Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Another RAW COMBAT Shout Out in the New York Times
That's twice now in six months. One more and I think I'm eligible for a free toaster! http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/15/fashion/mixed-martial-arts-catches-on-with-the-internet-generation.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hpw
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
MMA In New York Update
Ah, sanctioned MMA in New York... you continue to elude us, like a sprite dancing coyly in the forest, or, probably more aptly, like a prom queen who's unwittingly eated her third roofie but still will not fall. But regardless of our progress (or lack thereof) towards that luscious endgame of UFC's at Madison Square Garden and Ring of Combats at the Brooklyn Armory, stuff is still happening. You know, like this stuff:
-Vocal MMA opponent Bob Reilly steps down from the Assembly. Link here: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/120274/assemblyman-reilly-stepping-down-backs-frazier/. Of course, Reilly wasn't the only thing standing in the way of MMA bills getting through the Assembly, but him bailing is at least something worth celebrating. And by "celebrating", I definitely mean "RELEASE THE KRAKEN ON HIS HOUSE!"
-Hey, here's Pete Lampasona giving us an update on the half of the New York State legislature that actually like MMA, and how it's included MMA in its budget proposal. Linky: http://www.thefightnerd.com/new-york-senate-includes-mma-bill-in-budget-report/. Pete's a good guy. I don't approve of his hairstyle sometimes, but that could just be me being jealous of his luxurious brown locks.
-This one isn't about MMA as much as it's about Madison Square Garden hosting a massive Muay Thai event on Friday night, but again, maybe I'm just jealous because Muay Thai got in there before MMA could. No, wait, I'm absolutely jealous. Anyway, TakeOn Productions, "Muay Thai at the Mecca", Friday night. I'll be there tweeting results (www.twitter.com/jim_genia) and posting stuff on this blog.
-Vocal MMA opponent Bob Reilly steps down from the Assembly. Link here: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/120274/assemblyman-reilly-stepping-down-backs-frazier/. Of course, Reilly wasn't the only thing standing in the way of MMA bills getting through the Assembly, but him bailing is at least something worth celebrating. And by "celebrating", I definitely mean "RELEASE THE KRAKEN ON HIS HOUSE!"
-Hey, here's Pete Lampasona giving us an update on the half of the New York State legislature that actually like MMA, and how it's included MMA in its budget proposal. Linky: http://www.thefightnerd.com/new-york-senate-includes-mma-bill-in-budget-report/. Pete's a good guy. I don't approve of his hairstyle sometimes, but that could just be me being jealous of his luxurious brown locks.
-This one isn't about MMA as much as it's about Madison Square Garden hosting a massive Muay Thai event on Friday night, but again, maybe I'm just jealous because Muay Thai got in there before MMA could. No, wait, I'm absolutely jealous. Anyway, TakeOn Productions, "Muay Thai at the Mecca", Friday night. I'll be there tweeting results (www.twitter.com/jim_genia) and posting stuff on this blog.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Weekend Schedule
There's another busy weekend ahead of us, so now would be a good time to gird your loins in preparation (and that goes double for all you Roman soldiers out there getting ready for battle).
Tonight, there's Bellator on MTV2, which features Joe Warren taking on Pat Curran plus a tournament full of guys you've heard of and guys you haven't, all vying for a chance to date/punch in the mouth the next "Teen Mom". Also tonight: TUF Live, which is what the Ultimate Fighter is now called now that it's gone from SpikeTV. We're flying blind on a rocket cycle in terms of what's in store, but what we do know is that local star Al Iaquinta is fighting. Hopefully he wins and gets into the TUF House, and then when the show is all over in a couple of months he can tell us what it was like shacking up with a GAY PORN STAR. (Sorry, that was done for seach-engine optimization purposes - this blog needs hits, you know.)
Hey, guess what, tomorrow night is the latest installment of Asylum Fight League at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. AFL is the best amateur MMA organization in the Garden State, and although I couldn't make it down (date night with the missus - gotta maintain the marriage and whatnot), I highly recommend checking the event out. The studs of the amateur scene are the future TUF Live roommates of GAY PORN STARS of tomorrow.
Tonight, there's Bellator on MTV2, which features Joe Warren taking on Pat Curran plus a tournament full of guys you've heard of and guys you haven't, all vying for a chance to date/punch in the mouth the next "Teen Mom". Also tonight: TUF Live, which is what the Ultimate Fighter is now called now that it's gone from SpikeTV. We're flying blind on a rocket cycle in terms of what's in store, but what we do know is that local star Al Iaquinta is fighting. Hopefully he wins and gets into the TUF House, and then when the show is all over in a couple of months he can tell us what it was like shacking up with a GAY PORN STAR. (Sorry, that was done for seach-engine optimization purposes - this blog needs hits, you know.)
Hey, guess what, tomorrow night is the latest installment of Asylum Fight League at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. AFL is the best amateur MMA organization in the Garden State, and although I couldn't make it down (date night with the missus - gotta maintain the marriage and whatnot), I highly recommend checking the event out. The studs of the amateur scene are the future TUF Live roommates of GAY PORN STARS of tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
New York MMA Rally Postscript
Yesterday was the New York MMA Rally, which was organized by "Sambo" Steve Koepfer, held across the street from Governor Andrew Cuomo's office in Midtown, and attended by about 40 people (pretty much the same attendance as last year). Former New York State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin was a guest speaker, which definitely upped the legitimacy of the proceedings by about ten points, and his post-rally thought on how female MMA could be the angle that helps push the needle in favor of sanctioning is pretty much a stroke of genius. Hard to argue that a "barbaric" sport akin to "human cockfighting" is all that bad when it empowers women, no? Anyway, it was good seeing a few dozen motivated New Yorkers eager to have pro MMA here.
