Posts Tagged ‘Systems Training Center’

Spar Star MMA: The Crowning of A Queen

Posted: November 26, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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Sparstar 10.11.14-10

 

By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

Saturday November 29th brings everyone a unique opportunity to witness MMA history. Months ago candidates for a women’s bantamweight tournament were selected to square off in an attempt to crown the first ever Spar Star MMA champion. That title would be the first of its kind under the CAMO sanctioning body.

Last month the four semi finalists were set to earn their spots, however a last minute withdrawal left Danielle Mack without a fight. Since she was ready to go, and on weight, Mack received a first round bye. Her opponent in the finals Farren Romero had to earn her spot in the traditional way. Romero choked out her opening round opponent in the second round of their fight, punching her ticket to meet Mack in the finals.

With Hollywood Park Casino as the backdrop, once again the Spar Star Cage is in place and ready to absorb all the punishment the fighters can dish out. Many of these men and women will be using this platform as launching points for their burgeoning pro careers. So we can expect a high level of output from some very eager brawlers. Several of the fighters on the card have fought here before, a testament to both the quality of the show, and the character of those who run the operation.

The Nights first fight is scheduled to begin at 6:00 pm, with doors opening an hour earlier at 5:00 pm. As always this event is for all ages. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. A few tickets may still be available so make sure to contact any of the fighters on the card for tickets.

Support your local Fighters!

The entire Fight Card is scheduled as followed.

Antony Nealy vs. Kosmas Galatsis 181 lbs (Catchweight)

Roman Puga vs. Walter Alfaro 145lbs

Russell Beatley vs. Sergey Martirosyan  165lbs (Catchweight)

Tigran Grigoryan vs. Mateuz Grudziaz in a 175lbs

Nicholas Duran vs. Richie Meister   135lbs

Tizoc Froese vs. Javel Mckenzie       125lbs

Sincere Freeman vs. Mario Lopez   155lbs

Tanner Grant vs. Julio Rios   140lbs (Catchweight)

Jonathan Quiroz vs. Antonio Vasquez   145lbs

Eric Berganza vs. Jacob Sandoval   135lbs

Erick Gonzalez vs. Jonel Kimbrough 155lbs

JaShonna Owens vs. Selena Longo 145lbs

Hakob Ter-Petrosyan vs. Daniel Rodriguez 176lbs (Catchweight)

Danielle Mack vs. Farren Romero 135lbs

*Card is subject to change!

Some of Southern California’s best gyms will be represented including Hayastan, Tapout LA, 10th Planet, Main Event Gym, UFC Gym Fullerton, Systems Training Center, PKG, DogPound MMA, NZT MMA, The Sweat Shop, Defiant MMA, Team Sweet Science, and many more.

As always the stars will certainly be out, you never know who you may run into at a Spar Star show.

Check out some of our photo from the past Spar Star Events!

 

 

 

“The Spartan” Invades Rio For His UFC Debut. Giagos vs. Burns

Posted: October 21, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh

Video By:Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com

On any given day you can walk into Systems Training Center in Hawthorne CA and bear witness to the next generation of UFC superstars. One of them, Christos ‘The Spartan’ Giagos (10-2 MMA UFC Debut) will not be there however, because right now he is in Rio, cutting weight for his UFC debut against Gilbert Burns (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC).

Giagos punched his ticket with a huge KO victory over Dakota Cochrane (17-7 MMA) at RFA 17. ‘The Spartan’ dropped Cochrane with a hellacious flying knee that removed his opponent from his senses.  Already a blip on the UFC’s radar, Giagos secured his spot with the highlight reel KO. Once Giagos signed it was announced he would be making his promotional debut in Brazil, against an undefeated Brazilian! Certainly not an easy debut…

Burns, is without a doubt the toughest test yet for Giagos. The submission expert has also reeled off a few finishes via strikes, so a complete game plan will be needed. That is where coach Ian Harris comes into the mix. Harris, is a scientist when it comes to planning a fight. Quickly becoming one of the best kept secrets in MMA, Harris will need to develop a plan to keep Giagos in his comfort zone, without offering any opportunities. Together the two will construct a floating game plan that will adapt(if necessary) to the style of Burns.

