Combat Zone 32 is this Friday and here on EOTL I will be building up to the big event.
This week look for a feature on Manchester fighter Adam McQuaid, who is undefeated in his cagefighting career, but only 1-0 as a pro.
I will also be highlighting the main event featuring Thomas Moreau of Derry against Marcos Maciel. Articles will also appear in the New Hampshire Union Leader during the week.
For tickets, call 978-360-3846 or visit czmma.com.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Mother Nature deals a blow
The wind storm that ravaged the state this week has crippled my ability to update End of the Line. I have no power, which means no computer and no internet.
I do plan on catching up next week and previewing the Combat Zone 32 event taking place at Rockingham Park next Friday.
I do plan on catching up next week and previewing the Combat Zone 32 event taking place at Rockingham Park next Friday.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Getting to know Brent Kinberger
During the day, Brent Kinberger is a mild-mannered electrical engineer at DEKA in Manchester. But at night he unleashes his wild side as a cagefighter, and on March 5 the 36-year-old from the Queen City will put his 5-1 record on the line against Chandler Holderness of Boulder, Colo., during Combat Zone 32 at Rockingham Park in Salem.
Holderness is 7-2.
Kinberger, who fights out of Miletich Fighting Systems of Hooksett, grew up in Louisville, Kent., and attended Waggener High School. He dabbled in wrestling and kickboxing during a stint in the U.S. Army and now lives in Manchester with his wife and two sons.
Q: You've got a good job as an electrical engineer with DEKA. Why risk getting hurt and missing work by cagefighting?
A: I don't see physical injury as a serious risk for the type of work I do in electronics.
Q: Does Dean Kamen know you fight? And if so, what does he think?
A: No. I don't have regular interaction with Dean Kamen. He's a pretty busy guy. I doubt very seriously he would be interested in MMA.
Q: What attracted you to MMA?
A: I wrestled and kickboxed. When MMA appeared on the scene, it seemed right up my alley. Basically, my brother dared me to do a fight after seeing local "toughman" contests. MMA appealed more to me because of the ground aspect.
Q: You're now 5-1 as a pro and getting some pretty good fights. As I mentioned before, you also have a good job at DEKA. Do you plan on making a career out of cagefighting?
A: No. It is mainly a hobby for me and I will only continue doing it as long as it's fun and I'm winning. If I got a shot in a big show, I would certainly do it, if not only for the money.
Q: Who has been the toughest opponent of your career?
A: Obviously Magno. My two amatuer losses came in similar fashion. I felt I was winning and got caught in a submission. Magno is also the only fight going past the first round. He was/is a top-class fighter, both his standup and ground was great...I didn't feel as though I was winning against him.
Q: If you could fight anybody in the cage, who would it be and why?
A: I really don't have any preferences about fights. I like fighting top guys.
Q: What's your favorite movie of all time?
A: I don't know, probably something like Reservoir dogs or Forrest Gump.
Q: Favorite food?
A: I like a good steak, but I can put away some chinese food too.
Q: Favorite song?
A: No way to ID that one....I play guitar and wouldn't be able to finger a single favorite song.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Schultz to make his return at CFX 8
On Saturday, promoters for CFX 8 say they are expecting the largest crowd for an indoor MMA fight in the area.
Linda Shields, who does promotions for Cage Fighting X-Treme, said about 6,000 people are expected at the event, titled Rumble in the Jungle 3 and being held at the Jugleplex in Plymouth, Mass.
The fight card is an extensive one that features 24 bouts with the main events being the return of Plymouth native Pat Schultz to the cage after a two-year absence because of a broken hand, and fan favorite Josh Diekmann of Connecticut.
Schultz, who was on the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 in 2008, will take on Fernando Rivera in a 190-pound weight class fight.
Schultz lost his first fight in Ultimate Fighter to Cale Yarbrough. Schultz broke his hand during that fight and hasn't been in the cage since.
Diekman, who hails from New London, Conn., takes on Bobby Favors. Diekman is a heavyweight with a record of 12-3. Shields described him as a "freight train."
In 2006, Diekman fought in World Extreme Cagefighting 24: Full Force and lost to Justin Eilers.
Gates open at 6 p.m. on Saturday and the fighting starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought at http://www.cagefx.com/.
Linda Shields, who does promotions for Cage Fighting X-Treme, said about 6,000 people are expected at the event, titled Rumble in the Jungle 3 and being held at the Jugleplex in Plymouth, Mass.
The fight card is an extensive one that features 24 bouts with the main events being the return of Plymouth native Pat Schultz to the cage after a two-year absence because of a broken hand, and fan favorite Josh Diekmann of Connecticut.
Schultz, who was on the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 in 2008, will take on Fernando Rivera in a 190-pound weight class fight.
