Friday, June 11, 2021
"Claressa Shields Pulls It Out in MMA Debut" on No Holds Barred Patreon Page
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The article is at https://www.patreon.com/posts/claressa-shields-52369503.
Labels: boxing, Claressa Shields, Eddie Goldman, MMA, No Holds Barred, PFL, women
Wednesday, June 02, 2021
No Holds Barred: Mariah Holmes on Women in Sumo, U.S. Sumo Nationals, and Why Sumo is Special
We spoke with her by phone Saturday, May 29.
Before starting to train in sumo in 2018, Mariah Holmes was a rugby player. While she no longer competes in that sport, she found that sumo was unlike rugby or any other sport in which she had been involved before.
"To me, sumo is not like every other sport. There's something really special about sumo," she said.
"With rugby, I've done sports before, and so I've always been an athlete. But I think even for people who aren't athletes, they come into sumo and you realize right away, so it's not just physical. Yes, there is a huge physical aspect. So if you're hardcore, you want to have sweating, and you really work your body. Yes, there's a physical aspect, and you hit hard those tachiais [note: the initial charge of the wrestlers which starts a sumo match].
"They're no joke. But there's also this mental aspect that I think a lot of sports are missing. And it's almost like I've heard it described as playing a physical game of chess.
"So you have to be always thinking about your opponent's move and what's going to happen next, and if I do this, what kind of position does it put me in. And so it's a very mental game."
Unlike professional sumo in Japan, women are both permitted and encouraged to participate in amateur sumo at all levels. But, she noted, there are still not enough women training and competing in sumo. Some sumo clubs and training sessions will just have one woman, meaning they must wrestle with men.
"We want to have hundreds of women," she said, and is involved with a women's commission for the U.S. Sumo Federation.
We also discussed the next major event for sumo in the U.S., the 2021 U.S. National Sumo Championships. This will be held Saturday, June 19, at Dreamland at 2770 W Hwy 290, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620, which is located about 23 miles west of Austin.
The next major events scheduled are the North American Championships in December, and the World Games in July 2022, in Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition, we discussed why sumo is such an artful sport, how it can grow its fan base in the U.S., how the sumo culture of respect and calmness sets it apart from most other sports, and much more.
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No Holds Barred is sponsored by:
LenneHardt.com, the home of Lenne Hardt, the legendary MMA and sports announcer, voice actor, singer, actress, and comedienne. Lenne is also known for her jazz vocals with her Lenne Hardt Jazz Cabaret Band. For more information, to book her, or to order a custom message from her, go to LenneHardt.com.
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Labels: Eddie Goldman, Mariah Holmes, No Holds Barred, U.S. Sumo Nationals, women
Wednesday, September 05, 2018
No Holds Barred: Qin Yunquan on Self-Defense and Catch Wrestling in Singapore and Asia
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with martial artist and catch wrestler Qin Yunquan, who is the CEO, co-founder, and chief instructor for women's and children's self-defense at the Kapap Academy Singapore.
We spoke with her by Skype Tuesday.
The activities of Qin Yunquan, particularly in the area of teaching self-defense, have been getting widespread coverage in the Asian mainstream media, which reaches an enormous number of people on that continent and beyond.
"It was a huge honor," she said, to be listed on the "Forbes" 30 Under 30 Asia list, in the social entrepreneurs category, which is for "leveraging business tools to save the region's problems". An event for these honorees was held in Hong Kong, which she attended.
"It was a great opportunity to share with these people about what I did in Singapore, the social impact we're trying to create, etc. And of course to hear from these inspiring people as well about their own achievements and their work."
She has also been "featured in quite a few mainstream media, being on TV, in magazines, being part of what are called the Change Makers Campaign by CLEO Magazine.
"Being on these channels has been a great opportunity for me to continue to share the message of empowerment and self-defense with as many people as possible. Because the whole idea is to continue to educating people the importance of self-defense, and why EVERYBODY can do self-defense."
At the same time, she is training people in catch wrestling and grappling.
"More people are hearing of catch wrestling than ever before," she said.
We discussed plans for seminars and competitions in catch wrestling this fall, the need for catch wrestling to have standardized rules and proper governance, her plans to train women in India in self-defense, why her work is more than a job and really a "calling", and much, much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.
The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is sponsored by:
The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.
Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.
