MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Lauzon Ready For Bradley At UFN 15

UFC lightweight contender Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon broke from his native Massachusetts training camp Saturday and headed for Nebraska, where he fights Kyle Bradley (13-5) on Wednesday night (September 17) in UFC Fight Night 15, live from Omaha on Spike TV.
“Training camp was very, very good,” Lauzon said. “This summer, I built a cage in my school (Lauzon MMA), and I’m happy with the way things went. I worked harder for this fight than any other. When I was training with BJ Penn in Hawaii, it was a little tougher to coordinate training partners whereas back home I had 6 to 8 guys jumping up to help every training session. It’s always easier to round up your own guys in your own gym. Training with BJ was great, but for this fight my entire gym was more focused on me in camp than ever before.”

The 24-year-old Lauzon (16-4, 3 KOs, 13 submissions), star of The Ultimate Fighter 5 television reality show, earned a Bachelor’s degree in computer networking from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, Lauzon’s most notable victory to date was in his UFC debut (September 23, 2006 in UFC 63) when, as a 7-1 underdog, Joe surprisingly stopped former UFC champion Jens “Little Evil” Pulver (21-7-1) at 43 seconds of the opening round, marking Pulver’s first UFC loss in eight fights.

Although relatively new to the UFC, the 26-year-old Bradley has been a professional MMA fighter for more than five years. “I’m ready for him,” Lauzon remarked. “I know he’s trained by Rich Clemente, of Louisiana, so I know he’s good in Jui-Jitsu and kickboxing. My boxing has improved a lot to the point I’m confident fighting on my feet. I’d still rather be on the ground but now I’m comfortable fighting all around.”

Lauzon is coming off a disappointing loss by second-round TKO to fellow Bay State fighter Kenny Florian last April 2 in the main event on UFC Fight Night 13 in Denver. “It’s all about maturity,” Joe concluded. “From that fight I learned that I need to pace myself better and not think that I have to go all out from bell to bell. Up until the last fight, I was continually progressing and moving up the ranks. The Florian loss set me back, but now I’m going to get momentum going my way again.”

 

[heyzel]

Whether at 185 or 205, Franklin's goal is to lift a title

By Franklin McNeil




year ago, the thought of competing at 205 pounds never crossed Rich Franklin's mind. His focus was strictly on getting a third crack at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

But after a second TKO loss to Silva in October 2007, Franklin's middleweight title dream was dashed. UFC officials informed him that the possibility of facing Silva again was remote at best.

Franklin got the message and agreed to take his skills to light heavyweight. But accepting the challenge of facing larger fighters didn't guarantee Franklin a thing.

Despite his impressive credentials, Franklin isn't a 205-pound contender. And he hasn't been assured a bout against an upper-echelon competitor.

At 33, Franklin is back to proving he belongs.

"I came into this division to be more proactive with my career," Franklin told ESPN.com. "I lost twice to [Anderson] Silva and the UFC told me they weren't interested in a third fight; they didn't feel it was good for business.

"So here I am sitting in this weight class and they really aren't interested in having me fight the top contenders in this weight class because it eliminates possible title shots if I win. So I'm stuck fighting guys on the back end."

[+] EnlargeEd Mulholland/FightWireImages.com

Franklin moved to the 205-pound ranks after suffering two losses to Anderson Silva, left.
Franklin, who last fought at 205 pounds in December 2003, made his return to the division last week at UFC 88 in Atlanta against Matt Hamill. But taking on a guy with less experience and overall skill didn't make life easier for the former 185-pound champ.

There were several factors Franklin needed to overcome.

Physically, Hamill is one of UFC's strongest light heavyweights and he's a wrestler. Had the fight gone to the ground, Franklin would have been at a distinct disadvantage.

But the more-experienced Franklin was able to keep the fight standing up. And he would eventually end Hamill's night in the third round with a liver kick.

The victory was a step toward proving Franklin could compete successfully at light heavyweight, although he wasn't smiling afterward. Franklin did not enjoy sending his friend to the canvas.

"The victory in this case is bittersweet," said Franklin, who improved to 25-3-0. "It was a difficult thing.

"I put myself in a situation with this fight where I couldn't turn the fight down. I'd already turned down another opponent. … Then they offered me Matt, and I had kind of painted myself into a corner."

Hamill helped Franklin train for his previous fight against Travis Lutter. The two worked out at Matt Hughes' camp in Seattle.

With Hamill's help Franklin stopped Lutter in the second round on April 19. It wasn't the first time the two trained together.

Over the years they've built a close friendship. But the numerous workouts did little to help Hamill overcome Franklin's talent in the cage.

"Rich is a world-class striker, and I know I can't keep up with him. But I tried," Hamill said. "The game plan was to go southpaw, deliver quick strikes and go for the takedown."

Hamill was unable to implement the game plan. The smaller Franklin proved too elusive.

Franklin never planned to get into a wrestling match with the bigger, stronger Hamill. His strategy was to keep the fight standing up. It's a plan Franklin intends to utilize regularly in the immediate future.

Although beating Hamill wasn't enjoyable, Franklin did take something positive from the experience. He gained confidence that he could hold his own at 205 pounds.

"I believe Matt is one of the strongest fighters at 205, so it did give me some confidence in that if I am not getting completely pushed around in the Octagon then I can survive in this weight class," Franklin said. "I do still feel kind of small for a 205-pound fighter.

"I've got some work to do. I need to put on some weight, which is difficult to do when you are getting ready for fights. … You have to do it in between fights. I have enough power in my punches to compete at 205. And being lighter, I will be a little more nimble than some of the other 205-pound fighters. That might pay off for me."

Defeating Hamill may have raised Franklin's confidence, but it likely did little to place him in the light heavyweight contender class. Franklin remains a 205-pound outsider. It is a place he would prefer not to call home.

"It's just a dead position as far as I'm concerned," Franklin said. "It's like that gatekeeper spot I'm not interested in."

For now, Franklin plans to increase his weight and keep piling up wins. If he can succeed doing those two things, who knows? Maybe a light heavyweight title shot will come his way.

If it does, Franklin vows to capitalize. Becoming a champion again remains his No. 1 goal, even if it is at 205 pounds.

 

[heyzel]

MMA in New York State still in the cage … for now

By Thomas Hauser




NEW YORK -- To its critics, mixed martial arts is ugly and grotesque. John McCain has railed against it on the floor of the United States Senate, calling it "human cockfighting."

To its fans, mixed martial arts is exciting entertainment and a legitimate sport.

Now MMA is at a crucial point in its evolution as a business. It's currently sanctioned in 35 states and in Washington, D.C.

The most important jurisdiction not yet in the mix is New York, which has a statute that specifically bans mixed martial arts competition. To overturn that ban, the state assembly and state senate must pass new legislation, which governor David Paterson must sign.

