Meet and Greet: Dana White

Video: Dana White at the MGM

I had the chance to meet Dana White before UFC 106 and all I have to say is this guy is a  rock star for real.

0-2, No Worries

You would think after dropping two MMA fights in a row I would be really upset, sad, pissed, or all of the above but I am far from it and I will tell you why.

Growth

Let me explain

My very first MMA fight was hectic, I threw caution to the wind and came out in round 1 guns a blazing. I almost knocked out my opponent and he almost knocked me out. The fight went from the stand up to the clintch to the ground. It also went all 3 rounds in which I started to gas toward the end. My point is my first fight had a little of everything and I felt really lucky that I had the chance to experience all of that my first time out but I also knew I would have a lot to improve on.

In my second fight I felt way more relaxed and my striking was much more technical. My wrestling and BJJ also improved because I took what I was bad at in my first fight and worked on it. Even though I lost my second fight with seconds left in the first I felt good. I felt good because I know that I am getting better and in amateur MMA that is all that matters.

Here is what my boy and fellow amateur fighter JimmyVo has to say about his first lost:

It was August 1st. Weigh-ins, completed, cleared by the doctor and waiting anxiously for the rules meeting. 5 minutes before the first fight, the rules meeting commenced. I don’t remember much about it, I was just ready to fight. I was the 3rd fight on the card. It was my debut. Three fights later, it was show time. I heard my friends going nuts as my music began playing. A round a half later, I found myself on the ground leaning against the cage being checked out by the doctor. Lost, by rear naked choke. After months and months of training for my debut win, I felt as I failed.

I learned losing is tough but it’s part of life. The one thing I do remember at the rules meeting was one of the refs saying, this is only amateur. These fights don’t mean shit. It’s the truth. I learned how it feels to step into the cage and the feeling of someone else trying to take your head off. I found out that my ground game needed work. It’s been 4 months since my loss so I’ve been focusing on my ground game. I know that the next time in the cage, I will win. I refuse to lose. In my mind, stepping in the cage and putting myself of 6 days of training weekly with many two-days I’ve won my own battle. If you fight in the cage, you’re already a winner. Not everyone has the courage that we do to put it all on the line.

–
Jimmy Vo

http://jimmyvo.net

My Fight Result: Marcus Aven

For my second MMA fight I was matched up with Marcus Aven out of San Diego. He is a wrestler who happened to me making his MMA debut. The fight started off really good. I was able to tag him with some really good shots on my feet including a head kick that rocked him really bad. After I gave him a few combinations he shot on me and took me down. I was able to sweep to mount but with seconds left in the first he managed to pull off the armbar.

I am very pleased with my performance because I felt that I have improved a lot since my first fight. I have a few things on the ground I need to work on but I am coming back strong January 8th.

Meet and Greet

Book Review: Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts: The Stand Up Game

Book: Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts

Authors: Greg Jackson and Kelly Crigger

Book Type: MMA Instructional

Price: $23.07 (Amazon)

Rating: 9/10

There are a lot of instructional MMA books out there today but Greg Jackson’s book has two features that make it stand out above the rest. There is a “How To Guide on Making A Game Plan” which Jackson is famous for and there is a section on “How to Survive a Street Fight”.

As a fighter I really enjoyed reading the very detailed game plan section of the book. I even used some of  his suggestions for my last fight. Jackson breaks down everything you need to do in order to create a successful game plan and defeat your opponent. As a young man who lives in Las Vegas and promotes at a few clubs, I really enjoyed the street fight sections because you would be surprised how many drunk guys like the start fights here in Vegas, I know crazy huh lol.

The rest of the book is very well done also. There are hundreds of full colored pictures that illustrate every single stand move you could possible think of. Jackson also did a good job of explaining step by step how to execute each move.

I really enjoyed reading Jacksons book and I use it often as a reference. This book would be a great addition to any up and coming fighter book shelf.

Interview: Check out our exclusive interview with Xtreme Couture

Myself along with Ryan Couture and Kui Gonsalves meet up with reporter Elena Lopez a day after my Tuff-N-Uff fight. Check out the audio interview below.

CHECK OUT OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH XTREME COUTURE

Interview with Jacab Cummings of SweetMMATH

I recently had the chance to catch up with Jacob Cummings of SweetMMATH. This interview was very interesting because Jacob is traveling around the country in a van with his girl friend. They both are working on writing books and decided to hit the road in inspiration. This was an good interview so check it out.

There is no sacrifice

My MMAJunkie Radio Interview 2

Today I got the chance to catch up with Marc Laimon and the MMAJunkie Radio guys. I again had a blast talking MMA and my last fight. If you haven’t had a chance check it out.

MMAJunkie Radio 9/23/2009

Interview with PJ Harris of Unfiltered MMA

I recently had the chance to catch up with PJ Harris of Unfiltered MMA. Check it out

Exclusive Interview with Eric Center of Xtreme Couture

My Fight Result: MMA Debut