Posts Tagged ‘MMA’

Press Release: Renato Tavares of American Top Team to hold BJJ seminar at Derby City MMA

February 8th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.
Renato_Tavares

Renato Tavares BJJ

Derby City MMA in Louisville, Kentucky, will host a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) seminar featuring Renato Tavares of American Top Team. The seminar at Derby City MMA will be held on February 12, 2011, from 12:00PM – 3:00PM. Renato Tavares is a 4th-degree black belt in BJJ and he has trained in the art for over 36 years, 10 of which were spent training under Carlson Gracie, Sr.

Tavares has competed in the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 30 years, logging over 500 competition matches in his career. Renato Tavares currently has over twelve schools across the country and hopes to expand even further to help spread the popularity of BJJ in the United States. The seminar is open to anyone, regardless of experience level or affiliation. The fee for the seminar is $65.00 and can be paid on the day of the event. Do not miss your opportunity to train with a master in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

About Derby City MMA

Derby City MMA is one of the top combat sports gyms in Louisville, Kentucky. Derby City MMA offers a full lineup of classes, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai, Wrestling, and Mixed Martial Arts. The gym is open to people of all skill and fitness levels, and offers classes seven days a week. Derby City MMA also has a successful MMA competition team. Membership at Derby City MMA includes unlimited training, and they offer several different pricing plans. Please contact Derby City MMA for information on a free trial and a tour of their facilities.

Event Information

What: American Top Team Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar featuring Renato Tavares

Where: Derby City MMA | 8021 Dixie Hwy Suite 102 | Louisville, Kentucky 40258

When:  Saturday, February 12, 2011 | 12:00PM – 3:00PM

Cost: $65.00

Contact: (502) 937-8797 | DerbyCityMMA@gmail.com | Derby City MMA Website

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Featured Fighter: Kyle “Alleycat” Baker

February 7th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

I challenge anyone out there that reads this to come out and grind out a fight with me and see what happens – Kyle Baker

Photo via UWC.com

Kyle Baker is a fighter who’s been biding his time in MMA Purgatory.  The promising lightweight has won 8 of his last 9 fights, nearly all via some form of knockout.  Baker, who trains out of the MMA Institute in Virginia, scored significant victories over UFC veterans Drew Fickett and Chad Reiner in a five month stretch from the end of 2008 to April of 2009.  Because of those victories, Baker has had difficulties finding opponents on the local circuit.  Baker has only fought once since October of ’09 and he recently spoke out about getting involved with MMA and dealing with his current frustration during an appearance on the Verbal Submission radio show.  His passion convinced us at CageCraze.com to garner him our next Featured Fighter.

Baker got into the sport of MMA through his brother, Beau.  “He’d been keeping up on the sport a little bit and he saw how a bunch of wrestlers had been doing really well.  I found out you can make money to beat people up and I was like ‘sign me up.’”

At that point there weren’t any real gyms to train at in Harrisonburg so they set up a makeshift gym in Kyle’s basement.  “We’d practice jiu jitsu down there from some instructional videos that we’d find”, said Baker.  “We’d kinda break down some tape of the better fighters, watch it in slow-mo to see what they were doing for about 2-3 months we’d just do that.”

After winning his first amateur fight via triangle in just over a minute, Kyle and his brother decided to work on their striking at a nearby boxing club.  “The first time we went in there we sparred with some pro boxers on our first night even though we’d never had any schooling or anything”, said Baker.  “We hung in there but they beat the sh*t out of us for an hour and they were surprised when we showed up again the next day.”

Baker continued to evolve his style, never straying too far away from his wrestling base.  “I won a state title in high school and my brother won two”, said Baker.  “I wasn’t really flashy as a wrestler, I just kinda bullied people around.  Hang on their head, push them, underhook them and throw them around and I guess I just adapted that to my fighting style.”

Baker scored three submissions in his first three amateur fights but he says that after earning a TKO, he hasn’t even tried to go for a submission since.  “Once you feel the power of knocking someone out, you wanna do it every time”, said Baker.  ”It makes for more interesting fights anyways.”

In November of 2008, Baker scored a third round TKO over UFC veteran Chad Reiner.  He followed it up with a knockout of UFC vet Drew Fickett in less than two minutes just five months later.  Ever since those big victories, Baker has had to deal with a lot of grandstanding and politics in the MMA world.

Baker had a big fight scheduled for RIE’s Battle of the Burg II against Gideon Ray:

“It was supposed to be in my hometown”, said a frustrated Baker.  “I turned down a few opponents because I was trying to wait for the best opponent I could, another UFC vet.  I finally got a decent guy to fight…  I cut 30 lbs, got ready for the fight, trained for months and he just never even got on the plane, didn’t show up.  It was a pretty big letdown.”

Baker also tried out for season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter alongside his brother, Beau, making it to the final interviews.  He turned down several fights while waiting to hear from the UFC including a UWC title fight.  ”They never even gave us the courtesy of a phone call”, said Baker.  “We turned down a bunch of fights, it kinda messed the whole year up.”

Baker’s lone fight in 2010 was an opportunity to compete in the Shine Fights single night grand prix, but again he had to deal with disappointment.

“I was in that Shine tournament for that 50 grand”, said Baker.  ”I won the fight (against James Warfield) but I got a cut over my eye.  I think I needed like 25-30 stitches, something like that.  I felt like if I hadn’t got cut in the first round, I’d have been able to fight Fickett in the finals at the end of that tournament and showed what kind of fighter I am.  To prove the first time I beat (Fickett) was no fluke”

Baker was recently in talks to compete on the upcoming New Jersey card for Strikeforce but despite moving up in weight class, his opponent again turned down a fight with him.

“I was going to move up a weight class to fight some Gracie”, said Baker.  ”I’m a no belt and for a Gracie who’s a black belt, turning down somebody without a belt.  That’s how the guys with the connections get to the top.  They don’t fight guys that are dangerous where they have a chance of losing.  Hell, I would have had it written in to the contract that I wouldn’t hit him with closed fists for the first round.  I’d just slap him the first round.”

Dealing with the politics of the fight game has left a bad taste in Baker’s mouth.

“It’s frustrating”, said Baker.  “I thought this was supposed to be the toughest sport in the world and you’ve got your baddest dudes in the world in this sport.   It turns out from what I’ve been seeing lately that it’s full of a bunch of pussies.  Nobody wants to get their ass kicked.  That’s why we do this, to see who the toughest guys are.  You need sign a contract, put your name on the line or pick up another sport.”

Baker has big plans for 2011, and it all starts with getting an opportunity to showcase his skills on the large scale.  “I just wanna get on one of the big cards, whether it’s Strikeforce, UFC or Bellator and get a chance to break into a contender spot.  Any of the bigger promotions that are out there that have guys in the top 20 or top 10, I’d love to go out there and prove I’m one of those guys that should be in these big organizations fighting for titles and stuff.”

Kyle is ready to take on all comers.

Hardrock MMA 29: 2 Year Anniversary Show Pro/Am

January 31st, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.
Hardrock_MMA_29_2_Year_Anniversary_Show

Hardrock MMA 29

CageCraze.com was live at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, for “Hardrock MMA 29: 2 Year Anniversary Show Pro/Am.” The card was headlined by a professional light heavyweight bout between John Troyer and Roger Minton. Also on the card was the professional debut of Justin Gamble as he took on Josh “Pitbull” Blanchard. There were also four amateur titles on the line at Hardrock MMA 29. A total of 17 fights made up this fantastic local MMA Pro/Am event.

