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(All events on Oahu, unless noted)
July 9-12
BJJ World Cup (CBJJO)
(BJJ)
(SESC gym, Salvador, Brazil)
Sometime
between Arnold-Gracie & Pan Ams
Pac-Rim BJJ tournament
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Hawaii)
2/15/04
First Maui Invitational of Jiu-Jitsu
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Kahului, Maui, Hawaii)
3/5-7/04
Arnold
Schwarzenegger World Gracie Professional Submission Championships
(BJJ & Sub Grappling)
(Columbus, Ohio)
1/31/04
UFC 46: Super Natural
(Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, NV)
(MMA)
1/19/04
Second 2 None Submission Grappling Tournament
(Sub Grappling)
(Oahu)
2004
12/31/03
"INOKI BOM-BA-YE 2003"
(Kobe Wing Stadium, Kobe, Japan)
(MMA)
12/5/03
SuperBrawl
(MMA)
(Blaisdell Arena)
11/30/02
2nd
American National Jiu-Jitsu Championships
(BJJ)
(Torrance H.S., Torrance, CA)
11/29/03
Punishment in Paradise
(MMA & Kickboxing)
11/28/03
Kick'n It 3
(Kickboxing)
(Campbell H.S. Gym,
Ewa Beach)
11/22/03
Ring of Honor
(Campbell H.S. Gym, Ewa Beach)
(MMA)
11/21/03
UFC
45: Revolution
(MMA)
(Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT)
|
|
November News Part
2
Wednesday
night and Sunday classes (w/ a kids' class) now offered!
 
For the special Onzuka.com
price, click on one of these banners above! |
Quote
of the Day
"Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations.
I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty,
believe in them, and try to follow where they lead."
Loisa May Alcott, 1832-1888, American Author |
Rumina
Sato and 'Pequeno' in SHOOTO Dec. 14th?
There are strong indications coming from Japan that Rumina Sato
will be named the substitute for injured Norifumi 'KID' Yamamoto
for the upcoming SHOOTO event scheduled for December 14th. The
match is against the owner of the SHOOTO lightweight belt, Brazilian
Alexandre 'Pequeno' Franca Nogueira.
SHOOTO
Japan has not confirmed this bout, but fans in Japan are already
anticiapting the amtch between the Brazilian and the Japanese
idol.
This
will be Runina's second fight at the Lightweight class of 143
lbs, and it certainly would be his most important. Sato attained
legendary status with daring submissions and a precise style
that made him one of the most exciting fighters to watch. In
his only title challenges, Rumina lost both times (at welterweight)
to nemesis , which started his slide at 155 lbs.
'Pequeno'
needs a good performance after his last title defense, when he
was roundly critized by SHOOTO fans for being far too cautious,
leading to a boring fight against American Stephen Palling.
Source:
ADCC
|
Royce
Gracie preparing for War
UFC
legend Royce Gracie has been in Miami preparing for his possible
rematch with Japanese sensation Hidehiko Yoshida. Royce has spent
a couple of weeks training hard at the Gracie Miami Academy with
his friends Pedro & Guilherme Valente.
Today
Royce leaves for Connecticut, to appear in UFC event and be inducted
in the event's hall of fame. He will then return to LA where
he will continue his training for the possible Decemder fight.
More news on this as it becomes available.
Source: ADCC |
2nd
American National Tournament -
Marcio Feitosa is in the house
Former
World and ADCC Champion Marcio Feitosa is in the house! Marcinho
along with Gracie Barra teammate Piu-Piu are coming to compete
in the 2nd American National Tournament. This is a great opportunity
for the top American Black Belts to test their stuff against
some of the World's best. Additionally, let's not forget that
Igor Gracie will be competing in the Brown Belt as well!
So
hurry up and sign up for the 2nd American National Tournament
and compete against teams from Charles Gracie, Ralph Gracie,
Cleber Luciano, Rigan Machado, Paragon BJJ, Carlos Valente, Gracie
Barra OC, Caique Team, BJJ Revolution & Renzo Gracie Academy
& Ricardo Pires' Las Vegas Combat Club competing to secure
their spot in Team America!
The
event is sponsored by MMAGear with their great grappling and
NHB lines and World Size Nutrition & will have a full feature
articles in Grappling Magazine along with, of course coverage
from ADCC News via Kid Peligro JJ and representatives from Gracie
Magazine & Tatame Magazine are making plans to attend and
cover the event.
A
Reminder from Marcello Siriema, Head Organizer of the IBJJF:
The 2nd American National tournament the IBJJF will debut its
weigh in procedure with the weigh ins being conducted the day
of the matches with allowances for the Gi. The entire group gets
weighed prior to their bracket at the event site, so be ready.
Additionally the event is open to all nationalities to compete,
but only Americans can qualify to be in Team America ! So if
for instance the first place finishers are not Americans, the
IBJJF will go and pick the highest placed American to be the
representative for that category!
Source:
ADCC |
World
Champion Fernando 'Terere'
launches his website
World
Champion Fernando 'Terere' has just recently launched his website
www.fernandoterere.com. Terere plans to expand
the site soon and add more pics and even products.
In
other Terere news, it appears he is heading for another showdown
against former teammate and ADCC Champion Marcelo Garcia. The
two are on opposite sides of the bracket in an upcoming event
in Sao Paulo. These two have been in a collision course, in 2003
ADCC Terere, while competing with separated ribs, lost his second
round match missing a chance to fight against Marcelinho, who
went on to win the event. Then in the finals of the '03 Worlds
Terere submitted Marcelinho with a triangle.
Now
Marcelinho is out for revenge and all things being normal they
will face each otehr again comes December 12 & 13 in Gi event
with many of the top BJJ fighters in the World! Stay tuned for
more details!
Source: ADCC |
“Ruthless”
Robbie Lawler ready for Chris “Lights Out” Lytle
UFC 45: Revolution
Friday, November 21, 2003
Mohegan Sun Arena // Uncasville, Conn.
Tickets,
$300, $200, $100, $60 and $30, are on sale now at the Mohegan
Sun box office and at www.tickets.com or ordered by phone at
1-800-477-6849 or 860-862-8499. UFC 45: Revolution will be available
LIVE on pay-per-view on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, Bell
ExpressVu, TVN, Echostar and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested
retail price is $29.95.
“Ruthless”
Robbie Lawler returns to the octagon this Friday, November 21
at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, when he
meets Chris “Lights Out” Lytle at “UFC 45: Revolution.”
Competing
since 2001, Lawler is coming off his only loss at “UFC 42:
Sudden Impact” to Pete Spratt. Lawler injured himself in
that fight throwing knees, which tore his left hip flexor, or
dislocated it “the doctors didn’t really know,”
he said, “they just said 6 to 9 months of rest.” The
7-1 Lawler went back to training, stretching out his hip and
doing therapy.
Preparing
for his come back to the octagon, Lawler has been training hard
at Miletich Fighting Systems, but this week he is in Connecticut
training with former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia “keeping
everything sharp and taking a little weight off,” he said.
Will recovering from the cutting process be a factor in this
fight? “I don’t think it’s a factor,” he
said, “I’ll be bigger... that’s what it comes
down to.”
The
21-year-old doesn’t know much about his opponent “I
have not seen his fight,” he said, “I just train myself
and try to better myself in every way possible; that’s all
I can do.” Lawler has dominant stand-up abilities and wins
by KO and TKO from strikes over Steve Berger, Tiki and Shogun
Kawakatsu, along with a Unanimous Decision win over Aaron Riley
in a 3-round slugfest that many still call one of the best fights
in UFC history. The Berger fight made Lawler an instant star
when it was selected to be the first UFC fight ever to air on
network cable television on Fox Sports Net’s Best Damned
Sports Show Period.
Stand
up is what the Des Moines, Iowa fighter brings to this welterweight
fight “yeah, I think that’s what I do (best),”
he said, “I train stand up and I think I’m better than
most at it.” Will submissions be a factor in this fight
“they might, but I really don’t think so.” Lawler
expects a good fight “I think my superior strength and speed
and power is going to be the factor that wins it for me,”
he said. We’ll see this Friday when Lawler meets Lytle in
his return to the UFC for the first time since November 17, 2000,
at “UFC 28: High Stakes,” where he lost a decision
to Ben Earwood.
Source:
ADCC
|
Extreme
Challenge 55 Press Release
FRIDAY, DEC 5th, 2003 - Lakemoor, IL.
Curran's
comeback highlights Extreme Challenge 55 in Chicago
You
can understand why Jeff Curran is excited to get back in the
ring.
The
Pedro Sauer black belt had moved up quickly in the world rankings
at 145 pounds. Four back-to-back wins over notables Bao Quach,
Ryan Ackerman, Todd Lally and Baret Yoshida got him up to the
world's No. 6 fighter and a 15-minute battle -- that he lost
by decision -- with Japanese superstar Norifumi 'Kid' Yamamoto
did nothing to slow Curran's momentum.
However,
a kick to the forearm in a tag-team match at ZST in Japan put
him on the sidelines. A plate and six screws later, Curran cannot
wait to get back into the ring and start where he left off.
'I
want to get my career going again... I'm excited about it,' Curran
said of his upcoming bout at Extreme Challenge 55 in Lakemoor,
Ill., a suburb of Chicago. 'My manager (Monte Cox) is telling
me to take it slow and work back into a groove... but I'm really
anxious to fight the top guys out there.'
Facing
Curran at EC 55 will be Iowa's Tim Gorman, a strong wrestler
with a ground-and-pound attack.
Extreme
Challenge 55 is scheduled for Dec. 5 at the Lakemoor Banquet
Facility in Lakemoor, Ill. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the
10-bout card beginning at 8 p.m.
Tickets
start at $25 and are available by calling Curran Martial Arts
at 815 356-0454 or Dan Lardy at 815 245-2066. For more information,
check out the event website at extremechallenge.tv.
Also
making a comeback on the show is Jason Reinhardt (7-0) of Decatur,
Ill., who has been sidelined for more than 2 years with a neck
injury. It is an especially big day for Reinhardt, who was told
by doctors he would never train, let alone fight again. His opponent
has not yet been determined.
In
one of the feature bouts, MMA veteran Henry Matamoros (14-7)
will take on Jason Medina (10-3) of Miletich Fighting Systems.
It will be the first EC bout for Matamoros in almost 6 years,
while Medina will be making his 10th appearance.
Also,
UFC, Deep and RINGS veteran Brad Kohler will take on Damien Decorah
in a heavyweight contest. The muscular Kohler, who replaces an
injured Kerry Schall, is starting a comeback after taking time
off to promote events in Minneapolis. Decorah has won 4 of his
last 5 bouts and is looking for the upset.
Local
favorite Bart Palaszewski will go for his 5th straight victory,
while two other local standouts -- Jay Estrada and Jason Bender
-- will battle each other.
Former
University of Iowa wrestling star Ben Uker, who trains with Miletich
Fighting Systems, will also compete, taking on fellow Iowan Nwanda
Bell.
Extreme
Challenge 55- Line-Up (Subject To Change):
Kain Rizzo vs. Brandon Adamson
Sebastian Helon vs. Mitch Darwin
Rory Markham vs. Kurt Illeman
Ben Uker vs. Nwanda Bell
Steve Dau vs. Jon Tarrh
Jay Estrada vs. Jason Bender
Bart Palaszewski vs. T.B.A.
Brad Kohler vs. Demien Decorah
Bill Hill vs. Brad Spent
Henry Matamoros vs. Jason Medina
Jeff Curran vs. Tim Gorman
Source:
ADCC
|
Ninja
to face Café in Upcoming Meca-Vale Tudo
The
main fight of the upcoming Meca Vale Tudo #10 event has finally
been settled: Pride veteran Murilo Rua - 'Ninja' will face UFC
veteran Alexandre Dantas - 'Café'.
Brazil's
largest and most established MMA event will be held in Porto
Alegre, in the south of the country, on December 20th. This will
be Meca's 3rd edition in 2003.
'Ninja'
has not fought in 2003. After his back to back losses to Ricardo
Arona in Pride 22 and Kevin Randleman in Pride 23 one of the
biggest stars of Chute Boxe sat on the sidelines and watched
the rise of his young brother Mauricio
'Shogun', whose performance in 2003 is considered great.
In
his only fight in 2003, Café (Gracie Barra Combat Team)
lost to Gan McGee, at UFC 41.
More
fights of Meca 10 are expected to be announced soon.
Source:
ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the
inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and
that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give."
Howard Cosell, 1918-1995, American sports Broadcaster |
Ring
Of Honor Weigh-ins
The
weigh-ins will be this Friday, November 21st at 6:00PM at 808
Fight Factory. The UFC will also be played for anyone wanting
to come early and watch it. $2.00 is being asked in order to
help offset the costs. Tickets to the show can be obtained by
calling Kai at 330-9484 or the 808 Fight Factory at 671-4140.
Ring
of Honor
Campbell High School Gym, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
November 22, 2003
Doors open at 6pm , Fights start 7pm.
Adults $20 at the door, $15 in advance
kids 6-15 $10.
Tickets can be bought at all participating school or contact
the 808 Fight Factory at 671-4140.
Main Event Pro MMA Bout 3 x 5 minute rounds - 170lbs
Jeremy Jackson (Team Freedom) vs. Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen)
Semi-Main MMA Bout- 145lbs
Kelii Newalu (808) vs. Marcus Moreno (Bulls Pen)
Amateur MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 170lbs
Blake Hottendorf (Kodenkan) vs. Mike Bauer (HMC)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 155lbs
Kevin Delima (Bulls Pen) vs. BJ Jones (Hauula Top Team)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 185lbs
Corey Daniels (Kodenkan) vs. Caleb Price (Jesus Is Lord)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds -
Tim Harding (808) vs. Casey Daniels (Kodenkan)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 135lbs
Curtis Rivera (808) vs. Ryan Lee (Bulls Pen)
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes - 170lbs
Harris Sarmiento (808) vs. Paul Laga (Bulls Pen)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes - 200lbs
Gun Wheeler (HMC) vs. Andy Ahsing (Ewa Beach Fight Club)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes -
Russ Barr (HMC) vs. Jr. Yacup (Freelance)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes -
Oscar Okano (HMC) vs. Teddy Piko (808)
Kids Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 55lbs
Kai Kamaka III (808) vs. Chancen Kalua (Makakilo Kickboxing)
Kids
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 50lbs
Tristin Kamaka (808) vs. Shea Soares (Waianae Kickboxing)
Kids
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 65lbs
Keanu Kamaka (808) vs. TBA (Makakilo Kickboxing)
Source: Promoter
|
Punishment
In Paradise
Campbell High School Gym, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
Sunday, November 30, 2003
6:00PM Fight starts
$15 advanced tickets
$20 day of the event
Tickets can be purchased at:
www.punishmentinparadise.com (website coming online in a few
days)
or
by calling (808) 542-5071
Weigh-ins to be announced soon. There are still a few more openings
for fighters for kickboxing and MMA matches. Call (808) 542-5071
if you are interested in competing.
Source: Promoter
|
K-1
WORLD MAX 2003 - Quick Results!
K-1 WORLD MAX 2003
Date- Tuesday, November 18, 2003
Place- Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
COMPLETE
RESULTS:
- Arslan Magomedov (Russia) defeated Magnum Sakai (Japan) Ko
1º R;
- Kazuya Yasuhiro (Japan) defeated David (USA) judges decision;
- Shin Nopadetsorn (Thailand) defeated Takashi Ono (Japan) Judges
decision.
- Marfio Canoletti (Brazil) Defeated Hiroyuki Doi (Japan) Judges
decision.
- Takayuki Kohiruimaki (Japan) defeated Tony Valente (USA) KO
3º R;
- Andy Souwer (Holland) defeated Takehiro Murahama (Japan) Judges
decision;
- Duane Ludwig (USA) defeated Toshio Matsumoto (Japan) TKO 2
R
- Albert Kraus (Holland) defeated Genki Sudo (Japan) Judges decision
- Daniel Dawson (New Zeland) defeated Kojiro (Japan) Judges decision
- Masato (Japan) defeated Vince Phillips (USA) KO 2º R.
Source: ADCC
|
SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING PRESENTS TRIPLEHEADER FROM HOUSTON
Showtime
Press Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WBC
No. 8/IBF No. 9 Featherweight Contender/Undefeated 2000 U.S.
Olympian Rocky Juarez vs. Featherweight Contender Hector Velazquez
WBC
No. 11 Super Lightweight Contender Francisco 'Panchito' Bojado
vs. Junior Welterweight Contender Juan Carlos Rubio
Undefeated
WBC No. 6/No. 13 WBA Lightweight Contender Juan 'Baby Bull' Diaz
vs. Lightweight Contender Joel Perez
Saturday,
Nov. 22, 2003, At 9 PM ET/PT*
From Reliant Park, Houston, Texas
NEW
YORK (Oct. 23, 2003) Three of boxing's most highly regarded young
stars - featherweight Rocky Juarez, junior welterweight Francisco
'Panchito' Bojado and lightweight Juan Diaz - will appear in
separate bouts on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING Saturday, Nov.
22, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Juarez, 23, the 2000 Olympic Games Silver
Medalist, will fight for his first title when he takes on former
World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight champion Willie
Jorrin in a 12-rounder for the WBC Continental Americas featherweight
crown. Bojado, 20, will attempt to avenge his only pro defeat
when he faces Juan Carlos Rubio in a 12-round bout for the WBC
Continental Americas junior welterweight title. Diaz, who turned
20 on Sept. 17, will square off against Joel Perez in a 10-round
lightweight match. SHOWTIME will televise the Main Events, Inc.-promoted
fight card from Reliant Park in Houston.
Juarez
(18-0, 14 KOs), of the north side of Houston, has won five consecutive
bouts by knockout, and nine out of his past 10 inside of the
distance. In his last start, the youngster regarded by many as
the top boxer from the 2000 class scored a dramatic first-round
knockout against David Murillo in Temecula, Calif. Juarez did
not take long to get comfortable against his opponent, unleashing
a monstrous left hook to the head of Murillo that sent him crashing
to the canvas. Referee Pat Russell started the count, but decided
instead to call a halt to the action and bring in the ringside
doctor to aid Murillo. During an outstanding amateur career,
Juarez compiled a 145-17 record. A controversial decision in
the championship bout cost the U.S. Olympian a gold medal and
ended his 68-fight winning streak.
Velazquez
(37-9-1, 27 KOs), of Tijuana, Mexico has won four consecutive
bouts, and seven of his past eight. His most noteworthy victory
during the winning streak was a 10-round split decision over
former World Boxing Council (WBC) featherweight champion Guty
Espadas June 25, 2002, in Baraboo, Wis. In his last outing on
Sept. 12, 2003, Velazquez recorded a majority decision over Armando
Cordova in an eight-round bout scored 77-75 twice and 76-76 from
Las Vegas. Velazquez turned pro at age 18 on Dec. 16, 1993, and
won a four-round decision over Jose Guardado in Ensenada, Mexico.
Bojado
(13-1, 11 KOs), of Los Angeles by way of Guadalajara, Mexico,
will make his 11th SHOWTIME appearance, including highlights,
in 15 pro bouts. A talented, offensive-minded up-and-comer, Bojado
has won four consecutive contests since losing a shocking 10-round
unanimous decision to Rubio on SHOWTIME Feb. 16, 2002. The judges
scored the bout 96-94 twice and 98-92. Bojado captured the WBC
junior welterweight youth crown, on Oct. 13, 2001, with a second-round
knockout over Eleazar Contreras on SHOWTIME. The youngest member
of the 2000 Mexican Olympic team compiled an outstanding 168-15
amateur record with 85 knockouts.
Rubio
(29-6-2, 10 KOs), of Lakeside, Calif. by way of Colima, Mexico,
has won four consecutive outings, including two straight since
defeating Bojado in what Ring Magazine dubbed the '2002 Upset
of the Year.' A former California state junior welterweight and
International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas welterweight
champion, Rubio is coming off of a 10-round unanimous decision
over Jose Cruz on Aug.8, 2003, from Pico Rivera, Calif.
Diaz
(22-0, 10 KOs), of Houston, won a crowd-pleasing, 10-round unanimous
decision over Francisco Lorenzo in the SHOWTIME co-feature on
July 19, 2003. The youngest boxer (17 years old) to ever fight
on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING, Diaz outpointed the game Lorenzo
by the scores 98-91 twice and 96-93. Diaz turned pro at age 16
on June 23, 2000, and scored a first-round TKO over Rafael Ortiz.
Too young to box professionally in the U.S., the crowd-pleasing
teenager fought his initial three bouts in Mexico. Diaz will
make his seventh SHOWTIME appearance.
Perez
(34-6-2, 19 KOs), of Houston, fought in more than 200 bouts as
an amateur, and capped his career by winning the 1991 Texas State
Golden Gloves Championship. After turning pro at age 20 on Aug.
10, 1992, Perez won his initial 23 starts. In his 24th outing,
Perez suffered his first defeat by dropping a close 12-round
decision to Jesse James Leija (32-3-2 going in) for the North
American Boxing Federation (NABF) lightweight title on March
22, 1997, in Corpus Christi, Texas. In Perez' most recent start,
undefeated junior welterweight Miguel Cotto defeated the Texas
native via fourth-round knockout on April 19, 2003, in Fresno,
Calif.
SHOWTIME
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING's Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call
the action from ringside, with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter.
The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast is Jay Larkin,
with David Dinkins Jr. producing and Bob Dunphy directing.
For
information on upcoming SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and 'ShoBox:
The New Generation' telecasts, including complete fighter bios
and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME
website at http://www.sho.com/boxing .
Source: ADCC |
FIGHTER
DIARY: "IT'S MONDAY MORNING AND I'M READY TO FIGHT"
MMAWeekly.com is proud to have Yves Edwards write a daily journal
of what is going through his mind as we lead you up until fight
night. Yves will give us an exclusive diary of what is going
on each day leading up until fight night right here on MMAWeekly.com.
Without further ado, here's Yves Edwards.
"Hey
guys, I've always enjoyed talking with the fans and I appreciate
your support. This is the best way to give you behind the scenes
info, while I prepare for my next big fight. I hope you enjoy
this exclusive look at my day the week of the fight"
MONDAY:
"It's Monday morning and I slept in a bit and woke up at
9am. I didn't have much of a breakfast, I just drank a protein
shake. Right now my weight isn't an issue and I want to try and
keep it that way this week leading up to the fight.
Right
now I'm feeling good walking around at 158. I want to try and
keep it there this week. It's time to hit the gym and work on
a few things. It's now close to noon and it's time to work on
my boxing for the next couple of hours. We work hard on my boxing
for two hours.
After
that it's time to work on some real MMA rounds. We work out for
an hour with some sparring, which was light, then get heavy into
grappling with hard aggressive takedowns. Even though the striking
was light, the grappling is hardcore as we really get after it
today. I have some of my wrestlers from Illinois and Texas working
very hard with me trying to take me down. We battle hard for
an hour and my morning workout is basically complete.
After
a great workout I spoil myself by getting something to eat. I
decide to hit Quiznos and eat a big lunch. I get the mesquite
chicken sandwich with a tropical fruit juice and carrot cake.
I never drink soda when I'm training and this week is no exception.
I
go home and chill out a little bit. I get some stuff done for
my travel tomorrow. Tuesday will be my travel day. I play a little
Playstation 2 as Madden 2004 is calling my name.
Now
it's 6:30 pm and it's time to go back to the gym and teach my
classes. I will be working out a bit with my top students as
I wind down my night. Since I ate a big lunch, I get into my
plastics as I need to keep my weight down. I'm probably over
160 or so.
After
teaching my students, I work on my wrestling again until 9pm.
After a couple of hours I wrap up some techniques with the guys
and go home for the evening.
I'm
going to call it a night and go to sleep right now and it's 11pm.
I'm only going to sleep for a couple of hours. I wake up at 2am
and start to pack for the plane ride. I do this on purpose because
I plan on sleeping on the plane. I hate plane's. I can't stand
flying, so I plan on sleeping the entire time on the plane.
I'm
going to stay up for a few hours this morning and pack all my
stuff. Tuesday is my travel day, so I will let you all know how
my Tuesday goes. See you later and thanks to all my fans for
supporting me. This is my way to say thanks and let you in on
the behind the scenes for fight week. Peace.
Source: Maxfighting
|
UFC
ON NATIONAL TELEVISION THIS WEEK
This week will be another good week for the UFC as they get some
great media exposure on national television. It starts with ESPN
News tomorrow. Here is the schedule for this week.
Wednesday
ESPN
NEWS with Brian Kenny – Matt Hughes Live in studio 4 pm
to 4:30 pm ET – Sometime within that time frame
Best
Damn Sports Show Period – Randy Couture Live in studio Fox
Sports Network – Check your local listings. Usually airs
at 8 pm & 11 pm.
Thursday
ESPN2
Cold Pizza Talk Show– Randy Couture and Lorenzo Fertitta
– 7 am to 9 am
Source: MMA Weekly |
UFC
45 PROFILES: Nick Agallar
Nick Agallar
Record: 11-2-0
Age: 24
Weight: 155 lbs.
Detailed Record (Source: FCFighter.com):
Win - Ken Davis - Submission - Midwest Absolute Challenge - 12/4/1999
Win - Josh Roster - Submission - Iowa Free Fight - 6/30/2000
Lose - Henry Matamoros - Submission - Freestyle Combat Challenge
3 - 1/6/2001
Win - Josh Lewendowski - Decision - Freestyle Combat Challenge
4 - 3/31/2001
Win - Ray Benavides - TKO - WEC 1 - 6/30/2001
Lose - Charles Pearson - Decision - WEC 2 - 10/4/2001
Win - Rory Prazak - Submission - Freestyle Combat Challenge 6
- 1/5/2002
Win - Mike Blegen - Submission - Freestyle Combat Challenge 7
- 3/23/2002
Win - Steve Thompson - Submission - Ironheart Crown 2002 - 5/18/2002
Win - Darrell Smith - Decision - Hook N Shoot - 9/7/2002
Win - Cade Swallows - TKO - AFC 1 - 12/13/2002
Win - Edson Diniz - Decision - AFC 5 - 9/5/2003
Win - Joe Jordan - TKO - Freestyle Combat Challenge 12 - 10/18/2003
Key
Wins: Joe Jordan, Edson Diniz
Key
Losses: Charles Pearson, Henry Matamoros
Nick
Agallar is a fighter with a strong wrestling background - he's
been wrestling most of his life - and has been competing in mixed
martial arts for about 4 years now. He trains with UFC veteran
Dave Strasser at Strasser's Freestyle Academy in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Agallar
has steadily been building up the level of competition that he
faces having defeated Joe Jordan for the Freestyle Combat Challenge
Lightweight title and Edson Diniz (of American Top Team) for
the Absolute Fighting Championships Lightweight belt in his last
two bouts.
Strengths:
Agallar's wrestling ability and a strong game of ground and pound
are his key strengths. That and a strong team of training partners
that includes Dave Strasser, Ben Rothwell, Ryan Ackerman, and
Brad Lynde, among others midwest talents.
