Friday, March 13, 2009


Best of Luck to Jim Burman

As Fightlinker has reminded me (http://www.fightlinker.com/someones-popping-their-fighter-cherry.mma), fellow journalist Jim Burman is stepping into the ring for the first time tomorrow in some local Brit show. Burman writes for Fighters Only and he's been in the business for years, and he's part of that fraternity of fanboy-turned-journo so many of us claim membership in. So to Burman I say, "Best of luck, buddy, and break a leg (i.e., your opponent's)." Here's a pic of the two of us riding the subway here in New York City - we're either laughing or have gas. Or both.

New Jersey State Athletic Control Board to License Outlaw?

On March 28th Monte Cox's Extreme Challenge: "Mayhem at the Marina" comes to Trump Marina in Atlantic City, and while the event is headlined by top female fighter Tara LaRosa taking on up-and-comer Sally Krumdiak, one bout on the main card is raising eyebrows: Steve DeAngelis vs. Billy the Kidd. DeAngelis is one of the best 145-pounders the Garden State has to offer - capable of taking on nearly anyone and definitely destined for the WEC or Japan - but Billy the Kidd... Billy the Kidd is a well-known outlaw. Will the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board license a man wanted in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for murder, cattle rustling, theft and cheating at poker? No one doubts DeAngelis' ability to handle whatever his opponent throws at him, but all it takes is one bullet from a .45 single-action six-shooter to end things unfairly. Also, should the commission allow this match-up, they'd essentially be condoning the fact that Billy the Kidd was a founding member of the vigilante group "The Regulators", and that during the course of his career he murdered lawmen and civilians alike. For the sake of fighter safety and especially common decency, let's hope the NJSACB does the right thing.

Asylum Fight League 12 to Feature 200+ Amateur Bouts

Asylum Fight League returns for their 12th installment tomorrow afternoon, this time at Club Abyss in Sayreville, New Jersey, and according to their website the card will be another 200+ bout epic. Hey, MMA Journalist digs amateur events and all, but these New Jersey shows tend to have as competitors everyone who's ever trained in MMA, and everyone who's ever thought about training in MMA - with the end result often leaving people in the venue on the verge of utter exhaustion and collapse (in fact, a referee actually passed out at one show back in 2007; the fighters in the cage at the time had to stop and revive him). Anyway, MMA Journalist will be there tomorrow to liveblog the event. For more info, go to the promotion's website at http://www.asylumfightleague.com .

For Black Friday

In honor of Charles "Mask" Lewis: