I know I gush a lot about Ross Enamait on this blog, but his low-tech, high-effect approach to training is what got me to change my entire outlook on fitness. Yeah, MMA training and CrossFit is in vogue, but Ross is as old school as they come. He trains world-class boxers, but he also creates killer workouts for the rest of us. And if you watch this video, you can see that he practices what he preaches!
If you’re up for some inspirational quotes and some great (and scary) workout ideas, check out this new compilation he recently put together. It’s the best fitness video I’ve seen in a long time.
Enjoy. Then get training!
PS – Look for a review on Ross’s last jumprope DVD and his new sandbag DVD coming soon!
If you haven’t visited the Moai Martial Arts Store lately, it’s a good time to check it out! We’ve added many new products, including lots of good stuff for women and children. We also have several new hoodies and even an iPhone case!
Take a look and know that you can buy with confidence: our store is hosted on Spreadshirt. They’re great to work with and stand by their no-hassle returns process.
Martial artists are often considered some of the most highly skilled and best conditioned athletes in the world. Many maintain peak fitness and regularly undergo grueling training sessions. All attempt to practice and healthy lifestyles.
If you’ve seen some of his act, then you know why I can’t post too much on this family-friendly blog. Let’s suffice to say his goal is to parody all the so-called “masters” whose authority is somewhat undermined by being overweight.
We’ve all seen the swindlers whose bravado oversteps their skill and the effectiveness of their art. But would you call guys like Chuck Liddell and Georges St-Pierre fat and incapable in a fight? Let’s take a look.
“Chunk” Liddell
–Article A–
Here’s a shot of Liddell prowling the Octagon during the Ultimate Fighter. Presumably, he is looking for cookies.
Who hid all the cookies? I bet it was Randy!
–Article B–
In this picture Liddell is being sportsmanlike, but he also looks hungry. Not in the competitive sense, mind you.
Mario: “Are you two going to fight or have a sandwich?” Bruce: “I’ll buy for the winner!”
Georges “St-Eclair”
–Article A–
Georges is looking forward to the end of his training session so he can check out the new pastry shop in town.
Which donut is best, Dunkin’ or zee Krispy Kreme? I will have to try them both!
–Article B–
Did Georges just win his fight here? Obviously ice cream is in order!
Ben and Jerry should name a flavor after me, no? How about Caramel “Rush”?
The Battle of the Bulge
Yeah, I just wrote a bunch of fat jokes about two of the most successful fighters in UFC history. Hopefully they won’t track me down and beat me up. But they’d have to catch me first, and clearly that would be difficult since they’re carrying so much extra weight.
All kidding aside, there must be a reason why their bellies are bulging. Both Liddell and GSP are actually really lean, so why do they look so fat in these pictures?
I think there are two good reasons:
1.) They both come from karate backgrounds.
2.) They both hit really, really hard.
These two facts are interrelated. First off, as many a karate teacher will point out, you need to push the air down in your stomach when performing katas and kumites. This helps protect your internal organs in case you get slammed with a body blow or plowed into by a side kick. Ever get hit in the stomach when you’re not ready for it? Not fun.
So after years of karate training–of pushing the stomach down and out to absorb attacks–both fighters have big bellies.
Secondly, as any powerlifter will tell you, you need to push your belly out to generate power. Check out these pros. They vary in body composition, but they’re all shaped like barrels!
I bet the one in the diaper can squat more than you!
So, whether you’re lifting weights, running sprints, or working the heavy bag, you need power–and lots of it. Training in karate, especially with it’s traditional “one strike, one kill” philosophy helps you to develop powerful punches and kicks. You need a strong core and, consequently, a big belly to maximize your power output.
Let’s take a look at Liddell and GSP in action.
This pic shows Chuck just about ready to polish off Tito. See how his right hand is ready to club him? See how his belly is pushing out? It’s tense and ready to provide the torque he needs to through that famous overhand right.
After I knock you out, Dad’s taking me to Friendly’s!
It would be an understatement to say Georges St-Pierre well known for his kicks . . .
What? Zee concession stand is out of hot dogs? Let me kick zee pad! [Yeah, you’d hate to hear my GSP impression.]
It would be an understatement to say Georges St-Pierre well known for his kicks. How does he kick so hard? You guessed it. He uses his belly!
Just Desserts
How many times will we feature this image on this blog?
