Wrestling No Longer an Olympic Sport?

Posted: February 12, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Growing up wrestling was a huge part of my life. I was not very good, and i didn’t compete after the age of 15, but as a young athlete wrestling instilled an unrivaled work ethic . Wrestling is about sacrifice  effort, and determination. The grueling practices and nagging injuries are rewarded with starvation and dehydration just to qualify for competition. The sport ensures both the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.

Since 1896, men have competed at the highest level in wrestling. Not as paid athletes, only professorial wrestlers get paid, and they are compensated for scripted entertainment, not for competition. The Olympics is the top of the pyramid for a wrestlers ambition. Rulon Gardner, Jeff Blatnick, Dan Gable, Alexander Medved, Alexander Karelin, and numerous others became national heroes under the Olympic umbrella. However, after 2016 there will be no more wrestling of any kind at the Olympic games.

A recent secret ballot, eliminated wrestling (both Freestyle and Greco-Roman) from the “core group” of sports, in order to make room for Rugby and Golf. The elimination of wrestling was favored over the less popular modern pentathlon, which I challenge any reader to name the categories without first looking them up!

So what does this mean for the sport as a whole? Will this deter wrestlers from pursing the sport, since the ceiling for the sport has been lowered significantly? What will the consequences of this horrible decision be?

My thought:

Wrestlers are the way they are, because competitive drive is rooted in their very marrow. In school, wrestling offered little reward for a lot of sacrifice.  However they still work just as hard, in front of empty bleachers, with no fan fare, or headlines. Scholarships now will probably decrease, since the Olympic elimination, but I am willing to bet the wrestling rooms will be just as full. With MMA on the rise, wrestlers have options. And the work ethic they learn slamming 90 lbs dummies, is perfectly suited for the discipline needed in that sport. Wrestlers no longer need the Olympics, however I am pretty sure the backlash that results from this decision will prove to the IOC, that the Olympics are the one who need wrestling. Addition by subtraction is not always addition. Especially not with a hundred years of tradition in the rear view mirror!

Please Follow Our Website for a chance to win!

Posted: February 9, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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The Clinch Report is building our Army, and hope that both Fighters and Fans the like join our site. We will be choosing one fighter a month to be our featured fighter. The featured fighter will receive a full Bio, and write up that will be marketed in every blog, forum, and fight page that we are members of. Every fighter needs exposure, well now you have a chance to win some!

For the fans, we will giving away signed merchandise and MMA swag that we have been accumulating over the years. The first giveaway will be a signed Tito Ortiz Official UFC Fight Glove. Who wouldn’t want a free chance to own a former UFC world champions signed fight glove?

To qualify all you have to do, is sign up to follow the website. ONLY WEBSITE FOLLOWERS WILL BE QUALIFIED FOR THE DRAWING. (Facebook is cool but its not the website!)

When the drawing is completed the winners will be contacted.

Get the word out, and follow http://www.theclinchreport.com for your chance to win!

The King of The Cage: Restitution

Posted: February 9, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Story By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

 

Once again all hell broke loose at The San Manuel Indian Casino(follow @SanManuelCasino on Twitter), during The King if The Cage Restitution event. The fighters performances shadowed a late minute main event cancellation that threatened to put a damper on the evening. Nick Rossborough injured his back in training and was unable to compete against heavyweight champion Tony Lopez. Unable to find a replacement, the bout was scraped leaving the fight card one title fight short.

However once the show started and the fighters took control, the performances produced a virtual highlight reel of fight footage. In the opener Marcelo Mafra utilized his dominating wrestling and ground game to control a very game Joshua Miranda who was on the defensive and his back for most of the fight. The effort earned Mafra a unanimous decision victory.

Daniel Hernandez needed only 1:20 to secure a guillotine choke submission victory over Kenny Ento. After an aggressive take down by Hernandez, Ento exposed his neck allowing Hernandez to pull a chancery position that he parlayed into the choke. Hernandez has looked dominant in past few fights. His dominant wrestling and heavy hands have to be drawing some stares from fellow 185lbs contenders.

