TABLE OF CONTENTS Subscribe Now – FREE

MMAR READER 1.) Letter from MMAR President2.) MMA Fight Card Listings3.) MMA Gym Directory4.) Featured Amateur Fighters5.) Featured Technique6.) Industry Advice

7.) Featured Videos & Pictures8.) Featured Blogs9.) MMA Gear Review

10.) Sponsors and Links

Contributors November 2010Industry Advise: Chris du Toit MMA Technique: SFF Academy

Industry Advise: Fuller MMA Time Industry Advise: FL West Coast Fitness

Industry Advise: Rancid Sports Mngt Industry Advise: Stellar Fight Mngt

MMA Blog: Cher Woodwiss Industry Advise: Hidden Samurai MA

MMA Blog: Ryan Garcia MMA Blog: Alex Mattis

November 2010

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LETTER FROM MMAR PRESIDENT Subscribe Now – FREE

MMA Recruiter.comSan Diego, California

Phone: (619) 866-4198

www.mmarecruiter.com

Dear MMAR Readers,

We are pleased you decided to check out November's issue of the MMAR Reader. This month's issue is packed with industry advice written by managers, trainers, and gym owners from all around the world. It is our goal to deliver important industry information and advice for free to our readers.

Congratulations to the winners of November's Featured Fighter Contest! This month's winners are Clarence Spurlock and Tyler Buck. If you were not selected this month, be sure to enter the contest for December. If you would like to submit your information, please CLICK HERE.

Once again we would like to thank November's sponsors. Without their monthly sponsorships we wouldn't be able to produce our monthly publication and distribute it for free. Please visit their websites and help support companies that are supporting the MMA community.

Stay tuned for new and exciting news that we will be announcing in December's issue of the MMAR Reader.

Best of luck to all those fighters who have fights in November. Make this month your best, train hard and kick some butt!

Sincerely,

Michael Zuccarello

PresidentMMA Recruiter.com

November 2010

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FIGHT CARD LISTINGS Subscribe Now – FREE

**DISCLAIMER**MMA Recruiter is not the promoter or matchmaker for any of the events listed below. MMAR only reposts the

fight card information. Fight cards are subject to change. Some fight card listings might be filled.

[ View All ]11/06/10 - Ammys - Clarksville, TN

SSF is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 6th in Clarksville, TN.

11/06/10 - Ammys - Louisville, KY

Second2None Cage Fights is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 6th in Louisville, KY.

11/10/10 - Ammys - Chicago, IL

Kidds "Fight for the Cause" is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 10th in Chicago, IL.

11/11/10 - Ammys - Atlus, OK

Fighting for A Better Youth Veterans Day Event is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 11th in Altus, OK.

11/13/10 - Ammys - Cincinnati, OH

The IFL is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 13th in Cincinnati, OH.

11/13/10 - Ammys - Carbondale, IL

Battle at the Blast is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their card in Carbondale, IL on November 13th.

11/19/10 - Pro 185lb - Riverside, CA

MEZ Sports in looking for a pro 185lb MMA fighter to fill a spot on their upcoming fight card on November 19th in Riverside, CA.

11/20/10 - Ammys - Elyria, OH

Cagestars is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 20th in Elyria, OH.

11/26/10 - Pro & Ammy - Scranton, PA

Northeast MMA is looking for pro and amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on November 26th in Scranton PA.

12/01/10 - Pro 205/HWT - Evansville, IN

Pro heavyweight and 205lb MMA fighters need for an upcoming event in Evansville, IN in December 2010.

November 2010

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FIGHT CARD LISTINGS Subscribe Now – FREE

**DISCLAIMER**MMA Recruiter is not the promoter or matchmaker for any of the events listed below. MMAR only reposts the

fight card information. Fight cards are subject to change. Some fight card listings might be filled.

[ View All ]12/04/10 - Pro & Ammy - Cedar Rapids, IA

Swing First MMA is looking for pro and amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 4th in Cedar Rapids, IA.

12/09/10 - Ammys - Grapevine, TX

SWMMA is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 9th in Grapevine, TX.

12/11/10 - Ammys - Nassau, Bahamas

ICMAC World Championships is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on an upcoming fight card December 11th in Nassau, Bahamas.

12/13/10 - Ammys - Grayling, MI

NWK & Enraged MMA is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 13th in Grayling, MI.

12/18/10 - Ammys - Manassas, VA

East Coast Combat Club is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on December 18th in Manassas, VA.

01/01/11 - Pro & Ammys - Kingston, Jamaica

WarfareX is looking for pro and amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card in Kingston, Jamaica on January 2011.

02/12/11 - Pro & Ammys - Honolulu, HI

Immortail MMA is looking for pro and amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 12th, 2011 in Honolulu, HI.

