MMA and Boxing debut at the Southern University mini dome

By: Angela Chustz-Parent

November 15, 2009

Tony Jarreau, promoter and owner of Gladiator Promotions in Baton Rouge, will be hosting the first ever historical MMA and Boxing event this Friday night, November 20^th at the Southern University mini dome.

“I have always thought that Southern University would be a good location to throw a mixed martial arts event. The mini dome layout is perfect. It has plenty of seating without a bad seat in the place, but it is also smaller than the Baton Rouge River Center or the LSU P-Mac making it more intimate for the viewers. I have been a promoter for the past four years and I am always looking for new locations to put on an event. None of the other promoters has wanted to take a chance with Southern University but I believe it can be a big success and potently an annual event,” says Jarreau.

Jarreau has hopes of making this an annual event between Gladiator Promotions and Southern University. He believes that this event will bring in numerous first time viewers to a live boxing and mixed martial arts event.

Being that this is a historical event for Southern University, Jarreau thinks that many of the students and local community who will attend the event will become new fans of MMA.

The fighters on this card are from Louisiana and the surrounding southern states. The event is scheduled to have two professional boxing matches and a total of eight professional and amateur mixed martial arts bouts. “Two campus favorites will be 6'8, 300 pound fighter, Robert Davis, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, and also Nassor Lewis, an Alpah Phi Alpha member, who is a member of one of the largest fraternities on campus, “says Jarreau. There will also be a phenomenal half time performance from Howard Hall, one of the funniest comedians around.

Professional Boxing

 Mark Hinsen vs. John C. Pennington

Professional boxer, Mark Hinsen will be going up against MMA fighter, John C. Pennington. We have seen professional boxers who have had interest in the sport of MMA since it has risen to become the fastest growing sport in the world. This time, MMA fighter, Pennington, is dabbling over to boxing to get a taste of what the sport is like.  Pennington is known for his powerful strikes as a MMA fighter and Hinsen as a professional boxer is known for his speed and destructive striking ability. This will definitely be a fight you will want to keep your eyes on.  

                                                  
Professional Boxing: Robert Davis vs. Chris Kissam 

Both fighters will be making their professional boxing debut this night. Davis being a campus favorite will definitely have the crowd vote when going up against Kissam.

Professional MMA

 Nassor Lewis vs. Keith Johnson

This welterweight main event bout is featuring Lewis (4-4), who will also be a crowd favorite for the SU attendees. Lewis has won most of his fights by submissions and is use to going the distance in his fights. Lewis will face undefeated MMA fighter, Johnson (3-0), from Alabama. Johnson recently defeated talented MMA fighter, Charlie Rader, in a welterweight challenge along the gulf coast. 

The other professional MMA bouts will feature Thomas Webb vs. Tel Faulkner and

Randolf Cole vs. Kenny Jackson.

Amateur MMA

Brian Lanauel  vs.  Robert Fails

Kyle Strowl       vs.  Drew Turnage.

Tony Kelly       vs.   Neema Jajali            

Robert Auzunne  vs.  Justin Lawerence 

Michael Gonza   vs. Gamille Major

For ticket information call 225-333-8305 or purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Louisiana fighters defeat Team Florida in the cage

By: Angela Chustz-Parent

October 12, 2009

With over 3,000 in attendance at the Baton Rouge River Center, USAMMA and Beat2sleeP made it apparent that they are officially the largest competitors in the MMA business in south Louisiana. The excitement was in the air with extreme MMA fans from the capital area and surrounding parishes to see the most anticipated event of the year.

The event came down to eleven fights with three being professional bouts and eight amateur. Team Louisiana had a strong presence of Gladiator’s Academy team mates from Lafayette, Prairieville, and Baton Rouge. Team Florida consisted of a mixture of talented Florida fighters, as well as, Gator fans and previous collegiate students from the panhandle.

Five out of the eleven fights went to decision making this event “the best matched show that Louisiana has had,” says Joe Ancona. Ancona is a New Orleans promoter and was one of three judges for the night. He says it’s not all about the promotion itself, but having well matched fighters is important in order to have a successful show.  

New faces and new MMA fans surrounded the River Center as LSU fans packed in to see Team Louisiana challenge Team Florida the night before the LSU vs. Florida game, the biggest game of the year.

One of those new faces was Craig Castleman Greene, M.D. of the Baton Rouge Orthopaedic Clinic. Dr. Greene was a graduate of LSU med school in 2000 then went to Texas to study orthopaedic surgery. After he mastered surgery as an Orthopaedic, he traveled to Seattle, Washington where he studied traumatology and sports medicine. Dr. Greene specializes mostly in “traumatology”, or patients who suffer from broken bones.

Since there is a large population of MMA skeptics who think the sport is too brutal, I questioned Dr. Greene on his thoughts about the sport. “In dealing with mainly sports medicine and many football players, I can definitely say that MMA is right up there with football,” says Greene, M.D.

Well, there is one thing for sure, football was in the air when Team Louisiana came out and the LSU fight song started playing. The fans were pumped up and the hometown fighters were anxious to compete against the most rival of their competitors in the cage.

Team Louisiana vs. Team Florida fight results:

Undercard

Each undercard bout is at the amateur level last three rounds and four minutes to each round. There are no elbow strikes allowed for amateur MMA fights and they are required to use 6oz. MMA gloves.

In the State of Louisiana, all amateur and professional MMA fighters are required to obtain a HIV test every 6 months, as well as, a HEP B and C test. These tests are required as part of the Louisiana State Wrestling and Boxing Commission. Each fighter’s safety is important and all venues are taken to assure all fighters have the appropriate paperwork before they can fight.

135lb. Andy Sandoval (Team Florida) vs. Robert Auzenne (Team Louisiana)

Round 1: Sandoval and Auzenne hit the cage with the fans anticipating some action and that’s exactly what they got. Both came out swinging with fierce combo exchanges. Sandoval followed up with a takedown and a rear naked choke and arm bar attempt early in the round. Back up, Auzenne got in some good strikes and caught Sandoval’s leg as he attempted to strike him and they fell to the canvas for Sandoval to attempt another submission. Auzenne attempted an armbar at the end of the round.

Round 2: After a battle of submission attempts in round one, Auzenne came out strong with combos and a takedown working some powerful ground and pound body shots. Sandoval reversed control and stayed on top of Auzenne the remainder of round two.

Round 3: Sandoval started off with a takedown steadily working toward full mount the entire round and delivering head and body shots leaving Team Florida with the first victory of the night.

“Andy’s nickname is Scrappy,” says Sandoval’s coach, Reagan McDaniel, of Team B3 Fight Team, out of Houston, Texas. “Scrappy is the nick name he got because of his fighting style and he does whatever it takes to win”.

Sandoval defeated Auzenne by decision

135lb. Leigh Wright (Team Louisiana) vs. Marcus Dupar (Team Florida)

Round 1: Wright took Dupar down at bell sound using his power and explosive ground work. Back up, Dupar slammed Wright down on the canvas with Wright submitting Dupar by armbar and Team Louisiana winning their first victory for the night.

Wright defeated Dupar 3:15 in the 1st round by arm bar

155lb. Corey Judice (Team Louisiana) vs. Yriel Marquez (Team Florida)

Round 1: Well, if you wanted to see a war, this was the fight you came out for. These guys came out swinging for the fences with everything they had. The first round was a stand up brawl with both fighters giving it their all leaving it a bloody round one.

Round 2: Judice slammed Marquez down to the mats for a rear naked choke attempt. He stayed on top of Marquez with powerful destructive strikes the rest of the round leaving Marquez in defense mode for the rest of the fight.

Round 3: Knees, explosiveness, strikes after strike, Judice pounded on Marquez. Marquez was a tough kid to take what Judice had to give but it wasn’t enough for the judges.