The key for Giagos is too not only keep the fight standing, but to pester Burns relentlessly on the feet. Burns maybe physically stronger than Giagos, but no where near as fast. If Christos is able to move in and out of Burns range, and effectively score on the entrance and exits, it could be a long frustrating night for Burns.

According to pedigree Burns will look for the take down at some point, especially if Giagos is scoring on his feet. However very often a grapplers egos get the best of them, and they decide they want to become strikers. Should this be the case, Giagos will win the fight! Especially if Burns thinks he can rely on the ground late in the fight. Giagos has excellent wrestling defense.

Of course every prediction has a short shelf life. Saturdays predictions will vanish as results are carved, Hopefully when that happens, the UFC finally spells the name right! ITS GIAGOS, not GLAGOS!

Prediction: Giagos via TKO Rd3

 

 

 

 

BAMMA USA Badbeat 13 Live From The Commerce Casino

Posted: October 10, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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vBamma USA once again invades the Commerce Casino

Preliminary Card

Levon Sargsyan (0-0) vs. Michael Reyes (0-0) 125 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd1: Excellent patience from Sargsyan who avoids a few big swings from Reyes. Reyeslunges and catches Sargysan who is in trouble. Big ground and pound from Reyes who inspires the stoppage. Winner :32 Rd 1 via KO Michael Reyes

Chris Schommer (1-0) vs Jose Rivas jr (1-0) 205 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Reyes enters to “The Game” made famous by Triple H in the WWE. Interesting choice of songs….

Rd1: Schommer looking for the takedown but its not there. He settles for a few leg kicks, then feign the take down again. Reyes digs to the legs, then lands a nice two punch combination before Schommer instigates the clinch.  Head kick from Reyes flirts ineffectively. Schommer in on a single and brings the fight to the ground. In side cross landing elbows and punches, Schommer senses the finish. Schommer sinks in the brabo choke as he moves to a north south position and Reyes is out as the round ends. Winner via head and arm choke Rd 1 Chris Schommer

Ashley Yoder (1-0) vs Maria Rios (1-0) 115 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd1: Yoder starts out more active, but Rios patiently finds her way into the clinch. Yoder backed into the cage, taking a few foot stomps. Rios now backed up momentarily before reversing position. Referee Mike Beltran calls for a break, and Rios immediately lands with a nice leg kick. Yoder with head control, but Rios gets free and again pressing Yoder against the cage. Rios with a big elbow to the liver that buckles Yoder.We give  Rd 1 to Rios 10-9

Rd2: More clinching, as Rios still in control Both fighters land with punches. Another nice elbow from Rios brings her again into the clinch. Yoder able to take Rios down. Yoder now in side control lands a nice elbow. Yoder smothering Rios, but Rios doing some nice work from bottom. Triangle almost locked up by Rios but Yoder breaks free. Both fighters landing with punches as the round ends. We give it 10-9 Yoder

Rd3: Yoder again with a nice hip toss take down. Yoder in side control but Rios threatens the back. Nice reversal from Rios who is now working from the half guard. Rios transitions to the back but gets swept. Now Yoder working in the closed guard of Rios. Referee calls for a break. Rios lands a nice combination and another. Rios flurries and Yoder gives back as well. Rios again lands with heavy straight punches that have Yoder rocked and backed up as the round and the fight come to an end. We have it 10-9 Rios giving her a very close 29-28 decision win. Winner by UD Maria Rios

