Recently in Tap or Sleep News Category

He put together Only The Strong, and now we have the second in the series by Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear.

He may be the owner of mma clothing company Tap or Sleep, but he can put together a mean highlight video. His name is Jerod Phillips.

Jerod Phillips, who owns Tap or Sleep fightwear and sponsors James "Binky" Jones, sent me this message about Binky's fight at 145 last weekend against Jason McLean, headlining Maryland's first-ever sanctioned MMA event, Shogun Fights:
"Binky won a UD. He used Put On as his walk out song. So Binky Jones Put On for his city!!!

A little training video/interview from the Pocono Record.

Got an email from Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based MMA clothing company, Tap or Sleep, who told me about Pennsylvania welterweight Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman's fight last week at Valley Fight League in Altoona: "Charlie won by tko first round. Heavy elbows and then quick punches. So its onward and upward for the spaniard." That improves Charlie's record to 10-1. Charlie is a Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter.

You can never have too many Pride highlight videos, this one brought to you by Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear.

Jerod Phillips of Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep recently uploaded this video on his YouTube channel. Both Walizer and Haas will be on the upcoming Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge III card on Oct. 23 in Lancaster. For tickets, click here.

Fight for your mind from tap or sleep on Vimeo.

This past weekend, Eric Moore, of Hanover Academy of MMA, entered the cage at Legend Cage Fighting in Manassas, Va. for his debut fight. He ended up in the main event, with fight of the night honors, and a title. How'd it happen?

According to Bob Bitner, Hanover's coach, "Believe me, it shocked us just as much as anybody." Prior to the fight, they went through two opponents - the second pulling out at weigh-ins. Legend's 155-pound champion, Jason Valle, also had an opponent pull out.

Despite Moore's inexperience - and based on Hanover's reputation of producing top-notch fighters - the promoter asked Bitner if Moore wanted the title fight.

"After probably five seconds of thinking about it," Moore and Bitner "jumped at the chance," Bitner said.

After three five-minute rounds, Moore was declared the winner by unanimous decision. "He laid it to this kid," Bitner said. "It was 100 percent Eric, all three rounds. We were very, very proud of him."

Not one to sit back on any laurels, Bitner said now it's time to live up to the title. No doubt Moore will do just that.

This Saturday, Damon's in Hanover will be showing UFC 103 (Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort and Mirko Cro Cop vs. Junior Dos Santos) and will feature appearances from Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep and members of Hanover Academy of MMA.

So stop by, order up some wings and beer, ogle the waitresses (you know you do) and stop by Jerod Phillips's TOS table and see what he's got, not to mention the raffles he'll be doing throughout the night. Oh, and yeah, there's fights on the tube, too. And, like I said, the boys from Hanover Academy should be there as well.

Here's the address:
375 Eisenhower Dr., Hanover, Pa. 717-632-5600.

Just wanted to let everybody know that Jay Haas, a pro fighter with Hanover Academy of MMA, has opened an affilated academy in Lewisberry Pa. at 689 Yorktowne Rd. Jay has fought twice in the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, and numerous times in Virginia. He went 4-1 as an amateur, and is now 1-2 as a pro with one no-contest. He is trhe reigning Operation Octagon 145-pound champion. jay is sponsored by Hanover-based mma clothing company Tap or Sleep.

Here are some things about the academy to keep in mind: All non-members pay a 10.00 mat fee before being allowed to participate. Private lessons are available at both locations, (Lewisberry or Hanover at 398 York St. (suite 9), )please contact one of the numbers below for more detailed information. If interested, please feel free to contact: Bob Bitner 717-528-4038, 717-253-5540 or bitnerbob1@embarqmail.com or Jay Haas at 717-315-4276

Here's the schedule for the Lewisberry academy:
Monday - mma 6-8pm

Tuesday - Kickboxing (ladies only) 5-6 pm; mma 6-8 pm, Wrestling 8-9 pm

Wednesday - mma 6-8 pm

Thrusday - Kickboxing (ladies only) 5-6 pm; mma 6-8 pm, wrestling 8-9 pm

Friday - mma 6-8 pm

Saturday Closed

Sunday - wrestling 5-6 pm

Talked to Jerod Phillips with Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep. His latest sponsored fighter, Eric Moore, a relatively new student at Hanover Academy of MMA, will be making his amateur debut tomorrow night at Legend Cage Fighting in Manassas, Va.

Jerod said Moore, who is fighting at 155, started training at Hanover in January. "he picked up a lot since then," Jerod said. "He's got a lot of talent."

Moore, who is 5'10", is facing the 5'11" Cody Baker, who is also making his amateur debut, according to mixedmartialarts.com

Tap or Sleep fighter Jimmy Hettes, who trains at Gracie NEPA in Scranton.

Here are the results from Friday's Premier Cage Fighting 1: The Beginning, at the Hamburg Field House, Hamburg, PA:

Pro:
Terrill Leech beat Jesus Ortiz Jr. by TKO, 2:34 of round 1.
Jim Hettes beat Nick Gentile by triangle, 3:11 of round 1.

Amateur:
Patrick Paulo beat Christopher Teran by TKO, :45 of round 3.
Daryl Haze beat Brent Kroh by arm bar, 1:52 of round 3.
Brandon Haze beat Ken Edwards by unanimous decision.
Stephan Regman beat Matthew McCaw by TKO, :57 of round 2.
Jason Colarusso beat Steve Dobiesesky by triangle, 1:23 of round 1.

Canceled fights:
Donald Koch vs. Chris Be
Stephan Regman vs. John Brown (see above, looks like Regman fought.)

Ortiz and Kroh are sponsored by New Cumberland-based MMA clothing company Tattoo Fightwear.

Mixed Martial Arts Videos on Purefight

Here's a write-up from Josh Helm, the guy who runs Tap or Sleep Midwest:
Owen (brother of top female fighter Tonya Evinger) hasn't trained or faught in over a year and I got a call from joe at First Blood MMA requesting Owen to fight one of their best, Chris Andrade, at their big show at Lake of the Ozarks Missouri. I admit I was skeptical because Owen wasn't ready to compete and Andrade is a heck of a pro fighter. I did know that Owen's heart and natural ability should be able to carry him to a win though. So I worked out a deal that took 2 days with Joe and we got the fight put together. Owen even had to re-up his blood tests, physical, and re-register due to being out of the sport for over a year. He also didn't have time to go to the gym and freshen up or to cut his weight, yet he still managed to put on a great showing and come out with the win. Owen did mention he was rocked the worse he has ever been during this fight. This moves Owen to a record of 4 wins and 0 losses as a pro!

Some of you may know that Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep has a midwest-based arm, called - ya'll ready for this? - Tap or Sleep Midwest. Josh Helm runs the show at TOS Midwest and he recently sent me an email about some of the goings-on there:

Tap or sleep picks up another midwest phenom and a familier fan favorite re-enters the cage this weekend.

Tap or Sleep midwest has picked up Jose Vega AKA "dat vega kid." Jose trains out of First Blood MMA, in Sedalia, Missouri where he is also the trainer for some of the top up-and-comers in the midwest. Jose has had an outstanding career and is considered one of the best 135-lb. fighters in the midwest.

Jose had a 15-2 amateur record, holding 6 titles, and has a 6-1 pro record and placed 3 times and the Missouri state championships. (He is ranked on fight matrix.com.) At the IFC sturgis Pro Mma tournament he won beating Danny Timms from Missouri, a kid named Eric Buck from Greg Jackson's camp and another kid from New Mexico. Jose is also good friends with the current WEC champ Jamie Varner.

