"The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to
an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child,
a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct
that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all
men, charity.
Arthur
James Balfour
A
Busy May 24
Go check out or compete in the Hawaiian Championships of BJJ
and then enjoy a night of action packed fights at Kickin' It
Again 2.
See
details for both below!
2003
Hawaiian Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
May 24, 2003
EVENT OVERVIEW
Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu is a unique style of martial arts that incorporates
an array of ground techniques, such as arm locks, chokes and
submissions, to control and submit an opponent. It is today one
of the fastest growing and most popular martial art styles in
the world. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gained prominence in the early
90's through it's effective in various no-holds barred fighting
competitions. The recent Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships
were held in Santa Barbara, CA attracting nearly 1,000 competitors
from as far away as Japan and Mexico.
In
this tournament, athletes of all levels will compete against
other athletes from throughout the State, U.S. Mainland, and
Japan in a 1-day tournament. Jiu-Jitsu is an international sport
with worldwide appeal and participation that not only attracts
those in the Jiu-Jitsu community, but also those competing in
Wrestling, Judo and other grappling oriented arts. The 2003 Hawaiian
Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is an exciting event with
an objective to promote friendly competition, goodwill, sportsmanship,
camaraderie, and fun.
EVENT
DATE: May 24, 2003 / Starts time 10:30 am
EVENT:
2003 Hawaiian Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Gi / No Gi
Format
LOCATION:
University of Hawaii, Klum Gym / Honolulu, Hawaii
FORMAT:
1-day tournament / 10 weight classes
Gi and No Gi Format
White, blue, purple, brown and black belt categories in each
weight class
TICKETS:
$5 for adults / Children under 10 free
ENTERTAINMENT:
Martial arts (Capoera) demonstration by SENZALA
AUDIENCE:
Open to the general public.
CONTACT:
James Tanaka at 223-9363 / E-Mail at JKT@lava.net
Bare
Knuckle Productions Presents
KICK'N
IT AGAIN 2
Kapolei Middle School, Kapolei, Hawaii
May 24, 2003
Lightweight
David Balicao (HSD) vs. Dyson Domen (Big Dawg)
Welterweight
Justin Dano (HSD) vs. Joey Kuni (Big Dawg)
Lightweight
Zane Cabacugan (Hapkido TKD) vs. Dominator Lopez (Big Dawg)
Lightheavy
weight
Alvin Kanehailua (HSD) vs. Hank Keohuhu (Makakilo KB)
Featherweight
Hannah Smith (HSD) vs. Brandy Williams (Hapkido TKD)
Lightweight
Bradley Wong (HMC) vs. Chad Villanueva (Big Dawg)
Flyweight
Pat Trani (Makakilo KB) vs. Shawn Hema (HMC)
60lbs
Dahwen Bright (Makakilo KB) vs Phoenix Banuelos (NAK)
85lbs
Lane (HSD) vs. Kylie Delacruz-Kaheaku (808 Fight Factory)
Welterweight
Shane Dalutre (Universal K) vs. Louis Smith (Big Dawg)
Flyweight
Tyrone Antonio (HSD) vs. Calaruda (HardKnocks)
Cruiserweight
Adrian Hose (Hard Knocks) vs. Kevin Smith (Big Dawg)
Middleweight
Harris Sariento (808 Fight factory) vs. TBA
Guest
Referee: Timmy" The Hawk" Vendetta
Guest
judges-
Shawn "Tornado" Taylor
Tommy" Body Smasher" Pestana
John "The Bull" Nerveza
Phenom
Fighter of the Night Award
Phenom Fight of the Night Award
Source:
Promoter
SuperBrawl
29 Sets Attendance Record
On
May 9, 2003, in Honolulu, HI, 8445 fight fans packed the Blaisdell
Arena for Super Brawl. This sets SuperBrawl 29 as the most attended
Mixed Martial Arts event ever held in the state of Hawaii.
The
Blaisdell Arena filled to capacity can seat 8,800, so we were
only about 350 seats away from a sellout crowd! Future Fight
Productions would like to personally thank all of Hawaii fight
fans and our fans around the world for making SuperBrawl 29 a
night to remember.
Source:
T. Jay Thompson
Global
Training Report Interview
Rodrigo Minotauro Nogueira talks about loss to Fedor, plans for
revenge, and who he wants to fight in future, and more things.
It seemed like a clear cut decision when Masanori Suda pulled
off the stunning upset over Egan Inoue by a devestating KO. So
what's the problem? The way the rules were NOT instituted during
the actual fight.
Two
weeks ago, after Inoue was clearly knocked down from a right
hand by Suda, the referee did not step in for the mandatory 8
count which is part of the Shooto rules.
Even
though the referee was clearly at fault for not stepping in for
the eight count, it still may not have affected the outcome of
the fight. As a result, MMAWeekly.com's Greg Honda has learned
that the original decision will stand and it will NOT be ruled
a "no contest". Honda spoke briefly with Egan's brother
Enson, and Inoue told MMAWeekly.com that it didn't look good
for the decision to be changed to a no contest.
Expect
an official ruling to be made this week.
Source: MMA News
5/19/03
Quote
of the Day
I know a lot of people without brains who do an awful lot of
talking.
The
Scarecrow, Wizard of Oz
Hawaii
State Judo Championships!
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
In the state championship match at 114 pounds, Gerry Malanog
of Leilehua strained to get out of a hold after being thrown
by Brandon Low. Low went on to take the state title.
Kahuku,
Pearl City
win first judo titles
By Billy Hull
Special to the Star-Bulletin
Not even a three-and-a-half hour delay could sour the moods of
the Kahuku girls and Pearl City boys teams yesterday as they
made history at McKinley High School by winning the first state
judo championships.
The
Red Raiders, who had five girls as No. 1 seeds, found that being
the favorite didn't necessarily mean victory was going to be
easy.
After
watching the first four top seeds go down, Kehau Kamauoha knew
she needed to help boost her team with a victory, and did just
that, defeating Ashley Truchan of Hilo.
"When
the girls below me would win, it would push me to win and not
let them down," Kamauoha said. "It was different without
that, but I knew I had to come up big for my team if we wanted
to take home the team title."
The
Red Raiders had stiff competition from Pearl City and Kamehameha.
The Chargers got wins from Corey Jo Tashima in the 109-pound
division, and Amber Horn at 136, while the Warriors got a key
performance from second-seeded Chelsea Berdon, who upset top-seeded
Jenna Nihipali of Kahuku in the finals.
"Kahuku
beat us in wrestling so I was glad we got a state judo championship
this year so I could get some revenge," Berdon said.
Many
of the state champions in wrestling competed in this judo championship
as well, especially on the boys side.
Saint
Louis' Brandon Low, who became only the third freshman in history
to win a wrestling state title, took home the 114-pound championship,
defeating Leilehua's Gerry Malanog in the final.
"I
was fighting off a bit of a side pain," Low said. "But
I just fought through it and did what I had to do."
Low,
who is a 10-time national judo champion, was seeded second in
this tournament, creating a little bit of a fire inside of him.
"I
was pretty upset I was seeded second, especially when I never
heard of the guy in front of me before," he said. "But
he was good and it just shows how it doesn't matter what you
are seeded, but how you perform out there."
Punahou's
Jeremy Otani, another second seed from the Interscholastic League
of Honolulu, defeated Kalani's Lewis Nakao 27 seconds into the
match, to cap off what had been a tough year.
"I
injured myself in wrestling, which was hard, but I'm fortunate
I got another chance to come back and end the year well,"
he said.
Otani
also felt a little angry after being seeded second in a tournament
where all the OIA champions got No. 1 seeds.
"I
don't really know the meaning behind it, but it got me a little
angry and definitely added extra motivation to this tournament,"
he said.
However
in the end, it was the Chargers who walked out as boys champions,
edging out Mililani 70-58. They were led by individual winners
Joel Akimoto in the 150-pound division, unseeded Andy Hung at
165 and Eddie Inuma in the 275-pound weight class.
Other
boys winners were Thorean Evans of Kahuku at 105, Mililani's
Justin Galvez at 123 and Emile Suehiro of McKinley at 132. Unseeded Sean Shinjo
of Mililani upset heavy favorite Everett Pavo of Pearl City in
the 180-pound division and Shingo Katsura of Moanalua won at
200 pounds.
Girls
individual winners were Tabitha Lum of Maryknoll at 98 pounds
and Iolani's Catherine Chen at 103 pounds. Moanalua's Caylene
Valdez, a four-time state wrestling champion, took home the 115-pound
title, while Kailua's Kimberly Kodo won at 121 pounds. Kealakehe's
Kelianne Chong won the 128-pound title and Maimiti Ho of Kamehameha
won the 200-pound division.
While
the OIA took home both team championships, the ILH had six individual
champions, making the inaugural state tournament a showcase for
all Hawaii high school talent.
Source:
Star Bulletin
Pearl
City's boys, Kahuku's girls capture state judo team titles
Posted
on: Sunday, May 18, 2003
By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer
Moanalua's
Caylene Valdez can add a state judo title to her four state wrestling
championships.
Her opponents yesterday and a protest by her opponent's coaches
in the final couldn't stop her at the inaugural Hawai'i High
School Athletic Association State Judo Championships at McKinley
High School.
The
Pearl City boys and Kahuku girls took home team titles.
Valdez
wrestled Waiakea's Eisha Matsubara in the 115-pound final.
Valdez
was assessed a keikoku (unsportsmanlike conduct) penalty for
kicking Matsubara near the edge of the mat early in the match.
Valdez
recovered to win by yuko (five-point score), but the Waiakea
coaches protested the result. They said Valdez should have been
disqualified for the infraction.
The
referees discussed the matter together and then with the Waiakea
coaches. After a 10-minute delay Valdez's victory was upheld.
"According
to the state rules, which supersede the IJF (International Judo
Federation), there are no appeals. Whatever the judges say at
that point that's it," Moanalua coach Richard Nakatsu said.
Immediately
after her match, Valdez said: "It feels good I worked really
hard for this."
She
patiently sat in a chair near the scorers' table while her match
was being discussed.
A
Waiakea coach declined comment.
Valdez,
Kailua's Kimberly Kido (121) and Kahuku's Kehau Kamauoha (160)
were girls' No. 1 seeds who won titles.
Unseeded
girls who won titles were Pac-Five's Tabitha Lum (98) and Pearl
City's Corey Jo Tashima (109).
In
the only final with two unseeded athletes, Lum beat Whitney Elizaga
of Farrington by ippon (10-point winning technique).
Top
seeded boys who won titles were Kahuku's Thoran Evans (105),
Mililani's Justin Galvez (123), McKinley's Emile Suehiro (132), Pearl City's Joel
Akimoto (150), Moanalua's Shingo Katsura (200) and Pearl City's
Eddie Inuma (275).
Unseeded
boys who won titles were Pearl City's Andy Hung (165) and Mililani's
Sean Shingo (180).
Saint
Louis freshman Brandon Low, who won a state wrestling championship
earlier this year, took home a judo title after beating Gerry
Malanog of Leilehua by yuko in the 114-pound division.
When
asked if he could win four titles each in judo and wrestling,
Low said: "I'll do my best and see how I do."
Teams
were awarded 16 points for a first-place finish, 12 for second,
nine for third, seven for fourth, five for fifth and three for
sixth.
Pearl
City won the boys title with 70 points. Mililani was second with
58, and Kahuku and Saint Louis tied for third with 38.
"The
athletes are good players, good students, good kids and a lot
of it goes to my assistant coaches," Pearl City coach Ivan
Yoshimura said.
The
Kahuku girls finished with 66 points. Pearl City was second with
58 and Kamehameha third with 55.
"We
have some great girls, they work hard," Kahuku coach Reggie
Torres said. "It's an accomplishment based on their performance,
there work ethics."
Kamauoha
was Kahuku's only champion, but the Red Raiders had three second-place
finishers.
"We
felt coming in if we could win the matches that we should we
had a great chance of winning," Torres said.
Torres
also coached the state champion girls wrestling team earlier
this year, and he said seven of his eight judo athletes were
on the wrestling team.
Source:
Honolulu Advertiser
Judo
Championships Photos
I am not going to lie that I was biased and wanted the two guys
(McKinley's Emile Suehiro and St. Louis' Brandon Low) that I
came to support to win. I play Jiu-Jitsu and Judo with both of
these guys and know how good they are first hand. Both are extremely
hard workers and technical beyond belief as well as very gifted
academically. Congratulations to Emile and Brandon as well as
all the other champions and competitors that made the first Hawaii
State Judo Championships a success!
Here
are some photos that I shot of Emile and Brandon's championship
matches. I apologize to Emile, but the ref kept on getting in
my way so I could not take a lot of good shots. As you can tell,
the ref was much more well placed for Brandon's matches.
Mike
132 lbs.
Emile Suehiro (McKinley) vs. Ben Wilmore (St. Louis)
Note: This was a rematch of the state wrestling finals as well
where Ben Wilmore came out on top. This time Emile Suehiro took
the championship. Emile has the red belt.
114 lbs.
Brandon Low (St. Louis) vs. Gerry
Malanog of Leilehua
Brandon
is the brown belt
Kid
Peligro Jiu-Jitsu News . . . Dean Lister is the new Absolute
Champion ! ! !
Day 1
Day
one of ADCC 2003 had a large share of upsets and the aanouncement
of the arrival of the 'youngbloods'. The first of the major upsets
occured when Roger Gracie defeated multiple times Champion Mario
Sperry by points in a great battle. The two fighters exchanged
position and takedown attempts until Roger got a sweep from the
guard and ended up mounted on Sperry. After series of great exchanges
young Roger got the points win.
As
if that was not enough, Royler Gracie, in his second match of
the day against Eddie Bravo, was submmited via triangle choke.
Royler was ahead by a score of 6 x 2 when Bravo, somehow managed
to slap a tight triangle on Gracie and get the sub with less
than one minute to go in the match.
Bravo
stayed on the mat overcome with emotion. Soon after the match,
the two exchanged hugs. Royler, who up to that point had not
been scored upon in 13 ADCC matches was stunned and commented:
'I like to think of myself as a machine but sometimes I realize
that I am not one!'
Bravo
on his next match met up with one of the 'youngbloods' in Leo
Vieira, and lost by a large score as Leo did a display of modern,
dynamic Submission wrestling rarely seen before in competition.
When asked if he was still thinking of his previous match Bravo
replied: 'No! He just fought a great fight!'
The
final stunning upset was the work of young Marcelinho, who choked
Vitor 'Shaolin' out in less than 30 seconds. Marcelinho had defeated
Renzo Gracie in his previous match by points (9 x 0) after getting
Renzo's back early in the match also.
In
other matches:
Baret
Yoshida was down 6 x 0 with one minute to to and still managed
to win over Soca 9 x 6
In
the 88KG is going to be Saulo who beat David Terrel in an overtime
war against Jacare who beat Ricardo Almeida in a five overtime
war, that was so far the best match ever in ADCC history.
In
the 99KG it will be Cacareco who submitted Xande Ribeiro and
Jon Olav Einemo who beat Roger Gracie by points 2 x 0
In
the over division, Pe de Pano had the fastest submission against
Paz (under 15 seconds guillotine) and even managed a takedown
against Jeff Monson in the earlier round, will face Werdun who
submitted Van Arsdale by armlock
The
Superfight saw a superfit Ricardo Arona beat Mark Kerr in overtime
by a takedown. The fight was a 30 minute stand up battle with
Kerr appearing uncharacteristically out of shape but still managing
to make a match out of it.
More
fights today as the finals and the absolute take place.
Day 2
The
last day of the greatest ADCC event ever has just finished with
a great surprise: Dean Lister, the 4th alternate for the absolute
division won the whole thing. Dean submitted Nathan Marquadt
via kimura, Saulo Ribeiro by leg lock in a double overtime war,
defeated Pe de Pano by points in the last 15 seconds of the semifinal
and submitted Cacareco in the final with a foot lock.
The
stunned Lister was on the verge of tears as he said: 'I can't
believe this is happening, Arona was my hero when he won and
now I am in his position. I am just a guy from San Diego. I want
to thank my sponsors, Sycuan Casino, City Boxing, Marina Mortage
and my friends Jocko and Brendt for all the hard training and
support. I also have to thank Ron Bergum, Kid Peligro for being
my friends and supporting me 100% of the time. My new friend
and teacher Royce Gracie who showed me a lot a bout strategy
and some great techniques and my old instructor Fabio Santos
for the early instruction in BJJ! This is a dream come true!'
Leo
Vieira beat Barret Yoshida by points in a match that he totally
dominated the dangerous hawaiian. In other fights, Royler Gracie
came back to replace the injured Eddie Bravo and defeated Soca
Carneiro for the U65 3rd place.
In
the U77 Marcelinho Garcia choked Otto Olson for the title while
Shaolin Ribeiro defeated Chris Brown by points. Marcelinho also
won the 'most technical award'.
Saulo
Ribeiro, returning to the finals for the fourth time in four
ADCC's beat Ronaldo 'Jacare' 3 x 0 (taking the back). Saulo won
the title and the battle of the 'Amazon' as they are both from
that state. David Terrel submitted Almeida via foot lock for
the 3rd place.
Jon
Olav Einemo submitted Cacareco and took the U99 title while Roger
Gracie beat Xande Ribeiro by points for 3rd. Olav, who trains
along with his friends in Norway proved to be a real force who
has been steadily improving his game and will be a force for
many years.
Pe
de Pano won the over division by submission over Fabrizio Werdum
and Alex Araujo subbed Mike Van Arsdale for 3rd.
ADCC
2003 RESULTS
under
65.99 KG:
Final: Leo Viera v. Baret
Yoshida
Leo Viera Champion by points
3/4th place match: Eddie Bravo v. Alexandre Soca
Note: As stated above, Eddie dropped out and Royler beat Soca
for third.
66-76.9
KG:
Final: Otto Olson v. Marcello Garcia
Marcello Garcia Champion and voted Most Technical
3/4th place match: Chris Brown v. Shaolin Ribeiro
Shaolin third place by points
77-87.9
KG:
Final: Saulo Ribeiro v. Ronaldo Jacare
Saulo Riberio Champion 3-0
3/4th place match: David Terrell v. Ricardo Almeida
David Terrell third place by footlock
88-98.9
KG:
Final: Jon Olav Einmo v . Alexandre Cacareco
Jon Olav Einmo Champion by submission
3/4th place match: Roger Gracie v. Xande Ribeiro
Roger Gracie third place by points
99
KG & Up:
Final: MArcio Cruz v . Fabrizio Werdum
3/4th place match: Alex Araujo v. Mike Van Arsdale
16
MAN ABSOLUTE TOURNAMENT
Dean Lister Champion
Dean submitted Nathan Marquadt via kimura, Saulo Ribeiro by leg
lock in a double overtime war, defeated Pe de Pano by points
in the last 15 seconds of the semifinal and submitted Cacareco
in the final with a foot lock.
Source:
ADCC
Plenty
of Surprises Bring New Names to the Top
and Arona Wins the Superfight!
By Eduardo Alonso
Yesterday
was the first day of competition at the Ibirapuera Gymnasium
in Sao Paulo and there were a lot of surprises in all the weight
divisions. With some of the best the world has to offer at sumbssion
grappling, stars of the sport found themselves losing right in
the first or second rounds of competition, leaving most of the
crowd surprised. Multiple-time Abu Dhabi Champion Mario Sperry
caught a strong flu this weekend, but decided to fight anyway,
and unfortunately for him ended up being surprised by young Roger
Gracie, losing by five points to zero. PRIDE veteran Renzo Gracie
fought an extremly well-prepared Marcelo Garcia, who managed
to get his back early in the fight and kept scoring there to
win by a large margin in the end, Garcia went on to put Vitor
Shaolin Ribeiro to sleep with a choke. However, the biggest surprise
of the day was American fighter Eddie Bravo tapping out the legendary
Royler Gracie in a triangle choke.
One of the standouts of the show was Ronaldo Jacare. Always impressive,
Jacare showed great cardio and solid skills defeating Ryan Gracie
in the first round and beating Ricardo Almeida in the most evenly
matched fight of the day, with four overtimes needed to decide
the winner. In the superfight, PRIDE veteran Ricardo Arona was
in great shape and faced an absolutely out of shape Mark Kerr,
who was however very smart in his game, using his experience
to try to get Arona out of his traditional explosive style. However,
Arona used his experience and better condtitioning to take Kerr
down near the end of overtime, pass his guard and get the win
by four points to zero, showing he is still the king of Abu Dhabi.
Today the event will have the finals of each division, plus the
entire competition in the absolute division, here are the matches
set for the finals:
Up to 66kg: Leonardo Vieira vs. Barret Yoshida
Up to 77kg: Marcelo Garcia vs. Otto Oslon
Up to 88kg: Ronaldo Jacare vs. Saulo Ribeiro
Up to 99kg: Alexandre Cacareco vs. John Olav Einemo
Above 99kg: Marcio "Pe de Pano" Cruz vs. Fabricio Werdun
Source: FCF
Quote
of the Day
"Strength does not come from winning.
Your struggles develop your strengths.