Monday, March 5, 2012
NY MMA Rally Tomorrow - Guess Who's Getting the Mic?
There's a rally in Midtown Manhattan tomorrow supporting the sanctioning of MMA in New York State, and guess who's getting the mic? If you guessed "Jim Genia", you are correct. Myself, plus former State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin - who supported the MMA bills in years past - will be guest speakers at the event. The rally starts at 11:30am and is being held at 633 Third Avenue (which is Governor Cuomo's office). Pitchforks and flaming torches are encouraged, and yes, I will be practicing my beatboxing.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
MUSU Postscript
It ain't the UCL, but Manup Standup continues to do its own thang and entertain. Today's MUSU installment featured a hodgepodge tournament of "novices" whacking each other while wearing headgear (which I don't find that enthralling), but the two bouts that had more advanced fighters going at it with no head protection... yeah, that's the stuff. DJ from Syracuse managed to fend off some kid from Utah's best in what was, on paper, supposed to be Wing Chun versus Wing Chun, but in reality played out like a UFC 1 bout. And the main event, which had MUSU champ Will Cavali throwing down against UCL veteran (and Garcia Gung Fu stylist) Chris Lorenzo, was a fun showcase of skill and ability. Lorenzo's got heart and a fair share of technique, but a precision kick to the body did him in, with Cavali once more proving he's the man when it comes to kung fu.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Weekend Schedule
Yeah, yeah, there's a UFC tonight on FX and a Strikeforce tomorrow night on Showtime. But what's got me excited is the lecture and discussion on Pankration in Astoria on Saturday night (info here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/events/119074774878817/), and the Manup Standup event on Sunday afternoon in Jamaica, Queens.
The Pankration thingy will supposedly have some notable speakers of the MMA variety, and hey, I loves me some Greek food, so expect tweets on that.
The MUSU event should be it's usual "Big Trouble in Little China" goodness, and to make things even more interesting, MUSU champ Will Cavali is defending his championship belt against UCL fighter Chris Lorenzo. You may recall that Cavali fought at a UCL event about month ago in a kickboxing bout and lost to the veteran Alejandro Richardson. Well, the cross pollination of underground shows continues, and now Cavali - who's actually a pretty badass fighter - gets to face down a UCLer on his home turf. You know you can be expecting some tweets on that while it's going down!
The Pankration thingy will supposedly have some notable speakers of the MMA variety, and hey, I loves me some Greek food, so expect tweets on that.
The MUSU event should be it's usual "Big Trouble in Little China" goodness, and to make things even more interesting, MUSU champ Will Cavali is defending his championship belt against UCL fighter Chris Lorenzo. You may recall that Cavali fought at a UCL event about month ago in a kickboxing bout and lost to the veteran Alejandro Richardson. Well, the cross pollination of underground shows continues, and now Cavali - who's actually a pretty badass fighter - gets to face down a UCLer on his home turf. You know you can be expecting some tweets on that while it's going down!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Life-Long Dream Realized
When I was a kid growing up in the favelas of East Hampton, I used to read Black Belt Magazine and dream of one day being featured in the publication. Well, that dream has been realized. Check out this month's issue for a profile on yours truly.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Take-On to Crack the Madison Square Garden Nut
While us New York MMA fans have been languishing in a world without sanctioned fighting, Take-On has been cranking out Muay Thai events - at a neat little venue out in Flushing, at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan, and even at Bally's Casino in Atlantic City. And now the standup fighting organization will be cracking the Madison Square Garden nut before anyone else. Friday, March 16, is the date, and Take-On will be bringing something like seventeen bouts to the WAMU Theater (which is inside MSG - it's where Cirque du Soleil usually performs), including a fight between Philly trainer Rigel Balsamico and UFC vet Ryan Madigan. Hooray for Muay Thai! Also, color me jealous. I want my MMA at MSG. Damn you, New York State.
Monday, February 13, 2012
And Now the Circle is Complete
Gawker gave Sunday night's UCL the long-form treatment, and there's a pretty sweet shoutout to RAW COMBAT in there, too. Link here: http://gawker.com/5884594/semi+legal-pastimes-a-night-at-the-underground-combat-league.
So now my question is, what's left in terms of media outlets mentioning my book? It's been in the New York Times, the Observer, Metro New York, ESPN.com, MMAJunkie.com, the Tapout blog, Gawker, and quite a few others, and there should be impending mentions in upcoming issues of Men's Journal and Black Belt Magazine. I know there's television media out there, and radio shows, but, sheesh, I feel like most of the bases have been hit.
So now my question is, what's left in terms of media outlets mentioning my book? It's been in the New York Times, the Observer, Metro New York, ESPN.com, MMAJunkie.com, the Tapout blog, Gawker, and quite a few others, and there should be impending mentions in upcoming issues of Men's Journal and Black Belt Magazine. I know there's television media out there, and radio shows, but, sheesh, I feel like most of the bases have been hit.
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