Congratulations goes to one of Guam’s BJJ pioneers and PremeireXtremeCombat Co-founder, Joey Calvo for receiving his blackbelt under NovaUniao’s Renato”Charuto”Verrisimo.
Members from the Guam Amateur Wrestling Federation were in Apia, Samoa.to attend the 2011 Oceania Coaching Course & Training Camp from February 16-19 following the 2011 Oceania Championships Wrestling tournament on February 23rd and 25th.
Guam Jiujitsu covered some serious ground on the weekend of February 20th and 21st as 10 representatives from The Universal Alliance competed in the 2011 Philippine BJJ Gi & No Gi International Open in the Philippines to return with a 3rd place team trophy, with gold, silver, and bronze. while Purebred/Lloyd Irvin Jiujitsu sent 13 young competitors to the 2011 Pan Kids Jiujitsu Championships in California to accumulate 7Gold, 1Silver and 4Bronze medals to do their part to deliver 1st place overall team, a 1st place teen division and a1st place junior division for a massive collective victory and the Overall Team trophy to Team Lloyd IrvinJiujitsu.
In Saipan, Rites of Passage: Bad Intentions is set for March 11th, 2011. And on February 15th, Dana White announces that the UFC will be doing The Ultimate Fighter Philippines
likely sometime within 2011…food for thought. Definitely good topics of conversation.
In their first youth exclusive venture overseas, Guam’s young competitors manages to surpass our adults in world jiu-jitsu competitive achievement.
There’s really a lot to be said about this having shared witness to the incredible evolution of Guam’s jiujitsu identity and reinvention. From the seeds of a secret training group to the many branches of success stories that grace many headlines in its numerous versions of community outreach, sports tourism, international recognition and world athletic gravity.
It’s great to see success spread throughout the different academies on Guam. It’s great to see the offspring of our adopted siblings make a tremendous difference in world jiujitsu.
Considering that
1. Jiujitsu developed in a tiny dot in the Pacific was able to produce profound results in what could be Jiu-jitsu’s current best version of a Youth World Championships,
And
2. acknowledging that in the same weekend, across an ocean, and in a different country— a relatively small team of 10 competitors were able to secure a team bronze medal in an international tournament
and
3. that we are in consistent and exponential harvest of local talent and instruction.
–it is again another time to applaud Guam’s Jiujitsu’s effort.
Hi 5’s all around for Guam Jiujitsu and Trumpets, Fireworks, and a standing ovation goes to our island’s young international representatives and their coaches for a job well-done with class and for a flag well-represented with honor. Great to see the hard work, the true sacrifice, and the large ambition pay off.
Thanks for dropping by.
Purebred picks up 12 medals
By Ron Ige • Pacific Daily News rige@guampdn.com • February 24, 2011
Purebred Guam/Lloyd Irvin Jiu-Jitsu Academy earned 12 medals, the overall team title and two out of four overall division titles at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation 2011 Kids Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships held Feb. 20 at the California State University at Dominguez Hills.
The event is considered the largest, most prestigious event for juvenile jiu-jitsu athletes (ages 5-15 years). The athletes from Guam teamed up with teammates from their sister gym (Lloyd Irvin Martial Arts Academy) of Camp Springs, Md.
There were 13 athletes from Guam and 15 from Maryland. Stephen Roberto, Terrence Aflague, Wil Escobar and Edward Salantin and team manager Tony Bashaw coached the team.
The medal count for the Guam side was seven gold, one silver and four bronze, and the count for the Maryland athletes was nine gold, five silver and one bronze.
Their combined efforts helped the Lloyd Irvin contingent to achieve the first-place overall team title, the first-place teen division and the first-place junior division.
There were more than 400 competitors for this event. Guam was also recognized for having traveled the farthest as a team.
The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation was created by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. to officially represent the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu around the world. Its main goals are to popularize, organize and regulate the sport on an international level.
This work is similar to what the Confederacao Brasileira de Jiu-Jitsu (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Confederation) has done in Brazil, where the sport is highly popular and follows established guidelines.
Individual results
Brian Roberto: gold, junior 2 yellow belt, male super heavyweight division.
Justin Untalan: gold, junior 2 orange belt, male featherweight division.
David Shimizu: gold, junior 3 orange belt, male heavyweight division.
It was a big weekend for Guam on February 6th as Congratulations again goes to Team Purebred/LloydIrvin’s Mikee Sanchez for another gold medal finish in the Purple Belt Division of the North American Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Tournament on February in California.
