Press Release

The sport of MMA is a rough business and when our athletes train as hard as they do, injuries can inevitably happen. Unfortunately, Ronin MMA standout Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis got injured in training and will not be facing Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland for the Wreck Bantamweight Title. Stepping up on short notice and coming in as an underdog is Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts’ Xavier ‘Pitbull’ Desrochers.

When Desrochers learnt of Denis’ injury, he immediately asked for the fight and jumped at the opportunity to fight for a World Title against some of Loveland’s pedigree. The 37 year old Desrochers has been training for for almost 10 years and has only recently begun his MMA career but this BJJ standout has been given the opportunity of a lifetime to shock the MMA world.

“To step up on short notice to face someone of Loveland’s calibre is a real testament to Xavier’s character,” said matchmaker Alex Caporicci. “Xavier not only saw this as an opportunity to test himself and potentially win a title, but to step up and help Wreck when he was needed most. I’m really excited to see this fight that reminds me a lot of a real life Rocky story where the veteran underdog can potentially suprise the world class fighter.”

Also changed on the card is Jenn Ricker from Sudbury BJJ will be making her MMA debut stepping up against FIT MMA’s Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone. Ricker is the third opponent for Barone who is just excited about stepping into the Wreck ring one more time and was ready to face anyone that Wreck put in front of her.
In attendance will be UFC Veteran Rolles Gracie and his brother, Bellator & Wreck veteran Igor Gracie who will be signing autographs and taking pictures with the fans. Do not miss the opportunity to meet two members of the first family of MMA.

Wreck: Unite for Brian’s Fight is brought to you by Fitshop.ca and tickets for this stacked event are available at TICKETMASTER.CA or by calling (613) 755-1111. Buy your tickets now to assure yourself a spot for the one show you do not want to miss!! Tickets are also available at The Fit Shop on 1383 Clyde Avenue in Ottawa. Bring your Wreck ticket and receive 10% off on all products and 15% off all Musclepharm products!!!

Musclepharms ASSAULT and the best cutting supplement out there RIPPED FREAK will be on sale at the event for ONLY 40$! The Fit Shop is having this special promotion to thank everyone for their huge support.

About Wreck and Brian’s Fight

As Wreck continues our policy of adding a charitable aspect to all our events, Wreck MMA will return to the Robert Guertin Arena to help a member of the Ottawa community. Brian Dyck was diagnosed Lou Gehrig’s Disease in October 2009. Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS ultimately leads to death. Brian has not only served his country in the Canadian forces but is currently an Ottawa police officer. His life has been devoted to helping others including his wife Natalie and their one year old daughter Sophi. It is no secret, Brian will leave us – and his family will need our help! Wreck MMA will donate up to $50,000 to Brian and his family, but we cannot do this without your help! We are calling for the members of the MMA community and the Ottawa/Gatineau region to all come together to help a family that needs us. Let’s all unite; for Brian’s fight.

WRECK MMA: UNITE FOR BRIAN’S FIGHT – CONFIRMED FIGHTS
Date: APRIL 16th, 2010
Venue: ROBERT GUERTIN ARENA
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT – Wreck Bantamweight Title

Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland (Team Quest, Oregon) vs. Xavier ‘Pitbull’ Desrochers (OAMA, Ottawa)

CO-MAIN EVENT

Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini (Regency Boxing, Hamilton) vs. Louis-Philippe ‘The Joker’ Carle (FIT MMA/Zahabi MMA, Ottawa)
Kurt Southern (Alliance, Saskatoon) vs. Samuel Guillet (BTT Canada, Montreal)
Chase Degenhardt (Progressive Fighting Academy, Lethbridge) vs. Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
Justin Smethurst (Team MFC, Windsor) vs. Stephane Bernadel (OAMA, Ottawa)
Stephane Pelletier (Juvaldo MMA, Val D’Or) vs. Mike ‘Hurricane’ Hong (BAMA, Burlington)
Jeff Laughren (RAMA, Rockland) vs. Gerry Bruyere (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)
Jenn Ricker (Sudbury BJJ, Sudbury) vs. Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
Paul Ebejer (Team Tugboat, Toronto) vs. Mike Reily (Bluewater Martial Arts, Rockland)
Mikael Pellerin (Team Legion, Victoriaville) vs. Randy Turner (OAMA, Ottawa)
Albert Cheng (Iron Tiger/Xtreme Couture) vs. Wes Ranger (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)

