NO HOLDS BARRED

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with catch wrestlers Nick Caggia, Jamie Driver, and Phil Caracappa.

They all were crowned champions at the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., which took place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York.

In these best two-out-of-three-falls matches, and competing in the absolute division, Nick Caggia took home the championship belt after defeating four opponents without surrendering a fall.

The finals, however, saw the 314-pound Caggia face the tournament's flyweight champion, Phil Caracappa, who weighed just 148 pounds. The weight advantage: 166 pounds, with Nick Caggia being more than double Phil Caracappa's weight.

There were no pins or submissions scored in the three five-minute periods of this match, so it went to overtime. Finally, at 4:41 of the overtime period, Nick Caggia was able to wear down Phil Caracappa, score a pin, and win the championship. Before that, Phil Caracappa had won five matches, including three in the absolute division, winning every fall by pin or submission while losing none.

The Nick Caggia-Phil Caracappa match, with its comparisons to the David vs. Goliath story, its marathon progression, and its dramatic overtime finish, will no doubt go down as an epic and historic battle, a match of the year candidate, and one of the most important and remarkable in the current history of the newly-revived sport of catch wrestling.

Jamie Driver did not go into the women's absolute tournament as the favorite or the best-known wrestler of the four women competing in it. However, she clearly dominated her two opponents and won all four falls of her two matches, to win the championship belt.

We spoke with Nick Caggia, Jamie Driver, and Phil Caracappa right after this tournament.

Speaking about wrestling Phil Caracappa in the finals, Nick Caggia said, "He was like a maniac. He kept coming forward all the time and he gave me a run for my money, no doubt about it. Hats off to Phil. He was a great wrestler, and he gave me a hell of a match."

Phil Caracappa said, "Because I knew I was faster, a lot lighter than him, I was just trying to get angles on him, maybe slip, get a duckunder or something." He thought he had secured a face crank in the third period, but Nick Caggia was able to escape, and the match went to overtime. Finally, the weight advantage became decisive. "That was the big difference," he said.

Jamie Driver, who like many grapplers is new to this latest incarnation of catch wrestling, said, "It was definitely a little bit different than what I'm used to. I learned the rules just a couple of weeks ago, but I really liked it. I'm been working my ground a lot, so I wanted to see what I could do, and I took the belt home."

We also spoke with them about how they got involved in catch wrestling, their wrestling and martial arts backgrounds, what other competitions they have been in and plan to enter, and much more.

A photo gallery of the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship can be seen here.

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:

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 Liberty Bell Classic / King of Catch Wrestling Tournament, presented by the North American Catch Wrestling Association and Scientific Wrestling. In this tournament, you can only win by pin or submission, with no points. It all takes place Saturday, August 30, at Primal Gym, 231 Bakers Basin Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648. For more information, go to kingofcatchwrestling.com.

Snake Pit U.S.A., whose primary mission is to breathe new life into real catch-as-catch-can wrestling and help lead the catch wrestling revolution for martial artists and those pursuing recreational training and fitness alike. For more information, 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, Jamie Driver, MMA World Expo, Nick Caggia, No Holds Barred, Phil Caracappa, Snake Pit

Here are some photos from the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship, presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., which took place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. I took them all, except the last two of me conducting interviews, which were taken by Keisha Morrisey. Interviews from the catch wrestling will be up soon on No Holds Barred. - Eddie Goldman

Rules meeting:

Jamie Driver def. Liz Welch in women's absolute finals:

Sherwin Severin def. David Elias in light heavyweight finals:

Pat Stano def. Joe Caola in heavyweight finals:

Nick Caggia def. Ronny Roose in men's absolute semifinals:

Nick Caggia def. Phil Carracapa in epic men's absolute finals in overtime:

Nick Caggia with belt:

Jamie Driver with belt:

Eddie Goldman interviewing women's absolute catch wrestling champion Jamie Driver:

Eddie Goldman interviewing flyweight champion and men's absolute catch wrestling runner-up Phil Caracappa:

Labels: catch wrestling, David Elias, Eddie Goldman, Jamie Driver, Joe Caola, Liz Welch, MMA World Expo, Nick Caggia, No Holds Barred, Pat Stano, Phil Caracappa, Ronny Roose, Sherwin Severin, Snake Pit

Photos 1-4, Tom DeBlass (on right in first photo) and Babalu





Photos 5-8, Cedric Smith (on left in first photo) and Marco DeLima




Cedric Smith wins ADCC sword.


Eddie Goldman and Keisha Morrisey at MMA World Expo.


On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grapplers Tom DeBlass, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, and Cedric Smith at the ADCC tournament in New York on July 26 at the MMA World Expo.

In the ADCC superfight at that event, Tom DeBlass defeated Renato "Babalu" Sobral by a score of 4-0, getting a late takedown and sweep.