Just found these pics from CPWC II on MMAMelee, the MMA community for fighters and fans - anyone and everyone associated with MMA.

Justin Scott and Tap or Sleep's Jerod Phillips

Lewis "The Beast" Rumsey

Larry "The Living Legend" Novak, Justin Scott, flanked by the guys from MMAMelee, I believe.

Justin Scott, Jerod Phillips and the MMAMelee guys.

I had a brief conversation with Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep. He's got two fighters on two different cards in two different states tonight.

Blake Bowman, who was once a competitor on The Ultimate Fighter, is fighting Dustin West at Music City MMA in Nashville.

Blake "Just Bleed" Bowman

Blake Bowman, a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter 6, was recently interviewed by promma. Here's the last bit of it - pay close attention to his plug of Hanover-based clothing company Tap or Sleep fightwear down at the bottom.

PRO MMA: Ultimately Blake, what would you like to accomplish in MMA?

BLAKE BOWMAN: I want to have a highlight video made. And when people watch that video, they say "yeah, I remember that fight...(specific part) was SICK!" I just want people to be entertained by what I do and remember and want to see it again. I don't have a goal specific to accomplish, but I don't ever want to look back and say, "I could have fought a little harder." You can't help how good, ready or whatever the other guy is...but if you could have finished, and you didn't...that's your wagon to pull. Basically, whether it's WEC, DREAM, Strikeforce, UFC, whatever, I want people to see my fights and WANT to see another one.

PRO MMA: Thank you Blake for taking the time to do this. We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming fight and we will be right there to see it all live. I can't wait. Would you like to thank anyone or send any shout-outs?

BLAKE BOWMAN: I'd like to thank my family and friends back home who stand by, especially my mom. She's a huge supporter. Cole, Micah, Tim, Charles, everyone at BocaMMA and American Top Team. My coaches and especially Tibau, Jorge Santiago, Luigi Fioravanti, Rich Antonito and Danillo Villefort. I've been training with those guys a lot lately. Josh Hartnett, Primo, Puma, Liborio. CrossFit Delray Beach for helping me get into shape and my sponsors: FightDentist.com, TaporSleep fight gear for the time being. I'm looking for anyone willing to help me out, so feel free to contact me. And thanks to MusicCityMMA for giving this chance to fight a tough guy on a good show.

To read the entire interview at promma, click here.

Mark Jovich tells me there's still a few tickets left if you want to attend the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge II at Wisehaven on July 18. Get your tickets here. The card is stacked with talented local fighters, and there are two re-matches from the last show. It should be an awesome show, as the first history-making event was, and there's not a bad seat in the house.

I was on Team Tap or Sleep's facebook page today and saw this photo:

Playboy model Amanda English, whose TOS photos I posted a while back. Now who wouldn't want to see her as a ring girl at the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge? C'mon, Mark, make it happen!

Evinger joins many of the top female fighters in the country in this documentary. Thanks to Jerod Phillips from Tap or Sleep fightwear, who sponsors Evinger and says that in more than one place on the show, you can see someone sportin' TOS fightwear.

One of the top MMA Web sites out there, bloodyelbow.com, ran a post featuring a few MMA artists, including Al Youl, whose work can be seen on this Web site. Al has done some work for Hanover-based fightwear company Tap or Sleep. Here's the drawing Al did of Pennsylvania welterweight pro Charlie Brenneman:

Charlie's next fight is headlining the WKU Warrior Challenge in the Poconos later this month.

Here's the one bloodyelbow featured, of Cro Cop:

By the way, looks like the rumors are true - Cro Cop, who skulked out of the UFC like a thief in the night, does have a fight in Japan.

Jimmy "The Kid" Hettis, a Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter, makes his pro debut at Cage Fight 1 in Scranton on Friday.

Applying the coagulant to Biff Walizer while Greg Sirb, executive director for the state athletic commission, inspects.

Jimmy "The Kid" Hettis making his way to the cage, sporting a TOS Carnage T-shirt. Hettis won by rear-naked choke in the first, Jerod said. Nice job, Kid.

Bad camera work, but maybe I'm just bitter because my boy Biff lost. Jerod Philips, whose company, Tap or Sleep, sponsors Biff, said Biff's left eye was swollen shut and so he called it off. Warrior that he is, Biff would've kept on fighting. Congrats to Paige, he did a great job striking and countering Biff's wrestling. Hope everything heals up quick, Biff.

The WKU (World Karate Union) Warrior Challenge, scheduled for June 26 at Pocono Manor, has its headline bout. Earlier this week, I announced that Hollidaysburg, Pa.-native and welterweight fighter Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman would be there. And now, thanks to an email from Mark Jovich, we know who he's fighting: Marcus Ajian, a 4-4 fighter who lost to Mitch Whitesel at Iron Will Fighting's first show last month Charlie, a Tap or Sleep sponsored fighter, was also on the card, notching a win by rear-naked choke against Chris Thomas in the second round. (I had said the win was by tap-out, but to strikes in the first. My bad.). To have a fighter of Charlie's caliber on the event is definitely a feather in promoter Mark Jovich's cap.

Heard from Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear, who told me that Jay Haas, featherweight fighter out of Hanover Academy of MMA, took a fight on short notice this weekend.

The fight's going to be at CageFest in Richmond, Va., for its "Up Rise" event at the Showplace Exhibition Center, 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA.

Jay is on his way to earning the nickname "Iron Man", with fights scheduled at the WKU Warrior Challenge on June 26 and the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge II at Wisehaven in York Township on July 18.

Good luck, Jay, from all of us at MMA Explosion!

Just a reminder that Biff Walizer fights this Friday in Scranton at PA Cage Fight's "Cage Fight 1." Both Walizer and Jimmy Hettis, who is also on the card, are sponsored by Hanover-based fightwear company Tap or Sleep.

I've already talked about LionHeart Fighter's Lou Armezzani fighting in front of a home-town crowd at PA Cage Fight's Cage Fight 1, on June 12 at the Riverfront Sports Complex in Scranton.

Well, Jerod Phillips, whose Hanover-based fightwear company, Tap or Sleep, sponsors York County pro Biff Walizer, told me last night Biff will be on the card as well.

Biff, an All-American wrestler at Penn State, is now 3-4. His last fight was a third-round submission loss on April 30 at Respect Is Earned's inaugural event. Biff mangled his foot in that fight and took some time off, but recently got back to training.

Biff will be taking on Spencer "The Punisher" Paige (5-2), in the event's "Feature fight", just below the main event.

Talked with Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear, who I interviewed Saturday at Hooter's of York at UFC 98, and he said that The Ultimate Fighter alum Jeremy May contacted him through myspace and it looks May will be rockin' some Tap or Sleep.

May, who was a middleweight contestant on TUF 7, has a record of 5-6. He gained a reputation for being at the center of controversy while on the show, according to his Wiki.

Jerod said May reached out to Tap or Sleep and "said if we sent him some stuff, he'd wear it."

As for what the future holds, Jeremy's twitter page shows he's keeping himself busy: "BJJ tournament in Miami on 10th. Boxing on the 16th in Ocala. Then mini camp the following weekend. Then Vegas June 3-8th!"
9:01 PM May 4th from web

"im fighing in Ocala fl on the 16th aint that some shenanigans!? CALL OR TEXT ME FOR TICKETS!! 3523049753 GOT A TON TO GET RID OF!HAHA"
1:37 PM May 8th from mobile web

Just talked with Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based MMA clothing company, Tap or Sleep, who is at the Iron Will Fighting Championship event in Johnstown. And, unlike the last event he was at, this one was a good night.

