Kenny Johnson wrestling seminar at GB Manhattan Beach. Photo: Personal Archive

With the no-gi tournament season heating up, the training must start now. GMA Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach is on top of it with black belt competitor and professor Rodrigo Freitas in the lead.

On July 19, the academy held a wrestling seminar with one of the top coaches today, Kenny Johnson. Having trained under the legendary Dan Gable at the University of Iowa, he is now a wrestling expert for UFC fighters like Anderson Silva, Roger Gracie, Lyoto Machida, BJ Penn, Jose Aldo, Paul Daley and more. The class helped students with details of takedowns.

A new class will be added to the schedule next month, stay tuned for more details as they come by visiting the GB Manhattan Beach website: www.GBManhattanBeach.com

Check out a video of the seminar:

Paul Daley looks for an opening to throw a punch during a welterweight bout at the the Strikeforce event at Nationwide Arena on March 3, 2012 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images)

Welterweight MMA veteran Paul Daley will not compete in the Bellator Season 8 170-pound tournament, and denies reports that being involved in a bar brawl is the reason he cannot travel to the U.S. for competition.

Reports indicated that Daley (30-12) was removed from the tournament following an arrest stemming from a bar fight. Daley, however, disputes fighting in a bar, and said visa issues have prevented him from coming the U.S. in time for the Bellator season.

“I was not involved in a bar brawl. This is 100 percent a false statement,” Daley said on his Facebook page. “I am currently awaiting a decision on my visa, which is not expected until late April [and] means I am unable to compete in the season 8 Bellator tournament, as it starts in January. “

“Semtex,” as Daley is nicknamed, added that he plans on fighting in Europe in the coming months in an effort to stay active while waiting for the decision on his visa status.

Daley’s career highlights include several knockouts of his opponents, but those have shared past headlines with his controversies. Following a loss to Josh Koscheck at UFC 113 in May 2010, Daley was cut from the UFC for hitting Koscheck after the bell. UFC president Dana White said that, as a result, Daley would never fight in the octagon again. In addition to being cut, Daley received a 30-day suspension, according to reports, from the governing body overseeing UFC 113.

Daley last competed in July at Bellator 72 when he earned a first-round technical knockout over Rudy Bears. This came after dropping a March decision to Kazou Misaki in Strikeforce.

Bellator’s welterweight tournament is scheduled to begin Jan. 24, and will take place in Thackerville, Okla., at the WinStar World Casino. The event is part of the MMA promotion’s first broadcast season on Spike TV.

In the photos by Esther Lin below, some of the evening’s highlights, like Dan Henderson’s win over Fedor Emelianenko, Miesha Tate’s submission, and much more.

Check them out:

[flickr set=72157627321927604]

Henderson against Fedor / Photos: Esther Lin

On Saturday Chicago was treated to an installment of Strikeforce providing more than its fair share of excitement, even with Dan Henderson’s quick dispatch of Fedor Emelianenko in the main event.

The heavily anticipated showdown between light heavyweight champion Henderson and Fedor didn’t last very long. The two veterans and legends of now-defunct Pride FC went toe to toe on their feet, where the Russian connected with a glancing upper cut that dropped the American to the canvas. On the ground, Fedor grinded away with ground and pound but didn’t have the time to finish the business before Hendo floundered out and to the Russian’s back – proof his Jiu-Jitsu training with Ricardo Pantcho is paying off.

In the superior position, Hendo landed two punches that sent the once seemingly invincible heavyweight down. Seeing the sambo stylist turtling vulnerably on the ground, referee Herb Dean called an end to the bout at 4:12 minutes of the first round, as Fedor seemed to be awaking from the knockout.

“I don’t want to complain, but I think the fight was stopped a little early,” Fedor protested while still in the cage, after his third poor result in a row.

The female welterweight title fight saw challenger Miesha Tate submit Marloes Coenen with fourth-round arm-and-neck choke, capturing the belt.

In other highly touted fights, Tim Kennedy defeated Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley overcame Paul Daley, both by unanimous decision.

The Brazilian ambassadors on the night had a 50% success rate, with Gesias Cavalcante eking out a split decision against Bobby Green after coaxing a tapout in the second round that the referee failed to see, and Eduardo Pamplona was swiftly knocked out by Tyler Stinson.

(With the collaboration of Junior Samurai)

Check out the results:

Strikeforce
Illinois, United States
July 30, 2011

Dan Henderson knocked out Fedor Emelianenko in R1
Miesha Tate submitted Marloes Coenen via arm-and-beck choke in R4
Tim Kennedy defeated Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision
Tyron Woodley defeated Paul Daley via unanimous decision
Tarec Saffiedine defeated Scott Smith via unanimous decision
Gesias Cavalcante defeated Bobby Green via split decision
Tyler Stinson knocked out Eduardo Pamplona in R1
Alexis Davis defeated Julie Kedzie via unanimous decision
Derek Brunson submitted Lumumba Sayers via rear-naked choke in R1
Gabriel Salinas-Jones finalizou Bryan Humes com um triângulo de mão no 3R

Nas fotos abaixo, de Esther Lin, alguns dos destaques da noite, com a vitória de Dan Henderson sobre Fedor Emelianenko, a finalização de Miesha Tate e muito mais.

