Victory at MSG Primer: The Great Chike Obi

NEW YORK

We're a week away from Victory VII and the first-ever MMA bouts at Madison Square Garden, so it's time for some preview content to get us primed and ready. Today's installment revolves around Brooklyn warrior Chike Obi.

Here's a Little Something Discovery Channel Did on Manup Standup

NEW YORK

As the author of a book on the underground fight scene in New York City, I have for years been the person TV producers call when they want to film something gritty and fight-related here. So of course when Discovery Channel reached out to me about doing something on unsanctioned fights, I hooked them up with Novell Bell and his Manup Standup organization.

Al Iaquinta In a Kickboxing Bout, Circa 2008

NEW YORK

Al Iaquinta may have shocked the world when he put away Ross Pearson in the Octagon this past weekend, but the TKO only confirmed what we here in the Northeast already knew: Al is, and always has been, a badass. For some further perspective on the Long Islander's combative sports chops, here's a video of a kickboxing bout he did back in 2008. Enjoy!

ICYMI: MMA Platinum Gloves 7 In Its Entirety

NEW YORK

After seven installments, it's pretty safe to say that MMA Platinum Gloves has become the preeminent Long Island-based fight promotion - a notion that doesn't change the fact that the events take place on Long Island and you need a car to get to them. But lo! Here's a video of their last show! Check it out and see what your Long Island Railroad-riding ass missed!

Oh Hells Yeah

AWESOME

AKBF Fight League Poster

NEW YORK

Victory at MSG Hype Reel

NEW YORK

It's short and sweet, and worth a look.

The 2014 Election and How It Affects MMA in New York

NEW YORK

There was an election in New York yesterday, which means that the potential for shakeups in government and the shifting of political winds in regards to MMA was at its highest. So now that the votes have been tallied and the dust has settled, who's in and who's out? Here's a scorecard for you:

This Is The Price of Competing In Unregulated New York

NEW YORK

Bobby Aylward fought at the Upstate New York promotion Kaged Kombat last month, and though he won, he damaged his hand to the point where it required surgery. Unfortunately for him, the promoter did not have insurance - by law, none was required - so pictured above is just one of the medical bills Bobby is going to have to eat.

As per his Facebook:

Things of Note That Happened Over the Weekend: 11.3.14 Edition

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

A lot of things worth noting happened over the weekend. And here they are!

• Lyman Good fought Jonavin Webb for the Cage Fury Fighting Championship welterweight title at CFFC 43 in Atlantic City, and by all accounts, Good was slaughtering him. But an accidental foul (eye poke) had Webb saying he couldn't continue before the third round was up, so the bout was ruled a "no contest". THAT SUCKS.

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.

Take It To The Top 5 Poster

NEW YORK

Victory 5 Poster

NEW YORK

New Jersey Amateur MMA Rules Evolve, Become More Awesome

NEW JERSEY

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:

Art of Combat Poster

NEW YORK

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.

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.

Yeah, I'd Say the Fighters Are Psyched to Fight at MSG's MMA Event

NEW YORK