We have now permanently migrated to our own hosted server. Kindly update your bookmarks to http://MMA-in-ASIA.com and visit us there now.
Sincerely,
MMA in Asia
SFL INDIA INKS CANADIAN TV DEAL
Recently, it was announced that Canadian-based MMA fighter Kultar "Black Mamba" Gill has signed a four fight contract with SFL, cementing the most prominent fighter of Indian ethnicity as a staple in the India-pased promotion. Now SFL announces that his Canadian fans will be able to watch him on home turf as well. SFL has formed a partnership with Canada's Fight Network and will begin airing SFL events as soon as July 19th.
Here is the official press release from Super Fight League:
Fight Network Announces Broadcast Partnership with Indian MMA Promotion Super Fight League
One of the fastest growing international mixed martial arts entities, Super Fight League has already hosted three successful events, which will be premiering Thursdays on Fight Network, beginning with SFL 1 on July 19 at 9 p.m. ET.
MMA IN ASIA'S FIRST ANNIVERSARY, BIG CHANGES TO COME
A personal anniversary THANK YOU to all of our supporters:
One year ago this month, Asia MMA on Facebook, the MMA in Asia website, and our twitter account were launched. It was apparent that the great sport of MMA was about to skyrocket - both in Asian interest and international interest in the Asian market. We realized that there was no concise and thorough source to supply information, news, and connections focusing solely on all Asian promotions and fighters. Believing that our friends, the fighters, needed this support, we jumped into the effort with both feet.
 |
| Tracy Lee, Combatlifestyles.com (she makes cakes too) |
The result has been positively overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who loves this sport and has supported our efforts by reading, forwarding, and interacting with our platforms. Deep gratitude goes out to our friends, the fighters; you warriors who choose to follow such a grueling lifestyle in a sport that is the extreme of emotional and physical stress, you deserve the highest respect. Thank you to those warriors' support network of family, coaches, and gym mates who toil behind the scenes for another's glamor during victory, and remain the pillars of strength in moments of defeat. Thank you to the upstanding and proven promoters who build the statuses, provide the battlefields, fund the livelihoods, and protect the safety of the athletes in this incredible high-octane sport.
Thank you to our sponsors throughout the year: Jaded MMA gear, Triquest MMA, POSS compression wear and iJudgeFights.com - without you, this wouldn't be possible.
It is our pleasure to announce that big things are happening with our platforms this month. A new and vastly improved website will be launched that will provide the features and resources we first envisioned one year ago. Our list of correspondents from all corners of Asia will grow, and our ability to supply information to all countries will grow along with it. The website may be down at some point while we carry out the upgrades, so please bear with us. We'll be done with our business soon. And yes, that is a toilet cake of the Asian persuasion. Thank you Google (and thank you efunlist.com - we always try to quote our sources).
UFA 1 RECAP AND RESULTS
The first Ultimate Fight Alliance - UFA- was held and recorded live at Shaanxi TV Station Channel 7 with support of ShaanXi Sheng Wu and Coach Zhao Xue Jun of the Xian Sports Institute. Eighteen MMA competitors came from all across China - from the Xian Sports Institute, Jiang Long Yun’s team from Hei Long Jiang, Ao Hai Lin’s from Beijing, Liu Guo Qi from Guang Zhou, and also fighters from Wuhan, Kunming.
The event was a hit with the audience, who were very actively cheering on the fighters. Future details about monthly shows and international broadcast will be released shortly. This event will give the opportunity for aspiring MMA fighters from all across China gain exposure and grow the sport within the country.
The event was a hit with the audience, who were very actively cheering on the fighters. Future details about monthly shows and international broadcast will be released shortly. This event will give the opportunity for aspiring MMA fighters from all across China gain exposure and grow the sport within the country.
