MMA 101: Daily Loaf, Creative Loafing Tampa

Blood on the canvas: Florida Combat Challenge III

Shawn Alff — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:33:00 -0400

Two fighters slammed against the cage, sending a spray of blood onto my notepad. While Jordan Ammens (0-0) and Keith Cooper (1-1-1) may be amateurs, they bled like pros, never letting the damage they were inflicting, or incurring, slow them down.…

50-year-old MMA promoter to turn fighter at RFC 23

Astrid Bidanec — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:40:53 -0500

After successfully beating cancer, the 50-year-old former boxer and mixed martial arts promoter, Tom Crowther, now wants to try his luck in the cage against a fighter half his age. As a result he will make his professional MMA debut in the co-main event at RFC 23: Breaking Point at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Fla. March 18.…

Learn more about MMA at the Florida State Fair this weekend

Astrid Bidanec — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 13:20:29 -0500

The Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Art of Fighting, will host an inaugural MMA expo at the Florida State Fair this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"We wanted to bring something to MMA fans in Florida that will help grow the sport in our state and reward loyal fans with a great experience." said AOF President Nathan Smith.

Access to the MMA expo is free with the purchase of a ticket to the fair.…

AOF launches amateur MMA in Ybor with a bang

Astrid Bidanec — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 10:06:14 -0400

Since nothing spells success like a packed venue and an enthusiastic crowd cheering at the top of its lungs the Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Art of Fighting, seems to be off to a good start with her brand new Amateur MMA at the Ritz series that was launched Friday night at an almost sold out Ritz in Ybor, Fla.

"We plan on having the amateur MMA events every two to three months, always here at the Ritz," said Nick Smith, co-owner of AOF. "Tonight we are crowning the very first AOF amateur champion in the main event."

Watch the fight photo slide show after the break.…

Tampa MMA fighter Paul Barrow to compete on The Ultimate Fighter season 12

Astrid Bidanec — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 21:27:11 -0400

After about a year of training mixed martial artist Paul Barrow has achieved something most other fighters only dream of. He made it onto the MMA reality show The Ultimate Fighter for season 12, where lightweight fighters will compete for the holy grail of MMA: a much coveted contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

While Barrow's talent for the sport is undeniable he also happened to be in the right place at the right time.…

Amp up your MMA game with Hardcore Circuit Training for Men

Astrid Bidanec — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:44:32 -0400

Hardcore Circuit Training for Men by authors, Jim McHale and Chohwora Udu, should be a staple in anyone's library who trains mixed martial arts for personal benefits or as professional fighter. Although the book can be a useful tool for anyone who simply wants to get in shape or improve his athletic performance it is especially valuable for MMA fighters who rely on a whole arsenal of skills that require maximum as well as explosive endurance.…

Tampa MMA promotion goes global in October

Astrid Bidanec — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:23:03 -0400

MMA has been taking over the world as one of the fastest growing sports and the Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Xtreme Fighting Championships, has been growing right along with it as evident in the upcoming XFC fight card at Port Cratos at Kyrenia, Northern Cyprus next month.

“We are ecstatic to build our brand in Northern Cyprus and the surrounding area and plan on delivering a quality show there like only the XFC can,” said XFC President John Prisco.…

Watch UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 at a movie theater in Tampa

Astrid Bidanec — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:13:47 -0400

The Ultimate Fighting Championship once again offers fans the opportunity to watch mixed martial arts fights on the big movie screen with UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2 which will be shown at select movie theaters in the Tampa Bay area as live broadcast from TD Garden in Boston, Mass. Aug. 28 at 10 p.m.

Aside from saving $25 on the Pay-Per-View broadcast via cable the fights will air in high definition at the movie theater so that fans can appreciate every punch, kick, takedown and submission in amazing detail for three glorious hours.

UFC President Dana White even sweetened the deal with a double-headliner that features reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar in his first title defense against former lightweight champion, BJ Penn, and UFC legend, Randy Couture, who will test his MMA skills against accomplished boxer, James Toney.…

ESPN shoots documentary about quadruple-amputee Kyle Maynard's MMA debut

Astrid Bidanec — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:33:54 -0400

It was only a little over a year ago that quadruple-amputee Kyle Maynard made his debut as mixed martial arts fighter at an unsanctioned event in Ala. never to be seen or heard of again.

