Better late than never: ALar takes a look at UFC 157

Posted on February 23, 2013 by ALar

UFC 157: Making History

Words by ALar

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If you have any sort of connection to the sports world, I assume you already know that two women are going to fight for the first time in the Octagon this weekend. Women’s Champ Ronda Rousey will be taking on challenger Liz Carmouche in the Main Event of  tonight’s Pay-Per-View.  This is a landmark occasion for the sport, but this first women’s bout doesn’t guarantee a bright future for the gender in the UFC. With the UFC openly proclaiming that they are in the ‘Ronda Rousey’ business and not the women’s MMA business, Saturday will be Ronda’s first test to see if she can support a whole gender on her shoulders.

In the Co-main event of the night, Dan Henderson will be taking on Lyoto Machida for a shot at the Light Heavyweight strap. This bout takes on a special meaning here at MoaiMartialArts, as the boss man is a big time Lyoto Machida fan, while I consider myself to be a Hendo fan boy. Sadly, we will not be able to watch the fights together on Saturday, but I can describe to you the scenes from each of our humble abodes as Hendo and the Dragon tangle on Saturday night. The Boss will likely be dressed in his freshest gi, surrounded by jars of his own urine, and performing katas until the bell rings. I on the other hand, will be donning a Clinch Gear ‘Team Hendo’ T-Shirt and slugging Budweisers like a young Hendo at a TGI Fridays Happy Hour.  Instead of previewing the fights in depth (I’ll still throw my picks your way!), I figured I would dive in to some of the bigger issues surrounding these scraps. Let’s get to it!

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Posted in MMA, Opinion | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Getting Stronger Without Gaining Weight

Posted on February 22, 2013 by moaimartialarts

I’ll start with a reblog from our new site JackedDad.com. It’s about weight training and goal setting, and I think you’ll like it.

You could also consider “Getting Stronger” the first part of this post entitled “Getting Stronger Without Gaining Weight”. Competitive martial artists have to worry about weight classes, and they’re always trying to maximize strength without sacrificing endurance, flexibility, and explosiveness.

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Posted in Affiliates, Fitness, Karate, MMA, Workouts | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Site Launch: Jacked Dad!

Posted on February 17, 2013 by moaimartialarts

People are usually surprised when a father is involved in his child’s life. They’re shocked if he is fit, vibrant, and up for anything. Be it challenging yourself in the weightroom or the boardroom, being the best you can be is essential to your child’s well being. Who else will inspire them to chase their dreams?

That’s why I’ve started Jacked Dad. If you like all the fitness and nutrition tips on this site, but you’d like to learn more about how to fit them into the wonderful craziness that is fatherhood, then check out Jacked Dad!

Sorry I’ve kept mum about this for awhile. There was a lot of heartfelt writing that went into even the first few posts. That, and the actually parenting thing takes up a bit of time! Anyway, check out my new site. There’s lots of great stuff to come!

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It’s your duty as an American to check out the Jacked Dad Blog!

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UFC on Fuel: Barao v. McDonald Preview

Posted on February 14, 2013 by ALar

Stop the presses… ALar finally has FuelTV!

Finally!

Finally!

Since up and moving to the great state of New Jersey, I have just discovered that my new cable package includes FUEL TV. Back in the confines of Connecticut, there was little hope that FUEL would be offered in my area, but score one for Jersey! Now to go along with ‘Best of Pride’ running around the clock, there is a a criminally underrated card going down from London, England *AT 3 PM EASTERN* on Saturday.

The card is loaded with up and comers across the board and it looks like Joe Silva really took his time putting this one together, every match up looks like one of those so-called ‘fun fights’ we love so to talk about. Continuing with recent practices, the UFC will be putting one of their lighter weight’s belts on the line on ‘free’ TV.  (Albeit it is for the “interim” Bantamweight title because of Dominick Cruz’s lack of an intact ACL…)  Interim Champ Renan Barao will be defending his strap against young gun Michael ‘Mayday’ McDonald. Even though I come from the school of thought were Interim belts mean jack squat, this fight should feature some serious fireworks for the fans at Wembley Arena. On to the preview!

