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AKA Kickboxing



Last Updated: 7/7/2009

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Gender: Male
Status: In a Relationship
Age: 102
Sign: Capricorn

City: SAN JOSE
State: CALIFORNIA
Country: US
Signup Date: 8/10/2006

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009 
JOSH KOSCHECK VS. ANTHONY JOHNSON AT UFC 106
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - by Steven Marrocco - MMAWeekly.com
KosJohnson.jpg
 
Welterweights Anthony Johnson and Josh Koscheck are expected to co-headline UFC 106 on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas.

Sherdog.com was the first to report the bout Tuesday night and MMAWeekly.com subsequently confirmed it from sources close to the bout. Koscheck confirmed his participation on the fall card earlier via his official Twitter account.

The event's original headliner, Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin, was Monday moved to Jan. 2 at UFC 108 after illness forced Lesnar to withdraw. Light heavyweights Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin were subsequently bumped up to main event status.

Mark Coleman had been scheduled to take on Ortiz before catching the injury bug.

Johnson (10-2) is days removed from a devastating knockout of Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 104, a victory blemished by a 5 lb. weight overage that cost him 20 percent of his purse and a $65,000 bonus for "Knockout of the Night." Johnson apologized for his misstep after the fight and said he struggled with a knee injury sustained in preparation for a June bout with Matt Brown (the bout was eventually cancelled when both fighters revealed injuries).

Koscheck (17-4) was originally scheduled to take on up-and-comer Mike Pierce on Jan. 11 at UFC Fight Night 20 before the shuffle. In his last Octagon appearance, the original "Ultimate Fighter" alum spoiled the return of former welterweight contender Frank Trigg at UFC 103. He is 11-4 in the UFC.

3:53 PM 
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009 
STRIKEFORCE: LUKE ROCKHOLD STEPS UP AGAIN
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - by Mick Hammond - MMAWeekly.com
Luke Rockhold_Pose.jpg
 
Expectations continue to rise for Strikeforce middleweight Luke Rockhold, and he continues to rise with them.

Over the course of the past year, Rockhold has steadily increased the level of opposition he’s faced and has come through in spectacular fashion each time.

Most recently Rockhold dispatched Corey Devela in just 30 seconds at the Strikeforce Challengers Series event in June. Now he has his eyes set on doing the same to Team Quest standout Jesse Taylor on Nov. 6 in Fresno.

“I try to block out the pressure and focus on what I need to do,” said Rockhold to MMAWeekly.com of the increasingly high expectations placed on him.

“I think as long as I go in there and do what I’ve been training to do, I think it might not (go as quickly as the Devela fight), but still be pretty exciting.”

Rockhold recently relocated from his native Santa Cruz, Calif., to San Jose, Calif., to be closer to his training base at the American Kickboxing Academy.

It’s a move that Rockhold claims has already begun to pay huge dividends.

“It’s a lot easier without the commute in the middle of my day, and I have more energy to get back in the gym and get my second workout in,” he stated. “I’m just busting ass and feeling confident right now.

“My stand-up and everything else is coming together. I feel like I’ll be improving in every fight by leaps and bounds.”

Turning his attention towards Jesse Taylor, Rockhold admits this could be a fight to test many aspects of his game to the fullest.

“He’s one of those little strong guys who’s tough to get below, tough to isolate like limbs and stuff,” said Rockhold. “He has the potential to frustrate me if I get caught on the bottom – that’s where I don’t want to be.

“I’ve been working with some of the best wrestlers out there like (Josh) Koscheck and (Jon) Fitch, working on my wrestling defense and takedowns. I’d potentially like to keep this one on the feet, and if anything stay on top (on the ground) and do damage.”

The temptation is always to push a rising star too far too fast to capitalize on his successes, but with Strikeforce, Rockhold feels he’s making a slow, natural progression that will ultimately pay off far greater than instantaneous exposure.

“They are building me step by step and this is a perfect step for me,” he commented. “Jesse is a really good opponent, and I’m happy to be where I’m at.

