Sacramento Spring Open

Article By Tyler T

Until Saturday, I had only ever heard of the United Grappling Federation by friends in MMA. Going to a grappling tournament hosted by this organization, I didn’t really know what to expect. As I followed the crowd of gi wearing, duffle-bag carrying, youth, I eventually ended up at the event. From the first match, a featherweight youth bout, I knew the tournament was going to be intense. Within the first 15 minutes of my stay, a little girl choked out a little boy. After the boy came to, he stood up and shook the hand of his opponent. Maybe it’s just me, but small things like that are what really make me appreciate the sport. As the day progressed, so did the age of the competitors. I saw a 15 year old kid beat a grown man. I had the pleasure of talking to one man in the tournament with the same age/height/weight as me. He was using his lengthy limbs to help choke takedown and throw his opponents off balance, I’ll be honest, it made me a bit jealous to not be in his position. I also got to speak with some camera men and match organizers working the event, they were all friendly, professional and helpful. When you’re surrounded by good people, it makes it easier to be sociable. It was a good pick for my first covered MMA event. I can’t wait to do it again!

This was the first grappling match I had been to since I moved to Sacramento, I had a lot of fun, more than anything though, it made me want to get into jiu jitsu and fast!

Here are the best quality pics that I could get out of the bunch: www.photobucket.com/ugfpics.

Nor-Cal Fighting Alliance’s Joe Soto Returns

One time Bellator title holder, Joe Soto, is set to make his return to the cage on August 4th at Tachi Palace Fights. The Nor-Cal Fighting Alliance fighter fights for the first time since his loss to Joe Warren. In that fight, Soto also suffered a detached retina and was forced to see a specialist before getting cleared from the doctor and California State Athletic Commission to fight.

Now with the approval, the 26 year old Soto replaces former Tachi Palace Fights Featherweight Champ, Isaac de Jesus. Soto’s opponent is Eddie Yagin who holds a 13-4-1 record. Soto, who is still under contract with Bellator, has been given the go ahead from CEO Bjorn Rebney. Rebney also hinted that Soto could possibly take place in Bellator’s bantamweight tournament if he chooses to drop a weight class.

Soto was Bellator’s first season featherweight champ, where he also won the belt in 2009. He then went on a 4-fight win streak before he was stopped by Joe Warren last September. Tachi Palace Fights 10 takes place on August 4th in Leemore, CA.

Twitter Sparks UFC Welterweight Showdown

With the recent “Twitter Challenge” as announced by Dana White, a surge in Twitters posts is obviously apparent in the MMA world. One that has caught the attention of many fans around the world was tweeted by former UFC champion, BJ Penn:
 
@jakeshieldsajj I would never challenge one of Cesar Gracie’s guys, but you’ve been calling me out for years.Let’s do it! I’ll contact Dana –
 @BJPennDotCom 

And the war of words ensued:
 
I’m a BJ fan but let’s get it on. Make the call RT @artoom23: Hell yeah! @bjpenndotcom just called out @jakeshieldsajj ! Let’s go!!!!!!!!!  – @jakeshieldsajj
@bjpenndotcom even better, let’s make it the first 5 round non-title fight – @jakeshieldsajj
@jakeshieldsajj If that makes you feel more confident….. sure. – @BJPennDotCom 

Could we see a welterweight showdown between these two fighters? Or is this simply a plot to receive a hefty $5,000 bonus from UFC President, Dana White?

CSAC Has Change of Heart

The California State Athletic Commission today reversed a decision to treat Chael Sonnen’s indefinite suspension as a license revocation, which clears the way for the onetime middleweight contender to apply for a fight license in the state after his suspension runs its course on June 29 of this year.

On Thursday, CSAC Executive Director George Dodd told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that California Code of Regulations Title 4 Rule 399 was used as justification by CSAC legal advisers for classifying the suspension as a revocation.

Today, however, the CSAC announced there were errors made in the interpretation of that rule.

“Upon reviewing the May 18, 2011 decision of the commission, an error in the applicability of Rule 399 was made,” stated a release issued today by the commission. “The rule states that, ‘Any applicant who has been denied an application for a license may not file a similar application until one year from the date of the last previous denial by the commission. Any application filed within the one year period may be denied without the necessity of a hearing. Anyone who has had his license revoked may not petition for reinstatement or apply for a new license until one year after the date of such revocation. Any petition for reinstatement filed within the one year period may be denied without the necessity of a hearing.’

“Since the commission did not revoke or deny Mr. Sonnen’s license, the rule does not apply.”

The release noted that Sonnen will need to appear before the commission once again should he decide to apply for a license in California.

“If the commission denies his application, Mr. Sonnen will have to wait one year from the date of the denial,” the release stated.

On Tuesday, the CSAC voted 4-1 to uphold an indefinite suspension of Sonnen issued in late April. The commission cited inconsistencies in his testimony during a December appeal of a one-year suspension he was issued for elevated levels of testosterone following UFC 117. (The suspension was reduced to six months.) Sonnen’s recent conviction on one federal charge of money laundering was also cited as a reason for the indefinite suspension.

On Thursday Dodd said that Sonnen was not eligible to apply for a license in California until May 18, 2012, or one year from the date that CSAC upheld the indefinite suspension, as per the commission’s rules on license revocations.

Until June 29, Sonnen’s name will remain on a registry that tracks fighters’ medical and administrative suspensions. It is unknown at the time of this writing whether a note will be placed on the registry after the suspension expires that asks commissions in other states to call the CSAC in the event that the fighter applies for a license there.

At Wednesday’s hearing, Sonnen’s legal representatives begged the CSAC to end the fighter’s current suspension on June 5, the final date in which he’d be eligible to gain a second’s license in Nevada to coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 14.” Sonnen told the commission that he had been offered a coaching spot opposite Michael Bisping on the reality show with a No. 1 contender’s bout waiting afterward. The request was declined.

Nevada State Athletic Commission Keith Kizer said on Thursday that a second’s license is out of the question before Sonnen’s current suspension ends, though the restrictions will be lifted after June 29.

“My understanding is that he’s free to apply for either license after June 29,” Kizer said today. “However, he will have to appear before the commission on those applications. Before that date, we have to honor the California suspensions.”

– MMAJUNKIE.com

CSAC Deals Another Blow to Sonnen

Chael Sonnen was dealt another devastating suspension yesterday at the hands of the California State Athletic Commission. The CSAC ruled 4-1 to uphold Sonnen’s indefinite suspension, citing non-truthful testimony given at the Commission’s hearing in regards to the high testosterone levels found in Sonnen’s blood test after the Silva fight. The Commission also mentioned his federal conviction on money laundering charges.

Sonnen’s initial suspension woul

d end on June 29 but under CSAC rules, he may not re-apply for a California fighting license until June 29, 2012.

In another turn of events, the UFC was solidifying the next season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show featuring Sonnen and Michael Bisping. The show features un-signed fighters coached by UFC fighters in an elimination style of training, leading up to a main event fight for a UFC contract and the coaches take their differences into the octagon.  Sonnen’s suspension has UFC mogul, Dana White, looking for a quick replacement. Although the TUF show and ultimately the showdown with Bisping would take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, generally state fighting commissions uphold other state’s rulings and punishments.

During testimony given at the CSAC’s ruling, Sonnen stated that his failure at receiving a California fighting license would ultimately lead to his premature retirement from mixed martial arts.

“If I don’t get my license today, “stated Sonnen, “I’m officially retired. And that came from the boss, Dana White.”

White, who is usually very vocal on the social media site, Twitter, remained quiet in regards to Sonnen’s suspension.

Written by: Jeanene S. Valentine