February 28, 2009
J & J Cage Rentals is a new Pennsylvania MMA cage rental service offering a 20' hexagon cage to area promoters. Contact 717.250.8841 or jovichm@msn.com.
Bellator Fighting Championships announced that its debut event will be held in the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Friday, April 3. The event will air during prime time on Saturday, April 4, on ESPN Deportes. A featured lightweight fight pits an aggressive and hungry Eddie Alvarez (15-2) from Philadelphia Fight Factory against the notoriously tough Daniel Morales (5-1). For more information, visit www.bellator.com or www.BellatorEspanol.com, which will be launching in March.
February 27, 2009
Regulations on MMA in PA went into affect today, which opened the doors for MMA events to held throughout the state. Promoters, fighters and fans alike have anxiously been awaiting this day. Perspective promoters are actively soliciting fighters for proposed events and at least one has already started selling tickets to their inaugural event, but according to Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Executive Director Greg Sirb, 'no (MMA) events have been approved' as of this morning.
New Jersey-based Asylum Fight League is soliticing fighters for a Pro/Am card in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 4. Chambersburg-based Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge started selling tickets for a proposed Saturday, April 25, event before the regulations were approved. Plymouth-based Modern Day Warrior is proposing Saturday, June 6, for their first event. With a full calendar in Ohio for most of 2009, Pittsburgh-based Cage of Chaos is looking at the Summer for their first event in their home state. Arguably the first company to promote MMA-style events in PA, dating back to the 1970's, is Pittsburgh-based Godfather MMA, which has suggested an August event under their newly formed Pittsburgh MMA. And Palmerton-based Insoki Promotions is expected to add MMA to their Kickboxing cards or transition to all MMA events.
According to Sirb, events will be added to the offical Commission calendar once approved. The Commission developed a summary of MMA regulations for promoters and fighters. For more information, you can visit the Commission web site, call 717.787.5720 or email Greg Sirb directly.
February 26, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a seminar with 6X World Jiu-Jitsu champion Saulo Ribeiro at their Milford academy on Saturday, April 25. The cost is just $125.00 per person. The seminar is open to the first 30 people. Privates will be available. Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com or 570.242.4650 for more information.
February 25, 2009
Philadelphia Fight Factory product Eddie Alvarez was featured on the 6:00 PM broadcast of 6ABC News in the Philadelphia market tonight. Reporter Jeff Skversky followed the 15-2 Northeast Catholic High School wrestler today. The 24-year-old #3 Ranked Lightweight in the World particpates in Bellator Fighting Championships starting in April. Philadelphia Fight Factory is located at 2220 East Susquehanna Avenue.
Braden Bice (5-8) of Bice MMA in Mercer faces Bruce Nelson (17-25-1) of North Dakota, this Saturday, February 28, at King of the Cage: Northern Cross in Walker, Minnesota.
Ultimate Grapplers Challenge VIII: Clash of the Titans is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at Champion Sportsplex in Brodheadsville. The tournament will offer more than 100 divisions in Gi and No-Gi for men, women, teens and children. Weigh-ins start at 8:00 AM. Call 610.441.4559 for more information. Champion Sportsplex is located at 9 Pilgrim Way.
February 24, 2009
X-treme Mixed Martial Arts will host a 2-Day Camp with Mark Hatmaker on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at their Warrington academy. Cost is $150.00 for 2 days of concepts taken from his books 'Beyond BJJ' -- clinching techniques to sweeps and ground and pound to escapes to stand up. This camp is open to instructors and fighters. Call 215.343.3378 or X-trememma@comcast.net for more information. X-treme Mixed Martial Arts is located at 626 Easton Road (in the Warrington Plaza).
Lion-Do Fight Club heavyweight 'Big' Jon Neese (4-1), a former state champion wrestler from Marion Center (PA) captured the Cage of Chaos amateur heavyweight title belt on Saturday night at the Cage of Chaos 'Evolved' show with a second round TKO victory over 'Nasty' Nate Loughran (6-3-1). Neese joins Eli Garshnick and Jesse Garshnick as fellow Lion-Do members who currently hold amateur MMA titles. Lion-Do Fight Club and Fitness is located in Blairsville.
February 23, 2009
They say 'all good things come to those who wait,' and for those waiting for regulations on MMA in PA, the wait is over. Pennsylvania has joined the growing number of states that allow Mixed Martial Arts events, now that the State Athletic Commission has approved final regulations for the sport, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés announced today. The new regulations take effect this Friday, February 27, two years after the Commission voted unanimously to explore regulations on professional and amateur MMA in PA. In July 2007, the Commission voted to approve draft regulations that would allow MMA events to occur in Pennsylvania. These regulations would undergo a review process by various House and Senate Committees, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the Office of Attorney General. This process was expected to take up to 18 months. On December 18, 2008, Greg Sirb, Commission Executive Director, announced the rules and regulations are in the final stages of the process -- the Office of the Attorney General.
