MMA News Thread
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
- Start date
no ones disputing the fact that he knocked GSP out the first time. Hes a fucking jui jitsu black belt with a lot of mma experience and i respect him for that. i even liked him on the Ultimate Fighter as a coach. but every other day now hes talking about how he knocked out GSP and how every one is against him and all this shit. it gets tiring.
Well see if he keeps talking after he gets knocked out at the ppv.
Well see if he keeps talking after he gets knocked out at the ppv.
Three GP Fights Announced! Sakuraba Will Compete!
Three fights for the upcoming first round of the DREAM Middleweight GP have been announced. In one fight Kazushi Sakuraba will face Brazilian born Kyokushin Karate fighter Andrews Nakahara. In the second two legends will collide as Kiyoshi Tamura takes on Masakatsu Funaki. In the last announced fight Pride veterans Denis Kang and Gegard Mousasi will meet.
Andrews Nakahara is a very good Kyokushin Karate fighter and is only 24 years old, but I don’t think he has ever fought in an MMA fight before. He is 183 cm tall and weighs 80 kg. Here is his Kyokushin Karate tournament history from Kyokushin4Life:
All American Open Karate Championships 2007 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2006 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2005 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2004 (IKO-1) - 7th Place
3rd World Weight Category Championships 2005 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
6th South American Karate Tournament 2004 (IKO-1) - 1st Place (MW)
Brazilian Open 2004 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
South American Open 2005 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
OLYMPIA DREAM.2 Middleweight GP 2008 1st Round
Date: April 29th, 2008
Place: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Middleweight GP 1st Round:
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Andrews Nakahara
Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Masakatsu Funaki
Denis Kang vs. Gegard Mousasi
Middleweight GP Participants:
Yoon Dong Sik
Yoshihiro Akiyama
Shungo Oyama
Kin Taiei
Minowaman
Possible GP Participants:
Dae Won Kim
Mamed Khalidov
Daniel Acacio
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Possible Participants:
Marcelo Garcia
Three fights for the upcoming first round of the DREAM Middleweight GP have been announced. In one fight Kazushi Sakuraba will face Brazilian born Kyokushin Karate fighter Andrews Nakahara. In the second two legends will collide as Kiyoshi Tamura takes on Masakatsu Funaki. In the last announced fight Pride veterans Denis Kang and Gegard Mousasi will meet.
Andrews Nakahara is a very good Kyokushin Karate fighter and is only 24 years old, but I don’t think he has ever fought in an MMA fight before. He is 183 cm tall and weighs 80 kg. Here is his Kyokushin Karate tournament history from Kyokushin4Life:
All American Open Karate Championships 2007 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2006 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2005 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
All American Open Karate Championships 2004 (IKO-1) - 7th Place
3rd World Weight Category Championships 2005 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
6th South American Karate Tournament 2004 (IKO-1) - 1st Place (MW)
Brazilian Open 2004 (IKO-1) - 2nd Place
South American Open 2005 (IKO-1) - 1st Place
OLYMPIA DREAM.2 Middleweight GP 2008 1st Round
Date: April 29th, 2008
Place: Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan
Middleweight GP 1st Round:
Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Andrews Nakahara
Kiyoshi Tamura vs. Masakatsu Funaki
Denis Kang vs. Gegard Mousasi
Middleweight GP Participants:
Yoon Dong Sik
Yoshihiro Akiyama
Shungo Oyama
Kin Taiei
Minowaman
Possible GP Participants:
Dae Won Kim
Mamed Khalidov
Daniel Acacio
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Possible Participants:
Marcelo Garcia
"Strikeforce on NBC" Officially Announced
Strikeforce and NBC have officially announced a partnership that will put a weekly mixed-martial-arts series on major network television for the first time.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported the pending deal earlier this month, and NBCSports.com today made it official.
The series debut is set for Saturday, April 12 from 2-2:30 a.m. ET.
"Mixed martial arts has exploded onto the sports scene," stated Jerry Petry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television. "Its athletes are tremendous competitors, and the sport is one of the fastest growing in the world. As a leader in this arena, Strikeforce will be able to deliver some of the finest and most intense action ever seen on broadcast TV."
The show will air in its weekly timeslot after NBC's popular late-night program, "Poker After Dark." Network executives say that it was a natural lead-in program since the core audience (18-34 year old males) is so similar.
As MMAjunkie.com first reported, "Strikeforce on NBC" will feature complete fights from the Strikeforce archives, as well as other highlights and event footage. Additionally, the program will be used to spotlight some of the organization's more popular fighters.
The debut episode will feature two fights -- Cung Le vs. Brian Warren, and Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. Tony "The Freak" Fryklund -- as well as a profile on Le, a popular San Jose-based fighter who made his transition from San Shou kickboxing to MMA with the Strikeforce organization. He fights Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock for the title on Saturday.
With its April 12 launch date, Strikeforce will actually beat EliteXC to network television. EliteXC recently inked a deal with CBS, and the organizations will host a major live fight event on May 31. "EliteXC Saturday Night Fights" will be the first-ever live MMA event series picked up by network television.
Other than a minor deal between the International Fight League and the struggling MyNetworkTV, MMA has never appeared on a network.
"Strikeforce on NBC" is produced by Kevin Cusick of KC Productions in conjunction with Carr-Hughes Productions.
Strikeforce and NBC have officially announced a partnership that will put a weekly mixed-martial-arts series on major network television for the first time.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported the pending deal earlier this month, and NBCSports.com today made it official.
The series debut is set for Saturday, April 12 from 2-2:30 a.m. ET.
"Mixed martial arts has exploded onto the sports scene," stated Jerry Petry, Executive Vice President, NBC Universal Television. "Its athletes are tremendous competitors, and the sport is one of the fastest growing in the world. As a leader in this arena, Strikeforce will be able to deliver some of the finest and most intense action ever seen on broadcast TV."
The show will air in its weekly timeslot after NBC's popular late-night program, "Poker After Dark." Network executives say that it was a natural lead-in program since the core audience (18-34 year old males) is so similar.
As MMAjunkie.com first reported, "Strikeforce on NBC" will feature complete fights from the Strikeforce archives, as well as other highlights and event footage. Additionally, the program will be used to spotlight some of the organization's more popular fighters.
The debut episode will feature two fights -- Cung Le vs. Brian Warren, and Duane "Bang" Ludwig vs. Tony "The Freak" Fryklund -- as well as a profile on Le, a popular San Jose-based fighter who made his transition from San Shou kickboxing to MMA with the Strikeforce organization. He fights Strikeforce world middleweight champ Frank Shamrock for the title on Saturday.
With its April 12 launch date, Strikeforce will actually beat EliteXC to network television. EliteXC recently inked a deal with CBS, and the organizations will host a major live fight event on May 31. "EliteXC Saturday Night Fights" will be the first-ever live MMA event series picked up by network television.
Other than a minor deal between the International Fight League and the struggling MyNetworkTV, MMA has never appeared on a network.
"Strikeforce on NBC" is produced by Kevin Cusick of KC Productions in conjunction with Carr-Hughes Productions.
Frank Shamrock on Friday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
Strikeforce world middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, who defends his title against Cung Le on Saturday, will first make a guest appearance on Friday's edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," EliteXC today announced.
The show airs at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT, 11:05 p.m. CT on ABC affiliates.
Shamrock will take part in skit in which he teaches Kimmel cast member, Guillermo The Parking Lot Security Guard, some hands-on MMA instruction.
The late-night TV appearance precedes his fight with Le, which headlines a Strikeforce/EliteXC co-promoted event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Saturday's event airs live on Showtime.
Friday's appearance was arranged by EliteXC, which has booked past fighters -- such as Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson and David "Tank" Abbott -- on the program.
Shamrock will join fellow guests Kate Bosworth (from the movie "21"), Tracy Morgan (from "Superhero Movie") and musical guest Serj Tankian.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!," an Emmy-nominated American late-night talk show, debuted in January 2003. The show celebrates its 1,000th episode next week.
