Head Kick Legend: FanPosts

Podcast: Talking about the Arnold and WEC 47 with MMA Junkie

2010-03-10T13:09:46Z

On this episode of Cage Cast WKR is joined with Ohio native, Dann Stupp, to talk about WEC 47, the Arnold Sports Festival and the evolution of Zuffa's presence at the mega fitness event. You might know Dann as the editor-in-chief of this website called MMA Junkie.

You can download the episode here, subscribe to our RSS feed here and check us out on iTunes. The streaming version is below and you can open up a new window to listen here. Send feedback to watchkalibrun@gmail.com.

SBN coverage of WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz

WKR talks to Luke Thomas about the James Toney signing

2010-03-05T14:21:26Z

What a week. We had the Strikeforce news deluge, then the James Toney signing not to mention that WEC 47 is in Columbus for the Arnold Sports Festival this weekend. How in the world are we going to fit this into one show?

I have no idea how we did it but we did. First WKR talks to Luke Thomas of MMA Nation and Bloodyelbow.com before we delve into Strikeforce and WEC 47.

You can download the episode here, subscribe to our RSS feed here and check us out on iTunes. The streaming version is below and you can open up a new window to listen here. Send feedback to watchkalibrun@gmail.com.

SBN coverage of WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz

WKR talks UFC 110 Media Coverage

2010-02-24T16:11:37Z

Last week WKR noticed that there seemed to be a drop off in MMA media coverage and general lack of "heat" leading into UFC 110. While this wasn't due to a lack of previews or pre-fight interviews or discussing stories coming out of Australia there wasn't the expected data dump (other than planned Zuffa events) that many have grown accustomed to from a major UFC event. Obviously, there are serious geographic and time barriers between the United States and Australia, which caused many credentialed MMA sites to not show up, which in turn resulted in less information disseminated into the electronic ether that is the Internet.

Some would say that this is an indictment on the blogosphere who are nothing more than parasites that ratchet up the volume in our self-imposed echo chamber. Others would argue that this is a prime example of why Zuffa needs dedicated and credentialed MMA media on site in order to indirectly build excitement through independent reporting outside of official functions.

WKR wanted to explore this topic further so we decided to talk to Jonathan Snowden of Heavy.com about the coverage in the run-up to UFC 110 as well as the post event coverage from the Australian media. Oh yeah, we talk about Frank Mir's "death" comments too.

You can download the episode here, subscribe to our RSS feed here and check us out on iTunes. The streaming version is below. Send feedback to watchkalibrun@gmail.com.

SBN coverage of UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez

It's Showtime: Prague review

2010-02-20T17:40:41Z

It's Showtime: Prague was an amazing event,I heavily recommend it for everybody. All of the fights were entertaining,some of the most exciting K-1 vets appeared on the card,and it delivered. Unfortunately my review is too long,so I will only post the link for it:

REVIEW

(Im not sure if I do it right,this is the first time I post in the FanPosts section,but if you like my review,I would be glad to do this on a regular basis)

Muaythai & MMA Cross Fighting

2010-02-19T03:25:48Z

Promoted to Front Page...

Muaythai & MMA Cross Fighting

By Cameron Fraser

Nobody can deny that Mixed Martial Arts is a phenomenon that has gained popularity faster over the past 10 years than any other sport in North America. MMA has gone from an obscure pay per view cage match to a refined, highly lucrative industry. The mix of striking and grappling makes for an incredible display of athleticism and skill, as well as an impressive and exciting show.

I have had the privilege of attending several MMA events over the past few years, as well as many Muaythai events. The similarities of both events are obvious in many ways, but none more so than the fact that at both MMA and Muaythai events, the crowd loves to see striking. It’s actually incredibly common to see MMA fighters wearing Thai shorts, showing where their strength and passion lays – Muaythai.

Hard punches, cracking leg kicks, and clinch knees get the crowd standing every time. Unfortunately, those crowds are drawn to MMA events in much greater numbers. Many MMA fans say outright that they would not attend a Muaythai event, even though they prefer the striking aspect of MMA.

To gain some perspective from the side favouring Muaythai, I caught up with K-1 superstar Michael "The Black Sniper" McDonald. Michael is a three-time K-1 World Grand Prix Las Vegas champion, holds WKA and WKC championships, and has tried his hand at MMA against the likes of Lyoto Machida and Rick Rufous.

"I think they love MMA more in North America than in, say, Japan because we do things differently here. The Japanese do things in a way where they start having big freak show fighters who are huge against smaller, more technical fighters, so when the fight goes to the ground it does get boring because it’s one-sided action. The ref will stand the fighters up a lot more often in Japan because the fans want their money’s worth. In North America we’ve got the UFC pumping millions of dollars into the MMA industry, and it shows. The matches are intense."

"I think the MMA hype is bigger in North America than anywhere else. Coaches and trainers are telling Muaythai fighters they should try MMA, and the draw is there because the salary is bigger than any other fighting sport. A lot of the new fighters in UFC are offered $20,000 to fight, and their win bonus is another $20,000. You never see that sort of money in Muaythai fights."

What Michael said resounds loudly with almost every MMA fighter I’ve spoken with who got their start in Muaythai. The money is unfortunately a very big attraction. Even more unfortunate is that the lack of opportunities for Muaythai fighters coupled with the abundance of MMA events is encouraging more Muaythai fighters than ever to make the transition into MMA.

Many well-known MMA fighters in North America did just that. Names like Sam Stout, Shawn Tompkins, Syd Barnier, Mark Hominick, Markhaile Wedderburn, and Mark Holst are well-known in the MMA community, but they all got their start in Muaythai and kickboxing events.

The two sides are split down the middle – many fighters see MMA as the more challenging and well-rounded sport. On the other hand, an equal number of fighters find Muaythai to be the more entertaining and rewarding of the two disciplines.