Judice defeated Marquez by decision

145lb. Chris Marquez (Team Florida) vs. Ben Kristonis (Team Louisiana)

Round 1: As to no surprise, wrestler, Kristonis started the round off with a takedown working toward full guard following up with body strikes while on the mats. Marquez quickly reversed control against the cage sneaking in an arm bar submission to win the fight.

Marquez defeated Kristonis 1:48 in the 1^st round by arm bar

135lb. Kashiff Solanis (Team Florida) vs. Frankie Caruso (Team Louisiana)

Round 1: Caruso came out with what he knows best, boxing. He landed some powerful strikes leaving Solaris taking him down to the mats after Caruso rocked him pretty hard. It was obvious that Solaris wanted to take it down to the ground and not to have anything to do with standing up with Caruso.  Solaris attempted a submission, but Caruso simply got out of the attempt and the round ended.

Round 2: Solaris started off with the take down with working towards full mount and submissions the entire round. Caruso used good Jiu Jitsu defense in not allowing Solaris to gain full mount nor satisfy a submission.

Round 3: Again with the takedown, Solaris made it his game while Caruso fought off his submissions most of round three. Caruso used excellent control in fighting off the submission attempts but the judges favored Team Florida making them in the lead.

Solanis defeated Caruso by decision

145lb. Aaron Phillips (Team Louisiana) vs. Cody Kidder (Team Florida)

Round 1: Phillips slams Kidder to the mats for some brutal ground and pound. Kidder not liking any minute of that and reversed ground control. Kidder worked in some nice body strikes but Phillips’ Jiu Jitsu upheld and he won by arm bar submission.

Phillips defeated Kidder 3:14 in the 1^st round by arm bar

185lb. Clinton Roberts (Team Florida) vs. Trey Ealy (Team Louisiana)

Round 1: Roberts, out of Grapplers Lair Fight Team, started this fight off with hard kicks and a slam to the mats. Ealy quickly recovered back to his feet but Roberts took it back down to the mats with another hard slam making it his game in round one.

Round 2: Roberts landed explosive leg kicks knocking Ealy down. Roberts went in for the finish and satisfied a unstoppable triangle choke in just a minute of the second round.

Roberts defeated Ealy 1:00 in the 2^nd round by triangle choke

170lb. DJ Abshire (Team Louisiana) vs. Josh Foster (Team Florida)

Round 1: The round started off with Abshire landing destructive uppercuts and combos looking for the knockout. Foster not wanting any part of his strikes, slammed Abshire down to the canvas attempting a kimura then working towards half guard. Abshire showed good Jiu Jitsu defense remaining in control of his position.

Round 2: Abshire fought off Foster’s submissions in this round, but not letting him gain too much of a dominant position. This round was a good display of Jiu Jitsu talent from both fighters.

Round 3: Abshire delivered some nice strikes at the beginning of the round. Foster grabbed his leg as he attempted to kick him and they fell to the mats where Foster attempted a guillotine choke. Abshire got out and gained dominant control attempting a few submissions including a reverse triangle that almost stopped the fight. Abshire came out on top at the end and won a victory for Team Louisiana.

Abshire defeated Foster by decision

Main Card

170lb. Thomas Webb (Team Louisiana) vs. Jason Abernathy (Team Florida)

Round 1: Webb told me before the fight that he was going to showcase his striking abilities. He is one that is known also for his wrestling skills and he always reverts to that for his comfort zone, but Webb assured me that in this fight everyone would see he is just as good as a striker as a ground fighter. Webb and Abernathy exchanged some nice strikes with Webb taking him down to the mats for some destructive ground and pound strikes against the cage.

Round 2: Again with the takedown, Webb avoided a submission and got back up to land fierce strikes and leg kicks leaving the fans excited to see more and chanting “L-S-U”.

Round 3: It was obvious in round three that Abernathy did not want to stand up with Webb after the last round of explosive strikes. Webb made it his game and took Abernathy down gaining half guard and landing devastating strikes and ending the fight in a victorious win for Team Louisiana.  

Webb defeated Abernathy by decision

Co Main Event

185lb. Will Florentino (Team Florida) vs. Matt Brown (Team Louisiana)

Round 1: Florentino started off with some knee strikes and attempting a takedown. Brown using his takedown defense, exchanged knee strikes. The fight went to the ground where Florentino attempted a guillotine choke. Brown quickly reversed putting pressure against Florentino at the cage landing powerful elbow strikes.

Round 2: Both came out exchanging combos. Brown took his opponent down against the cage but got into a inferior position opening Florentino up to gain a triangle choke submission.   

Florentino defeated Brown 3:57 in the 2^nd round by triangle choke

Main Event

Heavyweight Shawn Jordan (Team Louisiana) vs. Nick Thomas (Team Florida)

Round 1: And here it is – the main event everyone was waiting on. These two heavyweights were the fierce ones of them all. They came out for blood and nothing less. Thomas started off with powerful leg kicks and a hard right hand to Jordan’s nose breaking it on impact. Jordan slammed 230lb. Thomas down pounding him with brutal strikes leaving him to tap out. This left Jordan putting Team Louisiana in the lead for the night and fans cheering on the defeat of Team Florida in the cage.

Jordan defeated Thomas 3:15 in the 1^st round by submission due to strikes

UFC Vet Rich "No Love" Clementi opens a 40,000 MMA training center

September 23, 2009 - Clementi is excited to announce the opening of his new mixed martial arts training center in Mandeville, Louisiana on October 17th.

This 40,000 square foot training center will be equipt with an outdoor heated pool along with other fitness equipment.

Stay tuned for more information coming soon or visit www.steelcagefighting.com.

Gladiators Academy opens a new training center

By: Angela Chustz-Parent

September 9, 2009 – Tony Jarreau, owner of Gladiators Academy Baton Rouge, is proud to announce the fourth MMA training center location, Gladiators Academy of Prairieville, located off of Airline Highway in the Fitness In Motion gym.

Donald Mayeaux, owner of Team Warrior, has merged with the Gladiators Academy team. “I have seen most of these guys in action and I could not be more excited to have them on our team. I would like to thank Donald Mayeaux and Team Warrior for making this decision. You have made what was a great program even better,” says Jarreau.  

This Gladiators Academy will be equipped with a new 1,000 square foot of mat space, heavy bags, Muay Thai bags, speed and double end bags, and much more.  Gladiators Academy members will be able to access Gladiators Academy of Prairieville with their current membership as well as the other locations in Shreveport, Lafayette, Slidell, and Baton Rouge.

The projected date for the grand opening is October 13, 2009 and is open to the public. There will be fun competitions,   food and drinks, and some great door prizes for everyone to enjoy.

Before the grand opening, there will be an Open Training Class with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt, Tommy Wales at Gladiators Academy Baton Rouge on September 21^st and 23^rd. Thirty-seven year old Wales is an active competitor in BJJ and his reputation as a trainer and a competitor speaks for itself. Wales will be relocating from Florida to join the Gladiators Academy family and to become the primary BJJ instructor in Baton Rouge and in Prairieville.

In addition to Wales, Gladiators Academy Baton Rouge and Prairieville will be adding a phenomenal boxing coach to their training centers. Well known New Orleans boxing coach, Robert Landry, will become the primary boxing coach at these locations. Landy has been in the boxing industry for over 20 years and has countless hours in training professional boxers and champions.

To contact Gladiators Academy Baton Rouge and to find out more information on these upcoming events, please visit www.gladiatorsacademy.com or stop by Gladiators Academy inside of Spectrum Fitness at 3103 Monterrey Blvd.

Copyright 2009 Louisiana Fight Club, LLC. All rights reserved.

Web Hosting by Yahoo!