*** Subject to change ***

"We like the color better then it was pictured, Thanks"

Craig Postman, OK

Press Release

With less than two weeks away from the event, Fitshop.ca and Wreck MMA are announcing some changes to WRECK MMA: UNITE FOR BRIAN’S FIGHT scheduled for April 16th at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau.

Due to personal reasons, Mark ‘Boots’ Holst will no longer be facing BTT Canada standout Samuel Guillet. But, Wreck is excited to announce that his replacement will be one of Canada’s top lightweights; Alliance member Kurt Southern. Southern is coming off a dominating victory against Tristar/Team Bergeron member Martin ‘The Hammer’ Grandmont. Southern cemented himself as a top Canadian lightweight with that destructive performance against the veteran Grandmont; who has wins against Holst and Tyler Jackson.

Officially added to the card is a bout between two undefeated bantamweights as the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts’ Xavier Desrochers enters the ring against Team MFC’s Brent Franczuz. Desrochers has been impressive in his first two MMA fights and is looking to add the talented Franczuz to his list of victims.

The event is headlined by two of the world’s top bantamweights as Ottawa’s own and Sengoku veteran Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis takes on Team Quest member Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland. Neither fighter has had a boring fight and this fight is expected to be a five round war; if neither gets knocked out before that! Moved up to the co-main event will be another candidate for Fight of the Night, as two of Canada’s top upcoming welterweights Louis-Phillipe Carle and Simon Marini enter the Wreck ring with the goal of taking the next step in the careers. The winner of this fight will be in a position to take a big next step as a huge international level fight will follow.

Also on the card is one of Ottawa’s most popular fighters, Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown, who will be facing the undefeated prospect from Alberta, Chase Degenhardt. Also on the card is a darkhorse for Fight of the Night as Mike ‘Hurricane’ Hong makes his bantamweight debut against the unbeaten Stephane Pelletier. The winner of that bout could possible face the winner of the Desrochers vs. Franczuz fight in a future Wreck event.

Tickets for this stacked event are available at TICKETMASTER.CA or by calling (613) 755-1111. Buy your tickets now to assure yourself a spot for the one show you do not want to miss!! Tickets are also available at The Fit Shop on 1383 Clyde Avenue in Ottawa. Bring your Wreck ticket and receive 10% off on all products and 15% off all Musclepharm products!!!

About Wreck and Brian’s Fight

As Wreck continues our policy of adding a charitable aspect to all our events, Wreck MMA will return to the Robert Guertin Arena to help a member of the Ottawa community. Brian Dyck was diagnosed Lou Gehrig’s Disease in October 2009. Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS ultimately leads to death. Brian has not only served his country in the Canadian forces but is currently an Ottawa police officer. His life has been devoted to helping others including his wife Natalie and their one year old daughter Sophi. It is no secret, Brian will leave us – and his family will need our help! Wreck MMA will donate up to $50,000 to Brian and his family, but we cannot do this without your help! We are calling for the members of the MMA community and the Ottawa/Gatineau region to all come together to help a family that needs us. Let’s all unite; for Brian’s fight.