Carlos "The Ronin" Newton provided me with a different angle – he says MMA really isn’t a new phenomenon, and appeals to our society the way gladiators appealed to the Roman Empire. Carlos is a seasoned MMA veteran, having fought in the UFC, Pride, K-1, IFL, and W-1, holding many championships throughout his career.

"For me the MMA phenomenon is something that was expected. MMA was truly the first Olympic sport ever. MMA is a sport that holds no cultural boundaries. North America doesn’t represent the world, this is a worldwide sport. Here people like to see striking, in other places people like to see grappling."

"People like to stick to what they’re used to, and people here just aren’t used to Muaythai or kickboxing. Boxing is still a big part of American sports, but in other areas of the world it’s completely obsolete. At the end of the day, when it comes down to a sport that represents human potential in its entirety, it’s MMA."

"Muaythai is a tough sport, they’re tough guys. I think a lot of them just want to try something different. There’s easier ways to make a living...I really don’t think that anybody would choose MMA just for the money."

That may be true for some, but many others see no other viable choice if they want to make enough money as a fighter to support their family. Many pro fighters have other full-time jobs, training at early morning and late at night every day, taking fights whenever they can.

Such is the case for Markhaile Wedderburn, a strong Muaythai fighter from Hamilton, Ontario who decided to try his hand at MMA but never lost his passion for Muaythai.

"I’ve been training Muaythai since I was 14. I was, and always will be a Muaythai fighter. MMA is simply more mainstream and it pays my bills. There are more events and more money involved, and that’s the bottom line."

"The UFC has a reality show on primetime TV that gets a lot of exposure. MMA is more accessible in North America than Muaythai is."

Markhaile makes a good point. Even gyms that used to teach strictly one or two martial arts disciplines are now advertising that they teach MMA. Gyms are hiring Muaythai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors to appeal to the desires of new students. Many people join these gyms with no intention of ever competing, and may not even have known about Muaythai before joining an MMA gym.

Ultimately, nearly every MMA athlete will learn Muaythai during the course of their training. And MMA fans will see Muaythai in nearly every fight.

Muaythai is becoming popular in a very subtle way – through the rapidly growing MMA industry. MMA is bringing Muaythai into the mainstream, although Muaythai as a sport itself is far less popular. I believe it’s only a matter of time before Muaythai events happen with more frequency and even more popularity, and that will happen as the MMA industry grows. For now, I don’t mind tuning in to an MMA event knowing that Muaythai is still being shown to everyone else watching, even if they don’t know it. WMM

World Muaythai Magazine

WMM 07 Issue

"Guiding the Heart of a Muaythai Fighter"

2010-02-19T03:15:26Z

"Guiding the Heart of a Fighter"

By Cameron Fraser

Not just anyone can be a world champion in Muaythai. It takes a certain set of skills and qualities – some definable, some not. One thing that certainly can’t be denied is that every champion learned from someone else, and the relationship formed between a trainer and a champion is mutually challenging and equally rewarding.

I had the privilege of speaking with arguably the top three trainers in Canada. Each of these trainers are pioneers of Canadian Muaythai in their own right, and all were once fighters themselves, each holding championship titles throughout their careers.

Kru Alin Halmagean, trainer of the likes of Shane "Shaolin"

Campbell, Dave Hale, and Will Romero.

Ajahn Mike Miles, trainer of dozens of champions, including Sandra

Bastian, Scott Clark and Contender Asia 2 participant Jesse "Smiles" Miles, among others.

Ajahn Suchart Yodkerepauprai, trainer of superstar

Clifton Brown, Jenypher Lanthier, Simon Marcus and many other well-known names in Muaythai.

"Finding a great fighter is like finding a diamond in the rough. Once found, the trainer's skills must command cunning proficiency like that of a masterful jeweller, to take that rough rock and turn it into a gem," Ajahn Miles says.

"Developing an athlete requires many avenues be taken into consideration; this includes assessing the strong points and weaknesses of that individual to develop a strategy and battle plan for proper training. Once this has been determined, proper guidance and management will be the critical ‘follow through point’."

Alin Halmagean takes a very open-minded approach.

"I look at all my fighters as possible world champions one day, I give them as much

attention and advice that I can to help them achieve their ultimate goal, there is a long way to the top and it comes down to them wanting to take this hard long way."

Ajahn Suchart effectively contrasts the differences in Thai versus non-Thai champions and the challenges faced by both.

"Another challenge I have found is champions outside Thailand differ from Thai champions because they start their training later in life, their body flexibility is different, it takes time to break old or bad habits. Muaythai is not a natural part of their culture, so it is about relearning a new culture and embracing it fully."

Likewise, Ajahn Miles sees the good and the bad in building champions in a culture where training starts later in life.

"Athletes’ careers are short and an individual can only take so much abuse before it is time to hang up the gloves. So I make sure my athletes have a strong and purposeful amateur career (due to commissions in North America we do not follow a class system in Muaythai but follow the amateur and professional status of an athlete). When they turn professional, they are ready to mix it up with the best."

Kru Alin Halmagean is no stranger to hard work and determination, having moved to Canada very recently from Romania to start again from the ground up so he could pass the proverbial torch to many new champions.

"I have always had to work very hard for everything that I have ever achieved, so I think that hard training and discipline is the most important thing in our sport. The second most important thing is to teach my fighters to be humble, respect everybody around them, and try to be positive about every aspect of their career. With their wins and losses, they always have to respect themselves, their opponents and everybody else involved in the sport of Muaythai."

Ajahn Suchart shares the same philosophy of humility and discipline with his champions, and it shows.

"Primarily, discipline to train the body daily and consistently training strong, and having a having strict regimen. I tell my fighters they need three things: good body, good eyes and good brains."

"It’s important for my students to see me train, to know that I am still active. When my grand master Ajahn trained, I saw him training. I train hard every day, and my fighters see my own commitment as a former champion."

Realising what philosophies and practices these trainers use in developing fighters is very insightful and inspirational, and truly gives a glimpse of the first steps they all take on the path towards building a world champion. However, I really wanted to find out the qualities one must possess before the training starts - those qualities that lie in the heart of a fighter.

