Quality Control Coaching MMA’s Missing Ingredient

Quality Control Coaching MMA’s Missing Ingredient

I recently had the good fortune of meeting up with an old friend from years ago Kru Oscar Martinez at an event in which I was coaching and he was officiating for the Colorado State Athletic Commission. During the course of our conversation, we spoke about what we were currently up to and reminisced about our early days in the sport. This brought back a flood of fond memories, spawned some questions about the direction MMA has taken and where we each saw it going in the future. And while the focus of this article as the title alludes to is quality control coaching, I would for a moment ask that you grant me an opportunity to share with you a special piece of history that is gone forever, one that had a monumental impact on our sports development and yet the masses will never know it existed.

Early Development

When I first began competing somewhere around circa 1995-96 there was no such thing as Mixed Martial Arts. At the time the activity that would later become known as such was simply referred to as either “Pit-Fighting or NHB (No Holds Barred). During this embryonic period there was a little promotion ran out of Bing Tran’s CMGA in Littleton, Colorado called The Lone Wolf Tournament. This event was true gladiatorial combat at it’s finest. Weight classes spanned 40lb differentials, up to 20 minute time limits were the norm, you could fight numerous times in a night and the bouts were set up to showcase different skillsets. This means that there might be a Muay Thai match followed by a grappling match followed by an NHB bout and oh what glorious time it was. While these fights remain for the most part obscure and unrecorded by history or sanctioning body I was blessed to witness near teenagers at the time with names like Ludwig, Kronk, Mardquart and Waterman enter the arena of battle years before they would become legends of the UFC. I remember Oscar Martinez winning end of the night honors for Muay Thai and many like Donnie Martinez, Joe Montalvo and big John Patrone from the Defense Institute all who would go on to be great teachers themselves make their fighting debuts alongside me.

End of An Era

However with the arrival of the new millennium, came regulation of the sport by the boxing commission. This signaled the death rattle of unsanctioned events in Colorado and the sport, by now called MMA continued to experience exponential growth much like the ninja craze had done a decade beforehand. As with any opportunistic endeavor everyone rushed out to monetize on the newfound cash cow and what ensued, both good and bad created the springboard for what we now know as our sport today.

Coaching Chaos
It is my observation that MMA grew large so fast in such a short amount of time that it never quite had a chance to fully develop uniform teaching structures, well rounded coaches and business models on average to support the amount of “gyms” and “fight teams” that were popping up on every street corner. This is certainly not meant to accuse, point fingers, or paint anyone with a negative brush as there are of course many reputable gyms/teams in my home state of Colorado and around the world. Rather, I hope this article will serve as a conduit for introspection, one that can help us all get better at what we do. Now, if we look at the sport as a whole we will see that there are really 3 major types of teaching models. Please take into account that all approaches have good and bad points I am merely generalizing each one for a big picture perspective.

1. The training “group” this is the team in which noone on average has a clearly defined role except usually the “team manager” who supplies the t-shirts and promotional items and usually takes the role of matchmaking for the group as well. In this model we see individuals who come together to work toward a common goal and for the exchange of knowledge and techniques i.e. one has done boxing the other some jujitsu, a few are wrestlers etc. This comprises the most common category today at an amateur level though this does not exclude them from having pros in their stable. They are often tight knit and bound by friendship at their core. The advantages of this type of group are trust and loyalty, the downside is often training space, resources and equipment.

2. The traditional school who, seeing their profit centers shrink in lieu of mixed martial arts decides to add an mma class/team. This school has primarily relied on traditional arts involving cardio, kids and self defense. However, because the popularity of MMA is unmistakable they will either bring in an affiliate grappling program and or hire an instructor and by mixing their kickboxing with grappling they are able to stave off profit loss by diversifying with MMA. The advantages of this group are usually very clean facilities and usually well equipped but on the norm do not have access to very MMA specific resources as it pulls capital away from their primary focus women, children and cardio.


3. The barber shop is based off the same model as well ,a barber shop. An owner buys a building and sublets or leases different time slots and classes to provide a variety of curriculum to choose from. Usually this includes a boxing coach, a Muay Thai Kru, A wrestling coach, and BJJ coach. This model is usually the most successful of the 3 approaches and keeps pro fighters at the forefront of priority. Advantages of this program are very much resource based, cage equipment high quality instruction the downsides are lack of personalized focus on beginner levels, and if there’s not enough communication you have several different disciplines telling you several different ways to do things in which none may be specific for mma.

