Strikeforce
Cung Le And The Chinese Fighting Art Of Sanshou
Just recently I heard about a Chinese fighting art ….. on the tennis court!
As I was talking with a team mate, I learned from him that he had been a practitioner of a style I had briefly heard about years back, but I never really looked into any deeper.
Until today.
Originated in China the style is called Sanshou (free hand) and at times Sanda (free fighting).
It is both a self-defense system and a combat sport.
Sanshou combines a number of extremely vital and effective elements such as kicking, punching, throwing, grappling and applying joint locks.
One of Sanshou’s special emphasis is the so-called kick-catch, whereby one person throws a kick and the other person catches the kick and then trips the other person’s leg they are standing on.
Thinking about it, that’s what we even practiced way back in my Shotokan karate days. I just made that connection while writing this.
Sanshou as a sport is regulated by a bunch of different rules depending on amateur or professional status and also on the location of where the fights take place like China or the U.S.
Among all the successful and very skilled Sanshou fighters, one practitioner has really stood out for me during the years and he has without a doubt made a name for himself. He is the Vietnamese American kickboxer, mixed martial artist and actor, simply known as Cung Le from San Jose, California.
Cung Le has won too many titles and championships to list here, but I will mention that he won the Strikeforce Middleweight World Championship by beating legendary mixed martial arts champion Frank Shamrock about 2 years ago. Cung Le actually broke his opponent’s arm by executing devasting kicks during their fight.
Cung Le has been actively pursuing his career on the Big Screen and was awarded a role in Bodyguards And Assassins starring Donnie Yen which was released last December.
I found a video clip that I think you will enjoy if you like action-filled fight scenes. Warning: It can be a little rough and tough at times.
Fight Deal For Manny Pacquiao Vs. Floyd Mayweather Set For March 13, 2010
Will this really be “The Fight Of The Century”?
And if so, the 20th or 21st century?
Can professional boxing thrive in direct comparison with mixed martial arts events such as UFC, Strikeforce or World Extreme Cagefighting in general? And not only on the exceptional nights featuring amazing fighters such as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather?
The announced fight has all the necessary ingredients for a commercial success.
The top two Pound-For-Pound Fighters in the world:
Pacquiao, WBO welterweight champion, has a record of 50-3-2, with 38 knockouts.
Mayweather, currently No. 2 (who previously held the top pound-for-pound spot), holds a clean 40-0 record with 25 KOs.
I will be heading back to my Filipino-American barber in the very near future to get my hair cut and I will let you in on all the insider information.
Gegard Mousasi, MMA-Fighter With A 27-2-1 Record And Only 24 Years Old
Today I would to introduce to you a mixed martial artist who has been consistently climbing in the MMA rankings in an almost stealth-like manner.
Not too long he was referred to as “Europe’s Best-Kept Secret”. It’s time to reveal the secret.
Born in Iran to Armenian parents, Gegard Mousasi and his family moved to the Netherlands when he was only 4 years.
The university town of Leiden, also birthplace of the Dutch Constitution, has become home to this exceptional mixed martial artist.
The very talented Gegard Mousasi started with Judo as a kid and then by age 15 he immersed himself into Western boxing.
Astonishingly enough, it has been reported that after training for only about a year, he became Dutch amateur boxing champion.
The next stepping stone was kickboxing which has a long tradition in The Netherlands and that has brought out many amazing fighters. (I look forward to talking about them in the very near future.)
Equipped with profound skills in Judo, Western boxing and kickboxing as well as the desire to take on new challenges, Mousasi entered the arena of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
He currently fights on Team Jurojin and is also a member of Red Devil Sport Club.
His first official MMA fight on record was in April 2003, when he was still 17 years old! Mousasi was declared the winner after 3:40 minutes of the first round by TKO.
He had a 5-0-1 record until Mousasi had to swallow his first loss in February 2005, which led him to make numerous changes in his approach to MMA.
The only other loss he had to suffer was in August 2006.
It has been now over 3 years and a rather successful undertaking for Gegard Mousasi who has a stunning fight record of 27 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw (early on in his career).
He was good for a surprise by signing up for a K-1 fight in 2008 against Musashi which he quickly won in the first round through referee stoppage.
After competing as a Middleweight, Gegard Mousasi has moved up to Strikeforce’s Light Heavyweight division.
I admit that I am very impressed with his overall fighting skills, demeanor and professional approach to his career.
And at the relatively young age of only 24 and if he stays injury-free, there’s no telling how far and how long Gegard Mousasi can go.
Do I hear the UFC and Dana White calling?
Meet Gina Carano, The Face Of Women’s MMA
Meet Gina Carano, not just another pretty face, but The face of women’s MMA.
Besides being a looker, she definitely is a fighter.
Gina Carano is originally from Texas and notably her dad was a professional football player during the late 70s till early 80s with the Dallas Cowboys and then at the end of his career with the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers.
Gina was a very gifted high school basketball player in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Martial arts? Not yet!
Usually it’s “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. But not in Gina’s case.