Labels: Asia, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, India, Kapap Academy, No Holds Barred, Qin Yunquan, self-defense, Singapore, women
Thursday, February 15, 2018
No Holds Barred: Qin Yunquan on the Necessity of Self-Defense for Women
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again spoke with martial artist and catch wrestler Qin Yunquan, who is the CEO, co-founder, and chief instructor for women's and children's self-defense at the Kapap Academy Singapore.
We spoke with her by Skype Wednesday.
While providing training in martial arts and combat sports, including catch wrestling, she has gotten both national and international recognition for her work teaching self-defense classes to women and girls.
"Self-defense has always been my pet project, and I always love talking about it, just simply to increase the level of awareness, and to address some of the misconceptions that people have in relating to self-defense," she said.
"And I really just hope that, given how the world is going and it seems to be trouble brewing on the site, I think it's really important that people don't see self-defense as a recreation activity, as something that they want.
"I really think they need to see it as a necessity.
"And I'm doing my best to help people see that. But really, I think each person has to be responsible for their own personal safety, and you learn something or two.
"Hopefully we never have to use it, but I think we'll be pretty glad that we know these skills when we have to."
We discussed how her work, in particular her instruction in self-defense for women, helped earn her a spot as a finalist for the 2017 Singaporean of the Year Award; how she plans to expand her work regionally and internationally; how self-defense differs from martial arts in that you must first try not to engage the other person, use psychology, and just get out; how the majority of her students are brand-new to any self-defense or martial arts training; how the #MeToo movement has influenced people in Singapore, although it is not as strong as it is in the U.S.; the importance of the case of convicted serial sexual predator Larry Nassar, former doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University; why she plans to bring this self-defense instruction to India; the potential for catch wrestling in India; the growth of the grappling community in Singapore; why she is taking a break from competition now; and much, much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.
The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is sponsored by:
The Catch Wrestling Alliance, resurrecting and promoting the sport of authentic catch-as-catch-can wrestling. The Catch Wrestling Alliance provides tournaments, seminars, and training as well as education about catch wrestling. Join the movement and keep real wrestling alive. For more information, go to CatchWrestlingAlliance.com.
Skullz Double-End Bags, the perfect bag for your combat sports training. Skullz Double-End Bags provide a realistic striking target, and help improve timing, distance, and hand and eye coordination. Hang it and hit it right out of the box! No pump required. For more information, go to SkullzDeBags.com.
Trans Boxing, organizing boxing training for transgender and gender non-conforming people, for fitness and self-defense. For more information, go to TransBoxing.org.
Labels: #MeToo, catch wrestling, Eddie Goldman, India, Kapap Academy, necessity, No Holds Barred, Qin Yunquan, self-defense, Singapore, women
Monday, December 19, 2016
No Holds Barred: Andy Nguyen on Her Dec. 31 Rizin Fight
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with King of the Cage atomweight champion Andy "The CrAsian" Nguyen.
Her next fight will take place Saturday, December 31, at the Rizin Fighting Federation event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Her opponent will be three-time world women's wrestling champion Miyuu Yamamoto.
We spoke with Andy Nguyen by phone Sunday.
Discussing how her varied background, she said, "My first amateur fight was MMA. And then my second amateur fight was a boxing match."
Her style, she said, is that of a "boxer merged into muay Thai merged into jiu-jitsu."
We discussed the growth of women's MMA and how "we fight harder"; how she once won a ring girl competition; how she got involved with Rizin; her plans for fighting Miyuu Yamamoto; how she got involved with MMA when she saw a live fight shortly after it had been legalized in South Carolina, where she lives; balancing her roles as a mother and a fighter; her background as a Vietnamese-American and how she got her nickname "The CrAsian"; her future plans to be a promoter, commentator, trainer, and even a ring girl again; and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.
The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", which is also available on iTunes by composer Ian Snow.
No Holds Barred is sponsored by:
The Boxing Tribune, boxing's independent media. Unlike every other major boxing website, The Boxing Tribune is not funded or owned by promoters, managers, or networks, and is fully independent and free to write the truth. For independent boxing news and views, go to http://boxingtribune-news.com.
The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.
Labels: Andy Nguyen, CrAsian, Eddie Goldman, Japan, Miyuu Yamamoto, MMA, No Holds Barred, Rizin, women
Friday, September 02, 2016
No Holds Barred: Destanie Yarbrough on Her Sept. 25 Rizin Fight
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with MMA fighter Destanie Yarbrough.