In an exclusive interview with MMAinPA.com today, Sirb stated 'no (MMA) events have been approved” at this time. The regulations take affect Thursday, and promoter packets and license applications are expected to be available (online) Friday. Criminal background checks are required for promoters and a surety bond must be on file with the Commission before an event takes place. Fighter experience and records will be verified. Pennsylvania will utilize the database of www.MixedMartialArts.com, the Official Certified MMA Registry of the Association of Boxing Commissions. The regulations require all professional and amateur mixed martial artists be licensed, provide an annual physical, take a pre-fight physical, including a negative HIV exam. Insurance is required for all fighters.
Read the official press release here. Sirb looks at May for the first MMA in PA event.
February 22, 2009
Asylum Fight League presented Battle at Fort Dix last night on the Fort Dix Military Base in New Jersey, featuring at least three Pennsylvania fighters. Leaving up to the Judges, Donald Koch (137) of Ephrata Martial Arts in Ephrata fell to Jose Villanueva (137.5) of Tiger Schulmann MMA by Unanimous Decision after three rounds and Erik Purcell (206) of Tenth Round Boxing Club in Feasterville defeated Jason Moore (208) of Vicious MMA in Williamsport by Unanimous Decision after three rounds to earn the AFL Heavyweight Championship.
February 21, 2009
UFC® 95: Sanchez vs Stevenson featured two Pennsylvania natives on an exciting, power-packed card shown on SpikeTV tonight from London, England.
Hailing from Waynesburg, Josh Koscheck returned to the Octagon® for the 14th time in four years to face Paulo Thiago in his UFC® debut. The Edinboro University wrestler kept the fight on the feet showcasing his developing stand-up skills. According to sherdog.com: In the welterweight opener, Paulo Thiago stunned Octagon® veteran Josh Koscheck with punches for a TKO at 3:29 of the first round. The bout was Thiago’s first in the UFC. A 28-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, he looked shaky on his feet but made up for it. Koscheck clocked him with an overhand right early and stalked him around the cage. When Koscheck stepped in with a jab midway through the period, though, Thiago countered with a right uppercut and a left hook. Koscheck dropped, and referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight.
Hailing from Williamstown, Mike Ciesnolevicz made his UFC® debut facing heavyweight Neil Grove. The Lock Haven University wrestler showed his superior ground game enroute to an early first round submission victory. According to sherdog.com: In a heavyweight duel between two UFC® newcomers, International Fight League veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz made a memorable first impression, as he submitted the 6-foot-6, 263-pound Neil Grove with a first-round heel hook. The 29-year-old Ciesnolevicz (17-3, 1 NC), the latest Miletich Fighting Systems student to reach the UFC®, shot for an early takedown, and while his efforts were initially turned away, he managed to get the much bigger man on the ground. Once there, he had Grove’s number. After Grove (7-2) took top position, Ciesnolevicz went to work on his legs and coaxed the tapout from the Ultimate Challenge UK heavyweight champion 1:03 into round one. He has rattled off four consecutive victories.
Pennsylvania went 1-2 last night when Ring of Combat kicked off their 2009 season with ROC XXIII at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Matt Makowski (175.5) of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia defeated Sergio Vinagre (173.5) of BJJ Shore Academy in New Jersey, by Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) in their three-round welterweight fight, while Jeff Pender (155) of Pender MMA in Central PA fell to Roger Mamedov (154) of Ricardo Almeida in New Jersey, at 0:55 of round one via TKO referee stoppage due to unanswered punches in their lightweight fight and Aaron Meisner (184) of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia fell to Constantinos Philippou (185.5) of Team Serra Longo in New York, at 2:27 of round one via tapout due to rear naked choke in their middleweight fight.
February 20, 2009
Williamstown-native Mike Ciesnolevicz makes his UFC® debut Saturday at UFC® 95: Sanchez vs Stevenson in London, where he is scheduled to face Neil Grove in a preliminary heavyweight fight. The Lock Haven University wrestler stepped up on short notice and is stepping up a weight division to face the local known as Goliath.
According to Tim Leidecker with sherdog.com: in another fight that had to be thrown together in a hurry, Grove -- a former Cage Rage heavyweight champion -- will take on Ciesnolevicz, the one-time International Fight League mainstay. Grove (7-1) was prepared to lock horns with Team Punishment heavyweight Justin McCully before the stocky Californian had to cancel his participation due to a cut suffered in training. In his stead, Ciesnolevicz moves up from light heavyweight.
With Tim Sylvia no longer terrorizing opponents inside the Octagon, Grove challenges heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as the largest fighter in the UFC. At 6-foot-6, the 38-year-old karateka has to cut weight to stay inside the 265-pound weight limit the promotion uses for heavyweights. Grove’s strength resides in his huge reach, a stiff jab, great power and decent takedown defense.
Ciesnolevicz (16-3, 1 NC) is the latest Pat Miletich protégé to reach the UFC. The 29-year-old 205-pounder carries a three-fight winning streak into his debut and, like Grove, comes from a karate background; he has also trained in judo and wrestling. His most notable wins have come against “The Ultimate Fighter” alumnus Alex Schoenauer, a man he defeated twice by split decision.
Prediction: This fight could go either way. Grove could stuff Ciesnolevicz’s takedown attempts en route to a second-round technical knockout, or, if it hits the ground, the Miletich Fighting Systems product could snatch the victory with his patented guillotine choke. Under normal circumstances, the physically stronger and better prepared Grove should get the win.