"Most individuals (not all) who are truly naturally/physically gifted are the ones who take those natural abilities for granted. Since some of these athletes are gifted, many are not hungry enough to work that little extra round, run that extra mile, and do what is required to be a champion," Ajahn Miles says.

"Heart... being able to take a punch; not crumbling in the face of resistance; desire, striving to excel, proper body mechanics and proper fighting skills; and conditioning, both the willingness and conditioning to go that extra mile, mental certainty that you have done that something extra in preparation for the bout that your opponent did not, gives an athlete the confidence and added edge they need to win and become a champion. Everyone wants to win, but it is usually the better prepared one who does."

Kru Alin shares the same idea that the true heart of a fighter is obvious in the early stages.

"There is definitely such a thing in our sport, some fighters have a big heart for the fight and that is something you can spot right away, at the very beginning of forming a fighter. These are usually the people that go all the way in Muaythai."

Ajahn Suchart views the heart of a fighter as one willing to embrace change and challenge.

"Absolutely there is such a thing as ‘a fighter’s heart’ and that comes with the desire and discipline to live properly. To have the heart of a fighter you need to have direction; to have a grasp of the future and a vision of where they are going to be years from now.

Fighters have to be willing to change, to embrace Thai culture and history for fighting. All of this encompasses what I believe is the heart of a fighter."

Ultimately it seems that "heart" really isn’t so indefinable. The qualities of a fighter with heart can be defined and applied with relative consistency. These qualities are noticeable always, but never more so than after their first bout, especially if the result is a loss. Ajahn Miles finds this especially true.

"If they lose their first bout what kind of an attitude can a coach expect to see? Will they mope and complain or are they back in the gym training harder and soaking up information like a sponge? If you treat a loss and complain like the bout was a loss, in my eyes you did lose."

"If you take the loss and learn the things you did wrong and what you did right and take it into the gym on the next session, that bout was truly a winning experience. On a test scale of who I have predicted to be champions, I would think I am sitting in the high 80% average."

Ajahn Suchart and Ajahn Miles are also believers in the test of time, and that time itself is a factor in determining the outcome of a fighter’s career.

"On average, it takes about 6-8 years to establish a reputable world champion. Being a champion is a full time commitment and they need to make it to themselves and to myself, as well. Time tests one's ability to be a champion," says Ajahn Suchart.

Ajahn Miles delves a little deeper into that concept.

"By the time you get an athlete, who is a champion, you have spent a lot of time working with them. I always remind them that it is really hard work to get to the top and that it is harder to stay in that position. Once an athlete becomes a champion they do not have the time or the luxury to take the position for granted. I think it is very important for the athlete to be confident in their fighting abilities and themselves, but not to be cocky."

From what I gather, the qualities of a champion can often be seen even before their first bout. The willingness to train hard, work hard, and make sacrifices are all noticeable traits of a fighter, without question. However, the "heart" of a fighter is what makes the difference.

It exists, and it is definable by their determination in the face of adversity and challenge, the dedication they give to their training and lifestyle equally. The heart of a fighter is not something that can be taught, trained, or created, but it is what inspires a fighter to take the punches, to get back up when they’re knocked down, and to get back in the gym despite the aches and bruises. It’s not just the belts on the wall, but the stories behind those belts that truly define what is in the heart of a fighter. WMM

Evgeni Kotelnikov

By Caitalin Abu Baker-May

Evegni Kotelnikov is a world class trainer known and respected globally for the strength and quality of his fighters – they are strong, they are exceptionally disciplined, they are skilled in their game. Mr Kotelnikov, from Kick Fighter Gym in Belarus, opens up and gives us an insight into his perspective as a trainer about finding then polishing and preparing a fighter he sees potential in to become a world class champion.

When I take new students in my group I look at how they work over three weeks. Then I make my first selections. Those who come just for fun I send to another trainer or gym. We can do this because we can’t take all who want to train in our gym. We have a small sport hall and there are too many people wanting to train, as the Kick Fighter Gym is the most famous in Belarus. Then after six weeks only people with a big heart will continue on. So for me the two main things that are most important are a brave heart and you have to work hard.

What qualities do you look for in a young fighter that would make you stand up, take notice and to be prepared to put the hard yards into?

I look for motivation and I will work with fighters who dream only about being a world champion, and not less. I try to grow this dream in any person in my gym.

So you found a fighter, you saw his potential – tell us how you as a trainer effectively nurture that potential?

I try to get talented boys and girls to train together with champions at least twice a week. I look at how they will try to be in line with the best ones. I can see their eyes and read in their eyes either a big future sport career or a loser’s cross.

Tell us about how it feels when you see that fighter you found, nurtured and prepared, with hands raised standing in centre ring with the newly won and hard-fought-for title belt being strapped around their waist?

I feel very happy in those moments. But I feel much happier when that new champion comes into the gym the next day after he has become a star. We celebrate with a big cake for all his gym friends and coaches and we have big party. Then it’s back to training, to study more and more.

You often hear the phrase ‘a fighter’s heart’ thrown about within the gyms and outside of Muaythai – to you as a trainer what is and how would you define ‘a fighter’s heart’?

Some children come already with a fighter’s heart and some not. I try to speak with fighters’ parents first of all. The most important stories about children you can hear only from their parents. Sometimes a young boy or girl isn’t brave, but not because of themselves.

Children normally stay under the influence of the bio-energy field of their mother until they are 14-15 years old. This though depends on their puberty time. If their mother is not brave you can do nothing with the child until this time. You can make him very technical but he will turn his back to his opponent in any dangerous situation. Only after he is 15 years old can he be changed.

Some people are of the opinion that a fighter’s heart is something you are either born with or are not, but in argument to that we hear the stories of bullying and starting to train to gain courage and strength enough to fight back. What do you think, are fighters born or made?