When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that
is strength"
Arnold Schwarzenegger
5/18/03: Updated
early due to ADCC Results
Quote
of the Day
"Strength does not come from winning.
Your struggles develop your strengths.
When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that
is strength"
Arnold Schwarzenegger
ADCC
2003: 5th Submission World Championships Unofficial Results
Sao Paulo, Brazil
May 17th and 18th, 2003
This is results off of a web site that our good friend Tony sent
us. I cannot confirm if this is official, but if it is, this
is incredible! Hawaii's own Baret Yoshida
gets second place to Leo Veiera in the < 65.9kg class for
the second time.
<
65.9 KG
EDDIE BRAVO
GUSTAVO DANTAS
ROYLER GRACIE
CHARLIE PEARSON
RANY YAHRA
TEEMU LAUNIS
ALAN TEO
LEO VEIERA
KATSUNHIRO HIRATE
ALEXANDRE SOCA
JOACHIM HANSEN
CHRIS DERKSON
BARET
YOSHIDA
KATSUYA TOIDA
NOBU YAKI
MUHAMMED MRKULVIC
<
65.9 KG
EDDIE BRAVO
by sub
ROYLER GRACIE
by sub
RANY YAHRA
?
LEO VEIERA
?
ALEXANDRE SOCA
by sub
JOACHIM HANSEN
by sub
BARET
YOSHIDA
?
?
< 65.9
KG
EDDIE BRAVO
by triangle sub
LEO VEIERA
9-0
ALEXANDRE SOCA
by sub
BARET
YOSHIDA
?
<
65.9 KG
LEO VEIERA
15-0
BARET
YOSHIDA
?
<
65.9 KG
CHAMPION
LEO VEIERA
?
3rd &
4th Place EDDIE BRAVO
def.
ALEXANDRE SOCA
by sub
66-76.9 KG
JASON RAMSTETTER
VITOR RIBEIRO
MARCIO FEITOSA
PABLO POPOVICH
KIUMA KUNIOKU
DENNIS HALLMAN
RENZO GRACIE
GEORGE SOTIROPOULOS
FERNANDO TERERE
JUSSI TAMMELIN
DANIEL MORAES
OTTO OLSEN
CHRIS BROWN
MITSUHIRO ISHIDA
ROMAN SHASHKOV
TONY DESOUSA
66-76.9
KG
VITOR RIBEIRO
?
PABLO POPOVICH
?
MARCELO GARCIA
INJURY?
RENZO GRACIE
?
FERNANDO TERERE
?
OTTO OLSEN
?
CHRIS BROWN
?
TONY DESOUSA
?
66-76.9 KG
VITOR RIBEIRO
1 UP IN OT
MARCELO GARCIA
12-0
OTTO OLSEN
F.T. INJURY
CHRIS BROWN
?
66-76.9 KG
MARCELO GARCIA
BY SUB
OTTO OLSEN
?
66-76.9 KG
CHAMPION
MARCELO GARCIA
3rd
& 4th Place
VITOR RIBEIRO
DEF
CHRIS BROWN
?
77-87.99
DENIS KANG
REESE ANDY
DAVION PETERSON
RICARDO ALMEIDA
RYAN GRACIE
RONALDO JACARE
YUSHIN OKAMI
MATT LINDLAND
NATHAN MARQUARDT
RODRIGO COMPRIDO MEDEIROS
YUKI SASAKI
SAULO RIBEIRO
ROBET SULSKI
JORGE PATINO
DAVID TERRELL
AKIRA SHOJI
77-87.99
REESE ANDY
PTS
RICARDO ALMEIDA
BY SUB
RONALDO JACARE
5-0
MATT LINDLAND
PTS
RODRIGO COMPRIDO MEDEIROS
2-0
SAULO RIBEIRO
?
FERNANDO MARGARIDA
PONTES
?
DAVID TERRELL
?
77-87.99
RICARDO ALMEIDA
?
RONALDO JACARE
BY SUB
SAULO RIBEIRO
2-0
DAVID TERRELL
?
77-87.99
RONALDO JACARE
PTS
SAULO RIBEIRO
2-0
77-87.99
CHAMPION
SAULO RIBEIRO
3rd
& 4th Place
RICARDO ALMEIDA
DEF
DAVID TERRELL
88-98.99
ANTHONY PEROSH
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
BEAU CLARK
CHAEL SONNEN
ERIK PAULSON
ALEXANDRE RIBEIRO
DEAN LISTER
ILIR LATIFI
MARC LAIMON
LARRY PAPADAPOULOUS
BRANDON VERA
JON OLAV EINMO
YUKIYASU OZAWA
RIGAN MACHADO
MARIO SPERRY
ROGER GRACIE
88-98.99
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
?
?
ALEXANDRE RIBEIRO
PTS
DEAN LISTER
BY SUB
MARC LAIMON
?
JON OLAV EINMO
?
RIGAN MACHADO
?
ROGER GRACIE
5-0
88-98.99
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
?
ALEXANDRE RIBEIRO
BY PTS
JON OLAV EINMO
BY PTS
ROGER GRACIE
?
88-98.99
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
BY SUB
JON OLAV EINMO
?
88-98.99
CHAMPION
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
3rd
& 4th Place
ALEXANDRE RIBEIRO
DEF
ROGER GRACIE
?
OVER
99 KG
MIKA ILMEN
JEFF MONSEN
MIKE WHITEHEAD
MARCIO CRUZ
ALEX ARUJO
JUN IISHI
CHRISTOPH MIDOUX
SEAN ALVAREZ
TSUYOSHI KOSAKA
RICCO RODRIGUEZ
JIHAD
OTAVIO DUARTE
MARK ROBINSON
MIKE VAN ARSDALE
SOA PALALEI
ROY NELSON
OVER 99 KG
JEFF MONSEN
?
MARCIO CRUZ
?
ALEX ARUJO
8-0
SEAN ALVAREZ
?
FABRICO VERDUM
(RICCO DID NOT SHOW)
?
JIHAD
?
MIKE VAN ARSDALE
?
?
OVER
99 KG
MARCIO CRUZ
BY SUB
ALEX ARUJO
BY SUB
FABRICO VERDUM
?
MIKE VAN ARSDALE
?
OVER 99 KG
MARCIO CRUZ
BY SUB
FABRICO VERDUM
BY SUB
OVER 99 KG
CHAMPION
MARCIO CRUZ
3rd
& 4th Place
ALEX ARUJO
DEF
MIKE VAN ARSDALE
?
Absolute
No results posted
Super
Fight
Ricardo Arona
Def.
Mark Kerr
by 4-0 in OT
Source: http://www.mvpsolution.com/adcc/ADCC.htm
ABU
DHABI NO SHOWS
Ricco, Sherk, and Erikson All Missing Abu Dhabi
Ricco
Rodriguez, Sean Sherk, and Tom Erikson were all scheduled to
take part in this weekend's Abu Dhabi submission wrestling tournaments,
but none of them will be competing. Tom Erikson said on The Underground
Forum that he couldn't go to Brazil because he has personal issues
to take care of, and he apologized for his absence. Sean Sherk
was unable to make it to Brazil due to visa problems. As for
Ricco Rodriguez, he was a recent addition to the tournament brackets
and was scheduled to match up with Tsuyoshi Kosaka in the first
round. However, the Abu Dhabi News web site is now reporting,
"Ricco Rodriguez is a no show! His contact numbers are disconnected,
and no one is sure why he wouldn't return to the event that made
his career;especially, when his career needs a jump start again!"
Source: MMA Weekly
SHAMROCK
HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY PRIDE
Frank Shamrock Talks UFC, Pride, WEC, Brand Names, And More
Frank
Shamrock went into a good amount of detail about his philosophical
differences with the owners of the UFC on Friday's MMAWeekly
Radio Show. Frank said that he has no desire to return to the
UFC because of "who's running the show and how they're doing
it." Shamrock continued, "I don't like their course
of action, and I'm not going to contribute to it."
Frank's
basic argument was that the UFC always tries to make the UFC
brand name visible, and they should be promoting individual fighters
instead. Host Ryan Bennett asked if part of the reason for the
UFC's strategy is so that they're insulated from the impact of
fighters leaving the company like Frank did, and Frank said that
people don't understand how valuable a brand name like "Tito
Ortiz" or "Frank Shamrock" is. He said it would
only take one, two, or maybe three guys to change the sport the
same way that Michael Jordan changed pro basketball and Hulk
Hogan changed pro wrestling.
Frank
Shamrock also revealed that Pride has made him an offer to fight
in the Middleweight Grand Prix starting on August 10, but he
hasn't given them an answer and he highly doubts that he will
fight in the tournament. Frank said that the contract Pride is
offering him is pretty much everything he has ever asked for,
but the timing is off because he would like his next fight to
be in October or November instead. Shamrock said, "Fighting
once or twice a year is more than enough for me," and he
also said that he would like his next opponent to be one level
above his previous opponent Bryan Pardoe, and the next opponent
to be one more level up, etc.
Frank
said that he would like to fight on Pride's first show on American
soil in January 2004, but he has very little interest in entering
the Middleweight Grand Prix this year.
Other
news from the interview included the fact that the recent WEC
event (during which Frank made his MMA return) is going to be
marketed as a pay-per-view event in "some pay-per-view homes,"
although it wasn't specified whether that would include InDemand
and DirecTV. Frank said that the PPV will be available in mid-August,
with the DVD being released sometime thereafter.
Frank
also said that his student Rich Crunkilton dislocated his elbow
two different times during his UFC 42 fight with Hermes Franca.
Crunkilton will soon have elbow surgery to "get some things
reattached," and he should be good to go six months after
the surgery date. Frank said that he has quickly found in training
Don Frye that he is very determined to beat Mark Coleman. Shamrock
said that Frye's physical strength and mental fortitude are amazing.
Source: MMA Weekly
5/17/03
Quote
of the Day
Thoughtfulness for others, generosity, modesty and self-respect
are the qualities which make a real gentleman or lady.
Thomas H. Huxley
Ron
Jhun is the
King of the Cage Welterweight Champion!
After five grueling rounds, exchanging take downs and strikes
for 25 minutes, 808 Fight Factory's Ronald "The Machine
Gun" Jhun earned a unanimous decision over "Mr. International"
Shonie Carter last night in Las Vegas, Nevada winning the vacant
King of the Cage Welterweight Championship. This fight was easily
the fight of the night (of the fights shown on PPV).
Congratulations to Ron and the 808 Fight Factory!
Jeremy Horn beat Vernon White to capture the Light Heavyweight
KOTC Title in a boring match
And Big Eric Pele KO'd Dan Christianson to become the KOTC Super
Heavyweight Champion.
Other winners were:
Dan Severn def. Cory Timmerman via unanimous decision after 3
rounds.
Joe Stevenson over Thomas Denny via guillotine choke seconds
into the match.
Art Santore def. Joe Crilly via TKO, referee stoppage due to
strikes in Round 1.
Thanks for letting us watch the event at your gym, we are always
made to feel welcome when we are with you guys.
Is
Mark Kerr Ready?
by: MMA Observer
Mark
Kerr is making a big impression at the 2003 Abu Dhabi World Submission
Wrestling Championships – too bad for Kerr the big impression
is partly negative one. Not only are people questioning Kerr’s
conditioning and preparation, Kerr is leaving everyone wondering
how committed he is to the ADCC and his Super Fight battle with
Ricardo Arona.
There
are several incidents that have raised concern. Problems began
when participants and observers all noticed that Kerr arrived
in what appears to be the worst shape of his Abu Dhabi career.
While Kerr’s camp claims he weighs in at 240lbs, he appears
to be less muscular than in previous ADCC competitions and in
less than peak condition.
Also
adding to Kerr’s negative impression has been his lack of
professionalism in fulfilling his responsibilities to event organizers.
Given the popularity of jiu jitsu and the grappling arts in Brazil,
all participants are expected to be available for media interviews
and promotional opportunities. As the defending Super Fight Champion,
Kerr is expected to be in the forefront of promoting the event.
Kerr, however, has been a no-show at two scheduled events, costing
the ADCC the much-needed visibility and promotion that translates
into increased ticket sales. Kerr missed both a scheduled television
interview with a major Brazilian television network and the pre-event
press conference that attracted over 40 major media outlets from
around the world. The word 'prima donna' has come to mind.
Many
involved with the 2003 World Submission Wrestling Championships
are both worried and disappointed about Kerr’s behavior
at this year’s event. First, organizers worry about Kerr’s
health, hoping the apparent lack of conditioning do not represent
a decline. Second, event organizers are disappointed Kerr has
not lived up to the expectations of being the ADCC Super Fight
Champion.
As
all participants know, participating in the ADCC Submission Wrestling
Championship carries a level of prestige, opportunity, and financial
reward unmatched within grappling arts competitions. With this
prestige and opportunity provided by the ADCC comes certain responsibilities
and expectations of ADCC participants. Not only are participants
expected to compete at their peak performance, participants are
responsible for carrying themselves in the most professional
way possible. Everyone following the event in Sao Paulo hopes
Kerr starts fulfilling both expectations.
He
may win, based on sheer physical talent, but a return to MMA
is questionable, as Kerr may not be able to meet the demands
a professional faces beyond the ring. We shall see....
Today
the ADCC 2003 weigh ins took place with many of the fighters
having to do some last minute shedding of LBs. Renzo Gracie,
Mario Sperry, Soca Carneiro, Ricardo Cachorrao, Eddie Bravo (who
was being coached on the latest weight shedding techs by Fear
Factor's Joe Rogan, Tony De Souza were amongst the most noticeable
cutters. The highlight of the meeting was 'lightweight' 'Tata'
who blew out the scale topping 150 KILOS forcing promoters to
scramble to take the svelte 'Tata' to a 'truck weighing scale'
in order to get the final number : ) Tata's first match was schedule
to be against 'The Big Cat' Tom Erickson, unfortunately Erickson
had personal business to tkae care preventing this 'MEGA' match
to take place. Rumor has it that City officials are breathing
easy now!
In
the end everyone made weight and confirmed their presence in
the event tomorrow.
After
lunch the rules meeting took place at the Bellatrix Room Nathan
Marquadt, Ricardo Murgel, Marcio 'Pe de Pano', Matt Hume, Royler
Gracie, Rodrigo Comprido, Leo Vieira, Vitor 'Shaolin', Gustavo
Dantas & Denis Kang.
Everything
is now set and the games begin at 9:30 Am
Source: ADCC
A
Quick Look at the Abu Dhabi Divisions
99 KG
The
99kg division (otherwise known as the heavyweights) could possibly
be the strongest lineup in ADCC history.
Mike
Van Arsdale has officially moved up in weight class as a heavyweight
to join fellow wrestlers, Mark Robinson, Jeff Monsen and Mike
Whitehead (the U.S. Qualifying Champion).
Jiu
Jitsu stylists include Otavio Duarte, Sean Alvarez and Marcio
Cruz.
Making
their debuts for ADCC Jun Ishi, Mika Ilmen, Christoph Midoux
of UCC, Soa Palalei and Roy Nelson.
Jeff
Monson has done incredibly well since capturing ADCC gold in
1999 and looks to be in even better shape than ever. He has also
joined American Top Team in Florida where he now trains full
time.
Ricco
Rodriguez is a no show! His contact numbers are disconnected,
and no one is sure why he wouldnt return to the event that made
his career, especially when his career needs a jump start again!
South
African strong man Mark Robinson became the 2001 ADCC Champion
and is looking to make it two in a row. He has retained JJ coach
Ricardo Murghel, who made him into a champion in 2001. The big
guy's conditioning has him talking Absolutes, as well.
76
KG
ADCC
is heating up! With just a few hours left, fighters are resting
and ready to go in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Tournaments
are completely stacked and alternates are standing by. Luckily,
alternates were flown in just in case. This turned out to be
a good thing.
Alternate
Tony Desouza will be replacing Sean Sherk who was unable to make
it due to visa problems.
Desouza
enters the 66-76kg division with Vitor Ribeiro, Marcio Feitosa,
U.S. ADCC Champion Pablo Popovich, Renzo Gracie, Kiuma Kunioku
and many more.
Many
are giving the nod to Marcio Feitosa while others are predicting
a new and improved “Shaolin”.
Regardless,
this 66-76kg tournament is full of sixteen great athletes and
is sure to be full of surprises.
Source: ADCC
WFA
- Dead or Alive
Rising MMA star Marvin Eastman was able to shed some light on
the future of the World Fighting Alliance organization on Friday's
MMAWeekly Radio Show. Virtually everyone in the MMA community
previously took the WFA for dead, but Eastman said that this
might not be true. Eastman started on this topic by saying that
the WFA had monetary problems due to financial investers backing
out of the company, and for a while it looked like the promotion
was going to shut down completely, or it might continue to operate,
but do so without its founder, John Lewis.
Fortunately,
from what Marvin Eastman is now hearing, John Lewis is going
to retain the rights to the promotion, and the WFA will live
on. Eastman said that the next WFA show could be as soon as July
or August, with the same caliber of stars that fans have grown
accustomed to.
When
asked if he's nervous about Vitor Belfort being his opponent
for his UFC debut, Marvin Eastman said that he's not nervous
because he is getting more and more confident with his knockout
power and his overall abilities. Eastman said that Belfort is
one of the top guys in the 205-pound weight class, and he has
watched and respected Vitor since he debuted in the UFC.
At
the same time, Eastman said that all bets are off once the fight
starts. Eastman seemed confident and humble at the same time,
saying that he wouldn't want to come in and have an easy fight
for his UFC debut. Eastman said that he respects people like
Vitor Belfort, Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Quinton Jackson,
but at the same time he would like to fight and beat all of them.
Source: MMA Weekly
Another
Pride Match Up
Dream Stage Entertainment has announced an additional fight that
will take place at Pride 26 on June 8, as Ricardo Arona will
face Alistair Overeem. Arona is coming off consecutive wins over
Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson, and Murilo "Ninja" Rua,
and he will also be fighting Mark Kerr this weekend at the Abu
Dhabi submission wrestling championships.
Alistair
Overeem has not lost a fight since June 2000, and most recently
scored a quick submission victory over Aaron Brink at an event
in Holland this past March.
Given
that there had been negotiations for Arona to fight Kevin Randleman
at Pride 26, and for Overeem to fight Igor Vovchanchyn, it is
now looking more and more likely that Randleman and Vovchanchyn
will be fighting each other in what would surely be an explosive
bout. Another fight that is looking like a strong possibility
for Pride 26 is Murilo Bustamante vs. Murilo "Ninja"
Rua.
Heath
Herring will be making his return to Pride on this show, and
it could be against Mirko Cro Cop or Assuerio Silva. Vanderlei
Silva vs. Quinton Jackson has almost zero chance of taking place
in June, due to the fact that Vanderlei is recovering from surgery
to repair a torn ACL, and his doctors will not medically release
him until Pride's August show. Vanderlei has said this in numerous
public interviews this week and in recent months.
With
the official announcement of Arona vs. Overeem, here is the officially
announced Pride 26 line-up as it stands right now:
-Emelianenko
Fedor vs. Kazuyuki Fujita (non-title fight)
-Mark
Coleman vs. Don Frye
-Ricardo
Arona vs. Alistair Overeem
-Antonio
"Elvis" Schembri vs. Kazuhiro Hamanaka
Source: MMA Weekly
5/16/03
Quote
of the Day
"When you judge another, you do not define them, you define
yourself."
Wayne Dyer
808
Fight Factory will be showing
King of the Cage: Sin City at their Gym
Tonight! Come on down to
support Ron Jhun and watch some great fights!
Event starts at: 4:30 or 5:00PM (call the gym to confirm the
time)
Ron Jhun (808 Fight Factory) vs. Shonie Carter for the vacant
KOTC Welterweight Championship
Other matches:
KOTC Superheavyweight Championship:
Eric Pele vs. Dan Christianson
KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship:
Jeremy Horn vs. Vernon White
It will be at the 808 Fight Factory Gym
94-143 Leokane Street
(Down the street from Happy Dragon/Firestone in Waipahu &
up the ramp on the left)
There will
be a $2 charge to help cover the Pay-Per-View costs.
Call 808 Fight Factory Gym @ 671-4140 for more information.
Source: Kai Kamaka
Brazilian
Portuguese Classes!
Farrington Community School for Adults is offering conversational
Brazilian
Portuguese language classes, once a week, beginning Saturday, June 14, 2003 for
the Summer term, ending July 26.
Instructor-Sandy
Tsukiyama de Oliveira
(DOE teacher, member-Hawaii Interpreters & Translators Assn.,
Lead vocalist-Mistura Brazilian Jazz Band)
The
Brazilian Portuguese program at FCSA has been ongoing for over
3 years.
Teaching
materials-
Photocopied pages from the textbook, Fala Brasil!
Purchase of two additional books, 501 Portuguese Verbs, and Portuguese
Verbs &
Essentials is recommended. Both available at Borders Books &
Music. Also
available from instructor, casssette tapes of textbook dialogues
& drills.
Please
call FCSA for details on registration & fees. 832-3595.
Located on the campus of Farrington High School, in the heart
of beautiful,
central Kalihi, corner N. King & Kalihi Sts.
