Upcoming
Events
Do you
want to list an event on Onzuka.com?
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Us
(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
2009
November
Aloha
State Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
10/10/09
NAGA
Hawaii
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Hawaii, Tentative)
August
Hawaiian
Open Championship
of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
6/27-28/09
OTM's 2009
Pac Sub
(Gi & No-Gi competition)
(Blaisdell Exhibition Hall)
6/6/09
Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament
(Sport Pankration, Sub Grappling)
(Kalani HS Gym)
6/4/09 - 6/7/09
World
JJ Championships
(BJJ)
(California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA)
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
15th Grapplers Quest Las Vegas
(BJJ/Sub Grappling)
(Las Vegas, NV)
5/2/09
Uprising MMA
(MMA)
(Maui)
May 2009
Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling Championships
(Sub Grappling)
(Tentative)
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)
|
|
April
2009 News Part 1
|
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 and Thursday with
Kaleo Kwan & Chris Slavens!
Kids Classes are also
available!
Click
here for info!
Take classes from the Onzuka brothers in a family-like environment! |
In
Memory of Lars Chase
Rest in peace my brother
March 10, 1979 - April 2, 2008 |
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
***NEW TIME***
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 Day Classes Start May 2!
Women & Kids Kickboxing Class starts May 4!
Click here for pricing and more
information!
O2MAA Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Day Classes will be held on Monday,
Wednesday, and Fridays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm and will be taught
by one of Relson Gracie's first black belts, Sam Mahi!
We will be starting a Womens and Kids kickboxing class on Sunday
afternoons from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The class will be taught
by none other than O2's Kaleo Kwan! It will be a non-competitive,
fun atmosphere and allow the ladies and kids to get in a quick
workout and learn some legitimate kickboxing technique before
the long work week starts.
New
O2MAA Kid's Jiu-Jitsu Class Starts Friday, December 5 from 5:30
to 6:30 PM!
Adult Wrestling Class Starts Starts Friday, December 5 from 8:30
to 9:30 PM!
|
Want to Contact
Us? Shoot us an email by Clicking Here!
Quote
of the Day
"Our
imagination is the only limit to what we can hope to have in
the future."
Charles F. Kettering
|
HFC:
Stand Your Ground XII
Today!
Dole Cannery Ballroom, Honolulu, Hawaii
April 10, 2009
Doors open at 6:00 p.m
Show starts at 7:00p.m.
E-mail hfc.events@yahoo.com or call (808)861-7685
for information
|
2009
Triple Crown of BJJ Tomorrow
The date
for the first crown of the 2009 Triple Crown of BJJ has been
set!
Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kaiser High School, Honolulu, Hawaii
April 11, 2009
http:www.hawaiitriplecrown.com
|
X1
Temple of Boom V Tomorrow
X1 Temple of Boom V
April 11, 2009
Palolo Hongwanji, Honolulu, Hawaii
Pro Boxing starts at 7:15 p.m.
MMA starts at 5:30 p.m
Hawaii's
Isaac Arasato a Painter and Presidential Scholarship Recipient
at U.H. expecting to graduate from the University of Hawaii in
May, is scheduled to box Ricky Thompson from Tampa, Florida.
Thompson's last bout was against 2008 Olympian Sadam Ali of New
York. His opponents total current record as of April 7th is 23-11.
All bouts subject to approval by the Hawaii State Boxing Commission.
If you have any questions feel free to email me at bkawano@aol.com
Pro
Boxing
135
- Isaac Arasato (Palolo BC) vs Ricky Thompson (Florida)
140
- Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona BC) vs Mike Maley (Indiana)
126
- Thaddine Johnson (New York) vs Tracey Stevens (Canada)
145
- Richard Barnard (Waianae BC) vs Dimitris Labatos (Florida)
140
- Nui Wheeler (Maili Soljahs) vs Keith Kelly (Montana)
MMA
170
- Kolo Koka (MMAD) vs Michael Brightmon (Gorilla House)
170 - David Kahanui (Da Hui) vs Kona Ke (Gods Army)
135
- Julio Moreno (Bullspen) vs Jared Iha (No Remorse)
145
- Steve Albanese (M.C.O.A) vs Colin Mackenzie (Gods Army)
155
- Cordel Knapp (558 MP) vs Angel Garza (Chris Leben)
155 - Steve Farmer (Universal Combat) vs Ben Santiago (Gods Army)
170 - Keoki Silva (Freelance) vs Joe Palimoo (HMC)
185
- Kaipo Cayetano (Bullspen) vs Frankie Ruiz (Freelance)
185 - Akoni Sexton (Freelance) vs Derrick Wright (Freelance)
205 - Mikey (Freelance) vs Ashton Visoria (Team Devastation)
|
Gesias
aching to fight
Brazilian hopes to face Kawajiri and speaks of maiden Bellator
event
Carlos Ozorio / Portaldaslutas.com
Not
having fought since April 29 of 2008, when he stopped to take
care of his knee, Gesias Cavalcante cannot stand being out of
the ring any longer. The fighter, who performs at Dream, was
supposed to have fought in December’s final, when he would
have faced Joachim Hansen was even made the trip to Japan, but
the mysterious postponement delayed his return. While he was
expecting see action again in April, the international press
announced he would be back only on May 26th, against Japanese
idol Tatsuya Kawajiri. Even so, despite his confirming the possibility,
nothing is 100% guaranteed.
“The
last time nothing was official either. They offered me the fight
and I want very much to face him, but I’ve been having some
problems with them and we still need to straighten some things
out with the event, so nothing is for sure yet. When I saw the
news on the internet, I even called my manager and it seems the
event has not confirmed anything yet. I’m here waiting and
doing my thing. The guys over there need to resolve things,”
said Gesias to Portal das Lutas, as he headed in to yet another
training session.
Although
his future is still unsettled, one thing JZ guarantees is that
he will be ready for whatever comes his way.
“I’m
always training. I’m only ever not training when I’m
injured. They want the fight to happen and I’m training
for it, as though I were sure to fight. I was training to fight
at the April 5th event, and it ended up not happening and was
postponed till May 26. I don’t know why I didn’t get
to fight in April and that’s just the kind of thing that
has been going on. I’ve gone pretty much a whole year without
fighting, ever since I got injured. I’ve been left out of
the circuit and I don’t know whether the guys have some
kind of marketing strategy or something going on. I don’t
know what’s going on, but I’m training as though I
were going to fight. I’m doing my part, I’m not big
on politics and so I’ll leave it in the hands of my manager
and the event. It’s up to them,” he vented.
Changing
subject, Gesias was recently at the inauguration of a new big
event in the United States, Bellator Fighting. The American Top
Team representative foresees a promising future for the new organization.
“The
event started off well. It was well organized and the set-up
was cool. For the time being it’s only being shown on ESPN
Espanhol, and the event was very much geared to that audience.
So they are not competing directly with the UFC here, they are
being smart about it and I think it’s the right strategy.
And it was really cool, there were good fights. There was Eddie
Alvarez, who’s favored to win the lightweight tournament,
as well as other fights. I liked it a lot and, God willing it
will catch on. It will be pretty regular, with the next event
set for the 17th, and after that I think another two in two weeks
will follow. If all goes well they’ll get on ESPN 2. I hope
the event takes off, the athletes need it and the more folks
doing things right, the better,” he said in finishing.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Paul
Lazenby: The problem with unsanctioned MMA
By Zach Arnold
This
is a re-print of his article from tonight
In
2007 I warned the Vancouver City Council that refusing to sanction
MMA was only going to force the athletes to compete at the whims
of potentially unscrupulous promoters, and therefore present
a great danger to their health. Tonight, my prediction was borne
out at Mike Hammoud’s AMA mixed martial arts event in North
Vancouver.
Columbia
Martial Arts’ Amber Grant (see previous entry for more on
Columbia) participated in last night’s Valley Fight event
in Chilliwack where she was taken down, mounted and pounded into
submission by Sarah Moras well within the first round. But that
apparently didn’t concern Columbia’s head trainer Goldie
Kalsi, because both he and Grant were in attendance at tonight’s
even where Grant was once again competing in a MMA fight just
24 hours after her defeat to Moras.
I
brought this to the attention of event promoter Mike Hammoud,
but was met with a blank stare as if to say “So?”.
When I repeated my concerns, he replied: “Well, she has
no concussion so it’s okay”. When I asked him how he
knew that she’d suffered no cranial damage since he was
just then finding out about Grant’s previous bout, he took
a call on his cell phone and turned his back to me.
This
is EXACTLY the sort of thing that I was talking about when I
warned Vancouver City Council that we needed sanctioning for
MMA. For every promotion like Valley Fight that can be counted
on to do the right thing without supervision, there are a dozen
promoters like Hammoud who care not a whit about the safety of
the athletes as long as there’s money coming in.
People
like Kalsi and Hammoud are exactly what the sport of MMA doesn’t
need, especially at a time when we’re still pursuing recognition
as a valid, viable sport in Vancouver’s lower mainland.
Paul
Lazenby
www.paullazenby.com
Response
from Goldie Kalsi to Paul Lazenby: Read your comments and I feel
you should get some of your facts right be for you make anyone
look bad, because after I talked to a certain someone you sure
changed your story quickly. Next time come to the source and
you may not look like a chump!
Source: Fight Opinion
|
SHOWTIME®
OFFERS MMA FANS ONLINE INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE WITH “STRIKEFORCE:
ALL ACCESS”
Mixed
Martial Arts Event to Stream Simultaneously
With Live SHOWTIME Telecast of Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs.
Diaz";
Saturday, April 11, From HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
NEW
YORK (April 8, 2009)—SHOWTIME will offer Mixed Martial Arts
(MMA) fans the opportunity to get immersed in the April 11, blockbuster
premiere of Strikeforce on SHOWTIME with its new interactive
online experience, Strikeforce: All Access, it was announced
today by the network’s Senior Vice President and General
Manager, Sports and Event Programming, Ken Hershman. The digital
initiative, an interactive live stream of Strikeforce: Shamrock
vs. Diaz, on Saturday, April 11, further demonstrates the premium
network’s commitment to leading the television industry
in online, mobile, and interactive content distribution.
Fans
can purchase the live webcast simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME
telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET*. Online participants can control
their own viewing experience through multiple camera angles with
corresponding audio tracks as well as interact with fellow users,
view user-generated photos and download select music tracks from
the event.
"By
and large, the core fight fans watching MMA on SHOWTIME are among
the most technologically savvy of all viewers," said Hershman.
"We are proud to offer this enhanced experience to an audience
that will embrace the opportunity to control the content and
interact with one another during the live show. Strikeforce:
All Access puts you in the driver seat."
Strikeforce:
All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for review
and pre-order by visiting http://strikeforce.sho.com.
With
Strikeforce: All Access, fans can be the producer. Users can
toggle between five live cameras surrounding the cage with full
pause and rewind capabilities. Audio tracks will include the
SHOWTIME telecast fight call by Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo and
Pat Miletich, and the corresponding audio to the selected camera.
SHOWTIME is working with BitGravity, Inc. and Episodic, Inc.
to enable this unique multi-camera experience.
Fans
will be able to make predictions, comment on live fights, discuss
outcomes and even talk a little smack with All Access through
a live Facebook® Connect application.
Other
Strikeforce: All Access features will include professional photography
from the action in the cage, as well as behind-the-scenes, backstage
and fan photos. Images will be uploaded during the live event
via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online
community.
If
users want to own the ring-walk music of their favorite fighter,
they can purchase select songs via iTunes directly from links
on the site.
“SHOWTIME
has led the industry in multi-platform initiatives for years,”
said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice President and General Manager,
Digital Media for SHOWTIME. “We were the first premium network
to offer content on iTunes. We were the first to offer Emmy®
voters online screenings of SHOWTIME nominees. We partner with
over 100 sites when sampling episodes of our original series
and SHOWTIME Sports content. And we are the only premium network
offering the explosive sport of mixed martial arts."
“Sports
will be one of the big winners with the availability of high
quality, scalable and affordable live streaming,” said Chris
Turner, VP of Worldwide Sales and Business Development at BitGravity.
“SHOWTIME understands that sport fans demand a seamless
viewing experience with a quality stream, quick start and no
download. We are delighted to work with them to deliver Strikeforce:
All Access.”
The
April 11 fight card features MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock taking
on his newest rival, superstar Nick Diaz in the main event. Female
MMA phenom Cris "Cyborg" of Brazil will take on Japan's
Hitomi Akano, middleweight contender Scott Smith will face Benji
Radach and heavyweights Brett Rogers and "Abongo" Humphrey
will square off to round out the show. Plus, Gilbert Melendez
will face an opponent to be announced in a lightweight match.
*Telecast
airs live at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast);
Strikeforce: All Access will be webcast live at 10 p.m. ET/7
p.m. PT.
Facebook®
is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.
About
Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion
which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock
vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts
fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza,
which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion,
played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995,
Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming
for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship
kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial
arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” In May 2008,
West Coast Productions, the parent company of Strikeforce, partnered
with Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment (SVS&E), an
entity created in 2000 to oversee all business operation aspects
of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion at San Jose.
About
Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime
Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation,
owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®,
THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex
channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®,
SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®,
SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ XTRA. SNI
also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ HD, SHOWTIME
ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL™ ON DEMAND. SNI also
manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and
the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound
using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and
entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view
basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
About
BitGravity
BitGravity
has built the first global content delivery network optimized
to deliver affordable video on demand, live broadcasts in standard
and high-definition, software applications, Web assets, and interactive
applications. BitGravity is based in Burlingame, CA and is privately
held, with strategic investment from Allen & Company, Tata
Communications and private investors. www.BitGravity.com <http://www.BitGravity.com>
CONTACT:
Showtime Networks Inc.
Chris DeBlasio Annie Van Tornhout
(212) 708-1633 (212) 708-1663
Chris.DeBlasio@Showtime.net Anne.VanTornhout@Showtime.net
Brener
Zwikel & Associates, Inc.
Steve Pratt John Beyrooty
(818) 462-5602 (562) 233-7477
SteveP@BZAPR.com Johnnybey@aol.com
Strikeforce
Mike Afromowitz
(917) 566-8754
mafromowitz@strikeforce.com
BitGravity
Danielle Adragna
(408) 398 6433
Danielle@BitGravity.com
Source: Johnny Bey
|
Shamrock
Ready To Feed Off Diaz’s Emotions
By Steven Marrocco
Frank
Shamrock’s beef with Nick Diaz is that he’s not selling
the martial arts in the right way.
“To
me, everyone’s selling a widget,” he said. “I
just think he’s selling his widget a little differently
than most.”
That
is, the cursing, pot smoking, triathlete widget.
The
two veterans face off this Saturday at Strikeforce’s “Shamrock
vs. Diaz” in San Jose.
It’s
clear they’re cut from a different cloth. Diaz swears incessantly,
flips off his competition, and generally has little regard for
social mores when it comes to how he lives his life. Shamrock
says he’s a PG-13 guy—meaning he’s older, is married,
and has kids—who thinks all off Diaz’s “vulgarity”
isn’t needed. Much like his back-and-forth with Phil Baroni,
he tries to take the high road while throwing stones from it.
“I
don’t think it’s the best expression of the point we’re
trying to get across,” comments Shamrock.
On
the other hand, Diaz sells the fight pretty darn well, particularly
as the heel.
“It’s
a breath of fresh air, because you need somebody as an antagonist
to promote a match,” he said. “I think it’s hilarious.
We need people to stir up the pot. The fight’s going to
happen, regardless, but there’s got to be some passion behind
it. It doesn’t bother me personally, I’ve been around
way too long for that.”
Diaz
counters that he’s just as much of martial artist, having
worn three different gi’s since the age of sixteen. He’s
studied jiu-jitsu, judo, and karate. But outside the dojo, all
pretense goes out the door, and he's fine with that.
“To
say that my style of fighting has no art form, it’s like,
[expletive] you, man,” Diaz counters. ”Are you kidding?”
The
fight, at least outside of the ring, is whether the martial way
Shamrock speaks of belongs in prizefighting, and if it does,
how much.
Though
he does it well, Diaz says pre-fight hype is just an annoying
distraction from fighting.
“I
don’t give a sh-t right about now at this point,” he
said of the pre-fight hype. “I would rather go about my
day, to tell you the truth. But we’ve gotta do what we’ve
gotta do. I wish that my job could be just to fight and make
money and not do anything else at all. Now, it’s not so
easy. I’ve got to pass drug tests.”
When
it comes to meeting in the cage, Shamrock says Diaz’s emotional
nature is a double-edged sword. It could be his downfall or his
saving grace.
“His
focus can get broken by his emotion, and it tends to cloud your
judgment a little bit,” said Shamrock. “On the flip
side, somebody who’s passionate about something will go
above and beyond their physical abilities, and tap into something
that’s sometimes extraordinary. I always worry about the
quiet guy and I always worry about the emotional guy. I think
for Nick, it works. He’s at the right age where he can go
in there, full of piss and vinegar and get his emotions up.”
But
the former UFC champ is long past getting his emotions up. He
wants to get in and get out with no injuries, and put his kids
through college.
“I’m
done with that era of my life,” he said. “It’s
a good time for me to set a new standard for myself, quit breaking
my own body, and accept the challenge of the fight, as opposed
to the challenge of beating that opponent at their game or putting
on a match that’s more entertaining and safe.”
Admittedly,
he’s more passionate about the striking aspect of the sport
these days, a far cry from his well-rounded style of old. In
several reports, he’s hinted at a move to boxing.
“I’d
like to see most of my fights standing; I think that’s where
I’m headed,” he said. “I’m getting too old
to wrestle around on the ground any more.”
The
good new is, both are expecting a fight come Saturday. They will
agree to disagree on what image should be presented.
"I
expect him to come out and try and fight me," said Diaz.
"I don’t have anything to worry about when I fight
Frank. If I win, if I lose. If I lose, I lose to the 5 time UFC
champion."
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
Claudio
Franca and role of children
Interview with American Cup promoter
It’s
no news competition Jiu-Jitsu is seeing its best days, one need
only peek at the number of competitors to have signed up for
the last Pan and the upcoming tournaments such as the NY Open,
Professional World Cup and the American Cup.
Children
play a vital role in collaborating in gi competition’s growth
and strengthening, in the opinion of black belt Claudio Franca,
organizer of the 2nd American Cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament,
to take place this coming 25th and 26th of April at Los Gatos
High School, in Los Gatos, California.
To
Franca, children are the base of this whole process and haven’t
been paid their due attention. And with that in mind the black
belt made it clear that on the first day of the American Cup
they would be the stars of the show.
“If
we endeavor to put together a competitive team here in the United
States in the future we need to start with the kids, there’s
no point in starting with guys who are 25, 23 years old…
the guys will get good, but not at a competition black belt level,”
stated Franca, in an interview with GRACIEMAG.com.
In
carrying out this project, Franca is more than qualified. He
was one of those responsible for organizing the Atlantico Sul
Cup, in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, 20 years ago, and ever
since 1996 has been putting on the US Open annually, in California.
For
greater information on the American Cup BJJ, visit the www.americancupbjj.com
website.
What
is the 2nd American Cup Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament going
to be like?
This
is the second installment of the event, which will take place
at Los Gatos High School, in Los Gatos, California. The championship
focuses a great deal on the children, the objective is to provide
them incentive and launch the kids in Jiu-Jitsu.
Why
the focus on kids?
My
aim is to develop Jiu-Jitsu for kids here in the United States,
because the future of Jiu-Jitsu is the kids. If we endeavor to
put together a competitive team here in the United States in
the future we need to start with the kids, there’s no point
starting with guys who are 25, 23 years old… the guys will
get good, but not at a competition black belt level. So that’s
the initial idea, to give greater support to the kids. I’ve
been feeling kids have been a bit “left out,” there
are so many tournaments with adults, masters and seniors and
almost nothing for the children.
How
is the American Cup organized?
It
is divided over two days of competition. Saturday is a day just
for the kids, with medals, well-defined divisions by age, weight
and as I said earlier, according to all the IBJJF’s rules,
etc… Sunday is just for adults and has all the belt groups:
white, blue, purple, brown and black, with juvenile, masters
and seniors, as usual.
What
is the competition atmosphere like seeing as the first day is
just for kids?
On
Saturday we see the kids showing up with their uncles, grandparents,
fathers and mothers… it’s a family championship. We
try and keep the mood real light. We remove all the techniques
that are dangerous like the heel hook and spinal locks. Besides
that, the referees are well trained and stop the matches whenever
a hold is in place – mainly with the little kids of 4, 5
years of age – like armbars, for example. It truly is a
different type of championship, a really light atmosphere.
What
are your expectations for this second edition?
I’m
almost completely sure this second edition will have a greater
number of kids signed up, because last year there were a lot
of people with misgivings about having a championship for kids.
So after everyone saw how well organized it was, folks became
really happy about it. That will surely bring up the number of
kids signed up.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Former
NFL players try out for TUF 10'
Former NFL players made their presence felt at "The Ultimate
Fighter 10" open casting call on Monday at the Marriott
Seattle Airport Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
Former Tampa Bay Bucaneer defensive tackle Marcus Jones (4-2),
former Indianapolis Colt offensive lineman Rex Richards (8-1)
and former Green Bay running back Packer Herbert "Whisper"
Goodman (9-6) were three former football pros who tried out.
Jones,
a heavyweight, is a 35-year-old on a two-fight win streak both
by way of TKO due to strikes. He trains out of Gracie Tampa,
the camp which includes former "The Ultimate Fighter"
competitors Corey Hill, Matt Arroyo and Allen "Monstah Lobstah"
Berube.
Richards,
also a heavyweight, has won all eight of his fights via first-round
TKO. His only loss was against current UFC heavyweight Shane
Carwin.
Goodman,
a middleweight, trains out of Fox Valley Grappling Club in Appleton,
Wisconsin. He has knocked out former UFC competitors Jordan Radev
and Adrian Serrano.
Former
WWE pro wrestler Bobby Lashley has stated his interest in competing
on the show but was not spotted in the casting call.
The
casting call was open to middleweights, light-heavyweights and
heavyweights.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
On
Pride, Without Prejudice (Part 1 of 5 on PFC)
by Joshua Stein
On
the second anniversary of the UFC’s buyout of Pride, I thought
I should post something about it. I’ve had a longer series
in the works for a while, and now that it’s finished, I’ll
be posting it over the next couple of days. Without further shenanigan,
the actual piece.
Perhaps
the single greatest cataclysm in mixed martial arts history will
not be the birth of any single organization, or the rise of an
epic fighter, but rather the most typical natural phenomenon
of a big fish eating a smaller fish. Though, for those recently
involved in the sport, or for those who simply never bothered
to dive into the Asian market the way some fans (often self-christened
“diehards”), it’s hard to appreciate the nature
of a corporate merger, even when the dry language is full of
less boring terms like “hostile takeover.”
I
won’t parade as a corporate expert, nor will I pretend that
I fully understand the dynamic of a big business devouring a
competitor, but the effect it had on the sport is unmistakable.
In my opinion, it is important enough to deserve something more
in-depth than a single piece and in 800 words I don’t feel
like I could adequately describe the fallout of the situation.
So I won’t bother trying. I guess there’s something
to be said for coupling eloquence and brevity, but I like to
babble and my tongue gets particularly loose on this topic.
Before
we really talk about what Pride did, it’s important to acknowledge
what Pride was, what they were built on, and what they accomplished
before they disappeared. Many long-time MMA fans will focus on
the fights, and that’s all well and good, but there are
some undercurrent dynamics that many of us just ignore when we
discuss what Pride was. Most people talk about remembering the
deceased in a positive light, but for the sake of historical
honesty, there were some serious flaws in the Pride organization.
It
was always well understood that the roots of Pride were in organized
crime, and that there was a tie to Japanese mobsters, namely
the Yakuza. The extent of the connections, and the mobs power
over matchmaking and contract negotiations, were never fully
understood by MMA fans. It was, for the most part, written off
as the cost of doing business and acquiring the best in Japanese
athletic talent, whether that talent came off of the pro-wrestling
circuit and off of the streets or, later, out of the judo, shoot
fighting and karate gyms.
Much
of the matchmaking can be well understood as the systematic organizing
of punching bags for the elite fighters the Japanese swooned
over. Freak show matchups were commonplace and the freaks themselves
(whether Giant Silva or Akebono) were as well known and as credible
to Japanese fans as the fighters that beat them. Fighters like
Ikuhisa Minowa who was responsible for a legendary armbar on
the massive American pro boxer affectionately known as Butterbean;
the same one, my little brother would like to remind you, responsible
for knocking the crap out of Johnny on Jackass.
In
establishing themselves as the prime mixed martial arts show
in the eastern hemisphere, with the top fighters in four weight
classes (pretty much identical, with only small tessellations,
to the UFC, with the removal of the 170 pound tier), Pride had
an opportunity to put on fights that could attract any serious
mixed martial arts fan, and they did. It would do the organization
a great disservice to point out freak matchups (like the near
half ton clash between Zuluzinho and Butterbean) without also
pointed the mind boggling, sincerely awe inspiring wars and upsets
that took place, like the title fight between the top two fighters
in the world, Fedor Emelianenko and Mirko “CroCop”
Filipovic. Note: This is a fight that a smart Hollywood producer
should take a great deal of time making a movie about.
Pride
also used their large talent pools to build tournaments, which
established obvious contenders for their titles. The Grand Prix
system which included a multi-round, multi-fight card event culminating
in the semi-final and final matches on a single night was perhaps
the most exciting way of weaving a story I’ve ever encountered
in the sport. This was especially exciting given the degree of
talent, and the time between fights when hype could be built
up and upsets in earlier rounds could be milked.
Even
with the shady nature of Pride, like the attempts to offer fighters
easy matchups and unnecessary, boring and predictable rematches,
it is important to acknowledge that the quality of a Grand Prix
established an interest level in a Japanese fanbase that has
always been more concerned with the story behind the fight than
it’s American doppleganger. There were scenarios where a
top ten fighter could be upset by a complete unknown, and the
unheard of competitor could go to the finals, all the way snowballing
himself a top ten ranking.
Great
innovators aren’t always successful. Beta Max, one should
note, had a better product than VHS, but VHS was backed by the
porn industry and so the quality didn’t matter. What the
equivalent of the porn industry in the battle between the UFC
and Pride was I’m not entirely sure, though I have a feeling
that it has more to do with the buying power of American diehards
and the unstable nature of gang-based operations than anything
else.
Still,
whatever caused the fall of one of the two great giants in the
infantile history of our sport, the ground is still shaking,
the water is still displaced, and, even as we grow farther removed
from this instance, we should really mark the impact, as historians
quickly forget how important it is, and how deep the fissures
go.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Josh
Stein’s PRIDE history series: Free Agents & Mercenaries
(Part 2)
By Zach Arnold
A
note from the author: On the second anniversary of the PRIDE
buyout by Zuffa (UFC’s parent company), I decided to post
a series I’d been working on for a while in order to talk
about some of the fallout from what was the most important piece
of the history of the sport so far.
Part
1 - On PRIDE Without Prejudice
Part 2 - Free Agents & Mercenaries
Part 3 - The Monopoly
Part 4 - The Power Vacuum in the East
Part 5 - Things Change
By Josh Stein
Before
the fall of PRIDE, a fighter who was ranked in the top ten was
a fighter who had a contract, simply by virtue of his position.
Fighters were built into their organizations, branded like ten
thousand cattle. If a fighter was any good, organizations would
bite the head off of anyone trying to change that athlete’s
allegiance.
Rival
promoters left athletes in their respective markets, and while,
from time to time, organizations would make arrangements to have
the elite warriors meet, it was rare. Organizations realized
that they were putting a great deal on the line, as the UFC realized
when they sent Chuck Liddell to PRIDE, only to have him sent
back, starched stiff, by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson,
before Liddell accomplished what was almost certainly his assignment:
assassinate Wanderlei Silva with his counter punching ability.
Mirko CroCop would learn something similar at the hands of Gabriel
Gonzaga shortly before the buyout.
There
was a reason why no other top UFC fighters appeared in Japan
while still more or less under contract with Dana White and the
boys. The reality was not one of fear, but just of the understanding
that sending a fighter to compete in an organization where the
rules are different, and the physical environment is unfamiliar
is not a good idea, and leaves everyone vulnerable to embarrassment.
Fighters
became contained in vacuum sealed containers, fighting up-and-comers
in their respective hemispheres, leaving the message boards populated
with speculative debates about who the real elite title holders
were, and which environment offered more exciting matchups. The
UFC vs. PRIDE debate could only exist as long as fighters avoided
each other, and the debate was good for both organizations, as
it gave them a chance to argue their cases and get plenty of
attention doing it.
The
buyout didn’t end the debate as much as it opened that container
of fighters in the Japanese market. The warriors from K-1 who
had been looking to expand their resume with MMA fights in PRIDE
moved, for the most part, back to K-1, but some of the PRIDE
veterans were left stranded, and most went a long period without
fighting (Josh Barnett, among others).
The
free agency in MMA had been seen primarily as limbo for aging
fighters moving from the big shows to smaller venues, but even
those seemed relatively brief periods compared to the twelve-month
period where contracts flooded out onto the streets. All of a
sudden, three of the top five heavyweights were just sitting
in the open, unsigned, and the rankings came under dispute, because
no one knew how to treat a fighter who was, in point of fact,
one of the best, but couldn’t prove it by fighting.
Some
groups of fans are more patient than others, some groups let
top fighters drop off of the rankings altogether due to inactivity,
and rightfully so. Most of them, like Barnett, might as well
have been retired, as it seemed to the masses that they weren’t
even pursuing a fight (whether that was the case or not isn’t
really relevant, as the actual scenario doesn’t have any
impact on the rankings, only the perceived scenario).
There
is a time lapse, a complete freeze, in the Japanese MMA world,
and some fighters moved out west to fight in the UFC, but most
simply waited, sitting in the vacuum, twiddling their thumbs
and, perhaps, training.
Still,
this concept of simply waiting, of fighters remaining unsigned
for extended periods of time, was almost unheard of. There used
more fighters than there were roster spots, and no one had really
expected the fall of a single organization to change that. All
of a sudden, the supply and demand shifted, and fighters unwilling
to drop down to the smaller shows (or simply too proud to fight
as the only top ten fighter on a card) were unlisted, unsigned.
The
rise of other shows would solve that problem, for the most part,
but it definitely changed the way that many fighters and managers
think about a buyout, and it’s impact on their lives. It
shook the rankings down to their foundations, and tested the
notion that an absent fighter could not continue to be granted
the respect of his rank number if he wasn’t fighting. Whether
it is for better or worse, giving us a grasp on the painful reality
of the power vacuum by forcing us to suffer through it, it changed
a perception that fighters had, at the upper level, about how
easy it was to get signed if you had name value.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
DEAN
AMASINGER'S ULTIMATE FIGHTER BLOG,
WEEK 1
by Dean Amasinger
(Dean Amasinger is one of the U.K. team members on season nine
of The Ultimate Fighter and is blogging for MMAWeekly.com throughout
the season, providing his thoughts and behind the scenes take
on the show.)
The
Eliminators.
So
here I am at the Wolfslair and Dana and Mike arrive, what the
episode doesn’t show was that when we were waiting we had
already done our weight cut and were waiting to be weighed in,
ergo some of the gaunt faces in the opening shot when the 16
fighters are lined up (Dave, I’ve seen you look better mate,
LOL). My weight cut for this fight had gone really well and I
woke up the morning of the weigh-in at 177 pounds, which meant
I only had to sauna 6 pounds. I did my usual albolene/sauna suit
routine, but James Wilks was also in the sauna with me and showed
me the trick of breathing from a bag of ice to cool the air you
breath whilst still keeping your body hot and sweating while
in the sauna. Sometimes half the battle of being in a sauna is
how hard it is to breath and this technique definitely made it
more bearable.
At
this point Dana gave the speech that you see on the episode,
but also matched us with our opponents. Before getting to the
Wolfslair, I wasn’t sure of who the other fighters where
going to be. I obviously had an idea from who was in Vegas for
the medicals, but not a definite 16. When Dana was calling out
the names I was excited to hear who I had to fight because, from
the moment they had gathered us in the gym, I was trying to second
guess who I would be matched against. At first I thought they
might make a rematch between Dave and I, or match me against
Nick because we have similar records, but to be honest, I thought
of a reason why they would match me with any of the other seven
guys.
When
Dana announced that I would be fighting Alex Reid, I had mixed
emotions. I felt happy because I knew I matched up well against
him stylistically and, as I had seen him fight before, I was
determined to beat him as I wouldn’t be able to live with
myself if I lost to a person who had worn pink sequined hot-pants
in a fight. In fact, the first live MMA show I went to Alex was
fighting and even then I thought I’d love to beat him. To
give Alex his dues, he has been in with some of the best and
a win against him would be a good scalp.
While
we were waiting around for medicals and to be weighed-in, I took
my opportunity to remind Dana of a bet we had made when I was
last in Vegas. I bet him $100 that Pacquiao would beat De La
Hoya and I wanted to collect my money! I walked over to him and
said, “I told you Pacquiao would smash him!” He nervously
smiled and I realized that he hadn’t remembered the bet,
but I wasn’t going to let it go. “Remember, we bet
$100 on the De La Hoya fight.” He was like, “Oh (expletive),
yeah!” He pulled out a wad of 100’s and gave me one
off the top. I thought to myself, “(Expletive), I should
have said we bet $500!”