02/11/11 - Ammys - Lansing, MI

Amateur MMA fighters are needed fill spots on an upcoming fight card on February 12th in Lansing, MI.

02/19/11 - Ammys - Pittsfield, IL

Kage Force MMA is looking for amateur MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on February 19th, 2011 in Pittsfield, IL.

05/21/11 - Pro - Los Angeles, CA

National Fight Alliance is looking for pro MMA fighters to fill spots on their upcoming fight card on May 21st, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA.

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MMA GYM DIRECTORY Subscribe Now – FREE

USA MMA GYMSAlabama Alaska

Arizona Arkansas

California Colorado

Connecticut Delaware

Florida GeorgiaHawaii Idaho

Illinois Indiana

Iowa Kansas

Kentucky Louisiana

Maine Maryland

Massachusetts Michigan

Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana

Nebraska Nevada

New Hampshire New Jersey

New Mexico New York

North Carolina North Dakota

Ohio Oklahoma

Oregon Pennsylvania

Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee

Texas Utah

Vermont Virginia

Washington West VirginiaWisconsin Wyoming

NON USA MMA GYMSAfrica Asia

Australia Canada

Europe Japan

Mexico South America

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FEATURED FIGHTER – AMATEUR Subscribe Now – FREE

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Fighters InformationName: Clarence "Nasty" Spurlock

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Age: 29

Skill Level: Amateur

Weight Class: 145lbs

Height: 5' 11”

Ammy Record: 6-0-1Fighting Style: Kickboxing & Jujitsu

Website: www.mmarecruiter.com

Booking InformationCompany: N/A

Manager: N/A

Training InformationGym: The Lab

Location: Kalamazoo, MI

Instructors: Matt Shaw & Brent Fogg

Training Partners: Terry Vanaverey, Floyd Reed, Eddie Tamez, Daryl Thompson & Justin Zeno

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments: Undefeated Amateur MMA Fighter

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FEATURED FIGHTER – AMATEUR Subscribe Now – FREE

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Fighter's InformationName: Tyler Buck

Location: Brookville, IN

Age: 20

Skill Level: Amateur

Weight Class: 125lbs

Height: 5' 7”

Ammy Record: 13-2-0

Fighting Style: Jujitsu

Website: www.tap-or-snap.net

Booking InformationCompany: Tap or Snap

Manager: Trey Kuhn

Mangers Phone: (765)309-5781

Training InformationI Train At: Midwest fight club

Location: Sunman, IN

Trainers: Tyson Tripplet & Chad Rynn

Training Partners: Chad Rynn, Alex Byrd & Tyson Tripplet

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments: Jujitsu Blue Belt & I Hold Three Titles in My Weight Class.

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Featured Technique – The Homer Simpson Pass Subscribe Now – FREE

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Name: SSF Submission AcademyAddress: 812 College St. Clarksville, TN 37040

Website: www.mmaclarksville.com

Phone: (931) 920-8456

Nick Cascaddan is wearing the white gi. Noah Ibrahin is wearing the black gi.

1. Nick starts off in the half guard. 2. Nick balls up and underhooks Noah’s left leg.

3. Nick switches hips & holds Noah’s right leg. 4. Nick starts walking towards Noah’s left side.

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Featured Technique – The Homer Simpson Pass Subscribe Now – FREE

5. Nick switches hips again to get the sweep.

6. Nick lands in Noah's open guard.

7. Nick passes and gets the side mount.

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Name: Octagon MMAAddress: Secunda, South Africa

Phone: (078) 956-9342

Leave Your Ego At The DoorBy: Chris du Toit (Octagon MMA, South Africa)

“Leave your Ego at the door, or you’ll be picking it up off the floor!” is a slogan that should be displayed at the entrance of all MMA gyms. Most of the students and athletes training with us understand this concept, which make us a humble bunch, in an arrogant way I guess. If I have completely lost you at this point, allow me to explain. Although most of the people walking through your door for the first time might be friendly and eager to learn from you and their fellow students, every now and then a trouble maker will walk through the doors of your gym. Someone with an overinflated ego, out to prove that they have got what it takes to get into the cage right now and walk out the victor, which we all know is never ever the case. Or worse case scenario, someone who walks into your gym challenging you as a coach or instructor either directly or through their attitude.

This can become a rather explosive situation, which if handled incorrectly will damage your image and the reputation of your gym and business. So how do you handle it when captain UFC walks through your door? Well for starters, you can put up the sign I described earlier! Seriously, put up something to let visitors know, that this is a place where athletes train, and if they came here to train, they are welcome. If they came to look for trouble, they are also welcome! No, really, seriously now. People that visit your gym for a “free training session” have no contract with you whatsoever. This means that first of all, if they get injured (and arrogant first timers usually do) they might make a claim against you and your gym. So make them fill in a little disclaimer to cover you, your gym, and your students.

