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I LOVE THE MMA (offical commerical) - 11/01/2010
............................................................................................................................... Barmuda takes part in “Find A Dream” - 09/27/2010
Interview By: Markita Currie - The Northern Iowan
Find A Dream and Barmuda partnered together to host a Thunder Promotions concert, "The Calm Before the Storm," and a Mixed Martial Arts event. National Cattle Congress.
Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization that is trying to improve local communities. Their mission is to attain a safe and supportive environment for youth and young adults of diverse social, economic and ethnic backgrounds. They are trying to raise self-esteem and scholastic levels through after-school study areas, computer labs, mixed martial arts, boxing, cardiovascular exercise and techniques on discipline. Barmuda decided to join forces with this organization in order to give back to the community.
"Barmuda cares about children, especially disadvantaged youth, and we believe the mixed martial arts program can serve as a positive influence on children who need it," said Barmuda Companies owner Darin Beck.
According to Beck, Barmuda has a long line of diverse restaurants and local "hot spots," so they decided to give something more to the community. By joining forces with Find A Dream and Thunder Promotions, they hope to provide opportunities for the people of Cedar Falls, Waterloo and surrounding communities.
"Barmuda cares about children, and when times get tough in family situations, there needs to be more organizations like Find A Dream who are there for us and kids who are less fortunate," says Lori McConville, secretary and board member of Barmuda.
More than 1,000 free tickets were given to families, and many others were sold. For information on future events, visit Find A Dream's website, www.findadream.org.
...............................................................................................................................Louis Mandylor Interview by UnsignedTheMagazine.com - 08/29/2010
Interview By: Mut Asheru
Louis Mandylor (actor/director/producer) is probably best known for his part as Nick Portokalos in the indie hit My Big Fat Greek Wedding but we’re sure you’ve caught him in dozens of other films and tv shows such as CSI Miami, CSI NY, Relic Hunter and Grace Under Fire to name few.
A man after our own hearts he’s big into indie film and is actively producing projects under his own production company Krakatau Films. He recently picked up Best Actor honors at the Hoboken International Film Festival for his film In the Eyes of a Killer for which he served two roles as actor and director. The film was produced by his company Krakatau Films and also won Best Picture at the 2009 Sacramento International Film Festival.
Having boxed professionally and been a Muy Thai fighter in the past Mandylor understandably knows the importance of health. He is part of an organization called ‘Find A Dream’ that aims to keep kids of all socio-economic backgrounds off the streets through physical activity.
He has a number of projects in various stages of production, one of which is the comic book based feature called *Elwood. Written by Peter Lancett, the surprise here is that the comic book and story concept is by Mandylor himself.
Other films produced by the company include festival favs Gerald a comedy about a child trapped in an adults body and thriller The Cursed.
We got a chance to speak with Mandylor and he happily shared what’s going on in his professional world.
For More Info Visit:
www.louismandylor.com
www.krakataufilms.com
Thunder Promotions Presents Cage Thug Find A Dream, The Calm Before The Storm.
Los Angeles, CA (August 14, 2010) Thunder Promotions and Cage Thug announced today that their original fight line up Travis ‘Ironman’ Fulton vs. Willie Piggy Johnson is being replaced with Wayne Cole vs. Marcus Sursa on September 16, 2010 at the McElroy auditorium in Waterloo, Iowa. The Find a Dream gym launch will take place as well on September 15, 2010.
Thunder Promotions Presents Cage Thug Calm Before the Storm, Main event is former Strikeforce and Bellatore fighter Wayne Cole, Light heavyweight fighter, (16-15) MMA, to face Marcus Sursa former Bellatore,WFC,BFC,WEF Light heavyweight (8-5 MMA) Followed by a force to be seen of Find A Dream fighters in the 13 under card fights.
Thunder Promotions, known for bringing the heat to the Mixed Marital Arts fans s boost a night of hard hitting, action packed fighting with live music and a traditional ring side host of celebrities from across the country. The show will open up with performances by Tribal Kaos, making its return to the stage opening up for hip hop artist from Atlanta Young Snead of GME (Grown Money Entertainment) introducing his new single promised to climb the charts to #1. One of Hollywood’s Who’s Who will serve as M.C. for the evening actor/ director Louis Mandylor.
Mandylor who just won BEST supporting actor at the AOF film festival is best known for his roles in (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Wrong Turn at Tahoe, The Cursed), and celebrity Bobby Czyz three time world champion and former Showtime fight analyst will both make celebrity guest appearances as they sit ringside to watch this anticipated Great Main Event and the Find A Dream fighters brawl.
The Find A Dream gym which opened last year by one of the founders Ed Berinobis in an effort to keep kids off the streets will also launch an official grand opening on Sept 15th at the McElroy Auditorium. A host of celebrities including Bobby Czyz, Louis Mandylor, and rapper Young Snead will attend to meet the Find A Dream fighters and also be available to sign autographs. A press conference and Weigh in is to be announced in the coming weeks.
Please visit http//:www.Thunderpromotions.com for ticket information. General tickets are $20.00 at the door and 12 VIP Tables are available.
ABOUT: Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. We have partnered with professionals to deliver on our promise of positive change in young lives. Our communities become stronger when our youth is mentored through people of character with a true interest in pouring constructive, character-building activities and input into their lives. The Power in Our Hands As we put the Find A Dream beliefs into practice every day through the programs that build a healthy spirit, mind, and body in the youths around us, our impact is felt every time an individual makes a healthy choice, when a mentor inspires a child, and when a community comes together for the common good. More information is available at http//:www.FindADream.org.
ABOUT: Thunder Promotions. Thunder Promotions wants to excite the sport’s mainstream and hardcore fans, while also attracting and developing a new fan base. Our mission is to provide true mixed martial arts (MMA) mixed with the best entertainment experience at its best. To Increase Prospects and the Local Favorites up close in a safe atmosphere without the hassle of those long drives, airfares and at fair prices that give fans the most value for their money. Thunder Promotions, Cage Thug team uses their past experience in the sport of MMA to deliver to the fans the most excellent match-ups, providing exhilarating fights that rival the major Promoters. Thunder Promotions plans to stage professional MMA fights in Mississippi, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and Tennessee as well as international venues.
For press passes and media inquiries please contact Pam Pinnock at info@pampinnock.com or call 678-920-2582.