Strikeforce world middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, who defends his title against Cung Le on Saturday, will first make a guest appearance on Friday's edition of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," EliteXC today announced.
The show airs at 12:05 a.m. ET/PT, 11:05 p.m. CT on ABC affiliates.
Shamrock will take part in skit in which he teaches Kimmel cast member, Guillermo The Parking Lot Security Guard, some hands-on MMA instruction.
The late-night TV appearance precedes his fight with Le, which headlines a Strikeforce/EliteXC co-promoted event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Saturday's event airs live on Showtime.
Friday's appearance was arranged by EliteXC, which has booked past fighters -- such as Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson and David "Tank" Abbott -- on the program.
Shamrock will join fellow guests Kate Bosworth (from the movie "21"), Tracy Morgan (from "Superhero Movie") and musical guest Serj Tankian.
"Jimmy Kimmel Live!," an Emmy-nominated American late-night talk show, debuted in January 2003. The show celebrates its 1,000th episode next week.
Dana White Talks Cro Cop, DREAM, EliteXC, and Strikeforce
Zach Arnold has a great summary of a new Dana White interview with a Japanese site. Below are the highlights of the interview:
- He ripped into the DREAM promotion, calling it minor-league and said that Mirko was tuning his game up in the minor league so that he could come back to the Octagon where the real competition is.
- Dana said that that EXC was collapsing as an organization and that they had to take whatever deal CBS offered them. UFC would not accept a bad television deal and that they are open to negotiating with anyone.
- He compared the deal Strikeforce made with NBC to that of television shopping (infomercials).
Zach Arnold has a great summary of a new Dana White interview with a Japanese site. Below are the highlights of the interview:
- He ripped into the DREAM promotion, calling it minor-league and said that Mirko was tuning his game up in the minor league so that he could come back to the Octagon where the real competition is.
- Dana said that that EXC was collapsing as an organization and that they had to take whatever deal CBS offered them. UFC would not accept a bad television deal and that they are open to negotiating with anyone.
- He compared the deal Strikeforce made with NBC to that of television shopping (infomercials).
Tim Sylvia Set To Leave The UFC?
According to a source close to the situation, Tim Sylvia may be set to announce his decision to leave the UFC this Friday. The Fight Network is reporting that the former UFC heavyweight champion who has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract may be looking to face Fedor Emelianenko in a what would be a highly lucrative and anticipated match up.
Sylvia (24-4) sports notable wins over Andrei Arlovski (2), Ricco Rodriguez, Jeff Monson, Mike Whitehead (2) and Ben Rothwell. He recently lost to Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera after a solid performance via submission in the third round.
We'll have more on this story tomorrow after Sylvia makes his announcement.
According to a source close to the situation, Tim Sylvia may be set to announce his decision to leave the UFC this Friday. The Fight Network is reporting that the former UFC heavyweight champion who has one fight remaining on his current UFC contract may be looking to face Fedor Emelianenko in a what would be a highly lucrative and anticipated match up.
Sylvia (24-4) sports notable wins over Andrei Arlovski (2), Ricco Rodriguez, Jeff Monson, Mike Whitehead (2) and Ben Rothwell. He recently lost to Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera after a solid performance via submission in the third round.
We'll have more on this story tomorrow after Sylvia makes his announcement.
Fightline.com Exclusive Interview: Frank Shamrock Part III
Frank Shamrock is set to face off against Cung Le this Saturday at 6:00 PST. He was kind enough to grant Fightline.com a last minute interview just days before he ventures into the cage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Shamrock spoke very candidly about his demeanor leading into the fight, his thoughts on the EliteXC-CBS deal, Kimbo, and much more.
Fightline.com: What is your reaction to the backlash about comments you made regarding your brother Ken Shamrock's steroid abuse.
Frank Shamrock: I just thought it was common knowledge, you know. Someone asked me a question and I just told the truth. I just answered the question.
Fightline.com: How do you feel right now going into the fight with Cung Le just days away?
Frank Shamrock: I feel fantastic. I just had my last media day and now the rest of the time I'm just kinda laying around hanging out...I actually look forward to this time because it's kind of like the quite before the storm. I watch a lot of movies, read books. I'm excited man. I'm ready to go out and do battle.
Fightline.com: How's your confidence level? Do you feel good about you game right now?
Frank Shamrock: It's the usual [laughs]. I have a really high level of confidence because I train hard and I study really hard. I think Cung Le's got a lot to work out and work with, but for me...I've fought everybody in the world, fought every style. I just look at it as a good test and it's gonna be an exciting fight. I look forward to testing my standup skills against Cung.
Fightline.com: There's been a lot of talk about your brother, Ken Shamrock's, loss and what that might mean to a possible fight between the two of you. Some have said that the fight may be off. If so, what's next for you after the Le fight?
Frank Shamrock: I hope we're still doing the Blood Brother fight [laughs]. I still think there's a lot of value in it. You know, the story itself. Beside that fight, I think CBS is gonna build me some nice stars. I think that's a huge vehicle that's gonna make these guys overnight MMA sensations. I'm looking forward to that. You know, the sad part about fighting Cung is that there are very few guys left that are superstars that have that persona, that image people love. I'm kinda running out of guys but I'm sure they'll come out.
Fightline.com: Some have mentioned Tito Ortiz as a possible opponent now that he may be leaving the UFC. What are your thoughts on a possible match up with Ortiz?
Frank Shamrock: I think Tito is definitely a possibility. He's coming to the end of his contract with the UFC and I think he'll be a free agent so I've been in talks with him and I think that one will be really good. There'll be some heat to that fight. And Anderson Silva, I'd love that fight. I think it's a great match up it'd be a good test if the UFC were willing to do a co-promotion or something; that would be wonderful.
Fightline.com: You mentions Silva, some are calling him the greatest pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world. What are your thoughts on Anderson Silva's game?
Frank Shamrock: Well he's a great fighter. He's got good stand up skill. I think his hands are just a little bit weak. But he makes up for it with reach and hight. You know, good kick knee combinations. I think his ground game is a little unsound. There are some holes in that could be exploited definitely. I think his transitional game is a little bit off. Which I would definitely work to exploit, but I think Anderson is the perfect guy to stand up with. I just think that sport of MMA is very young in the striking arts and I've been making that my focus for eight or nine years now so I just have so much confidence in my stand up and I'd love to test it against a guy like Anderson Silva.
Fightline.com: Is your striking superior to Silva's?
Frank Shamrock: I think so. We'll test it out on Cung first and see [laughs].
Fightline.com: ProElite and CBS recently reached a deal to show EliteXC events on CBS in primetime. What are your thoughts on the deal?
Frank Shamrock: I think it's a huge deal. You know, it's a huge oppertunity to be on network television and on primetime. And it's important to have quality athletes to fill that role. You know, my one knock on EliteXC and ProElite in general is that they're kind of embrasing the whole freak show side of it. And while I think that can be a great initial shocker to people and liven up the fan base, I think it will hurt in the long run. Much like the UFC did when they first came out, they went for the shock and awe factor and people are going to be turned of by it. They don't look like professional athletes because they are not professional athletes.
Fightline.com: So is that how you see Kimbo? In that role?
Frank Shamrock: Yeah. Kimbo...I mean, God bless him, he's obviously got some business sense. I mean, he made himself famous by fighting people on the internet; which is technically illegal and definitely not a good example of what martial arts should be. And now that you make him the star of your organization, now all the nine and ten year old kids are gonna put a camera up and beat up there friends because they think there gonna be the next superstar in MMA. You know, that says something about the image of our sport and the professionalism of our athletes. It's kind of sad because I've been here toiling, working hard and trying to show what an athlete should be and represent myself as a good martial artist and unfortunately when a company embraces something like that it's like a big slap in the face to the rest of us. It's just how I feel. I know if I had a ten year old son I wouldn't have him watch it. But if it was a martial artist who represents himself in the right way and stands for something I think I could get behind that.
Fightline.com: Have you had a chance to meet Kimbo in person?
Frank Shamrock: I actually did meet him socially. He's actually a really nice guy.
