Do you want to be a fighter? Part II

As I continue to explore the answer as to why someone would choose a career path in fighting, I interviewed two more fighters that will be competing later this month at PA Cage Combat. While both will be competing in amateur fights, they both debuted victoriously back in June and look to continue their winning ways. The difference is one is a 30 year old female firmly entrenched in another career, while the other is a 19 year old male dreaming of making this his career.

In some ways Rachel Kendall appears to be your typical young lady, but in others she's just the opposite. Born and raised in North Plainfield, New Jersey, this resident from Philadelphia said, "I don't think I ever could have imagined myself doing something like this;" yet, her background suggests she was always destined to be.

As an active child she told me, "I was always involved sports; gymnastics, street football you name it." However, around the time she was 15 years old she got started in Karate in the renowned Tiger Schulman system, that has since become Tiger Schulman's MMA, and has been there ever since. "I started in Karate, but we always cross-trained; I have always competed doing tournaments in Karate, grappling etc. but never considered fighting in MMA."

When I asked her what spurred her interest, her response was a combination of reasons. Initially, it was the first instructors she had in her Sensei Paul Querido and his wife professional fighter Munah Holland. "They are an awesome instructor duo. He was my rock, my source of strength and seeing her evolution from instructor to successful fighter has been inspirational." Holland is currently (5-1) as a pro and has fought in the prestigious Bellator Fighting Championships.

"On top of that," she said, "I started seeing other people I train with compete and become successful and it was all inspiring." However, in talking to her the biggest reason was the essence of martial arts itself. "I enjoy the process of training; I crave the structure and the constant work ethic. The calmness of knowing you worked your ass off is a natural high," she said.

Currently working with troubled youth as a social worker, she has the full support of both her parents; she also has the support of her significant other, who also happens to be one of her coaches, Shane Baker. However, when I asked if she could someday see fighting in Strikeforce or Bellator her response was interesting. "That is a challenging question; my career in the education, reform and working with children is where my passion lies. However, experiencing this path, it's enticing. It's just like fighting; you can't predict what will happen in the cage, but you can prepare for it."

On the under card of the event on August 24 at the PA Sands Casino, there is another promising young fighter in lightweight Tim Kunkel of Northampton, PA. At 19, Kunkel was the youngest of the three fighters I interviewed, but he may possibly be the best prepared for a career path into MMA as he's been wrestling since the age of 5.

After four years at one of the most well respected high school wrestling programs in the country at Northampton, Kunkel reached a personal best #3 overall ranking in the state his senior year before being derailed by a controversial referee's call during the district tournament. Yet, he was able to ascertain a scholarship offer to Clarion University where he spent a semester before finding out a technicality in his high school transcript deemed him ineligible to wrestle.

Unwilling to wait a whole year to compete, he returned home and began taking classes at Northampton Community College. He also works part-time in his father's plumbing & excavating business and as security at a local nightclub. However, his craving to compete drove him to pursue mixed martial arts. Besides wrestling his whole life, he too trained in the Tiger Schulman system during his childhood, so he returned there where he currently trains two-five hours a day depending on his work schedule.

When I posed the question why do you want to be a fighter, his response was, "As I was growing up I was always a decent kid, but I also got into my fair share of scrapes. That's where wrestling helped me to learn I could do something more constructive with my life. In MMA I'm hoping to better myself and make a better future that will help me in the long run."

Rachel Kendall, Tim Kunkel and Rick Nuno (Part I), will all compete at PA Cage Combat/Valley Fight Series VI on August 24 at the PA Sands Casino Event Center. Other fighters of note on the card include professional fighters Scott 'The Animal' Heckman (11-3), Zach Sigley (1-0), coming off a 17 second professional debut victory, and talented amateur Adam Atiyeh (4-0).

Thanks to Rachel Kendall and Tim Kunkel for their time during these interviews.

Do you want to be a fighter? Part I

Do you want to be a fighter? That question, accentuated by a word that is missing, has been made legendary by UFC President Dana White; he first asked the question on the very first episode of the reality show 'The Ultimate Fighter', now headed into its 16th season. The question is forever linked to White, though when he asks it, it sounds more like, "Do you want to be a f****n' fighter?"

To answer that question, one has to go to fighters at the very beginning of their careers; those with aspirations of one day possibly answering the question to Dana White himself. In this two-part series, I did just that as I interviewed three promising up and coming amateur mixed martial arts fighters who coincidentally, will all compete at the PA Cage Combat event taking place at the PA Sands Casino on Friday August 24.