Yes, sometimes this bad story is the main thing that pushes children to go to Muaythai gyms. I started my boxing with the same motivation at the age of 12. Some fighters are born. Many coaches wait their chance and dream that a top fighter will come one day to his gym. But all good trainers know that they can build a star from any normal boy if the boy wants to be built.

What do you find to be the most frustrating and difficult aspect of what you do?

When I am in bad condition or have no energy I will never start training with my team. They must see me only ever full of energy. I must be an energy donor not an energy vampire. I have my assistant coach; he was also my student before and he helps me at these times.

Counter that with telling us what is the most rewarding aspect to being a trainer for you?

When I teach my students I try to teach myself too. Step by step I try to change myself with them. I feel I am younger because I live and work with young people. These new technologies constantly change, so people must learn all their life if they want to be on top of progress. Those who stop will not grow. So my work pushes me to study all the time.

What has been the one standout highlight moment of your career as a trainer of champions?

When Andrei Kulebin won the WMC World Title in Jamaica and put his medal on my neck and said, "We made this!"

Tell me about discipline and structure. As a trainer how much importance do you place on it, how do you encourage, or enforce it?

Discipline is very important I think. How do I achieve this in my gym? Normally I present my time and my work to the best of my students. Those who are not serious will quickly get less and less of my time. They stop growing and leave the gym, so other students see this and fight for my attention. Also, I try to speak with them and explain not only how to kick or punch but about other aspects of their lives, about their position in this big and busy world.

If you could only have a single minute to speak to a fighter training and striving to become the next world champion in their weight class, what is the one thing that you tell them and why is that one thing so important to make sure they hear and take on board?

I will say like Mr Ford "You may say that you can, you may say that you can’t; in both situations you are right". So my boy, you must believe that you are the best. But if you do this for your ego, then God will never help you. Win this title for your country, your parents and those people you like. WMM

Joe Hilton

By Sarah Martin

Australian super coach Joe Hilton knows exactly what it takes to produce champion fighters, as trainer of one of the country’s oldest Muaythai gyms. Coming from a working class family and growing up in country New South Wales, Mr Hilton has a long history with martial arts.

He started Judo and Boxing at 12, after moving to the Sunshine Coast, before branching into Zen Do Kai in his mid-teens. By his late 20s he and brother Roger were running eight Zen Do Kai gyms across the Sunshine Coast region and had began dabbling in Kickboxing.

Although the young martial artist was scheduled to fight several times, things did not go to plan, including an injury resulting in a nose operation stopping him from taking one bout, and with a young family, a business and gyms to run, lack of time also kept him on the outside of the ring.

"I do envy the fighters, anyone who gets into the ring is a champion because it takes a lot of guts," he said. "But that is part of what motivates me, I want to get them through those nerves and past that stage."

His interest in Muaythai was kindled after hearing Stephan Fox describe the sport’s weapons, including knees and elbows, and in the early 1990s he travelled to Thailand to see Muaythai for himself.

He brought the sport back to Australia with him and began training some of the country’s best fighters including Tony Hill, Vince Parkes, Aaron Kirkby, Tony Cockburn and the Elson brothers.

"There are so many different things that it takes to become a great," he said.

But it was not the naturally talented fighters who usually became great, Mr Hilton said, but those who had to earn their wins through years of blood, sweat and tears.

"It takes months and years - a trainer can’t look at someone who has just walked into the gym and say ‘they are going to be a great fighter’," he said.

Being a champion also requires dedication to training, the ability to push yourself and a clean lifestyle. "It is hard because a lot of fighters are young and at that age there are a lot of distractions but to be a champion you have to put that aside and you have to give up a lot of things in life," he said.

The veteran trainer and father-of-two knows better than anyone about missing out on things while spending hours every day in the gym. "It is a big sacrifice being a trainer, the amount of time you are at training, especially when your kids are young," he said. "But I have no plans to retire any time soon, I wouldn’t give it up for the world because I love it too much."

In the late 1990s Mr Hilton and brother Roger separated their gyms, with Roger continuing to run Warriors Muaythai and Mr Hilton starting the Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre.

The gym has always been a family affair, with Mr Hilton’s wife Sharon heavily involved in with Muaythai Australia Federation, of which Mr Hilton is Queensland state president, and also running exercise classes at his gym.

His son also had several Muaythai fights as a youngster, and is now a talented squash player, and his daughter trains Muaythai and Zen Do Kai and works in the family plastering business.

He also considers his fighters as part of the extended Hilton family, and described a trainer-fighter relationship as similar to a parent and their child. "I have trained lots of kids from broken families and you have to get involved in their personal lives and it’s hard," he said.

He also warned a trainer had to walk a fine line between doing too much for their charges and leaving them to stand on their own two feet. "As a trainer you also have to be able to work with every personality, you have to know how to train each different fighter," he said.

Mr Hilton’s methods appear to be working, as the Sunshine Coast Thai Boxing Centre continues to produce top notch fighters including Kurt Finlayson, Heather O’Donnell and Brodie Stalder and Ben Tan.

He runs fighter classes three times a day, five days a week, with the first gruelling session beginning at 4.30am. And although every fighter flourished with a slightly different preparation technique, training a world champion was no different from training a novice for their first fight, he said.

"You have to keep the fighters as relaxed as you can and don’t stress them out," he said. He has also promoted dozens of fight nights over the years since his first event in the Mooloolabah Hotel in 1989, only retiring from promoting in the last few years.

But with promoters pushing to have the biggest and best shows with only professional fighters on their cards, Mr Hilton said he would step back into the game to run fight shows focused on amateurs.

"We’ve got to work on the amateurs, if we don’t keep the amateur shows happening the sport will not grow," he said. He commended his former champion students Vince Parkes and Kurt Finlayson for carrying on the sport and starting their own successful gyms, Mr Parkes in Far North Queensland and Mr Finlayson on the Sunshine Coast.

