(Shirtless Saturdays just aren’t going to be the same around the gym without Nick.)
MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani caught up with UFC on Fox 3 headliner Nate Diaz today at the press conference today in New York for the New Jersey event and the lightweight contender revealed that he thinks his brother Nick’s days in the Octagon are over.
“Triathlon season is starting so he’s just training, getting in shape for that. [He’s] concentrating on being in shape, being healthy, helping me out and coaching me for my fights. Right now, I don’t think [we’ll ever see him back]. He’s just big on, like I said, just being healthy and staying in shape and not worrying about [fighting] and thinking about it. I think he’s retired. He hasn’t been into this whole fighting thing for some time, you know? Since everything that goes on with the funny wins and losses — for not just him — for me and for people on our team. I think he’s just relaxed right now and he’s pretty set on his retirement. I kind of agree with him, you know? It’s hard to say, especially when it’s somebody like my brother,” Nate explained.
Check out the video and the rest of what Nate had to say about the situation after the jump.
(Shirtless Saturdays just aren’t going to be the same around the gym without Nick.)
MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani caught up with UFC on Fox 3 headliner Nate Diaz today at the press conference today in New York for the New Jersey event and the lightweight contender revealed that he thinks his brother Nick’s days in the Octagon are over.
“Triathlon season is starting so he’s just training, getting in shape for that. [He’s] concentrating on being in shape, being healthy, helping me out and coaching me for my fights. Right now, I don’t think [we’ll ever see him back]. He’s just big on, like I said, just being healthy and staying in shape and not worrying about [fighting] and thinking about it. I think he’s retired. He hasn’t been into this whole fighting thing for some time, you know? Since everything that goes on with the funny wins and losses — for not just him — for me and for people on our team. I think he’s just relaxed right now and he’s pretty set on his retirement. I kind of agree with him, you know? It’s hard to say, especially when it’s somebody like my brother,” Nate explained.
“I’m not going to tell him to go fight somebody. I think he’s doing the right thing, you know? Whatever. He made enough money to just chill back, sit back and relax, you know? People don’t understand, Nick never had nothing. He came from not much, so… He complained a lot about not making much money because there’s so many people making more money than him that he works 10 times harder than, so. But they definitely paid him enough money to not have to do anything. He don’t need to fight,” he told Helwani.
So there you have it, unless Nick simply isn’t one for sharing his feelings with his friends and family, which we highly doubt, we may have seen the last of the ornery Stockton native in the cage. At least there’s still a chance we might see him join the thoughtful and caring business of boxing, where I’m sure he’ll have no problems with promoters or reporters.
A Florida-based MMA fighter and former Marine who did three tours in Iraq was arrested and charged with seven criminal counts Monday in Coral Springs Florida in relation to a road rage incident that allegedly occurred yesterday afternoon.
A Sun Sentinal report states that 31-year-old Fernando Rodrigues was taken into custody after allegedly chasing down a motorist after becoming incensed that the driver took too long to go through an intersection. Catching up to the vehicle, which had pulled over so the driver could call the police, Rodrigues is alleged to have pistol whipped and pointed his handgun at the two male occupants of the vehicle before beating and kicking them at gunpoint while they lay on the shoulder of the road. According to the official police report charges against Rodrigues, who runs an American Top Team affiliated gym (and is not the founder of the revered fight camp as incorrectly stated in both the Sun Sentinal and NBC Miami stories today) include armed burglary, assault and battery with a weapon, three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
By Mike Russell
A Florida-based MMA fighter and former Marine who did three tours in Iraq was arrested and charged with seven criminal counts Monday in Coral Springs Florida in relation to a road rage incident that allegedly occurred yesterday afternoon.
