Author: Ed Kapp

UFC 141: Vladimir Matyushenko Sits Down for an Exclusive Interview

For almost as long as Vladimir Matyushenko can remember, he has dreamt of making his living as a martial artist. At age 10, Matyushenko, who was born and raised in Belarus, first tried his hand at wrestling. From there, it didn’t take long for Ma…

For almost as long as Vladimir Matyushenko can remember, he has dreamt of making his living as a martial artist.

At age 10, Matyushenko, who was born and raised in Belarus, first tried his hand at wrestling.

From there, it didn’t take long for Matyushenko to fall in love with the sport.

In the world of amateur wrestling, Matyushenko not only found an outlet for his energy and something he was truly passionate about, but also a means to experience life beyond Belarus.

Inspired by the liberty that North America offered, elements of the continent’s popular culture and his adventurous spirit, Matyushenko crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made California his new home in his mid-20s.

“I had no idea what I was going to do (when I came to America),” Matyushenko, 40, recently explained to Bleacher Report. “Wrestling didn’t pay much, because I didn’t have the credentials—although I did graduate from college, eventually—to go and coach. I did dishwashing, cleaning, lumberjacking, construction—everything just to survive and pay my bills.”

At 26, Matyushenko—in perhaps one of the few jobs he had yet to try at that point—first tried his hand at mixed martial arts.

“I saw a few of the first UFCs, with (Ken) Shamrock and Royce Gracie, and I thought that I could do it,” Matyushenko, a long-time wrestling instructor, recounted. “When I had the opportunity, I did it.

“I didn’t know much about grappling—I knew a bit about the chokes and the striking—but my spirit was there and I did it.”

Matyushenko’s first foray in the sport was a single-evening tournament in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in September of 1997. Despite his inexperience, Matyushenko claimed submission victories over Vernon White, Robert Lalonde and Anthony Macias en route to winning the tournament.

According to Matyushenko, it didn’t take long to realize that he could potentially excel as a mixed martial artist.

After more than a decade in the sport, in which he has contested 10 bouts in the Octagon, fought for a UFC championship and gained the respect of fans the world over, the light-heavyweight contender appreciates being called a pioneer of the sport.

“I would say (I’m a pioneer of the sport),” Matyushenko, who has fought in Canada, Germany, Japan and the United States, said with a chuckle. “I’m one of the oldest guys left. I like when people call me that.”

Although Matyushenko is happy with what he’s been able to accomplish on the canvas so far, the former IFL star isn’t done with the sport just yet.

On December 30th, Matyushenko, who has registered 14 victories in his past 16 outings, is to square off against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 141 in Las Vegas.

Regardless of the outcome of his upcoming contest (“you always plan to win,” he said with a laugh), Matyushenko emphasized that he has plans to compete in the sport in the coming year and, perhaps, beyond.

“I think 2012 is going to be a good year,” Matyushenko offered. “People ask me how much longer I’d like to fight, but I really don’t know—I really can’t say.”

When he does walk away from professional competition, Matyushenko won’t be traveling too far from the cage. The man they call “The Janitor,” who owns a martial arts academy in California, intends on continuing his coaching career.

Three decades after first trying his hand at wrestling, these days Matyushenko can’t help but reflect on how important the influence of athletics has been in his life.

“That’s what built me and made me who I am,” explained Matyushenko, who was married in 2011. “I have no idea (where I would be without athletics). I am so, so glad that I did it. It’s taught me so much.

“It created me and developed me as a person.”

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UFC 141: Nam Phan Tries to Keep the Losing to a Minimum

When Bruce Buffer announced the verdict for Nam Phan’s match against Leonard Garcia at UFC 136, Phan was admittedly feeling uneasy in the center of the Octagon. “I was very scared,” Phan, 28, recently admitted to Bleacher Report. &ldq…

When Bruce Buffer announced the verdict for Nam Phan’s match against Leonard Garcia at UFC 136, Phan was admittedly feeling uneasy in the center of the Octagon.

“I was very scared,” Phan, 28, recently admitted to Bleacher Report. “I was worried about my job, definitely.”

Perhaps, as those familiar with the UFC’s past practices will argue, Phan had good reason to be a bit anxious.

Two months prior to that moment, Phan dropped a three-round unanimous decision to Mike Brown at UFC 133. Before that, Phan—in one of the most controversial decisions of recent memory—lost an extremely close split decision to Garcia in late-2010.

“I was kind of worried that they might not give me the decision,” Phan recalled. “I was just crossing my fingers.”

Fortunately for Phan—and his crossed fingers—the judges unanimously declared him the match’s victor. According to Phan, it was one of the best moments of his young life.

“I felt like my head was going to explode,” Phan said with a laugh. “When I beat Leonard Garcia, I didn’t sleep all night—I stayed up the whole night! It felt great. It was like prom night, again…There’s really nothing that’s that exciting.”

Moving forward, Phan—not surprisingly—is determined to once again have his hand raised in the Octagon.

Phan’s next opportunity to pick up a victory on the biggest stage of the sport is to come at UFC 141 on Dec. 30, when the former The Ultimate Fighter contender is to take on Jim Hettes.

