Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

14 Jan 2010

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • The death of an Icon: Bob Shamrock passes away at 68

    I spent this week in Reno on business.  Since I was going to be here anyway, I wanted to take the opportunity to visit the Lion’s Den, the training center that UFC and MMA legend Ken Shamrock has established here.  Earlier this evening I headed over to the 5:30 grappling class, to be taught by Ken.

    When I arrived I learned some truly sad news: Bob Shamrock, adopted father of both Ken and Frank Shamrock, passed away earlier this afternoon here in Reno.

    I had heard a lot about Bob, and the significant factor that he had been in the boys lives, and in the early shaping of the UFC  and MMA.  But not until this evening, when I sat down to do some reading on Bob Shamrock, did I really understand the caliber of man that the world has lost today.

    In a heart touching article published by the Knuckle Pit, we begin to see the picture of Bob Shamrock, who helped people from very early on in his life.  After school each day Bob would go down and volunteer his time at a mission in Los Angeles, where he would serve meals to the homeless, and entertain them by playing the piano.

    By the time Ken, a foster Child of 15 years old, showed up at bob and Dee Dee’s doorstep in 1979, the Shamrocks had already been taking in foster children for 9 years.  First one, then four, and then as many as 18 at a time would be welcomed into the Shamrock home.  Here they had access to a full gym, basketball courts, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.

    The Shamrocks learned early on, that sports was a great way to really get kids interested in something.  But if sports didn’t fit, they would send them to art classes at the community college, buy them guitar lessons, piano, or whatever it took.  They were always giving.  Always working to find outlets for these children.

    Our hearts go out to the Shamrocks, and to the many people who must be grieving today… The many children, now adults, whose lives Bob touched.  I know he is receiving one of the fatherly hugs tonight, than I’m sure he gave so many times.

    26 Aug 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Videos from Horn’s Fight Night 10 pulled

    Jeremy Horn’s Elite Fight Night has (understandably) had me pull down the videos that were up from the Fight Night 10 event.  I want to make sure everyone knows however, how cool Jenn Howe over there was, and as been throughout my interactions with them.

    Also, for those of you who got to see the videos, I hope you like them.  but regardless of rather you saw them or not, I have really got to tell you:  No video can possibly do justice to how amazing these events are!! The level of fighting, and just the sheer energy in the building is incredible.  I have been to UFC events (sat ring-side and watched Liddell beat the crap out of Tito… that was an uncomfortable after-party at the club with Tito :)   ) and I watch an MMA I can on TV and PPV… But these events are on par with, or better than anything I have ever seen put on.

    I haven’t seen a date announced for the next Fight Night yet, but seriously… don’t miss it.  They are as good as it gets.

    In the meantime, since you can’t get you video fix here, you can go register for free videos on Horn’s Elite web page.

    Thanks Jeremy, and Jenn for the amazing shows you put on!!

    20 Aug 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Adding Utah Martial Arts to Technorati

    Hi all!  We are always working to get more people involved in the discussions here, so we can get as many points of view as possible.

    To that end, we’re putting this post up to get our feed pulled into Technorati.  Please pardon our dust :)

    5gjdwft4k3

    25 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Affliction on the Ropes?

    thumbnailAffliction, an impressive fight organization competing against the UFC, has had a major force in its corner: Fedor Emelianenko.  Fedor has seemed unstoppable in year of fighting against the best in the world (30 wins with only one loss back in 2000.)

    But other organizations have also based perhaps too much of their success on a single name: Notably Elite XC, and their reliance on Kimbo Slice to draw in dollars and viewers.  When Kimbo slighted to prove to be less than the unstoppable force he was touted as, the foundation of Elite XC quickly crumbled.

    Fortunately for Affliction, their are no such breaks in the armor of the impressive, and well loved Russian.  But the problem with an impressive fighter is that he’s only impressive if you have someone equally amazing for him to fight.  Affliction has been able to pull this off this far with fighters like Tim Sylvia and Andre Arlovski.

    But this week they ran into some serious troubles.

    Affliction “Trilogy” was scheduled to air on August 1st.  Josh Barnett was scheduled to slug it out with Fedor.  Josh is in extremely impressive fighter and a lot of folks were eager to watch this fight.  Unfortunately, Josh tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid on Wednesday.

    Josh was quick to respond through his blog on Thursday, letting his fans know that he was as surprised as they were (You can read Josh’s comments on the situation here.)

    Affliction continued to try to find a suitable opponent for Fedor, apparently reaching out to long time fighter Vitor Belfort (which, in my mind is really just laughable.)  But as of this morning, they have opted to cancel the event instead.

    This is not the sort of thing you tend to see an organization come back from.

    Obviously there is good and bad to Affliction failing… less competition, more control for the UFC, less power for the fighters, more for the organization.  But I say that anything that finally puts Couture, Lesnar, and Fedor all in the same ring isn’t entirely bad :)

    23 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Kimo “Lazarus” Leopoldo not Dead Anymore

    Many of you had probably heard day before yesterday, the unfortunate news of the death of Long time UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo.

