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Sunday, February 27, 2011

No Holds Barred: World Sport Anti-Corruption Agency, Feijao-Henderson, M-1 XXIII, Weekend Preview 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman previews an incredible week coming up in the combat sports, as well as a conference which may mark a major step in the battle against corruption in world sports.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will be holding a Working Meeting on irregular and illegal sports betting on Tuesday, March 1, at the IOC Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. This coincides with a number of major calls for the formation of some type of independent world agency to combat corruption in sports and fight for their integrity. Such statements have already been publicly issued by Tamas Ajan of Hungary, who is an honorary member of the IOC and president of International Weightlifting Federation, and David Howman, the director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Many IOC officials are believed to be unenthusiastic about the formation of such a body, and we will be following the developments at this meeting and afterwards, including the activities of Play the Game, which has long supported the establishment of such an anti-corruption agency.
In mixed martial arts, the main attraction this coming weekend will be the first title defense by Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante against MMA veteran and legend Dan Henderson. That headlines a card on Saturday, March 5, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, which will be shown live in the U.S. on Showtime. We spoke with both Feijao and Dan Henderson about what to expect in this fight on a media conference call, and also preview the women's 135-pound title fight between champion Marloes Coenen and challenger Liz Carmouche.
Also on Saturday, March 5, M-1 Challenge XXIII features two title fights and a loaded card from the Crocus City Arena in Moscow, Russia. This card will be webcast live and for free on the M-1 Global web site starting at 11:00 am EST / 8:00am PST in North America. In a heavyweight title fight, Guram Gugenishvili, the M-1 Challenge champion, fights Maxim Grishin, the M-1 Selection Eastern Europe 2010 champion. In a welterweight title fight, Shamil Zavurov, the M-1 Challenge C\champion, faces Tom Gallicchio, the M-1 Selection Americas 2010 champion.
We also discuss the west coast trials for the World Professional Jiu Jitsu Cup, which take place March 5 and 6 in San Diego, California; the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez-Matthew Hatton WBC 154-pound title fight on March 5 from Anaheim, California, which will shown in the U.S. on HBO; and the NCAA Division I wrestling conference championships, which also take place this coming weekend.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Friday, February 25, 2011

No Holds Barred: Dr. Margaret Goodman on Donaire-Montiel Stoppage, Boxing vs. MMA Safety, Duerson Suicide, CTE 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again speaks with Dr. Margaret Goodman, a neurologist, the former chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and the medical correspondent for No Holds Barred.
The world of combat sports is a world of constant controversy, and we discuss some of the latest ones. The February 19 bantamweight title fight between Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel, won by a brutal second-round TKO by Donaire, has many questioning why the referee let the fight proceed after Montiel was knocked down and was quivering on the canvas. Some have also claimed that this proves that mixed martial arts is safer than boxing. We discuss that also, at a time when the safety dangers to fighters in both sports seem to be leveling out. We also discuss the current role of the controversial Victor Conte, infamous as a doping mastermind in the BALCO scandal, as a trainer for Donaire, and whether or not he can now be trusted.
In addition, we discuss the tragic suicide of former Chicago Bears player Dave Duerson, who asked that his brain be studied by researchers investigating the brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), to see if he had suffered brain damage. Duerson had also been part of an NFL panel considering the disability claims of retired players, including those related to brain damage and dementia.
We also try to look into the future and determine what all this might mean for the combat sports, how the battle against doping must be stepped up, what must be done to prevent the current budget crises faced by state governments in the U.S. from destroying proper regulation of the combat sports, and more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

No Holds Barred: Jen Boronico, the Voice of MMA in South Florida 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with the voice of MMA in south Florida, Jen Boronico.
Jen is currently a color commentator for Fight Zone TV as well as for various MMA shows both in Florida and around the U.S., and has also covered boxing in the past. She has competed in several disciplines herself, winning grappling titles at NAGA events and boxing in the Golden Gloves. Besides training at American Top Team, she owns a chain of tanning clubs as well as running and performing in a rock band called Pandia.
We spoke with her Tuesday by phone about some of the recent MMA events she has covered, the media and the role of women, and women fighters in MMA. She covered the Fight Time Promotions card on Friday, February 18, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where she said the fight between Caleb Archer and Aaron Cerda, won by Archer by unanimous decision, was the best fight she has seen live this year.
She also will be covering the 2011 South Florida Fight Expo, which runs Thursday, February 24, through Sunday, February 27, in Miami, Florida, and performing with her band there. Besides numerous exhibits, this event will feature competition in various forms of combat sports, including MMA, boxing, and Muay Thai.
Then on Saturday, March 5, she heads north to cover the Raging Wolf MMA event at the Seneca Niagara Hotel and Casino Event Center in the Seneca Nation in Niagara Falls, New York.
Jen Boronico is poised to become a well-known person in MMA, and you can hear just why on this edition of No Holds Barred.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