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Coolio Interview - 12/07/2009
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Episode 12 - Jeff Monson Interview - 11/30/2009
Source: beyondringside.podomatic.com
This interview is from the November 29, 2009 episode of Beyond Ringside features Professional MMA Star Jeff "The Snowman" Monson. Jeff is preparing for a fight with Travis Fulton on December 12, 2009. The fight will take place in Birmingham, Alabama at the Alabama Pride show, sponsored by Thunder Promotions. Jeff is a reknowned personality and fighter and has worked for some high profile promotions. He is a very accomplished MMA Fighter as well as wrestler. You can find out more about Thunder Promotions and the "Alabama Pride" event by going to www.thunderpromotions.com. Beyond Ringside is Birmingham's Original Rock N Wrestling Radio show. For more information on Beyond Ringside, drop by our website located at www.beyondringside.com. You can also find us on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter as well. As of the loading of this podcast, our next LIVE event will be on Sunday December 6 from the Beyond Ringside Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. We will be broadcasting at 6PM CST. Show notes and special guest lineup can be found at BeyondRingside.com
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Episode 11 - Dan Severn Interview - 11/30/2009
Source: beyondringside.podomatic.com
This interview is from the November 29, 2009 episode of Beyond Ringside LIVE from The Fox and Hound in Birmingham, Alabama. The interview features a man who has made quite the reputation in MMA as well as Professional Wrestling.. I am referring to Dan "The Beast" Severn. Mr Severn will be appearing in Birmingham, Alabama with Thunder Promotions. Dan took time to join us on Beyond Ringside and let us know about what he will be doing with the "Alabama Pride" event that is going to be held on December 12, 2009 at the BJCC as well as his current and some future projects. You can find Dan Severn on the web at www.dansevern.com.You can find Thunder Promotions on the web at www.thunderpromotions.com. Beyond Ringside is Birmingham's Original Rock N Wrestling Radio show. For more information on Beyond Ringside, drop by our website located at www.beyondringside.com. You can also find us on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter as well. As of the uploading of this podcast, our next LIVE event will be on December 6th, from the Beyond Ringside Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. We will be broadcasting at 6PM CST. Show notes and special guest lineup can be found at BeyondRingside.com
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Episode 10 - Felix Martinez Interview - 11/30/2009
Source: beyondringside.podomatic.com
This interview is from the November 29, 2009 episode of Beyond Ringside LIVE from The Fox and Hound in Birmingham, Alabama. The interview features Felix Martinez from Thunder Promotions. Felix took time to join us on Beyond Ringside and let us know about the line-up for the "Alabama Pride" event that is going to be held on December 12, 2009 at the BJCC. Special main events for the show include Jeff "The Snowman" Monson vs Travis "The Ironman" Fulton as well as an exhibition Kickboxing bout featuring Eric Martinez and Coolio. You can find Thunder Promotions on the web at www.thunderpromotions.com. Beyond Ringside is Birmingham's Original Rock N Wrestling Radio show. For more information on Beyond Ringside, drop by our website located at www.beyondringside.com. You can also find us on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter as well. As of the uploading of this podcast, our next LIVE event will be on December 6th, from the Beyond Ringside Studios in Birmingham, Alabama. Join host "Fast" Eddie Layne, and The Ringside Roundtable; "Mr M.C.O." Chase Pearson, Mark "Mabo" Bowman, and "The Horsemans Advocate" Andy Hudson at 6PM CST. Show notes and special guest lineup can be found at BeyondRingside.com
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DMX Demands Boxing Promoters Fix His Fight - 11/30/2009
Source: terezowens.com
DMX wants to get into the boxing ring and prove to everyone that he’s still a tough guy, but there was a serious catch — he’ll only do it if the promoters can somehow MAKE the other guy lose … anyone smell a fix?! It’s all over an upcoming celebrity fight in Alabama – X signed on to fight some wannabe actor named Eric Martinez. But after he agreed to a 3-round fight, DMX had a few demands … X’s manager, Nakia Walker, submitted an addendum to the rapper’s original contract for the fight, stipulating: “Event Promoter and Management agree that [DMX] is scheduled to win Boxing Challenge.” Walker also added a line which read, “All parties agree this event has been scheduled to occur only in fun and that the artist involved is not a professional boxer.” The fight promoters, Thunder Promotions, refused to sign the addendum — claiming they never agreed to fix anything. Now, DMX is threatening to back out and the promoters are looking for someone to replace the rapper while they also prepare a lawsuit for breach of contract. DMX’s rep tells us the rapper really does want to fight — rigged or not — but she’s forcing his hand because “he’s a hip hop artist, not a boxer.” -TMZ
I’m sorry, but I always assumed DMX was a tough guy..guess not..sounds like a giant pussy to me. -TO
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MMA veterans Jeff Monson and Travis Fulton collide on Dec. 12 - 11/30/2009
Source: promma.info
Birmingham, AL - Former UFC Heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson (31-9, 2 KO’s, 20 Submissions) will headline an NESportsTV.com mixed martial arts broadcast on Saturday night December 12th as he takes on 247 fight veteran Travis Fulton (191-45-11, 61 KO’s, 124 Submissions) live from Birmingham, Alabama.
The semi main event special attraction will pit Grammy Award Winning Rapper Coolio against aspiring actor Eric Martinez in a kickboxing match.
The fights will stream live on NESportsTV.com for a cost of $9.95. It will also be archived online for on demand viewing afterwards following the event for the same price.
Jeff Monson, a native of Olympia, Washington, is a former UFC and Pride fighter who owns victories over current UFC “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Roy Nelson and former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez. He challenged for the UFC heavyweight title in 2006 losing a 5 round decision to Tim Sylvia and went the distance against UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell in 2000.
His opponent, Travis Fulton, is a career fighter who has competed in 247 pro MMA bouts and 38 pro boxing matches. A resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa, he’s competed against former world champions Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, and Ricco Rodriguez. Fulton has wins over current “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Wes Sims and has fought to draws with UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn and former two time UFC title challenger Jeremy Horn.
Coolio, who’s straight out of Compton, will make his kickboxing debut after fellow rapper DMX pulled out of his originally scheduled bout with Martinez. In the 1990’s he rose to fame due to his hit songs “Gangstas Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage”. Most recently he’s appeared on his own TV series “Coolio Rules” and appeared on “The Today Show” earlier this month in a culinary segment telling viewers how to make “turkey soul rolls” in time for Thanksgiving.
Eric Martinez is an aspiring actor based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He appeared in the movie “Love Lies Bleeding” starring Christian Slater
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Jeff Monson vs. Travis Fulton, DMX vs. Eric Martinez headline Dec. 12 MMA/boxing event - 11/30/2009
Source: tmma-core.com
A heavyweight MMA contest between former top UFC heavyweight contender Jeff Monson and MMA ironman Travis Fulton, as well as a boxing matchup pitting hip-hip icon DMX and actor Eric Martinez, headline an upcoming hybrid MMA/boxing event.
The two bouts are part of Thunder Promotions' "Alabama Pride" event.
The show takes place Dec. 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Alabama.
"(The) 'Snowman' and 'Ironman' fight card was chosen by popular demand, and having DMX duel Eric Martinez for our co-main event, well this is the ingredients that will produce an incredible night here in Birmingham," stated Thunder Promotions CEO Rod Riccardi. "We have a host of surprise guest who will be stopping through so it’s going to be a night to remember."
Although he's competed with organizations such as the UFC and PRIDE, Monson (31-9) also mixes in a number of main-event fights on smaller cards. Aside from DREAM, Monson's seven-fight win streak he posted earlier this year came mostly in regional promotions where he was the top draw. Most recently, though, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Pedro Rizzo at Bitetti Combat 4 in Brazil.
Fulton (226-39-7), meanwhile, has competed in organizations ranging from the tiny (whose results have rarely been recorded by the major databases) to renowned, such as the UFC. Since April 2005, he's 29-3 and is carrying a current five-fight win streak. In a recent interview with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), the veteran fighter said he hoped to make one final appearance in the UFC before he calls it a career.
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Jeff Monson vs. Travis Fulton, Rapper Coolio vs. Eric Martinez on NESportsTV.com December 12 - 11/30/2009
Source: adcombat.com
Jeff Monson (31-9, 2 KO’s, 20 Submissions) vs. Travis Fulton (191-45-11, 61 KO’s, 124 Submissions) – MMA Heavyweight Fight
Live on www.NESportsTV.com PPV December 12, 2009
$9.95 USD (International Conversion Rates Apply)
Birmingham, AL – Former UFC Heavyweight title challenger Jeff Monson (31-9, 2 KO’s, 20 Submissions) will headline an NESportsTV.com mixed martial arts broadcast on Saturday night December 12th as he takes on 247 fight veteran Travis Fulton (191-45-11, 61 KO’s, 124 Submissions) live from Birmingham, Alabama.