First, Lou Armezzani (a one-time York County resident who now trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College) started his pro MMA career off with a bang, pulling an armbar on his opponent in 37 seconds. Congrats, Lou. You're on your way, bro.

And, in the main event, Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman put on "a dominating performance" as Jerod put it, unleashing a vicious ground-n-pound. Jerod said Brenneman's opponent tapped out to strikes in the second round. "Charlie's one tough sumbitch," Jerod said. The win puts Charlie's record at 8-1. Niiiice.

I've mentioned Pennsylvania native welterweight fighter Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman a few times here on this blog, most recently his fight Saturday at Iron Will Fighting Championships in Johnstown.

He's also a Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter and the first TOS fighter to be featured in a series of drawings by A.D. Youl.

Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep, being the entrepreneur that he is, got Charlie to sign a bunch of glossy 8 x 10 copies of the drawing,w hich will be sold at Iron Will and on the Tap or Sleep Web site.

Bmore Submission Machine/Put on 2 from tap or sleep on Vimeo.

MATZKE VS THOMPSON / TAP OR SLEEP VS TAP OR SLEEP from tap or sleep midwest on Vimeo.

Two tough heavyweights, Doug "The Viking" Thompson and Tony "The Spartan" Matzke have sparked debate and amazement with their fights in the midwest. The great thing - beyond the entertaining fights - is that both fighters are sponsored by Tap or Sleep, a clothing company that orginated in Hanover with Jerod Phillips and expanded to the midwest. Here's a great write-up by Josh Helm, boss at Tap or Sleep midwest:

The war of '09

Viking VS Spartan
tap or sleep VS tap or sleep
The Center VS TEAM k2l
BATTLE ii

THE WAR BEGAN FEBRUARY 09 IN GRAIN VALLEY MISSOURI WHEN THE VIKING (DOUG THOMPSON) AND THE SPARTAN (TONY MATZKE) WENT TO BATTLE. The heavyweight warriors banged it out the whole three rounds, reminiscent of "Don Fry vs. Yoshihiro Takayama".

The Battle went to the judges with the decision being a draw.
March 09 the Viking wins a different battle and receives a title (True Fight Fan heavyweight championship). With both of their records 2-0-1 they shall meet again for the title. May 09 the second battle commences.

Uh ... this guy Nate does. He's got the hat and the shirt, so that's cool by me. And he talks about swine flu, so it's relevant. Although he doesn't talk MMA, it's a funny video - he should definitely do some stand-up comedy. Check out his YouTube channel for more. Disclaimer: this guy swears a lot, so if your kids are around, you might want to get 'em out of the room.

Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based Tap or Sleep fightwear, one of Biff Walizer's sponsors, sent me this photo of Biff's foot. Apparently, he injured it during his fight on Thursday at Respect is Earned. So, it looks like Biff will not be fighting at the Iron Will Fighting Championship later this month, Jerod said. Hopefully, Biff can recover in time for the next Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, scheduled for July 18.

Biff Walizer, Jerod Phillips, and Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman

Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based Tap or Sleep fightwear, was at the Respect Is Earned event last night in Oaks, Pa. (near Philly).

As I reported yesterday, Biff Walizer lost in the third round - after a war of a fight - by RNC to Dustin Pague. Two other members LionHeart Fighters had fights there as well: Paul Bradley lost by unanimous decision to Mike Pierce and Dave Sachs won in the third round over Jacob Kirwan by tapout to a rear-naked choke, according to the Pa. State Athletic Commission.

Dave Sachs stands center, joined by two unknown dudes on the left, Jerod Phillips with the Freddie Roach-style glasses and Dave Klick from Cage of Chaos on the far right.

Just got a call from Jerod Phillips of Hanover-based Tap or Sleep fightwear, who is in Oaks, Pa., just outside Philadelphia, for the state's second MMA event - and the first all-pro event - since the sport was legalized.

The event is called Respect Is Earned, a new relatively new, but seeminly well-financed promotion that has also held events in the western part of the country.

When Jerod and I spoke, he had just wrapped Biff Walizer's hands. He said Biff's fight is third on the card, so it shoudl be over while the night si still young, and I'll have the info. up here as soon as I get it from Jerod.

Besides Walizer, there are two other LionHeart Fighters fighters - Dave Sachs being one, and in the main event, Paul Bradley.

Here's an email I received from Josh Helm of Tap or Sleep Midwest, the midwest arm of York County-based Tap or Sleep fightwear company:
"Well although we had a rough night Saturday, Gary Tapusoa saved us big time. Gary was coming off his first career loss. His opponent saturday was considered by everyone to be his tuffest most experienced fighter yet. Matt Gragg from Lone Wolf MMA has been training for at least 3 years. In August 07 Matt won the ISCF 205lb Missouri State Title and he won the ISCF 185lb World Amateur Championship in May of 08. Matt also trained with tap or sleep fighter Josh Bernal when they both started and trained with Roy and Jenn Babcock up until their move to Greg Jackson's. Tapusoa vs Gragg was Saturday night's main event at Zero Tolerance in St. Joe Missouri for the Zero Tolerance 185lb Belt. Gary already owns the Zero Tolerance Heavyweight belt and after his 55sec. KO Saturday he now owns the 185lb belt. WAR TAPUSOA!

I spoke with Jerod Phillips, owner of Hanover-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep fightwear last night. Things didn't go so well for TOS-sponsored fighters, he said.

Baltimore's James "Binky" Jones was knocked out in the second round in his fight against Frank "The Crank" Camacho at Ultimate Warrior Challenge.

Josh "Taz" Ferguson, representing Team Cruz in Kentucky, and sponsored by local MMA clothing companies Tattoo Fightwear and Tap or Sleep, succumbed to a Mike Easton guillotine in the first round at the UWC bantamweight championship fight.

And it looks like TOS-sponsored fighter Mitchell Harris lost to Ben Askren in Missouri Saturday night:

York County-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep - which has spread to Tap or Sleep Midwest - has several fighters doing their thing tonight.

First, there's TOS fighter Mitch "The Iron Lion" Harris taking on former Olympic wrestler Ben Askren at Headhunter Productions: Patriot Act II tonight at the Holiday Inn Expo Center in Columbia, Missourt. To see the fight live and free, tune in to purefight.org.

In case ya didn't know, York-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep has expanded to the Midwest. Not to long ago, two Tap or Sleep-sponsored heavyweights, Tony Matzke and Doug Thompson, went pillar-to-post for three rounds, ending in a draw. On May 1, the two will go at it again at the Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley, Missouri, for Thompson's True Fight Fan heavyweight title.

Get this - Playboy model Amanda English does.

Thank you, Josh Helm from Tap or Sleep Mid-West, you, sir, are a god.
More photos after the jump.

Interviews from the CPWC on Sunday, including Greg Sirb, guys from Steve Bentz's fight camp, MACE and Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep.

I just got back from Wisehaven Banquet and Expo Center where preparations are underway for tomorrow's Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, the first legal MMA event in the state.

But, before I go any further, for those of you reading this who are thinking about going and don't have tickets, THE SHOW IS SOLD OUT. That's right from promoter Mark Jovich.

Anyway, so Tom and I get in there and a group of Mark students from Dallastown High School are setting up the chairs on the ground floor, waiting for the cage to arrive.

The place is what some might call "an intimate venue," in other words, it's on the small side, but that's good for the first show, as I've said before. Start small, sell it out, and work up to a bigger venue.

Midwest destroyer Gary Tapusoa, that's who, wearing the new Carnage t-shirt.

Tap or Sleep model Tiffany, showing off the new camo long sleeve.

To order these any other great products - with a $4 flat shipping rate - log on to taporsleep.com

Lou Armezzani - fresh from a win, and is that that fresh blood on his gloves?

York went 2-1 at the recent Onslaught Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting event in Virginia. Jerod Phillips, of Tap or Sleep fightwear, was there to support the guys: Lou Armezzani, who at one time lived in York, and now trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College, and Steve Kaufman and Nate Vantassel of Hanover Academy of Mixed Martial Arts.

The boys from Hanover, including Steve, Zach, Nate, Jay and Ryan.

Steve gets his hands wrapped by Hanover head trainer Bob Bitner.

Jerod Phillips of York County-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep sent me this trailer about Duane Stevenson - just watching the 3-minute trailer leaves you inspired. It's truly a lesson in perseverance and taking what life has dealt you and working beyond it, through it.

Not too long ago, I mentioned that there would be an MMA event in Johnstown. Well, I did some digging, and found out a little bit more about it. Here's a message I found on a message board. From the looks of their card, ( a lot of "TBDs") they still might be looking for fighters.

"As some of us know mma has become legal in PA WE are looking for some pro fighters and amateur fighters various weight classes. For an event in Johnstown Pa at the Cambria County War Memorial May 16 2009 Contacts Ironwillfighting.com josh.breto@ironwillfighting.com Regalas @ Breto Promotions 209 Grant St , South Fork Pa 15956 Cambria Martial Arts Academy Cambriamartialarts.com"

Also, Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep said Bill Walizer will be on the card, facing Corey Mahon. Another Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter, Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman, will be there, taking on Marcus Ajian. In addition, two guys from LionHeart Fighters are the card, Lou Armezzani, who recently won in Virginia, and Matt Kocher.

Just talked to Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep again and he told me that Lou Armezzani of LionHeart Fighters won his fight by KO - kick to the head - in the second round.

Hanover Academy of MMA's Steve Kauffman lost his amateur debut by submission - strikes from the mount.

I've known York County's Biff Walizer for about two years now, and never known him to have a nickname. ... Well, he told me that while wrestling at Penn State, he got the name "The Funkmaster" because of all the funky positions he managed to get himself in during a match, while later getting the win.

But the "Funkmaster" moniker did not make the cross-over to Walizer's career in MMA. I guess I figured with a first name like Biff, he wouldn't need a nickname. And it is his real name, by the way. Maybe he could go with Biff "Yes, it's my real name" Walizer, to cut down on the confusion.

Anyway, I was on the Respect Is Earned Web site yesterday, checking out what's new - Biff has a fight outside Philly at the end of this month - and saw that Biff now has a nickname: "First Blood." And I gotta say, I like it. I never known another fighter to have it, so it's got some originality. Also, it conjures up images of Sylvester Stallone - especially the part in the movie where he sews up his arm - so that's cool.

I don't know how he got it, but he just had a fight in which he dominated the first round, cutting his opponent, so maybe that's where it came from. Let's hope he continues the tradition.

By the way, Biff is sponsored by York-based Tap or Sleep fightwear and trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College.

Here's the video for Biff Walizer vs. Kevin Roddy at Mayhem at the Marina. I might be a bit biased since I know Biff, but I would give him a 10-8 first round. Biff had excellent ground control, showed vastly improved jiu-jitsu - he had guard passes, side control, north-south, an armbar escape, a submission (it was either a kimura or an Americana, I'm not sure) - plus opened up a cut on Roddy.

It seemed as though, like Tap or Sleep's Jerod Phillips said, Biff might have gassed a little in the second round, and Roddy was able to get his spindly legs around Biff and force a tap-out to triangle. NOTE: this is the first few minutes of the fight; to see the entire thing, go to http://gofightlive.tv/playVideo.do?videoId=871&resolution=Medium&playerSize=Medium

Binky Jones, Jerod Phillips and Biff Walizer.

Bad nights happen in MMA. Jerod Phillips, owner of York-based MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep knows it, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Case in point was last weekend's Extreme Challenge: Mayhem at the Marina in Atlantic City. York County's Biff Walizer, who is sponsored by Tap or Sleep, fought at 155 pounds, losing in the second round to Kevin Roddy by triangle.

"Biff controlled the fight in the first round," Phillips said. "Biff cut him. ... He landed the better strikes on the feet."

But by the end of the first, Phillips said he could tell Walizer was winded. During the break, Walizer asked Phillips to shake out one of his arms, which had been caught in a tight armbar during the round.

In the second round, Walizer shot in for a single-leg takedown, but it was negated by Roddy, who then punished Walizer with strikes before submitting him.

"If he would have had cardio, that would've kept him on his feet for the second and third rounds," Philips said of Walizer.

Walizer, who trains at LionHeart in state College, teaches at Red Lion Area High School and coaches the school's varsity wreslting team. But now that the season is over, it's Phillips' hope that Walizer can concentrate on his cardio. And he won't have too long - his next fight is at the Central Pennsylvania Warrior Challenge, the state's first MMA event, to be held at Wisehaven in York Township on April 19.

Also that night, new Tap or Sleep-sponsored middleweight fighter Mike Johnson, who fights out of Philadelphia's Fight Factory, lost to Jay Silva by TKO/referee stoppage from strikes in the second round, Phillips said.

In addition, Matt Kocher, who is the strength and conditioning coach at LionHeart, lost by rear-naked choke to Troy Maxwell in the second round of their welterweight fight.

So it was a bad night, but Phillips is looking ahead to the Warrior Challenge, where he'll have sponsored fighters and a table to sell his

merch.

Just-released drawing of Tap or Sleep sponsored fighter James" Binky" Jones, aka "The Baltimore Submission Machine" by New Zealand artist A.D. Youl.

Binky, who fights out of Ground Control in Baltimore, fights on April 25 for the Ultimate warrior Challenge.

I'm bummed I have to report this, but here it is, thanks to Jim Genia of mma journalist:
"It's time for Kevin Roddy of Team Pellegrino vs. Biff Walizer of Lionheart MMA. Once again, Roddy is firing sub attempts like a Marine M60 gunner firing off rounds at Taliban irregulars, but Walizer dodges them all and punishes him return. Round 2, however, is when Roddy finally finds his groove, as he rocks Walizer on the feet then nails the triangle off a scramble. The official time of the tap out is 3:19 of the second round, and Roddy proves he's still got it."

Earlier today, I spoke with Jerod Phillips, whose York County -based MMA clothing company, Tap or Sleep, sponsors local pro Biff Walzer, about Biff's fight tonight in Atlantic City.

Jerod told me that for tonight's fight, Biff weighed in at 155.2 pounds, and the guy he's fighting, Kevin Roddy, weighed in at 153.

I asked Jerod what his thoughts were pre-fight, and he said, "What I'm worred about is Biff trying to muscle him around and getting caught in an armbar."

Jerod said they might try to stand-up with Roddy for a while, since he is not known for his striking ability.

Jerod also said that at weigh-ins, the scale had to be replaced because it was weighing everybody heavy. Biff, who trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College, had to shed about three pounds early Friday, but it was no problem for the life-long wrestler.

"He did a little running and then went to the sauna," Jerod said.

Earlier this month, I reported that York County pro Biff Walizer was scheduled to take on Adam Cunningham at Extreme Challenge's Mayhem at the Marina in Atlantic City on Saturday.

Well, Jerod Phillips, whose company, Tap or Sleep, sponsors Biff, told me today that something happened with Cunningham and that the fight was off. Then he told me Biff got a new opponent in Kevin Roddy.

