Tag: UFC 131

And Now He’s Retired: John Olav Einemo


(John Einemo, the only man to ever truly smell what The Rock was cookin’.)

Norwegian news site VG.no is reporting that former UFC heavyweight John Olav Einemo has decided to call it a career after being cut from the promotion following his loss to Mike Russow at UFC on Fox 2.

Although Einemo told reporters that the UFC had left the proverbial door open for his return if he was able to put a couple wins together in smaller promotions, Einemo felt that the time he had to spend away from his family during the training process was simply too much to handle. Apparently his wife and kids didn’t drive him crazy. For those of you who are suddenly overwhelmed with panic as to when you’ll see J.O.E again, fret not, for he plans to help build upon Norway’s ever-growing MMA scene as a coach somewhere down the line.

Nevermind, this is likely the last we’ll see of Einemo before the trolls get him.


(John Einemo, the only man to ever truly smell what The Rock was cookin’.)

Norwegian news site VG.no is reporting that former UFC heavyweight John Olav Einemo has decided to call it a career after being cut from the promotion following his loss to Mike Russow at UFC on Fox 2.

Although Einemo told reporters that the UFC had left the proverbial door open for his return if he was able to put a couple wins together in smaller promotions, Einemo felt that the time he had to spend away from his family during the training process was simply too much to handle. Apparently his wife and kids didn’t drive him crazy. For those of you who are suddenly overwhelmed with panic as to when you’ll see J.O.E again, fret not, for he plans to help build upon Norway’s ever-growing MMA scene as a coach somewhere down the line.

Nevermind, this is likely the last we’ll see of Einemo before the trolls get him.

“The Viking” started off his MMA career in October of 2000, amassing five straight wins under the Shooto, Finnfight, and Focus Fight banners, with none of those wins making it out of the first round. In 2003, Einemo became the first and last man to defeat Roger Gracie in ADCC competition at the finals of the ADCC trials (88-98 kg weight class). He also holds notable grappling victories over Alexandre Ferreira, Bellator vet Vitor Vianna, and Rolles Gracie.

Einemo would suffer his first professional defeat to Farbicio Werdum at Pride 31 in 2006, which was quickly overshadowed by an in ring riot between the Chute Box camp, Mark Coleman, and Phil Baroni in which Wanderlei Silva had his head stepped on. Ah, the good old days. After claiming his place alongside the approximately 200 men to have beaten James Thompson later that year, Einemo would take a five year hiatus from the sport, likely to help hunt the aforementioned trolls that plague Norway’s mountainous regions.

Einemo emerged from hiding in 2011 when he signed with the UFC and put in a Fight of the Night earning performance against Dave Herman at UFC 131. Despite Einemo’s extensive BJJ background, the fight was contested mostly on the feet, with both men rocking the other on more than one occasion. Herman would have the last laugh, however, finishing Einemo off midway through the second round. Shortly thereafter, Einemo was axed along with several other fighters signed under Golden Glory management due to ongoing contract disputes.

It wasn’t long until an agreement was reached between the two and Einemo, along with Alistair and Valentijn Overeem, were allowed to come back to their Zuffa-financed jobs. Marloes Coenen, on the other hand, was shipped off to a deserted island and forced to feed on Dutch celebrities whilst searching for buried treasure. And they say chivalry is dead in the world.

Einemo would try to bounce back at UFC on FOX 2, where he faced off against the deceivingly talented Mike Russow, who was riding a ten fight win streak at the time. Things would not go Einemo’s way, as he would find himself trapped beneath Russow’s amorphous figure for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision loss.

We here at CP would just like to wish John (can we call you John?) the best of luck in all of his future endeavors. Do the same in the comments section, Potato Nation.

-J. Jones

Krzysztof Soszynski Says at Least 85 Percent of Fighters ‘Definitely Using’ PEDs

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The use of performance-enhancing drugs in MMA is far more widespread than most people realize, according to UFC light heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski, who told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday’s edition of The MMA Hour that there are far more elite fighters using steroids, testosterone, and other PEDs than there are fighters who compete totally clean.

“I would definitely say somewhere in the percentage of 85 percent of guys are definitely using, especially the guys who can afford it are definitely using,” said Soszynski. “I would even go as high as 95 to 96 percent of the top level athletes that are definitely using it. You can clearly see it.”

Soszynski has been out of action with a knee injury since his decision victory over Mike Massenzio at UFC 131 in June, but the rehab process opened his eyes to the easy availability of performance-enhancers in MMA, he said.

“I even had someone talk to me about stem cell injections. You’re looking at stuff like EPO, and at least five or six different counterfeit drugs out there that people are using and they’re not even detectable in the body. It’s just amazing to me how far athletes are willing to go to make their mark in this sport.”