On Guam, That same weekend The Guam Amateur Wrestling Federation put together the 2011Best In The West Wrestling Tournament hosting a former Olympic Gold Medalist and a Freestlye Wrestling world champion along with 30 other wrestlers from Japan’s Nittai and Kokushikan Universities as well the Aoyama Junior and Taku Shijyuki wrestling clubs,
And on the east coast Frank Camacho returns to competition earning a bronze medal in the Abu Dhabi Pro Trials in NewJersey.
While this coming weekend also in New Jersey– Guam’sRichard Chou earns is keep as Strikeforce’s Official Matchmaker as they present World Mixed Martial Arts most talked about tournament this weekend with the first round of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.
Universal Alliance is sending out a number of competitor’s to resonate Guam’s name in the2011 Philippine BJJ Gi & No Gi International Open at the SM MegaMall on February 19th and 20th in the Philippines and on that same weekend Team PurebredLloydIrvin is sending out a dozen under-18 competitors for the Pan American Juvenile Brazilian Jiujitsu Championships in California
That’s lot of information to take in for Guam Grappling– All within 2weeks time we’ve seen Guam competitors traveling east and west for success in Brazilian Jiujitsu, we’ve seen elite athletes making repeat visits to Guam in Freestly Wrestling, and as our industry players are making noise loud enough for the world to hear, in the very first group effort of its sort–our youth juvenile competitors are making the footsteps for success in further horizons.
If we take all that information we can easliy recognize that Guam is more-than-ever harvesting its ingredients for a tremendous serving of industry and athletic landmarking for Guam’s combat sports ventures.
By setting our targets on the horizons abroad we are not only magnetized and destined to a higher level of performance but we are also enlightened to the reality that for us to be successful in this,for a more permanent harvest of quality ingredients, we have to plant good seeds for the necessary steps to provide a more fluorishable local atmosphere so that we can better develop our athletes and industry locally.
Unfortunately this was a task many of us were hoping to see engaged by our newly formed Guam Unarmed Combat Commission, but depite any of their gains from their recent regulation and taxing of professional Mixed Martial Arts, we are still in the waiting to see our returns.
All set aside and respect in the front seat–this is no easy task for any single entity. And like the GUCC, many of us are doing our part.
By far Guam competitive martial arts does not have a perfect record but on any table we can each stand proudly during a role call of events and happenings in the sport and industry world picture. Something to be taken into consideration here is the results our Submission Grapplers, Brazilian Jiujitsu stylists, and Mixed Martial Artists, have been able to secure in igh level competition. We are already returning with bronze, silver, and gold from respected tournaments abroad yet all of this is minus a structured youth combat sports competitive environment.
With a lot of the other countries that you see successful in professional and amateur combative sports today, we find that a lot of the talent from these places come from well developed youth wrestling, judo, boxing, and/ or kickboxing programs. Locally, Youth Combat sports for the most part in the past has existed mostly with Tae Kwon Do and amateur boxing–and even with those it’s been relatively infrequent. A lot of the talent that we’re discovering and developing here are already performing impressively, even without the benefits of structured training and competition from an early age.
Imagine the athletes we’d have if we had a developed youth wrestling, judo, or kickboxing program. Imagine, for instance, if Jiujitsu were a high school sport. For those who might scowl at the idea–safety is of course the number one concern and its not like we havent been taking risks already with high school football, wrestling, or rugby. Maybe we could have modified rules, i.e.. regulating submission holds or maybe even only competing for position. Not too sure and surely our collective minds can think of somthing feasible– but it’s important that we pay attention to this and keep these wheels of thought turning because aiming for bigger tournaments alone is not enough to prepare us for the hordes of talent to unfold as the sports of Jiujitsu,Submission Grappling, and MMA continue to sweep the planet.
Of course easier said than done–but at the very least, if we are serious about producing champions–we are in the best interests of our sport if,( while we are planning for bigger things) we take advantage of what we already have. and that we offer oxygen to the sparks of interest that are offered by the many efforts that seem genuinely trying to push our island forward. we need to remember that quality athletes are willing to come to Guam to compete. we need to remember that our connections run deep in the world of combat sports. we need to remember that how much we can accomplis individually is exponentially enhanced when moving collectively. We need to remember that we are not only doing this for ourselves but moreso we are doing this for our island. And we need to remember that while competitive World Martial Arts has heard our name–it goes well in our horizons to make them feel our anthem.
For the sake of this conversation, we do have something good with this product. Times and events recent such as the growing invitations from promoters for our fighters to compete and train abroad, the growing phone calls from fighters abroad to compete and train locally, and the increasing traffic of world champion competitiors to name a few— have showed us that The World is returning the interest Guam has placed into competitive and non-competitive martial arts. And while eyes are on us and if we do our part to showcase real effort ( as in everything magnetic we’ve proven Guam to be in the past) –opportunity will be sure to follow.