Schultz lost his first fight in Ultimate Fighter to Cale Yarbrough. Schultz broke his hand during that fight and hasn't been in the cage since.
Diekman, who hails from New London, Conn., takes on Bobby Favors. Diekman is a heavyweight with a record of 12-3. Shields described him as a "freight train."
In 2006, Diekman fought in World Extreme Cagefighting 24: Full Force and lost to Justin Eilers.
Gates open at 6 p.m. on Saturday and the fighting starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be bought at http://www.cagefx.com/.
UFC headed north
Its not often that the Ultimate Fighting Championship makes its way to the Northeast. On May 8 it will do that for UFC 113, which will be held in Montreal, Canada, at the Bell Centre.
The main event features Lyoto Machida against Mauricio Rua. At UFC 104 last October, light heavyweight champion Machida and challenger Rua engaged in a five-round war that divided the mixed martial arts world when the unanimous decision verdict was rendered in Machida’s favor.
On Saturday, May 8, these two warriors will have a chance to do it again and erase any doubt as to who is the best 205-pound fighter in the world, and both are vowing to take matters out of the judges’ hands and into their own when The Ultimate Fighting Championship heads back to Montreal for UFC 113.
“The first fight between Machida and Shogun was very controversial, I think fans are very excited to see them fight again and find out who the best light heavyweight in the world is,” said UFC President Dana White.
Tickets for UFC 113 will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. and will be priced at $550, $400, $225, $150, $100 and $50. Tickets are available at the Bell Centre box office, by phone at (514) 790-2525 / 1-877-668-8269 or at www.geg.ca.
UFC Fight Club pre-sale starts Thursday at 10 a.m.
Ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday at 10 a.m. To access this pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through ufc.com.
The main event features Lyoto Machida against Mauricio Rua. At UFC 104 last October, light heavyweight champion Machida and challenger Rua engaged in a five-round war that divided the mixed martial arts world when the unanimous decision verdict was rendered in Machida’s favor.
On Saturday, May 8, these two warriors will have a chance to do it again and erase any doubt as to who is the best 205-pound fighter in the world, and both are vowing to take matters out of the judges’ hands and into their own when The Ultimate Fighting Championship heads back to Montreal for UFC 113.
“The first fight between Machida and Shogun was very controversial, I think fans are very excited to see them fight again and find out who the best light heavyweight in the world is,” said UFC President Dana White.
Tickets for UFC 113 will go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. and will be priced at $550, $400, $225, $150, $100 and $50. Tickets are available at the Bell Centre box office, by phone at (514) 790-2525 / 1-877-668-8269 or at www.geg.ca.
UFC Fight Club pre-sale starts Thursday at 10 a.m.
Ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Friday at 10 a.m. To access this pre-sale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through ufc.com.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Equal opportunity
During a recent interview, MMA legend Dan Severn came up with one of the best ideas that I have heard of for a solution to all these older fighters wanting to stay - or get into - the cage.
Why not create a masters division for fighters 35 or 40 and older?
Seems simple, right? There are plenty of fighters in that category who want to continue their careers, but can't because most states won't allow people older than 35 in the cage.
I know in the past I've been an opponent to older fighters hanging on to their glory days or stepping into the octagon to prove something. But that was mainly because they are going up against younger fighters in better health and more fit for the sport. Of course, there are exceptions like Randy Couture, but most fighters over 35 don't belong in the cage anymore.
For those who can still fight, why not create a masters division? It could create a new demographic for MMA and let the "older" fighters continue their careers.
In my opinion, some rule changes should apply as well, like shorter rounds and more restrictions on striking.
Why not create a masters division for fighters 35 or 40 and older?
Seems simple, right? There are plenty of fighters in that category who want to continue their careers, but can't because most states won't allow people older than 35 in the cage.
I know in the past I've been an opponent to older fighters hanging on to their glory days or stepping into the octagon to prove something. But that was mainly because they are going up against younger fighters in better health and more fit for the sport. Of course, there are exceptions like Randy Couture, but most fighters over 35 don't belong in the cage anymore.
For those who can still fight, why not create a masters division? It could create a new demographic for MMA and let the "older" fighters continue their careers.
In my opinion, some rule changes should apply as well, like shorter rounds and more restrictions on striking.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Don't walk through that door
What is it with all of these older fighters wanting to get back into the cage and fight.
Over the past few months there has been a trend of fighters in their 40s either returning to the octagon or making their debut.
Former NFL star Herschel Walker, who is 47, made his debut last month and knocked out his opponent, who came into the fight with a record of 1-1. Action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme, 49, recently held a press conference (in the Ukraine of all places) to announce he will enter the ring for a kickboxing match against a former gold medalist in Maccau.
And earlier this month, the main event at UFC 109 was 46-year-old Randy Couture against 45-year-old Mark Coleman. Couture won that match by submission.
