Thursday, May 15, 2014

Video of the Day - Page v. Mohamed

Here is Michael "Venom" Page fighting Ramdan Mohamed at Super Fight League 15 which took place on 4/12/13 in Mumbai, India.

Page is a dynamic English karate and kung fu stylist, currently training with London Shootfighters. He next fights Ricky Rainey (8-2, 1-0 BFC) in his toughest test to date.

Monday, May 5, 2014

2014 NCAA Wrestling Results

Here are the winners and runner-ups of the 2014 NCAA National Wrestling tournament. Penn State captured their 4th straight team national title with Ed Ruth and David Taylor capturing titles for the Nittany Lions.

Logan Steiber and Ed Ruth captured their third NCAA titles. Ohio State's Steiber has one more year left of eligibility to make a run at his fourth straight title. David Taylor of Penn State capped off an undefeated season at 34-0 and captured his second NCAA title.

Many of these elite athletes will try to continue a path of amateur wrestling, but some will come to mixed martial arts. Strength, conditioning, mental toughness, the ability to cut weight and quickness are all traits of most high level wrestlers.

The biggest skill that transfers to MMA is the ability to take someone down and defend the take down. However, the mental aspect cannot be overlooked as most of these guys take part in over 100 combat matches over a college career.

125- Jesse Delgado (ILL) def Nahshon Garrett (Cornell) via dec 3-2
133- Tony Ramos (Iowa) def Tyler Graff (Wisc) via tie break
141- Logan Steiber (OSU) def Devin Carter (VA Tech) via dec 10-1
149- Jason Tsirtsis (NW) def Joshua Kindig (Ok St) via SV
157- Alex Dieringer (Ok St) def Dylan Ness (MN) via dec 13-4
165- David Taylor (PSU) def Tyler Caldwell (Ok St) via dec 6-0
174- Chris Perry (Ok St) def Andrew Howe (Ok) via dec 4-0
184- Edward Ruth (PSU) def Jimmy Sheptock (Mary) via dec 7-2
197- J`Den Cox (Mizzo) def Nick Heflin (OSU) via dec 2-1
285- Nick Gwiazdowski (NC St) def Anthony Nelson (MN) via dec 4-2

Team Standings

1. Penn State - 109.5
2. Minnesota - 104
3. Oklahoma State - 96.5
4. Iowa - 78.5
5. Edinboro - 62
(2014 Wrestling Champs, click to enlarge)

Video of the Day - Foster v. Daniels

Here is UFC veteran Brian Foster in a kickboxing bout against WCL veteran Raymond Daniels at Glory 11 - Chicago, which took place on 10/12/13 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Foster (21-6, 3-2 UFC) has stoppage wins over Matt Brown, Forrest Petz and Brock Larsen in the UFC. He is currently 2-0 in 2014 having submitted Mitch Whitesel and Rodrigo Soria via armbar.

Daniels is a 6th degree black belt in American Kenpo and Shotokan Karate, possessing a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Daniels was a stand-out in Chuck Norris' World Combat League, where he defeated Chidi Njokuani, Jamie Fletcher, Damion Caldwell and Andreas Spang among others.

(Raymond Daniels throwing an axe kick)

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Video of the Day - Shlemenko v Minowaman

Here is Alexander Shlemenko fighting Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa at Super Fight League 2 which took place on 4/7/12 in the T-Box Mobile Arena, Chandigarh, India.

Shlemenko (50-7, 11-1 BFC) will next move up from 185 pounds to fight at 205 against Tito Ortiz (16-11, 0-0 BFC) in the Bellator's first PPV. I expect Shlemenko to try to attack with kicks to the body and legs early and often. Tito should try to use his size advantage to try for a takedown or grind Shlemenko against the fence.


(Shlemenko landing a vicious body kick)

Video of the Day - Barao v. Nunes

Here is Renan Barao fighting Marcio Nunes in the Eagle Fighting Championship which took place on 9/26/09 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Barao (32-1, 7-0 UFC) won the interim 135 pound title at UFC 149 winning against Urijah Faber, defended by submitting Michael McDonald, TKO'd Eddie Wineland, then TKO'd Faber in a rematch at UFC 169. Barao will next defend the title at UFC 173 against TJ Dillashaw (9-2, 5-2 UFC).


(Renan Barao lands a kick against Michael McDonald)

Video of the Day - King Mo v. Wiuff

Here is Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal fighting Travis Wiuff in Sengoku 5th battle which took place on 9/28/08 in Tokyo, Japan. As is customary in Japan, King Mo, making his debut, fought a veteran, Wiuff, who was fighting in his 66th recorded fight.

King Mo (12-3, 4-2 BFC) next fights Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (34-11, 2-0 BFC) in a 205 pound tournament final.