A great fight night

River Rock Theater, inside River Rock Casino in Richmond on Saturday, January, 23 was host to the first ever MMA fight night inside the cage since the City of Vancouver agreed to sanction Pro Mixed Martial Arts Fight events on a two year trial basis. West Coast Promotions, together with River Rock Casino Resort put on this amateur fight night with all the preparations that a pro event would have.

Cage Night at the Rock

FightNews.com has awarded the team of Manny Sobral, Neil Pope, and Alister Brodie all of West Coast Promotions as the Promoter of the year. In recognition of their work putting on top level fight nights at The Rock and Red Robinson, calling them ‘… a real class act’. They are of course also the guys who run the North Burnaby Boxing Club.

Manny Sobral talked about the transition to MMA in an interview with boxingcinema.com: “It was an evolutionary decision on behalf of West Coast Promotions as we are in the combative sports promotion business.  There is a lot of cross over between the fastest growing sport in N. America, MMA, and boxing so we felt it important to be promoting yet another very exciting avenue of sport.

There are people still wondering about the safety factor of Mixed Martial Arts. Fighters attended pre-fight medicals, and as pointed out ahead of the event in their press release, “…all the officials for the event have been trained and certified by either IPRO (International Professional Ring Officials) or C.O.M.M.A.N.D. (Certification of Officials for Mixed Martial Arts Development) training programs and have many years of experience in their respective fields.” Paramedics are also on hand for the duration of the event.

The first cage fight in greater Vancouver was a very well organised event. The River Rock Theatre had an enthusiastic full house.

MMA Cage

And like any event I have seen, trainers and fighters from gyms from various cities around BC and as far away as Alberta came together to make a great night. Fight of the night was awarded to the women’s MMA match between Wendy Roy and Sarah McLeod, which ended in a draw based on identical scores by all three judges. These two fighters fought a determined match until the end and demonstrated skill, strategy and surprises. MMA is all about the surprises, that is what the crowd has come to see.

Iman Rahmim of Versus21

An award was also handed out to Versus21 (disclaimer, where I train), by F.I.L.E.S News, for the best new martial arts gym in Vancouver.

MMA in a cage had a great debut in Vancouver’s Lower Mainland. UFC 115 is slated for June at GM place, and there are going to be more great fight nights to come in this town.

Photos

Link to full set on Flickr.com.

Fighers on the ground

Fighters in Guard

Coaches shouting directions

Card Girls Are Lovely

Fighter Wendy Roy

Fighters Sarah McLeod and Wendy Roy

Emilio Ditrocchio and Bazooka Joe

Fighters in Guard

Right Cross

Ground Work

Fighter Ready To Enter

Link to full set on Flickr.com.

Fight results

Fight Decisions published from West Coast Promotions, January 26, 2010.

Source: WestCoast Promotions, Press Release.

The Audience at River Rock

Other Sources of news for this event online:

Photos: MMA at the River Rock, Vancouver Sun.

MMA rolls into River Rock, Vancouver Sun.

Ground and Pound: Swinging Sisters Highlight MMA Event, Vancouver Sun.

Saturday Night Nearly Sold Out, Vancouver Sun.

Gionco International Presents

Championship Kickboxing & MMA Bouts

Featuring Dean Lirette vs Jerry Wang

for the ISKA BC Championship

Plus Five MMA fights

Friday January 29, 7 PM

Fraserview Hall, 8240 Fraser Street ( Marine Drive) Vancouver BC

MMA at the River Rock Casino, 23 January 2010.

West Coast Promotions is pleased to announce the first ever live amateur MMA event at the River Rock Show Theatre. With Vancouver City Council’s recent approval of professional MMA in the City of Vancouver this is a great opportunity to showcase amateur MMA in Richmond.

For the first time in Lower Mainland MMA history, the bouts will be contested in a CAGE… (the way it was meant to be!).

Tickets range from $29.99 to $99.99 and are available through www.ticketmaster.ca or at the River Rock Box office which can be reached at 604.247.8562

More info: West Coast Promotions

Here is some more MMA action from the Honour Combat fight night on November 27th at Edgewater Casino.

The first one is the Jonathan Agnew and Tak Sasaki filmed from the crowd by Sukhi Dhaliwal:

Here is the same fight shot by Stephen Hui of the Georgia Straight:

Stephen Hui also caught a round of a fight earlier in the evening between Jordan Knippleberg and Roland Wheeler.

First in a series of photos for Honour Combat Championships at Edgewater Casino in Vancouver, 27 November 2009.

Link to more photos from my flickr.com pool

Friday night is going to be a good fight night! If the MMA night at Edgewater Casino is sold out, go an check out the Fight Night at the View, 7 PM Friday November 27th  2009, featuring kickboxing and MMA fights. Info: http://www.gerrygionco.com/upcomingevents.html

Update:

Congratulations to Sensei Dean Lirette, I saw on Sensei Blake’s blog that Dean won his fight decsively in Victoria at Quest For The Title IV.

Osu!

Sensei Dean Lirette from the gym where I train, Versus21, is fighting at Quest for the Title IV. Go Sensei Dean! Hit em hard!!!!

Saturday October 3, Doors @6, Fights @7.

Victoria Arts Connection
2750 Quadra St.
Victoria BC Canada

More info to be found at: http://questforthetitle.com/

TOP RANK MARTIAL ARTS is bringing back the NORTH AMERICAN Challenge # 24

WHEN: Saturday April 4th, 2009
WHERE: Mickey McDougall Gymnasium in North Vancouver, BC
WHAT: LIVE Kickboxing, MMA and Muay Thai!
TIME: Doors open at 7:00PM fights start at 7:30PM
TICKETS: Available now by calling 604-318-1902 OR Reply to this email.