At the same time, Soszynski expressed a degree of empathy for PED users in MMA, and expressed doubt that the problem could ever be fully eradicated.

“If there’s a substance you can take out there that’s going to make you bigger, stronger, more explosive, going to help you train harder, going to help you train longer, and it’s going to help with your recovery as well, and you know if you take it the right way and follow the right instructions, you’ll never get caught for it, wouldn’t you take it?”

Soszynski said the current system that most athletic commissions use of testing fighters just prior to fight night is completely ineffective, since that’s when “you’re only going to catch the dumb guys, who have no idea what they’re doing.”

Instead, he said, MMA needs random, out-of-competition drug-testing.

“I totally agree [with random testing]. Ten weeks out, eight weeks out, six weeks out — that’s when all the training happens. That’s when you’re training at your hardest, at your peak. Every athlete who knows how to train properly knows they’re going to have to taper off two weeks, two and a half weeks out from their fight so they’ll be in perfect condition for their fight. All the hard training happens eight, ten weeks [from the fight]. That’s the time when everybody’s doing their drug abuse and that’s when they’re taking their testosterone and their steroids. That’s when I think fighters should be tested.”

As for fighters like Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen, who have recently argued that they have a legitimate medical reason to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, Soszynski said that it creates an uneven playing field to allow some fighters to inject themselves with hormones but not others.

“My thought on that is very simple: either everybody does it, or nobody does it. If guys are doing it and the commissions are allowing these guys to do it as long as they get to a certain level within their bodies, then we all should be allowed to take it as long as we get our levels to a certain number. That’s what I believe.”

Soszynski, who’s no stranger to a pro sports drug culture after experiences with pro wrestling and competitive bodybuilding, added that while most fighters might be on PEDs, he’s among the small percentage that isn’t.
My thought on this is very simple: either everybody does it, or nobody does it.
— Krzysztof Soszynski
“I haven’t used [PEDs] for mixed martial arts,” he said. “Back in the days when I was a bodybuilder, obviously it was a little different. But for mixed martial arts, I don’t. I don’t believe in it.”

As for whether that puts him at a disadvantage, Soszynski said he knows of “a bunch of guys in the sport who don’t [use PEDs] and who are very successful,” but at the same time, “I feel like we should be on an even playing field.”

Then again, just because Soszynski might want it that way — and might fear for MMA’s reputation in the long run if it doesn’t address the PED issue — that doesn’t mean he’s terribly optimistic about the chances of weeding it out completely.

“It’s just part of guys trying to become the best,” said Soszynski. “You want to become the best, you’re going to do anything and everything you can to become the best, and this is one of those things.”

 

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The use of performance-enhancing drugs in MMA is far more widespread than most people realize, according to UFC light heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski, who told Ariel Helwani on Tuesday’s edition of The MMA Hour that there are far more elite fighters using steroids, testosterone, and other PEDs than there are fighters who compete totally clean.

“I would definitely say somewhere in the percentage of 85 percent of guys are definitely using, especially the guys who can afford it are definitely using,” said Soszynski. “I would even go as high as 95 to 96 percent of the top level athletes that are definitely using it. You can clearly see it.”

Soszynski has been out of action with a knee injury since his decision victory over Mike Massenzio at UFC 131 in June, but the rehab process opened his eyes to the easy availability of performance-enhancers in MMA, he said.


“I even had someone talk to me about stem cell injections. You’re looking at stuff like EPO, and at least five or six different counterfeit drugs out there that people are using and they’re not even detectable in the body. It’s just amazing to me how far athletes are willing to go to make their mark in this sport.”

At the same time, Soszynski expressed a degree of empathy for PED users in MMA, and expressed doubt that the problem could ever be fully eradicated.

“If there’s a substance you can take out there that’s going to make you bigger, stronger, more explosive, going to help you train harder, going to help you train longer, and it’s going to help with your recovery as well, and you know if you take it the right way and follow the right instructions, you’ll never get caught for it, wouldn’t you take it?”

Soszynski said the current system that most athletic commissions use of testing fighters just prior to fight night is completely ineffective, since that’s when “you’re only going to catch the dumb guys, who have no idea what they’re doing.”

Instead, he said, MMA needs random, out-of-competition drug-testing.

“I totally agree [with random testing]. Ten weeks out, eight weeks out, six weeks out — that’s when all the training happens. That’s when you’re training at your hardest, at your peak. Every athlete who knows how to train properly knows they’re going to have to taper off two weeks, two and a half weeks out from their fight so they’ll be in perfect condition for their fight. All the hard training happens eight, ten weeks [from the fight]. That’s the time when everybody’s doing their drug abuse and that’s when they’re taking their testosterone and their steroids. That’s when I think fighters should be tested.”