With all that said, 'Cies' is a consummate athlete, and with over six years of MMA training and 20 professional fights, if I know him, and I do, he is confident and ready. And why shouldn't he be? Training with one of the world's most respected fight teams the past four years with training partners like Brad Imes, Ben Rothwell and former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, there is nothing Grove can bring to the fight that he has not already encountered training with these 300 pounders.
February 18, 2009
Casey Adams (1-1-0) of Grindhouse MMA in Feasterville and Sam Oropeza (1-0-0) of Fight Factory in Philadelphia will face each other on Saturday, March 7, in New Breed Fighters at the Resorts Casino Superstar Theatre in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
February 17, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a striking seminar with Sifu Ralph Mitchell at their Milford academy on Saturday, March 7, startung at 12:00 PM. The seminar will cover striking techniques from Muay Thai, Savate and Jeet Kune Do (Progressive Fighting Systems). Mitchell is a former World Rank Full Contact Fighter and Champion. He is the founder of UDS, Unversal Defense Systems and the head striking coach for 'Team Insight' out of Brooklyn. Team Insight has gained recent notoriety due to its member Phillipe Nover appearing on the Spikes's Ultimate Fighter show. In addition to Phillipe Sifu has trained Por fighters Nardu Debrah (Bodog and ROC Champion) and John Beneduce (ROC). Cost for the seminar will be only $30. Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com for more information.
February 15, 2009
Ring of Combat will kick off their 2009 season with ROC XXIII this Friday, February 20, at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jeff Pender of Pender MMA in Central PA will face Roger Mamedov of Ricardo Almeida in New Jersey, in a lightweight fight, Matt Makowski of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia will face Sergio Vinagre of BJJ Shore Academy in New Jersey, in a welterweight fight and Aaron Meisner of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia will face Constantinos Philippou of Team Serra Longo in New York, in a middleweight fight.
February 13, 2009
As MMA in the Mid-Atlantic region grows more fighters from outside New Jersey are stepping up in competition such as “Binky” Jones from EliteXC, Mike Easton headlining UWC, and perhaps more surprisingly Paul Bradley who fought last weekend in WCA. “More surprisingly” because in that show former Ring of Combat middleweight champion Bradley defeated SportFight welterweight champion Nathan Coy of Team Quest in his first fight at 170. Bradley had opportunities before that haven’t worked out such as a stint on TUF season 7 and an EliteXC contract but that was before he joined LionHeart, a fast-growing gym giving Fight Factory competition for best gym in Pennsylvania. Now he talks about the Coy fight and LionHeart here. A photo gallery from this fight is posted here.
February 11, 2009
Bloomsburg Mixed Martial Arts will host a seminar with 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu founder Eddie 'The Twister' Bravo on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at their Bloomsburg academy. His style focuses on constant pressure from unorthodox positions. The Jean-Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt will teach his Twister Control and Rubber Guard. Pre-registration until March 7 is only $125 and after March 7 is just $150. For more information or to secure your spot, contact darkside570@hotmail.com or 570.204.9991. Bloomsburg Mixed Martial Arts is located at 136 East 6th Street in Bloomsburg.
February 9, 2009
Combat in the Cage presents East Coast Combat Challenge 5 on Saturday, February 21, at the Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club in Newark, Delaware, featuring Doug Haley of Rocco MMA in Philadelphia fighting Muay Thai.
February 8, 2009
Lion-Do Fight Club middleweight Eli Garshnick (4-1) returned to the cage for the first time since November as he ventured to Winchester, Virginia, and the Valley Fight League. Garshnick was the main event at MMA in the Valley 15 where he took on previously unbeaten Joe Harrison (3-1) from Coalition Fight Team in West Virginia, for the vacant middleweight title. Garshnick, a former two-time NCAA All-American at UPJ used his text book wrestling to secure a single leg takedown. Garshnick followed that up with some ground and pound, before Harrison gave up his back. Garshnick took advantage of the opening securing a rear naked choke and the first round victory by submission. Garshnick and his brother Jesse Garshnick (3-1) both hold titles for the Virginia federation. Jesse is the reigning welterweight champion. George Hyek (2-2) who normally fights at 155-pounds, fought his first fight for Lion-Do and he came away victorious over Clinton Brown (1-1) from The Academy in Fort Bragg, NC. Hyek, normally a ground fighter showed that he has picked up his stand-up as he used an impressive combination of kicks and straight punches to get Brown to the ground. After a quick flurry of punches on the ground, Hyek secured the win via TKO in his Lion-Do debut. Lion-Do Fight Club is located in Blairsville.
February 7, 2009
Lamont Lister (185) of Philadelphia defeated Valter Roberto De Menezes (183.2) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) tonight at KAPMMA in Newark, New Jersey.