Fightline.com: There's been some backlash amongst MMA insiders about the face of mainstream MMA being represented, at this point moving forward by basically a reformed street fighter. What are your thoughts?
Frank Shamrock: It's kinda scary because this is where we were in 1993 when we got kicked off of cable, but at that time it was Tank Abbott leading the way fearlessly.
Fightline.com: Are you going to fight on any of the CBS cards.
Frank Shamrock: I don't know, I haven't had any discussions with them yet. I've been really focused on training at this point. It would make a lot of sense to me. I have a lot of name value.
Fightline.com: Do you think we'll see the UFC step in and start co-promoting events?
Frank Shamrock: Much like boxing I think it's eventually inevitable that we get to that point, but at the same time I can understand the UFC keeping there door closed and protecting their brand more than anything and sensoring their media. That's a certain way to do business and while I don't agree with it, it's out there.
Frank Shamrock is set to face off against Cung Le this Saturday at 6:00 PST. He was kind enough to grant Fightline.com a last minute interview just days before he ventures into the cage at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. Shamrock spoke very candidly about his demeanor leading into the fight, his thoughts on the EliteXC-CBS deal, Kimbo, and much more.
Fightline.com: What is your reaction to the backlash about comments you made regarding your brother Ken Shamrock's steroid abuse.
Frank Shamrock: I just thought it was common knowledge, you know. Someone asked me a question and I just told the truth. I just answered the question.
Fightline.com: How do you feel right now going into the fight with Cung Le just days away?
Frank Shamrock: I feel fantastic. I just had my last media day and now the rest of the time I'm just kinda laying around hanging out...I actually look forward to this time because it's kind of like the quite before the storm. I watch a lot of movies, read books. I'm excited man. I'm ready to go out and do battle.
Fightline.com: How's your confidence level? Do you feel good about you game right now?
Frank Shamrock: It's the usual [laughs]. I have a really high level of confidence because I train hard and I study really hard. I think Cung Le's got a lot to work out and work with, but for me...I've fought everybody in the world, fought every style. I just look at it as a good test and it's gonna be an exciting fight. I look forward to testing my standup skills against Cung.
Fightline.com: There's been a lot of talk about your brother, Ken Shamrock's, loss and what that might mean to a possible fight between the two of you. Some have said that the fight may be off. If so, what's next for you after the Le fight?
Frank Shamrock: I hope we're still doing the Blood Brother fight [laughs]. I still think there's a lot of value in it. You know, the story itself. Beside that fight, I think CBS is gonna build me some nice stars. I think that's a huge vehicle that's gonna make these guys overnight MMA sensations. I'm looking forward to that. You know, the sad part about fighting Cung is that there are very few guys left that are superstars that have that persona, that image people love. I'm kinda running out of guys but I'm sure they'll come out.
Fightline.com: Some have mentioned Tito Ortiz as a possible opponent now that he may be leaving the UFC. What are your thoughts on a possible match up with Ortiz?
Frank Shamrock: I think Tito is definitely a possibility. He's coming to the end of his contract with the UFC and I think he'll be a free agent so I've been in talks with him and I think that one will be really good. There'll be some heat to that fight. And Anderson Silva, I'd love that fight. I think it's a great match up it'd be a good test if the UFC were willing to do a co-promotion or something; that would be wonderful.
Fightline.com: You mentions Silva, some are calling him the greatest pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world. What are your thoughts on Anderson Silva's game?
Frank Shamrock: Well he's a great fighter. He's got good stand up skill. I think his hands are just a little bit weak. But he makes up for it with reach and hight. You know, good kick knee combinations. I think his ground game is a little unsound. There are some holes in that could be exploited definitely. I think his transitional game is a little bit off. Which I would definitely work to exploit, but I think Anderson is the perfect guy to stand up with. I just think that sport of MMA is very young in the striking arts and I've been making that my focus for eight or nine years now so I just have so much confidence in my stand up and I'd love to test it against a guy like Anderson Silva.
Fightline.com: Is your striking superior to Silva's?
Frank Shamrock: I think so. We'll test it out on Cung first and see [laughs].
Fightline.com: ProElite and CBS recently reached a deal to show EliteXC events on CBS in primetime. What are your thoughts on the deal?
Frank Shamrock: I think it's a huge deal. You know, it's a huge oppertunity to be on network television and on primetime. And it's important to have quality athletes to fill that role. You know, my one knock on EliteXC and ProElite in general is that they're kind of embrasing the whole freak show side of it. And while I think that can be a great initial shocker to people and liven up the fan base, I think it will hurt in the long run. Much like the UFC did when they first came out, they went for the shock and awe factor and people are going to be turned of by it. They don't look like professional athletes because they are not professional athletes.
Fightline.com: So is that how you see Kimbo? In that role?
Frank Shamrock: Yeah. Kimbo...I mean, God bless him, he's obviously got some business sense. I mean, he made himself famous by fighting people on the internet; which is technically illegal and definitely not a good example of what martial arts should be. And now that you make him the star of your organization, now all the nine and ten year old kids are gonna put a camera up and beat up there friends because they think there gonna be the next superstar in MMA. You know, that says something about the image of our sport and the professionalism of our athletes. It's kind of sad because I've been here toiling, working hard and trying to show what an athlete should be and represent myself as a good martial artist and unfortunately when a company embraces something like that it's like a big slap in the face to the rest of us. It's just how I feel. I know if I had a ten year old son I wouldn't have him watch it. But if it was a martial artist who represents himself in the right way and stands for something I think I could get behind that.
Fightline.com: Have you had a chance to meet Kimbo in person?
Frank Shamrock: I actually did meet him socially. He's actually a really nice guy.
Fightline.com: There's been some backlash amongst MMA insiders about the face of mainstream MMA being represented, at this point moving forward by basically a reformed street fighter. What are your thoughts?
Frank Shamrock: It's kinda scary because this is where we were in 1993 when we got kicked off of cable, but at that time it was Tank Abbott leading the way fearlessly.
Fightline.com: Are you going to fight on any of the CBS cards.
Frank Shamrock: I don't know, I haven't had any discussions with them yet. I've been really focused on training at this point. It would make a lot of sense to me. I have a lot of name value.
Fightline.com: Do you think we'll see the UFC step in and start co-promoting events?
Frank Shamrock: Much like boxing I think it's eventually inevitable that we get to that point, but at the same time I can understand the UFC keeping there door closed and protecting their brand more than anything and sensoring their media. That's a certain way to do business and while I don't agree with it, it's out there.
EliteXC VS Garcia
What began looking like one incredible card top to bottom, has slowly, but surely come unraveled. On March 29th EliteXC will host it’s latest installment of mixed martial arts for the Showtime viewers around the world. Two weeks ago this card had fans buzzing with genuine excitement. Any card featuring the likes of Frank Shamrock, Cung Le, Jake Shields, Drew Fickett and Nick Diaz is bound to draw some serious attention, but what happens if you take a few of those fan favorites out of the mix? Well, obviously the card begins to lose some of it’s luster. Unfortunately for Gary Shaw and EliteXC, that is precisely what is happening.
Less than one week ago, Jake Shields, who was slated to fight Drew Fickett for the welter weight title was forced to withdraw from the bout citing a back injury. Shields is one of the welter weights brightest stars, and most well rounded competitors in the division today. He also happened to be one of the two marquee match ups signed for the event. A win over Fickett would have earned Shields a nice shiny belt, and more than likely bumped Shields up in the welter weight rankings significantly. The injury has forced Shaw and EliteXC to scramble to find an opponent for Fickett. Interesting enough, the withdrawal of Shields was only the beginning of EliteXC’s troubles.
With just three days remaining until fight time, the California State Athletic Commission tossed Gary Shaw another damaging monkey wrench. Nick Diaz will no longer appear on the card. Armando Garcia, the CSAC’s executive officer claims Diaz did not turn in his medical information in time. Gary Shaw has publicly refuted that claim, and in turn Garcia has made it known that Diaz will not fight due to a medical marijuana prescription, rather than time limitations. Despite the fact that medical marijuana prescriptions are legal in California, and despite the fact that Diaz hasn’t even been given a chance to fail a drug test - Garcia (who is adamantly pro boxing, and known in the MMA world as somewhat of a ‘villain’ of the sport) stood behind his decision to drop Diaz from the event.
