Jon Fitch Seminar

There’s not many things that can get me out of bed at 9 in the morning – especially when I was up until 4am the previous “night” writing articles. However, today – the inspiration was there. Jon Fitch – who has been training here at Tiger Muay Thai for about 3 weeks – gave a free seminar today geared around wrestling for MMA. Being a Perdue wrestling standout and the # 2 rated welterweight in the entire world – Jon Fitch is certainly someone you want to get advice from when the opportunity presents itself.

With the seminar set to kick off at 9am, I set my alarm clock for 8:59am – as that gave me just enough time to roll out of bed basically sleepwalk about 40 feet to the cage area where the lesson was taking place. Staying on-site at the camp certainly has its advantages. Anyway, the seminar started off with Jon demonstrating a basic wrestling shot. I use the term “basic” loosely as while Jon Fitch made the technique seem so automatic and effortless, the majority of the spectators – when given the opportunity to practice it – looked like fishes out of water. What I mean by that that they seemed out of their element. It just goes to show how good these professionals really are. By the way Fitch was demonstrating the shots, you could tell that its something he’s been doing since childhood.

Throughout the seminar, Jon demonstrated about 5 techniques (all wrestling based) but what impressed me the most – other than his talent – was his teaching ability. He was explaining each and every detail by giving examples that people could relate too. Will, the owner of the camp, said that this was the best seminar they’ve ever had here – which is a major testament to Jon’s teaching ability as they have a lot of seminars taught by special guests. I was able to get a lot of video footage throughout the lesson but I was later informed that Jon requested that video clips not be taken as he – along with many other UFC fighters – have started a website called MMAInstructional.com where they demonstrate all sorts of techniques.

So, unfortunately, I won’t be uploading the video footage here. However, the seminar did finish off with an awesome question and answer session. I didn’t have a recorder or anything so these responses are based off my memory and they’re not word for word. Nevertheless, I’m sure you’ll find it interesting..

Jon Fitch on His Loss to GSP

He basically said that a loss is disheartening but it’s something that you have to expect in this business as losing is inevitable. “Nobody retires undefeated, it’s just not going to happen” he said. He then went on and said that you have to view a loss as a learning experience. Instead of being pissed off that you lost, you have to go back and say “Ok, why did I lose? What did I do wrong?”. In the GSP fight, he said he learned a lot. He said he learned not to throw sloppy leg kicks, 1 punch combos and not to drop his hands. He also said that he’s in Thailand now to correct those mistakes. The fight with GSP basically gave him a better idea of what he has to work on and I’m sure he’ll become a better fighter because of it.

Jon Fitch on Supplements

“98% of supplements are garbage” he said. “They’re only out there to get your money”. He said you can get everything you need for “free” through food and that supplements are exactly that – to be supplemented to your existing diet if you’re not getting enough of something. He was then asked what 2 supplements he recommends and he responded by saying “whey protein & vitamins”.

Jon Fitch on Steroids

He seemed quite disgusted with it. “I don’t know how those guys can look at themselves in the mirror” he said in reference to fighters that use them. He said he doesn’t know how guys can think they’re badass and then turn around and stick a needle in their ass.

Jon Fitch on Tuna

He said that as he was growing up, he had to eat canned tuna 3-4 times a day because it was affordable and he needed the protein. He followed that statement up by jokingly saying that “ if I could take all the canned tuna in the world and get rid of it, I would”. I guess the guy doesn’t like tuna very much.

Jon Fitch on training with a Gi

He said he still trains with a Gi because he views it like “adding weights to a barbell”. He said that training with a Gi is less forgiving and it forces you to be more technical. Obviously he feels that training with a Gi will improve your no-Gi game.

Jon Fitch on Fight Training

He said that in the months leading up to a fight, it’s very fight specific. His training camp is geared around the style of his opponent. If he’s fighting a wrestler, he’ll get more wrestlers in to train with. If he’s fighting a BJJ specialist, then he’ll train more BJJ. He’s already a BJJ black belt and a wrestler so if there’s anything he needs to work on, it’s striking and I suppose that’s why he’s made this trip out to Thailand.

Jon Fitch on Coming Through the Ranks

As he was talking about customizing his training camp around the strengths of his opponent, the conversation sort of branched off and he started talking about the “old days” when he was coming up through the ranks. He said that back then, he’d show up and he wouldn’t know who he was fighting. The only time he’d have to evaluate his opponent was while he was warming up. He’d say to his friend “dude, what’s he doing over there? Can you see?” his friend would say “Yeah man, he’s doing some crane-karate shit”. “Alright” says Fitch, “I have to watch out for the flying crane kick”.

He also said that back then, he’d often get asked to fight multiple times in 1 night. He said that on one occasion, a promoter came up to him after his first fight and offered him 100 bucks to fight again. Fitch declined and then the promoter offered him 500 dollars to fight, but not to knock his opponent out. Fitch said that he agreed, but knocked the guy out so he only got the 100 dollars. On top of that, he broke his thumb in the process which cost $700/$7000 to fix. I didn’t quite hear the exact amount. I hope it wasn’t $7000 to fix a thumb. If that’s the case, than wow .. I hope Obama improves the health care system.

