Located on 5345 Glen Ridge Dr, Alive MMA is one of the largest training faicilities in San Antonio. Since August 2007 Alive has been making sure their fighters are well rounded with Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, and MMA. Also, with a focus on rudimentary conditioning (think caveman), Alive offers classes to help prepare you for your fight. The environment is the basic work hard, train hard attitude that makes a fighter come back for more. Alive MMA makes training a little easier for all by being open 7 days a week, with classes sure to fit anyone’s schedule. And even for those who train at other schools, one Saturday a month, Alive hosts an open enrollment grappling tournment to test your skills. With a growing list of fighters, Alive MMA is one of the best gyms in San Antonio. For more information call 210-248-9255.
By Raul Rangel
One of the top schools to train at is Texas Powerhouse on the Northeast side of San Antonio. The school is located on 3203 Nacogdoches Rd. Powerhouse is one of the longest running and highly decorated MMA gyms in San Antonio. Owner and head professional trainer Jamie Miller welcomes all types of people into his gym who are willing to train and learn. There are different levels of training offered. Fernando Rodriguez is the team’s Jiu-Jitsu trainer. Monica Carrizal and Joe Cruz train Thai boxing. Adam Schindler and Aaron Suarez teach MMA, and Frank Caballeros is the head amateur trainer. Powerhouse also puts a focus on wrestling, which is a great skill to learn when taking the fight to the ground. Miller bases his team’s success on a great working environment and the dedication of his students and staff. Students learn and work with each other on different points of their game. This also lets the team know when someone is ready for the next step. Powerhouse welcomes and encourages women to learn and train. There are also classes for kids, age 5 and over. Texas Powerhouse is a real force in MMA, and if you need proof Jamie Miller offers 3 free days. For more information contact Jaime Miller 210-710-7348.
By Raul Rangel
We all get to a point in our life when we start to wonder, ‘how much do I have left in the tank?’. When we are young the sky is the limit on how far we can push our abilities, but father time catches up to us. Athletes feel it the worst. With aging, your performance starts to slide and before you know it the sport you loved has moved on, leaving you behind. But, when should a fighter retire and what determines that a person should retire.
Is it losses that determine retirement? Guys like Ken Shamrock, Chuck Liddell, and Tank Abbott are losing in first and second round efforts, to guys who would not have stood a chance against them in their prime. To watch Tank gas out in a fight 2 min into round 1 makes people forget the devasting punching power he once had. Chuck Liddell, has gone 1 and 3 in his last 4 fights, 2 losses coming from knockouts. Many claim Shamrock should have called it quits after his run with Tito Ortiz, when he could not work in much of his offense.
The training fighters go through these days is different from what it used to be. A lot of focus goes into conditioning and proper knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, wrestling, etc…. Where as, the early nineties fighters focussed on one of their strengths. For a fighter at 35, picking up these skills is next to impossible.
With age also comes a longer recovery time from a fight. A younger fighter could probably go 2 months after their bout, but the older you get time keeps moving further apart. Also, the older you get the more likely you are to suffer an injury or even be knocked out.
Maybe it’s just me, but I like seeing superstars leaving on a high note. Coming from a pro wrestling background, I always felt sad looking at the old vets hoping to get on a show. I like to remember my heroes as Gods that can’t be touched, not the ones trying to re-live their old glory days. Raul
This week on Texasfighter, I had the opportunity to have a one-on-one with Light Heavyweight Champion Antwon Williams. We, touched on different subjects regarding his past, present, and future.
RR: This fight was suppose to happen 5 months ago, but due to an accident, it was cancelled. How did you feel about getting your title match?
AW: I was excited. I was glad that they were going to have me in the match again.
RR: Now, you did have a fight between your accident and the title fight for TAMMA, how did you do?
AW: I won the Kansas Light Heavyweight title, 2 months after the accident.
RR: Fight Night, you walked into the lions den, the crowd really dug your intro. But, Michael Martinez tore the house down coming out to “Volver”, did the crowd affect you in any way?
