Gabe Charboneau's Pacific Warrior MMA CMTA's newest affiliate gym.

Pacific Warrior MMA and Bombers boxing in Pueblo, Colorado have joined the ranks of the Colorado Muay Thai Association.  Pacific Warrior Island Arts Academy, long known as a premier source for striking instruction and a destination for SE Asian combat arts in Southern Colorado looks to uphold the proud tradition that founder "Kru Oscar Martinez" of Colorado Muay Thai has become synonymous with in the region. "We look forward to continuing the organizations efforts to build a localized platform for Thailand's national sport." Stated Coach Charboneau of PWIA.   "There are so many beautiful regionalized variations of the art throughout South East Asia, from Thailand, to Burma, Cambodia to the Philippines and we are proud to perpetuating the rich cultural traditions of the area.

More info on the CMTA can be found below:

We established the Colorado Muay Thai Association in 2011 with the goal to promote and protect the art of Muay Thai.  Our focus is to increase the overall awareness and participation in the sport.  Our mission is to spread the popularity of the sport within the State of Colorado and to provide fighters with a platform to showcase and grow their skills through certified instruction, world class seminars, amateur tournaments and promotions. 

Our judges and referees have been trained under the direction of the Sport Authority of Thailand and WBC Muay Thai licensed referee and judge Dej "Nokweed" Sri-Ampai. 

Check out our membership page on more ways that you can become involved in this community

All Star MMA Cast Set to Headline State Fair Card

Fight Brigade MMA makes history at 140th celebration By CFL Publicity Dept Pueblo Colorado, July 25, 2012- Fight Brigade MMA the latest product of the highly touted Steel City Rumble series will debut August 24th opening night of the 2012 Colorado State Fair.

We couldn’t “pull any punches” quips President Armando Chavez. “This is a momentous occasion for the sport in Colorado and when you have a captive audience of thousands, the quality standards have to be high.” And high they have been. The 9 prior installments of the series have netted record attendance averaging between 3000-4000 fans a show and with the popularity of the sport infiltrating both mainstream and worldwide households at a breakneck pace, the growth projections show no sign of slowing.

When asked what sets the SCR brand apart from others, League GM Gabe Charboneau stated, “We don’t just promote fights, we promote community.” “We eliminate local vs. local competition whenever possible, choosing rather to unify the athletes in a team format.” “We hold high standards for public safety, regularly make charitable contributions and work to ensure each event caters to a broad family audience.”

Billed as the rematch to the well publicized Colorado vs. New Mexico bout held in 2009, the card reflects a who’s who of pro and amateur talent. The pro side of Team Colorado is as follows: (fight card subject to change) Colorado Ramico Blackmon 165 lbs 8-1 Strong skilled Olympic wrestler* Colorado Jeremy Kimball 185 lbs 5-3 Savage striker heavy hands* Colorado Prentice Ingram 145 lbs 5-2 Fast striker local favorite SCR vet* Colorado Marcus Edwards 155 lbs 0-1 #1 Rated 155 Amateur in Colorado* And rounding out the pro card is the anticipated pro debut of Jose "El Fuego" Caro a veteran of the Steel City Rumble series who made moves as an amateur emerging as one of the states top 185 lbs fighters.

The undercard also represents a host of local favorites and will feature several Police vs. Fire bouts. Other Southern Colorado fighters scheduled to compete are: • Fire fighter and SCR veteran Joey Gutierrez • Grappling Standout and Contender series veteran Troy Mumme • Newcomer Vince Contreras from Avondale seeks to make his mark • Youth Phenom Rico Olguin in a much talked about amateur debut • Donnie Lambert Police department competitor • Monte Vawter Lamberts Fire department nemesis for charity • Vallie Mead tough female fighter to battle Ashlee Deen of ATT Altitude • Nick Grado PWIA/Roughhouse standout made waves last SCR show • Phillip Gallegos Rocky Fords tough contribution to Team Colorado

Tickets are available at ticket master outlets, Colorado State Fair box office and website and fightbrigade.com Seating is extremely limited so get your tickets today!