Garcia has been the cornerstone of many MMA mishaps in California. Quick to toy with the fate of our sports serious athletes, Garcia shows little remorse, and offers few reversals once he’s made a decision. Numerous mixed martial artists have reported to Suture Magazine directly, that Garcia is a hard man to work with, and is clearly not a fan of MMA. Perhaps it’s time for the CSAC to look into hiring an unbiased executive officer. Perhaps someone not so pro boxing, but pro contact sports in general?
Due to Shields‘ injury and Garcia‘s MMA vendetta, Drew Fickett and Jae Suk Lim were both left without opponents. Gary Shaw managed to salvage what he could however, and has opted to pit Lim against Fickett. The winner of that bout will eventually meet Shields for the vacant welter weight title. As for Diaz, he’s expected to fight on June 14th in Hawaii, where MMA arch nemesis Armando Garcia will not have the ability to abuse his power and damage the cards line up. Despite losing two of their more well recognized fighters, the show must go on, and will likely still please MMA fans as legendary Frank Shamrock will clash with undefeated San Shou veteran Cung Le in the main event. Let’s just hope Garcia doesn’t decide he’d rather not see that fight, or we may be in for yet another last minute surprise.
What began looking like one incredible card top to bottom, has slowly, but surely come unraveled. On March 29th EliteXC will host it’s latest installment of mixed martial arts for the Showtime viewers around the world. Two weeks ago this card had fans buzzing with genuine excitement. Any card featuring the likes of Frank Shamrock, Cung Le, Jake Shields, Drew Fickett and Nick Diaz is bound to draw some serious attention, but what happens if you take a few of those fan favorites out of the mix? Well, obviously the card begins to lose some of it’s luster. Unfortunately for Gary Shaw and EliteXC, that is precisely what is happening.
Less than one week ago, Jake Shields, who was slated to fight Drew Fickett for the welter weight title was forced to withdraw from the bout citing a back injury. Shields is one of the welter weights brightest stars, and most well rounded competitors in the division today. He also happened to be one of the two marquee match ups signed for the event. A win over Fickett would have earned Shields a nice shiny belt, and more than likely bumped Shields up in the welter weight rankings significantly. The injury has forced Shaw and EliteXC to scramble to find an opponent for Fickett. Interesting enough, the withdrawal of Shields was only the beginning of EliteXC’s troubles.
With just three days remaining until fight time, the California State Athletic Commission tossed Gary Shaw another damaging monkey wrench. Nick Diaz will no longer appear on the card. Armando Garcia, the CSAC’s executive officer claims Diaz did not turn in his medical information in time. Gary Shaw has publicly refuted that claim, and in turn Garcia has made it known that Diaz will not fight due to a medical marijuana prescription, rather than time limitations. Despite the fact that medical marijuana prescriptions are legal in California, and despite the fact that Diaz hasn’t even been given a chance to fail a drug test - Garcia (who is adamantly pro boxing, and known in the MMA world as somewhat of a ‘villain’ of the sport) stood behind his decision to drop Diaz from the event.
Garcia has been the cornerstone of many MMA mishaps in California. Quick to toy with the fate of our sports serious athletes, Garcia shows little remorse, and offers few reversals once he’s made a decision. Numerous mixed martial artists have reported to Suture Magazine directly, that Garcia is a hard man to work with, and is clearly not a fan of MMA. Perhaps it’s time for the CSAC to look into hiring an unbiased executive officer. Perhaps someone not so pro boxing, but pro contact sports in general?
Due to Shields‘ injury and Garcia‘s MMA vendetta, Drew Fickett and Jae Suk Lim were both left without opponents. Gary Shaw managed to salvage what he could however, and has opted to pit Lim against Fickett. The winner of that bout will eventually meet Shields for the vacant welter weight title. As for Diaz, he’s expected to fight on June 14th in Hawaii, where MMA arch nemesis Armando Garcia will not have the ability to abuse his power and damage the cards line up. Despite losing two of their more well recognized fighters, the show must go on, and will likely still please MMA fans as legendary Frank Shamrock will clash with undefeated San Shou veteran Cung Le in the main event. Let’s just hope Garcia doesn’t decide he’d rather not see that fight, or we may be in for yet another last minute surprise.
Katsuhiko Nagata interview
DREAM official website posted the interview of Katuhiko Nagata which took place on Mar 16.
- You defeat Aftur Umakhanov in DREAM1. It was magnificent.
Thank you. This is the first time I have such a clean face after the fight. I didn't get much damage.
- What did you do after the fight?
I went to a Korean BBQ restaurant and relaxed. I went to bed early to get ready to start training as soon as I can.
- What do you think about your fight?
I'm disappointed about the fact I could not KO him though I did good job to pound him effectively. I wanted to give more pressure in our standing position. This is my next subject to learn.
- Any impression about your opponent?
I could correspond to his good physical strength and quick moves, more than I expected.
- I suppose you could see his punches.
Yes. I improved my defense by training boxing and kicking and that's why I could block his punches without fear. I didn't get any punches in the standing position.
- Did you get confidence by defeating Umakhanov who had a lot of experiences fighting in many events?
Yes. I will fight my next fight with confidence because I defeated someone who had a title of "champion".
- Before the fight, you said you would like to be aggressive. What percent did you think you get?
I would say 50 percent. My supporters told me that I could do better and be more aggressive. I agree with them and can do better.
- When do you start training?
I will take a break for a week and start.
- What kind of training will you do?
I have less than 2 months before my next fight and don't have time to learn new things. I would like to brush up my skills to put pressures in the standing position and pounding techniques after taking down.
- You went to American Kickboxing Academy. Do you go again?
I'm thinking to go there again. I will work for the 2nd round in both Japan and the outside of Japan.
- I heard you visit other gyms lately.
I train with Bernard Ackah in Body Plant Roppongi and get advice from Mitsuru Adachi who is my trainer. I go to 6 or 7 different dojos.
- You said the fight of Dida vs Alvarez was very impressive.
I though Alvarez was very aggressive and his takedown was well balanced and very good.
- What do you think about the debut event of DREAM?
I felt this was a very good event which had great energy and great influence of HERO'S.
- You are the only one who is from HERO'S and moved on to the 2nd round. Do you want to fight as a representative of HERO'S?
Not really.
- Tell me about your next fight.
I will train hard not only to have a good result but have a impressive fight, and hopefully I want to fight in the final. Thanks for supporting me.
DREAM official website posted the interview of Katuhiko Nagata which took place on Mar 16.
- You defeat Aftur Umakhanov in DREAM1. It was magnificent.
Thank you. This is the first time I have such a clean face after the fight. I didn't get much damage.
- What did you do after the fight?
I went to a Korean BBQ restaurant and relaxed. I went to bed early to get ready to start training as soon as I can.
- What do you think about your fight?
I'm disappointed about the fact I could not KO him though I did good job to pound him effectively. I wanted to give more pressure in our standing position. This is my next subject to learn.
- Any impression about your opponent?
I could correspond to his good physical strength and quick moves, more than I expected.
- I suppose you could see his punches.
Yes. I improved my defense by training boxing and kicking and that's why I could block his punches without fear. I didn't get any punches in the standing position.
- Did you get confidence by defeating Umakhanov who had a lot of experiences fighting in many events?
Yes. I will fight my next fight with confidence because I defeated someone who had a title of "champion".
- Before the fight, you said you would like to be aggressive. What percent did you think you get?
I would say 50 percent. My supporters told me that I could do better and be more aggressive. I agree with them and can do better.
- When do you start training?
I will take a break for a week and start.
- What kind of training will you do?
I have less than 2 months before my next fight and don't have time to learn new things. I would like to brush up my skills to put pressures in the standing position and pounding techniques after taking down.
