The Foot-load Series

How to Combine Elite Striking with Wrestling for MMA Mechanics and alignment part 1.

Mechanics and alignment, the foundation of the foot load. One of the major problems that I see boxers and mixed martial arts fighters alike suffer from today is a foundation of sound body mechanics. While minimal motion without foot rotation may seem to conserve energy and increase speed in the short term it is largely problematic when trying to teach the same individuals a good power base and also how to hit with power while staying on the balls of the feet as movements are predominately shoulder and arm only. Take the same individuals now attempting to cross train in Muay Thai for instance, and it is readily apparent that this lack of pivoting fundamentals is insufficient to turn the hip over and rotate the ball of the supporting leg. This has bred a nation of flashy arm punching point fighters who rely on the shoulders to bear the load that a simple foot turn could alleviate. They throw short almost choppy punches because the tend to stay flat and lack spring, and as it applies to this writing will always have a hard time erasing the lines that separate both ranges and styles. The foot-load series as we will call it is based around the principle that there is a common movement that binds each range together and for our purpose here it is the pivot motion of coil and recoil that can be used to do so. Is it not a rear foot pivot that makes a right cross and right round kick work? A torqued left hook and penetration step with the left foot pivoted work harmoniously to set the other up.

This is the foundation of what we are trying to achieve with this method. Patience, repetition in developing these attributes and sound fundamentals from the beginning will result in a better understanding of how the body works, where its pivot points and angles are, and overall make you well rounded polished fighter. In forthcoming issues, techniques, training and development will be discussed.

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

STEEL CITY RUMBLE PRESENTS: 5 MINUTES WITH ADAM SOTO

Colorado Fight League Newsletter (STEEL CITY RUMBLE PRESENTS: 5 MINUTES WITH ADAM SOTO

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 11:00am

Adam Soto

Defeat is a part of any athlete's game. Simply put, someone will always lose. Avondale's Son, Adam Soto is not letting this stop him from his victory!

ON MOVING UP TO THE 170 LB DIVISION

Any wrestler or fighter could tell you that one of the toughest pieces of any fight preparation is cutting weight. “This makes it easier for me, I can still eat,” Soto says. Cutting down to 170 from his normal weight of 185, is healthier to Soto saying, “ My frame is a better fit at 170.” Soto knows however, that since he is at a heavier weight class, his opponents may be harder. He isn't worried about this though stating, “Yeah, it may be harder, but my strength is better at 170... It won't be a problem.”

ON HIS BIG LOSS IN PUEBLO

No one ever wants to lose. Competition has been engrained in us for many years, so when we lose it takes a toll. Soto doesn't beat himself up over the loss, “It was a let down for my fans, I trained so hard just to get knocked out.” But that fight served as a learning tool for Soto, it made him train harder and he says it made it more alert, most importantly, “I learned to keep my hands up!”

For some having a fight end so quickly would shake their confidence, not Soto. These things happen often and his take is, “It's the name of the game, it could have easily been him, he just landed the contact first.”



REDEMPTION AT JACKSONS?

After his big loss, Soto had a fight in Albuquerque, NM on the Jackson's Card at the Hard Rock Cafe. For Soto, it wasn't a moment of redemption, it was like any other fight, just more of a confidence builder. “It felt good to fight that caliber of athlete at the #1 gym in the nation...Fighting in front of Clay Guida and Diego Sanchez and then winning in their camp, it was great!” Soto says with a smile.

ON WHAT HE EXPECTS GOING INTO THIS FIGHT

The opponent Soto is fighting on Steel City Rumble 7 Mike Zaragosa was nominated for the CFL KO of The Year last year, despite having lost against Adam once before in their amateur debut. When asked what he expected from the KO of The Year nominee, Soto responded with a chuckle, “Well I hope he doesn't get another one.” All jokes aside, Soto feels ready for this fight saying, “I'm taller than him and have a greater wingspan, I won't let him close.” He's trained hard for this fight has certainly improved since our debut and he will give it his all!


TRAINING

Soto trains and fights out of Pacific Warrior’s Animal House Gym under he guidance of veteran trainer Gabe “Kuya” Charboneau along with decorated grappler’s Keith Wilson and Tori Adams at Roughhouse in Colorado Springs where Charboneau also teaches 2 days a week. “Soto loves it saying, “They have great athletes, Strike Force Veterans, the top grappling instruction the nation, combine that with all the stuff Gabe teaches and you have a great camp, I am surrounded every day by great pro fighters.”

SO, WHAT'S NEXT?

Soto has a fight to prepare for June 4, “I would like to take it fight by fight and see what happens.” Keeping your eyes on the prize is something that many throw by the wayside. Even though he is playing it by ear, Soto has a goal, “Hopefully I'll have a few more amateur fights and then, I want to go pro.” Determination and endurance and things that make a great fighter, along with footwork of course, look for Soto at Steel City Rumble 7, April 24, 2011.
By CFL Contributor Liz Solano
STEEL CITY RUMBLE FEATURE