Ask them a few questions before starting with the basics. Ask them their current fitness level; their previous martial arts experience, and their goals in MMA. At this point you should have a clear cut indication of the person’s intentions, attitude and what you can expect form them during the training session. Something that has worked for me in the past is to hand over the rest of the class to one of the other coaches or instructors, and give personal attention to this student. Then I give him the workout of his life. If his tongue isn’t touching his kneecaps at the end of the session, you did not do a thorough job. Not being able to breathe after a training session makes any sane person rethink their physical condition and what they are capable of.

Continued on the next page...

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Leave Your Ego At The DoorBy: Chris du Toit (Octagon MMA, South Africa)

So what if an ego walks in with a person attached to it, claims to know the basics and wants to prove himself? Then simply follow the same procedure as above, inform him of the unwritten sparring rules of you gym, get a couple of experienced students, put on your own pair of gloves and get it on! Some people only learn the hard way, and if this means “green lighting” (taking turns beating him up) an arrogant newbie to get him back down to earth, then so be it. We are MMA athletes and we submit to no-one, so bring it on!

Lastly we have our roaming superheroes. These are people who walk into your gym and challenge you openly in front of your students. It’s never a pleasant experience getting challenged in such fashion, but it does happen. So what should you do? Well, this is really up to you to decide. Personally, I will ask them to leave, and if they persist I will arrange for bail money for myself before making an example of him? Not very professional and horrible advice? I know, but that’s me, you decide what route you take. In the end you have an image, call it your own ego if you like, to uphold, and you have to maintain the respect of your students. If you can’t stand up in your own domain against some random punk, then maybe he should be giving the classes. Once again, how you stand up is up to you.

One last though before I wrap this up, when you do accept a challenge, make sure he isn’t carrying any weapons! There is nothing like a big hole in your chest to ruin your training. Happy training, and remember “Never Back Down!”

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Name: Hidden Samurai Martial ArtsAddress: Owensboro, KY

Phone: (270) 925-2688

Website: www.hiddensamurai.cmasdirect.com

Blue Belt BluesBy: Sensei Mayfield

It’s becoming commonplace for people to come into the local Martial Arts academy, full of energy and raring to go! Then something changes in many of them, at about the time that they reach the 12-18 month mark of training. Their heart crumples and the motivation to train fades. The subtle aspects of life begin to take over their training time and the energy that was so fierce in the beginning. The drive is ground to a halt and the fire that raged is now smoldering……. SO WHAT HAPPENNED??? I’m beginning to see this as the ‘Blue Belt Blues’. Just about time you’ve achieved this level, things aren’t as easy as they were in the beginning. You are now sparring/rolling with the upper students at a more competitive level. The lower belts are getting better and harder to control, and you’re stuck right in the middle. The higher-ups aren’t taking it easy on you any more, and the lower-level fighters are pushing to be in your place. It’s getting harder to get motivated to train because you are now realizing what the instructor has been telling you all along. ‘The better you get…the harder IT gets, not easier!’ The more you push, the more that is expected of you, BECAUSE you are improving.

You begin to let the complications of life invade the sanctum that WAS your training bubble. You’re sore after practice, tired (because you’re being pushed harder), and you begin to get a little run down. When they get to this level I see people, all the time, just quit. They stop training completely, and as a coach I HATE THIS!!!! Because I see potential, and I push to help my students realize their own potential. Then, just as we begin to get there……BOOM! It hits… the BBB.

SO what do we do??? As a coach, I have to ask myself all the time, how to keep this from happening. The number one way to fix this is for the student to talk to me! Let me know what’s going on. We can back off the sparring/rolling and drill a bit more. Another way to fix this is for the student to take a mentoring roll with a newer student. And my LAST option is a break from training. One or two weeks at most. Then get right back at it! What ever you do….DON’T STOP TRAINING!

Continued on the next page...

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Blue Belt Blues By: Sensei Mayfield

Once you get thru the BBB, I won’t say life is easy, but you begin to see the strides you’ve made. You see the people that you’ve helped get better, and you realize that it was, in large part, because of your assistance.

KEEP YOUR HEADS UP AND KEEP GOING. I WOULDN’T PUSH SO HARD IF I DIDN’T SEE SOMETHING IN YOU! I AM PROUD OF ALL MY STUDENTS… PAST AND PRESENT.

GOD BLESS

See ya on the mat!