AW: I was nervous before the fight, but I got through it. The crowd was excellent, it was more than what I thought it was going to be. I love San Antonio, can’t wait to fight there again.
RR: Your leg kicks were devasting in the fight, was it your game plan to stand up?
AW: The fight could have gone anyway, standing or ground, I had heard that Michael had a great stand up and could go the distance.
RR: You won the match by stoppage, how did you celebrate?
AW: I went and got a Cheeseburger from Burger King, I had not had one forever.
RR: Odell Pantin is the number 1 contender, but he is going to fight for the Heavyweight title first. Would you prefer a rematch with Michael or wait for Odell?
AW: I’ll fight whomever, I feel I have to defend the title once before I can call myself the champ, A rematch with Michael would be great, I think next time we go at it he’ll be a different fighter.
RR: Well, congratulations on your victory and I can’t wait to see you in San Antonio again.
AW: Thank you, hope to see you again.
Located on 7715 Mainland Rd., Relson Gracie teaches the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the style and honor that are synonymous with the name Gracie. With a schedule to fit all trainning needs, owner and instructor Joshua Lauber guarantees you’ll have one of the best workouts of your life. A direct student of Relson Gracie, Lauber credits Jiu-Jitsu for keeping a tone body “there are just some muscles exercise equipment cannot work out like Jiu-Jitsu can.” Lauber also points out that Jiu Jitsu is a great way for kids to stay in shape, gain self confidence, and learn discipline in a positive manner. But this is not an after school babysitting service, so don’t look for a Gracie bus to pick up your child after school. Students of Relson take great pride in their school and represent it with grace when competing at tournaments and holding exhibitions. Next time you can, grab a Gi, and check out Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
By Raul Rangel
With an array of fighters ranging from professional to amateur to enthusiast, Know Pain Fight Club is one of the top martial arts training facilities in San Antonio. It is located at 5720 Mobud outside loop 410, just before you hit Bandera Rd. David and Suzette Valles, owners and operators of the gym, boast on keeping their school in top shape for fighters. With their team of trainers: Mike Rangel- Chief Instructor, Bubba Martinez- Head Instructor, Steve Gonzales- Conditioning Instructor, and Gary Actezuma- No-Gi Jiu Jitsu Instructor, fighters are always assured that when they go into battle they are ready and properly trained. The school also prides itself on having its fighters make weight and be free of injury, and making sure that a fighter is mentally and physically ready to fight. Even if you are just looking for a great workout the Fight Club welcomes people that are interested solely in the training aspect. However, after a few months, you just might get that urge to step into the cage. Keep the attitudes at the door when coming here, all students train and learn as a family. And, if you are in need of some equipment or just want a new shirt, Texas Fight Gear, located in the front of the school, carries all your favorite brands including Tapout, Punishment, UFC, Xtreme Couture, etc…. So, whatever your hearts desire in MMA is, be sure to check out Know Pain Fight Club. For more information call 210-842-3667.
By Raul Rangel
When it comes to cutting weight, there are the lucky few who never have to worry, but for most of us, it is a necessary evil. Professionalism is called for from everyone involved in fighting events, including the fighters. It’s a real let down to have a fight cancelled because someone didn’t make weight. Everyone knows there are good and bad ideas for shedding those extra pounds, so we talked to fighters and trainers to find out what works best.
A healthy, well designed diet is an absolute necessity for any training athlete, and for fighters cutting weight, it needs to be a strict one. Michael Martinez augments his high protein diet with fruit, avoiding high sugar fruits like oranges and bananas. Leslie Martinez, his wife, helps by planning meals for his diet. U.S. Army fighter, Matt Klein limits himself to 2 gallons of water a day.’Low carb, high protein’ was the answer many of the fighters gave when asked about their diets, which get strict about a month before the fight.