Amateur Fights

Chris Hansford vs. Paul Jones

Team Animal’s Chris Hansford submitted Paul Jones of Georgetown MMA with a guillotine choke in the first round to move to 2-0 in his amateur Mixed Martial Arts career. Hansford slammed Jones to the mat early in the fight and looked like he could finish Jones with an arm triangle but Jones got out of it. Jones was able to do some damage from Hansford’s guard later in the round but Hansford caught Jones in the guillotine choke and forced the tap at 2:43 in the round

Montez Jordan vs. Robert Nguyen

Montez Jordan took the victory over Robert Nguyen in a very close fight via split decision. The fight went back and forth through all three rounds. Nguyen got the better of Jordan in the standup during the fight but Jordan was able to put in enough work on the ground with punches from Nguyen’s guard to sway two of the judges.

Bryce Petoskey vs. Phillip Runsvold

Bryce Petoskey represented the Louisville MMA Fight Team well by dispatching Phillip Runsvold via armbar in the first round of their 130-lbs catch weight bout. Petoskey took Runsvold down immediately at the start of the fight and worked for a guillotine choke. Runsvold forced Petoskey to give up on the choke but Bryce Petoskey readjusted and locked in the armbar 1:03 into the first round to remain undefeated.

David_Ward_vs_Brandon_Cothern

Cothern fights the armbar

Brandon Cothern vs. David Ward

Brandon Cothern defeated David Ward via submission due to strikes to move into title contention in the Hardrock MMA 125-lbs division. Cothern landed a hard body kick in the second round that dropped Ward to his knees. Cothern followed Ward to the ground and landed several left hands to Ward’s body from the north-south position. David Ward tapped due to strikes at 2:53 in the second round. Brandon Cothern is set to meet Bryce Petoskey at Hardrock MMA 32 in Lawrenceburg for the Hardrock MMA Flyweight Title.

Genaro_Santiago_vs_Quinton_Parks

Santiago works a choke in Rd. 1

Genaro Santiago vs. Quinton Parks

Genaro Santiago overcame a huge reach disadvantage to defeat Georgetown MMA’s Quinton Parks via a unanimous decision. At 6’3″, Quinton Parks towered over the 5’7″ Genaro Santiago and that made it very hard for Santiago to take him down. However, Santiago managed to close the distance and land effective strikes, including a head kick in the first round. Quinton Parks was always active and went for several submission attempts but he never could close out Santiago. Genaro Santiago was able to get the fight to the ground and used a solid wrestling base to control the fight. All three judges scored the fight in Santiago’s favor, 30-27.

Bradley_Day_vs_Drew_Eggleton

Day hoists Eggleton into the air

Bradley Day vs. Drew Eggleton

Reaction MMA’s Bradley Day was able to outpoint Drew Eggleton to secure a unanimous decision victory and to move to 5-1 in his career. Most of this fight was spent on the feet, with Bradley Day pinning Drew Eggleton against the cage for the majority of the time. Day controlled Eggleton in the clinch and landed several knees and uppercuts throughout the fight to score points with the judges. His striking plus his ability to neutralize Eggleton’s offense sealed the victory on the scorecards. Drew Eggleton dropped to 4-2 with this loss.

Andy_Burgess_vs_Jeremy_Townsend

Burgess wins via armbar

Andy Burgess vs. Jeremy Townsend

Andy Burgess submitted Georgetown MMA’s Jeremy Townsend via armbar in the second round of their Middleweight clash. Jeremy Townsend showed a lot of heart in this fight by withstanding almost two full rounds of punishment at the hands of Andy Burgess. Burgess utilized solid ground and pound technique to control Townsend but lost that top control in the second round after being swept by Townsend. Burgess quickly adjusted and pull Townsend into the armbar, bring on the tap at 2:26 in the second round.

Tyler Crow vs. Cliff Hicks

Tyler Crow (Brandenburg MMA) won his debut fight via KO against a very tough Cliff Hicks. The fighters seemed to be well matched in size, speed, and strength, but the more experienced Cliff Hicks (Combat Inc.) took control early and landed knees from the clinch. The turning point came around the 2:20 mark when Tyler Crow broke free and landed a right hand that back Cliff Hicks off of him. Crow then followed up with a barrage of punches and chased Hicks across the cage. The fight ended when Crow dropped an already dazed Cliff Hicks with a short right hand at 2:52 in the first round.

Dusty_Stengel_vs_Sawyer_Rich

Rich loads up his right hand

Sawyer Rich vs. Dusty Stengel

Sawyer Rich won the second and third rounds against Dusty Stengel (Baddog MMA) to claim a unanimous decision victory. Stengel was able to get Rich on the ground early in the fight and he controlled Rich throughout the first round, landing knees and punches on the ground in the process. Sawyer Rich then came out in the second round and let his hands go. Rich was able to keep the fight standing and caught Stengel with a right-left combo that forced Stengel to retreat across the cage. Rich followed up with knees and uppercuts as Stengel covered up. Rich was able to mount Stengel but the round ended before he could make any serious attempts at finishing the fight from that position. The third round went to the ground but Rich did much better than he did in the first round. Stengel secured dominant positions but Rich managed to work out of them and finished the round with an armbar attempt. All judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Sawyer Rich.

Michael Ricketts vs. Terry Coulter

Michael Ricketts came out on top in this battle of unbeaten lightweights, defeating Terry Coulter via split decision. This was just one of many incredibly close fights that went to a split decision at Hardrock MMA 29. The fighters were evenly matched in their standup, with the longer Coulter using his reach to stay outside of Michael Ricketts, and Ricketts bobbing in and throwing overhand punches. Ricketts started out hot and landed a couple of strong takedowns in the first round. The momentum shifted from Ricketts to Coulter over the course of the fight though. Coulter spent the better part of the first two rounds on his back, but almost came away with a heel hook submission in the second round. Ricketts escaped and put Coulter on his back, a move that probably swayed two of the judges to give the round to him. Round three was all Coulter on the feet and on the ground. Coulter was able to take Ricketts’ back in the waning moments of the fight but time ran out before he could set anything up from the position. Two judges scored the fight 29-28 for Ricketts, while the other judge saw the fight 29-28 for Coulter.

Dudley_Hall

Dudley Hall after the stoppage

Charles Dove vs. Dudley Hall

Dudley Hall had no answer for the takedowns and ground-and-pound of Charles Dove, losing via TKO at 2:23 in the third round. Charles Dove took Dudley Hall down at will throughout the fight and punished Hall on the ground. Hall was able to work back to his feet several times but could only prevent the takedowns of Charles Dove by grabbing the fence, a move which cost Dudley Hall a point in the third round. The fight came to an end late in the third round when Charles Dove mounted Hall and unleashed a surge of punches that forced Hall to buck and roll desperately. Once Hall rolled over, Dove continued pounding away. A large cut was opened up on the head of Hall during the fracas and the referee was forced to step in and stop the fight.

Michael_Seals_vs_AJ_Jenkins

Seals throws a right hand

Michael Seals vs. AJ Jenkins

4 Seasons’ Michael Seals became the new Hardrock MMA Welterweight Champion by cruising to a unanimous decision victory against AJ Jenkins of the Louisville MMA Fight Team. Jenkins was able to score with leg kicks and punches throughout the fight but he never could link anything together to slow down Michael Seals. Everything that Jenkins did in the fight, Seals did better. The Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority would not sign off on this fight for the standard five rounds because Seals had only had two fights. Michael Seals went on to win all three rounds of the shortened bout and took the belt home to 4 Seasons in Lexington, Kentucky.