The semi main event special attraction will pit Grammy Award Winning Rapper Coolio against aspiring actor Eric Martinez in a kickboxing match.
The fights will stream live on NESportsTV.com for a cost of $9.95. It will also be archived online for on demand viewing afterwards following the event for the same price.
Jeff Monson, a native of Olympia, Washington, is a former UFC and Pride fighter who owns victories over current UFC “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Roy Nelson and former UFC heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez. He challenged for the UFC heavyweight title in 2006 losing a 5 round decision to Tim Sylvia and went the distance against UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell in 2000.
His opponent, Travis Fulton, is a career fighter who has competed in 247 pro MMA bouts and 38 pro boxing matches. A resident of Cedar Falls, Iowa, he’s competed against former world champions Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, and Ricco Rodriguez. Fulton has wins over current “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Wes Sims and has fought to draws with UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn and former two time UFC title challenger Jeremy Horn.
Coolio, who’s straight out of Compton, will make his kickboxing debut after fellow rapper DMX pulled out of his originally scheduled bout with Martinez. In the 1990’s he rose to fame due to his hit songs “Gangstas Paradise” and “Fantastic Voyage”. Most recently he’s appeared on his own TV series “Coolio Rules” and appeared on “The Today Show” earlier this month in a culinary segment telling viewers how to make “turkey soul rolls” in time for Thanksgiving.
Eric Martinez is an aspiring actor based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. He appeared in the movie “Love Lies Bleeding” starring Christian Slater.
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Actor Eric Martinez featured in latin Star Magazine 2009 - 11/30/2009
Coolio: Hell yeah I'll cheat to win in MMA - 11/23/2009
Source: The Underground
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DMX Demands Boxing Promoters Fix His Fight - 11/23/2009
Source: terezowens.com
DMX wants to get into the boxing ring and prove to everyone that he’s still a tough guy, but there was a serious catch — he’ll only do it if the promoters can somehow MAKE the other guy lose … anyone smell a fix?! It’s all over an upcoming celebrity fight in Alabama – X signed on to fight some wannabe actor named Eric Martinez. But after he agreed to a 3-round fight, DMX had a few demands … X’s manager, Nakia Walker, submitted an addendum to the rapper’s original contract for the fight, stipulating: “Event Promoter and Management agree that [DMX] is scheduled to win Boxing Challenge.” Walker also added a line which read, “All parties agree this event has been scheduled to occur only in fun and that the artist involved is not a professional boxer.” The fight promoters, Thunder Promotions, refused to sign the addendum — claiming they never agreed to fix anything. Now, DMX is threatening to back out and the promoters are looking for someone to replace the rapper while they also prepare a lawsuit for breach of contract. DMX’s rep tells us the rapper really does want to fight — rigged or not — but she’s forcing his hand because “he’s a hip hop artist, not a boxer.” -TMZ
I’m sorry, but I always assumed DMX was a tough guy..guess not..sounds like a giant pussy to me. -TO
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DMX Bails on ‘Clean’ MMA Fight - 11/23/2009
Source: andpop.com
According to TMZ, DMX ducked out of a Dec. 12 mixed artial arts against actor Eric Martinez, and reportedly be replaced by Coolio.
The rapper’s manager reportedly insisted on a gauranteed victory over his opponent as a contract condition. Thunder Promotions, the fight’s organizer, were not on board for a fixed fight.
The group plans on filing a breach of contract lawsuit against DMX, and say that Coolio will “Take [the fight] seriously.”
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DMX Sued For $1 Mil For Backing Out Of Fight - 11/23/2009
Source: allhiphop.com
Rapper DMX is the subject of a new $1 million dollar lawsuit for backing out of a celebrity boxing match scheduled to take place in December in Birmingham, Alabama.
DMX was originally scheduled to fight boxer/actor Eric Martinez during an event titled “Alabama Pride,” promoted by Thunder Promotions.
The rapper was scheduled to box Martinez for three rounds but backed out of the fight when Thunder Promotions allegedly refused to fix the fight or guarantee DMX's safety.
DMX’s abrupt cancellation left promoters scurrying to find a replacement.
Shortly after it was announced that DMX would be pulling out of the fight, Thunder Promotions signed up rapper Coolio to face off against Martinez in the ring on December 12th.
According to Coolio, he has no plans to fix the fight or to even lose the contest.
“I've been doing martial arts for 18 years...somebody [is] gonna get knocked the f**k out,” Coolio exclaimed to radio host Angela Yee during an interview last week. “Coolio don't take a** whoopin’s well. I'll tell you what, if I get into trouble, you gonna know because it's gonna go from boxing to f**king wrestling and choking because I hate to lose.”
Thunder Promotions filed the $1 million dollar lawsuit against DMX in Birmingham County Court on Friday (November 20th).
Thunder Promotions claims DMX's cancellation has caused them hundreds and thousands of dollars and damages.
The lawsuit is the latest financial set back for DMX, who also owes $1.5 million in back taxes to the IRS.
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Coolio on The Today Show - 11/18/2009
Source: dailymotion.com
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Rap it up! Coolio's turkey 'soul rolls' - 11/16/2009
Source: today.msnbc.msn.com
TODAY recipes updated 2:34 p.m. ET Nov. 16, 2009
Want to add a little edge to your Thanksgiving meal? Why not add a dish that you can boast is "from Coolio's kitchen"? The legendary rapper shares a unique and delicious Thanksgiving treat: savory turkey and cheddar cheese wrapped up in large spring rolls.
Makes 8 servings
When I was growing up in Compton, I had a friend who lived in Watts, and I would literally dodge a bullet to go over to his house and have his Momma's famous Blasian Egg Rolls. When I grew up, I added a little soul of my own and created these little treats. My kids love 'em, and you don't even need to risk a life-threatening injury to enjoy them.
INGREDIENTS
• one 16-oz package of Large Spring Roll Wrappers
• 1 pound of Ground Turkey or Ground Beef
• 1 dime bag seasoned salt
• 1 dime-bag pepper
• 1 medium white onion, finely diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• A mix of dipping sauces (chili sauce, salsa, ranch, thousand island dressing)
• 1 head green or red cabbage, chopped (Use half a head of each for color.)
• One 8-oz bag of shredded Jack or Cheddar Cheese
• Sunflower oil
DIRECTIONS
First thing you want to do is cover your spring roll wrappers with a slightly damp towel to keep them from drying out. With that done, it’s time for some Blasian cookin’. Place 1 pound of ground turkey or ground beef into a medium sized bowl. You can even use ground chicken or ground alligator. I don’t give a damn!
Pour in half a dime bag of seasoned salt, which is about ½ tablespoon.
Follow that up with 4 peenches of pepper.
Toss in half a handful of chopped white onion.
Spoon in 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Get your hands in there and mix it up.
Don’t be afraid if you look at your meat and it don’t look complete. All you got to do is give it a sniff. If it doesn’t smell like the best damn thing you’ve ever smelled, add another peench or two of seasoned salt.
All ya kitchen pimps and hos, it’s time to improvise! That’s right, raid your refrigerator and add some sauce to your meat.
Jarez Sez: “You can use any kind of seasoning you want. Try a few things out, but this A.C. recommends trying it with a little bit of salsa and hot chili sauce. Mmm mmm hell yea!”
Use a spoon and get it all coagulated. Break up your meat and cook it in a large skillet until it’s nice and brown. Spread out 1 spring roll wrapper.
Take a little cabbage and spread it right on there. Take a little ground beef and put it over your cabbage.