ADCC
2003: 5th Submission World Championships Official Brackets
Sao Paulo, Brazil
May 17th and 18th, 2003 Baret Yoshida is on the opposite
side of the Under 65kg bracket again, so he has the chance of
facing Royler in the finals again!
The fighters have
all begun to arrive in Sao Paulo for the 5th SUBMISSION WRESTLING
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.
There are several
BIG NAME fighters who may be having troubles in transit - if
ANY ADCC competitors are on the road and need help to get to
the event, please call the ADCC organizers at:
Guy Neivens 011-55-11-9910-2955
HOTEL PESTANA -
011-55-11-3059-5000
Please pass this
on to the fighters out there!
And now, the most
anticipated brackets of all time.....
<
65.9 KG
EDDIE BRAVO
GUSTAVO DANTAS
ROYLER GRACIE
CHARLIE PEARSON
RANY YAHRA
TEEMU LAUNIS
ALAN TEO
LEO VEIERA
KATSUNHIRO HIRATE
ALEXANDRE SOCA
JOACHIM HANSEN
CHRIS DERKSON
BARET
YOSHIDA
KATSUYA TOIDA
NOBU YAKI
MUHAMMED MRKULVIC
66-76.9
KG
JASON RAMSTETTER
VITOR RIBEIRO
MARCIO FEITOSA
PABLO POPOVICH
KIUMA KUNIOKU
DENNIS HALLMAN
RENZO GRACIE
GEORGE SOTIROPOULOS
FERNANDO TERERE
JUSSI TAMMELIN
DANIEL MORAES
OTTO OLSEN
CHRIS BROWN
MITSUHIRO ISHIDA
ROMAN SHASHKOV
TONY DESOUSA
77-87.99
DENIS KANG
REESE ANDY
DAVION PETERSON
RICARDO ALMEIDA
RYAN GRACIE
RONALDO JACARE
YUSHIN OKAMI
MATT LINDLAND
NATHAN MARQUARDT
RODRIGO COMPRIDO MEDEIROS
YUKI SASAKI
SAULO RIBEIRO
ROBET SULSKI
JORGE PATINO
DAVID TERRELL
AKIRA SHOJI
88-98.99
ANTHONY PEROSH
ALEXANDRE CACARECO
BEAU CLARK
CHAEL SONNEN
ERIK PAULSON
ALEXANDRE RIBEIRO
DEAN LISTER
ILIR LATIFI
MARC LAIMON
LARRY PAPADAPOULOUS
BRANDON VERA
JON OLAV EINMO
YUKIYASU OZAWA
RIGAN MACHADO
MARIO SPERRY
ROGER GRACIE
OVER
99 KG
MIKA ILMEN
JEFF MONSEN
MIKE WHITEHEAD
MARCIO CRUZ
ROGER NEFF
JUN IISHI
CHRISTOPH MIDOUX
SEAN ALVAREZ
TSUYOSHI KOSAKA
RICCO RODRIGUEZ
ALEX ARAUJO
OTAVIO DUARTE
MARK ROBINSON
MIKE VAN ARSDALE
SOA PALALEI
ROY NELSON
Source: ADCC
KING
OF THE CAGE PREVIEW: Shonie Carter vs. Ronald Jhun for the King
of the Cage Welterweight Title
Shonie Carter and Ronald
Jhun will fight for the
King of the Cage Welterweight Title on Friday night in what is
likely to be one of the most exciting fights on the card. It's
also one of the most difficult fights to predict because these
two fighters are very evenly-matched, as evidenced by the fact
that they fought to a draw last November.
In terms of being
prepared for the fight, I believe that both fighters will show
up ready to fight, but in different ways. Shonie is probably
going to be more prepared physically because he has a lot more
time to train than Jhun, who said on MMAWeekly Radio that he
works a day job six days a week until 5:30 PM and is only able
to train in MMA for a few hours per day. On the other hand, Ronald
Jhun is probably going to be more prepared mentally, as he seemed
to be extremely focused and determined during his radio show
appearance.
Shonie is one of
the best interviews in MMA, and I do think that he will be mentally
prepared for this fight. But, I think Jhun will be more focused,
because he doesn't have a character to play, so to speak. Whether
the characters are based on real life or not, fighters who have
"characters to play" inevitably end up paying for it
in the ring- whether it's Bob Sapp, Phil Baroni, or Tank Abbott.
But, Shonie's loveable "pimp" character doesn't seem
to distract him from his fights too much, but I don't think there's
any way he's going into this fight as focused as Ronald Jhun
appears to be.
Shonie Carter's
career contradicts itself in the sense that he's not afraid to
trade strikes, and his fights are usually very exciting- yet
a large percentage of the fights in his career have ended with
a decision or a draw. For this reason, and because of how closely
matched these two fighters are, I would say that the odds are
less than 50 percent that one of them is going to be able to
finish off the other. Someone is going to win by decision, and
it's just a matter of who that someone is.
If the fight goes
to the ground and stays there for any significant amount of time,
it favors Ronald Jhun in my opinion. Jhun has an edge over Carter
in submissions and strikes on the ground. But, it goes back once
again to the parity in the skill levels of these two fighters.
Shonie is unlikely to win this fight on the ground, but Shonie's
jiu-jitsu skills should be good enough to prevent Jhun from finishing
him on the ground. I think the fight will be even closer if it
remains standing, because both of these guys have the power and
skill to end fights with strikes, and they have done so plenty
of times in the past. I would give Carter the slight edge in
strikes just because he's so unpredictable. When you've won multiple
fights with a spinning back-fist knockout, your future opponents
tend to keep that in the back of their minds somewhere.
This fight has all
the makings of another classic on paper. Two talented and hard-working
fighters, both in their early 30s with plenty of time left in
their careers, and both very hungry for a win that could catapult
them to the next level. Shonie Carter is the favorite in most
people's eyes, but I'm going to pick Ronald Jhun to win a very
close fight. Jhun will probably be able to hang with Shonie standing
up, and if Jhun does get in trouble on his feet, I think he'll
be able to take the fight to the ground and keep it there. Once
it gets to the ground, Jhun is more likely to finish off Carter
than vice-versa, or at least control most of the fight. My Prediction: Ronald
Jhun by decision.
Source: MMA Weekly
Stephen
"Bozo" Paling gets another crack at the Champ
It was arguably one of the best cards in MMA history. Hayato
Sakurai TKO'ed the much talked about Frank Trigg, Kaoru Uno solidified
his place as the true champion by KO'ing the legendary Rumina
Sato in their rematch, Mishima initiated his climb up the ranks
by submitting the rugged Brazilian Marcio 'Cromado' and Ray Cooper (the current Shooto MW number one
ranker) dropped a disappointing loss to Alex Cook via an very
unorthydox kneck crank.
It all went down
on December 17th, 2000 in the Tokyo Bay NK Hall. Along with those
other classic bouts, was one of the Champ's (Alexandre Nogueira)
many dumb-founding guillotine victories. It was against the journeyman
Hawaiian fighter - Stephen
Paling. It was a disappointing
loss for Bozo, having turned directly into Nogueira's chest virtually
offering his head-up on a platter for the Brazilian to secure
the choke. Since then Paling has been hungry and determined to
get back in there and get another shot at the belt (preferably
with it being still around Alexandre's waist).
Since that loss,
Paling has gone 6-1 in Shooto bouts winning his last 6, and doing
it against top tier fighters all the way. His last performance
looked like another day at the office when at just 15 seconds
into the bout he put an end to things by leaving his opponent
with a fight halting cut. Now here comes his chance for redemption
and once again the chance to capture the only world recognized
title at the 145 lbs weight range.
Of course Nogueira
is virtually unstoppable as the Champion. Since Paling he has
loss twice, but came back to best each of those adversaries in
rematches... and he did it in impressive style. He is physically
very strong and super aggressive. He has tons of experience as
the Champ having been as such since 1999 and is highly regarded
as one of the top pound for pound fighters on the planet.
This all goes down
on August 10th in Yokohama, Japan on the card that will also
feature the Shooto debut of Jens Pulver.
Source: Richard
Santoro, Shooto USA
ADCC
2003: EYE OF THE TIGER (FINAL PART)
by: Luca Atalla
Ricardo Arona exclusive
interview (part 4 of 4)
The ADCC 2003 superfight
fighter finishes speaking about his very particular way of leaving…
ADCC: Why did you
choose to live in Itacoatiara, a beach 30 minutes from the town?
I’m leaving here since the beginning of the last year. Before,
I used to live with my parents in Niteroi, but came to here nearly
everyday to surf, to climb, to swim… It’s a very native
place, that is tuned with my fighter essence. I like to be alone
with the nature. I like to feel myself as a tiger, walking alone
in the middle of the jungle, tracking the rock… I hope I
never leave that place.
What is your relationship
with the tiger?
If I was an animal I wish I would be a tiger. Among the cats,
it’s the strongest. It hunts alone, it walks alone. It’s
mysterious. I like to copy the way it moves too, it gives me
a touch with the nature. When I get into the ring, I’m like
a tiger: I have to attack, I have to hunt, I have to kill. There’s
no option: either you kill or get killed. Sometimes I really
think I’m a tiger disguised in a man’s skin.
And I really think the animals have lot’s of things to teach
the humans. That my female [the dog named tigra]. She attacked
an adult Labrador when she was only two months old. It made me
think: If a dog this big have no fear of an adult, how came I
can be afraid of a fighter who weighs the same of me? I’m
trained to fight but she did that for instinct! I learned a lot
with this dog. It was very important prior my fight against Ninja.
He went to the TV, to the magazines to challenge me, but during
the fight I get into his eyes, and what happened? I won. Be a
warrior. That’s what I learned with the animals.
Speaking about hunting
alone, you already went to the ring with no teammates…
Yes, I didn’t train with BTT when I faced Guy Mezger, Dan
Henderson and Murilo Ninja. Many people don’t believe on
it, but for this three fights, may training was to climb the
mountains, hit some pads in home, hit the bag, and that’s
it! I trained very little to fight these guys. But I got there
with a high spirit. In those times, if you take a knife and cut
me, I can’t feel anything. I already broke two ribs, get
kicked on the face and kept going. Actually, when you fight,
you are alone. So I like to walk alone to get used. Just like
a tiger, you and nobody else… I get nervous just to speak
about it.
You are going to
fight just one fight in the next ADCC, but you probably will
have a taste of fighting more than one fight in the same night
still this year, if you be invited to Pride GP. How is that feeling,
to have more than one fight in the same night?
In that situation, two things are decisive: luck and spirit.
If you don’t have a strong essence you don’t have a
chance. You can’t afford to feel tiredness, you can’t
afford to feel pain.
That essence was
your edge in the last ADCC, when you won you weight division
and the absolute?
No doubts. I even consider my first ADCC [2000] most difficult.
I just got the brown belt and went to train along many experienced
black belts, and I didn’t give up. And in the tournament,
I just faced tough guys. Tito Ortiz, Kareen Barchlaev, Jeff Monsen…
But the complete fighter is the one who has mind and body prepared.
And with this spirit I go to the superfight!
Source: ADCC
The
Rising Sun Report 1.0
"Big in Japan: How Bob Sapp Became a Household Name"
By Keith Vargo
My wife is a kindergarten
teacher here in Tokyo. Yesterday her students had an argument
about who the strongest man in the world is. They all suggested
different people, some real and some imaginary. In between coloring
with crayons and building things with blocks, they weighed the
pros and cons of each one. In the end they all agreed. The strongest
man in the world MUST be Bob Sapp.
To my wife, this
was just a cute story. To me, it was amazing. How many kindergarten
kids anywhere know a professional fighter's name? How many even
know what a fighter is? Yet a bunch of japanese 5-year-olds know
enough about Bob Sapp to debate what he can do better than Ultraman.
Unbelievable.
You could say that
Bob Sapp is big in Japan. But "big" hardly describes
the level of media saturation Sapp has achieved. His face is
everywhere. You can see it on banners in front of convenience
stores, on pizza delivery junk-mail, and even on the turnstiles
at train stations. He is in TV commercials pushing everything
from instant noodles to A/V equipment. He makes appearances on
game shows, variety shows, and celebrity athletic contests. He
has even released a CD, the embarrassing but funny "Sapp
Time."
But why him? Why,
out of all the fighters who come through Japan, is Bob Sapp such
a hit? I imagine it's something that "The Beast" even
asks himself sometimes. I also imagine it's something most other
fighters would love to figure out so they can get endorsement
deals and make TV appearances too. Here are some possibilities.
First of all, Japan
is a country with a heavyweight fetish and Bob Sapp is a genuine
super-heavyweight. Sure, the heavyweights have always been the
glamour division wherever fighting is popular. But Japan is also
the land of sumo, where there are no weight divisions. In sumo
you just get as big as you can and try to use it to your advantage.
In this light, Sapp's
appeal as a fighter makes more sense. The average japanese fan
is used to men of vastly different weights fighting each other.
Bob Sapp pounding on guys like Norihisa Yamamoto and Kiyoshi
Tamura is similar to the performance of the biggest sumo champs.
Giants like Akebono or Musashimaru easily defeat sumo wrestlers
who are merely huge. Japanese fans like big guys and no one in
MMA or kickboxing is bigger than Sapp.
Second, Sapp is
a former NFL lineman. American football is popular in Japan as
a tough-guy sport and some japanese fighters started out as football
or rugby players. Some still long to play football. When sumo
champ Wakanohana retired from wrestling, he spent the next year
going to open try-outs for NFL teams. So Sapp being a legit pro
football player, in spite of his ho-hum career, helped pique
japanese interest.
Third, Bob is kind
of exotic here. Japan is a country with precious few minorities
and a giant black man is both frightening and fascinating. When
he's in the ring trying to stomp someone's guts out, people will
pay to see it. Gary Goodridge and Quinton Jackson make a decent
living by filling the role of big, scary, black man for japanese
fans. But no one is bigger or scarier than Bob Sapp.
Fourth and most
important, Sapp comes across as a genuinely likable guy. When
he puts away his "Beast" pro-wrestling persona he is
soft-spoken, warm and funny. It's something the japanese media
can't seem to get enough of. They report on Bob Sapp's pet cats
and his fear of spiders as much as they report on his fights.
Of course, Sapp
really is a beast in the ring. Just ask Rodrigo Nogueira and
Yoshihiro Takyama. But no one really buys the "Beast"
persona. Even my wife's kindergarten students don't buy it. "He
acts scary," one boy said, "but he's not really scary.
He just pretends." With Bob Sapp, japanese fans get to have
their cake and eat it too. They get to have a truly ferocious
fighter who is also someone you'd want to have over for dinner
or let your kids play with.
Of course, these
are just guesses about why Bob Sapp is so popular in Japan. Why
some americans are superstars abroad is truly mystifying. I mean,
why is goofball comedian Jerry Lewis considered a genius in France?
Why was David Hasselhoff topping the charts in Germany with cheesy
pop songs? Who knows? Celebrity has a way of just happening to
people. The only thing that's certain is that it's difficult
to remain a celebrity, especially in the fight game.
Even "The Beast"'s
own promoters seem to recognize this. Before Sapp's most recent
K-1 fight, they played a video montage of his highlights and
lowlights. As they showed Sapp give and take some wicked beatings,
the voiceover noted his new-found fame. But it went on to say
that, if he can't continue to win, it will be meaningless. It
was meant to build up some drama. But Filipovic came out and
put an exclamation point on that statement by busting the big
man's eye socket and TKO'ing him in the in the first round.
So the big question
is, how long will it last? Will Sapp be able to avange his loss
to Filipovic and keep winning? If he can he will be able to maintain
his superstar status in Japan and maybe make it big in other
countries as well. But if he has a few more losses that make
him look less like a beast and more like a fish out of water,
his popularity may plummet.
Source: Maxfighting
5/15/03
Quote
of the Day
You can learn new things at any time in your life if you're willing
to be a beginner. If you actually learn to like being a beginner,
the whole world opens up to you.
Barbara
Sher
808
Fight Factory will be showing
King of the Cage: Sin City at their Gym
This Friday, May 16th.
Event starts at: 4:30 or 5:00PM (call the gym to confirm the
time)
Ron Jhun (808 Fight Factory) vs. Shonie Carter for the vacant
KOTC Welterweight Championship
Other matches:
KOTC Superheavyweight Championship:
Eric Pele vs. Dan Christianson
KOTC Light Heavyweight Championship:
Jeremy Horn vs. Vernon White
It will be at the 808 Fight Factory Gym
94-143 Leokane Street
(Down the street from Happy Dragon/Firestone in Waipahu &
up the ramp on the left)
There will
be a $2 charge to help cover the Pay-Per-View costs.
Call 808 Fight Factory Gym @ 671-4140 for more information.
Source: Kai Kamaka
Super
Brawl Rebuttal Part Two Ringside
got his chance to sound off, now T. Jay gets to respond to the
comments made. It is only fair that he gets the opportunity to
respond to shed some light on the points that was brought up.
Onzuka.com supports the right to free speech and a freedom to
disagree with each other (it makes for an interesting read).
One side note, whether you agree or disagree with T. Jay and
his promotion tactics, he is probably the most reliable source
for bringing Hawaii high quality fighters and match-ups for a
sport that we all love to watch.
Some very good points
on this thread. I will try to address all of them as honostly
as a promoter is capable.
1. Suda's Transportation
We had transportation
awaiting all out of town fighters at the airport. The problem
was, fighters and corners were instructed to call a toll free
number from a payphone when they hit baggage claim as the transportation
was waiting one block from airport. This was due to the increased
security at the HNL. Shinobu Kobayashi, Sustains representative
was concerned the Japanese fighters would not be able to make
that phone call due to the language barrier and specifically
asked if these fighters could take a taxi instead and be reimbursed.
I, of course, obliged their request.
2. "Maybe referee
Suzuki-san did make a "human error", stated by T. Jay
Thompson. However, Masanori Suda won the fight in the public's
eye that night. Being ringside, there is no doubt in my mind
of that. Yes, rules are rules, but why should Suda be punished
for the referee's mistake? If the outcome were reversed, would
Suda be asking for a rematch? Would T. Jay Thomson have been
so quick to announce there would be a viewing of the tape, if
it had been Suda who was knocked out and not given a standing
8 count?"
I do not have the authority to make any decisions regarding the
outcome of the Shooto title. And as this bout was held under
the Shooto commissions rules and authority, they will be the
ones who will make the final decision.
3. "Egan may
deserve a rematch, but he should have to go to Japan for it."
I believe Suda would
like the rematch in Hawaii as well. Since he was paid more than
50% more this bout than any other fight he has had in Japan.
And I am sure he will be paid even more if, and when the rematch
happens in Hawaii.
4. "Therefore,
if a rematch in Hawaii does happen, those who attended Suda v.
Inoue 1, should be given the opportunity to get a pro-rated ticket."
I respectfully disagree.
:)
4."Also, many people may not know the promoter of the Superbrawl
"T.J. Thompson/Tommy Dakota" trains with Egan at Grappling
Unlimited. That is why those who attended the fight may have
noticed the political propaganda which was so shamefully used
by the production."
Yes, I do train with Egan Inoue. I also consider him a friend.
What many people also don't know is I once trained with Relson
Gracie. At the time, I enjoyed training with the JIL team, Egan's
GU team as well as the folks at Relsons. Egan was aware I trained
elsewhere as was the JIL team. When Relson was made aware of
this, I was told to train with him only or to leave the gym.
I now train primarily at Egan's but have spent time training
at Haru's gym, as well as 808 Fight Factory.
5. "Many already
know of the bad relations between the Inoue brothers and Relson
Gracie. The video clip before Jeff Curran v. "Kid"
Yamamoto's fight, reminded everyone the same old shit is still
going on. Relson and Jeff were made out to be the bad guys and
the Curran v. Kid fight was made up to be "Yamamoto's revenge"
for his team mate Baret Yoshida. "
Jeff Curran's management
was made aware of all promotion to run at this show. Jeff is
a stud. Relsons actions after Jeff's tremendous KO of Baret Yoshida
helped to make him famous in Hawaii. NOT popular...Famous. That
fame earned him much more $$$ for his fight against kid. As did
his skill. Skill alone is not always enough to get paid big $$$$.
Be that right or wrong..it is how tickets are sold.
6. "The production
also tried to give Inoue the advantage by making Suda wait through
a long video clip of Inoue after he entered the ring. For those
of you who know anything about fighting, fighter's must warm
up (break a sweat) before they fight. "
That is ridiculous! To state I was trying to give an advantage
to one fighter or the other is offensive to me! And for those
of you who know anything about fighting....Championship bouts
often have long intro's and fighters are well aware they must
stay warm while waiting through all the "hype". As
a matter of fact, Egan had to wait around just about as long
as Suda. If you remember correctly...All the military stuff,
including the National anthem were done after Inoues entrance...Again...I
am offended at the remark that I would knowingly try to give
one fighter an unfair advantage over the other.
I also must apologize
to Mr. Suda, and all the Japanese fans for not playing the Japanese
Anthem. We had it prepared but overlooked getting a Japanese
Flag hung for the event. My production manager informed me it
would against protocol and be more disrespectfull to play the
Japanese anthem on CD without a flag then to not play it at all.