“I wouldn’t like to jump too fast, and to tell you the truth I think it’s a perfect position for me, and I just want to capitalize on what I’m given.”

From the undercard to opening bout on a television broadcast to a featured match on Showtime, Rockhold is working his way up one step at a time, ensuring a brighter future for one of the sport’s premier up and coming fighters.

“I’d like to thank my sponsors: Dethroned, AKA MMA, Full Tilt Poker, Score Clinic and Santa Cruz Skate Shop & Surf Shop,” he concluded. “Come check this fight out, it’s going to be very exciting.

“I don’t see it going the distance. I’m going to keep it fast-paced the entire time.”


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Sunday, October 25, 2009 
VELASQUEZ DOMINATES ROTHWELL AT UFC 104
Sunday, October 25, 2009 - by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com
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Cain Velasquez solidified himself as one of the top contenders in the UFC heavyweight division after dominating “Big” Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Rothwell found himself on his back just 30 seconds into the fight but was able to quickly get back to his feet. Velasquez continued with his relentless style taking Rothwell down at will where he landed a series of big shots nearly finishing the fight. Rothwell survived the round but was warned by the referee about absorbing too many blows.

In the second round Velasquez picked up where he left off, taking the bigger Rothwell to the canvas and connecting with heavy punches to the face of the 28-year old Rothwell as he worked on getting back to his feet. Referee Steve Mazzagatti called a halt to the action just 58 seconds into the second round in a big of a bizarre stoppage.

The stoppage was strange because Rothwell took a lot of punishment in the first round and was standing up at the time of the stoppage. Velasquez thought the fight could have gone on longer.

Asked by Joe Rogan following the bout if he thought the fight could have continued, Velasquez said, “I think so. I felt him stand up. I was beginning to take him down again. He did a good job.”

Velasquez remains undefeated, 7-0 in his career and 5-0 inside the UFC Octagon and takes another step up the ladder to a title shot.
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Saturday, October 17, 2009 
JOSH KOSCHECK VS. MIKE PIERCE AT FIGHT NIGHT 20
Friday, October 16, 2009 - by Steven Marrocco - MMAWeekly.com
KoscheckLytle042UFC86.jpg
 
A welterweight match-up between Josh Koscheck and Mike Pierce is planned for UFC Fight Night 20 on Jan. 11 in Northern Virginia.

Sources close to the fight say bout agreements have yet to be signed, although verbal agreements are in place. Koscheck confirmed the fight on his official Twitter account Friday afternoon.

Word of the Fight Night card first broke on Thursday when the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation confirmed the UFC's request of the January date, though the office could not confirm the event or its location.

Koscheck (17-4) has met mixed success in 2009, having recently defeated Frank Trigg by TKO at UFC 103 and lost by KO to Paulo Thiago at UFC 95. Still, the original "Ultimate Fighter" alum has made a home in the upper tier of the 170-pound division, with a 12-4 record inside the Octagon.

Pierce (10-1) recently made a splash in his UFC debut, defeating former WEC contender Brock Larson by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 19.

5:19 AM 
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Sunday, October 11, 2009 
Mexico City a Possible Host for April UFC
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Saturday, October 10, 2009
by Greg Savage (greg@sherdog.com)

Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

UFC heavyweight contender Cain Velasquez recently returned from a highly-successful media tour of Mexico to hype his co-main event with Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 in Los Angeles on Oct. 24. According to his coach Javier Mendez, who accompanied his young prospect on the trip, the former Arizona State University wrestling standout was a huge hit south of the border.

“Cain was so popular down there,” said Mendez, the head trainer at American Kickboxing Academy. “It was amazing to see their response to him. The Mexican people love real fighters and Cain showed them he was a true warrior in his fight with [Cheick] Kongo.”

Velasquez (6-0) may get a chance to fight in front of those die-hard fight fans sooner rather than later. UFC president Dana White has promised an event in Mexico sometime in 2010, and it seems the promotion may be planning on April for their Mexican debut.

Mendez told Sherdog.com that he has been hearing that April is the target, though he said he did not have a concrete date. He did say he expected the UFC to stack the card with Latino talent.