In the interest of full disclosure, I was inspired to write this article because I might have put on a little sympathy weight during my wife’s pregnancy. (It’s not from all those burgers at summer cookouts, it’s from doing all that karate!) I haven’t exactly reached Roy Nelson proportions–maybe just a little more like Fedor. But neither of those guys have gone down from a body blow, and they could both punch a whole through a brick wall, so I guess I’m doing okay!
Do you need a big belly to be good at martial arts? Maybe not, but it helps! Just remember to:
1.) Push air down into your stomach when anticipating an attack.
2.) Tense your stomach when striking to increase explosive power and torque.
I’ll leave you with these tips to consider. If you have a few to share, please do. If you need me, I’ll be watching wistfully by the window for the last passing ice cream trucks of summer.
One fan’s opinion on the catastrophe that was UFC 151
By ALar
I have started and scrapped at least six different posts about the debacle that was UFC 151. I am finding it very difficult to coherently put together my thoughts on the issue. Most of the articles I attempted to write turned into vitriolic diatribes against Jon Jones and his “selfish” ways, or Greg Jackson and how his psuedo-philosophical approach to MMA was the downfall of mankind… I know my loyal readers here at Moai Martial Arts have been clamoring for my educated opinion, not my rants and raves against two guys that I didn’t really care for before the 151 mess. As I waded through hate filled paragraphs, I stumbled upon a theme. I believe we are witnessing a massive shift in the world of MMA. We are officially in an age where champions are Mixed Martial Arts ‘Athletes’, and not Mixed Martial Arts ‘Fighters’. The ramifications of this new age may have outraged the Zuffa brass this week, but strangely enough, it is also what they have been trying to achieve since taking over the company over a decade ago.
As a sport gets bigger, there is inevitably more money to be made in it. As soccer’s popularity grew in America, we saw better athlete’s throwing on cleats and hitting the pitch. Since Zuffa took the reins, the UFC has become a giant in the sports world. They are setting new records by the day and lining their pockets with crisps $20’s by night. With this boom, we are seeing athletes that could have likely chosen other paths or sports be funneled towards a career MMA.
Silva v. Hunt 2003 happened on 2 DAYS NOTICE!!!!
Enter Jon Jones. His freakishly athletic family tree assures us that he could have likely been successful in any sporting endeavor he chose. His performance in the cage further asserts that MMA was the right choice for the kid. But Jones is not a born and bread fighter like Chuck, Randy, and Wanderlei were. He is an ‘athlete’ first, and a ‘fighter’ second. His thoughts are more about self-preservation and financial success, rather than pure aggression and entertainment like the gladiators of years past. He likely doesn’t enjoy getting hit in the face or inflicting damage on others like the PRIDE boys did. He is just really, really, ridiculously good at doing so and can feed his family by dismantling guys in the cage. Whether they like it or not, Zuffa may have helped foster this change in mindset themselves, remember the old UFC PPV intro with the cheaply costumed gladiator and triumphant music? They canned that a few months ago in favor of a flashy, slick new intro highlighting the history of the sport and stars that helped make the organization into the behemoth it is today.
How did that work out for ya, Jonny?
Jones sees MMA as a means to a good life for his family (his decisions outside of the cage may be detrimental to that though…). As much as this mindset upsets fans, it is sadly what we are destined for in the future. Athletes will purely be getting into the cage as a way to make money, just like 99% of the professional athletes out there. The UFC is a nationally broadcast product now, and genetic lottery winners will be lining up outside their nearest MMA gym attempting to get their piece of the MMA cash cow pie. The days of guys getting in the ring or cage just to fight, just to express their deepest desires as men are gone. The thrill of the crowd screaming in utter frenzy no longer fuels our champions to fight, the Ca-Ching! of the cash register does. The days of the warrior are painfully gone. The adaptation to the era of the MMA ‘athlete’ may be tough for some of us die-hards; those of us that pray to Wanderlei, and toast to Big Nog and Fedor. We may have a hard time accepting the new MMA landscape, but we must. We love this sport. We will still experience great moments, (Shogun/Hendo was one for the AGES!), but their will be more politicking and selfishness surrounding it all. Just make sure you keep your collection of PRIDE DVD’s easily accessible for whenever you need a reminder of the good ol’ days…
Unlike all those other grammar guides, this one is meant to be quick, practical, and, most importantly, fun. Sure, other writing teachers are more knowledgeable and better credentialed, but remember I used the K.I.S.S. method all the way through. So learning with me will be EASY!
Chock full of nearly 40 pages of goodness, you can cram all you ever wanted to know about writing well into your brain for a measly $4.99!