A bill currently pending in the New York State legislature would legalize combative sports in addition to boxing and place these sports under the auspices of the New York State Athletic Commission.

Right now, the action outside the Octagon is as rough-and-tumble as the action in it.

The prime mover in the drive to legalize MMA in New York is Zuffa LLC, the company that controls UFC. Marc Ratner, who served for 14 years as executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, is UFC's vice president for regulatory and governmental affairs.

"We're the lead driver," Ratner said in regards to pushing MMA in New York. "The other organizations are just drafting on us."

[+] EnlargeEd Mulholland for ESPN.com

Call it what you want, but MMA knows how to draw a crowd.
In November 2007, Zuffa hired Brown, McMahon & Weinraub (an Albany lobbying firm) for a monthly retainer of $10,000. It also hired Global Strategy Group, a media-relations political consulting firm best known for being utilized by then-governor Eliot Spitzer.

Subsequently, Zuffa made generous contributions to Democratic and Republican campaign causes in New York.

In early '08, Assemblyman Steve Englebright sponsored a bill in the New York State Assembly to legalize MMA. Martin Goldin sponsored a similar bill in the State Senate.

Everything seemed on track for passage. Then the democratic process intervened.

On June 11, the state assembly committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development met for what was expected to be a routine vote to send the bill to the entire assembly. But a second-term lawmaker named Bob Reilly had different thoughts.

Reilly, whose district includes Albany and Saratoga counties, evokes images of James Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." He's a teacher at heart, having coached track and field for 26 years, 17 of them at Siena College in upstate New York.

Speaking against the legalization of MMA, Reilly asked his fellow committee members, "We ban cockfighting and dog fighting. Should we allow humans to enter a cage to knee, kick and punch each other?"

Reilly's impassioned plea carried the day. The bill to legalize MMA was defeated in committee. But like "The Terminator," it will be back.

Proponents of MMA point to the popularity of the sport and its potential to raise revenue, both in commerce and tax dollars, for the State of New York.

Jerry Izenberg, the dean of American sportswriters, is unimpressed.

"In order to be an MMA champion," Izenberg said, "you need every skill that's outlawed on the planet. The very things we pride ourselves on not doing, these people elevate to an art form. I wouldn't even try to dignify it."

Don King expounds on that.

"UFC ain't nothing new," King said. "They started with 'ultimate' fighting, and then they civilized it and made it into boxing. All UFC is doing is taking 200 years of rules and throwing them out the window."

Meanwhile, Reilly finds himself in an unlikely position.

"I consider myself the accidental opposition," Reilly told ESPN.com. "When I came to the committee meeting, I only intended to voice my personal opposition to the measure. But when I swayed enough people on the committee to vote against it, I became the point person in opposition."

Reilly accepts the role of boxing in today's society, although he's troubled by the damage that the sport inflicts on its participants. Mixed martial arts, in his view, goes too far.

"I'm opposed to the proposed legislation because of the brutality of the sport," he said. "The people who are drawn to mixed martial arts are attracted by the brutality of it, which goes above and beyond what you see in boxing. It seems, to me, beyond logic that we in the state legislature would consistently pass laws against physical abuse and physical intimidation, everything from domestic abuse to bullying in schools, and then allow this stuff. We should not be encouraging the glorification of this kind of violence."

And for the monetary issues?

"The argument about mixed martial arts raising revenue for the state is typical," Reilly said. "But our economy shouldn't be dependent on that sort of stuff."

Reilly also notes that the real "money" issue surrounding the legalization of MMA might be the financial resources that have been brought to bear in support of the proposed legislation.

"The battle here is difficult," Reilly said. "We're up against a tremendous amount of money that's available for lobbying as a consequence of the money that mixed martial arts would generate for those who are hiring the lobbyists. Money is the driving force behind this. You see the influence of the lobbyists in the fact that, under the proposed legislation, New York would only get a tax of 3 percent of the revenue generated and whatever we get would be capped at $150,000 for each event. Rhode Island gets 5 percent."

Reilly also believes that Ron Scott Stevens was removed as chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission because he failed to embrace the campaign to legalize mixed martial arts.

On July 23, Stevens was notified by Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez that he was being replaced at the end of the week. Two days later, Gov. Paterson announced that Melvina Lathan (a vocal proponent of MMA) would chair the commission.

Thereafter, Dan Rafael of ESPN.com wrote, "Stevens got the boot for no apparent reason, unless you count the fact that he would not openly support the sanctioning of mixed martial arts in New York, where it is outlawed but facing serious lobbying pressure from UFC officials."

Reilly concurs.

"It's clear to me that this new person was put in her position because of her support for legalizing mixed martial arts," Reilly said. "Can I prove that? No. But if I see something that walks like a duck and it's quacking, I call it a duck."

One of the issues that the New York State Athletic Commission will confront if MMA is legalized is that the commission doesn't presently have the personnel to effectively regulate the sport. Meanwhile, the biggest problem that those against the legalization of MMA face is that no powerful interests are actively opposing the proposed legislation. The bill has passed under the radar of news organizations like the New York Times, which might influence the debate if its editorial board were aware of it.

The American Medical Association has been largely silent as well.

Indeed, Reilly notes, "This came to our committee without forewarning. It was under the radar and almost slipped through without serious discussion and debate. There was a vote. The measure was defeated in committee. And immediately after the vote, the lobbyists started working their phones again."

The bill to legalize MMA will be reconsidered when the New York State legislature reconvenes after the fall elections.

"Our representatives have continued to stay in touch with the appropriate government officials to make sure they understand the reasons why the law should be changed," Ratner said. "I feel very bullish that MMA will be approved in New York."

Reilly is afraid that Ratner might be right.

"I've gotten a lot of e-mail from fans of mixed martial arts," Reilly said. "Obviously, they're against the position I've taken. But when I talk with the people in my district, they don't like the idea of legalizing this form of brutality. The problem is, no one is mobilizing the general public on this issue, and I fear that some members of the Assembly and Senate who oppose the bill on principle will fold on this."

