RESTRAINED WARFARE AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COMPETITION
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | 1 Comment
RESTRAINED WARFARE AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF COMPETITION
BY: BILL WETZEL
The indigenous people of North America practiced a restrained type of warfare. Restrained warfare, in this instance, is limited. The goal was not to absolutely destroy an enemy and then move in to impose a political or cultural ideology on them. By contrast, unrestrained warfare is highlighted by the destruction of a society and the imposition of a ruling ideology. The great imperial powers of the world historically practiced unrestrained warfare. There were no viable rules, only an objective.
And the objective was to win and win big.
The ends justify the means.
However, restrained warfare has several interesting characteristics which are important to understanding the psychology of athletic competition. In particular the psychology of combat sports, specifically, in this instance, Mixed Martial Arts. (MMA)
In indigenous tribes, young men were often not that important, at least in relation to the other groups in the societies. For example, the elderly were revered people utilized for their knowledge and wisdom, while the grown men were involved in activities such as hunting and raising a family. Adult males also served in various leadership and spiritual capacities. Women were especially important, as they are in any society, because they essentially ran the day to day operations of the tribe. They cooked, they cleaned, and they ran the operations of each family. Young women took on important roles and responsibilities in these processes as soon as they were old enough to do so.
Young men, on the other hand, did not have all that much to do. At least, comparatively.
So what could they do?
They could perform various physical activities, such as riding horses, shooting bows and arrows, etc. Certainly they had to find ways to attract women. Plus they had lots of time and energy. So, out of this, young men developed a sense of competition. Running. Horse racing. Even forms of fighting and wrestling developed. Warfare itself evolved into competitive endeavors. It became a sense of pride and accomplishment to go out and raid your tribe’s enemies. And if you happened to steal more horses than your friend, well, even better.
Some tribes conducted warfare as a way to give their young men something to do.
The Olone Indians of California used to exercise warfare in this manner. Two warring factions would line up a certain distance apart, then take turns shooting arrows at each other. But not directly. What would happen is one faction, maybe twenty young warriors would line up, and then shoot arrows up in the air, looping in the general direction of the other tribe’s warriors, who would then duck and dodge the arrows raining down on them. Once this was over it was now their turn. Also, the arrows were not designed to kill, they were much more blunt than an arrow that would be used for killing purposes.
These events were attended by other members of the respective tribes. They would all gather on opposing sides and cheer their own tribal members while the battle went on. Young women would gather and watch and cheer the young males as well, keenly watching to see the most impressive warrior. This is not all that unlike a football game or any other sporting event. Sure there was a certain amount of violence, but, in this case, the objective was not to hurt the other side, since if a warrior died, the battle would be immediately halted. The victorious tribe would also have to pay reparations to the losing tribe as a way to alleviate the loss and restore a sense of honor and balance.
For the young men, this was a way to be relevant. It kept them from getting into trouble, while honing and developing their skills as a warrior and a man. It allowed them to test their own abilities against others, and a good performance attracted attention and respect from other members of the tribe. Scars became interesting stories they could tell their whole lives. Plus, as we all know, chicks dig scars! This holds true in any era and culture.
Moreover, warfare was a young man’s game. It was meant predominantly for the young males. (this is still mostly true, in all cultures) Restrained warfare also had rules, and the objective was never total destruction. Such as with the Olone Indians, it was a way for young men to test their own courage and skills, while garnering a certain amount of social status within their own society.
Much of this holds true for athletic competition. Competitive sports are a young man’s game. In particular, combat sports, especially ones that involve striking, are comprised of mostly young men. (the evolution of women athletes, especially in combat sports, is something I will write about another time) Sports give young men an opportunity to test their physical skills and gain social status.
The key here is the aspect of competition.
It’s also why combat sports, especially MMA, are often misunderstood.
In any given society, you will have a certain segment of young men who want to physically test themselves against others. They want to compete. Some run. Some see who can lift the most. Some see who is the best at a certain game. And some fight. Not necessarily out of malice, but simply out of competition.
And it is important to understand that this competition is restrained.
I think back to the early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) competitions. Even though this was a restrained situation, the rules were minimal. No weight classes. No time limit. No biting or eye gouging. All strikes to all areas of the body were allowed. It had a dangerous atmosphere, too barbaric for many people. Enough so that sanctioning was a problem. Much like with the Queensbury rules in boxing, MMA had to evolve into a sport, and not so much a spectacle. Its survival depended on it.
Like restrained warfare, MMA has adapted itself into a restrained competition. The objective is not absolute destruction. Sure it is violent, but much like football, which itself is extremely violent, the competition has rules. It’s a sport. Fighters do not go out with the intention of committing permanent injury or death with their fists. They do not necessarily have a hatred for their opponents. Many opponents are even friends. To date, no death or extremely serious injury has ever occurred in MMA competition.
Once again, that is because at the heart of MMA, is simply the love of competition. The psychology is for a young well-trained and disciplined athlete to test themselves in a restrained environment to determine the better fighter. Along with this comes a natural rise in social status. It’s a way for an athlete to compete and garner respect within contemporary society.
Since MMA’s popularity has exploded into the mainstream, expect both the level of competition and social respect to grow exponentially.
Mijares headlines July 13 PPV in Mexico
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
Integrated Sports & SIVOO Distribution Partners
HOBOKEN, New Jersey (June 14, 2007) – The hottest smaller-weight boxer in the world, WBC super flyweight champion Cristian Mijares, headlines the July 13th “The Gladiators” pay-per-view event live from the Gomez Palacio in Durango, Mexico.
Mijares (31-3-2, 12 KOs) captured the WBC Interim title last September by 12-round split decision (114-113, 114-113, 113-114) against Katsushige Kawashima (30-4) in Japan. The crafty southpaw successfully defended his WBC Interim belt last November in Mexico, winning a 12-round unanimous decision (118-109, 117-110, 116-111) versus Reynaldo Lopez (28-3-2), and won his rematch for the WBC outright championship in January when he stopped Kawashima (30-5) in the 10th round.
