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| Date Posted: Monday, February 8, 06:04 PM PST |
| Renzo Comments on Rolles UFC Debut |
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"It was embarrasing", lamented the legendary fighter/coach. "I can tell you he wasn't in that bad of shape. Fact is the nerves drained him of his energy. His stand up and ground work looked bad, nothing at all like he was doing in training leading up to the fight and it was if he couldn't hear what I was telling him. I think the pressure he put on himself overwhelmed him." He'll learn and be back." |
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| Date Posted: Wednesday, February 3, 10:30 PM PST |
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Our camp has been contacted by a representative of Jose Canseco in regards to his desire to fight former NFL player, Herschel Walker, in a future Strikeforce show. We have agreed to train Canseco should this matchup happen.
After having produced 3 of the current Strikeforce Champions, we are confident we could make Canseco into a formidable opponent for a future Canseco vs Walker fight.
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| Date Posted: Sunday, January 31, 12:14 AM PST |
| Diaz TKO's Zaromskis to win Title |
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Nick Diaz defeated Marius Zaromskis by referee stoppage at 4:38 of the 1st round to become Strikeforce's Welterweight Champion. Diaz's superior striking overwhelmed the Lithuanian fighter, forcing the stoppage.
"I was a bit concerned before the fight because I could tell the referees were inexperienced...stopping fights early and making mistakes."
"I over reached with a punch and found myself in bad position so I started backing up and tripped myself up. I was never knocked down"
"I knew I had him after the body shots. He was making noises trying to get his breath after the hooks to the body so I went for the finish." -Diaz |
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| Date Posted: Tuesday, January 26, 11:35 PM PST |
| MMA Journalist Found Dead |
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By Danny Acosta, FIGHT! Magazine
When I entered Eddie Constantine’s home, I usually found a hug, an armbar and a meal, but not on Monday, January 25, 2010. That’s the day I found my friend dead.
He left us 23 days after turning 31-years-old, maybe even a day earlier.
I met Eddie, a purple belt under Renzo Gracie and journalist for promma.info, at Gilbert Melendez’s media day on March 30, 2009 at Cesar Gracie’s gym in Pleasant Hill, Calif. When I told him my name, he said he knew me.
I was surprised, but he knew my work. We started talking more and reporting less. We exchanged information. I had to come train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in his living room dojo, which sometimes made its way onto his back lawn depending on the weather, he said.
I became Eddie’s student. He trained me for free because he never charged anyone. He’d cook dinner for recovery and lend grappling DVD’s almost like homework, reminding me to practice hip escapes in his Brazilian-English parody voice—the impression every jiu-jitsu player does. His was especially Renzo. Eddie emphasized technique, hard work and heart, but most of all an enjoyable learning experience.
One day, we were sitting across from each other and stretching on his living room carpet. His weinerdog Tuffy came and sat between my legs, standing tall as if to protect me. We joked even Tuffy knows I’m about to get my ass kicked. Eddie was always having fun with whatever he was doing. His head would fall back when his laugh would thunder.
A plague of back problems kept his belt the same color for a decade. That didn’t stop him from loving fighting and teaching it to others though.
As both a teacher and a friend, I was constantly surprised at how genuine and loving Eddie was. He complimented me on stories I wrote I didn’t know had been published yet—that’s how dedicated he was to supporting those close to him. He believed in others, perhaps more than he believed in himself.
No matter how much I wash my hands, I feel they are tinged with death—a dirty, subconscious guilt that I could have helped and I should have seen it. The truth is Eddie did not want to burden others with his pain so he hid it. Tragically, he committed the lone selfish act of his life and it was fatal one.
So what do you do on days like these where your worst fears are realized? Today, I had an ill feeling of maggots burrowing into my gums. On days like these the world is still, cold and unreal.
After our first class, Eddie paid me high compliment: he said I was a fighter. After our last class, he commented he loved our training. Somewhere along the line, Eddie said he saw himself in me. I cried today like I was injected with torture, thinking about how much those words mean to me.
I celebrated the New Year with Eddie then his birthday a day after. I had no idea they would both be his last.
Yeah, I guess Eddie did know me, but after this it’s hard to comprehend if I ever knew him. Regardless, if Eddie believed I was a fighter, then I’m a fighter.
With that thought, I started a memorial fund for Eddie called “Fast Eddie’s Fighters,” which will provide scholarships for young jiu-jitsu fighters like the ones he trained free of charge. Eddie would always talk about being Tim McKenzie’s first Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach while both were the University of the Pacific. McKenzie went on to fight in the WEC and the UFC.