Paying homage and respect to a man who walked in the life of true spirit and trustfully now flies in the spirit of true life.
You presented a great example for GuamJiujitsu, In your case truly AFamily Thing. Our best regards to the Universe’s greatest instructor. Catch you on the other side.
Thanks Chris for all your support and a sincere applause for a short yet well-filled life. Our prayers and heart are with you and yours in your new journey.
May 2, 1988 – January 16, 2011) Formerly of Pago Bay, Guam and residing in San Diego, California, was called home by our Heavenly Father at the age of 22 years. Nightly Rosary is being offered at St. Anthony Church in Tamuning at 6:30PM followed by a Mass. Last Respects for Christopher will be made on Friday, January 28, 2011 at St. Anthony Church, Tamuning from 9:30AM to 12:30PM. Mass of Christian burial will take place at 1:00PM and Interment will follow at Our Lady of Peace Memorial Gardens, Windward Hills, Yona.
It looks like the 155-pound title is up for grabs and that we will finally get to see the year’s anticipated bout where Roque Martinez gets to defend his PXC Heavyweight Championship title against Saipan’s Kelvin Fitial with Premeiere XTreme Combat 22 scheduled for next Friday
Purebred/Lloyd Irvin Guam is counting at least 14 students that will be competing in the Pan American Juvenile Brazilian Jiujitsu Championships on Feb. 20.
Although UFC and Strikeforce veterans are nothing new to the island, the island of Guam is proud to have hosted part of the Fighters For Fighters Tour that took place at the .Charles King Fitness Center at Naval Base Guam and at the Coral Reef Fitness Center at Andersen Air Force Base
Though the seminars may have been tailored for members of the armed forces, with a few days on our 32-mile long island, it was inevitable that our traveling visitors would cross paths with some of our many fighting islanders.
It’s pretty amazing how the sport and pursuit of knowledge in martial arts and professional fighting has forged significant alliances between our local athletes and those from far away places. It seems that Guam’s outreach in competitive world martial arts has created many icebreakers with traveling professionals, visiting instructors, and aspiring students to provide a healthy exchange of information and fruitful ground between backgrounds of different ethnicities, genders and ages.
Keeping everything in sight for 2011 — one topic of note is: What role will martial arts and mixed martial arts play in the figurative screenplay of the military buildup?
With 10,000-plus Marines chased out of Okinawa, trained to kill, and in every situation ready for battle, already, without ever meeting them many of us, have established our own personal reserves of what we will be dealing with.
Should we be anticipating violence, the rape of our women and the pillage of our land? Should we envision hostile encounters and disoriented, drunken troublemakers carving the path for the disintegration of our home and paradise, not because of ethnic reservations, but due, in large, to repeated testimonies from Okinawans that gave them reason to invest billions of dollars in this relocation?
The reality of it is that though as Marines, our soldiers are empowered as moving weapons — however they will find that any percieved passivity is surely not to be mistakened for weakness. Skilled fighters are easier to be found on the island these days but it isn’t the martial arts fist that will serve us best here as much it will be the martial arts mind.
Of course Guam martial arts isn’t aspiring to be the golden savior or the only solution but, at best, we definitely don’t want to be a part of the problem.
With this buildup, we have every reason to be enraged, to feel disrespected. We are being told what to do in our own house and there seems to be little that we can do to effectively motivate otherwise. We have to accept the fact that the Marines are coming and with them thousands will follow family and chasers of opportunity. Though the battle to keep them out has been lost, a new challenge has presented itself for us to be on top of this situation, to not only see this for what it is negatively, but for what it can be positively.
Incorporating martial arts into the military buildup equation is above the details of how will our academies make money more money? It’s beyond the techniques we might use to defeat them in a fight. And it’s so much more than how many more shirts or tickets we might sell with the potential of a fluorishing industry.
It’s really about incorporating the etiquette of martial arts, the spirit of athletics, and the military code of conduct to work effortlessly towards some type of harmony between the irresistible force and the immovable object so that in the beginning and end of it all we move forward shapeless and conforming with the home-court advantage to enter every opportunity towards positivity and yet be powerful and transparent for mutual clarity and perspective-appreciation; to find a way at best … to be like water.
Easier said than done but hopefully forever trying …
Thanks for dropping by.
Roman Dela Cruz is a mixed martial arts super-fan, and a representative for Fury MMA
Welcome to Guam Claudio”Juninho” Calassans! The 2010AbuDhabiWorld Pro Cup Absolute Division and MiddleWeight and Open division champion and BrazilianJiujitsu World Champion from ATOS Jiujitsu is on island for a week’s instructional at the Purebred/LloydIrvin Academy all the way from SauPaulo Brazil.