I still wonder if it would have been better to play the Anthem
without the flag. But that was the decision that was made.
T. Jay Thompson
ZUFFA
and ORTIZ - War Over?
Is
the standoff finally over? Have Tito Ortiz and Zuffa come to
terms about a potential new contract? Sources are saying that
this is the case.
Whether
or not Ortiz signs is a different story but MMA WEEKLY broke
the major news once again on Sunday.
The
most informative radio show in combat sports spoke with Ortiz
and his management who said there are legitimate talks going
on and a contract was 'in hand.'
Ryan
Bennett of MMA WEEKLY made an attempt to get more information
out of Tito Ortiz. When asked about a contract, Ortiz said that
he could not comment. However, he did agree to get on MMA WEEKLY
RADIO when the time comes and make an official announcement.
This
throws a monkeywrench in the proposed Chuck Lidell vs. Randy
Couture 'title fight' to crown and new or 'interim champion.'
What
is DEFINITELY uncertain are the stipulations of the alleged contract
and where Chuck Lidell fits (if at all) when it comes to Ortiz'
return to UFC.
Rather
than make a fuss on TV, UFC and Lidell chose to avoid the behind-the-scenes
drama at the last PPV. Lidell made only small reference to Tito
saying 'I'm tired of talking about Tito.'
This
is the kind of storyline and setup for a main event that even
WWE couldn't dream up. If Zuffa runs with it, things could get
interesting.
If
it packs the P.O.P. (in pro wrestling...the 'payoff punch') and
the match happens a year or even two years down the road, it
could be another monumental fight.
We'll
have more on this saga 'as the world turns.'
Source: ADCC
PRE
MECA WORLD VT 8 INTERVIEW: LUTA-LIVRE LEGEND, EUGENIO TADEU
The
opportunity of seeing one of the Luta-Livre pioneers in action
again is not for all. Since I saw this guy facing and losing
a fight for Wallid Ismail in 1991. I was right he was a warrior.
After that fight he delay more than 5 years to fight again when
he put Nigel Scatelburry on the canvas on Universal ValeTudo
Fighting 3(8/4/1996). So after more some away out he came back
to fight a no contest match in Pentagon Combat(9/27/1997) versus
Renzo Gracie. That fight put Jiu x Luta-Livre again like civil
war and the event did not have a end, because after some bad
moment a riot started and Tadeu and Renzo did not finish the
fight.
Tadeu
made his last NHB fight on the most popular NHB event around
the world, his step was in UFC 16(3/13/1998) when was beat by
the tough Mike Burnett.
Once
again after 5 years hibernating, this 'little big' brown bear
came back in last year fighting Luta-Livre in SuperCampeonato
Cyclone de Luta-Livre'n'Submission, his came back was a success
and marked his return in the century 21.
Now
Tadeu has in his front what he most love, a MMA/NHB match in
next Meca World ValeTudo (MECA 8) marked for May 16th against
Marcelo Gidiucci. Interrupting one of their trainings preparations
for that fight, FIGHTWORLD Brazil picked some words of one of
the pioneers of NHB/MMA in Brazil. With you the return of the
Luta-Livre legend, Eugenio Tadeu.
Hey
Tadeu, I will take advantage of your training break to ask you
some questions, ok? Tadeau: Ok, let's go!
You
did not fight Luta-Livre or NHB since 5 years ago. You came back
to fight
Luta-Livre last year and will fight NHB/MMA in next May 16th.
What made you to come back to the action? Tadeau: Only personal
satisfaction. I kept myself training during the last 5 year and
I have observing all fighters, so I have a same potential. I
am in the age of 39 years old, meantime I do not feel myself
tired nor injured, so I asked me, why to stop? Tadeau: I still
have fans and besides them I want to show my potential to new
fans who never watched me in action. I am from a time where the
champion was not made by Magazines, nowadays any tomato can is
a fighter.
Do
you think that magazines and web sites make a fighter's popularity?
Tadeau: Sometimes. I meant in my time all fighters were tough.
There were no events and we had to fight on close doors matches,
in my time besides champion you needed to have attitude. The
fighters who had that were Virgilio, Fernando 'Pinduka', Carlson
Gracie, Marco Ruas, Hugo Duarte, Fausto Brunocilla among others.
Do
you feel yourself a bit disappointed when fighter who are considered
tomato can by you, they gain popularity? Tadeau: Not much. I
conquered what I wanted. I introduced two martial arts in Brazil
which did not exist - Luta-Livre and Muay Thai - if exist Muay
Thai on Rio de Janeiro that is due to the pioneers who are Luiz
Alvez, Flavio Molina, Marco Ruas, and myself who fought representing
Muay Thai against Jiu Jitsu and won*.
And
Luta-Livre? Tadeau: Luta-Livre is Eugenio Tadeu and Hugo Duarte.
There are
other excellent Luta-Livre representatives such as BUDOKAN and
Roberto Leitão. But Duarte and myself never changed our
flag, we always were Luta-Livre fighters and if there is Luta-Livre
around the world this is because we always
tried to raise it. When I left Muay Thai in the beginning of
80's, I am
Luta-Livre until the death.
Are
there no guys with this same opinion than you on Luta-Livre nowadays?
Tadeau: This is not only with Luta-Livre, but with all society.
If a person offers more money for a guy without personality and
dignity, he leaves his flag and start to represent other one.
So
did you come back to show what the flag of Luta-Livre mean? Tadeau:
Can be.
I came to fight, let the rock'n'roll to happen on MECA. I am
a box of surprises and I am excited.
This
fight in MECA should happen ate 3 years ago. I remember I met
you on HEROES 1 backstage and you said that maybe would fight,
that all depended on the purse. So was this the main reason for
you only fight in 2003? Tadeau: I was getting conditioning on
that time and maybe I would not fight good. Rudimar Fedrigo(the
owner of MECA) is my friend for 15 years, I like him and his
team a lot. The invite was ever made since the first MECA and
on this edition of number 8 I will try to come back to the scene.
Once
again Luta-Livre x Jiu Jitsu in your career. What is this, your
fate? Tadeau: [lol] I do not know, only God knows. It does not
matter if is Jiu Jitsu or other martial art, nowadays those 'time
of war' where I lived it is softened. Luta-Livre and Jiu Jitsu
live together peacefully on Submission events. In MECA 8, Jiu
Jitsu in my road is coincidence.
Do
you like this coincidence? Tadeau: It is good, it does not matter
like I said. If was in the past...
How
did that rivalry come? I had this attitude because Jiu Jitsu
guys coerced all kind of Martial Arts, if you were a Tae Kown
Do fighter and walked for a street where there are Jiu Jitsu
fighters; they would try to take off your t-shirt. That happened
with everybody who did not practice Jiu Jitsu. Nowadays a mutual
respect exists and it is proved that there is not the best fight
and yes the best fighter.
Besides
two close doors matches with Royler – one very known and
other one
not - you fought against Renzo(Pentagon Combat). Nowadays how
are your thoughts about these Gracie fighters? Tadeau: I admire
Royler and that close door match was what I had told you before.
This was the only way to prove who was a fighter, there were
not events. In my opinion Renzo only speaks a lot, to speak is
easy.
Is
true that you brawled with Ryan on the streets? Tadeau: Almost.
He was very
young and was disrespectful with me in the beach, I went to him
to give him some slaps, but he ran and escaped. His cousin was
my friend and told me to forget that because he was very young.
Why
that fight against Ralph Gracie did not happen on Extreme Fighting
4? Tadeau: You should ask him. I was ready to fight.
When
you came back last year on SuperCampeonato Cyclone de Luta-Livre'n'Submission,
after your match you made some statements to the new fighters
where you focused the importance of the press on their events.
What was your intention? Tadeau: The new fighters have good oportunities
and they do not take advantage of that. Press, a lot of events
and popularity; actually they have those facts. On my time, I
needed to travel out of Rio de Janeiro to compete in Wrestling,
Muay Thai and Judo events, because there were not events here.
On that time too, mats were rare, we had 6 mats to train, nowadays
there are a lot of academies and fighters with a lot of condition
to train and to be very prepared to fight. If I was 18 years
old nowadays, I would fight all.
Do
you think that they captured your intention? Tadeau: The true
master is that one who always will be a disciple. I such as a
fighter and like an apprentice of life try to pass advices because
I am one of the Luta-Livre pioneers, I hope that they had gotten
to capture what I meant.
Less
than one week for your come back in Meca World ValeTudo 8. Are
you excited? Tadeau: I am 39 years old there is not more place
for excitement for me. My exciting time passed, this was when
I was 18 years old. Meca 8 will be my job, this is my job!
The
outside of Brazil fans have only one figure which they can remember
your defeat to Mike Burnett in UFC and a No Contest against Renzo
- what can they expect now? Tadeau: Well, I had alot of problems
on that trip to US. I do not speak english, I arrived in the
wrong hotel, I did not have time to train an or to adapt myself
at the jat-leg. So they will see a fighter completely different
of that.
After
this come back would you like in US or Japan again? Tadeau: If
the doors open again I will land my hits, give me the opportunity
and you will see. I did not have opportunities when I was on
the verge, I am of the other generation, my first NHB match was
in 1983 and I am still active.
What
can you tell us about your expectation over you come back in
MECA 8 against Marcelo Gidiucci? Tadeau: I am ready and I do
not know much about this guy. I only ask to everybody to watch
this fight, this will be a very good fight and nobody will be
sorry they paid for the ticket to see that.
Ok
Tadeu good luck on your come back and come back to train I do
not want to disturb you. Tadeau: No problem man, I want to let
my web site here www.EUGENIOTADEU.hpg.com.br
*This
was in an event named Jiu Jitsu x Martial Arts where Tadeu KO'd
Renan Pitanguy(Jiu Jitsu), Fernando 'Pinduka'(Jiu Jitsu) drew
Marco Ruas, Ignacio Aragao(Jiu Jitsu) submitted 'Bruce' Lucio(Kung-Fu),
Marcelo Behring(Jiu Jitsu) TKO'd Flavio Molina(Tae Kwon Do) and,
besides these challenges, on the super-fight Rei Zulu choke out
Sergio Batarelli(Full-Contact). This event was held in November
30th 1984 in Maracanazinho, Rio de Janeiro.
Source: ADCC
Post
Fight With Rich Franklin
Rich
Franklin made a sudden impact in his UFC debut landing good combinations
of a jab, lead hook, leg kick and more punches that stumbled
his opponent and earned him the TKO win at just 2:20 of Round
1. The Team Extreme fighter faced cage veteran Evan Tanner of
Team Quest at “UFC 42: Sudden Impact” on April 26 in
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Going in the underdog, Franklin may
have been a little hungrier for a win with multiple fights recently
canceling out. The well-rounded south paw continues his undefeated
record in MMA with hopes of returning to the UFC. I found the
Midwesterner to be respectful of his training partners and opponents
in our recent telephone conversation and here’s what he
had to say...
CUNLIFFE:
Your UFC debut went well against a cage veteran in Evan Tanner
with a TKO at 2:20 of Round 1. What are your thoughts on your
UFC debut win? FRANKLIN: I think it was a great opening for me
in the UFC. I’m hoping they (the UFC) were pleased with
my performance. I know it might be a slight understatement to
say there were many people out there that were stunned by what
happened, but I’m hoping that will open some doors for me
and that the UFC will invite me back for a later show.
CUNLIFFE:
Why stunned? You’re undefeated and a veteran of multiple
respected promotions. FRANKLIN: Yeah, but a lot of people out
there who watched the UFC haven’t seen me fight before.
I was the underdog. Plus, Evan Tanner is a highly skilled fighter
with ranked and well respected. Many people know I have good
stand up and ground work, but many people were looking for his
experience to overcome, especially with the UFC because it‘s
a big show, and of course this was my first time and I was expected
to be nervous and choke up a little bit.
CUNLIFFE:
Would you recap the fight for me? FRANKLIN: I came out to the
center of the cage and Evan came out kind of aggressive to the
center of the cage. We had watched plenty of tapes on Evan and
we knew exactly what his game plan is like, where he throws his
punches basically to close the distance. I wasn’t really
too concerned about him landing knock out punches. I was looking
at hitting from the clinch. With me being a south paw, we knew
Evan was going to have some problems getting a hold of me. I
was pumping out my jab and lead hook with my right hand and I
kept circling to my right to keep him from driving me and finally
landed a good combination -- upper cut, hook combo that stumbled
him a little bit and from that point I was on him. Everybody
saw the rest. I followed up with another combination starting
with an inside leg kick and ended with about 3 or 4 more punches.
CUNLIFFE:
The fans were vocal, apparently not agreeing with the Referee
Stoppage. Would you comment on the efficiency of Referee Larry
Landless and his decision? FRANKLIN: Yeah. A lot of people have
asked me this question before I saw the tape and after seeing
the Bang/Sudo fight before mine and seeing how bloody those two
got, I can see how a lot of people might think my fight was possibly
stopped prematurely. But I’ve watched the tape and on that
second combination, I lead with an inside leg kick and followed
up with at least 6 strikes with 3 of them landing and Evan Tanner
was on the ground not even defending and at that point in time
Larry Landless stopped the fight. I don’t think it was necessarily
a bad call to stop the fight, but he could have possibly let
it go for a couple more punches, but I don’t think that
was going to change the outcome at all.
CUNLIFFE:
You’ve had some fights fall through on you. Did this affect
your game, maybe made you a little hungry? FRANKLIN: Well, I
had some fights pull out and I had some surgery. My fight prior
to the UFC was in August of 2002. So, hungry, yes, I guess, but
I had been training basically the whole time for this, and from
August on through April I was prepared. I was prepared for a
fight the entire time in between, except when I had surgery on
my knee. But I didn’t have to take much time off for that...
in 3 weeks I was back doing everything I needed to be doing anyway.
I was already riding a bike within a week after the surgery and
getting in my cardio. I never actually got out of shape. The
whole time I was training. Maybe I was a little bit hungrier
then normal you could say.
CUNLIFFE:
Is your conditioning good all year long? FRANKLIN: I pretty much
train the same all year long for my fights. I keep in decent
shape. I can take a fight at any given time and be in shape.
It’s a rare occasion that I might need 2 weeks to get ready
for a show. Otherwise, I keep myself in pretty good condition
all year. One thing my team here in Cincinnati stresses is a
motto we have stolen from Frank Shamrock is that “if you
can’t beat your opponent, then at least out last them.”
And that’s what we always shoot for in our conditioning.
CUNLIFFE:
You train at various schools or have multiple affiliations. What
is your Meat Truck, Jorge Gurgel, Team Extreme and Miletich Fighting
Systems connections? FRANKLIN: When I first started in this sport,
it was myself and Josh Rafferty. The two of us were training
in southwest Ohio at a gym called Excaliber. Prior to that we
were training in Josh’s shed in his backyard. We went to
a local show and met up with Meat Truck (Kerry) then. We talked
and thought if we were all serious about this we could train
together as a team. Kerry came out to Excaliber to train with
us. We needed some Jiu-Jitsu or guidance, as we took ourselves
as high as we could with our ground game, and everybody knows
that Jorge is an excellent Jiu-Jitsu instructor, so we combined
the stuff we knew with our stand up, and Kerry is a pretty good
wrestler with Jorge’s ground game and we all just merged
together. Once Monte started managing us it gave us access to
start training at Miletich. I myself travel up there once every
other month for a week just to train with those guys for the
experience. A lot of the guys up there have been a big help with
me, especially Jeremy Horn. That’s how it all came about.
CUNLIFFE:
You’re rather well-rounded, defeating opponents with kicks,
punches and submissions. How do you bring all of all your training
together? FRANKLIN: In Cincinnati, I go to a separate boxing
coach to work my hands, but when we’re in school together
we has days that we work certain things. We’ll have one
day when we work Jiu-Jitsu drills, and the next day we might
work on kickboxing, then the next day kickboxing with take downs.
We keep mixing it up until we cover every angle we could possibly
cover in the fight game. We’ll do drills on certain days
and one example would be I’d be cross mounted by a guy as
he’s throwing punches and I’ll have to defend and improve
my position. We work every angle that we can possibly think of
and I think doing the drills over and over benefit us. A lot
of schools tend to concentrate on what they are good at, while
we work it all and that is what’s made us well rounded.
CUNLIFFE:
I have March 24, 2000 in my notes. Can you tell me what that
date is? FRANKLIN: It’s my first fight at Extreme Challenge
31 where I defeated Rob Smith by TKO from punches.
CUNLIFFE:
What is your most memorable fight and why? FRANKLIN: I get asked
this all the time and every time I’m asked I say something
different. One of my most memorable fights in when I fought Aaron
Brink out in California for the ICC. Because I had a 103* fever
in that fight and it was hell. It was a tough fight for me and
it wasn’t exactly my best showing, but it ended up being
a good fight for me though. The most defining part of my career
is when I fought Gary Myers because that was a knock out kick
to the head. That fight opened a lot of doors for me. At that
point in time people started to take a look at me and say “hey,
who is Rich Franklin... who is this guy?”
CUNLIFFE:
Do you prefer the ground or stand up? FRANKLIN: For me it doesn’t
matter where the fight goes personally I’m just as comfortable
standing up as I am on the ground. But I always tend to take
my opponent to where he’s not good. Like with Evan Tanner,
I kept circling him working the outside game because I am better
at that then him. To be quite honest, I would have been comfortable
clinching with him. It just doesn’t make sense to go where
your opponent is most comfortable, however, when I fight, I have
a tendency to make sure I stand up because it’s more of
a crowd pleaser, and the crowd definitely likes to see knockouts
more then they do submissions, so if I can keep the fight on
the feet I will.
CUNLIFFE:
What’s next for you? FRANKLIN: My contract was for 1 fight
and we don’t have anything on the plate with the UFC. I
don’t have anything lined up right now. There’s talk
of an 8-Man at the end of August, but I’m hoping for something
before then.
CUNLIFFE:
What’s up with the Jim Carey thing? FRANKLIN: Everybody
thinks I look like him. I don’t know what the deal is, but
I think I’m going to get stuck with the fight name, Ace.
CUNLIFFE:
Is there anything you’d like to say? FRANKLIN: I’m
hoping everyone was pleased with my performance and that they
get on the UnderGround and say how they want to see Rich Franklin
knock out more opponents.
Source:
ADCC
Allan
Goes: ‘I don’t send messages to another man’
I
haven’t seen Allan Goes for while. Precisely, since the
ADCC National Trials, on January 22nd. In that occasion, he was
in the audience, recently arrived from Seattle, WA, where he
spent the year of 2002 training at the Maurice Smith camp. Allan
then told me he had rejoined Brazilian Top Team and he was looking
for a MMA return as soon as possible. Nearly three months after,
we knew he was scheduled to face “Carlinhos” Lima in
the main event of Meca World Vale-Tudo, event that will take
place at Curitiba, Brazil, this weekend, on May 16th.
We
all know Allan was one of the top contenders in his weight division
in the late 1990s, a guy whose fights in Pride and UFC were remarkable.
So I thought his acceptance of fighting in Brazil as a really
humble attitude, especially because he would face a much less-known
opponent, comparing with Frank Shamrock, Dan Henderson, Kasushi
Sakuraba, just to name a few of Allan’s former foes.
I
almost called Allan to let him talk about this decision, but
he had just got back to Brazil and he had no phone numbers yet,
so although I announced his fight here in the ADCC news column,
I postponed the interview. Last Friday, however, I met him by
the chance at Bibi Sucos, Barra da Tijuca, at lunch time, and
we spoke a little.
He
had just came from a condition exam, checking his gas for the
next fight. ‘I don’t want to get surprised in the fight,’
he said as he took a bite of the steak he was eating. ‘But
I’m in a very good condition,’ he assured. He was much
lighter than usual explained why: ‘I feel much better now
with only 88kg. I’m more quick and flowing’.
Until
that point Allan was relaxed, showing his typical grin and mixing
jokes with serious talking. But then I asked about his opponent,
Carlinhos Lima, and he suddenly became angry. ‘He’s
talking a lot of bullshit. He’s saying that he will take
my head off, that he will kill me inside the ring. He better
do it, because there’s no way better to die’ said Allan,
his eyes gazing into the infinite. ‘But I won’t answer
him. You know, I won’t send messages to another man.’
Allan
also talked about his return after a break of more than one year.
‘You know, after my last loss, I thought I would attend
college. Then I tried to figure that scene, but I couldn’t
imagine myself in a class, writing things in a notebook,’
he laughed, before the conclusion: ‘Then I came back to
train harder than ever. You know, I realized that the only thing
I know how to do is to fight. So I decided to fight very often
and for a long time. I want to be the George Foreman of MMA’,
he compared. And promised: ‘I’ll fight until my fifties.’
