Author: Rhonda Roginson

Will Josh Lening Be Crowned King of the Ring?

Josh Lening, who trains at Complete Martial Arts in Shelby North Carolina, plans on being King of the Ring this Saturday when he faces off against Georgia’s own Austin Guarino.
According to Lening and Michael Allen this is a fight that has b…

Josh Lening, who trains at Complete Martial Arts in Shelby North Carolina, plans on being King of the Ring this Saturday when he faces off against Georgia’s own Austin Guarino.

According to Lening and Michael Allen this is a fight that has been in the making for some time. Both Lening and Allen claim that Guarino backed out of a previous fight that was scheduled. Guarino was given the opportunity to respond about backing out of a fight. His response was that until this current fight no promoter had ever mentioned Lening’s name. Guarino went on to say that he has never signed a contract and not fought.

Guarino stated that Lening and Allen are making false statements.  Guarino had some choice words for Lening, but says he will let his fists do the talking and will make Lening never want to utter his name again.

Lening, who is (2-3) as a professional MMA Heavyweight, has been training in MMA since 2007.  Lening had his first fight in 2008, which won in a mere 44 seconds. He has not stopped fighting since. He turned pro in 2009 and hopes to one day be able to train full time and teach MMA. 

This heavyweight has a background in Boxing, Wrestling, BJJ and Tang So Doo. He trains under third degree black belt Brandon Beach and feels that he is a well-rounded fighter. Lening loves to stand and bang and get in as much dirty boxing as possible. The game plan for this Saturday is to overpower Guarino in the first round and to see if Guarino wants to play around or fight like a man.  Lening hopes to go the distance or close to it with Guarino so he can demonstrate just how powerful and dominant he is.

Lening says he is looking forward to testing the waters with his opponent and does not want to fight scrubs that are just there for a payday. 

Lening is originally from the Atlanta area, but now lives in North Carolina and says he too will have all of his fans, friends and family there to support him. Lening is not worried about fighting in Guarino’s backyard and is well prepared for this fight. Lening is honored to be in the main event on such a highly anticipated card. 

Lening would like to thank the following:  Adrian Patrick,Conflict Fighting, Bread and Butter Management, his teammates, family and wife. 

This is sure to be an exciting bout between these two hard hitting professionals so those of you from North Carolina and surrounding areas need to make that trip this Saturday to show your support for Lening as he and Guarino go to war!

King of the Ring IV

DATE: Aug. 27, 2011 – Doors: 6:30pm Fight: 7:30pm

LOCATION: The Grand Ballroom – 6100 Live Oak Parkway – (Atlanta) Norcross, GA

(Off Jimmy Carter Blvd)

Buy Tickets Online at www.KoKings.net

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The Vicious Repeat Offender of Georgia MMA: Austin Guarino

For over a month now, Austin Guarino’s name has been mentioned multiple times in phone conversations, emails, facebook postings and texts.  Some people love him; some people love to hate him.Either way, Guarino is a man on a mission to becom…

For over a month now, Austin Guarino’s name has been mentioned multiple times in phone conversations, emails, facebook postings and texts.  Some people love him; some people love to hate him.

Either way, Guarino is a man on a mission to become the very best Professional HWT in the state of Georgia. He is 5-1 as an amateur and 2-0 as a professional.  He has ripped through his first two professional opponents like a violent and dangerous F5 Tornado.  This Saturday will be a good test for Guarino, as he faces Josh Lening who holds a perfect record of 6-0 as an amateur and is 2-3 as a professional.

Guarino trains with Warren Thompson of Iron Clutch, Team Quest (Dan Henderson, Dave Herman and Ovince St. Preux) and Justin Montgomery in wrestling.   Guarino is known for his ability to stand and bang and has KO power in both hands and almost every other part of his body.  His hands are deadly weapons that quickly leave his opponents waking up on the canvas, wanting to know what happened. 

Gaurino is confident and well-prepared for his fight and feels he has shown growth in utilizing his skills with his previous opponents.

He credits his growth to the high caliber of training he receives on a continual basis.  Guarino trains three times a day for three to four hours in the areas of cross fit, lifting and sparring.  He says his cardio is at an optimal level due to cross fit training.  Guarino has been very fortunate to train with some of the best in the world. 

It is a far cry from how he started out, training in an old chicken house with equipment that was being thrown away in a dumpster.  Guarino was very creative and made the most of what he had to work with, and it has paid off big time for him.