Weaknesses:
Doesn't seem to have much by way of submissions or kicking ability.
What
This Fight Means: Having been the fortunate one to be called
up when Din Thomas injured his hand and had to back out of the
fight with Yves Edwards, this is Agallar's shot to make his case
that he belongs among the best at lightweight. Having never fought
at this level before, he faces a tough task in Yves Edwards in
his first UFC bout.
If
Agallar wins, he's earned a spot among the best in the division
and the opportunity for more fights on the biggest MMA stage
in the United States. Even if he doesn't win, but has a strong
outing against Yves, Agallar will have drawn a lot of attention
towards himself and, most likely, get a shot at some better paydays
on B level shows.
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"The spirit of a man can only endure so much and when it
is broken only a miracle can mend it."
John Burroughs
|
Fighters'
Club T.V. Episode 16 Debuts Tonight!
Highlights
from Superbrawl 31.
Ronald Jhun (808 Fight Factory) vs. Tiki Ghosen (Team Oyama)
+ interview with Tiki
Edrick Pajarros (808 Fight Factory) vs. Harvey Nakamura (Grappling
Unlimited)
Jason Miller (Team Oyama) vs. Shawn Taylor + interview with Jason
Kolo Koka (Grappling Unlimited) vs. Joe Jordan (Kentucky)
Falaniko Vitale (Grappling Unlimited) vs. Justin Ellison (Walt
Bayless) + interview with Niko
+ an exclusive interview with Egan Inoue on his injury and comeback.
+
one for the ladies--we have a special Interview with "Too
Fast Too Furious" star
(and also a big MMA fan and Jiu-Jitsu practioner), Paul Walker.
Technique
of the Week--the "Urban Legend", Enson Inoue with bonus
footage of
Enson training his son Erson during the credits, so stay tuned
for that!
AND
not to forget your two favorite hosts, Mark Kurano & Mike
Onzuka
If
you have any comments, questions, suggestion, resumes with pics
attached
(Girls only), send them to:
fightersclubtv808@hotmail.com
|
"Suave"
no Longer, Ricco Rodriguez Begins the Road Back - The Hard Way
From the outside looking in, you might have thought that the
world of Ricco Rodriguez crumbled to pieces on February 28, the
night the Staten Island native lost his UFC heavyweight title
to Tim Sylvia. Add to that loss a subsequent knee surgery and
controversial defeat to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and you might
be looking to hide any sharp objects from the man formerly known
as "Suave".
Then
again, you'd be wrong.
"I
never do anything the simple way," Rodriguez told MaxFighting,
and if the interview ended there, that would be the story of
the heavyweight contender in a nutshell. But Ricco had a lot
more to say, days before he returns to the Octagon on Friday
night to take on perennial contender Pedro Rizzo in what pro
wrestling fans might like to view as a "loser leaves town"
match.
"Putting
me against Pedro Rizzo, its two guys on their last contract,
so let's come to reality," said the always-candid Rodriguez.
"These guys are both on their last contracts, let's finish
them off. Whoever wipes the other one out, then we'll work with
the other person. That's what it looks like to me, and that's
what that is."
It
hasn't been the easiest eight months for the young man many thought
would be the standard bearer of the UFC heavyweight belt for
years to come after he stopped Randy Couture in September of
2002. He's gotten thrashed inside the ring and out, and he's
now looking at the world of mixed martial arts through decidedly
less than rose-colored glasses. And while that may be a hard
pill for some to swallow, it steels Rodriguez' resolve.
"I'm
not really doing anything for anybody but myself right now,"
he admits. "I'm coming off two losses. I come off a third
loss I'm pretty much gonna quit. I'm putting all my eggs into
one basket, and I'm just training for Pedro. I really don't care
about anything else right now. I know that I fight the toughest
opponents. I know that I can sleep at night, saying I fought
the toughest fighters in the world. Who have you fought lately?
Everyone wants to talk smack about me; I fought the studs. I've
never run away from a fight and I've never turned one down. I
say what I want and I do it. I know that beating Pedro Rizzo
would get me the recognition to put me back to the status I need.
Just like I knew when I took the Nogueira fight. I got more recognition
from the Nogueira fight than I did for the Couture fight. People
saw that I had the ability to beat a champ and that's what I
did. I beat a former champ and I didn't even train for the fight."
If
Rodriguez' tone sounds familiar, it's the same mindset he had,
more or less, when he made his UFC debut in June of 2001 against
Andrei Arlovski. With a daughter to feed, a girlfriend in the
hospital recuperating from a serious accident, and bridges burned
with Pride and King of the Cage, Rodriguez had a one-fight UFC
deal against Arlovski. Win, and he could rebuild his life with
the biggest MMA organization in the United States. Lose, and
the former Abu Dhabi champion may have had to look for another
line of work.
He
won.
From
there, it was your typical rags to riches tale, with Rodriguez'
next four fights all ending early, culminated with the gutsy
win over Couture. But the belt didn't prove to be the cure-all
for Rodriguez' ills, and he let complacency and outside affairs
enter through the cage door with him against Sylvia, not someone
to be taken lightly.
"I
just had a lot of personal problems I had to deal with and I
brought it over to the Octagon, therefore I didn't have a good
night that night," said Rodriguez of his knockout loss to
Sylvia. "My cards weren't adding up to what I wanted them
to add up to. I really didn't sleep on the fight, I just didn't
prepare for it the way I needed to. Also, a lot of people don't
know that I threw my knee out in the first 30 seconds of the
fight. I had to go to the emergency room a week later to get
my knee worked on. My knee popped out in the first 30 seconds
of the fight on my first shot."
Even
with that adversity, Rodriguez still had a chance to finish the
fight when he locked Sylvia in an armbar early in the bout. But
seconds later, a stiff right hand put an end to Rodriguez' title
reign, and all the naysayers who had doubted him before the Couture
fight resurfaced.
Then
Rodriguez, always open and accessible to the media, had surgery
on his knee and disappeared.
"I
didn't want to talk to any reporters," said Rodriguez. "They're
gonna ask me stupid questions about why I got knocked the f**k
out. No one really talks about the five or six undefeated fights
I had before that, no one talks about the people I beat before
that. They only want to talk about your last defeat. So do I
want to talk to reporters after two losses? No. They don't pay
my bills. And then they're going to charge somebody to listen
to my interview on their website? I get sick of reporters and
I get sick of the same bulls**t questions, the same scenarios
all over again. I stay out of sight because I don't even want
to get them in my head. Until I do something positive and turn
it around, then I'll cut all that s**t out. And my attitude has
totally changed about the industry, so now it's one of those
things like I don't care about anything else but winning, fighting,
and making money. I don't have anybody helping me out or protecting
me or looking out for who I take fights with. There's only tough
guys to fight now. Nobody wants to fight me. I can't go fight
a scrub because a scrub won't fight me. So I'm forced to only
fight tough guys. And if people are going to fight me, they want
to make sure they get paid. When I go ask for a payday, it's
all weird. So this is why I don't like giving interviews, because
nobody really understands the whole story of what goes on. If
I stay out of the picture, it's less havoc."
After
surgery, Rodriguez, eager to get another shot at Sylvia, waited
for that phone call. It didn't come
"I've
worked so hard for everything I've gotten," said Rodriguez,
26. "I worked super hard for that title, and I think it
was a slap in my face for me not to get a rematch. That's what
it comes down to. And then, bottom line is, they were sending
me over to Japan, two weeks before my fight, knowing that I hadn't
been training, knowing that I just had knee surgery. They called
me for the Frank Mir fight, and I had just been out of surgery
for two weeks. How do you want me to fight Frank Mir two weeks
after surgery? This is the s**t I'm coming up against. If the
company doesn't like you, they can do whatever they can to destroy
you."
But
while Rodriguez is lashing out, he still reserves enough blame
in the situation for himself.
"I
think the company was behind me, but my attitude and my mouth
gets me in trouble," he admits. "I just tell it how
it is. I don't bulls**t anybody and I don't kiss anybody's ass.
I'm not saying I'm against the world; I just have to work harder
than the other guy."
You
want to talk about hard work? How about a bout on two weeks notice
against one of the best heavyweights in the world in Nogueira?
And, in the eyes of many, you win the fight?
"You
could see the expression on his face," Rodriguez said of
Nogueira. "He was shocked that he won. I beat him fair and
square, and I know what's up. If you look at the Murilo Bustamate
vs Rampage (Jackson) fight (won by Jackson), that was the same
exact fight and I just couldn't believe that they didn't give
me the decision compared to those two. Rampage was in the same
situations - he had an armbar and triangle escape, and he had
a guillotine escape. I had a kimura escape and an omo plata escape.
They just didn't want to watch UFC fighters come and dominate.
Not that night at least. If you would have given me my regular
two-three months to train for that guy, I would have killed Nogueira.
I'd kill anyone in that organization (Pride). I know I would.
I went in there with one guy (Sylvia), got caught with my hands
down, and boom. You get lazy, you become the champ, you slack
off a little. But if people think there are better people out
there than me that deserve a title shot then let them speak.
If not, give me my title shot. But they're going to make me fight
Pedro and whoever else. This is me working against the stacked
deck. But that's fine with me. I like being the underdog and
I like it when everyone thinks I'm not going to have a chance
to do it."
Given
his quick exit against Sylvia and Rizzo's dangerous punching
power, many see Friday's bout as a true pick-em contest. And
if you think Rodriguez is taking "The Rock" lightly,
you would be terribly mistaken.
"I
consider him to be one of the most dangerous fighters,"
said Rodriguez, who has based his camp in Houston with longtime
trainer Saul Soliz, and has also worked with the likes of Mark
Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Tra Telligman, and Guy Mezger for this
fight. "No matter whether you win or lose against Pedro,
you're going to come out with a scar that you're going to remember
for the rest of your life. Look at guys like Kevin Randleman
or Randy Couture; guys he's fought, whether he's won or lost,
he's pretty much damaged their thighs with those leg kicks. It's
gonna be a tough fight. People don't understand - this guy gets
paid a lot of money to fight and the only fights he's really
lost have been title shots. The only time he lost another fight
was to Gan McGee, and that was because he took a great shot that
separated his nose and he couldn't continue. If that fight would
have continued, I think Pedro would have come out on top."
But
despite the intriguing nature of this bout, at press time, Rodriguez-Rizzo
is not scheduled for the main card on Friday. So not only does
the ex-heavyweight champ not get a title shot, he has been put
on the undercard of his first show back.
"If
it was supposed to be the way it should have been, I would have
had my title shot," said Rodriguez. "Instead, Gan McGee
gets a shot (at Sylvia) first. And now, I'm going to have to
wait for Frank Mir to fight Tim Sylvia, which is what's going
to happen next after Sylvia gets off his suspension. Why not
give me an interim title shot with me against Frank Mir? But
Frank Mir gets the title shot first? Let's put all the bulls**t
aside and put the cards out the way everybody knows they're going
to go out from Day One. I'll fight Pedro Rizzo, and whoever knocks
the other out will be back in. The reality is Pedro Rizzo will
never be a world champion; he's got issues with that. And the
UFC's probably come to terms with that factor, so I've got to
take him out. If not, they're just going to use him as another
fighter again. They're not going to pay him the sick money that
he's getting paid. And nobody wants to talk about the $250,000
he's making on that fight, or the 30 grand I'm only getting paid
to show up. Why is Pedro Rizzo getting 250 grand and I'm only
getting 30 grand to show up? That's why I'm pissed off, and I'm
a former world champ."
In
a division in disarray after the suspension of champion Sylvia,
Rodriguez would seem to be the likely front runner (along with
Mir) to bring some life back into the heavyweights. But he's
not. That's not going to stop him from calling out for his peers
though.
"All
I want right now is to really beat Pedro, and after I beat Pedro,
then I'll fight whoever else they can throw at me," he said.
"But I don't see anybody else. I already beat Arlovski,
and Cabbage I'm not really concerned about. You've got Tim Sylvia,
Frank Mir, and Ricco Rodriguez. That's all you've got cracking
right now and who else do you got? And Frank is gonna get crushed
by Tim Sylvia. They think he's gonna get him down on the ground
and submit him. Come on, he's training with (Pat) Miletich. You
think it's gonna happen that easily? Otherwise, I would have
done it. (Laughs)
It's
a rare light moment for a young man who has been bruised by life
in the limelight over the past few months. And what's gotten
under Rodriguez' skin is lack of respect - from the media, the
industry, and occasionally other fighters - who have taken any
opportunity to attack the "Suave" image that doesn't
exactly mesh with some people's idea of what a fighter should
be. This perception is a sore spot for Rodriguez.
"There's
a lot of misconceptions," he said. "People have no
clue who I am in reference to what I've done in the industry.
People don't give me my respect. I'm a former Abu Dhabi champion,
I'm a former heavyweight champ, King of the Cage champ, I've
won in Pride - when are people going to stop bullsh**ting themselves
and say, 'this kid is a top contender, he's going to be here
for the next 3-4 years, 5 years maybe, and he's somebody you've
got to watch out for.'"
"People
have no clue what it takes to prepare for these fights,"
Rodriguez continues. "They're not there when you're running
the four miles at six in the morning. No one's there while you're
training, and people don't understand how hard it is to do what
I do. And the other misconception people have about me is that
I'm this flamboyant guy who does whatever I want, when I want,
and how I want. They have no clue what my lifestyle is about.
I'm a single father. Nobody knows that I pretty much take care
of my family. They have no clue. I never had a silver spoon in
my mouth. I moved to California with $150 bucks in my pocket.
And now look at me. I'm a successful person. Everything I've
got, I worked for. Nobody gave it to me."
He
doesn't have a "gimme" on Friday night either. Yet
some people need adversity to perform at their peak. Ricco Rodriguez
was facing an uncertain future when he resurrected his career
against Andrei Arlovski; he dropped the first two rounds to Couture
before storming back to win the heavyweight title; and now, after
losing his crown in devastating fashion, he's got one fight left
to make it right.
"Everybody
goes into a slump," said Rodriguez. "If you look at
all the great fighters, at one point in their careers, they were
champions, they lost, and then they came back. Look at guys like
Mark Coleman, Vitor Belfort, and Randy Couture. But I don't really
care about the belt right now. All I care about is destroying
every single fighter that comes into my path. I want them to
throw all the best fighters at me now. I'm just going to walk
right through them. I feel like Jake LaMotta right now. They
won't give me a title shot so I'll just kick everybody else's
ass and then when there's nobody left for me to fight, they're
going to have to give me that title shot. And then that guy's
going to know that this kid is the real deal."
And
this whole fighting against the stacked deck thing?
He
chuckles.
"Maybe
it is motivating me a little."
Source: Maxfighting |
Hughes
Targeting Trigg With Renewed Training
When something ain't broke, it's hard to fix.
Despite
this, Monte Cox has tried his best to get Matt Hughes to train
more for title defenses. But the UFC welterweight champ's camp
of late, which will include with two full months of preparations
for his November 21 defense against Frank Trigg, may have been
spurred by the fact that Hughes is finally irked enough to bring
"The Full Ruckus" into the Octagon.
"I
bug the guy all the time to train," Cox told Maxfighting.
"I called him up before his second fight with Carlos Newton
and asked him to get into the gym. It's just a couple weeks before
the fight. He says, 'I've got to put a roof on my brother's house,
but don't worry, I'll be there.' I told him, 'Matt, do you think
Carlos is roofing right now?'"
In
Hughes' defense, roofing does involve some repetitive cardio
training; in the end he dominated Newton en route to a one-sided
stoppage.
God
knows what the champion could do if he were running a jackhammer.
"People
said he trained two weeks for Sherk, but I swear I only saw him
in the gym for like three days," Cox said. "So he had
three days in Iowa, and then maybe a couple days in Vegas to
get ready. Call it six days."
It's
an incongruous concept -- the most dominant champion in the sport
who trains sparingly. Hughes, who has always maintained that
his full-time job of farming is as strenuous as anything in the
gym can bring, may be right. And he may be genetically gifted
because his twin brother Mark is a few pounds bigger but looks
nearly the same.
"We
always joke that if you could be either one of them, I'd be Mark,"
Cox said. "He doesn't do anything and he's still in shape."
All
that has changed with the champion's upcoming fifth defense against
Frank Trigg, the powerhouse who has made no bones about how he's
going to take it to Hughes and walk away with the championship
belt.
"Matt
is currently in Salt Lake City, and he's training hard. He's
running at altitude and getting into serious shape way before
the fight. He'll have two full months when he goes in against
Trigg," Cox said. "We sat down before the fight and
agreed that we don't want to just win this one. We want to destroy
Trigg, inside of two rounds. Winning won't be enough."
A
title shot was offered to Pete Spratt, conqueror of Robbie Lawler,
but Spratt declined. Dennis Hallman was in the wings for a shot
against Nick Diaz and a hopeful third match with Hughes, whom
he was beaten twice, but Hallman lost a close decision to Drew
Fickett in August at King of The Cage. Contenders Karo Parisyan
and Nick Diaz still need another win or two before being viable,
marketable contenders.
In
fact, according to Cox, Jason Black of Team Miletich might be
the next logical opponent for Hughes after Trigg.
"It's
something we'll have to deal with when we come to it," he
said.
With
a dwindling pool of yesterday's challengers, Hughes sits atop
a division he has established an iron rule over, with dissenters
beaten handily.
"People
are asking if Matt will move up in weight, but there's no point
in that. If you were the best salesman at a company and breaking
records and doing the best anyone had ever done, would you change
jobs?" Cox said. "He's going to stay at 170."
The
best challenge that currently exists for Hughes is the ongoing
grappling rivalry with training partner Jeremy Horn.
"They're
the only two guys in camp who can [tap] one another," Cox
said. "I think it's like three times year they get one another.
And if Matt falls behind, watch out!"
It's
lonely in the ring with Hughes. He gets on top of people and
dominates them with sheer physical strength, and a wrestling
pedigree that brooks no upstarts. Try pushing him away with a
hip kick from guard, a la Gil Castillo, and he springs right
back on you as though you were a child. Against Sherk, he showed
a new confidence to go for submissions and a strong bottom game.
It all adds up to a champion rounding out an increasingly robust
skill set.
But
it's all precursors to the same old story -- wrestling people
silly en route to the ground-and-pound.
He
can hang on his back, and strike adequately enough from his feet;
Hughes uses everything to distill the fight into a wrestling
match in the end. It's just how he likes it, and what he was
born to do.
He
doesn't plan on falling behind against Trigg. He wants to punish
him, bad, and Trigg's the kind of fighter who'll come gunning
for him. But with the kind of win he's planning to deliver, he
could inspire more fighters to take up roofing, as a training
aid -- or maybe a full-time vocation.
Source: Maxfighting |
Interview
with Ken Shamrock,
UFC Hall of Fame Inductee
This
Friday night, Ken Shamrock will be one of the two first-ever
UFC legends, alongside rival Royce Gracie, to be inducted into
the newly formed UFC Hall of Fame. Last week, we were lucky enough
to have Ken take time out from a training session - another good
thing - to jump on the MMAWeekly Radio with Ryan Bennett to discuss
the Hall of Fame, Royce Gracie, his knee injury and his future
in the sport.
Ryan:
Ken, appreciate you jumping on the radio with us.
Ken:
I appreciate you having me on.
Ryan:
Let's break down the whole UFC Hall of Fame situation. Did Dana
just call you up and say "Hey, Ken, we want you in the hall
of fame." or what?
Ken:
Yeah, he called me and we were talking about going up there November
21st and they were having this poll on their website, the people's
favorite fighter of all time. And then, of course, the outstanding
achievement award. He said, "We're going to do this Hall
of Fame thing and we'd like to elect you as one of the first
ones into the Hall of Fame. I went, "Wow."
You
know, all the work that you do and all the things that you put
together in life, the training, the ups and downs, the good times,
the bad times, the championships and that stuff are all great,
but when they say Hall of Fame, you know, that puts everything
all in perspective. You know you'll always be appreciated and
you'll never forget all the people that appreciate you.
Ryan:
It's ironic that there are only two of you inducted and one of
those is Royce Gracie. What do you think about being inducted
with one of your biggest rivals?
Ken:
Well, you know, Royce Gracie has done a lot, especially in the
beginning, for this sport going the way it is. So, I think it's
an honor to have a guy like Royce, who won four tournaments...
the guy definitely earned the right to be in there. He's a great
fighter, but he's one of those guys that just doesn't know how
to close his mouth either. But, as far as the Hall of Fame, he
deserves to go out of anybody.
Ryan:
Ken, are you ever bummed that you didn't get one more shot at
Royce?
Ken:
Yes, I am very bummed. Especially with the things that I'm hearing
now, that he's saying that I'm done and I'm washed up, you know,
I can't fight no more. But, yet, he's not in there fighting.
Ryan:
Do you think there will be any kind of words exchanged next week?
Ken:
You know, if there is, it'll be in interviews and things like
that. I think there's a place for that and you've got to try
and keep it as respectful as possible, you know, because it is
about being in the Hall of Fame. It's not about the fighting,
it's about what you've done. Like I said, being in the ring,
if anything is said, it could be volatile. [laughs]
Ryan:
Let's talk about your health. Tell the fans how you're doing,
what you've been up to.
Ken:
Well, I had the injury for about a year and a half. I tore my
ACL. Being hard headed and able to overcome any injuries that
I've ever had, this one I wasn't able to overcome. I had to go
in and get it fixed. I had the surgery, it's been about 2 months.
The recovery is coming around very, very fast. My doctor says
it's amazing because I came out of surgery on the 8th, a Monday,
and I had very little swelling... Monday the surgery, Wednesday
I was starting the therapy and by 2-3 weeks I had no swelling
at all. So, it was pretty amazing the way that my body has come
back and recovered. I'm ready to rock, right now I'm doing weights,
trying to strengthen the legs, the thighs, trying to get the
nerves firing again. So, everything is coming around a lot faster
than I expected and even faster than my doctor's expected.
Ryan:
Ken, it sounds like you had this injury against Tito, is that
correct?
Ken:
Yeah, I had the injury, probably... you know, I lost 2 fights
in a row. I lost to Don Frye, which was a very close fight that
went to a decision, I tore it before that fight. It was like
6 months prior to that fight that I tore my ACL and I didn't
want to go in and get it fixed because I felt like I could overcome
it. Strengthen the hamstrings and the calves and just ignore
it and work on my standup and ignore my grappling. That was probably
not a very smart decision because grappling is probably 90% of
my arsenal.
Ryan:
As a result, many people say that you probably should get another
shot at Tito Ortiz. What's your take? Do you want to fight Tito
Ortiz again?
Ken:
Absolutely. That's probably the number one thing on my list besides
a fight with Royce Gracie. I'd love to have a fight with Royce,
but I've been trying to get that for many, many years and it
isn't happening. I don't see it happening now. He'll talk, but
he won't walk the walk. So, Tito Ortiz is really number one on
my list along with Royce.
I
don't know if Tito is up to it because when you get beat, it's
hard to come back from that. Some people can't do it. I can.
I come back hard, I come back strong. Tito Ortiz doesn't seem
to be coming back very strong.
Ryan:
When do you think you will be back in the Octagon again?
Ken:
I'm hopefully looking at maybe January 31st. That's not for sure
though, that's something that I'm shooting for. If it doesn't
happen then, it will definitely happen two months after that.
Ryan:
Any idea who you might face your first fight back?
Ken:
No, I don't. I would definitely love it to be Tito Ortiz. I'm
not one for warm-ups.
Ryan:
Ken, do you have a few minutes that we can get a few questions
from the fans on the MMAWeekly Live Fighter Chat?
Ken:
Yeah, let's do it.
Ryan:
With the Hall of Fame ceremony coming up there's usually family
involved, speaking of that, what's your relationship with Bob
Shamrock like these days?
Ken:
Our relationship's good. He lives with me. He helps with my career.
So, he will definitely be at the Hall of Fame. My kids will be
at home watching it. They'll all be a part of it one way or another.
Dad will be with me there. You can't put into words how I feel
about this Hall of Fame. It wraps everything up that I've ever
done all together.
Ryan:
That's the best part, especially your Dad, he's the one that
really helped you get through this, right?
Ken:
Absolutely. Your parents are... you have your differences in
life and you have your squabbles, and I don't think there's any
family that don't, but you put it back together and you move
on. That's just the way that things go. Me and my dad have had
our squabbles, but I love my dad with all my heart and he loves
me with all his heart and he's helped me get to the place that
I've been and I won't forget that.
Ryan:
How about Frank [Shamrock], do you talk with Frank at all?
Ken:
Well, I haven't talked with Frank in a long time. There's nothing
really bad between us. It's just that he's got other agendas
in his life that he needs to attend to right now.
Ryan:
Another question from the Live Fighter Chat, how's Guy Mezger
doing?
Ken:
That's a good question because I'm at Guy's school right now
in Dallas. He's getting ready for a fight in Holland, so I'm
down here and watching his training. He looks good. He's still
in it and he's fighting different places now other than Japan.
He's going to be fighting pretty soon.
Ryan:
Another original Lion's Den guy, and he sure looked good in his
comeback fight with Pedro Rizzo, Tra Telligman. He had Pedro
in a lot of trouble in that fight early, didn't he?
Ken:
Yeah, he knocked him out and Pedro, being the fighter that he
is, has probably been in that position many, many times being
a stand-up fighter. He shot on Tra and Tra was really shocked
and he caught Tra with a double-leg and Tra sprawled out to get
away and he tore his groin, reinjured it. That kind of worked
against him, but he hurt Pedro several times with the cross and
Pedro had to shoot which is something you don't see very often.
I thought it was a great fight. Tra got cut, they stopped the
fight. That's stuff that happens in these things.
Ryan:
Back to the fans questions, how would you fight Tito differently
next time?
Ken:
[Laughs] Listen, it's like this, I got beat last time by a better
fighter. This time, I'm going to go in there and do some things
differently. I don't really want to say how I'm going to be doing
things differently, but you go in and you learn from the fight.
I had to overcome some things and this time I don't.
Ryan:
Another question, has your stint in pro wrestling has contributed
to your recurring injuries?
Ken:
No, no, not at all, I tore my ACL after I got out of pro wrestling.
I was training to fight Vovchanchyn in Pride and I was doing
takedowns and I tore my ACL. I took some time out and started
to strengthen it and all those things to not have surgery, but
it hasn't worked out for me. So, I went in and got the surgery
done.
Ryan:
Ken Shamrock joining us live on MMAWeekly Radio. Ken, how about
fighting Tank Abbott?
Ken:
Umm... Okay. [Laughs] I ask for certain fights, but if I don't
get them it doesn't matter. But I do ask for certain ones that
I'd like to get, if I don't get 'em I'll fight whoever they put
in front of me. I've always done that. I don't pick and choose.
I'm not a paper champion. I've always done that. Whoever won
the tournament, that's who I fought. There were some times that
they threw some guys in there because whoever won the tournament
didn't want to fight or whatever, but I've never ducked a fight.
