By Ariel
Helwani
UFC middleweight fighter Dan Miller says that when he faces Demian
Maia at UFC 109 on Feb. 6, he will look to control the pace of
the fight from start to finish. That's something he didn't do
against Chael Sonnen at UFC 98, which led to his first loss inside
the Octagon as well as his first in 10 fights. Maia is also coming
off the first professional loss of his MMA career: a devastating
21-second loss to Nate Marquardt at UFC 102.
MMA
Fighting recently spoke to the 28-year-old Miller about recently
receiving his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, why he still feels
he has something to prove to the UFC and his place in the crowded
middleweight division.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
10
Brazilians to Watch in 2010
by Gleidson
Venga
One of the traditional hotbeds for mixed martial arts talent,
Brazil produced a number of major champions in 2009. Jose Aldo
(World Extreme Cagefighting), Lyoto Machida (UFC), Bibiano Fernandes
(Dream) and Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (Strikeforce)
took their place alongside Anderson Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira,
Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, who had
long ago secured their places in the sport’s Brazilian pantheon.
To
whom do we look in 2010?
Sherdog.com
has compiled a list of 10 undiscovered Brazilian fighters who
have yet to break through onto the international stage. Keep
an eye on them.
1.
Renan Barao
Barao lost the first fight of his career and has not tasted defeat
since. Nineteen bouts later, he has emerged as the best featherweight
in Brazil. Based out of the same Nova Uniao camp as Aldo, he
plans to cut to 135 pounds as soon as he secures an international
deal. A stout striking base, coupled with a ground game sharpened
by one of the top schools in Brazil, makes Barao one of the most
complete and dangerous fighters in the country.
2.
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire
A native of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, a state known for producing
great fighters, “Pitbull” trains with Brazilian Top
Team Platinum, and his perfect record serves as evidence of his
considerable ability. Blessed with knockout power and a well-developed
ground game, he burst on the national scene in 2009 and recently
signed with Bellator Fighting Championships.
3.
Charles Oliveira
One of the most dangerous lightweight fighters in Brazil, Oliveira
has built his name through success in tournaments. He has already
won two grand prix events in which he had to defeat three opponents
in one night. His agility and excellent technical ground skills
have made him a star in his homeland. Oliveira produced one of
the best fights of 2009 when he defeated Eduardo Pachu by split
decision in September.
4.
Andre Santos
“Chatuba” has won 15 of his last 16 fights, including
three in a row. He has kept a busy pace, with eight fights in
2009. Though his development shows no signs of slowing, Santos’
12-fight winning streak was snapped in August in a technical
knockout loss to Alexandre Pereira. Training with Team Nogueira
and alternating between matches at welterweight and middleweight,
Santos’ anaconda choke has become his weapon of choice.
5.
Luis Dutra Jr.
A Luta Livre representative, “Besouro” recovered from
several injuries and won all three of his fights in 2009. Now
completely devoted to the sport, many expect him to blossom into
one of the country’s most feared middleweights. Dutra suffered
one of his two career defeats to world-ranked UFC welterweight
contender Paulo Thiago.
Tytschyo
has a bright future.
6. Cassiano Tytschyo
Still only 21, Tytschyo already has 25 professional fights on
his resume. The 5-foot-8 middleweight has become a mainstay in
major Brazilian events and has proven capable of exchanging on
the feet and competing at a high level on the ground. Cornered
by his father, Tytschyo has posted eight wins in nine appearances
and will ride a four-fight winning streak into his next match.
7.
Alexandre Pantoja
This gifted flyweight won all five of his 2009 fights, as he
rebounded from a split decision defeat to William Vianna. A versatile
fighter, Pantoja has impressed with strong muay Thai and an excellent
ground game. He always seeks the knockout, standing and on the
mat. Should he maintain his current momentum, Pantoja seems like
a serious candidate to contend for championships in 2010.
8.
Bruno Santos
Excellent wrestling and efficient ground-and-pound make this
middleweight a future star. His conditioning has also become
a weapon, as the 22-year-old has gone the distance in four of
his six fights. The unbeaten Bahia-based Santos dominated M-1
Challenge veteran Danilo Pereira at a Win Fight & Entertainment
event in August.
9.
Eduardo Pachu
Once considered a one-dimensional muay Thai practitioner, Pachu
has evolved rapidly with his wrestling and jiu-jitsu. His decision
to train with Roberto “Gordo” Correa, one of the top
black belts graduated by the Gracie Barra team, seems to have
paid huge dividends. Pachu, a featherweight, wields the kind
of knockout power and speed that can leave any opponent stunned.
10.
Pedro Irie
Anchored by the same team as Francisco Filho, a K-1 veteran and
perhaps the greatest Kyokushin Karate fighter in Brazil’s
history, Irie won his first six fights as a professional. A potent
stand-up competitor who has quickly developed his ground game,
he succumbed to second-round punches against Pride Fighting Championships
and KSW veteran Daniel Acacio in September. Still, Irie has proven
himself as a feared middleweight striker.
Source: Sherdog
|
UFC
fights still not welcome in Ontario despite the sports growing
popularity in the province
By BRETT
CLARKSON, Toronto Sun
On the phone from his office in Las Vegas, Marc Ratner says bluntly
that if Ontario were to legalize mixed martial arts, the biggest-ever
UFC event in history would go down in Toronto.
“We
think we can draw 35,000 to 40,000 there,” said Ratner,
vice-president of regulatory affairs for the Ultimate Fighting
Championship.
Despite
his desert locale, Ratner should know what he’s talking
about when it comes to Canada’s most populous city. As the
UFC’s expansion point-man, he’s spent years lobbying
state and provincial governments to pass laws legalizing the
controversial UFC. Most of them have. Queen’s Park hasn’t.
According
to Ratner, there isn’t a place on earth that boasts more
of an interest in UFC than Ontario.
“When
we look at our TV ratings and our pay-per-view buys, on a per-capita
basis, Toronto and Ontario are the No. 1 places in the world,”
he said.
“It’s
unbelievably popular in the province of Ontario and especially
Toronto,” said Ratner, the former boss of the powerful Nevada
Athletic Commission, which governs boxing and MMA in the state.
But
despite the rabid enthusiasm for ultimate fighting here, Ratner
and his colleagues at the Vegas-based UFC have so far been unsuccessful
in terms of getting Ontario to follow the lead of 43 U.S. states
and eight provinces in allowing mixed martial arts (MMA).
Though
it’s not for lack of trying. In the past two years Ratner
and his UFC colleagues have been here three times in an effort
to sell the McGuinty government. They’ve also paid a visit
to Ottawa to meet with members of the federal government. They’ve
hired former premier David Peterson and the law firm he works
at, Cassels Brock, to help in their lobbying efforts in Ontario.
For
Ottawa, where the federal government has the power to amend Sec.
83 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to prizefighting laws,
UFC has enlisted The Capital Hill Group.
Perhaps
all the elbow grease is working. In an end-of-year TV interview,
McGuinty said he’s “got an open mind” about UFC
and so far it’s been the strongest signal yet that the province’s
historic resistance to MMA fighting might be coming to an end.
Looking
to capitalize on what they hope to be a turning tide, Ratner
told the Sun he and several other UFC colleagues will likely
be travelling back to Toronto at the end of February or March
to shake the right hands in an effort to fulfil UFC president
Dana White’s goal of bringing ultimate fighting to Toronto
in 2010.
“We’re
very bullish on Toronto, on Ontario, and we’ll just keep
on endeavouring to educate and show the value of the sport, the
health and safety of it, the economic impact of it,” Ratner
says. “I hope the day comes when we’ll be able to bring
it there.”
Ratner
said in addition to Toronto, UFC is also looking at Hamilton
and Ottawa as potential host cities.
But
this week the ministry in charge of the issue wasn’t tipping
its hat either way.
A
spokesman for the provincial Consumer Services Ministry, which
oversees the Ontario Athletic Commission and its governing legislation,
was tight-lipped on whether or not the provincial government
is set to make the necessary changes in law to allow for competitive
mixed martial arts events.
“The
government would have to make amendments to the regulations under
the Athletics Control Act before professional MMA could be allowed
in Ontario,” said Consumer Services Ministry spokesman Sue
Carroll.
Provincial
athletics commissioner Ken Hayashi, who rightly or wrongly has
been perceived by some as being anti-MMA because of his strict
adherence to federal Criminal Code regulations, which in his
interpretation outlaws mixed martial arts, didn’t respond
to calls and e-mails from the Sun.
In
a story last year by the Sun’s Steve Buffery, Hayashi maintained
his stance that mixed martial arts is an illegal activity in
Canada.
Until
Sec. 83 is changed to allow for professional combat sports beyond
what the law calls a “boxing contest,” there won’t
be any UFC bouts in Ontario, Hayashi has said.
Regardless
of the federal law, two of the most successful UFC events thus
far were staged in Montreal. And the federal government hasn’t
put up a fight. Heritage Minister James Moore told Vancouver
city council there was “no legal obstacle to hosting UFC
events.”
So
while Toronto and Ontario continue to wait, UFC will make its
Vancouver debut this June. City council there voted in December
in favour of a pilot program to allow for MMA events within city
limits.
In
Toronto, spokesmen for the two front-running mayoral candidates,
George Smitherman and Rocco Rossi, said their candidates wouldn’t
be available to comment on whether they favour bringing UFC to
Toronto.
According
to an economic impact study done by HR&A advisors for Zuffa
LLC, the parent company of UFC, about 40% of the fans who went
to Montreal in April 2008 to watch the first-ever UFC event in
Canada were from Ontario. The study says that Ontarians spent
$1.4 million in Montreal.
“You
look at the sheer amount of dollars and tourism that the UFC
can bring in and it’s staggering,” said Freddie DeFreitas,
the Canadian correspondent for MMA website Sherdog.com.
In
downtown Toronto, at the Football Factory bar at Bathurst and
Adelaide Sts., large posters for UFC 109 are taped to the windows.
The upscale pub prides itself on showing football matches from
around the world, but in the past three months has been showing
UFC bouts whenever they air Saturday nights.
“We’ve
found that on the nights we have UFC, the place is full,”
said Chrissy Penman, who co-owns the bar with her husband Patrick.
“It’s almost guaranteed that it’s going to be
packed. On the night where it’s a big card, we’re turning
people away at the door. On the nights that it’s not as
big a card the restaurant is still packed.”
“With
the UFC crowd it’s young professionals,” adds Patrick
Penman. “I’d say half the clients (on a UFC night)
are women.”
Although
the sport seems to appeal to both men and women who watch it
over drinks and food, at the ground level, mixed martial arts
as a fitness pursuit is also attracting women.
On
a weeknight at Revolution MMA, a sleek, modern gym in the Hwy.
401 and Leslie St. area, men and women of varying ages take part
in boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu classes, including Minelle
Mirchandani, 35, who wears a green martial arts robe — called
a gi — with the words ‘Lil’ Ninja’ in yellow
emblazoned on the back.
“A
lot of people have a really big misconception of MMA,” Mirchandani
said. “They feel that it’s for the fighting, but a
lot of it is because we love martial arts. We love the tradition.
“It’s
not violent. And there’s so many women doing this. I feel
really proud.”
Chris
Clarke, 22, who trains at the gym, also defended MMA.
“It’s
not pit fighting or cock fighting or anything like that. It’s
a legitimate sport. We train hard, we’re very respectful,”
Clarke said. “It has to come to Toronto. We gotta get with
the times.”
Gym
owner Joel Gerson, a five-time Canadian jiu jitsu champion, takes
pride in his 1,200-square-metre gym, which boasts an octagon
and boxing ring, as well as bathrooms that wouldn’t look
out of place in a posh hotel or nightclub. At the front of the
store, framed pictures show Gerson alongside such MMA luminaries
as current UFC welterweight champion and native Montreal Georges
St-Pierre, B.J. Penn, Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin, Eddie
Bravo, and others.
“The
people want it and really the debate as to whether or not it’s
safe or whether or not it’s something that could or should
happen, I think we’re past that at this point,” Gerson
said.
Source: Fight Opinion/Toronto Sun
|
Hannette
“back to her origins” in Brazil
By Erik
Engelhart
Living for three years in Chigano, United States, the five times
BJJ world champion Hannette Staack is the kind of athlete who
doesn’t forget the origins. The black belt, beside her trainer
and husband André “Negão”, were in Brazil
to see the family and to be on a big train with Carlos Henrique,
André’s master, who passed it all to Hannette.
The super class that happened on last Thursday (14) on Shidokan
gym, commanded by Carlinhos, on Tijuca, marked the born of Brazil
021 School of Jiu-Jitsu. The Jiu-Jitsu school comes from the
union of friends that take different ways, but then they met
again to grow together.
“The train today was wonderful, one of the best since I
started on Jiu-Jitsu. It’s hard to travel back and leave
the family here, people who started with me... This train was
good to show how they like us. We’ll soon bring our students
to train here. This train today was the biggest prove that this
union will only grow”, told the black belt who flew to America
this Friday.
BORNING AGAIN
The master Carlos Henrique was very emotional with the new partner
with known people. “I made a good base with André,
who could pass really well to Hannette, and we want to expand
more. The difference with us is that we didn’t have to take
anything from outside, our group was just a little apart, each
one developing the own work. So André Negão and
Hannette were in and were fundamental to the union. It was important”,
said the black belt, who’s recovering from a tragedy of
last year, when he was shot on a store on Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro.
“The man got into the store, told me to get out, but the
victim got close to me and from the six bullets, three hit me,
one of them on the column, where it is until now. Thank God I’m
alive and I depend only of a few exams to back to train. I’m
sure this year will be very good to me”, finished the though
guy who “was born again”.
André
Negão was important on this union. The black belt called
to the master and closed the partnership. The though guy knows
the importance of Carlinho’s legacy and came before to Rio
e Janeiro because of the accident. “I’d only come to
Brazil in January, but because of what happened to my master
Carlinhos, we decided to come earlier to Brazil. At this moment
I had to support because I know how important the group is. We
were, for eight years, each one taking care of yours. It was
a dream becoming true, it wonderful to see my master teaching
class, that’s priceless, if now I’m a Jiu-Jitsu’s
business man, I owe to Carlinhos”, finished, emotional.
Source: Tatame
|
Quote
of the Day
"It
is never too late to be who you might have been."
George Eliot, 1819-1880, English Novelist
|
Quest
for Champions
Tomorrow
|
Marloes
Coenen Wants to Show That Women Can Fight
By Michael
David Smith
Marloes Coenen describes herself as "just an ordinary girl
from the Netherlands," and she's still trying to wrap her
head around the fact that in six days, hundreds of thousands
of Americans will tune into Showtime to watch her fight Cris
Cyborg. But even though she isn't accustomed to the idea that
she's a role model, she says her biggest goal as a fighter is
to inspire other women to follow in her footsteps.
"I
think it's very important for women to fight," Coenen said.
"It's good for your physique, it's good for your confidence."
Coenen
said she took up martial arts not because she ever thought she
would do it professionally, but because she feared being alone
on the street and wanted to be able to defend herself.
"I'm
from a very small town in the East of the Netherlands, and I
had to ride my bike a long way to school, and all my friends
went to a different school," Coenen said. "That meant
I was by myself for a long time every day, and I wanted to learn
how to defend myself, because I was concerned about that. So
I took martial arts classes and I found a Brazilian jiu jitsu
trainer, and he also started to show me MMA, and he told me I
should fight."
Now
Coenen is preparing for a Jan. 30 fight that will be the biggest
of her career, and one of the biggest in the history of women's
MMA. Cyborg is coming off a first-round TKO win over Gina Carano,
and Coenen describes Cyborg as the strongest opponent she's ever
faced.
"Her
strength, of course, is her physique," Coenen said. "She's
a real powerhouse. She's really good at throwing combinations
-- she doesn't just throw one kick and one punch. She tries to
walk right through you. I see some weaknesses, but I'm going
to keep those to myself until the 30th."
To
prepare for Cyborg, Coenen is sparring almost exclusively with
men -- both because she wants sparring partners who can replicate
Cyborg's power, and becausewhere Coenen trains in the Netherlands,
it's hard to find women who understand the sport.
"Most
of my sparring partners are guys," Coenen said. "There
aren't a lot of women in my gym. MMA hasn't been as big in the
Netherlands -- people who are into martial arts are more into
Thai boxing. But now with people like Gegard Mousasi and Alistair
Overeem and Melvin Manhoef, we're seeing more boys in the Netherlands
getting into MMA. I'm hoping it happens with the girls now."
Coenen
has a 17-3 professional record, including 12 wins by submission,
and she showed off her ground skills in her most recent fight,
a first-round submission victory over Roxanne Modafferi at Strikeforce's
November event.
"I
told myself I would knock her out in the first round so it didn't
go quite as expected, but I won in the first round so I was really
happy," Coenen said.
The
win over Modafferi was Coenen's first fight in the United States,
and she said she was pleasantly surprised that American fans
appreciated a good submission, noting that in the Netherlands,
where kickboxing is more popular than MMA, fans don't have much
use for fights that go to the ground. She said she's excited
at the prospect of reaching a larger audience in the United States.
"I'm
here in the Netherlands and I don't know if American MMA fans
know who I am, although I do notice a lot of people want to be
friends with me on Facebook now," Coenen said. "But
the truth is I try not to pay attention to that, I don't read
things about myself on the Internet, because it could be very
distracting. I only want to focus on my fight."
Coenen
credited her team, Golden Glory, for inspiring her to make her
living as a fighter. And she said she hopes she can be an inspiration
to others.
"I'm
just an ordinary girl who was doing martial arts on the side,
and the next thing I knew I was getting professional fights in
Japan," Coenen said. "So much has happened for this
sport in nine years. Back then I couldn't find fights and I worried
that I wouldn't be able to fulfill my MMA career and that I'd
live to regret it. It felt to me like the only option I had.
I knew I could get a career at a company or something but I didn't
want to do that. Now that I'm seeing the way this sport influences
women I want as many women as possible to get into MMA -- not
to be a professional fighter, you don't have to fight at all,
but just to better yourself."
Source: MMA Fighting
|
ANDERSON
SILVA NOT CLOSE TO RETIREMENT
by Damon
Martin
Speculation ran wild just over a year ago when UFC middleweight
champion Anderson Silva talked about his possible retirement
from the sport. It looks like that talk has subsided and the
Brazilian is focused on the biggest fights out there for him.
He's
not planning on going anywhere, any time soon.
With
a fight against Vitor Belfort on the horizon, Silva is committed
to defending his middleweight title in April. Afterwards the
future is bright for the champ, but undetermined as to what weight
class he'll be competing in.
Silva's
manager, Ed Soares, spoke to MMAWeekly Radio this week and commented
about his client's future in the UFC.
"I
think the important thing is to really create the biggest fights
possible," Soares said. "I think Anderson's got a good
two, three years probably. He's got a good eight or nine fights
probably left in him for sure, maybe more. He doesn't take too
much damage, and the fact that he doesn't take damage in the
fights, it's really more or less the training."
Soares
opened up the possibility of more fights for Silva at light heavyweight
or even heavyweight if the match-ups are there. Silva's last
trip to 205 pounds resulted in an absolute drubbing of former
champion Forrest Griffin in August 2009.
"I
believe the last fights of his career will definitely be big
fights. That's what he wants, to have the big fights, regardless
of what the weight is," Soares commented. "Whether
it's at light heavyweight, whether it's at heavyweight, whether
it's at a catchweight, doesn't make a different. He just wants
to challenge himself and be involved in some of the biggest fights
that the UFC can put together."
The
possibilities are endless as to who Silva could face in the future,
and Soares believes that the UFC is the place his fighter needs
to be to get those mega-fights.
"The
fans are going to dictate who they want to see," said Soares.
"Of course the UFC makes those decisions, but with the talent
pool the UFC has, there's not going to be a lack of big fights
for Anderson or for any of our fighters."
First,
Anderson Silva defends his UFC middleweight title in April against
current top contender Vitor Belfort at UFC 112, currently expected
to take place in Abu Dhabi.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Hannity
gives UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar some air time
By Zach
Arnold
Being a meathead who insults other countries can cost you sponsorships
if you are an athlete. If you do both and you are also a conservative,
that can really cost you money. (Ask Hollywood.)
Unless,
of course, you are in the fight business. Then, it can make you
a lot of money and grab a lot of headlines. Which is why even
when Brock Lesnar says something stupid, the net result of it
can turn out to be marketing genius.
Brock
Lesnar’s goofy rant about the Canadian health care system
(he was in the middle of nowhere in Manitoba) got him not only
air time on both political/sports talk radio and Hannity’s
Fox News program, but it also has Canadian politicians in a furor.
On the one hand, maybe the comments aren’t so helpful towards
MMA legalization in Ontario. On the other hand, Lesnar’s
all but guaranteed himself a main event booking when UFC debuts
in Ontario. Smell the money. The Toronto Star sure is. If only
we could hear what Chris Jericho’s thoughts are about Lesnar
ripping Manitoba…
Hannity’s
spin on Lesnar’s comments about President Obama and the
Canadian health care system were played on Friday night’s
Fox News show. Lesnar was labeled as an “ultimate fighting
champion” who is President Obama’s biggest, “fiercest
critic.”
Speaking
of politicos talking about wrestlers, a weird convergence happened
today between NBC political news director Chuck Todd and Washington
Post writer Chris Cilizza. Their conversation about wrestling
started when Darius Rucker was asked on Dan Patrick’s radio
show to name his three favorite wrestlers. Todd, a graduate from
the University of Miami, chimed in and remarked that Eddie Graham’s
Florida territory was “VERY b level.” Ouch. This prompted
Cilizza on the Washington Post site to talk about his three favorite
wrestlers. At least there’s one thing in Washington D.C.
that every politico agrees on — Ric Flair is the #1 wrestler
of all time. That’s bipartisanship you can count on.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Dave
Mustaine talks Machida vs Shogun
Dave Mustaine, from Megadeth, is addicted on fights. Ukidokan
Karate and Taekwondo’s black belt, the guitar player use
to enjoy the break between the tours to follow the big events
of MMA. In 2009, one of the main events that he watched was UFC
104, which had the controversy fight between Lyoto Machida and
Maurício Shogun.
In
interview to Fight website, the guitar man made a fun analyze
about the event and the combat between Brazilians. “There
was some good preliminaries. I liked that guy that was facing
“The Dragon”. I think his rhythm was terrible. I think
that, if that fight happened on a bar, it had been great”,
analyzed, talking about the judges’ decision. “The
fight that I saw haven’t that score, because “The Dragon”
(Lyoto) didn’t won”, said.
Source: Tatame
|
Defining
Nate Marquardt
by Brian
Knapp
As he approaches a critical time in his professional mixed martial
arts career, Nate Marquardt seems more and more like a man who
has grown comfortable in his own skin.
The
30-year-old middleweight contender will tackle Chael Sonnen in
the UFC 109 “Relentless” co-main event on Feb. 6 at
the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Marquardt believes
a victory over the Team Quest veteran, decisive or otherwise,
will position him for a second crack at UFC gold.
“I
was told that,” Marquardt says. “I think that’s
what fans are going to want.”
For
nearly three years, he has patiently chased a rematch with UFC
middleweight king Anderson Silva, even as fighters many viewed
as less deserving -- Vitor Belfort being the latest -- leapfrogged
him in the 185-pound pecking order. Marquardt, though he made
his desires known, never walked out of step with his core values.
“I
feel like all I can really control is my effort,” he says.
“As long as I’m giving 100 percent of myself, I can’t
really worry about anything else. That kind of stuff’s out
of my hands; it’s in God’s hands.”
Marquardt
remains grounded by a structured home life that includes a 10-year-old
daughter from a previous relationship and a devoted wife due
to give birth to their first child in May. The product of a broken
home -- his parents divorced when he was 9 -- he thinks the foundations
he has nurtured away from fighting have directly contributed
to his success inside the cage. Stability can work wonders.
“They
definitely help me stay grounded,” Marquardt says. “I
don’t have anything else to worry about, except fighting
and providing for my family. That’s all I can do. My family
supports me; they put up with a lot.”
Personal
responsibility keeps Marquardt focused.
“Sometimes,
when fighting’s all you have, it puts too much pressure
on you, puts things kind of out of perspective,” he says.
“I know there are things in this world more important than
fighting, and that definitely helps out. It’s just a fight;
it’s not the end of the world. The thing that’s most
important to me is my family. They’ve become my motivation.”
During
his time inside the Octagon, Marquardt has experienced the highest
of highs -- a six-fight winning streak that culminated in his
first UFC title bout in July 2007 -- and the lowest of lows --
his first-round technical knockout loss to Silva in the UFC 73
co-main event. Since that defeat, he has rattled off four wins
in five fights and has become increasingly dominant with each
outing. In August, he leveled the unbeaten Demian Maia in 21
seconds at UFC 102. He was certain the one-punch knockout had
sewn up a rematch with Silva. Matchmakers had other ideas.
“I
was pretty sure that I had earned another title shot,” Marquardt
says, “but that’s not the way it worked out.”
Instead,
the UFC offered the proverbial olive branch: a championship elimination
bout against Dan Henderson, still the only man to simultaneously
hold major titles in two different weight classes. However, contract
negotiations with the former Pride Fighting Championships superstar
ran aground, and Henderson packed his bags for Strikeforce. Marquardt
was left empty-handed -- again.
“I
was pretty excited about the Henderson fight, too,” he says.
“That was kind of a good consolation prize. When that didn’t
happen, I was disappointed, but I’m over that now.”
Sonnen,
one of the sport’s most polished and effective wrestlers,
has Marquardt’s undivided attention. The 32-year-old middleweight
has delivered back-to-back wins over former International Fight
League champion Dan Miller and the world-ranked Yushin Okami,
launching himself into title contention. Marquardt -- who trains
with heavyweight Shane Carwin, a former Div. II national wrestling
champion, and UFC welterweight titleholder Georges St. Pierre,
perhaps the best functional wrestler in MMA -- understands the
considerable threat Sonnen poses.
“He’s
a very good wrestler,” he says. “I have to make sure
my wrestling is where it needs to be. I’ve brushed up on
it, fixing any mistakes and making sure my timing and reactions
are good. He’s definitely a grinder. I have to use the right
strategy and not let him push me around the ring.”
Greg
Jackson, Marquardt’s longtime trainer and mentor, agrees,
especially with the stakes so high.
“Certainly,
Chael Sonnen is no joke; he just beat Okami,” Jackson says.
“He’s a great fighter. He’s a great grinder. He
gets in there and he’s a workhorse, and he offers us a lot
of threats. If we do get past him, then we have a whole new challenge,
but that’s what Nate wants to do. I think Nate wants to
prove that he’s the best, and I think he’s on the road
to doing it.”
Even
if Marquardt defeats Sonnen, a rematch with Silva remains far
from a forgone conclusion. The incomparable Brazilian has his
own hurdle to clear, as he expects to meet the revitalized Belfort
at UFC 112 in April.
“I
definitely would prefer to fight Anderson, because he beat me
before,” Marquardt says. “At the same time, if Vitor
beats him … I’d be happy with either one of those scenarios.”