Apparently, he did not spend the last 16 months idle though, as he is now heavily promoting an ESPN documentary about himself titled 'A Fighting Chance' (watch the video preview after the break!).…

Team XFC helps raise more than $24,000 at Dodgeball for a Cause

Astrid Bidanec — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:49:29 -0400

Team XFC proved that mixed martial arts is not all about violence as it helped raise more than $24,000 Saturday at Dodgeball for a Cause at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, which was hosted by Clear Channel Radio of Tampa, Tampa Bay Storm, St. Pete Times Forum, and and 620 WDAE for the families of slain Tampa police officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab.

The Tampa-based MMA promotion, Xtreme Fighting Championships, participated as the only representatives from the Tampa MMA community alongside 63 other teams.…

XFC to participate in charity dodgeball tourney for fallen Tampa police officers

Astrid Bidanec — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:57:43 -0400

In an effort to support the families of slain Tampa police officers, David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab, the Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Xtreme Fighting Championships, has entered an XFC team in the charity dodge ball tournament to take place July 31 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.

Curtis and Kocab were shot and killed during a routine traffic stop June 29. Curtis left behind a wife and four children while Kocab's wife gave birth to their first child only hours after his passing.…

Patrick Cenobole continues winning streak at RFC 21: New Blood

Astrid Bidanec — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 10:13:48 -0400

Undefeated pro mixed martial arts fighter Patrick Cenobole scored his fifth career win and earned the Fight of the Night honors in the main event of the RFC 21: New Blood fight card at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, Fla. July 23.

In an uncharacteristically long fight for the express-knockout-artist Cenobole showed great stamina and conditioning which allowed him to withstand the powerful shots and takedown efforts by opponent Travis Cox while dishing out some punishment of his own.…

RFC 21: New Blood features several undefeated Tampa Bay MMA fighters

Astrid Bidanec — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:31:11 -0400

The oldest mixed martial arts promotion in Tampa, Real Fighting Championships, will host its 21st event, New Blood, with several undefeated MMA fighters facing off at the A La Carte Pavilion in Tampa, July 23.

In the main event of the 10-bout fight card another member of the infamous Berto family, Patrick Cenobole, will take on former Special Forces solider, Gert Kocani.…

XFC hosts "Open Fighter Tryout" in Brandon in August

Astrid Bidanec — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:00:09 -0400

As part of ongoing mixed martial arts talent search efforts the Tampa-based MMA promotion, Xtreme Fighting Championships, will host the next Open Fighter Tryout on its home turf again at the XFC Training Facility in Brandon Aug. 28.

The tryout is open to male and female fighters ages 18 and up who have to demonstrate their skills in stand-up as well as on the ground during sparring and grappling sessions.…

Is UFC President Dana White the Steinbrenner of MMA?

Astrid Bidanec — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:15:38 -0400

In light of George M. Steinbrenner's passing early Tuesday morning it seems appropriate to not only review his legacy but also search the sports sphere for a fitting successor, even if not necessarily on the baseball field.

“George was The Boss, make no mistake,” Yogi Berra said shortly after the tragic news were released.…

XFC 11 results: Micah Miller rebounds, Kim Couture loses to MMA rookie

Astrid Bidanec — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:22:59 -0400

As six up-and-coming mixed martial arts fighters were pitched against MMA veterans on the XFC 11: The Next Generation fight card at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa July 9 some careers took off while others possibly came to a screeching halt.

Former WEC fighter Micah Miller was able to get back on the winning trail with his impressive knockout of Bruce Connors at 2:01 in round one of the main event.…

South African MMA fighter Jeremy Smith trains in Tampa for U.S. debut at XFC 11

Astrid Bidanec — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:32:29 -0400

The quality of mixed martial arts training in Tampa, Fla. has not only produced several UFC fighters, but also attracted world class fighters who held their training camps at local schools in preparation for upcoming bouts.