As for fighters like Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen, who have recently argued that they have a legitimate medical reason to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, Soszynski said that it creates an uneven playing field to allow some fighters to inject themselves with hormones but not others.

“My thought on that is very simple: either everybody does it, or nobody does it. If guys are doing it and the commissions are allowing these guys to do it as long as they get to a certain level within their bodies, then we all should be allowed to take it as long as we get our levels to a certain number. That’s what I believe.”

Soszynski, who’s no stranger to a pro sports drug culture after experiences with pro wrestling and competitive bodybuilding, added that while most fighters might be on PEDs, he’s among the small percentage that isn’t.
My thought on this is very simple: either everybody does it, or nobody does it.
— Krzysztof Soszynski
“I haven’t used [PEDs] for mixed martial arts,” he said. “Back in the days when I was a bodybuilder, obviously it was a little different. But for mixed martial arts, I don’t. I don’t believe in it.”

As for whether that puts him at a disadvantage, Soszynski said he knows of “a bunch of guys in the sport who don’t [use PEDs] and who are very successful,” but at the same time, “I feel like we should be on an even playing field.”

Then again, just because Soszynski might want it that way — and might fear for MMA’s reputation in the long run if it doesn’t address the PED issue — that doesn’t mean he’s terribly optimistic about the chances of weeding it out completely.

“It’s just part of guys trying to become the best,” said Soszynski. “You want to become the best, you’re going to do anything and everything you can to become the best, and this is one of those things.”

 

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Adrenline Training Center: Canada’s New MMA Training Mecca

A lot of would-be mixed martial artists have walked through the doors at Adrenaline Training Center, in London, Ont. Most of them have dreams of becoming professional fighters. Alex ‘Pecker’ Gasson, who is the manager and one of the instruc…

A lot of would-be mixed martial artists have walked through the doors at Adrenaline Training Center, in London, Ont.

Most of them have dreams of becoming professional fighters. Alex ‘Pecker’ Gasson, who is the manager and one of the instructors at ATC, remembers one in particular.

“This guy packed up his family and moved here from New Brunswick,” Gasson said. “He wanted to be a fighter. He never came back after the first day of training.”

The realities of what it takes to become a pro fighter are a shock for many people. Dreams of fame and glory may bring people to ATC, said Gasson, 33, but without dedication and sacrifice, those dreams can fade quickly.

“People don’t talk about the sacrifice, because it’s not glamorous,” said ‘Pecker’. “But training isn’t easy, and I don’t sugarcoat it for anyone. If they can’t handle the training, they can’t handle the ring.”

In the world of professional fighting, the real story is what goes on behind the scenes, outside of the spotlights and away from the screaming fans, said Gasson. Meeting the demands of a fighter’s life and maintaining commitments to family and friends can be difficult.

“Be prepared to sacrifice a lot,” Gasson said.

Adrenaline Training Center instructor Adam Higson knows about making sacrifices. A former amateur boxing champ and seven time kickboxing and Muaythai champ, Higgson, 35, has been training for over 20 years.

“Fighting cost me my marriage,” said Higson, before a workout with ATC strength and conditioning coach Brain Fletcher. “We see who our friends are when we’re not in the spotlight, when we’re training or dealing with a loss.”

This is why there is a strong sense of community in mixed martial arts, Gasson said. Fighters need a strong support network to help them survive the physical and emotional challenges that come with training and competing at the professional level.

Fighters must structure their lives around training. It is not uncommon for fighters to train six days a week, four to five hours a day, leaving little time or energy for anything else.

Days are typically divided into morning and afternoon sessions, training either striking, wrestling or jiu jitsu in one session, and strength and condition in the other. Mixed martial arts requires power and endurance, and so work outs are often based on circuit training that works the muscles and body to exhaustion, said Gasson.

This might include one minute sets of flipping a 350 pound tire, followed chin-ups, tossing around a medicine ball and ending off with rope exercises. And then repeat.

“Train as much as you can, and then double it,” said Gasson. “Remember, while you’re taking a break, what’s your opponent doing?”

The core group of people behind ATC has been together for more than a decade and they know what it takes to make it in the world of professional MMA.

Mark ‘The Machine’ Hominick, Sam ‘Hands of Stone’ Stout and Chris ‘The Polish Hammer’ Horodecki have all competed at the highest levels of the sport.

Stout, 27, recently competed at UFC 131, in Vancouver, B.C., on June 11. Stout defeated Yves Edwards with a first round knockout, earning himself a $70,000 ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonus. It was the sixth fight-night bonus of Stout’s career.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts organization in the world, drawing thousands of fans to their live events, with millions of more fans tuning in to watch from around the world.  

