“I would never cross-promote. Regarding Fedor, he either wants to come over and fight here or he doesn’t. If he came over and wanted to fight I’d do a deal with him in a minute. You know we’ve been chasing him since we bought Pride. In my opinion, I think it’s going to happen. He’d be crazy not to. I mean, why not? He’ll come over here and make a bunch of money and maybe even win the title and go down in history as the greatest heavyweight ever. The problem is it’s one thing for everyone to say it, I mean I can say, “Brock is the greatest heavyweight ever” but they have got to fight. It’s the only way to find out. We can argue about it all day but in the end you just have got to get out there and fight.”
– UFC President Dana White tells EdgeBoston.com that he envisions Fedor Emelianenko becoming a possible addition to his heavyweight division. White and Co. worked hard to bring the Russian on board after the collapse of Pride FC; however, talks broke down when the parties could not agree on an exclusive fight contract. It would be a minor miracle if Emelianenko ever signed with the UFC … he and his camp appear to mix like water and oil when it comes to working with UFC execs. Stranger things have happened, however. In the meantime, Emelianenko is penciled in to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett this August in the third — and perhaps last event held by Affliction MMA.
mmamania
Friday, May 29, 2009
UFC 104: Mauricio Shogun Rua signs to fight Lyoto Machida in October
The 2005 Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix winner, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, earlier this week did indeed sign a bout agreement to challenge UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida, which will more than likely take place at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24.
SuperLutas.com.br was able to confirm the rumored match up with sources close to the Brazilian’s camp.
Rua is coming off a first round technical knockout of former 205-pound champion, Chuck Liddell, at UFC 97: “Redemption” last month. He defeated Mark Coleman via third round technical knockout in a lackluster performance earlier this year at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson” to earn a crack at the “Iceman.”
It’s perhaps not the match up that most fans expected, especially when UFC President Dana White revealed over the weekend that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson would be the first to challenge Machida for his newly-won world title. But that all went out the window a few days later when Jackson apparently pressed UFC officials to settle a score with Rashad Evans via The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 first rather than compete to get his belt back.
That left Machida — who flattened Evans at UFC 98 to win the belt — all of a sudden without a number one contender … until now.
Keep in mind that White did not announce the bout yesterday during a media conference call because he indicated that not all bout agreements were finalized. That more than likely means Machida — who is currently celebrating his big win on a beach near Belem — may still have to agree to the fight and formalize it with a signature.
We’ll keep you posted.
mmamania
Ruthless Aggression: An MMAmania.com interview exclusive with Robbie Lawler
There are a lot of adjectives that appropriately describe Robbie Lawler as a fighter. Cunning, brutal, callous, and ruthless are just a few.
UFC President Dana White chose the latter and donned him “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler back in 2002 when he was just a twenty-year-old kid fighting in the UFC purely on heart and sheer determination.
Since departing the UFC in 2004, Lawler has gone 8 - 1 including notable victories over Frank Trigg, Murilo Rua and Scott Smith, while accumulating two belts along the way: The ICON Sport middleweight championship and the EliteXC middleweight championship.
Lawler’s competitive nature and fighting spirit continue to be driving forces in his career to this day.
The difference between then and now is that his skills as a mixed martial artist have evolved and he is a dangerous, well-rounded fighter who continues to be a handful for anyone who dares to step inside the cage against him.
Enter another former EliteXC champion in Jake Shields, who will be Lawler’s next test at the appropriately titled Strikeforce: ‘Lawler vs. Shields’ event that will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on June 6.
Robbie took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his teammate Matt Hughes, his long layoff, Jake Shields and why he’s not thrilled about having to fight him at a catchweight.
Check it out.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You just got back from Las Vegas where you were cornering your teammate Matt Hughes. What are your thoughts on how his fight with Matt Serra played out?
Robbie Lawler: It went pretty good. He won so that’s always a good sign. He won two out of the three rounds and he got the victory.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did you guys go out and celebrate on the Vegas strip afterwards or did you have to get back?
Robbie Lawler: Not really. It was low key. We went out to a small bar and just kind of hung out and talked.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you fully expect Hughes to sign another contract and continue to fight?
Robbie Lawler: I didn’t know what to expect. Usually I don’t listen to what he says during his interviews. After the fight I was kind of interested on what he was going to say. I was kind of just waiting like you guys were.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I want to briefly go back in time to the demise of EliteXC. If Strikeforce had not came in and bought your contract, who would you likely be fighting for today? Which organization was at the top of your list?
Robbie Lawler: I was just kind of waiting it out. We were talking to everyone and keeping our options open. Basically, whoever was going to pay the most.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): When you step in the cage with Jake Shields it will be about ten months since your last fight. Does it feel like twenty? What has the wait been like for you mentally?
Robbie Lawler: It hasn’t been that bad. I’ve had long layoffs before. I’ve just been training hard. The whole time I was off I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to fight anywhere else. I could fight in a week. I just didn’t know so I kept myself in pretty good shape.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you expect any rust or issues with cardio deep in the fight after this long of a layoff?
Robbie Lawler: No. I’ve been training hard and I should be ready to go.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): The HIT Squad gym you call home is less than ten miles away from where you’ll take on Shields in downtown St. Louis. Does this give you any kind of advantage at all or is “home field” irrelevant in MMA?
Robbie Lawler: Yeah, I don’t think home field really means anything in sports in general. I just think if you’re the better athlete or you have the better team you’re going to win and it doesn’t matter where.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Your opponent Jake Shields is known for having a world class ground game. Is the key to this fight your ability to keep it standing and play to your strength?
Robbie Lawler: That could be one key. I just need to be in good shape and I’m ready to go. I just need to be able to go three rounds and go hard the whole time.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): At the 182 pound catchweight, do you feel like you’ll have the size and strength advantage? Do you anticipate being able to push out of positions and bully him around a little bit?
Robbie Lawler: No, because the catchweight is not really good for me. It’s better for him. I’m coming down. He does not have to cut any weight. I have to cut more than I’m normally used to, but I don’t think it really matters. I’m going to be ready to go and ready to fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): The catchweight was something that appeared to be agreed on after the fact. Is that something you’ll try to agree upon up front next time if a catchweight is needed? What are your thoughts on how that transpired?
Robbie Lawler: Well the thing is they’re like, “Hey you’re going to fight Jake Shields” and I was like, “Okay we’re fighting him.” We did the press conference and everything.
Then my manager goes, “They want to do it at 182″ and I was like, “Why didn’t they say that in the beginning?”
Then he was like, “Do you really want to fight him on this? Is this something where you think you should make a big deal about it?” I go, “Hey, it’s not a big deal if they don’t think it’s a big deal.”
Now it’s at 182 and we’re all passed that and we’re going to fight. Yeah, I wasn’t too happy about the way it went down.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you think the winner of this fight deserves a crack at the middleweight title if you can pull Cung Le off a movie set?
Robbie Lawler: I don’t really care about any of that shit. I’m just going to be ready to fight. After that I’ll probably take a couple days off and start training again. Maybe a week or two after that I’ll decide what’s going on and where I’m going.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you going to try to fight again before the end of the year?
Robbie Lawler: Yeah I’m hoping to fight maybe two or three times before the end of the year. I had the long layoff and I want to make up for lost time.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Who are the others on the Strikeforce payroll you would like a piece of? Is the chance to avenge your loss to Nick Diaz high on your list of things to do?
Robbie Lawler: No he’s not on my list. I don’t have a list. I got past that fight a long time ago. I lost and it happens and I’ve moved on.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): That’s all I had for you Robbie. Anything you would like to say to your fans out there or any sponsors you want to thank?
Robbie Lawler: I want to thank Tapout and the HitSquad.com.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Alright, thanks again. Best of luck to you in a few days.
Robbie Lawler: Yep, peace.
UFC President Dana White chose the latter and donned him “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler back in 2002 when he was just a twenty-year-old kid fighting in the UFC purely on heart and sheer determination.
Since departing the UFC in 2004, Lawler has gone 8 - 1 including notable victories over Frank Trigg, Murilo Rua and Scott Smith, while accumulating two belts along the way: The ICON Sport middleweight championship and the EliteXC middleweight championship.
Lawler’s competitive nature and fighting spirit continue to be driving forces in his career to this day.
The difference between then and now is that his skills as a mixed martial artist have evolved and he is a dangerous, well-rounded fighter who continues to be a handful for anyone who dares to step inside the cage against him.
Enter another former EliteXC champion in Jake Shields, who will be Lawler’s next test at the appropriately titled Strikeforce: ‘Lawler vs. Shields’ event that will be held in St. Louis, Missouri on June 6.
Robbie took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his teammate Matt Hughes, his long layoff, Jake Shields and why he’s not thrilled about having to fight him at a catchweight.
Check it out.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You just got back from Las Vegas where you were cornering your teammate Matt Hughes. What are your thoughts on how his fight with Matt Serra played out?
Robbie Lawler: It went pretty good. He won so that’s always a good sign. He won two out of the three rounds and he got the victory.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did you guys go out and celebrate on the Vegas strip afterwards or did you have to get back?
Robbie Lawler: Not really. It was low key. We went out to a small bar and just kind of hung out and talked.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you fully expect Hughes to sign another contract and continue to fight?
Robbie Lawler: I didn’t know what to expect. Usually I don’t listen to what he says during his interviews. After the fight I was kind of interested on what he was going to say. I was kind of just waiting like you guys were.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I want to briefly go back in time to the demise of EliteXC. If Strikeforce had not came in and bought your contract, who would you likely be fighting for today? Which organization was at the top of your list?
Robbie Lawler: I was just kind of waiting it out. We were talking to everyone and keeping our options open. Basically, whoever was going to pay the most.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): When you step in the cage with Jake Shields it will be about ten months since your last fight. Does it feel like twenty? What has the wait been like for you mentally?
Robbie Lawler: It hasn’t been that bad. I’ve had long layoffs before. I’ve just been training hard. The whole time I was off I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to fight anywhere else. I could fight in a week. I just didn’t know so I kept myself in pretty good shape.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you expect any rust or issues with cardio deep in the fight after this long of a layoff?
Robbie Lawler: No. I’ve been training hard and I should be ready to go.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): The HIT Squad gym you call home is less than ten miles away from where you’ll take on Shields in downtown St. Louis. Does this give you any kind of advantage at all or is “home field” irrelevant in MMA?
Robbie Lawler: Yeah, I don’t think home field really means anything in sports in general. I just think if you’re the better athlete or you have the better team you’re going to win and it doesn’t matter where.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Your opponent Jake Shields is known for having a world class ground game. Is the key to this fight your ability to keep it standing and play to your strength?
Robbie Lawler: That could be one key. I just need to be in good shape and I’m ready to go. I just need to be able to go three rounds and go hard the whole time.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): At the 182 pound catchweight, do you feel like you’ll have the size and strength advantage? Do you anticipate being able to push out of positions and bully him around a little bit?
Robbie Lawler: No, because the catchweight is not really good for me. It’s better for him. I’m coming down. He does not have to cut any weight. I have to cut more than I’m normally used to, but I don’t think it really matters. I’m going to be ready to go and ready to fight.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): The catchweight was something that appeared to be agreed on after the fact. Is that something you’ll try to agree upon up front next time if a catchweight is needed? What are your thoughts on how that transpired?
Robbie Lawler: Well the thing is they’re like, “Hey you’re going to fight Jake Shields” and I was like, “Okay we’re fighting him.” We did the press conference and everything.
Then my manager goes, “They want to do it at 182″ and I was like, “Why didn’t they say that in the beginning?”
Then he was like, “Do you really want to fight him on this? Is this something where you think you should make a big deal about it?” I go, “Hey, it’s not a big deal if they don’t think it’s a big deal.”
Now it’s at 182 and we’re all passed that and we’re going to fight. Yeah, I wasn’t too happy about the way it went down.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you think the winner of this fight deserves a crack at the middleweight title if you can pull Cung Le off a movie set?
Robbie Lawler: I don’t really care about any of that shit. I’m just going to be ready to fight. After that I’ll probably take a couple days off and start training again. Maybe a week or two after that I’ll decide what’s going on and where I’m going.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you going to try to fight again before the end of the year?
Robbie Lawler: Yeah I’m hoping to fight maybe two or three times before the end of the year. I had the long layoff and I want to make up for lost time.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Who are the others on the Strikeforce payroll you would like a piece of? Is the chance to avenge your loss to Nick Diaz high on your list of things to do?
Robbie Lawler: No he’s not on my list. I don’t have a list. I got past that fight a long time ago. I lost and it happens and I’ve moved on.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): That’s all I had for you Robbie. Anything you would like to say to your fans out there or any sponsors you want to thank?
Robbie Lawler: I want to thank Tapout and the HitSquad.com.
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Alright, thanks again. Best of luck to you in a few days.
Robbie Lawler: Yep, peace.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
KJ Noons down for a return to MMA and a rematch with Nick Diaz
“Scott (Coker) and I have been talking the past few days. I used to fight on Scott’s fight cards in San Jose ten years ago, so I’ve known him a long time … I never said I was giving up MMA, I just enjoy competing in both sports, I boxed since I was a kid and just love to box. I love MMA also, I’m just going back and forth. There is some bad blood, drama, and history between [me and Nick Diaz], so I think people would want to see it again. I’m down for it. I want to fight anybody that people think is an interesting fight. I don’t mind going up or down in weight. I’ll train hard and fight hard for the fans.”