Once
we weighed in I was able to rehydrate, although the waiting around
for the medicals and the filming had meant that from the time
I had made weight to being weighed in was about three hours.
Anyone that has cut weight before will tell you that that would
not be nice! When I had my first sip of water, I looked at it
in astonishment at how good it tasted. I had to read the label
to check whether it was holy water, it tasted that good!
On
the day of the fight I felt really good. I had rehydrated, eaten
plenty of food, and was ready to go. I was happy to find out
that Dave Jackson and Mario Sukata would be cornering me, as
they would be the assistant coaches on the show. At this point
I didn’t feel nervous at all and the warm up went well.
When the producers called my name I knew the next 10 minutes
could change my life, this is when the nerves kicked in.
I
could hear Alex shouting in his changing room, “Woo! It's
Reidinater time!” but that only gave me more of an incentive
to beat him. It wasn’t the fight that was making me so nervous
though. I was confident in my ability to beat Alex. It was the
situation and how much was staked on it.
I
walked to the cage and looked to my left to see Rich Franklin
(aka Jim Carrey), Dan Henderson, Dana White, and Michael Bisping
all looking at me. The UFC music was pounding out from the speakers
and I just couldn’t believe my dream was becoming a reality.
It’s like having to score a penalty at Old Trafford (albeit
an empty one) in front of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo, and Rooney…
the pressure was on!
I
was disappointed to see that only highlights of my fight were
shown. I think if the whole fight were televised, people would
have seen that I won the first two rounds and it should never
have gone to a third. In short, I think my nerves played a massive
part in my performance. I was in the best shape I had ever been
for that fight, but you cannot account for the effect of adrenalin.
I think I respected his stand up too much and didn’t respect
his ground game enough. (i.e., Nearly being put to sleep and
gargling on national TV from a triangle!) Like Mike said, I was
getting the better of the stand up and I should have kept it
there and maybe I could have finished the fight. I am happy with
the win and after watching the episode I have to wonder…
What did Alex see in my soul that made him lose the fight?!
The
other fights were as exciting to watch live as they appeared
on the show. The two match-ups that stood out on paper were the
Ross Pearson vs. A.J. Wenn and Che Mills vs. James Wilks fights.
Having trained with Ross on a regular basis, I knew how good
he was and what he had to offer. I had also seen A.J. fight Andre
and I knew he was game. Ross showed composure, technique and
aggressiveness that ultimately was too much for A.J. A.J. was
lucky to make it out of the first round and Ross made short work
of him in the second with a lovely one-two combo.
The
Wilks/Mills fight was interesting because Mills was an early
favorite to go all the way, but having previously trained with
James, I knew what a ground wizard he was and Che was in for
a hard day. Unlike the other U.K. fighters, Wilks has had all
his professional fights in the U.S., so no one had seen his fights
or was familiar with his style. The fight was quick, with Mills
being aggressive and coming forward, but after an initial exchange
and a scramble, Mills somehow ended on top. A leg lock and heel
hook specialist, Wilks pounced on Mills’ stray leg and got
the submission, but not before taking some heavy shots.
The
standard of the eight fights was very high, with great performances
from both winners and losers. I am confident that we have a great
team to go over to Vegas and do the U.K. proud. Although they’re
going to have to put sleeping powder in a burger or something
because, “I ain’t getting' on no plane!”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Bob
'The Beast' Sapp Fight Engine's Head Conductor
Press Release
LAS VEGAS (April 6, 2009) – Combat fighting legend Bob “The
Beast” Sapp is firmly stationed in the corner of www.FightEngine.com,
the newly launched state-of-the-art website that’s revolutionizing
the way mixed-martial-arts fighters market themselves, promoters
and managers scout talent, and fans become real matchmakers.
“I’ve
seen too many greedy promoters during the time I’ve been
involved in fighting,” Sapp explained why he’s involved
in Fight Engine. “Every fighter wants to be a star and each
promoter wants to take advantage of fighters. Nobody was really
helping fighters. We’ve decided to stimulate that effort
through fightengine.com. The body has several features like arms,
legs, etc. We’ve chosen the hand to demonstrate Fight Engine’s
philosophy. On our logo, fighters are represented by fingers,
and together they form a strong fist. Fight Engine is a sign
of the times with all of the latest technology enabling promotional
companies to search worldwide for their next stars, while spending
little money and without leaving the comforts of their offices.
In the future, we hope to offer retirement and health packages.
This is the first union of MMA fighters, but we have to take
things one step at a time. Our early success rate has been very
positive.
“For
MMA fans, we took fantasy fighting – like fantasy football
– into reality through Fight Engine because they can vote
for whom they want to watch fight, passionately discuss potential
fights with other fans, and determine the people’s fighters,
top entertainers and champions all in one. People are not just
spectators because, through Fight Engine, they pick fights they
want to watch, as opposed to boring fights or mismatches that
have, unfortunately, become the norm today.”
FightEngine.com
works for a nominal fee with any and all MMA promoters and fighters
to gain International notoriety. Registered fighters from around
the world, whether a veteran or novice, may post his or her video
and challenge other registered fighters, allowing each participant
to accept or deny challenges, as well as express their semi-uncensored
opinions about any posted challenges.
FightEngine.com
is non-discriminatory, providing male and female fighters, as
well as ring girls, opportunities to gain invaluable exposure
on the website. Promoters and managers are already closely monitoring
fightengine.com to scout for their next street fighting prospect.
In
a similar manner by which Kimbo Slice went from underground Internet
legend to a high-profile MMA fighter, fightengine.com offers
an opportunity for some selected MMA fighters to earn a guaranteed
five-figure purse, sign a potential six-figure promotional contract,
paid travel expenses and, in the not too distant future, hopefully,
other life-changing benefits through membership.
Fans
can get in on the action, for free, simply by registering on
the website to become quasi-matchmakers, picking fighters they’d
like to watch in matches, in addition to commenting about fights
other spectators propose.
A
thermometer can be found on the right-hand side of the website,
which will illuminate on a rising basis, according to the amount
of registered fighters, and subsequently fights will be arranged
when the thermometer reaches its apex.
Once
there are enough fighters and fans registered on the website,
FightEngine.com will serve as a tool to arrange fights on a super
card, guaranteeing purses of $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Quote
of the Day
“Ideas
are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them,
and pretty soon you have a dozen.”
John Steinbeck
|
DRUG
TEST CAN CHANGE MMA FIGHT IN CALIFORNIA
The
California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday announced several
rules changes.
The
most impacting – at least publicly – will likely be
the "Change of Decision" addition. Rule 368 grants
the Commission the option to change a victory to a "no decision"
if the winning fighter returns a positive drug test result. Although
it had already been instituted and utilized in Nevada, the California
commission has not had the option available until now. The rule
will be utilized on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically
change the decision of a bout.
The
following are the rules changes issued by CSAC Assistant Executive
Director Bill Douglas:
Rule
227: Arbitration Procedures
This
rule change formalizes the process for athletes and managers/promoters
engaged in a contract dispute arbitrated by CSAC and the AG's
Office. Forms will be available online very shortly that must
be submitted in order to request arbitration.
Rule
281: Physical Condition of Boxer
This
rule change specifies guidelines related to the condition of
an athlete prior to licensure.
Rule
303: Administration of Use of Drugs
This
rule change specifies that any athlete who has previously tested
positive for anabolic agents or drugs of abuse must provide a
"clean" drug test as a condition of licensure prior
to being licensed or having his or her license renewed. Additionally,
the rule clearly defines the classifications of drugs that are
tested for.
Rules
314 and 523: Alternate Ring Specifications
This
rule change allows pro and amateur boxing, pro and amateur kickboxing,
and mixed martial arts to be held in the five roped ring at the
same event.
Rule
323: Bandages
This
rule change permits 10 yards of tape and 20 yards of bandage
for each hand as part of the hand wrap.
Rule
368: Change of Decision
This
rule change states that a positive drug test will permit the
Commission to change a victory to a "no decision."
This rule change will apply to drugs of abuse on a case-by-case
basis.
Rule
389: Appeal Procedures
This
rule change formalizes the process for athletes in an appeal
hearing for a suspension or fine by CSAC. The community wanted
it, well, the community gets what they asked for (a formal procedure
for appeals written into California law spreading the time equally
between both the Attorney General and the athlete's representation).
Forms will be available online very shortly that must be submitted
in order to request an appeal hearing.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
STRIKEFORCE:
RUTTEN AND RADACH REUNITE
When multiple injuries sidelined Benji “Razor” Radach
for three years, he wasn’t expected to come back as successful
as he had in 2007.
One
of the reasons for his return was his work with Bas “El
Guapo” Rutten when the two were part of the International
Fight League’s Los Angeles Anacondas team.
So
it would seem only fitting that with Radach ready to make his
Strikeforce debut Saturday against fellow top middleweight Scott
Smith, he would reunite with his former head coach for training.
“I
always liked Benji a lot and any time he comes and trains with
me, he won,” said Rutten. “I think we’ve got a
good connection together, and he listens always to exactly what
I say.
“Everything
is the same as it was (when we were with the Anacondas); just
good training.”
Rutten
knows Radach will have to be in top condition to face a fighter
as dangerous as Smith has shown himself to be.
“They’re
both heavy hitters and both have one-punch knockout (power),”
commented Rutten. “If someone’s going to get caught,
that guy is going to go (out).
“This
fight isn’t going to go the distance. Either way it’s
going to result in a knockout, and hopefully with help from me,
it’s going to be Scott (who is knocked out) and not Benji.”
Having
had experience with multiple top-tier MMA promotions, Rutten
is excited to see what Strikeforce will be able to do now that
they’ve taken a big step up this year.
“I
think is going to be huge,” he exclaimed. “This is
what we need for the sport, somebody like (Strikeforce promoter)
Scott Coker.
“Somebody
who really understands promotion and who has been promoting with
the same people; a steady group where everybody knows what they’re
doing.”
Rutten
believes that the maintained mutual respect between Strikeforce
and the UFC will allow both companies to prosper, unlike in the
past where competition usually ended in bad blood and promotions
failing.
“If
you come out and say you’re going to take on the UFC –
that’s not a very smart comment,” said Rutten. “Everybody
knows even Dana White gives props to Scott.
“Strikeforce
has been around a long time, and thankfully there were a lot
of really good fighters who were around, and they picked them
up and built their own stable of really huge fighters.”
As
for Rutten himself, aside from working with Radach, he has been
keeping busy launching his new workout program, the Body Action
System.
“If
you go to BodyActionSystem.com you can see what’s going
to come out from me,” he stated. “It’s going to
hit the TV also (via) a 25-minute infomercial.
“If
you see it, you’re going to like it. Every fighter who came
to me and trained on it said they had to get one – this
thing is going to be really good.”
Notably
one of the busiest men in MMA, Rutten is looking forward to another
productive year, both inside and outside the gym.
“We’re
working on that, some TV, and I just finished eight comedy episodes
for the Internet,” he concluded. “Everything is going
really well for me, if one thing pops, then I’m going to
be very happy.
“I’ve
got some really great gear coming out. Check out my website,
especially later this month, because I think I’m going to
be one of the first fighters whose got an interactive website
– it’s going to be really cool – you watch.”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
TOUGH
ROAD LEADS BRETT ROGERS TO STRIKEFORCE
Heavyweight
Brett Rogers sees his fight at “Shamrock vs. Diaz”
this Saturday as a chance to blow off a year’s worth of
pent-up steam.
“The
way I see it, this dude is about to pay my bills,” the 28-year-old
Minnesota resident said of his meeting with former "Iron
Ring" contestant Ron Humphrey. “It’s been a long
time, and I’m just going to have to take out a little aggression
on him.”
For
a guy who put himself on fans’ radar by calling it like
he sees it, Rogers has been mostly quiet since the collapse of
former home base EliteXC. There’s been little to talk about
– except his uncertain situation.
A
year ago, Rogers was a promising heavyweight in an organization
poised to be the first on network TV. He and his wife had quit
their jobs, and he was training full-time. Five months later,
he was stuck in a contract with a promotion that couldn’t
put him to work.
The
fight purses Rogers earned slowly evaporated, and with no means
to make a living, he had to ask for his old job back, installing
tires at Sam’s Club.
“Out
here, you just can’t be letting jobs go, because people
aren’t hiring,” said Rogers. “It’s hard to
find anything with an educational background.”
His
managers let him know the return wouldn’t be permanent,
either. They were already stretched thin.
“Realistically,
I shouldn’t be working there,” he continued. “They
knew that I needed it. So they were just like, as soon as the
time comes, you’ve got to let it go. I said just let me
work the next couple of months, and then I’ll disappear.”
The
struggles made him wonder if it was all worth it.
“For
a second there, I was real close to saying I needed a break,”
he said. “Maybe not 100-percent done with it, but I needed
to get back on my feet. Because it got to the point where things
were getting shut off, and things were being taken away. I’m
the type of guy that holds it in until I can’t take it anymore,
and my temper has been real loose.”
His
old gym was even forced to close. Now, he packs in training at
two St. Paul gyms with his day job. Team Bison, his group of
training partners and fellow fighters, is keeping it lean during
the transition.
When
he found out his contract was being picked up by Strikeforce,
it was the first ray of light in a long time. Rogers says a new
deal with Strikeforce is pending, but has not been finalized.
Nevertheless, he’ll be working very soon.
“It’s
just a relief, man,” said Rogers. “I could tell Scott
(Coker) a million times and I still wouldn’t feel like I
was thanking him enough, because he has no idea the stress that’s
been going on this past year.”
Rogers
admits that with all the turmoil of the last year, consistency
has been difficult to maintain in the gym. He’s found only
three videos of Humphrey online. In the gym, he’s been focused
on working with heavy guys, preparing for the 245 pounds of bulk
he’ll have to throw around on Saturday. But when the bell
rings, he’ll do his job the best he can.
“I
don’t want to say quick, but I do want to show that I’ve
been working other skills,” he said. “I’m gonna
leave it up to the other guy. He’s going to have his chance
to do what he needs to do. Otherwise, I’m gonna make up
his mind for him, and do what I do: rush him, get in for the
kill. With all that stuff that I was doing, I can only squeeze
in so much time for the heavy, heavy conditioning, so I’m
not gonna go in there and try and play around with him.”
Rogers
empathizes with Humphrey’s position, but not enough to let
up when he lands the first big punch.
“He’s
trying to make something of himself, and I’ve been in his
shoes,” said Rogers. “I know what he’s thinking.
I have to crush all that. Try that with somebody else. Bad timing.”
And
though timing hasn't been on his side lately, Rogers is confident
he’ll get back on track.
“Instead
of dealing with it on the streets, how most people like to deal
with it, I just hang on to it and use it towards training, and
when the time comes, the sport is allowing me to unleash,”
he said.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
MMAWEEKLY
WORLD MMA RANKINGS UPDATED
The latest MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings were released on Wednesday,
April 8. This system ranks the Top 10 MMA fighters from all across
the world in each of the seven most widely accepted weight classes.
Taken
into consideration are a fighter's performance in addition to
his win-loss record, head-to-head and common opponents, difficulty
of opponents, and numerous other factors in what is the most
comprehensive rankings system in the sport.
Fighters
who are currently serving drug-related suspensions are not eligible
for Top 10 consideration until they have fought one time after
the completion of their suspension.
Fighters
must also have competed within the past 12 months in order to
be eligible for Top 10 consideration. It has been more than 12
months since Koetsu Okazaki last competed. He is currently ineligible
for Top 10 consideration.
Below
are the current MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings, which are up-to-date
as of April 8.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
HEAVYWEIGHT
DIVISION (over 205 pounds)
#1
Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Fedor Emelianenko
2.
Josh Barnett
3.
Frank Mir
4.
Andrei Arlovski
5.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
6.
Randy Couture
7.
Tim Sylvia
8.
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
9.
Brock Lesnar
10.
Fabricio Werdum
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
LIGHT
HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)
#1
Light Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Rashad Evans
2.
Lyoto Machida
3.
Forrest Griffin
4.
Quinton Jackson
5.
Mauricio "Shogun" Rua
6.
Chuck Liddell
7.
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
8.
Wanderlei Silva
9.
Keith Jardine
10.
Thiago Silva
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
MIDDLEWEIGHT
DIVISION (185-pound limit)
#1
Middleweight Fighter in the World: Anderson Silva
2.
Robbie Lawler
3.
Yushin Okami
4.
Nathan Marquardt
5.
Jorge Santiago
6.
Dan Henderson
7.
Gegard Mousasi
8.
Vitor Belfort
9.
Kazuo Misaki
10.
Yoshihiro Akiyama
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
WELTERWEIGHT
DIVISION (170-pound limit)
#1
Welterweight Fighter in the World: Georges St. Pierre
2.
Jon Fitch
3.
Thiago Alves
4.
Jake Shields
5.
Josh Koscheck
6.
Matt Hughes
7.
Matt Serra
8.
Martin Kampmann
9.
Carlos Condit
10.
Nick Thompson
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
LIGHTWEIGHT
DIVISION (160-pound limit)
#1
Lightweight Fighter in the World: Shinya Aoki
2.
B.J. Penn
3.
Eddie Alvarez
4.
Tatsuya Kawajiri
5.
Joachim Hansen
6.
Gesias "JZ" Calvancante
7.
Kenny Florian
8.
Mitsuhiro Ishida
9.
Josh Thomson
10.
Satoru Kitaoka
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
FEATHERWEIGHT
DIVISION (145 pound-limit)
#1
Featherweight Fighter in the World: Mike Brown
2.
Urijah Faber
3.
Hatsu Hioki
4.
Wagnney Fabiano
5.
"Lion" Takeshi Inoue
6.
Jose Aldo
7.
Raphael Assuncao
8.
Nam Phan
9.
Leonard Garcia
10.
Antonio Carvalho
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
BANTAMWEIGHT
DIVISION (135 pounds or less)
#1
Featherweight Fighter in the World: Miguel Torres
2.
Brian Bowles
3.
Masakatsu Ueda
4.
Takeya Mizugaki
5.
Akitoshi Tamura
6.
Will Ribeiro
7.
Damacio Page
8.
Joseph Benavidez
9.
Manny Tapia
10.
Marcos Galvao
Source: MMA Weekly
|
THREE
HEADLINER BOUTS ANNOUNCED FOR UFC 100
For
the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization’s historic
UFC 100 event on Saturday, July 11 at the Mandalay Bay Events
Center in Las Vegas, Nev., a stacked card featuring the best
of the best in mixed martial arts is not only expected, but required.
So to celebrate this once in a lifetime event, the UFC is pleased
to announce three featured bouts that would be main events on
their own anywhere in the world.
In
the main event, the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship of
the world is on the line when reigning titleholder Brock Lesnar
faces interim champ Frank Mir in one of the most highly anticipated
rematches in heavyweight history.
“Brock
Lesnar and Frank Mir put on one of the most intense one round
fights I’ve ever seen at UFC 81,” said UFC President
Dana White, referring to Mir’s submission victory over Lesnar
in February of 2008. “But when it was over, both guys saw
things very differently. Lesnar blamed his loss on inexperience
and being too aggressive, while Mir saw his win as a triumph
of his technique, something he says will happen every time they
fight. On July 11, these guys have their chance to do it again,
and while a lot has happened for these two since that first fight,
I know the rematch is going to be just as intense as the first
one, especially considering that the winner walks away as the
UFC Heavyweight Champion.”
The
co-featured bout of the evening will see UFC welterweight champion
Georges “Rush” St-Pierre risk his title against feared
striker Thiago “Pitbull” Alves, a man many believe
has the style and size to dethrone the seemingly unbeatable champion.
“Georges
St-Pierre may be the most athletically-gifted welterweight champion
in UFC history, but at UFC 100 he will face his toughest challenge
yet,” said White. “Thiago Alves is a Muay Thai wrecking
machine who, like St-Pierre, is huge for a welterweight. He trains
with the world-famous American Top Team and is on a seven fight
win streak, including victories over top contenders Karo Parisyan
and Josh Koscheck as well as former world champion Matt Hughes.
Alves has improved with every fight and I am expecting an explosive
fight from the two top welterweights in the world.”
And
rounding off this trio of superfights is a pivotal middleweight
matchup pitting the coaches of the current season of The Ultimate
Fighter, Dan Henderson and Michael “The Count” Bisping,
against each other in a bout that will push the winner even closer
to a 185-pound title shot.
“Michael
Bisping has always been a talented fighter, but he’s gotten
even scarier once he dropped down to the middleweight division,”
said White. “He’s getting better and better with each
fight, but the true test for him will be Dan Henderson. Henderson’s
one of the best fighters of this era, he’s dangerous wherever
the fight goes, and he’s got more world-class experience
than almost anyone out there. I’m really looking forward
to this, and I think the winner will be the guy who fights the
perfect fight on July 11.
A
gifted athlete with the size, speed, and power to impose his
will on any opponent, six-foot-three-and-a-half-inch, 265-pound
Brock Lesnar (3-1) made an immediate impact in the UFC when he
debuted in February of 2008. A four-time All-American, two-time
Big Ten Champion, and 2000 NCAA Division I National Champion
in wrestling, Lesnar made a name for himself internationally
after college as a professional wrestler, but he soon found his
calling in mixed martial arts in 2006. After a 69-second win
in his pro debut a year later, Lesnar entered the UFC in 2008
and was seconds away from victory against former heavyweight
champ Frank Mir before a stoppage in the action for a point deduction
allowed Mir to come back and submit the newcomer moments afterwards.
But at UFC 87 in August of 2008, Lesnar showed why he was a force
to be reckoned with by dominating Heath Herring, and by Nov.
15, the ever-improving Minnesotan shocked the world when he TKO'd
one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Randy “The
Natural” Couture. Now firmly entrenched at the top of the
heavyweight division, Lesnar wants to even the score with Mir.
“I
was disappointed the fight was postponed from May because I can’t
wait to get my revenge against Frank,” said Lesnar. “But
now I get to fight him on the biggest show the UFC has ever put
on. On July 11, I’m going to finish this fight on the ground
the way it should have been finished last time and walk out with
my UFC heavyweight championship belt around my waist.”
Many
believe that 29-year-old Las Vegan Frank Mir (12-3) was destined
for stardom the moment he stepped in the UFC Octagon, and he
lived up to all expectations when he submitted Tim Sylvia in
50 seconds in 2004 to win the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Unfortunately,
Mir’s career ground to a halt when a serious motorcycle
accident later that year forced him to the sidelines for almost
two years. His eagerness to return forced him into some spotty
performances when he stepped back into the Octagon in 2006, but
at UFC 74 in August of 2007, Mir was back in top notch form as
he submitted Antoni Hardonk in just 77 seconds. He followed that
pivotal win with a come-from-behind victory over Brock Lesnar
at UFC 81 in February of 2008, but it wasn’t until UFC 92
on Dec. 27, 2008 that Mir came all the way back, as he became
the first man to stop the legendary Antonio “Minotauro”
Nogueira at UFC 92, en route to regaining the interim portion
of the championship he never lost in the Octagon. On May 23rd,
the 6-3, 240 pound Mir has the opportunity to once again reign
as the undisputed titleholder.
“He’s
a very powerful guy,” said Mir. “I think I’m going
to see a different fighter from our first fight. This fight has
all the makings of an historic matchup.”
One
of the most dynamic fighters in mixed martial arts history, UFC
welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (18-2) can do it all
in the Octagon, and his resume speaks for itself. A gifted striker
and grappler, the 27-year old from Montreal is a two-time welterweight
title holder who owns wins over the likes of Matt Hughes, Matt
Serra, BJ Penn, Sean Sherk, Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, and Frank
Trigg. But St-Pierre is a tireless force in and out of the Octagon,
and he’s training harder than ever for a fight against the
greatest threat to his throne, Thiago Alves.
“A
fight is not only a question of strength, it’s a mix of
skill and a variety of techniques and strategy,” said St-Pierre.
“For me, I’m very glad to be part of such a historic
event like UFC 100. But I also think of it as another fight –
I’ll be as well prepared as I can be. I think he’s
gonna try to hurt me really bad standing up, or it’s possible
that he might try to surprise me and take me down also. So I
need to be prepared for the possibility of both.”
An
aggressive Muay Thai practitioner with dynamite in his fists,
feet, and knees, Thiago Alves (22-4) is coming off a 2008 campaign
that had many outlets proclaiming him to be Fighter of the Year.
And that was with good reason, as the 25-year-old native of Fortaleza,
Brazil scored spectacular knockouts of top contender Karo Parisyan
and welterweight legend Matt Hughes before finishing off the
year with a dominant three round win over Josh Koscheck. Now
hitting his peak as a mixed martial artist, “The Pitbull”
is not about to let this opportunity to fight for the world title
slip through his hands.
“I
was born ready for this fight,” said Alves. “I’m
training hard for this one and this is the biggest fight of my
career. I’m really excited to fight the baddest man on the
earth and I can’t wait to knock him out. I’ve gotten
so much better. I feel like the luckiest man in the world - fighting
GSP, the toughest man on the planet, and fighting at UFC 100
is an honor.”
The
finest mixed martial artist to ever hail from the United Kingdom,
Manchester, England’s Michael “The Count” Bisping
(18-1) has come a long way from his days as the winner of season
three of The Ultimate Fighter in 2006. Since his introduction
of the world scene, Bisping has scored victories over Eric Schafer,
Elvis Sinosic, and Matt Hamill, but it wasn’t until he dropped
to the middleweight division that his stock truly rose, as he
is unbeaten at 185 pounds with wins over Chris Leben, Jason Day,
and Charles McCarthy. But his truest test comes on July 11 when
he faces the man he is currently coaching against on season nine
of The Ultimate Fighter, Dan Henderson.
"This
is the biggest fight of my career,” said Bisping.
“I
watched Dan Henderson and followed his career long before I even
came to the UFC. It is an honor and great challenge to go up
against an Olympian and two-time world champion. I tried to get
under his skin during the filming of TUF, but he is a gentleman
and not easily riled up. But in this fight I don't need to play
psychological games. To win, I have to come in with the right
game plan and take the fight to Henderson. That's exactly what
I am going to do on this huge stage of UFC 100.”
A
two-time United States Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling, Dan
Henderson (24-7) turned his sights to MMA in 1997, and he has
since put together a Hall of Fame worthy career that has seen
him become the first and only fighter to hold PRIDE championships
simultaneously in two divisions while beating such standouts
as Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Murilo Bustamante, Renzo Gracie,
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and ‘Babalu’ Sobral. Fresh
off back-to-back wins over Rousimar Palhares and Rich Franklin,
“Hendo” is eager to beat Bisping and get back to the
top of the list for a shot at the title.
“Bisping
is going to be a good fight for me, and I’m looking forward
to it,” said Henderson. “He does a lot of things well,
but I don’t think he has an edge over me in anything, and
my experience is going to be too much for him on July 11.”
UFC 100: JULY 11, 2009
venue: Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada
-Georges
St. Pierre (#1 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Thiago Alves (#3
Welterweight in the World)*
-Frank Mir (#3 Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Brock Lesnar (#9
Heavyweight in the World)*
-Jon Fitch (#2 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Paulo Thiago
-Dan Henderson (#6 Middleweight in the World)* vs. Michael Bisping
-Yoshihiro Akiyama (#10 Middleweight in the World)* vs. Alan
Belcher
-Dong-Hyun Kim vs. Jonathan Goulet
-Jon Jones vs. Jake O'Brien
-Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty
-C.B. Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor
Source: MMA Weekly
|
FRANK
SHAMROCK WANTS TO TAKE DIAZ TO SCHOOL
Frank Shamrock may feel time’s effect on his body more than
Nick Diaz, but believes his poise will decide their fight.
On
Saturday, the two veterans meet for Showtime cameras at Strikeforce:
“Shamrock vs. Diaz” in San Jose, Calif.
There
are the physical challenges Diaz presents: his height and reach
advantage, long arms, and skills on the ground. Shamrock wants
to get inside and punch it out before being taken down.
More
of a question mark, though, is Diaz’s volatility in and
out of the cage, and how it will affect him during the fight.
“His
focus can get broken by his emotion, and it tends to cloud your
judgment a little bit,” said Shamrock. “On the flip
side, somebody who’s passionate about something will go
above and beyond their physical abilities, and tap into something
that’s sometimes extraordinary.
“I
always worry about the quiet guy and I always worry about the
emotional guy. I think for Nick, it works. He’s at the right
age where he can go in there, full of piss and vinegar and get
his emotions up.”
And
Diaz has already worked himself into a froth over Shamrock, mostly
because the former UFC champion is trying to take money out of
his pocket. When that happens, respect goes out the window.
Nowhere
was that more apparent than the middle finger shoved in Shamrock’s
face at the press conference announcing the fight. As Shamrock
said later, he’s been around too long to take those things
personally – John Lober once told him he was going to be
strangled like Jon Benet Ramsey – but it didn’t buy
any more respect for Diaz.
If
anything, he feels a victory will teach Diaz a lesson –
not to mention his supporters and fans in the “mainstream”
of the sport.
“I
know that people look up to him, and I’m concerned that
that is what people are going to think about our art,” Shamrock
told MMAWeekly.com. “I’m concerned that the more successful
he gets, the more people are going to think that’s what
you should do. I think that’s the wrong image to give off.”
Eleven
years ago, he might have understood where Diaz was coming from.
But standing opposite him as they’ve built the fight –
he doesn’t like what he sees.
“I
wasn’t a martial artist when I got into this sport,”
said Shamrock. “I became a martial artist because it was
necessary. That’s how you survive and you stay healthy and
keep your sanity. I just don’t think he has that guidance.
I think he’s a martial artist, but I think he’s lacking
a lot of the core principles of martial arts.”
It’s
less about the core principles Diaz practices than the ones he
doesn’t. Call them habits, if you will, on display to the
public.
“Vulgarity,
excessive marijuana smoking,” he said. “You don’t
do drugs and stuff. It comes off as kind of ghetto. His goals
are obvious: he wants to be a fighter. There’s nothing wrong
with that. He wants to be on the path. But certainly the path
he’s taken is a very different one. It’s one of the
most unique paths I’ve seen.”
In
this case, unique is probably not a good thing.
Still,
it’s not as simple as going into the cage and washing Diaz’s
mouth out with soap. For better or for worse, he’s good
for business.
“It’s
a breath of fresh air, because you need somebody as an antagonist
to promote a match,” said Shamrock. “We need people
to stir up the pot. The fight’s going to happen, regardless,
but there’s got to be some passion behind it.”
And
that’s the issue that Shamrock has grappled with for much
of his career, whether it came to him or the industry as a whole:
what’s good for the sport, and what’s good for business.
He’s largely detached himself from all but training and
teaching, frustrated with the climate of the sport’s success.
He felt the art was being stripped away.
“If
you’re willing to compromise your morals to make commerce,
then your art is not that important to you,” he said.
But
he has a skill, and that skill is being used to put his kids
through college. Sometimes the people you work with aren’t
the nicest.
So
when he tries to knock Diaz out on Saturday night, there will
be a moral to his martial arts story, although “not in any
way that he’s going to get,” Shamrock said.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
RYAN
BADER TEARS MCL & PCL LIGAMENTS IN KNEE
Just a week after "Ultimate Fighter" winner Ryan Bader
got his first win following the finale of the reality show, it
appears he will have to go through rehab for torn MCL and PCL
ligaments in his knee.
Bader
confirmed the injury to MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday, but added
that while both are torn, it appears that he will not require
surgery for the injury.
"One
of the first takedowns, I was passing from half-guard trying
to pass to side control, and I just heard my knee pop, which
isn't a big deal because they pop every once in a while,"
Bader told MMAWeekly.com after the fight against Carmelo Marrero.
"I
stood back up and I felt that it was really, really loose. It
didn't really do too much as far as impeding me in the fight
or anything like that, but it was starting to swell up a little
bit."
After
heading to the doctor for a final diagnosis, Bader ended up with
tears in both his posterior cruciate ligament, and his medial
collateral ligament.
According
to the University of California-San Francisco, the average time
for a MCL tear to heal is about six weeks, while avoiding surgery
on the PCL in particular could save the former Arizona State
All-American from being forced out of action for anywhere from
six to 12 months.
Bader
posted a picture of his knee online via his Facebook account,
which showed it encased in a brace, which he will likely keep
on for several weeks while rehabbing.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
“Ideas
are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them,
and pretty soon you have a dozen.”
John Steinbeck
|
Showtime
Announces Strikeforce Challengers Series to Debut May 15
NEW
YORK (April 6, 2009)—Undefeated lightweight (155 lb. limit)
sensation Billy Evangelista (9-0) will fight hard-hitting brawler
and BJ Penn protégé “Iron” Mike Aina (11-6-1) in the main
event of the inaugural, newly titled SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers
series from leading MMA promoter Strikeforce and premium television
network SHOWTIME, on Friday, May 15 at Save Mart Center in Fresno,
Calif.
The
SHOWTIME telecast will air live beginning at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed
on the West Coast) and feature up to five MMA fights including
Kim “Sugar Free” Couture (1-1), wife of MMA legend
Randy “The Natural” Couture, facing an opponent to
be named.
SHO
MMA: Strikeforce Challengers provides MMA’s hottest prospects
with the opportunity to perform at a high level of competition
in a nationally televised event.
“This
is where the men—and women—will be separated from the
boys, so to speak,” said Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott
Coker. “The growth and future of our sport just got a turbo
injection. For regional fighters and up-and-coming men and women
looking to test themselves against other top prospects and get
on the fasttrack to stardome, SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers
is the place to do it. I can’t wait for this first event.”
Tickets
for the first SHO MMA: Strikeforce Challengers event go on sale
Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m. PT at the Save Mart Center box office
and select Save Mart Supermarkets as well as at all Ticketmaster
locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com)
and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com).
“I
don’t know anything about my opponent, but it doesn’t
matter because I know he’s going to try to take me out like
everyone else has, so it’ll be my job to react to whatever
he does,” said the 28-year-old Evangelista, who fights out
of Fresno. “I’ve got a great team behind me and I’ve
been training really hard so I’m not worried.”
A
finely tuned Muay Thai technician and wrestling expert, Evangelista
notched his last Strikeforce victory by turning the tides on
road warrior Luke “Lil’ Hulk” Caudillo in a thrilling
slugfest at Broomfield, Colo., on October 3, 2008. After being
dropped twice with punches in the first round, a determined Evangelista
battled back in the following two rounds to earn a unanimous
decision.
Three
and a half months prior to his conquest of Caudillo, Evangelista
secured a key win over Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert Nam Phan in
Strikeforce action at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
The
28-year-old Aina has never been stopped over the course of 18
professional starts. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, he has
been a student of MMA superstar Penn for six years and has since
developed a dangerous, hybrid fighting style that favors dirty
boxing and kickboxing and is supported by a strong Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu foundation.
“It’s
a big opportunity for me,” said Aina of the matchup with
Evangelista. “Billy is no slouch. I’m expecting a really
tough fight because we have similar styles. We both like to stand
up even though we’re both also well rounded. I’m going
in with a positive mindset and I’m ready to work hard in
there.”
Aina
nearly pulled off a stunning upset of superstar Nick Diaz when
the two faced off in Hilo on September 15, 2007. Aina stalked
Diaz in the early going of their matchup and got the better of
Diaz in a few of their exchanges. By the third round, however,
fatigue set in and Aina’s pace slowed while Diaz, known
for his outstanding stamina, continued to dish out punishment
before earning a split decision.
“I
kind of wore out as the fight went on,” admitted Aina. “Nick
stands up in front of you and doesn’t give you a break.
I definitely think I won the first two rounds, hands down, but
that’s why you can’t leave things in the hands of the
judges. That fight definitely tested my character and helped
bring my game to the next level.”
Since
the loss to Diaz, Aina has reeled off two straight wins, his
last being a first round submission of Ismael Gonzalves on August
9, 2008.
Couture
made her debut with Strikeforce on November 21, 2008 against
Lina Kvokov. Couture, who recently added K-1 superstar Ray Sefo
to her team of world-class trainers, quickly overwhelmed Kvokov
with punch flurries and knee strikes in the first round of their
matchup at San Jose’s HP Pavilion. After Kvokov turned her
back due to her inability to defend herself any longer, the referee
ordered a stoppage at the 1:44 mark of the opening round, giving
Couture a victory by way of TKO.
Save
Mart Center doors will open at 5:15 p.m. PT on May 15 and the
first preliminary bout will begin at 6 p.m. PT.
Source: Showtime
|
2009
Triple Crown of BJJ
This Saturday!
The date
for the first crown of the 2009 Triple Crown of BJJ has been
set!
Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kaiser High School, Honolulu, Hawaii
April 11, 2009
Click below to register!
http:www.hawaiitriplecrown.com |
X1
Temple of Boom V
April 11, 2009
Palolo Hongwanji
This Saturday Night!
Pro
Boxing
135
- Isaac Arasato (Palolo BC) vs Ricky Thompson (Florida)
140
- Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona BC) vs Mike Maley (Indiana)
126
- Thaddine Johnson (New York) vs Tracey Stevens (Canada)
145
- Richard Barnard (Waianae BC) vs Dimitris Labatos (Florida)
140
- Nui Wheeler (Maili Soljahs) vs Keith Kelly (Montana)
MMA
170
- Kolo Koka (MMAD) vs Michael Brightmon (Gorilla House)
170 - David Kahanui (Da Hui) vs Kona Ke (Gods Army)
135
- Julio Moreno (Bullspen) vs Jared Iha (No Remorse)
145
- Steve Albanese (M.C.O.A) vs Colin Mackenzie (Gods Army)
155
- Cordel Knapp (558 MP) vs Angel Garza (Chris Leben)
155 - Steve Farmer (Universal Combat) vs Ben Santiago (Gods Army)
170 - Keoki Silva (Freelance) vs Joe Palimoo (HMC)
185
- Kaipo Cayetano (Bullspen) vs Frankie Ruiz (Freelance)
185 - Akoni Sexton (Freelance) vs Derrick Wright (Freelance)
205 - Mikey (Freelance) vs Ashton Visoria (Team Devastation) |
COWBOY:
"I'M GONNA TO PUT THE SPURS TO CLEAT"
Popular WEC lightweight Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone is
set to return to the cage at WEC 41 on June 7, when he will face
Richard "Cleat" Crunkilton. Cerrone confirmed the bout
to MMAWeekly.com late Saturday night.
"I'm
gonna to put the spurs to Cleat, if he bothers to show up for
this one," said the former professional bull rider, taking
a jab at Crunkilton for having pulled out of two of his more
recently scheduled bouts.
Although
it is unclear if Crunkilton has actually inked his end of the
contract, Cerrone says that he has signed his bout agreement.
He was told that Crunkilton was "good to go."
The
bout will take place as part of the undercard for the WEC 41
event in Sacramento, Calif., headlined by the rematch between
current WEC featherweight champion and No. 1 ranked Mike Brown
and No. 2 ranked former champion Urijah Faber.
Cowboy
is jumping back in the saddle after suffering the first loss
of his career, a split decision loss to current WEC lightweight
champion Jamie Varner at WEC 38. He was 9-0 with 1 no contest
prior to the loss.
Crunkilton
hasn't seen the cage since WEC 33 in March of 2008, having defeated
Sergio Gomez by unanimous decision. He withdrew from a bout scheduled
against Cerrone in June of last year, and then again backed out
of a scheduled fight against Bart Palaszewski at WEC 39 last
month in Corpus Christi, Texas; both due to injuries.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
SAKURAI
ROCKS AOKI AT DREAM 8
DREAM
held its second event in the last month, staging DREAM 8 from
Nagoya, Japan. The event was highlighted by the opening round
of the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix.
In
the main event of the evening, Japanese grappling wizard Shinya
Aoki faced off with Japanese mixed martial arts legend Hayato
“Mach” Sakurai. Sakurai came out flying with a knee,
but soon found himself on his back. Sakurai was able to get back
to his knees then landed two devastating knees that stunned Aoki.
He finished it up with several punches that put Aoki to sleep
with only 27 seconds past in the fight. Sakurai moves on to the
next round and now has to be considered the favorite to win the
tournament.
Affliction
veteran Jason High got back on the winning track after choking
out DEEP veteran Yuya Shirai. High came out the aggressor, landing
two straight lefts that dropped Shirai as he secured his back.
It didn’t take long before High had the choke sunk, putting
Shirai to sleep only 59 seconds into the fight. With the win,
High advances to the next round of the DREAM Welterweight Grand
Prix.
What
can only be described as an amazing slugfest, Cage Rage veteran
Marius Zaromskis bested DEEP welterweight champion Seichi Ikemoto.
The two traded back and forth, swinging without caution and hurting
one another in the process. Zaromskis started to land the more
effective strikes as he mixed in kicks and knees into his arsenal.
With only seconds left in the fight, Zaromskis trounced Ikemoto
with a vicious flurry of strikes that likely would have finished
him had it not been for the bell. Zaromskis earned the unanimous
decision and a spot in the next round of the tournament.
In
the first DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix bout, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
world champion Andre Galvao looked impressive in submitting WEC
veteran John Alessio. Both fighters started the fight out tentative,
neither wanting to make a mistake, but Galavo got the fight to
the ground and immediately had Alessio’s back. After working
for the choke, Galvao switched to an armbar. After a bit of a
struggle, he got Alessio to tap at 7:34 of the opening round.
In
the final DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix first round bout, Daiki
“DJ Taiki” Hata won a comfortable decision over crowd
favorite Hideo Tokoro. Both fighters were tentative to start,
but as the bout wore on, Hata began to find his range on the
feet. Once they hit the ground, Hata would be the aggressor with
ground and pound, while Tokoro worked for submissions. The final
round was much of the same with the exception of Hata landing
cleaner, more effective shots. Hata would go on to win a unanimous
decision and move on to the second round of the DREAM Featherweight
Grand Prix.
Fighting
for the third time in three weeks, American Top Team product
Jeff Monson submitted touted Russian heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov.
Monson quickly shot for a takedown and after a reversal found
himself on top of Kharitonov, moving into north-south position
and securing a choke that forced Kharitonov to tap at 1:42 of
the first round.
In
a back and forth affair, Brazilian striker Murilo “Ninja”
Rua took on late replacement Riki Fukuda. The two traded shots
throughout the fight with both fighters getting their licks in.
With the fight fairly even in the final round, Fukuda launched
a flurry that connected in the final minute of the fight, clearly
hurting Rua and swaying the fight into his favor. When the judge’s
scorecards were read, Fukuda walked away with a unanimous decision
victory.
After
a long layoff, Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro returned to
action against Olympic wrestling medalist Katsuhiko Nagata. It
didn’t take long for the fight to hit the ground and after
a quick reversal, Shaolin ended up on top. From that point on,
Shaolin used his overwhelming grappling and easily moved from
position to position. He finally settled on side mount, where
he rained a couple of big knees that opened a nasty cut on Nagata’s
head that forced an immediate stoppage of the fight at 7:58 of
the opening round.
Karate
stylist Andrews Nakahara stopped Japanese mixed martial arts
veteran Shungo Oyama. After a brief feeling out period, Oyama
lunged in for a leg lock, but missed and was met with a right
hand that dazed him, giving Nakahara the opening to finish the
fight with strikes at the two minute mark.
In
the opening fight of the night, Katsuyori Shibata staged a comeback
to steal a decision away from Ikuhisa Minowa. Minowa controlled
the fight on the ground up until the final three minutes, when
a stand-up reenergized Shibata. Shibata then took over, landing
an array of strikes that had Minowa reeling and finished the
fight with a highlight suplex. When it was all said and done,
Shibata earned a unanimous decision victory.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
ASSUNCAO
& HENDERSON GET BIG WINS IN WEC
Two new contenders were definitely introduced to fans at the
WEC event on Sunday night as Rafael Assuncao made his presence
known in the featherweight division, while Ben Henderson proved
he can comeback from adversity to get a big win, to put his name
in the hat for the 155lb division.
Coming
into the WEC as a top ten featherweight, Raphael Assuncao, was
expected to be impressive in his first fight, and he held up
his end of the bargain with a dominant decision over veteran
fighter, Jameel Massouh.
Despite
giving up a few inches to his taller opponent, Assuncao did a
good job of controlling the stand-up in the fight, landing a
series of overhand rights that Massouh seemingly had no answer
for.
Early
in the fight came Massouh's best chance to win as he locked up
a strong heel hook on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, but
Assuncao persevered and escaped. Assuncao then took over the
fight with his takedowns and superior striking that Massouh really
struggled to overcome.
When
on the ground, Assuncao again controlled the action, using his
power to keep Massouh under him while going for punches and elbows.
The third round saw Massouh come out gunning for his opponent
knowing he was down 2 rounds to none, but again Assuncao kept
him off balance with strong punches and dominant ground work.
In
the end, Assuncao was able to prove why he is a top ten featherweight,
and a legitimate contender in the WEC's ever growing 145lb weight
class.
Lightweight
Ben Henderson caught trouble early against Shane Holler, taking
a trip to the canvas in the first moments of the fight.
As
Henderson circled away, Roller found his range and plastered
Henderson with a jab and cross that sent him to the edge of the
cage. Holler got the mount and flurried away with punches, but
Henderson was able to pitch forward and drive the action to standing.
Henderson
got a takedown of his own shortly after the two clinched, but
Roller wanted back on his feet. Southpaw Henderson was first
up after the two scrambled, and unleashed a barrage of punches,
punctuated by a straight left that took Roller’s legs from
him.
Despite
Roller’s attempt to lock his arms at Henderson’s torso,
it was clear he had nowhere to go. At 1:41, the referee stopped
the action, giving Henderson the TKO win.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
$10,000
BONUSES HANDED OUT AT WEC 40
In a bout that saw both men pushed to their limits, the WEC awarded
Miguel Torres and Takeya Mizugaki $10,000 each for Fight of the
Night in the main event of WEC 40 at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago.
In the end, Torres won a unanimous decision from judges, defending
his bantamweight belt for the third time.
WEC
newcomer Anthony Njokuani put himself squarely on the map of
lightweights to look out for, stopping Bart Palaszewski with
a furious punching assault, and picking up the Knockout of the
Night bonus.
Submission
ace Rani Yahya's quick choke-out of Eddie Wineland brought him
the Submission of the Night.
WEC
officials also confirmed the evening's attendance at 5,257, though
gate figures were not immediately available.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Sérgio
Moraes
Without
participating of any Jiu-Jitsu competition in 2009, the current
middleweight world champion Sérgio Moraes (Alliance) is
with the focus turned to the MMA. With the contract of Bellator
Fighting Championship in hand, the fighter, who has three fights
and three victories in the MMA, talked with TATAME about his
plans for the year, anxious to start the partnership with the
Chute Boxe team. In the interview below, the TATAME interrupted
Serginho’s fun on the Xbox to a chat, where the athlete
revealed when he should debut in Bellator, why he didn’t
participate of the Jiu-Jitsu competitions in 2009, the defeat
of Kron Gracie at the Pan American and more.
Rudimar
told TATAME that will make a partnership with the Alliance to
strengthen the training of Chute Boxe. Is the partnership already
happening?
Yes,
it is. It seems that we will work with teachers inside the Chute
Boxe and that got me interested, because it would be great for
me, beyond doing an exchange of Jiu-Jitsu, it would improve my
standing part.
Have
you ever been in Chute Boxe?
I
didn’t, yet, because the proposal is happening and we will
see how it will be, how long we will be and, as soon as it sets,
I will go.
What
is your expectation to train in Chute Boxe, a school that trained
some of the biggest names in the MMA?
Some
of the biggest in the world... Anderson, Wanderlei, Shogun, Ninja...
The expectation is one of the best possible, train with everyone
there, making friends and maintaining the family atmosphere,
the way I always train.
And
how is your situation in Bellator?
We
got the contract in hand and only have to sign, but is defined
that I will fight May 1st. For now it will be a super fight,
but then I should enter the GP at the end of the year. I want
to get experience first.
You
haven’t competed in Jiu-Jitsu this year yet... Your focus
now is only the MMA?
At
the beginning of the year, I'm giving priority to the MMA, but,
once I pass this fight, I return the total focus to the Jiu-Jitsu.
I will be at the World championship trying to win again and doing
the hard training, dedicating myself. The category has lots of
hard guys and I have to be prepared.
And
the World professional, are you going?
No,
I won’t, because the dates coincided with the MMA.
Kron
won the European, but ended up with silver in the Pan. Have you
followed the championship?
I
was following, but it is difficult to say. He has to fight with
a lot of people, to only think of me. There are very tough guys
for him to fight and know, much thing to get better, for both
me and him... Let's wait
After
dominating in 2008, Alliance was third place in Pan. What’s
your expectation for the team in 2009?
The
expectation is the best possible. Our team is more united than
ever, has a very strong guys and you will see some surprises
in the World Championship, some guys returning to fight... You'll
see.
Source: Tatame
|
Jacaré
comments on Anderson’s trainings
Anderson
Silva will face, for the first time, a Brazilian fighter in the
UFC octagon. For the fight against Thales Leites, in UFC 97,
the champion called what’s best in terms of ground fight:
the Jiu-Jitsu world champions Ronaldo “Jacaré”
Souza and André Galvão. And for Jacaré,
who'll be back at Dream 9 , Anderson is with the ground game
ready for the bout.
"Anderson
is training well and is strong in all MMA fundaments. Anderson
is a phenomenon standing, but if anyone thinks that will take
Anderson down and submit, is completely wrong. He’s a talent
on the ground, has black belt level", says Jacaré,
betting on his friend’s Jiu-Jitsu. "Anderson is intelligent
and good on MMA, he can surprise any opponent. But, for this
fight, I think he will make a game that he is better".
Source: Tatame
|
Letícia
Ribeiro satisfied at BJJ Pan 2009
Second
place overall by teams of the Pan-American of Jiu-Jitsu, which
happened last weekend in Carson, United States, the Gracie Humaitá
made a good job between the women. At the finals of three categories
of black belt, the team returned home with two gold medals, for
the party of the proud Letícia Ribeiro. Facing the three
times world champion Kyra Gracie (Gracie Barra), Ana Carolina
Vidal defeated Kyra by 7x0 and got the lightweight Pan-American
title.
"It
was very cool, everything on what we’ve planned. Carol is
coming well, already has four world titles in the previous belts
and was a great participation, beat Kyra, who today I consider
one of the tops in the female Jiu-Jitsu, and made a very good
championship. We had already studied Kyra’s game, I had
already fought with her, and everything went right", celebrates
Leticia, who had to stay out of the competition, but saw the
team snap the silver overall. "We stayed in second, but
we almost didn’t have girl in blue belt, but Bia (Mesquita)
was also champion, in purple, and Luka (Dias) too, in black.
Penny (Thomas) was in second and we had my defalcation, but was
great".
With
training in full gas, the team returns the focus, now, for the
World Championship. "Royler is living here in San Diego
and his coming is helping a lot not only the feminine team, but
the entire Gracie Humaitá. The trainings are excellent
and we are planting now to reap the good results this year...
Will go with everything for the World Championship", finalized
the three times world champion.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Diego
Sanchez: One win away from UFC title shot at 155 pounds?
Currently
on a three-fight win streak, UFC welterweight-turned-lightweight
Diego Sanchez (20-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) believes he’s one solid
win away from a shot at the UFC’s lightweight 155-pound
title.
And
on the most recent episode of HDNet’s “Inside MMA,”
Sanchez said the UFC feels the same way.
“I
have been given word that a dominating victory over Clay Guida,
which I intend to do, will be put me right in my spot for the
title shot,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez
meets Guida at the Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale on June 20 in Las
Vegas.
Sanchez,
winner of season one of “The Ultimate Fighter,” went
through a rough stretch in 2007 with back-to-back decision losses
to Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck - the first two losses of his
then-five-year-old career.
“Nightmare”
has since bounced back with wins over Luigi Fioravanti, David
Bielkheden and, in his first and to-date-only bout at 155 pounds,
Joe Stevenson.
The
UFC’s lightweight belt will next be contested in an August
matchup between current champ B.J. Penn and No. 1 contender Kenny
Florian.
Sanchez
believes his first-round TKO win over Florian in 2005’s
original Ultimate Fighter Finale, and his size advantage in his
new division, prove he’s ready for the challenge.
“Being
one of the biggest 155-pounders is going to give me a great edge,”
Sanchez said. “I’ve beat Kenny Florian in a decisive
fashion, so I put myself as a No. 1 contender - and I’m
here to prove that.”
Source: MMA Junkie
|
ALVAREZ
& MASVIDAL WIN AT FIRST BELLATOR EVENT
Hollywood, Fla.—Bellator Fighting Championships kicked off
its twelve-week tournament series at the Seminole Hard Rock and
Casino, showcasing featherweights and lightweights.
Eddie
Alvarez nearly had his debut spoiled when opponent Greg Loughran
dropped him with a punch in the first, but the Philadelphia native
popped up quickly. After cornering Loughran, he cinched a guillotine
choke that sealed the deal, sending a legion of his fans present
into a frenzy.
Jorge
Masvidal floored his first-round opponent, Nick Agallar, and
followed with punches on the ground to wrap the fight up in 79
seconds.
“We
are very pleased with this first event,” said Bellator CEO
Bjorn Rebney. “It had great action, upsets and dominant
performances. Fans in the U.S. as well as abroad get the chance
to see these world-class fighters get one step closer to establishing
their position amongst the elite in the game.”
The
fights will be aired in a two-hour special at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m.
PST on ESPN Deportes.
The
next stop on Bellator's tour is April 10 at the Mohegan Sun Arena
in Uncasville, CT, where welterweights will be featured.
Bellator
I Full Results:
Eddie
Alvarez def. Greg Loughran by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at
2:44, R1
Jorge
Masvidal def Nick Agallar by TKO (Strikes) at 1:19, R1
Yahir
Reyes def. Nick Gonzalez by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at
2:11, R1
Estevan
Payan def. Luis Palomino by Split Decision at 5:00, R3
Joe
Soto def. Ben Greer by TKO (Strikes) at 3:40, R1
Toby
Imada def. Alonzo Martinez by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at
3:26, R1
Non-Tournament
Bouts:
Jonathan
Brookins def. Stephen Ledbetter by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
at 3:32, R1
Lorenzo
Borgomeo def. Daniel Morales by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
at 3:46, R3
Moses
Gabon def. Daniel Sarafien by Submission (Triangle Choke) at
1:33, R1
James
Brasco def. Kevin Abrante by Submission (Armbar) at 2:14, R1
Gary
Padilla def. Chris Decaro by TKO (Strikes) at 3:04, R2
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Quote
of the Day
“It
is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what
you are not.”
Andre Gide
|
Fighters'
Club TV Tonight!
Channel
52
NEW TIME of 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!
|
HFC
Stand Your Ground XII
This Friday,
April 10th!
Dole Cannery Ballroom
Doors open at 6:00 p.m
Show starts at 7:30p.m.
E-mail hfc.events@yahoo.com or call (808)861-7685 for information
|
Destiny:
Bad Blood:
May 2, 2008
Waipahu Filcom
 |
Torres
makes his case among MMA’s best
CHICAGO
– The world’s best fighters don’t always roll
over their opponents. Sometimes they simply find a way to win.
Andrei
Arlovski outfought Fedor Emelianenko on Jan. 24 right up until
he flew into Emelianenko’s knockout punch. Anderson Silva
lost a one-sided first round to Dan Henderson last year before
rallying to win in the second.
If
there was any doubt Miguel Torres belongs in that elite mix,
it was erased Sunday night. The WEC bantamweight champion overcame
a deep mid-fight cut and rallied to beat Takeya Mizugaki in a
thrilling slugfest in the main event of WEC 40. Judges scores
were 49-46, 49-46, 48-47; Y! Sports scored the bout 48-47 for
Torres.
It
was Torres’ 18th consecutive win and just the second time
he has been taken to a decision during the run.
“The
fight was kind of a blur to me,” Torres (36-1) said. “When
you get to the championship rounds, the later you go, the harder
you push, you just have to find a way to pull it out.”
Heading
into the fight, Mizugaki (9-3-2), who took the match on a month’s
notice when Brian Bowles pulled out due to a back injury, was
treated as an afterthought. Few Americans had seen him fight,
and even those who knew he was on a long winning streak and boasted
strong standup skills couldn’t fathom that he could accept
the fight on short notice, fly halfway around the world and compete
with Torres in his hometown.
Instead,
the 5,287 fans who braved a nasty late-winter storm were treated
to a fight of the year candidate at the UIC Pavillion.
“He
was a warrior,” Torres said. “He had samurai spirit.
He took everything I dished out and came back for more.”
Mizugaki
flustered Torres in the first round, getting the better of their
boxing exchanges and keeping Torres from finding his rhythm.
Two of the three judges scored the round for Mizugaki.
“I
knew he had power,” Torres said. “That didn’t
surprise me. What threw me off was his ability to take punishment.
I wanted to stick and move and fight from the clinch, but he
was able to frustrate me.”
Torres
got the better of things in a tight second round, but things
looked bad in the third, when Mizugaki opened a nasty gash over
Torres’ right eye. The round was halted midway through so
the doctor could check the cut, and he ruled Torres could continue.
Mizugaki, who avoided Torres’ vaunted ground game at all
costs, won the round on all three scorecards.
“I
was a little nervous when they stopped it, but as soon as they
cleared me I knew I was going to get through it,” Torres
said.
Torres
finally turned the tables in the fourth round, as he peppered
Mizugaki with relentless Muay Thai strikes in the clinch. A vicious
mix of elbows, knees and shoulder thrusts wore down Mizugaki
to the point he was sucking wind by late in the round. The fifth
round featured more of the same.
“Around
the fourth round was when I knew I had things under control,”
he said. “I was able to establish my clinch and it made
the difference. I was amazed, though, I knew I was hitting him
hard and I was expecting him to go down, but he took everything
like a champ.”
Takeya
was emotional after the fight, breaking out into sobs that could
be heard from press row. He explained his emotions after the
fight.
“I
thank Miguel for making me realize you can always be better,”
Mizugaki said through an interpreter. “You are never as
good as you think you are. Miguel helped me know I can improve.
I think the judges’ decision was fair. I hope Miguel keeps
his undefeated streak going so I can get a couple more wins and
hopefully get another title shot.”
After
dispensing of his 18th straight foe, it is clear that Torres
belongs in the discussion of who is the world’s top pound-for-pound
fighter. Torres boasts a skill-set that rivals anyone, with a
jiu-jitsu game so lethal few want to test him on the ground;
world-class kickboxing and Muay Thai skills; a deceptively lanky
frame that gives him a reach advantage over most foes; and a
willingness to go toe-to-toe with anyone who wants to bring it.
What
he hasn’t had was the same buzz candidates for the top spot
have gotten. Silva has had the benefit of the awesome power of
the UFC promotional machine, relentlessly pushing him as the
best fighter in the world. Emelianenko has long been a legendary
figure in the sport. In the case of Georges St. Pierre, fans
have charted his progress since he made his UFC debut nearly
six years ago and have watched him improve with each fight.
Torres
had no such wind at his back, as he fought in obscurity for years
before the WEC gave a national platform to bantamweight and featherweights.
But with each successive high-profile win – and another
fight of the year caliber match to complement his win over Yoshiro
Maeda last summer – the WEC kingpin makes more and more
believers.
One
such convert is UFC interim heavyweight champ Frank Mir, who
trained with Torres leading up to his title victory over Antonio
Rodrigo Nogueira. When asked at a fan question-and-answer session
Saturday how Torres compares with Emelianenko stylistically,
Mir felt Torres has more tools in his kit.
“I
appreciate him at levels that other people don’t understand
because I can see his mindset,” Mir said. “A lot of
things he brings into the fight game that he’s way ahead
of a lot of other fighters. With Miguel, from the gate closing,
he’s completely in control of the situation.”
Torres,
though, has yet to clean out the bantamweight division. Next
up is a likely match with the unbeaten Bowles, who has made short
work of all seven of his career opponents. Also working his way
up the ranks is undefeated Joseph Benavidez, who improved to
10-0 on Sunday night with a unanimous decision victory over cagey
veteran Jeff Curran.
Benavidez,
who is trained by former WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber,
uses the same go-for-broke style that took Faber to the top.
“I
was confident out there tonight,” Benavidez said. “Curran
wanted to take it to the mat [in the second half of the fight]
and I figured it was a chance to show what I could do.”
Even
with a big name like Curran on his résumé, Benavidez
is willing to wait for his opportunity.
“Miguel’s
the man,” Benavidez said. “He’s the best fighter
in the division. I need a couple more fights before I’m
ready. I won’t be surprised if he’s still there.”
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
Sakurai
KOs Aoki at DREAM 8
DREAM
held its second event in the last month, staging DREAM 8 from
Nagoya, Japan. The event was highlighted by the opening round
of the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix.
In
the main event of the evening, Japanese grappling wizard Shinya
Aoki faced off with Japanese mixed martial arts legend Hayato
“Mach” Sakurai. Sakurai came out flying with a knee,
but soon found himself on his back. Sakurai was able to get back
to his knees then landed two devastating knees that stunned Aoki.
He finished it up with several punches that put Aoki to sleep
with only 27 seconds past in the fight. Sakurai moves on to the
next round and now has to be considered the favorite to win the
tournament.
Affliction
veteran Jason High got back on the winning track after choking
out DEEP veteran Yuya Shirai. High came out the aggressor, landing
two straight lefts that dropped Shirai as he secured his back.
It didn’t take long before High had the choke sunk, putting
Shirai to sleep only 59 seconds into the fight. With the win,
High advances to the next round of the DREAM Welterweight Grand
Prix.
What
can only be described as an amazing slugfest, Cage Rage veteran
Marius Zaromskis bested DEEP welterweight champion Seichi Ikemoto.
The two traded back and forth, swinging without caution and hurting
one another in the process. Zaromskis started to land the more
effective strikes as he mixed in kicks and knees into his arsenal.
With only seconds left in the fight, Zaromskis trounced Ikemoto
with a vicious flurry of strikes that likely would have finished
him had it not been for the bell. Zaromskis earned the unanimous
decision and a spot in the next round of the tournament.
In
the first DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix bout, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
world champion Andre Galvao looked impressive in submitting WEC
veteran John Alessio. Both fighters started the fight out tentative,
neither wanting to make a mistake, but Galavo got the fight to
the ground and immediately had Alessio’s back. After working
for the choke, Galvao switched to an armbar. After a bit of a
struggle, he got Alessio to tap at 7:34 of the opening round.
In
the final DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix first round bout, Daiki
“DJ Taiki” Hata won a comfortable decision over crowd
favorite Hideo Tokoro. Both fighters were tentative to start,
but as the bout wore on, Hata began to find his range on the
feet. Once they hit the ground, Hata would be the aggressor with
ground and pound, while Tokoro worked for submissions. The final
round was much of the same with the exception of Hata landing
cleaner, more effective shots. Hata would go on to win a unanimous
decision and move on to the second round of the DREAM Featherweight
Grand Prix.
Fighting
for the third time in three weeks, American Top Team product
Jeff Monson submitted touted Russian heavyweight Sergei Kharitonov.
Monson quickly shot for a takedown and after a reversal found
himself on top of Kharitonov, moving into north-south position
and securing a choke that forced Kharitonov to tap at 1:42 of
the first round.
In
a back and forth affair, Brazilian striker Murilo “Ninja”
Rua took on late replacement Riki Fukuda. The two traded shots
throughout the fight with both fighters getting their licks in.
With the fight fairly even in the final round, Fukuda launched
a flurry that connected in the final minute of the fight, clearly
hurting Rua and swaying the fight into his favor. When the judge’s
scorecards were read, Fukuda walked away with a unanimous decision
victory.
After
a long layoff, Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro returned to
action against Olympic wrestling medalist Katsuhiko Nagata. It
didn’t take long for the fight to hit the ground and after
a quick reversal, Shaolin ended up on top. From that point on,
Shaolin used his overwhelming grappling and easily moved from
position to position. He finally settled on side mount, where
he rained a couple of big knees that opened a nasty cut on Nagata’s
head that forced an immediate stoppage of the fight at 7:58 of
the opening round.
Karate
stylist Andrews Nakahara stopped Japanese mixed martial arts
veteran Shungo Oyama. After a brief feeling out period, Oyama
lunged in for a leg lock, but missed and was met with a right
hand that dazed him, giving Nakahara the opening to finish the
fight with strikes at the two minute mark.
In
the opening fight of the night, Katsuyori Shibata staged a comeback
to steal a decision away from Ikuhisa Minowa. Minowa controlled
the fight on the ground up until the final three minutes, when
a stand-up reenergized Shibata. Shibata then took over, landing
an array of strikes that had Minowa reeling and finished the
fight with a highlight suplex. When it was all said and done,
Shibata earned a unanimous decision victory.
-Hayato
“Mach” Sakurai def. Shinya Aoki by KO at 0:27, R1
-Jason
High def. Yuya Shirai by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 0:59,
R1
-Marius
Zaromskis def. Seichi Ikemoto by Unaimous Decision, R2
-Andre
Galvao def. John Alessio by Submission (Armbar) at 7:34, R1
-Daiki
“DJ Taiki” Hata def. Hideo Tokoro by Unanimous Decision,
R2
-Jeff
Monson def. Sergei Kharitonov by Submission (North-South Choke)
at 1:42, R1
-Riki
Fukuda def. Murilo “Ninja” Rua by Unanimous Decision,
R2
-Vitor
“Shaolin” Ribeiro def. Katsuhiko Nagata by TKO (Doctor’s
Stoppage) at 7:58, R1
-Andrews
Nakahra def. Shungo Oyama by TKO at 2:00, R1
-Katsuyori
Shibata def. Ikuhisa Minowa by Unanimous Decision, R2
Source: Yahoo Sports
|
KOSCHECK
OUT OF UFC 98 FIGHT WITH BROKEN TOE
American Kickboxing Academy welterweight, Josh Koscheck, will
have to wait a little longer to get back in action as the fighter
has suffered a broken toe in training that will keep him out
of his scheduled May 23 match-up against Chris Wilson at UFC
98.
The
news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Friday by sources close
to the fighter.
According
to sources, Koscheck broke his toe in training, and is not expected
to miss much time, but because of the injury he will be unable
to compete as early as May.
When
contacted by MMAWeekly.com, his opponent Chris Wilson, still
had not received word on who the UFC might replace Koscheck with
for a bout on the card.
All
signs point to the promotion replacing Koscheck, but at this
time it's unknown who that fighter might be, or if the bout against
Wilson will remain on the main card as the original fight was
scheduled.