MMA Evolutionary Science By Gabe "Kuya" Charboneau

MMA Evolutionary Science
By Gabe “Kuya” Charboneau

Nature, as a process of selection has proven over and again that given certain environmental factors, the right combination of climate, timing and genetic opportunity coupled with the right organism will produce a progressive perfect storm we know as evolution. And despite being refuted by pseudo religious types, the need for consistent growth and adaptation is an unmistakable and well documented process by which the world decides which species will survive.  Nowhere in the modern era is this scientific course of action more evident than the predatory world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Dawn of an Age
Let’s for a brief moment say that we have an MMA time machine set for the early 90’s. The wild landscape that paved the way for our sports early development was a tumultuous and often unrefined display of antiquated techniques, since disproven training methods and one sided affairs.  This is not to say that there were less then credible representatives for their particular disciplines rather, in stark contrast to the athletes of today, most of the combatants of that period were blue collar “hobbyists” interspersed with a few genuine articles. Of those we would call genuine however, one irrevocable fact rings true, The Gracie name ruled the wilds with an iron fist. Kick-boxers karateka and wrestlers all fell prey and as the legacy spread, so too did evolutions need to level the playing field, thus the era of ground and pound was born.

Super Predators
With the sport of Mixed Martial arts experiencing a surge in interest, the need to develop a fresh crowd pleasing talent pool of fighters to satisfy the growing number of consumers ensued. Competitors had to be bigger, stronger and meaner than had been known prior and this group, many of them accomplished world class athletes had a newfound realization. Wrestlers were now cross-training on a broader scale and it became apparent that by establishing positional dominance and negating sub attempts they could themselves rain down heavy shots and invariably shut the Brazilian game down. The heavyweight tournament of UFC 14 heralded the arrival of the super predators, Mark Kerr, Kevin Jackson and Mark Coleman who like their Jurassic counterparts a million years prior would establish the longest reign of the sports history but as “show business” refined into sport business we would soon again see a turning of the tides.


Full Circle
Today, mixed martial arts are part and partial of the fabric of modern sports. Today’s modern athletes are well oiled machines built for optimum performance and well rounded to handle any number of situations.  No longer competing to prove or disprove combative theory or familial pride, they are personalities each with human interest backstories, celebrities, heroes and far beyond what anyone in the early stages could have conceived. Notably, it is the re-emergence of the striking game streamlined and functional that is proving the newest genetic mutation in the ever changing evolution of the sport. To the delight of boxing enthusiasts the world over one can now witness the staccato rhythm of a slick jab cross combination followed by liver and body shots and even the occasional acrobatic spinning technique.  And while all of this is supported by an advanced network of takedown defense interspersed with wrestling and BJJ it is only the latest progression in mans quest to wage war for sport. This begs the question, what next? With each succeeding generation natural selection decides which life forms survive, which fail and which variations in form and function will last the millennia. The next game changing Gracie is out there, waiting to be found. - Kuya


The Super predator.

"Axe To Grind" Ryan Axtell Set for Greatness

"Axe" To Grind Ryan Axtell Set for Greatness
By CFL Publicity Department

Imagine a world that many desire to conquer but few dare to tread, where 55’rs fear to cut and 25’rs find themselves outsized. A foreboding landscape with war gods named Cruz, Faber and Bowles. Welcome to the world of the Bantamweight. Often called one of the most stacked divisions in the sport, Colorado’s own Ryan Axtell seeks to leave his indelible mark at 135.