With a record of 1-0 in MMA and an impressive and varied athletic background in women's pro American football, track and field events, and other sports, she will be fighting Sunday, September 25, at the Rizin Fighting Federation event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. International television and streaming availability will be announced soon.
Her Rizin debut will not be an easy one, as her opponent is multi-time jiu-jitsu and grappling champion and star, Gabi Garcia.
We spoke with Destanie Yarbrough by phone Thursday.
"To go against Gabi," she said, "I actually grew up watching her in jiu-jitsu, so it's kind of like an honor to go against her. But at the same time, she's my opponent, so I have to look at her differently. But being the underdog coming into this fight, people not knowing who I am or my background, is kind of a thriller to me because I like to prove people wrong."
She added, "I just can't wait to shock the MMA world, I should say. But this fight, it's a great honor."
We discussed more on her athletic background and training in combat sports, how she has retired from pro football and now feels physically and mentally ready to pursue a career in MMA, why she feels confident going into this fight, how she will try to keep this fight with Gabi Garcia standing, how she wants to become one of the best in MMA and re-establish competition in the women's heavyweight division, how this will be her first trip to Japan, and much, much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here and here. If one link does not work, please try another.
No Holds Barred is available at Google Play Music.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
You can also listen to No Holds Barred via Stitcher through iOS or Android devices or on the web here.
The PodOmatic Podcast Player app is available for free, both for Android at Google Play, and for iOS on the App Store.
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:
The Boxing Tribune, boxing's independent media. Unlike every other major boxing website, The Boxing Tribune is not funded or owned by promoters, managers, or networks, and is fully independent and free to write the truth. For independent boxing news and views, go to http://boxingtribune-news.com.
The North American Catch Wrestling Association, a grassroots organization designed to help rebuild the sport of catch-as-catch-can-wrestling. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/NorthAmericanCatchWrestlingAssociation.
The National Registry for Wrestling, whose mission is to increase wrestling's fanbase, to build a registry of all wrestling fans, to serve as a connecting point for all wrestling fans, and to provide TV and Internet listings for wrestling. For more information, go to NR4W.com.
Labels: Destanie Yarbrough, Eddie Goldman, football, Gabi Garcia, Japan, MMA, No Holds Barred, Rizin Fighting Federation, women
Sunday, October 06, 2013
No Holds Barred: Fallon Fox On Her October 12 CFA Fight
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman spoke with MMA fighter Fallon Fox.
Now 3-0 as a pro, her next fight will be Saturday, October 12, at CFA 12, in the highly-anticipated finals of the Championship Fighting Alliance (CFA) women's 145-pound tournament, at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida.
Her opponent will be Ashlee Evans-Smith, who is 1-0 as a pro. From 2006 to 2009, Ashlee Evans-Smith was an All-American in women's wrestling and captain of the women's wrestling team at Menlo College in Atherton, California. After college, she trained in MMA with former MMA star fighter Eugene Jackson.
CFA 12 will be televised live in the U.S. on AXS TV.
We spoke with Fallon Fox by phone Friday.
Regarding her opponent's wrestling ability, Fallon Fox confidently said she is ready face her.
"If she takes me down to the ground, that's great. I'm happy. That's exactly where I want her to take me," she said. "My specialty is jiu-jitsu and muay Thai. So if I'm on my feet, I'm going to bang her there. If I'm on the ground, I'm just going to submit her."
We also discussed her training at the Midwest Training Center in Schaumburg, Illinois; how the bigotry directed at her by some as the first openly transgender MMA fighter is "irrelevant" and her focus is on this fight; the growing participation and acceptance of women athletes in MMA and the combat sports over the past several decades; 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: Ashlee Evans-Smith, BJJ, CFA, Eddie Goldman, Fallon Fox, fighter, jiu-jitsu, LGBT, MMA, muay Thai, No Holds Barred, transgender, transsexual, women, wrestling
Monday, September 16, 2013
No Holds Barred: Jessica Aguilar on Vale Tudo Japan 3
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, American Top Team fighter Jessica Aguilar.
Her next fight will take place Saturday, October 5, against grappling legend and MMA pioneer Megumi Fujii, in what is billed as Fujii's retirement match. This will be at the Vale Tudo Japan 3rd event at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Ota, Tokyo, Japan.
This fight will be a rematch of their bout in May 2012 at Bellator 69, in which Jessica Aguilar defeated Megumi Fujii by a close, unanimous decision.