Can't say I know much about Roddy, other than he's 7-7 as a pro. Biff, who is 2-2, is an All-American from Penn State and trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College. I've known Biff for about two years now and have to say he's definitely the pride of York County, as far as I'm concerned. So let's get another W, Biff, bring on the "Bread and Butter."

Back in November, I wrote a big story - or actually several stories on MMA - that were printed in the York Daily Record. Looks like HDNet, Mark Cuban's dish network-only channel, and its off-shoot, HDNet Fights, regularly carries MMA events like Sengoku and DREAM from Japan, along with the Bas Rutten-Kenny Rice show, Inside MMA picked up on it and summarized it on their FaceBook page.

Thanks to Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear for pointing it out to me. Here it is:
November 10, 2008 There is an interesting article in the York Daily Record that details the push for legalization of MMA in the state of Pennsylvania and the effect it has on small business entrepreneurs who see legalization as a boon for their fledgling companies.

Jerod Phillips and his Tap or Sleep MMA Apparel label are presented as a case study. Phillips sees legalization as a natural path to increased revenue: Using MySpace, he contacted fighters and persuaded them to wear his clothing. He estimates he's invested about $60,000 and countless hours in the past year. It would help Phillips if MMA was legal in Pennsylvania. That way, he could sell his clothing at shows around the state and string his banners up at those shows, steering more traffic to his Web site, he said.

The piece also looks at how the MMA training market will see an increase. Some of these things may seem self-evident, but it is always interesting to see them on a micro level, with the various local iterations on the theme. Prospects for legalization are bright. A bill legalizing the sport is working its' way through the statehouse and legislators as a whole seem open to the sport. A visit from Mr. Ratner will probably be made at some point: Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission drafted rules and regulations for MMA, which are now making their way through the legislature. Greg Sirb, the commission's executive director, speculated the sport might be approved by year's end.

State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester Township, said he would be open to legalizing the sport. DePasquale said that over the years, he has seen the sport institute safety guidelines, which include things like weight classes, gloves and rounds. "I think the sport has come a long way to clean it up and make it legitimate ... (it's) more focused on the safety of the fighter," DePasquale said. "At the end of the day, they are working to be a legitimate sport."

Duane is an accomplished wrestler, but as you can see, the dude's game is well-rounded. He trains at Mark Jovich's Central Pennsylvania Martial Arts Academy. The video was taken by Tap or Sleep owner Jerod Phillips. Be prepared to hear a lot more about Bastress, guaranteed.

Jay walking to the cage at Operation Octagon on the way to winning the fetaherwieght title.

Windsor Township's Biff Walizer - who fights as a pro at both 145 and 155 - has a fight scheduled for March 28th, said Chad Dubin, owner of LionHeart Fighters, where Walizer trains.

Dubin sent this information to me on the fight:

The promotion is legendary fight promoter Monte Cox's Extreme Challenge, Mayhem at the Marina. It will be held at the Trump Marina Casino, Atlantic City, NJ.

The fights start at 8pm, Saturday, March 28th, and Walizer will be facing Adam Cunningham.

Cunningham is listed at Sherdog.com as 0-3. Walizer, if I'm getting this right, is 2-2. He has losses to Eddie Fyvie and Dom Stanco and submission wins over Rick Screeton and Mick Berwanger.

For tickets, please contact Chad Dubin, (814) 280-1982 or email: chad@lionheartfighters.com

York County fighter Jay Haas, who is sponsored by Tap or Sleep and trains at Hanover Aacdemy of Mixed Martial Arts is fighting for the Operation Octagon 145-pound title this weekend. Haas fought last month and won in the first round. Good luck, Jay, from MMA Explosion!

The Tap or Sleep Midwest crew, that's who. From an email from Jerod Phillips: "Here is a picture of all the guys fighting next weekend, and Josh Helm our midwest blood life. These guys will be fighting at the Titan Fighting Championships in Kansas City. The main event will feature Brad Imes. From left to right - Casey Smith, Afa Tapusoa, Mitch Harris and Josh Helm, and Dominic Brown in front."

Best of luck, guys, from MMA Explosion. Here's the event poster:

Harout "The Pain" Karapetyan, preparing for his fight this past weekend, where he won by unanimous decision, said Jerod Phillips, owner of York-based Tap or Sleep fightwear.Congrats, Pain, keep the W's comin.'

Live on Friday, Feb. 13, Sherdog.com will stream the Wargods/Ken Shamrock Productions event, Valentine's Eve Massacre. Check back here for further details - I couldn't find a strat time for the event.

Two Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighters, Tonya Evinger and Jenn Babcock, are on the card

Fight Card:
Ken Shamrock vs. Ross Clifton
David "Tank" Abbott vs. Mike Bourke
Josh Haynes vs. Rafael Real
Kyacey Uscola vs. BJ Lacy
Mike Moreno vs. Gary Padilla
Buddy Roberts vs. Wesley "Cabbage" Correira
Isaac de Jesus vs. Ashe Bowman
Rick Reeves vs. Nathan James
Jennifer Tate vs. Jen Babcock
Zoila Frausto vs. Karina Hallinan
Darrin Freeman vs. TBA
Tonya Evinger vs. Jessica Bednark

York-based MMA clothing company,Tap or Sleep, has a new model. Her name is Tiffany, and you can check her out on myspace here. Here's some pics from Tiff's latest shoot. Lookin' smokin' hot, girl.

Jerod Phillips, along with Tap or Sleep midwest's Josh Helm, have improved the Tap or Sleep Web site. It now features new fighter bios and a forum. As for the clothing, here's what the site says:

"The online store is currently being filled with products! We are going to do some testing on the online store before it goes live! If you would like to order products, at the moment, send an email to taporsleepmidwest@yahoo.com.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it. Check back a little later for the online store!"

Tap or Sleep Midwest's newest sensation, by Josh Helm:

Gary Tapusoa who trains at "The Martial Arts Center" Blue Springs MO., is the newest projectile tap or sleep is shooting from their fully loaded arsenal. Gary, a rugby player turned mma title holder hasn't been fighting long. When he joined tap or sleep midwest he was 5-0.

Now at 7-0 with a belt, Gary has been dominating at 2 different weight classes. He started at heavyweight, then went to 205 and now will be fighting Feb. 6th for the 185 TFF title. The Samoan Bad Ass will help propel tap or sleep midwest even further as tap or sleep hopes to propel Gary.

Thanks from TOS midwest to Phil Jones @ True Fight Fan www.truefightfan.com and The Martial Arts Center www.mmacenterkc.com and Brian Davidson from K2L www.teamk2l.com kids to leaders.

Also from Josh: Tap or Sleep Midwest gives back:

We are having a benefit for a 5 year old boy who has been fighting for his life with a golf-ball size cancerous tumor on his brain. They have had alot of procedures done in KC but he needs to go to a clinic in Arizona. The family can't afford it so we are trying to help. The benefit will on April 12th at whiskey tango and will be presented by Tap or Sleep and From Thy Ashes rock band

Here's an email I received from Jerod Phillips, written by his business partner, Josh Helm:

Tap or Sleep's first midwest expedition was with Tap or Sleep fighter Tonya Evinger and her younger twin brothers Owen (3-0 Pro) Chris (6-1 Am). They were all scheduled to fight at the June 6, 2008 True Fight Fan event at Whiskey Tango's in Grain Valley Missouri.

Jerod Phillips (Tap or Sleep owner) flew out from PA to support and slept on Josh Helm's couch while in town. Josh Helm started Team Evinger which transformed Tonya's sponsors into Team Evinger sponsors. So, Tap or Sleep sponsored all three Evingers.
June 6th.

