NO HOLDS BARRED

Photo credit: Lucas Noonan/WSOF

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the world's top-ranked MMA fighter in the women's 115-pound division, and the WSOF women's strawweight champion, American Top Team fighter Jessica Aguilar.

She has just successfully defended her title with a dominating five-round unanimous decision over Japanese veteran MMA fighter and kickboxer Emi "The Kamikaze Angel" Fujino, who has never lost in MMA by submission or knockout/TKO. This fight took place at WSOF 10 on June 21 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was telecast live in the U.S. on NBC Sports Network.

We spoke with Jessica Aguilar by phone Monday.

While she is happy with her commanding victory, she did indicate that she had hoped to be the first to submit Emi Fujino.

"I need to get stronger and I need to work more on my wrestling and jiu-jitsu," she said.

"Again, I'm back to work and sharpening up those tools. But I'm confident that I'll get better. In each fight that I want to do now from now on for my career, I want to see a different fighter, a more advanced, a more intelligent [fighter]. And I just want to continue showcasing that I'm a better fighter, every fight, from now on."

We discussed how this fight ended up mostly standing, how she "grew" because of this fight, her plans to compete in more grappling events, her work with youth, the support she has received from the LGBT community, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: American Top Team, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, Emi Fujino, grappling, Japan, Jessica Aguilar, jiu-jitsu, LGBT, MMA, No Holds Barred, World Series Fighting, WSOF

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Paul Paone and Vinh Hua of the MMA World Expo.

This year the Fifth Annual MMA World Expo will be held Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, and once again at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City, where it has been held every year since it began.

We spoke with Paul Paone and Vinh Hua at the world headquarters of the MMA World Expo in New York this past Friday.

"The absolute main attraction is going to be the Fighters Source Nationals," said Paul Paone. This amateur MMA national championship is "a culmination of their year-long series of tournaments that they've held throughout the U.S. And it's taking place Saturday, July 26th, from 6 to 9 PM. It basically wraps up our show that evening."

He added, "That is our main, main event, but we do have two other events that are taking place."

Vinh Hua next explained what will happen at these other live competitions.

"ADCC America will be holding a major tournament, their major New York East Coast tournament" in grappling, said Vinh Hua. "They'll be doing no-gi on Saturday and they'll be doing gi on Sunday. Registration is open, so if listeners who are competitors are out there, they should sign up."

In addition, "Snake Pit wrestling is doing a catch-as-catch-can tournament," he said, referring to the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A. This will take place Sunday, July 27, also at the MMA World Expo. Registration is still open for that tournament. Also, right before the catch wrestling tournament begins, there will be a free one-hour catch wrestling seminar, starting at 10:30 AM on July 27.

We discussed these live events, the plans for many fighters to make appearances, the numerous vendors and seminars at the MMA World Expo, why the Expo has been successful for so many years, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: ADCC America, Amateur MMA, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Fighters Source, grappling, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred, Paul Paone, Snake Pit USA, Vinh Hua

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Anthony Medina, the CEO and an owner of the amateur MMA league Fighters Source.

Fighters Source will be holding its U.S. Nationals Saturday, July 26, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. The Fighters Source U.S. Nationals will be recorded and televised at a later date.

We spoke with Anthony Medina Friday at the headquarters of the MMA World Expo in New York.

"Fighters Source is the first amateur MMA league in existence," he said. "What I mean by league is, a lot of promotions call themselves a league, but it's technically a promotion. What Fighters Source is, is an actual league. What I mean by that, we have incorporated other promotions to be a part of our league that own teams in certain cities and certain markets. What we do is match their best fighters from that promotion against other fighters from other promotions, so technically we are a true league.

"What you're going to see on the 26th of July at the Expo is a whole season of team fighting teams. The winners move on in a tournament-style bracket. And you're going to see the finalists fight it out for the U.S. team. Whoever makes that U.S. team flies to the U.K. on September 27th to fight Team U.K., who also had a tournament-style qualifier for their Team U.K."

We also discussed his views on amateur MMA, the differences between Fighters Source and the various bodies which call themselves international federations, the issue of fighter safety, the regulatory situation in New York where pro MMA is still banned but amateur MMA is legal and unregulated, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: Amateur MMA, Anthony Medina, Eddie Goldman, Fighters Source, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman was once again interviewed by Scott Casber, the host of Takedown Wrestling Radio.

This discussion took place on Takedown Wrestling Radio and was recorded Wednesday.

The focus of our discussion was a review of the state of wrestling. In particular, we discussed the revival of catch wrestling, and the current series of events in it, including the June 7 Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational in Los Angeles; the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., on July 27 at the MMA World Expo in New York; and the August 30 Liberty Bell Classic/East Coast King of Catch Tournament at the Primal Gym in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, near Philadelphia, hosted by the North American Catch Wrestling Association. We also discussed what those involved in running catch wrestling must do in order to sustain this sport and take it to the next level.

In addition, we discussed the much-deserved induction of Kerry McCoy and Eric Guerrero into the U.S. National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the many great storylines and rivalries in wrestling which are not being highlighted, the need for real professional wrestling, who is and who is not capable of establishing such an enterprise, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, No Holds Barred, real professional, Scott Casber, Takedown Radio

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Carlos Carvalho and Jennifer Golden of the ADCC North American Federation.

It is a happily busy time in the U.S. over the next several weeks for ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club), which runs the world's most prestigious and important grappling world championship. Three major events will be taking place over the course of the coming six weekends.

This Saturday, June 21, ADCC will hold both gi and no-gi tournaments in the Chicago area, at the Frontier Park Fieldhouse, 9807 S. Sayre Avenue, Chicago Ridge, Illinois 60415.

Besides these tournaments with numerous divisions, there will be two superfights under ADCC grappling rules. In a battle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champions, Rodrigo "Comprido" Medeiros will face Leonardo Pecahna. In what promises to be a very active and competitive match between two grappling masters, Jeff Curran will take on Omar Choudhury.

Next up is North Carolina. This event, also with gi and no-gi tournaments, will take place Saturday, July 12, at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 US Highway 49, North Concord, North Carolina 28025.

ADCC will also be making its debut at this year's MMA World Expo in New York, running two days of tournaments, also with gi and no-gi divisions. The no-gi competition will take place Saturday, July 26, with the gi competition Sunday, July 27. The location is the Jacob Javits Center, 655 W. 34th Street, New York, New York 10001.

Expect more information soon on superfights for the North Carolina and New York events.

We spoke with Carlos Carvalho and Jennifer Golden by phone Tuesday.

"It's the first time that we are getting into the area of Chicago," Carlos Carvalho said. The superfight between Comprido and Pecanha involves two well-known athletes in grappling and BJJ. As for the superfight between Jeff Curran and Omar Choudhury, he said, "It's going to be another small guy fight, but you know how they work, man. They are crazy. They are electrical. They jump around. They do things that the big guys can't do."

Jennifer Golden pointed out that ADCC is much more than the world championships which are held every two years, with the next one slated for 2015.

"We want our name out there all year long," she said. "So these national tournaments are ways for us to build our name and also for people to get experience with ADCC and our rules and the way we compete. So we're doing our best to try to hit all these major cities and give everyone an opportunity to compete with us."

We also discussed how these national tournaments are leading up to both East Coast and West Coast qualifiers in the U.S. for spots at the 2015 world championships, the importance of growing ADCC at the grassroots level, the significance of running ADCC tournaments at the MMA World Expo, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: Abu Dhabi Combat Club, ADCC, BJJ, Carlos Carvalho, Chicago, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Jennifer Golden, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred, North Carolina

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with coaches John Potenza and Joel Bane of the Snake Pit U.S.A.