Should
Silva survive his latest test, extend his unprecedented streak
of success inside the Octagon and move on to an anticipated rematch
with Marquardt, the former middleweight King of Pancrase believes
a far different fight would materialize between champion and
challenger.
“The
main difference is, mentally, I’d be a completely different
fighter,” he says. “The first time we fought, I was
kind of stuck in a rut, thinking I couldn’t [afford to]
lose. I got to where I didn’t want to overcommit, and it
took away a lot of my aggression. Since I’ve gone back to
my old style, I’ve been finishing guys.”
Marquardt
admits waiting for the rematch has tested his patience.
“The
thing that makes it hard is I don’t feel like I did my best
against him,” he says. “If I had, I think I could have
and would have beaten him, even back then. Now that I’ve
improved so much, it makes me even more eager to face him again.”
Jackson,
who has attracted some of the world’s most decorated martial
artists to his Albuquerque, N.M., mecca, remains his most ardent
supporter.
“I’m
a 100 percent believer in Nate Marquardt,” he says. “I
think he’s just amazing and getting better every fight.
The important thing with Nate is to execute smart game plans
and be really creative. Nate is such a creative fighter that
if he stays within the parameters of the game plan and just lets
himself go and be creative and open up and have a lot of fun,
I think he can beat anybody.
Source: Sherdog
|
Bob
Reilly feeling the heat in New York over MMA legislation
By Zach
Arnold
Continuing
the theme of MMA and politics, this morning’s edition of
The Albany Times-Union reports that state assemblyman Bob Reilly
is prepared to introduce his own version of an MMA legislation
bill.
Here’s
the reported catch 22:
Reilly
is prepared to introduce a compromise bill that would legalize
the sport while requiring rules changes to make it less violent.
The changes could include regulations on what fighting styles
are permitted; limitations on the use of elbows; and a prohibition
against hitting an opponent who’s on his knees.
So,
in essence, we have a Quebec athletic commission-style situation
here except Reilly wants to water down everything. It’s
an attempt to make him look like he’s willing to make a
compromise, but it’s very clear that he’s facing heavy
political pressure from major players in the state to pass the
Unified rules and he knows it.
Throwing
a kink into the currently proposed MMA legislation is that MMA
events in New York would be taxed at an 8.5% clip versus the
3% clip that boxing events get taxed at. UFC could afford the
tax but it’s hard to see how smaller promoters could afford
it.
At
the end of the day, UFC’s political lobbying efforts are
working in New York and eventually the floodgates will open.
That is a good thing.
Speaking
of UFC success, over 3,500 people have reported signed up for
memberships at the first “UFC gym” in the Bay Area.
The venue opens on Saturday. It will be obnoxious to hear people
tell others that “they train UFC,” but then again maybe
some of them will get a fight booking against Tim Sylvia in the
future since it seems anyone can these days.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
"He
has the right to criticize who has the heart to help."
Abraham Lincoln, 1809-1865, 16th President of the United States
|
Five
Burning Questions for WEC in 2010
By Mike
Chiappetta
With 2010 freshly underway, MMA Fighting takes a look at some
of the burning questions facing WEC during this year.
Included
in the discussion of the company's yearly outlook are whether
WEC will produce a pay-per-view, if they're capable of developing
another major star, whether a WEC-UFC merger is likely and more.
1.
Will the WEC do a pay-per-view show in 2010?
Michael
David Smith: Yes. In combat sports, pay-per-view has proven to
be by far the most lucrative business model, and I think Zuffa
wants to give it a try with the WEC this year. To me, the big
question is whether a WEC pay-per-view will be attractive enough
to draw in anyone other than the hardest of hard-core MMA fans,
and that's where I'm skeptical. The WEC puts on great fights,
but I just don't think it has a deep enough fan base to make
big money on pay-per-view.
The fans will ultimately decide whether WEC is a viable product
on pay-per-view.
-- Mike Chiappetta
Mike Chiappetta: Yes, it's practically a lock. They're going
to have to put together their biggest and best card ever for
it, though. We've seen UFC have injury issues decimate best-laid
PPV plans; WEC can't afford that. Still, it's a low-risk, high-reward
gamble as a one-shot deal. You have to credit Zuffa for giving
it a try, but the fans will ultimately decide whether WEC is
a viable product on pay-per-view, and as of now, MMA fans have
been averse to spending their money on non-UFC PPVs.
2.
Can they develop another star to rival the popularity of Urijah
Faber?
Chiappetta:
That's a bit of a loaded question as Faber is more popular than
a lot of big time UFC stars, but I think Jose Aldo has the star
quality that can make him a major attraction. He's young, charismatic,
and his performances are must-see television. That's the basic
checklist for sports superstardom. It's up to the WEC and Zuffa
to make sure people understand just how special he is, and that's
no easy task with so many MMA options out there right now. If
Aldo was a stock, I'd be buying. But will he rival Faber in popularity
in the coming year? No, it will take more time.
MDS:
To me, this is the key question for the WEC -- Faber is still
far and away their most popular fighter, and they don't have
anyone else who comes close to his drawing power. I don't think
they can develop a star to rival Faber in 2010, but if they're
smart about how they promote Aldo they can make him a star some
day. He's already one of the best and most exciting athletes
in the sport, and he's only 23.
2.
Who will own the three WEC belts at the end of 2010?
MDS:
The lightweight champion will be Anthony Njokuani, whose dynamic
striking will earn him a title shot some time this year. The
featherweight champion will be Jose Aldo, who will defeat Urijah
Faber and then retain his title against whatever other featherweight
contender the WEC throws at him. The bantamweight champion will
be Miguel Torres, who will earn a rematch with Brian Bowles and
get his belt back in the fall.
Chiappetta:
I think Bowles will hang on to the bantamweight belt, as his
powerful hands, wrestling skill and underrated ground game will
make him a tough out for anyone. At featherweight, I think Aldo
is a phenom, and while a top wrestler like Mike Brown or Urijah
Faber can give him a tough matchup, over the course of five rounds,
I like Aldo to find a way to win. As for the lightweight belt,
I think Jamie Varner works his way back to the top. He's only
25 and was coming off a long layoff, so it's not surprising he
lost his focus for a second against Ben Henderson and lost. But
long-term I think he's likely to rise back to the top of the
WEC 155ers.
4.
Will the WEC merge into the UFC?
Chiappetta:
Eventually, but probably not in 2010. The WEC has talked about
trying its own pay-per-view shows but has yet to pull the trigger.
I believe they'll give it a try with the belief that PPV revenue
could drastically change the promotion's bottom line. But if
WEC pay-per-views don't do well -- and they do face an uphill
battle in convincing consumers to part with their dollars --
the executives at Zuffa may see the writing on the wall. In the
end, I think fighters like Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, et. al. become
a lot more valuable simply by putting them in a UFC octagon.
At some point, the ongoing fight to build WEC will become too
much, and Zuffa will shift strategy. It's likely that time won't
come until 2011.
He's already one of the best and most exciting athletes in the
sport, and he's only 23.
-- MDS on Jose Aldo
MDS: I definitely agree with you that it won't happen in 2010,
and I actually don't think the WEC will merge into the UFC at
all. I think Zuffa likes having a second brand, one that they
can differentiate from the UFC. Right now they're differentiating
the WEC by making it the home of smaller fighters, but in the
future they might do it by adding female fights, or using a tournament
format, or taking it into countries like Mexico where the UFC
hasn't yet gone.
5.
Will the UFC on Versus deal help or hurt the WEC brand?
MDS:
I think it can only help. The UFC will attract far more viewers
to Versus than the WEC has, and when those viewers are inundated
with advertising reminding them that there's more MMA on Versus
than just the UFC, some of them will come back to give the WEC
a try. There are a whole lot of people who watch the UFC on Spike
but have never watched the WEC on Versus, and a lot of those
people will start watching the WEC once the UFC gets them in
the habit of watching Versus.
Chiappetta:
I just don't think UFC can get fans "in the habit"
of watching Versus when they're only going to do two shows a
year. Don't get me wrong, it will help in the sense that it will
give Zuffa a vehicle in which to promote WEC fighters unlike
any they've had before. Cross-promotion of WEC fighters is rarely
done on Spike-broadcasted UFC shows, but expect that to change
greatly once "UFC on Versus" begins. But because right
now they're only contracted to do two shows a year, it's not
going to be enough to make any major impact. Still, it will be
valuable in highlighting at least the biggest names in WEC. Perhaps
an equally important though tangential effect: it could ultimately
prove beneficial if the time comes to pull the trigger on a UFC-WEC
merger, as those stars won't be so foreign to casual UFC fans.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
UFC
in Abu Dhabi vs. Dynamite at Kokuritsu Stadium
By Zach
Arnold
The
2002 Dynamite event at Kokuritsu (National) Stadium in Tokyo…
I remember reading all the various stories leading up to the
show in the various daily newspapers, talking about how much
production equipment was needed and how many portable bathrooms
were installed just to convert the soccer stadium into a facility
for an MMA show.
Of
course, the Dynamite show had around 70,000 people in the stadium.
The UFC experiment in Abu Dhabi will be held at a place that’s
currently occupied by gravel. Building an architectually-sound
“arena” in about two months for an MMA show? Earthquakes
can be felt in the UAE, so that could get ugly if a quake hit
this new “arena.”
And
an “arena” that seats about 10,000?
Fans
do have a right to be skeptical in regards to whether or not
this show gets postponed from it’s April date due to the
massive amount of work needed to produce what is currently being
planned.
If
the show does happen, it should draw a solid PPV buyrate with
BJ Penn headlining the card. Taped or not, he’s now a superstar
draw after the numbers he put up for last December’s event.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Palaszewski
to Try for Third WEC Win Mar. 6th
Veteran Lightweight Expecting to Fight Darabedyan
By Kelsey
Mowatt
Bart
Palaszewki’s 2009 campaign certainly didn’t begin in
the winning fashion that any fighter hopes for, as after losing
back-to-back fights to Ricardo Lamas and Anthony Njokuani in
March and April respectively, the 26 year-old-veteran’s
WEC record had dropped to 1-2. Palaszewski (33-13) rebounded,
however, following up with a second round TKO stoppage over Tyler
Combs at an XFO event in October, and more recently, with a Split
Decision victory over Anthony Pettis at WEC 45 in December. Now
the 40 fight plus veteran will gun for his third win in a row
at WEC 47.
“March
6th, Columbus, Ohio is my next fight,” Palaszewski said,
while confirming to FCF that he will compete at the next WEC
event.
“It’s
pretty much a hundred percent that I’ll be fighting Karen
(Darabedyan),” Palaszewski added. “Nothing is signed
as of right now but that’s the plan for March 6th. It will
be against Karen.”
Darabedyan
is coming off a successful WEC debut in November, when he defeated
the promotion’s former lightweight champ Rob McCullough
by Split Decision, to extend his record to 9-1.
“He’s
a tough kid; a tough guy,” said Palaszewski, who has two
WEC bouts left on his current contract. “He fought McCullough,
it was a close fight, but you know, it was McCullough. He beat
a former champ, so to beat McCullough, even though it was by
decision, is a hell of a test. I’m most definitely going
to prepare for him. He’s definitely a talented fighter;
it’s not going to be an easy fight.”
Palaszewski
likely secured his March 6th WEC appearance with his aforementioned
Split Decision win over Pettis in December, marking the fourth
time since 2007, that the Illinois fighter has been involved
in such a ruling.
“I
was super confident about the fight,” said Palaszewski,
who is 2-2 in Split Decision rulings over the past 3 years. “I
knew I won the fight. The one judge scored it all three rounds
for him; I don’t know how you can score it like that, but
I guess he saw it differently than the other two judges. I knew
one way or the other I was winning that fight. I was extremely
confident. I don’t know if I did a lot of damage or not,
but I knew that I had done enough, so it worked out.”
“It
was definitely a crucial fight for me,” Palaszewski added.
“Was I worried about Pettis? A little bit. I think I was
more worried about losing three in a row and getting dropped
you know? I knew he was a talented fighter but you can’t
psyche yourself out. I wasn’t really worried about him though.
You have to have that mentality; ‘he can’t touch me.’
So I just went after him. The nerves were there but it was more
about my future than the fight itself.”
As
the WEC embarks on another campaign, speculation continues as
to whether or not the promotion will at some point merge with
its ‘big brother’ the UFC, despite persistent denials
from officials tied to the organization.
“I
think they’re doing a great job on their own, plus, I hope
they don’t merge because with all the good 155 pounders
in the UFC, I don’t think I’d be going with the company,”
Palaszewski said while laughing.
“I
think they’re doing well without the UFC so why fix it if
it’s not broken?”
The
March 6th WEC will be hosted by the Nationwide Arena in Columbus,
and will be headlined by a bantamweight title fight between champion
Brian Bowles and challenger Dominick Cruz.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
LASHLEY
VS SIMS OFFICIAL FOR STRIKEFORCE MIAMI
by Damon
Martin
With just over a week to go until Strikeforce: Miami hits Florida,
former WWE superstar Bobby Lashley finally has an opponent. Former
"Ultimate Fighter" cast member and UFC veteran Wes
Sims has been tapped to step in and face Lashley in a heavyweight
bout on the main card.
Strikeforce
executive Mike Afromowitz confirmed the bout to MMAWeekly.com
on Friday saying the fight has been finalized for next Saturday's
card.
Lashley
has gone through the ringer over the last two weeks waiting for
the final word on an opponent. Originally, he was set to face
Yohan Banks, but the fight was not approved by the Florida Athletic
Commission. Then veteran fighter Jimmy Ambriz got the call, but
was removed from the fight for unknown reasons.
The
Colorado based fighter spoke to MMAWeekly.com earlier this week
and was mostly just excited to fight, but admitted the unknown
factor of his opponent was a stressful time heading into the
event.
"I've
been dealing with a good amount of stress the last few weeks,
just trying to get everything situated," Lashley commented.
"I'm one man, and I just want to have an opportunity to
fight, and it seems kind of hard because one thing it's opponents,
and then where and when, and all that, so it's a little stressful."
Sims
enters the fight against Lashley having not fought in a professional
bout since 2008, but did compete during the tenth season of The
Ultimate Fighter. The Ohio native was a part of Quinton "Rampage"
Jackson's team on the show before being submitted by Justin Wren
in a first round match-up during the season.
The
bout between Lashley and Sims will be part of the televised broadcast
on Showtime, which will also feature two title fights leading
the card.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Werdum
wants to train with Nogueira
By Guilherme
Cruz
Rodrigo Minotauro has a team full of stars to his next UFC fight.
Although, one more name may join to Anderson Silva, Rogério
Nogueira and Junior dos Santos. “I don’t care if he’s
from other team, if I have the opportunity to train with him,
I want to”, said Fabrício Werdum, who faced Minotauro
on Pride, but never hid that he’s one of his idols.
Living on United States, where he trains with Rafael Cordeiro,
Werdum got excited when he knew that Minota is training in San
Diego to the fight against Cain Velasquez. “If I have the
chance, I want to help him to this fight. If we were from the
same event there would be no way, but as I am on Strikeforce
and he’s on UFC, I don’t mind. If he wants my help,
I’ll help him. I do what I can, I’m 100% Minotauro”.
About
the fight between Minotauro and the unbeatable Velasquez, he
shows confidence but knows it’s hard too. “It’s
gonna be a hard fight. Cain is good, he caught Kongo and almost
killed him, took him down all the time... He’s a warrior,
showed he has heart”, said, betting on yellow and green
victory. “I support Minotauro, but it can get tough. He’s
going to have train a lot”, finished Werdum, who'll probably
fight Fedor Emelianenko at Strikeforce in April.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Bellator’s
Plan: Talent, Efficiency & YouTube
by Tomas
Rios
Until a couple of weeks ago, fans who enjoy staying up until
3 a.m. watching YouTube clips of top prospects were probably
feeling pretty frustrated.
Elite
prospects like Brazilian beatdown dynamo Patricio "Pitbull"
Freire and collegiate wrestling standout turned full-fledged
face-smasher Ben Askren were inexplicably out on the open market,
just waiting to be signed.
That
has changed, but not because the UFC or Strikeforce drove a gold-plated
dump truck full of money into those fighters’ homes. Instead,
Bellator Fighting Championships, a promotion with all of 11 live
shows to its name, managed to sign just about every top-shelf
prospect out there that wasn’t securely bolted to the ground.
At
a time when the UFC and Strikeforce are battling on the open
market for talent, it’s surprising that Bellator snagged
not only Askren and Freire but also fighters like Mike Ricci,
who trainer extraordinaire Firas Zahabi has spoken of as being
the next Georges St. Pierre.
How
exactly did Bellator lock up a small army of talent without getting
into bidding wars with the juggernauts of the sport?
“The
guys I’m working with just never sleep,” was just one
part of Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney’s answer. “You know,
at 2:30, 3:00 in the morning, I’m up watching YouTube clips
of fighters.”
Sharing
the sleeping habits of hardcore fans and keeping a staff that
combines enthusiasm with insomnia will get you the knowledge
necessary to target elite talent, but you’d presume the
UFC and Strikeforce are doing the same and bringing their war
chests to the negotiating table.
“Really
they gave me the best offer I could get right now,” Askren
said of Bellator when asked whether Strikeforce or the UFC had
pursued him like the prized recruit he is. “I had a decent
offer from Strikeforce, and the UFC didn’t offer me anything.”
Another
one of Bellator’s headline signings, Brazilian jiu-jitsu
virtuoso Jacob McClintock echoed the sentiment: “The UFC
and Strikeforce really aren’t offering me anything that
Bellator is offering me.”
The
idea of talent signing en masse to another organization normally
wouldn’t be enough to register as significant since the
assumption is that the UFC or Strikeforce will eventually snatch
them away and capitalize on the promotional efforts of an organization
like Bellator.
It’s
something everyone should expect given this sport’s history,
but Rebney has learned from the mistakes of promoters past.
“Our
contracts are long-term agreements,” he said. “They’re
multiple-year, multiple-fight deals.”
Rebney
went on to explain that anyone who enters a Bellator tournament,
regardless of how they perform, could be locked into a lengthy
commitment.
This
may all seem innocuous now, but Bellator already picked up quality
fighters like Eddie Alvarez, Lyman Good and Joe Soto in its first
series of tournaments. The promotion seems set to deepen its
roster significantly based on the signings it has announced for
its second tournament series starting in April.
The
competition for talent will be what defines the next era of MMA
as the UFC finds itself challenged by increasingly intelligent
promotions. What really makes Bellator’s approach unique,
however, is that its business model is built on old-fashioned
penny pinching.
The
idea of paying relatively unknown fighters $25,000 for winning
a single tournament bout seems foolish, but even a tournament
winner isn’t making much more than what Chris Leben made
for a single night’s work at UFC Fight Night 20.
“We
put our money into two areas of our business. One of them is
our fighters and the other is production,” Rebney said of
the long-term financial viability of Bellator.
He
isn’t afraid to point out where others have failed.
“All
of the superfluous expenses that the EliteXCs and the IFLs spent
millions upon millions of dollars on, and they’re public
record, is something we’re just not doing,” Rebney
said. “The reality is that the expenditures of those organizations
were foolhardy at best, and we’re keeping it cheap where
it needs to be cheap.”
The
commitment to fiscal responsibility in Bellator is so great that,
according to Rebney, Bellator’s offices cost a 10th of what
EliteXC’s offices cost and even executive employees fly
coach to save a few extra bucks on the bottom line.
Throw
in the trio of television deals that Bellator has secured with
Fox Sports Net, Telemundo and NBC, and you have to start wondering
if a few years from now we’ll all be talking about the stranglehold
Bellator has on young talent in the sport.
There
is no better system for success in business than to carefully
evaluate young talent and lock up the stars in the making. It
works for everyone from general managers in the NFL to headhunters
for multi-national corporations, and it’s already working
for Bellator.
Promotions
like the UFC or Strikeforce are hampered by the fact that they
need stars right now and don’t have an effective built-in
mechanism for exposing the public to their next generation of
talent. “The Ultimate Fighter” is simply not generating
the same return on investment it once did. Strikeforce is trying
and failing with its Challengers Series, which rarely features
many fighters that fans want to watch.
Bellator,
meanwhile, has structured itself to do nothing but expose fans
to exciting new talent and then quickly turn the best and brightest
into headline attractions.
Far
too many promotions have fallen by the wayside for anyone not
on Bellator’s payroll to say that they will not only survive
but thrive in a market where the UFC is synonymous with the product
being sold. By the same token, the UFC capitalizes on the lay
fan and assumes that they’ll always be first in their minds.
Time
will erode that notion as long as there is legitimate competition
out there. While Strikeforce seems to be relying on matching
the UFC dollar for dollar, Bellator is content to quietly amass
talent and slowly but surely develop its brand.
Right
now Bellator is no threat to anyone, but talent is the great
equalizer in this game.
Source: Sherdog
|
PR:
Fight Advertising Network to offer affordable MMA advertising
By Zach
Arnold
New
online niche advertising network for MMA advertisers and MMA
publishers set to launch on February 1st, 2010.
Allentown,
PA (web) January 21st, 2010 – MMA advertisers can now affordably
expand their online presence while MMA publishers can monetize
their website traffic with a new online advertising network that
is geared toward the sport of Mixed Martial Arts and the male
18-35 year old demographic.
MMA
business owners, once forced to seek out their own publishers
for online ads, can now use Fight Advertising Network to display
a range of static or dynamic web banners on MMA-related web sites.
MMA web site owners now have to choice to display advertisements
geared towards the male demographic with MMA advertisements and
other sports-related products and services.
“As
a publisher, I was constantly seeing advertisements for national
banks, tires, and other products and services that would be of
little interest to the viewers on the site. I knew that my viewers
would be more likely to click the ads of MMA-related products
and services.” – Brandt DeLorenzo, Owner of Fight Advertising
Network
Unlike
other generic sports advertising networks, Fight Advertising
Network is focused primarily on one demographic and a single
sport. Businesses that advertise through the network are not
required to sign yearly contracts or spend a minimum dollar amount.
Publishers can start getting paid just one month after joining
and statistics are available 24/7 through a user-friendly web
interface.
For
additional information on the news that is the subject of this
release contact Brandt DeLorenzo or visit www.fightadnet.com.
About
Fight Advertising Network:
Fight
Advertising Network is a part of Backfist Media LLC, a company
focused on MMA publishing, photography, and advertising.
Contact:
Brandt
DeLorenzo, Owner
Fight Advertising Network
Backfist Media LLC
brandt@fightadnet.com
http://www.fightadnet.com
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Quote
of the Day
"Learning
never exhausts the mind."
Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519, Italian Painter and Sculptor
|
KAUAI
KNOCKOUT CHAMPIONSHIP TOTAL DOMINATION RESULTS
KAUAI WAR
MEMORIAL CONVENTION CENTER, LIHUE, HAWAII
JANUARY 23, 2010
1. KICKBOXING 145 LBS.
ERICSON ABALOS VS. ISAAC HOPPS
DICIPLES OF PUHI 02 MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
ABALOS DEFEATS HOPPS BY SPLIT DECISION
2.
MMA 125 LBS.
DOMENICK ANSAGAY VS. JACOB KAUWE
FREELANCE TEAM HAKUILUA
ANSAGAY DEFEATS KAUWE VIA GUILLOTINE CHOKE ROUND 2
3.
MMA 185 LBS.
ISAAC WORTH VS. DAVID KEALOHA
FREELANCE KAUAI PANKRATION
KEALOHA DEFEATS WORTH VIA TKO (REF STOPPAGE) ROUND 2
4.
KICKBOXING 165 LBS.
DUANE SILVA VS. ROYAL KAUA
DICIPLES OF PUHI 02 MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
KAUA DEFEATS SILVA BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
5.
MMA 135 LBS.
DANIEL DEANDA VS. ADAM RIVERA
KAMOLE JIU-JITSU TEAM HAKUILUA
DEANDA DEFEATS RIVERA VIA ARM BAR ROUND 1
6.
MMA 145 LBS.
TYSON HAWELU VS. BRADLEY ARAKAKI
KAMOLE JIU-JITSU FREELANCE
HAWELU DEFEATS ARAKAKI VIA TKO (TAP TO STRIKES) ROUND 1
7.
MMA 205 LBS.
EDWIN GARCES VS. EDDIE MAY
DOGG HOUSE TEAM HAKUILUA
MAY DEFEATS GARCES VIA TKO ROUND 2
8.
SUBMISSION GRAPPLING 155 LBS.
LUKE HACKER VS. SHANE AGENA
LONGMAN JIU-JITSU 02 MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY
HACKER DEFEATS AGENA BY POINTS 4 TO 0
9.
MMA 125 LBS.
SERGIO HURTADO VS. ZACH SALAZAR
BOARS NEST KAUAI TEAM HAKUILUA
HURTADO DEFEATS SALAZAR BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
10.
KIDS PANKRATION
NAINOA DUNG VS. AIDAN CLAPROTH
DA HUI FIGHT TEAM/MAKAHA FITNESS COMBINED MARTIAL SCIENCE
NO CONTEST DUE TO ACCIDENTAL STRIKES TO THE HEAD BY DUNG
11.
MMA 195 LBS.
CATLIN "KADO" STROM VS. SCOTT ENDOW
TEAM CHINGASO UNIVERSAL COMBAT SPORTS
ENDOW DEFEATS STROM VIA TKO ROUND 1
12.
MMA 170 LBS.
WESTON VICTORINO VS. EDDIE OHIA
DICIPLES OF COLORADO NO REMORSE
VICTORINO DEFEATS OHIA VIA GUILLOTINE CHOKE ROUND 1
13.
MMA 145 LBS.
SHANE KAHANANUI VS. ARNOLD BERDON
KAUAI TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TEAM HAKUILUA
KAHANANUI DEFEATS BERDON VIA TKO ROUND 1
Source: Event Promoter
|
Jon
Fitch: If I Stop Thiago Alves, I'm Next for GSP
By Michael
David Smith
Jon Fitch will face Thiago Alves at UFC 111 in a bout that Fitch
thinks gives him a clear opportunity to earn a shot at welterweight
champion Georges St. Pierre.
"If
I stop him, I don't see how they could deny me a shot at GSP,"
Fitch said on HDNet's Inside MMA. "At that point I would
have stopped someone twice that GSP couldn't finish in five rounds,
so I think that's a very strong argument for me to get a title
shot."
On
merit, Fitch has a very good argument: If he beats Alves he's
indisputably the No. 2 welterweight in the world, and if he stops
Alves, it'll be his second time doing so. Fitch previoulsy beat
Alves by second-round TKO in 2006. When you're the No. 2 guy
in the world and you've stopped the No. 3 guy twice, you've got
a good case that you deserve a fight with the No. 1 guy.
But
there are a couple of other issues. For starters, Fitch is just
assuming that St. Pierre will still be the UFC welterweight champion.
Dan Hardy will have something to say about that in the main event
at UFC 111.