Sensei

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Name: FL West Coast FitnessLocation: Estero, FL

Phone: (239) 221-8900

Website: www.flwestcoastfitness.com

Conditioning for MMABy: Mike Woolley

The importance of conditioning in MMA competition, as well as most other types of competition, is almost universally understood. The Billy Bad Ass’s of the world that come out to a fight and hop in the ring with no training at all are gone or will be leaving soon. We spend countless hours training for stand-up striking, clinch work, take-down defense and offense, ground and pound, submission drills, and so on and so on. A fighters’ backbone is to be able to do any of this for a sustainable amount of time. A fighter's aerobic/anaerobic capacity, his muscular strength/endurance, and his ability to recover are what should be trained to improve to the best of his ability.

One of the best ways to accomplish this necessary conditioning is circuit training with functional movements. Straight punches for time with light weights, tire jumps, bear crawls, kettle bell work, and medicine ball slams are all forms of functional training that are great things to be included in a circuit. Bicep curls, bench press, and most other forms of muscle isolation exercise are not functional movements and have no substantial use for MMA conditioning. The only exception to this would be if you are rehabilitating a muscle or joint injury.

When setting up circuits try to remember there needs to be a reason why you are doing each exercise. Are you trying to develop more muscular attributes or is it a cardio push your fighter needs? Are you training them for a fighter that would like to stand or some one that wants to go to the mat. These questions will determine the exercises, weight load, order of the exercises, and the duration of the rounds.

Other quality forms of conditioning can come from properly learned and executed Olympic lifts. These are fantastic for developing explosive strength and power but proper form is of the utmost importance. The dead lift is one of the best examples of pure power from the entire body. Clean and jerk movements, and snatch lifts are fantastic for building explosive power.

Continued on the next page...

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Conditioning for MMA By: Mike Woodley

Be sure you are using proper equipment when doing Olympic lifts. When using moderate weight or higher with these lifts, the bar should not be lowered eccentrically it should be dropped to prevent injury. The plates you use should be bumper-type plates to withstand the shock of being dropped; steel plates can cause injury to the athlete or equipment.

The wisest coaches and fighters employ as many conditioning techniques as possible to prepare their fighters. Each fight will require different sparing and fight tactics to achieve victory. The tactics you use to prepare yourself out of the ring and off the mats are no less important than sparring sessions. In many cases, conditioning becomes the main factor in your ability to finish a fight.

Train hard, fight easy.

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Name: Fuller MMA TimeLocation: Richmond, TX

Website: www.fullermmatime.com

(Cross-) Training for SuccessBy: Seth Fuller

Training to become an MMA fighter is no easy task. The truth is that if you are training in anything but a large, premier, and full-service MMA gym you are probably limiting both yourself and your MMA game. In order to become a top-notch, well-rounded MMA fighter you must go beyond your gym and your comfort level. This means cross-training.

What is cross-training? Cross training is merely maximizing your exposure to all elements of Mixed Martial Arts in the quest to sharpen your technique and expand your skill set. How do you go about cross-training? While getting a membership to a high-end MMA shop like Xtreme Couture or Greg Jackson’s, or even several specialized gyms in your area may be a great way to cross train, for most it is unrealistic both financially and physically. You don’t have to do this to cross train! There are much more feasible and practical alternatives. The best way to cross-train cheaply and effectively is through networking. There are several ways to network efficiently in the martial arts community.

First, attend martial arts competitions. Whether boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, BJJ or submission grappling, there are always competitions in which to compete or attend. This will help you in several ways. Of course, competing itself is great cross-training that will give you exposure to one aspect of combat sports and vastly improve your overall game. Moreover, simply by attending the competitions you can meet and befriend people with whom to cross-train. Even your opponents can become potential resources. If you are polite and cordial, you can find many people in your area willing to train or spar with you for free.

Second, attend any martial-arts seminars in your area. Seminars, like tournaments, are not only great cross-training events themselves, but are another opportunity to meet great cross-training partners. Though these events all cost money, by supporting them you will be fostering martial arts in your area as well as investing in future cross-training opportunities. Always remember that in order to effectively network at any event you must actually meet and talk to new people. Get out, meet people, be friendly and get contact information. Follow up with a call so that they remember who you are and know you are serious about training.

Continued on the next page...

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(Cross-) Training for SuccessBy: Seth Fuller

Now that you have found people with whom to cross train, you must find somewhere to train. Fortunately, as long as you are not a gym vulture, many places will let you come to their open mat times and spar with their guys (at no cost), especially if invited by one of their students. This will be much more likely if they know you are a paying member somewhere else, that you are serious about learning and training and that you know and practice the basic rules of gym etiquette. In fact, there is probably an area-wide open-invitation training session in your area. The only way to discover it, though, will be through luck or effective networking.

This brings me to my final tip for cheaply and effectively cross-training: make your gym the place to go to cross-train. Talk with your coaches about bringing in guys they meet at other gyms. Ask them to use their network to find training partners from different disciplines or different gyms. Tell your gym mates about upcoming tournaments and seminars and encourage them to come with you. However you go about doing it, cross-training will make you a better competitor, a better martial artist, and a better person.