The Snake Pit U.S.A. will be conducting the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. In this event, you can only win by pin or submission, each match has best two out of three falls, and all styles are welcome.

We spoke with John Potenza and Joel Bane at the conclusion of Saturday's session of the Certified Catch Wrestler Training Camp Spring 2014 in Englishtown, New Jersey.

"This is going to be a really good event," John Potenza said.

"We have an open tournament with pre-registration only. There will be no walk-ins so we can have the brackets set up ahead of time. And it's going to be an all-in submission tournament with pins. So it's catch-as-catch-can rules: pins, submissions, all takedowns legal."

Also, right before the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship begins, there will be a free one-hour catch wrestling seminar, starting at 10:30 AM on July 27. This will allow those who are not familiar with catch wrestling to be introduced to it without any obligation.

In addition, we discussed more about this event, how and why catch wrestling is growing rapidly these days, the importance of doing this event at the MMA World Expo, and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Catch Wrestling World Championship, Eddie Goldman, Joel Bane, John Potenza, MMA Expo, No Holds Barred, Snake Pit U.S.A.

Wade Schalles demonstrating pinning techniques


Jake Shannon demonstrating catch wrestling leglocks

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Wade Schalles and Jake Shannon of Scientific Wrestling.

They were the lead instructors at the Certified Catch Wrestler Training Camp Spring 2014, which was held June 13-15 in Englishtown, New Jersey. We spoke with them at the conclusion of Saturday's session.

This was also the first camp where Wade Schalles -- a two-time NCAA wrestling champion, a master pinner, and a 1991 inductee in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame -- was serving as coach of Scientific Wrestling, following the recent passing of their previous coach, the legendary Billy Robinson.

"It's exciting to branch off and try some new things," said Wade Schalles. "I was in wrestling for over 40 years, and I don't want to say I'm tired of [it], I'm just looking for a different challenge, and catch wrestling provides that. It adds another element that's been void in my life from wrestling, and that's the submission side, either through chokes or joint locks. And that's a lot of fun, too. It's a different animal. And learning a different method, a different strategy, is exciting."

Said Jake Shannon, "Billy [Robinson] brought us, with his being in movies, with him being all over the world, globe-trotting from competitive wrestling to pro wrestling, all this other stuff, training all the MMA guys in Japan, all that -- he brought a certain sensibility to us. What I'm hoping is now with Wade, and Wade's incredible resume, that we start attracting these high-level wrestling athletes."

Along with the current series of catch wrestling competitions, all this marks the start of a rapid period of growth for catch wrestling.

"I've been doing this for a long time. I know there's not a huge market for it yet," said Jake Shannon. "But I see enormous potential. And I've never seen it hotter than it is now."

We discussed why catch wrestling is so hot now, why the next five years will likely see it dramatically grow, the opportunities it gives college and elite wrestlers as an alternative to MMA without the dangers of that sport or for training for MMA, the need to create a level of real professional wrestling, the role of Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson, the relation of catch wrestling to MMA and folkstyle and freestyle wrestling, and much, much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, hot, Jake Shannon, No Holds Barred, scientific, Wade Schalles

Curran Jacobs wrestles Christopher Crossan - Photo by Brad Wilder


Catch Wrestling Alliance group shot


Curran Jacobs


Crank Gym wrestlers


Colleen Schneider


Amin Nazer and Lucca Perretti


Ned Morales


Brooklyn Thomson pins Xochi Wilder


Frank Gotch 1910 poster


Gotch-Hackenschmidt


Roy Wood in Frank Gotch derby


Mike Chapman and Roy Wood


Eddie Goldman and Roy Wood


Mike Chapman wearing Frank Gotch's favorite derby hat - Photo by Brad Wilder


Raul Ramirez, Mike Chapman, Andrea Wood, and Roy Wood - Photo by Steve Moyer


Eddie Goldman and Lucca Perretti

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman presents the post-match interviews from the Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth, held June 7 at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Plus, we present an analysis of this event, and explain why it represents the start of a new era in catch wrestling.