One of the featured fighters on the card is a local talent from right here in Bethlehem, PA, Rick Nuno. Currently sporting a (3-1) amateur record, Nuno's only loss came in his last fight due to a technical decision made to stop the fight after a cut was incurred; prior to that he had three first round KO finishes, the longest going a mere (1:13) into the first round.

Those quick KO's are no doubt attributed to his striking background who he first credits to his father. "My first influence was my father who first started teaching me boxing and self defense techniques when I was about five or six," he said. "He was influenced by Bruce Lee, but he was more of a street fighter. He wanted me to have a more structured base, so he started me in Taekwondo and Karate."

A car accident when he was nine, causing a fractured skull and head trauma, derailed those activities and forced him into other sports; yet the foundation had been laid. Thus, it was no surprise he became a fan of MMA while studying 'Exercise Science' at the University of Pittsburgh. It was through his major that an opportunity to partake in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as part of his studies rekindled a spark that never left him. He said, "It was a new challenge for me and took me out of my comfort zone, which had always been striking."

Upon returning home, he linked up with local pro fighter George Glykas who took him around the fight circuit. One thing led to another and Rick suddenly found himself competing in MMA. "It wasn't something I planned, it literally fell into my lap," Nuno said. Two years later, he is dreaming and working towards a career as a professional MMA fighter.

He currently trains his boxing at the Allentown Boxing Gym with trainer Lemuel 'Indio' Rodriguez and WBC Continental Americas Welterweight champion Ronald Cruz. As for MMA, he is training with the renowned AMA Fight Club in Whippany, NJ; home to UFC veterans Frankie Edgar, Charlie Brenneman and the Miller brothers just to name a few. He says, "Training with my partners makes me feel capable to compete. At the end of the day, I want to be in the UFC, but I don't want to just be there; I want to be a champion."

Rick Nuno, previously competed as a welterweight (170lbs.), but is currently making the drop to compete at lightweight (155lbs.). Tomorrow, Part II will feature female fighter Rachel Kendall and promising upstart Tim Kunkel of Northampton, PA.

Thanks to Rick Nuno for his time in granting me this interview

UFC on Fox 4: One for the ages

With the UFC receiving some deserved criticism a/o late for unimpressive cards and lackluster fights, UFC on Fox 4 was under some heavy pressure to deliver. Not only because of that, but also because it is still tying to become a proven commodity to the national TV audience. What we got Saturday night was one for the ages as every fight televised on the main card was exciting throughout and ended in a finish.

UFC President Dana White, still seething from the effects of UFC 149 two weeks ago, had to be all smiles Saturday night as all his fighters, even the losers, stepped up in an exciting fashion. His biggest problem had to be deciding who and where to bestow post fight bonuses as each fight was exciting and three of the four finishes were knockouts.

Surprisingly the main event won neither, but it wasn't because it lacked anything in intensity. The four fighters in the top two fights on the card, all light-heavyweights (205 lbs.), were told by White himself that the most impressive of the four would earn the next shot at division champion Jon Jones; this, even though Jones has previously defeated all four. So, with pressure to deliver, especially in the main event, Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua (21-6, 18 KO's 1 sub) and Brandon 'The Truth' Vera (12-6, 7 KO's 1 sub) pulled no punches (no pun intended) in a back and forth battle.

In the end it was Rua who pulled out a victory via a fourth round TKO after the referee stepped in to protect a fallen Vera. However, up to that point it was a war of attrition and each combatant had their moments. Vera especially proved something not only to the fans, but to him as he met every challenge Rua lay in front of him multiple times throughout and showed that he truly came to win, though ultimately losing in the end. This could have easily been 'Fight of the night', but it wasn't.

Rua and Vera's performances could have also been spurred on by the action and result of the co-main event where Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida (18-3, 7 KO's 2 subs) and Ryan 'Darth' Bader (14-3, 6 KO's 3 subs) also went at it pretty good. This time though, the final result only needed less than two rounds as Bader literally walked into a Machida right hand that put him down and eventually out. This after a competitive first round, that saw Bader stalking the counter attack style of the Karate based Machida, but never being able to penetrate that elusive and lethal defense.

While Machida did not win the 'Knockout of the night' bonus, it appears his effort earned him something much bigger. In the post fight press conference Dana White all but promised Machida the next shot at Jones and a shot at redemption. Jones defeated Machida eight months ago, after literally choking him to sleep; however, this was after Machida had won a round against the champ, which no one has been able to do. White's reasoning for choosing Machida versus Rua was simple, "Shogun has not been terrorizing me for another shot at Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida has."

So where exactly did those post fight bonuses go? Well, the lightweight (155 lbs.) contender tilt between Joe 'J-Lau' Lauzon (22-7, 4 KO's 18 subs) and a rejuvenated Jamie 'C-4' Varner (20-7, 7 KO's 11 subs) garnered two of them. These two went at each other so hard and fast till the finish, which came in the middle of the third and final round with Lauzon catching Varner in a triangle choke, that it resulted in both earning an additional $50,000 for 'Fight of the night'; Lauzon was twice blessed as he also took home another $50K for 'Submission of the night' as well.

As for the 'Knockout of the night', welcome back Mike 'Quick' Swick (15-4, 8 KO's 3 subs). Swick, who had not fought in 2.5 years due to both injury and illness, made his return in a triumphant and exciting fashion with a "quick" second round knockout of Demarques 'Darkness' Johnson (15-11, 6 KO's 7 subs). This though was after Johnson had Swick in survival mode in the first round as Johnson was all over him both striking and potentially submitting him.

Swick survived the onslaught and with cuts under both eyes, caught a Johnson kick and in the same motion smashed him with a vicious right hand. An emotional Swick in his post fight interview said to the fans, "Hey do you remember me?" The fans respectfully responded with a rousing ovation. Certain MMA cards stand out in history for their results, UFC 38 and Pride 33 are a couple that immediately come to mind. UFC on Fox 4 was also one of those; one for the ages.

Can Jiu-Jitsu or even MMA become Olympic sports?

With the 2012 London Olympics now underway and in full swing, a question I had thought about eight years ago has popped up again? Can Jiu-Jitsu or submission grappling become an Olympic sport? However, since I originally thought about it, the sport of mixed martial arts has grown so much, that question has expanded to include MMA as well.

In November 1993 when Royce Gracie first stepped into the octagon @ UFC 1, little did we know then that what was referred to as, "Human cock fighting" by Senator John McCain, would soon become the fastest growing sport in the world. Not only did Gracie introduce his art to the world, he also helped launch a full fledged sport.

Fast forward nearly 19 years and jiu-jitsu along with MMA schools are everywhere; similar to when Karate and Kung-Fu schools popped up all over the world in the '70's after Bruce Lee popularized martial arts in the movies. Since that time, Taekowndo has become an Olympic sport to join both Judo and Wrestling as martial arts practiced around the world that has been part of the Olympic experience. So, can jiu-jitsu or submission grappling become an Olympic sport as well?

Eight years ago during the 2004 Olympic Games, I posed this question to MMA fighter and jiu-jitsu practitioner Frank Trigg. At the time, only 11 years after Royce Gracie's introduction to the world, Trigg's opinion was no it would not. Though the art was being practiced worldwide, he felt the sport itself was still struggling to be accepted mainstream, so there was no way it can be considered for the Olympics.

However, a lot can change in eight years and when it comes to the boom of MMA, has it ever. In 2005 Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonner had a fight for the ages after the world saw them live and compete in the television reality series 'The Ultimate Fighter'. Right then and there, the landscape of the sport and the way it was viewed would never be the same again. Now it is on network television, internet radio and magazines everywhere.

On top of that, as for jiu-jitsu and (or) submission grappling, not only is it practiced worldwide, but tournaments are constantly being held; normally over a two-day weekend. Thus, an Olympic tournament over a two week span should not be a problem. However, the same is not so easy when it comes to MMA; the dynamic here is much different.

A full contact sport that features strikes doesn't appear to be a viable option over a two week period; yet, Boxing has been able to do it in the Olympics. However, boxing doesn't feature strikes coming from kicks, elbows and knees, besides punches. I posed this question to Gorgeous George, host of MMA Junkie Radio, and this was the reasoning behind him believing it could never happen; but I'm not so sure.

I've thought about this a little bit and figured if certain aspects from amateur boxing, amateur MMA and even professional MMA were instituted; maybe MMA might have a shot; not necessarily in four years, but someday. The first thing is headgear; in the amateur boxing ranks, including the Olympics, padded headgear is worn. Why can't the same be used in Olympic style MMA? It would minimize cuts, bruises and damage to the head, which would be the number one concern in a tournament run over a couple of weeks.

Second, in amateur MMA, the timing in rounds is cut down significantly from that of professional ranks. While professionals fight in five minute rounds, amateurs usually fight two minute rounds. Add that feature to another one from the Bellator Fighting Championships, an organization that uses tournament style fights, in which they eliminate the use of elbow strikes until the finals. All these together along with the increase and growth of amateur MMA fighters and suddenly things don't seem that much out of the realm.

I do realize there are factors working against this idea; one being the size of gloves in boxing versus MMA lends itself to safety. Also, while MMA has grown immensely popular over the last few years, it still isn't even 19 years old. Nonetheless, Gorgeous George believes jiu-jitsu can become an Olympic sport as quickly as 2016, since the games are being held in Rio de Janeiro, home of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. So if that happens, can MMA or the thought of such be far behind? Only time and the Olympic spirit will tell.

Lackluster weekend leaves negative impressions

On a weekend where I was feeling down and depressed about the loss of my best friend (Pictured @ left), I really could have used some worthwhile mixed martial arts or boxing action to lift my spirits. So, with Bellator and the UFC both with cards and young boxing star Adrien Broner fighting on HBO, I figured I'd find what I needed somewhere. However, what I got was a lackluster weekend of action that left a couple of negative impressions and thoughts.

I'm not going to dwell too much on the action because really, there isn't much to dwell on; though I would be discrediting Bellator's Karl Amoussou's 56 seconds of work on Friday night. Amoussou (16-4-2, 4 KO's 9 subs), fighting in the finals of the welterweight (170 lbs.) tournament, made quick work of his opposition Bryan Baker by catching him in a slick heel hook submission during a scramble. Amoussou was the only main event fighter that looked impressive this weekend.

Now I know some of you might remark, well what about Adrien Broner's five round finish of tough Vicente Escobedo on HBO's Boxing after Dark? My response would be, while Broner looked his usual flashy, polished self enroute to his 24th victory without a defeat, he did it unprofessionally and unfairly. The former WBO Junior Lightweight (130 lbs.) agreed to defend that title against Escobedo, a former 135 lbs. lightweight contender.

Yet, while Escobedo put in the time and effort to make the weight, like a professional, Broner laughed in the face of the system and made no effort at all. He came in three and half pounds over and after stepping off the scale heavy, he immediately proceeded to rehydrate his body with fluids. He essentially told the system, "Strip me of my title and take part of my purse, I don't care. I'm going to do what I want because I am who I am."

Sadly, the system and even Escobedo agreed because in the end, "It's all about the Benjamin's baby." Promoters wanting to save the fight, which initially Escobedo wanted to scratch, made it happen by giving the opponent more money. This in the long run was going to be made up by the fight being televised by HBO Sports anyway, so after it's all said and done it's all a wash; but also a sham because the fight was not fought on even terms.

As for the UFC, not much to talk about as both the main and co-main events went to a one-sided unanimous decision and a lackluster split-decision. The more disappointing of the two without a doubt had to be the split-decision loss by Hector Lombard in his UFC debut. The former Bellator middleweight (185 lbs.) champ came in with much fanfare and hype, but alas it ended in disaster as he did not look impressive at all against contender Tim Boetsch. Boetsch has won his last four in a row, but I don't think anyone, including Boetsch, believes he's a serious threat to current UFC champion Anderson Silva.

Meanwhile, Lombard had won his previous 20 in a row and had not lost a fight since 2006. Many, including UFC President Dana White, were hoping he could be a legitimate threat in the middleweight division. However, after his performance Saturday night White was clamoring for Lombard to drop down to 170; need I say more? As for the interim bantamweight championship in the main event, Renan Barao bested Urijah Faber over five rounds; there's nothing more to say on that.

So, with nothing spectacular to chronicle on the fight front other than a lackluster weekend filled with negative impressions, let me take a moment to reflect on the photo above. That was my Siberian husky 'Deejay' who I had the unfortunate task of having to put down this week after he was diagnosed with cancer.

They say a dog is man's best friend and for 10.5 years since he was 8 weeks old, Deejay was mine. I knew that when this day came it would hurt; unfortunately I was right, but didn't realize how much. The anticipation of knowing I had to put him to rest and going through that with him was by far the hardest thing I've ever had to do. However, as bad as the pain is, I would gladly do it all over again if I knew I could have another 10+ years like the ones Deejay gave me. I'll miss you buddy; I already do. Easy!

Boxing is far from dead

Who said boxing was dead? It wasn't me that's for sure. As much as I love mixed martial arts, I have always and continue to love boxing. The same way I have to defend MMA to boxing purists, I've had to defend boxing to MMA fans and casual people who suggest that boxing is dead. Yet, one look at Saturday night's fight between junior welterweights Amir Khan and Danny Garcia (pictured @ left) and you'll see boxing doesn't need my defense.

However, therein lies the problem; how many people actually watched it? I find myself having to defend this sport to people who claim they know boxing, yet all they know are two names Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. Thus, the reason they claim boxing is dead; but forget about the horrendous judging that has befallen the sport lately and you'll notice that there is a bevy of up and coming talent that goes beyond Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Garcia (24-0, 15 KO's), is a kid out of the tough gyms of Philadelphia that fights just like that, tough. His nickname is 'Swift', but it should be 'Swat' because that's what he does to his opponents when he hits them. In the last year this 24 year old has gone from relative obscurity to potential stardom by defeating four former world champions ina row including Nate Campbell, Kendall Holt, Erik Morales and on Saturday Amir Khan.