- You went to American Kickboxing Academy. Do you go again?
I'm thinking to go there again. I will work for the 2nd round in both Japan and the outside of Japan.
- I heard you visit other gyms lately.
I train with Bernard Ackah in Body Plant Roppongi and get advice from Mitsuru Adachi who is my trainer. I go to 6 or 7 different dojos.
- You said the fight of Dida vs Alvarez was very impressive.
I though Alvarez was very aggressive and his takedown was well balanced and very good.
- What do you think about the debut event of DREAM?
I felt this was a very good event which had great energy and great influence of HERO'S.
- You are the only one who is from HERO'S and moved on to the 2nd round. Do you want to fight as a representative of HERO'S?
Not really.
- Tell me about your next fight.
I will train hard not only to have a good result but have a impressive fight, and hopefully I want to fight in the final. Thanks for supporting me.
you don't complain because I rarely do it while you do it many times. If you would take the time to read what has already been posted and posted new mma news you would not hear me say shit. Why is that so hard for you to get through your head? You see that I post new mma news alot yet you gotta post something thats already been posted.
Full Cung Le Proelite.com Q & A
HEY THANKS FOR TAKIN TIME OUT FOR THIS CUNG.
DO YOU THINK FRANKS GONNA STAND LONG WITH YOU?
DO YOU FEEL ADDED PRESSURE BEING UNDEAFEATED AND FIGHTING A BIG NAME?
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU EAT THAT YOU SHOULDNT BUT CANT HELP YOURSELF?
WHAT WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT A MATCH-UP BETWEEN YOU AND ANDERSON SILVA? WHO WOULD WIN?
IF YOU BEAT FRANK DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE TOP TEN RANKED?
THANKS AGAIN CUNG, GOOD LUCK ON SATURDAY!
Cung Le: I don't know what to expect from Frank. He promises he's going to beat me at my own game. We'll see if his ego keeps him standing or not.
I train like a champion, I win like a champion. If I lose I'll lose like a champion. The pressure is on Frank. I've only been in this game for 2 yrs.
Swiss Organic milk chocolate, but I've cut that out for a month
Right now, it's all about Frank. Gotta get through him first before anyone else pops into the cross hairs.
Not for me to judge if I should be top ten after beating Frank. I'm just happy I'm able to do what I love to do. I'll represent the sport the best I can while I'm in it.
quoted from emtjt on 27 Mar 2008, 02:42:05
Fighting Frank, do you feel this is too much of a step for you???
What will you do against his ground game???
Can you drop by my gym so I can test your jaw??,,,...lol
Much respect and good luck...
Cung Le: No
Well see if it gets to the ground
quoted from lubar91 on 27 Mar 2008, 02:43:01
1.) How offended were you at Frank Shamrock's video of you, and yes I thought it was funny?
2.) Do you consider Frank Shamrock a legend?
3.) How many new tricks do you have yp your sleeve?
4.) Is there anyone in particular that you want to face after Frank?
Cung Le: No not offended
Yes, Frank is a legend
wait and see
quoted from BiGGinZ on 27 Mar 2008, 02:44:06
Are you worried about the ground game in this fight? Or do you think if you want it on the feet you can keep it there? And if it stays on the feet do you predict a KO? And what will the KO be, what kind of kick, punch?
Thank you so much for your time.
Cung Le: I want to keep it on the feet.
I don't predict
quoted from adiamondsoul on 27 Mar 2008, 02:44:45
Hi Cung... I have to say that you are an impressive fighter
and athlete. It was because of your fight against Tony that i started accepting MMA. I saw a lot of sportmanship as well as great skills. It also impresses me your use of Alternative methods to prepare for a fight. I'm a healer myself and i think it's just amazing that you are doing that to keep yourself in shape! How often do you do these? Do you recommend all fighters to do this as well?
I think you are meeting with another great athlete and wish you great luck!
Look forward to meeting you again after the fight in San Jose!
Cung Le: I do that twice a week & definitly recommend it for other fighters.
quoted from samantha7war on 27 Mar 2008, 02:45:56
Thank you so much for doing this for us. Could you please tell us who your ground game coach is?
Cung Le: Paul Shriner & Garth Taylor
quoted from Juboxxx on 27 Mar 2008, 02:46:37
What is your philosophy on life and how has it helped you get to where you are?
Cung Le: Live life to the fullest. Help others when you can help. And I believe in Karma
quoted from yacman1 on 27 Mar 2008, 02:47:39
Cung,
As impressive as your showing against Tony Fryklund was, critics of yours suggest Fryklund hung in there taking shots (hands and kicks) as long as he did because it's mostly flash and not so much power behind those strikes - What do you say to those critics in response to that?
Cung Le: Tony is a tough guy. It wasn't them that was taking the punches, so how can they judge if I have power?
quoted from neverbetter on 27 Mar 2008, 02:49:26
what is your position on mma as a high school sport
Cung Le: I don’t think MMA should be a high school sport.
I'm all for training when you're high school age though.
quoted from NiecyLee on 27 Mar 2008, 02:55:44
Hey Cung le I guess you know Crooklyn personally?... Can you tell us here at the pro how you two met ? And can you give fans some tips on how to go about meeting thier favorite fighters either at venues or meet and greets .
Cung Le: I met Crooklyn on her radio show.
No real tip on how to meet your favorite fighters outside of going to the events and talking to them
quoted from 1fidyfifo on 27 Mar 2008, 02:59:46
HELLO CUNG LEE I ASKED FRANK THE SAME QUESTION ! WHATS YOUR TAKE ON ALL THESE FIGHTER THAT SEEM TO GET HURT TRAINING SO CLOSE TO FIGHT NIGHT ?
HAVE A GREAT FIGHT WITH NO INJURIES !
Cung Le: I think the fighters should taper off their training better
HEY THANKS FOR TAKIN TIME OUT FOR THIS CUNG.
DO YOU THINK FRANKS GONNA STAND LONG WITH YOU?
DO YOU FEEL ADDED PRESSURE BEING UNDEAFEATED AND FIGHTING A BIG NAME?
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU EAT THAT YOU SHOULDNT BUT CANT HELP YOURSELF?
WHAT WOULD YOU THINK ABOUT A MATCH-UP BETWEEN YOU AND ANDERSON SILVA? WHO WOULD WIN?
IF YOU BEAT FRANK DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD BE TOP TEN RANKED?
THANKS AGAIN CUNG, GOOD LUCK ON SATURDAY!
Cung Le: I don't know what to expect from Frank. He promises he's going to beat me at my own game. We'll see if his ego keeps him standing or not.
I train like a champion, I win like a champion. If I lose I'll lose like a champion. The pressure is on Frank. I've only been in this game for 2 yrs.
Swiss Organic milk chocolate, but I've cut that out for a month
Right now, it's all about Frank. Gotta get through him first before anyone else pops into the cross hairs.
Not for me to judge if I should be top ten after beating Frank. I'm just happy I'm able to do what I love to do. I'll represent the sport the best I can while I'm in it.
quoted from emtjt on 27 Mar 2008, 02:42:05
Fighting Frank, do you feel this is too much of a step for you???
What will you do against his ground game???
Can you drop by my gym so I can test your jaw??,,,...lol
Much respect and good luck...
Cung Le: No
Well see if it gets to the ground
quoted from lubar91 on 27 Mar 2008, 02:43:01
1.) How offended were you at Frank Shamrock's video of you, and yes I thought it was funny?
2.) Do you consider Frank Shamrock a legend?
3.) How many new tricks do you have yp your sleeve?
4.) Is there anyone in particular that you want to face after Frank?
Cung Le: No not offended
Yes, Frank is a legend
wait and see
quoted from BiGGinZ on 27 Mar 2008, 02:44:06
Are you worried about the ground game in this fight? Or do you think if you want it on the feet you can keep it there? And if it stays on the feet do you predict a KO? And what will the KO be, what kind of kick, punch?
Thank you so much for your time.
Cung Le: I want to keep it on the feet.
