BEWARE: LONG BEACH FIGHT NIGHT SCAM
Posted on | March 13, 2009 | 9 Comments
Please review and join the legitimate MMA Community in Southern California to boycott the April 2009 show being put on by the nefarious Long Beach Fight Night scam artists!!
Pro MMA Fighters, Managers, and Trainers, please beware of the LONG BEACH FIGHT NIGHT (LBFN) SCAM.
Contained below is a copy of our January 25, 2009 Investigative Report. Since that time, we have uncovered additional information about LBFN which the public should be aware of. This new information is:
1. Since the time of the last LBFN event, we have had 5 additional fighters from their promotion come forward to inform us that they also were victims of the Ticket Advance Scam perpetrated by Jason Delao, John Delao, and Marshall Topping, in the same fashion that fighter Phil Golff was exploited by them as outlined in the referenced report below. This scam works by the perpetrators convincing the innocent fighter to take commissions on ticket sales for the fight event in lieu of their legitimate fighter purse. They forward the fighter a large volume of tickets. Then at fight time the perpetrators refuse to take back the unsold tickets from the fighter, in direct violation of CA. State Athletic Commission Laws, and then subsequently charge the poor fighter full face value for the unsold tickets. This amounts in thousands of dollars of debt for the fighter. If the fighter doesn’t pay them, the perpetrators then attempt to litigate against the fighter, knowing that most fighters do not have the resources to afford an attorney to defend the lawsuit. As such, the scam proceeds, with the fighters in many cases actually paying off the perpetrators. With this scam in place, LBFN has found a way to financially fuel their operations.
2. Since the time of the last LBFN event, Jason Delao, John Delao, and Marshall Topping were successful in extorting money from fighter Jared Papazian. The details of this extortion are also summarized in the report below. The perpetrators extorted $1500.00 from this poor fighter.
Once again, if you have any inkling to work with LBFN, please take the time first to contact some of the victims and associates who can supply you with even more details on the nefarious workings of these guys. The fight business is plenty dirty, and the legitimate people need to stick together to try to survive the halocaust. Below are some of the contacts:
* Jared Papazian: jackhammerdeathrow@gmail.com
* Phil Golff: philgolff@yahoo.com
* Striker’s Domination: mmafighter170@gmail.com
* Justin Vasquez: chaositcage@yahoo.com
* Well Known “Anonymous Cross Town Pro MMA Fight Promoter”, Referenced in Report Below: If you don’t know who this is, CONTACT IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FROM US.
* Team Rabid Dog: rabiddogmma@comcast.net
——– Original Message ——–
Subject: LONG BEACH FIGHT NIGHT REPORT
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 11:12:13 -0800
From: Team Rabid Dog
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
On Jan. 4, 2009, Long Beach Fight Night (LBFN) produced their third Pro MMA Fight Show. LBFN is run by Jason Delao of Topping Events, Inc. and John Delao of Delao Jiu-Jitsu of Stanton, CA. This show was held at Long Beach City College. This was Team Rabid Dog’s first involvement with this Promotion Company. We would like to offer the following observations and comments on LBFN and its operations.
VENUE:
1. The venue was held in a rundown basketball gym, smaller than many high school gyms. The old wooden seats were extremely uncomfortable, with leg room worse than what the airlines provide. Fans were crammed into spaces so small that they could hardly move around at all. To make matters worse, there were not enough restroom facilities available, with many people waiting in line so long that they missed several fights.
2. Refreshments and concessions were virtually non-existent. No alcohol was available, and a most meager supply of just a few refreshments were available, which were very difficult to obtain due to long lines once again. Many fans did not even try to get Refreshments simply due to the extreme difficulty of getting back to their seats through the crammed bench seating walkways.
3. Gear and Promotional Vendors and Supplier Booths were few in numbers. These poor Booth Exhibitors were stuck outside the building in the cold weather, and as such, obtained almost no sales or revenue for themselves. In fact, it is our understanding that the Booth Exhibitors paid LBFN in advance for an indoor space, and then when they arrived to set-up for the show, they were forced outside into the cold, which was essentially isolated from the main body of fans. In fact, one horror story that was relayed to us came from Gear Supplier, Striker’s Domination. When they arrived to set up their display booth on fight night, after paying LBFN well in advance, they were then forced to buy ridiculously priced parking from LBFN. Next, LBFN would not allow them to come inside the building at all unless they bought a ticket. And finally, LBFN informed them that they would have to set up outside the building, as opposed to inside as the Exhibitor had contracted and paid LBFN for. In total frustration, Striker’s Domination decided to not exhibit at the event and drove all the way back home from Long Beach to Simi Valley.
FIGHTERS:
1. The Weigh-In for this MMA event was held the day before. Without question, considering 140+ MMA events that we have participated in from Florida to Minnesota to British Columbia to California, this was the most unorganized. None of the LBFN staff had any familiarity with Athletic Commission procedures. In addition to mass confusion, this is the only event we’ve ever been to that did not offer refreshments to the athletes after the weigh-in process.