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Name: Rancid Sports Management LLC.Website: www.rancidsm.com

Phone: (918) 840-9573

Making it CountBy: Joshua Johns

In today's fast-paced MMA world it is extremely hard to trust the people involved with your fighting career. As a sports management company we have dealt with some very shady people. We have been put under the bus by other agencies and by fighters. Trust is a very hard thing to gain but it is so easily broken. Fighters in today's world must be able to trust their managers and coaches. As a sports management company we, at Rancid, know that trust is everything. We are in charge of making a fighters career the best and most successful it can be. We do not make money unless you make money. This is to gain trust.

A fighter must always read and sign a contract only if it is exactly what they want. Remember, you will be stuck with that contract for a while. Make sure your manager knows what he/she is doing. Make sure they have been around the block a few times. A fighter must be sure and always be ready for a fight. If your manager finds you a fight and you are not ready for that fight, that is going to cause some bad blood between you and your manager. Be sure you are always ready to take a fight. It is in your best interest. Always train your heart out. Managers put a lot of work into finding fights and they will normally not take a fight if they think you are not ready for it. These guys know what they are doing.

Always keep in touch with your manager. Make sure they know what is going on in your life. It is important to have a close, good-standing relationship with your manager. Management is an essential part of your career; they can make you or break you. Make sure you are checking in on your manager. Don't let them forget about you; they need you as much as you need them.

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Name: Stellar Fight Management Inc.Location: New York

Website: www.stellarfight.com

Fighter Know Thyself By: Jason Ostrowski

The Mixed Martial Arts phenomenon is exploding on a global scale, and shows no signs of slowing down. Due in part to this exponential growth, more and more individuals are attempting to try their hand as modern day caged gladiators. However, a great number of these MMA hopefuls are missing the proper guidance needed (trainers, coaches, and managers). They also lack an ability to self analyze, and are not realistic in reference to their skill set and their readiness to engage in their first fight.

While watching a professional, well organized MMA event, it seems natural to ask the question, "I wonder if I have what it takes to get into the cage and fight?" To REALLY think you can, without the proper training, is another story all together! Fighters at high levels of the sport make MMA seem so fluid, smooth, and effortless, that at times our minds can be duped into thinking anyone can get into the cage and put on a clinic. This could not be further from the truth.

There are too many occasions where I hear, or read about young MMA hopefuls seeking their first fight with little to no experience, let alone having a real membership to a quality MMA gym. As a manager in the industry, I find this idea EXTREMELY disturbing on many levels. This is the point in time when I ask young aspiring fighters to take a look in the mirror and be realistic with themselves.

The sport is not as easy as it looks while watching the top fighters in the world do battle on TV. If you talk to, or read about the majority of top professionals in the fight game, you will discover that their skills are the result of years of intense technical training. Many of these fighters have been entrenched in the Martial Arts their whole lives.

Now I know what you're thinking, "OK, but in order to get to the top of the sport, I have to start somewhere!" The intent of this article is to give you guidance on where to start, in order to get the most out of the great sport of MMA.

Continued on the next page...

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Fighter Know ThyselfBy: Jason Ostrowski

The first order of business when getting started is to find yourself a quality MMA gym. This should be a "no-brainer", and there is NO exception to this rule. Shadow boxing and hitting the heavy bag in the garage is simply not sufficient enough training to prepare you for an MMA competition. Experience and toughness forged in street confrontations can be an asset to a fighter who is starting off; but relying solely on this street experience is sure to result in a brutally humbling situation. Besides, any good fight promoter will not allow you to step into a fight unless you are affiliated with an accredited martial arts school.

There are way too many times where I have witnessed, or heard about tough guys, molded in the streets, who come into a MMA gym thinking their skills will crossover on the mats, cage, or ring. With very little exception, they are quickly taught an important, humbling lesson. Nine times out of ten, sheer toughness and strength will not overcome the technique derived from the experience gained in the academy (especially the techniques learned in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Submission Grappling). If you still aren’t convinced, ask any one of the “tough guys” who squared off against Royce Gracie in the early NHB days of the UFC. Even better, ask Kimbo Slice how street experience worked for him… I think we all know the answer to that. To make matters worse, many of these humbling introductions to our sport end with the person’s ego and confidence being so severely bruised that they never return to the training center and realize their full potential as a competitor. There is absolutely NO room for ego when training in an MMA gym. Ego hinders growth. We must be sure to set our ego to the side, and welcome instruction from our more experienced teammates and trainers, while constantly learning from the expected physical mistakes we make as a beginner.