No Holds Barred: Mark Pavelich of the MFC 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again speaks with the owner and president of the Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC), Mark Pavelich.
Their next show will be MFC 28: Supremacy on Friday, February 25, at the River Cree Resort and Casino, just outside Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The main card will air live throughout North America on HDNet Fights.
In the main event, MFC veterans Ryan Jimmo and Dwayne Lewis will fight for the MFC light heavyweight title. In a lightweight bout, a rejuvenated Drew Fickett will face Matt Veach, who is replacing the injured Antonio McKee.
Our discussion with Mark Pavelich started off focusing on this card and branched out to examine the progress of MFC as an organization. MFC will very shortly be announcing their expansion into the province of Ontario, where mixed martial arts has only recently been allowed and sanctioned, and their plans to run numerous shows there. We also discussed that the athletic commission in Ontario is only permitting MMA fights in a cage and not a ring. MFC has thus far used a ring, and we discussed the issues related to that, as well as much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Saturday, February 19, 2011

No Holds Barred: Jake Shannon and the Revival of Catch Wrestling 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses catch wrestling, also known as catch-as-catch-can wrestling, with Jake Shannon of ScientificWrestling.com.
Catch wrestling is a style of wrestling where, to put it simply, both pins and submissions can win a match. It is a style that was immensely popular early in the twentieth century, when professional wrestling was to a degree a legitimate sport, and was on a par in popularity in America with baseball and boxing.
After virtually going underground for decades, the popularity of mixed martial arts, jiu-jitsu, and various styles of grappling have helped revive interest in catch wrestling. Today Jake Shannon, among others, both writes about this discipline and helps train people in it.
We spoke with him by phone Friday night about the movement to revive catch wrestling, its storied if often cloudy history, and what would have to take place for it to make a comeback as a popular spectator sport. This is a fascinating topic with someone who has studied it thoroughly and currently practices and teaches this discipline, and thus provides important perspective for all the combat sports.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

No Holds Barred: How Much Boxing Can You Still Enjoy? 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the Fernando Montiel-Nonito Donaire bantamweight title fight coming up Saturday, February 19, as well as the March 5 Saul Alvarez-Matthew Hatton and May 7 Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fights.
While a fight like Montiel-Donaire will likely provide excitement in the ring, the stench of the self-destructive politics of boxing is so pervasive that it is hard to enjoy much of anything these days in this declining business. We discuss the collapse of the boxing reform movement, and how the clock of doom is ticking for what is left of boxing.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Sunday, February 13, 2011

No Holds Barred: BIGFOOT 


Photo: Esther Lin/Strikeforce
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the historic victory by Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva over Fedor Emelianenko in their opening round fight of the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament, which took place Saturday, February 12, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. After a dominating second round by Bigfoot, the fight was stopped by the ringside physician due to damage to the right eye of Fedor.
After the fight, we got some comments from the victor, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. We also have the part of the postfight news conference where Vadim Finkelchtein and Evgeni Kogan of M-1 Global along with Scott Coker of Strikeforce discuss the loss by Fedor and his future. And we have Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva speaking and answering questions at this news conference as well.
Also, we open with a no holds barred commentary on some of the key lessons of this fight and what they mean for mixed martial arts and the combat sports. We discuss the continuing importance to MMA of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the unparalleled greatness of the MMA career of Fedor Emelianenko, the effect of Bigfoot's upset of Fedor on the sport of MMA and this heavyweight tournament, important blunders that were made in organizing the event in New Jersey, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Friday, February 11, 2011

No Holds Barred: Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko, Tara LaRosa, Rally to Legalize MMA in New York 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses this historic week for mixed martial arts in New York, including the February 8 rally called by the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, and the build-up for the opening round bouts of the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament, which takes place Saturday, February 12, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
We begin with the speech at the February 8 rally by Coalition co-founder Eddie Goldman, explaining the positive social values which mixed martial arts can have to benefit the people, as well as a brief look at the history of the struggle to legalize MMA and its lessons for New York.
At the rally, we spoke with Alistair Overeem, who holds both the Strikeforce and Dream heavyweight titles as well as the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 title, and who came to support the rally. We also spoke with the top women's 125-pound MMA fighter in the world today, Tara LaRosa, who also spoke at the rally.
At the February 9 prefight news conference for the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament in New York, we spoke again with Alistair Overeem, this time more about the tournament itself. Overeem is considered by many to be one of the favorites to win this tournament, as is the former linear and Pride heavyweight champion, Fedor Emelianenko.
We also had a chance to ask a few questions directly of Fedor right after the formal news conference. Fedor fights in the main event on that February 12 card against Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. This card will be televised live in the U.S. on Showtime.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