Tonya and Owen dominated the night with support of coach Ken Shamrock and the huge fan base Team Evinger brings with them. Chris' opponent didn't get his blood tests in time after flying in from California.

The first fighter to compete as a Tap or Sleep fighter in the midwest and wasn't a Team Evinger member was Josh Bernal (4-0), an ex-Missouri Western football player. On June 28, Josh won with a reverse triangle in the first round. Josh got to 6-0 before taking his first loss to IFL star LC Davis who is now signed with Affliction. The next Tap or Sleep fighter to compete was Chris Evinger. Chris (6-1 AM) was the AM. State Title Holder at 170 this was Chris' pro debut and he won in 52 second on july 11th.

A couple weeks later Tap or Sleep Midwest was formed by Josh Helm. With Tonya living in Nevada, Tap or Sleep Midwest technically only had 3 fighters - Owen and Chris Evinger with Josh Bernal.

Helm had been around the midwest fight game long enough to know which fighters to support. For the Sept. 5th True Fight Fan show, Tap or Sleep Midwest had new blood competing: fan favorite "KC Bad Boy" Dominic Brown and Casey Smith, who was another Odessa wrestler like Team Evinger. Escorted out by the Tap or Sleep Midwest banner, Dominic and Casey scored victories in the first round. This was the first time Tap or Sleep was really being admired by midwest fans. Since then Tap or Sleep Midwest has dominated, adding at least one fighter every month to the stable.

Tap or Sleep Midwest now has 4 sets of brothers, the Evingers, the Bernals Josh and younger brother Bubba, the Tapusoas Gary and Afa and the Sveums Travis and younger brother Jeff. Joining them is Brown, Smith, Brian Davidson, Tony Matzke, Bo Cash, Mitch Harris, Matt Cox, and Monte Garrett. Every day Tap or Sleep Midwest grows, gaining more and more fans.

Jerod Phillips, owner of York County's Tap or Sleep fightwear, told me about Harout Karapetyan last year. Both Jerod and I are predicting big things for him once he hits the pro ranks. Looks like somone else has taken notice of him - Penny Jo, from PennyJoMMA. Here's a story on Harout on Penny's Web site written by someone who goes by "The Shiznit Robert Visnick":

Sixteen year old Harout was born in Hollywood, Ca. and started training Judo at the young of six. Since then he has been on the climb to the top. His resume is second to none. He has reached the level of first degree black belt in Judo. He is a 4 time Junior National Judo Champion, 2 time Junior Olympic Judo Champion, 7 time California State Judo Champion, 08' On The Mat and U.S. Open Champion, 08' California State Pankration Silver Medalist, 08' National Pankration Team Member, and took 4th place at the World Junior Grappling event. He is currently ranked #1 in the under 17 division at 155 and 170 in Pankration. Harout had his first amateur MMA fight at the age 15 and has since then put together a 16-2 fight record. He is quickly becoming known for being a finisher as most of his wins have come by the way of submission or technical knock out.

Harout trains out of the Main Event Gym and Kenam's Fight Club in Glendale, CA, where he also is a grappling instructor. Occasionally Harout makes his way to the nationally known Legends Gym for training. Harout knows his strong points are his Judo and grappling skills, but he does not shy away from the stand up while training or in the ring/cage. Even with a resume as good as his, he is very humble in knowing that there is always room for improvment in every aspect of his game.

Harout fights at 145 and 155. Even with his young age he has been able to land a decent sponsor after being noticed by Tap or Sleep's owner Jerod Phillips. Since then larger organizations have been taking notice and just waiting for Harout to become of age. Harout will be fighting in King of the Cage in February.

Harout like most 16 year olds has a part time job on the weekends. He is being home schooled so he has the ability to train a few hours a day. Harout stays motivated with the simple ethics of just wanting to be a better person and the best fighter he can be. The younger fighter has the backing and support of his family which is important for every young fighter. He truly feels he is a top ten fighter and that after exploding on to the pro fight scene he will be fighting for a belt in major MMA organization and I believe he can. Keep your eye on Harout "The Pain" Karapetyan because you could very likely be looking at a future champion in Mixed Martial Arts.

Charlie gettin' wrapped pre-fight

Tap or Sleep-sponsored welterweight Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman won last night at Monte Cox's Extreme Challenge War at the Shore, which took place Friday at Atlantic City's Tropicana.

York County's Jerod Phillips, Tap or Sleep's life-blood, called me last night after the fight and said Charlie won in the second round by ref stoppage. Charlie was in his opponent's guard and unleashed a relentless barrage of strikes that forced the end of the bout.

Although Eddie Alvarez had to pull out of the card, he was there, said Phillips. In support of Charlie were UFC veteran Frankie Edgar and Tap or Sleep fighter Chris Liguori:

Well, Philadelphia's Eddie Alvarez won't be on the card, as he is recovering from an injury, but Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman will be fighting Friday, Jan. 23 at The Tropicana in Atlantic City for Extreme Challenge's The War at the Shore.

Brenneman, a welterweight who hails from Hollidaysburg, Pa., is 6-1 as a pro, his last fight being a TKO of Dimitry Yanish on Nov. 29 at the USFL's War in the Woods V.

There's a little confusion as to who Charlie is fighting. His Web site says it's Keilan O'Daniel, but mixedmartialarts.com has it at Edward O'Daniel ... guess we'll just have to wait and see which O'Daniel shows up.

Anyway, good luck to "The Spaniard" from MMA Explosion.

Here's a sneak peak into what Tap or Sleep has in store for 2009. Nice!!!

Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep sent me this slide show he put together on York County's lightweight pro, Biff Walizer. Nice group of shots - we see Biff with James "Binky" Jones, and Biff's wins in Kentucky, and most recently, the one in D.C. last weekend.

Just got these photos from Jerod Phillips, manager for Biff Walizer and owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear. These were taken before Biff's 148-pound fight last weekend at Battle at the Nation's Capital with Jerod wrapping up Biff's hands. Biff, who trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College, took the fight on short notice, dropping 12 pounds in a couple of days. In a little over a minute, Biff submitted his opponent, which made for a nice payday, when you look at the dollars-to-seconds ratio.

... and Biff's opponent tapped, said Jerod of Tap or Sleep fightwear. He just called me and said Biff won in 1:08 of the first round. The fight went to the ground, Biff nearly got caught in an arm-bar, but was able to sink in a guillotine choke from the bottom and his opponent was left with no alternative but to tap.

"We just came back and did a little redemption fight," Jerod said. From now until the spring, Biff will concentrate on coaching Red Lion's wrestling team, he said.

Jerod said he saw James "Binky" Jones there, who was scheduled to fight, but had to bow out to injury. Binky, a great competitor, has trained with Biff before and works out at Ground Control in Baltimore.

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Tom and I talk UFC Fight for the Troops, Afflcition's Day of Reckoning and the latest Tap or Sleep news.

Here's an email I received from Jerod Phillips of the Tap or Sleep fightwear company:

Friday night, 6 of our fighters competed at the True Fight Fans event in Grain Valley, Missouri. Our first fighter competing was Tony Matzke, who is our amateur heavyweight. This was Tony's second fight and he won with a knockout in the first round. His first fight he won with a 12 second knock out.

The second fight for us was Gary Tapasoa, another amateur. He fights at light heavyweight. Gary just started fighting 4 months ago and already has a title belt and a record of 7 wins with no losses. Gary won this fight in the first round after he caught a knee to the groin on 2 separate occasions. Immediately after the fight was stopped the second time for this, Gary came out swinging and dropped his opponent, pounced on him and finished the fight with an angry onslaught.

We then had our newest fighter, yet one that has been around for awhile, Mitch Harris, who had a great amateur career holding 3 belts. When Mitch made the switch to pro he had been away from training for a few months, he wasn't training like he had before and lost his first 2 fights. Mitch took a little bit of time off, hitting the gym instead of the cage and has got his game closer to where it should be. Friday night was his first fight as a Tap or Sleep fighter and he got his first win as a pro. The fight was tough and went to a decision. Mitch still needs a lot of work on his stand up as he pretty much turned this fight into a wrestling match but still got the win.

Next we had Travis Sveum, one of the two brothers from Team Tap or Sleep Midwest. Travis is an experienced fighter with not-so-good training habits. We have known Travis a long time and he has fought some of the who's who of the area and this was his first fight with our name on him. Travis dominated this fight and could have ended the fight numerous times. He dropped his opponent with about every common strike there is and kept letting him recover and stand up. Eventually Travis ended this butchering with a submission.

Our second to last fight was our most anticipated fight as Casey Smith fought Joe Stark. Casey went to school in Odessa and was on the wrestling team with Tonya, Owen, and Chris Evinger. Joe Stark also happened to wrestle at OHS and is very disliked by everyone on our team. Joe called Owen out for Owens first pro fight and Owen won in just 32 seconds. Joe has had 10 pro fights and Casey was undefeated at 3 wins no losses.Joe came out with head kick which Casey caught with his left hand and landed a hard right putting Joe on his back. Casey let Joe stand back up and immediately picked Joe up for a slam. When they hit the ground Joe worked for a scarf choke and had it in tight. This is the second fight in a row where Casey was caught in a choke and nearly passed out instead of tapping. instead Casey smile as he lift him self and Joe using the cage to loosen Joe's grip. Instantly Casey popped up swinging with Joe's head against the fence landing every punch perfect Joe started tapping the mat, giving up.

The main event was Dominic Brown, one of our fighters, in a rematch with Joe Punchon which 3 of our other fighters have already beat. Joe has lost to Bubba Bernal twice, Josh Bernal, Chris Evinger, and now Dominic twice. Dominic won in the first round with a submission.

You can see some of these fights on youtube.com if you search tap or sleep Midwest.

I think I mentioned this in the radio show, but I also wanted to say here that I talked with Jerod Phillips from Tap or Sleep fightwear about York County pro Biff Walizer last week.

Walizer, who I profiled in the Daily Record, lost by knock-out to Dom Stanco at Ring of Combat. he currebtly trains at LionHeart Fighters in State College.

Jerod told me several things about Biff: he'll stick to fighting at 145, no more fights at 155. The guys he's fighting at 155 are cutting 20-25 or so pounds, and are just too tall and too muscular. Phillips doesn't doubt Biff's strength or athleticism, but those odds may be too much. We see this happen all the time, fighters dropping weights classes to get to where they need to be to have success.

Also, Biff will be taking the winter off so he can dedicate himself to the Red Lion High School varsity wrestling team. From all that I have heard, Biff is a great coach - so much that parents have moved to the school district just so their kids can get on the team.

Third, Biff will be looking into different training techniques - like crossfit - to get in top condition when he starts fighting again.

All in all, great news about Biff. We wish him the best, and until the next fight, here's to a great wrestling season.

I hope to hear from Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep, who sponsors Pennsylvania fighter Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman. Charlie took a fight on extremely short notice at Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, Conn. As far as I know, Massachusetts is the only New England state that allows MMA (illegal in Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Connecticut), but that doesn't apply to Indian Reservations, which Foxwoods is on. Amen to that. And here's for Charlie coming away with a win tonight. I'll post results when I get a chance.

Here's Charlie's bio from his Web site:
Born and raised in the small town of Hollidaysburg, PA, Charlie started wrestling when he was eight years old. Wrestling took him all over the country and taught him more about life than he could have ever anticipated. In college, Charlie wrestled Division I at Lock Haven University (PA), where he capped off his career in 2004 with a Top 12 finish at Nationals. He was living what he felt was the "normal life" for about two years and decided it was time to get back into the game. He was teaching Spanish back at his old high school, but felt something was missing. The only natural ability Charlie had was his wrestling, so MMA seemed like the best route to take. In November of 2006, he had his first amateur fight and became hooked. He hasn't looked back since...

Charlie is the product of a great family, to whom he owes all of his successes. They have been with him through the dreams that became reality, but more importantly, the dreams that never came to be. Charlie truly believes adversity is a blessing in disguise; defeat teaches you more than any victory.

Charlie is an idealist. Mixed Martial Arts is a way for him to live the kind of life that he wants to live. His goal is to one day own a gym, which encompasses both wrestling and MMA. In the perfect world, MMA and wrestling will give him the opportunity to affect kids in a positive way and help them reach their maximum potential in life.

Camera guy/producer/editor extraordinaire Tom Joyce and I were at Hooters of York on Saturday to see Couture vs. Lesnar. A huge, intense crowd was there and it was all good, with the exception of a few party-dicks.

James Olewiler from MACE (Martial Arts with a Combat Emphasis) was there, working the crowd, passing out flyers, spreading the word about secodn degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt - and world champion - Daniel Beleza, who teaches at MACE. Things sound like they're really coming togetehr for MACE, and with legalization (hopefully) around the corner, it's only going to get better.

We alsp checked in with Jerod Phillips from Tap or Sleep, who was there showing off his hot new model Flynn. Jerod talks about his new clothing line, and what his fighters are up to in the coming weeks, both here on the East Coast and in the Mid-West.

Biff in training.

My story on Biff Walizer and MMA hit the York Daily Record on Sunday, if you missed it. Click here to read the story.

Here's the video on Tap or Sleep's Jerod Phillps:

Binky Jones, Jerod Phillips and Biff Walizer

My MMA story - titled "Living and Fighting - That Competitive Edge" will be out this Sunday, Nov. 9, in The York Daily Record/Sunday News and online. The main story is about local fighter Biff Walizer, his battle with a gambling addiction and his quest to gain redemption. There's also a sidebar on Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear. Other York MMA luminaries, like Mark Jovich, Bob Bitner and George McGinnis will be in one of the stories online. There will also be a video of Biff and Jerod. Click here on Sunday to log on to the Web site.

Check out the trucker lid, worn by up-and-coming UFC light-heavyweight Jon "Bones" Jones.

Visit Purefight For More Videos

Video shot at LionHeart Fighters

Thanks to Mark Bader at Purefight.org for shooting the video. Hit up the site to see more videos about LionHeart and other MMA fighters/training camps.

To see the latest Tap or Sleep styles, click here.

Jim Hettes, a Tap or Sleep-sponsored LionHeart fighter, won the Intimidation Cage Fighting featherweight championship by armbar on Saturday in Sportsville, KY, said Jerod Phillips, Tap or Sleep owner, who was in Hettes' corner that night. Congrats to Jim on the win.

Here's a write-up the young fighter recieved on hyefighters.com:

Keep an eye out for this young up and comer to the MMA world...

Harout was born on April 19, 1992 in Hollywood, California. At the young age of 6, he was introduced to his first love, the martial arts, Judo. Literally translated, judo means, "the Gentle Way", but when Harout steps on the mat, he is anything but gentle. Known for violently launching his opponents several feet into the air, and onto the mat, he was nicknamed "The Pain." In late 2007, after nearly a decade of active competition, hundreds of matches, and winning countless medals, he traded in his Judo gi for MMA gloves.