The Future
As far as this sport has come and continues to mold and evolve today, it can always get better. We as coaches need more quality control in our programs. There are many coaches who have no idea how to break down their techniques and skillsets in a manner that allows one to set up the next. I see too many “friends” in corners when what an athlete really needs is a coach. I see coaches who’s idea of advice for their fighter while he’s getting pounded is simply: “be stronger” or “take him down”! I have seen 3 different coaches yelling 3 different commands in unison while their poor discombobulated guy is having a hard enough time listening to one. I have seen world class reputable gyms fumbling around locker rooms asking to borrow scissors or for someone to wrap their fighter’s hands. The defining point here is that we as a community of professionals (and amateurs) need to step up to the plate and better learn our jobs. We need to stop being so vain and ask for help in learning things we don’t know. That means, learn how to teach, learn how to do a lesson plan so we are not doing something different every day that we won’t see again for two months until we have forgotten it. It means structuring progressive, comprehensive programs that take a student from point a to point b, it means learning that sparring and rolling at a 100 percent every day doesn’t make you look tough it guarantees you a short career. Coaches need to learn how to strategize, do homework, how to game plan, how to cut weight and prepare properly and most importantly safely. We have an opportunity here to create the next generation of mixed martial arts greats and they will be a direct byproduct of the training environments they are bred in. So, no matter which of the 3 gym types you fall under, let’s help this next generation of greats put their best foot forward.-
-Kuya

“Jurass-kick Park” The CFL's Jeff Raptor Santos brings mayhem to 125 lbs

The CFL’s Jeff “Raptor” Santos brings mayhem to 125 lbs

by Gabe Charboneau on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 8:54pm

“Jurass-kick Park”
The CFL’s Jeff “Raptor” Santos brings mayhem to 125 lbs
By Colorado Fight League Publicity department
Up until a few years ago scientists were all but positive that dinosaurs were relegated to being small minded lumbering lizards, then in the early 90’s things began to change.  While a highly controversial theory, most now agree that dinosaurs, particularly the nasty fleet footed raptor variety were extremely cunning, fast, explosive and when in packs one of the deadliest forces of the dinosaur age. Enter Jeff “Raptor” Santos who at age 28 is fast following in the footsteps of his dangerous namesake.


Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents Jeff’s family relocated him to Arizona at age 13 in search of a slower paced way of life. Always the “little guy” of the bunch, Jeff constantly found himself tested and picked on by those in school and at home by his older brother whom had a wrestling background. Says Santos when recalling his youth, “My brother would always get his friends and those around us to try and out wrestle or fight with me, to see who could make his scrawny brother “give up.” “The funny thing was, very few could until while at a friend’s party a fighter named Joe “The Show” Cronnin came along and gave me a beating.
This chance meeting while a humbling experience for Santos proved a turning point as “The Show” thought enough of Santo’s skill to invite him to train with Drew Fickett and Santino Defranco of TUF at their Arizona fight gym. Jeff’s first two pro fights were to invariably tough opponents including one who had been fighting in K1 for a time. As skill would have it however, The Raptor attack was on and he was victorious moving toward a 2-0 pro record within his first year of competition.

The Future
Constantly seeking self improvement, Jeff Santos has followed his training partner turned stable mate Pride Robinson to Colorado to train with longtime MMA Team PWIA and decorated grappling academy Roughhouse in Colorado Springs.  “Everyone here has treated us like family,” states Jeff. “They put us in the fighter house and we pretty much went right to work doing 3 a days with the pro fighters here and doing individual sessions with Keith, Gabe and Donnie Liles I like the way the future is looking.”  Colorado, which has always had a void in the way of 125 lb. fighters has grown by one more. Jeff Santos stands alongside Mikey Baldwin, Randall Shuckman, Josh Kissel, and Aaron Trujillo in saying make way for the little guys, we are here to stay.
-editor

A Man Apart: Life, Family and MMA with Kreg Hartle

Colorado Fight League Newsletter (Steel City Rumble Exclusive) A Man Apart: Life, Family and MMA with Kreg Hartle

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:13am

A Man Apart
Life, Family and MMA with SCR’s Kreg Hartle
By CFL Contributor Liz Solano

Walking into a fighters gym you may expect something out of the box office hit, “Million Dollar Baby”, speed bags, heavy bags, a ring, and fighters lined up to voluntarily get punched in the face. As I walked into the PWIA Animal House Gym, I saw all of the equipment but no string of fighters. Only one, Kreg Hartle, main event for Steel City Rumble 7 who will be facing the biggest challenge of his career on his professional bout with veteran Cruz Chacon of Denver.  If that name sounds familiar its because Chacon’s record of over 30 fights includes wins and losses over UFC stars like: Noah Thomas, Joe Stevenson, Donnie Liles, Diego Sanchez and Josh Koshchek. While Hartle’s overall record of 9 and 4 pushes forward successfully since his pro debut, the talented and zany pro fighter from Pueblo will have his hands full.

