NEWS
PETTIS
WASTES NO TIME MAKING HIS MARK IN THE WEC
Tuesday,
June 9, 2009 (Milwaukee, WI USA) by Dom
Velando-Wisconsin Combat Sports: It
took a false start and a few months, but Anthony Pettis made
his debut in the World Extreme Cagefighting promotion in
style on Sunday night at the Arco Arena in Sacremento, CA,
submitting Mike Campbell in the first round (1:49) via triangle
choke.
Though right in the middle of the non-televised undercard,
the Roufusport fighter's match made it to the airwaves.
"We [had] just got done fighting and we were downstairs," Pettis recalled. "And
the matchmaker for the WEC came down and he was like, 'Man, you're a dangerous
kid...can't wait to see you fight again... We're trying to get you on the air,
so if [Cub Swanson vs. Jose Aldo] goes quick, we're gonna try to get you right
before the main event."
Jose
Aldo scored a flawless 8-second victory.
Despite his reputation as a potent striker, the tae kwon
do black belt's jiu-jitsu skills truly shined as he transitioned
from one submission to the next.
"No one knows that I'm a stand-up fighter yet," Pettis said. "Everybody
thinks I'm a jiu-jitsu guy. Everybody's talking about me, 'What belt are you?
You're
jiu-jitsu's crazy.' No one knows I'm a stand-up fighter."
When asked who he credits for his jiu-jitsu skills, Pettis replied, "Man,
everybody in Milwaukee. Mostly [Eric] "Red" Schafer. Red Schafer's my coach,
he's in the gym everyday...answers all my questions. But I roll with everybody.
Scott Huston, Brent Fitzgerald [of 360 BJJ and Evolution Martial Arts, respectively]."
As for his very bright future, the twenty-two year old wants some time to grow. "Actually,
when I was at the fights," Pettis said, "there was a lady in front
of me who sat next to [UFC Matchmaker Joe Silva]. And right after my fight, she
mentioned that Joe Silva said, 'He's not gonna be fighting in the WEC much longer'."
"I
actually like being [in] the WEC. I'm 22 years old, I've
got a long future ahead of me in mixed martial arts. I got
time to grow in this sport. So, I want
to take my time in the WEC. I don't want to rush [into] the UFC."
UFC
93: ROUFUSPORT FIGHTERS SCHAFER AND BELCHER WIN
Saturday, January 17, 2009 (Dublin, Ireland) by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com
-Eric
Schafer (left, top position) vs. Antonio Mendes
R1 - Both men circle. Mendes opens with a low kick and Schafer clinches him
on the fence before pulling him into half guard. Schafer reverses nicely to
take top position in the half guard and looks to work Mendes' right arm. Mendes
turns to his side and Schafer throws in shoulder butts to boos from the crowd.
Schafer takes full mount with his right arm behind Mendes' head.
Schafer
postures up with Mendes' neck up on the fence and throws
some punches, exciting the crowd. Mendes is defending desperately,
keeping his head close to Schafer. He begins trying to
turn away, with his legs flat on the mat and eats a number
of short punches with no attempt at defense. Finally the
referee stops the fight at 3:35 of Rd 1, Schafer winner
by TKO (strikes).
-Alan "The Talent" Belcher spoils Denis Kang's Ultimate Fighting
Championship debut
Alan
Belcher was confident heading into his UFC 93 match up
with Denis Kang, who was making his UFC debut. Kang
was in complete control of the bout both standing and on
the ground. He was able to secure takedowns, but it was
a takedown that was his undoing.
In
the closing moments of round two, Kang secured a double-leg
takedown but Belcher immediately applied a guillotine choke.
While Kang had an arm in, the Canadian born fighter was
forced to tap out.
" I"m
so happy about this performance. I thought Denis Kang's
wrestling wasn't as good as it was. I give big props to
him," Belcher said in his in-Octagon interview. "I
wish I could have been more dominating so I could come
in here and call out the champion, say, give me that shot
because Denis Kang is the best in the UFC. But I think
I need one or two more fights before that."
Discussing
the submission that finished the fight, Belcher commented, "I
felt that earlier but he defended it well. And I was kind
of hesitant because I get that all the time. I just wanted
to be real safe on this fight. I was so nervous about getting
to fight Kang. He's awesome. I think he's one of the top
two or three in the UFC."
"I
think I established myself in the UFC. I'm a top dog around
here," added the 24-year old fighter.
-Denis
Kang vs. Alan Belcher
R1
- Kang stands, bent over as Belcher bounces. Kangs come
sin and opens with a pair of jabs. The exchange and Kang
shoots for a nice takes, landing in Belcher's guard. Kang
moves to half guard and Belcher slips out.
Kang
returns to Belcher's closed guard to throw elbows and punches
down. Belcher pushes Kang off with his feet, sending him
literally flying to a standing position. Another exchange
has Kang in control. He again shoots for a takedown and
lands in Belcher's guard. Again Belcher pushes him through
the air, leaving Kang standing over him.
Kang
comes in and ends up nearly in an arm bar. Kang escapes
and attempts a gator roll/anaconda choke. They scramble
out and Kang takes top position in side control. Belcher
looks frustrated as the round ends.
