Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
A Review of RAW COMBAT from the Underground Forum
"I am one of the lucky people who received an advanced copy of the book. I can tell you without a doubt it is a gripping page-turner. If you like MMA, this book is for you. If you like to read, this book is for you. If you want to know about the origins of underground fights on the East Coast, this book is for you. You get the point, reading this book is like sitting down with an insider, and having all your questions answered. With a unique eye for detail and story-telling style filled with OG-isms, this book will not dissapoint. For those of you who don't like to read, don't worry, there are 16 pages of pictures that tell the story too. Get on Amazon, and reserve your copy before you have to wait for a second printing, it's worth it."
Monday, September 26, 2011
Appearance on Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour
I was a guest on Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour today, rapping alongside DJ Mike Straka and MC Mike Chiappetta. I think we nailed some pretty funky rhymes, but judge for yourself. The replay should be up at http://www.mmafighting.com/mma-hour/ tomorrow. Also, big thanks to Helwani for inviting me. If the MMA Hour is the equivalent of NBC's Today Show, Helwani is most certainly Matt Lauer.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
MUSU Postscript
I cut out after the champ Shaolin Assassin defeated Sifu Jesse, but by then I'd seen some decent fights and was satisfied. While kung fu has never been my cup of tea, the full-contact aspect of the competition was cool, and the skill-level exhibited by the champ and the challenger was high enough to be entertaining. Even the final bout in the four-man tournament was entertaining.
I can see why MUSU has been cranking out shows: they put out a solid product, and there's definitely a following out there into it. Sifu Novell Bell - the man in charge - has got a good thing going, and while it's got a little ways to go before it becomes an institution (like, say, the Underground Combat League), if he keeps at it big things will happen. I'm glad I checked it out.
Liveblog: MUSU Part 3
There's some sort of bad blood/YouTube rivalry match going on, with on guy waiving his arms and posing and throwing all sorts of funky techniques he believes work. Sadly, his opponent is just timid enough that the techniques are actually working.
Okay, someone either just won a four-man tournament via KO or Dim Mak. I want to believe it was a KO. Death touch is just too... final.
Hey, it turns out the dude with the wicker hat is the champ. They call him the "Shaolin Assassin" but I'm not sure if it's because his style is Shaolin and he assassinates people or if he specializes in assassinating people from Shaolin. Anyway, he's scrapping with Sifu Jesse, and Jesse's getting the worst of it. They're even pounding on each other on the ground, although there's a ten-second time limit for that. And... now we've stopped for about eight minutes while Jesse gets his hurt nose attended to. Oh the humanity!
Okay, someone either just won a four-man tournament via KO or Dim Mak. I want to believe it was a KO. Death touch is just too... final.
Hey, it turns out the dude with the wicker hat is the champ. They call him the "Shaolin Assassin" but I'm not sure if it's because his style is Shaolin and he assassinates people or if he specializes in assassinating people from Shaolin. Anyway, he's scrapping with Sifu Jesse, and Jesse's getting the worst of it. They're even pounding on each other on the ground, although there's a ten-second time limit for that. And... now we've stopped for about eight minutes while Jesse gets his hurt nose attended to. Oh the humanity!
Liveblog: MUSU Part 2
They're serving "yellow drank", and I'm told it's akin to lemonade. No way. I've seen this movie before. A rival clan is trying to poison us.
First fight and it's Urban Bagua versus Riverside Tai Chi. I'm expecting big things from Riverside Tai Chi. They say this is going to be his year. For two rounds these guys stand in front of each other and throw winding punches, although true to their kung fu backgrounds when they get close they press forearms like they're trying to trap something. Urban Bagua takes the decision when time runs out. I have no clue why.
Next up is old Wing Chun guy versus old white guy (not sure his style). The white guy has heart and zero fear, but his foe is too fast and bloodies his nose. Somewhere, a mail order bride is weeping silent tears.
Alright, someone just walked in wearing one of this gigantic wicker hats you see in kung fu flicks. It's on now!
First fight and it's Urban Bagua versus Riverside Tai Chi. I'm expecting big things from Riverside Tai Chi. They say this is going to be his year. For two rounds these guys stand in front of each other and throw winding punches, although true to their kung fu backgrounds when they get close they press forearms like they're trying to trap something. Urban Bagua takes the decision when time runs out. I have no clue why.
Next up is old Wing Chun guy versus old white guy (not sure his style). The white guy has heart and zero fear, but his foe is too fast and bloodies his nose. Somewhere, a mail order bride is weeping silent tears.
Alright, someone just walked in wearing one of this gigantic wicker hats you see in kung fu flicks. It's on now!
Liveblog: Manup Standup Underground Kung Fu Tournament Part 1
MMA Journalist has travelled into the depths of Jamaica, Queens, for the ManupStandup full-contact kung fu tournament. The underground event will feature mixed-style fights, but with no grappling allowed, the competitors that are participating all seem to come from Tai Chi, Bagua, and other Chinese martial backgrounds. The venue is a kung fu gym, and the field of battle consists of a hard surface roped off with belts tied together. Eh, I've seen worse. Anyway, the vibe is quite unlike an MMA event - as traditionalists, everyone seems to have different DNA than the usual MMA enthusiast. There's about 40 people present, but there's still time before the first fight, so maybe the place will fill up. Also, if some messes up their opponent pretty badly, I'm shouting "Fatality!" in my best Mortal Kombat voice. This I swear.
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