Also a warm Hafa Adai and Welcome Back to Toby Imada— The 2009 Sherdog Submission of the Year recipient is visiting our island for some rest and relaxation after upset performances including a last-second Knockout over Shootboxing’s Super Welter-weight champion, Takaaki Umeno, and a unanimous decision victory over multiple and reigning S-Cup lightweight Champion and multiple K-1 World Max Champion Andy Souwer,in Japan’s S-Cup’s2010 lightweight tournament.
Senator James Espaldon was gracious enough to represent the legislature in recognizing TeamPurebred/LloydIrvin for its outstanding performances in this Year’s Asian Open.
Guam’s top Jiujitsu and Submission Grappling athletes are on deck for Saturday’s MarianasOpen as spectators in attendance will also be treated for its second time, to the the official qualifiers for the GuamArmyNationalGuard combatives tournament in Georgia in 2011.
The well-awaited event will be offering greater incentives for the Purple Belt Open and Brown Belt Open divisions to hopefully attract our island’s top competitiors from Guam’s recent and fast-growing population in the advanced BrazilianJiujitsu belt categories.
With years gone by and as our Jiujitsu population has expanded—some might be curious as to why some of our more than familiar faces might not compete in the more experienced categories.
For one thing, a lot of our senior players have seemed to have recognized a better position in coaching and have more than often, chosen to participate from the sidelines and offer guidance for the less-experienced.
Anotehr reason that stands above many is that Martial Arts wasn’t created for competition.And not all of us are competitors. Though Martial Arts was created for survival and war– for the most part, we no longer have to immerse ourselves in the concern in mortal combat. In this day of structure and law—thankfully we can get by in life without hardly ever having to deal with armed assassins or enraged wildlife.
It’s awesome that we can train now for other reasons other than wartime skills. True many if not most train at some point for self-defense.; but now we also have the very real options to train for a preference of fitness, socialization, life-enhancement, or among other things–competition
Not a single law in the book says that we have to compete and as followers or trailblazers on the martial arts path, we don’t need to feel any lesser if we don’t. Martial arts is deeply about a personal experience. And since we bleed, sweat, and cry from our own efforts. The option to stand aside is forever in our back pockets.
However—if it is in our target to stand on the podiums of larger events like the World Championships, The Brasilieros, or the Pan Americans, then hopefully we can choose to sharpen our blades not just in on-island training but also in local competitions– to sooner-than-later offer added respect to Guam’s competitive ambition, and to continuously reconvince our future fighter-athletes of the potentials and hopeful promise of growing glory here on local soil.
We have graduated to new schools of performance and thought in our White belt and blue belt categories. And times over around the globe, our athletes at that level have
proven, without a doubt that Guam is a respectable force in the primary divisions of BJJ.
Though we might be a bit further away from more frequent golden results in our purple belt and brown belt divisions, though we might have some miles of terrain ahead of us in the growing talent in MMA—the journey to consistently improve Guam’s competitive BJJ atmosphere, like all, begins with a single step.
As many of us are interested at some point of Guam’s growth in our combative sports world arena—we are at our best when we recognize Guam’s potential to be at the competitive horizons for our Martial Athletic neighbors in the region and maybe even eventually for countries beyond.
But how can we do this if we are ambitious competitors that choose not to compete on the very soil that has offered all the vitamins and minerals for us to arrive at this point.
True- the grass can be greener on the other side of the fence; true-there is massive room for improvement in our combat sports atmosphere, and true- competition is not for everyone and nor does it have to be. But, in large, we seem to have committed to the competitive path and its been a formula that has been successful in bringing us impressive and frequent moments in international recognition; a formula that has been successful in giving us world champions; and a formula that has been successful in providing for Guam encore performances not just as competitors, but as viable ambassadors of a truly precious dot in the Pacific.
Though it may or may not happen this weekend—hopefully we can look forward to a day where the very best of our athletes in training can recognize Guam for advanced level and quality competition—so that we can further develop our athletes at all levels and provide for our local competitions and competitors—opportunity, opportunity, and opportunity.
For the consistent effort to cultivate our athletes in competitions overseas but also, just as important, for the growing glory of our podiums here at 13 Degrees North/144 Degrees East
A Big Congratulations goes to Guam’s Bryant “theRock”Pangelinan of the Crispim BJJ Competition team as he collects for Guam his second World Championship securing a gold medal in the Masters Heavyweight Brownbelt division and silver in the Masters Open Weight Brown Belt Division.
Congrats also goes to former Guam High School Wrestling noteable—Zachary Rapadas who secured a gold medal in the Men’sPurple Belt featherweight division and to Maureen de Guzman for securing a silver medal in the women’s lighweight division of the GracieBarra Compnet 7 Tournament in California last weekend .