MMA
Weekly scores the round 10-9 Kang
R2
- Belcher controls the centre of the cage with Kang on
the fence, dancing left and right. He clinchesKang who
reverses the position. The two swiftly return to the centre
and Kang is unlucky that 3 crisp strikes don't connect
fully with Belcher, and he eats one himself.
Kang
shoots again into Belcher's guard. Kang moves into the
open guard and then settles into half guard with Belcher
on his side. Kang takes a head and arm, looking for the
choke before standing out of it. Finally he returns to
guard and the fight is stood up. Both men circle, both
looking confident. Belcher tries to use his range, with
long kicks that barely connect. The crowd boo as neither
engage. Finally Kang shoots again only to have his head
and arm caught. He quickly taps out.
Belcher
wins via tapout, 4:36 of round 2
Kang
conquered in Octagon debut
By
Joe Hall - Sherdog.com
At
185 pounds, Denis Kang was impressive early, but lost his
UFC debut to Alan Belcher. He connected with his hands
before grounding Belcher, who gave up side control, but
eventually kicked him away and returned to his feet.
Back
on the feet, Kang, a standout in Pride, continued to outbox
his foe with a left hook to the body and a glancing right
upstairs. A shout came from Belcher's corner for him to "wake
up," but soon after Kang finished another takedown
and worked on a kimura.
Belcher
landed a good body kick in the second, but Kang had little
trouble returning the fight to the mat. There, Belcher
threatened with a sweep and forced a stalemate that led
to a standup. That's when Kang shot again, and Belcher
sprawled perfectly, wrapped up a guillotine, pulled guard
and submitted him at 4:36.
"I
wish I could have been more dominating so I could come
in here and call out the champion… but I think I
need one or two more fights before that," said Belcher,
a 24-year-old from Biloxi, MS, who has won four of his
last five in the Octagon.
2009
SCHEDULE PROMISES MORE CLASSES, WOMEN'S KICKBOXING AND
KID'S JIU-JITSU
Wednesday,
December 3, 2008 (Milwaukee,
WI USA) Duke Roufus Academy has long strived to meet the demands
of area residents looking for a great workout, while
learning an exciting new
sport or two. Some come to have fun, reduce stress
and get in shape, while others attend to
train for a rewarding
amateur or professional career in reality based combat
sports such as MMA, Kickboxing and Boxing.
In
response to that demand, Duke Roufus Academy will
begin offering a much larger slate of classes beginning
in January 2009. To accomplish this, the school has
acquired additional space located next to the present
location
on 76th
St, in effect doubling the amount of available matted
training space to roughly 2,000 sq ft.
New
additions to the schedule include "women's only" Muay
Thai Kickboxing and kids (ages 6 and up) Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
classes, plus more Boxing, open mat and sparring times. A
new Schedule will be posted soon and will begin
Monday, January 5, 2009.
Regardless
of your goals or life's ambitions, Duke Roufus Academy appreciates
each and every one of our students
and their participation in our classes and private lessons.
We look forward to an exciting and fun filled new year, one
that brings nothing but improved health, personal achievement
and overall success.
2009
CLASS SCHEDULE
KLECZKOWSKI
WINS KTK MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
Courtesy
of WI Combat Sports Wednesday, November 12, 2008 (Green
Bay, WI USA) From Ron Faircloth's WCS Blog: "The Way
It Went Down:"
OK,
so you've all read the crappy write up from Wisconsin Combat
Sports on my fight with (Roufusport fighter) Dave (Kleczkowski,
right) last weekend. I know you are all thinking that it
lacks energy
and pizzazz. Well, that’s because it does.
That
report has none of the energy required to talk about a fight
that cool. Shame on which ever veteran hating writer that
wrote it. I would also like to add that they said someone
else got fight of the night. Dave and I split the extra money
that comes with fight of the night, so let’s get the
facts right before ranting about it via the inter-webs.
The
fight reminded me why I won't be able to quit this sport
any time soon. Dave and I pounded it out for three frickin’ rounds.
When I went slow he went fast, when he backed up I moved
forward, and he did the same. I would love to spend the rest
of my days fighting guys like Dave: hard as nails and quick.
He caught a lazy kick early on and got me down, ended up
on my back. At one point he had the choke so tight I had
to place my mouth guard on the mat next to us. Finally I
got my hips below his and I was OK.
Second round was all on the feet. Back and forth, I'd hit
him, he'd return the love with a real quick jab and right
hand combo. I threw some knees to his middle and I know I
felt his spine. He just grunted and kept working. Awesome
stuff. I hit him with hooks and rights that I threw with
intent. He would take it and move back or around the corner
to return his own.
By the third round we were both gross and sweated up. We
came out and more of the same. Lots of punches. From all
outward appearances we were both having a great time. I felt
I had taken the lead back (just my feelings, not taking anything
away from him) when at about the four minute mark he shoots
a good shot. Great level change. I didn't see it until it
was too late. I was down and going for a heel hook, which
Dave was having none of. I switched legs and tried to kneebar,
which he was also having none of. So we settled in to punching
each other in a mad flurry for 20 seconds until the bell
rang.