Now that we have established the importance of a membership to a quality MMA school, it is recommended that we take full advantage of all the different instruction the trainers have to offer. The modern mixed martial artist is a hybrid warrior; graced in many disciplines of the martial arts, (Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu/Submission Grappling (No - Gi), Judo, etc.). Long gone are the days of the one dimensional fighters enjoying long term success in the sport. If time permits, we should work on bettering ourselves in every facet of the game, and concentrate or efforts towards becoming a complete fighter.

Knowing when a fighter is ready to embark on his first MMA fight seems to be a highly debated topic, although it shouldn’t be. With that said, I will provide my opinion on this matter based on my past experience as an amateur fighter, and as a current professional MMA manager.

Many college wrestlers and amateur/pro boxers become attracted to MMA these days. Having these established bases may put those individuals ahead of the curve in regards to their readiness to compete in their first MMA event when compared to the individual who starts MMA training with no prior full-contact sports experience. However, wrestlers and boxers must still become graced in the intricacies of the submission fighting game, and the kicks, knees, and elbows derived from Thai Boxing, in order to better their chances of crossing over.

Continued on the next page...

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Fighter Know ThyselfBy: Jason Ostrowski

For someone starting fresh, with no prior combat sports knowledge, I recommend training until one is at least at an intermediate level of striking (Muay Thai/Kickboxing), and at least a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Concentrating on developing a No-Gi grappling game at this time is also important. Meeting this criteria should sufficiently equip a competitor with the needed skill set to safely, and confidently enter the cage, (basic submission knowledge, submission defense, proper kicking/punching/kneeing/elbowing technique, and defense while striking). Furthermore, I highly recommend competing in an amateur Muay Thai/Kickboxing fight, as well as competing in as many grappling tournaments as possible, before entering the cage for the first time. Competing in these events are essential to an aspiring MMA fighter. They assist a fighter in dealing with the pressure and nerves (“cage jitters”) that come with competing under the bright lights of the event, and in front of the ruckus crowd that will surely be present. Creating this event scenario in the dojo is a tough task. Fighting in amateur Thai Boxing events, and grappling tournaments are a great way of learning to deal with natural competitive nerves.

After an aspiring fighter has accumulated checks in all the prerequisites mentioned, they still have to get the consent of their trainer before entering into their first fight. A quality trainer will know when their fighter is ready; they will never push you to enter a fight if you are not properly instructed and prepared. However, beware of the trainer who pushes to fight when you are not quite ready. I truly believe if you follow these guidelines and are of able body, mind, and spirit, both you and your trainer should be more then ready for you to enter into your first MMA fight

MMA is a truly amazing sport. As great as it is, it has yet to gain full acceptance in mainstream society. For instance, the so called great state of New York (my home state), as well as a couple others, have yet to legalize MMA. Our sport continues to gain ground and grow, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

It is my firm belief that it is our duty as fighters, promoters, and managers to ensure we do everything in our power to propel the sport forward in a positive manner. A perfect example of this sentiment is to make sure fighters are properly prepared to enter into unarmed combat for the first time. True fans want to see two highly trained, technical warriors going toe to toe. Promoters want to host fights that showcase highly skilled mixed martial artists who will bring notoriety to their promotion. Managers want to represent fighters who take their training, career, and the sport seriously. Finally, sponsors want to be affiliated with fighters who compete in the biggest televised events, which provides their brand with maximum exposure. Stepping into the cage too soon, without being properly trained, sets the sport back a step; I highly doubt that any of us who sincerely care about our sport want to see that happen. So lets do the sport and ourselves a favor. Be realistic and don’t step into the cage until you can TRULY consider yourself a mixed martial artist.

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November 2010

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November 2010

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Name: J. Alex Mattis

Website: alexmmattis.wordpress.com

The Perfect Time for Hughes-Penn IIIBy: J. Alex Mattis

The score remains 1-1 in the battle of Hughes Vs. Penn.

2004, UFC 46 - BJ Penn scored one of the biggest upset of the pre-TUF era when he submitted Matt Hughes in the 1st round, winning the UFC welterweight championship.

2006, UFC 63 – Matt Hughes avenges his loss to BJ Penn by TKO’n “The Prodigy” in the 3rd round, retaining the welterweight crown. Though battered early and locked in a tight triangle-choke, Hughes prevailed with superior heart and conditioning. 2010, UFC 123 – The co-main event of the evening will see BJ Penn and Matt Hughes settle, what is destined to be, one of the most famous trilogies in the sports history.

If this fight had been inked nine months ago and one were to proclaimed “Ya know? I think Hughes should be the favorite, he’s going to beat-up BJ!” they would have been laughed hysterically at, ask to leave whatever establishment they were in, and it’d be requested that they never return, they’d be lucky if no one threw a shoe at them. Flash-forward through a very interesting nine months, there isn’t much to jeer at.

