I couldn't leave the blog without the fight, so without further ado:
round1
round2
round 3
4.19.2007
4.15.2007
Well...
I guess this is where it ends. The experience of a lifetime officially over in 24 hours when my plane leaves the tarmac at Narita Int'l. Packing really sucks, wish Cristina was here to help.
Saying the goodby's has been tough. We took a group picture my last day at Yoshida Dojo which they are going to frame and hang on the wall...that's really cool. Although I'm sure I look like a goof in the picture since I got hit with the realization of whom I'm with, whats going on, and that it's over. Saying by to everyone has sucked, garbled pleasantry's in half english, half japanese which meant little compared to the smacks, punches, handshakes and little nods of the head that were exchanged. In broken english it's either "when are you come back", or "why leave, stay"...
So I'm almost packed, packing sucks, and I'm 3 hours out until I check out of my room. I'll be sleeping on the floor of our resident Brit, who's across the hall, for the last night. Going to take a shower, grab a Kabob, check out then meet up with Ryan for dinner.
I'm guessing this will be my last post, so I'd like to thank everyone whose made my stay here a dream of countless MMA fans. Thanks to Robert for putting everything in motion, from the emails to the introduction to gyms/fighter I owe you big time. Thanks to Ryan for soccer kicking me in the head and being a cool dude when we aren't sparring (seriously dude's eyes turn evil when the bell rings), dragging me around to all the different gyms people wish to visit, never mind train at. Thanks to Yoshida Dojo for taking me and and treating me like a team member, they are the greatest group of guys, best of luck to them. Thanks to Daisuke for giving me his mom's bike, a cellphone (which I lost), and other various things which had come in handy (HaHa). Thanks to the crew at 4-12-4 sendagaya, some memorable nights. Thanks to everyone for reading this and having an interest in what I'm doing. I'll see you all when I get home, except for the guys from Turkey, Estonia, Czech, Brazil, England, and Canada, I don't know any of you (except for the canuck in Manitoba of course).
Sayonara
^yea, yea...cheesy.
Saying the goodby's has been tough. We took a group picture my last day at Yoshida Dojo which they are going to frame and hang on the wall...that's really cool. Although I'm sure I look like a goof in the picture since I got hit with the realization of whom I'm with, whats going on, and that it's over. Saying by to everyone has sucked, garbled pleasantry's in half english, half japanese which meant little compared to the smacks, punches, handshakes and little nods of the head that were exchanged. In broken english it's either "when are you come back", or "why leave, stay"...
So I'm almost packed, packing sucks, and I'm 3 hours out until I check out of my room. I'll be sleeping on the floor of our resident Brit, who's across the hall, for the last night. Going to take a shower, grab a Kabob, check out then meet up with Ryan for dinner.
I'm guessing this will be my last post, so I'd like to thank everyone whose made my stay here a dream of countless MMA fans. Thanks to Robert for putting everything in motion, from the emails to the introduction to gyms/fighter I owe you big time. Thanks to Ryan for soccer kicking me in the head and being a cool dude when we aren't sparring (seriously dude's eyes turn evil when the bell rings), dragging me around to all the different gyms people wish to visit, never mind train at. Thanks to Yoshida Dojo for taking me and and treating me like a team member, they are the greatest group of guys, best of luck to them. Thanks to Daisuke for giving me his mom's bike, a cellphone (which I lost), and other various things which had come in handy (HaHa). Thanks to the crew at 4-12-4 sendagaya, some memorable nights. Thanks to everyone for reading this and having an interest in what I'm doing. I'll see you all when I get home, except for the guys from Turkey, Estonia, Czech, Brazil, England, and Canada, I don't know any of you (except for the canuck in Manitoba of course).
Sayonara
^yea, yea...cheesy.
