ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS make wieght for THROWDOWN TITLE FIGHTS

Steve Sharp made cutting to 155 easy. Razor sporting the new fight colors.

Camrann is looking good at 145. He has his cut down, no weakness in his method. Big things happening.

Absolute Grapplers win at Throwdown Grappling Competition

Congratulations Gang!!

Most Gold
1st: Throwdown ETC = 4 (1 beginner, 2 novice, 1 kids)
1st: Fusion Academy = 4 (1 intermediate, 1 beginner, 1 teen, 1 kids)
3rd: Absolute MMA = 3 (1 advanced, 1 beginner, 1 masters)

Advanced Open-Weight

1st: Harold Lucambio (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Fritz Borchardt (Paul Tom’s Behring Jiu-Jitsu)
3rd: Marc Brewer (Throwdown ETC)
4th: Cody Udy (West Side Jiu-Jitsu)

Intermediate Heavy-Weight
1st: Noah Jenkins (Fusion Academy)
2nd: Ma’afu Fosita (Ultimate Combat)
3rd: Jared Coleman (Taggard Combat Grappling)
4th: Ben Garner (Absolute MMA)

Beginner Light-Weight
1st: Riley Petersen (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Denver Merrifield-Nirva (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Drake Mattingly (Paul Tom’s Behring Jiu-Jitsu)
4th: T.J. Clyde (Fusion Academy)

Novice Light-Weight
1st: Ryan Norman (Westside Jiu-Jitsu)
2nd: Mathew Cannon (Absolute MMA)
3rd: Eric Tobler (Throwdown ETC)
4th: Jake Chappell (BYU Jiu-Jitsu)

Novice Middle-Weight
1st: Justin Taggert (Throwdown ETC)
2nd: Josh Miller (Westside Jiu-Jitsu)
3rd: Konrad Jones (Mushin Self-Defense)
4th: Edwardo Rivera (Absolute MMA)

Masters Light-Weight (age 30+)
1st: Harold Lucambio (Absolute MMA)
2nd: Jerry Ku (Paul Tom’s Behring Jiu-Jitsu)
3rd: Richard Cesena (Westside/ Unified)
4th: Eli Steele (Throwdown ETC)

Anderson SIlva interview on Spike TV

Anderson Silva interview on Spike TV

Great video about the UFC Champ. In this video is the legendary BJJ Master Sylvio Behring (Master Flavio Behring's son). I recieved my BJJ Black Belt from Sylvio Behring in 2003. He is an important personality in Jiu Jitsu and a strong influence in my life. I'm happy to see him get some recognition for his hard work and dedication to the growth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Anderson said it best... "Its very important to respect everyone from the white belt to the black belt because thats how you get some place". It's not a coincedence to see the champ wearing a gi and training daily in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. See you on the Mats!

-ROB

Evan Tannner

We were shocked this week to find out about the passing of Evan Tanner. He was a good friend of the gym and he will be missed. Evan was a beloved man in the MMA world with many friends and fans. We considered it a very fortunate turn of events that led Evan to train at our gym. It had been several months since he had been back but I know that all who were fortunate enough to work with him when he was here remember it fondly and are saddened by the loss. I have included some pictures of sparring sessions from a few of his trips to Salt Lake City when he was working on his return to the UFC.

Click on a picture to see an enlarged version



I really like this picture from Evan sparring with Ben Fu

And the takedown

Here he is signing an autograph for the gym

This is Evan giving some advice to Steven "Razor" Sharp

>Camrann

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS compete for Throwdown titles

Lightweight Title (155)
Steven "Razor" Sharp (ABSOLUTE MMA) vs. Rad Martinez

Featherweight Title (145)
Camrann Pacheco (ABSOLUTE MMA) vs. Steven Siler

Light Heavyweight Title (205)
Ben Fuimaono (ABSOLUTE MMA) vs. Jordan Smith

other ABSOLUTE MMA fighters TBA

Buy your tickets today at the gym (the proceeds help the fighters) come out and support our team.

SUPERBODY WINS!!! EFN 08-23-08

Brad McRae vs. Greg Carpenter (ABSOLUTE MMA)

Greg Carpenter got a takedown against the fence out of the gate and landed in side control with Brad McRae on his side and his back against the fence. McRae really couldn't get out or defend himself that well because of the position. Carpenter left the side mount and took McRae's back, slid in a rear naked choke and fought to get the arm under the chin. McRae tapped out at 1:12 of the first round.

