Baltimore Boxing Radio Breaks Out Big Stars Saturday Morning: Freddie Roach, Nonito Donaire & Lennox Lewis
Posted on | January 22, 2010 | No Comments
Saturday January 23rd on Baltimore’s ESPN Radio – 1300 AM from 9am -11am. Hosts Scott Wagner and Scotty Crouse welcome Junior Bantamweight Champion Nonito Donaire, Legendary Trainer Freddie Roach, and at 10pm… Former Heavyweight World Champion, Lennox Lewis. Tune in to Baltimore’s Boxing Show – The Ballroom Boxing Report. www.espn1300.com.
Don’t forget… Friday January 29th, Ballroom Boxing returns to Michael’s 8th Avenue featuring Darnell “The Ding-a-Ling Man” Wilson, Thomas Snow (12-1) and Willie Williams (12-4) For tickets call 410-766-7474.
Tags: Boxing > Freddie Roach > Lennox Lewis > Maryland > Nonito Donaire > The Ballroom Boxing Report
Cool Combat Sports Links: Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Boxing (1-21-10)
Posted on | January 21, 2010 | No Comments
FNU Combat Sports Show: 1-21-10
UFC champion Brock Lesnar says long battle with illness is over
Gov. Paterson puts MMA on the NY State budget plan
Herschel Walker’s effort at mixed martial arts is no joke
MMA ready to rock The Rock this Saturday
MMA added to New York state budget
Extreme fighter who trains in Glendale takes martial-arts crown
Wrestler takes on dramatic role
No. 7 Central Michigan wrestling opens MAC schedule vs. Eastern Michigan
Wrestling regimen inspires in battle with melanoma
Phil Anastasia: Absegami wrestling coach wins 500th
Buhner’s win a key in Riverhead’s wrestling victory
Pa. Boys: Clutch late decisions keep Friends’ Central unbeaten in wrestling
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 coming to the AppStore; Wrestling fans rejoice!
Del. Wrestling Coach Charged With Stalking
Haddonfield wrestling tops West Deptford on criteria
The S.C.O.R.E., Part V: Conclusions About The Mainstream Wrestling Crisis
Wrestling program builds toward legacy
Morrisville State wrestling tops RIT 39-15
Inside Boxing: Mayweather shies away from risks
Winter Haven boxer Andre Berto gives up title fight to help in Haiti
Margarito poised to receive license
Luevano’s the Champion, But Also the B-Side
Hayden Panettiere Ends Love Romp with Boxing Beau
UFC RELUCTANTLY PUSHES MONTREAL DATE BACK TO MAY 8
Briefs: Amateur boxing show planned
STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Bobby Lashley vs. Wes Sims on January 30th?
Quincy boxers in action Friday
Boxing Club Still Throwing Punches
Manny Pacquiao: Floyd Mayweather Was ‘Scared to Lose’
Boxing: Pacquiao focuses on Clottey
Tags: Boxing > combat sports > IBF > links > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > news > reports > stories > TNA > UFC > updates > WBA > WBC > wrestling > WWE
Trevor Prangley To Face Karl Amoussou In Main Event When STRIKEFORCE Challengers Series Hits San Jose Feb. 26
Posted on | January 21, 2010 | No Comments
Sarah Kaufman To Battle Takayo Hashi For First STRIKEFORCE Women’s 135-Pound Title
Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow/Friday
NEW YORK (Jan 21, 2009)—World championship mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion STRIKEFORCE will return to its roots when it brings its Challengers fight series to The Civic Auditorium in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 26. Topping the card will be a middleweight (185 pounds) contest between wrestling powerhouse Trevor Prangley (22-5) and Karl Amoussou (11-2-1).
Undefeated power puncher Sarah Kaufman (10-0) will clash with Japan’s Takayo Hashi (12-1) in the first STRIKEFORCE women’s world bantamweight (135 pounds) championship matchup in history while Luke Rockhold (6-1), one of MMA’s brightest up and comers, will take on Paul Bradley (12-1) at middleweight, in one of the featured fights.
Tickets for the first STRIKEFORCE Challengers event of 2010, priced from $30, go on sale at 10 a.m. PT tomorrow/Friday, Jan. 22, at The San Jose Civic Auditorium box office, Ticketmaster (800-745-3000) and online at Ticketmaster.com and STRIKEFORCE.com.