And
the more significant issue is that Fitch already had his shot
at St. Pierre, and he was thoroughly dominated. The UFC wants
to put St. Pierre in the Octagon with someone it can sell as
a legitimate threat, and after the way St. Pierre whipped Fitch,
that'll be a tough sales job. If Paul Daley beats Josh Koscheck
at UFC 113, I think Daley would get the next crack at St. Pierre's
welterweight title, because Daley has a fighting style that makes
him an easier sell as a threat to the champ.
Still,
Fitch sees his fight with Alves as a fight for a title shot.
"We're
both fighting for another crack at GSP, so we both have something
big that we want," Fitch said.
And
Fitch added that he thinks both he and Alves are better fighters
now than they were in 2006.
"Mentally
he's matured a great deal in that time period," Fitch said.
"He was pretty young when we fought. ... His wrestling defense
is much better and he's harder to take down. He's stronger and
I think he's matured physically. Maybe he's a little bit slower.
We'll see. ... I'm a much better athlete than I was a couple
years ago. I'm a much improved fighter from when I first fought,
and so is he."
Source: MMA Fighting
|
VILLASENOR
TARGETS MARCH RETURN ON SHOWTIME
by Damon
Martin
It's been a long couple of years for Joey Villasenor, but the
former EliteXC middleweight is ready to get back to the business
of fighting and put contract negotiations behind him.
This
week, Villasenor signed a new four-fight deal with Strikeforce,
which will place the Jackson's Team fighter into the middleweight
class, the deepest division in the promotion.
"I
signed a multi-fight contract and it's exciting," Villasenor
told MMAWeekly Radio after signing the new deal. "I'm just
glad that it's all over with. There was some other competitors
in there that were trying to get my services and Strikeforce
rose to the occasion and they really fought for me. Now I get
the opportunity to show them thanks by going and fighting for
them."
Villasenor
admitted that following the dismantling of EliteXC he had to
be much more careful making his next deal, but now that it's
all said and done he's happy with his choice.
"It
feels good to finally have a home, and it feels good to finally
be able to focus and know where my home is," he commented.
Now
it's back to the fight game for Villasenor, who last competed
in June 2009 in a split decision win over Evangelista "Cyborg"
Santos, his fourth win in a row. The New Mexico based fighter
admits nothing has been signed yet, but he's hoping to finalize
his return fight very soon.
"We're
targeting March. I know Strikeforce after this event next Saturday
is targeting March sometime, so their next Showtime gig is something
that we're targeting," Villasenor said. "At least it's
not as long of a layoff as that year was after the Baroni fight.
I've been in an unfortunate situation along with a couple of
other athletes, but it's part of business and it shows its ugly
head every once in a while, but I've been training hard."
That
training will soon include UFC welterweight champion Georges
St-Pierre, who is headed to New Mexico to work with Team Greg
Jackson along with Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard
Mousasi, who is also expected to begin working with the team.
As
far as opponents, Benji Radach was a possibility, but the former
UFC fighter suffered another injury recently that's going to
keep him out of action for longer than expected. Villasenor says
he is welcoming all challengers, and hopes to gun for a title
shot fairly soon as well.
"Whoever
Strikeforce wants to put in front of me," he stated. "Some
of these athletes either have fights coming up or have fights
scheduled. CBS of course we're anticipating Jake Shields and
Dan Henderson to get with it. I'm definitely in contention for
a shot, but I definitely want a fight or two to get back into
a rhythm, and then make a run for the title."
Look
for Villasenor's next fight to be named sometime in the coming
weeks as Strikeforce starts to work on their next Showtime broadcast
rumored for March.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Ground
& Pound Awards 2009 - Results
By Zach
Arnold
The
die is cast and the vote for the Fifth Annual Ground & Pound
Awards is over. Fans, fighters, managers, promoters and trainers
from all over the world have decided on the winners in the sixteen
categories.
Here
are the results:
*
Fighter of the Year: Fedor Emelianenko (Russia)
* Female Fighter of the Year: Cristiane Santos (Brazil)
* Fight Team of the Year: Team Nogueira (Brazil)
* Rookie of the Year: Mamed Khalidov (Chechnya)
* Most Improved Fighter: Marius Zaromskis (Lithuania)
* Best Young Fighter: Jon Jones (USA)
* Cult Fighter of the Year: Mariusz Pudzianowski (Poland)
* German Fighter of the Year: Dennis Siver (Mannheim)
*
Boxer of the Year: Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine)
* Kickboxer of the Year: Semmy Schilt (Netherlands)
* Grappler of the Year: Braulio Estima (Brazil)
*
Fight of the Year: Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
(UFC 102)
* Knockout of the Year: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski
(Affliction “Day of Reckoning”)
* Submission of the Year: Shinya Aoki vs. Mizuto Hirota (K-1
Dynamite!! 2009 “Power of Courage”)
*
Best Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
* Fight Event of the Year: K-1 Dynamite!! 2009 “Power of
Courage”
We
have recorded more than 40,000 valid votes from all over the
world including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the UK, Brazil,
USA, Canada, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden,
France, Norway, Denmark, Russia, Thailand, Belgium, Croatia,
Italy and Japan.
For
complete results, the exact distribution of the votes and in-depth
analysis (albeit in German language), please go here: http://bit.ly/7ztBKK
Many
thanks to everybody who has participated!
Tim
Leidecker
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Prangley
vs. Amoussou Headlines Feb. 26th Challengers
Kaufman to Face Haishi for Women’s 135lb. Title
By FCF
Staff
Strikeforce
has announced that Trevor Prangley (22-5) will make his return
to the organization on February 26th, when the UFC vet takes
on Karl Amoussou (11-2-1) at the promotion’s Challengers
card in San Jose. As always, the Challengers event will be broadcast
on Showtime, beginning at 11:00 PM (ET/PT).
Prangley
is currently on a 5 fight winning streak, a run which includes
victories over Emanuel Newton, Dennis Reed and most recently
Marcus Sursa. The South African fighter hasn’t competed
for Strikeforce since September, 2008, when he earned a Unanimous
Decision victory over Anthony Ruiz.
Amoussou
has largely competed for M-1 over the last two years; in 2009,
the French fighter went 3-0 with victories over Gregory Babene,
Kazuhiro Hamanaka and most recently, John Doyle.
Sarah
Kaufman (10-0) will take on Takayo Haishi (12-1) for the women’s
135lb. title. Kaufman has gone 2-0 with Strikeforce to date;
her last victory came in June, when the Canadian earned a UD
win over Shayna Baszler. Haishi, who will be making her Strikeforce
debut, has won 8 straight.
Other
bouts confirmed for the Challengers card include Luke Rockhold
(6-1) vs. Paul Bradley (12-1), James Terry (7-1) vs. Tarec Saffiedine
(7-2), and Raul Castillo (6-0) vs. Yancy Medeiros (4-0).
The
event will take place at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
Fabricio
Camões back to UFC against Pellegrino
Fabrício
“Morango” Camões’ debut on UFC wasn’t
how he expected. Although, after to draw with Caol Uno, the black
belt will be back to the octagon in March. “Morango”
will face Kurt Pellegrino on UFC 111, scheduled to March 27 in
New Jersey, Pellegrino’s homeland. Stay tuned to know more
about UFC 111, that will also have Thiago “Pitbull”
and Ricardo “Cachorrão”.
Source: Tatame
|
Anderson
Would Welcome St. Pierre ShareThis
By Jake
Rossen
Friday, January 22 12:35 pm PT: These kinds of quotes tend to
get blown out of proportion -- but who am I to stray from the
system? Anderson Silva’s manager Ed Soares makes an appearance
on HDNet’s “Inside MMA” tonight, and according
to TSN.ca, he says they would welcome a fight with UFC welterweight
champion Georges St. Pierre.
"He
wants to be involved in the biggest fights possible," Soares
said. "Whether it be GSP, whether it be at light-heavyweight,
or whether it could even be at heavyweight, it doesn't make a
difference."
Fights
like these have a terminal illness from the outset: if you wait
too long, they wither and wind up being poor parodies of what
could have been. Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva needed to
fight in 2005, not 2007; if Dream and Strikeforce can ever successfully
navigate Frank Shamrock and Kazushi Sakuraba, it’ll be a
record ten years past its expiration date. (Boxing fares no better:
Roy Jones and Bernard Hopkins are set for a rematch in the spring.
Find someone who cares.)
In
most of these fights, promotional obstacles crippled their chances.
With Silva and St. Pierre, Zuffa has two willing pound-for-pound
greats under their thumb. St. Pierre’s camp has stated fighters
like Rashad Evans and Gegard Mousasi are needed to even get him
sweating in training; Silva, while larger, isn’t Mr. Olympia
in comparison. Why is this fight still a hypothetical?
Source: Sherdog
|
Promise
of good Jiu-Jitsu in Santa Cruz
by Marcelo
Dunlop
Sunday,
the 24th, the West Coast World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Cup tryouts take
place in Santa Cruz, California.
And,
from the list of athletes confirmed to participate, there will
be some truly memorable matches in determining who gets the all-expense-paid
trips to the United Arab Emirates.
In
the purple to black belt divisions, all signs point to the battle
being between Raul Castillo, Ricardo Barros, Carlos Melo and
rookie Nathan Mendelsohn, not to mention the giant Jarrod Bunch.
The
Gracie family will be well represented, with Clark Gracie (BJJ
Revolution) and Rorion’s son Reylon, who promises to stir
things up.
At
white to blue belt, keep your eyes on brothers Christian and
Christopher Broadnax, of Nova União.
Now,
sparks will fly in the female division. Current absolute world
champion Lana Stefanac (Trinity BJJ) will have her work cut out
for her, with new black belt Katrina Weilbacher (Paragon) in
the running, as well as Valeri Worthington (BJJ Revolution).
At
lightweight, Tammy Griego (Gracie Barra) and Mackenzie Dern (Gracie
Humaita) are a couple of names to stand out.
You
aren’t going to miss this one, will you?
The
day preceding the event, the 23rd, there will be a rules seminar
led by Alvaro Mansur from 4 to 7 pm.
For
greater information, check out www.abudhabibjj.com.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
"You
can overcome anything if you don't bellyache."
Bernard M. Baruch, 1870-1965, American Financier and Statesman
|
MANUP
AND STAND UP
WAIPAHU FILCOM CENTER
FRIDAY FEB 5
DOORS OPEN AT 6:00
TONY
PERREIRA 170 JACOB SMITH
NUI
WHEELER 140 JONAH VISTANTE
MIKE
UEMOTO 145 ROBERT ANDUHA
FRED
RAMAYLA 150 SHAWN BURROUGHS
ALVIN
BERTO 130 JULIO MORENO
KALAI
MCSHANE 120 JAYCOBI VISTANTE
RICHARD
BERNARD 152 RED DAVIS
MARK
YARCIA 135 ISAAN HATTORI
SOTA
NAKANO 170 JOSEPH ENAENA
KAIPO
ADEZIADO 97 RONSON VEA
ANTHONY
MURAKAMI 145 JAMES LEOLE
JOEY
SEDENO 115 JED HARWOOD
BRYSEN
LUM 150 IKAIKA GOODRIDGE
ISAAC
HOPPS 145 JASON ROCEMAR
SAI
HOLBRON 175 PHILLIP AKUI
CHEVEZ
ANTOQUE 200 MIKE VINANO
SPIKE
KAHALEWAI 70 KAENA DESANTOS
RICKY
SAJORDO 115 COMBAT 50
JENNA
ODA 150 GABBY DENNIS
ROBERT
BONAS 155 HAROLD CHUN
FERDINAND
RAMIREZ 159 BRONSON CALPITO
ROYAL
KAUA 155 AJ BROWN
LINDSEY
170 GEORGE FELIX
SCOTT
ENDO 185 MARK TIGER
COLT
DANTE 100 CHRISTIEN RAQUEDON
KANALOA
COOKE 125 JAN QUIMOYOG
SHAWN
DESANTOS 125 JORDAN TIGER
JEFFREY
PERKINS 200 DENNIS KAM
IKAIKA
KUPUKAA 230 94 BLOCK
All
matches and participants are subject to change.
Source: Event Promoter
|
The
registration to the first leg of the Hawaii Triple Crown Championship
is now open.
The
Triple Crown Champions from last years tournament won cash prizes,
championship belt which they will be defending starting this
upcoming tournament. Also, upon winning the belt their registration
fees are waived saving them $210 for the year.
Come
out and compete or show your support. Hope to see you all there!
The
tournament will be held on March 20, 2010 @ Kaiser High School
Gymnasium
Competitor
Fees: Kids: $45 / Adults $ 70
To
register or for more information please visit: www.hawaiitriplecrown.com
Volunteers
are needed and welcomed, if interested please contact us at www.hawaiitriplecrown.com
Source: Event Promoter
|
Nutritionist:
Brock Lesnar's Illness May Have Been Prevented By Proper Diet
By Ray
Hui
Brock Lesnar's physique and conditioning landed him on the February
2008 cover of Muscle & Fitness magazine and his athletic
ability has contributed to his prestigious NCAA and UFC title
accomplishments. But Lesnar learned recently, even someone in
incredible shape is not immune to the dangerous effects of an
unbalanced diet.
Upon
finding out that a low-fiber diet played a role in his potentially
career-threatening condition, Lesnar told the media on Wednesday
that he drastically altered his eating habits.
"What
got me here was a total protein diet, not enough fiber,"
Lesnar said. "I totally changed my diet, got on some natural
healing medicine and was just doing a lot of praying."
P.R.
Cole, who founded Fuel the Fighter to provide dietary consulting
for professional MMA fighters, says there is is always pre-dispositions
and fluke chances, but for the most part, with a proper diet
and colon health maintenance, diverticulitis and diverticulosis
are preventable diseases.
"There
is a proven cause for it and it's a low fiber diet," Cole.
"A condition known as diverticulosis is very common from
the Western diet. Very low fiber, meat and potatoes thing."
According
to WebMD, diverticulosis is the formation of numerous tiny pockets
in the lining of the bowel. If the pockets become inflamed, the
disease worsens with the addition of diverticulitis.
"It's
one of those things, you don't always know why something is going
to affect one person," said Cole, who is also the nutrition
contributor for FIGHT! Magazine. "This is something you
will generally see in older people because they've had years
and years of this. But if you look at somebody like Brock Lesnar,
who is young but has had a particularly high protein diet ...
That process could've been sped up by a ridiculous amount of
protein consumption."
Further,
protein consumption replacing whole grains, fruits and vegetables
in a low fiber diet may cause problems for the GI tract.
Lesnar,
an avid hunter, admitted to a lack of vegetables on his plates.
"I'm
a carnivore, you know?" Lesnar said. "I'm not a big
fan of PETA. I'm a member of the NRA and whatever I kill, I eat.
For years, I was surviving on meat and potatoes, and when the
greens came by, I just kept passing them."
Cole
suggests creatively incorporating vegetables into meals for those
with a distaste for greens, but there is no replacement for a
crafted nutrition plan.
"If
you're a professional athlete, this is your job," Cole said.
"You have to make the food as much of a priority as any
other part of your training regimen. If you need to eat a certain
way, to get to a level of performance your body is willing to
give, You just need to do it."
In
what Lesnar and UFC president Dana White described as "miraculous,"
Lesnar's perforation from a diverticula rupture healed and doctors
gave him the green light to carry on his career -- and life --
without surgery.
With
the threat to his career and potentially, life averted, Lesnar
has re-evaluated his lifestyle.
"I
consider myself a healthy human being, "Lesnar said. "I'm
32 years old and for something like this to happen to me, I definitely
had to re-evaluate. When you think you're doing all of the right
things and all of a sudden something like this happens, obviously
you're not. I had to make some changes."
Source: MMA Fighting
|
JASON
FRANK DOESN'T DENY POWER RANGER ROOTS
by Damon
Martin
"Go go Power Rangers!"
That
might very well be the cry that Jason David Frank will endure
for the rest of his life, emerging from the popular television
show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. But as he makes his final
preparations for his Jan. 30 amateur mixed martial arts debut,
he's happy with the choices he's made and for the fans that have
supported him over the years.
When
the announcement was made that the former children's star would
be fighting in MMA, everyone from TMZ.com to Access Hollywood
picked up the story about Frank's career decision.
"I've
got awesome fans out there. Everybody has fans, everybody has
haters, but the bottom line is I think I have more fans,"
Frank told MMAWeekly Radio in an exclusive interview.
"I've
been very nice to my fans; my fans have been awesome to me. If
it wasn't for them I wouldn't have everything I have. Doing the
show and having loyal fans like them, and now the show's re-aired
again, so what they're doing is re-airing Mighty Morphin Power
Rangers all over again, so it's more hype. The little kids that
are watching, they're parents are like 25 so it's kind of repeating
the process."
It's
not often that an amateur fight gets this much hype, but Frank
says that HDNet is coming to town to film him before the bout
and then coming back to showcase his first MMA contest. The Texas
based fighter, however, promises that nothing he's doing is for
publicity, but he still holds a lot of pride in what the TV show
he starred on means to the world of martial arts.
"It
pushed karate to a whole new level. So many schools around the
world that I travel to thank the show saying 'hey guys, since
the show came out our business increased.' That's kind of what
it's doing," Frank commented. "It's educating kids
in martial arts, and I'm proud of it. People can talk about Power
Rangers all day long."
While
some fans are just seeing Frank's move into MMA now, his influence
has already been felt in the sport. Along with co-founder Patrick
Hutton, Frank formed the "Jesus Didn't Tap" name brand,
which has been sponsoring several prominent fighters including
Thales Leites and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.
Frank
also has a clear understanding that just like other marquee stars
from other entertainment avenues that have come to the sport
of MMA, he'll have a very large target painted directly on his
back, but he's okay with it. As a matter of fact, he looks forward
to the challenge.
"Pressure
creates diamonds and it makes you stay on edge. I'm going to
do the best I can, and of course I have a target on my back.
Kimbo had a target on his back and he still does. I think the
thing is going into this fight, as I tell everybody, you're fighting
the Green Ranger, so if you beat me all the kids are going to
hate you," Frank commented with a laugh.
Still
living his dream every day, Frank isn't calling anybody out for
a fight and he isn't claiming to be a world champion in a year
or even 10 years. He's just in this for the love of the sport,
and to say that he did it.
"I'll
take it as far as I can, as far as I want to take it. I think
in life everybody has to do what they want to do," Frank
said.
"There's
so many people out there that have dreams or 'hey, I would love
to do this,' but they don't make an effort to try to do it. I
think everyone should do what they want to do in life. Because
to me, that's success. I don't measure success by money; I measure
success by happiness."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
In
treatment, Tererê’s spirits lift
by Marcelo Dunlop
“Did
you guys come to fetch me?” asked a toothy-smiled Tererê,
upon seeing his parents Lena and Tio Barriga for the first time
at the rehabilitation clinic Viva, in Sorocaba São Paulo
last weekend.
Received
with warm embraces – something the star from Cantagalo favela
hadn’t done since he was imprisoned in the USA in 2004 -,
the parents were moved. And their excitement about the treatment
grew.
Dona
Helena and Carlos Augusto decided to stay in São Paulo,
at the house of a cousin in Ibiuna, to save on the return ticket
to Rio de Janeiro and to visit as many times as the clinic permits.
Most
uplifting, according to the family, was that Tererê understood
the importance of sticking to the clinical dependency treatment.
For the sad story to have a happy ending, though, Fernando Augusto
still needs contributions to complete his treatment.
“Another
10 thousand reais and we’re fully covered,” remarks
a family member. “Please, keep helping us; it will be worthwhile.”
Anyone
who wishes to help by donating to the Terere fund via Paypal
may do so through Marcelo Garcia’s Terere Help Fund, clicking
the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=7940152
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Report:
Floyd Mayweather to fight on May 1st, would go head-to-head against
UFC PPV
By Zach
Arnold
And his reported opponent? Shane Mosley. So, we’ll have
Sugar Rashad vs. Sugar Shane on the same night competing against
each other on PPV. If it happens, which I’m skeptical about,
then UFC will just continue to stack the card for what is turning
out to be a really good Montreal show on paper (excluding Kimbo
vs. Mitrione likely happening).
Seems
kind of curious that this would happen, given that Mayweather
fights in Las Vegas on 3/13. Nonetheless, he’ll need to
take a lot of bookings to make up for the lost cash in not fighting
Manny Pacquiao.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
NSAC
Releases Attendance Figures for UFC 108
By FCF
Staff
According to figures released today by the Nevada State Athletic
Commission, the January 2nd, UFC 108 event in Las Vegas, Nevada,
drew a paid gate of $1,969, 670. The card, which saw Rashad Evans
work his way to a Unanimous Decision over Thiago Silva in the
main event, was hosted by MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The
UFC 108 attendance figures, which were emailed to FCF by NSAC
Executive Director Keith Kizer, indicate that 5,314 tickets were
issued as complimentary while 8004 were purchased. 599 went unsold.
The
card also saw Paul Daley continue his Octagon success by knocking
out Dustin Hazelett, while in another of the event’s more
memorable performances, Sam Stout outscored Joe Lauzon for the
UD win.
The
promotion’s next event will take place February 6th, at
the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, and will be headlined
by a light-heavyweight tilt between former champions Randy Couture
and Mark Coleman.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
UFC
112 ground fight: Dos Anjos vs Etim set
For many years, the rivalty between Jiu-Jitsu x MMA heat Rio
de Janeiro, and part of that will be back on UFC 112. According
to the website Fighters Only, the event will have the fight between
Rafael dos Anjos, expert on Jiu-Jitsu, and the English Terry
Etim, who trains with the team RFT Kaobon in England. In interview
to TATAME.com, Terry guaranteed that his ground game will be
better.
“Before, when the fight went to the ground I got nervous,
now I think that it’s bad form y opponent and that I can
submit anyone. The MMA I’m learning is making me a better
fighter each day”, guaranteed the athlete. The fight against
Rafael dos Anjos, who won six of his 13 victories by submission
is promising a hot fight on the ground.
And
a classic on the ground is perfect to UFC 112. The event, scheduled
to April 10, will happen in Abu Dhabi, where ADCC was born. Besides
this fight, the show will have the fight between Anderson Silva
and Vitor Belfort, revealed with exclusivity by TATAME. Besides
those fights, UFC 112 may have the fight between BJ Penn and
Frankie Edgar for the title of the lightweights, besides Renzo
Gracie’s debut by the organization.
Source: Tatame
|
Florian-Gomi
Targeted as UFN 21 Headliner
by Brian
Knapp
Two-time lightweight championship challenger Kenny Florian expects
to headline UFC Fight Night 21 against former Pride Fighting
Championships titleholder Takanori Gomi on March 31, likely at
the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. ESPN’s MMA Live,
a show on which Florian serves as an analyst, announced the matchup
via Twitter on Thursday.
Florian
has posted seven wins in eight fights, losing only to UFC lightweight
king B.J. Penn in that timeframe. The popular 33-year-old last
competed in December, when he submitted Clay Guida with a second-round
rear-naked choke at UFC 107. Florian, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black
belt and polished stand-up fighter, also holds victories against
American Top Team’s Din Thomas, “The Ultimate Fighter”
Season 5 semi-finalist Joe Lauzon and the highly regarded Joe
Stevenson. Only two of his 13 UFC bouts have gone the distance.
Once
considered the standard bearer in the lightweight division, Gomi
will carry a two-fight winning streak into his UFC debut. He
has not appeared on American soil since his ill-fated matchup
with Nick Diaz ended in his gogoplata-induced submission at Pride
33 in February 2007; the result was later changed to a no contest
after Diaz tested positive for suspected marijuana use. Gomi,
31, counts victories over former UFC lightweight champion Jens
Pulver, Japanese standout Hayato “Mach” Sakurai, Strikeforce
veteran Mitsuhiro Ishida and the world-ranked Tatsuya Kawajiri
among his 31 career conquests. He has never been knocked out.
Source: Sherdog
|
Quote
of the Day
"Tell
a person they are brave and you help them become so."
Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher and Author
|
“SHOWDOWN
AT WAIPAHU”
RAISES MONEY FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL
Cisneros TKO’s Jhun, young stars Arasato and Balasi win
big
Honolulu, HI (USA): This past Sunday, January 17th, a “Showdown”
took place at Waipahu High School. But this night of fights had
a special purpose: to raise money for the school’s athletic
department. Over 2,000 fans packed the school’s gym, and
fight celebrities such as former UFC and StrikeForce fighter
Falaniko Vitale, EliteXC veteran Kaleo Kwan, former world boxing
champion Jesus Salud, and UFC fighter “The Crippler”
Chris Leben were in attendance. It was a night of fantastic fights,
and at the end of the event, fight fans were satisfied, and X-1
World Events was able to hand over a $5,000 donation check to
the Waipahu High School Athletic Department.
“Showdown
in Waipahu” brought professional boxing to an area that
gave birth to some of Hawaii’s greatest boxers, including
former world champion Jesus Salud and current world champion
Brian Vilora. Headlining the event was a bout that featured the
pro boxing debut of former King of the Cage Champion and UFC
veteran Ronald “The Machine Gun” Jhun, as he went toe-to-toe
with very tough MMA veteran Chris Cisneros of Hilo, Hawaii. Cisneros
started off slowly in the 1st round, while Ron got off some heavy
shots. But in the 2nd, Cisneros came out firing and floored Ron,
and the corner was forced to throw in the towel at 1:50 of the
2nd round, giving the younger, faster Cisneros the victory.
Though
he was fighting up a weight class, rising star Isaac Arasato
acquitted himself well against Minnesota’s Daniel Schlienz,
who recently fought a former world champion. Less than a minute
into the 1st round, it became apparent that Schlienz could not
hang with the body shots of Arasato, who normally fights at his
natural weight of 126 lbs. After some brutal shots that buckled
the legs of Schlienz, the ref awarded the TKO victory to the
young Hawaiian at only 0:59 of the 1st round. The future looks
bright for Arasato, who is now riding a six-fight winning streak.
Also
utilizing body punches was Hawaiian wrecking machine Mike Balasi,
as he battled extremely experienced Minnesota native John Hoffman.
The scheduled 6-round fight was halted less than two minutes
into the 1st round, with Balasi garnering the TKO victory via
ref stoppage at only 1:38. It was the body shots of Balasi that
did the damage, and he was able to make it an early night for
himself.
Local
favorite Justin Mercado started out in boxing, but when the sport
seemingly died in his home state, he got into MMA. Now, with
X-1 helping to revive the sport, Mercado is back in boxing and
is making a name for himself. In this fight, he dropped Brandon
Pieper three or four times with heavy shots to the head. This
led to the referee stopping the 4-rounder in the opening frame
at 1:22, as Mercado made short work of his opponent.
Other
standouts at “Showdown” included MMA fighter Palema
Amone, who was able to draw the TKO win over Tommy Lawhorn at
2:17 of the 1st round. Amone is a very talented up-and-comer
with great ground skills. He showed a very aggressive style,
and gained his 2nd consecutive win in X-1. Also getting her 2nd
straight win in X-1 was Lani Fauhiva, who quickly took out Vana
Mendiola with a guillotine choke at only 0:55 of the 1st round.