Gina Carano was introduced to Muay Thai by her ex-boyfriend, a professional Muay Thai fighter.
Working the bag and the mitts undeterredly she was able to establish a very impressive Muay Thai fight record of 12-1-1.
Training under Master Toddy and getting national exposure on the “Ring Girls” and then “Fight Girls”, where Gina Carano was one of five American young women who accept the daunting challenge of fighting professional female Muay Thai fighter here in the U.S. as well as in Thailand.
With the conviction of a true champion she laid the foundation for launching her MMA career just 3 three years ago.
Fighting for Team Xtreme Couture out of Las Vegas, Gina has become a household name in the shortest of time.
She most certainly is an awesome inspiration for girls and women to get involved in Muay Thai and/or MMA.
And yes, I think that’s a good thing!
Her Strikeforce MMA record currently stands at 7 wins and 1 loss.
Gina’s only loss was by TKO against a truly formidable opponent, Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Santos from Brazil, in the first round of their bout last August.
Before the fight I was listening to an interview Gina Carano gave and I thought I heard some self-doubt coming from her.
In essence, she said something to the extent of ‘whoever wins the fight, will be a deserving champion and women’s MMA will continue to gain popularity’. Hmm.
Either way, Gina Carano is a superb fighter who knows her stuff and she continues to do an amazing job in getting women of all ages excited about Muay Thai and MMA.
Meet Gina Carano, The Face Of Women’s MMA.
The Lighter Side Of Karate Kata
I hope you are having a great weekend.
Yesterday I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Strikeforce’s Saturday Night Fights on CBS. Did you see them, too?
I always learn something watching these MMA modern day gladiators compete. They are amazing.
Well, anyway, I am taking it easy today and I thought you might just enjoy “The Lighter Side of Karate Kata” with the one and only Bas Rutten.
MMA Strikeforce’s Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko Still Wears The Crown
Brett “The Grim” Rogers gave his best to dethrone Strikeforce’s World Heavyweight Champ Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko tonight.
Rogers entered the fight with a 10-0 record and in the first couple of seconds of the first round he gave Fedor a really bloody nose with the first punch he threw. And the cage got bloody indeed.
Rogers made it admirably into the second round and definitely got Fedor’s respect, I have no doubt about that.
Until Fedor connected with one right cross to Rogers’ chin that knocked his opponent to the canvas and there he finished Rogers off after 1 minute and 48 seconds in the second round in a way that MMA fans have now seen over the years.
The soft-spoken and humble Emperor did not give up his crown: He now has 31 wins under his belt, I mean crown, and his reign continues.
Fedor offered a rematch and Brett Rogers has already accepted.
With his win, Fedor undoubtedly continues to be on Dana White’s radar.
Will it happen? Will Fedor fight Brock Lesnar?
From Russia With … Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko
Welcome to America!
Fedor ‘The Last Emperor’ Emelianenko and Brett Rogers will be fighting
November 7 in the U.S. and you can even watch the Strikeforce event
on CBS.
And, of course, it will be the main event of the fight night.
Why?
Well, because Fedor is still considered one of the top Pound-For-Pound
MMA fighters (at times even the Number One).
When it comes to being a heavyweight MMA fighter, Fedor is regarded by many
as the Numero Uno in the world.
Why?
I’m not so sure, because honestly, I’m starting to think that Fedor’s reputation and
a 30-1 fight record during the last years was only established in non-UFC bouts.
It would be quite intriguing to watch Fedor fight against UFC’s current top
contenders (not former top competitors) and most certainly to see him fight the
reigning UFC heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar.
But somehow I doubt it’s gonna happen.
Fedor’s not getting any younger and Dana White hasn’t been able to work
out a deal with him (yet).
And then there is Brock Lesnar who appears to be getting more experienced, bolder,
stronger and faster. Stay out of his way!
So, in the meantime MMA fans everywhere continue to argue whether Fedor really is
the best (heavyweight) MMA fighter in the world. Maybe even of all times!
Is he or is he not?
And what happens to all the hoopla if Fedor happens to lose against Brett Rogers?
Will Hershel Walker Really Fight For Strikeforce MMA?
As a running back playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, Herschel Walker,
won a coveted Heisman Trophy.
Even today, about 20 years later, Walker is still considered by many
in the college football fan community the best running back ever.
Except maybe by Tennessee fans.
Watch this short video to understand or remember why:
As a first-pick draft, Walker went on to play in the NFL for the Minnesota
Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. He retired from football in 1997.
Strikeforce recently signed a contract with the now 47-year-old Walker.
Supposedly, as a college student Walker used to train and compete as
a martial artist for several years.
Walker has been a MMA fan for years, but at the age of 47, does he
really have what it takes to compete with Strikeforce fighters?
And comparing him (because of his age) with 46-year-old UFC legend,
Hall of Famer and former world heavyweight champion Randy Couture,
come on, give me a break.
Is Strikeforce really serious about this contract or are they just giving
people like us something to talk about?
And if they are serious, can Hershel Walker really bring it or is he just
offering great inspiration for guys over 40?
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