Here are the unofficial results:
9. Yang Liang defeats Sheng Er by decision, points
8. Qing Ge Le defeats Ar Ri Si Len by ground and pound
7. HaSi Ti Er defeats Guo Wen Shuo by decision, points
6. Xuan Peng Fei defeats Yu Yi Jiang by KO, Kicks
5. BaiEEr Dun Cang defeats Chen YiBiao by KO, fist position
4. Han Jian Guo defeats Cai Dong Yang by decision, points
3. Zhao Ya Fei defeats Bao Ge Bao Da by decision, points
2. Jia Er Ken defeats Bao Yin Na by ground and pound
1. Shang Zhi Fa defeats Zhong Guo Wei by triangle choke
SILVA VS SONNEN: THE PROS PICKS
It's not Asian, but it is MMA. And hometown heroes Riki Fukuda and Dong Hyun Kim will be giving Asian fans more of a reason to watch. But the fight everyone is polarized over is the Middleweight Championship - Anderson Silva versus Chael Sonnen. Here's a variety of quotes on the matter from the pro's around Asia - and beyond.
Arvind Lalwani: Going with Sonnen this time. He's f'ed up Silva's head.
Jacob Mills: Uncle Chael
Rodrigo Ribeiro Ximbica: Silva for sure!!!
Ronda Rousey: I think that Anderson Silva pissed off and healthy is going to destroy Chael.
Chatri Sityodtong: I think Silva is going to take it. Chael's takedowns won't have improved since 2 years, but Silva's takedown defense will.
Eddie Bravo: My mind's telling me Silva, but my body, my body's telling me Chael.
Bloodstain Lane: Silva is gonna get wrecked tomorrow.
INAUGURAL UFA EVENT IN XI'AN CHINA
Coach Zhao from the Xia'an Sports Institute has been a staple in the Chinese market for producing many of the best MMA athletes culled from his camp of literally hundreds of young Sanda fighters. From Art of War to Legend FC and RUFF, Xi'an Sports Institute has yielded top guys like Bao Li Gao, Zhao Zhi Long, Na Xun, Qing Ge Le, Dai Shuang Hai, Ao Hai Lin, and Wang Guan. Beginning with an association with Art Of War in 2005 to produce some of the first events in China and culminating in fifty events under the UMAC banner, the Institute is now proud to announce the inaugural event for the Ultimate Fight Alliance - UFA 1.
KOREAN MMA-ISTS DON THE GI
As the month of July rounds out with two events in Taiwan - The Taiwan BJJ International and PROFighting MMA - we see the second half of the year heating up with both MMA and BJJ competitions. In Southeast Asia, Ramadan approaches (July 18 - August 19) so the schedule takes a hiatus. Kicking off the BJJ scene will be the BJJF Philippines event on August 11th, followed by the (in)famous SEABJJ Bangkok Open on October 27th, and the ADCC Asia-Pacific World Qualifying Trials in Manila on November 3rd. Check out BJJ-Asia.com for everything BJJ in Asia. Looking north again and reflecting back on the mixed BJJ/MMA scene in South Korea, correspondent Inseung Hwang of Blackbelt Korea shares some results from the recent Motorone Jiujitsu Competition:
LEGENDS AT EPIC
Legend FC held their ninth event at the City of Dreams casino resort in Macau on June 16th. I spent the following day recovering from the after party poolside at the Hard Rock Hotel. Hair-of-the-dog and volleyball were the doctor's prescriptions. A ferry ride back across the Pearl River Delta got me home in time for a good night's sleep ahead of a busy Monday back at work. Or so I thought.
IFN INAUGURAL EVENT IN PHUKET
MMA is far from being dead in Thailand or Banned! In spite of recent news Phuket Top Team is setting up their first in house Promotion called IFN - Island Fight Night. The event will be held on Saturday 7th July.
There will be Amateur Muay Thai, Pro Rules Boxing, Amateur MMA, and even the new fighting style TK1 fights (K-1 rules with mma gloves in the cage). In the near future as well IFN will be also putting on Pro Rules MMA Fights as well.
In house gym fights are not new to Phuket, many gyms in Phuket host in house fights for their members. But what makes IFN different is that anyone can sign up and come to compete to gain experience from any gym in Phuket or Thailand. Also IFN will be streaming live online via UStream so anyone around the world can tune in and watch. (Please go to the IFN website or Phuket Top Team FB for more info on how to watch.)
HEAT IN CHINA: AWA VERSUS HEAT VOLUME 4
Players from HEAT will take part in a "friendly Sino-Japanese national exchange" MMA event held in in Shandong, China on July 25 and 26. The matches will take place in a cage in the 3,000 capacity Dezhou City Gymnasium.
