European Throwdown: Notes from Iberia to Siberia
Tim Leidecker Aug 21, 2007
European Throwdown brings you all the important news and notes from
the Spanish Peninsula to the Ural Mountains. In this edition we
report on Martijn de
Jong's farewell tour, Alessio Sakara's (Pictures) special diet and Mikko Rupponen's quest to become
noticed.
Plus: Euro fighters at the K-1 World MAX Finals, the renaissance of Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) and future events in England and Austria.
Martijn
de Jong on farewell tour
Martijn de Jong is one of the true pioneers of Dutch MMA. "The Specialist" fought Masanori Suda (Pictures), who would later go on to become SHOOTO champion, in Japan; brought Jose "Pelé" Landi-Jons, who was still on top of his game, to Holland to face him (the fight went the distance with de Jong losing a close decision); and also took on NHB legend Egan Inoue (Pictures) in his backyard in Hawaii.
Sakara on "buffalo diet"
Italian light heavyweight Alessio Sakara (Pictures), who is currently in Miami preparing for his Sept. 8 fight against American Houston Alexander (Pictures), has recently discovered a very special type of diet. Since one of his sponsors is a large restaurant chain that specializes in buffalo meat, the 25-year-old "Legionarius" is enjoying buffalo four times a week.
The diet, which dates back to the Native Americans, provides the perfect fuel for athletes as buffalo meat has lots of proteins, iron, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Sakara, who is 2-2 in the UFC with wins over Canadian boxer Victor Valimaki (Pictures) and Australian grappler Elvis Sinosic (Pictures), does not consume the buffalo by himself; he also enjoys cooking it for his coaches Edoardo Procorio and Dezeo Maura.
Rupponen's path of trials and tribulations
Finland's Mikko Rupponen, one of the top five European fighters at light heavyweight, seemed poised for his PRIDE debut after he knocked out PRIDE veteran Hirotaka Yokoi (Pictures) in March. With the Japanese promotion closing up shop and selling their assets to longtime rivals Zuffa, the 29-year-old knockout artist from Espoo in Southern Finland is back to square one in his quest to finally land a "major" deal.
Bolstered by six wins out of his last seven fights, with the only loss coming to PRIDE veteran Rodney Faverus due to a broken hand, Rupponen has set his sights on the UFC now.
In order to impress matchmaker Joe Silva, the head coach of "Espoon Kehahäit" will take on the UFC-experienced Hawaiian Steve Byrnes (Pictures) in the main event of Fight Festival 22 on Sept. 22 at the Töölön Kisahalli in the country's capitol of Helsinki.
Also on the card are Rupponen's teammates Niko Puhakka and Atte Backman, Dutch Pancrase veteran Furdjel de Windt (Pictures) and undefeated Finnish submission specialist Marcus Vanttinen.
Two top-notch Euro duels at the K-1 World MAX Finals
K-1 boss Sadaharu Tanigawa has put together the first round pairings for this years' K-1 World MAX Finals. As five of the top eight fighters are from Europe, it was the obvious choice to have to European clashes in the quarterfinals. Five-foot-six power plug "Iron Mike" Zambidis faces 20-year-old Ukrainian newcomer Artur Kyshenko, while K-1 World MAX 2005 champion squares off with the brutal Armenian Gago "Drago" Aroetjunjan.
Dutchman Albert Kraus, the winner of the very first MAX tournament in 2002, tries to repeat his victory over Japanese ace Yoshihiro Sato, whom he beat on points last year. French veteran Sofiane Allouache rounds up the half dozen European fighters as he takes on Australian pro boxer Daniel Dawson in one of the two reserve fights.
All these fights are upstaged however by the "über-duel" between 70-kg juggernaut Buakaw Por.Pramuk and Japanese superstar Masato.
If you want to see the best kickboxers in the world under 155 pounds go at it, you should definitely mark Oct. 3 in red on your calendar.
The renaissance of The Janitor
After being knocked out by countryman Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) at UFC 44 three years ago, the career of Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) seemed to be almost over. At age 32 and having more than 15 years of fighting and wrestling, the "Janitor" appeared to be ready to hand over the keys. Think again.
Albeit not on the big show, the Southern California-based light heavyweight has fought his way back to the top. Signing with the IFL's Tokyo Sabres, the crafty veteran proved that he can still withstand a tough schedule with a fight every two months.
Now competing at 205-pounds and riding a six-fight win streak, more than a few people have wondered how he might fare against some of the UFC's "new breed" like Michael Bisping (Pictures), Rashad Evans (Pictures) or Forrest Griffin (Pictures). But first he has a fight with another former "Ultimate Fighter" cast member when he faces Alex Schoenauer (Pictures) from season one in the IFL World Grand Prix on Nov. 3.
FX3 plans country-to-country comparison in November
FX3, one of many excellent shows in the UK behind "Cage Rage," has plans for an England vs. Germany country-to-country comparison for their third event of the year (sixth overall) at the John Nike Ice Rink in Bracknell, 60-km outside of London.
The promoters are working hard to secure some of the best German fighters and they have promised two title fights and a huge lineup with a total of 12 bouts on the card.
Already booked for the Nov. 24 show is one of the two title fights: Andre Winner (Pictures) will put his FX3 title fight on the line against Germany's MMA pioneer Mario Stapel. Also scheduled to compete are Peter Angerer, Andre Balschmieter, Daniel Weichel and Franco "Ortega" de Leonardis for Germany and Nigel Whitear and Brian Adams (Pictures) for England. The Englishmen better be ready: At the last CageWarriors "UK vs. Germany" show in May 2006, the Germans emerged victorious 4-3.
"Nacht der Acht" coming to Austria
The "Nacht der Acht" (night of the eight), one of the biggest kickboxing tournaments in Germany, is expanding to Austria for the first time in 2008. Previously held in Berlin, the next edition of "ND8" will take place at the "Dornbirner Messe" near the famous Lake Constance. The show called "The Rock Austria" will feature a one-night eight-man light heavyweight tournament and two WKA title fights. The event takes place on March 1; tickets go on sale in December.
For more mixed martial arts news coverage in German language log on to Ground & Pound at www.groundandpound.de
Plus: Euro fighters at the K-1 World MAX Finals, the renaissance of Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) and future events in England and Austria.
Advertisement
Martijn de Jong is one of the true pioneers of Dutch MMA. "The Specialist" fought Masanori Suda (Pictures), who would later go on to become SHOOTO champion, in Japan; brought Jose "Pelé" Landi-Jons, who was still on top of his game, to Holland to face him (the fight went the distance with de Jong losing a close decision); and also took on NHB legend Egan Inoue (Pictures) in his backyard in Hawaii.
The now 33-year-old fighter wants to call it quits and he wants to
do it in style with one last grappling bout against Japan's
Taro Obata. The spectacle is
set to take place on the first of two "Ultimate Glory" shows to
celebrate his own and Shooto's 20-year-anniversary of Shooto (UG's
parent organization) on Sept. 2 and Sept. 9.
Sakara on "buffalo diet"
Italian light heavyweight Alessio Sakara (Pictures), who is currently in Miami preparing for his Sept. 8 fight against American Houston Alexander (Pictures), has recently discovered a very special type of diet. Since one of his sponsors is a large restaurant chain that specializes in buffalo meat, the 25-year-old "Legionarius" is enjoying buffalo four times a week.
The diet, which dates back to the Native Americans, provides the perfect fuel for athletes as buffalo meat has lots of proteins, iron, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Sakara, who is 2-2 in the UFC with wins over Canadian boxer Victor Valimaki (Pictures) and Australian grappler Elvis Sinosic (Pictures), does not consume the buffalo by himself; he also enjoys cooking it for his coaches Edoardo Procorio and Dezeo Maura.
Rupponen's path of trials and tribulations
Finland's Mikko Rupponen, one of the top five European fighters at light heavyweight, seemed poised for his PRIDE debut after he knocked out PRIDE veteran Hirotaka Yokoi (Pictures) in March. With the Japanese promotion closing up shop and selling their assets to longtime rivals Zuffa, the 29-year-old knockout artist from Espoo in Southern Finland is back to square one in his quest to finally land a "major" deal.
Bolstered by six wins out of his last seven fights, with the only loss coming to PRIDE veteran Rodney Faverus due to a broken hand, Rupponen has set his sights on the UFC now.
In order to impress matchmaker Joe Silva, the head coach of "Espoon Kehahäit" will take on the UFC-experienced Hawaiian Steve Byrnes (Pictures) in the main event of Fight Festival 22 on Sept. 22 at the Töölön Kisahalli in the country's capitol of Helsinki.
Also on the card are Rupponen's teammates Niko Puhakka and Atte Backman, Dutch Pancrase veteran Furdjel de Windt (Pictures) and undefeated Finnish submission specialist Marcus Vanttinen.
Two top-notch Euro duels at the K-1 World MAX Finals
K-1 boss Sadaharu Tanigawa has put together the first round pairings for this years' K-1 World MAX Finals. As five of the top eight fighters are from Europe, it was the obvious choice to have to European clashes in the quarterfinals. Five-foot-six power plug "Iron Mike" Zambidis faces 20-year-old Ukrainian newcomer Artur Kyshenko, while K-1 World MAX 2005 champion squares off with the brutal Armenian Gago "Drago" Aroetjunjan.
Dutchman Albert Kraus, the winner of the very first MAX tournament in 2002, tries to repeat his victory over Japanese ace Yoshihiro Sato, whom he beat on points last year. French veteran Sofiane Allouache rounds up the half dozen European fighters as he takes on Australian pro boxer Daniel Dawson in one of the two reserve fights.
All these fights are upstaged however by the "über-duel" between 70-kg juggernaut Buakaw Por.Pramuk and Japanese superstar Masato.
If you want to see the best kickboxers in the world under 155 pounds go at it, you should definitely mark Oct. 3 in red on your calendar.
The renaissance of The Janitor
After being knocked out by countryman Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) at UFC 44 three years ago, the career of Vladimir Matyushenko (Pictures) seemed to be almost over. At age 32 and having more than 15 years of fighting and wrestling, the "Janitor" appeared to be ready to hand over the keys. Think again.
Albeit not on the big show, the Southern California-based light heavyweight has fought his way back to the top. Signing with the IFL's Tokyo Sabres, the crafty veteran proved that he can still withstand a tough schedule with a fight every two months.
Now competing at 205-pounds and riding a six-fight win streak, more than a few people have wondered how he might fare against some of the UFC's "new breed" like Michael Bisping (Pictures), Rashad Evans (Pictures) or Forrest Griffin (Pictures). But first he has a fight with another former "Ultimate Fighter" cast member when he faces Alex Schoenauer (Pictures) from season one in the IFL World Grand Prix on Nov. 3.
FX3 plans country-to-country comparison in November
FX3, one of many excellent shows in the UK behind "Cage Rage," has plans for an England vs. Germany country-to-country comparison for their third event of the year (sixth overall) at the John Nike Ice Rink in Bracknell, 60-km outside of London.
The promoters are working hard to secure some of the best German fighters and they have promised two title fights and a huge lineup with a total of 12 bouts on the card.
Already booked for the Nov. 24 show is one of the two title fights: Andre Winner (Pictures) will put his FX3 title fight on the line against Germany's MMA pioneer Mario Stapel. Also scheduled to compete are Peter Angerer, Andre Balschmieter, Daniel Weichel and Franco "Ortega" de Leonardis for Germany and Nigel Whitear and Brian Adams (Pictures) for England. The Englishmen better be ready: At the last CageWarriors "UK vs. Germany" show in May 2006, the Germans emerged victorious 4-3.
"Nacht der Acht" coming to Austria
The "Nacht der Acht" (night of the eight), one of the biggest kickboxing tournaments in Germany, is expanding to Austria for the first time in 2008. Previously held in Berlin, the next edition of "ND8" will take place at the "Dornbirner Messe" near the famous Lake Constance. The show called "The Rock Austria" will feature a one-night eight-man light heavyweight tournament and two WKA title fights. The event takes place on March 1; tickets go on sale in December.
For more mixed martial arts news coverage in German language log on to Ground & Pound at www.groundandpound.de
Related Articles