WRECK MMA: UNITE FOR BRIAN’S FIGHT – CONFIRMED FIGHTS
Date: APRIL 16th, 2010
Venue: ROBERT GUERTIN ARENA
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT – Wreck Bantamweight Title

Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland (Team Quest, Oregon) vs. Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis (Ronin MMA, Ottawa)

CO-MAIN EVENT

Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini (Regency Boxing, Hamilton) vs. Louis-Philippe ‘The Joker’ Carle (FIT MMA/Zahabi MMA, Ottawa)
Kurt Southern (Alliance, Saskatoon) vs. Samuel Guillet (BTT Canada, Montreal)
Chase Degenhardt (Progressive Fighting Academy, Lethbridge) vs. Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
Stephane Pelletier (Juvaldo MMA, Val D’Or) vs. Mike ‘Hurricane’ Hong (BAMA, Burlington)
Justin Smethurst (Team MFC, Windsor) vs. Stephane Bernadel (OAMA, Ottawa)
Tannaya Hantelman (Titans MMA, Halifax) vs. Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
Brent Franczuz (Team MFC, Windsor) vs. Xavier Desrochers (OAMA, Ottawa)
Jeff Laughren (RAMA, Rockland) vs. Gerry Bruyere (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)
Jeff Thomas (Team MFC, Windsor) vs. Mike Reily (Bluewater Martial Arts, Rockland)
Albert Cheng (Iron Tiger/Xtreme Couture) vs. Wes Ranger (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)
Mikael Pellerin (Team Legion, Victoriaville) vs. Randy Turner (OAMA, Ottawa)

*** Subject to change ***

Tyler Buckman vs. Steve Spearman was the event's top match

-

(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

1.  WILDCATS REVENGE: After falling short in the team championships, it only seems fitting that Central Mountain win the team title in the PIAA Individual Wrestling Championships. The Wildcats were led by Andrew and Dylan Alton, who won titles at 145 and 152, but also had two other placers to break Central Dauphin’s streak of six straight team titles.

2.  CRAIG IS KING HOSS: When you look at Abington Heights’ Evan Craig, you see a big guy who looks like he doesn’t have much athletic ability. Ah, that is the first mistake. Craig has that and more, proving it by pinning every one of his opponents on the way to a second straight state title at 285.

3.  BEST IN SHOW: If the Class AAA and Class AA finals were the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the match between Central Dauphin’s Tyler Buckman and McDowell’s Steve Spearman was the top entry — by far. It had twists, turns, suspense and drama all wrapped into one, and the crowd showed appreciation with a postmatch ovation.

4.  NICE GUYS FINISH FIRST: Boiling Springs’ Joe Spisak is a friendly and respectful kid that keeps his nose clean and works hard. He is the poster child for what this sport is really about, and it was good to see him get rewarded for his four years of tireless work with a state title.

5.  LEGACY CEMENTED: It isn’t often that you catch a glimpse of someone so developed and so accomplished at their craft that they are in a class of their own. But Central Dauphin’s Marshall Peppelman getting his arm raised after a pin in the finals for a third straight state title seemed like an appropriate ending.

Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman won his third straight PIAA title with a pin against West Allegheny's Troy Reaghard.

-

(JOHN C. WHITEHEAD, The Patriot-News)

Results and quick recaps from each match of the PIAA Class AAA championship finals.

103 POUNDS
In an ultimate tie breaker fourth overtime, Canon McMillan's Conner Schram burst out of the grasp of Hempfield's Austin Miller to win a, let's say, 'tentative' 103-pound final. The wrestlers exchanged escapes in the first and second periods and did little from their feet on their way to a four-overtime marathon.

112 POUNDS
Derry Area's Jimmy Gulibon won his second PIAA title in as many years, putting on a clinic from his feet in a 12-5 decision over Blue Mountain's Corey Keener. Gulibon struck twice in the first period and never trailed to finish his season with a 36-1 record and state gold.

119 POUNDS
Franklin Regional's Nico Megaludis out-lasted Liberty's Anthony Marino, using constant pressure in the final period to win an 8-4 decision. Megaludis, the state champ at 112 pounds last season, scored a late takedown to put the finishing touches on the victory.

125 POUNDS
Bellefonte's Mitchell Port and Nazareth's Zachary Horan went back and forth in a match jam-packed with action. Port got the better end of some wild flurries and came away with a 6-3 win.