Dusty_Gibbs_vs_Jon_Voth

Gibbs lands a kick

Dusty Gibbs vs. Jon Voth

Dusty Gibbs won the Hardrock MMA Bantamweight Title via a split decision against Reaction MMA’s Jon Voth. This fight was as close as we saw all night and Gibbs probably won the fight based on his performance in the fifth and final round. One could easily argue that both fighters had won two rounds a piece heading into the last stanza, although some in the crowd, and apparently one judge, saw the fight 3-1 Voth heading into the last round. Gibbs took Voth down 0:30 into the final round and maintained top position for the next two minutes. Voth was able to work to his feet momentarily but Gibbs brought the fight back to the ground and worked for an armbar as the round came to a close. The judges scored the fight 48-47 twice for Gibbs, and 48-47 once for Voth.

Phil_White_vs_Joe_Maiani

Maiani leans back for a kick

Joe Maiani vs. Phil White

Current Hardrock MMA Featherweight Champ, Joe Maiani, had several scary moments against former champ, Phil White, but managed to retain his title via unanimous decision in front of a crowd full of his supporters. Phil White was constantly working for submissions from the bottom in this fight, and easily could have won two rounds based on his attempts to finish the fight. Joe Maiani was just too slick and was able to get out of every hold that White threw at him. Maiani looked to be a much larger Featherweight than Phil White and used his strength advantage to keep White on his back. Maiani landed strikes effectively but White never seemed in danger of being stopped. All three judges scored the fight in Maiani’s favor (50-45, 49-46, 48-47), although the 50-45 score turned in seems highly unlikely, given the aggressiveness displayed by Phil White in seeking submissions.

Chad_Deener_vs_Richard_Tunstill

Deener looks for the RNC

Chad Deener vs. Richard Tunstill

Chad Deener became the new Hardrock MMA Light Heavyweight Champion by beating the previously undefeated Richard Tunstill via, wait for it, split decision. Deener was a crowd favorite and using the “eye test,” he would seem to be the favorite in the fight. Tunstill is built a bit smaller than Deener, and carries more extra weight, but having seen Tunstill fight several times in the past year we knew better than to count him out. Tunstill survived a brutal first round that saw him almost finished via punches and then he survived a rear naked choke and a heel hook attempt from Deener. Tunstill stood with Deener and scored the most damage on the feet throughout the next four rounds. It looked as if Deener was hurt a couple of times but the new champ showed great resiliency and scored takedowns when he needed to get out of bad situations on the feet. This is the type of fight that gives judges nightmares because they have to weigh damage against how many dominant positions a person controls. Many people thought that Tunstill did enough with his striking to win the fight on the scorecards but the majority decision was that Deener’s takedowns and groundwork won the day. The official scores were 48-47 & 49-46 Deener, and 48-47 for Tunstill.

Pro Fights

Josh_Blanchard_vs_Justin_Gamble

Blanchard upends Gamble

Josh Blanchard vs. Justin Gamble

Josh Blanchard (Louisville MMA / Baddog MMA) notched his second win as a professional via an impressive KO victory against Justin Gamble. Gamble threw a kick to open the fight but Blanchard caught it and took Gamble down. Blanchard quickly moved to mount and then pinned Gamble’s right arm to the mat and started landing elbows and punches to Gamble’s uncovered face. Blanchard repositioned himself in the mount and then dropped a series of crushing elbows that knocked Gamble out at 3:15 in the first round.

John_Troyer_vs_Roger_Minton

The beginning of the end for Minton

John Troyer vs. Roger Minton

John Troyer handled Roger Minton in just 0:24 by submitting Minton with a rear naked choke. Troyer opened the fight with a flying knee but Minton ducked under it. Troyer transitioned to the back of Minton and applied a modified rear naked choke, forcing Minton to tap at 0:24 in the first round. This was Troyer’s first fight since defeating Josh Clark at Bellator 30 in Louisville.

Quick Results

Amateur Fights

Chris Hansford def Paul Jones via Tapout due to guillotine choke at 2:43 in Rd. 1

Montez Jordan def Robert Nguyen via Split Decision

Bryce Petoskey def Phillip Runsvold via Tapout due to armbar at 1:28 in Rd. 1

Brandon Cothern def David Ward via Tapout due to strikes at 2:53 in Rd. 2

Genaro Santiago def Quinton Parks via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x 3)

Bradley Day def Drew Eggleton via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x 2, 29-28)

Andy Burgess def Jeremy Townsend via Tapout due to armbar at 2:23 in Rd. 2

Tyler Crow def Cliff Hicks via KO (punch) at 2:52 in Rd. 1

Sawyer Rich def Dusty Stengel via Unanimous Decision

Michael Ricketts def Terry Coulter via Split Decision

Charles Dove def Dudley Hall via TKO/RSC at 2:23 in Rd. 3

Michael Seals def AJ Jenkins via Unanimous Decision to win the Hardrock MMA Welterweight Title

Dusty Gibbs def Jon Voth via Split Decision to win Hardrock MMA Bantamweight Title

Joe Maiani  def Phil White via Unanimous Decision to retain the Hardrock MMA Featherweight Title

Chad Deener def Richard Tunstill via Decision to win the Hardrock MMA Light Heavyweight Title

Pro Fights

Josh Blanchard def Justin Gamble via KO (elbows) at 3:15 in Rd. 1

John Troyer def Roger Minton via Tapout due to RNC at 0:24 in Rd. 1

S&SC

UFC 126 at S&SC

CageCraze.com’s coverage of “Hardrock MMA 29: 2 Year Anniversary Show Pro/Am” is brought to you by The Sports & Social Club at the 4th Street Live! Entertainment District in downtown Louisville. The Sports & Social Club is the best place in town to watch your favorite sporting event. Come for the game, stay for the party! The Sports & Social Club will be hosting the Hardrock MMA 29 after-party and will be showing UFC 126 live on pay-per-view. Join us at S&SC after Hardrock MMA 29!

CageCraze.com is your MMA Social Network dedicated to connecting, promoting, covering and improving local MMA everywhere. Create your free profile today, and stay connected with local MMA Everywhere!

Rocktagon MMA: Amateur Elite Series 2

January 29th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

CageCraze.com was live from the Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio for Rocktagon MMA’s “Amateur Elite Series 2.”  Rocktagon MMA’s promoter Lorenzo Gentile has an excellent night of amateur events planned with a grand total of 12 bouts on tap including two amateur title fights.  Rising rock band “Jackie” entertained fans before the event as well as during the intermission.  Please check below for the quick results and for full coverage from the event.

Amateur Fights

Pierre Greenhill vs Declan Hayward at 155 lbs

Round 1: Hayward shoots for a takedown but Greenhill reverses and clinches him against the fence.  Both fighters are circling each other in the clinch in a battle of wills and Hayward works some short knees to the body and legs.  The ref separates them and Hayward lands a big right to the side of Greenhill’s head that stuns him.  Greenhill drops for a takedown to get the cobwebs out and he gets it.  Greenhill passes to side control but doesn’t inflict much damage from top position as the round concludes.

Round 2: Hayward landing some nice 1-2 punch combinations to open the fight and Greenhill clinches.  Hayward gets a takedown but tries to take Greenhill’s back and ends up on bottom.  Greenhill postures up and throws his first significant punches from top position and it frees up an opening to take the mount.  Hayward stacks up along the cage and retains guard but Greenhill passes to side control.  Greenhill isn’t giving much from on top as the round ends.  There are openings for ground and pound and he’s not taking them.

Round 3: Hayward lunges forward with some big punches but none land clean as both fighters clinch against the cage.  Hayward gets the takedown is staying tight to Greenhill in half guard throwing light punches.  Greenhill scrambles but Hayward takes his back and starts dropping big right hands from above.  Hayward gets the hooks in and is looking for a rear naked choke.  Hayward flattens him out and finishes the round strong with some big ground and pound.  Another close fight and Declan Howard takes a split decision.