Take a little cheese and put that right on top. Do a little dance with your sauce girls.
Now, roll it nice and tight like a blunt. Rolling it too loose will make it too greasy on the inside.
Jarez Sez: “Use a little dab of honey if you’re havin’ trouble keeping your rolls sealed up. If you don’t like honey, you could use a drop or two of a beaten egg. This’ll keep your souls rolled.”
Pour enough sunflower oil into a large wok or pan to float your soul rolls. Turn the head all the way up and let it get HOT!
Carefully drop in 2 to 4 soul rolls, depending on the size of your wok or pan. Let them cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown, turning them occasionally.
Let them cool for a minute or two on a plate covered in paper towels to let the oil drain. When they're cool enough to eat, dip them in your favorite sauce and eat it like a damn burrito.
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Fantastic voyage? Coolio replaces DMX in kickboxing match - 11/16/2009
Source: sports.yahoo.com
In September, we told you about troubled rapper DMX's plans to fight on a December card in Alabama. He has pulled out of the fight with Eric Martinez and is being replaced by everyone's favorite late 90s rapper, Coolio.
Don't sleep on Coolio's chances in the fight. Remember, he has spent most of his life living in a gangster's paradise. Does anything else in his past give you a clue about his chances as a fighter?
-- He has a penchant for getting involved in celebrity sporting events, including celebrity hoops and stock car racing. Does that make him an athlete? Hardly. But it shows that he is willing to try.
-- He won "Celebrity Bootcamp," a reality show that had the goal of helping celebrities hold on to the spotlight for as long as they can lose weight.
-- Earlier this year, Coolio attempted a stage dive during a performance in England. The crowd parted, and Coolio was robbed and injured. Ouch. If an experience like that doesn't make you tough, what will?
Clearly, the man has some training to do. He's 46 years old and kickboxing isn't exactly a skill that people pick up quickly. But if you're in Alabama on Dec. 19 and you have some cash to spend, check it out by buying tickets here. Then, please email us to let us know about your "Fantastic Voyage" with Coolio.
Thanks to Fight! Magazine for the heads up.
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DMX fight update: Rapper is out because he wanted the fight fixed? - 11/16/2009
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Earl Simmons better known as "DMX" isn't such a tough guy afterall. The rapper made headlines back in September when it leaked that he'd be making his debut as an MMA fighter against someone named Eric Martinez on a Dec. 12 Alabama card.
DMX, 38, started trash talking from the get-go saying he wasn't even going to train for the fight:
"We got a phone call, you know, asking if I wanted to participate in it. Yeah, why not? I figured I could do it. I'm just going to walk in as it is... It wouldn't be fair if I trained. I can fight for real though, so it is what it is."
The fight is now off because of ridiculous language DMX and his manager wanted in the fight contract. DMX needs to talk pro wrestling promoter Vince McMahon. According to documents acquired by TMZ:
X's manager, Nakia Walker, submitted an addendum to the rapper's original contract for the fight, stipulating: "Event Promoter and Management agree that [DMX] is scheduled to win the Boxing Challenge."
Huh? That doesn't sound like a real fight.
Walker also added a line which read, "All parties agree this event has been scheduled to occur only in fun and that the artist involved is not a professional boxer."
Part of the agreement was also not to release any of the details of the pre-determined results to the public. DMX now says he wants to fight regardless but the promoters, with a sour taste in their mouths, said no dice. Thunder Promotions has inserted Coolio to fight Martinez.
DMX is fresh out jail after serving a 90 day sentence in Arizona. He was locked up on charges of animal cruelty, theft and drug possession.
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Coolio Speaks On Boxing Match: "I Don't Plan On Losing, I'll Rock The Mic After I Beat Up Martinez" - 11/16/2009
Source: thisis50.com
Rap star Coolio has officially replaced DMX in an upcoming celebrity boxing match taking place in Alabama on December 12.
DMX was originally slated to face off against Albuquerque, New Mexico-based fighter Eric Martinez for three rounds, but pulled out when fighters refused to fix the fight or guarantee his safety.
For his part, Coolio believes he is prepared to take on Martinez during Thunder Promotions’ “Alabama Pride” in Birmingham.
"I’m not a good loser, so I don’t plan on losing, it will be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to seeing my fans out in Birmingham,” Coolio said in a statement released today (November 13). “I’m scheduled to perform on Dec 11th the night of the weigh-in and I’ll rock the mic the same night after I beat up Martinez.”
Also on the bill during the evening are UFC Veterans Jeff ‘Snowman’ Monson (30-9), who will take on Travis ‘Ironman’ Fulton at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.
“I chose Coolio because he is a great entertainer and a tough guy,” stated Thunder Promotions President Rod Riccardi. “Not only is he going to fight, but he is going to perform live after the weigh-ins and after the fight. The Location of these performances will be announced. This event is going to be the most entertaining MMA event Birmingham has ever seen.”
Tickets are on sale now at all ticket master locations.
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Alabama Pride: DMX gets cold feet; could be replaced by Coolio on Dec. 12 - 11/12/2009
Source: mmamania.com
It looks like “X” isn’t gon’ give it to ya’ after all.
The rapper-turned-actor-turned-inmate known as DMX was scheduled to fight celebrity wannabe Eric Martinez at the upcoming “Alabama Pride” event put forth by Thunder Promotions.
The event, headlined by a “superfight” between Butterbean and the barely upright Tank Abbott, is still threatening to take place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama, on Dec. 12.
It seems as though DMX got cold feet and submitted an addendum to his contract that called for a guaranteed outcome. That outcome would peg him as the winner no matter what transpired during the “fight.”
The “X” camp also insisted that their client is not a professional boxer but an entertainer, and that the event should (secretly) be held in good, clean fun.
Laymen have also been known to refer to that practice as “fixing fights.”
According to SixShot.com, Thunder Promotions balked at the last-minute request, prompting DMX to jump ship and allowing fellow rapper Coolio to step up and take his place.
Coolio it seems, is taking this fight very seriously. Outside of Alabama, he might be the only one.
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Coolio To Replace DMX In Celebrity Fight - 11/10/2009
Source: starpulse.com
Rapper-turned-reality TV star Coolio has stepped up to the challenge for a celebrity martial arts fight after DMX pulled out of the event last week.
DMX, real name Earl Simmons, was due to battle it out with actor Eric Martinez in an Alabama Pride MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) bout next month, but recently announced he was no longer interested amid fears for his safety.
Reports subsequently alleged the rapper quit because promoters at Thunder Productions refused to fix the match to guarantee him victory.
Gangsta's Paradise hit-maker Coolio has now been brought in as a replacement. A Thunder Productions spokesperson tells TMZ.com, "(Coolio) is going to take this seriously.
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Today the Role of DMX Will be Played by Coolio - 11/10/2009
Source: tmz.com
DMX couldn't come to terms with the people putting on a celeb boxing match next month -- meaning they wouldn't fix it so he would win -- so X is out and Coolio is in.
Thunder Productions tells TMZ they have signed Coolio to the upcoming celebrity boxing match scheduled to take place in Alabama next month. They tell us Coolio has been much easier to deal with and "he is going to take this seriously."
X had previously agreed to the bout, but only on the condition he was guaranteed to win.
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Coolio Replaces DMX In MMA Fight - 11/10/2009
Source: bet.com
Looks like DMX isn't ready to rumble, as the former rap superstar was unable to negotiate the terms of a Mixed Martial Arts fight with Thunder Productions.