Since 1993 when STRIKEFORCE was founded as a kickboxing series, The San Jose Civic Auditorium has played host to numerous events produced by the organization that more recently emerged a leading promoter of MMA contests.
Prangley, a former national wrestling champion for South Africa who ventured to The United States years ago in order to further his wrestling career, will put on the line a five-fight win streak that began with a unanimous decision over Anthony Ruiz during STRIKEFORCE’s event at the world famous Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2008. The 37-year-old also finished as runner up in STRIKEFORCE’s four-man tournament, the first sanctioned single elimination MMA event in California state history, on Nov. 16, 2007.
The 24-year-old Amoussou, known for his devastating knockout power and unorthodox fighting style, hails from France and is an expert in Judo as well as Savate. He brings a three-fight win streak with him to the STRIKEFORCE cage.
Kaufman is a 24-year-old former professional ballet dancer who stumbled upon MMA after a martial arts school opened underneath her dance studio in Victoria, Canada. Her mellow demeanor outside the cage is a stark contrast to her ferocity inside it, which has helped her knock out 8 of her 10 opponents.
In her last effort, Kaufman earned a unanimous decision over Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler during the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event at Kent Washington’s ShoWare Center on June 19, 2009.
The 32-year-old Hashi of Honbu, Tokyo, is a former champion of Japan’s Smackgirl MMA promotion.
Since suffering the only defeat of her career to Hitomi Akano on Aug. 17, 2005, Hashi has reeled off eight straight victories, including a revenge win over Akano on Sept. 6, 2007.
In other action, James Terry (7-1) of San Jose will square off with Tarec Saffiedine (7-2) of Temecula, Calif., in a welterweight (170 pounds) bout while Raul Castillo (6-0) of Half Moon Bay, Calif., will face fellow unbeaten middleweight Yancy Medeiros (4-0) of Waianae, Hawaii.
San Jose Civic Auditorium doors will open for the STRIKEFORCE event at 5:15 p.m. PT. The first preliminary bout will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the first main card bout will begin at 8.00 p.m.
The live SHOWTIME® telecast of the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event will begin at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).
STRIKEFORCE in March 2009 signed a multi-year agreement to stage live MMA events on premium cable television network SHOWTIME. The promotion made its live, primetime debut on CBS with the “Fedor vs. Rogers” mega-fight that it co-promoted with M-1 Global on Saturday, November 7 and generated 5.46 million viewers for the main event between the world’s number one heavyweight, Fedor Emelianenko, and superstar Brett “The Grim” Rogers.
STRIKEFORCE Challengers is a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters. The series is designed to provide today’s top prospects with the opportunity to step-up their level of competition and demonstrate their ability in a nationally televised event.
Tags: Karl Amoussou > Luke Rockhold > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Paul Bradley > Srah Kaufman > Strikeforce > Takayo Hashi > Trevor Prangley
BEIBUT SHUMENOV SEEKS REDEMPTION ON JANUARY 29 AGAINST GABRIEL CAMPILLO
Posted on | January 21, 2010 | No Comments
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FIGHT TO BE AIRED ON FOX SPORTS NET FROM HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS
LOS ANGELES, January 21 – A comprehensive analysis by highly-regarded punch stat compiler and analyst CompuBox supports Team Shumenov’s original contention, as well as the contention of the vast majority of fans in attendance, that Beibut Shumenov deserved to win a unanimous 12-round decision against Gabriel Campillo in their August 15, 2009 World Boxing Association (WBA) Light Heavyweight World Championship fight.
Campillo, however, was able to hold on to his WBA World Title by way of a controversial decision that was announced as unanimous but changed the following day to a majority decision (114-113 John Coyle, 113-113 Glenn Feldman, 115-111 Pasquale Procopio) when a scoring error was discovered. The controversy surrounding the scoring has led to their January 29 World Title rematch at The Joint at Hark Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to CompuBox’s statistical breakdown of Campillo-Shumenov I, Shumenov landed more total punches and at a higher connect percentage (213 of 651 compared to Campillo’s 199 of 672), including a dominating 193-144 edge in power punches. CompuBox’s scoring gave Shumenov the first five rounds in addition to the eighth and ninth (10-8) for a 115-112 advantage. (See full chart below)
“We always believed that Beibut won a close decision and we’re happy that the analysis by an independent organization like CompuBox fully supports us,” Chingis Shumenov, Co-Owner of KZ Event Productions said. “Beibut is seeking redemption. We look forward to the rematch and are grateful that the WBA has sanctioned it.”