On the largest stage of his career this past April, fighting colorful Jorge Arce (46-3-1) on HBO, Mijares came of age with an impressive, one-sided victory by unanimous 12-round decision (119-109, 118-110, 117-11) in San Antonio. Mijares defends his WBC crown in the 12-round main event against No. 15 rated Teppei “Tippy” Kukai (21-5, 4 KOs), former Japanese super flyweight title-holder, on July 13 in Cristian’s home country.
“The Gladiators,” featuring three championships bouts from Mexico, will be broadcast live (10 PM/ET) and distributed for pay-per-view by Integrated Sports on the DISH Network, the leading PPV provider of Latin sports in the United States, for a suggested retail price of only $19.95. SIVOO owns exclusive worldwide rights to broadband content distribution.
WBC ranked No. 5 Eric Rameriz (20-4-1, 15 KOs) faces No. 4 Lorenzo “Explosivo” Trejo (29-15, 16 KOs) in a battle of Mexican warriors in a 12-round WBC minimum weight elimination bout. In the other championship match on PPV, WBC No.8 rated featherweight Gamaliel “Platano” Diaz (21-6-2, 9 KOs), of Mexico, meets No. 11 ranked Naoki Matsuda (27-7-3, 10 KOs), of Japan, in a WBC title eliminator. Diaz is the former NABF and WBC FECARBOX 126-pound champion, while Matsuda is riding a 13-fight win streak.
“Integrated Sports is proud to partner with SIVOO to bring the hottest Latino boxer, Cristian Mijares, to boxing fans watching on the DISH Network, which has become a favorite for Latino sports fans,” Integrated Sports president Doug Jacobs said. “The Latin sports market is exploding and these passionate fans show tremendous support for their boxers. Integrated Sports is going to be busy during the July 14-15 weekend, distributing this fight from Mexico and another show the following night from Ireland, featuring unbeaten middleweight sensation John Duddy.”
-IS-
GUNN TO CHALLENGE FOR IBF TITLE
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
Gunn To Challenge For IBF International Title!
For Immediate Release
Promoter Han Kim of Sugar Han Productions has announced that on August 11th, Bobby Gunn will headline his card and challenge for the IBF International Cruiserweight Title against an opponent to be named. The card, which will take place at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia, will also feature top Cruiserweight Emmanuel Nwodo if he is successful June 29th against Darnell Wilson.
Promoter Han Kim remarked, “I was very pleased with my last show at the ABC Sports Complex on June 9th. That was a big night of boxing which also featured the Cotto vs Judah and Tarver vs Muriqi fights. I was pleasantly surprised by having a sell out crowd to witness Bobby’s return to the ring. There were some articles written about him recently questioning his character. I would like to say, Bobby has been nothing but a pleasure and his positive attitude makes putting my shows together even easier. I owe a special thanks to him and the rest of Team Gunn. Bobby also sparred with my fighter Emmanuel Nwodo to help him prepare for the biggest fight of his career.
Gunn, who began training only three days after his last contest is looking forward to another big fight, “My last fight was a total joke remarked the former IBA Cruiserweight Champion but I had no choice. I sold a mass amount of tickets and couldn’t let my fans down. I had a few opponent changes and Elijah Dickens showed up hours before the fight and sometimes you have to take what you can get. My goal is to win this belt and take it up to Canada for my first defense. I am happy to be working with Han Kim”.
Tickets will go on sale shortly and all media inquires can be sent to Matt Yanofsky at YanoBoxing@Aol.Com.
DUVAS, TEDDY ATLAS, AND EMMANUEL NWODO CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
QUOTE SHEET FROM THURS., JUNE 14, CONFERENCE CALL ON THE JUNE 29, ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS PRESENTED BY DUVA BOXING FOR THE DR. THEODORE ATLAS FOUNDATION — release follows quotes
LOU DUVA
“I think there is going to be a knockout, and I know that they are going to a be a lot of celebrities, including Pernell Sweatpea Whitaker, the newest boxing Hall of Famer.
“What the Atlas Foundation does for the people of Staten Island and New York is just fantastic, really something special.”
Teddy Atlas
“First, it’s nice to be doing something quite honestly with the Duvas, I go back a long way, I remember high school shows, and shows at the Harrah’s Marina, and the relationship turning into a friendly close relationship with the family.
“I have been with the Duvas so long, I have a trust and closeness with them. Lou and Dino have been part of the Foundation for 10 years; whether it’s a cancer treatment program for a family with no health care, or a family whose house burned down, the Duvas have always been there to support the Foundation, and I feel good being able to do this with them.
Dino Duva
“This card is the start of a lot of great things that we are going to do on Staten Island with the Atlas Foundation in the future. The fight is going to be bombs away for the cruiserweight championship.
“Emmanuel Nwodo, the champ, is fighting the number one challenger, Darnell Wilson. These two guys are both from Maryland and are the two biggest punchers in the cruiserweight division, and maybe in the world. Wilson has four wins in a row and knocked out Kelvin Davis in sensational fashion. Nwodo is a great punching Nigerian fighter.
More from Teddy Atlas
“Staten Island has grown to a half million people, and they are passionate sports fans. They haven’t had the chance to see live boxing in years. And this will be the first time at the St. George Theater. There is a lot of excitement, and the ringsides are almost sold out already.
“They are excited about supporting the community, there are no administrative costs involved with the foundation. And because of all those elements the show is going to be well received by the people of Staten Island and beyond.
Emmanuel Nwodo
“I am happy to be on the show; it is going to be a wonderful figh. Dino Duva has been a very good friend and puts on a very good show. Come June 29, this is going to be a fight that I show the world what kind of cruiserweight I am.”
More from Teddy — how does ESPN put a show together?
