Thursday, October 30, 2014

Josh Mayville: The Amateur MMA Hero New York Needs

NEW YORK


Team New York got its ass kicked in the last Fighters Source tournament, but one shining star from upstate named Josh Mayville very much did not. In fact, when Mayville flew over to the UK for the tournament finals - where he took on a rep from Team UK - he pretty much laid down some devastation that painted the New York amateur scene in a decent light. Here's the video of that bout. Oh, and don't blink.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Monday, October 27, 2014

This Guy Is Fighting Lyman Good at CFFC 43 On Saturday

NEW JERSEY



Jonavin Webb has done well for himself on the regional circuit. He went undefeated as an amateur, transitioned to pro and remained undefeated in all seven of his subsequent fights, and earned himself at Cage Fury Fighting Championship belt along the way. Too bad he has to face Lyman Good at CFFC 43 this weekend.

Here are the relevant facts:

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

I Admit It, I Love These

NEW YORK


Okay, I admit it - I love these videos of the Manup Standup dudes sparring in Central Park. Yes, people throwing down and/or practicing martial arts in New York City parks is pretty commonplace and really nothing out of the ordinary. But I think it's a combination of the MUSU guys actually fighting for real every few months and using these sessions as training for it that makes them somewhat glamorous (for lack of a better word) in my mind. Anyway, here are some videos from a recent meet-up.

Monday, October 20, 2014

World Class Kickboxing Championship 2 Poster

NEW JERSEY



A Fight From the Last Victory Show to Whet Your Appetite

NEW YORK


November 21 is quickly approaching, and with it comes the realization of the long-held dream of seeing MMA bouts at Madison Square Garden. To whet your appetite for the meal of violence that is to come, here's a bout from the last Victory show. According to the promoters, both of these fighters will be on the MSG card.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Spirit FC 6 Poster

NEW YORK



There are Two Kickboxing Shows in Manhattan Tonight

NEW YORK


There are two big kickboxing shows set to go down in Manhattan tonight. Putting aside how awesome/nuts that is, here are the details:

One is Combat at the Capitale, promoter Lou Neglia's long-running show that always features fighters on their way to or from the MMA world. As per the card posted above, MMA vets on the card include Munah Holland, John Salgado, Villi Bello and Shennen Maceo.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

ECF Holiday Havoc Poster

NEW YORK



Victory at MSG Press Release

NEW YORK


From the promoter:

HISTORY WILL BE MADE AS THE FIRST EVER MIXED MARTIAL ARTS EVENT IS SET TO TAKE PLACE AT THE THEATER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2014
TICKETS'GO'ON'SALE MONDAY,'OCTOBER'6,'2014
New York, NY (October 2, 2014) – Victory Combat Sports announced today that “Victory VII”, a Muay Thai and amateur Mixed Martial Arts event, will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, November 21st. This historic occasion will mark the first-ever MMA event in the renowned history of Madison Square Garden.

Victory Combat Sports, New York’s premiere MMA promotion, has joined forces with Take On Productions CEO Mike Gasparski and President Eddie Cuello, to produce an action-packed event. This historic evening will feature the best in Muay Thai Kickboxing talent alongside New York’s premiere amateur MMA fighters. Take On Productions was responsible for promoting Muay Thai at the Mecca I and II, which marked the first kick-boxing events at Madison Square Garden.
Tickets go on sale Monday, October 6, and start at just $35. Tickets will be available at www.THEATERATMSG.com , all Ticketmaster locations, the Garden box office, and at Muay Thai and MMA gyms throughout NY, NJ, and PA.

Victory VIP ticket packages will also be available via www.VictoryCombatSports.com, along with the full fight card, fighter information, and other exciting content.

“Victory VII”, the biggest event ever sanctioned by the WKA in New York, will feature an explosive fight card including the best Muay Thai and MMA fighters alternating in the ring, with several titles on the line. “We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with Victory Combat Sports. We look forward to combining the level of production and Muay Thai fights that New York fans have come to expect from Take On, with the energy and excitement of Victory MMA to bring “Victory VII”. Having it be the first MMA event at the Garden just puts the icing on the cake,” stated Take On CEO Mike Gasparski.