Former EliteXC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons, who was forced to turn down a fight against Josh Thompson on April 11 due to previous boxing commitments, talks about negotiating his return to MMA with Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker. Noons also states that he’s willing to fight anyone the fans deem interesting. If that’s the case, I think there are a lot of fans clamoring for a rematch with Nick Diaz in the near future. Diaz lost to Noons back in 2007 via TKO due to cuts - and Diaz has since had surgery to correct that area of his face that was so easily opened. Noons vs. Diaz II — who ya’ got?
mmamania
Mayhem's profanity laden rant on the internet critics
DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU ARE OFFENDED BY PROFANITY
[The illegal kick] was a mistake. Jacare calls me a clown and disrespects me all the time, headbutted me and opened a cut on my eye. If he could’ve done it to me, he would have. I’ll beat the shit out of him legally next time. What’s he gonna do? Submit me? LOL Kayo me? LMMFAO. Brazillian nuthuggers can suck my mother fuckin dick, that gets more pussy than any one of you could imagine, due to my MTV show, my good looks, and my tons of money. How is that for classy? Oh you know what, I don’t give a fuck what you think, I’m the fucking man. What was your down syndrome Brazillian gonna break? NOTHING. Bitch ass had me on the ground for 3 seconds. Let me get my bread for fucking him up in a rematch, and watch you all cry about how I “don’t respect the sport.” In the words of Dana White, “Fuck you you fucking cunt.” Go jerk off to TUF.
– Former Icon Sport 185-pound champion Jason Miller responds to criticism on The Underground following his no contest at DREAM 9 last Tuesday. His middleweight title bout with Ronaldo Souza was halted after an illegal soccer kick opened up a bleeder on ‘Jacare’ that forced officials to stop the bout. The fight was ruled a no contest and another rematch between the rivals to determine a more decisive ending seems to be the next logical step; however, it has yet to be officially announced by Japan’s Fighting & Entertainment Group. In the interim, ‘Mayhem’ seems content to battle his critics on the Internet. Where da monkeys at?
mmamania
[The illegal kick] was a mistake. Jacare calls me a clown and disrespects me all the time, headbutted me and opened a cut on my eye. If he could’ve done it to me, he would have. I’ll beat the shit out of him legally next time. What’s he gonna do? Submit me? LOL Kayo me? LMMFAO. Brazillian nuthuggers can suck my mother fuckin dick, that gets more pussy than any one of you could imagine, due to my MTV show, my good looks, and my tons of money. How is that for classy? Oh you know what, I don’t give a fuck what you think, I’m the fucking man. What was your down syndrome Brazillian gonna break? NOTHING. Bitch ass had me on the ground for 3 seconds. Let me get my bread for fucking him up in a rematch, and watch you all cry about how I “don’t respect the sport.” In the words of Dana White, “Fuck you you fucking cunt.” Go jerk off to TUF.
– Former Icon Sport 185-pound champion Jason Miller responds to criticism on The Underground following his no contest at DREAM 9 last Tuesday. His middleweight title bout with Ronaldo Souza was halted after an illegal soccer kick opened up a bleeder on ‘Jacare’ that forced officials to stop the bout. The fight was ruled a no contest and another rematch between the rivals to determine a more decisive ending seems to be the next logical step; however, it has yet to be officially announced by Japan’s Fighting & Entertainment Group. In the interim, ‘Mayhem’ seems content to battle his critics on the Internet. Where da monkeys at?
mmamania
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jason Mayhem Miller ‘too hyped’ for Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza at Dream 9
http://mmamania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/miller-jacare.jpg
“Got too hyped and punted Jacare in his head Wanderlei Silva style. Got deemed a ‘No Contest’ they hold the belt for a rematch. Dammit.”
Jason “Mayhem” Miller Tweet’s about what happened earlier today during his middleweight title bout against Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at DREAM 9. The rematch was halted early in the first round because of an errant blow from Miller to a downed Souza. The strike carved a deep laceration to Souza’s head, which forced ringside officials to call off the match prematurely because of the severity of the bloody ax wound. The fight was ruled a no contest. Another rematch between the two to determine a more decisive ending seems to be the next logical step; however, it has yet to be officially announced by Japan’s Fighting & Entertainment Group (FEG).
MMAMANIA
UFC 98 fighter salaries and paydays for ‘Machida vs Evans’
Lyoto Machida — $140,000 ($70,000 to show, $70,000 to win)
Rashad Evans — $200,000
Machida defeated Evans via technical knockout (strikes) in round two
Matt Hughes — $200,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 to win)
Matt Serra — $75,000
Hughes defeated Serra via unanimous decision
Drew McFedries — $34,000 ($17,000 to show, $17,000 to win)
Xavier Foupas-Pokam — $6,000
McFedries defeated Foupas-Pokam via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Chael Sonnen — $50,000 ($25,000 to show, $25,000 to win)
Dan Miller — $15,000
Sonnen defeated Miller via unanimous decision
Frank Edgar — $40,000 ($20,000 to show, $20,000 to win)
Sean Sherk — $40,000
Edgar defeated Sherk via unanimous decision
Brock Larson — $42,000 ($21,000 to show, $21,000 to win)
Mike Pyle — $15,000
Larson defeated Pyle via submission (arm triangle choke) in round one
Tim Hague — $10,000 ($5,000 to show, $5,000 to win)
Pat Barry — $7,000
Hague defeated Barry via submission (guillotine choke) in round one
Kyle Bradley — $8,000 ($4,000 to show, $4,000 to win)
Phillipe Nover — $10,000
Bradley defeated Nover via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Krzysztof Soszynski — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Andre Gusmao — $5,000
Soszynski defeated Gusmao via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Yoshiyuki Yoshida — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Brandon Wolff — $3,000
Yoshida defeated Wolff via submission (guillotine choke) in round one
George Roop — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Dave Kaplan — $8,000
Roop defeated Kaplan via split decision
MMAMANIA
Rashad Evans — $200,000
Machida defeated Evans via technical knockout (strikes) in round two
Matt Hughes — $200,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 to win)
Matt Serra — $75,000
Hughes defeated Serra via unanimous decision
Drew McFedries — $34,000 ($17,000 to show, $17,000 to win)
Xavier Foupas-Pokam — $6,000
McFedries defeated Foupas-Pokam via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Chael Sonnen — $50,000 ($25,000 to show, $25,000 to win)
Dan Miller — $15,000
Sonnen defeated Miller via unanimous decision
Frank Edgar — $40,000 ($20,000 to show, $20,000 to win)
Sean Sherk — $40,000
Edgar defeated Sherk via unanimous decision
Brock Larson — $42,000 ($21,000 to show, $21,000 to win)
Mike Pyle — $15,000
Larson defeated Pyle via submission (arm triangle choke) in round one
Tim Hague — $10,000 ($5,000 to show, $5,000 to win)
Pat Barry — $7,000
Hague defeated Barry via submission (guillotine choke) in round one
Kyle Bradley — $8,000 ($4,000 to show, $4,000 to win)
Phillipe Nover — $10,000
Bradley defeated Nover via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Krzysztof Soszynski — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Andre Gusmao — $5,000
Soszynski defeated Gusmao via technical knockout (strikes) in round one
Yoshiyuki Yoshida — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Brandon Wolff — $3,000
Yoshida defeated Wolff via submission (guillotine choke) in round one
George Roop — $16,000 ($8,000 to show, $8,000 to win)
Dave Kaplan — $8,000
Roop defeated Kaplan via split decision
MMAMANIA
Stop and gawk at Jose Conseco vs Hong man Choi
This is a train wreck of a fight but I can't help but gawk.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Martial arts legend Adriano Emperado dead at 82
Long before the UFC craze came along, Adriano Emperado was teaching mixed martial arts in Kalihi.
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Emperado, one of the founders of the martial art called Kajukenbo, died of natural causes last month on Maui. He was 82.
"You see how popular this MMA stuff is today? Kajukenbo was doing that in the 1940s," said Emperado's son, Clarence Luna. "All these MMA guys today are training in jiu-jitsu, judo, all kind different stuff ... my father had that idea a long time ago."
Emperado is regarded as an important and legendary figure in the martial arts world. From humble beginnings in the Kalihi-Palama area, he helped spread Kajukenbo around the world.
His son estimated "hundreds, maybe thousands" of similar schools in at least 33 countries around the world can be traced to Emperado's teachings in Kajukenbo.
There are at least a dozen schools that come under the official banner of Kajukenbo Self Defense Institute, including locations in Arizona, Nevada, California and Canada, as well as throughout Hawai'i.
"And then you get these others that maybe took some ideas from my dad's teachings and incorporated into something else," said Luna, who is now a grand master of Kajukenbo. "That's why I say there's so many that can be traced to Kajukenbo, even though they might not be called Kajukenbo."
Emperado is actually one of five founders of Kajukenbo. The others were Peter Choo, Joe Holck, Frank Ordonez and Clarence Chang.
They each brought black belt expertise in various disciplines to create the new martial art in 1947. They named it Kajukenbo because it combined "ka" for karate, "ju" for judo and jiu-jitsu, "ken" for kenpo, and "bo" for Chinese boxing (kung fu).
By 1950, Emperado started teaching the martial art to students at Palama Gym.
Jan Harada, executive director of Palama Settlement, said Emperado holds a significant place in the history of the area.
"This is the birthplace of something that has a connection to the rest of the world," Harada said. "In researching this, we found that Kajukenbo kept a lot of kids from the area out of trouble, and that alone is significant."
Harada said two Kajukenbo instructors from Texas came to Palama Gym last year because they heard it was Emperado's first school.
"They were taking pictures and asking about (Emperado) and the school," Harada said. "That was neat to see how it touched people so far away."
Sonnie Rodrigues, Emperado's youngest daughter, said she had no idea of her father's international influence.
"He was humble, so he never really talked about himself like that," she said. "I'm finding out now how many people knew him. It's amazing."
Emperado has also influenced thousands in Hawai'i.
John Pascua started taking Kajukenbo classes in 1957, and is now an instructor at one of the schools.
"It teaches so much discipline," said Pascua, 67. "Not just for Kajukenbo, but in your way of life."
Pascua said Emperado was a "very strict" instructor who emphasized mental preparation as much as physical.
"When (Emperado) was teaching the class, it was real rough — we didn't have the kind of mats we have today, so we used to train on the concrete," Pascua said. "But the thing I remember most is he always used to tell us, 'Think! That's why you have that head on your shoulders. Think about your next move, your attacker's next move. Always think.' "
Luna said Kajukenbo was — and still is — a defensive martial art. Because of that, he said the students rarely enter tournaments.
"We teach you how to defend somebody, not attack somebody," Luna said.
Still, Kajukenbo became recognized internationally as an effective martial art.
During the heyday of martial arts in the 1970s, Luna said Emperado was treated like royalty.
"People would line up to kiss his hand," Luna said. "And when they found out I was his son, they would kiss my hand, too."
Emperado stopped teaching classes about 20 years ago, but was still able to travel around the world because of his Kajukenbo connections.
"He would leave here with one plastic bag and come back with seven suitcases," Luna said. "Gifts from all his students and other instructors."
In the end, Luna said, Emperado was more than just a Kajukenbo founder and instructor.
"He used to say that being a teacher of Kajukenbo made him learn different jobs," Luna said. "Some days he had to be like a doctor, some days a lawyer, a banker, a bus driver ... everything you can think of. So, yeah, he helped a lot of people in a lot of different ways."
honoluluadvertiser
Sunday, May 24, 2009
UFC 98 play by play and results
-Rashad Evans (16-0-1; #1 Light Heavyweight in the World)* vs. Lyoto Machida (14-0; #2 Light Heavyweight in the World)*
R1: The fighter start out cautious like expected. They are both testing the distance and looking to find their range. Evans misses a low kick as Machida starts to stalk him. Neither fighter is committing to much until Machdia lands a punch. Evans misses with a hook as Machida stalks him. Machida lands a body kick and then a staright punch as Evans comes in. Evans seems to be having a hard time with Machida's karate stance. They clinch breifly only to seperate. Machida drops Evans with a punch and follows up but Evans survives and gets back to his feet. Machida goes for a head kcik as Evans circles around. The round ends with the fighters stalking one another.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Machida
R2: Evans starts the round with a step in his feet as Machida stalks him. A lot feinting between the fighters as they look for their openings. They clinch up for a bit but seperate quickly. Machida lands a low kick as he stalks Evans. Machida lands a combination and Evans returns fire but can't touch him. The fight slows done as they continue to stalk one another. Machida drops Evans with an uppercut and pounces on him. Evans surviving the barrage of punches and gets back to his feet. Machida landing at will on the feet and Evans is trying to stay alive. Machida lands a huge left hook and knocks Evans out cold.
Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.
-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*
R1: Hughes the aggressor with some jabs as Serra circles around looking to find his range. Serra drops Hughes with a right hook but can't finish him. Hughes is still hurt and Serra lets him back to his feet. Serra tags him with more hooks and drops him again. Hughes struggles to survive by getting a takedown but eventually recovers and clinches along the fence. They seperate and the action slows a bit. Hughes charges in and gets a clinch then slams Serra to the ground. He gets Serra's back and goes for the choke but Serra is defending well. Serra escapes and gets back to his feet. Serra ends the round with kicks as Hughes goes for a takedown. The crowd is absolutely going nuts for this fight.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Serra
R2: Hughes lands a jab to start the round. Serra lands a nice hook but Hughes avoids the follow-up. Hughes lands a body kick then gets a takedown. Hughes controlling the action from the top with some ground and pound. Hughes starts to work the body with punches as Serra is unable to mount any offense. The action is starting to slow a bit until Hughes lands some elbows and moves into half guard. The action slows and the referee stands it up. Serra going for broke as the round comes to an end.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.
R3: Like in the previous two rounds, Hughes starts off with a jab. Serra looking to land his big shot but Hughes gets another takedown. Serra using the rubber guard. Hughes controlling the action from to as Serra switches back to guard. Hughes looking to pass but gets caught in a triangle choke that he escapes. The crowd gets restless as Hughes controls the action from the top. The fight is stood up and Serra presses forward. Serra motions for Hughes to hit him. They clinch up and Serra takes Hughes down. Serra working with away with punches but Hughes gets to his knees and the fight ends with Hughes going for a takedown.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes and the fight 29-28 for Hughes.
-Drew McFedries (7-5) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10)
R1: The fighters circle to start the round and then McFedries pounces, dropping Foupa-Pokam with a left hook. He follows up with punches but Foupa-Pokam is able to get back to his feet, where is tagged again with punches and falls back to the mat. McFedries follows up with more punches that forces the referee to stop the fight.
Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.
-Dan Miller (11-1) vs. Chael Sonnen (21-10-1)
R1: Miller comes out aggressive on the feet, Sonnen goes for a takedown and gets caught in a tight guillotine choke. He is able to escape after some tense moments and drops a couple shots on Miller. Sonnen starting to work some solid ground and pound. Miller goes for a leg but Sonnen is defending well. He escapes and gets side mount, where he drops some elbows on Miller. Miller retains half guard then guard as Sonnen drops punches. Sonnen stands up and drops some solid shots on Miller. Sonnen continues to work from top with solid shots as the round comes to a close.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.
R2: Miller lands a straight to start the round, which forces Sonnen to go for a takedown that Miller defends. Miller lands some more shots that makes Sonnen clinch up. Sonnen picks Miller up and slams him but is caught in a guillotine choke that he is able to escape. He starts his ground and pound attack once again. He lands some hard shots that seem to bother Miller. Sonnen continues the attack but Miller goes for an armbar that Sonnen is able to escape. Sonnen starts to slow down a bit but is still controlling the action from the top. Sonnen ends the round on top of Miller.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.
R3: Miller getting the better of the stand-up as he lands a nice combination that hurts Sonnen. Sonnen then goes for and gets a takedown. Sonnen controlling the action from top but not doing too much. Not much action as the crowd starts to get restless. Sonnen starts to get a bit busier but not by much. Miller is unable to do anything as Sonnen controls the action from the top. Miller looking for submissions but Sonnen is able to thwart his attacks. The fights ends with Sonnen controlling Miller from the top.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen and the fight 30-27 for Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Sean Sherk (33-3-1) vs. Frankie Edgar (9-1)
R1: Edgar starts with a head kick that Sherk blocks. They trade shots with neither landing too much. They both start to land a bit more but nothing too significant. Edgar lands a nice one-two combination that gets a reaction from the crowd. Sherk returns the favor as he starts to press the action. They trade combinations and Edgar goes for a takedown that Sherk defends. Sherk lands a low kick but is dropped by an Edgar straight punch. Edgar has a hold of Sherk's head who works for the takedown. They seperate and start striking again. They continue to trade at abrisk pace. Edgar lands a kick and Sherk lands a combination, they start to trade with both fighters landing as the round ends.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.
R2: Edgar lands a jab to start the round and Sherk fires back. Edgar landing some good shots as Sherk presses on. Edgar goes for a takedown but is tagged by Sherk with punches. They trade some vicious shots as both fighters lands. Edgar lands a head kick that gets a reaction from the crowd. The pace of the fight slows a bit as they trade shots. Sherk lands a nice combination that backs off Sherk. Edgar charges back with a combination of his own. Edgar seems to be getting the better of the stand-up. Sherk lands a vicious combination that hurts Edgar for a bit. Edgar goes for a takedown but then misses a head kick. A close round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.
R3: The two fighters starts where they left off. Sherk seems to be pressing the cation more as he lands some good strikes. Sherk gets a takedown but Edgar gets back to his feet shortly after. The pace of the fight starts to slow down as Sherk continues to press, while Edgar lands shots. Edgar looks the fresher of the two fighters. Sherk goes for a takedown but Edgar defends and misses a head kick. They are trading shots but Edgar is getting the better of it. Sherk lands a nice combination and Edgar a jab. Edgar still getting the better of the stand-up exchanges as he seems to have more in the tank. Sherk goes for a takedown but is caught in a guillotine choke that Edgar squeezes till the fight ends.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar and the fight 30-27 for Edgar.
Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Brock Larson (25-2) vs. Mike Pyle (17-5-1)
R1: The fighters start the fight cautious as they test the distance. Not much action until Larson gets a takedown. Pyle working for leg locks but Larson defends well and gets on top. He lands a couple of punches before Pyle grabs a leg. Some nice ground work as the fighters trade positions. Larson goes for a side choke and moves over to the side. He locks it on and Pyle taps out.
Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.
-Tim Hague (9-1) vs. Patrick Barry (4-0)
R1: Hague comes out aggressive, while Barry looks to keep the distance with kicks. Barrry lands a high kick then punches that stun Hague. He tries to finish the fight but Hague is able to get a takedown. Hague locks on a guillotine choke and Barry taps out.
Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.
-Phillipe Nover (7-1) vs. Kyle Bradley (13-6)
R1: The fighters trade shots with Bradley landing a one-two combination and Nover landing a solid body kick. Bradley gets the clinch and lands some knees that drop Nover, Bradley pounces with punches that knock Nover out but he comes to and rolls to his back as the fight is stopped. Referee Yves Lavinge is later seen telling Nover "I'm sorry that I stopped the fight".
Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.
-Andre Gusmao (5-1) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1)
R1: Soszynski pushes the action against the cage but Gusmao is able to escape. Soszynski lands a couple good shots then Gusmao responds with a combination that stuns Soszynski. Gusmao lands an errant kick and the action is halted for a bit. Action resumes with Soszynski pressing forward with punches. Gusmao working the kicks as Soszynski looks for an opening. Soszynski taggs Gusmao with a nice combination and is landing punches but Gusmao escapes danger. Soszynski presses the action and lands a combination that stuns Gusmao and knocks him out with a straight right.
Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17, R1.
-Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-3) vs. Brandon Wolff (7-3)
R1: Fighters start the fight rather cautious withe neither throwing a strike. Wolff lands a couple of punches as Yoshida pushes Wolff against the cage. Yoshida gets a guillotine choke and drops down to finish it. He has it while mounted on Wolff. Wolff taps but the referee doesn't see it and Yoshida secures it from his guard and Wolff taps again to end the fight.
Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.
-George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan
R1: Both fighters trade shots but nothing significant landing. Roop pressing the action with combinations, while Kaplan loads up on kicks. Kaplan lands a nice one-two combo and starts to find his range. Kaplan begins to press the action and Roop keeps him at bay with kicks. Roop lands a nice combination that bloodies Kaplan's nose. Kaplan responds with one of his own as the two fight at a brisk pace. Kaplan lands a couple of low kicks but Roop responds with a straight right. Kaplan gets a takedown but Roop gets back to his feet after some struggling. They trade shots as the round comes to an end.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.
R2: Roop lands some kicks to start the round as Kaplan circles around. kaplan goes for a takedown and Roop lands a knee but is soon on his back. After some inactivity, Kaplan gets up and lets Roop up. Roop using his reach well with kicks and punches. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage and gets a takedown. Roop gets back to his feet after a bit and Kaplan attacks with low kicks, while Roop lands punches. Kaplan goes for another takedown but Roop struggles before finally going down. Roop being the aggressor from the bottom with elbows as Kaplan works the body with punches. Close Round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.
R3: Kaplan working the low kicks as Roop looks to use his hands. Roop lands a good series of punches that force Kaplan to go for a takedown. Kaplan is able to work to mount but Roop gets him back into half guard then gets back to his feet. Roop then goes for a head kick and lands a straight punch. Roop looks a bit tired as he lands some solid knees. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage but Roop defends the takedown well. Kaplan finally gives up and the meet in the center of the cage. Kaplan looks winded as Roop controls the action with kicks. Kaplan gets the action along the cage again. He misses a big overhand right as Roop attacks with punches. They end the fight trading shots. Another close round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop and the fight 30-27 for Roop.
George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
Main Card Bouts:
-Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.
-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*
-Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.
-Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
Preliminary Card Bouts:
-Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.
-Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.
-Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.
-Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17.
-Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.
-George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
MMAWEEKLY
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R1: The fighter start out cautious like expected. They are both testing the distance and looking to find their range. Evans misses a low kick as Machida starts to stalk him. Neither fighter is committing to much until Machdia lands a punch. Evans misses with a hook as Machida stalks him. Machida lands a body kick and then a staright punch as Evans comes in. Evans seems to be having a hard time with Machida's karate stance. They clinch breifly only to seperate. Machida drops Evans with a punch and follows up but Evans survives and gets back to his feet. Machida goes for a head kcik as Evans circles around. The round ends with the fighters stalking one another.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Machida
R2: Evans starts the round with a step in his feet as Machida stalks him. A lot feinting between the fighters as they look for their openings. They clinch up for a bit but seperate quickly. Machida lands a low kick as he stalks Evans. Machida lands a combination and Evans returns fire but can't touch him. The fight slows done as they continue to stalk one another. Machida drops Evans with an uppercut and pounces on him. Evans surviving the barrage of punches and gets back to his feet. Machida landing at will on the feet and Evans is trying to stay alive. Machida lands a huge left hook and knocks Evans out cold.
Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.
-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*
R1: Hughes the aggressor with some jabs as Serra circles around looking to find his range. Serra drops Hughes with a right hook but can't finish him. Hughes is still hurt and Serra lets him back to his feet. Serra tags him with more hooks and drops him again. Hughes struggles to survive by getting a takedown but eventually recovers and clinches along the fence. They seperate and the action slows a bit. Hughes charges in and gets a clinch then slams Serra to the ground. He gets Serra's back and goes for the choke but Serra is defending well. Serra escapes and gets back to his feet. Serra ends the round with kicks as Hughes goes for a takedown. The crowd is absolutely going nuts for this fight.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Serra
R2: Hughes lands a jab to start the round. Serra lands a nice hook but Hughes avoids the follow-up. Hughes lands a body kick then gets a takedown. Hughes controlling the action from the top with some ground and pound. Hughes starts to work the body with punches as Serra is unable to mount any offense. The action is starting to slow a bit until Hughes lands some elbows and moves into half guard. The action slows and the referee stands it up. Serra going for broke as the round comes to an end.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes.
R3: Like in the previous two rounds, Hughes starts off with a jab. Serra looking to land his big shot but Hughes gets another takedown. Serra using the rubber guard. Hughes controlling the action from to as Serra switches back to guard. Hughes looking to pass but gets caught in a triangle choke that he escapes. The crowd gets restless as Hughes controls the action from the top. The fight is stood up and Serra presses forward. Serra motions for Hughes to hit him. They clinch up and Serra takes Hughes down. Serra working with away with punches but Hughes gets to his knees and the fight ends with Hughes going for a takedown.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Hughes and the fight 29-28 for Hughes.
-Drew McFedries (7-5) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10)
R1: The fighters circle to start the round and then McFedries pounces, dropping Foupa-Pokam with a left hook. He follows up with punches but Foupa-Pokam is able to get back to his feet, where is tagged again with punches and falls back to the mat. McFedries follows up with more punches that forces the referee to stop the fight.
Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.
-Dan Miller (11-1) vs. Chael Sonnen (21-10-1)
R1: Miller comes out aggressive on the feet, Sonnen goes for a takedown and gets caught in a tight guillotine choke. He is able to escape after some tense moments and drops a couple shots on Miller. Sonnen starting to work some solid ground and pound. Miller goes for a leg but Sonnen is defending well. He escapes and gets side mount, where he drops some elbows on Miller. Miller retains half guard then guard as Sonnen drops punches. Sonnen stands up and drops some solid shots on Miller. Sonnen continues to work from top with solid shots as the round comes to a close.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.
R2: Miller lands a straight to start the round, which forces Sonnen to go for a takedown that Miller defends. Miller lands some more shots that makes Sonnen clinch up. Sonnen picks Miller up and slams him but is caught in a guillotine choke that he is able to escape. He starts his ground and pound attack once again. He lands some hard shots that seem to bother Miller. Sonnen continues the attack but Miller goes for an armbar that Sonnen is able to escape. Sonnen starts to slow down a bit but is still controlling the action from the top. Sonnen ends the round on top of Miller.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen.
R3: Miller getting the better of the stand-up as he lands a nice combination that hurts Sonnen. Sonnen then goes for and gets a takedown. Sonnen controlling the action from top but not doing too much. Not much action as the crowd starts to get restless. Sonnen starts to get a bit busier but not by much. Miller is unable to do anything as Sonnen controls the action from the top. Miller looking for submissions but Sonnen is able to thwart his attacks. The fights ends with Sonnen controlling Miller from the top.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Sonnen and the fight 30-27 for Sonnen.
Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Sean Sherk (33-3-1) vs. Frankie Edgar (9-1)
R1: Edgar starts with a head kick that Sherk blocks. They trade shots with neither landing too much. They both start to land a bit more but nothing too significant. Edgar lands a nice one-two combination that gets a reaction from the crowd. Sherk returns the favor as he starts to press the action. They trade combinations and Edgar goes for a takedown that Sherk defends. Sherk lands a low kick but is dropped by an Edgar straight punch. Edgar has a hold of Sherk's head who works for the takedown. They seperate and start striking again. They continue to trade at abrisk pace. Edgar lands a kick and Sherk lands a combination, they start to trade with both fighters landing as the round ends.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.
R2: Edgar lands a jab to start the round and Sherk fires back. Edgar landing some good shots as Sherk presses on. Edgar goes for a takedown but is tagged by Sherk with punches. They trade some vicious shots as both fighters lands. Edgar lands a head kick that gets a reaction from the crowd. The pace of the fight slows a bit as they trade shots. Sherk lands a nice combination that backs off Sherk. Edgar charges back with a combination of his own. Edgar seems to be getting the better of the stand-up. Sherk lands a vicious combination that hurts Edgar for a bit. Edgar goes for a takedown but then misses a head kick. A close round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar.
R3: The two fighters starts where they left off. Sherk seems to be pressing the cation more as he lands some good strikes. Sherk gets a takedown but Edgar gets back to his feet shortly after. The pace of the fight starts to slow down as Sherk continues to press, while Edgar lands shots. Edgar looks the fresher of the two fighters. Sherk goes for a takedown but Edgar defends and misses a head kick. They are trading shots but Edgar is getting the better of it. Sherk lands a nice combination and Edgar a jab. Edgar still getting the better of the stand-up exchanges as he seems to have more in the tank. Sherk goes for a takedown but is caught in a guillotine choke that Edgar squeezes till the fight ends.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Edgar and the fight 30-27 for Edgar.
Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Brock Larson (25-2) vs. Mike Pyle (17-5-1)
R1: The fighters start the fight cautious as they test the distance. Not much action until Larson gets a takedown. Pyle working for leg locks but Larson defends well and gets on top. He lands a couple of punches before Pyle grabs a leg. Some nice ground work as the fighters trade positions. Larson goes for a side choke and moves over to the side. He locks it on and Pyle taps out.
Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.
-Tim Hague (9-1) vs. Patrick Barry (4-0)
R1: Hague comes out aggressive, while Barry looks to keep the distance with kicks. Barrry lands a high kick then punches that stun Hague. He tries to finish the fight but Hague is able to get a takedown. Hague locks on a guillotine choke and Barry taps out.
Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.
-Phillipe Nover (7-1) vs. Kyle Bradley (13-6)
R1: The fighters trade shots with Bradley landing a one-two combination and Nover landing a solid body kick. Bradley gets the clinch and lands some knees that drop Nover, Bradley pounces with punches that knock Nover out but he comes to and rolls to his back as the fight is stopped. Referee Yves Lavinge is later seen telling Nover "I'm sorry that I stopped the fight".
Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.
-Andre Gusmao (5-1) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (17-8-1)
R1: Soszynski pushes the action against the cage but Gusmao is able to escape. Soszynski lands a couple good shots then Gusmao responds with a combination that stuns Soszynski. Gusmao lands an errant kick and the action is halted for a bit. Action resumes with Soszynski pressing forward with punches. Gusmao working the kicks as Soszynski looks for an opening. Soszynski taggs Gusmao with a nice combination and is landing punches but Gusmao escapes danger. Soszynski presses the action and lands a combination that stuns Gusmao and knocks him out with a straight right.
Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17, R1.
-Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-3) vs. Brandon Wolff (7-3)
R1: Fighters start the fight rather cautious withe neither throwing a strike. Wolff lands a couple of punches as Yoshida pushes Wolff against the cage. Yoshida gets a guillotine choke and drops down to finish it. He has it while mounted on Wolff. Wolff taps but the referee doesn't see it and Yoshida secures it from his guard and Wolff taps again to end the fight.
Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.
-George Roop vs. Dave Kaplan
R1: Both fighters trade shots but nothing significant landing. Roop pressing the action with combinations, while Kaplan loads up on kicks. Kaplan lands a nice one-two combo and starts to find his range. Kaplan begins to press the action and Roop keeps him at bay with kicks. Roop lands a nice combination that bloodies Kaplan's nose. Kaplan responds with one of his own as the two fight at a brisk pace. Kaplan lands a couple of low kicks but Roop responds with a straight right. Kaplan gets a takedown but Roop gets back to his feet after some struggling. They trade shots as the round comes to an end.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.
R2: Roop lands some kicks to start the round as Kaplan circles around. kaplan goes for a takedown and Roop lands a knee but is soon on his back. After some inactivity, Kaplan gets up and lets Roop up. Roop using his reach well with kicks and punches. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage and gets a takedown. Roop gets back to his feet after a bit and Kaplan attacks with low kicks, while Roop lands punches. Kaplan goes for another takedown but Roop struggles before finally going down. Roop being the aggressor from the bottom with elbows as Kaplan works the body with punches. Close Round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop.
R3: Kaplan working the low kicks as Roop looks to use his hands. Roop lands a good series of punches that force Kaplan to go for a takedown. Kaplan is able to work to mount but Roop gets him back into half guard then gets back to his feet. Roop then goes for a head kick and lands a straight punch. Roop looks a bit tired as he lands some solid knees. Kaplan pushes Roop against the cage but Roop defends the takedown well. Kaplan finally gives up and the meet in the center of the cage. Kaplan looks winded as Roop controls the action with kicks. Kaplan gets the action along the cage again. He misses a big overhand right as Roop attacks with punches. They end the fight trading shots. Another close round.
MMAWeekly scores the round 10-9 for Roop and the fight 30-27 for Roop.
George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27).
Main Card Bouts:
-Lyoto Machida def. Rashad Evans by KO at 3:57, R2.
-Matt Hughes (42-7; #6 Welterweight in the World)* vs. Matt Serra (11-5; #7 Welterweight in the World)*
-Drew McFedries def. Xavier Foupa-Pokam by TKO at 0:37, R1.
-Chael Sonnen def. Dan Miller by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
-Frank Edgar def. Sean Sherk by Unanimous Decision (30-27 on all three cards).
Preliminary Card Bouts:
-Brock Larson def. Mike Pyle by Submission (Side Choke) at 3:06, R1.
-Tim Hague def. Patrick Barry by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:42, R1.
-Kyle Bradley def. Phillipe Nover by TKO at 1:03, R1.
-Krzystof Soszynski def. Andre Gusmao by KO at 3:17.
-Yoshiyuki Yoshida def. Brandon Wolff by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:24, R1.
-George Roop def. Dave Kaplan by Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
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SCRAPPLER FEST TOURNAMENT RESULTS
Kids Gi
WHITE BELT
6-7 Yrs.
1st Keawe Alapai-Pimental (Longman)
2nd Kayson Lopez (Longman)
8-9 Yrs.
1st Makai Sheldon McGihon (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Robert Brown III (Longman Kawaihau)
3rd Moses Mau-Espirito (Longman East)
10-11 Yrs.
1st Ezekiel Bagano (Longman)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Kaimana Carney (Longman)
2nd Neno Costales (Longman)
3rd Alexis Brede (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
14-15 Yrs.
1st Matthew Heringer (Longman)
2nd Akyuna Akish (Kamole)
3rd Grey Tsosie (Kamole)
16-17 Yrs.
1st Daniel Quinlon (Kamole)
2nd Tyler Tangeldor (Kamole)
3rd Cole Burton (Kamole)
YELLOW BELT
11 & Under
1st Blake Cremer (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Larson Aiwohi (Longman Kawaihau)
3rd Kaeokai Lizama (Longman Kawaihau)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Lathan Aiwohi (Longman)
YELLOW/ORANGE BELT
14-15 Yrs.
1st Bobby Castle (Longman)
2nd Elijah Koga (Kamole)
3rd Braden Beck (Longman)
YELLOW/BLUE BELT
16-17 Yrs.
1st Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Kobe Yasutake (KTI- Relson Gracie)
3rd Kevin Killerman (Kamole)
Womens Gi
WHITE BELT
125 & Under
1st Kate Fox (Longman)
2nd Kalia Hara (Longman)
3rd Karleigh Diaz (Kamole)
Open
1st Alexis Carvalho (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dita Montgomery (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Mens Gi
WHITE BELT
131 & Under
1st Arjay Balisacan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Micah Bermoy (Longman)
3rd Rory Greg Morris (Longman)
132-145
1st Justes Marins (Longman)
2nd Kainoa Kahaunaele (Kamole)
3rd Daniel Dang (Longman)
146-159
1st Raymond Miller (KG)
2nd Nate Beralas (HK-Relson Gracie)
3rd Larry Harper (KTI-Relson Gracie)
160-173
1st Treston Salocio (Longman)
2nd Mason Moriguchi (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Roy Simao (Longman)
174-187
1st Christian Kennedy (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
2nd David Cambell (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Art Diaz (Kamole)
188-201
1st Allen Mundon (Longman)
2nd Angel Santiago (Kamole)
3rd Joel D'Aitilio (Kamole)
202-215
1st Antonio Griado (Hawaii Kai-Relson Gracie)
2nd Chala Vidinah Jr. (Longman)
3rd Scott Brede (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
216 & Above
1st Mahi Naihe (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Christopher Taylor (Brazilian Freestyle)
3rd Gio Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
BLUE BELT
131 & Under
1st Glen Dagiou (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dj Cremer (KTI-Relson Gracie)
132-145
1st Matt Park (Kamole)
2nd Noa Mau-Espirito (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Glen Dagiou (KTI-Relson Gracie)
146-159
1st Dane McBride (Longman)
2nd Raymon Rebero (Longman)
3rd Shane Kahananui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
160-173
1st Kaula Watson (Longman)
2nd Bubby Greff (Longman)
3rd Nainoa Andrade (KTI-Relson Gracie)
174-187
1st Graham Kovarik (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Damon Dawson (Kamole)
3rd Kaili Panui (Longman)
188-201
1st Lebeau Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Kien Averio (Nova Uniao)
3rd Catlin Strom (Longman)
202-215
1st Grant Manning (Longman)
2nd Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
216 & Above
1st Steve Alvarez (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Shea Montgomery (KTI-Relson Gracie)
PURPLE BELT
159 & Under
1st Desmen Thain (Relson Papakolea)
2nd James Dolan (Central Oahu)
3rd Troy Takara (Central Oahu)
202 & Above
1st Desi Miner (Central Oahu)
2nd Russell Morita (KG)
3rd Nick Pananganan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Kids No-Gi
6-7 Yrs.
1st Keawe Alapai-Pimental (Longman)
8-9 Yrs.
1st Robert Brown III (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Moses Mau-Espirito (Longman East)
10-11Yrs.
1st Blake Cremer (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Bryson Yoro (Longman Kawaihau)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Kaimana Carney (Longman)
2nd Blake Cremer (Longman)
14-15 Yrs.
1st Bobby Castle (Longman)
2nd Grey Tsosie (Kamole)
3rd Akyuna Akish (Kamole)
16-17 Yrs.
1st Daniel Quinlon (Kamole)
2nd Michael Beltran (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Peter Morillo (Maui Grappling)
16-17 Yrs. Advanced
1st Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Kobe Yasutake (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Noa Mau-Espirito (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Mens No-Gi
BEGINNER
131 & Under
1st Arjay Balisacan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dj Cremer (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Chris Park (Kamole)
132-145
1st Matthew Park (Kamole)
2nd Eric Pereza (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Jaron Sit (Longman)
160-173
1st Treston Salocio (Longman)
2nd Mason Moriguchi (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Jon Fatu (KTI-Relson Gracie)
174-187
1st Daniel Quinlen (Kamole)
2nd Christian Kennedy (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
3rd David Cambell (KTI-Relson Gracie)
188-201
1st Allen Mundon (Longman)
2nd Angel Santiago (Kamole)
3rd Romell Balbin (KTI-Relson Gracie)
216 & Above
1st Gio Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Grant Manning (Longman)
3rd Marcus Punzal (Longman)
PRO
159 & Under
1st Luke Hacker (Longman)
2nd Austin Rapozo (Kamole)
3rd Nick Arnold (Longman)
160-180
1st Ben Salapanio (Maui Grappling)
2nd Braden Rapozo (Kamole)
3rd Jay Jenson (KTI-Relson Gracie)
181-201
1st Lebeau Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Sy Kageyama (Brazilian Freestyle)
3rd Damon Dawson (Kamole)
202 & Above
1st Russell Morita (KG)
2nd Desi Miner (Central Oahu)
3rd Nick Pananganan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Team Standings
1st Longman 106 pts.
2nd Relson Gracie 74 pts.
3rd Kamole 45 pts.
Gracie Humita 18 pts.
Redemtion Fighters 13 pts.
Brazilian Freestyle
Maui Grappling 18 pts.
Nova Uniao 2 pts.
Rk Sports
Kihei Kompound
Freelance 0 pts.
Thanks to Pono for holding this great event and for sending the results.
WHITE BELT
6-7 Yrs.
1st Keawe Alapai-Pimental (Longman)
2nd Kayson Lopez (Longman)
8-9 Yrs.
1st Makai Sheldon McGihon (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Robert Brown III (Longman Kawaihau)
3rd Moses Mau-Espirito (Longman East)
10-11 Yrs.
1st Ezekiel Bagano (Longman)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Kaimana Carney (Longman)
2nd Neno Costales (Longman)
3rd Alexis Brede (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
14-15 Yrs.
1st Matthew Heringer (Longman)
2nd Akyuna Akish (Kamole)
3rd Grey Tsosie (Kamole)
16-17 Yrs.
1st Daniel Quinlon (Kamole)
2nd Tyler Tangeldor (Kamole)
3rd Cole Burton (Kamole)
YELLOW BELT
11 & Under
1st Blake Cremer (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Larson Aiwohi (Longman Kawaihau)
3rd Kaeokai Lizama (Longman Kawaihau)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Lathan Aiwohi (Longman)
YELLOW/ORANGE BELT
14-15 Yrs.
1st Bobby Castle (Longman)
2nd Elijah Koga (Kamole)
3rd Braden Beck (Longman)
YELLOW/BLUE BELT
16-17 Yrs.
1st Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Kobe Yasutake (KTI- Relson Gracie)
3rd Kevin Killerman (Kamole)
Womens Gi
WHITE BELT
125 & Under
1st Kate Fox (Longman)
2nd Kalia Hara (Longman)
3rd Karleigh Diaz (Kamole)
Open
1st Alexis Carvalho (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dita Montgomery (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Mens Gi
WHITE BELT
131 & Under
1st Arjay Balisacan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Micah Bermoy (Longman)
3rd Rory Greg Morris (Longman)
132-145
1st Justes Marins (Longman)
2nd Kainoa Kahaunaele (Kamole)
3rd Daniel Dang (Longman)
146-159
1st Raymond Miller (KG)
2nd Nate Beralas (HK-Relson Gracie)
3rd Larry Harper (KTI-Relson Gracie)
160-173
1st Treston Salocio (Longman)
2nd Mason Moriguchi (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Roy Simao (Longman)
174-187
1st Christian Kennedy (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
2nd David Cambell (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Art Diaz (Kamole)
188-201
1st Allen Mundon (Longman)
2nd Angel Santiago (Kamole)
3rd Joel D'Aitilio (Kamole)
202-215
1st Antonio Griado (Hawaii Kai-Relson Gracie)
2nd Chala Vidinah Jr. (Longman)
3rd Scott Brede (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
216 & Above
1st Mahi Naihe (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Christopher Taylor (Brazilian Freestyle)
3rd Gio Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
BLUE BELT
131 & Under
1st Glen Dagiou (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dj Cremer (KTI-Relson Gracie)
132-145
1st Matt Park (Kamole)
2nd Noa Mau-Espirito (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Glen Dagiou (KTI-Relson Gracie)
146-159
1st Dane McBride (Longman)
2nd Raymon Rebero (Longman)
3rd Shane Kahananui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
160-173
1st Kaula Watson (Longman)
2nd Bubby Greff (Longman)
3rd Nainoa Andrade (KTI-Relson Gracie)
174-187
1st Graham Kovarik (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Damon Dawson (Kamole)
3rd Kaili Panui (Longman)
188-201
1st Lebeau Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Kien Averio (Nova Uniao)
3rd Catlin Strom (Longman)
202-215
1st Grant Manning (Longman)
2nd Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
216 & Above
1st Steve Alvarez (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Shea Montgomery (KTI-Relson Gracie)
PURPLE BELT
159 & Under
1st Desmen Thain (Relson Papakolea)
2nd James Dolan (Central Oahu)
3rd Troy Takara (Central Oahu)
202 & Above
1st Desi Miner (Central Oahu)
2nd Russell Morita (KG)
3rd Nick Pananganan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Kids No-Gi
6-7 Yrs.