I don't predict
quoted from adiamondsoul on 27 Mar 2008, 02:44:45
Hi Cung... I have to say that you are an impressive fighter
and athlete. It was because of your fight against Tony that i started accepting MMA. I saw a lot of sportmanship as well as great skills. It also impresses me your use of Alternative methods to prepare for a fight. I'm a healer myself and i think it's just amazing that you are doing that to keep yourself in shape! How often do you do these? Do you recommend all fighters to do this as well?
I think you are meeting with another great athlete and wish you great luck!
Look forward to meeting you again after the fight in San Jose!
Cung Le: I do that twice a week & definitly recommend it for other fighters.
quoted from samantha7war on 27 Mar 2008, 02:45:56
Thank you so much for doing this for us. Could you please tell us who your ground game coach is?
Cung Le: Paul Shriner & Garth Taylor
quoted from Juboxxx on 27 Mar 2008, 02:46:37
What is your philosophy on life and how has it helped you get to where you are?
Cung Le: Live life to the fullest. Help others when you can help. And I believe in Karma
quoted from yacman1 on 27 Mar 2008, 02:47:39
Cung,
As impressive as your showing against Tony Fryklund was, critics of yours suggest Fryklund hung in there taking shots (hands and kicks) as long as he did because it's mostly flash and not so much power behind those strikes - What do you say to those critics in response to that?
Cung Le: Tony is a tough guy. It wasn't them that was taking the punches, so how can they judge if I have power?
quoted from neverbetter on 27 Mar 2008, 02:49:26
what is your position on mma as a high school sport
Cung Le: I don’t think MMA should be a high school sport.
I'm all for training when you're high school age though.
quoted from NiecyLee on 27 Mar 2008, 02:55:44
Hey Cung le I guess you know Crooklyn personally?... Can you tell us here at the pro how you two met ? And can you give fans some tips on how to go about meeting thier favorite fighters either at venues or meet and greets .
Cung Le: I met Crooklyn on her radio show.
No real tip on how to meet your favorite fighters outside of going to the events and talking to them
quoted from 1fidyfifo on 27 Mar 2008, 02:59:46
HELLO CUNG LEE I ASKED FRANK THE SAME QUESTION ! WHATS YOUR TAKE ON ALL THESE FIGHTER THAT SEEM TO GET HURT TRAINING SO CLOSE TO FIGHT NIGHT ?
HAVE A GREAT FIGHT WITH NO INJURIES !
Cung Le: I think the fighters should taper off their training better
A Scholar and a Warrior
No matter how insignificant Shooto may seem to the English-speaking MMA community, it has been and will continue to be an important entity in the MMA world.
Not only has it produced some of the most dynamic fighters in the lower weight divisions, Shooto has also created some of the most diehard fans and fighters in the sport, many of whom claim allegiance to Shooto above all else. Shooto is a way of life for this dedicated community, and current Shooto 143-pound champion Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) is the latest fighter rising to prominence within its rich tradition.
Tamura won the title in May 2007, and on Friday in Tokyo he will face Shooto's No. 3-ranked 143-pounder, Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures), in his first title defense.
"Right now, I am gradually recovering from the fatigue after finishing some hard, tough training. I am completely ready for the fight," said Tamura over the weekend. "I have trained so that I can deal with any kind of situation in the fight."
This won't be the first time Tamura has faced the Wajyutsu Keisyukai grappling ace. Tamura came out on the losing end of a two-round decision in 2005, but of course he intends the upcoming encounter to end differently.
"My striking abilities have completely changed," Tamura said. "I am able to kick more, and my offensive and defensive punching abilities have increased. I have more variety in my striking now. About two years ago, I started doing additional training at Duro Gym, which gave me the chance to turn things around by learning striking from scratch.
"I am also getting to the point where I can fight with a feeling of emptiness," noted Tamura, evoking a very Zen concept. "I have developed strategies by watching Kadowaki's grappling videos, so I'll be able to deal with him in any kind of situation."
Kadowaki has always been an astute ground technician who uses his grappling skills to control opponents en route to the inevitable submission. Tamura fell prey to his superior positioning in their 2005 bout, and in September last year, Rumina Sato (Pictures) fell prey as well. Kadowaki tapped the highly regarded Shooto veteran in the first round with a modified rear-naked choke from a crucifix. Dubbed "The Kadowaki Special," the maneuver earned him a title shot.
Although Tamura has improved since their first fight, he is keenly aware that Kadowaki has also progressed during the last three years.
"I think Kadowaki's level of grappling has increased since then," Tamura said. "He is especially top notch for his ability to keep his opponents pinned down. I have noticed that once Kadowaki gets into a set style during the fight, he can move more effectively too."
Provided that Tamura can prevent Kadowaki from settling into a rhythm or dominating with superior top control, he should have an opportunity to succeed. Win or lose, however, Tamura predicts that the fight will unfold as an emblematic example of Shooto's self-proclaimed theme of da-to-kyoku -- striking, throwing, mastering.
It is a bold and confident claim but perhaps no surprise given Tamura's spiritual connection to fighting, along with his dedication to the Shooto ideal.
"I have done everything I needed to for this fight," he said. "I just need to do it all in the ring on the 28th. I can't imagine how it will end. I just have to fight with a feeling of emptiness. I would like to continue defending the title as long as I'm a Shooto champion. I want to break the record for title defenses in Shooto."
Fans outside of Japan familiar with Tamura probably know him best through online videos. Like most Shootors or Japanese fighters who don't get exposure abroad, Tamura finds it hard to believe that he has some notoriety beyond his home country. That is not to say, however, that he is displeased with a little international fandom.
"I can't believe it, [but] I am very thankful for this," Tamura said humbly. "This Friday, I will win and put on a good fight for those people who support me, including of course the people who are supporting me through watching my fights on YouTube. Please continue to support and cheer for me."
At a glance, Tamura's YouTube bouts are everything one would expect from a ranked Shooto fighter. Yet it is his exploits outside of MMA that Tamura is apparently most notable for.
Logging more than 16,000 views, Tamura's foray into the bare-knuckle world of Lethwei to face champion Burmese boxer Aye Bo Sein is by far his most popular video on the site.
"To tell you honestly, half of it was that my [teacher[ asked me if I wanted to challenge this fighter, and I couldn't turn him down, while the other half of me wanted to fight him. I was stressed out that I wasn't able to fight in Shooto that often and that my results until then were not so good, so I wanted to relieve this stress," said Tamura, recalling the tough times that briefly led him to Burma.
"The fight was in his homeland. It was the main event, it was under their rules, and he was a Lethwei champion. During this fight, I saw a glimpse of a spiritual state of nothingness. I was in tears the moment I won by a knockout knee. It was an unforgettably valuable experience in my life."
That valuable experience, as well as the spiritual lesson, appears to have accompanied Tamura during his difficult road to the title. Until mid-2007, he was best described as a solid fighter in Shooto's 143-pound division but not necessarily championship material. It was a status that appeared to doom him to the ever-unwanted position of gatekeeper.
"Until two years ago, my Shooto results were five wins, five losses and two draws, and I admit that I was a gatekeeper guy, where I was matched up with strong fighters, even though I was a lower ranking fighter," Tamura said. "But I am proud to say that since then, I have defeated them and have turned things around."
Tamura's rise through the rankings last year has the markings of a rousing comeback story. Though he'd defeated the unspectacular Yohei Nanbu (Pictures) in 2003, having lost in 2005 and 2006 to Takeshi Inoue (Pictures) and Teneki Fujimiya, it appeared at the time that Shooting Gym Yokohama's top prospects had Tamura's number.
However, in late 2006 Tamura defeated STG Yokohama's latest rookie champ and then 154-pound prospect "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura (Pictures) in a one-sided affair that saw Tamura dominate Nishiura on the canvas.
Not wasting any time, Tamura next took a unanimous decision victory in a rematch with Fujimiya, which earned him another rematch and a title shot against Inoue three months later. This time Tamura controlled Inoue through three rounds, taking a solid decision and the Shooto 143-pound world title -- a fitting end to his comeback against STG Yokohama's best fighters.