No Holds Barred: Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament Prefight News Conference 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman presents the audio from the February 9 prefight news conference for the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament. The news conference was held at the Chelsea Piers in New York.
The opening round bouts of the tournament take place Saturday, February 12, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. On that card, Fedor Emelianenko fights Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and Andrei Arlovski fights Sergei Kharitonov. This card will be televised live in the U.S. on Showtime.
Participating in this news conference were all eight tournament fighters: Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, Andrei Arlovski, Sergei Kharitonov, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Brett Rogers, and Josh Barnett. In addition, participating were Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker and Evgeni Kogan, director of operations of M-1 Global, which is co-promoting this show with Strikeforce.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Monday, February 07, 2011

Rally on February 8, 2011, to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York State 


From the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York:

On Tuesday, February 8, at 12 noon a rally will be held for the support of legalized and regulated mixed martial arts in New York State*. We will gather at 250 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, 10007 (Across the street from City Hall).

This rally is being organized by the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York, a non-partisan volunteer group of organizations, gyms, business owners, and individuals who support the legalization and regulation of mixed martial arts in the state of New York.

In 2010, with the support of Governor Paterson and former Governor Pataki, legislation to legalize and regulate mixed martial arts was approved by the New York State Senate, but not the Assembly. We thus have chosen to rally at 250 Broadway, which houses the district office of Sheldon Silver, the Speaker of the New York State Assembly.

We ask that you bring picket signs. Please keep your comments and images respectful. Do not bring signs made of wood, metal, or plastic. If possible, bring a pair of focus mitts. Please DO NOT bring any audio projection equipment.

"If you are a fan, fighter, gym owner, business owner, or organization official who wants to start the 2011 New York State legislative calendar by letting our government know we want legalized and regulated mixed martial arts in New York State, please come show your support! Let's gather together to show our legislators that New York State is not respecting the wishes of its voters! Let's remind our legislators that mixed martial arts is a professional sport and in need of regulation! Let's remind our legislators how much business our state loses and how many jobs are lost to neighboring states where mixed martial arts is properly sanctioned! Let's remind our legislators that we care about the safety of our athletes! Let's remind our legislators that it is the people of New York State who vote for them, and that WE WANT LEGALIZED AND REGULATED MIXED MARTIAL ARTS IN NEW YORK STATE!"

-Stephen Koepfer of the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York.

For more information please contact Stephen Koepfer at NYMMANOW@gmail.com or 718-728-8054. Be sure to subscribe to the blog at http://nymmanow.blogspot.com/ and join our Facebook group!

Confirmed Speakers:

Event MC: Kevin Garvey (The Garv).
The Garv is ring announcer and commentator for mixed martial arts shows in the tristate area including DaMMAge Fight League, Ring of Combat, Asylum Fight League, Evolution MMA, M1 Global, and others. The Garv also runs a very popular MMA new blog (thegarv.com).

Speaker: Michael Benjamin.
Michael Benjamin has more than 25 years experience in progressively responsible positions in the fields of Government, Human Services and Politics. He was elected to four terms of office as a Member of the New York State Assembly. Before entering the State Assembly, Michael headed the Bronx Board of Elections. He has twice served as parliamentarian on the Bronx Democratic County Committee.

Over his professional career, he worked for Members of the New York State Assembly, New York City Council and the United States Congress. He has also worked for Affinity Health, Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Health Center, and the Hunts Point Multiservice Program Center. He has delivered speeches, talks and lectures on government, education policies, electoral politics, and race.

Michael graduated from The Bronx High School of Science and Syracuse University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He has done graduate work in public administration, community public health, and urban affairs at SUNY-Binghamton, NYU, and Hunter College. In February 2007, they were profiled as one of NYC’s Power Couples in City Hall magazine. Co-sponsor of the Assembly MMA bill in 2009, Benjamin has been become an advocate for the legalization of the professional sport of mixed martial arts.