As previously reported, X was scheduled to fight actor Eric Martinez in a charity match to take place in Alabama this December. The rapper was so confident, that he claimed he wouldn’t be training for the bout. "I’m just going to walk in as is,” X boasted when calling into Washington DC’s 106.7 FM The Fan. “It wouldn’t be fair if I trained.”
It turns out X won’t be fighting after all. According to TMZ, the rapper has been replaced by Coolio. Word is X wanted Thunder Productions to fix the fight in his favor. He consequently got the boot. Coolio has apparently been easier to deal with and is “going to take this seriously." Coolio is scheduled to fight Eric Martinez in Alabama next
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Alabama Pride video commercial. - 10/28/2009
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Alabama Pride audio commercial. - 10/28/2009
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DMX Speaks on Boxing Debut, New Album - 10/28/2009
Source: allhiphop.com
By Ismael AbduSalaam
DMX will become the latest emcee to enter the boxing world when he faces actor Eric Martinez this December.
In a recent interview on Washington D.C.’s 106.7 The Fan radio show, DMX (Earl Simmons) explained the origins of the fight and why he felt it wasn’t necessary to train for the contest.
"We got a phone call, you know, asking if I wanted to participate in it. Yeah, why not?" DMX stated. “I used to participate in…oh, nevermind. But yeah, I figured I could do it. I’m just going to walk in as it is, you know what I mean? It wouldn’t be fair if I trained.”
In a sport which suffers fatalities every year from head trauma, DMX was surprisingly unconcerned about fighting in Alabama, a state that has no organized athletic commission.
"I can fight for real though, so it is what it is,” X maintained.
Regarding his corner and entrance music, X revealed he hasn’t made any decisions yet.
"I have no idea [about my corner]…I haven’t even thought about that yet,” X admitted. "[The entrance music, I] haven’t thought about that either....More than likely I’ll pick one of my own songs, [like] 'What’s My Name.'”
According to DMX, a new album will be in stores by the first quarter of 2010. Before his legal troubles and incarceration this year, the rapper had originally planned to release a Hip-Hop and gospel LP on the same day in early 2009.
The fight card, entitled Alabama Pride, will take place in Birmingham on December 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex.
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Eric Martinez comes to dish on fight with Rapper DMX - 10/25/2009
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The MMA Ironman: Despite 200 career wins, Travis Fulton still looks to reinvent self - 10/25/2009
Travis Fulton, to this day, is a big baseball card collector.
Recently, he started seeing cards for UFC fighters, including Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva, and it makes him wonder what he could have done if he took training seriously during his 20s instead of taking, at times, 40-some fights a year.
He finds himself at 32 years old still living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and wanting to prove he's not just some guy who took a bunch of fights because he needed the money.
"My goal is to not be remembered as a fag who couldn't stop fighting," Fulton told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), "but someone who is a legitimate competitor and a good fighter."
In many ways, Fulton is starting over. That might seem difficult when he credits himself with a 226-39-7 MMA record (as well as 15-24 in pro boxing and 10-0 in pro kickboxing). But Fulton knows what people think about his career: That he's a joke, not a real fighter, not serious about the sport.
The next two months will help determine where Fulton's career goes. On Oct. 24, he's scheduled to fight Jason Fairn (yes, the same Jason Fairn who fought in UFC 4) before another fight in December that could, he hopes, provide legitimacy to a career that has been a punchline to some.
Fulton certainly has lived up to his nickname of "The Ironman." The former high school wrestler who was several times kicked off the team for skipping classes took his first MMA fight in 1996 with no training and accepted many of his fights to supplement his dump truck-driving income, which was $300 to $400 a week.
Now, he's taking his training seriously. He underwent organized training for the first time recently during an attempt to make "The Ultimate Fighter" 205-pounder season, and he nearly made the cut.
So, without many injuries despite the huge number of fights, Fulton is still hoping to get back to MMA's highest level.
"We've all got a shot at something in life," Fulton said. "At 32, it's kind of hard for me to find a new racket, and in this sport, I have kind of established name, so I just need to go for it."
A committed life
Consider Fulton's upbringing. His father worked third shift for John Deere as the head of a longtime Midwestern family in Cedar Falls. Fulton took much of his toughness and commitment from that family's mentality.
He followed his older brother into wrestling in elementary school, and he was also a skilled baseball player. But, he admits, skipping school to play Nintendo with his buddies cost him his high school wrestling career, as he was continually kicked off the team at grading time.
One day, a buddy rented UFC 3, and they watched in awe. He laughs now in thinking about the time he saw an ad in Black Belt Magazine through which anyone could send in an application to fight in the UFC. He did it without hesitation.
His first non-brawl fight came when he was 17 and he pretended to be his older brother to be able to fight in a local Toughman contest. Iowa, though, was already establishing itself as an MMA hotbed, and Fulton got in contact with promoter Monte Cox. He talked his way into a fight with no experience.
"I think they would've taken me if I was a cancer patient," Fulton said. "Fighters were few and far between."
That first fight came on July 26, 1996, at Gladiators 1. It's difficult to gauge from there exactly how many fights Fulton took in any period because there aren't any precise records.
But, he was about to become the most prolific fighter in the sport.
252 career fights
At first, Fulton said, the fights weren't about the money. He just liked to fight.
Somewhere near fight No. 11, he beat Matt Anderson, who had a UFC fight on his resume. That's when he thought he might actually be able to make something out of this sport.
He just started taking fights. Beginning in 2000, he admits, the fights became more about money. The dump truck gig didn't really bring in enough, so he took fights for $200 or $300 a pop. He doesn't really have an estimation of how much he ever made in a year, but he actually didn't make his best money from MMA.
Boxing was really the moneymaker. Because Fulton was a heavyweight and, for awhile, had a winning record, promoters would pay him up to $5,000 per fight.
But MMA, by far, was his busiest activity. For one thing, there were just a lot of shows in Iowa. For another, Fulton was gaining a reputation (good or bad) for fighting often, so promoters could add a name to their card by throwing him a few bucks.
"I never trained," Fulton said. "Fighting was my training. I would fight on the weekends and get drunk during the week with my friends.
"When I was like 21 or 22, the older guys said taking five million fights would catch up with me when I got to their age. But it really hasn't."
Things have slowed for Fulton. He hasn't taken nearly as many fights lately, somewhat forced by a broken hand suffered last December. It stung to feel that one of the reasons he didn't make "The Ultimate Fighter" was because of his reputation, so he decided to recommit himself to training.
Aside from his freakish number of fights, Fulton seems to be a pretty normal guy. He's raising his kids, still living in Cedar Falls. He seems sane, and he plays softball six nights a week.
But seeing how serious and respected MMA has become – not like the days when it was thrown together and looked down on as a way to scrap together a few dollars – Fulton feels he can have a place. Someday, he wants to be back in the UFC. "I'm in a hard place where I have to reinvent myself," Fulton said. "These next two fights could really be a good start for me."
Award-winning newspaper reporter Kyle Nagel is the lead features writer for MMAjunkie.com. His weekly "Fight Path" column focuses on the circumstances that led fighters to a profession in MMA. Know a fighter with an interesting story? Email us at news [at] mmajunkie.com
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The Crowd Goes Wild Jeff 'The Snowman' Monson - 10/23/2009
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The MMA Ironman: Despite 200 career wins, Travis Fulton still looks to reinvent self - 10/23/2009
Source: sports.yahoo.com
Travis Fulton, to this day, is a big baseball card collector.
Recently, he started seeing cards for UFC fighters, including Chuck Liddell and Anderson Silva, and it makes him wonder what he could have done if he took training seriously during his 20s instead of taking, at times, 40-some fights a year.