"That would be a shame," the assemblyman added. "I'm sure that some of the people who participate in mixed martial arts are good people. But in terms of what they do in this barbaric sport, they shouldn't be held up as role models. It would send a terrible message to the people of the State of New York -- and particularly to our children

 

[Shogun Locc]

Central Cal (Central Coast) Pankration Championships

Central California Pankration Championships
Oct 19th. 2008
Competition starts at 10am
Dos Pueblos High School Gymnasium
7266 Alameda Ave
Goleta, CA 93117

Top 4 placers get a spot in the US National Championships on Nov 9th in Orange County.
www.fightleague.org

Pre Register by Oct 15th ($10 off pre registration)
For more information and online sign up www.sbmartialarts.com/pankration
For more information call 805-687-1514
or email [email protected]

 

[Shogun Locc]

DREAM.6 Official Preview Video

videolink: http://dreamfighters.com/site/index.php?action=detail&id=1221583341

 

[Shogun Locc]

Video: Mirko Crocop Training Preparations for DREAM 6

DreamFighters.com is proud to support Mirko Crocop. Here is his latest Training Video, in preparations for DREAM.6

http://www.mma-id.com/CROCOP/?mod=vvid&act=view&vid=1068

 

[Shogun Locc]

Reis vs. Cullum title fight, Santana vs. Jara set for Sept. 26 ShoXC

EliteXC will crown its first-ever bantamweight champion on Sept. 26 when highly touted Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom Wilson Reis (5-0) meets King of the Cage 135-pound title-holder Abel Cullum (11-1) in a ShoXC main event.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) passed along news of the fight last month, and EliteXC today made the official announcement.

The organization also announced a previously unreported middleweight bout between Giva Santana (11-0) and Jaime Jara (19-5).

The Sept. 26 ShoXC event takes place at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, Calif., and airs on Showtime.

Reis, a 23-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, pushed his career mark to 5-0 with a unanimous-decision victory over Bryan Caraway at "EliteXC: Unfinished Business" in July. It was the Philadelphia-based fighter's third consecutive win in EliteXC.

Reis was originally slated to face Bo Quach, who owns a current nine-fight win streak, for the EliteXC title. However, Quach was recently forced out of the fight due to a facial injury.

Instead, Reis will meet Cullum, who's posted 10 straight victories while fighting for King of the Cage and the New Mexico-based Desert Extreme organization. All 10 victories have come via stoppage -- nine in the first round. He picked up his KOTC belt with a fifth-round submission victory over Ryan Diaz in May.

In other action, Santana, better known as the "The Arm Collector," has won 10 of his 11 pro fights via arm-bar. Jara, meanwhile, is undefeated in his past four fights and his just one loss in his past 16 fights.

Each fighter will make his third ShoXC appearance.

 

[Shogun Locc]

"TUF 7" runner-up C.B. Dollaway expected to return at UFC 92

"The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest" runner-up C.B. Dollaway (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will likely return to action at UFC 92, an event that takes place Dec. 27 in Las Vegas.

A source close to the fighter told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) of the return date and that, though not signed, Dollaway could face veteran fighter Jorge Rivera (15-7 MMA, 4-5 UFC) at the year-end event.

Dollaway, who suffered his first professional loss to show winner Amir Sadollah at the show's live finale in June, returned to competition less than a month later to defeat Jesse Taylor at UFC Fight Night 14.

It was Dollaway's first official pro win in the UFC, and it also earned him a $25,000 Submission of the Night bonus for the tap-out (via Peruvian necktie).

Dollaway was actually a replacement for Taylor in the show's finale. Dollaway suffered a third-round submission loss to Sadollah in a semifinal fight and was knocked out of the competition. However, after Taylor (who had already secured his spot in the finale) was kicked off the show for a drunken Las Vegas rampage after the show wrapped, two fighters were given a second shot to take his place. Dollaway then defeated Tim Credeur for the spot.

Dollaway, a former All-American wrestler at Arizona State University (and "TUF" blogger for MMAjunkie.com), has earned stoppage victories in six of his seven pro wins.

The 25-year-old could now meet Rivera, who's 11 years his elder. The 36-year-old turned pro in 2001, appeared on a special "comeback" season of "TUF" in 2006, and since then, he's 2-2 with a notable victory over Kendall Grove via first-round knockout.

Rivera, a devoted father of four who most recently suffered a submission loss to Martin Kampmann in June, hasn't fought since the death of his oldest daughter last month.

 

[Shogun Locc]

5 Oz. Exclusive: Herman vs. Schall to headline Oct. 10 ShoXC

A heavyweight clash between undefeated sensation Dave “Pee Wee” Herman and Kerry Schall, a veteran of season two of “The Ultimate Fighter,” is set to headline EliteXC’s ShoXC event scheduled for Friday, Oct. 10 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed the news earlier today with both EliteXC Vice President Jared Shaw and Herman’s manager, Mike Camp of F1 Management.

Herman is 2-0 since making his EliteXC debut earlier this year and is 11-0 overall. Fighting on the undercard of EliteXC’s “Street Certified” in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. on Feb. 16, Herman TKO’d American Top Team heavyweight Mario Rinaldi at 0:33 of round 1.

He returned on June 14 during the promotion’s “Return of the King” event and needed just 2:19 of round 1 to TKO former UFC and PRIDE veteran Ron Waterman.

In addition to having been involved with TUF 2, Schall has one career UFC bout to his credit. Facing Keith Jardine on the undercard of the live season finale, Schall was TKO’d in the second round due to leg kicks.

Having competed frequently on regional shows throughout the Midwest, Schall has compiled a 21-10 record with notable wins over Wade Hamilton and Brian Ebersole. He also holds the distinction of having lost to WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko in 2001 while competing in Japan’s Rings promotion. In that bout, Schall was forced to tap to an armbar at 1:47 of round 1.

EliteXC’s next ShoXC event is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 26 in Ynez, Calif. at the Chumash Casino & Resort. The event, which will be televised live on SHOWTIME, will feature undefeated Wilson Reis and King of the Cage bantamweight (135 lbs.) champion Abel Cullum fighting for the vacant EliteXC bantamweight (140 lbs.) title.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Jungle Fight makes history at Rio de Janeiro

“This Jungle Fight will be historical!”, screamed Wallid Ismail by his partner, Fred Souza, before the events starts. And in fact id did. Jungle Fight by Pozil, that happened last Saturday (13) at Windsor Hotel, at Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, had an UFC face. At the VIP area, that had a free buffet, Jungle had a lot of TV celebrities and MMA athletes, just like the Nogueira brothers and Paulo Filho. If outside the ring the event was great, inside the athletes did pretty well too.



On the first fight of the event, the rivalry between Hacran Dias and Rodrigo Ruiz was a special detail for the fight, but Hacran, André Pederneira’s BJJ brown-belt, dominated the fight and defeated Ruiz by unanimous decision, and dedicated the fight for his friend, Ronnys Torres. “I don’t have anything against him, but I’m happy to have beaten him and dedicate this victory for my friend Ronnys”, said Dias. Happy with Dias’ victory, Ronnys also did a great fight against Eliene Pit.