Wrapping It Up

At the end of the seminar, Jon Fitch stuck around and took photos with each of the attendees. There was about 60 people in total. He seemed like a nice guy for sure. I think he and his team mates are flying back to the states tomorrow morning..

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Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar

Randy Couture has grown tired of the legal battles with the UFC and as he put it, he’d “rather fight in the cage, than in the courtroom”. Randy Couture has reportedly resolved his differences with the UFC and re-inked a 3 fight deal with the organization. For his first fight, Randy Couture will face the daunting task of squaring off with the strongest heavyweight that the UFC has to offer – Brock Lesnar.

The Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar showdown is set to take place on November 15th at the MGM grand arena in Las Vegas. The heavyweight clash; which is headlining the UFC 91 card, has the makings to set buy-rate records in terms of pay per view sales. Both Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar have both become household names and as we know, name recognition sells pay per views. Heck, that’s the reason why Kimbo is fighting Ken Shamrock instead of a legit, relevant fighter on CBS next month.

Brock Lesnar; who is coming fresh off an impressive victory over the much more experienced Heath Herring, poses a unique threat to anyone. Very few fighters can match his size, strength and intensity. Randy Couture on the other hand, is an experienced veteran who has seen it all before. His last two opponents (Gonzaga and Sylvia) both had significant advantages in size and strength but Randy Couture was able to neutralize them via superior wrestling and awesome game planning.

Unfortunately for Randy Couture, Brock Lesnar is no slouch on the mat as he won the NCAA championship back in 2000 in addition to racking up a total collegiate record of 106-5. When technical ability meets speed, size and strength – it makes for one scary opponent. Brock Lesnar has questionable submission defense but Randy Couture isn’t known for being a submission artist. Brock Lesnar’s only other potential downfall is his inexperience but with his WWE background, as fake as that was, he’s still no stranger to being in the spotlight and headlining big shows with millions of viewers. He’s handled the pressure before.

I’m not entirely sure where UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and the rest of the organization are going with this. They know what they’re doing and are always a few steps ahead when they’re setting up the fights. If Randy Couture pulls out a victory, it makes for a perfect set up for the long awaited Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko “super fight”. However, in doing so, it knocks down Brock Lesnar – who is a huge draw for the UFC. In fact, the UFC wants to hype Brock Lesnar so much that they actually allowed his fight with Heath Herring to remain on YouTube.

If Brock Lesnar pulls off the victory, that may “kill the hype” and marketability of the Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko fight. The UFC is taking a huge risk with this Brock Lesnar & Randy Couture showdown. I suppose that if that was to occur, then the UFC could look to set something up between Fedor and Brock Lesnar, as Fedor has also expressed interest in that match-up as well. One thing is for sure, Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture is an awesome fight and I for one – will be watching.

Florian vs. Huerta: Fight Analysis

The showdown will be the co-main event on the UFC 87 card on August 9th in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both fighters are hungry for a title shot and will surely leave it all in the ring as it’s already been pre-determined that the winner will get the opportunity to face B.J for the belt. Some victory prize, you get to fight the seemingly unstoppable B.J Penn who’s been demolishing his recent opponents and licking the blood off his 4oz gloves during his post-fight celebration.

This match-up has “fight of the night” written all over it. Both fighters are extremely well rounded and exciting to watch. Kenny Florian is coming off an impressive victory over Joe Lauzon – who many thought would be a legit threat to Florian. I remember watching that fight with a couple friends (1 of which is new to MMA) and he dubbed it a “nerd fight” based on their looks. If he only knew ..

Anyway, Huerta is coming off an impressive win himself in one of the most exciting fights of 2007. Him and Clay Guida almost went the distance in a fight where the third round looked just a fast paced as the first. That’s the fight where Huerta really got a chance to prove himself as Guida was his first taste of legit competition in the UFC. The majority of Huerta’s recent competition has been fighters making their UFC debut – not what you’d expect from a guy who has now made 6 UFC appearances.

Regardless of who’s faced tougher competition throughout their careers, both fighters have great skill sets. Florian trains under Mark Delagratte at the Sityodtong Muay Thai school in Boston – which is a branch of the acclaimed Sityodtong gym in Pattaya, Thailand. His Muay Thai is razor sharp and we’ve all seen what he can do with his elbow strikes. Florian also has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so he’s very competent if the fight hits the ground. If fact, he may be the one looking to take it there!

Huerta is a cardio machine and is well versed in every aspect of the game. He can strike, he can wrestle and he has a solid Jiu Jitsu game. Is his Jiu Jitsu up to Florian’s level? I don’t believe so. However, Huerta has the edge when it comes to wrestling ability so he may be able to stuff Florians takedown attempts and keep the fight on the feet.

It should be interesting to see how this match-up plays out. Will it be the fight of the night? Or fight of the year perhaps? It certainly has the potential to be. The outcome of this fight is too unpredictable but one thing is for sure – you don’t want to miss it!