To preserve Eddie’s memory, we hope to produce more success stories like that and eventually champions like Eddie believed anyone could be.
The world lost a great coach today; however, Eddie Constantine will forever be in our corner.
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| Date Posted: Thursday, January 21, 09:21 PM PST |
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Nathan Diaz has signed to fight at 170lbs against hard hitting welter weight, Rory Markham. The bout will take place on March 27th in New Jersey and will be the first time Nathan has fought outside of the light weight division. |
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| Date Posted: Thursday, January 14, 02:41 PM PST |
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Bob Shamrock has passed away about an hour ago. |
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| Date Posted: Monday, January 11, 11:45 PM PST |
| Nathan Loses Decision at UFN |
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Nathan Diaz lost a close split decision at Ultimate Fight Night in Fairfax, VA tonight.
Updated Version:
"I watched the fight and there is really no way I lost that fight. As far as moving up in weight I don't plan on leaving 155 I just would like some fights at 170 as well. It's hard to cut to 155 year round so I'll move up if there's a fight for me at 170. I don't know why the announcers were on Maynard's jock like he was doing something and I feel I won every round. *%^$ the haters. |
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| Date Posted: Friday, January 8, 11:48 PM PST |
| Melendez to Corner Nathan Diaz |
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Nathan Diaz has arrived in Virginia and is now preparing for weigh-ins this Sunday. Diaz will be cornered by Strikeforce Champion, Gilbert Melendez, along with his boxing coach, Richard Perez and team mates Randy Spence and Victor Galdon.
Melendez will be making the trip as he was deemed best suited for mimicking Maynard's wrestling style.
Diaz will look to put away Maynard on the feet or on the ground and prove that he is indeed one of the UFC's top lightweight contenders. He is also dead set on starting 2010 on a winning note for Team Graciefighter. |
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| Date Posted: Friday, January 8, 05:27 PM PST |
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Bob Shamrock was a local business man in Lockeford, Ca that became a foster parent to some of the area's troubled youth. He ended up adopting 2 of the boys, financing and encouraging them to become professioanal fighters. Thus began the careers of Ken and Frank Shamrock.
Ken fit the stereotypical western tough man look and quickly attained success in Japan's emerging fight scene. He was a mentor to his younger brother Frank and the 2 were regulars on the Pancrase circuit.
Upon returning to the U.S. with the skills he learned in Japan, Ken became the head instructor and leader of a newly formed American team: "The Lion's Den". The original Lion's Den was set up in Bob Shamrock's home town and became a hub for many would be fighter's. Names like Jerry Bohlander, Pete Williams, Guy Metzger and Joe Hurley all made their way from various parts of the country for a try out to attain membership under Ken's tutelage.
At the height of their success, Frank grew disillusioned with Ken's leadership and concluded he could do better on his own. Bypassing Ken, Frank went directly to the UFC and asked for a fight representing a new team (The Alliance) he recently founded with Maurice Smith. The rift between Ken and Frank became permanent.
Bob Shamrock watched as his new "family" crumbled before him. Ken eventually moved his team to Southern California and Bob quit hearing from his adopted boys. He felt betrayed by the estrangement. Especially from Frank.
Bob's relationship with Ken was eventually mended.
When an opportunity to help a new school presented itself, Bob jumped at the chance and in Lodi, California the "Shamrock 2000-Animal House" was born. The Animal House was owned by one of Bob's previous foster kid's and it became the area's foremost fight centers under the leadership of Cesar Gracie fighter, Steve Heath. It was Bob's wish that a fighter would emerge from the new team to defeat the now world famous, Frank Shamrock.
Joining the team was a Bulgarian Sambo Champion, Val Ignatov. With Bob's UFC connections, Val was signed to the UFC where he would immediately face Evan Tanner despite being a natural 170 pounder. After Val lost it was decided he should drop down in weight. Unfortunately Matt Hughes was his next opponent. It was simply too much to ask for Val to defeat Evan Tanner and Matt Hughes at his 1st and second MMA fight.
One day a skinny kid walked into the Animal House and after his persistant training and natural ability got the attention of Steve Heath. Heath would call Cesar Gracie and talk about the new kid that he was sure would some day be a great fighter. That kid was Nick Diaz. Diaz began making his way to Cesar's school and became one of the team's top new prospects. After becoming one of the world's most known fighter's, Diaz would eventually face Frank Shamrock where despite being a nearly 3-1 underdog, he delivered a vicious beating to the "Living Legend".