Hettes, who is to make his second appearance in the Octagon, has recorded nine submission victories in his first nine outings as a professional mixed martial artist. Most recently, Hettes, 24, claimed a second-round rear-naked choke victory over Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres in August.

Despite Hettes’ long list of submission wins, Phan, who made his professional mixed martial arts debut more than a decade ago, is confident that a victory to cap off 2011 is within his reach. Or, as per his philosophy as an athlete—“confident mind, humble words,” he told Bleacher Report earlier this year—he emphasized that he will do everything he can to have his hand raised.

Looking past Phan’s match against Hettes on the 30th, the California product is hoping to once again—again, not surprisingly—experience the thrill of victory a few more times in the UFC’s Octagon in 2012.

“Anytime you win in the UFC is amazing,” Phan explained. “I can’t describe how good it feels…It’s an amazing feeling.”

“I always try to keep the losing to a minimum,” he said with a laugh. “I just hope (2012 holds) more wins. I’m going to do my best for every fight.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 144: Mark Hunt Says "The Next Step Is to Kick the Next Guy’s Teeth In"

When Mark Hunt takes on Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 in February, it will be the first time that the heavyweight contender has showcased his skills before a Japanese audience since May of 2009. Even though it’s been a few years since Hunt has fought i…

When Mark Hunt takes on Cheick Kongo at UFC 144 in February, it will be the first time that the heavyweight contender has showcased his skills before a Japanese audience since May of 2009.

Even though it’s been a few years since Hunt has fought in Asia, he is by no means a stranger to that environment.

Competing in both kickboxing and mixed martial arts—against the highest level of competition in both sports—Hunt has contested nearly two dozen matches in The Land of the Rising Sun over the course of the past 12 years.

As a professional kickboxer, Hunt fought a who’s who of the sport in Japan and won the K-1 World Grand Prix final in 2001.

In the world of mixed martial arts, Hunt claimed victories over Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Wanderlei Silva and even fought Fedor Emelianenko for his Pride FC heavyweight championship in late 2006.

Although he is admittedly excited to make his return to the country in which he first rose to prominence—“I love Japan and am so looking forward to fight(ing) there,” Hunt, 37, recently explained to Bleacher Report—when the man they call “The Smashing Machine” returns to the cage, it is to be business as usual.

“Like every fight, I am going to put my opponent to sleep—we will just see how it pans out,” Hunt offered.

Even though Hunt claimed his return to Japan will just be another business trip, he still intends on making another statement—and, ideally, picking up his third consecutive victory—in his match against Kongo.

“No one on this planet wants to play patty-cake with me,” Hunt explained. “Every fight is like my last, so I will fight them like they are my last.”

Looking past Hunt’s forthcoming return to the Octagon, the former Pride FC heavyweight contender has some relatively simple plans for the future.

“The next step is to kick the next guy’s teeth in.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Anthony Pettis: “I’m Hungrier Than Ever"

In his youth, Anthony Pettis starred on the gridiron, break-danced, boxed and practiced tae kwon do. It was on the hard court, however, where the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, product aspired to one day make his mark. “When I was growing up, I wanted to …

In his youth, Anthony Pettis starred on the gridiron, break-danced, boxed and practiced tae kwon do.

It was on the hard court, however, where the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, product aspired to one day make his mark.

“When I was growing up, I wanted to play in the NBA,” Pettis, 24, recently explained to Bleacher Report.

“I loved basketball.”

Although Pettis dreamt of someday making a living in professional basketball, it was his passion for tae kwon do—and perhaps his affinity for boxing, too—that eventually led to him trying his hand at mixed martial arts.

“I wanted to try something new,” Pettis offered. “I did [tae kwon do] my whole life and I figured that I could use my skills in the cage.”

It didn’t take long for Pettis, who made his professional mixed martial arts debut in January of 2007, to realize that he might be on to something.

“After my first fight—I finished the fight in 24 seconds—I knew that I had what it takes to be great,” Pettis noted.

After he began focusing his attention on mixed martial arts, Pettis quickly found success in the sport.

Pettis won his first eight matches—including seven by way of first-round stoppage—before making his WEC debut in June of 2009.

In the WEC, Pettis won his first match—a first-round submission victory Mike Campbell—before dropping a split-decision loss to Bart Palaszewski at WEC 45.

From there, Pettis went on to claim successive stoppage victories over Danny Castillo, Alex Karalexis and Shane Roller before besting Ben Henderson at WEC 51 to claim the now-defunct organization’s lightweight championship.

Since making the transition to the UFC’s Octagon after the demise of the WEC, Pettis has dropped a decision loss to Clay Guida and, most recently, claimed a decision victory over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 136.

Although he has established himself as one of the sport’s most exciting lightweights, Pettis—who is to return to the Octagon against Joe Lauzon at UFC 144 in February—still has lofty aspirations within the confines of professional mixed martial arts.

“I’m feeling great,” Pettis offered. “I’m hungrier than ever. Very motivated and ready to get back to the top!”

“[My goal in the sport at this point is to be the] undisputed best lightweight in the world…[When I retire, I will be satisfied with] becoming a legend in the sport.”