Stay
tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more information on the opponent for
Chris Wilson in the coming days.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Moraes
and the partnership with Chute Boxe
Without
participating of any Jiu-Jitsu competition in 2009, the current
middleweight world champion Sérgio Moraes (Alliance) is
with the focus turned to the MMA. With the contract of Bellator
Fighting Championship in hand, the fighter, who has three fights
and three victories in the MMA, talked with TATAME about his
plans for the year, anxious to start the partnership with the
Chute Boxe team.
"We
will work with the teachers inside the Chute Boxe and I got interested,
because it would be great for me, beyond doing an exchange of
Jiu-Jitsu, it would improve my part on foot", said Serginho,
who revealed when should debut in Bellator, why he didn’t
participate of the Jiu-Jitsu competitions in 2009, but ensuring
that will go in search of the second World championship this
year, beyond the defeat of Kron Gracie at the Pan American. Stay
tuned at TATAME and check, tomorrow, an exclusive interview with
the fighter.
Source: Tatame
|
Cris
“Cyborg” Santos
Ready
to make her Strikeforce debut against Hitomi Akano, Cris “Cyborg”
Santos spoke with TATAME.com in an exclusive interview, when
he talked about the upcoming fight and the expectation to face
Gina Carano. “She’s a great athlete and me too, we
can represent women well”, said Cris, wanting to cement
her name in the MMA history. “I want to fight with Gina
and be like Wanderlei (Silva), invincible for long time”,
said. Check below the exclusive interview with Cris, who also
spoke about her husband, Evangelista “Cyborg”, Chute
Boxe and the futureplans, which includes a “Little Cyborg”.
What’s
your expectation for the next fight, with the Japanese? How are
you training for this bout?
I'm
training a lot, I try to train all types. I’ll want to show
my Muay Thai, try to keep the fight stand, but if it goes to
the ground, I’m also prepared to give another show for everybody.
You
know something about her?
I
saw some of her fights, I know that she’s a Judo fighter
and that most of her fights are won or lost by point. I think
she’s a tough athlete, it will be a good fight.
And
then? Many people talk about you against Gina Carano. This fight
happens or not?
I'm
hoping. I’ve already signed a four fights contract with
Strikeforce and I’m waiting for them to sign with her, then
probably this fight will happen.
What
is the expectation for this fight?
It
is a much waited fight, because everybody has a great expectation
on top of it. I think after this fight the female sport will
grow even more. She’s a great athlete and me too, we can
represent women well.
How
are the trainings after the changes at Chute Boxe academy?
The
gym always works with the team base. Those who left and are now
exploding, were made by the Chute Boxe. It may take a year, but
we’ll have new fighters. Chute Boxe is a champions’
factory. I’m here, Luiz Azeredo, some guys at the base,
Cacareco joined the team and others.
If
you had to make a female Brazilian Team of MMA, who would you
have on your side?
I
think I would put Vanessa Porto and (Ana Maria) “India”.
What
was the toughest fight you have ever did?
My
fight with Vanessa Porto, I hadn’t got much experience,
but it was a good fight, because were the three rounds. And the
last I did with Yoko Takahashi, which was also the three rounds.
I try to always be well prepared in the fights, I even think
is good to have three rounds, because gives another ring experience.
How
is the training with your husband (Evangelista “Cyborg”)?
He
doesn’t stop. He was with an arm hurt, but still trained.
He trained using only one arm. He was a while in Uberlândia
and I was training here, because I would fight at day 27th. Tuesday
we’ll travel to the USA to train with Master Rafael (Cordeiro),
to finish the preparation. I think we will give two knockouts
there (laughs).
And
Cacareco’s arrival? He had a problem with Cyborg for a time,
but you were with him now and got to know his other side, thought
he was a nice guy. How do you think this will be?
When
you are rival, has always disagreement. Gina, for example, I
want to beat her, but if one day she come to be part of the gym,
it will all be past. That is what happened to them, who had disagreements,
they will end up training together. I don’t know what will
happen. But I think they will become friends, one knowing the
difficulties of the other.
You
and Cyborg are together since when?
Since
2005, when I did my first fight in São Paulo. After three
months we began to live together and got married.
And
the "Little Cyborg”? Are you planning?
Cyborg
is crazy to have a "Little Cyborg", but not now. I
always had my goals, always wanted to grow in any sport and there
are still missing some things. I want to fight with Gina and
be like Wanderlei (Silva), invincible for long time. And when
I decide to have my son, I’ll stop for one year and a half,
but I will return to fight. With medical help and a normal diet,
and the time he’s born I’ll return to train. He will
be born in the ring (laughs). I also want to have a child, but
I think now is not the time, I still have a lot to get in my
career.
Source: Tatame
|
Torres
retains WEC bantamweight title
CHICAGO (AP) - Miguel Torres held onto his WEC bantamweight title
with a unanimous decision over Takeya Mizugaki on Sunday night.
Torres
(36-1), from nearby East Chicago, Ind., was the fan favorite
in the first WEC card held in Chicago. Torres hasn't lost since
Nov. 19, 2003, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Ryan Ackerman.
Since then, Torres has won 17 straight fights, including three
title challenges.
Mizugaki
(11-3-2), a 5-foot-7 fighter out of Japan, had won five straight
bouts and gave Torres everything the champ could handle. Mizugaki
was the aggressor early, but Torres came on late in the fight.
As
the crowd chanted his name throughout the fight, Torres used
several strong combinations to win a 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 decision.
Source: Fox Sports
|
Quote
of the Day
“Do
not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember
that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped
for.”
Epicurus
|
UFC
DELIVERS JUST UNDER 2 MILLION ON SPIKE
The season nine premiere of “The Ultimate Fighter: U.S.
vs. U.K.” on Wednesday, April 1 drew its highest rating
in Men 18-49 since Season 4 (August, 2006) and its most watched
season premiere since Season 5 (April, 2007). The episode also
drew more Men 18-34 and 18-49 than anything else on cable in
its timeslot (10:15-11:15pm ET/PT), besting all sports competition
including the NBA on ESPN.
Overall,
the series drew an average audience of 1.8 million viewers.
This
season, the two “Ultimate Fighter” teams are divided
based on nationality, with eight mixed martial artists from Great
Britain and eight from the United States. “The Ultimate
Fighter 3” champion and top middleweight contender Michael
Bisping coaches the Brits, and former concurrent PRIDE champion
of the 185-pound and 205-pound divisions and U.S. Olympian Dan
Henderson, coaches the U.S. squad.
Prior
to the season premiere of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Spike
TV aired the first-ever live UFC fight from Nashville, Tenn.,
headlined by welterweights Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann.
The “UFC Fight Night” delivered 1.9 million viewers
and, like “The Ultimate Fighter,” drew more Men 18-34
and 18-49 than anything in its timeslot (8:00-10:15pm ET/PT).
Overall,
the “UFC Fight Night” attracted an average audience
of 1.9 million viewers
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC's
White apologizes for rant's gay slur
by FOXSports.com
Dana White has removed his foot from his mouth long enough to
apologize.
White's
big tirade
Dana White Video: Dana White had some choice words for a female
MMA reporter about a recent story. See the expletive-laden rant.
Video: After landing in some hot water for his comments, White
apologized in his own way. Bleep show: Dana White's online rant
has UFC back in the mainstream spotlight. But his behavior could
spell doom for the sport, Alex Marvez says.
In
a video blog posted on YouTube, the UFC president apologized
for his previous profanity-laced video blog in which he blasted
a female reporter for a story about his organization.
"So
yesterday on my video blog, obviously I chose some words that
offended and hurt some people," White said. "And anybody
who knows me, knows that I would never, ever maliciously attack
somebody who wasn't attacking me, OK? As far as the gay and lesbian
community, my comments were not directed toward them. I have
no problem with the gay or lesbian community. I'm actually a
supporter of many of their issues.
"And
the last thing that I would ever want anybody to think about
me or think is cool is to go out and attack somebody because
of their sexual orientation. That was not my intention, that's
not the way I said it and I apologize for anybody that I've offended
or hurt."
The
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which had denounced
the original video, said it had spoken to White and that he had
promised an apology.
"GLAAD
will continue to work with the UFC to ensure that it's inclusive
and safe for all LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender)
trainers, fighters and fans," the organization said on its
Web site.
The
controversy was ignited after Loretta Hunt, writing on Sherdog.com,
said that the UFC had told managers and agents that they could
no longer be backstage with fighters at events.
The
story, which cited anonymous managers and agents, incurred the
wrath of White.
White
referred to her as a "(expletive) dumb b****" and to
the source with an anti-gay epithet.
"Hey
Loretta, if you're going to write a story, you (expletive) moron,
at least make sure it's (expletive) true and you have some facts,"
he says in the video. "And if you're going to put some (expletive)
quotes in there, get some quotes from some people who at least
have the (expletive) (courage) to put their (expletive) name
on it."
"I
don't take it personally," Hunt said when reached Thursday
by FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez. "Whenever a journalist does
a story, there's a chance the subject is not going to like it."
UFC
spokesperson Jennifer Wenk had no comment on the situation when
reached via e-mail.
Hunt's
story said Zuffa, the company that operates UFC and WEC events,
has notified some managers and agents that they will no longer
receive credentials to sit with their fighters backstage on fight
night.
In
the video, White adamantly denied the allegation, saying that
it "has always been the policy at the UFC that the fighters
get so many credentials" to use for whomever they choose
at the fights.
Web
and wild
Kobe Bryant Photos: Dana White isn't the first sports figure
to stir up Internet controversy. Check out these recent Web-fueled
spectacles.
Hunt
told FOXSports.com she made "every attempt to reach Zuffa"
before writing the story.
"I
clearly stated to them what the article would be about but they
didn't respond. I did my best trying to present both sides of
the story."
Hunt's
story also speculated that the policy change could be part of
a campaign to put a wedge between fighters and their business
agents.
"They're
divisively trying to split management and fighters," an
anonymous representative was quoted as saying in the story. "They're
trying to de-power the managers and agents to create a wedge
between them."
Hunt
told FOXSports.com she is standing by the story.
"It's
accurate," Hunt said. "I'm not going to deny he made
a personal attack against me and my credibility. But more than
anything, I think it's an attempt to create a distraction from
the story I wrote."
Source: Fox Sports
|
PLEASED
WITH WIN, KAMPMANN WANTS TO DO BETTER
You could hardly find a more laid back fighter than Martin Kampmann.
A
day after one of his biggest career victories, against Carlos
Condit, the 26-year-old could easily be describing his tax return
when he talks about the fight. Or maybe it’s because he
just got up from a Thursday afternoon nap.
In
person, he’s good-natured and shy; he thinks he’s bad
at interviews, and doesn’t chase the attention many fighters
thrive on. He shows up to Xtreme Couture pro practices in a black
Nissan Murano and does his work. If you didn’t hear the
thud of his gloves hitting the mitts, or catch him duking it
out with the other fighters, he’d be easy to miss. In place
of bravado, he calmly focuses on being his best.
And
on Wednesday at UFC Fight Night 18, he turned a lot of heads
with a victory over the former WEC welterweight champ.
“It
was a close fight, so I was happy it came out in my favor,”
he tells MMAWeekly.com. “I knew it was a close fight, and
nothing is ever for sure when you go to a decision.”
He
has no doubt, though, that he made the right decision when he
dropped from middleweight to welterweight. A lot of things in
his life were up in the air – he had suffered a bad knee
injury that took him out of a possibly career making fight against
Rich Franklin, and was caught by Nate Marquardt one fight into
his return in quick and devastating fashion.
Kampmann
came to Las Vegas for the first time in the summer 2006 on the
advice of training partner and friend Mike Pyle, and fell in
love with the atmosphere. In January of 2007, he moved to Sin
City full time to pursue fighting, UFC contract already in hand.
He
misses friends from home and the Danish version of food staples
like bread and milk, but he never has to worry about training
partners skipping practice for a day job. Soon he’ll apply
for his green card, along with his girlfriend, who’s moving
from their hometown of Aarhus.
After
taking out Alexandre Barros at UFC 93, Kampmann turned down an
appearance at UFC 96 for the opportunity to face Condit.
He
says he’s still getting the hang of 170, and has a ways
to go before he’s perfected his craft.
“I
was training for a victory, and I came in with a victory in my
mind, but I think I would have liked to win a little more decisively
than what I did,” he says of Wednesday’s experience.
“I didn’t want to win a split decision. I wanted to
finish the fight. I’m happy with the victory, but I think
I made a lot of mistakes in the fight and I can do better.
“I’m
still learning about cutting the weight, and getting it back
on, but I need to perfect getting the weight back on. I learn
more every time I do it.”
He
did not emerge from the three-round war unscathed. In the first
frame, Condit cut him badly under the left eye with a punch,
but worse, poked him in the eye during the final round. The accidental
blow scratched his cornea, causing double vision.
After
nearly submitting – and almost getting submitted himself
– Kampmann thought it best to use his strength in the clinch
to take the fight down.
“I’ve
been working a lot on my wrestling, and I’ve been working
a lot on my takedowns,” he said. “I wanted to work
my striking, too, but he got me good with the striking. My arms
tired up from trying to get that guillotine on him.
“I
started getting blurry vision in my right eye, so I definitely
didn’t want no stand-up in (the third) round, because I
wasn’t seeing very good. So I just wanted to get him to
the ground.”
A
Tennessee Athletic Commission doctor told him the injury would
heal on its own, but he’ll see his own practitioner next
week.
He
has a lot more respect for Condit, who rode into the UFC with
a lot of hype behind him.
“Yeah,
he’s very good at what he does,” says Kampmann. “I
thought I had him a couple of times where most guys would have
submitted, and he was different. He hung in there.”
When
it comes time to book his next fight, he hopes the victory will
buy him bigger name opponents.
“Hopefully
it’s going to move me up the rankings, so I think it’s
going to help me move up,” he says.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
FIGHT-BY-FIGHT:
WEC 40 TORRES VS MIZUGAKI
WEC
Bantamweight Title Bout:
Miguel
Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki
In
the main event of the evening, WEC bantamweight champion Miguel
Torres defends his title against Cage Force bantamweight champion
Takeya Mizugaki. Torres was originally scheduled to face off
with number one contender Brian Bowles, but a back injury forced
Bowles out of the fight. Torres will be fighting in front of
his hometown of Chicago, so expect a very vocal crowd for this
fight.
Torres
is considered to be one of the best pound for pound fighters
in the world and that is because he is one of the more well rounded
fighters in mixed martial arts today. He has the advantage both
on the ground and on feet with superior technique. Mizugaki’s
best asset as a fighter has been his emerging striking and knockout
ability, but that could be a mute point because of Torres significant
reach advantage.
Torres
would have had a much tougher go if he were still facing Bowles,
who is a better rounded fighter than Mizugaki. He still should
have a challenge in front of him. Expect Torres to test the waters
on the feet for a bit, but once he tastes some of Mizugaki’s
power, he’ll look to play it smart and get the fight to
the ground where he is leagues better than Mizugaki. Mizugaki’s
best chance will be to lure Torres into a brawl much like Yoshiro
Maeda did a few fights ago and hope to catch him with a power
shot. Overall, Torres has more tools in his arsenal to finish
the fight and that makes him more likely successfully to defend
his title.
Bantamweight
Bout:
Jeff
Curran vs. Joseph Benavidez
Local
crowd favorite Jeff Curran makes his debut at bantamweight against
Team Alpha Male wunderkind Joseph Benavidez. The winner of this
fight will be in line for a shot at the WEC bantamweight championship
sometime later this year. There is a revenge factor in this fight
as Curran was defeated by Benavidez’s teammate Urijah Faber
in an earlier WEC bout.
Curran’s
bread and butter is his ground game, being a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
black belt. He isn’t too shabby on the feet either with
some crisp boxing technique. His own issue in the past has been
a lack of power in his strikes and a rather passive ground game
at times. Benavidez is decorated wrestler out of New Mexico,
who has evolved to being a well rounded fighter. He is aggressive
on the feet, incorporating kicks and knees, not just relying
on punches.
Plain
and simple, if Benavidez is able to dictate the pace of the fight
and impose his will on Curran, he’ll come out the victor
of the fight. Curran can be very passive at times and it has
cost him some fights. He’ll need to be aggressive and match
Benavidez’s pace. He can’t simply be defensive off
his back as he needs to go for submissions to keep Benavidez
on his toes. Whoever can get into the groove right off the bat
and control the pace of the fight will win the fight.
Lightweight
Bout:
Shane
Roller vs. Benson Henderson
Former
NCAA wrestling champion Shane Roller faces off with submission
grappler Benson Henderson in an intriguing ground battle. Both
fighters are coming off submission victories and a win for either
fighter will propel them to front of the line for a title shot.
Neither
fighter has shown to be very fond of the stand-up game in any
of their WEC fights, so expect this one to be a ground affair.
Roller has the edge is wrestling and has shown that he has a
promising submission game. Henderson will have a slight edge
when it comes to submissions and overall ground game as he showed
an array of sweeps in his WEC debut.
The
fight could very well come down to positioning as both fighters
might just nullify each other’s submission attack, if that’s
the case then Roller will have the advantage because of his wrestling
ability. It will be interesting to see if either fighter decides
to keep the fight on the feet as that could also make the difference
in hotly contested fight.
Featherweight
Bout:
Raphael
Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh
In
battle of WEC newcomers, highly touted featherweight Raphael
Assuncao faces off with Midwest prospect Jameel Massouh. This
will open the night’s televised card, so expect both fighters
to go at it tooth and nail in order to impress the millions that
will be watching.
Assuncao
has been considered to be one of the better featherweights that
hasn’t fought in a big show and he’ll finally get a
chance to showcase his skills. He should have the advantage on
the ground, but he is no slouch on the feet either. Massouh will
be looking to keep the fight on the feet, where he holds the
edge over Assuncao with powerful and crisp striking.
Massouh
needs to keep the distance and avoid getting taken down, if he
can do that then he’ll eventually be able to capitalize
on a mistake by a frustrated Assuncao. On the other hand, Assuncao
needs to stay calm and set-up the takedown with combinations.
Once he gets the fight on the ground it will be only a matter
of time before he overwhelms Massouh with his ground assault.
Either way, expect these two to put on show to start off the
night.
Lightweight
Bout:
Bart
Palaszewski vs. Anthony Njokuani
Stepping
in on late notice, local favorite Bart Palaszewski takes on kickboxer
Anthony Njokuani. Both fighters are coming off losses in their
last fights and need a win to stay alive in the WEC. Neither
fighter is gun shy on the feet, so expect them to trade on the
feet. Njokuani is the more technical striker, while Palaszewski
is the more powerful striker of the two. The difference in the
fight will be Njokuani’s ground game, which will give him
the edge in an otherwise close fight.
Bantamweight
Bout:
Dominick
Cruz vs. Ivan Lopez
San
Diego based fighter Dominick Cruz faces off with Mexican slugger
Ivan Lopez. Both fighters are known for their striking ability,
so expect a total slugfest. Cruz is the more technical striker
but lacks power, while Lopez packs quite a punch on the feet.
Cruz needs to keep the distance and use his reach, while Lopez
needs to turn the fight into a brawl and catch Cruz with a shot.
If Cruz gets hurt, don’t be surprised to see him take the
fight to the ground where he holds the advantage.
Featherweight
Bout:
Wagnney
Fabiano vs. Fredson Paixao
In
a battle of decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts, Nova Uniao’s
Wagnney Fabiano takes on Gracie trained Fredson Paixao. Don’t
expect too much work on the feet from either of these two fighters
as the ground game is their bread and butter. Paixao is coming
off a nearly two-year layoff from competition and that surely
have an effect on this fight. Fabiano is simply the better fighter
in every aspect of the fight and his experience with tough competition
will give him the edge over Paixao.
Bantamweight
Bout:
Eddie
Wineland vs. Rani Yahya
Former
WEC bantamweight champion Eddie Wineland faces off with submission
expert Rani Yahya. Wineland has been out of the WEC for two years
and finally gets another shot on the big stage. Yahya will look
to build to another shot with a win over Wineland. Wineland has
the big advantage on the feet, while Yahya has the big advantage
on the ground. Whoever is ever able to impose their will first
on the other will come out on top as both guys have a decent
chance to win.
Bantamweight
Bout:
Manny
Tapia vs. Akitoshi Tamura
Former
WEC bantamweight title challenger Manny Tapia takes on former
Shooto lightweight champion Akitoshi Tamura. Both fighters are
coming off losses at WEC 37 in December and need to get back
on the winning track. Tamura will have a big reach and size advantage
as he will be making the drop from featherweight to bantamweight
for this fight. Tapia will need to get on the inside on the feet,
while Tamura needs to keep the distance and use his reach advantage.
If the fight hits the ground, Tamura should have the advantage
because of his submission ability.
Featherweight
Bout:
Rafael
Dias vs. Mike Budnik
American
Top Team fighter Rafael Dias faces off with former inline skater
Mike Budnik. Budnik takes the fight on short notice and he needs
a victory as he comes off two straight losses. Dias will have
the distinct advantage on the ground, while both fighters are
fairly even on the feet. The key in the fight will be whether
or not Budnik can stay out of trouble on the ground to survive
a decision, if not expect Dias to lock on a submission and end
Budnik’s run in the WEC.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
TORRES
CHANGES LITTLE TO PREPARE FOR MIZUGAKI
When the call came in that Brian Bowles would be forced to bow
out of the upcoming bantamweight title fight against Miguel Torres,
the champion didn't blink. He didn't worry about who he might
fight. He just went on training like one of the best pound for
pound fighters in the world, knowing that he would be up to the
challenge for whoever the WEC found for him to fight.
Torres
got the change of opponents almost immediately after his original
opponent dropped out with a back injury. Top 10 bantamweight
Takeya Mizugaki stepped up for the chance to battled Torres,
and according to the champion, nothing much changed for him.
"It
was no big deal to me. Obviously, I wanted to fight Brian (Bowles).
He would have been a tough opponent. I was looking forward to
a really big war with him, but the changing of opponents is not
a big deal for me," Torres told MMAWeekly Radio recently.
"I think they both have similar styles, there's no huge,
huge difference I think. They both have a similar record; they
both have the same strengths. I think Bowles may have a bit stronger
wrestling and jiu-jitsu background, but they both have big right
hands and big left hooks, so my training camp didn't really change
too much."
While
MMA competition almost always comes down to a battle of skill,
Torres says he doesn't try to over strategize what he'll do in
a fight, he just knows he has the tools to win every time.
"I
don't gameplan. I'm pretty much the same," Torres commented.
"Even though I'm fighting a striker, and I'm going to trade
hands with him, and I don't plan on shooting on him, I'm still
training shots, I'm still training jiu-jitsu, I train the full
aspect of MMA."
The
best strategy the champion supplements for his training is making
sure that his opponent will have no idea where the damage is
coming from, just that it's coming.
"What
I want to do is I want to make it hard for them to train against
me," said Torres. "I want to leave no doubt in anybody's
mind that I'm one of the best fighters in my weight class in
the world, and one of the best pound for pound."
His
new opponent, Takeya Mizugaki, is a solid fighter from Japan
who has competed in both Shooto and Cage Force competitions,
while also having cage experience, which will surely help him
adapt quicker to the WEC.
"They
went half way around the world to find an opponent to suit me.
They could have picked someone in the WEC that wasn't ready,
they could have gave me an easy opponent, but they went out there
and found the toughest guy they could find," said Torres.
"I mean Sean Shelby told me, he goes, 'Miguel, I found the
toughest guy I could find for you,' and I appreciate that they're
not trying to pad my record or give me easy fights."
The
champion will face the challenger with the bantamweight title
on the line, on Sunday night as the WEC travels to Chicago for
the first time ever.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Thales
on fight with Anderson
Fighter comments on challenge awaiting him
As
he himself puts it, Thales Leites is getting ready for the fight
of his life. On April 18th, the Nova Uniao representative will
be facing Anderson Silva in Canada, to try and snatch the UFC
middleweight belt from the long-standing champion. After a late-stage
training session, the fighter spoke with Portal das Lutas, GRACIEMAG.com’s
partner site.
Portal
das Lutas – What do you expect from this title match against
Anderson Silva?
Thales
Leites – It’s the greatest opportunity of my life.
It’s the fight of my life, there’s no way around it.
It’s the most important, it means the most and it’s
a historic UFC bout, two Brazilians fighting over the belt. The
good part is that, regardless of who wins or loses, it stays
in Brazil! But it’s a great perspective. I’ve been
training for three months focused on this. The last guy I faced
was a south paw too, so not much has changed in training between
fights. I’m confident and I believe in myself. If I didn’t
believe, I wouldn’t believe in this fight. I’m not
here just to fight, I want to be the champion. So I believe in
me, I’ll show up 100%, just as he will, and what I can promise
you all is that it’s going to be a great fight. Each of
us has 50% chance of winning. He’s the favorite, but in
my head it’s like this: we each have two arms, two legs
and we each has what it takes.
PDL
– A lot of people consider Anderson to be the pound-for-pound
best in the world. Does that make a difference to you?
TL
– To me it makes no difference, because I’m not going
into this thinking he’s the pound-for-pound best in the
world. I really don’t feel there’s only one pound-for-pound
best in the world. I think there are four or five. But that’s
no extra weight on my shoulders. That’s something people
throw out there. To me it’s a five-round fight against a
really dangerous, really good guy. I’ve been training for
that.
PDL
– One of the possibilities is that you try and take him
down. I saw how you guys brought in a Cuban coach. How is the
wrestling training going?
TL
– I’ve been putting emphasis on wrestling and muay
thai. Before that, I went for the third time to Arizona to train
wrestling, I learned a lot over there and Pedro (the Cuban coach)
and Adrian Jaoude, are giving me a lot of attention. I’m
ever-more confident in my takedowns and my transitioning from
the takedown to the ground is precision. This wrestling training
has been great for me.
PDL
– One of Anderson’s greatest strengths is his striking.
How has the work on that fundamental been going?
TL
– I’ve been working on muay thai for a while with Marcelo
Aguiar, in Niteroi. But for this fight I’ve been staying
around Rio more, and I’ve been relying on Guto Inocente,
who’s a great kid. He has a similar game to Anderson’s,
whereby he gets out of the way and hits quick. He’s a heavyweight
with the speed of a middleweight. Now Vitor Miranda, who’s
been helping me too, I don’t even have words for. He’s
a great striker, has been training for ever and always helps
me and I help him. There’s also Pedro Rizzo who, if he’s
not training, he’s always giving me pointers. With this
whole gang I feel comfortable and well. I’m always learning
and that makes for good training. I always learn something new.
PDL
– Besides Anderson, at middleweight there are Brazilians
like Demian Maia and Ricardo Cachorrao, among others. Is there
any unity among the Brazilians in the division?
TL
– Just as in other categories, the middleweight one has
lots of tough guys. Beyond these Brazilians, there’s Bisping,
Nathan Marquadt, Okami, Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva, who
is dropping down in weight now. The category is stacked and everyone’s
hungry for wins. There’s also Wilson Gouveia, another Brazilian,
and Patrick Cote. You always end up remembering another one.
So I’m stoked to be in the position I’m in, getting
my shot at the title. I think that’s where everyone wants
to be, because you need to get your title shot before getting
the title. So that’s what everyone’s aiming for. I
know it’s a tough division and, winning or losing this fight,
I’ll keep hard at work. That’s what’s so cool,
being able to fight the best, it’s a test. I feel good when
I fight the best and at the UFC that’s how it is. I think
being able to fight the best is what’s the cool part, no
one goes in there unprepared.
PDL
– What does a title dispute between two Brazilians mean
to you?
TL
– It’s like I just said, it’s about maintaining
the hegemony. If we step back to look at it, the UFC is the biggest
event in the world and the Brazilians are always at the top.
Thiago Alves is going to dispute the 77kg title against St. Pierre,
Lyoto is going up against Rashad Evans and, in my opinion he’ll
win. There’s the heavier category where Minotauro represents,
aside from all the lightweight guys. So now is the time to show
what Brazilian fighters are worth. It’s an American event
but, even during times of crisis, there are a lot of Brazilians
in the mix. So that shows what Brazilian fighters are worth and
the prestige and respect we have. We train, get out there and
do it because we deserve it. That’s what’s so cool,
the recognition the United States and the world has for Brazilian
fighters.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Cris:
“I wanna be invencible like Wanderlei”
Ready
to make her Strikeforce debut against Hitomi Akano, Cris “Cyborg”
Santos spoke with TATAME.com in an exclusive interview, when
he talked about the upcoming fight and the expectation to face
Gina Carano. “She’s a great athlete and me too, we
can represent women well”, said Cris, wanting to cement
her name in the MMA history. “I want to fight with Gina,
be like Wanderlei (Silva), invincible for long time”, said.
Click here and check the exclusive interview with Cris, who also
spoke about her husband, Evangelista “Cyborg”, Chute
Boxe and the futureplans, which includes a “Little Cyborg”.
Source: Tatame
|
Leonardo
Santos excited for Sengoku 8
With
five consecutive victories, the last four by knockout or finalization
in the first round, Leonardo Santos is getting ready for his
debut in Sengoku. Scheduled to face Kazunori Yokota in Sengoku
8, which happens on May 2, Léo is training hard in Nova
União, in Rio de Janeiro.
"The
trainings are strong, there are a lot of people training together.
Yesterday it had 28 people training at the same time, all the
same weight. Training is what isn’t missing", celebrates
the black belt, anxious to the fight. "I’m well focused
for this fight, because the guy is strong, a judoca, and seems
to have a heavy hand. I’m practicing a little of everything:
Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling and ground, to get there and not
be surprised in any position", said, still without strategy
for the fight. "We're still far away. I’ll wait to
get closer to the fight, but the idea is the always: get it down
on the right time and submit".
In
case of victory over Yokota, Léo will dispute the belt
of the event, now in the hands of Satoro Kitaoka. "They
said that, if I win, I will dispute the belt, but I’m not
thinking about that, it is a fight at a time. If I stay thinking
about it, it can interfere. The first challenge is the debut
against the Japanese and I just want to think about that",
says the fighter, who will return to the abroad MMA after nearly
seven years, since his debut in MMA against the hard Takanori
Gomi, at the Shooto. "I always fought abroad for the Jiu-Jitsu,
but now the thing will improve with the experience I got here.
There isn’t enervation here in Brazil, only tough guy. I
can’t take my focus of the fight. This is a dream that I'm
realizing, fighting in Japan. The thing is to leave the head
quiet and think only in the fight", ended.
Source: Tatame
|
Quote
of the Day
"All
that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do
nothing."
Edmund Burke
|
Matt
Serra Talks About His Fight With Matt Hughes At UFC 98
By Raj Giri
Matt 'The Terror' Serra was the guest on the March 22 edition
of PWB's Official Podcast Hotline with Lex and Ian, located at
pwbpodcastlive.com. In a candid interview, Serra addressed his
upcoming fight with Matt Hughes at UFC 98.
On his strategy against Hughes:
"I
ain't gonna get too crazy into strategy. I feel I can beat him
several different ways, where I feel his best shot at beating
me is one way.
He's
a dangerous guy but he is a simpleton, and I think he's just
gonna be thinking, 'you know what I'm gonna try and make it physical,
and look to just weigh me down . . . to tire me out. I've just
got to be in phenomenal shape and the rest is gonna take care
of itself. I'm sharpening the skills right now.
Back
in the day he was a powerhouse, to some degree he still is a
powerhouse, but you know as you get a bit older, you know in
the game you're gonna have to rely a bit more on technique. So
I think at this stage of his career, and both of our careers,
I think I'm gonna be the better fighter and that's what it's
gonna come down to. I might not beat him in a bench pressing
contest or hay lifting, but at the same time, I feel that I'll
be more technical in every aspect."
On
the disappointment of the fight not happening sooner:
"Things
happen for a reason, man. Maybe it all leads to this. Maybe I'm
the guy that'll punch this bully in the mouth and put a nail
in his coffin, and that's the way I'd like to look at it."
On
the hype for the Hughes fight:
"It's
almost the good versus the bad. I don't know how they're gonna
hype this thing, and maybe because I'm a little blunt and maybe
because I drop the F-bomb sometimes and I curse, they might make
me out to be the bad guy because I'm calling him a 'penis'.
You
don't judge a guy on whether he drops the F-bomb or not every
once in a while, we're all adults here. It's how you treat people.
I just feel I'm the better guy. This is good vs. evil man. I'm
not saying the guy's an evil bastard but he is a prick!"
For
the full interview, check out pwbpodcastlive.com, or search 'pwb
podcast' on ITunes and subscribe today.
Source: Fight Line
|
Faber
vs. Brown Rematch Confirmed for WEC 41
Press Release
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – On Sunday, June 7, World Extreme Cagefighting
returns to the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, CA with one of the most
anticipated rematches in mixed martial arts history: Brown vs.
Faber II. Looking to prove that his title win in 2008 was no
fluke, WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown defends the crown
against former 145-pound king Urijah "The California Kid"
Faber.
Tickets
for Brown vs. Faber II go on sale Thursday, April 2 at 10 a.m.
PT and will be priced at $40, $75, $135, and $200. A special
Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to WEC newsletter
subscribers on Tuesday, March 31 starting at 10 a.m. PT. To access
this presale, users must register for the WEC newsletter through
wec.tv. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone
at 1-800-745-3000 or by visiting the ARCO Arena Box Office. Tickets
also are available online through www.wec.tv or www.ticketmaster.com.