Still unsure? Wouldn’t you like to impress your friends with the comma usage in your text messages? What about showing up your boss by using semicolons? And don’t you want to be a good role model for your children by choosing active over passive voice? C’mon, what are you waiting for?
If you’re still not convinced, keep in mind that there’s absolutely no risk. I offer you this spectacular book with a lifetime guarantee. Download the book, try it out and experience the prestige associated with properly punctuated writing. Yes, people will be impressed with your master of colons and parallel structure. If either you or–gasp!–this book fail to impress your inferiors then you will receive a full, 100% refund.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what one writer, ALar from Moai Martial Arts is saying.
Just read your grammar guide. It rocks! I love the comedy and simplicity of the whole deal. The simple/funny/easy approach really works. I might have even learned a thing or two myself, and that is the point isn’t it?
All kidding aside, I’m quite confident that you’ll love this new book. Thanks for listening, and I hope you have the time to check it out. If you have questions or comments, don’t hesitate to ask. Hit me up by e-mailing bill@proofrocks.com, calling 860-325-0839, or commenting below. I’m looking forward to writing some new stuff for you soon!
For those out of the loop, I am now officially an award-winning writer. I decided to blow right past the Pulitzers and win a much more important distinction. Last week I was given an “Honorable Mention” in the first White Elephant Essay Contest hosted by the boys of the Co-Main Event Podcast.
The podcast stars Chad Dundas and Ben Fowlkes, two of the best MMA writers in the biz. The hour-long podcast consists of the two Montana residents bantering back and forth about topics ranging from Phil Baroni’s day to day life to Frankie Edgar’s future career path. The two can go from handicapping Urijah Faber’s chances at ever getting another title shot to discussing Fowlkes penchant for sexism in a split second. The result? Pure entertainment.
Of course, when they announced they would be holding an essay contest, my creative senses began tingling. After the duo revealed the rules of the contest, I immediately began crafting my masterwork. I decided to write about an athlete that both guys seemingly detest, and coincidently that I revere. Who would that athlete be? You guessed it, I wrote an essay about Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. I wanted to celebrate the fighter that Jackson is and try to distance fans’ memories from the guy that has fallen into general disfavor of late. Here is the essay that won me an “Honorable Mention”:
“PRIDE and Prejudice: The Curious Case of Rampage Jackson
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has become the resident malcontent of the UFC’s roster. He has taken to whining about opponents and money whenever given the opportunity. This displeasure has lead Jackson to declare that his next bout will be his last with the promotion. From the ‘energy drink’ incident to molesting reporters, it would be easy to understand why Uncle Dana would be happy to let Jackson walk away. All things considered, I believe that Zuffa is greatly undervaluing Rampage as an asset. If we take away Jackson’s questionable media management, he is simply put, the greatest fighter the sport has ever seen. What?!? The guy that made an instructional video on “How to pick up a Gurl”[i] that involved chloroform and zip-ties? Yes, that guy! Jackson is a dynamic figure that is unrivaled in MMA. Sure, Anderson is more skilled in the cage and GSP may train a bit harder, but Rampage is different. He is a bona fide star outside of the ring and a stone cold killer when the cage door closes. He has put on some of the most exciting performances in the history of the sport while consistently competing against the elite. He has a flair for the dramatic that is surely one of a kind.
On the last episode of The MMA Week Hour, Jim Ross touched on the fact that MMA suffers from a lack of star power. I couldn’t agree more. With Chael’s recent Billy Graham fueled run to multiple title shots, there should be a trend of bombastic characters popping up across the landscape. Oddly enough, there isn’t… Rampage is one of the few guys left on the roster that can jump on the mic and cut a buzz worthy sound bite. There is a reason he has been featured on TUF twice as a coach when he admittedly doesn’t enjoy coaching. He is pure ENTERTAINMENT. The guy has even parlayed his wolf-howling, chain-wearing character into major Hollywood cash. He was widely panned for pulling out of his fight with Rashad Evans in 2009 to film The A-Team, but in hindsight it was actually a smart decision. The film grossed over $175 million at the worldwide box office[ii], and his performance of B.A. Baracus wasn’t all that bad. Dana White even went on the record saying that “Rampage made the right decision”[iii]. Jackson is one of the few crossover stars that MMA has to offer. Have any other active (counts out Couture and Carano…)fighters starred in major Hollywood hits? Don’t think so. Rampage is an authentic crossover icon.