In the finals of the absolute pro division of the no-gi tournament, a relative newcomer to ADCC, Cedric Smith, defeat Marco DeLima. The score of this match was 3-0, as Cedric Smith established side control late in the match.

We spoke with Tom DeBlass, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, and Cedric Smith right after their matches.

"I really believe in my jiu-jitsu. I have a very tough game to beat," said Tom DeBlass. We discussed how this match went, as well as his plans to continue competing in jiu-jitsu, grappling, and MMA. His next MMA fight will be September 5 in Bellator against "King" Mo Lawal.

Babalu discussed how he is retired from MMA but is continuing to grapple. Cedric Smith is a former wrestler, and we discussed his transition to jiu-jitsu and grappling, as well as 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:

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 Liberty Bell Classic / King of Catch Wrestling Tournament, presented by the North American Catch Wrestling Association and Scientific Wrestling. In this tournament, you can only win by pin or submission, with no points. It all takes place Saturday, August 30, at Primal Gym, 231 Bakers Basin Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey 08648. For more information, go to kingofcatchwrestling.com.

Snake Pit U.S.A., whose primary mission is to breathe new life into real catch-as-catch-can wrestling and help lead the catch wrestling revolution for martial artists and those pursuing recreational training and fitness alike. For more information, 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, BJJ, Cedric Smith, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, MMA World Expo, New York, No Holds Barred, Renato Babalu Sobral, Tom DeBlass

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with jiu-jitsu and MMA legend Rickson Gracie, who is now the president and founder of the newly-formed Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation (JJGF).

In a news release, the JJGF wrote, "The Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation was established to help support and bring quality services to individual practitioners, competitors, academy owners, independent promoters and instructors with diverse levels of knowledge and experience in Jiu-Jitsu. By using educational programs, competitive events, the digital online platform and special events, people now are able to connect around the world to preserve the history of Jiu-Jitsu, advancing themselves and the culture. This coming year will see JJGF self-defense and sporting events in North America, South America, Europe and Asia."

We spoke with Rickson Gracie by phone Tuesday.

Regarding relations with the many existing jiu-jitsu organizations, and the rivalry between them, he said, "I don't feel myself getting to that, to become a rival." Instead, he wants to bring "a new perspective for the whole community."

To accomplish this, he said there are "three important segments: the information, the events, and the educational aspects of the federation."

He emphasized that there needs to be a change in the predominant rulesets used in many jiu-jitsu events today, with a return to encouraging action, submissions, and "effectiveness."

We thus discussed how he expects to work with the existing federations as well as promoters, academies, and practitioners; how JJGF will report on all jiu-jitsu events regardless of organization; the creation by JJGF of a Master's Council; plans to get jiu-jitsu events televised and to attract major sponsors; why he gets "bored" by many jiu-jitsu matches today; plans for competition both in gi and no-gi jiu-jitsu; plans for also having challenge matches with no weight classes or points which can only be won by submission; the need to combat doping in jiu-jitsu; the eventual creation of "premier events" as well as competitions for white and blue belts; how JJGF is the "next step" both for jiu-jitsu and himself, and is "my next challenge" now that he is retired as a fighter; the need for good governance and a code of ethics in jiu-jitsu; differences between jiu-jitsu and catch wrestling; preliminary plans to hold a major JJGF event in October; training of officials; 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: BJJ, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation, JJGF, No Holds Barred, Rickson Gracie

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Gene Dermody, the "Godfather of LGBT wrestling" and the founder of Wrestlers WithOut Borders (WWB).

Wrestlers WithOut Borders, according to its web site, is "a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the noble Olympic wrestling sports of Freestyle Wrestling, Greco-Roman Wrestling, Beach Wrestling, and Non-Gi Grappling, as defined by WWB & FILA."

They will once again be organizing the wrestling and grappling competition at Gay Games 9.

Freestyle wrestling and no-gi grappling at Gay Games 9 will take place August 11-13 at Case Western Reserve University in the Horsburgh Gymnasium, 2138 Adelbert Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106. Wrestling is the only sport that has been officially sanctioned in every Gay Games since their inception in 1982, while this is the first year in which there will be no-gi grappling competition.

For Gene Dermody, who is now 65, the wrestling at the Gay Games literally changed his life. Then a tenured school teacher living in New York, and a former college wrestler at NYU, he wrestling in Gay Games I in 1982 in San Francisco. The experience so moved him that he stayed in San Francisco, has wrestled in every Gay Games since, and plans to compete at Gay Games 9, in what will be his last appearance on the mat.