“Campillo vs. Shumenov II” features the 12-round WBA Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between the defending champion, Spain’s Campillo (19-2, 6 KOs), and IBA World title-holder Shumenov (8-1, 6 KOs). The evening of boxing will be presented by KZ Event Productions and Golden Boy Promotions with Campillo vs. Shumenov presented in association with Sampson Boxing LLC. The bout will be televised live on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and its regional sports network affiliates beginning at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT (check local listings). Doors will open at 6 pm and the first bell rings at 7 pm.
In the event’s opening televised fight, former Cuban amateur star Erislandy Lara (9-0, 5 KO’s) takes on veteran junior middleweight Grady Brewer (26-11, 15 KO’s), winner of hit reality television show The Contender II, in a 10-round bout.
Joining Shumenov on the January 29 show are two other KZ Event Productions fighters, unbeaten Uzbekistan prospects light heavyweight Gayrat Ahmedov (12-0-1, 8 KO’s) and Ravshan Hudaynazarov (9-0, 6 KO’s), making their United States debuts in separate bouts.
Tickets for this action-packed night of boxing, are priced at $150, $125, $100, $50 and $40 (general admission standing room tickets). Tickets may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.
For more information, visit www.kzeventproductions.com or www.goldenboypromotions.com or follow Golden Boy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GoldenBoyBoxing.
Tags: Beibut Shumenov > Boxing > Erislandy Lara > Gabriel Campillo > Grady Brewer > rematch
Penner ready to pay the Price
Posted on | January 21, 2010 | No Comments
Debut at light heavyweight no easy task for top prospect
By MFC Staff
Nick Penner was happy with getting the win but not by the methods with which it came.
He learned a lesson about preparation, and is taking it to heart as he prepares for his next fight which comes with another test of its own. Penner (9-1), one of the top prospects in the Maximum Fighting Championship, puts his six-fight winning streak on the line at MFC 24: Heat XC when he takes on Chris “The Exorcist” Price (15-3). The fight will be Penner’s first at light heavyweight, moving down from the heavyweight ranks, but it is a transition he expects will benefit him in a big way.
“I feel good about the drop – I’m just not big enough to fight at heavyweight. My training has changed a lot as a light heavyweight with working more on endurance and explosiveness,” said Penner, who has a good all-around game with skills in both stand-up, thanks to a background in kick-boxing, and on the ground as evidenced by five wins coming via submission.
Penner’s last outing, which was his final hurrah as a heavyweight, was a successful one albeit not as impressive as many insiders has expected. He took too much punishment early on and the fight was in danger of being stopped due to a nasty gash along his eyebrow, but Penner still prevailed, ultimately finishing off Ryan Fortin with a second-round rear-naked choke.
“I let many people down in that fight. Even though I won, I wasn’t happy with my performance. I took Fortin far too lightly,” admitted Penner. “I thought he was just a big lumbering guy but he’s definitely a proficient fighter. I think I need to get punched in the head and cut to wake up. The positive out of that fight is that it strengthened my belief that when faced with adversity, I can break through and come out on top.”
Penner won’t be given a second chance to test his resolve against Price. The Edmonton, Alberta, product will need to be sharper, faster, and more intense if he hopes to proceed in his quest to face the upper echelon in the MFC’s 205-pound ranks.
“The fight will be a trial by fire as an introduction into the light heavyweight division,” said Penner. “I think a win over Price will be a statement to everyone. He’ll be a stiff test – he’s been around and he has a great record. But my coaches and I have watched tape on him and we’ve seen a few holes that we can exploit.
“It should be fun and I expect to finish him off in the third round by TKO.”
The Penner-Price matchup is among the featured bouts at MFC 24 which is headlined by a lightweight showdown between Derrick “The Eraser” Noble and “The Texas Gunslinger” Yves Edwards. Also on the card is another light heavyweight clash as Dwayne Lewis takes on David Heath, plus a middleweight rumble between Tom Watson and Travis Galbraith.