The third fight was over in a heartbeat. Carlos Ortega landed a huge left hand that immediately staggered Charles Lee. Lee on his bicycle, tried to create space to regain his composure but Ortega swarmed. A heavy right hand from the stalking Ortega dropped the wobbled Lee, forcing the referee to interrupt some rather academic ground and pound.

After a few quick KO’s, Vince Alaalatoa and Manny Murillo change the dynamic by treating the audience to a tightly contested battle that left both combatants bruised, bloodied, and swollen. In the end, Murillo utilized his clinch game, and dirty boxing to secure a tightly scored split decision. Alaalatoa valiantly rallied late in the third round, with a flurry of straight lefts and rights, that staggered Murillo who seemed to be on the balance beam when the final bell rang.

After that grueling fight things returned to form as Alejandro Garcia needed only 3:54 to knockout heavily favored veteran Roberto Vargas. Garcia frustrated Vargas from the opening bell, and snapped cracking leg kicks one after the other keep Vargas out of range. After a right hand, leg kick combination Garcia reset, and unleashed a devastating leg kick to Vargas’s front leg that swept him off his feet. Garcia pounced on the downed Vargas, and took his back. Once he flattened Vargas out he began to pummel the sides of his head with left and right hooks, from the back mount. A big right hand sapped Vargas, and the referee stepped in stopping the fight. A huge win for Garcia, and a tough loss for the journeyman Vargas.

In the co-main event, Joshua Aveles survived and early take down from welter weight champion Sam Liera, by quickly popping back up to his feet. Liera still with his back, unsuccessfully attempted to suplex Aveles back to the mat, however Aveles broke free and returned to his Muay Thai foundation. Surviving another clinch, and brief take down Aveles stood and landed a huge left hand on the exit that had Liera out on his feet. The right hand that followed ended all doubt as Liera fell prone to the canvas clearly unconscious.  The win earns Joshua Aveles the KOTC Welterweight Title, and adds to his impressive highlight knockout reel.

Sean Strickland maybe The King of The Cage’s pound for pound champion. Coming off his first title defense, Strickland was set to face off with veteran striker Bill Albrecht. Both fighters appeared wary of the other. Neither was willing to commit to any sort of combination. Strickland pushed the pace landing a jab, right hand combination that he followed with a take down. Albrecht tried to defend against the mount, but Strickland swiftly transitioned to the mount and began landing powerful strikes that forced Albrecht to cover up. The referee stepped in stopping the fight at 2:41 of the very first round. Strickland continues his undefeated streak, and remains the KOTC top prospect, and Middleweight champion.

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Liera secures the take down

Liera secures the take down

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King of The Cage Restitution Live UPDATES!

Posted: February 8, 2013 in Combat Sports
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LIVE UPDATES PROVIDED BY: JONATHAN KING CAGE SIDE REPORTER                                     

King of The Cage: “Restitution”

#1    JOSHUA MIRANDA                  155 LBS  3X5               MARCELO MAFRA

Referee: Mike Beltran

RD 1: Fighters start out pawing jabs at one another, as Mafra lands a big left hand that drops Miranda about a minute into the frame. From there Mafra controls dominate position often landing in North South position. Miranda defending well, but not much offense by either fighter. 10-9 Mafra

RD 2: Mafra lands a big takedown right away and again keeps Miranda on his back landing in side control. Mafra’s corner calling for knees to the body, but Miranda is defending well. Using the cage to counter the north south position. Miranda looking to tie up an arm from the bottom. Mafra gets his arm free and lands some elbows to the side of Miranda’s head. Mafra can’t seem to create enough space to land. Again the fighters are in the north south position. Mafra looking for the kimura but losses control of the arm. Referee Mike Beltran stands the fighters up, and Miranda immediately looks to land hands, as Mafra once again brings the fight to the mat. Round ends with Mafra in Miranda’s guard. 10-9 Mafra

RD 3: Round 3 starts with Miranda instigating the clinch. Mafra jumps on his back, looking for the standing submission, and Miranda drops him on his back. Mafra spins to mount, but Miranda controls the posture very well. Still in mount, Mafra is unable to land any shots as Miranda keeps him close. Again Mafra stands and looks to penetrate the guard of Miranda, who seems content on his back. Mafra again achieves mount but is immediately pulled tight. Mafra finally able to create some space. The last ten seconds of the fight, Mafra finally able to posture up to land some decent ground and pound. 10-9 Mafra.

Marcelo Mafra via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

#2    DANIEL HERNANDEZ            185 LBS  3X5                KENNY ENTO

Referee: Herb Dean

RD 1: Hernandez starts off by landing a big leg kick, followed by a left that briefly drops Ento. Ento looks to jab, as Hernandez shoots. Hernandez able to drop Ento with a big take down, that he immediately parlayed into a guillotine. From his back, the choke looks deep. Ento taps at 1:20 of the very first round!

#3    CARLOS ORTEGA                    170 LBS  3X5                CHARLES LEE

Referee: Big John McCarthy

RD 1: Ortega lands a big left hand that has Lee on his bicycle, Lee gets clipped again with a heavy right hand and drops supine to the mat. Ortega follows reigning some lefts and rights from the back mount. Big John steps in at :38 seconds into round 1.

#4    MANNY MURILLO                   185 LBS  3X5               VINCE ALAALATOA

Referee: Mike Beltran

RD 1: Alaalatoa starts out by using his reach to land effective jabs. And drops Murillo with a big right hand. Murillo able to get back to his feet, where the clinch begins. Alaalatoa flurries again with rights and lefts, and Murillo circles away. Murillo’s right eye is severely swollen. Murillo is also cut above the right eye. Alaalatoa is able to secure a take down from the clinch, but Murillo is able to sweep and land in half guard. Big elbows from Murillo rain down. Alaalatoa is able to get back to his feet, and the fighters seperate. Leg kicks from Murillo land, on the outside of Alaalatoa’s right leg. Big flurry by Murillo as the round comes to an end. Close round, that started one way, and ended another. Murillo 10-9 with the late flurry. Both fighters appear gassed. Murillo explodes with ones and twos, pushing Alaalatoa against the cage, and lands a heavy right hand before clinching. Another flurry by Murillo is stopped by a stiff Alaalatoa jab. More leg kicks by Murillo, as Alaalatoa counters with the jab effectively.  We see another round for Murillo 10 -9.

RD 3: Alaalatoa starts out with a big right hand, that pushes Murillo backwards. The fighters clinch briefly and trade punches on the break. Alaalatoa secures a single leg that he is unable to keep. Murillo pushes Alaalatoa against the fence and the two begin hand fighting for control. Murillo in control as the referee calls for action and gets some. Big knees from Murillo in the clinch, as Alaalatoa reverses position, but is unable to land. Murillo misses a big spinning back fist, as both fighters begin to trade shots. Big right hand from Alaalatoa has Murillo rocked, Murillo is on his bicycle with ten seconds left. Both fighters throwing as the round ends. The late flurry for Alaalatoa stole the round 10-9.

(29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Manny Murillo via split decision.

#5    ALEJANDRO GARCIA           145 LBS  3X5                  ROBERTO VARGAS

Referee: Big John McCarthy

RD 1: Vargas begins pawwing with the jab. Garcia with a big leg kick. Right hand by Garcia. Vargas looking for his range eats another jab from Garcia who is stalking confidently. Superman punch from Garcia lands, followed by a 3 punch combination that Vargas has no answer for. Garcia fakes the take down and lands a big right hand that drops vargas momentarily. Garcia with a leg kick right hand combination. Vargas appears frustrated. Another vicious leg kick to the left knee of Vargas. Garcia kicks Vargas’s leg out from under and follows with several right hands to Vargas’s head. He appears out, as more punches land Big John steps in to prevent anymore damage.

Winner: Alejandro Garcia via KO 3:54 round 1

 KOTC WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT

#6    JOSH AVELES                          170 LBS  5X5                  SAM LIERA

Referee: Mike Beltran

RD 1: Fighters touch gloves, and Liera immediately catches an Aveles kick and drops him with the takedown. Liera takes Aveles back who stands. Liera looking for the suplex, instead uses a full nelson to bring Aveles down. Aveles able to get back up, where Liera looks again for the take down. Big right hand from Aveles, and Liera is hurt, one more and he is out! Josh Aveles again with a vicious knockout! Liera is out cold!

Winner: Joshua Aveles via KO at 1:29 RD 1

 

 KOTC MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE BOUT                                   

#7    BILL ALBRECHT                      170 LBS  5X5                      SEAN STRICKLAND

Referee: Herb Dean

RD 1: Albrecht starts off the agressor, as Strickland looks to counter. Leg kick by Strickland lands, as Albrecht counters with the jab. Both fighters seems to be landing single shots, not able to string to gether any ominatios But Strickland lands a one, two and immediately secures the take down. The Champion now working in side control. He transitions to the mount and begins the onslaught of ground strikes. After Albrecht “turtles”, Herb Dean steps in to halt the bout at 2:41 seconds of the first round.

Winner: Sean Strickland via TKO RD 1: 2:41

  

 

KING OF THE CAGE: “RESTITUTION”

Posted: February 6, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

King of The Cage is set to put on another outstanding night of fights at the San Manuel Indian Casino. Two title fights are set to highlight a spectacular card with several talented young fighters, including Sean Strickland, Joshua Aveles, and Sam Liera. Tony Lopez was scheduled to face Nick Rossborough in a re-match, however confirmation has been given that the fight is scratched, no reason was given. Lopez was set to defend his title, after winning a very controversial split decision in their first bout.


The shows at the San Manuel Casino are always exciting, fighters tend to shine under the bright lights. Many former participants have moved on to successful careers in the UFC and Bellator. Once again it appears the partnership has produced an extremely entertaining fight card.

   FEBRUARY 7TH, 2013

   SAN MANUEL CASINO

    

                                                   

                                       KOTC WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT

#7    BILL ALBRECHT                    185 LBS  5X5                       SEAN STRICKLAND

                                       KOTC WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT

#6    JOSH AVELES                          170 LBS  5X5                       SAM LIERA

   UNDERCARD

#5    ALEJANDRO GARCIA           145 LBS  3X5                    ROBERTO VARGAS

#4    MANNY MURILLO                   185 LBS  3X5                    VINCE ALAALATOA

#3    CARLOS ORTEGA                    170 LBS  3X5                      CHARLES LEE

#2    DANIEL HERNANDEZ            185 LBS  3X5                      KENNY ENTO

#1    JOSHUA MIRANDA                  155 LBS  3X5               MARCELO MAFRA

Former King of The Cage Event Photos. By: John Walsh

Frank Shamrock, Randy Couture, Greg Jackson and Joe Warren to Headline new MMA Reality show

Posted: February 5, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Bjorn Rebney bellator Owner and CEO

Bjorn Rebney bellator Owner and CEO

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Once again Bellator shows their business acumen by following in the footsteps of one of the UFC’s most lucrative paths. Viacom and Bellator announced on Tuesday, that filming would begin “imminently” for a show that would be similar to the Ultimate Fighter, set to debut in the summer of 2013.

Several high profile MMA stars have signed on to coach including UFC exile Frank Shamrock, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, renowned coach Greg Jackson, and former world champion Joe  Warren. The show dubbed “Fightmaster:”, will not be an exact clone of the TUF series, but very similar. Once again Bellator seems to have stolen more of the UFC’s thunder.

The most glaring issue is the signing of Randy Couture, whose tumultuous relationship with the UFC is apparently permanently put to rest. “I’m glad I never have to do business with the man ever again!” Dana White bristled when asked about Couture teaming with Bellator. “Most people that do business with him would agree!” White, also clarified that the former two division champion’s son would still be fighting under the UFC. Although he made it clear that the elder Couture was not welcome in any capacity. “He can’t even buy a ticket!”