    In our own article here, I had commented on the fact that:

    “Whatever he battled however, Drugs, challenges, Royce Gracie, Kimo never gave up.”

    Well, apparently death is no exception.  Seen here, clearly deciding “down with death,” Kimo now rejoins the ranks of the living.

    In a phone interview with Yahoo Sports, Kimo was quoted as saying, “I knew I wasn’t dead.  So when I was reading this I wondered if I was jinxed or something was going to happen.”  Somehow, that’s exactly what I would expect Kimo to say.  Love him or hate him, Kimo is never boring.

    To see the full Yahoo Article about Kimo’s amazing recovery, along with video interview click here.

    21 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Kimo Leopoldo Dead at 41

    Long time Mixed Martial Arts fighter and UFC Legend Kimo Leopoldo has died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 41.

    I still remember crowding around the TV in front of a recording of a recording of a VHS tape and watching then-unknown Kimo walk into the UFC and lay a pounding on the seemingly invincible Royce Gracie in UFC 3 in 1994.

    It is a reminder to us all of our own mortality.

    Kimo continued to fight in big promotions up until 2006, most recently as a part of “Extreme Wars.”

    Those who have seen Kimo won’t soon forget his impressive appearance, fighting skills, and his extremely memorable entrances (Kimo once walked to the Octagon carrying a full sized cross on his back.)

    Unfortunately, Kimo also faced his own demons during his career, battling both performance enhancing and other drugs (Kimo tested positive for anabolic steroid in 2006, and was arrested for possession of marijuana in February of this year.)

    Whatever he battled however, Drugs, challenges, Royce Gracie, Kimo never gave up.  He was always up for a good fight, and always reminded us all that no one could ever be counted out.

    We’ll miss you Kimo.  Rest well.

    17 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Utah Martial arts and MMA classes and Dojos

    I consistently find that our “Classes” link is one of the most popular ones on this site.

    I have been getting very few people submitting new schools or giving feedback on schools however.  I just want to stress to everyone that it’s your input that will make this valuable.  If you attend a class, please send me info on it.  I’ll get it added.  I can also make sure it is anonymous.  If you are afraid of sharing info that can identify you, even give a rating form one to ten, and tell if you would recommend it, and if so to whom.

    If you run a Dojo, please let me know, and have a student submit a review.  I want to make sure that there is valuable information for people on that page.  If I can start getting more feedback I will be happy to have a “Dojo of the month” post or something similar.

    To contribute, simply Contact Me.

    Thanks!

    15 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • Randy Schawang passes away at 42

    We recently posted a video by Hapkido TV with Randy Schawang.

    I am sorry to report however, the passing of Randy Schawang at the age of 42.  Randy leaves behind three children, and many family and friends who dearly loved him.

    Just one such example can be seen in this blog post by “Kate.”

    I never knew Randy personally, but obviously he has touched many lives.  At this time however, Randy’s family is in need.  As you can read in this article on KSL,  the family is looking for donations to help wit the funeral.  The details provided are:

    “All donations can be made at any local branch of Wells Fargo asking for the account of Randy Schawang Funeral fund.   All donations big or small will be greatly appreciated by the children and family.

    God bless and thank you all !!”


    1 Jul 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • New on Products: Grill Guards, Custom Mouth Gaurds

    GrillGuards_img_productingoWe have another new item on our Products Page: Grill Guards, Custom Mouth Guards.

    How could we cover Martial Arts gear from Utah, and not mention Grill Guards?

    If you’re gonna play rough, wear a mouth guard or lose your teeth. That simple.

    Why Grill Guards?

    - They look absolutely awesome.

    - It fits tons better than that piece of crap from Big 5.

    - Better protection from a higher quality product.

    30 Jun 2009

  • Posted by Steve Spencer
  • New addition on Products Page: Awesome custom T’s for under $10

    IMG_0232IMG_0231

    I am always looking to add more local products to our Products page.  Here’s the latest:

    I recently found a place that have I have been having some shirts made: CrewColors.

    Unlike many places I spoke to, Ken is open to doing small orders, even onesy-twosey orders. Ken’s product is also amazing. IMG_0233Here is a picture of a black t-shirt he did for me, in high quality Hanes. Also, a really nice moisture-wicking gray shirt.

    Ken can do Hoodies, T-Shirts, Wicking or tight fitting workout shirts (similar to Under Armor.)

    What really impressed me is this however: Look at the picture to the right. The Logo is not ON the fabric. The Logo is IN the fabric. No more having the picture or letters on your favorite shirt crack after 6 months.

    Ken also has a copy of an MMA Logo I have done just like the Judo Logo. I can also ship him any martial art name you want as a Logo witin a few minutes (Muay Thai, etc.)

    But if you call Ken at Color Crew, and tell him that Utah Martial Arts sent you, he’ll do shirts with whatever logo or words you want, even your own. Heck, they can even help you make a logo or pattern. High quality shirts under $10. Plus, he has Large and Tall sizes (for a few bucks more.)

    Crew Colors: (801) 446-3582