Tickets for MFC 24: Heat XC are going fast and are available through the MFC Ticket Hotline at (780) 504-2024 as well via Ticketmaster at (780) 451-8000, www.ticketmaster.ca, and Ticketmaster outlets. MFC 24: Heat XC will air live via streaming webcast – check out www.maximumfighting.com
Tags: Chris Price > MFC > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Nick Penner
Cool Combat Sports Links: Mixed Martial Arts, Wrestling, Boxing (1-20-10)
Posted on | January 20, 2010 | No Comments
Frank Trigg ‘still kind of desperate’ about making a living from MMA
Why MMA? Herschel has the answer
Truesport Alliances, Ltd. Leads in Providing the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Industry
Pro MMA Radio Episode 81 On-Demand Replay is Now Available
UFC Champ Brock Lesnar To End Illness Mystery on ESPN’s SportsCenter
Strikeforce Walks the Fine Line Between Promotional Value and Quality Matchmaking
Salter feels at home trading punches in the middle of an MMA ring
Liz Posener Making Her Mark in Mixed Martial Arts
Iowa police chief suspended over mixed-martial arts You Tube videos
Iowa police chief suspended over mixed-martial arts You Tube videos
Mixed Martial Arts: A Changing Landscape?
Wrestling Wrap Up: Results from 01/11 – 01/18 2010
NDSU wrestlers still on a high after upset
Boys Athlete of the Week: Warren Mack, Owings Mills, Wrestling
Women’s Wrestling Rundown #20: Did Awesome Kong punch Bubba the Love Sponge?
WRESTLING: Bulldogs doubling down
WWE STUDIOS TO FINANCE, MARKET AND DISTRIBUTE OWN FILMS
Eagle wrestlers are few in number, but they still have their moments
Wrestling team opens MAC schedule against Eastern Michigan
High School Spotlight: South Windsor Wrestler Joe Sargenti
Ramblings of a Wrestling Fan: Road to Rumblemania Edition
NCAA Wrestling Wrap 1/11 – 1/18
YVCC’s Sweet takes first in wrestling tourney
What Can TNA Do To Compete With WWE?
U investigating wrestling program
Pitt Wrestling Claims Quad Meet With Three Strong Wins
Boxing at Cowboys Stadium has nice ring to it for Jerry Jones
UFC 113 Could Move to May 8 to Avoid Mayweather-Mosley Boxing Fight
Amir Khan set for US fight debut against Marcos Maidana
Women’s boxing added to Asian Games programme
If You Love Boxing, Watch Gamboa This Saturday Night
Brian Viloria talks about boxing, patience and the eye of the tiger
Brock Lesnar coming back to UFC – UFC & Boxing Odds
Trainer Kevin Barry excited to return to pro boxing after six-year break
Readers split over co-promotion
Boxing Promoters Association Continues to move Forward in Vegas
Devastated Andre Berto Pulls Out of Fight With Mosley
Tags: Boxing > combat sports > IBF > links > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > news > reports > stories > TNA > UFC > updates > WBA > WBC > wrestling > WWE
MMA SUPERSTARS NICK DIAZ & MARIUS ZAROMSKIS, WOMEN’S CHAMP CRIS CYBORG & MARLOES COENEN CONFERENCE CALL HIGHLIGHTS
Posted on | January 20, 2010 | 1 Comment
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010
Playback instructions:
U.S. Toll Free: 800-355-2355
International: 402-220-2946
Playback Passcode: 14853#
*The Playback will be available for: 11 days.
Superstar Nick Diaz, DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius “The Whitemare” Zaromskis, STRIKEFORCE 145 pound Women’s Champion Cris Cyborg, and submission expert Marloes Coenen discussed the upcoming STRIKEFORCE MIAMI mixed martial arts (MMA) fights scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30 at BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., LIVE on SHOWTIME® (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
The 26-year-old Diaz (20-7), a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and native of Stockton, Calif, will take on DREAM welterweight (170 pounds) champ Zaromskis (13-3) in the main event and first STRIKEFORCE welterweight championship bout in history. Diaz, who will put a five fight win streak on the line, is making his first start since he submitted hard-hitting Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith on June 6, 2009. The highly explosive, 29-year-old Zaromskis, who hails from Siauliai, Lithuania, has won his last three fights on first-round knockouts via head kick.