Although Jessica Aguilar had been fighting for Bellator MMA and had a six-fight winning streak, Bellator recently decided to close its women's divisions and thus released all women fighters, including her. Now she is a free agent, and has signed a one-fight deal to fight in Vale Tudo Japan.
We spoke with Jessica Aguilar by phone Sunday about this fight and her career.
"This is the best fight that I could even imagine," she said. "It's bigger than the first time around. And then going back to Japan and for her retirement bout. It's just such a great matchup. And the timing is perfect. I'm a free agent now, so this opportunity is huge for me."
We also discussed the "honor" of fighting in Japan, why the Japanese MMA fans are "great" and "the best MMA fans ever", where she might end up fighting after this fight, the growth of women's MMA, her plans on returning to grappling competition, 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: Bellator, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Invicta, Jessica Aguilar, Megumi Fujii, MMA, No Holds Barred, Vale Tudo Japan, women
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
No Holds Barred: Jessica Aguilar Returns
Widely regarded as the number one fighter in the world in the women's 115-pound division, Jessica Aguilar will be returning to action this Thursday, March 28, after a ten-month layoff. She will be facing Patricia Vidonic on a Bellator MMA card at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. Right now this fight will just be streamed live on the Bellator web site, and may be shown on tape-delay on Spike TV.
This fight will be a rematch between Jessica Aguilar and Patricia Vidonic. They first fought on the Fight Time Promotions 8 card on February 17, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with Jessica Aguilar winning by unanimous decision. After that fight, Jessica Aguilar next faced Japanese star Megumi Fujii on the Bellator 69 card on May 18, 2012, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with Jessica Aguilar again winning by unanimous decision.
We spoke with Jessica Aguilar by phone Sunday about her upcoming fight and her career as a fighter.
Speaking of the state of women's MMA, she said, "This is the best it's ever been." She noted, "It's taken off so much since I started. I remember that there only used to be one female fight on a card. Now there's a whole card of females."
We discussed her long layoff, what to expect in this fight with Patricia Vidonic, her desire to compete this year in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in late May (she is a purple belt), where she would like to fight, and her work in the anti-bullying organization Sweethearts and Heroes. She also requested that we mention her shoutouts to: Sweethearts and Heroes, Garden of Life, Jawzz, Everlast, Donkeeboy, Boca Tanning Club, Mma2TheMax, Pro Fight, Onnit, Big Boys Moving, Jugular Energy Drink, Perfecting Athletes, American Top Team, and Paradigm Sports Management.
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: American Top Team, Bellator, BJJ, Eddie Goldman, Jessica Aguilar, MMA, No Holds Barred, Patricia Vidonic, women
Friday, March 22, 2013
No Holds Barred: Fallon Fox
After winning her second pro fight by first-round knockout on March 2 on a Championship Fighting Alliance card in Coral Gables, Florida, Fallon Fox then gave interviews where she came out as a transsexual female. Born a male, she had gender reassignment surgery back in 2006, and the associated hormone therapy. Now 37, she is physically, mentally, socially, and legally a woman, and happy to be one.
A decade ago the International Olympic Committee devised guidelines for transgender athletes, and were followed by the NCAA for college sports in the U.S. The medical committee of the Association of Boxing Commissions in North America also developed a policy last year based on that of the IOC, although it is up to each individual commission to implement it.
Despite this seemingly being a settled issue in international sports, including the combat sports, her revelation of her status has been met with heated reactions, both from her many supporters as well as those opponents who have provided public displays of bigotry and ignorance.
We spoke with Fallon Fox by phone Friday about the ensuing controversy about her and her career.
"I really don't see why there should be a lot of hoopla about past gender status, but this is what it turned into," she said in this interview.
"It's frustrating, but I realize that in the end, I'm going to win."
She also patiently tried to explain her position to those who just are not educated on this issue.
Discussing her transition to becoming a woman, she said, "I did this to save my sanity."
As for the bigots and haters, "The people who have bigotry or hatred for me just don't know me. And if they knew me - if they really, really, really, really knew me - then they wouldn't fear and they wouldn't hate."
We also discussed her licensing situation with the Florida and California commissions. She explained that contrary to some reports, she does have a license to fight, and as a woman, in Florida. She also posted on her Facebook fan page a copy of what looks like a license which was sent to her by the California commission. You can judge for yourself if she is in the right in believing that this was actually a license and not simply a receipt, as a California official has claimed. That commission is currently reviewing, once again, her application, and is expected to grant her a fighter's license shortly.