Both fighters came out striking, but Fauhiva was patient, and
waited for her opportunity to open up. Once it came, she sat
into the hold and locked it in, and that was it. “Showdown”
was also a family affair, as Gaylord Balasi, the brother of Mike
Balasi, took on Tyrone O’Neil in a kickboxing bout. O’Neil
agreed to the fight on only one day notice, but he put on a courageous
performance. With Balasi responding in time, this fight had the
crowd going. It was a war for the entire fight, and in the end,
Balasi took home the ref stoppage victory at 0:56 of the 3rd
round. In another great example of kickboxing expertise, Marina
Chong kayoed N. Kekaula at 1:05 of the 2nd round. Chong exhibited
good combinations, and is extremely quick. She pressured her
opponent to the point where she couldn’t throw any punches,
and utilized that approach to get the KO win. Training with Chris
Leben, she is sure to have many great performances in her future.
Lastly, Team Hakuilua fighters showed great boxing skills for
being so young, and X-1 hopes to see more of them on future cards.
The exhibitions showcased some great back-and-forth action, and
what was impressive was the combos the kids were throwing. Simply
put, the fight game in Hawaii has a bright future.
“What
a great night it was! The fighters of X-1 put on a great show,
and most importantly, we were able to hand over a $5,000 check
to Waipahu High School,” stated Mike Miller, Owner/Promoter
of X-1 World Events. “We can’t wait to have another
opportunity to put on an event like this!”
The
full results of the “Showdown” fight card included:
Main Card - Pro Boxing
175 lbs. - Chris Cisneros (AP Boxing) defeated Ronald Jhun (808
Fight Factory) by TKO via corner stoppage at 1:50 of the 2nd
round in a 4-rounder135 lbs. - Isaac Arasato (Palolo Boxing)
defeated Daniel Schlienz (Minnesota) by TKO via ref stoppage
at 0:59 of the 1st round in a 6-rounder
147 lbs. - Mike Balasi (Kawano Boxing) defeated John Hoffman
(Minnesota) by TKO via ref stoppage at 1:38 of the 1st round
in a 6-rounder
155 lbs. - Harris Sarmiento (808 Fight Factory) defeated Yancey
Cuellar (Minnesota) by unanimous decision after 4 rounds
147
lbs. - Justin Mercado (Team MMAD) defeated Brandon Pieper (808
Fight Factory) by TKO via ref stoppage at 2:22 of the 1st round
in a 4-rounder147 lbs. - Chris Willems (AP Boxing) defeated Ian
Dela Cuesta (808 Fight Factory) by unanimous decision after 4
rounds
Undercard - Mixed Bouts
Heavyweights: MMA - Dirty Curty (Team Submit) defeated Luis Santiago
(Freelance) by submission via head and arm choke at 1:05 of the
1st round.
170 lbs. - MMA: Palema Amone (Average Joes) defeated Tommy Lawhorn
(Team Submit) by TKO via verbal submission at 2:17 of the 1st
round
145 lbs. - MMA: Shawn Burroughs (Univ. Combat) defeated Petey
Vital (Demon MMA) by submission via leg key-lock at 2:17 of the
1st round
150 lbs. - MMA: Lani Fauhiva (Average Joes) defeated Vana Mendiola
(Team Submit) by submission via guillotine at 0:55 of the 1st
round
165 lbs. - MMA: Jairus Munoz (AP Boxing) defeated Matthew Myers
(South MMA) by unanimous decision
150 lbs. - MMA: Abe Cortes (Lava MMA) vs Joe Janks (Team Submit)
(Exhibition)
135 lbs. - Kickboxing: Travis Costa (Hakuilua) defeated Chris
Mattos (UFS) by unanimous decision 165 lbs. - Kickboxing: Gaylord
Balasi (Kawano KB) defeated Tyrone O'Neil by TKO via ref stoppage
at 0:56 of the 3rd round 115 lbs. - Kickboxing: Marina Chong
(UFS) defeated N. Kekaula (Freelance) by KO at 1:05 of the 2nd
round130 lbs. - Kickboxing: Maka Benedicto (PFC) vs. Ioane Kim
(Hakuilua) (Exhibition)
100 lbs. - Pankration: Sonja Soon (Avg Joes) defeated Sivada
Koulthasen (Team Submit) by submission via guillotine at 1:44
of the 1st round
135 lbs. - Kickboxing: Ola Lum (O2MA) defeated Carlos Lave (Hakuilua)
by
majority decision
155 lbs. - Boxing: Royal Kaua (O2MAA) defeated James Orso (808
Fight Factory) by unanimous decision185 lbs. - Kickboxing: Alika
Augustin (Hakuilua) vs. Charles Naone (Hakuilua) (Exhibition)
About
X-1 World Events
Founded
in 2004 by Mike Miller, X-1 World Events is a world-class mixed
martial arts (MMA) promotional company based in Honolulu, HI.
Locally-owned and operated, X-1 delivers exciting live arena-based
entertainment events to fight fans all over the islands. The
events feature some of the MMA world’s most talented fighters,
including UFC, Pride, and Abu-Dhabi veterans such as former UFC
champions Dan “The Beast” Severn and Ricco Rodriguez,
UFC veterans Jeff Monson, Kimo Leopoldo, Chad “The Grinder”
Reiner, “Sugar” Shane Nelson, Brandon Wolff, Wes “The
Project” Sims, Ronald “The Machine Gun” Juhn,
Wesley “Cabbage” Correira, and Falaniko Vitale, as
well as Pride veterans Chris Brennan and Ron “H2O-Man”
Waterman. X-1 World Events can be found online at http://www.x1events.com/
About
Fight of Your Life Communications
Fight of Your Life is the only company that focuses exclusively
on communications within the sport of MMA. Through utilization
of media relationships, sponsorship contacts, writing skills,
and public relations experience, Fight of Your Life raises the
profile of its clients, which increases awareness, draws revenue,
and helps establish long-term viability. Current Fight of Your
Life clients include fight promotions such as Gladiator Challenge,
Jeff Curran’s XFO, X-1 World Events, MMA Big Show, and Shine
Fights, as well as rising StrikeForce lightweight star Lyle “Fancy
Pants” Beerbohm. In addition, Fight of Your Life Owner Phil
Lanides covers MMA for Examiner.com, and also writes for FightSport
Magazine. For additional information on Fight of Your Life Communications,
please visit http://www.fightofyourlife.com/
Source: Event Promoter
|
Coenen
"ready to fight" Cris Cyborg
Nick
Diaz, DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius “The Whitemare”
Zaromskis, STRIKEFORCE 145 pound Women’s Champion Cris Cyborg,
and submission expert Marloes Coenen discussed the upcoming STRIKEFORCE
MIAMI mixed martial arts (MMA) fights scheduled for Saturday,
Jan. 30 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., LIVE on SHOWTIME®
(10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The 26-year-old Diaz (20-7), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
and native of Stockton, Calif, will take on DREAM welterweight
(170 pounds) champ Zaromskis (13-3) in the main event and first
STRIKEFORCE welterweight championship bout in history. Diaz,
who will put a five fight win streak on the line, is making his
first start since he submitted hard-hitting Scott “Hands
of Steel” Smith on June 6, 2009. The highly explosive, 29-year-old
Zaromskis, who hails from Siauliai, Lithuania, has won his last
three fights on first-round knockouts via head kick.
STRIKEFORCE 145-pound women’s champion Cyborg (8-1) will
defend her crown against submission expert Coenen (17-3). Cyborg
made history on Aug. 15, 2009 when the 24-year-old native of
Brazil stopped superstar Gina Carano with a punishing barrage
of strikes in the first round of their meeting to become the
first-ever STRIKEFORCE women’s champion. The long-awaited
showdown between Carano and Cyborg also marked the first women’s
main event in the history of any major MMA promotion. The 28-year-old
Coenen, a member of Holland’s Team Golden Glory and mixed
martial artist since the age of 14, made a successful STRIKEFORCE
debut and avenged one of her three career defeats by overpowering
and submitting Roxanne Modafferi with an armbar in the first
round (1:05) on November 7, 2009.
Also on the STRIKEFORCE: MIAMI card, football legend Herschel
Walker will make his professional MMA debut as he begins the
next stage of his athletic career against once beaten Greg Nagy.
Undefeated heavyweight Bobby Lashley (4-0) will face an opponent
to be announced.
What the athletes had to say on Wednesday’s call:
What’s it like dropping back down to 170?
NICK DIAZ: “I’m very happy to fight at that weight.
I look the best at that weight. I like it, I feel the best at
that weight. I’ve been waiting for a long time to fight
in here at this weight class. Those last two fights weren’t
my idea. I’ve fought at welterweight most of my life, so
this isn’t a new thing to me. I’m happy to fight at
welterweight.”
A lot of people feel like you jumped ahead of the line for a
title shot against Nick Diaz. What are your thoughts on that?
MARIUS ZAROMSKIS: “Well, I don’t really think much
of it. They told me to fight, so I’m fighting.”
Jay Hieron thinks you’re trying to duck him. Do you have
a response to that?
DIAZ: “Ditto. I’m just fighting who they want me to
fight. Whatever. That’s how it is. I’m just fighting
who they want me to fight. I try not to open my mouth.
Do you anticipate that matchup happening at some point?
DIAZ: “I’m ready to fight anybody. If they can make
it, then let’s do it. I’m ready to fight Jay Hieron
and everybody in this weight class to get to the top. Whatever,
I’ll do it.”
Cris, you beat Gina Carano, who was the face of women’s
MMA fighting. I guess now you are the face of women’s MMA
fighting. Do you like that role?
CRIS CYBORG: “I wasn’t thinking about who is the face
of MMA when I fought Gina. Gina was just another opponent like
anyone else. With me being the face of women’s MMA or not,
I’m just going over there and doing my job, making sure
I’m training hard and leading up the pack for all women
in MMA.”
I read that she was thinking about posing in “Playboy.”
Is that true or not? Also, that video of you choking out a reporter,
was that real?
CYBORG: “The Playboy thing, I was literally horrified one
morning when I found out everyone found out about it. I’d
prefer not to talk about that right now and just focus on my
fight. With the video thing, the reporter actually asked to see
how strong I was and he wanted me to choke him out, so I did
it.”
Is there too much of an emphasis on appearance and looks in women’s
MMA coverage and what do you think it will take to get beyond
that?
CYBORG: “It’s just like with anything else that women
do, their appearance is very important. However, it’s not
what’s going to make you win a fight or not. It is your
talent and what you’re doing in the ring that matters the
most. I hope we move past that.”
MARLOES COENEN: “I agree with Cris. I think it’s because
it’s just a young sport and people don’t understand
it’s a sport that everyone can do. Women can do it, men
can do it and you can start at a young age. With women, we’re
always judged by our appearance, and you see that in tennis with
(Anna) Kournikova. It’s almost like Gina is the Kournikova
of MMA. I hope there will be girls out there and our level of
fighting will increase that much where people talk about our
fighting skills instead of the beauty that we do or do not have.”
You mentioned it’s a sport anyone can do, do you see boys
and girls getting into this sport at a young age?
COENEN: “I’m from the Netherlands, and MMA is getting
way more popular every year. You see children doing fights at
8-years-old or 10-years-old, so by the time they’re 16 they’ve
got like 50 fights under their belt.”
And that’s for boys and girls,
COENEN: “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Nick and Marius, can you both assess your opponent’s strengths
and weakness?
DIAZ: “I think he’s a good fighter, whatever. Anybody
who is willing to fight at this level is a good fighter.”
ZAROMSKIS: “I think Nick is a very well rounded fighter.
He has strengths in both boxing and grappling, just all around.
I think it’s going to be a very tough fight for me. As far
as how the fight will go or what I’ll be able to do, I don’t
want to predict that. We’ll just have to see it in the ring.”
Nick, after the problems that arose on the STRIKEFORCE: Carano
vs. Cyborg card, would you ever consider fighting in California
again?
DIAZ: “I didn’t know there were any problems. I’ll
fight wherever.”
Marius, despite being the DREAM Champion, Jay Hieron turned down
a fight with you because he said you have little name recognition.
Do you feel vindicated that STRIKEFORCE offered you a title shot?
ZAROMSKIS: “I don’t really care if I’m vindicated
or not, because I don’t pay attention to that. I feel that
a fighter should fight whoever they put in front of you, whether
he’s famous or not. If Jay Hieron doesn’t feel that
I’m famous enough to fight him, then I guess he’ll
just have to wait until I get famous and I’ll fight him.”
Marius, is there a timeframe on when you’ll return and defend
your DREAM title?
ZAROMSKIS: “No, right now I don’t know.”
Cris, what is your ultimate goal in MMA?
CYBORG: “I’m already married, I already have a good
life. I want to build a family, not right now though whatsoever.
In the future, hopefully. I just want to continue fighting and
continue to hold my belt as long as I can. I want to make sure
I continue to get better and train harder, and eventually build
a team, have students fight, have a regular mixed martial arts
career.”
Your style is very aggressive, how would you describe your personality?
CYBORG: “It would surprise you, but on a daily basis I am
sometimes pretty aggressive. I’m a person that likes to
have goals and looks towards the goals and achieve them. I’m
calm some days, aggressive some days. I have a varying personality,
but I definitely set my goals high and I like to do whatever
it takes to achieve them.”
Marius, can you talk about your finishes in your last few fights
(KO head kicks)? Is that something you go for?
ZAROMSKIS: “I don’t really look for a high kick, because
when you look for something you end up being the one who’s
getting knocked out. If I see it there in a split second I’ll
take advantage of it. If it’s not there then I’ll use
some other weapons. But, I do not look for a high kick.”
Why are your high kicks so effective?
ZAROMSKIS: “I kick (inaudible) a lot with my legs, so I’ve
got power in it.”
Did you look up to Mirko Cro Cop at all? Or is your style completely
independent?
ZAROMSKIS: “I was doing high kicks before. I’m not
trying to imitate Mirko, I’m not inspired by Mirko. But,
Mirko has a very devastating high kick, so if there’s something
I could learn from him I definitely wouldn’t mind.”
Are you always constantly looking to do different things?
ZAROMSKIS: “It’s not something I look for, I just kind
of do it. In a way, it kind of energizes me. I just do it for
myself, but I guess fans find it interesting. I’m not doing
it to be entertaining in a fight, I just do it to energize myself.”
Cris and Marloes, what do you expect to see in the ring?
CYBORG: “I don’t really think much about what’s
going to happen. I just go in prepared for whatever comes. She
can bring it, so hopefully she’ll be prepared for war, too.”
COENEN: “It will be a tough fight because Cris is an amazing
athlete, a real powerhouse. I know that everything I do is good.
My standup is OK, my ground game is OK. I really think we’ll
both bring it and go toe-to-toe and give the audience what they’re
expecting.”
What are your thoughts on the future of women’s MMA?
COENEN: “Well, my goal is that I hope I never have to do
office work again. I just want to stay a professional athlete.
It’s very important that women start fighting. When I grew
up, it wasn’t an option for a girl to fight. There was some
judo, but not too much around here. I think it really helps women.
If you start fighting, you feel stronger in your mind and physically
you’re stronger than you thought you were. That will help
you in daily life. I just think it’s very important that
we have some messengers like Gina, like Cris and, hopefully,
myself that will inspire women to do it, to think that ‘if
they can do it, I can do it,’ and start working out.”
CYBORG: “Every woman that’s working with MMA right
now and every woman that’s fighting plays a very important
role in the sport and where the sport is going to take them.
I really hope that I have a lot of fans out there and I hope
to train little Cyborgs all over the world. I’m just excited
to be part of it.”
Cyborg, do you look at this as a nationalistic battle (Brazil
vs. Netherlands), or is this just one women against another?
CYBORG: “I look at Marloes as a fighter and as a woman.
I look at her as just another person competing with me and trying
to take my belt away. Basically, I’m always defending my
country no matter where I’m fighting, so I’m always
defending the flag.”
Nick, do you get sucked into the challenge of trying to beat
people at their own game?
DIAZ: “No, I just do it all, you know. I try to take the
easiest direction. A lot of times, it’s easier to beat (inaudible)
than it has been in the past. I’ll just do whatever it takes.”
Marius, what do you plan on doing to minimize the reach that
Nick has with his punches?
ZAROMSKIS: “As far as Nick’s reach, Nick obviously
has a reach advantage because he’s taller. But, I don’t
feel like the height difference is so drastic between the two
of us to really worry about it too much. Of course, I’m
concerned about the reach and I have some plans to address that.
It’s not like I’m 5 foot 6 and he’s 6 foot 9.
I think it’s something I can handle.”
Marloes, can you talk about what it would mean for you to win
this title?
COENEN: “Winning the title? I won my first title in the
‘90s in Tokyo, and ever since then I haven’t got a
nice title. I’m very eager to get this title. I hope it’s
a good start to my career in America.”
Worldwide, what do you think your profile is? Do you want to
be as well known as Gina and Cris?
COENEN: “To be honest, I don’t think I’m on the
same level as Gina and Cris are, but I hope this fight will change
that.”
Do you think people would consider it an upset if you were to
win?
COENEN: “I don’t know. I know I’m considered the
underdog, but I think hardcore MMA fans know what I can do and
what I’m capable of. I hope that my last fight was a demonstration
of that. To be honest, I don’t really care what people think.
I will show them in the cage.”
How would you have to win this fight?
COENEN: “Differently. I know people are really focusing
on my ground game, but I know my standup is really good and my
striking is really OK because I dropped Roxanne (Modafferi) with
one punch and I’ve KO’d girls before with just one
punch. I know my standup is OK and I know Cris will find out
about it.”
Nick, is there any different preparation for you going into a
championship fight?
DIAZ: “I do extra pushups and I run extra miles. I kick
the heavy bag a lot, a lot. I just do the best I can. I learn
more and more as I go. I’ve been doing this for a long time,
I’ve got the same partners, so we’re always working
on new things together. I’m just getting good help by Jake
Shields and Gilbert Melendez and my brother, everybody training
for this fight.”
Marius, have you been working on anything specifically on the
ground because Nick has a big advantage in that department.
ZAROMSKIS: “I’ve prepared as well as I can on the ground
because Nick has a superior ground game. But, this is MMA, this
is not kickboxing. I train in all of it. I train in grappling,
the fighting, the wrestling, the same for all fighters. I pretty
much do everything my trainers tell me to do. If they say do
more ground, I do more ground. If they say do more standup, I
do more standup.”
Cris, how do you feel Marloes stacks up as an opponent as compared
to Gina Carano?
CYBORG: “I don’t really compare any other opponents
at all. I basically take each fight individually and look at
whatever issues come up.”
Marloes, based on your style, as more of a ground oriented fighter,
do you think a five round fight benefits you?
COENEN: “I don’t consider myself as a ground fighter.
I consider myself as a complete MMA fighter. I’m training
for a fight, I’m training for five-five minute rounds. I’m
ready for everything.”
Cris, how has your life changed since you beat Gina Carano?
CYBORG: “Regardless of being a women or not, a belt changes
any athlete’s life. The athlete’s goal is to get a
belt, I got the belt. It would have changed it regardless. Life
has changed for the positive and I’m happy with it.”
Marloes, are you looking forward to a standup fight with Cris?
Do you think it will go five rounds?
COENEN: “I don’t think it will go five rounds at all,
because of the person she is and the person I am. If you put
that together, it will not go to the fifth round at all.”
Do you train with other women, or do you just train with men?
CYBORG: “I only train with men. I usually hurt the women.”
COENEN: “For me, I usually train with men because there
are not that many good women that do MMA here.”
Marloes, this fight was supposed to happen a year ago. Has the
extra time off helped you prepare more?
COENEN: “No, I’m always ready to fight. I was ready
a year ago and I’m even more ready now.”
Cyborg, Strikeforce recently announced a women’s tournament
at 135 and 145 pounds. What are your thoughts on that?
CYBORG: “I’m definitely going to analyze all the girls
from different divisions, up and down to see who’s coming
near me. It’s going to be very fun for the sport to have
other divisions and other belts.”
Source: Tatame
|
TUF
11 to Feature 28 Fighters, New Format4
By Ray
Hui
A total of 28 up-and-comers will compete for a six-figure UFC
contract on The Ultimate Fighter 11 premiering March 31, Spike
TV revealed Friday.
Spike
TV also teased a new format for next season, which went into
production this week. One clue to what the format is are the
28 contestants, which doesn't fit into the usual 16-man or 32-man
(which included elimination round to make it into the house)
bracket. Could there be surprise contestants or a way for fighters
to win byes?
Coaches
on the show for the all-middleweight cast are former champions
Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. Both have experience as coaches
on the show, with Liddell going against Randy Couture on the
first season and Ortiz facing Ken Shamrock in the third.
While
not yet official, Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields
has said he will serve as assistant coach on Liddell's team and
former WEC lightweight champion "Razor" Rob McCullough
has said he will be brought on the show to help Ortiz's squad.
UFC
has already planned a UFC Fight Night to lead into the March
31 premiere. Kenny Florian and Takanori Gomi are expected to
headline the free card in Charlotte, N.C.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
ESPN
interview: Brock Lesnar will return to action in the UFC “this
Summer”
By Zach
Arnold
During
an interview on ESPN’s Sportscenter program on Wednesday
(11:15 PM EST), Brock Lesnar appeared with UFC President Dana
White on camera to discuss his future in UFC.
ESPN
did the hard sell of Lesnar, including a “bio blast”
screen graphic profiling his background.
Lesnar
did appear to be a little bit smaller than he normally is. Anchor
Josh Elliott asked Brock Lesnar what happened regarding his illness.
Lesnar said his doctor initially diagnosed him with Mononucleosis,
then he went to Canada and had severe stomach pain, was in shock
and had a 104 degree temperature so he went to the hospital in
Canada. He said that he transferred to a hospital in Bismarck,
North Dakota (Medcenter One) and was diagnosed with a hole in
his intestine. He was in the hospital for 11 days with no food
or water, just an IV, and lost 40 pounds. He later went to the
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He was told by doctors that he
would need surgery and a colostomy bag but he wanted to avoid
that. He avoided surgery and managed to gain 30 of the 40 pounds
he lost. After a medical check-up at the beginning of the year
and on January 5th, doctors said a “miracle” happened
and that he healed up. Lesnar had a CT scan for his stomach yesterday
before preparing for the ESPN interview.
Dana
White said that Lesnar went on “some holistic stuff”
along with a modified diet and that it was a miracle he healed.
Lesnar
said that there are no signs in medical tests showing any sort
of issues regarding his diverticulitis. He talked about the mental
aspect of not having control “over anything” regarding
his medical situation and how it drove him crazy.
White
announced that the winner of the Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin fight
in New Jersey this March will face Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight
title “this Summer.” White noted that if both Mir and
Carwin got hurt in the New Jersey fight that the back-up plan
would be to have the winner of the Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira/Cain
Velasquez fight in Australia take on Lesnar “this Summer.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Shogun
informed of Lyoto fight date
by Carlos
Eduardo Ozório
Initially
scheduled for May 1, the title dispute between Mauricio Shogun
and Lyoto Machid will now take place on the 8th of the same month,
at UFC 113 in Montreal. The change of date was a strategy by
the UFC not to divide attention with to a boxing match between
Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley scheduled for the 1st.
The news was confirmed by UFC president Dana White to Yahoo Sports.
Shogun
now knows when next he will meet Lyoto. Photo: Josh Hedges
Light heavyweight title challenger Shogun informed GRACIEMAG.com
that he has no problem with the new date.
“I
hadn’t heard anything about it before. Truth is that I signed
the contract for May 1st and didn’t know of the possibility
of it being on the 8th. The fight is still far off. For now I’ll
just keep training, but when it gets closer to the date I’ll
start working harder,” says the fighter, who admitted to
being anxious for the day to come.
“There’s
always anticipation, especially since Lyoto is a top guy. But
it’s all about training a lot to keep calm.”
Beyond
that, Shogun remarked on the sale of part of the UFC to a company
overseen by Sheikh Tahnoon of the Arab Emirates.
“If
Dana and the Fertittas did that it’s for the event’s
good, so it will be good for the athletes and for the sport,”
says the Brazilian, who also opined on the main event of the
UFC’s maiden event in Abu Dhabi:
“The
fight between Anderson and Belfort will be between two experienced
guys who are good strikers. They know each other well, because
they’ve trained together. I think Anderson is more favored,
but there’s no telling who will win. It will be a great
fight,” he says in finishing.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
SERRA
VS. TRIGG AT UFC 109: LOSER LEAVES TOWN?
by Brian
Lopez-Benchimol
Frank Trigg and Matt Serra, who meet in the Octagon on Feb. 6
at UFC 109, are different in a lot of ways, but do share one
crucial idea. Both need a win in order to stay amongst the elite
of the UFC’s welterweight division. The loser is likely
to receive his walking papers.
“There’s
really no reason for the UFC to keep either one of us around
if we lose,” said Trigg while speaking with MMAWeekly.com.
In
an interview with Steve Cofield on ESPN 1100 Radio in Las Vegas,
Trigg claimed while he and Serra are both at the tail end of
their careers, he has more to fight for and “The Terror”
might not be as hungry for a win.
“Serra,
when I’m punching him in his head, he’s going to be
thinking in the back of his head ‘you know what, I can teach
a couple of more guys, get some brown belts and make a lot of
money doing that. Why do I need to keep getting punched in the
face?’” the former Icon Sport middleweight champion
expounded while speaking with Cofield.
“For
him, he has something else, another option to go to. So he’s
not really going to get into that desperation set where I need
to fight and win this fight, where I’m still kind of desperate.
Really, if they told me today that ‘you can’t fight
anymore; you’re done fighting.’ I’d still be like
I don’t know what the hell I’m going to have to do
for money. I might have to go work at Subway.”
The
two-time UFC title challenger understands that going 0-2 in his
return to the organization after a four-year absence isn’t
the best way to cap off what was supposed to be his last run
towards the top. He knows full well that there are plenty of
guys waiting in the wings to try and take his spot.
“If
we’re not ever going to be in title contention again, if
either one of us is never really going to be viable within the
weight class, why would they really want to keep us around if
there are guys who are bigger, faster, stronger at the same weight
class that can come in and take over our spots and do a little
bit better than we can?”
The
former color commentator for the Pride Fighting Championships
has no intentions of allowing the UFC to consider terminating
him.
“I
can totally see (the UFC) getting rid of Matt when he loses,”
said Trigg.
“I
can see that happening. He lost to (Georges St-Pierre) and then
he loses to (Matt) Hughes and he loses to Trigg. I mean, it’s
kind of at that point, ‘well dude, you just lost to two
former champs and some nobody, at that point it’s kind of
time to hang it up.’”
Serra,
who dethroned St-Pierre at UFC 69 to claim the welterweight title
before losing it in their rematch, agrees with Trigg’s assessment,
though he’s not feeling the pressure. In fact, its Trigg’s
sense of urgency for a win that Serra feels will be to his advantage.
“Obviously
Trigg’s a guy that his back is definitely against the wall,”
said the 35-year-old Long Island native.
“I
think there’s a lot more pressure on him than myself.