"I have fought with Shooting Gym Yokohama's fighters six times, and they are all great," Tamura said. "As long as I am a fighter, they will always be good rivals for me."
Whether or not there is a rivalry, it was at least expected that Tamura would have a rematch with the dethroned Inoue as soon as he had worked his way back to the top of Shooto's 143-pound world rankings. Inoue went on to win the Pacific Rim 143-pound championship and move into the No. 1 spot just below Tamura in November, but fans were left wondering why Inoue was overlooked as an opponent for Tamura's first title defense.
"Due to a new rule in Shooto, rematches cannot be set up consecutively for a title match anymore," explained Tamura. "And at this point, I don't want to fight ‘Lion.' As time passes, when both of us have grown more and when momentum for this fight increases, I would like to fight him again."
One man Sustain had wanted to challenge Tamura was Antonio Carvalho (Pictures) -- a surprising revelation given that Carvalho had lost a hotly contested bout in Shooto just months earlier. However, a prior commitment to GCM's Cage Force featherweight tournament apparently nixed the Canadian featherweight's participation and set up the showdown with Kadowaki.
Of course there are other challengers and other promotions overseas. The promise of bigger paydays and facing tough tests outside of Japan has spurred many Japanese fighters to pursue opportunities in the United States, but Tamura is apparently content to remain at home.
"If I get an offer, I will think about it, but I will not be blinded by something that is not there," he said. "My number one priority is to defend the championship."
With that, Tamura remains a Shooto fighter. Though Shooto does not pay particularly well -- as evidenced by the sheer number of fighters in Japan who hold jobs outside of fighting -- Tamura feels secure in his position in life.
"I work at a hospital as a physical therapist, providing rehabilitation for injured people and for people who suffered from strokes," he explained. "Work and MMA are both priorities for me. I do not slack off in either one of them. My motto is Monbu Ryoudo -- being a good scholar and a good warrior."
Nicknamed "Tetsujin" or "Ironman," Tamura's moniker expands upon his personal axiom: "It is because I have been doing Shooto from when I was a teenager and because I am able to balance between work and Shooto and because I am tough. These are all of the reasons why I got this nickname, and I like it. I want to continue to be a fighter that can live up to this name."
No matter how insignificant Shooto may seem to the English-speaking MMA community, it has been and will continue to be an important entity in the MMA world.
Not only has it produced some of the most dynamic fighters in the lower weight divisions, Shooto has also created some of the most diehard fans and fighters in the sport, many of whom claim allegiance to Shooto above all else. Shooto is a way of life for this dedicated community, and current Shooto 143-pound champion Akitoshi Tamura (Pictures) is the latest fighter rising to prominence within its rich tradition.
Tamura won the title in May 2007, and on Friday in Tokyo he will face Shooto's No. 3-ranked 143-pounder, Hideki Kadowaki (Pictures), in his first title defense.
"Right now, I am gradually recovering from the fatigue after finishing some hard, tough training. I am completely ready for the fight," said Tamura over the weekend. "I have trained so that I can deal with any kind of situation in the fight."
This won't be the first time Tamura has faced the Wajyutsu Keisyukai grappling ace. Tamura came out on the losing end of a two-round decision in 2005, but of course he intends the upcoming encounter to end differently.
"My striking abilities have completely changed," Tamura said. "I am able to kick more, and my offensive and defensive punching abilities have increased. I have more variety in my striking now. About two years ago, I started doing additional training at Duro Gym, which gave me the chance to turn things around by learning striking from scratch.
"I am also getting to the point where I can fight with a feeling of emptiness," noted Tamura, evoking a very Zen concept. "I have developed strategies by watching Kadowaki's grappling videos, so I'll be able to deal with him in any kind of situation."
Kadowaki has always been an astute ground technician who uses his grappling skills to control opponents en route to the inevitable submission. Tamura fell prey to his superior positioning in their 2005 bout, and in September last year, Rumina Sato (Pictures) fell prey as well. Kadowaki tapped the highly regarded Shooto veteran in the first round with a modified rear-naked choke from a crucifix. Dubbed "The Kadowaki Special," the maneuver earned him a title shot.
Although Tamura has improved since their first fight, he is keenly aware that Kadowaki has also progressed during the last three years.
"I think Kadowaki's level of grappling has increased since then," Tamura said. "He is especially top notch for his ability to keep his opponents pinned down. I have noticed that once Kadowaki gets into a set style during the fight, he can move more effectively too."
Provided that Tamura can prevent Kadowaki from settling into a rhythm or dominating with superior top control, he should have an opportunity to succeed. Win or lose, however, Tamura predicts that the fight will unfold as an emblematic example of Shooto's self-proclaimed theme of da-to-kyoku -- striking, throwing, mastering.
It is a bold and confident claim but perhaps no surprise given Tamura's spiritual connection to fighting, along with his dedication to the Shooto ideal.
"I have done everything I needed to for this fight," he said. "I just need to do it all in the ring on the 28th. I can't imagine how it will end. I just have to fight with a feeling of emptiness. I would like to continue defending the title as long as I'm a Shooto champion. I want to break the record for title defenses in Shooto."
Fans outside of Japan familiar with Tamura probably know him best through online videos. Like most Shootors or Japanese fighters who don't get exposure abroad, Tamura finds it hard to believe that he has some notoriety beyond his home country. That is not to say, however, that he is displeased with a little international fandom.
"I can't believe it, [but] I am very thankful for this," Tamura said humbly. "This Friday, I will win and put on a good fight for those people who support me, including of course the people who are supporting me through watching my fights on YouTube. Please continue to support and cheer for me."
At a glance, Tamura's YouTube bouts are everything one would expect from a ranked Shooto fighter. Yet it is his exploits outside of MMA that Tamura is apparently most notable for.
Logging more than 16,000 views, Tamura's foray into the bare-knuckle world of Lethwei to face champion Burmese boxer Aye Bo Sein is by far his most popular video on the site.
"To tell you honestly, half of it was that my [teacher[ asked me if I wanted to challenge this fighter, and I couldn't turn him down, while the other half of me wanted to fight him. I was stressed out that I wasn't able to fight in Shooto that often and that my results until then were not so good, so I wanted to relieve this stress," said Tamura, recalling the tough times that briefly led him to Burma.
"The fight was in his homeland. It was the main event, it was under their rules, and he was a Lethwei champion. During this fight, I saw a glimpse of a spiritual state of nothingness. I was in tears the moment I won by a knockout knee. It was an unforgettably valuable experience in my life."
That valuable experience, as well as the spiritual lesson, appears to have accompanied Tamura during his difficult road to the title. Until mid-2007, he was best described as a solid fighter in Shooto's 143-pound division but not necessarily championship material. It was a status that appeared to doom him to the ever-unwanted position of gatekeeper.
"Until two years ago, my Shooto results were five wins, five losses and two draws, and I admit that I was a gatekeeper guy, where I was matched up with strong fighters, even though I was a lower ranking fighter," Tamura said. "But I am proud to say that since then, I have defeated them and have turned things around."
Tamura's rise through the rankings last year has the markings of a rousing comeback story. Though he'd defeated the unspectacular Yohei Nanbu (Pictures) in 2003, having lost in 2005 and 2006 to Takeshi Inoue (Pictures) and Teneki Fujimiya, it appeared at the time that Shooting Gym Yokohama's top prospects had Tamura's number.
However, in late 2006 Tamura defeated STG Yokohama's latest rookie champ and then 154-pound prospect "Wicky" Akiyo Nishiura (Pictures) in a one-sided affair that saw Tamura dominate Nishiura on the canvas.
Not wasting any time, Tamura next took a unanimous decision victory in a rematch with Fujimiya, which earned him another rematch and a title shot against Inoue three months later. This time Tamura controlled Inoue through three rounds, taking a solid decision and the Shooto 143-pound world title -- a fitting end to his comeback against STG Yokohama's best fighters.