She thus is entirely justified when she said, "I've done nothing wrong."
We also discussed her training and background since her transition, including her earning a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and competing in IBJJF and NAGA grappling events, and the ADCC Trials. She has been training since 2008 in MMA, mainly at the Midwest Training Center, in all the disciplines needed for MMA.
Also to answer her critics and to educate those who remain uneducated, she explained how she has much lower testosterone than those who were born with a full female anatomy, as well as less bone density and muscle mass than she had previously.
And we discussed when her next fight might take place, what she needs to work on in her young MMA career, for which organizations she would like to fight, a new documentary film called "Game Face" about her and other LGBT athletes being made by filmmaker Michiel Thomas, 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.
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, Fallon Fox, fighter, LGBT, MMA, No Holds Barred, transgender, transsexual, women
Saturday, March 09, 2013
No Holds Barred: In Support of Fallon Fox
As usual, this commentary is no holds barred.
It puts the blame for the controversy over the licensing of Fallon Fox not on the fighter, but squarely on the clueless, incompetent, and intellectually and culturally deficient political appointees of the state athletic commissions where she applied for a license, both Florida and California. These commissions ignored the guidelines for dealing with transgender athletes proposed at the 2012 annual convention of the Association of Boxing Commissions, which were based on those already in place for the International Olympic Committee.
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: Eddie Goldman, Fallon Fox, fighter, IOC, LGBT, MMA, No Holds Barred, sports, transgender, women
Monday, February 25, 2013
No Holds Barred: Zee Vjesalicu on Ronda Rousey and Women in MMA
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with women's MMA pioneer Zee Vjesalicu.
With a background in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Zee Vjesalicu turned to MMA in the 1990s, won the International Fighting Championships' women's light-heavyweight title, and had a record of 7-0 with seven submissions (and one no contest) before retiring as a fighter. Along with Becky Levi, Zee is one of the true pioneers of women's MMA in North America. She now lives in Brazil, where she trains people in self-defense and protection, including professionals in that field.
Zee also still follows MMA, and watched Saturday night's fight between Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche at UFC 157, won by the unbeaten Rousey by first-round arm bar. Based on what she saw, while she is impressed with Rousey, she believes that she can be beaten.
"I think anybody can," she said in this interview, which was recorded by Skype Sunday. "The thing is, you got to study the videotape. You got to sit down, you got to pick apart all the videotapes. Everything I've seen, is, she rushes in, she gets you around the head, she hip tosses you, she gets on top of you, and she arm bars you." Key to defeating her, then, is "if you can defend the takedown."
Zee also stressed that there is a bad tendency for women fighters to be judged on their looks and not on their talent as athletes and fighters. "If I want to see a beauty contest. then I go to watch Miss America," she said.
We also discussed her career as a fighter, why a fight with the much bigger Becky Levi never happened, whether she would even be booked to fight today if she were still fighting, how a good judo player could beat Ronda Rousey, how she would train Liz Carmouche, the buildup of Ronda Rousey, 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: BJJ, Eddie Goldman, IFC, judo, Liz Carmouche, MMA, No Holds Barred, Ronda Rousey, UFC, women, Zee Vjesalicu
Sunday, July 03, 2011
No Holds Barred: Val Worthington, Emily Kwok, and Lola Newsom on Women's Grappling Camp
On this audio edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts and instructors Val Worthington and Emily Kwok, and grappler Lola Newsom, about the Women's Grappling Camp.
The next Women's Grappling Camp will be held Wednesday, July 20, through Sunday, July 24, at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu MN in Edina, Minnesota. It is open to women grapplers at all levels.
We spoke with them by phone on Thursday about the importance and significance of this camp. We discussed the growth of the participation of women in grappling, why this camp has become so successful, the camaraderie at this camp, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
Also, No Holds Barred is available through iTunes.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
M-1 Global. Founded in 1998, M-1 Global has staged over 100 mixed martial arts events worldwide including the M-1 Selection tournaments and M-1 Challenge events, in Eastern and Western Europe, North America, and Asia. While discovering and developing the world's next generation of superstar fighters, M-1 Global's greatest asset is the number one heavyweight in mixed martial arts history, Fedor Emelianenko. Make sure to catch their shows from around the world, including on Showtime in the U.S., and visit their web site, M-1Global.com, and the M-1 Facebook page for news, videos, and live streaming events.