Kevin Bucklew vs. Kenny Jackson at 155 lbs

Round 1: Jackson lands a big body kick to get things started and Bucklew responds with some leg kicks.  Bucklew throws a nice left hook and Jackson follows it up with a huge left body kick that lands with a sickening “Thwack.”  Both fighters clinch against the cage and Bucklew lands a big low blow.  After the reset Jackson lands a nice left hook.  Both fighters trade kicks and light punches with Bucklew landing the better leg kicks while Jackson is throwing with more power as the round concludes.

Round 2: Bucklew throws a nice flurry pushing forward and clinches Jackson against the cage.  Bucklew is the more active striker to this point and Jackson gets his revenge with a groin shot of his own.  After the reset Bucklew throws a lazy jab and Jackson lands a monstrous left hook that drops Bucklew on his ass.  Jackson looks tentative in chasing him to the ground and he finishes the round with some weak ground and pound.  That was a blown opportunity to finish the fight there.

Round 3: Bucklew opens with some aggression, landing some nice combos but Jackson hits him again with a wild looping strikes.  Bucklew keeps his wits about him and ducks a huge looping hook.  Both fighters land right hooks but Jackson’s is harder.  Jackson clinches against the cage and gets a takedown, working his way to mount.  Jackson can’t do much with it and finishes the round with light ground and pound.  Kenny Jackson wins via unanimous decision

Kyle Horton vs. Matt Dicenso at 205 lbs

Round 1: Dicenso opens with some swift body and leg kicks keeping his distance but Horton lunges forward with a multi-hook combination and shoves Dicenso into the fence.  Horton drops down but Dicenso is defending the takedown well.  Horton throws some short left hooks and right knees and Horton responds with a big knee to the body.  The ref separates them and Horton again pushes Dicenso forward into the cage.  Dicenso lands two nice knees to the body and Horton is really working for the takedown but can’t get it.  Horton lands a nice leg kick but Dicenso finishes the round with a superman punch as both fighters clinch.

Round 2: Dicenso lands an inside leg kick and Horton responds with a flurry that pushes Dicenso into the cage again.  Dicenso finds some separation and lands some very nice knees to the body.  Horton lands a loud body kick, then another.  Horton is finally starting to loosen up.  Horton throws a superman punch and shoves Dicenso into the cage but gives it up.  Dicenso throws a nice combination of strikes and kicks and it looks like Horton might be getting a little tired.  Horton repeats his flurry attack to push Dicenso into the cage but this time Dicenso uses a kimura to take Horton down but there isn’t enough time to pound him out or get a submission.

Round 3: Spinning backfirst from Dicenso grazes Horton and knocks him off balance.  Dicenso really opens up with a flurry and Horton goes right back to the clinch against the cage.  The ref se[arates the, bit Horton again pushes Dicenso into the fence, this time landing some foot stomps.  Dicenso again uses the kimura sweep to get a takedown and tries to punish Horton but after a beautiful scramble, Horton is on top in closed guard throwing some weak ground and pound as the round ends.  Very close fight and Matt Dicenso wins via split decision.

Jacob Rathwell vs. Dave Prologo at 170 lbs

Round 1: Rathwell takes the center of the cage and lands a big left uppercut that staggers Prologo.  Prologo shoots for a takedown and gets it, passing to side control.  Rathwell scrambles out but Prologo stays on top.  Rathwell attempts an armbar but can’t secure it, transitioning to a guillotine but it’s not tight.  The ref stands both fighters up and Rathwell rocks Prologo with a flurry of punches but can’t get the finish and Prologo finishes the round with a takedown throwing hammerfists to Rathwell’s body.

Round 2: Prologo starts the round ducking a punch and landing a takedown advancing to side control with an arm triangle but he lets it go.  Prologo traps an arm and starts dropping some ground and pound but Rathwell pulls closed guard and Prologo lets him back up.  Prologo wades in throwing wild punches and Rathwell lands another solid punch but Prologo takes him down as the round ends.

Round 3: Rathwell throws some strikes but Prologo clinches and takes him down, landing on top.  Rathwell throws up his legs and he’s got an armbar but Prologo stands up and slams out of it.  The ref stands them up and Rathwell tries to throw big strikes but Prologo clinches him against the cage and lands his biggest punch of the night and it looks like it sucked the will out of Rathwell.  Prologo advances to side control and traps an arm, throwing short punches to Rathwell’s face and follow up with some knees to the body.  The round ends with Prologo throwing short punches from on top.  The judge’s scores are in and Dave Prologo wins via unanimous decision.

Don Jungquist vs James Pfeiffer at 175 lbs

Round 1: Jungquist immediately takes the center and is looking to brawl but Pfeiffer takes him down with a big slam into half guard and drops repeated left hands to the side of Jungquist’s head.  Pfeiffer’s punches are slowing and it looks like he might be punching himself out.  Pfeiffer rolls over putting Jungquist into the crucifix and drops some soft left hands onto Jungquist’s face.  Pfeiffer passes to the mount and again traps an arm throwing some left hands but there’s not much on them.  Jungquist gets it back to closed guard and throws up his legs for a triangle attempt but Pfeiffer shrugs it off and passes to side control to finish the round.  Jungquist appears to have a shoulder injury so the fight is stopped giving Pfeiffer a TKO victory at 3:00 of the first round.

Steve Bucklew vs. Dom Mazzotta at 145 lbs

Round 1: Mazzotta throws some nice kicks keeping his distance early and follows it up with a slick overhand right that lands.  Mazzotta is throwing all kinds of dynamic kicks and one hits Bucklew in the groin.  After the restart Mazzotta goes back to work with the leg kicks and follows up a kick with a takedown.  Mazzotta postures up with some ground and pound which gives him and opening to pass.  Mazzotta works for a rear naked choke but he’s too high up on Bucklew’s back.  Mazzotta throws some punches from the back and flattens Bucklew, this time locking in the rear naked choke but Bucklew is saved by the bell.

Round 2: Mazzotta opens with an overhand right and a push kick, clinching Bucklew into the fence.  Mazzotta picks Bucklew up and slams him hard to the mat advancing to the full mount position.  Bucklew  gives up his back and Mazzotta takes it with hooks but again he’s too high.  Bucklew tries escaping out the back door but Mazzotta sinks down a bit and this time has the rear naked choke, forcing Mazzotta to tap out at 2:04 of the second round.

Result: 145 lbs: Dom Mazzotta  defeats Steve Bucklew via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of the second round.

Dan Guilliums vs Oskar Gut at 205 lbs

Round 1: Guilliums leaps forward throwing some pretty nice jabs.  Both fighters throw combinations up close and Guilliums lands a MASSIVE right hook and Gut drops like a sack of potatoes, out cold instantly.  Guilliums has killer instinct and follows him to the ground with a left hand as the referee wrestles him off just 17 seconds into the first round.

Brandon Perrott vs. Sean Brown at 135 lbs

Round 1: Brown throws a jab and quickly clinches but Perrott is the one that ends up on top on the ground.  Brown lifts his hips looking for a submission and he’s got an arm!  Perrott falls to his side and is forced to tap at 39 seconds of the first round

Kyle Eberts vs. Brandon Bouchard at 185 lbs

Round 1: Both fighters spin in a scramble and Eberts is on top throwing some punches to the back of Bouchard’s head.  The ref warns him and Bouchard scrambles to his feet and takes Eberts down along the fence.  Bouchard pulls guard looking for a triangle but can’t get it.  Both fighters get back to their feet and Bouchard lands a nice jab.  Bouchard shoots and takes Eberts down into side control and advances to mount..  Bouchard postures up and drops some bombs and Eberts gives up his back.  Bouchard can’t sink in the choke and finishes the round strong with some solid ground and pound from above.