Building on the TUF model, Viacom has put together a tremendous team to run “Fightmaster”. “The cornerstone of this show is really about the people behind it,” said Bellator president Bjorn Rebney.  ”The Amazing Race” creators Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri will be the wizards behind the curtains.

The series will feature 32 welterweights who will choose their own coaches. Fighters will compete for a 6 figure contract, as well as a spot in a future championship tournament. 2013 is looking like the year of Bellator.

Every move they make, seems to pay dividends. With partnerships that are genuinely concerned with producing a quality product, and fighters who tend to leave it all in the cage, the successful rise of this promotion seems to be guaranteed!

UFC 156 Main Card Analysis and Predictions

Posted: February 1, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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by: Jonathan King

JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS IAN MCCALL
 
This fight is an interesting match up. Both fighters can stake a claim for a title shot against champion Demetrious Johnson with a decisive win. Benavidez is as strong as they come in the 125 lbs weight division. His wrestling maybe the best in the division. Ian McCall brings a very dynamic striking game to the table. McCall is 0-1-1 against the current champion. Benevidez will need to avoid McCall’s counter punching to secure a take down. If he is able to bring the fight to the mat, he may be able to secure the win. McCall will need to utilize his wrestling defense, to avoid any take downs. However, if he does get put on his back McCall will need to stay active from the bottom as he has in the past. Both fighters bring a contrasting style that should provide great entertainment.
 
Prediction: Joseph Benavidez Unanimous Decision.
 
JON FITCH  VS DEMIAN MAIA
 
Very often we hear the term “Grinder” when referring to a fighters style. No one exemplifies that label better than Jon Fitch. Fitch has been a contender at the 170lbs division for nearly a decade. His wrestling and conditioning, have become legendary. He has wins over some of the biggest names in the sport, and has even gone the distance with Georges St Pierre. His only sign of weakness came by way of a  flash KO at the hands of Johnny Hendricks. Demian Maia is also known as a legend. His grappling and jujitsu game may be one of the most feared in the sport. At 185 lbs, Maia was out gunned by stronger fighters. Now comfortable at 170 lbs, Maia’s power increase will only serve to strengthen his grappling. 
 
Prediction: Jon Fitch Unanimous Decision
 
ALISTAIR OVEREEM VS ANTONIO SILVA
 
In his first fight after being suspended for having testosterone in his system, Alistair Overeem is already looking for a title shot. Unfortunately for him, standing in his way is another mountain sized heavyweight named Antonio Silva. Silva is coming off a dominating win over Travis Browne, and feels that Overeem is disrespecting him.  With a long history of animosity between the two fighters, stemming from their camp decisions (Silva left the Blackzilians and rejoined American Top Team once Overeem signed on with the camp) there should be no shortage of heavy exchanges. Overeem will hold a clear advantage in the striking department, while Silva will have an edge if the fight goes to the ground. Both fighters have extremely heavy hands, and are capable of knocking the other out. 
 
Prediction: Alistair Overeem via TKO
 
RASHAD EVANS VS ROGERIO NOGUEIRA
 
Rashad Evans may be the most talented fighter in the UFC without a belt. His wrestling background, and versatile striking have kept Evans at the top of the division, since his brief reign as champion. He will need to utilize his excellent head movement to counter the tremendous boxing skills of Rogerio Nogueira. “Lil Nog” (as he is known) for a long time has been over looked in 205 lbs division. Known for his precision boxing skills Nogueira like his brother is also deadly on the ground. If he is able to stagger Evans, or somehow able to drag him to the mat, he will have a distinct advantage. As dynamic as his boxing is, Evans will still have an advantage on his feet through sheer athleticism alone. Evans will look to land effectively at distance, setting up his own take downs in order win the fight. However, if he is too aggressive in Nogueira’s guard, he could very easily get caught in a submission. 
 
Prediction: Rashad Evans via 2nd rd TKO
 
MAIN EVENT FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
 
FRANKIE EDGAR V JOSE ALDO (CHAMPION)
 
Jose Aldo is one of the most dynamic fighters in any weight class. His combination of speed and technique have laid waste to an all star cast of opponents. His reign at the top, has never been challenged and his name is very often mentioned at the top of the pound for pound rankings. Frankie Edgar embodies the dark horse spirit. His history of exciting fights, and come from behind win seem to be from the pages of a Hollywood script. Edgar’s chin and ability to recover may be his best attribute in a very crowded quiver of mma weapons. If Edgar is able to close the distance and grab a hold of Aldo he might be able to slow the pace and grind on the champion. Both fighters are no strangers to late rounds, and both can take a punch so look for this fight to head into deep water. However, lets not forget one very important wild card in this fight, the referee. Steve Mazzagatti could play a role in a questionable stoppage!
 
Prediction: Frankie Edgar via Split Decision
 

Up and Comers Unlimited XIV

Posted: January 28, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By Jonathan King

Up and Comers Unlimited XIV at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Palm Springs California provided an extremely entertaining night of fights. Amateur fighters began the night, throwing with reckless abandon. All of these fighters made the most with the opportunity of fighting in a pretty large arena, and in front of a packed crowd.

With a total of 6 professional and 5 amateur fights, promoter Jason Weiner worked feverishly to produce an exciting fight card, even as the event was under way. In a very strange twist, Co Headline fighter Anthony Shifflet (0-2 MMA) disappeared after having his hands wrapped. Leaving Dethrone Base Camp prospect Chris Honeycutt without a fight. Honeycutt, who has been featured on NuvoTV’s “Fight Factory” had several family members fly in for his debut, including his father from China.

Weiner made the Honeycutt family’s trip worth while, finding a local fighter Jessy Torres (who was sitting at home when he got the call) to step in for the absentee fighter. His fighting spirit, enabled the co main event to go on as scheduled  However he ran into the juggernaut that is Chris Honeycutt.

Honeycutt was able to secure an early take-down  and transition to Torres’s back. Once he was able to flatten out Torres, Honeycutt began raining punches from the back mount forcing the stoppage. The crowd reacted with boos, as they thought the stoppage was early. However replay shows Torres was not defending himself.

Steve Swanson (brother of UFC fighter Cub Swanson) added to his reputation for finishing fights quickly, defeating Eric McMorris in just :17 seconds. Swanson immediately landed a chopping leg kick to McMorris’s knee, leaving the young fighter unable to stand. Swanson swarmed with punches that seemed academic as the referee stopped the fight.

Swasnon has now won his last three bouts in less than :45 seconds. At 10-0, Swanson seems destined to join his talented brother in the UFC. His power and speed will translate well in the UFC 125 lbs division.

Thoughts on UPC Up and Comers XIV: Jason Werner has created an incredible promotion that blends together a talent pool of young, hungry amateurs with seasoned professionals creating an intoxicating cocktail of fights for both the casual and the hardcore fight fan. Not many fighters ever get to fight in the UFC, but the UPC offers a great chance for those who are trying too, to showcase their skills on a large stage. A great night of fights!

Pictures By: John Walsh

Chris Honeycutt MMA Prospect and Dethrone Base Camp Fighter

Posted: January 27, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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by:Jonathan King

Wrestling in MMA, may be the strongest of all bases for an athlete to excel in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. As UFC commentator Joe Rogan has pointed out several times. The MMA ranks are littered with  former collegiate  wrestling champions. As Rogan pointed out the competitive wrestler is a different breed, an animal-like humanoid who literally starves for competition. This rare mentality translates poetically to the organized violence that is MMA. Simply put, wrestlers know what it takes to win.