Beezid.com - Penny Auctions. Your #1 source for exciting auction shopping and outstanding deals on just about anything! Top rated, most trusted auction site online. Where do you shop? Beezid.com - Penny Auctions.
American Top Team. Whether you're a beginner or a champion, train with the champions in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, grappling, and mixed martial arts at American Top Team. Check out their web site at http://americantopteam.com/.
The American Sambo Association, which is committed to becoming the premier association in the U.S. dedicated to the advancement of Sambo. Sambo is a form of sport, self-defense, and combat established in the former Soviet Union during the early twentieth century. For more information, go to ussambo.com.
Labels: BJJ, camp, Eddie Goldman, grappling, Kwok, Newsom, No Holds Barred, women, Worthington
Sunday, November 28, 2010
No Holds Barred: Shelley Devine on the State of Women in Mixed Martial Arts
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with mixed martial arts writer, matchmaker, and trainer Shelley Devine.
Her focus has been on the advancing the role of women fighters in mixed martial arts, and that was also the focus of our discussion.
During 2010, opportunities for women fighters have grown in many MMA promotions. We discussed this development, along with what to expect in 2011 and beyond. We commented on the decision victory on November 24 by Tara LaRosa over Takayo Hashi to capture the DaMMAge Fight League 125-pound belt, and on what has been happening with many of the women fighters in Strikeforce, Bellator, M-1 Global, and other organizations. We discussed the potential for an all-women's MMA group to succeed, and some of the obstacles it will face. The differences between the cultures in Japan and America, and the level of acceptance of women fighters, was also addressed, as was some of the history of pioneering women MMA fighters, such as Becky Levi. Shelley Devine also explained why women, like men, have a "warrior spirit" and should be allowed to fight wherever men do, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
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/.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Her focus has been on the advancing the role of women fighters in mixed martial arts, and that was also the focus of our discussion.
During 2010, opportunities for women fighters have grown in many MMA promotions. We discussed this development, along with what to expect in 2011 and beyond. We commented on the decision victory on November 24 by Tara LaRosa over Takayo Hashi to capture the DaMMAge Fight League 125-pound belt, and on what has been happening with many of the women fighters in Strikeforce, Bellator, M-1 Global, and other organizations. We discussed the potential for an all-women's MMA group to succeed, and some of the obstacles it will face. The differences between the cultures in Japan and America, and the level of acceptance of women fighters, was also addressed, as was some of the history of pioneering women MMA fighters, such as Becky Levi. Shelley Devine also explained why women, like men, have a "warrior spirit" and should be allowed to fight wherever men do, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
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/.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Labels: DaMMAge, Eddie Goldman, MMA, No Holds Barred, Shelley Devine, women
Monday, November 22, 2010
No Holds Barred: Tara LaRosa
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks with one of the top women mixed martial arts fighters in the world, Tara LaRosa.
She will next be fighting this Wednesday, November 24, on the debut card of the DaMMAge Fight League. This show will take place at the historic Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will be available on an Internet pay-per-view on GoFightLive.
Her opponent in what is a 125-pound title fight will be Japanese fighter Takayo Hashi.
We spoke with Tara LaRosa Sunday night about this upcoming fight, her career, the growing opportunities for women fighters in mixed martial arts, and the cultural barriers which still exist in some quarters against women fighting in combat sports. We discussed her last fight, a split decision loss in a highly-acclaimed bout with Roxanne Modafferi in May 2010. We also discussed the roles of grappling and striking in mixed martial arts, especially since she comes primarily from a grappling background, the respect between most fighters in mixed martial arts, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
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/.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
She will next be fighting this Wednesday, November 24, on the debut card of the DaMMAge Fight League. This show will take place at the historic Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and will be available on an Internet pay-per-view on GoFightLive.
Her opponent in what is a 125-pound title fight will be Japanese fighter Takayo Hashi.
We spoke with Tara LaRosa Sunday night about this upcoming fight, her career, the growing opportunities for women fighters in mixed martial arts, and the cultural barriers which still exist in some quarters against women fighting in combat sports. We discussed her last fight, a split decision loss in a highly-acclaimed bout with Roxanne Modafferi in May 2010. We also discussed the roles of grappling and striking in mixed martial arts, especially since she comes primarily from a grappling background, the respect between most fighters in mixed martial arts, and much more.
You can play or download No Holds Barred here. You can also download No Holds Barred here. If one link does not work, please try another. The show is in MP3 format, so may take some time to download.
