Monday, February 23, 2009

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS WIN AT THROWDOWN "BIG TIME"

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS WIN AT Throwdown "Showdown III: Big Time"

Veteran Steve Sharp met up-and-comer Dayn
e Aristizabal in a lightweight slugfest. The fighters started off with a hug in the center of the cage instead of the customary touch of gloves. The fight began with a lot of kicks before Sharp landed a solid right to the chin. Aristizabal, a jiu-jitsu specialist, tried to take the fight to the ground but ate six or seven solid elbows to the head in trying to do so. The fighters separated, when Aristizabal tapped on his chin, inviting Sharp to test it. A hard right from the veteran staggered Aristizabal. Sharp backed off for a second before unleashing another right that scored a knock out at 4:56 of the first round.

Featherweights Olly Bradstreet and Camrann Pacheco put on a show, both working feverishly to finish the fight throughout the three rounds. Bradstreet showed good patience early, taking Pacheco down and avoiding his submission attempts and using solid ground and pound. Pacheco escaped a potentially dangerous crucifix position and used an excellent rubber guard to avoid the worst of the damage late in round one. Round two had the crowd chanting for both fighters as Pacheco tried an arm bar and nearly ended the fight with a triangle toward the end of the round. Bradstreet threw damaging knees to the ribs while stuck in the triangle, giving him just enough space to hold on until the bell. Pacheco's submission attempts in the third round were thwarted by a now-slippery Bradstreet, and both fighters battled hard until the end. Pacheco won out in a split decision.

To read more about the fights check out Scott Sherman's article here




Sunday, February 22, 2009

ABSOLUTE GRAPPLERS RANK AMONG UTAH"S BEST


Champion's List
Utah's Top Grapplers 2008

Top 20 Men

1. Court McGee+

2. Dayne Aristizabal

3. Derek Downey-

4. Harold Lucambio-ABSOLUTE MMA

5. Steven Sharp+ ABSOLUTE MMA

6. Marc Brewer-

7. Hank Wise+

8. Fritz Borchardt-

9. Damarques Johnson+

10. Eric Stevens+

11. Ben Anderson

12. Chris Rossiter+

13. Jeffrey Willingham+

14. Ben Garner- ABSOLUTE MMA

15. Nathan Tom-

16. Rand Gardner+

17. Sejin Seol-

18. Cody Udy-

19. Jared Colman-

20. Camrann Pacheco+ ABSOLUTE MMA

Top 10 Women

1. Rebecca Rodriguez ABSOLUTE MMA

2. Milda Shibonis+

3. Julie Chamberlain-

4. Chelsea Carl+

5. Karen Pratt+

6. Jamie Hoku Kubota+

7. Miyo Strong+ ABSOLUTE MMA

8. Erin Sais+

9. Kirtley Sorensen+

10. Mary White+

Top 5 Teens

1. Abram Allred+

2. Collin Teague+

3. Dimitri Litsas+

4. Drake Mattingley+

5. Piotr Sauerbaum+

Utah's Top Teams 2008

Overall Top Team

1. Throwdown ETC [various]

2. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley]

3. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease]

4. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease]

5. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom]

6. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds]

7. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease]

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson]

9. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist]

10. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustavo Rodriquez]

Most Medals

1. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 50 medals [11 gold, 17 silver, 22 bronze]

2. Throwdown ETC [various] = 37 medals [16 gold, 13 silver, 8 bronze]

3. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 30 medals [17 gold, 8 silver, 5 bronze]

4. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 26 medals [7 gold, 9 silver, 10 bronze]

5. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 25 medals [10 gold, 5 silver, 10 bronze]

6. Fusion Acadmey [Eddie Edmunds] = 14 medals [8 gold, 1 silver, 5 bronze]

7. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 13 medals [2 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze]

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 10 medals [6 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze]

9. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist] = 9 medals [1 gold, 5 silver, 3 bronze]

10. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustavo Rodriquez] = 4 medals [3 gold, 1 silver, 0 bronze]

Most Gold

1. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 17 gold medals

2. Throwdown ETC [various] = 16 gold medals

3. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 11 gold medals

4. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 10 gold medals

5. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds] = 8 gold medals

6. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 7 gold medals

7. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 6 gold medals

8. Hybrid Jiu-Jitsu [Gustovo Rodriguez] = 3 gold medals

9. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 2 gold medals

10. There is an eight way tie for this place so it is not awarded.

Top Performance*

1. Throwdown ETC [various] = 499 points

2. Absolute MMA [Rob Handley] = 415 points

3. Champion Jiu-Jitsu [Michael Pease] = 295 points

4. Paul Tom Academy of MMA [Paul Tom] = 255 points

5. Brigham Young University [Michael Pease] = 210 points

6. Utah Valley University [Michael Pease] = 104 points

7. Unified Jiu-Jitsu [Jon Carlquist] = 90 points

8. Westside Jiu-Jitsu [Mark Johnson] = 71 points

9. Fusion Academy [Eddie Edmunds] = 52 points

10. Elite Academy [???] = 31 points

*Top Performance is based on a point system that rewards points to all placers, with higher divisions being awarded greater points.


These lists are based on success in Champion Grappling Competition in 2008


For more information check out UTAH CHAMPION

Friday, February 20, 2009

Roll Call 4 Pan Ams


Hey Gang,

Dont forget that the Pan Ams are around the corner. We are starting to put together travel plans and fight training is already full steam. This is one of the biggest competitions in the country and some of the best jiu jitsu athletes in the world attend. It will be a lot of fun for everyone who wants to participate and for those who would like to support our team. For more info check out IBJJF.com and register here.

-Rob

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

HELIO GRACIE RIP

GM Helio Gracie (1913/2009)

Nosso Ășltimo encontro.
Adeus, meu mestre.
Obrigado.

Our last meeting.
Farewell my master.
Thank you.

Notre dernier rencontre.
Adieu mon Maitre.
Merci.