ONRA:September24th,2009

Hafa Adai,

We’re entering todays column after another weekend of exciting fights. it was encouraging to see Another close-tofull -house event at the UniversityOfGuam Filedhouse as MarianaIsland Fighter athletes

sharpened their competive blades in PXC18:DeadGame2. And on Sunday we were treated to another look at MMA Peak Performance when Vitor Belfort easily decimated former UFC185lb world champion Rich Franklin at UFC103.

Congratulations to the members from the GuamArmyNationalGuard MACP program for their 16th place finish(out of 64teams)  in the US Army Combatives Tournament in Georgia after the competition that ran from September 18th-20th.

Good luck to  MikeFowler of the Purebred/LloydIrvin Jiujitsu Academy as received his invitation to the worlds most prestigious submission grappling event with AbuDhabiCombatChallenge in Barcelona this coming weekend.

Rob Washington of the Spike22Academy will be making Guams debut into Taiwan MMA in PROFighting2 on October 6th.

Hosea Weare is set to face the former deep champion Ryuta Sakurai on October10th.

 ART OF WAR3 POSTPONED
Saipan combat sports reaches out to extend an invitation to Guam grapplers with an event postponed from October 10th to a tentative November 6th for the  3rd Saipan All-Island Submission Grappling Tournament in the ArtOfWar3.

When you gather all the elements of successful local and international events, add int he Spike of our soldiers in offisland competiton representing our flag and pack it all into a single weekend–it often comes naturally to reflect on Guams position and direction in the Competitive Martial arts bigger picture.

Why do we support competitive martial arts as fans and what are we brandishing our fists for as fighters? Do these separate instances really accumulate into something positive and how and why quite often can some of us make it such a big deal?

Well a big deal can mean alot of things when it comes to local combatives. so today were here to give tribute to a pretty big thing going on from one of the bigger names in local combat sports in a pretty big deal event.

Melchor Manibusan will be competing against former Shooto World Champion Tetsuya Kawajiri in Dream 11th in Yokohama Japan on October 6th.
Heres a few words from the man that the Japan promoters have dubbed “Barracuda” on some of his thoughs on facing the modernday Samurai that Japan fight fans have grown to know as “TheCrusher”

1.THough inactive since 2006, how did you land a fight in an event of such proprtion?
Well they emailed me asking me if i would like to fight in DREAM , it was an opportunity that I couldn’t turn down . 2 weeks later they asked if I would fight Kawajiri and I said I would love to.
2.As an inactive fighter, what are you doing to prepare for a late noticed fight in one of the worlds biggest events against one of the worlds greatest fighters—in his territory?

Right when i got the 1st. email I changed my diet immediately ! started to eat healthy and training twice a day. as far as preparation I’m doing everything from running,circuit training ,sparring in all aspects of the game . And because its such a huge event and im fighting their up n coming star  I’m doing a lot of mental preparation and  mind drilling mainly to just stay focused and not to let this fight overwhelm me .
3.What tools for victory do you feel you are bringing into this fight? what do you feel to be his biggest tools?

Well I do know that i have more wrestling skills than Kawajiri but however him being bigger and possibly  stronger I’m might have to mix up some boxing , hurt him a little then bring it to the ground . If thats doesn’t turn out I should be ready for what ever … Kawajiri is well rounded but from what I’ve seen his ground n pound seems to be his bread n butter .
4.Off track ,how does it feel to see your fighters competing around the world?I love watching my guys compete on island … but not only is it a great experience to travel and test our skills and ability against the rest of the world . it feels good to see my guys out there putting it on the line with top notch fighters and doing very well against them.

5.From a TinyDotInThePacific–Students in international competitions, AbhDhabiCombatChallenge, Guam, Korea, russia. and Japan in one year, and now Dream in Japan—You think youre bad?
5.NO !! I don’t think I’m bad … I think i”m very lucky to still be competing against the best in the world ! Very fortunate to travel and show case my skills and meet the best there is out there.

6.Words From the Heart for Guam MMA?
To our local fighters , be proud of what and who you represent @ the same time keep the peace we are all one . To the fans and sponsors that support our sport . Thank you very much , the sport is growing and there”s a lot of up n coming talent that is worth getting involved with .
7.Most Imprtantly, How high can you kick?
As high as i have to ! LOL …

So Guam gets another shot at the big show again. In the land of the rising sun-Jesse Taitano came within an arms length distance from Guams first MMA world title shot in Professional Shooto. Patrick “Gori” Ayuyu represented the USA in K-1′s World Max 70kilogram world tournament. and now Melchor Manibusan is on deck for another chance in Guam’s participation for the MMA world stage. Inside and outside of these stellar accomplishments, though we may not always come out on top, its nice to see that event promoters from around the world (in such accomplished events) can recognize Guam and the Marianas as a reliable source for game and quality competitors and in effect–

an asset to World Combat Sports.

Thanks for dropping by.