"They are the only two of my fighters who have turned around and put something back into the sport and that is something to be proud of," he said. Muaythai has taken Mr Hilton around the world, from Vanuatu to Thailand and Korea, in his role as coach of the Australian Muaythai team and also for fight opportunities with his talented students.

"Muaythai gives you so many opportunities, you can travel around the world and forge friendships that last many, many years. "It is a terrific feeling to be able to say you’ve done those things and if it wasn’t for Muaythai you would probably have done nothing." WMM

Alan Wong

By Sarah Martin

Realising he would never be a champion helped Muaythai veteran Alan Wong become one of Australia’s most successful trainers.

Mr Wong grew up as part of a poor family in Malaysia, helping his father run the family noodle cart business and although always interested in martial arts, his work and study commitments as a youngster left him no time to train.

At the tender age of eight he was beaten badly by a group of older boys, and his and his father’s disappointment at his inability to defend himself made martial arts a priority.

Mr Wong began training Shao Lin Kung Fu under well-known master Wu Tak-Ming.

"He was a real hard man even though he was 80 years old when I first met him," Mr Wong recalled. "He taught me a lot about fighting and discipline."

Mr Wong also dabbled in Tai Kwon-Do and the Malaysian martial art Silat, but all that changed in 1974 when Thai-born Chinaman Somchai Pitpatiyakul took an interest in Mr Wong’s Kung Fu training.

Growing up in Thailand Pitpatiyakul, or Ah Chai as he preferred to be known, knew very little of his Chinese heritage and began training with the young Mr Wong. "He trained with me in the mornings and during our training sessions I soon realised that he had some martial arts experience," Mr Wong said.

The young Kung Fu student pestered Ah Chai until his Chinese friend revealed he trained and fought in Muaythai. "That was my first contact with Muaythai and I was hooked," Mr Wong said. "I became very interested watching Ah Chai kick the bag – it was so different and so powerful compared to the way I was taught to kick in other martial arts.

"After my first session of pads I was 100 per cent hooked - I had not felt anything like it after six or so years training in Shao Lin Kung Fu." Ah Chai became Mr Wong’s first Muaythai trainer, taking the youngster across the border to nearby Thailand to train and fight.

But after 10 wins and five losses, the teenager knew he was never going to be a good fighter, let alone a great fighter. "Becoming a trainer was just a progression in my journey of martial arts," he said.

Mr Wong began a Shao Lin club in the 1980s, while studying maths at Australia’s Flinders University. "Muaythai was unknown then and since I was more experienced in Kung Fu and people were fascinated by Bruce Lee, I decided that it was better for me to teach something that people knew about."

But more than a decade later the popularity of Muaythai began to grow and Mr Wong began training thai boxing at the university, renaming his Shao Lin club the Flinders University Muaythai Club.

Initially training about 15 people for fitness only, Mr Wong’s students soon became interested in fighting and he began separate classes to cater for them. "Having fought before made it a lot easier to train fighters," he said.

"You can pass on the experience to aspiring fighters through the training you provide if you know what it feels like to be standing in front of someone who is about to hurt you."

Over the years Mr Wong has brought to fruition the likes of Sam Harvey, Ethan Shepp - who is now one of Australia’s most successful promoters - and Paul Slowinski.

Training for Mr Wong begins with one key element – getting his fighters really fit.

"Getting really fit was the first step and the most important step," he said. "I have always been strict on fitness, and it is an integral part of my training."

Garnering techniques from other trainers in Australia as well as in Thailand kept Mr Wong’s routine constantly changing, but the super trainer said he still used the methods that brought him success from the beginning.

"But I am always trying new methods from other trainers – if it works for my fighters I will use it." With the WMC world light heavy weight, cruiserweight and heavyweight champions, WMC state lightweight, junior middleweight and super middleweight champions and the WMC Australian junior middleweight champion all hailing from his gym, Mr Wong knows what it takes to produce the best.

And although the traits of a great fighter are discipline, a good stable life and willingness to learn, he said you cannot judge a book by its cover. "Can you tell a great fighter from the moment they walk in the gym? Not really. It takes more than looks to be a good fighter.

"It takes a lot to be a fighter let alone a great fighter and you can never tell with great accuracy if someone will be a great fighter." Greatness depended on the individual, he said, because "to be great you need to do great things". WMM

The True champ Buakaw Por Pramuk.

2010-02-18T16:32:39Z

Buakaw Por Pramuk is an astonishing fighter and it is truly a shame that he would be robbed of true victory many times while fighting in K1 competitions. This is the most recent Loss he suffered at the hands of the K1 officials.There is no way that he lost this fight fairly. I have watched this fight maybe 20 times and I just cant see it. He has been robbed like this against Andy Souwer once before and went on to defeating him by KO in a later tournament. I hear rumor that he will compete again this year 2010. I hope he goes in all business and fights at the level he has to in order to dominate because that is the only way they will allow him to win.

MMA Veteran At 20: Rory MacDonald

2010-02-17T02:36:51Z

On The Spot ~ Rory MacDonald

Most teenage Canadian males have aspirations of one day playing along side the greatest hockey players in world. Rory MacDonald did not see it that way; at 16 years old he made his professional mixed martial arts debut. He made his start, with his parents permission, against Terry Thiara at "Extreme Fighting Challenge 4" in his native province of British Columbia, winning by way of rear-naked choke. MacDonald went on to win five fights in a row and captured the King Of The Cage lightweight championship belt at the tender age of 18.

Undefeated, MacDonald has won six fights by submission while picking up four wins by way of knockout or technical knockout. His next fight is rumored to be against former WEC Weltereight Champion Carlos Condit at UFC 115 in Vancouver, British Columbia. It would be a very evenly matched fight which could vault MacDonald up the welterweight ladder.

B.L: Do you primarily stay at one camp or do you travel around to improve your game?

R.M: Basically, I train all of my fight camp at Toshido, but lately I have been going out to Montreal to train at Tristar now and again, with GSP and everyone out there and that has been a great experience for me.