“He
said this could be the last you see of Matt Serra after this
fight. He’ll have to go back to his schools and teach and
this and that. Listen, when it’s all said and done, the
guy is fully right. When I’m not fighting anymore I’ll
be chillin’ at my two successful schools. I’ve got
that going for me, but he’ll be selling his Triggonomics
shirts out of the back of his trunk. Where can I get one of those?
“Where
can I get a Triggonomics shirt? I can’t find one of those.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Coenen
Trusts Her Striking Against ‘Cyborg’
by John
Chandler
Instead of vying for a temporary opportunity to replace Gina
Carano as the “Face of Women’s MMA,” Cristiane
“Cyborg” Santos and Marloes Coenen are hoping to gain
the attention of young potential female fighters around the world.
Santos
will make the first defense of her Strikeforce 145-pound title
against Coenen in the co-headlining attraction of Strikeforce
“Miami” on Jan. 30 in Sunrise, Fla.
“I
hope I don’t have to do any office work again,” Coenen
said during a conference call with the media Wednesday. “When
I grew up, there weren’t that many opportunities for us
to fight. There was judo and karate, but that was about it. MMA
not only helps you athletically, but it also helps your daily
life. I think if women’s MMA continues to grow with the
sport, we will be able to inspire others to join in.
“You
can see the difference compared to 10 years ago. Women are training
with each other, beating each other up and constantly getting
better. Instead of the fights either being quickly finished standing
or on the ground, you’re starting to see the skill level
get higher and higher. Women are going to want to test themselves.”
According
to Santos, the pressure of keeping her belt has become higher
because of her growing desire to stay involved in the sport after
her career is over.
“I’m
happy to lead the way for the women in this sport,” Santos
said. “I want to continue to improve and hold the belt as
long as I can. Eventually I would like to build a team and help
my students with their careers. I really can’t wait to train
some little Cyborgs. I’m just very excited to be a part
of it all.”
As
for the fight itself, Coenen brings along twelve career submissions
wins compared to six wins via strikes for Santos. Despite many
observers suggesting a standup battle with Santos could prove
to be a huge mistake for Coenen, the Golden Glory product says
that she has no problem exchanging punches on the feet.
“People
have been focusing on my ground game but my standup is good,”
Coenen said. “My striking is always improving. I put down
Roxanne (Modafferi) with one punch and I have knocked out others
in my career. I don’t think that it’ll go five rounds
at all. Putting the type of fighters we are together, it won’t
go the distance. I’m not going to reveal very much of my
game plan, but I will say that if the fight goes to the ground,
it’s not going to stay there.”
Source: Sherdog
|
Diaz,
Zaromskis, “Cyborg” and Coenen Talk About Upcoming
Bouts
By FCF
Staff
Strikeforce
held a teleconference this week in anticipation of the promotion’s
upcoming January 30th event in Sunrise, Florida. The card, which
will be broadcast on Showtime, will feature a welterweight bout
between Nick Diaz and Marius Zaromskis for the vacant welterweight
crown, as well as, a clash between Strikeforce 145lb. women’s
champion Cris “Cyborg” Santos and challenger Marloes
Coenen.
Diaz
(20-7) heads into the title fight having won five straight, a
streak that includes dominant wins over Scott Smith and Frank
Shamrock, while competing at 180lbs. Zaromskis (13-3) also continued
to impress in 2009, as the Lithuanian bombed out victories over
notable competitors like Hayato Sakurai and Jason High, en route
to winning the Dream welterweight belt. Here is some of what
Diaz and Zaromskis had to say about their upcoming fight.
What’s
it like dropping back down to 170?
NICK
DIAZ: “I’m very happy to fight at that weight. I look
the best at that weight. I like it, I feel the best at that weight.
I’ve been waiting for a long time to fight in here at this
weight class. Those last two fights weren’t my idea. I’ve
fought at welterweight most of my life, so this isn’t a
new thing to me. I’m happy to fight at welterweight.”
A
lot of people feel like you jumped ahead of the line for a title
shot against Nick Diaz. What are your thoughts on that?
MARIUS
ZAROMSKIS: “Well, I don’t really think much of it.
They told me to fight, so I’m fighting.”
Jay
Hieron thinks you’re trying to duck him. Do you have a response
to that?
DIAZ:
“Ditto. I’m just fighting who they want me to fight.
Whatever. That’s how it is. I’m just fighting who they
want me to fight. I try not to open my mouth.
Do
you anticipate that matchup happening at some point?
DIAZ:
“I’m ready to fight anybody. If they can make it, then
let’s do it. I’m ready to fight Jay Hieron and everybody
in this weight class to get to the top. Whatever, I’ll do
it.”
Nick
and Marius, can you both assess your opponent’s strengths
and weakness?
DIAZ:
“I think he’s a good fighter, whatever. Anybody who
is willing to fight at this level is a good fighter.”
ZAROMSKIS:
“I think Nick is a very well rounded fighter. He has strengths
in both boxing and grappling, just all around. I think it’s
going to be a very tough fight for me. As far as how the fight
will go or what I’ll be able to do, I don’t want to
predict that. We’ll just have to see it in the ring.”
Santos
(8-1) hasn’t competed since August, when she stopped Gina
Carano in the first round to lay claim to the 145lb. title. In
November, Coenen (17-3) made her Strikeforce debut a successful
one, by tapping out Roxanne Modafferi with a first round armbar.
Cris
and Marloes, what do you expect to see in the ring?
CYBORG:
“I don’t really think much about what’s going
to happen. I just go in prepared for whatever comes. She can
bring it, so hopefully she’ll be prepared for war, too.”
COENEN:
“It will be a tough fight because Cris is an amazing athlete,
a real powerhouse. I know that everything I do is good. My standup
is OK, my ground game is OK. I really think we’ll both bring
it and go toe-to-toe and give the audience what they’re
expecting.”
Cris,
how do you feel Marloes stacks up as an opponent as compared
to Gina Carano?
CYBORG:
“I don’t really compare any other opponents at all.
I basically take each fight individually and look at whatever
issues come up.”
Marloes,
based on your style, as more of a ground oriented fighter, do
you think a five round fight benefits you?
COENEN:
“I don’t consider myself as a ground fighter. I consider
myself as a complete MMA fighter. I’m training for a fight,
I’m training for five-five minute rounds. I’m ready
for everything.”
Cris,
how has your life changed since you beat Gina Carano?
CYBORG:
“Regardless of being a women or not, a belt changes any
athlete’s life. The athlete’s goal is to get a belt,
I got the belt. It would have changed it regardless. Life has
changed for the positive and I’m happy with it.”
Marloes,
are you looking forward to a standup fight with Cris? Do you
think it will go five rounds?
COENEN:
“I don’t think it will go five rounds at all, because
of the person she is and the person I am. If you put that together,
it will not go to the fifth round at all.”
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Winston Churchill, 1874-1965, English Politician and Author
|
Destiny
at Level 4!
Saturday,
January 30, 2009
Level 4 Nightclub at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Ctr
Prelim Fights start at 4:00 pm (main card at 7:30 pm)
DESTINY Entertainment opens up the New Year with a BANG. DESTINY:
Fireworks Saturday, Jan 30th @ Hawaii's Premier and Largest Night
Club LEVEL 4.
Full
night of action. 28 fights...ALL MMA. Pre-lim fights start @
4pm for all u hardcore mma fans. Feature bouts start @ 7:30pm
for those who want to just see the main card. THIS IS AN ALL
AGES WELCOME EVENT!
Purchase
of ticket gets you into huge after party to celebrate my B-day
:) which begins @ 11pm and will run to 4am...come party with
the fighters!
Fight
Card:
-170lbs
Zane Kamaka (Guts n Glory) vs Derek Stadler
-170
Amateur Title
Johnavan "The Immortal Warrior" Vistante (Team SYD)
vs Koa Giddens (Combat 50)
-145
Amateur Title
Elijah Manners (808 Alliance) vs Keoni Farm (Team 323, Maui)
-145lbs
Dustin Kimura (Gracie Technics) vs Colin Mackenzie (Gods Army)
-185lbs
Danny Lopez (Bulls Pen) vs Charles Hazlewood (Combat 50)
-145lbs
Travis Beyer (808 FF) vs Max "lil evil" Holloway (Gods
Army)
-135lbs
FEMALE MATCH
Racquel Paaluhi (Team Hakuilua) vs Kristen Jackobson (Pain Train)
-205lbs
Matt Eaton (Bulls Pen) vs Wilmer Cruz (Pain Train)
-155lbs
TBA vs Shaison Laupola (Gods Army)
-145lbs
Daniel Bachman (Boars Nest) vs Van Shiroma (HMC)
-185lbs
Robert Eaton (Bulls Pen) vs Nate Kolii (High Intensity)
-125lbs
Skyler Close (Boars Nest) vs Ernest Keuma (freelance)
-145lbs
Lucky Rosario (Bulls Pen) vs Clayson Kealoha (Bad Intentions)
-160lbs
Tyrone Oneil (Pain Train) vs Ryan Delacruz (808 FF)
-125lbs
Josh Kolii (freelance) vs Jason Dumol (808 FF)
-210lbs
Kimo Tatupu (94 Block) vs Lyle Guerzon (New Era MMA)
-140lbs
Zach Close (Boars Nest) vs Gavin Ramos (808 Fight Factory)
-185lbs
Jonathan Lucious (freelance) vs Justin Babbs (Pain Train)
-145lbs
Kolten Choy Foo (Bulls Pen) vs Mark Reynon (808 FF)
-170lbs
Eddie Manu (High Intensity) vs Jason Morinaga (New Era MMA)
-155lbs
Francis "HB" Aona (Team SYD) vs Carlos Oso (808 FF)
-155lbs
Gary (Bulls Pen) vs Justin Burgess (Gods Army)
-175lbs
Lloyd Saltiban vs Jon Cruz (freelance)
-155lbs
Alex Miller (Guts n Glory) vs Justin Adkins (Pain Train)
-170lbs
Wilfred Balon (Bulls Pen) vs Mike Eli (Gods Army)
-Heavyweights
(206-260)
Terrance Taanoa (High Intensity) vs Scooter Butan (Pain Train)
-155lbs
Layton Pacheco (freelance) vs Micah Ige
-180lbs
Philip Akui vs Dwaine Uyeda (Team Outlaw)
-130lbs
Jai Troche (No Remorse/UFS) vs Wai P. (Team Outlaw)
Source: Jay Bolos
|
Quest
for Champions
|
Better
Late Than Never:
Renzo Gracie Discusses UFC Debut
By Ariel
Helwani
By the time Renzo Gracie steps into the Octagon against Matt
Hughes at UFC 112 in April, he'll be 43-years-old. But the MMA
legend says he feels more prepared than ever to make his UFC
debut, which he all but confirmed will take place in Abu Dhabi.
MMA
Fighting spoke to Gracie at his gym, the Renzo Gracie Academy
in New York City, about why he decided to return to the sport
after a three-year hiatus, his connection to the royal family
in Abu Dhabi, whether he had anything to do with the recent Zuffa
sale to Flash Entertainment and his thoughts on facing Hughes.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Brock
Lesnar says high-protein diet to blame for ailment, vows permanent
change
by John
Morgan
While the MMA world has known about Brock Lesnar's struggle with
various mystery ailments for several months now, few specifics
made their way to the public.
Today,
following an appearance on ESPN's "SportsCenter" in
which he professed a clean bill of health, Lesnar opened a bit
more about his harrowing experience and road back to recovery.
"Everybody
has life-changing experiences, and this is one of them for me,"
Lesnar said on a media call this afternoon. "I believe everything
happens for a reason."
Lesnar
said what happened to him was a slow-developing illness.
"I
had been suffering for almost a year with something I didn't
really know what it was," Lesnar said. "I had some
stomach pains here and here and some flu-like symptoms throughout
the year. Actually, during the training camp against Shane Carwin
is when everything just kind of snow-balled. That's when I realized.
"I
was missing full weeks of my training camp because I just couldn't
perform in my camp. That's when I decide four weeks out to give
[UFC officials] hopefully enough notice to say – hey, listen,
the last thing I wanted to do was to come in and give a bad performance
and risk losing my title. That's when it really all accumulated."
The
preliminary issues led to the delay and, ultimately, cancellation
of Lesnar's scheduled bout with Carwin. It was then the severity
of Lesnar's condition began to become a real concern to himself,
the UFC, and MMA fans and observers.
Preliminary
observations
Lesnar
received a series of diagnoses that ran from swine flue to mononucleosis.
Not satisfied with the opinions, Lesnar elected to take time
off at his property in Canada. It was there the situation took
a turn for the worse.
Despite
previous reports that his intestines were leaking, Lesnar claimed
that was not exactly the case, though the problem was severe
enough to encourage the heavyweight to seek professional advice.
"It
was not leaking," Lesnar said. "If it had been, it
would have protruded. But my abscesses were so large that my
body was infected. What happened is that my body couldn't gain
all the nutrients that it needed. I couldn't eat enough food
to gain enough energy.
"This
stuff just doesn't come overnight. I've had it for awhile, so
my stomach isn't doing the job it needs to do. Finally, it just
exploded on me, and that's what put me in the hospital."
Unfortunately
from Lesnar's perspective, the hospital he was in fell under
the Canadian care system. On today's call, Lesnar spoke candidly
on his opinions of that experience.
"Probably
the low point was getting health care from Canada," Lesnar
said. "Not to get into the political side of things, but
our health-care system is a little radical, but we've got the
best doctors, I believe, in the world here (in the U.S.). Our
system does need some restructuring, but I don't believe a total
reform is the answer.
"The
only reason I'm mentioning this is – I'm mentioning this
to the United States of America, because President Obama is pushing
this health-care reform, and obviously I don't want it. I'm a
conservative Republican. ... I'm speaking on behalf of Americans.
I'm speaking on behalf of our doctors in the U.S. that don't
want this to happen, and neither do I."
High-speed
escapes and rapid recoveries
Save
for a little political grandstanding, Lesnar went on to explain
he harbored no ill will toward the people or country of Canada.
He simply prefers his medical care take place in his native land.
"I
love Canada," Lesnar said. "I own property in Canada.
But if I had to choose between getting care in Canada or in the
U.S., I definitely want to be in the U.S. Canadians, don't get
me wrong here. Listen, I love Canada. Some of the best people
and best hunting in the world. I have family up there. But I
wasn't at the right facility.
"They
couldn't do nothing for me. It was like I was in a third-world
country. I just looked at my wife, and she changed my life, and
I had to get out of there."
Lesnar
and his wife did leave the facility, and the champion said his
spouse drove him "100 miles per hour" back to Medcenter
One in Bismarck, N.D.
Once
under Medcenter One's care, Lesnar had what he classified as
a "small procedure" done.
"They
stuck a six-inch needle through my stomach and drained three
pockets and removed 14 cc's of fluid out of my stomach,"
Lesnar said. "The next morning I was able to eat, and that's
when I decided I had enough of the hospital and proceeded to
go home."
Lesnar
said he dropped all the way down to 248 pounds during the process
(a mark he joked he hadn't seen since the second grade), but
he was currently up around 273 pounds as he prepared to begin
his mini-camp. And the culprit for his near-career-ending ailment?
A poor diet.
Permanent
changes
"What
got me here was a total protein diet, not enough fiber, and that's
where I was," Lesnar said. "I totally changed my diet,
got on some natural healing medicine, and was just doing a lot
of praying. I had a lot of people praying for me.
"I'm
a carnivore. I'm not a big fan of PETA. I'm a member of the NRA,
and whatever I kill, I eat. Basically, I was just for years surviving
on meat and potatoes. When the greens came by, I just kept passing
them."
That
will change going forward, and Lesnar said he's going to be certain
not to repeat the mistakes of his past.
"It's
now a part of my life. When I'm at home, which I'm there a lot,
I have total control of my diet. When I'm on the road, it's kind
of a little more harder to do. But it's just making sure I have
a well-balanced diet.
"Why
would I go back to my old ways? I don't want to be back in that
position ever again. I'm doing change for the better, not for
the worse."
And
while Lesnar's life as a multi-millionaire, professional athlete,
and mixed martial arts champion may be difficult for most people
to relate to, he did have a message that could ring true with
many citizens – both American and Canadian.
"[The
experience] gave me a different perspective on life and my family,"
Lesnar said. "I'm a young guy. These things aren't supposed
to happen. I consider myself a healthy human being. I'm 32 years
old, and for something like this to happen to me, I definitely
have to re-evaluate.
"When
you think you're doing all the right things, and then all of
a sudden something like this happens, obviously you're not. I
have to make some changes."
Source: MMA Junkie
|
UFC
113 MOVING TO MAY 8, STILL IN MONTREAL
UFC 113, originally slated for May 1 in Montreal, has been moved
back a week to May 8. The event will remain in Montreal at the
Bell Centre.
UFC
president Dana White evidently confirmed the move Wednesday night
to the Yahoo! Sports Cagewriter blog.
The
reason for the move is a possible conflict with a major boxing
pay-per-view. Boxing promoters are currently working on a mega-fight
between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Shane Mosley. It’s not
clear yet, but the bout could land on May 1.
Hoping
to avoid the conflict and allow for time to promote UFC 113,
the promotion opted to go ahead and make the move, which Cagewriter’s
Steve Cofield says was made possible when the Bell Centre was
able to reschedule a May 8 concert.
A
light heavyweight title rematch between champion Lyoto Machida
and challenger Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and a pivotal
welterweight showdown pitting Josh Koscheck against Paul Daley,
are expected to share the spotlight at UFC 113.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
ESPN
interview: Brock Lesnar will return to action in the UFC “this
Summer”
By Zach
Arnold
During
an interview on ESPN’s Sportscenter program on Wednesday
(11:15 PM EST), Brock Lesnar appeared with UFC President Dana
White on camera to discuss his future in UFC.
ESPN
did the hard sell of Lesnar, including a “bio blast”
screen graphic profiling his background.
Lesnar
did appear to be a little bit smaller than he normally is. Anchor
Josh Elliott asked Brock Lesnar what happened regarding his illness.
Lesnar said his doctor initially diagnosed him with Mononucleosis,
then he went to Canada and had severe stomach pain, was in shock
and had a 104 degree temperature so he went to the hospital in
Canada. He said that he transferred to a hospital in Bismarck,
North Dakota (Medcenter One) and was diagnosed with a hole in
his intestine. He was in the hospital for 11 days with no food
or water, just an IV, and lost 40 pounds. He later went to the
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. He was told by doctors that he
would need surgery and a colostomy bag but he wanted to avoid
that. He avoided surgery and managed to gain 30 of the 40 pounds
he lost. After a medical check-up at the beginning of the year
and on January 5th, doctors said a “miracle” happened
and that he healed up. Lesnar had a CT scan for his stomach yesterday
before preparing for the ESPN interview.
Dana
White said that Lesnar went on “some holistic stuff”
along with a modified diet and that it was a miracle he healed.
Lesnar
said that there are no signs in medical tests showing any sort
of issues regarding his diverticulitis. He talked about the mental
aspect of not having control “over anything” regarding
his medical situation and how it drove him crazy.
White
announced that the winner of the Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin fight
in New Jersey this March will face Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight
title “this Summer.” White noted that if both Mir and
Carwin got hurt in the New Jersey fight that the back-up plan
would be to have the winner of the Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira/Cain
Velasquez fight in Australia take on Lesnar “this Summer.”
Source: Fight Opinion
|
MAXIMUM
FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Line-Up Announced for MFC 24: Heat XC
By FCF
Staff
Maximum
Fighting Championship has announced the line-up for the promotion’s
upcoming February 26th event in Enoch, Alberta; the card will
be a collaborative effort with the organization's Heat XC, a
promotion that largely features up-and-coming fighters. MFC 24:
Heat XC will be hosted by the River Cree Resort and Casino.
In
the main-event, Yves Edwards (36-15-1) will take on fellow veteran,
Derrick Noble (25-12-1). Edwards went 2-0 in 2009, earning wins
over James Warfield and Kyle Jensen in September and October
respectively.
Noble,
who is coming off back to back wins over Joe Benoit and Shonie
Carter, last competed for the MFC in February, 2009, when he
lost by Unanimous Decision to the promotion’s current lightweight
champion, Antonio McKee.
Other
bouts confirmed for the MFC 24 main card include: David Heath
(14-6) vs. Dwayne Lewis (10-4), Chris Price (15-3) vs. Nick Penner
(9-1), Travis Galbraith (17-6) vs. Tom Watson (10-3), and Nate
Gunn (7-1) vs. Thiago Goncalves (11-3).
Six
bouts featuring prospects from the organization’s Heat XC
promotion are scheduled for the under card: Dami Egbeyemi vs.
Paapa Inkumsah, David Letourneau vs. Nick Hrynchyshyn, Jared
Kilkenny vs. Jason Kuchera, Elliot Duff vs. Jason Gorny, Matt
Jelly vs. Garret Nybakken, and Eric Chouinard vs. Zach Blaber.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
“Jiu-Jitsu
guys give me the chance to win knockout of the night”
by Carlos
Eduardo Ozório
Melvin
Guillard is a dangerous striker, but Jiu-Jitsu has proven to
be his weakness. Photo: Josh Hedges
With strong striking and wrestling skills, the pebble in Melvin
Guillard’s shoe is Jiu-Jitsu. Most of the losses suffered
by the experienced fighter, with more than 50 fights on his record,
have come by way of submission, like the guillotine Nate Diaz
caught him in at UFC Fight Night 19.
The
American’s adversary come February 6, at UFC 109 in Las
Vegas, is black belt Ronys Torres. Guillard says he is ready
for his opponent’s ground savvy. The fighter now trains
with former rival Joe Stevenson and counts on the backing of
renowned trainer Greg Jackson to get him in top shape.
“Joe
is teaching me a lot now, especially guillotine defense. That’s
my biggest weakness, and Joe is definitely the right guy for
the job,” he says.
On
his fight with Ronys, Guillard is more than confident:
“I’m
not going to worry anymore, because I’m training with the
best team in the world. It doesn’t matter if I fight Jiu-Jitsu
guys or strikers. The good thing about Jiu-Jitsu guys is that
they give me the chance to win the knockout of the night bonus.
That’s how I’m going to go into my next fight. I’ll
be explosive and I’ll unload everything on the guy,”
he stated on the official UFC website.
UFC
109
Las Vegas, Nevada
February 6, 2010
Mark
Coleman vs Randy Couture
Mike Swick vs Paulo Thiago
Demian Maia vs Dan Miller
Nate Marquardt vs Chael Sonnen
Matt Serra vs Frank Trigg
Preliminary
fights
Justin Buchholz vs Mac Danzig
Melvin Guillard vs Ronnys Torres
Tim Hague vs Chris Tuchscherer
Phil Davis vs Brian Stann
Rob Emerson vs Phillipe Nover
Rolles Gracie vs Mostapha Al Turk
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Gegard
Mousasi vs. King Mo Being Discussed for Strikeforce in May
by D.W.
Gegard Mousasi's contract is a peculiar one, as it binds him
to Fedor Emelianenko when it comes to fighting in the United
States, so it comes as no surprise that Gegard Mousasi is being
talked about for the May show set to air on CBS, which will be
headlined by Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum.
King
Mo made some waves in his last Strikeforce appearance, knocking
out a rather rotund and doughy looking Mike Whitehead and then
spilling energy drink on the canvas, prompting athletic commission
fines. King Mo, who has been a big name in Japan, one of the
standout stars of Sengoku before coming to the United States,
has made it clear he wants to fight the best and he wants to
fight them now. So it comes as no surprise that he'll be thrown
into the fire in his second Strikeforce fight, and will get his
title shot against Gegard Mousasi.
Mousasi
and Strikeforce were criticized for the Sokoudjou bout being
a non-title fight. If Strikeforce felt that Sokou was not a real
threat to the title, why should he be fighting the champion?
Mousasi will be defending his title this time, in a bout that
seems more competitive for both men.
Source: Head Kick Legend
|
Mauricio
Shogun
By Erik Engelhart
The UFC light heavyweight contender sat down with TATAME.com
to answer a lot of fan questions. In the exclusive interview,
you check below, the Curitiba native talked about the fight with
Lyoto, the rematch, his thoughts about Rogerio Nogueira in the
UFC, his brother, Chute Boxe, Wanderlei Silva, Anderson Silva
and a lot more.
What went through your mind when the judges gave the decision
to Machida?
I was surprised with the result. So I talked about the fight
with my corner, and considered the reaction of the fans. I was
surprised, and I was trying to think “what did I do wrong?”
Then I came home, and saw the fight several times. And really,
in my mind I won.
Do you think it was a mistake in judging, or a deliberate move
to call a rematch between you?
It is difficult to know, but I believe it was in the particular
interests of someone. I do not say the UFC, however. Perhaps
the people who work with betting exchanges.
And how did you feel at the end of the fight, standing with Machida,
before the decision?
In fact, when the fight was over, I was sure I had won the fight,
with confidence. I was quite sure I won until they gave him the
decision. But I was quiet, I was happy.
Since the fight between Machida and yourself was quite close,
do you think the fact that he is seen as a rising star in the
fighting world may have contributed to the decision by the judges?
I don’t think so, I think every fight is a fight. The guy
is on the rise, had the belt, but I think that fighting is fighting,
so I don’t believe so.
How would you feel to receive the title by decision, if it became
evident that you lost the bout?
I think I would feel opposite to what I do now. I’m happy
with my performance and I’m glad I fought, I would return
to do it all again and I’ll come back better than last time.
But really, the whole world saw who won the fight.
Lyoto stated that you received strong blows and knockdowns. Do
you agree with the statement that you felt dizzy receiving those
hits?
No, of course not. If people came to the fight, you would see
that my moves were far more impressive than those of Machida,
but unfortunately the media in Brazil is controlled. It unfortunately
is, and we must try to change to reverse that.
What can fans expect for the rematch?
I’ll represent my country and my city, and I will surely
represent myself. I do not promise victory, but fans can expect
my greatest possible effort.
You will face Lyoto again. Will you maintain a similar strategy?
I will change my gameplan, because he’ll surely change his.
I’ll go in with other strategies, with other cards up my
sleeve.
You always prepare strategies for the fight. Have there been
fights in which strategies have to allow room for improvisation?
Definitely. For example, in the fight with Cyborg, I was trading
punches with him and saw that the fight would be better on the
floor, and took it to the ground.
Did you train with karate sparring partners for the fight against
Machida? If so, was it to get the timing of attacks down?
Actually they were on the same team, the Dida Marcelinho. They
even imitated and improvised Lyoto’s training.
Did you do what you intended against Machida?
I believe that 70% of what I planned to do against Machida was
successful, missed some things, but I did do the strategy and
most of the things I wanted to do. I could put into practice
almost everything I planned.
Who decided upon the strategy for your fight against Lyoto, considering
that no opponent has ever been competitive against him?
I do my meeting with the team here at home, and everyone has
freedom of speech, on the strategy and about everything else.
Within these meetings we discuss all until the best strategy
is agreed upon, and implement in practice.
Were you surprised by the strength of your low kicks? Do you
believe that maintaining this strategy, you can win without going
to a decision?