◆ 7/25: China vs Thailand; Thailand vs Brazil
■7/26: China vs Japan HEAT, Team trophy
MMA rules participants: Kiichi Strasser Kunimoto, Cobra Kai; Yoshida Koji ; Sone Kazuma, Shimura Dojo
Kick rules participants: Merry Sakai, Shimura Dojo; Hosoe Toshihiro
RUFF 4 HOHHOT: CARD UPDATE
For the first time in history, the people of Inner Mongolia get to use their amazing indoor stadium to host an MMA event. The cards at RUFF are starting to include higher levels talent each show, and despite losing the Andy Wang versus Rodrigo Caporal BJJ black belt showdown due to Wang's training injury, and now Juma "Bieke" Tuerxun versus Song YaDong battle due to Song's "documentation issues", the card is still impressive. Given the history of Mongolian culture, their penchant for combat sports, and the popularity of MMA around the world, putting a RUFF event together in Inner Mongolia should be very well-recieved.
Most important to watch for will be undefeated "Dongbei Tiger" power striker Wang Guan versus Brazil’s BJJ black belt and Capoeira master Sando da Silva. They are locked into the million RMB championship, and the purse is so big that no one even mentions the belt the champ takes with it! There are all sorts of distractions when fighting, but a purse that big will throw off some guys in the competition for sure. Only the most focused will advance to the next fight.
SFL INDIA ANNOUNCES NEW SIGNINGS
The latest press release:
Jeff Monson
Satoshi Ishii
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Michael Page
Signed for 4 fight exclusive deals
SFL 4 : SEPTEMBER 2012 BENGALURU
(Mumbai, 24th June 2012) Super Fight League (SFL) is proud to announce the signings of: Jeff Monson, Satoshi Ishii, Rameau Sokoudjou and Michael Page for four fight exclusive deals. India's top MMA Organsiation, Super Fight League continues to add to its impressive fighter roster with this second wave of signings, adding to its current stable of fighters which includes; Todd Duffee, James Thompson, Paul Kelly, Trevor Prangley and Professor X.
Jeff Monson
Fighting out of American Top Team, UFC Heavyweight Title Challenger and vet of DREAM, PRIDE and Strikeforce Jeff 'the Snowman' Monson (46 - 13- 1) is considered one of the world's top grapplers. Two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Champion and No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion, Monson also holds the Heavyweight titles in the International Sport Karate Association and the Strength & Honor Championship. A BJJ Blackbelt and submission artist, Monson also holds a Masters Degree in Psychology.With victories over Roy Nelson, Sergei Kharitonov, Mark Kerr and Ricco Rodriguez, Monson is an impressive addition to the SFL Heavyweight division. SFL CEO Ken Pavia said: 'Jeff has achieved a high level of success fighting all over the world. We are very excited to add him to our roster and test him in our elite HW division. He is always entertaining and is one of the true personalities of the sport."
COACH CHATRI SITYODTONG OF EVOLVE: "THE BEST PRODUCE THE BEST"
Combat sports introduce another level of obsession into the sporting compendium. These are single individuals competing against one another, therefore we inject more of our own emotions, desires and empathies into identifying with these warriors because we intrinsically see ourselves in the arena. We celebrate their wins or deeply mourn their losses as our own.
Yet be it EuroCup teams or ONE FC fighters, there is a unifying element that all athletes need to succeed: a good coach.
In Asia, the sport of MMA is most well-developed in Japan where the concept of a good coach's directive of team training is not only accepted but imperative. Many great gyms have fostered athletes able to compete on an international level because of the eye and guidance of their coach. Reaching further across Asia, there is an innovator who understands the dynamic and has been willing to chance it outside the confines of the 'safe' Japanese market.
He is the inimitable Chatri Sityodtong.
 |
| Courtesy Daniel Koh |
RUFF 4 CARD ANNOUNCED FOR HOHHOT
Complete RUFF 4 Fight Card Released
Having already announced the main events for the upcoming RUFF 4 on Saturday, June 30 at Hohhot’s Inner Mongolia Indoor Stadium, the Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF) is now releasing the complete fight card for this second fight in the year-long Super Fight series.