Source: ADCC
MECA
8 and Abu Dhabi Approaching,
Wanderlei and Belfort Training Hard
and Ninja Wraps up Seminar Tour
The
Brazilian Beat:
We're almost
in middle of May and The Brazilian Beat has been away for quite
a while, due to travel. This is the first time this column is
being written from outside of Brazil, and it goes to show that
no matter where FCF is, we're always looking to provide you as
much NHB information as possible. The next week is going to be
a busy one, with MECA 8 and Abu Dhabi happening almost all at
once. FCF is going to cover all the action, so keep checking
our website. For this "welcome back edition" of this
column, we bring you news on Wanderlei Silva, Mario Sperry, Vitor
Belfort, Murilo Ninja and others, so don't miss a single phrase
and let FCF lay the Brazilian Beat with a certain European flavor,
all the way from the cold weather of Sweden!
PRIDE Middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva has been taking his
preparation for a likely upcoming fight against Quinton Jackson
very seriously. Although rumors were circulating that the fight
could take place at the June PRIDE show, Silva won't be fully
recovered from his knee surgery so soon, so according to the
"Axe Murderer" himself this fight will have to take
place in August. Wanderlei told FCF that he has been weight training
very hard and is weighing 102 kg right now! His Muay Thai and
Vale Tudo training is also increasing its pace even more, and
he is looking to perform in his best shape ever in August.
The
Abu Dhabi Submission Grappling tournament is coming up this next
weekend in Sao Paulo and the expectations are as high as possible
for the show. Brazilian Top Team member and former Abu Dhabi
champion Mario Sperry is already dedicating his training exclusively
for the event. Sperry kept up his regular NHB training routine
for a long time, hoping for an invitation to perform at PRIDE
26, but with the biggest submission wrestling show in the world
coming up, he decided to focus his training on the competition,
although his main goal is still No Holds Barred and Mario told
FCF he is anxious to get back to the PRIDE ring.
Speaking
of shows, the biggest NHB event in Brazil is also about to take
place. This Friday, May 16th MECA World Vale Tudo 8 is taking
place once again in the beautiful city of Curitiba. Expectations
are high and the event will feature a card with 11 fights, making
it the biggest MECA card ever. Among the last minute changes
are the addition of PRIDE veteran Chicao Bueno facing an American
fighter named Azton Zapo, Jiu-Jitsu stand out Denilson "Pe
de Chumbo" has finally been confirmed as the opponent for
Chute Boxe's own Nilson de Castro, and yet another change of
opponent for Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, who is now facing
MECA 5 winner Alessandro Leal. The event will also include Katel
Kubis facing BTT member Haroldo Cabelinho, Jorge "Macaco"
Patino facing Claudio das Dores, Luta Livre legend Eugenio Tadeu
fighting Marcelo Giudice and also PRIDE veteran Allan Goes matching
Carlinhos Lima. Stay tuned for more MECA 8 info coming soon.
PRIDE,
UFC and IVC veteran Wallid Ismail spent a good amount of time
on Brazilian soil recently. Ismail has been living in the USA
and training with the likes of rAw team and others for a good
while, but after a long period away from his birth country, the
Carlson Gracie black belt took the opportunity to take care of
personal issues as well as make some guest appearances on TV
shows during his stay in Brazil. Wallid also reported that he
may do some pro-wrestling in Japan soon, due to his good relationship
with Japanese legend Antonio Inoki, but his goal is still No
Holds Barred.
As
the June UFC approaches, Vitor Belfort's training is getting
harder and harder. Vitor has been training hard every day at
his new training center in Sao Paulo and FCF had the chance to
witness some of the training sessions. Along with the help of
Jiu-Jitsu players such as Fernando Terere, Leozinho Vieira and
Claudio Godoi, Belfort has been recently doing a lot of boxing
sparring with some Brazilian professional and amateur boxers,
even from the Brazilian Olympic team. "The Phenom"
is also preparing with a kickboxing trainer and his cardio is
looking great, so Belfort against Eastman is promising to be
a great fight, and FCF will continue to follow Vitor's training
until the fight.
Brazilian
Top Team member Fabiano Scherner is preparing for an upcoming
fight at USA's traditional NHB event HOOKnSHOOT. "Pega Leve"
as he is known by his teammates is one of the toughest fighters
in the Top Team camp, and has been taking training very seriously.
Brazilian Top Team member Claudio Godoi is also negotiating some
deals, and is bound to appear in NHB in the very near future.
Three
times PRIDE winner Ricardo Arona has been preparing himself for
his ADCC superfight against Mark Kerr. Despite dealing with some
injuries, Arona has been able to train and is, of course, looking
for a win against the heavier opponent. After ADCC, it is very
likely that Ricardo will return to PRIDE action soon, and his
next fight may be against Dutch fighter Alistair Overeem.
The
second edition of RN Vale Tudo is already schedule to take place
on the 6th of June in the city of Natal, in Brazil. RN Vale Tudo
works as a minor league show for Bitetti Combat, organized by
promoter Conrado Carlos, who also promotes Bitetti Combat. The
first show took place in a small city near Natal, but this time
Conrado decided to take the show to the capital of the state,
showing once again how much the sport is growing in the Northeast
of Brazil. The show will feature two tournaments to select fighters
for the upcoming BC 3 show, with one tournament being for fighters
up to 72 Kg, and the other for fighters up to 82 Kg. Brazilian
Northeastern standout and BC veteran Rivanio Aranha is among
those who will be fighting in the show.
Training
has been as tough as ever in the Chute Boxe camp with MECA 8
approaching. Murilo Ninja's brother Mauricio "Shogun"
Rua has been training very hard for his second NHB bout and reports
have that he is developing amazingly in training, and is showing
way better condition that before his debut. Shogun has been considered
for awhile the future of Chute Boxe, and he has been proving
it in training lately, even giving stars like Wanderlei Silva
a hard time in sparring. Mauricio is now weighting 95 Kg and
word is that it was already very tough to find an opponent for
him. Depending on the outcome of his fight in MECA 8, PRIDE may
be awaiting him.
Speaking
of Chute Boxe, the team's heavyweight and PRIDE veteran Assuerio
Silva is about to be confirmed for PRIDE 26 at any minute. Assuerio
has been training hard and waiting for a fight for a long time
now, and it looks amazingly likely that he will be performing
in the PRIDE ring in June against a very experienced opponent,
who has several PRIDE fights under his belt and plenty of knockouts
in his record. The fight may be announced soon and if it comes
through, it'll most certainly be a barnburner.
PRIDE
fighter and Chute Boxe stand out Murilo Ninja Rua just completed
his small European seminar tour this Sunday. Ninja spent close
to two weeks in Europe, doing seminars in three countries and
closing the tour in Sweden this weekend. Murilo is coming back
to Brazil this Tuesday to support his brother in MECA and restart
his training for an upcoming PRIDE bout as soon as possible,
but he told FCF that he enjoyed the experience of doing seminars
in Europe a lot.
Source: FCF
Gruenwald,
Bono win first U.S. Nationals titles in wrestling, in exciting
action in
Las Vegas, Nev., May 9-10
Las Vegas, Nev. - It was a historic day at the 2003 U.S. National
Championships as 12 wrestlers repeated as national champions
and three of last year’s finalists captured their first
national crown.
None
of those finalists from last year was more notable than Jim Gruenwald
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who won his first national
title after seven previous trips to the national finals with
a dominating 6-0 win over defending champion Glenn Nieradka (Colorado
Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 60 kg/132 lbs. in Greco-Roman action.
“This
is my eighth trip to the finals. I have seven seconds. I just
put everything into the hands of God and let Him take care of
everything,” Gruenwald said after his win.
Gruenwald
felt that injuries may have set Nieradka back somewhat in the
match.
“(Nieradka)
has had some injuries and hasn’t been able to get the training
he needed for this tournament. He definitely did not seem like
the same wrestler as he has in the past. I am sure he will be
back at the World Team Trials.”
Also
winning his first title was 2002 U.S. World Team member Chris
Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. in men’s
freestyle competition. But Bono’s win did not come without
controversy.
Bono
took a 1-0 lead in the second period when defending champion
Bill Zadick (Coralville, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) broke his lock in the
clinch. Zadick tied the match at 1-1 with a single-leg midway
through the second period. The score remained the same at the
end of regulation.
In
the overtime, Zadick did not correctly lock in the clinch, resulting
in a caution and two points being awarded to Bono, giving him
the 3-1 win.
“You
take a win any way you can get them at this level. I didn’t
score the points, but I’ll take them. If the officials want
to give me two points in any match, I’m not going to complain,”
Bono said after the win.
In
women’s competition, Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs,
Colo./Dave Schultz WC) shocked most observers with her finals
win at 55 kg/121 lbs.
O’Donnell,
who placed fifth last year, defeated 2002 World silver medalist
Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) 6-4 in the finals.
This after she defeated seven-time national champion Stephanie
Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) in the semifinals.
Trailing
4-3 late in the match, O’Donnell was able to use a half-nelson
to roll George to her back, and holding it for an extra point,
taking a 6-3 lead.
“When
I had the half-nelson, I just knew I had to keep working to get
her turned. It took a while for me to turn her,” O’Donnell
said.
Four
champions were repeat champions in men’s freestyle action.
Eric
Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) defeated Jesus Wilson (Fayette,
Iowa/Minnesota Storm) by a 4-2 score in a hotly-contested 60
kg/132 lbs. final.
The
scoring began in the first period when Wilson rolled Guerrero
off his shot to take a 2-0 lead, but Guerrero quickly scored
a reversal and an exposure point to tie the match at 2-2. In
the second period, Guerrero scored two more exposure points on
a tilt for the final points of the match.
2002
U.S. World Team member Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids)
won his first national title with a 3-1 win over Eric Akin (Lincoln,
Neb./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.
At
74 kg/163 lbs., 2001 World bronze medalist Joe Williams (Coralville,
Iowa/Sunkist Kids) won his third consecutive national title with
a 5-2 win over Joe Heskett (Grover Beach, Calif./Gator WC).
Daniel
Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) excited the full crowd at
the Las Vegas Convention Center with a three-point lift and throw
to defeat Dean Morrison (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
3-0 at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. It is the first national title for Cormier.
Kerry
McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) won his fourth national title
with a 5-0 win over Tolly Thompson (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist
Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
In
Greco-Roman competition, five wrestlers repeated as champions.
At
84 kg/185 lbs., Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York
AC) defeated longtime friend and former coach Matt Lindland (Eagle
Creek, Ore./Sunkist Kids) in the first-ever match between the
two. Vering won the match 3-0 in overtime.
“One
of my coaches Mark Cody once said that you know you’re a
great coach when your student starts beating you. I pay that
as the ultimate compliment to Matt Lindland. Without him, I wouldn’t
be where I am today. He has meant everything to my career,”
Vering said following the emotional win.
“I
felt pretty good, pretty relaxed. Even though I was the top seed,
I didn’t feel like the pressure was on me. He was the Olympic
and World silver medalist. I thought the pressure was on him.”
2002
World Champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)
kept his title of best super-heavyweight in the world with a
3-0 win over Corey Farkas (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force)
at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Byers
used a lift and throw in the first period to score all of his
points. It was a lift he was not sure he could complete.
“It
was slower than I thought it was going to be. Farkas is big.
He’s probably about 290 lbs. right now,” Byers said.
“Winning these tournaments just confirms the things that
people have been telling me for years. They tell me I have it
in me to be an Olympic champion. I am believing it too.”
At
55 kg/121 lbs., 2001 World silver medalist and 1996 Olympic silver
medalist Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm) defended
his national title with a 6-0 win over Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado
Springs, Colo./New York AC). Paulson broke a scoreless tie in
the second period with a three-point throw from the clinch.
Also
defending their Greco-Roman titles were Kevin Bracken (Colorado
Springs, Colo./New York AC), who defeated Mike Ellsworth (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Michigan WC) 6-1 at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Keith Sieracki
(Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), who beat college freshman
Kenneth Cook (Ames, Iowa/Cyclone WC) 6-1 at 74 kg/163 lbs. and
Olympic bronze medalist Garrett Lowney (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota
Storm) after his 4-0 win over Philip Johnston (Colorado Springs,
Colo./U.S. Air Force) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.
In
women’s freestyle action, Sara McMann (Colorado Springs,
Colo./Sunkist Kids) continued her recent domination over 2002
World bronze medalist Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA) with
a 7-1 win at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
2001
World silver medalist Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland
College) evened her season record against high school phenom
Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids) with a 10-0 technical
superiority at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Montgomery,
who is now 2-2 this season against Lang, won a national title
last year at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. She feels that she is finally getting
used to the higher weight class.
“At
first, I was feeling a little slow. Now, I’m starting to
move more. My style has changed. Before, I was so aggressive.
Now, I am learning to relax and wear the bigger girls down,”
Montgomery said. “It generally takes me a while to get used
to different people. She is a talented wrestler and is definitely
a force. She is forcing me to get better.”
Patricia
Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) continued her
domination over U.S. opponents after she pinned Clarissa Chun
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) in the first period at 48
kg/105.5 lbs.
Miranda
feels her success this season is owed directly to the new U.S.
Olympic Training Center Women’s Resident Program.
“I
owe a lot to Terry Steiner, the national women’s coach.
Losing is a wrestler’s responsibility, but he made it his
responsibility too. He has started working with me on the mental
aspect of the sport,” she said.
At
51 kg/112 lbs., Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist
Kids) defeated returning champion Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs,
Colo./Sunkist Kids) by a 5-2 score.
Ripley
took a 3-1 lead off a takedown and a gut wrench in the first
period, and put the match away in the second period with a crotch
lift. Wong was given one more chance to score from par terre
with one minute left in the match, but she was unable to expose
Ripley’s back.
“I
was thinking ‘why did I get cautioned again’. I have
done scouting and I knew what side she was going to gut to. The
last time I wrestled her was at Sunkist and she beat me on top,
so I was worried about it before the match,” Ripley said.
Also
winning their first national titles were Sally Roberts (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Gator WC) with a 6-3 win over Erin Tomeo (Colorado
Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Katie Downing
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who defeated Kaci Lyle
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) 3-0 at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.
Winners
of the U.S. National Championships receive an automatic bid into
the best-of-three finals at the 2003 U.S. World Team Trials,
which will be held June 20-22 in Indianapolis, Ind.
MEN'S
FREESTYLE
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) dec. Eric Akin
(Lincoln, Neb./Dave Schultz WC), 3-1
3rd - Teague Moore (Norman, Okla./Gator WC) dec. Mike Mena (Bloomington,
Ind./Gator WC), 4-0
5th - Jeremy Hunter (Champaign, Ill./New York AC) dec. Tim Dernlan
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), 4-2
7th - Matt Azevedo (Arroyo Grande, Calif./Sunkist Kids) by forfeit
over Jeff Prescott (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
60
kg/132 lbs.
1st - Eric Guerrero (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) dec. Jesus Wilson
(Fayette, Iowa/Minnesota Storm), 4-2
3rd - Mike Zadick (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC) dec. Yero Washington
(Hoboken, N.J./Sunkist Kids), 4-0
5th - Dwight Hinson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) dec. Jason Kutz
(Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 4-0
7th - Nate Gallick (Tucson, Ariz./Cyclone WC) dec. C.C. Fisher
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Team Excel), 5-3
66
kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) dec. Bill Zadick
(Coralville, Iowa/Hawkeye WC), 3-1 OT
3rd - Lincoln McIlravy (Colorado Springs, Colo./McIlravy WC)
dec. Reggie Wright (Bloomington, Ind./Gator WC), 8-0
5th - Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) dec. Tony Davis
(Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids), 4-3
7th - Doug Schwab (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) dec. Jared
Frayer (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids), 4-0
74
kg/163 lbs.
1st - Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) dec. Joe Heskett
(Grover Beach, Calif./Gator WC), 5-2
3rd - Casey Cunningham (Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Sunkist Kids) dec.
Byron Tucker (Norman, Okla./Sunkist Kids), 8-7
5th - Ramico Blackmon (Colorado Springs, Colo./Team Excel) dec.
Kirk White (Tacoma, Wash./Dave Schultz WC), 4-2
7th - Donny Pritzlaff (Madison, Wis./Dave Schultz WC) dec. Josh
Koscheck (Buffalo, N.Y./New York AC), 6-1
84
kg/185 lbs.
1st - Cael Sanderson (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) dec. Lee Fullhart
(Chattanooga, Tenn./Gator WC), 5-0
3rd - Brandon Eggum (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) dec.
Muhammed Lawal (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC), 5-2
5th - Aaron Simpson (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) dec. Tony Gansen
(Mt. Pleasant, Mich./Unatt.), 3-1
7th - Clint Wattenberg (Ithaca, N.Y./Cornell) by inj. default
over Randy Pugh (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Gator WC)
96
kg/211.5 lbs.
1st - Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) dec. Dean Morrison
(Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 3-0
3rd - Tim Hartung (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) dec. Dominic
Black (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 3-1
5th - Jon Trenge (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) tech. fall Chad
Lamer (Iowa City, Iowa/Hawkeye WC), 12-2
7th - Nick Preston (Columbus, Ohio/Ohio International) by inj.
default over Ryan Tobin (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz
WC)
120
kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./New York AC) dec. Tolly Thompson
(Cedar Falls, Iowa/Sunkist Kids), 5-0
3rd - Brian Keck (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. John
Lockhart (Champaign, Ill./New York AC), 4-0
5th - Cain Velsaquez (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) dec. Mike Faust
(Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), 8-6
7th - Clint Walbeck (Fresno, Calif./Sunkist Kids) by fall over
Joe Sahl (Behtlehem, Pa./New York AC), 5:09
GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs.
1st - Brandon Paulson (Anoka, Minn./Minnesota Storm) dec Lindsey
Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 6-0
3rd - Sam Hazewinkel (Pensacola, Fla./Gator WC) dec. Anthony
Gibbons (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 4-1
5th - Joe Espinoza (Marquette, Mich./USOEC/Gator WC) dec. Michel
Santos (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 5-2
7th - Neal Rodak (San Diego, Calif./U.S. Nay) dec. Bobby Demeritt
(East Ridge, Tenn./Unattached), 4-2
60
kg/132 lbs.
1st - James Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
dec. Glenn Nieradka (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 6-0
3rd - Joe Warren (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Jacob
Hey (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 6-1
5th - Duaine Martin (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) by inj.
default over Dennis Hall (Plover, Wis./Sunkist Kids)
7th - James Johnson (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) tech.
fall Willie Madison (Marquette, Mich./Gator WC), 12-2
66
kg/145.5 lbs.
1st - Kevin Bracken (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec.
Mike Ellsworth (Colorado Springs, Colo./Michigan WC), 6-1
3rd - Glenn Garrison (Ft. Carson, Colo./U.S. Army) dec. Oscar
Wood (Ft. Carson, Colo./U.S. Army), 9-0
5th - Harry Lester (Marquette, Mich./USOEC/Sunkist Kids) dec.
Steven Woods (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 5-2
7th - Cory Posey (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec. Mark
Rial (Colorado Springs, Colo./Unatt.), 5-4
74
kg/163 lbs.
1st - Keith Sieracki (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) dec.
Kenneth Cook (Ames, Iowa/Cyclone WC), 6-1
3rd - T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec.
Darryl Christian (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 3-0
5th - Heath Sims (Newport Beach, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) dec.
Brandon McNab (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 6-0
7th - Keith Barkers (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) dec. Sasa
Petkovic (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), 3-1
84
kg/185 lbs.
1st - Brad Vering (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) dec.
Matt Lindland (Eagle Creek, Ore./Sunkist Kids), 3-0 OT
3rd - Jake Clark (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) dec. Aaron
Sieracki (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 3-0
5th - Tom Ciezki (Evanston, Ill./Wildcat WC) by inj. default
over Ethan Bosch (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC)
7th - Kenny Owens (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) dec. Brad
Ahearn (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps), 3-2
96
kg/211.5 lbs.
1st - Garrett Lowney (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) dec.
Philip Johnston (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 4-0
3rd - Deon Hicks (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps) dec. Justin
Ruiz (Taylorsville, Utah/Dave Schultz WC), 4-1
5th - R.C. Johnson (Marquette, Mich./Minnesota Storm) by fall
over Frank Workman (Quantico, Va./U.S. Marine Corps), 1:16
7th - Jason Loukides (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) tech.
fall Brian Kraemer (Cold Springs, Minn./Minnesota Storm), 12-2
120
kg/264.5 lbs.
1st - Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) dec.
Corey Farkas (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Air Force), 3-0
3rd - Rulon Gardner (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec.
Paul Devlin (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 7-1
5th - Nick Severson (Hayberry, Minn./Minnesota Storm) by fall
over Russ Davie (Bowling Green, Ohio/Cleveland WC), 2:23
7th - Josh Feldman (Pensacola, Fla./U.S. Navy) dec. James Hollis
(West Point, N.Y./U.S. Army), 8-2
WOMEN'S
FREESTYLE
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
1st - Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz
WC) pin Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), at
2:41
3rd - Mary Kelly (Mahomet, Ill./Dave Schultz WC) tech. fall Katrina
Betts (Milan, Mich./Wolverine WC), 10-0
5th - Julie Gonzalez (Vallejo, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) tech.
fall Hana Askren (Los Angeles, Calif./Santa Monica WC), 10-0
7th - Gina Heinzelmann (Maplewood, Minn./Minnesota Storm) tech.
fall Rachel Bernardes (Marshall, Mo./Missouri Valley), 10-0
51
kg/112 lbs.