In less than two minutes, Ronnys put Pit down, passed the guard, mounted and submitted him with an perfect arm-lock. “Eliene is a very tough guy, but his game was perfect for mine and I won another fight. This is my third victory in Jungle Fight this year”, celebrated Torres. On the female MMA bout of the night, Ediane Gomes, Jorge Patino “Macaco” athlete, faced Ana Maria, from Brazilian Top Team. After escaping from two arm-locks attempts, Ediane surprised Ana Maria with an arm-lock and submitted the BTT athlete. Back to the octagon, Johil de Oliveira used all his experience to defeat the young Danilo Noronha on the unanimous decision.



On the best fight of the night, Alexandre Pulga did a great bout against Rafael Manteiga. Showing that the trains with the WEC middleweight champion, Paulo Filho, and Josuel Distak are bringing a great development, he did a lot of pressure against Pulga, opening a cut on his nose on the first round. Pulga came better on the second round, but only showed his great ground game to submit Manteiga with a triangle choke on the third round. “It doesn’t matter if you do the fight of the night if you lose. I was well standing up, but I made the mistake to go down with him”, said Manteiga, that did his 39th fight in the career. Check below the complete results of the event and stay tuned to check, tomorrow, an exclusive Jungle Fight photo gallery.



COMPLETE RESULTS:



Jungle Fight Night by Pozil

Windor Hotel, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

Saturday, September 13rd of 2008



- Hacran Dias (Nova União) defeated Rodrigo Ruiz (Check Mat) by unanimous decision;

- Silva (Minotauro Team) defeated Igor Chatubinha (RFT by unanimous decision;

- Pedro Manoel (Clube da Luta) defeated Ferrid Khender (França) by unanimous decision;

- Johil de Oliveira (Johil Team) defeated Danilo Noronha (RFT) by unanimous decision;

- Ediene “Índia” Gomes (Macaco) submitted Ana Maria (BTT) with an arm-lock on the 2R;

- Rafael Capoeira (Viktor Gym) defeated Alexandre Visconte (Constrictor Team) by split decision;

- Alexandre (Pulga) Pimentel (NG Combat) submitted Rafael Manteiga (Paulão Team) with a triangle choke on the 3R;

- Paulo Thiago (Constrictor Team) defeated Luis Besouro (RFT) by medical interruption on the 1R;

- Antony Rea (França) defeated Alan Frois (Macaco) by unanimous decision;

- Ronnys Torres (Nova União) submitted Eliene “PIT” Silva (Fibra Fight Team) with an arm-lock on the 1R;

- Todd Duffee (USA) defeated Assuério Silva (Total Punch) by TKO on the

 

[Shogun Locc]

Hermes França Interview

Getting closer to UFC’s 90th edition, that will happen at October 25th in Illinois, USA, the Brazilian bout between Marcus Aurelio and Hermes França will have a special rivalry. After Marcus give his version of the history, França spoke to TATAME about his version, and he said Aurelio lied about a lot of details. “I’m fighting with him because I don’t respect him as a man, and I’ll be paid to do it… If he fight like he did against Clay Guida and Tyson Griffin, wow…”. Check below the polemical interview with Hermes França.

Marcus Aurelio said that you went to USA because of him… How did that happen?
I came to United Stated after a hard effort. Marcus Aurelio never bring me to America, I came with Wilson Gouveia. I’m very grateful for him because of that. I came to work, I washed cars for several months and then Wilson introduced me to Marcelo Silveira and Conan, then I started to train. Marcus Aurelio came because of me and Wilson, I catch him at the airport and put him in my house, and then we went to Silveira’s Brother gym, when he started to train too. He came when the lunch was already on the table, that’s pretty easy…

After that you went to American Top Team and then you got out of the team… What really happened?
I never did shit at ATT, I always did some good stuff. I got out because I came to grips with Marcelo Silveira, but then I had the opportunity to meet him and we spoke about it. About the “we gave him another chance”, nobody never gave another chance, because I never asked to go back to ATT, it was Ricardo Libório that called me and called me back, and I accepted. The second time I got out it was because I gave Kurt Pellegrino a BJJ black belt, because he was my athlete at Team Armony and I thought he deserved that, not only because of being a godo athlete, but he was a great instructor and actually beat Marcus Aurelio at a no gi championship when he was a blue belt. Liborio disagrees with that and I didn’t understand why, because I was four years with a black belt and Kurt was with me for more than one more. I said to Liborio that I’d create a bad situation if I changed that, and that’s why we disagreed again. I went to Team Armony and then I got out of the team, Kurt leave too create his own team and I’m creating mine.

You left ATT pissed with them?
Never got out with anger, because when I went to Team Armony I did eight fights and won all by submission, getting closer to the title. And about the “fishiness”, I always was loyal to my team, Silveira’s Brothers was a family, I had a lot of unforgettable moments, until the ‘rotten oranges’ came. Marcus Aurelio disagree with Sazinho, his first master, then he left Nova União, that’s the reason why when Vitor Shaolin beat him everybody celebrated.

How is your relationship with the rest of the team?
“Almost the whole team doesn’t like me?!”. I’m surprised, every time I meet somebody from ATT we spoke normally. I met Gleison Tibau, at the first moment my opponent, and he came to speak with me… I met Antonio Bigfoot and he came to me surprised, because he said that UFC had cut him from the event. I wasn’t ATT’s owner, but I put a lot of athletes to fight there, put them in my house, like Andre Benkei, that I bring to America. We split now, but I sent him an e-mail thanking him for everything and apologizing for anything bad I might have done. I sent Marcelo Silveira and Liborio too. I think nobody is perfect, but fishiness I know I’m not.

Like Marcus Aurelio, did somebody called you to help you for this fight?
If someone called him to help for this fight it might have been one of two, but I received 100 just from Fortaleza (Ceara, Brazil), where he’s note welcome in any gym. I received an invite from BJ Penn to help him on training, from Spencer Fisher, Joe Stevenson…From these, I only accepted BJ’s. Billy Rush invited me too, Jeremy Horn’s coach, but I knew he’d face Wilson and I said I couldn’t help him. Here in USA I’m welcome in any gym like Pat Miletich, Dan Henderson, Xtreme Couture, Greg Jackson and Chuck Liddell’s. I spoke to Saulo Ribeiro at the World No Gi championship and he invited me to train at Universidade do Jiu-Jitsu, and I tought this camp would be perfect to me, because Diego Sanchez, Jeremy Stephens, Ronaldo Jacaré, Xande Ribeiro, Fabrício Morando, André Galvão, Pablo Popovitch and Braso are training there. This is like going to Disneyland for the first time… And we still have Brandon Vera and Barret Yoshida helping us on training.

Who asked for this fight?
Atually, I was kind of surprised, because like I said, Bigfoot told me that he was out of UFC. I think about call Joe Silva (UFC’s matchmaker), because I was going to face a guy that is not well known here in America and did some horrible fights in the event. All fights I did in UFC were good, all of them, received the best knockout bonus, best submission, even when I lost it was the best fight of the night. But I stop to think about it: “you know what, I’ll fight, because I don’t respect him as a man and I’ll be paid for that”.