In recognition of all that he has accomplished, the Federation of Gay Games has selected him as one of two winners of the prestigious Tom Waddell Award, named in memory of the founder of the Gay Games, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Federation of Gay Games. The other winner is Elvina Yuvakaeva, a Russian sports activist, the female co-president of the Russian LGBT Sports Federation where she is in charge of international relations, and the chair of the Russian Open Games, the first international LGBT multisport tournament in her country.

We spoke with Gene Dermody by phone Thursday.

Recalling the growth of the Gay Games, which are held every four years, he said, Gay Games IV, which took place in New York in 1994, "was like a watershed event for Gay Games wrestling, and Gay Games in general."

That year the Gay Games wrestling was held at NYU.

"For me, going back to NYU -- I wrestled for NYU. This was my alma mater," he said.

"It was the first time we had had women's wrestling. This was ten years before the Olympic Committee put in women's wrestling, in Athens."

He continued, "It was a very, very competitive event, as most of the officials who they had gotten there would attest to."

While the ensuing years have seen greater and greater acceptance of LGBT athletes, there is still work to be done by organizations whose members are primarily LGBT. And there are also still many LGBT athletes who have not publicly come out.

"Our job, at Wrestlers WithOut Borders, is to create these clubs, to create the visibility, to create the comfort zone, so that eventually they will come out," he said.

We also discussed numerous topics, including how USA Wrestling at its competitions and events has been very supportive of and fair to LGBT wrestlers, and is sanctioning the wrestling and grappling at Gay Games 9. In addition, we discussed the many benefits of wrestling, how his work in San Francisco has helped develop wrestling in many schools and communities, the rules of the wrestling and grappling at the Gay Games, how the Gay Games are unlike the Olympics and are instead aimed mainly at getting recreational athletes to compete, why he expects grappling at the Gay Games to become bigger than the freestyle wrestling competition, 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: Eddie Goldman, Gay Games, Gene Dermody, grappling, LGBT, No Holds Barred, Wrestlers WithOut Borders, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with grappler, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and instructor, and MMA fighter Tom DeBlass.

Besides being the owner of Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he will be competing in a grappling superfight as part of the ADCC competition at this year's MMA World Expo in New York. His opponent will be the veteran Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

This superfight, under ADCC grappling rules, will take place Saturday, July 26, on the first day of the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center, 655 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10001. ADCC will be running two days of tournaments at the MMA World Expo, with the no-gi competition on Saturday, July 26, and the gi competition on Sunday, July 27.

We spoke with Tom DeBlass by phone Monday night.

Calling his opponent, Babalu, a legend, he is still confident that he can emerge victorious.

"I know how to win in jiu-jitsu and grappling," he said. "I came back in grappling competition after four years away last year, and I won the Pan American Games, in the adult black belt division. Then I took third in the Worlds, no-gi division, two weeks before I beat [Jason] Lambert" in MMA in Bellator on November 15, 2013. He is also a 2009 ADCC North American Trial Champion, and holds victories in Grapplers Quest and other competitions.

"I believe in my jiu-jitsu. I believe in myself," he added.

"I'm really honored. I'm excited to go against him. And I'm super-excited that ADCC and Carlos Carvalho wanted me to headline their event. It's a pretty amazing honor."

We also discussed the potential for grappling to emerge as a popular spectator sport, his training in both grappling and MMA at the same time, the plans for him to continue fighting in Bellator, how his studies in college in education have helped him as a coach and instructor, how he got involved in jiu-jitsu and grappling, 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, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, grappling, jiu-jitsu, MMA World Expo, No Holds Barred, Renato Babalu Sobral, superfight, Tom DeBlass

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with Steve Koepfer, the owner and head coach of New York Combat Sambo, and the "Brooklyn Monk", Antonio Graceffo.

Right after we recorded an interview on Thursday with Antonio Graceffo for our previous show, we headed over to New York Combat Sambo, where Antonio proceeded to join a class in catch wrestling, headed by Steve Koepfer. Although Steve Koepfer is best known for his work in sambo, New York Combat Sambo also offers regular training in catch wrestling, as well as other styles. Several of his students are expected to be competing at upcoming events, including the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship presented by the Snake Pit U.S.A., on Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York, and at the Liberty Bell Classic / East Coast King of Catch Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, August 30, at Primal Gym in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, presented by the North American Catch Wrestling Association.

We spoke with both Steve Koepfer and Antonio Graceffo at New York Combat Sambo right after this catch wrestling class.

About four years ago, Steve Koepfer said that he did a joint seminar in Montreal with Kris Iatskevich, head coach at the ISWA (International Submission Wrestling Alliance). Steve was teaching sambo, and Kris catch wrestling.

"We realized that a lot of what he was teaching and a lot of what I was teaching was similar, and that a lot of the principles between sambo and catch were very similar regarding pins and submissions and takedowns. Obviously in sambo we wear the jacket and in catch there is no jacket. But we found there were more similarities than differences. And then we started training here at the gym with catch rules, which we found much more acceptable for all the techniques that we like to do that are not typically allowed in jiu-jitsu tournaments, for example."