For seating chart, go to ringfight.com

North American Challenge is BACK in North Vancouver following the smashing success of the 23 previous installments. This show has reliably sold out well before the doors even open, so get your tickets soon! NAC 24 will feature an action-packed evening of exciting fights in a venue that offers incredible views from every seat in the house, and this event is supporting the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life!

This is your chance to cheer on some of the most explosive Canadian fighters as they do battle with notoriously talented Brazilians in North Vancouver, BC.

With a collaboration of top-level amateur MMA, Kickboxing and Muay Thai, there is something for every fight fan to enjoy.

The Brazilian team is coached by Morganti Jiu Jitsu expert Cesar Narita and includes:
Heavyweight Adam Godoy (Brazil) VS. Mike Gill (Canada)
Light Heavyweight Kyle Thorpe (Brazil) VS. Kyle Wisniewski (Canada)
Middleweight Lelo Aurelio (Brazil) VS. K the Marshall (Canada)

Local MMA fighters doing battle include:
Part Jenson VS. Matt Dwyer
Emilio Ditrocchio VS. Nael Anderson
Ramy Kadi VS. Alan Day
More local Kickboxing bouts include:
Nigel Miller VS. Adam Blanchette
Marc Bandeursen VS. Nicolas Migrane
Dustin Dickson VS. Logan Marten

**** Plus more exiting bouts **** ( Fight Subject To Change )
Tickets are on Sale Now!
For tickets or info, contact Mike at 604-318-1902 or fightspromoter@gmail.com

Directions to Mickey McDougall Gym:

Heading East or West on Highway #1, take Exit #18 (Lonsdale Exit). Turn down Lonsdale to 23rd St. and take a left at the lights (Centennial Theatre will be on your left). Continue to the 2nd block. Mickey McDougall Gymnasium will be on your left-hand side next to the Court House.

Kai Sinthong Muay Thai in VANCOUVER, BC. Kai Singthong will be hosting a Muay Thai Fight event showcasing Vancouver’s talented local fighters at the Maritime Labour Centre – 1880 Triumph Street.

Doors open at 6 and fights start at 8. Tickets are $30-$40 (save $5 by purchasing in advance). For tickets please contact Master Song at 778.896.1539

Proudly fighting out of Kai Singthong are Sean Kearney, Stanley Lam, Michael Khademi, Osmond Cheung, Cathay Cheng, Jessica Becher, Maylyn Silab, Walter Buse and Tai Lam.

Other fights include:
Scott Shaffer from Maurice Smith Seattle, Victor Wang and Alexandru Aparaschivei from Kel Lees Martial Arts, and John Edward and Colin Silver from KB One Kickboxing

This will be an action packed event with tons of Kicks, Knees, Elbows, Fists of Fury and Stand Up Grappling! This event is sanctioned by the Canadian Muay Thai Association and follows International Muay Thai Kickboxing rules and features some of the finest fighters from the Kai Singthong gym as well as other skilled fighters from Canada and USA. There will also be a special guest appearance by former UFC champion Maurice Smith.

MORE INFO Here: http://www.mantiskungfu.com/TigerBalmInternationals.htm

HOST TOURNAMENT FOR THE 2009 CANADIAN ISJA SPORT JUJITSU CHAMPIONSHIPS

SEE: Karate vs Kung Fu vs Tae Kwon Do vs Kenpo vs Jujitsu vs Kickboxing
See black belt contact fighting, including throws, and ground fighting
submission holds with the best competing for ISJA Canadian Sport Jujitsu
Championship gold medals.

NINE SPARRING CATEGORIES

SKIL point fighting, SKIL & WKC continuous sparring, Sport Jujitsu, padded weapons sparring,
San Shou fighting, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Free Style Grappling & Modified Pankration.

LOCATION:
Capilano College Sportsplex 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, B.C., Canada

WORLD MARTIAL ART GAMES:
The Tiger Balm Internationals is a W.O.M.A.A. sanctioned, qualifying event to help pick members for TEAM CANADA for The W.O.M.A.A. World Martial Games.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS MANDATORY:
Includes: Hand/foot pads, mouthpiece, and headgear. Protective equipment will be available for sale on site. Gloves will be provided for the WKC Continuous, and Sanshu sparring divisions.

NINE SPARRING CATEGORIES:
SKIL point sparring, SKIL & WKC continuous sparring, Sport Jujitsu, padded weapons sparring, Sanshu sparring, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Free Style Grappling, and Modified Pankration.

PADDED WEAPON’S POINT FIGHTING:

Padded weapon’s point sparring combatants are required to have the following:
Martial arts uniform, mouthpiece, athletic cup (male combatants), fingernails and toenails trimmed, and protective hand pads. Recommended equipment: Knee and shin pads (optional but highly recommended), shoes (non-marking soles), elbow pads (optional but highly recommended), and any safety pads a combatant feels are necessary to prevent injury without restriction of motion.

Supplied equipment by the event:
Weapon of choice (tomfa, nunchucks, three section staff, katana, staff, and arnis sticks), headgear (re-enforced steel wire cages and full faced head), and chest protectors.

MORE INFO Here: http://www.mantiskungfu.com/TigerBalmInternationals.htm