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The Ultimate way to Fight |
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Written by Glenn BurnSilver
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Thursday, 10 May 2007 |
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JOHNSON
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While the debate rages on about the legitimacy of professional “wrestling,” there is little doubt about the obviously painful reality of Ultimate Style Fighting. The sport, often called mixed martial arts, combines the various martial arts disciplines such as jujitsu, tae kwon do, karate, and kickboxing, with traditional boxing. Fighters kick, punch and elbow their opponents into submission.
“Mixed martial arts is the new, kinder gentler way of describing what was once called no-holds barred fighting,” event promoter Steve Alley explained.
It sounds brutal nonetheless, and to watch any of the old kickboxing movies like “Bloodsport,” “Final Impact” or “Kickboxer,” you would certainly be inclined to think so. It’s a misconception Alley and Denver-based ultimate fighter Jack Johnson struggle to correct.
“This sport is sanctioned. There are regulations and strict adherence to policies and conditions on every fight. It’s really quite safe contrary to what people think,” Alley said. “The moment any fighter is in danger, the ref will step in and stop the bout. The fighters don’t get beat down into oblivion so they can’t return.”
“I grew up watching those movies … all of them. I would watch those three times a day when I was a kid,” explained Johnson, the current Lightweight International Sport Karate Association USA champion and former Colorado state champ who fights current ISKA Canadian champion Darren Snell for the World Title. “I can definitely see people getting the wrong impression by watching movies like that.
“‘Bloodsport’ is a pretty brutal movie. I take it at face value. I don’t believe everything I see, and nobody else should either.”
Still, getting kicked in the face or the ribs is pretty real.
“I pretty much get hit in the face every day,” Johnson, laughed, when talking about his six-day-a-week training regimen. But when it comes to the actual fights, Johnson’s tone turns serious. The 5-foot 9-inch tall, 156 pound 24-year-old has been fighting for just over three years and has held the United States title for about six to eight months. He moved to Denver from Joplin, Mo., where he grew up as a small kid, was picked on frequently, and got into a lot of fights. While those survival skills are not a part of his current fighting formula, he credits those battles with strengthening the mental endurance he now carries into the ring. From the sound of it, he needs it.
“The mental key is being able to handle the crowd, handle the emotions,” he said. “The day of the fight you’re scared to go in there, then 10 minutes later you know you’re going to win the fight, then 10 minutes later you think you’re going to lose, then you know you only need to go out there and fight.”
He pauses briefly, clearly feeling that emotion for his title bout, only a few days away.
“This is the only sport that is one-on-one, man-on-man. Each guy pushes the other to the brink of exhaustion. It’s a real test of will and a test of strength. It’s the most emotional roller coaster you can go through,” he said. “There is nothing else like it.”
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TO GO TO THE SHOW
Kick Down 37: Lights Out
Ultimate Style Fighting Event
Saturday March 12
Budweiser Events Center
Doors 5:30 p.m., fights 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $55, $45, $40, and $30 for reserved floor seating; $20 general admission
877.544.8499
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OFFICIAL FIGHT CARD
Jack Johnson vs. Darren Snell ISKA Modified Muay Thai World Title
Chris Camozzi vs. Spencer Hooker Kick Down Professional Light Heavyweight MMA Title
Brian Cristina vs. Tony Kelley
Tom Johnson vs. Eric Allegria
Colby Snyder vs. Jeff Barney
Tommy Thompson vs. Josh Huber Kick Down Amateur Featherweight Title
Sebastian Puente vs. Sean Ogle Kick Down Middleweight am MMA Title
Dominic Blanco vs. Isaac Colon Kick Down Jr. Feather Weight am. MMA Title
Louise Johnson vs. Angela Samaro Women’s MMA
Brendon O’Dell vs. Kyle Johnson Welterweight am MMA Title
Joey Banks vs. Joe Sally
Clint Lippolt vs. Nick Honstein Kick Down Bantam Weight MMA Title
Michael Garcia vs. Ian Stonehouse Kick Down Amateur Jr. Light Weight Title
Chris Henderick vs. Anthony Werner
Matt Vigil vs. Henry Schmitz
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QUIEN ES MAS MACHO?
When Jack Johnson mentions to people he’s an ultimate fighter, he sometimes gets some unusual reactions, mostly from guys, who feel the need to show him up. “It’s funny how people react. Other guys will try to impress me somehow,” Johnson said.
“They try and act big with what they say or what they’ve done. I try and laugh it off. It’s funny. Most of the time it’s all good.’’ | Only registered users can write comments.
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