Jorge Britto (head instructor of TorontoBJJ) invites all Jiu Jitsu academies to help us carry the flag of this sport into the future. Join us on Saturday August 7th, 2010 at Downsview Park in Toronto. This tournament is a celebration of Jiu Jitsu and we are giving an opportunity to everyone to become part of the next page in the history of Jiu Jitsu in Canada. This tournament will showcase the sport of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, we need you to be part of the revolution of this sport in North America. We need to be unified, we need to show solidarity by coming together to honor the tradition of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition. We want to demonstrate great Jiu Jitsu, we want to show who we are, we want to exhibit the glory of healthy rivalries between teams and how they help the sport to progress, develop, and grow.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is more than a sport, it is deeply rooted in tradition, and a tried and tested methodology since it was founded in Brazil. In this tournament we aim to honor this heritage and lineage by organizing the tournament in the same manner as the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. We want to pay tribute to the sport’s founders by not just coming to compete and determine who is best on the day but, we want to live the Jiu Jitsu ideology, philosophy and lifestyle.

This type of competition readies competitors for the highest level of international competition by adhering to international rules, regulations, and standards. We are already seeing the fruits of previous tournaments which produced several champions at this years mundials (worlds championships). The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu format of competition has lead to greater things for many of the stars of the sport, champions like BJ Penn, Marcelo Garcia, Demian Maia, Rodrigo Noguerra, and many more got their starts on the tatami’s of Jiu Jitsu.

What makes the Toronto Jiu Jistu Classic Special?
Divisions will have a specific start time that will be released two days prior to the event along with the brackets. No waiting hours and hours, wondering when your division is going to start.

75 Carl Hall Road,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MAP

More information on the official site.

Based on the success of the inaugural Grapple Girls Open Women’s Grappling Tournament – the first event of its kind in North America – in 2009, we will be running it again in 2010.

First a quick recap of last year’s event:

* 24 competitors came from all over North America.
* the majority of competitors were higher level, some of them world class, decorated grapplers. The action was exciting and non-stop.
* the bouts ran smooth as butter thanks to US Grappling’s own Chrissy Linzy. At no time were competitors wandering around not knowing what the heck was happening. And there was no dead time without a match on the mat. Chrissy is a pro and we were lucky to have her running the show.
* Special guests Felicia Oh and Valerie Worthington – two of the most respected and generous people in the grappling world – were in attendance.

The vibe was nothing short of incredible: the competitors, the spectators, the sponsors, the refs and support staff, the space itself; all came together to create an unforgettable day. Since that event and the Women’s Grappling Camp that immediately followed, the women’s grappling community has grown and solidified even further with networks stretching across all of North America. The Grapple Girls Open 2010 promises to be even better: We’ve got the support of the Ontario Amateur Wrestling Association once again, lending us their space and volunteers. We’ve got the incomparable Chrissy Linzy running the mats (we can’t emphasize this enough: she is AMAZING). We’ll have fantastic sponsors and prizes again this year.

Toronto Wrestling Development Centre,
1 Danforth Ave, Toronto
Canada
MAP

More information on the official site.

LAS VEGAS - Following the opening of offices in the U.K. and soon Toronto, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is finalizing plans for its third international division.

As UFC president Dana White first suggested in May, the Las Vegas-based promotion next will open an office in mainland China.

In fact, the UFC's Chinese website launched over the weekend, a new division head has been hired, and the office will open "immediately," White said.

If it were up to UFC light heavyweight fighter Chuck”The Iceman” Liddell BJ Penn wouldn’t be having a rematch against Frankie Edgar. Why? Simply because Liddell thinks that Penn won the fight, taking at least four of the five rounds from Edgar, as he stated during a Q&A with The Fight Network in Toronto recently:

To be honest, I thought Penn won the first fight. I thought he won at least four out of the five rounds. I was watching it after hearing about the results already. I watched the first few rounds and then called my buddy and said, “what are you talking about? How did he lose this fight?” I think the punch stats would indicate that, too.