B.L: Your body seems to fill out more and more each time we see you, how much weight do you have to cut to make 170 pounds?

R.M: Well basically I am around 185 to 190 then I usually start cutting water weight at around 180 but I will weigh 190 by fight time.

B.L: Your rumored fight for that card is against Carlos Condit, what kind of problems does he pose for you?

R.M: I can't confirm this fight, but as far as what i think about fighting a guy like Condit, I believe he's an amazing fighter with all the right tools [to] make a great fight with me.

B.L: You are only 20 years old but seem to be on the fast track, would you rather face the top dogs in the division or be built up slowly?

R.M: Well every fight before I got to the UFC was kind of a building block for me as far as developing me slowly to who I am now. I believe I have lots of years to improve, but when I was ready to make the jump into the UFC I fully understood that I could be fighting anyone in the stacked welterweight division--and that doesnt worry me at all, it excites me to be able to fight the best group of guys in the world.

Full Interview: Source

Fairly extraordinary, if you ask me.

Niko Vitale ~ Showing What He’s About

2010-02-12T22:41:37Z

· Niko Vitale ~ Showing What He’s About

Hawaiian fighter Falaniko "Niko" Vitale has had an illustrious MMA career spanning more than a decade, appearing in major promotions such as the UFC, Strikeforce, Icon Sport, and the International Fight League (IFL). With 26 wins to only nine losses, Vitale has fought some of the toughest opponents in the world. In the coming months, Niko will return to fighting, after a year-long layoff, in his Shine Fights debut against Murilo "Ninja" Rua. MMA Spot recently sat down with Niko to discuss his past and his training.

Falaniko "Niko" Vitale was born in Hawaii and has lived there for most of his life. Growing up, he was constantly engaged in athletics. "I played sports all my life, football, baseball, basketball, messed around with boxing a little bit when I was 9 or 10. I wasn’t an amateur or anything but I did train." In addition to sports, Niko grew up influenced by his father's performing career. "My father was a fire dancer. It’s a Samoan fire dance called Siva Afi, a traditional dance performed by warriors back in the day. It was something that he grew up learning. I picked it up, I know how to do it. I performed twice though it wasn’t something that he really wanted me to do as a career because it’s a rough business to be in."

In high school, Niko primarily played football, a sport which he continued in college. "I went two years of college in Utah at Snow College and two years in Hawaii at the University of Hawaii. I played safety and a couple other positions. I dabbled with indoor football and arena football a little bit, but then I got into fighting."

Vitale credits his interest in martial arts to legendary fighter Royce Gracie. "My junior year in college, I saw a Gracie match. That was before the UFC came out. I saw the Gracie match and I see little guys beating up all these bigger guys and I remember I said 'This is one art I really wanna learn.' I was a wrestler in high school and I grew up watching WWF and I love grappling period." Initially, the intrigued Niko specifically pursued jiu-jitsu. "I was 22 at the time when I picked it up. I started training jiu-jitsu in 1997 and then fought in 1999."

Early in his jiu-jitsu training, Niko's primary instructor left Hawaii to move to the mainland, causing him to switch camps. "I had been a purple belt for years. When my instructor left, I joined the Jesus Is Lord team with Ronald Jhun and Ray Cooper. I trained with a lot of guys who are brown and black belts." After joining the new team, he began fighting for Hawaiian based Super Brawl. Vitale fought thirteen times for the organization, losing only a single match against Robbie Lawler.

Full Interview: MMA Spot

It's always good to hear from the guys that have been doing this since way before it became popular.

Mark "The Hammer" Coleman Interview

2010-02-06T06:17:44Z

If you ever scoffed at the notion of a mixed martial artist getting better with age, then look no further than this Saturday’s main event at "UFC 109: Relentless." Two UFC Hall of Famers, 46-year-old five-time UFC champion Randy "The Natural" Couture and 45-year-old former Ohio State national champion wrestler Mark Coleman, will square off in a fight where the combined age of the competitors tops an incredible 90. Couture and Coleman may be anomalies in the sports world, but the fact that these two legends can still be going strong is a testament to the work ethic and desire to compete that is prevalent in the world of mixed martial arts. The fact that two ageless veterans can headline a card during Super Bowl weekend, typically one of the biggest shows of the year for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, in a fight that has been dreamed about for years is almost unfathomable.

David McKinney: This is a fight that has been more than a decade in the making. Are you excited that it has finally come to fruition between two UFC Hall of Famers and perhaps the two best wrestlers to ever step foot into the Octagon? Mark Coleman: Yeah, this is as big as it gets for me. This is a huge opportunity for me to take a closer step towards a title shot, which is still my ultimate goal. I don’t go around picking and choosing who I fight. I do consider Randy a good friend and I don’t want to fight him for any other reason than the fact that’s he’s a Hall of Famer and a legend. This is a fight that I’ve been asked over and over again for the last ten years about when I was going to fight Randy. It’s great that I can now answer that question: February 6.

DM: I know that a lot of your fans are happy to see you back in winning form on a big stage and they really appreciate the fact that you’re still out there fighting and giving it your all. MC: That’s something that I really do enjoy. If there are ever any fans that are hesitant about approaching me, please don’t be. I enjoy all of the attention and if you want to come up and shake my hand then I’m more than happy to do so. It’s great coming from a wrestling background where you don’t really have any of that.

DM: Many people have said that you have the perfect style to defeat currently undefeated UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, even going as far as to give you the nickname "The Antidote." How do you think you would fare against Machida? MC: Well, first of all he has to get by [Maurico] "Shogun" [Rua]. But you asked the Machida question, and he’s a very solid fighter in all areas. He’s not somebody that I would just be able to throw around. I have trained with him in the past and his wrestling is very excellent. It would be an incredibly tough fight but it is something that I would take very seriously. I do feel like I match up well with him and that’s a fight that I can win. In all honesty, I think I could win any fight at 205 pounds if I put in the work for it.