Speaker: Tara LaRosa.
LaRosa is currently the #2-ranked pound-for-pound female MMA fighter in the world by MMARising.com. and the current DaMMAge Fight League 125lb Women's Champion. Tara LaRosa grew up on a farm in a small town in South Jersey. She played field hockey, basketball and softball in grade school and high school and field hockey for Catawba College in Salisbury, NC (96-2000). In college, Tara trained and competed in judo and then went on to compete in jiu-jitsu and submission grappling tournaments, quickly accelerating to training in MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), or Ultimate Fighting.

Tara began training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing in Sept. '01 at Team ROC, a Royce Gracie affiliated school. The head instructor, Greg Thompson, was a black belt under Royce and the next highest ranking instructor was Aitor "Spenser" Canup, a brown belt, and Tara's main instructor. Tara received her purple belt in Oct. '05 from Royce Gracie, and was brought on as an assistant instructor at Team ROC Fayetteville, in NC. During her time in Fayetteville, Tara also taught Modern Army Combatives and is level 2 certified. In April 2006, Tara moved to the Pacific Northwest to concentrate on her MMA career. She trained and fought out of Yakima MMA in Yakima, WA., owned by Rich Guerin. In April 2007, Tara moved to Boca Raton, FL., where she trained for 6 months at Charles McCarthy's ATT affiliated school.

Tara returned to her hometown in September 2007 after the death of her boyfriend SFC Adrian M Elizalde who was killed when an IED hit his truck on Thursday August, 23rd 2007 in Al Aziziyah, Iraq. He was 30 years old. Tara is currently a member of a MMA team in Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Fight Factory, coached and lead by Steven Haigh that had produced Eddie Alvarez, who current Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight champion.

Rally Schedule:

-Rally starts at 12 noon
-Speakers begin at 1pm
-Rally concludes by 3pm

What people are saying:

We'll definitely have a voice there. - Scott Coker, President and CEO of Strikeforce

February 8th is a important date for you New Yorkers who claim to be MMA fans. You have an opportunity to step up and really show your support by attending the upcoming rally in Lower Manhattan. - Guy Mezger, UFC Champion, King of Pancrase, MMA Legend

A big day next February 8th, 2011 for all MMA fans!!! I support 100% MMA in NY State and its legalization. - Jean-Francois Court, Olympic wrestler and Dollamur International Sales Manager

At FIGHT! we support the legalization of the great sport of Mixed Martial Arts in New York. We plan to cover the demonstration and perhaps some of us may even attend. - Donovan Craig, Editor In Chief of FIGHT! Magazine

The rally on February 8th marks another pivotal date in the growth and acceptance of mixed martial arts as a legitimate sport, not only in the United States and North America but also on the global scale. - Evgeni Kogan, M1 Global Director of Operations

We are pleased to endorse the upcoming rally that will take place on February 8, 2011, inNew York City. This is certainly a great opportunity for MMA fans and MMA professionals to voice their support for sanctioning MMA in New York and attract attention of politicians, media and ordinary citizens. - Ilya Fayerman, Esq., Roman Leonov, Esq. mmacontracts.com

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Sunday, February 06, 2011

No Holds Barred: Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski, Shane Del Rosario, Feb. 8 Rally for MMA in New York 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman previews what should be the biggest week ever in the history of mixed martial arts in the New York metropolitan area.

On Tuesday, February 8, the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York (http://nymmanow.blogspot.com) will have a rally at 250 Broadway in lower Manhattan, across the street from City Hall and outside the district office of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, beginning at 12 noon. The goal is to get mixed martial arts re-legalized in New York this year, and all are invited to attend.

Later that afternoon, Strikeforce will be holding a free Fan Experience event at Roseland Ballroom at 239 West 52nd St. in midtown Manhattan. All eight fighters in the historic Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament will participate in this event. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the event runs from 4 to 6 p.m.

This, of course, leads up to the opening round of the Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament, which takes place Saturday, February 12, at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and will be televised in the U.S. on Showtime. The February 12 card is co-promoted by Strikeforce and M-1 Global. The main event features the former linear MMA heavyweight champion of the world, Fedor Emelianenko, facing Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, in a tournament quarterfinal fight.

As we continue our extensive preview of this tournament, we spoke with fighters Brett Rogers, Andrei Arlovski, and Shane Del Rosario when they were in New York last month for a Strikeforce and Showtime photo and video shoot. On February 12, in another tournament quarterfinal fight, Arlovski will fight Sergei Kharitonov. Also on February 12, Del Rosario will fight Lavar Johnson in a tournament alternate fight. Brett Rogers will face Josh Barnett in the next set of quarterfinal fights on April 9 at a location to be announced.