Round 2: Bouchard opens with a nice jab that staggers Eberts.  Bouchard clinches and secures a takedown into side control.  Eberts gives up his back and Bouchard sinks the hooks in with a rear naked choke.  Eberts gives the thumbs up and Bouchard starts dropping some punches to loosen Eberts up.  Eberts lifts up his head and this time Bouchard latches on a tight rear naked choke forcing Eberts to tap out at 1:38 of the second round.

Nick Dowe vs. Ed Gregorek at 225 lbs

Round 1: Gregorek shoots quickly for a takedown but Dowe puts him in a guillotine and rolls over on top against the fence.  Dowe quickly passes to mount and starts raining down punches.  Gregorek turns to his side, not fighting back as Dowe continues to drop bombs.  Gregorek continues to turtle up and the ref steps in and stops the onslaught at just 39 seconds of the first round.

Amateur Title Fights

Dave Vandevelde vs. Anthony Morgan (170 lb Title Bout)

Round 1: Mutual respect shown before the fight starts as Morgan and Vandevelde embrace before the fighter introductions.  Vandevelde throws a big leg kick and both fighters exchange big punches in the center of the cage.  Vandevelde throws a second kick and Morgan catches it, taking him down.  Morgan postures up in half guard but inexplicably lets him up.  Vandevelde pushes forwards, picks Morgan up and slams him hard to the canvas.  Both fighters scramble and get back to their feet and Vandevelde lands a low blow, following it up with ground and pound.  The referee steps in and break it up, giving Morgan a chance to recover from the groin shot, but the crowd thought he was stopping the fight.  After the reset, Morgan lands a big looping right hook but Vandevelde responds with some huge knees to the body in the clinch.  Vandevelde goes for a guillotine but Morgan takes him down but can’t escape his closed guard or do much damage.

Round 2: Both fighters throw bombs early and Vandevelde lands some nasty body kicks.  Vandevelde  falls on a kick but ends up on top after the ensuing scramble and lets Morgan back to his feet.  Vandevelde explodes forward and just unleashes a huge combination of punches on Morgan.  Morgan covers up but Vandevelde is not slowing down, the plethora of punches continues to rain down and Morgan drops!  Morgan continues to be defensive and the referee calls the fight giving Dave Vandevelde the welterweight title at 54 seconds of the second round.

Tony Dipiero vs. Steve Burton (205 lb Title Bout)

Round 1: Both fighters feeling each other out to start the fight but then both explode with a big flurry in the center of the cage.  Burton shoots for a takedown and pushes Dipiero into the fence, landing some short knees and a foot stomp.  Dipiero pushes him off and lands a thigh kick.  Both fighters lean forward and start throwing bombs in the center of the cage, it looks like Dipiero is getting the better of the strikes.  Burton clinches and lands about five straight knees to the thigh to close out the first.

Round 2: Burton lands a nice straight right and follows it up with a combination but Dipiero grabs a leg and clinches against the fence.  Burton lands short inside leg kicks from the clinch and some nice knees to the thigh as the ref separates the fighters.  Dipiero throws a big looping hook but it misses and he makes up for it with a huge leck kick.  Dipiero pushes forward with some aggression, drops down and slams Burton to the mat and closes the round strong with some nice punches from top position.

Round 3: Dipiero lands a nice combo that puts Burton on the defensive but Burton responds with a straight left that lands.  Burton has found his range but Dipiero closes the distance against the cage, turns the corner and secures a takedown.  Dipiero gets the mount and Burton rolls over giving up his back.  Dipiero temporaily has the hooks in but Burton escapes and takes the top position.  Burton lets Dipiero up and Dipiero lands some solid leg kicks that land hard.  Both men trade wildly as the round finishes.  Tony Dipiero wins a split decision to take the light heavyweight title.

Quick Results

170 lbs Dave Vandevelde defeats Anthony Morgan via TKO at of the 0:54 second round for the welterweight title

205 lbs Tony Dipiero defeats Steve Burton via split decision for the light heavyweight title

155 lbs Declan Hayward defeats Pierre Greenhill via split decision

155 lbs Kenny Jackson defeats Kevin Bucklew via unanimous decision

205 lbs: Matt Dicenso defeats Kyle Horton via split decision

170 lbs: Dave Prologo defeats Jacob Rathwell via unanimous decision

175 lbs: James Pfeiffer defeats Don Jungquist via TKO at 3:00 of the first round

145 lbs: Dom Mazzotta  defeats Steve Bucklew via submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of the second round.

205 lbs: Dan Guilliums defeats Oskar Gut via knockout at 17 seconds of the first round

135 lbs: Sean Brown defeats Brandon Perrott via submission (armbar) at 0:39 of the first round

185 lbs: Brandon Bouchard defeats Kyle Eberts via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:38 of the second round

225 lbs: Nick Dowe defeats Ed Gregorek via TKO at 0:39 of the first round

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Press Release: Steve Burton and Tony Dipiero Compete for Rocktagon MMA’s Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series Light Heavyweight Title on January 29

January 26th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

Ohio based mixed martial arts fight promotion Rocktagon MMA announced today that Steve Burton and Tony Dipiero will go head to head in the “Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2″ co-main event. The winner of the bout will become Rocktagon MMA’s new Amateur Elite Series light heavyweight champion. The title was recently relinquished by Dustin Carter due to personal issues. The highly anticipated event will feature three title bouts and a total of 16 Amateur MMA fights.  “Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2″ will take place on January 29, at Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio.

According to Lorenzo Gentile, president of Rocktagon MMA, “The “Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2″ card is stacked with some of the best local amateur talent in Ohio. Burton vs. Dipiero is just one of many compelling title fights on this card.  There will be a total of three Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series titles up for grabs on January 29th.”

Excessive Force fighter Steve Burton (5-0) holds two amateur titles in the 185lb weight class and is currently riding a five fight win streak. The UMMAXX and Cage Madness champion recently clinched his fifth straight win with a submission victory over Daniel Haubiel. Burton, a well-rounded mixed martial artist out of Wooster, Ohio, is now looking to add a light heavyweight title to his already impressive list of career accolades.

His opponent Tony Dipiero (5-4) represents Rising Dragon in Cleveland, Ohio. Dipiero is a well-rounded mixed martial artist with notable submission, TKO, and unanimous decision victories. Dipiero is hungry for the title and is determined to emerge as the new Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series light heavyweight champion. Both contenders feel they are worthy of the title, but only one will raise their hand in victory at the end of the night.

*Official “Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2″ Line Up:

  • Mike Stuck vs. Alex Brown
  • Dan Gullium vs.  Oskar Gut
  • Nick Dowe vs.  Ed Gregorek
  • Declan Hayward vs.  Peirre Greenhill
  • Chad Wright vs. TBA
  • Brandon Perrott vs.  Sean Brown
  • Jacob Rathwell vs.  Dave Prologo
  • Kyle Horton vs.  Matt Dicenso
  • Kyle Eberts vs.  Brandon Bouchard
  • Kevin Bucklew vs.  Kevin Jackson
  • James Pfeiffer vs.  John Jungquist
  • teve Bucklew vs. Dom Mazzotta
  • Kyle Rozanski vs. TBA
  • Rob Hanna vs. Marcus Washington
  • Tony Dipiero vs.  Steve Burton
  • Dave Vandevolde vs. Anthony Morgan

*Fight card subject to change

Rocktagon MMA’s “Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2” is stacked with sixteen compelling amateur match-ups including a main event welterweight title bout between Rocktagon MMA veteran Dave Vandevelde and MMA rising-star Anthony Morgan. Tickets are on sale now! ”Cage Stars Amateur Elite Series 2″ will take place on Saturday, January 29th at Midway Mall in Elyria, Ohio. Doors open at 4:00 pm ET. ”Jackie” performs at 4:45 pm ET.  Fights begin at 7:00 pm ET.