The No Holds Barred theme song is called "The Heist", by Ian Carpenter.
No Holds Barred is free to listen to and is sponsored by:
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/.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Labels: DaMMAge, Eddie Goldman, MMA, No Holds Barred, Tara LaRosa, women
Saturday, August 15, 2009
No Holds Barred: Fisti Cuffs of Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Women Gains and Setbacks in Combat Sports
On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman once again discusses the sport of roller derby, the fastest-growing sport in America, and speaks with Fisti Cuffs, co-captain of the Manhattan Mayhem of the Gotham Girls Roller Derby.
In a brutal bout with numerous penalties and ejections held Saturday night, August 8, at Hunter College in New York, the Bronx Gridlock topped the Manhattan Mayhem by a score of 99-75. This was the final regular season game for both teams, with Bronx finishing with a record of 3-0 and Manhattan 2-1. These two teams will meet once again in the Gotham Girls Roller Derby league championship November 21. The final 2009 regular season league game will be on September 26, when the Brooklyn Bombshells take on the Queens of Pain.
We spoke with Fisti Cuffs at the conclusion of this game.
We begin the show by discussing a number of other stories involving women in the combat sports. The International Olympic Committee has officially announced that women's boxing will be included in the 2012 London Olympics, and we discuss the significance of that. We talk about the many obstacles facing the expansion of women's wrestling in the Olympics, where only four weight classes are contested. And we also discuss a report of a complaint filed by numerous American women wrestlers against USA Wrestling alleging abuses, injustices, and discrimination against them which led them to leave the Olympic Training Center.
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:
Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.
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/.
GRACIEMAG, the most reliable source of information on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. GRACIEMAG represents Jiu-Jitsu philosophy and features news, profiles, history, photos, videos, and tips and secrets of the mother of all martial arts. Published since 1996 in Brazil, GRACIEMAG: The Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle, is in both English and Portuguese, and is also online at GRACIEMAG.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
Wrestling 411, providing coverage of the sport of wrestling on TV, the Internet, and radio. Wrestling 411 is produced by Media Sports Productions, whose sole mission is the marketing and promotion of the sport of wrestling.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
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In a brutal bout with numerous penalties and ejections held Saturday night, August 8, at Hunter College in New York, the Bronx Gridlock topped the Manhattan Mayhem by a score of 99-75. This was the final regular season game for both teams, with Bronx finishing with a record of 3-0 and Manhattan 2-1. These two teams will meet once again in the Gotham Girls Roller Derby league championship November 21. The final 2009 regular season league game will be on September 26, when the Brooklyn Bombshells take on the Queens of Pain.
We spoke with Fisti Cuffs at the conclusion of this game.
We begin the show by discussing a number of other stories involving women in the combat sports. The International Olympic Committee has officially announced that women's boxing will be included in the 2012 London Olympics, and we discuss the significance of that. We talk about the many obstacles facing the expansion of women's wrestling in the Olympics, where only four weight classes are contested. And we also discuss a report of a complaint filed by numerous American women wrestlers against USA Wrestling alleging abuses, injustices, and discrimination against them which led them to leave the Olympic Training Center.
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:
Gladiator Magazine, for in-depth coverage of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and MMA, as well as lifestyle articles on surfing, cars, movies, and more. Gladiator Magazine is available at any major bookstore and online at BJJMart.com or Jiu Jitsu Pro Gear.
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/.
GRACIEMAG, the most reliable source of information on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. GRACIEMAG represents Jiu-Jitsu philosophy and features news, profiles, history, photos, videos, and tips and secrets of the mother of all martial arts. Published since 1996 in Brazil, GRACIEMAG: The Jiu-Jitsu Lifestyle, is in both English and Portuguese, and is also online at GRACIEMAG.com.
BJJMart.com, your premier source for all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear, videos, books, and much more.
Wrestling 411, providing coverage of the sport of wrestling on TV, the Internet, and radio. Wrestling 411 is produced by Media Sports Productions, whose sole mission is the marketing and promotion of the sport of wrestling.
FightBeat.com, for news, results, interviews, and free exclusive videos from the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts.
Labels: boxing, Bronx Gridlock, combat sports, Eddie Goldman, FILA, Fisti Cuffs, Gotham Girls Roller Derby, IOC, Manhattan Mayhem, No Holds Barred, Olympics, roller derby, USA Wrestling, women, wrestling
