UFC 132 Tito Ortiz

Tito Ortiz was during the early part of the 2000’s known as the premier fighter in the UFC. Tito revolutionized the ground and pound by staying in the opponent’s guard and controlling them from that position earning multiple TKO victories.  Ortiz’s dominance in the light heavy weight division ended however, with his second loss to Chuck Liddell where he then dropped the next three fights and drew one.  Ortiz’s last lost to Matt Hamill showed how his skills and fighting ability were beginning to deteriorate and that he was not the fighter he once was.  The UFC then decided to make Ortiz’s last fight of his contract against Ryan Bader, the up and coming prospect.

                The UFC making the match between Bader and Ortiz clearly intended to make this his last swan song.  Many people considered this fight to be nothing more than throwing Ortiz into a den of lions, there was no way he would get past the first round.  The result of that fight would completely shock me and the MMA world.  Ortiz did not land a lucky punch akin to Serra vs. GSP but instead threw a combination, caught Bader, and then submitted him with a guillotine choke.  Ortiz has not won a fight decisively since October 10, 2006, beating Ken Shamrock by TKO.  Ortiz is now the talk of the MMA world and the internet with this fight being labeled as his comeback. 

                Ryan Bader is a great fighter and Ortiz’s victory over him does showcase that "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" is not a stepping stone.  The fight does allow Ortiz to resurrect his career and perform one more time for his fans and fans of MMA.  The question is: can Ortiz beat his next opponent or will that be his swan song?  In my opinion, Ortiz always does what you least expect, never allowing you to count him out.
You can learn the moves Tito used in his comeback at http://www.ny-mma.com/.
FREE 1 on 1 private lesson!
30 DAY FREE TRIAL!
CONTACT US & START NOW!

Marlon Espinosa: A first look at an up and coming Amateur standout

On Saturday May 14 at the LA Boxing gym in Paramus New Jersey, Proud parents, brothers and sisters, uncles, cousins and close family friends all gathered to watch the youth in the New York Metro area step in to the ring (many for the very first time) and put their own stamp on the sweet science. Featured on the bout sheet is 125lb amatuer boxer Marlon Espinosa (1-0).
The reason Marlon is featured on the bout sheet and in this article is because Marlon trains at the NY Mixed Martial arts gym in College Point NY, Which happens to be the same gym that "Yours truly" trains in. Over the past few months, I`ve gotten to know Marlon a little bit. Marlon is a 15 yr old Venezuelan Queens native, and Like any other 15 yr old kid, Marlon goes to high school and plays video games, but Marlon does something else exceptionally well, He boxes. I know this because I see it every time I`m in the gym with him. Tonight I wanted to see all the hard work he puts into his training to good use in the ring. I missed Marlon`s first amateur bout when he scored a third round stoppage, I would not be missing this one.
First of all, LA Boxing in Paramus did an excellent job with Saturday nights event. The gym looked great and all in attendance seemed to be enjoying the action and atmosphere. Luckily for Us, We didn`t have to wait long for "Our Boy" because Marlon`s fight was first to kick off the evening. Speaking with Marlon`s coaches Butch Rinaldi (NY MMA Owner and Operator) and Amanda "Tyson" Isaac (2009 Women`s 132 lb Golden Gloves Champion) before the bout, I asked what type of game plan do they put together at such an entry level point in Marlon`s career? Coach Amanda "Tyson" told me they tried to concentrate on controlled aggression, pressure and punch volume.
As the bell rang for round one Marlon came out with the intensity that was asked for by his coaches. Both fighters landed punches in bunches but it seemed early on that Marlon was controlling the ring more and getting the better of his opposition. About mid-way thru the first round Marlon`s opponent`s head snapped back from well timed punches 2 or 3 times in a row causing the referee to give him a standing 8 count. Less than a minute later, Marlon again found a home for a straight right hand that rocked his competitor as the ref came over to give another standing 8. At the end of round 1, Marlon easily had a comfortable lead, which is exactly what Coach Amanda didn`t want Marlon to feel, comfortable.
Marlon started round 2 the same way he ended round 1, in control. Halfway thru round 2 the comfort zone disappeared as Marlon was hit hard with a looping left hook that dazed him and now it was Marlon on the receiving end of a standing 8 count. Coaches Butch and Amanda yelled instructions from the corner as Marlon cleared the cobwebs, settled himself and got back into the fight. Round 2 ended with Marlon probably still up on the judges scorecards but his coaches urged him to use the game plan and close the show.
Round 3 began and Marlon, with his feet back under him, took control again. Coach Butch Rinaldi found a hole in the opponent`s defense and wanted Marlon to start throwing the uppercut. Marlon once again rocked "that other kid" (Sorry, I didn`t get his name) and the ref came over to issue another standing 8 count to Espinosa`s counterpart. Both fighters gave it their all towards the end of the fight and left it all in the ring as the crowd applauded the effort. Now it was up to the judges!
Because they dont give scores in Amatuer boxing, I`ll give you guys my tally round by round. Round 1 was an easy 10-7 round for Marlon after scoring 2 standing 8 counts vs his opponent. Round 2 could`ve been a 10-8 round for the other kid because of the standing 8 count against Marlon, but I didn`t think the kid won the round so I scored it an even 9-9 (Ok, so what, I`m biased). Round 3 was a good competitive round but Marlon took it 10-8 because he scored another standing 8 count. 29-24 was my final score in favor of Marlon Espinosa. Team NY MMA stayed around for a while to watch some of the other competition and Marlon had the pleasure of signing his first autograph for a young fan in the crowd. Great fight and Congratulations Marlon, 2-0!! We`ll work on a nickname at the gym!