HOW IT FEELS TO BE THE MAIN EVENT ON A MMA CARD

Despite, his awesome skills and some what crazy look as he enters the ring, Hartle is a very humble guy. For him most of the time being a main event on a fight card isn't a big deal. As he puts it, “It's another day to get punched in the face.” He has been the co-main event on many other cards and definitely feels that is an honor saying, “We all train hard to be here and I respect almost all of the opponents that I have fought.” Right now smack talk is all the rage in places like UFC. When asked about smack talk  Hartle responds, “a lot of times some has to talk themselves up for their fight, in this sport you can't show any weakness of you will get eaten alive.”
While he doesn't generally place a large emphasis on being the main event, SCR7 is a little bit different, “It's my first pro-fight in my hometown,” he says. For an athlete playing on your home turf is definitely special. It brings to life a sense of energy that only your home city can do. He says, “This is my hometown, and my fight is going to be a good fight.”

HOW HE'S PREPARING FOR HIS FUTURE IN MMA

Hartle has been training MMA for a long time and has found training and fighting to bring about an odd aura of calmness in the form of a giant release.  He isn't striving to be mediocre in anyway. He's adopted the, “Go Big or Go Home” ideology saying, “You have to build up your fight record and you are bound to have some really tough fights, but, every fighter wants to be on top. Every fighter wants to be in that Big Show.” For him, it's the UFC.   “I have a great camp and team with the PWIA /Rough house family” Coaches like Gabe and Keith Wilson, Tori Adams and Donnie Liles, I have made many friends in this sport and  try to train as much as I can. I’ll occasionally get together with Tamboura and the guys from Canon city  and The guys at Rude effex were cool enough to let us come by to get some different body types to work with for this fight”. While Kreg trains like a spartan he does have one bad habit, smoking. “I do have a bad habit of smoking, but, even though I do smoke I always get on my cardio.” Cardiovascular exercise is essential for fighters, Hartle explains, “People don't understand that when you're in that ring and you get tired, your body will lose it's functionality. When that happens, you don't want a guy like me on top of you.”

HIS HOME LIFE AND HIS SUPPORT SYSTEM
Hartle lives alone, but, I'm sorry to inform the ladies, he isn't single, “I have a great girlfriend who is really supportive.” He also has two sons, Wade and Kody. “My boys bring a huge amount of confidence and calmness to my life,” he says, “and knowing that the people that I love and care about are proud of me, means the world to me.” Aside from his sons he also has his fight family, “The Pacific Warrior fight family is something that has always been great to have and it is something that I hold very dear.” At times it can get very stressful, “I don't get nervous at all before my fights, but if I am coaching, I will puke!” He explains, “Coaching is so hard, you aren't the one in the ring, all you can do is tell them what to do and hope that they listen.”
One very special part of his and the Pacific Warrior fight family is Patty Trujillo-Esquibel. Patty is an inspirational women to many. She is fighting her own battle, one with breast cancer. She has beaten it twice so far, “That isn't abnormal,” Hartle explains, “It is amazing, not many people can say that.” Patty has nicknamed Hartle her fighter. She goes to every fight of his that she can, and win or lose, she is there to give him all the love and support that she can.

At the end of the day skill and technique will almost always beat quickness and Hartle has all three. His opponent for SCR7 does as well, “I would like to say that I will be the winner at the end of that fight, but you never know and my opponent has fought some really tough people. Having fought top level competition he has a track record but at the end of the night, we'll see who the winner is.”

OF HEART AND FIRE THE FUTURE BURNS BRIGHT FOR JOSE EL FUEGO CARO

COLORADO FIGHT NEWSLETTER: OF HEART AND FIRE THE FUTURE BURNS BRIGHT FOR JOSE "EL FUEGO" CARO

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 6:12pm

The Future burns bright for Jose “EL FUEGO” Caro
By CFL Publicity department
Mexico has always been synonymous with competitive greatness. From Julio -Cesar Chavez to Marco Antonio Barrera the iron will and never quit mentality of such champions is substance of legend and lore. Enter Jose Caro, the 23 year old mixed martial arts champion from Pueblo by way of Chihuahua, Mexico is one of the most sought after amateur prospects in the Southwest . At 185 lbs of ripped muscle with good looks and smile to match he could just as easily be a model as a cage fighter. Transcending multi-cultural, age and economic boundaries his fan base continues to grow each performance with die hard fans and newcomers alike. While his amateur career is soon coming to a close, he has reached a very exciting and embryonic crossroads as he prepares for his transition to pro status, a blossoming career, and quite possibly a UFC contract. The flame continues to burn for Jose.