Chris Honeycutt (Dethrone Base Camp) is cast in the familiar mold that several current and former champions originated from. As an NCAA finalist, Honeycutt announced his intentions to pursue a career as a mixed martial artist. Immediately making him one of the hottest sought after prospects in the sport. After a short tryout, he signed on to become a member of Dethrone Base Camp in Fresno California, alongside fellow Edinboro alumni Josh Koscheck.

Koscheck’s transition from wrestler to striker is legendary, his protege Honeycutt’s athleticism should translate similarly. In his debut, at UPC Fights Honeycutt was dominating the early exchanges with powerful shots, and only resorted to his wrestling pedigree once he caught a kick parlaying the defensive move into a single leg take-down. Once on the mat, Honeycutt’s transitions were extremely sharp. Taking his opponents back he ended the fight with a barrage of strikes to his opponents head.

With his debut in the rear view mirror, Chris Honeycutt is well on his way to a successful career. However the transition from prospect to contender is never a guarantee. So far he has made excellent choices with regard to his team and training partners. Under the watchful eyes of Bob Cook, Josh Koscheck, and DeWayne Zinkin his path is well lit. However its his foundation as a wrestler, the work ethic instilled since childhood, that will assure his success.

 

 

 

 

BELLATOR 85 A Dynamic Success Live on Spike TV

Posted: January 21, 2013 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Bellator made its debut on Spike TV, and did so in tremendous style. The partnerships first joint venture featured two title fights, and two light heavyweight tournament quarter final fights. Early results in show that just under 1 million people tuned in to watch the inaugural event. A huge increase from the numbers they had been seeing on MTV2.

Once all the pieces were in place and the lights heated up, it was out of the promoters hands. The fighters themselves would dictate the success or failure of this event. The gladiators made their intentions known from the onset, as several hotly contested preliminary fights got the crowd juiced, and more importantly the fighters waiting to perform. The under card was featured on Spiketv.com. Savant Young provided the spark with a tremendous one punch knock out of heavily favored Mike ‘The Joker’ Guymon. After being behind in the fight, Young countered an advancing Guymon with a well time left hand that floored the former UFC vet. A thunderous shot, on the ground was purely academic as the ref leaped in too stop any further damage.

The live portion of the Spike TV card began with an incredible back and forth scrap between featherweight title holder Pat Curran and aggressive challenger Patricio Pitbull. The crowd and the audience may have been expecting fireworks, however instead they were treated to a back and forth battle of attrition, that left both fighter swollen, battered, and bleeding. Curran narrowly eked out a split decision, holding on to his coveted featherweight crown.

Not may people gave a young unknown fighter from Russia a chance against a former UFC title contender, but Mikhail Zayats could care less about being an underdog. He only cares about winning, and he proved that after he over came huge odds, and a lopsided crowd to destroy UFC and Strikeforce veteran Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral. A vicious spinning back fist, was the beginning of the end. Zayats left the crowd stunned, and the tournament with a new favorite!

The main event of the evening made several points clear. First of all after defeating a very game Rick Hawn, Michael Chandler’s name certainly has to be mentioned in the pound for pound category. His striking, and dominating wrestling made the fight look easy, although i am sure it was not. Chandler never looked to be out of control, and his pedigree as a champion has been solidified.

Thoughts on Bellator: Bellator provides an extremely exciting format with their tournament based champions. The roster of fighters has always been an exciting fusion of homegrown young talent, mixed with savvy veterans who have fought in several organizations. Bjorn Rebney and his partners have created a juggernaut of a promotion that seems to be creating its own path. For years, many companies have tried to follow the UFC business model and have failed miserably, simply because they were not the UFC. Bellator seems content to succeed in areas that UFC is either no longer interested in (fighters), or in avenues the UFC has no interest in such as: Pro wrestling. As long as the fights are exciting, and the product is not watered down the promotions success appears to be a guarantee at this point. 2013 could be the year Bellator becomes a true rival for the UFC, although it appears they don’t seem to care either way. Bellator seems only concerned with Bellator, and in the combat sports world, that is a refreshing take!

All Photos are provided by: John Walsh

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