Tuesday, October 15, 2013
No Holds Barred: Lenne Hardt on ONE FC, ADCC, and Why She Can't Say No
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with the legendary and iconic world champion of ring announcers, Lenne Hardt.
As the best in the business, the Tokyo-based Lenne Hardt is always in great demand. This weekend, for example, she will be announcing at three different events in two different countries.
On Friday, October 18, she will be displaying her talents at the ONE FC: Total Domination card at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore. In the main event of that card, ONE FC interim bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes will fight the current ONE FC bantamweight champion, the 21-year-old Soo Chul Kim of Korea, who is returning from an injury. This fight will thus be a title unification bout.
ONE FC: Total Domination will be televised live on Star Sports in Asia and be shown as an online pay-per-view at http://www.onefc.livesport.tv.
Right after the ONE FC card, she will fly to Beijing, China, to announce two events, both on Sunday, October 20. First, she will be announcing the finals of the 2013 ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, which is the most important and prestigious grappling tournament in the world. Later that day, she will also be announcing the Real Fight MMA event.
Her country-hopping schedule will take her to Moscow, Russia, on Friday, November 8, for the Legend 2 MMA show, headlined by Alexander Emelianenko facing Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. And there are more ONE FC events this year, a possible trip to South America, plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and even more.
With this kind of schedule, that is why, in our interview recorded by Skype Tuesday (Monday New York time), she sang the line "I'm just a girl who can't say no" from the Rodgers and Hammerstein song "I Cain't Say No" from the Broadway show and film "Oklahoma!".
"So that's going to keep me pretty busy," she said with a laugh.
We also discussed her announcing for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, a Japanese professional baseball team, who regard her as their "lucky charm" since they seem to win whenever she announces for them. And we discussed how various cultures around the world view combat sports; the interrelationship of music, arts, sports, and entertainment; 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:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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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/.
Labels: ADCC, Beijing, China, Eddie Goldman, Lenne Hardt, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Real Fight, Singapore, Total Domination
Thursday, May 30, 2013
No Holds Barred: Lenne Hardt on ONE FC: Rise to Power
She has already arrived in Manila in the Philippines in preparation for ONE FC: Rise to Power, which takes place Friday, May 31, at the 20,000-seat SM Mall of Asia Arena.
We spoke with Lenne Hardt by Skype Thursday to preview this card.
"I don't play favorites. It's not just because of my job. I really shouldn't do that. I have to remain neutral," she explained in this interview. "It's also, even if I weren't involved in this as a job, as a fan, there are certain matches I get excited about."
As is usual for ONE FC, this is another loaded card. It is headlined by a ONE FC featherweight title bout between reigning champion Honorio Banario of the Philippines and challenger Koji Oishi of Japan, and pound-for-pound king Bibiano Fernandes, originally from Brazil but now from the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada area, taking on Koetsu Okazaki of Japan for the ONE FC bantamweight interim title.
Another local favorite from the Philippines, Kevin Belingon, will face Masakatsu Ueda of Japan in the final of the Bantamweight Grand Prix. The popular Eduard Folayang, also from the Philippines, faces MMA, grappling, and wrestling veteran Kamal Shalorus, originally from Iran. Yasuhiro Urushitani of Japan will fight Rey Docyogen from the Philippines. American Andrew Leone fights Geje Eustaquio, also from the Philippines. And American Phil Baroni takes on Nobutatsu Suzuki from Japan.
On the undercard, the up-and-coming Lowen Tynanes of the USA will fight Felipe Enomoto from Japan, American heavyweights Tim Sylvia and Tony Johnson will collide, and Ryan Diaz of Canada will take on Yusup Saadulaev of Russia.
ONE FC: Rise to Power will be televised live on Star Sports in Asia and be shown as an online pay-per-view at http://www.onefc.livesport.tv.
We also discussed with her the atmosphere for fights in the Philippines, what her own future plans are, and 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:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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/.
Labels: Bibiano Fernandes, Eddie Goldman, Honorio Banario, Koetsu Okazaki, Koji Oishi, Lenne Hardt, Manila, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Philippines, Rise to Power
Thursday, March 21, 2013
No Holds Barred: An Hour With Lenne Hardt
Living in Tokyo, and an announcer for many years with both the Pride and Dream MMA promotions, Lenne will be racking up a lot of frequent flyer miles as she heads to two shows in two different countries.
On Saturday, March 23, she will be plying her trade at the Glory 5 kickboxing show in London, England, headlined by the Remy Bonjasky-Tyrone Spong fight. This will be the first kickboxing card at which she is an announcer.
Then, on Friday, April 5, it's back to Asia for the ONE FC: KINGS AND CHAMPIONS MMA show at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, headlined by ONE FC lightweight champion Kotetsu Boku defending his title against Shinya Aoki.
We spoke with Lenne Hardt by Skype Wednesday (Tuesday New York time) about these upcoming events.
Speaking about the tremendous growth of ONE FC, the largest MMA promotion in Asia, she said in this interview, "They are the new Pride. They're the new Dream."
We discussed how she approaches preparing for her role as an announcer, her careers as an announcer and as an entertainer, what she has learned about cultural differences between people around the world, how sport brings many diverse people together, a comparison of the outfits worn by ring girls in different eras and countries, 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:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
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/.
Labels: announcer, announcing, Dream, Eddie Goldman, Glory, Japan, kickboxing, Lenne Hardt, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Pride
Friday, September 07, 2012
No Holds Barred: Lenne Hardt
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with the legendary world champion of MMA ring announcers, Lenne Hardt.
Once again she was cageside at the ONE FC: Pride of a Nation card on August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines, livening up an already lively show with her unique style of announcing the ring entrances.
We spoke with Lenne Hardt, who lives in Tokyo, by Skype Thursday to get her take on the atmosphere of this card and her impressions of the growth of MMA in Asia and the Philippines.
"I LOVE the people of Manila," she said in this interview. "They were enthusiastic, friendly, everyone smiles. At the drop of the hat, they'll smile."
We also discussed her love of MMA, how she is still involved with performing for her jazz band, comparisons between contemporary Tokyo and New York, and much more.
In addition, while MMA in Asia is growing, noted on this edition of No Holds Barred are some important developments in the combat sports in the northeastern part of the U.S., including the 2012 MMA World Expo on December 1-2 in New York; the inaugural World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts on September 15 at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut; and the recent formation of the Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association based in Englishtown, New Jersey.
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:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City December 1 and 2 for the fourth annual MMA World Expo, featuring an amateur MMA tournament, the Renzo Gracie BJJ Open 2012 tournament, the Big Apple No-Gi tournament, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, and much more. The 2012 MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
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/.
Once again she was cageside at the ONE FC: Pride of a Nation card on August 31 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the Philippines, livening up an already lively show with her unique style of announcing the ring entrances.
We spoke with Lenne Hardt, who lives in Tokyo, by Skype Thursday to get her take on the atmosphere of this card and her impressions of the growth of MMA in Asia and the Philippines.
"I LOVE the people of Manila," she said in this interview. "They were enthusiastic, friendly, everyone smiles. At the drop of the hat, they'll smile."
We also discussed her love of MMA, how she is still involved with performing for her jazz band, comparisons between contemporary Tokyo and New York, and much more.
In addition, while MMA in Asia is growing, noted on this edition of No Holds Barred are some important developments in the combat sports in the northeastern part of the U.S., including the 2012 MMA World Expo on December 1-2 in New York; the inaugural World Cup of Mixed Martial Arts on September 15 at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut; and the recent formation of the Snake Pit U.S.A. Catch Wrestling Association based in Englishtown, New Jersey.
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:
ONE Fighting Championship. ONE FC is Asia's largest and most prestigious mixed martial arts event. ONE FC features the best Asian fighters and has initiated the ONE Asia Partnership Network, which includes most of the major MMA promotions and MMA gyms in Asia. For more information, go to their web site, at ONEFC.com.
MMA World Expo. The mixed martial arts community comes to New York City December 1 and 2 for the fourth annual MMA World Expo, featuring an amateur MMA tournament, the Renzo Gracie BJJ Open 2012 tournament, the Big Apple No-Gi tournament, MMA fighters, seminars with world-class trainers, vendors, panel discussions, and much more. The 2012 MMA World Expo takes place Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
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/.
Labels: Eddie Goldman, jazz, Lenne Hardt, MMA, No Holds Barred, One FC, Philippines, Tokyo
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
No Holds Barred: Lenne Hardt
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with the legendary former Pride Fighting Championships and current Dream announcer Lenne Hardt.
Lenne Hardt, although an American, has been living and working in Tokyo for many years. We spoke with her by Skype on Tuesday morning Japan time/Monday evening U.S. time.
In an amazing, lengthy interview, the multi-talented Lenne Hardt explained how she first got involved as a mixed martial arts announcer, although she had not been familiar with the sport prior to being hired by Pride. She discussed her unique, explosive announcing style, about which few who have heard it have no opinion. She recalled how it was to work at the mega-events produced by Pride, and also her reactions during the period of the demise of Pride and the scandals associated with that organization. She commented on the future of Dream. As head of the Lenne Hardt Jazz Band, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, she discussed the relationship between her announcing and jazz. She also discussed her upcoming announcing date for the Israel Fighting Championship on November 9 in Tel Aviv, and much, 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.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
Make sure to visit the official boxing forum for No Holds Barred, the MySpace Boxing Forum.
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, featuring the Renzo Gracie Open No-Gi 2010 tournament, a Muay Thai tournament, MMA fighters from the Bellator Fighting Championships, training seminars, vendors, panel discussions, and more to come. The second annual MMA WORLD EXPO, in association with Madison Square Garden Sports, takes place Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
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/.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Lenne Hardt, although an American, has been living and working in Tokyo for many years. We spoke with her by Skype on Tuesday morning Japan time/Monday evening U.S. time.
In an amazing, lengthy interview, the multi-talented Lenne Hardt explained how she first got involved as a mixed martial arts announcer, although she had not been familiar with the sport prior to being hired by Pride. She discussed her unique, explosive announcing style, about which few who have heard it have no opinion. She recalled how it was to work at the mega-events produced by Pride, and also her reactions during the period of the demise of Pride and the scandals associated with that organization. She commented on the future of Dream. As head of the Lenne Hardt Jazz Band, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, she discussed the relationship between her announcing and jazz. She also discussed her upcoming announcing date for the Israel Fighting Championship on November 9 in Tel Aviv, and much, 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.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
Make sure to visit the official boxing forum for No Holds Barred, the MySpace Boxing Forum.
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, featuring the Renzo Gracie Open No-Gi 2010 tournament, a Muay Thai tournament, MMA fighters from the Bellator Fighting Championships, training seminars, vendors, panel discussions, and more to come. The second annual MMA WORLD EXPO, in association with Madison Square Garden Sports, takes place Friday, November 12, and Saturday, November 13, at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
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/.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Labels: Dream, Eddie Goldman, Lenne Hardt, MMA, No Holds Barred, Pride