Presented
by Bud Light, Brown vs. Faber II will be televised nationally
live on VERSUS beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT. All of
the network’s live WEC events are presented in HD and Spanish
language SAP where available. For more information and how to
find VERSUS in your local viewing area, visit http://www.versus.com/findversus.
After
shocking the world last November with a first round technical
knockout of then-champion Faber, Brown has cemented himself as
one of the toughest fighters in the sport. In his last fight
in March, the American Top Team-trained Brown steamrolled highly-regarded
challenger Leonard Garcia, dropping the Texas native with menacing
strikes before submitting him in just under two minutes. That
win, coupled with victories over Faber and perennial contender
Jeff Curran, has Brown riding a nine-fight winning streak. Now,
the Maine-born Brown looks to prove that his win over Faber had
nothing to do with luck.
“There
will always be people that say stuff like that,” Brown said
in reference to thoughts that his win over Faber was a fluke.
“I think with the Garcia fight I proved that I was no joke.
I’ve fought a long time and a lot of good guys. So it’s
not a new thing that I’m fighting at this level. This is
an important fight. He’s in a tough spot because if he loses,
where does he go from there?”
One
of the most dominant champions in WEC history, Sacramento’s
Faber (22-2) is more determined than ever to reclaim the featherweight
title. After dropping the title to Brown, Faber doled out one
of the finest performances of his career in his next bout in
January, submitting Jens Pulver in one minute and 34 seconds.
The 29-year-old star now turns his attention to Brown, and more
importantly, showing the world that he is still the best 145-pound
fighter in the world.
“I’m
really excited to get this title shot,” Faber said. “I
had the belt for a long time and I’m eager to get some redemption.
I think the biggest thing is I have to be a little more careful.
The last time I got caught for being careless. I sort of live
by the sword and die by the sword. He’s one of the best
fighters in the world, so I need to be on my game and not his
game and not make mistakes.”
Pitting
the top two 145-pounders in the world against one another, Brown
vs. Faber II is without question, the biggest featherweight fight
in MMA history. Given that neither fighter has a glaring weakness,
fans at the Arco Arena will witness firsthand the crowning of
the sport’s best featherweight. Both fighters understand
the magnitude of the event and are training hard to rule the
145-pound throne.
“I
want big fights and this is a big one,” Brown said. “He’s
still one of the best guys in the weight class and it’s
what the fans want to see, so I’m down.”
“I’m
not a big planner when I get in there and fight,” Faber
said. “But he’s a tough fighter and I’m training
hard for this. I want my belt back.”
Remaining
bouts for WEC 41 will be announced at a later date. For more
information about current WEC fight news, visit wec.tv.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Bobby
Lashley open to joining 'The Ultimate Fighter 10'
Former WWE pro wrestler Bobby Lashley would be open to competing
on next season's "The Ultimate Fighter 10," which is
casting for middleweights, light-heavyweights and heavyweights.
"I think that would be great because what I'm trying to
do right now is prove myself and on 'The Ultimate Fighter' you
have to prove yourself," Lashley said on "MMA Live"
on ESPN. "I talked it over with my management and trainers
and everything and they had mixed opinions on it. If I should
go there or go out and do different fights. I'm open to anything.
I'm open to suggestions. If that's the route they want to send
me, then I'm going to go."
Lashley
believes he needs to remain on the undercards or on smaller shows
before he makes the move to the UFC. UFC lightweight Kenny Florian
asked Lashley if he would accept an offer to fight for the UFC.
"No,"
Lashley responded. "I would love to say yes because everybody
wants to be there. The UFC is the pinnacle of the sport so of
course I want to be there, but right now, no, I'm not going to.
I'm not even going to consider it. And I don't think the UFC
is considering me either because there's a building process.
When I get to the UFC, I want to be a serious contender for the
title."
Lashley,
32, trains with the American Top Team and is 2-0 in his professional
mixed martial arts career. He defeated Jason Guida two weeks
ago via unanimous decision at Roy Jones Jr.'s "March Badness"
hybrid MMA-boxing event in Pensacola, Florida.
"The
Ultimate Fighter 10" tryouts will take place next Monday,
April 6 at The Marriott Seattle Airport Hotel in Seattle, Washington.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Vaseline:
controversy gets another chapter
By Guilherme Cruz
It
isn’t only in the United States that Vaseline has caused
problems in the MMA fights. After the controversy created by
BJ Penn, who was massacred by Georges St. Pierre at UFC 94 and
claimed that the Canadian has passed a substance in the body,
the WOCS 3 that happened last week in Rio de Janeiro, was also
stage of another controversy. Despite the repeated complaints
from Maurício Reis (BTT), alleging that his opponent was
slipping, the fight against Felipe Olivieri (Nova União/Boxe
Thai) followed, and the BTT athlete ended knocked out in the
second round.
"Maurício
claimed that the athlete was with oil in the body, but the judge,
although had noted, said that the decision should be of Tatá
(promoter of the event). Tatá preferred to close his eyes,
didn’t have enough pulse to take the proper attitude, that
it would be to punish, end the fight, giving no contest, whatever.
Unfortunately, he took the wrong decision", claims the leader
of the BTT.
With
the possibility that the opponent has used another substance,
Murilo follows criticizing the attitude. "Unattached of
what was, the intention, cheating or not, this is wrong. This
is a warning to promoters so that it doesn’t repeat. In
a fight between two athletes, one of Muay Thai and the other
from Jiu-Jitsu or Luta Livre, of course if pass oil it will be
difficult to put down, and that is advantage for the fight stand,
is an injustice", completes Bustamante, citing another fight
as an example: Rousimar Palhares vs. Dan Henderson, in the UFC.
After the fight, the Brazilian claimed that it was difficult
to keep the American on the ground. “Rousimar complained
that his legs were slippery, he escaped from a leg lock that
hardly anyone escape from Rousimar here at the gym", revealed
Murilo. "We know he won’t claim to nothing, and we
were naive, we just spoke after the fight. People are using substances
that are illegal and must be punished. You can’t give room
for the others to break rules”.
Source: Tatame
|
Demian
Maia May Get Middleweight Title Shot In August
By Jacob Camargo
According to Cagepotato.com, UFC middleweight contender Demian
Maia is expected to be offered the next middleweight title shot
against the winner of the Anderson Silva/Thales Leites title
bout, which takes place at UFC 97 on April 18th. Maia's camp
is expecting the title bout to take place in late August, possibly
at UFC 102 in Portland, Oregon.
Since his UFC debut in October 2007, Maia has been on a tear
in the UFC’s middleweight division as he has gone 5-0 with
wins over Ryan Jensen, Ed Herman, Jason Macdonald, Nate Quarry
and his most recent win came over Chael Sonnen at UFC 95.
UFC
102 is also rumored to feature a much anticipated heavyweight
bout between MMA legends Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Source: Fight Line
|
Klitschko
vs. Haye Finally Set for June 20
Press Release
LONDON
(AP) - David Haye can become a heavyweight world champion in
only his second fight at that class.
The
British former cruiserweight world champ announced Thursday that
he has finalized a deal to fight IBF and WBO heavyweight champion
Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine on June 20.
The
fight looks certain to be held in Germany, where Klitschko and
his brother Vitali are based. But Haye believes he has the speed
and punching power to take the titles from a fighter he claims
has been trying to avoid him.
"He's
already showed me his hand through the way he's negotiated,"
Hayes said. "He has never wanted this fight, and was only
going to agree to it when the odds were stacked in his favor.
"Wladimir
wants to feel comfortable inside the ring and at the negotiating
table. He was as reluctant to put pen to paper for this fight
as he is when throwing a right hand. He's a mentally weak fighter
and has been terrified to take risks ever since he was blitzed
by a semipro golfer (Corrie Sanders)."
Klitschko
lost the WBO title when he was knocked out in two rounds by Sanders
in March 2003, and he has also been floored and beaten by Ross
Purity and Lamon Brewster. But Klitschko stopped Hasim Rahman
in seven rounds in his last defense in December and hasn't lost
in more than four years to build a 52-3 record to Haye's 22-1.
"I've
been studying Wladimir for years," said Haye, who moved
up a division more than a year ago after unifying the cruiserweight
titles by knocking out Enzo Maccarinelli in two rounds.
"I've
watched all his fights and have noticed all his traits and habits.
I know Wladimir better than Vitali knows him. I know Wladimir
better than he knows himself. I guarantee I'll knock him out
in spectacular fashion. I'm his worst nightmare."
Haye
has had only one fight as a heavyweight, knocking out Monte Barrett
in five rounds in November.
"I'm
so pleased we've finally managed to get this fight on after weeks
of negotiations," said Haye, who is also chasing Vitali
Klitschko's WBC belt. "(Wladimir) Klitschko's last opponents
were cowards and I will knock him out and take his belts back
to my hometown London.
"That's
not all, I will also go and get Vitali's belt. None of them can
stop me. The new world heavyweight champion will soon be David
Haye."
Wladimir
Klitschko said he expected Haye to start taunting him now the
fight has finally been arranged.
"I
am used to being attacked by my opponents before a fight, but
David is top of the list of crudity," the Ukrainian said.
"He has to pay the price for it and I promise it will be
painful."
Source: The Fight Network
|
WEC
Torres vs. Mizugaki Preview
by Tomas Rios
Anytime you can watch one of the world’s pound-for-pound
luminaries pro bono, it’s looking like a good weekend. That’s
what we’ll get this Sunday from WEC “Torres vs. Mizugaki,”
which is coming live from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago.
With
hometown hero and bantamweight kingpin Miguel Torres set to defend
his title against Shooto standard-bearer Takeya Mizugaki, the
headliner alone is enough to entice fight fans the world over.
Throw in a main card that features top prospects like Rafael
Assuncao and Joseph Benavidez as well as the veteran stylings
of Jeff Curran, and it’s like the WEC is trying to bribe
us into watching.
In
other words, make sure the cable bill is paid and lock any non-MMA
fans you may live with in a soundproof room. In the meantime,
get your knowledge right courtesy of the same guy who said that
Y2K would be the end of us all.
Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Miguel
Torres Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’9/135 lbs.
Age: 28
Hometown: East Chicago, Ind.
Fighting out of: East Chicago, Ind.
Team: Torres Martial Arts
Record: 36-1
The
Breakdown: When you’re talking about a pound-for-pound standard
bearer, it’s easy to forget their flaws and focus on the
awe-inspiring aesthetics of their game. One of Miguel Torres’
forgotten flaws is his substandard wrestling -- a flaw that Mizugaki
is custom-made to exploit. Recognizing that Mizugaki is the superior
wrestler needs to inform Torres’ game plan for solving one
of Shooto’s premier exports.
To
that end, Torres’ reach is his friend. He showed off a jab
against Manny Tapia that had the ghost of Sonny Liston smiling.
It’s no secret that Mizugaki likes to brawl a bit, and that
habit has cost him before. Torres can use that weakness to keep
this from fight from turning into a wrestling meet. While Torres
has the grappling to turn Mizugaki into a Twizzler, he needs
to keep Mizugaki from going Karl Gotch on him from the opening
bell.
The
X Factor: Torres is absolutely fearless about testing himself
against his opponent’s strengths, and while that mentality
has yet to cost him, it could if he ends up struggling to solve
Mizugaki’s stultifying top-control game. Pride comes before
the fall, and unless Torres has something beyond his usual fistic
fireworks, he may not get a chance to light the fuse.
Takeya
Mizugaki Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’7/135 lbs.
Age: 25
Hometown: Kanagawa, Japan
Fighting out of: Kanagawa, Japan
Team: Shooting Gym Hakkei
Record: 11-2-2
The
Breakdown: First things first, Mizugaki needs to make peace with
the fact that Torres is the better striker and grappler. Reality
check in hand, Mizugaki is still one of the division’s best
wrestlers, and his ground-and-pound makes him a real threat to
Torres’ divisional dominance. The first step is obvious:
Get inside on Torres before he finds his range and get him on
the mat.
Things
get complicated from there, though, as the solution to Torres’
guard remains one of the unsolved mysteries of “Unsolved
Mysteries.” One thing is certain: Mizugaki needs to pass
guard or get tapped. Any high-level jiu-jitsu player in MMA relies
on controlling his opponents inside the guard. If Mizugaki can
consistently get past Torres’ legs, he has as good a chance
as anyone in the division of giving Torres the Buster Douglas
treatment.
The
X Factor: No matter what, Mizugaki needs to stick to his guns
and win or lose on the strength of his top control. Standing
with Torres leaves Mizugaki’s short reach and iffy chin
out there to be exploited, and there may not be a bantamweight
alive who can roll with Torres on the mat. Discipline has been
a problem for Mizugaki in the past. Torres only needs the smallest
of openings to add another clip to the highlight reel.
The
Bottom Line: Sure, Mizugaki can out-wrestle Torres, but that
won’t mean much when Torres is picking him apart on the
feet and mat. Pulling a 25-minute top-control special on Torres
is about as likely as me sitting through an episode of “The
Gilmore Girls.” Watch for another sterling performance from
Torres as he picks apart Mizugaki on the feet before he turns
a desperate takedown by his would-be conqueror into a fight-ending
triangle choke.
Jeff Curran vs. Joseph Benavidez
Jeff
“The Big Frog” Curran Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’6/145 lbs.
Age: 31
Hometown: Crystal Lake, Ill.
Fighting out of: Crystal Lake, Ill.
Team: Team Curran
Record: 29-10-1
The
Breakdown: A veteran of both the lightweight and featherweight
division, Curran’s bantamweight debut comes against Urijah
Faber’s protégé Joseph Benavidez. Knocking
the blue-chipper off course means Curran will have to rely on
his slick jiu-jitsu game against the explosive wrestling of Benavidez.
How Curran gets his own offense going against the ground-and-pound
of Benavidez will have a lot to do with how “The Big Frog”
fits into the food chain of the bantamweight class.
The
X Factor: Coming off two straight losses in the featherweight
division and with 40 bouts over 11 years already under his belt,
the whispers have already started over whether Curran is on his
last legs in the fight biz. Going against a premier prospect
in a showcase bout, Curran needs to prove the horizon is still
off in the distance.
Joseph
Benavidez Scouting Report
Ht/Wt: 5’4/155 lbs.
Age: 24
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Fighting out of: Sacramento, Calif.
Team: Team Alpha Male
Record: 9-0
The
Breakdown: The supposed heir apparent of the bantamweight division,
Benavidez is very much a carbon copy of his mentor, Urijah Faber.
Using that unique blend of athleticism and technique will be
key against Curran, who can’t match the youngster’s
athletic prowess but makes up the difference in technical acumen.
There is no doubt that Benavidez will be able to ground Curran,
but you have to wonder how an unproven prospect will handle one
of the game’s resident jiu-jitsu aces.
The
X Factor: Billed as a clash of savvy grappler vs. genetic freakazoid
wrestler, striking remains the ignored variable in this bout.
While Curran has a fundamentally sound game, Benavidez has speed
and power that simply can’t be taught. If Benavidez can
force Curran on the defensive standing, he’d cut off Curran
at the pass and eliminate his quarry’s best hope of victory.
The
Bottom Line: One of the most evenly matched bouts of the evening,
it will be Benavidez’s raw physicality that tilts the bout
in his favor. Watch for Curran to keep it close but, Benavidez’s
relentless pace and dominant wrestling will be the difference
as he takes home a decision win. With that win under his belt,
you can bank on Faber and Benavidez making that long anticipated
run at the WWE tag team title.
Read the rest at Sherdog.com
Source: Sherdog
|
Gegard
Mousasi May Face Sokoudjou At Dream.9
By Tim Ngo
Both FiveouncesofPain and MMAJunkie are reporting that Thierry
Sokoudjou will be facing Gegard Mousasi at Dream.9, which is
tentatively scheduled for May 26th according to the Tokyo Broadcasting
System's website.
Mousasi, a member of Fedor Emelianenko's Red Devil Fight Club,
has fought at middleweight for most of his career but will move
up a weight class to fight the struggling Sokoudjou.
Former
PRIDE and UFC star, Sokoudjou, has lost 3 of his last 4 fights,
including his last two.
Source: Fight Line
|
CARLOS
CONDIT ACCEPTS SETBACK IN UFC DEBUT
by Tom Hamliin
In his UFC debut with Martin Kampmann at UFC Fight Night 18,
Carlos Condit felt perception was reality.
Wednesday’s
fight in Tennessee brought the former WEC welterweight champion
his first setback in almost three years of fighting, and with
it the reminder that judges' decisions put fighters in a vulnerable
place.
While
Condit scored often on his feet, keeping Kampmann at distance
with his lanky limbs, once the action hit the mat, he was more
often than not on the bottom.
He
had fought in front of big crowds before, namely in his hometown
of Albuquerque, N.M., defending his WEC belt, but right off he
could tell the difference between the Zuffa-owned organizations.
He says he wasn’t paralyzed by the much-publicized “UFC
jitters,” but that it required him to focus more intensely
on the task at hand.
“The
WEC trained me very, very well, but the UFC is a bigger organization,
bigger perks, more press, more eyes on me which is pretty much
the main thing that I noticed."
And
Kampmann never eased back. From start to finish, he moved forward
and made Condit counter-fight.
Though
many fans felt the aggressive guard and stand-up work of “The
Natural Born Killer” were enough, two judges put him a point
behind, 28-29.
“It
was a very, very close fight,” Condit acknowledged afterwards.
“I left it in the judges' hands, which is always risky.
I felt like I did more damage, but I know as well as anybody
that knows the sport, the guy that's on top usually gets the
nod from the judges. Martin was able to stay on top for longer
and he got the nod, and hats off to him."
For
the first time since his entry into the WEC, Condit was on the
defense for submissions instead of doling them out from his back.
Kampmann carried a slight size advantage going into the fight,
and he used the clinch to take dominant position. Instead of
throwing up his patented triangles and armbars, Condit fought
off guillotines. One nearly finished him.
"The
first one that he had I wasn't in very much trouble, but the
one that he had, I believe it was at the end of the first round,
he had it deep and I heard the tap for 10 seconds, so I just
held my breath for 10 seconds,” said. “Had there been
30 seconds left in the fight, it might have been a different
story."
If
there were a lesson to his first UFC experience, it would be
not to stay in his comfort zone.
"As
far as what I would have liked to have done a little bit different,
push the pace more,” said Condit. “Every time we got
into standing exchanges we ended up in the clinch, which I think
favored him. It kind of slowed down the pace of the fight. Next
time I would have fought a little bit harder to stay on top.
I'm comfortable in my guard, but that didn't win me the fight.
“In
hindsight I probably should have broken contact and used my strikes
a little bit more than the clinching."
You
won’t hear Condit on a fashionable tirade about judging
in MMA. He lost, and he’ll use the experience to go back
to the drawing board.
But
if Kampmann’s game for a rematch, he won’t say no.
"I'm
not going to come out here and be like, ‘oh, I want a rematch’
right off the bat because that's a little bit disrespectful I
think,” he said. “The judges saw it his way and I'll
leave it at that. But of course I'd like to rematch him. You
know? But he got the nod tonight."
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Forrest
Griffin vs. Thiago Silva official for UFC 101
Forrest Griffin (16-5) will take on Thiago Silva (13-1) and Amir
Sadollah (1-0) will likely make his return at UFC 101 on August
8 in Philadelphia.
A lightweight title bout between champ BJ Penn and challenger
Kenny Florian will headline UFC 101.
Sadollah
and Griffin briefly discussed their upcoming bouts on the first
edition of "Inside the Octagon," which aired Wednesday
night during the season premiere of "The Ultimate Fighter:
US vs. UK" on Spike TV.
"Inside
the Octagon" presented by Burger King will continue as a
weekly segment for the duration of the season.
Host
Sadollah interviewed this week's guest Griffin on the status
of his injured left hand.
"I
break my hand in every fight I land a punch in," quipped
Griffin, while showing off the scars on his hands. "That
got me some plate and some screw. Just one more piece of metal
in my collection. Lot of people like jewelry, I try to get metal
inside."
Griffin
won the UFC light-heavyweight belt last July at UFC 86 but passed
it to Rashad Evans in a TKO loss at UFC 92 in December. Silva
notched his first career loss at UFC 94 in January via first-round
KO to Lyoto Machida.
Plagued
by injuries, Sadollah has yet to compete since his "The
Ultimate Fighter" season seven tournament win. He will drop
to welterweight for his return at UFC 101 against an opponent
to be announced.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
John
McCain Pleads Case for Late Boxing Champion
Press Release
WASHINGTON
- Sen. John McCain said Wednesday he's sure that President Barack
Obama "will be more than eager" to pardon the late
black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson, who was sent to prison
nearly a century ago because of his romantic ties with a white
woman.
Appearing
with three of Johnson's family members and Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y.,
McCain unveiled a resolution urging a presidential pardon for
Johnson, who was convicted in 1913 of violating the Mann Act,
which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for
immoral purposes. The law has since been heavily amended, but
has not been repealed.
McCain,
R-Ariz., said he planned to speak to Obama about it, but added,
"I think the last person I have to convince probably is
President Obama."
"We
need to erase this act of racism which sent an American citizen
to prison on a trumped-up charge," McCain said, adding,
"I have great confidence this president will be more than
eager to sign this legislation and pardon Jack Johnson."
The
White House declined to comment Wednesday. Obama was in London
on Wednesday attending a summit on the global economic crisis.
McCain
and King - both of whom have done their share of boxing - are
advocating the pardon along with filmmaker Ken Burns, whose 2005
documentary, "Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall
of Jack Johnson," explored the case against Johnson and
the sentencing judge's admitted desire to "send a message"
to black men about relationships with white women.
Johnson's
great-niece, Dorothy Cross, and her daughters, Linda Haywood
and Constance Hines, all of Chicago, were in town to support
McCain's effort.
Haywood,
53, said Johnson's family considered his conviction "racially
motivated, and we knew the type of man that he was."
"He
simply lived his life, and he didn't have to explain how he lived
his life," Haywood said.
Johnson
became the first black heavyweight champion on Dec. 26, 1908,
100 years before Obama became the first black president.
"It
certainly would be a moment in history," King said, "to
have the first African-American president granting a pardon to
the first African-American heavyweight champion."
The
resolution announced Wednesday seeks a pardon that acknowledges
Johnson's career and reputation were wronged "by a racially
motivated conviction prompted by his success in the boxing ring
and his relationship with white women." Similar resolutions
offered in 2004 and last year failed to pass both chambers of
Congress.
Burns
helped form the Committee to Pardon Jack Johnson, which filed
a petition with the Justice Department in 2004 that was never
acted on. He called Johnson "the greatest boxer of all time,"
and said when Johnson proved unbeatable in the ring, "the
white power establishment decided to beat him in the courts."
He
called a pardon for Johnson "just a question of justice,
which is not only blind, but color-blind," adding, "I
think it absolutely does not have anything to do with the symbolism
of an African-American president pardoning an African-American
unjustly accused."
Johnson
won the 1908 world heavyweight title after police in Australia
stopped his 14-round match against the severely battered Canadian
world champion, Tommy Burns. That led to a search for a "Great
White Hope" who could beat Johnson. Two years later, Jim
Jeffries, the American world titleholder Johnson had tried for
years to fight, came out of retirement but lost in a match called
"The Battle of the Century," resulting in deadly riots.
Authorities
first targeted Johnson's relationship with Lucille Cameron, who
later became his wife, but she refused to cooperate. They then
found another white witness, Belle Schreiber, to testify against
him. Johnson fled the country after his conviction, but agreed
years later to return and serve a 10-month jail sentence. He
tried to renew his boxing career after leaving prison, but failed
to regain his title. He died in a car crash in 1946 at age 68.
Presidential
pardons for the dead are rare.
In
1999, President Bill Clinton pardoned Lt. Henry O. Flipper, the
Army's first black commissioned officer, who was drummed out
of the military in 1882 after white officers accused him of embezzling
$3,800 in commissary funds. Last year, President George W. Bush
pardoned Charles Winters, who was convicted of violating the
Neutrality Act when he conspired in 1948 to export aircraft to
a foreign country in aid of Israel.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Quote
of the Day
"The
ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full
use of your powers along lines of excellence."
John F. Kennedy
|
STRIKEFORCE
CONFIRMS BABALU VS FEIJAO, ST. LOUIS
by Tom Hamliin
Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu”
Sobral will make his first title defense June 6 against Rafael
“Feijao” Cavalcante at the Scottrade Center in St.
Louis.
Additionally,
a match-up between Jake Shields and Robbie Lawler at a catch
weight of 182 pounds was confirmed as the evening’s main
event, the second of Strikeforce’s broadcast partnership
with Showtime Networks.
As
first reported by MMAWeekly.com, the bouts were finalized in
a Strikeforce press release issued on Thursday morning.
While
the fight was first proposed by Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker in
early February, sources close to negotiations say Sobral’s
opponent was a toss-up between “Feijao” and former
Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Bobby Southworth.
Cavalcante
made a splash in the MMA world for EliteXC, where he silenced
three consecutive opponents in 2008. When the promotion closed
its doors in October, he was among many athletes held in contractual
limbo.
The
Rio de Janeiro fighter counts UFC champions Anderson Silva and
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira among his training partners and is 7-1
as a professional since making his debut in February of 2006.
Sobral
was last seen at Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning”
in January, where he submitted Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou. He took
the Strikeforce title last November when a cut forced the stoppage
of his bout with Southworth. Since emerging from the UFC, he
has gone on a four-fight win streak. Overall, he carries professional
record of 32-7.
Shields,
a Cesar Gracie black belt, welcomed the challenge to face the
hard-throwing middleweight. Initially, he was expected to fight
Joe Riggs on the upcoming “Shamrock vs. Diaz,” set
for April 11, but decided to make the jump in weight when Lawler
became available.
“It’s
a fight that makes sense,” said Shields. “We’re
both already known to the Showtime viewers. He’s a top middleweight
and I’m a top-ranked welterweight. It makes me want to train
really hard. I know I’ve got to be ready because, if I’m
not, he’s going to kick me in the head or punch me and knock
me out. I’m super-excited to come in at my best.”
But
he acknowledged that Lawler would test his striking ability.
“My
grappling’s better than his striking,” Shields continued.
“I’ve been working on my striking a lot, though, and
I think it’s a lot better than some people give me credit
for. I’m not going to say I’m a better striker than
Lawler because that would be stupid. Lawler is one of the better
strikers out there.”
Like
many of the stranded fighters under contract with ProElite, Lawler
was just happy to get back to work.
“We
were all unsure of where our next fight would be,” said
Lawler. “So we’re glad someone with his experience
stepped in. He has been good to us.”
The
June 6 card will air live on Showtime at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
PRESIDENT RAISES IRE WITH BLOG, APOLOGIZES
by Tom Hamliin
Just one day after it ricocheted around the Internet, a video
blog posted by UFC Dana White has raised the ire of several media
outlets and one media watchdog group.
The
controversy erupted over White’s comments involving Sherdog.com
news editor Loretta Hunt, in which he used profanity and derogatory
language while addressing a report Hunt authored on the UFC’s
credentialing process in regards to fighters' managers.
The
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, wrote
a piece asking White to apologize for his comments, namely using
a slang term for homosexuals.
The
UFC later pulled the video from its YouTube account.
On
Thursday, GLAAD spokesman Ted Rybka confirmed to ESPN.com that
White would make a new video apologizing for his comments.
In
a text message sent to Yahoo! Sports reporter Kevin Iole the
same day, White commented on the situation via text message,
stating, “that was my side. No secrets.”
Several
mainstream news websites have picked up on the story, including
USAToday.com, SI.com, ESPN.com, and Yahoo! Sports.com
White’s
new video was released late Thursday night, where he addressed
the controversy.
“I
chose some words that offended and hurt some people,” he
said. “Anybody who knows me knows that I would never, ever
maliciously attack somebody who wasn’t attacking me, and
as far as the gay and lesbian community, my comments were not
directed towards them.
“I
have no problem with the gay and lesbian community; I’m
actually a supporter of many of their issues. The last thing
that I would ever want anybody to think about me or think is
cool is to go out and attack somebody because of their sexual
orientation. That was not my intention, that’s not the way
I said it, and I apologize for anybody that I offended or hurt.”
DANA
WHITE'S VIDEO APOLOGY
Source: MMA Weekly
|
You
can always tell when an attack is effective…
By Zach Arnold
…by
how loud a person squeals. Dana White understands what is at
stake as far as labor relations in UFC is concerned.
Will
there be any backlash by sponsors towards Dana White for his
rant against Loretta Hunt? No. This is the same man who said
that he didn’t need Coke, Coke needed him.
So
what will hurt Dana White and UFC? The trend that their organization
has gone through corporate sponsors left and right and has burnt
several bridges publicly (t-shirt companies, toy makers, etc).
The caveat emptor label is out there for sponsors who want to
get involved in doing business with the company.
To
address the initial argument about the purpose of managers and
agents being backstage with their fighters… in most cases,
it has to do with protecting their clients from promoters offering
contracts and asking for signatures without legal representation.
However, there are also other circumstances for agents to be
present in front of fighters, and I noted a couple of these reasons
when I did an article for CBS Sports about the drug problems
in MMA. Mainly, during the PRIDE days, agents were concerned
with drug testing procedures — including one agent publicly
going on record for my article to claim that PRIDE promoters
were encouraging the use of painkiller injections for a fighter…
right before a fight.
In
response to Brent Brookhouse asking why the media hasn’t
jumped all over Dana White for what he said here, the reason
is that most of the stick-and-ball media doesn’t pay attention
to MMA. It’s a fringe sport for them. It’s not in their
demographic zone, so they don’t care. They think MMA is
barbaric in the first place, so why waste effort talking about
it and promoting the business? As in the old adage, “Any
publicity is good publicity.”
As
I told a media friend a little while ago when talking about White’s
rant, could you imagine Roger Goodell doing this towards a media
writer in a video statement on the NFL web site if a reporter
had written a story claiming the NFL was causing problems for
players in the locker room? Every mainstream sports media writer
would be banding together to go after Goodell, call for him to
get out of the NFL, and go after the sponsors supporting the
NFL.
Using
a misogynistic or gay slur has nothing to do with media bias.
Dana White is not a super hero because he is using this type
of speech against a media writer. Furthermore, I find it amazing
that UFC supporters are treating White the same way ECW supporters
used to treat Paul Heyman when he would go on his rants. This
“he’s speaking truth to power!” vibe from White’s
defenders here is laughable considering that we have UFC on one
side and the ‘power’ here is supposedly Sherdog.
In
any other sport, the manner in which Dana White attacked Loretta
Hunt would simply not be tolerated. However, because it’s
MMA, the media doesn’t take it seriously despite the strong
numbers the sport attracts amongst younger fans. Just look at
the attacks made in the comment section of this Yahoo Sports
post. I think the tone UFC supporters are using to defend White
(as opposed to the actual act of defending him) is disheartening,
even if the idiots are keyboard warriors.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
UFC
boss curses out female reporter in tiradeby FOXSports.com
UFC president Dana White went on a profanity-laced tirade and
used an anti-gay slur while rebutting an online story by a female
reporter that was unflattering to his organization. White's big
tirade Video: Dana White had some choice words for a female MMA
reporter about a recent story. See the expletive-laden rant.
Bleep show: Dana White's online rant has UFC back in the mainstream
spotlight. But his behavior could spell doom for the sport, Alex
Marvez says.
White's
remarks were contained in a video blog in which he assailed Loretta
Hunt for a story posted Wednesday on Sherdog.com. Hunt reported
that some managers and agents were being given less locker room
access to fighters at UFC events.
White assailed Hunt and an anonymous source she cited in the
story. White referred to her as a "(expletive) dumb b****"
and to the source with an anti-gay epithet.
"Hey
Loretta, if you're going to write a story, you (expletive) moron,
at least make sure it's (expletive) true and you have some facts,"
he says in the video. "And if you're going to put some (expletive)
quotes in there, get some quotes from some people who at least
have the (expletive) (courage) to put their (expletive) name
on it."
The
video is no longer available on the UFC site, but a copy of the
three-minute, nine-second segment was posted to YouTube.com.
In it, White utters around 40 obscenities while attacking Hunt's
reporting.
"I
don't take it personally," Hunt said when reached Thursday
by FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez. "Whenever a journalist does
a story, there's a chance the subject is not going to like it."
UFC
spokesperson Jennifer Wenk had no comment on the situation when
reached via e-mail.
Hunt's
story said Zuffa, the company that operates UFC and WEC events,
has notified some managers and agents that they will no longer
receive credentials to sit with their fighters backstage on fight
night.
In
the video, White adamantly denied the allegation, saying that
it "has always been the policy at the UFC that the fighters
get so many credentials" to use for whomever they choose
at the fights.
Hunt
told FOXSports.com she made "every attempt to reach Zuffa"
before writing the story.
"I
clearly stated to them what the article would be about but they
didn't respond. I did my best trying to present both sides of
the story."
Hunt's
story also speculated that the policy change could be part of
a campaign to put a wedge between fighters and their business
agents.
"They're
divisively trying to split management and fighters," an
anonymous representative was quoted as saying in the story. "They're
trying to de-power the managers and agents to create a wedge
between them."
Web
and wild Photos: Dana White isn't the first sports figure to
stir up Internet controversy. Check out these recent Web-fueled
spectacles.
White — a former manager for UFC fighters Chuck Liddell
and Tito Ortiz — downplayed the significance of any such
suggestion, saying in the video, "What the (expletive) do
I need to be in the back for if I'm (a) manager?"
Despite
the strong reaction from White, Hunt told FOXSports.com she is
standing by the story.