Paying Dues

A 7-3 pro veteran of the Colorado Mixed Martial Arts scene, Ryan has been diligently fighting an uphill battle for respect and recognition since early 2007. “I come from the Arkansas Valley a small farm community in the Southeast part of the state and it’s hard for me to get the same exposure guys from the big cities do,” stated Axtell. To that end, he would often find himself the out of town “mark” for the local fighters in the major markets. States Ryan, “Over the years I’ve pissed off a lot of hometown crowds who came to see their fan favorite beat up the country boy.” Often out skilled and outsized in those days, Ryan bested many opponents using only a combination of wrestling base, pure physicality and a gut wrenching resolve that worked well and often. However back to back losses against respected competitors in Mike Baldwin and WEC veteran Ox Wheeler left him wondering about his chances of competing at the higher levels. “I basically had to start making better training decisions for myself, I knew I had the heart and made a promise that I would seek out the skills to match.” Axtell soon became a fixture in the Denver and Northern Colorado gym scene soaking up as much knowledge as he could and eventually along with friend James Gallegos they established a small training camp called Valley Heights in their hometown of La Junta for both Ryan to train and to provide opportunities for local kids who had ideas of pursuing the same dream. The formula seemed to be paying off as Axtell, seemingly reinvigorated began his road to comeback glory by putting together a string of early 1st round victories and knockouts that could only be described as unadulterated violence.

Today

With growing responsibilities, a family and new baby on the way Ryan Axtell became increasingly tethered closer to home. In search of a gym with less travel time involved and under the advisement of a friend he sought out Gabe Charboneau’s Pacific Warrior in Pueblo, he’s glad he did. “The guys there treat me like family, and who knew after looking all over the state that I would find some of the best training there,.” This statement was punctuated during his next bout with Bellator veteran Chad Vandenberg which ended early via a vicious left hook/ TKO combination, a tool that was previously unknown in his arsenal. As the 28 year old small town underdog from La Junta Colorado trudges on where others fear to tread one thing remains clear, Ryan Axtell means business.. War Gods beware.

From Left Mayhem promoter Don Martinez Torres and Kuya

Can you See the Science?- By Gabe Charboneau

Can You See the Science?
Boxing not so narrow as some trainers would have you think.
by Gabriel Charboneau

Boxer,Counter puncher, Brawler, Inside or Outside fighter. 5 different styles of pugilism each with ranges and points where one counters the other. High Guard, Philly, Crab Shell, Peek-aboo. Different guards and hand positions each with a value that one may employ to effect a successful counter or offense. Those who are stuck within one method of doing, teaching or even understanding because it is all they've ever experienced will never know the true beauty of whats possible within boxing whether it's their preferred style or not.

I have the fortune of being of mixed decent which allows me to appreciate topics or ideas that often cross the boundries of norm. I also share the good fortune of living in Colorado which due it's Mexican roots has spawned generations of the style that bears it's namesake and made popular by it's most beloved of hero's Julio Cesar Chavez.

While a lifelong fan of the sport who has trained under various coaches over the years, my background is practicing in the Filipino style sometimes known as "boksing" or "Suntukan" which more often than not means triangle based footwork, often strong side forward and sometimes with an off angled false lead. These principles ingrained by the Filipino people were born out of centuries of weapons work within their native martial arts and perfected when early Naval bases established themselves in Phillippine ports. Without getting into the controversial topic of how this style affected what we know as the sport of western boxing today it can be surmised that at the very least it had an influence in it's modern development. To this end, Pinoys or Filipino's have had a long history of producing high level boxers each brilliant in their own right. This list which is obviously headlined by Manny Pacquiao includes the lesser known but equally deserving, Nonito Donaire, Speedy Dado, Small Montana, Gabriel Flash Elorde, Pancho Villa, and middleweight champ Ceferino Garcia respectively.

It is this pursuit of continued pugilistic knowledge, my responsibility as a coach and love of history, not just the how, but the when and why that has led me to continue my analysis of the various structures utilized by the masters of ring and sport. A few years ago I had the profound pleasure of meeting brother Daniel Farisi of Constellation and the 52 Blocks/Jailhouse boxing movement. An authority on Afro-Diasporic martial culture it was his in depth knowledge of the black experience and unmistakeable contributions to the sweet science that led me to see the truth. And furthermore, that what the untrained eye may see as a stylistic shortcoming i.e guarding arm down around the hip, or both arms crossed in front etc. is actually a deliberate and well thought out piece of a bigger picture with a proud legacy.