When my kicks hit him in the ribs, and knees, I realized he was
getting hurt even during the fight. I believe he worked hard,
the guy is a warrior himself, but I believe that if this fight
was at any time, normally I would win.
You think you will have a disadvantage in the next fight with
Lyoto, now lost your element of surprise?
I think not. Just as he knows my tactics for the fight, I know
his. It becomes negated, nobody has any advantage. It will be
a battle, I have to train all over again.
Do you believe that the likes of Renzo and Rickson Gracie, and
even when Couture stops fighting in MMA, should they not be invited
by the UFC to compose and extend the panel of judges, which apparently
is composed of boxing judges and not MMA? This would not end
all the controversies, but at least give more credibility to
the decisions made by the judges?
I struggle discovering the reason I lost that fight, I really
think that was a mistake of the judges. If had to put new judges,
do a renovation, why not use MMA fighters, right?
In preparation for his last fight, your brother Murilo Ninja
left to fight overseas. How important is Murilo in your preparation?
He always helps me a lot, one always wants to help others. I’m
here to help and we always help eachother, we are always together,
bolstering one another. One in the corner, we feel comfortable
together.
When you started at Chute Boxe, Ninja was already there. Tell
me how the beginning was for him. To what extent did he serve
as a base for you?
When I started, I used to watch my brother fight with big beasts,
and this serves as a mirror for me and was great motivation.
I always used it while training at the academy, and of course
for me it was very good, because it’s good to train with
someone who you admire, it makes you grow.
What is the difference between the UFC Shogun and PRIDE Shogun?
(Laughter) I think the Shogun in PRIDE was a man who adapted
to the ring, and now the Shogun in the UFC is a man adapted to
the cage. I focus more on fighting now, and before I had to do
other things, today I am much more focused and professional.
You were criticized when Andre Dida was chosen to be your coach.
They thought he is too young to be technical, or that it should
have been Cunha, among other criticisms. But Dida fulfill what
it promised? What you have to say to these people?
They have to be humble and accept that they were wrong, because
when I chose Dida everyone was talking a lot of shit, then he
proved that I was right. Dida is a guy that when I ventured to
hire him, I knew his job was not at risk. Cunha is a guy who
is good in the event, but not to training.
Shogun, how would you like to win over Lyoto Machida? Decision,
submission, or knockout?
I said this in the U.S. at the press conference. I said that
this fight is my dream and a win anyway is good, the goal is
victory.
Ninja is your older brother. When you started training at Chute
Boxe, you were soon regarded as a phenomenon, and it has been
proven true. At what age did you begin to clash with Murilo?
We never think like that in training, we try to help each other.
There are people who do not train well, but fight well. We’re
together to help each other in fights, our psychological energy
is focused on our next opponent, not each other in practice.
When listening to a radio interview with you and Wanderlei Silva,
Wanderlei said you had given him a pit bull, and wanted to get
the dog back. And that you decided to fight in training, and
the winner would take the pit bull. Who finally got the dog?
This story is not true, I have no pitbull, never had. We were
coaching and I took a knockdown from him, and he was joking saying
that he won.
Did you enjoy the trip back home to think about what happened
at UFC 104?
This fight is already part of the past, and I’m already
thinking about next fight now. I respect Lyoto a lot, he is not
guilty of the result, it is with the judges. I can not live with
this result before continuing my career.
How was it to get booed and cheered by the audience present at
UFC 104?
I’m very happy, because the greatest motivation I have are
my fans, so I’m happy to have the recognition of my fans.
During the fight you took some knees from the Lyoto, and never
corrected yourself during the five rounds. Why?
I did correct myself. if you see the last round, my corner told
me and I started to block the knees.
In the rematch what do you think Lyoto will change in his strategy?
I have not thought about it yet. The time will come where I sit
down with my team and we discuss it, but not yet.
Shogun, as everyone knows, you trained with Anderson Silva at
Chute Boxe Academy and recently he has raised controversy between
Brazilians and members of your team. What is your position on
this issue? How did you feel when you saw Anderson, your former
training partner, in Lyoto’s corner?
I was not upset, we treat his corner just like any other.
Would you be opposed to fighting Anderson Silva?
Certainly, I think we have to be professional. The only fight
I would not accept is with my brother.
Is there any possibility of a fight against his Fedor Emelianenko?
(Laughs) Fedor, in my opinion, is the number one in the world.
Of course everybody wants to fight with him. As I always say,
I’ll fight with anyone and I’m used to tough opponents
in front of me.
Aside from yourself, who are the other five best fighters in
your opinion?
Fedor, Anderson, St. Pierre, BJ Penn and Lyoto I think.
Tell how your training was at Chute Boxe?
I was 19 then, and I went there with the interest of fighting.
I got a black belt in three years with my teacher and friends.
I thinned a lot to get where I am, and I think I have already
presented several impressive shows, and I want to accomplish
more.
Do you miss the Japanese public? What is the difference between
the Japanese and American?
Japan is a beautiful country, I fought a lot there. I have much
admiration with the Japanese, have fought many times there. The
big difference is that in Japan they are analyzing and quiet.
In the U.S. it is a screaming gallery.
Do you miss the soccer kicks? Do you think the rules of PRIDE
were more exciting?
I think so, and I think elbows hurt much more than the kicks.
But now I’m in the UFC and I have to follow the rules.
Do you think that Ricardo Arona is still one of the best of the
middleweights, and deserves a place in the UFC? Or is his career
in decline?
I don’t train with him, so I can’t really comment.
But I believe he can take on anyone, without much problem.
You are currently in the UFC, but if Pride still existed, ignoring
the amounts paid, where would you rather fight?
(Laughter) This guy wants to throw me in the fire, huh? I never
really thought about it, but now I’m competing in the UFC
and I am focused on it.
What was the best fight of your career?
I think I had several good ones with Liddell, Minotouro, Rampage,
even with Lyoto, with Cyborg, I think all these battles were
good.
Of your four career losses (Babalu, Coleman, Forrest and Machida),
which was the most difficult to swallow?
I think it was the Machida decision, just by the way that I lost.
Your popularity in the United States grew considerably after
your last fight. How is the reception from the fans? And here
in Brazil, has anything changed after the fight?
I’ve seen increased responsiveness from the fans, and I
am very happy with it.
Would you like to fight Forrest Griffin again? And what did you
think of his fight against Anderson Silva?
In his fight with Forrest, he fought well and his strategy was
good. He knew how to use psychological advantages against Forrest.
I would like another fight with Forrest as well.
What changed from the Shogun which faced Forrest Griffin and
Mark Coleman, to the Shogun who faced Chuck Liddell and Machida?
The difference is that today I am adapted to the UFC, and before
I was not adapted to the octagon and everything.
Do you think Minotoro is one of the tops of the weight class,
and do you see a dispute over the belt? How do you think the
fight would go?
Sure, I made a really tough fight with Minotoro, and I think
it would be interesting to fight him again.
If you win the UFC belt, what else would you want to achieve?
What motivates you to continue fighting?
Actually, I have not thought about it. When it occurs I will
see.
What MMA fighter do you consider best in submissions?
Demian Maia.
Who was your biggest rival?
Everyone
I fight is my rival. I never focus on one person. Just my next
opponent.
Source: Tatame
|
LESNAR
PUTS THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION ON NOTICE
by Damon
Martin
It's official. Brock Lesnar is coming back to defend his UFC
heavyweight title.
The
talk now automatically turns to who he will face for his comeback
fight this summer.
UFC
president Dana White already stated that the winner of the upcoming
bout between Frank Mir and Shane Carwin would be the first choice,
assuming the victor is healthy. If that can't happen then the
winner from the fight between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain
Velasquez will get the call to pinch hit.
There
hasn't been a definite time table set for Lesnar's return, but
White said it was "a possibility" that the champion
could be back by the upcoming May 29 card in Las Vegas coinciding
with the second ever UFC Fan Expo.
As
for Lesnar, he's just happy to be training again and believes
that the heavyweight division has officially been put on notice.
"I'll
just sit back. I'll sharpen my skills. I'll be prepared for either
one of those guys (Carwin or Mir), or if it's Nogueira or if
it's Velasquez," Lesnar said on Wednesday. "I know
one thing... all them guys are (expletive) their pants right
now."
One
fighter who has made no bones about his desire to get in the
cage with Lesnar again is the person who holds the only victory
over the former NCAA wrestling champion. Frank Mir, who recently
defeated Cheick Kongo, has stated on several occasions that he
wants a rubber match with Lesnar, and he hopes to earn that in
March when he faces Carwin for the interim heavyweight belt.
Lesnar
is happy to face Mir for a third time, knowing that the Las Vegas
fighter is looking for the rematch.
"Absolutely,"
he said when asked if he'd be okay facing Mir again. "You
know what, I don't think I beat him as bad as I could. So for
me to get my hands on that stalker again, Frank Mir's made it
a mission of his life. Frank Mir's a stalker. It's been a while
since I've had a stalker, but we'll take care of that if we ever
face him again.
"I'd
be delighted to fight Frank again."
One
thing is now for sure. Brock Lesnar is back and he will soon
get to defend his UFC heavyweight championship title.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Cole
Konrad, Brock Lesnar's Training Partner, Ready for MMA Debut
By Ray
Hui
Cole Konrad, who has been Brock Lesnar's training partner since
the UFC heavyweight champ began his foray into MMA, will make
his professional MMA debut this Saturday in Fargo, N.D.
Konrad
is a two-time NCAA wrestling champion and like Lesnar, cuts down
to fight at heavyweight and has tried out to play in the NFL.
The two University of Minnesota alumni have been training together
for around two-and-a-half years.
In
this MMA Fighting exclusive, Konrad talks around how he connected
with Lesnar, why he decided to fight now and his plan to attend
law school.
Ray
Hui: How did you first get involved with MMA?
Cole
Konrad: As soon as I finished college wrestling, Brock Lesnar
was training for his first upcoming fight, which didn't actually
happen until the following February, I think. He was training
and needed big guys to work out with. And he had come in and
helped me with wrestling while I was in college; when I needed
big guys to work out with, he'd come in and he needed someone
to help him so I started coming in and it just kind of evolved
from there.
You
two must be a great fit if you two remained working together
since you were in college.
A
big thing was we knew each other, we got along well. We both
understand how to train and how to push ourselves and stuff.
It's hard to find good training partners, let alone one that
just happens to be the right size that you can work out with
at an elite level. Yeah, it just all happened to work perfect.
When
you were brought on with only wrestling experience, did you also
participate with him in his training for jiu-jitsu and striking?
We
trained everywhere. Standup, jiu-jitsu, the whole works.
So
you two pretty much started training MMA at the same time.
Yeah,
yeah. Pretty much the whole time. I had some couple short stints
where I tried to play some football. I broke off and did that
a little bit, but for the most part we've been training together
the entire time.
How
did you adapt towards the other aspects of MMA, jiu-jitsu and
striking?
Well
obviously the ground game came easier just because I can use
wrestling down there. I know how to shift my weight, control
weight and things like that. I was able to pick up some jiu-jitsu
quite quickly. And I've been fine tuning things here and there.
And then striking, I've been fortunate to have some good coaches.
So obviously striking is a totally different ball game from wrestling.
I was starting square one there whereas jiu-jitsu I kind of had
a feel for it coming in.
What
point did you feel you were ready for MMA?
I
kind of made up my mind, probably, June, July, that I was going
to go into mixed martial arts. I had been enjoying the training
and things of that sort for a year-and-a-half up to that point
and I wasn't sure if I was going to compete in some other things
I was looking at. And I just made up my mind. It was something
I wanted to do, been enjoying practice. I figured I might as
well get in there and see if I'm any good at it.
When
you tried out for the NFL, you did so without an college football
experience. How did that come about?
Coach
Mangini with the Jets. He called me and a guy named Tommy Rollings
out of the blue. We were the top two guys in the Olympic ladder
at the time and Coach Mangini had from the Patriots where Stephen
Neal plays and he never played college football either. He was
a wrestler, a two-time wrestling champ. We have similar credentials
and anyway, he went on and got on the practice squad and started
with him for quite a while. He just called us out of the blue
and asked if we wanted to give it a whirl and I said 'sure.'
And that was that. Went from never playing college football and
barely high school football to get invited to a tryout.
When
football didn't pan out, did that essentially push your focus
towards MMA?
Yeah.
I'm sure it did. Cause had it not, I'm sure I would be playing
football. But all things work out for a reason and it just wasn't
meant to be. It opened up this door.
You
were actually a walk-on coming into college wrestling. How did
that happen?
Yes.
My situation was a little different, kind of unique with Minnesota
just because it wasn't a recruiting year for heavyweights, cause
they weren't looking for heavyweights. The heavyweight at the
time had two more years. I signed with them. I knew I wanted
to go here and I knew that the heavyweight wasn't going to come
back for his senior year so I would just redshirt and I'll be
able to start, provided I worked hard and it all turned out.
I knew that cause the heavyweight at the Gophers at the time
was my next door neighbor. He had told me that after his senior
year, he was done and he was going to concentrate on the Olympics.
But yeah, I came in as a walk-on and had my work cut out for
me. But really I thought it was to my advantage because no one
had any expectations for me. I wasn't supposed to be that great
and it was more the motivation. I had to come in everyday and
work on getting better and better, and then started catching
up to some people that i wasn't supposed to be catching up to
and went past them. It's an interesting game, college athletics
in general and college wrestling in particular. Really the blue
chippers recruited out of high school tend to be the more dominant
players. When you get to college, there aren't too many guys
who come out of nowhere and end up turning it on. It took quite
a large commitment.
In
MMA, there could be expectations due to your connection with
Lesnar. Do you feel any pressure from being known as Lesnar's
training partner, having collegiate wrestling accolades, training
under his same camp and almost following his blueprint for MMA?
No,
not at all. I'm not him and he's not me. We both know that. I
don't have the same make up. I got to work hard for everything
I get and I'm not taking anything for granted. Just cause I'm
fortunate enough to work out with one of the best fighters in
the world doesn't mean that I'm going to be one of the best fighters
in the world, but it does give me a leg up on getting there.
That's my goal. To be as good as I can get at it.
Less
than a week before the fight. How are your nerves, mental state
for an MMA fight compared to how you were entering wrestling
matches, when your opponents wouldn't be out to hit and submit
you?
I
really don't get too worked up over things like this. I've been
in a lot of big wrestling matches and I've learned to just control
myself from that standpoint. As far as MMA, I know it's going
to be a battle but my mental preparation was similar in wrestling.
I went out there of the intention of it being a fight, and I
know obviously there are a lot more rules.This and that. But
you still got to approach it with the same mentality. It's different,
but in some sense, it's the same.
What
weight do you walk around at?
It fluctuates. Right now I'm kind of floating right around 290
dropping down to 265 for Friday. It's not too hard.
You're
also planning on attending law school?
Yes I am. Whether I be full-time enrolled or not, I haven't decided
yet, but I do plan on going to law school starting in the fall.
Nothing is guaranteed, but that is one of my goals. Fortunately
there's quite a few law schools in the Twin Cities here and some
of them have flexible schedules, where I'd still be able to work
out full-time and go to school part-time. That's something I'm
definitely looking at.
But
MMA would be your top priority over all your other interests?
Yes. Yeah, definitely. I mean, it is my job and I take that seriously.
In the evenings, I'm able to go to class. It's no different with
someone who goes to the office and works all day and needs to
get away, so they go for a workout. Mine is just the opposite.
I sit and work out all day, so sometimes -- [Laughs.] I know
it's different. I don't need to go to the office, but sometimes
I'll sit at home and read books. I might as well be productive
about it.
You'll
be fighting Gary "Chief" Hamen. According to his management,
Hamen is a Muay Thai kickboxer and is 5-0 in amateur fights.
What else do you know about him?
Honestly, I don't know too much about him. I heard he has decent
standup. I don't really bend my style for someone else. I fight
how I fight and plan to make them worry about my style. That's
the same approach I took with wrestling. I don't worry about
someone else's moves. They have to worry about mine. I plan on
making him react to me and not me react to him. He might have
good standup but and all that stuff, but he better be good at
stopping takedowns and getting off his back too, because I know
he'll be put there quite a few times.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts
of today."
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1882-1945, 32nd President of the United
States
|
Kauai
Knockout Championship Total Domination
Today
Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue, Kauai
January 23, 2010
5:00PM doors open
6:30PM event starts
MMA
145 Lbs Main Event
Arnold Berdon (Team Hakuilua) Vs Shane Kahananui (Kaua'i Technical
Institute)
The
Main Event Of The Evening Pits A Battle Of Undefeated Fighters,
Ultra-Popular Kaua'i Fighter Shane Kahananui Puts His Perfect
4-0 MMA Record On The Line Against Top145 Lb. Prospect From Team
Hakuilua Arnold Berdon, Who Himself, Sports A 2-0 MMA Record
As Well As A 2-0 Triple Threat Match Record. Shane Will Look
To Use His Solid Stand-Up And Sick Jiu-Jitsu Game To Nullify
Arnold's Lightning Fast Hands And Superior Wrestling.
MMA
170 Lbs Co-Main Event
Eddie Ohia (No Remorse) Vs Weston Victorino (Disciples Of Colorado)
In
The Co-Main Event, Former Kaua'i Martial Artist Of The Year,
Weston Victorino Will Look To Add To His 1-0 MMA Record Against
Tough-As-Nails Fighter Eddie Ohia From Team No Remorse In Kaneohe.
Weston Has Fought Some Of The Best 170 Pounders In The State
In Kickboxing Including Kona Ke, And Boasts Knockout Wins Over
Zane Kamaka And Frank Robello. Currently Traning Jiu-Jitsu In
Colorado, He's Looking To Transition To MMA With The Same Success.
Eddie Ohia Is 2-1-1 In MMA And Trains Under Ground-And-Pound
Specialist Sean Sakata. He Recently Fought Stand And Bang Specialist
Bryson Okada To A Draw So That Tells You He Can Stand With The
Best Of Them. Fight Of The Night Written All Over This One!
MMA
195 Lbs Semi-Main Event
Scott Endow (Universal Combat Sports) Vs Catlin "Kado"
Strom (Team Chingaso)
Kids
Pankration Championship Bout
"The Baby Face Assassin" Nainoa Dung (Da Hui Fight
Team/ Waianae Boxing Club) Vs Aidan Claproth (Combined Martial
Science, Chino, CA)
January
23rd Fans Are Going To Be Treated To The First Ever Pankration
Match Held On Kaua'i. Hawaiian MMA Youth Prodigy Nainoa "The
Baby Face Assasin" Dung Will Face The Real Deal In California
Pankration Champion, 11-Year-Old Aidan Claproth Of Chino, California.
On The Line Will Be The Kaua'i Knockout Championship Kids Pankration
Championship Belt. Nainoa Brings An Extremely Well-Rounded Game
At The Mere Age Of 10 Years Old With A Long List Of Accolades
And Accomplishments In Kickboxing, Boxing, And Jiu-Jitsu Competitions.
Aidan Claproths Pedigree Aint So Shabby Either, He's A 3x Kids
Pankration Champ In California And Trains And Competes In Jiu-Jitsu,
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, USJA Judo, Boxing, MMA And Grappling. This
Match Is A Guaranteed Show Stealer!
MMA
125 Lbs
Zach Salazar (Team Hakuilua) Vs Sergio Hurtado (Boars Nest Kaua'i)
Submission
Grappling 155 Lbs 1x7 Min Rnd
Shane Agena (02 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Luke Hacker (Longman
Jiu-Jitsu)
MMA
205 Lbs
Eddie May (Team Hakuilua) Vs Edwin Garces (Dogg House)
MMA
145 Lbs
Bradley Arakaki (Freelance) Vs Tyson Hawelu (Ka-Mole Jiu-Jitsu)
MMA
135 Lbs
Adam Rivera (Team Hakuilua) Vs Daniel Deanda (Ka-Mole Jiu-Jitsu)
Kickboxing
165 Lbs
Royal Kaua (O2 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Duane Silva (Disciples
Of Puhi)
MMA
185 Lbs
David Kealoha (Kauai Pankration) Vs Isaac Worth (Freelance)
MMA
125 Lbs
Jacob Kauwe (Team Hakuilua) Vs Domenick Ansagay (Freelance)
Kickboxing
145 Lbs
Isaac Hopps (O2 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Erickson Abalos (Disciples
Of Puhi)
|
Randy
Couture 'Moving Away From a Jiu Jitsu Mentality'
By Michael
David Smith
Randy
Couture is both one of the best game planners in mixed martial
arts and one of the fighters who's the most open about discussing
his game plans, and in this video he offers some interesting
detail about how he's approaching his UFC 109 fight with Mark
Coleman.
"I'm
working on my ground fighting with Neil Melanson, doing a lot
of catch wrestling," Couture says. "Moving away from
a jiu jitsu mentality, looking more through my wrestler's eyes,
catch wrestling and submissions as they come from wrestling positions,
which has been a lot of fun for me, and that's been an ongoing
process for the last seven or eight months."
Brazilian
jiu jitsu is the dominant form of submission fighting in MMA,
but it's not the only form. Catch wrestling is an effective type
of grappling with different setups for holds and submissions,
and it's great to see that Couture, even at age 46, is trying
to learn some new tricks.
Couture
also has some new things in store when he's on his feet.
"I've
been working with Gil Martinez on my boxing footwork," Couture
said. "Mark's going to throw big haymakers and try and find
a way to put me on my back and take me down. I'm working on countering
his aggression and sticking and moving and making him chase me.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Bellator
Signs Featherweight Phenom Bao Quach
CHICAGO, Ill. (January 15, 2010) – Bellator Fighting Championships
continued to solidify its much-talked-about featherweight division
today with the announcement that Bao Quach, one of the world’s
most devastating 145-lb. strikers, will compete in the promotion’s
Season 2 tournament.
The
30-year-old Californian is in the midst of a prolonged power
surge, with wins in 11 of his last 12 fights. Four of those fights
came via KO or TKO in during Round 1.
Accordingly,
Quach is regarded as one of MMA’s top strikers — a
reputation that he has continued to build by training under world-class
martial arts coach Colin Oyama, who has also schooled the likes
of Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Tito Ortiz.
“During
the last three years, Bao has established himself as a fighter
with devastating world-class striking abilities. The level of
his striking and kickboxing is at the highest level in MMA,”
said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “With Bao, Georgi,
Pitbull and Will, 145 should be a spectacular tournament.”
Quach
is the fourth fighter to join Bellator’s upcoming eight-man
145 lbs. tournament along with 12-1-1 Russian-born Georgi “Insane”
Karakhanyan, 5-0 Canadian fighting prodigyWilliam Romero and
12-0 Brazilian star Patricio Pitbull. Bellator will also conduct
tournaments at 155, 170 and 185 lbs. with the winners of this
year’s tournaments being declared No. 1 contenders to Bellator’s
current roster of champions.
Quach—whose parents were both born in Vietnam and now are
successful physicians in the U.S.—first took an interest
in MMA in his early 20s after graduating with a bachelor’s
degree from Cal-State Fullerton. He has gone on to fight in a
number of top promotions including Strikeforce, the WEC, Affliction
and EliteXC.
His
first five years as a professional produced what he admits were
“uneven results.” He hit a turning point, though, in
February 2006 with a hard-fought draw versus top-ranked Japanese
featherweight Hatsu Hioki.
“Nobody
thought I had a chance in that fight and, even though it was
a draw, I know that I beat him,” Quach said. “At that
point, I said to myself, “I don’t want to do this half-way
anymore.” I realized that I really had the potential to
do something in this sport. So I really changed my lifestyle
and just dedicated myself to my career and nothing else.”
He
has now won 11 of his last 12 fights, bringing his overall career
record to 17-9-1.
“In
some ways, Bao’s career path reminds me of Toby Imada’s”
Rebney said. “Once he really started to take the sport seriously,
the results began to speak for themselves. If he maintains this
level of focus, he could be very hard to beat at 145.”
Quach
said he was drawn to Bellator for a variety of factors, not the
least of which is what he called “some unfinished business”
with fellow ’45 tournament competitor Karakhanyan. The two
were recently slated to square off before a broken hand left
Quach sidelined.
“I
hope the two of us get the chance to have that fight after all,”
Quach said. “More importantly, though, I’m looking
for a chance to win a belt. I think that will take my career
to the next level.”
While
millions around the country will soon have the opportunity to
watch his title pursuit on Fox Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo,
Quach himself is uncertain whether that TV audience will include
his parents.
“My
parents, honestly, are not thrilled with the idea that I’m
a professional fighter,” he said. “They wanted me,
I think, to be a doctor or a lawyer. But that’s OK. This
is something I truly love and, sometimes, you have to go your
own way and do what’s right for yourself.”
For
more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter
@BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.
About
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator
Fighting Championships is a Mixed Martial Arts promotional company
with offices in Los Angeles and Chicago. Bellator’s founder/CEO,
Bjorn Rebney, is an experienced fighting sports and entertainment
professional with a deep commitment to the purity and integrity
of the sport of MMA and its athletes. Bellator Fighting Championships’
executive team is comprised of top industry professionals in
the areas of live event production, television production, fighter
relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development,
international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and
commission relations.
Source: The Fight Network
|
STRIKEFORCE
CHAMP JAKE SHIELDS
HEADS TO TUF 11
by Damon
Martin
Current Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields is going
to the UFC.
Not
as a fighter, but as an assistant coach to Chuck Liddell on the
eleventh season of “The Ultimate Fighter."
Shields
announced the news on his official website, JakeShields.com.
He will serve as a wrestling and jiu-jitsu coach for Liddell
for the next six to seven weeks.
This
will not be the first time a fighter from a different promotion
has appeared on the popular reality show. Former EliteXC middleweight
champion Robbie Lawler assisted his friend and coach, Matt Hughes,
during the sixth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Shields
is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the
world, currently recognized as a Top 10 middleweight, and before
moving 185 pounds, a top five welterweight.
Currently,
the middleweight champion is still waiting on final word if his
fight with Dan Henderson will happen on CBS in April or not.
When
contacted by MMAWeekly.com, Shields said, "I'm still not
sure if this Hendo fight is happening, so I figured this would
be a good opportunity. Chuck is a great training partner and
lots of great training in Vegas."
Earlier
on Wednesday, WEC fighter "Razor" Rob McCullough announced
his involvement as a coach on his friend Tito Ortiz's team as
well.
Shields
flies to Las Vegas on Thursday to begin filming on Friday. The
reality show will center on middleweights this year.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Coleman
vs. Couture — Better Late Than Never
By Zach
Arnold
By Alan Conceicao
This week saw the announcement that the on-again-off-again light
heavyweight clash of the last 12 years, Bernard Hopkins/Roy Jones
II, was back on for April of this year. (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=4824611)
Featuring a knockout bonus intended to give the majority of the
money to the man who pushes hardest for an early end to the fight,
the contract is reminiscent of MMA’s win and stoppage bonuses,
widely used by all major promotions in the US as the norm. The
promotion for this upcoming bout feels quite familiar to another
MMA event that is just rounding the corner.
Over
a decade late itself, Mark Coleman’s fight with Randy Couture
at UFC 109 has been criticized in many circles, largely due to
the age of the combatants (a combined 91 years) and the fear
of over-reliance on aging names. The use of aging fighters is
a long practice in pro boxing: Larry Holmes fought until he was
50. Sugar Ray Leonard’s retirements were punchlines. Robert
Duran’s career spanned 4 decades. Along with the greats,
even less successful boxers had long post prime careers - crowd
favorite Livingstone Bramble’s career went on 15 years longer
than it likely needed to. Former titlists and contenders like
Herbie Hide, Keith Holmes, Steve Forbes, and Omar Weis find themselves
reappearing on club level boxing shows all over the world. While
these fights can often be sad, they are an expected evil; Men
with names will attempt to profit off of them as long as possible,
because no matter how hard boxing may be on them, it is often
much easier to enter the ring and take a beating for $4,000-$5,000
than it is to transition into functioning employees in a world
you’ve not been a part of for years. And there are tragedies:
One only needs utter the name “Greg Page” to remember
that.
MMA
is little different in this respect: Couture, at 46, is clearly
in the twilight of his career, and yet sees himself still soldiering
on until his 50th birthday. Coleman, a well aged 45, doesn’t
seem to admit any light at the end of the tunnel for him either.
In fact, only one fighting member of the UFC’s Hall of Fame
has officially retired - Royce Gracie. And his retirement only
came after a 1 year suspension for steroid use following his
K-1 Dynamite USA bout in 2007. Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock, and
Chuck Liddell have all flirted with retirement, but continue
to fight. Along with them; Kevin Randleman, Gary Goodridge, Tank
Abbott, Carlos Newton, Kazushi Sakuraba, Dan Henderson, Frank
Shamrock, Pat Miletich, Frank Shamrock, Pat Smith, and many others
continue to compete as professional MMA fighters at a variety
of levels in the sport. Mark Kerr and Don Frye both seem to have
announced retirement, but had also done so previously and with
fights in the last 12 months, comebacks would hardly be shocking
for either. Their ability to compete will be secondary to their
ability to sell tickets.
In
this case, there is not even separation of the two with regards
to value in their respective sports. Couture would seem to be
a top ten light heavyweight and while Coleman isn’t remotely
near being ranked, he did give Shogun a fairly hard run for his
money roughly a year ago, and possesses a quick and powerful
shot that he’ll likely have until he’s 50. In fact,
its been suggested on UFC TV that the winner of this fight could
be a potential title challenger. If the winner is Couture, its
hard to imagine that not being the case. Hopkins’ bout with
Roy Jones may be even more important in a ratings sense. Hopkins,
a partner with Golden Boy Entertainment (the owner of Ring Magazine),
still holds the “linear” light heavyweight title he
won against Antonio Tarver several years ago in Atlantic City.
While he’s taken on no competitors in over a year and his
last fight was against a middleweight (Kelly Pavlik), he has
not lost the belt in the ring. Roy Jones may not be ranked at
175 by almost anyone following his brutal KO loss to Danny Green
in Australia, but he’s still a dangerous fighter with extremely
fast hands. Both fights also open with fairly heavy action on
the side of the older man: Couture generally runs around -400
as a favorite, and Bernard Hopkins opened at -350 in Vegas.
With
all the similarities that are negative, there are certainly positives.
These are still fights that people want to see; perhaps not as
many as would have seen it in 1999 in the case of Hopkins/Jones,
but they’re compelling fights from a historical perspective
that can change the narrative of either man’s career. A
win for Jones would give him what for many would be his first
“linear” championship at light heavyweight well after
his prime and back up the first win he picked up over 15 years
ago. The vision of Coleman’s career would also radically
change: From burnt out by 2002 to reborn with the drop in weight,
Coleman would be seen by many casual fans as a legitimate title
challenger to the winner of Shogun/Machida II and perhaps be
his single greatest non-tournament win. Hopkins and Couture simply
need to win in order to stay relevant enough to generate major
fights with younger, but lesser known and appreciated competition
within their own division (either the defensively styled Machida
or the defensively styled Dawson respectively). In the end, these
men are going to fight someone. Isn’t it best for all of
us if they fight each other?
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Georges
St-Pierre: I'm Not Good Enough for the Olympics Right Now
By Ariel
Helwani
Georges St-Pierre caused a stir around the MMA community when
he first brought up the idea of trying out for the 2012 Canadian
Olympic wrestling team. However, it seems as though GSP isn't
even close to making a final decision on the matter right now.
In fact, in the video below, the current UFC welterweight champion
seems very reluctant to test the Olympic waters and even admits
that he isn't good enough to compete with the world's best in
wrestling.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Multiple
Bouts Confirmed for UFC 111
By FCF
Staff
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed several bouts today
for the promotion’s upcoming March 27th “St. Pierre
vs. Hardy” event in Newark, New Jersey. As the name states,
UFC 111 will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between
champion Georges St. Pierre and contender Dan Hardy.
At
welterweight, Ben Saunders (8-1-2) will take on Martin Kampmann
(16-3). Saunders is coming off an impressive first round KO of
the veteran Marcus Davis in November, while Kampmann competed
at UFC 102 earlier in January, and submitted Jacob Volkmann.
In
a bout between two ascending lightweights, Jim Miller (16-2)
will fight Mark Bocek (8-2). In Miller’s last outing at
UFC 108, the IFL veteran tapped out Duane Ludwig with a first
round armbar. Bocek is also coming off a submission win, as the
renowned grappler submitted Joe Brammer with an opening round
rear-naked-choke, at the TUF 10 Finale in December.
Other
bouts that were confirmed today for the UFC 111 preliminary card
include a light-heavyweight bout between Rodney Wallace (9-1)
and Jared Hamman (11-2), while Matthew Riddle (3-1) will face
fellow welterweight Ricardo Funch (7-1).
The
March 27th event will also feature a heavyweight tilt between
Frank Mir (13-4) and Shane Carwin (11-0) for the promotion’s
interim championship. In December, Mir tapped out Cheick Kongo
in the first round at UFC 107, while Carwin hasn't fought since
last March, when he stopped Gabriel Gonzaga in round one at UFC
96.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
Minotouro
back in training: “Anderson vs Belfort will be an awesome
fight”
by Carlos
Eduardo Ozório
Minotouro
works on his striking. Photo: Carlos Ozorio
Speculation abounds that Rogerio Minotouro will face Forrest
Griffin in the UFC. Recovered from an ankle injury that kept
him out of his appointment with Brandon Vera, Minotouro won’t
confirm the bout, but says he’s already back at work.
“I
returned to training and I’ll likely fight at the end of
April or early May. My opponent hasn’t been confirmed yet,
but that’s the date they gave me,” he told the website
of Brazilian network TV channel Rede.
Another
who was on ice and is now back in training is Anderson Silva,
Rogerio’s teammate. Anderson faces Vitor Belfort on April
10, in Abu Dhabi.
“They
are two experienced fighters. Vitor is in top shape and has incredible
muscular explosiveness. Now Anderson, striking, I feel is the
most technical fighter in the world and is in the best shape
of his career. For sure it’s a greatly awaited fight,”
he remarks.
Minoto
also spoke of the bout between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Shogun,
his relationship with brother Rodrigo Minotauro and, when asked
about his favorite fighters, he doesn’t leave out veterans
like Royce Gracie.
“I
like BJ Penn, who’s been dominant at lightweight, Georges
St-Pierre and Lyoto Machida. There are a lot of good guys, starting
with Royce Grcie, who established Jiu-Jitsu in MMA and popularized
the sport. We owe him a lot.”
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Murilo
Bustamante
By Erik Engelhart
Leader of the Brazilian Top Team on United States, on the expansion
project of the gym on Uncle Sam’s Land, Murilo Bustamente
is in Brazil, where he will stay until the end of February. In
exclusive interview Murilo talked to TATAME about the plans to
BTT, pointed Rousimar Palhares, “Toquinho”, as the
future owner of the middleweight’s belt on UFC, talked about
Renzo Gracie going to the biggest MMA event of the world and
guaranteed that he will be back to rings in 2010. Check below
the chat with the former UFC middleweight champion.
How is the Jiu-Jitsu’ standardization work of BTT in America
doing?
It’s a good question because some time ago I said something
and I was misunderstood, it was even included on the phrases
of the year, when I said that I was going to expand the Brazilian
system of Jiu-Jitsu to all the gyms on United States, but actually
I was talking about the gyms that we teach, and I was misunderstood.
What is BTT’s expectation to 2010 as in Brazil as in United
States?
Expectations are best as possible, I’m in Brazil now, where
I’ll be for two months, January and February, I’ll
help the team here on the gym. In America we’re doing the
affiliation of new gyms, we’re expanding BTT in America
and in Brazil too. I believe that the gym will grow in 2010,
we’re working on it, in our system of teaching martial arts,
in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, looking to expand our system as long as we
can... We have gyms on California, Texas, Florida, Philadelphia,
Montreal, so many that I don’t know all now.
How do you evaluate Toquinho’s fight against Lúcio
Linhares, on UFC?
I think it was a very good fight, Toquinho went well, he will
disturb in the future. It was a great victory, he wasn’t
fighting for a while, but besides he fought well I think he can
do better.
How do you analyze Toquinho’s category? Where do you think
he can go to?
I’m sure that he can be a champion, sooner or later. Now
he’s getting mature, having experience until get the belt.
I think it’s just a matter of time for it.
Do the hiring of experient athletes by UFC motivates you to be
back to the octagon?
For sure, and I have plans to fight in 2010 and let’s see
how it’s gonna be. I’m preparing, I’m here in
Brazil to train too. I’m training to get in the rhythm and
we’re studying proposals, let’s see what happens. There’s
nothing right yet, but I’m preparing to fight, last year
I couldn’t prepare well, I just train with kimono and gave
classes.
How do you see Renzo Gracie going to UFC. Do you think that he
will disturb Matt Hughes?
I think it will depend on him. If he’s well prepared and
make a good training, with a good camp, I think he will do a
good fight and win it.
What can the audience expect on BTT for 2010?
Can
expect for fighters in shape. We’ll work to supersize the
team, and that’s been made since we’re opening other
gyms. Our fighters will be ready and training well. You can expect
good presentations of our team in general, I can guarantee that.
We have good people, Milton is coming well, we have Pedrinho,
Vitor Pimenta, Maurício, Camaleão, there’s
Kevin who will fight in Paraíba, and other foreigner athletes
that are promising.
Source: Tatame
|
Strikeforce
Books Sarah Kaufman vs. Takayo Hashi Title Fight
By Michael
David Smith
Less than four weeks after Strikeforce 145-pound women's champion
Cris Cyborg defends her title against Marloes Coenen, the promotion
will crown its second women's champion with a 135-pound bout
between Sarah Kaufman and Takayo Hashi.
Kaufman
vs. Hashi has been penciled in for the February 26 Strikeforce
Challengers show. Strikeforce promoter Scott Coker told Loretta
Hunt of Sherdog that he expected to promote a Kaufman-Hashi 135-pound
title fight, and Showtime later announced the February 26 bout
on its web site.
Hashi
has never fought in Strikeforce and is known to only the hardest
of hard-core MMA fans in the United States, but she's compiled
a 12-1 record while fighting mostly for Japan's Smackgirl promotion.
Kaufman fought for Strikeforce twice in 2009 and has a 10-0 record
overall. On paper, the fight looks like a good clash of styles
between Kaufman's superior striking and Hashi's strong ground
game.
In
addition to the 135-pound title fight, Strikeforce is planning
two separate eight-woman tournaments that will begin in April.
For Strikeforce, it's a sign that after failing to book fights
for some of their female fighters, they're finally starting to
take advantage of their wealth of women's talent.
February
26 is shaping up as a big day in MMA, with the Strikeforce card
on Showtime slated to go head-to-head with a Maximum Fighting
Championships card on HDNet.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Gabriel
Gonzaga’s coach to face UFC fighter
by Carlos
Eduardo Ozório
Trainer of Gabriel Gonzaga and founder of Team Link, Jiu-Jitsu
black belt Marco Alvan will see some action of his own. The challenge,
against UFC fighter Jorge Rivera, will be in a special submission
grappling matchup at New England Grappling Championship. The
event is set for February 6 in Rhode Island.
“I’m
a Jiu-Jitsu fan. I love this sport and believe it’s the
most complete martial art. I hope to give the fans a Jiu-Jitsu
show. May we see the essence of the style, which is to end the
fight with a submission,” Alvan told MMAWeekly.
“Jorge
is a reference as a fighter and a person. I have a lot of respect
for him and it’s an honor to compete against him. I hope
to make it a good dispute,” adds the trainer, who has been
living in the United States since 2001.
To
Rivera, win or lose, what is important is that the showdown will
serve as preparation for his next fight, as he is set to face
Nate Quarry at UFC Fight Night 21, on March 31.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
"Instruction
does much, but encouragement does everything."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832, German Poet/Dramatist/Novelist
|
Kauai
Knockout Championship Total Domination
Tomorrow
Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue, Kauai
January 23, 2010
5:00PM doors open
6:30PM event starts
MMA
145 Lbs Main Event
Arnold Berdon (Team Hakuilua) Vs Shane Kahananui (Kaua'i Technical
Institute)
The
Main Event Of The Evening Pits A Battle Of Undefeated Fighters,
Ultra-Popular Kaua'i Fighter Shane Kahananui Puts His Perfect
4-0 MMA Record On The Line Against Top145 Lb. Prospect From Team
Hakuilua Arnold Berdon, Who Himself, Sports A 2-0 MMA Record
As Well As A 2-0 Triple Threat Match Record. Shane Will Look
To Use His Solid Stand-Up And Sick Jiu-Jitsu Game To Nullify
Arnold's Lightning Fast Hands And Superior Wrestling.
MMA
170 Lbs Co-Main Event
Eddie Ohia (No Remorse) Vs Weston Victorino (Disciples Of Colorado)
In
The Co-Main Event, Former Kaua'i Martial Artist Of The Year,
Weston Victorino Will Look To Add To His 1-0 MMA Record Against
Tough-As-Nails Fighter Eddie Ohia From Team No Remorse In Kaneohe.
Weston Has Fought Some Of The Best 170 Pounders In The State
In Kickboxing Including Kona Ke, And Boasts Knockout Wins Over
Zane Kamaka And Frank Robello. Currently Traning Jiu-Jitsu In
Colorado, He's Looking To Transition To MMA With The Same Success.
Eddie Ohia Is 2-1-1 In MMA And Trains Under Ground-And-Pound
Specialist Sean Sakata. He Recently Fought Stand And Bang Specialist
Bryson Okada To A Draw So That Tells You He Can Stand With The
Best Of Them. Fight Of The Night Written All Over This One!
MMA
195 Lbs Semi-Main Event
Scott Endow (Universal Combat Sports) Vs Catlin "Kado"
Strom (Team Chingaso)
Kids
Pankration Championship Bout
"The Baby Face Assassin" Nainoa Dung (Da Hui Fight
Team/ Waianae Boxing Club) Vs Aidan Claproth (Combined Martial
Science, Chino, CA)
January
23rd Fans Are Going To Be Treated To The First Ever Pankration
Match Held On Kaua'i. Hawaiian MMA Youth Prodigy Nainoa "The
Baby Face Assasin" Dung Will Face The Real Deal In California
Pankration Champion, 11-Year-Old Aidan Claproth Of Chino, California.
On The Line Will Be The Kaua'i Knockout Championship Kids Pankration
Championship Belt. Nainoa Brings An Extremely Well-Rounded Game
At The Mere Age Of 10 Years Old With A Long List Of Accolades
And Accomplishments In Kickboxing, Boxing, And Jiu-Jitsu Competitions.
Aidan Claproths Pedigree Aint So Shabby Either, He's A 3x Kids
Pankration Champ In California And Trains And Competes In Jiu-Jitsu,
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, USJA Judo, Boxing, MMA And Grappling. This
Match Is A Guaranteed Show Stealer!
MMA
125 Lbs
Zach Salazar (Team Hakuilua) Vs Sergio Hurtado (Boars Nest Kaua'i)
Submission
Grappling 155 Lbs 1x7 Min Rnd
Shane Agena (02 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Luke Hacker (Longman
Jiu-Jitsu)
MMA
205 Lbs
Eddie May (Team Hakuilua) Vs Edwin Garces (Dogg House)
MMA
145 Lbs
Bradley Arakaki (Freelance) Vs Tyson Hawelu (Ka-Mole Jiu-Jitsu)
MMA
135 Lbs
Adam Rivera (Team Hakuilua) Vs Daniel Deanda (Ka-Mole Jiu-Jitsu)
Kickboxing
165 Lbs
Royal Kaua (O2 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Duane Silva (Disciples
Of Puhi)
MMA
185 Lbs
David Kealoha (Kauai Pankration) Vs Isaac Worth (Freelance)
MMA
125 Lbs
Jacob Kauwe (Team Hakuilua) Vs Domenick Ansagay (Freelance)
Kickboxing
145 Lbs
Isaac Hopps (O2 Martial Arts Academy) Vs Erickson Abalos (Disciples
Of Puhi)
|
NO
OPPONENT YET, LASHLEY JUST WANTS TO FIGHT
by Damon
Martin
The next Strikeforce show is rapidly approaching, but Bobby Lashley
is still a man without an opponent. Moving from Yohan Banks to
Jimmy Ambriz to currently having no fighter named, Lashley continues
to train and ready himself for a bout next Saturday night.
Speaking
with MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday night, Lashley was still unclear
on who he would face, and while rumors have been circulating
that former UFC heavyweight Wes Sims could get the call, nothing
is certain.
"Next
week, that's the only thing I know," Lashley said.
Obviously
the unknown factor can play havoc in a fighter's camp, but the
former WWE star has tried to maintain the strongest training
he can to prepare for any opponent.
"I've
been dealing with a good amount of stress the last few weeks,
just trying to get everything situated," Lashley commented.
"I'm one man, and I just want to have an opportunity to
fight, and it seems kind of hard because one thing it's opponents,
and then where and when, and all that, so it's a little stressful.
"I'm
trying to keep my eye on the prize. I keep training and try to
stay ready so whoever they pick, hopefully I'll be ready for
them."
After
opening an American Top Team affiliate gym in Denver where he
trains, Lashley has balanced his time between fighting and his
job in the pro wrestling industry. He is currently under contract
with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Lashley says he feels he
can keep the two jobs and balance both, but he is hopeful to
keep a full fight schedule in 2010.
"I
just want to fight, that's what it all boils down to. I just
want to fight," said Lashley. "If I could get six fights
this year, that would be great. It's a little far fetched, especially
considering my opponents are going to get stiffer and stiffer,
but at least four fights this year."
Stay
tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more information on Lashley's opponent
as it becomes available.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
109 (2/6 Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Events Center)
By Zach
Arnold
Dark
matches
¦Heavyweights:
Mostapha Al-Turk vs. Rolles Gracie
¦Heavyweights: Tim Hague vs. Chris Tuchscherer
¦Light Heavyweights: Brian Stann vs. Phil “Mr. Wonderful”
Davis
(he better watch out for Paul Orndorff)
¦Lightweights: Phillipe Nover vs. Rob Emerson
¦Lightweights: Melvin Guillard vs. Ronnys Torres
¦Lightweights: Mac Danzig vs. Justin Buchholz
Main card
¦Welterweights:
Matt Serra vs. Frank Trigg
¦Middleweights: Demian Maia vs. Dan Miller
¦Welterweights: Mike Swick vs. Paulo Thiago
¦Middleweights: Nathan Marquardt vs. Chael Sonnen
¦Light Heavyweights (#1 contender’s match): Randy
Couture vs. Mark Coleman
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Torres
vs. Benavidez, Pulver vs. Vazquez
Added to WEC 47
By FCF
Staff
World
Extreme Cagefighting has confirmed two more notable bouts for
the promotion’s upcoming March 6th event in Columbus, Ohio,
a card that will see bantamweight champion Brian Bowles look
to defend his belt against challenger Dominick Cruz.
Former 135lb. champion Miguel Torres (37-2) will return to action
to take on rising contender Joseph Benavidez (11-1). Torres hasn’t
competed since last August, when he lost the title to Bowles
by TKO stoppage at WEC 42. The defeat was the renowned fighter’s
first since 2003, ending an astonishing 17 fight winning streak.
Benavidez
is coming off a first round stoppage victory over Rani Yahya
in December. The victory put the bantamweight back on the winning
track, after Benavidez was defeated for the first time in August,
when he lost by Unanimous Decision to Dominick Cruz at WEC 42.
In
a featherweight clash between two veterans, former UFC lightweight
champ Jens Pulver (22-12-1) will take on noted grappler Javier
Vazquez (13-4). After being submitted in the first round by Josh
Grispi at WEC 41 last June, handing Pulver his fourth straight
loss, the feared striker considered retirement. Pulver’s
last win came in December, 2007, when he tapped out Cub Swanson
with a first round guillotine choke.
Vazquez
last competed in October, when he dropped a Split Decision loss
to Deividas Taurosevicius, at WEC 43. Prior to that, at WEC 42
in September, Vazquez was also defeated by Split Decision, as
the former King of the Cage Champion lost to LC Davis. The loss
ended a four fight winning streak for Vazquez.
WEC
47, which will be broadcast on Versus, will take place at the
Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
UFC:Mino
vs Forrest; Kimbo, Koshcheck
by Carlos
Eduardo Ozório
Minotouro
may face Forrest Griffin. Photo: Josh Heges
Although it has not yet been officially confirmed, word of some
future Ultimate Fighting Championship matchups has been leaked.
Thus, it is likely we may see Rogerio Minotouro, Kimbo Slice,
Josh Koshcheck and Ricardo Funch in events down the road.
Coming
off a win over Luis “Banha” at UFC 106, Jiu-Jitsu black
belt Rogerio Minotouro is being tipped to face Forrest Griffin,
who beat Tito Ortiz in his last appearance. The news was broken
by Fighters Only magazine, but no date or location has been defined.
In a recent conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, Rogerio commented
on the possibility:
“It
would be a good fight. Forrest is an aggressive guy, fights standing,
and I like that. He also has excellent Jiu-Jitsu and absurd stamina.
It would be a really good fight,” he said.
Another
promising matchup is between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley. The
bout should figure on the card for UFC 113, on May 1st in Canada.
England’s Daley has been impressing in the octagon, having
gotten the knockout in both his appearances in the UFC.
Crowd
favorite Kimbo Slice is another who should be making another
appearance for the organization. Kimbo won in his UFC debut against
Houston Alexander, in December. His next challenge will be Matt
Mitrione, also at UFC 113 in Canada.
To
close out the report on likely matchups, Ricardo Funch suffered
the first loss of his career in his debut for the organization,
against Johnny Hendricks, at UFC 107. On March 27, the Golden
Boy, as he is known, will have a chance to redeem himself against
Matthew Riddle, at UFC 111, in New Jersey.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Timeline
of Brock Lesnar's Health Issue, Recovery
By Ray
Hui
Brock Lesnar's health condition went from what was believed to
be a common viral virus into something possibly career threatening,
and then fortunately, encountered a "miracle" recovery.
Let's
take a look at the timeline of events that has occurred the past
three months.
September
14, 2009:
The
UFC announces that Lesnar will defend his belt against Shane
Carwin at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas.
"I'm
excited to get back in the Octagon on November 21st to defend
my title," Lesnar said. "I'm looking forward to fighting
Shane Carwin. He's undefeated and I'm the man who is going to
put an end to that."
The
fight was announced alongside Tito Ortiz vs. Mark Coleman. Coleman
would also pull out of the card, part of the bizarre streak of
injuries/heath issues the next few months for the UFC.
October
26, 2009:
Lesnar
withdraws from the fight due to a mysterious illness. According
to a report on Yahoo! Sports, Lesnar was unable to train for
over three-and-a-half weeks.
"He
said he's never been this sick in his life," UFC president
Dana White told Yahoo! Sports. "He said it's been going
on for a long time and he just hasn't been able to shake it."
On
the same day, a video on YouTube is uploaded of Lesnar's seemingly
healthy appearance at an Oct. 18 NFL football game prompts naysayers
to build conspiracy theories against Lesnar.
The
UFC reschedules the fight for UFC 108 on Jan. 2, 2010 and bout
agreements are sent to both fighters.
November
4, 2009:
Lesnar
is believed to be sick from mononucleosis and symptoms persists,
scrapping the fight for UFC 108 and dispelling any far-fetched
allegations that Lesnar was avoiding a fight against Carwin.
"Guys
my manager Jason Genet just told me that UFC 108 is not happening,"
Carwin wrote on his blog. "Brock has mono(nucleosis) and
what the UFC has told me is that I have earned the title shot
but I have to wait for the title holder."
According
to WebMD, mononucleosis "is a common viral illness that
can leave you feeling tired and weak for weeks or months. Mono
goes away on its own, but lots of rest and good self-care can
help you feel better."
November
15, 2009:
The
scare begins when UFC president Dana White tells the press at
UFC 105 that Lesnar is "not well and he's not going to be
getting well anytime soon."
"I
can't really talk about it right now, but he is in rough shape.
He's in really bad shape," White said Saturday. "I'm
actually probably going to fly to go see him, and we're going
to probably have to do some stuff to take care of this guy. He
is not well, and he's not getting any better."
White
says it's not cancer and not AIDS. Wide speculation begins on
what exactly Lesnar is suffering from.
November
16, 2009:
White
tells TMZ that Lesnar is suffering with something related to
an intestinal disorder and will probably require "major
surgery" and according to the UFC president, "there's
a possibility Lesnar will never fight again."
White
plans to have Lesnar transferred to the Mayo Clinic for further
diagnosis and treatment.
Lesnar
is diagnosed with diverticulitis. A self-described "carnivore,"
his condition was a result of a poor diet of eating too much
protein and too little fiber.
November
17, 2010:
Carwin,
a critic of Lesnar's behavior at UFC 100, comes to the defense
of Lesnar.
"I
am sure most of you know I am not the leader of the Lesnar Fan
Club," Carwin posted Tuesday on the MixedMartialArts.com
forums. "That being said, antics or not, he is OUR UFC HWT
Champion. He beat a future Hall of Famer to keep that belt and
he NEEDS our prayers and good thoughts right now."
November
20, 2010:
Lesnar's
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros,
tells TMZ Lesnar could be fighting again within six months.
January
2, 2010:
The
UFC confirms Frank Mir will fight Shane Carwin for the interim
heavyweight belt at UFC 111 in Newark, N.J.
White
says they will find out next week the fate of Lesnar.
"If
the doctors say things are going well, and things are going in
the right direction, then maybe we're a few months away from
him coming back," White said. "If it's not, and not
going in the right direction, he'll either be done, have to retire
or he'll be out a couple of years. So hopefully we get good news."
January
20, 2010:
Lesnar
speaks publicly for the first time on a live appearance accompanied
by White on ESPN's SportsCenter. The UFC champ calls his recovery
a "miracle" and won't need life-changing surgery. He
will be back in the summer to face the winner of Mir vs. Carwin.
On
this date, Lesnar weighing 273 pounds, says he's "feeling
100 percent."