Interviewed at the event were victorious wrestlers Brooklyn Thomson, Ned Morales, Amin Nazer, Colleen Schneider, Adam Laporte, and Curran Jacobs; Snake Pit Wigan head coach Roy Wood; catch wrestler and MMA fighter Josh Barnett, who coached Colleen Schneider; and wrestling author and historian Mike Chapman.

Here are the complete results:

Catch Wrestling Alliance: The Rebirth
Collins Court, John Wooden Center
UCLA
Los Angeles, California
June 7, 2014

Catch wrestling rules: you can only win by pin or submission, 20-minute time limit, no points or judges.

1 - Brooklyn Thomson (Canada, Crank Gym) pins Xochi Wilder (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles), 6:37, wins Billy Riley Award.

2 - Kyle Johnson (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles) and Malcolm Tisdale (Canada, Crank Gym) draw, 20:00, share Martin "Farmer" Burns Award.

3 - Ned Morales (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles) submits Stephen Greenfield (UK, Snake Pit Wigan) by facelock, 5:34, wins Roy Wood Award.

4 - Amin Nazer (UK, Snake Pit Wigan) submits Christopher Morales (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles) by top wristlock, 5:43, wins John Perretti Contenders Award.

5 - Colleen Schneider (USA, Combat Submission Wrestling) submits Jennifer Thomas (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles) by face crank, 7:01, wins Joe Stecher Award.

6 - Adam Laporte (Canada, Crank Gym) defeats Jon Strickland (USA, Billy Wicks Foundation), injury default (knee), 4:25, wins Billy Wicks Award.

7 - Curran Jacobs (USA, Catch Wrestling Los Angeles) pins Christopher Crossan (UK, Snake Pit Wigan), 2:02, wins Frank Gotch Award.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

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 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., taking place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. You can only win by pin or submission. Best two out of three falls. All styles welcome. For more information or to register, go to snakepitusa.com.

The Catch Wrestling Alliance, a catch wrestling promotion that works with the highest level catch wrestlers from around the world with the goal of reviving the great sport of catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance organizes catch wrestling sporting events, and its primary organizer is Dr. Raul Ramirez. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, No Holds Barred, Snake Pit Wigan

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses why, after an almost century long exile from the world of real sports, catch wrestling is back.

Excerpts from previous interviews on No Holds Barred are played to explain this issue in depth, including from:

- Wrestling historian Nathan Hatton
- Wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman
- Roy Wood, head coach of the Snake Pit Wigan
- Wade Schalles, new coach of Scientific Wrestling
- Jake Shannon of Scientific Wrestling
- Raul Ramirez of the Catch Wrestling Alliance
- Jon Strickland of the Billy Wicks Foundation
- MMA and grappling pioneer John Perretti
- MMA legend Frank Shamrock
- wrestling and shootfighting coach and promoter Steve Nelson
- MMA and wrestling legend Randy Couture
- catch wrestler Curran Jacobs
- MMA fighter and catch wrestler Colleen Schneider
- catch wrestler Kyle Johnson
- catch wrestler Qin Yunquan
- catch wrestler Adam Laporte
- catch wrestler Jennifer Thomas
- Garry Davis of Brazen Martial Arts
- Dan Kanagie of the North American Catch Wrestling Association
- John Potenza of the Snake Pit USA Catch Wrestling Association
- Kris Iatskevich of the ISWA (International Submission Wrestling Alliance)
- Stephen Greenfield of the Snake Pit Wigan and the Llanelli Catch Wrestling and Traditional Japanese Martial Arts Club
- and, last but not least, the late catch wrestling legend Billy Robinson

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth. This invitational event will be held under catch wrestling rules, where you can only win by pin or submission. It will take place Saturday, June 7, in Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

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/.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, No Holds Barred, real pro, Snake Pit Wigan

Mike Chapman - Photo courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


Martin Farmer Burns poses with his most famous pupil, Frank Gotch, circa 1905 - Photo courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


Abraham Lincoln wrestling at the age of 22 in New Salem, Illinois - Artwork by Carole and Jack Bender - Courtesy of Mike Chapman Collection


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with wrestling historian and author Mike Chapman.