Joey Santana can be reached at theboxingkidd@verizon.net

MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN of ALL AGES: please TAKE ADVANTAGE  of our 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE. http://www.ny-mma.com/

UFC 132 Predictions

Brian Bowles vs Takeya Mizugaki
   Brian is a short strong fighter fighter as a bantamweight with great knockout power.  Brian is all,so crediited with ending the win streak of Miguel Angel Torres with one punch.  Takeya has great striking and has shown the ability to go the distance.
Bowles --> KO over Mizugaki-->strength and power will cause Mizugaki problems

George Sotiropolis vs Rafael dos Anyos
Both fighters have great BJJ and submission ability.  Should be a great grappling match.
George--> Decision

Melvin Guillard vs Shane Roller
Shane Roller has good wrestling and submission ability.  Melvin Guillard though has finally found a trainer (Greg Jackson) to amplify and direct his speed and strength. 
Guillard will end this fight in ths first round.

Dennis Siver vs Matt Wiman
Matt Wiman is an above average all around fighter while Dennis Siver has great stand up and improved wrestling.  Dennis Siver's continued improvement in wrestling and clinching will be the deciding facotr in this fight.
Siver by decision

Carlos Condit vs Dong Hyun Kim
When Condit fought Hardy no one expected a KO from Condit.  Carlos thus has shown that he is more than a grappler and submission fighter.  Dong Hyun Kim will be truly be tested by this well rounded fighter but Condit's stand up could be the advantage.
Carlos Condit-->Decision

Tito Ortiz vs Ryan Bader
Ortiz in his prime could come through victroious in this fight but due to ring rust and age I see this as his last true swan song for the UFC and possibly MMA.
Bader-TKO

Wanderleigh Silva vs Chris Leben
I hope to see Leben force Silva to return to his killer instinct apporach that earned him the "Axe Murderer" nickname. 
Leben by knockout.
Dominick Cruz vs Uriah Faber
The first fight between these two had Faber come out on top, this time though Cruz is a completely different fighter.  Cruz has reinvented his movement reinvoking images of Muhammad Ali.  Cruz needs to utilize his speed advantage in order to win this fight while Faber needs to grind him out.
 This fight is a complete coin toss.

Want to train like these high level fighters?MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN of ALL AGES: please TAKE ADVANTAGE  of our 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE.
http://www.ny-mma.com/