“First, you have to have a promoter that you can trust and that can put a card together for ESPN, for the Foundation. I have to trust the people We talked about doing something for the foundation.
“Along with helping the foundation, we wanted to bring some attention to Staten Island , a great, passionate sports fans, we go into one million homes a show. We wanted to show Staten Island , the hidden borough, off to the country.
“You can talk all you want about dynamite and TNT in their hands, and you don’t have to look for them. Darnell Wilson has been on our air on ESPN, and I have had the privilege of calling some of his fights.
Darnell has had the opportunity to show what kind of character guy he is. When he is on the floor, which is a bad place in boxing, against Kelvin Davis, who is a banger, he came off the floor and beat Kelvin Davis. The quality of the fight was worth bringing the first fight on national television from staten island
LOU Duva
“Emmanuel can can punch like hell, wait until you see him punch.”
Teddy on Nwodo
“I have heard from Don Elbaum, one of the great old promoters, he has been around for 55 years, said that guy is a puncher, he can bang, he can hit you on the top of the head and you feel it on your toes.”
Lou Duva asked …
“Will they be able to wear Jets helmets? ”
Teddy answered…
“We plan to tape my Fight Plan segment with two NY Jets,h Vic Hobson and Clement, who stands about six foot eight.”
Dino Duva\.
“It is going to be an historical night on Staten Island.”
DUVA BOXING PRESENTS FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS: STATEN ISLAND KNOCKOUTS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 29 – EMMANUEL NWODO VS. DARNELL WILSON IN
USBA CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MAIN EVENT
***Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation to Benefit; ESPN2 Friday Night Fights to Televise***
Staten Island, New York—Duva Boxing will present Friday Night Fights: Staten Island Knockouts on Friday night, June 29, at the St. George Theater (34 Hyatt Street), in conjunction with the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation.
Duva Boxing president Dino Duva has announced that part of the proceeds from event ticket sales will go to the Atlas Foundation, which assists the needy and less fortunate in the New York area and throughout the country. Staten Island native and renowned fight trainer Teddy Atlas will be in his customary position as ringside analyst on the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights broadcast, with Joe Tessatore delivering the blow by blow. The first bout of the evening is at 8:00 PM, and airtime for the broadcast is at 10:00 PM.
The main event will feature Nigerian import Emmanuel Nwodo against Darnell Wilson in 12-round USBA Cruiserweight Championship bout in a battle of knockout artists. Nwodo (21-3, 17 KO’s) is ranked no. 8 by the WBO, and has reeled off 10 straight victories. Wilson is a winner of three in a row, and has a ring record of 21-5-2, including 18 triumphs by way of KO. There will also be a tremendous undercard featuring local attractions, rising stars, and a possible surprise exhibition.
“We are extremely excited about bringing a big time televised boxing card to Staten Island,” said Duva, “and are proud to contribute part of the box office gate to the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation to assist in the great charitable works that it does. I hope everyone attends this historic event.
‘It will be fun for Teddy to broadcast a fight card on his home turf,” added Duva, “so we are looking forward to an extra special night featuring a pair of big hitters in the main event. We intend on this show being the start of regular cards on Staten Island.”
“I am thrilled about this show for three reasons,” said Atlas. “First, pro boxing hasn’t been on Staten Island for quite a while, and bringing the Friday Night Fights here is going to be well received. Secondly, to celebrate the passion of Staten Island sports fans and help the foundation is important and gratifying to me. Thirdly, to work with an old friend like Dino Duva will make it that much more satisfying.”
This event is presented by Duva Boxing in association with Final Forum and Sugar Han Promotions. Tickets are priced at $150, $50 and $30, and are available by calling Duva Boxing at 973-237- 0999. Staten Island locations for ticket purchases will also be announced shortly.
HOPKINS STARTS TRAINING PROGRAM WITH ROACH
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
“COMING TO TRAIN”
BERNARD HOPKINS ARRIVES IN LOS ANGELES TO BEGIN TRAINING WITH FREDDIE ROACH FOR JULY 21
“COMING TO FIGHT” SHOWDOWN WITH WINKY WRIGHT
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 14, 2007) . . . Light Heavyweight Champion Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday and began training with new trainer Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym. Hopkins is already entrenched in a vigorous regimen in preparation for his summer blockbuster fight against Winky Wright in “Coming to Fight,” on July 21st at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada live on HBO Pay-Per-View.
“I’m thrilled to be training with Freddie Roach in Los Angeles,” said Hopkins. “It’s a complete change of scenery for me and the new surroundings are a great motivation at this stage of my career.”
Hopkins is training in Los Angeles for the first time in his long and illustrious career. Previous sites and regular favorites for the veteran pugilist have included Miami, Philadelphia, Big Bear and most recently New Orleans. A major influence in his decision to train in the City of Angels was the addition of Roach to his team, who owns the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.
Hopkins continued, “Freddie’s a great trainer and it was great how it all worked out after my trainer Nazim Richardson had a stroke (but will be in my corner fight night) and the circumstances that dictated I make the adjustment. Freddie is such a valuable asset to any fighter’s corner and he hit it off with the rest of my team immediately.”
Roach, who recently trained Hopkins’ Golden Boy Promotions partner Oscar De La Hoya, was eager to join forces with Hopkins for the Wright fight. “I’m thrilled to work with an accomplished champion like Bernard,” said Roach. “He’s probably the most committed fighter I know when it comes to training and work ethic. It’s actually a dream role for any trainer to have the opportunity to work with Bernard and prepare him for the fight against Winky on July 21st. Bernard came to camp in great shape, and come July 21st, Bernard will be ‘Coming to Fight’.”
Hopkins vs. Wright “Coming to Fight” is for Hopkins’ Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight belt and will take place Saturday, July 21st at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Coming to Fight” is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions in association with Winky Promotions, and sponsored by Southwest Airlines, Tecate Beer and Rockstar Energy Drink. HBO Pay-Per-View will televise the fight live at 9pm ET/ 6pm PT.