A Sun Sentinal report states that 31-year-old Fernando Rodrigues was taken into custody after allegedly chasing down a motorist after becoming incensed that the driver took too long to go through an intersection. Catching up to the vehicle, which had pulled over so the driver could call the police, Rodrigues is alleged to have pistol whipped and pointed his handgun at the two male occupants of the vehicle before beating and kicking them at gunpoint while they lay on the shoulder of the road. According to the official police report charges against Rodrigues, who runs an American Top Team affiliated gym (and is not the founder of the revered fight camp as incorrectly stated in both the Sun Sentinal and NBC Miami stories today) include armed burglary, assault and battery with a weapon, three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.
Surprisingly, most of the assault and battery charges pertain not to attacks on the victims with the handgun he possessed at the time, but rather to the assault he inflicted on the driver and passenger of the other car with his hands and feet, which prosecutors successfully argued with the bail judge should be considered deadly weapons since he is a trained professional mixed martial artist. As a result, the 3-4-1 fighter was denied bail.
Steven Seagal might be soon put on a no-fly list given this dangerous precedent.
We spoke with actualAmerican Top Team co-founder and main academy head coach Ricardo Liborio about the serious case today, and he expressed his dismay and concern over the incident and stressed that, contrary to the erroneous statement made by the prosecutor about his role with ATT, Fernandes does not fight under their banner, nor does he train under him. He is hopeful that although Fernandes’ facility was technically affiliated with his revered gym and the ATT brand, the unfortunate and appalling incident will not reflect poorly on his camp, as it shouldn’t.
“Fernando Rodrigues is NOT a co-founder of American Top Team, nor is he an American Top Team fighter,” Liborio clarified to CagePotato.com. “He has never fought for or represented American Top Team. His only involvement is an investor in an affiliated academy in Aventura, Florida.”
Ironically, during a conversation I had with Liborio last week about his ATT family for a piece for an upcoming issue of Fighters Only Magazine, the longtime trainer detailed how instilling the importance of honor and camaraderie in the athletes he trains, who he says he considers to be like his sons and daughters, is as important as teaching them how to fight and honing their combat skills.
Sadly, Fernandes never had the opportunity to experience the positive influence Liborio exudes over fighters like Thiago Alves and Jorge Masvidal among others, or we may not be reporting this unfortunate news today.
Silva, who is returning from a one-year suspension for submitting artificial urine to the California State Athletic Commission in an attempt to mask steroid use ahead of his UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera, was originally slated to rematch “The Truth” at UFC on Fuel 3 on May 15 before a training injury forced his opponent out of the bout. Igor Pokrajac stepped up to replace Vera, but it looks like the UFC will now have to find a replacement for the Croation.
Silva, who is returning from a one-year suspension for submitting artificial urine to the California State Athletic Commission in an attempt to mask steroid use ahead of his UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera, was originally slated to rematch “The Truth” at UFC on Fuel 3 on May 15 before a training injury forced his opponent out of the bout. Igor Pokrajac stepped up to replace Vera, but it looks like the UFC will now have to find a replacement for the Croation.
This bout definitely provides a step up for Silva in competition from his previously slated two opponents, but this isn’t the first time the 29-year-old has faced a highly-touted adversary. A win over a bright prospect like “The Mauler” could propel the American Top Team fighter, who is 1-2 and 1 NC in his past four fights, back into the mix of 205-pound UFC contenders.
Gustafsson (13-1) will have the home crowd in Sweden on his side, as well as the momentum of four-straight wins — three in the past year — inside the Octagon. Silva’s inactivity may be the biggest factor in this fight, but Gustafsson may have a chink in his armor that the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt might be able to expose. The sole loss of the 25-year-old’s career came against Phil Davis via first-round anaconda choke, which makes the pairing with Silva — a known knockout artist with unheralded submission skills, very intriguing.