Baltimore's Binky Jones, who fights for Ground Control and is sponsored by Tap or Sleep, fights tonight on the UWC event at George Mason University. Jones, 7-5, is up against a 4-3 Kyle Baker out of Harrisonbrug, Va.'s MMA Institute in a lightweight bout. Good luck, Binky. Hope you get a nice sub tonight.

Jones

Baker

Click here to catch the live stream on sherdog .com, starting at 6:30 p.m., EST.

Here's another Tap or Sleep video, featuring Biff Walizer, Tonya Evinger, Josh Bernal and Binky Jones.

Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear caught up with pro lightweight fighter Biff Walizer at a recent wrestling tournament in Lock Haven. Biff talks about his win in Kentucky at Intimidation Cage Fighting and what's in store for him in the coming months.

Jerod Phillips, owner of Tap or Sleep fightwear, has his third ad in the upcoming issue of FIGHT! magazine, featuring Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighters Binky Jones and Chris Liguori. Check it out:

Here's the cover, featuring Josh Barnett, who has a fight against Andrei Arlovski on the next Afflcition event. let's hope Barnett breaks what is being called the FIGHT! curse: just about everybody they've featured on their front cover has then lost the next fight they've been in - Roger Huerta, Chuck Liddell, Brock Lesnar, Dan Henderson and Quinton Jackson. Man, that's weird!

Chris "The Story" Liguori, Frankie "The Answer" Edgar, Jerod's friend Rob, and Jerod Phillips.

Jerod Phillips, owner of York-based Tap or Sleep fightwear, was in New Jersey this weekend for Lou's Neglia's Ring of Combat.

Phillips was there to support Charlie "The Spaniard" Brenneman in his fight against John Howard. He also was able to pass out some Tap or Sleep hats:

And, for the last three or four fights, he hung out with Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter Chris Liguori and UFC fighter Frankie Edgar.

"I'd met Frankie before because he was at the Newark show," earlier this year, Jerod said. "Frankie was there hitting the pads and rolling like he was fighting that night."

Now if this doesn't get your attention, I don't know what will. It's on rotation at Fight! magazine's Web site. Congrats to Jerod Phillips for some major exposure - Tap or Sleep for life!

Local MMA clothing company Tap or Sleep, helmed by Jerod Phillips, has hooked up with Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell's new supplement company, IcemanRx, Jerod told me today.

And in light of that, Jerod's offering a deal to all the fighters, and even those who want to train like fighters: Order an item from Tap or Sleep, and get a 20 percent off coupon on any IcemanRx products with your order.

According to its Web site, IcemanRX's pre- and post-workout capsules help "push the body beyond common plateaus, boosting the drive an athlete needs to reach the next level of strength, training and conditioning intensity. IcemanRx™ was specifically developed to support the intense workout rigors of athletes needing to achieve peak physical condition and enabling them to remain at the top of their game."

The company is also offering a sweepstakes, where the grand prize winner get a trip to Las Vegas, tickets to a UFC event and an H2 Hummer:

Jerod Phillips, owner of York County's Tap or Sleep fightwear, will have another ad in nationally-distributed FIGHT! magazine. This one's got Chuck Liddell on the cover, so you know it's going to sell well.

Jerod's ad is on page 75 and features the East Coast contingent of his "family" in James "Binky" Jones and Chris "The Story" Liguori:

LionHeart Fighters Phil Davis, Paul Bradley, Biff Walizer, and Tap or Sleep owner Jerod Phillips.

Phillips was up at LionHeart Fighters in State College on Friday, where he said they now have their cage set up. Walizer, who lives in Windsor Township, has a fight on Aug. 30 in Kentucky. Go get 'em, Biff.

Harout Karapetyan (trust me, you'll be hearing a lot about this kid in the future), flanked by Tonya Evinger and Malissa Sherwood, at the International MMA Expo.

Last week, I told you Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear went over to Baltimore Street Tattoo to get "Tap or Sleep" outlined in red on his forearm. Here it is:

On Thursday, a photographer from the Daily Record and I went over to Baltimore Street Tattoo in Hanover to see Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear get his latest tat. The assignment was for a story that will run in the paper and online in the future, but I thought I might talk about it for a minute or two.

Jerod already has "Tap or Sleep" in black on the inside of his upper right arm. On Thursday, he got it outlined in red on his outer left forearm. Hopefully, I'll be able to get a photo up here soon to show you how it came out.

Talk about commitment to your product - you're willing to get marked for life - selling the product should be a cake-walk.

Everything was cool, except something bizarre happened across the street. Apparently a deer ran full-bore into some poor schmuck's garage door, then took off like it never happened. I saw the guy get home and although I couldn't hear what he said, I'm sure he was pissed. But, he eventually just grabbed a rubber mallet and pounded out the dents. I figured the deer got spooked from the rain storm that had been coming down just before that - maybe it nearly got hit by lightning.

Maybe that'll be my first tattoo: Ok, I want a deer - with a nice rack - running into a garage door. Betcha nobody else'll have that.

And just a plug for Baltimore Street Tattoo: classy, but down-to-earth shop with friendly people working there. Trey, who owns the place and did Jerod's tat, was very accomodating. I wouldn't be surprised to see his place become a player in the MMA scene when it's legalized in the state, given how many fighters get tatted up.

York County's own Biff Walizer, a lightweight pro out of Windsor Townhip, is scheduled to get back into the fighting game, after a series of mishaps and injuries. He's been training in York and also with Team LionHeart in State College.

Biff has a fight later this month with this promotion:

And, if all goes well then, he's got another fight on Sept. 12 in New Jersey with Ring of Combat:

Former The Ultimate Fighter competitor Blake Bowman does.

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We're back with a vengeance ... not really, just always wanted to say that. Anyway, Tom Joyce and I give you our opinions on the latest goings-on in the wild-and-wooly world of MMA. Enjoy, dammit!

Look for this ad in the latest FIGHT! magaizne, available at Borders, CVS, Safeway, Waldenbooks, etc:

That's local boy Jerod Phillips' company, Tap or Sleep, who puts out MMA T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and stuff for the chicks too. Here's the cover of the magazine:

In other Tap or Sleep news, sponsored fighter Josh Bernal increased his record to 6-0 with another win this past weekend by reverse triangle, Phillips said.

One more thing: Make sure to check out WEC on the Versus network Sunday: UFC fighter Cole Miller, and former TUF competitor Blake Bowman will be cornering Cole's brother, Micah Miller, in his fight. All should be wearing Tap or Sleep.

Blake Bowman, former TUF contestant, who cornered Cole Miller during his submission victory over Jorge Gurgel at UFC 86, downs the sushi while wearing a Tap or Sleep, hat which, of course you know is a local MMA fightwear company.

Here's an upcoming full-page ad in FIGHT! magazine for Tap or Sleep, Jerod Phillips' local fightwear company. The ad can be found on page 56 of the August issue. The ad features two of Tap or Sleep's sponsored fighters, Tonya Evinger and Josh Rabedeaux.

Here it is - the first edition of The First Round, a little pre-game pre-diction show producer/camera guy extraordinaire Tom Joyce and I developed. Jerod Phillips of Tap or Sleep fightwear joins me at Hooters of York in predicting who we think will win at UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin tomorrow.

Tonya Evinger, a Tap or Sleep-sponsored fighter, won by unanimous decision on Friday against Sarah Schneider in Missouri at the Whiskey Tango. MMA legend Ken Shamrock, Tonya's trainer, was also on hand to sign autographs. Congrats to Tonya and here's to a re-match with Carano! Tap or Sleep owner Jerod Phillips was there to catch all the action.

Tonya, were you just in a fight?

The World's Most Dangerous Man signing shirts.

Jerod and Tonya say what's up as they hit the Whiskey Tango.