Join Rocktagon MMA on January 29th for a night of non-stop entertainment! Tickets range from $25.00 to $35.00 at the door. Save $5.00 now by purchasing your tickets in advance! Tickets can be purchased online at www.rocktagonmma.com or at the door the night of the event.  Limited VIP Tables are also available. Please call 440-934-4662 for more information.

Sportsmanship in Local MMA

January 21st, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

“It’s not a fight for me, it’s a sport.” – Bobby Reardanz

I’m not a man of many sports, but I am an admirer of sportsmanship.  We don’t get to see enough of it through main stream media.   With the media giving their attention to the fighters who talk trash and speak the loudest, it’s the humble and respectful fighters who get left behind.  The world does not get to see good sportsmanship in MMA nearly enough.  This could possibly play a factor in the misunderstanding of the sport as a whole.

Take season 12 of The Ultimate Fighter for example.  The coaches were Josh Koscheck, who’s one of the most disrespectful people in the sport, and George St. Pierre, probably the most honorable athletes in mixed martial arts.  The commercials gave Koscheck all the attention for his antics but it was GSP and his values that were the big winner of season 12.

Adam Ward vs Lydell Rhodes

Ward (white shorts) hugs Rhodes after their Bout

In a recent interview with GSP’s Tri-Star training partner Ivan Menjivar on the Verbal Submission radio show, Ivan had plenty to say about respect in MMA.  ”The fans love stuff like that (trash talk) but it’s not natural to me to get up face to face with a guy and touch his nose to my face.  It’s not me.  For me I want to go there, be professional, have a good show with you.  After the fight we can go hang out together, get a drink together.  I don’t fight you because I hate you, no.  I fight because I’m a professional.  Fighting is a beautiful art.  I do my show in the fight, spinning kicks and back elbows, that’s my show.  My opponents have a family like me.  They do the sport because they love the sport, just like me.  We do it for the same reasons so I respect them just like I want them to respect me.

We are used to seeing more sportsmanship in the local MMA scene than we are on the big screen.  Recently we were covering a local MMA event Hoosier Fight Club 6 and witnessed a couple great examples of sportsmanship.  The first came about half way through the event after a match between Adam Ward and Lydell Rhodes.  After 2 rounds of non-stop technical action the fight was ended with a Triangle Choke by Adam Ward forcing Lydell Rhodes to tap at 4:02 of the second round.  Immediately after referee Jeff Mallott stopped the bout, Rhodes sat up in disbelief.  He was then met by a victorious and gracious Ward, who proceeded to hug his opponent and offer up a few words of encouragement.

“I told him that it was a great fight,” said the victorious Ward.  ”I was too out of breath to say anything poetic, but Lydell Rhodes was one of the toughest fights I’ve ever had.”

Bobby Reardamnz and Andy Main kneel for a post fight prayer.

Bobby Reardamnz and Andy Main kneel for a post fight prayer.

Suitably the next act of sportsmanship came at the end of the evening after the main event. Following a magnificent display of hands, submission attempts and submission defense, there came a crowd-moving display of sportsmanship that would have been a tough act to follow.  Bobby “The Believer” Reardanz and Andy Main went to the center of the cage for a post fight prayer.

We caught up with “The Believer” to ask him if the prayer together was planned, and he had this to say.  “No, it wasn’t planned.  I went over to him and congratulated him on his win and he replied with, ‘you’re amazing and have amazing faith.’”

Reardanz went on to say he expressed to Main that he usually prays in the center of the cage, and invited him to join in.  Main said “absolutely” and didn’t hesitate to kneel and pray as Reardanz took lead in the prayer. “Not only did I say one, but after I said ‘amen’, he said that he wanted to say one too, and did.  It was amazing. Having Andy Main go to the center of the cage and pray with me was well worth having a loss.”

We can only hope moving forward that the fans appreciate honorable moments like this as much as they do Chael Sonnen’s trash talk.

Press Release: FightRibbon brings MMA Athletes to Children’s Hospital to support young patients

January 20th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

FightRibbon

FightRibbon® shows the loving, considerate side of the world’s fastest growing sport, Mixed Martial Arts (aka Cage Fighting).

In a news world mostly dominated by stories of random shootings and unethical politicians, here’s a bit of good news about a group of professional athletes volunteering their time to show love and inspiration to complete strangers. But these are no ordinary “strangers,” and definitely no ordinary “athletes.”

On January 31st, 2011, the young, innocent patients at The Children’s Hospital Denver, Colorado will be getting a special visit from a FightRibbon® team, including several of today’s biggest stars in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

The famous Grudge Training Center in Wheat Ridge, CO, the home gym of several household names in the world of MMA, and an affiliate gym of the Jackson/Van Arsdale Training Center in New Mexico, is the host gym of an event that is spot-lighting a fight of a different kind: the fight for life…more specifically, the fight to inspire children who are fighting for their lives.

FightRibbon® (www.FightRibbon.com), a clothing company founded on the ideals of promoting cancer awareness and helping those in need, is the company sponsoring and organizing the event. This visit at The Children’s Hospital Denver is the third of it’s kind in what is described as “…a growing movement of compassion…” according to FightRibbon® founders, Brent Thompson and Scott Wells, two businessmen from Kentucky. (The two previous visits were to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis, TN.)

Along with the outreach team from FightRibbon® and MMA news correspondent Ron Kruck with a camera crew from the TV show “InsideMMA” (filming the visit), the fighters from Grudge Training Centers attending the event include top names like Shane Carwin, Brendan Schaub, Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans, coaches Trevor Wittman and Mike Van Arsdale, along with many more stars and rising stars in the sport. (see attachment for conclusive list of names).

FightRibbon® will be uploading a photo gallery at the conclusion of this visit to the company’s Facebook profile page. You can also view the footage and watch the complete story of the visit by tuning into InsideMMA, airing Friday nights on HdNet at 9PM Eastern/6PM Pacific.

About The Children’s Hospital

The Children’s Hospital has defined and delivered pediatric healthcare excellence for more than 100 years. Founded in 1908, The Children’s Hospital is a leading pediatric network entirely devoted to the health and wellbeing of children. Continually recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, The Children’s Hospital is known both for its nationally and internationally recognized medical, research and education programs as well as the full spectrum of everyday care for kids throughout Colorado and surrounding states. With more than 1,000 healthcare professionals representing the full spectrum of pediatric specialties, The Children’s Hospital network of care includes its main campus, sixteen Children’s Care Centers and more than 400 outreach clinics. For more information, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org.

For more information about The Children’s Hospital, contact Melissa Vizcarra at (720) 777-6271 or (303) 890-8314

If you’d like to get more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Brent Thompson, please call (270) 634-1953 or e-mail Brent at brent@FightRibbon.com

List of Attendees

Shane Carwin- Professional UFC® athlete

Brendan Schaub – Professional UFC® athlete

Nathan Marquardt – Professional UFC® athlete

Rashad Evans – Professional UFC® athlete

Justin Wren – Professional fighter

Trevor Wittman – founder/head trainer, Grudge

Christina Wittman – co-founder/Grudge Training Center

Joe Klopfenstein – Professional football player, NFL

Mike Van Arsdale- coach, Jackson/VanArsdale MMA

Jennifer Berg – Professional fighter

Lex McMahon – president, Alchemist Management Company

Jonathan Chaimberg – Adrenaline Performance Center, Montreal, QBC, Canada

Ron Kruck- Reporter, InsideMMA

Julio Gallegos – Professional fighter

Scott Bloyer – Elevation Church Pastor, Broomfield, CO (serving as event Chaplain)

Scott Wells – FightRibbon® co-founder

Brent Thompson – FightRibbon® co-founder

CageCraze.com is your MMA Social Network dedicated to connecting, promoting, covering and improving local MMA everywhere. Create your free profile today, and stay connected with local MMA Everywhere!