UFC on Fuel 2, AKA UFC Sweden Saturday, April 14, 2012 Ericsson Globe Arena Stockholm, Sweden
Main Card (Fuel TV):
Thiago Silva vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara
Paulo Thiago vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
DaMarques Johnson vs. John Maguire
Preliminary Card (FX):
Diego Nunes vs. Dennis Siver
Brad Pickett vs. Damacio Page
Papy Abedi vs. James Head
Cyrille Diabate vs. Jörgen Kruth
ason Young vs. Eric Wisely
Reza Madadi vs. Yoislandy Izquierdo
Francis Carmont vs. Magnus Cedenblad
Simeon Thoresen vs. Besam Yousef
(One of these guys will likely get the winner of Showtime-Bendo II)
The UFC held a press conference in New York City today for the May 5 UFC on Fox 3 show, which we would have covered live, had they not rejected our credential application AGAIN. Thankfully we still have access to these things via YouTube.
Probably the most interesting tidbit to come out of the event was Dana White’s assertion that the winner of the Jim Miller-Nate Diaz bout would likely be the next in line for a title shot after Anthony Pettis.
It makes sense, even though Nate is only 2-0 in his current run as a lightweight and Jim lost his last bout against Ben Henderson. When you look at the fact that Diaz beat Melvin Guillard and Donald Cerrone as a lightweight, has only lost to Gray Maynard, Clay Guida and Joe Stevenson in the Octagon at 155 and he has never been finished and that prior to losing to the current champ, Miller had only ever been defeated by Frankie Edgar and Maynard, it makes sense.
Really, besides giving Edgar another shot — which he really should have to earn, considering he lost fair and square to Henderson — who else deserves a crack at the belt?
Tickets for the May 5 event, that takes place in New Jersey at the Izod Center, go on sale tomorrow.
Check out the full vid of the presser after the jump.
(One of these guys will likely get the winner of Showtime-Bendo II)
The UFC held a press conference in New York City today for the May 5 UFC on Fox 3 show, which we would have covered live, had they not rejected our credential application AGAIN. Thankfully we still have access to these things via YouTube.
Probably the most interesting tidbit to come out of the event was Dana White’s assertion that the winner of the Jim Miller-Nate Diaz bout would likely be the next in line for a title shot after Anthony Pettis.
It makes sense, even though Nate is only 2-0 in his current run as a lightweight and Jim lost his last bout against Ben Henderson. When you look at the fact that Diaz beat Melvin Guillard and Donald Cerrone as a lightweight, has only lost to Gray Maynard, Clay Guida and Joe Stevenson in the Octagon at 155 and he has never been finished and that prior to losing to the current champ, Miller had only ever been defeated by Frankie Edgar and Maynard, it makes sense.
Really, besides giving Edgar another shot — which he really should have to earn, considering he lost fair and square to Henderson — who else deserves a crack at the belt?
Tickets for the May 5 event, that takes place in New Jersey at the Izod Center, go on sale tomorrow.
Snapping the honor away from Tate (pun intended) was Bryan Jones Jr. who had his leg snapped by a slam executed by opponent Justin Lee Fowler at CageQuest 1 on Saturday. Even better than the first video of the injury below is the crowd’s reaction from the second one.
(Video courtesy of YouTube/stp0311)
(Video courtesy of YouTube/kcairns1)
Just so we don’t leave you wanting more, here’s a gif of Rousey’s armbar on Tate, which shockingly didn’t inflict any broken bones. According to Miesha, there is likely some ligament damage, which is sometimes more of a bitch to repair.
If you were to ask 100 MMA fans to define mixed martial arts in a word, their responses would differ greatly. If you asked the same census group to define the sport in a name, nearly all would give you the same answer: Gracie.
While some would likely say that Rorian and Royce — having respectively founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship and won three of its first four tournaments in decisive fashion — were the impetus behind their answer, most would likely point to Gracie jiu-jitsu originators Helio and Carlos Gracie as the reason for their response.
Carlos and Helio were innovators, who, although they didn’t invent the art of jujitsu, or it’s “successor,” judo, they did arguably revolutionize the hybrid fighting art, making it more effective than both, especially when used by smaller combatants against larger opponents.