1st Keawe Alapai-Pimental (Longman)
8-9 Yrs.
1st Robert Brown III (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Moses Mau-Espirito (Longman East)
10-11Yrs.
1st Blake Cremer (Longman Kawaihau)
2nd Bryson Yoro (Longman Kawaihau)
12-13 Yrs.
1st Kaimana Carney (Longman)
2nd Blake Cremer (Longman)
14-15 Yrs.
1st Bobby Castle (Longman)
2nd Grey Tsosie (Kamole)
3rd Akyuna Akish (Kamole)
16-17 Yrs.
1st Daniel Quinlon (Kamole)
2nd Michael Beltran (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Peter Morillo (Maui Grappling)
16-17 Yrs. Advanced
1st Chris Kaui (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Kobe Yasutake (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Noa Mau-Espirito (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Mens No-Gi
BEGINNER
131 & Under
1st Arjay Balisacan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
2nd Dj Cremer (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Chris Park (Kamole)
132-145
1st Matthew Park (Kamole)
2nd Eric Pereza (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Jaron Sit (Longman)
160-173
1st Treston Salocio (Longman)
2nd Mason Moriguchi (KTI-Relson Gracie)
3rd Jon Fatu (KTI-Relson Gracie)
174-187
1st Daniel Quinlen (Kamole)
2nd Christian Kennedy (Mad Tiger-Gracie Humita)
3rd David Cambell (KTI-Relson Gracie)
188-201
1st Allen Mundon (Longman)
2nd Angel Santiago (Kamole)
3rd Romell Balbin (KTI-Relson Gracie)
216 & Above
1st Gio Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Grant Manning (Longman)
3rd Marcus Punzal (Longman)
PRO
159 & Under
1st Luke Hacker (Longman)
2nd Austin Rapozo (Kamole)
3rd Nick Arnold (Longman)
160-180
1st Ben Salapanio (Maui Grappling)
2nd Braden Rapozo (Kamole)
3rd Jay Jenson (KTI-Relson Gracie)
181-201
1st Lebeau Lagmay (Redemtion Fighters)
2nd Sy Kageyama (Brazilian Freestyle)
3rd Damon Dawson (Kamole)
202 & Above
1st Russell Morita (KG)
2nd Desi Miner (Central Oahu)
3rd Nick Pananganan (KTI-Relson Gracie)
Team Standings
1st Longman 106 pts.
2nd Relson Gracie 74 pts.
3rd Kamole 45 pts.
Gracie Humita 18 pts.
Redemtion Fighters 13 pts.
Brazilian Freestyle
Maui Grappling 18 pts.
Nova Uniao 2 pts.
Rk Sports
Kihei Kompound
Freelance 0 pts.
Thanks to Pono for holding this great event and for sending the results.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Bandwagon alert! LeBron hits awesome game winning shot!
Anyone who has been on this site for a while knows that I love the Spurs. They are out so my back-up team is the CAVS (it is acceptable for Hawaii residents to bandwagon).
Pure awesomeness!
Pure awesomeness!
AINA COMMENTS ON CONTROVERSIAL STOPPAGE
8764-MikeAina_GHonda.jpg
MMAWeekly.com caught up with Mike Aina on Thursday afternoon to get his thoughts on the controversial stoppage of his fight with Billy Evangelista at Strikeforce Challenger Series last Friday. Aina spoke from Hawaii, where he’s back at his job on the summit of Mauna Kea as a welder/fabricator for the W.M. Keck Observatory.
Aina says he went to the emergency room following the bout and was released at 2 a.m. the next day, after which he and his wife drove to San Francisco to fly back to Hawaii.
MMAWeekly: Can you explain your side of the story in terms of what happened with the fight and its aftermath?
Aina: I really don’t remember much of what happened. I kind of blacked out for a little bit. When I got up—I remember I was lying on the mat—I had a shooting pain going up into my ear through my jaw. It was really painful. I was lost in the moment, so I’m not really sure what went down. I didn’t even see the video on it yet. I just feel bad for him and for me. It’s not the way we wanted it to end. It’s just disappointing.
MMAWeekly: Has a doctor checked your jaw since the fight and if so what’s the prognosis?
Aina: I just went to the ER after the fight. The doctor said (my jaw) probably popped out. I did an MRI, so nothing’s cracked, nothing’s fractured, which is good news. But it’s just dealing with pain right now, taking painkillers and trying to get through. I should be okay though.
MMAWeekly: The picture of the fight’s end shows the knee going under your armpit. Do you remember anything about the fight’s ending?
Aina: I was getting up. I knew I was going to have to take some shots in order to get back to my feet, which I didn’t mind. And as soon as I get my hips out, then he backed off, and I was like, the smart thing to do right now is to leave my knee on the mat and my hand on the mat and wait till he punches again. As soon he punches, eat that shot, get back on the feet, and then we can get the game back to stand-up. I remember he was clinching my head and started to load up on the knee and obviously, in the pictures, I tried to duck my head. But I really got rocked; I really don’t remember much of what happened after that. The next thing I remember was I was lying on the mat, that weird shooting pain going up into my ear.
MMAWeekly: Have you talked to Strikeforce about the incident?
Aina: No one’s actually contacted me. It would be nice, but I’m not sure they have any issue or concern with how I’m doing. Obviously, we both want a rematch. It was a good fight going into that second round. I’d like to do it again. I’m sure he feels unfulfilled as well, and so do I, but I’m not sure where we stand right now.
MMAWeekly: Do you feel referee Herb Dean made the right call?
Aina: I’ve gotta watch the video. I haven’t even gotten a chance to watch the video. But there’s nothing we can do about it now. I’m just really, really disappointed about the whole thing.
MMAWeekly: When do you anticipate going back to the gym?
Aina: I want to go back soon. I can’t really do too much right now, but obviously I want to stay in shape, get some cardio in, and once I feel better, I’m hoping they’ll set up a rematch.
MMAweekly
Destiny returns with Lorenzo Moreno
Lorenzo Moreno will headline this event. Kauai fighter Kyle Sukehira had a match with Lorenzo on Kauai and was able to win via submission. I always am interested in seeing what Kauai opponents are doing and how they fair.
Main Event
-145lbs
Tim "Majik" Moon (freelance) vs Lorenzo Moreno (Bulls Pen)
Semi-Main
-145lbs
Ricky "Real Deal" Wallace vs Albert "Alwayz Bad" Manners (Hilo)
-145lbs
Chad Pavao (Hakulia) vs Toby "2quick" Misech (LAVA MMA, Hilo)
-135lbs
Keola Silva (HMC) vs Mark Tajon (Bulls Pen)
-145lbs
Justin Wong (HMC) vs Nui "Soljah Boy" Wheeler (Team Souljahz)
-155lbs
Shaison Laupola (Gods Army) vs Nathan Haring (Team C.A.T.)
-145lbs
Richard Barnard (Gods Army) vs Miles Hayes (Team M.A.C.P.)
-205lbs
Jon Wright (Kurrupt Ambitionz) vs Nathan Patopoff (Team C.A.T.)
-135lbs
Zachary Close (freelance) vs Steve Albanese (Team M.A.C.P.)
-145lbs
Makenzie Young (Kurrupt Ambitionz) vs Charles Matias (freelance)
-155lbs
Ikaika Cabebe (freelance) vs Trey Corrales (Team C.A.T.)
-145lbs
Hizson Linkee (Gods Army) vs Layton Pacheco (freelance)
-185lbs
Chris Santiago (Gods Army) vs Charles Hazelwood (Combat 50)
-140lbs (female amateur bout)
Lii Furuta vs T.J. Rodrigues (Bazuko MMA)
Westide fight gear
Team MMAD’s Brandon Wolff looks to destroy Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 98
Brandon Wolff will take on Yoshiyuki Yoshida tomorrow at UFC 98 in Las Vegas. Both fighters are coming off brutal losses last December at the “UFC Fight For The Troops” event in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Yoshida was knocked unconcious on his feet then dropped again by Josh Koscheck, while Wolff was left with a huge swell on his head as the recipient of Ben Saunders’ devastating knees from the clinch.
Wolff (7-3) of Kailua’s Team MMAD is a one-time EliteXC competitor and holds a win over two-time UFC competitor Chad Reiner. Yoshida (10-3) had a nine-fight win streak before his loss to Koscheck.
CLICK HERE to read “Wolff hoping to feast on UFC foe” by Honolulu Advertiser’s Dayton Morinaga.
Full Card for UFC 98:
Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204)
Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171)
Dan Miller (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (186)
Frank Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156)
Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Drew McFedries (185)
Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle (weighing in later)
Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263)
Kyle Bradley (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (156)
Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
Brandon Wolff (170) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171)
David Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154)
Uproarhawaii
Wolff (7-3) of Kailua’s Team MMAD is a one-time EliteXC competitor and holds a win over two-time UFC competitor Chad Reiner. Yoshida (10-3) had a nine-fight win streak before his loss to Koscheck.
CLICK HERE to read “Wolff hoping to feast on UFC foe” by Honolulu Advertiser’s Dayton Morinaga.
Full Card for UFC 98:
Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204)
Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171)
Dan Miller (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (186)
Frank Edgar (155) vs. Sean Sherk (156)
Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186) vs. Drew McFedries (185)
Brock Larson (171) vs. Mike Pyle (weighing in later)
Pat Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263)
Kyle Bradley (156) vs. Phillipe Nover (156)
Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
Brandon Wolff (170) vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171)
David Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154)
Uproarhawaii
Lyoto in the New York Times
Normally I don't pay any attention to that liberal rag but this is Lyoto!
When Lyoto Machida faces Rashad Evans for the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight title on Saturday, his greatest asset may be something long scoffed at in American mixed martial arts: a black belt in karate.
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Gary M. Prior/Getty Images
In two years in the U.F.C., Lyoto Machida, top, has yet to lose a round, let alone a fight.
Machida, a native of Brazil and a son of a Japanese karate instructor, is not the first karate expert to vie for a mixed martial arts title. Yet more than anyone else in the sport’s short history, he has effectively used karate techniques — along with those of other disciplines — to confuse, avoid and dominate his opponents. In two years in the U.F.C., he has yet to lose a round, let alone a fight.
That success, martial arts experts said, is refurbishing karate’s long-tarnished reputation among U.F.C. fans and reinventing American notions of what it means to be a mixed martial artist.
“If you asked M.M.A. fans five years ago what they thought of karate, they would probably snicker,” said Jake Rossen, the editor of Real Fighter Magazine, a mixed martial arts publication. “If you ask 10 fans today, they would have to stop and think about it.”
Before 1993, when the first U.F.C. tournament introduced mixed martial arts to Americans, karate was largely considered a highly effective form of self-defense, martial arts experts said.
At the time, most Americans equated martial arts with the high-flying choreographed moves seen in kung fu films, which became popular in the 1970s.
“There was this idea of Asian people who could strike you down with one blow,” said Dayn DeRose, a longtime mixed martial artist and the owner of South Mountain Martial Arts in Madison, N.J. “We didn’t realize that was legend and myth.”
Daniel Schulmann, the owner of Tiger Schulmann’s Mixed Martial Arts, a chain of martial arts schools, recalled that “people were just mesmerized with Bruce Lee.”
“I don’t think they understood the difference between karate and kung fu and tae kwon do,” Schulmann said.
During the kung fu craze of the 1970s, karate schools popped up across the country. And in the 1980s, the popularity of movies like “The Karate Kid” and actors like Chuck Norris brought karate to the mainstream.
“I can remember being in elementary school and people saying, ‘Jean-Claude Van Damme can beat up anyone in the world,’ ” said Jordan Breen, a writer and radio host for Sherdog.com, a mixed martial arts Web site.
As karate’s popularity grew, instructors began marketing their schools to parents of young children, emphasizing karate’s self-confidence building and disciplinary aspects.
“That’s where the money is,” said Adrian Serrano, a mixed martial artist and instructor in Milwaukee.
Yet not long after karate’s commercial popularity skyrocketed, its reputation among serious martial artists was dealt a big blow. In 1993, at the first U.F.C., Royce Gracie, the tournament’s smallest competitor and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, cruised through the competition by quickly wrestling his opponents to the ground and choking them until they quit.
With little to offer in terms of ground fighting technique, karate practitioners — along with other martial artists who had little grappling experience — lost handily. And they continued to do so in later tournaments.
In response, a backlash against non-grappling martial arts ensued among mixed martial artists in the United States; karate became stigmatized as ineffective and impractical.
“There were so many karate instructors doing a disservice to their students,” said John Hackleman, a black belt in karate and the trainer of the former U.F.C. light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. “They were teaching moves that weren’t going to work in the streets.”
Elsewhere around the world, particularly in Europe and Asia, karate maintained a stronger reputation among fighters, in part because it was less commercialized.
“Every block in America has an 8-year-old black belt in karate,” said Serrano, the fighter in Wisconsin.