Nick Diaz goes on epic rant during Strikeforce conference call about Mayhem Miller and fighter pay

January 20th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

CageCraze was live as Strikeforce held a conference call today in support of their upcoming January 29th event, Strikeforce: Diaz vs Cyborg.  In attendance for the call were Strikeforce president Scott Coker, welterweight champion Nick Diaz and middleweight champion Jacare Souza.

As usual, Diaz was a little late to the call.  He lackadaisically answered questions about his vegan diet and his participation in triathlons and barely lifted an eyebrow when asked what he thought about his upcoming title challenger Evangelista Santos.

Thankfully, Scott Coker had left the call by the time Diaz was asked about moving up in weight to fight opponents like Mayhem Miller because he probably wouldn’t have been very happy with his response.  Diaz has had an ongoing feud with Miller but they could never agree on a weight to fight and planned grudge match between them was cancelled, replaced by a title defense.

The sleeping giant finally stirred:

“I’d be happy to move up, I’d like to get paid for it you know?  I don’t like how people try to say that I didn’t accept the fight with Miller because I was too small.  I never said anything about that.  I said if I’m going to go off track and screw with my whole season, it’s going to screw with my whole year, it’s going to screw with my capabilities of fighting at 170lbs.  If I’m going to do that I’d like to get paid in full.  I would like to have a reason for doing that.  Not just do it at everybody else’s convenience.  I’d like to get paid something extra: double, triple, something crazy for me to do something extra that would screw up my weight to fight at that weight.  I never didn’t want to sign for that fight with Miller.

Diaz and Mayhem Miller have been verbally sparring ever since Miller was jumped by Diaz and the Cesar Gracie team live on national television during the Strikeforce: Nashville event in April after Miller had interrupted Diaz’s training partner Jake Shields in his post-fight interview.  Diaz made it clear that it was the money, not the weight that has kept the fight from happening.  He even accused Miller of being afraid to drop down in weight to fight him, his voice getting more and more animated.

“They were talking about making me move weights.  I said tell his ass to get in f***ing shape and make weight like I do.  It’s f***ing hard enough for me to make 170lbs.  He acts like he wouldn’t be able to do it, he doesn’t want to work hard like me, that’s the problem.  He can work his ass off and make 170lbs or 175lbs or somebody can pay me a f***ing couple million dollars and I’ll move up to 185lbs and fight him.”

Diaz also expressed frustration at his current pay and appeared pretty angry that top stars in other promotions like Georges St. Pierre of the UFC of Manny Pacquaio in boxing make so much more than him.

Pacquaio’s making 40 f***ing million dollars, GSP’s making a couple million dollars. I’m over here f***ing driving a Honda and my shit’s breaking down?  F*** all you mother f***ers.

I had a chance to ask Diaz why he was so intent on calling out Georges St. Pierre despite the fact that he’s unavailable to him as an opponent and he responded with “Because you f***ers in the media rank him higher than me.”

Diaz’s phone was having some issues but he said that just because they are in rival promotions doesn’t mean the fight should never happen.  It’s an interesting topic to think about going forward, but the UFC has said they will never co-promote especially after all the troubles they had with Pride back in the day.  It’s just not worth it to them and I doubt it will ever take place.

The North-South Position with Chad and Brian: Predicting UFC Fight for the Troops 2

January 19th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.

UFC Fight for the Troops 2CageCraze.com is rolling out the first installment of the “North-South Position,” a running competition between CageCraze.com staff writers, Brian Hemminger and Chad Cunningham. Brian hails from Toledo, Ohio, and Chad is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. The upcoming “Fight for the Troops 2″ will be the battleground for “The North-South Position,” and Brian and Chad will square off against each other to see who can predict the winners of the main card. The comments section at the bottom of the page will be open, so feel free to set these guys straight if you disagree.

Matt Wiman vs Cole Miller

(Brian) In a battle of former TUF season 5 competitors, I’m going with Miller here.  Both Wiman and Miller are coming off finishes of Ultimate Fighter winners in Ross Pearson and Mac Danzig respectively.  Both fighters have shown potential since the show, but I feel Miller’s star is on the rise a little more.  He’s had trouble in the past against guys with heavy hands but I feel he’ll be able to wade through Wiman’s punches and work his jiu jitsu or improved striking.  Cole Miller via decision

(Chad) I will have to agree with my CageCraze.com counterpart on this one, I think Cole Miller will win the fight. I will say that I am a little more confident in Miller’s submission game. I think that Miller will outlast Wiman and end it with a submission in the third round.

Pat Barry vs Joey Beltran

(Chad) Both of these guys are coming off of losses so there is a lot on the line in terms of their growth in the UFC. Barry put on a great striking display against Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in the first round at UFC 115 but ultimately succumbed to a choke in the third round. Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran lost to CageCraze.com friend, Matt Mitrione, at UFC 119 in Indianapolis. Barry’s ground game leaves a lot to be desired at this point but he is a very technical striker for a heavyweight and will have the advantage on the feet against Beltran. I think that Barry takes the fight via KO/TKO in the first round. I think he has learned his lesson from the “Cro Cop” fight and will catch Beltran and then finish him to get back in the win column.

(Brian) Two verbs describe this fight to a T, “stand” and “bang.”  Of their 17 wins, these men have a combined 1 submission and 1 decision victory between them and 15 knockouts.  Barry and Beltran love to throw leather and if it stays standing (and I think it will), Barry will pick Beltran apart with his technical kickboxing.  If Beltran wants to win he needs to use his striking to set up a takedown and either control Barry or work towards a submission.  Beltran, though, will probably be seduced by the “Fight of the Night” bonus and these men will trade strikes until one goes down.  Beltran is tough as nails so I think Barry will take 2 1/2 rounds to finally put him down.  Barry by TKO round 3

George Roop vs Mark Hominick

(Brian) Mark Hominick was told he has a title shot with Jose Aldo on the line with this fight.  Roop had a knockout of the year nominee against Chan Sung Jung in his last fight, but Hominick’s technical striking (which actually earned him a rare decision over Leonard Garcia) and overall well roundedness should be more than enough to secure the win.  Mark Hominick via submission round 2.

(Chad) Indeed, Hominick was told that he gets Jose Aldo if he can defeat George Roop. I think that Hominick is the better fighter and on most nights he would win this fight. However, I think that Hominick looks past Roop and fights conservatively to ensure a shot at Aldo. Roop comes in with nothing to lose, and beats Hominick in the second round via submission.

Matt Mitrione vs Tim Hague

(Chad) Tim Hague is more experienced than Matt Mitrione, and after losing his last three fights in the UFC he spent time in Canada fighting his way back to the top-tier promotion. That being said, Mitrione is a natural athlete and he is undefeated since entering the UFC after being a competitor on TUF Season 10. Mitrione is a quick learner and I think that he can only move forward at this point. Mitrione will hit roadblocks as he progresses through the UFC ranks, but it will not be Tim Hague that stops him. Matt Mitrione wins this one via decision and as Matt would say, “Baleeee Dat!”

(Brian) Well said, Chad.  Mitrione revealed in our interview this week that he’d watched so much film of Hague that “he could tell what color socks his mom was wearing today.”  Matt’s natural athleticism combined with his quick learning curve for the sport of mixed martial arts should more than make up for his experience advantage.  Don’t count Hague out though, he defeated two tough heavyweights Zach Jensen and Travis Wiuff in a combined 4:01 to earn his third stint with the UFC.  He has a lot to prove.  I don’t think Mitrione underestimates him though and earns a knockout in the second round.