BARONI VS. SHAMROCK CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
CONFERENCE CALL QUOTES
FRANK SHAMROCK & PHIL “THE NEW YORK BAD ASS” BARONI
Thursday, June 7, 2007
(NOTE: Due to the rather graphic/extreme nature of some of the language, this transcript has been edited. To hear the conference call as it happened in its entirety, including the beer, smoke and bathroom breaks, you are encouraged to listen to the replay. Digital Playback information is at the bottom of the transcript).
MMA legend and former UFC middleweight champion Frank Shamrock and foul-mouthed, trash-talking, knockout-artist Phil “The New York Bad Ass” Baroni clash for the vacant Strikeforce middleweight (185-pound) championship in the main event of a spectacular MMA cage fight card on Friday, June 22, at the HP Pavilion at San Jose, Calif.
If Baroni can fight 1/64th as tough as he talks, Shamrock could be in for a long night.
In a second world title fight on a Strikeforce-EliteXC cage fight card that will be produced and distributed live by SHOWTIME® PPV (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT), Joey “Dream Smasher” Villasenor and Murilo “Ninja” Rua will clash for the vacant EliteXC middleweight title.
Tickets to “Shamrock vs. Baroni” are on sale at the HP Pavilion box office, at Ticketmaster Ticket Centers and online at www.ticketmaster.com. One can charge by phone by calling (408) 998-TIXS, (415) 421-TIXS or (510) 625-TIXS.
Other scheduled PPV fights include: EliteXC’s Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett vs. Victor “Joe Boxer” Valenzuela, lightweights; Strikeforce’s Cung Le vs. Tony “The Freak” Fryklund, middleweights and Carter “The Beast” Williams vs. Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello, heavyweights.
Before the PPV telecast, six exciting undercard fights will be streamed live at ProElite.com, a respected, rapidly growing Internet destination for the MMA community. First fight is at 7:40 p.m.
ET/4:40 p.m.
Begin Opening Comments.
Question: Frank, can we have some opening comments and thoughts?
Shamrock: I would just like to thank all the media for being involved and being supportive of this monumental event. Not only Showtime’s first big super fight card, but also the first Showtime Pay-Per-View out of San Jose, California, which, of course is my hometown. San Jose is a martial arts community and a marital arts town, and I’m honored to be fighting for them and representing our fine city. I’d like to thank the HP Pavilion for hosting us once again, and I estimate that we are going to sell a boat load of tickets on this, as we usually do. About the fight, it has been a long time coming. Phil threw out a challenge. I have gladly accepted it, and I would just rather let me actions in the ring do all the talking. I have done my homework, and I am ready to show them what is going on.
Question: Phil “The New York Bad Ass’’ Baroni, could we have some opening comments from you, please?
Baroni: I do not know what that #**##@####**## hole has been doing, but this is not grade school. When they lock the cage door, I am going to knock his “butt” (not exactly “butt”) out. I am not thanking anybody. I could give a #**##@####**##, really, about who is there. All I care about is June 22, Judgment Day, when I knock Frank Shamrock the #**##@####**## out. Put him back to the seminar circuit where his “butt” belongs. You know, he is a punk. He has a big mouth. He is writing checks with his mouth that his “butt” cannot cash, and I am going to put him to rest in his hometown. Beat him up, knock him out, and send him on his way.
Question: Phil, when did you first issue a challenge to fight Shamrock?
Baroni: When he was armchair quarterbacking, when I was fighting the best fighters around the world, and he was sitting at home, ridiculing and talking about everybody. The guy had a lot to say. I never thought he would back it up, and I still will not believe it until we get to the ring and they lock the cage door. I thought that he was looking for a way out of this fight. I do not believe he is going to back it up. I issued a challenge. He is the one that deals with the HP Pavilion. He is the one in with you guys, Gary Shaw and all those guys. So I issued a challenge. Everybody wants to fight that punk. It is not just me. He, being the so-called legend, got to pick his opponent, and he picked the wrong cat. He is getting knocked out.
Question: Phil, is Shamrock a guy you hate more than any other opponent? Does he stand out in some special way in regards to not liking him?
Baroni: I think he is a scum bag. I am not going to hold any punches. The guy is a hypocrite. I think he is a fraud, and everyone that has ever dealt with him, that I know of, does not like him. I mean Javier Mendez, who was his old trainer, all the guys at AKA that I have trained with over the years, Dana White, UFC President, who is a personal friend of mine. Everyone I know that has dealt with the guy thinks he is a #**##@####**## hole and a #**##@####**##. Judgment Day is June 22. I want to see what he is about. Wait till he steps in with the real deal. I am the real deal, and I am going to throw punches with bad intentions at his #**##@####**## head and put him to sleep.
Question: Frank, are you still sticking by letting your fists do the talking? Or are you going to respond to this?
Shamrock: Well, it is what it is. I am a professional martial artist, and I am a professional fighter. Phil is a professional idiot. I let my talking happen in the ring.
Baroni: Yes, see he did a lot of talking. He is the one that started the bad blood with his little videos and this and that. Now he wants to be the good guy. He has nothing to say because he is embarrassed, and he is going to get smashed. Now it is getting close, buddy. You can feel the heat. I am coming for you. You know what I mean? It is three weeks away, two weeks away, whatever the #**##@####**## it is, and you are going to get knocked the #**##@####**## out. You are going to hurt real badly and there is nothing you can do about it now. There is no backing out. There is no more tough guy talk. No little funny videos. It is just going to be me and you when they shut that door, and there is nowhere to run and there is nowhere to hide.
Question: Phil, can you talk about those funny little videos?
Baroni: Go on YouTube. He made a bunch of funny little videos.
Question: What are they … do they refer to you specifically?
Baroni: Yes, you know, they are little funny videos with chicks. I do not know what the #**##@####**## they are. They are funny little videos. Go check them out. I cannot really explain them.