"It's
accurate," Hunt said. "I'm not going to deny he made
a personal attack against me and my credibility. But more than
anything, I think it's an attempt to create a distraction from
the story I wrote."
FOXSports.com
MMA writer Alex Marvez contributed to this report.
Source: Fox Sports
|
Some
Managers, Agents Lose Backstage Pass
by Loretta Hunt
Managers and agents are fast becoming an endangered species backstage
at UFC and WEC events.
Zuffa,
the company that owns and operates both promotions, has notified
select fighter representatives that they will no longer receive
credentials from the promotion to sit with their clients backstage
on fight night.
The
reasoning behind the UFC’s decision varies according to
the source. Some say the move is yet another strike in a campaign
to separate fighters from their business representatives. Others
say Zuffa is making a reasonable attempt to control unnecessary
backstage traffic and lighten overcrowded dressing rooms of freeloaders.
The
latter explanation loses traction, however, when the promotion
has not enacted a blanket policy across the board, which brings
into question if the move is more personal than procedural.
Of
five separate fighter representatives and their firms that spoke
to Sherdog.com, two said they were told that credentials would
no longer be doled out to them shortly after UFC 94 on Jan. 31.
These firms were also denied backstage access in person at UFC
Fight Night 17, UFC 95 and UFC 96, as well as WEC 39, which took
place March 1 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Both
reps said Zuffa would give no reason for the change in policy
when asked over the phone and in person.
“You
don’t ask questions of them. You know how that goes,”
said one manager, who, like multiple fighter representatives
interviewed, would only speak on the condition of anonymity for
fear of repercussions.
Zuffa’s
public relations department did not respond to an e-mail requesting
comment on the promotion’s sudden shift in policy after
eight years.
Outraged
managers and agents said the silent treatment speaks to a greater
issue that Zuffa is trying to keep hidden behind closed locker
room doors.
“They’re
divisively trying to split management and fighters,” said
one representative. “They’re trying to de-power the
managers and agents to create a wedge between them. They give
locker room bonuses and say, ‘This is from Dana [White]
and the UFC -- nobody else.’ They’re telling fighters
they can go directly to them. They’re telling fighters they’ll
be doing sponsorships themselves in the near future that will
put the managers and agents out of business. They’re trying
to minimize the managers’ and agents’ role in the fighter’s
life so they can better control salaries.”
If
these allegations hold validity, how would a promotion be allowed
to prevent a fighter from protecting his business interests no
matter where he is?
In
both boxing and MMA, a majority of statutes allow athletic commissions
to license managers and agents, which essentially gives these
representatives the right to handle the fighter’s earnings.
However, the promotions have the discretion to assign walk-around
credentials to managers, agents and other parties not affiliated
with the regulatory body, something promotions have done with
little fuss over the years -- until now.
Dana
White was an MMA manager himself. Many representatives speculated
the order came from UFC President Dana White, himself a former
manager who once worked with Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.
The
California State Athletic Commission, the New Jersey State Athletic
Control Board and the Tennessee Athletic Commission -- which
hosts its first UFC event Wednesday in Nashville -- all told
Sherdog.com that they either do not have the jurisdiction or
did not wish to grant backstage credentials outside of their
commission employees.
All
three regulatory bodies said managers and agents are welcome
to apply for one of the three commission-issued credentials allotted
to licensed seconds or cornermen.
“If
the manager is one of the three seconds, he may be at ringside.
If he is not, it is at the promoter’s discretion who gets
credentials,” wrote Tennessee’s newly appointed Executive
Director Jeff Mullen, who judged nearly 50 UFC events. “I
can only ask for credentials for someone who is on official commission
business.”
CSAC
Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas agreed.
“We
will not be involved with the issuance of credentials outside
of our scope,” replied Douglas in an e-mail to Sherdog.com
on Monday.
If
Zuffa won’t credential certain individuals backstage as
managers, then why not just apply for a second’s license?
Agent
Ken Pavia, who has 55 athletes on his roster, said a cornerman
is a crucial role that most managers or agents leave up to the
pros.
“With
the multiplicity of disciplines the fighters must be schooled
in, their striking coach, their ground coach are needed in the
corner,” said Pavia, who was among those denied. “Their
training partner is in the locker room with them, helping them
warm up, to break a sweat, to grapple, to pummel, whatever. Often,
a full-service fighter will have all three in his corner, which
pushes the manager or agent out.”
Monte
Cox, who manages 60 fighters and once simultaneously guided the
careers of three UFC champions, believes managers must pick their
battles.
“I’m more concerned about who we can or can’t
have as sponsors now, something that takes money directly from
the fighters,” said Cox, who has also promoted his own events
since 1996.
Cox
said he has never applied for a manager’s license or requested
a backstage credential, preferring to take on the cornerman’s
role when needed at events big and small. He said he has even
worked solo from the apron at overseas events.
“It
all depends on your relationship with the fighter,” Cox
said. “If they want me backstage, they'll ask me to be there
and give me one of their credentials. If not, I have no problem
getting a ticket and watching from the stands.”
Not
all representatives are as willing to pay their own way. An argument
for the promotion arises when backstage crowds begin to multiply
like rabbits.
“The
manager of the fighter from the first or second fight of the
night suddenly becomes three managers, and they all try to sit
in the front row for the main event and security has to kick
them out,” said Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive
Director Keith Kizer.
Although
Kizer acknowledged that this scenario doesn’t occur in every
instance, he said he’s taken issue with bloated boxing entourages
-- some totaling up to 30 people between relatives, managers,
trainers and priests, all there to support a single fighter and
clog up the locker rooms in the process. Kizer said excused persons
have also tried to join the procession to the ring or cage in
the hallway, which becomes a safety concern, and the commission
has had to enlist a second credentialing system to weed out the
hangers-on.
New
Jersey Athletic Control Board Deputy Attorney General Nick Lembo
said he had to pull an unlicensed individual from a corner at
a show the commission regulated just last Saturday after the
man wandered out with the fighter from backstage.
One
fighter representative argued that order isn’t Zuffa’s
motivation, though.
“If
there were overbearing managers that get in the way or take advantage,
I could totally understand [Zuffa’s] point if they’re
back there just trying to make the fight go smoothly and there’s
too many bodies back there. But this really isn’t the issue,”
said the representative.
Managers
and agents provided a laundry list of their backstage responsibilities,
some of which involve direct commission contact. While the cornermen
concentrate on the fighter’s pre-fight preparation, a manager
or agent could be responsible for details as minute as retrieving
forgotten mouthpieces and approved beverages to the handling
of lucrative sponsorship materials, including T-shirts and banners.
One
fighter representative said he had to tend to a fighter that
had an anxiety attack and hyperventilated before his bout. Another
rep said he was asked by his client to look over his check before
he signed it -- a check that was calculated incorrectly. The
manager sat with the commission backstage until the check was
remedied.
Managers
and agents can also act as liaisons between fighters and their
families and often become the point person when an athlete is
rushed to the hospital. Reps also observe drug testing and review
medical suspensions with the commissions. These are roles that
the reps said cornermen aren’t expected to perform and that
fighters pay to have done so they won’t have to do themselves.
“We’ve
had it where a fighter gets handed a [medical] suspension, put
the paperwork in his bag, then forgot all about it,” said
another anonymous rep. “If you can get back there and do
all that, then you allow everyone else to be focused on their
jobs.”
But
it’s probably the scenarios that managers and agents might
now miss that have them worried.
“There
have been situations where business has been presented,”
said a rep, who also explained that fighters can be approached
backstage by sponsors, commercial photographers and press, all
toting release forms.
In
addition to unreported locker room bonuses, fighter reps have
told Sherdog.com that verbal contract extensions have taken place.
One rep said his fighter was even presented with a written contract
to sign without counsel advice before he could continue on with
his duties that evening.
The
NJACB’s Lembo said keeping the environment distraction-free
and in order so that the inspectors can do their jobs is paramount.
“To
me, it’s not a cut and dry issue,” Lembo said, “but
I’m looking first to control the locker room, and I don’t
believe a manager is needed back there.”
Lembo,
who said smaller events than the UFC are the norm in New Jersey,
keeps to a firm rule of three licensed seconds outside of “special”
commission exceptions or championship bouts. In those cases,
he’ll approve one extra cornerman, much like the NSAC does.
“Who’s
the fighter going to get approached by in the dressing room if
he’s just back there with his seconds? He can just get approached
by that promoter. That’s the only person who would be allowed
back there. The fighter can always say, ‘My manager’s
outside. Let’s go talk there.’ I always tell the fighters:
‘If you don’t know what you’re signing, take it
to your lawyer or manager.’”
Cox
agrees the fighter should be given more of the benefit of the
doubt.
“We
all have horror stories of what these promotions have tried to
do, but I’ll be honest, I’ve never had a problem with
any of them except the IFL,” Cox said. “In the end,
it comes down to the fighter. I have faith my guys won’t
sign anything without me looking at it first.”
At
least one regulator said he’d be open to looking into the
issue if warranted.
Kizer,
the NSAC executive director, said his agency usually tries “to
let the manager and the promoter work it out on their own …
but if they can’t, that’s what we’re here for.”
Kizer
said three cornerman, as well as one business representative,
is a reasonable backstage request as long as the rep has been
approved for a manager’s license.
“Either
the manager or the fighter or both [can call me],” Kizer
said. “I don’t know if [the fighter] even needs to
prove that he needs [the manager] backstage. If he wants him,
that’s enough for me. If a promoter has a problem with a
manager or a manager has a problem with a promoter with respect
to a Nevada bout, they are fine to come to me and I’ll do
my best to resolve the matter as the executive director, and
if it’s a big enough deal, we’ll push it up to the
five commissioners.”
Almost
all the reps that Sherdog.com spoke to said they’d be comfortable
with three licensed cornermen and one managerial figure allowed
backstage, which is the setup the UFC and WEC approved until
recently. Pavia suggested that promotions institute criteria
to ensure only professionals gain entry and don’t abuse
the system.
Many
reps fear that if they don’t speak up, other promotions
will follow Zuffa’s precedent and that many of the smaller
companies don’t have the manpower and organizational skills
needed to prevent the added problems that will arise.
“There
was an event where backstage was so disorganized that all the
fighters, not just mine, were worried if this fight was even
going to happen, if they were going to get paid,” Pavia
said. “There was nobody backstage. There was no water. There
were no inspectors in sight. My fighters wanted me there.”
Kizer
and Lembo, whose respective commissions handle the bulk of the
big-money boxing events in the U.S., said backstage entourages
can get out of hand, but they’ve never heard of a boxing
promoter denying a manager or an agent a backstage credential.
“One
qualified businessperson, that has a relationship with the fighter,
serves the purpose backstage,” said Pavia, who boarded a
red-eye Monday night to meet his main event fighter, Martin Kampmann,
in Nashville.
In
Kampmann's corner, six-time UFC champion and mentor Randy Couture,
striking coach Mark Beecher and training partner Jay Hieron will
undoubtedly provide the Dane with worthy advice.
Meanwhile,
Pavia will support his fighter from the audience, hoping his
services are not needed backstage.
Editor's
Note: This article was corrected at 11:05 a.m. EST to clarify
Kampmann's cornermen for April 1, who were originally identified
at Shawn Tompkins and Mike Pyle.
Source: Sherdog
|
Marvin
Eastman signs three-fight deal with MFC
Marvin Eastman (15-9-1), who made his MMA debut in 2000 with
a victory over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, has signed
a three-fight deal with Canada's Maximum Fighting Championship
promotion.
Eastman trains with the Lewis-Pederneiras Value Tudo camp in
Las Vegas and will be returning to light-heavyweight. His last
four fights were at middleweight and he went 2-2.
Eastman
fought in Canada in his last fight, but with the Raw Combat promotion,
and lost to current UFC middleweight Denis Kang via TKO in 48
seconds. He was let go by the UFC after a first-round TKO loss
to Drew McFederies at "The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale"
last June. Eastman's most recent win was in February 2008 against
Terry Martin at UFC 81.
Eastman
intends on stringing together wins with the MFC and then finish
his career back with the UFC.
Eastman
is scheduled to make his MFC debut at the HDNet-televised MFC
21 "Hard Knocks" on May 15 at the the River Cree Resort
and Casino near Edmonton.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
UFC
Makes Guida vs. Sanchez Offical for TUF Finale
Press Release
LAS
VEGAS -- The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization is proud
to announce a stellar headlining match for The Ultimate Fighter
Season 9 finale, which will take place Saturday, June 20 from
The Pearl at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas' Palms Hotel, live
on Spike TV (Rogers Sportsnet in Canada).
Both
winners of their last three matches, ascending lightweights Diego
"The Nightmare" Sanchez and Clay "The Carpenter"
Guida are on a collision course that will end in the Octagon
for what could be three of the most furiously-paced rounds of
the year.
"Diego
Sanchez vs. Clay Guida has the potential to be one of the most
action-packed fights of the year," UFC president Dana White
said. "Both men have won multiple 'Fight of the Night' awards
and are two of the most aggressive grapplers in the division.
"Guida
is coming off a big win over The Ultimate Fighter Season 5 winner
Nate Diaz and Sanchez just defeated The Ultimate Fighter Season
2 winner Joe Stevenson. The winner of this fight will move into
the upper portion of the lightweight rankings and get that much
closer to a title shot."
Coming
off three impressive wins against David Bielkheden, Luigi Fioravanti
and Joe Stevenson, Sanchez (fighting out of San Diego) looks
to be peaking at the perfect time in his career. In his first
ever UFC fight at lightweight, the Albuquerque, N.M., native
looked lean and hungry against Stevenson as he pounded out an
impressive decision victory.
"Clay
likes to push the pace and test a fighter's conditioning, but
so do I," Sanchez said. "Right now, I'm at the perfect
weight and it's the perfect time in my career to make a run at
the title. I've already won a couple matches at the finales,
so I'm feeling confident heading into this fight."
A
fighter that doesn't have an "off" switch, Guida (fighting
out of Johnsburg, Ill.) is known for his aggressive style and
perpetual high-energy level. Coming off a three-round decision
win against fellow rising star Nate Diaz, "The Carpenter"
seems to be immune to boring fights, and he guarantees a memorable
night against Sanchez, who is also known for his conditioning.
"I
couldn't feel more confident about this fight right now in my
career," Guida said. "We're both coming off three consecutive
wins and we're two of the most explosive lightweights in the
division. This has the potential to be fight of the year. My
hands are going to be the best they've been... Vegas is where
I do my best work."
Source: The Fight Network
|
Ninja
and André Galvão ready for Dream 8
By Guilherme Cruz
Released the first names of the Dream 8, Japanese event that
happens on April 10th at Nagoya, Japan, three Brazilian will
be in action inside the ring. In the super fights, Andrews Nakahara
faces Shungo Oyama. Nakahara’s last opponent, the Korean
Dong Sik Yoon, faces Murilo "Ninja" Rua, thirsty to
victory. Helping the fighter in his preparation for the fight,
Sérgio Cunha spoke with TATAME.com. "He trained seven
weeks with me and is well prepared. We studied his game and Ninja
is physically well, did a good job and I hope he does a good
fight and win", said Cunha, expecting tough fight.
"All
fights, today, are hard. There are no easy fight nowadays, everybody
sets strategy and depends a lot of the athlete, of the time.
You must be well trained and focused. It will be a good fight",
said the coach, who thanked the support of the partners, which
also help in the preparation of Shogun to the fight against Chuck
Liddell, in UFC 97. "The team is very good. We made a camp
of MMA in São Paulo for Ninja. Paulo Mancini took care
of Boxing and the physical preparation, Demian Maia and Marcelo
Manga helped the Jiu-Jitsu, the Wrestling with Renato Roma and
I take care of Muay Thai and MMA. We want to thank the guys and
hope that Ninja can correspond with a victory. He trained seven
weeks very hard and is very prepared", guarantees.
In
the welterweight tournament, André Galvão faces
the former UFC, Pride and WEC fighter John Alessio, who has 24
victories and 12 defeats in his careers. In the two times he
faced Brazilian opponents, John won Marcelo Brito at WEC, but
was defeated defeated by Thiago "Pitbull" Alves in
the UFC. "I’m training hard, dedicating myself a lot
and I want to be as complete as possible inside, not forgetting
my part of ground, what I know best. The expectations are the
best, we’re training with (Josuel) Distak, Anderson (Silva),
Rafael Feijão, (Ronaldo) Jacaré, Thiago Jambo,
many hard athletes... I believe I can bring that title to Brazil,
due to the fact that I’m training with the best and dedicating
myself a lot. I have faith and I will bring the belt home",
said the Jiu-Jitsu world champion.
Source: Tatame
|
ESPN.com,
Sherdog.com Extend Agreement
by Sherdog.com Staff
ESPN.com and Sherdog.com have extended their agreement for MMA
coverage and cross-promotion.
The
sites first partnered in May 2007. Under the agreement, ESPN
will continue to highlight exclusive, in-depth Sherdog content
contextually within ESPN.com, including news, interviews, videos,
event listings and more.
Sherdog
content will continue to help power ESPN.com’s mixed martial
arts section, integrating with ESPN’s original MMA coverage,
including the original online studio program, “MMA Live.”
Sherdog content will include news and analysis, fighter profiles
and Sherdog’s Fight Finder module, which allows users to
search for fighter records and personal info. Sherdog’s
weekly online radio shows are also offered at ESPNRadio.com and
for download via the ESPN PodCenter.
Source: Sherdog
|
Masato
will have retirement match on K-1 NYE ‘09 show
By Zach Arnold
He
officially announced his retirement intentions today at a press
conference in Tokyo. There will be an exhibition match involving
“The Second Masato” HIROYA on 4/21 at Fukuoka Marine
Messe, in which the media focus on Masato’s retirement will
start building up for the next eight months. Masato is set to
fight at the K-1 MAX Nippon Budokan show this July, and then
the retirement match on 12/31.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
BADER
LIKELY SUFFERS TORN MCL IN WIN
by Damon Martin & Jeff Cain
For his first win in the UFC following his triumphant run on
the eighth season of "The Ultimate Fighter," Ryan Bader
may have fought through a painful injury to get that win as the
former Arizona State wrestler appears to have torn both his ACL
and MCL in the first round of his fight against Carmelo Marrero.
The
news comes from Bader who spoke exclusively with MMAWeekly.com
after the fight, and later updated by his coach Trevor Lally
after speaking to doctors who examined the fighter following
the bout.
"The
doctor said I blew my MCL out and maybe the ACL. Hopefully not.
It was in the first (round)," Bader said. "One of the
first takedowns, I was passing from half-guard trying to pass
to side control and I just heard my knee pop, which isn't a big
deal because they pop every once in a while.
"I
stood back up and I felt that it was really, really loose. It
didn't really do too much as far as impeding me in the fight
or anything like that, but it was starting to swell up a little
bit. Hopefully the ACL is fine. I don't really want to deal with
that."
While
Bader won't have definitive results until he heads back home
to Arizona, doctors on site believe that he did actually tear
both the ACL and MCL, which could require surgery and extensive
rehab.
Regardless
of the injury, Bader battled through to pick up the unanimous
decision win, but he still believes that he could have done more
to pick up the pace in the fight.
"I
didn't feel like I fought to my potential. I felt tired out there
a little bit, maybe some nerves of being in my first big UFC
fight besides The Ultimate Fighter house and that kind of thing,"
Bader commented.
"From
the arm bar, I felt like I didn't transition well. I could have
went for a triangle here or there. I felt like I was a little
sloppy on my stand up. We tightened a lot of things up and I
just felt like I could have been more technical and transitioned
a little better. But a win's a win. I've just got to look forward
to my next fight and get better from there."
The
fans in attendance in Nashville were vocal towards Bader and
Marrero when the action slowed on the ground, but the former
"Ultimate Fighter" winner takes the criticism in stride
as well.
"It
did upset me. Obviously you don't like to be booed. I was kind
of disappointed in myself a little bit from that kind of aspect.
But what can you do?" Bader said. "I was out there
giving it my all at that time, so I couldn't really do anything
else about it."
Bader
will head back home with his teammates from Arizona Combat Sports
and have his knee checked out again at that time.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
XFC
Denies Rumors of Lashley vs. Jones on Apr. 25
Press Release
From XFC president John Prisco:
“It’s
come to our attention that a rumor has started circulating that
Bobby Lashley will be fighting Marcus Jones at XFC 8: ‘Regional
Conflict’ on Saturday, April 25 – a show featuring
thefastest-rising young prospects and top emerging superstars
from Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky and North Carolina in contender-versus-contender
bouts, airing exclusively nationwide on HDNet. That rumor is
false, and no such statement was ever issued by the XFC, Bobby
Lashley, or Bobby Lashley’s manager.
“It
is true that the XFC and Bobby Lashley have had numerous conversations,
and both parties hope to find a way to work together in the very
near future. Bobby has publicly stated his interest in fighting
for the XFC, and we can confirm that the interest is mutual.
We look forward to continuing to grow our relationship.
“The
XFC hopes Bobby Lashley – and MMA fans nationwide –
enjoy XFC 8 ‘Regional Conflict’ on April 25, as it
airs live from the 21 thousand-capacity Thompson-Boling Arena
inKnoxville, Tennessee, exclusively on HDNet. For more information,
please visit www.mmaxfc.com.”
Source: The Fight Network
|
UFC
to offer commemorative UFC 100 magazine
The UFC will celebrate its century mark in numbered events with
the offering of a commemorative magazine that will hit newstands
on June 29.
"The
UFC 100 magazine will highlight the 15-year history of the UFC
in a way that no other medium could," UFC President Dana
White said in today's announcement. "And with unrestricted
access, this issue will truly capture this symbolic moment in
our sport."
The stacked UFC 100 card, featuring Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir,
Georges St-Pierre vs. Thiago Alves and Dan Henderson vs. Michael
Bisping, takes place Saturday, July 11 in Las Vegas.
The
magazine will be published by American Media, Inc. (AMI), which
also publishes Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and Shape.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Quote
of the Day
"Doubt
whom you will, but never yourself."
Christine Bovee
|
'Fight
For The Kids' on BJPENN.COM!
If you are in Maui come check out the fight. UFC fighters will
be there and so will other big name fighters, BJ Penn, Shane
Nelson, Kendall Grove, Troy Mandaionis, Justin McCully and many
more.
Time:
April 4, 2009 from 5pm to 11pm
Location: The War Memorial Stadium
Organized By: Timmy
Event
Description:
The fight is April 4th at The War Memorial Stadium.
The
"weigh-in" is Friday, April 3rd at
808 Nalu in Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center at 6:00p.m.
"Innavision"
will be playing Saturday night right before the fights so come
early and enjoy festivities doors open at 5:00p.m.!
Sean
Souza vs. Jon Quinlan
Bryan Jackson vs. Chris Payne
Kean Desa vs. Jake Noble
Russell Hamilton vs. Ipe Sahagun
Timmy Nacis vs. Jason Emmsley
Kazu Boy vs. Rocky Planesi
Bruen Tavares vs. TBD
MAIN
EVENT
Maka Watson vs. Dominic Ah Nee
Tickets
are on sale at the following locations:
808 Nalu, I & I Gym, 1320 Performance, Crater Cycles, Da
Kitchen, Request Music, Hana Highway Surf, Ku’au Store,
SOLID Clothing and Neighborhood Place of Wailuku.
Advance
tickets are on sale for $30.00 or $35.00 at the door.
Source: BJ Penn.com
|
Magical
Mayhem on MTV with Bully Beatdown
By Zach Arnold
I had heard the buzz about Mayhem Miller’s new MTV show
Bully Beatdown and figured that since it drew such a strong initial
cable rating that there must be something to the show.
Never
did I expect to watch a fight-related show that could end up
being as potentially successful as Punk’d or Pimp my Ride.
However, Bully Beatdown has all the ingredients to become a big
smash on MTV.
For
MMA purists, be warned — this show is not for you. It does
incorporate some elements of the fight game, but this show is
all about pure entertainment and does it ever deliver. In 30
minutes, Bully Beatdown tells a better story and delivers more
action than most episodes of The Ultimate Fighter. In many respects,
Mayhem’s show makes TUF look like yesterday’s news.
The
premise of the show (which airs every Sunday at 9:30 PM on MTV)
is simple — Mayhem Miller gets videos sent to him from people
who are intimidated by a bully in their life. It could be a family
member, a long-time friend, or an ex-boyfriend. After watching
the video, Mayhem pays the bully a visit and offers the bully
a chance to fight against a professional MMA fighter in a two-round
exhibition match. He offers the bully $10,000USD to fight. The
bully accepts the challenge and then hits the gym to ’show
off’ their skills/lack of skills in front of Mayhem so he
can laugh at them. Then, the bully and the hero (Mayhem’s
chosen MMA fighter) are introduced to the cage where Big John
McCarthy greets them with instructions. The fight between the
hero and the bully consists of two rounds — Round 1 is grappling
only and Round 2 is boxing/kickboxing. In Round 1, the bully
starts off with $5,000. Every time the bully submits, the victim
earns $1,000. In round two, the bully is given another $5,000.
If the bully can survive the round and not get knocked out, he
keeps the money. If the bully is KO’d, the victims get the
$5,000.
The
premise of the show is easy to follow and time flies by when
you are watching it. Mayhem’s personality is absolutely
perfect for Bully Beatdown.
In
the episode that I watched on Sunday, the ‘bully’ is
a guy named Vince who is 6'7? and 250 pounds. He is accused by
his current roommate of constantly stiffing him on rent payments
and also causing physical damage to both the victim and to the
house they are staying at. A second roommate, who no longer lives
with Vince, claimed that Vince ruined his credit and ran up so
many bills under his name that the second victim is being threatened
with lawsuits.
Mayhem
introduces the hero for this week’s show as former NFL player
Michael Westbrook, who is 6'3? and 220 pounds. He is stated to
have a black-belt in taekwondo and a brown belt in BJJ.
The
victims in this show look exactly like the type of guys who have
been bullied their whole lives and Vince looks exactly like the
type of guy that bullies people in real life. You couldn’t
come up with better characters out of central casting.
Mayhem
meets the two victims at a local basketball pick-up game. One
victim says that he had to take the bus to get to the game because
Vince took his car to Las Vegas and wrecked it. Mayhem interrupts
the pick-up game and offers Vince the $10,000 challenge. Vince
calls out the victims for not wanting to face him like a man
and after some coaxing (”You got one ball, please tell me
you got two”), the bully finally accepts the challenge.
In addition to $10,000 being on the line, if Vince loses the
fight to Westbrook he has to move out of the place he is renting
with one of the victims.
Vince
and Mayhem meet in the gym where there is a heavy bag and Mayhem
asks Vince to show off his kickboxing skills. Vince does some
low kicks and then he tries for a middle kick, only to get rejected
by the heavy bag and fall on his ass.
30
minutes before the fight, Vince is shown talking to his trainers
while getting taped up. He’s asked about stiffing his roommates
on rent and says, “Someone’s gotta toughen ‘em
up.”
For
fight time, the bully is introduced first by the ring announcer
as someone “who doesn’t pay rent and doesn’t apologize
for it.” The fans here are totally into the fight and when
Michael Westbrook comes out, the reaction on Vince’s face
is priceless.
As
for the fight, R1 is 3 minutes long and grappling only. Westbrook
took his time against the larger opponent and contorted him into
several positions that looked painfully uncomfortable to be in.
He ended up getting Vince to tap out four times, so Vince only
ended up with $1,000 and the victims got $4,000. There was one
submission attempt where Vince could have easily damaged his
clavicle.
Round
two was boxing/kickboxing with a standing 8-count rule in effect.
If Vince survived the round, he got $5k. If he got KO’d,
he got nothing. Vince lasted less than a minute when Westbrook
started pummeling him with lefts and rights.
After
the fight, Mayhem walked into the cage and gave Vince his money.
He told him that maybe he would rent a hotel room, but that he
was about to become homeless. For some reason, the producers
of the show made sure that Mayhem used the phrase “redistribution
of wealth” several times here. The victims ended up with
$9,000 and afterward, in a post-fight taped interview, the ex-roommate
of Vince and the current roommate decided that they would room
together now that Vince is out of the picture.
Then
a preview for next week’s show aired.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
Nissen
Osterneck: From Jake Rosholt to UFC debut
by Moses Utomi
Going into his sixth professional mixed martial arts bout at
WEC 36, Nissen Osterneck was an underdog. After all, his opponent
was Xtreme Couture’s Jake Rosholt, a three time NCAA wrestling
champion with a developing striking game and a knack for controlling
black belts on the ground. Osterneck was just a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
purple belt with some Muay Thai training. No contest, right?
Wrong.
The
unheralded Osterneck came out with reckless abandon, lighting
Rosholt up with flurries of strikes and making the ground game
a pitched battle between his slick submissions and Rosholt’s
top control. In the end, though, his pace worked against him
as he no longer had enough energy to defend Rosholt’s ground
assault. Osterneck fought until the end, but Rosholt kept up
the pressure, eventually walking away with the TKO victory. A
disappointed Osterneck left the cage.
“The
worst performance I’ve ever had,” the Reylson Gracie
brown belt called it.
With
a blemish on his formerly pristine record, the Hawaii native
found himself in the situation that every top fighter not named
Fedor experiences – the first loss. Despite that, though,
Osterneck’s gutsy and impressive performance earned him
both a greater fan following and an invite to the UFC’s
middleweight division, giving him the opportunity to bounce back
from his loss on the world’s largest MMA stage.
“I’m
in half denial because I’ve worked for many years to get
to this point,” Osterneck told MMAFighting.com. “Since
watching the first UFC when I was 13.”
Scheduled
to take on Jorge Rivera at UFC Fight Night 18 on Wednesday, Osterneck
has analyzed the reasons behind his defeat and knows what he
has to do to leave the Octagon with his hand raised.
“I’d
been out for a year,” he recalled. “I had a lot of
built up nervous energy and definitely was way too excited. This
time, I’m going to make an effort to be the coolest cucumber
out there.”
Regardless
of composure, there is a definitive experience gap between the
two opponents. Rivera has been competing professionally since
2001, utilizing his heavy hands to compile a 15-7 record with
10 victories coming by knockout or technical knockout. Osterneck
has an impressive resume – his five victories are all stoppages
within the first two rounds – but it is considerably shorter.
To
prepare for the challenge, Osterneck has been working hard with
Muay Thai world champion Maurice Travis, improving the powerful
striking game he showed against Rosholt to compliment his considerable
ground skills.
“I
was strictly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu until I started training with
[Travis],” said Osterneck. “He’s really honed
my Muay Thai skills for MMA.”
Even
with confidence in his increasing stand-up, Osterneck knows that
the fight will about more than just his own strengths.
“I’m
comfortable in any situation; that’s what MMA is about,”
stated Osterneck. “But I’d rather take the fight to
where my opponent doesn’t feel comfortable. Standing, I
feel like I could hold my own, but I feel like I have an advantage
on the ground.”
That
ground advantage may be the key to victory against a Jorge Rivera
that has lost two of his last three and may need a win to keep
his career in the UFC. Osterneck, meanwhile, needs to establish
himself in a stacked division with a pound-for-pound great at
the top of it. He knows that the road to being a contender will
be neither quick nor easy.
“I
know I need three or four fights,” Osterneck estimated.
“I’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of me.”
Come
Wednesday, Nissen Osterneck will stand in the Sommet Center in
Nashville, Tennessee, undaunted by the magnitude of the event
and the implications the fight could have on his career. Focused
on the prize, his mindset is that of a man who will not be denied.
“This’ll
be my first fight in the UFC,” said Osterneck, “but
it definitely won’t be my last.”
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Dream
defines fight order
Event takes place Sunday in Japan
The
organizers of Dream 8, to take place this coming Sunday, in Japan,
defined the order of the fights on the card. The main event,
and thus the last fight of the night, will pit Shinya Aoki against
Hayato Sakurai, and will count as the first round of the organization’s
welterweight GP. The Brazilian representative in the GP is Andre
Galvao, who will be in the seventh match on the program against
John Alessio.
Participating
in superfights are Andrews Nakahara, Vitor Shaolin and Murilo
Ninja, in the second, third and fourth fights on the program,
respectively.
Check
out the card in official order from first to last (bottom to
top) released by the organizers of Dream and stay tuned to GRACIEMAG.com
for the results on Sunday.
Shinya
Aoki vs Hayato "Mach" Sakurai*
Jason High vs Yuya Shirai*
Seichi Ikemoto vs Marius Zaromskis*
John Alessio vs Andre Galvao*
Daiki Hata vs Hideo Tokoro +
Sergei Kharitonov vs Jeff Monson
Murilo Ninja vs Yoon Dong Sik
Katsuhiko Nagata vs Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro
Andrews Nakahara vs Shungo Oyama
Ikuhisa Minowa vs Katsuyori Shibata
*Welterweight
GP
+ Featherweight GP (the other GP bouts have already taken place)
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
$30,000
BONUSES HANDED OUT AT UFC FIGHT NIGHT
by Damon Martin
Following the UFC's first appearance in Tennessee, the promotion
handed down $30,000 bonuses to the best and the brightest of
the night. A UFC official confirmed the awards and bonuses to
MMAWeekly.com late Wednesday night.
UFC
Fight Night 18 Fight of the Night netted both Tyson Griffin and
Rafael dos Anjos a $30,000 bonus check after the two lightweights
battled it out for three grueling rounds. Griffin survived a
gruesome leg submission in the first round and used his strong
stand-up to pick up the unanimous decision win.