The most recent example is South African MMA fighter, Jeremy "The Pitbull" Smith, who will make his U.S. debut at XFC 11 The Next Generation at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa July 3.…

The Ultimate Fighter 11 finale ends in disappointment for Tampa MMA rookies Hammortree, Yager

Astrid Bidanec — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:17:04 -0400

After rising to almost-stardom from the Tampa mixed martial arts scene James Hammortree and Jamie Yager crashed and burned at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 11 on June 19 at the Pearl inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev.

Both MMA fighters made their UFC debut on this card in spite of being eliminated on the reality show, The Ultimate Fighter season eleven, thanks to the generosity of UFC President Dana White. Nevertheless, neither man was able to use this opportunity as key to the open the golden UFC gate behind which incredible advancement opportunities awaited.…

The Ultimate Fighter 11 finale features 2 Tampa MMA rookies

Astrid Bidanec — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:38:25 -0400

The mixed martial arts reality TV show, The Ultimate Fighter, season eleven, included two contestants who got their start in the Tampa MMA scene: James Hammortree and Jamie Yager. Both will also be featured on the TUF 11 Finale fight card on June 19 at the Pearl inside the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nev. where they will take on two other TUF 11 contestants.…

XFC 11 at the St. Pete Times Forum features "next generation" of MMA fighters

Astrid Bidanec — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:08:20 -0400

The Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Xtreme Fighting Championships, returns to the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa July 9 with The Next Generation of XFC fighters on a 10-bout card that is loaded with impressive MMA talent from around the U.S. and even South Africa.

In accordance with the event theme, six of the 20 fighters who are scheduled to square off in the XFC cage in three weeks earned their spots on this card by winning XFC Fighter Tryouts at various locations: Chris Barnett (4-0), Julio Gallegos (4-0), Julien Williams (1-1), Ian Stephens (pro debut), Ryan Quinn (3-1) and Marianna Kheyfets (pro debut).…

Rumble at the Ritz 2 features future stars of MMA in Ybor

Astrid Bidanec — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:00:46 -0400

The Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Art of Fighting, offered fight fans in Tampa an exciting night of action with Rumble at the Ritz 2 that featured an eleven-bout amateur fight card on Friday at a packed Ritz in Ybor City.

Although amateur MMA is not yet sanctioned in the state of Florida the International Sport Karate Association regulated the event to ensure fair rules and competition.…

TUF 11 contestant Clayton McKinney appears at AOF 7 in Tampa

Astrid Bidanec — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:32:52 -0400

The Art of Fighting 7 card at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa on April 3, 2010 was stacked with local talent and included a guest appearance by The Ultimate Fighter season eleven contestant, Clayton McKinney, who has already made a name for himself as professional mixed martial artist in Tampa MMA circles.

With a professional fight record of four wins and two losses McKinney now competes on the MMA reality show, TUF 11, for a UFC contract along with 13 other fighters.…

AOF 7 to host MMA world title bout at USF Sun Dome

Astrid Bidanec — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:04:45 -0400

The Tampa-based mixed martial arts promotion, Art of Fighting, will feature eleven professional MMA fights including a world title bout between defending WFO champion Marcio Cruz and Dave “Pay Me” Yost on the Payday card on April 3, 2010 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. AOF 7 tickets are available online at Ticketmaster or at the USF Sun Dome box office.

Cruz earned his WFO belt at AOF 3 in August 2009 when he defeated Tampa native Tom Sauer via TKO at 3:43 in round two.…

UFC 111 hits theaters in Tampa live on March 27

Astrid Bidanec — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:38:04 -0400

If you don't want to spend $50 on the PPV broadcast of UFC 111 and don't like watching it in a crowded bar on a small TV screen, you can watch it live at several movie theaters in the Tampa Bay area on March 27, 2010 at 10 p.m. for only $20.

Not only will you save a load of money, but you can actually enjoy exciting mixed martial arts bouts on a big screen for the very first time in MMA and UFC history.…

Strikeforce Miami features four fighters from the Tampa MMA scene

Astrid Bidanec — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:31 -0500

Ryan Keenan, Pablo Alfonso, David Gomez, and Hayder Hassan made it from the Tampa mixed martial arts (MMA) scene to the big times when they were featured on the undercard of the Strikeforce Miami event at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. on Jan.30, 2010.

Although the undercard bouts were not aired on PPV, the event still marked a major career milestone for the four fighters.…