I've never said, "No, I'm not gonna fight this guy."
Ryan:
A couple of guys want me to ask you about the rest of the Lion's
Den guys, Pete Williams and Jerry Bohlander.
Ken:
Pete Williams, I saw him last night. He looks good. He's not
fighting. He's was thinking about doing chiropractic work and
now he's thinking about being a chef. He's looking in other directions.
His hearts not in it.
Jerry
Bohlander, he's down in Napa. He's training people out of a gym
down there in Napa, California. He's doing very well. His heart's
not into fighting, but he does love to train people.
Ryan:
Somebody wanted to know your thoughts about Randy Couture. What
about fighting a guy like Randy Couture?
Ken:
Sure.
Ryan:
You're easy. You just want to fight anybody, don't you?
Ken:
Yeah. There's certain people that I do want to fight. One of
them's Royce Gracie and one of them's Tito Ortiz. I'm at a certain
point in my career where it's not about the money. I mean, we
all need to make money, but it's not about the championship belt,
although the belt would be nice. But for me, it's just about
closing stories and that story's been left open between me and
Royce forever. With Tito Ortiz, it's a short story. It's been
going on for about four years. We fought, we put an end to that
chapter. I'd like to get a rematch just as Tito Ortiz wants a
rematch with
Randy Couture.
Ryan:
You started a promotion a while back. Is that done or are you
going to pursue that some more?
Ken:
Oh, the one in Atlantic City?
Ryan:
Yeah.
Ken:
We were talking about doing one. Instead of doing that, with
the Ground and Pound people that I'm with, we decided to go after
certain fighters and have them wear our clothing. Like, Matt
Hughes wore it, Randy Couture wore it, and we've got Ricco Rodriguez
in this next one. We've got a few other people that we're talking
to about wearing it, but that's kind of the direction with the
money. There is the possibility in the next year or so of putting
on an event in Atlantic City again.
Ryan:
Who do you think should be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Ken:
I think Dan Severn has to be one of them. He won the Ultimate
Ultimate tournament and he won another tournament. He's definitely
made a mark in history. It's hard to say. You know, Jerry Bohlander
was the first light heavyweight champion back then it was middleweight.
He won the tournament to be the very first one. Frank Shamrock,
he's done a lot of great things in there. Randy Couture, who's
not done fighting yet, but definitely made a mark, a statement
at a late date in his life. I think that he's definitely deserving.
And, of course, Tito Ortiz. He has probably the longest winning
streak as champion in UFC history.
Ryan:
You've seen this sport change so much, are there any fighters
now that you like to watch compete?
Ken:
I like B.J. Penn. He's got a good style, very patient, but yet
explodes when he needs to. I like Randy Couture. He's just amazing.
I like Ricco Rodriguez, he's exciting at times. I like Phil Baroni.
I like his character and how he comes out. He's cocky but almost
in a respectful way because after the fight's over it's over.
I'll tell ya, there's a lot of them in there. It's hard to name
them all. These guys come after each other and it's exciting
to watch.
Ryan:
I'm just gonna fire some names at you and you just tell me whatever
comes to mind. Tank Abbott.
Ken:
[Laughs] Out of shape.
Ryan:
Dan Severn.
Ken:
Beat up. He's got too many little fights. He should wait and
take a big one.
Ryan:
Royce Gracie.
Ken:
Too much talking, not enough showing.
Ryan:
Ken Shamrock.
Ken:
Come back.
Ryan:
Tito Ortiz.
Ken:
Shut up. Put up.
Ryan:
Vanderlei Silva.
Ken:
Stud. All around fighter. Strong, quick.
Ryan:
Minotauro Nogueira.
Ken:
Outstanding skills.
Ryan:
Mirko Cro Cop.
Ken:
[Laughs] Dangerous.
Ryan:
How about Chuck Liddell?
Ken:
Oh man, back to the drawing board. He needs to find who he is.
Ryan:
B.J. Penn.
Ken:
Smooth.
Ryan:
Who's the best fighter pound for pound right now?
Ken:
Pound for pound, Matt Hughes. He's just so powerful and strong.
Ryan:
Ken, I appreciate it man.
Ken:
Thank you very much. It's the fans and people like you that make
it all worth while.
Source: MMA Weekly |
A
Lift for the Brazilian Martial Arts Community
On
Sunday, the Brazilian Martial Arts Community received a very
important lift! For the first time ever Rede Globo, the largest
national tv station, showed a positive report about MMA! In a
6 minute report on 'Fantástico' (one of the most important
sunday programs on brazilian TV) broadcasted natiowide to about
50 milion people, MMA was potrayed as a positive, international
sport.
The
report became a reality thanks to an invitation by Mario Sperry
(BTT) to the most respected reporter on Rede Globo, Gloria Maria.
She joined the BTT in Japan, to personally review the brazilian
team's participation in Pride GP, as well as to report on the
overall level and professionalism of the show.
Maria
did an excellent job on the report that aired, not only showing
how popular the brazilians are in Japan but also explaining to
the people that now Vale-Tudo is a sport with rules. The events
was attended by children and women in Japan, putting 68 thousand
people in the Tokyo Dome.
The
program showed clips from the loss of Murilo Bustamante, as well
as the two wins by Wanderlei Silva and 'Minotauro'.
After
getting caught up in the emotions at the show, she wound up cheering
a lot for the brazilian fighters. Afterwards, Gloria Maria confessed.
'I came to Japan thinking that I would make a report about violence
and I found a passionate and professional sport.' stated the
journalist.
This
report is being considered a turning point in Brazil, as normally
other tv stations follows Rede Globo´s examples. After
being against Vale Tudo for years, the big media in Brazil may
be set to finally recognize MMA as a sport. The Brazilian Martial
Artd Community extends a HUGE thanks to the professionalism and
passion of the Japanese people.
Source: ADCC |
College
Wrestling Wrap-up:
OKLAHOMA STATE WINS SECOND, THOMPSON WINS FIRST, AS COWBOYS TOP
MICHIGAN STATE
There
was a lot of action in college wrestling this weekend. Here are
some of the major results as reported in various press releases:
OKLAHOMA
STATE
Cowboys
Drop Michigan State, 29-9
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ryan Teubner // Sunday, November 16,
2003
Cowboys
Win No. 28 over Spartans
EAST
LANSING, Mich. (OSU Athletics <http://www.okstate.com>) 'Oklahoma State's
wrestling team proved to be too strong for the Michigan State
Spartans, winning seven of the 10 bouts en route to a 29-12 victory.
The Cowboys improve to 2-0 on the year while the Spartans drop
to 0-1.
OSU's
157-pounder Kevin Ward started the dual with an 11-3 major decision
over Matt McCarty to give OSU a 4-0 lead. The Cowboys extended
their lead to 10-0 after Tyrone Lewis, 165 pounds, pinned fifth-year
senior Arsen Aleksanyan in 51 seconds.
The
Pokes built a 15-0 lead after 174-pounder Chris Pendleton recorded
a 20-5 technical fall over Anton Hall in 5:00. The win gave Pendleton
his second straight technical fall of the season.
MSU
scored its first points of the day after Nate Mesyn defeated
Brett Munson, 7-0, at 184 pounds. The Spartans would then earn
points at heavyweight and at 141 pounds. The Spartans' 141-pounder
Andy Simmons defeated Ronnie Delk, 11-5, while heavyweight Mike
Keenan scored a reversal on Will Gruenwald before pinning him
in 3:55.
133-pounder
Johnny Thompson and Zack Esposito, 149 pounds, scored major decisions
for the Cowboys at 133 and 149, respectively. Thompson returned
to form with a 13-4 major over Tony Greathouse, while Esposito
defeated Darren McKnight 8-0.
Rusty
Blackmon, 197 pounds, and 125-pounder Cody Stites each recorded
decisions for the Cowboys. Blackmon blanked Jeff Clemens, 6-0,
while Stites earned his first victory of the season with a 8-3
decision over Criag Trombley.
The
Cowboys return to action Nov. 21 with a conference dual against
Missouri in St. Louis. The dual is slated to start at 7 p.m.
Results:
125- Cody Stites (OSU) dec. Craig Trombley, 8-3
133- Johnny Thompson (OSU) m.d. Tony Greathouse, 13-4
141- Andy Simmons (MSU) dec. Ronnie Delk, 11-5
149- Zack Esposito (OSU) m.d. Darren McKnight, 8-0
157- Kevin Ward (OSU) m.d. Matt McCarty, 11-3
165- Tyrone Lewis (OSU) fall Arsen Aleksanyan, :51
174- Chris Pendleton (OSU) t.f. Anton Hall, 20-5, 5:00
184- Nate Mesyn (MSU) dec. Brett Munson, 7-0
197- Rusty Blackmon (OSU) dec. Jeff Clemens, 6-0
285- Mike Keenan (MSU) fall Will Gruenwald, 3:55
MINNESOTA
Golden
Gopher Wrestlers Claim Six Titles at Harold Nichols Open
The
third-ranked Golden Gopher wrestling team kicked off its 2003-04
season by claiming six titles at the Harold Nichols Open in Fort
Dodge Iowa. Minnesota will compete at the UNO Open next Saturday
in Omaha, Neb.
Returning
All-American Bobbe Lowe claimed the title at 125, while redshirt
freshman Quincy Osborn prevailed at 133. Osborn is competing
with redshirt freshman Will Holst for the starting nod at 133
for Minnesota when its dual meet season begins on Dec. 12.
Sophomore
Tommy Owen won the 141 pound title, while true freshman C.P.
Schlatter claimed 149 in his first appearance as a Golden Gopher.
Schlatter, a four-time Ohio state champion, is rated the third-best
incoming recruit in the nation.
Two-time
All-American Jacob Volkmann got off to a strong start after winning
the 165 title.
Redshirt
freshman Cole Konrad, the Golden Gophers' likely starter at Heavyweight,
claimed the title at 275 over 2003 NCAA Division II Champion,
Les Sigman of Nebraska-Omaha.
OKLAHOMA
Saturday,
Nov. 15, 2003 For Immediate Release
Wrestling
Wins Fifth Consecutive Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Classic Hazewinkel
and Hardy win individual championships.
Norman,
Okla. - The 10th ranked University of Oklahoma wrestling team
captured its fifth consecutive team title at the Brockport/Oklahoma
Gold Classic with a score of 178.5 on Saturday. Sam Hazewinkel
(125) and Brandon Hardy (133) won individual championships in
their respective weights classes. In addition to the two individual
titles and four runner-ups, Oklahoma also placed 11 wrestlers
in nine different weight classes.
'I
am ecstatic about the teams performance' Head coach Jack Spates
said. 'We have won this tournament every year we have competed.'
Oklahoma
placed both wrestlers in the 125 pound class. Red-Shirt Freshman
Sam Hazewinkel beat Freshman Mimi Miller by a 3-2 decision for
the title. Miller wrestled unattached in the meet.
The
Sooners claimed the 133 pound title when freshman Brandon Hardy
won by decision, 5-2, over Bernard Gardner of Army.
Freshman
Jeff Ecklof placed third in the 149 pound weight class, after
losing to eventual champion Jeff Ratliff of Ohio, by a 1-3 decision.
Senior
Rafael Maturino placed second in the 157 pound weight class after
Phillip Simpson of Army won by a major decision in a hard fought
championship match.
'Rafael
really came of age' Spates said.
Oklahoma
placed wrestlers in the next four weight classes. Junior Randy
Sulaver placed fifth in the 165 pound weight class, junior E.K.
Waldhaus placed second to Andy Roy of Rutgers (Dec. 2-3), red-shirt
freshman Justin Dyer placed fourth in the 184 pound weight class
and junior Joel Tapler placed third (dec. 3-4) in the 197 pound
weight class.
The
Sooners had two Heavyweights place. Sophomore Jake Hager placed
fourth, while senior Leonce Crump lost a tough championship match
to defending national champion Tommy Rowlands of Ohio State in
the last eight seconds (dec. 3-2).
Oklahoma
will hit the mat again Thursday, Nov. 20, when they host Missouri
Valley in the Howard McCasland Field House at 7 p.m.
OHIO
STATE Nov. 15, 2003 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No.
10 Ohio State Wrestling Captures Second at Oklahoma Gold Classic
Clark, Kaplan, Ratliff and Rowlands represent No. 10 Buckeyes
COLUMBUS,
Ohio- The No. 10 Ohio State wrestling team (0-0, 0-0) competed
at the Oklahoma Gold Classic Saturday in Brockport, N.Y. The
Buckeyes claimed second place with 143 team points, falling 35.5
points shy of No. 15 Oklahoma in the overall team standings.
The
Buckeyes were led by title-winning performances from seniors
Tommy Rowlands (HWT, Hilliard, Ohio), John Clark (165, Canton,
N.Y.), Blake Kaplan (184, Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jeff Ratliff
(149, Marion, Ohio).
With
Rowlands' pin of Cleveland State's John Seng at the 1:48 mark
in the championship prelims, scoring six team points, he eclipsed
the 500-point barrier for his career. Rowlands went on to pin
Aaron Ferrance of Bloomsburg in the quarterfinals before obtaining
a 9-5 victory by decision over Jake Hager of Oklahoma in the
semifinals. Rowlands finished with a close 3-2 win in the final
over Oklahoma's Leonce Crump.
In
the 165-pound class Clark began competition in the semifinals
after he received a bye through the first two rounds. He continued
his domination using major decision and technical wins to advance
to the final round and claim the title with a 10-5 victory over
Artie Wiedler of Brockport.
In
the 184-pound class, Kaplan posted a shut out over Cleveland
State's Sengbe Kemokai in the championship prelims with an 11-0
win. In later rounds, he used decision in the quarterfinals and
a pin in the semifinals to advance to the final, finishing with
an impressive 8-1 count over Arizona's Luke Calvert. Ratliff
breezed through the first four rounds in the 149-pound class,
winning by a pin in each match. In the first round, he downed
Pat Larkin of Wagner at the 1:31 mark with a pin. Ratliff defeated
Cleveland State's Matt DePolo, posting a 9-2 decision, en route
to the 149-pound class title. Others who saw action in the Oklahoma
Gold Classic in were Jermaine Jones at 125 pounds, James King
at 157 and Alex Picaro at 174.
Complete
results from the Oklahoma Gold Classic can be found online at:
http://www.brockport.edu/%7Eathletics/wrestling/releases0304/classic.html
Next
up, the Buckeyes travel to the Las Vegas Invitational Dec. 5-6
in Las Vegas, Nev.
2003
SUNY Brockport/Oklahoma Gold Wrestling Showcase Classic November
15, 2003
FINAL
TEAM SCORES
1.
University of Oklahoma Sooners - 178.5
2. Ohio State University Buckeyes - 143.0
3. Army Black Knights - 121.0
4. Cleveland State Vikings - 111.5
5. University of Buffalo Bulls - 102.5
6. Rutgers Scarlet Knights - 96.5
7. SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles - 84.5
8. Bloomsburg University Huskies - 81.0
9. Wagner College Seahawks - 2.0
Source: ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the
fight--it's the size of the fight in the dog."
Dwight Eisenhower, 34th U.S. President
|
Call
out to Casca Grossa Members!
If you have a student, please email us so that we can keep your
email on file. I know we keep announcing it at class, but there
are a lot of guys out there that has been taking a break and
have not been to class in a while. Even if you think we have
your email, shoot us a quick email just to make sure.
Please
email
us
as soon as possible! Thanks!
|
SUPERBRAWL
Coming Up!:
December 5th Card Preview!
Honolulu,
HI - Hawaii's oldest and most respected event, SUPERBRAWL, returns
on December 5th with another great mixture of local fighters
and foreign talent. Although SUPERBRAWL have been distancing
themselves from their SHOOTO ties lately, Middleweight Champion
Masanori Suda is also the SHOOTO Champion at 83 kg. SUPERBRAWL's
main star Egan Inoue has been the number two contender in the
same Shooto division all year. Only American Top Team’s
Dustin Denes separates these two in the Shooto rankings. Back
in May, Egan Inoue suffered a 0:27 KO at the hands of Suda, losing
the SUPERBRAWL belt to the tough Japanese fighter.
It’s
hard to get worked up over the Suda versus Shannon Ritch fight,
with Suda being a champion in two promotions, while Ritch has
won roughly half as many fights as he’s lost. Ritch has
fought a whopping twelve times so far this year, going 6-6 in
those internet verifiable fights. Ritch is one of the most experienced
fighters out there, and could put on a great show for the fans
but this one is better looked at as a chance to see Suda, who
fans couldn’t really figure out after seeing him only 0:27
against Inoue.
The
fight to really watch out for is Inoue against Jason Miller!
22 year old Miller has been around for a couple years but really
grabbed attention by defeating Dennis Kang in the Extreme Challenge
50 Middleweight tournament qualifier in February. In the semi-finals
of that show he lost to Tim Kennedy in what many view as the
fight of the night, which earned him an invitation to the series
finals in SuperBrawl 30. He beat Jay Buck by decision but was
unable to finish that night’s tournament. In SuperBrawl
31 he pulled out a 2nd round triangle to defeat Sean Taylor.
Inoue, at 38, is the local favorite who may be motivated by the
thought of regaining his lost belt before he retires. Can the
young gun take out the former champion? Is Egan past his prime
or like Randy Couture, are nay sayers counting him out too early?
Can Egan once again summon the inner strength to retake the belt
in his back yard? One thing is for sure, you can bet Suda will
be looking very closely at this fight.
Card
Subject TO Change:
- Shannon Rich vs. Masanori Suda
- Jason Miller vs. Egan Inoue
- Tyler Lecky vs. Ray Serraille
- Brian Pardoe vs. Riki
- David Yeung vs. Justin Mercado
- Mike Lebuanon vs. Anthony Torres
- Stephen Palling IV vs. Harvey Nakamura
- Ryan Lee vs. Will Hagerty
- Mike Bauer vs. Brandon Keene
Source: ADCC
|
Royce
v Yoshida II in the works
Strong
indications out of Japan point out that the long sought rematch
between Royce Gracie & Hidehiko Yoshida is going to happen.
Details are still sketchy and we haven't been able to get anything
out of the Gracie camp, but some of the seminars on Royce's schedule
have been postponed indicating that Royce may already have started
preparing for the match.
Additionally,
we have reports of posters regarding the fight, reportedly scheduled
to take place on December 31, 2003 are being seen in Japan already.
Rumors are that the fight will be a full MMA match with Pride
rules and 2 x 10 min rounds with no ref stoppage.
Interest
in this rematch will be high; as you may remember, their first
match in the historical Dynamite event (the largest live gate
ever for MMA), ended up in controversy over a referee stoppage
that was disputed by the Gracie clan. More on this as soon as
we can crack Royce's vow of silence on this subject, including
not answering his personal cell phone! Stay tuned!
Source: ADCC
|
2nd
American National Tournament
A
reminder to sign up for the 2nd American National Tournament.
The event is a must compete, the latest team announcing their
presence in Ricardo Pires' Las Vegas Combat Club who will lock
horns with teams from Charles Gracie, Ralph Gracie, Cleber Luciano,
Rigan Machado, Paragon BJJ, Gracie Barra OC, Caique Team, BJJ
Revolution & Renzo Gracie Academy competing to secure their
spot in Team America!
The
event will have a full feature article in Grappling Magazine
along with, of course coverage from ADCC News via Kid Peligro
JJ and representatives from Gracie Magazine & Tatame Magazine
are making plans to attend and cover the event.
A
clarification: From Marcello Siriema, Head Organizer of the IBJJF.
The 2nd American National tournament is open to all nationalities
to compete, but only Americans can qualify to be in Team America
! So if for instance the first place finishers are not Americans,
the IBJJF will go and pick the highest placed American to be
the representative for that category!
To
sign up or for more information go to: American
National
Source: ADCC
|
Brazil
Scene Heating Up -
HEAT Fighting Championships 2 'Evolution'
The
countdown to Heat FC 2 has already started, and on November 27th
the second edition of the biggest MMA show in Latin America is
set to improve upon it's classic first edition.
After
the success of Heat FC 1: 'Genesis', which took production to
a new level for an MMA show in Brazil, it was needed to take
a step further with the second edition of Heat, keeping the promise
of giving Brazil a spectacle the size the motherland of MMA deserves.
With that in mind, a lot of work has been done quietly in the
last months, and the results will be the biggest MMA show ever
in the country, ending the year of 2003 in grand fashion and
promising bigger things for 2004.
The
gorgeous city of Natal will once again host Heat FC next 27th
of November. The difference is that this time, in an audacious
move, the show will take place in an open air football stadium!
Instead
of the Machadinho arena, home of Heat FC 1, the second edition
of Heat is proving its tendency to get bigger by moving to a
bigger stage, making this the first MMA show ever in Brazil to
take place in an open air stadium, bringing a new look to the
sport in the country. The production will also be improved to
fit the new size of the spectacle, and some surprises are promised.
Heat FC 2: Evolution is also going to be broadcast on Pay Per
View to the whole country of Brazil through PREMIERE COMBATE,
the country's biggest fighting pay per view channel, giving a
larger audience a chance to watch and get to know what Heat is
all about.
IFC
Champion Renato 'Babalu' Sobral was forced to withdraw from the
card due to a hand injury, after he had already signed with Heat
(though some sources report the contrary). Brazilian Northeastern
star Silmar Rodrigo was also forced to withdraw due to a serious
illness diagnosed by his doctor, and as of now nobody knows when
he will return to action. PRIDE and UFC veteran Ebenezer Fontes
Braga was added to the card, looking for redemption since his
Heat 1 loss to the hands of Forrest Griffin, Another PRIDE veteran
added to the Heat mix is Japanese fighter Akira Shoji, who will
be facing Gracie Barra black belt Marcelo 'Uirapuru' Azevedo,
also a veteran of the show, giving Shoji a chance to overcome
his defeat to Mauricio 'Shogun' in PRIDE BUSHIDO.
The
main event between Carlos Barreto and Travis Wiuff will put a
lot of power on display. Barreto is coming off an impressive
knockout win at Heat 1, where he showed his new Muay Thai skills.
Against Travis, he will have to show his Jiu Jitsu is still sharp,
as the powerful American fighter is looking for a shot at the
UFC again and knows that a win over Barreto will only help.
Needless
to say, Gustavo Ximu against Allan Goes is a classic Brazil matchup
that is World Class, with two of the biggest teams in Brazil
in Ruas Vale Tudo and Brazilian Top Team. The old Jiu Jitsu versus
Luta Livre rivalry, no one wants to miss this!
Here's
the card for HEAT FC 2 (Subject To Change):
-
Fabio Bolinho x Sergio Junior
- Roman Roytberg x Alexandre 'Vaca'
- Vinicius 'Draculino' x Kleber Galdino
- Forrest Griffin x Edson Paredao
- Ebenezer Fontes Braga vs Eric Wanderley
- check attachment boosAkira Shoji vs Marcelo 'Uirapuru' Azevedo
- Allan Goes vs Gustavo 'Ximu' Machado
- Carlos Barreto vs Travis Wiuff
Source: ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
"A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder."
Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881, Scottish Philosopher, Author
|
Congratulations
to Dexter!
Casca Grossa's own Dexter Kauahi competed in Grappler's Quest
in Las Vegas and took 2nd in his division. He submitted his first
opponent via rear naked choke, beat his second opponent by points
and got edged out in the finals by points.
He also said that UFC veteran Frank Mir, who competed in the
8-man invitational tournament got submitted in the first round.
He
also attended the Shooto event in Las Vegas where he said that
Shonie got his arse handed to him and Emerson ran away from Vasquez
the whole fight. He said that it was a terrible event.
|
Escrima
Tournament at Pearl City High School Today!
There is a full contact escrima tournament today at our alma
mater, Pearl City High School. Fighters Club TV will be there
to cover the event.
|
Jeremy
Jackson is still in Ring of Honor
There was a rumor that UFC veteran, Jeremy Jackson pulled out
of the main event at Ring of Honor where he is pitted against
one of Hawaii's best strikers, Mark Moreno from the Bull's Pen.
Kai Kamaka told me that he spoke to Jackson and he is still in
and he just sent him his tickets to fly down for the event. This
should be a great stand up battle as Jackson has been itching
to show off more of his striking and Moreno is a Hawaii state
Golden Gloves boxer.
Ring of Honor is on November 22nd. Make sure you check it out!
|
MURILO
BUSTAMANTE: 'This fight its not over for me. I want revenge.'
Submitted by: Team TATAME
What happened during the fight. You seemed like you didn’t
understand what had happened... The last thing I remember is
that I was close to Henderson and at the moment I tried to clinch,
I went for his leg. I don’t remember why I did that, because
I haven’t trained this move. After that I put my half guard
on and tried to hold him. When I did that, the referee stopped
the fight and they lifted me up and I didn’t understand.
Marcio Pimentel, my physical trainer, told me in the dressing
room he saw Handerson hit me with his head.
Did
you confirm that while watching the tape? Yes. When I saw the
tape, I was sure that his punch took me out of the fight. Dan
Henderson is a top fighter and he is one of the best fighters
in the category. He could KO me, but at that moment it was the
head butt that knocked me over. It wasn’t the knee. In fact
I got a much stronger knee from Jackson during last Pride. Henderson’s
knee was shorter and kind of weak, with not so much impact. The
other punches didn’t hit me so hard either. My face does
not hurt and I don’t have a single mark. The only thing
that had happened to me was that I got the butt.
Do
you want DSE to review the decision? Yes, I want them to review
this, because the head butt is not valid. I know that Dan Henderson
didn’t mean it. He is a gentleman and you can see it on
the tape. He tried to punch me and I moved in the same direction
as his head. So it changed the whole fight for me. I cannot say
I would beat his ass or I would win the fight. I can say I was
really well trained and warmed up. I came from a good fight with
Jackson. I cannot blame the ring area. It was a good distance
between us. I did my game. His strategy was to take me down with
a punch but not with submission.
Didn’t
Renzo lost in a similar situation? He suffered a similar deal.
I will not create excuses because I lost. I would sleep really
well if he had beaten my ass off. The fact is that did not happen
and this is what is bugging me.
What
do you think about Wanderlei and Minotauro’s fights? I think
Wanderlei fought really well. Yoshida surprised everyone and
gave him a hard time at the beginning of the fight. But after
that, Wanderlei returned and did an awesome fight against Quinton
and showed he deserved the victory. Minotauro gave a show. This
guy who faced him is really tough. Besides he is a great striker,
he trains Wrestling with a Croat world champion. It is hard to
put him down. Minotauro absorbed every punch, and he was calm
and came back and showed his will to beat Mirko in the second
round. He feinted a jab and caught his legs at the right time
to put the guy down and submit.
And
your deal with Pride? My deal has ended. They invited me to fight
on December 31st, but I do want rest. I would accept to face
Dan Henderson. I
would like to have this revenge. I would give him a rematch if
the
opposite happened. I wanna face him again because it is not over
and I don’t
feel I lost this fight.