In addition to the previously-announced featherweight matchup between Macau-based Brazilian Sandro da Silva and Xi’An Sports University’s Wang Guan, the lightweight battle between BJJ black belts Rodrigo Caporal and Andy Wang, and the highly-anticipated rematch between bantamweights Irshaad Sayed and Ayideng Jumayi, the RUFF 4card for will feature eight more fights featuring some of China’s top MMA fighters.
Bantamweight Jumabieke Tuerxun will continue his march toward the 2013 Super Fight, putting his undefeated record on the line against RUFF newcomer and BJJ blue belt Song YaDong, while lightweight Zhang LiPeng looks to bounce back from a majority decision loss at RUFF 3 in his showdown with Muay Thai specialist Arthit “A Ting” Hanchana.
ROAD FC 008 RESULTS
Result (경기결과)
7th bout : Kyunh-ho Kang vs. Andrew Leone
(Kyung-ho Kang won by Rear-Naked Choke / Round 2)
6th bout : Denis Kang vs. Hye-seok Son
(Denis Kang won by TKO / Round 1)
5th bout : Jong-dae Kim vs. Bob Sapp
(Jong-dae Kim won by TKO / Round 2)
4th bout : Doo-won Seo vs. Toru Harai
(Doo-won Seo won by Decision / Round 3)
3rd bout : Soo-chul Kim vs. Sato Shoko
(Soo-chul Kim won by TKO / Extra Round 1)
2nd bout : Kyung-ho Kang vs. Je-hoon Moon
(Kyung-ho Kang won by Rear-Naked Choke / Round 3)
1st bout : Andrew Leone vs. Min-jong Song
(Andrew Leone won by Decision / Round 3)
(Jong-dae Kim won by TKO / Round 2)
4th bout : Doo-won Seo vs. Toru Harai
(Doo-won Seo won by Decision / Round 3)
3rd bout : Soo-chul Kim vs. Sato Shoko
(Soo-chul Kim won by TKO / Extra Round 1)
2nd bout : Kyung-ho Kang vs. Je-hoon Moon
(Kyung-ho Kang won by Rear-Naked Choke / Round 3)
1st bout : Andrew Leone vs. Min-jong Song
(Andrew Leone won by Decision / Round 3)
LEGEND FC 9 OFFICIAL RESULTS
KOJI ANDO WINS TITLE SHOT IN DRAMATIC FINAL AT LEGEND 9 AT CITY OF DREAMS
Top Chinese welterweight Li Jingliang holds off Australian Dan Pauling in co-main event
Macau, June 16, 2012 (Saturday) — A lively capacity crowd at City of Dreams witnessed top-ranked Japanese fighter Koji Ando defeat Australian brawler Rob Hill by judges’ decision after three rounds in the main event of City of Dreams exclusively presents Legend 9. Koji has now won five of his last six fights. With this win, Ando has earned the right to face reigning champion Jadamba Narantungalag for the Legend Lightweight Title at Legend 11.
“I’ve got the title in my sights,” said Ando. “I’m looking forward to proving that I have what it takes to beat Jadamba!”
LEGEND FC 9: PRE-FIGHT INTERVIEWS
After the weigh ins, we had the chance to catch up with a few of the Korean and Chinese fighters on the card. Here are a few of their thoughts ahead of Legend FC 9.
CHOI YEONG GWANG
How do you feel to be back fighting in Legend FC?
First, I'm so happy because I'm back. I trained so much. I'm glad to show my ability.
What do you think about your opponent (Rob Lisita)?
My opponent is strong, but his skill is not specific. So I have a way to defeat him.
After coming back from a long lay off, how was your weight cut?
I feel dizzy, and it was hard to cut. I had no match for one year. But I want to keep my promise.
What do you think about your opponent's missing weight?
I'm disappointed because as a professional, he didn't keep his promise. But I think he will succeed.
How do you think the fight will finish?
Whatever. But it will end in the second round. I won't let it go to the third.
How do you feel to be back fighting in Legend FC?
First, I'm so happy because I'm back. I trained so much. I'm glad to show my ability.
What do you think about your opponent (Rob Lisita)?
My opponent is strong, but his skill is not specific. So I have a way to defeat him.
After coming back from a long lay off, how was your weight cut?
I feel dizzy, and it was hard to cut. I had no match for one year. But I want to keep my promise.
What do you think about your opponent's missing weight?
I'm disappointed because as a professional, he didn't keep his promise. But I think he will succeed.
How do you think the fight will finish?
Whatever. But it will end in the second round. I won't let it go to the third.
LEGEND FC 9: WEIGH INS + VAUGHN ANDERSON'S PRE-FIGHT INTERVIEWS
Legend FC 9 weigh ins are over and out of 20 fighters, 8 did NOT make weight on the first go. After 2 hours, only co-main event Li Jingliang didn't drop the needed amount, ending up 200g over and giving 20% of his purse to Dan Pauling.
Legend FC Commentator Vaughn "Blud" Anderson was on hand and doing his preliminary interviews. He shares the fighters' last-minute looks at their fight camps, opponents and how they see tomorrow's action going down.
Muhammed Hanif Bin Zainal 66.34 versus Diego Cuenca 66.32
Bin Zainal is the Predator.
Won his first gold medal in TKD at 5.
Started MMA because of video games.
Trains at Muayfit. Doesn’t
respect Diego’s striking.
Diego Cuenca said, "I will push the pace in this fight. I am equally dangerous on the feet and the ground." He won BJ Penn's contest, won a trip to Hawaii, trained for 6 weeks, fought a Hawaiian in amateur MMA and won, and then didn't get the video. "MMA is therapy for me," Diego says, "It's much better to punch a bag or person than a clock." Seven years of BJJ.
BLUD SPATTER: VAUGHN ANDERSON'S INSIDER GUIDE TO LEGEND FC 9
With Legend FC 9 right around the corner on June 16th in Macau at City Of Dreams, Commentator Vaughn 'Blud' Anderson (and 16-1 pro MMA fighter, coach, jiujitsu fiend, world traveler, man-in-the-know and all around badass) is studying up on the next card. Here's his look at the fighters and how he sees the bouts going down. You won't get a better understanding of the action, unless your ringside.
Koji Ando vs. Rob Hill
This is Hill’s second fight during his ‘year off to study accounting’ (LOL!). Not sure how that idea EVER entered his head, but glad he has come to his senses and is back pulling off bonus-winning performances. The Aussie’s weird tricks look totally fluke at times, but he insures they are all just too technical for me to comprehend- either way, they work and win for him.
Ando looks huge for 70 kgs and held his own on the feet with KO sensation Wang Guan for the full 15 minutes! Then he came back and pulled off a beautiful sub-of-the-night triangle transitioned from back mount. He has earned his spot across from Hill.
Rob leaving the ring with bonuses is more common than not now. But, just like in video games, the further you get in Legend, the scarier your challenges become. Ando is the monster on this level and he will put Hill’s funky escapes to the test. Both recent sub-of-the-night winners, both excellent strikers- this could easily be one of the best fights ever.
This is Hill’s second fight during his ‘year off to study accounting’ (LOL!). Not sure how that idea EVER entered his head, but glad he has come to his senses and is back pulling off bonus-winning performances. The Aussie’s weird tricks look totally fluke at times, but he insures they are all just too technical for me to comprehend- either way, they work and win for him.
Ando looks huge for 70 kgs and held his own on the feet with KO sensation Wang Guan for the full 15 minutes! Then he came back and pulled off a beautiful sub-of-the-night triangle transitioned from back mount. He has earned his spot across from Hill.
Rob leaving the ring with bonuses is more common than not now. But, just like in video games, the further you get in Legend, the scarier your challenges become. Ando is the monster on this level and he will put Hill’s funky escapes to the test. Both recent sub-of-the-night winners, both excellent strikers- this could easily be one of the best fights ever.
THE ONE ASIA MMA SUMMIT, DAY 2: THE FUTURE OF ASIAN MMA
Panel Session 1: THE FUTURE OF ASIAN MMA
Chatri Sityodtong, CEO of Evolve MMA
 |
| The frog under the coconut shell digs his way out and sees the world. |
Chatri has become a name synonymous with MMA in Asia. He's a highly successful businessman who has turned his focus to MMA, developing one of the most recognized brands in Evolve MMA and assembling a stellar fight team. Chatri understands that the future does not need to be observed, but driven. The core of his speech was not 'if' MMA in Asia will succeed but 'how' it will. Starting out with a bang, he produced very simple powerpoint slides that read:
"How big will MMA be in Asia? VERY BIG."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)