Question: You are not amused by them, though?
Baroni: I think he is wasting his time. Now he wants to … he is a pompous “butt” hole. He is a fraud. He acts like … he uses big words, he is a big idiot. He is a retard, to be honest.
Question: Frank, where do you rank yourself amongst today’s top middleweight fighters?
Shamrock: I have no idea. I have not fought very many people for a length of time, to be honest. He is just a stepping stone to move up, so I am just working my way up.
Question: From this call that we have had so far, what bothers you the most about Baroni?
Shamrock: I do not mind Phil at all. I think he is a great marketer and promoter, and obviously speaks very well. He is a mid-grade opponent, and he looks good, sells tickets. I think he is wonderful. I have got nothing against Phil. I think he is hilarious.
Question: What are the strengths Baroni brings to this fight, and do you think he has the cardio and stamina to last with you?
Shamrock: I know he does not have the cardio and stamina to last. The strengths he brings are brute force and mindless punching. So I am prepared for it, and I do what I do.
Question: Not to look past Phil and his fight here, but should you come up victorious over Baroni, is there a rematch with (Renzo) Gracie on your radar?
Shamrock: That would be my next goal. That would be my definite next goal.
Question: For someone who has seen the darker side of life and has obviously risen to incredible heights of success, what motivates you now?
Shamrock: I just enjoy being a professional athlete and a professional martial artist, and enjoy teaching martial arts and guiding the community. I enjoy getting in and mixing it up. For me, the game is still the same. Just the money is bigger and the stakes are higher, but this is what I have always loved to do, and this is what I plan to do for awhile.
Question: Frank, is getting into your opponent’s head an important thing before a fight?
Shamrock: Yes, I mean the psychological game is a big portion of it. All the elements of fighting are involved, and I work on all of them, and exploit all of them. It is just part of the game. That is part of my game with Phil.
Question: Is a big goal of yours to become a champion again in this modern era of MMA, or do you simply want to provide for your family well, and just get as much money as you can from doing what you do?
Shamrock: My plan is to come back, to fight the best, and be the best. I did not see a reason to cripple my body and waste my body when the sport was not going anywhere. I have been training every day. I am a martial artist. I have been waiting for this moment, and now is my time. Phil is my stepping stone.
Question: Phil, what do you think about being regarded as a stepping stone?
Baroni: I think he is going to #**##@####**## trip on this stone. I think it is a big #**##@####**## stone to step over. Actually he is not going to step over it. I am going to #**##@####**## knock his “butt” down. He is a #**##@####**##. That is what everybody thinks. He is going to get #**##@####**## killed. I regard myself as one of the best middleweight fighters in the world. I have fought nothing but the best, had them hanging on for dear life. So if he thinks I am going to fade, he is out of his mind. I am not going to fade. I am going to be strong all five rounds. I am going to beat him for four and a half, and put him to rest in the fifth. Right before it ends. He has another thing coming with the stepping stone. I am the best, you know. (I have fought the very best, and won. In Japan, I got jobbed) the Japanese judges, if their eyes were not crossed, they would have known and gave me the fight. Then they did not know what they were watching. I have fought the best fighters in the world. Who has Frank fought? The one guy in common that we fought; I knocked him out in 18 seconds. So this is a big stepping stone. He better do some more homework. You must have #**##@####**## flunked out of high school, “butt” hole, because your studies are not going that well.
Question: Does Shamrock have the skills to stand up with you?
Baroni: No. He does not have the skills to stand up with me. He talks a lot of #**##@####**##. He talked a lot of #**##@####**## about Renzo wanting to take the fight to the ground, and he is there to fight, and he is a knock out artist. First of all, who the #**##@####**## has he ever knocked out? He never knocked anybody out. I am the #**##@####**## knock out artist in this weight class, at this game. He wants to say I have no stamina. As soon as I touch a guy anywhere on his body, he is scrambling for the take down. There is no way in a million years he is going to stand up with me. It is funny too, because he talks so much #**##@####**## about Renzo and about (how) Renzo did not want to fight, and how he wanted out of there, and he did not want any part of a fight. I am going to be in the middle of the ring, ready to trade. If you want to trade #**##@####**##, you are getting #**##@####**## quick. It is going to be bad and ugly in your own hometown. Frank is not that stupid. He is not going to trade with me. He is not going to box with me. He is not going to kick box. He is not going to do anything with me. If he does, I am going to kill him. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. He will not stay on. He does not have the #**##@####**##, the testicular fortitude to get in there and bite down on his mouthpiece, and grit with me. There is no way he will do it. So I am not even … that is not even in my mindset of him trying to stay on me. He has nothing for me on his feet at all. His game plan is to be wrestling around on the ground like a #**##@####**##, like they complained about Renzo doing. Trying to get me tired, and trying to make a boring fight, trying to pull something off, which is not going to happen, because I am twice the athlete he is. I can out- wrestle him. So we will see. He is not going to stand for more than 25 seconds. As soon as I land the first thing on him, if he is not sleeping, he will wish he was.
Question: Phil, where have you been training?
Baroni: I have been training in Vegas, where I have been living the last couple of years. There is a host of good guys there. I have popped in a couple times at Frank’s old gym and trained there.
Question: Should you be victorious over Shamrock, where would this position you as a fighter in the middleweight division?
Baroni: Right where I am right now, you know. I am supposed to win this fight. This is not a stepping stone for me. This is just me beating up a #**##@####**##. You know what I mean? Getting to beat up a punk. The only thing I have to gain by this fight is to beat up a “butt” hole. He is not like any of the guys I have fought before. After I win this, I am going to move on to bigger and better things. I am going to look to unified titles. Be a world champion. That is the main difference between me and Frank. Frank came back because of the money. There is money in this sport and opportunity. I am fighting because I want to be champion. I was fighting when there was no money, and I kept fighting. Now there is money, and it does not make a difference. I have been poor and broke my whole life. I am not in it for the money. I am in it to prove something to everybody, and mostly myself, that I am the best fighter in the world.
Question: Phil, for a long time, you have made it well known that you wanted two things. One, a fight with Shamrock; the other being a title fight. You get them both in the same night. How sweet is that for you?
Baroni: My time is finally here. Like I said, I have fought the best in the world, and I never got a title shot. The guys that I beat were winning titles and getting title shots. The guys that I am better than are getting title shots. It is just finally my shot, and I get to kill (two) birds with one stone. Send this #**##@####**## back to #**##@####**## doing seven hours out of the mainstream public where he wants to be so badly, and I get to be a world champion. I get to defend my title, and prove I have what it takes. Best in the world. So this is going to be a great night for me. I cannot wait. I am going to party my “butt” off for the next couple of weeks after I kill that dude.
Question: Phil, Joey Villasenor and Ninja, Murilo Rua, are fighting for EliteXC’s middleweight title on the same card. Has it already been discussed that the winner of your fight with Frank would fight that winner?
Baroni: I have not talked to them about it, but I am sure that is a big possibility. I am sure they are thinking about it. Either one of those guys would be a great opponent for me.
Question: Phil, do you have a long term or multiple fight contract, with Strikeforce?
Baroni: I have a multiple fight contract with Strikeforce, and it is also non-exclusive, so I will be able to fight for any title. After I knock this guy out and defend my Strikeforce title (I will) bounce around. (I will) beat up the winner of Villasenor-Ninja.
Question: Frank, there has been an issue between the two of you since 2002 when you guys were battling back and forth on the internet. Back then it seemed like you did not really consider Phil to be a sufficient opponent for you. How do you feel about him now?
Shamrock: Well, he is a good opponent. He has a bunch of skills, and he is strong, and he knows how to wrestle. I have always thought he was a good opponent. I never thought he would fight me, to be honest with you, so for me, it is a win/win situation. I am pretty excited about it. Phil is up there. He is a contender. I do not think he is the best in the world. In fact, I know he is not the best in the world. If he beats me, he beats me. He is the better man. But I am an artist. I do what I do.
Question: Assuming you are successful against Baroni, do you see yourself defending your title on a regular basis?
Shamrock: I have my fights planned through ’09. Look, I have always been honest. I have always been straight forward. This is what I always do. This is what I have always wanted to do. I just saw no reason to get in and do it for people I did not want to do it for, and for no money, and cripple my body up. Part of being a martial artist is being a smart businessman. I have always been a smart businessman when it came to fighting.
Question: Who are you training with right now?
Shamrock: Training with my guys in San Jose at the Shamrock Martial Arts Academy.
Question: Frank, does this still have the same sort of appeal and motivation for you — after the multiple titles you have won throughout your career?
Shamrock: (Yes, but) Honestly, I am not in it for titles. I have won more titles than most people will ever win. I am in it for the art, and I am in it to prove to myself the things that I believe to be true. I am in it to show the world what mixed martial arts, and what professional martial artists are about. That is why I am in the game.
Question: Frank, you mentioned that your schedule is booked up through ’09. Could you talk about some of the opponents you have in mind for the future? You mentioned you were interested in possibly fighting Ken, and also a rematch with Renzo.
Shamrock: Well, those two are definitely on my horizon, Renzo being next. There is another local celebrity and rising mixed marital artist named Cung Le, and I would like to fight him sometime in ’08. If me and Phil have a good fight, maybe we will give Phil a rematch after he loses. I am very definitive on what I want to do, and I would like to get myself into the game at the highest level, and compete against the best people out there and see how I do. Some of those fights do not have names or faces yet, but they have months and times.
Question: Phil, if you beat Frank, or knock him out, will that give you another ticket back to the UFC?
Baroni: First of all, I want to classify, I can go to the UFC any time I want. I have an open invitation back. Look at the guys fighting in the UFC. There is a bunch of bums. TV show reality star rejects and everything else. I am more than good enough to get to fight in the UFC. I am more than good enough to wear that middleweight title. I left because I had to go and fight in the Grand Prix, which I did. There is an open opportunity to come back and fight for the title after I beat Frank Shamrock. It is not to come back to the UFC. I can say I want to go in the UFC tomorrow. (Dana White) is a friend of mine. Not only is he a friend of mine, he is a businessman, and not to have me fight on the card would be retarded. Why wouldn’t you want me to fight on your show? Every one of my fights is exciting. I bring more to the table than anybody. As far as Frank Shamrock, I have to adjust one thing he keeps saying (that) he is an artist, this and that. Well after I #**##@####**## knock you out, Frank, I will buy you a box of crayons and a coloring book, and you can go be a #**##@####**## artist. But this is not a #**##@####**## artist, and this is not going to be a martial arts exhibition, #**##@####**##. This is going to be a #**##@####**## fight. Do you get it? I am not here to #**##@####**## do the #**##@####**##… I do not know what the #**##@####**## this dude is talking about martial arts. I am a #**##@####**## fighter. I have been a fighter since the day I was born. You are going to get in a fight. There is going to be a fight. I am going to take your #**##@####**## head off. I am going to pound you the #**##@####**## out. This is not a #**##@####**## … I do not know. I do not know what he is talking about martial artist and paint the picture, this is what I do. If this is what you do, you do it. I have been doing it. This is what I have been doing. I do it in the street, I do it in the ring, I have been doing it my whole life. I am a #**##@####**## fighter. I do not know what a #**##@####**## martial artist is, but man, this #**##@####**## guy is just a retard. He is in #**##@####**## la-la land, you know? I do not know where the #**##@####**## he is from. I am a #**##@####**## fighter, you know? Man, I do not get this cat. You are in for a rude awakening, dude. You are in for a rude awakening. You are going to get #**##@####**## up.
Shamrock: That is why they call him the “New York Bad Ass.’’.