That led them to organizing several joint sambo and catch wrestling tournaments together, with some of them having "upwards of 70 or 80 competitors, especially the ones down in Texas."

For Antonio, this was his first catch wrestling class, and also the first time he has done any wrestling in the United States. He is in the process of completing his Ph.D. at Shanghai University of Sport in Shanghai, China, comparing Chinese traditional wrestling with Western wrestling, and is also a member of the Shuai Jiao traditional wrestling team there. He also trained earlier in the week with a judo class in Long Island, New York, and commented, "In terms of the level, I saw that the level of the catch wrestler was a lot higher than the level of the sport judo guys I trained with this week."

We discussed with both Steve Koepfer and Antonio Graceffo their training together, the future of catch wrestling, what lessons can be learned for catch wrestling from the political battles in other sports like sambo, the various upcoming tournaments in catch wrestling, 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: Antonio Graceffo, Brooklyn Monk, catch, China, Chinese, Eddie Goldman, grappling, New York Combat Sambo, No Holds Barred, Shanghai University Sport, Shuai Jiao, Steve Koepfer, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the writer, web show host, MMA fighter, and wrestler, Antonio Graceffo.

Born in Brooklyn, known as the "Brooklyn Monk", and raised in Tennessee, he is in the process of completing his Ph.D. at Shanghai University of Sport in Shanghai, China, and is a member of the traditional wrestling (Shuai Jiao) team there.

We spoke with him Thursday in New York while he was in town.

"My Ph.D. thesis topic is comparing Chinese traditional wrestling with Western wrestling," he said. "My professors want me to write about history, culture, rules, competition, techniques, training, all different aspects. And they sort of expanded that and they wanted me to write a lot about Greece and Rome for some reason, but that led me to writing now about Pankration: ancient Greek wrestling, and then Pankration, and then Pankration into the Roman era, which becomes like the gladiators. So actually it becomes very interesting, a lot of fun for me to write it."

He continued, "But then it also means it's expanded, the types of things that I need to go do in addition to my reading, that I need to go experience, catch wrestling for example. And they also want me to write about pro wrestling. And of course as soon as you include pro wrestling as sort of a modern evolution of wrestling, if you want to call it that, and in a way, the modern pro wrestling is the gladiatorial games of the Romans."

Thus, on this trip back to New York, he sampled training in several different styles. He attended a training session in catch wrestling with Sambo Steve Koepfer at New York Combat Sambo, as well as one in judo at Long Island Judo with Sensei Gary Rasanen, and even met with a group which performs the staged pro wrestling.

We also discussed the status of wrestling and grappling in China, how there is not now a large feeder system there on the amateur and youth levels of wrestling, how children in regular schools do not play sports, why it would be difficult for catch wrestling to succeed in China at present, his future plans, 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: Antonio Graceffo, Brooklyn Monk, catch, China, Chinese, Eddie Goldman, grappling, No Holds Barred, Shanghai University Sport, Shuai Jiao, wrestling

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses how the June 7 Catch Wrestling Alliance International Invitational in Los Angeles marked the beginning of a new era in catch wrestling, and what are the tasks and next steps in the revival of this sport.

In particular, the next major event in catch wrestling will be put on by the Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association, the 2014 Catch Wrestling World Championship.

This event will take place Sunday, July 27, at the MMA World Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York. Registration is still open.

There will also be several other events in catch wrestling in the coming weeks, including the ISWA Catch Wrestling Open along with the North American Freestyle Sambo Championships on Saturday, August 9, at Kennedy's Martial Arts in Chicago; the Liberty Bell Classic/East Coast King of Catch Tournament, Saturday, August 30, at Primal Gym in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, put on by the North American Catch Wrestling Association; and numerous seminars and camps around the world.

Also discussed is the need for more media to cover these catch wrestling events, how many more people from various styles of wrestling and grappling are getting involved with catch wrestling, the need to support all these events and activities, 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: alliance, catch wrestling, Catch Wrestling World Championship, Eddie Goldman, MMA Expo, new era, No Holds Barred, Snake Pit U.S.A.

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman discusses the latest doping scandals in MMA and baseball, and points to the dominance of American exceptionalism and lawlessness in many American sports. This commentary focuses on the sanctioned abuses of PEDs through unwarranted therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) for testosterone and other substances for both Chael Sonnen in UFC and Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees in baseball, how proper governance of real sports requires following the protocols of the World Anti-Doping Agency, 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: Alex Rodriguez, baseball, Chael Sonnen, doping, Eddie Goldman, New York Yankees, No Holds Barred, testosterone, therapeutic use exemptions, TUEs, UFC, WADA, World Anti-Doping Agency