One Second Longer
Known for his tireless work ethic and in your face style Jose has racked up an impressive early library of fight content that reads like a highlight reel garnering him top CFL honors for both the coveted hardest working athlete and 2010 Fight of the year award in last years knock down drag out Steel City Rumble slugfest with noted Hawaiian prospect Kaleo Gambill, a fight he was not supposed to win.
Says Caro, “Everyone kept saying, “Oh he trained in Hawaii with BJ Penn, your going to lose!” “I told them“ “So what? “I believe in MY training, and MY Coaches he is the one that is going to lose!” True to form, “El Fuego” battered the much bigger Gambill for two rounds with an amazing display of standup, wrestling and ground skills, submitting Kaleo via rear naked choke to secure the victory. “Kuya, (Gabe Charboneau, Jose’s coach) always says “One second longer, don’t quit on your opponent, don’t quit on yourself!,” “he yells a lot at me when I am fighting and people may see this as mean, but I like it and it is the kind of motivation that works for me, it makes me want to work harder and he has put so much into me that I will never let him down.”

The Future
While as of this writing, Jose Caro continues to work 12 hour days pouring concrete, followed by a quick meal and training until 9 or 10pm at night he maintains a positive outlook on his future. His exciting fight performances, marketability, access to the fast growing Hispanic consumer and dedication to the Pueblo community via his youth outreach with the Colorado Fight League’s ambassador program are rapidly gaining both attention and sponsors. He is a firm advocate of bi-lingual literacy programs for kids and adults, he aspires to attend CSU Pueblo and continue with the sport that he loves. Says Caro with his trademark grin,” Life is too short to only give half the effort!” With that outlook the man they call “El Fuego” will burn on for years to come.
　

Of Heart & Fire

Chantel Cordova Pretty Little Hate Machine!

Chantel Cordova Pretty Little Hate Machine!

by Gabe Charboneau on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 8:04pm

CHANTEL CORDOVA
PRETTY LITTLE HATE MACHINE
By Colorado Fight League Publicity dept.
_______________________________________________


Pueblo Colorado April 28th 2011-
Fire, Fury and Iron willed are all common nouns that one would ascribe to the typical archetype of Mexican fighter. In this case the only difference being that he happens to be a she. Enter Chantel Cordova, The sleek slugger from Pueblo Colorado has amassed a wonderful record of 8-2 with her second and most recent loss coming in competition for the vacant IBF flyweight crown in Mexico City in March 2011. “It was a great feeling to fight in Mexico,” Stated Cordova. “The people are so warm and supportive, it was like no other feeling in the world.” While Cordova has drawn some criticism from boxing purists as to the level of competition she has been paired with in the past few years, the reality is that both the division and opportunities are too thin to get the amount of diverse match ups that can really allow her skill set to shine. Says Chantel; “Everyone who knows me, knows I will fight anyone, my heart or determination has never been in question.” A single mom who often works two jobs to support her dream of training full time, Cordova has simply not had the management/
matchmaker support staff to pound the pavement for opportunities.
GO BIG OR GO HOME

At 25 years old in the sport of boxing the clock begins to tick and the moment of step up or step down becomes unavoidable. Chantel sought the help of fellow friend, trainer and professional MMA Manager Gabe Charboneau of Nu-world Athletics. “I saw what she was going through and wanted to help her as a friend but knew that to do so would not be easy. The world of boxing and mixed martial arts are two different animals and professional circles.” “So I made some calls to my various promotional partners around the U.S to find good managers for her.“ Despite several offers being placed on the table it seemed not a single one had Cordova’s best interest in mind and a disheartened Cordova was ready to toss in the towel. Finally, She suggested to Charboneau “You make matches and do this for the mma fighters, why not for me“? After a firm discussion about managing expectation and the understanding that it would be a learning process from an industry perspective, an agreement was made and Chantel Cordova was brought on to the Nu-World roster as the solo boxing act amongst a large group of MMA Professionals.
Chantel Cordova is working harder than ever to fuel her competitive fire. She trains throughout Southern Colorado including Colorado Springs where Olympic Dreams become reality often running the world renowned Manitou incline in the morning followed by sparring at Roughhouse MMA and Fitness where Charboneau is a trainer mid-day, working two jobs and still continues to train with her mentor and father in Rocky Ford.
This young prospect does not know the meaning of quit, won’t accept the word defeat, and is now looking.. To Pick a Fight. I ask for your faith in putting this young athlete on your next card only once and promise I’ll never have to ask again.
Chantel Cordova can be reached for booking and consideration via Nu-World Athletics at 719-369-1138 or by email at gabe@nuworldmedia.com

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