Guahan Warriors and Comquest’s Ronnie Borja lives up to the hype with his most recent MMA victory of formerly undefeated Micah Tobias of the Spike22Academy as Justin Cruz proves without a doubt that he is Guam’s Undisputed 135lb. Champion in what is being considered to be a very successful PXC21 held at the Marriot Hotel on November 12th.
Team Predator’s Nate Flores of Saipan fights valiantly but gets submitted 2:52seconds into the first round in his fight for the UrbanRealityCombatChallenge featherweight title in the Philippines on Novemebr 13th, in URCC18Relentless.
Welcome Back to Guam Marcos Olivera of the AbuDhabi Emirates BJJ Team. He will be hosting Classes at GTT Paradise Fitness from November 15th to the 19th with fellow BJJ World Champion, Carol De Lazzer.
The Purebred/lloydIrvin Jiujitsu Academy will be welcoming guest instructor and AbuDhabi World Pro2010 OpenWeight and 83kg. Champion Claudio Calassans of Atos BJJ in Sau Paulo Brazil, from November 29th to December 3rd.
Guam Jiujitsu is hoping for competitors to highlight the next MarianasoOpen Jiujitsu and Submission Grappling tournament in the men’s purple belt and men’s brown belt openweight divisions on December 4th at the Phoenix Center.
It took an off-island promoter to introduce us to the sport and it was years between events when local promoters got their ball in motion. 2010 and less than 15years later—all of the above in less than 30 days…
Its very interesting to observe the fabric that has been sewn with all the strings and ties of our ever-so-active Mariana Island Combats Sports Schedule.
In what used to be events so far apart and with spaces so wide in between—we are now at a completely revamped product in our island’s impressively busy combat sports atmosphere. From the events mentioned above we can gather that Guam;s outreach in Mixed Martial Arts and Brazilian Jiujitsu has reached as far as Brazil and the Emirates. That while local events are developing smaller gyms and smaller gyms are developing more quality fighters, former Guam residents and traveling residents combined continue to announce our flag in the worlds expanding atmosphere.
Saipan has risen valiantly as Guam’s descendant in World competition BJJ and MMA and is already industrially and athletically competitive with its predecessor. In this symbiosis we have found a self-sustainable industry with inter-ilsnd competition.
Yet even with that fact and with a governing commission that handicaps Guams footsteps in international MMA—our athletes continue to aim higher and shoot beyond the scoreboards of our local industry.
Talent from abroad knocking on our doors to get in and phonecalls from abroad for our talent to perform and instruct overseas, calls from around the globe from MMA champions and celebrities standing in line to visit Guam’s training paradise, World Champions and World Industry movers and shakers, and local MMA industry-ventured professionals working into the back offices of international promotions while reliable word hits the streets of Guam fighters advancing closer to their chances at becoming the Next Ultimate fighter… Surely the positive attributes of our combat sports atmosphere will make good sense of some disappointments in our trails such as: The fork in the road for GuamBrazilian Jiujitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, a questionnable commission as new sherriff in town , and financial setbacks our economy.
But all in all, with credit to all and discredit to none—it is awesome that we are all doing what we feel is best for an evolving and flourishing product.
While the wheels in our heads go round and round–Our breath of Martial Arts is strong and our fire for competition is burning. In the crossroads of victory and defeat; of redcorner, and blue-corner; of Professional and amateur—the epicenter of Micronesian Island Martial Arts at 13.N/144.E has created shockwaves across the Marianas that is shaking the charts of competitive Martial Art’s Richter scales across the globe.
From the backyard to the big screen—we have come far. With gas in our engine, surely we can look forward and inward from the roads that lie ahead.
From your proud co-passenger in a very big car—in 3rd gear and revving.
By Roman Dela Cruz • For Pacific Daily News • November 4,2010
Hafa adai.
This past weekend in Saipan, Trench Warz13 pulled off an outstanding event showcasing talents from the U.S., Japan, Guam, Saipan and Tinian. Meanwhile, Joshua Calvo found his first mixed martial arts defeat via guillotine-choke to the undefeated Lyle Beerbohm in Rumble on the Ridge 14 at the Snoqualmie Resort in Washington. Good luck to Guam’s Herman Torrado, formerly of GroundFu/Spike 22 Yona — the mixed martial arts instructor from San Diego’s Purebred Undisputed is en route to Las Vegas today for a chance at becoming Guam’s next star in “The Ultimate Fighter.” Premier XTreme Combat 21 is on deck for Nov. 12 at the Guam’s Marriot Hotel, and Saipan’s Nate Flores of Predator Combat is heading to the Philippines for the Urban Reality Combat Challenge (URCC18: Relentless) for his chance to capture the featherweight title on Nov. 13.