He got the nod from the judges. I feel based on that last
takedown. Smart fighting on his part. We hit each other with
lots of power and kept moving forward. It was great. If you
see Dave thank him for me and pat him on the back. He fought
like a war machine. I should have strung more punches together
or added in some kicks or shot in to put him on his back.
I have made it this far on ground n pound yet lately I haven't
used it. I think that I might have gotten a bit too comfortable
just banging and forgot I was there to do a job. I seem to
have lost my sense of urgency. I'll get it back.
ROUFUSPORT'S
PAT BARRY HEADED TO THE UFC
Written
by Dan Puhek/Courtesy
of WI Combat Sports, Wednesday, November 5, 2008. "Get
Hype" Milwaukee!
One More for the UFC
There
were rumors, but now its official: Patrick Barry of Roufusport
signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
With
the deal final and the date set, the biggest show in MMA
looks to bolster
its ranks in what many consider a thin heavyweight
division with the addition of Barry. The deal went official just
last Thursday, with a fight and a UFC debut already scheduled.
Patrick "Get Hype" Barry is set to take on Dan "The
Viking" Evensen on December 27 in Las Vegas at "UFC
92: The Ultimate 2008."
Barry
is a kick boxer turned mixed martial artist, amassing an
18-6-1 and a 3-0 record in the respective sports. He has
fought
in K-1 World Grand Prix events, as well as the World Combat
League. He made his start in MMA in the Combat USA organization
at "Battle
of the Bay 7" in Green Bay in May, winning with a first
round KO. His next two fights were also with Combat USA, both
also ending in victory in the first round.
Evensen,
a Norwegian transplant who trains in Las Vegas, will not
have much more in terms of UFC experience, stepping foot
inside the trademark octagon for only the second time. His
debut occurring this past August at UFC 87, where he suffered
a TKO
stoppage at the hands of Cheick Kongo in the waning seconds
of the first round. His overall record according to the
UFC stands
at ten wins and three loses.
Unless
you're heading out to catch this one in person, you'll have
to pray the main card
bouts go quick, as this is scheduled
as the very first fight on the under card of what looks
to be an impressive night of fights to close out 2008. Of
course,
with
a name like "Ultimate 2008," should we expect anything
less?
ROUFUSPORT'S
KLECZKOWSKI GOES FOR KTK MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE
Written by Dan Puhek/Courtesy
of WI
Combat Sports,
Friday, October 31, 2008. KTK
23 Preview – The Blunt Instrument vs. The Polish Punisher
Konquer
The Kage returns Saturday, November 8th at the Brown County
Arena in Green Bay for its twenty-third installment with "KTK
23: Karnage in the Kage," featuring a middleweight title
fight between Ron Faircloth and Dave Kleczkowski. KTK is back
already, having just put on "KTK 22: Body Count" September
20th.
Overall
the eventl is shaping up to be a good one with an excellent
headline bout between Chosen Few's Ron "The
Blunt Instrument" Faircloth squaring off against Roufusport's
Dave "Polish Punisher" Kleczkowski.
Coming
off a first round submission victory over Brad Resop at "GFS
- Fight Night at the Fair" on August 4th, Kleczkowski
is looking to string together a pair of wins with a victory
over Faircloth.
With an MMA record of six wins and four losses according
to Sherdog, Kleczkowski has already tasted the national
spotlight having
fought on super agent Monte Cox's "Adrenaline MMA" debut
show in June, which was broadcast live on HDNet.
Faircloth
is certainly the more experienced fighter, with a record
of 31-14.
He last fought on September 20 at "FCC 37" in
Racine, winning against Joey Fingalson. A veteran of
many organizations,
Faircloth also has been to some of the bigger shows,
having fought for Bodog and the UFC.
Thursday,
September 4, 2008 (Milwaukee,
WI USA)
MMA & Jiu-Jitsu Programs Take Hold At Duke Roufus
Academy: In only a few short years the landscape for
combat sports
and martial arts training has changed dramatically. 
As
fate would have it, the UFC chose to have Bonnar fight Schafer
on their October 20, 2007 pay-per-view telecast live from
Cincinnati, Ohio, pitting former training mates against one
another. After scoring a second round stoppage over Schafer,
Bonnar made sure to thank Roufus (who was working as Schafer's
head cornerman) in his post fight comments! Classy and classic.
Collegiate
wrestlers are starting to take notice of MMA with their
grappling backgrounds and dedication to a tough training
schedule adding
another positive element to the competitive aspect. Many
are finding MMA to be the logical "next step" after
their wrestling days are over, but their competitive
fire still burns. 
As
the MMA program begins to grow at Duke Roufus MMA Academy,
the Roufusport Competition Team fighters are starting to
make a name for themselves with strong performances in some
recent Jiu-Jitsu and grappling events held in the state.
MENS
NO GI INT 192-197 lbs
Then
on Saturday, November 10, 2007, members of the Roufusport
Competition Team traveled to the inaugural "Riverside
Submission Challenge" Grappling Tournement that
took place inside the beautiful, new domed 90, 000 sq
ft state-of-the-art
WI Dells Center at Chula Vista Resort.