Guarino was discovered by Lane Collyer, and this is how it happened:

“It was definitely strange.  After skiing, I went into a bar for pizza and a beer and somehow the bartender and I struck up a conversation about what I do for work and the barkeep says ‘Hey, I got a guy for you’ and I was of course hearing this quite a lot, not at all interested but met with him later and then gave him a shot.  Crazy!”

Adrian Patrick is credited with making Guarino successful as a professional and has really helped get his name out in the “Who’s who among the MMA Elite.”  Patrick says Guarino is the future in MMA and wants to help him by only matching him with progressive fighters who will challenge him. 

Andy Foster, director of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, says Guarino has a great deal of potential and needs to be tested against the best.

Guarino wants to fight three more times and then go into one of the big organizations and showcase his skills against the best in the business.  He is not taking his fight with Lening lightly. He knows Lening is going to be a challenge he has to be prepared for.  Guarino wants to take this opportunity to test the waters and see where he stands.

None of Guarino’s fights have lasted more than two minutes.  He hopes that this one will so he can gage his performance accordingly, as well as give his family, friends and supporters something to watch as he headlines King of the Ring IV in Norcross, GA, this Saturday.

Guarino would like to thank his parents, Chris and Jennifer Guarino, for their hard work and support by allowing him to train full-time.  He would also like to thank his coaches and training partner, Nick Smiley, for always being there for him.

He is especially grateful to his sponsors, Roswell Auto Brokers, and to American Body Works for his cardio and conditioning.  Guarino knows that without the help of his family and supporters he would not be where he is today.

Only time will tell if Guarino will continue to be a repeat offender in the MMA world.  If you are a fan of Guarino’s, you should not miss this fight.  I am looking forward to seeing this young man in action!

 

King of the Ring IV

The Grand Ballroom:

6100 Live Oak Pkwy (Atlanta) Norcross, GA

 

Doors: 6:30pm

Fight: 7:30pm

(Off Jimmy Carter Blvd)

 

Buy Tickets Online at www.KoKings.net

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The " Triangular Strangler" Joe Pearson Is Ready to Strike Again

Joe Pearson holds the record for the most wins in MMA by Triangle Choke and has been dubbed the “Triangular Strangler” for a good reason. Pearson holds a professional record of 42-17-1 and stands 5’9″ and fights in the 135-pound divis…

Joe Pearson holds the record for the most wins in MMA by Triangle Choke and has been dubbed the “Triangular Strangler” for a good reason. Pearson holds a professional record of 42-17-1 and stands 5’9″ and fights in the 135-pound division. Pearson trained for many years with Miletich Fighting Systems, and for the past nine years has been training with the legendary Spencer “The King” Fisher, with Team Evolution in Bettendorf, Iowa.

Fisher only had high praises for Pearson and says that he can see a tremendous amount of potential in this fighter. Fisher stated that Pearson is a wonderful fighter, teammate and provider for his family. Fisher says Pearson is known to have KO power in both hands, and with a few more fights and some good PR he will be on his way to the top.

Pearson would love to be able to train full-time, but somehow manages to keep up a rigorous training schedule while working and taking care of his of family. Pearson trains in BJJ, boxing and wrestling, and has world class stand-up. Pearson has been like a diamond in the rough, but now he is all polished up and ready to shine. He is ready to make his way to the top, and how could he not with his skills and such a great support and training system that he has in place.

Pearson could very well be the best kept secret in the 135-pound professional MMA realm. Take note all you 135-pounders: Joe Pearson is a man on the move and would love to show you how he earned his name as the “Triangular Strangler.”

Pearson has a fight coming up next Friday, August 26th, against Mike Linquist at the Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, 52722. The promoter is Monte Cox, and Pearson will be fighting at Extreme Challenge 191. If you have not had the pleasure of watching Pearson fight, and are anywhere in driving distance of Bettendorf, IA, go out and support Pearson and see if he can add yet another win by Triangle Choke. Pearson is looking to improve his standing to a four-fight winning streak. Pearson plans to have a choke and a smile after he annihilates and violates his next victim. 

Pearson, who has fought in major organizations such as Pride and WEC, looks forward to evolving his skills as an MMA competitor, and in the near future becoming the newest member of the 135-pound division in the UFC. 

 

If you would like more information about The “Triangular Strangler” please contact  [email protected]

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Sam " 3rd Degree" Burns Takes on Dustin " Mr. Sexy" Long at Rising Fight League

Sam Burns is on fire and looking to make his claim to fame on August 19, 2011 at The Talley Ward Center, 324 S. James Street, Morristown, TN.  Burns, who has been passionate about MMA for many years, was inspired by The UFC. His cousin, Billy &ldq…

Sam Burns is on fire and looking to make his claim to fame on August 19, 2011 at The Talley Ward Center, 324 S. James Street, Morristown, TN.  Burns, who has been passionate about MMA for many years, was inspired by The UFC. His cousin, Billy “The Kid” Mullins, who is a professional MMA fighter and Fit Factory in Sevierville, TN decided to take it one step further and pursue his own dreams.