No word on whether Liddell will continue his career or call it quits but he does mention that he’ll be talking to UFC president Dana White next week to plan his next moves. There’s been talk of a last match between himself and Tito Ortiz, but so far these are nothing but weak rumors. If Liddell makes a decision The MMA News will bring you the details.

We caught up with up and coming Canadian MMA superstar Ryan “The Real Deal” Ford, as he prepares to defend his TFC welterweight belt against verteran Carlo Prater.

Terry (TheMMANews): “Ryan you’re riding a four fight winning streak heading into your upcoming fight on July 17 against Carlo Prater. How is your training going, have you made any adjustments?”

Ryan Ford: “Training is going good; I’m going back to Victoria in the morning. I just came back from the MMA expo in Toronto and I got 5 weeks until fight night. I have been trying to get better at every skill and get ready to go.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “How many fights do you have left on your contract with The Fight Club, and is there any chance of seeing you in the Octagon in the near future?”

Ryan Ford: “I got one fight left with the fight club, which is the next fight here to defend the title. After that, the octagon, whenever they come calling I’ll be ready I’m just going to keep knocking people out and choking people out and we’ll see what happens.

Terry (TheMMANews): “Who do you consider to be fighters that you would like to face in the coming year, regardless of which company promotes them, and why?”

Ryan Ford: “ I just want to fight whoever says they’re the best then I want to fight them, if they’re doing it, well I’m doing it too so let’s do it. I been doing this for 3 years so I’m climbing the latter and I’m prepared to do my thing.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “What’s a typical day of training, and do you maintain your weight throughout the process or do you have a large weight cut?”

Ryan Ford: “I usually start an 8 week training camp, the first couple weeks help to get back into rhythm. I start around 200 pounds 8 weeks out, and right now I’m 5 weeks out and I am sitting about 190 pounds and very strong. I’m just doing the same things I always do and working hard in the gym. I split up my boxing, wrestling, jui juitsu and strength and conditioning into different days.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “There are critics out there that say you are one of the most gifted natural athletes in MMA but that you need to focus on putting the effort in to mastering “technique”. How do you respond to those critics?”

Ryan Ford: “The critiques are right, I am one of the most gifted athletes out there, but what they don’t know is that I am getting more technique and skills with everything to do with MMA. I’m not focusing on one specific thing but trying to better myself in all areas, and my game is getting better and better every time I’m in the gym.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Are you still going to various schools and sharing your life experiences as a way to help kids maintain their lives on the “right track?” Tell us a little about what this means to you.”

Ryan Ford: “I have traveled to quite a few different places to speak to schools. I have spoken at a bunch of the junior highs and high schools in Edmonton, where I’m from. I just want to give back to some kids that might be gearing off in the wrong direction and with my experience maybe steer them back in the right track. I let them know that seeing people with nice vehicles and money isn’t about hanging around with gangs and selling drugs. Just to hang around with positive people because that will help your life get positive.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Is there one aspect of mixed martial arts that appeals to you more than any other? “

Ryan Ford: “ I like the challenge, I like taking on the challenge and training and waiting for somebody to take on the contract and take on the challenge because they think that they can beat you and I just love fighting and this is what I do for a living now.”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Give us a few things you like to do during your downtime away from fighting.”

Ryan Ford: “I like to chill out with the family; I got a beautiful wife and a beautiful daughter that turns 2 in September. I like to go to the parks and hang out with my friends, and play Playstation 3—I’m a gamer!”

Terry (TheMMANews): “Anything you want to say to the fans that support you?”

Ryan Ford: “I just want to thank all the fans that support me, and if you don’t know me go to my website www.ryantherealdealford.com and check me out on YouTube. And I want to give a shout out to all the haters, out there because them hating just makes me get better—I love it.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Fight Network recaps this past weekends MMA Expo in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion Muhammad “King Mo” Lawal was their to take part.