To the brothers, their variation of the centuries old Japanese martial art form, now known universally as “Brazilian” or “Gracie” jiu-jitsu, was not just simply efficacious in competition; it was equally as useful in self-defense and street fighting scenarios — a point they have stressed since introducing it to the masses more than 80 years ago.
Decades before Rorian and Royce made history with the UFC, their father Helio represented the Gracie name and defended its honor in scores of challenge matches designed to prove that GJJ — an offshoot of Kodokan judo, which was taught to them by Japanese immigrant and judo master Mitsuyo Maeda, was more effective than any other form of martial art.
(Video courtesy of YouTube/RootsofFight)
If you were to ask 100 MMA fans to define mixed martial arts in a word, their responses would differ greatly. If you asked the same census group to define the sport in a name, nearly all would give you the same answer: Gracie.
While some would likely say that Rorian and Royce — having respectively founded the Ultimate Fighting Championship and won three of its first four tournaments in decisive fashion — were the impetus behind their answer, most would likely point to Gracie jiu-jitsu originators Helio and Carlos Gracie as the reason for their response.
Carlos and Helio were innovators, who, although they didn’t invent the art of jujitsu, or it’s “successor,” judo, they did arguably revolutionize the hybrid fighting art, making it more effective than both, especially when used by smaller combatants against larger opponents.
To the brothers, their variation of the centuries old Japanese martial art form, now known universally as “Brazilian” or “Gracie” jiu-jitsu, was not just simply efficacious in competition; it was equally as useful in self-defense and street fighting scenarios — a point they have stressed since introducing it to the masses more than 80 years ago.
Decades before Rorian and Royce made history with the UFC, their father Helio represented the Gracie name and defended its honor in scores of challenge matches designed to prove that GJJ — an offshoot of Kodokan judo, which was taught to them by Japanese immigrant and judo master Mitsuyo Maeda, was more effective than any other form of martial art.
One of our new favorite MMA clothing brands, Roots of Fight, who just happen to be fans of the site, have just released a new line of shirts from their Bloodlines collection celebrating the Gracies and their contributions to grappling and MMA, and it is awesome.
Inspired by the passport received by new members at the original Gracie Academy, the soft tri-blend heather green shirt is simple, yet stylish.
The Academia Gracie T-shirt
Featuring super soft, hand-drawn prints on premium cotton vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts also inspired by the Gracie Academy members’ passport these variations features a throwback “AG” insignia and the Gracie name to celebrate the roots of the Gracie JJ Academy.
The Academia Gracie Crew Neck Sweat Shirt
…and our personal favorite, which was released today:
An off-white, premium vintage tri-blend shirt commemorating the historic 1951 bout between Helio and judo master Masahiko Kimura, the T-shirt captures the spirit of what a fight T from the epic bout would have looked like back then.
ROF has graciously furnished us with one of each of the shirts above to award to one lucky winner. We’ll get to the details in a minute.
If you aren’t able to watch the video above at work, make sure you bookmark it for later. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Rener Gracie does a bang-up job as always breaking down the fight between his grandfather and Kimura.
Now, we know you’re not all MMA historians like the guys from Roots of Fight and CagePotato.com are, so we’ve put together a brief Gracie primer below for those of you who are unfamiliar with the story of how Helio’s game-changing bout with Kimura came about, and what it meant for the family. For the rest of you, skip to the bottom to find out how to win the fantastic shirts from our friends atRoots of Fight.
In 1932, at the age of just 18, Helio faced a Japanese professional wrestler and judoka by the name of Takashi Namiki and fought through to a draw after three 10-minute rounds. The match proved a decent litmus test of the young Brazilian’s skill after training in the discipline with his brother since he was 14. After going undefeated for 19 years, including draws and submissions of several traditional judo players from Japan, the Japanese masters began to take the Gracie’s claims that theirs was the most effective offshoot of jujitsu seriously.