Likely competitors could include Velasquez, Ultimate Fighter Season 8 winner Efrain Escudero (12-0) and possibly Tito Ortiz (12-6-1).
 
7:18 AM 
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Saturday, October 10, 2009 
BOUTS SET FOR NOV. 6 STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS
Saturday, October 10, 2009 - by MMAWeekly.com Staff
StrikeforceLogo.jpg
 
Two more bouts are confirmed for the fourth installment of ShoMMA: Strikeforce Challengers Series, scheduled for Nov. 6 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif.

Strikeforce Director of Communications informed MMAWeekly.com of the additions Friday afternoon.

A previously rumored match-up between welterweights Luke Rockhold and Jesse Taylor will grace the main card of the up-and-comer series.

Rockhold (5-1) is coming off a first round TKO victory over Cory Devela at ShoMMA 2. The American Kickboxing Academy fighter has yet to see a second round in his professional career.

Taylor (17-4) dropped a unanimous decision to Jay Hieron at Carano vs. Cyborg in August, his first loss in seven fights after a rocky stint in the UFC and the seventh season of "The Ultimate Fighter." The Nov. 6 fight will be his eighth professional fight this year.

Additionally, heavyweights Shane Del Rosario and Brandon Cash will battle to keep their undefeated records intact.

Cash (5-0) fights out of Team Buhawe in Fresno and last fought Steve Gavin at the now defunct Palace Fighting Championships in February, winning a unanimous decision.

Del Rosario (8-0) is coming off a three-fight stint in overseas competition for the M-1 Challenge. A member of Team Oyama in Irvine, Calif., Del Rosario cut his teeth in ShoXC, the now defunct up-and-comer series of ProElite, and has finished all but one of his fights in the first round.

 
5:51 AM 
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Friday, October 09, 2009 
ASKREN JOINS ZINKIN, PICKS UP AKA TRAINING
Thursday, October 08, 2009 - by Steven Marrocco - MMAWeekly.com
Decorated wrestler turned MMA fighter Ben Askren has signed with Zinkin Entertainment, joining the likes of Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Cung Le, and a host of American Kickboxing Academy stars for fighter representation.

Zinkin Entertainment announced the news in a press release Thursday afternoon.

The 25-year-old Askren will add AKA to his pre-fight training regimen in addition to his work with Arizona Combat Sports and the Lion's Den Scottsdale.

The two-time NCAA champ and former Olympian made his MMA debut in February 2009 and has gone 3-0 this year. In his off time, Askren is an assistant wrestling coach at Arizona State University. He is a purple belt in jiu-jitsu.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2009 
MIKE SWICK TO FACE DAN HARDY AT UFC 105
Monday, September 28, 2009 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
SwickHardy.jpg
 
Following Martin Kampmann's devastating loss to Paul Daley at UFC 103, fans and critics alike were wondering who could possibly fit the bill to face Mike Swick with the winner gunning for a shot at UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. It looks like that question has been answered in the form of British fighter Dan Hardy, who will face Swick at UFC 105 in England.

Mike Chiappetta of AOL Fanhouse first reported the news on Monday citing UFC president Dana White, and MMAWeekly.com has since confirmed the bout with sources close to the negotiations.

Swick was forced out of his scheduled UFC 103 bout against Kampmann due to a concussion sustained in training, but the American Kickboxing Academy stand out is back to form and chomping at the bit to get in the Octagon.

Currently sitting with an undefeated record as a 170-pound fighter, Swick has looked impressive in his last few bouts, including a dominating performance over Ben Saunders in his last trip out.

The hometown crowd will definitely be behind its countryman, Hardy, at UFC 105 as he hails from Great Britain and has amassed a 3-0 record in the UFC.

Hardy impressed the world with his last fight, a win over tough as nails welterweight Marcus Davis. Now he's looking to step up again as he faces Swick for a potential shot at the championship in 2010.