Over the next several issues I will attempt to expand and break down aspects of boxings various guards and positions as well as offer supporting statements and examples of thier usage by fighters like Archie Moore, Floyd Mayweather, James Toney, George Foreman, Zab Judah, Joe Frazier and others.

Til Next time,
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

READY FOR WAR- EDWINA WHITES TIME HAS COME

READY FOR WAR- EDWINA WHITES TIME HAS COME

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 8:59am

For most male athletes in the sport of mixed martial arts, the ability to find fights is a luxury enjoyed with relative ease. The influx of male participants has exploded in recent years leaving their less plentiful female counterparts to bid for remaining slots on unfilled fight cards. Prior to a very surprising recent endorsement by UFC president Dana White it seemed that even Strike force’s female contingent, long seen as a pulpit to justify high level co-ed involvement in the sport might itself be dissolved in the inevitable Zuffa acquisition.

As unfortunate a situation as it is unfair to serious X chromosome competitors it is a complex and paradoxical issue that is threefold:

1. The pool of females is smaller and therefore often self cannibalized in an attempt to maintain consistent activity. It is not unheard of for females to have to fight the same opponent two or more times.
2. Dare I say it? Plain ol’ inequality. Many, like “Dola-White” are still stuck on the traditional mindset that nothing good can come out of the women’s ranks in much the same manner as female boxing resulting in smaller audience share. In the rare circumstance that female fighters do get a public platform it is often a very misogynistic and narrow male driven idea of what a female fighter should look like, having more to do with looks than actual ability. This is in stark contrast to the Japanese audience which revels in the female ranks to the extent of all promoting all female pro cards and even designing action figures in the likeness of their favorite “femme fatales.”
3. Lack of marketing power and brand imaging. Until now, promoting female mma to the masses has simply not been a priority to major organizations leaving an untapped well of female resources and relegating big budget marketing assets to Nike commercials and tennis stars. While we see the male faces of the sport everywhere we have yet to consider the opposite as household names. Says noted Colorado corner/cutman Haven Torres, “This is going to continue until we lobby for the equality of these athletes“. “I wrap and corner hundreds of fighters a year and can say without reservation that many of these females outwork their counterparts in the gym, cage and ring“.
For Edwina White the aforementioned article hits especially close to home. The PWIA standout fighter has had 6 calls to compete over the last year and only one opportunity to actually do so. “Every time we get an offer it seems that something ends up falling through.” states Head Coach Gabe Charboneau. “ Edwina works harder than a good percentage of even my male pro’s and to see her work go unrewarded is a tough pill to swallow.” White started out a year ago at 220 lbs and is now walking around at a very ready 157 due largely to her tireless work ethic which includes 3 a day training sessions, healthy diet, and wonderful support of her family and kids. Her outlook remains overtly optimistic despite being repeatedly disappointed by lying promoters, pre-fight opponent injuries, and more often than not plain old fashioned fear by the occasional scout who happens upon the video of her only mangling/fight. Edwina’s last scheduled bout itself was a debacle as she was slated to appear alongside main event pro stable-mate Angie Hayes May 20th “I am not even sure what happened but apparently, I didn’t even end up on the final card, was not told until weigh ins and because I was not included on the bout sheet turned into the boxing commission I couldn’t fight even though there was another girl my weight who’s opponent pulled out, talk about a let down!“ says White through her trademark amicable grin. While as of this writing, Edwina White is searching for a replacement fight on an upcoming CFL card June 11th, she is reluctant to demonstrate any signs of early anticipation for fear of something happening yet again. Says Edwina, “Right now I am simply at a place where I am grateful to the sport for what its done for me and my health, I am blessed to train with a ton of great guys and coaches and share the fight stable with amazing females like Tori Adams, Angie Hayes, Chantel Cordova and some up and coming amateurs like Chelsea Barajas and Vallie Mead, when my time comes I will live in that very moment not a second before or after, and simply be thankful.”



Edwina White (far Right) stands with CFL females
Edwina White can be reached for booking via Nuworld Management at
Gabe@nuworldmedia.com or via phone at 719-369-1138

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.”

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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READY FOR WAR- EDWINA WHITES TIME HAS COME

READY FOR WAR- EDWINA WHITES TIME HAS COME

by Gabe Charboneau on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 8:59am

For most male athletes in the sport of mixed martial arts, the ability to find fights is a luxury enjoyed with relative ease. The influx of male participants has exploded in recent years leaving their less plentiful female counterparts to bid for remaining slots on unfilled fight cards. Prior to a very surprising recent endorsement by UFC president Dana White it seemed that even Strike force’s female contingent, long seen as a pulpit to justify high level co-ed involvement in the sport might itself be dissolved in the inevitable Zuffa acquisition.

As unfortunate a situation as it is unfair to serious X chromosome competitors it is a complex and paradoxical issue that is threefold:

1. The pool of females is smaller and therefore often self cannibalized in an attempt to maintain consistent activity. It is not unheard of for females to have to fight the same opponent two or more times.
2. Dare I say it? Plain ol’ inequality. Many, like “Dola-White” are still stuck on the traditional mindset that nothing good can come out of the women’s ranks in much the same manner as female boxing resulting in smaller audience share. In the rare circumstance that female fighters do get a public platform it is often a very misogynistic and narrow male driven idea of what a female fighter should look like, having more to do with looks than actual ability. This is in stark contrast to the Japanese audience which revels in the female ranks to the extent of all promoting all female pro cards and even designing action figures in the likeness of their favorite “femme fatales.”
3. Lack of marketing power and brand imaging. Until now, promoting female mma to the masses has simply not been a priority to major organizations leaving an untapped well of female resources and relegating big budget marketing assets to Nike commercials and tennis stars. While we see the male faces of the sport everywhere we have yet to consider the opposite as household names. Says noted Colorado corner/cutman Haven Torres, “This is going to continue until we lobby for the equality of these athletes“. “I wrap and corner hundreds of fighters a year and can say without reservation that many of these females outwork their counterparts in the gym, cage and ring“.
For Edwina White the aforementioned article hits especially close to home. The PWIA standout fighter has had 6 calls to compete over the last year and only one opportunity to actually do so. “Every time we get an offer it seems that something ends up falling through.” states Head Coach Gabe Charboneau. “ Edwina works harder than a good percentage of even my male pro’s and to see her work go unrewarded is a tough pill to swallow.” White started out a year ago at 220 lbs and is now walking around at a very ready 157 due largely to her tireless work ethic which includes 3 a day training sessions, healthy diet, and wonderful support of her family and kids. Her outlook remains overtly optimistic despite being repeatedly disappointed by lying promoters, pre-fight opponent injuries, and more often than not plain old fashioned fear by the occasional scout who happens upon the video of her only mangling/fight. Edwina’s last scheduled bout itself was a debacle as she was slated to appear alongside main event pro stable-mate Angie Hayes May 20th “I am not even sure what happened but apparently, I didn’t even end up on the final card, was not told until weigh ins and because I was not included on the bout sheet turned into the boxing commission I couldn’t fight even though there was another girl my weight who’s opponent pulled out, talk about a let down!“ says White through her trademark amicable grin. While as of this writing, Edwina White is searching for a replacement fight on an upcoming CFL card June 11th, she is reluctant to demonstrate any signs of early anticipation for fear of something happening yet again. Says Edwina, “Right now I am simply at a place where I am grateful to the sport for what its done for me and my health, I am blessed to train with a ton of great guys and coaches and share the fight stable with amazing females like Tori Adams, Angie Hayes, Chantel Cordova and some up and coming amateurs like Chelsea Barajas and Vallie Mead, when my time comes I will live in that very moment not a second before or after, and simply be thankful.”



Edwina White (far Right) stands with CFL females
Edwina White can be reached for booking via Nuworld Management at
Gabe@nuworldmedia.com or via phone at 719-369-1138