Rampage’s slam knockout of Ricardo Arona in 2004 is considered to be one of the greatest finishes of all time. That KO epitomizes the mix of athleticism and power that turned me into a UG lurker and Podcast junkie. There is no question that anytime Rampage enters the ring you can expect fisticuffs and fireworks. Whether he is knocking guys out, or getting his face caved in by Wanderlei’s knees, you are simply not sitting down when Quinton fights. Even in his recent lackluster performance against Ryan Bader, Rampage still managed to get us off our butts with a vintage highlight slam. In 42 career fights, 27 ended with some sort of stoppage. Win or lose the guy puts on a freakin’ show. Lately, Rampage has been a victim of wrestlers who prefer to control him on the mat and neutralize his boxing. Jackson expressed his issues with said fighters on InsideMMA, “And now, the UFC’s just throwing me all these boring fighters, these game planners, these wrestlers. I’m the type of fighter who you should match up with people who want to fight excitingly. You know what I’m saying? Cuz I’m gonna be the type of fighter who puts butts in seats.”[iv] Jackson finally got his wish for a true slobber knocker as he is booked to “finish” his UFC career against slugger Glover Teixeira. This may be an attempt to bury the disgruntled star by the UFC, but Jackson simply doesn’t care.[v] He just wants to put on a show.
Fighting a guy like Glover is nothing new for Rampage. If you look at his career resume, Rampage can measure up to damn near anyone. Jackson absolutely ravaged through the usual PRIDE suspects. Sure, losses to studs like Shogun and Wanderlei are highlight reel fodder for the hardcores, but for every tough loss there is a masterful knockout to counter with. After a divorce from PRIDE and a pit stop at WFA, Rampage decided to take his talents to the UFC. He quickly won and defended the promotion’s Light Heavyweight title. Following a confusing Championship loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, Rampage was confronted with the opportunity to avenge his losses to his greatest foe. At UFC 92, Jackson viciously knocked out Wanderlei Silva. Jackson considers this the highlight of his career[vi]. Wandy may have been over the hill, but as the lovely Margaret Thatcher said, “You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.” Of late, Rampage has run into the same brick wall that every other 205er has crashed into, Jon Jones. Rampage was game to take a shot at Bones’ belt, but he simply couldn’t best the Champ. As you look down Quinton’s career record, you cannot think of anyone that he hasn’t fought. He has battled the who’s who of MMA for the last decade. He hasn’t ducked a soul and would willingly trade shots with anyone in the business. Why is this guy never brought up when we are talking about the top guys in the history of the sport?
Rampage doesn’t have the freakish record of an Anderson Silva or the loyal following of a Fedor; therefore he rarely gets mentioned as one of the best to ever lace up the gloves. At times, he has been an antagonist to the media, management, and his peers. At others, he has provided some of the high water marks of the sport. His highlight reel alone should be the textbook for fighters looking to better themselves at finishing fights. Don’t we revere guys that finish fights? Rampage may not be the most technical or the hardest worker, but damn, can that guy entertain the masses. Isn’t that what why we watch this sport? To be entertained by two guys locked in a cage trying to beat the living crap out of each other??? There is no one I would rather watch take on that task than Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.”
(If you want to hear Ben and Chad talk about my essay, head to the 20 minute mark here.)
It is an amazing piece of artistry, I know. I thought a mention on my favorite podcast would be reward enough, but then Ben and Chad declared that they would be sending random assortments of MMA related crap to all those that were mentioned on the show. I was elated. On Monday, I received my random assortment. I knew to expect a Josh Barnett T-shirt, but also included were a book by Matthew Polly and a program from the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP (autographed by Ben, Chad, and resident #CME theatricalist Sir Nigel Longstock). My favorite inclusion in the package though, was a touching note from Chad and Ben. Within the lovely ‘Thank You’ card was a message that only fans of the CME Podcast would take as a term of serious endearment. The guys clearly appreciated my work…
Pictures of my MMA swag assortment:
Priceless…
I could not imagine any higher praise from Chad and Ben.
I implore any MMA fan out their to download the Co-Main Event Podcast, the hour that I listen to it while on the treadmill is (sadly…) one of my favorite times of the week. It was a blast to participate in the contest and a free prize pack? I’ll take that walking away…
This is a good week for guest posts on Moai Martial Arts. Here’s a nice opinion piece courtesy of copywriter and journalist Lily McCann. If you’re looking forward to Rousey vs. Kaufmann, this should help get you even more excited for the fight! – Bill
_____ The Female of the Species
As the brilliance that was the London 2012 Olympic Games comes to an end, people the world over sit and reflect on their personal highlights and as the athletes return to their home countries they mull over their achievements and success and for the lucky ones think about where to house their medals. One of the stand out highlights has to be from the boxing ring and in particular that of the success of the female fighters who for the first time were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games despite years of controversy surrounding the issue.