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Lauzon
Eyeing UFC Debut in Boston
LAS
VEGAS (Jan. 15, 2010) – Despite losing a decision January
2 to Sam Stout, popular lightweight Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon
(18-5, 5 [T]KOs, 13 submissions) hopes that his next fight will
be this August in UFC’s debut in Boston.
Lauzon,
a native of E. Bridgewater (MA), would certainly be a hometown
favorite fighting at the Boston Garden. “We’ll see
how it goes but I certainly want to fight at home in Boston,”
Lauzon said. “I’d like to fight before that, where
my fight against Stout was my first in 10 months, but not if
it risks fighting in Boston this August.”
Sidelined
for 10 months after undergoing knee surgery to repair his ACL,
Lauzon re-entered the Octagon against Stout in Las Vegas, participating
in the UFC 108 Pay-per-view “Fight of the Night.”
“I’m
obviously disappointed in the result,” the star of The Ultimate
Fighter 5 television reality show said. “It was an entertaining
fight, but that’s not what I want to be known for. I focused
on the health of my knee and it held up. I didn’t concentrate
on my overall condition and I was a little rusty. I trained like
a maniac six days of the week, twice a day, and then I couldn’t
do too much for six months (due to his knee surgery).
“I
definitely thought I had Stout in the first round but he had
other plans. I felt his shoulder pop and I really thought that
I had him. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I expected him
to be tough. His takedown defense was better than I thought.
I thought I’d have an easier time on the ground, too. He
came to fight with a perfect game plan. Give him credit for a
good fight. I’d like to fight him in a rematch but, then
again, I’d like to fight anybody I’ve lost to but that
doesn’t happen very often and is out of my control.”
The
25-year-old from Massachusetts, who has a computer networking
degree from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, came
out of his fight against Stout a little sore and sporting a black
eye. He’s already back training at his gym, Lauzon MMA in
Bridgewater.
“I
really want to fight on the first UFC show in Boston,” Lauzon
concluded. “It’s a natural and would be a dream come
true for me.”
For
more information about Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon go online
and visit www.joelauzon.com or send him a message at Twitter.com/JoeLauzon.
Source: The Fight Network
|
“Faber
will be knocked out by José Aldo”
By Guilherme
Cruz
The quote above is from Wagnney Fabiano, José Aldo’s
team partner. Nova União’s black belt, Wagnney is
very confident to the next fight of Aldo on WEC, that Will be
against Urijah Faber. “I think Faber is dangerous than (Mike)
Brown, but I think that he will be knocked out (laugh). If it
isn’t on the beginning it’s gonna be forward…
If Brown last two rounds, he will last three. The end is the
same, it’s gonna be knocked out”, bets.
Analyzing
the bout, Wagnney point the way to Aldo. “With no doubts
he’s a dangerous guy, it has to respect before the fight,
but inside he has to break him, and that’s what Junior (José
Aldo) will do. You have to open your eyes with him sometimes
because he’s dangerous”, said. Besides the fight between
Faber and Aldo doesn’t have an official date, Wagnney revealed
that the combat must happen in April, and that he wants to be
in action on the same card.
Source: Tatame
|
Charles
'Krazy Horse' Bennett Arrested for Battery
By Ray
Hui
Despite an attempt to rebrand himself as a positive individual,
Charles "Kid Khaos" Bennett, better known as "Krazy
Horse," has already experienced a run-in with the law.
Bennett,
30, was arrested Monday on a charge of aggravated battery with
grievous bodily harm at the site of his current team, the FIT
NHB Gym in Albuquerque, N.M.
The
arrest was first reported by Sherdog.com and is listed in the
Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department's records.
Although
his frequent run-ins with the police has made him a running joke
amongst fans, he possesses knockout power that has earned him
victories against top competition the likes of Yoshiro Maeda
and KJ Noons. He's also fought against current and former top
10 ranked fighters in Takanori Gomi, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Jeff Curran
and Urijah Faber.
The
King of the Cage, PRIDE and EliteXC veteran last fought a month
ago, losing by KO to Bobby Green at a King of the Cage event
in Highland, Calif.
According
to Marion County Sheriff's Office in Florida, Bennett has been
arrested over 20 times since 1997. Someone in 2007 put together
a video collecting his numerous mugshots, which can be viewed
below.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Quote
of the Day
"Very
little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself,
in your way of thinking."
Marcus
Aurelius, 121-180, Roman Emperor and Philosopher
|
EVANS
VS RAMPAGE LIKELY HEADED TO VEGAS
Following a rash of injuries and illness that repeatedly left
the UFC shuffling the deck to end 2009 and start 2010, the return
of many of those fighters has left the mixed martial arts juggernaut
with an abundance of headliners.
With
so many marquee bouts coming together, the UFC is moving the
Rashad Evans vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson grudge match
from its May 1 Montreal card to the as yet unannounced Memorial
weekend event on May 29.
UFC
president Dana White hinted at the move in a text message to
veteran reporter Dave Meltzer of Yahoo! Sports on Tuesday morning,
saying the bout would likely take place in Las Vegas. MMAWeekly.com
sources on Wednesday confirmed the move, indicating that Evans
is preparing to face Jackson with May 29 as the target date.
The
feud between the two began with an in Octagon war of words following
Jackson’s unanimous decision victory over Evans’ training
partner, Keith Jardine, last March.
The
two then served as coaches on the latest season of The Ultimate
Fighter with a showdown scheduled for UFC 107 in Memphis. The
bout never materialized due to Jackson withdrawing to take on
the role of B.A. Baracus in the recent feature film remake of
popular 1980s television series “The A-Team.”
Their
friction on the reality series added more fuel to the fire.
Jackson
then fell into a very public feud with White. He even went so
far as posting on his website in autumn that he was retiring
from fighting, saying, “I felt like I was very loyal to
(the UFC), but they didn't respect my loyalty.”
He
shifted gears yet again in December, writing on his website,
“I wanted to let my fans know that I'm going to come back
to the UFC and finish my contract.”
Following
Evans’ win over Thiago Silva on Jan. 2 at UFC 108, White
quickly put the fight together as the co-main event to the Lyoto
Machida vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua rematch at UFC 113
in Montreal. The recent addition of Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley
in a welterweight contenders bout at the Bell Centre on May 1,
however, made it possible to move the Evans vs. Jackson bout
to UFC 114 in Las Vegas.
It
is unclear whether the bout will be the headliner.
The
May 29 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Sin City will
also mark the promotion’s second edition of its UFC Fan
Expo, which was an unabashed success last July surrounding UFC
100.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
RAZOR
ROB JOINS TITO ORTIZ ON TUF 11
Former WEC lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough
is joining longtime training partner Tito Ortiz as a coach on
the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series on
Spike TV.
McCullough
posted the news on his web site Wednesday, saying, “So I
am one of the assistant coaches for this season’s Ultimate
Fighter show. I will be helping coach Tito Ortiz versus Chuck
Liddell's team.”
McCullough
(17-6) has fought for World Extreme Cagefighting since the promotion’s
second event. He has fought there exclusively for the past three
years. After reeling off nine straight victories – including
capturing and defending the WEC lightweight title – he has
since gone 2-3 in his last five fights.
Ortiz
and Liddell are the head team coaches for season 11 of The Ultimate
Fighter. Their coaching stint sets up a third bout between the
rivals. Liddell won their first two meetings.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
BELLATOR
SIGNS ANOTHER OLYMPIAN
Bellator Fighting Championships put yet another piece in place
for its second season on Wednesday with the announcement that
Judo master and former Olympian Ferrid “Hurricane”
Kheder will compete in the promotion’s upcoming lightweight
tournament.
Kheder,
who placed seventh in the Judo competition at the 2000 Summer
Olympics in Sydney, has quickly compiled a solid 16-5 MMA record
since giving up Judo to fight full-time in the cage just three
years ago. His transition to MMA was put into overdrive in 2008
when he began training under the famed Shawn Tompkins. Since
the two teamed up, Kheder has won 11 of his 12 fights.
“I
see Ferrid as a real star that’s just waiting to explode,”
Tompkins said. “He’s one of those guys who’s flown
under the radar so far, but in the meantime he’s been able
to focus on learning how to incorporate all the other MMA skills
into his judo. With that combination, I think he’s really
going to be tough to beat.”
Kheder
is the second fighter to be named by Bellator as a competitor
in the promotion’s upcoming eight-man lightweight tournament.
The other is 5-0 Mike Ricci, a regular training partner to Georges
St-Pierre.
Bellator
will also conduct tournaments at 145, 170 and 185 pounds with
the winners of this season’s tournaments being declared
No. 1 contenders to Bellator’s current roster of champions.
Each of Bellator’s 24 events during Seasons 2 and 3 will
be televised on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo. Kheder is
the second former Olympian who will be participating in Bellator’s
Season 2 tournaments. The other is welterweight Ben Askren, a
former Olympic wrestler.
“Ferrid
Kheder is a world-class athlete who has already competed at the
highest levels and now he’s working with one of MMA’s
top coaches to further hone his skills,” said Bellator founder
and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Ferrid’s carreer has kicked
into high-gear over his last dozen fights and he will be very
tough for anyone in our 155 tournament.”
The
35-year-old Kheder was born in France to a Spanish mother and
Tunisian father. He holds a third-degree judo black belt as well
as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt.
He
began training judo at the age of four and, over the course of
his 25-plus-year career, has won 13 national titles, eight continental
medals and two continental titles in Europe. He joined the French
National Team in 1993 at the age of 18 and eventually represented
that country at the 2000 Olympics, where he finished seventh.
Soon after, he moved to the Tunisian National Team, where he
stayed until 2004.
Around
that time, Kheder contemplated giving up fighting sports altogether
but soon became convinced that he could enjoy a career renaissance
of sorts by switching to MMA.
Accordingly,
he moved to Sydney and began training with Hector Lombard, now
Bellator’s reigning World Middleweight Champion. He came
to the United States in 2007 and landed with Team Tompkins about
a year later. He now trains at Tompkins’ TapouT gym in Las
Vegas.
“I’m
a judo guy through and through, but I’ve adapted my skills
to MMA,” he said. “I’ve worked hard on my ground
game and my striking and I believe I’m ready to take it
to the next level. Bellator is a great promotion … they
respect their athletes and put on some great shows. I’m
very excited for the opportunity.”
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
Gabriel
Gonzaga’s coach to face UFC fighter
Trainer
of Gabriel Gonzaga and founder of Team Link, Jiu-Jitsu black
belt Marco Alvan will see some action of his own. The challenge,
against UFC fighter Jorge Rivera, will be in a special submission
grappling matchup at New England Grappling Championship. The
event is set for February 6 in Rhode Island.
“I’m
a Jiu-Jitsu fan. I love this sport and believe it’s the
most complete martial art. I hope to give the fans a Jiu-Jitsu
show. May we see the essence of the style, which is to end the
fight with a submission,” Alvan told MMAWeekly.
“Jorge
is a reference as a fighter and a person. I have a lot of respect
for him and it’s an honor to compete against him. I hope
to make it a good dispute,” adds the trainer, who has been
living in the United States since 2001.
To
Rivera, win or lose, what is important is that the showdown will
serve as preparation for his next fight, as he is set to face
Nate Quarry at UFC Fight Night 21, on March 31.
Source:
Gracie Magazine
|
Rua
brothers non-stop
Famous
in the MMA world, Murilo and Mauricio Rua, better known as Ninja
and Shogun, respectively, await word of when they shall return
to action. Ninja is waiting on Dream, while Shogun waits on the
UFC, as his fight with Lyoto Machida, for the light heavyweight
belt, could be postponed or sped up. Meanwhile, work at Universidade
da Luta, in Curitiba, doesn’t stop.
“I’m
training full time, but, for now, nothing is certain yet. I believe
I should be in Dream in March and in Shine in April. God willing,
all will go well. This is why I won’t be at Bitetti Combat
in Brasilia. But I’ll fight at Bitetti again this year,”
Ninja told GRACIEMAG.com.
Shogun’s
case depends on an answer from the UFC. His fight is set for
May 1, in Canada. However, as an important boxing bout is set
for the same day, with star Manny Pacquiao, the date may be moved.
“My
brother is training full time to keep up his stamina. He doesn’t
yet have a fixed date for his fight, but he’s doing maintenance
work. We’re training every day, doing physical conditioning,
Jiu-Jitsu and muay thai. We’re carrying on normally, as
though our fights were a sure thing,” he says in finishing.
Source:
Gracie Magazine
|
Royler
analyzes Gracie’s return to the UFC
The
first semester of 2010 will be special to MMA. In February and
April, two fighters will put the name Gracie back to the UFC,
event built by the most important family on MMA. Talking to TATAME.com,
Royler showed excitement to the debut of Rolles (UFC 109) and
Renzo (UFC 111). “I think Renzo has everything beat Matt
Hughes“, guarantees the four times BJJ world champion, who
talked about the controversy black belt gave to Rashad Evans
on the quick chat that you see below.
What
did you think about Renzo’s decision to debut in the UFC
at age of 43?
Renzo
is Jiu-Jitsu’s emperor, even the enemies like him. He’s
spectacular, always laughing to everyone and I know he’s
training hard. It’s a tough fight and he knows that, but
if I had to bet, I’d bet on Renzo. I think he has everything
to beat Matt Hughes.
You
helped Royce on the preparation for the fight against Matt Hugues...
Did you talked to Renzo?
When
I talked to him and he said he had signed I asked how it’s
going to be. He said “man, relax, I got it” (laughs).
There’s nothing to say, he has a good energy, a good team...
How
do you see Rolles’ debut on UFC?
He’s
training with Renzo and he’s definitely using it. Renzo
has a lot of tips to give. Experience makes difference. If Rolles
gets the calm that Renzo won with experience, he can have a promising
future on MMA.
Rolles
gave the black belt to Rashad Evans. Besides he had never trained
with gi, he won the black belt of No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. What do you
think about this graduation?
Each
one gives the belt for a reason, who am I to criticize who’s
giving a belt? The guy has to know something about self defense,
about Jiu-Jitsu, ground, passing a guard... He can’t only
be a tough guy, because he doesn’t represent the top of
Jiu-Jitsu. Rashad can use any belt, he’s a born fighter,
he trains. Rolles gave it, but in my gym he would have to train
with gi .But I don’t contest it.
Source:
Tatame
|
Werdum
vs. Fedor “99% confirmed” in April
Fabrício
Werdum revealed to TATAME.com that the rumored fight against
Fedor Emelianenko will probably take place in April 16th. “The
fight against Fedor is 99% confirmed to April 16th. I have three
months to train to the most important fight of my life”,
Werdum said, confident in a victory. “I already have a strategy
set. I can’t submit a guy like Fedor in the arm, in the
leg, he would never tap… I’ll make history. Beat Fedor
doesn’t mean I’m better than him, because he’s
the man, but I’ll be better than him in that night”.
Source:
Tatame
|
Humbled
Lesnar returns to UFC spotlight
As
recently as early January, Brock Lesnar was convinced he needed
surgery to deal with a case of diverticulitis – a condition
that essentially left a hole in his intestine and put his career
as Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title holder in
jeopardy. He might be out a year. Or it might be two. Or it might
be forever.
Instead,
a series of doctor’s visits and tests have revealed what
both Lesnar and UFC president Dana White described as a “miracle.”
The big guy is healed and ready to return to the Octagon this
summer, probably against the winner of the fight between Frank
Mir and Shane Carwin in March.
“Let’s
be clear, I’m still the heavyweight champion,” Lesnar
growled, in trademark fashion, on ESPN on Wednesday morning.
There
couldn’t be better news for the UFC and fans of mixed martial
arts. Lesnar isn’t just apparently well again (although
really, who knows if there could be a setback or another episode),
but his return to fighting brings back the sports’ biggest
box office star.
Lesnar,
32, is a polarizing figure – or was until he got sick. You
either loved his in-your-face ways or wanted someone to punch
him in his face because of it. You were either one of the new
fans that Lesnar drew in, perhaps from his days as a professional
wrestler, or you resented them.
Either
way, Lesnar was difficult to shift your eyes away from. A huge
man who needs to cut weight to make the 265-pound limit, he was
growing as a fighter and an intimidator during his brief career.
His fights were thrilling and he headlined the hugely successful
UFC 100, which did a reported 1.6 million pay per view buys.
His
postfight tirade after his dominating victory over Mir at UFC
100, complete with flipping off the crowd and cussing out UFC
sponsors, made him a tour de force. It didn’t mesh with
his private life as a blue-collar, down home guy from South Dakota
and Minnesota, yet Lesnar had learned how to sell fights during
his days in the WWE.
The
truth was, he just wanted to hang out in the woods with his family
and emerge a couple times a year to beat the heck out of someone.
And now, it seems, he can again.
“The
doctors were dumbfounded,” Lesnar said. “They couldn’t
find any signs of trouble.”
This
was a long way from the fall, when illness and weakness caused
Lesnar to sit out almost three weeks of training camp as he prepared
to fight Carwin in a bout scheduled for November in Las Vegas.
When I visited his training camp in October, he complained of
being “dead in the ass.” Within weeks he couldn’t
work out at all and when doctors couldn’t figure out the
medical issue, Lesnar dropped out of the fight.
In
an effort to fight depression, he went hunting in Canada where
he had a painful diverticulitis attack.
“I
felt like I got shot in the gut,” he said.
He
wasn’t excited about his Canadian medical care, comparing
it to “a third world country” where he couldn’t
get any treatment. Finally Lesnar’s wife, Rena (better known
as former pro wrestling star Sable), sprung him from the hospital,
loaded him into a car and while Lesnar writhed in pain, drove
“100 miles an hour” across the border and into North
Dakota. He wound up MedCenter One, a hospital in Bismarck, N.D.
There doctors were patient, didn’t immediately perform surgery
and slowly nursed him back to some form of health.
“My
wife saved my life,” he said.
Still,
when he returned to the farm he owns outside Alexandria, Minn.
he was down 40 pounds and facing an uncertain future. He got
a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. and heard
the same thing – surgery. He changed his diet. He said he
put his mind to healing. Dana White claimed Lesnar tried some
holistic healing procedures. He began light workouts and focused
on regaining some of his weight.
By
the time Lesnar visited a doctor on January 5, he not only felt
better, medical tests couldn’t find a problem. He kept returning
for more and more tests. “Four of five different opinions,”
Lesnar said, including one on Tuesday.
And
now he’s focused on the future – returning to a sport
where he found the peace of mind and quality of life that he’d
been seeking since bailing on a multi-million dollar contract
with the WWE.
“The
doctor said, ‘You’ve got a lottery ticket,’ ”
White said on ESPN.
Lesnar
appeared fully aware of his good fortune. There is simply no
way to know how long it will last or whether he is truly “healed.”
A man built on bullying others inside the Octagon wore a look
of fear as he described his recent medical journey and humility
at his prognosis.
“I’ve
got a different take on life,” Lesnar said. “When you
have everything taken away, when you lay helplessly on a hospital
bed … I’ve always been in control. For me to sit there
for 30 days and not have control of anything … “
He
went on to thank his wife, with whom he recently had a son. And
his doctors. And the UFC. And anyone who thought of him while
he was sick.
The
powerhouse of a man who fans learned to hate because of his gruff
ways at least sounded like a new guy.
Stands
to reason, he’ll be just as wicked inside that Octagon though.
Source:
Yahoo Sports
|
Y!
exclusive: UFC to announce Abu Dhabi card
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship’s much-discussed debut in
the Middle East is expected to be announced in one week.
The
press conference for UFC 112, which will take place April 10,
is expected to include the announcement of three top matches,
including two championship bouts.
“We’re
going to have a big press conference in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday,
with our new partners from the region, Flash,” said Marshall
Zelaznik, the UFC’s managing director of international expansion.
“[Zuffa CEO] Lorenzo [Fertitta] and myself will be there
with some of the biggest names on the UFC roster. I don’t
want to give away the official announcement, but this will be
a very unique show and not just because the card itself will
be as good as any in UFC history.”
The
card is expected to feature the return of Anderson Silva (25-4),
ranked No. 1 in the Yahoo! Sports pound-for-pound rankings. The
middleweight champion will defend his title against former light
heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort (19-8). Silva hasn’t
fought since an Aug. 8 win over Forrest Griffin and his subsequent
elbow surgery.
B.J.
Penn (15-5-1), ranked No. 4 in the same poll, is expected to
defend his lightweight title against Frankie Edgar (12-1).
The
third headline match is a battle of legends with two-time welterweight
champion Matt Hughes (44-7), at 36 years old, facing Renzo Gracie
(13-6-1), who will be 43 come match time. The match is significant
for a couple of reasons.
For
one, Hughes finished Renzo’s first cousin, Royce Gracie,
on May 27, 2006, in Los Angeles in what was at the time the biggest
pay-per-view event in UFC history.
For
another, Renzo Gracie, who hasn’t fought in three years
since a disqualification win over Frank Shamrock in the first
MMA event ever on Showtime, can in many ways claim some responsibility
for the show taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Gracie
was the jiu-jitsu instructor for Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the son of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who ruled
the country from 1966-2004. Sheik Tahnoon grew to love the sport
so much that he brought many of the world’s best submission
fighters to Abu Dhabi in 1998 for the first Abu Dhabi Combat
Club Submission Fighting Championship.
The
sheikh has attended several UFC events in person, and on Jan.
11, Flash Entertainment, an arm of the Abu Dhabi government,
purchased 10 percent ownership in Zuffa, the UFC’s parent
company.
The
show is scheduled to be the first outdoor event in UFC history,
as there is no suitable indoor arena for such an event.
Source:
Yahoo Sports
|
Destiny
at Level 4!
Saturday,
January 30, 2009
Level 4 Nightclub at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Ctr
Prelim Fights start at 4:00 pm (main card at 7:30 pm)
DESTINY Entertainment opens up the New Year with a BANG. DESTINY:
Fireworks Saturday, Jan 30th @ Hawaii's Premier and Largest Night
Club LEVEL 4.
Full
night of action. 28 fights...ALL MMA. Pre-lim fights start @
4pm for all u hardcore mma fans. Feature bouts start @ 7:30pm
for those who want to just see the main card. THIS IS AN ALL
AGES WELCOME EVENT!
Purchase
of ticket gets you into huge after party to celebrate my B-day
:) which begins @ 11pm and will run to 4am...come party with
the fighters!
Fight
Card:
-170lbs
Zane Kamaka (Guts n Glory) vs Dereck Stadler
-170
Amateur Title
Johnavan "the immortal warrior" Vistante (Team SYD)
vs Koa Giddens (Combat 50)
-145
Amateur Title
Elijah Manners (808 Alliance) vs Keoni Farm (Team 323, Maui)
-145lbs
Dustin Kimura (Gracie Technics) vs Colin Mackenzie (Gods Army)
-185lbs
Danny Lopez (Bulls Pen) vs Charles Hazlewood (Combat 50)
-145lbs
Toby "2quick" Misech (Penn Fitness & Training,
Hilo) vs Max "lil evil" Holloway (Gods Army)
-135lbs
FEMALE MATCH
Racquel Paaluhi (Team Hakuilua) vs Kristen Jackobson (Pain Train)
-205lbs
Matt Eaton (Bulls Pen) vs Wilmer Cruz (Pain Train)
-155lbs
Treston Rebaliza (ICG) vs Shaison Laupola (Gods Army)
-145lbs
Daniel Bachman (Boars Nest) vs Van Shiroma (HMC)
-185lbs
Robert Eaton (Bulls Pen) vs Nate Kolii (High Intensity)
-125lbs
Skyler Close (Boars Nest) vs Ernest Keuma (freelance)
-145lbs
Lucky Rosario (Bulls Pen) vs Clayson Kealoha (Bad Intentions)
-160lbs
Tyrone Oneil (Pain Train) vs Ryan Delacruz (808 FF)
-125lbs
Alika Kumukoa (Bulls Pen) vs Jason Dumol (808 FF)
-210lbs
Kimo Tatupu (94 Block) vs Lyle Guerzon (New Era MMA)
-140lbs
Zach Close (Boars Nest) vs Gavin Ramos (808 Fight Factory)
-155lbs
Gary (Bulls Pen) vs Justin Burgess (Gods Army)
-125lbs
Josh Kolii (freelance) vs Brandon Pai (Gods Army)
-145lbs
Julius Fajotina (Bulls Pen) vs Mark Reynon (808 FF)
-170lbs
Eddie Manu (High Intensity) vs Jason Morinaga (New Era MMA)
-155lbs
Francis Aona (freelance) vs Carlos Oso (808 FF)
-175lbs
Lloyd Saltiban vs Jon Cruz (freelance)
-155lbs
Alex Miller (Guts n Glory) vs Justin Adkins (Pain Train)
-170lbs
Wilfred Balon (Bulls Pen) vs Mike Eli (Gods Army)
-Heavyweights
(206-260)
Terrance Taanoa (High Intensity) vs Scooter Butan (Pain Train)
-155lbs
Layton Pacheco (freelance) vs Micah Ige
-180lbs
Philip Akui vs Dwaine Uyeda (Team Outlaw)
-130lbs
Jai Troche (No Remorse/UFS) vs Wai P. (Team Outlaw)
Source: Jay Bolos
|
Quest
for Champions
|
Sidney
Silva Seminar
After almost a year Training and teaching in Las Vegas at Wanderlei
Silva’s Gym ( www.wandfightteam.com ) I have the pleasure
to be back in Hawaii to see my good friends and students for
a few days and also use this opportunity to share my grappling
skills with you guys.
This
MMA,NO GI, seminar it is about to show you effective positions,
the ones that really work, not the fancy acrobatics ones, the
real ones, the most commons attacks, transitions between strikes
and grappling, mistakes, combination's and of course the defenses
and escapes for all that using LEVERAGE which is the real weapon
of Jiu-Jitsu.
It
is all about the details. Everybody knows how to do an arm bar,
triangle, choke … right? But also a lot of time people miss
the positions because they miss the details. A little detail
can make the position successful or not, can be the difference
between the victory and the defeat.
Also
I would like to do a different style of seminar, which instead
of only showing you the positions and drills, like the traditional
types of seminar, you will also be allowed to ask your own questions
about specific positions and/or moves that you concern about.
I
want you, at the end, to feel that you learned as much as possible
and especially had fun.
So
I would like to invite you and your friends to learn and have
fun on February 06 from 10am to 1 pm at HMC ( Kalihi ).
The
investment is only $ 30 and the seminar will start at 10am until
1pm and after will have lots of time for free training and enough
time to get back home and watch the UFC.
If you want to pre-register and guarantee your place send a check
or money order to:
Erick
Alves
1927 A Wilhelmina Rise
Honolulu HI 96816
Call
Erick for more information at (808) 386 - 8265 for more info
or email him at erik25wa@hotmail.com
|
Fighters'
Club TV Tuesdays!
Channel
52
8:00 PM!
If
you are not on the Onzuka.com Hawaii Ground forum, you are missing
the latest news from upcoming events, get to rub elbows with
numerous promoters and fighters, and get to voice your opinion
on any subject you can dream up. Hit the links above to sign
up for a free account and start posting away!
|
|