He finds himself at 32 years old still living in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and wanting to prove he's not just some guy who took a bunch of fights because he needed the money.
"My goal is to not be remembered as a fag who couldn't stop fighting," Fulton told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), "but someone who is a legitimate competitor and a good fighter."
In many ways, Fulton is starting over. That might seem difficult when he credits himself with a 226-39-7 MMA record (as well as 15-24 in pro boxing and 10-0 in pro kickboxing). But Fulton knows what people think about his career: That he's a joke, not a real fighter, not serious about the sport.
The next two months will help determine where Fulton's career goes. On Oct. 24, he's scheduled to fight Jason Fairn (yes, the same Jason Fairn who fought in UFC 4) before another fight in December that could, he hopes, provide legitimacy to a career that has been a punchline to some.
Fulton certainly has lived up to his nickname of "The Ironman." The former high school wrestler who was several times kicked off the team for skipping classes took his first MMA fight in 1996 with no training and accepted many of his fights to supplement his dump truck-driving income, which was $300 to $400 a week.
Now, he's taking his training seriously. He underwent organized training for the first time recently during an attempt to make "The Ultimate Fighter" 205-pounder season, and he nearly made the cut.
So, without many injuries despite the huge number of fights, Fulton is still hoping to get back to MMA's highest level.
"We've all got a shot at something in life," Fulton said. "At 32, it's kind of hard for me to find a new racket, and in this sport, I have kind of established name, so I just need to go for it."
A committed life
Consider Fulton's upbringing. His father worked third shift for John Deere as the head of a longtime Midwestern family in Cedar Falls. Fulton took much of his toughness and commitment from that family's mentality.
He followed his older brother into wrestling in elementary school, and he was also a skilled baseball player. But, he admits, skipping school to play Nintendo with his buddies cost him his high school wrestling career, as he was continually kicked off the team at grading time.
One day, a buddy rented UFC 3, and they watched in awe. He laughs now in thinking about the time he saw an ad in Black Belt Magazine through which anyone could send in an application to fight in the UFC. He did it without hesitation.
His first non-brawl fight came when he was 17 and he pretended to be his older brother to be able to fight in a local Toughman contest. Iowa, though, was already establishing itself as an MMA hotbed, and Fulton got in contact with promoter Monte Cox. He talked his way into a fight with no experience.
"I think they would've taken me if I was a cancer patient," Fulton said. "Fighters were few and far between."
That first fight came on July 26, 1996, at Gladiators 1. It's difficult to gauge from there exactly how many fights Fulton took in any period because there aren't any precise records.
But, he was about to become the most prolific fighter in the sport.
252 career fights
At first, Fulton said, the fights weren't about the money. He just liked to fight.
Somewhere near fight No. 11, he beat Matt Anderson, who had a UFC fight on his resume. That's when he thought he might actually be able to make something out of this sport.
He just started taking fights. Beginning in 2000, he admits, the fights became more about money. The dump truck gig didn't really bring in enough, so he took fights for $200 or $300 a pop. He doesn't really have an estimation of how much he ever made in a year, but he actually didn't make his best money from MMA.
Boxing was really the moneymaker. Because Fulton was a heavyweight and, for awhile, had a winning record, promoters would pay him up to $5,000 per fight.
But MMA, by far, was his busiest activity. For one thing, there were just a lot of shows in Iowa. For another, Fulton was gaining a reputation (good or bad) for fighting often, so promoters could add a name to their card by throwing him a few bucks.
"I never trained," Fulton said. "Fighting was my training. I would fight on the weekends and get drunk during the week with my friends.
"When I was like 21 or 22, the older guys said taking five million fights would catch up with me when I got to their age. But it really hasn't."
Things have slowed for Fulton. He hasn't taken nearly as many fights lately, somewhat forced by a broken hand suffered last December. It stung to feel that one of the reasons he didn't make "The Ultimate Fighter" was because of his reputation, so he decided to recommit himself to training.
Aside from his freakish number of fights, Fulton seems to be a pretty normal guy. He's raising his kids, still living in Cedar Falls. He seems sane, and he plays softball six nights a week.
But seeing how serious and respected MMA has become not like the days when it was thrown together and looked down on as a way to scrap together a few dollars Fulton feels he can have a place. Someday, he wants to be back in the UFC.
"I'm in a hard place where I have to reinvent myself," Fulton said. "These next two fights could really be a good start for me."
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MMA Submission: Jeff Monson's Legal Situation - 10/23/2009
Source: sports.espn.com
Jeff Monson was in North Carolina last Thursday. By Saturday, he was facing down jail time.
Wednesday afternoon, Monson says seven police cars swarmed his Olympia home, only to find the fighter not around. They spoke with his teenage daughter, who immediately called The Snowman and informed him an arrest warrant had been issued for him.
The charges: malicious mischief (a class B felony) for spray-painting the anarchist logo and anti-war sentiments on pillars fronting the Olympia capitol building. Investigators say the break in the case came when the Dec. 29 issue of ESPN The Magazine arrived, featuring a story about Monson and his political views, complete with evidence.
Exhibit A: a photo of Monson in the act. (It can be found here.)
At the end of a photo shoot with The Magazine, Monson grabbed a can of spray-paint from his pocket and did the deed, without giving the photographer advanced warning. "I would have done it with you guys there, or not," the fighter says. "The opportunity presented itself, and I took it."
"I would have done it with you guys there, or not," the fighter says. "The opportunity presented itself, and I took it."
Monson planned to return to Olympia some time over the weekend and go, as requested, to the city police department office and surrender.
"I will go peacefully," Monson says. "I fight for a living, but I'm not violent outside of the cage."
He does, however, plan to fight the charges. Through his connections in the anarchist movement, Monson has an attorney lined up. He wants to turn himself in, make bail, return to his house…and proceed to pay zero cents of the $19,000 worth of damage he's alleged to have made (cleanup of the building can be seen on this news footage).
"I knew the consequences of tagging the capitol," he says. "But I'm never going to pay a dime to the government until this war (in Iraq) is ended."
Instead, Monson plans to continue training for the biggest payday of his career, a proposed March fight in Japan against unbeaten Roger Gracie. The paperwork hasn't been completed, but if the deal goes through as planned, Monson will earn $200,000 to fight and another $50,000 to win.
Unless, of course, he isn't allowed to leave the country.
"This is how I make a living, so I don't think they can prevent me from fighting," he says. "I have a family to support."
But what about his family, wife Jennifer and his two teenage kids? Why not just pay the fine and plead out the case?
"No way," Monson says. "I know it sounds crazy, but I want to use this as a platform for my beliefs. My family is proud of me for sticking to what I believe, and they support me in this. This is about more than just spray-painting a building. It's about fighting poverty and ending a senseless war."
Echoing the same statement he made in our magazine profile, Monson says, "I don't want to go to prison, but I will. This is about more than just spray-painting a building. It's about fighting poverty and ending a senseless war. I'll go to jail for that."
http://www.tdn.com/
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MMA fighter Monson sentenced to work release for graffiti - 10/23/2009
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MMA fighter Monson sentenced to work release for graffiti - 10/23/2009
Source: tdn.com
Olympia Mixed martial arts champion Jeff Monson avoided jail time during his sentencing Thursday for spray-painting anarchist graffiti on the state Capitol and a Lacey armed services recruitment center last year.
Instead, Monson, 38, must serve 90 days of work release while on electronic home monitoring, a punishment that will allow him to work to pay off the $21,894 in restitution Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor also ordered as part of Monson's sentence.