“A green belt in Europe is the same as a fourth-degree black belt here,” said Bas Rutten, a Dutch-born black belt and a former U.F.C. heavyweight champion.
Today in the United States, most professional mixed martial artists train in three disciplines: Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Thai kickboxing and wrestling.
“There’s been a great homogenization of mixed martial arts,” said Breen, of Sherdog.com. “The reason that Lyoto Machida is different is he’s subverting this idea.”
Of course, as Machida himself points out, he is no mere karate stylist; he has also studied numerous martial arts, including jiu-jitsu and sumo wrestling. And he has incorporated them into his traditional karate style.
“This guy is a well-rounded athlete,” said Dana White, the U.F.C. president. “One style doesn’t work. You have to have a little bit of everything.”
Still, many fight analysts and martial artists stress that it is Machida’s unorthodox punches, kicks and footwork that make it so difficult for today’s mixed martial artists to figure him out.
“It’s not something that M.M.A. camps have trained for,” said Rossen, the Real Fighter Magazine editor.
Whether Machida wins or loses on Saturday, some martial arts instructors and analysts said that he had already forced fighters to take a second look at karate and broadened the definition of a professional mixed martial artist.
“Karate used to be a very tough sport,” said Georges St.-Pierre, a black belt in karate and the current U.F.C. welterweight champion. “Hopefully, the standard will be rising up.”
NYtimes
Friday, May 22, 2009
Overeem hospitalises 5 bouncers, nearly loses hand
In a recent blog posting, Boon told how Overeem (29-11-0-1) had suffered a hand infection following a nightclub brawl earlier this month. According to Boon, Alistair and his brother Valentine (26-22-0) - both heavyweights - had been involved in an altercation that left five security staff needing hospital treatment.
"Alistair attended some famous dance club with his brother Valentine. Went to the toilet and did not have coins to pay the toilet woman. Alistair told her he would pay a euro when he came back, because he did not have change. Then the security guard who was near by started to get involved," he wrote.
"Brother Valentine saw the incident and also started asking what the problem was. They offered to pay, but by then 6 security guards came over surrounding them. The Overeem brothers were asked to leave, Alistair was already outside when he saw his brother Valentine fighting.
"Valentine still was discussing the situation on his way outside with one of the security guards hit Valentine in the face with a flash light. Three security guards dived onto Valentine and brother Alistair wanted to go back inside to help his brother. This resulted in five security guards in the hospital."
Boon went on the reveal that one of the security guards involved in the incident was fired afterwards, while a second tried to lay the blame on the Overeem brothers.
In the meantime, Alistair Overeem was complaining of a painful cut on his hand and went to hospital at the urging of Golden Glory team mates.
"It was only because of the management pushing him to go to the hospital that he saved his hand. When he finally got his injury checked, he was advised to stay a few days in the hospital. They told him if he would have come any later he would have lost his hand," said Boon.
Neither Strikeforce nor Golden Glory have said when Overeem can now be expected to defend his title and a match is unlikely to take place before the end of the summer.
http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=2442&offset=0
"Alistair attended some famous dance club with his brother Valentine. Went to the toilet and did not have coins to pay the toilet woman. Alistair told her he would pay a euro when he came back, because he did not have change. Then the security guard who was near by started to get involved," he wrote.
"Brother Valentine saw the incident and also started asking what the problem was. They offered to pay, but by then 6 security guards came over surrounding them. The Overeem brothers were asked to leave, Alistair was already outside when he saw his brother Valentine fighting.
"Valentine still was discussing the situation on his way outside with one of the security guards hit Valentine in the face with a flash light. Three security guards dived onto Valentine and brother Alistair wanted to go back inside to help his brother. This resulted in five security guards in the hospital."
Boon went on the reveal that one of the security guards involved in the incident was fired afterwards, while a second tried to lay the blame on the Overeem brothers.
In the meantime, Alistair Overeem was complaining of a painful cut on his hand and went to hospital at the urging of Golden Glory team mates.
"It was only because of the management pushing him to go to the hospital that he saved his hand. When he finally got his injury checked, he was advised to stay a few days in the hospital. They told him if he would have come any later he would have lost his hand," said Boon.
Neither Strikeforce nor Golden Glory have said when Overeem can now be expected to defend his title and a match is unlikely to take place before the end of the summer.
http://www.fightersonlymagazine.co.uk/news/viewarticle.php?id=2442&offset=0
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Affliction's third event takes place Aug. 1, Emelianko vs. Barnett headlines
Affliction's long-awaited and constantly changing third card is expected to take place Aug. 1, according to MMA FanHouse.
As expected, the main event will feature Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) vs. fellow heavyweight Josh Barnett (24-5), and official announcement could come in the next few days, according to the report.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this month after speaking with Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio, the show will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The same venue hosted the organization's first two shows: "Banned" in July 2008 and "Day of Reckoning" in January.
The Emelianenko vs. Barnett matchup was an early favorite to headline the Aug. 1 card. Atencio first mentioned it as a possibility after both fighters won their respective bouts at January's Affliction card. (Emelianenko defeated Andrei Arlovski with a first-round TKO, and Barnett scored a third-round TKO over a resilient Gilbert Yvel.)
On the May edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio, Atencio hinted at the match-up.
"It's the fight I want," Atencio said of Emelianenko vs. Barnett. "We're working on it."
Atencio also said he's working on a Paul Buentello vs. Tim Sylvia match-up. He'd also like to see Chris Horodecki vs. Dan Lauzon, though he said it could be a tough one to sign since Horodecki already has a fight planned for July.
mmajunkie
UFC 101, now with more Hawaiians!
I previously stated that UFC 101 would have 2 Hawaiians, BJ Penn and his student Shane Nelson. Now I heard that Kendall Grove will be on the card as well.
MAIN CARD
* Champ B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian (for UFC lightweight title)
* Champ Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin (non-title fight)
* Johny Hendricks vs. Amir Sadollah
* Ricardo Almeida vs. Kendall Grove
* Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellgrino
PRELIMINARY CARD
* Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
* John Howard vs. Tamdan McCrory
* Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara
* Dan Cramer vs. Matthew Riddle
* Rob Emerson vs. George Sotiropoulos
* Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort
MAIN CARD
* Champ B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian (for UFC lightweight title)
* Champ Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin (non-title fight)
* Johny Hendricks vs. Amir Sadollah
* Ricardo Almeida vs. Kendall Grove
* Josh Neer vs. Kurt Pellgrino
PRELIMINARY CARD
* Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
* John Howard vs. Tamdan McCrory
* Thales Leites vs. Alessio Sakara
* Dan Cramer vs. Matthew Riddle
* Rob Emerson vs. George Sotiropoulos
* Jesse Lennox vs. Danillo Villefort
Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza: The DREAM middleweight title is coming home to Brazil
“I beat [Jason Miller] the first time, but I wasn’t satisfied with the result. This time I want to make a better fight. Impose my game and impose my rhythm. The most important thing to me is to put on a good fight. This time it’s for the belt. It’s going to come to Brazil. I’ve been training really hard since November. I had to stop last month to make sure I didn’t overtrain. I’m ready. If the fight were tomorrow, I’d be ready.”
Dynamic Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza expects history to repeat itself on May 26 when he battles Jason Miller for the vacant DREAM middleweight title at DREAM 9. “The Alligator” first clashed with “Mayhem” in the quarterfinals of the DREAM 4 middleweight grand prix in June of 2008. Jacare took home the unanimous decision win but was unhappy with his performance. Both fighters actually had harsh words for the entertainment value of their match and vow to make this one a showstopper. So, who ya’ got?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Become a member of this blog
Please take a minute to become a member of this blog. I won't sell your email address to SPAMMERS and I won't email you. I would like people to leave comments but I don't want to let anonymous people post because then you got SPAM and cowards talking trash behind their computers.
Kauai UFC undisputed game tournament
I just bought the game but I didn't play it yet. I might organize a tournament for the Kauai readers, let me know what you think. I have the PS3 so I wouldn't be able to set up a Xbox tourney.
The prize is bragging rights and a immortality on this site. If someone wants to sponsor a prize shoot me an email.
2 Hawaiians in UFC 101
Event: UFC 101
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2009, at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (PPV)
Location: Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Main event:
UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian
Main card (Televised):
205 lbs.: Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva
185 lbs.: Amir Sadollah vs. Johny Hendricks
185 lbs.: Kendall Grove vs. Ricardo Almeida
155 lbs.: Kurt Pellegrino vs. Josh Neer
Under card (May not be broadcast):
170 lbs.: John Howard vs. Tamdan McCrory
170 lbs.: Matt Riddle vs. Dan Cramer
155 lbs.: George Sotiropoulos vs. Rob Emerson
170 lbs.: Danillo Villefort vs. Jesse Lennox
185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara vs. Thales Leites
155 lbs.: Shane Nelson vs. Aaron Riley
*Fight not yet official by UFC.com.
mmamania
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
"WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber" predictions: Writers give edge to champ Brown
WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown will defend his title and win a rematch with Urijah Faber at WEC 41.
That's according to a panel of MMA writers surveyed by World Extreme Cagefighting for WEC.tv.
Seven of the 12 writers chose Brown, who won the belt from Faber in late 2008 with a surprising first-round TKO.
The rematch is scheduled for June 7 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. The heavily promoted event could go down as the biggest show in WEC history. Records for attendance, live gate and television ratings could all fall at the Versus-televised event.
In addition to MMAjunkie.com/Dayton Daily News' Dann Stupp, other writers choosing Brown included Segio Non of USA Today, Mark LaMonica of Newsday, Ariel Helwani of VERSUS.com, Todd Martin of CBSSports.com, Michael David Smith of MMA Fanhouse and Odeen Domingo of the Arizona Republic. Picking Faber were Kevin Iole and Dave Doyle of Yahoo! Sports, Ryan Hockensmith of ESPN.com, Carlos Arias of the O.C. Register and Tristen Critchfield of the Albuquerque Journal.
Brown, who's now won nine consecutive fights (seven via stoppage), looks to make his second successful title defense after a swift first-round submission of Leonard Garcia in March.
For the complete voting breakdown, head to WEC.tv.
For full coverage of WEC 41, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.
How much is the UFC worth?
Company president Dana White tells “CNBC Reports” that “business was up 20 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008.”
Here’s his explanation for the success:
“… baseball is suffering…. Baseball is too slow. I mean, I bet on the Red Sox game the other night and couldn’t even watch it…. The Indiana Pacers lost something like $30 million last year? How long can these numbers bleed? I’ve been there and done that and trust me, you can’t do it for too long … the NFL has a great business model. There are only 16 games. Of course, their only problem is that no one wants to see the game outside this country…. Look our ratings in the 18-34’s. We outrated Monday Night Football in that demo four times last year…. The price of an NFL sponsorship is so high and we hit the same market at a lower price.”
Keep in mind that the promotion is reportedly coming off another record year in 2008, earning somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 to $300 million in pay-per-view (PPV) profits alone. White is currently in New York City on a major public relations push looking to add to that bankroll, promoting the “UFC 2009 Undisputed” video game by making high-profile media appearances, which includes a guest spot on the Jimmy Fallon Show later on this evening, as well as closing the bell with THQ executives at the NASDAQ stock market. He’s also more than likely in town to convince skeptical politicians that the sport is good for the economy and that they should sanction it sooner rather than later. Cha-ching …
mmamania
Monday, May 18, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Mike Aina wins via DQ
The inaugural Sho MMA: Strikeforce Challengers Series on Showtime was a strong opening effort, although the night at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., ended in a rather abrupt bout of controversy.
Following a round and a half of back and forth action with neither fighter gaining much of an upper hand, the main event bout between Billy Evangelista and Mike Aina was cut short due to a purported illegal knee to the head of a downed Aina.
The moment in question followed an Evangelista takedown and flurry of ground and pound that had Aina in some trouble. As Aina moved out from under Evangelista trying to get back to his feet, Evangelista fired off a knee that referee Herb Dean felt went to the head of Aina. At the time, Aina clearly had one hand, one knee, and one foot on the ground, making him a downed opponent, which would make the knee illegal.
Dean called a halt to the action. After examining Aina, the doctor deemed he could not continue. The bout was stopped and Evangelista disqualified for delivering an illegal knee to the head of a downed opponent.
It was an unfortunate end to a night of solid action, particularly when the replay clearly shows Evangelista's knee making direct contact with Aina's shoulder, not his head. The shot very well could have caused enough impact to injure Aina's jaw as the doctor determined, but the replay was clear in that the contact was not to the head.
Neither fighter appeared happy with the result.
"If I had my choice, I'd take it off my record," said Aina, even though the fight will go down as a win on his resume.
Miesha Tate did something no other fighter has ever done; take Sarah Kaufman all three rounds. She still fell short in the end, however.
Tate was never really able to use her wrestling skills, as the much stronger Kaufman shucked off her takedown attempts at nearly every try, save for round two. Not only did she stuff the takedowns, Kaufman unloaded on Tate with furious combinations that mounted over the course of the fight, wearing out Tate and bloodying her nose.
In the end, it would be Kaufman that scored a unanimous decision victory earning 29-28 on all three judges' scorecards.
A bone of contention in women's MMA for some time has been the three-minute time limit in their rounds when men are given five-minute rounds. Kaufman definitely isn’t down with the difference.
"Three minutes are very fast, so it's hard to get anything going continuously," she told interviewer Stephen Quadros after the fight. "Five minutes all the way, five minutes, come on guys!"
Whenever heavyweights fight, people want to see the knockout. Well, in Lavar Johnson and Carl Seumanutafa, they got it. Seumanutafa shot in right away, but left his head exposed and quickly had his lights turned out courtesy of a right uppercut from Johnson with a mere 18 ticks off the clock.
"I just came in, that was the gameplan, keep my jab in his face and counter off the takedown," said Johnson afterwards, although he didn't think the fight was going to be that quick. "Yeah, I thought I was in for a long night (coming into the fight)."