Rob
Kimmons made the most of his second fight in the UFC, as he choked
out opponent Joe Vedepo with a guillotine choke, also earning
a bonus for Submission of the Night.
Former
All-American wrestler Aaron Simpson may soon gain a reputation
as a knockout artist. The Arizona Combat Sports fighter racked
up a $30,000 Knockout of the Night bonus for his win over Tim
McKenzie. This is the second straight fight that Simpson showed
impressive power getting the knockout to compliment his tremendous
ground skill.
UFC
FIGHT NIGHT 18 AWARDS AND BONUSES
Fight
of the Night:
-Tyson Griffin vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Submission
of the Night:
-Rob Kimmons
Knockout
of the Night:
-Aaron Simpson
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Jacaré
back in action at Dream 9
By Guilherme Cruz
Few months after the middleweight tournament, Ronaldo “Jacaré”
Souza will be back in action at Dream. According to the fighter,
he’ll fight at Dream 9, which takes place in Japan on May
26th. “I’ll fight at Dream 9, but I still don’t
know the name of my opponent”, said the two times BJJ world
openweight champion, training hard at Rio de Janeiro for the
fight. “The training here are strong. Josuel Distak is taking
care of the MMA part, Rogério Camões does the physical
training and Daniel helps me with the Muay Thai”.
Training
with André Galvão, who debuts in the weiterweight
tournament on Dream 8, Jacaré is confident in his success.
“He is training hard and did all the training religiously,
I just think he trained a little too much (laughs). I’m
sure he’ll step up the ring and make everyone happy with
his performance. He’ll do great, for sure”, bets. On
the same edition, Ronaldo’s last opponent will make his
first fight at light heavyweight division after winning the middleweight
GP, and the Brazilian thinks he’ll do great against Thierry
Sokoudjou. “He (Gegard Mousasi) is a great athlete and will
do fine in this new division”.
Source: Tatame
|
Newton
Obliterates Khatib in His MMA Return at W-1
Ariel Shnerer
In an exciting night of MMA loaded with first-round finishes,
UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships veteran Carlos "The
Ronin" Newton made a successful return to action in his
first bout since October 2007 by knocking out Canadian Tristar
Gym product Nabil "The Thrill" Khatib at "Warrior-1:
Inception" on Saturday at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau,
Quebec.
In
the main event of a successful debut card for Quebec's recently
developed mixed martial arts organization, the first UFC welterweight
champion dominated the 38-year-old Khatib from start to finish.
Newton
used superior boxing skills to overwhelm his less-experienced
opponent before taking him to the ground. Once on the mat, Newton
trapped Khatib's arm around his own neck and subsequently delivered
a lethal dose of ground and pound en route to a knockout at the
3:12 mark of the opening stanza.
Newton
rebounded from a three-fight losing streak to improve his record
to 14-13, also earning his first win in his native Canada in
over 13 years.
Khatib
(8-5), meanwhile, dropped his third consecutive bout.
Post-fight,
the Warrior MMA Fight Team product said he was comfortable cutting
weight and feels good at welterweight. "Making 170 [pounds]
this time was the easiest time I've had doing it," said
Newton.
Newton,
who appeared to be in great shape and did not show any signs
of ring rust after a hiatus spanning nearly two years, credited
his trainers with getting him prepared for the contest. "I
have two great trainers, Everton McEwan [and] Terry Riggs,"
he said.
In
the co-feature, Martin Grandmont recorded a come-from-behind
knockout over previously unbeaten Mark Holst. The Team Bergeron
member and veteran of the now-defunct TKO promotion in Quebec
was staggered early by Holst, seemingly flustered by the Gatineau-native's
rapid hand movement.
But
Holst, a pupil of Renzo Gracie's jiu-jitsu academy, fell victim
to a punishing overhand right at 4:13 of round one. The surprising
knockout improved Grandmont's record to 8-4, while Holst dropped
to 4-1.
In
another intriguing match-up, late replacement Hosier Bruno shocked
former World Wrestling Entertainment developmental talent and
Canadian Football League product Glenn Kulka with a cataclysmic
front kick/knee combination, which sent Kulka tumbling to the
canvas at 1:17 of the opening frame.
The
45-year-old Kulka (2-1) was dealt his first professional MMA
loss after winning his first two bouts in less than two minutes
of total fighting time.
Bruno,
meanwhile, improved his professional record to 2-0.
Bruno's
first career win came against Kulka's originally scheduled opponent
Bob Landry at the controversial Titans Fighting event on February
6 in Montreal. Though the event was billed as a unique "Strikebox-rules"
card with modified kickboxing rules implemented, it was actually
officiated under traditional MMA rules as Stephane Patry's newest
standup fighting concept never got sanctioning. As such, Bruno's
victory over Landry should count towards his MMA record.
Here
are the full results from "W-1: Inception," which took
place on March 28:
-Carlos
Newton def. Nabil Khatib via KO (ground and pound) at 3:12, R1
-Martin Grandmont def. Mark Holst via KO (overhand right) at
4:13, R1
-Craig Brown def. Dean Martins via Submission (rear-naked choke)
at 4:04, R1
-Hosier Bruno def. Glenn Kulka via KO (knee) at 1:17, R1
-Remi Morvan def. Sean Quinn via Submission (guillotine choke)
at 3:30, R1
-Mike Hong def. Mike Clark via Submission (rear-naked choke)
at 4:29, R1
-Mustafa Khalil def. Daryle Pinter via Submission (armbar) at
0:56, R1
-Stephane Bernadel def. Fred Pilon via TKO (body kick) at 2:40,
R2
-John Macphearson def. Denis Poirier via TKO (punches) at 3:53,
R1
-Fred Belanger def. Ian Shirley via TKO (punches) at 2:24, R1
-Xavier Desroches def. Tim Chessel via Submission (armbar), R1
Source: The Fight Network
|
Baroni
Talks Fight With Riggs
by Steven Marrocco
For
“New York Bad Ass” Phil Baroni, getting small could
be big for his later career.
When
Frank Shamrock put him to sleep in June of 2007, he admits he
lost his fire for the sport.
“After
I trained so hard for that fight, and to lose the fight the way
I did, it took a lot out of me,” Baroni tells FCF.
He’d
been on losing steaks before—four consecutive in the UFC
after two electric wins—but this one felt different.
“I
didn’t feel like training any more,” he continues.
“It just didn’t seem worth it.”
Two
losses later, he had to make a change, or quit. He was always
muscled up—courtesy of his bodybuilding days—and felt
if he could drop to welterweight, he might be able to do damage
there. Without all that bulk, he wouldn’t get so tired during
fights.
“I
trained my ass off in the past, and conditioning was always a
little bit of a problem,” he explains. “And I did all
the work. I couldn’t figure it out. I think I had too much
muscle on my frame and it used too much oxygen. I thought at
170, my VO2 max will be higher; I’ll be able to recover
faster in between rounds.”
Baroni
got his feet wet in a hurry, making the drop last July, where
he knocked out two “tune-up” opponents in two months.
By his third fight in three months, a match against 8-10 Olaf
Alfonso, he was exhausted.
“I
had a lot more trouble making 170, because I had my weight down
so long and I was just tired,” said. “It was the stupidest
fight too, because it was three-minute rounds, and the guy just
ran. The first time I’ve ever had in my life, where I’m
walking out to the ring, thinking in my head, ‘I can’t
wait until this is over.’ It was like wrestling practice
at the end of a long season. I was just dragging ass.”
He’s
had a chance to catch his breath now, and is ready to take a
step up in competition.
On
June 6 in St. Louis, he faces Joe Riggs on Strikeforce’s
second Showtime broadcast. Riggs was originally scheduled to
face Jake Shields at “Shamrock vs. Diaz” before the
former Elite XC welterweight champion pulled out of the fight.
Shields will now headline the June event against Robbie Lawler
in a middleweight match-up.
Baroni
and Riggs are clients of the same management company headed by
Ken Pavia. And admittedly, they are both trying to re-invent
their careers after long runs in the UFC, trying to take off
with a promotion that’s doing big things.
“Me
and Joe are at a crossroads in our careers,” says Baroni
about the former UFC welterweight contender. “We’re
both guys who a couple of years ago were top guys at middleweight,
people thought we had a good chance to compete for title contention
in the UFC, and we both ran into some troubles and roadblocks,
and both didn’t perform to our potential. It’s a big
fight for both of us. It’s almost like a do or die fight.”
But
Baroni dismisses the idea that it’’ll be an awkward
Christmas party at the management firm.
“I’ve
known him for years,” he says. “He’s a good guy,
as far as I know. I have nothing against him. He’s a competitor.”
The
fight is an interesting style match-up, with Baroni known for
his hard swinging punches and Riggs for his ferocious ground
and pound. The thing that sticks out to Baroni, and not in a
bad way, is Riggs’ southpaw stance.
“Nobody
likes preparing for left handed fighters,” he says. “It’s
hard to get sparring for lefties; a lot of lefties pass on the
other side in jiu-jitsu, they armbar the opposite arm.
“Joe
has pretty good power, good stand-up. He’s got a good left
high kick that nobody ever talks about. He’s a good counter-puncher.
When guys punch, he always comes back. And it’s well documented
that he’s a pain in the ass on top. If he gets on top of
you, he’s going to put a hurting on you.”
Though
the two never got to meet in their primes, the fight is better
late than never.
“It’s
probably a fight that should have taken place a long time ago
in the UFC, but it didn’t happen, because we both ran into
trouble,” says Baroni. “It’s definitely an interesting
fight for the hardcore fans. It’s a fight that’s been
talked about four or five years ago.”
Source: Full Contact Fighter
|
UFC
and labor relations
By Zach Arnold
Regarding
this new Sherdog report claiming that some managers & agents
are being kept away from their clients (fighters) backstage at
Zuffa events…
The
only surprise here, in my mind, is that it didn’t happen
sooner.
The
Jon Fitch/video game rights licensing debacle last year was a
test for UFC and they won hands down. They got what they wanted
and Fitch was dressed down in public fashion. Same deal with
the American Kickboxing Academy. Doesn’t matter if in the
end it was a blow-up over nothing, the fact is that UFC got what
they wanted and were willing to go to the mat to make a point.
What repercussions have they suffered from last year’s little
24-hour incident? None. Nobody on the Internet is going to stop
anything Zuffa does as far as their business practices are concerned.
Let’s
call a spade a spade right now. In the MMA scene, most MMA agents
and managers are powerless to Zuffa. They show little-to-no backbone.
There’s no united front. What are they going to do to stop
Zuffa from getting fighters to sign ‘backstage deals’
without legal representation? Nothing, that’s what.
However,
there is a clear and present danger with UFC’s behavior
here. The two dangers are:
This
kind of behavior by UFC will hasten the process of fighters aligning
with higher-name, more powerful agents. (Think about what Georges
St. Pierre recently did with CAA — it will happen with more
fighters.)
A fighter with nothing to lose will take UFC to court in Nevada
and obliterate the current contractual structure of deals between
Zuffa LLC and its fighters.
In order for the second option to happen, it’s going to
have to come in the form of a lawsuit from a fighter who a) is
likely on his way towards retirement, b) has a big bankroll,
and c) has a lot of patience. So far, nobody in the fight business
has demonstrated these three qualities together. If a fighter
does step up to the plate and this happens, then there’s
trouble for UFC… that is until they throw substantial money
at that fighter to settle, which of course the fighter (and his
lawyer) will want to do, and then we’re back to square one.
So, in addition to the three characteristics mentioned up above,
you would also need a fighter who has a backbone and no desire
to further his career advancement in Zuffa in-or-out of the cage.
The
scenario much more likely to happen is that fighters start to
ditch the ‘old guard’ of MMA agents and managers and
start making their move towards big sports agents/agencies like
The Poston Brothers, Scott Boras, Leigh Steinberg, Drew Rosenhaus,
or the William Morris agency. Once that starts happening, then
UFC will face a labor relations strain that could jeopardize
its business model. You would also face the prospects of bigger
agents getting together to form a players association-type group
for MMA fighters (similar to what Rob Maysey is trying to accomplish
right now), which would bring us down the road to breaking UFC’s
ability to hire fighters as independent contractors instead of
actually treating the men like employees. Put yourself in the
shoes of someone like Leigh Steinberg looking at a UFC fighter
contract — the fighter is an ‘independent contractor’
yet Zuffa basically treats the fighter as their exclusive property,
has rights to their likeness for video games and merchandising,
has clauses for champions involving static salaries for title
defenses once a contract runs out/expires and the fighter is
still the champion, and the company doesn’t pay the fighter
a salary when they’re not fighting.
As
far as what the blogs or web sites say, it’s white noise
as far as Zuffa is concerned. As far as the broadsheet media
goes, they don’t give a damn about Zuffa’s business
practices. If UFC can sell copy or bring in new ad revenue for
them in exchange for coverage of events, then it will be performed
without remorse. The real revolution needs to start amongst the
fighters and the representation they choose to use to manage
their careers. You get what you pay for, and right now the old
guard of MMA agents and managers are looking pretty powerless.
Once the current crop of agents are replaced by the David Falks
of the world, then we’ll see Zuffa start to react more favorably
towards their talent when it comes to business practices outside
of the cage.
Source: Fight Opinion
|
TUF
9 OPENER NARROWS U.K. SQUAD TO EIGHT
by Ken Pishna
The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 kicked off on Wednesday night,
following UFC Fight Night 18 on Spike TV. This season features
a team of U.K. fighters squaring off with a team of U.S. fighters.
British fighter Michael Bisping serves as coach of his countrymen,
while American Dan Henderson heads up the U.S. squad.
On
Wednesday night, it was all about the U.K. Starting off with
eight fighters each in both the lightweight (155-pound) and welterweight
(170-pound) divisions, the show pared the numbers down to four
fighters in each class.
For
an hour, it was fight after fight with the Brits on display.
In
the end, moving on to The Ultimate Fighter house in Las Vegas,
the U.K. lightweights finished with a team featuring Andre Winner,
Jeff Lawson, Martin Stapleton, and Ross Pearson. The welterweights
accompanying them are James Wilks, Nicholas Osipczak, Dean Amarasinghe,
and David Faulkner.
U.K.
Lightweight Eliminations:
–Andre Winner def. Gary Kelly by KO, R1
–Jeff Lawson def. James Bryan by Submission (Armbar), R1
–Martin Stapleton def. Dan James by Submission (Rear Naked
Choke), R1
–Ross Pearson def. A.J. Wenn by TKO (Strikes), R2
U.K.
Welterweight Eliminations:
–James Wilks def. Che Mills by Sumbission (Heel Hook), R1
–Nicholas Osipczak def. Tommy Maguire by TKO (Strikes),
R1
–Dean Amarasinghe def. Alex Reid by Decision after Overtime
–David Faulkner def. James Bateman by Submission (Heel Hook),
R1
(Editor's
Note: This article was corrected to reflect James Wilks' win
over Che Mills, which had been incorrectly reported as a win
for Mills upon initial publication.)
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
pokes fun at Fedor's demand for Russian stadium
As an April Fool's joke, the UFC announced today that it has
greenlit the construction of a Zuffa-owned stadium in Russia.
"This
is a big moment for the company and I couldn't have picked a
better day to announce this monumental event," UFC president
Dana White said in the fake announcement. "I can't wait
for this Stadium to be finished and we’re even including
the fans in the process by holding a contest on the internet
for people to choose the name of it."
The joke is a play off of White's claims that negotiations between
the UFC and Fedor Emelianenko's management fell apart because
Fedor's management wanted the UFC to help build a stadium in
Russia.
"Construction
is tentatively scheduled to be done in time for UFC 115 on April
1st, 2010," UFC.com stated.
Source: MMA Fighting
|
Team
U.S.A. Shuts Out Bulgarian Team at M-1
Press Release
Bourgas,
Bulgaria - When former NFL running back Herbert "Whisper"
Goodman left the Mladhost Sports Hall in Bourgas on Saturday
night, he did so under the impression that he had suffered his
sixth career loss. However, Goodman was informed a few short
hours later by M-1 Challenge officials that the decision had
been overturned and that he had recorded his ninth career victory
courtesy of a second round knockout over ex-UFC veteran Jordan
Radev.
Goodman
was matched up against the former Bulgarian National wrestling
team member as a part of a best-of-five head-to-head match between
Team USA East and the host country, Team Bulgaria. The overturned
decision allowed USA East to walk away with a 5-0 shutout over
the Bulgarians.
Radev
was originally ruled the winner of the fight via unanimous decision.
However, the 32-year old veteran was knocked out cold by Goodman
with just seconds remaining in the final round. With referee
Mika Sinkkonen deciding that the knockout took place a split
second after the bell, the fight was turned over to the judges'
scorecards, with Radev being announced as a winner.
However,
a formal appeal was lodged by Team USA East owner/manager Reed
Wallace and replays showed that Goodman's knockout transpired
just prior to the end of the fight.
"Upon
further video review, it has been determined that the knockout
punch occurred prior to the bell ending round 2," International
Mixfight Association President Eno Alberga wrote in a released
statement. "As such, the punch was legal, and is thus counted...
It has been determined that the protest filed by Team USA East
is upheld, and the initial ruling on this fight has been overturned."
Goodman
did not learn of Alberga's ruling until after having returned
to the team hotel. The former Green Bay Packer expressed satisfaction
that justice had been served.
"I
was just real curious how a referee could come in and initially
stop me and all of a sudden declare him the winner? That sort
of just through me for a loop," stated Goodman. "It's
a big relief and now I can inform all the people who view my
record on Sherdog's fight finder that I am the winner."
In
addition to Goodman, Team USA members Renato Migliaccio, Steve
Carl, Charles Grigsby, and Lloyd "Kadillac" Marshbanks
were all victorious in their M-1 debuts.
Migliaccio,
who received his black belt in jiu-jitsu from the late Ryan Gracie,
improved his professional MMA record to 5-0 following a first
round armbar submission over Yanko Yanev, who had been a perfect
7-0 heading into the bout. Migliaccio's victory allowed the U.S.
to take a 1-0 lead.
The
Americans then improved to 2-0 following Iowa-based fighter Steve
Carl's first round rear naked choke submission over Ivan Ivanoff.
Like his teammate Yanev, Ivanov also tasted defeat for the first
time, as his record had previously been 7-0.
Carl's
win improved his overall record to 11-1. A former sergeant in
the United States Army who served in Iraq, he is no stranger
to representing his country on foreign soil. Despite some apprehension
about the partial Bulgarian crowd heading into the fight, Carl
was very appreciative afterward about how he was received following
his win.
"At
first, I was very nervous because I thought it was going to be
hostile crowd," he said, before continuing, "But they
were actually well-behaved and one of the best crowds I have
ever fought in front of. I was very impressed."
After
Goodman's initial decision defeat, the pressure was on former
World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Charles Grigsby to seal up
the victory for the U.S.
Grigsby
was involved in a close battle with Atanas Dzhambazov that required
an overtime round. Utilizing fleet footwork and an outstanding
sprawl, the current reigning MCC light heavyweight champion improved
to 18-4 after outpointing Dzhambazov in the third and final frame.
Grigsby's eighteenth career victory clinched a 3-1 victory for
the U.S.
The
U.S. then increased the margin of victory to 4-1 following Marshbanks
slick first round heel hook submission of Emil Somoilov at 3:27
of round 1.
Marshbanks
actually made the trip to Bulgaria on short notice after wrapping
filming of an MMA-related reality television in Mexico just last
week in hopes of fighting Combat Sambo Champion Blagdoi Ivanov.
The fight never materialized but after his win over Somoilov,
Marshbanks issued an open challenge to Ivanov, a Bulgarian national
hero.
The
event at the Mladhost Sports Hall sold out four days in advance
even despite the fact that a highly-anticipated World Cup soccer
qualifying match between Bulgaria vs. Ireland was airing on television
during the run time of the fight card. In addition to the headline
matchup of Bulgaria to U.S. East, the crowd was treated to a
total of 15 fights, including head-to-head matchups between Team
Turkey vs. Germany and Team Russia Legion vs. The World Team.
After
being eliminated from the 2008 season of the M-1 Challenge early
last year, a revamped German squad managed to record a 5-0 shutout
against Turkey. Also, Team Russia Legion made a triumphant return
to the M-1 Challenge, winning 4-1 over the World Team in their
2009 season debut.
The
third edition of the "M-1 Challenge Presented by Affliction"
2009 season is currently scheduled to take place in Tokyo, Japan
on April 29 featuring Japan vs. the United Kingdom, Team USA
Westvs. South Korea, and France vs. Spain.
Official
Results of M-1 Challenge Bulgaria from March 28, 2009 at the
Mladhost Sports Hall in Bourgas, Bulgaria:
Turkey
vs. Germany -
1. Lightweight: de Leonardis (12-3/69.2 kg/152.24 lbs.) of Germany
def. Akin Duran (10-4-1/69.6 kg/153.78 lbs.) of Turkey via triangle
choke submission at 2:29 of round 1. 2. Welterweight: Daniel
Weicehl (19-6/75.9 kg/166.98 lbs.) of Germany def. Faith Dogan
(7-4-1/74.2 kg/163.24 lbs.) of Turkey with a DÁrace choke
submission at 2:29 of round 1. 3. Middleweight: Gregor Herb (3-1/83.3
kg/183.26 lbs.) of Germany def. Ahmed Bayrak (12-4/83.4 kg/183.48
lbs.) of Turkey via rear naked choke at 2:00 of round 2. 4. Light
Heavyweight: Martin Zawada (20-8/92.7 kg/203.94 lbs.) of Germany
def. Samy Turky (4-3/91.9 kg/202.18 lbs.) of Turkey via TKO at
2:38 of round 1. 5. Heavyweight: Baziak (9-0/96.2 kg/211.64 lbs.)
of Germany def. Tugrul Okay (6-1/101.3 kg/222.86 lbs.) of Turkey
via TKO at 0:52 of round 2.
Team Germany defeats Team Turkey 5-0.
Russia Legion vs. World Team -
6. Lightweight: Yury Ivlev (34-6/69.4 kg/152.68 lbs.) of Russia
Legion vs. Romano De Los Reyes (9-9-2/69.7 kg/153.34 lbs.) def.
de los Reyes via three-round unanimous decision. 7. Welterweight:
Magomed Shihshabekov (7-0/75 kg/165 lbs.) of Russia Legion def.
Jason Ponet (6-5-2/75.6 kg/166.32 kg) via triangle choke submission
at 1:34 of round 1. 8. Middleweight: Sergey Kornev (2-0/83.1
kg/182.82 kg) of Russia Legion def. Nathan Schouten (25-16-2/82.5
kg/181.5 lbs.) of World Team via KO at 0:12 of round 1. 9. Light
Heavyweight: Gadjimurad Omarov (18-2/92.4 kg/203.28 lbs.) of
Russia Legion def. Nills Van Noord (7-4-1/91.5 kg/201.3 lbs.)
of World Team via rear naked submission at 2:24 of round 1. 10.
Heavyweight: Michael Kitta (6-2/109.7 kg/241.34 lbs.) of World
Team def. Akhmed Sultanov (4-3/106.2 kg/233.64) of Russia Legion
via KO at 2:30 of round 1.
Team Russia Legion wins 4-1.
Bulgaria vs. USA East -
11. Lightweight: Renato Migliaccio (5-0/69.9 kg/153.78 lbs.)
of USA East def. Yanko Yanev (7-1/68.7 kg/151.14 kg)of Bulgaria
via armbar submission at 4:45 of round 1. 12. Welterweight: Steve
Carl (11-1/76 kg/167.2 lbs.) of USA East def. Ivan Ivanov (7-1/75.9
kg/166.98 lbs.) of Bulgaria via rear naked choke at 3:31 of round
1. 13. * Middleweight: Herbert Goodman (9-5/83.9 kg/184.58 lbs.)
of USA East def. Jordan Radev (27-4/83.8 kg/184.36 lbs.) of Bulgaria
via KO at 4:59 of round 2. 14. Light Heavyweight: Charles Grigsby
(18-4/93 kg/204.6 lbs.) of USA East def. Atanas Dzhambazov (9-2/93
kg/204.6 lbs.) of Bulgaria via three-round unanimous decision.
15. Heavyweight: Lloyd Marshbanks (17-8/116.5 kg/256.3 lbs.)
of USA East def. Emil Somoilov (3-1-1/93 kg/204.6 lbs.) of Bulgaria
via heel hook submission at 3:27 of round 1.
Team USA East defeats Bulgaria 5-0.
* Fight was originally ruled a split decision victory in Radev's
favor. M-1 Challenge regulatory officials later ruled that Goodman
had knocked out Radev at 4:59 of round 1 and overturned the decision
in Goodman's favor in response to an official appeal.
Source: The Fight Network
|
Quote
of the Day
“Good
manners will open doors that the best education cannot.”
Clarence Thomas
|
Jonavan
Visante wins in Heat in Japan
Congrats
to local boy Jonavan Vistante who represented big time in Japan!
HEAT
9
Saturday March 28, 2009
At Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Aichi, Japan
Complete
Results:
9th
Match - TOSHIN presents HEAT MMA Rules Welterweight Tournament
Final 5 min / 3R
Max Fernandez (Brazil / Extreme - Shimura Dojo) vs. Justin Holdaas
(USA / Fairtex USA)
Winner:1R
1'00"Max Fernandez by Submission (armbar)
8th
Match - HEAT Kick Boxing Rules Middleweight (70 kg & Under)
Tournament Final 3 min / 3R
fapikart-rs-promotion (Thailand / Ichinomiya Muay Thai Gym) vs.
Tetsuji (Japan / Team Breakthrough)
Winner:
3R fapikart-rs-promotion by Decision (3-0)
7th
Match - TOSHIN presents HEAT MMA Rules Heavyweight (Open-weight)
Tournament Semi-final Bout 5 min / 3R
Sentoryu (USA / Shimura Dojo - Team Fighting Dragon) vs. Ryuta
Noji (Japan / Team GARO)
Winner:
1R 1'14" Sentoryu by KO (right hook followed by g n p)
6th
Match - TOSHIN presents HEAT Kick Boxing Rules Heavyweight (100
kg & Under) Tournament Semi-final Bout 3 min / 3R
Goutoku Onda (Japan / Shimura Dojo) vs. Makoto Uehara (Japan
/ Shidokan Tamashii Murakami-juku)
Winner:
Ext R Makoto Uehara by KO (3R Draw by decision 1-1)
5th
Match - TOSHIN presents HEAT MMA Rules Heavyweight (Open-weight)
Tournament Semi-final Bout 5 min / 3R
Cristiano Kawanishi (Brazil / AXIS Jiu-jitsu Academy - American
Top Team) vs. Song Soo Lee (Korea / CMA KOREA AJC)
Winner:
Ext R Cristiano Kawanishi by Decision (3-0)
4th
Match - TOSHIN presents HEAT Kick Boxing Rules Heavyweight (100
kg & Under) Tournament Semi-final Bout 3 min / 3R
Hiromi Amada (Japan / Freelance) vs. Moon Bo Ram (Thailand /
Cheon Moo Gym)
Winner:
3R by Decision (2-0)
3rd
Match - HEAT Kick Boxing Rules Middleweight Bout 3 min 3R
Yuzo Matsumoto (Japan / Yuzo Dojo) vs. Masatoshi Hyakutake (Japan
/ Seikukai)
Winner:
3R Yuzo Matsumoto by Decision (3-0)
2nd
Match - HEAT MMA Rules Welterweight Bout 5 min / 2R
Toshinari Takashima (Japan / MMA Group BRAVE) vs. Jonavan Bistante
(SIT YOU DOWN)
Winner:
Ext. R Jonavan Bistante by Decision (1-2)
1st
Match - HEAT Kick Boxing Rules Middleweight Bout 3 min / 3R
Danilo Zanolini (Brazil / Shimura Dojo - Brazilian Thai) vs.
Hideto Yamada (Japan / Nagoya Fight Club)
Winner:
2R 1'45" Danilo Zanolini by KO (right hook)
|
VELASQUEZ
VS. HERRING ANNOUNCED FOR UFC 99
Unbeaten rising star Cain Velasquez will face his stiffest test
to date on Saturday, June 13 when he steps into the UFC Octagon
at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany to battle perennial
contender Heath Herring in a heavyweight bout on the increasingly
stacked UFC 99 card.
Also
added to the card is a heavyweight matchup pitting England’s
Mostapha Al Turk against unbeaten UFC newcomer Todd Duffee.
Tickets
for UFC 99 - which is headlined by the highly-anticipated bout
between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva - are on sale now.
Velasquez
(5-0 as a pro) has stormed through his three UFC opponents thus
far, stopping Brad Morris, Jake O’Brien, and Denis Stojnic.
But the two-time All-American wrestler from Arizona State has
never faced a seasoned vet like the 28-14, 1 NC Herring, whose
list of opponents reads like a Who’s Who of MMA that includes
Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (three times), Cheick
Kongo, Enson Inoue, Vitor Belfort, Mark Kerr, Igor Vovchanchyn,
Fedor Emelianenko, and Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic.
Needless
to say, if Velasquez gets by Herring, he will skyrocket up the
heavyweight ranks and continue on his road to a world title shot,
but ‘The Texas Crazy Horse’ will be looking to stop
the 26-year-old’s rise while pinning a loss on his perfect
record in the process.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
UFC
FIGHT NIGHT 18 LIVE RESULTS & PLAY-BY-PLAY
Final WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit makes the move
over to the UFC on Wednesday night at UFC Fight Night 18, where
he takes on veteran fighter Martin Kampmann.
The
bout headlines the 11-bout fight card in Nashville, Tenn., and
airs live on Spike TV at 8 p.m. ET. A bout between Steve Steinbeiss
and Ryan Jensen was dropped from the card when Jensen failed
to receive clearance from the Tennessee Athletic Commission due
to his reported disclosure of recently taking a prohibited substance.
The
first preliminary bout is scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. ET.
MMAWeekly.com will carry live results and play-by-play as the
fights get underway.
Please
refresh your browser window frequently for the latest results
and play-by-play...
UFC
FIGHT NIGHT 18 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
-Carlos
Condit vs. Martin Kampmann
R1 – Condit and Kampmann clinch early and Kampmann scores
the takedown from an upper body clinch and secures a guillotine
choke. Condit maneuvers up onto his knees and into side control
for the escape. They scramble back to their feet and clinch again,
this time Condit securing the leg trip takedown, landing in Kampmann's
half guard. Kampmann reverses into Condit's full guard. Kampmann
stands and drops into a heel hook attempt, but Condit defends
well and moves into Kampmann's guard. Condint stands and drops
into Kampmann's guard, delivering a blow that cuts Kampmann under
the left eye. They stand and Kampmann eats a knee on the way
up. Center ring and Condit is starting to land with his punches,
jumping in with a flying knee. They clinch and wrestle to the
mat, the round ending with Kampmann attempting a guillotine choke,
but Condit has an arm in for defense. Close, close round with
solid action.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for Martin Kampmann.
R2
– They trade a few blows and then clinch again with Kampmann
scoring the takedown, landing in Condit's full guard. Kampmann
working some ground and pound. Condit firing elbows back from
the bottom. Condit pushes Kampmann off and they're back on their
feet exchanging punches. Exchanging blows, Condit lands a front
kick to the face of Kampmann, then takes him down. Kampmann pushes
Condit off and gets back to the feet. Again they trade blows.
Kampmann going for a guillotine attempt again, but Condit has
an arm in to defend. He escapes and then immediately scrambles
and takes Kampmann's back and has a rear naked chocke, which
Kampmann escapes and turns in to Condit's guard and the round
closes. Another close, action-packed round.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for Carlos Condit.
R3
– There's a quick clash to open the round, but Kampmann
gets an inadvertent poke to the eye and they stop to check it
out. They quickly start back up and Condit lands a solid body
kick. They clinch and exchange knees to the body. Kampmann wrestles
Condit to the ground, Condit immediately starts firing elbows
and searching for submissions. Kampmann fires down with his own
ground and pound. They are back up on their feet briefly, but
Kampmann holds on and drags Condit back to the ground and starts
working again from guard. Condit searching for a Kimura, but
Kampmann defends well, and again starts the ground and pound.
Condit misses with a heel hook attempt. They're back up again
and Kampmann rushes Condit, who attempts a rolling knee bar.
But Kampann controls again from the guard. They stand up and
Condit attempts a guillotine choke, but the round ends.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Martin Kampmann.
Martin
Kampmann def. Carlos Condit by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
29-28), R3
-Ryan
Bader vs. Carmelo Marrero
R1 – Bader immediately takes Marrero down with a double-leg.
Bader searching for sub, but can't land it, continues working
from Marrero's guard, and quickly passes to side control. Bader
spins into an armbar attempt, but Marrero is holds on and defends
well. Marrero reverses and works from Bader's guard. They get
back to their feet, but Bader immediately takes Marrero down
again and passes to side control. They get back up, but again
Bader takes Marrero down and starts ground and pound from half
guard. Marrero ties Bader up, they separate briefly, then the
round ends.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for Ryan Bader.
R2
– A few brief exchanges start the round, then Bader drags
Marrero down with front headlock. He turns Marrero and starts
work from half guard, methodically grounding and pounding. Marrero
tries to escape, but Bader takes his back, punching up from under
Marrero's arm. Marrero is up to his feet briefly, but Bader immediately
drags him back down and starts up again with the ground and pound,
now introducing some slip elbows. Bader moves to mount, but has
to give it up to defend leglock attempt. He drops back into guard
and finishes out the round with ground and pound.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for Ryan Bader.