Confira:
[flickr set=72157627321927604]

Henderson contra Fedor. Fotos: Esther Lin.

O sábado foi dia de Strikeforce em Chicago, e não faltou ação e emoção, mesmo na rápida luta entre Dan Henderson e Fedor Emelianenko.

O esperado combate entre o campeão de meio-pesados Henderson e Fedor durou pouco. Os dois veteranos e mitos do Pride mandaram ver na trocação, até que o russo aplicou um upper, que fez o americano descer. No chão, Fedor tentou trabalhar no ground and pound, mas não teve tempo, Hendo esperneou e saiu para as costas, prova de que os treinos de Jiu-Jitsu com o brasileiro Ricardo Pantcho fizeram efeito.

Em posição superior, Hendo encaixou dois socos que fizeram o ex-invencível beijar o solo. Vendo o campeão de Sambô na lona, o arbitro Herb Dean tratou de encerrar o duelo aos 4min12s, quando Fedor parecia ter acordado no nocaute.

“Não quero reclamar, mas acho que, sim, a luta foi parada um pouco cedo”, reclamou Fedor nas grades do Strikeforce, após amargurar o terceiro revés.

No combate válido pelo título feminino dos meio-médios, a desafiante Miesha Tate finalizou a campeã Marloes Coenen com um katagatame, no quarto giro, e roubou o cinturão.

Em outras lutas aguardadas, Tim Kennedy venceu Robbie Lawler e Tyron Woodley bateu Paul Daley, ambas por decisão unânime.

Já os brasileiros ficaram no 50%, com Gesias Cavalcante vencendo Bobby Green por decisão dividida, depois de finalizar no segundo round e o arbitro não ver, e Eduardo Pamplona, nocauteado de forma rápida contra Tyler Stinson.

(colaborou Junior Samurai)

Confira todos os resultados:

Strikeforce
Illinois, Estados Unidos
30 de julho de 2011

Dan Henderson nocauteou Fedor Emelianenko no 1R
Miesha Tate finalizou Marloes Coenen com um katagatame no 4R
Tim Kennedy venceu Robbie Lawler por decisão unânime
Tyron Woodley venceu Paul Daley por decisão unânime
Tarec Saffiedine venceu Scott Smith por decisão unânime
Gesias Cavalcante venceu Bobby Green por decisão dividida Tyler Stinson nocauteou Eduardo Pamplona no 1R
Alexis Davis venceu Julie Kedzie na decisão unânime
Derek Brunson finalizou Lumumba Sayers com um mata-leão no 1R
Gabriel Salinas-Jones finalizou Bryan Humes com um triângulo de mão no 3R

The weigh-ins took place this Friday. Check out the photos and Esther Lin and the video below:

[flickr set=72157627315324308]

Check out the card:

Fedor Emelianenko (223) vs. Dan Henderson (207)
Marloes Coenen (135) vs. Miesha Tate (135)
Robbie Lawler (185) vs. Tim Kennedy (185)
Paul Daley (171) vs. Tyron Woodley (170)
Scott Smith (171) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (170)
JZ Cavalcante (155) vs. Bobby Green (155)
Eduardo Pamplona (170) vs. Tyler Stinson (171)
Julie Kedzie (136) vs. Alexis Davis (136)
Derek Brunson (186) vs. Lumumba Sayers (184)
Bryan Humes (266) vs. Gabe Salinas (260)

A pesagem aconteceu nesta sexta-feira. Confira tudo nas fotos de Esther Lin e no vídeo abaixo:

[flickr set=72157627315324308]

Confira o card:

Fedor Emelianenko (223) vs. Dan Henderson (207)
Marloes Coenen (135) vs. Miesha Tate (135)
Robbie Lawler (185) vs. Tim Kennedy (185)
Paul Daley (171) vs. Tyron Woodley (170)
Scott Smith (171) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (170)
JZ Cavalcante (155) vs. Bobby Green (155)
Eduardo Pamplona (170) vs. Tyler Stinson (171)
Julie Kedzie (136) vs. Alexis Davis (136)
Derek Brunson (186) vs. Lumumba Sayers (184)
Bryan Humes (266) vs. Gabe Salinas (260)

Some of the greatest fighters on the planet did battle this Saturday in San Diego. And there was no lack of action at Strikeforce event held in San Diego, as you can see in the photos by Esther Lin.