2. Scheduled Fighter Vince Ortiz from Antonio McKee’s Camp suffered greatly from the lack of experience and questionable ethics on the part of LBFN. His opponent suffered a last minute injury. Team Rabid Dog helped them to find a last minute replacement with the help of Justin Vasquez, Owner of Chaos In The Cage, and [Anonymous Crosstown MMA Promoter, Name Available Upon Request]. But either due to LBFN’s lack of knowledge on how to get the Athletic Commission’s approval for injury replacements, or more likely, based on the fact that LBFN had already sold all the tickets they were going to sell, LBFN decided to scratch the fight to save having to produce one more fight and the related purse expenditures, with no regard for what had been represented to the fans and with no regard for the excruciating training efforts of Vince Ortiz. Obviously this does not speak well of LBFN’s consideration of the well-being of the fighters.
3. Fighter Anthony Ferguson, despite his request for a specific cornerman and the appropriately provided documentation on the part of his CA. licensed cornerman, he was refused the accommodation to have this specific cornerman, not by the Athletic Commission, but by LBFN. According to the Athletic Commission Rules, this interference with the Fighter’s Rights on the part of LBFN constitutes a violation of the California Business and Professions Statutes.
4. The quality of the Fight Card and the Matchups for this event were uniformly perceived by the fans as poor. Most fans complained of either mis-matches or too many entry level fighters, which culminated with the overall perception that most of the fights were very boring to watch.
5. The question for fighters who are thinking about fighting for LBFN would be this: “Do you want to be a fighter or a ticket salesman?” The fighter purses offered by LBFN are the lowest we have ever heard of anywhere for Pro MMA. Nearly half of the fighters on this event walked away with total compensation less than $150. All of the fighters had to sell great volumes of tickets in order to make any money, even at the lowest levels by comparison to other competitive events. Most training camps balk at these terms of compensation, since their fighters are continually nagged by LBFN to sell tickets and as such, the fighters are continually distracted from their real profession, Fighting. Obviously LBFN does not yet have the ability to sell sufficient levels of tickets on their own.
LBFN PERSONNEL:
1. Jason Delao works for Topping Events, Inc., the company which holds the CA. Promoters’ License. They produce events such as Swap Meets, Entry Level Band Bookings, Skateboard Contests, etc., in addition to Long Beach Fight Night. Jason has no prior experience in martial arts whatsoever prior to the first edition of LBFN.
2. John Delao is the owner of the fledging martial arts school, Delao Jiu-Jitsu in Stanton, CA. John claims to be a legitimate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt. Our research, including the scanning of the archives of the well-respected BJJ.ORG Data Base, indicates that John Delao is yet another in the endless parade of falsely advertised BJJ Black Belts. In addition, in watching his instructional classes and individual performance, anyone can easily tell that his claims of this certification are illegitimate.
ATTEMPTED EXTORTION:
1. Pro MMA Fighter Jared Papazian is currently the victim of an attempted Extortion Scheme being perpetrated by LBFN. In an attempt to help LBFN to solve the last minute injury replacement for Vince Ortiz referenced earlier in this report, Jared Papazian tried to fill-in the injured opponent on the day of the weigh-in. His ability to do this was based on gaining permission from the Promoter at another event who already had Jared Papazian on contract for a fight later in the month. This was made very clear to LBFN by the Promoter from the other event, by Jared Papazian, and by Jared’s Manager. LBFN even admitted this as recently as today. While these pre-fight discussions for the necessary permission were in progress, LBFN concurrently asked Jared, when his Manager was not present, to start processing the paperwork and contracts in case the fight would get approved. LBFN agreed in front of 4 witnesses to void these contracts and paperwork if the other Promoter or Jared’s manager were unable to approve this last minute fight booking. Jared, just a fighter, not an attorney, thought he was helping them out. Little did he know that he was being set up in an Extortion Scheme. Unfortunately this fight did not get approved, and everybody moved on, or so they thought. Two weeks later, when Jared Papazian is close to his originally contracted Title Fight at the end of January, LBFN resurfaces and informs Jared that his contract with LBFN remains in force, and that they will not allow him to fight on the originally scheduled event, which was contracted first, unless of course Jared pays them $3000.00 in this Extortion Scheme. (Note to Young Fighters: When your Manager tells you not to negotiate directly with the Promoters, this is an example of what can happen). This poor kid, with the best fight of his young career in front him, now will be scratched from the end of January Fight Card as a result of him trying to help LBFN out of a bind. Obviously LBFN is desperate for funding by having to stoop to attempted Extortion to gain revenue. This behavior speaks for itself in terms of LBFN’s respect for the fighters, respect for other Promoters, and especially in terms of taking advantage of the fighter and the other Promoter when they tried to help them out of a bind on an injury replacement.
