Posts Tagged ‘Sean Shelby’

‘The Spartan’ Punctuates UFC Tryout with a Highlight Reel KO at RFA 38

Posted: June 7, 2016 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Christos -6

Seizing the day, The Spartan Delivers

“Seize the day, put no trust in the morrow!”- Horace

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Going into his fight with Karen Darabedyan at RFA 38, Christos Giagos appeared as as calm as the day is long. Waiting for his walkout music, he patiently paced back and forth, pausing for a moment to acknowledge a few fans in the crowd. He didn’t seem concerned in the least, instead the young fighter appeared oddly at peace. Almost tranquil, it appeared as if the Spartan already knew the outcome. For the day was at hand, and Giagos appeared as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

Did he know that this was perhaps the most important fight of career? He had to know that Dana White, his former boss, was in the building filming ‘Looking for a Fight’, (a show that showcases White’s search for emerging talent that airs on the UFC network Fight Pass). If not he was certainly aware of the danger before him.

His opponent Karen Darabedyan is one of the fiercest grapplers in the division. If you make a mistake against him, you can loose an arm, a leg, or end up asleep looking up at the lights wondering what the hell just happened. However as soon as the fight started it became clear The Spartan’s calm almost ‘laissez-faire’ approach was the result of proper preparation.

As Darabedyan bounced in and out Giagos countered with a crisp jab, cross combination that sharply snapped the head of Darabedyan back. A few moments later, after eating a sharp jab from Giagos, Darabedyan charged in looking to engage in a fire fight, but instead walked into a three punch combination from Giagos that clipped his chin, sending him to the canvas. A few ground and pound strikes later and Giagos finally came to life.

Running towards the cage, ‘The Spartan’ ran a flip off the cage, and then began screaming with all his might, for the first time all night he appeared uncomfortable. He didn’t know what to do. For months, this moment was all that was on his mind. Now having seized the moment, the raw emotion simply took over.

The fight ended up producing one hell of a MMA equation. The fashion of the victory, multiplied by the caliber of the opponent equaled UFC President Dana White saying ” This last kid was in the UFC, and tonight he looked like he should be back in the UFC.” (interview with Ron Kruck on Inside MMA). How about that for some MMA math?

Where Giagos fights next remains to be seen, however he has certainly proved he belongs in the UFC. In his first run with the promotion, Giagos compiled a 1-2 record, with the win splitting the losses. When he was cut, it seemed odd, as he had not lost consecutive bouts, and the last loss to Chris Wade ended up being an extremely entertaining fight.

Not only was Dana White impressed with his performance but UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby was in the building as well and appeared extremely interested as well.  So it appears all the stars are lining up for The Spartan’s return to the UFC. However making it to the UFC is one thing, but staying there is a completely different animal. If Giagos hopes to remain, he will have to continue to conquer each day, as if it is his last.

 

All photos and content are owned by The Clinch Report, LLC. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. Email news@theclinchreport.com for licensing. 

 

BAMMA USA Bad Beat 13: Terrion Ware Delivers Once Again

Posted: October 11, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Flash picking his shots

Flash picking his shots

By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware took another step towards attaining his UFC goals, with his 4th round dismantling of Jeff Martin at BAMMA USA’s BadBeat 13 event. Martin was a clear underdog coming into the fight, however his jujitsu pedigree proved that on paper odds mean very little once the fight started. Martin was able to take the champion down and flirted with several deep submission attempts, including a straight armbar that Ware was able to battle through. Clearly giving him the first round.

Then quickly things changed. Ware utilized superior movement to get inside of Martin’s jab with vicious body shots that slowed down Martin’s shots, and removed his take down strength entirely. Crisply, Ware changed levels effectively gaining entry at the body, then finishing at the head. Martin did his best to stay in the fight, and did so for three rounds, despite clearly being down on the scorecards.

It appeared Ware could finish Martin several times, but instead decided to continue the punishment. Ware appeared to be one a mission. Once the fourth round began Martin faded quickly and mercifully after some nasty hammer fists the fight was stopped. For a long time the knock against Ware was the his lack of finishing ability. Perhaps last nights ‘country ass whooping’ was directed at silencing those critics.

The win rights the ship for Ware who lost his last fight against UFC Title contender Joe Soto. Currently Ware has avenged his first lost, and since only lost to guys who have or currently do fight in the UFC. With a history of exciting fights, and a style that consistently entertains, perhaps it is time for Sean Shelby or Joe Silva to take notice.

BAMMA USA once again delivered a tremendous card. Great night of fights.

‘Lil’ Steven Swanson: “Organized Destruction” the Desert Breed

Posted: January 2, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Watching ‘Lil’ Steven Swanson fight is eerily reminiscent to watching his younger brother, UFC Fighter Cub Swanson. Both have aggressive styles, that lead too entertaining scraps that rarely contain a wasted moment. Going back too last year, Swanson was 10-0, at the top of a burgeoning division, and admittedly even he was drinking his own cool aid!

Then after dominating his 11th opponent for most of the fight, a flailing triangle choke from bottom came out of no where, and cost him the fight and his undefeated status. A few months later another submission loss followed, this time an armbar not only ended the  night, but caused a serious injury.

“It wasn’t just the ground fighting, my cardio was gone as well.” Swanson said.”What I have come to realize, is that 90% of people need to feel the loss, in order too stay hungry.” Swanson said. The consecutive losses not only gave Swanson perspective, they pointed out glaring holes in his game. Holes not in technique or in skill, but in his general approach too the sport. “When I was 10-0 I was on top of everything, I wasn’t training as hard, and I let my ego kind of slip in.” Swanson said.

Now, Swanson has rededicated himself too his craft. With younger brother (UFC Featherweight contender) Cub Swanson in his corner, the elder Swanson has learned to harness and organize his ruthless aggression. “One of the hardest things for me is the controlled aggression, because I want to go in there and rip there heads off, but if you throw a few of those swings, then there goes your gas tank!” Swanson said. “I’ve learned how to control that,  and its a lot harder than people think…to be calm when someone is wailing punches at you.”

With him every step of the way is his brother, sometimes with just a word of advice. “Its sometimes difficult for me being the older brother taking advice from my younger brother, but he is so level headed and so its hard for me to argue.” Swanson said. “I can’t tell you how much he has helped me, and when I’m fighting its all business!”

That business is thriving in the desert. “We are a different breed in the desert!” Swanson said. With the Swanson brothers, Dionisio Ramirez, Jaime Sierra, Gareth de la Cruz, Troy Guerrero, Christian Santiago and the rest of his TRU MMA teammates, it would be difficult to argue. Together they have amassed one of the most impressive records on the regional scene, placing several fighters on the UFC and Bellator MMA’s  immediate radar.

Swanson will make his next appearance fighting under the UPC banner, at “Up and Comers 18” on January 4th at the Agua Caliente Casino. As of the interview, he still had not received his opponent yet. “Typically I just look at the record, and watch a little video, but I dont like too dwell on him.” Swanson said. “I’d rather concentrate on my own training.”

For Swanson, the return to the cage offers a chance to display his new found “organized destruction” in front of a large crowd and in a grand venue. “Not only is the venue absolutely beautiful, its in my home town, and my family is from that tribe so it makes it that much sweeter!” Swanson said.

A win in front of his family and friends will not only return the elder Swanson too his winning ways, but it might be enough to carry him to the next level.

Tickets for the event can be found here: http://bit.ly/18QWiAE

And information about the Promotion and Event can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/552369111513557/