In the evening’s main event, welterweight champion Nick Diaz successfully defended his belt against the dangerous Paul Daley, a former UFC fighter. The Cesar Gracie student notched his tenth win in a row and twenty-fifth of his career (25w-7l-1d), by first-round knockout. Now he sets his sights on a future showdown with his UFC counterpart, Georges Saint-Pierre.

Another Cesar Gracie student defending his title on the night, Gilbert Melendez too was more than rose to the occasion. He put away stalwart Japanese fighter Tatsuya Kawajiri by TKO also in the first round.

In other main card fights, former UFC fighter Keith Jardine fought to a draw with Gegard Mousasi, while submission savant Shinya Aoki imposed his Jiu-Jitsu on Lyle Beerbohm, winning by rear-naked choke still in the first round.

Check out the results:

Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”
San Diego, California, USA
April 9, 2011

Nick Diaz venceu Paul Daley por TKO at 4:57 min of R1

Gilbert Melendez defeated Tatsuya Kawajiri via TKO at 3:14 min of R1

Keith Jardine and Gegard Mousasi fought to a draw

Shinya Aoki submitted Lyle Beerbohm via rear-naked choke at 1:33 min of R1

Robert Peralta defeated Hiroyuki Takaya via split decision

Virgil Zwicker defeated Brett Albee via TKO at 1:46 min of R1

Joe Duarte submitted Saad Awad via armbar at 2:45 min of R2

Herman Terrado defeated AJ Matthews via TKO at 4:16 min of R1

Rolando Perez defeated Edgar Cardenas via unanimous decision

Casey Ryan submitted Paul Song via triangle at 1:39 min of R1

Alguns dos melhores lutadores do planeta estiveram em ação neste sábado, em San Diego, em mais uma edição do Strikeforce, e não faltou ação, como é possível observar nas fotos de Esther Lin.

Na principal luta da noite, o campeão meio-médio Nick Diaz manteve o cinturão contra o perigoso Paul Daley, ex-lutador do UFC. Ainda no round inicial, o aluno de Cesar Gracie nocauteou para chegar à 10a vitória seguida, a 25ª da carreira (25v-7d-1e). Nos planos, um futuro combate contra Georges St-Pierre, campeão da mesma categoria, mas no UFC.

Aluno de Cesar Gracie que também defendia o título, mas o de leves, Gilbert Melendez também foi bem em seu desafio. Contra a fera do Japão Tatsuya Kawajiri, conseguiu o nocaute técnico na primeira parcial.

Em outras das lutas principais, o ex-UFC Keith Jardine empatou com Gegard Mousasi. Já a fera da luta de chão Shinya Aoki impôs o Jiu-Jitsu contra Lyle Beerbohm e finalizou com um mata-leão, ainda no primeiro assalto.

Confira todos os resultados:

Strikeforce: “Diaz vs. Daley”
San Diego, California, Estados Unidos
Dia 9 de abril de 2011

Nick Diaz venceu Paul Daley por TKO aos 4min57s do R1
Gilbert Melendez venceu Tatsuya Kawajiri por TKO aos 3min14s do R1
Keith Jardine empatou com Gegard Mousasi
Shinya Aoki finalizou Lyle Beerbohm com um mata-leão a 1min33s do R1
Robert Peralta venceu Hiroyuki Takaya por decisão dividida
Virgil Zwicker venceu Brett Albee por TKO a 1min46s do R1
Joe Duarte finalizou Saad Awad com um armlock aos 2min45s do R2
Herman Terrado venceu AJ Matthews por TKO aos 4min16s do R1
Rolando Perez venceu Edgar Cardenas por decisão unânime
Casey Ryan finalizou Paul Song com um triângulo a 1min39s do R1

Check out the complete card of the first Strikeforce event under Zuffa management:

Strikeforce – Diaz vs Daley
Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, California
Saturday, April 9, 2011

Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley
Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm

Preliminaries

Hiroyuki Takaya vs. Robert Peralta
Brett Albee vs. Virgil Zwicker
Joe Duarte vs. Saad Awad
Herman Terrado vs. AJ Matthews
Rolando Perez vs. Edgar Cardenas
Casey Ryan vs. Paul Song

Confira o card completo do primeiro Strikeforce sob gerência da Zuffa, dona do UFC.

Strikeforce – Diaz vs Daley
Valley View Casino Center, San Diego, Califórnia
Sábado, 9 de abril de 2011

Nick Diaz x Paul Daley
Gilbert Melendez x Tatsuya Kawajiri
Gegard Mousasi x Keith Jardine
Shinya Aoki x Lyle Beerbohm

Preliminares
Hiroyuki Takaya x Robert Peralta
Brett Albee x Virgil Zwicker
Joe Duarte x Saad Awad
Herman Terrado x AJ Matthews
Rolando Perez x Edgar Cardenas
Casey Ryan x Paul Song