Some would argue that this year the women have overshadowed the men and whilst this could be attributed to the excitement around their first appearance in boxing at the games their success and fan base cannot be disputed.
What this legacy does present to the wider fighting community is whether or not there will ever be a place for women as fighters in UFC. Previously this has been dismissed as not possible and whilst MMA does feature female fighters they have never been granted access to the UFC octagon.
Change of heart?
In the past few days however UFC president Dana White has hinted that there may be a chance in the future that will reverse this situation. Whether or not White has been influenced by the impact of the female boxing in the Olympics remains to be seen but what women will take from this is that it could happen one day.
Speaking on Strikeforce’s All Access show Dana White said of Ronda Rousey – the current female Strikeforce bantamweight champion that:
“In the next five years, if there’s a woman in the Octagon, it’s probably going to be Ronda Rousey.”
White is careful not to reveal any immediate timescales as to when such a suggestion will be discussed formally and no doubt he will have to gain buy in from other parties and ensure safety criteria can be met however he has given female fighters hope and for now that is something.
Female fighter
That said 25-year-old Rousey is showing no outward signs of needing the approval of UFC to be successful. She achieved her champion status after participating in only five professional fights. Since then she has not looked back and her life has been transformed for the better.
Of her triumphs she says:
“I’m adjusting to everything being awesome all the time. I’m used to having eviction and food and dog food problems and cockroach problems and the gas is leaking problems……..I feel like I don’t belong in my new lifestyle.”
California born Rousey faces her first true test this weekend when she is defending her title against Canada’s Sarah Kaufman on Saturday. Despite being the favourite Rousey cannot afford to take anything for granted as Kaufman is a former title holder and has more experience of MMA. Fortunately Rousey is respectful of Kaufman’s track record saying “I watch her fights religiously, I see a very strong, tough seasoned veteran of the sport that deserves respect.”
Special treatment
Despite the obvious physical differences between men and women, at the heart of every fighter is a desire to win and this does not alter with gender. The same grit and determination was seen by female boxers at the Olympics and it is also shown in MMA. For Rousey personally, an Olympic bronze medallist in judo herself from 2008, it is about channelling issues from her childhood and using these to give her inner and physical strength for her fights.
Practically speaking if White was ever to give the green light to women in UFC it would obviously attract the same amount of controversy and speculation as female boxing to the Olympics. It would also need to be proved that it would be safe for the fighter and yet not take anything away from the excitement and intensity of the sport. To do this properly will be a long process of approval from fighting experts, as well as being signed off medically speaking, particularly in terms of what can be prescribed by a doctor to help fighters prepare for the levels of training and commitment required for UFC. After all, drugs and supplements have cause enough trouble for male fighters in recent years.
However, regardless of the issues it is likely that the women will put themselves under the greatest pressure. With the bar set so high at the Olympics they wouldn’t want any special measures to be put in place that could suggest that they were in UFC for any reason other than on merit.
I’ve written about this topic a few times myself, and I can personally vouch for the benefits of studying martial arts as a child. As I’m not a dad (yet), here are five very good reasons to enroll your child in a martial arts program as presented from the parents’ perspective. Enjoy this article by Paul and Julie Taylor of Babysitting Jobs–obviously a great website for parents!
_____ The Benefits of Enrolling Your Children in Martial Arts
Over the years martial arts has become an increasingly popular activity to enroll children in, and if you’ve ever been involved with any type of martial arts it’s easy to see why. The benefits that children – and adults! – receive from being involved in this type of training extend far past the time spent practicing and spill over into many other aspects of their lives. Some of the benefits that children gain from practicing martial arts are:
1. Higher levels of confidence. As children improve throughout their practice of martial arts they gain a new respect for their body and their mind, and the limits that they are able to push each to. While they may initially say, “I will never be able to do that”, regular practice will show them that they are capable of achieving new feats, both physically and mentally, that they once deemed impossible. As they improve physically they also will begin to mentally come out of their shell, becoming more confident and proactive in many aspects of their lives.
2. Being secure in their ability to defend themselves. No matter how much we may not want to admit how dangerous the world can be, there is always the potential to be put in a situation where defending yourself is necessary. Regular practice of martial arts will leave children assured in their own abilities to defend themselves should a situation arise where self-defense is essential.