4.14.2007
Ryan Wins
Another great night. First we had Omigawa win his fight by ref stoppage in the second via ground and pound, then Ryan won his fight by submission in the third after destroying his opponents face with left hooks, knees, and hammer fists on the ground. Pitbull, one of the fighters from Gracie Barra who was training at Yoshida's while in japan ended up losing his fight by submission which is extremely surprising and a big upset. Bustamante ended up winning his fight by KO, the punch, a left hook, was a thing of beauty.
Fight of the night, imo, was Ryan's...although I am extremely biased. It was a bit of a war but Ryan put on, for the most part, a dominating performance; easily slipping punches and countering with a left hook while being able to bring the fight to the mat almost at will. His opponents right eye after the first minute was already half way shut from the left hooks.
Fight of the night, imo, was Ryan's...although I am extremely biased. It was a bit of a war but Ryan put on, for the most part, a dominating performance; easily slipping punches and countering with a left hook while being able to bring the fight to the mat almost at will. His opponents right eye after the first minute was already half way shut from the left hooks.
Ryan about to win by submission.
4.10.2007
Easy day at Golds Gym
went to Gold's in Harajuku with Ryan and just jogged for an hour then hit the sauna. Murilo Bustamante (Brazilian TopTeam) was there with his training partner. After we were done we met up with him, one of the trainers at BTT (Cunha), and the rest of their group and had lunch.
Then I hung around Harajuku and went souvenir shopping, but got nothing. I'm really bad at presents. If anyone has any requests or ideas post'em.
from last pride:
Then I hung around Harajuku and went souvenir shopping, but got nothing. I'm really bad at presents. If anyone has any requests or ideas post'em.
from last pride:
4.09.2007
after party pics.
Before the rest of the crew showed up and it was still quiet.
Takimoto, his wife and their daughter.
Me and Yoshida, drinking Coronas
Kazu out of his mind.
Happy Easter
Happy Easter everyone. I had the greatest Sunday, if yours is half as good it'd be the day of the year, but more on that later. I'm sure that everyone from my family is getting together at my grandparents, you'll be sick of me soon enough as I come home in a week.
It's been a while since the last update, I've gotten a lot of complaints...I've been busy.
I have a stack of postcards I bought and was going to send out, but it looks like it isn't going to happen.
I'm a week from my flight back, it's mixed emotions.
Been training for Ryan's fight, it's the 13th so it's almost here. I'll be cornering him with the trainer from Yoshida Dojo. We've gone to our usual gym's plus Pride Dojo, where I saw Chonan and was able to meet Dan Henderson, Sokoudjou, and their Team Quest crew. They were all really cool guys.
Went out with the guys from my building last Friday, we were about to call it a night when I saw Chonan and he dragged me with him back to a club (wasn't like I put up much of a fight). After feeding me so much liquor even Saturday was to become a blur he took my hat and ran off, and I was left with his. Which presented a problem for me today since I need a haircut so bad I have to wear a hat...yea yea yea, fag...ok whatever.
So on to tonight...Went to pride and first off I have to thank all the guys from Yoshida Dojo, they are the greatest group of guys. It was one of the greatest nights ever for me. The place was electric, and since it was the last Pride under the DSE management (UFC just bought Pride) it was even more meaningful to the fans and fighters. I got to meet Dan Henderson again, Wanderli Silva, Mark Coleman, Pe Da Pano, Fujita, Arona and a ton of other fighters i can't even remember. I was back stage with Takimoto and the rest of the Yoshida crew. The second best part of the night was being able to walk out behind Takimoto when he was introduced. Walking out to 34,000 screaming fans is...surreal. You look up and all you hear is a roar with flash's going off as far as you can see. I don't posses the ability to accurately describe what it feels like so I'm not going to try any further. But the best part was Takimoto pulling out the submission for the win. He showed so much heart it's ridiculous. After the fight the tension in the dressing room was completely gone and everyone was just joking around. Chonan showed up said he'd give me my hat back so that was a bonus.
After Pride was over we went to Takimoto's after party and cut loose. The food was great and the liquor was flowing, Kazuhiro went from not drinking to the loud cheerful drunk, and Yoshida wasn't too far off. I didn't really drink, have work tomorrow.