130 POUNDS
A wild ride from start to finish, McDowell's Steve Spearman scored an emphatic late takedown to topple Central Dauphin's Tyler Buckman 7-6 in rideout time. Buckman escaped to take a 6-5 lead, but surrendered the winning takedown and just missed turning Spearman for back points in the final seconds.

135 POUNDS
Council Rock South's Josh Dziewa finished his dominant run through the 135 bracket, making short work of Cumberland Valley's Shawn Greevy with a first-period pin. Dziewa won two matches by fall and out-scored his other two opponents 7-0 in capturing the gold.

140 POUNDS
Blue Mountain's Josh Kindig led from start to finish, disposing of Pittsburgh Central Catholic's Lorenzo Thomas in an 8-3 victory in the finals. Kindig was the gold medal winner at 135 last season and repeated at 140 with two pins and two decisions.

145 POUNDS
Central Mountain's Andrew Alton won his second straight PIAA title with a 23-8 technicall fall over West Allegheny's Aaron McKinney. Alton tore through the 145 bracket with two pins and two technicall falls, in which he totaled 50 combined points.

152 POUNDS
Dylan Alton used a quick flurry to grab an early lead and cruise to an 11-4 victory over Lasalle's Shane Springer. Dylan Alton one-upped twin brother Andrew with his third straight PIAA gold medal.

160 POUNDS
Central Dauphin's Marshall Peppelman used his signature tilt to put West Allegheny's Troy Reaghard on his back, then sunk in a deep half nelson to flatten him out in a second-period pin. The win sent Peppelman to his third straight state title.

171 POUNDS
Familiar rivals squared off in the state finals as Central Dauphin's Kenny Courts won a third straight matchup against Cumberland Valley's Tristan Warner, this time for state gold. Courts took an early 4-0 lead when he dumped Warner to his back and held on for a 6-4 win.

189 POUNDS
A second caution stall against Council Rock North's Jamie Callender gave Springfield's Andre Petroski the tying point, and after taking a 5-4 lead on an escape, Petroski re-paid the favor with a couple of stalling calls in the final minute. Callender cashed in 33 seconds into overtime, wrapping up a clean double leg and securing a 7-5 win.

215 POUNDS
Selinsgrove's Spencer Myers controlled East Pennsboro's Zach Nye from the neutral position and handed Nye his first loss of the season, 5-3. Nye was aiming to become East Penn's first gold medalist since 1978.

285 POUNDS
Abington Heights' Evan Craig battered and bruised Central Mountain's Zack Corl on his way to defending his state title with a second-period pin. Craig led 4-0 when he cranked Corl to his back with an arm bar and finished the pin at the 2:45 mark.

Bo Candelaria of Middletown controls Tim Riley of Council Rock South on the way to a technical fall.

-

(JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News)

CLASS AAA
145 POUNDS: Ryan Krecker (33-4), Nazareth vs. Bo Candelaria (30-3), Middletown: Candelaria looks unbeatable after scoring tech falls in the finals of districts and in Thursday’s first round of states. But don’t discount Krecker, who defeated Candelaria at Beast of the East in mid-December 7-2 and will be a tough out for the Blue Raiders star.

285 POUNDS: Evan Craig (47-0), Abington Heights vs. Adam Lazenga (41-1), Bethel Park: Craig was the runner-up at 285 as a sophomore and moved to the top of the podium a year ago. He will face his first test of the tournament in Lazenga, who is a pinning machine and put up plenty of resistance to the mighty Craig.

CLASS AA
112 POUNDS: David White (42-3), Athens vs. Evan Link (34-4), Penn Cambria: Link is on the rebound from a surprising third-place finish in the Southwest Region last week in Johnstown. He will look to get back on track against White, a two-time state medalist and Northeast Region champion.