Losing the first two rounds easily and looking outclassed by Khan's superior hand speed, Garcia's will to win superseded that deficiency as he caught Khan with a left hook behind the ear at the end of the third round that proved to be the beginning of the end for the HBO poster boy. The end came in the fourth after two more knockdowns and now Garcia is the latest prodigy on the horizon. However, he's only the latest as there are others.

The self proclaimed "Son of God" himself Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KO's) has toiled in relative obscurity for nearly eight years as a pro; this after winning Olympic Gold in 2004. Yet, even after winning the coveted "Super Six Super Middleweight Tournament," where he defeated such notable contemporaries as Mikkel Kessler, Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch, it is only now that he will finally receive some notoriety. That is because in September he will put his 168 lbs. title on the line against 175 lbs. champion 'Bad' Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KO's) another super talent in the sport. Both are ranked number one in their respective weight classes.

Also in September, another fast rising name is that of  Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (46-0-1, 32 KO's) will look to prove his ascension is no fluke as he takes on Sergio Martinez, arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world along with aforementioned Mayweather and Pacquiao. Chavez, Jr. is another young talent whose star has risen immensely in the last year. The fight against Martinez will prove though whether it's a shooting star or not.

Finally, after those fights in the first two weeks of September, there will be another one in the third week that will not just feature an up and coming prospect in boxing, but a local one at that. Welterweight Ronald Cruz (17-0, 12 KO's), the WBC Continental Americas Champion, will have his toughest fight yet as he battles tried and tested Antwone 'The Truth' Smith on NBC Sports. Cruz does not have Olympic pedigree like Ward or a legend for a father like Chavez, but what he does have is skill and he's making the most of it.

I know I'm sounding more like a promoter than a columnist with this piece, but that is not my purpose at all; these young fighters promote themselves with their performances. My purpose is to bring to light some of the big time up and coming talent within the sport, so that casual fans can realize there's more to the ring than just Mayweather and Pacquaio. Instead of worrying about when those two will ever meet each other, check out some of these other talented pugilists and you'll see boxing is far from dead.

Champion second, martial artist first

I've said this many times before, but never was it more evidently exhibited than Saturday night. What makes Anderson Silva so great is not the fact that he is the most dominant champion in UFC history, but rather that he is a true martial artist; in other words, he is a champion second, martial artist first.

You would think that after six and a half years without a loss, which includes 16 fights in the UFC, Anderson Silva (32-4, 10 KO's 6 subs) would have a chip on his shoulder. However, on the contrary he's always remained humble and respectful towards his opponents. For the record, of those 16 UFC  fights 13 have been title defenses and that last loss was due to a disqualification.

Yet as humble as respectful as Silva has always carried himself, he was openly and uncharacteristically outspoken in the weeks leading up to his fight Saturday night. That is because his opponent Chael Sonnen (27-12, 7 KO's 4 subs), the best trash talker in MMA, pulled no punches in his vocal barrage against the champ; neither Silva's skill, country or wife were off limits. It clearly bothered Silva as he entered the octagon displaying more emotion than he's ever shown before.

Nonetheless, it didn't alter his performance at all as he continued his championship reign by defeating Sonnen in the second round via TKO due to referee stoppage after a wicked knee to the body followed up by punches. What made it even more impressive is that he did it after a first round that was dominated by Sonnen and was eerily similar to the first four rounds of their first fight.

However, if that wasn't impressive enough, after the fight when Silva could have rubbed all the trash talk in Sonnen's face and just totally stuck it to him, he didn't. Instead, in typical Anderson Silva fashion, he took the opportunity during his post fight interview to explain to the crowd that there is no animosity towards Sonnen and that what they do in the cage is for sport.

Yet, he took it even a step further when he walked over to Sonnen, extended his hand and brought him over to be part of the interview. He then spoke to the Brazilian fans in attendance in his native Portuguese and told them to show their class by applauding Sonnen and to basically forgive and forget all he had said. He then offered Sonnen an invitation to his home for a barbecue if he would like.

Sonnen, though clearly distraught, appeared caught off guard by the move and was left at a loss for words other than, "He's a true champion." What Anderson Silva did is extend martial arts etiquette in the truest and purest sense of the word; always show respect to your opponent. When he's done, Silva will probably go down as the greatest champion the UFC has ever had, but truth is he is champion second, martial artist first.