Matt Hughes is riding a three-fight win-streak over Matt Serra, Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida – showing tremendous heart, strength and greatly improved striking in the process. On the other side of things; BJ is 0-2 in his last two UFC outings, being bested by Frankie Edgar. It’s an interesting turn of events as the careers of these two men have gone in directions opposite of the initial consensus.

BJ Penn is at a serious crossroads; he was dethroned at 155 and wants to make another go at 170. This fight is pivotal for Penn, who in his last five fights has gone 2-3. Penn has shown resiliency in the past and the ability to spring back from crushing losses. After two such convincing defeats, however, the question is: What is BJ going to do different? I doubt I’m alone in thinking that BJ needs to move to another camp. BJ has surrounded himself with numerous yes-men that haven’t helped him evolve as a fighter.

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The Perfect Time For Hughes-Penn IIIBy: J. Alex Mattis

There’s no question how incredible a motivated and properly trained BJ can be. The strength and conditioning programs BJ underwent with Marv Marinovich looked to have turned him into an unstoppable beast. However, after the permanent move back to Hilo the “motivation” question was once against raised. BJ needs a serious revamp, needs to turn in a great performance, and needs to shows the world that he’s still BJ Penn.

The improvement and ability to still hang with top-notch talent that Matt Hughes has displayed in his past three fights is what has led many to believe he will be the favorite to win in the third showdown. The Renzo fight was basically a public exhibition of Matt Hughes’ striking improvement as he put together great combinations with his hands and demonstrated some hard, devastating leg-kicks. It was his UFC 117 win over BJJ wiz Ricardo Almeida that raised everyone’s eyebrows. Not only did he drop Almeida with a crisp left-hook; he choked the BJJ black-belt unconscious. Joe Rogan may have put it best - “Matt Hughes is not done in this game.”

We’re going to learn where the MMA careers of Matt Hughes and BJ Penn stand on November 20th. Hughes’ game-plan and BJ preparation will determine who end up with their hand raised. Hughes will need to tighten up his boxing defense (keep his hands higher and increase head-movement) and certainly be more cautious than he was against Gracie and Almeida, but a properly constructed leg-kick based game-plan could win Matt Hughes the rubber match. If Hughes spends all his time lunging at BJ and looking for a take-down he’ll leave himself susceptible to the counter-striking of BJ. Even if he gets him down, BJ could wind up in the advantageous position, as was seen in their 2nd fight.

Hughes needs to remember that BJ Penn is not Renzo Gracie, he is not Ricardo Almeida. Matt Hughes is dealing with one of his most dangerous opponents ever.

We’ve seen in the past that when BJ is bullied he often abandons strategy, gets discouraged and ultimately has no answer. Matt Hughes will undoubtedly try to bully BJ Penn… What will be BJ’s answer?

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Name: Cher Woodiwiss

Website: www.fortheloveofmma.com

COURAGE IN THE CAGE By: Cher Woodiwiss

We all can agree that stepping into the octagon takes a tremendous amount of courage, bravery and fearlessness .

All these traits are to be admired, right? All the hard work ,dedication, determination, heart, and soul that goes into the preparation of a fight demands respect. By all involved...the fighter and his team of trainers. A fighter has to sacrifice so much when training for a fight. They sacrifice family time, personal time, and they often sacrifice income. Most fighters don’t get paid enough until they have really made it. Most fighters have a great sportsmanlike attitude when it comes to their opponents. Even if they don’t like them personally, they respect each other as fighters. That is why if you are a lover of MMA you should respect the fighter and all the work that is put into it.

Not sure who we think we are; how do we have the nerve to boo someone who is doing something so courageous...something that few people would ever do, or could ever do for that matter? My advice to the fans is to sit back and enjoy the fight and the fighters. Let them do what they do, without the degradation! Let’s not turn this into the next WWE!!! It shouldn’t be about the theatrics...just the skill displayed in the octagon.

This rant was brought on by my trip to Vegas. I bought it as a birthday gift to myself. I bought a ticket for the UFC Fanexpo and UFC 114! Rampage vs. Rashad. What an incredible experience! Any fan of MMA must make it to a live event, especially in Vegas!

What I found troubling was the fact that Rashad Evans was booed at both the weigh-ins and at the fight. He seemed surprised by the crowd’s response. It’s not like I’m a huge fan of his. He just didn’t deserve it... Michael Bisping was also booed. Bisping expected it, he seems to be used to it...especially on American soil. Although he’s been quiet for a while now and probably humbled by getting his ass knocked out by Dan Henderson, he still expects the boos. Most fighters who suffer a devastating loss usually re-assess and become a stronger and better fighter. I often say when an undefeated fighter loses; it can be the best thing for them. It kicks them up a notch. It usually reveals who has the heart and who doesn’t.