Burns started training about a year ago and has had some of the best in the business to help him.  He trains with Section 8 MMA in Lexington, NC and has two a record of (2-0) at HWT and (1-0) at Light HWT.

Burns is an inspiration to watch in the cage because he is always at full throttle and turns into a mad man.  He has the energy and quickness of a lightweight and the power and strength of a lightweight. Burns is on a roll and has no plans of slowing down until he is the new LT. HWT Rising Fight League Champion.  Burns has a background in wrestling and has been expanding his other skills including his reach as he faces Dustin Long (3-1), who has a height advantage over Burns.

To prepare for this fight, Burns has been training with guys that are taller than Long, and that are heavyweights.  Burns has a rigorous training schedule that he faithfully sticks by and feels that it will pay off next Saturday when he has his hand raised in victory.  Burns plans on finishing the fight and will not leave it up to the judges for a decision.  Burns loves to stand and bang with his opponents, and says that although he has not had to use his ground game yet, he will be ready to do so if needed.  Burns’ ground game is just as solid as his stand-up and he feels that he is ready to take on anything that Long has to offer.

Burns stated, “If Long can deal it, he better be able to take it” because I am ready for anything!

Burns brings controlled chaos to the cage, both with his choice of walk in music and his elaborate choice in hair color which this time will be a lovely shade of purple!

Burns feels that the diligent effort he has put into this training camp makes him very well prepared to go from being in a #1 contender fight to Rising Fight League LT. HWT Champion!  I can’t wait to see the battle between 3rd degree and Long.

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Raleigh, NC Native Matt Coakley Wins Bantamweight Title at Rock the Dock III

Matt Coakley (9-4) Team Roc, Raleigh, NC is the proud new owner of the previous vacant Bantamweight Title, which he quickly captured at “Rock at the Dock III” on May 14th during the co-main event. Matt truly was rocking the dock last night in Moo…

Matt Coakley (9-4) Team Roc, Raleigh, NC is the proud new owner of the previous vacant Bantamweight Title, which he quickly captured at “Rock at the Dock III” on May 14th during the co-main event. Matt truly was rocking the dock last night in Mooresville, NC by defeating Antonio Woodard by KO close to two minutes into the first round.

Matt was calm, cool and collected before entering the cage, after being given a pep talk by his trainers Billy Dowey and Jason Culbreth. Matt stated that his trainers lit a fire in his eyes that could not be controlled by a very inspiring pep talk prior to the fight.

Matt came out to “Welcome to the Jungle” and did his pre-victory dance to establish his dominance and to show he was ready to do work. His trainers told him no eye contact until your attack begins, and Coakley followed the directive to the letter.  This upset his opponent because when it was time to touch gloves before the bell rang, Coakley said he felt disrespected because his opponent did not take the touch up seriously.

When the bout started, Coakley circled around Woodard and was hit with a heavy leg kick that was not checked by Coakley. Soon after that Coakley smashed his opponent into the cage and landed some heavy knee and thigh kicks approximately 10 times.

Coakley could tell he had done some damage and knew he was controlling the round. Unfortunately, Woodard suffered an unintentional kick to the groin area and after a recovery period was able to regain his composure and return to the fight.

Coakley observed heavy breathing from Woodard when the fight was restarted, and that was all he needed to go in for the kill. Coakley landed a leg kick to Woodard who then dropped his hands and Coakley came forward with a vicious right hook that landed right on the button, and that should have been the end of the fight, but the referee did not stop it there, so as any good fighter does Coakley dropped down and landed a few hammer fists. Finally the referee saw that Woodard was out cold and called the fight quick, fast and in a hurry.

What is next for Matt Coakley?  He will be fighting in the SC ISKA Grand Prix, which will be held May 21st at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Then on June 25th Coakley puts his 135 TN ISKA and 135 3FC titles on the line against a very tough Len Cook (Absolute Jiu Jitsu, Bristol, TN).  This event will be held at the Knoxville Convention Center, Knoxville, TN.

Mr. Coakley is a man on the move and definitely one to keep your eye on. He is one the list of movers and shakers all around the Carolinas and Tennessee. Congratulations on yet another great performance!

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