Hominick, 28, who has been fighting professionally for almost a decade, recently fought for the featherweight belt at UFC 129, at the end of April, in Toronto, Ont. The event was held at the Rogers Center in front of 55,000 fans, the biggest MMA event in North American history.

Although Hominick lost the fight, his performance earned him a Fight of the Night bonus of $129,000.

Horodecki, 23, began training when he was 13 years old and started fighting professionally just after his 18th birthday. He has fought around the world in MMA’s biggest promotions, including the UFC, the WEC and Affliction.

Gasson, who began training mixed martial arts in his late teens, is a former North American kick boxing champion and has competed in events around the world. But his days of competing are over, after breaking his neck last November. Now, Gasson sees it as his job to help the members of ATC reach their own personal goals.

Not everyone who comes to train at ATC aspires to a career in fighting, so training is tailored to the individual. As demanding as the training regime may be, sometimes the most difficult thing is building up the nerve to train at ATC.

From outside, the building is a nondescript warehouse, but inside the gym equipped for serious training. Divided into sections, one half of the gym is dedicate to training strength and cardio, and the other half is lined with wrestling mats for working on grappling and fighting techniques.

A number of heavy bags hang from the ceiling, and there is a boxing ring and an MMA cage, costing over $20,000 combined, for all out sparring, said Gasson.

Many people are intimidated when they first come to ATC, and Gasson tries to make the new students comfortable. “That’s my job, to make sure it’s a smooth transition.”

With MMA’s crossover into mainstream acceptability, it has become a popular form of exercise. Gasson estimated that 90% of ATC’s 424 clients are fitness orientated. The remaining 10% are serious about becoming professional fighters, of which 1% might actually make it.

It is not uncommon for some of the aspiring pros to work at the gym in exchange for memberships, said Gasson. Training fulltime makes holding down a job difficult, so fighters typically struggle to pay for necessities like food and shelter, meaning many cannot afford the cost of working with professional trainers.

“The gym couldn’t survive with only pros,” Gasson said. “Often those guys have nothing.”

Nothing but dreams about becoming professional fighters.

 

 

Contact Adrenaline Training Center:

 

Phone Number (519) 451-8880

email   [email protected]

Facebook   Check us out on Facebook

Address

1794 Dundas Street, Unit 1.
London Ontario, N5W 3E6

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Brittney and Arianny Like Their View at Weigh-Ins

Some fan took this picture at the UFC 131 weigh-ins. Tough to figure what these girls are thinking but my guess is Brittney Palmer is enjoying her view of Nick Ring but well, maybe Arianny.

Some fan took this picture at the UFC 131 weigh-ins. Tough to figure what these girls are thinking but my guess is Brittney Palmer is enjoying her view of Nick Ring but well, maybe Arianny Celeste has seen better.

UFC 131 Aftermath: Shane Carwin out for 2 Months, Medical Suspensions Released

The medical suspensions following UFC 131 have been made public, with Shane Carwin, Jason Young and James Head receiving the longest suspensions.The event was held on June 11th, 2011, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. The main event w…

The medical suspensions following UFC 131 have been made public, with Shane Carwin, Jason Young and James Head receiving the longest suspensions.

The event was held on June 11th, 2011, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. The main event was a bout between Shane Carwin and Junior Dos Santos, with the winner earning a shot at current UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Dos Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.

After the event, every fight was given a minimum nine day suspension. According to Fighters Only Magazine, the following fighters were given longer suspensions:

Shane Carwin: Suspended for 60 days with no contact during training for 45 days, due to multiple facial lacerations and a nasal fracture.

Diego Nunes: Suspended for 45 days with no contact for 30 days, due to scalp and right-eyebrow lacerations.

Demian Maia: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days, due to a facial abrasion and left-thigh contusion.

John Olav Einemo: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days, due to a minor head injury/TKO.

Dave Herman: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days, due to a tooth avulsion.

Vagner Rocha: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days, due to a left-thigh contusion and right-eyelid laceration.

Yves Edwards: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, due to a facial abrasion/KO.

Chris Weidman: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, due to a left-eyelid laceration.

Mike Massenzio: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days, due to a facial abrasion.

James Head: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days, due to a nose laceration.

Jason Young: Suspended 180 days due to a foot injury and left-eyebrow laceration; however, if cleared by a physician via x-ray, suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.

Aaron Rosa: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, due a left-eyebrow laceration, facial abrasion and sprained right elbow.

Darren Elkins: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days, due to a right-eyebrow laceration.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Best of UFC 131 Interviews

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UFC 131 is officially in the books, so it’s time to look back at all the personalities we talked to leading up to the pay-per-view event in Vancouver and after the fights at the Rogers Arena.

 

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UFC 131 is officially in the books, so it’s time to look back at all the personalities we talked to leading up to the pay-per-view event in Vancouver and after the fights at the Rogers Arena.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments