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MMA Noise
04 Aug 2009 6:13PM
Welcome to the blog again... I can't believe how quickly it comes around!
Let's crack on!
M1 Team England
I've had to laugh this week. After all the hassle and turmoil of getting a team together, what with injuries, fighters fighting on other shows and not being able to fight for the team, etc, etc, it's really disappointing to see people complaining about the team picks. It's been tough getting a team together, surprising how many people don't want to be involved, we knew not everyone would be happy with the choices (most people want their team mates on the team!), but we are confident we have a good team... a winning team. Next year we hope to have a Team GB and to give more people an opportunity to be on the squad and maybe fight for their country, so hopefully the people who aren't happy with who's fighting for us in September, will be happier in the new year. I still doubt we will be choosing any fighters that have been active for nearly a year though!
Anyway, apart from that little bit of negativity from some people, things are going well. The Saturday fighters sessions are packed at the moment, Tom Blackledge, Rob Broughton, Danny Giblin, Matt Thorpe, Scott Hewitt, Rosi Sexton and host of others, have all been down to further their own training and lend support to their country. it's been really valuable. I've managed to get some Thai pad work in with Tom Blackledge, which was excellent... for someone with such great grappling, he has great striking. One of the bes LHW's around and someone we have 100% confidence in securing a win in Holland. The rest of the team is also looking sharp. Matt Thorpe has done a lot of grappling on the run up to this fight, training at Manchester BJJ with BJJ Black Belt, Steve Campbell and his students, whilst continuing with his striking. I'd argue he is the best MW striker in UK MMA. Scott Hewitt, our new LW representative, is a huge undiscovered talent. He is going to shock a lot of people. Skilled in all areas and with incredible cardio, he's going to make waves on the 15th August. Speaking of cardio, we have no had Dave Keeley for the last week, Jesus this guy is fit! I've never seen a HW with such cardio, he never tires. Round upon round of hard padwork with Andy, followed by grappling, wrestling, etc with Tom, Rob and the team, the guy just keeps going!
We are now just two weeks away from fight night, less actually, so the final prep is taking place. Hopefully, I can get some 'live' updates on MMA Hit Pit from Holland. We fly out on 13th August, so now is the time to be wishing the fighters good luck!
Team Colosseum
Again, it's been quiet on the Colosseum front. Most of the guys are fighting late Sept, early Oct, so it's all about skills at the moment, no hard sparring or anything. We should have guys fighting on AMMA, the top amateur show promoted by Marc Goddard and a new show show in Bolton, Rumble at the Reebok, promoted by Salford Fight Factory coach, Darren Sherlock. Rumble at the Reebok has been a thai boxing show in the past, I believe this is the first time it will feature MMA bouts. So that's good news!
MMA noise
I guess the main news this week is the continuing UFC sagas. Over the last week there has been lots of talk about Dana's attempts to get Fedor into the UFC. I don't get it tbh. I know Fedor has some great wins under his belt and having met him, he scared me shitless, but doesn't he need the UFC more than the UFC need him? Fedor is regarded as the top HW in the world, but aren't you as good as your last fight? Which in Fedor's case was a KO win over the every 'chinny' Andrei Arlovski. Before that, Fedor's wins include Tim Sylvia, Choi and Matt Linland... who is a middle weight. When was the last time Fedor fought at true world class opponent? If Fedor is to be truly recognised as the best HW out there, then he needs to be facing the top heavyweights... he's only going to do that in Dana's back yard. I do hope it happens though... Lesnar v Fedor could be an amazing test for both fighters!
Also from the UFC was the announcement that Tito is back! Tito used to be the big ticket draw at the UFC and I must admit to liking hi at his peak. His old, 'slam 'em and smash 'em' style was awesome to watch. The he learnt how to box and it all went downhill. Part of me thinks that when Tito learnt striking himself, he also learnt how dangerous it could be and developed a fear for it. I hope the time off has done him well, he's had time to heal and can make a return to his old ways.. I for one will be tuning in to see it, but I hope I am not just being nostalgic, cause I feel for that one with Tyson... a few times!
Anyway, I am done for a week.... so have fun and train hard!
Chin down, hands up
Aaron
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