If you want to see Takimoto's fight you can watch it here
I'll update with pictures and video in the morning.
It's been a while since the last update, I've gotten a lot of complaints...I've been busy.
I have a stack of postcards I bought and was going to send out, but it looks like it isn't going to happen.
I'm a week from my flight back, it's mixed emotions.
Been training for Ryan's fight, it's the 13th so it's almost here. I'll be cornering him with the trainer from Yoshida Dojo. We've gone to our usual gym's plus Pride Dojo, where I saw Chonan and was able to meet Dan Henderson, Sokoudjou, and their Team Quest crew. They were all really cool guys.
Went out with the guys from my building last Friday, we were about to call it a night when I saw Chonan and he dragged me with him back to a club (wasn't like I put up much of a fight). After feeding me so much liquor even Saturday was to become a blur he took my hat and ran off, and I was left with his. Which presented a problem for me today since I need a haircut so bad I have to wear a hat...yea yea yea, fag...ok whatever.
So on to tonight...Went to pride and first off I have to thank all the guys from Yoshida Dojo, they are the greatest group of guys. It was one of the greatest nights ever for me. The place was electric, and since it was the last Pride under the DSE management (UFC just bought Pride) it was even more meaningful to the fans and fighters. I got to meet Dan Henderson again, Wanderli Silva, Mark Coleman, Pe Da Pano, Fujita, Arona and a ton of other fighters i can't even remember. I was back stage with Takimoto and the rest of the Yoshida crew. The second best part of the night was being able to walk out behind Takimoto when he was introduced. Walking out to 34,000 screaming fans is...surreal. You look up and all you hear is a roar with flash's going off as far as you can see. I don't posses the ability to accurately describe what it feels like so I'm not going to try any further. But the best part was Takimoto pulling out the submission for the win. He showed so much heart it's ridiculous. After the fight the tension in the dressing room was completely gone and everyone was just joking around. Chonan showed up said he'd give me my hat back so that was a bonus.
After Pride was over we went to Takimoto's after party and cut loose. The food was great and the liquor was flowing, Kazuhiro went from not drinking to the loud cheerful drunk, and Yoshida wasn't too far off. I didn't really drink, have work tomorrow.
If you want to see Takimoto's fight you can watch it here
I'll update with pictures and video in the morning.
3.22.2007
ok, so I'm lazy
so I'm lazy...likes that's news to any of you. I know it's been a long time but i still don't feel like writing a lot, so I won't.
Been training with Ryan again for his upcoming fight. Almost all the guys at Yoshida Dojo have fights coming up next month so the place is very serious and focused.
Went to a festival in Asakusa a couple days ago...i took pics and even a video of a little parade and I would post them but I'm too lazy.
Ryan sent me the following email and there are a bunch of people who read the blog who are into the sport so I figured I'd post it as a reminder:
"
Been training with Ryan again for his upcoming fight. Almost all the guys at Yoshida Dojo have fights coming up next month so the place is very serious and focused.
Went to a festival in Asakusa a couple days ago...i took pics and even a video of a little parade and I would post them but I'm too lazy.
Ryan sent me the following email and there are a bunch of people who read the blog who are into the sport so I figured I'd post it as a reminder:
"
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all doing well. I am emailing you to let you know that
BodogFIGHT Season 3 will be broadcast in Northern America on TV starting
April 17th, 2007!
Although, I am not sure which episode my fight will be aired, please
support the sport and tune it! It will be shown on the ION channel. For
more information on airing times in your area and the exact channel,
please refer to ION's website here:
http://www.ionline.tv/
For a taste of whats to come, check out the BodogFIGHT season 3 trailer
here:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lGIs3PV_nFk
Thanks!
Ryan Bow
ryanbow.com
P.S. The show will also be aired on the BodogFIGHT homepage here:
http://www.bodogfight.com
"
Well, thats it. Thanks for the updates on whats going on, hope everyones well. Related family...don't work too hard (unless Paul's around)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)