3. Having high levels of respect for others. One of the focal points of martial arts is the necessity of showing respect to both your peers and your elders. Respect for others is a lesson that is often pushed aside these days, and martial arts helps to show kids that having respect is necessary in all aspects of life, not just on the mat at practice.
4. Keeping your children physically fit. As obesity and a lack of physical fitness continue to be a problem for children around the world, martial arts is an excellent way to encourage maintaining physical fitness. Teaching children the importance of staying in shape early on will encourage them to continue these habits throughout their life, and martial arts touches on all of the different aspects in staying physically fit, including, but not limited to: strength, cardio, speed, agility, flexibility, and endurance.
5. Constantly giving your children new goals to work towards. When children begin to practice martial arts they start as a white belt, showing that they are in the very earliest stages of learning the techniques and drills. They then have several different belts that they work towards obtaining, each representing successfully completing a higher level of martial arts, with the black belt being the ultimate goal. Being exposed to the idea of goal-setting in martial arts can help children also learn the benefits of setting goals in other aspects of their lives.
Martial arts is more than just a combat system, it is a practice that teaches children lessons they are able to carry with them in every sector of their lives. They will benefit from having higher confidence and self-image, being able to adequately defend themselves, having respect and courtesy for others, staying in good physical fitness, and constantly setting new goals.
Author Bio:
Paul and his wife Julie both spend quite a bit of time coming up with ideas, blogging, and researching all things related to childcare. They take care of all the necessary information related to “babysitters”. He personally think his blog will help finding information on all things related to a babysitter.
Here’s an inspiration guest post from Seth Carrino, owner of Valiant Mixed Martial Arts & Fitness. In this article he discusses how to set goals and how to fight until you reach them Very empowering stuff. Enjoy! – Bill
_____ Fighting the Good Fight
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith
What do you fight for? Who do you fight for? Why do you fight?
Answering these questions may prove to be difficult for some but for those who have their priorities straight and know exactly what they want to fight for; these questions are second nature.
What do I mean by fighting?
I don’t mean literally fighting but I mean to fight for what you want. Fight to become a better person. Fight for a better job. Fight to reach your goals in life. Etc…
In order to reach your goals you must be willing to drop all selfish beliefs. This first starts with losing your own ego. This is very hard for many. They want to do all these things in life but for all the wrong reasons.
For Example:
You are applying for a job you have been waiting to get for years. Why are you applying? Is it to further your own career or to provide more for your family? When you help others you feel satisfied and when you feel satisfied you are more motivated and when you are more motivated you achieve more.
When you have obstacles, like a wall in the middle of your path, which make it hard to get to your goals there is only one thing you need to do. Fight the Good fight and do it for all the right reasons. Don’t stop at the first road block or even the millionth. Possibilities are endless when you go about it the right way.
Secondly, you must believe you can do it. If you doubt yourself even for a second, you will only make it more difficult to achieve your goals mentally. When confronting a problem or a “wall” head on you must be all Mind, Body, and Soul to break down that wall. Be confident in yourself and have faith in God and yourself.
Thirdly, you must remember when fighting for what you want is to stop talking about it and just do it already. The last thing you want to have is a long tongue and to talk about what you want. You will only dream of what you want more and this will only make you less patient. Become a man or woman of action and be slow to talk and fast to walk.
There is one more step I want to give you even though there are hundreds. I want to urge you to just be patient. Pray to God and be patient is the greatest thing you can learn. The last thing you need is to lose patience and become irritated with your goals. You will lose sight of what is most important and this will make you give up on your goals. Be PATIENT and take it step by step, day by day, and live your life knowing you gave it all to achieve what you wanted. You fought the Good fight and lived a life worth remembering and without regrets.
The Good Fight is in all of us. Find it through the wisdom of the Bible or through your own experiences. Achieve more and be more one step at a time.
You would think that UFC 150 would be a celebration, maybe a notch or two below that of UFC 100. Well, that is simply not the case. The event does feature a Championship match in the Lightweight division. Sweet! The 155-pound class is widely regarded as the best in the organization. That has to be a plus right? Wrong. The title fight is a rematch between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar. Who fought for the same 155 lb. title at UFC 144. Frankie Edgar lost the close bout and then proceeded to cash in his good will with the organization to get another shot at the belt. Wahoo. Sure Frankie gave rematches when he won the belt, but one was to a future Hall of Famer and the other was after a draw. It is etched into the tablets of the MMA Commandments that after a Championship draw, a rematch happens. I wouldn’t consider it a good deed by Edgar to fight Maynard again. It had to happen.