2. Pro MMA Fighter, Phil Golff, was booked to fight on this LBFN event. The night before weigh-in, he sprained his ankle and was unsure if he would be able to fight. His team decided to attend the weigh-in and let the CSAC Doctor make the decision as to his status. After evaluation, it was determined that Phil would not be able to fight. Like all of the fighters booked on LBFN events, Phil was forced to take a lot a advance tickets to try and sell as part of his purse payment. At the weigh-in, Phil tried to return the unsold tickets in line with CSAC rules, but LBFN refused to accept them, instead insisting only on receiving cash at full face ticket value. After the fight event, LBFN then sent Phil a demand letter stating that he must pay them $3,250.00 for the unsold tickets, in yet another twisted Extortion Scheme.
SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. The fact that John Delao has cancer and has been undergoing ChemoTherapy and Radiation Treatments certainly warrants a sympathetic ear. However, John Delao has a responsibility to his students on the mat. Cancer has perplexed the Medical Community longer than any other illness known to man. After decades of research, we still today know relatively little about this disease, i.e., how to cure it, how it works, how to stop its alarming spread, how to slow down the increasing number of new cases and new types, in short, how to deal with it on all fronts. Although more and more people are effectively fighting their battles with cancer, concurrently new types and permutations of existing types of this disease continue to frustrate the Medical Community. An extremely small number of cancer victims to date have won their battles with this killer. In light of how little Doctors actually know about this illness, one category of questions most frequently posed are those which address which types of cancer are contagious, and more importantly, do the Doctors really know for sure if a form of cancer is contagious or not. And, what about extremely high levels of exposure to radiation? Doctors do know that cell-killing doses of Radiation exposure are contagious, as the case histories in nuclear power plants are conclusive on that. And, what about cell-killing levels of the deadly chemicals used in ChemoTherapy? Are the effects of this contagious? How many times have Doctors come back and reversed their positions on the theories of Medicine? And most importantly, is a person willing to bet their life on the current theories of how the Doctors think the mechanisms of cancer work. In summary, John Delao has an obligation to his students on the mat to disclose these conditions, especially since he is in close intimate contact with them, as is inherent in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and especially since there is direct contact with respect to bodily fluids. John Delao has hidden these facts from his students, which makes a statement as to his concern for them and his responsibilities to them.
In conclusion, if you are thinking about attending a LBFN event, fighting for LBFN, or training at Delao Jiu-Jitsu, and would like to talk with any of the people referenced in this report before you do so, please feel free to write us for their contact information.
SHOWTIME® AND STRIKEFORCE PRESS CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
Posted on | March 13, 2009 | No Comments
ROBBIE LAWLER Vs. JAKE SHIELDS FIGHT ANNOUNCED FOR MAY
KEN HERSHMAN, SCOTT COKER, FRANK SHAMROCK, NICK DIAZ,
JOSH THOMSON, GILBERT MELENDEZ, BENJI RADACH, SCOTT SMITH,
SHIELDS, LAWLER AND CRIS CYBORG
PHOTO GALLERY (TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME):
Thursday, March 12, 2009,
Avalon Hollywood, Hollywood, California
“SHAMROCK Vs. DIAZ — April 11’’
Live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/PT
LOS ANGELES (March 12, 2009) – Showtime Networks Inc. and world championship mixed martial arts (MMA) Event producer Strikeforce hosted a kickoff press conference Thursday to discuss their new relationship and the eagerly awaited April 11 fight card on SHOWTIME (10 p.m. ET/PT).
Highlights from the press conference at the Avalon Hollywood included verbal insults between legendary MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock and talented MMA bad boy Nick Diaz, who will collide in the main event at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Conversely, Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez, who will square off in a rematch of their first all-action matchup, showed nothing but respect for each other’s ability and tenacity. Both are braced for a repeat performance, five-rounds of frantic and versatile MMA battle.
Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott Coker, in addition to putting a stamp on “a new era” for his respected MMA brand, also announced the main event of the next Strikeforce event to air on SHOWTIME—Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields—coming in May. The matchup of EliteXC champions – Lawler was welterweight titleholder, Shields owned the lightweight belt – will be contested at a catch weight of 182 pounds.
Other fights confirmed for April 11 on SHOWTIME: Benji Radach of Los Angeles faces Scott Smith of Sacramento at 185 pounds and Cris Cyborg of Brazil meets Japan’s Hitomi Akano in a women’s fight at 140 pounds.
Among the speakers Thursday were Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming, Showtime Networks, Coker, Jim Goddard, the SVP of Silicon Valley Sports and Entertainment, and fighters Shamrock, Diaz, Thomson, Melendez, Smith, Radach, Cyborg, Lawler and Shields.
What they had to say:
KEN HERSHMAN
“This is going to be the new MMA 2.0. We’re starting over. We’ve been presenting boxing on SHOWTIME for 20 years and we think boxing and MMA complement each other. The younger audience the MMA brings us will only help us add more viewers and ultimately subscribers.