How do you think it’s going to be the fight?
If he fights like he did against Clay guida and Tyson Griffon, wow…

 

[Shogun Locc]

5 Oz. Exclusive: Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet in the works for “The Ultimate Fighter” finale

The UFC is in the process of putting together a welterweight battle between Mike Swick and Jonathan Goulet to be a featured bout during Spike TV’s live season finale for the eighth installment of “The Ultimate Fighter” on December 13.

Sources close to both fighters revealed the potential bout to FiveOuncesOfPain.com on Tuesday.

Bout agreements have yet to be presented but the matchup has been proposed to Goulet and Swick, who apparently have both expressed separate interest in taking the fight.

The two had been scheduled to fight last September at UFC Fight Night 11 until Swick had to pull out of the fight due to injury and was replaced by Dustin Hazelett. Despite taking the fight on short notice, Hazelett submitted Goulet at 1:14 of round 1 with an armbar.

Since the loss, Goulet has gone 3-0 with two of the wins having taken place inside of the Octagon. After taking a fight outside of the UFC, Goulet returned last December during the season finale for the sixth installment of TUF. Facing TUF 6 contestant Paul Georgieff, Goulet submitted him with a rear naked choke in round 1. He then fought in April during UFC 83 in Montreal, where he TKO’d Kuniyoshi Hironaka at 2:07 of round 2.

Swick had been announced as being scheduled to fight on Oct. 25 at UFC 90 in Rosemont, Ill by UFC President Dana White, who made the announcement during a promotional press conference. However, Swick would later contradict White and claimed a miscommunication had taken place, as he would not be ready to resume fighting until December after having undergone elbow surgery in July.

Swick, who rose to prominence during the debut season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” is 12-1 overall with a 7-1 lifetime record in the UFC. His one and only loss came as a middleweight against Yushin Okami in April of 2007 at UFC 69 in Houston. The loss prompted Swick to decide to move down to the welterweight limit of 170 pounds. Since making the move, he is 2-0 with wins over Josh Burkman at UFC Fight Night 12 and Marcus Davis at UFC 85.

 

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Roger Gracie Injured – Out Of Sengoku 5

At last week’s press conference, SENGOKU announced that Roger Gracie would be competing at SENGOKU 5 on September 28th, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan. The opponent was rugged MMA veteran Travis Wiuff, whose MMA record stands at 53-11 and is coming off a win over Japanese superstar Kazayuki Fujita at SENGOKU 3, last June. Now it appears that Wiuff is waiting to hear a new opponent’s name, as Gracie has pulled out due to an injury.


Gracie is reported to have suffered a rib injury while involved in stand up boxing/muay thai sparring. “He took a brutal kick to the side from sparring partner Braulio Estima, and he went down. The ribs were examined by a team of specialists in London, and there is no way he can compete. They recommended 8 weeks rest or more” states a member of Roger’s inner circle.


Though plans are up in the air for now, it appears that Gracie will be focusing on making his MMA return at SENGOKU’s New Years Eve event. “It is difficult to tell, but the injury is likely severe enough to keep Roger out of the November SENGOKU event, and it will likely keep him from fighting again in 2008. Though it is unfortunate, he is obviously getting the best medical advice and attention available, and right now we are focused on his recovery” continues our insider.


SENGOKU 5 is scheduled for the Yoyogi National First Gymnasium, and features the start of the Middleweight Grand Prix at 185 lbs, and also features the debut of Jiu Jitsu stud Alexandre Ribeiro. ‘Since the card is 2 weeks away, an opponent for Wiuff is unlikely to be a top notch name, and the card already has appeal with the tournament kickoff” states one expert on the Japanese scene. Stay tuned here to ADCC NEWS for a replacement announcement for Travis Wiuff.

 

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Exclusive: 'Minotauro' Talks TUF, Mir Showdown
videolink: http://www.sherdog.com/videos/recent/Exclusive-Minotauro-Talks-TUF-Mir-Showdown-1767
Sherdog.com news editor Loretta Hunt caught up with UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to discuss his role as coach on season eight of “The Ultimate Fighter” and his December showdown with Frank Mir.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mir Has TUF Story to Tell

One of the greatest backstories of “The Ultimate Fighter 8,” debuting Wednesday night on Spike TV, doesn’t even come from one of the 32 fighters vying for the 16 available slots on the series. It belongs to Frank Mir, who coaches one of the squads.

Mir’s four-year journey back into contention for a second UFC heavyweight title is not your typical MMA comeback tale. In 2004, the Las Vegas native was struck by a car going 50 mph while riding his motorcycle to work.

Mir was thrown nearly 90 feet from his bike on impact, hit the pavement with his head, and settled on the grass with a broken femur. The accident nearly crushed his spirit as well.

Forced to strip the then 26-year-old champion of his title when he couldn’t return to defend it after 13 months, the UFC was hesitant when Mir re-entered the Octagon in February 2006 to face Marcio Cruz.

Mir wasn’t prepared to fight again, though he didn’t just lie to himself. During his pre-fight physical, he squatted on one foot for the doctors so they wouldn’t notice that his right leg was four inches shorter than his left.

The subsequent bout against Cruz was a mess, with the Brazilian landing shot after unchallenged shot into Mir’s bloody guard for four tortuous minutes until it was stopped.

“After the Marcio Cruz fight, I was like, ‘I really shouldn’t have taken the fight,’ but because I knew how injured I really was, it didn’t hurt my feelings that bad,” Mir says.

What resonated was the ultimatum that came two fights later, following a crushing first-round loss to rising striker Brandon Vera at UFC 65.

“I was told before the Antoni Hardonk fight that if I didn’t win impressively, I was out of the UFC,” says Mir.

The defeat to Vera –- which came from a gruesome knee that smashed into Mir’s unprotected head –- wasn’t all he had to contend with that night. After a few hours sulking and talking of retirement, Mir then faced the wrath of his wife, Jenny.

“She said, ‘You think you’re the first fighter to have a bad day? You think you’re the first guy to struggle with a book or struggle with a song or struggle in life? What are you –- a bitch?” recalls Mir. “I remember sitting there, my nose is ripped open, I have stitches holding it together, my one eye is completely shut and I’m looking at her. I’m like, ‘Wow, this hurts worse than the knee.’”

His wife’s fiery words and refusal to let her doubting husband give in turned a new page in Mir’s career, punctuated by new coaches, a new training regimen, and a fresh outlook on fighting in general.

Mir conquered Hardonk, which earned him a shot at the sport’s biggest newcomer –- former WWE champion Brock Lesnar -- in February 2008. The fighter once heralded for his speedy submissions graced the cage again when he bear-trapped the bulky wrestler’s leg into a kneebar. Prior to his motorcycle accident, Mir says he wouldn’t have had the mental fortitude to withstand the flash-flood ground-and-pound attack Lesnar unleashed before the submission.