Currently rehabilitating an injury, St. Pierre last week told MMAWeekly.com that he intends to return to training sometime in October. His representative, Shari Spencer, said he will likely return to the Octagon in early 2010.

Originally, Hardy was scheduled to face Korean fighter, Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 105, but the promotion moved him out of that fight and into the bout against Swick. There has been no word on whether or not Kim will remain on the card for UFC 105.

Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com for more information on UFC 105 as it becomes available.
12:27 AM 
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Monday, September 21, 2009 
Cagewriter

Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:49 pm EDT

Former NFLer Herschel Walker signed with Strikeforce

By Maggie Hendricks

Herschel Walker, the Heisman Trophy-winning running back and former NFL player with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys, has found a new career: mixed martial arts. The 47-year-old Walker has signed a contract with Strikeforce to fight at an unspecified date. He will begin training with American Kickboxing Academy, the high-profile camp in San Jose, Calif., that trains UFC standouts Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Jon Fitch, Cain Velasquez and Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson.
"I've been training for several years.  I would play college football games on Saturday and then compete in martial arts tournaments on Sunday after church. I'm now looking forward to opening up another chapter in my life and to competing in MMA," said Walker in a news release. 
Walker is not the first high-profile athlete to make the jump to MMA. In the current season of "The Ultimate Fighter," four former NFL players are trying for a chance at a contract with the UFC, most notably Marcus Jones, who played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven years. Cleveland Cavaliers star Shaquille O'Neal has trained in mixed martial arts for years, and made jokes about challenging former UFC champ Chuck Liddell.
That doesn't mean that the road to MMA success will be easy for Walker, who retired from football in 1997. During last week's episode of "The Ultimate Fighter," Jones became sick from the intense workouts that MMA requires. Afterwards, he noted that he never had to work that hard in the NFL.
Walker will also have the obstacle of age in front of him. Though there are fighters who compete well into their forties -- most notably Randy Couture, who is 46 -- but those fighters did not spend much of their lives being tackled by 265 pound linebackers. The wear and tear on a running back should not be dismissed when looking at Walker's chances.
At the same time, it will be hard not to root for him. He's been an MMA fan for years, and was even at UFC 103 this past weekend in Dallas. Walker is a modern-day Jim
9:24 PM 
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Sunday, September 20, 2009 
UFC 103: KOSCHECK GIVES TRIGG A RUDE WELCOME BACK
Saturday, September 19, 2009 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
9616-KoscheckTriggUFC103.jpg
 
It was a rude welcome back to the UFC for former top contender Frank Trigg on Saturday night as American Kickboxing Academy stand-out Josh Koscheck ended his night and return to the Octagon with a vicious TKO in the first round.

It was clear in the early going that the two former All-American wrestlers were going to test the stand-up and avoid much ground work. Trigg actually snapped the first solid punch of the night with a straight punch that put Koscheck on his heels after a brief exchange.

Trigg continued to move forward as Koscheck tried to get his distance and timing down, and once he did the end came quickly and violently.

The former Edinboro wrestler hit Trigg with a clubbing blow that staggered his opponent, and Koscheck quickly followed up with a powerful right hand that that sent Trigg crashing to the canvas.

Koscheck followed up with a few unanswered shots that sent referee Leon Roberts flying in for the save. Trigg bounced back to his feet quickly protesting the stoppage, but the replay showed little resistance from the Las Vegas based fighter after eating a few punches from Koscheck.

After an extended layoff due to a foot injury, Koscheck was happy to get back in action, and even happier following the TKO win.

"To get back on the winning ways is awesome," Koscheck said with excitement following the win. "This is what I've been training for, I'm super motivated right now, thank you Texas, 2-0 baby!"

Known as a fighter who never turns down an opponent, Koscheck for possibly the first time in his career asked for a particular opponent in his next bout if the UFC chooses to appease him.

"I know there's a guy that just signed a new contract his name's Matt Hughes, I've been asking for that for a long time. Joe, Dana?" Koscheck stated. "If not that I don't care who I fight to be honest. I'll fight anyone, anytime, any place, I'll fight every month."

5:44 AM 
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