He is presently en route, by car, from his home in Iowa to California for what is shaping up to be an historical wrestling event.

That event is the Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth.

This event will be held Saturday, June 7. The location is the Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA, at 221 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, California 90095-1612. In this event, you can only win by pin or submission.

We spoke with Mike Chapman by phone Thursday.

Aside from his dislike of flying, one of the reasons he is driving all the way from Iowa to California, with stops in-between, is because he is transporting an exhibition of rare catch wrestling memorabilia to be shown at the June 7 event. These include: the favorite derby hat of then-world heavyweight wrestling champion Frank Gotch, with a photo of Gotch wearing it in 1910; a poster of Frank Gotch and other top challengers for the world title from 1910; a program from the Frank Gotch-George Hackenschmidt wrestling match held on September 4, 1911, in Chicago in front of 30,000 fans (the most discussed pro match of all time); a framed signed letter that Frank Gotch wrote in 1913; a framed original artwork of a Frank Gotch poster; framed artwork of Abraham Lincoln wrestling as a young man, at the age of 22 in 1831 in New Salem, Illinois; and many more. He will also have wrestling books and posters for sale.

The main part of our discussion with Mike Chapman was about how catch wrestling can develop from these initial stages of revival into retaking its place as a major spectator and recreational sport.

Noting that already it is on the "right path," he said, "The test will be, can it grow?"

In order to grow, he mentioned several key requirements.

"The formula's there. We know what we have to do," he said.

"Catch wrestling has to form an alliance of leaders, and they have to come together and form a business plan. They have to find enough money to be self-sustaining for a couple of years and to hire an executive director who can put plans into action. And then they have to get on TV. To me, it's about a six-step process."

We also discussed how the upcoming film "Foxcatcher", about the life of Olympic and world champion wrestler Mark Schultz and the 1996 murder of his brother, fellow Olympic and world champion wrestler Dave Schultz, by multimillionaire John du Pont, may impact the sport of wrestling. Due to premiere in November of this year, the film's director, Bennett Miller, recently won the best director award at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, with many film critics predicting that the film is a top Oscar contender.

In addition, we discussed that while catch wrestling is a "niche sport," it still has great potential to find a major audience; why it needs more exposure and promotion; how getting sponsors is essential; and much more.

You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link doesn't work, please try another.

No Holds Barred is also available on mobile phones and iPads through Stitcher.

Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.

The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.

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

MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City July 26 and 27, 2014, for the fifth annual MMA World Expo, featuring the Fighters Source U.S. Nationals amateur MMA tournament, two days of ADCC no-gi and gi grappling tournaments, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, catch wrestling competition, and much more. The MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2014, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.

Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational: The Rebirth. This invitational event will be held under catch wrestling rules, where you can only win by pin or submission. It will take place Saturday, June 7, in Collins Court in the John Wooden Center on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. For more information, go to catchwrestlingalliance.com.

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/.

Takedown Wrestling Media, America's wrestling TV and radio shows, which are hosted by founder Scott Casber, and have been airing on radio and Internet for over 17 years. Takedown Media produces a weekly TV program seen in 54 million homes in the U.S. on DirecTV, Dish Network, and cable affiliates around the country, called Takedown TV. Takedown Media also produces the weekly USA Wrestling TV show for the governing body of the sport, USA Wrestling. For more information, go to http://takedownradio.com.

Labels: alliance, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, Frank Gotch, Los Angeles, Mike Chapman, No Holds Barred, UCLA