The Ultimate Fighter season 6 winner Mac Danzig (19-6-1), formerly of Pittsburgh, fell to Josh Neer (26-7-1) of Iowa, in a lightweight fight tonight at UFC®: Fight Night 17 live on SpikeTV from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida, by submission triangle choke at 3:36 of round two. According to sherdog.com: Round 1 -- Neer is all over Danzig early with punches as Danzig slipped during a head kick attempt. To the body and head goes Neer with hard punches. Danzig lands a counter left with his back to the cage. The fighters trade knees to the body from the clinch. Neer eats another hard punch and blood begins to trickle from just above the left eye. Neer steps forward and is knocked down by a right hand. He stands after a triangle choke and omaplata attempt and gets the better of a punching exchange. Neer taunts Danzig with his arms extended before the round closes. Round 2 -- Neer gets a takedown and absolutely tees off with elbows to the head from guard and half guard. Neer stands and punches downward, landing clean. Danzig gets Neer into his guard and performs a clean sweep while avoiding an armbar in the process. From the top position, Danzig struggles to mount any offense from Neer’s closed guard. Neer slaps on a triangle choke, pulls the head downward and forces Danzig to submit at 3:36 of the second.
Lehighton-native Matt Riddle defeated Steve Bruno of American Top Team in Florida by Unanimous Decision (29-28) in a non-televised fight tonight at UFC®: Fight Night 17.
Paul Bradley (10-0) of LionHeart MMA in State College continued his undefeated streak last night at World Cagefighting Alliance: “Pure Combat” at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Ultimate Fighter veteran earned the win by Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) over Nathan Coy (5-2) of Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon, in the co-main event of the promotions inaugural event. According to sherdog.com, 'virtually the entire match was spent on the feet with both men trading strikes' something we have seen of late with accomplished collegiate wrestlers. 'Bradley had the quicker and more powerful hands, but Coy’s rangy southpaw punches and leg kicks kept him from cutting loose' in the welterweight fight. The 25-year-old stopped Dante Rivera at just 0:34 of the first round at ROC 22 in November 2008 to earn the promotions middleweight championship.
February 6, 2009
Vicious MMA will host two No-Gi seminars with Royce Gracie brown belt Jeff Reese this Sunday, February 8, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at their Williamsport academy. Call 570.916.6812 for more information.
February 5, 2009
Paul Bradley (170.8) of LionHeart MMA in State College will face Nathan Coy (170.8) of Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon, tomorrow night in the co-main event of the inaugural World Cagefighting Alliance: “Pure Combat” at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The undefeated Bradley (9-0) stopped Dante Rivera at just 0:34 of the first round at ROC 22 in November 2008. Coy (5-1) is coming off his only professional loss at Pro Battle MMA in October when he was submitted by Brian Foster.
February 4, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a seminar with 6X World Jiu-Jitsu champion Saulo Ribeiro at their Milford academy in April. Privates will be available.Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com for more information.
February 3, 2009
Team Quiet Storm in Reading went 3-2 Saturday night at the Hamburg Fieldhouse when Althouse Karate and Kickboxing Academy presented United States Kickboxing Alliance (USKA) Full Contact Kickboxing. Jimmy Fiorivanti, Matt McCaw and Matt Nieves defeated their respective opponents -- Fiorivanti by first round KO, and McCaw and Nieves by Decision. Steve Dobiseski and Anthony Williams lost their respective title fights -- Dobiseski at 190 pounds while Williams was defending his USKA Super Middleweight Muay Thai championship for the first time since earning it on July 26, 2008.
February 2, 2009
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to explore regulations on professional and amateur MMA in PA on February 26, 2007. It was a very positive meeting attended by many that would be impacted by the decision, including Steve Blackman of Blackman MMA in Harrisburg, Paul Rosner, President, USKBA, myself, Joseph Cunliffe, and others. In July 2007, the Commission voted to approve draft regulations that would allow MMA events to occur in Pennsylvania. These regulations would undergo a review process by various House and Senate Committees, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the Office of Attorney General. This process was expected to take up to 18 months. On December 18, 2008, Greg Sirb, Commission Executive Director, announced the rules and regulations are in the final stages of the process -- the Office of the Attorney General. With the numbers of academy owners and fighters in Pennsylvania being approached nearly daily by perspective promotions to participate on their perspective March cards, it was necessary to ask Sirb, 'what's the latest on MMA in PA?' In an email received yesterday, Sirb stated 'I expect to see the first MMA show in late March/early April.' Promoter license applications will be sent to all those interested after the next SAC meeting on February 23. For information directly from the source, check out The Pennsylvania Bulletin on MMA in PA, or contact Sirb at gsirb@state.pa.us.
February 1, 2009
THE GOOD FIGHT: Tournament of Brotherly Love is scheduled for Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne. The 2-Day tournament will feature both Gi and No-Gi divisions and will follow a single elimination format with a consolation round to ensure every competitor will grapple at least two matches per division they sign up for. Divisions include Kids, Teens, Men’s Adult, Masters and Women’s Adult. The PRO-JITSU Gi Championships will take place Friday, while all Gi and No-Gi divisions will be on Saturday. For more information, including early bird registration, go to www.ProJitsu.tv or call 856.343.4722. Philadelphia Biblical University is located at 200 Manor Avenue.
J & J Cage Rentals is a new Pennsylvania MMA cage rental service offering a 20' hexagon cage to area promoters. Contact 717.250.8841 or jovichm@msn.com.