STRIKEFORCE 145-pound women’s champion Cyborg (8-1) will defend her crown against submission expert Coenen (17-3). Cyborg made history on Aug. 15, 2009 when the 24-year-old native of Brazil stopped superstar Gina Carano with a punishing barrage of strikes in the first round of their meeting to become the first-ever STRIKEFORCE women’s champion. The long-awaited showdown between Carano and Cyborg also marked the first women’s main event in the history of any major MMA promotion. The 28-year-old Coenen, a member of Holland’s Team Golden Glory and mixed martial artist since the age of 14, made a successful STRIKEFORCE debut and avenged one of her three career defeats by overpowering and submitting Roxanne Modafferi with an armbar in the first round (1:05) on November 7, 2009.
Also on the STRIKEFORCE: MIAMI card, football legend Herschel Walker will make his professional MMA debut as he begins the next stage of his athletic career against once beaten Greg Nagy. Undefeated heavyweight Bobby Lashley (4-0) will face an opponent to be announced.
What the athletes had to say on Wednesday’s call:
What’s it like dropping back down to 170?
NICK DIAZ: “I’m very happy to fight at that weight. I look the best at that weight. I like it, I feel the best at that weight. I’ve been waiting for a long time to fight in here at this weight class. Those last two fights weren’t my idea. I’ve fought at welterweight most of my life, so this isn’t a new thing to me. I’m happy to fight at welterweight.”
A lot of people feel like you jumped ahead of the line for a title shot against Nick Diaz. What are your thoughts on that?
MARIUS ZAROMSKIS: “Well, I don’t really think much of it. They told me to fight, so I’m fighting.”
Jay Hieron thinks you’re trying to duck him. Do you have a response to that?
DIAZ: “Ditto. I’m just fighting who they want me to fight. Whatever. That’s how it is. I’m just fighting who they want me to fight. I try not to open my mouth.
Do you anticipate that matchup happening at some point?
DIAZ: “I’m ready to fight anybody. If they can make it, then let’s do it. I’m ready to fight Jay Hieron and everybody in this weight class to get to the top. Whatever, I’ll do it.”
Cris, you beat Gina Carano, who was the face of women’s MMA fighting. I guess now you are the face of women’s MMA fighting. Do you like that role?
CRIS CYBORG: “I wasn’t thinking about who is the face of MMA when I fought Gina. Gina was just another opponent like anyone else. With me being the face of women’s MMA or not, I’m just going over there and doing my job, making sure I’m training hard and leading up the pack for all women in MMA.”
I read that she was thinking about posing in “Playboy.” Is that true or not? Also, that video of you choking out a reporter, was that real?
CYBORG: “The Playboy thing, I was literally horrified one morning when I found out everyone found out about it. I’d prefer not to talk about that right now and just focus on my fight. With the video thing, the reporter actually asked to see how strong I was and he wanted me to choke him out, so I did it.”
Is there too much of an emphasis on appearance and looks in women’s MMA coverage and what do you think it will take to get beyond that?
CYBORG: “It’s just like with anything else that women do, their appearance is very important. However, it’s not what’s going to make you win a fight or not. It is your talent and what you’re doing in the ring that matters the most. I hope we move past that.”
MARLOES COENEN: “I agree with Cris. I think it’s because it’s just a young sport and people don’t understand it’s a sport that everyone can do. Women can do it, men can do it and you can start at a young age. With women, we’re always judged by our appearance, and you see that in tennis with (Anna) Kournikova. It’s almost like Gina is the Kournikova of MMA. I hope there will be girls out there and our level of fighting will increase that much where people talk about our fighting skills instead of the beauty that we do or do not have.”
You mentioned it’s a sport anyone can do, do you see boys and girls getting into this sport at a young age?
COENEN: “I’m from the Netherlands, and MMA is getting way more popular every year. You see children doing fights at 8-years-old or 10-years-old, so by the time they’re 16 they’ve got like 50 fights under their belt.”
And that’s for boys and girls,
COENEN: “Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Nick and Marius, can you both assess your opponent’s strengths and weakness?
DIAZ: “I think he’s a good fighter, whatever. Anybody who is willing to fight at this level is a good fighter.”
ZAROMSKIS: “I think Nick is a very well rounded fighter. He has strengths in both boxing and grappling, just all around. I think it’s going to be a very tough fight for me. As far as how the fight will go or what I’ll be able to do, I don’t want to predict that. We’ll just have to see it in the ring.”