Question: Phil, if you knock out Frank, you have been promised a UFC middleweight title shot, right?
Baroni: (White) promised me a title shot. He promised me a big bonus. Again, the difference between me and Shamrock is not about the money. I grew up poor. I have always been poor. I can care less about the money. It is not about the money for me. It is about setting goals and accomplishing them. I set high goals for myself. There are about six billion people in the world, and there is one middleweight champion. I plan on being that one guy. You only have one life and I want to do the most with mine, and this is what I choose to do. It is not about being an artist, and painting #**##@####**## pictures, or #**##@####**## teaching old ladies how to defend themselves in karate, and all this #**##@####**##. It is about getting in the #**##@####**## cage. Do not make it what it is not. It is a #**##@####**## fight. It is two men going into a cage, and seeing who is the #**##@####**## bigger man. I guarantee on June 22, Judgment Day, I will be the bigger man. Frank Shamrock is going to get #**##@####**## weighed, measured and found lacking.
Question: Frank, the origin of this fight came on interviews you cut on the internet. How effective can promoting on the internet be, and do you expect the popularity of this fight to be generated solely from the internet?
Shamrock: Well, it is obviously an effective tool. It is reaching a demographic that is supporting our sport, at least in the masses. It was a huge tool for us. We had a lot of trouble getting Baroni to sign. He had some issues and what-not, and we used the internet as a huge marketing tool to push him into that position and get him to commit. Really this whole fight was born on the internet from Phil getting on there and being his wonderful, vibrant self, and creating some energy behind this fight, which otherwise would have never happened.
Question: Phil, what were your reactions to the skits that Frank produced and conducted?
Baroni: He is patting himself on the back thinking that had anything to do with me getting in the fight. I could care less. I just had my manager and my agent negotiating me a better deal. I always wanted to fight the guy. You believe I did. He credits himself as a businessman. I got as much as I can out of this. So he has to pat himself on the back with his little stupid videos. That is not what made me want to fight him. I do not know what it really did, really for anybody, but cracked me up. It had nothing to do with me signing. I will fight anyone any time. I have always said it, and I have always done it. I have fought nothing but the best, and I finally get a fight against someone who is the top five in the world.
Question: Phil, what was your reaction once the fight with Frank was made?
Baroni: I was a happy man. I was excited about the opportunity to knock his “butt” out. I did not think he would be dumb enough to sign the contract, but he did. I was just happy about being able to be the one to knock his “butt” out.
Question: Phil, what has Shawn Tompkins added to your arsenal as a fighter, and second, what is the status of your legal case in Florida? Has that been having any interference with the lead up to this fight? Are you clear? What is the status of that?
Baroni: Well first, Shawn Tompkins is a great trainer. I finally found someone that has a similar style and a similar attitude on fighting as me. Someone who likes to get in there gritty and with similar body styles. I have had a lot of great coaches. I have worked with a lot of top guys. This will probably be a ground fight thanks to Frank. As far as my legal case goes, it is being handled. I am not going to worry about it until after my fight. I could care less, really. I cannot worry about it right now. I am innocent until proven guilty.
Question: Will it go to trial?
Baroni: I have no idea right now. It will be taken care of after this fight. I hope not.
Question: Frank, your fight in February was your first in quite awhile. How disappointing was it afterwards, and how long did it take you to get over the fact that you lost on DQ? Are you over that, or is that still lingering in your mind how that fight ended up?
Shamrock: It is what it is. I accepted it. I was pretty down for a couple weeks, but it is part of the game, and that is how I look at it. Nothing else I can do about it. I will get it back on the rematch, and I will put it to rest then.
Question: Do you feel, after watching it, that the call was just?
Shamrock: This is my personal opinion, and that is that he was looking for a way out. I could hear the guy. I know about fighting. I have been fighting for 13 years as a pro, and I barely touched the guy, and the guy was looking for a way out. That is just my personal opinion, and some people do not like it, and some people do not care. That is just the way I feel, and I have been taught to speak the truth and roll with it. That is what I believe the truth is.
Question: Frank, leading up to the fight you had mentioned that you had a lot of respect for him. Did the outcome of that fight change how you feel about him?
Shamrock: No. He saw an opportunity to take the win, and he was not going to win any other way. So I think the guy is a pretty intelligent guy. I still think he is a great fighter, but it is what it is, and I do not know Renzo personally. I still have a lot of respect for him. Fighting is fighting is fighting.
Question: Frank, does it concern you at all that you had a lot less activity in the ring in the last seven years compared to Phil, and that your more recent successes have been arguably against less experienced opponents than he has? If not, why?
Shamrock: No, it does not concern me. I train every day, and Phil does not get this, but I am an artist, so I work out, I train, I study fighting every single day. I train my team, and I train my Razor Claws. For me, not fighting is … I have not had a chance to party in the ring for awhile. Every time I walk in I just feel like I am home again. It is what it is.
Question: Phil, you have said this was a do or die time in your career, and that you wanted to take it to the next level. Are you where you want to be in terms of the opportunities? Do you feel like you have a good opportunity to do that? To fulfill those goals?