Last week, many of us found it a pleasure to read of Richard Chou’s evolution to becoming an MMA industry world figurehead. Years before we read of Patrick Ayuyu’s fighting in the K1 Grand Prix and another year we read about Joe Duarte making the spot in the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” This year we are finding that Guam-originated company Shoyoroll is among the leaders in the world for Brazilian jiujitsu kimono manufacturing. How many other merits of success (and failure) are Guamanians going to establish in the nooks and crannies of this industry? And, when are we going to exercise these resources to their capacities?
Reflecting on where we have been eventually leads us to questions of where we might go. Though we can never speak surely about the future — something is for certain, and that is that the Mariana Islands are well-connected in the world of (mixed) martial arts.
Compared to days before, though the local industry may not seem to have its same spectator appeal, it nonetheless, continues to make its impact on a much-larger-than-Guam observing audience.
With so many different achievements in MMA and BJJ events around the world, with many of our people getting involved in the industry as well as in competition, and with the undying support of the many on island that continue to support our hungry and thirsty industry — it is only a matter of time before we find a method to further escort our efforts to a larger pedestal and connect the dots to really illustrate the majesty of the island’s collective and competitive martial arts bigger picture.
An open mind, strong work ethic and unbridled passion can go a long way. It’s helped former Guam resident and standout athlete Richard Chou make it in the world of professional sports.
The American Red Cross
Chou, who played Division 1 collegiate volleyball at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., is a former member of the Guam national volleyball team as well as the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award in both the Interscholastic Basketball and Volleyball Leagues as a senior in 1997.
While he had a lot of success as an amateur, his professional success came in the world of mixed martial arts, and it wasn’t due to his athletic prowess. Chou’s work ethic has taken him from passing out promotional fliers for MMA events to his current position as a member of the matchmaking team for one of the largest professional MMA organizations in the world, Strikeforce.
“I am lucky I get to do this for a living,” the St. John’s School graduate said via telephone from San Jose, Calif.
“Most people never get to pursue their passion and I am grateful for it.”
Getting started
Going into his senior year of college Chou got his first taste of MMA through Brazilian jiu-jitsu when John Calvo, founder of Purebred Guam, invited Chou to train with him.
“He was a big athlete and I needed a sparring partner,” Calvo said.
Chou decided to give it a try and enjoyed the individual aspect of MMA since he always played team sports.
“It was something different. It was really intense,” he said.
Calvo immediately noticed Chou’s work ethic was off the charts. Calvo said he could foresee Chou doing bigger things because of his dedication and transparency.
“He always puts family first, he works really hard,” Calvo said. “He’s always got good ideas and he’s honest.”
After graduating college, Chou decided it was time to move on from volleyball and made the transition to MMA. Chou took his first professional fight in 2002 and two years later an opportunity to start doing work outside of the ring enticed Chou to try his hand at promoting. After six years of hard work, he’s made it.
Behind the scenes
Chou said his duty as a matchmaker for Strikeforce is more complicated than this guy fighting that guy. He describes a typical work day as “a constant state of motion.” On any given day he could be trying to schedule Fedor Emelianenko’s next fight, speaking with a fighter from Japan or, most recently, setting the stage for the release of “EA Sports MMA,” Electronic Arts’ newest video game.
Despite the hectic nature of the job, Chou said it is worthwhile when the fans and fighters enjoy the show. He compared it to the adrenaline high a fighter experiences following a rousing victory.
“We get a rush from putting on a great show,” he said.
He calls the sport his passion so going to work each day isn’t a chore. Chou likened it to a lifestyle since his leisure time consists of training or watching MMA.
“It’s a very big part of my life,” he added.
Picking himself up
But life wasn’t always a success for the 31-year-old. Prior to joining Strikeforce, Chou was working with another professional MMA organization called Elite Xtreme Combat. The company folded in October 2008 and Chou was left without a job.
“I took some time off and did some soul searching,” he said.
For the first time in several years, Chou was unemployed and left pondering which direction to head. Rock bottom is what he called that point in his life because the sport he loved so much, left him with nothing.
In spite of losing his job, his good reputation within the industry got the attention of Strikeforce’s chief executive officer Scott Coker. Coker then brought Chou aboard to fulfill the critical role of matchmaker.
“Scott really helped me take my career to the next level,” Chou said.
Coker said he reached out to Chou because the two had previously worked together when Strikeforce partnered with EliteXC to produce two MMA events.
“He stood out because he was doing most of the work,” Coker said via telephone from San Jose.