“We’ve assembled the best announce team in the business–Gus Johnson, Stephen Quadros, Frank Shamrock, Mauro Ranallo and Pat Miletich. We feel like we have some incredibly compelling matchups. When Scott (Coker) mentioned the matchup of Frank (Shamrock) and Nick (Diaz) I said, ‘Done. Next.’
“Let’s move on to the next one.”
SCOTT COKER
“Today is a great day for MMA, for Strikeforce and for SHOWTIME. We are going to be able to put on some of the best fight matchups out there. We’ve been doing this for 24 years and we know what works. We know how to put on a successful martial arts show.
“An era has begun where every fighter gets into the cage to prove they are the best and where every fan can afford to participate. We have entered an era that will begin with two incredible matchups on April 11.”
FRANK SHAMROCK
“Someone asked me the other day how my comeback was going so I guess I’ve come back. I love fighting. I love this art. I want to thank Nick Diaz for the opportunity and just warn him that when I punch his head and he lands in the second row he’ll need someone to catch him.
“I’m not going to show a lot of things I have in the past. This time I’m just showing up to smash some people and make a few dollars.”
NICK DIAZ
“Training has been going great and I am very happy with it. I am clear-headed and ready to fight.
“I feel I am the perfect candidate for this fight. Shamrock thinks he can beat guys with styles like me.
“I don’t care about the weight. I feel more energetic. My strength is great. I hit harder. I like this fight because I will be able to control what goes on when we’re on the ground.
“Frank can talk all he wants, but I’m going to beat him up. Let’s see how much he fights back.’’
JOSH THOMSON
“There is much more pressure on me this fight. There was no pressure when I fought him the last time; I was just the challenger.
“But now that I am Strikeforce champion, I have to work ever harder and be more prepared for anything and everything.
“I don’t feel I got the respect I should have after beating Gilbert. But that doesn’t bother me. As long as I know I am giving the fans what they want – and the fans know what they will get when I fight – then I am fine.
“Our second fight will really showcase our new skills, things people haven’t seen in the past. It will be more action-packed and fast-paced.
“Gilbert is someone I admire and I’m actually dreading this fight. I know it’s going to go for five rounds and will be full of action. There will be a lot of blood, sweat and tears shed to get ready for this fight but it’s going to be fun come April 11.’’
GILBERT MELENDEZ
“It is definitely a great thing for me to have a chance to redeem myself for my only loss and to do it on SHOWTIME is a dream come true. This fight will give both of us a lot of exposure.
“All I will say about our first fight is that Josh trained harder and was the better man that night.
“Losing is never a good thing, but you live and learn from experiences and that fight has made me train even harder. I did the best I could in our first fight, but I feel I am a better fighter now and will do better on April 11.
“This time, I am going to take it to him, dictate the pace and make him fight me. This time, I am going to fight my fight.’’
SCOTT SMITH
“I am very excited about this show and excited to be able to ride this new wave. This is going to be a great fight, one of the best of the night.
“I totally respect Benji. This will not be easy. I’ve changed a few things in my fighting.
“I’m trying not to get hit too much. People like to see fun fights and our fight will definitely be a fun fight to watch.’’
BENJI RADACH
“He has been in a lot of wars but by no means do I think they have taken a toll on Scott. He is always is top shape and always comes to battle.
“My advantage is, I think I am faster and maybe a little better wrestler. My quickness is going to be key.
“But the bottom line is to be better and win the fight no matter where it goes.’’
CRIS “CYBORG” SANTOS
“It’s really exciting what SHOWTIME has done for women’s MMA and I am proud that they want me back on their next show. I am not looking past my opponent, but the fighter I want is Gina Carano.
“People have been talking about us fighting so I think it is only a matter of time. I think we both want the fight and I know it is a fight the fans would love to see.
“I can’t wait for April 11 and I can’t wait to fight Gina Carano.’’
ROBBIE LAWLER
“Everybody knows I am always ready and willing to fight anybody, anytime, any place so I am just looking forward to getting out there and fighting.
“I might be bigger, but it sure doesn’t look it when we stand side by side. This will be my first fight since July but I’m always in the gym and I stay in shape. So I’ll be 100 percent.’’
JAKE SHIELDS
“I am super excited about this fight and this opportunity. I’ve always wanted to fight the top level guys. That’s not to say the guys I’ve fought recently weren’t good fighters because they were.
“But Lawler is a high-profile fighter, a top-five middleweight. So this is a real challenge for me and a fight that has me highly motivated.
“I am very happy to be fighting on SHOWTIME again. This is definitely going to be a great fight and I am super happy to be part of this. Strikeforce is going to be doing a lot of good things in the future.’’