R3
– Bader again scores the early takedown, moves to half guard
and secures an arm triangle choke. Bader moves to side, then
full mount, and then transitions to the back of Marrero. Marrero
escapes onto his back, putting Bader into full guard. Bader starts
his ground and pound attack again, but Marrero ties him up and
they are put back on the feet. They stalemate on the feet before
Bader attempts another takedown that eventually ends on the mat
with little action as the round ends.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 and the fight 30-27 for Ryan Bader.
Ryan
Bader def. Carmelo Marrero by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27), R3
-Tyson
Griffin vs. Rafael dos Anjos
R1 – Solid straight rights by Griffin to start off. Griffin
commanding the center ring and finding his range, lands a right
hand that staggers dos Anjos and takes him down. Dos Anjos looking
for leg submission, but Griffin spins out. Griffin gets caught
again with his leg bent back at an awkward angle, but somehow
turns out of it and they get back to their feet. Griffin having
a difficult time putting weight on the left leg now, dos Anjos
shoots in with a flying knee, not devastating, but landed.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for dos Anjos.
R2
– Griffin's left leg buckles as he throws. He's still landing
the straight right with regularity though. Dos Anjos moving a
lot, but it's Griffin landing more frequently with his punches
midway through the round. Griffin lands another strong right
as he backs dos Anjos to the cage. dos Anjos attempts Kimura,
but Griffin quickly escapes. Hard overhand right rocks dos Anjos,
Griffin moves in to continue punching, but dos Anjos ties him
up. They separate and Griffin lands a strong combination to finish
the round.
MMAWeekly.com
scores the round 10-9 for Griffin.
R3
– Griffin again starts with a good combination that knocks
dos Anjos into the fence. dos Anjos opens up with a good combination
of his own. Griffin fires back with a couple solid leg kicks
and again with the straight right. Griffin again with the inside
leg kick as dos Anjos misses with the flying knee. Then Griffin
again with the right hand, landing more and more frequently here
in the third. With a minute less, they mix it up with both fighters
landing some strong punches, but Griffin pushing harder and landing
the more damaging blows. dos Anjos goes for the Kimura again,
seemed to have it fairly deep, but Griffin escapes and finishes
with a burst of ground and pound.
MMAWeeky.com
scores the round 10-9 and the fight 29-28 for Griffin.
Tyson
Griffin def. Rafael dos Anjos by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27), R3
-Cole
Miller vs. Junie Browning
R1 – Miller does a good job early with push kicks and the
Thai clinch, Browning shoots for takedown and nearly gives up
a Kimura. He manages to take Miller's back for a brief time before
they scramble up to the feet. Miller lands a hard straight right.
Browning shooting again gets caught in a guillotine choke and
it's too deep to defend and Browning taps out. Miller stands
and shouts something down at Browning then walks off. (He later
informed Joe Rogan that he said, "Who's overrated now?!"
And dedicated his win to Mask.)
Cole
Miller def. Junie Browning by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at
1:58, R1
UFC
FIGHT NIGHT 18 QUICK RESULTS:
-Martin Kampmann def. Carlos Condit by Split Decision (29-28,
28-29, 29-28), R3
-Ryan Bader def. Carmelo Marrero by Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27), R3
-Tyson Griffin def. Rafael dos Anjos by Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27), R3
-Cole Miller def. Junie Browning by Submission (Guillotine Choke)
at 1:58, R1
-Gleison Tibau def. Jeremy Stephens by Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 29-28), R3
-Ricardo Almeida def. Matt Horwich by Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27), R3
-Brock Larson def. Jesse Sanders by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
at 2:01, R1
-Tim Credeur def. Nick Catone by Submission (Guillotine Choke)
at 3:45, R2
-Jorge Rivera def. Nissen Osterneck by Split Decision (29-28,
28-29, 29-28), R3
-Rob Kimmons def. Joe Vedepo by Submission (Guillotine Choke)
at 1:54, R1
-Aaron Simpson def. Tim McKenzie by TKO (Strikes) at 1:40, R1
Source: MMA Weekly
|
COLE
MILLER ROLLS TUF BAD BOY JUNIE BROWNING
American Top Team lightweight Cole Miller’s reach advantage
proved too much for fellow “Ultimate Fighter” alum
Junie Browning at UFC Fight Night 18, and when the platinum-haired
bad boy tried to close the distance, it spelled disaster.
The
two had nearly come to blows at the weigh-ins the day prior,
with Miller driven by Browning’s claim he was overrated.
But
when the two met in the Octagon, it was clear that Browning,
3-0 to Miller’s 14-3 pro record, was fighting an uphill
battle.
Miller
immediately tied Browning up in a plumb, and grabbed a kimura
after being scooped to the mat. At Miller’s back, the Kentuckian
tried to move for a rear naked choke, but couldn't capitalize
in the position.
A
short scramble later, and Miller’s lanky limbs did their
job. His right hand caught Browning flush, prompting a takedown
attempt.
Browning
left his neck exposed, and Miller countered with a straight guillotine
at the fence’s edge.
“I
just knew as soon as he felt my power he’d try and take
me down,” said Miller. “That’s just the inexperience
factor.”
With
nowhere to go, the “TUF 8” alum had to tap at 1:58.
Miller
stood over his adopted nemesis, screaming, “Who’s overrated
now!”
Source: MMA Weekly
|
TYSON
GRIFFIN ESCAPES DANGER TO SECURE THE WIN
Tyson Griffin got back to his winning ways with a unanimous decision
win over Brazilian Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 18, but
not without taking some punishment of his own during the fight.
In
the first round with Griffin in control with his strong stand-up,
the Xtreme Couture fighter took his opponent down, but through
a series of transitions, dos Anjos ended up locking on a vicious
leg crank.
With
his heel literally touching his back, Griffin held on and got
out of the move, but not without feeling the effects later in
the bout.
"It
definitely stretched my muscles and all that, but I don't think
there's anything too bad in there. It definitely slowed me down
for a few seconds after I got out," Griffin said following
the fight.
Following
the close call, Griffin took notice and turned up the heat, hitting
the Brazilian with strong punches and kicks in every following
round. Landing strong jabs and keeping the pressure on led to
Griffin picking up a clean sweep on the judges' scorecards.
"I
want to beat my opponents where they're weakest," Griffin
commented. "I thought his strength was on the ground, so
I wanted to keep the fight standing."
Griffin's
manager, Tom Call, told MMAWeekly.com shortly after the fight
that his fighter didn't suffer any severe damage from the leg
crank in the opening round. He said that Griffin's affected mobility
was due to the knee just tightening up a bit and they didn't
believe there was any real injury suffered.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
JOSH
THOMSON OUT OF FIGHT WITH BROKEN ANKLE
Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson
has been forced out of his upcoming title fight against Gilbert
Melendez with a broken ankle, as confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on
Thursday.
Thomson
was set to defend his 155-pound divisional belt for the first
time, against the fighter he beat for the title last year, but
the injury will sideline the California native for several months.
According
to sources, Thomson had a clean break of the ankle, and the unfortunate
timing will not only keep him out of the fight with Melendez,
but out for an undetermined amount of time with the injury.
Melendez
has been out of action since losing the title in June 2008, and
was hopeful for a chance to regain the belt, but will have to
hold on for a while longer to get a shot at Thomson.
There
has been no word from Strikeforce officials at this time if they
will replace Thomson and give Melendez a new opponent. The first
Strikeforce show on Showtime will take place on April 11 in San
Jose, Calif., with the main event pitting Frank Shamrock against
Nick Diaz.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Gesias
faces Kawajiri
Bout set for Dream 9, in May
Not
having fought since April of last year, Gesias Cavalcante now
knows when he’ll next see action. According to Sherdog.com,
the Brazilian has been called up to face Tatsuya Kawajiri on
May 26th, at Dream 9.
Should
he win, JZ will be back on track since having lost to Shinya
Aoki at Dream 2. It happens that Gesias has not won since September
of 2007, when he beat Andre Dida to conquer his second Heroes
GP.
Now
Kawajiri, who has successfully fought such standouts as Luis
Buscape, Luiz Azeredo and Vitor Shaolin Ribeiro, is coming off
a win over Ross Ebanez, at Dream 7, which was held last March
8th.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Shaolin
confirmed for Dream
Black belt to face Nagata
As
announced by the partnership between Portal das Lutas and GRACIEMAG,
Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro will be in action at the Dream
event to take place next Sunday, in Japan. The Brazilian will
face off against Katsuhiko Nagata.
Vitor
has not seen combat since September of 2007, when he suffered
an eye injury in his bout with Gesias Cavalcante. Next, the Andre
Pederneiras black belt had to deal with knee problems, further
delaying his return.
Vitor’s
adversary, Nagata, is coming off a draw and two losses.
Check
out the complete card for the April 5th event:
Superfights
-
Vitor Shaolin vs Katsuhiko Nagata
- Murilo Ninja vs Yoon Dong Sik
- Ikuhisa Minowa vs Katsuyori Shibata
- Andrews Nakahara vs Shungo Oyama
- Sergey Kharitonov vs Jeff Monson
Welterweight
tournament
-
André Galvão vs John Alessio
- Shinya Aoki vs Hayato Sakurai
- Yuya Shirai vs Jason High
- Marius Zaromskis vs Seichi Ikemoto
Featherweight
tournament
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Braga
Neto overcomes adversity at Pan
Flu couldn’t stop him
Not
even a nasty flu could put the breaks on Antonio Braga Neto’s
impetus in winning the Jiu-Jitsu Pan-American 2009. The fighter
from Manaus, of only 21 years of age, was the big name at the
competition in California from the 27th to the 29th of March.
Big Neto, as he is known by his companions at Gordo JJ, took
the most prestigious medal in gi-clad competition, the absolute
black belt, by 3 to 0 over Otavio Sousa (Gracie Barra –
PE).
Braga
Neto also stood out in the super heavyweight category, where
he submitted the experienced Roberto Cyborg Abreu (Carlson Gracie
Team) with a choke.
After
his Herculean conquest, Braga Neto spoke with GRACIEMAG, saying
“It was a great joy to win this championship. Being champion
is always good, but I look to not think about it after the championship,
though. I’ve still got the flu,” said the black belt
in a hoarse voice. “I’m going to start thinking about
the next championship. My goal now is the Brazilian Nationals
and the Worlds. I’m also looking to fight at the World Cup
Pro JJ [in Abu Dhabi].” He added.
On
Saturday, GRACIEMAG.com announced over its twitter that Neto
had the flu. He didn’t let it get to him, though, and charged
forth to his objective. “It never crept into my mind that
I wouldn’t be able to, no. Even though I was sickly and
weak, I knew I could give it my best. I knew that should I not
manage to, I’d have given it my all,” remarked Neto,
who commented on his matches at the Pan.
“All
my fights were tough, but I thought the most evenly-matched one
was against Romulo Barral, which ended 0 to 0, and I won by an
advantage point in the judges’ decision. Thank God he chose
me, but all the others were tough too. There were no easy fights,
just battles. The guys were in really great shape and everyone
wanted the title,” Neto remarked.
The
fighter further revealed how weeks before the Pan-Ams he didn’t
know if he would be able to compete, due to a lack of sponsorship.
The ordeal the champion went through is indicative of the harsh
life Brazilian athletes as a whole go through, and highlights
a need for further strengthening of sports in the country. If
an athlete of Neto’s caliber has a hard time competing,
can you imagine the rest? Once again, though, the mother figure,
fulfiller of dreams, entered the scene.
“I
had no sponsor. It’s tough taking 3,000 reais out of your
pocket to compete for a medal. I didn’t have money, I was
trying to set up some backing. I didn’t manage to and got
desperate. Thank God, mom got me the ticket for me to come. If
it weren’t for my mom, I wouldn’t have come,”
Braga Neto admitted.
Barral
gave Neto a hard time, in a match ending 0 to 0 / Photo: Luca
Atalla
“It’s
hard to say. These days Jiu-Jitsu is a world-wide sport demanding
professionalism and the compensation for it is not professional.
The money we spend on training, nourishment and other things
is a great burden on the budget. It’s hard to get to a championship
to dispute medals. That’s why I’m always looking to
do seminars and make money on the side. But I can’t complain.
The championship was really well organized, the athletes’
level was really good and it all went well, thank God. The medal’s
what brings us happiness. If it were just for the money, with
no medal, I wouldn’t even go,” finished the fighter,
who will be in San Francisco for two weeks teaching seminars.
Source: Gracie Magazine
|
Quote
of the Day
“Let
not a man guard his dignity, but let his dignity guard him.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
2009
Triple Crown of BJJ
The date
for the first crown of the 2009 Triple Crown of BJJ has been
set!
Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Kaiser High School, Honolulu, Hawaii
April 11, 2009
Click below to register!
http:www.hawaiitriplecrown.com |
X1
Temple of Boom V
April 11, 2009
Palolo Hongwanji
Pro
Boxing
135
- Isaac Arasato (Palolo BC) vs Ricky Thompson (Florida)
140
- Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona BC) vs Mike Maley (Indiana)
126
- Thaddine Johnson (New York) vs Tracey Stevens (Canada)
145
- Richard Barnard (Waianae BC) vs Dimitris Labatos (Florida)
140
- Nui Wheeler (Maili Soljahs) vs Keith Kelly (Montana)
MMA
170
- Kolo Koka (MMAD) vs Michael Brightmon (Gorilla House)
170 - David Kahanui (Da Hui) vs Kona Ke (Gods Army)
135
- Julio Moreno (Bullspen) vs Jared Iha (No Remorse)
145
- Steve Albanese (M.C.O.A) vs Colin Mackenzie (Gods Army)
155
- Cordel Knapp (558 MP) vs Angel Garza (Chris Leben)
155 - Steve Farmer (Universal Combat) vs Ben Santiago (Gods Army)
170 - Keoki Silva (Freelance) vs Joe Palimoo (HMC)
185
- Kaipo Cayetano (Bullspen) vs Frankie Ruiz (Freelance)
185 - Akoni Sexton (Freelance) vs Derrick Wright (Freelance)
205 - Mikey (Freelance) vs Ashton Visoria (Team Devastation) |
GRIFFIN
VS SILVA LIKELY FOR UFC 101 CARD
A light heavyweight bout for UFC 101 in Philadelphia is nearing
completion, as former 205lb champion, Forrest Griffin, will look
to get back in action against American Top Team fighter, Thiago
Silva, in a bout slated for the main card of the pay-per-view.
The
bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight
on Sunday.
Griffin
will return to the Octagon in August after what will be an 8
month layoff following his title loss to current champion, Rashad
Evans, in a bout held in December 2007.
During
the fight, Griffin injured his hand, which required surgery,
and placement of surgical pins that would kept the Xtreme Couture
fighter on the sidelines for the first half of 2008.
Now
the former champion returns to face Thiago Silva, who will also
take the fight coming off a loss, the first of his career to
Lyoto Machida in late January.
Silva
has always been seen as a dangerous competitor in the Octagon,
but a few mistakes led to his knockout loss to Machida, but he
will look to bounce back against the former light heavyweight
champion.
The
fight between Griffin and Silva will serve as a main card fight
under the main event pitting lightweight champion, B.J. Penn,
defending his title against #1 contender, Kenny Florian.
The
event will also mark the UFC's first trip to Philadelphia after
the state of Pennsylvania ratified to allow MMA in the state
in February.
Source: MMA Weekly |
MATT
HAMILL VS BRANDON VERA SET FOR UFC 101
A light heavyweight match-up between Brandon Vera and Matt Hamill
is in the works for UFC 101 on Aug. 8 in Philadelphia. A source
close to the fight confirmed the news to MMAWeekly.com, with
MMAMadness first reporting its possibility.
While
contracts have yet to be signed, the fighters have agreed to
the bout and are expected to make it official in the coming days.
Vera
and Hamill had impressive showings earlier this month at UFC
96, with both emerging victorious in their fights against Mike
Patt and Mark Munoz, respectively.
The
31-year-old Vera picked up steam after disappointing showings
against Reese Andy and Keith Jardine in his first two fights
as a light heavyweight. The San Diego resident took a stumble
with two consecutive losses to Tim Sylvia and Fabricio Werdum,
prompting his jump to 205 pounds, but had been long considered
a future contender since his entry into the UFC at Ultimate Fight
Night 2 in 2005.
Lately,
the 32-year-old Hamill has made a name as a striker. Originally
labeled a wrestler upon his emergence in the UFC on the third
season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the three-time NCAA
champion has ended all but one of his six UFC victories with
strikes, capped off by a blistering head kick knockout of Munoz.
Save for a TKO loss to Rich Franklin and a controversial decision
loss to Michael Bisping, Hamill has morphed into a dangerous
mixed martial artist.
A
lightweight title fight between reigning champion B.J. Penn and
challenger Kenny Florian will headline the card.
Though
a venue for UFC 101 has yet to be determined, the 20,000-seat
Wachovia Center is under serious consideration to host. The event
will be Pennsylvania’s first taste of sanctioned mixed martial
arts following the passage of a bill to regulate the sport in
the state legislature last month.
Source: MMA Weekly |
The
Jiu-Jitsu Anthology
What we've learned since our issue #1
GRACIEMAG
145
How
many lessons can you imagine reaping from a single GRACIEMAG?
Now imagine in nearly 150, the number of issues (counting the
special ones, throughout our history), we’ve released so
far.
It
was in thinking back on that, the great classics are never forgotten,
and the great phrases and statements made by a plethora of characters,
that we unloaded GRACIEMAG’s treasure chests and brought
back what is most precious of what we have published, and the
most marking lessons until now. There are techniques, holds,
perceptions, tricks and reflections from lots of good folk who,
in one way or another, gave their sweat and blood for Jiu-Jitsu.
There
are passages packed with bravery, of course, but without leaving
out the cheery side. To avoid greater suspense, how about some
of the great quotes found on GRACIEMAG’s pages up until
now, from issue 1, of 1996, to the one you are flipping through?
GRACIEMAG
145
“If
you know how to teach kids you can teach anybody” Zé
Beleza (GM 1)
“A
true athlete knows perfectly what goes on in his own body”
Emil Zatopek (GM 47)
"Cowardice
is a state of spirit that has never made it through the doors
of our academy" Grandmaster Carlos Gracie (GM 50)
"Having
it easy makes you weak. I have to suffer, to take it out on the
guy when I'm in the ring" Renzo, on giving up first class
on the plane taking him to Pride (GM 50)
“In
my life I’m never competing to be better than someone else,
I’m always competing with myself” Ricardo Cachorrão
(GM 51)
“It
was the first time I didn’t fear my opponent, and the first
time I lost” George Foreman, about his fight vs. Ali, in
1974 (GM 83)
GRACIEMAG
145
“It’s
rough, he took my motorcycle, and even took my woman” Pé
de Pano, watching absolute world champion Margarida riding around
the mat with a model, in 2001 (GM 55)
“Live
each day as though it were the last. One day you’ll get
it right”
Luis Fernando Verissimo, writer, simplifying the samurais’
ideal (GM 105)
“In
fighting each has his own armor, bullets go flying, we’ll
see whose bulletproofing is punctured first” Ebenézer
Braga (GM 55)
“Vitor
Belfort owns a .45, but sometimes he only pulls his .22. If he’d
always pull his biggest weapon, he’d win” Álvaro
Romano (GM 56)
“Under
the bandage on my ear is a chip that automatically translates
the instructions from Portuguese to Japanese” Kazushi Sakuraba
“They
put me to fight #25 on the ranking and I don’t even train,
I knock him out in ten seconds, and everyone applauds. But when
you match up two of the best in the world, in top shape, it can
be a long fight” Jens Pulver, on beating Dennis Hallman
at UFC 33
“Damn,
why isn’t it like it used to be, when opponents would tap
from fright when giving up their backs?” Matt Serra, after
waging war with Yves Edwards at UFC
GRACIEMAG
145
“If
I were on the plane, I’d let them know: ‘If you want
to hijack this plane, you’ll need something more than those
knives’” Chuck Liddell, after 9/11/2001
“Folks
still confuse courage with stupidity and caution with cowardice”
Sérgio Ignávio, policeman and black belt
“That
doesn’t change the fact that I didn’t fight well and
lost that night. I don’t want them to give me the belt back,
I’d rather fight for it” Randy Couture, after Josh
Barnett was caught doping, in 2002
"Helio
Gracie was Brazil's first sports hero. Dad was shaking things
up 30 years before Pele was born" Rorion Gracie
“In
anything in life, you always have two options: you can either
be the best or just one more in the crowd. I always wanted to
win” Roger Gracie, still a brown belt (GM 65)
“Unsolvable
situations are the easiest, since a problem without a solution
has already been solved” Robson Gracie
“With
a buddy for a referee like that one, I’d box Mike Tyson”
Helio Gracie, after Yoshida awkwardly beat Royce (GM 68)
“Now
and again I recall an old teacher of mine who’d scold me
for the slightest altercation at school:
‘Fighting’s not going to get you anywhere! You’ll
never be anybody if you keep fighting!’ I’d give anything
to see her face now” Renzo Gracie, in the United Arab Emirates
(GM 68)
“What
a lot of traditional martial arts ignore is that, in a real fight,
ending up on the ground generally isn’t even an option.
It just happens, regardless of the participants’ intentions”
John Danaher (GM 58)
“Jiu-Jitsu
conquered the world for being a martial art less based on methodology
and more reliant on cunning” Rilion Gracie (GM 143)
“Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu is much more than a sport and even more than a martial
art. It’s modern day budo, the path of the warrior”
Roy Dean, master in several martial arts (GM 139)
“A
coward is not one who runs from combat. A coward is he who even
knowing he is superior, hurts someone weaker than him” Bruce
Lee
“A
fighter should put on a poker body, revealing nothing of his
next move to the other” Bruce Lee
“When
you train with a beginner for the first time, treat him like
a champion: be respectful and don’t go easy on him”
Nelsinho Monteiro
“Fear’s
something all fighters have. Some turn it into aggression, others
into passiveness. There’s this idea we’re gladiators,
demigods, untouchable, but we’re real humans and have a
job just like everybody else” Carlão Barreto, after
witnessing an MMA fighter soil his pants
“Success
relies on minor details to which most pay no attention”
Wanderlei Silva
“It
was as though he were aiming a water pistol at me that, suddenly,
started firing real bullets” Jeff Blatnick, on the loss
he suffered to a young Karelin in 1987, with a move never before
seen at heavyweight
Source: Gracie Magazine |
Nogueira
vs. Couture happens first here
Since
Rodrigo "Minotauro" left Pride to go to UFC's octagon,
Dana White’s dream was to put a fight between one of the
biggest stars of Pride against his greatest heavyweight, Randy
Couture. After many problems, the "Captain America"
left the event and Nogueira stole his reign, but now the fight
can finally happen. With both returning from surgery, the fight
is definitely in UFC plans, but the confrontation is already
on TATAME Magazine March issue’s pages. One of the heavyweight
fights of the dream card, Nogueira vs. Couture divided opinions.
"Minotauro
wouldn’t be able to take this fight to the ground and, at
the stand up fight, Randy is much better. I believe that he would
neutralize the Brazilian", analyzes Beto Leitão,
Luta Livre Master, betting on Couture. On the other side, Fabrício
Werdum, former UFC fighter who already faced Minotauro in Pride’s
ring, bets on to the Brazilian. "With both on their prime,
I’m more to Minotauro. I think Randy could put him down,
but Minotauro would end eventually finishing him with a kimura”,
bets Werdum.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Shooto
Brazil results
It
was a memorable day of MMA yesterday in Rio de Janeiro, where
two big events took place. Both Shooto Brazil and The Warriors
were stage to great bouts, this Saturday. Nine fights featured
at Andre Pederneiras’ Shooto event, with Vitor Miranda capturing
another quick win in the main event.
The
fights played out as follows:
Rodrigo
Savedra vs Alex Sobreira
After
taking a knockdown in the first, while having the upper hand,
Savedra was not intimidated and continued throwing shins in striking.
The Artur Mariano fighter also managed some takedowns to win
the unanimous decision after three rounds.
Ismael
Marmota vs Alberto dos Santos
In
the first two rounds, the two fighters practiced intense striking,
in an evenly matched bout. In the final round, Alberto managed
a takedown, but Marmota swept and won a split decision.
Alexandre
Pantoja vs Gabriel Wolf
Once
again Pantoja put his slick Jiu-Jitsu on display. After running
into slight difficulties at the start, he dominated the action
standing and on the ground. Standing he threw painful punches
and, on the ground he mounted, took the back and nearly got the
finish several times. In the second round, with Wolf’s face
badly punished, the doctor deemed him unfit to continue and ended
the bout, with Pantoja winning. The fighters left the ring to
applause.
Pimpolho
vs Rafael Farias
Pimpolho
started out full blast. With a quick takedown he dominated the
action on the ground. After taking Rafael’s back, he sunk
a rear-naked-choke and finished, still in the first round.
Hernani
Perpétuo vs Fabiano Tales
Hernani
was another to start off at accelerated pace. Against Fabiano,
he threw punches and knees before taking his adversary down.
On the ground, he rained down punches from the mount and then
gave up the position. He then sunk an arm-and-neck choke for
the finish.
Alexandre
Índio vs Carlos Santos
After
a lively first round, in which Indio managed a takedown and squeezed
Carlos in an arm-and-neck choke, the bout went into a second
round. Carlos, who had just fought a week earlier, tapped out
to a choke soon after Indio took his back.
Francimar
Bodão vs Rock Oliver
Bodao
brought the pressure on early and managed to quickly take his
opponent down. After working on top, he sunk a rear-naked-choke,
ending the fight in the first.
Carlos
Alberto Betão vs Rodolpho Marques
In
a very evenly-matched fight, Betao, who recently fought for the
Shooto 60kg title, ended up eeking out a decision win. He managed
good takedowns on Rodolpho and a knockdown in the second round,
after throwing a superman punch.
Vítor
Miranda vs Renato Cachorro Louco
The
night’s main event lasted only seconds. Just as the opening
bell rang, Miranda threw a knee to the ribs. Cachorro Louco went
down and was unable to continue.
Check
out the results:
65kg
- Rodrigo Savedra (Champions Factory) defeated Alex Sobreira
(Minotauro Team) by unanimous decision
83kg - Ismael Marmota (Boi/ Nova União) defeated Alberto
dos Santos by split decision
56kg - Alexandre Pantoja (TFT/MT Arraial) defeated Gabriel Wolf
(Constrictor) by TKO (doctor’s intervention) in R2
70kg - Luis Pimpolho (Nova União) submitted Rafael Farias
(Beto Padilha) with a rear-naked-choke in R1
76kg - Hernani Perpétuo (Nova União) submitted
Fabiano Tales (Beto Padilha) with an arm-and-neck choke in R1.
83kg - Alexandre Índio (Nova União Ceará)
submitted Carlos Santos (RFT) with a rear-naked-choke in R2
+91kg - Francimar Bodão (Nova União) submitted
Rock Oliver (BTT) with a rear-naked-choke in R1
60kg - Carlos Alberto Betão (RFT) defeated Rodolpho Marques
(Nova União) by unanimous decision
(95kg - Vítor Miranda (M-13/ Nova União) defeated
Renato Cachorro Louco by TKO in R1
Source: Gracie Magazine |
Fuel
The Fighter: Get the Skinny on Essential Fats
"Fuel The Fighter" discusses each month how a mixed
martial artist can apply physiology and nutrition to optimize
his or her training and performance.
Get
the Skinny on Essential Fats
By PR Cole
MS, RD Candidate Columbia University
Not
all fats are created equal. Some are essential to optimal fitness
and disease prevention like the omega 6s and the omega 3s, while
others may cause significant health risks like saturated fats
and trans fats. Making the effort to choose the right kind of
fat in your diet will keep your immune and cardiovascular systems
at their peak.
What
are the essential fats?
Our
bodies have the ability to make all of the various fats we need
to survive except for two. These essential fats are linoleic
acid (omega -6 fats) and linolenic acid (Omega-3 fats).
What
do essential fats do?
The
omega-6s and the omega-3s play important roles in maintaining
health. The following are just a few of their major functions.
Regulation
of blood pressure
Blood clot formation
Regulation of blood fat (lipid) levels
Immune system response
Inflammatory response to injury
Structural components of cells
Omega-3
fats have received major media attention in recent years since
research shows that they may play a role in the prevention and
treatment of heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis
and cancer.
Where
can I find essential fats?
Omega
-6 fats are found in plant seeds, nuts, whole grains and oils.
Most people consume enough of these products to meet our needs.
You’ll
get enough omega- 3 fats in your diet by eating two 4- ounce
servings of fatty coldwater fish per week. Some fish that are
both high in omega 3s and low in mercury include
Wild
salmon
Sardines
Atlantic mackerel
Anchovies
Pacific oysters
Avoid
eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish since these
are heavily contaminated with mercury. For the most up to date
information seafood safety, check out the Environmental Protection
Agency’s website http://www.epa.gov/fishadvisories/advice/
For
those of you who aren’t big seafood fans, you can get omega-3s
from ground flaxseeds, walnuts, canola oil and omega 3 eggs.
However, note that these sources don’t offer nearly as much
as the fish.
What
about supplements?
Omega-
3 fats are also available in supplement form. Some of the top
brands to look out for are
Vital
Oils 1000
Kirkland Signature (From Costco)
Nordic Naturals Ultimate
Source: MMA Fighting |
JESSE
TAYLOR IS BACK ON TRACK WITH WIN AND TITLE
DENVER – Jesse Taylor's fighting career has been an emotional
roller coaster of ups and downs. Making his way onto the cast
of The Ultimate Fighter during Season 7 of the series from a
career fighting throughout the Southwestern U.S., he fought his
way to the series finale before being booted from the spot due
to a drunken tirade following the end of taping.
Taylor
was later invited back to try for a spot in the UFC, but fell
short, losing to fellow Season 7 cast member C.B. Dollaway at
UFC Fight Night 14.
He
has since been working his way back into contention for the bigger
promotions, like the UFC, by fighting on smaller regional promotions.
On
Saturday night, he racked up his fourth straight victory and
added the King of Champions middleweight championship to his
resume by defeating up-and-comer Chris Camozzi at "Shockwave"
at the Crowne Plaza Event Center in Denver.
Taylor
took Camozzi down at will, and often, throughout the course of
their three-round bout. Camozzi fought well off his back, defending
the better part of Taylor's ground and pound tactics. He had
a difficult time mounting much offense, save for an omo plata
attempt in the third round that looked close to snatching him
a win.
It
would not be, however, as Taylor escaped the shoulder lock and
road out the rest of the fight for the win, stripping Camozzi
of his title belt.
The
bout marked a move up in weight for Taylor, who normally fights
in the 170-pound welterweight class. The move definitely gave
him a boost in the strength department, but seemed to limit his
arsenal a little bit, as he seemed content to shoot for the takedown
and grind away with a ground and pound attack.
According
to Taylor's Team Quest trainer, Heath Sims, the move isn't permanent.
He will still be open to opportunities at middleweight, but Taylor
is planning to compete normally at welterweight.
The
win should put him on the short list for a return shot at the
UFC or a call to one of the other bigger promotions on the block,
possibly Strikeforce or Affliction.
In
the night's co-main event, King of Champions lightweight titleholder
Rocky Johnson needed all three rounds, and two out of three judges,
to retain keep the gold around his waste, grinding out a three-round
split decision victory over Bryant Craven.
King
of Champions "Shockwave 2009"
Crowne Plaza Event Center
Denver, Colorado
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Professional
Bouts:
-Jesse Taylor def. Chris Camozzi by Unanimous Decision, R3
-Rocky Johnson def. Bryant Craven by Split Decision, R3
-Josh Huber def. Travis Sherman by Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
at 1:23, R1
-Jeremy Malaterre def. Alfredo Corona by Unanimous Decision,
R2
Amateur
Bouts:
-Matt Vigil def. Joey Banks by TKO (Strikes) at 1:45, R3
-Romico Blackmon def. Jay Wymer by TKO (Strikes) at 1:19, R1
-Diana Riel def. Kelly Brown by Unanimous Decision, R3
-Jason Clayton def. Sebastian White by Submission (Heel Hook)
at 1:38, R1
-James Valmont def. Ali Hanjani by Unanimous Decision, R3
-Jimmy Soiland def. Tony Gonzalez by Submission (Armbar) at 0:49,
R1
-Geoff Brokx def. Tyson Vigil by Submission (Armbar) at 1:16,
R1
Source: MMA Weekly |
Relson
Gracie Kauai Association, Kauai Technical Institute (KTI) Tournament
May 16th
Relson Gracie Kauai Association, Kauai Technical Institute (KTI)
is hosting a BJJ & submission grappling tournament on Kauai
on May 16th. Please mark your calendars and get your team ready
to make the trek to the Garden Isle.
Scrappa Lifestylez
Scrapplers Fest
submission grappling/gi tournament
May 16, 2009
Kauai
|
The
Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament
The Quest for Champions 2009 Tournament featuring Sport-Pankration, Submission Grappling
and Continuous Sparring.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Kalani High School Gym
Email kunltd@hotmail.com for more information.
|
Fighters'
Club TV Tuesdays!
Channel
52
NEW TIME of 8:00 PM!
Don't miss
another exciting, or at least semi-exciting episode of Fighters'
Club TV.
Please
spread the word!
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