ONRA:2010YearInReview

Hafa Adai,

In what seems for some to be the blink of an eye—another 365days have passed and its about that time for Our 2010year in review. Without any detailed specifics–Marianas Combat Sports this year has ventured far throughout HongKong, Korea,the Philippines, Japan, Hawaii, andTaiwan. Our local fighter-athletes even went to Moscow and to a new territory in World MMA-the Emirates; our combat-sports related industry also ventured into AbuDhabi, Ireland and England to raise our flag and in the process salute one of our locally branded labels , Shoyoroll Brand, soaring abroad to emerge as one of the world’s top Jiujitsu kimono manufacturers.

Opportunity knocks on the doors via our armed forces as Guam’s momentum in competitive martial arts have been successful in placing our local Modern ArmyCombatives Program into good position as our soldiers and airmen continue to do extremely well in National Competition. Women are climbing the ranks of local BJJ as Our female consistent turnout and evolving performance in Jiujitsu and Grappling competition surely makes for future extended conversation. We’re also at a tremendous growth in youth BJJ with our youth competitions remain well stacked. Lets cross our fingers for a good turnout as several of our familiar names in the MarianasOpen have set their target for first ever PanAmerican Juvenile BrazilianJiujitsu Championships on February 20th.

Tinian has joined the race of competitive local Mixed Martial Arts while the sophistication of Saipan combat sports has kept the CNMI on board for community development dressed in combat-competitive purpose.

GuamBJJ earns a new black belt in local MMA pioneer John Calvo. BJJ BlackBelts Terrence Aflague and Stephen Roberto have received their official black belt cards from the International Brazilian Jiujitsu Federation and the Confederation of Brazilian Jiujitsu.
Guam sees two new recognizable forces in the grappling arts with the Barrigada Submission Center and The newly formed UniversalAlliance. As our grapplers abroad proceeded to collect silver and gold in events across the USMainland. Fequent visits and guest instruction from BJJWorld Champion visitors accentuated Guam’s grappling progress as our performances in Japan continue to certify GuamBJJ as true contenders in the land of the Samurai and beyond. Though on paper we didn’t seem as successful in Japan with MMA—Opportunities continue to grow for our islands participation overseas as contacts in the Emirates, US Mainland, and countries throughout Asia continue to knock on the doors of Guam’s Mixed Martial Arts top contenders.

Props and respect to the organizers of PremiereXTremeCombat as Guam professionalMMA has endured the detours in place by the newly formed yet-questionable GuamUnarmed CombatSports Commision. Without experience or substance– Curiosities and small frustrations continue to loom over a the credibility of a governing body created to further regulate and supposedly-service our professional combat sports ventures. Respect and Gratitude goes for the organizers of the very successful CopaDeMarianas and Marianas Open for providing our thriving grappling community with a viable structure to give us another amateurcombat option outside of MMA.

Though MMA promotions seem to have declined a bit in Japan—World MMA seems more successful than ever. With its escape of its image of exotic bloodsport, Mixed martial arts has gelled well into international athletics in aroad that confidently is destined to surpass,by far ,Professsional Boxing if not already. Dana White, President of the UFC has on more-than-one occasion mentioned that Mixed Martial Arts will be the biggest sport in the world. Although event the greatest of MMA fans might disagree—it is more than certain that the UFC is doing such a great job of gift wrapping MMA and giving to the world–the modern sport of gladiators–that Santa himself would be proud.
James Toney vs. Randy Cotoure! How about that?. Great to see the great ProfessionalBoxing vs.MMA question answered by the hands of such icons, but still it would’ve been better to see that same fight ten years ago…With its official merger awith WorldExtremeCombat , while Filling arenas and gathering tens of millions of pay-per –view purchases from around the world– it seems that the UFC , in every aspect ,is stronger than ever. However none can argue the validity of Strikeforce’s Heavyweight Division — accumulated in large, by the hands of the StrikeForce Matchmaker and proudly one of our local sons, Richard Chou.

Inside of these two, the largest MMA events in the world to date– the planet over was in near disbelief as some of our MMA superheros tasted defeat such as BJPenns two-time decision loss to Frankie Edgar at 155punds , Anderson Silva’s near dethroning at the hands of ChaelSonnen, the annihilation of the seemingly indestructible juggernaut BrockLesnar , and painstakingly, EmelianenkoFedor ’s mortalization after his first-ever submission defeat to Fabricio Verdum,

Guam’s Martial Arts cultivation has been driven by so many independent forces and in so many different ways.

What is key, what was key, and what always will be key is that we all work progressively and hopefully collectively to evolve and improve our combat sports atmosphere.

Will This sport and lifestyle’s conscious connection to our island’s concerns help us to answer the call of duty for everyone to help in addressing concerns facing Guam in 2011? in 2012? In 2013? What will we be able to say of Guam Martial Arts in 2020?

Countless episodes of Financial assistance, fan support, full-houses and standing ovations
have offered the obvious and very valuable attention of our extended community. It goes without saying that This sport and industry is at its best interest to return the embrace of our island for 14 years and going.

But as far as we’ve come—were still yet to activate powerful elements that will eventually serve as the catalyst for paramount landmarking of our fighting islander’s sacrifices and efforts. International word speaks of Brazilian Jijuitsu’s aim to become an Olympic Sport as well as submission grappling hoping to do the same. Surely there is much to be learned from and maybe even gained from larger organizations like the he Guam National Olympic Organization and/ or the GuamVisitorsBureau. Time, effort, and communication will surely tell.

Obvious obvious obvious it is that the sport of MMA is pushing combative sciences into new levels around the globe. However–Hopefully, in 2011, in between the lines of our flying armbars , superman punches, and double legtakedowns, we set sail positive percussions to break far beyond the ambitions of a full to capacity University of Guam Fieldhouse, beyond the coated fencing of the eight sides of the octagon, with the code and etiquette learned from the tatami mats — to approach the years ahead respectfully and to commit to a positive direction for the unbelievable local talent we will most definitely find in the years to come.

Thanks for dropping by.