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Ludwig Trading Autographed Cards for a Good Cause

For Duane Ludwig, the decision to rescue Orinja, a young canine with a troubled past, was a no-brainer. “I’ve always been a huge animal-lover, for one, but seeing this dog in that state of condition was heartbreaking,” Ludwig recently expla…

For Duane Ludwig, the decision to rescue Orinja, a young canine with a troubled past, was a no-brainer.

“I’ve always been a huge animal-lover, for one, but seeing this dog in that state of condition was heartbreaking,” Ludwig recently explained to Bleacher Report. 

“She has lived her entire three to five-year life on the end of a chain, going without food and water for days at a time in San Antonio, Texas—where it can get very hot. We suspect she was a breeding-machine for pit-bull fighters.”

Since leaving Texas for Colorado, Orinja has adjusted nicely to the Ludwig household—which includes Duane, his wife, two children and a number of Jack Russell terriers. It didn’t take too long, however, for Orinja’s troubled past to catch up to her—with a bill in tow.

“She has a good amount of arthritis in her back, and after having her for two months, one of her discs ruptured and her back legs would not work,” Ludwig explained.

“(Her) injury was a ruptured disc between her L1 and L2, which was pinching her spinal cords and not allowing her to use her back legs. It’s all repaired and she is expected to make a full recovery, but the surgery alone was $6,800.00.”

In an effort to pay for the unexpected expense—which, when coupled with travelling costs and other procedures, Ludwig pegged at $7,400.00—the man they call “Bang” decided to make fans—and fellow-animal-lovers—an offer that they’d be hard-pressed to refuse.

 

For the foreseeable future, Ludwig is offering fans—although that is by no-means a prerequisite—an autographed Topps trading card for a minimum $10.00 donation to Orinja’s cause.

“(The idea) just came to me,” Ludwig explained. “I don’t want to just ask people to help her and people are always hitting me up for autographed items. I’m going to do what Bas Rutten does and donate all the money. But I’ll help animals with mine.” 

Although Ludwig, who can be reached at [email protected], is hoping his efforts will cover Orinja’s procedure, the Colorado-native has his sights set on raising funds for similar causes in the coming years.

“I’m going to continue to donate my store-item profits on www.duanebang.com to the New York Bully Crew,” said Ludwig, who is to return to the UFC’s Octagon against Josh Neer at UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller in January. “And continue to (sell) signed eight-by-tens and cards to help out the animals.”

“I’m going to wear (the New York Bully Crew’s) logo on my fight gear for Jan 20th and hopefully drive some attention towards them because they help those who can’t help themselves. I support those who help animals.”

For those not interested in an autographed card, but still want to help out, please check out: http://tinyneedshelp.chipin.com/orinjas-surgery

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Sam King Talks MMA Debut: "I Can’t Imagine It Going Any Better, Really"

Prior to Sam King’s amateur mixed martial arts debut, the Regina, Saskatchewan product had his sights set on one day making his living in the world of professional mixed martial arts. If King’s first match—a stunning first round knock…

Prior to Sam King’s amateur mixed martial arts debut, the Regina, Saskatchewan product had his sights set on one day making his living in the world of professional mixed martial arts.

If King’s first match—a stunning first round knockout victory over Chris Berry ­­­­­­at Saturday Night Fights 4 in Regina on Dec. 3rd—is any indication, ­­­ the prospect of someday collecting cheques in the sport may be well within the 20-year-old featherweight’s reach.

AJ Scales, King’s head trainer at Complete Martial Arts and Fitness in the Queen City, most likely agrees with this assertion.

“Sam’s debut was beautiful,” Scales said with a laugh. “I couldn’t be more proud, to be honest.”

“It felt amazing—it really did,” King added. “To get the knockout felt great … I can’t imagine it going any better, really.”

Following his introduction to amateur mixed martial arts competition, King is yet to reassess his career prospects in the highly-competitive sport.

“In the sport, my goals are still the same as they were before this fight,” King noted. “I’m still looking to make a career out of it. That’s been my goal for a while and that hasn’t changed.”

Although King is anxiously awaiting his return to the ring and got back to training within 48 hours of his impressive debut, the young 145-pound competitor insists that he is in no real hurry.

“I’m still looking for the next one,” King said. “I’m back to training and I just want to take it one step at a time. I’m going to wait for AJ to set something up. I’m going to wait, because it’s really up to him right now.”

Although nothing is set in stone, King will most likely return to action at Saturday Night Fights 5 in May—a prospect that admittedly excites the young mixed martial artist.

Looking past his second bout, both he and Scales insist that King has what it takes to accomplish his goal of one day making a living as a professional mixed martial artist.

“It will take a lot of hard work, for sure, but I’m committed to going to the next level in this sport,” King, who travelled to Thailand to train at the famed Tiger Muay Thai academy earlier this year, explained. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes, really.”

“(Sam) has decided that he’s going to make a go of this,” Scales, a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and undefeated mixed martial artist, recently told Bleacher Report. “I’m going to do my best to groom him and help him do exactly what he wants to do with this. He’s started off really well, for sure. I think the future is very bright for Sam.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com