Posts tagged mixed martial arts
Matt Hamill to Meet Tito Ortiz at UFC 121
Jul 22nd
Matt ”The Hammer” Hamill will be taking on Tito Ortiz at UFC 121 in Anaheim, Califormia October 21st, according to a report in MMAJunkie.com. The New York light heavyweight, who was coached by Ortiz during his season on the Ultimate Fighter show, returns to the octagon following a unanimous decision victory over Keith Jardine. Hamill’s win in that fight resulted in Jardine’s release from the UFC, a fate that could easily befall Ortiz should he lose this fight. The Huntington Beach Bad Boy enters this fight without a win in his last four outings (0-3-1). With a movie about his early life about to be released and some good momentum building in his fight career, things are looking good for the Hammer.
Mike Massenzio Video -The Long Road Back: Part 1
Jul 20th
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iozyv5ikxT0
Pat “Awesomely Awesome” Audinwood Signs With the UFC
Jul 9th
Pat “Awesomely Awesome” Audinwood signed a four fight contract with the UFC today according to sources close to Team Bombsquad. Talks are currently underway for him to debut against Aaron Riley at UFC 119 in Indianapolis. Audinwood, an undefeated lightweight fighter from Elmira Heights, New York currently holds a professional record of 9-0-1. He is the cousin of WEC veteran John Franchi. Pat joins an ever growing list of Bombsquad fighters that have fought in the UFC and other major promotions including Jon Jones, Mike Massenzio and Kevin Jordan (UFC), Anthony Leone and John Franchi (WEC), Pat Bennett (Bellator and Strikeforce), and Colin Schrader, Mike Geurin and Tom Gallichio (M-1). Team Bombsquad, headed by Ryan Ciotoli, is increasingly known for producing top level fighters while situated in one of the few states that have yet to sanction the sport of mixed martial arts. As a result of Audinwood’s and others success, the BombSquad will be moving their camp to Ithaca NY where they are set to open a 20,000 sq ft state of the art MMA training center by the end of the summer.
For an interesting look into the life of Pat Audinwood and his cousin John Franchi, be sure to check out Episode 2 of Mac’s MMA’s Bombsquad documentary series at www.macsmma.com.
Renzo Gracie Instructor Rafael Sapo Natal Gets Picked Up by UFC
Jul 9th
Rafael “Sapo” Natal, a jiu jitsu black belt middleweight who teaches at Renzo Gracie’s academy in NYC, just signed a four fight deal with the UFC, according to Renzo’s website. Sapo, who holds a 12-2 professional mma record, most recently dispatched Ultimate Fighter 4 winner Travis Lutter at the Moosin MMA event in Massachusetts. Another New Yorker, by way of Brazil of course, joins the big show.
Pat Bennett and Tom Gallicchio Prevail at M-1 Selection in Atlantic City
Jun 27th
t Bennett and Tom Gallichio from the Bombsquad both won their fights last night at M-1 Selection in Atlantic City. According to Bombsquad owner and head trainer Ryan Ciotoli, Tom won a split decision against Reggie Pena from Tampa (born in the Bronx), and Big Pat Bennett took all of 37 seconds to dispatch Nick Smiley from Georgia by way of TKO from strikes. Bombsquad guys continue to have impressive results in the local and big events. They’re doing something right in Cortland, New York. Congratulations guys!
New York Senate Approves Bill to Legalize MMA
Jun 17th
By a 32-26 margin, the New York Senate approved a bill to legalize mixed martial arts in New York, according to the Wall Street Journal. A similar bill is working its way through the Assembly where it still faces some stiff opposition, headed by Assemblyman Bob Reilly who has called the sport barbaric. If it can make it through the Assembly, it would then be in the hands of the Governor who has been in favor of legalization and will very likely sign it into law. New York would then join the other 44 states who have legalized the fastest growing sport in America. Its getting close – keep the faith!
Jon Jones Fight Moved to San Diego – UFC Cancels Salt Lake City Fight
Jun 14th
The UFC pulled out of Salt Lake City today and have decided to hold the event in San Diego, according to numerous reports. Poor ticket sales, attributed to holding an event on a Sunday in the heavily Mormon influenced city, were said to be the cause. New Yorker Jon Jones and New Jersey’s Mike Massenzio, who is training in New York for his upcoming fight with Brian Stann at the Bombsquad, will now be doing their thing in San Diego. Tickets go on sale Friday. Macs MMA New York will be there as usual!
Pat Bennett to go up against Brock Lesnar Training Partner Cole Konrad
May 5th
New York Heavyweight Pat Bennett will be facing Brock Lesnar’s training partner and collegiate wrestling stand out Cole Konrad at Bellator 17 next week in Boston. This should be a great fight as both of these guys are well-regarded, despite being in the sport a relatively short time and neither has yet to taste defeat in the cage. Pat trains out of the Bombsquad in Cortland and was highlighted in Episode 1 of the Bombsquad documentary (which can be found on this site). The card also includes some big names such as reigning champ Eddie Alvarez, Josh Neer and Roger Huerta, who will be making his Bellator debut. This is a fight you don’t want to miss if you are anywhere near Boston next week!
Pat Bennett to Go Up Against Brock Lesnar Training Partner Cole Konrad at Bellator 17
Apr 27th
New York Heavyweight Pat Bennett will be facing Brock Lesnar’s training partner and collegiate wrestling stand out Cole Konrad at Bellator 17 next week in Boston. This should be a great fight as both of these guys are well-regarded, despite being in the sport a relatively short time and neither has yet to taste defeat in the cage. Pat trains out of the Bombsquad in Cortland and was highlighted in Episode 1 of the Bombsquad documentary (which can be found on this site). The card also includes some big names such as reigning champ Eddie Alvarez, Josh Neer and Roger Huerta, who will be making his Bellator debut. This is a fight you don’t want to miss if you are anywhere near Boston next week!
N.Y. Secretary of State Pushes for Legalization
Feb 17th
New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortes-Vazquez wrote a well-reasoned editorial in the Albany Times Union supporting the Governor’s push for the legalization of mma in the state. She reiterates the oft-stated but still very compelling points that mma could be a financial boon to the state, while being regulated in a responsible way as a “fair and disciplined bona-fide athletic competition.” She goes on to say that “[A] goal of legalizing MMA is to cut down on the number of poorly regulated or unregulated knockoffs that put unlicensed, unprepared individuals in harm’s way.” Encouraging.