Source: ADCC |
SEVERN
CHOOSES NOT TO ATTEND 10TH ANNIVERSARY FESTIVITIES
In a strange story, it appears Dan Severn will not be a part
of the UFC 45 festivities. MMAWeekly has had it confirmed from
the UFC that Severn will not be a part of the event because of
some scheduling conflicts.
That
is what he told the UFC. Some other insiders don't believe that
is the story. Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer had the following
story on their website on Friday.
The
observer said quote "Dan Severn will not be appearing as
listed as one of the most popular fighters in UFC history because
he's legitimately mad because Ken Shamrock was picked ahead of
him for the Hall of Fame."
Take
that for what it's worth. Severn was not available for comment
when MMAWeekly tried to contact him yesterday.
Source: MMA Weekly |
WILL
HORN EVER GET ANOTHER CHANCE AT THE UFC?
Jeremy Horn is one of the most experienced fighters in the game
today. With close to 130 MMA fights and winning over 100 fights,
we haven't seen him in the UFC for quite some time.
There
was some talk a few months ago that he would be competing in
the 185 pound weight division. That hasn't happened.
MMAWeekly
Radio had Horn's manager, Monte Cox on the radio show yesterday,
and Cox has had a tough time understanding why Horn isn't fighting
in one of the big shows. "He has done everything that anyone
has asked. They wanted Jeremy to be more exciting and he has
done that. I don't know what anyone else wants him to do."
Horn
has changed his style recently. Since winning a decision against
Tiger White in Las Vegas a few months ago, Horn abandoned his
conservative style and has become much more comfortable striking
with his opponents.
That
became evident with a series of wins at the IFC Tournament in
Denver three months ago, where in that stretch he defeated Michael
Avetisian, Forrest Griffin and lost a touch close match to Babalu
Sobral. Horn was very impressive in that tournament, but still
hasn't had any luck getting back into the UFC.
With
the lack of depth in the 185 pound division, it seems like it
would be a natural fit to have Horn compete in the division.
For
now Jeremy Horn will get ready to fight Dean Lister in December.
It's believed that this will be the last fight for Horn at 205.
He will cut down to 185 from this point on according to Cox.
Source: MMA Weekly |
HOOST
TO COMPETE IN K-1
According to a few sources, 2002 K-1 Champion Ernesto Hoost will
be participating in the upcoming tournament.
Peter
Graham will not fight December 6th. Unfortunately he injured
himself playing a 18 hole game of golf. Good luck to him.
We
have seen that a few MMA athletes have to stop training because
of injuries. Bowling? ...yes, bowling; at the 2002 finals, Dutch,
Sem Schilt injured himself playing some 'rough' game of bowling.
Source: MMA Weekly |
Vazquez
Outpoints Emerson in Inaugural Las Vegas SHOOTO Event
By Josh Gross
LAS VEGAS
-- Returning to the ring for the first time since a gutsy effort
versus Alberto Crane in which he tore his anterior cruciate ligament,
former King of the Cage lightweight champion Javier Vazquez won
the second SHOOTO bout of his career by out-pointing striker
Robert Emerson to earn a split decision Friday night in the Orleans
Casino Mardi Gras Ballroom.
Following
three slow rounds that saw Vazquez be the aggressor, attempting
to force Emerson into a more assertive game plan, judges Cecil
Peoples and Tony Weeks scored it 29-28 for the slippery grappler,
while Dalby Shirley had it 29-28 for Emerson. MaxFighting scored
it 29-28 for Vazquez, giving him rounds two and three.
Emerson's
best moment came in round one. Following a heavy knee -- the
only strike of significance Emerson would land during the 15-minute
contest -- Vazquez stumbled backwards to the mat. His challenger
pounced. Cheered on by trainer Marco Ruas and stable mate Pedro
Rizzo, Emerson flurried with punches. Aside from a small nick
to the bridge of his nose, Vazquez survived unscathed, recovering
to the point where he could work for submissions from the bottom.
Round
two saw an extremely cautious Emerson do little while Vazquez,
gaining confidence by out-striking Emerson with punches and kicks,
brought the fight to the mat for the first time. Despite finally
wrestling Emerson to the ground, Vazquez had trouble controlling
his stronger, larger opponent.
The
third and final round was Vazquez' best. With Emerson mimicking
the Ruas-style that exercises countering and patience, he proved
unwilling to get off first, waiting for Vazquez to initiate the
tactics of the fight.
Landing
his second takedown, Vazquez quickly passed Emerson's guard until
he secured the full mount. It appeared like Vazquez would be
able to finish the fight, but he became overanxious while looking
for a fight-ending submission, and was tossed to the side lunging
for a sloppy armbar.
Back
on the feet, Vazquez continued to pepper a reluctant Emerson
until the final bell sounded. With Emerson's fans inside the
ballroom voicing their displeasure, the victory clearly belonged
to Vazquez, who's immediately propelled back into the fray at
155 pounds, just in time for his January UFC debut.
Mixed
martial arts veteran Shonie Carter is not the same fighter he
used to be. Of course, several hundred fights, no downtime and
an uncanny ability to find his way into wars have done little
to dissuade his slide.
In
the past, Jon Fitch, an up-and-coming wrestler turned fighter
training out of San Jose's American Kickboxing Academy, is the
type of fighter Carter would have eaten for lunch. But as time
and punishment take their tolls, tonight's fight offered a much
different outcome.
Midway
through round one, Carter realized he'd be unable to muscle or
scramble his way to victory over Fitch. His troubles carried
over to the second period as Fitch landed an early takedown,
passed to mount and inflicted heavy damage. Carter, notorious
for unorthodox scrambles, had no answer for Fitch's grappling
control.
When
Carter rolled to his left, Fitch followed with right punches.
When Carter rolled to his right, Fitch followed with left punches.
Unable to shake his foe, Carter absorbed numerous downward shots
which opened a waterfall of crimson from the veteran's nose.
As the bell sounded for the end of the period, it was clear he
had little left.
Fitch
opened round three with one more takedown and uncharacteristically
Carter tapped out, signifying and end to the fight and possibly
his days as a danger to mid- to high-level fighters. He slumped
over on the spot he tapped and vomited onto the ring canvas.
Carter left the ring under his own power.
Aaron
Riley, who like Carter has an extensive tour of duty in the ring,
was blown out of the water by Minnesotan Sam Morgan 2:41 of the
first round. Morgan opened with a heavy kick to Riley's midsection
and followed with a lighting-quick takedown. After a scramble
that saw both fighters get back to their feet, Morgan pulled
Guard and awkwardly yank on Riley's right arm to secure an armbar,
forcing the hard-nosed fighter to tapout.
Nick
Ertl and Rick Davis battled in a back-and-forth showdown that
delighted those in attendance. Davis had the upper hand early
until Ertl dropped him with a serious of punches. The fight didn't
hit the mat until there were two minutes remaining in the first
period; the pace slowed before the bell sounded signaling the
end of the round.
Both
fighters looked spent heading into the second frame. Meeting
in the center of the ring, Ertl walked towards Davis with his
hands down. The Las Vegas-resident (and full-time third-grade
teacher) obliged by offering a brutal spinning back-fist that
connected directly to Ertl's jaw. He dropped to the mat in a
heap and referee Nelson "Doc" Hamilton jumped in to
start a 10-count, one of the few differences between SHOOTO bouts
and fights in other MMA organizations. Ertl stumbled back to
his feet but was clearly leaved of his faculties and the fight
was called 0:26 into the round.
Missing
on Friday's card was a bout featuring Erica Montoya. Her opponent
fell prey to injury moments before the card started. It was announced
that the fight would take place at a later date.
Two
kickboxing bouts rounded out the night's action. In a Muay Thai
bout, Albert Torres decisioned his way past Eric Osario (50-45
three times) and Brenda Lopez earned a split decision over Rachel
Duangsima.
Source: Maxfighting |
Quote
of the Day
"The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of
a life well spent is eternal."
Cicero, c. 106-43 BC, Great Roman Orator, Politician
|
WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Manny Pacquiao
Live
on HBO, Saturday, November 15 at 9:45PM ET/6:45PM PT. HBO Sports
fires up a hot featherweight attraction when Marco Antonio Barrera
(57-3, 40 KOs) squares off against Manny Pacquiao (37-2-1, 28
KOs).
The night starts with the exclusive delay broadcast of Roy Jones
vs. Antonio Tarver from Las Vegas. Then, live from the Alamodome
in San Antonio, the 126-pounder Marco Antonio Barrera faces Manny
Pacquiao moving up from 122 pounds in a 12-round featherweight
fight.
Source: HBO |
Ring
Of Honor Card Changes:
AFC Champ PJ Dean is on the card
Campbell High School Gym, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
November 22, 2003
Doors open at 6pm , Fights start 7pm.
Adults $20 at the door, $15 in advance
kids 6-15 $10.
Tickets can be bought at all participating school or contact
the 808 Fight Factory at 671-4140.
Main Event Pro MMA Bout 3 x 5 minute rounds - 170lbs
Jeremy Jackson (Team Freedom) vs. Mark Moreno (Bulls Pen)
Semi-Main MMA Bout- 145lbs
Kelii Newalu (808) vs. Marcus Moreno (Bulls Pen)
Amateur MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 170lbs
Blake Hottendorf (Kodenkan) vs. PJ Dean (Hardknocks)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 155lbs
Kevin Delima (Bulls Pen) vs. BJ Jones (Hauula Top Team)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 185lbs
Corey Daniels (Kodenkan) vs. Caleb Price (Jesus Is Lord)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds -
Ron Foster (Freelance) vs. Casey Daniels (Kodenkan)
Amateur
MMA 2 x 3 minute rounds - 135lbs
Curtis Rivera (808) vs. Ryan Lee (Bulls Pen)
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes - 170lbs
Harris Sarmiento (808) vs. Paul Laga (Bulls Pen)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes - 200lbs
Gun Wheeler (HMC) vs. Andy Ahsing (Ewa Beach Fight Club)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes -
Russ Barr (HMC) vs. Jr. Yacup (Freelance)
Amateur
Kickboxing 3 x 1:30 minutes -
Oscar Okano (HMC) vs. Teddy Piko (808)
Kids Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 55lbs
Kai Kamaka III (808) vs. Chancen Kalua (Makakilo Kickboxing)
Kids
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 50lbs
Tristin Kamaka (808) vs. Shea Soares (Waianae Kickboxing)
Kids
Amateur Kickboxing 3 x 1min Rounds - 65lbs
Keanu Kamaka (Untaimed Bloodline) vs. Chris Ruiz (Makakilo Kickboxing)
Source: Event Promoter |
J.G.'s
"Post-PRIDE GP" Mailbag
Compiled and Edited by Josh Gross
Wanna
hear one thing about mixed martial arts that is both good and
bad? The amazing fight cards where a list of questions and answers
are revealed in one evening. How could that be bad you ask? Well,
it leaves us with little to contemplate weeks at a time, then,
BOOM, a flood of E-mails and questions. I'd love to have something
to discuss each and every week, but then I'd be complaining about
a card that just included five main-event worthy fights. There
could be worse things.
So,
the fallout. Where do Vanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
and Dan Henderson stand after a night of victories? How will
losses impact "Rampage," "Cro Cop," Murilo
Bustamante and Chuck Liddell? Why does Dana White say what he
says?
The
good, the great, the sublime … and the potential rematches.
Here now, the latest installment of J.G.'s Mailbag.
WHAT'S
IT ALL MEAN?
J.G.,
with Silva winning the Pride tournament, Nogueira beating "Cro
Cop" and Henderson pounding Bustamante, what are the real
important moments from Sunday's show? -- Mark Rosen, Santa Barbara,
Calif.
I
was lucky enough to watch the event inside the Tokyo Dome and
it truly was an epic event. While Hidehiko Yoshida has been much
maligned by non-Japanese journalists, watching the Olympic gold
medallist compete in front of his countrymen was something I'll
always remember.
Clearly,
Yoshida walks away a different fighter in the eyes of nonbelievers
-- ironically, something possible only in defeat.
Aside
from that, the most important fight of the night was "Cro
Cop"-Nogueira, not only because of what happened in the
ring -- and a lot did -- but also because of the repercussions
stemming from Nogueira's comeback victory.
The
Brazilian's win assures that 2004 will be an intriguing year
in Pride's heavyweight class. In February, the two best heavyweights
in the world (Nogueira and Fedor Emelianenko) will engage in
the most intriguing rematch in MMA history. Waiting in the wings
is "Cro Cop," who's done incredibly well considering
his short tenure as a mixed martial artist; it just wasn't his
time yet.
RETURN
OF THE "AXE MURDERER"
Considering
Vanderlei Siva's dominance versus Yoshida and Jackson, is he
the best 205-pounder in the world? Or does that honor belong
to Randy Couture? -- Michael Huntington, Knoxville, Tenn.
Before
Randy started his run at 205 pound, I had Silva ranked No. 1
in the light-heavyweight class. Wins over Chuck Liddell and Tito
Ortiz bumped Randy above Vanderlei on my ballot, mostly because
Silva hadn't fought anyone that was a serious threat in quite
a while.
At
this point, I'm not sure how a Silva-Couture bout plays out.
The intangibles are important. If we're talking about a fight
that takes place in the UFC, Randy is the favorite. On the other
hand, Silva would be the man to put money on in the Pride ring.
Either
way, after Silva's victory on Sunday, Couture sure seemed anxious
to get a crack at the Brazilian champion -- though he made sure
to emphasize his 2004 contest versus another Brazilian, Vitor
Belfort, was the only thing on his mind at the moment.
I'm
probably leaning towards putting Silva back at No. 1 when I vote
in the mixed martial arts media top 10 later this month. Wish
there was a way I could vote both guys at No. 1.
PRIDE
MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
What's
up J.G.? Now that Vanderlei Silva beat on Rampage, are they still
going to fight for the Pride title? It kinda sucks that they
had to fight and it wasn't for the title. Does anyone have an
advantage now that they fought? -- Phil Boyd, Austin, Texas
Well,
DSE already offered Rampage's camp a rematch on New Years Eve.
It was turned down on the spot. But, according to Rampage's trainer,
Colin Oyama, they're still in line for a title shot.
As
far as an advantage on either side, I say it goes to Rampage
despite the fact he was kneed some 20 odd times without answer.
Considering
this was Rampage's first tournament, several people close to
his camp indicated he had a severe respiratory condition leading
up to and during the fight that forced him to breath through
his mouth, and he was doing well before a questionable stand
up by head Pride referee and rule director Yuji Shimada (who
is as consistently inconsistent in his stand ups and stoppages
as any referee in MMA), a rematch with Silva would be much closer
than the first fight.
Expect
it to happen early next year, possibly in Pride's U.S. debut
in March.
FEDOR-"MINOTAURO"
II
How
do you see the Nogueira-Fedor rematch playing out? What can Nogueira
do the second time that he couldn't do the first? -- Peter Malone
Without
a doubt, "Minotuaro" has to fight from the top. If
he doesn't, it'll be a repeat of the first fight, where he was
pummeled for 20 minutes. Nogueira is earning a reputation as
having an ability to absorb obscene amounts of damage before
rallying from behind to win fights. He could not do that versus
Fedor, but you'd be hard pressed to find another heavyweight
capable of doing what "Mino" did versus Bob Sapp and
"Cro Cop."
Fedor
is reckless on the feet, and as a result incredibly dangerous.
He nailed Nogueira with a heavy punch to open their first fight
and controlled from that point forward. He's going to have to
counter Fedor's wildness and scramble his way to a takedown.
Otherwise he'll have a difficult time scoring a takedown.
As
of today, I'm making Fedor the favorite and picking him to win.
POUND-FOR-POUND
BEST?
Yo,
is Dan Henderson hands down the best pound for pound fighter
in the world after he demolished Murilo Bustamante? -- Doug Berman,
Springfield, MA
If
he's not, he's sure in the top three. I wish Henderson's fight
with Bustamante lasted a bit longer so we could actually see
them compete, but what can you say when a guy coming off knee
surgery destroys Murilo Bustamante. I mean, before this fight
Bustamante was widely considered the most skilled fighter in
the world.
Apparently
he's complained that a head butt had something to do with the
loss, which is unfortunate because you don't expect that sort
of post-fight whining from a guy like Murilo. He got caught by
an extremely dangerous fighter. Plain and simple.
As
far as Henderson ranking at the top of the P4P list, he's right
there with Matt Hughes, Vanderlei Silva and Randy Couture. The
common bond between Hughes, Silva and Couture is their ability
to clean out a division, particularly Hughes who if he were to
get past Trigg will have single-handedly made 170 a bore.
Hughes
vs. Henderson, anyone?
HENDO
VS. SILVA II?
Dan
Henderson's Pride 12 fight versus Vanderlei Silva was one of
the best fights ever. Do their wins in the last Pride set up
a rematch? How do you see it going? -- Nick Ono, Chicago, Illinois
You're
right about that, Hendo-Silva is one of my favorite fights of
all time. To date, the Hendo fight has been Silva's toughest
test, and if it were not for an illegal knee (which is now legal
in Pride), Henderson could have walked away with the win in the
first contest instead of the Pride middleweight champion.
After
his win on Sunday, I briefly chatted with Henderson and mentioned
a Silva rematch as something he'd love to get. Both fighters
have improved since the first fight, Silva probably more than
Henderson. Like the first contest, the rematch would be a war.
Henderson has a hell of a right hand and if he could connect
with Silva's chin, he'd have legitimate chance at victory. Silva's
wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu have improved dramatically
since the December 2000 fight and, in my opinion, would be the
difference in the rematch.
THE
"WHITE" JINX?
Josh,
what did you think of Dana White's comments about Chuck Liddell
before the Pride GP? He seemed very confident, but when things
didn't go Chuck's way he seemed to back off. What's Dana's deal?
-- No Name Given
You
must be talking about Dana's comments during the American pay-per-view
telecast, which I haven't seen yet. Ya know, Dana's an excitable
guy and judging from the comments I did hear, he was just doing
what any promoter does: stand behind his guy. What's he supposed
to say: "Well, we don't have that much faith in Chuck, but
what the hell. At least he'll fight."
By
all accounts, Liddell did have a very strenuous and successful
training camp. But versus Quinton Jackson he looked sluggish
and out of shape. It may have just been a case of over-training.
Chuck's had a very busy second half of 2003 and he should take
some time off to rest up.
Hopefully
Tito Ortiz finally steps up and faces Liddell. Liddell's loss
in the GP should not affect a potential fight between the two.
In fact, Ortiz-Liddell in March makes perfect sense.
Again,
I'm not holding my breath.
Source: Maxfighting |
Wanderlei
Silva Post Pride
By Marcelo Alonso
The Pride's owner
While
he was celebrating his great victory over the Pride's ring, Wanderlei
Silva talked to our editor Marcelo Alonso still in the Tokyo
Dome's changing room, last Sunday. Impressed with Hidehiko Yoshida's
strength, Wanderlei says that he had to fight hard, but he never
tought that he could loose. Besides, the Pride Middleweight champion
talks about his victory over Quinton Jackson in the finals and
a possible fight with Randy Couture, to unify the Pride's and
UFC's belts. Check out the hole interview with one of the best
MMA fighters nowadays.
Have
you ever thought that Yoshida could give you such a problem?
No.
When they put the fights, I said: 'Great! I'll knock him out
quickly...' But nothing is easy at Pride. Yoshida proved that
he is a warrior and he gave his life in the ring. The gi made
things for him easier to tie the fight. He seemed to be stronger
than I thought! But I never thought that I could lose. My only
fear was if he decided to he tie all the fight and the decision
goes to the referees. Thanks God that I´ve trained hard.
And
what was the importance of your team on your victory?
100%.
I was well-prepared to the tournament and I believed in my victory,
but my Master (Rudimar Fedrigo) believed even more since the
beginning. During the break, I came tired and my team did a great
job. There was a lot of tension, a lot of responsability. Jackson
is a tough guy, but thanks God everything was fine.
During
Jackson's fight, when did you see that you could win?
I
didn't see the blow, but when I hit the first and the guy seemed
to be bad, I wanted to finish the fight. I started hitting, hitting,
hitting and I saw that it was just a matter of time to the referee
stop the fight. The good thing is that I was well-prepared and
could do that final sprint. That's a lot of people in Brazil
supporting me to get the knock out and I'm very happy that I
could bring to them this happiness. This was the most important
fight on my career.
And
the responsability of fight being the champion. It didn't make
you more nervous?
Pretty
sure. There was a lot of time that I didn't fight in a tournament
and I put my situation of being the champion in question. If
I lost to him, everybody would say that nothing in the past mattered.
That's a lot of responsability, a lot of tension, but my team
always make me calm and confidant.
There
was a time that you almost got a Judo Olympic champion in a triangle
and you also did a good ground fight. Facing Quinton, you also
showed that you knew what you were doing in the ground and you
almost submitted him by an armlock. Would you want to win submitting?
During
the Yoshida's fight, I just had to tie a little more in his leg
and put my hip off. I trained a lot on the ground with Cristiano
Marcelo (Carlos Gracie Jr's black belt). I had a lot of opportunities
and I wanted to submit. I couldn't and then I decided to try
the knock out.
Randy
Couture said to me after the Pride that fights you even in a
ring. Do you accept to face him?
I
think is great to try the most important belts union. The truth
is that I´ve never denied a fight and it wouldn't be now
that I would do that. I want to be respected not just for my
fans, but also for the fighters. I'm a real fighter, that accepts
to fight with everybody. Well-prepared I can face anybody.
Now
do you go to vacations?
I
will take a week and then go back to the training. There is a
Pride on December 31 and I want to fight.
Source: Tatame |
Tatame's
Poll
Best MMA fighter of this year
Wanderlei Silva - 60,61%
Rodrigo Minotauro - 9,09%
Randy Couture - 27,27%
Mirko Cro Cop - 0,00%
None of those - 3,03%
Source: Tatame |
Pequeno
without opponent at Shooto
The Lightweight Shooto Champion Alexandre Pequeno Nogueira lost
his opponent to the Aniversary Shooto edition, December 14, in
the Tokyo Bay Hall, in Japan. According to the Shooto Brazil
Commission, Pequeno's opponent Norifumi Kid Yamamoto broke his
right hand forefinger during the trainings and he couldn't fight.
Due to the Shooto Bushido, in Lithuan, that is running today
(14), the Japanese producers still can't decide whether the fight
will be canceled or not.
Source: Tatame |
Bustamante
watches the Pride GP tape
After watching the Pride GP video tape, Murilo Bustamante has
no doubt that a headpunch prejudicate himself during the alternate
bout with Dan Henderson. "I know that Henderson didn't mean
it, he is a gentleman and you can see this during the tape. But
the only thing that happened to me was that I got my forehead
hurt due to the head blow", says Bustamante. According to
the ex-UFC Middleweight champion, the other punches didn't him
so strong."I got a much stronger knee from Jackson during
the Pride GP's first round. My face isn't hurt and I don't have
a single cut", explains the Brazilian Top Team fighter.
According to Murilo, he was invited to return at December 31
Pride, but he needs some rest. But, if the fight were against
Henderson...
Source: Tatame |
Sergio
Penha moves to Vegas
Sergio
Penha's claim to fame is that in one tournament he was beating
Rickson by points in a tournament until Rickson submitted him
in the last minute of the match.
Hey Kid, I am proud to announce that Sergio Penha has moved for
good to Las Vegas, he is now teaching classes with me at the
Las Vegas Combat Club lvcombatclub.com ). LVCC is the only school
in Vegas with 02 black belts teaching 07 days a week, three classes
a day. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission grappling is growing
fast in Las Vegas, 04 years ago there was only John Lewis but
now we have two other great schools.
I
wish good luck for John Lewis, Marc Leimon and all the others
that are helping to develope the art of brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in
this great Las Vegas. I want to thank all our students for the
great support they've been giving us all this time. There will
be a surprise for the California tournment on the 30th of this
month!
Thank
you again Kid! 'Now go train Jiu-Jitsu.'
Ricardo
Pires.
Source: ADCC |
Quote
of the Day
"Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it
with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith."
Henry Ward Beecher, 1813-1887, American Preacher, Orator, Writer
|
Rigan
Machado Seminar At HMC
Living Legend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu RIGAN MACHADO will be giving
a seminar on Oahu.
Dates
for his trip have officially been confirmed...
Seminar
Date will be Saturday, Dec. 6th (Day after Superbrawl 32)
Seminar
will be held at:
HMC Academy at King's Gate Plaza
555 N. King St.
(2nd floor - directly above Canyon Rent to Own)
Seminar
will begin at 10:00AM with a GI session, followed by a short
break for lunch (several places to eat in the close proximity
of HMC) and then followed by a NO-GI session... we expect that
each session will run 2 to 3 hours...
Pricing
for the seminar will be $40.00 per session or $60.00 for both
(GI & NO-GI)...
Space
is EXTREMELY limited so please call HMC TODAY to reserve your
spot (A $20 non-refundable deposit must be paid to reserve your
space at the seminar). Practicioners will be taken on a first
come first serve basis and we expect that the seminar WILL sell
out as we have a maximum # of participants we will allow in an
effort to prevent over-crowding...
For
more information you can call HMC at 808.841.5144
There
will be no video camera equipment allowed during the seminar
so as not to interrupt the instruction being given and because
the seminar might end up being filmed for use by a production
company later...
We
look VERY forward to meeting all who attend and to giving you
one of the BEST seminars to come to Oahu to date...
Source: Kevin Yoshida
|
DANA
WHITE ANSWERS ALL QUESTIONS ON MMAWEEKLY RADIO
Whether you love UFC President Dana White or hate him, one thing
is for sure. He maybe the most fan friendly CEO of a company
in America, as he answered all the fans questions, plus all the
questions host Ryan Bennett asked him on MMAWeekly Radio.
If
you missed the interview with White, as well as the exclusive
first interview from Chuck Liddell since his loss to Quinton
Jackson, you can listen to it right now at your convience on
our radio archive at MMAWeekly.com.
There
was plenty said in the interview and while we won't go over half
of it here, we will touch on some of the points....
White
talked about his feelings after the fight and if he was disappointed
in Liddell for not winning the Grand Prix. White said that he
wasn't mad at Chuck at all. He was disappointed how the fight
went as he said he saw the fight unraveling in the first round.
White
said, "I take nothing away from Rampage at all, but he did
nothing special in that fight. It looked like a sloppy boxing
match." White continued by saying the way he fought in the
GP wasn’t at all how he trained and wasn’t what he
wanted to do.
White
said " I love Chuck – he’s a close friend. He
was getting hurt to the body with elbows and I thought he had
broken ribs. But Chuck is a warrior and will never quit, so I
was happy they threw in the towel."
When
host Ryan Bennett asked Dana what his impressions were of Vanderlei
Silva he said quote "Silva’s never impressed me before,
but he looked great against Yoshida. He almost submitted him.
Yoshida really impressed me too."