Adrian Gutierrez (0-0) vs Tim Riscen (2-0) 125 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd 1: Riscen in on a take down, but Gutierrez appears to have his neck.  Riscen gets free momentarily before having his posture controlled by Gutierrez. Back to there feet Gutierrez lands nice right before getting dragged back to the mat. Riscen in the guard now, looking to land with the right, but Gutierrez kicks him away and gets back to his feet. Riscen again with a take down. Big right elbows from Riscen find a home. Gutierrez gets free and stands only to be taken down again. And the round comes to a close. 10-9 Riscen

Rd 2: Gutierrez starts out the aggressor, backing Riscen up. Riscen finds the take down again. Riscen steps over in to half guard and lands with a few punches before Gutierrez escapes back to his feet. Riscen find the double leg again, and wouldn’t you know he gets another take down. Riscen locks up a modified head and arm choke, and that is the end of the contest. Winner Tim Riscen via SUB Von Flue choke

Alyssa Garcia (0-0) vs Misha Nassiri (2-0) 110 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd 1: Nassiri lands a few rights and lefts, but Garcia  closes the distance quickly. Both fighters get away from each other, only to have Garcia shoot and achieve the take down. Nassiri curled up against the cage, as Garcia looks to pull her away. Both fighters stand up. Nice knee in the clinch from Garcia. Sit out take down tosses Nassiri as Garcia is just smothering her. Nassiri doing well for the moment controlling the posture of Garcia. Round end 10-9 Garcia

Rd 2: Garcia swings wildly and misses but is able to get in close enough to grab the plumb clinch. Nice scramble from Garcia finds her in mount. Grapevines flatten out Nassiri but Garcia cannot seem to posture up. Garcia might have the back, but sits out instead. Now she transitions to the arm. Armbar looks tight but Garcia cant seem to force the tap. She adjusts and that is the end of the fight! Winner Alyssa Garcia via armbar Rd 2 2:04

Christian Aguilera (2-0) vs Eric Steans jr (4-2) 155 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd 1:Steans lands a big left that wobbles Aguilera right away. However he gets back to his feet and takes Steans down. Steans looking for the guillotine. Aguilera rolls through but lands a huge uppercut that has Steans out cold! WOW. Winner via KO Christian Aguilera Rd 1

Chris Pena (3-2) vs Mike Segura (2-0) 155 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd 1: Pena with a nice leg kick to start off the round. Segura looking to counter. 3 punch combination from Segura stop Penas’s advances. Segura looking to establish his superior reach. Pena touches with the right hand. Big left from Pena backs up Segura. Body kick from Segura drops Pena momentarily. Oooh a shot to the pills prompts referee Herb Dean to call a halt to the action. Pena has 5 minutes to recover. We are back under way. Pena charges forward and glances with the right hand. Segura lands a nice hook but misses with the second. Nice left rom Segura gets Pena’s attention. Segura jumps guard but Pena gets his head free and lands to the body. Segura trying to control the posture of Pena. Pena looks to be transitioning to the back, but Segura shakes him back into the half guard. Pena digs to the body. Nice short elbow from Pena. Segura finally closes the guard, but cannot find any breathing room. Big shots from Pena as the round ends. 10-9 Pena with the late work.

Rd 2: Segura with a nice side kick to the body of Pena. Pena presses Segura against the cage, and then takes him down. Segura again controls the posture well, and then grabs an arm. He could parlay this into a sweep, but has the arm lock pretty deep. Segura with a nice Kimura and Herb Dean has seen enough. No tap from Pena. Winner via technical submission Kimura Mike Segura

Daniel McWilliams (11-26) vs  Costello (3-2) 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds

Rd 1: Winner McWilliams via RNC :51 Rd 1

Jason Williams (4-6) vs Darren Smith (5-4) 158 lbs (catchweight) 3X5 min rounds

Rd 1: Referee Steven Davis is the third man in the cage for this catchweight bout. Willams starts off with the jab, as Smith looks to get under for the take down. Upper cut from Smith just misses. Knee from Williams as he is backed up finds it mark but Smith powers right through. Low blow from Smith prompts Steven Davis to call a halt to the action. Williams looks like he needs a minute, he will have 5. Williams is ready and here we go. Nice hands from Williams touch Smith, but he lands a counter that drops Williams. Smith looking to take the back and does. Punches from the back mount reign down, but Williams seems to be ok for the moment. Smith now working the choke. Both hooks in, but it looks like he is finally under the chin and he is, Smith secures the tap in the first round. X170 lbs 3X3 min roundsWinner via RNC Darren Smith Rd 1 3:41