In all likelihood on Saturday, Edgar will come in with a solid game plan and display his legendary heart on the way to grinding out a decision win against Henderson. (I may personally be hoping that Bendo lands a flying knee and sends the True Life star down to 145…) So does that mean Bendo/Frankie III. NOPE. And the top of the Lightweight division will be a mess once more. After watching last weekend’s amazing night of fights, I have a feeling many fans out there will have a hard time parking their butts on the couch to watch this card, especially with a rehashed headliner. As an aspiring MMA journalist, you would think I would be right there with my popcorn ready, but I have an appointment to watch paint dry… Sorry. On to the previews!
Main Card on Pay Per View
Justin Lawrence (4-0) v. Max Holloway (5-1)
Two great young strikers here. Lawrence, a Black House product, was the top prospect on the latest season of TUF. He has vicious leg kicks and a serious case of bacne. He didn’t endear himself to many fans during the season, but certainly showcased his talent and work ethic. Holloway, just 20 years old, is another young gun that will throw strikes with reckless abandon. His UFC career is off to a bumpy start with a loss to Dustin Poirer and a decision win over Pat Schilling. Even though he is only 2 years older, I think Lawrence’s experience with Black House will earn him the victory here. Lawrence by decision.
Yushin Okami (26-7) v. Buddy Roberts (12-2)
The name Buddy Roberts does not really scream cage fighter to me. Roberts is a relatively unknown Greg Jackson disciple. He made his Zuffa debut in early June and earned a decision victory (Surprise, surprise… Cue Diego…). He does have a decent amount of finishes to his name but most of them came in what seems like MMA events held in backyards across the western part of the country. He has never faced anyone with half of the talent Yushin Okami has. Okami is coming off two losses. One to that Anderson Silva fellow, and the other was due to a Bruce Banner-esque performance by Tim Boetsch. I expect Okami will use this fight to remind fans of his power, strength, and grappling ability and look to end this one early. Okami by TKO.
Damn it feels good to be a gangster!
Jake Shields (27-6-1) v. Ed Herman (20-7)
This bout will mark Jake Shield’s Middleweight debut in the UFC. Shields is 1-2 in his last 3, but before his loss to GSP, he was undefeated dating back to 2005. Shield’s had some personal issues that may have played into his loss to Ellenberger last September, I expect him to be in top form on Saturday. His opponent, Ed Herman, is on a bit of a win streak having won his last 3 by TKO or submission. Herman is a prototypical journeyman that has been around since 2002. He has great grappling and submission skills to go along with that experience. If Shields shows up like he did when he beat Hendo, he has a great chance to take this one walking away. But much like my Tim Boetsch pick a few weeks back, I have a feeling Herman grinds this one out. Shields loves to Lay N Pray, and I think Ol’ Ed can handle that. Herman by decision
Sweet tribal tat, brah…
Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (18-4, 1 NC) v. Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard (30-10-2, 1 NC)
This booking is the early favorite for Fight of the Night. Both of these guys are BRAWLERS. You know that each love to stand toe to toe and throw bombs. The question is, who is better when the fists are flying? I would favor Guillard due to his power, but I have a feeling Cerrone may take this one to the mat similar to the way he fought Denis Siver.
The outcome of this fight will also help sort out some of the confusion atop the 155-pound division. If Cerrone comes out on top, he will likely face Anthony Pettis in the near future. A win for Guillard puts him back in Dana White’s proverbial “mix”. Cerrone is the favorite in this one, and as much as I want to see a stand up war here, I think Cerrone brings it to the mat. Cerrone by submission.
He is pissed he had to take off his cowboy hat.
Lightweight Championship Fight
Champ Ben “Smooth” Henderson (16-2) v Frankie “The Answer Decision” Edgar (14-3-1)
Yahooooo. I can barely contain my excitement for this one… To tell you the truth, I have never bought a Frankie Edgar fight. The outcomes seem too predictable to me. Five rounds, he gets the crap kicked out of him for two rounds but figures out a way to win three. The guy would have a problem finishing a glass of water in the Sahara. I was truly SHOCKED when he KO’d Maynard. I had to refresh my phone browser at six times to make sure it wasn’t a joke. Edgar is a great fighter with a hell of a heart, but he belongs at 145 pounds. We know that, Dana knows that, but Frankie ‘True Life’ denies it. Aldo vs. Edgar is a massive fight and could put the lower weight classes on the map in the terms of Pay Per View buys or FOX ratings. It is tough for me write a biased opinion on this one because I truly find it as a waste of a fight in an amazingly stacked division. When I throw out names like Anthony Pettis, Nate Diaz, and Joe Lauzon. what do they all have in common? They finish fights at 155. (And I would pay to watch them…)
I expect this one to be a great scrap, both guys winning their share of exchanges on the feet. Bendo will use his ridiculous athleticism to nearly put Frankie to sleep, but Edgar will go into Zombie-mode and return the favor to the stunned champ. I HOPE that Bendo gets a few more of these exchanges to go his way and decisively wins this one. He should. He is bigger, stronger, and knows how to put people away. But here comes that feeling again…. Edgar has been in the high altitude of Denver for two weeks now acclimating himself to the oxygen levels. In all of the pre-fight interviews he seems to have a focus about him that I have never seen before. Edgar earns himself a decision victory. A trilogy fight is looming angrily in the distance…
Bruised and battered, but somehow has a belt.