152 POUNDS: Tyler Hain (34-4), Warrior Run vs. Cody Wiercioch (35-1), Charleroi: Hain is a two-time PIAA runner-up and squares off against arguably the best freshman in Class AA. It’s senior against the youngster to see who will be the favorite to stand at the top of the podium on Saturday.

Press Release

Wreck MMA: Unite For Brian’s Fight

Fitshop.ca and Wreck MMA are excited to announce some additions to Wreck MMA: Unite for Brian’s Fight that will take place on Friday April 16th, 2010 at the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau, Quebec.

After a rocky-like Wreck debut, Ronin MMA’s Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis will now be headlining the event against Team Quest standout Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland for the Wreck Bantamweight Title. Denis is coming off an impressive come from behind victory against Sean Quinn and is looking to bring his world class talent to the ultra-exciting Loveland. A teammate of Chael Sonnen (#1 contender for the UFC Milddleweight Title) Loveland loves to stand and bang and recently won his fifth straight fight by knocking out UFC veteran Doug Evans with a head kick. The winner of this bout will be the first ever champion in Wreck history!

Making his Wreck debut on April 16th is Ottawa’s own Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown. With aspirations to take his game to the highest level, Brown has decided to drop down to the middleweight division. Already considered extrememly physically strong for the light-heavyweight division, the potential is there for Brown to make a major impact at his new weightclass. The FIT MMA head instructor will be facing Chad “Chainsaw” Cox from Fit Plus in Halifax. After losing his MMA debut, Cox has won his last five fights and will bring his high level BJJ to the bout. Cox trains with UFC Veteran TJ Grant on a daily basis, so you know Cox will be ready for war.

In a battle in the Wreck female division. Montreal’s Valerie ‘Trouble’ Letourneau returns to the ring after a year long layoff to face Ottawa’s own Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone. FIT MMA’s Barone is coming into her second professional fight and specifically asked for a extremely tough opponent and Letourneau definitely brings that pedigree with her in the ring. An expected barnburner, this fight has the makings for fireworks from the opening bell.

Also added to the card is a bout where bad blood is definitely on the line as Team Bergeron’s Erik Dumaine takes on the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts’ Stephane Bernadel. A few years ago in a kickboxing event, Bernadel defeated Dumaine via razor thin split-decision and Dumaine has been waiting for this opportunity to get his revenge. Both fighters are known for their high level striking ability and this fight has all the potential for a fight of the night winner!
Making his bantamweight debut is one of the sports most exciting fighters, BAMA’s Mike ‘Hurricane’ Hong comes into Wreck and faces the undefeated prospect from Val D’Or, Juvaldo MMA’s Stephane Pelletier. Both fighters come to the ring with a non-stop effort and this fight will be action packed from the opening bell. Wreck is also proud to announce the much anticipated MMA debut of Gatineau’s own Yann Fortier who represents Evolution Martial Arts in Gatineau. Fortier has won multiple titles in the amateur MMA circuit and is looking to take himself to professional gold in the future. Fortier will be facing Nick Aiello from Extreme Couture in a fight that will get all of Gatineau excited.

Scheduled to appear from the Ottawa/Gatineau area are: Mike Reily (Bluewater Martial Arts), Jeff Laughren (RAMA), Gerry Bruyere (Florin’s Ultimate MMA) and Wes Ranger (Florin’s Ultimate MMA).

Tickets for this stacked event are available at TICKETMASTER.CA or by calling (613) 755-1111. Buy your tickets now to assure yourself a spot for the one show you do not want to miss!!

About Wreck and Brian’s Fight

As Wreck continues our policy of adding a charitable aspect to all our events, Wreck MMA will return to the Robert Guertin Arena to help a member of the Ottawa community. Brian Dyck was diagnosed Lou Gehrig’s Disease in October 2009. Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS ultimately leads to death. Brian has not only served his country in the Canadian forces but is currently an Ottawa police officer. His life has been devoted to helping others including his wife Natalie and their one year old daughter Sophi. It is no secret, Brian will leave us – and his family will need our help! Wreck MMA will donate up to $50,000 to Brian and his family, but we cannot do this without your help! We are calling for the members of the MMA community and the Ottawa/Gatineau region to all come together to help a family that needs us. Let’s all unite; for Brian’s fight.