Baroni: Yes, it is a big opportunity. It is a huge opportunity. I may not like the guy, but the bottom line is he is a legend, and he probably has more moves than I know, but the difference is I am a fighter. I do not #**##@####**## study fighting. I fight. I get in there and I #**##@####**## do what I do. That is fight. I do not #**##@####**## study, I do not teach or “bull” like that, or anything he does. I do not understand what he does. I do not think about fighting, I #**##@####**## do it. I do not have a manual and read it. I just go in there and mix it up. It is a big opportunity for me. The guy is a legend and he has fought all over the world. He fought good fighters, but I’m not here for a #**##@####**## picture. I am here to break his #**##@####**## head. It is going to come down to who wants it more. I think he is in it for the money and the popularity of the sport right now, and I think I am in it to be a champion. He said he has won a lot of titles, more titles than other fighters, and I do not think he is hungry. Not like me. Hungry for the money, but when it comes down to checking our gloves, and who wants it more, I am going to beat him. I am going to push through it. I am going to push harder, and I am going to knock him out. I am going to make him quit. I am going to find that soft spot and lay in it. I am not concerned about his cardio, or about what techniques he has, because I am going to make it a fight. It is not going to be a technical match. It is not going to be who knows more. I am going to come out, guns blazing, and he is not going to weather it. He is going to be there for five #**##@####**## rounds. He is not #**##@####**## weathering it. He is going to get #**##@####**## chopped up, spit out, and laid to rest. It is a big fight, there is a lot on the line. I cannot afford to lose to this guy. I have been in big fights before, and I have always taken care of my business. I cannot afford to lose to this guy. There is a lot of pressure on me. They have me training my “butt” off. I am in phenomenal shape. I am bigger and stronger than I have ever been in my career. I am focused, and I am in a better place in my life than I have ever been before. I am going to take it to this guy. It is time for me to take his place. Pick up where he has left off. He is going to pass the torch on the 22nd. He is well rounded, he is a good athlete. He studies fighting, whatever the #**##@####**## that means, but I know, from watching his tapes, from what I know from other fighters the guy can fight. He is a great athlete, a great competitor. But so am I. It is my time. This is my destiny. I have been waiting for this moment my entire life, and I am not going to come up short. I am taking care of my business.
Question: Frank, it seems early on in the buildup to this fight, the attacks became pretty personal against Phil. Why did they become so personal so quickly?
Shamrock: Basically I was just reiterating back to Phil and what he had started on the internet. I mean, obviously that is how you sell a fight, and obviously that was the name of the game. The truth is, I trained to fight Phil, and then all of a sudden he had some personal issues and he could not sign, and they wanted to renegotiate or whatever they wanted to do. I looked at it as a business opportunity. We needed to get the media and the public behind getting this fight to really truly happen, and the only way to do that, I felt, was to make him look like the fool. Here we are now.
Question: You consider yourself a martial artist and Phil considers himself a fighter. In your opinion, what is the difference?
Shamrock: Well, the difference in my opinion is one person lives their life a certain way, by a certain code, and the other does not. To me it is fighting. Phil is in for a really rude awakening, because I fight everybody in the world, and I have trained with everybody in the world, and I know what my skill set is. It is about the way you live your life, and the way you hold yourself, and present yourself to the world. That is how I present myself.
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN REMOVED
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | 3 Comments
DAN SEVERN WILL CAPTAIN TEAM USA MMA
Posted on | June 21, 2007 | No Comments
MMA LEGEND DAN SEVERN NAMED
CAPTAIN OF TEAM USA MMA
TEAM USA MMA TAKES ON TEAM BRAZIL MMA
SATURDAY, SEPT. 1…AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
————————————————————————————————————
DALLAS, TEXAS June 12, 2007– SUN Sports & Entertainment Inc. announced today the Company has chosen MMA Legend Dan “the beast” Severn as Captain of Team USA MMA for the upcoming ART OF WAR 3, Undisputed Arena Fighting Championships in Dallas Texas on September 1st 2007.
Severn will be on the sidelines guiding an American squad of MMA All-Stars as they take on Team Brazil MMA. Heavyweight star Jeff “Snowman” Monson heads up Team USA when he challenges Brazilian Jui Jitsu legend, Pedro “The Rock” Rizzo for Rizzo’s IFA World Heavyweight title, in the Main Event.
The Monson vs Rizzo five-round title bout will headline an exciting ten-bout card that also features Team USA MMA stars Jeremy “Gumby” Horn, Jake “The Snake” Shields, Ron “H20” Waterman and Ricco “Suave” Rodriguez taking on some of Brazil’s best action fighters.
Severn, still active as a fighter, has captured the attention of fight and wrestling fans all over the world since his 1994 debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championships [UFC]. Dan is known as “The Beast”, a name given to him by Jim Brown during one of his many fights in the UFC.
The native of Coldwater, Michigan, has accepted all challengers in any no holds barred, or professional wrestling events. On May 17, 1996, Dan was crowned the UFC Superfight Champion in his home state of Michigan. He defeated “The World’s Most Dangerous Man”, Ken Shamrock to regain the title. Dan is the only triple crown UFC champion in the sport today.
“We are honored to have a true MMA Legend and Competitor as Dan Severn to be Captain of Team USA MMA,” said SUN President, Buckeye Epstein.
“Dan provides the experience, leadership and skill set to help guide this historic team. The world is now watching and Team USA will be there to deliver some hard hitting action when Team Brazil arrives in Dallas for the Art of War3.”
Severn began his career in the fight game as a Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestler. Dan quickly became a top high school and collegiate wrestler capturing many titles, honors, and several national and world titles. As a high school wrestler Severn was a two-time national champion and set eight national records in his career. Dan was inducted into Arizona State University’s wrestling hall of fame at the end of his prestigious collegiate career.
After completing his degree program and graduation, Dan continued on a quest to be the best amateur wrestler in the world. Numerous competitions from 1982 to 1994 took him to Japan, Hungary, Cuba, France, and Turkey. On each trip, Severn captured another title. Dan also secured 13 National AAU wrestling championships during those years. The Beast also tried his hand at coaching wrestling at ASU and Michigan State University as he continued to compete and excel after his collegiate career.
The Beast’s world class wrestling skill, commitment, and desire provided the foundation for his success. Severn knew he needed to continue to improve his arsenal, so he added black belts in the sports of Sombo, Judo, and Jui Jitsu to his athletic package.
Severn has over 95 state, national, and international wrestling titles under his belt, and in 1999, reached a milestone by competing in his 4000th match. He has appeared on 48 Hours, 20/20, The Gordon Elliot Show, Nash Bridges, and many commercials.
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