HT: TheFightNetwork.com

This past weekend at the CPF Raw Nationals in Toronto, Jay Nera (a light 242 weighing only 222) squatted 678 pounds, bench pressed 452 pounds, and deadlifted 689 pounds to total 1,819 pounds. He won the meet's best lifter award. Here is video of his competition:

Press Release

Wreck MMA: Bad Intentions on August 20th!
The time has come to announce that Wreck MMA will be back in Gatineau on Friday August 20th to present Wreck MMA: Bad Intentions. But, this time around, Wreck MMA is heading to the prestigious Casino du Lac-Lemay to showcase the top MMA event in Gatineau.

In the main event of the evening, two of the top welterweights in Canada will be facing off to determine the number one contender for the Wreck Welterweight Title. After an impressive Wreck debut against the popular Louis-Philippe Carle, Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini returns to the Wreck ring to face the talented FIT MMA fighter Cory Macdonald.

“Both these fighters have the talent to fight in the top organizations in the world,” said Wreck matchmaker Alex Caporicci. “I believe the winner of this fight can potentially take the next step and follow another Wreck veteran in Mark Holst and make their way to the UFC, Strikeforce or to Japan.”

Macdonald has been eagerly anticipating a fight for about a year and is ecstatic to be stepping into the Wreck ring and being featured in the main event. Macdonald sports a 10-2-0 record and has wins against UFC veteran Edwin Dewees and talented Canadians Matt Macgrath, Dan Grandmaison, Martin Grandmont and Rowan Cunningham. In his last bout, Macdonald defeated Team Revolution member Thiago Goncalves. Marini also came off a long layoff prior to his last bout and has a win against UFC Veteran and former King of the Cage lightweight champion, Alberto Crane. Expect a lot of bad intentions in this bout, as this is an opportunity to take their career to the next level.

Making his return to Wreck is the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts’ Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan who looks to get back to his regular winning ways against Simms KnockDown MMA’s Chance Whalen. Also returning after impressive MMA debut in April is RAMA’s Jeffrey Laughren who will be facing the experienced Nick Portieous.

Wreck MMA is also proud to announce the MMA debut of Toronto’s Alex Ricci. Ricci is a two-time Canadian Muay-Thai Champion and is looking to transform his successful muay-thai career into a successful MMA career. But standing in his way is a fighter with the same goals in mind. A veteran of muay-thai fights in Thailand and around the world, Adrenaline MMA’s Adil ‘Rambo’ Abbas will be looking to spoil Ricci’s coming out party.

Look for an announcement shortly with additional fights as they get signed and where to buy your tickets for Wreck MMA: Bad Intentions!!

WRECK MMA: BAD INTENTIONS
Date: AUGUST 20TH, 2010
Venue: CASINO DU LAC-LEMAY
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT

Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini (Regency Boxing, Hamilton) vs. Cory Macdonald (FIT MMA, Kingston)

Chance Whalen (Simms KnockDown MMA, Moncton) vs. Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan (OAMA, Ottawa)
Nick Portieous (Cornwall MMA, Cornwall) vs. Jeffrey Laughren (RAMA, Rockland)
Adil ‘Rambo’ Abbas (Adrenaline MMA, London) vs. Alex Ricci (M1 & Team Ricci, Toronto)
TBA vs. Anna ‘Smiles” Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
TBA vs. Randy Turner (OAMA, Ottawa)

*** Subject to change ***

Press Release

The time has come to announce that Wreck MMA will be back in Gatineau on Friday August 20th to present Wreck MMA: Bad Intentions. But, this time around, Wreck MMA is heading to the prestigious Casino du Lac-Lemay to showcase the top MMA event in Gatineau.

In the main event of the evening, two of the top welterweights in Canada will be facing off to determine the number one contender for the Wreck Welterweight Title. After an impressive Wreck debut against the popular Louis-Philippe Carle, Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini returns to the Wreck ring to face the talented FIT MMA fighter Cory Macdonald.

“Both these fighters have the talent to fight in the top organizations in the world,” said Wreck matchmaker Alex Caporicci. “I believe the winner of this fight can potentially take the next step and follow another Wreck veteran in Mark Holst and make their way to the UFC, Strikeforce or to Japan.”