Bellator Fighting Championships announced that its debut event will be held in the Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Friday, April 3. The event will air during prime time on Saturday, April 4, on ESPN Deportes. A featured lightweight fight pits an aggressive and hungry Eddie Alvarez (15-2) from Philadelphia Fight Factory against the notoriously tough Daniel Morales (5-1). For more information, visit www.bellator.com or www.BellatorEspanol.com, which will be launching in March.
February 27, 2009
Regulations on MMA in PA went into affect today, which opened the doors for MMA events to held throughout the state. Promoters, fighters and fans alike have anxiously been awaiting this day. Perspective promoters are actively soliciting fighters for proposed events and at least one has already started selling tickets to their inaugural event, but according to Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission Executive Director Greg Sirb, 'no (MMA) events have been approved' as of this morning.
New Jersey-based Asylum Fight League is soliticing fighters for a Pro/Am card in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 4. Chambersburg-based Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge started selling tickets for a proposed Saturday, April 25, event before the regulations were approved. Plymouth-based Modern Day Warrior is proposing Saturday, June 6, for their first event. With a full calendar in Ohio for most of 2009, Pittsburgh-based Cage of Chaos is looking at the Summer for their first event in their home state. Arguably the first company to promote MMA-style events in PA, dating back to the 1970's, is Pittsburgh-based Godfather MMA, which has suggested an August event under their newly formed Pittsburgh MMA. And Palmerton-based Insoki Promotions is expected to add MMA to their Kickboxing cards or transition to all MMA events.
According to Sirb, events will be added to the offical Commission calendar once approved. The Commission developed a summary of MMA regulations for promoters and fighters. For more information, you can visit the Commission web site, call 717.787.5720 or email Greg Sirb directly.
February 26, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a seminar with 6X World Jiu-Jitsu champion Saulo Ribeiro at their Milford academy on Saturday, April 25. The cost is just $125.00 per person. The seminar is open to the first 30 people. Privates will be available. Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com or 570.242.4650 for more information.
February 25, 2009
Philadelphia Fight Factory product Eddie Alvarez was featured on the 6:00 PM broadcast of 6ABC News in the Philadelphia market tonight. Reporter Jeff Skversky followed the 15-2 Northeast Catholic High School wrestler today. The 24-year-old #3 Ranked Lightweight in the World particpates in Bellator Fighting Championships starting in April. Philadelphia Fight Factory is located at 2220 East Susquehanna Avenue.
Braden Bice (5-8) of Bice MMA in Mercer faces Bruce Nelson (17-25-1) of North Dakota, this Saturday, February 28, at King of the Cage: Northern Cross in Walker, Minnesota.
Ultimate Grapplers Challenge VIII: Clash of the Titans is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, at Champion Sportsplex in Brodheadsville. The tournament will offer more than 100 divisions in Gi and No-Gi for men, women, teens and children. Weigh-ins start at 8:00 AM. Call 610.441.4559 for more information. Champion Sportsplex is located at 9 Pilgrim Way.
February 24, 2009
X-treme Mixed Martial Arts will host a 2-Day Camp with Mark Hatmaker on Saturday, March 14 and Sunday, March 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at their Warrington academy. Cost is $150.00 for 2 days of concepts taken from his books 'Beyond BJJ' -- clinching techniques to sweeps and ground and pound to escapes to stand up. This camp is open to instructors and fighters. Call 215.343.3378 or X-trememma@comcast.net for more information. X-treme Mixed Martial Arts is located at 626 Easton Road (in the Warrington Plaza).
Lion-Do Fight Club heavyweight 'Big' Jon Neese (4-1), a former state champion wrestler from Marion Center (PA) captured the Cage of Chaos amateur heavyweight title belt on Saturday night at the Cage of Chaos 'Evolved' show with a second round TKO victory over 'Nasty' Nate Loughran (6-3-1). Neese joins Eli Garshnick and Jesse Garshnick as fellow Lion-Do members who currently hold amateur MMA titles. Lion-Do Fight Club and Fitness is located in Blairsville.
February 23, 2009
They say 'all good things come to those who wait,' and for those waiting for regulations on MMA in PA, the wait is over. Pennsylvania has joined the growing number of states that allow Mixed Martial Arts events, now that the State Athletic Commission has approved final regulations for the sport, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés announced today. The new regulations take effect this Friday, February 27, two years after the Commission voted unanimously to explore regulations on professional and amateur MMA in PA. In July 2007, the Commission voted to approve draft regulations that would allow MMA events to occur in Pennsylvania. These regulations would undergo a review process by various House and Senate Committees, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the Office of Attorney General. This process was expected to take up to 18 months. On December 18, 2008, Greg Sirb, Commission Executive Director, announced the rules and regulations are in the final stages of the process -- the Office of the Attorney General.
In an exclusive interview with MMAinPA.com today, Sirb stated 'no (MMA) events have been approved” at this time. The regulations take affect Thursday, and promoter packets and license applications are expected to be available (online) Friday. Criminal background checks are required for promoters and a surety bond must be on file with the Commission before an event takes place. Fighter experience and records will be verified. Pennsylvania will utilize the database of www.MixedMartialArts.com, the Official Certified MMA Registry of the Association of Boxing Commissions. The regulations require all professional and amateur mixed martial artists be licensed, provide an annual physical, take a pre-fight physical, including a negative HIV exam. Insurance is required for all fighters.