This is the Frank Mir that comes to TUF 8 as a coach, a man much more seasoned in facing adversity than he was just four years ago.

“I just came across as myself,” says Mir of his TUF appearance. “I tried to be. At first, I tried to stay kind of reserved, but that’s my problem, is when I start talking or doing anything, the cat’s out of the bag.”

Always an eloquent speaker, Mir (11-3) hopes his knowledge and passion for the sport shines through from week to week on the show, which culminates with a December showdown against rival coach and UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Along with his jiu-jitsu gifts, knowledge and passion happen to be Mir’s strong suits in MMA. During his slow trek back into competitive shape, Mir was tapped to become a commentator for the UFC’s second promotion, World Extreme Cagefighting, in January 2007. His tenure over 12 WEC events has put his understanding of the mechanics of the sport on display and received ample positive reviews from fans in the process.

Mir’s commitment to the sport is unquestionable. Father to 16-year-old son Marcus and 5-year-old daughter Isabella, Mir named his second son, now three years old, Kage.

On the show, which finished shooting in late June, Mir admits he grew emotionally attached to his team, sharing their triumphs and falls as the series’ hectic schedule churned out a fight every three days.

“I took on a bit of a cheerleading role,” says Mir. “Some of the guys thought I might have a heart attack at some points.”

Not as savvy on the keyboard as he is on the mats, Mir says his wife Jenny will be gauging fans’ reactions to her husband’s reality TV performance. Jenny might not have much to flinch at. Mir describes his interaction with fellow coach and idol Nogueira as respectful and amicable.

“Anybody that’s watching the show to see if me and Nogueira go at it in any other context besides competing with the fighters is going to be sorely disappointed,” says Mir. “No animosity. There were times when we looked at each other. There were times when I didn’t like him because his guy might have beat my guy’s a--. There were times where I know he didn’t like me, but it was a very competitive nature. There was never any childish thing between him and I -- but the fighters made up for that.”

Though outrageous behavior is nearly guaranteed to fuel the fighter’s house and the ratings, Mir says he was pleasantly surprised by the talent pool.

“In past seasons, you’d see there was sound fighters on there, but there was a mixture of those guys that were there to add fluff,” he says. The eighth crop of prospects doesn’t follow that model, according to Mir.

“There’s some guys that have more fights than I do –- twice as many. There’s guys there that are black belts in jiu-jitsu that I was rolling with that I’ve incorporated to come out and help me get ready for Nogueira now,” he says. “I’ve actually pulled training partners out of this, those guys have such a high level.”

The list of candidates that won’t make it to a UFC preliminary bout down the road is much shorter than those that likely will, says Mir.

“There’s only maybe two or three guys I can sit there and go, ‘Well, you’re probably not going to see this guy later on,” he says. “More than half, I think are on prelims.”

Mir knows just how valuable a shot in the prelims can be. It’s where his career began in 2001 against black belt Roberto Traven at UFC 34. Seven years later, he’s guiding others down the same path.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Roger Huerta ‘desperate’ for a rematch with Kenny Florian

After the fight I was confused and in shock. I kept thinking it was a bad dream and after three days the loss really hit me hard, so hard that I had to go back to Rio Grande Valley to be around family and friends…. Fighters are human beings and people don’t realize that fights between close people cause emotional problems. I always wear my heart on my sleeve, that’s who I am. I am an emotional person and although I fight with emotion I was mentally unfocused for the fight…. Kenny was very professional, he fought on a points system and he did that really well. He wanted to win that way and he did it well…. I would like to go back to the way I used to train, with the people I used to train with. Those guys were like brothers to me, not just trainers.”

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mark Bocek Returns To Action On November 15th

MMACanada.net has learned that decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner Mark Bocek will indeed be fighting on November 15th inside the octagon at UFC 91 which is headlined by the UFC Heavyweight title fight between Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar. Bocek, fighting out of Woodbridge Ontario Canada will be fighting his 4th fight in the UFC 91 show against Alvin Robinson which at the MGM Grand Garden Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

[Shogun Locc]

MMANews.com Exclusive: Pre Fight Interview With Joe Riggs

This Saturday when Strikeforce returns to the Playboy Mansion for their second show in Hugh Hefner's backyard, the main event of the evening will see Joe "Diesel" Riggs takes on Kazuo Misaki in a middleweight clash that will be te last fight fans will see Riggs in the division win or lose.

After a back injury took him out of action for most of 2008 as well as problems with the CSAC, Riggs returned in July with a win over Matt Dempsey and will now look to pick up a win over the 2006 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix winner.

MMANews.com's own Chris Howie caught up with Riggs this week to discuss his bout on the weekend as well as many other topics. Riggs pulls no punches in this exclusive interview and tells some great stories that fans may not have known about.

Chris Howie of MMANews.com: You have a big fight coming up on Saturday when you fight Kazuo Misaki on the Strikeforce at the Playboy Mansion II card, what are your thoughts going into this fight?

Joe Riggs: Just really excited. I’ve been training really hard for this one and it is a perfect fight for me to end my career at 185lbs with and get back to where I was at one time.

MMANews.com: You mentioned this as your last fight at 185lb weight class, do you plan on dropping weight and moving back to welterweight?

Joe Riggs: Yeah I’m going back down to 170lb. My body finds it a lot easier to cut down to 170lb. My body just naturally drops weight so it’s easier for me to go to 170lb.

MMANews.com: At one point in your career you were fighting at heavyweight, would you say that the welterweight division is the perfect weight class for you?

Joe Riggs: Yeah it is. Right now I’m walking around at about four or five pounds above 185lbs. I’m dieting and I always eat clean. I’m not even really dieting as hard as I normally have to and I’m right there at 185.

MMANews.com: What are your thoughts on Misaki?

Joe Riggs: I think he is a great fighter. He has an awkward style that gives a lot of people problems and he is prone to going to the decision but I think he is a great match up for me and styles make fights. I feel like I’ll be able to exploit a lot of his weaknesses. When I was offered the fight I knew this was a great opportunity for me because he has beat a lot of great fighters and beating him could be really good for me.

MMANews.com: He is usually ranked within the top at middleweight or borderline ten at the very least. What could a win over him do for you?

Joe Riggs: I think it could put me back within the top ten. I’ve been ranked as high as sixth at middleweight before and fourth at welterweight so I think this could put me back within the top ten and especially if I do it in impressive fashion.

MMANews.com: What advantages do you see yourself having?