1st - Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec.
Jenny Wong (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 5-2
3rd - Katie Kunimoto (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) by fall
over Debbi
Sakai (Honolulu, Hawaii/Wahine WC), 1:03
5th - Patrice Crenshaw (Morris, Minn./Minnesota Storm) by fall
over Sarah Hayes (Broomfield, Colo./Cumberland), 2:35
7th - Cheryl Wong (Boston, Mass./Dave Schultz WC) by inj. default
over Sarah Bergman (Otsego, Minn./MPIS)
55
kg/121 lbs.
1st - Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC)
dec. Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army), 6-4
3rd - Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
dec. Marcie VanDusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids)
5th - Kiersten Hyatt (Carmichael, Calif./Missouri Valley) dec.
Desiree Lockhart (Forest Grove, Ore./Pacific), 14-10
7th - Danielle Hobeika (Princeton, N.J./Dave Schultz WC) by fall
over Cathy
Migita (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC), 4:52
59
kg/130 lbs.
1st - Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dec. Erin
Tomeo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 6-3
3rd - Brandy Rosenbrock (St. Claire Shores, Mich./Michigan WC)
dec. Leigh Jaynes (Marshall, Mo./Missouri Valley), 3-2
5th - Brooke Bogren (Williamsburg, Ky./Cumberland College) by
fall over Linse Meadows (Katy, Texas/Neosho), 4:15
7th - Lindsay Owens (Ripon, Calif./Menlo) dec. Othella Lucas
(San Diego, Calif./San Diego Hot Beaches), 9-2
63
kg/138.75 lbs.
1st - Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec.
Kristie Marano (Albany, N.Y./ATWA), 7-1
3rd - Lauren Lamb (Farmington, N.Y./Michigan WC) dec. Alaina
Berube (Cornell, Mich./Cumberland College), 8-2
5th - Emilee Murphree (Napa, Calif./Missouri Valley) by inj.
default over Tori Adams (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC)
7th - Tina Arnds (Scottsdale, Ariz./Missouri Valley) dec. Shelly
Ruberg (Ueras, Ohio/Cumberland College), 6-0
67
kg/147.5 lbs.
1st - Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) dec.
Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), 3-0
3rd - Stephany
Lee (Honolulu, Hawaii/Rainbow Wahine WC) vs. Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./New
Ulm Rolling Thunder)
5th - Heather Martin (Wellington, Ohio/Keystone WC) vs. Kelly
Branham (Apache Junction, Ariz./Missouri Valley)
7th - Cindy Herceg (Los Angeles, Calif./Santa Monica Bay WC)
vs. Mollie Keith (Aurelia, Iowa/Missouri Valley)
72
kg/158.5 lbs.
1st - Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/Cumberland College)
tech fall Samantha Lang (Tualatin, Ore./Sunkist Kids), 10-0 at
6:00
3rd - Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) tech. fall
Elena Mena (St. Paul, Minn./Neosho), 10-0
5th - Donnell
Bradley (Aiea, Hawaii/Missouri Valley) by fall over Brianne Bazzini (San Carlos,
Calif./Penn Grapplers), 1:32
Source: ADCC
5/14/03 Updated
2:00PM
Congratulations
to Kai & Girlie Kamaka!
They
have just added one more to the 808 Fight Factory Team...this
time their two boys will have to contend with the first member
of the Kai & Girlie FEMALE fight team.
Cody Jane (CJ) Kamaka was just born and weighed in at 7lbs 10oz.
Momma and baby are doing great and are going home soon. Kai says
that there still is a chance to add more members to the team...after
all he has to catch up to the Jhun's, Cooper's and Paling's right?
Quote
of the Day
Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao-Tzu
Ron
Jhun Fights for King of the Cage Championship
I just wanted to post and remind all the fans in Hawaii that
RONALD " THE MACHINE GUN " JHUN
will be representing Hawaii & 808 Fight Factory on Friday
May 16,2003
In Las Vegas In The KING OF THE CAGE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP'S
he will be fighting SHONNIE "MR. INTERNATIONAL" CARTER
For the
Welterweight Championship of the world. We wish him the very
best of luck
and are behind him all the way, Thanks for all the support that
Onzuka.com
gives all the fighters in Hawaii,
Mahalo,
Danny Kaheaku
KOTC
Pre Fight: RONALD 'Machine Gun' JUHN
This weekend Ronald “Machine Gun” Jhun, fighting out
of 808 Fight Factory, takes on Shonie Carter in King Of The Cage
for the 170 belt vacated by Romie Aram earlier this year. Although
most US fans probably haven’t seen Jhun fight live due to
his residence in Hawaii and record in mostly SuperBrawl he has
not only recently started fighting in KOTC but has taken on some
big names recently in the news, from Dennis Hallman to Dave Strasser.
Carter and Jhun have met in the ring only six months ago in SuperBrawl
for their 170 belt, a fight most reports indicate should have
gone to Jhun but which the judges ruled a draw.
KM:
Here we are about a week out of your KOTC bout. How are you feeling?
RJ:
Good. Real good.
KM:
Did you enjoy SuperBrawl last weekend?
RJ:
Yeah, it was a sellout crowd.
KM:
That was a huge opportunity for your teammate with the publicity
around the main event for the Shooto belt and all. Were you jealous
at all?
RJ:
I wouldn’t say jealous but I was itching to get in there.
(Laughs)
KM:
Your last fight was against James Meals in Kaos. I didn’t
see that one, all I heard was he went for a deep double leg and
you sprawled and it ended in the first round by strikes.
RJ:
Sure.
KM:
How do you look at that fight?
RJ:
It was more of a see where I am at kind of fight. A fine tune.
KM:
What are your thoughts on the next KOTC fighting Shonie for the
belt?
RJ:
Kind of looking forward to that. We fought already in SuperBrawl.
KM:
I’ve seen some highlights of that first fight with Shonie
in SuperBrawl in December. Everybody I’ve talked to, everything
I’ve read says you should have had that third round with
the knockdown and the decision should have gone to you.
RJ:
Yeah.
KM:
Is this fight in KOTC against Shonie some form of redemption?
RJ:
Probably you could say that but the competition was really good.
I’m looking forward to it because Shonie is a nice guy,
a real professional. It was really fun, I enjoyed myself out
there. His style is real different, so it took me a round and
a half or two rounds to figure him out. He comes out with that
same style I don’t think it’ll go the distance (laughs).
KM:
The perception I have right now is that back in October you started
to come out of a bit of a slump. You’ve had a couple since
then but this is the biggest ‘getting back on track’
fight to take nothing away from your Carter and Dennis Hallman
draws. How do you look back at that slump in your career?
RJ:
There were a lot of things going on a lot of people don’t
know about. Just see me in the ring. I was dealing with some
personal issues.
KM:
Coming out of that you went into the draws with Shonie and Dennis
Hallman. You were handed two of the top 170s one right after
the other in SuperBrawl and KOTC. That’s quite some way
to come back. Then the two wins in SuperBrawl and Kaos and now
the belt shot in KOTC. The perception I have on this is you went
through that training difficulty but you can’t say you haven’t
snapped out of that 5-6 months ago. Do you see this as a comeback?
RJ:
It’s like I tell everybody else, it’s what makes you
a fighter and a human being. I just refocused my focus on everything
else, kind of used it and turned it into a positive. Whatever
situation I was dealing with at the time it affected me in the
ring. I didn’t really see it until after. Plus I was fighting
all this time at 185 and actually walking around at 185.
KM:
I heard the first Shonie fight was your first at 170.
RJ:
Yeah, that was the first time coming down.
KM:
Are you going to continue to fight at 170?
RJ:
Yeah. I’m going to stay at that weight class.
KM:
You have some tough competition at 170 in KOTC with Vasconcelos,
Parisyan, Alessio…what are your thoughts on how you fit
into the 170s? You have the reputation of being one of the best
strikers at 170.
RJ:
I feel I fit in perfectly. The fighters you name should be some
good match-ups.
KM:
I’m hoping KOTC uses some of the other impressive 170s like
Jeremy Jackson or Nick Diaz. Are you familiar with the 170s outside
UFC, SuperBrawl, and KOTC?
RJ:
Yeah, I’ve seen those guys fight, in fact I met Nick Diaz
out here. I’m pretty familiar with the fighters.
KM:
At 808 Fight Factory do you have a lot of 170s to train with?
RJ:
At 808 there are two or three guys at 170. We got guys that are
155, maybe a few guys at 185. We got some up-and-coming guys.
A lot of guys say training with high caliber guys is what you
need and I feel that anybody, any training partner will do as
long as they have the same focus and push each other hard.
KM:
I’m wondering if you look at this fight with Shonie as a
rematch, another day at the office, or setting yourself up for
the big payday. Does the attention of PPV matter at all to you?
RJ:
It’s a little more tension, little more excitement. I feel
like a lot of people don’t know about me so it will probably
be the best way to get out there and people start make some noise
and use the gifts that God gave me. I think that is the best
place to do it, Vegas PPV.
KM:
Was the decision to go down to 170 to use the same weight cutting
advantage your opponent were using against you or was it a career
opportunity?
RJ:
Just some different goal. Like I said, I was walking around 185,
183 and my eating habits and stuff like that wasn’t all
that great. I just wanted to try to start eating properly and
see if I could drop the weight and I started losing weight. One
time I dropped down to 176.
KM:
I think that is really when your career turned around. I should
say got back on track because you started off with a hell of
a career. You beat Pete Spratt twice, you beat Dave Strasser,
you beat Joe Stevenson…I remember around the time of the
first WFA people started to hear about you and thought “oh
my God, who is this guy?”
RJ:
I’m like a diamond in the rough out here.
KM:
Is there anything else you want to get across?
RJ:
Just basically me changing my life around. When I started I was
in a bad situation. I started going to church, found Jesus. It
was all me believing in Him. I think that was the strength behind
everything right now, my faith and taking this thing as a sport.
Using this sport to glorify Him. Believing in Him and changing
my life around. He blessed me with kids and a beautiful family,
I’m traveling and enjoying myself.
KM:
Very well put.
You
can watch Ronald do all that as he returns to KOTC this weekend
in Las Vegas.
'King
of the Cage: Sin City ' will be held on Friday, May 16, 2003
from the Orleans Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gates open
at 4:30pm PST, fights start at 5:30pm. In addition, 'King of
the Cage: Sin City' will be televised on pay-per-view! The pay-per-view
broadcast begins at 6:00pm PST/9:00pm EST and is available via
DirecTV, The Dish Network, TVN, Bell Express Vu, and Viewer s
Choice. For more information on pay-per-view availability, check
your local listings.
Source: ADCC
ADCC
2003: THE EYE OF THE TIGER (pt 3)
Ricardo Arona exclusive interview (part 3 of 4)
Brazilian
Top Team star talks about his will to fight Wanderlei Silva,
his temper and how it affects his performance…
ADCC:
After you beat Ninja, you were waiting for the title’s bout.
But we know it will not happen for now, since Wanderlei Silva
will face Quinton Jackson. Why Pride doesn’t want to put
you against Wanderlei?
I keep asking myself the same question all the time. Since I
got into Pride, I faced the hardest opponents they have, at least
at the moment: Guy Mezger, Dan Henderson, Murilo Ninja. I never
caught an easy fight. So I don’t know why they don’t
let me face Wanderlei. Before, I thought I should go to the media
and charge him, but now I realized that it’s not the right
way. I want to keep training a lot and when this chance come
I’ll be read.
ADCC:
That’s the proof you’ve reached a serenity you didn’t
have. Arona always was a guy who took everything as a personal
thing. I remember when you fought a luta-livre guy in the 2000
National ADCC trials. I rembember when you fought [Gustavo] Ximu
in the Rings. And I remember you were the first Brazilian Top
Team member to quarrel with Chute Boxe guys. How come you changed?
Everybody is a man, and wants to preserve his pride. I respect
the fighters a lot, I always did. But I defend my honor. The
rivalry started for their side. I was disrespected and defended
myself. I’m trained to don’t take offenses to the bed.
I have no fear of fighting. I’m afraid of guns or knives
but I don’t have fear of kicks nor punches. Never. It could
be Wanderlei or whoever, doesn’t matter, I only step forward.
I never step back.
ADCC:
How you learned to act like that?
Since I was a child, I was very courageous. I always took the
highest risk and my parents had many problems with me. When I
was 14 years old, I started to train Jiu-Jitsu. I did many vale-tudo
sparring sessions since then and I think I lost the fear of fight.
When someone faces me, I like that, I like that feeling.
ADCC:
When you started to train Jiu-Jitsu you thought you would fight
vale-tudo?
I’m 24 years old, and started in 1992. There was that challenge,
on Grajau, Jiu-Jitsu x luta-livre (when Wallid Ismail, Fabio
Gurgel and Murilo Bustamante fought against Eugenio Tadeu, Denilson
and Marcelo Mendes). That challenge woke me up to the possibility
of some day doing a vale-tudo. When I saw the first UFCs I dreamed
in some day being there. And today I consider a big accomplishment
when some of the old guys such as Coleman or Frye come to me
after a fight to compliment me.
ADCC:
You are a very powerful fighter. At the most difficult times,
you always explode and change the situation. I have seen it thru
your career lots of time. What do you think at such times?
The fact is that the mind is the most powerful tool of a fighter.
You can be physically well conditioned, but if the mind isn’t
good, the chances of losing are big. I always had difficult fights
and I learned that you must to oxygen the blood at the complicated
times. I the most critical situations, you can’t lose the
control. You have to take a breath and to concentrate the power
to escape once. It’s all about your mind.
Source:
ADCC
Latest
on BOB SAPP
The
latest on Bob Sapp is that he has been instructed to not even
train for several weeks, to rest the eye socket injury suffeed
at the hands of Mirko Crocop. As with all professional athletes,
he probably won't listen.
The
broken eye socket was not the same type of break as Kazushi Sakuraba
or Takayama. Instead, it was broken in the back part of the orbital
bone and had to have minor reconstruction.
On
the brighter side for Bob Sapp, he sold an estimated 4,000 T-shirts
at the last K-1 event at $40 U.S. dollars a pop. Yes, that's
$160,000 in T-shirt sales.
His
doll is selling faster than stores can keep it on the shelves.
There are two versions of the doll (licensed by K-1). The first
version is 'Bob Sapp' and the second version is 'The Beast.'
As with most Japanese toys, the craftsmanship and detail is phenomenal.
His
CD is selling much better than expected despite mixed reviews
and of course, he is doing countless product endorsements as
usual.
Sapp
is currently recovering from eye surgery and helping book K-1
matches inside the United States. It's rumored that K-1 will
try and run six shows in the U.S. in the next 12 months.
Denver,
Las Vegas, Miami and New York are four of the cities named as
prospects for K-1 this year.
Sapp
also announced that he will return to fighting in August or September
for K-1.
Source:
ADCC
ADCC
Preview: The ‘under 76kg’ Defending Champ's Training
Session
Marcio Feitosa knows that exactly one week from now, he will
be at
Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, looking for his second ADCC World Championship
title.
But
he probably isn’t thinking of that when Rafael Correa looks
at the stop watch and shouts: ‘Five minutes! Now the points
are valid.” Immediately, Feitosa shoots on his teammate
Rafael Ramos' legs, going for his back and gets the takedown.
The
temperature is pretty cool on this rainy Saturday, May 10th,
at Barra da
Tijuca, RJ, but the heat of the training makes it the room seem
considerably hotter. Especially for Ramos, who keeps playing
from the bottom for the rest of the match, stifled by a tight
and controlled Feitosa. The situation gets worse and worse for
Ramos, until time expires, saving him from an eventual submission.
‘He’s
a good sparring partner for me,’ evaluates Marcio, as he
sits leaning on
a wall resting for a couple of minutes. ‘Different from
the heavy guys that
I trained with earlier this week, his game is very close to the
other fighters that I will face in the tournament,’ he concludes.
Marcio
doesn’t know precisely who the opponent’s list will
hold, but the ‘under 76kg’ bracketis rumored to have
some familiar foes such as Vitor 'Shaolin' and Fernando 'Terere',
aside from Daniel Moraes, who won the Brazilian Nationals trials,
and many others who will come from overseas.
‘Of
course, I’m not sure who are in, but I know that my weight
division is
traditionally one of the toughest. And, as the tournament is
getting harder
year by year, even that weak “gringo” of the first
round won’t show up.
Thus, we better be ready,’ states Feitosa, breathing and
heading for the mat, where he will sweat a little more.
The
next 20 minutes are spent on the technical part of his training
session, and he uses the time exchanging many tricks with former
ADCC champion Alexandre ‘Soca’ Carneiro. First, they
argue about some leglocks. Then, they study some guard positions
and finally they go for the standup situation,
where they figure what’s the best way to set up a take down
from several different positions.
After
the today’s job is over, Marcio changes his mood and doesn’t
say one more serious word at all. He becomes the Marcio who his
friends fear the most: that one always thinking of the funniest
way to play a joke on someone else. And doing this in classic
fashion, he then wastes twice the time he spent training. ‘I
have to relax,’ he argues, laughing. After all, no one is
made of steel.
Source:
ADCC
Boxer
SHANNON BRIGGS - MMA Bound?
Both boxing and MMA sources are starting a major chatter about
Shannon Briggs entering MMA.
Briggs
was offered a shot at K-1 in mid-2002 but turned down the offer.
Since then, Briggs has had two boxing matches and was scheduled
to compete on HOOKnSHOOT's upcoming Florida show but he has pulled
out.
Many
are speculating a deal with the UFC which would have Briggs making
his MMA debut. This would be the first time, a top-flight boxer
would be in the UFC which could be a big draw in Vegas.
It's
no secret that Briggs has been training with the AMERICAN TOP
TEAM in Ft. Lauderdale, FL over the last year. Could be the secret
behind the success of Hermes Franca's recent UFC win?? Possibly.
In
many cases, the age old line 'he's forgotten more about boxing
than most MMA guys know' has been said. This could be true. ATT
considers Briggs a major asset to their camp and many believe
Briggs feels the same about his BJJ cohorts.
Briggs
is said to have an incredible sprawl when he is grappling.
Once
source inside ATT has stated that Briggs in interested in MMA
but is used to large boxing paydays. Briggs scored big money
when he defeated George Foreman. His fight with Lennox Lewis,
a fight he was clearly winning to a certain point, is also one
of Briggs biggest financial scores.
The
speculation grows as rumors of a potential Tank Abbott fight
are on the rise. It would seem that Zuffa wouldn't want to jump
the guy so another tidbit has surfaced.
One
person training with ATT says a potential fight with Cabbage
would be more of a reality and if Briggs did sign, this could
happen by the end of the year.
Expect
more news in the upcoming weeks.
Source:
ADCC
5/12/03
Quote
of the Day
"The vision that you glorify in your mind, the ideal that
you enthrone in your heart
– this you will build your life by, and this you will become."
James Lane Allen
Warriors
of the Ring 3 Results
Maui War Memorial Gymnasium, Maui, Hawaii
May 10, 2003
By Chris Onzuka - Chris@Onzuka.com
Maui fight fans came out in force to support the third installment
of Warriors of the Ring. This card featured fighters from Maui,
most of which were making their debut. And when you have first
timers getting into the ring, you know what that means…punches
thrown with reckless abandon and guys basically attacking each
other. Some of the fights that stood out were Omalza-Tolentino,
both lightweights that came out hard and fast. The Mozocca-Kamalo
fight brought out two big boys just going at it. Mozocca almost
caught Kamalo with an arm bar that he ended up leaning on the
ropes, but ended up finished Kamalo with a rear naked choke.
Then we have the Groves-Tevaga fight where Tevaga's tooth, root
and all, was knocked out. If you are wondering his tooth was
returned to him. Hinojesa and Garcia were two pitbulls going
after each other for the entire two rounds. Hinojesa pulled off
a beautiful suplex and a knee breaker. That was the first time
I saw a knee breaker (not a knee lock) attempted in a MMA fight.
It was pretty tight too. Searfoss came out like a bat out of
hell and took it to Hendrickson stunning him with a punch and
then pounding him until the referee stopped the fight. The main
event was a slugfest that brought the crowd to its feet. Both
fighters exchanged punches and kicks with Ferreira landing the
better ones. Ferreira chopped at Lupi's legs and then landed
a punch that rocked Lupi. Ferreira went after him and Lupi fought
back but Ferreira was relentless. Lupi would recover just in
time to take another solid punch that would rock him again and
the referee stepped in when he saw Lupi's hands drop. This match
had the entire gym cheering the action and ended the event with
a bang…literally. All fights
were amateur bouts - 2 Rounds x 5 Minutes: Keola Cabalero
(Backyard Assault, 5/5", 140lbs) def. Shaun Saribay (Freelance,
5'5", 140lbs)
Submission via rear naked choke at 2:29 minutes in Round 1. Ian Omalza
(Maui Full Contact Fighting, 5'5", 127lbs) def. Eric Tolentino
(Hard Impact, 5'6", 130lbs)
Submission due to strikes from the mount at 4:55 minutes in Round
1. Mathew Mozocca
(Relson Gracie, 6'1", 220lbs.) def. Josh Kamalo (Backyard
Assault, 5'9", 260lbs.)