Xavier Stokes  (4-4)) vs Ozzie Alvarez 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds

Rd 1: Alvarez  in top position as Stokes closes the guard. Nice rights to the body from Alvarez. Short elbow from bottom by Stokes. Alvarez still in control as Stokes looks to control. Alvarez scurries back into top control, as Stokes can’t seem to get up. Alvarezs lands a single left, and then hammers the body with right hands. Hammer fists alternate between the head and body. Stokes in trouble as Herb Dean looks in, a few more prompt the stoppage. Winner via TKO 3:03 Rd 1  Ozzie Alvarez

Christina Marks (4-7) vs Melanie Lacroix (4-1) 135 lbs 3X3 min rounds

Rd 1: Mike Beltran and his mustache in charge of the action. Both fighter stalking, neither willing to commit. Lacroix springs into a combination that finds her in the clinch. Nice knee from Marks, but Lacroix rag dolls her back against the cage. Nice right hands from Marks. Lacroix lands with the knee to the midsection. Marks doing some damage with the short punches, but Lacroix refusing to give up the clinch. Underhooks from Lacroix help her keep position. Lacroix catches a leg momentarily and uses it to again get inside. Marks backs away and circles to her left. Push kick from Marks and Lacroix again grabs the clinch as the round end. 10-9 Lacroix in a very close round.

Rd 2: Nice right hand from Lacroix lands as Marks was moving away. Lacroix again utilizing the wall and stall tactic to quote my buddy Stephen Quadros. Lacroix again holding plum but not landing anything all that significant. Both fighter seperate and Marks lands with a pawing right hand. Lacroix again gets inside and lands a big right on the exit. Marks defending well against the clinch but cant seem to get any momentum as Lacroix is smothering her. Marks misses the uppercut and eats a left. Both ladies trading heavy punches as the round comes to a close. 10-9 for Lacroix.

Rd 3: Marks misses with a sloppy right. Lacroix catches the leg and uses it again to get the clinch. Nice straight elbow from Lacroix gets through the underhooks of Marks. Nice right hand from Lacroix on the exit. Marks scores with a left. Nice right from Lacroix lands as both women are landing. Marks lands a swift 1, 2 that starches Lacroix, however she walks right through to again get the thai clinch. Nice knee from Marks. Bull rush from Lacroix as the fight comes to a close. Close round but 10-9 Marks. we have her losing  a UD but this fight could be scored much closer! Winner via UD 29-28 Christina Marks

Eddie Jackson (4-1) vs Nick Reale (7-8) 170 lbs 3X5 min rounds

Rd 1: Reale starting very low, pawing with the jab. Jackson looks to be more upright and looking to counter. Neither willing to commit, until Reale charges forward only to be thrown on his back. Jackson with elbow to the mid section. Jackson steps over into mount, but Reale able to recover half guard. Reale to his feet and quickly gets the take down. Jackson looking to shake Reale off his back and does so. 1,1,3 lands for Reale as he looks for another take down. Jackson tries to hop out, and lands a nice right that drops Reale. Jackson perhaps sensing the finish looks to swarm. Reale in trouble, eats several unanswered hammer fists. prompting the stoppage from referee Steven Davis. Winner Eddie Jackson via TKO  Rd 1

Jeff Martin (10-10) vs Terrion Ware (11-3) 135 lbs TITLE FIGHT 5×5 min rounds.