To read more about Greg and his comeback click here.

ABSOLUTE FIGHTERS top Utah's Best

photo courtesy of Miyo Strong

Cage News – Light Heavyweights, Lightweights and Featherweights

The cagenews.com crew hammered out the current local rankings in the quest to find Utah’s very best. Once again the lists are loaded from top to bottom with prime talent.


145 Featherweights

1. Steve Siler

2. Travis Marx

3. Camrann Pacheco (ABSOLUTE MMA)

4. Lance Gorman

5. Casey Beckstead

Another testament to the level of MMA in Utah, most of these guys could be competitive against the best from anywhere. The list is solid as is, but cagenews.com insiders predict a meteoric rise by the exciting number 3 on our list. Camrann Pacheco.


155 Lightweight

1. Birddog

2. Steve Sharp (ABSOLUTE MMA)

3. Shane Brenner

4. Rad Martinez

5. Dustin Collins

All of these lightweights are currently active and ready to hammer out their respective standings.

170 Welterweight

Maybe not as deep as the middleweight class, the welterweight still brings us some of the most exciting and dynamic fighters we have ever seen locally. Lucky for us, the pecking order is more clear, and all five of these fighters are still active locally, but with at least three of them looking ready to make the big jump, now is the time to catch these guys live.

1. DaMarques Johnson

2. Chris Kennedy

3. Mike Arrant

4. Nate Gerrard

5. Harold Lucambio (ABSOLUTE MMA)


205 Light Heavyweights

1. Ben Fuimaono (ABSOLUTE MMA)

2. Hank Weiss

3. Jordan Smith

4. Sean O’Connell

5. Cole Rose

All of these fighters are currently active and ready to fight it out to either claim their rightful spot or cement their current standing.

Elite Fight Night

taken from thecagenews.com

Absolute MMA fighters go 2-0 in Jeremy Horns Elite Fight Night. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our fighters and a great night of fights.

Camrann Pacheco vs. Lance Gorman

Pacheco lands a hard couple of inside leg kicks. Gorman scores with a jumping knee and eats another couple of hard leg kicks. Gorman drops to the mat and Pacheco is all over Gorman. Pacheco is hammering down with both fists. Ref John Jordan steps in at :49 after Gorman has no answer for Pacheco’s “monkey strikes,” as the announcer puts it. Great fight!

Steven Sharp vs. Shane Brenner

Round 1: Steve Sharp comes out to a huge ovation. Wow, everyone is on their feet here cheering for Sharp, who comes out in a ninja suit and rips off the head gear to show is trademark pink hair with a black Mohawk. They’re still standing and cheering here. Brenner takes the center of the cage. They exchange some tentative strikes. Sharp lands a hard outside kick to Brenner’s right leg. Sharp lands a few strikes and Brenner’s leg either buckles or got kicked, I couldn’t tell. Joe Riggs steps in to stop this fight, as Brenner is down holding his leg, which doesn’t look good. At :39, Sharp gets the victory. In Sharp’s victory speech he says Brenner came in with an injury and made it worse. Brenner, sitting on the ground, thanks everyone and confirms the previous injury.

To read more about Steven "RAZOR" Sharp click here

Champion's Challenge VII Results

Champion's Challenge VII Results (May 31, 2008)

ABSOLUTE TAKE'S HOME 9 MEDALS WITH ONLY 11 PARTICIPANTS!!

Kids (age 7-12)
1st: Tyson Davis (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
2nd: Ashton Lewis (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
3rd: Shaylie Brewer (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

---

Teen Boys (age 13-18)
1st: Shimomura Kenta (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
2nd: Collin Teague (Fusion Academy, Eddie Edmunds)
3rd: Piotr Sauerbronn (Fusion Academy, Eddie Edmunds)
4th: Yilong Zou (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

---

Beginner Light-Weight
1st: Sam Kem (Rad Martinez)
2nd: Josh Siyavong (Rad Martinez)
3rd: Denver Merrifield-Nirva (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
4th: Thomas Williams (Stick & Bones BJJ, Chuan Donell)
5th: Piotr Sauerbronn (Fusion Academy, Eddie Edmunds)
6th: Rachel Chantry (BYU Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