In light heavyweight action, Anthony Ruiz tried to turn his bout with Aaron Rosa into a street fight. His strategy worked early on as he was able to bully Rosa up against the cage and go to work with knees to the legs and punches to the body. But he wasn't able to keep the fight where he wanted it as Rosa used a double-leg takedown to turn the tide.
Once he had Ruiz on the mat, Rosa eventually worked his way onto Ruiz's back, locked on the body triangle, then proceeded to apply a rear naked choke that put Ruiz to sleep.
"I let him get himself tired trying to take me down," recounted Rosa after the fight. "Finally, I turned him around and got the takedown myself... and I got the rear naked choke."
The bout was officially scored as a technical knockout due to Ruiz going to sleep without tapping.
Tito Jones can easily chalk up his fight with Bao Quach as the one that got away. Neither featherweight did much in the opening round, but Quach took control in round two, punishing Jones with an onslaught of leg kicks that visibly affected the boxer.
In round three, however, it was all Jones. He finally got his punching going, dropping Quach twice with the lead right hook. But as close as he came to snatching the win, Jones really let the fight get away by not being as aggressive as he could have been in trying to finish Quach when he had him wobbling around the cage.
The fight ended up going the distance with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in favor of Quach. Despite being handily booed upon the reading of the scores, Quach took it in stride saying, "Go ahead and boo, I love you anyway."
Main Card Bouts (on Showtime):
-Mike Aina def. Billy Evangelista by DQ (Illegal Knee to Head) at 3:40, R2
-Sarah Kaufman def. Miesha Tate by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), R3
-Lavar Johnson def. Carl Seumanutafa by KO at 0:18, R1
-Aaron Rosa def. Anthony Ruiz by TKO (Rear Naked Choke) at 4:29, R1
-Bao Quach def. Tito Jones by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), R3
Preliminary Bouts (Courtesy of Sherdog.com):
-Spencer Herns def. Chad Sutton by Majority Decision, R3
-Fabricio "Morango" Camoes def. Torrance Taylor by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:21, R1
- Thomas Diagne def. Kaleo Kwan by Unanimous Decision, R3
-Ben Holscher def. Cody Canterbury by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:47, R1
MMAWEEKLY
Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mike Ania on internet radio
Mike Aina, who meets undefeated Billy Evangelista in the main event of Friday's Strikeforce Challengers event, is a guest on today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio.
Also booked for the show is UFC veteran Jason Lambert, who takes on Vladimir Matyushenko at Saturday's "Call to Arms I" event in California.
Catch MMAjunkie.com Radio Monday-Friday at noon EST (9 a.m. PST) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch the show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
Also booked for the show is UFC veteran Jason Lambert, who takes on Vladimir Matyushenko at Saturday's "Call to Arms I" event in California.
Catch MMAjunkie.com Radio Monday-Friday at noon EST (9 a.m. PST) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch the show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Romulo Barral puts Demian Maia to sleep
Maia is still the man though. This video is a few years old.
X1 recap
X1 World Events: Recap
Kekuaokalani Gym, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
May 9, 2009
Two new champions were crowned Saturday
night May 9, 2009 in front of a full house at
the Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona. To
the huge roars of the crowd Kona native and
Olympic alternate Van Oscar Penovaroff
landed a huge left hook to drop and eventually
stop former champion Kana Hyatt of Hilo,
Hawaii. Hyatt able to secure a few takedowns
early in the bout but after scrambling back to
his feet Penovaroff’s boxing prowess shined
through and earned him the 135lb World Title.
The 145lb State Title went on the line as
two other Big Island fighters Justin
Mercado and Dave Moreno went head to
head for the vacant belt. Justin Mercado
who now resides on Oahu was the heavy
crowd favorite going in to the fight
while the colorful Dave Moreno of
Kohala kept his cool and successfully
submitted Mercado via rear naked choke
in the first round.
In other action Maui firefighter and jiu jitsu
practitioner Dominic Ahnee secured enough
takedowns to earn a decision win over the
very talented Aleka Rincon. Keep your eye
out for these two lightweights. A grudge
match wasn’t quite settled the way the fans
had hoped for, Maui’s Mark Smith took
Kona’s Pat Fuga to the mat early and Fuga
injured his knee leaving himself no choice but
to tap in the first round.
Abe Cortes-Kaleopaa stepped in on last minute
notice to take on Spencer Higa in a 145lb
kickboxing match. Original opponent Peni
Taufaao sustained an injury while preparing for
the show down. None the less Cortes-Kaleopaa
took Higa the distance and it was Higa who
came out on top after dominating Cortes-
Kaleopaa for nearly all three rounds.
Wyatt Leong cam out strong against Tyler
Kahihikolo, getting him to the mat early.
Kahihikolo eventually gained top position and
unloaded on Leong forcing the referee to stop
the bout at just 53 seconds in round one. It
took Kevin Soong just 11 seconds to finish his
opponent Ikaika Moore via a brutal knockout.
Sang Van came out cautious against Robert
Midel. Midel the naturally smaller guy was
able to work his ground game securing a number of takedowns but Van’s relentlessness
earned him the victory at the end of the
second round. In the only XMA match of
the night Kaeo Meyers took home the
decision victory over Malu Benedicto.
Daniel Friend showed great striking in his
dominating win over Kiley Tanioka.
Timothy Meeks submitted Nick Gersaba via
armbar in round 1. Levi Agcalon started out
the night with a first round armbar win over
Daniel Alcos.
X1 World Events would like to thank everyone who helped and supported the event. A
big thanks to all the fight fans for their warm welcome and continuous support and to all
the fighters for getting into the cage. X1 World Events is proud to be Hawaii’s only
statewide event bringing the action to all of Hawaii’s fight fans.
Full Results:
135 World Title - Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona BC) vs Kana Hyatt (MMAD)
Penovaroff by TKO 3:36 min in round 1
155 - Aleka Rincon (Freelance) vs Dominic Ahnee (Maui Jiu Jitsu)
Ahnee via majority decision.
145 State Title - Dave Moreno (Kohala) vs Justin Mercado (MMAD)
Moreno by rear naked choke 4:18 min in round 1.
SHW - Pat Fuga (Kona BC) vs Mark Smith (Maui Mulisha)
Smith by tapout due to knee injury/smother at 1:00 min in round 1.
145 KB - Spencer Higa (HIBC) vs Abe Cortes-Kaleopaa (Freelance)
Higa by unanimous decision
140 - Robert Midel (BJ Penn) vs Sang Van (HIBC)
Van by TKO, Midel could not continue after round 1.
155 - Wyatt Leong (HIBC) vs Tyler Kahihikolo (Average Joe’s)
Kahihikolo by TKO at 53 seconds of round 1.
Amateur Bouts
155 - Kevin Soong (Lava MMA) vs Ikaika Moore (Kona BC)
Soong by KO at 11 sec in round 1.
145 - Daniel Friend (HIBC) vs Kiley Tanioka (706 DTP Gym)
Friend by TKO at 51 sec in round 1.
135 - Timothy Meeks (HIBC) vs Nick Gersaba (Kona BC)
Meeks by armbar at 1:13 min of round 1
170 XMA - Kaeo Meyers (Kona BC) vs Malu Benedicto (Kanu/ PFC)
Meyers by unanimous decision
145 - Levi Agcalon vs Daniel Alcos (Freelance)
Agcalon by armbar at 2:43 in round 1
Christine Young
X-1 World Events Executive Director
Cell: 808-723-0504
Fax: 808-689-8866
Email: christine.x1events@gmail.com
Kekuaokalani Gym, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
May 9, 2009
Two new champions were crowned Saturday
night May 9, 2009 in front of a full house at
the Kekuaokalani Gym in Kailua-Kona. To
the huge roars of the crowd Kona native and
Olympic alternate Van Oscar Penovaroff
landed a huge left hook to drop and eventually
stop former champion Kana Hyatt of Hilo,
Hawaii. Hyatt able to secure a few takedowns
early in the bout but after scrambling back to
his feet Penovaroff’s boxing prowess shined
through and earned him the 135lb World Title.
The 145lb State Title went on the line as
two other Big Island fighters Justin
Mercado and Dave Moreno went head to
head for the vacant belt. Justin Mercado
who now resides on Oahu was the heavy
crowd favorite going in to the fight
while the colorful Dave Moreno of
Kohala kept his cool and successfully
submitted Mercado via rear naked choke
in the first round.
In other action Maui firefighter and jiu jitsu
practitioner Dominic Ahnee secured enough
takedowns to earn a decision win over the
very talented Aleka Rincon. Keep your eye
out for these two lightweights. A grudge
match wasn’t quite settled the way the fans
had hoped for, Maui’s Mark Smith took
Kona’s Pat Fuga to the mat early and Fuga
injured his knee leaving himself no choice but
to tap in the first round.
Abe Cortes-Kaleopaa stepped in on last minute
notice to take on Spencer Higa in a 145lb
kickboxing match. Original opponent Peni
Taufaao sustained an injury while preparing for
the show down. None the less Cortes-Kaleopaa
took Higa the distance and it was Higa who
came out on top after dominating Cortes-
Kaleopaa for nearly all three rounds.
Wyatt Leong cam out strong against Tyler
Kahihikolo, getting him to the mat early.
Kahihikolo eventually gained top position and
unloaded on Leong forcing the referee to stop
the bout at just 53 seconds in round one. It
took Kevin Soong just 11 seconds to finish his
opponent Ikaika Moore via a brutal knockout.
Sang Van came out cautious against Robert
Midel. Midel the naturally smaller guy was
able to work his ground game securing a number of takedowns but Van’s relentlessness
earned him the victory at the end of the
second round. In the only XMA match of
the night Kaeo Meyers took home the
decision victory over Malu Benedicto.
Daniel Friend showed great striking in his
dominating win over Kiley Tanioka.
Timothy Meeks submitted Nick Gersaba via
armbar in round 1. Levi Agcalon started out
the night with a first round armbar win over
Daniel Alcos.
X1 World Events would like to thank everyone who helped and supported the event. A
big thanks to all the fight fans for their warm welcome and continuous support and to all
the fighters for getting into the cage. X1 World Events is proud to be Hawaii’s only
statewide event bringing the action to all of Hawaii’s fight fans.
Full Results:
135 World Title - Van Oscar Penovaroff (Kona BC) vs Kana Hyatt (MMAD)
Penovaroff by TKO 3:36 min in round 1
155 - Aleka Rincon (Freelance) vs Dominic Ahnee (Maui Jiu Jitsu)
Ahnee via majority decision.
145 State Title - Dave Moreno (Kohala) vs Justin Mercado (MMAD)
Moreno by rear naked choke 4:18 min in round 1.
SHW - Pat Fuga (Kona BC) vs Mark Smith (Maui Mulisha)
Smith by tapout due to knee injury/smother at 1:00 min in round 1.
145 KB - Spencer Higa (HIBC) vs Abe Cortes-Kaleopaa (Freelance)
Higa by unanimous decision
140 - Robert Midel (BJ Penn) vs Sang Van (HIBC)
Van by TKO, Midel could not continue after round 1.
155 - Wyatt Leong (HIBC) vs Tyler Kahihikolo (Average Joe’s)
Kahihikolo by TKO at 53 seconds of round 1.
Amateur Bouts
155 - Kevin Soong (Lava MMA) vs Ikaika Moore (Kona BC)
Soong by KO at 11 sec in round 1.
145 - Daniel Friend (HIBC) vs Kiley Tanioka (706 DTP Gym)
Friend by TKO at 51 sec in round 1.
135 - Timothy Meeks (HIBC) vs Nick Gersaba (Kona BC)
Meeks by armbar at 1:13 min of round 1
170 XMA - Kaeo Meyers (Kona BC) vs Malu Benedicto (Kanu/ PFC)
Meyers by unanimous decision
145 - Levi Agcalon vs Daniel Alcos (Freelance)
Agcalon by armbar at 2:43 in round 1
Christine Young
X-1 World Events Executive Director
Cell: 808-723-0504
Fax: 808-689-8866
Email: christine.x1events@gmail.com
Strikeforce's Evangelista fights pressure, Aina in May 15 main event
Imagine the pressure that comes from fighting in a nationally televised main event for the first time – pressure to perform and prove you're worthy of the evening's top billing.
Or imagine the pressure of fighting in front of your hometown crowd for the first time – friends and family excited for the chance to watch you perform live.
Now put both of those situations together, add in the fact that you're trying to remain undefeated, and you'll understand what it's like to be Strikeforce lightweight Billy Evangelista (9-0).
"I think a lot of people want me to win, especially since I'm the local boy," Evangelista said on a recent media call. "I try to just ignore the pressure – mainly be by myself and really focus on what I've got to do instead of just the pressure, just what everybody else wants."
Evangelista is in the final days of preparation for his May 15 main-event bout with Mike Aina (11-6-1) at "Strikeforce Challengers." With the event being held in Evangelista's hometown of Fresno, Calif., the striking ace admits there's some excitement surrounding his appearance.
"It's a great opportunity for me," Evangelista said. "People have been asking me when I was going to start fighting in Fresno because I had been fighting everywhere else around here. I know Strikeforce had come here once before, so they were just like, 'Talk to them. Tell them to come over here.'
"You know I can't do that. (But) they're here now, and there are friends and family that are coming. I'm so excited. My Dad is going to come down and watch. That will probably be his first fight there with me."
While Evangelista hopes to impress his friends, family, and his employers, the five-time Strikeforce veteran isn't over-thinking the situation as he prepares for Aina.
"I kind of just go out there and feel the fighter and feel the fight, how it's going," Evangelista said. "A fighter can change from one day to the next. Today he's a striker, and tomorrow he's a grappler. If I just train for one counter-move and he changes on me, then my whole gameplan is kind of screwed up.
"I just try and prepare for anything that's thrown at me."
Aina will undoubtedly throw plenty at Evangelista. The Hawaiian has won four of his past five contests, with his lone loss coming in a hotly contested split-decision defeat in a September 2007 bout with Nick Diaz.
Evangelista realizes a decisive win over such a challenging opponent could prove his chance to move from Strikeforce's developmental shows to its featured performances.