Rd 1: Martins out quickly. Nice counter left from Ware staggers Martin. Over hand right from Ware. Martin gets the clinch. Ware moves well to get away. Martin again looking for the take down and he has it. Ware is in trouble as Martin is fishing for an arm. Ware gets free and Martin stands. In the clinch Martin with nice knees. Martin now flirting with the choke as he gets Ware on his back. Triangle from Ware. Ware now looking for the arm. Marin in all sorts of trouble. Martin able to escape. Martin now in the guard and slams out of another triangle from Ware. Martin now has Ware’s back. Ware in a very bad position against the fence as Martin looks for the leg. Hammer fist from Ware as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Martin

Rd 2: Martin immediately shoots but Ware able to keep his feet although he is backed up to the cage. Martin with a knee but Ware lands over the top and staggers Martin. Ware digs to the body as Martin is on his bicycle. Leg kick from Ware. Martin touches with the jab. More leg kicks from Ware. Nice chopping leg kick from Ware. Uppercut to the body from Ware. Martin bleeding from the mouth now. Ware again lands with several punches and a knee. Nice body work from Ware. Martin seems to be gassing. Again a nice combination from Ware has Martin covering up. Ware’s jab is piecing apart his opponent. More leg kicks from Ware, and again. Martin has spent the entire round backing up. Ware digs to the body with a crisp left right combination. Head kick lands for Ware and the round comes to a close. 10-9 Ware

Rd 3: Ware again starts the round backing up his opponent. Martin eats a jab and an outside leg kick. Martin backed up moves to his left to get away from the cage, but Ware is relentless. Double jab from Ware finds its mark. Right cross lands and moves Martin across the cage. Ware slipped but back to his feet. Nice knee lands from the clinch for Ware. Martin lands to the leg, but eats a right hand for his efforts. Ware is moving Martin around at will with his straight punches, however Martin able to get in deep momentarily before Ware shrugs him off and cracks him with the left. Martin down, Ware backs off forcing him to his feet. Martin seems hurt, but able to keep fighting. Ware now pouring on the ground and pound as the round comes to a close. 10-9 Ware

Rd 4: Ware start off right where he left off, digging to the body of Martin. Martin with a nice knee, before he charges Ware and presses him to the cage. Martin pulls guard but Ware has none of it, both fighter back to their feet. Ware again lands to the body. Martin drops as Ware takes the back. Right hands from Ware are not being answered some more find their home and it is over! Winner and Still 135 lbs Bamma USA champion Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware 

 

 

 

 

Systems Training Center Quietly Making A Lot of Noise: Part 2 ‘A Strong Foundation Builds Champions’

Posted: August 15, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Filmed By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com and John Walsh The Clinch Report

“That city is well fortified which has a wall of men instead of brick.”  Greek Philosopher Lycurgus

Christos ‘The Spartan’ Giagos (9-2 MMA) has become one of the most complete mixed martial artists in southern California. He has notable wins over Sevak Magakian, Chris Tickle, the late great Joe Camacho, Thor Skancke and Preston Sharf. In his last fight, Giagos secured the Tachi Palace 155 lbs title against Magakian.

However the celebration with his father and friends was short lived. The win earned Giagos another title shot in a gateway bout with Dakota Cochrane for the RFA 155 lbs title on August 22nd. More importantly the winner will almost certainly punch his ticket into the UFC.

Preparing him for this bout as always is his Systems Training Center Family. Giagos trains alongside BAMMA USA 135 lbs Champion Terrion ‘Flash’ Ware, WSOF fighter John Robles, and recent RFA standout Dmitry Gerasimov. With coach Ian Harris and Marcus Kowal in his corner, Giagos rounds out a uniquely talented team.

Giagos sat down with The Clinch Report, to talk about his now infamous celebration after his Tachi Palace win, training for his RFA title fight, and what it means to be a major part of the Systems Training Center family.