”We’re very excited for the opportunity to make history again by bringing the first ever MMA event to MSG. We’re always very excited to give the fans another great show in a fantastic venue” remarked Victory Combat Sports CEO Kevin Lillis.
Eddie Cuello, the president and matchmaker of Take On Muay Thai, has put together another spectacular fight card, mixing up high level Muay Thai bouts with the top amateur MMA in the Tri State area. “We are ready to show the New York fight fans these two great sports, in the ring on such a historic stage” said Cuello. The fight card will feature Take On Muay Thai champ Ariel Abreu in a MMA showdown against NYC’s Chike Obi, knock out artist Pawel Zawistowski taking on Muay Thai standout Manny Casais in a 3 Round Victory Title fight. Also on the card will be 2012 wrestling Olympian Ibrahim Farag, UFC Gym’s NJ Mac, and Take On Muay Thai Champ Jason Van Oijen, among many other top standouts.

The best local women will also highlight “Victory VII” as 2013 Female Fighter of the Year Gianna Smith, women’s Muay Thai and MMA phenom Prairie Rugilo, and Long Island’s own Jess Cavagnaro will give the fans fireworks in the ring. All of the top Tristate gyms will be represented by fighters in the biggest MMA event to come to New York. For more info including highlights from past events, fight previews, news and the full fight card, stay tuned to VictoryCombatSports.com.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Closing the Gap: A Five-Point Plan to Get Pro MMA Legalized in New York

NEW YORK



It’s 2014 and, for the fifth year in a row, the State Senate approved its version of the bill that would lift the ban on pro MMA while the Assembly let its version die.

This can be attributed to a number of reasons, such as:
  • Adverse influence on legislators from representatives of the Culinary Union.
  • Legislators wielding misinformed or prejudicial opinions of the sport.
  • Institutional indifference and apathy.
  • Lack of effective mobilization of voter base.
While efforts thus far to get all of Zuffa’s lobbying ducks in a row have brought us close, it’s clear something more needs to be done. But what?

Thursday, October 9, 2014

A Four-Second KO in All Its Glory

NEW YORK


Rochester, N.Y. is a heck of a hike from New York City, but if I had a crystal ball and knew ahead of time that someone was going to score a four-second knockout at the Caged Chaos event held up there on Saturday, I probably would've made the trip. Behold, Cory Nieman's amateur MMA debut - I'd say it went well, yes?

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

Aggressive Combat Championship 9 Poster

NEW YORK



Despite Officiating Snafus, ECF's Rage in the Cage Delivers

NEW YORK


It was a bumpy ride at times, but Extreme Cage Fighting's "Rage in the Cage" - which packed the Mellrose Ballroom in Astoria with rabid fight fans on Saturday night - ultimately delivered the goods.

Featuring a whopping 17 bouts of the grappling-, kickboxing- and MMA variety, the mammoth card saw all manner of action play out - not the least of which was Meredith Connelly's one-sided beating of a game but over-matched Shannon Grager.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Reason Number One to Come to Queens Tomorrow: ECF "Rage in the Cage"

NEW YORK


Believe me, there are fewer greater joys in life than being able to check out a fight show that's within walking distance from your house - which is the case with tomorrow evening's ECF "Rage in the Cage" event, set for a nightclub/event space in Astoria and promising a variety of bouts ranging from MMA to K-1 kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Another Video From Saturday's ACC 8

NEW YORK


Kai Next Level Martial Arts in Queens has been producing some top-notch fighters (see: ACC champ Kat Morales), and at Saturday's Aggressive Combat Championship 8, another one of their reps was kicking ass and taking names.

Watch the video and you'll see Eric Taylor use a smooth ground game to tie his opponent in knots before tapping him out.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

A Peek at What You Missed From Aggressive Combat Championships 8

NEW YORK


I can't go to every event, but thanks to the evolution of Internet-broadcasting technology, I don't have to. Here's some of what you and I missed at this past Saturday's Aggressive Combat Championship 8, which took place at the York College Arena in Jamaica, Queens.

Watch. Enjoy. And get a sneak peek at the area's future stars of the cage.