Why do fighters feel the need they have to prove themselves in the ring? There is a reason most states have rules against anybody over the age of 35 fighting. It just isn't safe for most people.
Athletes in other sports aren't lining up to get back onto the court, field or pitch. They know their limits and pack it in while the going is good.
As former Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino once said ...."Larry Bird is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin McHale is not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door. And if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old."
If fighters want to stay involved in the sport, maybe a better route for them would be to become a trainer, start a school or a gym where they can help develop young fighters rather than throw fists with them. That could be lucrative to both the fighter, and the sport.
Over the past few months there has been a trend of fighters in their 40s either returning to the octagon or making their debut.
Former NFL star Herschel Walker, who is 47, made his debut last month and knocked out his opponent, who came into the fight with a record of 1-1. Action movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme, 49, recently held a press conference (in the Ukraine of all places) to announce he will enter the ring for a kickboxing match against a former gold medalist in Maccau.
And earlier this month, the main event at UFC 109 was 46-year-old Randy Couture against 45-year-old Mark Coleman. Couture won that match by submission.
Why do fighters feel the need they have to prove themselves in the ring? There is a reason most states have rules against anybody over the age of 35 fighting. It just isn't safe for most people.
Athletes in other sports aren't lining up to get back onto the court, field or pitch. They know their limits and pack it in while the going is good.
As former Boston Celtics coach Rick Pitino once said ...."Larry Bird is not walking through that door, fans. Kevin McHale is not walking through that door, and Robert Parish is not walking through that door. And if you expect them to walk through that door, they're going to be gray and old."
If fighters want to stay involved in the sport, maybe a better route for them would be to become a trainer, start a school or a gym where they can help develop young fighters rather than throw fists with them. That could be lucrative to both the fighter, and the sport.
New rules for the new year
As of Jan. 1 of this year, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts took effect in New Hampshire for professional fights, giving fighters more striking ability, according to Bobby Stephen, the chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission.
The biggest change with the new rules is that elbows will be allowed in certain situations and to certain areas of the body. There will also be some changes to the way knees can be used.
Unified Rules are common in MMA for most of the country, but just adopted locally.
Ed Carr, of Miletich Fighting Systems in Hooksett, said the rules were used during some fights towards the end of last year and are now in effect here in New Hampshire. They will be on display for Combat Zone 32 in Salem on March 5.
In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were codified by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. The rules were originally drawn up by the California State Athletic Commission, which had worked extensively on regulation, but its sanctioning of MMA was not implemented due to state governmental issues surrounding the budgeting process. California officially sanctioned MMA on December 28, 2005, using the ruleset it helped devise five years previously.
Since then, to create uniformity in the United States, many state athletic commissions have assimilated these rules for mixed martial arts into their existing unarmed combat competition rules and statutes. For a promotion to hold mixed martial arts events in a state-sanctioned venue, the promotion must abide by the state athletic commission's body of rules. Promotions that hold events on Indian reservations are under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe government, which may require sanctioning by their own commission.
Rounds
Every round is 5 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds. Non-title matches must not exceed three rounds. Title matches can be sanctioned for five rounds.
Attire
All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gis or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.
Judging Criteria
The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7, and in other states by custom no fighter receives less than 8.
Legal Techniques
The Unified Rules continue to allow all elbow strikes except those hitting downwards with the point of the elbow, or those to the back of the head.
Fouls
The following are fouls, as set out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
Grabbing the clavicle.
Downward elbows to the head of an opponent.
Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
Stomping a grounded opponent.
Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
Spitting at an opponent.
Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
Interference by the corner.
Throwing in the towel during competition. (forfeit)
Dave George of Combat Zone MMA said the Unified Rules were used at one of his events in Salem in late November. He thinks the new rules are a good thing for fighters hoping to move on to the next level, because that's the way they fight in WEC or UFC.
"It will be more exciting for the fans, that's for sure," George said.
The biggest change with the new rules is that elbows will be allowed in certain situations and to certain areas of the body. There will also be some changes to the way knees can be used.
Unified Rules are common in MMA for most of the country, but just adopted locally.
Ed Carr, of Miletich Fighting Systems in Hooksett, said the rules were used during some fights towards the end of last year and are now in effect here in New Hampshire. They will be on display for Combat Zone 32 in Salem on March 5.
In 2000, the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts were codified by the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. The rules were originally drawn up by the California State Athletic Commission, which had worked extensively on regulation, but its sanctioning of MMA was not implemented due to state governmental issues surrounding the budgeting process. California officially sanctioned MMA on December 28, 2005, using the ruleset it helped devise five years previously.