As
impressed as he was with Silva, the guy that impressed most from
the Grand Prix was Minotauro Nogueira. White said of Nogueira,
" I’ve never heard anyone take shots like Nogueira
took from Cro Cop. His body was wrecked. I thought the straight
left hand that he took from Cro Cop broke his nose. The closest
thing to it was when Trinidad hit Vargas with a left hook in
the first round and it cracked through the arena, Nogueira took
30 of those. I’ve never heard anything like it. Out of all
the fights that night, that one impressed me the most –
that Nogueira came back and won that fight."
To
hear more about Sakuraba in the UFC, if he will continue to work
with Pride in the future, his true thoughts on Cro Cop in the
UFC, and what the possibilities are of bringing back Pedro Rizzo
and Tank Abbott, listen right now to the radio archives as the
interview is up.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Post
Fight Info from Pride
A few other things Zack Arnold said was that Hidehiko Yoshida
had to get 5 stitches inside his mouth after the punches he took
from Vanderlei Silva at the Tokyo Dome. Kazushi Sakuraba went
to the hospital on Monday for a physical examination, but nothing
serious.
One
interesting note is that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira has not decided
on what show he is going to work on for New Year's Eve. He has
offers from both PRIDE & Antonio Inoki, so no formal decision
has been made, yet
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Post
Fight Interview - Rodrigo 'MINOTAURO' Noguiera
by Marcelo Alonso / Team Tatame
Congratulations
on your win. Let me ask your impression aboput something - in
the Tokyo Dome I couldn't hear the bell ring. When he knocked
you down I thought the ref was stopping the fight! The problem
was the when I heard the first bell to mark 10 seconds left,
I kind of relaxed and he kicked me!
Why
didn't you try your famous Kakatagatami when you were mounted?
I wanted to punish him a little bit from the mount, and also
because he was smart about that, and he gave me no chance to
apply it. He tried to escape once, and then on the second one,
I opened my legs and let him go. He put his hands to my chest
to push me, and I got his arm. He tried to hold it but I got
a tight grip on his elbow and on his gloves and I got the arm
set for the lock.
Did
you get nervous during the fight? No I was pretty calm. I never
trained so hard in my life. Mirko is a dangerous fighter. I got
him in my guard in the beginning but I was afraid to open my
guard. When I did, he escaped. He escaped from my game desperately
and I couldn't put him down again, so I faced him in his territory.
He is one of the best strikers in the world. I knew that he would
have the advantage in the stand up. But in less than one minute
on the ground I submitted him. It means I'm a more rounded fighter
than him.
What
about his kicking? Really strong and fast. One day before the
fight, Wanderlei told me that his rib kick was not too strong,
he took it well. I agreed with him during the fight. He gave
me two and I also had no problems, so I knew it was not going
to knock me down, so I raised my hands in order to defend the
headkick. At the end of the round, he pretended to hit my ribs
and turned it into a strong headkick. I fell to the ground advising
but I told the referee that I was ok.
It
seems like he did not deal with the ground the same way you did
when he knocked you down. He was a lion when the fight was going
good for him, but when I mounted him, his face completely changed.
He clearly got desperate, so I punished him badly. I knew it
was a question of time for him to give me something.
In
terms of emotion, which fight had more, Bob Sapp or Mirko? I
look at them as two different moments for me, both good. This
one also had the pleasure of the belt being on the line!
So
you got it back? By Pride rules a champion cannot decline twice
to fight for the belt. They asked Fedor to face Mirko twice.
The first time he asked to train more, in the second one he had
a broken hand so me and Mirko fought for the title. I dont want
to take anything away from Fedor, he is a really good fighter,
but, when I fought him, I was in really bad condition, but I
couldn't refuse otherwise they would take my title. In December,
Fedor came up to fight me, in June I could not fight him because
I had the hernia problem so in February I could not refuse the
fight. I fought in really bad condition. This time I'll be better
prepared.
What
do you think of Wanderlei's fights? I could not see them, but
I was cheering for him a lot. The brazilian Rede Globo reporter,
Gloria Maria is making a report and it features two brazilians
winning. It's difficult to explain to foreigner how important
it will be for MMA in Brazil. And Wanderlei is the PRIDE GP Champion!
Source: ADCC
|
WATERMAN
CALLS OUT JOSH BARNETT
Gryphon news reports that Ron Waterman, since he easily disposed
of Jun Ishii recently at the Pancrase event, has called out current
open-weight KOP Josh Barnett and challenge him for the KOP Belt.
Waterman also has signed a new 2-fight deal with PRIDE, he hopes
to fight Health Herring and Bob Sapp.
-
In other Japanese news, according to Weekly Pro Magazine, Alexander
Otsuka has opted for retirement from fighting/wrestling after
suffering damage to ligaments in his left leg. Otsuka will spend
his time now training MMA fighters & pro-wrestlers.
-
Antonio Inoki attended the Nevada State Athletic Commisioner
meeting. He was approved by the board member and will be receiving
the Nevada promoter's license. He plans to have the first event
next spring in Las Vegas.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
Aerts
Aiming for 4th K-1 Title
By Mike Afromowitz
Dutch
kickboxer Peter Aerts will shoot for his fourth K-1 World Grand
Prix title on Saturday December 6th during the Pay-Per-View televised
K-1 “World Grand Prix Finals” card in Tokyo, Japan’s
Tokyo Dome.
Should
he be victorious in the eight man, single-elimination tournament
that awards its competitors a total of $1 million in prize money,
Aerts will have tied the record of four career World Grand Prix
tournament wins held by countryman Ernesto Hoost.
At
33 years of age, Aerts also known as “The Dutch Lumberjack”
is recognized as one of the sport’s all-time greats. In
1994, he became the second World Grand Prix champion in history
and, the following year, he successfully defended his title.
In
1998, Aerts became the first three-time World Grand Prix champion
in K-1 history when he scored first round knockouts over each
of his three opponents, including fellow superstars Mike Bernardo
and the late Andy Hug.
Aerts’
winning ways spilled over into the following year when he was
victorious in his first six outings, with five of his wins coming
by way of knockout. His only loss of 1999 ironically came during
the World Grand Prix Finals when he was knocked out in the opening
tournament round by Frenchman Jerome LeBanner.
Last
year, the Dutchman’s record for Tokyo Dome championship
wins was surpassed by Hoost who defeated LeBanner in the tournament’s
championship round by way of third round knockout. Aerts was
eliminated from contention in the opening tournament round by
Ray Sefo via judges’ decision.
Since
his heyday, Aerts has felt the wear and tear that is common in
the professional fight game. During the championship round of
the August 2001 K-1 “World Grand Prix Semifinals” staged
at Las Vegas, Nevada’s Bellagio Hotel and Casino, he suffered
a severe elbow injury while battling Germany’s Stefan Leko.
A rematch with Leko earlier this year saw the Dutch fighter sustain
damage to the eye area.
A
strong-willed veteran, Aerts has since valiantly fought an uphill
battle to bring himself back to old form. On October 11th, he
earned a place in the December 6th event by outpointing countryman
Jerrel Venetiaan. Aerts’ straight right hand repeatedly
penetrated Venetiaan’s guard and was the dominant factor
in the K-1 “Final Elimination” bout.
K-1
is a martial arts combat sport that derives its name from its
inclusion of a wide array of martial arts disciplines, including
Karate, Kung-Fu, and Kickboxing (“K”), and its intent
to determine one champion in one ring (“1”). After
being staged for the first time in Japan in 1993 under the direction
of founder Master Kazuyoshi Ishii, it later evolved into the
country’s most popular sport and achieved popular culture
status there as its athletes turned into larger-than-life celebrities.
Source: Sherdog
|
New
Instructionals on Sherdog
Fabio Gurgel
World Champion Fabio Gurgel holds nothing back in this amazing
4 volume DVD set.
Teaching
the newest and most advanced tournament techniques from Brazil,
Fabio covers Sweeps, Passing the Guard, and the most advanced
Submissions you will ever see. Fabio teaches techniques that
many of his world champion students are using in the Brazilian
World Championships and other top tournaments.
This
DVD set is guaranteed to contain new moves you have not seen
on other videos sets. Each Fabio Gurgel DVD has a complete menu
with chapter breaks on each technique. This is a must have set!
Volume
1 - Sweeps
Volume 2 - Passing the Guard
Volume 3 - Submissions, Part I
Volume 4 - Submissions, Part II
Not all
wrestling works in the Octagon!
What
does work are the techniques that you are about to learn on these
DVDs.
The
7-9-5's of Wrestling
-
The 7 basic wrestling control points and how to set them up.
-
The 9 most basic takedowns used in collegiate and Olympic wrestling.
The 9 defenses against these nine takedowns.
- The 5 basic takedowns that have been proven to be most effective
in no holds-barred-fighting. The 5 best defenses against these
takedowns.
Also
on the DVDs.
- Drills for takedowns, defenses, set ups, speed and power.
- Interview & Training tips!
Region
Free, over 3 hours of footage!
Dave Camarillo
This is a two hour video covering TEN (10!) years worth of footage
of Dave Camarillo, with both judo footage and jiu-jitsu.
You'll
get matches from junior and senior national circuits, international
and high school competition, blue through black belt, plus behind
the scenes footage, interviews and insights and more of one of
the most exciting gi competitors of all time.
Source: Sherdog |
Din
Thomas Injured, Nick Agallar to Replace
Din Thomas
sustained a broken hand in training and has been forced to withdraw
from his scheduled bout with Yves Edwards at UFC 45: Revolution,
Friday, Nov. 21, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Ct.
Edwards
will fight Nick Agallarin the UFC's 10th anniversary event.
Tickets,
$300, $200, $100, $60 and $30, are on sale at the Mohegan Sun
box office and www.tickets.com. Tickets also may be ordered by
telephone at 1-800-477-6849. All purchases are subject to transaction
fees. UFC 45: Revolution will be available LIVE on pay-per-view
at 10 p.m. EST on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu,
TVN, Echostar and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested retail
price is $29.95.
In
the main event, Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (29-3-0) from
Hillsboro, Ill., will defend his title for the fifth time against
highly rated Frank Trigg (9-1-0) from El Segundo, Calif.
Edwards
is a Thugjitsu fighter who is coming off a victory at UFC 43:
Meltdown in September in Las Vegas where he dominated Eddie Ruiz
to win a three-round unanimous decision. Edwards also continues
to improve his boxing skills by training with Kenny Weldon, who
helped build former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield’s
career.
Agallar,
who will make his UFC debut, is a disciplined freestyle fighter
with excellent wrestling skills who has a reputation for getting
stronger as a fight progresses.
But he said his best technique is punches to the face and his
strength is his stamina. “I just keep on coming,” he
said. But Agallar said he has great respect for Edwards whom
he considers one of the world’s best lightweight fighters.
“He is very tough, with a brutal standup game, but I am
really looking forward to the opportunity to fight him.”
To
celebrate its 10th anniversary, the UFC will initiate a Hall
of Fame and will induct legendary fighters Royce Gracie and Ken
Shamrock as its charter members during ceremonies that will be
televised live from the Octagon. Both Gracie and Shamrock fought
in UFC 1: The Beginning, November 12, 1993, at McNichols Arena
in Denver, Colo. Gracie was the first UFC champion and Shamrock
later became the first super fight champion. Both have become
synonymous with the growth of the UFC and mixed martial arts
fighting worldwide. The celebration also will include the recognition
of the ten most popular fighters in UFC history as voted by fans.
That group includes Gracie and Shamrock along with current Light
Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture, Tank Abbott, Don Frye, Mark
Coleman, Dan Severn, Marco Ruas, Pat Miletich and Oleg Taktarov.
Most of the group will participate in a special Legends Autograph
session from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, at Mohegan Sun
Arena.
The
remainder of the UFC 45: Revolution card includes two heavyweight
bouts with Abbott (8-9-0) of Huntington Beach, Calif., meeting
Cabbage Correira (16-4-0) of Hilo, Hawaii, and former heavyweight
champion Ricco Rodriguez (10-3-0) of Las Vegas, Nev., taking
on Brazilian kickboxer Pedro Rizzo (12-5-0) of Rio de Janeiro;
three middleweight fights, Matt Lindland (8-2-0) of Eagle Creek,
Ore., in a re-match against Niko Vitale (14-2-0) of Honolulu,
Hawaii; power punching Phil Baroni (6-2-0) of Las Vegas versus
Evan Tanner (8-2-0) of Portland, Ore., and Keith Rockel (9-2-1)
of Lancaster, Ma., versus Chris Ligouri (2-1-0) of Middletown,
N.J.; and, welterweight star Robbie Lawler (7-1-0) of Davenport,
Iowa, and Miletich Fighting Systems, returning to the Octagon
after a seven month layoff from a hip flexor injury to take on
Chris Lytle (26-9-4) from Indianapolis, Ind.
Source: Sherdog
|
Erica
Montoya: Friday it's Vegas, Tomorrow the World
By Thomas Gerbasi
What a
difference a year makes.
At
this time last year, teen prodigy Erica Montoya had just jumped
into the consciousness of MMA fans with a win at the inaugural
all-female Hook N Shoot show and a subsequent victory in Japan
that lifted her profile to a level that would make most male
fighters jealous.
Yet,
in a 'can you top this' 12 months, the Californian has not only
added a couple of wins to her resume, but has enrolled in college,
landed a gig as the UFC's Spanish language color commentator,
and has even spawned a myriad of rumors surrounding a possible
entrance into the UFC as a fighter.
Oh,
yeah, she's all of 18 years old too.
In
a sport full of amazing stories, from the tragic to the inspiring,
Montoya's saga is one of the best. It's the stuff you make afterschool
specials about, though if you were Erica Montoya, you wouldn't
have any time after school to watch it.
"I've
been juggling school and working out almost all my life,"
said the freshman at Saddleback College. "My dad always
had me in a sport, and I've always had to do something. I was
always kept busy. I used to play tennis, soccer, softball. I
never would go to school, come home, do homework, and hang out.
I was never allowed to do that. I was heavy into tennis and then
I really didn't like it, so I went into martial arts and got
heavy into that. So I'm accustomed to it. I guess somebody from
the outside looking in would say 'how do you do that?' I live
an hour away from school, I drive there, go to school, train,
and then I go home. The only thing I do at home is shower and
sleep. I don't eat there or do anything there."
Such
dedication has led Montoya to Las Vegas, where this Friday night
she will fight in the first female mixed martial arts bout in
Nevada history, taking on Jamie Lyn in a Shooto match at The
Orleans Hotel and Casino.
Pressure?
What pressure?
"It's
not so much the pressure of fighting in Las Vegas, it's just
fighting locally and having more people that I know and look
up to coming to watch me," admits Montoya. "I have
a lot of family and team members going, so I think that's where
the pressure comes from - that I'm going to know more of the
audience and trying to live up to what they think I'm capable
of doing."
Amazingly,
that's the only crack you'll see in Montoya's armor, and despite
her age and just five MMA fights on her ledger, this is a fighter
with ice water in her veins, who has been competing (whether
it's in MMA, wrestling, or Jiu-Jitsu) for longer than many of
her male counterparts. And if you haven't seen her in action,
you wouldn't believe it.
"I
was so young when I got into it that I never really had any nerves,"
said Montoya, who competed in a Kage Kombat show at the age of
14. "I didn't really stress about it too much, so I think
that's even helped me now. I get nervous, but not to a point
where I can't function. It's helped me that I got started so
young."
But
with such a fighting history begs the question, 'what do her
parents think?' Obviously her dad, Frank Montoya, brought her
and her brother to the gym when they were youngsters, so he's
with the program, but what about mom? We went directly to the
source.
"She's
my kid and I just see how dedicated she is to it that I don't
have a choice but to support her and to wish her the best,"
said Ana Montoya, Erica's mom. "She is totally dedicated
to the sport and she has no other social life for her age at
this time. Everything that she is, is MMA."
But
Mrs Montoya did need a little convincing before coming around.
"I
think I've crossed a line," said Ana Montoya. "She's
been in martial arts for a while, and in the past, as she was
becoming more involved and more into the sport, and branching
out to different things, it was really hard for me because you
know, in the back of your mind, all the things that can happen,
and you don't want those things to happen. It was just really
hard for me. But as she started to evolve more and more, I saw
how important it was to have, not just half of her family, but
her complete family behind her. It was just easier for me to
see her come home in one piece and then watch the video and enjoy
it, as opposed to being there and watching something go wrong.
Even now, I participate more as far as going to the shows and
traveling with her, but it's hard, and I know, one of these days
I'm just going to pass out. But I have to do it; I have to support
her. Everyone has that one loss. Right now, she's been so fortunate.
I don't know if it's her dedication, luck, or the people that
are behind her and supporting her that have gotten her this far,
but she hasn't lost. And I'm so happy and I'm fortunate because
I'm so proud, regardless of the facts. But I know that that day
will come when she either gets hurt or she loses, and it's gonna
be hard. But I think it's hard for anyone."
Like
any daughter, Erica has her own theories about why her parents
have taken to her fighting career. (As father of an eight-year-old,
I can vouch that daughters have an answer for everything).
"My
dad got me into this, and when you get your kid into something
and they really enjoy it and it takes off from there, it's kind
of hard for you to get mad at them," said Erica. "My
dad is the one who got my brother and I into it for self-defense
reasons, and then it just took off. But he was always behind
us, and he's still behind whatever it is I do. My mom, now she
goes to my competitions and stuff, but before, when I first started,
she was a nervous wreck over this kind of stuff. She didn't think
I was supposed to be doing it, and she supported me but didn't
agree with what I was doing. My parents are pretty young too,
so maybe that's why I get a little bit more of their support.
They supported me pretty good."
The
support for this future MMA superstar doesn't only come from
home though. As a member of the Next Generation fight team, Montoya
has a bunch of surrogate brothers ready to defend their surrogate
little sister at the drop of a hat. And with lightweight standout
Chris Brennan leading his charge through the often murky waters
of the MMA business, Montoya's in good hands.
"He's
taught me just to keep it real," said Montoya of Brennan.
"It's a small sport with a lot of politics involved so you've
just got to keep it real. The thing I look up to him the most
with is that whatever he feels, he's just gonna say it. He's
not gonna hide it. He's just gonna put it out there whether you
like it or not."
And
to all the chauvinists out there, like it or not, women's MMA
is here to stay, with a number of top fighters - from Debi Purcell
and Tara LaRosa to Erin Toughill and Jennifer Howe - starting
to break through to the hardcore fan base. And with such progress
comes the obvious next step - when will women make inroads into
the biggest US show: the UFC?
Well,
in a business that swirls with rumors on a daily basis, one that
has made the rounds with regularity is that the UFC is considering
a possible women's bout sometime in the future. The leading contender?
Erica Montoya.
"Dana
White talked to me and he did kind of put it out there as a new
idea that needs to be worked on," said Montoya. "I
think he's trying to see how people are going to react to it.
I don't think I'm going to fight in this one or the one after
that, but he mentioned that he would like me to fight. I don't
know of any opponent or anything like that, and I don't know
if I will be the one to be in the first women's match in the
UFC, but he brought it to my attention because he saw my last
Japan fight and he was excited about it."
If
Montoya does debut in the UFC, expect the media floodgates to
crash open. Luckily, the 18-year-old is media savvy, well spoken,
and easy on the eyes - in other words, she's the perfect spokeswoman
for the fledgling sport. But with such success usually comes
resentment and backbiters. Is Montoya concerned about a backlash
from her peers?
"I
would hope that nobody resents me or hates me if I was chosen,
because somebody has to be the first," said Montoya. "I'd
be happy for anybody else."
Ana
Montoya is aware of the pressure that would be put on her daughter
if she were thrust into the role of being a pioneer of the sport,
and luckily it has been a topic of discussion between the two.
"It's
come up," Ana admits. "Hopefully it will be something
positive, and something she can look back at years from now.
I told her that education is first; you can't do this for the
rest of your life. But secondly, if you want to take this and
ride this for as long as you can, then that's great. But by that
same token, if it goes up or down, she's prepared for that. It's
a give and take. If she does succeed in this and becomes, like
you say, a pioneer in it, she's ready for it. She's worked hard
enough to earn something like that, and nobody really understands
how hard she's worked because nobody has ever really seen her
work and give up, at her age, the things she's given up. When
you're older and in your mid-twenties, you've done a lot of that
stuff. But for her, she didn't even go to prom. It's like how
can you not want to go to prom? But she didn't, and it wasn't
really a big thing for her because on prom day there was a tournament
somewhere else that she would rather be at, so she went to that.
This is her life."
And
if you look past the novelty aspect of an 18-year-old excelling
in a sport dominated by older adults, you will find that it's
this dedication to the sport that has put Erica Montoya in this
position. As she says, "It takes a certain kind of person
to do what we do. It's a lifestyle that if you love it, you have
to get used to it." But you also have to know that you're
not invincible and that the second you slack off, someone else
is training harder to beat you. Fortunately, this is a lesson
already digested by Montoya, who trains every day and rarely
has any time off from the gym. And as far as her gaudy unbeaten
record goes, she's prepared for whatever happens in the ring,
the mark of a true fighter.
"I
really don't think I'm the best," said Montoya. "I
think I've got a lot to work on. One day I'm going to lose and
that's going to be the biggest test of all. Can I pick myself
back up and keep going, and keep training? A lot of people can't
do that. They lose and that's the end; it's all downhill because
they're not motivated. That's going to be my real test."
Source: Maxfighting
|
On
the Fence 1.58
Mmm....Crow
by Jake Rossen
Hey,
if I were right all the time, that'd just be boring.
Cough.
Okay,
okay. On with it, I know.
I,
Jake Rossen, possessed of half-baked theories and a deep-seated
resentment for pure stylists in the modern era of MMA, do hereby
acknowledge that Hidehiko Yoshida is a welcome and fully credible
addition to the fight circuit. His athleticism (which I never
doubted, by the way: dude won the Gold) and talent is exceptional.
He acquitted himself well against the razor-sharp onslaught of
demon incarnate Vanderlei Silva, going the distance and proving
his mettle beyond all doubt. Etc, etc.
Moving
on.
Pride's
"Final Conflict" was MMA as Entertainment taken to
absurd levels. With the exception of a plodding first round between
Kazushi Sakuraba and Kevin Randleman, the intensity and drama
present in the ring that night was the thickest of the year.
More than just pitch-perfect matchmaking, the fight results meant
something.
Antonio
Nogueira returned to (nearly) the top of the heap with a slight
upset win over Croatian serial KO artist Mirko Filipovic. The
first round had Filipovic handling Nogueira, bloodying his face
and seemingly so in control that he relaxed a bit too much. In
the end, his overconfidence may have cost him the fight. Nogueira
is such a smooth submission artist that risking further trips
to the ground was suicide. The real winner here (besides whomever
cashed in on Nogueira as a 2-1 underdog) was Emelianenko Fedor,
who can look forward to a psychological edge in their rematch
early next year.
And
what to say about Kazushi Sakuraba? By this point, I thought
the unnecessary beatings he sustained at the hands of illicit
opponents were too much. And looking at the chiseled Kevin Randleman,
I figured he was due for one final meltdown. But Saku's early
finesse and savvy came to light once more, as Randleman was submitted
for only the second time in his career. The sixty thousand plus
who packed the Tokyo Dome were no doubt overjoyed to see a return
to form for their longstanding hero. It's good to see Saku back,
but for God's sake, don't let this encourage more nonsensical
matching. Sakuraba's final performances should come against true
middleweights, not a former UFC heavyweight champ. The next guy
to come along with Randleman's power and a technician's skill
is going to hand Saku his teeth on a plate.
Dan
Henderson tackling Murilo Bustamante only had one possible winner:
Henderson. Even if Bustamante won decisively, there would always
be scuttlebutt about how an ailing Henderson took the fight on
short notice. With the actual result in the books, Henderson
now looks like some sort of titan. He not only stopped Bustamante,
but did it at less than 100%? Scary.
$250,000
seems to provide a fair amount of motivation for people. The
finals of the tournament started in August were no exception.
Chuck Liddell seemed confident going into his semifinal bout
with Quinton Jackson, but I wonder if Dana White's excessive
hype didn't - on some level - affect his performance. Liddell
looked wooden just a few minutes in, getting clipped and beaten
to the punch by a sharp Jackson. And he didn't take too kindly
to the vicious body punishment that - to be fair - once compelled
Igor "No doctor, I have a needle and thread at home"
Vovchanchin to quit.
Unfortunately,
Jackson looked winded and spent at the conclusion, a bad omen
considering he was in for a far more challenging final. To my
surprise, Vanderlei Silva had to eat up regulation time in dealing
with Hidehiko Yoshida, who managed to keep his head on his shoulders
and even pushed the issue. In fact, a decision for Yoshida wouldn't
have been highway robbery by any stretch. But punishment doled
out by Silva did the job.
From
the time the tourney was announced, I had heavy leans on Jackson,
and for much of the first round, it seemed to be a decent premonition.
He scooped up Silva and I found myself thinking that a few years
deep in Pride's tomato soup was going to catch up to him right
here. And yet Silva remained docile, smiling slightly as he worked
an annoying choke that negated a hard descent to the ground.
And then Jackson began an effective pounding on the mat, interrupted
by a yellow card. From there, it was all Silva, delivering his
blunt objects of destruction repeatedly into Jackson's face.
It was a satisfying finale to an electric card.
Silva,
now 15-0 in Pride, is at an impressive career high. Here's hoping
DSE has exhausted their Japanese guinea pigs and provides more
suitable challenges for someone of his talents.
Source: Maxfighting
|
UFC
Trailer: Hughes vs. Trigg
Hear the smack talk between the two fighters on MMA Ring Report's
video clip.
Source: MMA Ring Report
|
Couture
vs Wanderlei is becoming real
After Wanderlei Silva's victory at Pride GP, last Sunday, most
of the commentaries now are about a possible dispute between
the Brazilian fighter and the American Randy Couture, UFC's Middleheavyweight
Champion. As we could see during the last Pride, the rumours
are getting bigger, with Randy offering himself to fight in the
Pride ring. During an interview to our editor Marcelo Alonso
in Japan, Couture confirmed the possibility and did more, challenging
Silva to unify the two most important MMA belts. "You (Wanderlei)
proved once again that you are a great fighter. I want to face
you for the union of the two most important MMA belts of the
world. As you don't want to face me in the UFC's octagon, I accept
to fight you in the Pride's ring!", challenged the American
vet.
Still
in the Tokyo Dome's changing room, after his glorious victory,
Wanderlei confirmed it would be great face Couture for the belt's
union. "I never chose my opponents and it wouldn't be at
this time that I would do this. I want to be respected by my
fans and either by the other fighters as a real athlete. I put
faith on my technique and on my team. Well-prepared, I can face
anyone", advised the Chute Boxe's champion. Well, it seems
that a Silva vs Couture is becoming real...
Source: Tatame
|
Chute-Boxe:
Anderson 'n Assuério out
Team TATAME has just confirmed the information in first hand
that there were a crash in the Brazilian Team Chute-Boxe. At
this moment, Assuério Silva, Anderson Silva, Rodrigo Vidal,
Israel Gomes, Edcarlos Monstro, Urutum, Sávio, among others
are joint together at the Chute-Boxe filial in Cabral to decide
what they going to do. 'We just decided that last Saturday and
we are putting our head in the right place. We were not doing
so well at Chute-Boxe and we are now deciding what is better
for each one,' revealed Anderson. The speech was emphasized by
Assuério: 'It has been crazy. I cannot say if we gonna
join into a new team or we gonna join into another. Tomorrow
the guys are arriving from Japan and the only thing I know its
we are out and there is no way turning back', stated Assuério.
Maurício
Shogum and his brother Murilo Ninja were also involved at the
leaving movement, but they had changed their mind after talking
to the Chute-Boxe's big heads. 'It was my brother who put me
into fighting and I will go whatever he will go. I think he was
the only one to act like a man, because before taking any decision,
he looked after the Chute-Boxe's and talked to them. I am glad
we are still at the Chute-Boxe and it has been always our place.
If they wanted to leave its their right, but I don't think its
right they do it without talking to Chute-Boxe's guys before.
They had to act like men too,' says Shogun.
One
of the leaders Rafael Cordeiro, confirmed the athletes dissidents,
but he said the official position about this story will be given
by the major leader Rudimar Fedrigo, who is in Japan for Pride
GP and arrives in Brazil next week. 'What I can say is that the
Storm Samurai, that happens on November 27th will be the 'standing
fight main event' ever seen in Brazil. We already fixed up the
fighters who will replace Anderson, Israel and Monstro and the
sponsorships are sealed', said Cordeiro.
Stay
tuned that at any time we may come back with new information
about the Chute Boxe's incident.
Source: Tatame
|
Quote
of the Day
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, Third President of the USA
|
Kai
Kamaka Returns To The Ring!
Bauer out of PIP
Kai Kamaka returns to the ring on the Punishment In Paradise
card. This will be the first time Kai has fought in over 2 1/2
years.
Also Mike Bauer (HMC) has withdrawn from the card because he
will be fighting in Super Brawl. PIP promoters wish him the best
of luck in his Super Brawl debut against Grappling Unlimited's
Brandon Keen.
Source: Event Promoter
|
TV
Globo Internacional!
People are trying to get a Brazilian station to be broadcasted
on the dish network. If you are a fan of soccer, then this is
probably the station for you. Check out more info by clicking
on the site:
http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/globonohawaii/ |
COUTURE
TO DEFEND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST BELFORT AT UFC 46:
SUPER NATURAL, JAN. 31, IN LAS VEGAS
Live Event Tickets Go On Sale Saturday, November 15, at Mandalay
Bay, Ticketmaster For Ultimate Fighting Championship Super Bowl
Weekend Show
LAS
VEGAS, November 12, 2003….The hardest hits on Super Bowl
weekend might not be heard in Houston, but in Las Vegas when
new Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion
Randy Couture defends his title for the first time against Brazilian
phenom Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC 46: Super Natural,
LIVE on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST, Saturday, Jan. 31, at Mandalay
Bay Events Center.
Live
event tickets, $350, $250, $150, $75 and $35, will go on sale
at 10 a.m. PST, Saturday, November 15, at the Mandalay Bay Events
Center box office in Las Vegas, at all Ticketmaster locations,
www.ticketmaster.com, and www.mandalaybay.com. Tickets also may
be ordered by telephone at 1-877-632-7400 or 1-702-474-4000.
Ticket purchases are limited to eight per transaction and are
subject to transaction fees. UFC 46: Super Natural will be available
on pay-per-view on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, TVN, Echostar,
Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested retail
price is $29.95.
Couture
(12-5-0 in mixed martial arts) of Portland, Ore., the former
two-time UFC heavyweight champion, has been unstoppable in the
light heavyweight division since he dropped a weight class in
June and defeated then number one contender Chuck Liddell by
technical knockout to capture the interim championship at UFC
43: Meltdown in Las Vegas. He followed with an even more impressive
defeat of Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision in five rounds to
capture the light heavyweight crown outright at UFC 44: Undisputed
September 21 at Mandalay Bay. Couture, 40, is the only fighter
in the UFC’s 10-year history to capture championships in
two different weight divisions.
Belfort
(11-3-0) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is one of the world’s
top-rated light heavyweight fighters. He is coming off a dominating
performance at UFC 43: Meltdown where he defeated Marvin Eastman
by technical knockout in just 1:10 of the first round. But, he
and Couture have met before. Belfort’s mastery of jiu jutsu
and his lightning quick hands established his reputation early
on. He exploded on the scene in 1997 at just 19, dazzling fans
and opponents alike with his furious hands and punching power.
He won his first three fights with devastating punches, including
a 53 second knockout of Tank Abbott. Then at UFC 15: Collision
Course, October 17, 1997, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, he met
Couture in a fight often regarded as one of the best in UFC history.
After 8:17 of knees and punches, Couture won by knockout. Belfort
says he has waited six years for a re-match and vows a different
result this time. Couture counters that the light heavyweight
division suits him well and says he won’t be giving up the
belt any time soon. The remainder of the eight-fight card will
be announced.
The
Ultimate Fighting Championship, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev.,
is the world’s premier mixed martial arts sports association.
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the UFC programs six live pay-per-view
events annually through cable and satellite providers. In addition
to its North American pay-per-view distribution on iNDemand,
DirecTV, Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada,
UFC events are distributed internationally through WOWOW, Inc.
in Japan, Globosat in Brazi, Main Event Television in Australia
and Sky Network Television in New Zealand. Zuffa, LLC licenses
its UFC video games for distribution on all major playing platforms
through Crave Entertainment and TDK Mediactive and distribution
of its fight show DVDs through Studioworks Entertainment, a Ventura
Distribution company.
The
UFC’s next LIVE pay-per-view event will be UFC 45: Revolution
at 10 p.m. EST, Friday, November 21, from the Mohegan Sun Arena
in Uncasville, Ct. The suggested retail price is $29.95.
Source:
ADCC
|
ZST
GP will revive the magic of KOK Mega Battle
'ZST
GP OPEN' is on November 23, 2003
Zeep, Tokyo – JAPAN
In
it's heyday, Japan's RINGS organization was a top money maker,
with sell out live events and a generous TV deal. The rules were
not true MMA, as it is known in the modern era, disallowing striking
while on the ground. The event in Japan created such stars as
Akira Maeda, Tamura, Kosaka and more and spent many years at
the forefront of MMA in Japan before finally closing it's doors
a few years ago. It's mix of drama and sport captivated a wide
Japanese audience.
It
is not a secret that RINGS caught on with the western MMA fans.
No strikes on the ground as well as questionable judging turned
many off. RINGS also came with another taint for the MMA purists
- many fights existed with the possibility of being 'worked'
fights. This left open questions about the event and some of
the fighters who fought there.
In
1999, RINGS put together a project to repackage the event. The
'King of the Kings' (KOK) event had 32 fighters split into two
blocks of 16. The climatic event gathered 4 reamining warriors
to battle in the finals of 'KOK' at the end of the year.
In
the inaugural event, American Dan Henderson was crowned the King,
and the following year Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira took the
crown.
In
2001, Ricardo Arona (middleweight) and Emelianenko Fedor (heavyweight)
were the of the 'World Title Series', as their promotion was
dubbed that year.
In
the middle of 2001, RINGS started its downslide when their main
sponsor, WOW
ended their association. After a succession of media flops, runs
ins with the law and overall negative happenings involving Akira
Maeda (the event's owner), RINGS dissolved on February 15th,
2002.
RINGS
Holland and RINGS Lithuania Bushido continue, though these events
never approach the same excitement that KOK had.
Exactly
10 months after RINGS Japan close its doors, members of the RINGS
staff, Joe Uehara and Yukiteru Hioki, started ZST.
ZST
started on November 23th, 2002 in Differ Ariake, Tokyo –
Japan, using rules and style derived from the old RINGS formula.
After 4 events, ZST still has not received the same popularity
as RINGS, but the ZST GP will hopefully come to change that.
'I
think that ZST GP will become established as a solid event, which
attracts
attention. We plan to lay building blocks down throughout next
year, with events to be held every two months' stated Uehara.
Now,
ZST hopes to impact the MMA scene with this GP event at the LIGHTWEIGHTS.
Joe Uehara explains us, what ZST means: 'ZST is simplified as
'zest'. So,
it's meaning is 'a feeling of pleasure and enthusiasm for fighting.
Quality
in fighting that fans and fighters find exciting. And it also
comes from
'Zen Spirits'.
Prior
ZST events have featured very good fighters. After 5 events Kotani,
Imanari, Tokoro and the Lithuanian KO machine Remigijus Morkevicius
are very highly regarded by ZST fans.
ZST
GP will reward 5.000.000 yen to the grand champion, 1.500.000
for second
and 700.000 yen for third place. The 16 fighters fight once on
November 23th, with the winner returning on January 11th of 2004.
The brackets are expected to be reshuffled at that time.
Before
I forgot myself, a tribute to all RINGS' fans -
'RINGS,
it will never die'! (as they say)
COMPLETE
CARD - Subject To Change:
Under
70kg - (OPENING ROUND)
- Naoyuki Kotani (Rodeo Style) vs Mindaugas Smirnovas (Lithuania)
- Masakazu Imanari (Team Roken) vs Jorge Gurgel (Team Extreme)
- Takumi Yano (Ugokai) vs. Igor Isaikin (Russia)
- Hideo Tokoro (Stand) vs. Masahiro Oishi (K'z Factory)
- TAKUMI (Paraestra Osaka) vs Marcus Aurelio (American Top Team)
- TAISHO (Team Barbosa Japan) vs Jason Maxwell (Team Extreme)
- Remigijus Morkevicius (Lithuania) vs. Menno Dijkstra (Pankration)
- Rich Clementi (Team Extreme) vs Aloisio Barros (Ruas VT System)
Source:
ADCC
|
CHUTE
BOXE - IN THE NEWS!
OPENS JAPANESE BRANCH!
Now,
the most admired striking technique in Brazil, that of CHUTEBOXE
can now be learned in Japan!
While
in Tokyo after the PRIDE GP, we received a tour of the new gym
in Tokyo, given by none other than Pride GP champion Wanderlei
Silva, together with his long time coach, master Rudimar Fegrigo
as well as Sergio Cunha and their Japanese partner, Mr. Hideyuki
Harashima.
Located
in Nakano, very close to the subway station, the academy has
excellent space for crowded Tokyo, with all the equipment and
facilities needed to for training in Vale-Tudo. “Besides
Vale-Tudo, we will have Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu classes as well.
This dojo will also be used as a home base to train for the Brazilians
while in Tokyo, and to give seminars.” said Sergio Cunha
a black belt chosen to implant the CHUTEBOXE system in Tokyo.
“We are also setting the final details to open a branch
in the USA soon.” promised Rudimar.
If
you are in Tokyo and want to be part of Chute Boxe Team just
call 03-3227-3877.
MORE
CHUTEBOXE BREAKING NEWS:
CHUTE BOXE SPLITS UP!
After
many years establishing themselves together, several members
of Chute Boxe team appear to have left the team. These sorts
of intrigues seem to be happening often in Brazil lately, with
Brazilian Top Team, Carlson Gracie Team, Brasil Dojo, Budokan
Luta Livre team, Gracie Barra Combat Team and Ruas Vale Tudo
all involved in the news recently. Rudimar Fedrigo, the master
behind Chute Boxe is known to have a lot of influence over his
students, with may realtionships that were father-like.
Anderson
Silva, Assuerio Silva, Silvio 'Urutum' and several others are
moving on. Apparently there are disagreements between them and
the heads of the team. Rudimar is still in Japan after the PRIDE
GP, and is expected to return this weekend. At that time, we
expect official word on the subject from CHUTE BOXE. The hype
is big regarding this latest potential split in Brazil, and any
kind of premature statement can make the things bad.
Anderson
Silva and Assuerio Silva are the top tier fighters who were not
happy with management. Rafael Cordeiro, Chute Boxe co-Leader
confirmed that they left, so we only wait for Rudimar's arrival
for official words.
Source:
ADCC
|
SHOOTO
USA Preview-
THE REUTRN OF JAVIER VASQUEZ!
One
of the fights in Shooto in Las Vegas this weekend that holds
the most drama is Javi Vazquez versus Robert Emerson. Going into
Javi’s last fight in King Of The Cage in February he was
the KOTC and Gladiator Challenge Lightweight Champion with a
UFC contract in negotiation. All he had to do was make it through
Alberto Crane and he’d break into the big time. Unfortunately
just seconds into the fight Javi tore his ACL and although Alberto
didn’t finish him it went to the judges where Alberto was
given a split decision and the belt. Now after extensive surgery
Javi is ready to return, fighting Ruas Vale Tudo’s Robert
Emerson, a young man who has been taking on the best in his short
career. If Emerson can go the distance with Pulver as he did
last summer, and experienced fighters like Chris Brennan admit
that Emerson beat him in Hitman, can Javi beat Emerson in his
return to the ring? Check out Shooto this weekend and find out.
Javi
was reached after a class at Millennium Jiu-Jitsu.
KM:
Have you wrapped up your training yet? JV: Yeah. I’m just
going really easy. I’ve been going pretty easy since Friday.
KM:
How was training? JV: It was ok. A little bit harder this time,
didn’t have the amount of guys I would have liked to have
but I still got some good training and got to train with some
good people. I trained with Dan Henderson a little bit so I was
happy to see him win. I trained with him three days before that
fight. I just talked to him today.
KM:
So how is he taking the win? JV: Same old Dan way. He doesn’t
really get excited about anything.
KM:
What do you think about (Robert) Emerson? JV: Not going to be
easy. A lot of people think it’s going to be really easy
for me but I just don’t think so. I think he’s going
to be up for it, he’s going to try to really hurt me. My
biggest advantage in this fight is I know what he is going to
try to do. I watched film and I know exactly everything the guy
is going to try to do. He’s going to try to catch me on
the way in with knees, he’s going to strike and knock me
out. He has no idea what I have. He has no idea what I’m
going to do, he just knows I’m going to try to take him
down. He has no idea where my boxing is at, he has no idea how
good a wrestler I am, and he has no idea how good I am on the
ground.
KM:
I only saw the Emerson/Pulver fight. You saw the Emerson/Brennan
fight live? JV: I didn’t see the Brennan one live but I
got video on it. Nothing out of this world, just a good tough
kid. Looks real strong. I know he didn’t make weight for
that one. He’s going to have to make 155 to fight me. I
just don’t see him able to bully me around. If he comes
in at 170 he’s still not going to bully me around. Guys
that are 190 don’t bully me around.
KM:
I remember against Jens his kicks impressed me in the context
of the 155s. At the time Jens was known as the best striker at
155 and Emerson seemed like the only kicker at 155 but things
have changed since then. What did you think of his kicks? Are
you worried about his kicks? Maybe I’m blowing his kicking
out of proportion… JV: I’m not too worried about it.
I can get around it. I think honestly he’s a fool if he
tries to kick me because he is going to get taken down which
is not what he wants. He’ll probably throw kicks here and
there. I’m going to try to make him pay for it by either
taking him down or by counter punching off it. I think once I
do that and he realized he can’t get away with kicks, every
time he does kick that something is going to happen, that is
going to neutralize his kicking a little bit and I think my hands
are way better than his. If it’s just a straight boxing
match I can hold my own against him and if he starts swinging
he might just get taken down.
KM:
I think he’s going to approach this like the Chris Brennan
fight; he’s going to look at you as another Chris Brennan.
JV: Which is a little unrealistic. Chris Brennan is very good
at submissions but isn’t in the same ballpark as far as
wrestling. Chris Brennan himself said that. I’m sure he’s
working his takedown defense and doing all that. Takedown defense
works great against guys who have basic stuff but I’m a
wrestler; I’ve been wrestling for twelve years. I transition
in my wrestling; I change position and move. The angles are what
people have a really hard time with and that’s what I’m
best at. I change angles all the time and people have a real
hard time countering that, especially kickboxers that can stop
a straight shot. If I go out there and shoot straight at him
he’s going to stop it, anybody can stop that. It’s
who can get in, turn the corner, and make him react. I know all
those little tricks. I’m not going to say anything else.
I know what he is going to try to do if I do get in on his leg.
KM:
What would you say about your injury recovery? This is behind
you by a couple months if I understand correctly. JV: It doesn’t
bother me. Just the same as the first time through. A little
bit stronger this time. I have full mobility, full strength…
KM:
You’ve had that for a couple months now, it just happens
this is your first fight. It’s not like you just got over
it. Basically I don’t think the leg is going to be an issue.
JV: I hope he thinks it is. They are real confident that he is
going to beat me and I think he’d be dumb to not be confident.
Everybody else I fought was confident too. Everybody else has
told me ‘you are a lot better than we thought you were’.
I rise up to my opponent’s level and there hasn’t been
one person including Albert Crane that has been able to dominate
me and overwhelm me with anything. I’m putting him aside
for about five more days and then he is going to be right at
the top of my list. I was going to let it go…everybody that
knows me knows I’m pretty easy going. I don’t hold
grudges, I don’t argue with people, I really don’t
do any of that stuff. He just had to open his mouth again. As
soon as he opened his mouth he pissed me off. I’m not going
to try to beat on him, I’m going to try to hurt him.
KM:
Would it be fair to say your next fight against Crane would be
personal? JV: Yeah. If he just kept his mouth shut it wouldn’t
have meant anything but now he’s opening his mouth saying
my injury didn’t matter. If that same injury happened to
him and I didn’t finish him I would have just given him
my belt. If the same thing happened to him they would have had
to cart him off to the hospital. Apparently he doesn’t seem
to think so.
KM:
Getting back to Emerson is there any concern of ring rust? JV:
Not really. It could happen a little bit. I took nine months
off from the time I fought Phillip Perez to the time I fought
Sean Wilmot. If you see any ring rust in that fight you let me
know. I know Emerson is a much better opponent, he’s a dangerous
opponent, I just think stylistically I’m not a good matchup
for him. I want to finish him, I don’t want it to go to
a decision. I know it’s not going to be easy. He’s
a hungry kid, a good fighter. I got to be on my game to catch
him.
KM:
I’m hoping mentally you don’t defeat yourself. Here
it is your first fight back, I wouldn’t call this a warm-up
fight because I’ve seen Emerson before, first Shooto event
in Las Vegas, a lot of spotlight and glitz and all that…I
haven’t seen you under pressure like that before. JV: Weren’t
you in New Mexico? I had more pressure in New Mexico. The World
Champion fighting in my opponent’s back yard with basically
his judges with the UFC faxing my contract over.
KM:
Ok, I forgot the UFC angle. JV: When all eyes are on me I perform
best. The more pressure you put on me I just smile and the less
pressure I think I have. I’ve always dealt with pressure
very well. When I went to Japan and beat Rumina Sato in Shooto
I had a ton of pressure. I was King Of The Cage’s number
one guy. I went into his back yard with Japanese judges, I had
the KOTC belt on, everyone knew I was there to represent that
show, and I did fine. (Note: unanimous decision).
KM:
Does this mean you are done with KOTC? I thought they said you
had one more fight on your contract. JV: My contract ended November
1. He can technically extend it until December 1 but about a
month and a half ago he formally released me.
Source:
ADCC
|
2003
Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships - ON DVD NOW!
The 2001 and 2003 Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships
DVD/VHS are now available! The DVD/VHS feature the Men's Professional
competition. Please call 1-800-765-6999 or email us at gracieworlds@aol.com to order a copy.
2001
& 2003 Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships VHS -
$20.00 plus shipping and handling
2003
Arnold World Gracie Submission Championships DVD - $25.00 plus
shipping and handling
Source:
ADCC
|
WHILE
MOCCO TAKES ON THE WORLD, CAN IOWA HAWKEYES CONQUER THE NCAA?
Last
season was one of the most disappointing for the fabled Iowa
Hawkeyes wrestling team. In the 2003 NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships,
Iowa finished in just eighth place, with one national champion
and only three All-Americans. This was Iowa's worst finish since
1972 when the Hawkeyes finished 11th. This was also their fewest
number of All-Americans since 1974, when they also had three,
and 1973, when they had just two. Put another way, 2003 was Iowa's
worst performance at the NCAA national championships since the
Dan Gable era began in 1977.
The
major bright spot for Iowa was at heavyweight, where sophomore
Steve Mocco, a runner-up in his freshman year, completed an undefeated
year to take what many believe will be only his first of many
NCAA titles. For Iowa, however, Mocco's success will not matter
this season: he is taking an Olympic redshirt year in hopes of
making the U.S. World Team to compete in the 2004 Athens Games,
and in preparation down the road for the 2008 Beijing Games.
Thus,
of Iowa's three All-Americans, only one will be wrestling for
the Hawkeyes this season. Jessman Smith, who finished fourth
at 184, has graduated, leaving only Cliff Moore, who finished
sixth last season at 133, still on this year's edition of the
Hawkeyes. Moore, a senior, will start the season at 141, although
he will likely move down to 133 shortly.
Mocco,
by the way, has been doing quite well as he focuses just on freestyle
these days. He won the heavyweight division at the 2003 Sunkist
Kids/ASU International Open, Oct. 24-25, defeating veteran Melvin
Douglas, who was a World Champion back in 1993, in the finals.
He then went on to win a silver medal at the Ivan Yarygin Cup
in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 7. After first defeating two opponents,
including another former World Champion, Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov
of Russia, Mocco faced yet another former World Champion, Alexis
Rodriguez of Cuba, in the 120 kg/264.5 lbs. gold-medal finals.
This time Mocco did not prevail, losing to Rodriguez, 4-0. The
Cuban went on to win the FILA Absolute Championship by downing
96 kg champ Georgi Gogchelidze of Russia, 3-0.
All
this may make the Hawkeye faithful proud, as they deserve to
be, but it will not count towards much for this year's NCAA competition.
Iowa's
lineup will, however, likely include six returning starters,
along with a batch of freshmen and sophomores. The returnees,
including senior Luke Eustice at 125, senior Moore, sophomore
Ty Eustice at 149 (Luke's younger brother), sophomore Joe Johnston
at 157, senior Tyler Nixt at 174, and even the much-improved
senior Ryan Fulsaas at 197, all have the potential to become
All-Americans, and perhaps snag an NCAA title or two. These are,
after all, the Iowa Hawkeyes. Add in highly-touted redshirt freshman
Todd Meneely at 133 or 141, a four-time Nebraska high school
state champion who was 18-1 last season wrestling unattached,
and the ingredients for an improved finish for the Hawkeyes are
all there.
Iowa's
heavyweight slot, however, remains a question mark. Competing
for it are two redshirt freshmen, Ryan Fuller, who went 17-4
last season wrestling unattached, and Chad Barkalow. If either
or both do well, it should be even more interesting next season
when Mocco returns.
That,
of course, is all on paper. We will find out how it works out
on the mat starting this Sunday, Nov. 16, when Iowa opens its
regular season at the Central Missouri Open.
Here
is the Iowa wrestling press release about that event, as well
as the 2003-04 Iowa wrestling schedule:
Iowa
Wrestlers to Open 2003-04 Season at Central Missouri Open
PROBABLE
LINEUP - Iowa Hawkeyes 2002-03
Wt. Name Yr. Hometown (HS/Last School) Record
125 Luke Eustice Sr. Blue Earth, MN (Blue Earth) 23-8
133 Todd Meneely *Fr. Omaha, NE (Skutt Catholic) -----
OR Trent Goodale So. Osage, IA (Osage) 16-9
141 Cliff Moore Sr. Dubuque, IA (Hempstead) 31-9
149 Ty Eustice So. Blue Earth, MN (Blue Earth) 29-9
157 Joe Johnston So. Prairie Village, KS (Shawnee Mission E.)
33-15
165 Mark Mueller *Fr. Postville, IA (Postville) -----
OR Cole Pape So. Maquoketa, IA (Maquoketa) 12-6
OR Mark Perry Fr. Stillwater, OK (Blair Academy, NJ) -----
OR Jacob Smith *Fr. Iowa City, IA (City) -----
174 Tyler Nixt Sr. Greene, IA (Greene) 27-6
184 Paul Bradley So. Tama, IA (South Tama) 11-7
197 Ryan Fulsaas Sr. Ridgeway, IA (Decorah) 21-12
HWT Ryan Fuller *Fr. Lisbon, IA (Lisbon) -----
*redshirt freshman
THIS
WEEK
Iowa will open the 2003-04 wrestling season Sunday at the Central
Missouri State Open. The tournament starts at 10 a.m., and all
matches will be held in the CMSU Multipurpose Building. Meet
officials expect 15-16 teams to compete, with a total of 250-300
wrestlers in the tournament. Complete brackets will be available
after the tournament's completion at http://www.cmsu.edu/athletic/wrestling.
2003-04
SEASON PREVIEW
Returning for the Hawkeyes is an experienced group of seniors
in Cliff
Moore, Luke Eustice (125), Tyler Nixt (174) and Ryan Fulsaas
(197).
Moore, a two-time all-American, was 31-9 last season. Eustice,
a runner-up
at the 2002 NCAA Championships, went 23-8. Nixt was 27-6 and
8-0 in Big
Ten duals, while Fulsaas went 21-12. Both Nixt and Fulsaas are
looking
for their first all-America honor and conference title this season.
Sophomores Ty Eustice (149) and Joe Johnston (157) each had outstanding
freshman campaigns. Zalesky expects to convert their experience
to more
individual wins. Eustice went 29-9 and placed second at the Big
Ten
tournament, while Johnston went 33-15 after joining the varsity
lineup in
January.
Iowa
will need to fill gaps at 141, 165, 184 and heavyweight. Redshirt
freshman Todd Meneely is the leading contender at 141. The four-time
state champion from Omaha, NE, went 18-1 unattached last season.
As many as four Hawkeyes will contend at 165, including sophomore
Cole Pape, redshirt freshmen Mark Mueller and Jacob Smith and
true freshman Mark Perry. Sophomore Paul Bradley from Tama, IA,
will fill in at 184 after wrestling at 197 last season. Redshirt
freshmen Ryan Fuller and Chad Barkalow will compete for the heavyweight
spot, as 2003 NCAA Champion Steve Mocco is taking an Olympic
redshirt year to train for the 2004 games in Athens. Fuller went
17-4 while wrestling unattached last year, and looks to be a
strong contender.
HEAD
COACH JIM ZALESKY
Jim Zalesky is in his seventh season as head coach at the University
of Iowa. He has a school and career record of 95-18 (.841). Named
National Coach of the Year in 1998 and 1999, and Big Ten Coach
of the Year in 2000, he has led the Hawkeyes to three NCAA (1998-00)
and two Big Ten titles (1998, 2000). Zalesky has coached nine
NCAA Champions, 19 Big Ten Champions and 32 all-Americans at
Iowa. A three-time national champion and one of Iowa's 15 four-time
all-Americans, Zalesky was an assistant coach and head recruiter
at Iowa under Dan Gable for seven seasons (1991-97). He was named
Assistant Coach of the Year by the N.W.C.A. in 1992 and 1997.