"It's tough guys that I've fought, and it's only going to get tougher," Evangelista told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "If I showcase what I've got ... I would think I would get opportunities for more exposure on the bigger shows with Strikeforce."
But before that opportunity comes, Evangelista must battle the pressures of Friday night's bout and the challenges that Aina will bring to the cage.
"I just want to keep having great fights and fighting tough people," Evangelista said. "I know Mike's going to be a tough guy. I'm going to go in there and I'm going to try and do my best with him."
John Morgan is the lead staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com.
Or imagine the pressure of fighting in front of your hometown crowd for the first time – friends and family excited for the chance to watch you perform live.
Now put both of those situations together, add in the fact that you're trying to remain undefeated, and you'll understand what it's like to be Strikeforce lightweight Billy Evangelista (9-0).
"I think a lot of people want me to win, especially since I'm the local boy," Evangelista said on a recent media call. "I try to just ignore the pressure – mainly be by myself and really focus on what I've got to do instead of just the pressure, just what everybody else wants."
Evangelista is in the final days of preparation for his May 15 main-event bout with Mike Aina (11-6-1) at "Strikeforce Challengers." With the event being held in Evangelista's hometown of Fresno, Calif., the striking ace admits there's some excitement surrounding his appearance.
"It's a great opportunity for me," Evangelista said. "People have been asking me when I was going to start fighting in Fresno because I had been fighting everywhere else around here. I know Strikeforce had come here once before, so they were just like, 'Talk to them. Tell them to come over here.'
"You know I can't do that. (But) they're here now, and there are friends and family that are coming. I'm so excited. My Dad is going to come down and watch. That will probably be his first fight there with me."
While Evangelista hopes to impress his friends, family, and his employers, the five-time Strikeforce veteran isn't over-thinking the situation as he prepares for Aina.
"I kind of just go out there and feel the fighter and feel the fight, how it's going," Evangelista said. "A fighter can change from one day to the next. Today he's a striker, and tomorrow he's a grappler. If I just train for one counter-move and he changes on me, then my whole gameplan is kind of screwed up.
"I just try and prepare for anything that's thrown at me."
Aina will undoubtedly throw plenty at Evangelista. The Hawaiian has won four of his past five contests, with his lone loss coming in a hotly contested split-decision defeat in a September 2007 bout with Nick Diaz.
Evangelista realizes a decisive win over such a challenging opponent could prove his chance to move from Strikeforce's developmental shows to its featured performances.
"It's tough guys that I've fought, and it's only going to get tougher," Evangelista told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "If I showcase what I've got ... I would think I would get opportunities for more exposure on the bigger shows with Strikeforce."
But before that opportunity comes, Evangelista must battle the pressures of Friday night's bout and the challenges that Aina will bring to the cage.
"I just want to keep having great fights and fighting tough people," Evangelista said. "I know Mike's going to be a tough guy. I'm going to go in there and I'm going to try and do my best with him."
John Morgan is the lead staff reporter for MMAjunkie.com.
UFC 98 odds
With less than two weeks to go until fight night, the clock has begun to tick to get your bets in for UFC 98: “Evans vs. Machida” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 23.
It’ll be here before we know it. That means you should get your betting slips in sooner rather than later to lock-in the best possible odds.
Here are the latest UFC 98 odds:
Lyoto Machida -225 BET NOW
Rashad Evans +175 BET NOW
Matt Hughes -275 BET NOW
Matt Serra +190 BET NOW
Sean Sherk -275 BET NOW
Frank Edgar +190 BET NOW
Phillipe Nover -400 BET NOW
Kyle Bradley +250 BET NOW
Yoshiyuki Yoshida -500 BET NOW
Brandon Wolff +300 BET NOW
Patrick Barry -350 BET NOW
Tim Hague +225 BET NOW
Dave Kaplan +110 BET NOW
George Roop +150 BET NOW
Time to put up or shut up for all us keyboard warriors … get in on the action before it’s too late.
Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Saturday, May 23), which is slated to air beginning at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (PPV). The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 8 p.m. ET.
It’s going to be a good night of fights so don’t miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight UFC 98 coverage you can handle.
MMAMANIA
It’ll be here before we know it. That means you should get your betting slips in sooner rather than later to lock-in the best possible odds.
Here are the latest UFC 98 odds:
Lyoto Machida -225 BET NOW
Rashad Evans +175 BET NOW
Matt Hughes -275 BET NOW
Matt Serra +190 BET NOW
Sean Sherk -275 BET NOW
Frank Edgar +190 BET NOW
Phillipe Nover -400 BET NOW
Kyle Bradley +250 BET NOW
Yoshiyuki Yoshida -500 BET NOW
Brandon Wolff +300 BET NOW
Patrick Barry -350 BET NOW
Tim Hague +225 BET NOW
Dave Kaplan +110 BET NOW
George Roop +150 BET NOW
Time to put up or shut up for all us keyboard warriors … get in on the action before it’s too late.
Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Saturday, May 23), which is slated to air beginning at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (PPV). The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 8 p.m. ET.
It’s going to be a good night of fights so don’t miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight UFC 98 coverage you can handle.
MMAMANIA
Kaleo Kwan - Making an impact and a name for himself: StrikeForce
Story by: Eddie King - MMA Hawaii Staff Writer
Kaleo Kwan - StrikeforceHawaii has an MMA following like no other place in the world. There are so many passionate fighters that take part in the growth of and progress of MMA. One of these fighters that has made an impact is a man named Kaleo Kwan. Many locals have seen this tenacious fighter for years. He has had his hand in many styles which molded him into the well rounded fighter he is today. Kaleo has put in some serious time with boxing and Kickboxing. Since his plunge into MMA Kaleo has been working on an arsenal of tricks on the ground with wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. With notable fights against many of Hawaii’s most well known fighters, Kaleo feels as if he has only grown as a fighter. “ For me, I feel the need to go out there and put on an exciting show. Not only do I fight as hard as I can, but I make it exciting for the fans.” said Kwan, “ I want to my name to be included when people talk about MMA in Hawaii along with all the other great names.”
Kaleo is well on his way to becoming one of those names with his upcoming fight on the Strikeforce Challenger series. Kaleo will be fighting on the same card as Mike Aina. When asked what his thoughts were on fighting for Strikeforce, Kaleo said, “ I am really excited to be fighting for Strikeforce. I feel better than ever for this fight. I have had some experience with EliteXC but still always felt like it was work in progress. This time there is still progress to be made but I feel like I am coming into this fight as progress in motion.”
Coming into MMA a little later than some, Kaleo has had a rough road. He has made a name for himself in the sport by taking on challenging opponents. He has went the distance with Shane Nelson and battled it out with Mike Aina. He has fought UFC vets and world champs. Kaleo once stood toe to toe with 5 time Kickboxing champion Malaipet. There has been no tomato can fight for Mr. Kwan. Feeling like he has made the best of his down time, Kwan has been training in all aspects of the fight game and feels as if he is coming into his fight against Ousmane Thomas Diagne. Diagne is known for the fighting style that Cung Le uses. On Diagne, Kaleo said “ I have been where he is. I have been the Kickboxer coming into MMA. He is dangerous on the feet so I have been working on all of my game and cannot wait to unveil it.”
After all that has happened in his career, Kaleo keeps his spirit strong and keeps learning everyday. “It makes it easy when you have the support of the local people” said Kwan, “ and every time I fight on the mainland I feel the support of all the people of Hawaii. Locals support locals.” With the support of an entire state, Kaleo seems to have his mind set on getting a win. “ I never train to lose. I go in and do my best to get the win.”
With Kaleo living the lifestyle he does, it is only natural that he is a fan favorite. He is the father of six children and a devoted husband. He has said that without the support of his wife he would not have accomplished anything. Kwan said, “ It all comes back to the family. They are the first thing I see when I wake up and the last before I go to bed. They are the reason I do what I do and the reason I have made it to the heights I have.” You will rarely see Kaleo Kwan without a smile on his face. He trains with the legendary Eastsidaz and the Onzuka’s at the O2. Kaleo has also helped train local sensation Nainoa Dung. It is apparent that family, friends, and the community come first in the eyes of Kaleo, and this may be the reason why he is so popular around the islands.
After putting in all of this time and effort, one is left to wonder what will come of Kaleo Kwan after this fight.“ I am thrilled to be fighting for Strikeforce and hopefully I will prove myself. My dream is to make it to Japan and become an international name. I feel like I have paid my dues. I feel like I am ready for the big shows, for the tough fights. I do not like to call out other fighters, so I am always ready to fight anyone. I would love to represent Hawaii in any place in the world, against any fighter in the world.” When he speaks of his goals it is hard not to respect his dedication and drive. With everything he has done and everything he plans on, it is imperative that Hawaii is in his corner. “ With Hawaii in my corner there is no way I can lose” said Kaleo, “ Hawaii is my family, and family is the most important thing.”
As he departs for California, Kaleo will have a lot to think about with his fight. He has to think of his mistakes in past fights, his triumphs that helped mold him, all of the hard work that his training partners and coaches have put in . He must think of his future plans and the task at hand, but he will never have to worry about who is supporting him. Kaleo always knows that his family and friends are supporting him along side Hawaii. That is all the support he needs.
Special Thanks from Kaleo Kwan to : MMA Hawaii, Koa Ramos, Bryson Kamaka, Brandon Piper, The Onzuka’s at the O2, Al and Justin for sparring, Uncle Eddie and Da Hui, The crew from Fitted, Defend Hawaii, Phiten, Brit’s Auto Body and Paint, Kwan Ceramic Tile, Fubar, MMA Hawaii, Leif and the crew at OTM, Andy from HFG
Kaleo Kwan - StrikeforceHawaii has an MMA following like no other place in the world. There are so many passionate fighters that take part in the growth of and progress of MMA. One of these fighters that has made an impact is a man named Kaleo Kwan. Many locals have seen this tenacious fighter for years. He has had his hand in many styles which molded him into the well rounded fighter he is today. Kaleo has put in some serious time with boxing and Kickboxing. Since his plunge into MMA Kaleo has been working on an arsenal of tricks on the ground with wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu. With notable fights against many of Hawaii’s most well known fighters, Kaleo feels as if he has only grown as a fighter. “ For me, I feel the need to go out there and put on an exciting show. Not only do I fight as hard as I can, but I make it exciting for the fans.” said Kwan, “ I want to my name to be included when people talk about MMA in Hawaii along with all the other great names.”
Kaleo is well on his way to becoming one of those names with his upcoming fight on the Strikeforce Challenger series. Kaleo will be fighting on the same card as Mike Aina. When asked what his thoughts were on fighting for Strikeforce, Kaleo said, “ I am really excited to be fighting for Strikeforce. I feel better than ever for this fight. I have had some experience with EliteXC but still always felt like it was work in progress. This time there is still progress to be made but I feel like I am coming into this fight as progress in motion.”
Coming into MMA a little later than some, Kaleo has had a rough road. He has made a name for himself in the sport by taking on challenging opponents. He has went the distance with Shane Nelson and battled it out with Mike Aina. He has fought UFC vets and world champs. Kaleo once stood toe to toe with 5 time Kickboxing champion Malaipet. There has been no tomato can fight for Mr. Kwan. Feeling like he has made the best of his down time, Kwan has been training in all aspects of the fight game and feels as if he is coming into his fight against Ousmane Thomas Diagne. Diagne is known for the fighting style that Cung Le uses. On Diagne, Kaleo said “ I have been where he is. I have been the Kickboxer coming into MMA. He is dangerous on the feet so I have been working on all of my game and cannot wait to unveil it.”
After all that has happened in his career, Kaleo keeps his spirit strong and keeps learning everyday. “It makes it easy when you have the support of the local people” said Kwan, “ and every time I fight on the mainland I feel the support of all the people of Hawaii. Locals support locals.” With the support of an entire state, Kaleo seems to have his mind set on getting a win. “ I never train to lose. I go in and do my best to get the win.”
With Kaleo living the lifestyle he does, it is only natural that he is a fan favorite. He is the father of six children and a devoted husband. He has said that without the support of his wife he would not have accomplished anything. Kwan said, “ It all comes back to the family. They are the first thing I see when I wake up and the last before I go to bed. They are the reason I do what I do and the reason I have made it to the heights I have.” You will rarely see Kaleo Kwan without a smile on his face. He trains with the legendary Eastsidaz and the Onzuka’s at the O2. Kaleo has also helped train local sensation Nainoa Dung. It is apparent that family, friends, and the community come first in the eyes of Kaleo, and this may be the reason why he is so popular around the islands.
After putting in all of this time and effort, one is left to wonder what will come of Kaleo Kwan after this fight.“ I am thrilled to be fighting for Strikeforce and hopefully I will prove myself. My dream is to make it to Japan and become an international name. I feel like I have paid my dues. I feel like I am ready for the big shows, for the tough fights. I do not like to call out other fighters, so I am always ready to fight anyone. I would love to represent Hawaii in any place in the world, against any fighter in the world.” When he speaks of his goals it is hard not to respect his dedication and drive. With everything he has done and everything he plans on, it is imperative that Hawaii is in his corner. “ With Hawaii in my corner there is no way I can lose” said Kaleo, “ Hawaii is my family, and family is the most important thing.”
As he departs for California, Kaleo will have a lot to think about with his fight. He has to think of his mistakes in past fights, his triumphs that helped mold him, all of the hard work that his training partners and coaches have put in . He must think of his future plans and the task at hand, but he will never have to worry about who is supporting him. Kaleo always knows that his family and friends are supporting him along side Hawaii. That is all the support he needs.
Special Thanks from Kaleo Kwan to : MMA Hawaii, Koa Ramos, Bryson Kamaka, Brandon Piper, The Onzuka’s at the O2, Al and Justin for sparring, Uncle Eddie and Da Hui, The crew from Fitted, Defend Hawaii, Phiten, Brit’s Auto Body and Paint, Kwan Ceramic Tile, Fubar, MMA Hawaii, Leif and the crew at OTM, Andy from HFG
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