For more of this story, click on or type the URL below:
http://www.tdn.com/
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Jeff Monson vs. Travis Fulton is New Headlining Fight for Alabama Pride Event in December - 10/23/2009
Source: mmawaves.com
Thunder Promotions recently announced that a heavyweight fight between Jeff Monson and Travis Fulton will serve as the new main event for its Alabama Pride event on December 12, which takes place at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama.
The organization had previously announced a heavyweight main event between Butterbean and Tank Abbott, but the fight has been dropped entirely from the card.
The new headlining fight features two veteran mixed martial arts fighters in Monson and Fulton.
Monson, a former UFC heavyweight contender, holds a record of 31-9. He has won seven of his last eight fights and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Pedro Rizzo at Bitetti Combat MMA 4 in September.
His opponent Fulton has a record of 191-45 and is currently riding a five-fight win streak, including a recent win over Tony Crawford at MFC 8 in August.
Also featured on the card is a co-main event celebrity boxing fight between rapper DMX and musician Eric Martinez.
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DMX Heading To Ring In Boxing Match - 10/08/2009
Source: allhiphop.com
Rap star DMX will step into the ring against musician Eric Martinez this December, on the under card of the Tank Abbott/ Butterbean fight.
Thunder Promotions has announced that DMX will square off against Martinez during a boxing match on December 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama.
Martinez is the CEO of Power Moves Entertainment, a record label, management firm, and event promotion company based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
According to Martinez’ bio, he is an official member of DMX’s management team and will wrestle the rapper during the event, which is dubbed “Alabama Pride.”
Alabama Pride kicks takes place December 12 at 8:00 PM in Birmingham, Alabama.
DMX is currently working on two albums with producer Swizz Beatz.
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DMX Boxing Match “All In Good Fun,” Says Rep - 10/08/2009
Source: xxlmag.com
DMX is getting back into the ring, both figuratively and literally. One week after XXLMag.com caught up with X on the VH1 Hip Hop Honors red carpet, news broke that the Yonkers rapper will be fighting in a mixed martial arts event in Alabama.
Dubbed the Alabama Pride MMA, the match is set to take place on December 12 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. X will be squaring off against an “up-and-coming actor” named Eric Martinez, according to tmz.com, in the celebrity fight portion of the night.
X’s publicist told XXLMag.com that the MC is rejuvenated and excited about taking part in the fight. “It’s all in good fun,” she said. “Over the last six months he has been living a very healthy lifestyle, a lifestyle that consists of hitting the gym every single day and eating healthy. He looks great and he feels incredible. This is the perfect opportunity for him to show his fans it’s the return of X.”
As previously reported, X has had a troubled last couple of years. Along with repeat visits to the courthouse, he spent 90 days in an Arizona jail for drug, theft and animal cruelty charges. Since being released in May the dog has reunited with his Ruff Ryder family on Jadakiss’ “Who’s Real” remix.
He was also on hand at the VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrating Def Jam’s 25th Anniversary last Wednesday. X performed his hit, “Party Up (Up in Here),” during the taping, bouncing around the stage like a rapper in his prime.
Tickets for X’s fight are currently on sale on ticketmaster.com. –Elan Mancini
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Out of jail, into the ring - 10/01/2009
Source: tmz.com
DMX -- who has to be good an bobbing and weaving by now -- is set to box some dude named Eric Martinez during the "Celebrity Fight" section of an Alabama Pride MMA event in December. We're told Eric is an "up-and-coming actor" -- who we're guessing will soon star in DMX's next police report.
X's rep tells us the rapper has been "working out really hard," "eating right," and is "looking forward to having some fun" -- which we're guessing is prison-speak for beating some poor sap's face in before laundry duty.
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Interview with Eric Martinez - 10/01/2009
Source: hiphopblog.com
I recently took over as top editor at hiphopblog.com and If you'd be so kind i'd like you to answer a few questions for me about this fight and what you have goin on outside the fight and i'll post it this friday or saturday.
1. This fight between you and DMX has the internet going nuts. People are scratching their heads wondering how and why it came about. Speak on your relationship with DMX and what made the both of you hop in the octagon. Yeah I know and let me get one thing clear right now, we are not fighting MMA. We are boxing for 3 rounds. I have nothing but the greatest respect for fighters on all levels and hope that NO ONE thinks we are trying to make a mockery out of the sport. We are simply 2 guys who want to get it on. The promoters reached out to us and we set it up, it's going to be allot of fun. It's unfortunate that there is going to be people who think it's a joke or make fun of it; but it's not that serious, really.
2. A lot of people know you in the Latino community and the corporate community but you are also heavily involved in film and music as well right? Yeah primarily my focus right now is the movies, I am reading for allot of roles right now. I did "Love Lies Bleeding" with Christian Slater and Jenna DeWan, did a couple of episodes of "In Plain Sight" on USA Network, did a little work on "Gamer". This business is so crazy so you have to take what you get, I am also working on a few independents. Trust me NO ONE in the Movie or Music business did it without SOMEONE giving them a break. Being in Albuquerque, NM the movie business is really booming and it's good to be able to work from home. I'm really just trying to build my resume, I want to work on good projects and have a good team with me. On the music end, Powermoves Entertainment is my company and we are right now just doing marketing, branding, promotions for artists; some major, some independent. This is a business where you have to be flexible, not only with your career but goals. You have to be multi-facited, I am also involved in a new clothing line with my partner Sean Amalla called "Adrian Nairda", we are really excited about it. The thing is that I have tried to learn from the people I get to be around.
3. Were you a big MMA fan before this whole thing came about? I love the sport! Dana White has done an excellent job in really promoting it to a level no one could have imagined! I had the pleasure of having lunch with him and was amazed at how he deals with the fighters, the business, the haters, just everything. Diego Sanchez is one of my favorite fighters and I think he has a really good shot at beating BJ Penn. I think they are both awesome, but I really like Diego chances in this one. Greg Jackson trains Rashaad Evans and Keith Jardine as well as GSP right here in Albuquerque! Like I said, I am a fan and have nothing but respect for these fighters.
4. You are a pretty big dude. The dog is giving up a lot of weight to you, does that give you an advantage in the fight? Actually Im shorter than X and probably 15lbs lighter, but I am doing alot of cardio and doing my best to be prepared. I stay in pretty good shape to begin with, but Im definitely going to be ready for anything.
5. Do you see this as a one time promotional thing or are you guys serious about getting into MMA? LOL! yes this is definitely a 1 time thing! I think I can speak for both of us when I say that. Im not looking for a career in the MMA. All of those guys are a different breed! God Bless them all!! Like I said earlier, we are just 2 guys who want to get it on, lets see what happens.
6. So whose gonna win the fight. Are you gonna do a Muhammad Ali and predict a round its gonna end in? Who knows? they say that who ever is the best prepared right? So I am going to make sure that I am fully prepared. Again, allot of people might think it's a joke, even with ButterBean and Tank Abbott. But there is nothing wrong with being a competitor, nothing wrong with doing what you love, nothing wrong with mixing it up a little.
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Actor Eric Martinez Ready to Square Off Against Rapper DMX - 10/01/2009
Source: Fanhouse.com
Eric Martinez is an actor and entrepreneur who will throw his hat in the boxing ring Nov. 21 when he fights controversial rapper DMX on the Thunder Promotions "Alabama Pride" MMA card headlined by Butterbean vs. Tank Abbott.
The involvement of DMX, one of the all-time top-selling rappers and one of music's larger-than-life personalities, has become a hot topic in the MMA and hip hop circles and FanHouse caught up with Martinez to discuss the celebrity boxing fight. The interview is below.
Ray Hui: First of all, how did this all come about?
Eric Martinez: (Laughs.) Well, the promoters reached out and wanted to see if they can set up a celebrity fight between myself and DMX. It was just real simple. I heard that Busta Rhymes was actually the original opponent they were trying to get for DMX but I guess because of scheduling conflicts he couldn't make it. My manager talked to them and told them a little about what I did and they thought it would be a great fit basically they asked X and he agreed, I agreed, and there you have it.
I understand you are or in the past have done business with him. What's your relationship with DMX?
My company has actually done some work with him in the past as far as branding and promoting. Outside of acting, I run a company called Powermoves Entertainment. We do promotion, marketing, branding, consulting and we've done some stuff in the past [with DMX]. But that has nothing to do with this. I'm not his manager. Awhile back there was a press release that said I was part of the management team – which I was for a very, very short time, but my VP runs my company, and I guess you can say my company was working with him more than I was.
Your connection with him was one of the added question marks to the matchup. So they'll be no holding back between you two?
We're not going in there to lose and I'm not going in there to get beat up. We're going to get it on.
This is not going to be a glorified sparring match. You guys are going to look to knock each other out.
Right, it's for real. This is one thing I want people to understand, I'm a huge fan of the MMA world, I'm a huge fan of the sport, I'm a huge fan of the fighters. I have nothing but respect for the MMA world – actually all fighters: boxers, MMA fighters. And we're not trying to make a mockery of the sport. We're not trying to be the second coming of Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. We're just two guys who were offered the chance to fight and we're going to get it on and may the best man win. But at the end of the day we're not going to be doing MMA, we're going to be boxing. That's been the biggest thing a lot of people think we're going to be fighting MMA style. This isn't going to be a career for me. (Laughs.) There's real warriors out there that train and fight and I want people to know more than anything that I have nothing but the greatest respect for the sport and the fighters.
What is your boxing experience? And do you know if DMX has trained boxing before?
To be honest with you, there's not much experience behind either one of us. Neither one of us have ever fought professionally or otherwise. I can tell you I'm going to be doing everything I can to prepare myself for anything. I've been around the sport my whole life being from Albuquerque, NM, where there's nothing but fighters out here. I knew a lot of fighters. I've trained at some gyms. It is what it is. We're going to go out there and do the best that we can.
I actually heard about this fight a couple weeks ago and I didn't believe it at first. I was going: What the heck is DMX doing in a boxing ring or cage? (Both laugh.) I heard it was under MMA rules at first, too.
Here's the thing, Ray. There's going to be so many people out there. Unfortunately there's no way around it. You're going to have your haters and the people who feel they can take jabs at us. I've read some of the stuff they've said about Tank and Butterbean. But make no mistake about it, there's nothing wrong with being a competitor, trying something new, doing something you love. Like I said, this isn't a career for me and I know it's not a career for DMX. We got invited to do this, we're going to get it on, it's real, it's not a hoax, it's not a publicity stunt. We're going to fight.
With all the troubles that has gone on in DMX's life in recent years, is he hurting for money? (One of his numerous arrests the past few years was providing fake identification to avoid a hospital bill.)
No, no. DMX is doing really well. From what I understand he's doing great. He's got a new album coming out. He's got a lot of things on the table. I can guarantee you we're not doing this just for the money. We both agreed to do it because we both thought it would be fun.
It's shocking at least to me because DMX has a lot to lose in this fight. He has this aggressive image -- and I know there's a gentler yet intensely religious side to him -- but with the importance of bravado in the rap game, a loss in a real fight can hurt his reputation big time.
I can't speak for him directly. All I can say is that I'm preparing myself, I'm sure X is preparing himself and I'm sure he feels the same way. He's not going in there to get beat up. He's not going in there to lose and be made fun of. Obviously if either of us felt this was a bad career move, neither one of us would have done it. How many times you get a chance to do something like this? They are expecting a sellout.
Listen, I'm certainly not going out there to end his career and to be honest with you, X is such a great rapper. If the stuff that he's gotten in trouble for over the past five years haven't ended his career, I don't think anything like this could. I don't think people realize is that he really is a good dude. The few times I've been around him and the way I've seen him treat even his entourage and his people, that dude would give you the shirt off his back.
How many rounds is the fight and how long?
I think it's going to be three, two-minute rounds, but it could change to three, three-minute rounds.
How do you two matchup in size and weight?
(Chuckles.) Oh wow. I think he's like 5'10, 11, cause I'm 5'5. He's definitely taller than me.
That's a huge reach advantage.
Yeah, he's got a big reach advantage. It was funny cause at the photo shoot his people were like, "Wow, you're a stocky little dude." (Laughs.) And X is kinda lanky and I think X outweighs me probably by 15 pounds. But again, I'm not worried. I've always kept myself in pretty decent shape and come fight night, I'll be ready for whatever.
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Online Interest in UFC Skyrockets while NASCAR, NFL and NHL Fall - 09/24/09
Source: blog.nielsen.com
Scott Hamm
If you have not heard of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by now, chances are you will be hearing about it in the near future. After breaking into the mainstream with The Ultimate Fighter reality series in 2005, an analysis of online buzz shows that the UFC continues to make great strides in popularity.
Backed by cable television programming and monthly pay-per-view events, the UFC has steadily gained online buzz during the past 18 months. Since 2008, UFC buzz has trended upward and peaked with the UFC 94 event held on January 31, 2009, which featured a bout between Georges St. Pierre, the welterweight champion, and B.J. Penn, the lightweight champion.
The UFC’s growth is actually even more impressive when compared against more well established sports leagues such as the MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL and NASCAR. When comparing the first six months of 2008 to the first six months of 2009, UFC online buzz jumped 93 percent and is the only sports organization to exhibit a double digit gain.
*Buzz is compared from January 2008 through June 2008 (H108) to January 2009 through June 2009 (H109)
It is appropriate to ask how much of the UFC’s increase can be attributed to a rise in popularity for its sport, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)? Looking at the same time frame, MMA mentions increased 41 percent, which represents stronger growth than other sports, but still illustrates that the UFC brand is growing at a quicker rate.
With most fight oriented sports, intriguing match-ups and promotions are key to an event’s success. The UFC has done its best to “own” its sport by signing many of the world’s top fighters and using its octagon-shaped cage as a key branding point. Beyond these elements, the UFC also utilizes its own president, Dana White, to be the franchise’s most visible public figure. Although Dana White has received his share of heat for sometimes being too vocal, his name receives far more online buzz than commissioners from much larger sports organizations do.
*Buzz is from January 2008 through June 2009
Another key to the UFC’s success has been highly anticipated events featuring the sport’s top fighters. To celebrate its one hundredth pay-per-view match, the upcoming UFC 100 promises to be one of the biggest events in their 16 year history, featuring a heavyweight title match between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir and a middleweight title match between Georges St. Pierre and Thiago Alves. Although the UFC 100 event won’t be held until July 11, 2009, anticipatory buzz has already outpaced that of overall discussion for seven of the past eight pay-per-view events.
* Buzz is from November 2008 through June 2009
Becoming the “fastest growing sports franchise” is not an easy feat. Sustaining the same level of growth over time may prove to be difficult for the UFC, especially as competing MMA organizations such as Affliction and Strikeforce attempt to capitalize on the sport’s success. However, with strong events on the horizon like the UFC 100, and increased coverage by the mainstream media, the UFC appears well positioned to continue its rise to the top of the sports world.
Bobby Czyz
Three Time World Champion
Louis Mandylor
Actor, director, and producer
Ray Mercer
Former WBO Heavyweight Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist
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