Read the official press release here. Sirb looks at May for the first MMA in PA event.
February 22, 2009
Asylum Fight League presented Battle at Fort Dix last night on the Fort Dix Military Base in New Jersey, featuring at least three Pennsylvania fighters. Leaving up to the Judges, Donald Koch (137) of Ephrata Martial Arts in Ephrata fell to Jose Villanueva (137.5) of Tiger Schulmann MMA by Unanimous Decision after three rounds and Erik Purcell (206) of Tenth Round Boxing Club in Feasterville defeated Jason Moore (208) of Vicious MMA in Williamsport by Unanimous Decision after three rounds to earn the AFL Heavyweight Championship.
February 21, 2009
UFC® 95: Sanchez vs Stevenson featured two Pennsylvania natives on an exciting, power-packed card shown on SpikeTV tonight from London, England.
Hailing from Waynesburg, Josh Koscheck returned to the Octagon® for the 14th time in four years to face Paulo Thiago in his UFC® debut. The Edinboro University wrestler kept the fight on the feet showcasing his developing stand-up skills. According to sherdog.com: In the welterweight opener, Paulo Thiago stunned Octagon® veteran Josh Koscheck with punches for a TKO at 3:29 of the first round. The bout was Thiago’s first in the UFC. A 28-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, he looked shaky on his feet but made up for it. Koscheck clocked him with an overhand right early and stalked him around the cage. When Koscheck stepped in with a jab midway through the period, though, Thiago countered with a right uppercut and a left hook. Koscheck dropped, and referee Marc Goddard stopped the fight.
Hailing from Williamstown, Mike Ciesnolevicz made his UFC® debut facing heavyweight Neil Grove. The Lock Haven University wrestler showed his superior ground game enroute to an early first round submission victory. According to sherdog.com: In a heavyweight duel between two UFC® newcomers, International Fight League veteran Mike Ciesnolevicz made a memorable first impression, as he submitted the 6-foot-6, 263-pound Neil Grove with a first-round heel hook. The 29-year-old Ciesnolevicz (17-3, 1 NC), the latest Miletich Fighting Systems student to reach the UFC®, shot for an early takedown, and while his efforts were initially turned away, he managed to get the much bigger man on the ground. Once there, he had Grove’s number. After Grove (7-2) took top position, Ciesnolevicz went to work on his legs and coaxed the tapout from the Ultimate Challenge UK heavyweight champion 1:03 into round one. He has rattled off four consecutive victories.
Pennsylvania went 1-2 last night when Ring of Combat kicked off their 2009 season with ROC XXIII at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Matt Makowski (175.5) of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia defeated Sergio Vinagre (173.5) of BJJ Shore Academy in New Jersey, by Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27) in their three-round welterweight fight, while Jeff Pender (155) of Pender MMA in Central PA fell to Roger Mamedov (154) of Ricardo Almeida in New Jersey, at 0:55 of round one via TKO referee stoppage due to unanswered punches in their lightweight fight and Aaron Meisner (184) of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia fell to Constantinos Philippou (185.5) of Team Serra Longo in New York, at 2:27 of round one via tapout due to rear naked choke in their middleweight fight.
February 20, 2009
Williamstown-native Mike Ciesnolevicz makes his UFC® debut Saturday at UFC® 95: Sanchez vs Stevenson in London, where he is scheduled to face Neil Grove in a preliminary heavyweight fight. The Lock Haven University wrestler stepped up on short notice and is stepping up a weight division to face the local known as Goliath.
According to Tim Leidecker with sherdog.com: in another fight that had to be thrown together in a hurry, Grove -- a former Cage Rage heavyweight champion -- will take on Ciesnolevicz, the one-time International Fight League mainstay. Grove (7-1) was prepared to lock horns with Team Punishment heavyweight Justin McCully before the stocky Californian had to cancel his participation due to a cut suffered in training. In his stead, Ciesnolevicz moves up from light heavyweight.
With Tim Sylvia no longer terrorizing opponents inside the Octagon, Grove challenges heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar as the largest fighter in the UFC. At 6-foot-6, the 38-year-old karateka has to cut weight to stay inside the 265-pound weight limit the promotion uses for heavyweights. Grove’s strength resides in his huge reach, a stiff jab, great power and decent takedown defense.
Ciesnolevicz (16-3, 1 NC) is the latest Pat Miletich protégé to reach the UFC. The 29-year-old 205-pounder carries a three-fight winning streak into his debut and, like Grove, comes from a karate background; he has also trained in judo and wrestling. His most notable wins have come against “The Ultimate Fighter” alumnus Alex Schoenauer, a man he defeated twice by split decision.
Prediction: This fight could go either way. Grove could stuff Ciesnolevicz’s takedown attempts en route to a second-round technical knockout, or, if it hits the ground, the Miletich Fighting Systems product could snatch the victory with his patented guillotine choke. Under normal circumstances, the physically stronger and better prepared Grove should get the win.
With all that said, 'Cies' is a consummate athlete, and with over six years of MMA training and 20 professional fights, if I know him, and I do, he is confident and ready. And why shouldn't he be? Training with one of the world's most respected fight teams the past four years with training partners like Brad Imes, Ben Rothwell and former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia, there is nothing Grove can bring to the fight that he has not already encountered training with these 300 pounders.
February 18, 2009
Casey Adams (1-1-0) of Grindhouse MMA in Feasterville and Sam Oropeza (1-0-0) of Fight Factory in Philadelphia will face each other on Saturday, March 7, in New Breed Fighters at the Resorts Casino Superstar Theatre in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
February 17, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a striking seminar with Sifu Ralph Mitchell at their Milford academy on Saturday, March 7, startung at 12:00 PM. The seminar will cover striking techniques from Muay Thai, Savate and Jeet Kune Do (Progressive Fighting Systems). Mitchell is a former World Rank Full Contact Fighter and Champion. He is the founder of UDS, Unversal Defense Systems and the head striking coach for 'Team Insight' out of Brooklyn. Team Insight has gained recent notoriety due to its member Phillipe Nover appearing on the Spikes's Ultimate Fighter show. In addition to Phillipe Sifu has trained Por fighters Nardu Debrah (Bodog and ROC Champion) and John Beneduce (ROC). Cost for the seminar will be only $30. Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com for more information.
February 15, 2009
Ring of Combat will kick off their 2009 season with ROC XXIII this Friday, February 20, at the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Jeff Pender of Pender MMA in Central PA will face Roger Mamedov of Ricardo Almeida in New Jersey, in a lightweight fight, Matt Makowski of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia will face Sergio Vinagre of BJJ Shore Academy in New Jersey, in a welterweight fight and Aaron Meisner of Daddis Fight Club in Philadelphia will face Constantinos Philippou of Team Serra Longo in New York, in a middleweight fight.
February 13, 2009
As MMA in the Mid-Atlantic region grows more fighters from outside New Jersey are stepping up in competition such as “Binky” Jones from EliteXC, Mike Easton headlining UWC, and perhaps more surprisingly Paul Bradley who fought last weekend in WCA. “More surprisingly” because in that show former Ring of Combat middleweight champion Bradley defeated SportFight welterweight champion Nathan Coy of Team Quest in his first fight at 170. Bradley had opportunities before that haven’t worked out such as a stint on TUF season 7 and an EliteXC contract but that was before he joined LionHeart, a fast-growing gym giving Fight Factory competition for best gym in Pennsylvania. Now he talks about the Coy fight and LionHeart here. A photo gallery from this fight is posted here.
February 11, 2009
Bloomsburg Mixed Martial Arts will host a seminar with 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu founder Eddie 'The Twister' Bravo on Saturday, March 21, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at their Bloomsburg academy. His style focuses on constant pressure from unorthodox positions. The Jean-Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt will teach his Twister Control and Rubber Guard. Pre-registration until March 7 is only $125 and after March 7 is just $150. For more information or to secure your spot, contact darkside570@hotmail.com or 570.204.9991. Bloomsburg Mixed Martial Arts is located at 136 East 6th Street in Bloomsburg.
February 9, 2009
Combat in the Cage presents East Coast Combat Challenge 5 on Saturday, February 21, at the Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club in Newark, Delaware, featuring Doug Haley of Rocco MMA in Philadelphia fighting Muay Thai.
February 8, 2009
Lion-Do Fight Club middleweight Eli Garshnick (4-1) returned to the cage for the first time since November as he ventured to Winchester, Virginia, and the Valley Fight League. Garshnick was the main event at MMA in the Valley 15 where he took on previously unbeaten Joe Harrison (3-1) from Coalition Fight Team in West Virginia, for the vacant middleweight title. Garshnick, a former two-time NCAA All-American at UPJ used his text book wrestling to secure a single leg takedown. Garshnick followed that up with some ground and pound, before Harrison gave up his back. Garshnick took advantage of the opening securing a rear naked choke and the first round victory by submission. Garshnick and his brother Jesse Garshnick (3-1) both hold titles for the Virginia federation. Jesse is the reigning welterweight champion. George Hyek (2-2) who normally fights at 155-pounds, fought his first fight for Lion-Do and he came away victorious over Clinton Brown (1-1) from The Academy in Fort Bragg, NC. Hyek, normally a ground fighter showed that he has picked up his stand-up as he used an impressive combination of kicks and straight punches to get Brown to the ground. After a quick flurry of punches on the ground, Hyek secured the win via TKO in his Lion-Do debut. Lion-Do Fight Club is located in Blairsville.
February 7, 2009
Lamont Lister (185) of Philadelphia defeated Valter Roberto De Menezes (183.2) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) tonight at KAPMMA in Newark, New Jersey.