Since then, to create uniformity in the United States, many state athletic commissions have assimilated these rules for mixed martial arts into their existing unarmed combat competition rules and statutes. For a promotion to hold mixed martial arts events in a state-sanctioned venue, the promotion must abide by the state athletic commission's body of rules. Promotions that hold events on Indian reservations are under the jurisdiction of the Indian tribe government, which may require sanctioning by their own commission.
Rounds
Every round is 5 minutes in duration with a one minute rest period in-between rounds. Non-title matches must not exceed three rounds. Title matches can be sanctioned for five rounds.
Attire
All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gis or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (4-6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab.
Judging Criteria
The ten-point must system is in effect for all fights. Three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7, and in other states by custom no fighter receives less than 8.
Legal Techniques
The Unified Rules continue to allow all elbow strikes except those hitting downwards with the point of the elbow, or those to the back of the head.
Fouls
The following are fouls, as set out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission:
Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent.
Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
Grabbing the clavicle.
Downward elbows to the head of an opponent.
Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
Stomping a grounded opponent.
Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck.
Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
Spitting at an opponent.
Engaging in an unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of the period of unarmed combat.
Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
Interference by the corner.
Throwing in the towel during competition. (forfeit)
Dave George of Combat Zone MMA said the Unified Rules were used at one of his events in Salem in late November. He thinks the new rules are a good thing for fighters hoping to move on to the next level, because that's the way they fight in WEC or UFC.
"It will be more exciting for the fans, that's for sure," George said.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
My two cents
The fighting in the cage apparently wasn't the only action at the Strikeforce Miami event on Saturday night.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was in attendance and, after being booed while giving an interview on television, the out-spoken rookie coach who brought his team to the AFC Championship game was caught on film giving fans the middle finger.
I say so what. Who cares if Ryan, whom we all know tells it like it is, made a rude gesture to a bunch of crybaby Miami fans who are just jealous of what Ryan did in New York.
Get over it. I mean, players in the NBA are bringing guns into their locker rooms and threatening each other with them, the NFL is trying to claim the rights to a saying older than the league itself, and more and more baseball players' names keep coming up as steroid users.
All of that going on and Ryan has to apologize for giving some people at an MMA event the bird.
It would be a completely different story if Ryan flipped off some fans while he was on the sideline coaching a game, or did so during a press conference. But this is his private life and what he did isn't even that bad.
I think it's good for a coach to show a little emotion every once in a while. Ryan has nothing to apologize to the New York Jets program for. If anything, they should be thanking him for a great season.
New York Jets coach Rex Ryan was in attendance and, after being booed while giving an interview on television, the out-spoken rookie coach who brought his team to the AFC Championship game was caught on film giving fans the middle finger.
I say so what. Who cares if Ryan, whom we all know tells it like it is, made a rude gesture to a bunch of crybaby Miami fans who are just jealous of what Ryan did in New York.
Get over it. I mean, players in the NBA are bringing guns into their locker rooms and threatening each other with them, the NFL is trying to claim the rights to a saying older than the league itself, and more and more baseball players' names keep coming up as steroid users.
All of that going on and Ryan has to apologize for giving some people at an MMA event the bird.
It would be a completely different story if Ryan flipped off some fans while he was on the sideline coaching a game, or did so during a press conference. But this is his private life and what he did isn't even that bad.
I think it's good for a coach to show a little emotion every once in a while. Ryan has nothing to apologize to the New York Jets program for. If anything, they should be thanking him for a great season.
Old men can fight too
Maybe there is something to this whole Jean-Claude Van Damme thing.
On Saturday night, former NFL star Herschel Walker proved that older athletes can hold their own in the world of mixed martial arts.
Walker, who is 47 years old, made his pro debut during Strikeforce Miami and earned a third-round TKO of Greg Nagy.
This comes in the wake of JCVD announcing he plans on fighting professionally as a kickboxer at the age of 49, and as a preview to this Saturday's UFC 109, where the main event features 46-year-old Randy Couture against 45-year-old Mark Coleman.
"I feel good but I didn't do many things right and I still have a lot to learn," Walker said after his fight. "The experience itself was exciting and I thank my opponent for fighting me. It's tough to fight an old man. This is the hardest thing I've ever done."
One big difference between what Walker did and what Van Damme wants to do, however, is Walker's opponent was just 1-1 coming in to the fight. Van Damme, who has no professional fighting experience, wants to fight a former Olympic gold medalist.
Walker won the Heisman Trophy in 1982 while at the University of Georgia and went on to have a long career as a running back in the pro ranks. He played in the United States Football League from 1983-85, then in the NFL from 1986-1997.
He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection on the NFL and spent most of his career with the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings.
Walker was traded from the Cowboys to the Vikings for a bunch of draft picks. The Cowboys used one of those picks to draft Emmit Smith, the all-time leading rusher in the NFL.
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