DM: What does the future hold for you after this fight, win or lose? MC: Well whether I win or lose does determine a lot, but what I do know is that I will fight again. People don’t seem to understand, but I do continue to get better. I just hired a new strength and conditioning coach Josh Burns, and he’s really taken the guesswork out of my training. He’s mapped out a nice plan and I see myself getting better.

Full Interview: MMA Spot

Interview with Ferrid Kheder

2010-01-25T17:28:56Z

Ferrid Kheder ~ No Time To Waste

Chicago-based Bellator Fighting Championships recently announced the signing of lightweight competitor Ferrid "The Hurricane" Kheder, an Olympic-level judoka who began competing in MMA in 2006. Boasting an impressive 16-5 record, with all losses coming by way of decision, this French-born fighter is looking to make a splash in the 155 pound tournament set to being April 8. MMASpot's Joe Gullo recently sat down with Kheder to talk about his judo background, his transition to MMA and his thoughts on his new promotion

Kheder's training led him to develop a devastating low kick that consistently knocks his opponents off their feet. "I learned that from a Muay Thai fighter in Australia. Nobody does a low kick like that. in 80 percent of my fights I can take down the guy with my low kick. It's very efficient and the result of a lot of work on my feet."

Since coming to MMA, Kheder has only lost five times, all of which were by decision, and has finished 13 of his 16 victories. "I want to finish the fight. Going to a decision doesn't make any sense in MMA. If you are going to fight, you have to finish the fight. Right now my record is 16-5, but you know, if you really ask me, I am gonna tell you 13-0 because I finished 13 of my fights and have never been finished."

Since the Thiago fight Kheder has kept very busy, amassing a 11-2 record leading up to his contract with Bellator. When asked what he thinks of Bellator's format, the fighter had nothing but praise. "I like the way they made the show. It's like basketball; we see them so everybody knows when the season is gonna start and you need to b e ready. It was a bit that way in judo; you start in September and stop in June. We have time to rest and some time to train hard to be ready for the competition. I like what they do, and I think they try to pick up the best guys that have not signed a contract with the UFC or Strikeforce. We have a lot of good guys in MMA that nobody knows."

Full Interview

Anybody here enjoy a good leg kick or two? Season two is heating up.

Bellator's New Featherweight: Georgi "Insane" Karakhanyan

2010-01-18T04:14:57Z

One of the four recently announced featherweight signings by the Chicago-based Bellator FC, Russian-born Armenian fighter Georgi "Insane" Karakhanyan aims to put his stamp on the division as he competes in the promotion's promising second season. The 12-week tournament, debuting April 8, is set up to determine the number one contender for each of Bellator's four weight classes (featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, and middleweight) and will conclude with four respective championship bouts. MMA Spot’s C.M. Holden recently sat down with Karakhanyan (12-1-1) to discuss a variety of topics, including his recent signing with Bellator, his thoughts on the featherweight division, and his career as a mixed martial artist.

Karakhanyan (Kah-ra-kahn-yan) is intently focused on a title contest with the current featherweight champion, Joe "The Hammer" Soto, and the three elimination fights that will get him there. MMA Spot’s C.M. Holden recently sat down with Karakhanyan (12-1-1) to discuss a variety of topics, including his recent signing with Bellator, his thoughts on the featherweight division, and his career as a mixed martial artist.

Being able to focus entirely on training and competing is an uncommon luxury that allows athletes the gains necessary to perform at an elite level. "It's really important. There is so much you need to learn in this game, so you need to put in a lot of time. It's really important."

With a record of 12-1-1, Karakhanyan has put in that time, and a lot of it has been spent shuffling between multiple MMA organizations on the regional level. Joining the growing ranks at Bellator provides the 24-year-old with the security, stability, and national exposure he has yet to experience in his young career.

"I'm really excited. Last year Bellator did a really good job with all the fights. I was really shocked watching the featherweights and even the lightweights, and with that submission of Toby Imada against Jorge Masvidal, it was really exciting. I personally think Bjorn [Rebney, Bellator's CEO] is a really smart man. With the three channel TV deal he has with Fox Sports, NBC, and Telemundo, it's really good exposure; not just for me but for other fighters to show our skills. It's not on pay-per-view, you know," Karakhanyan exclaimed.

That being said, the tournament format implemented by Bellator is no walk in the park. Aside from the possibility of losing one of the three scheduled bouts on the way to the title shot, fighting once a month presents the very real possibility of suffering an injury severe enough that it would force a fighter out of the competition.

Karakhanyan relishes the opportunity. "I feel really excited. I think it's good, you fight every month. If I had the opportunity to fight every month, 12 fights a year, I would have done it. I like to fight a lot. I like to stay busy." And as for injuries, "That might happen, you never know. I don't know until I fight. If it happens, things happen for a reason."

If he does make it through the season victorious and relatively unscathed, the newly crowned champion, Joe Soto, awaits with the belt. Karakhanyan is ready for the shot. "He's a good wrestler. He's well rounded. I match up really good. I'll be a tough opponent for him. We'll see, I can't wait until I beat those three guys and fight him."

Full Interview

The interview is pretty long, but it's good. Georgi is pretty damn impressive already, I look forward to seeing what he'll do in Bellator. It should be much easier to see now with their three channel deal. Season 2 looks to be good.