WRECK MMA: UNITE FOR BRIAN’S FIGHT – CONFIRMED FIGHTS
Date: APRIL 16th, 2010
Venue: ROBERT GUERTIN ARENA
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT – Wreck Bantamweight Title
Ian ‘The Barn Owl’ Loveland (Team Quest, Oregon) vs. Nick ‘The Ninja of Love’ Denis (Ronin MMA, Ottawa)

CO-MAIN EVENT
Samuel Guillet (BTT Canada, Montreal) vs. Mark ‘Boots’ Holst (OAMA, Ottawa)
Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini (Regency Boxing, Hamilton) vs. Louis-Philippe ‘The Joker’ Carle (FIT MMA/Zahabi MMA, Ottawa)
Chris ‘Chainsaw’ Cox (Fit Plus, Halifax) vs. Craig ‘Farmer’ Brown (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
TBA vs. Remi Morvan (OAMA, Ottawa)
Eric Dumaine (Team Bergeron, Drummondville) vs. Stephane Bernadel (OAMA, Ottawa)
Stephane Pelletier (Juvaldo MMA, Val D’Or) vs. Mike ‘Hurricane’ Hong (BAMA, Burlington)
Valerie ‘Trouble’ Letourneau (Zahabi MMA/Grants Gym, Montreal) vs. Anna ‘Smiles’ Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
Nick Aiello (Extreme Couture, Toronto) vs. Yann Fortier (Evolution Martial Arts, Gatineau)
Jeff Laughren (RAMA, Rockland) vs. Gerry Bruyere (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)
Jeff Thomas (Team MFC, Windsor) vs. Mike Reily (Bluewater Martial Arts, Rockland)
TBA vs. Wes Ranger (Florin’s Ultimate MMA, Kanata)

He may not be a household name in the MMA but Craig “The Hammer” Oxley is doing everything he can to become one in the near future.

Oxley (5-2) has been patiently waiting for his January 30 bout against David Gomez (4-2) during “Strikeforce: Miami”, and the time is now for the up and coming World Combat League veteran to separate himself from the pack in Strikeforce’s lightweight division.

The West Virginia native who says “he’s just a country boy at heart” started kickboxing as a kid working with Ernie “Lightfoot” Boggs before moving on to competitive Jiu-Jitsu the precursor to today’s Mixed Martial Arts.

Oxley is no stranger to competition, as a member of the prestigious “Team USA” at 16, he traveled to over twenty countries, winning a Silver Medal in 1990 and a Gold Medal in 1992. Craig went on to train with Graciella Casilla in boxing and kickboxing, eventualy turning professional in kickboxing in 1994. In 1998 he racked up another Gold for Team USA in Vancouver and became the World Champion. From 2005-2008 he fought for Chuck Norris’s WCL, World Combat League compiling an impressive record of 7 wins and 3 losses.

“My strong point is my stand up,” said Oxley. “I’m more of a striker than a grappler. I’m a good boxer, a good Muay Thai kickboxer. My hands are probably my biggest weapon seeing the power I have with my left hand is the reason I got my nickname “The Hammer”.

His game plan for Saturday against Gomez is to “keep the fight on his feet if he can”. The 26 year old Gomez stands almost 3 inches taller than Oxley’s 5’ 8’ inches, but Oxley says he’s not worried about his reach for one moment.

The 36 year old Oxley who trains at the North Miami Beach based “Fist Mixed Martial Arts” has been fine tuning his skills with BJJ blackbelt Shawn Chitwood from the Gracie Camp leading up to “Strikeforce: Miami”.

Craig knows full well that there’s a lot riding on the line for him on Saturday since he’s not at the beginning of his career, and he knows he may not get this shot again.