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Back with a vengeance, Tom and I had a special guest this week, George McGinnis, owner and trainer at York Mixed Martial Arts Academy. The three of us break down the Kimbo fight and subsequent fall-out, as well as how York fighters did at Gladiator Fight Club. George added some great (and much-needed) insight into the fight game, rather than just a couple schmoes like Tom and me talking.
Haas (in black shorts) with his medal after winning at GFC - Warriors Collide. Hanover's Ryan Harder is to the left.Thanks to Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep for the photo.
Here's some information based on a voice mail I received from Bob Bitner on Haas' win at Gladiator Fighter Challenge this past weekend:
Bob started off by saying that two of his fighters, Ryan Harder and Chrissy Adler, did not fight because their opponents backed out. Not cool. This seems to be a big problem in the amateur circuit, and one that should be addressed.
In Haas' fight, he went up against Bao Khong, a tae kwon do instructor for Mario Yamasaki's martial arts academy.
"Bascially, that first round, it was a very technical stand-up round ... I do believe we lost that first round on kicks ... He (Khong) did a pretty good number on Jay's thigh. We seemed to have problems getting out of that range."
"In the second round, we regrouped, gave him some pointers on how to counter those kicks. True to form, Jay being easy to coach like he is, he stepped inside, shut the kicks down, and counter-punched."
Jay Haas for the win, with a second-round TKO.
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This week, Tom Joyce and I talk about Affliction partnering with EliteXC, Cro Cop's groin shot woes, St-Pierre's thoughts on Patrick Cote's chances against Anderson Silva, and an MMA card in Va. this weekend that is stacked with local talent.
Bob Bitner
In a short amount of time, Bob Bitner and his fight team from Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts have made quite an impact on the MMA scene in Virginia.
Right now he has five active fighters who compete in four different organizations. Two of his fighters, Ryan Harder and Jeff Smith, have held titles in Operation Octagon. Harder was bantamweight champ and Smith was featherweight champ, he said.
Bitner said his fighters chose organizatiosn in Virginia that had rule systems similar to the pro ranks. That means even though it is an amateur fight, there are no kick pads, headgear, or over-sized gloves, and knees and elbows are allowed, he said.
Harder, Smith and Chrissy Adler have plans to turn pro at some point, Bitner said.
Rounding out Bitner's team are Jay Haaf and Brad Herrick.
Bitner and his fight team.
Training - striking and grappling - at Bitner's academy is done four days a week, while weight and cardio training is left up to the fighters to take care of.
Bitner, who has fought in muay Thai matches across the United States and has trained fighters for Steve Blackman in Harrisburg, said he's in the fight game for the fighters.
"I really, really do enjoy being with the fighters and watching them progress," he said.
Bitner said he doesn;t know what the future holds, as far as expanding his academy, which shares space with another martial arts school in Hanover. One thing's for sure - he'll keep his little school open and keep training.
"Everytime we go to Virginia, we surprise them," he said. "They can outspend me, but they can't out-fight me."
Training in Hanover.
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