Eddie Bravo seminar

I don't smoke cigarettes, I don't smoke cigars, I don't smoke a pipe, pipe, pipe...

Interested in performing the Jiu Claw, Crackhead Control, or the Cock Block? Then head on over to Walsall on 7 June. Wolves MMA are hosting an Eddie Bravo seminar. Advanced tickets are a mere £40 a pop, so I'm thinking of buying 3 so there's a bit more space on the mat.

Follow the link: http://www.mmauniverse.com/events/SS9150

Wanted: Dead or Alive - My pads

Still AWOL since last year: my knee and shin pads. Perhaps an unwise move in hindsight, I lent these cherished items to Lee "unprepared" Bates during the G&S final, only for Lee to then take an early retirement and not be seen since for some weeks. Lee is now back training, but not before handing my equipment over to someone else first. I think Paul "The Animal" Holmes now has them held prisoner in his car boot, and is refusing to hand them over. If you see Paul before I do, get him to give them to Rob instead!

Birthdays

What's this got to do with training and fighting? Don't ask me, but I've been asked to put this up so that we can have even more excuses to go out and get battered, on top of the weekly beers, and basically undo all that good work that we've done in the cage.

5th Apr - Chris "Old Cheese" Smith

30th Aug - James "The Chosen One" Steele

5th Oct - Aaron The Pest

Do you have a birthday? You do? Then let me know!

UFC 1

Here's a UFC event that Aaron might be able to actually get some correct predictions out of. I reckon that the karate guy will win - how can anyone resist the "wax on wax off" technique? Unstoppable!

Upcoming MMA competition

Combat Sports Open Trials - 2008: 1st Leg

10 Feb 2008

Hereford

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Grapple and Strike Wales 2008: Round 1

9 March 2008

Deepest darkest Wales

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I'm going to have a year off.

YOU, however, need to get involved! Grab an entry form - use the link on the right to get to MMAUniverse or Grapple and Strike.

Christmas holiday

Christmas time is upon us again, and Rob wants at least 3 weeks holiday! This means that the last training session will be Thursday 20th Dec, reopening again on Jan 2nd.

We woz robbed!!!!

The event attracted a lot of local attention

Welsh Grapple and Strike Finals 2007

Having arrived at 5pm when we should have been there at 4pm and missing the rules meeting (Lee to Heath Gait: "We missed nearly all of that, could you go over it again." No!), BCC eventually starting getting ready for their fights, despite being scolded by the Welsh women at the desk for being so late.

First up, for a change, was James "Headshot" Steele, who obviously misunderstood the situation, believing this tournament to be amateur. However, 3 smacks to the face from Falcon MA local boy Corey Hanson soon cleared that up. Luckily for Corey, the ref and judges were also from Falcon MA, so no disqualification. First round was "a bit iffy" according to Roger, although I did manage a neck crank, armbar and finally mount. Second round not so good, with the slippy floor preventing any half decent shoots. Decision went to the local boy. Shock of the century.

Next up was Glen "I don't want to brag" Cross against Rob Taylor who had beaten him in their last encounter. Despite wanting to keep it standing, Rob was able to take Glen to the floor and start working for a kimora.

Last of the BCC clan was Lee "Prepared" Bates who had to borrow shorts from Roger, and knee and shin pads from James, and for one scary moment thought he had forgotten his gum shield! However, I missed this fight because I'd already left in disgust at my own fight. Having text Paul Holmes for an update on Lee's fight his response was "Don't ask!" which I think sums up the whole night!

Combat Sports Finals 2007

He looks like such a nice guy! Surely he won't beat me?...

Michael tries to beat his opponent before he bursts into flames

My pads match your top, look...

Looking "unfazed" according to his old man, Michael "Nice guy" Wildboar stepped onto the mat once more to compete for the coveted british mma amateur lightweight title in Hereford on Sun 4th Novemeber. Starting with an easy first fight, Mike snapped on a quick armbar to beat the radioactive bloke from Heroes. Risky, considering he had the power to blow up most of the leisure centre.

Next up saw Mike face off against the eventual champion, battling with Mark Adams right up to the wire before losing out to the Judge's decision. Clearly they didn't realise that Mike is just a nice guy - what's their problem? Anyway, the competition organisers have been asked to keep the belt on one side for him next year.

Finals, finals, finals...

Stephen, last seen running home after training

Despite being top of the table, unbeaten and within reach of the coveted British amateur lightweight title, Stephen "Youngster" Wildboar has had his hopes dashed by a broken leg. Apparently, Kev "I am the law" Brown realised that an effective, if somewhat over-the-top counter to Ste's dreaded triangle choke was to simply break his leg before he could sink the choke on. Luckily older brother Mike is more than willing to step up to the plate with less than 2 weeks to go before the big day. Mike is now training at a secret location so that Kev can't find him, although rumour has it that Mike paid Kev to inflict the injury! Brotherly love in action.

Meanwhile, not content with dominating the British competitions, Black Country Combat is also looking to scoop Light, Welter and Heavyweight titles at the end of November in Wales. In a recent training session Glen "I could stand with Crocop" Cross said he was looking forward to being welterweight champion, and is apparently so confident that he has decided not to bother training for the event! Light and Heavyweight contenders James "i meant to knee him in the stomach" Steele and Tim "Dave Coles is rubbish" Redfern have wisely chosen against making such outragous predictions.

Hot welsh action

My...back...!! Aaarrrrgh!

Incredible and controversial mma action at the Grapple and Strike 3rd Leg in Wales. Following a successful 2nd leg, the usual fighters were joined by Lee "Westwood" Bates for his first amateur competition.


First up again was James "Man of" Steele, who continues to rise up the rankings with another win and a draw. After shooting in from over 200m away, James found himself in a guillotine attempt which was quickly dealt with by "accidently" rolling off the mat and restarting, before cranking on a perfect armbar. Second round saw lots of strikes being traded, before James took it to the ground with a double leg, where the fight ended.


When not reminiscing his past glories with every other person in the room, self-acclaimed fighter of the universe Glen "Teetotal" Cross was seen shaking hands with every other person in the room after his second fight win. Apparently, Glen checked a kick which resulted in the other fighter hurting his ankle and unable to continue. However I missed virtually all the fight, so I'm not sure it actually happened and doesn't really count.


Paul "what armbar" Dunn continues to frustrate BCC and oponents alike with his complete fight domination with typical absence of any submissions at the end of it, leading to easy draws each time. Excellent bombs being thrown in the first round and some good takedowns in the second.


Anthony "I love the welsh" Phillips was very keen to hurt someone, not only volunteering to fight for a 3rd time in the comp when another fighter dropped out, but also to take part in an amateur bout when pro Grapple and Strike takes place soon. However, luck was not with Anthony today with a draw and 2 losses, including a very dodgy decision against Ant when Grandpa ref interpreted a punch to the ribs as a tap, probably because he didn't have his reading glasses on. Anthony was last seen heading towards a gun shop...


After turning up to the competition with all his wordly possessions (apparently, its a bit rough where he lives), Lee "pimp my ride" Bates stepped onto the mat as BCC's only middleweight contender at 79kg, despite some interesting breathing exercises when weighing in. Lots of punches and kicks in both fights. Both draws.


The highlight of the competition had to be when Tim "Gracie Killer" Redfern took on and destroyed BJJ Brown Belt and all-round Redfern nemesis Dave Coles. After greeting each other like old friends (this being their third encounter) a few initial strikes were exchanged before Tim lured Dave into shooting in on him, oblivious to the fact that Tim was ready to crank on a textbook chicken wing submission. Snap! A groin injury prevented Tim teaching anyone else some respect on the mat.