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COURAGE IN THE CAGEBy: Cher Woodiwiss

I think booing a professional fighter is atrocious. Unless the fighter has denounced your country or was extremely disrespectful before or after the fight. Not one person that steps into a cage to fight should be disrespected like that. I was so embarrassed and felt protective of the fighters. Of course, there was nothing I could do except cheer as loud as I could. Every fan has their favorite choice between the two fighters. There is no need to boo a fighter for it. Maybe I’m just sensitive? Is it a woman thing?

No need for dishonor.

There are reasons to boo in MMA.... for instance, when the fighters are in the cage circling each other not doing much of anything. When the crowd boos under those circumstances it lights a fire under their asses and reminds them to get to work.

It’s ok to boo a decision. Sometimes the officials make really bad calls. I think it’s fair to voice disdain under those circumstances. It’s not an attack on the fighter, it’s just a vocalization that the decision is opposed.

It was great to see Rashad beat Rampage. It looked good to the fans. I felt I was the only one in the MGM event center that was on Team Rashad! The funny thing was that I arrived in Vegas on Rampage’s side! The crowd chanted “Rampage, Rampage, Rampage.” Rampage just couldn’t get the win. He was surprisingly controlled by Rashad. It was an exciting win in an unexciting fight. After the win, Rashad got all the respect he deserved and lots of cheers.

Sometimes MMA fans can be so fickle!

I hope if any MMA fan reads this they might think twice about booing a fighter when he enters the octagon...just remember the courage...and admire that, by showing your support.

We have to remember the courage. Respect the courage. Respect the fighter.

Keep on lovin' MMA!

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Name: Ryan William Nohea Garcia

Website: www.duelingbarstools.com

MMA At The Colosseum By: Ryan William Nohea Garcia

Word is that the UFC wants to have an event at the Roman Colosseum. When asked what his “dream” venue for a UFC event is, UFC UK President Marshall Zelaznik said:

“The Coliseum in Rome. That'd be cool. I don't think we could actually use the Coliseum itself, but there's a space adjacent to it where you could build a temporary outdoor arena like we did in Abu Dhabi. That's been mentioned to us as we look into options in Italy, I think that'd be cool.”

When the UFC has an event on the same grounds as the original Colosseum, I will be on an airplane to Italy. It’s that simple. If you don’t understand why that’s awesome, go watch Gladiator a few more times. I just hope the UFC amends its production format to suit the setting. For instance, fighters should enter by chariot, and dress as legionnaires. Drums of war and trumpets, not fighters’ favorite songs should mark their entrance into the arena. Actually, Akiyama’s entrance music would be really awesome at the Colosseum.

I have an idea for the UFC to help expedite their expansion into Europe (Italy, specifically). Purchase the naming rights to the Colosseum, which are on sale for the bargain price of $32 million bucks. Basically, the Colosseum is falling apart and Italy needs money to fix it.

In exchange for funding 100 percent of the cost of the Colosseum restoration, Italy is offering the sponsor various advertising rights including: its name and logo on the Colosseum admission tickets, its name and logo on posters no larger than 8.2 feet at the base of the Colosseum, ability to conduct its own private guided tours of the Colosseum and exclusive film rights of the entire restoration process.

By contrast, Citi pays $20 million a year for the naming rights to the Mets’ stadium. And really, who cares about the Mets stadium? Obviously Italy undervalued the naming rights to the Colosseum. For $32 million the UFC’s name can be forever linked to Rome, gladiatorial combat, and the Colosseum. The UFC will have done a public service – restoring the Roman Colosseum. Now that’s goodwill.

Finally, here’s a great read about the history, development, and tactics of the Roman army, which adapted new techniques, methods, and strategies from every enemy and ally – like mixed martial artists do today.

November 2010

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Reviewing Author: Ron Daley - SFFCompany Being Reviewed: Ringside Powerhide BagCompany's Website: www.ringside.com

Ringside Powerhide BagBy: Ron Dayley

The Ringside Powerhide Thai bag is your standard 100lbs Muay Thai heavy bag. It is 6’ tall and covered in a synthetic leather that Ringside calls Powerhide. I bought 4 of these for my gym, SSF Submission Academy in Clarksville just over a 1.5 years ago and they are holding up well. The Powerhide hasn’t cracked or peeled like I’ve seen with other brands.

This bag sales for $149.99, but Ringside normally has them on sale for $99. You really can’t beat this deal. I have had Fairtex, Windy, and many other higher end brands and the Ringside one is holding up just as well. They have a clean look and finish to them. I would recommend them for anyone who wants a Heavy Bag for home or gym.

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