Tags: Benji Radach > Beverly Hills > Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu > California > Carlton Haselrig > CBS Coproration > Cesar Gracie > Clay Guida > Cris Cyborg > Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos > Elite XC > EliteXC > Florida > Frank Shamrock > Gilbert Melendez > Gina Crano > Gus Johnson > HP Pavilion > Josh "The Punk" Thomson > Josh Thomson > Ken Hershman > Kimbo Slice > Las Vegas > Lawler > Mauro Ranallo > Melendez > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > network television > New Jersey > New York > Newark > NFL > Nick Diaz > Pat Miletich > Playboy Mansion > Robbie Lawler > San Jose > Scott Coker > Scott Smith > Shamrock vs. Diaz > SHIELDS > Stephen Quadros > Strikeforce > Tetsuji Kato > Thomson > Youtube
SHOWTIME® ASSEMBLES ANNOUNCE TEAM FOR STRIKEFORCE MMA TELECASTS
Posted on | March 13, 2009 | 1 Comment
Featuring Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo, Frank Shamrock, Stephen Quadros And Pat Miletich
LOS ANGELES (March 12, 2009) – The SHOWTIME Mixed Martial Arts announce team, led by play-by-play broadcast veteran Gus Johnson, Mixed Martial Arts experts Mauro Ranallo and Stephen Quadros and MMA legends Frank Shamrock and Pat Miletich will combine to create one of the most experienced and versatile groups in the history of the sport. The announcement was made today by Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports & Event Programming, SHOWTIME, at a Los Angeles press conference kicking off the premium network’s new relationship with leading MMA promoter Strikeforce.
The group will work in various combinations on both Strikeforce championship telecasts and on the yet to be named up-and-comers’ series.
“I am thrilled with the announce team we’ve assembled,” said Hershman. “The depth of talent, in terms of professional fight experience and live broadcast polish, is unmatched in the industry.
“As the first premium television network to regularly deliver live MMA events, SHOWTIME has taken the lead in presenting the sport with the respect and integrity it deserves. We take pride in delivering unparalleled coverage of this dynamic sport. And now, our broadcast team is unparalleled as well.”
Gus Johnson
Johnson will be the lead play-by-play announcer and host for the Strikeforce telecasts on SHOWTIME, beginning with the first live event on April 11 (10 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) that features Frank Shamrock against Nick Diaz in the main event of a five-fight telecast. The versatile Johnson will be joined on April 11 by analysts Ranallo and Miletich.
A practicing mixed martial artist who studies Shing Yi Kung Fu, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing, Johnson joined SHOWTIME Sports in January 2009 as the lead play-by-play announcer on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. In addition, Johnson continues his work with CBS Sports as play-by-play announcer for the network’s coverage of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championships (since 1995) and the National Football League (since 1998).
“This is a great opportunity to be part of the most rapidly growing sport in America,” said Johnson. “MMA is a sport that, in a few years, can become one of the most dominant sports in the country because the kids love it. I think MMA is going to continue to flourish and SHOWTIME is the perfect network to foster its development on television.
“I don’t think there’s a better team out there that can deliver the intensity of the moment while entertaining the core MMA fan and enlightening new comers.
Johnson, who called boxing for CBS Sports and Madison Square Garden Network, was the voice of CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS in 2008. He continues as an active member of the CBS Sports broadcast team.
Mauro Ranallo
Always quick with a quip, the renowned Ranallo will lead the play-by-play duties on the up-and-comers’ series.
The colorful Canadian previously worked blow-by-blow for EliteXC and ShoXC telecasts on SHOWTIME and was an analyst on CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS. From 2003-2006, he has provided play-by-play for pay-per-view broadcasts of Japan’s legendary Pride Fighting Championships into the North American marketplace.
“I am very excited to be a part of the new SHOWTIME team,’’ said Ranallo, who also is the current lead anchor of the Fight Network, host of Fight Network Radio on Sirius/XM 98 and host of “The MMA Show” on the SCORE Network in Canada. “MMA is the purest form of competition featuring the greatest athletes in the world and I look forward to working with a very talented crew in providing the soundtrack for what I know will be some amazing fights.”
Stephen Quadros
Known throughout the world as “The Fight Professor,” Quadros has been involved in the martial arts for decades. He was the editor of two fight magazines, trained competitors in both kickboxing and MMA and has an extensive broadcasting resume that includes Pride Fighting Championships, K-1, the International Fight League and ShoXC on SHOWTIME.
As an actor, the talented Quadros has had guest roles on numerous TV shows, including “C.S.I. Miami’’ and “Without A Trace.’’ Quadros was a guest lead when he fought Chuck Norris on the season premiere of “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
On the other side of the camera, Quadros functioned as fight technical advisor for two films for Warner Bros. (“Exit Wounds,” “Cradle 2 The Grave”).
“To me, working in the MMA industry has always been a great job,’’ the respected Quadros said. “So far I’ve been very fortunate to have been around the world, commentating on the best fighters and the best contests.
“But now with the partnership between Strikeforce and SHOWTIME, two of the most professional and enduring entities in the modern sports world, my confidence is at an all-time high.