Nick, after the problems that arose on the STRIKEFORCE: Carano vs. Cyborg card, would you ever consider fighting in California again?
DIAZ: “I didn’t know there were any problems. I’ll fight wherever.”
Marius, despite being the DREAM Champion, Jay Hieron turned down a fight with you because he said you have little name recognition. Do you feel vindicated that STRIKEFORCE offered you a title shot?
ZAROMSKIS: “I don’t really care if I’m vindicated or not, because I don’t pay attention to that. I feel that a fighter should fight whoever they put in front of you, whether he’s famous or not. If Jay Hieron doesn’t feel that I’m famous enough to fight him, then I guess he’ll just have to wait until I get famous and I’ll fight him.”
Marius, is there a timeframe on when you’ll return and defend your DREAM title?
ZAROMSKIS: “No, right now I don’t know.”
Cris, what is your ultimate goal in MMA?
CYBORG: “I’m already married, I already have a good life. I want to build a family, not right now though whatsoever. In the future, hopefully. I just want to continue fighting and continue to hold my belt as long as I can. I want to make sure I continue to get better and train harder, and eventually build a team, have students fight, have a regular mixed martial arts career.”
Your style is very aggressive, how would you describe your personality?
CYBORG: “It would surprise you, but on a daily basis I am sometimes pretty aggressive. I’m a person that likes to have goals and looks towards the goals and achieve them. I’m calm some days, aggressive some days. I have a varying personality, but I definitely set my goals high and I like to do whatever it takes to achieve them.”
Marius, can you talk about your finishes in your last few fights (KO head kicks)? Is that something you go for?
ZAROMSKIS: “I don’t really look for a high kick, because when you look for something you end up being the one who’s getting knocked out. If I see it there in a split second I’ll take advantage of it. If it’s not there then I’ll use some other weapons. But, I do not look for a high kick.”
Why are your high kicks so effective?
ZAROMSKIS: “I kick (inaudible) a lot with my legs, so I’ve got power in it.”
Did you look up to Mirko Cro Cop at all? Or is your style completely independent?
ZAROMSKIS: “I was doing high kicks before. I’m not trying to imitate Mirko, I’m not inspired by Mirko. But, Mirko has a very devastating high kick, so if there’s something I could learn from him I definitely wouldn’t mind.”
Are you always constantly looking to do different things?
ZAROMSKIS: “It’s not something I look for, I just kind of do it. In a way, it kind of energizes me. I just do it for myself, but I guess fans find it interesting. I’m not doing it to be entertaining in a fight, I just do it to energize myself.”
Cris and Marloes, what do you expect to see in the ring?
CYBORG: “I don’t really think much about what’s going to happen. I just go in prepared for whatever comes. She can bring it, so hopefully she’ll be prepared for war, too.”
COENEN: “It will be a tough fight because Cris is an amazing athlete, a real powerhouse. I know that everything I do is good. My standup is OK, my ground game is OK. I really think we’ll both bring it and go toe-to-toe and give the audience what they’re expecting.”
What are your thoughts on the future of women’s MMA?
COENEN: “Well, my goal is that I hope I never have to do office work again. I just want to stay a professional athlete. It’s very important that women start fighting. When I grew up, it wasn’t an option for a girl to fight. There was some judo, but not too much around here. I think it really helps women. If you start fighting, you feel stronger in your mind and physically you’re stronger than you thought you were. That will help you in daily life. I just think it’s very important that we have some messengers like Gina, like Cris and, hopefully, myself that will inspire women to do it, to think that ‘if they can do it, I can do it,’ and start working out.”
CYBORG: “Every woman that’s working with MMA right now and every woman that’s fighting plays a very important role in the sport and where the sport is going to take them. I really hope that I have a lot of fans out there and I hope to train little Cyborgs all over the world. I’m just excited to be part of it.”
Cyborg, do you look at this as a nationalistic battle (Brazil vs. Netherlands), or is this just one women against another?
CYBORG: “I look at Marloes as a fighter and as a woman. I look at her as just another person competing with me and trying to take my belt away. Basically, I’m always defending my country no matter where I’m fighting, so I’m always defending the flag.”