Rogers, Arlovski, and Del Rosario all know that this is their opportunity to make history, and their interviews reflected the enormity of the tasks facing them.

You can play or download No Holds Barred at http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-02-06T16_16_26-08_00.

You can also download No Holds Barred at http://www.mediafire.com/?y1r8bqjbawigo0f.

If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com).

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.

American Top Team (http://americantopteam.com). Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com.

The American Sambo Association (http://www.ussambo.com), which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com (http://www.ussambo.com).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Friday, February 04, 2011

No Holds Barred: Good News for MMA in New York at Roundtable Meeting 


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman presents the entire audio from the historic roundtable meeting called by the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York (http://nymmanow.blogspot.com) to discuss strategy and tactics in the grassroots fight to re-legalize the sport of MMA in New York. The roundtable meeting was held Thursday, February 3, at New York Combat Sambo.

The participants were:

1) Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C-East Patchogue): Ranking Minority member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development.
2) Kevin Malloy: Assemblyman Murray's Chief of Staff.
3) Kevin Morello: Office of Senator Lee Zeldin (R, C, I - Long Island). Co sponsor of the Senate MMA bill.
4) Justin Klein: Member of the NY Bar Sports Law Committee and writer for MMA Payout.
5) Peter Lampasona: MMA journalist, US Combat Sport and host of Cage Radio.
6) Jim Genia: MMA journalist, Editor at Full Contact Fighter.
7) Eddie Goldman: MMA journalist, No Holds Barred.
8) Bruce Kivo: MMA journalist, MMA Confidential.
9) Steve Katz: Queens gym owner/amateur MMA promoter.
10) Steve Kardian: Westchester gym owner, security expert, and national media consultant.
11) Stephen Koepfer: Manhattan gym owner, President of the American Sambo Association.
12) Paula Romero: MMA insider.
13) Kahleem Poole: MMA documentarian.

This meeting revealed some very good news for mixed martial arts. Just days ago, there was what appeared to be disastrous news for the sport. Not only did the newly-elected Governor Andrew Cuomo not include re-legalizing MMA in his 2011-12 budget proposal, but he also called for eliminating the salary of the chair of the New York State Athletic Commission. That would effectively gut the ability of the commission to protect properly the health and safety of all combat sports athletes, and prevent it from having enough staff to regulate the rapidly-growing sport of MMA.

The good news came from Assemblyman Murray. In past years, re-legalizing MMA has been approved in the State Senate but not the Assembly. Now, as the ranking minority member of the New York State Assembly Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, he is working with his Democratic colleague and committee chair, Steve Englebright, to mobilize bi-partisan support for passage of such pro-MMA legislation.

"I'm very confident," said Assemblyman Murray at the roundtable. "I'm more confident than I've been in years." Both Assemblymen Englebright and Murray believe that if the bill to re-legalize MMA were put to a vote in the Assembly, with support from many members of both political parties, it would achieve a majority and pass in the Assembly. Passage in the Senate and then signature by Governor Cuomo would also be required for the bill to become a law, but again, it has been in the Assembly where it has been held up in the past.

Still, grassroots action is needed to get MMA re-legalized in New York. That is why the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York will have a rally on Tuesday, February 8, at 250 Broadway in lower Manhattan, across the street from City Hall and outside the district office of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, beginning at 12 noon.

You can play or download No Holds Barred at http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-02-04T16_35_08-08_00.

You can also download No Holds Barred at http://www.mediafire.com/?3epq2ll3r6g2vv6.

If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com).

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.

American Top Team (http://americantopteam.com). Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com.

The American Sambo Association (http://www.ussambo.com), which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com (http://www.ussambo.com).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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Wednesday, February 02, 2011

No Holds Barred: Bad News in New York, Good News from Strikeforce 

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the disastrous proposals by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in his 2011 budget for mixed martial arts and boxing, the growing importance of the February 8 rally to legalize MMA in New York called by the Coalition to Legalize Mixed Martial Arts in New York (http://nymmanow.blogspot.com), why Strikeforce has become the hottest mixed martial arts promotion, how combat sports help people face the many challenges in life, and more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred at http://nhbnews.podomatic.com/entry/2011-02-02T15_10_04-08_00.

You can also download No Holds Barred at http://www.mediafire.com/?g4we7427yiijcxv.

If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes at http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=150801513&s=143441.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter (http://iancarpenter.com).

No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:

Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.

American Top Team (http://americantopteam.com). Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com.

The American Sambo Association (http://www.ussambo.com), which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com (http://www.ussambo.com).

BJJMart.com (http://bjjmart.com), your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.

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