Beginner Middle-Weight
1st: Mario Garcia (Academy of MMA, Paul Tom)
2nd: Eli Steele (Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Lundell)
3rd: John Curtiss (Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Lundell)
4th: Yilong Zou (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
5th: Julie Chamberlain (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
6th: Levi Lloyd (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)

Beginner Heavy-Weight
1st: Ben Garner (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
2nd: Trevor Windhorst (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
3rd: David Hamblin (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
4th: Jerry Bowling (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
5th: Collin Teague (Fusion Academy, Eddie Edmunds)
6th: Timothy Carr (BYU Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

---

Intermediate Light-Weight
1st: Camrann Pacheco (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
2nd: Simon Ioane (Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Lundell)
3rd: Sejin Seol (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
4th: Shimomura Kenta (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
5th: Chaun Donell (Fusion Academy, Eddie Edmunds)
6th: Race Sawyer (???)

Intermediate/Advanced Heavy-Weight
1st: Marc Brewer (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
2nd: Ben Garner (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
3rd: Jared Coleman (Throwdown, Griffin Raynaud)
4th: Benjamin Anderson (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
5th: Seon O’Donnell (Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Lundell)
6th: Kyle Cross (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)

---

Absolute Open-Weight Women
1st: Rebecca Rodriguez (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
2nd: Julie Chamberlain (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
3rd: Erin Sais (BYU Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
4th: Rachel Chantry (BYU Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

Absolute Open-Weight Beginner Men
1st: Jared Coleman (Throwdown, Griffin Raynaud)
2nd: Trevor Windhorst (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
3rd: Eli Steele (Pedro Sauer Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Ricky Lundell)
4th: Cabeb Robinson (BYU Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)

Absolute Open-Weight Advanced Men
1st: Dayne Aristizabal (Throwdown, Griffin Raynaud)
2nd: Steve Sharp (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley)
3rd: Marc Brewer (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
4th: Sejin Seol (Behring Jiu-Jitsu, Paul Tom)
5th: Benjamin Anderson (Champion Jiu-Jitsu, Michael Pease)
5th: Camrann Pacheco (Absolute MMA, Rob Handley

Flavio Behring Seminar 05/17/08

Photos courtesy of Miyo Strong

2008 Behring Jiu Jitsu Promotions

Absolute MMA- Behring Salt Lake City, Utah
Rob Handley- 2nd degree Black
Camrann Pacheco- Purple
Mike "Stumper" Brown- Purple
Mike Hayman- Blue
Ben Garner- Blue
Rebecca Rodriquez- Blue
Kyle Cross- Blue

Oakdale MMA- Behring Oakdale, California
Tom Theofanopoulos- Black
Bill Theofanopoulos- Brown
Mike Bailey- purple
Ian Dimberg- blue
Rob Kutzman-blue
Frankie Juarez- blue
Brice Wells- blue

Academy of Mixed Martial Arts-Behring Orem, Utah
Paul Tom- Black
Trevor Tom- Purple
Nathan Tom- Purple
Sejin Seol- Blue
Joe Lakhani- Blue
Ray Mattingly- Blue
Drake Mattingly- Blue
David Hamblin- Blue

Grand Master Flavio Behring

Hey Gang,

We are pleased to have Grand Master Flavio Behring in the Gym for the next few weeks, it is a special time for everyone to come out and support our family and team.

Grand Master Flavio Behring is a legendary martial artist and an elite Gracie Jiu Jitsu instructor. He is regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities in the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Last year he was promoted to 9th degree by Grand Master Joao Alberto Barreto and the Confederation of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, making him one of only a handful (literally) of 9th degree's still teaching today. He is internationally known as a walking encyclopedia of Gracie Jiu Jitsu and teaches seminars around the world. He has been involved with the history and development of Gracie Jiu Jitsu since 1947. Learn authentic Gracie Jiu Jitsu from Helio Gracie’s student of 60 years. Obtain techniques handed directly from Helio Gracie to Flavio Behring and now to you. Come enjoy the spirit of a young samurai.

J Burk's thoughts on Hazelett

J Burks thoughts on Hazelett

In off-TV action, the welterweight theme continues in a highly-anticipated bout between Josh Burkman and Dustin Hazelett, both of whom are looking to get back in the win column after competitive defeats to Mike Swick and Josh Koscheck, respectively.