What about the last few pounds? Many fighters rely on a purge of food and water to get get down to fighting weight, and limit eating and drinking to an absolute minimum 12-24 hours before weigh in. Most of the weight lost this way is regained over the next 24 hours before the fight. Doing this properly is a matter of safety and performance. Losing too much weight too fast can cause liver damage. To say the least, draining the body causes stress that can severely affect a fighter’s stamina, strength, and endurance. Fighter Chris Pecero, of American Revolution, said he was already on target for his fight, but having cut weight 10 times before Chris offered, “Psychologically, it gets easier the more you do it.”
Drew Fuentes, head trainer and nutritionist at Spectrum Fitness, offered his ideas on a healthy diet and exercise routine for cutting weight. Drew says that fruits and vegetables in abundance, chicken, tuna, and light whey protein should be staples. He also said no bread, some rice, and limit water intake to about a gallon a day. Drew’s example of a good workout routine is a long cardio session 3-4 times a week split up with 2 days between for the steam room. Sitting in a sauna or steam room should be done in 5 minute intervals with 5 minute breaks. Three sets, or 15 minutes total in the sauna should cause sweat loss of about one pound of water. When a person learns what his or her body can handle, exercise can be incorporated.
Once the weigh ins are over, the fighter gets to enjoy the freedom of eating and drinking to his or her heart’s content- no alcohol, of course. Rehydration is key during this phase. Noel Santiago of Team Know Pain, uses Pedialyte, an ultra high electrolyte drink, and enjoys a high protein meal. Drew Fuentes suggests a nice steak dinner to satisfy that animal instinct, with plenty of carbs over the next 24 hours to rejuvenate the body.
In the end, each fighter should use the method which is most effective for him or her, but there are right and wrong, healthy and dangerous methods. Cutting weight is not a subject to be taken lightly.
by Drew Wallen
Saturday March 7th TAMMA held Fight Fest 10, and from beginning to end it was jammed packed with action! The event was held at Cowboys Dance Hall, in the rodeo area, and was filled to capicity with new and old fans. Headlining the event was a match between (c)Michael Martinez vs. Antwon Williams, for the TAMMA Light Heavyweight title. The undercard was filled with with up and comers that were sure to give people their money’s worth.
The match between young fighters Noel Santiago and Stetson Horne was by far the fight of the night. Both combatants were equally matched and went back and forth, stand up and on the ground. Within the first round the crowd was on its feet, waiting for the fighters’ next move, waiting for someone to make a mistake or to out maneuver his opponent. Horne, who is the youngest active MMA fighter in Texas at 17, and has an impressive amateur record at 2-1, gave everything he had to Santiago, but in the end came up short to the ground game of Santiago, losing in a close split decision(28-29, 29-28, 30-27).
In only his 3rd bout, Alfred Ortegon was able to control the match and win by guillotine, in 1:39 of round 2. Rosemary Ortegon, stated that she was both proud and nervous for her son, and was thrilled when he came out on top, the victor.
Odell Pantin proved he is the next in line for a title shot when he defeated Ronnie Rodriguez by rear naked choke. The 4-0 looks to be an imense force in the Light Heavyweight division.
The main event was a show even just during the entrances. The challenger, Antwon Williams, gave the crowd a bit of a chuckle when his entrance song came on- “Kung Fu Fighting”. The audience ate it up to say the least. But Michael Martinez(c), blew the roof off the building when his song “Volver, Volver” by Vincente Fernandez came on, right then the audience knew who they were going for. Unfortunately, the leg kicks of Williams proved to be a little too much for Martinez, and at one point in the match it caused him to turn. In the second round the leg kicks proved to be Martinez’s downfall. As he was kicked in the leg and sent leaning on the cage, Williams took advantage and got Martinez on the floor and started to ground and pound causing the referee to call the TKO victory.
The event can only be looked at as a success, and noone can wait until the next show on April 5th. The buzz is alive with rumored matches and talk of new athletes trying to make their mark.
by Raul Rangel
WELCOME! This is our first attempt at keeping http://www.texasfighter.org/ up to date with current information regarding events, rule changes, fighter statistics and fighter news. Stick around for some great news stories on the fighters and gyms that make Texas Amateur Mixed Martial Arts the best in the Nation!