Former IFL middleweight champ Matt Horwich has never been known for acting in a conventional way or subscribing to the norm. Whether expressing his enlightened point of view on the world, his affinity for Brazilian Jiujitsu, or his love for quantum physics, Horwich is as unique a character as you’ll find in Mixed Martial Arts. He also happens to be a tremendous grappler with nineteen submission wins to his credit and a history of being extremely difficult to finish.

The 40-fight veteran faces his newest challenge this weekend, Thales Leites, at Powerhouse World Promotion’s upcoming “War on the Mainland” show in Irvine, California for the PWP Middleweight strap. Leites, who has won three consecutive bouts since parting ways with the UFC, is 17-3 as a professional and considered to be one of the better BJJ-based fighters in Mixed Martial Arts.

Five Ounces of Pain had a chance to speak to Horwich about the challenge Leites provides and how he’s approaching this weekend’s match-up. Though “Suave” considers the Brazilian to be on par with Ricardo Almeida in terms of the offering the best jiujitsu he’s faced in his career, he also didn’t hesitate to express his opinion the fight could also involve a decent amount of striking when asked whether or not he felt the action would focus on stand-up or be purely a ground war.

“I’m thinking both. We’re both well-rounded fighters by the Great Spirit’s grace!”

Horwich also stated he was approaching the five-round affair like any other bout, going so far as to say he prefers the potential for twenty-five minutes – even longer – as opposed to a non-title fifteen.

Said Horwich, “No, I like five rounds better. I think they should have special seven-round fights for guys like us.”

In closing, “Suave” parted with the humility and spirituality fans have come to expect from the 24-15-1 veteran.

“I want to give a big thanks and a shout out to Chris Reilly and my team at “Legends” – Eddy Bravo, everyone at 10th Planet, Melee Fight Wear…and everyone should see Wilmer Valderama’s new movie, “The Dry Land”. He’s one of the nicest famous dudes and part of our family at Legends…God Bless and have a beautiful day everyone! Every day is a new day of adventure and limitless possibilities by Jesus’ grace and surfing the infinitely exhilarating current of creativity!!!”

“War on the Mainland” takes place at the Bren Events Center on Saturday, August 14th, and will be available on cable/satellite PPV starting at 7:00PT/10:00ET. Beyond Horwich vs. Leities, the card also features title fights between UFC alumnus Jason Lambert and eight-time World BJJ champion Allan Goes, as well as the hard-hitting Paul Buentello vs. 2X UFC Heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia.

The California Gold Rush is no longer a thing of the past, at least where Powerhouse World Promotion’s upcoming “War on the Mainland” show is concerned. Former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia will get another crack at hoisting a belt above his head on August 14th in Irvine, California as one of a number of competitors with Octagon experience slated for title-fights on the card.

 “The Maine-iac” will face fellow UFC veteran Paul Buentello for PWP’s heavyweight strap in a main-event bout sure to deliver stand-up fireworks and most likely a knockout ending.

Also squaring off over gold at the event are two fighters whose individual styles are polar opposites to those of the heavyweight headliners. Matt Horwich and Thales Leites will test each others’ might on the ground for the PWP Middleweight Championship in a battle of American wrestling vs. Brazilian Jiujitsu sure to wow fans of high-level grappling. Leites will be looking for his fourth consecutive victory since parting ways with the UFC, while former IFL 185-pound champ Horwich will be simply hoping to right his proverbial ship with a win after dropping six of his last eight fights (all by decision).

Rounding out the trio of title-fights, 25-11 Jason Lambert will do his best to avoid the slick submissions of eight-time World BJJ champion Allan Goes and take home the PWP light heavyweight belt in the process. Lambert is 2-0 in 2010, and though Goes hasn’t fought in three years his reputation in the sport speaks for itself.

“War on the Mainland” will take place at the Bren Events Center on 8/14/10 in Irvine, California and will be available on cable/satellite PPV starting at 7:00PT/10:00ET.

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Submission Only VIII / NC Junior Championships

Poster for US Grappling's Submission Only VIII Grappling tournamentFebruary 20th, 2010 – Simkins Indoor Sports Pavilion @ Barber Park – Greensboro, NC.