Joe Riggs: I feel as though I will be stronger than him and I pack more punching power than him as well. I’ll also be quicker than he will. I throw straighter and more technical punches than him. As a south paw I think I can cause all kinds of problems. I don’t want to take it to the ground, I want to keep it on the feet and I feel that is what he will want to do to.

MMANews.com: All of your wins have come in a variety of ways. Where are you best served against him?

Joe Riggs: I’m more comfortable on the feet as long as I’m doing well and such. I feel has I’m going to be a better wrestler than he is so if I want to take it to the ground I should be able to and I think my ground and pound is just as good as anyone’s in the world. I’m not going to rush anything, I want to stand and bang as long as I feel good and if the take down is there I’ll go for it but if not, I’ll just keep it on the feet.

MMANews.com: How is your cardio and conditioning coming into the fight?

Joe Riggs: My cardio is great man. I’ve trained for this fight quite a while……Aww man I’m watching TV and I’m seeing myself get knocked out by Diego (Sanchez), I always love seeing those commercials……anyways, I’ve been training for a while and I’ve been in really good shape. I trained a few weeks with Jeremy Horn and Billy Rush and I’m training in Vegas now.

MMANews.com: Watching yourself get knocked out on TV, what is it like for a fighter to see himself being on someone else’s highlight reel?

Joe Riggs: Dude I am a fucking highlight reel. It seems like every time I watch the UFC there is some clip of me getting beat by someone. It sucks. It’s not good because I’m a good fighter and have had some great wins. I think the UFC has been unfair because I’ve had some fight of the night wins before in the UFC and they never show that. Every time I turn it on I see myself getting choked out by (Mike) Swick, or arm barred by (Matt) Hughes, or knocked out by Diego. I can understand the Diego knockout because everyone likes to see a big knock out but it sucks man. It’s demoralizing. People say that anytime you are on camera it is good but I don’t like that shit. It’s not fun.

MMANews.com: You’ve won three out of your last four fight with your last win coming in July at Rage In The Cage 112, how did that help mentally to pick up the win after returning from a serious back injury?

Joe Riggs: It was good to get the win but I don’t consider that fight to that Cory Devela guy a loss. I hurt my back bad in that fight. It was still good to get the win against Matt Dempsey though. He was a good fighter.

MMANews.com: With you moving to the welterweight division following this fight, who are some fighters at the weight class that you have your eye on?

Joe Riggs: I think Diego is a really cool guy and all, and I like him, but I would really like to avenge that loss. Anytime you lose in that fashion you want to get in there and do it again because that is not what was suppose to happen. I’d like to fight guys like Jon Fitch, anybody in the top ten, any day. I want to fight Nick Diaz again, that was a really fun fight and Nick is a great guy. Anyone man, there are a lot of tough fights at 170lbs

MMANews.com: Could we see you come back to the UFC at some point?

Joe Riggs: With the UFC, I left them in my own regards. I wasn’t asked to leave. I left because of some of the disputes I had with Joe Silva. It all depends now on what happens when the Strikeforce contract is up. They treat me well so we’ll see what goes on there. It’s all about who is willing to pay me the best money.

MMANews.com: So what is the story behind leaving the UFC?

Joe Riggs: After I had my back surgery, you know, they never did me any favors. I don’t think I fought anyone that was outside of the top ten when I was in the UFC and after my back surgery, I came back and they wanted me to fight Nate Marquardt and I wanted an easier fight and then they were talking about me going down to the WEC and I was upset because I had the WEC belt and they were talking about me fighting in non title fights because I wasn’t the champion. They didn’t let me keep the belt. They let other people keep the belts so after my injury I just said I was going to look at other options and they gave me my release.

MMANews.com: So technically you could be considered the champion because you have never lost the belt.

Joe Riggs: Yeah, I won the belt from Rob Kimmons and never lost it to anyone which is bullshit because I got the belt sitting at home here and they were letting everyone keep their titles like Doug Marshall and Urijah Faber and all those guys that didn’t really have names back then, I mean, Urijah was a kid coming up at this point and noly anyone knew who he was. I was the biggest name coming down to the WEC and they didn’t let me keep my belt. I was pissed off all around over that because there was no reason for them to take my belt and they did.

MMANews.com: Who has helped you train for this upcoming fight?

Joe Riggs: I was working with Jeremy Horn for a while then I went down to Las Vegas and I was working with Mike Pyle, John Alessio, Mac Danzig, and all those guys and now that I’m back in Phoenix I am working with Edwin Dewees and Rick Roufus. Working with Rick is great because he has a style like Misaki’s so it has been great.

MMANews.com: How many fights do you have left on the Strikeforce contract?

Joe Riggs: I have this one against Misaki and then one more after that.

MMANews.com: Who are some fighters at 170lbs outside of the UFC you would like to fight?

Joe Riggs: Aww man that’s a good question. Jake Shields would be a fun fight. That would be a fun fight to take. Besides Jake Shields I can’t think of anyone else that is really out there. The UFC has the best welterweights out there.

MMANews.com: Have you ever had talks with EliteXC?

Joe Riggs: You know, I haven’t. Two days after I left the UFC I signed with Strikeforce. You never know. I have my options open to anyone but Strikeforce treats me very well.

MMANews.com: What is it like fighting again at the Playboy Mansion?

Joe Riggs: It’s cool. Its fun getting to fight somewhere that people are not really allowed going. It’s weird to fight in front of crowd like that because most of them are not MMA fans but it’s cool.

MMANews.com: So you would prefer fighting in front of the bigger crowd?

Joe Riggs: Yeah I always like fighting in front of a big crowd. It gives me more energy. It’s different fighting in front of the crowd at the Mansion because they aren’t always watching the fight. They are drinking and talking amongst themselves and not paying attention while a fighter is out there bleeding on the mat for them.

MMANews.com: What about fighting in front of a Japanese crowd?

Joe Riggs: The Japanese fans are great to. They are very respectful you know? You could be out there grappling for a half an hour and they will just sit quiet and then get up and clap and show their appreciation for it when it is over as opposed to American fans that aren’t happy unless someone is getting laid out. So I guess in that aspect the Japanese fans are better.

MMANews.com: But you find you get more of an adrenaline rush from the American crowd?

Joe Riggs: Yeah it’s kind of like a gladiator thing where they call for blood and you just give it to them and they love it but it is kind of like a double edged sword where if there is a 10-15 second period where you are just feeling him out then they hate it and they will boo you. At UFC 60 when I lost to Swick this fat drunk was screaming at me when I was walking out after the fight “FUCK YOU RIGGS, YOU PIECE OF SHIT, I HOPE YOU DIE!”, American fans can be swine’s Canadian fans are really cool. Those fans are very respectful and cool and they really appreciate the fighters. I really enjoy it in Canada.

MMANews.com: You’ve had a lot of back problems in the past. How is the back doing nowadays?