Submission via rear naked choke at 1:09 minutes in Round 1. Kendall Groves
(Maui Full Contact Fighting, 6'4", 190lbs.) def. Marvelous
Tevaga (American Kenpo, 6'0", 200lbs.)
TKO via doctor stoppage due to loss of tooth at 50 seconds in
Round 2. Alan Hinojesa
(Maui Full Contact Fighting, 5'6", 190lbs.) def. Mike Garcia
(American Kenpo, 5'6", 145lbs.)
Unanimous decision after 2 rounds [(20-18), (20-18), (20-19)]. Semi Main Event
#1
Eddy Searfoss (Maui Full Contact, 6'2", 205lbs.) def. Charles
Hendrickson (Backyard Assault, 6'0", 20lbs.)
TKO via referee stoppage due to strikes at 19 seconds in Round
1.
Semi
Main Event #2
Anthony Billianor (Lockdown/MFCF, 6'0", 260lbs.) vs. Kadon
Zimmerman (Freelance, 5'10", 250lbs.) Fight cancelled due to Anthony Billianor dislocating his shoulder
when warming up for the fight. Main Event
Edward Ferreira (Maui Full Contact, 5'10", 180lbs.) def.
Paulo Lupi (Brazilian Freestyle Jiu-Jitsu, 5'10", 175lbs.)
TKO via referee stoppage due to strikes at 1:10 minutes in Round
1.
Super
Brawl 29 the largest attended MMA event in Hawaii!
The hype and advertising for Hawaii's largest MMA draw, Grappling
Unlimited's Egan Inoue paid off. The fight between, Shooto Champion,
Masanori Suda and Super Brawl Champion, Egan Inoue had been postponed
twice before the stage was finally set on May 9th, for these
two warriors to meet to unify their titles in Hawaii. This was
the first time that a Shooto championship match would take place
outside of Japan. T. Jay Thompson put together a solid under
card to build the excitement for this monumental match.
As expected, Hawaii
fight fans came out in droves to show their support for Egan
Inoue. It was reported that 8,445 fight fans crowded into the
Blaisdell Arena to watch Super Brawl 29. This is probably as
close to a sell out as we will ever get for a mixed martial arts
event...unless there is a Suda-Inoue 2... The Blaisdell Arena
can hold approximately 8,800, so it was about 350 people short
of a full house.
Super
Brawl Rebuttal Part Deux
A view from ringside
We received this email from a fan that only refers to himself
as "ringside." It was well written and brought up some
pertinent points from an "objective" party. I say objective
because he states that he is a local that, like almost everyone
in the Blaisdell Arena, wanted and expected Egan Inoue to beat
Masanori Suda. We always include these "disclaimers"
but there are always a few people out there that blinders on,
so bring on the hate mail!
I just wanted
to give my opinions and perspective about the KO. First of all,
I want to say that I'm a local fan and I wanted the hometown
favorite, Egan Inoue, to win. However, that was not the case,
and as we have seen time and time again, anything can happen
in an MMA fight.
I'd like to bring up some questions and facts that your readers
may be interested in. In the fight between Genki Sudo v. Bang
Ludwig, many felt the referee "Big John McCarthy" made
a mistake by stopping it late in the third round, in the last
UFC. As Big John has stated, his job is fighter safety and he
stopped the fight due to Bang's nose bleeding profusely. Like
many others I wanted the fight to be started in the same position
it was stopped (Genki in Ludwig's guard), however, the UFC rules
are that the fight is restarted on the feet. Now the tables were
turned in Ludwigs favor- Hence, Ludwig's comeback and the inevitable
decision.
Maybe referee Suzuki-san did make a "human error",
stated by T. Jay Thompson. However, Masanori Suda won the fight
in the public's eye that night. Being ringside, there is no doubt
in my mind of that. Yes, rules are rules, but why should Suda
be punished for the referee's mistake? If the outcome were reversed,
would Suda be asking for a rematch? Would T. Jay Thomson have
been so quick to announce there would be a viewing of the tape,
if it had been Suda who was knocked out and not given a standing
8 count? Egan may deserve a rematch, but he should have to go
to Japan for it. Why should Suda have to come back to Hawaii
with everything to lose (the Shooto and Superbrawl championships)?
If Inoue was robbed of a standing 8 count, then so was the paying
public. Therefore, if a rematch in Hawaii does happen, those
who attended Suda v. Inoue 1, should be given the opportunity
to get a pro-rated ticket. For those of you who don't know- Inoue
makes a percentage of the ticket sales because he is the largest
draw in Hawaii. That could explain the significant increase in
ticket prices from the previous $25 to the present $34, and the
immediate call for a rematch.
Also, many people may not know the promoter of the Superbrawl
"T.J. Thompson/Tommy Dakota" trains with Egan at Grappling
Unlimited. That is why those who attended the fight may have
noticed the political propaganda which was so shamefully used
by the production.
Many already know of the bad relations between the Inoue brothers
and Relson Gracie. The video clip before Jeff Curran v. "Kid"
Yamamoto's fight, reminded everyone the same old shit is still
going on. Relson and Jeff were made out to be the bad guys and
the Curran v. Kid fight was made up to be "Yamamoto's revenge"
for his team mate Baret Yoshida. The video clips were inappropriate
and in bad taste. The fact is Relson made a mistake by taunting
Yoshida. That's a fact. However, just because Relson's last name
is Gracie, doesn't mean he's perfect. He makes mistakes. Everyone
makes mistakes. And luckily for us, classy guys like Curran can
diffuse the situation with just 4 words, "Kid kicked my
ass." My point is - just let it go already!
The production also tried to give Inoue the advantage by making
Suda wait through a long video clip of Inoue after he entered
the ring. For those of you who know anything about fighting,
fighter's must warm up (break a sweat) before they fight. Suda,
warmed up before he came out. Then, he had to try to stay warm
during Inoue's video clip (which seemed like forever, showing
his past fights). I thought that was uncool of the production,
however, what was really inappropriate was having the national
anthem sung after Egan came out ready to fight. He was warmed
up and ready to go, but it was now our hometown favorite who
had to wait and try to stay warm by punching his face and body
while the national anthem was sung. Don't misunderstand me, I
love my country and I thought the recognition and appreciation
for the military was to say the least, an awesome gesture. However,
couldn't it had been done at the start of the evening or before
the fighters even came out to the ring? If the long video was
to somehow play with Suda's head, the national anthem and long
wait for Egan may have played with his head. In any case, it
was a bad production decision.
Finally, I leave you with this. Rules are rules and they should
be followed. But then again, just because you can do something,
doesn't mean you should. Should Egan challenge the "8 count
rule?" Only Egan knows the answer to that question. Only
he knows if it would have made a difference. I would love to
see Egan win both the Shooto and Superbrawl championships. However,
being a local fan and wanting Egan to "only win" is
selfish. I realize the importance of truth and of fairness. And
if a rematch does happen, Egan should have to go to Japan to
try to win his title back.
Frank
Trigg Comments On UFC, Hallman & More
John Hartnett: First off, how have you been keeping yourself
busy since your last fight?
Frank
Trigg: Been doing a couple different things. I’m getting
ready to do a video deal, I’ve got an instructional manual
that Ive just finished up and I’m getting ready to put out
and just training and running the rAw academy.
John
Hartnett: As far as this year, do you have any fights scheduled?
Frank
Trigg: Nothing yet, we are working on a deal right now with PRIDE,
hopefully Ill be in their June show, and their next two shows
with the third one being in January in Las Vegas. Hopefully that
will come through, and we are also waiting on WFA to let us know
when their next event is.
John
Hartnett: So you have no word from the WFA about when you’ll
be defending your title?
Frank
Trigg: No, I have no idea. They told me July, but they also told
me it was gonna be in March before that, so who knows.
John
Hartnett: How many fights would you like to get in before the
end of this year?
Frank
Trigg: As many as I can get. I’d like to fight six times
a year but under the circumstances Ill take whatever’s left.
You know, were hitting up to half way threw the year right now
so if I can get three or four more in this year we’ll be
ok.
John
Hartnett: Looking back on your career thus far, what would you
say has been your biggest challenge to date?
Frank
Trigg: My toughest fight was Jean Jaques Machado.
John
Hartnett: What do you think you learned from that fight?
Frank
Trigg: Constant motion is the key to beating anybody. And then
making sure that even if you are exhausted that you have to keep
superior position, you always have to try and keep superior technique
than your opponent.
John
Hartnett: Looking forward into the future, who would you like
to face and who do you think you’d match up well against?
Frank
Trigg: I’d match up well against anybody in my mind. As
far as who I’m gonna face, I could care less. I'll beat
who ever they want to put me in front of. It’s all about
dollars; it’s not necessarily about titles for me at this
stage in the game. Whoever’s gonna pay me is the one that’s
gonna get me and then whoever they put me against is who I’m
gonna fight. I don’t ever turn down a fight against anybody,
although I have been turned down for fights by other people who
I’ve requested fights against. But I don’t turn anybody
down, whoever comes up front, if all the money is correct were
in it were in the ballgame.
John
Hartnett: A lot of talk has been going on as you obviously know,
about the UFC and who the next challenger for Matt Hughes will
be, and it appears to be you are the prime candidate. What are
your thoughts on that?
Frank
Trigg: Well you know that’s what they’re saying on
the internet, which is basically just a bunch of fourteen year
old and fifteen year old kids running around saying that’s
what they wana see. But the reality is that it’s not up
to them its up to the UFC. And to my knowledge they’ve never
contacted us about me fighting anybody let alone Matt. So I have
no idea what they are going to do. And their next show is June
sixth, so if they want have me to fight Matt, he’s not going
to fight until their whenever, September show, I guess.
John
Hartnett: I think it’s in August.
Frank
Trigg: Ok, so he’s not gonna fight till August, so if they
are gonna have me fight him they need to have me in there first.
They gotta have me fight someone else first, first there’s
no way I should come in and fight Matt right away for the title,
that doesn’t make any sense. We try to make this a professional
sport, and to have someone come in that’s unranked in your
organization and all of a sudden he shows up and he’s fighting
for the title that’s ridiculous. So they have to have me
fight some time before that and that’s the June sixth show,
and we are looking at thirty one days from today for that event.
And they haven’t contacted us at all. So I don’t see
wanting me fight whoever for whatever reason I’ve discussed
this before. Its not personality wise, I actually at least in
my mind got along well when I met with Lorenzo. But it’s
just a business decision on their part, it’s up to them.
Unless they contact us there’s nothing we can do about it.
John
Hartnett: So let’s say everything goes right, and everything
goes as planned and you do face Matt Hughes, how would you approach
that fight?
Frank
Trigg: Same way I approach any other fight. I’m just gonna
do what I always do, I’d out hustle him, out strength him,
out power him, out technique him like I do with anybody else
I fight. Pick and choose my positioning and it’s gonna be
a battle of technically he thinks it’s his ring and his
event as far as being the champion of the show. So it’s
going to be proving him that it’s my show, my ring and my
event and that it’s my belt and he’s just basically
hanging on to it.
John
Hartnett: A lot of people compare you guys, they say you have
similar styles and some people think Hughes is stronger than
you and then other people think that your more technically sound
than Hughes. What do you think about Matt Hughes’ skills?
Frank
Trigg: His skills have improved over the last seven years, I’m
not a big tape watching guy, I don’t watch tapes of all
the other fighters. When the pay-per-view shows come on, I don’t
even watch most of the events. The last one, the only one I saw
in the UFC was the Hughes, Sherk fight. I didn’t get to
my buddies house until late cause basically I’m doing other
stuff. He's strong compared to everyone else he’s competed
against but when I was competing at 76 kilos in wrestling, I
was one of the strongest guys in the world at my weight and I
was probably around top twenty as far as technique goes in the
world and my weight as well. So as far as Matt being stronger
than me, I don’t think that’s going to be possible.
I’ve been gifted with the natural athletic ability to be
strong and wirey and that’s just what I am. There’s
just no way that pound for pound at any weight or any situation
you want to put us in that Matt going to be stronger than I am.
So it’s just not gonna happen. He’s definitely more
explosive than I am. And that’s to his advantage that he’s
a more explosive fighter than I am, but my styles are grueling
wear you down beat you up style. But then after working since
my last fight very heavily on my submission game and I don’t
believe I have improved that much but my instructors and my teammates
say I’ve improved greatly, but that remains to be seen until
my next fight where we can actually say one way or the other
as to what’s improved and what hasn’t improved. Stylistically
we match up very well for me, but for Matt it’s a bad match
up. Because he’s not gonna be able to overpower me, he’s
not going to be able to out technique me, he’s not gonna
be able to out hit me. My striking is better on my feet than
his is and than his were, even back in November when I last fought.
I’ve improved my game since then, so it’ll be a interesting
match up to say the least but as of right now, it’s a non
issue because I don’t see it happening.
John
Hartnett: Speaking of your instructors and your training, Matt
Hughes has one of the top notch training facilities out in Iowa
with the Miletech Fighting Systems….
Frank
Trigg: That’s all speculation
John
Hartnett: Right, and your out there with rAw out in California,
what should people expect when they want to go out there and
train with you guys?
Frank
Trigg: Tough workouts very regulated, very structured. Unlike
most other main academies through out the world our head instructors
there all the time, everyday. Working us out, working out with
us, you know beating us up and puts us in a situation where we
know we are going to lose for a certain purpose. Like he knows
that I’m not as good a submission artist as say like Fernandinho
Vasconcelos or I’m not as good a guard passer as someone
is so he puts me in that position where I’m not gonna win
in that position and I’m completely exhausted, and that
forces me to learn how to survive and how to function in a position
I’m poor at and I’m not going to do very good at. And
in most other academies you walk in and you don’t feel like
striking for that day, you don’t feel like wrestling for
that day, you don’t have to. Well in our place if there
is even one thing we see that you really don’t want to do,
your gonna spend the whole practice in that position, just learning
how to deal with things that you don’t like to do all the
time. It’s very regulated, we have practice every day at
4:30, everyone has responsibilities to the academy as well as
to each other making sure things run smoothly. Everyone has to
do their day to day desk work and as far as watching the desk
and checking other members in and every fighter has to be here
and take four group classes a week as well as taking practice.
Even when you're not training you have to be at practice everyday,
even when you don’t have a fight coming up, you still have
practice everyday.
John
Hartnett: So how much do you think they have improved your skills?
Frank
Trigg: Oh tremendously. I had no skills; I just had wrestling
ability and the will to want to win. That’s the only thing
I had when I first moved out here and since then I’ve actually
learned how to pass, I’ve actually learned how to punch,
I’ve actually learned how to kick, I’ve actually learned
how to counter submissions, I’ve actually even learned how
to do some submissions which is an amazing feat for me. Because
I’m not from that kind of background.
John
Hartnett: Going back to the subject of UFC and how they would
have to market you to become a legit top contender in their organization.
A lot of people have been talking about Dennis Hallman and you
having to face him again in a rematch. Dennis has been talking
a lot about you lately and your last title bout in WFA, explain
how that fight went down.
Frank
Trigg: Watch the tape; it went down the way it went down. He
got kicked in the stomach and he pussed out, that’s basically
what happened to him.
John
Hartnett: Dennis has complained recently about the inadvertent
groin shot and that the bout should have been ruled a no contest.
And has said if there is a rematch this time he’s bringing
a steel cup. What do you have to say about that?
Frank
Trigg: Whatever. He should have worn a steel cup to begin with;
I don’t know why he wasn’t wearing it the first time.
The commission guys were sitting there at ringside and determined
it wasn’t a groin shot at the time of the fight. He appealed
the decision, and the commission board decided that it wasn’t
a groin shot at the time. And I don’t know what else could
be done. The commission guys were live at ringside too, they
said it wasn’t, sent it back to the appeals commission on
a different board, they watched the tape and watched everything
that went on and they said it wasn’t. To my knowledge Larry
Landless who was the ref at the time had to go to the appeal
meeting and Dennis lost the appeal. So he can run his mouth as
much as he wants, but the fact is that he lost twice on one fight.
Three times actually if you wana take in the fact that he was
sitting in the corner crying like a little girl. And I get kicked
in the groin all the time, and I don’t wear a cup when I
practice. I get straight kicked, catch a knee on the way down
when your trying to pass somebody’s guard in the middle
of a takedown, you take two or three minutes and go right back
after them. If you got money on the line and supposedly he wanted
the title so bad and the title was on the line five minutes is
more than enough time to recuperate. He should have came out
and turned it up a notch and try to beat the piss out of me.
But he didn’t, he chose to be a little girl and cry and
whine and just gave up. So that’s the kind of person he
is and that’s what he has to live with.
John
Hartnett: What do you think of Dennis Hallman the fighter, not
the person?
Frank
Trigg: Well basically the way he fights is the kind of person
that he is. If things can go his way and things are happily going
his way he’ll stick in it and that’s the kind of person
that he is. And if things get rough he looks for a way to get
out, he looks for a way to duck. I guess he left Matt Hume’s
academy because things were getting rough, and things were getting
tough on him and he wanted to change off and go work out with
Team Quest. So when things get rough and tough that’s the
way he fights, he looks for a way bail out of the fight. And
in his life it’s the same thing. This is the way it is,
people that fight in this game as a professional, basically their
personalities are the ways they fight. If they have aggressive
personalities they fight aggressively. If they don’t have
aggressive personalities they don’t fight aggressively.
That’s just the way they are, and Dennis is one of those
guys that if things are going picture perfect the way they are
suppose to be going for him then he’s gonna stay in it,
but if there’s a little problem a little trauma or a little
pain involved, he tends to look for an exit.
John
Hartnett: Now if you had to fight Dennis Hallman again, how would
you approach the fight mentally and how would you approach it
training wise? What would you look to do?
Frank
Trigg: I’d do it the same way I did the first time. Nothing
changes, he hasn’t changed and nothing is getting any better
than when we fought so it’s just the same way I trained
before and the same way Ill do it again.
John
Hartnett: And what exactly was you game plan for the last fight?
Frank
Trigg: Basically I don’t have a game plan when I go out
and fight anybody. It’s just what they give me is what I
take. If he wants to give me a submission, I'll take a submission.
If he wants to stand up and get in the head with one twos, I’m
gonna hit him in the head with one twos. If he wants to take
body kicks and body shots, that’s what Im gonna give him.
It’s what ever he gives me is what Im gonna take. I don’t
go out there with a game plan with ok this guys gonna do this,
so this is what I gotta do. Now I know that my takedowns need
to be a little bit harder because he has a pretty good submission
game on the way down and I know that once hes on his back he’ll
try to do a bunch of submissions but like I said, he’s no
where as good as the guys we train with over here as far as submission
goes. We’ve got world champs that come through here all
the time and they’re not catching me, so I don’t see
Dennis catching me in anything. Like I said, the way I trained
for him the first time is the same way Ill do it again. But then
again I don’t see that fighting happening again either.
Because there are just too many guys in the world at the weight
to fight, whats the point in having him and I fight again. It’d
actually be really anticlimactic, cause when I beat him up again
they will be like, that’s what happened the first time,
what the hell is the difference? It’s not gonna put any
more butts in the seats, its not gonna sell any more tapes, its
not gonna do anything really. Its just gonna be another anti-fight
in reality.
John
Hartnett: Looking forward into the future again, how much longer
do you see yourself in the fight game?
Frank
Trigg: I’ll fight four or five more years and I’ll
be out.
John
Hartnett: And after those four or five years and you get out
you’ll be looking to train others?
Frank
Trigg: I don’t know what I’ll do when I get out. I
got a t-shirt company that releases in the fall or a clothing
company rather that releases in the fall and we’ll see how
that goes. I got deals with the clothing company going into Canada,
its going into Switzerland, its going into the Netherlands, and
its going over to Japan. That hopefully will pick up where the
fighting left off.
John
Hartnett: Right and what’s that clothing company going to
be called?
Frank
Trigg: It’s called “Trigganomics”.
John
Hartnett: Trigganomics, that’s a great name.
Frank
Trigg: Thank you. Its main stream athletic clothing, its not
just for the fighters or the fight game. It’s main stream
athletic clothing for everybody. Its going to have a dedicated
women’s line, a dedicated mans line and then starting in
a year or so if everything is falling in line we are going to
have a dedicated kids line as well that’s strictly for the
kids. It’s a demand, its from an athlete for athletes and
it’s a demand for better quality athletic gear for guys
who just wana compete and want to work out and stuff. You look
good going to the gym, you look good training in it, and you
look good coming home with it.
John
Hartnett: So it would be sort of a Starter or Nike right?
Frank
Trigg: Actually what it is like, we are an American Eagle and
Abocrombie and Fitch kind of meet the X Games. It’s got
that kind of college look to it. It’s that kind of college
genre, kind of American college look to it, that’s basically
what we are going for, but a little edgier and a littler more
hyperactive I guess.
John
Hartnett: Where would people want to go to find out more information
about your clothing line?