Hard work pays off
Coker said about 50 to 75 people apply for a job at Strikeforce each month, but Chou’s knowledge and passion for the sport separate him from the rest. Coker added that he has high aspirations for Chou in the next couple of years.
“Hopefully he can run Strikeforce one day and I can step down,” Coker said.
JD Penn, the president of Rumble World Entertainment, agrees that Chou has the dedication and work ethic needed to succeed. Rumble World Entertainment is a Hawaii-based MMA company that has hosted events such as the Rumble On The Rock series.
“I have worked with a lot of promoters and I would say he has a lot more dedication to this sport than anyone else. He understands how important it is to have a good work ethic and to be honest and genuine in this sport,” Penn, whose brother is professional fighter BJ Penn, said via e-mail.
JD Penn added that Chou has a wealth of experience in MMA because he has worked as a fighter, a referee and a promoter. Therefore, JD Penn believes Chou has the ability to navigate his career because of his vast experience.
“It’s really up to him,” JD Penn said.
Giving thanks
Chou said he met JD Penn in 2004 and the two clicked immediately. Chou began working with JD Penn to promote Rumble On The Rock. Chou credits JD Penn for introducing him to the promotional side of the sport.
“I am very grateful that JD gave me a start in the business,” Chou said.
Chou thanks his parents for their constant support and understanding as well as teaching him the value of hard work. He also thanks his coaches throughout high school and college.
Chris Shepherd, Chou’s high school volleyball coach, said Chou was able achieve success at a higher level because his dedication to volleyball at the time was unmatched.
“He was always the first one in practice and the last one to leave,” Shepherd said.
Chou credits Shepherd for helping him play collegiate volleyball. Chou also thanks Calvo, Melchor Manibusan, Steve Roberto and Roman Dela Cruz for introducing MMA to him. He is also appreciative for the friendship and support he has received from JD Penn.
Life lessons
No longer at the bottom, Chou said MMA has taught him about life and the importance of perseverance, patience and having faith.
“You just got to grind it out,” he said. “There were a lot of intelligent people who got into MMA and failed. It’s a really tough business.”
He added that hard work and passion are the two key ingredients for people striving to break into the sport. Whether in the ring or behind the scenes, Chou said always remember to have fun, don’t burn any bridges and try to absorb as much as information as possible.
TrenchWarz 13: Vengeance is set for Oct. 29 at the Saipan World Resort while Josh Calvo will be competing in a featured bout at Rumble on the Ridge 14 in Washington on the 30th.
Reminding ourselves of Guam’s impressive resume in martial arts, we can marvel at the fact that Guam’s footsteps in the martial arts world are not just incredible — our atlas of achievements also make us into a credible martial arts identity.
Take, for instance, the late and honorable Carlos Palacios receiving his KyokuShin black belt from the Great Mas Oyama, or maybe, Guam aikido’s Ben Galarpe having a very direct relationship with the seemingly untouchable Koichi Tohei of the Ki Society — or, maybe, looking at what’s impressive in our MMA profile such as Melchor Manibusan serving in the corner when Enson Inoue submitted The Legendary Randy Cotoure in Professional Shooto or John Calvo fighting the at-the-time UFC world champion Dan Severn at the University of Guam field house. These accolades, along with the not-so-spoken-of ventures and the endless accounts of our unsung heroes, give testimony to our legitimate collective footprint in the martial arts world.
Contributing to all that is the fact that Bruce Lee really isn’t dead and that he’s really been training with your friend’s uncle in the jungles of Talofofo (just kidding). We can all attest that not only do we have a lot to say; but also that, of Guam, there is much to be said.
Something that seems to be a big issue these days and one matter that should be of great concern to our martial arts and mixed martial arts communities is the topic of bullying.
Whether it be in high school or in the workplace, or unfortunately even occasionally in local politics — a reality of life is that the abuse of power exists in more places than it needs to be.
After Guam’s first foot in the door to No Holds Barred Fighting Competition — it seemed that the transformation from NHB to MMA would also graduate us beyond the evolution from ring to cage and would escort our sport from a still-admirable proving ground for spirit, to a true contest of skill
the eyes of the idealist — MMA was to be destined more as a platform for martial arts and/or martial skill and less a podium for violence.
Today, a decade and a half later — is this still the case? Reading articles and hearing cases of bullying accounts of students’ feeling threatened at school, of being unjustly intimidated into work decisions; taking into account the impressive popularization of MMA in the islands–it’s helpful to question ‘What role does MMA play in this situation and have we become a part of the solution or a part of the problem?
Keep it in the cage
Years ago the fellows at Premier Xtreme Combat had the initiative to launch the campaign to “Keep It In the Cage.” I Really have to tip a hat to that because they did a great job of gathering some of our most proven fighter-athletes to voice and endorse the campaign. Shortly thereafter, the phrase caught on and in more than a few places the words have become a household phrase.