"Dustin Hazelett is a tough kid, and from what I hear has great game on the ground," said Burkman, 20-5 overall, 6-3 in the UFC. "To tell you the truth
I haven't watched film on him and I probably won't. I don't think he'll be able to fight me like he's fought other people. My coach Rob Handley has watched his fights and I'm confident in the game plan he will come up with. As far as me, I'm just gonna watch film on (Mike) Tyson. I'm knockin this dude out."

For those of you that don't know Josh has been in Las Vegas training with USBA Champion BJ Flores, Striking Unlimited and Extreme Couture. He will be returning to Salt Lake City to finish up his camp at the beginning of June for his fight with Hazelett, June 21st on Spike TV.

AKC CLASSIC LAS VEGAS

Valery Fedorenko, Rob Handley, Ivan Denisov, Marty Farrell

Kettlebells TEACH athleticism. They can develop speed, power, explosiveness, endurance, precision, balance and all kinds of other attributes athletes desire, including pure strength, but you have to understand how this is done with this particular tool. Method is everything!

COMPETITION RESULTS :)

AKC CLASSIC

The American Kettlebell Club Classic takes place in Las Vegas, NV on May 3rd 2008. This Competition is open to all Kettlebell Lifters in the USA and is free of charge to both competitors and spectators. The AKC Classic is a National Competition contesting the traditional lifts of Jerk, Snatch, and LongCycle for American Lifters.

If you haven't noticed already Coach Rob Handley has training daily for several weeks preparing for this competition. The workouts are an amazing feat of strength endurance and mental fortitude. He has already posted almost double the numbers since last years National Competition, and continues to push the threshold of 10 minutes in both the Jerk and Snatch. Saturday is the day, so we'll update you later.

Throwdown Showdown

145ers Camrann Pacheco vs. Casey Beckstead
Throwdown Showdown in Orem, Utah April 18th 2008

The gang's all here....Steve Sharp, Camrann Pacheco, Rob Handley, Levi Lloyd
(nobody knew which camera to look at)

In an unfortunate injury-shortened fight that started off with a furious pace, doctors called the bout between Casey Beckstead and Camrann Pacheco after Pacheco accidentally sliced Beckstead's eyelid while the two battled in guard on the ground. This is a matchup that will get another chance once the injury heals.

2008 WFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION

Steven "RAZOR" Sharp
WFC ARMAGEDDON Denver, Colorado April 12, 2008

Josh "the Peoples Warrior" Burkman, Steven "Razor" Sharp, Rob "Coach" Handley


Steve Sharp Vs Mat Ver Halen for the WFC Lightheavyweight championship. Sharp controlled the action for all of round with positional dominance and GNP while Ver Halen was kept busy defending strikes. Round two saw Sharp again controlling the ground action. After several submission attempts and lots of good elbow strikes Sharp sunk in an armbar for the submission victory at 3:07 of round two. Sharp is still the WFC Lightweight champion.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for Kids!

Get Started today....1st month FREE

Fedor Emelianenko

Fedor Emelianenko

Emelianenko has been considered the best heavyweight fighter in the world. Its not a coincidence to see kettlebells at the feet this champion. Emelianenko has been renowned for his hardcore old school training.

the after math

At the end of the day.

American Kettlebell Club Coach- Rob Handley

Photo courtesy of American Kettlebell Club

Kettlebell Sport and Conditioning for MMA Athletes coming soon.

Kettlebell training is a major break from traditional weight lifting and running. Sets are high-rep, long and timed, strength AND endurance are worked simultaneously -- no gaps in training. The results of what Kettlebell lifters can do speak for themselves.

Only a fighter knows the feeling!

arghhh!!

Photos courtesy of Honeycomb Studio

First Blog!

This is the blog for Absolute MMA in West Jordan, Utah. We have 3000 square feet of mixed martial arts training area where we like to train hard and we try to create a worthwhile and rewarding experience for every student that chooses to train here.

This week we are honored to have with us, Grand Master Flavio Behring; who has sixty years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under his belt. He will be doing a seminar for us tomorrow which will definately give me a new perspective about the game and several new submissions to try. It will be a good time for anyone who comes and checks it out. Master Behring will be here all next week as well. So, stop by and train for sure in the next week sometime.

Thanks for stopping by to read my first blog. Stay tuned for more updates from Absolute MMA.
>Camrann.


Photos courtesy of Honeycomb Studio