Nick, do you get sucked into the challenge of trying to beat people at their own game?
DIAZ: “No, I just do it all, you know. I try to take the easiest direction. A lot of times, it’s easier to beat (inaudible) than it has been in the past. I’ll just do whatever it takes.”
Marius, what do you plan on doing to minimize the reach that Nick has with his punches?
ZAROMSKIS: “As far as Nick’s reach, Nick obviously has a reach advantage because he’s taller. But, I don’t feel like the height difference is so drastic between the two of us to really worry about it too much. Of course, I’m concerned about the reach and I have some plans to address that. It’s not like I’m 5 foot 6 and he’s 6 foot 9. I think it’s something I can handle.”
Marloes, can you talk about what it would mean for you to win this title?
COENEN: “Winning the title? I won my first title in the ‘90s in Tokyo, and ever since then I haven’t got a nice title. I’m very eager to get this title. I hope it’s a good start to my career in America.”
Worldwide, what do you think your profile is? Do you want to be as well known as Gina and Cris?
COENEN: “To be honest, I don’t think I’m on the same level as Gina and Cris are, but I hope this fight will change that.”
Do you think people would consider it an upset if you were to win?
COENEN: “I don’t know. I know I’m considered the underdog, but I think hardcore MMA fans know what I can do and what I’m capable of. I hope that my last fight was a demonstration of that. To be honest, I don’t really care what people think. I will show them in the cage.”
How would you have to win this fight?
COENEN: “Differently. I know people are really focusing on my ground game, but I know my standup is really good and my striking is really OK because I dropped Roxanne (Modafferi) with one punch and I’ve KO’d girls before with just one punch. I know my standup is OK and I know Cris will find out about it.”
Nick, is there any different preparation for you going into a championship fight?
DIAZ: “I do extra pushups and I run extra miles. I kick the heavy bag a lot, a lot. I just do the best I can. I learn more and more as I go. I’ve been doing this for a long time, I’ve got the same partners, so we’re always working on new things together. I’m just getting good help by Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez and my brother, everybody training for this fight.”
Marius, have you been working on anything specifically on the ground because Nick has a big advantage in that department.
ZAROMSKIS: “I’ve prepared as well as I can on the ground because Nick has a superior ground game. But, this is MMA, this is not kickboxing. I train in all of it. I train in grappling, the fighting, the wrestling, the same for all fighters. I pretty much do everything my trainers tell me to do. If they say do more ground, I do more ground. If they say do more standup, I do more standup.”
Cris, how do you feel Marloes stacks up as an opponent as compared to Gina Carano?
CYBORG: “I don’t really compare any other opponents at all. I basically take each fight individually and look at whatever issues come up.”
Marloes, based on your style, as more of a ground oriented fighter, do you think a five round fight benefits you?
COENEN: “I don’t consider myself as a ground fighter. I consider myself as a complete MMA fighter. I’m training for a fight, I’m training for five-five minute rounds. I’m ready for everything.”
Cris, how has your life changed since you beat Gina Carano?
CYBORG: “Regardless of being a women or not, a belt changes any athlete’s life. The athlete’s goal is to get a belt, I got the belt. It would have changed it regardless. Life has changed for the positive and I’m happy with it.”
Marloes, are you looking forward to a standup fight with Cris? Do you think it will go five rounds?
COENEN: “I don’t think it will go five rounds at all, because of the person she is and the person I am. If you put that together, it will not go to the fifth round at all.”
Do you train with other women, or do you just train with men?
CYBORG: “I only train with men. I usually hurt the women.”
COENEN: “For me, I usually train with men because there are not that many good women that do MMA here.”
Marloes, this fight was supposed to happen a year ago. Has the extra time off helped you prepare more?
COENEN: “No, I’m always ready to fight. I was ready a year ago and I’m even more ready now.”
Cyborg, Strikeforce recently announced a women’s tournament at 135 and 145 pounds. What are your thoughts on that?
CYBORG: “I’m definitely going to analyze all the girls from different divisions, up and down to see who’s coming near me. It’s going to be very fun for the sport to have other divisions and other belts.”
Tags: Cris Cyborg > Marloes Coenen > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Nick Diaz > Strikeforce
McDonald says Tapia doesn’t want to strike with him
Posted on | January 20, 2010 | 1 Comment
Lemoore, Calif. – Michael McDonald has a way with words.