“It’s a dream come true to be aboard a venture of this magnitude alongside people who I hold in the highest regard. Let the games begin.”
Frank Shamrock
If he had his way, Shamrock, who also was an analyst on CBS ELITEXC SATURDAY NIGHT FIGHTS, would fight and commentate on April 11.
Arguably the most physically gifted individual to step in the cage, Shamrock has been dubbed by the press as the “closest thing mixed martial has to Muhammad Ali” for his combination of versatile skills and quick-witted mind games he has so often used to gain a sharp advantage over his opposition.
During an illustrious career, Shamrock has taken out the likes of former UFC poster boy Tito Ortiz as well as MMA legend, Bas Rutten. His 16-second submission of former Olympic gold medalist Kevin Jackson on Dec. 21, 1997 set a UFC record for stoppage of a fight.
“Great coaching and dedication to my art has allowed me to accomplish extraordinary things in my 15-year career,” said Shamrock, who has held multiple world titles and records. “At 36-years old, I feel that the greatest opponent facing me in the cage is Father Time. My work as a fighter is far from over, and on April 11, you’ll all see that.
“But one of my dreams has always been to work behind the mic as a sports analyst and to share my passion for martial arts with the world. I am honored to be part of the SHOWTIME announce team. These guys are, in my opinion, the best team in sports television. Under the guidance of Executive Producer David Dinkins, Jr., and my mentor Al Bernstein, I am confident that I can provide championship commentary for a great many years to come.”
Pat Miletich
Miletich is the founder of Miletich Fighting Systems, a premier MMA training academy in Bettendorf, Iowa, which includes amongst its trainees some of the most talented and popular fighters in MMA, including former Icon Sport and EliteXC champion Robbie Lawler.
Known as “The Croatian Sensation,” Miletich has been fighting professionally since 1995. Last year, he returned from a two-year layoff to knock out Thomas Denny in the second round (December, 2008). Miletich holds a third degree black belt in Shuri-ryu karate and has trained with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Sergio Monteiro, earning his BJJ black belt from Oswaldo Alves.
“I am very excited to be part of the SHOWTIME team,” said Miletich. “I know Scott Coker very well and he and his Strikeforce outfit have been putting on quality fights for a long time. Strikeforce and SHOWTIME are a terrific match and I am looking forward to contributing in every way that I can.”
Over the years, Miletich has served as guest commentator on Fox Sports Net and HDNet among others.
“I feel very comfortable in front of the camera,” he continued. “It’s going to be fun to be a regular part of the on-air team on such a high-profile show. The key for me is the support system. With guys like Gus Johnson and Mauro Ranallo quarterbacking the commentary, it’s going to be very natural for me.”
One of the most likable fighters in the sport, Miletich is the Vice President of Fighter Relations for the World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts.
About Showtime Networks Inc.
Showtime Networks Inc. (SNI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CBS Corporation, owns and operates the premium television networks SHOWTIME®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® and FLIX®, as well as the multiplex channels SHOWTIME 2™, SHOWTIME® SHOWCASE, SHOWTIME EXTREME®, SHOWTIME BEYOND®, SHOWTIME NEXT®, SHOWTIME WOMEN®, SHOWTIME FAMILY ZONE® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® XTRA. SNI also offers SHOWTIME HD®, THE MOVIE CHANNEL® HD, SHOWTIME ON DEMAND® and THE MOVIE CHANNEL® ON DEMAND. SNI also manages Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between SNI and the Smithsonian Institution. All SNI feeds provide enhanced sound using Dolby Digital 5.1. SNI markets and distributes sports and entertainment events for exhibition to subscribers on a pay-per-view basis through SHOWTIME PPV®.
About Strikeforce
Strikeforce is a world-class mixed martial arts cage fight promotion which, on Friday, March 10, 2006, made history with its “Shamrock vs. Gracie” event, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts fight card in California state history. The star-studded extravaganza, which pitted legendary champion Frank Shamrock against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Cesar Gracie at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, played host to a sold-out, record crowd of 18,265. Since 1995, Strikeforce has been the exclusive provider of martial arts programming for ESPN and, after 12 years of success as a leading, world championship kickboxing promotion, the company unveiled its mixed martial arts series with “Shamrock vs. Gracie.” Since then, it has co-produced one of the first SHOWTIME PPV mixed martial arts event in history with its world championship “Shamrock vs. Baroni” card on June 22, 2007 followed by the first-ever mixed martial arts event at the world-famous Playboy Mansion on September 29, 2007.
Tags: Benji Radach > Beverly Hills > Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu > California > Carlton Haselrig > CBS Coproration > Cesar Gracie > Clay Guida > Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos > Elite XC > EliteXC > Florida > Frank Shamrock > Gilbert Melendez > Gina Crano > Gus Johnson > HP Pavilion > Josh "The Punk" Thomson > Kimbo Slice > Las Vegas > Mauro Ranallo > Melendez > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > network television > New Jersey > New York > Newark > NFL > Nick Diaz > Pat Miletich > Playboy Mansion > Robbie Lawler > San Jose > Scott Smith > Shamrock vs. Diaz > Stephen Quadros > Strikeforce > Tetsuji Kato > Thomson > Youtube
Jones-Sheika headlines boxing/MMA PPV show March 21in Pensacola
Posted on | March 12, 2009 | No Comments
PENSACOLA, Fla. (March 12, 2009) – Square Ring Promotions officials announced this morning that, despite the reported CSAC (California State Athletic Commission) suspension of Ken Shamrock, its March 21 pro boxing/MMA pay-per-view event will be held as scheduled at the Pensacola Civic Center.
Eight-time world boxing champion Roy Jones, Jr. (52-5, 38 KOs) takes on 4-time world title challenger Omar Sheika (27-8, 18 KOs) in the main event on the hybrid show, presented by Square Ring Promotions, in association with Hirsch Borao Boxing and the Pensacola Civic Center.
“The show will go on,” Square Ring Promotions CEO John Wirt stated. “Ken said he was taking over-the-counter products and has requested an expedited appeal. We’re working with his group but, just in case, we are also looking for a possible replacement to fight Bobby Lashley. We have indentified some great replacements for Shamrock and have been in contact with them. A press release will be issued very soon as to which direction we will be going.”
The unique pro boxing/MMA show is being distributed by Square Ring Promotions, Inc. at 9:00PM ET/6:00PM PT in North America on cable and satellite via iNDemand, TVN,
DirecTV and Dish Network in the United States, as well as Viewer’s Choice, Shaw Cable, Star Choice and Bell TV in Canada, for a suggested retail price of only $29.95.
The MMA portion of the card features a match-up between world-class grapplers Roy “Big Country” Nelson (13-6, 6 KOs, 4 Submissions), ex-IFL heavyweight champion, and former UFC title challenger Jeff “Snowman” Monson (27-8, 2 KOs, 15 Submissions).
Tickets, priced at $128.00, $103.00, $78.00, $53.00 & $28.00 are on sale and available at all Ticketmaster locations, the Pensacola Civic Center Box Office and ticketmaster.com.
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Tags: Bobby Lashley > Boxing > Doug Marshall > Jeff Monson > Jr. Seth Petruzelli > Ken Shamrock > Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > Pensacola > Roy Jones > Roy Nelson
Gleason’s Gym Newsletter
Posted on | March 12, 2009 | No Comments
Free Tutoring and Homework Help
Starting March 3, 2009, Gleason’s Gym along with 826NYC will offer free drop-in homework help at Gleason’s Gym. Tutors will be available and ready to assist with homework, writing assignments, creative writing, and publishing projects. No registration is necessary-students may drop in to receive 10 minutes to 2 full hours of one-on-one homework help. The cost is free. For more information call Gleason’s at (718) 797-2872 or 826NYC at (718) 499-9884.
Professional March 14
Johnny Rodz and the professional wrestlers from his wrestling school will put on their next monthly show on Saturday March 14. The show will start at 8:00 PM and the tickets are $15.00.
Tickets on Sale March 20 Golden Gloves Quarter Finals
The Sportsmen’s Club of Local 3 proudly presents a Quarter Final Golden Gloves show. The event will be at The Electrical Industries Center at 67-35 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, New York. All labor is donated. Ticket price is $30.00. This show is always sold out. Buy your tickets early.
Oriental Sports Medicine Clinic March 21 “Improve your boxing with Oriental Sports Medicine”
This informative 90-minute, hands on workshop will teach you easy to learn Oriental Sports Medicine skills you can use to speed injury recovery, maintain strength & energy, and increase your boxing performance potential. You’ll also be introduced to the powerful healing effects of Acupuncture & taught how to integrate Oriental Sport Medicine techniques into your training regimen. Darryl Aiken-Afam & Grace Rollins of Sencha Wellness Center, Dumbo are your presenters.
Tickets on Sale April 3 Semi-Finals
The Daily News presents the Semi-final bouts on Friday April 3rd. The location is The Aviator Sports Center, Hangar 5, Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, New York. The ticket price is $25. Help support amateur boxing and the Golden Gloves. Buy tickets.
Gleason’s Amateur Show May 16
Our next Amateur Boxing Club Show Will be May 16. All bouts are pre-matched by New York’s finest matchmaker, Angela Querol. If you wish to participate call Angela at (718) 797-2872. Masters, Juniors and Seniors are all welcome. The weigh in will start at 5:30 PM and the first bout will be at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for gym members and amateur fighters with passbook in hand.
Boxing in Israel July 4, 2009
AARON BRAUNSTEIN PRODUCTIONS, INC. PRESENTS:
I will pay fair market value, for all American fighters, whom box for me July 4th in The State of Israel . Rules: 1- You must have a valid up to date PASSPORT. Clean criminal record. No outstanding criminal warrants. 2- This is a wonderful, powerful, POSITIVE, experience for all Professional Prizefighters. 3- ”THE BRAWL AT THE WALLtm.” ‘PEACEFIGHTStm.’ will be broadcasted to over 100 countries (1 billion viewers).”LETS GET READY TO RUMBLE”. Promoted by Aaron Braunstein – nyshockjock.com – aronlyonne@aol.com – 9177432952. If you are interested in competing in Israel, contact Bruce Silverglade at Gleason’s Gym, Inc. (718) 797- 2872 or bruce@gleasonsgym.net
Tom Jones, John Johnson, Nick Gallo, Tim Boetsch, Kevin Dresser on TDR this week
Posted on | March 12, 2009 | 1 Comment
This week we dedicate the show to the memory of MMA Mogul Charles “Mask” Lewis founder of Tapout who lost his life in a car accident a few days ago.
Jeff Murphy joins me this week in the Brute Adidas studios to discuss college wrestling, The NCAA Championships, Wagner’s decision to drop its wrestling program and much more. Join us each week for America’s Wrestling Radio Talk Show 9 AM to 11 AM Saturday mornings. TDR is heard around the world at Takedownradio.com
Our guests this week include-
9:05 Tom Jones- NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana called him “..perhaps the greatest athlete I’ve ever met.” Like our wrestlers, Tom Jones is an extreme athlete. He’s run the length of California. He’s run from California to New York in 120 days. He recently joined me on our tour of Iraq to visit our troops. Tom is a 7 time Pro Muay Thai Boxing Champion with 2 world titles, 3 U.S. titles
Tom successfully completed th
Tom trains world class athletes in wrestling, boxing and other MMA sports and has invented a new machine to help our athletes get better. Its called The KROW: Kombat Related Optimum Workout. This multi function machine is fully sizable for any person and is a real enhancement for any room or gym.
You can learn more about Tom at Tomejonestv.com
Iraq 2009- L to R Tony Schiena, Tom, Kevin Randleman, Reed Wallace, Hermes Franca and Scott Casber.
http://www.tomjonestv.com/bagdad/IMG14932.jpg
Here is the updated KROW Sizzle video for you to check out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s_x7xO1G4M
Tom’s endeavors so extreme? Because, Tom has an extreme passion for troubled youth and environmental causes, and staging extreme events is his way of drawing attention to, and raising funds to eradicate the ne will literally do “whatever it takes,” and his efforts have motivated tens of thousands of people to exit their comfort zones and become active in yo
9:20 Johnnie Johnson- High School Principle and Superintendent of West Central in Maynard, Iowa. Some might say Johnnie is one of the best wrestling photographers around and others might say he just one heck of a good educator. I say he’s both. Johnnie wrestled at Iowa Central (1981) and then at Iowa State 82-84. Johnnie joins us for a look at the action Live From Houston Texas and the D2 National Championships. How will UNO, N-Kearney, MN State Mankato are odds on favorites to do well. We’ll find out more. Johnnie’s photos can be seen on line at TheGuillotine.com
9:40 Nick Gallo- Now the Boss at TW Promotions, Nick recently had his singlet retired as the only NCAA Champion to this day from Hofstra University. We’ll talk about what’s new at Asics and his look at the NCAA Championships.
10:05 http://www.sherdog.com/pictures/gallery/fighter/f_19544/47526/Tim ‘The Barbarian’ Boetsch- Tim made his mark at Lock Haven University. After wrestling for the Haven Tim has continued to hunt, train and fight, IFL, UFC and this Light Heavy Weight now looks to open his own gym in western PA outfitted with Resilite Sports Surfaces. Why? tune in and find out his plans.
10:20 V-Tech’s Kevin Dresser
A new era in Virginia Tech wrestling was kicked off on April 14, 2006, when Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver announced the hiring of former NCAA Champion Kevin Dresser as the Hokies’ new head wrestling coach. Dresser became the 12th man to lead the Tech program since its inception in 1920 and has made an immediate impact on the program. Now in his third season and with recruiting starting to take off, Dresser and the Hokies are beginning to see positive results from a young squad and program. In each of his first two seasons, he’s had a wrestler win an ACC title and named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the ACC Championships. In 2007, it was Jon Bonilla-Bowman who won the ACC title at 157 pounds and last year Matt Epperly came out of nowhere to win the 165-pound class and advance to the NCAA Championships.
Tags: Mixed Martial Arts > MMA > sports radio > Takedown Radio > wrestling
FIGHT CLUB FOR MENTALLY DISABLED BUSTED!
Posted on | March 11, 2009 | No Comments
AR AND SC MOVING TOWARD MIXED MARTIAL ARTS APPROVAL
Posted on | March 11, 2009 | 1 Comment
Proponents say mixed martial arts would bring money to SC
ARKANSAS House committee advances bill on combative fighting
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