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Posted in Commentary, MMA, Opinion | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Ultimate Anti-Inflammatory Recovery Cocktail

Posted on February 7, 2013 by moaimartialarts

I think I post some version of recovery drink at least once a year. Here’s my newest combination of goodies meant to make training harder and more frequently a lot easier on your body!

I’ll start by making a heretical statement. You don’t need protein after a workout. Conventional wisdom states that since you’re breaking down muscle through intense exercise, a catabolic process, you need to replenish protein stores to avoid muscle loss and soreness. That may be true if you’re into bodybuilding or if you’re trying to bulk up, but most of us don’t need the extra protein. If you already consume enough protein, then that post-workout shake might be doing more harm than good.

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Posted in Fitness, Nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

UFC 156 Preview: SuperBrawl!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by ALar

Words by ALar

Let's get ready to rumble!!

Let’s get ready to rumble!!

No, no, no unfortunately the left-coast MMA series from the late nineties isn’t coming back…

As long as you haven’t been under a rock for the last two weeks (or may not be from the good ol’ US of A) you are well aware that Super Bowl weekend is upon us. To occompany all of the grandeur that goes along with America’s biggest sporting event, we get one heck of a UFC card the night before the Ravens hand a butt whupping to the Niners (Yea, I said it!). From top to bottom this is the best Pay Per View card we have seen in quite some time. Every fight on the main card features a former champ or former number one contender. With that, every fight also has serious divisional implication. Following along with the ‘Super’ theme, Dana White has taken to calling the night’s Main Event a mythical ‘SuperFight’. Featherweight Champ Jose Aldo will be returning from a long injury lay off to take on divisional newcomer and former 155 lb. champ Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar. Many have been calling (including me) for Frankie to drop down to 145 lbs, and Saturday he will finally show us what he is made of at his ‘natural’ weight class. Personally, I am most looking forward to the return of the one and only ‘Reem. It has been over a year since we have seen the Demolition Man in the cage, and regardless of PED accusations, the guy is a spectacle to watch when the cage door closes. On to the preview!

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Posted in Commentary, MMA | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Great MMA Store Deal!

Posted on January 25, 2013 by moaimartialarts

Looking to stock up on great Moai Martial Arts apparel? Our partner, Spread Shirt, is offering free shipping this weekend. There is no minimum order! What better way to pick up that sweet hoodie for yourself or cute onsie for your little one? Just click this image and use the discount code for big savings!

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Posted in MMA, Shopping, Special Offers | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Taking a look at UFC on FOX 6: Johnson v. Dodson

Posted on January 24, 2013 by ALar

“Flyweights??? What the heck are Flyweights???”

Taking a look at UFC on FOX 6

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If you haven’t caught glimpse of the ads promoting a “UFC World Championship” match during January’s NFL playoffs, then let me alert you to the fact that there is a heck of a card going down this weekend on FOX.  With massive stories going on in the sports world as of late involving fake girlfriends and cheating bicyclists, Saturday’s FOX card seems to be flying under the radar.

The nationally broadcast Main Card starts of a serious run of legitimately stacked UFC events in the next few months.  We kick of things with the former top contender at 145 lbs. Erik Koch returning from injury to take on surging Ricardo Lamas. The second course will be an all out scrap between Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis and Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.  The two have been verbally fueding for months and this fight seems tailor made for a national audience. Sadly, Rampage Jacksonw will be making his last (alleged) appearance in the UFC Octagon against up and comer Glover Teixeria in the Co-Main Event of the night.  Hopefully, my guy Rampage can leave the company on a good note. Finally, we get that much talked about “World Championship” match. The UFC and FOX were suspiciously coy about mentioning the weight at which this World Championship fight would occur during the ads that ran during the NFL playoffs. When some ‘casual’ fans tune in and realize that John Dodson and Champ Demetrious Johnson are smaller than the kickers on their favorite pigskin playing squads, there could be some Natty Lights slung at double wide walls and 7/11 brand cheese dip kicked over aging shag carpets. On to the preview!