Evan Dunham vs Melvin Guillard

(Brian) Guillard has shown a remarkable improvement since teaming up with Greg Jackson’s camp, but Evan Dunham is the future.  Dunham got hosed in his last fight with Sean Sherk and he is out for vengeance.  He will work his submission magic against Guillard, who has had problems against top jiu jitsu guys in the past.  Barring any unusual gameplans like Guillard’s last fight with Jeremy Stephens, I’m going with Dunham via submission round 1.

(Chad) I had a feeling that Dunham would be the popular choice coming into this fight, considering the fact that most people scored in his favor against Sean Sherk. Guillard is highly skilled and continues to improve but he is prone to making mistakes in fights like this. I will have to go with Dunham in this one, but I think that Guillard holds out until the second round before getting caught by an Evan Dunham submission.

Interview with the UFC’s Matt Mitrione: I’m Happy as Hell

January 18th, 2011 | Author: CageCraze.com
This article was originally published at CageCraze.com. Copyright: CageCraze.com.
Matt Mitrione Fight For the Troops 2

Matt Mitrione Fight For the Troops 2

Matt Mitrione is a man who absolutely loves his job.  The undefeated UFC heavyweight and former NFL defensive lineman for the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings has found his calling in mixed martial arts.  Mitrione has been working hard in preparation for his upcoming heavyweight tilt against Tim Hague, a man with four times as many wins as Mitrione has had professional fights.  His bout will be the co-main event of UFC: Fight for the Troops 2 this Saturday and after speaking with CageCraze.com in this exclusive interview, it’s obvious “Meathead” has done his homework.

Matt may have spent much of his life playing football, but he’s been interested in mixed martial arts since he was very young:

I was always fascinated with MMA, even back in the day.  There was a video chain called Family Video and when I was a little kid, I might be telling on myself here but I think the statute of limitations has expired.  But I went and rented a video of like UFC 4 or something like that and I never returned it.  I’ve always been into it.

When I was getting finished up with the NFL, I told Purdue coach Tom Erikson that I was interested in fighting and he was like “oh yeah?” so we met up at a wrestling practice and he completely kicked my ass.  He threw me everywhere, it was embarrassing.  As a result, I found out what I really needed to work on which was my wrestling and everything else.  From coach Erikson, my wrestling has gotten pretty good.  I downplay it a lot with a lot of self deprecating humor but I’m pretty tough in a lot of aspects, I’m a handful.

Mitrione knows that he’s been given a tremendous opportunity, having spent his entire career in the UFC and he feels it’s because of how quickly he’s improved:

I consider myself a pretty good learner.  I take things up pretty quick.  I’ve been training here with Duke Rufus for two years now.  People tell me I’m a different fighter every time I come out, well I sure as hell should be.  It’s not like I’m Frank Mir where you’ve had 20 something fights and amateur fights before that.  I’m growing, I’m developing, I’m learning, so I should always be changing.”

If there’s one thing you’ll notice about Matt it’s that big sheepish grin he has on his face when he’s fighting.  He had plenty to say about why he’s always so happy to be in the octagon:

I could have to wake up at 6 o’clock in the morning, every morning, put on suit and tie, shave.  But now if I don’t want to, I don’t comb my hair, I don’t take a shower.  I haven’t shaved for probably seven weeks.  I am a straight homeless bum right now and I love it.  I could have to wake up, shave, brush my teeth, put on a suit and tie and go to a Monday morning sales meeting watching some douchebag that no one respects blabber on about conning people into buying something they probably don’t need in the first place.  Come home stressed out, kick your dog, be angry the rest of the night, blah blah blah.

That’s not my life and I’m happy as hell about it.  So the fact that I get to go out and live my dream, even if I get my ass kicked, it’s my opportunity, my employment and life is good.

While Matt may be a ray of sunshine in the cage, he’s had to fight to change the “bad boy” tag he earned when he was on the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter.

I played that role, I filled that role very well in my opinion.  I did it to myself.  Now did the editing and shooting on the show help out?  Certainly it did, but it was my actions that caused that.  I’d be lying to you if I said it wasn’t.  I knew what I was doing when I was there.  Was it hard?  Not really for me, but I felt really bad for my family like my father and my brother to a certain extent.  Not many of my wife’s friends watch The Ultimate Fighter so they wouldn’t care too much about it, plus they knew me already ahead of time so they were probably thinking “Oh, Matt’s just acting stupid right now.”

But for people that didn’t know me, my father’s friends, they’d come up to him and say “what in the hell is your child doing?” so that was kinda stressful.

With his stint on The Ultimate Fighter and the fact that every one of his career fights have been televised either on Spike or pay per view, Matt is starting to have to deal with becoming a public figure:

“It’s a trip, it’s interesting that you go do different places, restaurants in your hometown, different cities especially in Vegas.  One day we were driving down the street at a flea market and these people drive past us, recognized me driving, freaked out, stopped, turned around, followed us, came up to me at the intersection and asked for my autograph.  I was in the passenger seat, it was nuts!  It’s just flattering that anyone wants to hear anything that I have to say or finds me interesting.”

On preparing for his opponent Tim Hague’s submission game:

Chris (Lytle) is my mentor, so I’ve always worked with Chris.  That dude who is a legend in my mind and one of the toughest people walking around on the planet at 190 lbs or less.  I’ve trained with Dustin Dennis down at Pablo Papovich’s place.  I’ve trained with Cyborg Abreau down at his place and Eddie Bravo at his place out in LA.  There’s been a handful of joints that I’ve had a place to train and really work on all kinds of different strategies with different coaches.  I’m pretty fortunate with the fact that I’m athletic and people are willing to work with me.

Being a former member of the NFL, Matt is no stranger to film study.  When reading some previous interviews, I noticed he’d mentioned he’d watched his opponent Tim Hague get kicked in the head “a million times” and that he had a strong chin despite the 7 second Duffee knockout.  I asked him how much tape he’d watched of Hague:

“I’ve watched tons.  I feel extremely ready for this fight, I wish we were fighting today.  I told my training partners and my guys that I’m not watching film anymore, I’m done watching film.  At this point, I’ve watched so much film of Tim Hague that I think I know what color socks his mom’s wearing today.  I know everything about Tim Hague.

You have to [study your opponent].  It’s not so much about what they do, it’s my fight.  It’s always been my show.  I’m selfish, it’s always been about me.  I understand that, but I do need to know what to expect from my opponent.  I know when he gets frustrated, when he’s happy, when he’s confident, what his shot looks like, what his single looks like, how persistent he is.  That’s stuff I need to know because that does indeed affect my show.”

If there was anyone to ask about making the transition from NFL to MMA, it was Matt.  He had a very interesting response when asked if he thought there was going to be a new wave of football players hopping over the fence to MMA as the sport continues to grow and salaries rise.

“I absolutely do.  I don’t see why they wouldn’t.  There’s a couple things.  A lot of times, people can’t take a punch, for example: Marcus Jones.  It was just a matter of time until I knocked him out, so, can you take a punch?  Can you handle 4 million people watching you get your ass kicked?  You know if you get your ass kicked, it’ll end up on youtube and there will be 12 million people watching that.  So now there’s 16 million people watching you get kicked in the face, fold up like a pretzel, bleeding everywhere and acting like your grandmother.  So if you’re cool with that and you think you can handle it, then come on down, bring it.  I think a lot of football guys would be really good at fighting.”

Matt would like to thank his sponsors as well:

“I’m pretty fortunate that there are a couple sponsors that want me to say their name out my mouth, that’s awesome.  Microtech, the CEO of Microtech was actually stationed at Fort Hood where we’re fighting so that’s a cool tie-in.  Hayabusa will be on my shorts.  Fahrenheit Nutrition and also MTX.  It’s looking like I’m gonna be an MTX guy so I’ve got no complaints.  I’m happy that anyone wants to tie their name or be associated with me.”


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