Joe Riggs: The back is doing great. I do a lot of the right things now, I stretch it right and I see my chiropractor. That is something you can’t neglect because that will be bad. Everything is a lot better than it was and it is doing great.

MMANews.com: Now you’ve been pulled from a card in California in the past due to issue they had with a prescribed medication you were taking. Do you see yourself having problems this time?

Joe Riggs: That was devastating. I was really upset about that one. I told them that I took a non-narcotic pain killer which is like Ibuprofen. I told them I took it four days before the fight and they still wouldn’t let me fight. It was horrible.

MMANews.com: Are you still taking it now?

Joe Riggs: Well if I’m hurting or something but not now because I’m not going to do anything to jeopardize this fight.

MMANews.com: Do you think the CSAC will give you problems?

Joe Riggs: I hope not man. Armando Garcia can be a tough guy to deal with sometimes. My training partner Rick Roufus is having a hard time with him. He just likes to throw his weight around. I hope saying these things about him doesn’t come back to bite me in the butt, but he says and does a lot of things for no reason at all.

MMANews.com: You have fought some of the biggest names in the sports, which have been your favorite fights?

Joe Riggs: The Nick Diaz fight was great. All the big fight you know? The Joe Doerksen fight was another good one to. My favorite fights were the ones where I’ve had my head screwed on straight and when your head is straight that is when it tends to be fun.

MMANews.com: One fight I’ve seen on your record is against UFC referee Herb Dean. Herb hasn’t reffed any of your fights has he?

Joe Riggs: No he won’t do it. It’s tough because Herb is a good referee. He doesn’t want anyone to say that it was unfair because I whipped his ass before you know?

MMANews.com: Do you think he might hold a grudge for you beating him?

Joe Riggs: [Laughs] I beat the piss out of him man. He tapped out from strikes. I hit him with a straight left hand and knocked his teeth out and then jumped on him and pounded on him. I think might be a bit upset about that. He did get to fight a big name though. Anyone that gets in the cage you have to give’em credit.

MMANews.com: Alright Joe, Thanks for speaking with me today and I’d like to wish you luck in your fight Saturday against Misaki.

Joe Riggs: Alright thanks buddy.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Mirko Crocop: 2nd Training Video Released!
videolink: http://www.nokaut.com/MMA/videos/

 

[Shogun Locc]

Jackson's former trainer-manager, Ibarra, tells his side of the story

Two months after Quinton "Rampage" Jackson fled police in a monster truck, the 30-year-old mixed martial artist's former trainer and manager has broken his silence.

Juanito Ibarra, who declined to address specifics regarding Jackson's highly publicized arrest, told SI.com that he found it necessary to speak out against allegations that he had siphoned away funds from Jackson over the course of their relationship.

Since the two began working together in late 2005, Jackson posted a 6-1 record. But Rampage and Ibarra severed ties in the aftermath of the fighter's UFC title-losing bout against Forrest Griffin.

SI.com: Where have you been since Jackson's arrest, and why did you choose to remain quiet?

Juanito Ibarra: I've been with my family. It's been a rough couple months. It's a mind-blowing situation for me, so I took a little vacation and tried to get Cheick [Kongo, UFC heavyweight] through his fight, and he won. But I'm starting over with projects I had on hold for a while. I'm really going to stick with what's in my heart to do what I want to do, instead of working for somebody and it being a thankless job.

SI.com: After Rampage lost, can you describe what happened with your relationship?

Ibarra: Yesterday is a cancelled check, today is cash in hand, tomorrow is a promissory note. All I know is that I gave the kid all that I've had, like he's my own son. I loved him. Since then I haven't talked to Rampage.

SI.com: Speaking with people in his camp, and hearing what Tito Ortiz said about the cost of a camp and money being taken, there are questions about whether you overcharged Jackson, or took money from him. Are you denying those allegations?

Ibarra: I've never done anything I wasn't asked to do, and that's it. I would never take anything from anybody without them giving it to me. Never.

SI.com: Why do you believe your relationship with Quinton fell apart?

Ibarra: I don't know. It's a mystery. If I had the hours to sit down with him, it would be great. I never had that opportunity. He's doing other things, and God bless him. Hopefully I helped him in his life, in his career, and so be it. I have to move on.

SI.com: Have you attempted to talk to Rampage?

Ibarra: Of course I did.

SI.com: So he has not talked to you then?

Ibarra: If he and I could have spoken, I wish he would accept me and sit down with me. But, you know, people around him -- his advisors, etc. -- said that that wasn't going to happen.

SI.com: Where do you stand right now in terms of your training of Cheick Kongo?

Ibarra: We're no longer together. He left just a couple days ago back to France to work on some personal things, and we're friends. He's been asked by his fellow workout-mates to come join what they're doing, and they were going to make it hard for him if he didn't. I don't want to stop no one from growing. They can grow with me or they can grow with somebody else.

I'm here for the fighter. I help teach kids in and out the right way if they want to listen. And if they choose to make the bad decisions, and choose to lie about what they do, and choose to have bad camps, and choose to overspend their monies, that's their choice. If they choose to be cowards, that's their choice. What's the difference between a coward and a hero? It's what the coward does that makes them a coward, and it's what the hero does that makes them a hero.

SI.com: Team Wolfslair, in a press release, mentioned that your relationship with Rampage and the UFC was contentious. Did you have a poor relationship with the UFC, and, if so, do you think that might be part of the reason why you no longer manage or train Rampage?

Ibarra: I think I had a great working relationship with the UFC. There are a lot of fantastic people in that organization. There are also some guys that aren't so fantastic. I've been through the boxing game and the MMA game ... I know who's who. But I'm a manager/trainer. I'll always go to bat for my fighter. That's my job. If a promoter wants to make things hard on me, that's his own choice to do that.

SI.com: What are you concentrating on now?

Ibarra: I have an agency that's very interested in signing me for doing seminars around the world and the country. Movie people want me to do stuff for them. There are fighters that want me to train them. I let a lot of individual opportunities pass me [by] the last four years. Being dedicated and having that client, that special client that I always have in my heart, I gave up a lot. And I'm not blaming anyone. That was my choice.

I'm working on my project that's been developed for five years and that's the youth center in Big Bear. We're going to have an unbelievable [non-profit organization] up there and help out the kids in the community. The youth center will be open at night as well as the day so they can be all they can be.

SI.com: You worked to find champion fighters and create champion fighters. Do you think that opportunity will present itself again?

Ibarra: I'll be honest, I doubted it for a while. I wish these young kids out there and these fans really know the passion that burns inside me. I respect the MMA guys unbelievably because they all respect each other. How hard they have to train, I love it. The phone calls I've gotten and the people that want me to work with them, I know that there's a champion in that handful. And if it all works out, you'll see me help create another champion.