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Posted in Commentary, MMA, Opinion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Karate Chopped: Five MMA Fighters Who Have Conquered Addiction

Posted on January 16, 2013 by moaimartialarts

It’s been a while since we’ve shared a guest post with you.  Here’s an interesting and inspirational look at fighters who’ve overcome addiction from author and MMA fan Jennie Reedy.  Enjoy, and let us know what you think!

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Karate Chopped Five MMA Fighters Who Have Conquered Addiction

Irvin lost more than just a fight against Anderson . . .

The high-adrenaline sport of mixed martial arts attracts more than its share of addicts. There have been many fighters who have ruined their careers because of substance abuse. There have also been many who have overcome addiction to have great careers. Here are the uplifting tales of five MMA fighters who overcame their addictions.

James Irvin
After getting destroyed by Anderson Silva in 2008, Irvin tested positive in the post-fight urinalysis for oxymorphone and methadone. He was suspended for 9 months by the UFC. He has managed to maintain his sobriety ever since, which is impressive considering he has struggled with losses inside the cage.

Matt Brown
This talented fighter hit rock bottom when he was legally dead after an overdose of heroin. After that nearly fatal incident, Brown sobered up permanently. He became an MMA fighter after he found sobriety. He was inspired to train for an MMA career after watching a Wanderlei Silva fight, and he worked part-time while training for his dream. His hard work was rewarded when he was selected for the 7th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Ricco Rodriguez
Rodriguez was a coke addict who hit rock bottom while driving as high as a kite. He smashed the car into a semi-truck and then into a wall. He was driving with a suspended license, so he moved his girlfriend from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat because he thought she had died in the crash. Rodriguez sobered up, starting with an appearance on the show, “Celebrity Rehab.” His comeback has been a success. He has maintained his sobriety and been undefeated in his last 10 fights.

Court McGee
McGee is one of the most hard-core addicts ever. He started abusing drugs of all kinds in high school. He first sobered up in 2006 for six months. He decided to test his sobriety by going to Las Vegas for just a single drink. He woke up in Iowa four days later without any pants. He realized then that he could never use any substances again for the rest of his life. He started training in MMA shortly thereafter, and he shocked the MMA community when he won the 11th season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

Lyle Beerbohm
This man destroyed every relationship in his life during his six years of methamphetamine abuse. He went to prison for 18 months for meth crimes, but he had so totally ruined his relationships that not one person came to visit him. Beerbohm started watching “The Ultimate Fighter” in prison and was inspired to become an MMA fighter. He joined an MMA gym the day he was released from prison and has gone on to have an impressive career.

Author Bio
Jennie Reedy is a substance abuse counselor, blogger, MMA fan, and author. Jennie recommends visiting www.gulfcoastdrugrehab.com, if you or someone you know is battling drug addiction. For more information on the harmful effects of drugs, visit drugscope.org.uk

Posted in Inspirational, MMA | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Weekend Fight Watch: January 19th

Posted on January 16, 2013 by ALar

Weekend Fight Watch: January 19th

Words by ALar

As Strikeforce sputtered to its unfortunate end last weekend, another promotion is beginning its own step towards the limelight.  Tonight, Bellator is premiering on its new broadcast partner Spike TV, once home to the almighty UFC. Spike was a cooperative partner in their time with Zuffa, and this deal with Bellator bodes well for the future of the only other MMA contender left on the block. Bellator 85 features two title bouts, as well as the first round of the Light Heavyweight tournament.

Tomorrow night, UFC on FX 7 goes down in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Michael Bisping could finally earn the title shot he has been clamoring for.  Opposing Bisping in the cage will be the old dinosaur, Vitor Belfort. Belfort was last seen nearly snapping Jon Jones’ arm off in the first round of their bout at UFC 152, before eventually succumbing to a keylock in the fourth round.

With some winter weather on the way here in the Northeast, these two cards make it an ideal weekend to grab some brews and foster your relationship with your favorite recliner!

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Posted in MMA, Opinion | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments