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The Evolution of Local MMA- Jamey Polak

As I attended the most recent Caged Madness event in Akron, OH, I couldn’t help but compare it to early Caged Madness events a few years ago.

Early Caged Madness cards had very few experienced MMA fighters and were comprised mainly of former local high school wrestles and local brawlers. While the fights were entertaining, the inexperience of the fighters and their lack of conditioning was readily apparent to a crowd that was able to see UFC on cable several days per week. Submission holds were more or less limited to guillotines or rear naked chokes and the fighters were gassed halfway through each round or sooner.

Fast-forward to the latest Caged Madness event and nearly every fighter there has the support of an MMA team with which he trains. Even those fighters making their MMA debut are well versed in submissions and counters as well as being conditioned to go hard for an entire fight. At the latest event there was a flying triangle choke in a heavyweight match, which is almost absurd, but serves a testament to the abilities of these fighters and their arsenal of moves. All of the fights now more closely resemble those we see on T.V. than those we might see at a drunken college bar.

Aside from the vast improvements in the fighters themselves the production quality of the event has also greatly improved. A professional ring announcer keeps the event moving while multiple cameras and projection screens allow the audience to see all of the action, even when their view is blocked by cage posts or the referee. Perhaps the greatest aspect, which is far superior to even UFC events, is the rapid pace of the event. On deck fighters are ready to go at all times. Whether a fight goes to a decision or ends with a K.O. in the first ten seconds, the next fighters will be on their way to the ring as soon as the previous fighters are out. It all makes for an exciting evening and the reasonable price of tickets assure that each event draws a full crowd.

Hopefully we will continue to see more MMA gyms and teams pop up and see the continued emergence of well-disciplined fighters on our local MMA scene.

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Here is the link to the front page Akron Beacon Journal article on Caged Madness 16. Curt Lemmon’s KO video can be seen here as well http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/95157269.html

Caged Madness 17 returns to Akron July 31st at Pronios Sports. Tickets available soon!

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As a ring announcer, it is my job to keep up with the pulse of the industry on a daily basis. That is what separates the guy who does it as a side job and one views it as a craft, a profession, and strives to give a better performance than his last. You also have the opportunity to meet many people in this industry. You have the pleasure of meeting fighters, fans, promoters, and fellow broadcasters. Most meetings are memorable and some you want that time back. In MMA most promoters are honest and want to create a show similar to that of a great comedian, leaving them wanting more.

Explosive Fight Promotions does just that! I have known and worked with Dannon Svab for many years. In fact, they are one of the first promoters that ever took a chance on me when I was breaking into the business. You do not forget people like Dannon because with out these guys, I would not still be stepping into the cage or the boxing ring 3-6 times a month for various promoters.

As a announcer, you look for certain elements when you work with them, are they honest? Do they care about their fighters and fans? There are just two of many things that make a promoter great or cause them to close their doors after only one show. Dannon is a honest promoter, when we tells you something, it gets gone. He genuinely cares about his fighters and looks out for them in and out of the cage. He always puts on a great show and each show is better than the last.

Explosive Fight Promotions has gained a loyal fan following in Ohio. I can not remember the last time there was a empty seat. Their fains are great! They cheer, boo, and have a great time. Dannon does not only put on a MMA show, he puts on an event.

It is a honor and a privilege to be associated with Dannon and Explosive Fight Promotions. Hey Dannon how about a raise….only kidding!!!!

See all of you at the next show, come up and say hi, I would love to meet you!!

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“I could beat that guy!” We’ve all heard someone say it somewhere. Many times it’s a guy with a cold one in his right hand and few empties at his feet. Well several years ago The Original Toughman contest was formed to give such competitors the opportunity to prove themselves against other local brawlers. Many competitors just wanted the bragging rights as the toughest guy in town while others wanted the 1,000 dollars prize money. A select few used it as a platform to start a professional career. Don’t get me wrong there are very tough people that enter these tournaments but the concept was to give Everyday Joe’s the opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. That opportunity will be afforded to Akron area competitors for the first time in many years on April 23rd. There have been similar tournaments or copycat shows but not The Original Toughman in Akron for over a decade.

After some controversy over the years the Original Toughman Contest in Ohio is as safe as it can possibly be and still be called a combat sport. The fighters must wear 16-oz gloves with headgear and can only fight up to twice in a night. Just a few short years ago in similar tournaments fighters would fight 4 or 5 times in a single night before they could be called champion. Also repeat champions could continue to enter local tournaments even after winning the championship. This meant a 6 time champ could fight a guy who’s biggest career victory was against his little sister. Now champions must compete against other champions which provides more even entertainment. (saves on med bills too)

After a long hiatus from the Akron area I’m not sure what to expect but one thing is for sure. I will be thoroughly entertained.

To enter The Original Toughman visit Toughmancontest.com.

I received the following email/guest blog from a fan and I thought it was worth sharing. I love to hear how all of you view both the sport and in particular our shows. Feel free to email me anytime as I’d like to post more guest blogs from you, the fans.

Anonymous Guest Blog:

The more I watch and learn about MMA the more impressed I am by the all around talent of the athletes/fighters. MMA requires a mix of skills and attributes unlike any other sport, combative or otherwise. The stamina required to go several 3-5 minutes rounds is staggering. I can play full court basketball for an hour-plus a couple times a week but if I try to wrestle with my younger brother I’m ready to hurl after 40 seconds (and I’m pretty sure our bouts more closely resemble a face-off with those giant inflatable sumo suits than an MMA fight).

Then there’s the mental aspect. Aside from the fortitude needed to train and compete with the stamina discussed above, MMA requires knowledge and proper split second reactions on a scale unrivaled by most sports. There are almost countless ways to get knocked out or submitted from any position. The top fighters are so well versed in multiple fighting styles, moves, and counters because it only takes a split second for the knockout blow to land or the arm-bar to be locked in. It seems to take a lot of experience and training to begin to really understand all the nuances involved in MMA. That’s why I enjoy watching live amateur MMA shows so much. The cards feature bouts with fighters of varying degrees of experience and I can clearly see the progression of skills possessed by the more experienced fighters (not that the first time fighters are any less entertaining). I can’t wait for the next show. See you at the fights.

Caged Madness 15 is officially scheduled for Saturday, March 13th. We anticipate up to 15 competitive bouts, including huge fan favorite Keith Shinn in the main event. In a featured bout former Walsh High School standout wrestler Tommy DeRoia returns to the cage after dominating all his previous opponents. In appreciation of our loyal fans, Explosive Fight Promotions will keep cageside seats at $35 and GA tickets at $25.

One enthusiastic fan said at CM14, “You guys could easily sell your cageside seats for at least $60 like everybody else and still sellout.” I’m sure the fan is probably right but we don’t feel raising prices is anyway to thank our hardworking fans. Our goal has always been to provide our fans with quality shows at a fair price and to provide a value that will not only keep our fans coming back, but also give them an experience worth telling their friends about.

Check back next week for more details and a possible announcement of a Toughman Contest coming to Pronio’s. (Still waiting on the Caged Madness 14 DVDs)