"I have fought with Shooting Gym Yokohama's fighters six times, and they are all great," Tamura said. "As long as I am a fighter, they will always be good rivals for me."
Whether or not there is a rivalry, it was at least expected that Tamura would have a rematch with the dethroned Inoue as soon as he had worked his way back to the top of Shooto's 143-pound world rankings. Inoue went on to win the Pacific Rim 143-pound championship and move into the No. 1 spot just below Tamura in November, but fans were left wondering why Inoue was overlooked as an opponent for Tamura's first title defense.
"Due to a new rule in Shooto, rematches cannot be set up consecutively for a title match anymore," explained Tamura. "And at this point, I don't want to fight ‘Lion.' As time passes, when both of us have grown more and when momentum for this fight increases, I would like to fight him again."
One man Sustain had wanted to challenge Tamura was Antonio Carvalho (Pictures) -- a surprising revelation given that Carvalho had lost a hotly contested bout in Shooto just months earlier. However, a prior commitment to GCM's Cage Force featherweight tournament apparently nixed the Canadian featherweight's participation and set up the showdown with Kadowaki.
Of course there are other challengers and other promotions overseas. The promise of bigger paydays and facing tough tests outside of Japan has spurred many Japanese fighters to pursue opportunities in the United States, but Tamura is apparently content to remain at home.
"If I get an offer, I will think about it, but I will not be blinded by something that is not there," he said. "My number one priority is to defend the championship."
With that, Tamura remains a Shooto fighter. Though Shooto does not pay particularly well -- as evidenced by the sheer number of fighters in Japan who hold jobs outside of fighting -- Tamura feels secure in his position in life.
"I work at a hospital as a physical therapist, providing rehabilitation for injured people and for people who suffered from strokes," he explained. "Work and MMA are both priorities for me. I do not slack off in either one of them. My motto is Monbu Ryoudo -- being a good scholar and a good warrior."
Nicknamed "Tetsujin" or "Ironman," Tamura's moniker expands upon his personal axiom: "It is because I have been doing Shooto from when I was a teenager and because I am able to balance between work and Shooto and because I am tough. These are all of the reasons why I got this nickname, and I like it. I want to continue to be a fighter that can live up to this name."
Report: Koscheck Re-Signs with UFC
Josh Koscheck (10-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), a stand-out from the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" who's since emerged as a top welterweight contender, has re-signed with the UFC.
The report comes from Adam Morgan of fivesouncesofpain.com, citing sources close to negotiations.
Koscheck's original nine-fight UFC contract, which he signed after appearing on the UFC's reality series in 2005, was recently fulfilled after his UFC 82 victory over Dustin Hazelett earlier this month.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Earlier this month Koscheck defeated Hazelett with a second-round stoppage. The youngster gave Koscheck a tough fight, but the American Kickboxing Academy fighter eventually ended it with a second-round knockout.
The fight was Koscheck's first since an August loss to Georges St. Pierre, which snapped his five-fight win streak and cost him a shot at the title.
Koscheck is now 8-2 in the UFC, with six victories in his past seven fights. Since his transition into MMA, the former collegiate wrestling stand-out and four-time Division I All-American has become one of the welterweight division's most well-rounded fighters.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this week, Koscheck is expected to next fight Chris Lytle at UFC 86, an event that takes place July 5 in Las Vegas.
Josh Koscheck (10-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC), a stand-out from the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" who's since emerged as a top welterweight contender, has re-signed with the UFC.
The report comes from Adam Morgan of fivesouncesofpain.com, citing sources close to negotiations.
Koscheck's original nine-fight UFC contract, which he signed after appearing on the UFC's reality series in 2005, was recently fulfilled after his UFC 82 victory over Dustin Hazelett earlier this month.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Earlier this month Koscheck defeated Hazelett with a second-round stoppage. The youngster gave Koscheck a tough fight, but the American Kickboxing Academy fighter eventually ended it with a second-round knockout.
The fight was Koscheck's first since an August loss to Georges St. Pierre, which snapped his five-fight win streak and cost him a shot at the title.
Koscheck is now 8-2 in the UFC, with six victories in his past seven fights. Since his transition into MMA, the former collegiate wrestling stand-out and four-time Division I All-American has become one of the welterweight division's most well-rounded fighters.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) reported earlier this week, Koscheck is expected to next fight Chris Lytle at UFC 86, an event that takes place July 5 in Las Vegas.
Billy Evangelista vs. Marlon Sims Strikeforce fight booked
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 cast member and legendary (in his own mind) street brawler Marlon Sims (3-2) is set to return to action against super tough up-and-comer Billy Evangelista (5-0) in a 155-pound bout this weekend on the Strikeforce: “Shamrock vs. Cung Le” under card.
No major site is reporting this match up — not even ProElite.com or Strikeforce. However, Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the showdown with MMAmania.com.
Sims has had one fight since his backyard brawl with Noah Thomas on the set of TUF 5, losing to Pat Minihan via submission (rear naked choke) in December 2007. Evangelista, on the other hand, has been turning heads on the local Fresno, Calif., scene with his undefeated record and fantastic promise.
Don’t expect this one to go the distance.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 cast member and legendary (in his own mind) street brawler Marlon Sims (3-2) is set to return to action against super tough up-and-comer Billy Evangelista (5-0) in a 155-pound bout this weekend on the Strikeforce: “Shamrock vs. Cung Le” under card.
No major site is reporting this match up — not even ProElite.com or Strikeforce. However, Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz today confirmed the showdown with MMAmania.com.
Sims has had one fight since his backyard brawl with Noah Thomas on the set of TUF 5, losing to Pat Minihan via submission (rear naked choke) in December 2007. Evangelista, on the other hand, has been turning heads on the local Fresno, Calif., scene with his undefeated record and fantastic promise.
Don’t expect this one to go the distance.
UFC Quick Quote: Frank Edgar focused on winning … and Gray Maynard
“I’m definitely one of the players in the weight class. It might depend on the outcome of this fight and a couple of other fights in the UFC. The 155-pound class is definitely one of the most stacked in the UFC…. Every fight is important for position. If you lose, you’re pretty much out of the picture for a while. It (the competition for a title shot) is pretty vicious. You’re only as good as your last fight…. You get better by winning. If you win, everything takes care of itself. You get what you want to get out of it. I know this is going to be a tough fight. He (Maynard) is big, strong, has heavy hands and comes from a good camp.”
– UFC lightweight contender Frank Edgar tells his hometown rag, The Asbury Park Press, that his fight next week against Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 13 is important if he wants to remain in the 155-pound title chase. In fact, he says that every fight is equally important … and he’s right — especially in a division so stacked. I wasn’t too thrilled when this match up was first announced, but it’s grown on me over time. Hopefully, it’s an action-packed, fast-paced back-and-forth war.
“I’m definitely one of the players in the weight class. It might depend on the outcome of this fight and a couple of other fights in the UFC. The 155-pound class is definitely one of the most stacked in the UFC…. Every fight is important for position. If you lose, you’re pretty much out of the picture for a while. It (the competition for a title shot) is pretty vicious. You’re only as good as your last fight…. You get better by winning. If you win, everything takes care of itself. You get what you want to get out of it. I know this is going to be a tough fight. He (Maynard) is big, strong, has heavy hands and comes from a good camp.”
– UFC lightweight contender Frank Edgar tells his hometown rag, The Asbury Park Press, that his fight next week against Gray Maynard at UFC Fight Night 13 is important if he wants to remain in the 155-pound title chase. In fact, he says that every fight is equally important … and he’s right — especially in a division so stacked. I wasn’t too thrilled when this match up was first announced, but it’s grown on me over time. Hopefully, it’s an action-packed, fast-paced back-and-forth war.
Mirko Cro Cop gym in Croatia with new Throwdown cage (Video)
videolink: http://mmamania.com/2008/03/27/mirko-cro-cop-gym-in-croatia-with-new-throwdown-cage-video/
videolink: http://mmamania.com/2008/03/27/mirko-cro-cop-gym-in-croatia-with-new-throwdown-cage-video/