Top Ten Breakthrough Fighters Of 2009

2009-12-30T22:10:50Z

Jose Aldo 16-1 Jose Aldo was the easy choice for the top spot on our "Breakthroughs of the Year" list. His four fights in 2009 all ended by stoppage, and were never in doubt. Aldo’s combination of speed and power make him a dangerous opponent, regardless of match up. He easily defeated Rolando Perez and Chris Mickle earlier this year in WEC, setting up his meeting with Cub Swanson in June. It took just eight seconds, and one highlight reel flying knee, to defeat Swanson. With that win he earned himself a shot at the WEC featherweight championship against Mike Brown. Brown, who had been a dominate champion, looked like the contender in the bout as Aldo controlled nearly every second of the match, until finally finishing Brown early in the second. Aldo started the year as an almost unknown commodity in WEC, and finished as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Gegard Mousasi 27-2-1 Mousasi’s breakthrough did not actually occur overnight, and he was already well on his way to stardom prior to 2009. But, unless you are the type that stays up all night watching Japanese MMA, you may have missed his rise to the top of the rankings. He established himself as the Dream middleweight champion with victories over Denis Kang, Melvin Manhoef, and "Jacare" Souza, but raised eyebrows when he vacated the title to move up in weight. Mousasi stated that he wanted to fight at light heavyweight and eventually heavyweight. In 2009, he submitted heavyweight Mark Hunt, and eventually signed with Strikeforce. He made an immediate impact in America when he captured the light heavyweight title from top ten ranked Renato "Babalu" Sobral by knockout. He later made his CBS debut against Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, winning by knockout again. Mousasi’s 2009 answered any questions about his ability to perform against the best competition, earning a spot in the pound-for-pound debates and now a worldwide fan base.

For the rest of the top 10: MMA Spot

Gals Guide to MMA Has Joined SB Nation

2009-12-23T15:02:48Z

Hey everybody! We’re Gals Guide to MMA, then newest MMA blog to join SB Nation. While we originally started out to address the interests of female MMA fans, we’ve quickly developed a following of both female and male MMA fans, who come to us for our wit, expert commentary, insight, and modesty.

So if you are a lady, have a lady, hope to someday have one, or just want a glimpse into the twisted minds of these ladies, come check out our site. We bring you delightful features such as Pantydropper of the Week, Tattoo of the Week, and What Would Forrest Do?

We’re sure you won’t be disappointed. And if you are, keep it to yourself. We bruise easily.

Beast of the East Gydnia Results

2009-11-15T20:13:32Z

K1 Results:

Open.: Lukasz Jarosz def. Michael Olasia via KO (Right High Kick) Round 2

93 kg.: Thomas Sarara def. Dariusz Lipski via KO (Left High Kick) Round 2

70 kg.: Henrik van Opstal def. Peter Kobylańskiego via DEC

76 kg.: Tahir Menxhiqi def. Luke Rambalskiego via DEC

65 kg.: Adrianna BIŃKOWSKA def. Kamil Bałanda via TKO, round 2

Open.: Izuagbe Ugonoh def. Paul Szymkowiak via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) Round 1

76 kg.: Peter Arcimowicz def. Ernestas Dapkusa via DEC

MMA Results after the jump

WFCA Middleweight Title Fight

85 kg. Robert Jocz def. Kenji Nagai by TKO (Strikes), 2:14 Round 1

WFCA Heavyweight Title Fight

Open. Rafal Dabrowski def. Valentijn Overeema by SUB (Strikes), 1:17 Round 1

93 kg.: Michael Fijałka def. Dave Dalgliesh via SUB (Rear-Naked Choke), 3:46 Round 2

72 kg. Maciej Jewtuszko def. Gregory Trędowskiego via SUB (Guillotine), Round 2

93 kg.: Jason Jones def. Sebastian Olchawa via SUB (Rear-Naked Choke), 4:25 Round 2

93 kg. Hans Stringer def. Arnoldas Joknysa via TKO (Strikes), Round 1

77 kg.: Jedrzej Kubski def. Aleksejs Voronovsa via SUB (Rear-Naked Choke), 0:38 Round 1

93 kg. Marcin GUŁAŚ def. Martin Elsner via SUB (Strikes), Round 2

78 kg.: Peter Hallman def. Christopher Adaszaka via TKO (Strikes), round 1

Evolution 18 Fight Videos

2009-11-01T19:40:09Z

Some good scraps, enjoy. Evolution always puts on a good show.

Videos after the jump

Ben Edwards vs Paul Slowinski Part 1 (via meyer1244)

Paul Slowinski vs Ben Edwards Part 2 (via meyer1244)

Dane "Daddy Kool" vs Prasert (via meyer1244)

Soren vs Naruepol (via meyer1244)

SuperBoi vs Andy Colgrave Part 1 (via meyer1244)

SuperBoi vs Andy Colgrave Part 2 (via meyer1244)

Angela Parr vs Nicole Brolan Part 1 (via meyer1244)

Angela Parr vs Nicole Brolan Part 2 (via meyer1244)

Rumble in Richmond (Calif.) Oct. 24

2009-10-23T03:34:23Z

If you are in the Richmond area this weekend there is a Kickboxing/Boxing/MMA card to look out for.

PRO BOUTS

125.1-135lbs........ISCF WORLD BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

ROLANDO VELASCO vs CHRIS CARIASO

142.1-147lbs........IKF CALIFORNIA STATE WELTRWEIGHT TITLE

ANDREW VALLEDAREZ vs DAVID BARROWS

125.1-135lbs........ISCF CALIFORNIA STATE BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

BRYANT MUNOZ vs SAMART SAMPHUSRI

135.1-145lbs........ISCF CALIFORNIA STATE FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE

GABERIAL SOLORIO vs EVAN ESGUERRA

137.1-142lbs........PROFESSIONAL BOXING LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT

AL SIMPSON vs LUIS SANCHEZ

AMATEUR BOUTS

132.1-137lbs........IKF WORLD SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

DAN ASH vs KENNETH GIANG

137.1-142lbs........IKF WORLD LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

AMBER POPE vs JULIE JACKEL

159.1-165lbs........IKF WORLD MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE

DANIEL KIM vs DION PAMINTAO

142.1-147lbs........IKF CALIFORNIA WELTERWEIGHT TITLE

QUINCEY SHAMMON vs BRYON PETRO

132.1-137lbs........IKF WEST COAST SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

RICK ERIEC vs JEREMY MURPHY

132.1-137lbs........IKF WEST COAST SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
KERI WILSON vs BRITTNEY CHRISTIAN