Macdonald has been eagerly anticipating a fight for about a year and is ecstatic to be stepping into the Wreck ring and being featured in the main event. Macdonald sports a 10-2-0 record and has wins against UFC veteran Edwin Dewees and talented Canadians Matt Macgrath, Dan Grandmaison, Martin Grandmont and Rowan Cunningham. In his last bout, Macdonald defeated Team Revolution member Thiago Goncalves. Marini also came off a long layoff prior to his last bout and has a win against UFC Veteran and former King of the Cage lightweight champion, Alberto Crane. Expect a lot of bad intentions in this bout, as this is an opportunity to take their career to the next level.

Making his return to Wreck is the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts’ Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan who looks to get back to his regular winning ways against Simms KnockDown MMA’s Chance Whalen. Also returning after impressive MMA debut in April is RAMA’s Jeffrey Laughren who will be facing the experienced Nick Portieous.

Wreck MMA is also proud to announce the MMA debut of Toronto’s Alex Ricci. Ricci is a two-time Canadian Muay-Thai Champion and is looking to transform his successful muay-thai career into a successful MMA career. But standing in his way is a fighter with the same goals in mind. A veteran of muay-thai fights in Thailand and around the world, Adrenaline MMA’s Adil ‘Rambo’ Abbas will be looking to spoil Ricci’s coming out party.

Look for an announcement shortly with additional fights as they get signed and where to buy your tickets for Wreck MMA: Bad Intentions!!

WRECK MMA: BAD INTENTIONS
Date: AUGUST 20TH, 2010
Venue: CASINO DU LAC-LEMAY
Location: GATINEAU, QUEBEC

MAIN EVENT

Simon ‘The Mutant’ Marini (Regency Boxing, Hamilton) vs. Cory Macdonald (FIT MMA, Kingston)

Chance Whalen (Simms KnockDown MMA, Moncton) vs. Remi ‘Bam Bam’ Morvan (OAMA, Ottawa)
Nick Portieous (Cornwall MMA, Cornwall) vs. Jeffrey Laughren (RAMA, Rockland)
Adil ‘Rambo’ Abbas (Adrenaline MMA, London) vs. Alex Ricci (M1 & Team Ricci, Toronto)
TBA vs. Anna ‘Smiles” Barone (FIT MMA, Ottawa)
TBA vs. Randy Turner (OAMA, Ottawa)

How many MMA events have you attended and it seems like the Referee is somebody they pulled from the crowd? Horrible stand ups, early or late stoppages and not appearing to understand the ground game or the Unified Rules? Back in the *No Holds Barred* era, I am sure that might have been the norm more than it was the exception?

However, since this sport has evolved in a short time, we as Referees need to be *experts* in our field. We are responsible for the livelihood of those fighters! Not only allowing them to fight safely, but to be able to fight another day. Fighter safety is paramount.

How can we obtain that level of expertise? We need to train just like a fighter trains, with the exception of cutting weight, of course.

Referees should be familiar with what happens when the fight goes to the ground. Being able to read the fighters, anticipating of where the fight is at and where it is going takes time and experience. But it should NOT be at the expense of the promoter, the fans or especially the fighters. Training at a gym that teaches submissions or grappling and having the opportunity to “Ref” sparring sessions is where it starts. The other aspect of working on your referee expertise is to attend various training seminars that teach referee positions, reading fighters, truly understanding the Unified Rules and how to interrupt and enforce those rules.

This coming weekend will be a MMA Referee seminar that is being held at the MMA Expo in Toronto Canada. Go to www.mmarcs.net for more information.

MMARCS will be writing multiple articles on different aspects of the MMA Referee. If you have a question for a future article, submit your question to: mfennell@mmarcs.net

*Marc Fennell is a MMA Referee, who instructs training courses throughout North and Central America. Marc has a vast amount of quality MMA Referee experience with KOTC, UFC, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. For upcoming seminars, go to www.mmarcs.net. *

Note: The MMA News would like to welcome Marc to the site and will be a regular contributor in the future. We welcome feedback from our readers and offer you a chance to ask a professional mixed martial arts referee questions by posting them here or email Marc at the above email.