The 18-year-old mixed martial artist from Oakdale, Calif. doesn’t pull any punches when talking about his up coming bout with former World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight star Manny Tapia.
“I really don’t think that (Tapia) wants to stand and strike with me,” said McDonald (8-1). “We all know he is going to try and take me down. He is very consistent in his game plans even when they’re not right.”
According to McDonald this is the second big fight in his career and will take place at Tachi Palace Fights 3 “Champions Collide” on Thursday, February 4 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
“He’s just going to take me down,” McDonald continued, noting he had been through a similar situation in his first career loss to Fresno, Calif.’s Cole Escovedo (14-4), who competes in the main event of the night against Duluth, Ga.’s Jeff Bedard (12-2) for the Tachi Palace Fights World Bantamweight title.
“It’s my second big chance the first was against Cole and I failed. But I think I can still say this is the biggest fight, because of Manny’s name. I honestly think that Cole was a much tougher style matchup for me than Manny is.”
Tapia (10-3-1) makes his highly anticipated return after three straight losses in the WEC. The Chico, Calif. fighter is still regarded as one of the World’s most exciting bantamweights, though.
“I’m good and ready to rock. I wish I could fight already. I’ve seen some video on (McDonald). I don’t watch too much, though. I just learn a little about the fighter. I’ve seen more on his interviews with him talking,” Tapia said.
“Honestly, I don’t see this going past the first round. I’m going to beat him up… ground and pound or knock him out on the feet. My sub game is also improving and back to where it used to be.”
The battle of the old veteran and the up-and-coming young star is certainly being billed as one of the most exciting on a card that’s packed full of action.
Tickets can be purchased at www.tachipalace.com or charge by phone at 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased at the Tachi Palace Gift Shop and start at a low price of just $30 for general admission seating.
In the co-main event, the Tachi Palace Fights World Featherweight title will be on the line with Fresno, Calif.’s Isaac DeJesus (8-1) and Westminister, Calif.’s Nam Phan (15-6) clash.
Tachi Palace Fights will be the site for the return Norwalk, Calif. middleweight Hector Ramirez (8-3-1). Ramirez will meet a seasoned veteran from Coarsegold, Calif. Anthony Ruiz (23-13).
Also, in action is David Bollea the nephew of professional wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan. Bollea (1-0), much like his uncle, is a grappling standout and trains in Las Vegas, Nev. at Cobra Kai. Bollea takes on a local striker from Hanford, Calif. Tim Denham (0-1).
Staying with the pro wrestling theme, Portland, Ore.’s Colton Toombs will make his professional debut. Toombs is the son of Rowdy Roddy Piper and will take on Fresno, Calif.’s Art Becerra (0-1).
In other bouts;
-Oakland, Calif. lightweight Dominique Robinson (4-3) vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.’s Gabe Ruediger (15-5).
-Fresno, Calif. bantamweight Zoila Frausto (4-0) vs. Las Vegas, Nev.’s Jessica Rakoczy (0-1).
-Lemoore, Calif. featherweight Sergio Quinones (3-5) vs. Turlock, Calif.’s Gabby Solorio (3-2).
-Fresno, Calif. bantamweight Phil Perez (7-5) vs. Gilroy, Calif.’s Anthony Figueroa (4-4).
-Fresno, Calif. heavyweight Mike Guidry (1-0) vs. Tulare, Calif.’s Rafael Del Real (6-14).
-Merced, Calif. welterweight Phil Collins (7-5) vs. San Bernardino, Calif.’s Mike Arellano (5-2).
-Santa Rosa, Calif. middleweight Nader Maghribi (0-0) vs. Sacramento, Calif.’s Matthew Jones (0-1).
Tags: ANthony Ruiz > Bobby Southworth > Brad Imes > California > Cole Escovedo > David Bollea > featherweight > Fresno > Gabe Ruediger > Gan McGee > Hector Ramirez > Hulk Hogan > Isaac De Jesus > Jeff Bedard > Las Vegas > Lemoore > lightweight > Manny Tapia > Michale MacDonald > Nam Phan > Oakdale > Poppies Martinez > Tachi Palace Fights > Trevor Prangley > Vladimir Matyushenko > WEC > West Coast > Westminster > Xavier Foupa-Pokam
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