Undefeated his junior and senior seasons, Zalesky ended his career
on an 89-match winning streak.
TICKET
INFORMATION
Season tickets and tickets for each of Iowa's six home duals
are available at the University of Iowa Athletic Ticket Office.
Season tickets are $42 for general public and $36 for University
faculty and staff. Tickets for each home dual are $8 for adults
and $4 for students if purchased in advance; $10 for adults and
$5 for students if purchased at the gate. Group tickets are available
for all duals except Oklahoma State. They are $6 each for groups
of 20-39 and $4 each for groups of 40 or more. Call 1-800-IA-HAWKS
or 319-335-9327, or go online at
http://hawkeyesports.ocsn.com/tickets/iowa-tickets.html to order.
INTERNET
INFORMATION
Press releases, meet results and audio broadcasts of dual meets
can be found throughout the season at www.hawkeyesports.com.
CARVER-HAWKEYE
ARENA
Carver-Hawkeye Arena has been the home for Iowa wrestling since
1983. The Hawkeyes have a record of 136-9 (.938) in the arena,
which includes a record 10 victories during the 1986 season.
Iowa has recorded 16 undefeated seasons in the arena, with the
most recent (8-0) occurring last year. The dual wrestling attendance
record for Carver-Hawkeye Arena is 15,291, which was set when
Iowa defeated Iowa State on February 22, 1992. The arena seats
15,500 for a dual wrestling meet. The Hawkeyes are scheduled
to host the 2005 Big Ten Championships in Carver-Hawkeye.
IOWA
WRESTLING HISTORY
Iowa's overall dual meet record is 763-193-30 (.789) in 91 seasons.
The Hawkeyes have won 20 national titles, including nine of the
last 13, and 30 Big Ten titles. Iowa's 46 NCAA Champions have
won a total of 71 NCAA individual titles, crowning six three-time
and 13 two-time champions. The Hawkeyes' 98 Big Ten Champions
have won a total of 179 conference individual titles. There have
been seven four-time, 18 three-time and 24 two-time Iowa winners.
Iowa's 124 all-Americans have earned all-America status 250 times,
including 16 four-time, 26 three-time and 30 two-time honorees.
OH
BROTHER
Brothers Luke and Ty Eustice are the 10th set of brothers to
wrestle together in the Hawkeye varsity lineup since the 1950s.
The 10 other brother pairs were Don and Tom Huff (1961), Mark
and Scott Trizzino (1981), Lenny, Larry and Jim Zalesky (1981-82),
Ed and Lou Banach (1981-83), Marty and Lindley Kistler (1984-85),
Jim and John Heffernan (1987), Tom and Terry Brands (1989-92),
Troy and Terry Steiner (1991-93), and Ryan and Randy Fulsaas
(2001).
Freshmen
Ben and Brett Stedman are the fifth set of twins to wrestle for
the University of Iowa. Ed and Lou Banach, Tom and Terry Brands,
Troy and Terry Steiner and Randy and Ryan Fulsaas are the other
four.
Several
brother pairs have also had wrestling success at Iowa. The Banach's
and Brands' each won Big Ten and NCAA titles the same year twice
in their careers, and earned all-America honors three times.
The Zalesky's, Kistler's and Steiner's each earned all-America
honors twice in their careers, with the Kistler's winning Big
Ten titles the same year twice and the Zalesky's winning conference
titles once. The Heffernan's earned all-America honors in 1987.
CHAMPIONSHIP
EXPERIENCE
The Hawkeye wrestling staff of Jim Zalesky, Tom Brands, Joe Williams,
Royce Alger and Bill Zadick all wrestled at the University of
Iowa. They earned a total of 12 NCAA titles, 12 Big Ten titles
and 17 all-America honors. Their combined college career wrestling
record is 637-48-6 (.926), including five undefeated seasons.
2003-04
Schedule
Day Date Opponent Location Outcome/Time
Sun 11/16/2003 Central Missouri Open Warrensburg, MO All Day
Sat 11/22/2003 Ryan Kauffman Open Omaha, NE All Day
Tue 11/25/2003 Southwest State Blue Earth, MN 6:00 PM
Tue 11/25/2003 Minnesota State Blue Earth, MN TBA
Sun 11/30/2003 Arizona State Tempe, AZ 2:00 PM
Sun 11/30/2003
Embry Riddle Tempe, AZ TBA Relson Gracie Member
Marcel Suehiro wrestles here!
Sun 12/07/2003 Iowa State Ames, IA 2:00 PM
Thu 12/11/2003 Northern Iowa Iowa City, IA 7:00 PM
Mon 12/29/2003 Midlands Championships Evanston, IL All Day
Tue 12/30/2003 Midlands Championships Evanston, IL All Day
Sun 01/11/2004 Oklahoma State Iowa City, IA 1:00 PM
Sat 01/17/2004 Northwestern Iowa City, IA 7:00 PM
Fri 01/23/2004 Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 6:30 PM
Sun 01/25/2004 Purdue Mishawaka, IN 2:00 PM
Fri 01/30/2004 Penn State Iowa City, IA 7:00 PM
Sun 02/01/2004 Michigan State Iowa City, IA 1:00 PM
Fri 02/13/2004 Wisconsin Madison, WI 7:00 PM
Sun 02/15/2004 Minnesota Minneapolis, MN 2:00 PM
Fri 02/20/2004 Ohio State Iowa City, IA 7:00 PM
Sat 03/06/2004 Big Ten Championships Columbus, OH All Day
Sun 03/07/2004 Big Ten Championships Columbus, OH All Day
Thu 03/18/2004 NCAA Championships St. Louis, MO All Day
Fri 03/19/2004 NCAA Championships St. Louis, MO All Day
Sat 03/20/2004 NCAA Championships St. Louis, MO All Day
For
more on the Iowa Hawkeyes wrestling team, go to:
http://hawkeyesports.ocsn.com/sports/m-wrestl/iowa-m-wrestl-body.html
Source:
ADCC
|
Latest
Official Rankings (as of 11/12/2003)
[Open-weight]
the 10th Open-weight K.O.P. Josh Barnett(U.S.A./New Japan Pro-wrestling)
#1 Yuki Kondo (PANCRASEism)
#2 Semmy Schilt (Holland/Golden Glory)
#3 Yoshiki Takahashi (PANCRASEism)
#4 Sanae Kikuta (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#5 Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#6 Nathan Marquardt (U.S.A./Colorado Stars)
#7 VACANT
[Super
heavyweight(221lbs. and over)]
the 1st Super heavyweight K.O.P. VACANT
#1 Semmy Schilt (Holland/Golden Glory)
#2 Ron Waterman (U.S.A./Team Impact) *UP from #3
#3 Tim Lajcik (U.S.A./Gladiators Training Academy) *DOWN from
#2
#4 Hideki Tadao (RJW/CENTRAL)
#5 Jun Ishii (Chojin Club)
#6 KENGO (PANCRASEism)
[Heavyweight(199lbs.~under
221lbs.)]
the 1st Heavyweight K.O.P. Yoshiki Takahashi (PANCRASEism)
#1 Tsuyoshi Ozawa (Zendokai)
#2 Katsuhisa Fujii (UFO)
#3 Jason Godsey (U.S.A./I.F. Academy)
[Light
heavyweight(181lbs.~under 199lbs.)]
the 2nd Light heavyweight K.O.P. Sanae Kikuta (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#1 Yuki Kondo (PANCRASEism)
#2 Ricardo Almeida (U.S.A./Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy)
#3 Akihiro Gono (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#4 Nilson de Castro (Brazil/Chute Boxe Academy)
#5 Daisuke Watanabe (PANCRASEism)
#6 Ikuhisa Minowa (freelance)
#7 Yuki Sasaki (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#8 Keiichiro Yamamiya (PANCRASEism)
#9 Evangelista Cyborg (Brazil/Academia Budokan)
#10 Osami Shibuya (PANCRASEism)
[Middleweight(165.7lbs.~
under 181lbs.)]
the 3rd Middleweight K.O.P. Nathan Marquardt (U.S.A./Colorado
Stars)
#1 Izuru Takeuchi (SK Absolute)
#2 Crosley Gracie (Ralph Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy)
#3 Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#4 Ricardo Almeida (U.S.A./Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy)
#5 Kazuo Misaki (Pancrase GRABAKA)
#6 Chris Lytle (U.S.A./Ring Sports Palmers Gym)
#7 Hidehiko Hasegawa (SK Absolute)
#8 Shonie Carter (U.S.A./AIKI Training Hall)
#9 Yuichi Nakanishi (freelance) *IN!
#10 Kosei Kubota (PANCRASEism) *Down from #9
[Welterweight(152.5lbs.~
under 165.7lbs.)]
the 1st Welterweight K.O.P. Kiuma Kunioku (PANCRASEism)
#1 Koji Oishi (PANCRASEism)
#2 Takafumi Ito (PANCRASEism)
#3 Kenichi Serizawa (Wajutsu Keishukai Suruga Dojo)
#4 Satoru Kitaoka (PANCRASEism) *UP from #5
#5 Hiroki Nagaoka (MMA Dojo DOBUITA) *DOWN from #4
#6 Yuji Hoshino (Wajutsu Keishukai GODS)
#7 Takuya Wada (SK Absolute)
[Lightweight(141.4lbs.~
under 152.5lbs.)] VACANT
[Featherweight(under
141.4lbs.)] VACANT
Source:
ADCC
|
Quote
of the Day
The greatest gift is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles,
it distracts, it excites, it gives you knowledge of the world
and experience of a wide kind. It is a moral illumination.
Elizabeth Hardwick, American Novelist
|
King
of the Cage - Pinnacle - On PPV This Friday!
King
of the Cage Pinnacle - Don't miss the Action 11-14-03
Order
it this Friday night, November14th on Pay-Per-View. Available
on Dish Network Direct TV and TVN. Available in Canada on Bell
ExpressVU
title
fights featuring:
-
Bobby Hoffman Vs Paul Buentello
- Thomas Shulte Vs Joe Stevenson
- Tony Bonello Vs Mansour Hedari
other
matches include:
-
Art Santore Vs Joey Villasenor
- Thomas Denny Vs Richard Solis
- Kengo Watanabe Vs Wade Ship
- Keigo Kunihara Vs Mike Bourke
- Jeff Newton Vs Joe Crilley
- John Cole Vs Kyle Brees
- Ray Elbe Vs Paul Silva
- Dale Breese Vs Albert Hill
Source: ADCC
|
Chris
Brennan Interview
Chris
Brennan’s career has been a bit of a roller coaster ride
these last two years, between his UFC match in January of 2002
and his Pride FC debut in October. In UFC 35, Chris as a Welterweight
lost a decision to Gil Castillo but returned to the Pacific scene
to pick up two wins in Warriors Quest 4 and Gladiator Challenge
11. In what has become a bit of a controversial rearrangement
of King Of The Cage’s belts, he ended up losing his title
to John Alessio in June of 2002 and has since dropped down to
155. Lightweight at first wasn’t kind to Chris as he jumped
straight into competition with the best in the world, taking
two straight losses in Shooto against Takanori Gomi and Murahama.
True to his pattern Chris rebounded to take a belt in Adrenaline
Fighting Championships in July. Then came the big call; Pride
Bushido where Chris beat Eiji Mitsuoka not once but twice in
one fight, which we will hear about in a moment! Now Chris is
said to be on the March Pride FC card. Could the roller coaster
finally be pulling into the station?
KM:
My understanding is your next fight is in Pride. Do you know
who your opponent is? CB: No, not yet.
KM:
Do you know when this is? CB: March.
KM:
So you are off for the next four months or so. CB: Yep. Training
and helping everybody else get ready. I took that last one on
quick notice but it worked out well.
KM:
Let me just finish up on your next one real quick. Is there any
chance if somebody does offer you a fight in the meantime you
might take it and possibly risk the Pride fight? CB: No. They
offered me a lot of money.
KM:
I was a little worried you might take that gamble needing the
money but figured Pride would be enough money you’d be ok.
CB: Yeah.
KM:
So the Pride Bushido one was your last one. For those of us who
don’t know the difference between the Pride Bushido and
the Pride shows that happen in the Tokyo dome can you explain?
CB: They explained it at the event they wanted it to be considered
by everyone else nothing different from their regular Pride.
They just wanted to have some smaller weight class guys in there
and that is what happened. They actually ended up with some pretty
big boys in there to like Cro Crop and some of the Chute Box
guys, the weight classes weren’t quite as light as everybody
thought they were going to end up doing. I had to fight at 180.
KM:
I was wondering. Pride isn’t known for the lighter divisions
and I was wondering what would happen to you. CB: I’m fighting
in a heavier division now so I get to eat.
KM:
Is that any concern since you used to cut the weight for the
advantage? CB: No. I had bad luck at that weight anyway.
KM:
So we’re not going to see you walking around at 195 to cut
down to 180? CB: No.
KM:
What are your plans as far as what you are going to walk around
at, what you are going to enter the ring at? CB: We asked afterwards
what they wanted me at for the next one, what weight class they
were interested in me fighting, and they said between 175 and
185. That’s big, a big difference those 10 pounds. I’m
kind of hanging out at 185 or 6 right now.
KM:
At least you have four months to gain the weight and cut it or
decide how you are going to do that. What are your thoughts on
that? CB: It’s nice. Nice to be able to eat, nice to be
able to know when my fight is going to be, and it will be really
nice when I find out who it is and go from there.
KM:
Wasn’t Bushido the heaviest you ever fought? CB: No. When
I fought in Hawaii at Warriors Quest I fought at 180 and back
when I used to fight Miletich before the UFC fight with him we
used to fight at 180-185.
KM:
So this is not the heaviest you’ve been. My concern was
you’d be slower or less flexible. What difference do you
see between fighting at 185 and 155? CB: I definitely won’t
be 185. Even if my opponent is bigger I won’t fight at 185.
180 is the heaviest I’ll be for a fight, I don’t want
to be heavier than that. At 180 I’m actually fine, I’m
good. When I fought at 170 that was the weight I’d come
back at anyways.
KM:
So the speed and flexibility you are known for isn’t compromised?
CB: No.
KM:
How do you look back at the Bushido fight? CB: It was a great
fight. I actually beat the guy twice. I submitted him with an
armbar and he screamed and the referee jumped in. The guy said
he didn’t tap and the referee…I argued with him for
a little bit and then figured what the hell and we went again.
I was happy because the first half was boring; he got the takedown
and I was working for a submission and then finally I caught
him. The second half he tried to take me down and I set up a
great kimura from the feet and flipped over to the mount. Flipped
him over to the side and ended up with his arm. Let go of that
and went to mount, beat him up, and ended up kimuraing him again
right after that.
KM:
Was that taped or televised? CB: It’s going to be December
21st on pay-per-view over here. They had to tape delay it because
they wanted the tournament to get all the pay-per-view buys.
Fans
will just have to wait until then to see Chris’ return to
the major spotlight and March to see his next fight. Until then
check out http://www.chrisbrennan.com/ to keep up with Chris.
Next
time we’ll hear how the rest of the team is doing including
Erica Montoya in the UFC and Buck Greer fighting in Moscow.
Source: ADCC
|
Pride
Hangover: Final Conflict Edition
It's
a good idea to jot down your thoughts immediately after watching
a show. You know, while the drama is still vivid and your view
hasn't been confounded by public opinion. Oh yes, it's in those
passionate moments just after an event, when the adrenaline is
still racing through your body that a writer can be at his best.
That
was the plan Sunday night, but, well, I drove home and fell asleep
instead. Ah well.
It's
also a good idea to wait a couple days before sending in any
thoughts for publishing. Sit back, contemplate each bout and
write with your mind rather than your gut. I did that once, and
a couple Ricco Rodriguez fans threatened to kill me for it.
Thus,
here we are, stuck in the middle. Only the insensible residue
of adrenaline remains, but it hasn't been long enough to tap
into that deeply analytical frame of mind either. Enough excuses,
though. My thoughts on an enthralling show:
BOBISH
PROVES THE UTILITY OF EYE-GOUGING
Dan
Bobish was poked in the eye again last night. He was charging
forward and suddenly signaled for help that would never come.
In May of last year, against Mike Kyle, Bobish gimped out of
an exchange in similar fashion, motioning that his eye had been
gouged or scraped or hurt in some way that was tremendously debilitating.
He was given time to recoup against Kyle and rallied to win.
No break against Goodridge, though, who pounced on Bobish like
a shark attacking a bloody limb that had dropped into its mouth.
Maybe
it's the way Bobish rushes forward that invokes a similar response
from opponents. He charges, opponents put their hands up to push
him away, and Bobish gets an accidental thumb in the eye. Or
maybe Bobish just has more eyes than the rest of us, increasing
his chances of getting gouged. I'm not sure, at this point, but
I'll keep you posted.
THE
BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT DOESN'T FIGHT AT 185
If
Dan Henderson could oblige me by fighting his next bout at 185,
I would gladly return the favor by ranking him as the No. 1 middleweight
in the world. Otherwise, he'll remain a very good light heavyweight.
Regardless, when he stopped Murilo Bustamante, Henderson became
the top true middleweight in the world.
I
have been a long time appreciator of Bustamante. After watching
Jackson and Liddell slug it out and then recalling the way Bustamante
nearly beat both of them even though he belongs down a weight
class … I certainly wasn't expecting someone Bustamante's
own weight to take him out. Possibly beat him, but not finish
him and surely not in less than a minute.
There
has been some grumbling that Henderson knocked out Bustamante
with a headbutt. Nah, I don't think so. There may have been a
clash of heads, but Henderson inflicted the real damage with
very legal blows. Was Bustamante stunned a bit from the headbutt?
Possibly, but I say it stands as a great win for Henderson. I
hope these two do see each other again one day soon.
TIME
FOR SAKURABA-SILVA 4?
I
was delighted to see Kazushi Sakuraba armbar Kevin Randleman,
but my pleasant mood was immediately spoiled with a wicked premonition.
A sharp pain near my temple hinted to me that an evil DreamStage
executive was out there somewhere, watching Sakuraba's win and
laughing ominously as he scribbled on a napkin a scheme to sacrifice
the Japanese legend to Vanderlei Silva a fourth time.
A
TALE OF TWO FIGHTS
Watching
the first round of Cro Cop-Nogueira was like watching a sinister
game of Russian roulette. Cro Cop's sprawl was unfairly quick,
trapping Nogueira on the feet and spawning in me the foreboding
feeling that it was only a matter of time until the Brazilian
heavyweight encountered a filled chamber and met a gruesome demise.
In
that opening 10 minutes, one of the great heavyweights in modern
mixed martial arts was reduced to a stumbling, bloody punching
bag. Nogueira's victimizer, Cro Cop, was undoubtedly climbing
the rankings as the fight went on, probably landing somewhere
between unconquerable and unbeatable after the first round.
As
we've learned in the past, though, earning the "unbeatable"
label can be a haunting honor. And, based on the way Cro Cop
dismantled Nogueira in the first round coupled with his history
of destruction, the Croatian was rapidly approaching "unbeatable."
As
ugly as the first round was for Nogueira, his performance in
the second captured the beauty of mixed martial arts. Categorically
dominated in the world of striking, he completed a desperate
takedown and moved the fight to a realm he ruled: the ground.
It was absolutely crucial that he not let Cro Cop back to his
feet, and, in the dramatic moment that it seemed he had done
so, Nogueira snagged an arm and another unforgettable win.
It
may be a sour loss for Cro Cop, but it's not a bad one. He tasted
victory a couple times, and I don't think he would have been
taken down again if he had made it back to his feet in the second
round. In the end, however, the difference was Nogueira's ability
to survive on the feet and Cro Cop's inability to survive on
the ground. The loss revealed some holes in his ground game that
he should now be determined to plug.
Nogueira
still needs to work on his wrestling. His best chance to beat
Fedor is to get on top of him on the ground. Can he do that?
Not sure if he will, but I'm convinced there's nothing he can't
do.
AND
THE GRAND PRIX
While
I respected Hidehiko Yoshida's grappling ability, I didn't anticipate
him lasting long against Vanderlei Silva. He is a great and capable
athlete who should be commended for his ability and heart. With
that said, I don't think he was ever close to finishing Silva.
Each of his submission attempts were backed by anxious fans whose
excitement created the feeling that Silva was going to tap at
any moment. In reality, though, I think Silva was more often
uncomfortable than he was in any serious danger. In fact, other
than a couple well-executed throws, I feel Silva out-grappled
Yoshida.
In
terms of striking and inflicted damage, the fight was one-sided.
Regardless, considering the limited time Yoshida has competed
in MMA, his performance against one of the sport's most ferocious
fighters ever is more than a significant accomplishment. Let's
see him back.
I
picked Quinton Jackson to beat Chuck Liddell, but I didn't think
it would be that convincing. While some perspectives on the fight
focus on Liddell -- he didn't execute the game plan, didn't throw
any knees or kicks, came out flat -- I think Jackson holds responsibility
for what happened. He rocked Liddell early and often, which can
jar a fighter off a set path quicker than anything. After the
fifth or sixth time your opponent grinds his knuckles into your
jaw, your technique, cardio and game plan dash out the door.
Jackson
attacked Liddell much like Couture did, and he experienced the
same success. Time to regroup for "The Iceman," who
needs to figure out how he's going to deal with the blueprint
to beating him that Randy Couture shared with the world.
As
for the final, I expected Jackson to win. Silva, however, apparently
didn't care what I expected. He stunned Jackson and then flipped
into kill mode like only "The Axe Murderer" can do.
The cold, maniacal smile that dressed his face as he was finishing
off "Rampage" was far more evil than even Tank Abbott's
ominous grins while dishing out punishment in his heyday.
No
sense arguing about how the tournament format affected either
fighter. In short, Jackson was destroyed in the final, but I'm
not about to jump off the wagon. Until next time…
Source: ADCC
|
SOME
PEOPLE STILL NOT SOLD ON YOSHIDA
Despite looking very impressive against Vanderlei Silva, it doesn't
seem to matter what Yoshida does in the ring. He still has plenty
of people who believe there could have been some sort of work
against Vanderlei Silva.
We
received a few emails from people who questioned the fight and
yesterday on MMAWeekly Radio, former MMA Broadcaster Jeff Osborne
wasn't convinced about Yoshida either.
Osborne
said quote "Maybe it's my personal conspiracy theory about
Yoshida, but the fight seemed a little weird. Vanderlei is always
known for trying to kill his opponent. For some reason he didn't
go after Yoshida like he did with Quinton. When was the last
time you saw Vanderlei come out tenative and not 110% punching
your light's out?", Osborne continued, "It's not unheard
of for one fighter to be "in" on a work and the other
one not."
Osborne
wasn't alone. A few of you felt the same way. Here's one email
from David Scott who was at the Pride event in Japan.
"Look
what happened when Vanderlei Silva had Yoshida caught in the
triangle. He could have pounded his head in from that position;
but instead, he took it easy on him. Silva didn't even try to
strike with Yoshida except for one exchange in the second round.
He took it easy on him on purpose."
Others
of you didn't feel like there was any sort of conspiracy, like
MMAWeekly Radio host Ryan Bennett, "Yoshida fought a hell
of a fight. I think you could make an arguement that he maybe
even won the fight. It was that close. I could have seen it scored
at least a draw to be honest, but either way Yoshida answered
a lot of questions in that fight. He showed a lot of heart."
Yoshida
was the front page story in the Japanese newspapers. They had
a huge article and pictures of Yoshida hitting Silva in the face
and there was so much coverage on the front pages that if you
didn't know any better you would have thought that Yoshida beat
Silva.
It
seems Yoshida may never get the benefit of the doubt in all of
his fights. With questions about the legitmacy of his fights
following matches with Don Frye to Royce Gracie, he may never
get the credit he deserves from the American fans.
YOSHIDA
FINALLY SILENCES CRITICS ABOUT LEGITMACY
He
is loved by his home country of Japan as he won a gold medal
in the Olympics and is one of the better Judo players in the
world today. While the Japanese fans love him, the American fans
seemed very critical of Yoshida saying he has done stagged fights.
After
last night's epic battle, Yoshida's stock has just shot up in
the United States.....He went toe to toe with Silva, took some
big shots, and still can smile after the fight. So what's next
for this Japanese superstar?
Now
if you joined us this weekend on the SoundOff Forum you probably
saw the rumor about a year end show....."MMAWeekly's Scott
Petersen reports from Japan that a Royce Gracie vs Yoshida is
very close to being signed to fight in Antonio Inoki's End of
the year show on December 31st."
Source: MMA Weekly |
ICEMAN
DIDN'T GET HIS KICKS IN JAPAN
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson took the fight to Chuck Liddell
this weekend in Japan. Jackson fought a good fight and definitely
deserved the win. The hope of the UFC was placed squarely on
Chuck Liddell's shoulders, but unfortunately for Liddell, there
are just questions about "what happened" in Japan.
It's
almost sacreligious to criticize Chuck, the same man who has
faced arguably the toughest schedule of fighters in the past
three years in MMA history. Once again jog your memory and you
see the reason why the fans love rooting for him with this kind
of schedule.....Jeremy Horn, Pele, Kevin Randleman, Guy Mezger,
Murilo Bustamante, Amar Suloev, Vitor Belfort, Babalu Sobral,
Randy Couture, Alistar Overeem, and now Quinton Jackson in a
three year stretch.
While
you could ask if any fighter in the world today even go .500
against that type of fight lineup, let alone 12-3, it was strange
to hear UFC President Dana White say that Liddell wasn't following
"thee game plan".
The
strangest part about Liddell's fight was the fact that he landed
just three kicks the entire fight and this is coming from a very
good kickboxer. White made reference a few times that they were
practicing using his kicks up and down the body of his opponent.
To put it in perspective, Yoshida of all people landed more kicks
in his fight with Vanderlei Silva than Chuck Liddell did in this
fight.
For
a fighter that has many tools, including solid kicks, (just as
Babalu Sobral) it seemed strange that he didn't try to press
this fight at all. Just a tough night all around for Liddell.
So what's next for the Iceman? Well hopefully the fans will get
what they want and that's a fight against Tito Ortiz in a fight
probably in March in the UFC. Both guys are coming off losses,
so for one they will snap out of it, for the other, it will definitely
hurt their future as a top Light Heavyweight in MMA.
Source: MMA Weekly
|
PRIDE
SP SPECIAL
Finally, Dream Stage Entertainment declared their entry into
a MMA 3-way war for the New Year's Eve in Japan.
As
you know, Antonio Inoki already announced that he would have
the New Year's Eve show cooperated with Nihon-TV which is one
of the biggest broadcasting stations in Japan. The rumor says
Inoki has a plan to put Mirko Crocop on their main event. Then,
K-1 got the high jump on the rivals with announcing "Akebomo
vs Bob Sapp" as a main event of their new year's eve show
cooperated with TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) which had broadcasted
"INOKI BOM-BA-YE" last two years and got tremendous
high TV ratings. The rumor, that DSE has reserved the Saitama
Super Arena for their New Year's Eve show, has already been spread
over informed Japanese MMA fans. But, as of before Pride GP 2003
final, DSE had kept quiet about their entry into MMA 3- way war
for the New Year's Eve. Because their partner Fuji-TV which is
one of the biggest broadcasting stations in Japan had hesitated
to decide. It's easy to imagine that three MMA shows on the New
Year's Eve TV programs cut each other's throats.
On
November 9th, finally, Dream Stage Entertainment declared their
entry into MMA 3-way war for the New Year's Eve show cooperated
with Fuji-TV through Takada's speech in the PRIDE GP 2003 Final.
Takada also declared PRIDE's farewell to Inoki.
In
the Tokyo Dome, the venue of PRIDE GP 2003 Final, DSE handed
out two leaflets for their New Year's Eve show temporary titled
"PRIDE SPECIAL" to be held in Saitama Super Arena on
December 31st as follows.
Source: MMA Weekly |
|
11/11/03 Happy Veteran's Day |
Quote
of the Day
Love is the great miracle cure. Loving ourselves works miracles
in our lives.
Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life, American Metaphysical Teacher,
Lecturer, Author
|
Pride
Fight Descriptions
I got
this off of MMA.tv so this is just one person's view of the fights.
I am too tired to give my own $0.02 other than it was very enjoyable
matches. I'm putting this up because of a request by email to
us. Enjoy!
1st fight.
Bobbish
vs. Goodridge. This fight blew. No way around it. They came out,
and Gary hit Bobbish in the face. Bobbish then claimed that his
eye had been scratched (perhaps by the glove?), at any rate,
Gary went in and repeatedly hit Bobbish for the TKO. Kinda like
Goodridge vs. Fedor but in reverse and less brutal and entertaining.
Oh well.
2nd
fight.
Liddell
vs. Jackson. As usual, Liddell was getting tagged early on. He
managed to counter Jackson at times, and Jackson was not able
to use his slams. Liddell seemed to have a bit more power in
his strikes, but Jackson was much faster and much more more consistent
in terms of accuracy. At the end of the first round, the score
would be close but Jackson would have had the lead on the judges
card. Mind you, this is basically the story of EVERY Liddell
fight, so one was wondering if he would do his comeback thing
that he always does. NOPE. Jackson came out firing, and backed
Liddell up. Liddell is damn tough and Jackson used a takedown
and then did some GNP. Liddell was clearly out of it but his
corner kept the fight going for a while before throwing in the
towel. Jackson by TKO.
3rd
fight. Silva vs. Yoshida. Everyone here knows that I am a huge
fan of judo, but that I am pretty realistic in terms of picking
fights. So I figured that Yoshida wouldn't win, but was really
hoping that he would. When the bell went everyone was wondering
if Silva would be able get to Yoshida's chin before the takedown.
Well, Yoshida got the takedown right away (off of a double).
Silva was in guard, and, once again, showed that he is a truly
complete fighter. Yoshida backed Silva up towards the ropes and
was going for the pass, but Silva maintained control and then
went for a triangle. He attempted the triangle for quite a while,
but it was never deep, nor did Silva really seem to worry about
it as he was keeping his cool. Yoshida got out of the triangle
and passed Silva's guard to side control. They reset them in
the middle and Silva gets up. Silva then starts going on the
offensive, but Yoshida clinches and times his uchimata perfectly.
He then starts to go for a choke, but Silva gets guard back,
and Yoshida is basically just trying to pass as the bell rings.
Round 2 would start with Silva going on the offensive and busts
Yoshida up. The HUGE surprise here is that Yoshida showed that
he has a CHIN. No shit! He got tagged, went for a weak single,
got tagged, and then starting trading with Silva. Silva backed
up into a corner, and Yoshida got tagged as he was going for
another takedown and ended up on his back with half-guard. There
was only about 2 min. left in the second (and final) round now,
so Silva was being patient to make sure that he didn't screw
up since he would be ahead on the cards. Yoshida was careful
not to get tagged and managed to reverse Silva right before the
fight ended. A pretty good performance considering it was Yoshida's
fourth fight (ie. he did better than anyone has against Silva
since Henderson). Silva gets the JD.
4th fight
Henderson vs. Bustamante. This was probably the most interesting
fight on paper to me. Two guys who are probably rulers of the
MW class but are currently fighting at LHW. Bustamante was about
4kg heavier, and even if he was 4kg lighter, I figured that Bustamante
was too well-rounded. They come out and Henderson throws a kick.
They clinch a bit, Busta gets stuffed on a takedown (going by
memory here, a bit off probably), and his head exposed. BANG.
HUGE knee from Henderson. Busta rolls onto his back, but you
can tell that something is wrong. He tries to sit up and he just
isn't doing it right (ie. he is off-balance while he is sitting
down). Henderson is throwing the punches while this is going
on, and as Bustamante is clearly stunned from the knee, the ref
has to step in and stop the fight. Henderson by TKO in a fair
stoppage.
5th fight Herring
vs. Yamamoto
Now, this fight
SHOULD have been a mismatch, but it wasn't. Either Herring has
gone downhill, or Yamamoto really does deserve to be there. Herring
basically had a lot more power, but Yamamoto was tough enough
during the first two rounds to get the takedown even if he was
tagged first. He didn't seem to be offensive enough in terms
of using his superior position to go for strikes. He did a bit,
but not that much. He would usually try to work towards mount
and go for a sub, but Herring is the master of reversing and
would escape, hit his opponent, get back to his feet and then
we would repeat. In the third round Yamamoto was tiring and Herring
was fresh(ish). He would start to hit Yamamoto more and more,
and finally Yamamoto did a sloppy takedown, got his back taken
and was choked into submission. My observation was that: Yamamoto
can still get in better shape and that Herring REALLY needs to
work on his wrestling. No kidding. He won't be able to break
back into the top 5 (like he use to be) unless he can work on
his takedown defense when he wants to keep it standing, and conversely
in order to do that, he will need better takedowns himself (or
CroCop will happen).
6th fight. Sakuraba
vs. Randleman. Man, I am HUGE Sakuraba fan. I will cheer for
him against anyone (regardless of style). I was really nervous
before watching this one ;o). Before the fight Pride played up
Randleman's jumping ability, they even pointed out that he once
fell when jumping before a UFC event and hurt himself (the infamous
pipe incident). When he walked down the walkway he was jumping
away and they had a Donkey Kong barrel in the background (Randleman
was playing it up too before anyone gets pissed). For Saku, well
they played the Mario brothers music. He came out as Mario and
looked focused. The fight started out slowly with both just waiting
for the other to move. Randleman was clearly going to go for
a sprawl and brawl win. No GNP here (and for good reason, Saku
is much more dangerous on the mat than he is standing). Randleman
would hit Saku, Saku would hit Randleman back, Randleman would
put Saku on his back when Saku would go for a kick, Saku would
try the keylock, but Randleman was too strong. Randleman didn't
do much pounding either as he was being careful. This went on
for 2 rounds with Randleman on his way to a decision win. In
the 3rd round, Saku would kick a bit more (prior to that Randleman
had landed the best kicks), and during one exchange he gave his
back (a consistent tactic during the fight), and as he went to
the ground (with Randleman behind him), I couldn't help but notice
that he had his arms ready for a keylock/kimura/ude. After about
15 seconds of waiting (for me), he went for it, Randleman jumped
over his head, and Saku spun to the straight armbar. Saku by
submission! Man, it has been a while. He is once again in the
race. YES!
7th fight Minotauro vs. CroCop
Prior to this fight
they showed that Fedor was going to fight the winner, and there
was some hyping towards next year. In the first round, CroCop
was dominating. Minotauro managed to jump to guard once (off
of a clinch), but CroCop defended well, got back to his feet
and proceeded to start kicking. High high, middle, punch. Throw
off a Minotauro takedown attempt (CroCop really is as strong
as a small pony), and then proceed to repeat. At the end of the
first round Minotauro was a bit busted up. However, at the start
of the second Minotauro got a double, passed, got mount, waited,
waited, waited, got the straight armbar. TEXTBOOK. Minotauro
vs. Fedor 2 coming soon!
8th fight Silva vs. Jackson
Man, fun stare down and right into fighting. Silva and Jackson
square up and right when you think they are about to start throwing
the bombs, Jackson goes for a slam and Silva gets the guillotine.
Jackson had to be careful now and he eventually put Silva down
very gently and got out. From there he started to GNP and Silva
started to work his guard very well. Jackson would get some shots
in but Silva got an armbar submission attempt in as well. Eventually
Jackson and Silva are both slowing down and Jackson is doing
the hit the ribs and keep your head down thing. Effective but
not that exciting. At any rate, both guys get a yellow card (or
one of them, but it looked like both did, anyone?) for stalling
(a bit premature maybe, but they really were SLOWING down right
there with no one in danger and just rib shots occurring). Jackson
is upset at this, but Silva starts pumping himself up. Jackson
elects to trade and pays a BIG price. Silva is faster and would
punch and then clinch. Knee knee. Punch, around now Jackson is
getting staggered. 1, 2, 3, 4, knees and a few more punches,
Jackson is on his back, he gets soccer kicked, gets up, Silva
clinch, 1 punch, 2 punches, the ref finally calls the fight.
Jackson is clearly OUT on his feet, but is one very very tough
fighter. Silva is ecstatic. Silva by TKO.
So Silva now TKOs
the guy who TKOed the guy who Tito (allegedly) ran from. Is Couture
definitely #1 still? I am not sure anymore. Silva was just as
tired going into the last fight as Jackson. The two will probably
fight again soon with Silva's MW belt on the line (as Jackson
was promised this fight), but I must say that Silva is def. the
favorite going into that (look for Jackson to fight Silva in
a way similar to how Randleman would have fought Silva if they
do fight again). Yoshida did better than a lot against Randleman
and proved that with a few more fights that he can do very well.
His chin is there it would seem and he can take a beating and
keep on coming. Sakuraba is back. Randleman was considered top
10 coming into this fight, no way Saku can be called washed up
by so many people due to his Nino fight anymore. Minotauro is
close to being back on top, but Fedor seemed very relaxed when
it was announced that the two would fight. CroCop, like Yoshida,
will need some more time to get his ground game down, but he
is definitely still a threat to anyone.
GREAT SHOW
Source: MMA.tv (Underground Forum) |
SILVA
FINALLY GETS RESPECT
No one has questioned how dangerous Vanderlei Silva is. The questions
that were asked about Silva is who has he REALLY beat?
Many
of those questions were answered this weekend as Silva defeated
a very game Yoshida, as well as following that up with a win
against Quinton Jackson in the Pride Grand Prix Championships.
Silva
and Yoshida was thought to be a walk in the park ahead of time.
It was anything but easy. Yoshida did something no one thought
was possible and that's take the fight to decision. Not only
did he force a decision, Yoshida actually "won" the
first round, (even though the Pride scoring system, doesn't value
round by round scoring.)
Silva
showed his ground game in the fight with not only Yoshida, but
against Quinton Jackson in the final. This was a great night
of fights and on this night, Vanderlei Silva earned the respect
of all fighters and fans.
Silva
would later show that he is one of the best, if not thee best
at 205. Now the fight world will just have to hope that somehow,
sometime, somewhere that we can see Silva face Randy Couture
in a future competition. It looks doubtful for the simple fact
that both fighters are champions in rival organizations. For
now this is what we do know. Vanderlei Silva could be the best
fighter in the world right now at 205. Hopefully one day soon,
Randy Couture and Silva will have a chance to truly prove who
the best is at 205.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
THE
LEGEND OF MINOTAURO LIVES ON...
He was coming off back to back bad performances. Losing to Fedor
isn't a bad thing. Minotauro Nogueira's fight against Ricco Rodriguez
though had a lot to be desired. His performance this weekend
shut up every critic and the "old" Minotauro is back.
As ex-NBA all star coach Rudy Tomjonavich once phrased during
his championship runs...."Never question the heart of a
champion"
That
phrase rang true this weekend. Nogueira faced the "unbeatable"
Mirko Cro Cop. The Croation has made quick work of everyone he
has faced this past year, and the trend looked to continue at
the end of the first round against Noguiera.
Nogueira
who looked good early in the first round by getting a takedown,
was one punch or kick away from losing to Cro Cop as Crop Cop
dropped the Brazilian down with a series of kicks and punches.
To
Noguiera's credit, he wouldn't give up and in round two, Minotauto
caught Cro Cop with a armbar that ended the night and the invincibility
of Mirko Cro Cop who would face defeat for the first time in
MMA.
Minotauro
is back and it looks as though the world of MMA should be treated
to a rematch between Noguiera and Fedor some time soon, once
the injury to Fedor's hand is completely healed.
Source:
MMA Weekly
|
PRIDE
GP: After Fight Party!
Right after this Sunday's collosal Pride GP event, DSE promoted
a party where the Japanese fans had the opportunity to get close
to the fighters, and the press had a chance to interview them.
Only Wanderlei and Cro Cop were unavailable, but it was not easy
to get close to any of the fighters! In order to talk to them,
there were big lines of fans lined up for each guy! They were
waiting for the opportunity to take pictures with their idols.
Even with some marks on his face, Quinton Jackson did not lose
his matter of fact style of speaking 'I have no excuses. Wanderlei
had a hard fight, I had a hard fight, but he was a better man
tonight. He fought better and I got my ass kicked. Maybe I was
too focused on Liddell and I was not focused enough for Wanderlei'
stated Rampage.
UFC
Champion Randy Couture selected teammate Dan Hendeson as the
fighter of the night, but he was impressed with 'Minotauro' and
'CroCop' as the fight of the night. 'It was something else! I
could not believe that fight. He is one tough son of a bitch.
3 or 4 times in this fight anybody else in the world would have
been knocked out. He survived and came back, getting the fight
where he wanted to and winning. It was truly amazing.'
During
the conversation, Couture also spoke about Wanderlei and meeting
the PRIDE GP champion in a fight. Couture did not hide his desire
to face him and unify the Pride and UFC belts. 'He was a little
conservative against Yoshida, but against Quinton he showed his
true colors. Relentless. It was an amazing fight. I really would
like to face him. There must be some way they can make it happen.
The no1 and no2 fighters in the world should fight. Its going
to be a huge fight' predicted the midleweight champion of UFC.
Very
happy after having surgery to relieve his herniated disc, Coleman
told us about the excitement of returning to being healthy for
fighting 'For me its a miracle. Now I can train normally and
return to the top.' The 'Hammer' chose 'Minotauro' and Wanderlei
as the names of the night. 'Wanderlei proved once again he is
the best middleweight in the world and 'Minotauro'proved again
he is the best ground fighter. It must be an incredible feeling
to do what he did, I hope to feel that again soon' said the Heavyweight
GP Champion.
Helped
by Coleman, I tried to get some words from Fedor Emelianenko
about his upcoming fight, in February against 'Minotauro' 'I
broke my hand but I'll be ready for this rematch' were the only
words I could understand, but it was enough for me. Thanks Coleman!
Talking
to 'Minotauro' at the party was just impossible. Literally surrounded
by hundreds of fans, he could not even sample the amazing array
of food and drink the party had to offer.
Source: ADCC
|
ZST
Tournament Fighter:
Jason Maxwell Prepares For Japan
After
a quick win over former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver
at the Absolute Fighting Championship 3 in Florida 6 months ago,
24-year-old Jason Maxwell anticipated good offers coming in,
but it wasn’t until he hooked up with Pulver manager Monte
Cox that an opportunity in Japan was signed. While a rematch
with Duane “Bang” Ludwig is still on his mind, the
7-2 Texan is focused and preparing for a tournament in ZST on
November 24. With no punching allowed on the ground, Maxwell
understands the rules are different, and he is training for them,
but “I dunno what will happen when my instincts take over,”
he says.
JC:
When we last talked at length, you were contemplating a rematch
with Duane “Bang” Ludwig (from KOTC 3: Knockout Nightmare)
and a fight in Japan. How is that going? JM: Yeah, I thought
the UFC would want the Ludwig/Maxwell rematch since the fight
just makes sense. I got screwed in the decision and we both KO’d
(Jens) Pulver. I’ve heard people say “well, if you
would have KO’d Pulver first you would have got the chance
in the UFC,” well, I KO’d him quicker, [laughing] but
right now I’m worried about beating Taisho in the 1st Round
in the ZST tourney.
JC:
Worried about beating Taisho? JM: No, I’m not like scared
worried. I don’t know what to do. I’m tired of thinking
about him. To be honest, I think about him when I go bed and
when I wake up. My girlfriend is starting to get jealous. He
has made my life hell for the last 2 months and I’m gonna
make him pay!
JC:
Then your last fight was the 0:54 KO over Jens Pulver (at HOOKnSHOOT:
AFC 3 in May)? JM: Yes, that’s right. I haven’t had
any offers until I hooked up with Monte Cox and ZST, which I’m
real excited about. I hope all goes well in Japan and I can be
a favorite over there. That’s where I wanna do all my fighting
cause they really wanna give me a chance and I respect that,
so I wanna do good for the ZST organization.
JC:
You've said Jens hasn't given you the respect you deserve from
that win. What do you mean? JM: Just from the things he has said,
but that’s cool. I might not be a proven fighter to him
or the MMA world, but I have proven myself to myself, my team,
God, Family and friends. They’re the only ones that matter
anyway. The rest can kiss my ass!
JC:
You now have the same manager as Pulver in Monte Cox. How did
that happen? JM: Well, we were chatting online and I asked him
if he could find something for me and he couldn’t believe
I didn’t get any good offers after the fight, so he introduced
me to the ZST. I’m real excited about this organization.
I hope I adapt to the rules of the event.
JC:
Yeah, like no punching on the ground. What are your thoughts
on the ZST rules? JM: Yeah, that’s a good part of my game.
The rules are gonna be a ‘lil different. I’m training
for them, but I dunno what will happen when my instincts take
over.
JC:
So, you’re preparing for ZST, a tournament in Japan. Tell
me about it. JM: Yeah, I’m training hard for Taisho. He
likes to stand and is good on the ground. I’m just gonna
go at him hard and just do my thing. I don’t think he can
handle my power on the ground or the stand up, but we will see.
It’s gonna be a good one.
JC:
Have you ever competed in a tournament? JM: No, this tourney
is interesting with a lot of talent.
JC:
What are your thoughts on possibly facing your (management) team
mate, Rich Clementi, in the semifinals? JM: Yeah, I thought I’d
have to face him in the very last match, but I guess we are on
the same side of the bracket. I’ll worry about Rich when
I know for sure I’m fighting him. Right now my heart and
mind is set all on Taisho. I’ll worry about the tourney
after this first fight.
JC:
You moved to California during the summer, but you're back in
Texas now. What's going on? JM: Well, me and my best friend and
training partner Keith Sutton went out there for training, but
I wasn’t happy. There is no place like Texas. I don’t
know what I was thinking... just a wild hair. [laughing] It was
fun though..
JC:
Maybe it’s because of a woman? JM: Yes, there is [laughing]
Candace. We have been together since the 8th grade. We are getting
married the 1st of the year. We have been through it all and
she is the best thing for me... keeps me on a good diet and washes
my dirty jock. I don’t know any other girl that will do
that for me... J/K We love each other and have for along time.
JC:
Congratulations, Jason! Now, is there anything you'd like to
say? JM: I’d like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for everything.
He has blessed me in my life. My mom, dad and Memaw. I was gonna
take my Memaw with me, but she said she didn’t like seeing
me hurt people. [laughing] My future wife, Candace, Sinster Clothing,
and my excellent team mates for pushing me past my limit. For
as Taisho goes, he is for sure gonna get a good taste of TEXAS.
Henrietta, Texas, that is.
JC:
Good luck, Jason. JM: Thanks, Joe.
Source: ADCC
|
UFC
45 News - Match Flux as Fighter Injured....
UFC
45: REVOLUTION - The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Friday,
November 21, from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Ct.
The
UFC's upcoming tenth anniversary card has suffered more attrition.
First, the return of up and comer Frank Mir fell of the card
after cycling through 4 different opponents, and now comes word
that the highly anticipated match between up and coming lightweights
DIN THOMAS and YVES EDWARDS is off the card, due to a broken
hand sustained by Thomas in training.
The
UFC is reported to be working on a replacement opponent to take
on Edwards, and is working on a list including Team ELITE's Mike
Brown, former KOTC Champion Alberto Crane and AFC champion Nick
Agallar.
UFC
45: Revolution (COMPLETE CARD - Subject To Change):
Welterweight
Title Bout: FRANK TRIGG (Challenger) v. MATT HUGHES (Champion)
Heavyweights:
RICCO RODRIGUEZ v. PEDRO RIZZO
Heavyweights: DAVID 'TANK' ABBOTT v. WESLEY 'CABBAGE' CORREIA
Middleweights: FALANIKO VITALE v. MATT LINDLAND
Lightweights: TBD v. YVES EDWARDS
Middleweights: PHIL BARONI v. EVAN TANNER
Welterweights: ROBBIE LAWLER v. CHRIS LYTLE
Middleweights: KEITH ROCKEL v. CHRIS LIGUORI
Source: ADCC
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Frank
Mir Signed for GQ-West Superfight Absolute
The
prestigious 8-Man Superfight Absolute at Grapplers Quest West
4 has added another superstar in UFC Top Ranked Heavyweight Contender,
MR. FRANK MIR (Team Ricardo Pires) to the line-up.
Grapplers
Quest West 4 Submission Grappling Championships Saturday, November
15th, 2003
Durango
High School
7100 West Dewey Drive
Las Vegas, NV
Download
a tournament package at:
http://www.grapplers.com/article_images/gq4.doc
*NOTE:
Registrations WILL be accepted at-the-door - CASH-ONLY is accepted.
Make
your picks, see it live this Saturday, November 15th in Las Vegas,
Nevada!!!
8-Man
Superfight Absolute Division FINALIZED:
Alex
'The Brazilian Killer' Steibling, Pride Fighting Championship,
UFC, and Pancrase Veteran
VS
Jamie Cruz, Team Renzo Gracie Black Belt, 2003 Grapplers Quest
U.S.
Trials Finalist, 3-Time Grapplers Quest National Champion
Brent
Stuchlik, Team Dean Lister Brown Belt, 2002 Grapplers Quest West
II Champion, Gracie Invitational Gold Medalist, 2003 Westside
Submission Divisional and Absolute Champion
VS
Diego Sanchez, Team Jackson's Gaido Jitsu, King of The Cage
Welterweight Contender, Undefeated in MMA, 2-Time Grapplers Quest
Champion
Brandon
Vera, Team Lloyd Irvin, 4-Time Grapplers Quest National
Champion, Abu Dhabi Veteran
VS
Sean Spangler, Team Marc Laimon, 2-Time Grapplers Quest Champion,
2003
Westside Submission Champion, ADCC Trials Veteran
Frank
Mir, UFC Heavyweight Contender, IFC and Hook N' Shoot veteran
VS
Justin Ellison, Team Walt Bayless, Extreme Challenge and SuperBrawl
veteran, Grapplers Quest Superfight Absolute Competitor, 2002
GQ-U.S.
Nationals Finalist, 2003 Las Vegas Grappling Champion
For
more information on Grapplers Quest tournaments, go to:
http://www.Grapplers.com
See
everyone this weekend!!
Source: ADCC
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MARCELO
GARCIA INSTRUCTIONAL SHIPPING BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS!!!
It
is being called THE FIRST INSTRUCTIONAL OF THE 21st CENTURY and
it is available exclusively at FIGHTERS CORNER! THIS ITEM WILL
SHIP FOR THE HOLIDAYS IF YOU ORDER BEFORE DECEMBER 5th! PRE-ORDER
NOW AT THE FIGHTERS CORNER CATALOG!!
He
was the breakthrough athlete at the 2003 Submission Wrestling
World Championships, winning the unbelievably tough 66-76.9 KG
category in resounding fashion. His attacking style and lightning
submissions made sure everyone remembered his name.
Now
Marcelo Garcia has gotten together with WMA (one of the top instructional
creators out there) to release a 6 DVD instructional series that
is being hailed as one of the most creative and innovative series
ever released.
In
competition, Garcia displayed a wide array of techniques - not
only finishing techniques, but precise transitions and establishment
of control. His many series of 'arm drags' are worthy of a tape
alone! Now he puts his techniques on DVD for all to see! Check
it out -
Special
Feature: Set features live competition footage from ADCC 2003!
The
MARCELO GARCIA 6 DVD Instructional Set:
The Arm Drag Series - Volume 1
Mastering the Back - Volume 2
Passing the Guard - Volume 3
The Guard (The X-Guard) - Volume 4
The Guard (Sweeps) - Volume 5
Submissions - Volume 6
ALSO
AVAILABLE AT THE FIGHTERS CORNER:
'BEST
of the TRIALS' DVD - Shipping This Week! LAST WEEK TO PREORDER
AND SAVE $5 to $10!!! BEST of the TRIALS 2 DVD Set packed with
the top names in GRAPPLING today!
The
first ever 2 DVD set looking back at the Submission Wrestling
Trials is set to ship by the end of the week! Over 4 hours of
NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE from the Submission Wrestling's qualifier
tournaments. PRE-ORDER NOW AT THE FIGHTERS CORNER CATALOG!! FOREIGN
ORDERS NOW BEING ACCEPTED ONLINE! 2 DVD set just $29.99 for this
week only!
COMPLETE
LINEUP OF MATCHES 'Best of the Trials':
North
American TRIALS (October 5th, 2002):
- Mark Ashton vs. Eddie Bravo
- Nathan Ducharme vs. Dean Lister
- Sean Spangler vs. Pablo Popovich
- Ken Kronenberg vs. Joe D'Arce
- Kenny Florian vs. Sean Williams
- James Lee vs. Todd Margolis
- Kenny Jackson vs. Anthony Argyros
- Mike McClure vs. Jamal Patterson
- Michael Bland vs. Alan Teo
- Jamal Patterson vs. Dean Lister
- Angelo Popofski vs. Denis Kang
- David Terrell vs. Keith Rockel
European
TRIALS (JANUARY 11th, 2003):
- Jussi Tammelin vs. Joachim Hansen
- Corille vs. Joachim Hansen
- Jussi Tammelin vs. Robert Sundal
- Joachim Hansen vs. Joachim Engberg
Brazilian
TRIALS (January 24th, 2003):
- Fabio Mello vs. Fabio Cabral
- Galvao vs. Carlos Lemos
- Fernando 'Terere' vs. Daniel Moraes
- Marcio 'Pe De Pano' Cruz vs. Fabiano Scherner
- Marcello Garcia vs. Aloiso Barros
- Alecandre 'Cacareco' vs. Andre Castro
- Marcello Garcia vs. 'ZULU' Gomes
- Ronaldo 'Jacare' vs. Fernando 'Margarida' Pontes
- Marcio 'Pe de Pano' vs. Rodrigo 'Artiliheiro'
- Ronaldo 'Jacare' vs. Bruno Bastos
Check
out the FIGHTERS
CORNER CATALOG!!
Source: ADCC
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