The Ultimate Fighter season 6 winner Mac Danzig (19-6-1), formerly of Pittsburgh, fell to Josh Neer (26-7-1) of Iowa, in a lightweight fight tonight at UFC®: Fight Night 17 live on SpikeTV from the Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida, by submission triangle choke at 3:36 of round two. According to sherdog.com: Round 1 -- Neer is all over Danzig early with punches as Danzig slipped during a head kick attempt. To the body and head goes Neer with hard punches. Danzig lands a counter left with his back to the cage. The fighters trade knees to the body from the clinch. Neer eats another hard punch and blood begins to trickle from just above the left eye. Neer steps forward and is knocked down by a right hand. He stands after a triangle choke and omaplata attempt and gets the better of a punching exchange. Neer taunts Danzig with his arms extended before the round closes. Round 2 -- Neer gets a takedown and absolutely tees off with elbows to the head from guard and half guard. Neer stands and punches downward, landing clean. Danzig gets Neer into his guard and performs a clean sweep while avoiding an armbar in the process. From the top position, Danzig struggles to mount any offense from Neer’s closed guard. Neer slaps on a triangle choke, pulls the head downward and forces Danzig to submit at 3:36 of the second.
Lehighton-native Matt Riddle defeated Steve Bruno of American Top Team in Florida by Unanimous Decision (29-28) in a non-televised fight tonight at UFC®: Fight Night 17.
Paul Bradley (10-0) of LionHeart MMA in State College continued his undefeated streak last night at World Cagefighting Alliance: “Pure Combat” at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Ultimate Fighter veteran earned the win by Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) over Nathan Coy (5-2) of Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon, in the co-main event of the promotions inaugural event. According to sherdog.com, 'virtually the entire match was spent on the feet with both men trading strikes' something we have seen of late with accomplished collegiate wrestlers. 'Bradley had the quicker and more powerful hands, but Coy’s rangy southpaw punches and leg kicks kept him from cutting loose' in the welterweight fight. The 25-year-old stopped Dante Rivera at just 0:34 of the first round at ROC 22 in November 2008 to earn the promotions middleweight championship.
February 6, 2009
Vicious MMA will host two No-Gi seminars with Royce Gracie brown belt Jeff Reese this Sunday, February 8, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at their Williamsport academy. Call 570.916.6812 for more information.
February 5, 2009
Paul Bradley (170.8) of LionHeart MMA in State College will face Nathan Coy (170.8) of Team Quest in Gresham, Oregon, tomorrow night in the co-main event of the inaugural World Cagefighting Alliance: “Pure Combat” at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The undefeated Bradley (9-0) stopped Dante Rivera at just 0:34 of the first round at ROC 22 in November 2008. Coy (5-1) is coming off his only professional loss at Pro Battle MMA in October when he was submitted by Brian Foster.
February 4, 2009
Tristate MMA-BJJ will host a seminar with 6X World Jiu-Jitsu champion Saulo Ribeiro at their Milford academy in April. Privates will be available.Contact tristatebjj@gmail.com for more information.
February 3, 2009
Team Quiet Storm in Reading went 3-2 Saturday night at the Hamburg Fieldhouse when Althouse Karate and Kickboxing Academy presented United States Kickboxing Alliance (USKA) Full Contact Kickboxing. Jimmy Fiorivanti, Matt McCaw and Matt Nieves defeated their respective opponents -- Fiorivanti by first round KO, and McCaw and Nieves by Decision. Steve Dobiseski and Anthony Williams lost their respective title fights -- Dobiseski at 190 pounds while Williams was defending his USKA Super Middleweight Muay Thai championship for the first time since earning it on July 26, 2008.
February 2, 2009
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission voted unanimously to explore regulations on professional and amateur MMA in PA on February 26, 2007. It was a very positive meeting attended by many that would be impacted by the decision, including Steve Blackman of Blackman MMA in Harrisburg, Paul Rosner, President, USKBA, myself, Joseph Cunliffe, and others. In July 2007, the Commission voted to approve draft regulations that would allow MMA events to occur in Pennsylvania. These regulations would undergo a review process by various House and Senate Committees, the Independent Regulatory Review Commission and the Office of Attorney General. This process was expected to take up to 18 months. On December 18, 2008, Greg Sirb, Commission Executive Director, announced the rules and regulations are in the final stages of the process -- the Office of the Attorney General. With the numbers of academy owners and fighters in Pennsylvania being approached nearly daily by perspective promotions to participate on their perspective March cards, it was necessary to ask Sirb, 'what's the latest on MMA in PA?' In an email received yesterday, Sirb stated 'I expect to see the first MMA show in late March/early April.' Promoter license applications will be sent to all those interested after the next SAC meeting on February 23. For information directly from the source, check out The Pennsylvania Bulletin on MMA in PA, or contact Sirb at gsirb@state.pa.us.
February 1, 2009
THE GOOD FIGHT: Tournament of Brotherly Love is scheduled for Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 at Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne. The 2-Day tournament will feature both Gi and No-Gi divisions and will follow a single elimination format with a consolation round to ensure every competitor will grapple at least two matches per division they sign up for. Divisions include Kids, Teens, Men’s Adult, Masters and Women’s Adult. The PRO-JITSU Gi Championships will take place Friday, while all Gi and No-Gi divisions will be on Saturday. For more information, including early bird registration, go to www.ProJitsu.tv or call 856.343.4722. Philadelphia Biblical University is located at 200 Manor Avenue.