Although the intention had been admirable and surely offered healthy advice for the people; it had inadvertently delivered a mixed message and missed a few highlights for the hopes of MMA’s aspired variable in the Guam Anti-violence Equation.
The martial arts in MMA goes far beyond — “I want to fight this guy but I only want to do it legally so I’m going to resolve this fight professionally,” way of thinking. The martial arts in MMA stands to offer the virtues of respect, honor, and humility to those first in search of not martial arts — but entertainment.
Outside of offering the figurative promise of the ability to defeat a man with a single move — arguably martial arts true power stands in the ability to cultivate the rationale and psychology to often resolve confrontation without the necessity of violence.
And in situations where confrontation is inevitable (and there are such situations) — martial arts also teaches us to fight for honor and self-defense as opposed to fighting with malice and self-glorification.
How can we pass this onto our athletes present and future? How can we pass this to the tens of thousands more in the audience? And most importantly, how can we accept, embrace, and practice this ourselves?
Just as Football goes far beyond being a tackling contest;In its best light — MMA can or should be recognized and communicated far beyond legalized violence and far beyond the facilitation of grudge matches.
In years past we have seen several fight promotions grace the islands with Super Brawl, Jungle Rules, Fury, PXC, Geran Haga, Spike 22 Fight Nights, Preba Hao,TrenchWarz and Gorilla Warfare. In what has often been claimed by all or most of these promotions as evolution of sport — as developed as our fighter-athletes have become, what can be said of our fans, fighters, and entire industry about our evolution of thought? With our athletes competing all over the world and our competitive arms being raised from coast to coast and continent to continent — what purpose does this serve if we overlook facts and ignore our civic responsibilities to cultivate positive (and not negative) intentions — and, in pursuit of any success consciously open doors for a cancer to infest our valuable community?
In this pursuit of strength — we should remind ourselves that martial arts is a whole lot more than just being a tough guy — and the potential of MMA holds more for us than just becoming or identifying who is the the toughest guy.
Mixed martial arts has been alive and sustatining on Guam for 15-plus years.We are nearing or at an age of longevity where our MMA talent isn’t about harnessing what talents we might find in our fighters. We have arrived at the opportunity, we have grown with a wider knowledge to introduce athletes into this sport and from the get-go encourage them towards a code of conduct and an experience forged not in just the pursuit of victory, but in the values of honor, respect, and humility.
In truth, the weight of MMA’s obligations should not rest on any single identity’s shoulders and we can easily find credit and credibility in our current industry. But, as citizens and residents of Guam, the obligation for the conscious effort to improve if not maintain our island should rest on the shoulders of all. So, for the sake of martial athletics and competition, not for the sake of legalized violence — let us keep it in the cage. But maybe we can also go beyond that and start or continue this movement for a bully-free environnment, with a head rooted in the common sense of what helps society to better function properly and from a heart aiming for a more peaceful yet still exciting community.
Reverse: Letting fighters who face charges compete sends wrong message October 15, 2010 *
The decision by a Superior Court of Guam judge to allow two mixed martial arts fighters who face charges in assault cases to fight sends the wrong message to this community. The American Red Cross On Tuesday, Judge Vernon Perez gave the OK for Alex James Castro and Kyle Reyes to be released from their house arrests conditions for one night, so they can fight in PXC 21 on Nov. 13.
PXC 21 is a mixed martial arts event. Castro and Reyes face aggravated assault charges resulting from a fight at a Tumon karaoke bar on Feb. 6. Castro also faces charges in another case, in which he is alleged to have pistol-whipped a man and demanded $3,000 a month. Both men are under house arrest, the conditions of which prevent them from fighting in mixed martial arts events. It makes no sense that two men facing charges of committing violent attacks on others to participate in an event in which they will be allowed to commit violent attacks on their competitors.
The goal of fighters in these events is to either knock out their opponent, or force them to quit under the threat of being choked into unconsciousness or face having a bone broken. Mixed marital arts has been laboring to become accepted as a legitimate sport, on par with boxing, judo or other martial arts. A recent law provided regulations for the sport and requirements for fighters and event promoters. And some mixed martial arts participants have been making an effort to reach out to youngsters and emphasize that the violence is supposed to be kept within the ring, and that the skills from the discipline shouldn’t be used anywhere else.
The judge’s decision to allow these two individuals to fight in a mixed martial arts event sends the opposite message. It gives the perception that it’s OK for trained fighters with deadly skills to use their abilities outside the ring. The night of the fight still is weeks away.
It’s not too late for Perez to do the right thing and reverse his order