Agree with my picks? Think my boredom caused by Frankie Edgar is warranted??? (It is…) Leave a comment and follow us on TWITTER!!!!
Moai Martial Arts 
A New Age: Addressing the UFC 151 Debacle
One fan’s opinion on the catastrophe that was UFC 151
By ALar
I have started and scrapped at least six different posts about the debacle that was UFC 151. I am finding it very difficult to coherently put together my thoughts on the issue. Most of the articles I attempted to write turned into vitriolic diatribes against Jon Jones and his “selfish” ways, or Greg Jackson and how his psuedo-philosophical approach to MMA was the downfall of mankind… I know my loyal readers here at Moai Martial Arts have been clamoring for my educated opinion, not my rants and raves against two guys that I didn’t really care for before the 151 mess. As I waded through hate filled paragraphs, I stumbled upon a theme. I believe we are witnessing a massive shift in the world of MMA. We are officially in an age where champions are Mixed Martial Arts ‘Athletes’, and not Mixed Martial Arts ‘Fighters’. The ramifications of this new age may have outraged the Zuffa brass this week, but strangely enough, it is also what they have been trying to achieve since taking over the company over a decade ago.
As a sport gets bigger, there is inevitably more money to be made in it. As soccer’s popularity grew in America, we saw better athlete’s throwing on cleats and hitting the pitch. Since Zuffa took the reins, the UFC has become a giant in the sports world. They are setting new records by the day and lining their pockets with crisps $20’s by night. With this boom, we are seeing athletes that could have likely chosen other paths or sports be funneled towards a career MMA.
Silva v. Hunt 2003 happened on 2 DAYS NOTICE!!!!
Enter Jon Jones. His freakishly athletic family tree assures us that he could have likely been successful in any sporting endeavor he chose. His performance in the cage further asserts that MMA was the right choice for the kid. But Jones is not a born and bread fighter like Chuck, Randy, and Wanderlei were. He is an ‘athlete’ first, and a ‘fighter’ second. His thoughts are more about self-preservation and financial success, rather than pure aggression and entertainment like the gladiators of years past. He likely doesn’t enjoy getting hit in the face or inflicting damage on others like the PRIDE boys did. He is just really, really, ridiculously good at doing so and can feed his family by dismantling guys in the cage. Whether they like it or not, Zuffa may have helped foster this change in mindset themselves, remember the old UFC PPV intro with the cheaply costumed gladiator and triumphant music? They canned that a few months ago in favor of a flashy, slick new intro highlighting the history of the sport and stars that helped make the organization into the behemoth it is today.
How did that work out for ya, Jonny?
Jones sees MMA as a means to a good life for his family (his decisions outside of the cage may be detrimental to that though…). As much as this mindset upsets fans, it is sadly what we are destined for in the future. Athletes will purely be getting into the cage as a way to make money, just like 99% of the professional athletes out there. The UFC is a nationally broadcast product now, and genetic lottery winners will be lining up outside their nearest MMA gym attempting to get their piece of the MMA cash cow pie. The days of guys getting in the ring or cage just to fight, just to express their deepest desires as men are gone. The thrill of the crowd screaming in utter frenzy no longer fuels our champions to fight, the Ca-Ching! of the cash register does. The days of the warrior are painfully gone. The adaptation to the era of the MMA ‘athlete’ may be tough for some of us die-hards; those of us that pray to Wanderlei, and toast to Big Nog and Fedor. We may have a hard time accepting the new MMA landscape, but we must. We love this sport. We will still experience great moments, (Shogun/Hendo was one for the AGES!), but their will be more politicking and selfishness surrounding it all. Just make sure you keep your collection of PRIDE DVD’s easily accessible for whenever you need a reminder of the good ol’ days…