In 1950, Masahiko Kimura, Japan’s best judoka of the era traveled to Brazil to lay down the gauntlet. He told the Gracies that he wouldn’t waste his time fighting Helio as his country’s second and third best would wipe the mats with the gangly 37-year-old and that they would prove as much in a few months.
Finally, on September 6, 1951, Helio Gracie and Yukio Kato, who was considered the number two judoka in Japan at the time, squared off at Maracana stadium in front of a raucous crowd. After three back and forth rounds of furious action the match was declared a draw. Kato was more aggressive in the first round and repeatedly tried to finish the fight in the frame with spectacular throws. Helio weathered the storm and took control of the second round by taking his opponent to the canvas, where he worked for submission after submission. Dominating the third round as well, under today’s rules Gracie, who had a 14-pound weight disadvantage in the bout, would have been declared the winner, however because neither man submitted or knocked the other out, the match was called a stalemate.
Confident he would take the rematch, Kato challenged Helio to another bout one month later, under the stipulation that this time the match would take place in a ring with ropes to avoid escapes.
On Saturday, October 29, 1951 Kato and Gracie fought for the second time, at Pacaembu Gymnasium in São Paulo. after a couple of spectacular throws in the opening minutes, Kato attempted to finish the fight on the ground with a choke while passing the guard. Gracie, aware of the dangerous position he was in, managed to roll out of the hold and used his flexibility to recover his guard, where he was able to apply a front choke from his back. The choke was tighter than Kato assumed and the Japanese judoka was rendered unconscious just eight minutes into the first round of the bout. Helio had won the bout and proven that Gracie Jiu-Jitsu was legit.
In an effort to regain judo’s glory, Kimura relented and challenged Helio to a bout, which went down in front of more than 200,000 of Gracie’s compatriots on October 31, 1951 at the Maracana Stadium — a massive soccer arena.
Outweighing the Brazilian by over 75 pounds, Kimura boldly boasted to the local media that if Helio could last more than three minutes, he would be declared the winner of the bout. The huge size and strength advantage proved to be too much for Helio. Although he was able to survive through the first 10-minute round using his defensive style and skill off his back, three minutes into the second round Carlos would step in to stop the match when he felt his brother would be risking major injury by refusing to tap out to a shoulder lock. He had escaped the submission several times in the bout and felt that he would once again be able to get out of it, but never got the opportunity. The lock from that point on became known in jiu-jitsu circles as the “Kimura.”
Although he had technically lost the bout due to forfeiture, Helio had proven that he could hang with arguably the best grappler in the world at the time and had “won” according to the stipulations set out by Kimura.
After the fight, Kimura, who endorsed Helio as a fourth-degree black belt in judo, publicly praised Gracie’s unique ground fighting technique and invited him to teach in his dojo in Japan — a gesture which was nearly unheard of at the time since martial arts in the country were traditionally taught strictly by Japanese grandmasters. The bout and the subsequent seal of approval from the judo legend was the watershed moment for Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and although the techniques haven’t changed a lot over the years, GJJ has continued to dominate the fight game ever since.
Now that you have the back-story, if you were one of the few who didn’t already know it, here’s what you need to do to win some amazing clothing from one of the sport’s newest and most promising clothing brands so you can rep GJJ with equal parts honor and style:
Tell us in 80 characters or less what the Gracie name means to fighting — be it jiu-jitsu, MMA or otherwise. Write about whatever strikes you, from your introduction to GJJ or the first time you saw Royce dominate at UFC 1, to the grace and honor the name evokes. It doesn’t have to be Hemingway-esque as long as the message is sincere and from the heart.
Tweet your entry to @RootsofFight @GracieBrothers and @CagePotatoMMA with the hash tag #THEGRACIENAME and follow all three accounts on Twitter. One entry per person.
That’s it.
Contest deadline is Friday, March 9, 2012 at 5:00 pm ET. Good luck.
If you don’t think you have the writing ferocity to win the contest, or if you simply aren’t the lucky winner, all of the shirts will be available this week for order on Roots of Fight’s website or at MMAWarehouse.com.