Bob's desire that someone would emerge from the new team he helped create to defeat his wayward son came true. |
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| Date Posted: Wednesday, January 6, 11:06 PM PST |
| Renzo Clarifies Rashad Evans Promotion |
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GF- Rashad Evans recently was promoted by Rolles Gracie to Blackbelt. Any thoughts?
Renzo- It was a recognition from Rolles that Rashad should compete in the highest categories of gi-less grappling competitions. In the Gi-less World Championships for example you cannot compete in the Blackbelt division no matter how long you've been grappling unless a certified instructor gives you a belt for that division. Can I say that Rashad has worked his way up in the correct belt order with a gi? Of course not and I don't think as a pro fighter he will be doing gi tournaments anytime soon. I differentiate between gi and gi-less and apparently Rolles found him ready for the belt in gi-less. I don't think you should give someone a belt in a locker room. Not sure if that was Rolles' idea.
GF-As far as Rolles training at Greg Jackson's, is there a new alliance of some sort and has Rolles joined Jackson's team?
Renzo- There's some bigger guys there to spar with and he's made some friends and had a good time training but he fights under our banner. As you know GSP and Rashad have trained with us so we thought it would be fine if he spent some time out there mixing it up.
GF-How is your training going for your upcoming fight?
Renzo- Great. I've already lost a lot of weight and am happy to be fighting in Abu Dhabi against Matt Hughes.
I watched that fight with Gil Melendez and was impressed with his heart and determination. I'll be watching Nate and Nick's fights this month and hope they can come up to NYC afterwards.
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| Date Posted: Sunday, December 20, 09:55 PM PST |
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Nick Diaz returns to the chain link battlefield to face Dream Champion, Marius Zaromskis, for the Strikeforce Welterweight Championshiop Belt. Zaromskis has been head kicking his opponents into oblivion and will now be facing his toughest test yet; the American anti-hero, Nick Diaz.
Former WEC World Champion Diaz will be looking to add another belt to his collection and join team mates Jake Shields and Gilbert Melendez as Strikeforce Champions. If he should win, Team Graciefighter will hold 3 belts in one major organization. A feat accomplished by only a select few fight camps in the world.
January 30th, 2010 on Showtime, Strikeforce presents:
Diaz vs Zaromskis |
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| Date Posted: Sunday, December 20, 12:51 AM PST |
| Melendez Avenges Loss, Regains Title |
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Gilbert Melendez defeated Josh Thomson to regain the Strikeforce Lightweight Title. In a relentless quest to once again become the Strikeforce Champion, Melendez stuck to a masterful gameplan and out fought his arch rival to a unanimous 5 round decision.
Thomson fought well and tried everything to retain his title and vanquish the challenger, but Gilbert would not be denied. He out struck, out kicked and out hustled Thomson, at times stunning him and almost finishing the fight with solid striking.
Gilbert Melendez joins team mate Jake Shields as the Strikeforce Champion! |
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| Date Posted: Saturday, December 19, 01:25 AM PST |
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Gilbert Melendez weighed in at 154lbs for his title fight against Josh Thomson. The fight is a rematch that has been almost 2 years in the making and will be a golden opportunity for Gilbert to avenge an earlier decision loss to Thomson.
David "Tarzan" Douglas also made weight on his second attempt. Douglas was a late addition to the card and took the fight with only 7 days notice. |
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| Date Posted: Friday, December 18, 05:00 PM PST |
| "I don't make faces" -Fedor |
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EA has been wrapping up the photo shoots for their upcoming MMA video game. During the sessions, fighters are asked to make various facial expressions such as a look of suprise or pain. During Fedor's shoot, the photographer noticed his face stayed the same, devoid of expression. The photographer then asked for Fedor to really try harder at which Fedor replied, "I don't make faces", and exited the room while retorting, "we are done here." |
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| Date Posted: Thursday, December 10, 01:00 PM PST |
| Nick Diaz Returns in January |
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Nick Diaz will be fighting on January 30th in Miami, Florida. The 26 year old will probably be the main event of what is shaping up to be another great card for Strikeforce and Showtime television. Diaz is on an impressive 5 fight win streak and will be looking to become the Strikeforce Welterweight Champion in his next fight. Strikeforce has promised an exciting opponent for Diaz's Championship bout and we should be able to announce the match soon. |
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