Frank
Trigg: Right now they can’t go anywhere. When we open it
up, its just gonna be a mass opening, right now we are just finishing
up the final designs and getting the catalogs out to all independent
buyers, so they can make their orders and once the orders are
in there will be a big mass blitz. The internet blitz, there
will be stuff in Ultimate Athlete, Grappling and other magazines
of where they can pick it up and then there will be massive adds
of what we are putting out with the releases. There will be a
small, small limited release in the summer and then there will
be a release in the fall.
John
Hartnett: And I’m sure you are gonna cover it all on FrankTrigg.com
right?
Frank
Trigg: Yeah, yeah it’ll be on there. Actually there will
be a link to Trigganomics.tv when it gets loaded up.
John
Hartnett: Wrapping things up here, any final comments, or anything
you’d like to tell your fans to look out for?
Frank
Trigg: Um no, I guess just keep paying attention to the promoters
and see what they come up with. Right now hopefully we get some
deals worked out with either PRIDE or UFC relatively soon and
we’ll take it from there.
Source:
MMANews.com
Robbie
Lawler Speaks Out, Injury Update & More
I
recently had a chance to sit down with current UFC blue chipper
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler after UFC 42: Sudden Impact,
and discuss his injury and his forthcoming plans.
John
Hartnett: So what exactly was it you injured?
Robbie
Lawler: It’s my hip.
John
Hartnett: Do you have any idea of the extent of the injury?
Robbie
Lawler: I don’t know what’s the matter with it.
John
Hartnett: I heard you had a little bit of trouble down at the
hospital (Miami Jackson Memorial), what happened there?
Robbie
Lawler: It was packed and I didn’t want to sit there any
more.
John
Hartnett: How long did you end up staying for?
Robbie
Lawler: Not long enough, an hour maybe. There were people who
had already been there for a day and it was packed when I got
in there and nobody was moving.
John
Hartnett: What were your thoughts on the fight? You seemed to
be doing real well in the clinch with those knees.
Robbie
Lawler: Well, when I threw my last knee in the clinch, that’s
what really popped my hip out.
John
Hartnett: Were you really concentrating on your knees from the
clinch during training, or did it just come natural?
Robbie
Lawler: Nope, it just came natural.
John
Hartnett: Did Pete Spratt’s leg kicks have any effect on
you?
Robbie
Lawler: Nah, you don’t feel those when your in the fight.
John
Hartnett: You have any thoughts on having a rematch with Pete
when you return?
Robbie
Lawler: Ill definitely want a rematch. I think he’s a good
fighter, but I think I can do better and it would be a good fight.
Source:
MMANews.com
Pete
Spratt Responds, Secret Injury Revealed
After
speaking with Robbie Lawler, I decided to give a call to Pete
Spratt and hear his end of the story. We spoke about the fight,
and some of the things Robbie had to say. Pete also talked about
his upcoming appearance on BET’s “Mad Sports”
and what his involvement there was. But the big shocker was that
he revealed he fought Robbie Lawler injured. Pete explained in
full how the injury came about, and why he didn’t let anyone
know. Here is the transcript of the interview and exclusive photos
of Pete Spratt’s injury.
John
Hartnett: I understand that you had suffered an injury before
the fight that caused you to have emergency surgery?
Pete
Spratt: Yeah, ten days prior to my fight with Robbie Lawler I
had to go to the emergency room and have minor surgery done to
my left quad. It ended up being bit by a Brown Recluse (a poisonous
spider) and they had to go in and open me up and pull out the
infection. So I missed a few days of training because of that
procedure. They packed my wound with gauze, and then I had to
go back to the doctor on Friday for them to reevaluate it. They
took the gauze out and told me I could let it close at that point.
So ten days before the fight I had to have surgery and I still
beat Robbie Lawler at less than one hundred percent. So if there
is a rematch I’m definitely going to be at one hundred percent
for the next fight.
John
Hartnett: And you couldn’t let anyone know you were bitten
by a spider right?
Pete Spratt: Right, I couldn’t let anyone know, and I couldn’t
let that go public simply because the boxing commission probably
wouldn’t have let me fight knowing that I had minor surgery
on my leg beforehand. It was one of those things where I wasn’t
going to let anything stop me from this opportunity to get in
the octagon again and have a good showing. But its just one of
those things you have to deal with. It was a little later than
some of the other injuries I had to deal with in the past but
that’s something I had to deal with. But if you take a look
back in the fight to where I had Robbie on the ground you’ll
see I had the bandage on my leg under my shorts. That’ll
show you proof there, that I was injured in that area.
John
Hartnett: So what are your thoughts on how the fight unfolded?
What do you think you did well and what do you think you need
to improve on?
Pete
Spratt: Well, I think I did well, but as far as anything I need
to improve on, I think I had the perfect game plan for the fight.
Robbie really didn’t have a answer for what I was doing
out there, so there’s really nothing I need to improve on.
It was a great fight, a great contest and it went the way I expected
it to go.
John
Hartnett: What was your strategy and game plan going into this
fight? You pretty much were the first fighter to be able to tame
Robbie and his wild unorthodox style.
Pete
Spratt: Yeah, well you know it’s different actually being
in there with someone who’s actually a seasoned striker.
You can only go so far with unorthodox wild brawling style, and
I think it caught up with Robbie. My game plan was actually to
try and break his legs. I saw Tiki attacking him with leg kicks
early on in their fight, and he was just so much stronger than
Tiki that he just went through Tiki when he decided he wanted
to go through Tiki. And he just hit Tiki and knocked him out.
And I saw that I’m defiantly a better striker than Tiki
and I’m a better kicker than Tiki. And I know I was going
to be able to land some really really hard leg kicks to Robbie’s
leg. With me being a orthodox fighter and him being a south paw,
it’s so much easier for me to fight him because his lead
leg is so exposed. It wasn’t a difficult fight at all. I
knew standing that there was no way Robbie could beat me, because
there’s so many ways to defeat a south paw when you fight
Mauy Thai.
John
Hartnett: Did you sustain any injuries during the fight besides
that slight cut above your right eye?
Pete
Spratt: No, that was it.
John
Hartnett: Did that need any stitches?
Pete
Spratt: Yeah, I got six stitches but that’s part of the
game. Actually we bumped heads, and that’s what actually
caused the cut. So other than that no injuries at all.
John
Hartnett: So it was the head butt that cut it and not those knees
in the clinch?
Pete
Spratt: He didn’t knee me in the face in the clinch, so
how am I gonna get a cut on my eyebrow and get kneed to the body
you know? No strike, no knee, no nothing caused the cut. The
head butt caused the cut.
John
Hartnett: You have any thoughts on Robbie Lawler as a fighter?
Pete
Spratt: Robbie’s a great fighter, he’s a tough guy,
he’s young and he’s the future of the sport. Robbie
lost one, but he'll be back, hes a tough kid.
John
Hartnett: I talked with Robbie yesterday, and he said that as
soon as his hip healed up he would like to have a rematch with
you. You have any thoughts about giving it a go again?
Pete
Spratt: Well you know it really doesn’t matter. Quite honestly
I’m a little pissed off that he said the kicks didn’t
bother him. I mean, he didn’t give in to just us standing
there. So that pisses me off a little bit because that’s
basically telling me that he’s taking away from what I did
in the octagon and not giving me any credit. So yeah I’d
fight Robbie in a rematch and it’ll be worse next time.
John
Hartnett: So what’s next for Pete Spratt? Any idea of who
you would like to fight next and the status of your UFC contract?
Pete
Spratt: That was the last fight on my contract. I don’t
know what’s next, I’m gonna sit back and enjoy this
and sit back and relax a little bit and let the bullshit that
everybody’s been saying lay in a little bit. And it’s
gonna push my drive even more next time in the octagon. Weather
it be Robbie Lawler or whoever, somebody’s gonna get hurt.
John
Hartnett: Your appearing on BET May 15th, can you elaborate on
that?
Pete
Spratt: Actually the air date on that show is going to be May
31st. I talked to the producer of the show and they had some
budget concerns and they actually had to move the show back.
But they are going to air it a week before UFC 43 and that’s
gonna be on May 31st. And what I did was I hosted a show called
“Mad Sports” and basically gave some behind the scenes
stuff with UFC kind of going through the whole mixed martial
arts process as far as getting ready for an event and that’s
basically what I did for BET.
John
Hartnett: Any other future projects we should look forward to?
Pete
Spratt: Na not really, just my next fight. And who knows when
that’s gonna be? We are yet to talk to the UFC and see what
the situation is. So I just wana sit back and relax and wait
until I get a phone call.
Source:
MMANews.com
Bang
Ludwig Comments On Training, Sudo & More
Coming fresh off an impressive knockout of Jens Pulver, Duane
Ludwig is being labeled by many as the greatest striker the lightweight
division has ever seen, and a prodigy of the sport. With his
recent UFC debut, Bang turned a lot of heads in the mixed martial
arts world and made his impact felt as he pulled out an upset
victory by decision over unorthodox octagon veteran Genki Sudo.
I had a chance to catch up and talk to the 24 year old lightweight
phenomenon about his recent victory and upcoming plans.
John
Hartnett: So how have you been keeping yourself busy lately Duane?
Duane
Ludwig: Just kicking back, eating everything I can and just doing
some house work and getting the family life back together.
John
Hartnett: You trained with Bas Rutten for your striking and I
heard you actually went and trained with some wrestlers as well
to improve your grappling. How did that training go?
Duane
Ludwig: The training went pretty good. I went and trained with
Chuck Liddell and John Hackleman for a while, and then I went
and trained with Bas and got my striking back in order. Then
I worked with Robert Fergison's gym, they had a lot of good grapplers
and wrestlers out there and they were showing me a lot of cool
stuff and I owe a lot of the grappling stuff to them.
John
Hartnett: So what exactly was your take on the fight? What do
you think you did well and what do you think you need to improve
on?
Duane
Ludwig: Actually I think I did pretty well with the ground work
and I think I just need to work on getting suck up against the
cage. That was my downfall, I didn’t work any of that and
I should have, I don’t know what the hell I was thinking
and it showed. Everytime I went to get up I was pretty much stuck.
Ill probably end up working on that sooner or later. But I definitely
feel that my striking, my speed, my power and my takedown defense
I thought I was pretty good with that. I just need to work on
that a little bit more and start timing every thing.
John
Hartnett: There’s been a lot of controversy over the decision
made by “Big” John Mcarthy to stand you up after the
stoppage, a lot of people felt it should have been continued
on the ground. What’s your take on that whole situation?
Duane
Ludwig: My take on that is that’s not the rules. The rule
is they stand up and they check it and they start you back standing,
they don’t start you back in the same position like PRIDE.
John
Hartnett: So what exactly was the extent of the injury to your
nose?
Duane
Ludwig: It ended up just being a bloody nose, it wasn’t
broken or nothing. Just sore.
John
Hartnett: I know your contract was only a one fight deal, have
you talked with UFC yet about a comeback?
Duane
Ludwig: No, I haven’t spoken with UFC since the fight.
John
Hartnett: If you do come back who would you like to fight?
Duane
Ludwig: Right now its not about who I want to fight I'd just
like to work my way to the top and win the title. I’m not
really looking to fight any particular person. Right now Im just
gonna get ready to fight in K-1 in July.
Source:
MMANews.com
5/11/03
Quote
of the Day
Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.
Kahlil
Gibran
Super
Brawl Rebuttal
This is not an official Super Brawl release.
The following are my thoughts as a fight fan.
T. Jay Thompson
After watching video.
Inoue misses a punch. Suda lands a right hand just behind Inoue's
ear....Inoue drops head first....Suda follows up and lands many
blows, Inoue attempts to defend but is overwhelmed.....Inoue
goes out...fights over...
Suda was very impressive and hits much harder than I thought
he was capable of (the punches he landed while Egan was down
were amazing). Much Props!
The problem is Shooto has a standing 8 count rule if fighter
is downed from a strike.
Egan was clearly knocked down from the right hand. At that point
Referee Suzuki did not implement the "count" and allowed
Suda to continue attacking the downed fighter.
Inoue was attempting to defend but was overwhelmed by Suda. After
many blows from Suda, Egan went unconscious and Suzuki stepped
in.
Whether or not Inoue would have been able to answer the "count"
is unclear, but clearly he should have been given that opportunity.
He was clearly dazed from the right hand that knocked him down
but was not unconcsious at the time. He did attempt to defend
Suda's ground attack.
After
reviewing tape, referee Suzuki admitted making an error while
being filmed by local NBC affiliate.
Suzuki
had to make a split second decision in a very big fight in front
of a very big crowd. I believe he tried his best to uphold the
rules. It was just a human error. The Knock-down/ground attack
happened very quickly and he made a judgement call. I will be
interested to see what the Shooto commission has to say about
this situation.
I feel bad for both fighters. Suda had perhaps the most impressive
performance of his career. I personally awarded him the TAPOUT
"Fighter of the Night" trophy. There was nobody more
deserving. But as Shooto has rules, they must be followed.
Source:
T. Jay Thompson
SUPERBRAWL
CONTROVERSY: CAN THEY CHANGE A DECISION THAT FINISHED IN A KO?
It seemed like a clear cut decision when Masanori Suda pulled
off the stunning upset over Egan Inoue by a devestating KO. So
what's the problem? The way the rules were NOT instituted during
the actual fight.
Hawaii
fans were in shock as they saw their home-town hero get knocked
out in 27 seconds of the first round. Here's where things get
sticky.
After
Egan was clearly knocked down from a right hand by Suda, the
referee should have stepped in. Why? Becauase Shooto has a mandatory
8 count after a fighter is knocked down from a strike. Since
SuperBrawl adhears to Shooto rules, this was a big mistake.
Would
the outcome be any different? Probably not, but Egan didn't go
unconcious until Suda overwhelmed Egan while Inoue was on the
ground. Whether or not Inoue would have been able to answer the
"count" is unclear, but he still should have been given
that opportunity.
SuperBrawl
Promoter issued this statement to MMAWeekly.com. "Suzuki
had to make a split second decision in a very big fight in front
of a very big crowd. I believe he tried his best to uphold the
rules. It was just a human error. The Knock-down/ground attack
happened very quickly and he made a judgement call. I will be
interested to see what the Shooto commission has to say about
this situation."
Shooto
could rule on the decision as soon as this week. We will continue
to follow the story at MMAWeekly.com. If you missed results from
the fights, read Saturday's News as MMAWeekly's Greg Honda was
there for the bouts.
Source:
MMA Weekly
5th
Submission Wrestling World Championships
A Look At The SUPERFIGHT!
May 17th and 18th, 2003 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Brazilian
fighter Ricardo Arona attempts to rest the superfight title at
the Submission Wrestling World Championships from American Mark
Kerr. This match is notable in many ways, not just in that it
is the Submission Wrestling main event and feature fight, pitting
2 undefeated fighters who have worked their way to the elite
of Submission Wrestling (Kerr is 13-0, Arona is 12-0). Many will
be interested in the return to World level competition by Mark
Kerr, whose HBO special has made him a potential breakthrough
star in MMA, should he be able to comeback. In Brazil, Arona
looks to add his name to the elite of MMA, in a country rich
in tradition, this is Arona's first chance to show his skills
at the world level at home. Both men have much more than the
prize money to win in this bout!
HISTORY
OF THE ADCC SUPERFIGHT
At
the 2nd World Championships, in 1999, Mario Sperry was awarded
a 'superfight' in ADCC as the standout of the 1998 event. Sperry
not only won his weight class (88-98.9 KG), he also won the Absolute
Tourney, going (7-0). Japanese star Enson Inoue was the first
challenger to Sperry's growing ADCC legacy, and he succumbed
16-0 on points. Sperry was the established Champion.
The
1999 tournament also featured an ABSOLUTE tournament that was
won by Roberto Traven. Traven did not win his weight class, as
the grueling tournament saw him lose in the 99KG class, but he
swept 4 matches in the ABSOLUTES to become the SUPERFIGHT contender.
The 99 KG class winner, Mark Kerr elected to pass on the ABSOLUTE
tournament that year.
In
2000, it would be Traven who would challenge Sperry, and the
tradition was established. The matchup would prove to be 'unfortunate'
by all accounts, as little action materialized, and Sperry won
on advantage 0-0 after 40 minutes.
The
ADCC withstood a hailstorm of criticism for the poor fight, and
many ideas for SUPERFIGHTS were tossed around. After much deliberation,
the established structure would remain, with the SUPERFIGHT being
created using the winner of the ABSOLUTE tourneys.
In
the same year of 2000, with Traven's precedent set, Mark Kerr
entered the open weight class tournament after sweeping the 99KG
division again. Kerr won that as well, and the 2001 superfight
was set.
Also
in 2000, Arona made his debut in the 88-98.9 KG class, and was
certainly the stand out rookie, sweeping an incredibly rugged
division where he beat Tito Ortiz, Kareem Barklaev, previous
champion Jeff Monson. He would not enter the ABSOLUTES in 2000.
In
2001, Kerr would dethrone the long time champion Mario Sperry,
who had held the title for 3 events, in a grueling match that
saw Sperry work for a leglock that Kerr crushed, and Kerr catching
a near guillotine submission. The mantle had been passed.
In
2001, it would be the upstart Arona who would sweep his weight
class and the ABSOLUTES. Since then, Arona has fought in PRIDE,
maintaining a perfect record at MMA's highest level event (10-1
overall).
Now
the the stage is set for the 2003 superfight, anticipated as
the 'best ever'! It is only days away before we find out more
about both men........
Source:
ADCC
ADCC
2003: EYE OF THE TIGER (part 2)
Ricardo Arona exclusive interview (part 2 of 4)
Arona
keeps talking about his training to fight Mark Kerr in the most
anticipated superfight of all ADCCs…
ADCC:
You never got intimidate with wrestlers. But Kerr is different.
He’s not only probably the most technical wrestler you have
faced but he’s also much heavier than you. How do you see
that scene?
Arona: I like to fight strong opponents. I like to feel their
pressure. It makes you to get into the fight. I will drop this
big wave and get into the tunnel. I will shoot his legs, his
trunk. I will pull into the guard if I feel he will not going
down. It doesn’t matter. The point is that I will feel Kerr
until the limit. I will know how good will be his gas. The secret
will be the beginning of the fight.
ADCC:
You hurt your knee last month. How was it?
You know, we like radical sports, such as Jiu-Jitsu, vale-tudo…
and I couldn’t avoid that, I like to surf as well, I love
the feeling of getting close to nature. Thus, I hurt my knee
here in Itacoatiara two months ago. But I have recovered it already
and it will not bother me in that fight against Kerr.
ADCC:
I was wondering what Ze Mario [Sperry], who besides your coach
is your manager, thought of you hurt your knee surfing prior
such important fight…
Being honest, the first time I talked to him about it I told
him I hurt my knee sparring… After one month I told him
the truth.
ADCC:
At the end, a little more than one month is a time enough to
get ready for a fight, isn’t it?
Yes, I trained a lot during my life. Today, I give more time
to recovery and to rest. Thus, I do other sports to not lose
the shape and, in the last straight line, 40 days for a fight,
I train hard. That’s the way I’m doing for the last
four years.
ADCC:
I didn’t talk to Kerr for a while, but people are saying
that Kerr will not fight anymore in MMA. But you are in your
prime. So, how much that superfight is important for you?
The ADCC is very important for me. It was there that I became
famous, that I got a worldwide prestigious. Besides that, the
kind of training for the ADCC gives you the best condition. Gas,
strength, speed, power… I can see improvements in all these
aspects. Submission wrestling is a school and it gets me ready
for MMA. So I will face Kerr now and will be ready for a fight
in the next Pride, on June 8th.
ADCC:
But your fight in the next Pride is not confirmed, right?
Yes, but I don’t fight since I faced [Murilo] Ninja. So
I believe I will fight now. Anyway, I’m training for it.
And if they invite me, I will not be caught by surprise.
Source:
ADCC
DEEP
10th IMPACT - SUPERFIGHT SIGNED!
Tokyo,
Japan - June 25th, 2003
Word
is reaching the mainland that the next DEEP event, scheduled
for June 25th will feature the return of former UFC Champion
Dave Menne. The match will see Menne drop back down to the 170
lb weight class, the weight class where he started his career.
His
opponent will be none other than SHOOTO star Hayato Sakurai.
Both fighters have fallen a nitch, as both were at the top of
the game two years ago. This is a major match, certain to propel
the winner back into the mix at 170 lbs.
Source:
ADCC
ADCC
World Champion MARK ROBINSON in Brazil!
The ADCC 2001 champion in the 99 KG and up weight class, and
one of the favorites for the ADCC 2003, South African Mark Robinson
was spotted in Brazil, where he has been since the last week
of April.
After
two years of frustration at the Submission Wrestling World Championships,
Robinson swept his class in 2001. One of the differences in 2001
for Robinson was BJJ coach Ricardo Murgel. Robinson has enlisted
the help of Murgel again in order to tune up his game to face
the Jiu-Jitsu fighters in 2003.
Robinson
is reportedly working hard on his balance and on keeping the
top position. There are rumored to be several feared Brazilian
sweepers in there, including Marcio 'Pe de Pano' Cruz. Robinson
is also working his cardio, in order to try a shot at the absolute
class.