Christo Giagos is Represented By: Iridium Sports

Giagos vs Cochrane for RFA 155lbs Title

 

 

Systems Training Center Quietly Making A Lot of Noise: Part 1 ‘The Family’

Posted: August 14, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By Jonathan M. King The Clinch Report

Filmed By: Bob Fisher Pugilpix.com and John Walsh The Clinch Report

The sharpest of blades is forged with steel. Beaten into form. The edges razor thin, through brutal poundings and repeated tempering. Impurities at this stage can lead to catastrophic failures in battle. Fractures formed force confidence from the field of battle. A warrior who has no faith in his weapon is not an efficient warrior.

The same can be said of fighters. Although an individual sport, each fighter is shaped, molded and forged by the camp he or she trains. You may walk to the cage, the only one in gloves, but you are followed by an entourage who are equally invested in your prosperity. Simply because you are invested in them. There is a blind but beautiful loyalty to a fight team, that can only be built by repeated beatings. The camaraderie formed at the forge shapes a teams success.

Systems Training Center in Hawthorne, California is quickly becoming recognized as one of the best gyms in the Los Angeles area. Owner Marcus Kowal sat down with us to talk with us in the first of a several part series featuring some of the teams top young talent.

A Family System: Systems Training Center MMA’s Next Big Team

Posted: July 5, 2014 in Combat Sports, UFC
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By: Jonathan King The Clinch Report

Photos By: John Walsh The Clinch Report

You are a product of your environment. Where you come from has everything to do with who you are and who you become. The early stages, the developmental stage of life needs to be met with a family environment in order to thrive. For fighters this infintile juncture is also the most important. Often talent gets snuffed out before it has a chance to blossom because of confidence issues, gym egos, or lack of focus. Each fighters personality has to gel with the entire gym, otherwise cliques develop and factions arise.

At Systems, the team dynamic is the most important common theme. This is not a gym for individuals motivated by inflated egos.

The team concept is evident as soon as you enter the doors at Systems Training Center in Hawthorne, CA. During pro practice, the fighters children play nearby as daddies and mommies beat the holy hell out of each other. Although a cohesive unit, where everyone loves everyone, the old adage applies iron sharpens iron. With owner Marcus Kowal and coach Ian Harris leading the charge, Systems has several fighters on the verge of making it to the big show, and a few who are already fighting in big shows.

John Robles (7-3 MMA 0-1 WSOF) has already fought once for the World Series of Fighting, where he lost a decision to UFC veteran Jared Papazian. Robles is a hard punching striker, with a great chin and forward moving mentality. Now fully healed from a few nagging injuries, Robles is ready to finish the year strong, and looking to fight before the end of the summer.

Christos Giagos (9-2 MMA Tachi Palace 155 lbs Champion) is one of those guys that just looks like a fighter. He has wrestler build, but with a Leno-like chin. He utilizes a great combination of jujitsu and wrestling on the mat, to secure some pretty slick submissions. On his feet his power is evident. In his last fight, he defeated a very tough Sevak Magakian via triangle choke in the very first round;  securing his first major world title at Tachi Palace. Giagos is looking to possibly fight for the RFA title before the end of the year, but nothing a contract is not in place yet. One thing is certain though, the UFC is paying very close attention. Already on their radar, Giagos intends to stay ready to fight in case that phone rings.

Terrion Ware (11-2 MMA Bamma USA 135 lbs Champion) is another fighter who is playing the waiting game. Riding a 6 fight win streak, Ware has torn through the SoCal ranks, and is one of the top pro prospects in the state. Currently the Bamma USA bantamweight champion, Ware is also slated to fight for the Tachi Palace belt against former Bellator Champion Joe Soto. A win there would all but guarantee a trip to the UFC.

Systems has a very busy month ahead, with training camp in full swing for several fighters preparing for fights on the horizon. Each morning this family gathers, then they punch each other in the face, happily. After all “the family that kicks the crap out of each other stays together right”?

You can be sure that the waves they are making in the fight world will continue to grow. However, remaining true to their identity is the key to their success. As the future brings more and more success, you can be certain that family atmosphere will never change.

 

 

 

 

 

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